Delving into the human mind

The human mind is a curious mix. A single mind has billions of facets, a thousand different reactions for numerous different situations. There is so much we can do and yet we may be only using half of its capacity. Our premonitions, our instincts, our perceptions, the ever filling memory and still as sharp, the dreams and the reasons behind them, a legion of emotions and feelings, the mood swings and the energy and the unconscious behind, it’s all so overwhelming. It is sharp and fast, agile and clever.

We take it for granted and it never disappoints. Think about our lives without so many different aspects. What if, our mind was not equipped so much? Wouldn’t it have been a tad bit dull?

Whatever the origins of the human mind are considered, either the scientific evolution or the grace of the God, it is complex, intricate in its design and even after centuries of research, for the human, it still stands as the greatest unknown in our lives.

The human mind is so much interesting. One can observe it for years together and yet not get bored. In a collective way it is so much similar, the way the complete human tribe lives. It amazes to watch its intricate similarities amongst the billions of minds parting through the vast individual diversities. Most minds think alike, act alike, behave alike and yet there are the subtle changes in the way they do it. No two minds are completely similar and yet no two minds are colossally different.

The city of dreams

The city: where Indian dreams are born, lived, squashed and reveled in. Some dreams make it big, some don’t. This is the Indian land of dreams and don’t stop dreaming.

So much has been said about the city by different people in all kinds of different media, that it momentarily makes me stop writing about it.

A short visit to Mumbai: the city of dreams and my mind was full of its thoughts. The city is boundless, not restricted by limits; according to the geography, other districts might start and end, but as a whole everything around is known as Mumbai. Some parts of the city are ethereal, with the beauty being though wild yet pleasant. From the windows of the local train, a carpet of green cover can be seen around the edges of the ocean, which peeps in and out across the city. The ocean is eye-soothing, though it is not the exotic kind like in other cities, but it has life.

It seems like the city has a soul which is benevolent and kind. It houses in itself people from all over, believing in different religions, of different social classes and most important of all, it tries giving employment to every individual. The city is like a mother, which helps her children grow by encompassing everyone in its loving embrace.

The city’s history is magnificent in its grandeur. The parts which were built by the British still exist. Such structures give the occasional tourist a feeling as if he has stepped back in time. The CST terminus which is majestic and looks more like a ancient palace than a railway station; the building that houses the Times of India and the structures nearby. The Gateway of India stands tall with the undulating waves of the vast ocean lapping its feet.

There are many more such things that are awe-inspiring in the city. But, what exactly strikes a human heart is the spirit with which people live in the city. And unfortunately the number of people living there also becomes the dent in its shining armour. There is crowd everywhere in the city. Not a single place exists across the city where there is peace and quiet and travelling becomes a pain. Though the life line of the city: the local trains are too efficient and try to make the travel a bit bearable, the crowd again becomes a problem and especially for the people who are new to the city.

There will come a time, when the city won’t be able to take anymore and it will collapse. Its serenity is getting lost somewhere.

Zayka North India ka..

It was in the second week of December that I and my family went to attend a cousin's wedding in Lucknow, well to be specific it was Suprit weds Anuradha :). It was a fun fare and the shaadi was North Indian to the core. There was lots of food, great amount of dancing and even more of healthy discussions, conversations and very loving people. I had fun meeting everyone there after such a long time. The fantastic part was that, even though a long time had passed, all of us met as we were in contact on a daily basis. Not even for a moment, did I feel like an outsider. It was a refreshing change to see people talking to each other and enjoying each other's company just because they wanted to and not because they had to. And there was color, glamour, music, fun and every needed masti ingredient.

And that's the zayka of north india. I stared with wide eyes at the glitz of the wedding. The amount and taste of food had me feeling as if i was eating for the first time in my life. It had an allure that you cannot find anywhere in the world. And the loving way I was fed everything (twice!!) was very touching.

I fell in love with some of the things. Fufaji's home where we stayed, it was a history in itself. A kothi from the nawabi era, it has housed generations of people. I could not get over its greatness and grandeur. The chudi wali gali that housed a number of bangles's shop and which was so narrow that at a time only two people can walk together. The winding narrow lanes getting connected at numerous places and yet when the houses emerge in those lanes, they were huge and great structures. The malai makhan, a delicacy I haven't had anywhere. The chat that was prepared right there in our house the night before the wedding. And last but not the least the dholwala and the incessant dancing. In saari cheezon ne mann-moh liya humara :)

Every part of India has a different flavour to itself. It is unlike any other. I loved every moment of the wedding. Though it was not the first time i had been there nor was it the first time I enjoyed, but it is just the first time to write about it. Even after so many days have passed, we at home still talk about it, as a moment in time we savoured.

(I just wish I had some images to go with this)