The Karnan checkmate!

A lot of times, we tend to identify who our friends are, by the way they interact with us. Friendship is literally the most common opportunity of a 'mind' to connect to another. That extra thought, that extra smile, that little help to show that he/she cares is all that makes friendship tick. Its not everyday that life goes through an up and down. People who tend to stick with you when they are up will not necessarily be the same crowd who will stick with you when the chips are down.

Now thats a fact and thats a fact underlined!

In today's fast paced world, expecting someone to help you, at times of need is a difficult proposition. Only the rarest of rare characters, out of the many lot, who would be with you in a moment of joy, will stand by you. There is this story of Karna - the mythological character in Mahabharat, who tends to express this point of view very well and till his death. Standing by Duryodhana through the thick times and thin, Karna epitomises the 'gratitude' and promise owed to one's friend. He is arguably a more powerful role model than the Pandavas, because his conviction and his character was tested more than them.

O' Maula Mere, where is my Karna. I only need one such person and I can overcome anything in this world, my heart felt through the last few days! Tough situations always tend to bring out the tougher person in me. And I am glad that this time, it also helped re-define my Karna'n sensex in the share market of 'friendship'. I am no Duryodhana, ofcourse! But I am sure, everyone of us would like to have that one person who will always be there for us when we need help.

Luckily in my case, most of the people whom I could turn to, were really true and helped me with a lot of advice and insight. All is not lost. All, except a few, whose locus has been plotted permanently outside my 'dosti' rekha....! How did I feel? Well, you know by instinct who is genuine and who isnt. I would really say, our heart felt feelings always need to be crosschecked with the 'mind' man inside us. Most often the latter would tell a few point blank truths.

Respect is certainly a 'two-way highway'. One must complete the circuit both ways within one's lifetime. 'Necessity' bound characters will always be around us, trying to exploit and use our resources for their needs. Identify such weeds and help save the farm from a poor harvest.

In this life of chess, everyone around us is either black or white. Identifying what colour they are will only become clear when its time to 'check'. Thats the moment of reckoning. Thats when you will feel yourself saying - "the Karnan checkmate!"

Rare words for a rare occasion.