The Wallet Story - Shree's Version - from street, thief to Hope

Sodden in sadness, I was coming back to my room; My friend suggested me; lets give one last try at my resident area police station (please read the previous stories Expedition of a Wallet - From Thief, street, and Hope!!!!! and The Wallet Story - Shree's Version  for details). We came to police station and found it open. Entered to the station and the sub - Inspector came smiling "I am Sub Inspector Rane; How can we help you".

As soon as I said "I want to report that I have lost my wallet" he stopped me and started laughing addressing his colleague who was sitting inside "Hey Mandhare, we found the lady, whose wallet we just recovered; no need to write a report". Happy/ sad/ astonished - I was in mixed filled emotions. Mr. Rane escorted us to the report room, where Mr. Mandhare was seated. They brought us a "Yellow and shabby wallet" and I broke into tears "This is not mine!" I pushed for lodging a complaint precisely an FIR. But Mr. Rane and colleagues weren't very willing and surprisingly they insisted, " Mam! This is the most safe locality

here, and even if you would have dropped the wallet it will come back to you, but once you write a complaint, even if the wallet comes back, it would be a government property and a case would be executed." I still made up my mind started telling the details for the complaint to be lodged.

Suddenly my phone started ringing - a call from my office. I felt frustrated; so late at night, lost my wallet, and still I am getting call from my office to support for technical issues; I calmed myself saying - "You are accountable for your work, no matter at what time; pick up the call". I picked up the call and receptionist says, "Madam, have you lost your wallet?" I was shocked, surprised and taken into ultimate happiness! I said yes how do you know, did I leave it in the office? He replied" No mam, a boy called and he is on the line." And the boy named Mangesh started talking "I got this wallet near the petrol pump". I asked him about the cards and other stuff, he said all are there including some cash! Then I asked him how did u get my office phone number and that was a surprise. he said, there was a bill copy with address as of my office on it, including the phone number, hence he called.

The inspector assured us that he would nullify the complaint and accompany us to the boy. We headed for the petrol pump, 5 minutes of ride and we were there.

Mangesh seemed to be a nervous teen with financial constraints and of course a big heart . He handed over the wallet. Ohh my poor goodie, it was torn apart but it kept my cards impact. I quickly checked and found all the cards were in it, except my 3K, however it had a fifty, a twenty and three tens. I was wondering how come an extra fifty and twenty were there. "Didi can I go now" I could sense the boy was frightened with the questioning of the inspector, I rescued him from them, and convinced the inspector not to say anything to him. Finally i thanked him and bought him some chocolates as he denied to take any cash. I chatted with him a little, while my friend noticed, the two guys from the hospital admin are standing round the corner and watching over us. (Please read my previous blogs Expedition of a Wallet - From Thief, street, and Hope!!!!! and The Wallet Story - Shree's Version for details)

My friend gestured to make me understand we need to make a move, I thanked the boy again and moved happily. However, that was not the plan my friend had! He stopped the bike behind a car, and showed me those two guys from hospital admin. And surprisingly I saw, those guys went to Mangesh and they talked for a while and left. The entire story was clear to us now. That fellow whom I originally thought had stolen my wallet, was actually the thief!! And because his sister was a stuff of the hospital, and may be it was a matter of reputation, the admin guys I spoke to, may have caught hold of the guy and recovered the wallet. While the Mr. thief would have taken out the cash, and they convinced this boy to return it to me.

Anyways, it was too much for me since evening, so much tears, sadness and finally my sweet lovely wallet was in my hands! Although not any more usable!

It's not only about Being Nice!

It’s been one of the top most searches since search engines started. Politics at office, politics at personal affairs, at this and at that. Many of us have office talks as a all time favorite tea time topic. Some times we enjoy it, and some times it simply sucks! As a concerned friend, we can neither solve the problem (most of the times these stupid problems sound exactly the same as we are facing it in our office), nor we can stand to listen to them for long. We friends end up finishing our tea time with the big question - when the stupid Mr. X or Ms Y gonna get screwed up and my problems will finish. Feeling bad, depressed that you are just wasting your time, or happy about the fact that Mr. X or Ms Y got screwed up, might give you a small while of pleasure, but you got to learn, you are frustrated because you are not able to handle it.
I remember in my early days at my first job, one of my seniors told me "if some one tells you do your job and avoid office politics, it's the dumbest of dumb things on earth. You have to either play the game or be a victim of it". I tried exploring many things since then to figure out, what this is about. Guys!! It's very easy to tell your friend "Huh!! it's hell lot of politics, i don't have time for all these and i am not getting anything because i don't know politics". It's even more simpler to move out to another job saying "I hate my job!" What's difficult is to change yourself!! 

There you need to pay a little more liberty to yourself and focus. There are three things you need to be focusing on:

1. You are the Architect of your own Life: Identify your own strengths and a comparative analysis what you have and other don't or vice verse (preferably the other players)
2. Knowledge is power -Prepare your own charter - this should have information about the bigger picture - of the vision of organisation, your part of contribution in it, others part of contribution, common areas, grey areas. Most of the times we are so busy in our day to day work that we don't pay attention to this world of opportunity, create your own charter and trust yourself to grow further. 
3. Be True to yourself & Execute The Plan: Never try to justify yourself to others when you certainly know you are correct. Look when you are correct - confidence show up, build the sparkle of energy with your knowledge in you. Politicize when required, not for yourself to grow, but to create opportunities and trust on the right channel.

Most often, it's a group of people who want to rule but who are finding it hard to survive because of their incompatibility. They would often complain you are not being nice to them, you don't interact. Essentially you can think about anything that they lack, but they would put them on you. Hence, take a pause, identify these people, be confident about yourself, and play it nicely and stop just being nice.

Readers Do let me know about your feedback and suggestions!

The Wallet Story - Shree's Version

There have been so many accessories I would have been using, but I wonder how I became so fond of this one. I could never leave this wallet since the day I bought it. Agree that I have a not so good habit of carrying my wallet with my mobile to wheresoever I go. They have dropped off my hand lots of time as I couldn't clutch them properly. Still, as habits die hard!!!

I was very happy since last night, as my best friend was coming to meet me. I came early from office, relaxed a bit, then prepared a cup of tea and started thinking about him. We have been friends since long, we shared lots of fights and memorable moments. Certainly, friendship is what you treasure for life. "iktaraa" my cell is playing the iktaara song - ooh some one is calling!! Aah it's my friend. He is here. I quickly picked my wallet, door keys and of course my mobile. As always, clutched them n gotta go.

I slowly came out of the row house campus - he is standing there opposite to the hospital parking. I started feeling again - this is going to be added to my memorable moments. A while and reached him, we greeted each other. After a long time, we both were happy. I asked him if we can go for a chai but he seemed to be in hurry. So we decided to talk there itself. I opened my wallet and gave him a chocolate I bought for him. He took his back pack and got a Swiss chocolate out of it :) ohh this one is my favorite. We got a whispering sound “ShSHSH” I looked up to the top floor of the hospital – couple of guys trying to say something. I looked down at the parking, a guy is looking sarcastically at us. Eve-teasing !!!! In my area.. huh -- My friend got disturbed.  I told him I’ll deal with them later as it's a residential colony and they can't go away with it. But he said he is anyways getting late now and needs leave, we agreed to meet again and told good night to each other. I started walking towards my den again while he started his machine bike – whatta sound, it roars just like a lion!!

I stepped in the campus, looking for my door key out of the key ring and realized something is not there in my hand. OHHHHHHH SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where’s my wallet – I came running back. I remember it was there in my hand but it’s not anymore. I knew I would have dropped it off. That guy from top floor was actually trying to tell me that I dropped my wallet. I came to the same place where I was standing before. Nope!!! Alas!!!! My wallet is not there. Hey – that guy – sarcastic guy is still there, I asked him, he denied saying he hasn’t noticed anything. I quickly called the banks to block my cards and from my other cell (I have two cells fortunately) to my friend to inform what just has happened. He came almost running. We tried to recall everything to remember where it could be while blocking my cards on phone. We decided to walk in to the hospital. As soon as we did, that parking fellow took his bike and left!!!! this stroked my mind. When we inquired at the admin about that fellow, they informed, he is relative to a shift nurse there and comes pretty often. But they disagreed to provide any other information.


I challenged them saying if they don’t I might put their name in the FIR, then they called the Admin Supervisor. Unfortunate but true, English language still has some effect on us!!! The supervisor agreed to inform me when that fellow comes again. We then decided to go the local police station. I was chalking out a plan how to narrate the story for FIR and how soon I can get my DL & PAN card. We reached the police station and huh.. unfortunately there is no one. We waited for 15minutes and then I called 100 (police helpline number). A guy answered from control room and assured me the duty officer is on patrol and would come to the station in 10minutes. 10 minutes ??????? I waited for another 25minutes and then my friend suggested me that we should go to the university circle Police station and report this.

I agreed as I could understand that he is getting late. We reached the university circle and met the duty officer. As soon as he came to know I have lost my wallet with PAN & DL in it, he instructed us to come with a Xerox copy of them or some lawyer. I was amazed, when I would have any ways lost it, how can I  have a Xerox copy!!!! We started arguing and the officer literally begged that his ex colleague actually lost his job due to a similar issue.

I thought where would I get a lawyer at 11PM night!!!! I asked my friend to drop me home and I would go for the Notary office in the morning. Disappointed, disheartened, totally totally sad however determined to get my wallet back, I decided to come back to my room.

                                                                                                            To be continued…..

Expedition of a Wallet - From Thief, street, and Hope!!!!!

The wallet Version: I am a wallet -- Ummm introducing this way would not give you my actual identity. I am Shree's Wallet!!! I am made up of pure cow leather- made in popular Shenzhen leather industry. My owner bought me from Ya Ma Tei Leather Market. I was enjoying warmth of sunset along with my cousins, other leather wallets. She came, took a look and picked me!!! A lot of bargaining happened, but she didn't leave me. She clutched onto me until the point she paid the dealer and then kept me inside the big leather bag. Well I then travelled all the way from China to India. Since then I am in India and always with my owner. She takes me to all the places wherever she goes, clutching me along with her mobile.

My days were going so nice, I was happy with all the attention I was getting. Until the poky day came. Her best friend came back from on site, and came to meet her. He gave a call to her saying he was waiting outside, in front of the hospital gate(did I mention, there is a famous hospital in front of the house she lives in?). As usual she picked me n the mobile. We came out of the housing campus to the street, he was waiting in front of the hospital gate, on a big bike (the machine look of the bike reminded me of my native place, all the hunk sports bikes are assembled there). He looked nice and warm to me. She stood close to the bike, started talking, she was happy to see her friend after a loong time!! Suddenly she put me on the bike, ohh she got a call. Alas.. ufff.. he put that bulky helmet on me??? It hurts!!! I tried to push myself so that I don't get hurt anymore, aahh.. I fell off!!! I started crying but alas she didn't notice me. She is so happy in talking that she completely forgot about her clutch!! Aaawww.. a  guy across the road looking so voluptuously at me. He must be planning to grab me if Shree or her friend don't notice.Alas!!! Unfortunately it happened. Neither Shree nor her friend realized that I have fallen off, and both left. Ohh.. that fellow across the road came and picked me. Hided me inside his jacket!!! Its horrible!!! Shree why didn't you realize, can't you still realize.. ohh she is there running back to the hospital gate looking for me :-) At last she remembered, she is calling her friend relentlessly!!!She came towards the "Clever Thief" (I know his name now: Ganesh, that's what he said on the phone. I wonder how come a person with the Indian God's name can do this kind of activity such as stealing). "Hey did you see my wallet? it's black color and fell off from the bike?" - Shree asked. "No,        not at all". Didn't look like Shree trusted him, ohhh dear.. her friend also came back with his machine bike. They called the bank helplines and blocked the cards while searching for me!!! She went and asked the hospital admin also, they said they are not sure. She started weeping now. Shreeeee- please charge this guy. I am inside the jacket. Ohhh- the guy took his bike and left the colony. I lost all my hope to go back to Shree. After all I can't walk or talk - I am just a wallet.

Ganesh stopped his bike at the petrol pump and tried swiping the cards, one by one. Ohh he couldn't swipe the credit cards as they have photo of Shree embossed onto the card. No Luck!!! She is clever enough to block the cards the moment she realized I am not there. "Who's Card is it" - Ganesh was scarred. The petrol pump guy is asking with qualm!!! Ganesh said it's mine only and immediately left the petrol pump. He had taken the cash out of me, there was a good amount in there, Ganesh calculated that there is 3030 Rs/-. He took 3k and put a 50 and a 20 rupee note back and thrown me away. Although Hurt and all injured I was amazed why did he put some money back to the wallet? One side of me torn apart, i was lying on to the shoulder of the road, praying to all god (chinese and indian) I have known since my birth, if there could have been any ways I could get back to Shree.



There is always hope - Continue to read - How Shree gets her wallet back!!!!



 To be continued... Shree's Version

Pune Roads - Not only about vehicles and pedestrians!!!

The old Pune - Mumbai High way is a candy for daily travellers in Pune. Especially for those travelling from PCMC (Pimpri Chinchwad Municipality Corporation) area to Pune City or Ahmednagar. As it offers high speed, less traffic and a better broad road to travel!!! Hence people just love travelling  via this route, and so do I !!!! As always - like any other  regular office goer, without any exception, I am also in hurry most of the times whilst passing the traffic signals!!!

Aah, well, a couple of days ago, I was in the same hurry mode, travelling by the Old Pune Mumbai high way -- and The popular Kirkee road. Unlike other days, There was a slow moving traffic and more frequency of cars!!!

Full throttle, ride, throttle, ride, I was riding on the left most side of the road, almost on the pedestal. I had to keep to utmost left as riding in middle of the road, I almost banged a tempo traveller because of my high speed!!! Somehow, struggling with throttle, I reached the Kirkee church road. Whoaa!!!! its only cars, and cars, and big buses at the front. I was not able to see anything but multiple colored car roofs!!! Some eager faces, some irritable, and of course children playing games in instruments at the back seat of the cars!!!

I pulled my bike rather to the shoulder of the road (

A hard shoulder, or simply shoulder, is a reserved area by the verge of a road or motorway. Generally it is kept clear of motor vehicle traffic. courtesy: wikepedia). Riding there, I could some how finally reach the front, utmost front - right in front of the bus that was stopping every one behind from the excellent view that I was able to see now!!!  With all innocent faces, there were couple of shepherds with their herd of sheep- walking very nicely off the road, moving towards the forest area. I had to admit, all the people around, had the same smiling innocent faces enjoying the herd :) office goers, auto rickshaw drivers, every body taken aback in "child hood revisited " as the herd was slowly disappearing.



The Innocent sheep Herd!!!!

Some inquisitive sheeps came near my bike and tried to understand what exactly I have been trying to do, why we all are standing on their way!!!! All of us enjoying this inquisitiveness, some even offered bananas, grams, leafs. The sheeps didn't seem willing to have though!!! I suddenly realized, how free they are, still so bonded, and all of them moving the same way with the Shepherd because their direction or goal or target is the same, they know where the food is, and they believe the Shepherd would take through the right path.
We the most rational animals - human beings, often forget this simple fact, when we all have the same goal and direction, life turn to complication level as low as zero. Thanks to that slow but beautiful morning - revisited my childhood learning again!!

When Rules were Obeyed

It's the first working day of 2012. I got up little late in the morning and as usual was late for office. last night I slept with the thought, tomorrow I will be in office by 10.30 but it didn't happen. I quickly got ready and while getting my bike keys I realised there would be very less petrol in my bike. Well as already late, i decided not to go filling petrol but right away leave for office.

Plugged in music.. I was getting onto riding mode and feeling relaxed. All the work worries went off my head while listening to my fav music list. And wow, one by one all traffic signals were feeling green like forever - Seeing me!!! I reached the Bombay Sappers signal almost in 15 minutes. I realized there are a unusual Number of Traffic Cops and Other Cops there. I suddenly felt nervous, as I did not get my bike's PUC (Pollution Under Control) done!! Aha, god not today, I don't even have enough petrol to run away!! And on top of that, signal -- Red!!! All Goodness!! The traffic cops waved hands to me to stop.

The Officer started saying something with all teeth out, smiling!! I couldn't hear because of loud music in my ears and already nervous!! I stopped and got my ear plugs out. Aha... The cops are with roses in their hands!!! Amazing.. The officer came to me and greeted me with pleasure " Wish you a very happy and safe new year Mam, and on the behalf of the entire Pune traffic control, we thank you for wearing a helmet while riding" 

Whoa!! The group came to me and gifted me some nice fresh red roses and a new year card!!

One of the cops clicked some pics while the group was giving me roses and greeting!! After all, I started my bike again, trying to realize what just happened!! I started my first work day of the year with greeting from the traffic cops!!! That too without having a PUC in my pocket!!!

After all rules are made to keep ours lives safe, and all those cops standing under scorching sun, bolt n thunder to make sure we are safe!!!