I am not English but I am a Red

It was the evening of the Manchester United versus Liverpool match,yes...yes the Saturday match (12th Sep)... Myself being an United fan, little crazy kind of, was obviously excited as millions like me. Twitter was buzzing with red tweeps all over the globe tweeting the chances of a win over our favourite rivals; Liverpool Football Club..predicting the scores, sharing memes, trolling our rivals; showing their passion for their favourite club as much possible through 140 characters. That was obvious I was no different. I was doing the same, tweeting match day Shout Outs since the time I woke up, sharing pictures and so much more. Meanwhile as I was replying to a fellow red, an Arsenal fan (another of our beloved rival club) who probably was English suddenly started abusing me. Abuses and counter abuses aren't that abnormal stuff in twitter or in any other form of social media; but when they get blended with racial colours you feel hurt, you feel broken. Previous to that day, had only read in the papers or seen being reported in electronic media about racism, discrimination against some races, people being called coloured, some incidents being real brutal ones and on...but never imagined that upon me..suddenly that fan started abusing me as being from India how can I support United. He indirectly or directly called me ugly faced, and started calling names...Honestly admitting, I was shocked for a few seconds. Then I regained my normalcy and replied in the politest way possible without using abusive vocabulary.

Now let me tell you guys whoever is of the same mindset that supporting United or any local football club just because you reside there is not your birthright. Just because you are an English and am not, doesn't give you the right to decide which club am going to support or not. Honestly I do not even remember since when precisely I have been a fan of United..Fifteen years or more I have been supporting this club probably. And you call me a fuc#$&@ gloryhunter..who gave you the authorization to call me that. And even if am that, whats your problem. That is none of your business. Now just because you called me that let me tell you a thing or two about that. My support for the club grew vocal since we lost on goal difference the 2011-12 league title to City. Obvious the next year was huge for us as we got the league back home; but the alarm bells rang as Fergie announced his retirement. Like an idiot I literally cried seeing him leave as Manager of the club; he gave 26 long years to. Even today I cry deep inside on not seeing him in the dug out chewing his gum and keeping tab on the time. Previously I rarely got the time to watch matches live; sometimes managed to, sometimes couldn't due to various reasons so most of the times watched highlights or kept a note from the papers. But since that year I couldn't keep myself away from the Club...Felt as if Manchester United is calling me. Felt as if the club needs its supporters to get more strongly behind it as Manchester United would never be the same without Sir Alex. And we all know from the current state of affairs it is not...it can't be ever..

I treasure United more than anything else probably. From my savings I get United merchandises every year, jerseys, pullovers, tshirts. This year have not yet been to buy one because of tough finances. I cannot measure that love just. Its not possible. When you love someone or something you cannot pinpoint the reasons everytime. Its there or its not and am not different to that. I dream of visiting Old Trafford atleast once in my lifetime as its no lesser than a sacred pilgrimage to me..A shrine which I worship and love from the core of my heart and no one can take that away from me..Everytime I see the fans, cheering and chanting from the stands I go crazy and see myself over there one day with my fellow reds. That's a dream I cherish since years and I don't even know whether that will be fulfilled or not but then you can't stop dreaming.

Here is the tweet;

@kaanevcimen's Tweet:

@DEBANJALEESEN @JuanMataTouch why're you laughing? Your name is Debanjalee, you're from India, and you look like this.

The other tweets were more abusive so I chose not to print that...

NOTE: This post is not meant to hurt any race as I have mentioned the English many a times. This is just to highlight the ignorant few who are a blot to humanity itself.

Love...Why??I do not know?Do you...

A couple of days back, a friend of mine noticing me in Manchester United shorts in my Watsapp profile picture, asked me, "Why do you love Manchester United so much?"

Within a few seconds, my prompt reply was, "Why do you love your husband so much?"...I then added, "I really do not know...may be the history, may be the glory, may be Sir Alex...I really do not know." (Although United is going through a transition phase after Sir Alex chose to retire, but my love for the club has not moved an inch even.)She was like, hmm right...she had no reply and we laughed it out. I know you may call this a bit insane, I mean yes the comparison of her husband with a football club. But yes, love is love. You may again find it insane...You may say, I am trying to justify my thoughts...But No, am I doing so? No, not at all.I mean why would I even try to. When we love someone or something, do we really need reasons for that. I do not think so. Do we need reasons to love our parents or our spouse or our friends? I do not think so I really need any, and I am sure about it, most of you would agree on this. I still remember my first crushed love story. I really did not know when did I fall for the guy, honestly did not know...It happened within a span of a few days, or actually minutes post I met him for the first time...I do not know when exactly, but it happened and when it ripped me apart I do not know that even...Literally speaking, it was tough to come to terms to, you must be knowing, yes, yes, you know the first break up.Many of my friends asked me what did you see in him? What made you fall for him? He is not worthy of you.I said I do not know.

The chat with my friend that day suddenly left me thinking why? I do not know whether am right or wrong but I believe you cannot literally pin point the reasons for loving someone or something like crazy. True love doesn't need any reasons. It just will be there or will not be. Its either way. There cannot be any why in between. Am not I right? May be, I do not know...Do you?

Anyway keep falling in love...Its lovely to be in love...

Can I define it?...Life...

Can I define it? Hell! No...

Read somewhere about a school going child and that was probably the famous John Lennon. I am sorry about the authenticity of the source, as that might not be true, but he is quoted to have said,

"When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down 'HAPPY'. They told me I did not understand the assignment and I told them they did not understand life."

Well honestly for me, this has been one of the very defining image scripted down about life... Life itself is such a question which carries no probable answers. Some say, life is a journey, some say it is all about today, you live only once; the famous YOLO way and on and on.

But for sure one thing which we all seek for; is happiness... Now how do you define that? Is it about success, fame, money, giving a caring hand to others who are in dire need, saving someone from getting drowned in gloom, helping a distressed one as much as you can, spending as much time with your family, friends, giving them some reason to be happy and proud of you, saving your almost broken relationship and giving it another chance; only if it deserves so and on and on... We all know money cannot buy everything, so money can be ruled out partially (of course for the least, I needed money to buy this laptop from which I am currently blogging and an internet connection to post my stuff) and like wise we all script different  definitions of fame, money, care, love etc. Some seek love, some just know to give love and be merrier, while most of us want both.

But again the centre of it all is happiness. We all want to be happy, and sometimes it may come at the expense of some compromises uncalled for or may be at the cost of sadness of someone your very own. Sometimes you may not be able to convince everyone of your hard decisions, hard choices, your wild dreams which you really want to pursue, but don't you dare leave it to that.. As it will be you who may be regretting one day, lying in your death bed, but not them whom you tried to convince so hard. Remember the night is the darkest just before the dawn. If you have made it so far, just cling to it and do not let it go. You will make it for sure dear. You will.

For its the Almighty who is watching you every time, so recall Him every time and He ought to help you.

God Bless All...

Those Innocent Times...

Today morning just after my work out as I went to the outer balcony of our flat, I met Yash; our neighbour, a smart child of 7-8 years (probably) who was leaving for school. And I started joking with him to not go to school today. And his reply was "No, I want to go to school as I will get the chance to play with my friends" and we laughed and he left. That was nostalgic. I mean that reply of his left me amazed about life.I became very emotional about my past, my childhood days, my school days... I mean how simple it was then. And the freaking truth is that those times will never come back. The wee hours of the morning especially during winters getting out of blankets seemed so tough and our secret wish that everyday was a Sunday always used to knock our tiny brains. The reason behind this was we did not want to go to school.

As we grew up and managed to get promoted to higher classes, we started waiting for the day we will be leaving school for good and get rid of those homework's, projects; that most of the times did not give even a bit of interest, classwork's, teachers scolding us every now and then, mom's poking and what not... Hardly we could wait to grow up and the sooner possible leave the school for ever and enter the next exciting phase of life (as it seemed then). And today when we are out of those hard times;(at least that's what we used to think then), I mean the school days, we cry every now and then wishing we could go back to school days, wishing we could go back to our childhood and live it again. We get emotional when we start talking about our school friends (with whom we have lost contacts), our favourite teachers, the recess time, sharing tiffin, gossip etc., and we miss each and every moment like hell today...How so easily we used to take those simple and easy things for granted for which; even if we beg today, no one is going to grant them back. How badly I wish, not only I, I guess most of us in their heart of hearts wish the same too. Just like the song depicted in the movie 3 Idiots (2009):

Give me some sunshine
Give me some rain
Give me another chance
I wanna grow once up again...

Manchester United; The tunnel seems too dark!!!

It was I guess the noon of 8th May, 2013 by Indian Standard Time. Rumours were doing the rounds and finally we got to know an era, one of the biggest era in English club football is going to end. I swear, like an idiot I cried and could not have my lunch properly. Everything seemed dark around. And the biggest question cornering the mind was;"Who will be the next manager of Manchester United?" And like me millions of fans around the world were having the same thing in their minds too... How will be United without Sir Alex Ferguson? And who will be the next man in charge of United?

It took a couple of days for the news to sink in. And the last game against West Brom sealed the event. The guard of honour, the standing ovation, the loud claps, Sir Alex saluting the fans, everything materialised his retirement and we had to chew this piece of news. Till then it was known David Moyes was handed over the charge to manage United. I was a bit pessimistic about the news, but then Sir Alex obviously must have known what was he doing and we had to be behind the new manager. But then the Moyes era did not last even more than a year. It turned out to be disastrous and United; the champions of 2013 Barclays Premier League ended the year in the seventh position;even out of the top four. And to add to the woes, of course out of the Champions League. As a crazy and sincere fan I was really worried as I did not want United to be in the "You Will Never Walk Alone" list.

And then some ray of hope crept in, Even after finishing out of the top four we could secure the services of Louis Van Gaal. Besides guiding the Netherlands to the second runners up medal in the then just concluded World Cup, he has achieved various laurels with great teams like Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich etc. And I was like on seventh heaven. Signings like Angel Di Maria, Ander Herrera, Falcao etc seemed like the icing on the cake and I regained all lost hope. After an awesome pre-season Manchester United seemed to be back on the track. But the premier league success script of Louis Van Gaal is yet to be written if LVG and his men seriously mean to write one. We are yet waiting for the era to begin the way Fergie left it at, an era of optimism, an era of hope, an era of positivity, an era recreating the fear for which Manchester United was known to be. Until now the results have been very mixed sort of and what I feel the performances (even the wins) have not been that convincing as they should have been. The tunnel seems too dark and am yet to see that kind of light. We fans are waiting for you gentlemen to really pull up your socks, give everything on the pitch what it takes to be an United player, what it takes to be a red devil and then reap the results. I want a new era to begin and do not just want to sit back on the glory of the past.

#GloryGloryManchesterUnited

Some Fiction, Some Truth; A series (Short Stories)

The Thatched Roof

And the roof turned ready...Straw, water reed, sedge, heather all headed together, all layered upon one another and the thatching got done and we started living happily. We thanked the Almighty everyday for everything HE had given us. We were a family of seven. We used to thank HIM and gather blessings for us from HIM; from every faith or religion; whatever names the world loves to put into them. And this was a rarity which distinguished us from other villagers and gradually it became the talk of the town.  But something happened very unexpected one fine day. Someone came in and tried to withdraw the straw, someone came the other day and tried to withdraw the reed, on hearing the news another guy turned up and tried to wreck the layers. And suddenly everything around us seemed shattered.

We begged before them. But they did not listen. Each one of them had some conditions applied if our prayers before them were to be listened. So we requested them to put their conditions forward one by one. The first guy warned us that if we do not start following his faith, their community would not allow us to live in here. The second guy cautioned us with the same fate if we do not agree... And none the less to say the third guy was no exception.  My elder son dared to ask them why should we do so? And they were like blank faces for a few seconds and  through the corner of their eyes were staring at each other... Then post some time one of them stood up and started explaining the righteousness and morality we would achieve if we start following his faith. Another one joined in and the argument suddenly heated up. All three of them became busy trying to showcase their doctrine was better than the other and we should convert to their religion.

My elder son requested them to come outside and have a look at the roof of our house. They were quite surprised. He tried defining them the making of the roof our home. The dry vegetation used for crafting the roof is the soul of it and the straw, water reed, sedge, heather etc all of them when layered then only they gave the final shape to it. My son said to them, "Sir, with all due respect to your individual divinity, I beg to differ on the ground that if we try to separate any of these layers the others will also fall upon and the roof would tear down. You trust and follow your faith and I have mine, What is the point in converting and wasting time and energy? Your teachings and mine are the same and eventually they all teach us to be a better human. Because all these will lead us to the one and only Almighty. One day our bodies will meet the dust eventually and through some or the other path we may meet HIM. Humanity is above all Sir."

They all shook their head and in belief or disbelief we do not know, went away.

(Please pardon for all my ignorance)

Just for Reference:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/asaduddin-owaisis-pitch-for-reverse-ghar-wapsi-sparks-political-controversy/articleshow/45760995.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ghar-wapsi-is-natural-process-RSS-leader-Vaidya-says/articleshow/45743075.cms