INDIA @ 61

Lost in Thoughts

2011-04-07T12:30:00.003+05:30

It's been quite long since I tried to post anything new. Nothing around me seemed to move/motivate/inspire me to use my pen! Guess this is the first thing that could happen to an MBA graduate, busy learning the skills to barge into a potential market.

I wonder how little girls bring me back into a world that calls for attention and action. As Harish Bhai silently drove us back home, I was still pondering over the beauty of the Taj. It was hell hot and I asked Harish Bhai to get curtains for the car. I wondered how people could brave the hot sun at 2 noon in Agra.

Looking around in the stuck traffic, I noticed this little girl in deep thoughts!

Lost in Thoughts

The over-crowded auto promised no dearth of insecurity as people struggled to make place for each other. Unaware of the surroundings, immersed in deep thoughts was this little girl with no intention to understand what a better living could look like. Perhaps she had much more to worry and address as we tried to wave to her in vain.

She remained undisturbed by the horn, the dust, the heat and the screams! I could in no way read her. My Mom's efforts to maker her come to present paved off as she smiled back in approval as we sped from that place.

Was it poverty, child labour, insecurity, unprotective environment, lack of education....????? This might just be endless...

The Brand called "Nationalism"

2010-09-05T00:04:00.004+05:30

The Gujarat Parivar in Andhra, The Maharashtra Sangh in Gujarat, The Andhra Society in Delhi....

63 years after independence, India still witnesses the "Nationalism syndrome". We Indians have come to take Nationalism in a way quite different from what it actually signifies.

We might not have given a thought to it when someone was asked to indicate Nationality in an application form. We might not have given it much importance when a friend abroad asked us about our nationality. We might not have left any chance to take credit when someone raised the question “Who invented zero?”

During the recent concluded National Conference on Environment, Hyderabad, I met teachers from Delhi who were working for the Andhra Society there. The other day I was reading the newspaper to find that the Bengali Society in Bangalore is planning to celebrate Dusshera with great pomp and show. It was then this thought struck me. Why do people want to be identified and associated with societies they come from?

Nationalism has just become a brand for the people to have a value added advantage. To my agony, the brand recognition is highly prominent and the Nationalism in true spirits goes for a wash. Instead why don’t we come up with an “Indian Society” and celebrate our culture with enthusiasm and joy....

CONFINT 2010

2010-06-17T03:16:00.004+05:30

This post is the result of insomnia caused due to jet lag after having been to Brazil the last week for CONFINT 2010.

The International Conference on Youth and Children, Brazil will be the most cherished event of my life. The reasons??? To name a few

1) It was with regard to environmental concern as to how to bring about a change through the charter of responsibilities.
2) I was proved completely wrong for my negative opinion about the people abroad
3) I was proved wrong again for my belief that one cannot stay happy for long!
4) I was proved wrong this time for my opinion that unity in diversity lies only in India!

The above mentioned might seem equally confusing and enduring as it stimulates a little thought in some part of your never-to-rest mind. I have seen and been through all this personally and I can say it without hesitation that 'foreigners' who now have turned out to be sweet friends are the best people to be with. I have smiled so much in the past 14 days that I might not have done in the past twenty years!!! I could sense the fragrance of committment, dedication, warmth and affection at the same time. It was a concoction of serious work and fun unlimited endowed with the qualities of beauty, dignity and discipline.

At the end of the conference, I am made to understand that Unity in Diversity finds itself a place whenever and wherever a compassionate and conscious set of people come together to realise a global dream to make this Earth a better place to live in...

I had to restrict myself to a very timely and limited description of the event. Had it not been for the reason, I would have written a new blog for every day making the count to 14 posts! ;)

One Way!!!

2010-03-21T22:21:00.003+05:30

It was after a very long time that I attended the college for one full day!!! It was five past five when the college bus dropped me on the main road.I crossed the road with great difficulty and then headed straight for my hostel. I usually have to walk for a km and then cross a narrow lane to reach the hostel.I was walking on the right side of the road when I suddenly found my conscience advising me to follow road rules for safety.

I proudly looked to the left, then to the right and again to the left before reaching the opposite side. Looking for vehicles on the left was a foolish thing I could do, as it was a One Way lane.I laughed at myself for being so stupid for looking to the left, right and then left!!! I was still smiling when a speeding vehicle drove past me, and yes he came from the left!I turned back to confirm its presence when another 'karizma' speeded in the wrong direction.

At the end of the day,I felt happy for not being that foolish in anticipating the way of the One Way ideology!!!The sign boards have to be made larger rather look larger...

International Woman's Day

2010-03-08T00:37:00.004+05:30

March 8, 2010:

This day finds a place, very special, in my heart as I see "Women" being appreciated for their contributions in diversified fields.I find it weird and enthusiastic to jot down an incident-all positive from my perspective on this special occasion of International Women's Day.

Well, this took place somewhere in mid February. I was to attend the cultural and technical fest at IIIT, Hyderabad to collect my certificate of participation. The only means of transport was the friendly and old local because it offered a hassel free jorney despite the nuisance created by the'gentlemen'! That day, as usual, the local looked so crowded that I was sure to witness another fight.

To my astonishment, the Ladies compartment wore a deserted local and there was no sight of any gentleman!I just could not believe my eyes until I saw a policeman standing rather guarding the compartment. The very appearance of a policeman made me think that the Telangana-Rayalaseema issue had taken a serious stand in a way that even MMTS seemed afraid to operate normally.

Out of my inquisitive habit, I went up to one of the policemen and questioned him about his presence specially in the Ladies compartment. The answer I heard worried me a lot at the second thought as I could see that I would have nothing more to pen in this space hereafter!!!I would be left with no chance to question someone, provoke someone etc etc!!!

"It is on the orders of the DSP of Hyderabad, that we have been put on duty here. Cases of eve teasing and disorders have been reported. So, here onwards there will be two guards in every Ladies compartment and it will continue forever". This was in response to my question- "How far do you think would this seriously continue?

My happiness knew no bounds...Voices take long to be heard. But when they do, they echo and reverberate with such a high dB that it becomes difficult to turn a deaf ear!!!

Though the Women's Reservation Bill still awaits approval (since the past 13 years),let us celebrate the spirit of womanhood with freedom of thought and speech!

Proud to be ONE!

Rajpath witnesses 60 years of Glory!

2010-01-26T23:46:00.004+05:30

It was amidst tight security that the Republic Day Celebration concluded in Delhi. The South Korean President, the guest of honour witnessed India's fineese in every aspect (includes the fog and mist!).The news channels went debating rather doubting India's identity of a Republic country as usual. I just wonder why this question comes up only on certain days; Ambedkar Jayanti included as well!

Twitter saw tweets right from defining the meaning of republic by eminent people to the celebrations by the aam aadmi ('mango man' as put by Saif in Love Aaj Kal). To be open about this, it was yet another holiday for some and a half day for the rest! I felt proud as I woke up at 8 due to the National Anthem being sung in the near by school.The rest in my hostel were sound asleep...

Though the 11 five year plan assures no food security as it did in the ninth five year plan, I found India on the road to self sufficiency and self efficiency. This might be a drop in the ocean but this was the orifice of a new self help protocol.

A poor female beggar, whome we would call a 'mad female' by looking at her attire(not much to look at, she was in rags)inspired me to a certain extent. All that was in her quota for that day seemed to be the 'chapati ka aata'. She had made the pavement her place of rest with her belongings hanged to the nearest fence.

She spit on the atta till she could mould it into the chapati making form and made chapatis in a round shape using the glass for the 'belan'.She had managed to burn a few papers on the road (thanks to the negligence of GHMC!) to make a meal for herself.I was surprised at her sense of discretion! India is growing and so are the people.

On this day, as the Rajpath witnesses 60 years of glory, I saw the Latin definition and the objectives of Republic come true in Golconda.

A Man Of Letters

2010-01-25T00:01:00.005+05:30

It was 17 January, 2010; the last date for submitting the applicaiton for Teach India, a Times Of India initiative that aims to provide educational opportunities to the unfortunate by utilising the services of those interested.It was due to certain engagements I could not find time to submit my application in time. But I was happy seeing that a thumping 17,000 applications had already been received.I felt that a few initiatives taken in this direction would help increase the literacy rate of India as a whole!

My thoughts vanished when I was returning home after finding a good harbour for my final year project. It was a satisfying experience as I finally had a platform to apply my engineering knowledge in practical! It was with this joy of fulfilling my duty as an engineer and a stomach aching out of hunger,I noticed a little kid on the pavement.

He was neatly arranging something with great care in an order on the road. A closer glimpse at it made me feel cold. It was the English alphabet!!! The most surprising thing was that the alphabets were chocolates!The colours tempted me and arouse my patient hunger to the maximum. The little boy with great dedication continued to learn the alphabets as directed by his mom.

I smiled and walked on... My thoughts wandered in the inner cells of my brain after all that I could hear from his mother. "If I have to make you a man of letters,I don't feel sorry for not being able to feed you now!" India is learning-was all that I thought as I got into the bus headed for Nallakunta. Teach India was on the run...

Ever considered all these?????????

2009-09-03T14:20:00.009+05:30

We say that our government is inefficient.

We say that our laws are too old.

We say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.

We say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke,

The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.

We say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits.

We say, say and say.. What do WE do about it?

Take a person on his way to Singapore . Give him a name - YOURS. Give him a face - YOURS. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International best. In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they are. In Singapore you don't say anything, DO WE?

WE would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London to, 'see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else.'

WE would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop,'Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so's son. Take your two bucks and get lost.'

WE wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pilel on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand.Why don't WE spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo ?

YES!!!I am still talking of the same WE..

WE who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in our own. WE throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment we touch Indian ground. If we can be an involved and be an appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot we be the same here in India ?

We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility.We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us irrespective of our contribution. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin.

We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms. We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food.

'It's the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone try to put things in place.' So who's going to change the system?

What does a system consist of ? Very conveniently for US it consists of our neighbor's, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely not me and YOU!

When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and wait for a Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand.Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system.

These are J. F.Kennedy 's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians.....

'ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA

AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA

WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY'

Lets do what India needs from US....

(the stats mentioned above have been taken from a source, may not be authenticated)

India @ 62

2009-09-03T14:10:00.004+05:30

It's my blog's Paper Anniversary! Yet another year into the democratic way of life! India turns 62 (the new prescribed age for retirement). Well there has not been much change in the way of life. Things looked little disciplined in between but then "Yeh Hai Hindustan Meri Jaan!!!"
So some questions that still remain unanswered are as follows:
Why is the media here so negative?
Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements? We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse acknowledge them--- Why?
We are the first in milk production.
We are number one in Remote sensing satellites.
We are the second largest producer of wheat.
We are the second largest producer of rice.
Look at Dr. Sudarshan , he has transferred the tribal village into a self-sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements but our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters. In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime.

Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things?
We want foreign T. Vs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology.

Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance? I happened to meet a 14 year old girl on the Independence Day I asked her what did she wish to see on the next Independence Day. She replied: I want to live in a developed India .
For her, you and I will have to build this developed India .We must proclaim.
India is not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation.

Hyderabad Ka Kachra????

2009-07-06T22:38:00.006+05:30

It has been a long time since I have visited my own blog. Now you might be wondering as to what kept me away for long?(even if you are not!) The Gentlemen have really become so gentle that they have left me with no chance to criticize their habitual action of getting into the Ladies Compartment!But this time something of such a kind happened that brought me back to pen down my thoughts.

I was returning by the 5:00 PM local from Hi-Tech city.The ladies compartment was a bit crowded but then I managed to find a place.A grandpa and grandson were sitting before me. This little guy reminded me of Ishant Awasthi from TZP. I was gazing at him only wondering that if Amir Khan would have seen him, he would have the preference. I just wanted to talk to him (felt like)!

I initiated the conversation asking his name.He replied Akash.Then I asked him about his school. He told me the name but that din't sound familiar to me.So I kept quiet. Then his grandpa told me that he lived in Delhi and had come for the summer vacation.Well the next question was inevitable! I asked him if he like Hyderabad or Delhi.He said he liked Hyderabad but the metro in Delhi was much faster and was fully air conditioned. A few men(not the Gentlemen!) got into the ladies compartment and then the little guy was like "Dadu why did these people get into the LADIES compartment?" I guess Dadu din't have an answer for he was doing the same. Well The Old & Young are always an exception!

Then came the Nature Cure Hospital known for its Odour! The little guy said, "Dadu Hyderabad ki khushbu bahut ajeeb hai!". Both of us exchanged glances and smiled. The next stop was supposed to be the Sanjeevaiah Park (the outer side of the Necklace Road).We were trying to show him the much coveted Necklace Road (the camels, the rides etc) but to our surprise what he could see and sense was different. He asked me "Kya dikha rahe ho? Yeh Hyderabad Ka Kachra???". Then I saw the kachra floating on the water about which the GHMC seemed least concerned....

Some things never change!!!

2009-02-13T18:56:00.003+05:30

However, when I gave this incident a deeper thought, I grew restless. Was it true that this would once again prove to be only a way of corruption? Would this be helpful to people who would be running helter-skelter in need of blood? Would this really be given to the depressed who can never afford to buy it from a blood bank? The two minutes I was giving blood seemed to be the best minutes of my life when I decided that I would be doing this every year. But this just lasted for a limited time. I do not know if this would take the form I envisioned but I just wish it turns out be against the people’s thought.

There were many of my friends who could not do it, leave aside the other reasons. Many of them dropped just because their parents said a “NO”. I whole-heartedly wish that there comes a day, when people pour out to do something for a good cause, for the welfare of others.

It’s true that some things never change!!! Whether it be, the beggars in the local, the songs sung by the little boy (‘kya kiya re sanam’ from Welcome), the people who criticize everything done for a good cause and last but not the least- Myself! I will keep up this good thing until people join me in this endeavor!

And then things will surely change!!!

It starts…

2009-02-13T18:55:00.002+05:30

It started with the common argument “Why on earth came the necessity to donate your blood?” Then started the reasoning session. They said, "Students should not do such things. This is the age to study and work hard. If you donate blood, you will become weak. Then who will be responsible for your ill health". Others said – elderly people like us can donate blood, as we have no work to do. Moreover, we have tax exemption if we donate blood. The grin on that face made my blood pressure goes high. Before I could speak, they started again, “this is the josh of your youth! Therefore, you keep doing such things. You might be feeling that your blood will be useful to someone else. But let me tell you that they will sell it for a price and it’s just a bogus thing!”

That statement shook me out of my slumber. India- a place where people used to give a life for other’s has reached on the verge of calling this humanity a bogus thing, a fraud! People have become so selfish that people who are against blood donation are ready to do it for tax exemption. I pity these people!

After a long time…

2009-02-13T18:53:00.003+05:30

It was after a long time that I was travelling by train. Things were the same. To start with there were the similar faces, the same breaking of the rule “Don’t get into the ladies compartment”, even the same beggars! I wondered how some things never changed…

I was returning home after a great deal of satisfaction and enthusiasm. The reason- I had donated blood for the very first time!. I felt proud for being a 'Universal Donor'. The camp was conducted keeping in view the approaching International Women’s Day, by the Lion’s Club. I could feel the spirit of being a woman in a practical sense.

All my friends had a large number of suggestions and conclusions debited in my mind. Some of them proved to be quite true. However, the feeling of helping someone surpassed my weakness and pains. I reached home very excited after the 40minute journey. My excitement withered away as I heard the arguments put forth by my people, when I told them about my blood donation.

Indian Innocence

2008-10-07T10:13:00.005+05:30

The quality factor called Innocence rests in the little Indian minds whom we call the "tomorrow's citizens". These Indian minds; so tender,unbiased,uncorrupt,honest give us a vision to envision the future. A small incident that showcased the Indian Innocence is still afresh in my memory.

The same daily local....

I was returning by the evening local.It was Saturday. The local is a nightmare on Saturday eves! The picture one can vividly recall is that of the Train To Pakistan (courtesy:KhushwantSingh).People lingering out of the compartments, no space to inhale O2 and exhale CO2....

The best comfort available is in the ladies compartment. A lady got in at one of the stations with pride while the men were fighting to get into the general compartment.She had a kid around 7 years old.(I knew it after the TTE enquired about the kid's age).

The TTE came in to check the tickets.

When he came to the lady, there was an argument. People got up from every seat to see the nuisance. The thing was that the lady had not bought a ticket for her son. She said she dint know that kids aged 7 need a ticket. The TTE tried to explain her but in vain.Then she turned to her co-passengers after showcasing her intelligence as if she expected a round of applause.

The TTE left. He was standing near the door. A small kid aged 5 yrs came and reached for the TTE's palm with great difficulty. The kid said " You din't ask for my ticket. Here it is!"

I was touched! The TTE too.... He just glanced at the lady and then at this kid. The kid said "Children above 5yrs need to take a ticket". Then the kid got down at the station. The lady looked ashamed now.

I realized that it was the Innocence that was still present in the little Indian minds. Innocence of mind and heart. On one hand was the lady who argued that she din't know about it and on the other was this kid....

Phir bhi dil hai Hindustani!

2008-09-05T15:25:00.006+05:30

I wonder if things like this happen only in India or abroad. I never heard my friends or relatives talking about such silly things when they come on a vaccation to India.On the other hand, they keep comparing the Indian way and the way abroad. Trust me, I feel my blood boiling at a temp of 100C!!!

People born and brought up in this country, speak in such a way, just because they have been abroad for a certain period.And what do we do at that time??? Keep praising the system abroad?(it's worth praising!) Keep boasting about it to our neighbours!But why don't we give it a thought, to implement it, follow those rules and maintain that discipline???

Well hope these things happen in the near future... Things may or may not happen.India may be The India I dream of and the not part has equal probability too. Phir bhi dil hai Hindustani! Whatever happens,the love for this "desh" (country) will remain the same.

Independence Day!!!???

2008-08-28T00:18:00.008+05:30

I could do nothing to support myself that day. Neither the government nor my friends came to my help when I was yearning for a cause where everyone’s concern was involved. My confidence crumbled into pieces. Hoisting the National Flag and singing the National Anthem on Independence Day, with no respect for it is a shame to the society.

It’s time we change our thought process. The government can’t take care of each and every aspect.Certainly they can paint the picture of a woman and write "Ladies" on it!(hopefully in a better way) Though they do their best, the responsibility lies in our hands. (As in the case of the TTE).

“Charity begins at home”. It’s time to take the initiative. Let us all work in this direction to curb such a menace pertaining in the society, so that women get equal rights in every aspect.

Rights, Remedies????

2008-08-28T00:08:00.008+05:30

Even on this Independence Day, the women force was promised equal rights like any other time. But what is the use? In a country where even the basic rights granted to a woman are not followed, equal rights just seem to be a dream to be cherished.

Many of my friends who read this blog replied in the same old traditional way " This is a very small and a common thing! Nothing can be done about this!"

I agree! This might be a small thing but small things change things at larger scale.

"Little drops of water,
Little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean,
And the pleasant land!

Little deeds of kindness,
Little words of love,
Make our Earth an eden,
Like the Heaven above!"

The thoughts crept......

2008-08-21T16:06:00.003+05:30

I felt dejected. Was it not his duty to get down with the others instead of telling that i only asked him to get down? Is it still the divine faith that men are superior, dominating this society? It was at that point of time that this thought crept into my mind " Is India at 61 nearing retirement? Or is it too young to cope up with such small differences(rather indifferences) in the society( believe or not!). Have voices like mine been raised in these 61 years that continue to fall on deaf ears? Or is it that the voices are raising now? The better option seems that the voices have been suppressed in these 61 years.The thing is that India has never changed since 1947! Developing technologically is not the only aspect considered when taken into account. Developing into a strong human force is the basic need of the hour! When you have man power, things automatically fall in places... But when will people understand such a small and simple logic! People need not scratch their brains nor put tremendous effort to get this done! Humanity endowed with sincerity is the requirement!

What do you think???

2008-08-21T15:49:00.006+05:30

This is for the people reading my blog. What do you think might have happened? Did they get down accepting their mistake? Perhaps many of you might have guessed it right! Else this blog would never exist!

"This is ladies compartment..." "I know" was the immediate reply. " Then you should know that you as an educated citizen should not get into the ladies coach". This was how my mind spoke for me. I was partially rude but I was not guilty for it.Then the man turned to the rest of his friends and said "This educated girl is asking me to get down, whereas she could have asked all of us to do it!" and began laughing! Everyone was a spectator but none spoke for me. I was shocked to see how people can be so submissive rather tolerant to injustice...Even my freinds' din't utter a word.

At last! The TTE got into the compartment after a lot of struggle. I was very happy to visualize the consequence but my happiness dint last long. The TTE asked them to get down at that particular station. Either they convinced him or pleaded him remains unknown to me, but they continued standing there like a king who won back the throne after a war! The TTE got down at the next stop and the men grinned at me, celebrating their win.

August14,2008

2008-08-21T15:38:00.002+05:30

This incident changed my thoughts once for all. The local was packed owing to holidays at a stretch. A few men got into the ladies compartment(knowingly or unknowingly), when there was no place for the ladies to stand.They stood near the door and proved to be an obstacle for the ladies getting into the coach. I thought that they would get down at the next stop because they were aware of the inconvenience they were causing. They proved me wrong and continued standing there, commenting every lady getting in! They were of my father's age. But I felt a strong urge to stop them. I got up from my seat, walked up to them and said "This is ladies compartment..."

Life in a Local.....

2008-08-17T04:48:00.001+05:30

I go to college by the local train. Thanks to the government of A.P that we still have a mode of transport that gives us comfort and save lot of time in this polluted hi-tech city. As usual there are three general compartments, first class and three coaches exclusively reserved for ladies. Often it happens that people unknowingly get into the ladies compartment and the first class. They get down at the next stop when they realize it.There are people who even get in without a ticket. There are ladies trying to escape from the TTE saying that their ticket is with their husbands,kids who try to snatch away your cell phones, once the train starts! Not to forget the beggars who pretend to be physically handicapped... This is the order of life, I witness daily!

Where do we stand as a Nation???

2008-08-17T03:31:00.001+05:30

India, a country that boasts of its rich tradition and cultural heritage turned 61 on this August 15, 2008. This largest democracy in the world stands testimony to non-violence and patience. Fortunately or unfortunately India has stepped into yet another year of its independence, where indiscipline is still the order of the day. The thing that pesters me is “Is India still in the nascent stages or nearing retirement or has it already retired???” What made me think in this direction? Well the answer to this is a very simple one. Anyone who would witness this would doubt this country’s legacy where women are regarded as the better half even in the scriptures.