In Washington, DC, at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. About 3 minutes: The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk. At 6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again. At 45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32. After 1 hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all. No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He...
1978! You must be thinking what is precious about the year! All the way the year 1978 carried special significance for me. How come! You know I was born on 16th January; numerically they say if you add the birth date=, then number carries a significance in your life; so for me it is 7 as 1 + 6 = 7; and mind you, in the year 1978 I was 25. So 2 + 5 = 7 .
Now here comes the story; till 1978 in Indian Air Force a law prevailed those Airmen failed to get promoted to the rank of at least Lance Air Corporal within nine years of their service; would be discharged. I was an airman then. With law or rules in view , I did not take any promotion till 1978 (even thereafter) expecting my salvation after nine years of service with Air Force. But to my utter dismay in 1978; all of a sudden a circular came; stating that Airmen who even fails to get promoted by nine years , will be in service till they complete their initial bond i.e. 15 years. Can you imagine how I felt! Sacrificing all the promotions for those many years, the money I lost and the time I seemed to have wasted ! I was totally frustrated; that was 1978 for me.
Must be surprised why I am recollecting 1978 now! The rain again; it is in the year of 1978; we had tremendous rain and West Bengal with several states was flooded. The rain this year reminds me that.
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