Caste No Bar

Right from filling out the forms for a birth certificate, education at various levels, domicile, nationality, marriage certificate to the death certificate - we all have been filling the column that asks us to mention our caste. The caste system has been a stronghold of our social system, which defines the various traditions, rituals and lifestyles in our country. This is even nurtured as a key political concern, especially in the rural areas, which attracts vote-banks.

There have been many cases where parts of public staged protests against the reservation policies based on castes in the fields of education and the job market, which was considered positive discrimination. The caste system has always been a 'talking point' for everyone at various points in their personal, professional and social lives.

This is now not limited to only this! Until now we have grown with the fact that the caste system is politicised time and again, but it will now be economically driven as well. Thanks to BSNL that it will soon be banking on this very caste-ism and converting it in to a 'talking point', literally! It plans to launch the special OBC scheme that will 'enable' those belonging to this caste to have a free 'OBC to OBC' talktime, special SIM cards, and other facilities. The rat race among the mobile giants is not new to us. Number of schemes like group chatting, family plans, this plan and that plan have been hammered upon us by posing emotional drama through all possible marketing gimmicks.

And now, BSNL seems to strive and move ahead of all by striking a chord with one of the most sensitive issues' of our country, literally enterprising the 'Caste No Bar' campaign when it comes to making business out of it! We have long enough accepted the need to raise the social and economic status of those belonging to the lower castes, to help them desire and deserve things in life that others have not had to struggle as much as them due to the negative impacts of the caste system that prevailed.

Yet, the case in point here is that, is it judicious or progressive to society that the system itself will now be used as a means for monetary gains? Will this not harm the very people belonging to such castes and hinder their growth graph? Is it not like offering them a handicap in the name of their caste? Won't this give rise to various debates from other castes or religions? Doesn't this smell like the birth of yet another negative discrimination?

For common people like us, 'Caste No Bar' in its literal terms means that we see caste as no bar in anything related to education or job or lifestyle. These are too trivial issues to even think of, for us. But this very 'Caste No Bar' term for politics or business means - caste is no bar to fulfill our selfish desires. For the janta living in the 21st century, such organisations seem to be implanting such schemes and policies as slow poison in society which is so dying to break free from such nonsense!

Or do we have more to come in the name of caste and in the name of business? Does BSNL's 'Connecting India' theme seem to be Dis-connecting India somewhere?


http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/obcs-getcallbsnl/441556/
The link above talks about the OBC scheme.

Show Time

Making a last minute movie plan and watching it with friends has been part of an exciting, entertaining and fun schedules' followed like a ritual at least twice a month on my list. Most often, keeping in mind the daily schedules, a night show was always preferred. In no time, the last shows proved to be convenient and more-so, more fun to ride back home on the quiet and chilly roads.

However, until recently, watching a movie was synonyms to pure entertainment! But lately, management has become the core for making movie plans! And how? In the course of time I have lately bumped in to couple of friends (read 14-15 of us each time) who are movie buffs too, or simply stated - like minded people who love to get together and have fun whichever way (movies, rides, hanging out at the beautiful hills in Pune, dinners or brunches or just chai)

The entertainment quotient in the whole planning, especially for movies, has raised its bar and I end up being 'The Planner' for all of us :) After all, it is quite a task to match up with the timings that will suit all along with the show timings, which should also have reasonable rates and of course, the ticket availability for this huge group with all the available multiplexes in the city! And, sometimes, the vicinity for couple of friends in the group also needs to be taken in to consideration. Hmmm.... Lotta permutations and combinations to be done to accommodate all (yes, we keep changing even our final plans if even one or two of us can't make it).

And, the whole process of informing everyone and getting feedback and replies makes me go mad with frustration at times and a laugh riot at the same time. In the end, we need to make all the ends meet until we make sure that an entire row at the screen belongs to us :) The fun quotient does not depend on how the movie was, but the fact that we could all come together yet again to have a nice time out :)

The latest planning mission that we accomplished was for Cars2 and now, back to the process for Delly Belly :)

De Ghuma Ke

A boy riding his bicycle over a bridge.. suddenly loses balance and falls down..I apply the brakes for a sudden stop.. and there arrived a few men growling without knowing the head or tail of this episode, just because it was a female driver... guess what.. the car did not even touch that boy.. HATE SUCH CHEAP mentality people...

This is a narrative of my sister's experience couple of days ago, in her own words. Such incidences bring to fore, again and again, the male chauvinist attitude that few of them live with and exhibit it too! Alas, such instant reactions from them only depict their choked sense of acceptance towards their female counterparts who no more live under any shadow!

I was in the car at that time and so have seen what happened actually. The boy who was riding the bicycle just at the start of the Neelayam bridge, suddenly raised his ass and started riding faster in the middle of the traffic. He fumbled over the small speed breaker there and fell ON HIS OWN under his bicycle. We were just behind him and had to apply sudden brakes to avoid any further mishap. That is when an asshole appeared and started arguing with us saying, "What are you riding? If you can't drive properly then why do you?".. and all that rubbish... That was it! I was not going to take shit for nothing from anyone, unless it was really a mistake on our part.

I gave him a good piece of my mind and that is wen they all went back to their roadside adda. The boy who had fallen down, ultimately was walking back with his bicycle all alone on the bridge! The point here is, the roadside assholes came barking just because it was a female driver! And they thought that whatever they were swearing in the name of female drivers, would be listened to, expecting some sort of guilty-feeling expressions on our faces!

This is just one incident that I am sharing where the male bashing rushes and surrounds females, epitomising any and every act of theirs as if a god-sent virtue! Every time anything of this sort happens, the feeling of 'De Ghumake' with the help of some really pricking words or even hitting, urges through the mind!

I do not wish to generalise this for the entire 'male breed', but it is just for males who live with this cheap mentality. Those who read this and mind my language, please take note that there is nothing to mind unless you think you belong to such category of men.

And, for all the women reading this - it is okay to accept your mistakes, but it is a sin to keep mum when you are clean! So chill and stay bindaas and happy :)
Have a Happy Women's Day, today and always!

I Can... :-)

Husshh... what a morning! Just as I was sipping my beloved chai :) dad called me out in the parking and said that we need to change the punctured tyre of the car. Usually I enjoy sipping my morning tea while reading the newspaper, but today I gave it up and finished it in a hurry. I thought I was to assist dad by just being there if he needs anything as he changed the tyre.

As I got near the car, dad was just standing there and he handed me the task! I gladly accepted it. Not that I have any experience in changing car tyres, rather it was my first attempt today. But as I got my hands on the tools, I was through with my job quite easily! Right from positioning the jack, to removing the studs and then replacing the punctured tyre with another one...

It wasn't as tedious a task as it normally appears to be. And I was happy that I did it, especially as I had no know-hows of it except for enjoying the drives ;)

And, I always hated to watch it in movies where they show a helpless female protagonist in a similar situation especially in a no-man's-land, not knowing what to do; and that is just when her male counterpart appears from nowhere and does the job as if doing some kind of magic that only his breed can perform!

Well, now this task is added to my 'I can do...' list :)

Marathi Cinema - Dawn Of A New Beginning

A movie buff that I am, cinema has always been one of the major sources’ of entertainment for me, Bollywood being my favourite. Unfortunately, I have to admit that I haven’t seen much Marathi movies and can only name few Marathi actors correctly. I won’t say I have been consciously avoiding films of my own mother tongue, but it is true that they never caught as much interest (barring a few exceptionals).

Pinjra, Maaficha Sakshidar, Chaukat Raja, Mumbaicha Faujdar, and a few otehrs have been classics. While in the recent past, films like Shwaas, Mi Shivaji Raje Bhosale Boltoye, Dombivali Fast, Vihir, Valu, Gabhricha Paaus, Natarang, Jogwa, Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai, Pak Pak Pakaak, Lalbaug Paral, Mee Shindutai Sapkal, Jatra, Haapus, and many more (these are the ones that came to my mind instantly as I was writing this) are not only worth watching, but they have brought about a complete renaissance in the industry! My mistaken point of view towards Marathi films has been completely erased and now I enjoy them like never before, I even prefer watching them on the big screen! Marathi cinema has been as rich and entertaining for that matter, but the new blood in the industry is definitely carrying forward the legacy in a polished manner (of course, under the guidance of their seniors).

Criticizing and complaining about the lack of freshness, new ideas, risks and a realistic theme seems to have become bygones with a completely new approach and talent that Marathi cinema has been blessed with in the past half a decade.

The age-old standard techniques used in our films and cringing about the woeful lack of good films made by directors with potential seems to have fading and paving new ways for those who are ready to challenge or face their critics on the front foot. If you believe in quality films then it might be a good idea to catch a few Marathi films that have released in the last five years and have infused fresh blood in a sagging industry.

So much so, that even Bollywood stars are now appreciating Marathi cinema and its quality. Many Marathi films have tasted the sweet box office success and have even treaded their paths through some of the national and international film festivals. Bollywood movies that were reining in the multiplex success now see Marathi movies standing next to them in the race.

Those who feared the risk of investing in this league of routine Marathi films, now seem to have been more than pleased to be associated with today’s revolutionary phase that the industry is undergoing. Marathi Film Industry, yes! Now looked at with respect and a new avenue to venture in to, Marathi films are now mushrooming with quality, ideas, techniques and talents to make it a full fledged and an organized industry.

It had a glorious past that has strived to showcase the face of Maharashtra, especially relative to a major audience in the rural and outskirt areas and imaginary for those who lead an urbane life. This had created a vacuum that restricted an interest level among an audience that needed a break from the clichéd style and themes. The much needed breakthrough has arrived in the Marathi film industry and it has caught attention of even the non-Marathi audience.

This boom in the industry has proved to be a boon for producers of Marathi cinema who vouch to carry a smile with the success of these movies and overall appreciation. The industry is now flourishing with 100-125 releases per year, yet needs to arrive a decent number of hits that it provides. A complete makeover that this industry is witnessing, it definitely promises to open doors of opportunities for fresh talent in all aspects – be it acting, directing, or even the technical departments.

The Marathi film industry is blessed with the Midas touch of people like Mahesh Manjrekar, Ajay-Atul, Sachin Pilgaonkar, Smita Talwalkar, and the likes. This industry now also boasts of making a style statement with the dressing and make-up that matches standards with its Hindi counterpart. For producers, this industry is like a platter to unleash the undiscovered path and bask in the glory of new heights that it promises to behold. The industry is now graduating in its post-production stages like marketing, promotion, premiers, etc. which were known terms but now are being executed – which if polished, shall work wonders with the money matters in terms of returns.

To watch the kind of approval for the film discussed by those who watch Marathi films on the big screen, is a delight and encouragement for a producer’s hard work! A large number of audiences still need to be attracted to the theatres to start churning the returns on investments and see Marathi films for longer durations on the multiplex screens.

Judging by the changing trend of the last five years, it might not be an exaggeration to say that these small progressive films might just bring back the golden era of the sixties when the likes of V Shantaram and Dadasaheb Phalke changed the face of not just Marathi cinema, but scripted a new chapter of Indian cinema. The recent past in the industry is testimony enough that even small budget films click if they are well planned throughout the pre-production stages. Marathi cinema has proved that with an entry in to the Oscars!

One thing that I like the most about this industry is that it is sans any typical grapevine that its counterpart is engulfed with. It boasts of a much cleaner and friendly atmosphere even among costars (a healthy competition is what can be sensed among them, unlike most of their counterparts) and is far from being westernized, as yet!

Marathi Paaul Padate Pudhe....!!!!

Anil Sonawane to Yashwant Sonawane

Few days back we heard and read of the ruthless murder of Additional DC of Nashik, Yashwant Sonawane. Everyday we get to read various news, stories, profiles in newspapers; that leave us thinking for a while. As I was running through today's newspaper while sipping my morning tea, Manjusha Sonawane's story came in as a shocker!

This was a story of an ordinary woman who earns her bread and butter by working as a domestic help in few families in Pune, but it spoke of her extraordinary (bold and fearless) statement and thoughts. Today she lives hand to mouth because she became a victim of this spineless sarkar one and a half years back. Barely four years in to her married life, Manjusha was living a better life with her husband and in-laws in a small village in Ahmednagar. Her husband, Anil Sonawane, was working as a kotwal at the sand dealers' and was the only bread winner for the family.

He knew of the misconducts going on in this business and also feared threat to his life at some point. After a few days, in July 2009 he died under a tractor carrying sand; which was registered as an accidental death in the police records. However, Sonawane's family and even the villagers believe that he was murdered by the sand mafai. Manjusha lost her husband to some people's selfish gains and cruel acts. This, when she was carrying her second child, soon to be delivered!

She was quoted saying that it came thousands of times to her mind to end her life, but how could a mother leave her children alone in this ruthless world? Her children would be orphaned had she given up on her own life, but she gathered the courage to live on for her children. Lot of efforts have been taken to follow-up her husband's case for justice and compensation for her family, but to no avail.

Manjusha had no option but to leave the village and come to Pune to live with her parents and earn through these means, which wouldn't have been possible in the village. She dreams of educating her children and herself (she has studied until the 9th grade) so that she could earn a decent sum for her children's future.

She reiterates that there is no value for a kotwal's life in the eyes of the government. The poor are orphaned by the inefficient and heartless government. She therefore did not give in to her thoughts of ending her life, looking at her children. Else what difference would remain between the government and me, is what she fearlessly stated! This is definitely a big blow to this sarkar by an ordinary woman, as to what people think about it. She is still waiting and hoping for justice to be done!

127 Hours!

A beautiful movie indeed, as though crafted especially for the adventure lovers, yet for everyone at the same time! The movie quite aptly depicted the craze that an adventure enthusiast lives with, rather for! They worship nature's beauty and keep treading in pursuit of their religion, Adventure!

Aron Ralston's story in this movie is one which every fellow adventure lover will identify with. Though the movie revolved around a single person stuck in a sure death situation for 127 hours, it kept the audience engaged on the edges of their seats as though experiencing themselves in the same situation! It personified the very survival instinct that mankind is all about. As the film progressed, Aron's desperate measures to free himself from the trap amazes us.

An Engineer by profession, an adventure enthusiast at heart! A very well informed guy about the geography and topography, his mind filled with all sorts of preparation plans and escape routes for every planned adventure to be unfolded, power-packs him with the zeal and guts to conquer it.

While he is trapped in there, all that he runs through his mind are his past mistakes that he should have not committed. He is left lonely in there, and that is the time when he becomes closer to his conscience. All this while as I was almost feeling Aron's experience, I was also flowing in to retrospect of the special adventures that I have done in my life. Be it the Everest Base camp, Kedarkanth trek in Uttaranchal, the Enduro3 Adventure race, treks with Wanderers, biking, cycling... everything was just flashing back in front of me.

These adventures not only take you high on the adrenaline rush, they also take you closer to your own self. Every time you are out and one with nature, it brings you closer to yourself. You talk to yourself, you push yourself, you encourage yourself, you be yourself! This is the time when you look back on your good and bad deeds and thoughts. And as you go further ahead, your mind becomes clearer.

As Aron is shown basking in the luxury of soothing his cold feet in the sun for 15minutes, every drop of water becomes precious; it reminded me of similar experiences on the various adventures I had been to, where we ought not take anything for granted.

The most nerve cracking moment shot in the movie was the one when Aron frees himself from the trap and is limping out of it, at the expense of cutting his own arm! And then, he turns back and says, "Thank you"! A bitter-sweet feeling expressed there by a man who lost his arm, yet came out alive from the sure death situation. The best part is, Aron still continued to pursue his love for adventure after that. That is what exactly replicates an adventure lover's poise! A never say never spirit! They never curse any unfortunate event on their path, but they only seek divine pleasure and positivity. That is what drives them again and again back in to nature's lap. Of course, like Aron did, every new venture omits previous mistakes and gains new learnings and experiences.

Mere words won't do any justice to any such experience or journey! One ought do it to feel it! Loved the movie, love the spirit, love adventures! I thank all my fellow mates with whom I have had opportunities to tread through the beauties of nature. Looking forward for more!

Ridiculously Casual

I was watching TV one evening to kill my boredom. While surfing through the channels, I stopped to watch ZOOM to catch up with some Bollywood 'News', so they call it! But there wasn't any interesting grapevine here that could keep me from boredom, yet I stuck to this channel as I was further getting bored of surfing through the remaining!

Not listening to it quite intently though, I was also trying to score some points in the game on my phone. Suddenly one 'news' snapped my attention, not for wanting to know more but because I was startled to hear this utter nonsense! The 'news' was thus: "Hum sab Emraan Hashmi ko ek on-screen serial kisser ke roop me jaante hain...." followed by a 'detailed' history of his lip-locking scenes in his movies so far and his views too, about them. The news furthered then by adding, "Ab Emraan ko promotion mil gayi hai. Apni agli film me wo ab rape bhi karenge...."!!!!!!!


That was it! I was fuming with disgust that is this what the channel had to make news out of? That he will be promoted from only being a kisser to a rapist in his next film??? Whatever his role maybe in his next flick, whatever the story be.... But this channel 'reported' it so damn casually, it kept me wondering that has this disgusting act like 'rape' become so damn casual in today's conversations? To top it, it was a team of girls who reported this, gave a voice-over for and one who hosted this damn episode for the show!

The same day I happened to watch a News Channel where they were showing about a historic decision of the Supreme Court to accept and hear the petition of Aruna Shanbaug's lawyer for Euthanasia / Mercy Killing . This very lady was a rape victim in 1973 at the KEM Hospital in Mumbai, by its staffer. She was even strangled and till date she lies in the hospital bed in vegetative state, declared brain dead! She has to be forcefully fed by the nurses twice a day, she has lost her sight, cannot hear, can't take any decision, has not been visited by any of her relatives' or friends' for the past 36 years!

This is what the heinous act such as this can do to a victim!!!! And ironically, it was a damn casual 'Bollywood News' for this channel.

Democracy Ridiculed!

It was a shocking news to watch sometime back about Additional DC Yashwant Sonawane's brutal murder! The First Additional DC of the Malegaon District in Nashik was burnt alive by the oil mafai while he was on duty.

Something is terribly going wrong with the mindsets and attitude of people, and especially with the law and order situation of not only any state but the entire nation. Cities which were known as the faces of their cultural, economic, traditional heritage and progress; are gradually losing their identity and are now gaining a status for all the wrong reasons. Nashik is now a city popularly known as home for the oil and kerosene mafai of the state!

Yashwant Sonawane, who was on his way for a meeting to some other place, sensed some fishy goings-on at a place somewhere 10kms away from Manmad. He immediately went to check at the spot and saw the oil marketeers involved in adulterating. The magnitude of this racket seems to be so strengthened and their conscience so dead, that they burnt alive this officer!

An officer of such stature, when is on his way to perform his duties, was brutally murdered in broad daylight! And, it is a shame that such an incident should occur just a day before when we are all set to celebrate the biggest day of our democracy - our 61st Republic Day!

Yes Minister, It Is A Cosmetic Surgery!!!

I may not be very well-informed or may not possess the right knowledge of the know-hows of the political affairs, yet as a common citizen of this nation I try to put my common sense to its best possible analysis. And why am I digging my nose in this whole political scenario? Well, all of us should! These 'ministers' (babus) who enjoy their berths in the cabinet, take decisions that directly affect our living.

The great Indian Political Tamasha played yet another innings of fooling the aam aadmi. The much awaited and now, the much debated political reshuffle took place yesterday. Reshuffle, did you and me think is what happened? Well, if you draw parallels between this tamasha and that of scuffling the playing cards, then reshuffle is what took place in every sense of the word. You scuffle the playing cards to play a fair game before distributing them. The point is, the cards that you ultimately play with, remain the same. Similar is the case of this very political reshuffling, where very carefully ministers have been made to agree the change of berths.

Prafull Patel is now burdened with the heavy industries portfolio while his 'wings' are chopped. The best bet here could be that the new face in the aviation ministry can now assure no alleged relationships with airline companies. Sharad Pawar retains agriculture and foord processing industries, while losing consumer affairs and food & public distribution (Mr Pawar wanted lesser responsibilities now, as what he had been urging). During the times of food prices inflation, the Pawar power managed to conveniently nail the crisis that he would have to face, had he still retained the ministries that he no longer holds. He would have face the music of criticism from the janta directly, which now the new face for these ministries will have to face.

Murali Deora, shifted from the petroleum ministry! When oil prices are touching the skies, this minister is 'reshuffled' elsewhere to save him the public brunt. Many more examples can be similarly highlighted, which will repeat this saga. Those who are accused of corruptions, inefficiencies; will still rule the roost under some or the other ministry. Just when the government realised that their powerful ministers will be shacked by public anger, it conveniently replaced them with new faces, who will have been 'trained' to answer any question guilt free - "I am new to this ministry. I do not know or have nothing to do about any allegations you are talking about" (?!)

As my common sense prompts me, these changes (which made me compare them also with the musical chair), have been made either because the government lacks effective leadership, cannot afford to make their ministers unhappy, have to play their cards keeping in mind the forthcoming polls, or whatever their reasons be.

For me, this reshuffling had nothing to do with the aam aadmi's plights or concerns. If there is someone who gained anything, it is the government itself, who has been successful in retaining a mix of confidence and support of its ministers and allies. Government is indeed a master surgeon who could alone bring about such cosmetic changes!!! Thanks to the spineless government that seems to be afraid of making some stern decisions.

The janta is yet again left to mull over the same issues that it has been sentenced to, and it seems that we will continue to be haunted by them. As always, these ministers will have the last laugh. It seems to be like a chameleon that changes its colours as the circumstances demand, of course to its own benefit.

Slap With A Kiss

Traffic in Pune can be looked at with various perspectives. Chaotic, amusing, disgusting, irritating enough that many times gives you a chance to vent out your frustrations. It is quite a sight to keep witnessing varied driving skills that most people have adopted themselves to, which they proudly exhibit even on jammed roads! The occasional war of words in the middle of the roads and a public gathering around as if watching a street play, just add to the spice.

How-much-ever we protest against the traffic scene by means of criticism or otherwise, it is ultimately left up to us to save our own skin between the rush hour madness on roads. I would like to share one of the most entertaining incidents' that such madness had to offer at Karve road recently.

An old person (who we would call ajoba, even if unknown), was riding his scooter on Karve road. A young boy in all his josh and form, zoomed through the road least bothered of how others were disgusted in an attempt to give him way, rather to save themselves a bump. This Ajoba too, had to follow suit.

The young fella had to finally cut his speed and wait at the red light, which had quite annoyed him (so spoke his face). Ajoba caught up with him at the same signal. The conversation that followed at this junction at Karve Road, was a classic example of what is called - 'A slap with a kiss'.

He said to the young boy (a friendly greeting as if he knew the boy), "Kaay Karve?" (Hello Mr. Karve). The boy was amused and replied somewhat irritatingly, "Aho mi Karve nahi. Mi Joshi aahe". (I am not Karve. My name is Joshi). To which, ajoba said, "Mala vatla baapacha rasta aahe mhanun garditun hi gadi palvat hotat. Mhanun Karve mhatla". (I thought you father owns this road so you were speeding your bike even in such traffic. So I greeted you as Mr. Karve).

The young boy's face filled with shame, and he could not utter a word. Rest who witnessed this 'scene' (or 'kissa' as we call it) on the signal had a hearty laugh as they moved ahead at the green light.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Pune traffic can be looked at with various perspectives,
There is no way to remotely understand the drivers' motives;
Those behind the wheel exhibit their skill,
Some barely manage to escape and some zoom out with thrill.

There is not a trace left of traffic sense,
Who cares for rules, at every step they commit an offence;
Traffic lights shine merely like a showpiece,
Disrespect for traffic rules result in breaking them at ease.

Riding is no more just a means to commute,
It now even personifies adventure and attitude;
While we await some strict measures to retain safety on road,
It would be a favour to discipline ourself first, as the best mode.

Innocent Doubt

Christmas holidays have begun for the little ones. My niece, Aarya, came home for a day and filled the day with her drawings, childlike innocence (this, I mention ‘coz this 10 years old likes herself to be called a grown-up), curious questions and talks.

One thing that I do quite often is, conveniently slide some boring tasks to kids by flattering them. “I know you can do this job well. Let me see your skills”, and such statements are enough to ready the kids and get the job done, more-so, a job well done! Quite mean on my part, but it is fun to be involved with kids as they do this ‘job’ for you. It’s a chance to be a kid yourself and join the naughty brigade. You may have some hazy memories of your own childhood, but the child in you is always ready to play its role for sometime. As the kid is doing the ‘job’ you also need to become a commentator and appreciate every task that they perform, be it just moving a paper and placing it where it is supposed to be!

When Aarya had come home the other day, once again I shifted the boring task of arranging the old Marathi and English newspapers as separate stacks. This is a very unexciting and unimportant task for me but, for her, it was a fun task to do. Why? I wondered. There were some papers stacked separately, and those left were to be piled in those lots. But kids as they are, Aarya pulled all the newspapers out from the rack and sat in the middle of the sea-of-papers.

I had already done my part by flattering her for her skills to do any work tidily (this work was no where related for the need to be neat and tidy, but still ;-) ) and quickly (which was my concern, else mom would scold me for the mess and also for little Aarya doing this work – who had come at Aji’s to play). Oh, and i even added that 'Aarya even I cannot do this work as good as you can!' ;-)

I must say, she made this dull task appear to be so much fun! As she was bundling up the Marathi and English papers separately, she would read out some sentences or headlines to me, which gave her a sense of pride. “See, I can read the newspaper now. Even the Marathi sentences!”, she exclaimed, of course expecting a pat on her back :-) She went on to read few lines, see pictures and could even recognize some people in those. This was very exciting for her, and as she separated the papers, it kept unfolding for me as to how such a lame task (according to me) be so much fun? As I had flattered her, she did her 'job' really well – tidily and quickly, and of course better than me :-)

While doing this assigned job, she pointed out a query, which startled me. I had asked her to pile up separate Marathi and English newspapers. She was doing it well, until she came across some supplements of the Marathi paper that had names in English! ‘Property Today’, ‘Classifieds’, ‘Lifestyle’, ‘Uth Tube’, ‘Jobz’, etc. She asked me innocently, “Now where should I place these papers? They have names in English, but all the content is in Marathi! Should I stack these separately as well? These are neither completely English, nor Marathi”. I had a hearty laugh on this, to which even she joined me, but rather puzzled. Her query had me thinking for a while, and I even concluded that wasn’t she right? Her doubt had a point there after all.

I had no logical answer to this, which she kept demanding. I could not provide her Marathi names for the English titles of these supplements. All I could say was, that’s the way it is, these names are catchy and are now popular. She resumed her task as she kept that query aside (maybe she understood that I really couldn’t answer) and kept the fun rolling with her reading and staring at pictures.

While I was posting this, I saw the title of my earlier post ‘Agar Biscuits Nahi Hote Toh Mera Kya Hota…’. Yet again I had a hearty laugh, without bothering myself to reason :-)

A Writer or a 'Type'-Writer

Writing has become my passion ever since I could start making sense of what I read. The thought process that follows after reading something that has an impact on you, is what exactly made me dive in to writing. My words started giving shape to my thought process and writing has thus become one of my identities.

Yet, I wonder at times - I say I am a writer, but I hold no pen or paper. The keyboard on the laptop punches each letter for me and completes my script. Of late, I have realised that I have lost touch with the hand-written skills that formed the very basis of my writing. It seems as though I have always been punching letters on the keyboard.

There are very rare occasions when I need to actually write with the help of a pen, yet it seems a new experience each time. It is difficult to believe that my handwriting looks no more than few letters scribbled on a page. I was once proud to receive the best handwriting award in school, used to be happy to see the 'good' remark made by a teacher for my neat writing in the notebooks.

Alas, the hand-written script has taken a back seat with the convenience that the keyboard offers. The new age writers now hold a laptop/pc/i-pads... Earlier, a pen was the symbol for writing. And now, fingers running through the keyboard symbolises it. Holding a pen after a long time today, punched my mind hard as I could barely write with the speed that I used to, when I was not even introduced to the computer-aided writing!!!

Everything around has become digitised, so has my writing! I used to hold a pen in my hand and words would flow from my mind. Today, words do flow and faster, only that I am a slave to the keyboard now.

Yet, I hope to still write back with a pen in my hand. And, even hope that it turns out to be a neat script.

Agar Biscuits Nahi Hote, Toh Mera Kya Hota...

Agar biscuits nahi hote, toh mera kya hota.... Wohi hota jo wo nahi nahi hote toh hota... :)

For me biscuits are a saviour :) Oh yes, they are! and how... When I am down with any kind of illness, medicines become an integral part to recover asap, back to a normal ill-free life, which we often take for granted.

Well, back to the biscuits. I take pleasure to write this, as biscuits save me hell lotta disgust than the illness itself! Biscuits, medicines...??? I won't ask you to do join the dots and try to find a logical connection here...

Here is what biscuits do to me :)

Illness catches me rarely,
And when it does, it drives me crazy, literally!
More than the sickness and the pain,
It is the medicines that drive me insane!

But what to do, can't stay ill until I fall,
And that's how medicines get a call!
And, that is when biscuits gain high regards from me,
After all they save me from the dreaded medicines, you see!

Medicines and me don't get along quite well,
When I force them through my throat, it feels like hell!
And then, I immediately gulp some water,
To have a quick bite of a biscuit later!

Nothing special about these biscuits otherwise,
But they are a real saviour post a dose of dismal medicines, to be precise!
They help me overcome that miserable taste of a pill,
That's how biscuits play their part for my recovery, and then I can chill!

So that's the connection between the medicines and the biscuits for me,
I have stopped wondering about the logic behind this, but I am happy :)
If it were not biscuits, I could have had a cake or something,
But it is biscuits that fill the khau cha dabba first than anything!

Tabhi toh,
Agar biscuits nahi hote, toh mera kya hota.... Wohi hota jo wo nahi nahi hote toh hota... :)

Innocent Punch

Atharva, another name for Lord Ganesha, one of the most revered by many, holds a special place in everyone's hearts. Atharva, also the name of my seven years old nephew (my didi's son), also holds high regards for the elephant god. So much so, that he advocates his being a strict vegetarian, in the name of the Lord! "My name is Atharva, meaning Lord Ganesha. I will not eat meat or even eggs", is what he reiterates ever since he started getting sense of the world around. And, he has stuck to what he believes in, at this tender age! Although his parents and little-elder sister, all love to slurp and burp over non-vegetarian delicacies.

Once didi took a pastry for both her kids. They ate it with joy and didi brought the same pastry for them yet again the next week. Slip of tongue, especially at the wrong time and in front of the wrong person, is exactly what happened on didi's part that day. While chatting with her daughter Aarya, she said 'ya, this pastry has an egg content'. That was it! Atharva was just around and these words could not escape his ears. He got furious and said, "Why are you telling this so late? I have already eaten this last week! Why did you give it to me?" He did not touch the pastry this time. Didi was left with no words as she did not expect him to react so strongly. She thought it was okay to eat the pastry for him too.

In yet another instance, this kiddo left his mom speechless. He loves pets, but is not allowed to keep them at home. He had spotted a cat in his society and had made place for her in a corner. He is the cat's caretaker, he claims. Once he asked his mom for an old towel or a cloth to keep the cat from cold. She said that there is no such cloth to give. His reply was a shocker! "I knew you would say this. You have no love for animals, you only know how to eat them!"

All In A Day's Work!

Your billable hours for the month are due close of business today. Your top client has been waiting (somewhat impatiently) to see you for over 20 minutes. You had 30 days to complete a project, and your deadline is… say, tomorrow. And you are due home now for your daughter’s birthday celebrations.
Congratulations! You have entered Work Overload, the state of ‘Too Much Work, All the Time’. Anxiety, burnout, irritability, forgetfulness- all part of the clinic scenery - having a stressful day…

Seriously, how did we all get here?
We are all driven to Work Overload by our need to cope daily with clients, deadlines, scheduling conflicts, dozens (or hundreds) of e-mails, the continual interruptions of phone calls and other paging devices, and all the other demands of working.

We are stressed and we are wired! E-mail, cell phones, laptops, PDA’s- they were supposed to liberate us from Work Overload. Instead, mobile office technology has taken us hostage. Thanks to all this cool gear, we are now able to conduct business anytime and anywhere, we can no longer shut the office door. We check e-mail on the weekend or late at night, answer pages at all hours, send faxes from home, and work while we are on vacation- all because we can, and feel we have to.

Tactics to leave Work Overload behind:
The situation may seem out of control, but it is not hopeless. There are number of tactics you can use to blunt the worst impacts of Work Overload.
Don’t over-commit: Gracefully get out from under your most time-consuming and energy-draining clients. Ask yourself whether the work you are doing for the client is profitable, or more stressful than profitable. It is difficult to say ‘No’ to a client in today’s economic circumstances. But, just by relieving all the stress you are under, from one difficult client, you make yourself open and available to more of your ideal clients. And, have you noticed you are more productive and efficient when you are working with your ideal clients? Increased productivity equals increased billable hours used efficiently.

Learn to under-promise and over-deliver:
Give yourself a reserve of time. Make sure the client always feels he or she got more than expected. For example, if you can prepare the contract by Wednesday noon, tell your client you will have it done by Friday afternoon. Deliver it on Wednesday and you will be a hero! If you find that you cannot meet a deadline or deliver on time, let the client know about it immediately. Explain when you can complete the project, then get it done on time. Most people will not mind because you were honest.

Calendar everything:
When it is on the calendar, you do not always have to decide what to do next. Use your calendar to schedule appointments, deadlines (promised as well as statutory), time to actually do the work, and personal commitments. This will let you see at a glance when your workflow is headed for trouble, and allow you time to make adjustments.

Automate:
Technology allows us to zip through many repetitious (and boring) office tasks. Automate as many of these tasks as possible. Start with standardized documents. Get in to ‘type it once’ mode for any standard letters, forms or notices. Use an advanced document automation system to produce or modify documents, and watch your paper workload shrink.

Tackle clusters of similar tasks each day:
Switching continually from one task to another and back makes your workload seem greater, and breeds inefficiency and stress. We all know how it is too easy to stop what you are doing to read a new e-mail. Try this: three times a day, do nothing but answer your e-mails (rather than answering them intermittently all day). If your internet connection is always on and the computer dings whenever you have a new e-mail, turn the ‘instant notification’ off. Similarly, nothing breaks concentration like having a client call about a matter unrelated to what you are working on. Set up ‘telephone free’ time. Mark off on your daily schedule the times when you accept phone calls and when you don’t. if you need to, give your administrative assistant a list of ideal clients to put through. Educate your clients on when you usually accept or return calls. They will usually call during those hours. Streamlining your workflow increases productivity with less stress and work anxiety.

Take a load off at least once a day:
Go to lunch. Take a short walk. Try to take a break during which you are not involved with clients, partners, or any work at all. If you cannot leave the building for even half hour, train yourself to step away from your desk now and then. If you need to discuss an issue with co-workers, think about having the meeting around a conference room table instead of through e-mail. Make sure your day includes some calls to friends, family, anyone outside of work who will not stress you out.

Reserve ‘sacred time’ to plan, everyday:
This means no interruptions for 20-30 minutes, so you can review your progress, prioritise work and set your schedule. It will clear your mind and your schedule.

Institute a ‘closed door’ policy:
Remember, the door swings both ways. Nothing stops unnecessary conversations like a closed door. Educate your partners on your work habits. They won’t be offended if they understand when you need to be left alone.

Turn these tactics in to daily work habits and wave Work Overload good goodbye :-) You will find you can still excel at your job and maintain a healthy professional livelihood.

Adarsh Commonwealth!!!

Our politicians make hay in their power game,
They seem to be believing in it without shame,
After all it is all about money honey,
While the common man strives hard to earn each penny!

Ministers have made it a legacy,
Scams and scandals seem to fit their policy,
Issues start surfacing and ultimately gain limelight,
What follows is the 'Winds of change' - a fake political sight!

Maharashtra is defamed as an FSI state,
Ministers have well adopted the land mafia trait,
Merely changing people for positions won't change its fate,
Good governance is what we await!

'Commonwealth' - some live up to the name,
And gulp it without a trace of shame,
Finally they have to succumb for they have been caught,
Else would still enjoy their positions - if not!

Politics is a gamble,
Where even the highest mantri may fumble,
If the party high command wants to shuffle,
No one can say a word, but to hobble!

Each minister then starts eyeing for a meaty position,
And the party has to brace itself to choose and handle the situation,
These changes are ultimately adjustments,
In the name of fine-tuning and corrections!

Yet they need to satisfy a minister's desire,
Else there is a risk of the party being on fire,
No where do they seem concerned for the common man's financial health,
Soon they will come up with more such mess, like the 'Adarsh Commenwealth'!

Getting Over It....

Difficult times tear you apart,

Yet these serve a new start...

Just when you think you are sinking,

They promise you a new beginning...

Everything seems to be losing like sand,

That you dearly wish to hold tightly in your hand...

Whatever happens, happens,

We need to move on with these life lessons...

Time has the power to heal,

For the rough phase to seal...

For if we don't face difficulties,

How can we gather strength to overcome realities?

Neither a good time nor a bad one is permanent,

Dare to stand strong against all odds you think are adamant...

Difficult times shatter us, no doubt,

But learn to soon bid them a goodbye with a pout...

Haadse hote hain, bikhrakar jaate hain...
Har pal chubhta hai, mann sochta reh jaata hai...

Mann ghabrata hai, fir wohi pagla samjhata hai...
Mushkil waqt aate hain, yahi himmat badhate hain...

Raah dhoondli ho jati hai, andhere me roshni dhoondne ki chahat uthati hai...
Nayi manzil fir dastak deti hai, kuch khokar kuch paana - zindagi sikhlati hai...

Raat jab bahot kali ho, toh samjho subha hone ko hai...
Fir naya din laaye nayi roshni, mann nayi udaan lene ko hai...

Being By Yourself

Its been two months already! Two months of parents staying away, two months of cooking everyday, two months of waking up at the doorbell by the milkman, two months of keeping the house clean, two months of doing office errands, two months of attending people at home and office, two months of understanding how it all works, two months of playing host to friends, two months of being the elder at the house... two months of being by yourself!!!

Yes, it has been over two months now that aai-papa have flown to the US at sister's. Days jsut flew when we were backpacking for them back home. It was a great feeling that they would be going there after five long years of my sister being married and flown there with just a short visit here three years back. It is already two months now that aai-papa have gone there, their long stay that sis so deserves....

My little sis and me were kind of happy and felt responsible that our parents have left with nothing to fear back home, that all will be well and fine and as it was when they had left. We were even to savour a long freedom-vacation at home without parents being around. Not that they are very strict or demanding or rigid, yet their absence was going to make hell lotta difference. And, it made too!

With all the fun planned, came in great responsibility as well. And now we bet, no one ever can take their parents place though you are temporarily wearing their shoe. Its a whole new world out there. But it is fun... Fun to carry on things responsibly and also keep yourself pampered at the same time.

Initially, it was like a puzzle to even get closer in to the daily chores that aai does. It was a bit okay with doing the office errands, as I was used to doing those. I started losing patience on the himely tasks that punched me in the face to start with, but knew very well that I needed to pull up my socks to find myself in a better position. I was bad at handling the home affairs and office works together, coz i have always gotten myself pampered to go my own way. It was a test for me, and now I can say it with pride that little sis and me are fairing well :-)

Each passing day is a big lesson... Trust me, it is always much more fun to have your people around than be by yourself.

Until my parents are back, I shall be back to being by myself again.....