A date with memories ...

Along with the new year comes the month of January.
A month which brings a promise. A promise of a change.
A month with a perfect stance but no substance.

This month lasts for just 31 days. But these 31 days are enough to bring our aspirations down to earth. A month that takes away with itself, all the desires of bringing a change. A month that makes us realize that this is going to be another long year. Just hang on .. don't think much.

In January comes the marathon. A marathon of thoughts, a marathon of actions...

The run is a complete test. A test of our stamina, a test of our strength. A test of perseverance. So many of them have asked me the reason I run. I am yet to figure out the answer.

Last time around I participated cos I wanted to see how far I could go. I knew I could go up to 7 km mark. But actually I completed the 21 km half marathon. Even I wonder how I managed. Just waking up one day and running 21 km without a single day of practice. It was unbelievable.

I remember I was jogging when I reached 16 km mark. Then came the 18 km marks. My ankles had given away. Yet I went on. After some time I realized that I had nothing to go on. I wanted to stop, rest ,quit. But the legs were not ready to stop. They were moving on. They didn't stop until I reached the finish line. They didn't stop when I had to line up in the queue to collect the certificate. They took me from Azad Maidan to Church Gate. They carried me in the heavy rush of Mumbai local upto Andheri.

It was like they had conquered the pain. They were dedicated to the job assigned and nothing in the world could stop them. Like Murarbaji, fighting the war even after being beheaded.

I take a lot of pride when see them.

A few days ago, I happened to be there for that.

I had to collect the bib and bag for my marathon. I took a local from Mulund to CST.

This was the 1st time that I was at CST after 26 Nov. As soon as reached the station I started imagining things. What exactly happened that day? From where did the 2 gunmen enter? How come no one detected them from the Gateway to CST? At the CST where did they start shooting... Where were the bodies lying?


First thing that cam to my mind was what if I have an AK-47 with me right now?
Who will stop me? There are metal detectors at CST but nothing of that sort at Mulund station. I can easily attack the CST from Mulund now. A day after the massacre at CST, news papers had shown photographs of the barricade set by the Railway Poilce. Surprisingly, these were absent now.

I visited that spot from where Mr Jillu Yadav attacked the terrorist. I searched for the camera which captured those moments later to be seen on youtube. It was not seen. May be it has been set at a position which only the railway police know.

But the fact is nothing had changed here. There was same ever existing lethargy in the system and a give up look in the eyes of the passengers.
We talk about Proactive Management. This one is not ever reactive. This is bloody insensitiveness. Come what may ... we won’t change. This city runs on goodwill.

Then I followed my way to Azad Maidan. As I reached the Maindan I saw the organisers busy preparing for the event. Here is where it ended last year. Here is where it will end this year.

Unwillingly though, I could visualize myself entering these Maidans after the run last year. I was in a mixed state of mind. Physically less, mentally more. My legs were in bad shape … but my mind was in worst state. All those thoughts that erupt when I am all by myself were there covering my brain. Like autumn leaves. I wanted to find the answer to them by the end of the year. I haven’t. And hence these thoughts will be there with me this year too. Some of them have reached soaring heights…

There was a sense of satisfaction that I had completed it. Along with it came a million dollar question … “ SO WHAT”

A part of me wanted to celebrate…. Others wondered HOW !!!

Last year, those heavy thoughts helped me in moving on … The burden of the distance did not bog me down. I hope this happens this year too.

So nothing has changed here too. I am now what I was then. The excitement about the marathon is lost. And now it feels like just another event.

On my way back home I was damn frustrated. Is there anything that can be done? Will everyone live just cos they were born a few years ago and have to survive the next few years?

I got the answer to this question on my way back home. In the heavy Mumbai Traffic.

On Peddar Road, my bus was stuck in this traffic. I looked at the buildings. The last time was here ... I was running on this road. On other days u cant even think about crossing it. This is one major change. WOW

Why did this happen. Because, 6 years ago, someone thought of organising a marathon, here. What ever his intensions be… people responded to it.

People are ready to spare one day of theirs to do something for everyone, to do something for the society, to something for a common cause. People are ready to change. For a few hours they are ready to forget their personal grudges and look at the bigger picture. The Picture of unity.

There I got my answer. I run marathon to celebrate UNITY.
The bond is so strong that people are ready to part away with their luxuries cos a few athletes will be enjoying themselves. They will gain nothing by gaining this. But still they will be doing it. They will be doing it cos they need the CHANGE.

This is the beauty of the event. It is going to start at the CST. It is going to go around the TRIDENT where most of the foreign athletes are staying. 35000 participants will be running.

I will be running too.
I will be running cos I love to run.
I will be running cos I want to be a part of those 35000.
I will be running cos there cheer leaders will be cheering me.
I will be running cos the public will be watching me.
I will be running cos I want to be proud of my legs again
I will be running cos its New Year, I will be running cos its January, I will be running cos its marathon …again.
I will be running cos I want to see the CHANGE.