How to lose weight.. Nuskha (idea) # 424
Get a horrible cold, with watering eyes and flowing nose and a strong series of sneezes.
You will end up running to the wash basin 40 times in 4 hours and the farther the wash basin, the more calories you burn and hence the more weight you lose.
PS: If you can add bloody red eyes and a swollen red nose (not too tough) to the above scenario, you will appear mentally deranged and dangerous enough for you to not wait in the queue for the wash basin.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Friday, December 22, 2006
Horror in Hong Kong
The title almost sounds like one of the titles of the Felu-da stories by Satyajit Ray - the first volume of which i finished a couple of days ago. However, unlike Felu-da, there is no mystery here. Just a sordid tale of incompetent service providers.
Most of you know that I had taken a short vacation (or shall i say had hoped to take one!!) beginning of December. Had gone to Pangkor in Malaysia, followed by Hong Kong and Macau. What i am going to write about is the return from Macau to India which was one my worst ever travelling experiences.
It all started when we (Mahesh - my colleague, myself and our respective pregnant wives) decided to take the ferry from Macau directly to Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok Airport. Usually we would have taken a ferry to Hong Kong island and then taken the train to the airport. This time we said - "No point in dragging the luggage and the ladies to the main island and then to the airport. Might as well go straight to the airport by the direct ferry."
Little did we know how much we would rue this decision of ours.
When we reached the airport, we realised there were dedicated check-in counters at the ferry terminal there. It was not a full-service check-in section, but one where the major airlines, like Qantas, were doubling up as service providers to the other airlines as well. One could not get into the airport without checking-in for your flight from here. Unlike most international airport terminals (including the main terminals at HKIA), this was a very very bare terimnal. It had no facilities for drinking water, no place to get any sort of food. Fortunately, it had loos and even some chairs (albeit plastic chairs!!).
Anyways, all this would have been irrelevant and inconsequential, if not for our sordid tales of agony and misery.
We went to the counter to check ourselves in, all the way to India via Kuala Lumpur, and stood in the Qantas queue (as they were the check-in agents for Malaysian). The ladies, in their excitement (after all we had discussed that we would check out the shops at the airport and do some shopping), decided to stand in the security queue, even as we were trying to check ourselves in. Their glee was shortlived as we soon realised that there was a problem with our tickets. We were travelling Malaysian Airlines throughout and the lady said she couldn't give us a through check-in.
Reason - We did not have a reservation on Malaysian Airlines for the KL - Mum sector.
On further querying, we discovered that the Kl - Mum flight was a code share flight between Malaysian and Air India. And while the rest of our tickets were booked on Malaysian, this sector was booked on Air India. And since this was an extension terminal and the Qantas check-in counter was not able to see our bookings on the Malaysian system. Hence no through check-in.
You might wonder what the big deal in this was. We could always go to KL and then get the check-in for the next sector. Problems -
- there was only a 1 hour transit time between the two flights;
- to check in for the next flight there meant we had to go through immigration and then check-in;
- we did not have Malaysian visas to go through immigration and to get visa on arrival would mean atleast 1 hour of standing in the queue.
Add to this issues such as collecting and checking-in baggage again. It would have been bad and impossible enough even in normal circumstances. Given that we had two pregnant and tired ladies in tow, it was IMPOSSIBLE.
The only thing that went in our favour was that we had some 4 hours before the flight and we were carrying some fruits and water with us.
So we spent the next 3 hours on the phone on international roaming with our completely imcompetent and imbecile of a travel agent and an equally stupid and unhelpful Malaysian Airlines staff in Mumbai. They kept telling us that we had confirmed tickets and there was no problem, and everytime the check-in staff kept telling us that they could not see our reservation.
The check-in staff gave us instructions on what the agency/airline ("imbeciles") should do and we conveyed the same promptly to the parties concerned. The imbeciles kept telling us that they had put the instructions saying that we had confirmed tickets from KL - Mum on Malaysian Airlines, and the check-in staff kept telling us they could see no instruction. The imbeciles told us Air India had confirmed the tickets, but the staff here could stillnot see the same.
In the meanwhile, the Qantas staff faxed out ticket copies to the airline office in KL to see if they could sort out the matter, spoke multiple times to the airline staff at HK and so on. They understood our situation and were sympathetic to the fact that we had two pregnant ladies (to which they promptly got us to fill imdemnity forms), but were not able to do much given the situation.
Finally after a lot of effort, we were told that the instructions had come through. As we submitted our tickets again for the boarding passes, we found out that only Surabhi and my tickets had come through. Mahesh and Ramya were still waitlisted on the KL-Mum sector.
Another round of calls and finally some hard talk followed with the imbeciles. By this time the airline staff in Mumbai had stopped picking up our phones, and the airline manager even had the audacity to tell us that he was out of the office and we should contact the office as he could do nothing.
The agency staff kept assuring Mahesh that he should board the flight to KL and they would make sure the issue was sorted out by the time we landed there. Their dilemma was the same as I mentioned above on taking the flight to KL without having the through check-in.
Mahesh contemplated not taking the flight at all and going to the city and spending the night there while they got another reservation. However, when we found out that we could not enter Hong Kong from this terminal (and would have to go back to China or Macau and from there go to HK), the decision was made.
The agent once again assured us that Mahesh and Ramya would get their onward boarding passes at KL and that they should board the flight. So we checked-in all the luggage in Surabhi and my name (as their luggage would not have been through checked-in otherwise)and ran to get the flight.
The ladies had so far been sitting on plastic chairs for a good 3 hours withiut proper food and with a lot of stress. They were tired and hungry and pained out of their wits.
As we got into the airport, we asked them to go to the boarding gate while Mahesh and I ran to get some food for them. The only highlight of the day was the desi bhindi rice that I got in a multi-cuisine restaurent, which turned out to be better than what we have ever seen at most places in India as well.
To add to insult to injury, our HK-KL flight was delayed by 30 mins, further adding to Mahesh's tensions since now the transit time would be even further reduced. Even at the boarding gate we tried a lot to see if the problem could be sorted out before we boarded the flight, but despite all the helpfulness of the staff, it was to no avail.
The only benefit of the flight delay was the fact that the ladies could eat all the food we had got for them, comfortably and peacefully.
We had mentally prepared ourselves that Mahesh and Ramya would have to spend the night in the transit hotel at KL and would only be able to take the next flight thereafter to India.
If all the pain and torture was not enough, on the HK - KL flight we found out that our Veg food order was not recorded with them and hence they did not have veg food for us. I was so pissed mad that it is not funny at all.
Anyways, the aircraft happened to have some ready-to-eat Indian veg food (I wonder how as this was a HK-KL flight and had no India connection except idiots like us travelling by it) and somehow we ate some parts of it and survived the flight. The bhindi-rice and the other food we had earlier turned out to be a real saviour.
On the flight we kept discussing the various options on reaching KL airport. As soon as we landed, Mahesh ran to the front of the aircraft to get out quickly and get the extra two mins to sort out the mess.
Anyways, the suspense ended at KL when as soon as we got out of the aircraft, Mahesh asked the ground-staff for directions to the transit counters and by the way discovered that he was holding their boarding passes.
Our KL-Mum flight again got delayed because some blessed Indian film stars decided to display their stardom and hence boarded the flight in their own sweet time. Just in case you are curious about who these are - Sunil Shetty, Riya Sen and some other jokers. I don't think we even noticed the fact that the food on this flight was HORRIBLE as we were so firmly focused on getting our feet back on Indian soil and getting back home.
Finally we reached Mumbai airport at some 10:30 - 11:00 pm and breathed a sigh of relief.
What an ending to what a trip (that's another story for another day!!)
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
It does not rain...
... it pours!!!
Since the time Surabhi and I found out that we were going to have a baby, we have heard of so so many of our peers and associates who are going through the same phase in life.. Including my boss and my colleague.. such that the three of the four of us on our team, are going to have our wives delivering within a span of 6 weeks!!
Then there are the SRCC people.. notably Amit/Smita.. Its a little difficult to imagine Smita as a mother... Even today i can think of only as a kid herself.. I am sure though, others also might have similar thoughts about Surabhi and me.
Then there are friends like Rishi who's wife Manisha is delivering a couple of weeks ahead of Surabhi.. Chetan's wife has delivered a couple of months ago..
As if this was not enough, just heard today that two of my friends from IIMA are on the same path.. One has become a dad a couple of days ago.. and the other is two months behind us.. his wife also being an IIMA batchie of mine...
It certainly does not rain.. it pours!!
Since the time Surabhi and I found out that we were going to have a baby, we have heard of so so many of our peers and associates who are going through the same phase in life.. Including my boss and my colleague.. such that the three of the four of us on our team, are going to have our wives delivering within a span of 6 weeks!!
Then there are the SRCC people.. notably Amit/Smita.. Its a little difficult to imagine Smita as a mother... Even today i can think of only as a kid herself.. I am sure though, others also might have similar thoughts about Surabhi and me.
Then there are friends like Rishi who's wife Manisha is delivering a couple of weeks ahead of Surabhi.. Chetan's wife has delivered a couple of months ago..
As if this was not enough, just heard today that two of my friends from IIMA are on the same path.. One has become a dad a couple of days ago.. and the other is two months behind us.. his wife also being an IIMA batchie of mine...
It certainly does not rain.. it pours!!
Monday, December 18, 2006
All risk.. little reward
In general, I have quite enjoyed my Private Equity job. It has a lot of elements which i find quite interesting and am keen to learn and master. There is one element, however, which is the most difficult and frustrating part of this whole job.
"There's plenty of slip between the cup and the lip," is the proverb that sums it up best. One can slog one's butt off working on a transaction and sort through all the difficult issues - getting the better of the seller's greed (including telling him that you wont pay for his underwear just becuase he has to stay overnight to conclude the discussions; telling your investment committee why this is the perfect deal in post-1991 India and why it will not blow up in your face the day after you remit the money; screaming away at the lawyers for not getting the documents out on time or screwing them up; arguing with the diligence teams when they try to fight issues when there are none (after all this is the perfect deal!!); and last but not the least, fighting your own demons as you are going to deploy $20-30 mn of your investors' money on your own judgment (and how flawed that is, no one knows better than you!!).
And just when you have done all this and are ready to celebrate the completion of yet another deal (and these occasions are hard to come by indeed..), someone catches a cold somewhere. That one sneeze queers the whole pitch. Suddenly, all the existential doubts start emerging and you find questions like - Why am I here? What is my mission on earth? What do you want? Why should I give this to you? I do not like his face? - and so on.
Such is the situation I am in right now. Its Christmas and New Year's eve. I could be sitting at home and enjoying the yule-tide (with deal not closed), or burning the midnight oil and accomplishing a hard fought, yet well earned victory.
Its a difficult choice.
"There's plenty of slip between the cup and the lip," is the proverb that sums it up best. One can slog one's butt off working on a transaction and sort through all the difficult issues - getting the better of the seller's greed (including telling him that you wont pay for his underwear just becuase he has to stay overnight to conclude the discussions; telling your investment committee why this is the perfect deal in post-1991 India and why it will not blow up in your face the day after you remit the money; screaming away at the lawyers for not getting the documents out on time or screwing them up; arguing with the diligence teams when they try to fight issues when there are none (after all this is the perfect deal!!); and last but not the least, fighting your own demons as you are going to deploy $20-30 mn of your investors' money on your own judgment (and how flawed that is, no one knows better than you!!).
And just when you have done all this and are ready to celebrate the completion of yet another deal (and these occasions are hard to come by indeed..), someone catches a cold somewhere. That one sneeze queers the whole pitch. Suddenly, all the existential doubts start emerging and you find questions like - Why am I here? What is my mission on earth? What do you want? Why should I give this to you? I do not like his face? - and so on.
Such is the situation I am in right now. Its Christmas and New Year's eve. I could be sitting at home and enjoying the yule-tide (with deal not closed), or burning the midnight oil and accomplishing a hard fought, yet well earned victory.
Its a difficult choice.
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Entering the new phase
I have been rather busy the last couple of weeks with lots of work and travel and a bit of family too. I have had multiple thoughts in my mind that I have been wanting to share with the good souls who do make it a point to check out this page once in a while. However, just have not been able to. Apologies for that.
My college group is going through yet another revolution in their lives – one that will permanently change each of our lives. Just a quick reflection on the earlier revolutions that we have gone through (and mind you, I am not promising something that will make you sit up and take note as I am sure each of you have gone through or will go through this phase sometime in life).
The first big change post our college (SRCC) life was clearly the initiation of each of us into the corporate world, a world of ambitions, effort, money and power. Yet, the revolution for us was not so much in these things as for the first time having the ability to spend without thinking ten times over about each Rs 100 we spend.
The second big change was when each of us started to get married. For the first time we had to start thinking of another person as an integral part of anything one did. Not only did it impact the individual, it also impacted the group dynamics. We had to put up with people like Amit for the sake of our dear friend Smita (haha.. sorry Smita.. could not resist the opportunity) and lo and behold, over time we actually managed to do so with a reasonable bit of finesse and elan. The group dynamic changed from individuals to couples each of whom often wanted to do different things at different times. As a group, I think, we managed to get past this stage also reasonably well.
Just as we thought we were stablising after the seond revolution, we are now being faced with the third revolution. The age of the babies. Two among the group are already on their way, and no soothsaying this, but I am sure the others will also follow suit over the next 1-3 years or so. Life will be about having separate families within the group who need to be able to co-exist and be comfortable with each other. Places we can go for holidays will get impacted by kids, things we can do when together will be determined by kids, time we will get to be together will be determined by the same.
As all of us move forward and embrace this new change, I wish us all the best and look forward to more of the next generation!!!
My college group is going through yet another revolution in their lives – one that will permanently change each of our lives. Just a quick reflection on the earlier revolutions that we have gone through (and mind you, I am not promising something that will make you sit up and take note as I am sure each of you have gone through or will go through this phase sometime in life).
The first big change post our college (SRCC) life was clearly the initiation of each of us into the corporate world, a world of ambitions, effort, money and power. Yet, the revolution for us was not so much in these things as for the first time having the ability to spend without thinking ten times over about each Rs 100 we spend.
The second big change was when each of us started to get married. For the first time we had to start thinking of another person as an integral part of anything one did. Not only did it impact the individual, it also impacted the group dynamics. We had to put up with people like Amit for the sake of our dear friend Smita (haha.. sorry Smita.. could not resist the opportunity) and lo and behold, over time we actually managed to do so with a reasonable bit of finesse and elan. The group dynamic changed from individuals to couples each of whom often wanted to do different things at different times. As a group, I think, we managed to get past this stage also reasonably well.
Just as we thought we were stablising after the seond revolution, we are now being faced with the third revolution. The age of the babies. Two among the group are already on their way, and no soothsaying this, but I am sure the others will also follow suit over the next 1-3 years or so. Life will be about having separate families within the group who need to be able to co-exist and be comfortable with each other. Places we can go for holidays will get impacted by kids, things we can do when together will be determined by kids, time we will get to be together will be determined by the same.
As all of us move forward and embrace this new change, I wish us all the best and look forward to more of the next generation!!!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
My thoughts.. Not my own words..
Some very beautiful lines from Vikram Seth…
"Across these miles I wish you well
May nothing haunt your heart but sleep
May you not know what I dont tell
May you not dream or doubt or weep
May what my pen this peaceless day
Write, not reach your view
Till its deferred print lets you say
It speaks to someone else than you...."
"Across these miles I wish you well
May nothing haunt your heart but sleep
May you not know what I dont tell
May you not dream or doubt or weep
May what my pen this peaceless day
Write, not reach your view
Till its deferred print lets you say
It speaks to someone else than you...."
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Jet set and go...
Flew in to London this time by Jet Airways. Had heard good stuff about their international service and must say that I was not disappointed!!
- Business class seats are full flat beds, of 6 feet length as compared to BA which has full flat, though not a single continuous seat and only 5 feet long or Lufthansa which has only 150 degree seats!!!
- There is a back massager built into the seats.. awesome!!!
- If you stay up for a bit after take-off, the cabin crew comes around and makes up your bed.. even more comfy that it is otherwise.
- Food is far far better than any other international airline I have seen (though this is definitely with a bias for the desi tongue!)
- Inflight entertainment.. Second only to Singapore Airlines.. what with some 15 Hindi movies and some 10 Bollywood movies. Not to mention a number of shorter shows and games and all.
- Very good goodie-bag.. Surabhi hates it when I get one of these home, but I guess this time I will live with her wrath.
- And last but not the least.. good looking, friendly and helpful women as cabin crew
Jet Airways has suddenly become my preferred airline for all international locations that they fly to as well. Only thing I am now looking to is for Kingfisher to launch its international service.
Gotta go now as the Jet Airways flight back to India beckons me...
Sunday, November 5, 2006
The 17th week
The baby weighs about 5 ounces now and he's around 5 inches long — about the size of a large onion. The umbilical cord, his lifeline to the placenta, is growing stronger and thicker. The baby can move his joints, and his skeleton — until now, rubbery cartilage — is starting to harden into bone. Some of it will remain cartilage for years after he's born. A newborn's skeleton has 300 parts (a combination of bone and cartilage). As the child grows, some of these parts harden and fuse together. By the time the baby reaches adulthood, he'll have just 206 bones.
Mr. Kallingal
I was just reading an extract from a Peter Drucker book/interview where he describes the seven experiences which have shaped him as a human being over the years. It made me remember some of such events which have had significant impact on my life as well.
One such event/person is Mr. Kallingal. He was my English teacher between Classes 8 - 10 and I used to go to him for tuitions even in 11th and 12th.
He is a rather quirky, though very principled person. He would not hesitate in taking up a battle where he felt his principles were being compromised. He was also a person who would not be content with status quo. He would always push his students to do better than before. The other thing about Mr. Kallingal was the fact that he would fiercely protect his students from any external threat, even if he might just turn around and thrash them separately for their mis-deeds.
One incident that is always prominent in my mind, I shall narrate.
It dates back to Class 10 first term exams. That year the report cards for our section had been stolen from the Principal's desk (yes.. stolen!!!). Anyways, since the Class teacher had the marks, there was no hiccup in the parent-teacher meeting. I think this was one of those occasions when Mummy and Papa had both come for the PT meeting. Considering that through the years my parents had never heard anything adverse about my performance or behaviour in school, what was to follow was even more mind-numbing to me.
Mr. Kallingal was our Class teacher. When my turn came, my parents and I trooped over to the teacher's desk and waited for him to comment on my performance. I had topped the class by a margin, and guess was expecting the usual accolades - " Nikhil is a very good student, very intelligent, hard-working and disciplined."
What i got instead was - "I am not at all happy with Nikhil's performance."
"He is getting complacent and is certainly not performing to his potential. I think he is taking things too easy."
My parents were shocked to say the least. As for me, I didn't know where to look. The eyes of the entire class and their parents were as if burning into my back. They had also not heard anyone give a dressing down to Nikhil Mohta.
Mr. Kallingal continued, maybe he saw the incredulous look on my face - "I am not saying that you have not done well. What i am saying is that you can do much better. Hence, I am not happy with your performance."
On the way home, I heard my parents repeat the same thing. Mind you, they were quite strict when it came to studies and discipline. My own thoughts were a mix of - "What does he think of himself?" to "How could he?"
I determined to show him what i could do!!!
Much later, as i often sat back and reflected on the events of that day, i realised how Mr. Kallingal pushed me towards giving my best to every situation in life - academic, personal, professional. I think this is one trait for which i give him full credit.
Thank you Sir.
One such event/person is Mr. Kallingal. He was my English teacher between Classes 8 - 10 and I used to go to him for tuitions even in 11th and 12th.
He is a rather quirky, though very principled person. He would not hesitate in taking up a battle where he felt his principles were being compromised. He was also a person who would not be content with status quo. He would always push his students to do better than before. The other thing about Mr. Kallingal was the fact that he would fiercely protect his students from any external threat, even if he might just turn around and thrash them separately for their mis-deeds.
One incident that is always prominent in my mind, I shall narrate.
It dates back to Class 10 first term exams. That year the report cards for our section had been stolen from the Principal's desk (yes.. stolen!!!). Anyways, since the Class teacher had the marks, there was no hiccup in the parent-teacher meeting. I think this was one of those occasions when Mummy and Papa had both come for the PT meeting. Considering that through the years my parents had never heard anything adverse about my performance or behaviour in school, what was to follow was even more mind-numbing to me.
Mr. Kallingal was our Class teacher. When my turn came, my parents and I trooped over to the teacher's desk and waited for him to comment on my performance. I had topped the class by a margin, and guess was expecting the usual accolades - " Nikhil is a very good student, very intelligent, hard-working and disciplined."
What i got instead was - "I am not at all happy with Nikhil's performance."
"He is getting complacent and is certainly not performing to his potential. I think he is taking things too easy."
My parents were shocked to say the least. As for me, I didn't know where to look. The eyes of the entire class and their parents were as if burning into my back. They had also not heard anyone give a dressing down to Nikhil Mohta.
Mr. Kallingal continued, maybe he saw the incredulous look on my face - "I am not saying that you have not done well. What i am saying is that you can do much better. Hence, I am not happy with your performance."
On the way home, I heard my parents repeat the same thing. Mind you, they were quite strict when it came to studies and discipline. My own thoughts were a mix of - "What does he think of himself?" to "How could he?"
I determined to show him what i could do!!!
Much later, as i often sat back and reflected on the events of that day, i realised how Mr. Kallingal pushed me towards giving my best to every situation in life - academic, personal, professional. I think this is one trait for which i give him full credit.
Thank you Sir.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
The 16th week
This is from one of those websites for expecting parents.. nice read!!!
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At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, your baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. Your baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of her more advanced body systems are working, including her circulatory system and urinary tract. The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails. Her finger - and toenails will continue to grow throughout pregnancy, so don't be surprised if she needs them trimmed soon after birth.
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At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, your baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. Your baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of her more advanced body systems are working, including her circulatory system and urinary tract. The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails. Her finger - and toenails will continue to grow throughout pregnancy, so don't be surprised if she needs them trimmed soon after birth.
Dhak dhak...
dhak dhak... dhak dhak... dhak dhak...
In case you are wondering whether I am trying to do a Madhuri Dixit item number here, let me clarify. This is the heartbeat of Pu, my young-one to be.. approx 150-180 beats per minute. Heard it for the first time yesterday morning when the Doc put the doppler or something like that to Surabhi's stomach!!
I was sitting in the visiting part of the Doctor's chamber and hence didn't really know what was happening. First I heard this set of regular heartbeats.. @ 70-80 per minute and then suddenly it was like a train had left the station and was chugging along at full speed.. dhak dhak.. dhak dhak.. dhak dhak... That was Pu at 180 beats per minute.
Since I had read about it before, I sort of got it and strained by ear to hear the Doctor say - "That's the baby's heart beat."
It shocked me a bit out as I realised once again that I am going to be a father soon. While the thought is there all the time, any sign of the 'live' baby still does hit you bang in the face. I'm not saying this in a negative way. Rather its completely a positive surprise that makes you sit up and smile to yourself and if the world is lucky, to the world too. It's the sort of feeling that hits you when you are right in the middle of some busyness, and makes you stop and smile.
I can now hardly wait for the next sonography when I get to see my baby again. The kiddo is 4 inches long already!!!
In case you are wondering whether I am trying to do a Madhuri Dixit item number here, let me clarify. This is the heartbeat of Pu, my young-one to be.. approx 150-180 beats per minute. Heard it for the first time yesterday morning when the Doc put the doppler or something like that to Surabhi's stomach!!
I was sitting in the visiting part of the Doctor's chamber and hence didn't really know what was happening. First I heard this set of regular heartbeats.. @ 70-80 per minute and then suddenly it was like a train had left the station and was chugging along at full speed.. dhak dhak.. dhak dhak.. dhak dhak... That was Pu at 180 beats per minute.
Since I had read about it before, I sort of got it and strained by ear to hear the Doctor say - "That's the baby's heart beat."
It shocked me a bit out as I realised once again that I am going to be a father soon. While the thought is there all the time, any sign of the 'live' baby still does hit you bang in the face. I'm not saying this in a negative way. Rather its completely a positive surprise that makes you sit up and smile to yourself and if the world is lucky, to the world too. It's the sort of feeling that hits you when you are right in the middle of some busyness, and makes you stop and smile.
I can now hardly wait for the next sonography when I get to see my baby again. The kiddo is 4 inches long already!!!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Happy Diwali
That Diwali is the biggest and the brightest festival for most of us in India (barring the folks from the South i.e.), is a needless comment to make. Its a common fact, known to all of us.
Nevertheless, given my penchant for random bakwaas (my wife keeps telling me.. kitna bolte ho!!!), I decided to let all of you know that indeed Diwali is the biggest and the brightest festival for all of us (and most certainly for me).
While each Diwali is special, I think this year's was amongst the most memorable. My entire family was together, even my Bro managed to make it for about 30 hours or so. This time there was no rush to go anywhere. We were not in a hurry to return to office as all of us were in Bombay and the office decided to give me Mon/Tues off. Hence we managed to spend a nice, relaxed family Diwali.
Dont want to make this a boring, family post. Hence will end off here.
Hope all you guys also had a great Diwali.
Ciao
Nevertheless, given my penchant for random bakwaas (my wife keeps telling me.. kitna bolte ho!!!), I decided to let all of you know that indeed Diwali is the biggest and the brightest festival for all of us (and most certainly for me).
While each Diwali is special, I think this year's was amongst the most memorable. My entire family was together, even my Bro managed to make it for about 30 hours or so. This time there was no rush to go anywhere. We were not in a hurry to return to office as all of us were in Bombay and the office decided to give me Mon/Tues off. Hence we managed to spend a nice, relaxed family Diwali.
Dont want to make this a boring, family post. Hence will end off here.
Hope all you guys also had a great Diwali.
Ciao
Monday, October 16, 2006
Do gaj zameen
Its NOT the name of a Hindi film, directed by Bimal Roy (the director of the original Devdas and Parineeta and multiple other memorable films) with Hrishikesh da having written the screenplay and dialogues. Its one of those movies which make be a big Balraj Sahni fan (something I dont often remember, but am forcefully made aware of this fact everytime I see one of his films). Its a very touching and sad movie which epitomises the struggle many Indian go through in their quest for survival. That was "Do Bigha Zameen".
Anyways, the idea today is not to write about Hindi cinema in general or any movie in specific. Instead, I wanted to share my thoughts on what does a human being really need to live a happy life.
The title reads "do gaj zameen" because that is what a person finally needs on the way out to the after-life. The issues lie not at the end, but in the entire interim when the person is alive and goes about his/her business of life on this planet.
At every stage of life we are always wanting something or the other. It could be simply material things - more money, better house, bigger car, better clothes, more jewellery and so on, or it could be the rest of the 'moh' items such as love, affection, respect, acceptance, dominance, etc. Do we ever sit back and question if we really need all these things to be happy? Or are we getting into a trap.. a trap which will lead us on into this mad race of life where we are chasing something at every point and not bothering to stop and enjoy what we have today.
When I think back and reflect on these things, I am amazed at how stupid each of us is. What other word can I use when we throw away an opportunity to be happy today!!
I am not saying that one doesn’t need things in life to be happy. I am simply saying that most of us (those who are probably reading this), are endowed with enough to make us happy. We only have to have the wisdom to recognise this fact and "Be Happy". And if you still dont get it, here's what it is - good upbringing, a spouse who loves us for what we are, parents who have given us the best they could - selflessly, education from the better institutes in the country, jobs that we may crib about but that are sought after by more people than we can imagine, decent money (cannot say good as it is never enough ;) and a promise of a bigger and better future. How many people have all of these on this planet??
Yet most of us are unhappy!! Why??? Have we ever stopped to think about this? If not, I suggest a pause here, before you read on!!
I once attended a course on "Art of Living". The instructor, Maureen, asked - "What is the one thing you need to be happy?"
Each of us had varying answers and gladly shared those, each trying to convey that he/she was less greedy in life than the other. Someone wanted more money, love from children, peace of mind, less painful mother-in-law, better job, better house and so on. The key thing, however, was that everyone did want or need something to be happy.
Maureen said - "What if you get each of these things? Will you be forever happy then? Or will you then want something else?"
The answer was obvious, even though many did not venture as far as to say it.
The moral was that one has to learn to be happy with what one has today and now. That is the only truth in life. What was yesterday is gone and no more. What will be tomorrow, we do not know. The only thing we have is in the today and now. And if one really wants to be happy, one has to be content with what one has today. Tomorrow may bring something better. That would be a bonus. Do not tie your happiness to what that tomorrow may or may not bring.
Your happiness is within your control. All you got to do is just "Be Happy".
PS: the movie bit at the start was just something I wanted to write.. had nothing to do with the rest of the post!!!
Anyways, the idea today is not to write about Hindi cinema in general or any movie in specific. Instead, I wanted to share my thoughts on what does a human being really need to live a happy life.
The title reads "do gaj zameen" because that is what a person finally needs on the way out to the after-life. The issues lie not at the end, but in the entire interim when the person is alive and goes about his/her business of life on this planet.
At every stage of life we are always wanting something or the other. It could be simply material things - more money, better house, bigger car, better clothes, more jewellery and so on, or it could be the rest of the 'moh' items such as love, affection, respect, acceptance, dominance, etc. Do we ever sit back and question if we really need all these things to be happy? Or are we getting into a trap.. a trap which will lead us on into this mad race of life where we are chasing something at every point and not bothering to stop and enjoy what we have today.
When I think back and reflect on these things, I am amazed at how stupid each of us is. What other word can I use when we throw away an opportunity to be happy today!!
I am not saying that one doesn’t need things in life to be happy. I am simply saying that most of us (those who are probably reading this), are endowed with enough to make us happy. We only have to have the wisdom to recognise this fact and "Be Happy". And if you still dont get it, here's what it is - good upbringing, a spouse who loves us for what we are, parents who have given us the best they could - selflessly, education from the better institutes in the country, jobs that we may crib about but that are sought after by more people than we can imagine, decent money (cannot say good as it is never enough ;) and a promise of a bigger and better future. How many people have all of these on this planet??
Yet most of us are unhappy!! Why??? Have we ever stopped to think about this? If not, I suggest a pause here, before you read on!!
I once attended a course on "Art of Living". The instructor, Maureen, asked - "What is the one thing you need to be happy?"
Each of us had varying answers and gladly shared those, each trying to convey that he/she was less greedy in life than the other. Someone wanted more money, love from children, peace of mind, less painful mother-in-law, better job, better house and so on. The key thing, however, was that everyone did want or need something to be happy.
Maureen said - "What if you get each of these things? Will you be forever happy then? Or will you then want something else?"
The answer was obvious, even though many did not venture as far as to say it.
The moral was that one has to learn to be happy with what one has today and now. That is the only truth in life. What was yesterday is gone and no more. What will be tomorrow, we do not know. The only thing we have is in the today and now. And if one really wants to be happy, one has to be content with what one has today. Tomorrow may bring something better. That would be a bonus. Do not tie your happiness to what that tomorrow may or may not bring.
Your happiness is within your control. All you got to do is just "Be Happy".
PS: the movie bit at the start was just something I wanted to write.. had nothing to do with the rest of the post!!!
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Do unto others as you would...
From the time I was a kid, I have often heard of concepts and notions such as the previous-life and the after-life and such other things. While in general, I am a believer and I do not see anything wrong in accepting the possibility of such concepts, the one concept which I do not believe in is that your fate in this life is a result of the good and the bad you did in your previous life.
I am a firm believer in "now and here" and hence believe that what you get in this life is a result of what you do in this life. It ain't like the accounting system wherein you can carry forward past losses to get a tax break next time around. One should be very careful about one's each and every action, as the result of these actions is what we get every day (though I must say the timing part of the equation can be a little off!!)
When I was a kid, if anything bad were to happen to me I would always reflect back and see what was the mis-deed I had done recently. Sure enough, I would find one which I could relate with the bad result in the same proportion. This had become so much of a second nature to me that till I was able to establish a cause-effect relationship, my mind would not rest.
You might say that this is rather obvious given the number of mis-deeds each of us do on a daily basis (after all, none of us are a pious soul really!!). Indeed you are right. However, the key to this exercise of mine was the magnitude of the mis-deed and the magnitude of the misery that had befallen me. More often than not, in the scale in my mind, I would be able to weigh those and realise that the scales were more or less in balance.
Funnily, I would never do this co-relation exercise whenever something good happened to me. I often wondered why I never did so, but never came to a real answer. Maybe some of you guys can tell me why.
As it happens, over the years I lost this habit of mine (maybe because my mis-deeds became so many as to be rather unwieldy and unmanageable ;). I would often this back and wonder if the r-square would be as high if I were to track it again.
It was only recently that I actually got back to the analysis and starting keeping some sort of a rough score. And lo and behold, the r-square seems to be pretty much up there for the mis-deeds. As like old days, I still do not check for the good things. Also, I do not think I am half as rigourous as the olden days. Still, this exercise serves as a good self-check for me with regard to my behaviour!!
Often, even as I am doing something which I know is wrong, I also know that this will result in some bad consequence. And as sure as the sun rises, the consequences are there.
I guess its very much like the old adage - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you", except that the others is a rather broad definition and not just other people.
I am a firm believer in "now and here" and hence believe that what you get in this life is a result of what you do in this life. It ain't like the accounting system wherein you can carry forward past losses to get a tax break next time around. One should be very careful about one's each and every action, as the result of these actions is what we get every day (though I must say the timing part of the equation can be a little off!!)
When I was a kid, if anything bad were to happen to me I would always reflect back and see what was the mis-deed I had done recently. Sure enough, I would find one which I could relate with the bad result in the same proportion. This had become so much of a second nature to me that till I was able to establish a cause-effect relationship, my mind would not rest.
You might say that this is rather obvious given the number of mis-deeds each of us do on a daily basis (after all, none of us are a pious soul really!!). Indeed you are right. However, the key to this exercise of mine was the magnitude of the mis-deed and the magnitude of the misery that had befallen me. More often than not, in the scale in my mind, I would be able to weigh those and realise that the scales were more or less in balance.
Funnily, I would never do this co-relation exercise whenever something good happened to me. I often wondered why I never did so, but never came to a real answer. Maybe some of you guys can tell me why.
As it happens, over the years I lost this habit of mine (maybe because my mis-deeds became so many as to be rather unwieldy and unmanageable ;). I would often this back and wonder if the r-square would be as high if I were to track it again.
It was only recently that I actually got back to the analysis and starting keeping some sort of a rough score. And lo and behold, the r-square seems to be pretty much up there for the mis-deeds. As like old days, I still do not check for the good things. Also, I do not think I am half as rigourous as the olden days. Still, this exercise serves as a good self-check for me with regard to my behaviour!!
Often, even as I am doing something which I know is wrong, I also know that this will result in some bad consequence. And as sure as the sun rises, the consequences are there.
I guess its very much like the old adage - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you", except that the others is a rather broad definition and not just other people.
Sunday, October 8, 2006
Old friends and Orkut..
My bro has been a big Orkut-ter for a long time now. He used to keep telling me to join Orkut and I used to keep fobbing him off. I didn’t really care for another networking site. I was already using Linked-In and besides, I didn’t really have time for another one.
The persistent dude that he is, he still sent me a joining request and I decided to join - just to get him off my back.
In the last couple of months since I logged in, I must admit that even I have gotten hooked onto the damn thing. I must be spending at least 20-30 mins a day on the site. The best part about the site is that I have gotten in touch with a bunch of friends that I had lost all touch with.. for years!!
Met one of my old school friends this afternoon, after we got in touch again through Orkut. Was good to catch up on the past 10 years and figure out who's where, doing what!!
Must say.. thanks Bro!!
The persistent dude that he is, he still sent me a joining request and I decided to join - just to get him off my back.
In the last couple of months since I logged in, I must admit that even I have gotten hooked onto the damn thing. I must be spending at least 20-30 mins a day on the site. The best part about the site is that I have gotten in touch with a bunch of friends that I had lost all touch with.. for years!!
Met one of my old school friends this afternoon, after we got in touch again through Orkut. Was good to catch up on the past 10 years and figure out who's where, doing what!!
Must say.. thanks Bro!!
Saturday, October 7, 2006
Clean beaches at last
I used to feel really sick when i used to cross past Girgaum Chowpaty in South Mumbai or the Juhu Beach and see them choc-a-bloc with these food stalls and vendors. Not only would the stalls be there, the stall-wallahs would even corner large chunks of the beach to lay out an elaborate seating arrangement for potential customers. So much would be the nuisance that the genuine beach goer would hardly get any space to enjoy the beach. And then, if you were to go to the beach in the morning, you would be treated to a humungous amount of junk and garbage, strewn all over the place, and making the place look more like a dumping ground than the beach.
A few years ago, thanks to some High Court intervention and the good effort of some citizens, the Girgaum Chowpaty was rid of all the hawkers (who by the way, were given space in an enclosed area which was created as a food stall arena). As a result, one could see and appreciate the good beach that Bombay had. Children could actually play in the sand and build sand castles or whatever else caught their fancy. Families could sit there comfortably, in a clean environment, without being harrassed by 10 people persuading them to have bhel puri fromeach of their stalls.
Juhu beach, the one closer to my place and which Surabhi and I used to freqent often before we got married, however continued to be one big mess. Such was the state that we guys totally stopped going there. There was a lot of talk of litigation and a citizen's forum and so on to clean and beautify the beach. However, considering the vested interests and the weak willed Maharashtra govt., one never imagined that one could see the Juhu beach as a clean and inviting beach ever again.
As i cross the beach this evening, I was taken by surprise to see that all the hawkers had been cleared off the main beach (I understand they have been given space in a food court). For the first time i could see the entire expanse of the beach and realised that it could be a great beach even when the high tide was up. Felt really good to see that. Kids were constructing their sand castles, running around playing pakram-pakdai, playing ball, and so on. Families were comfortably settled on the beach having some good family time together and enjoyin the sea.
Now as i get ready to start frequenting the beach again, i only hope that we are able to maintain it clean and that it doesnt go back to their old days.
Will try to get some snaps next time around!!
A few years ago, thanks to some High Court intervention and the good effort of some citizens, the Girgaum Chowpaty was rid of all the hawkers (who by the way, were given space in an enclosed area which was created as a food stall arena). As a result, one could see and appreciate the good beach that Bombay had. Children could actually play in the sand and build sand castles or whatever else caught their fancy. Families could sit there comfortably, in a clean environment, without being harrassed by 10 people persuading them to have bhel puri fromeach of their stalls.
Juhu beach, the one closer to my place and which Surabhi and I used to freqent often before we got married, however continued to be one big mess. Such was the state that we guys totally stopped going there. There was a lot of talk of litigation and a citizen's forum and so on to clean and beautify the beach. However, considering the vested interests and the weak willed Maharashtra govt., one never imagined that one could see the Juhu beach as a clean and inviting beach ever again.
As i cross the beach this evening, I was taken by surprise to see that all the hawkers had been cleared off the main beach (I understand they have been given space in a food court). For the first time i could see the entire expanse of the beach and realised that it could be a great beach even when the high tide was up. Felt really good to see that. Kids were constructing their sand castles, running around playing pakram-pakdai, playing ball, and so on. Families were comfortably settled on the beach having some good family time together and enjoyin the sea.
Now as i get ready to start frequenting the beach again, i only hope that we are able to maintain it clean and that it doesnt go back to their old days.
Will try to get some snaps next time around!!
Thursday, October 5, 2006
The French Connexion
Connexion is the name for the aborted Boeing project of providing internet facilities on board for long distance flights. The only reason I pick the word here is that it makes the title sound a little different from the plain old “Connection”.
France is a country which never has been high on the popularity ratings with me. General impression of the country and the people is that they are a bunch of arrogant, inefficient and lazy (I would also add stupid for reasons which would be evident later on) buggers who are so totally used to the social security concept that they have lost the desire and ambition to work hard to maintain their place under the sun. You will hear the French complain about the increasing number of migrants and in the same breath scorn the idea that the French could do the kind of low-end work being done by such migrants. As a result there is high unemployment and increasing discontent in an atmosphere of slow growth.
Anyways, the idea of this column is not to be a discourse on the French and their socio-economic setup. The idea is to highlights a few notables from my 1-day (first) visit to the country.
The first exposure to the French was on the Air France flight from Mumbai to Paris. Fortunately, it was a night flight and I slept though most of it. The time when I woke up though, I was greeted with some horrible breakfast (for which I wouldn’t single out the French as the other airlines are no better). The problem is that we guys are far too used to the idea of a HOT breakfast and hence cannot appreciate their COLD, FROZEN breakfast, even if the items are of seeming Indian origin.
Landing at the Charles de Gaulle airport was not so bad really (or maybe it was worse!). The customs/immigration personnel barely glanced up at me and took less than 20 seconds to stamp me through into Paris. I wondered whether they are not as paranoid as the Americans and British on security or they are just plain lazy to spend any effort (notwithstanding the Turkish hijack the previous evening).
The cabbie we got for the hotel was a complete fraud who would make the Delhi cabbies seem like angels. The guy passed in front of our hotel and instead of getting in there decided to take us straight on. When I questioned him, he went “Pardon…. blah blah.. blue blue.. Marriot… I sorry…. Not know…” Then when we pointed the place out, he took a 2 km turn and got us to the place.
Rascal.
The Conference itself was quite decent. It seemed to be more of an Indian and Chinese conference, though you could see a lot many other people as well. Considering the extremely large desi contingent, it was a bit of a surprise to find that there was barely any veg food other than the croissants and the odd sandwich (don’t count wafers as food anymore!). We made up for this shortcoming by raiding all the stalls which had dry fruits or tortilla chips, etc out for the visitors to snack on as they did their meetings (we didn’t do any of the meetings though ;)
The highlight of the visit has to be the Buddha Bar. Located in the middle of the city, it is said to be the original lounge bar. True to its name, it has a larger than life Buddha statue spanning across the second (the restaurant) and first basement (the bar). The whole setting is rather thematic and rather romantic (in a medieval sense of the word). With the lovely looking French women (this was the other highlight), the outstanding music (highlight # 3) and the overall ambience, it made for a rather enjoyable evening. Not having a drink there would’ve been like insulting the place, and I didn’t want to be disrespectful.
Few thoughts on the highlights:
French women are so tall... as in sexy tall and with even more sexy legs. And quite at ease with showing off a fair proportion of their assets. They carry themselves rather well, in that slightly haughty manner which few guys can resist (nor can tolerate, lest some of you in India get ideas!). Seeing some of the model types from the famous Paris fashion circuit was quite a bit of eye-candy.
The music at Buddha Bar (pick up a CD at your music store and listen to it before you accuse me of the blasphemy of comparing the women with it) was simply the best lounge bar music I have heard ever. Apparently they get musicians to create music to be played in the Bar on an exclusive basis. They do sell CDs of this music though. It’s a fantastic mix of Oriental, Indian and Western instruments and is enchanting. The tempo builds up ever so slowly and before you realise you are wanting to dance. Alas, here’s where the place fell below expectations…Very little place to shake a leg (leave alone having a dance floor!!)
As we got out of the place to come back to the Hotel, we were treated to a series of exotic cars lined up like the Maruti 800s in India.. the Ferraris, BMWs, Porches, Maseratis and so on.
Leaving Paris back for Mumbai, I had what I though would be my final taste of France, the airport. Its quite exquisite in being spread out over a huge area with full service roads passing all through it (quite nice to have an airplane go on top while you move ahead in the taxi through an underpass!). At the same time its one of the crappiest airports I have come across. Its like an artist’s rendition wherein terminals have been placed as and where the architect liked with no attention to passenger comfort and ease. The access to the lounge was so sad that I didn’t even bother going there. Not much of a shopping experience either with a handful of shops selling some alcohol, chocolates and books/magazines.
The final episode of the trip was the return flight. Sitting on the Air France flight back to Mumbai, feeling rather hungry because all I had was a bit of bread and pancakes for breakfast and waiting for lunch to be served. Tolerating some really loud French group jumping around and chatting at the top of their voices. Finally my moment of glory arrives and they start laying out the white table-cloth.
And then -
French Steward (he looked quite Asian, but I am convinced he was French!): What wood eou like to drink zir?
Me: A glass of water would be just fine
French Steward: Zparkling or ztill?
Me: Still.
French Steward: And have eou decided your starterz Zir?
Me: But I haven’t got the menu!!
French Steward: Zir, we have zee duck or zee shrimp.
Me: But I am a vegetarian. Don’t you have a special meal for me?
French Steward: Then eou cood try the shrimp Zir.. Itz got veggiez..
Me:…….
PS: Realised by the end of the flight that the dude was indeed desi!!!
France is a country which never has been high on the popularity ratings with me. General impression of the country and the people is that they are a bunch of arrogant, inefficient and lazy (I would also add stupid for reasons which would be evident later on) buggers who are so totally used to the social security concept that they have lost the desire and ambition to work hard to maintain their place under the sun. You will hear the French complain about the increasing number of migrants and in the same breath scorn the idea that the French could do the kind of low-end work being done by such migrants. As a result there is high unemployment and increasing discontent in an atmosphere of slow growth.
Anyways, the idea of this column is not to be a discourse on the French and their socio-economic setup. The idea is to highlights a few notables from my 1-day (first) visit to the country.
The first exposure to the French was on the Air France flight from Mumbai to Paris. Fortunately, it was a night flight and I slept though most of it. The time when I woke up though, I was greeted with some horrible breakfast (for which I wouldn’t single out the French as the other airlines are no better). The problem is that we guys are far too used to the idea of a HOT breakfast and hence cannot appreciate their COLD, FROZEN breakfast, even if the items are of seeming Indian origin.
Landing at the Charles de Gaulle airport was not so bad really (or maybe it was worse!). The customs/immigration personnel barely glanced up at me and took less than 20 seconds to stamp me through into Paris. I wondered whether they are not as paranoid as the Americans and British on security or they are just plain lazy to spend any effort (notwithstanding the Turkish hijack the previous evening).
The cabbie we got for the hotel was a complete fraud who would make the Delhi cabbies seem like angels. The guy passed in front of our hotel and instead of getting in there decided to take us straight on. When I questioned him, he went “Pardon…. blah blah.. blue blue.. Marriot… I sorry…. Not know…” Then when we pointed the place out, he took a 2 km turn and got us to the place.
Rascal.
The Conference itself was quite decent. It seemed to be more of an Indian and Chinese conference, though you could see a lot many other people as well. Considering the extremely large desi contingent, it was a bit of a surprise to find that there was barely any veg food other than the croissants and the odd sandwich (don’t count wafers as food anymore!). We made up for this shortcoming by raiding all the stalls which had dry fruits or tortilla chips, etc out for the visitors to snack on as they did their meetings (we didn’t do any of the meetings though ;)
The highlight of the visit has to be the Buddha Bar. Located in the middle of the city, it is said to be the original lounge bar. True to its name, it has a larger than life Buddha statue spanning across the second (the restaurant) and first basement (the bar). The whole setting is rather thematic and rather romantic (in a medieval sense of the word). With the lovely looking French women (this was the other highlight), the outstanding music (highlight # 3) and the overall ambience, it made for a rather enjoyable evening. Not having a drink there would’ve been like insulting the place, and I didn’t want to be disrespectful.
Few thoughts on the highlights:
French women are so tall... as in sexy tall and with even more sexy legs. And quite at ease with showing off a fair proportion of their assets. They carry themselves rather well, in that slightly haughty manner which few guys can resist (nor can tolerate, lest some of you in India get ideas!). Seeing some of the model types from the famous Paris fashion circuit was quite a bit of eye-candy.
The music at Buddha Bar (pick up a CD at your music store and listen to it before you accuse me of the blasphemy of comparing the women with it) was simply the best lounge bar music I have heard ever. Apparently they get musicians to create music to be played in the Bar on an exclusive basis. They do sell CDs of this music though. It’s a fantastic mix of Oriental, Indian and Western instruments and is enchanting. The tempo builds up ever so slowly and before you realise you are wanting to dance. Alas, here’s where the place fell below expectations…Very little place to shake a leg (leave alone having a dance floor!!)
As we got out of the place to come back to the Hotel, we were treated to a series of exotic cars lined up like the Maruti 800s in India.. the Ferraris, BMWs, Porches, Maseratis and so on.
Leaving Paris back for Mumbai, I had what I though would be my final taste of France, the airport. Its quite exquisite in being spread out over a huge area with full service roads passing all through it (quite nice to have an airplane go on top while you move ahead in the taxi through an underpass!). At the same time its one of the crappiest airports I have come across. Its like an artist’s rendition wherein terminals have been placed as and where the architect liked with no attention to passenger comfort and ease. The access to the lounge was so sad that I didn’t even bother going there. Not much of a shopping experience either with a handful of shops selling some alcohol, chocolates and books/magazines.
The final episode of the trip was the return flight. Sitting on the Air France flight back to Mumbai, feeling rather hungry because all I had was a bit of bread and pancakes for breakfast and waiting for lunch to be served. Tolerating some really loud French group jumping around and chatting at the top of their voices. Finally my moment of glory arrives and they start laying out the white table-cloth.
And then -
French Steward (he looked quite Asian, but I am convinced he was French!): What wood eou like to drink zir?
Me: A glass of water would be just fine
French Steward: Zparkling or ztill?
Me: Still.
French Steward: And have eou decided your starterz Zir?
Me: But I haven’t got the menu!!
French Steward: Zir, we have zee duck or zee shrimp.
Me: But I am a vegetarian. Don’t you have a special meal for me?
French Steward: Then eou cood try the shrimp Zir.. Itz got veggiez..
Me:…….
PS: Realised by the end of the flight that the dude was indeed desi!!!
Wednesday, October 4, 2006
The Unpredictable Life
Each of us is usually very casual, short-sighted and parochial in our approach to life:
I know this is important and has to be done.. but I can always do it later
Life is long and beautiful.. why should I not enjoy it?
It’s just a cigarette.. I don’t smoke that much.. no harm will come of it..
I enjoy driving fast.. Danger.. what danger.. I wear a seat belt, have insurance, and btw I am an expert driver!!
This may be a small thing to you, but it’s a big deal to me !!
How dare he/she do this?
How dare he/she talk to me like this?
And so on..
In all these and more ways, we demean the value that we ought to have placed on our and others' lives. We live in the false belief that all the bad things will only happen to others and not to us or our loved ones.
When the shit hits the roof (read when we or one of our loved ones get hit by the vagaries of life), that’s when we wake up and smell the coffee. Often by then, it’s just too late for us to retrace some of our actions which would have led to the crisis. That's the point in time when we can do nothing but regret the past, and resolve to improve the future. Though the fact is, again we do very little to improve the future unless we are forced to.
Isn't this mighty stupid and irresponsible? Don't we owe it to ourselves, our families and friends and the good God who created us, a bit more responsible behaviour?? They are the ones who get most affected if something happens to us. Don't we love them and care for their happiness??
These are all questions which one can dismiss as rhetoric, but these are questions which will come back and haunt each of us at some point or the other in life.
Choice is ours.. be prepared in advance or scramble when the shit hits the roof.
PS: And don't you please dismiss this under the ruse that "one has to enjoy life to the fullest".. Cos nothing can be more enjoyable that valuing life as it should be valued!!!
I know this is important and has to be done.. but I can always do it later
Life is long and beautiful.. why should I not enjoy it?
It’s just a cigarette.. I don’t smoke that much.. no harm will come of it..
I enjoy driving fast.. Danger.. what danger.. I wear a seat belt, have insurance, and btw I am an expert driver!!
This may be a small thing to you, but it’s a big deal to me !!
How dare he/she do this?
How dare he/she talk to me like this?
And so on..
In all these and more ways, we demean the value that we ought to have placed on our and others' lives. We live in the false belief that all the bad things will only happen to others and not to us or our loved ones.
When the shit hits the roof (read when we or one of our loved ones get hit by the vagaries of life), that’s when we wake up and smell the coffee. Often by then, it’s just too late for us to retrace some of our actions which would have led to the crisis. That's the point in time when we can do nothing but regret the past, and resolve to improve the future. Though the fact is, again we do very little to improve the future unless we are forced to.
Isn't this mighty stupid and irresponsible? Don't we owe it to ourselves, our families and friends and the good God who created us, a bit more responsible behaviour?? They are the ones who get most affected if something happens to us. Don't we love them and care for their happiness??
These are all questions which one can dismiss as rhetoric, but these are questions which will come back and haunt each of us at some point or the other in life.
Choice is ours.. be prepared in advance or scramble when the shit hits the roof.
PS: And don't you please dismiss this under the ruse that "one has to enjoy life to the fullest".. Cos nothing can be more enjoyable that valuing life as it should be valued!!!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Mirch Masala...
One of the most redeeming features about the city of Ahmedabad has always been its food joints. The variety and the quality of food more than made up for the mess that we had in the name of a mess at IIMA.
For all the foodies at IIMA, Mirch Masala is a very familiar name and a source of immense joy and satisfaction. It is one of the better places serving Indian cuisine.
Last evening (Thursday!!), went there for dinner after at least 5 and a half years with my colleague, Manish, who's also an IIMA grad. The place seemed the same as ever with the same interior decor with dialogues from films, caricatures and paintings of actors and movie posters, etc. We ordered food like we hadn’t eaten in days.. papdi chat, masala papad, sabzis, dal. And to end the feast were some hot, melting gulab-jamuns!!! Needless to say, ate like pigs!!
We even remembered to take the chhota lozenge type toffee that they give post the meal and had multiple of each.
Reminded us of the times when after a hard or a frust day on campus, we would go across to CG Road to Mirch Masala or Tomatoes or Topaz and reward ourselves with some delicious, yet not very expensive food.
Felt nice coming back..
For all the foodies at IIMA, Mirch Masala is a very familiar name and a source of immense joy and satisfaction. It is one of the better places serving Indian cuisine.
Last evening (Thursday!!), went there for dinner after at least 5 and a half years with my colleague, Manish, who's also an IIMA grad. The place seemed the same as ever with the same interior decor with dialogues from films, caricatures and paintings of actors and movie posters, etc. We ordered food like we hadn’t eaten in days.. papdi chat, masala papad, sabzis, dal. And to end the feast were some hot, melting gulab-jamuns!!! Needless to say, ate like pigs!!
We even remembered to take the chhota lozenge type toffee that they give post the meal and had multiple of each.
Reminded us of the times when after a hard or a frust day on campus, we would go across to CG Road to Mirch Masala or Tomatoes or Topaz and reward ourselves with some delicious, yet not very expensive food.
Felt nice coming back..
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Kramer vs. Kramer
I don’t know how many would remember, but there was a case law reference to a case called Kramer vs. Kramer (or was it Cramer vs. Cramer) in the Contract Act in B.Com (H) - First year. While I have no memory whatsoever of what this case law was about, it sure did stand out as one of the names you could remember and refer to in the exams.
There is a movie by the same name with Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman playing Mrs. and Mr. Kramer, which I saw last evening on the flight back from Singapore. For the uninitiated, the movie is about Mrs. Kramer realising one day that she has been unhappy for 6 of the 8 years of her marriage. She decides to go away from the marriage and 'find' her own self, leaving her 5 and a 1/2 year old son behind for her husband to manage and fend for. The movie goes on in terms of how Mr. Kramer slowly but steadily comes to grips with the situation and is able to develop a special father-son bond and life's all good again. The twist is that Mrs. Kramer realises she loves her child and is now capable of taking care of him. What follows is a court battle for custody which Mrs. Kramer wins (despite having deserted her child 18 months ago). However, when the time comes to take custody, she decides against it as she thinks he is more at home with her ex-husband.
Pretty well-done movie with a very strong performance by Dustin Hoffman and a must watch for all young couples like ourselves.
What, however, stands out in the movie to me are the questions raised by Hoffman during the court process - While the woman's right to be as career oriented and ambitious as a man is accepted, why is the man's right to nurture and parent his child considered inferior to that of a woman? Why is it considered that a woman will be a better parent by virtue of her sex, than a man?
There is a movie by the same name with Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman playing Mrs. and Mr. Kramer, which I saw last evening on the flight back from Singapore. For the uninitiated, the movie is about Mrs. Kramer realising one day that she has been unhappy for 6 of the 8 years of her marriage. She decides to go away from the marriage and 'find' her own self, leaving her 5 and a 1/2 year old son behind for her husband to manage and fend for. The movie goes on in terms of how Mr. Kramer slowly but steadily comes to grips with the situation and is able to develop a special father-son bond and life's all good again. The twist is that Mrs. Kramer realises she loves her child and is now capable of taking care of him. What follows is a court battle for custody which Mrs. Kramer wins (despite having deserted her child 18 months ago). However, when the time comes to take custody, she decides against it as she thinks he is more at home with her ex-husband.
Pretty well-done movie with a very strong performance by Dustin Hoffman and a must watch for all young couples like ourselves.
What, however, stands out in the movie to me are the questions raised by Hoffman during the court process - While the woman's right to be as career oriented and ambitious as a man is accepted, why is the man's right to nurture and parent his child considered inferior to that of a woman? Why is it considered that a woman will be a better parent by virtue of her sex, than a man?
Thursday, September 21, 2006
The Jet Age
Today's experience once again re-enforced my belief that it will not be easy for competitors to dislodge Jet Airways from a preferred airline status for its more frequent fliers.
Leaving the City center in Chennai at 1:45 pm to board a flight at 2:30 pm, I was mentally quite prepared that I was not going to be able to make it and would have to take the next IC flight at 2:55 pm.
Even though my driver drove superbly, the best he could manage was to get me to the Airport at 2:15 pm. Unfortunately, for a change, the 2:30 pm flight to Mumbai was on time.
I ran in to the counter only to get the standard reply, from the woman at the counter, that the flight was already closed and there was nothing they could do anymore. On a bit of prodding, she realised my frequent flier status and immediately went to her duty manager. The good man promptly checked the flight status and opened the systems for a minute to get me checked-in. By 2:25 pm I was on the 2:30 flight, which by the way, took off on time as well.
For someone who had been quite impressed by Kingfisher's excellent on-board service and the 'extra-friendly' crew, it was an excellent re-enforcement of why I should put in every effort to retain my JP Platinum status.
Leaving the City center in Chennai at 1:45 pm to board a flight at 2:30 pm, I was mentally quite prepared that I was not going to be able to make it and would have to take the next IC flight at 2:55 pm.
Even though my driver drove superbly, the best he could manage was to get me to the Airport at 2:15 pm. Unfortunately, for a change, the 2:30 pm flight to Mumbai was on time.
I ran in to the counter only to get the standard reply, from the woman at the counter, that the flight was already closed and there was nothing they could do anymore. On a bit of prodding, she realised my frequent flier status and immediately went to her duty manager. The good man promptly checked the flight status and opened the systems for a minute to get me checked-in. By 2:25 pm I was on the 2:30 flight, which by the way, took off on time as well.
For someone who had been quite impressed by Kingfisher's excellent on-board service and the 'extra-friendly' crew, it was an excellent re-enforcement of why I should put in every effort to retain my JP Platinum status.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
The first glimpse..
Day before, we had gone for Surabhi's first sonography. Naturally, we were excited at the prospect at getting the first glimpse of our child. Through the day we kept wondering how it was going to be like.
Anyways, the appointment was at 7 in the evening, and as always we reached bang on time. However, as always the doctor was running late and we had to wait a good 30 mins or so. On other days as well a delay in schedule is something which gets to both of us, but this time since it was that much more time between us and the glimpse, it was even more painful.
Since there was nothing else we could do, we waited and tried to kill time by exchanging random notes about the day, what we did, who said what and all the works.
Many people had told us various things about the first view and most of it seemed rather exciting. We had done extensive reading as well, having bought some 2-3 books on pregnancy and its various stages (actually Surabhi had done more of the reading). However, nothing was sufficient to prepare us for the reality.
The baby, or the foetus, as it is called at this stage, was a mere 23 mm long (2.3 cm seems even shorter!!). I had read that the baby develops hands and legs, etc even at some 7-8 weeks or something. However, when I saw the size of the baby, the last thing I was expecting were hands and legs. So when the doctor pointed out to the hands and legs, I nearly fell off my chair (even though I was standing). True to his word, he then pointed out the hands and legs to us. It was a sight. I don’t think I will forget that image for a long long time, if at all.
And if you think that was amazing, hold on. The baby already had a heart and it was beating at a furious rate.. 150 beats per minute they say!! And with every heart beat, the poor thing was jumping up and down and all about. Jaws open, I just continued to stare at the screen for a few minutes at which point the doctor broke my trance - "The baby's just fine. Nothing to worry!!"I am just so looking forward to my "uchhalu" baby!!!
Anyways, the appointment was at 7 in the evening, and as always we reached bang on time. However, as always the doctor was running late and we had to wait a good 30 mins or so. On other days as well a delay in schedule is something which gets to both of us, but this time since it was that much more time between us and the glimpse, it was even more painful.
Since there was nothing else we could do, we waited and tried to kill time by exchanging random notes about the day, what we did, who said what and all the works.
Many people had told us various things about the first view and most of it seemed rather exciting. We had done extensive reading as well, having bought some 2-3 books on pregnancy and its various stages (actually Surabhi had done more of the reading). However, nothing was sufficient to prepare us for the reality.
The baby, or the foetus, as it is called at this stage, was a mere 23 mm long (2.3 cm seems even shorter!!). I had read that the baby develops hands and legs, etc even at some 7-8 weeks or something. However, when I saw the size of the baby, the last thing I was expecting were hands and legs. So when the doctor pointed out to the hands and legs, I nearly fell off my chair (even though I was standing). True to his word, he then pointed out the hands and legs to us. It was a sight. I don’t think I will forget that image for a long long time, if at all.
And if you think that was amazing, hold on. The baby already had a heart and it was beating at a furious rate.. 150 beats per minute they say!! And with every heart beat, the poor thing was jumping up and down and all about. Jaws open, I just continued to stare at the screen for a few minutes at which point the doctor broke my trance - "The baby's just fine. Nothing to worry!!"I am just so looking forward to my "uchhalu" baby!!!
No Sorry
As I was choosing the name for my blog, I thought quite a bit on what would be most appropriate. It was a tough decision as they said that I couldn't change it later on and hence would be stuck with whatever decision I made at this juncture.
'No sorry' leapt out to me after a few minutes, going right to the start of the queue as my mind jostled with various other ideas. I seized upon the opportunity considering the deep rooted relationship my life has had with the term. It is something which represents my aspiration in life.. to have a life which when I go to the other world, I can sign off on with no regrets.
Now I know that’s something which is rather difficult to achieve or even impossible. There already are things in life which I wish I’d done differently or situations where I’d behaved differently. Yet, that does not stop me from my endeavour to make the rest of my life 'no-sorry'.
There's another history behind this term, and something which again is very deeply ingrained in my character. But that’s a story for another day. Right now I wanna write about something else and hence will end this introduction here itself.
'No sorry' leapt out to me after a few minutes, going right to the start of the queue as my mind jostled with various other ideas. I seized upon the opportunity considering the deep rooted relationship my life has had with the term. It is something which represents my aspiration in life.. to have a life which when I go to the other world, I can sign off on with no regrets.
Now I know that’s something which is rather difficult to achieve or even impossible. There already are things in life which I wish I’d done differently or situations where I’d behaved differently. Yet, that does not stop me from my endeavour to make the rest of my life 'no-sorry'.
There's another history behind this term, and something which again is very deeply ingrained in my character. But that’s a story for another day. Right now I wanna write about something else and hence will end this introduction here itself.
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