Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Beast's Stop...

Years back... it was at India Gate, the end of Pandara Road where I would lean out of the window of the car while Dad drove towards CP. On my right a quaint looking board "John's" and a fleet of Royal Enfields. Years passed, leaned out of my Contessa, stopped by at times.
It was a workshop where all the bulleteers (since they visit workshops often) would service or just pamper the bike. With not much place to sit and a dark place with a cloud of smoke, people were walking talking travel books full of excitement and planning their next adventure.  As I was accompanying a friend whose bike was getting fixed, we went to the back of the workshop where there was the typical "chai and rum session" and the smell of hot tandoori rotis from the dhaaba next door. It was a relaxed little place. I got to meet the very popular guy who is considered one of the best in Delhi for royal enfield.

I think it must be around 2 years later. The place had moved, from India Gate to the NH8. Thats when I had my own. Things had'nt changed much. A bigger room, with a cloud of smoke and the chai and rum.
Its an amazing experience, I would question question and question more. Wanting to learn, whoever came along with me there, they would to question more... they typical ones would be "Hum isko paharho main lejaa sakte hain?" and the Mujhe aur janana hai syndrome carried on.
It was amazing how everyone got along well which each other there. Just like a bunch of smokers have this connect... amplify that connect and you have a bunch of bullet lovers.
Long discussion over chai with people you would recognize by the bike they had while your eyes were curiously looking at Johny or Nitin tighten the bolts and change the oil.
The mastermind, Pappu Bhai, with his decades of experience sitting at the dark end of the workshop lighting a cigarette in his break, would entertain our questions for hours. You know your bike is in good hands.
The minute you got out of there their was this sense of satisfaction, the thump was crystal clear and the beast at its best. It was hard to wipe off the smile that you wore while cruising back.
As I would say... "bike buhut awesomely thass  ho gayee hai...! " - I am happy now! :)

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Chaospitals

"The current medical records system is this: Room after room after room in a hospital filled with paper files." - Timothy Murphy
A broken hand, a bad tummy, or just anything else. Need to see a Doc? New in town?
Just as I sat around the waiting room for the doctor to see my hand that I broke 2 years ago there was a wave of memories from all the hospital incidents I had encountered.
One of the most scary ones was when my friends had a car accident, and the admission at AIIMS took forever. For us to just rush to the emergency room, took form filling, chasing doctors, getting administration approval and then a bed for a few hours and a doc on call. No doubt the doctors are under alot of pressure with what all they have to see and long working hours. Having carry an unconscious person with a drip and giving his thumb impression on the form gave me the chills.
Alot of us, lucky ones have people around us and the availability of private hospitals which charge a PREMIUM for their service of making this process less complicated. But as you leave the hospital with a schedule of followup appointments, a list of medicines, and a dozen prescribed test from recommended chemists, labs... you start realizing that big hole in your pocket!
Then its followed by getting a few thousands for spending a few lacs from the insurance company whose premium you dare not miss.
A big trouble, where paperwork, economic stature, region, religion, money, comes before basic care.
Where for those few days, you listen, run around chaotically getting basic medical attention.

But thanks to these towers of money, lives get saved.

Monday, March 15, 2010

The legend lives on...

From the the gun to the beast. This  machine sets many free. Cults, groups, fans, clubs and more clubs. After long conversations, relatives and family warning me about the dangers... at last got myself 3 years back. Its never enough.
 Mandawa, January 2010
 Mandawa- Abhishake, Vishal, Me (from left to right)

Salvation - Manali 2009 

R.E at Exhibition 2010