The death of Nitin Garg, an Indian, working in Australia didn’t come as a surprise to me. It was to happen soon. My biggest surprise is that we Indians still want to get out of our own country and settle down in such places after being fully aware of such incidents.
Personally, my own childhood friend lost his eyesight due to a racial attack in Australia a couple of years ago and I was devastated. Being my own age, he had his entire life ahead of him. Even if it weren’t his own choice to go settle down abroad, his dad got a job offer which he couldn’t decline.
What is it that we Indians do not get here which entices so many thousands and lakhs of the citizens to move out? Is it the dough, the standard of living, pride or what? Frankly, I have not stepped out of my country in the 23 years of my living, which may not qualify me to talk about this topic, but after seeing so many incidents, reading about them and so on, my questions and curiosity just keep mounting!
When I was 15 or so, a whole bunch of older guys and girls in my apartment left their homes to pursue their higher education abroad. The whole apartment went silent and for about a few months, it felt eerie actually. Most of the fun was lost. However, there emerged two sets of parents, both proud of course! One not worried about the tons of money which has gone in the form of education fees and so on, but just the sheer pride of being able to tell everyone else that their sons or daughters were studying in an elite school. The other set, proud yes, but worried if all the savings spent on sending the kids would reap them any benefits, if any.
They are all well settled now but then the yearning to come back to their own country and homes is seen quite clearly. Initially after completing their education, they’d definitely want to stay back for some years to get back what they invested or maybe more. But at what mental and emotional cost?
Other than corruption controlling the country, I frankly think our country lacks nothing. You can walk on the streets with absolutely no fear of being attacked just ‘because you’re NOT FAIR! Here in India, only women cannot get out after a certain time for the fear of being raped or whatever. In other countries, even our much revered men have to watch their backs! Men are treated like God here and there, worse than a dog!
So what if you get a salary in mere Indian rupees? So what if you have to walk down the street and buy veggies in a broken wooden gaadi? It is not about earning in dollars or pounds, going to a mall every other day and being able to afford a Gucci or a Louis Vitton. When you’re not well, it’s about getting that hot cup of chai from your loved one and not having to make one yourself.
And why choose countries which are known for racial discrimination? Half the society must be behind bars by now for all the atrocity done. There’s no point in pointing fingers at wasted people. We’d rather live where we belong, where we are wanted and where there are no uncalled-for fears.
The direct causes of suffering are desire or craving, and ignorance – Lord Buddha.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
PDA: Public Display of Atrocity!
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!
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!
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)