The views below are solely mine! People reading this one are free to comment, compliment, share views but then I am not going to change my view one bit, at least in this regard :)
I was sitting at the clinic, and a lady walked in. She looked recently married; in India you can make out such things very easily. She seated herself right next to me and gave me this irritated look; a look which denoted, “Because of YOU, my husband cannot sit next to me!” I acted oblivious to her looks! After a while, space was obviously available and her dear hubby sat across her. She was just waiting! She got up in lightening speed and placed herself next to the man of her life with like a minus 0.1 centimetre gap! She positioned her hands on his thigh and gave him this utterly oomph look!
I couldn’t help but gawk at both of them. I wonder why people need to display their affection, attraction whatever so publicly! Don’t they have their four walls to see it all? How does it matter to the person next to you or passersby to see what a lovely, intimate relationship you share with your loved ones? Isn’t it enough if just the two of you know?
Similarly on bikes, the girl is almost on top of the guy! It just gives me such an ugh feeling, frankly! Once in a while, when the weather’s nice and gay, you might want to hug the special one which is fine, but not cling on to him/her with all your weight on the poor other!
There is a time and place for everything and I strictly believe in it. When it comes to physically showing your affection, you must also learn to respect others. When outside, displays of affection really needs a check. Here in Bangalore, I have read of cops catching many couples in cars and bikes and the worst part is that they expect bribes so that the concerned parents are not involved in this! Imagine what sort of embarrassment they have to go through? Actually, even before it reaches parents, the couple involved are smart enough to pay off the cops, but for those with some bad luck on that day, imagine the kind of humiliation.
In other countries, such PDAs may be common and talking about aping their culture is not new in India. I am sure many will welcome this also into our culture, rather have already welcomed it and following it ardently. Maybe I am one of those backward thinking, nerd of sorts. But I still take a big, deep rooted stand with respect to PDAs, they sure are not displays of affection but sheer atrocity! Worse of it all is when these social networking sites ask you whether PDAs are a turn on or a turn off! Lol!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
PHILOSOPHY AND I?!!
Many times we call our close ones emotionless freaks, hard-hearted and what not? In the spur of the moment the words just rattle out and even if damage is not done, because they are our near ones and they understand us well, it speaks so much about our emotions, or the lack of it!
I have noticed this many times, not just with people around me but also an experience I have myself had; when we do not get what we want, in terms of things much sought after, or the person you love the most, the emotional-self takes over the practical-self. What’s new or path-breaking one may wonder, but when you actually sit and think of it and maybe put it on paper, there is so much to it!
This holds good especially when it is to do with human sentiments. In economics, I have learnt this theory called ‘Theory of Second Best’ which I think holds well with respect to many things. If you don’t get a chocolate ice cream, you may settle for a strawberry, but when you don’t get the man or the woman of your choice, does the theory of second best work? Or to cite another example; if someone so valuable to us leaves this world, can we go looking for the second best?
Again there are the if’s and but’s. There are people who tide over heart breaks and disappointments of failure and move on very quickly, whereas many others, or if I may say so confidently, most of them find the world ending and worse even, end their own lives. Personally I find committing suicide a very cowardly act. But each to his own. ‘When one door closes, the other opens”, goes the saying. So why can’t we wait? When advising someone, or talking philosophy it is all easy to talk and the real experience hurts. But are we all not made up in such a way, that we mostly and many times actually moved one?
On a radio show yesterday, the RJs had a cake to give away to someone who wanted to break up or were going through one! They gave away ‘break-up’ tips, as to how to handle the shattering moment and so on. A failure or a break up being personal is a thing of the past now! Like your famous ‘Move on’ tagline for a watch company, it just seems all so easy!
All these random thoughts, with virtually no story line here, came to me when I read the essence of the Hindu’s holy book, Bhagatvatgeeta. It reads thus:
Why do you worry without cause? Whom do you fear without reason?
Who can kill you? The soul is neither born, nor does it die.
Whatever happened, happened for the good; whatever is happening, is happening for the good.
Whatever will happen, will also happen for the good only.
You need not have any regrets for the past. You need not worry for the future. The present is happening...right now.
What did you lose that you cry about? What did you bring with you, which you think you have lost? What did you produce, which you think got destroyed?
You did not bring anything - whatever you have, you received from here.
Whatever you have given, you have given only here. Whatever you took, you took from God.
Whatever you gave, you gave to Him. You came empty handed, you will leave empty handed.
What is yours today, belonged to someone else yesterday, and will belong to someone else the day after tomorrow.
You are mistakenly enjoying the thought that this is yours. It is this false happiness that is the cause of your sorrows.
"Whatever you took, you took from God. Whatever you gave, you gave to Him. You came with nothing, you will leave with nothing.
"Change is the law of the universe. What you think of as death, is indeed life.
In one instance you can be a millionaire, and in the other instance, you can be steeped in poverty.
Yours and mine, big and small - erase these ideas from your mind. Then everything is yours and you belong to everyone.
This body is not yours, neither are you of the body. The body is made of fire, water, air, earth and ether, and will disappear into these elements. But the soul is permanent - so who are you?
At first read, the trend is to say, “So true!” But how much of it is actually easy to follow is the question? I have had the opportunity of chanting this holy book and or rather learning to chant it from some really learned people and it takes a lot to interpret it each time and learn new values for life. The essence typed out above is I think a prized value for life to keep in mind if not for completely being able to follow it.
Whatever happens definitely happens for the good. At that moments of happening, we swear, cry and what not, but eventually somewhere down the lane, we are likely to accept it. “What did you lose that you cry about?” This one is tricky. Possessiveness is one quality we all have with respect to at least one person in life, be it mom, dad, sister, love whoever! So when we actually lose them, not in physical terms but otherwise too, it really is hard. And as much as strong we are, our possessiveness overrides it all.
The highlight of it all has to be, “What is yours today, belonged to someone else yesterday, and will belong to someone else the day after tomorrow.”
If it is material object, it really does not matter. We all love change when it has something to do with material items. A newer version of Nokia’s touch screen phone, a better I-phone, more comfortable stilettos, a new shade of lip colour are all good enough and tolerable. My friend had it yesterday; I will have the same today!
But when you have to let go of that one person who is so precious to you and see him or her being someone else’s, even if he/her were going away for eternity, the pain is agonizing to say the least. And an answer to that is also ready: "Change is the law of the universe. What you think of as death, is indeed life.”
I have noticed this many times, not just with people around me but also an experience I have myself had; when we do not get what we want, in terms of things much sought after, or the person you love the most, the emotional-self takes over the practical-self. What’s new or path-breaking one may wonder, but when you actually sit and think of it and maybe put it on paper, there is so much to it!
This holds good especially when it is to do with human sentiments. In economics, I have learnt this theory called ‘Theory of Second Best’ which I think holds well with respect to many things. If you don’t get a chocolate ice cream, you may settle for a strawberry, but when you don’t get the man or the woman of your choice, does the theory of second best work? Or to cite another example; if someone so valuable to us leaves this world, can we go looking for the second best?
Again there are the if’s and but’s. There are people who tide over heart breaks and disappointments of failure and move on very quickly, whereas many others, or if I may say so confidently, most of them find the world ending and worse even, end their own lives. Personally I find committing suicide a very cowardly act. But each to his own. ‘When one door closes, the other opens”, goes the saying. So why can’t we wait? When advising someone, or talking philosophy it is all easy to talk and the real experience hurts. But are we all not made up in such a way, that we mostly and many times actually moved one?
On a radio show yesterday, the RJs had a cake to give away to someone who wanted to break up or were going through one! They gave away ‘break-up’ tips, as to how to handle the shattering moment and so on. A failure or a break up being personal is a thing of the past now! Like your famous ‘Move on’ tagline for a watch company, it just seems all so easy!
All these random thoughts, with virtually no story line here, came to me when I read the essence of the Hindu’s holy book, Bhagatvatgeeta. It reads thus:
Why do you worry without cause? Whom do you fear without reason?
Who can kill you? The soul is neither born, nor does it die.
Whatever happened, happened for the good; whatever is happening, is happening for the good.
Whatever will happen, will also happen for the good only.
You need not have any regrets for the past. You need not worry for the future. The present is happening...right now.
What did you lose that you cry about? What did you bring with you, which you think you have lost? What did you produce, which you think got destroyed?
You did not bring anything - whatever you have, you received from here.
Whatever you have given, you have given only here. Whatever you took, you took from God.
Whatever you gave, you gave to Him. You came empty handed, you will leave empty handed.
What is yours today, belonged to someone else yesterday, and will belong to someone else the day after tomorrow.
You are mistakenly enjoying the thought that this is yours. It is this false happiness that is the cause of your sorrows.
"Whatever you took, you took from God. Whatever you gave, you gave to Him. You came with nothing, you will leave with nothing.
"Change is the law of the universe. What you think of as death, is indeed life.
In one instance you can be a millionaire, and in the other instance, you can be steeped in poverty.
Yours and mine, big and small - erase these ideas from your mind. Then everything is yours and you belong to everyone.
This body is not yours, neither are you of the body. The body is made of fire, water, air, earth and ether, and will disappear into these elements. But the soul is permanent - so who are you?
At first read, the trend is to say, “So true!” But how much of it is actually easy to follow is the question? I have had the opportunity of chanting this holy book and or rather learning to chant it from some really learned people and it takes a lot to interpret it each time and learn new values for life. The essence typed out above is I think a prized value for life to keep in mind if not for completely being able to follow it.
Whatever happens definitely happens for the good. At that moments of happening, we swear, cry and what not, but eventually somewhere down the lane, we are likely to accept it. “What did you lose that you cry about?” This one is tricky. Possessiveness is one quality we all have with respect to at least one person in life, be it mom, dad, sister, love whoever! So when we actually lose them, not in physical terms but otherwise too, it really is hard. And as much as strong we are, our possessiveness overrides it all.
The highlight of it all has to be, “What is yours today, belonged to someone else yesterday, and will belong to someone else the day after tomorrow.”
If it is material object, it really does not matter. We all love change when it has something to do with material items. A newer version of Nokia’s touch screen phone, a better I-phone, more comfortable stilettos, a new shade of lip colour are all good enough and tolerable. My friend had it yesterday; I will have the same today!
But when you have to let go of that one person who is so precious to you and see him or her being someone else’s, even if he/her were going away for eternity, the pain is agonizing to say the least. And an answer to that is also ready: "Change is the law of the universe. What you think of as death, is indeed life.”
The Kathakar shines!
The Department of Kannada and Culture, Bangalore, organizes Yuva Sourabha, an every Wednesday program, lending a platform for artistes in music and dance alike. This Wednesday, saw the recital of Keerthi Kumar, a Kathak dancer, training under the illustrious Kathak exponent, Dr Maya Rao.
The recital began with Phalanetra, a prayer to Lord Shiva set to Ek Taal in Rag Malkauns. The dancer began with utmost confidence and eased into graceful movements there on.
Just as the ‘Varna’ shows the excellence and technical proficiency in Bharathanatyam, ‘Nrittha’ does the same in Kathak. It comprises the Thaat or the Sringar, Aamad which means start or beginning in Persian and Tukdas, ie, rhythmic fragments. Set to Tri taal (16 beats), the Nrittha contained both Lucknow and Jaipur Gharana in its choreography, directed radiantly by Dr Maya Rao herself.
In this piece, a dancer recites various bols (or beats) and reciprocates the same by dancing to it. Keerthi chose to recite Parans, Chakradhar, a small piece on Holi and a Tabla Bol which he executed admirably which was evident from the crowd/connoisseurs’ claps and words of encouragement. A technical piece in nature, the Kathakar must be able to come to ‘Sam’ or right on the beat and he didn’t miss it once! Minor flaws in terms of rigidity in his upper body were almost nullified with a self-assured air around him and subtlety in his movements. Keerthi executed the technical piece with much flamboyance.
The highlight of the entire evening was the next item, Saint Tulsidas’ Shri Ramachandra Kripalu Bhajumana set to Rupak Taal in Rag Yaman. The composition by Anil Biswas in itself is a masterpiece and a very popular one. The choreography, again by Guru Maya Rao spoke volumes! Lord Rama’s curls tied high up and in the same way the quiver holding his arrows were wonderfully portrayed by the dancer. Lot of hard work was apparent in the way the dancer had built his physique and the attention to the costumes worn.
The musicians who skilfully accompanied Keerthi were as follows:
• Vocals: Sri Shankar Shanbouge
• Padanth: Smt Ramya Anoop
• Sitar: Smt Shruthi Kamath
• Tabla: Sri Ajay Kumar Singh
• Flute: Sri Prakash Hedge
Shankar Shanbouge, always known for his classy voice, didn’t fail the dancer here either. With much dexterity, he complemented the dancer throughout. Among the instrumentalists, Smt Shruthi Kamath was a sure stand out.
What the viewers perceived to be a stop gap, was in fact a kind of a prequel to Keerthi’s next piece. The vocalist sang a Kannada Devarnama, ‘Ishtu Dhina E Vaikunta’. The piece which followed, ‘Oh Ena Baarade?’, was a Vittala Dasa devarnama, set to Tri Taal in Rag Attana, where the devotee questions the Almighty as to why he doesn’t answer any of the former’s call for attention. The devotee quotes instances of the elephant being rescued from the deadly jaws of the crocodile and also depicts all the ten avatars. The portrayal was good, which could have been better though.
Finally, came the Tarana, poet Amir Khusru’s innovation which are sung in Hindustani musical concerts and performed by dancers who hail from many North Indian styles, Keerthi chose to perform one set to Rag Desh. However, the singer, Shankar stole the dancer’s strength on stage and sang to perfection.
Nevertheless, a highly professionally trained Keerthi Kumar showed his proficiency not only in the technical piece but also in the form of emotions throughout. Never once did the feeling of he overdoing them came to be witnessed. Crisp body movements and a sense of confidence prevailed throughout making him a dancer to watch out for. Kathak is seeing many duos entertaining connoisseurs, but solo male Kathakars are few in number.
On the whole, the show was very immaculate in terms of music, comperes, apt lighting by Janardhan and the dancer himself. Coming from a renowned school of dance, Keerthi has made use of it well, in terms of his learning and efficient execution on stage. He has it all in him to become a renowned male Kathak artiste.
The recital began with Phalanetra, a prayer to Lord Shiva set to Ek Taal in Rag Malkauns. The dancer began with utmost confidence and eased into graceful movements there on.
Just as the ‘Varna’ shows the excellence and technical proficiency in Bharathanatyam, ‘Nrittha’ does the same in Kathak. It comprises the Thaat or the Sringar, Aamad which means start or beginning in Persian and Tukdas, ie, rhythmic fragments. Set to Tri taal (16 beats), the Nrittha contained both Lucknow and Jaipur Gharana in its choreography, directed radiantly by Dr Maya Rao herself.
In this piece, a dancer recites various bols (or beats) and reciprocates the same by dancing to it. Keerthi chose to recite Parans, Chakradhar, a small piece on Holi and a Tabla Bol which he executed admirably which was evident from the crowd/connoisseurs’ claps and words of encouragement. A technical piece in nature, the Kathakar must be able to come to ‘Sam’ or right on the beat and he didn’t miss it once! Minor flaws in terms of rigidity in his upper body were almost nullified with a self-assured air around him and subtlety in his movements. Keerthi executed the technical piece with much flamboyance.
The highlight of the entire evening was the next item, Saint Tulsidas’ Shri Ramachandra Kripalu Bhajumana set to Rupak Taal in Rag Yaman. The composition by Anil Biswas in itself is a masterpiece and a very popular one. The choreography, again by Guru Maya Rao spoke volumes! Lord Rama’s curls tied high up and in the same way the quiver holding his arrows were wonderfully portrayed by the dancer. Lot of hard work was apparent in the way the dancer had built his physique and the attention to the costumes worn.
The musicians who skilfully accompanied Keerthi were as follows:
• Vocals: Sri Shankar Shanbouge
• Padanth: Smt Ramya Anoop
• Sitar: Smt Shruthi Kamath
• Tabla: Sri Ajay Kumar Singh
• Flute: Sri Prakash Hedge
Shankar Shanbouge, always known for his classy voice, didn’t fail the dancer here either. With much dexterity, he complemented the dancer throughout. Among the instrumentalists, Smt Shruthi Kamath was a sure stand out.
What the viewers perceived to be a stop gap, was in fact a kind of a prequel to Keerthi’s next piece. The vocalist sang a Kannada Devarnama, ‘Ishtu Dhina E Vaikunta’. The piece which followed, ‘Oh Ena Baarade?’, was a Vittala Dasa devarnama, set to Tri Taal in Rag Attana, where the devotee questions the Almighty as to why he doesn’t answer any of the former’s call for attention. The devotee quotes instances of the elephant being rescued from the deadly jaws of the crocodile and also depicts all the ten avatars. The portrayal was good, which could have been better though.
Finally, came the Tarana, poet Amir Khusru’s innovation which are sung in Hindustani musical concerts and performed by dancers who hail from many North Indian styles, Keerthi chose to perform one set to Rag Desh. However, the singer, Shankar stole the dancer’s strength on stage and sang to perfection.
Nevertheless, a highly professionally trained Keerthi Kumar showed his proficiency not only in the technical piece but also in the form of emotions throughout. Never once did the feeling of he overdoing them came to be witnessed. Crisp body movements and a sense of confidence prevailed throughout making him a dancer to watch out for. Kathak is seeing many duos entertaining connoisseurs, but solo male Kathakars are few in number.
On the whole, the show was very immaculate in terms of music, comperes, apt lighting by Janardhan and the dancer himself. Coming from a renowned school of dance, Keerthi has made use of it well, in terms of his learning and efficient execution on stage. He has it all in him to become a renowned male Kathak artiste.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Well…They are citizens too!
Who is Sonia Gandhi? Or Laloo Prasad? Or even the oh! so smart, Rahul Gandhi? I definitely am not referring to their political parties but just as people who really are they? Citizens! Citizens who happen to be our representatives to run our country. We elect them either directly or otherwise because of their education, their sheer willingness to even come up and work for one’s country which most of us common people would not do. All agreed. But who would they be if it weren’t for us? Just another Sonia, Rahul, Prasad or whoever!
With the recent ‘austerity drive’ amongst many politicians, my mind began pondering. I pondered about perks the representatives of the country get to enjoy. Yes, they deserve it, but to what extent comes the next question. Perks, free time are all synonyms of a government job in our country for sure. I think we are still used to our grandparents or even parents advising us to take up a government job as it always meant to give us security and all the other ‘necessary evils’!
And the biggest gift of it all, at least here in Bangalore, HAS to be an easy breeze through the city’s horrendous traffic! I have experienced this is Chennai as well. The entire bandwagon is let through while the common man who actually made these ‘fellow common men’ famous, is made to wait whatever be the hurry. My question is, these ministers, politicians, their personal attendants, whoever are already known for being late to most meetings, functions et all. So what is the big deal of stopping citizens on the road and giving these guys all the space. They are already late, how does it matter if it is by 5 minutes or 50? They’d rather wait like any one of us and reach their destinations!
Last afternoon I was travelling by bus and all the vehicles including the one I was in were asked to stop for the obvious reason. I watched the little boy inside the bus pleading his mother to buy him a chocolate, a bus driver spitting out his ugh! chewable tobacco, a smart guy on his new Yamaha wiping a minuscule of dirt from his mirror. Twenty minutes passed by and there were no signs of the ‘VERY IMPORTANT PERSON’. People finally began getting restless. Initially the cops were in command. Now, the common men took over. One by one they began turning on their vehicles and honks began to pierce the cops’ ears! Lo! We were commanded to move on!
People in the bus did not hide their disappointment anymore. Obscenities were hurled at the unknown VIP and I couldn’t stop smiling! How I wish he/she were here in this bus I thought!
For those who don’t live in India and did not know about the incident involving the Prime Minister of the country himself, here it is:
Sumit Prakash Verma, who was 32, died after the vehicle carrying him to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research could not enter the emergency area in time for treatment. The PM was at that time visiting the hospital for its 30th convocation. (Source: dnaindia.com)
Post this, the PM wrote a letter of apology to the family of the deceased. The article also went on to quote on what former heads and police commissioners thought about the country’s VIP security systems. Good our PM apologized, but the life lost can never be got back. However, clichéd it sounds, it is a fact alright.
Things do not change over night and definitely not in India when it involves politics. But then I think officials must think of a way to keep up the importance which the government servants have to duly get but without troubling us, the common men! It would not hurt our representatives to wait for an extra 10 minutes at the signal and get on with their work just as us. They are also the country’s citizens after all…
With the recent ‘austerity drive’ amongst many politicians, my mind began pondering. I pondered about perks the representatives of the country get to enjoy. Yes, they deserve it, but to what extent comes the next question. Perks, free time are all synonyms of a government job in our country for sure. I think we are still used to our grandparents or even parents advising us to take up a government job as it always meant to give us security and all the other ‘necessary evils’!
And the biggest gift of it all, at least here in Bangalore, HAS to be an easy breeze through the city’s horrendous traffic! I have experienced this is Chennai as well. The entire bandwagon is let through while the common man who actually made these ‘fellow common men’ famous, is made to wait whatever be the hurry. My question is, these ministers, politicians, their personal attendants, whoever are already known for being late to most meetings, functions et all. So what is the big deal of stopping citizens on the road and giving these guys all the space. They are already late, how does it matter if it is by 5 minutes or 50? They’d rather wait like any one of us and reach their destinations!
Last afternoon I was travelling by bus and all the vehicles including the one I was in were asked to stop for the obvious reason. I watched the little boy inside the bus pleading his mother to buy him a chocolate, a bus driver spitting out his ugh! chewable tobacco, a smart guy on his new Yamaha wiping a minuscule of dirt from his mirror. Twenty minutes passed by and there were no signs of the ‘VERY IMPORTANT PERSON’. People finally began getting restless. Initially the cops were in command. Now, the common men took over. One by one they began turning on their vehicles and honks began to pierce the cops’ ears! Lo! We were commanded to move on!
People in the bus did not hide their disappointment anymore. Obscenities were hurled at the unknown VIP and I couldn’t stop smiling! How I wish he/she were here in this bus I thought!
For those who don’t live in India and did not know about the incident involving the Prime Minister of the country himself, here it is:
Sumit Prakash Verma, who was 32, died after the vehicle carrying him to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research could not enter the emergency area in time for treatment. The PM was at that time visiting the hospital for its 30th convocation. (Source: dnaindia.com)
Post this, the PM wrote a letter of apology to the family of the deceased. The article also went on to quote on what former heads and police commissioners thought about the country’s VIP security systems. Good our PM apologized, but the life lost can never be got back. However, clichéd it sounds, it is a fact alright.
Things do not change over night and definitely not in India when it involves politics. But then I think officials must think of a way to keep up the importance which the government servants have to duly get but without troubling us, the common men! It would not hurt our representatives to wait for an extra 10 minutes at the signal and get on with their work just as us. They are also the country’s citizens after all…
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Awesome reason to unite!
To begin with, I have read Chetan Bhagat’s first two novels, Five Point Someone and One night @ the call centre. The former impressed me quite a bit and the latter failed to. Hence I didn’t bother reading his third, The 3 mistakes of my life. However, his latest one, 2 states, the story of marriage, compelled me to read it because my story was similar, at least the guy and I come from two different states!
I managed to finish the book in 6 hours straight and I have decided to read his previous novel! Now for a review of the book though my previous sentence says it all, here it is.
The plot revolves around two smart, intelligent people, coming from opposite poles of India who study in the same B-School. The biggest difference one notices or which one gets used to with experience is that South Indians love their educational degrees while the North Indians sure love their food! One eats to live while the other, the other way around obviously!
The differences can be listed endlessly, but it is about how two clans, along with their virtues, thinking, looks and customs and tie the nuptial knot! It is not a knot just for the two people involved but for the entire family as is wonderfully described here, in the book. One, I come from the Iyer Brahmin community and hence could 200% relate to the entire book and since Mr. Bhagat claims his love to all South Indians in the section of acknowledgments, I can forgive him for all the ‘lovely’ things he had to say about us.
Instances of South Indian ladies dressed in their best Kancheepuram silks being termed as women coming out of golden drums, the famous Kashi Yatrai the groom takes in a Tam Brahm wedding where he takes an auto rickshaw much to the aghast of the bride’s father, the Mickey Mouse undie the protagonist wears and the eating of banana leaves are all very well written and I must say that Bhagat’s writing style is a sheer pleasure. By keeping it simple, he hits you right on and that’s a big boon for any writer.
Since Bhagat’s novels are now being turned to movies, he seems to be writing novel which make it all the more viable for directors. The book is filmy with romance, emotions with respect to both sides’ parents and families especially Krish, the male lead’s father. With 2 romantic numbers, and few more apt song sequences, this book is on its way to becoming another movie for sure.
Personally, I love the book because I had similar stories with my love story too. My mom’s shock when I told her that I had not chosen a Tam Brahm as my future life partner but a hardcore non-veg eating Mallu boy was my choice and that several tweaks in the wedding protocols which had to accommodate both styles of weddings can never be forgotten; one a two day affair (Tamil Brahmin) and the other a 10 minute scene (Mallu wedding). But I guess a love marriage comes with many strings which can never be cut away and that’s where lies all the fun.
Finally the author’s thoughts on love marriages ending up with new generations being evolved as Indians and not as this state and that are definitely to be valued and put into use. All in all, this book is a must read even for those who generally do not read fiction. It will surely change your views!
I managed to finish the book in 6 hours straight and I have decided to read his previous novel! Now for a review of the book though my previous sentence says it all, here it is.
The plot revolves around two smart, intelligent people, coming from opposite poles of India who study in the same B-School. The biggest difference one notices or which one gets used to with experience is that South Indians love their educational degrees while the North Indians sure love their food! One eats to live while the other, the other way around obviously!
The differences can be listed endlessly, but it is about how two clans, along with their virtues, thinking, looks and customs and tie the nuptial knot! It is not a knot just for the two people involved but for the entire family as is wonderfully described here, in the book. One, I come from the Iyer Brahmin community and hence could 200% relate to the entire book and since Mr. Bhagat claims his love to all South Indians in the section of acknowledgments, I can forgive him for all the ‘lovely’ things he had to say about us.
Instances of South Indian ladies dressed in their best Kancheepuram silks being termed as women coming out of golden drums, the famous Kashi Yatrai the groom takes in a Tam Brahm wedding where he takes an auto rickshaw much to the aghast of the bride’s father, the Mickey Mouse undie the protagonist wears and the eating of banana leaves are all very well written and I must say that Bhagat’s writing style is a sheer pleasure. By keeping it simple, he hits you right on and that’s a big boon for any writer.
Since Bhagat’s novels are now being turned to movies, he seems to be writing novel which make it all the more viable for directors. The book is filmy with romance, emotions with respect to both sides’ parents and families especially Krish, the male lead’s father. With 2 romantic numbers, and few more apt song sequences, this book is on its way to becoming another movie for sure.
Personally, I love the book because I had similar stories with my love story too. My mom’s shock when I told her that I had not chosen a Tam Brahm as my future life partner but a hardcore non-veg eating Mallu boy was my choice and that several tweaks in the wedding protocols which had to accommodate both styles of weddings can never be forgotten; one a two day affair (Tamil Brahmin) and the other a 10 minute scene (Mallu wedding). But I guess a love marriage comes with many strings which can never be cut away and that’s where lies all the fun.
Finally the author’s thoughts on love marriages ending up with new generations being evolved as Indians and not as this state and that are definitely to be valued and put into use. All in all, this book is a must read even for those who generally do not read fiction. It will surely change your views!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Sachin - my new God!
“Tch, but we lost wickets quickly in the middle overs”, said the little master even while he was being presented the man of the match today (Hyderabad ODI, 5 November 2009 – India vs Australia). The Aussies made a mammoth 350 but all eyes and faith rested only upon one man, no, God, Sachin!
I am not technically or statistically good to rattle out the number of runs, hundreds and all other accomplishments he’s made, records he’s created and broken himself. Today maybe just another one for all those die-hard Sachin fans, who’ve seen him fight it out in vain in many matches over his span of 20 years. But for me, it is this day that I truly bow down to this great man!
At 175 runs not out, he made India sit pretty on the wall of victory. Unfortunately the young guns in the team failed to fire when it was most needed. In this series, I noted, Bhajji either contributes in bowling or batting but not both together and today was his bowling days! When he went out for a duck right after Raina’s dismissal, I still hoped Jadeja and Munaf would help the master pull it off. What an offering it would have been to God?!
Man proposes and God disposes they say and to prove the same, God again denied his own ‘associate’, Sachin, his rightful offering. What more can he do? Even if he could not stay till the end, he made it all easy for the boys. 10 runs from 10 balls…8 from 6…was all too easy but for another guy in the name of Praveen who unfortunately dives only in a swimming pool and not in the 22 yards!
“Tch, but we lost wickets quickly in the middle overs”, said the little master even while he was presented the man of the match today.
Arun Lal, the presenter for the post match ceremony tried evading the topic and asked how he motivated himself to beat his own records even after 20 long years. “Passion for the game and I care about playing for India”, came the reply!
Today I have begun praying to another God – the only God cricket can have and will continue to have – SACHIN RAMESH TENDULKAR.
I am not technically or statistically good to rattle out the number of runs, hundreds and all other accomplishments he’s made, records he’s created and broken himself. Today maybe just another one for all those die-hard Sachin fans, who’ve seen him fight it out in vain in many matches over his span of 20 years. But for me, it is this day that I truly bow down to this great man!
At 175 runs not out, he made India sit pretty on the wall of victory. Unfortunately the young guns in the team failed to fire when it was most needed. In this series, I noted, Bhajji either contributes in bowling or batting but not both together and today was his bowling days! When he went out for a duck right after Raina’s dismissal, I still hoped Jadeja and Munaf would help the master pull it off. What an offering it would have been to God?!
Man proposes and God disposes they say and to prove the same, God again denied his own ‘associate’, Sachin, his rightful offering. What more can he do? Even if he could not stay till the end, he made it all easy for the boys. 10 runs from 10 balls…8 from 6…was all too easy but for another guy in the name of Praveen who unfortunately dives only in a swimming pool and not in the 22 yards!
“Tch, but we lost wickets quickly in the middle overs”, said the little master even while he was presented the man of the match today.
Arun Lal, the presenter for the post match ceremony tried evading the topic and asked how he motivated himself to beat his own records even after 20 long years. “Passion for the game and I care about playing for India”, came the reply!
Today I have begun praying to another God – the only God cricket can have and will continue to have – SACHIN RAMESH TENDULKAR.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
These musicians are turning earth into heaven!
This is a long due review, views; call it whatever! Swarathma, an Indian contemporary folk fusion band as they call themselves, have, are and will be carrying with themselves a huge fan following. Unfortunately, I’ve seen them perform live only once but hear them virtually everyday!
The band members are as follows:
• Vasu Dixit - Vocals, acoustic guitar
• Jishnu Dasgupta - Bass, backing vocals
• Varun - Guitars, backing vocals
• Montry Manuel – Drums
• Pavan Kumar – Percussions
• Sanjeev Nayak – Violins
As mere listeners when we watch a show, we generally concentrate on that one person who is the pick of the day or the one who is at his/her best on a given day, but Swarathma is one group loaded with talent in each of the members. The team is packed with some astounding energy whether it’s the start of the show or the fag end!
First impression is the best they say, and Swarathma has vowed their performance by this. Their presentation skills in terms of clothing, marketing, music which is of utmost importance is utterly professional. I have always noticed this in most bands: each of them standing in their fixed positions, concentrating on their instruments alone. Only the lead singer is all over the stage filling in some life. This was the case in the recent rock show I was witness to that too a leading band in India.
However, Swarathma impressed me on this note too! Vasu and Jishnu were on fire, involving all the musicians, the listeners and virtually the bartender too! To top it all, Montry the drummer on a different league altogether! He was so involved, it was all emanating on his face! Thorough enjoyment I must say! Personally, my favourite was Sanjeev on the violins! Bald men always thrill me ;) But then his music spoke for himself. He and Varun looked composed and let their music speak.
Coming to their songs, Yeshu Allah aur Krishna, Jaana Kahaan hai mujhe, Ee Bhoomi, Topiwalleh, Tibet and Pyaasi are my top favourites. Their lyrics are simple, refreshing and mirror their thoughts. The use of classical instruments like the Khanjiri sure blends its way with the other western instruments and is quite pleasing to the ear.
I’ve said all good things till now. Time for some suggestions! When it comes to another genre, say classical music; there are tons of compositions. So a musician has a choice of presenting different songs every concert. However, bands like these have to continually innovate, create new songs, not just for an album but for their performance galore! Right now, Topiwalleh and Tibet are the latest additions, but 3 or 4 concerts later, though their present numbers are crowd pullers, more will be expected of them. This is purely my view and many may beg to differ. Nevertheless, considering their talent, I am pretty sure they are capable of belting out new compositions every month :)
Lastly, I hope the team sticks together as many bands these days, once making it big generally tend to disintegrate and the initial spark is totally lost. So, a big hope that they hold on strong at least for their fans! Oh yes! Another thing! A small search on each of the members reveal that one is an XLRI pass out, one is as young as 21 years of age and so on. It really feels nice that even after big accomplishments, these guys are getting to pursue their passion. Some sincerity towards music for sure!
In their recent update I read they felt on top of the world to be sharing the stage with India’s top rock bands; the day is not far off when other up and coming bands will feel the same with Swarathma themselves! You rock guys!
The band members are as follows:
• Vasu Dixit - Vocals, acoustic guitar
• Jishnu Dasgupta - Bass, backing vocals
• Varun - Guitars, backing vocals
• Montry Manuel – Drums
• Pavan Kumar – Percussions
• Sanjeev Nayak – Violins
As mere listeners when we watch a show, we generally concentrate on that one person who is the pick of the day or the one who is at his/her best on a given day, but Swarathma is one group loaded with talent in each of the members. The team is packed with some astounding energy whether it’s the start of the show or the fag end!
First impression is the best they say, and Swarathma has vowed their performance by this. Their presentation skills in terms of clothing, marketing, music which is of utmost importance is utterly professional. I have always noticed this in most bands: each of them standing in their fixed positions, concentrating on their instruments alone. Only the lead singer is all over the stage filling in some life. This was the case in the recent rock show I was witness to that too a leading band in India.
However, Swarathma impressed me on this note too! Vasu and Jishnu were on fire, involving all the musicians, the listeners and virtually the bartender too! To top it all, Montry the drummer on a different league altogether! He was so involved, it was all emanating on his face! Thorough enjoyment I must say! Personally, my favourite was Sanjeev on the violins! Bald men always thrill me ;) But then his music spoke for himself. He and Varun looked composed and let their music speak.
Coming to their songs, Yeshu Allah aur Krishna, Jaana Kahaan hai mujhe, Ee Bhoomi, Topiwalleh, Tibet and Pyaasi are my top favourites. Their lyrics are simple, refreshing and mirror their thoughts. The use of classical instruments like the Khanjiri sure blends its way with the other western instruments and is quite pleasing to the ear.
I’ve said all good things till now. Time for some suggestions! When it comes to another genre, say classical music; there are tons of compositions. So a musician has a choice of presenting different songs every concert. However, bands like these have to continually innovate, create new songs, not just for an album but for their performance galore! Right now, Topiwalleh and Tibet are the latest additions, but 3 or 4 concerts later, though their present numbers are crowd pullers, more will be expected of them. This is purely my view and many may beg to differ. Nevertheless, considering their talent, I am pretty sure they are capable of belting out new compositions every month :)
Lastly, I hope the team sticks together as many bands these days, once making it big generally tend to disintegrate and the initial spark is totally lost. So, a big hope that they hold on strong at least for their fans! Oh yes! Another thing! A small search on each of the members reveal that one is an XLRI pass out, one is as young as 21 years of age and so on. It really feels nice that even after big accomplishments, these guys are getting to pursue their passion. Some sincerity towards music for sure!
In their recent update I read they felt on top of the world to be sharing the stage with India’s top rock bands; the day is not far off when other up and coming bands will feel the same with Swarathma themselves! You rock guys!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Menacing auto-rickshaws and their drivers!
I was writing my internals in class, when I heard one of my juniors, in her last round of Ms Personality, giving her thoughts on auto drivers outside college. What a question to ask I wondered.
The girl ranted her frustration about how the ‘ever-ready to pounce’ drivers waited for a smart Carmelite to pick their vehicle. And also about how they’d charge insane rates in spite of flaunting their latest electronic meters! Guess its Chennai for them!
I could not agree better with that girl. I actually stopped writing and listened to her vent out. I have taken the autos several times outside college and each one of them has a link of sorts. Some will go only to Malleshwaram, some to MG Road and so on. Each driver has his choice of saying yes or no, but here it’s all fixed in advance. Worse of it all, these guys don’t even bother waiting to be approached. Like tourist guides, they leap on the poor girls.
In my previous blogs, I have also mentioned about the insane, unscrupulous behaviour by these drivers. Obviously I cannot generalise, but I am sure 8 out of 10 drivers are out there to jut their necks out of the vehicle to eye at women, whether decently clad or otherwise. A bus ahead of them, two-wheelers on either side, cars behind; who cares! The road belongs to him and he can, at his whim, change directions on a busy road. The indicator will show right, and he alarmingly, to others mind you, will take a left with ease. Worse of it all, no indicators at times!
There are honest drivers as I said. At 5 in the morning, I urgently needed to get to the hospital and the nice chap was ready to drop me for free! On the contrast, I had this jaw-dropping experience. I returned from Chennai one morning at around 4:30. The auto driver demanded 50% extra of what the meter showed and I willingly accepted as these are the norms in Bangalore. A 4 km ride from the Bangalore Bus Stand, I was not even half way and the meter sped its away much faster than the driver’s himself!!! What I was to pay at my destination was already on the meter. I picked up a fight instantly. His answer was startling. “Madam, you belong to Bangalore is it? I thought you belonged to Chennai. Anyway people there pay much more, so big deal! Since you speak the local language and seem like one among us, pay whatever the right amount is.”
For a second I did not know how to react. “What about people from other states man? They just get tricked is it?” was my question. His answer was a menacing smile! I was more than happy to just get home safely. Who knows what else they’d do if I belonged to another state!
Moving on, politically too, auto drivers are here to create some trouble. I can never forget the day when Kannada’s biggest film star passed away and these auto drivers created such a drama and actually shut down shops all the way. The shouting and the lunacy is hard to forget.
On October 12, there was an auto strike which on peacefully I must say. They were against the government because the latter wanted a change of colour of the vehicles from black-yellow to green! There were some who still came on to the roads and charged phenomenally high rates, but otherwise it was a peaceful strike.
On October 16, a newspaper carried an article saying that the government ordered to check for the reduction in pollution rates in two major areas in the city where the number of autos operating is large. And as expected, following were the results:
Sulphur di oxide reduced by 29%, oxides of nitrogen by 59%, oxides of carbon by 33% at the city station alone! The article further went on to mention the various impacts it will have on health. Lastly, it was written that most autos in the city, about 65,000 in number are two-stroke vehicles, which have incomplete combustion thereby causing pollution. If they are replaced to four-stroke vehicles, the amount of pollution will apparently come down.
Frankly, with all the pollution and the agony the drivers and their vehicles are causing, the number of vehicles must slowly be reduced. Yes, I agree many people in this city do not prefer using public transport and rely upon autos but then with all these ill-effects, I am sure people can shift to another mode and with the arrival of the metro, however late, people have options.
On the employment side, these drivers may be taught to drive larger vehicles and may be given employment in other sectors. Many drivers still feel they lost out on education and with so many plans to help the under-privileged, the government could fund for the families at least till they complete a level of education where they can get decent jobs.
Thoughts beget reality! Maybe these little thoughts may provide fodder to those who read these articles and are in a position to make that change!
The girl ranted her frustration about how the ‘ever-ready to pounce’ drivers waited for a smart Carmelite to pick their vehicle. And also about how they’d charge insane rates in spite of flaunting their latest electronic meters! Guess its Chennai for them!
I could not agree better with that girl. I actually stopped writing and listened to her vent out. I have taken the autos several times outside college and each one of them has a link of sorts. Some will go only to Malleshwaram, some to MG Road and so on. Each driver has his choice of saying yes or no, but here it’s all fixed in advance. Worse of it all, these guys don’t even bother waiting to be approached. Like tourist guides, they leap on the poor girls.
In my previous blogs, I have also mentioned about the insane, unscrupulous behaviour by these drivers. Obviously I cannot generalise, but I am sure 8 out of 10 drivers are out there to jut their necks out of the vehicle to eye at women, whether decently clad or otherwise. A bus ahead of them, two-wheelers on either side, cars behind; who cares! The road belongs to him and he can, at his whim, change directions on a busy road. The indicator will show right, and he alarmingly, to others mind you, will take a left with ease. Worse of it all, no indicators at times!
There are honest drivers as I said. At 5 in the morning, I urgently needed to get to the hospital and the nice chap was ready to drop me for free! On the contrast, I had this jaw-dropping experience. I returned from Chennai one morning at around 4:30. The auto driver demanded 50% extra of what the meter showed and I willingly accepted as these are the norms in Bangalore. A 4 km ride from the Bangalore Bus Stand, I was not even half way and the meter sped its away much faster than the driver’s himself!!! What I was to pay at my destination was already on the meter. I picked up a fight instantly. His answer was startling. “Madam, you belong to Bangalore is it? I thought you belonged to Chennai. Anyway people there pay much more, so big deal! Since you speak the local language and seem like one among us, pay whatever the right amount is.”
For a second I did not know how to react. “What about people from other states man? They just get tricked is it?” was my question. His answer was a menacing smile! I was more than happy to just get home safely. Who knows what else they’d do if I belonged to another state!
Moving on, politically too, auto drivers are here to create some trouble. I can never forget the day when Kannada’s biggest film star passed away and these auto drivers created such a drama and actually shut down shops all the way. The shouting and the lunacy is hard to forget.
On October 12, there was an auto strike which on peacefully I must say. They were against the government because the latter wanted a change of colour of the vehicles from black-yellow to green! There were some who still came on to the roads and charged phenomenally high rates, but otherwise it was a peaceful strike.
On October 16, a newspaper carried an article saying that the government ordered to check for the reduction in pollution rates in two major areas in the city where the number of autos operating is large. And as expected, following were the results:
Sulphur di oxide reduced by 29%, oxides of nitrogen by 59%, oxides of carbon by 33% at the city station alone! The article further went on to mention the various impacts it will have on health. Lastly, it was written that most autos in the city, about 65,000 in number are two-stroke vehicles, which have incomplete combustion thereby causing pollution. If they are replaced to four-stroke vehicles, the amount of pollution will apparently come down.
Frankly, with all the pollution and the agony the drivers and their vehicles are causing, the number of vehicles must slowly be reduced. Yes, I agree many people in this city do not prefer using public transport and rely upon autos but then with all these ill-effects, I am sure people can shift to another mode and with the arrival of the metro, however late, people have options.
On the employment side, these drivers may be taught to drive larger vehicles and may be given employment in other sectors. Many drivers still feel they lost out on education and with so many plans to help the under-privileged, the government could fund for the families at least till they complete a level of education where they can get decent jobs.
Thoughts beget reality! Maybe these little thoughts may provide fodder to those who read these articles and are in a position to make that change!
Friday, October 9, 2009
An ode to the best cricket writer under the sun...Miss you Periapps!
Some people walk into our lives like breeze but my Periapps (periappa in Tamil, means uncle) replaced the word ‘breeze’ with ‘smoke’! The smell of the special rum-mixed tobacco still lingers on…
At an age where most teens are influenced by power, name and style, I was awe-struck by this old man exactly 40 years older than I was. He walked into my home wanting to rekindle a lost relationship and that very relationship turned into a life changing bond for me.
People across the world know him as the veteran cricket journalist, Rajan Bala. To me, he was my beloved Periapps and will remain so forever. We’d fondly call him ‘the sitting encyclopedia’. Why? He was not only the best cricket writer but by far the most well read man on the planet! From Alexander to Vikram Seth, he’d read it all and would still bemuse us all when he said he’d not read enough!
If I cried over ‘Love in the time of Cholera’, it was courtesy him, if I smiled coyly over ‘Kamasutra’, it was again ‘cause of him, anger ‘cause of ‘Macbeth’, reason being he again. My first glass of Chardonnay was not with my ‘flavour of the season’ but with my own Periapps.
The old man changed many lives and my metamorphosis to being a changed young lady was thanks to this sharp, smart, smooth man alright! Oh! The 3 S’s reminds me of his early morning 3 S’s again: Shit, Shave, and Shampoo! Even if he was running a temperature, he’d never fail to have a shave! Any man walking into office with sneakers on was an obtuse, mentally retarded twit! MRTP, he’d call them!
I once remember him telling me, “Kitty, place your derrière on the couch” (French word for the backside). The novice I kept looking behind me to find what ever he was mentioning to be placed!!! The laughs galore… Learning never ceased then on. New words, books everyday! The stern Periapps when I’d be lazy and not willing to learn anything, the fun Periapps when we’d catch up for lunch almost everyday, the drunk Periapps along with his equally drunk niece… You’ll be missed like crazy Periapps.
His trademark pipes and customized tobacco was a prized possession and I was allowed to smoke it once. It’s an art which the old man had mastered. He was class personified from cigars he smoked to the rum he drowned himself into. A Bala trait which even the second generation has not failed to amass.
He was known to be very upfront and wrote what he wished to. Not many had this trait. Periapps lived life exactly the way he wished to but could’ve left the world in style. But he still got what he wanted: Dressed him up in an impeccable suit, his favourite Titan watch, a copy of 20000 leagues under the sea, his array of pipes with his pipe bag.
Wish I could write more… but some memories, silly or otherwise remain forever. I’ll miss you for life Periapps. Love you loads. RIP.
At an age where most teens are influenced by power, name and style, I was awe-struck by this old man exactly 40 years older than I was. He walked into my home wanting to rekindle a lost relationship and that very relationship turned into a life changing bond for me.
People across the world know him as the veteran cricket journalist, Rajan Bala. To me, he was my beloved Periapps and will remain so forever. We’d fondly call him ‘the sitting encyclopedia’. Why? He was not only the best cricket writer but by far the most well read man on the planet! From Alexander to Vikram Seth, he’d read it all and would still bemuse us all when he said he’d not read enough!
If I cried over ‘Love in the time of Cholera’, it was courtesy him, if I smiled coyly over ‘Kamasutra’, it was again ‘cause of him, anger ‘cause of ‘Macbeth’, reason being he again. My first glass of Chardonnay was not with my ‘flavour of the season’ but with my own Periapps.
The old man changed many lives and my metamorphosis to being a changed young lady was thanks to this sharp, smart, smooth man alright! Oh! The 3 S’s reminds me of his early morning 3 S’s again: Shit, Shave, and Shampoo! Even if he was running a temperature, he’d never fail to have a shave! Any man walking into office with sneakers on was an obtuse, mentally retarded twit! MRTP, he’d call them!
I once remember him telling me, “Kitty, place your derrière on the couch” (French word for the backside). The novice I kept looking behind me to find what ever he was mentioning to be placed!!! The laughs galore… Learning never ceased then on. New words, books everyday! The stern Periapps when I’d be lazy and not willing to learn anything, the fun Periapps when we’d catch up for lunch almost everyday, the drunk Periapps along with his equally drunk niece… You’ll be missed like crazy Periapps.
His trademark pipes and customized tobacco was a prized possession and I was allowed to smoke it once. It’s an art which the old man had mastered. He was class personified from cigars he smoked to the rum he drowned himself into. A Bala trait which even the second generation has not failed to amass.
He was known to be very upfront and wrote what he wished to. Not many had this trait. Periapps lived life exactly the way he wished to but could’ve left the world in style. But he still got what he wanted: Dressed him up in an impeccable suit, his favourite Titan watch, a copy of 20000 leagues under the sea, his array of pipes with his pipe bag.
Wish I could write more… but some memories, silly or otherwise remain forever. I’ll miss you for life Periapps. Love you loads. RIP.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Indians, the biggest cricket devotees ever!
Two incidents motivated me to write this piece: a mail I read this afternoon and my father’s reaction to a match’s highlights!
Being a huge cricket fan, I’ve had my share of praying, switching off the television when India is about to lose, shouting at the top of my voice at 1 in the morning when we lift a cup and so on. My most vivid memory was the Independence Cup at Dhaka in 1998. India was chasing Pakistan’s score of 314 and Hrishikesh Kanitkar got us through! I was in the prayer room earnestly praying, another friend crying and yet another, a millimeter away from the TV screen. It was late in the night and all the entire apartment could hear was screaming and screaming alone!
My family is known for being sports crazy, be it cricket, football, even kabaddi! So most believed that I was carrying it in my genes. It happens to this day, I do not let my mother watch the game when Sachin is batting ‘cause he gets out the minute she sits in front of the box! On the other hand, when a tense situation arises, dad and I would’ve no nails left to chew and mom, not able to see this, would bang the door and stay indoors and wait till she hears a cry of joy or otherwise!
But as my friends’ circle widened, the list just extended! Girls had cut-outs of Dravid, Kumble and now Dhoni which are countless in number. But mention must be made of two guys; one, my fiancée and two, his friend who I just know by name!
My fiancée claims to be the biggest Sachin ‘bhakt’ ever! I remember this incident when one guy, who hates Sachin, sent out a mail saying he was not GOD but the reverse! So my fiancée, Rohit, dismantled a rod from his bay and actually came running to where this guy was sitting and chased him till the entrance!!! Hilarious as it sounds, we were shocked that someone could be so crazy!
To beat this, here comes Rohit’s colleague, Ayan, who sends across a list of things he’s done to beat the fact that he’s the best bhakt and not the former! Here are some of the things this guy has done:
• Broke off with a college girlfriend b'cos I preferred watching Him bat rather than spending time with her
• Went to Melbourne and New Zealand (with posters saying Travelled 7,641 and 9,217 kms to see Sachin)
• As well as 8 stadiums in India for the sole purpose of seeing Him live (once in Chinnaswamy I just had day 1,2,3 tickets in a Test match against Pakistan and I cheered when Laxman got out hoping India would follow-on soon and I would get to see Him bat again)
• Always keep TV volume divisible by 3 when he is at the striker's end,
• Always sit on 2 cushions since that is lucky
Whew! I am already dumbfounded! And here comes my dad to top it all! The recent Compaq Cup between India and Sri Lanka which the former won – the highlights were on. As usual, we were glued to the set when Yusuf Pathan dropped the catch and my dad actually was on the edge of the seat and swore! He was aware that it was after all the highlights but emotions just took over.
Who can forget the entire theatre audience at the edge of their seats when the last ball was bowled in Lagaan? Whether it is the famous Sachin fan who travels everywhere with truck loads of paint all over him or a recent 60+ (age) gang who have come together and claimed that from now till the 2011 World Cup, they will travel wherever Sachin is playing.
BOTTOM LINE: Indians are the craziest fans of the game!
Being a huge cricket fan, I’ve had my share of praying, switching off the television when India is about to lose, shouting at the top of my voice at 1 in the morning when we lift a cup and so on. My most vivid memory was the Independence Cup at Dhaka in 1998. India was chasing Pakistan’s score of 314 and Hrishikesh Kanitkar got us through! I was in the prayer room earnestly praying, another friend crying and yet another, a millimeter away from the TV screen. It was late in the night and all the entire apartment could hear was screaming and screaming alone!
My family is known for being sports crazy, be it cricket, football, even kabaddi! So most believed that I was carrying it in my genes. It happens to this day, I do not let my mother watch the game when Sachin is batting ‘cause he gets out the minute she sits in front of the box! On the other hand, when a tense situation arises, dad and I would’ve no nails left to chew and mom, not able to see this, would bang the door and stay indoors and wait till she hears a cry of joy or otherwise!
But as my friends’ circle widened, the list just extended! Girls had cut-outs of Dravid, Kumble and now Dhoni which are countless in number. But mention must be made of two guys; one, my fiancée and two, his friend who I just know by name!
My fiancée claims to be the biggest Sachin ‘bhakt’ ever! I remember this incident when one guy, who hates Sachin, sent out a mail saying he was not GOD but the reverse! So my fiancée, Rohit, dismantled a rod from his bay and actually came running to where this guy was sitting and chased him till the entrance!!! Hilarious as it sounds, we were shocked that someone could be so crazy!
To beat this, here comes Rohit’s colleague, Ayan, who sends across a list of things he’s done to beat the fact that he’s the best bhakt and not the former! Here are some of the things this guy has done:
• Broke off with a college girlfriend b'cos I preferred watching Him bat rather than spending time with her
• Went to Melbourne and New Zealand (with posters saying Travelled 7,641 and 9,217 kms to see Sachin)
• As well as 8 stadiums in India for the sole purpose of seeing Him live (once in Chinnaswamy I just had day 1,2,3 tickets in a Test match against Pakistan and I cheered when Laxman got out hoping India would follow-on soon and I would get to see Him bat again)
• Always keep TV volume divisible by 3 when he is at the striker's end,
• Always sit on 2 cushions since that is lucky
Whew! I am already dumbfounded! And here comes my dad to top it all! The recent Compaq Cup between India and Sri Lanka which the former won – the highlights were on. As usual, we were glued to the set when Yusuf Pathan dropped the catch and my dad actually was on the edge of the seat and swore! He was aware that it was after all the highlights but emotions just took over.
Who can forget the entire theatre audience at the edge of their seats when the last ball was bowled in Lagaan? Whether it is the famous Sachin fan who travels everywhere with truck loads of paint all over him or a recent 60+ (age) gang who have come together and claimed that from now till the 2011 World Cup, they will travel wherever Sachin is playing.
BOTTOM LINE: Indians are the craziest fans of the game!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The other way!
She/he walked towards my auto-rickshaw and I freaked out! My hair was tussled and she/he extended her/his hand for money. My mother nudged me to give the money and I obliged. As I put the coin in his/her hands, the hand went towards my mom and touched her head this time and out came the words, "May you be blessed with good health."
I smiled at my mother. Was it the relief that she/he left or that the blessings suited my mom best? I couldn’t tell. I only knew that I always despised this clan and swore to myself that I’d write an article opposed to such behaviour. I never did so, but a program I saw a couple of days ago summoned me to write this piece but with a changed view!
This set of people, call them eunuchs, transgender or anything you please are always associated to being those who harass us, men especially, for money and are also known to be sex objects. I believed this to be true, still do. The number of times I have seen them place their hands on unmentionable places of embarrassed men just for those notes, makes me puke! I still remember grimacing when I was filling out an application form in a prestigious college in Chennai when the ‘gender’ column had space for transgenders too.
But the grimace has now changed into a sense of empathy, not entirely, but to some extent. Those grotesque visuals of the weirdly dressed, harassing men are not helping much to convert myself to being empathetic entirely!
There was this show on Travel and Living which showcased the lives of this group in Bangalore, about how they got into such groups, thrown out by their families and what they do for a living. I was astounded by the fact that they were well-educated men, who wanted to consider themselves women. One such was ‘Radhika’, name obviously changed! She came from an affluent family, did the usual ‘boy’ stuff, playing cricket, eyeing girls et all. But the dominance of feminine feelings took over and no surprises, he was kicked out from the family! The metamorphosis is striking! Nose ring, waxing, long hair – no traces of being a man at all, except for the voice!
Most of them come into the eunuch groups with a similar story. One even had ‘his’ mother come over every month just to pay a visit to her once ‘son’! The mother laments that she cannot take her child back in any form considering the society and her own husband. While on the other hand, the converted openly revere Elton John and the like for being a self-acclaimed homosexual.
What made my heart melt was the process of castration. Each of them gave their gory version of it – Before even having the castration, they had to spend a whole year massaging lorry drivers’ body, bathe them, and sexually satisfy them. Only if they managed to endure this period, would the castration take place. And when it does, it is not a very pleasant experience for them. One, they are happy that they will do away with their masculine qualities but the process is arduous.
In a dimly lit room, steel beds await them. They are fully aware that the place is unhygienic, but do they have a choice? They are castrated in a hurry and it is disheartening to hear what they go through. Their choice you may say. True. But it does hurt. Period. Not everyone can afford sex-changing operations and they make do with what ever available. One even complained that it took 8 months to heal but that was no excuse for all the sexual acts they went through.
Now, I actually believe that the college in Chennai did a commendable job by having reserved some seats for them too. I don’t think it will hurt them or us, if they are given some respect in the society. Why would one agree to live the life of a prostitute if something better was in store? One of them said she was ready to sweep the streets everyday, if only she got the job. I know your hair stands up every time they approach you to grab all we have but I don’t think they’d want to do it either.
When I was casually mentioning this, my friend shot back saying some men, just to make quick money, would wax their bodies, drape a saree and go around carrying out this heinous act! I almost fell off my seat. How could people even think of this?? This will all stop when:
• We show this group some respect and accept that this is their way of life
• Give them a chance to work amidst us
• Yes, there are loopholes everywhere, no one is perfect, but if one lives life with dignity, the rest are bound to follow
I’d like to end by mentioning one such eunuch, Rose. She is featured on a Tamil channel, where she talks to those distressed, has talks on general issues and the like. I must tell you, she emanates a lot of knowledge. My friend even had a personal chat with her and she cleared my doubts. She was a woman with a lot of conviction and passion. Such people are to be looked up to whatever their gender maybe!
I smiled at my mother. Was it the relief that she/he left or that the blessings suited my mom best? I couldn’t tell. I only knew that I always despised this clan and swore to myself that I’d write an article opposed to such behaviour. I never did so, but a program I saw a couple of days ago summoned me to write this piece but with a changed view!
This set of people, call them eunuchs, transgender or anything you please are always associated to being those who harass us, men especially, for money and are also known to be sex objects. I believed this to be true, still do. The number of times I have seen them place their hands on unmentionable places of embarrassed men just for those notes, makes me puke! I still remember grimacing when I was filling out an application form in a prestigious college in Chennai when the ‘gender’ column had space for transgenders too.
But the grimace has now changed into a sense of empathy, not entirely, but to some extent. Those grotesque visuals of the weirdly dressed, harassing men are not helping much to convert myself to being empathetic entirely!
There was this show on Travel and Living which showcased the lives of this group in Bangalore, about how they got into such groups, thrown out by their families and what they do for a living. I was astounded by the fact that they were well-educated men, who wanted to consider themselves women. One such was ‘Radhika’, name obviously changed! She came from an affluent family, did the usual ‘boy’ stuff, playing cricket, eyeing girls et all. But the dominance of feminine feelings took over and no surprises, he was kicked out from the family! The metamorphosis is striking! Nose ring, waxing, long hair – no traces of being a man at all, except for the voice!
Most of them come into the eunuch groups with a similar story. One even had ‘his’ mother come over every month just to pay a visit to her once ‘son’! The mother laments that she cannot take her child back in any form considering the society and her own husband. While on the other hand, the converted openly revere Elton John and the like for being a self-acclaimed homosexual.
What made my heart melt was the process of castration. Each of them gave their gory version of it – Before even having the castration, they had to spend a whole year massaging lorry drivers’ body, bathe them, and sexually satisfy them. Only if they managed to endure this period, would the castration take place. And when it does, it is not a very pleasant experience for them. One, they are happy that they will do away with their masculine qualities but the process is arduous.
In a dimly lit room, steel beds await them. They are fully aware that the place is unhygienic, but do they have a choice? They are castrated in a hurry and it is disheartening to hear what they go through. Their choice you may say. True. But it does hurt. Period. Not everyone can afford sex-changing operations and they make do with what ever available. One even complained that it took 8 months to heal but that was no excuse for all the sexual acts they went through.
Now, I actually believe that the college in Chennai did a commendable job by having reserved some seats for them too. I don’t think it will hurt them or us, if they are given some respect in the society. Why would one agree to live the life of a prostitute if something better was in store? One of them said she was ready to sweep the streets everyday, if only she got the job. I know your hair stands up every time they approach you to grab all we have but I don’t think they’d want to do it either.
When I was casually mentioning this, my friend shot back saying some men, just to make quick money, would wax their bodies, drape a saree and go around carrying out this heinous act! I almost fell off my seat. How could people even think of this?? This will all stop when:
• We show this group some respect and accept that this is their way of life
• Give them a chance to work amidst us
• Yes, there are loopholes everywhere, no one is perfect, but if one lives life with dignity, the rest are bound to follow
I’d like to end by mentioning one such eunuch, Rose. She is featured on a Tamil channel, where she talks to those distressed, has talks on general issues and the like. I must tell you, she emanates a lot of knowledge. My friend even had a personal chat with her and she cleared my doubts. She was a woman with a lot of conviction and passion. Such people are to be looked up to whatever their gender maybe!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Economics!
Just thought I'd upload a small class presentation which explains some economic indicators! Its very simple to understand and has been prepared in layman terms!
1. Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM): It is an indicator used by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its annual Human Development Report.
Meaning: According to UNDP, It is a measure of agency. It evaluates progress in advancing women's standing in political and economic forums. It examines the extent to which women and men are able to actively participate in economic and political life and take part in decision-making. While the GDI focuses on expansion of capabilities, the GEM is concerned with the use of those capabilities to take advantage of the opportunities of life.
This index also has three indicators: income, parliamentary participation and economic participation.
Method of Calculation: For each of the above mentioned dimensions, an equally distributed equivalent percentage (EDEP) is calculated, as a population weighted-average according to the following formula:
EDEP = [Female population share (female index to the power minus 1)] + [Male population share (male index to the power minus 1)] to the power minus 1
Each of the above indicators has the EDEP calculated separately and the simple average if the three gives the GEM.
2. Human Poverty Index (HPI): According to UNDP, The Human Development Report 1997 introduced a human poverty index (HPI) in an attempt to bring together a composite index the different features of deprivation in the quality of life to arrive at an aggregate judgment on the extent of poverty in a community. The HPI is derived separately for developing countries (HPI-1) and a group of select high-income Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries (HPI-2) to better reflect socio-economic differences and also the widely different measures of deprivation in the two groups.
There are 3 types of deprivation: survival, knowledge and decent standard of living.
Method of calculation: For the HPI-1, it is measured by the unweighted average of the percentage of the population without access to safe water and the percentage of underweight children for their age. For the HPI-2, the third dimension is measured by the percentage of the population below the income poverty line (50% of median household disposable income).
3. EDUCATION: The education index is given by the HDI ranking of a country according to UNDP. Iceland tops the list with 0.978, with India at 128 (0.620) and Sierra Leone as the last (at 177 with 0.38). The education index comprises adult literacy and gross enrolment index.
• Adult literacy: It is the proportion of the adult population aged 15 years and over which is literate. The list has Georgia on top with 100%. India stands at 65.2% with the 118th rank out of 147 countries. To calculate, Actual value – minimum value over maximum value – minimum value. For ex: Turkey, in 2005, had an adult literacy rate of 87.4%. Therefore the index is 87.4 – 0 over 100 – 0 = 0.874
• Gross enrolment index/ratio: It is the statistical measure used in the education sector. The GER gives a rough indication of the level of education from kindergarten to post graduation. In Asian countries, it can be the indication of combined primary, secondary and tertiary gross enrolment ratio. Australia leads this table with 114.2%. India stands at 134th rank with 61%. For ex: Using the same formula, Turkey’s GEI is calculated to be 0.687
• Hence the EDUCATION INDEX = 2/3 (adult literacy index) + 1/3 (GEI) = 2/3 (0.874) + 1/3 (0.687) = 0.812
• Other indicators of education include adult illiteracy rate, ratio of female to male ratio in adult literacy, adult literacy rate, female and male respectively
4. HEALTH: According to WHOSIS, the WHO Statistical Information System, the health section has more than 100 indicators. However, the most important are life expectancy index, life expectancy at birth, fertility rate and mortality rates. The following indicators are dealt with in-depth:
• Life expectancy at birth: This measures the relative achievement of a country in life expectancy at birth. The same formula as mentioned earlier is used. For ex: Turkey, with a life expectancy of 71.4 years in 2005, the index is 0.773. As per 2005, Iceland tops the list with 81.5 years. India stands at the 128th position with 63.7 years. India’s life expectancy index is 0.645
• Fertility rate: It is the ratio of live births in an area to the population of that area; expressed per 1000 population per year. India has 3.1 births per woman, with Iceland topping the list again with 2 births
A look at India’s standings in various indicators/indexes:
1. Life expectancy at birth: 63.7
2. Life expectancy index: 0.645
3. Fertility rate: 3.1
4. Under-five mortality rate (per 1000 live births): 74
1. Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM): It is an indicator used by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its annual Human Development Report.
Meaning: According to UNDP, It is a measure of agency. It evaluates progress in advancing women's standing in political and economic forums. It examines the extent to which women and men are able to actively participate in economic and political life and take part in decision-making. While the GDI focuses on expansion of capabilities, the GEM is concerned with the use of those capabilities to take advantage of the opportunities of life.
This index also has three indicators: income, parliamentary participation and economic participation.
Method of Calculation: For each of the above mentioned dimensions, an equally distributed equivalent percentage (EDEP) is calculated, as a population weighted-average according to the following formula:
EDEP = [Female population share (female index to the power minus 1)] + [Male population share (male index to the power minus 1)] to the power minus 1
Each of the above indicators has the EDEP calculated separately and the simple average if the three gives the GEM.
2. Human Poverty Index (HPI): According to UNDP, The Human Development Report 1997 introduced a human poverty index (HPI) in an attempt to bring together a composite index the different features of deprivation in the quality of life to arrive at an aggregate judgment on the extent of poverty in a community. The HPI is derived separately for developing countries (HPI-1) and a group of select high-income Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries (HPI-2) to better reflect socio-economic differences and also the widely different measures of deprivation in the two groups.
There are 3 types of deprivation: survival, knowledge and decent standard of living.
Method of calculation: For the HPI-1, it is measured by the unweighted average of the percentage of the population without access to safe water and the percentage of underweight children for their age. For the HPI-2, the third dimension is measured by the percentage of the population below the income poverty line (50% of median household disposable income).
3. EDUCATION: The education index is given by the HDI ranking of a country according to UNDP. Iceland tops the list with 0.978, with India at 128 (0.620) and Sierra Leone as the last (at 177 with 0.38). The education index comprises adult literacy and gross enrolment index.
• Adult literacy: It is the proportion of the adult population aged 15 years and over which is literate. The list has Georgia on top with 100%. India stands at 65.2% with the 118th rank out of 147 countries. To calculate, Actual value – minimum value over maximum value – minimum value. For ex: Turkey, in 2005, had an adult literacy rate of 87.4%. Therefore the index is 87.4 – 0 over 100 – 0 = 0.874
• Gross enrolment index/ratio: It is the statistical measure used in the education sector. The GER gives a rough indication of the level of education from kindergarten to post graduation. In Asian countries, it can be the indication of combined primary, secondary and tertiary gross enrolment ratio. Australia leads this table with 114.2%. India stands at 134th rank with 61%. For ex: Using the same formula, Turkey’s GEI is calculated to be 0.687
• Hence the EDUCATION INDEX = 2/3 (adult literacy index) + 1/3 (GEI) = 2/3 (0.874) + 1/3 (0.687) = 0.812
• Other indicators of education include adult illiteracy rate, ratio of female to male ratio in adult literacy, adult literacy rate, female and male respectively
4. HEALTH: According to WHOSIS, the WHO Statistical Information System, the health section has more than 100 indicators. However, the most important are life expectancy index, life expectancy at birth, fertility rate and mortality rates. The following indicators are dealt with in-depth:
• Life expectancy at birth: This measures the relative achievement of a country in life expectancy at birth. The same formula as mentioned earlier is used. For ex: Turkey, with a life expectancy of 71.4 years in 2005, the index is 0.773. As per 2005, Iceland tops the list with 81.5 years. India stands at the 128th position with 63.7 years. India’s life expectancy index is 0.645
• Fertility rate: It is the ratio of live births in an area to the population of that area; expressed per 1000 population per year. India has 3.1 births per woman, with Iceland topping the list again with 2 births
A look at India’s standings in various indicators/indexes:
1. Life expectancy at birth: 63.7
2. Life expectancy index: 0.645
3. Fertility rate: 3.1
4. Under-five mortality rate (per 1000 live births): 74
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Music review of Kanden Kadhalai
This is my first tryst with a music review, so I have tried my best :) ‘Kanden Kadhalai’, starring Bharath and Tamanna is the remake of the Hindi hit, ‘Jab We Met’. Music is by Vidyasagar and Na Muthukumar and Yugabharathi are the lyricists. With 6 tracks in the album, Vidyasagar has given a taste of a bit of this and that. His recent hits ‘Abhiyum Naanum’ and ‘Mozhi’ have surely raised expectations and he has not failed to deliver.
Of course! One cannot compare the music of ‘Jab We Met’ and this, but then as laymen we are sure to bring out some similarities between the two. However, I have tried to keep it to the minimum.
The biggest impact in this album has definitely been created by the flautist (unfortunately, couldn’t get the name). And I don’t want to make wrong guesses. 4 out of 6 songs have been dominated by the instrument and never once did I feel that it was jarring! The melody created by the instrument in each of the song is apt and it sure is a dream run for the flautist.
1. Title track: Kanden Kadhalai
Singers: Udit Narayan and Karthik
To begin with, it is a decent track, with Udit’s diction improving for sure! Karthik has just pitched in but as always he stands out. Generally title tracks are the ‘Hero’s intro song’ but this is a romantic song with all the joys got, courtesy love! The flautist as I mentioned has some nice scores. Otherwise, there is nothing special in the song which makes you want to listen to it again. For a title track, it sure could have been better.
2. Sududhu Sududhu
Singer: Hariharan
Hariharan never fails, does he? A song with a folk touch to it, Hariharan is at it yet again and is perfect! His nuances in the beginning are awesome! They keep coming at the end of every stanza and your jaws drop! No one can do it better! The choice of singer has been rewarding for the director. Again, the dominance of flute makes this folk number a nice melody too. A folk song cannot be complete without the molams! So, with no dearth of the jhink-jhak kutthus, the song is a complete entertainer.
3. Naan mozhi arindhen
Singer: Suresh Wadkar
A big surprise I must say when I saw the name Suresh Wadkar! Predominantly a Hindi and Marathi singer, Wadkar deserves much praise for this song. Song wise it has Vidyasagar’s signature. Yugabharathi has done justice to this song with his meaningful lyrics. It somehow reminds me of the mellifluous tunes of ‘Mozhi’. The ensemble of instruments is pleasurable and on the whole, this song can be added into the list of Vidyasagar’s best.
4. Kaatru Pudhidhai
Singer: Rahul Nambiar
The start of the song seems like it is a fight sequence to portray the heroics of the male lead. There is this particular beat which is used through-out the song which is a clear stand out. However, it is a surprise because the actual song is a romantic number. Like the title track this also talks of the joy got from being in love and what changes the girl has brought into the guy’s life! Though the song is a western,number, the flautist intrudes again but strikes the right chord. Rahul Nambiar is just getting better with every song. The variety in every song of his is definitely showing. The confidence in the singer’s voice from the opening notes adds to the song’s credits.
5. Oododi poren
Singers: Lavanya, Rashmi Vijayan
This one must be the counter to Kareena’s ‘Yeh ishq hai’ in the Hindi version. Nothing great, it is the usual run of the mill song. You can miss this one!
6. Oru naal iravil
Singers: Tippu, Benny Dayal
Benny has carved a niche for singing such songs, so he does his job neatly. Tippu has a refreshing and happy voice so this isn’t any different. He has played his bit to perfection as well. Some songs do well because of the music, some due to lyrics and most due to the singer. The credit to this one I think goes to the music.
Among the lyricists, Yugabharathi is the best with his ‘Naan mozhi arindhen’. Overall, it is a decent album.
Of course! One cannot compare the music of ‘Jab We Met’ and this, but then as laymen we are sure to bring out some similarities between the two. However, I have tried to keep it to the minimum.
The biggest impact in this album has definitely been created by the flautist (unfortunately, couldn’t get the name). And I don’t want to make wrong guesses. 4 out of 6 songs have been dominated by the instrument and never once did I feel that it was jarring! The melody created by the instrument in each of the song is apt and it sure is a dream run for the flautist.
1. Title track: Kanden Kadhalai
Singers: Udit Narayan and Karthik
To begin with, it is a decent track, with Udit’s diction improving for sure! Karthik has just pitched in but as always he stands out. Generally title tracks are the ‘Hero’s intro song’ but this is a romantic song with all the joys got, courtesy love! The flautist as I mentioned has some nice scores. Otherwise, there is nothing special in the song which makes you want to listen to it again. For a title track, it sure could have been better.
2. Sududhu Sududhu
Singer: Hariharan
Hariharan never fails, does he? A song with a folk touch to it, Hariharan is at it yet again and is perfect! His nuances in the beginning are awesome! They keep coming at the end of every stanza and your jaws drop! No one can do it better! The choice of singer has been rewarding for the director. Again, the dominance of flute makes this folk number a nice melody too. A folk song cannot be complete without the molams! So, with no dearth of the jhink-jhak kutthus, the song is a complete entertainer.
3. Naan mozhi arindhen
Singer: Suresh Wadkar
A big surprise I must say when I saw the name Suresh Wadkar! Predominantly a Hindi and Marathi singer, Wadkar deserves much praise for this song. Song wise it has Vidyasagar’s signature. Yugabharathi has done justice to this song with his meaningful lyrics. It somehow reminds me of the mellifluous tunes of ‘Mozhi’. The ensemble of instruments is pleasurable and on the whole, this song can be added into the list of Vidyasagar’s best.
4. Kaatru Pudhidhai
Singer: Rahul Nambiar
The start of the song seems like it is a fight sequence to portray the heroics of the male lead. There is this particular beat which is used through-out the song which is a clear stand out. However, it is a surprise because the actual song is a romantic number. Like the title track this also talks of the joy got from being in love and what changes the girl has brought into the guy’s life! Though the song is a western,number, the flautist intrudes again but strikes the right chord. Rahul Nambiar is just getting better with every song. The variety in every song of his is definitely showing. The confidence in the singer’s voice from the opening notes adds to the song’s credits.
5. Oododi poren
Singers: Lavanya, Rashmi Vijayan
This one must be the counter to Kareena’s ‘Yeh ishq hai’ in the Hindi version. Nothing great, it is the usual run of the mill song. You can miss this one!
6. Oru naal iravil
Singers: Tippu, Benny Dayal
Benny has carved a niche for singing such songs, so he does his job neatly. Tippu has a refreshing and happy voice so this isn’t any different. He has played his bit to perfection as well. Some songs do well because of the music, some due to lyrics and most due to the singer. The credit to this one I think goes to the music.
Among the lyricists, Yugabharathi is the best with his ‘Naan mozhi arindhen’. Overall, it is a decent album.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Colours…
Many of these TV matrimonial shows (regional languages) have the parents of the groom or the would-be groom making a list of requirements of the new entrant into their lives. They have simple wants – It does not matter if the girl works or not, she just has to take care of the guy’s parents as her own, be slim and fair! You might think only traditional families have such wants, but I have heard ‘well-educated’ men working in big MNCs having the same requests. First of all, the idea of having a matrimonial show on TV itself irks me, but that’s another thing altogether.
Taking care of the guy’s parents as the girl’s own is not a bad thing to expect. Wanting only slim girls is again another issue. Man how many thoughts arise when one sits to write…
My issue here is the idea of someone being eligible to tie the knot based on colour! Enough and more arguments, wars etc have been fought regarding this issue but this is never ending. If you are fair, you’re the chosen one always and we somehow have got into the mode of accepting this. Apparently when I was born, I was quite dark and the minute my grandmother saw me, she was very unhappy that I took over my mother who is slightly dark and not my dad who is extremely fair! Though I did not take it seriously, till date I tease my grandmother, who is fair, about the fact that her husband is extremely dark and she actually agreed to marry him in spite of having colour reservations!
I can’t blame her because we were instilled with such thoughts that the fair are good and the dark-skinned, bad. Our holy books also feature demons as dark skinned ones. Our own moon walker had a range of surgeries to change his colour but personally I thought he was charmer with his original looks.
Then came some change! Our South Indian superstar, Rajinikanth redefined the outlook to being a dark-skinned one! Songs in praise of being dark-skinned, in wanting to be dark-skinned rushed the screen! Our Indian Michael Jackson, Prabhu Deva and many other actors in other languages who were not the fair-lot began taking away the prized top roles! Other than the Ms World pageants I quite cannot think of any show awarding dark-skinned women!
Then again came the fairness ads! First for women who were low on confidence just because they weren’t fair and a tube gives it all in a matter of fifteen days! Whoa! I used to wonder what about the poor, not so-fair men! And lo! My feelings answered straight away in the form of men’s fairness creams! The worst thing is, these famous actors and actresses who fight for causes like animal protection and saving the environment end up advocating colour bias!
How did Queen Latifah and the King of Pop survive? Bipasha Basu must remind her boy friend John that she is a dusky damsel after all! And Mr Dhoni seems to have a large fan following in spite of his not-so fair looks!
Before writing this blog, I was doing a search on dark-skinned people being featured in commercials. It is said that during early days in the U.S.A., dark-skinned were featured only to show that they were also the ‘targeted’ population for the product and there was no discrimination.
But then again, the cycle has to be complete. The recent rediff.com ad did bring smiles to my face. Frankly, being tuned to watching fair skins on commercials, I was taken aback. But it was a pleasant surprise indeed.
Another thought: Men always want fair women, but why do most women when asked about their dream man say 'Tall and DARK'??
Taking care of the guy’s parents as the girl’s own is not a bad thing to expect. Wanting only slim girls is again another issue. Man how many thoughts arise when one sits to write…
My issue here is the idea of someone being eligible to tie the knot based on colour! Enough and more arguments, wars etc have been fought regarding this issue but this is never ending. If you are fair, you’re the chosen one always and we somehow have got into the mode of accepting this. Apparently when I was born, I was quite dark and the minute my grandmother saw me, she was very unhappy that I took over my mother who is slightly dark and not my dad who is extremely fair! Though I did not take it seriously, till date I tease my grandmother, who is fair, about the fact that her husband is extremely dark and she actually agreed to marry him in spite of having colour reservations!
I can’t blame her because we were instilled with such thoughts that the fair are good and the dark-skinned, bad. Our holy books also feature demons as dark skinned ones. Our own moon walker had a range of surgeries to change his colour but personally I thought he was charmer with his original looks.
Then came some change! Our South Indian superstar, Rajinikanth redefined the outlook to being a dark-skinned one! Songs in praise of being dark-skinned, in wanting to be dark-skinned rushed the screen! Our Indian Michael Jackson, Prabhu Deva and many other actors in other languages who were not the fair-lot began taking away the prized top roles! Other than the Ms World pageants I quite cannot think of any show awarding dark-skinned women!
Then again came the fairness ads! First for women who were low on confidence just because they weren’t fair and a tube gives it all in a matter of fifteen days! Whoa! I used to wonder what about the poor, not so-fair men! And lo! My feelings answered straight away in the form of men’s fairness creams! The worst thing is, these famous actors and actresses who fight for causes like animal protection and saving the environment end up advocating colour bias!
How did Queen Latifah and the King of Pop survive? Bipasha Basu must remind her boy friend John that she is a dusky damsel after all! And Mr Dhoni seems to have a large fan following in spite of his not-so fair looks!
Before writing this blog, I was doing a search on dark-skinned people being featured in commercials. It is said that during early days in the U.S.A., dark-skinned were featured only to show that they were also the ‘targeted’ population for the product and there was no discrimination.
But then again, the cycle has to be complete. The recent rediff.com ad did bring smiles to my face. Frankly, being tuned to watching fair skins on commercials, I was taken aback. But it was a pleasant surprise indeed.
Another thought: Men always want fair women, but why do most women when asked about their dream man say 'Tall and DARK'??
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Throw some light…
I play with the fire... The candle is losing its light. My thoughts are lost too... Fear? Playfulness? Idle? Well... I am lost. PERIOD. Only three days ago, I began reading the book, ‘Ghost Stories’. I can see shadows running… Someone just told me they saw Jackson’s too… True? I don’t want to know…
Darkness, the sole noun which sends a chill down my spine. I refuse to get up and move an inch. I stay put.
Shadows again… This time they talk… to me… They’ve turned on the music…I decide to counter them… Yes, I will, this time…the candle goes off…
Darkness, the sole noun which sends a chill down my spine. I refuse to get up and move an inch. I stay put.
Shadows again… This time they talk… to me… They’ve turned on the music…I decide to counter them… Yes, I will, this time…the candle goes off…
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Tired, fed up!
We fight for women reservation bills; at the same time we fight against gender bias! Feminist thoughts, articles, stories – we have an endless list. But go home, the lady will still stand in the kitchen, perspiring and watching over 4 dishes at a time. Yes, the man chops veggies, helps here and there but predominantly the woman is at work.
I once overheard two women speaking and one was of the view that however intelligent a lady is, what ever height she reaches, at the end of the day, she needs to get home to feed her family, whether it consists of husband and kids or parents. This blog is not about who the ‘stronger sex’ is but whether these debates and fights are really relevant considering what women, educated or uneducated, mentally strong or otherwise, go through on a day-to-day basis.
I have been witness to this dirty act since class 10. First it was shock, then anger, more anger, frustration and finally it reached a stage of getting fed up! It is so disgusting to even pen it, but then it has to be brought to light. My friends and I were waiting to be picked up right opposite the school premises. A construction work was in progress and the mason at work, sitting on a bike was staring at us. We just presumed him to be one of those men who generally pass time looking at girls for I don’t know what pleasure?! Some time later we guessed that something was wrong. He kept looking at his crotch with his hands there!! That’s when we knew what he was up to – masturbating that too in the open! Disgusting as it is even when I write it, as kids we were dumbfounded and actually feared. We decided not to wait anymore and just walked back home!
Not knowing if we should bring it up in the open, we let it be and forgot the incident slowly. Next in college, the same happened on a lonely road, but this time I was alone. The guy stood in a shady place and was at it. The minute I saw him, I sensed trouble. Talk of women being strong – I told myself I am not going to let him deter me and I kept walking. He followed me right till home and that’s when fear crept in again. At 4 in the evening, broad daylight, they have so much experience that no one else notices! This time again, fear took over boldness.
But the next day, some of us went to the nearby police station and lodged a complaint. As usual, the police in duty had all sorts of questions to which we obviously didn’t have precise answers to. Can you recognise him? Precisely at what time is he there? How many of them? Imagine, you looking at that creep’s face, knowing his ‘business’ hours and his partners in crime? You’d just want to leave the place as soon as possible! But the police did help us by patrolling the area for about a week and the nuisance stopped only to our dismay that the same thing was happening in a nearby college now.
If such incidents happen in the open, women have a way of getting out; either by getting out of the place, lodging a complaint or by boldly confronting him. But what if it happens when you are alone with such a person? I have experienced this too in an auto where the driver was at it. Most of us are used to these auto drivers looking at us through his mirror. But this was taking a filthy turn. I yelled asking him to stop the auto and he would not budge. At that moment your brains just fail to work! I sent SMS’s to friends with the guy’s number and where I was heading to, but was just praying he’d drop me wherever I was to go. He did do it after a lot of threatening.
I was once in a bus when I slapped a man. I got the driver to stop the bus. The women around abused him and he was made to get down. This is the maximum I could go. Why don’t women go further? We talk of being equal, yes, agreed. But physically, we still remain the weaker sex. We as women have the most precious gift of becoming a mother, but the same gift is a curse at times. Men do have an upper hand when it comes to this. Many would disagree saying I fall in the category where women aren’t bold enough, but I beg to differ. A woman is questioned about her virginity and it is tested too. But a man? You can check maybe. But does anyone question him? I believe there is an age old tradition which is still followed in many households. When the first night for the newly weds happen, a white cloth is laid on the bed and the next morning, much to the chagrin of the young bride, the cloth is scrutinized by the elders in the family to check her virginity!
Getting back, you go a step ahead and confront him. What if they are a group and manage to sexually abuse you? You go to the police and are asked a several questions. You answer all of them and mange to get the guy jailed. Your friends pat your shoulders, but get home and your parents are sure to find fault because they fear that once the guy gets out, he will manage to avenge his embarrassment.
When I told my parents that I slapped a guy in the bus, the first thing my mom did was to yell! “How could you do this? You travel the same route everyday. What if he kidnaps you? Be bold; I have taught you to be so. But who is to face the repercussions?” she would fume!
Today, women are fighting back to their best but is there an end? There can be innumerable if’s and but’s. However the bottom line is that the physically weaker sex has to battle out the fact that the worse of being physically abused is a possibility and it is not a mere issue of popping a pill and forgetting the incident. It remains a scar for life and no woman would want to experience it.
Molesting is yet another concern. It just goes on… I want to end this blog with a true story.
A girl in her early twenties came to the hospital in the middle of the night. Barely able to stand, she introduced herself and requested to be admitted immediately failing which she would die! The receptionist took quick action and the girl was put in the ICU. She claimed that she was a medical student who went out with her male friends, 9 in number, for a drink, she being the only female. She felt nauseas while drinking and realised that she was drugged. Her own friends raped her one after the other and left her at the gates of the hospital! The scene was unbearable! Till date, the memories are vivid. I spoke with the girl’s mother. I don’t know if she knew the truth or was concealing it but she maintained that her daughter had a pancreas problem. Which mother would tell the world this, especially when the girl’s engagement was due in a week’s time? It seems filmy all right? But being witness to this incident myself, I can never forget the girl begging for water and not a soul reaching out to her. The duty doctor was subjecting her to questions so bad that the girl was traumatised mentally also… Whether a movie or a true story, does it not anger you?
I once overheard two women speaking and one was of the view that however intelligent a lady is, what ever height she reaches, at the end of the day, she needs to get home to feed her family, whether it consists of husband and kids or parents. This blog is not about who the ‘stronger sex’ is but whether these debates and fights are really relevant considering what women, educated or uneducated, mentally strong or otherwise, go through on a day-to-day basis.
I have been witness to this dirty act since class 10. First it was shock, then anger, more anger, frustration and finally it reached a stage of getting fed up! It is so disgusting to even pen it, but then it has to be brought to light. My friends and I were waiting to be picked up right opposite the school premises. A construction work was in progress and the mason at work, sitting on a bike was staring at us. We just presumed him to be one of those men who generally pass time looking at girls for I don’t know what pleasure?! Some time later we guessed that something was wrong. He kept looking at his crotch with his hands there!! That’s when we knew what he was up to – masturbating that too in the open! Disgusting as it is even when I write it, as kids we were dumbfounded and actually feared. We decided not to wait anymore and just walked back home!
Not knowing if we should bring it up in the open, we let it be and forgot the incident slowly. Next in college, the same happened on a lonely road, but this time I was alone. The guy stood in a shady place and was at it. The minute I saw him, I sensed trouble. Talk of women being strong – I told myself I am not going to let him deter me and I kept walking. He followed me right till home and that’s when fear crept in again. At 4 in the evening, broad daylight, they have so much experience that no one else notices! This time again, fear took over boldness.
But the next day, some of us went to the nearby police station and lodged a complaint. As usual, the police in duty had all sorts of questions to which we obviously didn’t have precise answers to. Can you recognise him? Precisely at what time is he there? How many of them? Imagine, you looking at that creep’s face, knowing his ‘business’ hours and his partners in crime? You’d just want to leave the place as soon as possible! But the police did help us by patrolling the area for about a week and the nuisance stopped only to our dismay that the same thing was happening in a nearby college now.
If such incidents happen in the open, women have a way of getting out; either by getting out of the place, lodging a complaint or by boldly confronting him. But what if it happens when you are alone with such a person? I have experienced this too in an auto where the driver was at it. Most of us are used to these auto drivers looking at us through his mirror. But this was taking a filthy turn. I yelled asking him to stop the auto and he would not budge. At that moment your brains just fail to work! I sent SMS’s to friends with the guy’s number and where I was heading to, but was just praying he’d drop me wherever I was to go. He did do it after a lot of threatening.
I was once in a bus when I slapped a man. I got the driver to stop the bus. The women around abused him and he was made to get down. This is the maximum I could go. Why don’t women go further? We talk of being equal, yes, agreed. But physically, we still remain the weaker sex. We as women have the most precious gift of becoming a mother, but the same gift is a curse at times. Men do have an upper hand when it comes to this. Many would disagree saying I fall in the category where women aren’t bold enough, but I beg to differ. A woman is questioned about her virginity and it is tested too. But a man? You can check maybe. But does anyone question him? I believe there is an age old tradition which is still followed in many households. When the first night for the newly weds happen, a white cloth is laid on the bed and the next morning, much to the chagrin of the young bride, the cloth is scrutinized by the elders in the family to check her virginity!
Getting back, you go a step ahead and confront him. What if they are a group and manage to sexually abuse you? You go to the police and are asked a several questions. You answer all of them and mange to get the guy jailed. Your friends pat your shoulders, but get home and your parents are sure to find fault because they fear that once the guy gets out, he will manage to avenge his embarrassment.
When I told my parents that I slapped a guy in the bus, the first thing my mom did was to yell! “How could you do this? You travel the same route everyday. What if he kidnaps you? Be bold; I have taught you to be so. But who is to face the repercussions?” she would fume!
Today, women are fighting back to their best but is there an end? There can be innumerable if’s and but’s. However the bottom line is that the physically weaker sex has to battle out the fact that the worse of being physically abused is a possibility and it is not a mere issue of popping a pill and forgetting the incident. It remains a scar for life and no woman would want to experience it.
Molesting is yet another concern. It just goes on… I want to end this blog with a true story.
A girl in her early twenties came to the hospital in the middle of the night. Barely able to stand, she introduced herself and requested to be admitted immediately failing which she would die! The receptionist took quick action and the girl was put in the ICU. She claimed that she was a medical student who went out with her male friends, 9 in number, for a drink, she being the only female. She felt nauseas while drinking and realised that she was drugged. Her own friends raped her one after the other and left her at the gates of the hospital! The scene was unbearable! Till date, the memories are vivid. I spoke with the girl’s mother. I don’t know if she knew the truth or was concealing it but she maintained that her daughter had a pancreas problem. Which mother would tell the world this, especially when the girl’s engagement was due in a week’s time? It seems filmy all right? But being witness to this incident myself, I can never forget the girl begging for water and not a soul reaching out to her. The duty doctor was subjecting her to questions so bad that the girl was traumatised mentally also… Whether a movie or a true story, does it not anger you?
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Atop the costliest hill!
Climbing the hill of Tirupathi to see the richest deity of Hinduism; to most, it sounds a Herculean task, I am sure. Trust me, when I was a little one, my mother along with my neighbours decided to climb and I was flabbergasted! More by the fact that I would not be seeing my mother for almost 6 hours! But within four hours, I was in her arms all smiles!
Almost 12 years later, I decided to accomplish this feat. The basics first: You need good company to keep you motivated, or at least speak with you constantly otherwise you will realise you are hitting the tiredness path and will lose out both on time and energy. The above may not hold good to those who love self-company and less talking! For a chatter-box like me, I have made my first do’s clear!
Travel plans for those who wish to climb:
Route: Bangalore to Tirupathi
• Package tours are the easiest bet! Generally they promise to put you in a decent hotel to rest and refresh and take you via a ‘quick’ route for darshan! My family chose this plan a few years ago, though we did not climb. Many young men had darshan arranged for themselves keeping in mind the time they would take to reach on top
• My favourite and mostly used plan: Take a bus from the Kempegowda Bus Stand, night times preferably. There are buses running to Tirupathi post 8 pm
I took a bus at 9:30pm and you will reach Tirupathi anytime between 3 and 3:30am. There is a guest house run by the government there, which is free for all. I cannot obviously vouch for utmost hygiene and cleanliness but you can have a quick bath without having to pay! For those who think otherwise, take a bus straight to Tirumala (the place of worship, atop the hill) and there are many places to stay.
Back to my trip: After refreshing, you take a bus to Alipiri which is hardly about 5 kms from Tirupathi. You begin your climb from here. I started at 5:15 am sharp. The climb up is about 14 kms long and can be divided under 3 stretches:
1. In my mother tongue it’s called, ‘Muzhankaal mudichu’ which means ‘knots in your knee’! Trust me, it is quite tough, this stretch! They are full of steep steps winding up with no stopping. But the good part is, they have well-maintained washrooms and lot of refreshment stalls for drink breaks. Make sure you carry a bottle and a pack of glucose. Do not eat anything because a full tummy may slow your pace down.
2. The next stretch is quite pleasant and easy. It is like a walk on the road with minimal steps and you will be treated to a herd of deer nibbling on grass. At this juncture, you could finish your breakfast as there are many stalls serving hot idlis and the like. Not to mention sinful ‘chilli bhajjis’ at 8 in the morning!
3. The last stretch is similar to the first one, but with less than half the steps! The joy of almost making it will keep you going and it is worthwhile!
As I remember, once you reach Alipiri, you can leave your baggage at the free luggage counter. Make sure you lock your bags otherwise they will not keep your bags. You pay a minimal fee which is refundable. By the time you make it to the top, they will have your luggage transported. So the first thing you do after achieving the feat, is to collect your bags!
Tickets available for Darshan:
1. Before leaving Bangalore, you can buy ‘Sudarshan tickets’ from the counters at Tirupathi Tirumala Devasthanams which are across the city. These tickets are priced at 50/-. All you need to do is, stand in the queue for a minimum of 3 hours (!!!) and buy the ticket. The good part is that you get to choose the timings of your darshan, which again falls under 4 categories. The authorities take your finger print and a photograph of yours on the webcam.
2. As you finish your first stretch, there is a counter which gives away free darshan tickets for those who climb. I have never collected the same, so I don’t know how it works, but I have mentioned it as an option.
3. There is another ticket which can be purchased called ‘Anantha Darshan’ (the name may be different, will check again). This is priced at 100/- and the darshan time is early in the morning between 5:30 and 6:30
4. Several other options depending on the amount pay; higher the amount, easier the darshan!
I bought the ‘Sudarshan ticket’ priced at 50/- and you are entitled for 2 free ladoos! I hope I need not explain the value and the taste of the ladoos! The minute you enter the temple, the smell of ghee and dry fruits will take you to a different plane all right! You need to stand in the queue an hour earlier from the mentioned time on the ticket. For ex: A 10 am darshan, requires you to be in the queue at 9 am. In the three times I have climbed, twice I have waited not more than an hour. But the last time I went, it took me 3.5 hours so never time yourself and book your return tickets.
Yes, it is true that once inside the main place of worship, you are pushed and thrown to various directions but I guess it’s worthwhile to see the richest god! Your prayers in front of god will last less than a minute, unless you are among those who have paid a lot more! Following this, you are in yet another ‘delicious’ queue to receive prasadam! I must tell you, it’s a wonderful treat! They have sweet pongal (a dish made from dal, rice and jaggery), spicy pongal (a dish made from dal, rice, spices like pepper and cumin seeds), curd rice, puliyogare (rice spiced with tamarind) and many other mouth-watering stuff.
Next, you get to witness the money counting centre where men are busy counting away thousands and lakhs of notes and coins which contribute to the God’s worldly richness. You contribute to it if needed by offering money in the main Hundi (a huge gold vessel like structure).
Now to collect the famous ladoos; there is yet another queue. However due to many counters, they move quickly.
Note: Make sure you carry a bag; otherwise you have to pay 2/- to get a plastic carry-bag!
For those who want to shop, there are small shops which sell souvenirs where you could while away some time. There on, you take a bus down to Tirupathi. It is a 40 minute drive with some 14 hair-pin bends. Good time to catch up on some sleep. Once down, you must visit the deity’s wife, Alamelumaga!
She has a separate temple for herself which can be reached by another small bus ride. It is said that you must never leave the temple without buying Kum-kum (is a powder used for social and religious markings in Hinduism). Hawkers will persuade you to buy a lot of other things like bangles, mangoes etc. Once done, you go back to Tirupathi.
Take the night’s bus back to Bangalore; take a bus after 10 so that you reach early in the morning where transport is available back home. I took a bus at 6:30 pm and reached Bangalore at 1 am! The auto drivers are sure to give you unimaginable rates to take you home!
Do not visit Tirupathi during June and July. Temperatures soar up to 45 degree celcius! I once went in January and was welcomed by some pleasant showers which makes your climb pleasant too!
Add on more information if I have missed out on any vitals!
Almost 12 years later, I decided to accomplish this feat. The basics first: You need good company to keep you motivated, or at least speak with you constantly otherwise you will realise you are hitting the tiredness path and will lose out both on time and energy. The above may not hold good to those who love self-company and less talking! For a chatter-box like me, I have made my first do’s clear!
Travel plans for those who wish to climb:
Route: Bangalore to Tirupathi
• Package tours are the easiest bet! Generally they promise to put you in a decent hotel to rest and refresh and take you via a ‘quick’ route for darshan! My family chose this plan a few years ago, though we did not climb. Many young men had darshan arranged for themselves keeping in mind the time they would take to reach on top
• My favourite and mostly used plan: Take a bus from the Kempegowda Bus Stand, night times preferably. There are buses running to Tirupathi post 8 pm
I took a bus at 9:30pm and you will reach Tirupathi anytime between 3 and 3:30am. There is a guest house run by the government there, which is free for all. I cannot obviously vouch for utmost hygiene and cleanliness but you can have a quick bath without having to pay! For those who think otherwise, take a bus straight to Tirumala (the place of worship, atop the hill) and there are many places to stay.
Back to my trip: After refreshing, you take a bus to Alipiri which is hardly about 5 kms from Tirupathi. You begin your climb from here. I started at 5:15 am sharp. The climb up is about 14 kms long and can be divided under 3 stretches:
1. In my mother tongue it’s called, ‘Muzhankaal mudichu’ which means ‘knots in your knee’! Trust me, it is quite tough, this stretch! They are full of steep steps winding up with no stopping. But the good part is, they have well-maintained washrooms and lot of refreshment stalls for drink breaks. Make sure you carry a bottle and a pack of glucose. Do not eat anything because a full tummy may slow your pace down.
2. The next stretch is quite pleasant and easy. It is like a walk on the road with minimal steps and you will be treated to a herd of deer nibbling on grass. At this juncture, you could finish your breakfast as there are many stalls serving hot idlis and the like. Not to mention sinful ‘chilli bhajjis’ at 8 in the morning!
3. The last stretch is similar to the first one, but with less than half the steps! The joy of almost making it will keep you going and it is worthwhile!
As I remember, once you reach Alipiri, you can leave your baggage at the free luggage counter. Make sure you lock your bags otherwise they will not keep your bags. You pay a minimal fee which is refundable. By the time you make it to the top, they will have your luggage transported. So the first thing you do after achieving the feat, is to collect your bags!
Tickets available for Darshan:
1. Before leaving Bangalore, you can buy ‘Sudarshan tickets’ from the counters at Tirupathi Tirumala Devasthanams which are across the city. These tickets are priced at 50/-. All you need to do is, stand in the queue for a minimum of 3 hours (!!!) and buy the ticket. The good part is that you get to choose the timings of your darshan, which again falls under 4 categories. The authorities take your finger print and a photograph of yours on the webcam.
2. As you finish your first stretch, there is a counter which gives away free darshan tickets for those who climb. I have never collected the same, so I don’t know how it works, but I have mentioned it as an option.
3. There is another ticket which can be purchased called ‘Anantha Darshan’ (the name may be different, will check again). This is priced at 100/- and the darshan time is early in the morning between 5:30 and 6:30
4. Several other options depending on the amount pay; higher the amount, easier the darshan!
I bought the ‘Sudarshan ticket’ priced at 50/- and you are entitled for 2 free ladoos! I hope I need not explain the value and the taste of the ladoos! The minute you enter the temple, the smell of ghee and dry fruits will take you to a different plane all right! You need to stand in the queue an hour earlier from the mentioned time on the ticket. For ex: A 10 am darshan, requires you to be in the queue at 9 am. In the three times I have climbed, twice I have waited not more than an hour. But the last time I went, it took me 3.5 hours so never time yourself and book your return tickets.
Yes, it is true that once inside the main place of worship, you are pushed and thrown to various directions but I guess it’s worthwhile to see the richest god! Your prayers in front of god will last less than a minute, unless you are among those who have paid a lot more! Following this, you are in yet another ‘delicious’ queue to receive prasadam! I must tell you, it’s a wonderful treat! They have sweet pongal (a dish made from dal, rice and jaggery), spicy pongal (a dish made from dal, rice, spices like pepper and cumin seeds), curd rice, puliyogare (rice spiced with tamarind) and many other mouth-watering stuff.
Next, you get to witness the money counting centre where men are busy counting away thousands and lakhs of notes and coins which contribute to the God’s worldly richness. You contribute to it if needed by offering money in the main Hundi (a huge gold vessel like structure).
Now to collect the famous ladoos; there is yet another queue. However due to many counters, they move quickly.
Note: Make sure you carry a bag; otherwise you have to pay 2/- to get a plastic carry-bag!
For those who want to shop, there are small shops which sell souvenirs where you could while away some time. There on, you take a bus down to Tirupathi. It is a 40 minute drive with some 14 hair-pin bends. Good time to catch up on some sleep. Once down, you must visit the deity’s wife, Alamelumaga!
She has a separate temple for herself which can be reached by another small bus ride. It is said that you must never leave the temple without buying Kum-kum (is a powder used for social and religious markings in Hinduism). Hawkers will persuade you to buy a lot of other things like bangles, mangoes etc. Once done, you go back to Tirupathi.
Take the night’s bus back to Bangalore; take a bus after 10 so that you reach early in the morning where transport is available back home. I took a bus at 6:30 pm and reached Bangalore at 1 am! The auto drivers are sure to give you unimaginable rates to take you home!
Do not visit Tirupathi during June and July. Temperatures soar up to 45 degree celcius! I once went in January and was welcomed by some pleasant showers which makes your climb pleasant too!
Add on more information if I have missed out on any vitals!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Utterly Sweetly Dangerous!
A visit to the hospital is not a good experience for nearly everyone unless it is for a good cause like donating blood, or even better, a new addition to our family! Otherwise, it can be very depressing. Having been visiting hospitals on a regular basis for over nine years now, I know how it feels. Yes, the person undergoing treatment goes through a lot physically and emotionally, but it also involves utmost commitment from the family members. Financially, it is surely a drain but on the emotional front, a lot of qualities like patience, love and the like are put to test.
I do not intend getting into the emotional aspect as it touches many at the wrong chords which includes me too! This blog, anyway, came to my mind when I overhead the following conversation in the hospital:
Man 1: Hello Sir! Are you waiting for the Doctor?
Man 2: Yes Sir! What ailment do you suffer from?
Man 1: Oh! Nothing serious, I am a diabetic for 20 years now. I have restricted myself from eating sweets and oily food. But what to do, at this age, you tend to break the rules. We live one life after all!
Man 2: Oh no sir! Do not say that. I had the same attitude as yours and here I have landed with a kidney disorder. Most of us think BP, diabetes have all become common like fever and cold or getting a cataract operation, but I have learnt my lesson. Just that it is too late. Please don’t take it lightly sir. Take care!
The mention of BP and kidney disorder jolted me all right! For my family member, it began with a ‘simple’ BP problem. It strangled our necks when the kidney failure was diagnosed for her and since then, it has been just hospital visits galore!
With the growing population, new medical complications are growing giving competition to the former! But blood pressure (high/low) and diabetes are by far the most common ailments seen today and I thought I will not only be aware myself but also educate the readers of this blog. I am keeping it very simple with a few definitions, do’s and don’ts, facts on the diabetic population in India and other simple but important things we must know.
1. What is diabetes?
• According to the International Diabetes Federation, diabetes is a disorder caused due to insulin deficiency, impaired effectiveness of insulin action, or both
2. What is insulin?
• Insulin is a hormone needed to enable glucose to enter the cells. It is an internal secretion of the pancreas which provides energy
3. What is impaired glucose tolerance?
• IGT is an infection without any symptoms and is defined by high levels of blood glucose. It is also being recognized as a transition stage from normalcy to diabetes
Types of diabetes
1. Type 1: Also known as insulin-dependent. The body’s defence system attacks the insulin-producing cells. It mostly affects children and young adults. The affected will need insulin every day in order to control the levels of glucose in their blood
Symptoms:
• Abnormal thirst and dry mouth
• Frequent urination
• Extreme tiredness
• Constant hunger
• Sudden weight loss
• Slow-healing wounds
• Recurrent infections
• Blurred infection
2. Type II: This type is characterized by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. It occurs after the age of 40 years but could occur earlier, especially in populations with high diabetes prevalence. Type 2 diabetes is asymptomatic.
Symptoms:
• Ethnicity
• Obesity, diet and inactivity
• Insulin resistance
• Family history
• Environment inside the uterus
Note: Type 2 diabetes constitutes about 85 to 95% of all diabetes in developed countries, and accounts for an even higher percentage in developing countries
Important facts
1. Diabetes is the fourth or fifth leading cause of death in most developed countries and there is substantial evidence that it is epidemic in many developing and newly industrialized nations
2. Number of people with diabetes in 2007: 246 million
3. Number of people with diabetes in 2025 (projected): 380 million
4. Diabetic complications account for much of the social and financial burden of diabetes
5. Diabetes is ranked among the leading causes for blindness, renal failure and lower limb amputation
6. Major complications due to diabetes are cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, amputation and retinopathy
7. Some 3.8 million men and women worldwide were estimated to have died from diabetes-related causes in the year 2007
8. This accounts for more than 6% of the total world mortality
9. According to the American Diabetes Association, eating too much sugar does not cause diabetes. Diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors
10. Eating excessive sweets may cause obesity which may lead to Type 2 diabetes
Facts on India
• According to the Diabetes Atlas published by the International Diabetes Federation, the number of diabetic patients is predicted to rise to almost 70 million people by 2025
• The countries with the largest number of diabetic people will be India, China and USA by 2030
• It is estimated that every fifth person with diabetes will be an Indian
• The economic burden due to diabetes in India is amongst the highest in the world. Indians are predicted to spend 5, 371, 754 US Dollars in 2025
• The risk factors for diabetes in Indians are age, family history, obesity, physical inactivity, urbanization and stress
• According to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) the prevalence of diabetes is 16.6% in Hyderabad, followed by Chennai with 13.5%, Bangalore with 12.4%, Delhi with 11.6%, and Mumbai with 9.3%
• According to the International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries, India is termed as the ‘Diabetes Capital of the world’
• The occurrence of death due to diabetes in India is between 6% and 8%
Sources:
• International Diabetes Federation
• Express Healthcare Management
• Hindustan Times
• Health Castle
• American Diabetes Association
Please feel free to let me know if any more important additions need to be made. Will get information on BP next and create a similar awareness article! Hope this helps!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
How young are your young ones?
Last afternoon, our lecturer took us to the college library to show us journals which would help us with our year end projects. Though I claim to be a voracious reader, I would have stepped foot into the library not more than a couple of times for issuing a text book! I walked in with a quite but obvious bored look and went straight to the magazine section. My eyes instantly fell upon last month’s edition of Reader’s Digest. In fact last morning my mother was pushing me to subscribe for the magazine and I was more than willing to. Lovely read the magazine is.
The cover page article spoke of teens and porn, quite a sensitive issue to touch upon. But after reading the entire article it is more a serious issue and definitely not sensitive. It was disgusting to read that kids as young as 7 and 8 years, in the name of playing computer games were actually browsing porn websites and passing on their own pictures to friends of the other gender!
Reading on, kids have become so smart that some term it interest in the human body, some time pass and worse of it all porn becomes the definition of the ‘being cool’! The entire article spoke of the scenario in the USA, so most of us may not care less. It is a known fact that children there are allowed to be independent at a very young age where as in India; we’d be pampered to bits at the same age. Kids there get their cell phones when they are a mere 12 years and sometimes even lesser. I got my first cell phone when I was in class 11, that too after countless times of pleading, fighting and any other tactic I could lay my hands on!
While writing this, I was talking to one of my close friends and he said lot depends on parents and their ways of upbringing. It is silly to say that both parents are working so they have no time; they end up filling their children’s pockets with loads of money and buy them the latest models of phones so that they are in touch with each other. I know of many families where kids are extremely well-behaved in spite of their parents not being around most of the time. I am quite immune to one statement my mother constantly says: “God! Look at how that girl behaves and dresses! I wonder what sort of parents she has. They themselves must be like that!”
My mother on the contrary is extremely broad minded, though there are certain views and values which she stands by, like any one of us. Every time she makes such statements I’d fight back saying it was purely their personal lives and she should not be getting families and parents into it. But after some serious thought I realized some truth in it. When parents are out for almost 12-13 hours they hardly get 4-5 hours with their children and what much can one do in that time? These kids literally live with their friends where they pick up new behaviour, habits etc. If a watchful eye is not kept, you never know what is going on.
Coming back to the fact that the article mentioned above was with respect to USA, I have been witnessing a different sort of happening here. Since I love in Bangalore, I can’t generalize my statement saying it happens all over the country, but after reading this, people may nod heads of similar happenings.
I walk back home from college everyday at a time when most schools close for the day. All the high-end schools flaunt their huge buses dropping their students home. In such buses, the kids are hardly between class 3 and 5, 7 max. So they must be between 8 and 12 years, the same age as mentioned in the US article. When they pass by girls, young women, they pass obscene comments which we women generally hear from ‘Road-Romeos’ or older men! The kids used the four letter word with such ease, I was shell-shocked! See, once we are 17-18, it is quite natural for us to go through this process of learning things in college, watching stuff, friends relating their numerous experiences. Though we are vulnerable at that age too, I think it is a natural process. But at 7 or 12, it is way too young.
I don’t know if these kids picked it up from their browsing, friends but I suspect something else. Cab, van and auto drivers have always been criticized for their misbehaviour and vulgarity of sorts. Not a generalization but mostly this sort of behaviour is rampant today. The drivers are quite young and tend to influence the kids easily with their talks. I have seen many drivers giving access to their phones to the young students. So every time, I experience this sort of ‘harassment’ from the young ones, I try and take a peep at the speeding away driver. Would he teach his own little ones such things?
Day before, I went to watch a movie with my 3 young cousins. One just entering college, one in class 7 and the other 9. There was a scene where the couple was making out and for some strange reason I felt odd with the cousins around. I casually looked at them and they were at total ease, not batting an eyelid. I still remember I happened to watch ‘Titanic’ with my mother in the theatre and I was twisting and turning and looking everywhere else to avoid the scene and mom! Nothing wrong in the scene, but somehow my values would never let me watch stuff like that with my parents and family around.
When I watched those kids, I was feeling a generation apart. I am just 23 but it felt so far off! I am not even close to being a parent but these fears have already taken stride. Parents today, whether at home or are working must surely keep track before things go haywire. I am not a parent, so I would not know the practicalities but then choosing your maids, kid’s help, drivers etc is so important. Yes, you may not be able to constantly tab them but I am sure changing them periodically or getting someone who has been associated with the family for long may work out. These are just a few suggestions.
In another few years girls of my age will surely become mothers and I am dead sure that that generation will be far ahead! Scary?!! Wonder what sort of upbringing will we embark upon? I initially thought ill give those kids a piece of my mind but now I think otherwise. It is not his fault alone. Lot of other factors has contributed to it. The change has to come from somewhere. I am sincerely hoping this blog will be read by parents who can make the immediate change, parents-to-be who have a few years to go but at least introduce the infants and the growing ones to good things.
To conclude, I was reading this to my mom and she said, “That’s why I say kids from a young age must learn to be religious and listen to good things alone, be it any religion and customs they follow.” I smiled at her and welcomed her suggestion. Please feel free to comment or suggest anything regarding this! For those interested in the story I first mentioned, check our May’s edition of Reader’s Digest.
The cover page article spoke of teens and porn, quite a sensitive issue to touch upon. But after reading the entire article it is more a serious issue and definitely not sensitive. It was disgusting to read that kids as young as 7 and 8 years, in the name of playing computer games were actually browsing porn websites and passing on their own pictures to friends of the other gender!
Reading on, kids have become so smart that some term it interest in the human body, some time pass and worse of it all porn becomes the definition of the ‘being cool’! The entire article spoke of the scenario in the USA, so most of us may not care less. It is a known fact that children there are allowed to be independent at a very young age where as in India; we’d be pampered to bits at the same age. Kids there get their cell phones when they are a mere 12 years and sometimes even lesser. I got my first cell phone when I was in class 11, that too after countless times of pleading, fighting and any other tactic I could lay my hands on!
While writing this, I was talking to one of my close friends and he said lot depends on parents and their ways of upbringing. It is silly to say that both parents are working so they have no time; they end up filling their children’s pockets with loads of money and buy them the latest models of phones so that they are in touch with each other. I know of many families where kids are extremely well-behaved in spite of their parents not being around most of the time. I am quite immune to one statement my mother constantly says: “God! Look at how that girl behaves and dresses! I wonder what sort of parents she has. They themselves must be like that!”
My mother on the contrary is extremely broad minded, though there are certain views and values which she stands by, like any one of us. Every time she makes such statements I’d fight back saying it was purely their personal lives and she should not be getting families and parents into it. But after some serious thought I realized some truth in it. When parents are out for almost 12-13 hours they hardly get 4-5 hours with their children and what much can one do in that time? These kids literally live with their friends where they pick up new behaviour, habits etc. If a watchful eye is not kept, you never know what is going on.
Coming back to the fact that the article mentioned above was with respect to USA, I have been witnessing a different sort of happening here. Since I love in Bangalore, I can’t generalize my statement saying it happens all over the country, but after reading this, people may nod heads of similar happenings.
I walk back home from college everyday at a time when most schools close for the day. All the high-end schools flaunt their huge buses dropping their students home. In such buses, the kids are hardly between class 3 and 5, 7 max. So they must be between 8 and 12 years, the same age as mentioned in the US article. When they pass by girls, young women, they pass obscene comments which we women generally hear from ‘Road-Romeos’ or older men! The kids used the four letter word with such ease, I was shell-shocked! See, once we are 17-18, it is quite natural for us to go through this process of learning things in college, watching stuff, friends relating their numerous experiences. Though we are vulnerable at that age too, I think it is a natural process. But at 7 or 12, it is way too young.
I don’t know if these kids picked it up from their browsing, friends but I suspect something else. Cab, van and auto drivers have always been criticized for their misbehaviour and vulgarity of sorts. Not a generalization but mostly this sort of behaviour is rampant today. The drivers are quite young and tend to influence the kids easily with their talks. I have seen many drivers giving access to their phones to the young students. So every time, I experience this sort of ‘harassment’ from the young ones, I try and take a peep at the speeding away driver. Would he teach his own little ones such things?
Day before, I went to watch a movie with my 3 young cousins. One just entering college, one in class 7 and the other 9. There was a scene where the couple was making out and for some strange reason I felt odd with the cousins around. I casually looked at them and they were at total ease, not batting an eyelid. I still remember I happened to watch ‘Titanic’ with my mother in the theatre and I was twisting and turning and looking everywhere else to avoid the scene and mom! Nothing wrong in the scene, but somehow my values would never let me watch stuff like that with my parents and family around.
When I watched those kids, I was feeling a generation apart. I am just 23 but it felt so far off! I am not even close to being a parent but these fears have already taken stride. Parents today, whether at home or are working must surely keep track before things go haywire. I am not a parent, so I would not know the practicalities but then choosing your maids, kid’s help, drivers etc is so important. Yes, you may not be able to constantly tab them but I am sure changing them periodically or getting someone who has been associated with the family for long may work out. These are just a few suggestions.
In another few years girls of my age will surely become mothers and I am dead sure that that generation will be far ahead! Scary?!! Wonder what sort of upbringing will we embark upon? I initially thought ill give those kids a piece of my mind but now I think otherwise. It is not his fault alone. Lot of other factors has contributed to it. The change has to come from somewhere. I am sincerely hoping this blog will be read by parents who can make the immediate change, parents-to-be who have a few years to go but at least introduce the infants and the growing ones to good things.
To conclude, I was reading this to my mom and she said, “That’s why I say kids from a young age must learn to be religious and listen to good things alone, be it any religion and customs they follow.” I smiled at her and welcomed her suggestion. Please feel free to comment or suggest anything regarding this! For those interested in the story I first mentioned, check our May’s edition of Reader’s Digest.
Monday, June 15, 2009
File your returns!
When July 31 nears our country every year, one for sure is witness to huge hoardings and TV advertisements to file in their IT returns. Earlier it would be the most cumbersome activity, one, because we’d fail to understand the innumerable papers to be filled in, two, we generally keep it to the last moment and begin fretting on the last day and worse of it all, complain against the government that they do not give enough time.
Now, with the pleasure of being able to fill IT returns online, it seems much easier and the pros do not end there. www.taxmile.com, in association with an Indian leading newspaper promotes filling IT returns online, that too in an environmental-friendly way. How? The answer is simple. You save consumption of paper and also by doing it online, it saves time and is much simpler.
It is said that each tax assessee, on an average, consumes 8-10 sheets of paper while filing returns manually. And out of 40.5 crore citizens, only 4.5 crore file it online. With all the mathematical calculations done, the amount of paper we use for filling the returns manually will be a monstrous number! Hence the online way will be the outright winner for sure.
How safe an online website is, one would ask. The website claims that there is a provision of issuing digital signatures as well. An instant acknowledgement is sent as soon as the income-tax department receives a completed tax return; the assessee is no longer vulnerable to data and identity theft. By filling it online, there is an extended deadline by seven hours too! Most importantly, one you begin filling your returns, you do not need to finish it all. There is also an option of saving your data and getting back to it later!
Environmental-friendly, simple, quick are adverbs which suit this website. What more? A quick peek into the website shows that it is not all about the serious work but also some fun competitions like winning trips to other countries, memorabilia of sorts and the like. Hopefully, the count from a mere 4.5 crore increases in the years to come.
My favorite line: I am not promoting the website but yes, I definitely want all of us to file our IT returns on time and as part of the ‘youth brigade’ we sure need to change and move ahead!
Now, with the pleasure of being able to fill IT returns online, it seems much easier and the pros do not end there. www.taxmile.com, in association with an Indian leading newspaper promotes filling IT returns online, that too in an environmental-friendly way. How? The answer is simple. You save consumption of paper and also by doing it online, it saves time and is much simpler.
It is said that each tax assessee, on an average, consumes 8-10 sheets of paper while filing returns manually. And out of 40.5 crore citizens, only 4.5 crore file it online. With all the mathematical calculations done, the amount of paper we use for filling the returns manually will be a monstrous number! Hence the online way will be the outright winner for sure.
How safe an online website is, one would ask. The website claims that there is a provision of issuing digital signatures as well. An instant acknowledgement is sent as soon as the income-tax department receives a completed tax return; the assessee is no longer vulnerable to data and identity theft. By filling it online, there is an extended deadline by seven hours too! Most importantly, one you begin filling your returns, you do not need to finish it all. There is also an option of saving your data and getting back to it later!
Environmental-friendly, simple, quick are adverbs which suit this website. What more? A quick peek into the website shows that it is not all about the serious work but also some fun competitions like winning trips to other countries, memorabilia of sorts and the like. Hopefully, the count from a mere 4.5 crore increases in the years to come.
My favorite line: I am not promoting the website but yes, I definitely want all of us to file our IT returns on time and as part of the ‘youth brigade’ we sure need to change and move ahead!
Monday, June 8, 2009
FA (R) TTY ISSUES!
First of all, why is this named fa®tty issues? Don’t ask me; actually I may be able to provide an answer! Oh wait! Before I state the reason, let me introduce to you the characters of this…well…3 day drama?!
1. The Silent Killer (SK) - Rags
2. Behka effect (BE) - PP
3. Adiye Kolludhe(AK) [Can be renamed as AK-47 for reasons only Rags, PP and I will know ;) – Rohit
4. KC! (Me)
So, yes, coming to why the headline? It all began in the wee hours at an underground cottage in Ooty! The sizzling incidents there, which are unmentionable on paper, brought me to this headline! Rags and PP, are you reading this? Can the reason ever be out in public? Ill be gunned down for sure :)
By the time I got off the local BMTC bus, my back was a wreck with one’s hand constantly on her cell phone’s keys, thereby her elbows nudging me, not to mention her piercing ‘give me space’ looks, and the other lady happily transferring all her body mass onto me like I was her pillow! Whew! How I was just waiting to see the big building nestling AXA and much to the anger of the traffic police, I jumped off as the signal turned green and oblivious to the innumerable honks.
AK-47 greets me after making me wait for ten minutes (It’s funny that women have begun waiting for men to arrive on time!!). The other two were comfortable in the car and man! I must say, it was nice to be greeted by the familiar faces again: BE, with his ever-sheepish grin and SK, with his silence!
My stomach was grumbling non-stop and so was I, to stop somewhere for a meal. After out tummies were duly fed, we set out for the long journey ahead. “Three choices”, said AK-47:
1. Ooty – Coimbatore – Palghat
2. Guruvayur – Palghat
3. I can’t remember??!!
We decided on the first choice. We women never agree upon this, but I must confess. Travelling with men is so much easier and convenient. There are no complaints of pain in the abdomen, head et all. No squabbles and petty arguments and men generally tend to forget arguments soon. So here I was, amidst three ‘well-behaved’ men who chose to change clothes in the middle of the road and attend to nature’s call wherever they chose to!!!
Now, mention must be made of a serious issue. The recent toll rates issue really caught our attention after what we went through at various junctions. It really ticked us off. On our way to Ooty, we had to drive via Bandipur and were rightfully stopped at a check post. We were asked to pay a meagre amount of 20/- which we obliged. However, we would have hardly driven 100 yards and we were stopped again. This time AK flared and we weren’t sure which one was the government owned. We were again asked to part away with money and no receipt was issued. This, I am writing amidst some this fun blog so that people are aware of they are being subjected to and with citizens and youth leading from the front against corruption, it might help!
The night drive via Bandipur was a rendezvous with the wild, literally. We bumped into wild elephants feeding themselves and man! Truly majestic! Reminds me of my previous trip there where I ended up thinking a clay elephant was the real one! But then, this time it was for real! It’s hard to explain everything in detail but then I’m just trying to talk of the important things, like a memoir so to say.
I wanted to go to the Mysore road Coffee Day and my wish was fulfilled, nothing very impressive but nevertheless I went! In between all this Rags and I were put through some 'gruelling activity'. PP and Ro wanted some personal space and one takes the wheel and the other sits right behind to ‘motivate’ the other!
Ooty invited us with its 7 something degrees at 4 in the morning! To get a roof over our heads, what stories were invited?!! One was termed a couple and the other two, students! While, here I am - THE REAL STUDENT! But we managed to get a lovely cottage and some sound sleep, ie, snoring from I don’t know which guy?!!
Ooty, known for its many suicide points and brilliant views, we chose to drive some place nearby and had a whale of a time the following morning. My first experience in Ooty as a child was miserable but thanks to the guys, my second trip was utterly lovely :)The butterscotch chocolates, hot chocolate tea was all too nice to describe on paper.
Our next point was Coimbatore. It was a sort of nostalgia for AK-47 as he took us through the roads of the small city, showing us his school, the place where he met his first love, his hangouts and others. We were treated to some amazing food, courtesy ‘Annapoorna Hotel’. Filter Kaapi and Nai (Ghee) Dosa was at its best. South Indian food is such a delicacy I must say!
Our final destination was Palghat and two men, BE and AK-47 were over joyous when they stepped foot in their ‘God’s own country’! The language was flowing after this and SK and I were left at their mercy. Of course! I would never miss an opportunity to belt my amateur Mallu to passers-by asking for directions, much to the chagrin of Ro and Peeps :) My only disappointment was that there was no place with water where I could relax! Kerala has always been a picture of backwaters, coconut trees, long haired gals with the smell of coconut oil and men, with their knee-length lungis!!! I was witness to everything other than the backwaters! Hehe! Palghat is a warm place and can get real hot later in the evening. The temples are real traditional like any other but one thing which stood apart was the playing of the ‘Chande’, a lovely percussion instrument of Kerala. The vibrations it created had a pleasing effect on me.
Satish’s wedding was my first experience with a Mallu style wedding. I have always been witness to an elaborate Brahmin wedding which quite frankly takes forever to finish. Getting up before the sun rises, watching the ladies clad themselves in a 9 yard saree, the innumerable ‘namaskarams’ (falling at one’s feet) by the bride, change of sarees, sitting on the swing with mom and mom-in-law throwing down cooked rice in turmeric and kumkum, the groom getting his last chance to run away in the form a ‘Kashi Yatra’ and finally sitting on your father’s lap while the groom stands and ties the mangal sutra is an extensive affair indeed. The rituals which follow there after is another paragraph long!
A Mallu style wedding is over in no time! Garlands of Tulsi exchanged in front of Lord Krishna early in the morning, by early I mean not before sunlight but a convenient 6am something. This is followed by a very casual meeting in the wedding hall, when it’s almost time for lunch! Ten minute formalities and you’re hooked for life! Yum food filled our tired and hungry stomachs and we were ready to set back to our good old city.
I will not be giving this blog a fitting conclusion if I don’t mention the lovely roads connecting Ooty, Coimbatore and Palghat. Not once did we have a hitch of a break down other than the irritating experience of the pay roll incident. PP got some lovely music and Ghus-Ghus, our beloved car did not let us down at all. All in all, a memorable trip and also a trip, which brought me closer to the guys!
As I conclude, my next blog should be one on men’s psyche from a woman’s perspective :)
1. The Silent Killer (SK) - Rags
2. Behka effect (BE) - PP
3. Adiye Kolludhe(AK) [Can be renamed as AK-47 for reasons only Rags, PP and I will know ;) – Rohit
4. KC! (Me)
So, yes, coming to why the headline? It all began in the wee hours at an underground cottage in Ooty! The sizzling incidents there, which are unmentionable on paper, brought me to this headline! Rags and PP, are you reading this? Can the reason ever be out in public? Ill be gunned down for sure :)
By the time I got off the local BMTC bus, my back was a wreck with one’s hand constantly on her cell phone’s keys, thereby her elbows nudging me, not to mention her piercing ‘give me space’ looks, and the other lady happily transferring all her body mass onto me like I was her pillow! Whew! How I was just waiting to see the big building nestling AXA and much to the anger of the traffic police, I jumped off as the signal turned green and oblivious to the innumerable honks.
AK-47 greets me after making me wait for ten minutes (It’s funny that women have begun waiting for men to arrive on time!!). The other two were comfortable in the car and man! I must say, it was nice to be greeted by the familiar faces again: BE, with his ever-sheepish grin and SK, with his silence!
My stomach was grumbling non-stop and so was I, to stop somewhere for a meal. After out tummies were duly fed, we set out for the long journey ahead. “Three choices”, said AK-47:
1. Ooty – Coimbatore – Palghat
2. Guruvayur – Palghat
3. I can’t remember??!!
We decided on the first choice. We women never agree upon this, but I must confess. Travelling with men is so much easier and convenient. There are no complaints of pain in the abdomen, head et all. No squabbles and petty arguments and men generally tend to forget arguments soon. So here I was, amidst three ‘well-behaved’ men who chose to change clothes in the middle of the road and attend to nature’s call wherever they chose to!!!
Now, mention must be made of a serious issue. The recent toll rates issue really caught our attention after what we went through at various junctions. It really ticked us off. On our way to Ooty, we had to drive via Bandipur and were rightfully stopped at a check post. We were asked to pay a meagre amount of 20/- which we obliged. However, we would have hardly driven 100 yards and we were stopped again. This time AK flared and we weren’t sure which one was the government owned. We were again asked to part away with money and no receipt was issued. This, I am writing amidst some this fun blog so that people are aware of they are being subjected to and with citizens and youth leading from the front against corruption, it might help!
The night drive via Bandipur was a rendezvous with the wild, literally. We bumped into wild elephants feeding themselves and man! Truly majestic! Reminds me of my previous trip there where I ended up thinking a clay elephant was the real one! But then, this time it was for real! It’s hard to explain everything in detail but then I’m just trying to talk of the important things, like a memoir so to say.
I wanted to go to the Mysore road Coffee Day and my wish was fulfilled, nothing very impressive but nevertheless I went! In between all this Rags and I were put through some 'gruelling activity'. PP and Ro wanted some personal space and one takes the wheel and the other sits right behind to ‘motivate’ the other!
Ooty invited us with its 7 something degrees at 4 in the morning! To get a roof over our heads, what stories were invited?!! One was termed a couple and the other two, students! While, here I am - THE REAL STUDENT! But we managed to get a lovely cottage and some sound sleep, ie, snoring from I don’t know which guy?!!
Ooty, known for its many suicide points and brilliant views, we chose to drive some place nearby and had a whale of a time the following morning. My first experience in Ooty as a child was miserable but thanks to the guys, my second trip was utterly lovely :)The butterscotch chocolates, hot chocolate tea was all too nice to describe on paper.
Our next point was Coimbatore. It was a sort of nostalgia for AK-47 as he took us through the roads of the small city, showing us his school, the place where he met his first love, his hangouts and others. We were treated to some amazing food, courtesy ‘Annapoorna Hotel’. Filter Kaapi and Nai (Ghee) Dosa was at its best. South Indian food is such a delicacy I must say!
Our final destination was Palghat and two men, BE and AK-47 were over joyous when they stepped foot in their ‘God’s own country’! The language was flowing after this and SK and I were left at their mercy. Of course! I would never miss an opportunity to belt my amateur Mallu to passers-by asking for directions, much to the chagrin of Ro and Peeps :) My only disappointment was that there was no place with water where I could relax! Kerala has always been a picture of backwaters, coconut trees, long haired gals with the smell of coconut oil and men, with their knee-length lungis!!! I was witness to everything other than the backwaters! Hehe! Palghat is a warm place and can get real hot later in the evening. The temples are real traditional like any other but one thing which stood apart was the playing of the ‘Chande’, a lovely percussion instrument of Kerala. The vibrations it created had a pleasing effect on me.
Satish’s wedding was my first experience with a Mallu style wedding. I have always been witness to an elaborate Brahmin wedding which quite frankly takes forever to finish. Getting up before the sun rises, watching the ladies clad themselves in a 9 yard saree, the innumerable ‘namaskarams’ (falling at one’s feet) by the bride, change of sarees, sitting on the swing with mom and mom-in-law throwing down cooked rice in turmeric and kumkum, the groom getting his last chance to run away in the form a ‘Kashi Yatra’ and finally sitting on your father’s lap while the groom stands and ties the mangal sutra is an extensive affair indeed. The rituals which follow there after is another paragraph long!
A Mallu style wedding is over in no time! Garlands of Tulsi exchanged in front of Lord Krishna early in the morning, by early I mean not before sunlight but a convenient 6am something. This is followed by a very casual meeting in the wedding hall, when it’s almost time for lunch! Ten minute formalities and you’re hooked for life! Yum food filled our tired and hungry stomachs and we were ready to set back to our good old city.
I will not be giving this blog a fitting conclusion if I don’t mention the lovely roads connecting Ooty, Coimbatore and Palghat. Not once did we have a hitch of a break down other than the irritating experience of the pay roll incident. PP got some lovely music and Ghus-Ghus, our beloved car did not let us down at all. All in all, a memorable trip and also a trip, which brought me closer to the guys!
As I conclude, my next blog should be one on men’s psyche from a woman’s perspective :)
WHAT-ITARIAN ARE YOU?
“How can you even manage to watch them cook that thing?” my mother and grandmother would rant as they would watch the famous food show. Being born a vegetarian, I would understand what they felt and would quickly change the channel. Most of my growing days were spent in my friend’s place who was a non-vegetarian and I was quite used to the ‘sights’!
I ended up falling in love with someone whose passion among other things is non-vegetarian food – the root cause for writing this piece! He went out to a ‘pure-vegetarian’ restaurant last night and came up with this blog called ‘Meatless moments at the table’ or something like that! (You can read the copy at www.rohitnambiar.blogspot.com) It’s a personal choice as to what you choose to eat, but when he wrote this piece and said one was far better than the other, I had to hit back!
As I woke up last morning, my mind was preparing what to write and the newspaper became my aide. Sunday Herald (Deccan Herald) carried this brilliant article titled ‘Can vegetarians save the world?’ The following caught my attention:
• It takes three kilograms of cereal to grow one kilogram of meat
• Nearly half the cereal we grow is eaten by animals we presently eat
• Every Indian is a vegetarian. Even if some of us eat meat and fish, we never eat anything close to the global average of 37.5 kilograms of meat per year per person to qualify as carnivores
The article ended on a different note by bringing to notice that Indians can’t portray themselves as ‘pure vegetarians’ with so much cruelty in them in terms of baby slaughters, burning brides, widows etc.
Anyway back to food. Remember the famous dialogue between Big B and Tabu in ‘Cheeni Kum’ where Big B claims that the water level in the sea has increased because of the tears the fish are shedding, seeing their clan dwindle in number due to non-vegetarians? I had this broad smile when I saw that scene.
I have had my share of non-veg tasting with an open mind. Having been to local eateries and the best of restaurants in Bangalore to get a feel of this cuisine, I have concluded that my experience has not been mouth-watering! Yes, we vegetarians might have to suffice with just paneer, gobi and a mélange of vegetables but I think I am content. I think most of us might have had this experience just before we venture into non-veg eating/tasting. Our friends will claim that chicken tastes like potatoes and fish like paneer! Then why eat non-veg when I can eat my potatoes and paneer! Lol!
Oh yes, some non-veggies would not agree with my sentence above, claiming their food has a distinct taste but guys, listen! We suffice with paneer, gobi and ‘boring’ vegetables and you guys with a variety of fish, heart, brain, liver and even privates of those poor animals just have the same spices and batter to fry them in or a bland stir fry of them all!
Being a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian is a personal choice. I have seen many vegetarians relish their new found happiness in non-veg food and so be it. Anyway I dint write this piece to promote vegetarianism but it was just a rebuttal of sorts to the blog I read! No offense meant; it is just a way to bring out thoughts when one reads others’ articles! It now sits here pretty as a blog!
I ended up falling in love with someone whose passion among other things is non-vegetarian food – the root cause for writing this piece! He went out to a ‘pure-vegetarian’ restaurant last night and came up with this blog called ‘Meatless moments at the table’ or something like that! (You can read the copy at www.rohitnambiar.blogspot.com) It’s a personal choice as to what you choose to eat, but when he wrote this piece and said one was far better than the other, I had to hit back!
As I woke up last morning, my mind was preparing what to write and the newspaper became my aide. Sunday Herald (Deccan Herald) carried this brilliant article titled ‘Can vegetarians save the world?’ The following caught my attention:
• It takes three kilograms of cereal to grow one kilogram of meat
• Nearly half the cereal we grow is eaten by animals we presently eat
• Every Indian is a vegetarian. Even if some of us eat meat and fish, we never eat anything close to the global average of 37.5 kilograms of meat per year per person to qualify as carnivores
The article ended on a different note by bringing to notice that Indians can’t portray themselves as ‘pure vegetarians’ with so much cruelty in them in terms of baby slaughters, burning brides, widows etc.
Anyway back to food. Remember the famous dialogue between Big B and Tabu in ‘Cheeni Kum’ where Big B claims that the water level in the sea has increased because of the tears the fish are shedding, seeing their clan dwindle in number due to non-vegetarians? I had this broad smile when I saw that scene.
I have had my share of non-veg tasting with an open mind. Having been to local eateries and the best of restaurants in Bangalore to get a feel of this cuisine, I have concluded that my experience has not been mouth-watering! Yes, we vegetarians might have to suffice with just paneer, gobi and a mélange of vegetables but I think I am content. I think most of us might have had this experience just before we venture into non-veg eating/tasting. Our friends will claim that chicken tastes like potatoes and fish like paneer! Then why eat non-veg when I can eat my potatoes and paneer! Lol!
Oh yes, some non-veggies would not agree with my sentence above, claiming their food has a distinct taste but guys, listen! We suffice with paneer, gobi and ‘boring’ vegetables and you guys with a variety of fish, heart, brain, liver and even privates of those poor animals just have the same spices and batter to fry them in or a bland stir fry of them all!
Being a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian is a personal choice. I have seen many vegetarians relish their new found happiness in non-veg food and so be it. Anyway I dint write this piece to promote vegetarianism but it was just a rebuttal of sorts to the blog I read! No offense meant; it is just a way to bring out thoughts when one reads others’ articles! It now sits here pretty as a blog!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Woman Power!
It is 7.30 in the morning and you are on the verge of screaming in anger! Kids have to be sent to school, your ‘cool’ husband wants you to search for his lost pair of socks! You are in the kitchen wondering why the idlys are so hard and to make things worse, your maid servant is not there! Imagine a house without a servant these days… the worst plight a working woman could ask for. You may yell at her, reduce her pay for taking unlimited offs, but the bottom line is, she serves you like your right hand! This is what she is worth beginning at the basics.
Go ahead you reach office late due to the above cause, lo! Your boss is at loss because of you! He needs you for doing this and that, he needs you to update you on the day’s appointments etc. It is a man’s world they say! Think again, it sure is not! You need the woman’s help for it to be a man’s world!
These days we see women doing almost everything a man does. But every side has two coins. A woman may not serve as the best soldier in the army but well… she at least does have a position there! A position anywhere cannot be just confined to the physical presence of the person, a lot of emotional presence is important too. Studies reveal that a woman under stress is more relaxed than a man. So when there’s a crisis you can assure yourself the woman will handle it all right. They solve tricky situations with composure which is a huge positive when compared to the ‘stronger sex’.
So what does she get to her workplace which makes her so wanted? Guess it is her confidence and kindness. In a man’s world where people are out there pulling each other down so that one gets a higher position, the cool and composed woman handles it all very well. Says Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CEO, Biocon, “The freshness of thought is what the woman carries with her which makes her the preferred lot.”
Being a woman itself is quite an advantage. You get your appointments very easily since you’re a woman and you are also treated with respect which is an added advantage for the work place as well. Virtues such as compassion, kindness, cooperation and sensivity which is born with a woman makes her recognised. Another interesting thing is that when it is a woman what you see is what you get. There is no beating around the bush you are told what is on her mind with nothing to hide. They are more open with their feelings unlike a man who wants it only his way and is not ready to adjust.
Behind every successful man there is a woman so there’s nothing more to say! What a woman gets to her workplace is her beautiful self inside and out and that itself is enough to make her workplace the best!
Go ahead you reach office late due to the above cause, lo! Your boss is at loss because of you! He needs you for doing this and that, he needs you to update you on the day’s appointments etc. It is a man’s world they say! Think again, it sure is not! You need the woman’s help for it to be a man’s world!
These days we see women doing almost everything a man does. But every side has two coins. A woman may not serve as the best soldier in the army but well… she at least does have a position there! A position anywhere cannot be just confined to the physical presence of the person, a lot of emotional presence is important too. Studies reveal that a woman under stress is more relaxed than a man. So when there’s a crisis you can assure yourself the woman will handle it all right. They solve tricky situations with composure which is a huge positive when compared to the ‘stronger sex’.
So what does she get to her workplace which makes her so wanted? Guess it is her confidence and kindness. In a man’s world where people are out there pulling each other down so that one gets a higher position, the cool and composed woman handles it all very well. Says Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CEO, Biocon, “The freshness of thought is what the woman carries with her which makes her the preferred lot.”
Being a woman itself is quite an advantage. You get your appointments very easily since you’re a woman and you are also treated with respect which is an added advantage for the work place as well. Virtues such as compassion, kindness, cooperation and sensivity which is born with a woman makes her recognised. Another interesting thing is that when it is a woman what you see is what you get. There is no beating around the bush you are told what is on her mind with nothing to hide. They are more open with their feelings unlike a man who wants it only his way and is not ready to adjust.
Behind every successful man there is a woman so there’s nothing more to say! What a woman gets to her workplace is her beautiful self inside and out and that itself is enough to make her workplace the best!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)