Truth About Life

              When we were in the 12^th in my school, every once in a while, lets say 2 to 3 months, our principle used to call us into her office for a half hour, to lecture us on stuff like stress management, or the importance of having real experiences in life instead of just spending hours on Facebook, or bullying issues, and the importance of being a good, balanced person. She started the class by telling us to imagine a large jar. She then told us to imagine filling small rocks into it, and asked us if we thought it was full. We nodded and she proceeded to say it wasn't as pebbles could still fill the spaces between the small rocks. Again she asked us if it was full. We agreed. She said it wasn’t, sand would still manage to fill the gaps between the pebbles and rocks. Quite obviously we felt a little dumb for not having thought of it ourselves. 

             She then told us that this jar is a metaphor for our lives. That the rocks are the important things in life like our family friends and loved ones; the pebbles are the other important things like studies, careers, goals, our house, bikes, etc and that the sand represented all the small petty things. She told us that we fill the sand into the jar first; we won’t be able to fit the pebbles or rocks into it. That it was important to prioritize the things in life that are important as concentrating on the small things will leave us with no time for the things that matter like family or our lives goals. It is more important to deal with the rocks in our life first and there is always space left for pebbles and then sand. 

Pune and its Punekars

When I was told to pen an article about Pune, it was the first time I had thought about Pune from so many different directions. Pune is a small city situated in the Western Ghats. This cultural capital of Maharashtra reflects a blend of traditions with modernity through its culture. Being one of the important educational hub and 9th largest metro city in India, Pune still stands apart from the other metro cities. I have made the above statement with some reference. As Pune is acquiring cosmopolitan identity with setting up of software companies and professional institutions, the city has assumed a multi-ethnic personality. Like other metro cities, it has not been incapable to hold up its culture, its identity.

When it comes to talk about people in Pune (Puneites or Punekar), there is one fact that no one will deny. Punekars are with an attitude: “wouldn’t mind to break but will ‘never’ bend”. For Punekars their self respect and their priorities are some of the things on which they will never compromise. Punekars have a peculiar sense of humour. If I may call it, that which borders on the sarcasm and is sometimes rude. This could also be related with ‘Puneri patyas’ –the boards seen outside the shop or temple or now even on the back glass of a car. Puneri patya has gained fame not only in Pune but all over the world (to take a look visit puneripatya.com). These patyas may seem to be funny or even rude but in actual sense it reflects the straight forward attitude of Punekars. 

Punekars have their own style. Puneri style of wearing ‘kanbali’ , ‘bugadi’, ‘puneri pheta’ has received admiration from all over. One thing comman to all Punekars is their ‘ never say die’ spirit. Whatever be their educational background, economic background, religion, they know to live their life to the fullest. They want success and money but not at the cost of their life. This makes Pune different from other metro cities.

I am India

I am India, the symbol of unity. 

Thrives in me each & every community. 

A country greatly gifted by nature 

The thing which makes me different is my culture. 

I have large amount of agricultural land, 

And every type of soil from regur to sand. 

Half my boundries are tickled with sea waves 

In me, lies some wonderful creations of caves. 

I have balanced duration of nights & days 

I am gifted with many great bays. 

To protect me, my men have always fought. 

My scientists have given the world a new thought. 

You heard enough of my praise & enough of my pride. 

Now make your hearts strong & hear my darker side. 

I have many shores who have lost their scenery 

They are filled with algae greenery. 

Still, there are homeless people, still, there are tribes. 

Almost , all my offices work on bribes. 

My policeman stands with an outdated gun. 

Half of my road works are left undone. 

Although, I am good in the length of rail, 

Half of my criminals are moving free on bail. 

My politicians always do a quid pro quo, 

In their pocket goes all the economic flow. 

I don’t like to invade, I don’t like to fight. 

Still there is attack on me every fortnight. 

All these things make me feel terrible, 

People call me that but am I really INCREDIBLE???