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Dear Readers,
How did you like my first short story? Please, let me know. I am eager to know how it is. Thank you.
Regards
oaktreegrass

A CITY STRANGER

A CITY STRANGER

Early in the morning I woke up. It was already 10 o clock. Nothing new to me. After all I am jobless. Startled! There is still something more startling, without job for the last 8 months. That seems to be a lot of time. Isn’t it? I can’t blame anyone, neither you nor me. But I can blame us and the way we run the world.

Tired of constant shower of words from my neighbors who don’t give me a chance to take my breathe. I have already decided that I will go for a walk and come back after an hour or so. I walk to the garden sometimes, then, I walk along the pavements near the main road. Luckily the traffic has changed. I mean to say that the traffic has reduced, because there is a flyover that is constructed over the main road. This makes crossing safer for the pedestrians. There is still some problem like the underground of the bridge is not clean. For the time being the people in the car are spared of such visuals.

By the way it is better to mention what I need to do rather than what others have to do. While walking I see some kids making fun of something, it could be me, neither the time not the inclination to do postmortem.

As I travel further I meet up with a confused driver who wants to know where Shanmukhananda hall is. It was far away from where we were standing, but I was ready to give him direction more towards it rather then explaining it fully. He thanked me for that. And you know whenever I am thanked I feel great. Just as one praise lasts for three winter months?

I came back to my home. The laughter was gone. They had changed their mood. I think somewhere I must concentrate on what I do rather than poking nose in other’s affairs. I am deaf. I say it aloud, once again. I am DEAF. I walked further and I came back to the garden. They call it 5 gardens. There are 5 gardens surrounding one garden. The area is huge. There is enough space for people. I have seen pairs walking together, I have seen bikers doing their stunts, I have seen people who have fat tummy jogging, a group of 5 to 10 college students gossiping and having fun. This I like very much. They are so vibrant. Other guys who must be doing physical work, building their muscles at the garden premises. They forget the diet part. I should I told them but that is quite uneasy to talk to a stranger about what you are doing is wrong. It is so unfortunate that our vibrancy goes after we become old. Any way, I continued my lackluster walk around the 5 gardens.

I see my college. Old and retired as ever. They seem to be constructing road. I am not sure but I saw something like this. Near the outskirts of the hostel there is a Chinese road side food-monger. He seems to be in full short. Wonderful smell as I pass around it. People don’t have chairs. They sit near the cement hedge of the college and have their dinner. I presume it to be a dinner because they eat at 8 to 9 o clock. I encircle the college and then it is one straight walk. From one end to the other end, it takes 20 minutes or so. Some cars zoom across my sight and others trod. Some whooshes while the others are big daddy of cars impressing every pedestrian walking on the road. To the right of the pavements is a leprosy hospital and near that again is my school. If I would have taken that path I would have had to walk still further. I refrained doing so. So I continued my night journey walking on the footpath and that is what we call a walkway. There is the Don Bosco School. I failed to tell you that I had a phone from my earlier colleague asking me where the school or rather to be particular where the church is. I took left from there, finding the coconut seller beside my college shut his shop. I have a thumb rule as such when I find my legs paining then I move towards the house and when I find my legs are okay then I move away. This is a simple heuristics but so often we fail to see what we feel. So my tired legs told me loudly I cannot walk further so take a left turn and that is better. I continued to walk towards my home and then in a zig zag I was pleased to find it. The Pan wala made it easier to detect that I am walking towards my home. Have you eaten pan? It is delicious.

What I get most irritated during my walk. Cars’ headlights. They are so bright they take away the safety and pleasure of walking. They glare you right on your eyes. Doesn’t matter. Like any other Indian I am also used to it.

My day doesn’t end with all this. I have my intermittent food and probably at the right time. Sometimes it goes wayward. It all depends on my sleeping time. The time I wake up. I instantly put my computer on, or on my TV to see the recent bomb blast where 13 people were killed and around 117 people injured. It is sad. Even with so much development we still have to face terrorism. The politicians are doing a good job but sometimes it could be that… I don’t know.

As my computer starts, I prefer sitting on the plastic chair rather than on the wooden chair. The latter is tiny, meant for kids. It is comfortable for other purpose like eating, just taking a rest etc. My legs feel comfortable when I sit on this small chair. This reminds me of another thing. I have a stooping posture. This was acquired especially during my college days. I need to correct it. My shoulders are paining because of it. My pencil neck is also a matter of concern for me. Ram Jane what will happen if I am not aware.

I failed to tell you about my computer. It takes time you see. The time within pressing the button and asking for my password I can tell you nearly half of Ramayana.

This is my first assignment. I shouldn’t have told you this. You must speak like a pro does and let the narration dictate. My computer is on the brink of opening, I enter the password. And I face another problem. This problem is the connection to the net is pretty slow. This is again a recent problem and I have learnt to live with it. As the management gurus say you must adapt instead of oppose. I surf through the net especially flipkart and amazon (for getting details about the book) and try surfing it for a while. I spend nearly half an hour to one hour surfing to know what is the in thing about the latest books in the market. In our language they say that even a dog doesn’t bark at the person who doesn’t have a job. I shouldn’t have mentioned it but this is what they say. It is a popular statement amongst every body. I therefore retain at my present job as a narrator. Joking.

I ate some food made for dinner and then read some books in my cocoon above and that tells me to later that I should go to sleep. I recall my Sir and then I go to sleep. End of day.

The next day I have an interview and I have to prepare for it. In what way can I prepare. I don’t know. They sometimes ask so nasty questions. I went to meet my friend and a senior and a well-wisher to my automobile company where I had done my training during my college days. I was so happy that I couldn’t tell you. I took the train, I don’t remember the time now. Ah! Let me leave it. Clock is circular, time is not important work is etc etc. I went to the station. It took about 1 hour to reach the destination. Before that I forgot to tell you that I had gone to a printout wala. My pen drive he told wasn’t working at his computer. What a crash of ideas. My whole SOP had to be changed. It was all squares inside the document. I refrained from taking printout anything like this obviously and took my pen drive and changed my way. Rickshaw, that is what I had to catch before I make some mental rehearsal as to what should I say. I opened my bag and searched for cash to give it to the rickshaw. We went through sharing. Three people you see, totally different people from different backgrounds sitting in one rickshaw. Great idea! Hope we could share some other things also like that.

While sitting I could see a traffic policeman managing the crowd there and pretty diligently. In the mean while I placed a Rs 100 note in my pocket. Where did I end? I ended in the yellow gate of the company. I was still not prepared. Just not prepared. It felt so selfish of me to talk to them only when I wanted a job. But I did remember them from time to time so I moved forward. Rain God showed his presence and then I had to open my bag and run straight under a tree to protect me from rain. There I opened my umbrella and felt pretty safe for the time being.

I rushed in the moment the rain went off. I asked the security about the gate pass and he kindly told me that I need to get it from the other window beside him. I signed the register and the person inside me told them I was wrong. I shouldn’t have signed. This register is for vendors. I think that is what he said. I could be wrong. I don’t remember. He gave me the number and I was happy and contended to receive it. After calling from there I took the gate pass and then I went inside. Turning left I walked by the road side (the premises was huge) and entered into a tower where a person was sitting and most probably he was the receptionist there. He was wonderful and kind in coming with me and directing me where to go. It was on the yellow side not on the green side. I had to go to the first floor and that is what I was told. Later, panting and panting I went to a person and asked. Probably, he was seeing me and he was courteous to come with me and show the exact place. I thank him for that. Or I would have still traveled more. Later I met the person whom I came to meet. I was enthralled to see him. He had shaped French beard and that was it he was looking the same.

I greeted him first. I presume he too was happy to see me. Unfortunately, when I asked him where the others are he told me that they all have left except one. I told him seriously that I want a job in the company. I presented him my resume and then he went through it once. I don’t think he would not consider my CV frivolous. I asked him whether I can get admission in the present department. I also showed some interest in joining other departments like Maintenance. He said it was not possible to get into maintenance with my CV. He also told that he could help me in joining the HR Department. He will send the CV to HR and let me know. He also told that they cannot create vacancy for anyone however they can forward it to HR Department. The system works this way. The President signs the vacancy list. He told me to send the CV to his email. I thanked him and he also wished me luck. I am sure that next time he calls me I am going to give him a treat.

I returned back to the gate where I surrendered my gate pass and the id card. Looked for a rickshaw outside, caught a train and then went home.

The next day as I was sending the resume I found that I hadn’t sent it to the right address. What to do? I tried all possible combinations. Nothing worked. I even thought of calling him. But later I sent one last email and hopefully to the right address and then it reached. I thanked God for that. This is what I wrote:
Date: Jul 15, 2011

Dear Sir

Once again Hi! How are you?

I couldn’t articulate myself when we met a few days back. This is a
very special letter from one of your trainee. I really had a wonderful
time at ‘our’ department. I call it ‘our’ because I feel very close to
you. Remember the day when I last called you. It was when I got a job.
I was so thrilled to tell you. You all were also happy for me. By the way,
I was confused whether to address you
all as Sir or by your first name. Please don’t mind it. You all are
not old.

I remember one day that my computer went down and I lost all the
report and you told me I could have helped you if you had told me, you
shouldn’t have switched off the computer. I am sorry; I couldn’t
contact you after that. The experience with you has certainly been
worthy. People still tell me you have done your project from there.
It is a great company, isn’t it?

It is very unfortunate to say something like this. I am searching for
a job for time being

Give my regards to everybody. Please give my heart felt wishes to all of them.

Thank you for reading.

Regards,
Me

He gave me a reply mail and then my happiness outsized me. But was a bit disappointed as to hear from him that I would not get in maintenance nor in industrial engineering department. However, I sent a detailed letter to him, since I could not express myself in front of him. I sometimes write good letters. I have to be more consistent. Fingers crossed good news. Just waiting for it.

In the mean time, I have given my resume to a tutorial that is close to my house. I am not sure whether they will accept it or not. So much time gap is not worth appreciating. But I still feel it is not in my hands. After giving around 19 interviews I am sure any Tom, Dick and Harry would have got by now. Instead of asking the almighty, I should have asked men who operate the world. God is just a puppet in human affairs. He seldom changes his laws. Neither men change nor God. I have to ask them whether I have any vacancy.

Here, I sent a mail to my earlier company. The letter looks like this:

Respected Sir,

How are you? I hope you are doing fine. It is embarrassing to say that
I am in a job crisis. I have been working at a company called Liberation
Coaches Pvt. Ltd but however, due to limited increment in my salary I
left it and I am writing this to you. I have tried at many places but
still unable to get proper response.

Please give my regards to everyone in the plant. I hope that you will
certainly help me get a proper job in the plant or in the office. From
my CV you will come to know that I have HR Experience also. My memory
of Production Planning Department is still fresh.

I hope that I am not giving much trouble by asking for a job.

Once again thank you for reading this email

Awaiting eagerly for your reply,

Regards

Me.

I should not write this. It is too personal. Isn’t it? With both letter spent I am little loosened up. I am particularly thinking to get into a Department of my liking. That is all in my head for the time being. I have to convert it into reality. I will increase my head ache and that is what I feel but I am ready to dip myself into the pond. I end my assignment.

Skills to pursue

I am quite sure of the fact that skill is applied knowledge done repeatedly well. Now the next question that arises in my mind is which skills are more important and which are not. The best example I have experienced is my typing. Initially, I just tampered with the keys. I started with 20wpm. I think I have told this one in my previous blog. Any way, for those who are reading it now I shall tell once again. With just the knowledge about where the keys were like ASDFEX etc I am now able to do it in a incalculable speed. I am really proud of it to acquire such heights in my typing. You would say what a useless skill it is to pursue. You will say that typing is best left to typist. That is true to a certain extent but on the other hand, if you are not the CEO of a company you have to type for yourself. No one else will help you do it.

Other skills I have explored that are totally different from this skill. And that is listening, speaking, other communication skills, managing skills, leadership skills, and so on... the list is infinite.

The skill you pursue is totally dependent on the profession you are in. If you are a orator then you need not have typing skills that is very clear. If you are an officer goer you need these skills. And that is why they have appointed you.

I thought the moment I have the knowledge I would soon become skillful. That is certainly not true. Skill is so much woven in your life that if you don't use them they become extinct. The above mentioned skills can be acquired only when you are in the proper platform or should I say the skill you want to direly pursue. An MD or a VP will be more interested in leadership skills and communication skills. They speak the language of their followers. They cannot seperate from them. They speak should I say local. That is all.

Other skills for the employees are letter writing skills, report making skills, making balance sheet, taking interviews etc. If these skills are not there then you would never become a good employer. Companies hire you for that. No doubt, they also look for attitude. We assume here that attitude is required and every one possess it. Competence in a particular skill can be highly rewarding and may fetch you the next promotion and increment. So diligent people strive for it. They do it all day.

To master one skill all I have found is you need diligence, determination, devotion and persistence. Once you put these into practice then you have mastered the craft. Every craft needs dedication and that is how we have talented employees who are hot favourites in the organization.

Writing Functional and Aesthetic

Hi! Give me a break.

I feel that I am more convincing at functional writing rather than writing aesthetically. Poetical, is just not I am comfortable with. But aesthetic writer is what I aspire to become. You cannot write formal letters without a dash of salt , what I mean is without a dash of aestheticism attached to it. You have to use Figures of Speech, Idioms, Phrasal verbs and other means to write really really well. They take their own time. Those flowery languages are essentially good for advertisements and fictions. Now a days, even fiction are barred from flowery languages. The sales letter or copy writer as they are called is the only place in business who write their language really aesthetically. It is commendable to write aesthetically for business. It keeps the reader motivated, enthralling and interesting. So keep writing anything you want but better is to decide whether you want to write business letters or personal letters. Both require effort. However, I would say business letters are easier than writing personal letters. Personal letters have more fallacies , but business letters are succinct and cannot be untrue.

A visit to my company

I remember day before yesterday I went to my earlier organization. The surprising thing is that there was nothing surprising. There were two old, senior men sitting beside the gate. I had asked one of them to tell me where Mr. XYZ would be. He probably had some doubt. He went through the phone list and then asked me whether he was Dr. XYZ. He also enquired whether I have his mobile number. Nothing was sure. He also communicated with the other person in case he knew Mr XYZ. He asked me whether he was an employee or a manager. I replied instantly, he is a manager. Probably even a plant manager. He was very senior to all of us. All attempts went vain. So I asked him whether I would get the plant phone number. He instantaneously gave me and then I was relieved. He told me to come some other day. But at that time I resisted because I felt it is better to call and go. Also go when he is free from the days work. I didn't know who was I going to meet. He could be a very senior person or even junior. I caught my train and I came back home.

Hindi is back

Welcome to the new me. The me that I was finding for a long time. I had made certain resolutions for the blog that I am writing. Things aren't getting so interesting. What should I do? This is what I was thinking yesterday and early morning today. I surfed through the BBC learning website and I was actually searching for help from people who want to write but somehow were not able to do. Could be because of family responsibilities, lack of time or just the fear as to what others will think.

Any way, coming back to what I have started new. This is it. I am thinking of promoting Hinglish now and then through my blog so that people will like to read them. So please welcome my new me. After nearly 100 blogs I have to make some changes to fascinate more people like you. Most of the time I feel that how come with so much information around, one optimizes one's search. I know they use these marketing tricks, where they use certain words that will help them to move up the search engine list. They call it Search Engine Optimization. These tricks don't bother me. New name old tricks.

Adieu!

Oxford in a day

I must tell you this. Today was a day where I encountered Oxford dictionaries. Oxford dictionaries have their own specialists dictionaries for every subject. This made me think as to how can i find a word in the general dictionary. It isn't possible. I have a 1991 edition of Oxford English dictionary which is quite old when I consider today the different and more specialized dictionaries available.

As I was going through flipkart I saw things like Dictionaries from French to English and then Dictionary from English to Hindi (Apna local language). I then pleaded not literally to my mother that she buy me one Hindi Dictionary when she goes out. She too was very enthusiastic about it. That enthusiasm propelled her to buy the dictionary. SHe like me also likes dictionaries but she seldom refers to it. She asks me some times. I saw the dictionary. It was pretty good. It had its English word at the beginning and if we don't know the corresponding Hindi word we are supposed to look for it. After all this too was from Oxford. Most reliable. Most dependable.

The inside was fabulous. I feared that the content will not be on par with the cost. But that was not the case. I found it pretty interesting. I saw some words like sukumar. And I started laughing at it. Because it reminded of my friend whose name was Sukumar during my school days.

I also went through flipkart for French dictionary. Later I decided that it is not required. I went through Latin dictionary also. Most of the words in English are from latin. Please buy a dictionary now different from what you have lying with you in your shelf. I have now 4 dictionaries. It is a secret.

Bye!!

Cars the star

Today, I went to one of a leading automotive company in India. Why did I go? Not to buy the company but to ask for a job from one of my senior colleague. As usual I had to catch a train and go to Kandivali. I thought of taking a printout letter for him but couldn't. The shop keepers' computer wasn't taking my pen drive. What to do? So I cancelled the idea of taking a printout.Printout was a scrap idea.I couldn't execute very well with my available time and energy. Now what to do?

Then later I went to catch an auto rickshaw. They have sharing rickshaw there. I took up sharing rickshaw and then he drove to the company in a very small amount. Rs. 5/- only for such a crucial assignment. Then as I reached the yellow gate and that is what they call it, I stood outside for sometime and saw whether all the things in my bag are in proper places. Then I had to stand under a tree. I checked my bag and in the mean time Rain God showed his presence. The fall was very immediate and fast. I stood under a tree and checked my bag and pulled out the umbrella and took note of my bag.

Later, I went into the company. I had to get a gate pass from the security. He was kind off explaining me on how to go inside. However, I signed in a wrong register and he told me to scrap it. Then I waited for him. He gave me the gate Pass. Thereafter I went to the place where the IE Department was there and thereafter I met the receptionist wh0 was a very kind man and came out and explained where should I go. HE told me that Industrial engineering department has changed its location. I shouldn't forget that I talked to my colleague on phone and he told me to come in. Back to the receptionist who showed me the direction. Then there was another person whom I had to ask for. He said that the IED Department was in the first floor. Then I went to two other departments and couldn't find my senior. A person standing outside told me and took me to the department. There finally I met him. I was excited to see him and breathed a sign of relief. He was doing something in his computer. Thereafter he offered me a seat. The office was nice. Reminded me of my old office. He asked me about my wellbeing and he too did as a part of an ice breaker. He asked me about the reason for coming and I told him what was the case. Thereafter he asked me whom I had met in the past. I asked him whether they were there. He said that Jena Sir was the manageer of the department and he had gone for a meeting. I showed him my resume' and he told me that it was possible to get what job is there in the company website. I told him that I had seen the company website and told him where was the vacancy. He asked me a few questions and finally told me that he had some vacancy in the axle department. He also told me it is not possible to get in Engineering but in production since I had done my engineering in Production. Is it getting too long? Please wait. I was eager to meet Jena sir but I was so engrossed talking to him that I really forgot and then I remembered later. I shall surely meet him in the next visit.

He took my CV and there after I explained him what is there in the CV. He was kind enough to go through the CV and gave me assurance that he would help me with this. He also said that it is impossible to create a vacancy because the annual vacancy is approved by the President of the company. He told me to send a softcopy to his email id. Any way I was happy to meet him. I will be very glad to meet them later.

I went out and then I gave the Gate Pass to the security and then I went out and reached my home

Satisfactory day.

Machinery handbook

You may wonder why there is a stark difference in the tempo and a sudden change in topic. Yes, I feel I have learnt something during this nonsense gap. I had gone through what I know and I finally felt where my calling is. I have decided that I would do engineering for the next few years and maybe throughout my life, can't say.

Engineering is a wonderful profession and I would like to pursue it further. Not only do I have realized that there is a commercial bent to it but also the technical side to it which I am more inclined to. I wonder how well would i do in this profession. This is also called maintenence. But I am sure that I too have a bent of mind towards engineering to be more specific mechanical engineering. I went through some of my old book, sent resume to my earlier employer. I am just waiting for a call. Tomorrow I am going to one employer where I had done my Industrial training.

Please wish me luck.

Thank you for reading.

Garden, Police station, Job

You may wonder how have I written a title: Garden, Police station and job. Yes, today I went to MT for vacancy as a mathematics teacher.. They asked me what would I specialize in. That lady sitting on the other side of the desk told me that I have two options one algebra and other geometry. It didn't take me time to say that I wanted to teach algebra. They asked for my CV. I had to find it and couldn't find early. I was pretty embarassed for not getting the CV on time.
Unfortunately, the lady said that she would handover the resume to her HR Department and they will call me.

Then I went to garden. It was a pretty long walk. By the time I thought the book shop will be open but it wasn't. Why even I don't know. Today is Tuesday. I walked, walked and walked. Then on arriving at the garden I had to find a place. I was really tired after my yesterday's walk. I sat down on a bench and for one hour I sat beside a man who was sleeping on the next bench. He seemed to take a nap. I wondered he would get up. He didn't even after a long time woke up. His paper flew down. There were many people in the garden. I thought either all of them are without job like me for the time being. Any way, from there I took a walk and I saw many light hearted youngsters. I was enthralled by it. It reminded me of my old days.

Then walking and walking I had not even had my lunch. I went to drink one energee. It was 17 bugs pretty expensive. I remember I used to drink at 12 bugs. Any way inflation you see. Catches hold of every one.

I returned to my house. Then I saw if there is any email in my Gmail account. From there here I am sitting to say what happened throughout the day. Oh, yes I went to police station to draw the line straight on my neigbours tendency to intimidate me. This is still not completed. Hope it completes as early as possible.

Adieu! Quite a sad day.

Travel day

Hi!
I woke up fairly early in the morning and today after a long time I visited my earlier company from outside. It was tough for many reasons. The place had totally changed. I thought my company was gone and out of sight. Any way, I was happy to see that it is there. I came back to the railway station and then had to wait for the queue. Now I realize that I did not take return ticket. I had to stand in a line. Now, what to do? There were nearly 20 people standing one behind another and this number showed its significance even for the other two ticket collecting windows. From Nahur, as the place name is, I caught a train to Mulund, I had Thane ticket. From Thane I caught