Proud, Yes. But Responsible?

I usually defer from writing about the current HOT topics; Too many debates, too many arguments and discussions makes the subject too stale too fast. And any tuppence one adds to it, its already been heard before. However, this post has absolutely nothing to do with the games as much as the strange Indian attitude of extremities, very much propagated and influenced by the media and this time got so bad that one had to dwell on it.

So here we were, one day jumping up and down, booing the government, booing the CWG committee and booing the country as such because International media made a huge ruckus about the "facilities and infrastructure", the lack of it, at the CWG village and they were promptly and happily seconded by the Indian media. A lot of brouhaha took place - an Australian media person saying he entered the facility with a suitcase of explosive device and not being stopped, some athletes pulling out here and there, a snake, a fever and all this was blown out of proportions by our ever prompt media!

The very next day the opening ceremony took place and suddenly everyone was happy! My twitter TL was overflowing with emotional tweets - pride, tears, exhilaration and what not! Added to this the Indian medals tally and the touching closing ceremony made all of us Proud Indian.

So where was our National Pride when some outsiders were hell bent on making us look bad?

Why were we so ready to join forces with them and display to the world spit stains, a couple of removed false ceiling tiles and so forth instead of defending our country by showing the so much more beautiful bigger picture that we finally did get to see during the games?

No, let me make myself clear. I am not saying that there were no issues, the foot bridge collapsing, the corruption are as real as they could get. (And once again, the army to the rescue, now thats where we must all learn National Pride from ). But, corruption is a disease that is there in each walk of our life; and people, believe it or not it exists in every country. Just that they don't go around shouting at the to of their voices that their country is corrupt like we are so ready to do. When there is a 'black sheep' in our family, we all go around trying to protect that fact from public while trying to tackle the issue privately at home. So why don't we have a similar feel for our country?

Once the grandeur of the opening ceremony had the media and in fact the whole population who had believed the media's gory reports, thoroughly surprised, they suddenly backtracked saying 'we never questioned the facilities. The corruption is a serious issue and that has to be tackled'. Well, for one, if corruption were really the issue, why wait for a CWG to raise it? We have to fight it, we have to solve it, but the question is, was CWG the right arena? Did we have to wash our dirty laundry internationally?

Our country has enough and more departments and avenues where corruption occurs and the normal man is robbed in broad daylight. Why doesn't the media do something about it? (in lines of tehelka eh?)  But I guess the TRP attained over crying foul for CWG is way more appealing. Wouldn't we all have looked better if the media had gone onto to display the facilities and infrastructure of the village, the greenery, the roads, interviewed so many Indian sorts person who repeatedly and vehemently mentioned how good CW village was compared to many international arenas and overall spread a good will and then covered the corrution that is anyways being covered now. No, they chose to ignore all this for the TRPs.

More important question is why are the rest of us such putty in the hands of the media? There were such angst and hate over twitter and other such arenas over the media report. Why? didn't we all at some level or other know that the organisers would have definitely made crores and crores. We are by now so tempered about all that, what with politicians stealing money out of fodder and food & clothing for soldiers at the border. So if the media had shown the great infrastructure and talked about corruption on the sidelines we would have just nodded our heads and said, of course! Instead, the "lack of clean living quarters" was the agenda initially to gather enough eyeballs.

In all this TRP race and hate mails and tweets we never once bothered to stop and think what this was doing to the image of our nation. Countries with the "India Itch" happily rode the medias back to show how "useless" Indians were and we as citizens took the side of the media and the International community leaving the organisers scrambling on the other end with  not so much as "Oh, we shall do it".

The way I see things now, we had a mind blowing CWG. With the help of the army and the Delhi CM stepping in and acting (instead of cribbing), everything went on smooth on time. International media was silent. And now that all is over the necessary actions are being taken against the necessary. Only if the media had followed the same path of positivity and support in the beginning and questions and concerns (Negativity and Dramatics on TeleVision) after the games, they wouldn't have had to eat a humble pie.

The last weeks edition of The Week carried an article be some great mind India has become a joke in the international arena thanks to the CWG. Well, I am not sure when he might have sent that article to be printed, but by now I guess we all have realised that the joke is on the likes of him.

JAI HIND!!!

Civic Sense, if Not Common Sense

All over the place, everyone is comparing and complaining about the differences between India and other countries. But, let us forget about economy and population and all those statistical figures for a moment. One of the biggest difference I feel is in the attitudes of people and one particular aspect - civic sense!

The trigger to this sudden line of thought was some brain damaging construction activity that went on in one of the neighbouring houses. Suddenly, yesterday some grinding/drilling/polishing or some such activities began somewhere in the neighbourhood. Now, that this needs to be done by whom so ever can be understood, that this was going to be continued through the night took us all unawares. The non stop droning of the drilling (or whatever) machine had gotten everyone to "bang head against walls" condition in the first half hour itself. By noon everyone was hoping there might be a break for lunch at least but no. Then we started looking forward to the 5pm deadline beyond which workers in kerala stop working with a religious fervor. But no such luck, they broke that record as well (might have been north Indian workers). Finally the work halted by around 8pm and silence has never sounded so musical before. We didn't even switch on the television in order to just enjoy the sound of silence but unfortunately (and extremely surprisingly for kerala) the workers were back in half an hour!

My point is not that in another country drilling wouldn't happen. It would. But, I am sure they would be obliged to inform their immediate neighbours at least of the oncoming sound pollution. Whats more important is that I am sure other countries would definitely have and abide by a decent cut off for such noisy work. Well, not here. No one cares and everyone suffers in "silence".

It's the same about honking, stopping your cars right at the turns and lets not even get into the spitting/cleanliness bit. With people getting such high education, more money and a much higher standard of living as such, I wish the same would reflect in the way they treat their country, at least their immediate neighbours and surroundings!

Anyways, since this is a huge ongoing debate in our country and the discussion shall go on for ever, I am stopping right here as my purpose was to take it out of my system and that has been achieved.  

The Much Awaited Moment

I recently saw and immediately fell in love with the new "Your Moment is Waiting" Add for Kerala Tourism. Parallely, I read lots of criticism against this add most of which expressed concern about how the add did not depict the essence of kerala, especially in terms of enough greenery, backwaters and beaches.

However, what I felt was that the add depicted all these elements and more in a very surreal, dream like, mystery filled and interesting manner

This is the day of the intelligent and aware traveller. Anyone planning a trip these days wouldn't just pick up a picture book, see pretty pictures and select randomly. People consult travel agents, do thorough studies on the Internet and basically know exactly what there is to be seen and explored, while visiting a new destination. Also, today's travellers are more often than not young, stressed out executives looking for some fun, relaxation, family time and most importantly needing soul searching and trying to find themselves. Assuming KT had this target population in mind while shooting this add, I believe the travels and experiences of the young female protagonist depicted here, hits these right spots.

It intrigues, piques ones curiosity and leaves the viewer with a sense of awe and mystery.

What I liked most about this add is what I think also got the most criticism - the absence of the obvious and apparent. Instead of an "on your face" picture-book depiction of a kathakali face, an elephant ride, a house boat ride in the backwaters, a beach with lots of coconut palms and so forth, the video has laid more focus on the fresh and the different. These same aspects have also been dealt with a much more subtle and mystic hand making it all feel like an untouched, unexplored paradise waiting to be explored by You, the viewer. Instead of making kerala look like the picture book and us, the viewer looking at it from outside, the video has stressed on actually getting in and experiencing "Your Moment".
In its own subtle manner, the add actually does depict kathakali - though as being performed by an unadorned artist in a typical kerala house discovered by the protagonist while exploring narrow, unobtrusive country lanes;
It gives a feel of the ayurveda in the starting shots with a beautiful beach on the background, transporting one literally to paradise;
It takes one through the scenic, serene backwaters - not on a house boat but shown as the protagonist rowing a narrow boat on a journey to find oneself and discovering;
It touches on other art forms like the thaiyyams in a manner that makes one want to know and share the secrets too;
And finally it depicts the strength, serenity and calmness of the elephant in its final shots.

I request all those that didn't see these elements, to take a look again with an open mind and a different eye...I am sure you shall be as touched by the magic in it as I was...

That was a longish way to say "I loved it" and it makes me proud. Kudos to Kerala Tourism and the add developers for the imagination and guts to come up with something so different and fresh.

Dreams and Meanings

So here we are, S and I, living in this small little small-town, while P is off studying in an institution where they "don't believe in holidays". On the one hand I desperately want to go and live in Pune so our little family is complete while on the other hand that shall mean having to leave little Sid alone with a stranger while I go to work.

I am also worried if and when I go back to work, will I land myself back at something worthwhile after such a long break.

A few days back I also had a heart warming conversation with an estranged very dear friend that took me back to the the immense hurt these lies, blames and questioning of my loyalty had caused me. 

And, while I struggle with these emotions and inner conflicts, I have a terrifying nightmare that our black dog (a very loving and friendly Lab) bit me rather viciously on my leg, barking, growling and snarling all the time! And then we had to give him away...

Disconnect? Of course there is. Except, since I have all the time in the world, I decided to google 'dream black dog' and google threw at me the following interpretations ...

To see a dog in your dream, symbolizes intuition, loyalty, generosity, protection, and fidelity. The dream suggests that your strong values and good intentions will enable you to go forward in the world and bring you success. The dream dog may also represent someone in your life who exhibits these qualities. Alternatively, to see a dog in your dream, indicates a skill that you may have ignored or forgotten. (This part is just the introduction, read ahead)

• If the dog is vicious and/or growling, then it indicates some inner conflict within yourself. It may also indicate betrayal and untrustworthiness.
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• If the dog is dead or dying, then it means a loss of a good friend or a deterioration of  a relationship.
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  To dream that a dog bites you on the leg, suggests that you have to balance certain aspects of your life. You may be hesitant in approaching a new situation or have no desire to move forward with your goals.
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  Alternatively, it symbolizes disloyalty.
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  If the dog is barking ferociously, then it represents your habit of making demands on people and controlling situations around you. Are you "barking" too many orders? Alternatively, it could also indicate unfriendly companions.
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  To dream that you give or send your dog away, indicates that the decisions and choices you are making now may be misinterpreted as disloyalty. You have to do what is right for you and not worry about what others think of the decision. Alternatively, it signifies rejection of friendship.
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  To see a black colored dog in your dream, symbolizes the shadow aspect of a friend. The dark side of someone close to you is being revealed and you are able to see through to their true intentions.

Also consider the notions associated with the word dog, such as loyalty ("man's best friend") and to be "treated like a dog".

Considering the facts mentioned in the beginning and that I am not very pleased with my situation, have been feeling let down and ordered around by certain someone recently, I have now become a new fan of dream interpretations and am sure to go on doing some more research on it.

The burden of a Cross, Red Cross or "God's"?

Ok, I am not a very relegious person. I have nothing for or against any relegion in this world and this article is not meant to insult the sensitivities of any particular relegion/faith. It is merely a description of events that unfolded over the last 24 hours and the judgements and conclusion is left for the reader to make.I am still showing the sensitivity to maintain the names of the individuals involved and the organisation anonymous (and I dont know why im being so nice!!!)

Our protagonist is a Senior doctor who worked in a christian management hospital in Trivandrum City for the last 2.5 years. Ohh let me mention, a Senior "Hindu" doctor. When he joined this organisation there were 4 other specialists of his kind in that dept. Over 2 yrs this no. dwindled down to just him and another christian doc. Now, our protagonist in this story built up quiet a booming practice for himself over these years owing to certain reasons like: his rates being much lower than the other doc, he being in the hospital 7 days a week unlike the 3 days put in by the other doc, and his dedication and profeciency definitely not being the least of the reasons.

The last 3-4 months his income (and thereby the hospital's as well) was steadily increasing to the discomfort of this other christian doctor.

Suddenly yesterday, the father (Of the church kinds) calls this Hindu doc to his room to inform him that the Bishop's house has recognised a replacement (not surprisingly another christian doctor) and asked him to leave the hospital. Over the congratulatory atmosphere where this doc had done so well for the Hospital and himself, there is no need to mention the shock this came up as. On being enquired regarding the reason behind the termination, the Father mentioned that the Bishop's house recieved a couple of complaints regarding the doc's work but was not very explanatory regarding the nature of the complaint. Now the increasing numbers, the patient's behaviour, the feedback provided by each patient leaving the hospitals have all been to this day contradictory to this statement and shows that the episode is just stuff and nonsense.

Then this Hindu Doc mentioned that since there were 4 people in this dept when he joined is there a concern if a 3rd doc joined now and he still continued, to which he was told that he may definitely continue coming to the hosp in the evenings, but mornings have to be dedicated to the other 2.
I would like your comments and judgements on this article and am ending this with the following few observations/questions:

1. If the doc's conduct was so bad there were complaints, the normal step would be to mention the incident and asked for explanations, especially given that he had done so well. Yes/No?
2. Under normal circumstances the complaint would be provided to the hospital managment and not the Bishop under whom there are so many organisations. And how manyt laymen like you and me would go beyond the mngmt of the institution upto the Bishop's house? Definitely, shows the hand of somenone insecure and with enough influence. Yes/No?
3. If the doctor was truly not good, doesn't explain his increasing popularity, record breaking cases the hospital was getting the last few months under him, the return of all his patient with relatives/other needs, satisfactory feedback forms and fall of patients for the other doc.Yes/ No?
4. In case this doc was truly bad why ask him to continue working in the hospital in the evenings, only making place for the new doc in the mornings?
5. When there were eventually 5 people in this dept. why the sudden concern against placing even 3. Whom is this "Bishop's House/Church": trying to protect and ensure gets all the money coming in from the popularity the hospital gained under the other doctor?
6. What are the chances that the other doc has been already identified, is a chritstian and is being recommended straight by this busy man, the "Bishop" who Im sure has more on his hands than to check the status/erformance of each individual?again brought to notice by someone else insecure and influential?
7. Last but not the least, if this is the situation of the doctor's in the hospital, what guarantee that the patient's will not be biased against and treated based on their relegion?

Since this is clear case of discomfort against a person of another relegion doing unexpectedly well in a christian management run hospital, and hence an effort to ensure all that money only goes to another of their God's son and no one else, I'd like to quote someone  who said "religious believers commit ultimate blasphemy by thinking they need to protect their gods rather than their gods protecting them."

My 2009...Bye 2009

Been trying to get this article comleted since the 31st, but somehow never got the right words to express this very happening year!

 It is the beginning of a new year (yet again), and hence, that time of the year when most of us get into a retrospective frame of mind combined with an eager and hopeful eye towards a happy and prosperous 'New Year'. Today, in retrospection of the year that just went by, I realised it was one of those which turned a lot of things in my life completely around and hence could not be allowed to pass by unmentioned...

With its share of laughter and tears, of new dreams and plans made and broken, achievements and losses and many many (too many) lessons, here is a final looking back to 2009...

 The Year of the Most Difficult People: Last year had me dealing with a bunch of the most difficult and tiresome people I have ever had to deal with in the previous 25 years of my life all put together. (Kindly note: difficult and tiresome are the nicest things I have said about these people). The most important contributors were:

* My immediate boss ( I loved my job and firm till I met this abominable character!)

* My last client (I never liked singaporeans much before, but this did it! forgive me for the generalisation.)

* Some extremely difficult people to "work with" as my team (kindly note the quotes)

The most ruffian bunch of contractors I have had to deal with ever. And, the icing on the cake -all these came together in one single project - that shook the living daylights out of my "I am crazy about my job" attitude...

The Year of Fear and Heartache: Yeah, thanks to the 'global recession' and subsequent down cutting, I lived through the entire year expecting, at any moment, to be called into my boss's cabin at and being asked to leave - for ever. The fact that this man had the habit of calling us (individually) for the most useless (2-3 hour long) "update me on your project so I can update my bosses" discussions, only added to constant tremors and chills at regular intervals...This is the time of the year (thanks to difficult people and horrible situations) I spent simultaneously not liking my job and still not wanting to be thrown out.

* There was the heartache of hearing a lot of names that had been suddenly called into such meeting rooms and informed not to come back to work from the next day.
* There was the heartache of realizing and exeriencing a lot of things that I was blissfully unaware off while working earlier, that made me sadly turn from 'crazed about my job' to 'oh, this is such a pain'.
* There was also the heartache of knowing that on many occassions I was being played like a puppet and had no options but to walk or allowed to be played.

The Year of Tears and Embarassement: It has always been the one thing I HATE doing in front of other people (I NEVER allow others to see me cry); but the fears, heartaches, stress, helplessness and desperation (all related to my much 'loved' job) saw me shed a tear too many in front of some people that I am embarassed to think back about now. Makes me wish I had left before I did that...

The Year of the Fun Trips: The last year was one peppered with many many memorable and fun visits from friends and relatives staying over at our little home. With them we experienced some wonderful long drives to and even more wonderful stays at Bangalore, Mahabaliuram, Pondychery, Trivandrum, Resorts at ECR exloring temples, palaces dams, arks, boating and what not. The year was full of lovely meetings with old friends and amazing trips. These memories shall last forever...and hopefully so shall the friendships...

The Year of Humungous Changes: There have been so many Major changes that came about in 2009 that it has been a complete roller coster ride:

* One of the first big change was my heart finally taking over my brain (or was it the other way round? Im still not sure) and deciding that after 3 years I really didn't deserve the treatment I recieved and hence deciding to leave my job. 
* Then there were the huge plans and steps taken towards starting a new venture, which were later deemed not feasible and dropped...a lot of studies, discussions, drives, plans and finally all get dropped...Change and more change...
* Then came the big bang news that changed all other plans (of finding a new job that I had been interviewed and selected for in chennai and so on) - the confirmation of a step towards another supreme job, motherhood...
* Then, even as we were fretting over my managing in Chennai at home in this stage while Pradeep worked long hours, came an even bigger announcement of his having landed a job and shifting to trivandrum
* The final big change was ofcourse, shifting base from Chennai to Trivandrum, getting used to living at home, expecting, sitting idle and all other adjustments that came with living at home....

The Year of Realization, Shocks and Acceptance of People: 2009 has been big on lessons (mainly regarding people):

* It taught me that the people we are closest to, shall still "always" put themselves before us and are actually very different to what we might havethought of them to be forever in our life.
* Once I came upon the many things "not to like" about these people, was shocked at my own blindness all these years, fretted over the 'adjustments' one had to make owing to ones situations, eventually, I learned that patience, acceptance and tolerance were the only tools that would make relations last and be stress free...(and mind you these are strong blood ties I am talking about).
* It was also an year that taught me to make new friends or contact old friends with absoluteley no expectations of long lasting friendships. This year with many people who came and went through it, taught me that friendships mostly meant "to be there when needed" and hope that you shall be remembered forever...

I sign out from this year with a lot of lessons learnt,

And many a happy moments earned.

With a Heavy heart for the many goodbyes

But also with new hopes and dreams shining bright in my eyes.....

I enter 2010, wiser with many lessons learnt from tough experiences; tougher for the difficult situations and people (those I decided to leave for good and those I learnt to love despite everything), somehow hardened with many realizations and shocks but still happier and full of Hope for the expected and the unforeseen...

Heres Wishing you all a slightly belated but a very Magical 2010....