A soul touching voice, a hopeful face of security, humming songs, dancing without music, dumb charades and some secret promises to myself- this New Year Eve in short.
Confused? Intrigued.. ? Read a little hence.. :p
Till now, New Year coincided with Fool’s Day- 1 st April. When the new session started. Of school/college, Budget.. everything !
1st January, the technical New Year- had the importance of the youngest sibling! :p
This time, my partner in crime :D, suggested that we should cut a cake on New Year! For me.. We are going out? Cake? I am in!
From 1 idea, and 3 of us on 30th evening, 6 of us meet at MG Road on 31st evening.
We got down from the Metro and were busy taking selfies, as always :p. Out of somewhere, an unearthly magnetic voice started pouring in- as I was trying to make out the song, it stopped. The source was not hard to find! Someone, with a guitar in hand, was singing across the road.
I couldn’t help walking up to him. This master of a melodious magnetic voice, a star-in-the-making! Performing with his mentor..
Many years back, Pratyul Joshi’s voice at Delhi Summer Fest had given me goosebumps. And today after so many years, it was Shakeel’s voice, that shook me so deep within. Even though I barely heard him sing, for less than a minute and didn’t even know the song..
I want to listen to him sing again! :p
After seeing artists looking for a platform to showcase their art, these days more than ever, I used to feel sad. Today, seeing him perform there, not in a concert, not as a playback singer, not a reality show on TV, just by the roadside, calling this place and occasion his show and concert, making a place in people’s hearts, spreading happiness and cheer!
I guess, for an artist, the world is a stage. And I am sure, with the magic he has one day the entire world would be his stage!
So, with an unexpected, unknown, unheard of- out of the world- voice- my New Year Eve unfolded.
I was told not to go out on New Year, esp. to MG Road, because of safety concerns. Par jo kaam humein bolte hain mat karna, wo to hum zaroor karte hain.. Here we were, walking down this famous and infamous road. And the next thing I see, is a women’s safety stall!
Something like this never even existed in my ideas! Such a simple and elegant solution to the issue of women’s safety. And not 1, 3-4 such stalls on one road. And with these stalls, my mother’s fears went down the drain. I couldn’t have been at a more secure place.
Not just these makeshift stalls, there were many security forces. On inquiry, a Quick Response Team guy told us- 5 forces- with around 5000 personnel was deployed here.
5000 guards on 1 road? -Are there are more security officers than civilians there!
This QRT guy- His name is Sampath Kumar. Hs tells me they will come into action mode at 9. There will be no space to set foot on the road then- It will be so crowded and bad and drunk guys would appear. It won’t be safe for girls. Its already 8, and I am wondering how is that possible! He is sounding absurd, and mom-like. But like her, I see a genuine concern! Only that he is a stranger.
I tell him I ll disappear before these bad guys appear! :p .
I feel proud, happy and secure! When everyone else is celebrating, these guys are on duty. And there is not the slightest hint of sadness or frustration on their faces or in their gestures!
I never understand people who join defense forces. How are they so emotional yet unemotional, so strong yet so full of love !
Today was one instance, when I felt their strength and shield, subtly and closely..
Thankyou Mr Sampath, all the 5000 people deployed there and all those who unlike me have the heart and guts to join the defense and security forces- for people and countries who don’t deserve them.
As planned- We found a place and cut a cake. 😀
As not planned- We didn’t go to the church.
As is obvious we took many many photos .. 😛
The best part was-
I was humming some random songs, gliding and hopping around- There was no music, but I was dancing. There was something in the air!
We didn’t need beer or whisky to get high, we were happy high with just the cool festive mood and vibes..
PS
You must know I don’t touch/drink hard drinks. I just know the phrases because of my enlightened and experienced friends. :p
Siji, thanks for coming up with the new year celebration and cake cutting idea. You are getting smarter day by day in my company 😀
Anagha, Praveen, Suraj and Tutu Gurukkal, thanks for making New Year Eve so special. Anagha -the lively non-stop chatterbox, Praveen- you even need to improve your PJs, Suraj- your treat is due and Tutu Gurukkal- Welcome to Ooty, Nice to meet you :p
And the people who did not come, now your mistake is beyond repair 😀 but you can still give a review.. 😀
Manu 😉
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