Colours of Life

Winter of Delhi has come to an end. Its time to roll back your blankets and give your fleece, jackets , pullovers to your local dry cleaners and pack them back in the corners of your wardrobe. Now, the people of Delhi would be getting ready to welcome spring and to celebrate Holi with colours, symbolizing the victory of good over evil

This festival of Holi had some relationship with what is going to occur in my life in few weeks. Of course, there is room for skepticism. The question is: Would there be colours- of joy, excitement and satisfaction? Would the flowers of the plant, I sowed with the seeds of my hard work, bloom to life? Would it be, as my dad says, golden throne (I always don’t agree with his metaphor) or the same tattered chair that I sit on with my books?

Yes, those who had regularly followed my posts here(I guess there should be one or two) would know that the results to the civil service (Mains) Exam that I gave in Nov ’06, is just around the corner. Anytime between 9th and 12th of march. I know, I cannot boast of an outstanding performance in each one of the 7 papers (leaving out the language papers). But I earnestly believe and hope it was decent enough to skirt myself through to the next stage of the selection process- interview.

While my days lingered on, waiting for the results, I had indulged myself in profligate spending of time. And money too. I spent the entire month of December at home, as my books gathered dust here. Thanks mom, I weigh 5 kgs extra now. (2 months of tasteless food,back here in delhi, hasn’t really helped my to lose them.). Luckily, the course I had joined with British Council brought me back to Delhi. But my miseries did not end there. Dhoom 2, Guru, Parzania, Trafic signal, rocky Balbao. There goes 5*130 down the drain. And don’t ask me about the off season sale here. I almost a burnt a hole in my pocket, though I din’t shop much. It was only my friend Sudheer, whom I had accompanied, who was on the inexorable shopping spree.

But there was one thing that gave me solace. I was sincere in reading my daily newspaper, The Hindu, which is like oxygen to IAS-aspirants. And it did not help much as I had scored meagerly low in the mock test I had taken, putting to end whatever fulfillment I had in life. ( To be on the safer side or to be prepared for the worst, I need to spruce up for the next round of preliminary exams) My institute director, whom I consider as my mentor, reprimanded me. It was clear to me that he was disillusioned with my performance and my lethargic approach. I felt ashamed and hated myself. But there he was again convincing me that all is not lost, there is still hope and wished me good luck for the results. I walked out of his suite with a clear agenda in mind, at least, until my results.

To many, I know, this would sound like a confession of a man stung by guilt. You are righteously entitled to consider so. And now I have something to look forward to in life like every man who has walked out of the confession box. While people of Delhi prepare themselves with colours for Holi I would be waiting for the new colours to paint my life with joy and jubilation. Happy Holi, to all those.

Directionless...

I see that I am caught in the clouds of darkness
Like a ship on the high seas of storm;
But not I have a choice of SOS
Still take a flight I must
Though directionless...

I see that I am stranded in the circles of haze
Like a tourist uphill on a foggy winter;
But not I have a comfort of tavern
Still glide through I must
Though directionless..

I see that I am sweltered in the complex of heat
Like a traveller on the sands of desert;
But not I have a coziness of oasis
Still stroll steady I must
Though directionless..

Life goes on...

This picture is timed during Israel-Lebanon conflict during Aug, 2005. And that’s the picture that got the “ World press of the year 2006” award. When I saw that news few days back in TIMES OF INDIA I felt a strong impulsion to post it on my blog. No, its not for the females who are sitting pretty on some good old sports car.

I know you must be wondering on what grounds this photo was considered for the award. It needs no photographical skill to click this except for a camera with a basic knowledge which any beginner should have.
But you know why it was chosen for the award. World Press Photo jury chair Michele McNally describes the winning image: "It's a picture you can keep looking at. It has the complexity and contradiction of real life, amidst chaos. This photograph makes you look beyond the obvious." Yes, it’s the real life. When people die in your neighborhood your life doesnot end.Nor need to. Innit?? It just goes on. Work. Worship. Party. Sex. Sports.

For more pictures of world press photo:

http://www.worldpressphoto.com/index.php?option=com_photogallery&task=blogsection&id=17&Itemid=146&bandwidth=high

All in the game of Politics

Democracy thrives on the strength of the opposition party, they say. No doubt, the largest opposition party of the present time, has its own bizarre way of displaying its strength to pit against the weakness or anything else, that they fancy, of its arch rival, congress. Take this case. When the country went for the general election in May 2004, BJP’s star studded campaign, along with its India Shining theme, was: would you like to be ruled by a Non-Indian? It was a personal attack against the Italy-born Indian bahu, Sonia Gandhi. But in the end, BJP was dethroned, as its previous regime disillusioned the people for whom life never shines, although “ No rule by a Non-Indian “ won support among the Indian middle class.

But the whole country, including the Hindutva party, gasped in astonishment when Sonia Gandhi renounced the post of Prime minister, nation’s highest office and, placed Dr. Manmohan Singh on the throne. She subtly proved that she has seen the power too close to her for too long. But BJP, for the sake of opposition, started to show tantrum by describing Sonia Gandhi as the “Super Prime Minister” and called Dr.Singh puppet in her hands. Also claimed that it is Sonia who calls the shots and makes the important decisions. Don’t they know that Manmohan Singh is world-renowned economist and spearheaded the country into the era of globalized world?

It’s a three yearlong story. But, now when the country is grappling with up surging inflation due to rise in price of essential commodities, amongst the already-a –culprit oil price, SEZ policy that astutely nurturing the skepticism about the food security and the threat of foreign investment in retail sector, BJP has given a new twist in the story, like we saw in Fardeen khan’s Don.

I was intrigued when my eyes caught the headlines “ UPA DOES NOT LISTEN TO SONIA: BJP” in today’s (7th Feb,2007)The Hindu (Pg.12). Of course, we agree that there is room for opposition in democracy. But it has got to be constructive opposition based on ideologies and public welfare. BJP realized, but not very early, that Dr. Singh makes policies on his own terms. But BJP reserved some degree of sarcasm here when it said that letter written by Sonia Gandhi advising PM on FDI policies, inflation and SEZ policy had not yielded results. They explain further: Sonia asked PM to curtail inflation but was not done. She spoke about SEZ but government did not protect farmer from being thrown out of their land. And conclusively, they have said UPA does not listen to Sonia.

Why is that BJP’s opposition strategy always, if not, most of the times revolve around Sonia? Are they showing the country here that congress chief is interested in public welfare whereas the people at the helm of affairs are not? Or is it a cheap strategy to create an internal rift between Sonia and Singh in the party politics?

Its high time BJP involves in constructive opposition keeping in mind the greater interest of the nation.

And please do not brand me as a supporter of congress nor am I an admirer of Sonia Gandhi. I am only pointing out the way today’s opposition party has stooped down. And of course, congress is replete with dramas of this kind in this big game of politics.

A film with a purpose....

Type “communal riots” in the Google search engine. The screen would flash with the links to the site that unfolds the story of Gujarat communal violence occurred in 2002. After all, the intensity of the violence is appallingly gruesome. But the Indian film industry, whether bollywood, tollywood or kollywood, which is almost running out of ideas and dusting the old movies off the shelf has brushed aside this incident that took lives of thousands of innocent Muslims.

But now, film director Rahul dholakia has shown the audacity to make a movie on this ruthlessly executed pogrom. Do not call this business opportunism. This is not an attempt to make money out of a tragedy. This is a film with a purpose.

This movie, titled “Parzania”, is a depiction of sufferings of a parsi couple who lost their son during the cowardice act. Its based on a true story of a parsi family who live in Gulbarga housing society, in Ahmedabad, which was assaulted mercilessly for the reason it was predominantly occupied by Muslims and it was a revenge to the burning of 58 Hindu passengers in a train by Muslim "terrorists" . The film shows the dastardly killings of innocent lives- young and old, men and women- without any discrimination. But Muslims, of course.

The film has Naseerudin shah, playing the role of head of the parsi family, Sarika, elegant looking mother and a little girl and a boy who light up the screen with their innocence. The film starts with the depiction of good time that the family has.-Husband and wife romancing in the kitchen, the family at the dining table and the father pampering his children. “ Parzania “, as the boy describes to his sister, is a place with mountains made of chocolate and ice-cream and rivers of kheer. It’s a imaginary world to which he is delighted to take his sister. The film, as it slowly builds up, also shows the lives of other Muslims and handful of Hindus in the locality. The director had brilliantly created scenes, prior to the assault, which very well bonds with the rest of the movie.

Director also points out the nexus between the Hindu fanatics (viz, VHP & Bajrang Dal), politicians and the police administration. This he shows through a character he’s planted – an American who is there in Gujarat working on a thesis about Gandhi. Rahul Dholakia shows the injustice caused to the India’s largest minority community through his eyes from the position of neutrality. In fact, he has made good use of all characters portrayed in the film.

Speaking of the performances of the protagonists, Naseerudin shah deserves a standing ovation in the hall. Every bit of his action conveys a pertinent message. Even a person who has never heard of his acting prowess and has no idea about what acting is would discern words through his mere action. It’s a marvelous acting from this veteran star. And sarika too has flawlessly played her role in spite of the long break in her career. And the kids are a real feast to the eyes.

This is a movie that evokes lots of emotions. In fact I watched this movie with a heavy heart and eyes filled with tears. And the lady who was sitting to my right was holding her seat handle tight when sarika speaks of her sufferings to NHRC( National Human rights commission) members at its hearing. The dialogue,” the doors my children would walk in without knocking, were even closed”, Caught my attention and sank my heart.

”Parzania” is worth watching as it comes as a reminder of loathsome genocide that India has ever seen, while the parsi family, in Ahmedabad, hopefully wait for their son to return. The movie carries the picture of their son Azhar at the end. And truly, this is a movie with a purpose.

Venting out feelings...

What you are seeing is the image of the place where the future administrators (they call themselves IAS aspirants) of the country bask under the sun with teacups in hands. I guess you could see the teacups strewn all over the place. I learnt district collectors have the responsibility to ensure the cleanliness of their districts. Pity those districts of our country. Welcome to a nameless tea shop (they serve Samosas and bread omelets as well) in Rajinder nagar. And thanks to some unknown Moneybags who had constructed that building u see in the picture with granite laid steps. Those two shops with shutters down has always remained closed ever since I came to Delhi. Of course, once one of the shops housed a ice cream parlor last year. The only visitor it had, as far as I’ve known, was my friend Amit. I would say the time of the year the shop opened was a misfit. It was during the winter. And you know Delhi’s winter, eh? Its heartless.
Well, without drifting away let me get to the point. That place ever since then were occupied by the “Tea-Drinkers”. It’s hard for civil service aspirants to survive without tea. Pity those who don’t drink tea because to go for tea outside, while your seat cools down, is a de-stressor. Going by science, it may sound oxymoronic. But believe me it’s a real de-stressor. Oops!! Why am I dwelling on tea as if my father owns a tea estate?
Actually I am here to vent my feelings out. To bemoan the fact that people who sat in that place for tea had not a bit of urge to throw their teacups in the trash bin, which was kept just 10 meters away. And not to mention that remnants of “Manikchand” Gutka that added more color to already red granite. What pains me more is that they are all, at least most of the people who came to the shop, IAS aspirants. I don’t know, maybe they would learn their basic duties and gain responsibilities overnight once they become IAS officers.
But who do we blame for all this negligence. Blame Mr. Moneybags who never pulled up people for this act? Or “Tea-Drinkers” who littered graciously, as if giving alms to beggars? Or, the minions of the shop for not cleaning it? Or those MCD sweepers who thought it wasn’t within their jurisdiction?
Blame it on the magnificent freedom this country has given us. Would we do this when our country had law to sever hands of those who littered? Or for that matter a nominal amount of fine for the breach? It is the lack o fear and the absence of palpable consequence that has ruined us. Our country needs not just education, but value education. They need to imbibe value in to the lives of our country men.

(This post was not intended to mortify IAS aspirants nor to harbor grudges against this society. But I cry within. )

Poised for new beginning...

Two bags full of books are what I carried when I came home. But nothing has been touched. I knew this would happen. And it’s always been like this. Whom shall I blame? Is it the comfort of home that has made me a spoilt brat? Or is it those electronic gadgets that open up a new world to me? Or is it the stretched hours of work that I had once put in, demand this lethargy that I have indulged in? I guess all this should take equal share of my bickering.

I don’t know what life holds for me, at least for the next few months. Yes, fear of my results is just driving me paranoid. Don’t you think four months is too long a time for a student to wait for the results? In these four months I am expected to do so many things to get what I want. Well, they are not impossible, though.

And for the moment, I want to keep all those things aside. I have been wanting to come back home and do all this after my exams. Now, that I am here. Doing what I love to do.

First four days of my stay were spent in the company of my two best friends. We went to all the places we used to go when we were together once. Malls, food joints, terrace in my friend’s ten storied apartments and not to forget the bike and barrel, one of the popular hang-outs in Chennai. And this time there was no movie. There wasn’t any good movie, incidentally. But we did go to a new place this time. Savukku Thoppu (Bamboo forest),near Muttukadu, for those who know this place. 45 kms drive along the ECR road, from Chennai. It’s a place ideal for a runaway couple for a handsome romance, they say. Tragically, it was just me and my two other friends. The place was resonating with the roaring noise of the waves from the beach. It was my friend, who is an asst director with Gautam menon, tossed this idea to come to this place. And he wanted to discuss his storyline that he has conceived for his debut movie. It ended up in dancing and singing with bonfire to run around.

And back home. I spent the time with my parents. Relishing on my mom's special recipes and listening to my dad's new take on life and the good old things he always reminisced .And to keep myself amused, I had bought handful of DVDs of my favorite movies. Dil chahta hai, Bend it like Beckham, Monsoon wedding, Cast Away, Kannathil Muthamittal and many other. All I had to do was to just sit back and watch them all.

Finally, I spent two great days with my niece and nephew who is just one and half year old. You see their pictures up there? In fact, it was the fourth time I’m meeting my nephew, ever since he was born, after a six long months. I was worrying if he would recognize me and call me “mama”. But to my surprise he did. Though, it took few minutes for him to realize. I spent good deal of time with him playing around. And my niece was busy with her exams. Too much of work for a 1^st standard kid.

Now that my visit to home feels complete. But still there are few more weeks left for me to go back. There is a temple to visit on the agenda and there is one more reason to go partying again. It’s the time for New Year’s celebration.

And parties apart.

God, may this new year bring luck, end all my miseries and give me a new beginning in life.

What lies ahead...

Tamilnadu, apart from its reputation as fast developing states in the country, is known for setting trends when it comes to advancement of its socially and educationally backward class of people. This can be gleaned from the fact that Tamilnadu has 69% of seats under reservation while Supreme Court prescribed a maximum limit of 50%. Well, that makes Tamilnadu no violator of judicial pronouncement. But, rather it ensured safety under the constitutional provisions by placing its legislation under the ninth schedule, thereby insulating it from the judicial scanner. Now, Tamilnadu government has rolled up its sleeves to abolish Common Entrance Test (CET), which is a time-tested mechanism to provide entry into professional courses.

But the abolition of CET is not new and nor is it free from legal complications. This process was set in motion by the former AIADMK government. But later both the High court and Supreme Court put the whole thing to the naught. Here I am surprised to see that DMK led government has not tried to differ on this issue from the previous government. But rather trying to do what AIADMK failed to pull legally. Looks like everyone has an axe to grind on this issue. As far as the legal hitches, Supreme Court has ruled that entrance test is mandatory .In fact on these grounds, among others, AIADMK government was directed to bring the CET back. DMK with this legal complication in mind set up a committee to look in to the technicalities of abolition of CET.

While the government and those in favor of abolition mumble that CET works to the disadvantage of the rural students, there is another set of players who still favor CET. If it is to be abolished, plus two marks would serve as the sole criteria to fill benches in the professional courses. But you remember what we see in the newspapers after the declaration of plus two results? A large number of students with 200/200 in all/one or more major subjects. With abolition of CET it would leave many students at a tie baffling the people who are part of the admission process. Who knows this might even lead to arbitrary rejection of many eligible candidates and would only set the stage for new scourge of confusions. And that’s not all. Is the current system of valuation of answer sheets foolproof? Does the quality of higher secondary education is really the stepping stone for the professional courses?

Answers to these questions are not within the scope of the committee. Abolition is what the government wants. The committee has no authority to look in to the merits of continuing with CET. But its abolition is a mere political choice rather than being backed by solid facts and rational arguments. It is all an effort to win the hearts of a group of people to fill the ballot boxes in their favor rather the voting machines to beep in their favor. Call this vote bank politics. The problems of rural backwardness are not just due to the rural students’ restricted entry to the professional courses but rather it lies deep within.

Rural areas are deprived of many other things apart from the quality education. Blame not the government’s policies for this state of affairs but the delivery system and insensitivity of our politicians. They say our plans and policies are strong enough. But how does that matter if its not implemented with meticulous care and modicum of honesty. By resorting to reservation and abolition of what was considered a fair method government is trying to prove that it is only doing what it failed to do at the ground level. It is a simple ruse for mere survival. Talk about colleges when there are no enough schools in rural areas? And whine about the lack of competitiveness of the rural students when the vacant positions of many teachers are not filled for years?

At the national level, we talk about universal primary education and it’s a fundamental right to every child now. This constitutional amendment has been comfortably passed sitting in the chambers of parliament. But more needs to be done. Get your hands dirty politicians. No, no, I’m not talking about the money tarnished black. Take efforts to build schools at rural areas, fill them with qualified teachers, and good infrastructure (an all inclusive word-water, road, sanitation, etc). And quality education’ eh? After all, you can’t think of relishing on mangoes without planting a mango tree and watering them.

Please, someone try explaining this to our politicians.

Now, back to where I started. Abolition of CET is not the panacea to rural backwardness, though. But helpless we are. What else can we do apart from raising voices and giving out our opinions when the government is obsessed with it. It is time to wait and watch. How is the Tamilnadu government going to pass the law to abolish CET? Would judiciary intervene? Would the government come smelling out roses? What are the logical arguments it is going to put forward to support its action? Fun time ahead.

End of Marathon race

Its been three days since the exams got over. But still I haven’t been able to get rid of the hangover of those exam days. Not able to sleep before 1 and get woken up at 6 as if to check my clock's punctuality. But there is one solace that would douse this sulkiness. It’s the freedom, in terms of time, to watch movies with no strictures of any kind. In fact, the first priority on my “Thing to do” list, after exams, is movie. And I don’t think I would get enough of them. I’m not a movie buff, though. But it’s the long run that has sapped my energy to go in for unlimited fun. And movie is just one way of having fun.

God, I don’t know what my other fellow- IAS aspirants would have been through during this last three months. And I’m talking about only the days of indigence that began after the prelims results. But I’d actuate this whole cycle of process to a marathon race. You just keep running. Slow and steady or fast and furious. But run you must. It starts with classes for almost 10 months. And then you sit at home for one month slogging for the prelims exams. oh no, I don’t want to say any further and tire you down. But I must tell you I know the real meaning of perseverance now. This exams test all those qualities that those self help books preach- patience, tolerance, determination, endurance, et al. It simply makes you strong from within but only if you could resist the negativities. And, in my opinion, success comes just next to this.

As if this was not enough, friends stopped visiting my room, there were no calls. After all, they thought they were doing me a favour. And I dint keep any “ do not disturb” sign board nor my phone was out of service. But that’s 0k. I would take this as another test in the grand scheme of things.

And now its time for self introspection and time to look behind the path that I have walked on. They say mistakes are not sin but not correcting them is. Now all i need to do is scan down my errors and program them in shape. But for some days to follow its just fun. No studies.

I’m just happy that the marathon race has ended. But I know this is just one phase and there is a new beginning to make.

My First Poem

Harib, my dear pal from god’s own country
Remember those days we had fun immensely??
Together we ate and Together we drove around:
You are one helluva singer, get ppl spellbound.

Envy ur smile& take pride in ur friendship
For you win everyone’s heart with no hardship.
Hey,how do you maintain poise& have patience
When life leaves you with pain and pittance.

Harib,my dear pal you are the dearest of all
Days togther we spent stand in my memory tall
Cherish those moments when I pulled your legs
Look what I have made you now-a guinea pig.


(Going steady with my mains preparation. Although i wanted to take a break from blogging, as i had said in my last post, i just thought i'll drop a post to make my blog complete for this month. This is a poem i wrote as a testimonial in orkut for my best friend)

Prayers Answered....

It has been nearly a week since my preliminary exams results were declared. Now I have completely ran out of emotions to express how happy I am as finally my mom’s prayers have been answered and the supposedly hard work had paid its results. This is indeed a golden opportunity, as everyone calls it, for me to make hay while the sun shines. It’s the arduous task of preparing for mains examination that has made me sober with a poker face now. Oh!! The day when I knew that I had got through with my prelims exam I started flying in the air fuelled by excitement, euphoria and elation. That night I hardly could sleep.

And now there is a mission that I need to accomplish. All for, myself? No. After my results I feel like my life has achieved new meaning and its waiting to be dedicated for the cause of the country- as collector, as secretary and many other roles to come. I know that sounds very bookish. But I can’t hide what is oozing out from deep within. Yeah, thanks, thanks!! I can hear people saying “ ALL THE BEST” for my mains. Hmmm…I really need to slog it out!! And lets see where the life takes me.

I must tell you all that I really enjoyed writing this blog for this last 5 months. And now I guess I must give this a little break. Hope to see u all soon. C ya!!

Are we nearing the End?

This is the country that predicts the future and leads the rest into it. A country at the cutting-edge of the technology. What this country is doing today we would be doing in the next ten years. But paradoxically, in a bizarre way, it has been left to lag behind by simple deed of its president. Well, I’m sure you have guessed it all and the picture of Bush gives a clue too.Yes, It is US of America – the land of opportunities. When the president Bush exercised his veto on the stem cell research Enhancement Act that would have increased the Federal funding for stem cell research, science, technology and benefits to the human kind had taken a back seat. Denying the federal funding is like denying pocket money to a school going kid. This had belied the hopes of many as this research had promised to cure diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and many others. Why did bush behave the way he did?

Now, the event #2. We were (un)fortunate enough to see the warmest decades in 1000 years and even the hottest and coldest day in the recent past. It’s all sheer vanity. They say it is all due to what is called the Global warming. “Kyoto protocol” is the name of the weapon that the many countries across the world have taken to fight this global threat. But USA the country responsible for one-fourth of the global warming pollution has refused to sign the Kyoto protocol. The first thing Mr. Bush did, after 2001 election, was to formally withdraw from the protocol. What has he got to say on this?

Now, the event # 3. Of late, one news item that has captured the maximum airtime and rocked the headlines in all the dailies is the Israel’s attack on Lebanon . USA the most powerful nation in the world remained silent and failed to condemn Israel for its dastardly act. One of the US official, when Israel initiated its first attack, said” Israel military has to run its course in Lebanon and has space to operate for a period of time”. This was like a US VISA stamping on the passport of newly married Indian girl who is waiting to join her husband in USA. Israel went ahead with its devastating spree and it still goes on, as on the date of this post, steady but not slow. I’m sure killing civilian is no fight against terrorism, a cause which US has inexorably espoused to armour. Does Uncle Sam not want world peace? Don’t Ya, Baby??

One common reason that has been attributed for all the above anomalies by a section of writers and journalists is to Bush’s fundamentalist religious ideologies. This is the chain that has tethered the mistrust of science and the war in the Middle East. American Fundamentalists believe, based on the literal reading of Revelation which is central to the fundamentalist theology, that second coming of Christ is at hand. Sounds quite interesting, though. And one basic prerequisite for Christ’s return, as per Biblical prophecy, is Jews should be in full possession of the holy land. That explains why Israel’s attack on Lebanon and Palestinians and USA’s inaction.

Fundamentalist also believe that god is angry about faithless world that he could save it only by initiating devastating catastrophe. This catastrophe could mean end of the world. Oh, my god!! And the beginning of this end was marked by what world saw in the form of First World War. If this is what Bush believes in why would he care about curing diabetes and cancer.

Global Warming?? God damn it!! Go to hell!!

But is it that simple in the world of UNs , Security Councils and Political belligerence. There is always another side of the coin and it cannot be brushed aside in the build-up of a good interesting story. Republicans who supported veto on the stem cell research bill consider that this bill would tend to support taking innocent human life in the hope of finding medical benefits for others.

And, why no Kyoto protocol? It would damage the American economy and would cost them five million jobs is the ostensible reason.

Now looking at the flip side of the Israel attack. There are claims that many of the senators in US congress were elected in support of Israel’s funding and not to forget the business motives of the one of the largest weapon manufacturing country in the world.

Diplomatically put, this has left us with two set of facts. Looks like everyone has a story to tell. Proliferation of news media and deluge of accessible information from various corners certainly does complicate the issue and obfuscate our understanding. Taking a stand on issues like this is one thing that I always felt egregiously knotty. It is simply head spinning. But whatever it is. Is that devastating catastrophe imminent? Are we nearing the end of the world? God only knows!!

Just like that...

Dear friend,

I understand that you have been through the whole gamut of emotions in life- from joy to despair, from excitement to frustration and from love to hatred. I know at this moment you are feeling cynical about life and the entire people around you. You are slowly starting to realize that world is not how you desired it to be. In fact, I want to tell you that thinking of a world that is outright selfless shows lack of clarity of mind and immaturity.

I gather why you feel this way- as if people are here to pull you down and waiting for a chance to annoy you. I know how nice you have been to people around you. And I even know some have told you that you go beyond your limits to help others. Now I’m not saying that’s bad and you quit acting all goodie-goodie. You feel people show their back and they are besotted with their own little things when you are in need of some help. Believe me when I say this!! This is life and that’s how life puts you through pains and pressure. It tests your tolerance and those principles that you want to carry along with you in life. It’s the battle between the treacherous life (as you conceive it to be) and your principles. You must fight it down with courage and perseverance. All alone. Just don’t give up!!

My dear pal, people are not to be blamed. It is only time for you now better than ever before to recognize eccentricities among people and to say yourself “It takes all sorts to make a world”.


Yours,
U know who I am!!

UPSC calling...

The D-day is around the corner. (Sometimes I wonder if the D-day could also have figurative meaning-dreaded day). The day that would open new doors for some and would show the way out for many. People here in Rajinder Nagar who are tagged “ IAS aspirants” are keeping their fingers crossed for they have no clue when is this day. This is the day when the results of Preliminary Exams will be out. No date is fixed. UPSC ,the constitutional body that shoulders the mammoth task of choosing IASs and IPSs, is known for keeping this date totally out of our clue. But somehow date gets to people through the word of mouth as the coaching institutes always have some insider sitting in UPSC. As I said this day would show new doors to some, but these doors does not lead to red carpet rolled pompous air conditioned ceremonial halls. Instead they’ll lead us to smothering maze of dozens of new doors. Well, that’s the next stage in the 3-tier process of selection. They call it “Mains Examination” .Yes, the name does imply how important it is. These bunch of candidates need to put themselves through in another 2 months of indigence and slogging hours.
And for the other set of folks who are shown their way out its end of their IAS dreams, as UPSC limits the maximum number of attempts. These are the people who have exhausted their maximum attempts. But there are another set of aspirants who are neither shown the door in nor out!! These people go ahead with life hoping for another better year. Thank god, this selection is an yearly affair.
Now where would I fit in?? Luckily this was my first try with this exam. So I have two options: either I’ll be shown the door in or gotta take the next train. Hey!! Do I hear a knock at my door??

Caught In a Vicious Circle

11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 3:00PM to 4 PM, 7.15 PM to 8.30 PM. Please do not mistake this to be timings for any super hit TV soaps nor for any live football matches. These are nothing but dreaded hours when people here in my place have to go thru the trauma of regular power cuts. If you think this is in some place that is part of govt’s rural electrification program and where work is still in progress let me dispel your prejudice. I live in Delhi- the rajdhani. If there were one virtue I have to hold these power distribution companies high for I would say it is their strict adherence to the timings. Well, call them reminders at those hours. Reminds us of what? Reminds us of what time it is?? That would be facetious if you think so. It reminds us that India is one country where supply starves the demand. Let me keep food production out of this, for I’m afraid if I’ll get lost in the granary of million tonnes of grains that were denied to burp out of the mouths of millions of those with hungry stomachs. So, let me confine myself to power.

Thanks for this frequent power cuts for it has broadened my horizon. If it had not been for this I’d have wallowed in comforts without making an attempt to try and understand what a deeper malaise it is. For your information govt data goes like this: India’s power transmission and distribution loses is between 35% to 40%. Of the remaining 60% only 40% get billed. Applying simple maths that’s nearly one fourth of the actual production. If so pathetic is the condition what would you expect from state electricity boards (SEBs). A treasury filled with gold, silvers , and gems?? May be yes if only SEBs were ducks laying golden eggs. But in real that’s not the case and I can’t think of any animal or bird to make a proper analogy. Pigs?? skunk??Hyenas?? or a scorpion that stings?? Just go wild. I'll leave that to you.

Yes, finally admitted shamelessly that they are bad and ugly. They said bring those corporate brands in the name of “privatization”(I have nothing against privatization as long as they serve public interest) Reliance, TATA welcome aboard!! And what have these private players left us with? Hiked power tariffs, burnt a hole in our pockets in the name of electronic meters and got our armpits and groins sweating.

Why is this power deficit in a power conscious democratic country? It seems they blame inadequate coal supply. While you probe in further, you will see coal industry pointing their fingers at railways: less wagons .Lalooji, (read railways)kya yeh sach hai?? He says there is no enough steel to manufacture wagons. And TATAji (think steel, think TISCO) blames deficit production of power. Power-coal-wagons-steel-power. We are entangled in this vicious circle. It’s that simple. And I’m not suggesting that this is life and you take it!!




(P.S: It was 10.30 in the night when i was drafting this and there was an univited power cut for just 15 minutes. An aberration. May be NDPL hae learnt to give surprises!!)

Seen through the Window

It was just another day. Life was the same for me. Nothing had changed. The same room, the same table, same old books and the same old window. But this window has a special part in my life for variety of reasons. This window overlooks almost the entire stretch of Bazar marg. A ice cream parlor, ek chai ki dhukan, a small time kiosk and a bustling street is all that I see. As I was seeing through this window, quiet and somber, a truck pulled up in front of my building with the loud screech of brakes. As it stopped I heard the clink of bottles. ”Oh, its for the nechewala daru shop” I thought to myself. And this is for the brethren of “ high spirits” my building houses a “ Wine and a Beer shop” and so reads the signboard. (In chennai signboards read just “ wines”. Strange are the ways of life)

Now all the cartons are to be unloaded- Director’s Special, Royal Challenge, Royal Stag, Bagpiper and Smirn off. The boxes looked colorful. There were three men to shoulder this task. The work began. One man stayed inside the truck to take it out and pass it on to the rest of the two, as they walked to and fro carrying the cartons. I was still seeing thru the window counting the cartons- may be its an hangover that still remains after having served as “ Articled Clerk”(a term I disliked) for the audit firm during my CA course. The truck has been almost emptied. There were only three cartons left. The man inside the truck surreptitiously opened the carton and pulled out one bottle and put an empty bottle of the same kind in its place. The other men guarded what he was doing. oops! looks like a collusion!. Finally the three cartons, minus one “full” bottle in each one of them, were also taken inside. At the back of my mind I thought about the “Replacement mechanism” which companies had. Pity them!!
This exudes that our values have become so debased that people resort to fraud and malpractices as if it is a national game. This is just a tip of the iceberg!!!

Terry saves...

NUREMBERG, Germany, June 15 the match played between England and Trinidad & Tobago is something which i still can't get out of my mind inspite of many games played after that.If you had seen the 53rd minute of the game you would agree with me.That was when Trinidad almost stole a goal.The goalie was nowhere around.The ball was heading towards the goal.England defender Rio Ferdinand and Trinidad and Tobago forward Stern John watching the ball in action.Trinidad's coach standing at the threshold of exhilaration ready to shout " you've all done it guys".But there goes England defender John terry flying in the air kicking the ball away and falling inside goal area!!It was just amazing man!!!i'm sorry if you had missed it!!

But here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATj7IA6pBT8

Beware of dogs!!!

It is the early hours of the morning;with its usual scenic beauties. Dewdrops are fresh on the tender leaves of saplings and grass. Sun is still sprucing up for his day out. There is a mild chillness, birds chirp and hens cackles. The air is free from the cacophony of toyotos and fords: bajajs and Hondas. Most of the people must still be on the bed half asleep with the new day to deliver on many of its promises.

At this time of the morning I see this boy walking along the roadside with a megasized polythene bag on his shoulder. Emaciated looks, sunken face, the kind of hair we see in the shampoo ads which says “before use”. Meet the ragpicker boy of rajinder nagar-my locality. I see him every morning when I go out for my morning jog. Now what about him? I always go thru a sense of admiration. You know what ,he has taught me a lesson.He picks the rags sprewn all over the streets. I always wondered where he would take it to and used to think about the penury state of his living. He must be just 12 years old but he shows no fear for those bunch of dogs that bark at him incessantly. Has he closed his ears to those deafening sound?? No. he believes in what he does. Its his duty to do what he is doing. That earns him his bread, afterall. May dogs bark at him:heavens will not fall.

Now whats the moral??many of us fear critcism but ensconce in inhibitions and bask in false praises. It is this criticism that hold us back from what we conscientiously like to do. Are we afraid of the barking sound of the dogs?? This is the lesson I learnt from him. All that one need to do is remain impervious to crticism and listen to the conscience so much so that the barkings of the dogs be overpowered.

Is World really that small??

The incident I’m just going to tell u about made me wonder is world really that small. It was two months back when I was traveling from chennai to Delhi by train. When it comes to traveling alone I always look forward to meeting someone I know, after all a journey of 33 hours without a company is like taking boredom to its peak. And this time it was full of strangers, as it always used to be, when I entered the train. There was an old man and his wife with their niece who had finished her tenth standard and was going to visit her mother and there was another army man. As the train moved we got introduced to each other. We shared food. Discussed movies. Discussed politics. The train moved on and so did the time. The next day there was another lady, in her mid twenties, from next bogie sat with us and struck up conversation with that school girl. I started speaking to her as well. She said her name is Archana* and she lives in Bangalore and would be moving to London with her husband next month. As many of my friends work in Bangalore I asked her where she and her husband worked. Then I got to know that her husband worked for a company where my friend Sabitha's* husband happened to have worked. “Who knows they might know each other. It’s a small world” I quipped to her. And my friend Sabitha now lives in Paris with her husband. I wanted to write to her about the person I met on the train. But to my surprise I got a mail from Sabitha last week. She said she had visited London and met one of their friend’s friend in a restaurant. And that person seemed to have asked about me. And she was none other than Archana- the person I met on the train. Chennai, Delhi, Bangalore, Paris, London. Now tell me is world really that small?? May be this something like what Thomas Friedman, an Amercian columnist, talks about it in his book " The world is flat".




(* Names changed just for the heck of it!!)

Aimless....

Now I’m sitting in front of the computer feeling like an alien from a different planet pondering over the days I’ve been going thru for the last one month. Confines of the four walls, a bed to sleep on ,a table which had layers of books-this was my world then. Now that I’m back to life, the world looks larger than ever before. I wonder if all the others who had just taken their civil service exams also feel the same. But I must confess that I lived every minute of those few days of indigence realizing that a day had 24 hours: 1440 minutes:86400 seconds. At the moment I just feel aimless heading towards lethargy....