Kingdoms and corporates the soldiers and the generals will always be the same

Once upon a time there was an ambitious soldier, his ambitions ran high, he wished to be the General. So strong was his desire that he secretly started hating the General and systematically began maligning the good general's name. 

As time went by the soldiers evil ambitions grew, the King and his parliament began disliking the general. Seeing that the kingdom was doomed the general retired happily to his farm. 

The soldier was elated, he began preparing for his new role as general, he got his uniform stitched, made the announcement to his fellow soldiers, bathed and dressed his horse, worked hard on his list of favorite cronies, got a new hair cut and practiced his speech full of humble surprise. 

On the day of the big announcement he stood in line, expectantly waiting for the King to call out his name. The King walked in, and made his announcement. 

"Country men, as you know our beloved general has retired, My nephew has returned from France and i hereby announce that he be my new General" 

The soldier was stunned, heartbroken, as the King walked out he whispered to the soldier, "you have done me a great service, I never did like that righteous fool. You will get a new horse"

HONDA SBK in india - a Total NO!

I have 2 reasons for writing this, to thank all the fellow riders from GODS who were most helpful and all those who may be facing trouble with a Blade (or will the minute you buy one). To every one who got told by honda that they were prompt in solving customer issues!  Its a blatant untruth! 

I had serious trouble with  my new Honda 1000 RR 2010 C-ABS model. The Honda India team made me go around in circles learning on my time (wasting my time) as it turns out giving incomplete information and skirting the real issue. 8 months of harrowing time and Unfortunately the Honda Service team was  unable to pinpoint the fault, let alone fix it. Every time I complained they changed something on the bike, BUT still dint identify the trouble area. Complete nightmare despite changing 3 batteries, rectifier, magnet, starter motor checking the wiring every possible check that could be done it continued to give trouble starting. Until I scanned the forums and called HONDA in other countries!! And found out that they were lying through their teeth. There was a fault in the ECU of the bike. This fault is world over in the 2009 – 2011 model, whats more Honda India knew this as well as the solution but still for some reason dint address the problem but continued to waste customers time!  They infact changed the ECU in december for a Blade in Mumbai yet they kept avoiding the solution for a full 2 months changing every part they could think of eventually under pretense of ignorance telling me that the "JAPS DINT TELL US" rather than letting them know "I know you are lying" I decided to just get my ECU and move on with life. 

Problem: There is a fault with the ECU on the C-ABS models that causes battery drain intermittently. This is caused by the ABS servos remaining on with low speed maneuvers (ABS is not correctly calibrated below 6mph and when tight turns are made under 6mph this causes the ABS servos to 'activate). When you turn the ignition off the servos can remain on and this is what causes the battery drain (less than 1 hour to fully flat battery). 
Solution: Since then, Honda Japan have developed a new ECU (as the existing one cannot be re-programmed to fix this) THE NEW ECU FIXES THE FLAT BATTERY ISSUES! This ECU is ready with Honda and Honda has started providing it to customers replacing the old one in the UK. 
I confirmed with the customer care in UK post being informed of the solution via the forums in UK. Honda UK Motorcycle (@01753 590510) customer care and they confirmed that a replacement is on and the Honda dealer will be able to arrange one for me. Sadly India Honda SEEMED uninformed or was withholding information which could have fixed the issue. On contacting HMSI India and detailing out the issue they readily provided me with a speedy ABSECU replacement, a unit which is meant to tackle this issue. 2 months down the line as on date no starting issues as yet, thank heavens. I havent been stranded with a dead bike for a whole 2 months in the early morning I actually feel lucky! 

Now a new problem has started the bike makes a whirring sound! And instead of sending me a mechanic they sent me a lecturer!! Who's advise to fix the problem is "aap apna attitude badlo machine hai problem toh ayee gi" pathetic. I might as well have bought an ambassador for all the time it spends in the shop!. If it were not for the warranty I would never ever approach the official Honda shop for anything!  

While all my bike issues are sorted (no thanks to the honda shop) any my machine is behaving perfectly. I still love the Honda But never will I recommend a HONDA SBK in India till things change with them! So here are my 10 reasons why not. (will certainly not buy one myself).

1. If you want to buy a Honda SBK then you have to go to Manesar for the test ride, to Naraiana for the purchase & delivery & to lajpat nagar for the registration :-S. no one single location the purchase process itself is a mess. (PS: they have no provision of a choose your number etc, any which way by the time u have the bike you will not want the number but just want the process to end) 
2. There is just one workshop – Naraiana. Whats more there is just one mechanic (all india) so be sure to book 20 days in advance as he is always traveling 
3. If there is any trouble with the bike – be sure to be prepared for them to pull out a fat book and begin flipping through the pages – not very reassuring. 
4. The service costs a BOMB ! Be prepared to shell out 5 grand just for the labor, on a good day the service bill looks like 10 – 14 K at least (that too if you carry your own oil). Considering the warranty is 30,000 KMS that is almost the downpayment on a new bike. 
5. The Shop knows ZILCH! And what they know they wont tell. They have no definite solutions to any issues you may face. All that needs to be done by the rider. 
6. If you get your bike serviced or a part changed they wont give you the invoice (looks like even their invoice machines never work) I think they don’t want you to have any documentation to prove their mistakes if so needed – so I had to chase them for a month to get invoices. 
7. Most of us can change basic parts but Honda India wont retail. So if you ever need an extra set of levers be sure to shell out to have them installed. (ps remember at this time the labor charge)
8. Standard excuse! The japs dint tell us
9. Standard operating procedure - don’t tell the customer the truth or the solution create a diversion to keep them occupied! 
10. Standard answer – we don’t think there is a problem at all. 

Well this is for every one who would like to be well warned before making their choice! Also because just cause in India we cannot sue such incompetence does not mean we can be taken for a ride. (no pun intended).  

The Wind In My hair

In a country where grown men are at times not allowed by their parents to buy a two wheeler I have chosen the strangest of passions! Super bikes! These 1000 CC Machines of the “dangerous kind” are certainly not for women! I have heard that more than once accompanied by shocked and at times disapproving expressions. It’s amusing to say the least however this is the lighter fun side to my not so common hobby. I come from a family where “you can’t” was not a term my parents used, fauji kids we traveled the country climbed every mountain and swam every river celebrated every fall and got on bikes before our feet touched the ground before landing up in the sea of humanity in Delhi. Delhi came as a culture shock and I guess I came as a culture shock to Delhi.
It’s from here really that the fun began and it’s been a series of shocked amazed faces and more over some very upset guys! I have yet to come across a guy who will not be extremely uncomfortable being the pillion with a woman rider. In fact the hint of the suggestion to do so gets hurt indignant looks accompanied with a quick step backward. The strangest looks and reactions are however the ones I get when I’m on the road and that’s quite often with rides every weekend and outside of the city within a 500 Kms radius every chance I get. Not only do I get almost every guy on the road rearing to race but it’s the fellow travelers who suddenly see the kajal mascara lined eyes behind a helmet on a mean bike which is my gallery of Kodak moments. Guys nudge each other, women at times give the thumbs up sign and kids just wave happily.
Once in the middle of getting back from Jaipur I stopped at a roadside stall to get a cold drink and in seconds the bike was surrounded by people mostly men who were interested in knowing mileage, weight and top speed of the bike strangely asking each other not me, while there was this one old woman who was interested in knowing how my mother allowed me to ride a motorcycle! Then there is this nice neighbor who asked me if I was preparing for a competition why else would I be out on a winter Sunday morning at 6 AM? The fellow riders I ride with have now got used to my eccentricities but still never let go of a chance to pull my leg about the big hoop earrings under the Shoei helmet or pink socks under the reinforced riding boots.
The eccentricities aside I sometimes wonder at the stereo types we create for ourselves and for others around us, everything we do is typecast not because it’s a written rule but cause “aise hi hota hai” wonder of wonders for riding a bike I get asked if I’m competing with the boys, or if I’m a feminist, the questions surprise me cause this is not about competing with any one or being to any school of thought it’s just about going ahead and doing what I love to do without the excess baggage of socio political jargons. I have always believed that we are limited only by ourselves we can’t do most things because we think we can’t and thus never even try. So I am a superbiker I ride a 1000 CC bike and on any good day flying at 275KMPH is part of the deal, but that does not keep me away from my French manicures and perms. Just like the reinforced riding boots on weekends don’t keep me away from the dainty heels for the rest of the week. I don’t believe it’s a contradiction it’s just me being me. (Femina June 2010)

Chaos

I open sleepy eyes to another day. Bright, clear and sunny, perfect weather, not too warm not too chilly, clear skies. Smile, stretch and close my eyes again, smiling. It’s that time of the day when there is really nothing weighing you down. Dreams and reality both blurred. If it weren’t so bright it would be the twilight zone of sorts, in a macabre sort of way. Eyes flutter open again the moment is gone as reality floods in.

I’m awake now but not quite so, the mind sleeps. I haven’t quite used it lately. No long debates and drawn out conversations. Lost! Lost, the companion of a life time. I step out of bed, the step is still light. The sunlight streams in broken rhythmically only by the curtain which gently sways. I move the curtain aside, it is a bright day, I step out, startled by the grass cold with not yet dry morning dew, at my feet. Fresh air fills my lungs, not for long as out of habit I reach to light up, inhale, nicotine hits home. Coffee, I’ll get it after this stick burns out; the smoke wraps itself, seeping through lungs and fabric alike. Inhale! Yes I know it’s the devils knife cutting out slices from life 5 minutes at a time. It’s gone with barely a few flakes of ash to show for it.

I close my eyes, tight so as not to let the light in, as my hands run through my hair holding it back. Sigh. I haven’t slept in a while, yet I just woke up, the mind sleeps and there is the day to go. Thoughts are empty, yes haven’t been using my mind much the past couple of days. What was I thinking? Wasn’t thinking at all I guess? Living it all in that moment. One crazy single moment at a time. Dumb, beautiful, crazy, all about that win, all in one moment, then to the next. Not thinking. Not today. May be tomorrow.

The day is bright and warm; still fresh, yet, the dew that tickled my toes is gone. I need a break. I have in living life, forgotten how to live. It’s time to pull out that list which gathers dust somewhere. I remember striking out something’s which were dreams well achieved. Each task, every test a celebration of self. Some things are just done to enrich life.

To myself aloud: ok quit dragging your feet and get back on that path. Not to be on amongst many but strive to be much more. It’s strange how we are always so busy running after what everyone wants that we forget what we actually wanted. Have to kick that habit. Soon. So what is next?

Back on track!

Earth, Water, Music

A hot day. The sun was high, the shadows very small. The blooms parched but for the shade of the wall. The wind picked up little demons of dust, little devils dancing around the sun baked paths. Prancing like children as they play with the dead leaves. The earth is parched; it should have rained a month ago. I put water out for the birds; it’s a joy to watch them dip into their first bath for weeks. It should have rained a month ago. The ground is parched begging for a drop to moisten its lips.

The wind has picked up, Lucifer’s children grow stronger. Play games. I look as a door slams somewhere, the birds startled. The water splashes, soaked up in a second. Come back; sing for it’s only the wind. I shall wait. It should rain now, soon. The once greens are a murdered color of hay. Lucifer’s children are hiding eerie calm. A droplet of salty water drops off the brow. Surprised I look to the sky. Nothing. Sigh. The birds are back, the lure of cool water over powers the fear. Solitude breaks … chirping. It must rain soon.

The shadows are long now; the birds have had their fill, for now. Not a parched leaf moves the sun is gone; the Earth will have some respite. The birds go to their nests I must go too. Yes I must go too, but where? These four lavish walls of silence don’t call to me. I step out as the sun hides in the horizon. It’s cooler now but no rain. I walk along the path following the cool breeze. A faint splashing beckons me. I hope the birds are happy. That splashing its closer, the lake! Of course the lake, it’s always been there, is it calling? The earth is parched and there is water just a breath away? Strange….

Why hasn’t it rained? Is that even a question any more? There is water to last many lifetimes, I laugh. Mostly at myself, did I just spend the day begging for what lay for the taking? Louder still my laugh resonates in the hills in the earth. Water! I roll the sleeves and start digging for there is ground to be covered, for we seldom get and when we do we must work for it to be where it needs to.

The nest can wait, for many birds will get respite today, the parched earth will drink. Elbow deep in mud could one e happier? Wipe the brow and toil on for the sweat will seed many a fruit as it snowballs to change. As I remember the lines once read lifetimes ago “give me the courage to change the things I can, the fortitude to accept the things I cannot and the wisdom to know the difference” Change! We are all weary, skeptical, critical, scared, of change, but all matter living or otherwise, changes and transitions. The real challenge is to accept, understand, evaluate, chose, evolve and maintain positive momentum as a parallel constant. KEEP WALKING and all will follow.

Today there is water, and while it flows there will be music and a new tomorrow.

Musings of a Daughter

A loner that’s me! This is not true only for those very few who know me for my eccentricities, and know me for who I am. The rest are but strangers companions if at most for a while. I have often journeyed into my past so as to understand my future, make sense of my present. Our present mirrors the past so the wise men say. So if the past maketh my present what pray makes my future? For is it not what I am today that will define who I am tomorrow? This fork in the road will be me? … who will it be? Will I know where it may lead and then step or will I let you hold my hand to lead me to the right leave the wrong behind?

It was simpler then when the father did guide, the lessons of life taught in those many stories in those few words… they settled my soul then, made the choices easy. Can they not be easy now? Those simple rules of integrity and compassion, of trust and fidelity, of belief and self, of those many things that now infuse doubt. The steps were as easy then as they are heavy now. Lighten my step for I am tired of the heavy load, yet when I look to the light it is blinding. The darkness is devoid of companions. Can you not hold my hand so I can draw from your strength? Did I ask the question aloud? Is it the sound of the weak? Can I not see the demons in the darkness? For weakness has no taker in the darkness of today. Why does my conscience speak to me so? Why does it question my every step? I see the mass of humanity pass me by with not a care on their brow? So why is it that I question and evaluate every step? What in my past makes me question the present? Did I voice that aloud too? Is there an ear in the darkness?

I hear that voice if I hold my breath. It is a voice I have known all my life. It is not me, yet it is who I am. I close my eyes and the light is softer. “You are who you were destined to be, for this one life has many lifetimes to live. I spent a lifetime with you my child when I held your hand and led you to the light and guided your every step. You chose well, with strength and perseverance. It is this past that molded you. I spent another life time correcting the course of the wayward ship, yet letting your sails fill themselves to chase the horizon, god speed. You travelled well not swaying much from your course till you are but a dot on the horizon. I am at a distance now and the storm clouds approach as Poseidon prepares to test your spirit. I spent a lifetime holding my breath and the spirit prevailed, the clouds shatter and the old man of the sea sleeps again till another time. The Olympians watch and while some will be friendly be weary of most. I have spent a lifetime forging the hull and it holds its own I see.” You questions mark your path; the answers set you apart from the crowd. It is the past that made your present. Just as this present will make your future.

"Stand out! for the crowd has no face, the sea has waves on every beach. Hold that head high it matters not what waves it makes. The weather is for ever changing and the rocks have already weathered all there is to see. Have no fear for there are and will be many a skeletons, many a fossil, amber and roses": Yes the cobwebs are fading, they are gone. Let the sunshine in. Blue skies at last cheering me on.

I let my breath go. The breath I spent a life time holding, the voice is dear, it stands by me as the light clears out to vision. The hull is strong and will last many lifetimes of stormy seas. The old man of the sea will test the sailor many a time, and each time the voice will be beside me, guiding me to the light. Not all seas are friendly and not all are hostile yet we approach each with caution, for the currents hide just below the calm. It is the past which holds the judgment steady. For I know now that my future is what I make it to be.

To my father, a great man I write this for it is he who has held my hand, but also it is he who let go when I wanted to spread my wings, it is but cause of him the hull is strong and the ship well captained. I cannot but only imagine what it would have been to stand and let me find the edge, a new cliff and a new sea every day. To know the height of the fall and the depth of the deep blue seas and yet Oh the courage you let go and hold on! I have reflected on the past many a time, sometimes with you too. I have felt that your courage, this life source that flows in my veins an apple they say never falls far from the tree. I have those hints of decisiveness and God help me stubbornness! They have stood me in good faith. Yet there is this thing which I credit to you which no one has, yes I have seen poor excuses for childhood many a time, I can only smile when I see how mine was rich. I know now as I have for a while without doubt that I have had a better past than I deserved and that it has made me a better person that I had the potential to be.

TO A STRANGER IN MY LIFE

I do not know who you are, where you came from and why at that. I do know that it is not to be should not, could not be. Where are you from? Not my world I know, so where pray tell and what made you find me. The times are such that we met on the high road, it was casual crossing of strangers what made you my acquaintance?

I have observed and watched I read what I see and what is but just beyond my grasp, I don’t get you as yet my friend. You must forgive me for being weary of strangers who carry sugar, it’s an old sin I have come to rely on. There are many sins for one to stray clear of anything that is repeated and not demonstrated till it’s demonstrated. Then there is the sugar, oh the sugar the life source of romantics and did I tell you I am a realist, another sin.
There are other things that trouble the peace and unsettle the soul, the questions oh! the many questions, many questions? Or is it just that one question? Yes it is that one question which may hold all the answers, for I am not above believing in the karmic connections. Cynical is it? No not really, realist remember? So tell me my friend, if you can truly be addressed so, what is this connection that draws you to me? The truth is sensed not spoken the fine lines keep it differentiated from propaganda. Is it not? Those answers my friend have the faint wisps of propaganda. I sense it with every soft fragrant breeze.

Wait let me clear my head! There is more! You read my friend, the senses do they tell you, I guess they do for oh my surprised heart you do get it right, at times or do they warn you? Do they really not warn you, back off and pause a bit will you? I would not want you hurt my friend as I too care for all humanity it’s the human beings I am weary of? Not so of you, strange phenomenon this for I care too, but is it not why I keep it away, safe far from all? If what I hear is true then you need to be cautious my friend as some roads lead nowhere, this is one such road. Then again, look you made me second guess me, do I need to really pin point it? Do I must I classify and box, must I have everything in clear shape? The clouds are a shape, or are they?
Let me clear my head for thought has always been prelude to my actions. Think! Think! Question and observe the clouds will part and I will have my truth. Till then I have these theories, yes based on observed evaluated experience but a theory as yet. As I see it from safely behind my cynical eye wear, it’s a pre mid youth fling? Or is it a reinforcement of it? It has faint hallmarks of dominance. This intrigues me so? While I ponder this study what draws me to you? Yes you are smooth my friend but time is a great leveler, it shall but have to part the smog. While I clear my head you may open your heart to let a peak into your soul, not me I hold mine close.

So there my friend while you fly I ask, and till I know all I seek you shall fly alone. For my flight is my own not shared not open, its high and free and only me. Bring on the sugar! It makes for an occasional dessert.. So there my friend fly safe till I know all that I seek till then let sleeping tigers lie.