Outlook

Yoga classes in Delhi

2009-09-18T12:57:00.001+05:30

Yoga classes in Delhi

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Monuments in North Delhi Ridge

2009-09-11T18:57:00.001+05:30

Monuments in North Delhi Ridge

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The National zoological Park

2009-02-11T12:44:00.003+05:30

A visit to the Delhi National Zoo might bring back fond memories of childhood for some of us. Many of us have enjoyed our school picnics here but only remember bits and parts of the same. For instance, I remember eating my food near the tiger enclosure and getting scolded by my teacher for the same. The zoo is very much the same with school children visiting it and teasing the poor animals.

Upon landing at the zoo, I saw hundreds of school children flocking the area outside the ticket counter and waiting for the chance to enter it. The 10/- rupees entry ticket makes it possible for the government schools to bring the children here and entertain them. It is popular with couples also who walk hand in hand here. The green shady trees make it perfect for them to spend their lazy summer afternoons here. You can also see them on benches and talking in hushed voices, oblivious to the dangerous animals around them.

Upon entering the zoo I had heard a lady on the loud speaker who was repeatedly saying that teasing the animals is a punishable offense. But when you enter inside and se eth people who tease the animals mercilessly, you get to understand that the warning has no actual meaning. There was no one to check on the animals or to say anything to the children who were stones at the innocent animals and were teasing them-disturbing their afternoon siesta

You might remember that was moats filled with water around the animal enclosure. But when you actually get to the tiger enclosure, you would observe that the water has dried up. The moats still have water like the one for the crocodiles, are so dirty and smelly that you do not even wish to stand near it. The dirt algae water with plastic bottles floating on the surface makes it impossible for you to see the crocodile swimming in the water. So if you wish to catch a glimpse then you would just have to wait for them to come out of the water. Similarly standing near the area where the hippos resided, was impossible as the water had a very strong and foul smell.

If you want information on the endangered species or want to know more about the animals then I suggest that you opt for wikipedia instead of visiting the zoo. The boards outside the animal enclosure have limited information that can hardly help you. At some places you could also see misplaced boards hanging outside the enclosures. I found one cage that had a board with information on Green Parakeet while the inhabitant was a bright blue colored parrot.

When I had entered the zoo, there was a sign on a board that said, follow the arrows on the road to see the entire zoo. But after 200m or 300m, the signs disappear leaving you clueless about the direction. If you want to see the Chinkaras or the Baboons then you find their cages to be empty with no information about them.

As I came towards the end of my zoo visit, I realized that the surroundings were very pleasing and reminded me of my Singapore zoo visit. But we lack in the Delhi zoo is proper maintenance. The information here is misleading and incomplete as well. This is why most of the people are hardly interested in visiting the zoo and find it boring. Introducing some special features can however, make the visit more appealing and exciting.

Box Full Of Memories

2008-11-14T22:51:00.004+05:30

Yesterday, while I was rummaging through the store room, searching for some reference books for my project I stumbled across my most beloved treasure- A box full of memories. The box was full of souvenirs from my childhood- collage of my pictures, old books, test papers where I have been marked as 'good' or' excellent' (the bad results were of course thrown away). When I had entered the room, I was in a hurry to find the reference and get back to work but here I was, rummaging through old memories and remembering some of the most beautiful moments of my life.

The box had numbers of old sketches and paintings that I had made as a child. It was nostalgic to see them again and I was reminded of the time when my teacher's encouragement had changed the terrible art drawings into terrific paintings. I couldn't really believe that I had the time and the patience to sketch those as now the patience seems to have vanished away. There were several cards with cheesy little quotes but seeing them again brought back a smile on my face. What a beautiful time it was when I and my sister would compete with each other to come up with the most creative card for our parents.

The best treasure in the box was of course the letters that I had exchanged with my friends Neha and Mehak and with my cousins Radhika and Anushree. Those letters were written on beautiful printed papers with matching envelopes and were also decorated with glittery pens and cute little stickers and stamps. A few of those letters also had small self made envelope that said 'Open at your own risk' or ' Open with a smile'. The letters were cutely written in colourful pens where we insisted the other person to visit us or talked about school and our dogs and teddies. Before the vacations used to commence, the letters used to be filled with plans related to the trips and what clothes we would be carrying.

It is said that with the advent of communication, the distance between the hearts has reduced but I think it’s the other way round where it has added more distance. True that we have mobile phones, SMS, emails, IMs and other tools but still people now hardly have the time to say hello. The STD rates have come down and the charm of receiving a long distance call has run out. The stickers used on the letters have been replaced with icons and smiley's and the beautiful expressions like ' I hope my letter finds you in the pink of your health' has been reduced to 'HRU?.’ Now instead of receiving hand made birthday cards on my B'day, I get SMS on my cell and the photo collage was replaced by the digital photograph.

I really miss those good times when my father used to hand me an envelope and I used to be filled with excitement. I used to read and re-read the letter and reply them promptly. Me and my pen friends competed with each other and used to see who is faster. With the innovative modern technology, the distance between the hearts have grown and the personal touch is now lost in the virtual world.

Opening my Box rediscover my lost hobbies and reminded me of what I loved or enjoyed. I have brought out all the letters, cards and photographs and have posted them on my work table. This way I can delve into my childhood whenever I want and live in those beautiful moments again.

your existence in my life

2008-08-29T22:04:00.008+05:30

Defining your role in my life has become important today
Can't tell what I feel, so writing it out was the best way
You came into my life some two years ago,
to comfort and support me- a friend who was never to go.

You helped me gain my lost confidence again,
without any personal intention or any kind of gain.
You helped me learn what life was all about
and taught me how to heal and forget about my wounds.

With time our bond became stronger and grew
and we developed a kind of friendship that was shared by few.
you become one of the most important person in my life,
with whom I share my dreams and also get to fight.

I can talk to you about any goddamn subject or thing,
and I trust you and know that you ll advice me without any tinge.
You are my mirror where I can see and judge myself
A confession box where I can cry and pay my penance.

You help me to get over my guilt and scold me for my mistakes,
and when you do that I feel loved, pampered and cared.
In happier times also I always think of you
feel like rushing to you to share my news.

Sometime you are my best friend and sometimes like a brother
I look up to you for advice and then you become my mentor.
You are the pillar from where I get my strength
when you are with me, life seems less tensed.

You helped me be a better person today,
and I m glad that you came in my life that day.
No i don't have any kind of special expectations from you,
But a promise that you wont disappear from my life like a dew.

Dedicated to My friend

2008-08-17T20:24:00.004+05:30

It wasn't a planned meet but still we met.
Our paths crossed and we became friends.
With time my friendship with you grew,
and I realised that people like you are very few.
you are all smile and can bring happiness,
can easily help people to overcome their distress.

We shared jokes and laughed together,
and were always trying to pull each others leg.
Remember how you used to do that breaking action,
with the funny noise that caught everyone's attention.
Butter chicken is the pet name by which I call you,
but don't become one and stay this cool.

In gym we used to meet everyday for a while,
and then at last it was time to say goodbye.
You are due to leave the city and go,
to a new city and a land unknown.
A new destination awaits you,
and I wish you best in all you do.
Our paths may cross or may not cross again,
but you are someone special whom I can never forget.

Wasting away my Life

2008-08-17T17:43:00.004+05:30

Evaluation of my life
brought in past scenes before my eyes
a sudden realization hit me hard
and I felt like being jolted out of the dark.

There were incidents from the past,
moments that were never given the chance to last.
Things that I still regret
moments I would never forget.

There was a guy I loved,
but was afraid of being dumped.
Never mustered the courage to tell him,
and when I did the chance were already dim.
seems like the feeling was mutual,
but now he was engaged with another future.
Life moved on and so did I,
managed to overcome him after sleepless nights.

The next incident danced before my eyes,
when I wanted to travel around and enjoy life.
I had the money to travel around the world
but I was greedy and wanted to earn more.
Kept on working harder and harder
till I became ill and was always tired.
I decided to take my break now,
but the cost of living had gone up somehow.
What I had with me was not enough,
and again I felt like a dunce.

Similar incidents mocked at me
and realization suddenly hit me.
I have been putting off things for long,
my dreams and possibilities have been gathering on and on.
None of them were accomplished though,
all because I moved on with the flow.
Never really understood what I wanted,
just did what people around me chanted.

Everyone's life is hanging by the ledge,
Don't know what turns it is gonna pledge.
It is too short too hate someone,
and guilt is also a wasted emotion.
Enough of regrets, enough of sorrows,
I am living for the moment -without a care for tomorrow.

Feeling Blue

2008-07-31T17:53:00.005+05:30

It was one of those days when you wake up feeling low
A feeling that something is wrong, not according to the flow
You don't know what happened and were fine the previous evening
but now you cant just seem to shake off the weird feeling.
The same seem to be happening with me today
that made me look so sullen on such a good-day.
When I woke up in the morning and got off the four post bed
the sinking feeling accompanied me wherever I went.
Instead of the smiling face that looks back to me from the mirror,
What I saw were eyes that were sad and felt like stranger.
As my day progressed further and I met my friends
they asked me the same thing- why I was tensed.
I was confused myself and did not know how to answer them
so I simply gave a lazy smile to deceive all my friends.
but they knew me very well and were not easily fooled
and simply said-Priyanka, don't try to ACT cool!
I smiled lazily again and went ahead with my work
still trying to figure out what made me feel so dull.
I am thinking about something at the back of my head,
but cant seem to answer the 5 W's and 1 H*
I hate these mood swings, hate the unanswered questions
as they do nothing and just leave behind depression.
There was no rhyme or reason for me to feel blue
but I just couldn't help it and neither could you.
As I hopped into my bed again tonight
I can simply hope that tomorrow turns to be bright.

Renewed Hopes

2008-07-27T16:21:00.005+05:30

Another day has gone by,

today again my hopes died.

The hope to meet you or to see you soon,

to look into those eyes that made me bloom.

As the sun settled in the horizon,

I am still waiting for you to come

My eyes are misty and are filled with tears

as I am haunted by your memories of yesteryear.

Every morning when the sun streams into my room,

the hope of our meeting again are renewed.

As the clock tick-tocks away,

I am warned that you wont come today.

By midnight when you do not arrive,

I dream of you in order to survive.

This hope of meeting dies every day,

but by next morning they are somehow born again.

My heart knows you would be back one day,

but till that time I' ll have to play this game.

The Road ends now...

2008-07-27T16:07:00.007+05:30

What makes you think you can can turn your back,

leave me crying and enstranged?

You think you can walk in and then say goodbye

when you knew I wouldnt want you out of my life?

Y es I know I had given you the right
but this time I wont let you go without a fight.

You gave me two choices today,

to say goodbye or to do as you say.

I chose the latter and made you think you won

but you were wrong here as that was not to be done.

Instead of one, I took both the choices,

fighting within, with my inner voices.

If I'm the only one to be affected by this relation,

then it is better to end it than face any humliation.

you thought you were the only one who could say bye

but when you threatened to leave, our friendship had already died

You knew that I would never let you walk out

but this time my self respect won without a doubt.

you turned to be a foe and not a friend

and that's why I went ahead to say it was the end.

It died today!

2008-07-16T20:02:00.005+05:30

It died rececently

you know what I m talking about?

our Friendship- which died recently

No- wait! let me correct it

You killed it!

It could have survived

but you chose to walk out

Now it is dead...

let me mourn it now

Allow me to get over it somehow

Do not come back to me

Dont blame me for it

You were the one who took the decision

While I was left behind as a mute spectator

Now there is nothing left to say

Especially when you have already chosen the way

dont turn back and regret your decision

I dont have the heart for another relation

So leave me alone and mourn the relation that died

It is still better than repeating our Good Byes...

BOOK WORM

2008-03-04T13:02:00.002+05:30

“Madamji rasta batao( tell me the way)?" the auto-rickshaw driver asked me.

"Huh?” Oh god! I was so immersed in my book that I had forgotten to give him the direction.
I asked him to take a u-turn and that set him off babbling about his money. I kept the book aside and concentrated on the road. Finally I reached my college. The driver was still babbling so I gave him 10 rupees extra which sent him smiling happily.

“Oh lord!” I reflected,” I was so absorbed in my novel that I didn’t realize that I had reached my college. I wanted to finish of my novel so I decided to miss my lecture and go to the library to finish reading it.

The librarian gave me a stern look and then went back to her own work. I took a seat at the far corner of the library, took out my book and began reading it.

The familiar world is back to me. The characters were in front my eyes. The library books and furniture turned into a beautiful landscape. I could feel every action and reaction of the characters, each emotion and forget everything around me.

“Excuse me...EXCUSE ME?”I jumped out of my seat and glared at the person who had brought me out of my fictitious world.

“Hi, I am Nitin. I just joined your college. Can I sit here with you?” the person asked. He looked a little mature to be a student but then again same could be said for me.

Still trying to grasp the things around me, I muttered “Yes” and went back to my novel.I had read half a paragraph only when he interrupted me by-“Can I know your name?”

I decided that I was not to find peace today. So I closed my book, looked up at him and replied –“Priyanka.”

“So, what are you studying Priya?”

“Priyanka, the name is Priyanka” I hissed.

“Well sorry. What do you do Miss Priyanka?” He asked, mocking at me.

“I am a student of journalism here 2nd year.” I said, totally uninterested in carrying on a conversation with him. He was quite handsome but I was eager to get back to my book.

“Oh I see. I am familiar with all the students of journalism but I have never seen you around. By the way, don’t you have a class now?”

“Yeah I do but I am not in a mood to attend it”

“What subject?”

“Psychology I guess.”

“Who teaches you psychology”

GOD!! Is it a KBC show going on here? I thought. Nevertheless I answered, “ I don’t know. I have not attended any of the lectures so far. Now if your interview is over can I get back to my book.”

“Sorry! Sure.” He muttered“Thank you so much” I said sarcastically and got back to my book.

“By the way what are you reading?” he questioned again.I looked up at him and gave him a frosty look.

“Actually” he started explaining “I just want to know what kept you away from the classes?”

“My teachers’ face! I don’t like his face” I replied rudely to shut him up.

“Am I so bad to look at?”

“Huh??”

“ I mean I don’t think I am so ugly and I dont even have two heads or something like that. In fact I thought myself to be handsome. Girls in the past have found it hard to miss my class and here you are reading some book instead of attending my class. Anyways I will go now as the other students in your class are waiting.” with that ‘My Psychology Teacher’ left the library with me gaping after him.

2008-03-02T23:25:00.003+05:30

My friend

2008-02-17T22:56:00.003+05:30

There is this guy whom I know

to the same gym we both go

he is jolly and is quite fun loving

but at the same time, is hardworking

On the computer he works all night

and runs on a schedule that very tight

his business deals with tours and traveling

but that doesn't stop him from DJing

he is passionate about bikes

and loves his son Aekus and Poonam- his dear wife

sleeps very late but gets up early morning

for nothing in this world can stop him from body building

I see him in the morning and pass him a smile

and the rest of the day he doesn't have any time

he drives a Wagon R and comes along with a pal

with a smile on his face that says he is good at heart

he is not only sweet but naughty as well

that's my friend Depal if you still cant tell

Betrayal

2008-02-17T22:32:00.001+05:30

The tea is cold now. I don’t care. It tasted terrible anyways. I checked my new gold wrist watch again to check the time. It was a gift from Akash. He thinks that he might make me happy with these material gifts and I would forget about his affair. Well, he was in for a surprise. I smiled to myself. I had especially dressed up for this occasion. This white lucknowi suit complemented my olive skin and I was looking good. He would be impressed but only if he could see the real me, hidden underneath this superficial layers. Could understand the pain and trauma I had gone through because he, the only person I loved so dearly, had betrayed me. But I know god would do justice now and I am not going to cry for his mistakes anymore.

I had always accepted him as he is, keeping up with his shouting and bearing the brunt of his anger. How many times I had given up to his sexual desire without complaining. Even when he almost raped me and forced himself into me, I had never complained. And what was it that I got in return for being the perfect wife? Beating? Abusing? And finally this betrayal? Where did I go wrong? We were so happy when we had got married and had honeymooned at my favourite hill station, Shimla. It was all so romantic. Was I being punished for eloping with me and hurting my parents? Where is he anyways? It’s getting late now.

As I turned to check my watch again, my new Nokia N91 rang up. This was also a recent gift from Akash, a way to bribe me into forgiving him. His name flashed on the screen. Hmmph. I knew what it meant before picking it. Yes, I was right. He was caught up with a ‘client’ and can not make it. I disconnected the call without saying anything and asked the waiter for the bill.

As I left café day and started my new shinning Honda Civic, I started mulling over my life again. What was I looking for? More of these expensive gifts to prove that he loved me? But I know that he doesn’t love me anymore or else he wouldn’t have betrayed me. Why am I still with him? I can’t trust him anymore. When I think of him touching me, my skin starts crawling. I want to leave im but at the same time, the thought of living alone scares me. Love has left us but we are still together. I guess its more because of habit.

But we still have time. We can move on in our ways. There is no sense in us being together. I don’t trust him and will never be able to do that ever again. He thinks that I wouldn’t leave him if he showers me with riches but he is on for a surprise. The lawyer will serve him the papers soon and would throw him out of our house and business? No. My house. But till then I have to accept things as they are. It would be surprise. No hints and no time for any kind of preparation. A sudden jolt that would teach him his lesson. Revenge is sweet.

valentine maniac

2008-02-14T19:58:00.001+05:30

Finally the day is over. Thank God! The love bug was getting on my nerves now. First in the gym for wearing red (God forbid! I wear red everyday. Even my car is car is red. It's my favorite color. Why notice it today? Why not notice my Burberry T-shirt), and then at the florist. I didn’t ask him for the blood red roses. Duh! I want my regular rajnigandha sticks at the regular prices and I would be back on my way. But heck no! He had to increase the prices without considering the fact that I am a regular costumer and poor me, had to do with out them :(. That was enough to make me grumpy but no, there was more to come.
The traffic at Delhi University was pathetic, there was chaos at Bunglow Road and shopping today was next to impossible. The restaurants were overcrowded and the fast food joint were also attacked by the love bugs (god save me).
Every nook and corner was crowded with uniformed people with sharp eyes who were ready to nab any couple that came their way.
"Hello! That’s my bro with me and can't you see he is just 14?” I get a snort in return and am off on way.
My cell phone kept on ringing with love messages interrupting me time and again. What's wrong with people? Good that it's valentine day but then what about single people like me! The love bug had been getting on my nerve, forcing me to sit at home and even here I am not safe. Emails with cupid, radio with love messages, magazines and phone calls with special advertisement and packages. God! I need to carry a board or something that I am single and I don't need special offers or gifts.
As finally the day is over, and I’m rejoicing over it, a call comes in. It's my old friend who recently got engaged and wanted to share parts of her special valentine days with me.
"You are single na..., poor soul! What did you do? You should have reminded me, there is this friend of mine who is single and..." Slam! I throw down the phone and the love bug finally got on my nerves!

terrorist attack- broken dreams

2008-02-10T18:36:00.001+05:30

Skyscrappers standing tall in the New York sky

people working, laughing and walking by

starting with their days and enjoying the daylight

have come to work, without their final goodbyes

Flights attack from differnt sides

making them all scream and cry

bomb blasts and plane crashes

the building come down turning into ashes

all is covered in smoke and fire

that's what happens when terrorist strikes

thousand dies while few survived

leaving behind widow wives

unborn children lost fathers

and life around the world turns more darker

television channels went into a frenzy

while neighbours flocked up to be more friendly

few stuck under the rubbles survived

but part of limbs they had to sacrifice

Hopes die as bodies were found

while in some caskets, no body was laid down.

Dreams were shattered and lives stopped

a battle of mankind we all had lost.

Is there no end to this violence

why do the innocent have to pay penance?

HAIKU

2008-02-10T17:43:00.002+05:30

# Rain drops were falling

against the tin roof outside

waking me from sleep

#Driving on the road

I could see the yellow leaves

Autumn is back now

# Old man sits ideal

enjoying the warm sun rays

from the winter sun

# Butterflies flying

the honey bees are humming

busy at their work

# Ripples across lake

as the drop of water falls

fish pop out her head.

At the Red Light

2008-02-10T17:23:00.002+05:30

At the red light my car stands,

waiting for the green signal and the wait to end.

Suddenly a group of children came,

knocking at the car's window pane.

They are wearing rags and dirty clothes

with shabby hair and dirt on their nose.

They beg for money and something to eat,

I scold them and send them without any treat.

Now comes an old man crippled and half-naked,

who makes me twitch my nose in disgust and hatred.

He scampers of mumbling something

to give way to a lady 40- something.

She looks poor and is crying badly,

carrying her son who needs medicines sadly.

I m moved to tears and gave her good money,

that made my day feel bright and sunny.

She went away blessing me,

and my car moved as the light turned green.

I am happy with the good deed and am praising myself,

when another thought enters my head.

I turn my car back to the scene,

to take the boy to a hospital that's clean.

The sight that I saw was something else,

making all the muscles in my body go tense.

The crippled man was walking again,

while the small children ate bread and cakes.

At a distance the crying lady was there,

smiling at her son without any fear.

As I tried to control my cool,

I couldn't help feeling like a fool.

KILLING GANDHI

2008-01-28T16:15:00.001+05:30

College was just over for the day. We all friends headed towards the parking lot laughing and joking amongst ourselves. There were some new students also who were standing at the parking lot and were arguing on the top of their lungs. We got to know that they were fighting regarding the parking space.

Soon the argument turned violent and they started hitting each other. Some other students intervened and managed to stop the fight. When one of the two boys sat down in his car, I noticed the words ‘follower of Gandhi’ written on the rear wind shield of the car. I could not control my laughter at this point. It is really easy to write these words and make a show of it but was he actually following the road shown by Bapu? The boy who had just exhibited his violent nature- was he actually aware what truth and non-violence meant?

When Gandhiji got independence for the nation, he may never have dreamt that this would be the state of his motherland. The country is being sold by the politicians. They are pelting stones at the citizens and filling their pockets with money instead. Bapu used ways like the Satyagrah to present his thoughts and bring a revolution. He never supported lies or violence.

Bapu had said that if somebody hit you on one cheek then present the other cheek to him. This way the other person would realize his mistake. But today’s generation is completly opposite of this. If somebody pushes us by mistake also, we get down to fighting and abusing. Bapu fought for humanity and the present generation fights for materialistic things. Today we love money more than humans, have started using people and loving things instead of vice versa.

In every government office, hospitals and police station we find the photograph of the Father of the Nation. Right below the photograph, we give and take bribes. Really how respectful we are towards Gandhiji -the person who got us freedom. We have actually forgotten his contribution. Forgotten about the suffering he went through, the times he had been jailed and stayed hungry. He didn’t do this for himself but for us so that we could enjoy our freedom and not become slaves to the British. Gandhi hurt himself for others while we hurt others for our own selfish reasons.

It is fairly easy to sit in a theatre and clap your hands and praise Gandhi when watching Munnabhai but when it comes to reality, it’s very difficult to follow the path. We all have turned into Roberts with no emotions for others but full of concern for our own self. We kick our parents out of our house and can even kill others for our own selfish reasons.

We don’t know the meaning of truth and non-violence. However, we have turned into followers of violence and lies. If Gandhiji’s spirit is betwwen us, I am sure it must be crying over the present state of the country. Crying at the way we are murdering his teachings.

Speak up Women!!

2008-01-28T14:58:00.001+05:30

It is the 21st century. We hear about women liberalisation, equality and other such similar notions that leave us to believe that women are equal. But the truth is far different. It is not only males who feel that the females can be compared to their male counterparts but they themselves also feel the same way. This is especially seen in country like India wherein women have been taught to place their husband next to god. Whether the girl is from village or from city, most of them adapt to this teaching from a very young age and believe that life is all about getting married and having babies and keeping their husband and in laws satisfied.

The girl today is expected to be well educated but at the same time if she is more educated and holds a degree higher than the boy then she may not find a suitable match for herself. She is expected to be invincible, manage her home, her work, educate her children, take care of her in laws and then at the end of the day she gets criticised that she doesn’t work. She needs to fulfil her husband’s desire also and if she is reluctant then the husband has the right to impose his demands and rape her also. Martial rapes are something that are quite common but are not reported by a majority of victims. The reason is that most of them believe that it is their husband’s right. But come on, the truth is that this is also another form of physical and mental abuse.

The growing cases of rapes, molestation and eve teasing shows that it’s high time now and women need to take matters in their own hand. If you wish to pass on a better life to the next generation speak up women and fight for your right

Check up for thalassemia is important

2008-01-28T14:22:00.001+05:30

Many of us might have come across notices and boards that tries to inform us about thalassemia but have failed to so as we choose to be ignorant about it. I was also one of the people from this ignorant lot and had assumed that I can’t be having this disease. But a blood test by Rotary Club in my school proved me wrong. I was a thalassemia carrier. In fact all my siblings were thalassemia carrier. The discovery led me to dig up more about the disease and made uncover some truth about it.

The disease, which is still not recognized by a majority of Indian, is prevalent in the society and is related to blood disorder. Thalassemia is a blood disorder which is genetic in nature. I asked my parents to get their tests done and discovered that my father was a thalassemia carrier while my mother wasn’t. That meant that my paternal cousins would also be affected by it. We were all thalassemia carrier which meant that we were anemic and would suffer from low hemoglobin lifelong. People who are thalassemia carrier do not require treatment and can live a normal. Had both my parents been thalassemia carrier, we might not have been able to live a normal life as in that case we might have been thalassemia major. People who suffer from thalassemia major require regular blood transfusion and may suffer from serious illness. Such people may need regular iron chelation treatment and cone marrow transplants also. If these treatments are not provided to the thalassimic child then he may not live for long. All these treatment are expensive and require a lot of care.

I considered myself to be very lucky that my mother wasn’t a thalassemia carrier but unfortunately my cousin wasn’t that lucky. She got married to a person who was a thalassemia minor or carrier. Since she was ignorant towards the fact, her first child was born with thalassemia major and wasn’t able to survive. For the next time, she went for a prenatal diagnosis that helped her to know whether this child was a thalassemia carrier or would have severe thalassemia.

The doctor had advised that when I get married, I should ask my fiancé to go for a blood test in order to know whether he was a thalassemia carrier or not. So when my parents started searching for a groom for me, I had to remind them of this again and again that they need to know about this rather than matching up the stars or planning out my courtship period. I try to convince my friends also to undergo this test but they still choose to be ignorant about. However I managed to prepare one of them after he lost a bet with me. When we got the results even he was shocked. He was a thalassimic and wasn’t aware of it. Thus just like HIV tests before marriage, thalassemia test is also very important as your child’ future depends on it. Do not assume that you cannot be a thalassemia carrier just because you don’t have the symptoms. This test is important to save from suffering later. Educate yourself more on this and don’t close your eyes to it.