A Gift Of Love

The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive young woman with the white cane made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the driver and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, walked down the aisle and found the seat he'd told her was empty. Then she settled in, placed her briefcase on her lap and rested her cane against her leg.
It had been a year since Susan, 34, became blind. Due to a medical misdiagnosis she had been rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration and self-pity. And all she had to cling to was her husband, Mark.
Mark was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan with all his heart. When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was determined to help his wife gain the strength and confidence she needed to become independent again.
Finally, Susan felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but was now too frightened to get around the city by herself. Mark volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked at opposite ends of the city. At first, this comforted Susan, and fulfilled Mark's need to protect his sightless wife who was so insecure about performing the slightest task.
Soon, however, Mark realized the arrangement wasn't working. Susan is going to have to start taking the bus again, he admitted to himself. But she was still so fragile, so angry - how would she react? Just as he predicted, Susan was horrified at the idea of taking the bus again.
"I'm blind!", she responded bitterly. "How am I supposed to know where I am going? I feel like you're abandoning me."
Mark's heart broke to hear these words, but he knew what had to be done. He promised Susan that each morning and evening he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took, until she got the hang of it. And that is exactly what happened. For two solid weeks, Mark, military uniform and all, accompanied Susan to and from work each day.
He taught her how to rely on her other senses, specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new environment. He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could watch out for her, and save her a seat.
Finally, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived, and before she left, she threw her arms around Mark, her temporary bus-riding companion, her husband, and her best friend. Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, And his love. She said good-bye, and for the first time, they went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday... Each day on her own went perfectly, and Susan had never felt better. She was doing it! She was going to work all by herself.
On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying the fare to exit the bus, the driver said, "Boy, I sure do envy you." Susan wasn't sure if the driver was speaking to her or not. After all, who on earth would ever envy a blind woman who had struggled just to find the courage to live for the past year? Curious, she asked the driver, "Why do you say that you envy me?"
The driver responded, "It must feel good to be taken care of and protected like you are." Susan had no idea what the driver was talking about, and again asked, "What do you mean?"
The driver answered, "You know, every morning for the past week, a fine-looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you as you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street safely and he watches until you enter your office building.
Then he blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one lucky lady." Tears of happiness poured down Susan's cheeks. For although she couldn't physically see him, she had always felt Mark's presence. She was lucky, so lucky, for he had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift she didn't need to see to believe - the gift of love that can bring light where there is darkness                                                                                      

India - Pakistan Nuclear War

During the Cold War, if USA launched a nuke-loaded missile,

 Soviet satellites  would inform the Soviet army in 3 seconds and in less than 5 seconds

 Soviet  counter-missiles would be on their way.

 This was their scenario.... ......... ....  

 

 But if there is a nuclear war between India and Pakistan .

                                                                                                     

 The Pakistan army decides to launch a nuke-missile towards India .  

They don't need any permission from their government,

 and  promptly order the countdowns.

 

 Indian technology is highly advanced.

 In less than 8 seconds, Indian army detects the Pak Countdown and 

decides  to  launch a missile in retribution. 

 But they need permission from the Government of India. 

 They submit their request to the Indian President. The President

 forwards it to the Cabinet.

 

 The Prime Minister calls an emergency Lok Sabha session. The LS meets, 

but   due   to several walkouts and severe protests by the opposition, it gets  adjourned

 and adjourned indefinitely.

 The President asks for a quick decision.  In the mean time,

  the Pak missile failed to take off due to technical failure. Their

attempts  for  a relaunch are still on.

 Just then the Indian ruling party is reduced to a minority because a 

party  that  was giving outside support withdraws it. 

 The President asks the PM to prove his majority within a week. 

 As the ruling party fails to win the confidence vote, 

 a  caretaker government is installed. 

 

 The caretaker PM decides to permit the armed forces to launch a nuclear  missile.

 But the Election Commission says that a caretaker government can not 

take such a decision because elections are at hand.

 A Public Interest Litigation  is filed  in the Supreme Court alleging misuse of power by the Election 

Commission.   

 The Supreme Court comes to the rescue of the PM,   and says  the acting PM is authorized to take this decision in view of the emergency  facing the  nation. 

 Just then one of the Pak missiles successfully took off, but it fell 367 

 miles away from the target, on its own government building at 11.00AM.

 Fortunately  there were no casualties as no employee had reached the office that

early. 

 

 In  any case, the nuclear core of the missile had detached somewhere in 

flight.  

 

 The Pakistan army is now trying to get better technologies from China 

and  USA.

 The Indian Government, taking no chances, decides to launch a nuclear  missile 

 of its own, after convening an all-party meeting. 

 This time all the parties agree. 

 Its three months since the army had sought permission. But as

preparations begin, 'pro-humanity' , 'anti-nuclear' activists come out against the  

Government's decision.

 Human chains are formed and Rasta rokos organised.

 In California and Washington endless e-mails are sent to Indians condemning 

 the  government and mentioning 'Please forward it to as many Indians as   possible'.

 On the Pakistan side, the missiles kept malfunctioning. Some missiles  deviate

 from target due to technical failures or high-speed wind blowing over Rajasthan.

 Many of them land in the Indian Ocean killing some fishes. 

 A missile (smuggled from USA ) is pressed into service.

 Since the Pakistan army  is unable to understand its software, it hits its original destination:  Russia. 

  Russia successfully intercepts the missile  and in retaliation launches a nuclear missile towards Islamabad .   

 The missile hits the target and creates havoc. 

  Pakistan cries for help. India expresses deep regrets for what has happened

 and   sends in a million dollars worth of Parle-G biscuits. 

 Thus India never gets to launch the missile.  Pakistan never gets it right.  

 And we live happily ever after

Picture Courtesy: www.desihotmasala.com 

Soldiers’ task...

Spare a thought for the hardships they endure to protect our borders

    Nathu La Pass: Located along the Old Silk Route at 14,150 feet, it is one of our highest borders with China. The drive up to Nathu La is spectacular; towering snow peaks and sheer drops to valleys below. Waterfalls of melting snow running down thousands of feet glisten like crystal in the steep gorges cut into hard rock. The sheer scale of the scenery is breathtaking but, in the splendour, there is isolation. Few hamlets and humans abide here – only those that can brave the elements and the extreme climate that allows only snow, moss and lichen to survive.
    The Border Roads Organisation has not been able to keep our side of the mountain roads as well maintained as the Chinese side. That much was obvious from our first glimpse across the border. The neatly tarred two-way highway on the other side was so much better than our bumpy and at times practically non-existent road. Why is our infrastructure so lacking always?
    At the top of the mountain the air was so thin we gasped as we climbed the few hundred feet to our main building where a young captain greeted us. He was from Chandigarh – he looked so heartachingly young and so upbeat about his work guarding our border with China that it made me want to bring all the bar-hopping, angry young men up here to witness what makes their uncaring lives so safe.

    I asked the captain how he kept himself busy and he said there was so much to do – like training and being with his men. They also had TV, he said proudly, but at that altitude even a tot of rum was not allowed as alcohol and heights can be dangerous for the health. His tenure would be at least six months. I wondered what made him a soldier. It was his grandfather, he said. The army gene had skipped a generation. His father did not join the army but it was obvious he came from an illustrious military background. His speech and manners would have made any parent proud.
    He gave us hot tea and showed us to the formal meeting room where Indian and Chinese military officials meet on various occasions. One side had little tricolours on the table in front of which each officer would sit and the other had Chinese flags. I could just imagine a formal meeting in progress. Later, i met the Indian officer who was the official translator – a vivacious young lady who said that the Chinese officers did not speak much and were quite formal.
    On the other side of the barbed wire was the Chinese headquarters. Ours looked more spruced up than theirs from the outside. The Chinese also host the official meetings. Both sides take turns and try and serve their best cuisine. This sounded quite sumptuous. So there is something to look forward to even at 14,200 feet!
    As we were leaving, the clouds rolled in and suddenly the buildings and the road became vaporous. Then it started to snow – at this height it happens even in May. Astonishingly, on our side of the border tourists were allowed while the Chinese side looked empty of life. Later, we lunched at the Brigade headquarters and the brigade commander told us how the tourists who come up are so grateful – because sometimes they have to be rescued from snowbound roads by the army but mostly just because they see what the soldiers have to go through. They write such touching notes in the visitor’s book that guarding our borders seems even more worthwhile, said the brigadier. It is a morale booster to hear how much the soldiers are appreciated by their countrymen. I left wishing more young people would go up to Nathu La and ask what they can do for their country.

Courtesy: Ashali Varma, Times of India 

She is a girl...

She  is a girl, who is as much educated as you are;

One, who has dreams and aspirations just as you have because she is as Human as you are;

 One, who has never entered the kitchen in her life just like you haven't, as she was busy in studies and competing in a system that gives no special concession to girls for their culinary achievements;

 One, who has lived and loved her parents & brothers & sisters, almost as much as you do for 20-25 years of her life;

 One, who has bravely agreed to leave behind all that, her home, people who love her, to adopt your home, your family, your ways and even your family name;

 One, who is somehow expected to be a master-chef from day #1, while you sleep oblivious to her predicament in her new circumstances, environment and that kitchen;

 One, who is expected to make the tea, first thing in the morning and cook food at the end of the day, even if she is as tired as you are, maybe more, and yet never ever expected to complain; to be a servant, a cook, a mother, a wife, even if she doesn't want to; and is learning just like you are as to what you want from her; and is clumsy and sloppy at times and knows that you won't like it if she is too demanding,  

 One, who has her own set of friends, and that includes boys and even men at her workplace too, those, who she knows from school days and yet is willing to put all that on the back-burners to avoid your irrational jealousy, unnecessary competition and your inherent insecurities; 

yes, she can drink and dance just as well as you can, but won't, simply because you won't like it, Even though you say otherwise

 One, who can be late from work once in a while when deadlines, just like Yours are to be met;

 One, who is doing her level best And wants to make this most important relationship in her entire life a Grand success, if you just help her some and trust her;

 One, who just wants one thing from you, as you are the only one she Knows in your entire house - your unstilted support, your sensitivities And most importantly - your understanding, or love, if you may call it.

 But not many guys understand this...

Glass Of Milk

             One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?"

            "You don't owe me anything, "she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept payment for a kindness." He said, "Then I thank you from my heart."
              As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was also stronger. He had been ready to give up and quit. Years later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr Howard kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled in his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down to the hall of the hospital  to her room. Dressed in his doctor's gown he went to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the case. After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, and then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She began to read the following words: "Paid in full with one glass of milk".

Signed,
Dr Kelly