Mumbai - The Local Train

Travelling in a Mumbai train,

One can observe most commuters’ faces in anger and pain.

Hardships of the people living in this city is for all to see,

A humble living for their family seems to be their only plea.

The cost of living is high for no good reason,

What will one buy and what will one save.

Half of one’s life goes in travelling through these crowded trains,

A sound sleep is all they desire at the end of the day.

Is that too much to expect in this earthly life?

Some of us have so much; still our desires never cease to end,

If only we could all retrospect, and think of all that we have.

Will it not make our life richer… with happiness?

The journey from another hard day at work and travel has almost ended,

However, even as you reach your destination you are pushed around and out from the moving train.

You just think of the day that was as you walk the final steps towards home,

Moreover, you start preparing yourself mentally for the next day, when you would recommence your journey.

Yes, it is the crowded train once again.

The Christmas Season

It is that time of the year again,
When children hang stockings on Christmas Eve.
They wake up eagerly the next day,
As gifts from Santa Claus is what they all expect to receive.

Now that I have developed into (what I think of myself as) a mature adult,
I try to find the true meaning of the Christmas season every passing year.
For some people this is the season of the spirit of giving,
While for some, it is a time to be merry and have no fear.

Just as our professional and personal goals change year after year,
The reason for celebrating the Christmas season continues to evolve.
I am a bit confused on how to celebrate my first Christmas as a married man,
How I wish Santa, could come a bit early, and resolve the dilemma in which I am.

Connecting with GOD

(This article written by me was published in the August-September issue of the Our Lady of Egypt Church Parish Bulletin, Olep Flight)

The last decade has seen a spurt in the use of mobile phones. Mobile phones have become a big necessity in our lives. From starting our day with the alarm ringing on our mobile phone to wake us up, to reminders for birthdays, anniversaries and meetings, no other instrument has been able to control us so much as this small hand held device. Just think about it.

Using the mobile phone, one can constantly stay in touch with family and friends at our fingertips. One message or one call is all it takes at times to catch the attention of the opposite person. The mobile phone has been one of the most interesting inventions. Moreover, this has helped us all to connect with each other.

Most of us Christians visit the Church to attend the service. While some of us visit the Church daily, most of us only attend the Sunday service. Why do we visit the Church? Well, most of us do it so that we can connect with GOD. While some of us do it, just to fulfill our religious obligations.

Anyways, the reason is not important here. Once a person decides to attend the service, it is the responsibility of the person to ensure that he or she does not, directly or indirectly cause inconvenience to the congregation.

I am not going to talk about the dressing part here that is not what I want to do. However, coming back to mobile phones, I fail to understand that if a person has decided to come to Church to connect to GOD, why that person cannot switch off the mobile phone. I know we will have some excuses for that too. Important calls, urgent messages, and so on. Valid reasons one might say.

However, I am sure that every mobile phone on earth has an option to keep the device on Silent mode. If the call or message is so important or urgent when we are in Church, why do we not use this feature then? At least, it will not cause inconvenience to the faithful, who are a large number, gathered in the Church.

From my personal observations in the recent past, most of the time the mobile phone beeps, the device belongs to an adult or an elderly person. More often than not, they do not know how to use the mobile phone features, and struggle to switch off the device or keep the device in silent mode for that matter. Children nowadays are more knowledgeable in handling such devices, and at least they use the silent mode feature at a minimum in the Church.

I hope I have not offended anyone’s feelings with all that I have written. I just wanted to state my perspective, which is, “Once you are in Church, you decide for yourself, you have come there to CONNECT with whom?”

This one is for you, Sister.

Growing up as a kid involved a lot of fun,

As I had two siblings and I was their loved one.

My sister was quite elder to me and hence was very protective of me as a kid,

Hence, I felt like she was my second mom and about that, I am candid.

She being the eldest sibling and I the youngest, ninety-nine percent of the time we always got along,

Hence, whenever I had fights with my elder brother, I got all the support even if I was in the wrong. :-)

My sister used to experiment a lot in her recipes, and I enjoyed watching her cooking,

However, the best part was her recipes turned out good every time, about that I am not lying.

She got married when I had just completed my schooling,

So living a life without her presence at home, I started adapting.

At a time, when I was growing into adolescence and increased feelings for the opposite sex,

I missed my sister's presence, started lacking the confidence to interact with girls and at times was feeling like a wreck.

Someone did say that time is the best healer, and this definitely seemed the case,

As I grew into a man, everything in life started falling in place.

Now that I am married, and look at the way you have brought up your two kids,

I can only sense what you might be feeling, as to you more than a brother I was a kid.

I had just started scribbling few lines thinking about you on my writing pad,

Here I am thanking you SISTER, for all the good times we had.

Who will help me carry him?

The movie Gladiator that released in the year 2000 had quite a few good dialogues. However, the sequences of dialogues towards the end of the movie always makes me emotional.  

After a fight between Maximus the main protagonist of the movie and Commodus the emperor of Rome, where both men die, the following dialogues follow.

Lucilla: Is Rome worth one good man's life? We believed it once. Make us believe it again. He was a soldier of Rome. Honor him.

Gracchus: Who will help me carry him?

[Gladiators surround the body of Maximus and carry him out of the arena]

The dialogue  “Who will help me carry him?” reminds me of the times I have had to carry a few men in my family to their final resting place. It is definitely not a good feeling. In the last 5 years, this has happened quite a few times already.

• Charles Dias, My Dad, 2006
• Victor Fernandes, My Uncle, 2007
• Eric Sequeira, My Cousin’s Husband, 2010
• Philip Dias, My Uncle, 2010

I can just say "May Their Souls Rest In Peace".

Today

Exactly a year since the time, we first met.

Exactly 100 days since the time, we got married.

The first part you remembered, the second I did.

 :-)

White Mischief

(This poem written by me was published in the quarterly edition of the Avaya Newsletter - Khabrilal)

Be content

A pair of eyes to observe properly,

A pair of ears to hear clearly,

A pair of hands to get a lot of work done,

A pair of feet to walk and meet new people in the journey of life.

However, you have only mouth and that is for one good reason.

The words that you speak cannot be taken back and hence have the potential to make or break a relation,

You already have realized the damage that you could do with one mouth; imagine the trouble you would land yourself in with two.

Similarly, in life try to be happy with all that you have, you will surely get what you deserve.

In other words, thank GOD for all that you have and trust GOD for all that you need.

A drop is all it takes at times...

A drop of which no one wants to shed.
Blood


A drop of which is awaited by the person waiting to quench his/her thirst.
Water


A drop of which at times indicates joy or pain.
Tear


A drop of which signifies some physical effort.
Sweat


A drop of which signifies the start of a new season.
Rain


A drop is all it takes at times to indicate something BIG. Life teaches us many lessons that are so simple to understand, that we treat it like a small drop because they appear insignificant at that time. However, we fail to understand the impact of the same until that small drop becomes a huge ocean in our lives.

A Sign of Changing Times

To hear one's inner voice, a person does not go about locating answers inside oneself, but goes to a location outside called the Echo Point.

Not yet...

Have i been the perfect son that every mother desires?
Not yet.


Have i really been a good brother to my siblings?
Not yet.


Have i been the best colleague anyone could have at work?
Not yet.


Is my faith in God strong enough?
Not yet.


Has everything around me changed for the worse?
Not yet.


Have people lost faith in my abilities?
Not yet.


My time will surely come. 
So don't come me out yet. Not yet....

(Thought of writing this poem while watching the movie Gladiator)

Beautiful season

The beautiful season has made its presence felt,

Everything around has blossomed to its fullest.

Different shades of green is all that i see,

How i wish this season would not cease.

The cool weather makes one feel so nice,

Wish you were around to add some spice.

Nothing seems more pleasant than the season of monsoon,

Really a nice season to cherish just after my honeymoon.

(Wrote this while travelling from Pune to Mumbai in the Intercity Train)

A New Journey

Walking alone I have managed to come only this far,

Now I need a partner for the long journey ahead.

Someone who could be there always to direct me on the right path,

Moreover, in whom I could find support when I fall down and have faith.

Together as we travel, life’s going to throw up many difficult moments,

Some with lots of joy and some of miserable pain.

Coming out triumphs together in this journey is what we should aim for,

As this will definitely make the ride all the more pleasurable than explored alone before.

Family

This one word really means so much to each one of us. I am sure this word has the potential to bring a smile on each individual’s face, when he or she thinks about his family members. From the time we are born till the time we breathe our last, most of us are blessed with a family around us.

Parents lay the core foundation for any family. In most societies family is the principal institution for the socialization of children. Being brought up in a middle class family, I really appreciate the core values instilled in me and my siblings by my parents.

The word family also brings to our mind many other attributes such as love, selflessness, sacrifice, happiness, pain, comfort and so on. My entire life, i have seen my father put in long hours at work so that he could afford quality education for his children. I have seen my mother, a homemaker, not only nurture us physically, but also nurture us in every aspect of life.

In today’s world, we see more of small nuclear families. Both husband and wife work hard to make ends meet and to see to it that they can afford the best of everything in life for their children. However, children seem to be less appreciative of the effort put in by their parents and of the material things that they possess. Bringing up a family with good values has never been tougher than it is today. The role of the family prayer (Rosary) thus becomes so much more important now.

As Christians saying the Rosary together has always been an important aspect of our lives. The power of prayer should never be underestimated in one’s life. Parents should definitely encourage their children to participate in the Rosary everyday. However, at the same time I feel that parents should never force their children to pray. Children should be lovingly taught about the importance of God in their family. In today’s times I really feel that a family that stays together can only do it because of God and their attitude towards saying the family prayer together.

The above article written by me was published in the Christmas issue of the Our Lady of Egpyt Church bulletin (Olep Flight).

Funny Moments

It was really funny to see my mom yawn, soon after i yawned. I noticed it happening twice.

Tribute: Mr. Eric Sequeira

I had written this write-up as a tribute to my cousin brother-in-law who was very close to me and my family members. He died of a massive heart attack at the age of 51 on 17th January 2010.


I Mr. Cedric Dias would like to speak a few words on behalf of the Sequeira and Dias families. Forgive me if I do breakdown during this tribute. Mr. Eric Sequeira was one of the closest brother-in-law’s the Dias family has ever had. As I speak of Mr. Eric I would also like to remember another person, my dad, Mr. Charles Dias who passed away 3 years back. Both these men lived in Vasai at a certain stage in their lives. They got along really well during the time they lived. These men were simple and down to earth in every sense of the word. Be it in their dressing sense, their attitude, behavior, humor or whatever.


These men had core family values instilled in them. They went out of their way to see to it that their immediate family members were not deprived of any benefits inspite of their not so good financial situation. However, that did not stop them from helping others. Whenever, any family members or friends needed any help or advice, they could surely depend on them.


The last time I shed tears was during my dad’s death. This has been the next. This is how me and my family members have really valued both these people. I guess all of you people who have interacted with either of these men, will definitely agree with what I have just said.


I know that no amount of words would be enough to comfort the immediate family members. However, I also do believe that time is the best healer. Hence, I request all of you present here to remember the Sequeira and Dias families in your prayers in this their hour of grief.


I know that Eric’s presence will be greatly missed by one and all. Hence, I feel that the best way to deal with his absence is to live life with the values that he stood for. Cheers.

26/11: A Year Later

Lessons Learnt: None

Life a Journey

Life is a journey, enjoy the ride.

Make the most, leave aside your pride.

Time is short, the journey will end.

So try your best & do make amends.

It’s better to slow down,

Than to regret later.

Else, you will have no one around.

And deep within the pain would be greater.

The Fern and the Bamboo

By Paul C. Kerr


One day I decided to quit. I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. "God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?" His answer surprised me “Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?" "Yes", I replied. "When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water.

The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo". He said. "In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed.

But I would not quit. He said. "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle." He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots. I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you.

Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern, yet, they both make the forest beautiful." "Your time will come," God said to me. “You will rise high!" "How high should I rise?" I asked. "How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return. "As high as it can?" I questioned. "Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can." 


I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you. 


Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you Happiness. Bad days give you Experiences. Both are essential to life. Keep going. Happiness keeps you Sweet, Trials keep you Strong, Sorrows keep you Human, Failures keep you Humble, Success keeps You Glowing, But Only God keeps You Going! Have a great day! The Sun is shining!! God is so big He can cover the whole world with his Love and so small he can curl up inside your heart.

Tomorrow...another Today

Our innocence was at its very best,

When we looked at everything without any answers,

There was a time when even though we were not able to identify colors,

Our life was so truly colorful in every little sense.

In life’s pursuit we may have come a long way,

But what have we really gained and what have we left far away,

Do we regret anything or have we just resigned to the fact,

That all those memories are now passé and life has to go on the way it is.

When was the last time we treasured true peace within,

Or when was the last time we did not spoil our today for fear of tomorrow,

Do we have any answers or we’ve just stopped thinking about all this.

Nothing in life comes easy,

And it’s difficult to see everything in black or white,

But what are we gaining anyways, when at the end of the day you feel uneasy,

About the day that passed and what might be in store the next day.

Definitely there would be many incidents that would coz us a lot of dismay,

However, belief in oneself is all that matters at the end of the day,

It’s best to take things the way they come, and enjoy life to the fullest,

Rather than ruining another day, the tomorrow which would be another T:-)DAY.