Thoughts of Uma

Two drops of tears for two talented personalities

2011-02-26T22:59:00.001+05:30

Two of the most loved personalities, Mullapudi Venkataramana (Telugu) and Anant Pai (English) passed away one day apart. But they will always remain in the hearts of millions of children and adults whose lives they have touched with their books/ characters.

The very first book I set my eyes on as a child was an Amar Chitra Katha or AMC (the second one being Chandamama). I was shown the sequence of pictures and the story was told. I asked to be told again and again till I could remember the story and identify the pictures through it. I had my first look at Tinkle, right from the very first issue in 1980. I shared the most recent one with my daughter with every character is etched in my mind.

My parents were only too happy to buy the books because they reflected our culture and traditions (They grimaced a little when I asked for Archies). AMC brought the complex stories of Hindu mythology to children in a simple manner and taught moral values which the elders were only too happy to hear us repeat. What was once passed down from grandparents to grandchildren, parents were able to pass on through AMC.

After I learned to read, many afternoons were spent with books. AMC and Disney series dominated initially. We dint have televisions then. My cousins and I sat with some comics and snacks and spent all our holidays reading. While traveling, comics were our companions. More often it was Tinkle Double digest since it would take up most of our journey time and we would be busy in a corner with it. We sometimes got scolded since we did not turn out lights off at night as we were only too happy to finish ‘one more’ comic. Some books were read under the blanket with a torch.

Slowly we added Mandrake, Phantom and other American series as well. We moved on to Enid Blyton, Famous five and other small novels and then bigger novels. But we always went back to read AMC or Tinkle umpteenth time.

I was in middle school when I learnt how to read and write Telugu properly. My first book was obviously Chandamama. I had to muster great courage to move on to other books since I wasn’t confident of understanding the many nuances of the language. But when I did, I enjoyed every classic that I read. Mullapudi’s Budugu is a character that no telugu person will forget. The naughty kid with a funny accent stole everyone’s heart.

Cinee Ramaneeyam,Rrajakiya Bhetalam, Girisam Lecturlu, Radha Gopalam, Vikramarkudi marku simhasam kadhalu were as much funny as they were sartorial. Every word brings a smile to your lips and a thought to your mind.

Ramayanam, sri Krishna leelalu, Bhagavatha kadhalu were epics with Bapu’s pictures – a visual treat. Telugu literature has lost one of its beloved contributors and so has Telugu cinema. His contribution to Telugu cinema as a partner to Bapu is much more well-known to common man. Bapu-Ramana were like fish and water. They completed each other's thoughts, words and works. My heart-felt sympathy is with Bapu.

The mere recollection of all those books makes my heart heavy and I craves for my childhood days again. I lost a piece of my childhood when these two exponents passed away almost at the same time. Two drops of tears and a prayer that they shall live for ever through their books ….

The whole collection now lies in the attic, waiting for my children. I hope they too will appreciate their value.

conversation with my daughter

2011-02-02T11:48:00.002+05:30

One day...

Daughter: Daddy, I will ask you a question. Answer it if you are intelligent.
Father: ok
Daughter: What is 2+1?
Father: 3
Daughter: No. It is 5
Father: How?
Daughter: By mistake

It took us a while to recover. The next day:

Daughter: Mom, i will ask you a question.

Me: ok (i am prepared)

Daughter: What is 2+1?
Me: (aha..) 5
Daughter: Wrong. It is 3
Me: Why? you said 5 yesterday

Daughter: Mistakes don't happen every time

I am speechless.....

What is the parenting style of Indians?

2011-01-14T00:21:00.001+05:30

One of my friends forwarded this article recently:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704111504576059713528698754.html?mod=WSJ_hp_us_mostpop_read

The gist of the article is this:

There is marked difference between the parenting styles of Chinese and Western mothers. Chinese mothers openly push their kids to achieve more, while western mothers are more subtle. Western parents are extremely anxious about their child’s psyche, while Chinese mothers are not and hence they do not shy away from being tough with their kids. Chinese parents believe that their kids owe them everything and hence kids should look after their parents and obey them. Chinese parents think that parents know what’s best and hence override the child’s interests. Westerners differ in these two aspects.

This made me think about the parenting style of Indians. I think traditionally we are more close to the Chinese. But times are changing. The present generation is becoming increasingly close to the western style even in parenting. With the change in environment, there is change in the psyche of generation. Parents are less strict and kids are more independent. I cannot recollect a time I screamed at my parents or cried in front of a shop to obtain something. I came across many 2 year olds who do that these days. I am not sure whether the change in kids' attitude forced parents to change or vice versa. But I feel that as of now Indians are in the middle of this spectrum.

Kids today have many challenges to face. We had very few things to occupy us and few distractions. Now there are so many things to learn and do that it is difficult for a kid to focus on something for long. There are many other things to explore in little time. The distractions have also increased manifold in the form of gadgets. Hence not many ‘grandmother tips’ work on them. Child rearing has become a science these days.

The article ends by pointing to the positives in both the approaches. To quote:

“Western parents try to respect their children's individuality, encouraging them to pursue their true passions, supporting their choices, and providing positive reinforcement and a nurturing environment. By contrast, the Chinese believe that the best way to protect their children is by preparing them for the future, letting them see what they're capable of, and arming them with skills, work habits and inner confidence that no one can ever take away.”

What will I do? I will take one day at a time and not bother about my parenting style. I have two kids who have different psyches. I am busy trying to figure out how to channel their energies in positive direction and keep my fingers crossed that things will turn out to be ok when they grow up.

No time to network socially

2010-12-19T20:03:00.001+05:30

Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Orkut. If you are not on atleast one of these then you are not a part of the net society. If you are not sharing through Blogs, Websites, Flickr, Picassa, Facebook or YouTube then you are as closed as an oyster. Albums are now online. References for jobs are now recommendations on LinkedIn. Your daily dairy has given way to blogs and status updates. You find dates and soul mates online. Want to know more?

We can overcome physical limitations and keep in touch with friends all over the world. Also we don’t have time to catch up with friends often. So I thought it was a great idea to have an account (besides my friends were already sending me numerous invites). So I tried it out. Now I plan my events online and send invites to all with a click. Nobody turns up, but I can count the wishes pouring in. I got back in touch with my childhood buddies and keep tabs on what’s happening in their lives. I share my photos online for everyone to see. Now even the ‘not-so-often’ meetings have become rare.

I’ve added online friends like crazy. If I don’t see my Facebook page for a day, it’ll take me hours to check older posts and see if I have missed out on something. I hardly have time for orkut updates and I barely manage to check LinkedIn update email. Since I had more time, I piled on other work. This lead to further reduction in my social networking time. Now I don’t have time to tweet/ update status/ share that frequently.

When cities grew, we moved to outskirts and we had to make an effort to travel to meet someone staying within the same city. When internet grew, we had to make an effort to filter down what we want to see (No wonder search engines are the biggest technological success stories). When online social-networking grew, it is an effort on our part to maintain our online accounts. And I found out that I am not alone. Quite a few of my friends are having the same trouble.

One thing became clear to me. When we din’t have time to write letters regularly, it was time for telephone. When we din’t have time to call up our dear ones and stay connected, it was time to network online. Now we don’t have time to network online. Is someone out there coming up with a better technology?

(Those of you who wish to comment on this post, please accept my thanks beforehand. I hope you understand if I don’t reply back immediately)

Trip to Muthathi

2010-10-13T10:54:00.009+05:30

We wanted a one-day getaway from Bangalore and as usual I started searching the net for places. I came across mekadatu and sangam. Quite near as well. But almost every blog that I came across spoke about crocodiles and I dropped the idea. Finally we settled on Muthathi and Bheemeswari. We started off armed with packed lunch, hand drawn map and other necessities with kids in tow.

Route: Bangalore – 60 kms à kanakapura – 18 kms à sathanur – 18 kms à muthathi

Got to take left near sathanur. There are signboards on the way. Road was good and the drive was smooth. The last few kms stretch is ghat road (just like tirupathi).

We made a stop at the Trimurthy temple on kanakapura road. Around 20 kms from Bangalore. Huge idols of Ganesha, Hanuman and Krishna. You cant miss this one on the left side of the road. They are open till 12 noon and again 4 pm onwards. No one was around. Nice landscape with car parking. Though we wanted to sit for a while and take in the quiet surroundings, we moved on quickly since our intension was to have lunch at Muthathi.

We finally made it. We assumed that there would be water falls since we read that there was wild river rafting, fishing, trekking and other adventure sports. But we found that it was flowing cauvery with whirlpools.

The drive on the ghat road was rejuvenating. The view from top was breathtaking. Since it was a weekday there were very few people around. We drove around for a while. Went to Bheemeswari but missed the fishing camp on the way. Drove back and found it. came to know that there should be prior reservation. We made our way back to muthathi for lunch. There were signboards about wild animals on the way – monkeys, deers, elephants and leopards. We saw monkeys and deers. Thankfully no elephants and leopards.

Had our lunch in the car on the river bed. No other option since monkeys, dogs and cows wanted to share it with us.

The landscape was something out of the movies. Kids had a gala time splashing their feet in the river. I kept cautioning them not to venture out too much since the river flow was heavy.

With our mind and souls refreshed and body tired, we headed back home in the evening.

One conversation with my daughter

2010-09-02T00:35:00.001+05:30

One day, my daughter was on her way to school with her father. She saw lots of stagnant water on the roads (a typical sight in India after rains). She questions why the water was there. Her father told her that since it rained heavily the previous night all the roads were flooded.

She asks, “why doesn’t the water go into the drains beside?”

Her father: “People fill the drains with waste material and hence there is no space for water to go”

She: “Why doesn’t the CM and other ministers tell these people not to do that?”

Father: “They are busy with other things”

She: “Then there are other people who work for them. Why don’t they come?”

No reply from father. This question is on the lips of every common man. But coming from a 7 year old, looks like the fact is visible unabashedly.

Trip to Puttaparthi

2010-04-13T14:04:00.003+05:30

We drove to Puttaparthi couple of weekends back. This post is more about our preparations for the trip rather than the trip itself.

The first thing we did was to search the net for the route. We got quite a few links including google maps, tourism department site, travel operator sites and blogs. We went through few blogs and google maps for the route. But we weren’t sure whether the road would be good and where exactly we needed to take important turns. Then we came across a couple of blog sites where all the details were given along with photos of important roads and toll gates. Armed with the information we started off on our journey. Needless to say that we had a good trip. We took 3.5 hrs to reach our destination from South Bangalore.

On our way we visited a newly constructed temple in picturesque surroundings (see pic). The temple is located around 8 kms away from Parthi. It has a Lord Shiva on the first floor and Lord Rama in the ground floor. There is a huge Hanuman idol in front landscaped with lovely flower bushes. We reached Parthi at almost 9am and immediately tried for Darshan. One trouble we faced was car parking. Parking inside Prashanti Nilayam is allowed only for those who have been allotted rooms inside the complex. Since we were yet to book our accommodation, we had to search for a place to park. Once cannot park in front of the complex since it is filled with shops. Also parking inside the bus complex is not allowed. We had to go further ahead to park our car. This time we were able to visit surrounding places like Chaitanya Jyothi Museum, Gayathri mandir, etc.

My take-away from the experience is whenever one is planning a trip one of the reliable sources of information is travel blogs. Check the date of the post to ensure that it is latest. Also check multiple blogs to ensure that the information you have is complete and up-to-date. I am already looking forward to my next trip.

Trip to Ghati

2010-03-02T22:05:00.001+05:30

We spent the Valentine’s Day with our kids by driving to Ghati.
Ghati Subrahmanya is a popular pilgrim center located near Doddaballapur of Bangalore Rural. It is approximately 60 kms from Bangalore. The newly laid road is superb and one can easily reach there within an hour and a half. One can reach it either via Doddaballapur or via NH7 adjoining Devanahall airport.

Just before reaching Ghati there is a newly constructed temple of Ganesha, right after a railway crossing. It has a huge Ganesh idol (see picture beside) and small temple of Subrahmanya. A hanuman temple has been constructed recently. The compound is filled with plants and the temple is mostly empty and serene.

Ghati has a famous temple of Lord Subahmanya and Lakshmi Narasimha situated on top of a hillock. Both Lords adorn the same idol. Lord Lakshmi Narasimha is seen in the mirror behind the idol. Sarpa pooja is performed here for those who have sarpa dosha. There’s weekend rush at the temple, but manageable. Definitely not a trip to be made in summer because there aren’t many trees around the temple and it is pretty hot there. Do watch out for the monkeys in the temple which snatch away the coconuts even before offering them to the God. Also for the caged rabbits and peacock within the premises.

Apart from the temples, what I like most during the trip are the things that I bought during our return trip. Farmers sell their crops at dirt cheap prices along the way. There are lots of grape plantations hence we did not hesitate to buy a basket full of grapes at throw-away price. Tamarind, spices and some vegetables grown by farmers are also up for sale. We saw quite a few people stopping on their way to buy them.

The Man In The Glass

2010-01-27T17:48:00.003+05:30

When you get what you want in your struggle for self,

And the world makes you a king for a day,

Just go to a mirror and look at yourself,

And see what THAT man has to say.

For it isn't your father or mother or wife,

Whose judgement upon you must pass,

The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life,

Is the one staring back from the glass.

Some people may think you are a super chum,

And call you a wonderful guy,

But the man in the glass says you're only a bum,

If you cannot look him straight in the eye.

He is the fellow to please, never mind the rest,

For he is with you clear upto the end,

And you have passed your most dangerous difficult test,

If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of life,

And get pats on your back as you pass,

But your final reward will be heartaches and tears,

If you have cheated The Man In The Glass.

Poet: Peter "Dale" Wimbrow Sr

Wholeness in imperfectness

2010-01-27T17:47:00.001+05:30

We struggled in our work for the last one week and were frustrated that we couldn’t make any progress. We learnt a lot, but the end result that we were seeking eluded us. We put aside all other issues, even our personal life and worked with a single-minded goal. Then suddenly, everything began to work and things moved fast. Now we are grappling with multiple things at a time. But then we are more relaxed now and are enjoying our personal time as well. There is a sense of achievement – something that we might have otherwise missed if things went smoothly. We now know what it feels like to yearn, to hope, to nourish a dream of something better. We now know our limitations in work and are working along with them rather than being frustrated. We now appreciate our imperfectness.

I am reminded about a small story that I read long long ago.

“The Missing Piece” by Shel Silverstein is a story of a circle that was missing a piece. The circle wanted to be whole, so it went looking around for its missing piece. Because it was incomplete it could roll very slowly and so it admired the flowers along the way. It chatted with worms. It enjoyed the sunshine. It found lots of different pieces, but none of them fit. So it left them by the side of the road.

Then one day the circle found a piece that fit perfectly. It was so happy. Now it could be whole. It incorporated the piece into itself and began to roll. Now that it was a perfect circle, it could roll very fast, too fast to notice the flowers or talk to the worms. When it realized how different the world seemed when it rolled quickly, it stopped, left its found piece by the side of the road and rolled slowly again.

Our life is more fulfilling when something is missing and our purpose is to search for it. The journey itself is so enriching that the end goal no longer matters.

New Year Wishes

2010-01-01T14:48:00.001+05:30

New Year is the time to wish everyone. The method to convey wishes has changed over a period of time. People posted greeting cards earlier then sent e-cards. After landlines came, people called up near and dear to wish, then it was the age of SMS. And now, everyone is just updating the status on networking sites. (I wanted to be a little different, hence this post on my blog J)

New Year brings back memories of school days. My friends and I used to spend the whole of December making greeting cards. Those who are less creative used to spend their pocket money in buying cards. Most creative and large cards were for teachers and personalized cards were made for friends and family. Cards to relatives were posted a week ahead. There used to be a queue at post offices for stamps. Sometimes they ran out of stamps and we had to go in search of another post office. (I don’t remember when I last went to a post office in recent years).

On New Year’s Day we used to pool up money to buy a small bouquet and card for our school principal and a cake for ourselves. We then used to reach the school and celebrate. Cut the cake, eat it, exchange cards, holler in empty classrooms, and run around the largely empty school. Then we went cycling to each of our teacher’s houses, starting from the principal to wish everyone. After a late night party at home, staying awake and cycling the next day was quite a feat. We used to drop on our beds tired after a quick dinner. What a wonderful way to spend the first day of new year.

College brings its own memories of late night dance parties. Employment brings its own rules. You HAVE to wish your boss, whereas we WANTED to wish our principal at school. Technology has bridged distances and we could wish people across the globe. At the same time it has created distances since we use the same technology to stay in touch with even our neighbours.

But whatever might be mode, everyone wants to wish everyone. After all it’s the thought that counts, right?

Wish everyone a successful, productive and prosperous new year and new decade.

Preparing elder child for the arrival of sibling

2009-12-20T14:34:00.002+05:30

When we were expecting our second child our major concern was about how our 6 year old daughter would take it. She is at an age where she can understand some things if we explain. But having been the centre of our attention for so long, we were not sure how she would feel about sharing everything (including our attention) with her sibling.

Our friends gave us lots of suggestions and we were talking about the arrival of the baby so that she would be mentally prepared. We knew inside our heart that the real challenge was after the baby was born. Each child has his/ her own way of reacting to things.

Our daughter made it very clear that she wanted a baby sister. Reason: boys don’t understand her games and don’t play with her. I agreed partially with her logic, but I also told her that we don’t have a choice. God decides what’s in store for us. She refused to accept the possibility that it could be a boy. We fell in line with her temporarily. We thought we would be able to convince her later.

When she first heard the news that she now has a baby brother, she refused to visit the hospital. My first words to the doctor soon after delivery were “oh! Our daughter will be disappointed”. We somehow brought her for a visit to the hospital. As soon as she set her eyes on the tiny infant, we knew that half the battle was won. She was fascinated by the tiny creature that tried to wriggle in my arms and immediately became possessive about her brother.

Now we have new trouble on hand. Our daughter keeps insisting the she be a part of everything that is concerned with the baby. She wants to hold him and play with him, give him a bath, powder him and dress him up. I suspect she treats him just like another Barbie doll.

Well, the first hurdle is crossed. Now lets see …

Small town doctors are not small in skill

2009-12-13T17:32:00.004+05:30

My silence in blogging is attributed to the addition of another member to our family. And during this time, I experienced the importance of finding a good doctor.

Hospitals are increasingly becoming corporates (more like governments I would say where the blame is shifted to someone else when things go wrong). Living in a city we kind of looked down upon the small town doctors. Not that we dint believe in their skills but we just were not happy with the way they handled things.

It feels good to wait in a roomy reception of a large hospital. Even 3 hours of wait seems nothing since you have the vending machines, pretty receptionists smiling at you once in a while, people in white coats walking past you in a hurry. When you meet the doctor, most often the doctor indulges in small talk and explains what is wrong with you and why. At the end you feel that your long wait and large consultation fees is justified.

In contrast, small town hospitals/ clinics are not too large. The queues seem long and the wait is tiresome. The doctor definitely doesn’t believe that you are worth talking to. Your questions or your detailed explanations of what you are experiencing seemingly fall on deaf ears. But the diagnosis is made and you are given the prescription. At the end, you are not really sure whether you went to the right doctor or not.

City dwellers get pampered in the corporate hospitals. But I have come across many complaints from patients where the mistakes made by the staff were unpardonable. Everyone advised me against getting admitted in a large hospital. So we decided to give doctors in our hometown a chance. It was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.

The doctor spoke less, no doubt, but our questions were never left unanswered. The hospital was small but hygienic. The staff was courteous. The operation was done with clinical precision. It is said that the skill of the surgeon can be gauged by the minimum post operative care required. The overall experience left me in awe of the doctors there and my respect for them increased.

Small town doctors get most patients from villages in the vicinity. The patients cannot understand the medical terminology nor do they want to know what is happening. All they need is a prescription and directions of usage. The doctors are accustomed to such patients. I realized that I cannot expect them to treat me differently.

At the end of the day, all other things don’t matter. What matters is that as patients we trust the doctors with our lives. Hence it is extremely important that you find the right doctor no matter what part of geography you are in.

Swine flu - real threat or hype?

2009-08-15T16:19:00.002+05:30

For the past few weeks there is heightened discussion on Swine Flu in India. All forms of media are covering it in a feverish pitch. While it is good to educate people about an infectious disease and its means of prevention, I wonder why single out this particular disease. One look at statistics would tell us that there are far more fatalities through other diseases in India.

HIV-AIDS – more than 4 million carriers and half-million deaths
TUBERCULOSIS (TB) – two deaths occur every three minutes
HEPATITIS B Virus – more than 50 million carriers and 1% of adult deaths annually
CARDIOVASCULAR Diseases – five million deaths annually
ROAD ACCIDENTS – around 1.3 million deaths annually

Tuberculosis (TB), which is supposedly a curable disease, has the highest fatality rate in India, much ahead of AIDS, Malaria or Hepatitis B. But there hasn’t been much media coverage on such diseases. Any attempt to educate people is through government or medical channels.
One possible explanation that I can come up with is that some of them are lifestyle diseases (like AIDS, Cardiovascular diseases), while some others are controllable. Hence public does not panic even though the mortality rates are higher. New diseases, especially the ones which do not have a vaccine or a cure, get higher attention since lack of knowledge leads to more apprehension. Given the increasing role of media in taking up public causes, the focus is currently on swine flu.

Does media coverage help to create awareness or unnecessary panic in the public? Both. But the actual message does not reach those who are below poverty line or those who are illiterate or those in the rural areas with not much access to the media. People do not stop travelling or going to public places or celebrate festivals in a group which are the major methods of mass transmission of the disease. So what purpose does the coverage serve? Much has been done to create awareness on AIDS, yet the rate of transmission has not been contained till date in India. Similar thing will happen in the case of Swine flu as well despite the media coverage.

Till a vaccine or a cure has been released in the market for swine flu, it will continue to be in news and then as is the case with other issues, public memory will fade and people will move on to bother about something else.

Schooling Troubles - Part (1)

2009-07-29T12:23:00.011+05:30

I realized how much times have changed only after I became a parent. This particular revelation is regarding schools.

STEP1:

The troubles begin with shortlisting schools to apply. It isnt as easy as applying to the top three schools in the city. One has to look at various factors like:

- Name and fame of school

- Distance from home (you might end up waking up at 4am to make the kid catch the bus at 6am !!)

- Fees and other expenses (check your budget first)

- Number of kids per section (anywhere between 30 to 100)

- Color of school dress (alas!! I missed this one and landed up with a white dress everyday.
Now I have hired a maid to wash the white-turned-brown dress everyday)

- Teaching methodology (better consult other parents for feedback)
You have shell out anywhere between Rs.500 to Rs.1500 per application form in each school. I've known parents spending atleast Rs.10000 just for application forms.

STEP2:

The next hurdle is to get shortlisted for interview. Criteria:-

- Are you an alumni of the same school? (better chances and lesser capitation fees)

- Is there a sibling of the child in the same school (better chances and lesser capitation fees)

- Management quota/ recommendation of bigwigs (better chances and lesser capitation fees)

- Educational qualifications of parents (You need a PG to get the homework of KG done)

- Earning capacity of the parents (affordability of the school expenses is a must. Some schools have openly stated the annual income criteria for parents)

- Luck (a must if you want to get into topmost school)

STEP3: The Interview.

This has no commonality between schools. Each to his/her own. The child and/or parents go through this round of scrutiny. Usually entry to kindergarten requires only interview where as admission to Std I requires a written test also. There are some pre-schools which 'coach' children regarding the interviews/ exams of top schools. Good luck to all ..

STEP4: Admission (finally !!).

Brace yourself for heartburn while you sign those cheques. Minimum requirement: admission fees, tution fees, sports fees, transport fees, books and stationery, uniform and shoes, clubs/ magazines and other extras. Some schools have other payment heads also like building fund, charity fund, management fund, refundable deposit, etc..

Now that the admission is taken care of, you have to 'educate' yourself regarding the teaching methodology. Most importantly, it is a must to follow the Almanac and/or noticeboard. Some schools use latest technology. The top-end schools have flat screen TVs in the premises displaying various messages, with each classroom equipped with a projector and/or ACs. They have an online system to interact with parents.

The method and frequency of homeworks varies from school to school. Some schools have known to warn parents beforehand that they give heavy homework everyday and hence it is must for one of the parents to be unemployed in order to spend time with the child. (how will they afford the fees then?? it is a vicious circle :-( ...) Some schools hardly give any, making you wonder whether they are teaching anything. Deciphering the homework assignment message sent by the teacher sometimes requires special skill.

Extracurricular activities are equally tiresome for the parents. Sports like swimming, tennis, etc.. require special equipment/ costumes. (Why cant they have PT like we used to and play kabaddi? ). There are clubs/ houses in schools which supposedly introduce the child to many things like music, dance, art, craft, etc.. ( I think this is also intended to upgrade the awareness in parents). Then there are picnics/ outings which not only cost you money, but also lead to stress while you fret over the safety of the child.

The troubles have just started for me. Education in India is for atleast 15years. Keep watching this space for more...

Doctor's day or Daughter's day

2009-07-01T21:51:00.005+05:30

First thing that attracted me in today’s newspaper is ‘Daughter’s day’. I started wondering whether this was another marketing gimmick. There were a few small interviews and articles, unlike Mother’s day or Father’s day where pages and pages are devoted to the occasion. Then I checked the net and found a bunch of e-cards and many websites using this occasion to promote discounts on their products. There were Daughter’s day coloring pages for kids etc, etc. Then I thought probably this was some day that somehow got missed out in the melee of festivities.

I was a little disappointed to note that the government which claims to do so much about securing the future of the girl child doesn’t bother about highlighting the importance of this day. Maybe we Indians already have enough festivals to celebrate throughout the year. Anyone heard of Son’s day? Probably that will also spring up some day.

While browsing, I also came to know that today is Doctor’s Day. So we not only get to thank the Doctors who helped us in delivering our Daughters, but also thank our daughters who brightened our lives since their birth. So here is a sincere 'Thank you'.

Teething troubles once again!!

2009-06-18T10:48:00.000+05:30

Who said teething troubles are over once your child is 3 yrs old !! My daughter is 6 now and is about to lose her first milk tooth.

She woke up one morning and complained of a toothache while brushing. I dreaded the thought of taking her to a dentist. To my relief, I noticed that a new tooth was coming and one of her front teeth was slightly moving. I told her stories of tooth fairies like most of the parents do, but she dint seem to be convinced. She spent quite some time in front of the mirror checking at various angles and she definitely wasn’t happy at the prospect of going to school with a missing tooth. Then I explained that it was natural for everyone to lose their teeth and get good ones. I gave her examples of her cousins who were toothless for quite some time before they had a new set of teeth.

I thought this was a passing phase and the concern is definitely more for the first tooth. Little did I realize that my troubles are far from over.

Three days passed and the tooth held on. She reduced her intake of solid foods. She had nightmares about swallowing her tooth while sleeping. She dreamt about tooth fairy putting in loads of coins under her pillow. She woke up every morning to check the progress. She brushes gingerly lest her tooth would come away with the brush.

Then lightening struck and she demanded more chocolates. I started to give her the usual lecture about getting bad teeth, etc. She gave me a know-it-all look and said, “It doesn’t matter, Mummy. I can ruin my old teeth. They will fall off soon and I will get a new set of white teeth. Then I can stop eating chocolates”.

I was speechless. I still wait for the day her tooth is out and we can go about our usual business.

Salute to Mothers

2009-05-10T11:46:00.006+05:30

Mother’s Day is here again!! So what you may ask. As a mother, it feels good to be recognized for the mundane tasks that are part of my life. What is different about this year? The kind of focus women is getting.

Every year newspaper would be filled with interviews with celebrity moms and moms of celebrities. Of course there are those ads of special gifts vouchers and promotional offers. This year these are also present. But ordinary moms also got a special mention.

Special focus is on the moms who stood behind not-so-famous achievers like the daughter of a domestic help who topped 10^th standard board exams, or the mom and daughter duo who passed their SSLC together or the mother of a blind IAS topper. There is also open discussion on single, unwed mothers and some who are mothers of gays – topics which weren’t so openly discussed before. It is quite heartening to know that such women are coming forward to speak about their lives without hiding their identity.

Celebration of womanhood has become latest fad. But somehow it seems incomplete and on the surface without the support system of laws, regulations and government policies. It is good that at least two days a year are reserved for women – Women’s day and Mother’s day. But then other than special features in print and media what use are the celebrations?

Bills on women issues are left on the table at the parliament, archaic laws which were made years ago are yet to change, security issues of now increasing women work force are yet to be tackled, and scores of women caught in the crossfire of tradition and identity-crisis are yet to be liberalized. Life of a woman hasn’t changed much in decades. It has in fact worsened in some war torn countries.

I wish there were features about such courageous and suppressed women. Women who defied tradition and stood up for their values, women behind purdah bringing about a silent revolution, women who formed self-help groups to not only help themselves but also other underprivileged. I wish the focus is on less fortunate women who are not able to break the shackles that surround them and those who are struggling to let their voices be heard.

I congratulate the achievers. But my heart is with those who are silently fighting their own battles at home, with those whose undying spirit might not have given them freedom but paved the way for a brighter future for their children, with those who died in the crossfire various battles, with those whose voice has been suppressed.

I salute the mothers of various victims who are fighting legal battles against all odds for the injustice done to their children. And my special wishes to the would-be mothers who have the ability to shape the future of their unborn children.

Ballot Wars

2009-04-10T16:07:00.002+05:30

Just a month back, I was totally enthralled by the way political arena in India was shaping up. With campaigns like ‘Lead India’ spreading awareness, lot more young people were willing to exercise their voting rights this year. I have voted many times in the past. But thanks to the media attention this time, the political war turf is really hot.

Disclaimer: Since this is a democratic country and I am entitled to discreteness when it comes to voting, I am not going to take any names here.

I was initially trying to choose between two parties whose ideologies I approved of. I thought that by voting for a party I can ensure that I back the winning horse. Then the ever vigilant media focused on the misdeeds of the candidates fielded by either parties and questioned the rationale behind their nomination. Then I thought I rather not stick to a party, but probably I should look at the candidates in the constituency that I am entitled to vote. Having gone through the party manifestos, I was further disillusioned about the ‘welfare’ that the party in power would bring to the people in state. When I looked at the candidates, I was more confused. I was not convinced that I want any of them to be my representative in the assembly and I was not totally convinced about their integrity.

Now what do I do? Though I wanted to vote, it has become a case of choosing among the lesser evils.

Another thought crossed my mind - why should I vote at all? I no longer reside in my home state. It really doesn’t matter who represents my constituency since I am not affected personally. I do not have voting rights in the current location where I stay and hence I do not have a say in the governance that directly affects me. But my inner voice told me that it is my duty to vote, not a choice.

There are many interstate migrants like me. How can they exercise their voting rights? They have to take the trouble of going back to their home state or opt for postal ballet. Many have two voter ids – one for their home state and one for their recent address.

I wish there was a system where I can influence through my vote in the locality I stay in rather than the locality that I am registered as a voter. Probably we can have a centralized unique social security number for all citizens so that one cannot cast vote twice. I can use my SSN to vote in the place I stay and thus benefit from my decision as a citizen. Possibility or a day dream?

Well, I am back to watching ‘Ballot wars’ on television hoping to shortlist my candidate to vote for.

Downturn in Bangalore

2009-03-16T12:50:00.003+05:30

A drive around Bangalore will tell you the extent to which the slowdown has hit the city. There are ‘To-Let’ boards all over the city for both residential and commercial places. There wasn’t a single shop available in central business areas or market places. Even if available it came at a high premium. Now shop space in available for rent even in the busiest of commercial areas. Places where there used to be perennial traffic jams now have smooth flowing traffic. This could also be that the timings of quite a few software companies have been extended and hence very few people are returning home around 6.30 pm everyday.

Landlords are unwilling to rise the stipulated 5% in rentals which was the norm earlier. The reason is a sharp drop in rentals across the city. The tenants can just pack their bags and rent another similar space thus saving anywhere between Rs. 1000 to 5000 per month on rental and maintenance. There are quite a few PG accommodations empty thanks to the layoffs. The ex-employees, not having many job choices, are leaving for the city. They hope to cut down on their maintenance expenses this way and return when the tide turns in the job market.

The crowd at the multiplexes and malls is also thinning. Earlier one used to avoid driving on the road in front of a mall in the evenings and weekends for the fear of a traffic jam. The traffic police and the security personnel of the mall used to have a tough time controlling the incoming crowd. Now the traffic police must be happy that only one policeman can man the place.

I was amazed to find availability in trains in the months of April and May. This is the summer vacation time and every year Indian Railways runs extra trains as ‘Summer Specials’ to cater to the vacation crowd. Looks like people do not want to go to vacation for the fear of losing their jobs.

The worst effected are the ones who have EMIs to pay. They fear taking a day off even when they are sick. The rise in interest rates hasn’t helped them in the recent past. They cannot hope to get out as the value of property has fallen and they cannot repay the loan even if they sell the property. Quite a few people are willing to relocate and take up any role as long as it helps them get a monthly cheque to pay the EMIs. These are the very people who earlier were spoilt for choice in office location, designation and pay.

Though the whole scenario is depressing, there is a silver lining. Car pooling and using public transport is also on the rise. People are extra careful nowadays in saving power hoping to cut down on their monthly expenses. Those who used to take the car out even for a short trip to the grocery store are now walking that one kilometer. Hope this prudence continues in future so that Bangalore can be cleaner and greener place.

Conservation - whose job is it?

2009-03-12T11:11:00.003+05:30

Many activists cry out loud about citizens being aware of environmental issues and how conservation is everybody's job. In today's newspaper also I saw the mind-boggling numbers about the power wastage by households. I think the push should also be from the side of government and industry.

Many times I've noticed that the street lights are on till 10 am. Water tankers which carry water are filled to the brim and nearly one-third of it is spilled on the streets. Government vehicles and public transport emit more pollution than private run vehicles. Fans, lights and monitors of desktops are not switched off in offices.

The government can begin by using solar panels for all street lights, signals and government offices. The street lights are to be turned off at sunrise. The bill payment counters can have solar lighting as they are open only for a short time during the day. The government should also look at replacing old fixtures like fans in its offices which use more electricity.

There should be a common law applicable for all vehicles regarding pollution check. When police can stop and fine private vehicles, why can't they do the same for public buses? Autos and trucks are also ignored as police fear backlash from the drivers.

What about car pooling for public officials who head towards the same destination? This way they would also be able to pool the security forces which follow them on the way.

With the political parties taking to streets due to the upcoming elections, they should be held responsible for cleaning up all the filth they cause. Has anyone ever seen the place where a rally was held? party flags, pamphlets, etc all scattered around. The poor municipality sweepers work over night to ensure clean roads for the next day. Ditto for the grounds that the politicians use for giving speeches. The litter that is spread is immeasurable.

When the government takes up the responsibility, it sets an example for people to follow. As the saying goes, 'yadha raaja, thatha praja'. (As the king does, so do the citizens)

Happy Women's Day

2009-03-08T16:45:00.003+05:30

I saw interviews of famous women in the papers today. They are all well established in their careers. This lead me to think about the unknown faces of all those women who silently contributed to the success of others. I salute the homemakers of the world who have inspired and supported their family members to succeed and took pride in their success.

You read my article on this at:

http://www.springofthoughts.com/fullarticle.php?articleID=34

Happy Women's Day to all !!

Pavements

2009-03-06T00:14:00.001+05:30

Lack of pavements was once considered dangerous since the pedestrian had to navigate the traffic. But walking on pavements has become more dangerous of late in India. I was in for a shock one day when I was walking on the pavement and I heard someone honking his horn constantly behind me. When I looked back I was surprised to find a biker speeding towards me on the pavement!! I jumped aside to let him pass.

Pavements in India are not for pedestrians but also business place for small vendors during evenings, ultra poor people's home during night and encroachment areas for others. Add to this the two-wheelers. Pavements have become a short cut for two wheelers which look at navigating traffic jams. This has made pavements dangerous for walkers. Pavements were elevated in order to ensure that the traffic does not spill over to that area. But that has not dissuaded bikers from driving on them, taking many a pedestrians by surprise.

There are many instances of fatal accidents. Whom to blame for this? Huge traffic which has led the bikers to drive on pavements? Lax attitude of traffic police for not penalizing such bikers? Bikers themselves who are not following rules? No matter with whom the blame lies, it is the common man who suffers.

Letter writing

2009-02-28T09:33:00.003+05:30

A recent incident tugged at my heart. We received a post card from our daughter who is studying in kindergarten. Her teacher made the kids write a postcard on the occasion of valentine day to their parents expressing their love. The teacher also made them post those cards. It was a lovely surprise to receive the card.

It made me go back and dig out my old correspondence from the attic. There are scores of letters and greeting cards which I saved over the years. I also found an old address book which contained (now outdated) contact details of various people ranging from my school teachers to celebrities.

I spent innumerable Sundays writing pages and pages of letters. Somehow I could never fit in my letters on a postcard or in the blue inland envelope. The replies that I got back are equally lengthy. Nothing significant was discussed in the letters expect mundane life happenings which we simply wanted to share.

There are greeting cards for all occasions. For my birthday – every year and during the New Year. (now e-cards are a click away). What I treasure most are the cards that I received on special occasions – the one sent by my school teacher after I won one of the prestigious competitions, inspirational cards by some when I was going through tough phases, the one that my Dad gave when I joined my first job, the one sent by my sister expressing the importance of our relationship, some cards given by my husband on various occasions. Then there are cards that friends sent for no specific reason other than the fact that they remembered me.

I felt a surge of emotions as I went through each one. All those memories came back as I fondly remembered the people who touched my life over the years.

I really am sorry that letter writing is no longer there and I felt bad that my daughter would miss out on all the fun.

So what did I do? I spent the Sunday making a greeting card along with my daughter. We used up all her crayons and gum, but we managed to put together a ‘thank-you’ card for her teacher.

Friendship !

2009-02-28T08:00:00.004+05:30

It has been quite some time since I posted something. I have been catching up with old friends after a long time. Thanks to technology I am able to catch up both online and offline.

Most common question: 'Have you been in touch with others?'

Most dreaded question: 'How's your work?'

We have changed as individuals but we share common memories. It was an amazing experience to relive those moments. We used to write letters to each other. It was good fun going through some of those. With the advent of email there isn’t any more emotional attachment to the communication. Either you archive them or you delete emails. In any case the content is mostly so short that no one sees any value add in saving a mail except for the address.

Technology is helpful in bridging gaps, but it also creates new ones. I have been able to locate my school friends through various networking sites. But mass communication has made keeping in touch very impersonal. Many of the mails that I get are forwards. Even if someone has to write a personal note it is a short email.

The re-unions make you realize how much time has passed and you regret not having spent more time with your friends when you could.

Job Matching

2009-01-01T13:31:00.005+05:30

People look at compatibility while entering into matrimonial bond. But do not give it a thought while choosing one's jobs. After umpteen conversations with people who job-hop, I realized that just like the never ending search for 'perfect partner', the search for a 'perfect job' is also a never ending one. Only after they accept an offer do they realize that there is a mismatch between one's aspirations and the environment offered at work (sounds same for marriage?). It makes me question whether there is anything called as 'perfect job'.

First of all, what do people look for in a job? I am listing a few qualities in random order:
- Salary (of course, money is honey)
- Job profile (designation and role is the first thing people look for )
- Brand name of the organization (looks good on one's resume)
- Job Satisfaction (it is like nirvana. Everyone aspires for this but mostly no one ever achieves it)
- Growth (whether the career path in the organization leads one to the final goal and how fast)
- Location (foreign assignments or native place)
- Work-life balance (increasingly becoming important)
- Fun (haven't heard too many people say this, but still)
- Work environment (which includes tasty lunch, gym, etc)
- Good boss/ team (people quit jobs because of bad boss/ team, but rarely does one get to know before joining)
- Employee friendly policies (wide range of things are covered in this including sabbaticals)

Most of the things listed are material (baring one or two). There is no emotional aspect mentioned. People do not list down the 'qualities' aspired for in an organization and they rarely list down their own qualities which they think would fit in the organization. Most of us tend to think that this is the job of HR people. Most job matching happens keeping your profile and the job requirement in mind. Career profiling for high schoolers is catching up these days. But not before taking up a job. Anyone ever thought of attitude matching between potential employee and organization for every job that one applies for?

Matching qualities are important for compatibility. Hardly anyone looks at the history, conduct and image of the organization in the eyes of various stakeholders (The same details become important while choosing a life partner !). Would any person with self integrity join an organization which is known to play dangerously with rules? If you are a plain hardworking person but the organization rewards 'smart work' then you wont fit into the long term plans of the company. If the organization is filled with coterie of people and you are a loner, then be assured you won't be moving up the ladder in a hurry until you associate yourself with one of the camps. If power in the organization is concentrated in a select few, then there would be glass ceiling somewhere in the hierarchy. If you are a flamboyant/ outgoing person stuck in a desk job I am sure you will be looking out soon.

I suggest get to know the organization well before you think of joining (kind of dating..). Not only the future but also the past since it gives you an idea whether the conduct of the organization is in line with your own personality. Those who are more risk taking and have an entrepreneurial streak in them will find their own calling sometime in life. Freedom/ independence in work has its boundaries and those who aspire to move beyond can never do so in any organization unless it is their own.

But then why bother with all this if you don't intend to retire in the organization that you are joining? If it is a short 'affair' then enjoy your stint and have fun! If its marriage for life, then be very careful as the relationship might be disappointing if not heartbreaking.

Wishes

2008-12-31T15:05:00.002+05:30

AD Fight

2008-12-18T16:32:00.002+05:30

Few weeks back Horlicks came up with an ad which compares Complan and Horlicks on various parameters including price. Last week Complan retaliated with another ad saying Horlicks was cheaper since it used cheaper ingredients. This ad fight reminds me about the cola wars. They got so explicit that they went over the top to prove their superiority to the rival drink. The viewers had fun following the fight all the way.

Gone are the days when the competitor's product label was made hazy when used in an advertisement. Now it is all khule aam. Desperate measures of desperate companies or new age advertising?

My observation: most of the popular ads are the ones which appeal to the viewer emotionally. The ads per say are getting more and more creative (sometimes too creative! You cannot guess the product till they actually show it) and bolder (recent Condom ad).

Thanks to DTH, now there are lot more channels to switch to when ads are shown. Unless it is a gripping cricket match where people cannot afford to miss even one ball or kids who watch ads as they do cartoons, there are very few people who stick to one channel for a long time.

One of the latest trends is serial ad – where there are multiple ads with a story woven around the product (ponds ad). Another trend is to use latest movie either as a spoof or as a promo (samsung-gajini). Good creative stuff, I say!

With the changing technologies, the marketing channels are also changing. One can access unreleased ads on YouTube. One can use print ads on internet. One can use blogs or spam mail or website or online games to promote products. Who needs expensive TV ads? These days companies do a pre-launch and take quick surveys (Lays chips). Advertising has become more interactive and has come a long way. Yet there are miles to go in these days of changing technology before they can create everlasting ad concepts like Amul or Cadbury whose message spans generations.

Three Passions

2008-12-16T16:44:00.002+05:30

I find this poem by Bertrand Russell so apt and significant in my life:

“Three passions have governed my life:
The longings for love, the search for knowledge,
And the unbearable pity for the suffering of humankind.

Love brings ecstasy and relieves loneliness.
In the union of I have seen
In a mystic miniature the prefiguring vision
Of the heavens that saints and poets have imagined.

With equal passion I have sought knowledge.
I have wished to understand the hearts of people.
I have wished to know why the stars shine.

Love and knowledge led upwards to the heavens,
But always pity brought me back to earth;
Cries of pain reverberated in my heart
Of children in famine, of victims tortured
And of old people left helpless.
I long to alleviate the evil, but I cannot,
And I too suffer.

This has been my life; I found it worth living.”

Such a coincidence that I sought love first in my life and after having found it, I sought knowledge (refer to my earlier post on dreams). My loved ones supported me in this quest for knowledge. Love and knowledge gave me strength to reach towards stars. But suffering always brings me down, before I gather my strength and continue on my journey upwards.

School Functions

2008-12-16T11:30:00.003+05:30

We attended my daughter’s school day function last weekend. We have been preparing for it for the last one month, she has been practicing for the last 2 months and the teachers were busy planning and organizing for the last 3 months. Now that you got an idea about the enormity of the situation, you can also guess the possible troubles that all of us face.

When we admitted her in school, there was no standard disclaimer that the fees paid includes or does not include so-and-so also. I am sure most of us keep sending amounts every month either for a new book in library under the child’s name, field trip, material for activity class, additional books, donation to some charity institution, etc. Include dress for dance on cultural day, raffle tickets (??), entry fees to that list.

The teachers have the maximum trouble. They need to prepare the kindergarten kids for the function. Making them stand in a straight line for 5 minutes is difficult enough. Imagine trying to make them dance to your tunes and in step. Highly impossible, I say. Even at the end of it all, kids tend to do what they please when they are on stage, including running down the stage when they see their parents in audience, fighting over each other during the show, crying or simply staring at their feet. And then there is the work of designing costumes for all of them and preparing props to be used. The teachers definitely have the hardest job.

The kids go through some trouble themselves. Dance is highly taxing for them mostly because it is forced on them. They definitely don’t enjoy anything that is forced. There are endless practice sessions and hours of waiting in itchy costumes before they go onto stage. There are a few with stage fright and dread looking at the audience. All this is a definite depart from their daily routine which makes them cranky.

Parents just need to ensure that the child attends all practice sessions and buy all the accessories as specified. They need to keep checking their bank balances and make sure that their monthly household budget has a column for ‘additional school remittances’.

For well-known schools, the function won’t be just ‘dance-and-go’. There will be a carnival or some other competitions to create enough buzz to ensure that their school gets mentioned in the next edition of newspapers.

But in spite of all this, I am sure that you will find that all these troubles are worthwhile once you see your kid smiling on stage. I am already looking forward to the next year function.

Friend in need

2008-12-12T15:03:00.001+05:30

I got in touch with one of my friends who got laid off recently. He was sad to note that most of his ‘friends’ have disappeared from the face of the earth once they came to know about his situation (situational friends!!). I told him that this is the best time to separate the wheat from chaff among friends. It set me thinking on the subject of ‘friendship’.

Every one of us have ‘fair-weather-friends’ among our circle. Some of us are unfortunate enough to have more of such people around us. People are attracted towards your success and hover around you. It is very difficult to identify them when all things are rosy with you. At that time everyone is available to meet you and have some good time. When you are in trouble, some of them would be curious to know what happened. But beyond that they offer no solace.

Some of them might have looked at you for bailing them out of troubles. It is but natural that you assume that they will reciprocate the gesture when your time comes. But in realty those you help you in troubled times are your true well wishers (even though they don’t owe you anything).

There will be times when you look for someone who can just be your sound board. You feel the need to just talk out some issues, share your thoughts with and let the tension seep out of your system. Friends do come forward to lend their shoulder to cry on. But when it comes to giving you a hankie to blow your nose, there would be very few willing to do so. Hence it becomes prudent to watch out before spilling your troubles to someone, no matter how close he/she might be.

Quite a few people look for outsiders rather than turn to their partner. It could be that they do not want to unnecessarily burden their loved ones with their troubles. It could also be that they need someone to advise them impartially and their partner might be biased due to their love. It could also be that they might feel that their status in the eyes of the partner might reduce. There are umpteen issues with sharing with your partner. If you have an understanding partner then you are very lucky in life because you have someone available by your side to listen to you 24/7.

There are no guidelines to choose friends, are there? The subject itself is very subjective. One needs to go by gut feeling or by experience.

Probably just like marriage, friendship is also luck of the draw.

Muddenahalli

2008-12-03T09:29:00.011+05:30

My next long drive – Bangalore to Muddenahalli via Nandi Hills. The photos show that the drive was awesome considering that the chilly weather of November was with us.

It was drive of 75 kms from Bannerghatta road to Muddenahalli. Nothing new to say about the drive on the six lane NH7 towards Hyderabad. As you can see the traffic was less thanks to the rains during the previous three days.

The picturesque landscape started once we took the turn towards Nandi Hills. The clouds were competing with the trekkers to touch the peak of the hills. The place takes you away from the hustle of the city and you can spend some time with your inner self on top of the hill.

The road was fine for most parts but once you enter the village area it became difficult. There were villagers selling freshly picked grapes from the vines nearby at dirt cheap prices.
Bikers will find the drive rejuvenating. I regret not having the chance to feel the cold air on my face as I was traveling in a car.

Muddenahalli is the birth place of Sir Visweswarayya. There is a school and a museum dedicated to him. It also has Satya Sai Grama – a closed community containing educational institution for boys, post office, bank etc. The gated community is as large the village surrounding it.

Care was taken to not alter the natural surroundings while building the residential school.

This time I’ll let the photos do the talking …

The Innocent Man

2008-11-26T10:07:00.002+05:30

Recently I read 'The Innocent Man', the first nonfiction book by John Grisham. It is a tale set in a small town about a wrongly-accused man.

It is a definite departure from his usual novels. The style of writing is also different from his usual fiction based stories. What did not change was the amount of research done for the book.

I personally did not find it as gripping and as spectacular as his other legal novels. I wouldn’t have put down his other novels. But I found it difficult to finish this book. The writer took a neutral stance and narrated the story as factually as possible. The details were exhaustive to the point of being stretched sometimes.

It is interesting to note that the writer did not directly attack or criticize the establishment/ government for the injustice done. He demonstrates the fallibilities of the capital punishment system. The way the story was narrated leaves an impression in our minds that the establishment did not do its job properly. Though the main characters were exonerated at the end, the book does not make the reader ‘feel-good’.

Since it is non-fiction probably we can pardon the lack of diagnosis or analysis. It kind of reminds me about the news reports on crime, though the book is not as short a narrative.

I can only wish that the next book of Grisham is a fiction novel with his usual creative flair.

The case of Bonsai Manager

2008-11-26T10:02:00.002+05:30

‘Where nature and management intersect, intuitive leadership is born’

The Case of the Bonsai Manager, authored by R. Gopalakrishnan, is a warning to managers that their growth can be stunted like that of a Bonsai plant if they do not nourish themselves. There are various characteristics exhibited by Stunted Managers which would help in identifying such people in an organization. Managers need mental food and experiential space to grow.

The author draws upon forty years of his management career and shares the valuable lessons he has learnt. He draws a parallel between the complexities in nature and those in management. He also draws upon his experiences as a manager and shares anecdotes which support his theories.
The book reflects author’s journey of self-awareness and self-discovery. He advocates that good leaders overlay the unknown facts with their gut feel and instinct, which they consciously develop through keen listening, reflection, contemplation and mentoring.

The book is a kind of guide to those who aspire to be a leader, but it is different from the other leadership books. It does not solely give information or technical skills of management. It draws examples from real life to put forth the concepts. It complements the formal management learning which is logical and analytical.

The book introduces the concept of a Stunted Managers who exist in large numbers in every organization but the characteristics of whom we missed noticing till now. The growth can be stunted temporarily or permanently. Managers tend to be too focused on the tasks at hand and develop inattention blindness. The author lists out the symptoms and also the remedies to come out of that state. The book stresses the importance of mentoring in bringing up managers in an organization and urges companies to institutionalize mentoring.

Nature has always fascinated mankind and almost everybody is strongly influenced by watching nature at work. The author shares with us the beautiful and mysterious things he has observed in nature, sometimes so much in detail that you lose track of the connection with the underlying management issue. But the book does prove that man can learn from animals sometimes.

The book cleverly switches from the behavioral theories of animal kingdom to those of human. It shows an intersection of nature with management. It shows that there lessons to be learnt from everywhere. The book makes the reader reflect upon the anecdotes and draw a few memorable lessons.

The book is an interesting read and provokes thoughts. It opens a new window in management thought. The book is a must read for aspiring entrepreneurs and managers and also those who dream of becoming future leaders.

SALE! SALE!

2008-11-18T18:13:00.000+05:30

Christmas season is the season of discounts. But this year it started as early as September. The newspapers are filled with ‘up to 50% off’ ads. So what’s new – you may ask.

What’s new are the discount sales of real estate developers. Earlier I’ve seen press ads, pamphlets, occasional TV ads and kiosks. These days I keep getting calls on my phone from developers about their upcoming projects. There are poster ads about their promotional offers on walls everywhere. There are SMSes and radio jingles as well. There are ads painted on buses and trains. Recently, when one of my friends was looking for a place to rent, she found lot more ads for sale.

Offers of reduction in rate have become a passé. Free furniture, in some cases a piece of land or another smaller apartment, is thrown in as freebie offer.

For projects which have already started, the realty developers are strapped for cash to proceed further. They need anchor clients to go ahead. They have been able to defer the starting date of their upcoming projects. There are quite a few developers with vacancies in completed projects which they are trying to sell in the market. With Banks becoming wary of accepting the real estate property as collateral, their assets have suddenly become worthless.

As with other industries, discount sales are usually to induce sales in slack season or to push the older stock. Do they always work? They used to. In the current scenario, no one is willing to hazard a guess. Come festive season, every retailer has fingers crossed hoping that those who are window shopping would step inside.

For those who are looking for a second home, this is the best time to buy. For those who are yet to book their first apartment, I suggest you stay put. Interest rates are expected to come down and so are the prices of real estate.

As for discounts for other things, consumer confidence is at an all time low with the increasing job cuts. Everyone is in ‘wait and watch’ mode. So am I.

Poem by Abdul Kalam

2008-11-12T10:24:00.001+05:30

Loyalty- the new forbidden word

2008-11-11T13:51:00.001+05:30

If there’s anything that is fast disappearing from the face of the earth apart from the money invested in stock markets, it is loyalty in relationships. There was a time when ‘one job, one wife, one car’ was the mantra. Companies valued loyalty in employees and vice versa. Loyalty was synonymous with marriage once.

Today loyalty is seen nowhere and so is politeness in the method of exit. People are being laid off unceremoniously there is no time for procedural politeness. People are being dumped from relationships impersonally (welcome to the world of SMS!). Employees change jobs at a drop of a hat. Loyalty is long lost is certain fields such as politics.

Once upon a time, people planned their careers and post career retirement in the same firm. Now instances where employees have moved on within a month are common. Companies have also become short sighted when it comes to retaining employees. Cost cutting for showing better quarter results has become more important than losing good people from the organization’s point of view. Life has become fast paced and so everyone wants results faster. The fact that promotions based on seniority have lost sheen shows that no one is ready to spend 25 years in one organization to become a part of the management. Also there are instances where those who are with an organization too long are looked down upon in the social circles as it would seem to others that they don’t have enough talent to go to a better place/ position.

If short term goals are the reason for lack of loyalty in jobs then what about relationships? Hectic lifestyle is making sure that not much time is given to cultivate a long term relationship and also people don’t have the patience to wait and the give another chance to partner. Communication between partners has become impersonal with the advent of technology. Social acceptance of the issue has also made sure that there isn’t any stigma attached with moving-on in relationships.

There is a positive side to the issue – people wanting an exit due to genuine reasons can do so easily without much heartburn.

Does this mean that ‘loyalty’ is no longer there anywhere? It is still alive in the minds of consumers. You are loyal to the doctor who has treated you well. You are loyal to the service providers who have shown that you are among their most valuable customers. You are loyal to the insurance company/ bank and such institutions who value your long term association. You are loyal to those brands which have exceeded your expectations as products. But increasingly even these are changing. You are willing to change everything you are loyal to in pursuit of better service, more value-for-money and better product.

Society evolves over a period of time. True. We have to come to terms with the idea of being disloyal. But whether it is for the good of all is a debatable issue.

Television

2008-09-07T00:03:00.003+05:30

It is holiday time again and time for the family to fight over the TV remote (or so we thought!). Surprisingly all we did was browse channels and switch off the TV in 10 minutes. Old wine in older bottle. Never ending serials, reruns of films, interviews of actors for 100th time, repeated songs which have a festive touch, boring realty shows, etc. Is creativity of Indian television dead?

When Doordarshan was the only channel available and there was no 24/7 concept, there were quality programs. On festival days we had programs telling us the importance of the festivals and films were shown once-in-a-week. Realty TV was unheard of and celebrities were not falling over each other to be interviewed. There was exclusivity of each program and everyone looked forward to the program time.

With almost once channel being launched each month and one DTH operator entering the fray within 6 months, people are spoilt for choice and hence the problem. TRPs would fall and why not. Too many programs vying for the same eyeballs (so is the case with political parties in AP – too many parties for the same voter base).

‘Entertainment’ has a new definition on TV and most of the programs, I think, we can do without. But to my amazement, people are enjoying them. Looking at the number of people opting for the basic packages on DTH, looks like the days of educative channels like National Geography and Discovery are over.

I find solace in kids’ channels. There is novelty. If not anything else, one can always enjoy reruns of age old favorites like Tom & Jerry.

Amusement Park

2008-09-07T00:03:00.002+05:30

Last weekend we were in search of some place where our daughter can have fun and spend a day. We heard about Innovative Film city which opened recently in the outskirts of Bangalore. It is on the NH to Mysore, 8 kms from Wonderla, beside Bidadi Industrial area. We drove there hoping to come back in couple of hours as people told us that it was not complete yet.
We were in for a surprise when we saw the sprawling entrance (see pic). They tried to make it like another Disney land with someone to greet you at the gate and guide you. If I tell you all about the place, then it’s no fun. One thing is for sure, it is place where you can empty your pockets and spend the whole day. Damn expensive as compared to some other entertainment/ amusement parks.
I was kind of wondering about its future. They hoped to attract people in the city who lack places to chill out during weekend. But what happens if people start to pour in? They will find it difficult to maintain the place. They won’t be able to give personal attention to visitors as they are doing now. Probably they won’t care then.
Why do we need such ‘amusement places’ at all? Do we lack amusement at other places? When I was a kid we used to play on streets or wherever we could. Then there were colony parks where the kids used to assemble. These days kids hardly have time for physical exercise/ play. TV, video games are the norm. If parents have time then kids catch up with some books and stories.
There are no longer simple games like catch-catch.
If it’s a weekend, the family heads to a mall or shopping centre or party.. some social gathering. Father playing catch with son has become an annual affair during the vacation time.
I am not generalizing, but this is the trend that I see at most places in the cities. Villages don’t have malls and kids surely can play on the streets.
Everyone in the family is so caught up with their hectic schedules that they think that going out during weekends is the only way to ‘spend’ with family. No wonder retailing of all sorts has caught on like wild fire in India.

When will we have simple pleasures such as:
- watching your child getting dirty in the sand
- watching your child splash colors around while painting
- playing ball with your children
- getting wet in the rain
- having a family barbeque

We don’t need any hobby club to organize a fest to make such things happen. We just need to switch off our TV and computer and step out into the garden with kids.

Another ancient cave temple

2008-08-24T21:16:00.004+05:30

After visiting the cave temple on bannerghatta road, I was on the look out for another serene temple. I have been hearing about the Gavi Gangadhareswara temple near basavanagudi, for quite some time now. This sunday we decided to visit it.

It is one of the ancient cave temples in India and currently a preserved heritage site. King Kempegowda, the founder of Bangalore, built the cave temple carved out of a monolith stone. It is said that sages Gautama and Bharadwaja performed penace here. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. There is a small stream of water flowing in the cave at all times.

Gavi = cave, ganga = the stream of water is believed to be ganga. Hence the name Gavi Gangadhareswara.

There are idols of several other dieties inside the cave. Some of them are rare forms of goddesses like Agni and Brahmi.

There seem to be several passages in the cave. It is said that one of them leads to kashi and another one to Shivaganga.

Another specialty about the temple is the phenomenon that occurs on Makar Sankranthi day every year. A ray of sun passes into the south facing cave and passes between the horns of nandi and then disappears after touching the Shiva linga. Local people throng the temple premises that day hoping to catch a glimpse of the rare occurance.

A fantastic and memorable visit !!

Till my next temple visit... keep watching this space for more....

Care a little

2008-08-22T11:53:00.003+05:30

“We make them cry those who care for us
We cry for those who never care for us
And we care for those who will never cry for us”

And at the end we are alone…
Someone put down the complexity of human relationships in simple words. But then they had the time to observe the complexity. In today’s world where everyone is running along with the clock, we can say

We don’t have time to care for those who cry for us
We don’t have time to cry for those whom we care about

But if we are at least aware that once in a while we need to stop and let the clock run ahead while we catch up with some precious moments then I think we would have made up for all the lost time.

A Cave Temple

2008-08-16T17:20:00.005+05:30

Weekend brings the thoughts of travel. But with security being an issue these days, we were looking for some place which is with in the city limits yet away from crowds. We came to know of a cave temple in Hulimavu which fitted the bill. This temple is on the way to Meenakshi temple on Bannerghatta road. So we drove down on a Saturday evening having collected enough information about the way from various sources. The road is not a well laid one and you get the feeling that you are driving towards a village.

The Ramalingeswara cave temple is 2000 years old. It is said that sages used to perform penance inside the cave. The main deities are Lord Shiva and Rama, Sita and Lakshmana. There is also an idol of Lord Krishna. The entrance as you can see on the side leads to a cave. Anyone whose height is more that 5 ft 3" needs to bend as long as they are inside. Even at the entrance there are stone slabs which may hit your head if you are not careful. Every first Sunday of the month, satyanarayana puja is performed here.

On top of the cave there is a footprint which is supposed to be that of Hanuman. I do not know the story behind it, but I will find out some day. The locals say that the cave was a part of a hill which now disappeared thanks to ‘urbanisation’. Also the land which belonged to the temple is now used by a school.

When we were inside the priest was performing the last puja of the day. The power went off and the cave was lit only by the diyas near the deities and the harathi. It gave an eerie look to the whole temple.

A transquil and well kept place. A memorable trip.

Terror in Life

2008-07-26T22:10:00.001+05:30

This is on the occasion of serial bomb blasts in Bangalore (25/07/2008) and Ahmedabad (26/07/2008).
The events show the vulnerability of common man’s life. As such life is difficult due to rising inflation, increasing power cuts and scarcity of basic resources like water. Now even walking on streets has become difficult.
It makes me wonder about the sadistic pleasure some people get out of terrorizing others.
Cant really blame the governments or the officials or intelligence bureaus. With a huge population, how many policemen are required to check and ensure law and order? One look at the crowded bus stations or railway stations will tell you the futility of any such attempt. That is why terrorists have easy access to any corner of the country.

Then there are others who look to make a quick buck. There are some who vandalize shops in the area after blasts or riots. There are some who try to have fun by spreading rumors. I would say they are no less guilty than the terrorists.
On the other hand, there are others who help children reach home safely in the middle of chaos. There are those who ensure that the injured are taken to hospital.

Probably the only way we can ensure our own safety is to become model citizens ourselves. Each of us should ensure that our actions do not hurt others physically or otherwise. We should obey by the law at all times. We should ensure that any deviation is reported. Terrorists are not born suddenly. They are among us/ within us.

Is that enough, you may ask. No it is not. But at least, we are helping the law and order system in the country by not adding further complications in the midst of chaos.

As for the cause of chaos itself, as long as there are inequalities there will be outbursts of every kind whether right or wrong. Some other time on this.

As of now let me pray for the safe recovery of all those injured.

Mysore trip

2008-07-14T15:39:00.005+05:30

I am back with another travel story. This time it is Mysore and Srirangapatnam. This is not my first visit, but it is my first blog about it.

The drive to Mysore from Bangalore was fabulous. Ever since the new highway was made the traffic is flowing smoothly. I remember my first drive to mysore – we saw umpteen number of accidents on the way and it took us more than 6 hrs to reach. This time it took us around 2 hrs that too because we were driving by ourselves leisurely.
We went straight up the Chamundi hills. You do not realize the altitude till you take a peek down the hills. The drive is lovely with greenery surrounding you. Nothing has changed in the temple premises since 1993 when I first visited Mysore. The surroundings have been preserved amazingly. Ditto for the palace which looked very familiar and as beautiful as I remember when I visited it last in 2001.

Once a sleepy town, Mysore is slowly wearing the colors of a vibrant city thanks to a number of IT firms which made it their home. It is still a tourist hot spot which is evident from the fact that you find several people offering to be your guide at every junction.

What has changed is KRS dam which is now dry most of the year. The musical fountain in brindavan gardens was a wonder back in 1993 and people flocked to take pictures of the gardens where many a famous movies were shot. Now not many venture that side as the gardens are devoid of all those lovely flowers. And now musical fountains are everywhere and no longer a wonder.

Srirangapatnam has not grown much despite the tourist traffic. But one can make out the newly placed sign boards for tourists marking important places.

There were quite a few places I wished we had time to stop. All in all a lovely way to spend a Sunday.

Schooling

2008-06-10T20:55:00.001+05:30

We had a gruelling day at our daughter’s school to get her uniforms and books issued. It was a weekday. Yet we drove all the way to discover that every parent landed up on the same day. We spent hours waiting in the queue to pay the fees and buy the necessary things. Just when we thought that it was time to crash at home, I had to go back to office.
When returned in the evening, I discovered my daughter joyfully trying on the new uniform and checking her new books. Her smile made my exhaustion disappear. It made me recollect my schools days.
It was joy to start a new year at school after the summer vacation. New books needed to be covered with brown paper, labels with name neatly written. It was an annual event at home with parents. Labels selection at the shop itself was as long as selecting a gift.
It was a shining new me at the school. The handwriting was neat for the few days. New books, you see! All the things that you collected during your vacation had to be included into your school bag for the first day at school. There used to be many vacation stories to tell friends.
Old benches, but new benchmates. Old school, but new teachers.
I recollected those days with a sigh. I sure am happy that some things dint change for my daughter.

Memories

2008-03-02T13:11:00.001+05:30

These days I am wandering around the campus like a lost puppy. There are memories to be collected at every corner. Some of them will fade away as time goes by, some of them will be back to haunt. There are so many things that I took for granted whose importance I started to realize now that I have to leave them.( this is applicable to relationships as well !!)
As long as you are inside you long to get out of this place. You crib, you are mad at the system, every little slip irritates you, yet you miss all this because life is more chaotic outside. Then you realize that this is the best place to be in.
I thought I wouldn't get into this phase after my graduation (its been 11 years !!). Destiny had other plans for me. I am going to miss this campus more than I missed my earlier one. For me it is as if life has started the circle once again.
I think I will keep coming back to this place - whenever I need to get away from the chaos outside, to relive these moments, just for a while, to re-energize myself and to return to practicality outside.

In my heart there is a ‘home’
That will not go away
Where woods are a place to roam
And classes bring a new day

I know that it will not be forgotten
And all that will stay there
That someday I shall return to
Bring memories back with care

silence

2008-02-26T17:05:00.003+05:30

First of all, I apologize for not blogging for so long. But my silence is not due to lack of thoughts. Oh I have many things to share. Sometimes things kind of get to you and you need a little space to yourself. Combine that with technology that refuses to be controlled by you (just couldnt access this site at all for many days!!), you have a silent period in my blog page.

This is Mumbai

2007-10-31T09:49:00.000+05:30

Ya.. now you know where I went.. You can also guess what I am going to say by looking at the picture.

Anyone who travelled by the urban-rural Red bus will understand what I am talking about. Traffic Jam at Airport is what Mumbai is all about.

One ATR is parked between two Boeings.

Airplanes are waiting in queue for take off. They are wing-to-wing or tail-to-tail. As soon as one airplane takes off another one lands rright behind it on the runway. No problem in this case. As soon as one airplance touches ground, another one is running behind it for take off. That is worrisome. The runway is as bad as traffic jam at road signals at Bangalore. (ya, I am exaggerating as of now. Wait for few more months for reality).

From the continuous announcements in the airport you can never make out details of your plane. No wonder the staff goes around shouting "Jet Airways to Bangalore !!" "Spicejet to Delhi !!" (like they shout "chai chai"). The only reason people put up with all this is that they save on the travel time as compared to railways. If the waiting period extends any longer, railways will be faster and cheaper. To top it they are all 'no-frills' airlines these days. So if u are lucky u can buy water while u are waiting inside the plane. If you are luckier (i mean waiting for more than an hour) they sell chips. In this aspects trains are better - you are are never starved. Those who consider those vendors as pests, please make note.

Infrastructure in India !! I am lost for words !!

Learning

2007-10-31T09:48:00.000+05:30

Learning - very profound word.
When I joined IIM I was sure that I'll learn few things that would hold me in good stead in life. I found that I was reading beyond my comprehending capabilities and at one point of time I gave up all effort to even understand what I was reading.
Whatever I learnt (or I think I learnt) is through experiences in the campus, rather than through reading. I am surprised at my own capabilities of going through the academic rigor rather mechanically. I thought that the academic process was a participatory one. There are quite a few myths that were broken (especially about my own capabilities). Life has the habit of teaching you lessons when you least expect them.
I am not going to make a list of things that I learnt here and bore you. But yes surely I would share an important thing that I learnt here:
There are opportunities to learn everywhere if only you can keep your mind open and embrace life fully as it comes. And who knows where and how you will use these invaluable lessons.

PS: Another lesson learnt: don't wait for ideas to write long blogs. That way you lose out on short and useful ones.

Shirdi - thriving economy

2007-10-03T15:41:00.000+05:30

Temples are the SEZs in India. They boost the economy in the place they are located. Apart from tirupathi the richest temple another example is Shirdi.

There was a small place called Shirdi with a small Sai Baba temple in the middle, few shops around it and scattered houses. Very few devotees wanted to visit the temple to which there wasnt even a proper road. The nearest railway station is Nagarsol, 40 kms away.

The first time I visited Shirdi, there was a kuchha road from the station to shirdi and there were jeeps for hire. There were small eateries around the temple. Photography was permitted inside - even near the shrine. Very peaceful and empty complex. Few choultries were available for accomodation which charged from 50 to 100 Rs per day.

Next time I visited, few hotels came up. Charged upto 300/- per day. Variety of eateries - north indian and south indian. Queue complex was constructed inside the temple premises.

The latest trip was an eye opener. Four lane high way and a pukka road all the way to shirdi. Apartment complexes, reebok showrooms, five-star hotels all over the place. Queue complex filled to the brim. Restaurants all over - u'll even get a pizza and burger there. Shops upto four streets from the temple. A railway station to come up soon. Trains from all major cities in India to the place. A/c coaches from station to shirdi. Internet cafes. A room in a 'decent' hotel during costs 1500 rs per day. There are engineering and medical colleges in the vicinity. Shirdi trust's corpus exceeds 500 Crores.

All these changes in barely 8 years. Talk about economic growth - India Shines.

The best phrase to capture all this is "Shirdi Economic Zone" coined by Dilip Raote in his article in business world.

Om Sai Ram

Indian Traditions

2007-09-20T19:38:00.000+05:30

India was eco-friendly in its festivals and rituals earlier. One of the outcomes of modernization is that such environmental friendly practices vanished.

People ate in banana leaves which decomposed after they were disposed. People drank in earthen ware which was disposed off just by throwing (I remember the tasty tea served by vendors in railway stations in kullads in 1980s. Absolutely unbeatable!!). Water was stored in either earthen pots or copper vessels both of which make drinking water safe and healthy to drink. People carried around cloth bags not leather not plastic. People wore jute or cotton clothes. No smoke spilling textile industries. And many more examples. Can u imagine the amount of plastic and other non-biodegradable wastes we generate these days?
Life was simple even with transport. No polluting, noisy vehicles.

The hindu festivals were seasonal and the delicacies represented the crop of the season. I can definitely speak for festivals in south India. Pongal is made during Sankranthi because rice was harvested during that time. Cow dung is mixed with water and sprinkled in front of the houses to keep ants and other insects away from the harvested grains stored in the houses.

Neem leaves are used for decoration and neem flowers in preparations for Ugadi. It is a time for chicken pox and neem is said to keep it way. The other ingredients used are the crops of the season like tamarind, raw mango, jaggery, etc.

Diwali comes just before the start of winter. Mosquitoes and other insects breed in stagnant rain water and are ready for a bite!! The crackers made earlier were made using the chemicals wrapped in paper. All that’s left was ashes. The light and smoke used to be substitute for all-outs. Just imagine the mess in front of the houses the day after diwali these days. And many other examples.

Sometimes I wonder what have we done in the name of modernization. We lost out on environment, we lost out on human touch (where are the community get-togethers these days?). Having come all the way, we are now searching for ways to save our environment from our harmful practices. Does progression of human race lead to regression of nature?

India

2007-08-14T08:14:00.000+05:30

Happy 60th independence day!! Tomorrow is the day we got rid of foreign rulers and became independent. We ruled our own country (??), called it democracy. We tried to become self sufficient through starting industries to manufacture goods for us though we followed our ex-rulers in legal, educational, irrigation, etc.. in so many others ways.
But is India truly independent today, especially after globalization?
Our stock markets respond to those in NY. We dread at the thought of FIIs leaving our stock market (Quit India , indeed!!) Our services industry depends on other countries for clients. Not many of the industries which were started right after independence are still truly Indian. They are importing materials, they have been acquired by foreign companies, most company boards have a non-Indian director. No part of our life is left untouched by the very 'foreigners' our ancestors struggled to get rid of. They burnt foreign goods, while we embrace imports.
And we are proud of our situation now. We are called 'emerging economy'. We are now looking at conquering the foreign shores. Indians are settling abroad, Indian food, clothes,.. are popular abroad, Indian companies are setting up shop abroad and acquiring foreign companies , getting listed on other stock exchanges, etc. The world looks at us while we grow. We have indeed come a long way from 1947 !

Jhanda uncha rahe hamara...

Travels

2007-08-10T10:35:00.000+05:30

I'm back from a trip to tirupathi and no prizes for guessing what this post is about.. but no i'm not going to write about my journey..
The photo is in memory of the helpful bus driver who pointed out picturesque scenery and slowed down the bus so that i can take pictures of the hills. Yet the hairpin bends never fail to push my heartbeat up. Sitting right beside the driver made it all the more worse.

The place is mystic and the journey arduous.. you go all the way up; wait for hours just to get a glimpse of the Lord; brave the crowd and get squeezed;...all aches are forgotten after darshan and you are already planning your next visit.. I don't know what draws me again and again to that place. When I am juggling with my daughter in the crowd and in the queue I vow not to come to this place any time soon and there I go within 6 months.
There is also another thing that people tell me about the darshan. People make a mental note of things that are bothering them and hope to put in an appeal to the Lord. By the time they set their eyes on Lord Balaji everything is forgotten. (standing in queue for hours also helps, I guess).
I've visited the place for umpteen times. Few changes came to my notice.
1. There are many windmills on the surrounding hills and I've heard that lately they have become a major source of power at Tirupati.
2. There are separate dispensing places for organic and inorganic wastes.
3. The place is litter free, no smoking zone and non-alcoholic zone. Many streets are declared 'no footwear' zones as well.
4. There are lot more public toilets and much better maintained than last time.
5. There are rules against any political activity on the sacred hills which are now decalred to be Hindu worship zone.
6. No darshan if u are wearing shorts and poojas only in traditional clothes.

Needless to say that I'm impressed. This is one place whose management never ceases to amaze me. There are lakhs of people visiting the place everyday through out the year. Never has one been turned down free prasadam, free meals, a roof to sleep under, a place to bathe, etc. Now add on free medical and emergency services to that list. If there are any boulders/ accidents on the hill path they are cleared in matter of couple of hours.
Technology is used wherever it can be, though there is scope for improvement. Solar and wind energy is also used. Of course being the richest temple also helps. Most of the hills are protected animal areas.
If all the environment friendly practices are implemented here it'll be a model governing place for all. Probably 'governing' is a wrong word. Will all due respects to Keynes and his theories, not having a government to meddle in your affairs helps sometimes.
Namo venkatesa! Namo tirumalesa!

Rainy evening

2007-08-07T18:38:00.000+05:30

AAhhh rainy season and campus.. deadly combination...
Reminds me of whole lot of poets and poetry..
With all due respects to Robert Frost and his 'Stopping by the woods on a snowy evening' ..
(one of the best poems I've read..)

Here goes the poem.. 'Stopping by the woods on a rainy evening' :
(This is in the background of IIM campus)

Whose woods these are I know.
He has not watched these trees grow;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his trees below the rainbow.

My little daughter must think it queer
To stop without any reason near
Between the woods and wet buildings
One of the darkest evening of the year.

She gives my hand she's holding a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and hiss of a snake .

The campus is lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And lots to study before I sleep,
And lots to learn before I sleep.

---------------------------------

Just a few clarifications...
1. The 'HE' in the initial four sentences refer to N.S. Ramaswamy the founder-Director of IIMB.. the one who planted the first trees on campus...
2. There are snakes and there are snakes on campus. Every ten feet on will find a snake's residence..
3. 'lots to learn' is a pun used for poetry.. i'm not sure how much i'm actually learning.. studying .. yes lots..

Gen XYZ

2007-08-05T00:35:00.001+05:30

I have been dumbstruck with the way relationships are defined (or being undefined) these days. Friendship, love, companionship, etc nothing seems to be for life. The 'fast food' generation is into 'fast relationships' as well. Everything is happening at a crazy pace.

There was a time when people used to marry young. Now people start earning young. Have independence earlier. Choose partners earlier and separate earlier. And separate they will on the flimsiest cause (oh yeah! I find them flimsy). No one has any patience to give the partner a patient listening. Even friends move apart. All the relationships that used to be for life are now no longer so. Changing times ??? Changing partners has become as easy as changing vehicles/ jobs. Change – change everywhere.

No wonder it is leading to so much stress among all.

Recollect the yellow smiley stress balls. You squeeze it when you are stressed. It gains back its shape, you stress is released. That ball is like your home base where you have solid relationships to fall back on which give you emotional support by squeezing out the stress in you. If that relationship is not rock solid, it’ll break (so will the ball). These days lot many stress balls are breaking. People talk about increasing stress in professionals ..blah..blah.. I say the stress was always there. Just that it no longer has an outlet.

Yoga, gym, vacation etc are all temporary measures to decrease it. It is like taking a brufen for pain without understanding the cause. For those who have a stable circle of well-wishers there is no stress coz for them there always will be a person who will hear their troubles out. Such people are getting rarer.

On this eve of friendship day, I would suggest just one thing. Tie the bonds of friendship tighter. Do not let things like career, attitude, ego, status, money etc come in between. You’ll realize that they are unimportant as compared to the relationship you share with the person. Happy Friendship day!

'Mother'ing

2007-07-29T00:16:00.000+05:30

Every parent knows how difficult it is with a four year old. But their troubles are nothing compared to mine. Parents work while the kiddo goes to the school/ day care. We are studying parents.
Morning is a running race which beats Olympics in excitement. Get everything and everyone ready. No one finds anything ranging from hankie to important files. Maid turns up precisely at the wrong moment and you wish you were transported to outer space right that instant.
In the evening, struggle with manager to leave at usual time, struggle in the traffic to find that elusive space for your vehicle, struggle with your household chores while trying to handle your kid who goes ‘waaah’ at every second minute (god knows why they don’t cry at school !!).
Ahaa.. I can see familiar looks on the faces of those who are reading this. Now what different do I have to say? I am a “studying” mother not a working one. Don’t raise eyebrows, I’m not done yet. It is not an ordinary college where u just attend classes and forget what you’ve heard there and be back home on time.
Imagine a campus like IIM where its study-study 24/7. Aah! Now I have your attention. I’ve got to do my homework as well as get my kiddos homework done. Read for my exams as well as follow the LKG test schedule. I end up getting many comments in the school dairy so much so that it actually is a daily conversation between the teacher and me.
Kids these are intelligent. My kid follows my timetable more than hers. She goes cranky the day before I’ve an important submission or test. It has become so much of a routine that when she goes ‘waaah’ I start thinking ‘what’s there for me tomorrow?’
I wonder why the kids forget that they have daddy’s shoulder as well to cry on. Dad’s there just for play or to get those things that are forbidden by mom done. Dad is daughter’s best friend. Ya, ya, but what about mom?

Travels

2007-07-17T14:42:00.001+05:30

This time our weekend getaway was to Kanipakam and Ardha giri. We had to go to Chittoor first and then to Kanipakam.
Kanipakam, which is 12 kms from Chittoor, is famous for its Ganesha temple. The idol is in water and it comes up a little bit every year. When it was first sighted only the eyes of Ganesha were to be seen. Many have tried to bring out the idol forcefully, but failed. Now a temple has been built aroung the well in which the idol is there. Right now the idol is seen till its belly. Small place, serene temple.
Ardha giri or Ara konda as it is locally known is another 12 kms from kanipakam. It is said that the hill is a piece of Sanjeevini mountain which was carried by Hanuman. There's an hanuman temple in the middle of the hill. Some 200 steps will take you to small temples of Ganesha, Lord shiva and Parvathi. Another 170 steps will take you to Shanmukha's temple on the top of the hill. The 'koneru' or the spring of water which u can see in the photo is said to be having medicinal values. The water is ever fresh and ready to drink. It is said that consuming the water for 41 or 91 days would cure many a diseases.
The hill and its surroundings are nice trekking spots.

Our Earth

2007-07-12T09:34:00.000+05:30

Isnt that a fashionable title for people like us? But it is very important for environmentalists all over the world. It made many people give up lucrative salaries to join hands for a cause. It made many scientists face the wrath of politicians. It made many people more aware of the importance of nature in human life.
Why have I posted this? I saw a video taped lecture of Al-gore, a documentary made to make more people aware of the lurking danger. Though I knew about global warming to the extent that rest of you know, the film is a real eye opener. It told me that in my own way I can conserve the resources on this planet. I've enjoyed the fruits of our ancestors on this planet. I would like to pass them on to the future generation. Are we creating or destroying the valuable resources? stop for a moment and think.
I want my children to breathe the freshest air possible, to drink the cleanest and clearest water, to play in the lap of nature, .... So what can I do about ensuring that the environment is safe and pure for them?

I've made a list of things that we all can do in our daily life to contribute to this noble cause. They are not difficult to do. Here goes the list:

1. Shutdown or keep your systems in a power saving mode when you go for lunch or meeting or when you are away from your workstation for more than a few minutes.

2. Use power saving CFLs instead of bulbs at home. Switch off electical appliances when not needed.

3. Walk or cycle for travelling small distance like your neighborhood stores instead of using petrol or diesel vehicles.

4. Plant trees wherever and whenever you can.

5. Do not take unnecessary printouts and waste paper. If you have the power/authority, use technology for processing rather than paper.

6. Try and use alternate resources of power like solar energy. There is no dearth of household appliances which use solar power.

7. Get leaky taps repaired. Do not waste water.

8. Keep your vehicles in condition and comply with the pollution norms.

9. Try and use public transport or car pooling whenever possible and do your bit to reduce congestion on roads.

10. Refuse to use plastic covers.

Ten simple things that we all can adopt and make conservation a way of life.
I have started doing my bit. Have you?

Travels

2007-07-11T11:36:00.000+05:30

May, 2007: We went on a drive to pearl valley known as 'Muthyalamaduvu' to the locals. Water droplets supposedly fall like pearls... hence the name. Approx 50 kms from bangalore.. lovely road.. bangalore to hosur highway. Takes an hour.

Alas .. wrong timing..went in summer. Not much water. But could trek upto the waterfall. Small temples there ... would have been lovely with water.. notice the small trickle of water in the photo? (ya.. go on.. strain your eyes)... It is a nice picnic spot.. can trek and laze around for the whole day and come back in the evening. Hills all around.. absolute peace..

There's a KSTDC restaurant as well up there for lunch. So are local hawkers. A weekend getaway from the buzz of the city.

Poetry

2007-07-11T11:10:00.000+05:30

The Person I Long To Be©
By Victoria A. Mogyorosi

The day light breaks again
Another day has begun.
But still no sleep has come.

My body is weary My mind overworked.
I lie awake thinking.. But what I am unsure.
I need to break free from the cycle I endure.

Everyday is the same and the nights are undistinguished
I feel as though I am being pushed along with the tide
Unable to break free from the everyday flow.

This is not me I need to change, before
time takes over And I am unable to change.

I need to be freed from the grasp of ordinary
And become that person I have always longed for.

Express myself in every way,
and conquer the dreams as I lie awake.

Then I may fall asleep and put my mind to rest.
Make changes in my life and help those in need.

I would like to touch everyone's life in a positive way
And leave my mark on society before I fade away.

Campus

2007-07-11T10:56:00.000+05:30

College days? Fun starts during graduation and peaks in PG.. my experience.. especially since I am doing post-graduation 9 years after graduation.
Coming back to college was an awesome experience. Most fun-filled time in my life.
Friends all around, time to chat, time to ponder, learning experience, competition, cooperation, ups and downs, sharing and caring, ... the list is endless and similar for all of us.
The best part of IIM is its campus which nurtures all these feelings. It is a home away from home for the students. We make friends who then become family (one way or the other!!).
What do I miss? bunking classes :-((
What do I gain? gyaan.. very true .. i havent gained much during graduation.

What did i gain personally? confidence that I can do anything in this world if I set my heart to it

Ever dreamt big?

2007-07-11T10:25:00.000+05:30

It is said that teenage is the time where dreams fill the sleep.. definitely true for me. I started dreaming about my future. Dont ask how many of them came true. Cant remember most of them now. They kept on changing and getting bigger and bigger as time progressed.
Ever remember what you dreamt about your future - studies, life partner,job, vacation? quite common for all of us.
So what's special? Special dreams are those that you really really want to come true and work towards making them come true.

The major ones in my list
- getting an understanding partner who would share my dreams
- higher education in a premier institute which would polish my potential
- independence which comes with power in career

two out of the three came true. I am working towards making the third one come true.

Message: dont stop dreaming and start working towards making the dream come true