Happiness: inside out

Impromptu it was. I asked two friends about their resolution for 2009. One wanted to go back to vegetarianism, as marriage kinda forced her to take up non-veg; my other friend knows the reality of life as he said, "Resolutions are meant to be broken. Why ask me?"

The questions came back to me. Well, I thought for a while. actually I started doing so even before they had asked me the same question back. I answered, to ensure I am happy inside out and not wait for someone else to make me happy. Wow!! Wat a liner! But, guess, it will take a lot of effort on my part to remain positive and keep myself calm. Now, there is atleast one challenge I am looking forward to in the new year eve. I am happy to have made a new year resolution for the first time in life and it will be an uphill task to abide by it. I wish myself and my readers a great new year ahead to achieve whatever we wish to, which of course, should not hurt any other person around in any manner... Cheers!

The sentimental check-in

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and Trident are finally opening. Now it is time to check-in! But who is checking in? Travel is low and it is Christmas, when most corporates don’t come to India anyway. Also, travel advisories from countries are keeping people at bay from an Indian holiday! Well, after the rescue operation was over and Kasab behind the bars, senior high-profile journalists of major dailies, etc. were flooring pages with articles about their sentiments attached to the TAJ. And, also with their wish to check in as soon as it opens.

I find it difficult to digest why you would need to display your affection for the hotels and reserve before hand by claiming so publicly. Though, that is a subjective preference, I must agree. Yet, I really don’t know what the other hotels must be thinking about it considering their opportunity is lost due to the terror attacks, as the conventional peak season is Nov-Mar, which is predicted to remain low this time around. On the other hand, people will be flocking into these two attacked hotels compensating them for the room night losses they had to bear apart from the interests crown would have to wine, dine and swing there to check out some obvious signs. Good for the Tata’s and Oberoi’s; occupancy is definitely going to be high in this season for the two.

Nevertheless, wish all the hotels a very Happy Christmas and New Year ahead.

Litmus of relationship

I through my experiences so far have understood that the real litmus of relationship is passed only when we travel and share a journey. It teaches a lot about a person we are traveling with, so much so that years of knowing a person turn hostile.

As we enter a journey phase, there are facets that unfolds; not only about the other person but also about self. A journey, thus, holds true for knowing ourselves and the abilities (with disabilities) we possess. A journey checks out our patience to arrive at a consensus, guide a group in a definite direction, take criticism and accept those, sync us with the natures of other people, accommodating capability, enduring the test to tackle arguable situations with calm and poise, respecting individuals, retaining self respect and dignity, …

The list is perpetual. The fact that we return back in our daily lives thus offers us an insight where we are comfortable, what is my boundary to the world around, to the people I interact, and so on. A few days back, a dear friend of mine recalled my take on journeys as an essence of identifying people sans their superficial existence. Friend’s account of reminding me, that I was correct (probably having gone through a reality check at the first place), gave a sense of relief. I was right when I had taken to journeys with people known or unknown. Today, I have been proven right again. So, I wish everybody “happy journeys” to know what they are and whom they are with. Travel a lot and make them into journeys and know people (friends, relatives, family, colleagues, accomplices, etc.) what they actually are as individual personality.

Why pick phone?

Of late, I have started doing this. I receive a call on cell to say I can’t talk now. Just today, I received a call when I was in the busy cafeteria. Knowing that I won’t be able to hear anything whatsoever I answered it and said politely that the space is very noisy and will revert later. But that is so not courteous! Why I need to pick up the phone at the first place then? This habit actually is a consequence of many calls I have experienced where my voice have been thwarted making me feel undesired, when I am the seeker. People would invariably pick up, say hi, give reason(s) why they can’t continue and hang up.

Why you need to do so? Especially if you are driving or so… I have realized this flaw is creeping into me, I will now onwards consciously look to answer a call completely unless that is an unsolicited marketing call.

I know the situation is subjective and some might feel that some calls are important than others, but I beg to differ. Only exception is FAMILY. They should be responded at once no matter how busy I might be to assure them “I’m there” and will reach them sooner.

I will ensure to pick the cell phone when I know ---- I can talk and complete the conversation in all respect.

Living on the Edge

Life for the last two days has been like being on a shore and waves hitting me upfront. There is nothing special about the situation, as I can save myself by a calm withdrawal. But there lies the irony; what make the situation edgy is that I am not allowed to move out of the series of events that have been taking place of late and being continuously fed with… almost none have been able to evade the high tide this time. Yes, the situation I am talking of is of the shores of our up financial capital. It has really been hit hard by a tide of emotions, anxiety, loss and desperation. We are all waiting patiently to know the next – latest - breaking eyebrow-raising event to unfold. A case of ‘No Event’ will actually shrink our face. And that is the sad part of this reality.

Yet, I have tried my level best to keep away from pondering too much into the issues. But how long can one do so? I am being drawn inadvertently by what is being discussed by peer groups, friends and colleagues. What the international community has to say about it, how they are reading these terrorizing attacks as, its implication on the India’s economic agenda, so on and so forth. Further, the national leaders have rallied to display their “being together” in time of national crisis but I feel, this is more of a political one. No surprise that headlines like “When politics takes a backseat, foes join hands” takes a lead (courtesy HT). Add to that news that 24x7 channels are beaming…. and if we are at our work places, a click of the mouse can direct us to podcasts for live updates about the scenario. Escaping LIVE coverage is a crime, and we are not committing so, isn’t it!

Journalists were not spared in the e-mail accounts. Corporate communications of The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and Taj are giving updates on the events whereas industry associations like CII and ASSOCHAM expressing their condemnation on the situation. Chat status of many shows desperation where one reads – “News channels have gone blank. Phones too, are going down”. That’s from my colleague Chetan in Mumbai, who is at the Express Towers, right across the Trident Oberoi at Nariman Point. Another one state: “is wondering what next??”

Neeti (my colleague in Mumbai, Nariman Point) has written her status with precision considering her proximity to one of the ground zeros, as the situations are unfolding slowly. Her view --- “ya can hear the controlled explosions”.

On the other hand, a PR professional trying to figure this entire event as he writes – “Terrorist Attack or Political Attack...???” Adding further he suggest, “Just kill those terrorists...”

I just cannot escape the escapade. So now I have started to looking at different facets this attacks is brining about to fore. When, yesterday, all day long I was accruing news never came across anything on the MNS. I was surprised. No longer it was Maharashtra! We are talking India under siege. Amazingly, my colleague in Delhi shared an sms he received, which summed my emotions completely --- “Where is Raj Thackeray and his ‘brave’ Sena? Tell him that 200 NSG commandos from Delhi (No Marathi manoos! All South & North Indians!) have been sent to Mumbai to fight terroists so that he can sleep peacefully. Please forward to (it to those) cowards.”

What essentially the message evoked is a passion that many do care about Mumbai as India’s integral entity. It is not different from India’s security then why he cribs about only the state in a fashion he does. The consensus is there to see. Everyone wants him to understand that beating rickshaw / taxi walas or workers with no “Marathi Identity”, is nothing more than a coward act. I feel like tracing the genesis of the sms. He needs to see how strong emotions this attack has brought out irrespective of the fact many are not happy the way Mumbai has lost its uniqueness in 2007 onwards.

Looking at the political front, L K Advani’s arrival in Mumbai along with Jaswant Singh (if I am correct) is a needless act. Politicians demand more security and put needless pressure on the forces when they need to pay attention in every nook and corner of the city on red alert. These sympathy (mourning) tours are irritating. While congress might be bad in being soft on tackling the terror issues, BJP is ruining its chances by sms-ing provocative messages to many people in Delhi to win assembly election (to be held tomorrow) votes. Also, in view of elections, promotions should stop completely 24 hours before the election begins. What’s in a RULE… might just be BJP’s claim to fame. It is really a grime situation.

While I go through all things, there is also a ray of hope, as I failed to remain isolated with no information about Mumbai attacks. “Twenty-nine-year-old blogger Harish Iyer started his post -- Terror in Bombay -- soon after the attacks started. He published his mobile phone number and email address. In the 20 or so hours since midnight in Mumbai, November 27, he's received around sixty phone calls and 100 emails from people desperate to find loved ones,” CNN reported.

Now people away from Mumbai, in case they can’t go through their family members, are contacting him on phone and e-mail to know about the safety of their dear ones. There are instances where he is facilitating the update, by setting base with Taj or Oberoi customer emergency cell, about the whereabouts of many trapped inside the hotel.

He has no personal agenda. Even if there is one, for sure that is not a political one. Also by his name I can figure out he belongs to Tamil Nadu. It is quite possible that he might be a Mumbaikar having lived his life throughout in Mumbai. After all, I don’t know him personally.

the campaign continues...

Again! She messaged this time around like this....

"Kamar Tore Mehangai Lai,

Hai Yeh Congress Kyun Aai.

pls vote, support and elect BJP candidate Mrs Kamaljeet Sehrawat."

SMS-es: en route to governance

The forthcoming assembly election in Delhi for Saturday November 29th is in its last lap. So, obviously, political parties are up on their hands to make the best possible effort for making last minute changes in the minds of the voters in their favor. Their effort has thus forced many like me to read certain sms-es many times a day from a particular party viz. BJP and keep on deleting them on a regular basis. This is not a big issue but continuous reminder with sms-es is going beyond optimum.

The situation is such that everyday I get at least 4-5 sms-es reminding me about the itinerary of the candidate for today and tomorrow. Some of the messages are as follows:

“To fight against price rise and terrorism – Vote, Support and Elect BJP candidate Mrs Kamaljeet Sehrawat from Matiala”

“… from .. constituency request for your vote and support in forthcoming elections on 29th Nov.”

“Door to Door padyatra at ..am. Please join the padyatra to show your support.”

This one is the most interesting. It reads: “Kamal ko lana hai. Kamjeet Sehrawat ko jitna hai. Pls vote, support + elect Mrs Kamaljeet Sehrawat.”

“Bhajapa lao Matiala keshtra ka vikas karwao. Pls support, vote and elect …”

One thing is sure that the strategy has worked for BJP to make me recall instantly who is standing from this constituency for the party. For Congress, I can’t say the same. Surprisingly, Congress having launched a website hasn’t taken on this tactic to woo voters.

On the other hand, Dwarka’s major number of sectors starting from sector 3-6, sector 10-23 fall under Matiala Constituency apart from numerous villages that Matiala is adjoined with. Sector 1, 2 and 7 went to Palam and Sector 8 & 9 fell under Brijwasan. I am surprised why there was a need that Dwarka sectors had to be brought together for different village constituencies that surround the sub-city. Dwarka is tipped to be the one of the biggest sub-city or township in Asia (with Rohini happens to be its cousin). Now, Dwarka RWAs have raised an alarm but I guess this is now quite late for any action whatsoever from the election commission to re-draw the constituency map for Dwarka recently worked upon. All these questions started arising in my mind only after receiving so many sms-es which hasn’t stopped yet. I thank for that one reason to BJP’s ploy to pay telecom service providers. In the same breath I would also add that with those (irritating) messages BJP is actually distancing me from its party. Vote or not to vote to the party… is a different ball game altogether. The ball is in my court for the time being. All the best BJP! After election gets over, I will pray for me and the city for better governance to take us ahead. Maximum I could have asked for, isn’t it?

Interruption calls

Yesterday, I met my school buddies - Taniya and Ankur - after a long while. It was a regular union we look up to always; at least try to make it a quarterly habit of assessing what is happening in each others' lives. Time schedule, professional ventures, social obligations tend to obstruct our will to meet intermittently, and that's why this rule. What else can we do, after all? Yet, whenever we do so, at the level best, we try to catch up with all that have been gone through and wanted to share with someone. That "someone" has to be either of us. Touch wood…

But even when we unite, there are innumerable calls that keep on disturbing the essence of our getting together; it really does play a spoil sport. As we were chatting this time around about various facets of our lives, we meekly also discussed about mobile phones. "We are not at all gadget geeks!!" A call came in for Taniya that very moment. She paused, changed her expression a bit, thinking for a second and then, finally answered it. After she was done with the conversation, I queried: "Why that disgusting reaction to that call before answering?" In reply, she just smiled.

The heart of the matter is old phones (conventional landlines) versus new phones (cell phones). Earlier, we wouldn't know who is calling and would answer it with a sense of excitement. Now, we know who is? Admittedly, we would first think what to answer and then react accordingly. We are loosing on to the feeling of awaiting unknown. Further, having cell phone means there is no reason we can offer for not answering. Rarely, there is any problem of out of coverage with breakdown and low battery happens in rarest of cases. If that happens, there is always another person next to you having, if not same, the similar gadget to access to.

We have lost our hope to have long hours of unperturbed fruitful discussion sharing our joy, fears, excitement and sorrows. Life has really changed the way we share our emotions where interruption calls has been the latest addition in our discussions. We never thought it earlier… very strange.

Searching the spectacular 14

Bengalis, don’t know whether special or not, are a specie of a different kind. Today while coming to office, I encountered a special occasion. My mother along with her Bengali accomplices in the colony will identify that they all possess 14 different varieties of edible green leaves that need to be cooked together during the day prior to Diwali and eaten with rice – our staple diet. Ya, fish is too. Anyway, yesterday she was able to gather half the number she actually needed. I think she got herself Spinach, Green Onion, Corriander, Bathua, Muli ka Saag, Sarson and Red Spinach. Today, a lot of exchanges will take place. The difficulty is – not all varieties are available in the market. So what to do? They will roam around the colony and pick the green ones from the gardens, whichever applicable.

The whole idea seemed a juvenile type. Just like the way kids ensure that they are not loosing on to something others possess, ladies would be out doing the same though in a more harmonious manner. This ritual has been carried on for long. The same day, 14 diyas will be lit as well as the auspicious number (considering Lord Rama’s return from exile after 14 years).

Yet, the significance of eating 14 different varieties of leaves seems pointless unless one is anaemic! So many years have gone by but I never bothered to ask her about its significance. I am quite curious now to know where the whole idea fits in our life apart from being sensitive to environment and going green in our approach. Well, seems Green Diwali is on!!!

Respecting arguments

Arguments are supposed to be the genesis of sour relationships. But I feel otherwise. Of late, I have been rude to many people and I acknowledge that. Sometime, I have even argued on issues where I could have gone on the softer way favouring others' viewpoint to make them happy with nothing to loose at my end. Yet, I stuck to my guns holding on to mine, which were diametrically opposite to theirs'.

But am I really wrong? "Yes" - would be the inevitable far cry. But think once again with my perspective: I have always believed that viewpoints, yours or mine, are supposed to be and should not be binding, and independent of others' notions.

I live and stick to a certain philosophy whereby, my participation or not doing so should not be articulated as a naive behaviour. It is more of an expression and extension of existence, which I expect should command respect from others. Opinions of everyone, for that matter, (including me) should be treated so with a right to disagree as well.

When doing something could be right, one should also respect the "other" stance because that evolves a conversation taking relationship forward. It is similar to the evergreen argument of whether Almighty God exists or not. Believing that He doesn't essentially means that there is an opinion on Him. He, thus, is a reason to on with ...

So having an argument is not bad; the method of going about it makes for one. A person when realistically argues is more respectful as he or she comes clean about their thoughts. In doing so they agree to disagree. So next time you agree on to something expect a disagreement because that might give you enough reasoning and power to believe that you are true. Arguments thus will lead to source of information about that person, as he/she opens up showing his/her true attributes least known about. Discuss over, but don't argue. If the other person wins the argument, you know, there is a fair share of you in his/her win. So, win the way other person wants it to be and live happily.

Awaiting fireworks

It is amazing to recall the gone back days or years, and the ways we celebrated our much-loved Diwali. Who can forget the tablets to make various snake formations, hunters, pencils, anaars, phuljharis and my favourites – bijli, gola, chocolate bumbs.

I can recall the way Diwali was being awaited. The wait would go through extremes of selecting the right products at the right price, caring them under the sun so they live up to their potential and reputations. On the celebration day, early evening (though we were kids) it was all about assisting the smaller ones and taking all the pleasure of fireworks.

Late in the evening, when the celebration would come to a close, it would be all about getting into the mode and bring on the personal arsenals taken cared for long. Next day would be about reaping dividends! Some unused arsenals would be picked and disposed off properly and some will be saved for the right opportunity like Guru Nanak’s Birthday, Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Time has changed. While everyone is glued for some fireworks next week, the sensitive index too is awaiting a similar showdown. I am cautious again to pick right products (read shares). Hold them (under the sun). And, disburse them when the right occasion comes. I won’t spend all; will preserve some for other moments, when it would be fitting. Diwali has taken a different connotations altogether for me, and many in this turmoiled economy.

I wish everyone a happy and prosperous Diwali!!

Great expectations

Not many of us can live life like Mirza Ghalib did. Being financially deprived, he used to borrow money from the money lenders who would charge higher rates. His argument though was that he has every reason to go to them. What will happen to them if people are not going to borrow money from them, he used to question. His level of expectation was different, on a different level. Even in desperate needs, he used to think of contributing to others. At the least he desired for his existence. He traveled from Delhi to Calcutta in search of his pension getting sanctioned from the then British government. Ghalib lived to see him becoming father of four and ending up as a father to none. His four babies died either during birth or within a few years of birth. He only wished some happy moments for his wife.

While that was a sad encounter about a great poet, our will to expect good is not like his. I find a difference. He never wished anything inward. We tend to do so. His’ was outward.

Now read this instance:
A friend (let’s name x) recently went through a heart breaking episode. Fascinated by another person (name it y), whom my friend met at a gathering, left x desiring y long after the latter reached another part of the world. They chatted through sms, phone calls. A gesture of friendship from y was mistaken for love. x gathering all strength expressed about its fondness towards y. Being a practical person, according to me, y diligently cleared doubts arising in their relationship and presented reasons why x’s expectations are not going to reach a realistic culmination.

I have been fortunate enough to lend emotional support to many where people have shared their inner feelings with me to find an answer. At a point when x is disheartened and clinging on to a hope against all odds (though trying every way bit to overcome the enchantment and estrangement it received from y) I tell my friend that the situation has been purely a case of “called upon” kind of. It is not bad for x to hope best for self but it is also a fair call that that should be nourished and kept under a reality check.

I feel, x should carry on loving y feeling that y deserves x and not the other way round. Let the feeling be outward where the onus falls on the other person to take a decision. Ghalib was dead right. According to him, one's need cannot overpower someone else's; rather, it should be directed towards empowering others. I find there is a connectivity between the two cases, even though a slight one. Expectations only become great when they touch reality and go beyond it.

My friend Anshuman G Dutta sums up the situation of having an expectation (true love) at its best:
If u love someone, set her free
If she comes back, shoot her
If she does not, then go find her
And then shoot her…

Not being insensitive

News of four blasts hitting Delhi spread in no time today evening. I was on net and was keeping me updated through tv channels. I left my chat status do all the talking and inform about the situation. Soon, a friend who happened to be online (and in US) at that moment asked me further details. He also informed me that his apartment people (who were Indians) are worried and trying to touch base with their loved ones in the Capital. That was one part of the story. Phone calls came in from some friends and sms-es too. Telephone lines soon started getting jammed…

Another friend (also staying in US) chatted on a differnt note taking cue from the blasts. The chat session went like this:

Purnendu: hi
Sanjeev: hi
Sent at 8:33 PM on Saturday
Purnendu: why u journalist are not doing something?
so that people will elect good gov that will take care of people
Sanjeev: at d end of the day, we r citizens just like u
so the questions falls on ur lap as well
question
wy r u invisible
Purnendu: do u support some one modi as our primeminister
??
Sanjeev: to be true, i dont have an opinion
even if i wanna vote an independent, he will be purchased by a party or so
Purnendu: hardcore fundamentalist thats what our country need its my opinion
Sanjeev: BJP alone coming to power is difficult
then sharing a govt scene wud mean any majority party ve to compromise
Purnendu: thats where you people u media have to support
now its enough you people should take the lead
Sanjeev: where does the voter go who voted on a definite manifesto which gets marred in such a political scene
who is You People here ??
Purnendu: i don't know what will happen
Sanjeev: pretty bad scene
Purnendu: good people should lead the nation
god knows when this will happen

Our chat ended abruptly, on a note of uncertainty, hopelessness and I felt being insensitive to the series of happenings taking place around and remaining calm about my inability to bring about a change.

My inability was reinforced when, on the other hand, I saw the shots of people injured in the blasts and are being carried to hospitals or for immediate first aid. I did not react in awe. I had lost the sense of reaction towards what was being telecasted on prime time – bomb blasts shake the Capital. Probably because I was sitting in the comforts of my home and justified myself that I am in no position to offer help. The television journalism in that sphere is no different. They still carry on doing their task – reporting. Why would a photographer or cameraperson a hand of help when he can capture moments of agony at its best. I might be criticizing the lot and could land up right there doing what they have been doing. But unless insensitive, it would be difficult to carry out that job and dish out questions of horror, stupidity and reckless to get more eyeballs. Isn't it?

While the news channels continued tapping the leads to the blasts, a sense of despair crossed my heart. Now a fool would be able to guess which is going to increase the TRP ratings of these very channels. Delhi blasts or Bihar flood. I just hope that the effort that has been extended to the flood victims, in form of monetary donations, clothes, food by so many citizens reach where it is intended to. Hope the shift of focus (of TRPs) of our agonies we are becoming insensitive to does not create a black hole of corruption in bureaucratic line to sucks in any noble humanitarian intentions. Let us pray for the victims and their loved ones and those of us who are suffering.

The bullion market & SENSEX

The other day I had little work on my desk. Grabbing the opportunity I tried my hands to learn the basics of trading in the share market, online. So I took help from my colleague Sanjiba N who has experience in trading for over two months now, a sort of knowledge reservoir for me in this field. As he started teaching me some nitty-gritty of trading with his hit and trial methodology, Gurpreet who was glued to a newspaper cropped up a sudden question. “Sanjeev, where the present day rate of gold is mentioned in the paper; I can't figure out?”

Her out of the blue question, got us into a laughter riot. Sanjiba remarked, “Kya office hai! Koi share to koi gold. Wah! Dalal Street on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg… certainly not a bad idea at all.”

Now whenever we three come across each other, we at least ensure to discuss, which stock to look forward to and whether to invest in gold or not. In mockery we now find a RETURN, which surpasses the SENSEX of our imaginations. I intend to invest on these stocks that life offer; where the RETURNS are sure shot and instant. Interestingly, there is a provision of DIVIDEND too, when we sit down to relax and recall those moments of trading. A smile on our face is what we need and I crave for it more than ever.

Backseat for Bengal’s nano vision

A much has been talked about by the learned class on the wrong she is doing to WB. Holding back the state from development for a ransom after colluding with the 440 acres land acres is not right for the bhadralok samaj. So much so that the security personnels checking bags at the Delhi metro stations reflect the sentiments. “Mamta ko kya khujli hai pata nahi. Agar factory banta hai to kitne logon ko rozgar milega, prodyogikaran hoga. Bekar ke drame kar rahi hai,” they discuss.

But can the general perception be taken as an obvious choice, is the key question. I am one of those, without having knowledge of the ground zero, that the Tata factory could prove boon for the future of the state. It might just change the way youth grow in the state, I closely know, and look for survival (professional) opportunities. No doubt, IT has entered it the state. So have retail, hospitality, pharma and real estate. But not comparable enough to bridge the divide of urban/rural educated youth and the employed class. The majority of former are unemployed. The debate has actually given the scope to identify state’s policy for the future from agrarian to industrial driven.

Setting up a factory on a wrong precedence (i.e. acquiring land with force) can change the perception of the investors. This is the only danger WB government has to look at. Mamata is also true that nobody knows the intricacies that lead to the deal between Tata’s and WB govt. Both sides should have taken into account complete the owners of 997 acres as a whole before the landmark step. Stepping into farmers’ shoes offers an even grimmer picture of the situation; ones who have sold land to Tata’s as well as those who didn’t.

The situation reminds me of IC 814 hijack, where the Centre had to deal with the national security versus lives of its few citizens. Govt made a mistake by taking too much time and reading the situation from the pilot’s perspective then. I don’t know who has donned the roles of pilots, hijackers or the government (remind you, govt is of, by and for the people). But farmers for sure (on both sides of the deal) are sheer hostages of a planned act that could go either way in deciding their future stake of their existence, with land or without it.

Two perspectives, for sure, are driven by red tape in some manner or other. Nonetheless, I pray for the state that knows red tapeism (nanoism) better than anything else to get over this one in a manner that increases the scope for people to taste the opportunity of global economy and proves state’s latent potential to take the country ahead. Now, Mamta should give up her “nano” vision and take the state towards a desperate growth through Tata’s NANO vision the world is bowing to.

Life without exclusives

It was on NDTV Profit during the Monday late evening gone by. An interview show with Shankar Sharma, VC and director – strategic affairs, First Global about the economic trends, share market, which sector is doing what and which companies one should invest in and so on. While surfing the channels I got hooked to CNBC TV18 where the same person was being interviewed. It is not uncommon these days to see a same person being interviewed twice uttering the same thing, well almost, for the same set of audience but for different channels. I checked and found that both channels were sensible enough not to flash “exclusive” which has now become a very “common” thing for a journalist has to live with and die for.

This brings me to recall one of my friend’s incident who reports for The Economic Times. One day that friend of mine got a story. She filed it diligently. And it appeared in the next day edition. After that she had a bad time because the same story was carried by its competitor Business Standard. She was asked how come BS got that!!?? She was clueless.

My friend’s point was - in an interaction case, if the company wishes to dole out info to each and every media house, they are entitled to do so. What can one do as a journalist? If PR craves for mileage through col cms, we journos crave for exclusivity. The friend was told to ask that person to give ET only exclusives. That’s it.

I recall myself telling to so many people whom I meet to offer me with exclusive info each time there is a scope for one. Interestingly, it really becomes difficult to keep track of that person thereafter. This also highlights how difficult the life has become of a journalist. You are constantly under scanner. As a print media person, life seems to be revolving around deadlines, word counts, meetings, PR relations and incessant phone calls. Not to mention, in that very structure of survival, we have to ensure there is individuality as a reporter through the exclusivity of information I provide to my readers.

The trouble is ---- there is no end to it. Every week approach with a new set of challenges (that is actually the life of professionals irrespective of job profiles they are up to). I remember my dear friend Anshuman Gunjan Dutta, who was covering Aarushi murder case for a daily over a month, was so exhausted that he even dreamt Aarushi’s murder! He regretted later that he couldn’t visualise the murderer, otherwise he would have solved the case before CBI. Poor guy, I must say.

But that is the reality. Every now and then, the professional life takes over the personal one. We talk work; think about it even when with family, friends, etc. Even sadder part is that people from all walks of life expect a reporter to know each and every thing. My defense: I’m human and I’m learning, and therefore I am bound to err…

A lop side of being in reporting profession is the fight to retain the very freedom of a reporter; work with an individualistic thought process, knowledge and understanding of the subject. Every person has an opinion of what we write, how we do so and so on… as most of the time we are supposed to fill a story with needless word counts, covering those people who don’t make sense of what they talk of and also, keep our professional acquaintances in good books. Yet, in the same breathe I would also add that there is nothing to boast about the quality of work we deliver, which is expected to be delivered on time taking account of all the disruptions we go through. Add to that the obligation of a journalist to retain a healthy relationship with the source constantly, which by no means is an easy job in the world. The silver lining though is that we do make good friends in that course, even if that counts a few.

My social friends often ask me, “Where are you? Aisa bhi kya busy ho life mein. Hum bhi to kaam karte hai, yaar!” I really find myself with loss of words and genuine reasoning. I guess the life of my industry peers is quite same. While a reporter should ideally become an individual through his or her work, we would find more exclusive reporters without individual (read personal) lifestyle.

Our job is after us all the time, irrespective where we are and with whom. The immediate suggestion would be time management, which I agree to. But time hi to manage nahi hota yaaron. I am swinging between exclusivity to individuality, where both are mutually exclusive to each other. I wish to move towards the latter, later.

Mediocre aspirations

Delhi was expanding then in the 1960s. So it is even now. The only difference between the expansions then and now seems to be different politically. My father came here in that period to earn his bread from Calcutta. He had nothing, literally. But with time, he gathered himself and managed to anchor his family. One dream that always eluded him was to own a house (or flat) of his own. He was not willing to invest on land or for that matter in a colony that was not legalized. He therefore resorted to DDA and patiently waited for his turn, which came after 25 years. My point is had he gathered some strength to invest in an illegal colony, we would have been in a better state of realty. In retrospect, I would probably choose to do what he did.

This story of his unwillingness to go for illegal colonies in Delhi has been discussed in our family and how it could have changed our fortune. During every assembly elections of this state, we regret this fact. The point is BJP and Congress has again taken on the mantle to convert illegal into legal for wining votes for the forthcoming polls. I am not happy with BJP, which is talking of legalizing around 1600 slums adding 40 lacs people to the capital and blaming the other one for not fulfilling the promise. I am again unhappy with the Congress party for making such a promise at the first place.

At a point of convenience, these very parties (when in power) criticize and ponder on tackling the ever-growing Delhi population and curbing illegal settlements, kuchha or pucca. The concerns should be tackled but political aspiration in the form of “seats” is not ensuring the state going into the right direction. While illegal colonies are being set up with less investment (real estate prices are always low), legalizing it sets a very bad precedence for all. While people who wish to take a rightful course even when it comes to going for a ceiling over their head, the petty politics make it appear like a loosing proposition. It is as if we are the wrong doers by following a legal way to survive.

This brings us to a standpoint where we need to identify how government should go about deciding what to be legalized, regularized and maintained lawfully. It is not only about slums. This also extends to the number of illegal pucca colonies, which get propriety just before the elections. I demand not much; just that, there should be justified norms for the livings beneath the poverty line. Not only legalization of “slums and colonies without having proper approval as such” is enough reason for builders to be encouraged to structure more such colonies. This also augur illegal settlements encroaching land and forming a community large enough over a period of time to become a strong player to swing the future of petty political battles. Hope, there’s an end to it.

Message relief

The monotony of life gets a break when our mobile pings and shows a message. Some messages on my set are good enough to share.

In life many ppl help u whn it suits THEM; but very FEW help whn it suits u.
Make the FEW ur frnds and be the FEW to the many…
----------- Sunit

Do you knw d diff btw coffee shp n wine shp? Coffee shp is d starting pt of luv n wine shp is the end pt of it. Simple… isn’t it?
------------- Biswajit

Car se takra kar kabutar behosh ho gya. Admi use ghar le gya aur pinjre mein rakha. Kabutr ko hosh aaya to bola, “Aila! Jail? Who car wala mar gaya kya.”
------------ Neeraj

Dua ki bheer mein ek dua hamari, jisme maangi humne har khushi tumhari. Jab bhi muskuraaye aap dil se, humne samjha dua kubul hui hamari.
---------- Trishnendu

Various texts we come across are known; some are new and some, forwarded. Yet the underlining, or shall I say the silver lining, is that each one made my day. Messages are definitely a relief which brings us a smile. Cherish the moment when your cell beeps and lures you to read that message at once.

What else, ciao!!

The anti-virus software

It is needed when the virus causes a virulent damage to our systems. But if virus is about a positive influence what would one do? Of course, better not install the software. Yet politicians and political parties are of the kind that does so.

The “person” was driving and I was sitting next to him. While started he categorically mentioned that there is no need to fasten seat belt (though I did mentioning my comfort and fear). Car speeded at 60 above even when ideally one should not have. Honking was a necessity for him.

He is of the opinion that a lot is needed to be done in a political system. It offers a lot of opportunities to do good for the society at large. Can he do some good if he gets opportunity, I asked. No, he said.

According to him, there is no way he can rise if he sticks to too much of humanity. Chances are that there is no future for him then. He fingers, it is full circle; if one starts doing well, there is none to carry it forward and a second round of bad follows, a natural way. There is a shield inbuilt in them to protect any good coming inwards. That shield to me is like just like a protection against all good.

He is politically driven and is actively involved with the youth wing of a political party in the capital. If he takes a different path to plug the loopholes he clearly observes, he will be chucked out in no time from the party. The in-built barrier system is eating away his desires. I found there is a strong desire in him to benefit people at large but he is handcuffed and drifting away…

Rallying for space

The hassles of our routine life begin right away when we switch on the ignition of our vehicle to reach our work place. As if too much of incessant jams throughout the journey and an ever-increasing vehicle numbers in cities (no specifics) were not enough, we are now faced with dharnas … or so to say morcha in “khalis” Hindi by political outfits.

They in the early hours of the day when the traffic is at its peak raise slogans block roads and tend to create mayhem and subsequently occupational hazard (for those who have got something to do at least).

One day, a dear colleague and friend of mine Prateek Sahay (Mr Enterprising Entertainer) said: in political parties aur politicians ko to shehar se kahi dur jaake apna dharna aur sammelan karma chahiye. bekaar mein itne logo ko mushkilon ka samna karna padta hai. I said, lekin yeh jayenge kahan?

arre, inke liye bhi ek alag designated jagah hona chahiye just like Pragati Maidan jahan yeh apna pradarshan kar sake. jo interested hai, attend karte rahen inke protests, etc…. aur kya!

I couldn’t stop laughing. But the very second moment I realized, he has said something very reasonable. Even brilliant!

What he said is fairly applicable and practical keeping in mind the traffic department along with Police who are needlessly bothered to keep protesters under control to maintain the sanctity of the city movement.

Now let us elaborate this further. Having a designated open land (even if within the city) would give an option to many groups to come in open and talk on serious issues. Let me elaborate what else Prateek suggested to make this idea work in a very righteous manner and to make it a profitable plan too. Some pointers:

1. the venue can be booked from a designated authority.
2. one day only one event
3. a limited number of parking options. Rest will be charged accordingly by municipal authority or private player maintaining the peripheral area so that there is cap on vehicle crowd
4. the venue is open to all; political parties, social groups, company unions and so on so forth
5. holding a protest or public meeting is free of charge but will be given on the basis of availability of venue with due permissions from Police (water canon will be there in case they suspect rallies taking violent forms)
6. those holding the rally will be responsible for cleaning up mess that they may have contributed to, and
7. we are still assessing other benefits.. (let us know if you have one to share)

This is one of the episodes that took place when I took a lift from Prateek for office and were caught in a jam due to a political rally in between. While I was trying to figure out all of his logic and the feasibility, it is also true that a Rallying Zone can well be a reality someday in future only if we have such a big chunk of land left within the city and bureaucratic set up allowing it to happen. We definitely need some of those “out of the box” ideas.

Irrespective of that fact I was impressed. “What an idea PrateekJEE,” I thought, while he was still honking at the crowd to negotiate his car. The good is - he finally succeeded in doing that.

Assessing Musharraf’s exit

The idea that musharraf is toothless now is something to ponder about. Because I outrightly doubt that.

The headlines like “Mush Quits With His Tail Between His Legs” by The News (in Pakistan) is difficult to fathom. The reason, I think, this person always stood his ground even in most adverse situations irrespective of the concerned he is dealing with. In signing resignation, he again proved that even if that is a bit forced upon him. I recall certain facts he has always maintained and something we (as Indians) are sure about irrespective of what international community believes.

Firstly, Kashmir is a core issue. Secondly, Pakistan will continue to fight terrorism with it aim to establish peace in regions across …. and in the world.

Further, Jehadis are freedom fighters. They are not terrorists. They are fighting for their rights to be free and free Kashmir.

On the other hand, we are sure that he continues to have a strong influence on ISI and gives direction to. After leaving his admired uniform, he invited not only flak from his big brother but also ensured he has to show international community that he is taking actions against terrorism by banning certain off the hook groups.

Now, the pressure of international community will be off from Musharraf, directly or indirectly. Is this something to be happy about by our Intelligence and armed fraternity? No, I strongly believe.

I don’t know what implications it would have directly between India’s relationship with Pakistan and US and between them. I don’t know, like many others, whether his exit will facilitate the trade between us and Pakistan but will surely made us cautious of the way ISI and other noted terrorist groups operating from Pakistan and PoK would operate now on.

They will have a strategist not as a part timer. His exit is making me cautious to sense the smell in the air. Is India gearing up for yet another challenge? Only time will tell…

Meanwhile, I wish Musharraf more space (not in terms of land, of course) to think sane. He may now live in sanity to do real good for humanity.

Structural corruption

Read case I
Mukesh Ambani is making a 27 storey something (I don’t know what word to be used for such a humongous thing) where some six people would live and am talking of Mumbai.

Read case II
Second, Dharavi is supposed to be the largest slum area in the country, that too in Mumbai.

These two facts cropped up when in one tv program a discussion was going on the situation of social status of India. A social activist identified the two situation and the gap between the two as a resultant of structural corruption. I completely agree with him.. yet find myself in a state of confusion.

First, we should identify whether Ambani saab has the right to have such a …. thing for his family (where his no of servants would outdo no of family members and incoming guests combined). Second, whether government is right in allowing such a …. thing to come to force, by allowing the former to build so.

Answering these two issues, I bet, would give lead us to somewhere we wish to reach… the answers we would like to seek but find helpless in phrasing the question. Since I too don’t know the question, it is better to share my opinion on this issue.

Just because a person has the ability to do something is he or she permissible to do so when the case is about creating a divide unnatural. At the same time the centrality is “land” (on which the huge…. thing is being built) is scarce, especially in Mumabai (my mum friend would identify with it)… I recall the movie “jaane bhi do yaaro” where a journalist asks tarneja – the builder – about his new achievements that push the humans further in their dooms they want to defeat. Tarneja answers, “it is democracy; everyone has the right to succeed, and there’s nothing wrong in it.”

What my say is there should be a cap on a person’s footprint on this earth. To make this world better we talk of reducing our carbon footprint, I doubt how it could be ever achieved in real sense. On the other side there is a glaring reality: underprivileged and middle “salaried” class finds it hard to have a square foot to put their will to fit in. this disparity is definitely corruption of a massive kind but is India realizing it? While I read Muslims (latest bait is Saif) find it difficult to find a flat in particular residential apartments, it seriously questions the lop sided way to approach to residential development. A pricey structure changes the entire economics of a region, which disperses and only grows with time. I mean this disparity.

After so many years of being free, what least could be demanded from the governments is the right for equal opportunity if not equality, that has been lost anyway in the red tape.

Intuit your desires

Good things manifest from good thoughts. The centrality of all ideas, of our actions, is generated from thoughts… which are progressive and are aimed at realizing something that will be beneficial. A commoner would use his thoughts in all directions, not knowing what to think and where to direct it. Interestingly, there will be questions, and no answer, as one continues to find them not knowing that one is within its periphery; it is just we have to go out of the boundary. During this process, the mind travels through different realms. Another theory suggest that leaving our mind open like a wild horse, allowing it to brainstorm, find us routes unknown for realization of the subconscious.

Identifying the desires and corresponding to self over and over again makes us believe that it is right there within our reach but may be not there yet. This itch of belief running in our thought process shall force to believe that realizing it is just a matter of time.

This process of search and believing in it makes the desire of reality different from dreaming. Many get confuse between the two. Dreaming is just the pedestal, where the whole process of soul churning for answers start.

Then, nurturing of this dream evolves. And intuiting is about trying to visualize what good could be in store for… it takes the belief towards positive. In doing so one would imbibe the very existence of positive into reality.

Surrounding ourselves with an envelope that generates a good feeling of achieving something starts surmounting us. We can do wonders with that feeling of well being.

So, intuit good things that do well for you harming none. Creation of own world and designating a role for self is the way to realize desires. People say intuition cannot be a voluntary exercise; it follows no rules and barriers and strikes uninformed. But, I question, there must be a way to identify that.

How can it be utilized to our advantage? To some extent it is true. One imagines many things for one’s sake but how would it strike that it would turn out to be an intuition. So try out thinking your desires which are feasible in reality; which syncs with time and space we are in. Then there is a chance that the thoughtful imagination turns into to be your intuition, as and when they turn real.

Creating a world of your own isn’t that taxing after all, even if it doesn’t turn out to be true as you expect…

naughty guy

today is Raksha Bandhan. I stayed at home throughout the day working. anyway, as a Bengali, this festival is not something I look forward to considering my cousins are in Kolkata and importance is laid upon Bhai Doojh far more than this one as a celebration. the cute little episode that I want to share takes us back many years when I was probably in my second or third standard. this day was special not because of the relationships (I was dumb, yuck! that sucks...) but the lovely rakhis on the wrist instead. there were times when I wouldn’t have one and dada (my elder brother) would have many on his wrist(s). I used to envy him.

I recalled this funny experience today during the day out of nowhere and a naughty smile crossed my lips. now, I know how lucky I was then. wish I had the head to use the opportunity as a weapon to woo many… kash!

Allowing them to bloom

Socio-business-environmental approach

Hotels use lots of flowers। At a few ITC hotels, instead of throwing these flowers on a daily basis, they are passed on to an NGO it has tied up with। The NGO after collecting it from the hotels, drop them at the doorsteps of people with multiple disabilities with their capabilities restricted to separating petals from the stem of the plant part the whole day। These petals so separated are collected and sent to concern authorities for extraction of organic colours from it, which are sold to the textile industry.

In this way, not only wastes (wilting flowers) are converted into environment friendly colours but in the process pass on the benefits to the people with multi functional disabilities. This is being practiced at ITC Maurya and Sheraton Hotel in New Delhi as pilot project. This initiative is earning the differently abled people Rs 1800 a month, which is also giving them a dignified reason to live on. The project has also been taken up by India Habitat Centre and a few more hotels for the good of the society.

Flying away to glory

Want to give my imaginations a string of positively so that the aims and dreams match with each other to rise up to reality. At the occasion of our 61st Independence Day, Bishwajit asked me to write about our fascination with kites during childhood. We didn’t grow up together but the fascination hasn’t remain untouched to our upbringing; simply saying, to the entire generation before me, which I know about. Life offered simplicity and we as small kids accepted them unflinchingly. So did our parents.

Coming back to what my dear friend said, I think, he consciously took up this topic knowing that I am left with no more interest in indulging to get up on the terrace and take kites to the sky. The topic of kites rose two days back while we were discussing the plan for the long weekend. But today, when the kite flying day is over I somehow feel, he issued me a warrant to come out of shackles of negativity and let myself free… as many of my friends, acquaintances feel that I adopt and welcome negativity more often than positives that life has to offer to me.

Could be. And kite is the way I should be like. It has always provided us with a fascinating occupation and have been cheered equally by young and old. The free will of kites, even though they are controlled, tells us a lot. It is not about me only. I feel the will to be like them is more about choosing the right direction where everyone else should be moving towards.

At this point, a kite couldn’t have been a better metaphor for our democracy and independence, together. Let our course be of that of “free will” yet with a string of “discipline” attached to it so that we remain in a flock.

I hereon will try to free me, my will… with strings attached. I hereon will seek answers… to the questions sometimes I never raise.

Regaining lost conscience

Not so long ago there was a feeling that China’s oppression on Tibet is not a fair one. Now, I find us here. Rejoicing China’s coming of age and taking the retribution to the developed countries with developing brigade like ours are happy about her painstaking walk over. Suddenly, everything seems to be rosy, eye lit, comprehensive; Tibetians, for that matter, forgotten at once.

Three months back, the scenario in India was different. And world over. Pictures of protest marking Tibet’s resurgence to take on the big brother head on came in the open. I remember the call of a Buddhist lama at the McLeodganj’s nerve centre. He was polite, calm yet with a certain degree of anguish that was demanding a vent. He (and me, and thousands more) had just completed a joint prayer for peace at the very political base of the exiled Tibet Government in India. He started pointing towards a series of photographs (kept on display at one of the small rooms within the Monastery) of the crimes committed on the innocent peace loving civilians in Lhasa and further in Tibet by the Chinese headship. These photographs are sent here and elsewhere, whosoever has taken to give a dimension of what Tibet nationals wants world to know i.e. that is what they are suffering from but peacefully, he said.

The lama, in his unique calm, explained the conscience one should stick to in adversity. What is this conscience? He said: nothing but the one that offers peace to self and showers happiness on others. The conversation stretched over to many other aspects where he talked about the true essence of Buddhism whereby one should not return the hatred on the same platter. Return nothing but sweetness.

While coming out of the monastery, a bunch of friends as a group walked through a narrow lane of McLeodganj. What we witnessed was something we never expected to. A tall Indian guy on a bike showering adjectives from his illicit vocabulary on a passing by lama who for sure didn’t do anything but had a slight hesitation on selecting his track that confused the biker. Playing oblivion to the filth, the monk passed by and carried on with his journey. His silence taught me a lot what words would never have been able to.

While the other day Musharraf quoted: "Kashmir is in our (Pakistan) blood". Why this bloodbath then? You have been responsible for many. We know it and so do you. The ongoing crisis in J&K is something none is happy about. News reports attribute it to ISI and then, there is anger within the Kashmir brigade. A popular face in the J&K politics, while reasoning military action necessary to stop civilian conflict justified, displays his anger through expressions because he is on air, visually. What his anguish tells many who are suffering and directly affected by the political clampdown? How people are going to read that anger on his face as? He could have been calm to explain his reasoning is the only request one could ask for.

The residents (that’s the word I use) are placed vis-à-vis rest of the country and the divide in between yawns further and further. Where to settle this unrest? Answers are hard to come by as political voices carrying on creating the theorems of winning Jammu & Kashmir. Our very conscience to find an answer is lost. Hopefully, we will regain it as has been, time and again, since centuries. Still, there is hope as I read the lines of Rabindranath Tagore:

Where the mind is without fear
and the head is held high…

I hope, we will all have a reason tomorrow to celebrate our 61st year of being an independent nation that always finds itself in a dichotomy to overcome.

Tale of 5000 omelettes a day

Many believe that the art of omelette making is as fascinating one as the final product tastes. I completely agree and would take it a step further; it is thrilling as well. Well, where is the scope of thrill in it? Believe me, I used to think likewise but this fact has been implanted on me after my visit to one of the best airlines catering facility i.e. of Singapore Airlines owned SATS. Though it has tied up with many hotel chains in India and abroad for supplying food to its crafts and others but preparation of food (especially omelettes) at its own facility in Singapore is a delight to watch.

Never ever in my dreams could I have thought that “food is an art” where technology too has a great role to play to. The amalgamation of mechanical and human elements in the making of a food delight from egg surpasses imaginations of any kind. According to SATS, it prepares 5000 omelettes everyday to serve different airlines, which touch down at Singapore.

Suddenly, omelette making seemed like an ancient craft still accomplished by a sensible bunch of people on this planet. And the saddest part is that I happen to be a mere spectator and restricted to participate in it. Enjoy this video where simplicity meets sophistication. Omelette preparation couldn’t have been a better example of that.

Shooting golden mistakes

Yesterday, Abhinav Bindra clinched the 2008 Olympic Gold in the individual category (for 10-mtr air rifle event) and created history. Seldom we find such great examples by Indian sportsperson on the world platform to register a great feat. But what followed after (the ever-expected monetary rewards that poured for him) gives me no reason to be happy about. The sheer recklessness of the top ranks becomes even more apparent on such steps barring a few like SAIL, Railways, Indian Airlines, etc. (which recruit players of less repute).

Bindra, who is any an affluent individual may not need help NOW at this moment but surely needed so when he used to train under, if not financial, infrastructure constraints during his formative years. Where the big guns were who are announcing rewards for him then? His expenditure for the training crosses over one crore per annum, I read.

It is not hard to believe that he is going to cherish the medal more than anything else and these rewards won’t be something he is ever going to boast about, forget the name of the organisation, state govts, etc. Though, the scenario would have been different had the monetary support came when he desperately needed it; realistically, (if not for him) for many others who don’t get a chance to prove their mettle at the national level due to lack of finances for due training they deserve.

Now, when many countries are already looking at the London stage, India should see things more practically and not sit calm on its earned Gold. While every sportsperson insist on having good infrastructure for the new breed that shall perform 10 (or rather 12) years hence, corporates and non-profit organisations (like BCCI, self proclaimed) should guide its finances for the good towards them now and not when they end up winning a medal. In case, BCCI can’t, then they should stick only to Cricket.

By the way, India lost the Test Series to Sri Lanka yesterday when BCCI National Cricket Board President was busy calculating how much to shell away for Bindra. It is time BCCI now start looking for a new brand campaign. Who can be their brand ambassador? I feel Bindra fits the bill.

Uniquely Singapore

It was my first trip abroad and Singapore proved to be a memorable one. It was a business trip, a very short one that didn’t give me enough time to check out the various facets of the city sized country but a couple of things gave me reasons to be happy. They were unusual and I enjoyed knowing and experiencing them.

On the Flyer
If someone is planning to go there one should positively check out the Singapore Flyer, which started operation early this year. The observatory wheel an aerial view of the entire country and is an amazing experience of 35 minutes or so in the air. I took some pictures and videos when boarded the flyer along with the group I went with. The experience was amazing which gave me a towering view of the Singapore landscape. A cubical of a flyer can easily accommodate a group of 20 or more to enjoy the ride collectively.

Fishy affaire
After completing the full circle, we arrived at the base and visited the shopping arcade. It was a SPA that caught our curiousness. It posed two long bath tub kind of set up containing a peculiar variety of fish, chrome yellow in colour. In one of the bath tubs, two ladies were enjoying the fishy sensation on their legs dipped knee length under water. It was a special spa treatment.

According the SPA official, the fish used in the tank is of a special kind that feeds on dirt that usually sticks to our skin. Hence, they feed on it and our skin gets rid of it in the process. It was an example of symbiosis but surely, not at its best for me.

If you love fish (though I do love them in form of food) get this treatment and dip yourself completely and feel being fishy.

Pavement cafes
Last but not the least in the list of my DOs, one should experience the cafes that have seating arrangement outside in the open on the pavements, which are designated particularly for them. Thereby, these cafes offer both indoor and outdoor experience to chill out. Grab a bottle of beer or anything that you may like and enjoy the skyline of the beautiful clean city country. This concept is not yet popular in India but I suspect, this will happen sooner or later in the regions where climatic conditions allow open air dining on the pavements.

someone somewhere listens

a day back I wrote on the way some people go oblivious about their attitude while travelling in metro. rude songs on speaker phones are irritating especially during office hours. But I got my answer today. while I was sitting and reading a book on my way to office, a stong folk song started (probably from the North, couldn't guess the regional dimension of the song). It took some 5-10 min for a person with a hard hitting voice to start $%&*#*$$@... @%**&$#*%.... and shun that person to go on a silent mode. by the sound I guess he should be 50 odd but was at his Haryanvi best. the sound of music disappeared.

my point is that why people have to wait for such massive blow to use their earphones? they can be a little generous to others while travelling. But now the question is who is quitely listening me?

Transform Negative Energy

India came to realise that there exist fearful word Tsunami in 2004. And then, I had punched some words, which got published in HT for its Inner Voice column. What I felt then (Jan 2005), I still believe in it, till date, firmly. In negativity, I realise my strength.

Metro Miseries

While DMRC has given us Delhiites a gift like never before in the form of Metro travel, it has brought some miseries too, which can be taken seriously in some cases and with humour in some.

Let us discuss the serious issue. A week back while I was on my way to office as usual, I argued with myself on a phrase used in Metro that we read very often. It was related to designated seats “For Old & Physically Challenged Only”. Suddenly, I recalled how DMRC is trying to put forward its corporate image at its best. Yet, one aspect was missing: a sensitive approach.

I quickly made sure that an e-mail should go from my end to DMRC officials changing that phrase to --- For Elderly & Differently Abled --- which will be respectful and also command respect from others to offer seats. Let there be no feeling of apathy among the commuters towards this section of society. There should be more empathetic approach to the issue. I might be wrong, yet I felt good on writing that letter to the concerned. Now, I stand to wait for the change to take place.

On another instance, I would never write a letter for the misery many travelers go through courtesy “loud peers” in the Metro. Turning on the music, that too in the speaker mode is ridiculous; and what more, they don’t play good music. While traveling back home one day, my colleague and friend Prateek Sahay said, “Why he is not changing the track; I don’t like it.” I didn’t respond to his invigorating comments but it made clear to me what others around that fellow would be thinking on this subject. The interesting part, that fellow playing music was oblivious of the fact that all others are looking at him and conjuring up something against him. Luckily, he was about to alight. As soon as he went out of train, we heard another one boarding issued us a warrant of listening to his choice of music. Sometimes, God is at His irritating best.

Yet, our love for Metro seems to be on track. Only if some people can pay little attention to minute of sensitivities for the good of society at large, it would turn out to be smooth as well. Amen!

Comedy of ERRORS

While Singapore offers immense opportunity to enjoy the various attractions it has, the international airport can be a complete destination by itself to catch on if one fails to visit the country’s sites. Let me share my experiences at the airport during my recent short business visit that turned out to be a comedy of errors.

“Not many airports around the world are carpeted extensively like this one,” said one of my fellow traveler (and a friend), as his first reaction after we landed at the Changi Airport Singapore, who was traveling with me for our short business trip of one and a half day in Singapore. The immense horizon of the airport terminal provided us with an experience of a lifetime. I was looking forward to this country visit but hey, first let me check out the airport itself – a great excursion place to be in!

We were invited by Singapore Airlines (SIA) to know about their latest cabin products offering to India bound travelers, the catering unit of SATS and the airline training centre. SIA’s public affairs executive received us, a group of journalists, and escorted to the SilverKris Lounge. This lounge of the Singapore Airlines is immaculately designed. As we reached quite early in the morning there (as the Rolex watch with golden outlining was pointing in the lounge) and had to proceed for a business conference directly from there, we were asked to freshen up ourselves at the airport itself, which appeared weird prime facie.

Since I was hungrier by then, I checked out the buffet first, which was not only elaborate but sumptuous too. After gorging some stuff quickly, I experienced the best of washrooms that even hotels fail to deliver. Immaculately designed, it provides with the basic necessities to get fresh and enjoyed my 10 minutes of amazing shower experience. Though, our group consisted of 21 people from New Delhi and Mumbai, none complained getting refreshed at the airport because that turned out to be a more pampering aspect of our tour that we never thought earlier.

After the hot shower, I returned to the breakfast zone again, guess it had an effect and forced me to take another round of the buffet. The design of the lounge was also interesting too. I noticed that the ceiling is an elaborate structure of air conditioning vents and so on that gets concealed with the fine bars used as ceiling; when viewed with an angle, it conceals the grey matter inside but looking up vertically, one can check all the gadgetries.

While appreciating the artistry of the lounge and sipping my cup of tea, a middle aged German drew my attention. He walked from his dining table and looked for some beverage. He was about to get a cup of tea or coffee as he proceeded towards the coffee making machine. He pressed one of the machine buttons without any outcome. Obviously, that fellow was trying one of the beverage choices out there but failed to succeed. He pressed the button once again but met with the same result. He was visibly miffed at the machine and his bad luck. As his eyesight crossed mine, I signaled him about no water in the machine that he needs to feed. He chuckled… and went towards a stewardess to resolve the pending matter.

As we proceeded towards the immigration counter after that it surprised me that the Terminal 3 is yet to be formally inaugurated on July 25 by the Singapore Prime Minister. We reached there two days before experiencing the complete service that will be formally opened to the world, though the soft launch took place way back in February this year, I enquired. Before the immigration area, we went pass Section A of Terminal 3. This zone welcomes Airbus 380 passengers and I felt good knowing that. Hopefully someday, will be crossing from that area, I wished.

Next day, that is July 24, we were back again at the airport to make a departure for India. There was this sense of incompleteness. Nonetheless we checked in our luggage and by mistake, I had left my immigration slip inside that I am supposed to pose at the counter during emigration. I was sweating profusely. I was asked to get the verification done from another counter and I proceeded mutely. There, the lady I confronted with will remain etched in my memory for long. She brutally murdered my confidence and asked me about my arrival date, flight numbers… and so on. Suddenly I felt everything has been erased from my memory. I was unable to recall today’s date and was counting out on my luck. God! I’m the most peace loving person on this planet, don’t interrogate me like this! It was just yesterday when I arrived on this land but the tension crept in so badly that I fumbled to recognize the date.

Nonetheless, at the end, I got a life when the officials verified that am not a terrorist and just a mere skeleton body that can be blown away easily by air. Huh! I was verified and asked to go ahead and not to repeat this mistake again in my life. Timidly, I promised so.

After getting a new lease of life, I tried to track my group who had already scattered for their shopping spree at the DFS zones. And so did I. During that time I met a sweet lady in the chocolate shop helping me in selecting the right ones for my colleagues. And then encountered another one just opposite to the earlier shop where I purchased ear tops for my sister-in-law and a pendant for my mom. While delivering the stuff, she said, next time around get it for your wife. I said, “Yeah, definitely. I will surely get married soon in India to come back here to oblige you.” She laughed. That laugh will stay with me…

With all my purchase done, I confined myself to the Internet zone where apparently I met another Indian young guy pursuing mass communication course came here for a cultural exchange programme. We chatted and exchanged cards. He wishes to become a director some day and I requested to book me for a role then. He assured so. Forgetting the time while chatting he asked me about my flight’s time. It was scheduled for 1850 hours departure. Again, I started perspiring as the clock showed 1830 hours. Bidding him goodbye, I rushed and managed to catch the flight on time. Reaching the cabin, I saw my business friends relaxing on their seats and I quickly ordered some wine to quench my thirst.

While my journey back I realized, there was hardly much time to experience the country. Nonetheless, I was at ease and felt complete of my stay here. The airport with its good, bad and ugly experiences that it stored for me made it a true script for a holiday. Next time around I don’t mind having business meetings at the airport itself and if business travelers across the world start doing so, then Singapore Tourism should ideally Blame It On Changi to rest their case on.

going back to cricket memory

Long before twenty20 format, Cricket still used to enthrall me a lot. But the situation is no longer the same anymore. India, in Cricket, winning or loosing now doesn’t churn out the same effect in me once it used to. While watching the first Test Match between India and Sri Lanka this season, I recalled how I used to take the lost matches in my stride proudly.

The following is one such episode during September 21, 2004 when I penned down my feelings on paper after we lost to Pakistan.

Savouring loosing points
Though we lost the Indo-Pak tie, we went down with never-say-die spirit. When we loose, all the goods inevitably appears on the other side. It feels indeed bad to be left alone on this side – where past looms around as something you don’t want to look at and the future, more than ever, hovers like a puzzle as John McLain of Die Hard fame encounters, though he always ends up with success unlike the Indian Cricket Team.

The situation on the match day in each and every home, I guess, must be same throughout the country. My home could be easily anyone else’s, as my mother constantly maintains her murmuring when Ganguly’s Gang does something silly on the field, which she, like many other moms, doesn’t approve and just not ready to accept from the men in blue. Then her murmuring turns into a one-sided argument with the players, who should thank their stars for they are unable to listen to the country moms (include Geoff Boycott’s mum too) and I end up with disgust and stop her from giving those unparallel expert opinions. I shout, ‘Let me listen to the commentators what they have to say about the game…you don’t know…hmm… hmm… I don’t know…as they do…’ and our argument continues till the end.

There is always a clash of what we expect, think about the game and how our players perform at the middle. No matter which part of the country one travels to, there be an endless discussion about the previous falter or about the imminent onslaught reverberating all the time in the atmosphere. The dying expectation never ever dies down, strange enough for non-cricket lovers.

We lost to the Pakistan team. We are out of the Champions Trophy. We have been shaken up. Oh! We are faced with that feared moment in our lives once again, which we forgot of late. But is it that bad? No. Not at all, if you think logically.

The recent comment of the Australian captain Ricky Ponting that has been hailed correct by the Cricketing Connoisseurs, suggests the maturity phase the sport has entered into and now, like all life cycles it is bound to go for a plunge. With meager contingents viz. USA, Bangladesh, etc… coming into such an important event didn’t ruin anyone’s reputation but the name of the tournament.

Coming on to the performance of the Indians, they should be praised for making the match interesting after stumbling to set up a good score for the Pakistanis to chase. Knowing the firepower of their bowling department, they could have applied themselves a bit more. I agree that after the completion of a match it is very easy to do all sorts of post mortems, but it is really difficult avoiding so being an Indian. Even we are allowed to have some negatives - is what the nation retorts, when we loose out on a key encounter.

What more than anything hurts is that the players don’t put a price on their wicket and ready to gift away their wickets even before making the opposition stoop a little. Ganguly, Laxman and Sehwag, all gave away their wickets and the rest inevitably fell flat with burgeoning pressure to achieve a respectable number on the board. Although we managed to reach double century mark, it was always short of what was needed to give our bowlers a chance to knock out a steady performing Pakistani line up. At the end we were short by a whisker. There was a sure shot element of disappointment amongst Indian cricket lovers but we were not morally down and out, which used to happen a few years back.

The scenario has changed. We might be going through a rough patch but this could just embark something good performance from the boys in the forthcoming series against the world champions. The spark, which was conspicuous in the last couple of years, was not there. Yet, I can see there is enough to come in future from this team. When we talk about cricket dying down, the matches like Ind v Pak adds up a few more years to it. So it can be said that even after we lost we gave back something to the game.

Meanwhile, we can carry on with more analysis on the team’s pitiable performance to keep ourselves busy. For me, at least, I will be able to watch the other important matches with all peace, as my mother won’t be commenting anymore. India is out of any further discussion for her. Conclusion: loosing propositions isn’t that bad for sports lovers like you and me. We will be enjoying the sport rather than praying and crucifying our boys with words throughout the finals, had they made it. What you say, hmm…?

knowing spirit of Godess Durga

Living the Pujo Spirit

When I thought of writing something on the occasion of Durga Pujo, I was enlivened by mere fact of writing something. This, I guess, happens to each and every Bengali. Oops! I think to everyone around, who associate with Maa Durga irrespective of the dialect he or she speaks.

Isn’t that a strange thing to come across? I mean how this festival has never been a festivity of religious norms and further…it is much beyond a religious harangue/obligation that youngsters keep away from or atleast try so. Not with this one though; we are blessed to know it as a festival that is our Right but a ceremony to be performed every autumn.

Since childhood, it has been a festival that begins from Mahalaya (the invocation ritual to bring Maa back to Earth from Kailash) turning on the spirit of Durga Pujo at once. Buying new clothes and segregating the same as per number of occasions is one statement Bengalis wear on their sleeves. But imagine do we actually recognize who is celebrating the festival in true sense. Of course “we”, many would shout but I think the festival begins from the dhakis; decorating their dhaks and preparing them so that they express our trepidations fluently. There are many symbols of how this festival isn’t about a Maa Durga alone, and you know that. The truth is – we relate Durga Pujo with every little thing we do. The important things i.e. all about, all those small instances that fills our heart with joy, we tend to realize only when the Pujo arrives.

Bengalis react vehemently. They have so much to do, in less time and all in ill order; never sure what to do, and what not. Grown up in Delhi, I’ve experienced the Kolkata flavour too a many times during this festival. Amazingly, people express in different manner and that’s perfectly right at its place. But one thing common which I want to bring your focus on and have noticed that people tend to forget to carry forward the “happiness & spirit” Pujo brings to us. Why it is such short lived? Just ask for the answer.

This time around, try that you, continue to carry on the buzz of this festival along with you all-round-the-year till next time, when there will be an opportunity to quantify it. May we are all blessed with that wish in this festival of fervour.

(Wrote for the Puja Brochure 2006 for Dwarka Sector 14 Agomoni Samiti)

out of the blue

used to see that so many people blogging intensively. now, it has hit me. and just got started.
Now, what i used to write earlier and think about the various situations can be brought to light for others through me. i am enthusiastic about my new move, as this gives me an opportunity to breakfree... wish myself happy blogging!