Differently Alike

There are three kinds of people in our lives.

First comes family. We don’t pick them. They are just prearranged for us. Whether you like them or not.

Next comes friends. We become friends because we are different. Because we are alike. We certainly choose our friends. We share scores of stuff with them. For most of us they are the existence of our being. We are mirror image of each other.

Then comes people who are not outsiders, yet not friends either. It can be anyone for that matter. Your maid. Neighbor. Someone in the office. Milkman. Newspaper guy. But they do play a major role in our life. They unquestionably make our lives easier in much unspoken means.

Presenting here a list of people who have influenced me in practically few ways and made me learn lot just by observing them.

For various reasons am not counting my family in the list, as they are ahead of one picture and three lines. And I don’t want to be biased ;)

And if you don’t see yourself in the list? Don’t lose heart. Maybe you have more than few good qualities to pinpoint just one or two. J

Inderjit Nagi: He taught me to fall in love. He is the reason am in love. Simple. Love one and all. Does not hold any sort of grudge against anyone, I repeat anyone. Got some magnetic effect on people that they become his fans. Extremely knowledgeable. Very creative. Very mine.

Jonty: She does what she does. And with love and enthusiasm. Turned her passion into profession. There isn’t any better person to take you around Hyderabad than Ms Jonty for those historical and street food tours. She runs a very successful De Tour Company. Another extremely knowledgeable person. Very well travelled. Crazy about street food. Hassle free. Bindaas with gigantic heart.

Sashikant Naidu: An accomplished fashion designer in his own league. Brought back kalamkari in vogue. Loves to shop in Charminar. Does not need an explanation to stroll the old city of Hyderabad. Excellent cook. Has an eye for art and artifacts. A friend in need is friend indeed suits aptly for him. Whenever am in Hyderabad I end up spending extra time with him than anyone else ;) 

Kanak Khanna: Too adorable. Too sweet. Too simple. Good theatre artist. Irksome because she is too real to be true at times. Great company.

Sachin: Complicated. Drama queen. Non bitchy. Hard working. Like to party hard. Believes in love. Good at work. Does not call/meet you if there is no purpose.

Andy: an avid traveler. Always with stories. Excellent knowledge of politics, history, food and films. Always right with his choice of food. I go blindly by his preference when it comes to where/what to eat. Too much fun to be. Loves doing things with a flow. Full of life. Great company.

Aai: my neighbor in Mumbai. Diligently cooking for her family all the time. She hardly steps out of her house or rather her kitchen. Always smiling. Always giving out something to munch.

Aditi Bhagwat: Excellent kathak dancer. Based out of Mumbai but travels all over the globe for her shows. I don’t know how when and why we became friends. A person dedicated to her passion. The most talkative person. One can discuss anything under the sun. Irritating at times. Yet adorable.

Akthar Miya: I always bump into him while strolling sunday chor bazaar in Charminar. We became good friends over the period of time.

Samad Saab: Owns one of the biggest and best artifact stores in the vicinity of chor bazaar in Charminar, Hyderabad. Brilliant businessman. Many times I had gone to his shop only to say salaam and came out buying stuff worth thousands. Awfully friendly. Treat his customer with outmost care. Utterly lazy in his promises.

Swami Ji: Another neighbor. Sweet and talkative. We mostly have conversation in chaste Telugu mostly discussing politics.