A hot afternoon collage

I looked at the sky
A gamut of blue with a golden tinge
The Sun shining brightly
A hot sensation

I looked at my hands
Drops of pseudo-dew
Emanating an uncomfortable smell of my body
I am accustomed to it

The heat taking its toll
There, I see that naked little boy
trying to have a few drops of water from the corporation tap on the road-side
Poor him, all he gets is a drop
And then there is no more..
He looks at the sky..
Thirst written all over his face
His little body smeared with perspiration
The shabby old linen pant now only a discolored image of what it had been...

There's a crow perched high up on the tree
She has a piece of 'chappati'..
which she does not feel like having..
Every day, she waits for her partner
But today, he had not arrived
She wonders why..
Looks here and there
Tiny eyes search frantically

And yet, no signs whatsoever for him to return
She keeps the 'chappati' on a high branch
Held in position by her claws
Oh.. the weather is unbearable..

I observe all of these and more..
An unpleasant feeling all around..
Amongst all species..
As the day slowly goes from morning to noon..
There's an increasing feeling of 'no respite'

As I move down the small alley towards my house
I notice something on the road..
Oh.. a bird.. a crow..
he had fell off while in flight
Unable to survive the pain...
The heat being unbearable...
I am appalled at its plight..

I take him in my hand..
He stares at me with a blank expression
Probably trying to utter a word or two
For me to pass on to someone?
Someone?
Oh is she the one perched high on that tree?

But, oh no, he is no more..
I take him on my hand and move towards the tree
Where his partner (?) had been waiting for so long..

As soon as she notices me..
She flies away!
The 'chappati' falls off to the ground
Still intact in its round shape
Still untouched

As I bow down to take a look at the round piece..
Suddenly there is a loud groan above my head
The clouds begin their rambling
The drops flow
I close my eyes and feel the cold damp sensation

Finally, the monsoons begin..
Finally, the pain ends..
That naked boy dances in the rain *jai ho*

The ground is wet..
And wet are the eyes of that tiny little bird who lost her partner not so long ago!

Aila goila

Finally the "Aila" has left West Bengal and gone further north but with much reduced intensity. We were fortunate enough that the Cyclone touched on the shores of Bay of Bengal, but did not enter the land, else there could have been mass catastrophe.
I was going through an article in the Telegraph today, which hinted that had the cyclone actually entered the land, it could have created a havoc similar to 1864, which had killed 60,000 people!

Pity those unlucky people, who lost their lives. May their soul rest in peace. *sigh*

'Aila' on in full swing

The monsoon has come in thick and fast in West Bengal and Orissa. The 'Aila' is taking a big toll on the people out here, especially the poor fisherman, some of whom made the mistake of venturing out into the wild sea. As I am writing this post, it's extremely dark outside, with the wind flowing with full gusto.

I left the office today at 4:00 PM riding on the high alert input. In fact most of my colleagues left round about then. But, unlucky me! The bus did not arrive on time and I was left stranded in the rain and wind for one hour. At times, it seemed I would be swept off my feet, but thanks to my 76 kgs of body weight. I was not. However, all this ordeal left be drenched and exhausted, with my dear umbrella having the toughest time of its life! Finally, there was light at the end of the tunnel. And I was picked up for good.

Had a lovely dinner some time back, consisting of khichdi, beguni, fish and a cauliflower dish. But I shiver to think of those fishermen who make a daily living out of the sea and some of whom have braved all odds and taken on the cyclone. May God save them.

Aila :(

"Aila". No, this is not from Mr Tendulkar. This is from the northwest coast of Bay of Bengal. And like many others, I am waiting with bated breath. This could be tragedy for many. Refer to the article below. You would know what I mean!

Reference: http://www.imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/cwind.htm
BOB 02/2009/12
Dated: 25. 05. 2009 Time of issue: 1030 hours IST

“Red Message”

Sub: Cyclone warning for West Bengal and north Orissa coasts.

The cyclonic storm “AILA” over northwest & adjoining central Bay of Bengal intensified further, moved northwards and lay centred at 0830 hours IST of today, the 25th May 2009 over northwest Bay of Bengal near lat. 20.50 N and long. 88.00 E, about 140 km east-southeast of Chandbali, 130 km south of Sagar Island and 280 km southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh). The system is likely to intensify further and move in a near northerly direction and cross West Bengal coast near long. 88.00 E (near Sagar Island) today, the 25th May 2009 afternoon/evening. Based on latest analysis with Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models and other conventional techniques, estimated track and intensity of the system are given in the Table below: Date/Time(IST) Position (lat. 0N/long. 0E) Sustained maximum surface wind speed (kmph)25.05.2009/0830 20.5/88.0 80-90 gusting to 10025.05.2009/1130 21.0/88.0 90-100 gusting to 11025.05.2009/1730 22.0/88.0 (over land) 90-100 gusting to 11025.05.2009/2330 23.0/88.0 (over land) 60 gusting to 7026.05.2009/0530 23.5/88.5 (over land) 40 gusting to 50
Under its influence, rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and isolated extremely heavy falls (≥ 25 cm) is likely over West Bengal and Sikkim during next 48 hours and over north Orissa during next 24 hours. Gale wind speed reaching 80-90 kmph gusting 100 kmph likely along and off West Bengal and north Orissa coasts which may increase from today, the 25th May 2009, noon to 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph along and off these coasts during next 18 hours. Sea condition will be very high along and off West Bengal and north Orissa coasts during the same period. Storm surge of about 2-3 meters above astronomical tide is likely to inundate the coastal areas of south 24-Pargana and Midnapur districts of West Bengal at the time of landfall.

Damage expected: Extensive damage to thatched roofs and huts, minor damage to power and communication lines due to uprooting of large avenue trees. Flooding of escape routs over coastal districts of West Bengal and north Orissa.

Advice and Action suggested: Total suspension of fishing operations. Coastal hutments dwellers to moved to safer place. People in affected areas to remain indoors

Welcome Monsoon'2008

Trickle down the drops of rain
Across the hazy window pane
Thus refreshes the soul
Gives a new meaning to everyday goal
Gives new hope
And new refinements

As the birds chirp merrily
As the leaves ooze out greenery
Seems as if an artist has painted nature
With water color taking great care
Splashing beautifully all the seven colours of the rainbow

And have a look how the children play
Down there, in the small waterlogged alley
As you watch all these
As you observe
Don't you feel the urge to do something pure
Something for mankind
Something for God to bless with

There remains sorrows, miseries
Nature has its own vagaries
Did you look at that old wretched man on the other side of the road?
Did you see the shabby old linen cloth?
now soaked wet with dirty froth?
If you did not, observe...
If possible, serve...
Something soothing for him to thank you
....and to thank god !

Monsoon fever !!!

Hey friends,

This evening I thought about adding something to my blog which had been barren for quite sometime now... :-(

And, believe me I could think of nothing else other than the sweet sound of continuous downpour outside. Ya the monsoons have come and they are here to stay. I sincerely wish I had been in Farakka this time of the year, since that is the place where one can truly have the pleasure of monsoon.

But in Kolkata, life is pretty horrible. As long as you are in your sweet home, everything seems normal, but as soon as you think of venturing outside, you are doomed. The roads are all clogged with water. The drainage systems are mere showpieces and to top it all, there are innocent looking open manholes waiting to engulf an unsuspecting being.

But life moves on.... and we know pretty well that "Life is not a bed of roses".

Don't we?