Question: How Do You Define A Good Piece Of Art?

My lame attempt at a Maieutic (Socratic) Response: "What is Art?"

For me, it is an expression manifested in form of a piece of literature, a song, a video clip, a photograph, a painting. But that's not it!

Good art has to be capable enough to:

• start a dialogue; trigger an action or reaction,
• generate different views from a different sect(s) of people &
• generate a set of views (conflicting or non-conflicting in nature) from the very same person

In my opinion, interpretation is always best left upon the audience. It derives maximum reaction to it this way, with a prerequisite of it being an EXCELLENT piece of work!

Miley Cyrus, a pop artist (who millions of girls have seen on TV as Hannah Montana in our teen years) dropped her much anticipated and teased new music video with Mark Ronson this morning (at 5:30 AM in my country, LOL).

It goes by the name ‘Nothing Breaks Like A Heart’!

First Impression of Miley's song:
Must be about a heartbreak. (Oh, wait. This isn't Taylor Swift, pfft. Boo!)

Second Thought:
Could be about how she lost her beloved Malibu beach-house (the one that she's previously written a song about) and Rainbowland Studio, in the recent Woolsey Fire. Her house, where she lived with her loving fiancé, Liam, burned down to ashes. (Hence, the lyrics "This burning house, there's nothing left").

A closer look at the (now deleted) 9 mini-teasers Miley had posted on Instagram:

1. A broken heart hung from the ceiling (could be inspired from the WRECKING BALL?)
2. A little girl playing with bullets
3. A stranded car with numerous toys laying about in the room
4. Lustful gaze of a man at a stripper performing in a club
5. Protesters with placards "All Or Nothing", "Fight for Miley"
6. 2 little girls standing in a firing range, pointing & nodding at the prop-board (these boards little girl figurines, not the usual ones of a man)
7. More protesters and placards (the one with '#MeToo'.... is it a man, a lady, a trans? You decide)
8. A car being chased by numerous police cars and a helicopter

Lets get to the video itself:

My Interpretation of the music video:

(Everything is a personal interpretation, especially those in green)

It begins with a car chase.

It's been made clear at the very start that "the destination remains unknown". People, supporters alongside the roads, standing with placards that state "We Are Miley" "Fight for Miley". She's referring to herself as a metaphor, perhaps. The 'various law enforcement vehicles' are chasing her vehicle.

There's a bunch of Christian nuns standing in support. Next, we see a strip club and numerous girls performing. There's a priest here. A man who has been introduced before. He has a lustful gaze.

Meanwhile... the lyrics,

"We're broken, we're broken,

Mmm, well nothing, nothing, nothing gon' save us now"

Next, Miley's looking right into the camera, as she sings these lines-

"Well, there's broken silence

By thunder crashing in the dark (Crash in the dark)

And this broken record

Spin endless circles in the bar (Spin 'round in the bar)"

Something about Miley's gaze towards the camera and the content of these lyrics make me think if she's referring to this song as the one that's gonna do rounds in these very bars, and is a call for these strippers to 'break their silence'.

Her car crashes through a wall. This is my favourite part. I interpret it as the wall of Ignorance, breaking apart, to reveal what's actually happening inside. We see two young girls standing on the other side of this wall. These 2 happy girls (engaged in clicking pictures of themselves with filters, the filter of social validation?) represent innocence that exists outside of these walls, perhaps. Completely unaware about what's happening inside.

Next, the car breaks into a second wall where there are 2 under-training girls in the dark alley, separated by this wall, of neglect towards the 'darkness' that this alley is representing. The darkness is a metaphor for the circumstances that led upto it. From innocence, to violence.

Could this represent mental health? Lack of recognition of severity of the situation? That's how I interpret it. Young children exposed to 'social validation' at a very ripe age, turning them from the victims of that darkness, to the culprits behind another form of darkness: Gun Violence, happening inside schools.

Miley, representing all of us, who're willing to take an action, stands in the way of these bullets being shot at their own peers (metaphorically represented by those unusual shooting placards).

Next up, another crash into yet another wall that shelters two female lovers in a hot tub. Chasing by the 'law-enforcement' continues.

We spot a man here in the crowd, with "Miley For President" tattoos. No, it's highly unlikely that Miley's gonna stand against Trump despite having openly opined against him multiple times.

When Trump was first elected president, a crying footage of her had surfaced. A very bold interview with Billboard magazine soon after. Although she did make it clear in that interview that she wanted to be taken seriously, and that's when she decided to get past the hippie-pop phase.

Another metaphorical message for all of us? This Miley standing for what she's voiced against time to time, aka, the Trump ideology.

(This very moment that we speak of this breaking-walls metaphor... there's the Mexico-American border thing going on. Now I don't really have a stand for or against this one. Migration is a pretty serious issue, for any given country.

I think that it needs to be pondered upon that WHY HAS MEXICO COME TO THIS POINT where emigrants do not care about being open-fired at! What has been happening in that country, and why isn't this debate replacing the entire anti-or-pro Trump debate altogether? Is one country's supremacy so much important as to over-shadow the actual cause of the consequent debate?)

There's more, NFL players kneeling in support of the car, as it approaches towards the 'destination unknown'.

Prison inmates, fighting over, hugging, clutching on to the toys we saw in the teaser. They're soft toys. What do these American prison inmates represent? Tell me what you think in the comments section below!

The car finally crashes. Miley and Mark approach the protesters where she's finally crucified to this car, something that she stood for.

Some major themes that Miley and Mark covered in this 4 minute video, and how they’re related to the Indian context:

1. Religious fanatics and all the problems that they lead up to
   
   Corruption within these ‘sacred’ bodies, sponsorship to moral policing with utter disregard to self-policing, etc
   
   
2. The un-defined code of moral social conduct
   
   The issue of 'appropriateness' when it comes to clothes, behaviour, respect towards certain people of certain professions (Strippers, Sex-workers)
   
   Who exactly is supposed to be the judge of these said morals?
   
   
3. All that is wrong (or, right. You decide) with the #MeToo campaign
   
   
4. LGBTQ Supreme Court Judgement: scraping of Article 377
   
   And the rightist-rage/lack of ground level recognition & acceptance towards it
   
   
5. Gun violence isn’t an issue in India, yet
   
   But incidents like the Ryan International, Gurugram incident with the DEPRESSED school kids (I cannot stress this enough)
   
   
6. This artist has been criticised so widely against the “wild” phase of her life: which is something every Indian kid is put through!
   
   In light of constant scrutinising of every action by the society.. how is one supposed to grow, if not by experiments or trial and error, or whatever approach one deems to consider as right for themselves?

What's your take on the video?

Also Read: An Open Letter to My Parents for If & When I Get Married

I Meant It When I Said I'm Leaving The Title Empty!

Can you recall the last time you read a funny statement, in a not so funny, but very very serious piece of text printed in commercial ink, on a paper?

I do. It was yesterday.

After MONTHS.

Now, can you recall the last time a meme made you LOL when you were actually pretty depressed?

Woah... all the time, right? Probably the very last thing that happened before you stumbled across this long ass post. Hell, our feeds are flooded with memes about memes being our saviours. Now, let us talk about that part in the last paragraph where we normalised a severe problem- depression. What's there to talk about? Well, a lot.

Few years ago, back in high school.. an 8th grader, couple years junior to us committed suicide. That doesn't sound unfamiliar or strange if you think about it, right? No matter what school you went to. It's SO common. While I did not know that junior personally.. I can recall a not-very-old incident of a close uncle, my father's childhood friend and business partner for decades, haven taken his life. It reminds me of a statement made by a teacher when the case of that junior was still afresh.

India desperately needs to borrow an element from the western culture.. that of having psychological counsellors in all of our schools and institutions. And they gotta be efficient in their work!

(Pun time: pls no caste reservations for this job profile pls haa GOI!)

It's a need, long been neglected. That was years ago and I can only marvel at the foresight of the woman.. now that I've grown up and know what she was talking about.

All of us happen to know somebody from our immediate family or friend circle having at least ATTEMPTED it. It's the second leading cause of death in our generation (15-29 year olds, as per a WHO report, dated August 2018). Mind you, this takes into account ONLY the reported SUCCESSFUL suicide cases, given the stigma around this cause.

As put forward by Yuval N. Harari, human being is already on the path to that future where we would be able to control how we feel, by having done enough progress in the field of biochemistry. But that is a long, long way to go, at least for being accessible to each one of us. So, definitely, relying on the scientists for this would not be a great idea, at least for now. Sure, we've got plenty options now from the medical field. But-

1. Not everybody is lucky enough to get recognised and counselled.
2. It needs constant supervision (lack of which, generally, has driven them to this point).
3. Why make our bodies a slave to these induced hormones. It is known to drive some of us to the point of no return.

Take that random girl's comment that I came across on a purely visually aesthetic music video on YouTube, as an example. She wrote how it was a typical boring day listening to it, on acid with her pals & how her previous generations would experience kaleidoscopic and sexual blast on LSD. From the looks of it, she was probably on it when she wrote it.

Our societies, relationship with peers and families are going through massive transitions. If you or your (grand/)parents have not already experienced it, you SOON might.

(Well, if you hadn't noticed already.. "Dysfunctional Families" is now a Netflix genre!)

It is bound to have psychological repercussions, and there is no escape. You could however, learn how to deal with it in the best possible way. You could seek help (professional or from your circle) but in absence of that, which generally is the case.. you have to do that yourself.

There is no point in dwelling over the agony or observations that nothing is working in your favour. There is really a very slight possibility, if any, that you will not make it through, after having given your best, and then some more.

Yuval also pointed out in his masterpiece of a book, about the electronic algorithms that have taken over our online behavioural traits. Mankind has had a history to approach priests and astrologers to know if a partner is (/not) good for them. Then came the theory of trusting your heart, feelings and instincts. Soon the electronic algorithms will know us better than we do, even biochemically.

But what choice do I have now? In this very moment, how do I tell if I should be friends with this person? The answer is EXPERIENCE. You'll make mistakes. A lot of them.

"One of the patterns of mistakes I have learnt from is, realising everybody around me will not be able to help me out. It is the hard truth, but nobody owes it to me. I cannot blame them for not being around. That does not necessarily make them bad friends. Perhaps they are dealing with a battle themselves in that moment. I have to deal with mine and learn to not hold it against them. Each friend could be a different kind of a friend (but it should be a good different kind). I do not have to tolerate every person around me in my moments of vulnerability, even in the name of friendship."

Not every friend or acquaintance is good for me.

I might have to be that person saying NO in some cases. It is very essential to root out the negative friends for our growth and stability. Friendship HAS TO BE a 2-way thing. No ifs and buts. By observing patterns, we've to learn what is best for us. It requires some people to hit rock bottom before realising some essential lesson themselves. Do not beat yourself up about it. Specially when in a severely bad phase yourself, do not indulge with the negativity around you. It is possible for it to go either of the two ways- healing for the both of you, or just the opposite.

"Know and act upon what your instincts tell you. Are they really worth losing your mental peace about? Are they around when you need help? That will help you in deciding whether or not to stick around every time they cry help. And honestly, if that is the one time they're around, SHUT.THEM.OUT. right f***ing now!"

I know I keep mentioning my Nani every now and then. She is a really old woman. I would not say age-wise.. because people do live up to their 90s. She is nearly 2 decades younger but I have seen her age like anything after my Nana passed away. Watching her slip into a depression has taught me that even the strongest of us lose a hold of ourselves sometimes. But here is a little something that this terribly sad incident made me experience. My Nana was a happy person, despite an incurable, indisposable termite residing with them in the house. He asked us to eat healthy and do yoga. I never took it seriously. To honour his memory, I initiated one of them, and my inner self has never been more at peace than now.

Take some off-screen time.

I wrote this piece of writing, on paper. This is the first time I have done it for a blog post. Although I would admit, one reason I did it is because of the shitty Mojave OS update that would not let me use my laptop without plugging in the power adapter at all times.. (for the love of your reputation as an almost $1 trillion company.. FIX IT, TIM!)

But anyway, it ended up saving me a lot of time, and was soft on my eyes, unlike the uncomfortable mind-numbing hours of editing on screen. It gives you time to indulge in activities that you used to love pre technology era. That excitement has got submerged by the hundreds of thousands of miles of scrolling that our index fingers have been doing over the years. Take social media detoxes every now and then, if not entirely and forever. How ironical, I made you read such a long post on a screen. But I'm going off now! Wait, before I post a link to this on every platform! xD

The Best Trip I've Ever Been to: A Decision Taken in under 5 Minutes!

Do you happen to know somebody who did fairly well in their lives in almost every sphere- be it excelling in school or recreational activities, from financial to familial responsibilities? Without question- yes.

But very often, we come across successful people that struggle with mental health issues and it comes as a surprise to us, doesn’t it?

Most people believe that managing to earn a successful high-profile lifestyle might be the key to happiness. But let’s get real- we’re living in the 21st century. The truth is that beneath this facade often lies a grim reality that gets overlooked.

Success and 'having it all' does not always mean happiness

So what is it, that humans are seeking to stay happy and content with their lives?

There’s no one answer to this question, because every person and their circumstances could be very unique for us to decode. What we do know is- people need to detach from the materialist worldly expectations from themselves and their loved ones.

Often, the things that cause a web of unhappiness- unintentional invalidation by the loved ones themselves. Questions like- ‘What’s wrong? Why don’t you snap out of it?’ - only make it worse.

The best decision I've ever taken in under 5 minutes:

Last year I was visiting my friends in the city of Indore. The entire year before this visit had been a difficult time for me. I had just lost a seat in Delhi University for a masters programme that I’d always wanted to get into- by 4, FOUR marks!

Besides that, losing my grandfather to his third heart attack, confusion between preparing for UPSC and getting a job, witnessing the person closest to me (my maternal grandmother) break down- it was a bad time.

The Indore trip wasn’t a planned one. But I’ll tell you what- it was the best decision I’d ever taken in under 5 minutes! On the 4th, and the last day in Indore, we spent an evening at Pyra Healing Garden- located at just 35 kms away from Indore, the Cleanest City of India.

And believe me when I say this- IT WAS MAGICAL!

A sense of positivity:

I only spent 4-5 hours at the retreat and the relaxation experienced isn't comparable to any other sort of therapy that I've ever had.

• Yoga is known to neutralize respiration, energy and vitality.
• Psychiatrists are helpful when you need to clear your overburdened headspace.

But would any of these help you when you are involuntarily stuck in a bad place? Clearly, no.

This is where Pyra helped me out. Everybody suggests you to go for a vacation when you need a change. And the reason behind my Indore trip was just that- a change. Visiting Pyra was just the cherry on top.

When we first made a stop at the retreat, it was because it lay on our way back to Indore from Mandu. We’d been travelling for a while and just needed a refreshment break.

Something that you’d never expect a regular travel refreshment break spot to offer, while in India!

The place had hundreds of plants and blooming flowers in every shape and size. The clock ticked 7, but it felt like 6... in the morning! Since it was the month of monsoon July, we were still amidst clouds hovering with us! Right in front of us was a series of 2 sets of plateaus, adjacent to each other at just the perfect picturesque angles!

The refreshment break that was supposed to last for an hour, turned out to be a good 5 hour stay. Two of my accompanying friends and me, took advantage of the rather peaceful suburb solace that we’d unexpectedly landed ourselves in! During our entire trip, we hadn’t stayed this quiet, yet relaxed at the same time.

The aura at Pyra is relaxing and rejuvenating for tired souls that do not even realise how tired they’ve become by trying to suit themselves in the rushing 21st century lifestyles.

Have you ever unexpectedly come across such mindful retreats while traveling? Let me know in the comments section below so that I can visit them next!

Also Read: A Weekend Get-Away Destination near you that’s Not on Every College Student’s 'Places-To-Go' List: Churu

A Weekend Get-Away Destination near you that’s Not on Every College Student’s 'Places-To-Go' List: Churu

Whether you're planning to escape Delhi's noxious air during Diwali or making your wedding and family functions legendary, we've all been questioning if there is a way to discover a weekend get-away destination that is offbeat!

Continue reading this article if:

• you're bored of celebrating every New Years’ Eve with your friends in a hot-n-happening club (that one of you managed to get coupons for, but didn’t turn out to be as hip as you thought it would),
  
• you're not sure if Humayun’s Tomb can accommodate any more of fashion bloggers for weekly photoshoots, (ooh, I’m pretty sure your followers are bored of that as well!)
  
• you can’t wait to organise a bonfire with your best friends (but the empty plot besides your grandma’s house doesn’t provide you with much privacy)

A glimpse of something unique for those who cannot wait to explore the unexplored: Churu

The royal state of Rajasthan boasts of forts and palaces at every turn, and Churu is one of the towns that falls off the tourist map. What makes Churu stand out is- no kings and queens have ever resided in this town, yet it has a fascinating history!

Also known as the Gateway to the Thar Desert, if you can look beyond the dust and the grime, you will find yourself surrounded by history, beauty and heritage.

The rich history of Churu: A bustling merchant town!

Back in the 19th century, the rich marwari seths traded in spices, textiles and opium and believed in spending tons of money on their homes (read grand havelis). These merchants travelled across the world and brought back stories of what they experienced, depicting them in paintings on walls across the town.

As they got richer and richer, these merchants moved their business to Kolkata, New Delhi and Mumbai, leaving their ancestral properties behind in disrepair.

Today, walking through Churu is like walking through a ghost town! There are more than 100 havelis within a short radius, each grander than the other. The paintings and frescos these havelis embody depict the lives of the owners and new concepts of that time like: travelling in a train, driving a car, etc.

If your idea of a travel involves knowing the people, their story and culture, enjoying your own space in tranquil environs and simply adoring monuments, Churu is a gem for you. Walking through the lanes of the town, one can easily imagine it in all its glory, when it would have been the bustling centre of commerce.

The Churu experience:

The Churu experience is about the people – the merchants, the artisans, the farmers, the workers and commoners like us. Knowing these people, their stories, their lives is what makes it special.

For someone who appreciates antiques, even the doors of some havelis are something you can spend an entire day looking at and adoring! Grand in scale and in terms of beautiful engraved work on them, no two doors are ordinary or alike.

European influences in architecture and design peek from every corner here,
telling tales of the owners’ travels and lifestyle.

If you are more than done trying to relate to the unreal world of kings and queens, step back in history and come visit the town of Churu that man built and thrived in. A bumpy 30-minute drive takes you towards the sand dunes, where the only thing missing is a bonfire.

Then there is Malji Ka Kamra: made as a guesthouse to Maharaja of Bikaner by Malji Kothari – one of the richest Seths of Churu. The place was originally used as an entertainment house for visiting dignitaries with artists being called upon from all corners of Bikaner riyasat. 

Malji Ka Kamra, the only heritage mansion resort of Churu is over 100 years old!

One of the rooms still carry an original painting of Ganga Singh Ji, the ruler of Bikaner – who used to stay in that particular room during his frequent visits to Churu. Malji would get it demolished and reconstructed til the time he was happy which explains how it took 17 years to construct it! 

This palatial place was gradually decked over a period of seventeen odd years to make it look like an eclectic party venue hosting ballroom waltzes to performing arts for the elite merchants, the royalty, the British officers and whoever was the then toast of the region.

The haveli’s pillared exteriors, a fusion of Italian and Shekhawati architecture styles embellished with stucco work of beautiful figurines of men and women, many in various dance moves pose as ample evidence of the place’s bygone revelry.

The place gives a sneak peak about the lighter side of the Seths, usually
perceived to be workaholics, with their nose always buried in ledger books. 

Malji Ka Kamra looks like a 19th century venetian villa with a unique combination of an Italian-style-construction, combined with ingenuity of local architects. It is now a restored heritage building with 14 rooms and suites, carefully preserving the elements of the original architecture.

The lavish property aims to recreate the ambience of yore, to host modern-day travellers and introduce them to a region full of architectural relics!

The ornamental and grand structure has a Mughal styled main entrance door
which is a gigantic 30 feet high, tall enough for an elephant to pass through.

 

Covered with iron sheets, brass bars, iron spikes, iron chains and brass knockers, this door looks royal in every aspect, with paintings of various generations of Bikaner kings, Radhe-Krishna amongst others.

What’s more, there are jarokhas on either side of the magnificent door from where flowers were showered on to the welcomed guests!

Malji Ka Kamra on Tripadvisior

Discover the best of Shekhawati with your Churu visit:

Diligently restored following the same lines and look of a rang mahal, Malji Ka Kamra sports an unusual mint green façade. Visit and explore explore Churu, the least explored of the three districts comprising of Shekhawati, to find a slice of the real Indian experiences you’re looking for. 

How to reach Churu?

Churu is located at a four odd hour train ride from the capital of the county, Delhi’s Sarai Rohilla or Delhi Cantt railway station. The gazers window-view gradually changes to desert shrubs and to sandy dunes when the train finally pulls into Churu Junction.

Thanks for reading!

Also Read : The Best Trip I've Ever Been to: A Decision Taken in under 5 Minutes!

How it took One Gimcrack Waitress to Teach me Something I Should've Known Before.

There is no sincerer love than the love for Food. We can't thank Zomato & Swiggy enough for making it so much easier for us to order delectable food at the ease of our fingertips.

(& these empty pockets! *sigh*)

But nothing beats the jubilation when you receive your favorite pasta served to you at your favorite restaurant with unerring ambiance and the just-your-kind track-list on, right? Something to look forward to after having a grim day.

It was one of these days when my SO and I decide to go to THE FAV STUDENT HANG OUT PLACE of the entire North Campus. I won't name it but let's just say, it has something to do with big doors 😏

Usually the place is very lively and has beaming students in line who don't mind waiting. This experience, however was different. The number of staff members surpassed the number of customers. Maybe something to do with the timing. We didn't mind. We just couldn't wait for our order to be served.

Of all the places I like to have my food at, 99.9% are of the kind where there's no trashy EDM playlist blasted at volumes so high where you can't hear the person on the other edge of the table talk. I can't imagine myself going on a date somewhere where you've to yell at the top of your voice to ask for a glass of water.

(Yes you guessed it right, I'm not a clubbing fan either!)

This restaurant we were at, wasn't a one like this. I've brought my siblings and childhood best-friends here.

Unlike Joey, I like sharing my food with the people I love! *wink*

It was when the staff started yelling at each other to pass on the bill, check on some order on table number XYZ, that we got baffled. This stuff's not supposed to be made heard out to every single customer in the restaurant, right? I couldn't help but notice their young new recruit. How could've I missed her amidst her audible-visible-extremely out-of-tune lip-sync to Wrecking Ball? She literally kicked our table on her way to the other end of the room, doing nothing, obviously, but DANCING!

💯 points for guessing it right, she didn't care enough to notice, or, apologize.

The sole reason I came out for a meal turned out to be just the opposite. If I wanted to hear her sing and spit in my food, I would've rather had a meal with my nasty younger cousin. I was paying a hefty amount of GST for that meal in return for her to deliver her services, not listen to her rants to her colleagues, about nothing! The entire plan to lighten up the mood drained down the flush just like that and I couldn't help but ask to talk to the manager before even finishing the last bite of the sandwich I would've otherwise fought for!

It pained me to take a 500 Rupee bill out while the manager apologized for the amateurish behavior of the young waitress. Storming out of the cafe, I couldn't help but wonder how many such meals could've gone wrong but they didn't because of the wonderful staff I never bothered giving any compliments to. When asked for a review, I've only reviewed places about food, or their music and decor, but always took this one for granted.

Guess it did have to cost me 500 Rupees to learn it, but I did :)

Cheers to all the polite and extra-ordinary staff out there, doing their job right!

There's Nothing Like You & I...

When we truly commit ourselves to somebody, we do not allow ourselves to find perfection in someone else. And when the one we've committed ourselves to, isn't anywhere next to being a perfect match, that is where the trouble starts. It isn't even like we can blame them, right? Because, perhaps they never cross-signed for any of that shit like we did. Yes that is just what it is. A cycle of crap that nobody but we cajole ourselves into.

As for all the other cliches, I'd swore I'd never put it this way. But the pills I admit, taste less bitter. The broken glass fits, oddly a little perfectly. It's been forever, they say.. since they saw me sociable or jovial. While the birds leave their trees everyday and the sun lits up those tar-black highways, I stay here like I was the dusk before, and before. And I'll be here, til I make it a little less hard on myself. I gotta, I gotta get up. Because there's nothing like you and me. There won't ever be. There is no you and me. It's just you, and me. I wish to fall asleep, and dream, dream that I'll wake up and you won't be here. In my head and in my thoughts.

I learnt to never lift my crest-fallen gaze from the damned floor. Made it a habit to not raise the fucking gaze for it wasn't good enough to make you believe it was unadulterated. Made sure to be there for you but all I got were REPEATED nasty inklings. It was a disease, you said. We were young, you couldn't get yourself to care enough to see it. Has it gone, has it? How can you still not care? What you say, tells me nothing. What's the truth? Give me something! Talk some sense to me? Something that tells me I wasn't any of those things you said. Something that makes me see, the me that I am, and not the on that you made believe I am, a little more clarity here in my lunatic mind is all I ask for. Can I please.. for one last time?

Not til I am willing again, to surrender myself again, you say. You can't pull me outta this self-built misery, you say. Lest I admit to be willing to fall in even more ardently, profoundly. You ask me to separate myself, from what's persuading me to relinquish. And I say, it's no use.. the truce. It's like a spell, why don't you see? They're in my head & in my heart. The things you said. And you're not here to take them back. It's all become too much and all those words we exchanged, is it any wonder things got broke, to never be the same, to never be as magical as they used to be.? This brawling love hurts, it hurts me more than yesterday. Only the heartaches have given me the true sight and it's what I've come to figure out now. These aches you've began fancying; for they bring me to you. I gotta tell you, I've been using you as nothing more than a warning sign. And there never is going to be a first-light, when you'll get to rapt me again.

I never thought I could, but I miss the crap more than I ever thought I would.  It's dark enough to be able to see.. but not enough concealing to not let it hurt. So this is what I oughta do now. I'll swim through the darkest waters.. read through a zillion books.. to keep myself from crying my guts out right now. I know I'll never find those rusty-brown eyes amidst all the others I'll see. I long to hear your voice. But still I make the choice. The choice of becoming a shadow of your thoughts of me. Decisions, decisions are what I've come to angst the most, but this one- I'm so sure about. I hadn't been all this while, but hey now I am. Need not ask me to slow down, you don't need to worry now for you didn't when it would've helped, helped me to not become this dreadful being that I am now. I know it-I know it, I can tell it won't hurt that way, So I'll do it regardless of what you've been saying all this while. The good girl, there's nothing like a good, good girl you were looking for a good girl. You won't find her not here not again not in me.

The ONE Reason Why Tina Dabi (2015 UPSC Topper) Isn't My 'Perfect' Role Model

(I’m just going to use Tina Dabi's example to elaborate upon a crucial point here, this article is NOT a hate post on her. I have time and again come across the laudable dedication she has towards her work).

While most of us feel that caste based reservation system in some way or the other is serving a good purpose, I'll tell you why I don't feel the same taking up over a multiple examples. Excluding the general category backwardness, because everyone talks about that enough!

The reason why Tina Dabi isn’t the ‘perfect’ role model for me:

A person got qualified into IIM/ IIT or any other top institutes because of reservation (or, in this case Tina Dabi’s parents). She/ he/ they manage to become a successful doctor/ lawyer/ engineer/ civil servant.

Now who is going to make sure that this man/woman doesn't reuse this policy to help his son/daughter (Tina Dabi, in this scenario) secure a seat in these institutions using that very same ‘social-upliftment’ quota again?

Let’s consider a real example I’ve picked up from my own life:

The man who cleans up my neighbourhood belongs to a lower caste. His ancestors cleaned our neighbourhood, and so will his offsprings (well I hope not).

Does he not want the welfare of his coming generations? Is it because he is not interested in educating his children, or somebody else from his entire community won’t let him?

When he decides that he'll get his children into a nice institution, he knows that he won't be able to provide his children with the best available study material required to crack any such entrance examination, provided his economic condition. He somehow still tries.

Now his children try to avail the benefits of the reservation system, that was introduced to serve this very purpose. But how will they compete with the children of rich ST/SC people who have the right to avail the same benefits but have got an upper hand in additional access to resources?

There should be a limit as to how many generations of a particular family need upliftment to be socially acceptable. Otherwise it’s all just a facade, right?

Isn't this unfair to the low economic background people hailing from ST/SC? They are still being ill-treated, while the rich ST/SC (Tina Dabi and her family, in this case) are continuing to benefit. Isn't this creating more divides within their own caste now, instead of breaking barriers with the outside castes?

Some other instances where I feel the current caste based reservation system doesn't do justice:

1. The religion based reservation:

Some backward castes of muslims get reservation under the OBC category. There are some classes in Sikh/Parsi/Jew religions classified as OBC, but their proportion however, as compared to the largest minority (muslims) and the majority (Hindus) is far less.

I am sure that these communities get enough perks by their own society in however ways possible (separate dedicated institutions religion and community wise).

But is there a check that these groups that equally deserve reservation don't get cheated when it comes to collective strategy for upliftment? My knowledge on this particular issue is quite low. Please let me know about it in the comments section below.

2. Prevalence of mental depression ONCE the seat IS secured:

Few days back a friend from an NIT mentioned about the increasing number of drug addicts in his campus. Most of these hailing from the ST/SC group. The conclusion that he stated behind their addiction was: the embarrassment faced by these students once they got in because of reservation, but realising it only after that they can't live up to the standards of that institution.

Clearly, they fail to make the most out of their education. Now the question I have is, who is accountable for these depressed souls and the lost seats? Who is accountable for the talent this nation lost when deserving applicants were denied admission into top institutions?

3. Update to 2020: Modi government introduces an additional 10% Economically Weaker Section quota:

I felt that this very demand was wrong before, I feel it is wrong now. We live in a highly corrupted society. It isn't difficult to forge documents that falsely prove that you are backward. Most of the people utilising and procuring seats under the flawed Creamy Layer OBC quota were already doing so!

(Some people from my very own community do it, so I know how easy that is!)

Basically, we are paying for the mis-deeds of our ancestors

My point here is, the reservation system was introduced in newly independent India for the upliftment in the social status of the classes that were ill-treated for centuries in the Indian subcontinent.

On a lighter note, is it justified when I say that Britishers looted and plundered my country's resources for more than 200 years and created more opportunities for themselves, so I as the next generation Indian deserve a reservation in UK?

Has any ruling party or political group ever looked into the issue and actually assessed what percent of disadvantaged actually benefit from this system?

Some resources:

A DU student from Deshbandhu College sets himself on fire

Mandal Commission protests of 1990

Do people of this generation actually bother about castes?

At least in my own circle of friends and acquaintances, NO. We don't make new connections while interacting with others based on this factor AT ALL. It doesn't even come up in the conversations somehow. There's loads of other interesting stuff to talk about!

Yet, we somehow despite those who utilise their quotas. Sometimes intentionally, and sometimes NOT. But this hatred towards certain communities is quite evident all around us.

I would love to hear about your views and experiences on this very subject! (Your cue to proceed to the comment section below)

To sum it up, Tina Dabi could've done more as a privileged educated LSR(DU) pass-out

Why not I mean. She had been a meritorious student way before she cracked UPSC! I understand that this debate could could go on forever and yet remain inconclusive. But why is the public made to suffer because of vote-bank politics?

The number of reserved seats currently is 49.5% (2020 update: 59.50%). It is very clear that no political party wants to lose this 50% (now 60%) vote-bank by allowing amendments in this system. 

To put an end to the misery of the suffering students, the well-off ST/SC/OBC have to take an initiative by not letting themselves get fooled by this politics. At least if social benefit is their reason to opt for civil services.

How? By rejecting the undeserved birth-based privilege we have to secure a seat in our dream institute. Not a single rich or well-off family from my very own community is doing so. Not even a great civil servant like Tina Dabi could do it.

If not us, who will take an initiative? Certainly not the government.

Let me know about your experiences and opinions about this subject! I'd love to indulge in meaningful debates with the readers!

The 7 Best and Most Affordable Eating Points in North Campus, Delhi University

First and foremost, congratulations to all of you guys who made it to your dream colleges finally! You've worked hard not just in your boards, but you successfully managed to go through with that tiresome and confusing admission procedure.

It takes a lot of patience to successfully get that golden admission receipt in your hands at the end of the day, and you made it til here! Wheee-hee!

Now, that you're finally a student at Delhi University, AND an outstation one like me.. you'll see how difficult and bothersome it might get at times to manage your diet and meals with your unlimited food cravings and limited monthly allowance!

One simply cannot afford the Big Yellow Door and QD's at Hudson Lane every single day, eh?

To spare you the trouble, here's a list of the 7 best and most affordable eating points in North Campus-

• Chache Di Hatti, Kamla Nagar

Located in the midst of hustle and bustle of the market, you might have to stand in queues (Ladies ki line alag hai, bhaisaab!) to get your plate of out-of-the-world Chole-Bhatura stuffed with Aloo, and just the right mix of spices, for just Rs 35/-!

How good is that? Wait til you actually have it and see for yourselves.

• Ved Dhaba, Malka Ganj

This vintage-styled resto-cum-dhaba is loved by students and local residents alike for very obvious reasons.

Quick service, friendly staff and AIR-COOLERS with no service tax! You can get yourselves a plate of mouth watering paneer butter masala, butter naan and bundi raita under Rs 200, sufficient for 3 adults.

• Chowringhee Rolls, Kamla Nagar

You must've heard of this one even if you're not a DU student. Try their veg roll (@Rs 40) and chilly paneer roll (@Rs 90).

But again, long queues of hungry college peeps! And it's totally worth it, trust me!

• Bistro 57, Kamla Nagar

Economical, hygienic. A small shop in a lane besides MacD, this place is famous amongst all the campus students.

It offers a quick relief from the extremely hot weather with its affordable and luscious sundaes, ice-cream sodas, shakes and coolers. My personal fav- Brownie Fudge Sundae.

• Tom Uncle Maggi Point, Near Ramjas College

Oregano Maggi, anyone? With over 2 dozen more varieties of our favourite snack, served @Rs 40/- per plate, this place is a must visit.

This place first opened up in 1978 and has been around ever since!

• D-School Canteen, Delhi School of Economics

Don't miss the dosa and cold coffee served here. They also serve thali which is reasonably priced at just twenty five rupees. The only downside is that it is always crowded and you might not find a seat for yourself.

You don't even have to be a D-School student to eat here! 

• DDA Market, Hudson Lane

This is my personal favourite. For those 2 months when we didn't have food or tiffin facility at our PG, this place was our blessing in disguise. Here's what you must try-

1. Suresh Tea Stall: Aaloo-pyaaz parantha, Paneer parantha, Chilly Potato, all varieties of paneer veggies.
2. Kaveri: Veg Thali, yum!
3. Prince Chinese: Veg Paneer Momos.

Thank me later, and go have the time of your lives ya'll!

Also Read: The ONE Reason Why Tina Dabi (2015 UPSC Topper) Isn't My 'Perfect' Role Model

A Nightmarish Reality

Losing a person as young as you, who grew up as your shadow, but now is in a place that's far away from you. Sleepless nights, and if any sleep at all, visions where you see them again, outlandishly terrorized of what has happened to them. Whispering your name, asking you to have a look at their moist wounds, to help them tell everybody it's not for real, and that they are coming back to everybody who is already mourning their premature departure.

And then that drifting away til they finally dissolve in hazy air that appeared out of nowhere, arm out-stretched as far as they can to not let go of that one last grip, which will be all that you're going to remember. How you couldn't hold them close to you when you had that chance.

You try your best to picture how would have that 9-year-old bubbly-beautiful girl with short hair and bright eyes turned out to be after her adolescent years. How would she look like if she were with you today, after 10 years of her demise? You try your best but only find yourselves desperately looking for inklings from their siblings, parents and yourselves, failing desolately.

When you think about the relationship you used to share and what possible difference, if any could've 10 years made. If they would've graduated from the same school as you, be living in the same city as you. If they'd have grown up to become a person with same philosophical ideology as yours. Shared similar avocations as yours.

Death leaves a headache so fragile that it never really goes away, but is always there reminding you of its actuality. A heart so heavy and a depression that rises in your throat, pounding hard inside, leaving your heart wrenching in waves of turmoil. That first time you see them so pale, so cold, that's the last you'll ever get to see of them again. That'll be how you're going to remember them for the rest of your life. A vivacious soul that went to sleep, eternally. That girl with captivating persona who turned pale, inanimate.

Isn't it the most painful kind of death when you have to bear with the mourning in your heart for even longer than the days of their life?

Craay-zay Misconceptions People Have About Deserts.

It's very obvious for people to have their own set of curiosities about places they've never been to. But here's a list of insane questions I've been asked about my native place- The Thar Desert.

1.     Have you ever seen rain?
For a sec, even I hoped the inquirer was referring to the song by the Creedence Clearwater Revival. But nooo. This is the most outrageously absurd question I've come across til date. And it has to be. He actually meant if I'd ever seen the sky pouring, as if the clouds get sucked out of the space just because there're sand dunes down on the clod! *Facepalm*

The Thar Desert, just like any other part of the world experiences the 4 seasons including monsoon. There're even hailstorms and floods that destroy crops, like other states of India.

2.     Can you sustain winters?
It's a fact that deserts are subject to extreme temperature changes as freezing nights alternate with blazing hot days. Rajasthan has it's very own hill station too- Mount Abu, a part of the Aravalli Range. Mount Abu has a pleasent climate thanks to its rich dense green forest cover, In summers when typical temperature of desertious Rajasthan is around 44°C, Mount Abu's temperature is 31-34°C. In winters the temperature ranges from 10°C to-8°C (in Night).

My own city has witnessed temperature extremes of upto -2°C many a times in the winter season. So yeah, our winter wardrobes are pretty much brimful, just like your's! Hahh!

3.     Is everything made of sand?
Now I wouldn't complain if people ask questions because of the bias of photographic record. I've been asked if Rajasthan's railway tracks and highways actually look as depicted in the poster of the movie PK. While it's true that you'd find sand dunes around but that does come with a little vegetation, plain surface, 4/6 lane roads and flyovers as well. If you're planning to visit the state and expecting to find mounds of pure sand everywhere for your photoshoots, you're wrong. You would only find them in limited parts of the desert.

Don't be surprised if you find more landforms other than desert. Yes, there'll be hills & uplands, forests, more than a dozen lakes, 2 dozen plus rivers and lush green farms. Unlike the normal perception, there is vegetation even in the driest, hottest parts. You'll find these keekar trees almost everywhere, as far as your sight can go.

4.     Do you spot camels roaming around at any hour?
I'm not sure about the Middle-East and Sahara deserts, but we do not use camels as our means of public transport (other than exceptions of tourist activities). It's possible that you might spot a herd of camels in the sub-urbs or near village mandis. But no, we do not have our personal camels to pet or ride.

Normally, new borns' celebration acts do not include speeches naming 40 camels to the baby and property wills do not constitute of distribution of a herd of camels amongst the offsprings.

5.     Do you guys actually witness fights over water sources?
There are some parts that do get hit by water crisis in summers. But the situation is much better after the Indira Gandhi Canal Project was completed in the 1980's. Besides, there are ground water reserves and you'd find hand-pumps in villages and sub-urbs catering to the water requirements of peeps. However, most of the big towns and cities hardly face any crisis, and we've got abundant water supply for all our needs even in summers.

6.     You guys eat that dish, Daal-Baati, right?
My mother can serve you a plate or more of the most delectable daal-baati choorma you've ever had. But do not walk-in anyday of the week without prior notice expecting to join us over a dinner for that! We do eat some vegetables that you're unfamiliar with, like saangri, pattod and we eat baajri ki roti more often than you do. But other than that, we have usual food like you do.

*based on actual incidents.