It is that time of the year. When school bags are taken out of the cupboard and dusted, new uniforms are stitched, stationary bought, notebooks covered with brown paper, holiday homework hurriedly completed. Its school time folks!
The monsoons usher in a new year for children. Gone is the joy of summer vacations – endless TV & video games, getting up late, hanging out at malls and playing cricket in the afternoon. It is now time for homework, tests, grades and tuition classes. The holidays are over kids, let’s get back to the ‘real’ world. It’s my guess that right now there are children all over India dreading the thought of going back to school.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Learning should be fun and not regimented. Children should want to come back to school. If they have to glance at their calendars and sigh it should be because they miss their friends and teachers and can’t wait to meet them. Not because they feel stressed out at the thought of all the tuitions and exams waiting for them. We take the best years of a human being’s life and turn it into a rat race. I remember my school teachers frightening the hell out of me by saying that if I didn’t do well in my 12th standard boards I would end up on the road to Loserville. I don’t doubt that they meant well and wanted me to do something worthwhile with my life. But by their lofty standards I bombed in my 12th and yet life didn’t come to an end. I still went to an engineering college (albeit not a great one), I still got into the stream that I wanted (Mechanical Engineering rocks) and I did decently there (First Class with Distinction). Looking back I think it’s horrible to tell a child that their entire life revolves around one month of exams. What we’re basically doing is taking a young mind and putting it through stress levels that most adults couldn’t handle.
Childhood should be a time of fun. Of learning just for the sake of learning. Of exploring the world without having to worry about grades, admissions and careers. We should encourage children to dream. At some point in our lives all of us wanted to be either cricketers, or tennis players, or writers, or journalists, or musicians, or mathematicians, or fighter pilots. While life may not allow everyone to attain those dreams I think that there’s no harm in chasing those dreams. A 12 year old child should be encouraged to think that she can become whoever she wants to be. There’ll be a time for the reality checks that adolescence brings, but not now. Not yet.
When I look at my cousin, who is 10 years younger than me, and her friends I realize that the system has allowed them a lot more freedom than people in my generation had. We were told, “Science? Engineer or Doctor. Commerce? CA. Arts? Oh... ummm... See you around”. Luckily that isn’t true anymore. More parents are open to the idea of ‘alternate’ careers. Many schools have counsellors who guide children about the various career streams available. Things are changing for the better but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. For every progressive school that encourages its wards to be all they can be there are thousands which continue to churn out children who know every lesson in their text books and yet next to nothing about how to deal with the tests that life will put them through.
Right now we simply teach children how to solve quadratic equations, synthesise complex organic chemistry molecules (on paper) and memorise the internal cell structure of microbes. Instead they should learn how mathematics is applied to different fields – geology, automobile engineering, fundamental particle research. They should know of the uses (and dangers) of organic chemistry and how it has shaped our world. Children should be aware that life is a lot more complex than molecules bumping around inside cell walls and that even the best scientists do not fully understand how it works.
Call me an idealist if you want. Accuse me of an ivory tower address, a head in the cloud mentality. But hey, the challenges and problems that our children will inherit from us will be far more difficult than the ones we’ve managed to sweep under the carpet. How about we allow them to enjoy themselves while they can and still try and equip them with the tools that they will need to clear up our mess?
As Cat Stevens said, “I know we’ve come a long way. We’re changing day to do. But tell me, where do the children play?”.
Showing posts with label People. Show all posts
Showing posts with label People. Show all posts
Monday, June 14, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Delusions
Ever so often one hears of some defamation suit being filed or protest being held because someone’s sentiments were hurt. Oh really? Oh reallllllllllllllllllllllllllllyyyyyyy?
Why is it that the ‘leaders’ and social busybodies who claim to represent those whose sentiments were hurt never get angry about other things as well?
Why don’t they get angry about the poverty in this country? Or the filth in which most of our people live? Or the fact that even after 60 years of Independence we still do not have anything close to 100% literacy (am not even talking about education.. just literacy)? Why don’t they protest about people being malnourished while food grains rot in the Government’s godowns? Doesn’t the site of the widows of slain soldiers weeping on national TV make them want to do anything about this country’s security issues?
I’ll tell you why.
It’s because we’re a bunch of hypocrites. A nation of whiners and over-sensitive adolescents masquerading as adults. The only time we act tough is when we’re in a mob.
We like to talk. About our glorious ancient culture, about how democracy has failed us when we compare ourselves to China, anything that makes our cushy little worlds a little less cushy. Oh yes we like to talk. Getting out of our armchairs and doing something to help is something that we’re not up for. The only time we’ll get out of our chairs is protest about something that hurts our sentiments.
Awwww. Don’t feel bad.
Feel ashamed.
Ashamed that we cling to twin illusions of ‘safety in numbers’ (hope they get the guy next to me instead) and ‘ostrich mentality’ (as long as my family and friends are okay, who cares what happens in some far off village). History tends to repeat itself in our land. The same scams, the same corrupt politicians, the same gullible electorate and tadaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.... the same inefficient, inaccessible, unaccountable system.
H.L. Mencken said, “Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.”. I think the same sad truth could apply to us as well. Our leaders prefer rabble rousing and mob justice to judicial and constitutional channels. Their logic is impeccable. Why spend years fighting for something when you can grab it right away? All you need is to convince the people that in some way their culture, religion, caste or these days – statehood has been insulted.
And this is why the system doesn’t work. Everyone wants to take, no one wants to give back. We demand our constitutional rights, but how about our duties? Duties to ourselves and to those less fortunate than us.
We have one of the world’s largest population of those who live below the, outrageously named, ‘poverty line’. And yet we feel proud when we see 4.. or 5.. or 2.. who cares... Indians being named in the list of richest people in the world. Isn’t there something fundamentally wrong about feeling proud at the sight of obscene wealth & yet being indifferent to obscene poverty? Hypocrites I tell you.
Now take literacy. Most of us have been born after Independence. Which means we were born to a sovereign and independent country which claimed to be socialistic as well. Or at least some of us were. There are many others who were born into the same feudalistic, caste riddled, male dominated societies that their ancestors lived in hundreds of years ago. Which probably explains why we have such a pathetic record when it comes to improving literacy.
We want to host the Olympics, while we can’t put together a decent hockey team.
We want the world to recognize us as an emerging superpower. Yet we can’t convict a terrorist who was caught on CCTV shooting people, including a policeman.
We take pride in the fact that our economy was resilient during the Great Recession. But don’t seem to mind that most of this ‘resilience’ was due to the parallel economy.
We want to be a destination for medical tourism but don’t think it’s necessary to provide basic healthcare to our own countrymen who can’t afford it.
We believe that we have a glorious past, but think nothing of scratching our names on the walls of the monuments that were built during that glorious past.
We get touchy when our neighbour hurts our sentiments, but we don’t mind if the Chinese treat us with disdain; mainly because we bend over backwards to not antagonise them.
At the end of it all, I don’t think that we suffer from delusions of grandeur. We suffer from delusions of competence.
Why is it that the ‘leaders’ and social busybodies who claim to represent those whose sentiments were hurt never get angry about other things as well?
Why don’t they get angry about the poverty in this country? Or the filth in which most of our people live? Or the fact that even after 60 years of Independence we still do not have anything close to 100% literacy (am not even talking about education.. just literacy)? Why don’t they protest about people being malnourished while food grains rot in the Government’s godowns? Doesn’t the site of the widows of slain soldiers weeping on national TV make them want to do anything about this country’s security issues?
I’ll tell you why.
It’s because we’re a bunch of hypocrites. A nation of whiners and over-sensitive adolescents masquerading as adults. The only time we act tough is when we’re in a mob.
We like to talk. About our glorious ancient culture, about how democracy has failed us when we compare ourselves to China, anything that makes our cushy little worlds a little less cushy. Oh yes we like to talk. Getting out of our armchairs and doing something to help is something that we’re not up for. The only time we’ll get out of our chairs is protest about something that hurts our sentiments.
Awwww. Don’t feel bad.
Feel ashamed.
Ashamed that we cling to twin illusions of ‘safety in numbers’ (hope they get the guy next to me instead) and ‘ostrich mentality’ (as long as my family and friends are okay, who cares what happens in some far off village). History tends to repeat itself in our land. The same scams, the same corrupt politicians, the same gullible electorate and tadaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.... the same inefficient, inaccessible, unaccountable system.
H.L. Mencken said, “Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.”. I think the same sad truth could apply to us as well. Our leaders prefer rabble rousing and mob justice to judicial and constitutional channels. Their logic is impeccable. Why spend years fighting for something when you can grab it right away? All you need is to convince the people that in some way their culture, religion, caste or these days – statehood has been insulted.
And this is why the system doesn’t work. Everyone wants to take, no one wants to give back. We demand our constitutional rights, but how about our duties? Duties to ourselves and to those less fortunate than us.
We have one of the world’s largest population of those who live below the, outrageously named, ‘poverty line’. And yet we feel proud when we see 4.. or 5.. or 2.. who cares... Indians being named in the list of richest people in the world. Isn’t there something fundamentally wrong about feeling proud at the sight of obscene wealth & yet being indifferent to obscene poverty? Hypocrites I tell you.
Now take literacy. Most of us have been born after Independence. Which means we were born to a sovereign and independent country which claimed to be socialistic as well. Or at least some of us were. There are many others who were born into the same feudalistic, caste riddled, male dominated societies that their ancestors lived in hundreds of years ago. Which probably explains why we have such a pathetic record when it comes to improving literacy.
We want to host the Olympics, while we can’t put together a decent hockey team.
We want the world to recognize us as an emerging superpower. Yet we can’t convict a terrorist who was caught on CCTV shooting people, including a policeman.
We take pride in the fact that our economy was resilient during the Great Recession. But don’t seem to mind that most of this ‘resilience’ was due to the parallel economy.
We want to be a destination for medical tourism but don’t think it’s necessary to provide basic healthcare to our own countrymen who can’t afford it.
We believe that we have a glorious past, but think nothing of scratching our names on the walls of the monuments that were built during that glorious past.
We get touchy when our neighbour hurts our sentiments, but we don’t mind if the Chinese treat us with disdain; mainly because we bend over backwards to not antagonise them.
At the end of it all, I don’t think that we suffer from delusions of grandeur. We suffer from delusions of competence.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
6 Years Ago
The Time: 7:20 AM
The Date: 2nd December 2002
The Place: Hotel Ganesh, Trivandrum
A group of nervous young men sat in a rickety old Mahindra van. Some of them clutched thick folders filled with educational qualifications, as if to reassure themselves that they belonged here. Others adjusted their ties and smoothened their hair, as if to convince themselves that they looked the part of an IT consultant. One or two messaged their loved ones, seeking comfort as they were about to start on the longest & most important journey of their lives.
All of them wondered what the next two and a half months held in store.
They cast glances at each other. Quick. Furtive. Wary. Some sought allies. Others looked at potential competitors. None of them was willing to break the ice. So they waited, smiled at each other politely and tried to control the tension they felt.
This group of 28 men were later joined by 4 ladies. They were then told that their batch number was T-35. It was a number that was to stay with them for a long time.
Within two weeks, T-35 had forged a unity and an identity that the other trainee batches could only admire. From a distance. This bunch of mechanical, civil, electrical engineers and even one architect learnt more from each other than they did from the visiting faculty.
From Chacha, they learnt how much fun Vietnamese & Thai girls were.
From Shishu, they learnt that you should not drink a whole bottle of neat vodka and then expect to walk home on your own.
From Joker, they learnt that life could always be made a little happier with a good song.
From Predator, they learnt that when people fall asleep during your presentation, it is time to stop.
From Psycho, they learnt a million things about Jadhavpur University.
From Guruji, they learnt how to play TT.
From Badman, they learnt that if you lose your cool, you just might lose your job (Thanks Slow for saving Badman)
From Cartoon, they learnt that artists don't always get the hot babes.
From HTBC, they learnt that you should pay more attention to the person giving you instructions.
From Ganya Don, they learnt that the same joke could be told to the same set of drunk guys a dozen times & still be a hit.
From Bageera, they learnt that Infosys has stronger internal processes than TCS.
From Amma, they learnt that when your teammate refuses to cooperate, you will have to make a presentation on the fly.
From Bhootni, they learnt the term 'ila lala lala'.
From Aunty, they learnt how to be friendly and still be aloof.
From Lady Don, they learnt that not all bong women are... well, bong women.
From Slow, they learnt that sheer brainpower, or luck, would beat laziness hands down.
From Tension, they learnt that Brinda the Queen was divorced thrice, not twice.
From Good Boy, they learnt that you could be the only sober guy at a party and still wake up with puke all over you.
From Deddy, they learnt that even architects can code. Or at least try.
From Rebel, they learnt the true meaning of the term 'Rebel without a cause'.
From Bond, they learnt that if you stay awake till 3 AM every night reading Tintin comics, you won't be able to get ready in time for office.
From Vakeel Babu, they learnt that the workers and management at Ford ate together at the same canteen.
From Metla, they learnt that TCS pays different salaries for people in California than they do for the rest of the US.
From Saa Rukh, they learnt the meaning of the term TUMPA.
They also learnt a lot of other things. How much booze to pour in your glass while dining with a client for one. How you don't need to be a Comp Sci Engineer to be a cyber coolie for another. But the best thing that they learnt is that you can spend just a few months with someone and still remain friends with them for the rest of your lives.
T-35 went on weekend trips together, they got drunk and then saw elephants in the shadows, they walked the streets of Kanyakumari barefoot while looking for precious alcohol, they organized the best parties at the hostel, they were the only batch to defy the 'under inspection order' and cheer when one of them (Amma) won the best student award, they tried to cut the kaddu and share it though that didn't work out, they gave a new meaning to the terms 'batting' and 'bowling'.
Yes T-35, we did 'bring TCS to life'. At least for a few months. :-)
The Date: 2nd December 2002
The Place: Hotel Ganesh, Trivandrum
A group of nervous young men sat in a rickety old Mahindra van. Some of them clutched thick folders filled with educational qualifications, as if to reassure themselves that they belonged here. Others adjusted their ties and smoothened their hair, as if to convince themselves that they looked the part of an IT consultant. One or two messaged their loved ones, seeking comfort as they were about to start on the longest & most important journey of their lives.
All of them wondered what the next two and a half months held in store.
They cast glances at each other. Quick. Furtive. Wary. Some sought allies. Others looked at potential competitors. None of them was willing to break the ice. So they waited, smiled at each other politely and tried to control the tension they felt.
This group of 28 men were later joined by 4 ladies. They were then told that their batch number was T-35. It was a number that was to stay with them for a long time.
Within two weeks, T-35 had forged a unity and an identity that the other trainee batches could only admire. From a distance. This bunch of mechanical, civil, electrical engineers and even one architect learnt more from each other than they did from the visiting faculty.
From Chacha, they learnt how much fun Vietnamese & Thai girls were.
From Shishu, they learnt that you should not drink a whole bottle of neat vodka and then expect to walk home on your own.
From Joker, they learnt that life could always be made a little happier with a good song.
From Predator, they learnt that when people fall asleep during your presentation, it is time to stop.
From Psycho, they learnt a million things about Jadhavpur University.
From Guruji, they learnt how to play TT.
From Badman, they learnt that if you lose your cool, you just might lose your job (Thanks Slow for saving Badman)
From Cartoon, they learnt that artists don't always get the hot babes.
From HTBC, they learnt that you should pay more attention to the person giving you instructions.
From Ganya Don, they learnt that the same joke could be told to the same set of drunk guys a dozen times & still be a hit.
From Bageera, they learnt that Infosys has stronger internal processes than TCS.
From Amma, they learnt that when your teammate refuses to cooperate, you will have to make a presentation on the fly.
From Bhootni, they learnt the term 'ila lala lala'.
From Aunty, they learnt how to be friendly and still be aloof.
From Lady Don, they learnt that not all bong women are... well, bong women.
From Slow, they learnt that sheer brainpower, or luck, would beat laziness hands down.
From Tension, they learnt that Brinda the Queen was divorced thrice, not twice.
From Good Boy, they learnt that you could be the only sober guy at a party and still wake up with puke all over you.
From Deddy, they learnt that even architects can code. Or at least try.
From Rebel, they learnt the true meaning of the term 'Rebel without a cause'.
From Bond, they learnt that if you stay awake till 3 AM every night reading Tintin comics, you won't be able to get ready in time for office.
From Vakeel Babu, they learnt that the workers and management at Ford ate together at the same canteen.
From Metla, they learnt that TCS pays different salaries for people in California than they do for the rest of the US.
From Saa Rukh, they learnt the meaning of the term TUMPA.
They also learnt a lot of other things. How much booze to pour in your glass while dining with a client for one. How you don't need to be a Comp Sci Engineer to be a cyber coolie for another. But the best thing that they learnt is that you can spend just a few months with someone and still remain friends with them for the rest of your lives.
T-35 went on weekend trips together, they got drunk and then saw elephants in the shadows, they walked the streets of Kanyakumari barefoot while looking for precious alcohol, they organized the best parties at the hostel, they were the only batch to defy the 'under inspection order' and cheer when one of them (Amma) won the best student award, they tried to cut the kaddu and share it though that didn't work out, they gave a new meaning to the terms 'batting' and 'bowling'.
Yes T-35, we did 'bring TCS to life'. At least for a few months. :-)
Friday, November 21, 2008
Career Definition... By Nitin Sareen
Since I am on a sabbatical, a good friend of mine Nitin Sareen (the daddy of organized people) has decided to contribute a post to the blog. I think its a well written piece. And unlike my off-the-cuff posts, he has obviously spent a lot of time crafting this one. Read it, I think you'll enjoy it.
So What is a Career Anyway?
The mostly ominous news about the global economic crisis these days, has led me to wonder whether our definition of a successful career and the social implications of having one, is at the root of this mayhem. The leaders of the firms which have gone bust recently were in those positions because they had exceptionally successful careers thus far. So why did they fail? I believe the answer lies in understanding the single measure for choosing a corporate leader today – A successful career.
As the world progressed from biblical times to today’s jet age, people became increasingly obsessed with the aspect of their lives which relates to what they do for a living. History has always been written about the winner, the wealthy, the famous and the powerful. Not surprisingly therefore, in modern times, the word “career” relates to how successful one has been in accumulating a combination of fame and wealth via what they do for a living. Rarely do we see “career” being equated to anything other than this. Therefore a successful career person is one who by virtue of his single minded focus on ‘working to get rich or famous or both’, has actually done it.
Until recently, the top career choices for a typical B-School graduate would be Investment Banking & Consulting followed by leadership positions across industries. Why? Having run the rat race myself, upon introspection, I think the answer lies in every graduate trying to build a successful career –a way to make your daily bread which puts you on the fast track to being rich & famous. While the winner’s of this race are most certainly stalwarts of industry today, the so called “losers” continue hone their skills to enter the get-rich-quick highway. I wonder if the craze for these professions would be as great if they did not fit in perfectly with what today’s society calls a successful career. What about a career in piracy? At least Somalia thinks that piracy fits the bill with the current definition.
So how else could we define career? Perhaps we could begin by going back to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Of the five levels of need defined by Maslow, today’s definition of a successful career allows a person to satisfy only to a few needs at each level. Physiological - food & housing; Safety – property & resources; Love/Belonging – nothing here; Esteem – respect, achievement; Self actualization – problem solving. If self actualization is the highest level of achievement by an individual, then today’s definition of career falls short of selecting such candidates for a traditional Indian arranged marriage, leave alone corporate leadership. With a distorted definition of being successful, most of us are not even aware of the huge gaps in some of our other basic needs and self development, which after a point promotes irrational behavior like excessive greed, appetite for high risk, extra-marital affairs and divorce etc. No wonder there are cases of lack of ethics, prejudice, scandals and deteriorating family life. Therefore learning from this introspection is to broaden the definition of career in terms of a person’s achievement at each level defined by Maslow. Defined this way a successful career person to me would be someone who has worked hard at satisfying all his physiological, safety, love & esteem needs and is moving towards self actualization.
So What is a Career Anyway?
The mostly ominous news about the global economic crisis these days, has led me to wonder whether our definition of a successful career and the social implications of having one, is at the root of this mayhem. The leaders of the firms which have gone bust recently were in those positions because they had exceptionally successful careers thus far. So why did they fail? I believe the answer lies in understanding the single measure for choosing a corporate leader today – A successful career.
As the world progressed from biblical times to today’s jet age, people became increasingly obsessed with the aspect of their lives which relates to what they do for a living. History has always been written about the winner, the wealthy, the famous and the powerful. Not surprisingly therefore, in modern times, the word “career” relates to how successful one has been in accumulating a combination of fame and wealth via what they do for a living. Rarely do we see “career” being equated to anything other than this. Therefore a successful career person is one who by virtue of his single minded focus on ‘working to get rich or famous or both’, has actually done it.
Until recently, the top career choices for a typical B-School graduate would be Investment Banking & Consulting followed by leadership positions across industries. Why? Having run the rat race myself, upon introspection, I think the answer lies in every graduate trying to build a successful career –a way to make your daily bread which puts you on the fast track to being rich & famous. While the winner’s of this race are most certainly stalwarts of industry today, the so called “losers” continue hone their skills to enter the get-rich-quick highway. I wonder if the craze for these professions would be as great if they did not fit in perfectly with what today’s society calls a successful career. What about a career in piracy? At least Somalia thinks that piracy fits the bill with the current definition.
So how else could we define career? Perhaps we could begin by going back to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Of the five levels of need defined by Maslow, today’s definition of a successful career allows a person to satisfy only to a few needs at each level. Physiological - food & housing; Safety – property & resources; Love/Belonging – nothing here; Esteem – respect, achievement; Self actualization – problem solving. If self actualization is the highest level of achievement by an individual, then today’s definition of career falls short of selecting such candidates for a traditional Indian arranged marriage, leave alone corporate leadership. With a distorted definition of being successful, most of us are not even aware of the huge gaps in some of our other basic needs and self development, which after a point promotes irrational behavior like excessive greed, appetite for high risk, extra-marital affairs and divorce etc. No wonder there are cases of lack of ethics, prejudice, scandals and deteriorating family life. Therefore learning from this introspection is to broaden the definition of career in terms of a person’s achievement at each level defined by Maslow. Defined this way a successful career person to me would be someone who has worked hard at satisfying all his physiological, safety, love & esteem needs and is moving towards self actualization.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Wait Up... Young Man
Ten minutes ago something happened to me. Nothing earth shattering, or path breaking, or mind blowing. All I did was help an destitute old man cross a four lane road. He smiled, thanked me and we shook hands. Thats all.
The whole morning I have been feeling a little under the weather due to a host of reasons, some of which are self-inflicted I think. Anyway, after going through the day's work I realized that I had something to take care of and left my office. All this time I was talking to myself, muttering dark nothings and generally doing not-very-much to cheer myself up. I went to see my second best friend and found some comfort.
The auto I was taking back stopped opposite to my office's gate. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed an old man asking a policeman for some directions. He was wearing the traditional garb that most (non-rich) farmers in this part of the coutntry seem to wear. He seemed to be carrying his belongings in a little sack that was tied to a stick. Within a nano-second I had summarized him to be a poor old man who had given his best years to a heartless plot of land and an ungrateful brood of children.
I began the dangerous and third-worldly task of crossing the road with vehicles coming at me at 60 kilometres an hour. Once again, my peripheral vision informed me that he was calling out to me and seemed to want my attention. I almost choked for I couldn't think of a more inopportune time to ask someone for alms. So I did what most people would do and pretended not to notice while continuously inching my way to the other side of the road.
When I had crossed the first of the four lanes and was standing on the divider, the old man caught up with me. At that point, I admired his perseverance for I thought I had shaken him off. He came up to me with a big grin on his face and I thought to myself, 'ok, lets hear your sales pitch'.
But all he said (in hindi.. surprise surprise) is, 'Young man, can I cross the road with you?'. For a moment I almost said, 'Excuse me! What did you just say?'. He then went on to tell me that, 'These cars are too fast for an old man like me with such poor eyesight. Can I tag along with you?'. To my credit, I quickly recovered from finding out that things weren't going according to my cynical expectations and said, 'Sure'.
Within two minutes we had crossed the road and I was still wondering if he had some sob story or request to make. But all he did was grin again, shake my hand and say, 'Thank you very much. I have never crossed the road so quickly. It normally takes me at least fifteen minutes'.
And with that he was gone. I stood there for a couple of seconds and scratched my head. I could see that the security guards from my office were curious and wondering what had transpired between us. And the look of 'bewildered understanding' that was beginning to show on my face must have reassured them that all was well.
I don't know who that old farmer was or what his life story must have been. But I hope that the fifteen minutes of his that I saved made a difference to his day, because the two minutes I spent with him sure did make a difference to mine.
The whole morning I have been feeling a little under the weather due to a host of reasons, some of which are self-inflicted I think. Anyway, after going through the day's work I realized that I had something to take care of and left my office. All this time I was talking to myself, muttering dark nothings and generally doing not-very-much to cheer myself up. I went to see my second best friend and found some comfort.
The auto I was taking back stopped opposite to my office's gate. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed an old man asking a policeman for some directions. He was wearing the traditional garb that most (non-rich) farmers in this part of the coutntry seem to wear. He seemed to be carrying his belongings in a little sack that was tied to a stick. Within a nano-second I had summarized him to be a poor old man who had given his best years to a heartless plot of land and an ungrateful brood of children.
I began the dangerous and third-worldly task of crossing the road with vehicles coming at me at 60 kilometres an hour. Once again, my peripheral vision informed me that he was calling out to me and seemed to want my attention. I almost choked for I couldn't think of a more inopportune time to ask someone for alms. So I did what most people would do and pretended not to notice while continuously inching my way to the other side of the road.
When I had crossed the first of the four lanes and was standing on the divider, the old man caught up with me. At that point, I admired his perseverance for I thought I had shaken him off. He came up to me with a big grin on his face and I thought to myself, 'ok, lets hear your sales pitch'.
But all he said (in hindi.. surprise surprise) is, 'Young man, can I cross the road with you?'. For a moment I almost said, 'Excuse me! What did you just say?'. He then went on to tell me that, 'These cars are too fast for an old man like me with such poor eyesight. Can I tag along with you?'. To my credit, I quickly recovered from finding out that things weren't going according to my cynical expectations and said, 'Sure'.
Within two minutes we had crossed the road and I was still wondering if he had some sob story or request to make. But all he did was grin again, shake my hand and say, 'Thank you very much. I have never crossed the road so quickly. It normally takes me at least fifteen minutes'.
And with that he was gone. I stood there for a couple of seconds and scratched my head. I could see that the security guards from my office were curious and wondering what had transpired between us. And the look of 'bewildered understanding' that was beginning to show on my face must have reassured them that all was well.
I don't know who that old farmer was or what his life story must have been. But I hope that the fifteen minutes of his that I saved made a difference to his day, because the two minutes I spent with him sure did make a difference to mine.
Friday, July 11, 2008
The Fall and Rise of the Nawab
The other day I was chatting with an old friend who happens to be the girlfriend of an equally old friend. Now in between all the friendly banter and leg pulling, I happened to ask her where that loser (my pal) was. And she said that he has been camping at her place for the last 10 days.
Hmmmm. Now these two love birds are in the US and I guess things are pretty different. I mean no nosy relatives or people dropping in unexpectedly. But 10 days? The bum had been chatting with me and had never mentioned this trip. Which got me suspicious. My suspicions seemed to be confirmed when she mentioned that he was helping out at home, or trying to at least.
Woah!!! Hold those homely horses for a just a minute. My pal... helping out....at 'home'? This was not the baniyaan clad, underarm scratching, methane burping slob I had known in college. His room was even messier than mine, which is saying a lot. I started picturing him wearing an apron and gloves, slaving away in the kitchen. Saying 'Yes darling' every second sentence. And maybe (thank God actually) bathing everyday. My my my. How the smelly have fallen.
I felt sad and relieved at the same time. Sad coz another free spirit had been ensnared by the wiles and guiles of the non-male species. One more soul lost forever. Yet I was relieved cuz a biological disaster had been averted thanks to the baths. But still, I knew I would miss him.
Just when I was about to raise a toast to another fallen comrade, a miracle occured. The lady in question told that the 'helping hand' mask had slipped within 2 days and he was slowly getting back to his normal self. Relief flooded through me. Praise the Lord!! All was not lost. Turns out my friend is more or less the same person I have known, and loved. Hooooo munga.
Our friend still snores his head off till 11 AM, still drops food all over the table, still leaves beer bottles all over the house, still refuses to make his bed. And best of all, has control of the tv remote!! Now we're talking. This was more of a Trojan Horse manouver rather than an abject surrender. Proud of you dude.
So, to end on a happy note I think that if men can live, and thrive, in captivity maybe there is still hope for mankind. :-)
Hmmmm. Now these two love birds are in the US and I guess things are pretty different. I mean no nosy relatives or people dropping in unexpectedly. But 10 days? The bum had been chatting with me and had never mentioned this trip. Which got me suspicious. My suspicions seemed to be confirmed when she mentioned that he was helping out at home, or trying to at least.
Woah!!! Hold those homely horses for a just a minute. My pal... helping out....at 'home'? This was not the baniyaan clad, underarm scratching, methane burping slob I had known in college. His room was even messier than mine, which is saying a lot. I started picturing him wearing an apron and gloves, slaving away in the kitchen. Saying 'Yes darling' every second sentence. And maybe (thank God actually) bathing everyday. My my my. How the smelly have fallen.
I felt sad and relieved at the same time. Sad coz another free spirit had been ensnared by the wiles and guiles of the non-male species. One more soul lost forever. Yet I was relieved cuz a biological disaster had been averted thanks to the baths. But still, I knew I would miss him.
Just when I was about to raise a toast to another fallen comrade, a miracle occured. The lady in question told that the 'helping hand' mask had slipped within 2 days and he was slowly getting back to his normal self. Relief flooded through me. Praise the Lord!! All was not lost. Turns out my friend is more or less the same person I have known, and loved. Hooooo munga.
Our friend still snores his head off till 11 AM, still drops food all over the table, still leaves beer bottles all over the house, still refuses to make his bed. And best of all, has control of the tv remote!! Now we're talking. This was more of a Trojan Horse manouver rather than an abject surrender. Proud of you dude.
So, to end on a happy note I think that if men can live, and thrive, in captivity maybe there is still hope for mankind. :-)
Monday, June 02, 2008
Turn Back Time
While this may sound like a question from the final round of a beauty pagent, take some time and think about it. ‘If you could go back to any point in time, what would you change?’
I think that everyone wishes that one or two things had never happened or had happened differently. While for some it may be historic and world changing, for others it might be extremely personal. I actually know someone who says if he could change things, he would have stopped the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs. Guess he hates mankind and is hell bent on wiping himself out as well. Hmmm, good luck with that.
So continuing down this road, what would your wish be for? Would it be to change your 12th standard marks… or to have said hello to your neighbour’s daughter (who is now happily married and lives in Botswana)… or maybe it would be to have bought a Bajaj Pulsar 180 (DTS-i) instead of the Pulsar 150. So while you ponder about what you would like to have been different in the world or with yourself, here are a few thoughts that might have caused some people to wish that things had turned out differently. Let’s see if you can guess all eight of them.
Vijay – Okay, since I forgot to get my own list let’s go with Rahul’s list.
Rahul – Oops, looks like I brought my book cricket dream team along by mistake.
Ram – Isha used the script as toilet paper by mistake. No issue, we’ll make up the dialogues as we go along.
Jerry – This looks like a nice search engine. Let me use it instead of Alta Vista. What difference would that make?
Bill – If I can sell a product that rhymes with tune, people will buy it no matter how crap it might be.
Neville – Am sure that if I treat this Adolf guy as a gentleman, he will respond as one. After all, the Pygmalion Theory must be true.
Tom – Passion. That’s what I must show. Let me do something spontaneous, something wild. I feel so live, so energized, so jumpy. Wow, what nice furniture she has.
Jen – I trust him. So what if she has a reputation. He won’t do a ‘Ross’ on me.
And as a note to a friend, I know a certain CFA who will say, ‘What did I do! Am such a loser. Just look at how happy she is’.
I think that everyone wishes that one or two things had never happened or had happened differently. While for some it may be historic and world changing, for others it might be extremely personal. I actually know someone who says if he could change things, he would have stopped the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs. Guess he hates mankind and is hell bent on wiping himself out as well. Hmmm, good luck with that.
So continuing down this road, what would your wish be for? Would it be to change your 12th standard marks… or to have said hello to your neighbour’s daughter (who is now happily married and lives in Botswana)… or maybe it would be to have bought a Bajaj Pulsar 180 (DTS-i) instead of the Pulsar 150. So while you ponder about what you would like to have been different in the world or with yourself, here are a few thoughts that might have caused some people to wish that things had turned out differently. Let’s see if you can guess all eight of them.
Vijay – Okay, since I forgot to get my own list let’s go with Rahul’s list.
Rahul – Oops, looks like I brought my book cricket dream team along by mistake.
Ram – Isha used the script as toilet paper by mistake. No issue, we’ll make up the dialogues as we go along.
Jerry – This looks like a nice search engine. Let me use it instead of Alta Vista. What difference would that make?
Bill – If I can sell a product that rhymes with tune, people will buy it no matter how crap it might be.
Neville – Am sure that if I treat this Adolf guy as a gentleman, he will respond as one. After all, the Pygmalion Theory must be true.
Tom – Passion. That’s what I must show. Let me do something spontaneous, something wild. I feel so live, so energized, so jumpy. Wow, what nice furniture she has.
Jen – I trust him. So what if she has a reputation. He won’t do a ‘Ross’ on me.
And as a note to a friend, I know a certain CFA who will say, ‘What did I do! Am such a loser. Just look at how happy she is’.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
The Double Infinity Theory
I was watching a show on Star World last evening where one of the characters asks the other if she’ll ever get another chance (at love) and the other replies, ‘Of course, because nothing in this universe happens only once’ . She went on to talk about how even infinity goes in both directions, and how there is never a perfectly unique incident. And she then told the first character how we always get a second chance at life.
Since it was just a TV show one shouldn’t take it as the gospel truth and think that this principle applies universally. But if you just look at it as a thumb rule it isn’t such a bad idea. How many times have we thought, ‘this is THE guy/girl for me’ or ‘this is my dream job/college’? I know I have at least a couple of times in the girl, job & college categories. When things work out it is great. But even when they don’t, it isn’t the end of the world. The sun always rises the next morning, though you may not see it on account of an alcohol binge and its subsequent hangover.
For example, when you hurt someone it is never too late to say you are sorry. Sure, things may not go back to the way that they used to be. But if you are smart & humble, you will learn your lesson and hopefully not repeat the same mistake. And that is what I mean by a ‘second chance’. You may not get that second chance with the same person/people or organization. But somewhere down the line, you will come to a similar fork in the road and you will have the option to make a different decision this time. Now unless acknowledge that fact that what you did in the past wasn’t the best that you were capable of, it is highly likely that you will make the same choice the next time around as well.
Love, work, friendship, family, society…. wherever you may want to apply this principle. Things have a way of repeating themselves in patterns. In order to break out of a particular patter, you have to be able to recognize it.
So if infinity can work both ways, why can’t human choice? Every day we have an option placed in front of us. We either continue with our daily routines. Eating, sleeping, working, blah blah blah. Or we could consciously decide to do something different. To shake things up and make a difference. To someone or something – it may be a person, an animal or even the neighbourhood. The point I am trying to make is that change for the better is possible.
Sounds a little preachy? Well, maybe it does. But I think I am on to something with my ‘Double Infinity Theory’. So as they say, ‘You have a simple choice. Either get busy living, or get busy dying.’ Cheerio.
Since it was just a TV show one shouldn’t take it as the gospel truth and think that this principle applies universally. But if you just look at it as a thumb rule it isn’t such a bad idea. How many times have we thought, ‘this is THE guy/girl for me’ or ‘this is my dream job/college’? I know I have at least a couple of times in the girl, job & college categories. When things work out it is great. But even when they don’t, it isn’t the end of the world. The sun always rises the next morning, though you may not see it on account of an alcohol binge and its subsequent hangover.
For example, when you hurt someone it is never too late to say you are sorry. Sure, things may not go back to the way that they used to be. But if you are smart & humble, you will learn your lesson and hopefully not repeat the same mistake. And that is what I mean by a ‘second chance’. You may not get that second chance with the same person/people or organization. But somewhere down the line, you will come to a similar fork in the road and you will have the option to make a different decision this time. Now unless acknowledge that fact that what you did in the past wasn’t the best that you were capable of, it is highly likely that you will make the same choice the next time around as well.
Love, work, friendship, family, society…. wherever you may want to apply this principle. Things have a way of repeating themselves in patterns. In order to break out of a particular patter, you have to be able to recognize it.
So if infinity can work both ways, why can’t human choice? Every day we have an option placed in front of us. We either continue with our daily routines. Eating, sleeping, working, blah blah blah. Or we could consciously decide to do something different. To shake things up and make a difference. To someone or something – it may be a person, an animal or even the neighbourhood. The point I am trying to make is that change for the better is possible.
Sounds a little preachy? Well, maybe it does. But I think I am on to something with my ‘Double Infinity Theory’. So as they say, ‘You have a simple choice. Either get busy living, or get busy dying.’ Cheerio.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Status Messages on Gtalk
What does your status on gtalk say? While some of us do try to be inventive an original, it is quite interesting to see what people from the same industry have to say about themselves.
To begin with, folks from the world of media seem to be all over the place. One media marketer claims that ‘A rose by any other name would smell as sweet’. So does he mean that a product sells itself? Tell that to the ad agency fellows buddy. And a journalist says ‘Confusion, confusion, confusion’. I hope this doesn’t reflect in her writing. Imagine what would happen. ‘Harbhajan deserves to be banned for slapping Sreeshanth’. And the next day, ‘No it was just a handshake gone wrong’. Oops. Not good for one’s credibility. So while the journalists are running around with lack of clarity, it turns out that the heads of major newspapers have something to cheer about. So one of them says, ‘Who Hu Hoo’. I guess when one climbs to the top of the mountain, everything becomes clear. In any case, whatever the quality (or lack of it) of the news there is to offer, ‘The show must go on’. Probably why we have breaking news flashes that Amitabh Bachan felt cold on a particular day or Rakhee Sawant didn’t like her boyfriend’s valentine gift. Ho hum.
But what about the world of high finance? Surely those number crunchers must be obsessed with regressions and financial models. Right? No, wrong. All my fin buddies seem to be closet poets. Why else would a venture capitalist say, ’Golden brown texture like sun, Lays me down with my mind she runs’. Maybe he’s talking about his soon to be fiancée. How sweet. Higher up the pecking order, an I-Banker feels that ‘Hazaaron khwahishein aisi, ki’ . Yes.. ? aisi ki? No wonder there is so much ambiguity in the world of finance. Come on guys, back to those spread sheets please. Or maybe it is just a passing phase and as a retail banker says ‘Nothing lasts forever’. Yup, booms-busts-booms. It’s all a cycle.
So while the finance dudes are looking at clouds in the sky, let’s check what their arch enemies - the consultants(at least at B-Schools during placement time) are up to. After preaching so much about the Seven Step Process, one of them talks about ‘an ode to a simple(r) life’. Maybe all those 2 X 2 matrices finally get to you. Hmm. Still, some of them continue to give us deep insights into the world of business. What else does ‘No King can win a war when a huge army charges against him’ mean? The lady in question is probably looking glumly at some militant labour union problem.
Moving on to IT and project management, one project manager asks you to ‘Wait a minute’. He probably just discovered a show stopping bug. Which is why a web designer owns up that ‘I am d culprit’. And did you know that ‘The fact is that as you read the web the web reads you’? Ooh scary, talk about big brother watching you. Business Analysts, are poor souls who go where ‘Angels fear to tread’. And at the same time, web designers seem to be ‘Sending out mixed signals’.
All in all, as an MBA student says these are all just ‘Things that make you go … hmmm’. Cheerio.
P.S. - Probably the funniest status message I saw was from a wealth manager. He quotes John Nelson, “More and more these days I find myself pondering how to reconcile my net income with my gross habits”.
To begin with, folks from the world of media seem to be all over the place. One media marketer claims that ‘A rose by any other name would smell as sweet’. So does he mean that a product sells itself? Tell that to the ad agency fellows buddy. And a journalist says ‘Confusion, confusion, confusion’. I hope this doesn’t reflect in her writing. Imagine what would happen. ‘Harbhajan deserves to be banned for slapping Sreeshanth’. And the next day, ‘No it was just a handshake gone wrong’. Oops. Not good for one’s credibility. So while the journalists are running around with lack of clarity, it turns out that the heads of major newspapers have something to cheer about. So one of them says, ‘Who Hu Hoo’. I guess when one climbs to the top of the mountain, everything becomes clear. In any case, whatever the quality (or lack of it) of the news there is to offer, ‘The show must go on’. Probably why we have breaking news flashes that Amitabh Bachan felt cold on a particular day or Rakhee Sawant didn’t like her boyfriend’s valentine gift. Ho hum.
But what about the world of high finance? Surely those number crunchers must be obsessed with regressions and financial models. Right? No, wrong. All my fin buddies seem to be closet poets. Why else would a venture capitalist say, ’Golden brown texture like sun, Lays me down with my mind she runs’. Maybe he’s talking about his soon to be fiancée. How sweet. Higher up the pecking order, an I-Banker feels that ‘Hazaaron khwahishein aisi, ki’ . Yes.. ? aisi ki? No wonder there is so much ambiguity in the world of finance. Come on guys, back to those spread sheets please. Or maybe it is just a passing phase and as a retail banker says ‘Nothing lasts forever’. Yup, booms-busts-booms. It’s all a cycle.
So while the finance dudes are looking at clouds in the sky, let’s check what their arch enemies - the consultants(at least at B-Schools during placement time) are up to. After preaching so much about the Seven Step Process, one of them talks about ‘an ode to a simple(r) life’. Maybe all those 2 X 2 matrices finally get to you. Hmm. Still, some of them continue to give us deep insights into the world of business. What else does ‘No King can win a war when a huge army charges against him’ mean? The lady in question is probably looking glumly at some militant labour union problem.
Moving on to IT and project management, one project manager asks you to ‘Wait a minute’. He probably just discovered a show stopping bug. Which is why a web designer owns up that ‘I am d culprit’. And did you know that ‘The fact is that as you read the web the web reads you’? Ooh scary, talk about big brother watching you. Business Analysts, are poor souls who go where ‘Angels fear to tread’. And at the same time, web designers seem to be ‘Sending out mixed signals’.
All in all, as an MBA student says these are all just ‘Things that make you go … hmmm’. Cheerio.
P.S. - Probably the funniest status message I saw was from a wealth manager. He quotes John Nelson, “More and more these days I find myself pondering how to reconcile my net income with my gross habits”.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Cause and Effect(s)
'For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction'. So says a certain Sir Isaac Newton. While that might apply in the world of physics, the real world is slightly different. I think that for every action there are multiple interdependent chain reactions. Something like a drop of water on the surface of a calm pond that causes waves to radiate in ever expanding circles. What makes politics, and by extension - life, so complicated is that there is never just one drop of water. Nor is the pond ever truly calm.
Seems almost elementary doesn't it? Drip, splash, crash. Yet it is something that so many people who are paid to air their opinions (and some who do it for free) seem to miss out on. Over the last few months I have been part of many diverse discussions - The IPL, Obama Vs Chelsea's Momma, Indian troops assisting the US in Iraq (God forbid it please!), Dumping carbon into the sea and of course... the 60,000 crore farm loan waiver. All of these discussions have been with smart, educated and well informed people. Some of whom are better orators than me.
What surprises me is the way some people look at an issue in isolation, disregard so many complicating factors, and then make a Nostradamus like prediction. Now I am all for a healthy debate, but I think that any point of view which takes a fixed stand and says, 'It's my way or the highway' is not only short sighted but also dangerously arrogant. I mean discussing something as complicated as how to fight global warming cannot be as simple as arguing over whether Heineken is better than Carlsberg (Heineken certainly is!). Can there be only one correct stand?
I think the Red Indians had a good system where any major decision concerning the tribe would be made only after considering the effect on the next seven generations! Seems like they had a far superior method of forecasting than do the hot shots at Wall Street (sub prime crisis), the think tanks at the Pentagon (Iraq Invasion), the ICL organizers (poor Subhash Chandra) or the political pundits who get every election forecast wrong (India Shining, Mayawati in UP).
So how about we put our hand up and say, 'Look I don't know for sure what is going to happen. But if I were to hazard a guess it would be..... '? It isn't that difficult nor does it show you to be an ignoramus. For when Chairman Mao was asked what he thought the effects of the French Revolution were, he said 'It is too early to tell'.
:-)
Seems almost elementary doesn't it? Drip, splash, crash. Yet it is something that so many people who are paid to air their opinions (and some who do it for free) seem to miss out on. Over the last few months I have been part of many diverse discussions - The IPL, Obama Vs Chelsea's Momma, Indian troops assisting the US in Iraq (God forbid it please!), Dumping carbon into the sea and of course... the 60,000 crore farm loan waiver. All of these discussions have been with smart, educated and well informed people. Some of whom are better orators than me.
What surprises me is the way some people look at an issue in isolation, disregard so many complicating factors, and then make a Nostradamus like prediction. Now I am all for a healthy debate, but I think that any point of view which takes a fixed stand and says, 'It's my way or the highway' is not only short sighted but also dangerously arrogant. I mean discussing something as complicated as how to fight global warming cannot be as simple as arguing over whether Heineken is better than Carlsberg (Heineken certainly is!). Can there be only one correct stand?
I think the Red Indians had a good system where any major decision concerning the tribe would be made only after considering the effect on the next seven generations! Seems like they had a far superior method of forecasting than do the hot shots at Wall Street (sub prime crisis), the think tanks at the Pentagon (Iraq Invasion), the ICL organizers (poor Subhash Chandra) or the political pundits who get every election forecast wrong (India Shining, Mayawati in UP).
So how about we put our hand up and say, 'Look I don't know for sure what is going to happen. But if I were to hazard a guess it would be..... '? It isn't that difficult nor does it show you to be an ignoramus. For when Chairman Mao was asked what he thought the effects of the French Revolution were, he said 'It is too early to tell'.
:-)
Thursday, November 22, 2007
So Long Farewell
Every once in a while, not often mind you, but every now and then there comes a fork in the road. And its time to bid adieu to a friend. I came to this fork-in-the-road a couple of months ago. I knew what route I had to choose for it was very clear. But just because it the initial steps down the right path are different, I procrastinated and retraced my steps. Then a (repeated) series of events would guide me to the same fork-in-the-road and once again I would find myself pondering what to do.
Well finally, something happened that caused me to walk down the correct path. It was an event that I did not control, and frankly niether did I welcome. But in a way I was relieved for I always knew that it would happen sooner or later. So from now on, there will be no looking over my shoulder or wistful thinking. I am who I am. Though I sometimes forget. And who I am is a natural winger'.. to use a football terminology. I value my independence and like to operate on my own.
I like to talk to trusted friends before making any decision. And a very wise and learned man told me that I had made the right choice. That the best way to move on was to move on without looking back. And someone who is good enough to help Nelson Mandela solve his problem should be good enough to advise me. :-)
So long OG. Say hi to Whitney & Johnnie Black. I'll see you 25 years from now.
Well finally, something happened that caused me to walk down the correct path. It was an event that I did not control, and frankly niether did I welcome. But in a way I was relieved for I always knew that it would happen sooner or later. So from now on, there will be no looking over my shoulder or wistful thinking. I am who I am. Though I sometimes forget. And who I am is a natural winger'.. to use a football terminology. I value my independence and like to operate on my own.
I like to talk to trusted friends before making any decision. And a very wise and learned man told me that I had made the right choice. That the best way to move on was to move on without looking back. And someone who is good enough to help Nelson Mandela solve his problem should be good enough to advise me. :-)
So long OG. Say hi to Whitney & Johnnie Black. I'll see you 25 years from now.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
About Turn..
There's this friend of mine. Female. Studious. Sober. Ever since I've known her she has been like this. More inclined to academic pursuits rather than playing sports. She's the kind you would find in the library and not in the swimming pool. All until now. The last couple of months, she's taken to a physical fitness regime with a vengeance. Almost as if she wants to make up for lost time. She's on a strict health food diet, gyms everyday, spends her weekends either trekking, rock climbing or kick boxing. Talk about an image makeover!!
Makes you wonder what causes these (positive) changes in people. I mean, I've been more or less the way I am for a long long time. Lazy, content and happy-go-lucky. And for the life of me, I cant seem to figure out what would make me want to change my unhealthy lifestyle. Yeah yeah, I know I should change the way I live. But being a procrastinator of the highest order, I always find excuses to push things back. Bad back, bad throat, bad ankle. Sure, they are all pretty valid. But come on. Surely they cant account for each and every day. Lol..
I guess its high time I took a leaf from this admirable lady's book and burnt some blubber. Office gym. Here I come.
Makes you wonder what causes these (positive) changes in people. I mean, I've been more or less the way I am for a long long time. Lazy, content and happy-go-lucky. And for the life of me, I cant seem to figure out what would make me want to change my unhealthy lifestyle. Yeah yeah, I know I should change the way I live. But being a procrastinator of the highest order, I always find excuses to push things back. Bad back, bad throat, bad ankle. Sure, they are all pretty valid. But come on. Surely they cant account for each and every day. Lol..
I guess its high time I took a leaf from this admirable lady's book and burnt some blubber. Office gym. Here I come.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Beauty And (Or) Brains
I've always wondered why they ask these beauty pageant participants questions like, 'What moment in Indian history would you want to change' or 'How would you use your time as Ms Universe to help children in the world' or even better, 'Which came first - the chicken or the egg'. How is any of this even remotely relevant? I mean, its a frigging beauty contest not a brainiac one.
Frankly speaking, who gives a rodents posterior about what their opinion is on world hunger!! How many queens actually end up helping 'children in africa' or 'serving the poor like Mother Teresa'. la crap. Thats what it all is. Not one of them hesitates to sign up modeling contracts or enter movies.
So lets just cut the hypocrisy out and select the hottest bimbo with the best plastic surgeon.
If you disagree with me, check out this video. And then let me know if asking questions like 'Why do you think 25% of American children cant point out the US on a world map?'
Frankly speaking, who gives a rodents posterior about what their opinion is on world hunger!! How many queens actually end up helping 'children in africa' or 'serving the poor like Mother Teresa'. la crap. Thats what it all is. Not one of them hesitates to sign up modeling contracts or enter movies.
So lets just cut the hypocrisy out and select the hottest bimbo with the best plastic surgeon.
If you disagree with me, check out this video. And then let me know if asking questions like 'Why do you think 25% of American children cant point out the US on a world map?'
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Desiderata
I received these words of wisdom from a man I respect and admire a lot. Found them really nice. Hope you like them too.
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be
greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career
however humble;
it is a real possession in the
changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you
to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit
to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham,
drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
by Max Ehrmann
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Cool Blog
A friend of mine writes well.. her blog is http://www.obliquerays.blogspot.com/ . Check it out. Rambles a bit. Lol.. But quite witty. Especially the parts about ISB.
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