Sunday, August 05, 2012

Nemo


This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 30; the thirtieth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.




From an Oceanographer's diary: 

From 1982-84, as an oceanographer of Navy, I was based in Sindhu Sankalp Vessel moored into the depths of the sea on this stretch. Wonder, what would have happened in that insipid surroundings if I had not met this charming, bubbly, inquisitive boy. It was a brief sojourn somewhere in the unknown, which had influenced and affected me momentarily.  

My bags were packed. I was under the orders of transfer to the Northern point... I was almost ready to leave the chalet, when I heard a voice,' Sirrrrr...'.

I knew who it was; nevertheless, came to the balcony gazing at the sea shore.  The sun had almost disappeared into the celestial purlieu, complimenting the figures silhouetted against the auburn background. Nemo,  Captain Nemo, as I used to call him, was hanging upside down, like a sloth bear, from a palm tree just outside the balcony. A bud of rose was stuck between his lips. I grinned and stretched out my arms and plucked it.

He looked at me innocently, and asked: ‘can you not take me with you, Sir?'

Nemo, was our caretaker's son and like me, he had a deep fascination for sea. Our off-shore unit was a little away from the township, totally cut off from public view due to security reasons. The noise and bustle of the town never filtered into the compound, it used to make me feel lonely....Often Nemo came to the research station with his father.

Gradually, the oceanic activities caught his attention and his love for learning touched me. The little fellow was not smart, yet there was something in his attentive eyes ---some quiet alertness, some quality of listening, that set him apart. Gradually our friendship bloomed, and our world in a short time, utterly transformed. Soon, Nemo was walking in and out of my room at his will. He'd sit with my books on oceanography and flip through the images. I still remember those eyes filled with amazement and wonder---undoubtedly the ocean meant 'a world' to him than any other place on earth!

One day, I decided to take him inside our computer room, which used to record the solar influences on that entire region. The full-screen computer pictures, reflecting the glorious details of galaxies and the planets gave him a graphical representation of the sky....he stood speechless, stupefied, frustrated, exhilarated; after all he was looking at something he hadn't seen ever...The translucent lights were overpowering and finally gave him goose bumps. He held me tight and sat still for several minutes, almost paralyzed. His face tightened slightly, and then slowly relaxed. A strange well within him was tapped, and I started filling it up carefully and methodically with facts of oceanography....and then there was no looking back.

He started spending hours in the shore after school. The setting became significant and compelling for his interest. When our team members would do their chores on the shore, he'd sit in full silence and listen to them talking about apertures, wave-dynamics and filters. Though he wouldn't understand a word.

One morning, as I was leaving home to board the vessel. I found Nemo in the veranda. I stroked his head with one hand, and moved ahead. Nemo sulked,' I've been waiting here for a long time. Can't you take me along.., I want a ride...please' his eyes were pleading. 

The timing seems right. We weren't going too deep that day; so I decided to take him half a mile down on a undersea cable car built with 8 x magnifying glass-walls all around. This was, yet another bewitching experience for him..... External lights from the inspection cable car was shimmering across the ocean floor, and he saw long fields of corals, exotic varieties of fish, sea urchins in hundreds of colors wandering freely in the water. A gentle reflection of blue light wavered on Nemo’s face and it looked as serene as the water. He didn't speak for several moments again, stood still with his palms pressed against the glass wall.... Perhaps, he was silently remembering the photographs, the images on the computer, and comparing the delicate structures with the real marine life..

‘It is so beautiful; suddenly he sighed and whispered. ‘Sir, life underneath is so colorful and happy!’

The cable-car was moving him over light and shadow. Nemo kept watching life evolving in actual sense; something not engineered by humans. He was probably thinking of all the mysteries the ocean contained; especially the marine life with their glimmering golden hearts....

'Good phases are generally too good to last.' The rituals of transfers in a government job doesn't leave one with a choice. Grudgingly or ungrudgingly one has to follow the orders...I moved on, but I knew that I had inspired yet one more oceanographer....


This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.Recently I experienced life's most enthralling moments in a glass-boat ride in Andaman and Nicobar Islands  for coral viewing. A part of the story triggered out of it...





The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. I’m thankful to Jaish who introduced Blog-a-Ton to me, and I debuted in 29th edition.



Credits


Image - Shades of Orange by Harsha Chittar

Courtesy - Curious Dino Photography via www.blogaton.in
 

82 comments:

  1. What a fantastic image.

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    1. Welcome to my space , Higley. Thanks so much!

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  2. Replies
    1. Thanks shashiprakash fr the encouragement. All the best to you too!!

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  3. Very well written!
    All the best Panchali:)

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    1. Thanks for the encouraging comment, Amit. I appreciate deeply:)Thanks!

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  4. You evoked vivid images of Nemo, the ocean, the cable and the narrator. Great job!

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    1. Thanks a ton, Umashankar! You read it so well...thanks for the time and implied kudos..:D
      I appreciate deeply!

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  5. lovely....wish we all had a mentor like d one nemo had...den indeed studying wud have been much fun :)..........
    ALL D BST :)A GRT POST as always

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    1. Saikat! ...yes, the unexpectedness made the whole thing pleasurable for the mentor also...:)) Thanks for the pat... it means such a lot to me!!
      Thanks you!!

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  6. Mmm! To evoke the wonders of the sky and the ocean while simultaneously describing the bond between mentor and student - excellent

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    1. Thanks Suresh, you summed it up in a sentence...!Thanks for the encouragement.

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  7. KUDOS!! AWESOME WRITING!!!
    Good Luck for BAT :)

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    1. Wow...that's a wonderful comment from a little writer! You write incredibly well...keep writing. Would love to have you more on these pages!
      Thanks you.

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  8. Great stuff... Loved reading it

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    1. Thanks Raghav, for the wonderful words of encouragement...:)I do appreciate!Do come back again..please :)

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  9. Very well written. Prince Dakkar had a nice mentor.

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    1. Thank you, SG !!Indeed, Prince Dakkar had Professor Aronnax :))I am pleased you liked this... more pleased than I can tell you. Thanks... :)))

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  10. I loved it. First of all i loved the title :P . Secondly i loved the way you have so beautifully described Nemo's love for the ocean and the relation between the two of them. I loved reading it.

    ATB for BAT

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    1. Menachery! Welcome to my page! You read it so well!! Thanks a lot for the feedback... really appreciate it... :))))
      Do come back please!

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  11. Replies
    1. Rajesh!Thanks a lot for the implied kudos.. you made my day!!

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  12. Very touching in a sweet way! Beautiful pictures painted through your words, I especially loved the last few lines - the pain of separation filled with the hope and satisfaction of a bright tomorrow! Lovely! :)

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    1. Arti,

      So good to see you always!!It's a blessing to get readers like you. I am happy you could relate to this... thank you for your encouraging words and for the visit... :))

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  13. nice post...loved reading it
    gud luck for BAT :)

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    1. Thanks Karan. Welcome to my space :) Happy to know you enjoyed reading this. Do visit again.:)

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  14. Wow Panchali ji, your post is not only fiction but also speaks a lot about Oceanography! Thanks to that kind of thoughtful writing! :)

    Pleasure to read! ATB

    Do stop by my blog! Cheers - Kappu

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    1. Welcome to myspace, Kappu. And I have already read your blog; it is a mindblowing stuff!!
      Thanks for being here...I am gratified that you liked the imagery! I hope to see you more on these pages...
      Bestest...!!

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  15. really well written :) best of luck!

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    1. Thanks a bunch, Ash! Have you also participated?? Must check out the entries now...:)
      Best of luck...

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  16. This is one of the best diary entries I have ever read. You painted a beautiful image in mind Panchali ji :) :)

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    1. Neha, I simply LOVE your comment!! You made my day :) Thank you. It is lovely to see you here always... :))))

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  17. All the best, even on a holiday you were weaving stories.
    I am happy, you are writing more and more stories:)

    The title made me think of the film Finding Nemo. Glad it
    was a boy and not a fish ~

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    1. Ghaz...Its an addiction now, sweetheart! What to do..? No, I took the name as I mentioned in my story from Captain Nemo!
      Thanks so much for being here :))xoxo

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  18. when i started reading I thought it was you , until i read the disclaimer.. what a lovely story .. imagine if each adult can do this for a kid in our nation , how lovely it would be

    beautiful

    Bikram's

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    1. Wow...that's a stupendous comment, Bikram! I cant tell you how gratified i feel having read your comment.!!Yes, life would have been different if every child got a mentor like this one!!At least it'd have saved the present lot of traumatized kids..
      Thanks a LOT, for coming over with such an encouraging comment :)

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  19. I loved Nemo! Very well narrated.

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    1. Rachna, Thanks a lot for coming over with your appreciative comment!! I am so pleased!Even I have fallen in love with my Nemo---he's♥

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  20. Such a brilliant interpretation of the picture. Very nicely written and the plot is novel too :) All the best.

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    1. Goingbeyondthepages, It's a pleasure to have you here again. Thanks for the implied kudos...it means a lot!Thanks a ton...!!
      Hope to see you more on these pages :))

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  21. Hi Panchali

    This is such a unique story and narrated so beautifully...Loved it...Its simply superb :D

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    1. Thank you for the compliment, Jayashree. I remember the time when I was new here, I read your blog and came to know about BAT...:) Special thanks to you...

      Best of luck to you :))

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  22. Replies
    1. Welcome aativas to my space :) Thanks for stopping by...

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  23. mentors! wish more children had them! a child's mind is so fertile, all it needs is a little nudge and thoughtful encouragement. Nice story ! ATB

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    1. Justanotherwakeupcall !! God...what a handle. I liked it very much! Welcome to my space :) Thanks for that thoughtful comment. Hope to see you more on these pages...
      Thanks a bunch for the time...

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  24. This was a sweet innocent tale with vivid descriptions that drew the reader in.

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    1. Thanks TF for being here with your perceptive comments. I am so pleased :))Do visit again! Thanks a ton!

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  25. superbly scripted mam ...loved it

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    1. Welcome to my space...Vinisha :))Thank you for the compliment.
      Pleasure to have you here.... :))
      Now since we have met, do visit again!

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  26. Replies
    1. Welcome to my space, Maitreyee! I am glad you enjoyed reading the post. Thank you for your encouraging comment...means a lot, dear...:)
      Hope to see you more on these pages..:)Thank you...

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  27. awesome right from the intro of nemo
    All the best

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    1. Welcome to my space, Manasa :)Glad you enjoyed reading the story...! Your comment made my day! Hope to see you more here...:)

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  28. Very well etched! Was a very sweet read! ATB for BAT!

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    1. Deepa!
      Welcome to my space... :))Glad you found the story sweet...it would make a nice children's story I guess! :))
      Thanks a bunch!Hope to see you more...

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  29. Phenomenal writting. Excellent story with real depth. I'd love to read more and get to know these characters. Lovely, truly lovely.

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    1. Kristen!
      Wow...what a wonderful feedback!Thank you...! I'm so pleased you liked this... :)))))
      Thanks for the pat on the back... it feels good... :))))
      Hope to see you more on these pages...thanks a ton!

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  30. Inquisitive, and innocence filled writing, Panchaliji.. :) Nice name selection too I think. All the very best..

    Leo - My Blog-a-Ton Story

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    1. Leo!So good to see you here... I am thrilled you liked it.. and the title.Hope to see you more..thanks! And ATB to you too!!!
      Thank you..

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  31. Replies
    1. Muthu, Welcome to my space :)
      I am glad you liked it, thanks for coming by. :))
      Please do visit again...

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  32. I want to go deep under the sea and seriously like you wrote, not engineered by humans, I want to see the untouched and pure world.

    All the best, this post is full of life.

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    1. Saru, Yeah...even I would like to go undersea and see/feel all the wealth that nature has hidden in there! One day we shall travel together..:))
      Happy you liked it...this justifies my labor:)))
      Thanks a zillion... xoxo.

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  33. Must say, a completely different take on the picture. Your choice of words is amazing and narration impeccable, Good Luck!

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    1. Thanks Srikanth for the compliments! You made my day :) Hoping to see you more on my space !!
      Thanks a lot!

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  34. its a lovely take on the pic I must say ! :D
    all the best!! :D

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    1. Thanks ashzzes for your encouraging feedback...means a lot! And welcome to my space!! Do visit again :)
      Thanks a ton!

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  35. For a moment I thought it was true. Then I realised that this is fiction. Very nicely written. The observations are nice. Well written.
    Sabyasachi

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    1. Thanks a lot, Sabyasachi. It's always nice to have you here...Thanks for the implied kudos...am grateful :)
      Thanks!!

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  36. Panchalidi, since I could not find your email id I came in here to inform you the timing of my daughter's program to be telecast today at 9.30am and repeat telecast on 9.30am on the 12th of august..but reaching here I saw a new post here and mesmerized by the tale of Nemo..I don't know how I missed it..may be I was waiting in Indiblogger and somehow I missed it there..so I thought it better to follow you so that I get the updates regularly without miss..it is really an excellent tale of a curious little child..

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    1. Awww..Ranita, I missed the show. Have been a bit busy with a wedding in the family...so couldn't catch up with the time...hope they telecast it again.

      Thank you for following me, and it would be lovely to have your constant support here. Thanks for everything, my dear. xoxo

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    2. Its ok Panchalidi..I might be uploading it soon..as the video is too big we had to edit it and now the uploading is taking so much time..

      And don't thank..its my pleasure to follow a person like u..Respect!!

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    3. Oh, that's a great news, Ranita !!I am sure you'll be able to do it in a jiffy... :))))
      Waiting for that blog, my dear. Thanks for the news...am feeling so much better:) hugz..

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    4. The video is uploaded Panchalidi..u can have a look anytime..:)

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    5. Saw the video just now, Ranita!Thankssssss :D

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  37. lovely imagery! thanks for the wonderful trip down under!

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    1. Thanks Deepak....am glad you enjoyed the underwater trip! :)) Wish, I could have also posted some of those mind blowing pics....!
      Thanks a ton:)

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  38. Very very nice. One of the last few posts I was left to read - and thankfully I made it. Very nice post. It seems to me that you have immense love for water. Any connections?

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    1. Welcome to my space. Kshitij!:)) That was an impressive comment.... and I am impressed with myself.!!!
      Thanks a lot.. you made my week... :)))))
      Well, talking about connections---actually nothing to write about. But, yes, my uncle was in the Indian Navy and he used to tell us about merchant ships, warships, whalers, and other coastal and deep-sea vessels...and you are right, I LOVE water....
      And as I have written earlier,that my visit to Andaman last month, especially the coral viewing on a glass boat triggered this story :)))
      Now, since we have met here, would love to see you more on these pages :)))
      Thanks for your time...

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  39. It is one the best story I read in the recent past. Thanks for this.. And I second Kshitij, Any Connections??

    Someone is Special

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    1. Thanks a ton, Someone is Special..:)) Your words are most gracious..I am humbled !! Please read my reply to Kshitij, you'll know about the connection (if there's any for that matter..)
      Thanks for the encouragement... hope to see you more on these pages... :))))
      Thanks a ton!

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