..and thus George was ON AIR !

Well, it is of great happiness to stay in touch with your college mates long after you pass out. And the happiness is even more when you have one of those best buddies in the same foriegn land where you work..and its was no different with my close friends Anoop George (known as simply 'Geroge') and Vinod (the popular RJ Rex of UAE's Oxygen FM).

It happened that ever since George got employed under an Egyption Boss there, his life got 24X7 busy. Being a person who doesnt know to complain, he got adjusted with the schedule even when he was on all blames from his friends for 'not keeping in touch now a days'. So it often happened like I ping him in gtalk and used to get insulted with zero response. But yesterdy was something different. This guy responded and was unusually excited and happy ! Initially I thought his Egyptian Pharaoh must have been terminated from his job (because I believed it was the only thing that could make him happy). But he had some different story to tell, which in fact after hearing to, made me also smile.

Anoop was travelling through Fujairah (some 350kms from Dubai) with his office mates in a car when he switched on malayalam FM station and tuned to our Rex's live programme. As usual Rex and his female co-RJ were at their full swing with tounge excersices to keep those 'Gulf NRIs' entertained. Anoop was smiling to himself listening to radio. Closing his eyes he rested his head on the seat's head rest. Memories took him back to those sweet college days when Vinod's attendance of so many working days were always at the sake of how sincerly Anoop called proxy for him (and this was continued over many semesters too). So much fun, so many secrets..many little fights..those college tours and naughty affairs. He recalled everything like a pleasing afternoon dream... Just as when the warm breeze kissed his face, he opened his eyes and he heard Rex informing the audience about some 'Geepas' competition conducted by his FM. Some tricky question was asked and to take part in that competition, you are supposed to type in your mobile "GEEPAS"<> ANSWER" and SMS it to some five digit number. Rex was repeating the SMS format when he said "Type G..E..E..P..A..S space your answer... 'GEEPAS'......G as in George..!!!"..

" G for George "!! ...well, prior to joining Oxygen FM as an RJ, Vinod had almost an year of experience in BPO industry and I am sure he must have been trained in international navigational codes for spell check which certainly doesn't follow 'G for George'. Whatever that be, Our George got excited and he was so so happy on hearing this !!! Childish as he was always..he imagined Vinod thinking of him while he spoke that out. That current programme in FM had a break for some ads when George messaged Vinod in his mobile telling him "thanks for remembering me. I am travelling near Fujairah, listening to your programme. You are being so good at it".

After a five mins break, the programme was resumed and to the unexpected embarrassment of Anoop, Rex started the conversation like this " ..well, just now I got an sms message from my best buddy Anoop George who's presently travelling through Fujairah stating that he was happy that I rememberd him when I said 'G for George'..hehe..you were right man. That George was indeed you ! Love you dude..have a great day.."(well, not quite an embarrassment for him..it made him proud among his friends who was travelling with him then). The female co-RJ was moved by this and she too passed some comment on their friendship..and then something onFriendship in general. George's colleagues were looking at him surprised and George had hard time preventing his face from blushing !

Yes, thats it. A small thing that has happened and his day was ten times more brighter and happier. And I would say, this is friendship...its when such small things could bring you so much of happiness and make your day. Cheers to you guys (both were my college bench mates for three long happy years)..and when George told this to me with his child like bubbling excitement, this happiness was propagated to me and I thought of sharing it here.

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PS: Now, for the other side of the story .While explaining the SMS format RJ Rex couldn't remember the right navigational code for G (it should be G as in Golf) . An RJ is not supposed to stammer...and RJ is not supposed to spend much time in thinking ! Given these constraints the first thing that came to his mind was the name George..and he told it there. During the break, his lady colleague asked him like what made him to deviate from the right code and this guy was telling her how he and others at college used to make fun of a guy named Anoop (and at times his father George also) ..and they were laughing at it when Anoop's thanks message came in. Both Rex and the lady were shocked on seeing this and yes..the lady even felt a little guilty thinking of the situation !!!!

..So, again..that is Friendship..Our dear RJ was so generous to tell me what actually happened behind the stage. Cheers to you guys !