As we stay away from parents and family, I feel he is my responsibility and also feel a sense of concern for him. At times I advise and suggest him even if he doesn't ask for it. He listens to everything with patience but hardly ever follows it and usually does whatever he wants to . Ironically I find his suggestions for me very useful and do go back and consult him at times..

I was amazed to learn that his friends find him very cute. CUTE ... One day, to prove it wrong, I questioned one of our common friends when my little monster was also around. " Yes, ofcourse Pooja, he is very cute " was her reply!!

Oh!! So was I mistaken?? But how on earth could some one find him cute. I still cannot figure it out. I have always considered this adjective to be fit for females.... sadly I hardly get such a compliment .

Last weekend my friends and I planned for a day's trip outside the city. Brother had his own plans for Saturday. Since I had to start early Sunday morning, he promised to drop me to the bus stop where I was supposed to meet the rest of my friends. On Saturday, I waited for him till midnight but then I slept, as he had not got back home. In the morning I saw him sleeping and was pleased that he had kept his word. I got ready and tried waking him. He told yes but didn't bother to open his eyes. I repeatedly woke him but got the same response. After the fourth time I gave up and left the house as I didn't want to get late.

After a few hours I got his call.

He: Di, why didn't you wake me??

Me: Ummm.

He: You know I got back early just because of you.

Me: Early..what time?

He: 4 am!! My friend had dropped me though he still wanted me to be with him. but I knew I had to get back home early.

Me: Is this early..

He: Yeah.. But what's the use you didn't wake me up!!

Me: Oh yeah! I felt you were in deep sleep..

He: Nooo.I wasn't sleeping, just stretching my
legs..and waiting for you to call me. Now next
time do not blame me If I do not get back early.

Me:

And the phone line went dead. So my little monster was fuming as he had to get back early.

Due to personal and professional reasons we would be parting from each other soon.

If by any chance I tell him " I am going to miss you and all the good (of course the bad) time we had together" then his instant reply is "Now don't be senti. even I will miss all your untimely and unwanted advices" !!

My little monster will never change. May God bless him and his "cute" little monster ways.

Vayakul antar ko jhakjhor kar,
Laangh kar saare bandh darwaze,
Idhalati, na maanne vali hadh ki bhanti,
Aa kar phir itrati hein..............

Ashaant ho jaata hai yah chit,
Doondhata ek teevr shakti jo,
Maun sanket ko paribhashit kar,
Samaa le sawayam mein ,
Saare arakshit andeshe..

Live- in relation is not new to anyone now. Thanks to the Hindi film industry for getting it in the limelight. I am neither in favor nor against the topic as it is very subjective. In the past few years I have come across some of my Indian friends who are into live-in relations. I have witnessed them from the beginning of their relation to the end of it. Though I have heard and read that in India this phenomenon is gearing up among the youth yet I cannot say what precisely are the reasons for they may be the same as here or may vary.

First and foremost, people here come far away from their home land to study or work and many a times they do not have families, local guardians or any known person around. It is not easy to visit home often. The lonely feeling forces them to search for someone with whom they can share their joys and sorrows. The emotional backing heals the loneliness. No one can deny or ignore infatuation for the opposite sex. The open culture worldwide, which supports the relationship, encourages youth to fall for live-in. They are also not hesitant as there are no family members visiting them so far to question their take on the issue.

Secondly if they are students then it lessens their financial burden by sharing the apartment with a live-in partner as PG concept does not exist here in Thailand and usually accommodations are expensive to afford.

So, the relation starts on his or her own conditions, conveniences and peril, without much consideration about the future. They share their living space, money, emotions, friends etc. initially. But life is not so rosy afterall. Neither is it a fairy tale nor a Hindi movie, which always ends on a happy note. The bubble of euphoria bursts when they have to face the fact that being an Indian they need to take certain serious decisions in the long run. During their relationship if they commit to each other life long and elders back home have no objections then they are the most fortunate ones. But unfortunately, I haven't come across many such instances and have seen more break ups especially in case of girls. This gender carries bigger bags of emotions and has to bear more pains after break up.

I think there are many other issues also which become obstacles in going ahead and marrying. The most important ones are caste, religion etc. India has progressed a lot in the technological field but the mindset of society at large is still orthodox in terms of marriage, which is held as a very sacred and an important ritual. There are scores of other reasons too depending on the individuals.

So as a result a break up always lands the partners in trauma, heart break, pain, agony, broken trust, fear to carry any other relationship, being unfaithful to the future spouse etc. and they need much more extra time to get back to normal life!!

What then can be the solution for such a corrosive disease, which is slowly eating into the roots of our society and making the foundations so weak and unhealthy? Either the elders should accept the fast changing world, the mindset of the youth and their norms for the sake of their child's happiness or else the youth who are mature enough and understand their elders' views, should give a deep thought to all the pros and cons of the issue before plunging into a live-in or any serious relationships. After all man is a social animal and has to live in this society only. But the harsh fact is that it is easy to preach but is it also equally easy to follow for one and all?

First thing which caught my attention on the immigration counter on Singapore port were the words. death penalty for drugs and suddenly I remembered the stories how mercilessly some foreign nationals were hanged here for carrying drugs. I got little panicked for the reason I was carrying the parcel of someone, though I knew the sources as very reliable and I didn't see the parcel. All my awful imaginations came to an end after an easy clearance. Thank goodness !! but I realized one must be aware of belongings in the parcels before carrying abroad.

I admire the city as each and every part of the city is very neat, compact, clean and green. The govt. charges heavy fines for breaking the laws and is very stringent. I was amazed to see every third or forth person is Indian or Indian origin especially from south. They work every where as public servants- on ticket counters, drivers, sweepers, gardeners, laborers which I had never seen in Bangkok. Tamil is one of the official languages out of the four languages. Rest is Malay, Chinese and English. But it was of no help for me as I do not understand a bit of Tamil.

I felt as if I am in India when I visited a famous 'Little India' area there. Not only the faces and shops were Indian but the streets were also messy. Lots of Indian restaurants, huge kajol's and Aishwarya's hoardings!! The Mustafa centre is wonderful place to shop which is open for 24 hours and one can find all the necessities especially Indian stuff under one roof which is some thing lacks in Bangkok.

I did visit some of the famous places like Sentosa island, Singapore Zoo, Night safari, Orchard road etc. Intriguingly, the island was different; I had expected it to be huge and natural as islands and beaches in Thailand. Sentosa was a compact and looked more as an amusement park but again very organized and clean. Orchard road is a grand one full of malls and all famous brands there.

One NRI gave some interesting facts about the place. Singapore government wants to increase the population and therefore provides assistance to the families who have two or more than two kids. I saw the city is crowded one but do not know why they want more population. Singapore is dependent on others for its basic needs. For an example water is imported from neighbor Malaysia. Water charges are more than electricity bills but it is supplied without any interruption.

The country is well developed and advance, has a strong currency in comparison to other countries in Asia but why not as the country is just one city and it is probably smaller than Delhi.

http://www.blogthings.com/howboyishorgirlishareyouquiz/

A person known to me suggested that I should not get back to India and look out for a job there because in comparison to men there are less chances for women to rise professionally and the safety of the work place for a woman is a matter of big concern!! I also recall one of my neighbors who wanted their daughter to get her higher education from a renowned institute not because she could then plot a good career in future but she could mark it as an accolade in her marriage biodata, which would help to fetch her a good husband!!!

The above instances clearly depict that social or monetary status has nothing to do with the mindset, which is already biased. When the evil practices of girl foeticide (many ilanders have raised this issue) and burning women for dowry is still prevailant how can we merry make and have a women's day? It is unjust towards females from both the genders. I strongly feel that neither is she vulnerable nor does she requires any special occasion to mark her presence. The need of the hour is to adopt an apt behavior and perceive both genders as equal and important for and in the society.