I couldnt speak.For a good period of 11 days.Not because of any physical malfunction or of shock or joy!For those who know of me for over a period of time must be gasping in awe thinking,nodding their heads in negative saying, "That woman"not speak for 1 days ..Naah she must be fibbing...
Ok you people who know me sooo well:)I kid you not , perforce had taken a vow of silence known as "Noble Silence" isolated myself in a remote location where there were 200 other same sex inmates of all castes creed and communities,no TV,No reading or writing material,No music and horror of horrors No Mobile phone.Day would begin at 4 am (yes you sleepy heads) and end at 9 pm.And it was pure bliss...
These are the rules if one has to undergo a Vipassana course at the Vipassana International meditation centres.To the uninitiated "Vipassana" is a technique which was introduced to mankind by none other than the "enlightened one" Siddharata Gautama Buddha.A meditation technique which is so different from what one expects "meditation" to be.This works on the principle of the only thing any living being should be concerened about;Ones own breath or respiration, the very underlining definition of what qualifies one as being alive.
But that doesnt mean there are long droning discourses on "How great Gautama Buddha was" or any "Moral education discourses" or "Chanting" or "Rites or Rituals" which Buddhist monks may follow.This just teaches pure meditation by observing you breath.No visualizations,no thinking of an image,no beads,no chants or mantras.What is even more fascinating is why this is being taught ? Of course as one would crudely put it for mind control.But more predominantly this entire technique is fascinating as it is driven by a principle of meta physics .So the rational being in you who either gets emotional and teary eyed with religious fervor or the cynic in you who sneers at the thought of everything stigmatised with any religious association,either of the self cannot deny something which is "scientific" and more so after it being "experiential".While all other religions teach and preach morality,good conduct none of them give it as your personal experience.Also as the teacher said "If Buddha attained enligtenment, it was his hardwork.Following Buddha will not lead you to enlightenment.Following his practise, experiencing the truth yourself will help you "
That is the key.Here the experiential bit doesnt mean getting a emotional high on being promised health wealth or salvation by following a particular religion.The experience is on the three basic regulating principles of nature or science :-
1)Matter in every state comprises of atoms which vibrate in a fixed area.
2)Every particle can be converted into energy and every energy surge can become matter.Therefore electromagnetic waves arise and subside continuosly.They are never permanent.
3)Energy or what we can can call as life force in our body which we feed oxygen when we breathe, causes bio-chemical reactions in your body, which make us behave in a particular manner.
The entire technique of Vipassanna trains your mind to just observe the above two,within the confines of your body.Why only observe ? Bio-chemicals released stimulate reactions such as anger,passion,joy,ecstasy etc.This we actually start experienceing by the 5 th or 6 th day of the course. Therefore if we know our reactions within we can always be in control of our behaviour.
What are the benefits ?
Well to begin with the gross ones, I could sit down next to women who would let out huge burps or err F.... , eat with them in the same dining hall where we stood in a line to get food,look at all creatures including roaches,bullfrogs,earthworms,bees,ants,wasps without shrieking like a banshee and throwing a fit :)
Now seriously, it changed something within me in 11 days. I still shout or get harrased at work due to the stress, but no longer it "affects" me.No shooting up of BP,no apoplexy surges thinking how could "this happen",no feeling of being thwarted ,cheated or being shortchanged all normally leading to so much of internal anguish with the question "Why Me" or "I am sooo nice to people, why does god always be unkind to me" types of thought.So it kind of builds up your mental resilience assiting you not to react.
Being the natural commercialised humans to those who are wondering whats the course fees? Well surprise surprise!There are no course fees. They feed you, provide you with clean spartan rooms with electricity,bedding etc for 10 days ,At the end of the course you "MAY" donate as much as you feel or leave without giving a single penny.
Saw a lots of people from very backward classes contribute as low as Rs.200 in the daan peti.
If it can happen to me so can it to you.Strongly recommend it to my friends and those who may not be my friends either to do this atleast once in their lifetime.Has made me immensely wealthy.Losing your voice for !! days is a very small price for what you get in return.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
And we all lived happily ever after
Scene 1 :Month June 2011
A 12 member team putting forth frantic points on pros and cons of how corruption is eating away into the economy,how innumerable hardships are faced by a person in the lower or middle economic strata of society.Passions are high, languages many. Some reticent,hemming and hawing while some dedicated,earnest and some wondering whats in this for us?Lots of suggestions and ideas.Formulated on paper as an agenda.Suddenly one asks the convenor a question which must probably be foremost in a million minds if not more "Why are you doing this?" pat comes the reply because "Main is desh mein parivartan lana chahta hoon "(I want to see this country change).At the conclusion of the meeting when people are rushing away some still hemming and hawing and some others still earnest, the convenor turns to yours truly and asks " Will your mail reach me today ,I will implement it as we decided" .As I feel sceptical in my mind thinking 'Amidst all this where are you going to find the time?Are you serious about taking MY suggestions' the gleam of excitement catches my eye and I mumble "Surely so." . I send the mail as promised and as agreed the entire team management is alerted about how to operate, a separate media cell is formed with tasks and responsibilities. Every single member has been communicated that I would be one of the co-ordinators.I talk with them they talk back with me.(No attitude or stony silences)
Cut to scene 2
Scene 2 July 2011
A belligerent posse' of " government" representatives being openly hostile and to put it mildly trying to "roger" our confidence , shouting at us not willing to listen.
"Sir we have the results of the referendum"
Response: Not in so many words -Go to hell .
"But Sir this is what people want"
Response : Again in not so many words-Go to hell
"We are going ahead with our protest"
Response : Yet again in not so many words -Go to hell
"Could you atleast consider ..."-cut short
Response :You guessed it right -Go to hell.
Scene 3:August 9th Mumbai
A large gathering of Marathi and National press gathered at Press club.The veteran,determined septugenarian who leads the protest,with the convenor answering hostile questions .Some intelligent some not so intelligent (eg: "We heard you are going to sing with small children on a reality show.So are you going to become a publicity seeking rock star")types.The press meet followed by an audience address where a huge force of police has been deployed and a few thousand in the gathering.A brilliant rousing speech by the septugenarian followed by march towards August Kranti Maidan in commemoration of Quit India.Beautiful atmosphere with slogans of "Bharat Mata ki Jai" "Vande Maataram".Confidence in the movement buiding rapidly.Frantic call for last minute negotiations to happen again in capital. But as expected :Response Go to hell :)
Scene 4 :August 15th,16th,17th,18th -
Mayhem
Arrests :- And me thinks thank you lord for blessing "go to hell" varieties with foolishness and arrogance,want to kiss them for their sheer idiocy.
Release :- And me gets into my part of action when the leader stays put(no contact possible in jail)
Refusal to get out of prison:- And me laughs ,laughs and laughs at the idea of "Go to hell" being totally flummoxed
Demands :- And me realises if the will is strong,unbending for a belief which is for social good, a cause which people support,difficulties,critics fall away.
Scene 5: August 19th-26th
Various other "government" representatives are playing hotch-potch.Some open their mouths wide enough to reveal their underbelly yet some other act polished wheeling dealing and a super "intelligent" fool blabbering away before the country with a not so original idea.Methinks more kisses are due to such foolish behaviour.Thennn a close friend jumps into the bandwagon insisting I get into negotiations :) My response Agar government remote control se chal sakta hai to protest communication bhi toh remote control se chal sakta hai :)Not my mieter.Am lured ,cajoled, threatened saying "I shall get fame,glory".But "foolisheness"is not my virtue :- Sigh.
Always in touch with the core team,advicing co-ordinating with people who "create" make believe news,what can be done alternatives.
But mostly fighting off a whole horde of "arm chair critics" talking about things like democracy,parliamentarian approach,blackmail,evil intentions of the protestors,political vested interests,how protestors were behaving without being violent, why,who,clothes, actors,how could we hold the country to ransom,how the septugenarian protestor was hitler,how someone else was being fed,why the grounds were messy,why someone was on the team,why intermediaries,why no intermediaries...
Me thought many many times to say :- Go to hell,all of you.If you guys dont get it that the cause affects all of us not one or none ; but instead sat patiently explaining and responding with corrective action of the "protesting" team.Whole nation tense as the veteran septugenarian was still protesting.Seasoned,experienced,stubborn.Qualities of the protesting team.
Scene 6: August 28th
Compromise reached inspite of the best attempts "Go to hell" to scuttle.Protest deffered.Government sulkingly accepting some terms. Sitting people started to stand in the "standing committee".Others who had been standing in the forefront had to hastily sit on their err rumps.
Me thinks :-Congratulations are in order.
Me also thinks
1)The people of the country who did not believe in the protest, are they so lethargic that they can only criticise?Why dont they come with an alternative solution?
2)Considering that the critics are kicking and alive,instead of digging out dirt on someone who atleast wishes to change the country,why dont they start by changing their surrounding of potholes or garbage.Or will they at least employe "maids" who are above 18 years of age?
3)Are these people deserving of change in the country as they dont seem to mind a politician siphoning their tax money to fill collective pockets and claim "dementia"or another "distribute" public money to private parties for large considerations.
4)Me also thinks these are "arm chair critics" mostly writing away , cutting pasting or putting words on a piece of paper as their change or "parivartan" can be in their minds in an "utopian" unreal world where like meets like,happiness in some thoughts ,in complete agreement with the current "government" as WORDS ARE ALL WE GET AS WORDS ARE ALL WE DESERVE
And we all lived happily ever after....
A 12 member team putting forth frantic points on pros and cons of how corruption is eating away into the economy,how innumerable hardships are faced by a person in the lower or middle economic strata of society.Passions are high, languages many. Some reticent,hemming and hawing while some dedicated,earnest and some wondering whats in this for us?Lots of suggestions and ideas.Formulated on paper as an agenda.Suddenly one asks the convenor a question which must probably be foremost in a million minds if not more "Why are you doing this?" pat comes the reply because "Main is desh mein parivartan lana chahta hoon "(I want to see this country change).At the conclusion of the meeting when people are rushing away some still hemming and hawing and some others still earnest, the convenor turns to yours truly and asks " Will your mail reach me today ,I will implement it as we decided" .As I feel sceptical in my mind thinking 'Amidst all this where are you going to find the time?Are you serious about taking MY suggestions' the gleam of excitement catches my eye and I mumble "Surely so." . I send the mail as promised and as agreed the entire team management is alerted about how to operate, a separate media cell is formed with tasks and responsibilities. Every single member has been communicated that I would be one of the co-ordinators.I talk with them they talk back with me.(No attitude or stony silences)
Cut to scene 2
Scene 2 July 2011
A belligerent posse' of " government" representatives being openly hostile and to put it mildly trying to "roger" our confidence , shouting at us not willing to listen.
"Sir we have the results of the referendum"
Response: Not in so many words -Go to hell .
"But Sir this is what people want"
Response : Again in not so many words-Go to hell
"We are going ahead with our protest"
Response : Yet again in not so many words -Go to hell
"Could you atleast consider ..."-cut short
Response :You guessed it right -Go to hell.
Scene 3:August 9th Mumbai
A large gathering of Marathi and National press gathered at Press club.The veteran,determined septugenarian who leads the protest,with the convenor answering hostile questions .Some intelligent some not so intelligent (eg: "We heard you are going to sing with small children on a reality show.So are you going to become a publicity seeking rock star")types.The press meet followed by an audience address where a huge force of police has been deployed and a few thousand in the gathering.A brilliant rousing speech by the septugenarian followed by march towards August Kranti Maidan in commemoration of Quit India.Beautiful atmosphere with slogans of "Bharat Mata ki Jai" "Vande Maataram".Confidence in the movement buiding rapidly.Frantic call for last minute negotiations to happen again in capital. But as expected :Response Go to hell :)
Scene 4 :August 15th,16th,17th,18th -
Mayhem
Arrests :- And me thinks thank you lord for blessing "go to hell" varieties with foolishness and arrogance,want to kiss them for their sheer idiocy.
Release :- And me gets into my part of action when the leader stays put(no contact possible in jail)
Refusal to get out of prison:- And me laughs ,laughs and laughs at the idea of "Go to hell" being totally flummoxed
Demands :- And me realises if the will is strong,unbending for a belief which is for social good, a cause which people support,difficulties,critics fall away.
Scene 5: August 19th-26th
Various other "government" representatives are playing hotch-potch.Some open their mouths wide enough to reveal their underbelly yet some other act polished wheeling dealing and a super "intelligent" fool blabbering away before the country with a not so original idea.Methinks more kisses are due to such foolish behaviour.Thennn a close friend jumps into the bandwagon insisting I get into negotiations :) My response Agar government remote control se chal sakta hai to protest communication bhi toh remote control se chal sakta hai :)Not my mieter.Am lured ,cajoled, threatened saying "I shall get fame,glory".But "foolisheness"is not my virtue :- Sigh.
Always in touch with the core team,advicing co-ordinating with people who "create" make believe news,what can be done alternatives.
But mostly fighting off a whole horde of "arm chair critics" talking about things like democracy,parliamentarian approach,blackmail,evil intentions of the protestors,political vested interests,how protestors were behaving without being violent, why,who,clothes, actors,how could we hold the country to ransom,how the septugenarian protestor was hitler,how someone else was being fed,why the grounds were messy,why someone was on the team,why intermediaries,why no intermediaries...
Me thought many many times to say :- Go to hell,all of you.If you guys dont get it that the cause affects all of us not one or none ; but instead sat patiently explaining and responding with corrective action of the "protesting" team.Whole nation tense as the veteran septugenarian was still protesting.Seasoned,experienced,stubborn.Qualities of the protesting team.
Scene 6: August 28th
Compromise reached inspite of the best attempts "Go to hell" to scuttle.Protest deffered.Government sulkingly accepting some terms. Sitting people started to stand in the "standing committee".Others who had been standing in the forefront had to hastily sit on their err rumps.
Me thinks :-Congratulations are in order.
Me also thinks
1)The people of the country who did not believe in the protest, are they so lethargic that they can only criticise?Why dont they come with an alternative solution?
2)Considering that the critics are kicking and alive,instead of digging out dirt on someone who atleast wishes to change the country,why dont they start by changing their surrounding of potholes or garbage.Or will they at least employe "maids" who are above 18 years of age?
3)Are these people deserving of change in the country as they dont seem to mind a politician siphoning their tax money to fill collective pockets and claim "dementia"or another "distribute" public money to private parties for large considerations.
4)Me also thinks these are "arm chair critics" mostly writing away , cutting pasting or putting words on a piece of paper as their change or "parivartan" can be in their minds in an "utopian" unreal world where like meets like,happiness in some thoughts ,in complete agreement with the current "government" as WORDS ARE ALL WE GET AS WORDS ARE ALL WE DESERVE
And we all lived happily ever after....
Friday, August 5, 2011
Medicare in India
Everybody including the "media" and "mass of India" -translated into so called intellectuals,(others I guess are the "volume" of India,as they are grounded due to gravity)are speculating , debating about Mrs G going abroad for medical care.Its time when one and anyone can shoot up on popularity charts by expressing "concern" or "speedy recovery" to the first Lady of sorts.Sure one does wish her a "speedy" recovery.Provided she needs our wishes.
So what prompts the "elite" "previleged" "rich" "super-rich" to seek medical help yonder shores? All done smoothly snooking a smart middle finger at most of normal Indians who get fleeced for medical aid?It would be churlish to grudge the ones with moolah who can afford it, but considering that anyone of us could be next , one just wonders on this "Medical Social divide".
India has roughly about 1.2 billion people.Have heard in the movie “3 idiots” that pizzas get delivered within half an hour but ambulance still don’t reach in half an hour!
Medical facilities are poor,treatment and patient care is worse.In an emergency situation like the 13/7 blasts in Mumbai,wounded were piled on in a vehicle meant for transporting goods,some on hand carts to take them to a hospital.I think we expect patients who have just been a part of "terror attack" to have this wonderful noble sentiment of "adjusting".Then of course they wounded have to accept that they are dumped on strechers in usanitised corridors of governments hospitals,in searing agony,wondering whether one would live at all..
Alternatively some of us fall sick and get admitted to a hospital.Those I guess are luckier than being a part of an accident or tragedy as they can exercise an option to "choose".Large hospitals like Appollo,MIOT have rate cards(Am not kidding you).Rate cards for the rooms,rate cards for the doctors to suit ones budgets I guess.I dont know what is more a frightening way of being "hospitalised".Then ofcourse one is perpetually frightened of the doctor who is treating you.If its your luck you may as well end up with one who has gotten a doctors degree by paying oodles of money.
While all of the above may appear to be the rantings of an aging,cynical woman the following is a real life incident.This is being shared just to explain the horror of being poor,illiterate and a victim urgently in need of medical care in India.
Have this lady ,a domestic help living with us, for more than a decade now.We all call her "Aaji" meaning grandmother in Marathi.A third grandmother for my child in the truest sense.She is the kind who would sneak behind my back,spend her meagre earnings to buy my son a bhel or an ice-cream just to see him smile.Shouts back at me sometimes when I scold him.
Her own family consisted of a married son (with 4 kids!as it happens in India)living in a slum and a daughter settled elsewhere.Six months back her son called at about 9 pm and informed Aaji that he was headed home.She finished her chores and retired.At about 12 midnight we recieved a call that her son had been mowed down by a bus on a highway and had been admitted to "Rajawadi" government hospital(mumbai) with a severe skull injury.
We rushed with her to this government hospital where he was admitted in the emergency ward.It was 12.30 am.The emergency ward constituted of a room with 6 beds and outside which there was this steel table around which 4 young medical interns were admitting patients.All as a part of their curriculum to get the coveted MD degree. On enquiring they said that the CT scan machine in the hospital was operational only from 8 am to 8 pm .Course of treatment would not be started unless the report came in.If we wished we would have to take the patient outside the hospital precint to a nearby "private" 24 hours CT scan centre.
So a patient with a half cracked skull was dragged across the road for scans.The reports came in a hours time which showed damage to the brain .When we went back to the hospital the young intern who was tired,irritable(he couldnt even visist the loo) said "Rajawadi unfortunately does not have a neuro surgeon.You will have to shift him to the next nearest hospital-Sion.So please take him there."
It was 2.30 am.Then they tell us to arrange a ambulance we would have to wait until 5 am as all hospital ambulances were away on duty.The patient was bleeding profusely,in a state of delirium we arranged for a private Maruti 800 which was also a transport vehicle and rushed him to Sion hospital emergency ward.The first reaction of the MO on duty "Sorry,we cannot admit this patient.The accident has not taken place in our jurisdiction".After lot of hot words and cajoling we admitted him into a ward.
The doctor did not come.For two hours.Time 4.30.In my usual style went charging to call the doctor who I was told was busy doing a surgery in their emergency ward on the ground floor.I opened the door and to my horror found a patient with severed limbs, a 80% burns victims writhing on a strecher...but most horrifying was the doctor on duty was standing over a bed with two interns and two nurses holding a green plastic sheet to give some cover the patient and was doing a surgery in middle of emergency ward.The two interns were holding trays with incisors and parts of the body which they were operating.I had seen something like this in makeshift hospital scenes in war movies !But this was Mumbai ...was it?The doctor barked at me to get out and informed he would be with us as soon as he finished removing splinters from the person he was operating on.As I tottered towards the ward containing Aaji"s son,the fact that in India this is what happens struck my gut.As expected Aaji lost her son the next day.Her tears are a constant reminder of the substandard medical facilities which we subject most of the people in our country to.
While someothers take the safe route and go abroad to get treated.Get well soon Mrs.Sonia Gandhi.The entire nation is praying for your speedy recovery.
So what prompts the "elite" "previleged" "rich" "super-rich" to seek medical help yonder shores? All done smoothly snooking a smart middle finger at most of normal Indians who get fleeced for medical aid?It would be churlish to grudge the ones with moolah who can afford it, but considering that anyone of us could be next , one just wonders on this "Medical Social divide".
India has roughly about 1.2 billion people.Have heard in the movie “3 idiots” that pizzas get delivered within half an hour but ambulance still don’t reach in half an hour!
Medical facilities are poor,treatment and patient care is worse.In an emergency situation like the 13/7 blasts in Mumbai,wounded were piled on in a vehicle meant for transporting goods,some on hand carts to take them to a hospital.I think we expect patients who have just been a part of "terror attack" to have this wonderful noble sentiment of "adjusting".Then of course they wounded have to accept that they are dumped on strechers in usanitised corridors of governments hospitals,in searing agony,wondering whether one would live at all..
Alternatively some of us fall sick and get admitted to a hospital.Those I guess are luckier than being a part of an accident or tragedy as they can exercise an option to "choose".Large hospitals like Appollo,MIOT have rate cards(Am not kidding you).Rate cards for the rooms,rate cards for the doctors to suit ones budgets I guess.I dont know what is more a frightening way of being "hospitalised".Then ofcourse one is perpetually frightened of the doctor who is treating you.If its your luck you may as well end up with one who has gotten a doctors degree by paying oodles of money.
While all of the above may appear to be the rantings of an aging,cynical woman the following is a real life incident.This is being shared just to explain the horror of being poor,illiterate and a victim urgently in need of medical care in India.
Have this lady ,a domestic help living with us, for more than a decade now.We all call her "Aaji" meaning grandmother in Marathi.A third grandmother for my child in the truest sense.She is the kind who would sneak behind my back,spend her meagre earnings to buy my son a bhel or an ice-cream just to see him smile.Shouts back at me sometimes when I scold him.
Her own family consisted of a married son (with 4 kids!as it happens in India)living in a slum and a daughter settled elsewhere.Six months back her son called at about 9 pm and informed Aaji that he was headed home.She finished her chores and retired.At about 12 midnight we recieved a call that her son had been mowed down by a bus on a highway and had been admitted to "Rajawadi" government hospital(mumbai) with a severe skull injury.
We rushed with her to this government hospital where he was admitted in the emergency ward.It was 12.30 am.The emergency ward constituted of a room with 6 beds and outside which there was this steel table around which 4 young medical interns were admitting patients.All as a part of their curriculum to get the coveted MD degree. On enquiring they said that the CT scan machine in the hospital was operational only from 8 am to 8 pm .Course of treatment would not be started unless the report came in.If we wished we would have to take the patient outside the hospital precint to a nearby "private" 24 hours CT scan centre.
So a patient with a half cracked skull was dragged across the road for scans.The reports came in a hours time which showed damage to the brain .When we went back to the hospital the young intern who was tired,irritable(he couldnt even visist the loo) said "Rajawadi unfortunately does not have a neuro surgeon.You will have to shift him to the next nearest hospital-Sion.So please take him there."
It was 2.30 am.Then they tell us to arrange a ambulance we would have to wait until 5 am as all hospital ambulances were away on duty.The patient was bleeding profusely,in a state of delirium we arranged for a private Maruti 800 which was also a transport vehicle and rushed him to Sion hospital emergency ward.The first reaction of the MO on duty "Sorry,we cannot admit this patient.The accident has not taken place in our jurisdiction".After lot of hot words and cajoling we admitted him into a ward.
The doctor did not come.For two hours.Time 4.30.In my usual style went charging to call the doctor who I was told was busy doing a surgery in their emergency ward on the ground floor.I opened the door and to my horror found a patient with severed limbs, a 80% burns victims writhing on a strecher...but most horrifying was the doctor on duty was standing over a bed with two interns and two nurses holding a green plastic sheet to give some cover the patient and was doing a surgery in middle of emergency ward.The two interns were holding trays with incisors and parts of the body which they were operating.I had seen something like this in makeshift hospital scenes in war movies !But this was Mumbai ...was it?The doctor barked at me to get out and informed he would be with us as soon as he finished removing splinters from the person he was operating on.As I tottered towards the ward containing Aaji"s son,the fact that in India this is what happens struck my gut.As expected Aaji lost her son the next day.Her tears are a constant reminder of the substandard medical facilities which we subject most of the people in our country to.
While someothers take the safe route and go abroad to get treated.Get well soon Mrs.Sonia Gandhi.The entire nation is praying for your speedy recovery.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Inner cleansings
Jai Ho ! In this world of protests,fasts and thins (new mantra to look young&good is "thin" and "fair")I am confused ... Baba Ramdev (atleast he's trying to do something I guess) and the subsequent histrionics by both the ruling party and opposition ,the media glare has left us in the lurch .While I fully understand Baba's "lauki"juice diet,practise Kapal bhati ,anulom vilom pranayam which is supposed to clean my inner organs and make me healthy what has black money got to do with me?
Baba Ramdev, Anna Hazare are fighting for a cause I dont yet understand clearly. Words like corruption,blackmoney,nepotism,bribery etc have a very sinister meaning and implication.Who are they fighting for anyways?What are they fighting?
The following is true for most of us; I am an Indian.I am a law abiding citizen.I pay my taxes (albeit grudgingly /partially).I have not indulged in any corrupt activity (errr...)I am confused.
I know I have to pay extra to get my gas cylinder on time.I have cut short queue's in many a religious shrine by giving an additional "fee" to be sent directly to the deity's sanctum.I have on every Diwali,when hordes of so called government workers (from departments one never even knew existed) descend to claim "bakshish"have complied as much as everyone does.I got my driving license where I was charged an amount which went as "donation" to cops.I got my kids admission into a prestigious school through right connections and a little bit of contribution to the "school welfare fund".I have employed my kids school teacher as their special "tution" teacher as well ,ofcourse for their benefit.I have cut trees to put up ugly hoardings for the benefit of the additional income to the society ofcourse.I have promised work to special contractors for a small "understanding",done deals which shouldnt have been done as an investment for my future..I have chucked garbage wherever I chose like parks,compounds,roads,railway platforms,bus-stands taught my kids to do the same;I spit on roads and urinate if my body urges me to do so.We cant keep dirt on us can we? We are clean neat people who have to be very careful to be healthy.I am a law abiding citizen.I am an Indian.
I have squabbled with my neighbours and encroached on that additional space in the hallway,to build an extra room.I had to get the structural engineer from municipality agree to this obviously for a "chai-Pani".I have managed to conceal the misdeeds of my son/daughter when they "accidentally" in a state of drunken stupor ran over some pavement dwellers.After all one is young only once.I have kept aside a huge donation/dowry for my kids in future.Its the responsibility of being a parent.I have encouraged my spouse/relatives/friends to fudge that little bit in the books of accounts of the NGO they work for.They deserve their due!ofcourse!!I have happily supported my ITO's demand that he be "taken care of" when I get my refund.I have on the sly used company resources under my control for myself and my family redefining "fringe " benefits.I have cleverly hidden gadgets/valuables from the customs when I returned from my trips abroad.In my office I junk pc's,electroninc equipment quiet frequently to keep up with the changes in latest model and design without any concern for the environment.We cant keep junk in our offices/houses can we?We are clean, neat people.I am a law abiding citizen.I am an Indian.
While Baba Ramdev and his yoga has benifitted me immensely to keep my body healthy, what is this corruption they are talking about?Who are they fighting for?What are they fighting?I am confused.I am an Indian.
Baba Ramdev, Anna Hazare are fighting for a cause I dont yet understand clearly. Words like corruption,blackmoney,nepotism,bribery etc have a very sinister meaning and implication.Who are they fighting for anyways?What are they fighting?
The following is true for most of us; I am an Indian.I am a law abiding citizen.I pay my taxes (albeit grudgingly /partially).I have not indulged in any corrupt activity (errr...)I am confused.
I know I have to pay extra to get my gas cylinder on time.I have cut short queue's in many a religious shrine by giving an additional "fee" to be sent directly to the deity's sanctum.I have on every Diwali,when hordes of so called government workers (from departments one never even knew existed) descend to claim "bakshish"have complied as much as everyone does.I got my driving license where I was charged an amount which went as "donation" to cops.I got my kids admission into a prestigious school through right connections and a little bit of contribution to the "school welfare fund".I have employed my kids school teacher as their special "tution" teacher as well ,ofcourse for their benefit.I have cut trees to put up ugly hoardings for the benefit of the additional income to the society ofcourse.I have promised work to special contractors for a small "understanding",done deals which shouldnt have been done as an investment for my future..I have chucked garbage wherever I chose like parks,compounds,roads,railway platforms,bus-stands taught my kids to do the same;I spit on roads and urinate if my body urges me to do so.We cant keep dirt on us can we? We are clean neat people who have to be very careful to be healthy.I am a law abiding citizen.I am an Indian.
I have squabbled with my neighbours and encroached on that additional space in the hallway,to build an extra room.I had to get the structural engineer from municipality agree to this obviously for a "chai-Pani".I have managed to conceal the misdeeds of my son/daughter when they "accidentally" in a state of drunken stupor ran over some pavement dwellers.After all one is young only once.I have kept aside a huge donation/dowry for my kids in future.Its the responsibility of being a parent.I have encouraged my spouse/relatives/friends to fudge that little bit in the books of accounts of the NGO they work for.They deserve their due!ofcourse!!I have happily supported my ITO's demand that he be "taken care of" when I get my refund.I have on the sly used company resources under my control for myself and my family redefining "fringe " benefits.I have cleverly hidden gadgets/valuables from the customs when I returned from my trips abroad.In my office I junk pc's,electroninc equipment quiet frequently to keep up with the changes in latest model and design without any concern for the environment.We cant keep junk in our offices/houses can we?We are clean, neat people.I am a law abiding citizen.I am an Indian.
While Baba Ramdev and his yoga has benifitted me immensely to keep my body healthy, what is this corruption they are talking about?Who are they fighting for?What are they fighting?I am confused.I am an Indian.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Rum Beggar
Beggars ! The word immediately conjures a mental picture of a dirty ,unwashed , blot of humanity kind of vision before our eyes.Especially at signals in any major metro in India or outside a shrine of any religion,hordes of these "beggars" sit braving the sun,stretching out arms at passers by.Most of the times, we the have "alls" shrink our faces and are more worried about their dirty grubby hands touching our body or clothes, in mortal fear that a bit of them may rub off on "us"!Usually there are kids (barely 7-8) carrying a younger tot (may be 2-3) trying to appeal to our charitable side as "emotional props".They are inculcated into this "profession" from that early an age,whilst their family(adopted or natural) sits on the nearby pavement watching them with eagle eyes.Not because they dote these kids but probably they are their main source of income.
I ran into a six year old "Savita"..Whilst I firmly refused to hand her any money,she stood around me taking care not to touch my person,looking at me beseechingly.This pesky girl had a runny nose ,sniffling whilst ranting her "bhook lagyi hai,ek vadapav ke liye paise de do"chant, wore her hair in a matted unwashed manner, was in a flithy red dress ,tiny arms holding a 2 year old who kept omniously slipping down her unformed waist...however her eyes were beautifully captivating..big,brown and impish.I asked her "Kitne saal ki ho ?" she said "Chhe".My next question was "Ginti aati hai?" and she nodded positively with a grin.I guess they are taught numbers,they need to know them while begging.
When I told her to walk with me to the nearby vadapav stall,she delightfully agreed..The vendor of course gave me that "you have been suckered look" while handing over carefully the "vada-pav",ensuring his hand didnt touch Savita's . The next question by Savita took all of us by surprise! "Didi aap nahin loge kya? Yeh bahut accha vadapav banate hain" said Savita.The vendor gave a sheepish grin and looked at me expectantly.Then she hesitatingly added "aap raste se nahin khati hongi na?" while she was taking a small bite.. Before I could react (I love street food) the young tot in Savita's arms started grabbing at the food. A sharp retort by Savita the kid fell silent.She immediately plonked down cross legged on the pavement,extricated bits of pav which were non spicy before thrusting it into the infants mouth. By then, a stray dog which was loitering around came to visit .Savita tore half the wada pav and flung it at the dog before "shooing" it away.She happily gobbled whatever was left .When I asked her whether she wanted another one , she shyly refused "Mujhe jaana hoga, bahut time ho gaya"before rushing away to do her "job" at the signal. I was speechless ,unable to react.That is to say, her behaviour was an eye opening experience.
Very often we live in this veneer of sophistication that we forget simple things like "sharing" "caring" and "responsible behaviour" towards one another. The beggar girl had given me food for thought.. she was not complaining about the state she was in, neither did she resent the fact that almost everybody shunned her;She was'nt greedy nor was she unkind to the dog. She knew there were other rich kids around who lived in tall buildings ,got the best money could buy but all she aspired was a little food and some conversation,with the person she was ,behind her dirty exterior.. And lastly she in that tender age displayed "maturity" by accepting she was a beggar girl and she had to get back to doing her stuff...
All of us feel discontended with what we have and aspire for more.Most of us get love and respect from families, yet are always cribbing.We dont share with other humans what we have let alone stray animals.Lastly we never look at our professions with an open mind as we always feel we deserve something much better.So everyday while a "savita" sleeps on the pavement in her flith with a smile on her face, we sleep in an "AC" room tired and fatigued.Life goes on..
However while Indian government is passing laws on Child labour,I guess these "Savita's" dont have any respite as they get drawn into this vicious circle of poverty and exploitation.
I ran into a six year old "Savita"..Whilst I firmly refused to hand her any money,she stood around me taking care not to touch my person,looking at me beseechingly.This pesky girl had a runny nose ,sniffling whilst ranting her "bhook lagyi hai,ek vadapav ke liye paise de do"chant, wore her hair in a matted unwashed manner, was in a flithy red dress ,tiny arms holding a 2 year old who kept omniously slipping down her unformed waist...however her eyes were beautifully captivating..big,brown and impish.I asked her "Kitne saal ki ho ?" she said "Chhe".My next question was "Ginti aati hai?" and she nodded positively with a grin.I guess they are taught numbers,they need to know them while begging.
When I told her to walk with me to the nearby vadapav stall,she delightfully agreed..The vendor of course gave me that "you have been suckered look" while handing over carefully the "vada-pav",ensuring his hand didnt touch Savita's . The next question by Savita took all of us by surprise! "Didi aap nahin loge kya? Yeh bahut accha vadapav banate hain" said Savita.The vendor gave a sheepish grin and looked at me expectantly.Then she hesitatingly added "aap raste se nahin khati hongi na?" while she was taking a small bite.. Before I could react (I love street food) the young tot in Savita's arms started grabbing at the food. A sharp retort by Savita the kid fell silent.She immediately plonked down cross legged on the pavement,extricated bits of pav which were non spicy before thrusting it into the infants mouth. By then, a stray dog which was loitering around came to visit .Savita tore half the wada pav and flung it at the dog before "shooing" it away.She happily gobbled whatever was left .When I asked her whether she wanted another one , she shyly refused "Mujhe jaana hoga, bahut time ho gaya"before rushing away to do her "job" at the signal. I was speechless ,unable to react.That is to say, her behaviour was an eye opening experience.
Very often we live in this veneer of sophistication that we forget simple things like "sharing" "caring" and "responsible behaviour" towards one another. The beggar girl had given me food for thought.. she was not complaining about the state she was in, neither did she resent the fact that almost everybody shunned her;She was'nt greedy nor was she unkind to the dog. She knew there were other rich kids around who lived in tall buildings ,got the best money could buy but all she aspired was a little food and some conversation,with the person she was ,behind her dirty exterior.. And lastly she in that tender age displayed "maturity" by accepting she was a beggar girl and she had to get back to doing her stuff...
All of us feel discontended with what we have and aspire for more.Most of us get love and respect from families, yet are always cribbing.We dont share with other humans what we have let alone stray animals.Lastly we never look at our professions with an open mind as we always feel we deserve something much better.So everyday while a "savita" sleeps on the pavement in her flith with a smile on her face, we sleep in an "AC" room tired and fatigued.Life goes on..
However while Indian government is passing laws on Child labour,I guess these "Savita's" dont have any respite as they get drawn into this vicious circle of poverty and exploitation.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Changing times
After 60 years of being "Independant" from the British rule,India awakes.Maybe its something to do with the phenomena sweeping across the world.Liberations.Transperancy,better governance...The mighty havent fallent in India so far as much they have been shaken....And if one were to use the correct word,"stirred" would be better.
Politicians,Beureaucrats,Industrialists alike have been hit and hit hard by this tonado like force of people wanting to know whats happened and happening.From their perspective tragedy I guess.Mighty industrial groups have been caught with their pants down in the 2G scam...They are being summoned to court...WOW.Tatas,Birla,Ambani,Ruias have burnt their fingers for clutching on to the telecom pie ..Like a snake which suddenly reared its fangs.Oil is in trouble,agriculture and its minister are too,Mining is being protected,IT is being fragmented...Suddenly there is a wariness all around and "aisa hi hota hai" is no longer a mantra to do business in India.
Politicians like DMK,Sharad Pawar,Ajit Pawar,Chavan,Deshmukh, are being battered by their own greed..which I presume they thought Indians are a meek and gullible lot.So anything goes.
The mainstream party Congress which was turning a blind eye to its political allies is now fumbling and doddering desperately.Componded to the fact they have no clear visible strategy for leadership planning.
Common man a tribute to RK Laxman is truly becoming a superhero who is now badgering all aspects of governance...Will these words come tru after the poet penned them down 112 years ago" Into that heaven of freedom ,My Father,let my country awake"?
Politicians,Beureaucrats,Industrialists alike have been hit and hit hard by this tonado like force of people wanting to know whats happened and happening.From their perspective tragedy I guess.Mighty industrial groups have been caught with their pants down in the 2G scam...They are being summoned to court...WOW.Tatas,Birla,Ambani,Ruias have burnt their fingers for clutching on to the telecom pie ..Like a snake which suddenly reared its fangs.Oil is in trouble,agriculture and its minister are too,Mining is being protected,IT is being fragmented...Suddenly there is a wariness all around and "aisa hi hota hai" is no longer a mantra to do business in India.
Politicians like DMK,Sharad Pawar,Ajit Pawar,Chavan,Deshmukh, are being battered by their own greed..which I presume they thought Indians are a meek and gullible lot.So anything goes.
The mainstream party Congress which was turning a blind eye to its political allies is now fumbling and doddering desperately.Componded to the fact they have no clear visible strategy for leadership planning.
Common man a tribute to RK Laxman is truly becoming a superhero who is now badgering all aspects of governance...Will these words come tru after the poet penned them down 112 years ago" Into that heaven of freedom ,My Father,let my country awake"?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)