Monday, May 14, 2007

friends forever..

I don’t like it when my phone rings at 6 30 am on a Sunday morning, but as my brain started recognizing the user specific ring tone, I woke up instantly. I have kept a special ring tone for people belonging to my inner circle, my closest friends, my actual friends.

It was Purav Badiani, my friend for the past 15 odd years. We have had some wild times together. Trying to outrun an express train, getting into fist fights, the works. Somehow, till date, whenever his phone rings, I manage a smile as all those memories come rushing back to me!

The bugger owns a juice shop which is the best in my town, and I’m not saying this as I’m biased. He is not one to exchange pleasantries when works a waiting, and gets straight to the point. He wanted my bike for a few days, 24/7 as his had broken down, and as he had to travel all over the town to disburse orders, he would need transportation. I own a Bajaj pulsar, 180cc black motorbike. And I love it very very much. It was the first thing I have brought from my own money, and so, I may not have a home to live in, but I do own a bike! This said, one could comprehend my love affair with that mean machine, and my apprehensions in loaning it to anyone. I have had to deliberate a hundred times over a thousand issues, which was done all to quickly, some being analyzing the person asking for it, his track record, riding skills, friendship rating, usefulness to me(heh heh!!), reliability, relationship with the local police, financial potency or backing. The list goes on!
Surprisingly, when Purav asked for it, my mind was empty, and I said yes without thinking, but it still felt right! I was taken aback at this change in behaviour! That got me thinking. Why is it that when some people ask for your help, you gladly oblige as if it were your duty, and when some do, you try to run away from it?

Sub consciously; my mind had included some people in my ‘inner circle’. These fell in the tried and tested category, as they had faced the trails and tribulations faced in a relationship, and had come out with flying colours! They did not require constant review or monitoring. They had been there, done that. They were people whom I could trust implicitly, and who trusted me completely. We were not blood, but we were family. My inner circle is restricted to a few people, and I love them all a lot. I have made many friends before them, and many after. I enjoyed with some, fought with some and still keep in touch with some. But I could call them mere acquaintances, or good friends.
My inner circle? They are different.Not all are school buddies. But all of them have one thing in common. Mutual respect for one another. All the 5 are not best friends amongst themselves, they are from different walks of life, different religions, different mindsets, and different opinion on things. But somehow, strangely, I blend with them, and my frequency matches with each one of them, separately!
Life becomes easier after you have found such a bunch. I have five places to hog food at, 5 beds to sleep, and five shoulders to cry over!
Many a great people have said it, but ill repeat it. Make a few real, true friends, people you like hanging around with, who respect you and your feelings, people you can trust in time, and people who want the best for you. You will never feel lonely, and you will live a peaceful gratifying life.
No, its not easy, to choose, decide. But I was lucky enough to have finalized them at a young age. I may meet a few more people in life, and maybe, they shall be additions, but there shall never be any subtractions.
The key to it, or for that matter, any other relationship, is respect, concern and a sense of duty. I don’t expect a lot from them. I don’t want a lot of their time, money or t shirts! What I want is for them to understand, why I am the way I am, and what makes me tick. I want them to stick by my side, in a street brawl, or when im receiving an award. And I want them to know that ill always love them, come what may..

With love, Kartikeya Dwivedi.

Copyright © 2007 Kartikeya Dwivedi

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Interior secrets!


An interior designer is a person who is considered a professional . Interior design is a creative practice, which involves space planning, lighting design, purchasing, ordering, and selecting finishes, monitoring the construction and installation of fixtures.

Designers have knowledge of today’s market, material and labour availability, existing trends and can do a better job than unqualified personnel. They can make you house look like an ancient temple or a set out of the latest sci fi flick!

They work with the contractor, guiding them at each step. Sometimes, they have to roll up their sleeves and do the work themselves; so as to get the satisfactory result as the whole site and its completion is their responsibility.

They have to plan the work from the beginning and supervise it till the end, keeping in mind the clients preferences, taking into consideration the overall budget, and making sure the work gets completed in the stipulated time frame.

One can easily notice the difference in the workmanship of laborers employed by only contractors, and those working in the team of a decent interior designer. They are highly skilled, very knowledgeable and quick and complete the job quickly and efficiently.

The consultancy charges incurred shall be well worth the result, as I recently found out while painting my house. As I live on the top floor of my building, I was facing leakages not only from the society walls, but also from the terrace. There were cracks all over, I did not know how to go about painting my house in a budget, and the contractors were confusing me more with their half baked theories.

Appointing an Interior designer was a very smart decision, as she knew where to get the men and material at affordable costs, and was technically equipped to handle all the problems I faced, including dearth of money!

The work was over in a fortnight, and my house never looked better! If, in the future, I need to paint the house, or just make some furniture too, I’d gladly ask for a designers help!


Copyright © 2007 Kartikeya Dwivedi

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

private affairs!!

There were times when, holding a government job was considered as prestigious, and even if one were to be a linesman for BSNL earning measly salaries; he was looked upon with awe and respect. Those were the days when we had but one satellite channel, phone connections took a decade and Dhirubhai Ambani had not thought of making Power!!

Due to intense privatization in all avenues, be it the telecom, power or banking industry, although the prices of services have gone up, the essential customer service which was the order of the day has been given much importance, leading to an end in the monopoly of our government bodies like MSEB. BSNL, etc.

After the kick on the backside to our esteemed government organizations, there has been a sea change in the attitudes of the people involved with them. I remember when a few years ago, I had to beg an Officer to depute someone when my telephone had not been working well. God is great, as I got my vendetta just a few weeks back, when the phone went haywire again, and the same officer courteously assured me that the matter would be dealt with at the earliest! I could have dialed 198, but I wanted to fight with the officer and get my connection disconnected! His docile behavior got me thinking.

There are so many banks that offer competent customer service, and more importantly, a choice for the customers, so they don’t have to be dependent on state banks, and their lazy employees! Everyone is happy with the change in the working of those govt banks.

We had to be content watching limited channels with mediocrity written all over it. The consumers of today are spoilt with choice! All the channels are competitive, albeit charging astronomical amounts, but are delivering, which has left DD metro far, far behind.

With Reliance and Tata power started the generation of electricity. The bills may be a tad higher, but the complaints have decreased.

Privatization brings in competition, which improves the quality of product, and at times, reducing cost. For example, the cost of electronics has taken a nose dive, so now everyone can buy a flat screen tv. Reliance has made sure each Indian talks over a mobile phone.

Most government bodies are undergoing losses, and they are increasing by each passing year.
One such exception is the railways, wherein Mr Lalu has shown that profit can be derived from anything ranging from ‘chara’ to trains! It should serve as a wake up call to the other departments

India is a growing economy, where people don’t mind spending money, and a small fortune at times to get the services they feel they deserve, and sadly, our government bodies, due to lack of foresight, has been playing catch up for a long time. There have been efforts, but is it too late?

Kartikeya Dwivedi

Copyright © 2007 Kartikeya Dwivedi