Pink Twins

Pink Twins
Gangtok

Yellow Villa

Yellow Villa
Gangtok

Sparkling Rai Saag

Sparkling Rai Saag
Gangtok

Lovely Poppy Flowers

Lovely Poppy Flowers
Gangtok

A Different type of Seasonal Flower

A Different type of Seasonal Flower
Gangtok

Blue Flavour

Blue Flavour
Gangtok

Pink & White Combination

Pink & White Combination

Dark Pink Flavour

Dark Pink Flavour
Gangtok 6th March 16

Purple Charm

Purple Charm
CS Quarter Gangtok

Magnificent Yellow and Red Tulip

Magnificent Yellow and Red Tulip
Conservatory Near Selep Tank

Charm of Red Tulips

Charm of Red Tulips
Conservatory near Selep Tank

Lord Buddha

Lord Buddha
1-D Terminal New Delhi

Attraction of Red Panda

Attraction of Red Panda
Saramsa Garden

Lord Ganesh made of oranges

Lord Ganesh made of oranges
Saramsa Garden

Charm of Seasonal Flower

Charm of Seasonal Flower
Gaurds Ground Gangtok

Unmatched beauty

Unmatched beauty
Sikkim Organic Festival

Green is always soothing

Green is always soothing
Sikkim Organic Festival 2016

Yellow Orchid

Yellow Orchid
Somewhere in Gangtok

White Orchid

White Orchid
Manan Kendra

Purple Orchid

Purple Orchid
Manan Kendra, 31-10-2015

Gift of Nature

Gift of Nature
Near Cherry Building

Majestic View of Sea

Majestic View of Sea
Marina, Chennai, 19-10-15

Typical Sikkim Pillar Carving and painting

Typical Sikkim Pillar Carving and painting
Hotel Nork Hill

Mirror Reflection, Changed Angle

Mirror Reflection, Changed Angle
Nork Hill, 24-11-2015

Mirror Trick

Mirror Trick
Hotel Nork Hill, Gtok, 24-11-2015

Yes we have the power

Yes we have the power
Qtr at Devt Area, 25-11-2015

Majestic View of K.jenga from SLA

Majestic View of K.jenga from SLA
Gangtok dt 20-11-2015

MIRROR IMAGE OR COMPUTER TRICK

MIRROR IMAGE OR COMPUTER TRICK
NEW DELHI 22-10-15

BRILLIANT KATHAK PERFORMANCE

BRILLIANT KATHAK PERFORMANCE
MRS MALI SMU 13-10-2015

SAROD RECITAL

SAROD RECITAL
SMU CONVOCATION 13-10-15

SHOWCASING SIKKIM CULTURE

SHOWCASING SIKKIM CULTURE
ITM GANGTOK 14-10-15

RED BEAUTY

RED BEAUTY
GANGTOK

ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL

ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL
MAYFAIR GANGTOK

OM NAMAH SHIVAY

OM NAMAH SHIVAY
MAYFAIR GANGTOK 02-11-15

Smile and Joy

Smile and Joy
24th September Delhi

Catelia Orchid

Catelia Orchid
Gangtok

Beautiful Chinaware Lampshed

Beautiful Chinaware Lampshed
Gangtok

Catelia Orchid

Catelia Orchid
Gangtok on 7-10-15

Morning Glow

Morning Glow
Denzong Regency- Gangtok on 7-10-15

Pink Orchid

Pink Orchid
Pakyong Area

Green Orchid

Green Orchid
Bojeytar Pakyong 26 Feb 15

Tabla or Log Piece

Tabla or Log Piece
HMI Darjeeling Nov 2014

Hand can do anything

Hand can do anything
Birla Science Museum Kolkata

Legacy and Heritage

Legacy and Heritage
Indian Museum Kolkata

Queen Nephretus of Egypt

Queen Nephretus of Egypt
India Museum Kolkata 4th Mar 15

A Buddhist Stone Art Piece

A Buddhist Stone Art Piece
Tashi Delek June 2014

Foot Print of Bason

Foot Print of Bason
Satpura Forest

Foot Print of Tiger

Foot Print of Tiger
Satpura Forest (MP) March 14

Unique Piece of Pine Wood

Unique Piece of Pine Wood

Lovely Twins

Lovely Twins

Pink,Pink,Pink

Pink,Pink,Pink
Orchid,not only Spl ,It lasts longer Also

Clean Water has a Different Impact

Clean Water has a Different Impact
Rangeet at Jorethang ,24-11-14

What a Ravishing Beauty ?

What a Ravishing Beauty ?
Teesta near Kalijhora, 19-12-14

Pre Dawn Captivating Beauty

Pre Dawn Captivating Beauty
K.JUNGA, 6:20 AM 18 -12-14

Another Dawn View -Different Angle

Another Dawn View -Different Angle
K.JUNGA, 18-12-14

View at Dawn in Biting Cold

View at Dawn in Biting Cold
K.JUNGA 18-12

Dawn Scene-2

Dawn Scene-2
V Awas 18 -12-14

Dawn Scenario

Dawn Scenario
K.JUNGA

Morning Means End of Night

Morning Means End of Night
K. JUNGA,

View at Dawn

View at Dawn
K.JUNGA 2 ,18-12-14

Early Morning Freshness

Early Morning Freshness
K.JUNGA, 18-12-14

What an eye opener early in the day?

What an eye opener early in the day?
View of 17-12-2014 from Terrace of V. Awas

Another view of full snow around Mt Kanchendzonga

Another view of full snow around  Mt Kanchendzonga
17-12-2014

Magnificent view after bone chilling night

Magnificent view after bone chilling night
17-12-2014

Beauty of Kachendzonga after a cold night

Beauty of Kachendzonga after a cold night
Vidhayak Awas Gangtok

Amazing charm of Green Orchid

Amazing charm of Green Orchid
HMI Darjeeling

Green Orchid

Green Orchid
HMI DARJEELING (13-11-14)

Bell Flower in full bloom

Bell Flower in full bloom

Yellow Orchid

Yellow Orchid
Dec 14 Circuit House

View of Kanchendzonga always inspires

View of Kanchendzonga always inspires
Vidhayak Aawas Gangtok

Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom
November 14 Ganesh Tok Gangtok

What a view after getting up ?

What a view after getting up ?
B-1 Vidhayak Aawas Gangtok

Chanda Mama looking at Kanchendzonga

Chanda Mama looking at Kanchendzonga
11-11-2014 VIP COLONY

Red Rose

Red Rose
Gangtok

Cranes having Gala Time

Cranes having Gala Time
Tigaon, Faridabad (2nd Oct 14)

Yes I am from Faridabad

Yes I am from Faridabad
Tiny, Beautiful Bird at NTPC, Ballabgarh (29.9.14)

Water Vital for Life

Water Vital for Life
Awesome view of Teesta near Kalijhora

Yes I had a Bath

Yes I had a Bath
Gladiola at 6200 ft.

Soothing Morning View

Soothing Morning View
Mt. Khangchendzonga from C.House (April, 14)

Natural Yellow Fascinates

Natural Yellow Fascinates
Gangtok (April, 2014)

Flowery Bell ?

Flowery Bell ?
Circuit House (May 14)

Riot of Colour in Monsoon

Riot of Colour in Monsoon
Circuit House, Gangtok(May 14)

Blushing orange

Blushing orange
Circuit House Gangtok (May 14)

Magnificent Taj

Magnificent Taj
Sept 2013

I can lift Taj Mahal

I can lift Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal,Sept end 2013

Natural fan to beat the heat

Natural fan to beat the heat
India Gate (24.08.14)

Engineering Marvel

Engineering Marvel
Coronation Bridge (22.08.2014)

Cascading water, soothing to eyes

Cascading water, soothing to eyes
Scene near Teesta Baazar (22.8.14)

Teesta attracts at every bend

Teesta attracts at every bend
16.7.2014

Monkey jump

Monkey jump
Teesta River, Birik(22.8.14)

Onset of Night

Onset of Night
Qutub,Sept.13

Qutub,Dusk Scene

Qutub,Dusk Scene
Sept.13

Together we take a Plunge

Together we take a Plunge
Clean Calicut Beach, Feb-2013

Setting Sun, always soothing

Setting Sun, always soothing
Dusk at a Gaya village(15.5.13)

Green Paradise in Concrete Jungle

Green Paradise in Concrete Jungle
Lake surrounding Purana Quila(20.10.13)

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Giggling Gals of 740



1/3/08
A wait of 25 minutes near RML Hospital appeared longer than an hour. Even when I was fasting for over 12 hours, I was not tired but definitely impatient. On a Saturday, as per my old habits that die hard, I neither use personal or official conveyance nor get into a three wheeler. Rather, to mingle with the common man and elicit his candid and often cruel critique, I prefer hopping into a Blue Line or occasionally use the Metro. This day was no different. My endurance, therefore, was bound to be tested.
2. It was a pleasure to see an infant in the lap of a young mother at the bus stop. Giving her company was a boy slightly older, seated close to a heap of ground nut. An old lady wearing a white ordinary sari was doing extraordinary business by selling seasonal fruits. People of myriad faces, heights and dimensions would throng the stop. In no time they would get out to catch the barely stopping buses. Some would succeed; others would be left behind to admire the beauty of the swanky bus stop, conveying the message “Commonwealth Games, only 1000 days away”. On the contrary, the opposite stop, still welcomed Monsoir Sarkozy, the French President, even after a month of his departure.
3. My wait having the correct dose of patience, perseverance and tolerance finally paid off when I saw a DTC bus. It slowed down but no one showed any inclination to hop in as it turned out to be a “Mudrika”, normally plying on the Ring Road. I resisted the temptation to get in as it would have left me half way. I exercised a degree of precaution in view of having been delayed for my weekly morning sojourn of Yoga due to sudden diversion of buses. The next bus became a sort of ‘mirage in desert’, but it was not a normal bus, it was a railway special. The third time, I was not unlucky. I almost got into a Blue line, till I realised that a large, green, hi-tech bus plying on 740 route stopped right behind. I made no mistake.
4. I was happy to see a sticker proclaiming that the gigantic bus charged normal fares of Rs. 3, 5, 7 and 10. My entry took longer as the automatic gate won’t open easily. I thought only a few of us were waiting for long. I was shaken virtually when I saw a group of giggling young, teen aged girls getting hurriedly into the already fully occupied bus. Before this service was introduced, the city Govt. had vowed to follow the capacity mode. “But it is Delhi, ‘yahan sab chalta hai”, remarked one old, haggard ‘Sardarji’, duly supporting his ailing wife, struggling to sip juice from a bottle. The five girls: Aishwarya, Kareena, Priyanka, Bipasha and Katrina missed no time in occupying whatever space was available. None took out her monthly pass or showed any intention to buy a ticket. Within 5 minutes, two of them, Kareena and Katrina, donning latest midi and frock respectively, managed window seats upon grabbing a God sent opportunity. It so happened that two senior citizens inquired about a locality situated much ahead, these “bright” teenagers, however, guided as if that was close to the next stop. They were naturally ‘advised’ to rush through. Needless to say, none of the divas, could, however, escape the vigilant conductor. Buying five tickets was the natural corollary.
5. The other three ‘musketeers’ were busy talking, gossiping and giggling to glory. Variety of talks were resorted to: studies, make-up, gol-gappas, strict Mummies, encouraging Papas, TV serials, the latest SRK, Saif & John movies, weather, tourism up in the sky, cricket down under, Chidambaram’s budget etc. Aishwarya, sporting a pair of blue embroidered jeans with a contrasting ‘top’, generally will speak less, nodd and smile more and would not argue. Bipasha, wearing a bright flashy skirt, was a confirmed chatterbox, not only in drawing fellow passenger’s attention but also in pulling her friends apart. She would make fun of every body and display the tantrums of a Jhansi Ki Rani. Priyanka was neither proactive nor subdued. She appeared studious, urbane, and fun loving in her figure hugging red corduroys.
6. Looking at these ‘dramas’, time frittered away. I was glued to this comfortable setting even while standing for an hour. The young eves would not allow any passenger to move or exit. Rather, they would be advised to promptly use the rear door, something vehemently opposed to by the conductor. I managed a lead, nevertheless, much to the discomfiture of Bipasha who gazed and stared, while posing to be thoroughly engrossed in reading a romantic Mill & Boons novel.
7. They say ‘even a dog has his day’. This writer, therefore, had to assert upon being pushed by an elderly ‘oversized’ couple. The girls too had to relent. Before the bus screeched to a halt, Aishwarya initiated a soothing melody. Priyanka, Kareena, Katrina, all followed suit. But Bipasha won’t budge. No one was looking at her, so she began looking outside, blowing a whistle. It was time for me to get down. The door once again took time to open. To my satisfaction, the elderly couple got at last a seat and thereby, perhaps, decided to enjoy further the “comforts” of the swanky bus.
8. The common feeling of adoration on the part of passengers for the amenities being extended in form of hi-tech buses, extension of metro, separate bus corridors, flyovers, underpasses etc. on the eve of 2010 Commonwealth Games appeared awesome and all pervading. Soon after getting off, I jumped over a piece of stone kept precariously near the bus stop. After all, I was wearing a brand new blue track suit, otherwise belonging to my naughty, teenaged son. I was in a mood to display some semblance of youth even on the eve of my golden jubilee. When I sat down finally on my office desk, a streak of smile would come over my face time and again, reminding me vividly of the giggling gals of 740, instrumental in providing a free, fearless and fabulous entertainment.

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