Outsourcing Pays

Despite what the US and President Obama think, they have to agree that outsourcing pays!!!

It has recently been shown by Danny Boyle, wherein he outsourced the story, locale, music to Indians and was rewarded with 7 Oscars!!!

We deliver!!!

My Bioscope

I was tagged by Shankari to write about my oldest memory. I immediately started thinking about my childhood , and I was astonished to recollect my early days since I was 5 years old. Happily I started chrionicling my earlier carefree days, and I became proud as I was adding pages after pages and then my computer collapsed.

I was disappointed for a week, for I didn’t have a backup. Though I wanted to reinitiate, I couldn’t as I was pre occupied. But today, I thought , it was my computer that had crashed, but my brain with its hard disk is still functioning and yes I should chronicle them before it collapses.

Very soon, I shall publish a post on my early memories. The tag asked me as to what was I ten years back. Unfortunately these ten years had been routine , with nothing much of change. But I am sure all these experience will help me some time in my life just like it helped the young boy in the movie 'Slumdog Millionaire' to win the million bucks.

I expect plenty of change in my life ten years hence. Many of you might think for a forty plus woman, this is highly optimistic. But this optimism is what makes one look for the next birthday…….

As one grows......

I read the poetry posted by Shruti on her birthday ,I realized it is true once we cross past a certain age. Mirrors dont reflect any change in terms of height and this phase of life doesnt add on the wrinkles too.

Birthdays come, adding another year of experience in our life or an year deducted from our lifespan, whichever way we take it. Whatever be the age we are, it gives a sense of happiness and pleasure in receiving the wishes and gifts.

But this birthday, I could sense another year added on to my age, for I could see a kid who grown up to a lovable boy in a span of one year.

It was really a Happy Birthday for me.

Man and Dog

When a man is found at loss in the middle of the road , he is abused by the scooterists and other vehicle owners 'kutte" etc.

But, when a dog is found in the middle of the road, the same scooterist stops the vehicle and in kind words tells the dog to cross the road .

Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham

Glitter Graphics

"Unity in Diversity" : an endangered phrase

This very phrase has brought pride in every Indian child’s face as he/she read it in their social science text books in their primary class. How every parent and teacher proudly teaches the children about the Indianness despite varying cultures, languages.

But this phrase seems to be in danger as has been brought out blatantly after these Mumbai blasts. I did not know ATS Chief Hemant Karkare was a Gujarati, till Narendra Modi told us or the presence of Thackeray in Vijay Salaskar’s funeral and the fiasco of Karnataka/Kerala government over Manjor Sandeep Unnikrishnan. Did these guys who belong to police/army/navy/NSG did ever think ever think on these lines before they went to Maharashtra which belongs to Mumbaikars when they were called on duty ?

I am ashamed of myself when I watch this drama and with the world media around the image that is being reflected about our country. Initially, they tried to divide us as upper caste, OBC etc and gained the vote banks. Next religion wise we were divided. Now they are dividing us regionally. Are these politicians any less cunning than the East India Company that came centuries back and divided us on these very same lines.

Rescued by a tag

Thanks , Srijith, for tagging me when I was wondering what to write for my blog. I am amazed at the skills you and Shankari possess , be it story or poem.
8 things/persons I am passionate about.
My blog : It has given me an identity and also earned me a respect from my dad..
My son : He is the reason for me to live.
My friendship : I cherish my two friend, one since my college days and another one : my colleague in Bombay who help me keep my head high and boost my morale.
Computer Games : Be it spider solitair, free tetrix or zuma Deluxe, I can go on and on….
Reading : Be it reading the newspaper, or reading the articles /news items in the paper covers/ novels.
TV serials : I am getting hooked on to three serials some are quite stupid , Kolangal (7:30 pm in sun TV) and I am getting to like this Sankara pandiyan character, Radha ki Betiyan (as such a stupid serial, but i got hooked to it), ek packet umeed (Interesting)
Environment : Sincerely trying to be passionate about using eco friendly stuffs.
Cricket : Want to be passionate about it as my son breathes cricket.

8 things I want to do before I die.
I want to lose weight and wear a tight pant.
Visit the Alps, N.Eastern India and Kerala
Get through one of those lucky draws/contests and earn crores!!!
I would love to stay at a serene house surrounded by garden on all three sides.
I want to gain one more educational degree.
I want to write a story
I want to live as if there is no tomorrow with no tensions/worries
I want to stand in front of God without feeling guilty and really thankful for whatever I have and not asking for anything.

8 things I say often
Akash (in various tones)
Oh God!! (poor Him!!! But being Him, he must understand)
WoW!! (Simple three letter word that encompasses all the adjectives)
OK
I don’t know (simple escapism)
Just a minute
Haan, tell me (Got developed because most of my colleagues and my son have got used to calling me from their respective workstations)
Thank you (I say it to the bus driver, rickshaw puller and almost everyone)

8 Books I last read.
Summons
Kite Runner
One minute Manager
Six volumes of Ashok Banker’s Ramayana.

8 Songs I could listen to over and over again
Yesterday Once more : My all time favourite
I am on the top of the world
Neele neele ambar mein
Bhool Gaya Sab kuch, yaad nahin ab kuch
Jab koi baat bigad jaaye
Tuje dekh dekh
Mitwa
The songs I end up listening (this was not a part of the tag,but added it)
Dus Bahane
Maujha re Mauja
Do u want a partner
Pappu cant dance
Darde Disco
Jhomm Baabaar Jhomm
Dhoom machale dhoom

8 people I think should do this tag
Sapphira : I love her. She is a darling!! I would love to know more about her through this tag.
Inder : I know he doesn’t like getting tagged but it looks like he has got nothing much to write. Just to reinitiate him into blogging with this tag
Priya : Thanks for the lovely flowers and hug that u send me. Take a tag in return
Chitra : a tag for you whenever u return to blogging
Amitji : Would love him to take the tag. Would he?
6. open to all those who are interested…………..

April 8, 2007

That day was warm and humid with not much difference in the evening. Except for the fact that there was no Sun, the weather was humid with no breeze and not a leaf was stirring.

So, that evening when I came out of the shopping mall near my house, I expected the weather to be no different, but to our surprise, there was a strong gush of wind . It took everyone by surprise. It was extremely difficult for the rickshaw driver to pull us across. We were all quite stunned and it evoked a mixed response.

But within five minutes, the weather became normal, making us all wonder as to what could have been the cause. The Rickshaw puller was shocked.

It took me just another five minutes and a call from my sister to solve the puzzle. It was my father on his way UP, decided to meet the three of us and kiss us.

Love you, Dad.

Mobile while on call or a Call on Mobile

If a call comes on the mobile phone, when he is glued to his favourite tv programme, when he automatically becomes mobile . I keep reminding him that the phone is mobile and he doesn’t have to be mobile to communicate.

But, on close study, I have observed that this seems to be practiced generally. Even in office, people suddenly get up from their workstation and start pacing across while talking on the cell.

Travel by Train

After a long span of time, I got an opportunity to travel by train. I recalled the long journey that we used to have as children, enjoy running between the compartments through the vestibules to the pantry car, library. And of course the friendly neighbours!!!

I am amazed at the bonding between the fellow passengers. While in a plane , I noticed that people cling on to their mobile till the plane takes off and then hook on to their laptops. While in train, they are at their leisure, enjoy the journey and the conversation ranges from their job, family to the international politics. At the end of the journey, the numbers are exchanged with the promise to be in touch and though happy to meet our family in the station, still feel a pang of sadness at the separation.

This time, I traveled in AC, but next time I have decided to take my son in Non-AC, so that he enjoys the window seat, looking at the greenery in our countryside, waiting for the platform, enjoy the knick-knacks available at the platform and of course the view of the engine of the train as and when it turns!!

Tsunami in our society

It is very depressing to hear that of a small child (Ayushi) being murdered and more disheartening to know that it is her own father, the person whom one trusts the most in life is the cause of her death.

But more shocking is the insensitivity of the media. It has raised a doubt in minds of most of the children. The other day, my friend’s son asked him if he loves him and would not kill him. That must have been the most sad day for a father!!
The very foundation of our society has been jolted. Tsunami has been generated in our society with the murder of Ayushi by her father

Salvation

When one is alive we are taught that to attain salvation we need to be good and perform good deeds. This is the sure route for attaining Moksha.

So, when we feel certain that the person would attain nirvana from the cycle of rebirth as he has lead virtuous life, we have pundits telling us to perform various rites/ceremonies so that their soul attains peace.

I wonder as to how could one attain Moksha? What if that virtuous man has no one to perform the rights for him? Does he not get redeemed? What if a criminal’s son performs all rights and ceremonies year after year after his death? Would God take him to his abode satisfied because of his son’s performance?

Or is this all a gimmick by the pundits to earn money by playing with people’s sentiments….

Kite runner

I never understood as to why children despite the fact they possess numerous kites run behind kites that have been cut. When my son was 4 years, I used to run with him and catch the kite and could sense the excitement in his face. We would be thrilled if we could get hold of the kite. At that time, I thought it must be sheer fun to catch hold of flying objects from a kid’s perspective.

Now, when my son runs for the kite, I shout at him and tell him to give way for the less privileged boys who can not buy themselves a new kite.

As I was reading this novel, I realized the importance of kite runner.

Come this Independence Day, I might not stop him from running behind the kite and probably even encourage him much to his surprise….

Exam Pressure

These days, just before the exams and while waiting for the result, the news of children killing themselves is appearing almost daily.

During our time, there was more pressure and not many choices. Graduation was must. There was more pressure on our parents as only meritorious students got admitted. On top of it, there was no loan facility. And the income of our parents might be high but certainly not in the scale as of now. But still, it never occurred in our tiny little brain to end our life.

Now, with more options, the world becoming one global city giving us choices in terms of college/universities, loan facilities from banks and other private institution and private educational institutions for engineering and management, life should be less tensed. But on contrary, there is more pressure on children these days. And they are also not able to cope up with the stress? Who is to be blamed? Is it the fault of us parents who are not guiding the children properly and insisting on the results of the examinations?

It is the future of these children that I am forced to think when I read of stories of as small as 11 year old school student killing himself because he was not good in Sanskrit. Not all exams come prepared in our life. As such how do we define failure/success? Is success judged by marks secured in the school/university? Are these children prepared to cope with examinations that the life would pose to them?

Where is the future heading? Would the suicidal rates go higher as these children grow to adults and are and the reason much more flimsy?


Where is this actually leading? I feel all parents and teachers should realize this and deal with the situation so that we do not end up having adults who would not be in a position to run the country………….

Pet rat!

I have heard of different pets, but to have rat as a pet was beyond my imagination. I didn’t have to go far , for my neighbour got white rat as their pet.

All children come over to take a look at the rat in their cage, and I also had a look at it. It was as irritating as the other rats that are found. I am still amazed at how they manage and I was watching the kid’s excitement when he was narrating as to how he and his sister take turns to feed it.

I was just wondering, if they take the rat out of the cage, would it show its loyalty like other animals do or would it bite of their clothes and papers! If the door were left open, would it run out? By any chance at that moment, if my door were open, would it come to my house? How should I react: the same way as I would have had it been any rat or should I call my neighbours?
With all these fears, I rest………….

Who waived the loan: Congress or BJP?

Just a week before the budget, BJP orgainised a rally wherein all the so called farmers came to Delhi protesting and requesting for their loan to be waived off. The fleet of buses that came to Delhi and the rally thereon caused a major traffic hurdle for regular office goers.

I happened to be one of the hapless victims watching bus after bus coming to Rajghat from where the rally or the protest march was to begun. Each bus was a deluxe air-conditioned bus and about 100 buses had come and many more were on the way. I had a look at the people, most of them were youth, sitting on the top of the bus and enjoying the plight of us office goers. I felt they were just paid for a day to participate in the rally so that it looks like a vast majority of farmers. Someone later told me that Event management companies are given the responsibility for smooth functioning of the Protest and for getting the crowd. And of course there were so many incidentals, the flags, pamphlets, and other miscellaneous expenses that must have been incurred for to hold such a mammoth protest.

I am not in a position to comment about the financial ability of the farmer. And neither I am here to talk about the merit or demerit of loan waiving. The amount of money spent that day was really huge, and I am sure it could have been used by BJP to give at least to a couple of farmers to enable them to repay the loan.

This rally was more of a political gimmick and was because the BJP got to know that Mr. Chidambaram would waive off the loan in his budgetary speech and did not want the credit to got Congress.

There are 10 points, and you are supposed to elaborate on each point. Here goes my interpretation.

It is important to be liked by others :
To some extent , yes. One lives in a society , and wants to be a part of the society. But one should not compromise on one’s ideals just to be liked by someone. We should , in general be liked for what we are.

Obedience is a virtue:
Obedience is scarce commodity! Todate, we can’t expect it from the next generation.

People are not malicious but they become so because of bad experiences or circumstances:
Agreed! Totally.

Education broadens our view and makes people more humane:
Education needn’t mean degrees or qualification. I have seen jealousy, and other negative emotions in qualified people and at times, people who are not qualified, behave more intelligibly.
One has to read beyond the text books to be truly educated.

People who have no money troubles are happier:
Even beggars are craving for money!! I would like to meet one who says he has no money trouble.

As people get older they get wiser:
Not necessarily!!!!

You can live on love and fresh air:
Well, then why are the estate price raising ? Why am I coming to work everyday leaving behind my son alone at home? Love and fresh air are added incentives!!

There is a celestial guardian angel looking after each one of us:
Well, I don’t know! When I see so much pain and suffering, I do wonder………..

All living beings reincarnate.
Energy gets transformed from one form to another. It does not get destroyed.

Heaven and Hell are places you go to after death.
As long as the experience is something, which we cannot experience, who cares if it is hell or heaven? I know one thing for sure; I want to donate my body for the study of medical sciences.

Messenger services

Well, as it is the habit of writing letters is dying down. Hardly anyone writes an inland letter or drops a post card. The other day, a second class child checked at every residence in our apartment for an inland letter and post card and none of us had it. Her mother then was trying to locate the Post office!!

Now with all the yahoo mail, msn messenger and gtalk, the habit of writing an e-mail is also fading.

When my friend asked me to send a mail everyday as she would not be available on chat, I agreed and knowing that there is a lot to share among us on a daily basis , I thought it should not be difficult. But I just could not go beyond a couple of sentences. Probably, I am expecting an acknowledgement or a query from her end which would help me go forward with my thoughts!!

I realized today that laziness to write a mail keeps me from sharing my views with other friends who are not on chat. Surprising ? All you readers must be wondering if there are people who are still not on chat. Yes, I do have friends who are not on my chat and I do receive mails from them on a regular basis. Today, I shall send a mail to them as well as my friend.


Thank you, friend once again for initiating me into writing………..

Happy Dusshera to you all

More than a month passed by, since I updated my blog. It is not that I have run out of ideas , but if I recollect vaguely, some interesting thoughts (who else but I have the last word in that) did spring into my mind which I wanted to share with you. Unfortunately , all those thoughts came to me in the middle of night, when I was too lazy to get up and scribble it . But yes, I used to go back to sleep thinking that the same shall be posted the very next morning. But the next morning saw me busy studying with my son for his exams and hectic schedule in the work.

Unfortunately, today when I have the time, (As most of you can see that I have surfed through your blog today ), none of those thoughts resurfaced to my mind.

Let me end the post by wishing myself with better luck for those ideas to occur at a more convenient time .

Wish you all a happy Dusshera . May the good win over the evil and the world turns out to be peaceful (or should I say green!) .

Mother

Thank you, Banu of God's little angel for tagging me. It is really a nice time to think of my mother when I am standing on the precipice of motherhood.

All the adjectives “ infinite patience, sacrificing, versatile , loving , caring“ fitted her , but I thought , almost all mothers try to acquire those traits.

I had written a post “ Forgive and forget” , wherein I mentioned it is difficult to wholly forget even if we forgive. Today, I feel that a mother forgives her child in the true sense. Yes, she would have got hurt by the uncaring words , but the next moment would be offering a helping hand, forgetting everything that has been said. The one relation in the world where ego has no place. It is only to a mother we can go to, without any apprehensions of whether she would have forgotten, forgiven .

Yes, on discussion with my mother, we realized that is the one relation we also do not work upon. A child at all ages goes out of the way to impress his father but mother is taken for granted. Today, being a mother, I can say that though it hurts at times, but most of the time, I feel proud of the fact that my child has me for granted and am grateful that I had my mother whom I could take for granted. The feeling that we have one person who has undying trust and faith in us can help us climb mountains and face the hurdles of life. That is where the mother are pillars of strength.

I am not saying that my mother did not have any specific traits which adorn her individuality, that can be mentioned but as all mothers are, she didn’t want them mentioned……For once, I decided to listen to her :)

Thank you, mom for all the support extended to me .