India and beyond: October 2008

Saturday, October 18, 2008

My World This Week

I want: Weekends off and a pay hike

This Sunday: Spa and Deep Conditioning

Never will: Smoke or dope

Yearning for: Devam to come back and a Goa Trip

Dreading: Nanavati Commission's Part II report and Diwali Sweets

Want to: Go on a Vacation (like right now) and make a documentary (just need a little push)

Hate it: When Mom reminds me how much (very little in this case) time i spend at home and when people ask: When are you getting married?

Love it: When Amul pampers me and showers me with attention and Sunday is approaching.

Would like to thank god for: Strong Digestive System, Shahrukh Khan and inventing the concept of Sleep

Recent Discovery: I suffer from short term memory loss. (cant recall what was said just a minute ago) But i have execellent long term memory

Wish to control: Sensex and Mom's temper

Looking forward to: Diwali gatherings and Anu's wedding

Current Favourites: Jasuben Pizza and Shambhu's cold coffee

Last Expense: L&T's 5 shares

Pending Expense: Wagon R's service and getting rid of the scratch

Currently Reading: Exodus by Leon Uris, Scarred by Dionna Bunsha, Descent into Chaos by Ahmed Rashid.

Want to indulge in: A watch for myself and Amul, a trip to New York, egypt vacation for parents, Diwali party for friends, diamond earrings, Hyundia Verna or a Mitsubishi Lancer.................

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Shut Up!!

After a long day at work on an outstation trip, he had just come back to town. Famished and tired, he looked forward to the gathering at his farm house where friends and family were meeting over for drinks and dinner. After exchanging the usual mundane mandatory exchanges with everyone present, he sunk into a chair, staring at the table that housed food. It was unappealing, scarce and cold to say the least. Aadha mood to vahi marr gaya..

After half hearted attempts by others to bring warm and enough food to the table, he finally got hold of a plate and sat down to eat. But just when he was about to start... he noticed that she wasnt eating. He offered her food - drawing her attention to the vegetarian food. She's a vegetarian. But she wasnt interested. She just nodded and asked him to continue eating. She instead got hold of a cold drink and carried on.

First no food, second no babe to accompany him in dinner... it wasnt getting any better. But it was a full moon night, with a lotus pond nearby and winters just setting in. Had everything been in place - the food, the time and the girl.. it would have been perfect.

'Par kisiko bhi mukammal jahan nahi milta'....

Just after the dinner was done... came in the sweet dish. Traditional Sweet Dish special of the day. After half of the guests relished it and other half rejected it, he got down to eat two bowls of that sweet dish. It calmed him down a bit. Perhaps the coolness of the sweet dish, reached his restless nerves. He was happy now. Everything seemed nice. With stomach (finally) full, his girl by his side, his friends around, a full moon still right above the head... it was time to relax.. and enjoy some conversation.

Most of the people left... it was just him and a few more of his friends. He plonked himself on a swing and was enjoying the weather when a conversation about how one should lead a life started. He has always been a good listener. But he likes to talk sometimes. She has always been talkative... not stopping to hear anyone. Two complete opposites would attract each other but sometimes practical environment takes over the famous quote.

The conversation went on for a few minutes. She never let him speak. He heard her as much as he could. She went on and on non stop. After a few minutes, he gave up. He knew that the evening was never meant to be the way he had envisioned. Good food, good conversations and a good girl... it just had to end... in a goodnight.

Only if she had shut up at the right time!!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Be Happy Guys!!!

I just got back from Sanand. Its some 30 kms from Ahmedabad. The reason for it to be in focus is because Ratan Tata is setting up Nano's mother plant in coming days. After all the trouble he had to go through in Singur in West Bengal, Sanand was the chosen one. And though a few people wouldnt want to admit, the credit definitely goes to the Gujarat CM Narendra Modi. And unfortunately, many people cannot digest the fact that Nano came to Gujarat only because Modi worked on it relentlessly.

Whats your problem guys??? Just that you did not get the credit for doing it? Or just because you are plain jealous of the guy?? Or your conscience which is anti-Modi, doesnt allow you to be happy for your state's progress?? I think its high time we give Modi the due praise which he rightly deserves... Even a wrong man can do a right thing once in a while. And getting Nano to Gujarat is no easy feat. Yes, there's this 2002 genocide on his sleeve, but look at the rest for once. Gujarat is the No 1 investment destination in country... It was never so before Modi took over. Gujarat has flawless roads and electricity supply... Ask someone who's living in Maharashtra or Madhya Pradesh or Bihar... or even Delhi.

I am very happy. I wish 2002 had never happened. Nothing could have stopped Modi then from becoming everyone's favourite. Perhaps, Modi too, as an afterthought, must be going through the same feeling. But past always catches up on you. And human beings have this peculiar habit of always remembering the wrong and forgetting the good or right.

I suggest - leave your prejudices against the man aside for a while. Think about the honour, pride and prestige that he's brought to the state. If nothing, do consider that India's biggest Steel maker - TATA is extremely happy with our state and the government.

And all this that we keep on cribbing about - the equality, the education, the infrastructure, the opportunities, the lifestyle - all of that comes from money. Money comes from growth and progress. And growth and progress happens only when you accept it with open arms and minds, leaving your prejudice and hatred for a man aside.

For all those - who arent happy about acknowledging Modi for his efforts, its time to give up small bickerings!! For once, leave that frown aside. If nothing, its about Gujarat... Gujarat is doing well. Gujarat is gaining popularity. Gujarat is going to make money. And if for once, Gujarat is being known for Nano and not for Godhra - I am sure its deserves a chance.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

On the Move...

What do you do when you cant go on a vacation? Coz its unethical to get out of work and take a holiday when you know that the prime time to work is NOW... but at the same time... your friends want to go on a holiday (and if i may add, they very well will) ... So what do you do??

Say NO. I think thats the most basic simple answer to all the unhappiness in life. Why say 'yes' first, then fight with everybody at work to let you go, just to realise you are fighting the right battle for a wrong cause.... and finally just get a NO as an answer from your boss, just spoiling your impression.... all the while letting the decision remain hanging in air. SO, to avoid many disappointments that are bound to come later and ruining your friends' happiness and patience, simply say NO.

The reason for my cribbing is that Amul is almost headed to Gir with his brother (chintan), Mayur (friend) and Kevin (Scottish Australian Friend). Now when you cant get out of Ahmedabad for a holiday... and you cant even stop Amul from going... this entire melodramatic 'i hate him... but how do i stop him either?' feeling starts churning in your head...

Its a complete Urban life stress dilemma as the psychologists would call it. Had i been a villager, i would have never be working as a journalist, nor would be in this highly stressful job nor would have to deal with bosses netheir fight with my emotions. Its only because i live a urban life that i have to deal with these kind of things. Its literally like 'not going and not wanting him to go'... i know i am being cruel and self centred... but i am just being honest.

But if one has to be practical and ideal, i will have to just get on with my work as if 'it doesnt bother me' and stop thinking about it. And that's exactly what i will do. I hope Amul has great fun at Gir forests. I would have loved to go but perhaps its not meant to be.
lets look at the happier side though... i fell upon this site.. which has a photoessay on 'People in the car on move'... I hope you all enjoy the pictures... here's to people who have freedom to 'move'.