Sab Moh Maya hai!

It was an unusual morning. I had unexpectedly scored exceptionally well in a test that I thought I would flunk in (worth mentioning because it is a miracle!). I had sneezed 20 times more than I usually do. Everything was unusual about the situation – the place (my much unpredicted trip to Mumbai), the time (3 AM in the morning), the weather (very cold; something that I never get to experience). I was abnormally laid back about my early morning flight; as if I did not care. My bag was not packed and I had no idea about what I had pack either. It is so not me I thought. I always flip out when I am slated to travel. But today, I wanted life to take its course.

We left at 4, well past the time we should have. We were supposed to discuss all serious things on the way to the airport. My family always takes the pain to drop me off to the airport and waits till I check in, be it any time of the day. It was 4 am and the discussion started. The lists were refined. Our thoughts aligned for the first time. I could not believe it simply because I and my parents never thought on the same lines. None of us would ever compromise on anything. And it was never about ego. Ego does not really exist in my family. It has always been about views – different minds different ideas. So we reached a consensus. And everything was resolved. I was happy that they were happy. My happiness never matters to me. I always want my family to be happy. Period.

The last month had been terrible for me personally. I was forced to take a lot of decisions – all of which were desperate. I wonder how my brain thinks! Evenings were detested for a reason. I spent hours on phone – all crying. My parents were worried. Everyone questioned my impulsive decisions. None supported. I know my decisions were a little haywire. But then I just wanted to realize my dreams. And I was dying a little every time they disagreed. My dream is the only thing I want right now. This very sudden trip to Mumbai was only to make peace, to let my parents know that (howmuchever I go bonkers) I am still theirs.

I checked in and swiftly moved around the airport. I am so used to this place I thought. I can never get lost at this huge airport. My brain starts churning and thinks brilliantly every time I visit that place. I should have taken all my exams at the airport. Who knows I would have aced every one of them! It is as if I belong there. I thought of shopping for some time (yes, the airport is a shopping paradise) but the boarding had already started. I checked in at foursquare, tweeted on twitter and hopped on to the bus that led us the plane. Early morning flights are lovely (courtesy: free breakfast). I never liked the service of this particular airline though (because of the not-so-good-looking hostess and the way they handle luggage) but what the heck! They serve the best breakfast! (I actually dream about their food!). So I comfortably took my seat, made a small talk to the Saudi based south Indian seated beside me (one always sits beside me BTW) and got so engrossed in the movie that I did not even realize that the plane had taken off. I did not even realize the jerk (and that was not because of the pilot's efficiency) but because a) I had grown used to it or b) I had lost all my senses.

And it struck me…how much I am used to the pleasures of my life (unfortunately all of which are expensive!). Frequent flying, chauffeur driven cars, visiting the best restaurants in the city, staying at the best places, buying the most expensive things impulsively – all have become an integral part of life. I realized how material-driven life can be. But a Gucci bag can make us happy just once. You grow over every pleasure of life and sooner or later forget its significance. Maybe that’s when you should destroy the desire. But I guess everyone is neck-deep into the material world already. Everyone wears brands, every kid wants the best of the toys, every girl wants a diamond, every man wants a Roland…and the list is endless. Personally, I am drowned. And I see no signs of recovering either.

I wonder if material pleasure means happiness! It certainly means a lot though. The pleasure is way over-rated; is rated well over happiness. I am not really sure why the world has turned materialistic- competition maybe or societal pressure. Because Mr. Singh has a BMW Mr. Chaddha will buy an Audi! Everyone believes in ‘If you’ve got it…Flaunt it!’. I have realized that this kinda attitude is difficult to be destroyed and is inherited too. ‘Man is greedy’ and we have to accept it. The greed has taken over man and it rules. The desire is so strong that none can really beat it. It has become the way of life and soon it shall drive life. Or maybe it already does. We earn so that we can buy things to flaunt and we try to earn more so that we can buy costlier things the next time. It is a vicious cycle or even worse a ‘Maya jaal’ kinda thing from the story books. A bigger car, lip gloss that shall make your lips fuller, foundation with sheen…sab moh-maya hai! ‘Simple living and high thinking’ said someone zillion years ago. I wonder if it holds true now! As I was trying to define ‘simple’ the pilot spoke in his supremely sensuous voice. I have never paid attention to announcements but today his voice forced me to. We had landed and sunny weather awaited me. I thought of peeping into the cockpit while leaving just to see if the voice and personality matched. But ‘All that glitters is not gold’ stands true for me on every occasion. So I politely left wishing the hostess hoping that my luggage has not been man-handled this time.

Aarushi... A Rockstar

She held a ‘blue blazer’ at school. She was the prettiest and the brightest amongst all. She was passionate about dance and led a dance troupe, ‘Awesome Foursome’, with her friends. She was ambitious and wanted to be ‘famous’. She wished to follow her parents’ footsteps and become a doctor one day. Like any other teen her life revolved around her friends and the internet. She loved her life and her last orkut status said the same. She was like every teenager around – active and playful. Her teachers said she had a very bright future. Her friends loved her. She was an ardent reader and was halfway through the ‘3 mistakes of my life’. But little did she know that she would not be able to learn about all the 3 mistakes that the author made.

‘She’ was ‘Aarushi’ and she was found dead the next morning by her dentist parents. Her wish to be famous should not have been fulfilled this way. The Talwars’ domestic live-in cook was held responsible for the murder. But a day later, his body was found on the terrace of the Talwar residence and the story received its first twist. The evidences, circumstantial evidences, assumptions, reports, verdicts kept on changing and it took four and a half years for the final verdict to be out.

The story had endless twists and turns.
The entire country was divided – Those for Talwar parents, and those against them. The numerous candle light vigils, prayers, faith in judiciary all bore fruit on November 25 when the verdict was out. The Talwars were sentenced life imprisonment for killing their only daughter.

‘Honor Killing’ they said. And yet there are those who believe truth has not been told.

For the entire four and half years the media made a point to publish every piece of literature that they ever found on the case. The investigators were pressurized. The reports were changed. The case was closed and re-opened. A few suspects were put behind bars and then released again for lack of evidence. A lot of things were covered up at first and then brought to light later. The media covered it all. Going by the circumstantial evidence, testimony of witnesses and forensic reports.
Aarushi’s parents were held guilty of her murder. The justice after five years only to be accompanied by an air of terrifying uncertainty. Could the parents, the victim’s family, be the culprits?

We wanted justice for Aarushi like everyone else but not based on circumstantial evidence. Even the CBI has agreed that there was little ‘direct evidence’. It looks like a case of ‘high profile honour killing’ on the outside but when you probe a little deeper you shall understand that there is more to it. Finally, the blame game has come to an end and now Aarushi can finally rest in peace.

Can she?

Aarushi was an adorable child and she would have grown up to become a very beautiful lady. At 14 she was ambitious, loved her life and knew how to live her life fully. Nupur Talwar had once said that she would have loved to live her school life like Aarushi did. Aarushi was adorable but what happened to her was very unfortunate. Going by the confident ‘rockstar’ that she was in school she would definitely not be pleased to be remembered as a ‘victim’. Let us remember Aarushi as the way she was… A Rockstar.