Braggadocio

Part of speech: Noun 

Darkness is undermined because it is related to the evil forces. Similarly, braggadocio is detested as it refers to boastful and arrogant behaviour. Have you ever disliked something so much that you wanted to scream your lungs out but held it back because that isn’t the best civilized thing to do? Welcome to the civilized version of contempt – braggadocio. When you despise something and outright express it with your attitude and add to it dosages of class and confidence it spawns braggadocio.

From the outside, it does not get appreciated because it after all carries an air of repel and superiority. Well, who likes to crown someone who is an antonym to humility and amicability? Behind the curtains of pride is a person who has built up that attitude, with life’s experiences and uses braggadocio as his or her armour against undesirable people and circumstances. So before you judge, try tapping the truth. Probably a body language that carries attitude does not equalize to a person’s innate quality. What you see might be different from what you explore.

Braggadocio for a person could be a coat to mark those who take the effort to cross the lines of acquaintance and break the plausible glass ceiling to establish friendship with them. After all, an arrogant person is someone who knows that they are not going to be liked by others and yet sport it because they want to be esoteric.

Animosity

It is a strong emotion of hatred. Have you ever hated someone so much that just their memory gives you a bitter taste in the tongue? Why do we carry hatred when it is clearly something that hurts? Because, not carrying also many at times hurts. Of all the things we say, the things we don’t say hurt us more. Hatred is a sign of self-esteem when expressed. It is a sign of protest for another’s misbehavior towards you. Hatred draws an armour around you and carries the signal that you aren’t someone who can be messed with. It is a sign of confidence that you can afford to have enemies and deal with them headlong. Why so much to a negative emotion? Because, it is what that balances your state of mind. There is no man who is eternally euphoric. Animosity helps you protest and fight for an injustice meted out to you. It gives you a goal to make your enemy apologise or fail and satisfies your hunger for justice. After all, only darkness can help you appreciate light. And animosity can only bring calmness, the peace after the storm. 

Does BJP Ill Treat Tamilisai Soundararajan Through Racial Discrimination?

Throw a stone into the water and it creates ripples. Throw a casteist comment and it creates politics. At a time when caste politics and politics out of caste is used as a tact to trigger sentiments of the common man for votes, even the slightest of things magnify out of proportion when misinterpreted. Add to it, the trendy netizens of today – meme creators, take the volition of driving citizens astray.

That is what conspired when a photo of BJP State President Tamilisai Soundararajan was shared on social media. Seen with the defence minister Nirmala Sitaraman and a few other caders, Tamilisai was framed in a photo, eating in a steel plate while the others from a banana leaf.

A party that is easily blamed for casteist intentions, the picture drew censure and agony from those who buttered out racial discrimination in BJP from an otherwise cordial event. The gentle waft of wind gained momentum and drew more ire as netizens chose to quickly believe the interpretation presented and shared it on various pages.

However, a quick call to the politician revealed the real picture. Breaking into laughter over the interpretation, Tamilisai outright denied of any such discrimination within the party. “The photo was taken during a visit to a house in Virudhunagar. The hosts were only informed about the minister’s arrival and did not expect many people. As it was a small place, they had not prepared for other guests and were short of banana leaves. I picked up a plate and helped myself as a friendly gesture,” she said striking out further confusion.

As elections are around the corner, even a spark escalates into forest fire. Can we use more sense into creating harmony and fight for the right causes than arousing suspicion and hatred? Caste or no caste, lets keep elections out of it and think rationally to cast votes than yielding to caste votes.

Rainy Night

It's a cold Wednesday night. I had made it half way past en route home from office. Just as I stepped out of the metro train station, I heard the rains cheering merrily in their pitter patter. Rejected by an auto who demanded high rates, I lazily took a stroll and spotted the usually enticing sweet stall. Just to take aegis it won't harm to enter, I told myself.

And inside, awaited food porn. Several sweets of unknown varieties and lip-smacking savouries. ‘A light bite wouldn't add up to more calories,’ I consoled and cajoled myself to ask for a snack that didn't have any ingredients that would do my body bad. “Which of these are free from green chilli?” I naively asked trusting the shopkeeper.

Drawing his fingers over an array, he pointed at onion kachori. “Yumm, kachori and yumm onion, give me one right away,” I ordered. Swallowing one bite, I realized that the cunning guy had pointed at it coz it had ground chillies that were not conspicuous. Looking out, I realised that the rain had not ceased. 

Again, I ordered a new sweet. Finishing it off, I saw that the rain was relentless and stubborn. Thus I ordered another savoury. But this time, I made up my mind not to trust the deceptive weather. I walked out munching and crunching up to the bus stop. Like the hug of a mother on a weary day, the fragrance of a wild Jasmine tree embraced me, nourishing my soul. “Aww, I love you too,” I expressed my big bear hug in my mind.

Reaching the bus stand, I witnessed the auto men encashing the situation on a heavy demand for rides and helpless passengers. “This is a blessing in disguise. I want to face the music,” I resolved. For ages I had been eyeing the branded garments store opposite the stop. After a second thought, I ventured inside. Man, what class! The attire were ethnic and yet trendy. “I will shop here at least once in my lifetime!” I promised. 

Taking a last look, I peeped into jewellery section. A blue stone festooned by a leather string read, ‘Rs.3999 only’ “Holy moly! This is theft,” I gasped. My longing to buy the classy suits now changed into content as my contempt increased about the exorbitant prices. “Maybe life has much valuable things to do worth my money,” relief washed over me as I realised that after all class came with an unreasonable price.

“You were born for better things. Your wardrobe is already overflowing. Although some clothes have turned old, you still have way too many to wear and way too many things for a worthy spending. Thank you God for making me, me,” I thought, smiling to myself.

Sitting outside the store, I sat to type my blessing for the day as I watched the rain pouring in steady pace without a truce. Maybe this too is a blessing in disguise to take my me time! *Winks*

Save Chennai Protest

PROTEST

Now that I have got your attention, here's what I got to say!

Chennai has been a city that I absolutely adore and worship more than just for this selfishness that its my hometown. It has cradled people from all walks of life.

And what do we give back?

1. Posters saying, “I love you Chennai.”
2. Protest against the government for anything that you feel is an injustice.
3. Industries, markets, business hubs
Have you ever stopped to look at the city and what it really needs? Now, calling all you noble NGOs and first flag holders for A-Z protest services! Here's what the favours you have returned to the city has yielded:
1. Additional paper waste and waste of time with your posters
2. Herd mentality where one person protests and falls into the ditch and one lakh people fall into the same ditch
4. 100% pollution through population and industries

CHENNAI IS DYING

I'm a hardcore Chennai loyalist. I'm not a US return. But I stay in Bangalore. I live in Bangalore for the past two years and here is what I have realised the contrast between the two cities

1. Bangalore acts as a father. It helps us earn, does not have a street dustbin but people hesitate to throw waste. Even if someone does, from somewhere you get voices condemning the act and forbiding it.
On the other hand, Chennai has been a pampering mother. It gives you so much love but takes in all the abuse you do. Nobody questions and one is always at home, be it polluting or endangering. Trees on a street is cut, and no one cares, People see garbage on road and are dutiful in throwing more garbage, coz something is already there! “Its not you who is going to newly pollute, oh welcome to the club”. And even better, “When you are in Rome, be a Roman, polluting is Indian!”

2. Bangalore has encroachments on river lands but it has encroachment free pavements.
On the other hand in Chennai, pavements are earmarked for parking/hawkers or even better, urinal.

3. Bangalore nurtures vegetation. Undeniably it is also undergoing deforestation in many places. Yet, every house in Bangalore, even though is constructed in congested spaces, has at least one pot plant which they water. The roads are under the aegis of huge age old trees that thrive.
On the other hand, Chennai is like a dry land. Even though there are few trees here and there, every day, there is a tree cut for want of building spaces or other man-made inconveniences for which he destroys green cover.

4. Last but not the least, Bangalore, although is having decreased rainfall every year in comparison to the previous year, is still fresh with oxygen despite the vehicles igniting their engines with carbon print. There is no stench in all the nooks and corners and is blissfully airy and chill all round the year. Even summers here are bright but cool.
Chennai, needless to say, is hot even in winters! It is an oven of freshly baked people ready to switch it on again and again and again until it bursts! If anyone gets a stink somewhere, they know what to do – Close their noses and eyes!
How long can you keep turning a blind eye towards the abuse that you and your siblings are doing to your mother? Isn't it unfair on your part? Doesn't Chennai deserve better at all?

Here's what you can do!

Come join the movement in making Chennai a better place to live in. Mullaivanam, a man with a big heart has dedicated his life towards planting trees. Stall your protests for a while. Just because its easy to point your index finger to get a ticket to the hero platform and stop following the herd. If you really want to do some good before you die, save the earth!
Put your hands together to plant trees. The materials, seeds, place and everything is provided by Mullaivanam. You just need to spend some precious time to rebuild the city from its scratch.
Tree Bank, the foundation run by Mullaivanam has collected one crore neem seeds to be planted all over Tamilnadu. Reach out to this real hero and become one by lending a helping hand!

Contact Details

Tree Bank, no. 9, 1st floor, Kamarajar Salai, Virugambakkam, Chennai – 600092. (Near Arcot road)
Phone: 9444004310/ 9382184310/044-2376431/044-23774310

Why does India have caste violences?

There are three types of people in the country

Type 1

They claim not to believe in caste and ridicule all sacred practices, especially those of the FC. Whenever they are faced with challenges, they flash their SC/ST caste cards to portray they are the poor souls under the iron hand of FC. (Is the vada size small in Nair tea shop? Oh! Thats coz, he's a Nair and the customer was a dalit!) From nowhere they will feel happy to be identified by caste when it comes to reservation and secretly enjoy pulling down deserving candidates.

Type 2

Moderate in religious beliefs. They follow their customs and respect everyone else's too. They celebrate Diwali and yet send Christmas and Ramzan wishes too. But when intimidated about their beliefs, put on their armour and point the sword.

Type 3

These people have a staunch belief in their culture and suspect every other religions of treachery against them. Even if someone tries to be friendly, they are sceptical or fakeness.

Who among these three people are good? With this endless battle, India is facing trouble progressing. And now, there is the enlightened fourth type that claims that there is neither caste nor religion and belittle those with beliefs. You are not intelligent but outright stupid because, even no caste is a belief for which you are fighting for!

People, in the motive to sound intelligent, don't forget that your journey is as important as your destiny. Have your beliefs, but don't interfere in another person's. We are a mosaic of cultures and religious intolerance will get us nowhere. Yes, India was a Hindu country. Yes, now we have Christians and Muslims and so many other religions. Yes, we have survived and lets dare to take a yes to excel too!

People choose different paths to achieve fulfillment and success. Just coz they are not on your road does not mean that they are lost! Spend your time worthy than fighting over such paltry things like trying to change someone else while you are not perfect yourself. Live and let live. Jai hind!

#12 Red Handed

There was something surreal about what was happening. Was Catherine a ghost or did Samantha just run over a wild imagination by calling her Lissy? Why did Sarvesh freak at the sight of her and what was this extraordinary skill of hers to be drawing real people out of sheer imagination? Prakash’s mind raced through rapid thoughts that kept oscillating back and forth. 

His focus suddenly shifted on Catherine’s painting that had Samantha watching over the two babies. ‘Who are the babies?’ he shooted at Samantha, desperate for clues. They are my daughters, she said, frozen at the thought that Lissy has caught her red handed. ‘But Annie was your only daughter, you claimed?’ Prakash snapped, as he could envisage some hidden parts of the puzzle dropping in.

‘Th..that..that was a neighbour’s daughter,’ she fumbled as Prakash’s skeptical look pierced her already terrified heart. She immediately blurted, ‘I didn't murder Lissy!’ But Prakash would not budge. His agonised eyes showed furious fire that seemed to burn her down.

‘Lissy was my daughter! I didn't do it!’ she pleaded, now trying to sound sympathetic. Steven seemed fearful too and gestured to pacify Samantha. ‘What the hell is going on here?’ Prakash broke as he moved closer to Samantha who was willing to reveal everything that she knew.

‘Lissy was my first child through my boyfriend Nick. I had abandoned her because Nick was unwilling to marry me. A year later Annie was born after marriage. But she loved you more than Lissy did. You chose Lissy over her and it pained all of us, ’ she said panting in fear. Before she could complete, an arrow darted to her head from the window and she broke down speechless and spot dead.

The arrow had a note that read,

Roses are blue

Violets are red

When the ghosts conspire

Mind and body transpire

He immediately looked at Catherine and to his shock, she was bleeding in her arms but desperately trying to draw.

                                                     ................

The other chapters include

 #1 A haunted Memory

#2 Three strokes of red

#3 The Red Saree

#4 Black Heart

#5 WHo's NEXT?

#6 Numb3rs

#7 Will O the Wisp

#8 Resurrection

#9 I watched you

#10 Fates Entwined

#11 The Other Side

#12 Red Handed

I now invite Pallavi to take over the final chapter

Note : This post is a part of the “Tagged” Contest by writer Kaarthika and The Chennai Bloggers Club. Kaarthika’s book is being released on May 29. Do pre-order it on Amazon.