Murphy's Law

Well many times few things have gone bad. But they never really came close to being tagged as Murphy's law experience. But here is the one that happened on  16 June 2011 really came out as classic example.

15 June 2011 was one of the longest lunar eclipse night. I was awake till 4 AM. Catched some 4 Hrs sleep and got up at 8 AM on this D-day of 16 June. As it was late decided to take my car to office instead of office transport.

Reached office at about 10:30 AM. Had pretty much regular day and started back from office at about
8:30 PM. I was really tired due to night out and wanted to get back home quick. Started back with one of another colleague who was heading in the same direction in his car. Just after about 15 minutes travel one of the front tire went flat. You quite expected it right ? No..No...this is not it just read ahead and see what unfolds.

I had never dealt with flat tire before so I thought, I could quickly call and stop my friend in another car just ahead of me for help. That's when I realized my mobile had completely drained off and had switched off. It was lying there unaware of fact that my first help has gone off and I cant even inform back home.

It was for last couple of days, I was thinking of taking out the cash from ATM but had not done it yet. Checked my valet there were just thirty rupees in all. Fine, I said to myself turned on car's emergency lights. Parked by the road side. Started taking a walk around. Quickly spotted a small Maurti Service centre. I was really happy initially but to my disappointment the guard said all the staff has left. He pointed me towards road where I can find more garages. I quickly checked time it was 9 PM already so rushed to that street. Another disappointment all those small garages had already closed.

But fortunately I found a ATM and took out some cash. There on decided to catch a Auto driver to help me fix it. I found couple of guys and they agreed. They came to place where I had parked the car and started the work on the replacing the flat tire. To my surprise I found that tools were not returned to me during the last car service.

Fine, I said to myself and stopped taxiwala who was passing by and asked if he could spare the tools. Although that guy was good he said well TATA Indica tools wont work on Maurti. There on like Vikram of Vikram-Betal, I started looking around the houses to see who has Maurti car parked. Found the nearest one and requested security of that house to get me the tools after explaining the situation. My watch was already clocked 9:30 PM. Land lord lady was kind and she gave the tool set to security who accompanied me. The autowala's managed to replace my flat tire.

Do you think its end yet. Not there is still small part left. I had to reward my star team. I could pay some twenty rupees to security and asked him to thank land lord lady on my behalf. But I just realized ATM had given all 500s new notes. They smiled at me. I asked autowala's they had no change. Checked with the nearest grocery store and medical shops who were about to close for change. You guessed it right they politely refused. There was Bar near by. Figured these are rich people and checked with them. Bang ! got the change. Quickly settled the account of Autowala's.

Just smiled at myself on what had unfolded in last 1 hour 30 mins. Headed back to home to reach at 11 PM completely exhausted.

I had experienced the Murphy's law first hand.

"If there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will cause the most damage will be the one to go wrong." - Murphy

Mumbai - Addiction to hard work

Recently visited Mumbai couple of times on some personal work. Here is what I got addicted to in Mumbai.

Mumbai is really a inspiring place. Hard work is there everywhere but I kind of sensed it in a heightened state in Mumbai.  I was always scared of Mumbi due to the image of it created by Bollywood in common man. But in contrast I found it as a very different place. Mumbai's local trains define mumbai. The discipline of local trains can be seen in every true Mumbaikar. Mumbai is, what it is, due to intense hard work residents.

To my surprise Autowala's and Taxiwal's dont cheat as much as I have seen in other places. They want to work hard and earn what they deserve. I salute this spirit. A waiter at hotel would rather clean up the already clean tables and plates once again than standing idle. He would never allow your water glass run empty. He will try to understand and guess what you would need. Well there by he earns his well deserved tip. Every one doing the best in whatever one is doing honestly. This makes every ones life that much easier. I now think that's why our text books said man is social animal.

Although in Mumbai as well people are self absorbed as in any big city the one thing that differntiates is people are aware of pain individuals go through leading the life in Mumbai. They know life in Mumbai(for that matter in any big city) is not simple. This simple understanding has done one wonderful things. People are ready to help. Its not when you yourself are not trying to help yourself but when some one is doing his best and yet fails due things he/she cannot control. Rest assured there is one helping hand from some where.

Not that I have not worked hard myself before. But I have not quite felt the power of it. I have not appreciated it much. May be as a part of growing up I am starting to enjoy the hard work. I feel proud to be human and what humans have accomplished by their diligent hard work.

Every day I enjoy the hard work of many and it has slowly starting to inspire me as well to work hard. Work hard to enjoy the feeling of working hard. I am able to see the value that hard work brings in. I am able to see how world looks more beautiful by hard work. Now I perfectly understand the meaning of Kannada saying "ಕೈ ಕೆಸರಾದರೆ ಬಾಯಿ ಮೊಸರು".

Historical monuments like Hampi, Belur, Halebidu, Banavasi and many more have always inspired me. Now I can imagine what vision and hard work has made that possible. Taking the responsibility and taking things to closure is  truly a amazing.

Diligence makes hard work meaningful. Results of hard work are making me get addicted to it. I think every one should try to be active most of the time and diligently work hard. Humans have great future ahead. Lets go grab it !