We deliver on time

KK was to leave for India on Saturday and I had promised to drop him to the airport. Earlier Aup said he wudn't be able to make it that weekend. Friday evening I got a call from Aup--he was coming to Baltimore…he ofcourse had to kiss his langotia off to India.

We dropped KK to the airport 5 hrs earlier to make sure he doesn't miss his flight :) After leaving the airport I called up Balls and left a voice message saying “The package has been successfully shipped to India.”

Later we goofed around at Ash's (Aup's friend) place, had a good time. Sunday I needed a break and even though Aup's purposeful visit was served, he wouldn’t leave. I expressed (begged / pleaded) in a subtle manner (which is something missing in me--Jhadiya) with an excuse that I needed to go to work. Aup was in no mood to leave, I had to make somebody call me from work and the trick worked. Finally, Aup left for Philly.

In the meanwhile I got a voice message from Balls asking for the tracking number for the shipment to India. I emailed him about the tracking number he requested.
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Dear Customer,

As per our telephonic conversation, you requested tracking number for the package IAD->BOM. Our company, Fast Courier Company (FCC), does not provide the tracking number for the shipments. All our shipments reach the destination within 48 hrs and then we provide the proof of delivery, which you will find below.

Sincerely,
FCC
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Hi,

Reached India safely. Flight ekdum khaali tha .. soke gaaya ...

Kausum
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Balls was quite happy with the delivery and he replied

Dear FCC,
Thanks for your prompt delivery and response. Not only is your International delivery quick and on-time, it was evident to me yesterday that your domestic shipment time is impressive too. (I'm referring to the exceptionally fast "good riddance" delivery performed on heavy equipment to Philly). Thanx again for your excellent response time...i dont have to look
anywhere else now!!
A happy customer.

I forwarded the customer's response to Aup

Aup,

Baba ki Jai ho !!
Below you will find the response from one of our major clients..
Balls inc.

FCC

Aup Baba ki tisri aankh khul gayi. In a fit of anger he replied back to the courier company as follows:

FCC is very efficient. It uses the "good riddance" to ship the international delivery and then ships the "good riddance" itself forcefully. I take an oath that I will not set foot in Baltimore.

-A

I was scared of the laser beam which was about to shoot off from tisri aankh and turn me into ashes and dust. I had to appease the Baba so I offered him my sincere apologies and some free coupons…

Dear Customers and Packages,

It has come to our knowledge that some of our "heavy" shipments are not very happy with the treatment given to them. We would like to mention that our focus is on the cheapest, most reliable and efficient service to our dedicated customers. We apologize for the inconvenience caused, but please understand that its all business nothing personal. We would like to offer you a coupon for two samosas and we do appreciate your business.
Thanks You,
Regards,
FCC

Easter Sunday

I started to write a comment on the article that Aup had posted, but suddenly realized that I had a lot more to say, myriad of thoughts to share but a few words to string together. I am as despondent and confused about the whole issue as many of you are…worrying about our land’s favorite son and the Kohinoor of our cricket team. For 16 years I’ve seen him fight it out against all odds, for 16 years I’ve seen him as the last and only man standing, for 16 years I’ve seen his commitment towards the sport and country…yes I’ve followed him closely for 16 years and there has to be a reason for it; divinity is the only thing that comes to mind.

An expectant Sunday crowd, the team in a precarious position and enter the prodigal son in his own backyard. True he is completely out of sorts, true he played a bad shot at a critical juncture, true he disappointed millions…but it was a gesture that pinned the healing hand by deep nails. Nothing justifies the catcalls even though I know for a fact that not a single soul would wish HIM ill. But as I see it, I fathom it to be totally selfish gesture on the crowds’ part to satiate their thirst for a holiday thrill ride and to have their monies worth. When HE has illuminated many a bleak night, when HE has defied the very definition of odds, when HE has held his dignity and poise around all the muck that was the fixing scandal and when HE needed our backing when HE was down, all we do was leave HIM in the cold and then push HIM in the grave. And we talk about short term memory loss as a rare syndrome…tch tch.

I Hope that HE comes out fighting all odds…..again.

I Hope that HE plays an innings on the last day to hand us a crunching win.

I Hope that the crowds realize their folly very soon.

I Hope that the dark Sunday afternoon is HIS resurrection Easter Sunday.

I Hope….I Pray.

Emotionally

-Balls
P.S. The last para might sound Shawshankish...but as is the central message of the movie, Hope is something that can never be snatched away from us.

Cmon Sachin !!

One of the most mature descriptions on the current hot topic...the form of Sachin Tendulkar. I know Balls and I would definitely concur "lets not go thyair". But this article from the Hindu summarizes in a non (2 minute recompilation) way about how mindless and foolish we have been in our expectations from this cricketing genius.

Here's a link
http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/21/stories/2006032110371800.htm