Shardul Mandrupkar's Blog

अडकलेल्या जीवाला मोकळी वाट हवी! खर सांगतो, रात्री झोप मात्र शांत हवी.  दिवसभराची ओढाताण आणि व्याप सगळा कामाचा, मनातली घालमेल आणि डोंगर समोर कष्टाचा, गुलामीच्या दिवसापेक्षा, स्वातंत्र्याची रात्र हवी!  निरभ्र आकाशही हवे, आणि लुकलुकत्या चांदण्याही, चांदण्यांच्या अंधुक प्रकाशातही,  पाहण्याची आस हवी!  स्वप्ने हवी खरी खरी, स्वप्नाचीच रात्र हवी, स्वप्ने पाहता पाहता, झोप मात्र पुर्ण हवी!

O ne fine evening, I was playing table tennis with a couple of my friends. since I had played and won a couple of matches last weekend, I thought now I could do some hand movements and achieve some spinning effect. As soon as I tried spinning, I started to lose game after game. My other friend who was watching us came forward and suggested I play my simple game. But I was trying to play like a professional tennis player, and I didn't stop. Finally, he shouted at me, "Just keep the ball on the table" Suddenly I had a quick thought to myself and I took his shouting very seriously. And surprisingly I was winning the game. I won all the next games. That night, till I went to sleep, that sentence was just not leaving my mind. 'Keep the ball on the table' I was thinking, "How these simple things in life can have such deep meaning" Of course, unknowingly he told me that however, life might treat you if it is not happening as you've expected, we should just

 “The city of lakes!” “The city of opportunities” “The city where I will start my career” These and some more like these, the first sentences came out of my mouth when my feet landed on the soil of this city. ‘Bengaluru’. At first it encourages you, motivates you to do courageous stupid things and then it just waits until you make yourself comfortable in the atmosphere. Around 700 Kms from home, accessing the freedom you have not experienced before, and the decisions which you have to take for yourselves, it all seems so fascinating. But once you settle down in the corporate world, it starts to eat you. First, it eats your personal space, then it starts to run through your blood. And if you are so unlucky that, you are in Bengaluru when the pandemic started? Then please be careful it will soon enter your mind. Away from home, when you miss the food, the air, the water, and even the atmosphere where you can claim that the town/city/village belongs to you, and they reject y

 After the fine relaxing Sunday, he was finally ready to give a fresh start to his life. Monday Morning can be stressful to others, but for him, it was more like a brand new sun had risen just now fresh and he was literally singing for every moment that was passing by. Just a month ago, it was all like a dream, being a school teacher, he was bored with the same faces, same books, and same chapters, then suddenly this great opportunity passed by him and he was brave enough to follow it and grab it. The principal of the city's elite school called him to his cabin. "Rakesh, How are you?", The old but experienced and wise Principal asked him. "I am Good Sir. How are you? and How are your knees?", Rakesh reciprocated. He remembered Principal Sir had recently had a knee replacement operation. "I was thinking lately that the time has come for me to step down as a principal now!", Sir added, "It's almost been 25 years now, and Yes look at my age, I am

I was worried sick, and I couldn't find that perfect kick! I played my stress relief card, But, you know it didn't work at all! I closed my eyes and tried to calm the brain, is there any better way to reduce the pain? It is stressful work that made me mad, I used to be like a cool and happy lad! I was wishing for a way to end it so early, And, Rain started pouring, Typical Banglore weather really! And the obvious thing, that happened neatly, They cut the power off immediately, That's the last thing I wanted to happen today, It's like the ticket to work at night rather than day! I freaked out and angrily went out, Rain, rain, rain, can't you come a little later? I begged the drops! I went inside again and made some tea,  That's the correct mixture every time,  Rain and Tea!  I had a sip of a hot piping drink, The steam reached noses,  Tea touched tongue,  Cardamom in it along with ginger,  Reached my every last brain cell!  I got my energy back like a happy "

In morning's sun shine, I was passing through parking,  And she looked at me!  Angrily, just like if possible she would definitely kill me!  It was my fault afterall,  I haven't touched her at all!  Its been two months since she was waiting,  I wished I had made her happy,  But, what to do even situation wouldn't have agreed with me!  She was my Bike (Yes Ofcourse)  What else you all thought?  It was my bike, waiting for my ride,  I couldn't take her out,  And she just wanted to override!  She may have remembered,  Our rides together,  Hills, lakes, beaches and lots of places altogether!  Each scrach on her, told different story,  Shitty roads, pot holes but still her nature was roary!  I went straight to her, throwing all work aside,  Felt the warmth, (it was still there)  Kept all aside!  Washed her neat and clean,  And tried with a ignition,  But, she just refused!  (Remember? She is angry on me)  But I promised her, I will take her out,  Once the lockdown turns off

I heard when they said behind my back, Which skills, which qualities I lack! I heard them say, he is bit crazy, But honestly, I love being lazy! Its my thinking, that keeps me away from them, My place, honor, keeps me apart from their game of cards and carrom! Won't it be good if they just curse me on my face, Its not favorable when they keep it to themselves! They hate me for the guts I've shown, They bully me for the things I've known! Praise me or not, its their choice, I dont need reason to avoid my own rejoice! I walk on the road, which they always dream of! I talk on things, they can only think of! I always fight for what's right! They just think its my habit to take on fight! Hence, today I made my point, My whole nature and my method of fight! They ignored it as usual, With fake corporate smile, I tried to make a difference, But,  we are apart by 100s miles!