I tried this exercise , and may be each one reading should try and do what this is worth.
Collect first page and editorial reports of 3 months in anynews paper. After 3 months try glancing through the pages , what you will find shocks you beyond doubts. No headline lasts for more than 1 week , no investigation is reported to its logical conclusion. I am not too sure if this is a rule of the media houses (print,television and otherwise) worldwide, but going by the basic premise of why media , I think it defeats the purpose of existence.
Agreed, media is not an investigating agency.But it is surely a reporting agency , affecting and shaping the opinion of millions reading/watching/hearing to it. Ask yourself , do you have answers to these -
What happened to the Bihar plane crash?
What happened to the crores of Rupees collected during Tsunami relief fund ? Are we satisfied in seeing the names of the donors with amounts in descending order .. or do we need to see what went to the receipient?
Music and video of tsunami dominated regional political televisions in TN , but has anyone bothered to consolidate and send a report to each of the donors saying where their money was used ?
Much has been written about the controversy surrounding actors comments on something which people have no background to , but not a single line mentioned about Manjunath, the young man who was murdered for reporting the truth. Where is the fourth estate heading ?
Why doesnt the media have guts to stand up , print a letter from a reader complaining about its pathetic content or reply to him/her? I am a customer of your paper , I deserve to be heard , if that means replying to lakhs of letters streaming in , so be it.
Why sensationalise every issue , but not try and see through the depth of the case. If the journalists are indeed running behind headlines , their days are numbered . What they should be seeing is to create an unifying opinion , and an uprising against what is considered universally as not acceptable. To enrich each reader with a fair and an unbiased view of an event - any event not necessarily a national calamity or an emergency.
Where are the days when a copy of "Sudesa Mitran" could ignite the spirits of people reading it . Do we need another invasion for the fourth estate to wake up .
If I were a deciding authority .. I would say ...
BE sensitive in what you write and how you write (photograph of Shoba De , skimping in White skirt can be a supplement , not next to a report on rape of a 7 year old girl)
If you do report on a national tragedy , see it through the logical end , We want to know what was wrong in the plane that crashed in BIhar in 1997 , more than we are interested in following Karishma's marriage woes through the years. If someone has indeed reported on the same , I am sorry it was not as prominent as the actor's marriage.
Avoid instances like distracting saree /jewellary advts next to a state flooding report
Avoid TV scrollers like " to know more on the suffering, pain , tears in Cuddalore and govts response , read the eveninger " ... Tragedy should not be a selling point .. if it is- Shame on the paper which is owned by the biggest writer of our times.
I dont know if these opinions are shared by you, but I am a writer and you are a reader .You have the right to object , and my duty is to listen/ address them ... not defend them. If you are a journalist , I definitely need a response on this .
Mommy blogger
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Friday, October 21, 2005
Waking up...
3 months/12 weeks/90 days …
That’s exactly the time when my blog went to hibernate. Call it personal distractions, professional tribulations, plain boredom, need for a fresh thought. The reality is today it finally decided to shake itself up.
As Sangeetha in Flavors – the movie says “ You need inspiration even to do nothing ma !!!”
Hmm… so what was yours ??? Is that what you are thinking now ? so read on …
A day like any other
– A zillion to do things on the list, none struck off
– Calls galore and a customary smile , concealing the ignorance of the query
– Proposals, feedbacks, trip reports and more trip requests
I felt my mind screaming for a break. It had been long since I had read anything that reminded me of yester years. I went to my mail box, and scanned through archives
– amma’s recipes, replies to letters, updates on who’s who
Anna (Big brother)
School friends
Class friends
College friends
Summer friends
Days when all that seemed to matter was mailing and writing.
I saw it change over the years to subscription lists, group mails, forwards, spams and slowly trickled to a few of even them. And there was that one mail from a date so long ag o…
From an unknown unseen face... Just a line it said
“I happened to come through some links, nice to see someone who writes on an average of 2 blogs a day. Don’t know if you are jobless. But it does add a zing of joy to my life to see that someone is rambling non sense as I read one. Keep the ramblings going, I must say sometimes they seem to bring joy to the reader and a smile on the lips”
So here’s to the one fan who inspired the bear to come out of hibernation. Don’t know if I can maintain the frequency, but will sure keep the ramblings as ramblings….
Toast: To a fresh new start blog, and otherwise ;)
That’s exactly the time when my blog went to hibernate. Call it personal distractions, professional tribulations, plain boredom, need for a fresh thought. The reality is today it finally decided to shake itself up.
As Sangeetha in Flavors – the movie says “ You need inspiration even to do nothing ma !!!”
Hmm… so what was yours ??? Is that what you are thinking now ? so read on …
A day like any other
– A zillion to do things on the list, none struck off
– Calls galore and a customary smile , concealing the ignorance of the query
– Proposals, feedbacks, trip reports and more trip requests
I felt my mind screaming for a break. It had been long since I had read anything that reminded me of yester years. I went to my mail box, and scanned through archives
Anna (Big brother)
School friends
Class friends
College friends
Summer friends
Days when all that seemed to matter was mailing and writing.
I saw it change over the years to subscription lists, group mails, forwards, spams and slowly trickled to a few of even them. And there was that one mail from a date so long ag o…
From an unknown unseen face... Just a line it said
“I happened to come through some links, nice to see someone who writes on an average of 2 blogs a day. Don’t know if you are jobless. But it does add a zing of joy to my life to see that someone is rambling non sense as I read one. Keep the ramblings going, I must say sometimes they seem to bring joy to the reader and a smile on the lips”
So here’s to the one fan who inspired the bear to come out of hibernation. Don’t know if I can maintain the frequency, but will sure keep the ramblings as ramblings….
Toast: To a fresh new start blog, and otherwise ;)
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Chennai Times
Back to checking out what's in and what's out !!!
What's in
What's out
Umbrellas and Raincoats ( YEPP THE RAIN GODS HAVE STRUCK !!))
Umbrellas and Shades
Adi Masam discounts
Summer offers
50,000 + color saree on Jyothika
Jyothika
Annual Increments
Annual Leave
Manmohan in Washington
Washington il Tirumanam( that is Tamizh writer saavi's classic for the uninitiated)
Queing up to lay hands on first copy of Harry Potter
Queing up for the first Chandramukhi Ticket
Sarkar- the movie ticket sales
Laalo Sarkar - look alike doll sales
Thats what's in for this week
Signing out
What's in
What's out
Umbrellas and Raincoats ( YEPP THE RAIN GODS HAVE STRUCK !!))
Umbrellas and Shades
Adi Masam discounts
Summer offers
50,000 + color saree on Jyothika
Jyothika
Annual Increments
Annual Leave
Manmohan in Washington
Washington il Tirumanam( that is Tamizh writer saavi's classic for the uninitiated)
Queing up to lay hands on first copy of Harry Potter
Queing up for the first Chandramukhi Ticket
Sarkar- the movie ticket sales
Laalo Sarkar - look alike doll sales
Thats what's in for this week
Signing out
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Pati and me
My 'pati' ( Grandmother) was 81 when she passed away last week. A seasoned grandmother who had seen most of the ups and downs in life, seen her grand children grow from skating on a toy scooter to zipping past in flashy cars.
But I had not realised till the day I saw her sleeping quietly on the drawing room floor, how much I had really built a bond - a silent bond with her.
She was one generation ahead of my mom, but we never had arguments over attire or phone calls. We actually watched and laughed through Pandiarajan movies together. I practised my dance in front of her - mostly classical, and sometimes even to macarena. She tried every dish I made, ( even if that meant, picking out 100 pieces of shredded onion blended in cabbage). She oiled my hair, massaged my feet, gave me ready to eat - thayir sadam ( Curd and Rice mix).
She was a learner, and a teacher bundled in one. She never believed in learning/teaching anything by force. She had not studied beyond the V std. So we taught her English and Hindi , but ended up learning to read and write Tamil . She learnt to sing , when her voice had cracked, but she sang religiously every day. She was always immaculately dressed. I remember hiding behind the dressing table just to see her perfect the vermillion on her forehead and adjust the flowers on her hair. She shone, and my eyes glinted.
As time flew by, we became "grown ups". Reached the age of 25 when grand mothers were relegated to good mornings, and good nights. " Patti please, indha serial vendam "( No patti , not this serial again") was more heard around the house.
It was a Saturday I would never forget. It was the last time I saw her alive in flesh and blood. She was 81, frail but the enthusiasm with which she ran her hands over the silk saree, and her chain was catchy.She wanted to attend a family function the coming friday. The calender , was testimonial to crossed off days signalling a count down. She had bought a new box of Ponds powder(She always smelt the dreamflower woman). She was like what her little grand daughter was 15 years back.
She held my hand , and asked " Do I look healthy ? Do I look good ?"
" Pati , you look gorgeous. Just come at 4:30 pm , the whole crowd will be there to see you."
Yes, the whole crowd did come in to see her, but she didnt live to hear the chatter. I dont mourn her demise. I understand , she escaped from pain. She had lived a full life. But I do miss her presence in the house. The silent pati on the chair, when I came back from office was someone I will miss for ever.
When we went through her box, later that day, I could see , an obvious vacuum in the box and an implied one in us.
We were living life , like a pair of logs. Small joys did not excite us like it did before. Dressing up was a routine, family get togethers were crowds, life appeared short , fast paced and went past by the clock. I looked up at her photo on the wall, waiting to hear her voice. But she was smiling. She never spoke much, only smiled. But this time Mrs.Rajalakshmi Vishwanathan ( that was her name) had something to say.
Why do things become a drag on us? Because we fail to enjoy the moment of truth. Enjoy every act of yours , and also others. It brings zest into life , and life into rest.
Ofcourse, she would have typically said this laced in the frog and Bhagya story, but that was pati.
Wife to my Thatha, Mother to my Father, but a nice cuddly pati to me.
I will miss you.
But I had not realised till the day I saw her sleeping quietly on the drawing room floor, how much I had really built a bond - a silent bond with her.
She was one generation ahead of my mom, but we never had arguments over attire or phone calls. We actually watched and laughed through Pandiarajan movies together. I practised my dance in front of her - mostly classical, and sometimes even to macarena. She tried every dish I made, ( even if that meant, picking out 100 pieces of shredded onion blended in cabbage). She oiled my hair, massaged my feet, gave me ready to eat - thayir sadam ( Curd and Rice mix).
She was a learner, and a teacher bundled in one. She never believed in learning/teaching anything by force. She had not studied beyond the V std. So we taught her English and Hindi , but ended up learning to read and write Tamil . She learnt to sing , when her voice had cracked, but she sang religiously every day. She was always immaculately dressed. I remember hiding behind the dressing table just to see her perfect the vermillion on her forehead and adjust the flowers on her hair. She shone, and my eyes glinted.
As time flew by, we became "grown ups". Reached the age of 25 when grand mothers were relegated to good mornings, and good nights. " Patti please, indha serial vendam "( No patti , not this serial again") was more heard around the house.
It was a Saturday I would never forget. It was the last time I saw her alive in flesh and blood. She was 81, frail but the enthusiasm with which she ran her hands over the silk saree, and her chain was catchy.She wanted to attend a family function the coming friday. The calender , was testimonial to crossed off days signalling a count down. She had bought a new box of Ponds powder(She always smelt the dreamflower woman). She was like what her little grand daughter was 15 years back.
She held my hand , and asked " Do I look healthy ? Do I look good ?"
" Pati , you look gorgeous. Just come at 4:30 pm , the whole crowd will be there to see you."
Yes, the whole crowd did come in to see her, but she didnt live to hear the chatter. I dont mourn her demise. I understand , she escaped from pain. She had lived a full life. But I do miss her presence in the house. The silent pati on the chair, when I came back from office was someone I will miss for ever.
When we went through her box, later that day, I could see , an obvious vacuum in the box and an implied one in us.
We were living life , like a pair of logs. Small joys did not excite us like it did before. Dressing up was a routine, family get togethers were crowds, life appeared short , fast paced and went past by the clock. I looked up at her photo on the wall, waiting to hear her voice. But she was smiling. She never spoke much, only smiled. But this time Mrs.Rajalakshmi Vishwanathan ( that was her name) had something to say.
Why do things become a drag on us? Because we fail to enjoy the moment of truth. Enjoy every act of yours , and also others. It brings zest into life , and life into rest.
Ofcourse, she would have typically said this laced in the frog and Bhagya story, but that was pati.
Wife to my Thatha, Mother to my Father, but a nice cuddly pati to me.
I will miss you.
Friday, July 01, 2005
What does it take ???
A typical tamil film dialogue ( well even in Hindi)
"You spoilt the girl's life. You give her the same back. You have to marry her. "
The girl , through her tears weeps.
What kind of a logic does that hold ? Is marriage life or is this the easier way of getting married?
Is this only in Indian films or in real life too .
I just had to open the day's paper to see that. Religious laws, Social laws, Justice waiting for the girl to decide if she wanted to marry a rapist - It s nothing less than shocking nah disgusting.
We have a knowledgeable president , and an equally intelligent PM. It doesnt take a 1/3 rd female majority in parliament to change the laws, to shut the religious books shut on this non sense, to ask the "katta panchayatu" to mind its own business.
What does it take ? Will some one let me know ?
"You spoilt the girl's life. You give her the same back. You have to marry her. "
The girl , through her tears weeps.
What kind of a logic does that hold ? Is marriage life or is this the easier way of getting married?
Is this only in Indian films or in real life too .
I just had to open the day's paper to see that. Religious laws, Social laws, Justice waiting for the girl to decide if she wanted to marry a rapist - It s nothing less than shocking nah disgusting.
We have a knowledgeable president , and an equally intelligent PM. It doesnt take a 1/3 rd female majority in parliament to change the laws, to shut the religious books shut on this non sense, to ask the "katta panchayatu" to mind its own business.
What does it take ? Will some one let me know ?
Thursday, June 30, 2005
India Times
Whats in ???? Whats out???
Jinnah - The Indian connection
Jinnah- The Pak connection
Muhurtham
Metti Oli
Sania Swearing
Sania Playing
Watching Parineeta ,without understanding a word
Watching Anniyan digesting every word
Sensex at 7000
Temperature at 42 degrees
Back to school (Retail Promos)
Back to school (School Opens)
Jinnah - The Indian connection
Jinnah- The Pak connection
Muhurtham
Metti Oli
Sania Swearing
Sania Playing
Watching Parineeta ,without understanding a word
Watching Anniyan digesting every word
Sensex at 7000
Temperature at 42 degrees
Back to school (Retail Promos)
Back to school (School Opens)
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Waiting...
Nope , I am not referring to Ha Jin's book, but to the time spent by each of us waiting
7:00 am :Waiting for the milk to reach boiling point
7:30 am :Waiting for appa, to finish the Hindu supplement
8:30 :Waiting for 21 D
8:32 :Waiting for Chinnama to get down at adayar for the seat
9:00 :Waiting for Lift
9:10 :WaitingSystem to boot
9:30 :Waiting for Coffee machine to vend coffee
10:30 : Waiting for lunch time
2:30 : Waiting for 5:30
Monday ->Waiting for Friday
Friday -> Waiting for the new release
Sat -> Waiting for that invite
Sun -> Waiting for the grand lunch ...
If some one ever said, Life waits for none ... Should I go through my list again ??
7:00 am :Waiting for the milk to reach boiling point
7:30 am :Waiting for appa, to finish the Hindu supplement
8:30 :Waiting for 21 D
8:32 :Waiting for Chinnama to get down at adayar for the seat
9:00 :Waiting for Lift
9:10 :WaitingSystem to boot
9:30 :Waiting for Coffee machine to vend coffee
10:30 : Waiting for lunch time
2:30 : Waiting for 5:30
Monday ->Waiting for Friday
Friday -> Waiting for the new release
Sat -> Waiting for that invite
Sun -> Waiting for the grand lunch ...
If some one ever said, Life waits for none ... Should I go through my list again ??
Friday, June 24, 2005
Advantage Agassi
It was 8:00 pm , and the road side restaurant telly was playing the re run of the Wimbledon round 2. Much water had flown , ever since I started following tennis. As I followed the match sitting alone, mulling over a cup of tea the past seemed to recoil in front of me. ( Yeah too much of tamil movies , I actually saw Tortoise mosquito repellent recoiling).
June ,1992 : It was the men's singles final of Wimbledon- a Sunday. So the family had gathered under the roof to watch the nail biting finish. Center court matches were always exhausting, but this was a fight to tooth and nail. Andre Agassi Vs Goran Ivansevic
I had just finished explaining the concept of deuce and advantage to my mother who brought in a plate of "Steaming Onion Pakodas".
Score:
6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 1-6,
Final set 2-2
Game 30-40, Goran Serving.An ace, and the score moved up to Deuce.
English weather was at its June best and the American sweat down through his ponytail.
Another ace.
Agassi needed help in wiping the beads of water trickling down. He handed over the towel to the petite ball girl on base line. A lil to the left , he snickered showing his white left bag to the already pink amateur.
My mother after deliberation declared- " It is now advantage Goran , right ?? ?"
" No," replied my brother, without batting an eye lid.
" Why??" my mother went through right from love all to deuce and ace.
My brother's eye twinkled, " Amma, look at the screen, It is definitely Advantage Agassi!!!"
Needless to say , Agassi went on to win his first Grand slam and only Wimbledon. The score tallied at 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.
Wimbledon 1992- truly advantage Agassi.
June ,1992 : It was the men's singles final of Wimbledon- a Sunday. So the family had gathered under the roof to watch the nail biting finish. Center court matches were always exhausting, but this was a fight to tooth and nail. Andre Agassi Vs Goran Ivansevic
I had just finished explaining the concept of deuce and advantage to my mother who brought in a plate of "Steaming Onion Pakodas".
Score:
6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 1-6,
Final set 2-2
Game 30-40, Goran Serving.An ace, and the score moved up to Deuce.
English weather was at its June best and the American sweat down through his ponytail.
Another ace.
Agassi needed help in wiping the beads of water trickling down. He handed over the towel to the petite ball girl on base line. A lil to the left , he snickered showing his white left bag to the already pink amateur.
My mother after deliberation declared- " It is now advantage Goran , right ?? ?"
" No," replied my brother, without batting an eye lid.
" Why??" my mother went through right from love all to deuce and ace.
My brother's eye twinkled, " Amma, look at the screen, It is definitely Advantage Agassi!!!"
Needless to say , Agassi went on to win his first Grand slam and only Wimbledon. The score tallied at 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.
Wimbledon 1992- truly advantage Agassi.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
With love from New york...
He is the lord of healing all troubles. An intriguing combination of human and pachyderm forms
Vinayaga alias Pulliyar alias Ganesha.
Right from every door step to hill tops , he adornes every hindu household and temple alike. Known by various names depending on his core competencies
- Varasidhi, Vidya Ganapathi, Valampuri, Selvaganapathy.
Based on his geographic location
Pulliarpatti, to Malaikottai in Trichy and he is not a South Indian phenomenon alone.
Ganapathiphule, in West India attracts more tourists for the god with the little tummy than for its virgin beaches.
But what I got to see at ArupadaiVeedu, Chennai was something I had never expected.
New york - Manhattan Varasiddi Pullayar.
History has it, that the temple construction was stalled for want of funds. (Indians in India had too many temples to donate to ) Thats when a summer visitor from New york stepped in with $ donations , and the rest as they say is history.
So New york Manhattan Varasiddi Pullayar, sits surrounded by his family
Subramanya in Tiruchendur( a sea shore temple in Tamil Nadu)
Parents Shiva and Parvathi in Kailasam, Himalayas
Uncle and Aunt Narayana, Lakshmi in Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh.
If Santa wanted to see divine globalisation, he should visit Aru padai Veedu near Ashtalakhmi Temple, Besant Nagar ,Chennai 90 (facing the Bay of Bengal).
If you visit chennai, please do make a trip to this temple.
Vinayaga alias Pulliyar alias Ganesha.
Right from every door step to hill tops , he adornes every hindu household and temple alike. Known by various names depending on his core competencies
- Varasidhi, Vidya Ganapathi, Valampuri, Selvaganapathy.
Based on his geographic location
Pulliarpatti, to Malaikottai in Trichy and he is not a South Indian phenomenon alone.
Ganapathiphule, in West India attracts more tourists for the god with the little tummy than for its virgin beaches.
But what I got to see at ArupadaiVeedu, Chennai was something I had never expected.
New york - Manhattan Varasiddi Pullayar.
History has it, that the temple construction was stalled for want of funds. (Indians in India had too many temples to donate to ) Thats when a summer visitor from New york stepped in with $ donations , and the rest as they say is history.
So New york Manhattan Varasiddi Pullayar, sits surrounded by his family
Subramanya in Tiruchendur( a sea shore temple in Tamil Nadu)
Parents Shiva and Parvathi in Kailasam, Himalayas
Uncle and Aunt Narayana, Lakshmi in Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh.
If Santa wanted to see divine globalisation, he should visit Aru padai Veedu near Ashtalakhmi Temple, Besant Nagar ,Chennai 90 (facing the Bay of Bengal).
If you visit chennai, please do make a trip to this temple.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Gals, boys, blogs and profiles
It gets murkier by the minute. The world of E- dating , e-matching, e-marriage fixing !!!
You can express interest for free,
350 bucks for a telephone number listing
750 bucks to communicate to a prospect
what next ?? The business manager of a popular "a mate" fixing site tells me
Rs. 1250 for listing your blogs on the site !!!
Why ?? Blogs are more representative of what the person feels , but fails to express. They are also a whole lot interactive.
Ok so is this only for the skilled in writing !!
No you would also have the services of a blog master , who would help you create one !! that comes at an extra cost .
My mind screamed GOSH PLEASE DONT KILL BLOGS!!!
On second thoughts do i have a career opportunity there ??
Imagine a brief like this ,
I am a 35 year old , bachelor, working in a top rated software firm as a lead programmer. I don t read much , only watch "MOVIES" want a wife who would be home loving, beautiful, career focussed, dynamic, should cook well.. Please write a blog for me , which would appeal to such women.
So much so for blogging in the next gen !!!
Hey I told my friend I guess the free spirit of blogging and anonymity it provides is lost if ppl start fishing for spouses in them.
So what, Its just like chatting or mailing or even say have a pen pal?
argued my business manager friend..
Do you blog I asked him , NO.
So he would nt really understand.
You can express interest for free,
350 bucks for a telephone number listing
750 bucks to communicate to a prospect
what next ?? The business manager of a popular "a mate" fixing site tells me
Rs. 1250 for listing your blogs on the site !!!
Why ?? Blogs are more representative of what the person feels , but fails to express. They are also a whole lot interactive.
Ok so is this only for the skilled in writing !!
No you would also have the services of a blog master , who would help you create one !! that comes at an extra cost .
My mind screamed GOSH PLEASE DONT KILL BLOGS!!!
On second thoughts do i have a career opportunity there ??
Imagine a brief like this ,
I am a 35 year old , bachelor, working in a top rated software firm as a lead programmer. I don t read much , only watch "MOVIES" want a wife who would be home loving, beautiful, career focussed, dynamic, should cook well.. Please write a blog for me , which would appeal to such women.
So much so for blogging in the next gen !!!
Hey I told my friend I guess the free spirit of blogging and anonymity it provides is lost if ppl start fishing for spouses in them.
So what, Its just like chatting or mailing or even say have a pen pal?
argued my business manager friend..
Do you blog I asked him , NO.
So he would nt really understand.
TAGGED !!! ...FINALLY !!!
The last movie I borrowed: As good as it gets...
The last film I watched in the theatre: HITCH !!
Which five fictional characters in Hollywood have you had a crush on, in pecking order?
Tom Hanks ...u ve got mail
Harry in harry met sally
Karthik in Flavors (its ... a crossover ..so cd feature elsewhere too)
Clint Eastwood - Bridges of madison..
Hugh grant Nottinghill - Wow would love to date a book store man!!
Which five fictional characters in B/Kollywood have you had a crush on?
Madhavan -Alaipayuthe
A'swamy -Roja (WHO WOULDNTT)
Nagarjun-Idhaythai Thirudathe
Aamir-QSAT
Saif- Hum Tum
Five Hollywood films that I watch a lot or that mean a lot to me:
I might not have five I dont watch much of em
Bridges of Madison ...
U ve got mail
Forrest Gump
Five K/Bollywood films that I watch a lot or that mean a lot to me:
Mouna Ragam
Server Sundaram
DIl chahta hai
Five H/B/Kollywood people I'm supposed to be impressed by, but am not:
Ash definitely
Brad Pitt
Tom Cruise
Pierce Brosnan
mm now for tagging !!!!
All those who have not yet started blogging ... start by thinking, listing Ensoy !!!
The last film I watched in the theatre: HITCH !!
Which five fictional characters in Hollywood have you had a crush on, in pecking order?
Tom Hanks ...u ve got mail
Harry in harry met sally
Karthik in Flavors (its ... a crossover ..so cd feature elsewhere too)
Clint Eastwood - Bridges of madison..
Hugh grant Nottinghill - Wow would love to date a book store man!!
Which five fictional characters in B/Kollywood have you had a crush on?
Madhavan -Alaipayuthe
A'swamy -Roja (WHO WOULDNTT)
Nagarjun-Idhaythai Thirudathe
Aamir-QSAT
Saif- Hum Tum
Five Hollywood films that I watch a lot or that mean a lot to me:
I might not have five I dont watch much of em
Bridges of Madison ...
U ve got mail
Forrest Gump
Five K/Bollywood films that I watch a lot or that mean a lot to me:
Mouna Ragam
Server Sundaram
DIl chahta hai
Five H/B/Kollywood people I'm supposed to be impressed by, but am not:
Ash definitely
Brad Pitt
Tom Cruise
Pierce Brosnan
mm now for tagging !!!!
All those who have not yet started blogging ... start by thinking, listing Ensoy !!!
Thursday, June 16, 2005
TAGGED ... mhmmhmm
Ok .. no one tagged me.. but I thought it was a good way to start spring cleaning my bookshelf.. so here it goes
No of books : 253
The TOP 5 :
RK Narayan
Phantoms of the brain -V.Ramachandran
Bridges of Madison County
clive Avenue- T.S Tirumurthi
and ofcourse my favbourite .... Calvin and hobbes series...
Currently reading
Pour your heart into it - Story of Starbucks
Jus finished
Pundits from Pakistan .. all u cricket lovers and lovers of Sunny days by sunny .. read this
Would never pick up another : .. well cannot say that each story is a diff one !!
Gifted : Gee... not many .. but last was Nagamandala by Girish karnad (tut tut .. written not gifted by him..)
A loner on my shelf : Douglas Adams ... Liked the book , but never got to reading the series
Often refer to: Bridges of Madison... Has a new line everytime I read it, and is the best medicine for a rainy day/night !!!
Hobby reads:Ganamrutha Varna malika ... havent gone beyond Sree ragam as yet
For the sake of a job: Death of salesman
Currently Eyeing: The new grisham book .. wanna read something crimey now !!
Am I Giving any gift hints ???
No of books : 253
The TOP 5 :
RK Narayan
Phantoms of the brain -V.Ramachandran
Bridges of Madison County
clive Avenue- T.S Tirumurthi
and ofcourse my favbourite .... Calvin and hobbes series...
Currently reading
Pour your heart into it - Story of Starbucks
Jus finished
Pundits from Pakistan .. all u cricket lovers and lovers of Sunny days by sunny .. read this
Would never pick up another : .. well cannot say that each story is a diff one !!
Gifted : Gee... not many .. but last was Nagamandala by Girish karnad (tut tut .. written not gifted by him..)
A loner on my shelf : Douglas Adams ... Liked the book , but never got to reading the series
Often refer to: Bridges of Madison... Has a new line everytime I read it, and is the best medicine for a rainy day/night !!!
Hobby reads:Ganamrutha Varna malika ... havent gone beyond Sree ragam as yet
For the sake of a job: Death of salesman
Currently Eyeing: The new grisham book .. wanna read something crimey now !!
Am I Giving any gift hints ???
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
A bundle of Contradictions
I dont wanna work I want 4.00 lacs p.a take home
I dont wanna attend meetings I want to be invited to every damn discussion
I dont want a relationship May be I want.....
I want to work with kids That doesnt give me Point 1 or 3
Iwant to travel I dont want to meet any more dealers
I dont want my blog to be a diary Hello, look at what i have been writing
I believe in self help GOD SAVE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, June 13, 2005
Santa and globalisation...(Contd)
Santhanam walked his cycle home. The minutes of the meeting didn't make much sense to him. All he understood was on May 1st Japanese best practices shall be implemented in all functions right from the peon ( that was him) to the CEO.
Pankajam came out to greet him. A friday , and no flowers ? Something was terribly wrong she thought to herself.
" What happened ? Some problem at office? " , She enquired as Santhanam chained the cycle to the tree.
It was always a comforting sight to see Pankajam at the end of a long tiring day. But today , something else tugged at his heart.
"Nothing, it looks like I might not be in employment for long."
"WHAT ?? Why ?? What happened? "
" They have sold half the company to the Japanese." and he went on to say the rest of what he had heard from office.
"But they have not said you will be laid off. and one half is still Iyengar's . You can be with them. Why do you worry?"
"Podi, you don't understand. Japanese are cost conscious and so are the Iyengars. Now both would rather walk 2 flights up to a record room , than call Santhanam .. Santa !!! Let me atleast have dinner now. I dont want to talk about this furthur. Atleast in front of Sridhar. "
They had a quiet dinner. Sridhar could not understand what was wrong. He had won the vocabulary contest and no one seemed to notice.
May saw the onslaught of the Sun in chennai, and Japanese invasion in office. Those tiny little men seemed to be too fast. Things changed visibily. The canteen was first renovated. Tables were removed, and only chairs were placed. Food was to be served on your own.
Sella, Vishwam, Dhandapani left because of no work. They joined a Marriage catering service. Santhanam kept in touch with them.
New machines were placed on the table, and old clattering typewriters were relegated to the 6th floor lunch room as display pieces.
Sugantha, the typist applied for VRS.
Santhanam walked around the diminishing crowd with fear. He was still there , but everyday was a traumatic experience. There was no one to talk to. The chitter chatter was gone. Coffee machines were abandoned. Venkatachalapathy was replaced by a long shot of the plant , and a painting of a bearded man. Thats when he got the pink slip.
Santhanam read and re read the notice again. Should he or Should he not ?
5:30pm. He stepped into the local party office for a meeting on globalisation. He understood that Indians didnt need them to teach what we wanted , He laughed at the cartoons of the firangs on the screen. He felt as enthused as his father had when Gandhi called for Quit India. He knew this was not a fight but a war.
He enrolled for the agitation . He had borne the brunt of the changes for the last 6 years and he could not take it any longer. He had a job , but no dignity. He wanted that, and he would fight it out.He went home with the leaflet and a determined soul.
Sridhar was unusually late. He was generally home by , 6:30 and the clock had just announced 8:00 pm. Pankajam was getting worried.
This boy was a mystery to her. Reading late into the night. Talking all absurd theorems. He had breezed through college and was now an engineer trainee in an Indian company."
It was 9:00 pm. The door rattled Thud Thud Thud...
"Appa, amma Open the door."
" Sridhar, why are you so late ? You could have informed us."
"Appa, you won't believe , My company is sending me for training to Japan. I have a VISA interview next monday- April the 15th !!"
" I hope I crack it, It is like never before. I am one among 10 in the company. I believe Japanese are good at engineering. There will be lots to learn there , unlike here !!! Oyasuminasai " laughed Sridhar.
Santa looked at the pink slip again.
"Come and join the Swadesi movement. Be Indian , Buy Indian."
Venue : Gandhi Statue , Marina
Time : 10:30 am
Date: April 15th , Monday.
Pankajam came out to greet him. A friday , and no flowers ? Something was terribly wrong she thought to herself.
" What happened ? Some problem at office? " , She enquired as Santhanam chained the cycle to the tree.
It was always a comforting sight to see Pankajam at the end of a long tiring day. But today , something else tugged at his heart.
"Nothing, it looks like I might not be in employment for long."
"WHAT ?? Why ?? What happened? "
" They have sold half the company to the Japanese." and he went on to say the rest of what he had heard from office.
"But they have not said you will be laid off. and one half is still Iyengar's . You can be with them. Why do you worry?"
"Podi, you don't understand. Japanese are cost conscious and so are the Iyengars. Now both would rather walk 2 flights up to a record room , than call Santhanam .. Santa !!! Let me atleast have dinner now. I dont want to talk about this furthur. Atleast in front of Sridhar. "
They had a quiet dinner. Sridhar could not understand what was wrong. He had won the vocabulary contest and no one seemed to notice.
May saw the onslaught of the Sun in chennai, and Japanese invasion in office. Those tiny little men seemed to be too fast. Things changed visibily. The canteen was first renovated. Tables were removed, and only chairs were placed. Food was to be served on your own.
Sella, Vishwam, Dhandapani left because of no work. They joined a Marriage catering service. Santhanam kept in touch with them.
New machines were placed on the table, and old clattering typewriters were relegated to the 6th floor lunch room as display pieces.
Sugantha, the typist applied for VRS.
Santhanam walked around the diminishing crowd with fear. He was still there , but everyday was a traumatic experience. There was no one to talk to. The chitter chatter was gone. Coffee machines were abandoned. Venkatachalapathy was replaced by a long shot of the plant , and a painting of a bearded man. Thats when he got the pink slip.
Santhanam read and re read the notice again. Should he or Should he not ?
5:30pm. He stepped into the local party office for a meeting on globalisation. He understood that Indians didnt need them to teach what we wanted , He laughed at the cartoons of the firangs on the screen. He felt as enthused as his father had when Gandhi called for Quit India. He knew this was not a fight but a war.
He enrolled for the agitation . He had borne the brunt of the changes for the last 6 years and he could not take it any longer. He had a job , but no dignity. He wanted that, and he would fight it out.He went home with the leaflet and a determined soul.
Sridhar was unusually late. He was generally home by , 6:30 and the clock had just announced 8:00 pm. Pankajam was getting worried.
This boy was a mystery to her. Reading late into the night. Talking all absurd theorems. He had breezed through college and was now an engineer trainee in an Indian company."
It was 9:00 pm. The door rattled Thud Thud Thud...
"Appa, amma Open the door."
" Sridhar, why are you so late ? You could have informed us."
"Appa, you won't believe , My company is sending me for training to Japan. I have a VISA interview next monday- April the 15th !!"
" I hope I crack it, It is like never before. I am one among 10 in the company. I believe Japanese are good at engineering. There will be lots to learn there , unlike here !!! Oyasuminasai " laughed Sridhar.
Santa looked at the pink slip again.
"Come and join the Swadesi movement. Be Indian , Buy Indian."
Venue : Gandhi Statue , Marina
Time : 10:30 am
Date: April 15th , Monday.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Santa and globalisation...
9:00 am, the stamping started. Thud Thud Thud... Blue circles around the wrinkled corners meant a job well begun. Well that was how Santhanam started his day , every day for the last 24 years.
Santhanam was the office peon. In hey days of babu culture he had joined the Iyengar company as a CLASS D helper. Thiruvengadam, the GM's driver had helped him find the job. Rs. 75 pm/- Lunch in services canteen, Uniform washing allowance of Rs.2 a month - The letter had read.
There was joy all around the house at his appointment. He joined on 15th April,1968.Dressed in a crisp khaki uniform, a cap and a badge , he looked more like a sepoy than a peon. The only thing that bothered him were the boots.His legs wriggled to come out of the confines of the black shoe.
But he would soon get used to it.
"Santhanam, bring the blue files here."
"Santhanam , Coffee for the meeting room"
"Santhanam , Post."
"Santhanam , Saridon"
It was a busy day at work. It took less than a month to learn that GM, added lemon to his tea. DGM had coffee with 2 tbs of sugar, Ratna madam sent a post on every monday to Tirunelveli. Santhanam settled and dusted old files with vigour.
5 years down the line,he wedded the beautiful Pankajam. The company gave the couple a Kodam . His loyalties to the master increased.He shifted to a mansion in Triplicane,closer to office.
June 7th , 1979 , after nearly 6 years Pankajam gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Santhanam made a trip to Tirupathi on foot .The couple named the baby Sridhar.
It was the also the day, the company recruited the first batch of " Management graduates". He was told they were from a place near Bombay, Well educated, non Iyengars . He watched them from a distance, a couple of fair, handsome looking chaps who everyone stood up to greet.
Today, April 15th,1992. Santhanam was distributing a circular to everyone in office.
There were hushed whispers and tension hung in the air.The group head had called for a meeting in the conference room. This was unlike usual. Group head never met everyone on the same day.
Last Feb, Ashwin from Exports had been made as the group head. Santhanam remembered him as one of the fair boys who had joined from Mumbai. He had really liked him a lot and true to the judgement , Ashwin had grown really fast in the company. He moved to a seperate cubicle in less than 1 year and now a group head in less than 15 years.
"Dear Colleagues, There are enough rumours in the office about a lot of things, So I decided to make an internal announcement before we go to press. We are going for a 50-50 Joint venture with a Japanese organisation. That means we are no longer an Iyengar firm , We are getting global."
Pain welled up in Santa's abdomen. Will he be asked to leave. He should have completed matric, now there was no time. His thoughts were interuppted by a booming voice
"Santa, adjust this mike please. Santa , Santa , Santhanam".
"Santa ??? Wow, Ashwin we really are a global company now" - Laughed Rangan Sir.
Santhanam , thought to himself while adjusting the mike. I promise to make 101 revolutions of Kesava perumal, if they make me stay here. Please please please.
-To be continued-
Santhanam was the office peon. In hey days of babu culture he had joined the Iyengar company as a CLASS D helper. Thiruvengadam, the GM's driver had helped him find the job. Rs. 75 pm/- Lunch in services canteen, Uniform washing allowance of Rs.2 a month - The letter had read.
There was joy all around the house at his appointment. He joined on 15th April,1968.Dressed in a crisp khaki uniform, a cap and a badge , he looked more like a sepoy than a peon. The only thing that bothered him were the boots.His legs wriggled to come out of the confines of the black shoe.
But he would soon get used to it.
"Santhanam, bring the blue files here."
"Santhanam , Coffee for the meeting room"
"Santhanam , Post."
"Santhanam , Saridon"
It was a busy day at work. It took less than a month to learn that GM, added lemon to his tea. DGM had coffee with 2 tbs of sugar, Ratna madam sent a post on every monday to Tirunelveli. Santhanam settled and dusted old files with vigour.
5 years down the line,he wedded the beautiful Pankajam. The company gave the couple a Kodam . His loyalties to the master increased.He shifted to a mansion in Triplicane,closer to office.
June 7th , 1979 , after nearly 6 years Pankajam gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Santhanam made a trip to Tirupathi on foot .The couple named the baby Sridhar.
It was the also the day, the company recruited the first batch of " Management graduates". He was told they were from a place near Bombay, Well educated, non Iyengars . He watched them from a distance, a couple of fair, handsome looking chaps who everyone stood up to greet.
Today, April 15th,1992. Santhanam was distributing a circular to everyone in office.
There were hushed whispers and tension hung in the air.The group head had called for a meeting in the conference room. This was unlike usual. Group head never met everyone on the same day.
Last Feb, Ashwin from Exports had been made as the group head. Santhanam remembered him as one of the fair boys who had joined from Mumbai. He had really liked him a lot and true to the judgement , Ashwin had grown really fast in the company. He moved to a seperate cubicle in less than 1 year and now a group head in less than 15 years.
"Dear Colleagues, There are enough rumours in the office about a lot of things, So I decided to make an internal announcement before we go to press. We are going for a 50-50 Joint venture with a Japanese organisation. That means we are no longer an Iyengar firm , We are getting global."
Pain welled up in Santa's abdomen. Will he be asked to leave. He should have completed matric, now there was no time. His thoughts were interuppted by a booming voice
"Santa, adjust this mike please. Santa , Santa , Santhanam".
"Santa ??? Wow, Ashwin we really are a global company now" - Laughed Rangan Sir.
Santhanam , thought to himself while adjusting the mike. I promise to make 101 revolutions of Kesava perumal, if they make me stay here. Please please please.
-To be continued-
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Read on...
This post comes in mail from one of my readers ... Jus go thru it. Hmmm , I have not yet recruited anyone to write for the blog, but freelancing is welcome.
Hindustan Lever – The Brand Murderer
The Levers’ office at Backbay reclamation in Mumbai has of late started resembling the concentration camps at Auschwitz. The only difference is that instead of Jews , the brands of the company are being systematically tortured and slaughtered.
Experimenting with the ‘Fair & Lovely’:- Initially it were the variants –dry skin, oily skin varieties in order to expand the user profile. But when this branched out into Ayurvedic Fair & Lovely with three variants the company walked into a self- destructive cycle. Any Brand manager would tell you that you cannot expand a brand into territories where its existence is questionable.’Fair & Lovely’ has everything to do with cosmetics , with getting fair , with a subtle western colour superiority and very little to do with Indian ayurveda. Yet, the Company went ahead with this execution which must have been carefully sculpted in power point presentations made by a new MBA who wanted to prove his mettle- the logic must have been generating more profits out of a brand (profit centre) .
Killing ‘Hamam’ Soap :- Hamam is a soap which would have sold by itself ;without any
advertisement , without any sales promotion. That’s because of the mass appeal of the brand and the variety of audience which identifies itself with this soap. It can be called as one of the first unisex product in India and has dominated for ages as the complete family soap. So much so that someone at Levers’ asked ‘If this soap sells by itself , what are we here for ?’.That started an entire repositioning of the brand –new packaging , new shape .To add to this disaster Hamam was enriched with extracts from neem , tulasi and aloe vera : come on guys you left out a lot of other fancy Indian cliches like badam , pista , sandal as well and give a soap which not even God can fathom !The guy who would have created this brand way back when it belonge dto TOMCO would be turning in his grave.
Taking the Life out of ‘Lifebuoy’ :- I cringe to think what Lifebuoy used to be and what it has been turned into. It was a Macho Soap – Larger than Life . Bathing in it represented eternal cleansing and the soap never looked like it shall get over. It was the sort of soap which men after driving in a truck over days would use to purify themselves from the dirt of the highways.I would like to meet the guy in Levers who suggested that this soap be diversified to cater to the needs of young female audience as a health soap- I would ask him one question ‘ Would you ask Harley Davidson to make an underpowered Luna moped and sell it as Little Boy ?’
Where is ‘Vim’ ? :- In a crazy exercise called Power Brands our chaps at Backbay destroyed some of their best niche brands. One such brand is Vim. This had immense brand recognition among housewives and was a useful Kitchen powder / soap for cleaning utensils. This brand had the power to be extended into a variety of kitchen and household products but it is being starved to death as the Company is more interested in selling products to villagers through internet kiosks.
‘Taj Mahal’ Disappears :- Why doesn’t ‘Taj Mahal’ Tea feature in the power brands category ? I hope it is not because Govt has asked Hindustan Lever to pay a royalty to use the Taj name or may be it’s the Tata group. Nevertheless , I drink this tea and wonder why the company is so stingy not to put their money behind such a wonderful product. The ad strategy with Ustad Zakir Hussain was one of the best and sucha unique brand does not deserve to be benched.
The stupid ‘Pepsodent’ ads : If children ever watched Pepsodent ads they would wonder how can somebody consider them to be so stupid ? The latest ad tells that Pepsodent fights ghosts in the night . Come on guys – grow up !No wonder Colgate is maintaining to its lead in the toothpaste segment irrespective of Pepsodent being certified by all the dentists ever born on this planet.
Packaging ‘Kissan’ : Walk into a aupermarket and try to pick up a Kissan product and you would understand how uninspiring the packaging looks. Kissan fruit squash looks worser than a mineral water bottle. Kissan Jam comes in an opaque green plastic box which proudly announces that its vitamin-enriched. And to add to it you have a tag –Annapurna behind the Kissan name which makes you wonder if Annapurna Salt or wheat comes free with this.
If HLL wanted power brands then why choose 35 . Three plus Five is equal to Eight which is the unluckiest number in the world. Even now if you think that luck is on HLL’s side then please read their slogans for miscellaneous brands :-
Lifebuoy – Making a Billion Indians Safe and Secure ( What ??????)
Breeze – Scent in Soap (As if we did not know ?)
Rin – Power of Dazzling Whiteness ( Okay !)
Fair & Lovely – Making Complexion Fairer ( And what else ?)
Red Label Tea – Cheers your senses ( I see!)
Bru – Happiness Begins with it ( And where does it end ?)
Ayush – Truth of Ayurveda , Proof of science ( This is too good !)
Hamam – Everything in life is about a balance ( Sounds like yoga classes !)
I would request all the readers to do what they can to save the brands of HLL and other companies using similar strategies at least for old times sake .These may be profit centres for them but they also are part of our childhood memories and they cannot do whatever they want with it.
P.S. I risk my job , incase my boss's boss 's boss decides to read and comment on this. He is an Ex HLL , with a loyalty as string as BRU COFFEEE
Amen !!!!
Hindustan Lever – The Brand Murderer
The Levers’ office at Backbay reclamation in Mumbai has of late started resembling the concentration camps at Auschwitz. The only difference is that instead of Jews , the brands of the company are being systematically tortured and slaughtered.
Experimenting with the ‘Fair & Lovely’:- Initially it were the variants –dry skin, oily skin varieties in order to expand the user profile. But when this branched out into Ayurvedic Fair & Lovely with three variants the company walked into a self- destructive cycle. Any Brand manager would tell you that you cannot expand a brand into territories where its existence is questionable.’Fair & Lovely’ has everything to do with cosmetics , with getting fair , with a subtle western colour superiority and very little to do with Indian ayurveda. Yet, the Company went ahead with this execution which must have been carefully sculpted in power point presentations made by a new MBA who wanted to prove his mettle- the logic must have been generating more profits out of a brand (profit centre) .
Killing ‘Hamam’ Soap :- Hamam is a soap which would have sold by itself ;without any
advertisement , without any sales promotion. That’s because of the mass appeal of the brand and the variety of audience which identifies itself with this soap. It can be called as one of the first unisex product in India and has dominated for ages as the complete family soap. So much so that someone at Levers’ asked ‘If this soap sells by itself , what are we here for ?’.That started an entire repositioning of the brand –new packaging , new shape .To add to this disaster Hamam was enriched with extracts from neem , tulasi and aloe vera : come on guys you left out a lot of other fancy Indian cliches like badam , pista , sandal as well and give a soap which not even God can fathom !The guy who would have created this brand way back when it belonge dto TOMCO would be turning in his grave.
Taking the Life out of ‘Lifebuoy’ :- I cringe to think what Lifebuoy used to be and what it has been turned into. It was a Macho Soap – Larger than Life . Bathing in it represented eternal cleansing and the soap never looked like it shall get over. It was the sort of soap which men after driving in a truck over days would use to purify themselves from the dirt of the highways.I would like to meet the guy in Levers who suggested that this soap be diversified to cater to the needs of young female audience as a health soap- I would ask him one question ‘ Would you ask Harley Davidson to make an underpowered Luna moped and sell it as Little Boy ?’
Where is ‘Vim’ ? :- In a crazy exercise called Power Brands our chaps at Backbay destroyed some of their best niche brands. One such brand is Vim. This had immense brand recognition among housewives and was a useful Kitchen powder / soap for cleaning utensils. This brand had the power to be extended into a variety of kitchen and household products but it is being starved to death as the Company is more interested in selling products to villagers through internet kiosks.
‘Taj Mahal’ Disappears :- Why doesn’t ‘Taj Mahal’ Tea feature in the power brands category ? I hope it is not because Govt has asked Hindustan Lever to pay a royalty to use the Taj name or may be it’s the Tata group. Nevertheless , I drink this tea and wonder why the company is so stingy not to put their money behind such a wonderful product. The ad strategy with Ustad Zakir Hussain was one of the best and sucha unique brand does not deserve to be benched.
The stupid ‘Pepsodent’ ads : If children ever watched Pepsodent ads they would wonder how can somebody consider them to be so stupid ? The latest ad tells that Pepsodent fights ghosts in the night . Come on guys – grow up !No wonder Colgate is maintaining to its lead in the toothpaste segment irrespective of Pepsodent being certified by all the dentists ever born on this planet.
Packaging ‘Kissan’ : Walk into a aupermarket and try to pick up a Kissan product and you would understand how uninspiring the packaging looks. Kissan fruit squash looks worser than a mineral water bottle. Kissan Jam comes in an opaque green plastic box which proudly announces that its vitamin-enriched. And to add to it you have a tag –Annapurna behind the Kissan name which makes you wonder if Annapurna Salt or wheat comes free with this.
If HLL wanted power brands then why choose 35 . Three plus Five is equal to Eight which is the unluckiest number in the world. Even now if you think that luck is on HLL’s side then please read their slogans for miscellaneous brands :-
Lifebuoy – Making a Billion Indians Safe and Secure ( What ??????)
Breeze – Scent in Soap (As if we did not know ?)
Rin – Power of Dazzling Whiteness ( Okay !)
Fair & Lovely – Making Complexion Fairer ( And what else ?)
Red Label Tea – Cheers your senses ( I see!)
Bru – Happiness Begins with it ( And where does it end ?)
Ayush – Truth of Ayurveda , Proof of science ( This is too good !)
Hamam – Everything in life is about a balance ( Sounds like yoga classes !)
I would request all the readers to do what they can to save the brands of HLL and other companies using similar strategies at least for old times sake .These may be profit centres for them but they also are part of our childhood memories and they cannot do whatever they want with it.
P.S. I risk my job , incase my boss's boss 's boss decides to read and comment on this. He is an Ex HLL , with a loyalty as string as BRU COFFEEE
Amen !!!!
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Opportunities Galore !!!
Movie Reviewer
KRAs: Watch a minimum of 3 new releases week. Release stories on popular movie facts and history. Area of work to include English, Hindi and one regional language.
Candidate must necessarily be over 18 years of age.
Headlines today
KRAs: To conjure up 5 headlines, 2 for the front page, 2 for the sports and 1 for the supplement. Headlines will be judged for crativity, brevity and relevance.
Chat away
Webmaster in popular chat side, to constantly review chat sessions for misuse and report to development. KRAs : To chat for 8 hrs a day , 4 hrs as invisible and 4 hrs as available.
KRAs: Watch a minimum of 3 new releases week. Release stories on popular movie facts and history. Area of work to include English, Hindi and one regional language.
Candidate must necessarily be over 18 years of age.
Headlines today
KRAs: To conjure up 5 headlines, 2 for the front page, 2 for the sports and 1 for the supplement. Headlines will be judged for crativity, brevity and relevance.
Chat away
Webmaster in popular chat side, to constantly review chat sessions for misuse and report to development. KRAs : To chat for 8 hrs a day , 4 hrs as invisible and 4 hrs as available.
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Saturday Night Show
Rags looked at his watch dial for the umpteenth time. It was almost 3:00 pm. He hit the accelerator , and veered towards Lifestyle. Vats, would be waiting for him. It was a long over due date. Work had taken most of his time , but this Saturday it would be Vats , in the stunning floral print. He wrapped the dress in his hands and a smile curved his lips.
"Have a great weekend ,Sir"- smiled the girl at the cash counter handing him the blue bag.
Trrrring.
"Aha, you are just in time. I had almost decided that you had given the day a slip."
" No way da. How can I forget ? See I even got you something. Gimme a minute I will change into something decent."
"Me too.."
"Hey gorgeous in georgette , can we leave ??? "
" Are you sure ?? It is actually embarrasing , especially in this ."-Vats looked down at the folds of her saree.
"Just come along, you look ravishing. I will have a tough time controlling the crowds"
Satyam was as crowded as it could get. As Rags guarded his wife into the hall, a familiar voice cried out
"Hey appa!! You ?? Here??"-That was Shanks , his first born with wife and kid.
"What pa, silent date ah ? Which movie ?"
" Kathalikka neram illai - That was first the movie I took Amma to after marriage, Yeah then it was in Nagesh theatre. Now thanks to Satyam's Unwind to 60's mela I am taking her again .. Seeya Shyam tomorrow at home."
Raghavan and Vatsala , walked hand in hand into the hall. A quiet dinner at Drive in would complete the date. But for now, it was a trip 40 years into a world of togetherness.
"Kathalikka neram illai??? " - Who ever said so ?
"Have a great weekend ,Sir"- smiled the girl at the cash counter handing him the blue bag.
Trrrring.
"Aha, you are just in time. I had almost decided that you had given the day a slip."
" No way da. How can I forget ? See I even got you something. Gimme a minute I will change into something decent."
"Me too.."
"Hey gorgeous in georgette , can we leave ??? "
" Are you sure ?? It is actually embarrasing , especially in this ."-Vats looked down at the folds of her saree.
"Just come along, you look ravishing. I will have a tough time controlling the crowds"
Satyam was as crowded as it could get. As Rags guarded his wife into the hall, a familiar voice cried out
"Hey appa!! You ?? Here??"-That was Shanks , his first born with wife and kid.
"What pa, silent date ah ? Which movie ?"
" Kathalikka neram illai - That was first the movie I took Amma to after marriage, Yeah then it was in Nagesh theatre. Now thanks to Satyam's Unwind to 60's mela I am taking her again .. Seeya Shyam tomorrow at home."
Raghavan and Vatsala , walked hand in hand into the hall. A quiet dinner at Drive in would complete the date. But for now, it was a trip 40 years into a world of togetherness.
"Kathalikka neram illai??? " - Who ever said so ?
LTA ??? Laka Laka !!!
The schools have reopened, and the trains are empty. It is time to start exploring your surroundings. Yepp, it is a great season to plan a holiday and if planning is half as much fun as enjoying one, I am half way through.
With less than normal monsoon predicted it ain't going to be pouring and you will leave your skin with a light golden tan.From shores, to the mountain heights, adventure to pilgrimage - it is time you started on a trip. Some basics first:
1. Take your pick , and visit some sites . These are the days not of brochures but links and mail ids.
2. Avoid crowded locations , move away from din and regular tourist traffic.
Look for locales which would be one helluva eye opener !!
3. Stop reading this blog and Get moving , Ideation takes a day and moving your butt takes a year .. so get the momentum going. You wanna a break ?? Apply for one today.
Some websites to throw some light !!
http://www.asiasafari.com/camping/
http://www.junglelodges.com/
http://www.himalayanvillage.com
http://www.vythiriresort.com/
http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/mtdc/Beaches.aspx?strpage=beaches-Shriwardhan-Harihareshwar.html
For more on resorts and places visit
http://www.indiaresortssurvey.com/
HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!!!
With less than normal monsoon predicted it ain't going to be pouring and you will leave your skin with a light golden tan.From shores, to the mountain heights, adventure to pilgrimage - it is time you started on a trip. Some basics first:
1. Take your pick , and visit some sites . These are the days not of brochures but links and mail ids.
2. Avoid crowded locations , move away from din and regular tourist traffic.
Look for locales which would be one helluva eye opener !!
3. Stop reading this blog and Get moving , Ideation takes a day and moving your butt takes a year .. so get the momentum going. You wanna a break ?? Apply for one today.
Some websites to throw some light !!
http://www.asiasafari.com/camping/
http://www.junglelodges.com/
http://www.himalayanvillage.com
http://www.vythiriresort.com/
http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/mtdc/Beaches.aspx?strpage=beaches-Shriwardhan-Harihareshwar.html
For more on resorts and places visit
http://www.indiaresortssurvey.com/
HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!!!
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Am- Bushed !!
When PresidentBush met with Palestinian President Abbas, there was one embarrassing moment when Bush was overhead whispering to Abbas
" Hey I love that Dancing Queen number of yours.. !!!"
Friday, June 03, 2005
Where are you ???
"Chennai is a city of mamis, dhoti clad uncles, young men still sporting Tshirts with terry-cot pants and girls who have not graduated out of salwars." -Spake a colleague of mine in Delhi.
Hey hey hey , wait a sec you want to see the real Mad-Ras? Walk out at 9:00 pm to one of the Lounge bars/ Eco hotels/ Drinking holes/ Dance clubs .. .you would wonder where do these birds stay around the day.
A whole new landscape emerges of hookah gurgling women, and funky hair do s on Men. 3 year olds enjoying rock, and retired men on the rocks !!!
Check it out !! next time around you are in chennai , think again before heading for Satyam .. there are better places and you won't be disappointed.
ITS definitely HOT MACHI !!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey hey hey , wait a sec you want to see the real Mad-Ras? Walk out at 9:00 pm to one of the Lounge bars/ Eco hotels/ Drinking holes/ Dance clubs .. .you would wonder where do these birds stay around the day.
A whole new landscape emerges of hookah gurgling women, and funky hair do s on Men. 3 year olds enjoying rock, and retired men on the rocks !!!
Check it out !! next time around you are in chennai , think again before heading for Satyam .. there are better places and you won't be disappointed.
ITS definitely HOT MACHI !!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Marudai Nattu Vadivelu ...
I met her on the bus from Perambur to Besant Nagar. She was from Kobe, a mega Rajini fan and had come all the way to Chennai for Chandramukhi release. ( Phew and we thought these guys existed only in TN, did we ??? ). Her name was Lillian and she spoke in halting English. How she understood Tamil continues to be a mystery to me.
The ride was a 45 minute one, and needless to say all eyes on the bus were fixated on the maid from east. Our converstion sped along with 29C. She had seen every one of Rajini's movies . Her all time favourite was Muthu. She had met Rajini, and had the privelege of dining with him at his residence. But the most intriguing part of the trip was yet to come.
She wanted to know more about getting to "Marudai". I was surprised.
'Madurai ?? ' I intended to correct her ?
'No no , Ma- Ru- Dai.' she spelt it with perfection.
'I read somewhere that Vadivelu is from Marudai. I love his style of speaking Tamil and dialogue delivery. I wanted to visit the place where he belongs to. I also read that the dialect of the area is very interesting. In fact my friends and I have seen some of his movies.Trust me he and the other guy ,Sorry I dont re call his name ( I guess she was referring to Parthiban!!) make the perfect pair.'
'So I wanted to visit that part of TN also, to get a feel of the place and people to take back with me.'
The bus screeched to a grinding halt. It was Adayar.Lillian bade good bye , and I trudged along. I felt squeamish. I had never really enjoyed Vadivelu's acting, but after hearing Lillian go Ga Ga, I thought I must give him a second chance. I picked up a VCD on the way home. The shopkeeper recommended Vettri Kodi Kattu. I must say I was impressed.
As I walked on the sands of Elliots beach that evening , I couldnt help wondering at the paradox of human behavior. It has always taken an outsider to discover the true beauty of a country. Be it the Irish man gazing at the Statue of Liberty or the Indian watching the Sun rise by a lake.
When we travel abroad we maintain checklists of what to see, what to experience and dutifully tick them off . Rarely do we do the same at home. Homeland is always there to be seen, always there to be criticized. Why is an African tribal dance in VGP more interesting than the local Ra koothu ?
It took a Lillian to bring to my notice that there was beauty in the cacophoney of Marudai Tamizh. I am happy that I now have chosen to view it.
P.S. Lillian would have left for Marudai by now.
The ride was a 45 minute one, and needless to say all eyes on the bus were fixated on the maid from east. Our converstion sped along with 29C. She had seen every one of Rajini's movies . Her all time favourite was Muthu. She had met Rajini, and had the privelege of dining with him at his residence. But the most intriguing part of the trip was yet to come.
She wanted to know more about getting to "Marudai". I was surprised.
'Madurai ?? ' I intended to correct her ?
'No no , Ma- Ru- Dai.' she spelt it with perfection.
'I read somewhere that Vadivelu is from Marudai. I love his style of speaking Tamil and dialogue delivery. I wanted to visit the place where he belongs to. I also read that the dialect of the area is very interesting. In fact my friends and I have seen some of his movies.Trust me he and the other guy ,Sorry I dont re call his name ( I guess she was referring to Parthiban!!) make the perfect pair.'
'So I wanted to visit that part of TN also, to get a feel of the place and people to take back with me.'
The bus screeched to a grinding halt. It was Adayar.Lillian bade good bye , and I trudged along. I felt squeamish. I had never really enjoyed Vadivelu's acting, but after hearing Lillian go Ga Ga, I thought I must give him a second chance. I picked up a VCD on the way home. The shopkeeper recommended Vettri Kodi Kattu. I must say I was impressed.
As I walked on the sands of Elliots beach that evening , I couldnt help wondering at the paradox of human behavior. It has always taken an outsider to discover the true beauty of a country. Be it the Irish man gazing at the Statue of Liberty or the Indian watching the Sun rise by a lake.
When we travel abroad we maintain checklists of what to see, what to experience and dutifully tick them off . Rarely do we do the same at home. Homeland is always there to be seen, always there to be criticized. Why is an African tribal dance in VGP more interesting than the local Ra koothu ?
It took a Lillian to bring to my notice that there was beauty in the cacophoney of Marudai Tamizh. I am happy that I now have chosen to view it.
P.S. Lillian would have left for Marudai by now.
Friday, May 27, 2005
Mud on my face...
I went through the questions once again
Feeling tired and worked out? YES
Are you stressed out? YES
Do you need rejuvenation? DESPERATELY !!!
Call us at ######## or drop in to @@@@@@ for a whole new experience. So I had done that , and here I was waiting in the waiting room of an ayurvedic body health clinic.
"Number 15 " , they called out to me .. "Please step in."
I walked into a sparsely furnished , dimmly lit room. There were 4 women dressed in white Kerela style saree, smiling and welcoming me. It was too late to turn back.
The taller one spake in Malayam laced English "We have analysed your body type and skin type. Based on which we have chosen on treatment that is best suited to your temperement. Please lie down on this bench."
So I meekly surrendered. The ladies whispered amongst themselves and I lay like a patient on an operating board waiting for Anaestasia. They blindfolded me with something which felt like 'Chappathi Mavu'(Dough) and loosened my short hair.
A warm liquid flowed on to my tresses from unknown heights. A pair of hands , gently massaged the liquid and I drifted into a dreamless slumber. Not for long though.
Whacck came the seasoned palm slicing repeatedly on the well oiled head. Gosh, this was not there on the advertisement and I am not paying to get beaten. I wanted to open my eyes and yell , when my thoughts were interrupted by a cool paste hitting my face.
ME: "What is that?? "
THEY : "Sshhhhh , don't speak. It is a mud pack , made from river bed sand of Tamaraparani( A river in Tamil Nadu) and exotic herbs."
I felt like giving a theatrical presentation of the dialogue "Mugam Mannukku, Uyir Tamizh kku", but my lips were sealed with another herbal gel.
After 2 hours :30 mins: 33 Secs, I was ready to see a new and improved me. It felt like Kamal in Singaravelan , when they brought me to face the mirror.
If I was expecting to see the princess of Russia staring back at me, I was disappointed.
But still it was not a bad job. The nose, eyes and mouth were where they were earlier. A little brighter though. ( hey, if you open your eyes after 150 mins don't you see a whole new bright world ???)
The ladies seemed to read my thoughts, and went in to collect the bill before I could ask questions. If my complexion went a tad brighter after that, they did not compliment.
I handed them my card , and walked out. A feeling of rejuvenation, charged up elements and a kind of lightness enveloped me.
Yes they had promised that feeling , not a new look and they had delivered bang on. Kudos to Dhanvantri, Ayurveda and Tamaraparani mannu.
Feeling tired and worked out? YES
Are you stressed out? YES
Do you need rejuvenation? DESPERATELY !!!
Call us at ######## or drop in to @@@@@@ for a whole new experience. So I had done that , and here I was waiting in the waiting room of an ayurvedic body health clinic.
"Number 15 " , they called out to me .. "Please step in."
I walked into a sparsely furnished , dimmly lit room. There were 4 women dressed in white Kerela style saree, smiling and welcoming me. It was too late to turn back.
The taller one spake in Malayam laced English "We have analysed your body type and skin type. Based on which we have chosen on treatment that is best suited to your temperement. Please lie down on this bench."
So I meekly surrendered. The ladies whispered amongst themselves and I lay like a patient on an operating board waiting for Anaestasia. They blindfolded me with something which felt like 'Chappathi Mavu'(Dough) and loosened my short hair.
A warm liquid flowed on to my tresses from unknown heights. A pair of hands , gently massaged the liquid and I drifted into a dreamless slumber. Not for long though.
Whacck came the seasoned palm slicing repeatedly on the well oiled head. Gosh, this was not there on the advertisement and I am not paying to get beaten. I wanted to open my eyes and yell , when my thoughts were interrupted by a cool paste hitting my face.
ME: "What is that?? "
THEY : "Sshhhhh , don't speak. It is a mud pack , made from river bed sand of Tamaraparani( A river in Tamil Nadu) and exotic herbs."
I felt like giving a theatrical presentation of the dialogue "Mugam Mannukku, Uyir Tamizh kku", but my lips were sealed with another herbal gel.
After 2 hours :30 mins: 33 Secs, I was ready to see a new and improved me. It felt like Kamal in Singaravelan , when they brought me to face the mirror.
If I was expecting to see the princess of Russia staring back at me, I was disappointed.
But still it was not a bad job. The nose, eyes and mouth were where they were earlier. A little brighter though. ( hey, if you open your eyes after 150 mins don't you see a whole new bright world ???)
The ladies seemed to read my thoughts, and went in to collect the bill before I could ask questions. If my complexion went a tad brighter after that, they did not compliment.
I handed them my card , and walked out. A feeling of rejuvenation, charged up elements and a kind of lightness enveloped me.
Yes they had promised that feeling , not a new look and they had delivered bang on. Kudos to Dhanvantri, Ayurveda and Tamaraparani mannu.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
An Half Yearly Review ...well almost
As I usher in the last month of Q1-2005-06 , I also can't help but notice that my blog is also almost 6 months old. And like all good ol bloggers, it s time for a recap.
It all started one evening , when my ma said "Whats in that comp, that makes you glued to it for one hour a day? Are you not satisfied with seeing it for 12 hrs at work? "
Yeah, so what was in blogging that I have managed to complete 6 months without a long break. Some say it is just a personal diary, and a few feel they have saved the eco system a few trees by blogging than writing. To me, this whole new world has meant more than just a diary.
During hay days of sales, afternoons were allocated for the cool confines of Sify. I took to blogging, because searching for a job on naukri.com can be strain on your eyes. I soon discovered that I invited more replies on my little known identity called Rajeshwari than by sending a resume of Anuradha.
I had a personal space, where I wrote what I felt and found people who took time of their busy schedule to voice what they felt on what I wrote . (Phew!)
I celeberated my first comment at Gangotri with a Bhel and a Vanilla Icecream and my first series in Murugan Idli Kadai.
There were days ,when there were more drafts to edit than posted entries. I searched for topics to write on , I started noticing a lot of things that were but a passing blur earlier. I visited more places when on tour, read more when not on tour , slept less in office- all for 25 entries on a little known space in the amazing world of the net.
New acquaintances , women friends ( I couldn't believe for nuts that I was actually exchanging mails with women ).
Reading comments around the world right from
Not good enuf, I enjoyed it, BORRRRRING !!!, Write some thing else , You are showing signs of improvement, Stop begging for comments...
All said and done its been a great 6 months of blogging , and before i forget.
I thank my parents, friends, my non existant pet, my country for encouraging me to see this day. I thank all of you and will work towards a better India and.... and... and ... WORLD PEACE.
( Yepp i saw that movie again last night .... )
It all started one evening , when my ma said "Whats in that comp, that makes you glued to it for one hour a day? Are you not satisfied with seeing it for 12 hrs at work? "
Yeah, so what was in blogging that I have managed to complete 6 months without a long break. Some say it is just a personal diary, and a few feel they have saved the eco system a few trees by blogging than writing. To me, this whole new world has meant more than just a diary.
During hay days of sales, afternoons were allocated for the cool confines of Sify. I took to blogging, because searching for a job on naukri.com can be strain on your eyes. I soon discovered that I invited more replies on my little known identity called Rajeshwari than by sending a resume of Anuradha.
I had a personal space, where I wrote what I felt and found people who took time of their busy schedule to voice what they felt on what I wrote . (Phew!)
I celeberated my first comment at Gangotri with a Bhel and a Vanilla Icecream and my first series in Murugan Idli Kadai.
There were days ,when there were more drafts to edit than posted entries. I searched for topics to write on , I started noticing a lot of things that were but a passing blur earlier. I visited more places when on tour, read more when not on tour , slept less in office- all for 25 entries on a little known space in the amazing world of the net.
New acquaintances , women friends ( I couldn't believe for nuts that I was actually exchanging mails with women ).
Reading comments around the world right from
Not good enuf, I enjoyed it, BORRRRRING !!!, Write some thing else , You are showing signs of improvement, Stop begging for comments...
All said and done its been a great 6 months of blogging , and before i forget.
I thank my parents, friends, my non existant pet, my country for encouraging me to see this day. I thank all of you and will work towards a better India and.... and... and ... WORLD PEACE.
( Yepp i saw that movie again last night .... )
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Gimme a hint ...
"Your password has expired please reenter your password"
I had not heeded to the warnings and here I was on a bright and sunny morning wondering what will the 6 letter word be?
Momma's name with birth date overUsed
Appa's name with marriage date Existing - Give a different name !!!
Anna Manni , The family was over.
Boyfriends in serial order ... mm tuf to keep track of the names and the nos.
My birthdate -> Too simple
Gosh gimme a hint , what should my password be ?????????????????
I had not heeded to the warnings and here I was on a bright and sunny morning wondering what will the 6 letter word be?
Momma's name with birth date overUsed
Appa's name with marriage date Existing - Give a different name !!!
Anna Manni , The family was over.
Boyfriends in serial order ... mm tuf to keep track of the names and the nos.
My birthdate -> Too simple
Gosh gimme a hint , what should my password be ?????????????????
Monday, May 23, 2005
Amma's Own country
Whats in ????
Whats out???
Suryan FM Susie Mami
Chithi !!!!!
Chithi !!!!!
Sevai on Elliots Beach
Kadalai on Marina
F1 Racing
Cricket in Chepauk
Theatre
Chandramukhi
Tai Chi
Laughter clubs
Heat wave
Tsunami Wave
Tsunami Wave
Sachin the movie
Sachin the player
Munnar
Kodai
Auto karan " Have a nice day "
Auto karan " Veetla ........ !!!"
Have a nice day folks !!
Sunday, May 08, 2005
A lil Sweet , a lil sour
Its customary in this part of the world to bring along a bag of fruits when you are visiting someone. The contents of the bag determine the relationship one shares with the household and also the months of the year.
'Rasthali' a banana variety is an all year around 'aabhatbhandhavan' (A Bay watch kind of life saver). Green seedless grapes and apples make a brief winter consultant like stop over. But the king of the fruits arrive during the 2 month period of May and June and boy do they arrive in style !!!
My nephew stood around the table eyeing the yellow Banganapalli's in delight. A gift from chitappa when he came down for his weekly visit. Amma removed them from the table.
" Still a little time before they ripen".And in they went to hibernate in the confines of the Rice drum.
Mangoes or Mangifera indica are classified into varieties based on their features , benefits and target segment catered to.
At the top of the pyramid rule the Alphonsoes from the konkan belt, then come the salem Malguavas, Banganapalli - catering to the great Indian Middle class, Kilimuku, Nilambari .. The list would warrant a Maeneka Gandhi writing on - 'A book of Mango names'.
Mango preparations range from juices and jams to spicy gravies and rasams. Every cook worth his salt will elucidate his prowess in dishing out Mango delicacies on Sunday channels and papers. But the true taste of a mango lies in its true form, with the skin.
It was a little before 2:00 pm in the afternoon , when after quality inspection the fruits were declared ripe enough to be savoured. Once cut into 3 portions , kids scrambled for the 'Kottai' or the portion with the seed. 'Kadhuppu' was left for the more civilised elders.
It was still early May, the variety was still a little sour , and a little sweet. My nephew ran around with the kottai dripping and an old tamil rhyme.
'Mambhayam ma Mabhayam, Sale(m) thu Mambhayam
Thitthikkum mambhayam.... '
'Rasthali' a banana variety is an all year around 'aabhatbhandhavan' (A Bay watch kind of life saver). Green seedless grapes and apples make a brief winter consultant like stop over. But the king of the fruits arrive during the 2 month period of May and June and boy do they arrive in style !!!
My nephew stood around the table eyeing the yellow Banganapalli's in delight. A gift from chitappa when he came down for his weekly visit. Amma removed them from the table.
" Still a little time before they ripen".And in they went to hibernate in the confines of the Rice drum.
Mangoes or Mangifera indica are classified into varieties based on their features , benefits and target segment catered to.
At the top of the pyramid rule the Alphonsoes from the konkan belt, then come the salem Malguavas, Banganapalli - catering to the great Indian Middle class, Kilimuku, Nilambari .. The list would warrant a Maeneka Gandhi writing on - 'A book of Mango names'.
Mango preparations range from juices and jams to spicy gravies and rasams. Every cook worth his salt will elucidate his prowess in dishing out Mango delicacies on Sunday channels and papers. But the true taste of a mango lies in its true form, with the skin.
It was a little before 2:00 pm in the afternoon , when after quality inspection the fruits were declared ripe enough to be savoured. Once cut into 3 portions , kids scrambled for the 'Kottai' or the portion with the seed. 'Kadhuppu' was left for the more civilised elders.
It was still early May, the variety was still a little sour , and a little sweet. My nephew ran around with the kottai dripping and an old tamil rhyme.
'Mambhayam ma Mabhayam, Sale(m) thu Mambhayam
Thitthikkum mambhayam.... '
Monday, May 02, 2005
Blog lifting ...
Hey came across this while blog hopping
She married one, loved another.
He became her husband, the other her password.
You wanna read more go to ...
http://jikku.blogspot.com/
She married one, loved another.
He became her husband, the other her password.
You wanna read more go to ...
http://jikku.blogspot.com/
Dear Mr. Patil,
Dear Mr. Patil,
I understand, that you took the extreme measure of banning Dance bars , because a father wrote to you about falling moral standards of his son. I write this letter in the sincere hope that writing has more effect than waiting in a queue to meet you.
You barred dance bars , but have you checked if the young and promising boy has started going to a harlem ? Can you stop the young boy from yearning for carnal pleasures?
What purpose do you think you solved by banning dance bars ? Have molestation cases decreased by 50% , have the child abuses cases been solved ?All you did was lead the young masked girls into hell.
Law and Order does not end with banning what one considers as a sin or a threat to culture. Law and Order is in seeing the culture of a generation change. Visiting dance bars , or watching a dance on TV are the same. Both exploit the flesh of a third person to generate economy spend. The govt does not stand to lose the 200 crores Bars generated, they would come from the millions of VCDs that would get circulated in the next 3 months.
The Rs.200 that Smitha took home every night would become more difficult to earn. Dances on VCDs are a whole lot difficult to market than a live show. If you think you have corrected the world by closing a few night haunts, I suggest you follow the young boy more closely. The solution to his life is in the steps he takes.
As for the father , all I can say is stop writing letters to Patil and think of what you were when you were as old as your son.
Regards and thanks,
Anuradha
I understand, that you took the extreme measure of banning Dance bars , because a father wrote to you about falling moral standards of his son. I write this letter in the sincere hope that writing has more effect than waiting in a queue to meet you.
You barred dance bars , but have you checked if the young and promising boy has started going to a harlem ? Can you stop the young boy from yearning for carnal pleasures?
What purpose do you think you solved by banning dance bars ? Have molestation cases decreased by 50% , have the child abuses cases been solved ?All you did was lead the young masked girls into hell.
Law and Order does not end with banning what one considers as a sin or a threat to culture. Law and Order is in seeing the culture of a generation change. Visiting dance bars , or watching a dance on TV are the same. Both exploit the flesh of a third person to generate economy spend. The govt does not stand to lose the 200 crores Bars generated, they would come from the millions of VCDs that would get circulated in the next 3 months.
The Rs.200 that Smitha took home every night would become more difficult to earn. Dances on VCDs are a whole lot difficult to market than a live show. If you think you have corrected the world by closing a few night haunts, I suggest you follow the young boy more closely. The solution to his life is in the steps he takes.
As for the father , all I can say is stop writing letters to Patil and think of what you were when you were as old as your son.
Regards and thanks,
Anuradha
Sunday, May 01, 2005
In and Around...
Avid tamil film watchers would recall this line from Kudumbam oru Kadambam -"Paithyakara hospital lla vaidhyam patkara doctor ru ke paithyam puditcha .... " . As an answer to Visu' s question stands the temple dedicated to Lord Dhanvantri in Walajapet , Tamil nadu.
Walajapet is a small industrial town , 100 kms off chennai on the Chennai -Bangalore route. Once famous (infamous) for its tanneries and export units, today it is on a path of correcting the wrongs done to the eco system.
15 minutes into Walajapet , there is a right turn with a board inviting you to meet Dr. Dhanvantri , Physician to Lord Venkatesa Perumal.
A small temple breaks the seemingly unbroken horizon . Logs of wood guide you around the compact structure in circles. The pathway is lined on either side with rows of butter cup flowers and bright marigolds. The smell of burnt ghee being poured into the fire welcomes you to the abode of Lord Dhanvantri.
Dhanvantri is the lord of medicine and authored Ayurveda. The temple on Walajapet is dedicated to him in an effort to bring solace and hope to millions around the world of any caste and creed. An imposing 6 1/2 feet idol stands smiling calmly at the hundereds who enter the sanctum everyday.
The head priest of the temple, Balaji explains about the history in a way that would see any marketing consultant back to school.
"Welcome to the home of Doctor of Doctors. If you have noticed,this temple is designed in a way , akin to a hospital. You have ramps to climb up to the sanctum, a waiting area before you meet the doctor. The waiting area ofcourse is lined with herbal plantations ,the scent of which starts the cure before you meet the doc.
He is Dhanvantri( pointing to the 6 footer). Look at his face- a pleasantly smiling one seemingly asking you - Hello , so how are you doing today? The main idol is placed on a lotus base (padma peetam) around which the mantra would be inscribed. On the one hand Dhanvantri will be holding the pot of nectar (amrita kalasam) and have a seendhal kodi (herb) hanging by his side.
The intriguing part is that a leech (atta poochi, in Tamil) is sculpted on his chest."
(leech therapy was part of the Indian medicine system and is now practiced in western countries.)
I could not help but notice , the silver stethoscope on the idol's right hand.
Balaji traced my gaze and responded in a typical Visu style "Doctors by profession also come here to research solutions of the unknown. This temple's base is filled by 50 crore mantras . So when you walk around the temple the vibrations emanate postive energies that fill your system."
I walked around the temple to feel the vibrations. You dont need to be a believer in the supernatural powers or cosmic energy to feel rejuvenated. The fresh air, uninterrupted gaze of the spherical earth, scent of herbs and flowers, fluttering of birds and butterflies, the temple seemed to rekindle a hope in those who visited.
The vision of Dhanvantri Swami Kovil was best articulated by Angelina , a volunteer at the temple.
-' No disease is curable in its entirety, There are no shortcuts to pain reduction, all one needs is a hope that life is worth living and that alone gives you the strength to move ahead. The temple stands testimony to generating that hope. Be it when you see others coping with suffering - you feel you are not all that alone, or when you see that nature has more to offer than what we think. I was an atheist till I came here. Now I am a believer , a believer in creating the urge to live. '
As the van wound itself way back on to the highway, the transformation in the small town was evident. Every house had a bit of the temple - A tulsi maadam and a neem tree. Walajapet was right on its way to being cured.
Walajapet is a small industrial town , 100 kms off chennai on the Chennai -Bangalore route. Once famous (infamous) for its tanneries and export units, today it is on a path of correcting the wrongs done to the eco system.
15 minutes into Walajapet , there is a right turn with a board inviting you to meet Dr. Dhanvantri , Physician to Lord Venkatesa Perumal.
A small temple breaks the seemingly unbroken horizon . Logs of wood guide you around the compact structure in circles. The pathway is lined on either side with rows of butter cup flowers and bright marigolds. The smell of burnt ghee being poured into the fire welcomes you to the abode of Lord Dhanvantri.
Dhanvantri is the lord of medicine and authored Ayurveda. The temple on Walajapet is dedicated to him in an effort to bring solace and hope to millions around the world of any caste and creed. An imposing 6 1/2 feet idol stands smiling calmly at the hundereds who enter the sanctum everyday.
The head priest of the temple, Balaji explains about the history in a way that would see any marketing consultant back to school.
"Welcome to the home of Doctor of Doctors. If you have noticed,this temple is designed in a way , akin to a hospital. You have ramps to climb up to the sanctum, a waiting area before you meet the doctor. The waiting area ofcourse is lined with herbal plantations ,the scent of which starts the cure before you meet the doc.
He is Dhanvantri( pointing to the 6 footer). Look at his face- a pleasantly smiling one seemingly asking you - Hello , so how are you doing today? The main idol is placed on a lotus base (padma peetam) around which the mantra would be inscribed. On the one hand Dhanvantri will be holding the pot of nectar (amrita kalasam) and have a seendhal kodi (herb) hanging by his side.
The intriguing part is that a leech (atta poochi, in Tamil) is sculpted on his chest."
(leech therapy was part of the Indian medicine system and is now practiced in western countries.)
I could not help but notice , the silver stethoscope on the idol's right hand.
Balaji traced my gaze and responded in a typical Visu style "Doctors by profession also come here to research solutions of the unknown. This temple's base is filled by 50 crore mantras . So when you walk around the temple the vibrations emanate postive energies that fill your system."
I walked around the temple to feel the vibrations. You dont need to be a believer in the supernatural powers or cosmic energy to feel rejuvenated. The fresh air, uninterrupted gaze of the spherical earth, scent of herbs and flowers, fluttering of birds and butterflies, the temple seemed to rekindle a hope in those who visited.
The vision of Dhanvantri Swami Kovil was best articulated by Angelina , a volunteer at the temple.
-' No disease is curable in its entirety, There are no shortcuts to pain reduction, all one needs is a hope that life is worth living and that alone gives you the strength to move ahead. The temple stands testimony to generating that hope. Be it when you see others coping with suffering - you feel you are not all that alone, or when you see that nature has more to offer than what we think. I was an atheist till I came here. Now I am a believer , a believer in creating the urge to live. '
As the van wound itself way back on to the highway, the transformation in the small town was evident. Every house had a bit of the temple - A tulsi maadam and a neem tree. Walajapet was right on its way to being cured.
Friday, April 29, 2005
In and Around
Chennai is a behemoth of hidden treasures. Hidden admist its myraid network of roads,streets and canals lies a story waiting to be told. After days of circumventing these places for want of time, I decided to go ahead and see what lay in store and what unfolded before me were tales of common men and women , of lives interwoven to create a culture so unique and so distinct.
My first stop on this journey is a small suburb popularly called as TRIPLICANE.
"Tiru-alli-keni" ( Temple surrounded by a pond filled with alli- a kind of tulip ) is a crowded suburb sandwiched between 2 giants Mylapore and Broadway(TOWN as we call it) . Dominated by the brahminical community , it provided a steady stream of clerical workforce to the East India Company and later to the govt offices that sprung along the shores of the Marina.
The workforce attracted the young bachelors towards chennai and so sprung the mansion concept of housing which exists even today.
"The first right from the temple , down the alley, and left - you will find Manohar mansion. Raja accompany madam to mano ."
It was definitely a little more dicey to find the mansion than what Thatha sitting on the thinnai thought .
"This is mano." -Raja
"This ??? A Mansion ??? "
A two storeyed pale yellow building with the left structure crumbling stood in front of me. A soggy wooden ladder was placed to climb on to the first floor. I for once hesitated on if it could carry the burden of .... kg woman all the way up, but what the heck anything for getting in there.
A hall with 5 rooms on either side and a common breathing space in the middle. Looked more like a hostel but with families. None of the rooms had bathrooms or toilets. There were common ones at the end of the mansion which had to be used in turns.
The 5 rooms were occupied by 14 people. Clothes hung everywhere. It was 4:00 pm , the rooms were not all occupied, excepting those who worked in night shifts. I didnt see a kitchen anywhere.
Raja understood from my gaze and informed "Saapadu from Kasi Vinayagam for this mansion".
Kasi Vinayagam mess, another trademark of Appumulli street in Triplicane. Mess are again run by brahminical communities with an entrepreniual touch. These days though, there are Chettinad , Kerela and even a Chinese mess. Breakfast, Lunch , dinner all for 50bucks a day . Dinner alone costs Rs. 20.Boss, it really pays to be in a mess.
For the bachelors ( they are of two kinds married and unmarried) Mansions are a cost effective place. A room costs 500 bucks a month on sharing basis. With dinner served for 25 days it worked out to just about Rs.1000. Thats leaves a lot for sending home.
Manikantan walked in from office.He was an office staff with one of the facility services. Stuffing and franking mail was his key performance area at work. He shared his spartan room with 4 others he met here. He started talking about life in a mansion but slowly ...
It is tough -Queues for bio breaks,Mosquitoes,Water problems, Privacy issues ,Social Stigma. But it has its share of fun also. We have screening of movies in the common room , on a dhoti tied across. We have an implicit bond amongst us. No good mornings, or good nights but when we feel desolate and miss home, we all understand.
"Mani Mani ," a voice yells from below. That is Selva. He was mani's room mate untill 3 months ago .He moved in to a proper house in Aynavaram. But on friday evenings he is here to play gully cricket and go for dinner to Kasi's .
Selva walks in.
"Polama da, Bat kondu va?" ( Shall we go, bring the bat along)
As the duo walk out of the mansion onto the streets, they carried something with them. A hope for a better pitch ahead and a part of Tiru - alli- keni.
Abrrrrrrrrrr The Auto moves along....
My first stop on this journey is a small suburb popularly called as TRIPLICANE.
"Tiru-alli-keni" ( Temple surrounded by a pond filled with alli- a kind of tulip ) is a crowded suburb sandwiched between 2 giants Mylapore and Broadway(TOWN as we call it) . Dominated by the brahminical community , it provided a steady stream of clerical workforce to the East India Company and later to the govt offices that sprung along the shores of the Marina.
The workforce attracted the young bachelors towards chennai and so sprung the mansion concept of housing which exists even today.
"The first right from the temple , down the alley, and left - you will find Manohar mansion. Raja accompany madam to mano ."
It was definitely a little more dicey to find the mansion than what Thatha sitting on the thinnai thought .
"This is mano." -Raja
"This ??? A Mansion ??? "
A two storeyed pale yellow building with the left structure crumbling stood in front of me. A soggy wooden ladder was placed to climb on to the first floor. I for once hesitated on if it could carry the burden of .... kg woman all the way up, but what the heck anything for getting in there.
A hall with 5 rooms on either side and a common breathing space in the middle. Looked more like a hostel but with families. None of the rooms had bathrooms or toilets. There were common ones at the end of the mansion which had to be used in turns.
The 5 rooms were occupied by 14 people. Clothes hung everywhere. It was 4:00 pm , the rooms were not all occupied, excepting those who worked in night shifts. I didnt see a kitchen anywhere.
Raja understood from my gaze and informed "Saapadu from Kasi Vinayagam for this mansion".
Kasi Vinayagam mess, another trademark of Appumulli street in Triplicane. Mess are again run by brahminical communities with an entrepreniual touch. These days though, there are Chettinad , Kerela and even a Chinese mess. Breakfast, Lunch , dinner all for 50bucks a day . Dinner alone costs Rs. 20.Boss, it really pays to be in a mess.
For the bachelors ( they are of two kinds married and unmarried) Mansions are a cost effective place. A room costs 500 bucks a month on sharing basis. With dinner served for 25 days it worked out to just about Rs.1000. Thats leaves a lot for sending home.
Manikantan walked in from office.He was an office staff with one of the facility services. Stuffing and franking mail was his key performance area at work. He shared his spartan room with 4 others he met here. He started talking about life in a mansion but slowly ...
It is tough -Queues for bio breaks,Mosquitoes,Water problems, Privacy issues ,Social Stigma. But it has its share of fun also. We have screening of movies in the common room , on a dhoti tied across. We have an implicit bond amongst us. No good mornings, or good nights but when we feel desolate and miss home, we all understand.
"Mani Mani ," a voice yells from below. That is Selva. He was mani's room mate untill 3 months ago .He moved in to a proper house in Aynavaram. But on friday evenings he is here to play gully cricket and go for dinner to Kasi's .
Selva walks in.
"Polama da, Bat kondu va?" ( Shall we go, bring the bat along)
As the duo walk out of the mansion onto the streets, they carried something with them. A hope for a better pitch ahead and a part of Tiru - alli- keni.
Abrrrrrrrrrr The Auto moves along....
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
When Hari met Saali
It was a boring evening at the hotel. The new place made me sleepless, and the Tv was jus not worth watching. So picked up this sidey looking magazine from the local store. Believe me its worth a try to read these once in a while...
'Dear Diana,
(Psst the agony aunt calls herself Lady Diana)
Me, Hari Raj Singh from Jalander. My marriage got over last June with dhoom and dham. My wife very pretty and very good. For my marriage , my then fiancee's sister did not come as her exams were going.
After marriage we went to Mumbai for honey moon. Very nice.I am very happy with my wife and she also. Now my wife is carrying 3 months.My wife's sister came back from hostel to help my wife when vomiting.She is double pretty.
When I saw my saali , I fell in love with her immediately. I feel my saali also loves me. Now it is not I don't like my wife. I love both of them very sincerelly and very deeply.I want to propose to my saali, and also not make my wife sad.
Dear Diana , please tell me what to do ?
'Dear Diana,
(Psst the agony aunt calls herself Lady Diana)
Me, Hari Raj Singh from Jalander. My marriage got over last June with dhoom and dham. My wife very pretty and very good. For my marriage , my then fiancee's sister did not come as her exams were going.
After marriage we went to Mumbai for honey moon. Very nice.I am very happy with my wife and she also. Now my wife is carrying 3 months.My wife's sister came back from hostel to help my wife when vomiting.She is double pretty.
When I saw my saali , I fell in love with her immediately. I feel my saali also loves me. Now it is not I don't like my wife. I love both of them very sincerelly and very deeply.I want to propose to my saali, and also not make my wife sad.
Dear Diana , please tell me what to do ?
Yours sincerelly,
Troubled Hari'
Hmm , What does Diana have to say for this ... wait for the next entry...
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Mami in Bangalore
(To read the part I , scroll down furthur to the next entry)
The ride from station to Koramangala was a 45 minute one. Meena Mami sat at the back. Shanks, started the conversation-
“My wife is pregnant – First child. Our parents are abroad and will not be able to come for the delivery. I am attending classes for handling this on my own. As mentioned earlier you will have to take charge of the house like our mother.”
“Mm …”
“What about you? Do you have children? Where are they and what are they doing?”
“I don’t have anyone. Don’t worry I will take care of your wife. What ‘s her name?”
“Myths – Mythili... “
The santro zipped to the left.
“This is our apartment. Security... Aunty hamare saath rahengi. Flat number B-6.”
“Ok, Saab “He stared at the lady who was fiddling with something in her bag.
Mythili opened the door “Ah! Mami, you look exactly like my pati. Come in come in.. "
“Here, this is for you”, it was a packet of fruits and pal khoa. “
Meena mami settled faster than expected. The kitchen and dining room gained focus from the computer. The tongues which had died of eating canned and pre cooked food were awoken by Spicy rasams, Thovials and batchanams. There was always a small cup of surprise at the end of a meal.
Mythili gained weight as the dates fast approached. Shanks was tensed, applied for 15 days of PL and revised the check list everyday.
Mami was composed. She went about her daily rituals without a murmur. If she missed the quaint fields of Tanjore, she didn’t mention .
Shanks initial apprehensions of elderly intervention in their independent lives were thrashed aside with Mami discreetly moving to her room when the parents were playing with the unborn.
The D-DAY arrived with a sharp pain. The new born was to come along soon. The pains got more frequent and Shanks more nervous. He screamed more than Myths, that the gyni gave him a tranquilizer and asked him to step out of the labour room. Mami sat in one corner of the lobby muttering barely audible slokas.
The delivery was normal. It was a beautiful baby girl. Kaavya- the proud parents named her. Her photos and foot prints criss crossed the internet space to far flung grand parents, uncles and aunts.
Myths rejoined duty in a month without a thing to worry. Kaavya was a darling and Mami’s pet. Mami would sing all kinds of songs for her and Kaavya bloomed. In the evenings when the parents came back, the bundle of joy was dutifully handed over. Things seemed to have settled into a mode of perfection.
It was a particularly stressful week for Myths. Shanks was attending a call at home. So she decided to take a stroll with Mami and Kaavya.
Mami was unusually silent. Was she missing her life in Mayavaram? Should she give her a week off or something? This was not the right time. There was a project deadline coming up and Mami had to be here. How could she ask her? Myths wanted to break the silence.
“Mami, you have never said anything about yourself to me. “
The question seemed to have opened a long withheld dam. Mami spoke at length reminiscing long gone days…
“I was married when I was 15. I was widowed when I was 16. I never saw my husband as I had not attained puberty. Life after that was tough. I was always in the kitchen, and with the new born kids. At 25 I wanted to have my own kids but I never knew how. I was the only daughter of my parents. They had lots of property which came under my name. I did nt want any of them; I wanted to have a family. But those days were different. Sometimes I wondered was this life worth living. Looking back now, I don t know how I got past those days. I never could talk to anyone about this.
So I started studying without anyone’s knowledge. I passed MA English Lit. I taught children at home. I loved children. I gave all my property for the construction of a school.
I had actually never been to a city before. That’s why when Sambu mama told me that someone was looking for help in a city. I applied.”
She looked at Myths and asked with a lilt in her eyes – “Mythili, You won’t mistake me if I ask you something? “
“Not at all mami, “Myths replied mentally preparing for a week’s leave application and started rehearsing her explanations.
“Will you take me to this place someday?”
She unwrapped a metro plus edition (folded in 16) which had Forum- The Mall shots splashed across its front page. PVR 's latest show was also on the Advt.
“I have never seen anything like this before. “
Suddenly Myth felt like a mother of 2 children, “Sure mami I will. Lets go today itself – you, me and Kaavya. It will be a pucca lady’s day out .“ Mami refolded the paper into her saree folds.
She told Kaavya - "Kutti ponne , innikku nama vellila porom. Enna dress su pottukulam ?? "
Myths slowed her pace down to watch the two beautiful women walk ahead of her. Mayavaram Mami , the name just didn’t suite her.
The ride from station to Koramangala was a 45 minute one. Meena Mami sat at the back. Shanks, started the conversation-
“My wife is pregnant – First child. Our parents are abroad and will not be able to come for the delivery. I am attending classes for handling this on my own. As mentioned earlier you will have to take charge of the house like our mother.”
“Mm …”
“What about you? Do you have children? Where are they and what are they doing?”
“I don’t have anyone. Don’t worry I will take care of your wife. What ‘s her name?”
“Myths – Mythili... “
The santro zipped to the left.
“This is our apartment. Security... Aunty hamare saath rahengi. Flat number B-6.”
“Ok, Saab “He stared at the lady who was fiddling with something in her bag.
Mythili opened the door “Ah! Mami, you look exactly like my pati. Come in come in.. "
“Here, this is for you”, it was a packet of fruits and pal khoa. “
Meena mami settled faster than expected. The kitchen and dining room gained focus from the computer. The tongues which had died of eating canned and pre cooked food were awoken by Spicy rasams, Thovials and batchanams. There was always a small cup of surprise at the end of a meal.
Mythili gained weight as the dates fast approached. Shanks was tensed, applied for 15 days of PL and revised the check list everyday.
Mami was composed. She went about her daily rituals without a murmur. If she missed the quaint fields of Tanjore, she didn’t mention .
Shanks initial apprehensions of elderly intervention in their independent lives were thrashed aside with Mami discreetly moving to her room when the parents were playing with the unborn.
The D-DAY arrived with a sharp pain. The new born was to come along soon. The pains got more frequent and Shanks more nervous. He screamed more than Myths, that the gyni gave him a tranquilizer and asked him to step out of the labour room. Mami sat in one corner of the lobby muttering barely audible slokas.
The delivery was normal. It was a beautiful baby girl. Kaavya- the proud parents named her. Her photos and foot prints criss crossed the internet space to far flung grand parents, uncles and aunts.
Myths rejoined duty in a month without a thing to worry. Kaavya was a darling and Mami’s pet. Mami would sing all kinds of songs for her and Kaavya bloomed. In the evenings when the parents came back, the bundle of joy was dutifully handed over. Things seemed to have settled into a mode of perfection.
It was a particularly stressful week for Myths. Shanks was attending a call at home. So she decided to take a stroll with Mami and Kaavya.
Mami was unusually silent. Was she missing her life in Mayavaram? Should she give her a week off or something? This was not the right time. There was a project deadline coming up and Mami had to be here. How could she ask her? Myths wanted to break the silence.
“Mami, you have never said anything about yourself to me. “
The question seemed to have opened a long withheld dam. Mami spoke at length reminiscing long gone days…
“I was married when I was 15. I was widowed when I was 16. I never saw my husband as I had not attained puberty. Life after that was tough. I was always in the kitchen, and with the new born kids. At 25 I wanted to have my own kids but I never knew how. I was the only daughter of my parents. They had lots of property which came under my name. I did nt want any of them; I wanted to have a family. But those days were different. Sometimes I wondered was this life worth living. Looking back now, I don t know how I got past those days. I never could talk to anyone about this.
So I started studying without anyone’s knowledge. I passed MA English Lit. I taught children at home. I loved children. I gave all my property for the construction of a school.
I had actually never been to a city before. That’s why when Sambu mama told me that someone was looking for help in a city. I applied.”
She looked at Myths and asked with a lilt in her eyes – “Mythili, You won’t mistake me if I ask you something? “
“Not at all mami, “Myths replied mentally preparing for a week’s leave application and started rehearsing her explanations.
“Will you take me to this place someday?”
She unwrapped a metro plus edition (folded in 16) which had Forum- The Mall shots splashed across its front page. PVR 's latest show was also on the Advt.
“I have never seen anything like this before. “
Suddenly Myth felt like a mother of 2 children, “Sure mami I will. Lets go today itself – you, me and Kaavya. It will be a pucca lady’s day out .“ Mami refolded the paper into her saree folds.
She told Kaavya - "Kutti ponne , innikku nama vellila porom. Enna dress su pottukulam ?? "
Myths slowed her pace down to watch the two beautiful women walk ahead of her. Mayavaram Mami , the name just didn’t suite her.
Mayavaram Mami - Part I
Shankara- raman re read the post card. It was written in black cursive.
I am coming by Bangalore Mail, S1- berth number 36. I leave Mayavaram on 11th and will be there on 12th morning. Please arrange for someone to come to the station. I will stand outside the coach.
- Meenakshi
Shanks,(as he called himself now) filed the post card.It was not often that you got one these days.
"Myths, (Thats how he called his wife Mythili) I am leaving for work, will be back tom at 3:00 am. Got a call tonight. You sleep. Have the keys. Will call you from off.. Cia babe". -He switched off the answering machine recorder.
Myths was his co worker at IT solutions. When he was the PM, she had been SA. Now both had grown with the IT boom. Their affair was a quick one .Dated each other for 3 months before tying the knot.
The couple were what every Indian IT worker envied- double income, highly successful and highly independent. Myths parents lived in Argentina and Shanks mom was with his sister in the US.
It was a Monday morning when the test results were out.The company doc , called Shanks.
'Hey shanky , congrats.This time too you have delivered results bang on target. Positive yar . You have jus got promoted.'
The couple went to Sunnys for dinner. Plans were laid out and schedule charts made. Both the parents expressed their absence for the delivery.
Shanks enrolled for a class - "So you are expecting ?"
He was the only human with a flat stomach. That didn't matter. He enjoyed the course .They were a breather to his drab project meetings. Morning sickness, Cramps, movements, inlaws, outlaws- he learned them all.
As deadlines and delivery dates approached, work weighed on Shanks and Myths. Myths would start her leave in 1 month . They decided they needed help.
Tulsamma and Gowri , were not all equipped to handle the complications. They wanted someone at home, someone who would be a part their family- Someone reliable coz Myths wanted to get back to work by June.
Thats when, Meenakshi Mami from Mayavaram applied. She was 62 , thats what the resume said. Too old thought Shanks, Myths view was older the better. Mami had been born and brought up in Mayavaram, a town off Tanjore.
'She can speak english'- Myths observed.
They dialled the number listed on the white sheet of paper.
6:00 am ,12th morning. Shanks drove to Bangalore city Jn. The train had just pulled in. Shanks was known for his punctuality. He scanned through the crowd for S1 poster on the bogie.
There she stood. Wrapped in a 9 yard Sandlewood color saree , Iyer style - tightly wrapped around her head. She hugged her possesions - A small yellow bag, one suitcase and a basket of fruits. A grey shawl tried in vain to protect her from the bangalore chill.
Shanks went up to her and showed her the post card. Mami smiled.The sweat shirt clad Project manager and the mami from Mayavaram walked -cutting across the morning smog.
I am coming by Bangalore Mail, S1- berth number 36. I leave Mayavaram on 11th and will be there on 12th morning. Please arrange for someone to come to the station. I will stand outside the coach.
- Meenakshi
Shanks,(as he called himself now) filed the post card.It was not often that you got one these days.
"Myths, (Thats how he called his wife Mythili) I am leaving for work, will be back tom at 3:00 am. Got a call tonight. You sleep. Have the keys. Will call you from off.. Cia babe". -He switched off the answering machine recorder.
Myths was his co worker at IT solutions. When he was the PM, she had been SA. Now both had grown with the IT boom. Their affair was a quick one .Dated each other for 3 months before tying the knot.
The couple were what every Indian IT worker envied- double income, highly successful and highly independent. Myths parents lived in Argentina and Shanks mom was with his sister in the US.
It was a Monday morning when the test results were out.The company doc , called Shanks.
'Hey shanky , congrats.This time too you have delivered results bang on target. Positive yar . You have jus got promoted.'
The couple went to Sunnys for dinner. Plans were laid out and schedule charts made. Both the parents expressed their absence for the delivery.
Shanks enrolled for a class - "So you are expecting ?"
He was the only human with a flat stomach. That didn't matter. He enjoyed the course .They were a breather to his drab project meetings. Morning sickness, Cramps, movements, inlaws, outlaws- he learned them all.
As deadlines and delivery dates approached, work weighed on Shanks and Myths. Myths would start her leave in 1 month . They decided they needed help.
Tulsamma and Gowri , were not all equipped to handle the complications. They wanted someone at home, someone who would be a part their family- Someone reliable coz Myths wanted to get back to work by June.
Thats when, Meenakshi Mami from Mayavaram applied. She was 62 , thats what the resume said. Too old thought Shanks, Myths view was older the better. Mami had been born and brought up in Mayavaram, a town off Tanjore.
'She can speak english'- Myths observed.
They dialled the number listed on the white sheet of paper.
6:00 am ,12th morning. Shanks drove to Bangalore city Jn. The train had just pulled in. Shanks was known for his punctuality. He scanned through the crowd for S1 poster on the bogie.
There she stood. Wrapped in a 9 yard Sandlewood color saree , Iyer style - tightly wrapped around her head. She hugged her possesions - A small yellow bag, one suitcase and a basket of fruits. A grey shawl tried in vain to protect her from the bangalore chill.
Shanks went up to her and showed her the post card. Mami smiled.The sweat shirt clad Project manager and the mami from Mayavaram walked -cutting across the morning smog.
Monday, April 04, 2005
Guffaws at 11:30
Chennai weather for once was great. Rainy with thunder showers. How would you feel huddled up on the 4th floor , going through Quarter 1 logistics??
Well,that feel summed up my day - nothing spectacular, mundane and boring.
Blink didn't seem to interest me today,websites scrolled past me without impact.NO TO BLOGGING I promised myself.Yupp will watch the sidey flick on KTV and doze off.Great idea, I patted myself.
It was darn cold in chennai. Needed something warm. So up went the lid of my mumbai box. Mumbai box it was- all the junk and treasures of single life. The snap was there and was definitely winking at me.It was him, definitely him - Could never not spot a Hobbes in my life.
He was 10 years old when I bought him, now 11. But still winking at me.I sat on the box with the drawing sized book open on my lap.
Minutes slipped into hours, KTV went from movie to comedy time and back to midnight movie... the book didnt slip of my hands for a minute.I was giggling , laughing, had tears in the right corner of my eye.. This kiddo was great , the tiger better.
I looked up to clear the mist in my right eye, Appa was standing near the door-
" You are reading cartoons ??? Anu, grow up ... "
Grow up out of what? I loved this. Jus read this .....
Calvin:Dad, how do they make babies?
Dad:They don't make babies.Most people jus go to Sears, buy a baby assembly pack and assemble them.
C: Wow , I came from Sears
D: No , you were a blue light special at K MART ! Almost as good, and a whole lot cheaper.
C: Aaaaaaagh , K MART.
So there was squealing at this lil wonder and I logged on. This needed a mention on my blog so what if it meant breaking promises.I looked at the moniter hard , hoping Microsoft Word also has a verbal diarroea.
Hobbes: Do you have an idea for your story yet ??
C:(ME ??): No I am waiting for inspiration.You can't just turn on creativity like a faucet.You have to be in the right mood.
Hobbes: What mood is that ?
C:(ME.. !!!)Last minute Panic.
Ciao ...
Well,that feel summed up my day - nothing spectacular, mundane and boring.
Blink didn't seem to interest me today,websites scrolled past me without impact.NO TO BLOGGING I promised myself.Yupp will watch the sidey flick on KTV and doze off.Great idea, I patted myself.
It was darn cold in chennai. Needed something warm. So up went the lid of my mumbai box. Mumbai box it was- all the junk and treasures of single life. The snap was there and was definitely winking at me.It was him, definitely him - Could never not spot a Hobbes in my life.
He was 10 years old when I bought him, now 11. But still winking at me.I sat on the box with the drawing sized book open on my lap.
Minutes slipped into hours, KTV went from movie to comedy time and back to midnight movie... the book didnt slip of my hands for a minute.I was giggling , laughing, had tears in the right corner of my eye.. This kiddo was great , the tiger better.
I looked up to clear the mist in my right eye, Appa was standing near the door-
" You are reading cartoons ??? Anu, grow up ... "
Grow up out of what? I loved this. Jus read this .....
Calvin:Dad, how do they make babies?
Dad:They don't make babies.Most people jus go to Sears, buy a baby assembly pack and assemble them.
C: Wow , I came from Sears
D: No , you were a blue light special at K MART ! Almost as good, and a whole lot cheaper.
C: Aaaaaaagh , K MART.
So there was squealing at this lil wonder and I logged on. This needed a mention on my blog so what if it meant breaking promises.I looked at the moniter hard , hoping Microsoft Word also has a verbal diarroea.
Hobbes: Do you have an idea for your story yet ??
C:(ME ??): No I am waiting for inspiration.You can't just turn on creativity like a faucet.You have to be in the right mood.
Hobbes: What mood is that ?
C:(ME.. !!!)Last minute Panic.
Ciao ...
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Summer of 89'
My neighbour's son came home skipping like never before.
"From today,Loooooong holiday. "with an emphasis on the L.
"Where are you going Vish? "I asked
" Singapore. That was the deal I struck with Appa, and we better be going there this time."
Vish's mom came out. "He has been pestering us ever since the hoarding went up on LB bridge on Singapore. Ivar rum sonnar, polame nnu . We are yet to freeze plans. I believe tickets are a problem. Now that Singapore is just 5 hrs away, everybody seems to be hitting there."
"Happy hols Vish", I said and went to board the Auto to work.
Vish went to the same school I went 10 years back.It was just round the corner. As the Auto veered , my thoughts went back.
April 2nd,1989.I had just finished my IVth std, Social Science paper.SSc was always the last paper.The clock struck 1:00 and there was a controlled sound of relief in the classroom.
I walked out, calculating the number of days between April 2nd .. no no April 3rd and June 1st. I always lost count at the end of 27 days.Was April a 30 or a 31 day month?
My brother ,who also studied in the same school came out and called me to the cycle stand.And before anyone could catch him talking to his little demon sister,hurriedly enquired
Big Brother:"How was the paper? Here take all this and run home, and tell amma I will come in the evening"
Lil sister:" Where are you going ?"
BB:"Never ask such questions when I am leaving, anyways going for a movie."
LS:"Why should I carry all this ......"
BB was gone .
I boarded the bus to get down 2 stops later near my house. Amma was ready with the door open. How was the exam? Did Ques no 5 from Lesson 3 come? Did you write the line you always missed ?
Phew Amma, was always full of questions. Results were in May, Why bother now ?
"All written, School re opens on June 2nd". I declared like I had just commissioned a rocket.
Amma : Ok , clean your table ,books, pencils in the evening.
Me: Tomorrow
Amma : Today
Me : Amma...........
I sat near the table cleaning , while my BB watched a movie in Little Anand.
Amma came with a set of 6 frocks. They were always white or in summer shades.
I got this for summer.Patu mami is coming tomorrow evening.So practise all your geethams today.I will also sing along.We will then go to the beach with arti and shuba.
Arti and shuba were my neighbours.Nah more of soul mates.We were what we called ourselves " Awesome Threesome".
Our schedule for the summer was already written. We planned to meet on the terrace everyday for high tea ( like the Secret Seven).We didnt have Scamper , but we had teddy( It went well , was Arti's take- Threesome with Teddy, matched to the tee)
Amma, made small idlies and cutlets which were passed off as Marmalade and Sandwiches. Lemonade was always there and then there were mangoes- Banganapalli of Chennai fame.
Trips to terrace were exciting, Beach was big time. Sri Ramana Lending library was to be visited on Wed afternoons. Patu mami came on Tues and Fri evening. But the best was , the one week trip to pati' s place.
She lived in Tambaram ,now I know it is 1 hour from Besant Nagar and well within Chennai. Then I thought it was a trip worth a big briefcase.Appa drove us down for the drop in his blue Premier Padmini.I always drove alongside on the left hand side front seat.
I assumed for long that thatha was the Panchayat President, coz we always used to get that special treatment at the temple. Mid day, thayir sadam served with a story, Pandal on the terrace for us to play with small vessels of palm frond and ofcourse Sri Ramana 's novels dutifully translated and recited to pati.
I closed my eyes as the auto sped.I started crooning "Summer of 69... nope 89".
"From today,Loooooong holiday. "with an emphasis on the L.
"Where are you going Vish? "I asked
" Singapore. That was the deal I struck with Appa, and we better be going there this time."
Vish's mom came out. "He has been pestering us ever since the hoarding went up on LB bridge on Singapore. Ivar rum sonnar, polame nnu . We are yet to freeze plans. I believe tickets are a problem. Now that Singapore is just 5 hrs away, everybody seems to be hitting there."
"Happy hols Vish", I said and went to board the Auto to work.
Vish went to the same school I went 10 years back.It was just round the corner. As the Auto veered , my thoughts went back.
April 2nd,1989.I had just finished my IVth std, Social Science paper.SSc was always the last paper.The clock struck 1:00 and there was a controlled sound of relief in the classroom.
I walked out, calculating the number of days between April 2nd .. no no April 3rd and June 1st. I always lost count at the end of 27 days.Was April a 30 or a 31 day month?
My brother ,who also studied in the same school came out and called me to the cycle stand.And before anyone could catch him talking to his little demon sister,hurriedly enquired
Big Brother:"How was the paper? Here take all this and run home, and tell amma I will come in the evening"
Lil sister:" Where are you going ?"
BB:"Never ask such questions when I am leaving, anyways going for a movie."
LS:"Why should I carry all this ......"
BB was gone .
I boarded the bus to get down 2 stops later near my house. Amma was ready with the door open. How was the exam? Did Ques no 5 from Lesson 3 come? Did you write the line you always missed ?
Phew Amma, was always full of questions. Results were in May, Why bother now ?
"All written, School re opens on June 2nd". I declared like I had just commissioned a rocket.
Amma : Ok , clean your table ,books, pencils in the evening.
Me: Tomorrow
Amma : Today
Me : Amma...........
I sat near the table cleaning , while my BB watched a movie in Little Anand.
Amma came with a set of 6 frocks. They were always white or in summer shades.
I got this for summer.Patu mami is coming tomorrow evening.So practise all your geethams today.I will also sing along.We will then go to the beach with arti and shuba.
Arti and shuba were my neighbours.Nah more of soul mates.We were what we called ourselves " Awesome Threesome".
Our schedule for the summer was already written. We planned to meet on the terrace everyday for high tea ( like the Secret Seven).We didnt have Scamper , but we had teddy( It went well , was Arti's take- Threesome with Teddy, matched to the tee)
Amma, made small idlies and cutlets which were passed off as Marmalade and Sandwiches. Lemonade was always there and then there were mangoes- Banganapalli of Chennai fame.
Trips to terrace were exciting, Beach was big time. Sri Ramana Lending library was to be visited on Wed afternoons. Patu mami came on Tues and Fri evening. But the best was , the one week trip to pati' s place.
She lived in Tambaram ,now I know it is 1 hour from Besant Nagar and well within Chennai. Then I thought it was a trip worth a big briefcase.Appa drove us down for the drop in his blue Premier Padmini.I always drove alongside on the left hand side front seat.
I assumed for long that thatha was the Panchayat President, coz we always used to get that special treatment at the temple. Mid day, thayir sadam served with a story, Pandal on the terrace for us to play with small vessels of palm frond and ofcourse Sri Ramana 's novels dutifully translated and recited to pati.
I closed my eyes as the auto sped.I started crooning "Summer of 69... nope 89".
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Ground beneath my feet
It was 8 :00 am when the tiles on the bathroom floor trembled.Instantly knew it was coming. I have been tuned and trained to run to the corner when the first tremors occur. There was a sudden bright light , almost blinding my vision. I ran with whatever little energy I could find. I knew this was the moment.
In no time the water will come gushing. I had just one chance to find the corner and cling for my life- which I did.
The foamed water swept over my face, debris brushed my sides. Hair, Coir, Paper-God knows what the water washed in.I still clung to the only support I had. Surprisingly , parents and family were not on top of my mind. Their thoughts came in , when the water levels receded. I waded to safety, dragging myself out of weariness, out of a tough battle and then I saw them.
Huddled in a colony just below the wash basin.They had survived- We had survived another day.
Who ever said Cockroaches were weaklings - We are right here beneath the basin alive and kicking.
In no time the water will come gushing. I had just one chance to find the corner and cling for my life- which I did.
The foamed water swept over my face, debris brushed my sides. Hair, Coir, Paper-God knows what the water washed in.I still clung to the only support I had. Surprisingly , parents and family were not on top of my mind. Their thoughts came in , when the water levels receded. I waded to safety, dragging myself out of weariness, out of a tough battle and then I saw them.
Huddled in a colony just below the wash basin.They had survived- We had survived another day.
Who ever said Cockroaches were weaklings - We are right here beneath the basin alive and kicking.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Chennai,Karam,Coffee
| 4:30 am , I was woken from sleep , by my own voice. The whole house was silent . I tip toed to the kitchen,made myself some degree coffee , picked up a couple of murukku ( believe me try this combo , will beat any Mc nugget hands down) and settled on the slab of stone on my balcony. The roads silent , with the odd morning walker, a stationary aavin van, lakshmi, mani all had just begun work on the pavement - sorting through their day's deliveries of milk and paper. Vijay the dog , stood hoping that Lakshmi would soon drop a leaking milk packet . Lakshmi's mother sat in one corner , making "Kanji"- rice porridge , to be sold to the morning walkers and there were flowers to be made into garlands. Laskhmi would handle that after the milk deliveries. There was laughter and Joy, in the small group, a harmony between the elements of the 5:00 am team. As the first rays focussed on the family, I saw them in new light. The struggles of the day ahead did not bother them. What if no one wanted to drink the kanji today, what if the flower garlands never adorned a diety or a neck? They did not seem to be bothered by what lay ahead. What they enjoyed was the moment they had together sorting through papers and milk packets. This was Chennai .. the singara chennai that welcomes me every time. Crunch went the murukku into my mouth . I savoured every moment of it. |
Friday, March 04, 2005
Chandramukhi
I walked out of the office to an empty Auto stand, Quite unusual as they knew we were a bunch 5 who took Autos on long distance trips.
Tea kadai Nair then showed the calender, March 4th Chandramukhi cassette release. Aha ! Meendum Rajini. Manikkam's auto then swerved around the corner.
"Sorry madam, cassette vanga ponen.Polama ?"
I opened the book to the bookmark where I left on my morning ride to office.
"Madam, CanI play the tape, been waiting for it for the last 1 year"
"Sure, Sir. Podunga"
SPBs unmistakable boom voice began the "Devuda Devuda" number.
"Madam , parunga Election time llu , indha paatu pinnum , super a pottrukanga"
"Chandramukhi la , Aishwarya Rai nadika maten tangalam ... Waste , Parunga indha heroina vandhirka ponnu , Periya Eshtara varum"
"Left sar, pattu kettutu, route a miss panna thinga "
A Song for every season was the theme..
For the depoarted soul procession there was Kokku para para
For the upcoming Wedding season konjum neram
Elections could play the Devuda Devuda ( Was it a hint at entering Karnataka Politics???? )
For the tired auto driver , A huge poster of thailava on the wind shield.
Packaging , need gap analysis, Forecasting seasonal demand it was all here - Kollywood !!!!
Pick up a cassette today.
Tea kadai Nair then showed the calender, March 4th Chandramukhi cassette release. Aha ! Meendum Rajini. Manikkam's auto then swerved around the corner.
"Sorry madam, cassette vanga ponen.Polama ?"
I opened the book to the bookmark where I left on my morning ride to office.
"Madam, CanI play the tape, been waiting for it for the last 1 year"
"Sure, Sir. Podunga"
SPBs unmistakable boom voice began the "Devuda Devuda" number.
"Madam , parunga Election time llu , indha paatu pinnum , super a pottrukanga"
"Chandramukhi la , Aishwarya Rai nadika maten tangalam ... Waste , Parunga indha heroina vandhirka ponnu , Periya Eshtara varum"
"Left sar, pattu kettutu, route a miss panna thinga "
A Song for every season was the theme..
For the depoarted soul procession there was Kokku para para
For the upcoming Wedding season konjum neram
Elections could play the Devuda Devuda ( Was it a hint at entering Karnataka Politics???? )
For the tired auto driver , A huge poster of thailava on the wind shield.
Packaging , need gap analysis, Forecasting seasonal demand it was all here - Kollywood !!!!
Pick up a cassette today.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Guru Shani Transit
"Appointment at last " Screamed my mother and slammed the phone with bubbles of teenage excitement .
"Monday 3:00 pm sharp."
"In the hot sun ?? " I scowled from a dark room
" Pinna yenna ? To get an audience with him , I had to be referred by Chakku athai.
He is not available for a week after that . I will go on my own if you are not interested."
Was I ? Well , when there is nothing you want to particularly believe in , you believe in anything ! Confusing right ?My eyes glanced at the almanac for the week ... Libra ...'Jupiter in transit foretell minor troubles at work. Dont argue with people older than you.- Bejan Daruwala for week ending March -20th '. So Sunday went past by me like a bee. There was buzz all around the house. The printer was working overtime. After all , binding the world in 12 equivalent squares isnt easy even for a Pentium IV.
Monday morning, a whole lot of calls,dont ask him too many questions, he gets angry , Never doubt his judgement , take the necessary papers along, and yes smear as much as turmeric on them. It helps !! (??)
I went along , not because I believed ,but out of curiosity. What lay ahead is always intriguing if not convincing. I stopped short of entering the house. Books lay strewn around the hallway. A 60 something man appeared out of the darkness, wrapped in a dhoti and something similar on top.
"Vango vango , Unga Ponna aa ??? Va ma ! "
I would have preferred to stay outside, but Surya bhagawan's Parvai sent me in.
After 1/2 an hour of poring over yellowed pages , and crinkly notes . The demi god thus spake -
"Guru sevvai pakaran , Sevvai budhanai , budhan avan veetla irukkan ana balam illai .. . " I could not believe i was a witness to all this, but with so many gods seeing each other i was a mere puppet ,was'nt I ?
"Ellam seriya ayudum ma, 19th kku mela parungo . " "Appo ippa ? " My Libran reflexes reacted . The man turned towards me " See ma, All this is jus a work of god ,9 planets and the powerful magnetic field activity . It has effects and affects . You wont believe when I say this but on the 19th I will be expecting a call from you - This is a Science ma , Science of planetary effects ."
I could not refute , I could not accept. I wanted to leave the place, immediately and that I did. I don t know , situations around me always get wierder than me. I started to walk around the Mylapore tank. Question marks bogged my mind.
Why is that when things are in a muddle, we dont mind hanging on to a broken rudder , but once ashore we don t pay a second look at it ? Was the rudder really broken , Nah for if it was it would nt have served the purpose of getting me ashore right ? Gosh if only my questions were simpler , If I only I knew whethere I was a believer or not , I would have either drowned ,or Swum ashore, but with a rudder i don t know how to react ?Clouds were gathering faster than i could reason , Winds were blowing straight on my face. I traced my steps back to the house .
The door read-
19, Solliappan Street, the Temple bell chimed , was it the 'Nalla saganum' I was waiting for ?
I stepped inside the house....
Sunday, February 20, 2005
You have got NO Mail....
I hate cell phones , not much so for their constant buzzing , but for their intrusion into my mail space. Don't know if some agency has done the homework , but the mail traffic( I mean personal mails from personal ids to personal ids) has definitely reduced over the last 1 year.
I miss mail , I miss typing and scrolling down recipes which my Mom used to send.GOD !!! Will someone please mail meeeeeeeeee.......... |
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Say cheese , Umph !
"Smile Anu, a little more , No no no teeth ,"
" Can you tilt your head 45' right, a little to the left"
Huff !!! Wish I could leave but this was it -Moment of crowning glory standing in front of a pair of upturned umbrellas, lights popping out of everywhere .. I felt vulnerable.
"Whats wrong Anu, It is just a simple photograph , why are you so nervous ? "
Nervous ??? Thats ,well an understatement , you won't need an X ray now to find out how many bones chatter in the body.
"But Amma whats wrong with the scores of snaps at home ? "
"Nah , too many men around you ."
" WHAT ????? Men around me ?? Please, they are all I graders in primary school . "
"Yeah, right children all around you , is that what you wish to give them . "
"Ok what about the one where i am sitting along with you guys , "
"No chain in neck-"
AH ! GIMME A BREAK
"The one on puliancholai waterfall - Wet hair .. mmm I tht it looked good ".
Ok , got the stare and the point.
"Hey i am all alone on the Lonavla trek snap"
" Yes alone , behind a herd of grazing cows. Anu , make this simple , whats the harm in facing the camera for a simple snap , that doesnt need a mangnifying glass to make sense of your face ? Just stand and get done with this. Or we would have to think about hidden cameras. "
GOSH NO !!! So I was here , in front of a pair of upturned umbrellas, lights popping out of everywhere ..
Why was amma walking towards me and what was there in her hand ??
Noooo ! Ponds powder in folded handkerchief !!!!!!!!!
CLICK ! ZOOOOOOOMMMMM
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Harvard Blues
Harvard Blues
Suma glanced through her resume one last time and a smile curved her at the edge of her lips. She had always carried a copy in her bag –a near perfect one she thought …
Masters in Psychology – LSR, Delhi
National level squash player
Classical singer
Avid quizzer
and now an admission into the doctoral programme at Harvard
It had worked out just as planned. Come August and she will be on her way to Boston. Suma glanced at her watch-it was 10:00 am and the waiting room outside the Head of Dept became hotter. Harvard must be more pleasant!!! -She couldn't help wondering.
A voice interrupted her thoughts “Mam,saab’s calling you “.
The HoD 's room was sparsely furnished. Suma had met him only twice before, but today was pleasantly different. Mr. Xavier had wanted to meet the Harvard bound girl from his department and she loved all the attention she was getting over the last few days!
"Good Morning Suma, Take a seat. Coffee, Cool drinks??”
“No thank you, Mr. Xavier “
“So Suma, what are your plans for the next two months"
How nice!!! No word of appreciation, no congratulations, just wants to know my schedule, (skedule).
"Nothing much sir, I have really worked hard for the last 4 years, I think I deserve a vacation "
"Yes, yes very much you do. Life in Harvard isn't going to be easy. These days would be the very few you would get in the next few years to come. But if you do have some time to spare just drop in at my wife's school for the visually impaired – You must have heard of St Anthony's right? She is running a summer hobby class there; you could lend her a helping hand!
"Sure Sir, can I have the address?"
On her way back home, she glanced at the card and thought, why was Mr. Xavier so interested on her going there? Does he think this will help in getting some kind of tuition assistantship? Her own thought process appalled her. She kicked herself to get out of her thoughts. The car screeched to a halt. The address was shoved into the bag. The Taxi bill came to Rs 50 - $1 thought Suma.
The next few weeks were spent in shopping, learning to cook, treating friends and dreaming about life in another 2 months.
It was a Sunday and her bag appeared to be bit too big.
" Suma you better learn to clean that more often " – Mom was always at it!
She emptied her bag onto the bed. The first to fall was a yellow piece of paper. She looked at it for long, cleaning can wait she thought as she lifted the receiver. " Hello, St Anthony’s...."
The school was housed in a conservative bungalow on a busy highway. St Anthony’s was written across the second floor balcony in black. A part of the building, under renovation, was covered with poles and guilders. She unlatched the gate, when two dogs charged on towards her. She quickly retraced her steps, and shut the gate.
As she stood there debating whether to leave or call out for someone, a voice echoed through the hall "Hello, thats being punctual the American way, Suma. Oh! Wait a minute. Thomas, get the dogs out!” A short stout lady with a pretty face broke into the scene with an extended hand."I am Ms.Anna Xavier, Dave was talking about you even yesterday come on in "
The place was extremely quite and Suma wondered if there were any children at all!!! As her eyes got used to the light inside the room, a small boy strode in confidently. His hands were painted a cheery yellow, his face-brighter.
Pavan, say hello to Suma didi
Namaste Suma didi .How are you doing?
I am fine.
Pavan is in the seventh grade, recently got a double promotion. A very smart kid I must say. He joined us four years back. His parents stay in Noida and he visits them once in 15 days.
For a moment the three stood motionless not knowing how to carry the conversation furthur. Pavan broke the ice by saying,"didi, I am doing a painting would like to see?"
"Sure I would love to ", said Suma displaying an obvious relief in her voice.
He led her into a room - a sharp contrast to the painted sheets of art paper strewed on the floor.
What do you do didi?
I am studying; I will be going to America next month to study furthur.
Didi, you will go in aeroplane?
Yeah, smiled suma
This way didi, and he led her across the room to the table where he had been sitting.
What have you been painting pavan? asked Suma, unable to comprehend the riot of colors. Was it modern art by any chance?
This is the morning sky didi, see birds are flying north; I read somewhere that they fly north in the mornings. The weather is cool aur fresh you can hear the chirping of birds. Look the sun is also rising .He was pointing to a paper which was filled in shades of yellow and black.
Pavan, sky is blue in color, But you have painted it bright yellow. Do you want me to bring blue, we will repaint it together, I will help you.
Pavan looked at her questingly or so she thought
What is blue didi? What does it look like?
Suddenly the Barons she had breathed in for 4 years, evaporated from her memory.
Blue is color of sky, water, and ...
No didi, when you see blue what do you feel? Cool and Fresh? Thats what I felt when I did this painting .So what if it appears yellow to you, I painted thinking it is blue, so it is blue...
Suma looked at the art paper once again, everything seemed to fall in place .She could even see a small Harvard flag fluttering in the background, a smile curved her lips as she dug deep into yellow color, or was it blue?
Suma glanced through her resume one last time and a smile curved her at the edge of her lips. She had always carried a copy in her bag –a near perfect one she thought …
Masters in Psychology – LSR, Delhi
National level squash player
Classical singer
Avid quizzer
and now an admission into the doctoral programme at Harvard
It had worked out just as planned. Come August and she will be on her way to Boston. Suma glanced at her watch-it was 10:00 am and the waiting room outside the Head of Dept became hotter. Harvard must be more pleasant!!! -She couldn't help wondering.
A voice interrupted her thoughts “Mam,saab’s calling you “.
The HoD 's room was sparsely furnished. Suma had met him only twice before, but today was pleasantly different. Mr. Xavier had wanted to meet the Harvard bound girl from his department and she loved all the attention she was getting over the last few days!
"Good Morning Suma, Take a seat. Coffee, Cool drinks??”
“No thank you, Mr. Xavier “
“So Suma, what are your plans for the next two months"
How nice!!! No word of appreciation, no congratulations, just wants to know my schedule, (skedule).
"Nothing much sir, I have really worked hard for the last 4 years, I think I deserve a vacation "
"Yes, yes very much you do. Life in Harvard isn't going to be easy. These days would be the very few you would get in the next few years to come. But if you do have some time to spare just drop in at my wife's school for the visually impaired – You must have heard of St Anthony's right? She is running a summer hobby class there; you could lend her a helping hand!
"Sure Sir, can I have the address?"
On her way back home, she glanced at the card and thought, why was Mr. Xavier so interested on her going there? Does he think this will help in getting some kind of tuition assistantship? Her own thought process appalled her. She kicked herself to get out of her thoughts. The car screeched to a halt. The address was shoved into the bag. The Taxi bill came to Rs 50 - $1 thought Suma.
The next few weeks were spent in shopping, learning to cook, treating friends and dreaming about life in another 2 months.
It was a Sunday and her bag appeared to be bit too big.
" Suma you better learn to clean that more often " – Mom was always at it!
She emptied her bag onto the bed. The first to fall was a yellow piece of paper. She looked at it for long, cleaning can wait she thought as she lifted the receiver. " Hello, St Anthony’s...."
The school was housed in a conservative bungalow on a busy highway. St Anthony’s was written across the second floor balcony in black. A part of the building, under renovation, was covered with poles and guilders. She unlatched the gate, when two dogs charged on towards her. She quickly retraced her steps, and shut the gate.
As she stood there debating whether to leave or call out for someone, a voice echoed through the hall "Hello, thats being punctual the American way, Suma. Oh! Wait a minute. Thomas, get the dogs out!” A short stout lady with a pretty face broke into the scene with an extended hand."I am Ms.Anna Xavier, Dave was talking about you even yesterday come on in "
The place was extremely quite and Suma wondered if there were any children at all!!! As her eyes got used to the light inside the room, a small boy strode in confidently. His hands were painted a cheery yellow, his face-brighter.
Pavan, say hello to Suma didi
Namaste Suma didi .How are you doing?
I am fine.
Pavan is in the seventh grade, recently got a double promotion. A very smart kid I must say. He joined us four years back. His parents stay in Noida and he visits them once in 15 days.
For a moment the three stood motionless not knowing how to carry the conversation furthur. Pavan broke the ice by saying,"didi, I am doing a painting would like to see?"
"Sure I would love to ", said Suma displaying an obvious relief in her voice.
He led her into a room - a sharp contrast to the painted sheets of art paper strewed on the floor.
What do you do didi?
I am studying; I will be going to America next month to study furthur.
Didi, you will go in aeroplane?
Yeah, smiled suma
This way didi, and he led her across the room to the table where he had been sitting.
What have you been painting pavan? asked Suma, unable to comprehend the riot of colors. Was it modern art by any chance?
This is the morning sky didi, see birds are flying north; I read somewhere that they fly north in the mornings. The weather is cool aur fresh you can hear the chirping of birds. Look the sun is also rising .He was pointing to a paper which was filled in shades of yellow and black.
Pavan, sky is blue in color, But you have painted it bright yellow. Do you want me to bring blue, we will repaint it together, I will help you.
Pavan looked at her questingly or so she thought
What is blue didi? What does it look like?
Suddenly the Barons she had breathed in for 4 years, evaporated from her memory.
Blue is color of sky, water, and ...
No didi, when you see blue what do you feel? Cool and Fresh? Thats what I felt when I did this painting .So what if it appears yellow to you, I painted thinking it is blue, so it is blue...
Suma looked at the art paper once again, everything seemed to fall in place .She could even see a small Harvard flag fluttering in the background, a smile curved her lips as she dug deep into yellow color, or was it blue?
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