Archive for May, 2008
May 31, 2008 at 6:12 am
· Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged cricket, D.Y.Patil stadium, friends, gladiators, IPL, life, Nerul, Rajasthan, renovations, roman, squashed, stadium, tale, theatre, Wankhede
The IPL tournament is on the verge of reaching its climax as I write this. While most people are now wondering their future course of action in terms of television viewing, I am thinking on another front altogether.
Prior to the tournament, I had never been to an Indian stadium to watch a live cricket match. My first taste of the cricket madness that is so unique to India was at the D.Y. Patil stadium, Nerul. While getting there was a pain, the stadium in itself was a class apart. Spacious with cross-ventilation, designated seating, unblocked view of the pitch from anywhere you sit, it was a cricket lover’s dream come true. The food stalls just added to the atmosphere and it felt like an ancient roman theatre with gladiators performing in the middle. Truly entertaining!
Yesterday, I was at Wankhede. Now, I take the blame for what happened partly as we reached at 8.05 for an 8 o’clock match. Then we reached the wrong bridge thanks to the wrong directions of friends so it was a comedy of errors to begin with. But the horror started after that, it was so crowded! There was no place to sit and I was literally squashed while standing for the first half. To top it all, there was absolutely no ventilation. Had it not been for the company of friends and some good cricket from Rajasthan, I would have gone mad!
We got place to sit in the second half and from then it was smooth sailing till the end. Then the way out was again jammed and I was once again squashed. The only plus of the stadium is that the station is right outside so you can leave for home in peace unlike in Nerul where you have to first think of transportation.
However, I would advise you to never take small children with you to Wankhede, it’s a recipe for disaster. My only hope is that when the renovations are completed, it will be able to offer more of a competition to D.Y. Patil. As of now, Nerul wins hands down.
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May 29, 2008 at 5:06 am
· Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged anthill, children, integrity, life, middle class, money, morals, mother, mumbai, Parents, personality, pre-teens, script, society, survive, teenagers, traditional, values
My mother was very disturbed yesterday. The entire week she had read disturbing news about juvenile crimes. She could not fathom how pre-teens and teenagers from middle and upper-middle class Mumbai families could be involved. She kept wondering how the class, supposed to be rock solid in values, is the rotten apple in the bunch.
True, na? Traditionally, it is the middle class that epitomes the character of a society. They are the foundation on which society works and functions, like the worker ant in an anthill. Hardworking with high ambitions, integrity with strength of character, they are the ones who pass on traditional, working class values to their children. So what’s gone wrong?
Exactly that. With money becoming all-important, both parents now have even less time to spend with their children. Lack of quality time results in no family values and that’s where the script fails. Children grow up thinking that the only way to survive is to make money. So can you blame them if they are willing to bend the rules along the way?
So what does it mean for society? Well, I really don’t know. But when an entire generation grows up without morals and an individualistic personality, can the future really be bright? That’s for each one of us to interpret.
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May 28, 2008 at 5:31 am
· Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged 26/7, advertisement, BMC, cess, family, food, freedom, infrastructure, jobs, life, money, monsoon, mumbai, Mumbaikars, oil, politicians, politics, rains, real estate, relationships, socializing, tax, travel
Another cess or tax is going to be introduced to aid the ailing oil industry. As if people are not taxed enough! I mean come on; life has become such a pain these days for us Mumbaikars. It’s like living in a rut and never finding the way out.
First of all, finding decent jobs is difficult. While a lot of people come here to earn a living, most forget that nearly nothing can be saved. The cost of living is that high. Real estate and food prices are going through the roof and traveling from one end of the city to the other can cause so much stress that it can drastically reduce your life-span. To top it all, relationships are taking a beating due to increased work hours and less time for socializing.
Then, after all the trouble one goes through to survive, you realise that the government has taxed almost everything leaving you with peanuts in your hand. Those who don not live with family, end up paying nearly half their pay packets as rent! Add travel and food costs and more often than not you are broke much before the month end.
I can even understand being taxed if some good comes off it. Like that advertisement that asks everyone to dutifully pay taxes so that the money can be used to build infrastructure. But as we all know that almost never happens. Our hard earned money goes into the politicians’ pockets and we continue to live in impoverished conditions that deteriorate even further.
Just as an example, take the monsoon. It’s a yearly phenomenon so it never catches us by surprise. The BMC has nine months to complete repairing roads, building new flyovers, de-silt drains. Yet every year the rains manage to catch the BMC on the wrong foot as if they never knew that June would mark the beginning of the rains! While a 26/7 is a natural disaster that no one can prepare for even the normal Mumbai rains catches the city administration napping and Mumbaikars running for cover.
It’s seriously so frustrating to see all my hard earned money go into the hands of incompetent fools who have no clue on how to run the country. Try as I may to think of politics as a circus, it still hurts that this is the freedom that our ancestors gave their blood and soul for. Was it worth it?
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May 27, 2008 at 6:12 am
· Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged Aarushi, cases, cuss, degrading, exception, family, friends, genuine, human, humanity, karma, life, murder, Neeraj, norm, values, world
The world gives me the chills. Is just a case of bad karma? I don’t know. These days, I find it insulting to be called human. Humanity is like a cuss word that is reserved for those who lack morals or ethics.
There was a time when you would make it purely on the basis of hard work and talent. Now, you reach the top you have to be willing to pull someone else down. Life has become all about money and careers and you are judged only on those parameters. Who needs friends and families? As long as I am successful in my professional life, my personal life can go down the drain. Are you surprised then with the lonely existences most people live and the rising divorce rates in the country?
I, for one, refuse to allow any one aspect of my life to control me. I want it all. My reason is simple…of what use are all the joys and successes in life if you have no one to share it with? It’s tough to make and sustain long-lasting relationships. Genuine friends are hard to find and even more difficult to replace. But it is only in the company of family and friends can life truly be said to be meaningful.
And I have to hope that a few people out there agree with me. If not, the Neeraj and Aarushi murder cases will soon become the norm rather than the exception. With no ethics and a degrading value system, what else can we expect?
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May 26, 2008 at 4:49 am
· Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged Aarushi, accused, bond, daughter, Father, life, money, murder, Neeraj, power, Rajesh, sacred, Talwar, trust, victim, world
What’s going on in the world these days? The thirst for money and power has all but destroyed the basic value system that we cherished. The family system that we hold so dear is fast disintegrating and the individual who lives only for himself is taking its place.
What else can I say when the entire country is talking about the Aarushi and Neeraj murder cases? A father killing his only daughter! I remember the day the news broke that Rajesh Talwar had murdered his daughter. My father’s first reaction was that such a scenario is impossible. Later, when the gory details spilled, he looked in my direction and asked, “Do you think a father can kill his child?” When he realized that my answer would be an emphatic yes, he looked crestfallen. The sacred bond of unrivalled trust that a father and daughter share had just taken a beating.
This isn’t to say that all fathers are evil. It’s just that with values eroding daily it is becoming very difficult to sustain a pure relationship based on trust. The big, bad world is taking over our lives and our last security blanket was the relationship we shared with our parents. Now that too has come under the scanner.
I remember that while growing up my parents never let me have a sleepover at a friend’s place. It’s not that they felt that my friends grew up on the wrong side of the road. They didn’t trust the outside world. Now imagine the scenario if mothers have to keep children safe from their own fathers!! How does one handle this situation?
I really hope that Rajesh does turn out to be a victim rather than the accused. I hope it for all fathers and daughters around the world. The alternative scenario is too scary to even consider.
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May 20, 2008 at 9:15 am
· Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged ancient, charity, children, daughter, Gandhi, gandmother, Ganga, Gen-X, grandfather, groom., Hindu, holy, husband, india, kanyadaan, life, male, scriptures, Varanasi, water, widows, wife
Just started reading Water. The story revolves around widows on the banks of the river Ganga, Varanasi. The setting is ancient as it deals with life during Gandhi’s times. The current scenario has improved a lot and Indian society must take credit for it. We criticize its rules but times are changing fast and for the better, especially for women.
When my grandmother tells me stories of her youth I feel like I belong to privileged times. She wasn’t educated beyond the tenth as the school was in another district and she was a girl. So her inquisitive nature was squashed under housework till she was of a marriageable age. My grandfather, the man she married, was 10 years her senior. She had no say in her choice of groom. Hearing all this I do feel that we, Gen X, do take our freedom for granted.
But my concern is another. I fail to understand why holy books so discriminate against the girl child? Our holy scriptures describes women as non-existential till she is married off. Only when she is one with her husband is she considered as a person. Her sole purpose in life is to have male children and should she fail to do that her family casts her away.
But this one angers me the most. The reason is because it is practiced till date. The scriptures say the biggest form of charity is the kanyadaan. After the daan, the parents forgo all rights over the daughter and she is the property of another person. It is this logic that caused the suffering of widows. You see, when the husband dies you ceased to be matter as you are no longer a daughter or wife. Easy solution na?
My only question is, why is the kanyadaan still practiced today? I really don’t know. Someone answer.
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May 17, 2008 at 5:56 am
· Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged blasts, emotion, heinous, Jaipur, Lukha chuppi, maa, music, Rang De Basanti, song, terror
Ever wondered how songs express emotions that you wish to convey but are unable to? I have. With me there are times when I feel that no matter what I say the emotion will not be expressed as deeply. There will be no right way to put the state of the mind and that is when I turn to music. Some songs just fit the situation and make me feel…aah! This is what I wanted to say.
The last time this happened to was the morning after the Jaipur blasts. How do you feel for those lost in a heinous act of terrorism and grieve for their families? Is there a right way to just say I am with you? I don’t know. I can’t explain but this song from Rang de Basanti does just that.
Luka Chuppi bahut huyi saamne aa ja naa
Kahan kahan dhoondha tujhe
thak gayi hai ab teri maa
Aaja saanjh hui mujhe teri fikar
Dhundhla gayi dekh meri nazar aa ja na
Kya bataoon maa kahan hoon main
Yahan udney ko mere khula aasmaan hai
Tere kisson jaisa bhola salona
jahan hain yahan sapno vala
Meri patang ho befikar udd rahi hai maa
Dor koi loote nahin beech se kaate na
Aaja saanjh hui mujhe teri fikar
Dhundhla gayi dekh meri nazar aa ja na
Teri raah takey aankhiyaan
jaane kaisa kaisa hoye jiyaa
Dhire dhire aangan utre andhera, mera deep kahan
Dhalke suraj kare ishara chanda tu hai kahan
Mere chanda tu hai kahan
Luka Chuppi bahut huyi saamne aa ja naa
Kahan kahan dhoondha tujhe thak gayi hai ab teri maa
Aaja saanjh hui mujhe teri fikar
Dhundhla gayi dekh meri nazar aa ja na
kaise tujhko dikhaun yahaan hai kya
Maine jharne se paani maa tod ke piya hai
Guchcha guchcha kai khwabon ka uchal ke chuwa hai
Chaaya liya bhali dhoop yahaan hai
Naya naya sa hai roop yahan
Yahaan sab kuch hai maa phir bhi
lage bin tere mujhko akela
Aaja saanjh hui mujhe teri fikar
Dhundhla gayi dekh meri nazar aa ja na
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May 16, 2008 at 4:28 am
· Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged airport, city, coastal, Custodians, droughts, earth, famines, floods, food, future, generations, global warming, india, infrastructure, international, life, mangroves, movie, mumbai, Panvel, planet, politicians, rising, storms, temperatures, The Day After Tomorrow, water
I am confused. I don’t understand why environmental laws exist in India. No one cares about complying with them and every politician bends them to suit their individual needs.
Take for instance the second airport issue. The government finally decided to build the much-awaited second international airport in Panvel, just outside the city. But the area is covered with mangroves and any construction was forbidden. So what does the state government do? It just changes the law and construction is possible. Problem solved. End of discussion.
Why do we take the environment so lightly? Do we actually believe that we can abuse it all we want and nature will let us get away? Global warming is a natural phenomenon but what is alarming is its speed. The end result will be a regular occurrence of storms, droughts, famines and floods. India cannot escape it.
Neither can Mumbai. Let us not forget that we are a coastal city. If the ocean turns against us we will have nowhere to hide. Rising temperatures will increase sea levels and in a few years it may be virtually impossible inhabit Mumbai. Can we take such a chance?
A lot of countries including India are under the misconception that when the time comes they will deal with the environment. My advise to them is…please do watch the movie ‘The Day After Tomorrow.’ In the end there will be nothing left to be done except sit on the sidelines and watch millions meet their end in water and/or food wars. The time to act is now or the future will be lost.
Let us not forget that we are just custodians to the planet we inherited from our forefathers. The earth belongs to our future generations and we must do all we can to ensure that they inherit a better future than we did.
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May 15, 2008 at 7:19 am
· Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged Australia, Bali, Berry, blasts, bon voyage, cricket, family, india, IPL, Iraq, Jaipur, kids, Lalit Modi, Macquarie National News, Rajasthan Royals, Smith, terror, terrorism, Warne, Watson, wife
Just read one of the saddest comments. I am too disgusted to even think straight. Berry, the Rajasthan Royals team manager has given the following quote in Macquarie National News, “Cricket has been good to me, but I have a wife and three kids back in Melbourne and they are less than impressed with the part of the world I am in.”
This is in regards to the Jaipur blasts. It seems that Warne, Watson and Smith are all considering leaving India and the IPL as their families are worried about the safety situation in the country. While it is perfectly acceptable to be concerned for your own life, why do you need to say ‘they are less than impressed with the part of the world I am in.’ It’s derogatory not only to the country but also to those affected by the blasts. Come on, who are you kidding? You are given world-class security, the central government has promised better security for the matches and have your own personal security guards. How can you complain?
It’s an insult to the city that has just felt the full impact of terrorism for the first time. Also, according to Berry, the entire country is in a lockdown mode. Does he think he is in Iraq? Or is he living in this fantasy world in which Australia will forever escape terrorism? Australia may have never experienced a terror attack on their soil but a lot of Australians have lost their lives in the terror attacks in Bali.
So all I want to say is if you want to leave just leave. But there are other people in this country who have just lost their loved ones. Show some respect to their sentiments and next year please do not come back. Stay in the safety cocoon of your country. The people of Jaipur and the IPL can both do without you. And Mr. Lalit Modi, do wish them a bon voyage home on my behalf.
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May 15, 2008 at 5:16 am
· Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged ’93 blasts, Black Friday, buildings, buses, cabs, casualties, character, chennai, Delhi, doctors, emotions, life, machines, mohalla committee, mumbai, Mumbaikars, news channels, offices, panic, resilience, riots, security, Spirit of Mumbai, survival, trains
I am reading Black Friday. It’s a book that talks about the ’93 blasts and the riots that preceded it. Mumbai has since not reached inflammable levels. The formation of the mohalla committees has served its purpose and both communities have eventually realized that it is in no one’s interest to kill. I am just sorry that this realisation has come at such a high price.
My friend, some days ago, was telling me that she didn’t understand why such a hue and cry is made about the ‘Spirit of Mumbai’. She is from Chennai and it escaped her understanding why only Mumbai is credited for its ability to move on. Every city does the same thing, she explained to me.
My response to it is that no other city in the country has any many scars from terror attacks as Mumbai. Terrorists have taken away each and every safety blanket that exists. They have targeted buses, trains, cabs, buildings, and offices, leaving nothing to the imagination. The only thing left untouched is they city’s character, resilience and ability to move on.
Another thing I explained was that no Mumbaikar boasts of the Mumbai Spirit. How can we? It makes us look like machines that have no emotions. That we don’t care about what happens around us. It’s just that life is tough here and even without these tragic events each day is a struggle for survival for most Mumbaikars. So when any untoward incident occurs, they help and then retreat into their own worlds to get on with their lives.
Also, we don’t like news channels harping about Mumbai’s spirit. They don’t know what they are talking about most of the times, sitting in their cozy offices in Delhi and should just let sensationalism be.
While on the topic, is it necessary to ask doctors and government officials the number of casualties as the first question? It is really insensitive and serves no purpose apart from creating more panic than necessary.
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