That came as a surprise, but not an unpleasant one. It is amazing what hope one guy can bring with him. And what strong political will can bring about! YES WE CAN represents the new age mantra and raises hopes of a happier future for kids all over the world.
And then we have our Indian Politicians. YES WE CAN translates into so many actionable points for them , though I doubt if any of these will fetch them a place in civilised history!
YES WE CAN – make our families rich for generations by stealing all the money that belongs to the people of this country. So what if there is no public infrastructure – my family has land, houses, cars and pots and pots of filthy money!
- YES WE CAN create issues out of air – Marathi manoos vs rest of India, Tharoor twitting away, SRK getting held up at the airport. Who cares if Mumbaikars are struggling to get to work each day or women are unsafe in Delhi?
- YES WE CAN delay things that do not suit our purpose – Roti , Kapda aur Makaan for people, clearing out slums, building in time for the Commonwealth Games.
- YES WE CAN – create nuisance – Ram Sena that thought it was immoral of girls to go to a bar, MNS that can make powerful Karan Johar come to him instead of following the law of the land, MNS that threatens the OZ team.
- YES WE CAN be brazen about anything in this country – creating parks and statues for ourselves, our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters; flying business and first and throwing attitude, shutting the sealink for the lords of this country to pass thru, or inconveniencing all of delhi because we are unprepared for commonwealth games.
- YES WE CAN – keep quiet about things that may put us in a tight spot – so noone has the courage to tell the Thackerays to lay off, to demolish slums, to come down heavily on the bureaucracy that does not work.
- YES WE CAN use all public machinery for only our people. So, satellites, helicopters –the work were looking for one YSR Reddy, but there was nothing when Mumbai was attacked.
Obama got a nobel prize for raising hope! And regular Indians also deserve a Nobel Prize – for eternal hope. Hope that someday, we will have a government that performs, that there will be roti , kapda and makaan for all, that kids will learn in school, that there will be jobs and healthcare for all!
-
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Celebrating Marriage
Karva Chauth is one of the only times I blatantly lie to my in-laws. They think I keep the vrat and I have little courage to tell them I don’t. Not that I don’t love Praneet or don’t want a long life for him or don’t want to demonstrate my love for him. But really, I don’t love him more on that day – rather I will hate him for being the reason I went hungry that whole day! I am happy to do it the year he is not travelling and keeps it with me, but food is too dear to me!
Anju had this wonderful take on Karva Chauth – she looks at it as a celebration of her marriage. For so many years you look for the right person to marry and then when you do, and Karva Chauth comes around, it is such a fun ritual. It breaks the monotony of another working day – you get mehndi put, buy new bright clothes and bangles , get up in the morning for sargi and start your day! There is Puja in the evening and that ritual makes you feel part of womanhood and helps connect with other women! Ofcourse, New Age women raise a toast to their husbands. Women bond big time with each other that day as well – bunches meet to play cards or go see a movie!
Then there are husbands like my father and brother in law and many friends, who also keep the vrat with their wives! That is so gracious of them!
But Anju made me realise that this is not about men! This is about women and the happiness that it brings to them. The ritual may have its roots in any tradition or superstition, but the feeling that one does it with is complete love..and therefore, I think a better celebration of marriage than the anniversary!
So Praneet darling, I will definitely do one of these two things next year – Either tell Mummy truthfully that I can’t keep the vrat, or will actually keep it for you!
Keep the gift ready in that case!
Anju had this wonderful take on Karva Chauth – she looks at it as a celebration of her marriage. For so many years you look for the right person to marry and then when you do, and Karva Chauth comes around, it is such a fun ritual. It breaks the monotony of another working day – you get mehndi put, buy new bright clothes and bangles , get up in the morning for sargi and start your day! There is Puja in the evening and that ritual makes you feel part of womanhood and helps connect with other women! Ofcourse, New Age women raise a toast to their husbands. Women bond big time with each other that day as well – bunches meet to play cards or go see a movie!
Then there are husbands like my father and brother in law and many friends, who also keep the vrat with their wives! That is so gracious of them!
But Anju made me realise that this is not about men! This is about women and the happiness that it brings to them. The ritual may have its roots in any tradition or superstition, but the feeling that one does it with is complete love..and therefore, I think a better celebration of marriage than the anniversary!
So Praneet darling, I will definitely do one of these two things next year – Either tell Mummy truthfully that I can’t keep the vrat, or will actually keep it for you!
Keep the gift ready in that case!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Jai Ho
We define Patriotism and national pride and identity in so many stupid ways! So if Pakistan lost the match in the last ball to Australia, it was a deliberate attempt to put us down. If Dhoni and team win the match, we are proud Indians. When Akshay Kumar gives his patriotic speech in Namastey London – oh the warming of punju blood! When SRK is detained at US, it is an insult to our national pride!!
But there was a true Indian moment last week at the special screening of Wake up Sid at Juhu PVR last week. As soon as the national flag came on screen, everyone shuffled on their feet and stood up. The flag was on the big purdah but there was a problem with the sound system. As we all stood, there was no music for the longest time. Then, a guy in the front screamed,’Come on guys, lets sing it!’There were some giggles and some embarrassment. A few people started singing the National Anthem and within seconds, all joined in! It was amazing! Everyone was standing upright and singing loudly. There was no music to drown out the voices – shrill, soft, in tune or out of it! And at the end of it, perhaps we were all so overwhelmed by ourselves that all of us started clapping and there were cheers of Jai Ho all around.
This was so different from when we were kids – it was so uncool to know Hindi or sing the national anthem – I mean who was happy about being an Indian in India? NRIs had money, clothes and all fancy stuff, there was no McDonald’s or colour TV and the only revolution on the road was the Maruti car.
But this high I came back with got punctured promptly when I came back home. 11 year Daughter dearest informed me that Bollywood was not her type and neither was Bollywood music! Huh! And I thought this generation was different!
Or maybe we become patriotic only as we grow older!!
But there was a true Indian moment last week at the special screening of Wake up Sid at Juhu PVR last week. As soon as the national flag came on screen, everyone shuffled on their feet and stood up. The flag was on the big purdah but there was a problem with the sound system. As we all stood, there was no music for the longest time. Then, a guy in the front screamed,’Come on guys, lets sing it!’There were some giggles and some embarrassment. A few people started singing the National Anthem and within seconds, all joined in! It was amazing! Everyone was standing upright and singing loudly. There was no music to drown out the voices – shrill, soft, in tune or out of it! And at the end of it, perhaps we were all so overwhelmed by ourselves that all of us started clapping and there were cheers of Jai Ho all around.
This was so different from when we were kids – it was so uncool to know Hindi or sing the national anthem – I mean who was happy about being an Indian in India? NRIs had money, clothes and all fancy stuff, there was no McDonald’s or colour TV and the only revolution on the road was the Maruti car.
But this high I came back with got punctured promptly when I came back home. 11 year Daughter dearest informed me that Bollywood was not her type and neither was Bollywood music! Huh! And I thought this generation was different!
Or maybe we become patriotic only as we grow older!!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Men at 40!
Ever noticed men at 40? They are a class apart. I am not sure if there is something called male menopause, but they sure get hit by mid-life crisis harder than women do. By forty, most men are ‘arriving ‘in life – in terms of career and money! But one fine morning they wake up and the mirror throws back the image of this overweight, balding/ salt and peppered hair individual. Indian Men (despite what the matrimonial columns might say! ) are hardly good looking when they are younger. But at 40, they can see themselves truly for what they!
At the gym, the poor guys huff and pant with weights. They face stiff competition from the younger crowd there. At the park, you can see many 40 pluses, running with their jiggly jelly bellies in front of them. They learn the art of good posture so that inches can be cut off. They join the queue at the dietician , visit beauty parlours for facials , pedicures and hair dye! They change their wardrobes and start wearing linen and funky fabindia clothes.
But there is definitely one place they seem to win hands down. There is actually a class of women that find these men attractive. The nubile young PYTs at office. For the PYTs , these guys have it all – money, fame and a powerful position..and that is a powerful aphrodisiac! And the attention they give these powerful men is unbelievable! It gives these men a fresh lease of life – they preen in the attention and become larger than life!
Watch any 40 plus man next to you!! And have fun!
At the gym, the poor guys huff and pant with weights. They face stiff competition from the younger crowd there. At the park, you can see many 40 pluses, running with their jiggly jelly bellies in front of them. They learn the art of good posture so that inches can be cut off. They join the queue at the dietician , visit beauty parlours for facials , pedicures and hair dye! They change their wardrobes and start wearing linen and funky fabindia clothes.
But there is definitely one place they seem to win hands down. There is actually a class of women that find these men attractive. The nubile young PYTs at office. For the PYTs , these guys have it all – money, fame and a powerful position..and that is a powerful aphrodisiac! And the attention they give these powerful men is unbelievable! It gives these men a fresh lease of life – they preen in the attention and become larger than life!
Watch any 40 plus man next to you!! And have fun!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Happy Teacher's Day
On Teacher’s Day I asked my kids if they wanted to take flowers for their teachers at school. They thought and said no. Then (possibly prompted by Praneet) they told me that I was their first teacher, so Happy Teacher’s Day to me!
And cheesy as it was, I thought it was true. My mom is my constant teacher. From hygiene lessons like potty training and bathing, to biology lessons about the birds and the bees, chemistry lessons on the art of boys and cooking, Newton’s laws as apply to karma and religion, storytelling and family values, Mom has done it all. And despite the fact that I am a mom now, she still is my life teacher. She is the one who constantly harasses me to do more, to work and to have a high self-esteem.
And I guess almost all of us feel like that about our moms! Even good old Mama’s Indian boys!
So, I will go and buy myself that bunch of flowers that Praneet did not buy me for Teacher’s Day!!
And cheesy as it was, I thought it was true. My mom is my constant teacher. From hygiene lessons like potty training and bathing, to biology lessons about the birds and the bees, chemistry lessons on the art of boys and cooking, Newton’s laws as apply to karma and religion, storytelling and family values, Mom has done it all. And despite the fact that I am a mom now, she still is my life teacher. She is the one who constantly harasses me to do more, to work and to have a high self-esteem.
And I guess almost all of us feel like that about our moms! Even good old Mama’s Indian boys!
So, I will go and buy myself that bunch of flowers that Praneet did not buy me for Teacher’s Day!!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Who is a VIP??
I am feeling a little short-changed. I was born in the wrong country (am brown), in the wrong social class (middle class) , to the wrong parents (my parents are not politicians) , married the wrong guy (does not own a billion dollar business ) chose a wrong career (was forced to study) and am not good looking, sexy or slim. That effectively means that I will never be a VIP ! Such a wasted life!!
These are India’s VIPs….
1. The mai – baap – the politicians. They have the right of way, everywhere. Roads are cleared for them, flights delayed for them and newspaper articles that criticize them are quashed. They are super rich and the whole police force works for them. Until, they lose power. You really think Rahul Mahajan‘s addiction would have made it to news if his dad was still alive?
2. The film-stars – SRK is detained at Newark and even Ambika Soni reacts. SRK is ofcourse top of the rung, but even if you are an Amrita Rao, Ashish Choudhry, Neha Dhupia, you will get a special escort to Lalbaug Cha Raja and Siddivinayak temple. Not to mention good restaurant seats, special service at parlours and shops and VIP seats at kids’ school functions. And Shiney Ahuja is not a VIP; else he would never have been arrested on rape charges.
3. The Goras – It will be only a matter of time before they become our true masters again. At the airport , the custom guy will simper at the Gora and let him thru, while you are asked to lug the heavy bags thru the x-ray machines again. The Gora will get better service at a restaurant, theatre and the local grocery store. And in our own country can turn around and snub us down.And we explain it away by saying ‘athithi devo bhav’. But this does not apply to blacks and yellows who visit our country. Only to Hillary didi and hottie Angelina Jolie!
4. The models –check out the dudes who come to the gyms. At Leena Mogre’s, you know there is a minor VIP when Ms Mogre comes to the gym early in the morning and clucks over the VIP. And these VIPS do not take gym membership but their presence is supposed to ensure that the gym’s membership will increase. And the makeup is full on for photo-ops!
5. The dieticians/ personal trainers who help stars – Boy, that is the new generation of VIPs! They titter on TV, give knowledgeable interviews on TV and charge thru the roof for consultancy. And if you are a menial mortal like me, paying that much money will not ensure any service! Check out what Rujuta Diwekar charges now after Kareena Kapoor made her famous!
6. The big corporate giants – There is nothing that these BIG guys cannot get. They have body guards, film stars and politicians who fawn over them! And you would do well to follow their escorted cars in peak traffic. The traffic police will salaam you towards speedier return home! They get special escorts at airports with all the officials falling all over them for alms.
7. The ‘slumdogs’ – They can stare at you with impunity and strip you naked with their blatancy. They can brush past you and make lewd gestures. But you will not want to take a panga with them.Coz they can molest, rape, throw acid and/or kill you!
Please God, in my next birth, change some of my circumstances so I can also be a VIP!!!
These are India’s VIPs….
1. The mai – baap – the politicians. They have the right of way, everywhere. Roads are cleared for them, flights delayed for them and newspaper articles that criticize them are quashed. They are super rich and the whole police force works for them. Until, they lose power. You really think Rahul Mahajan‘s addiction would have made it to news if his dad was still alive?
2. The film-stars – SRK is detained at Newark and even Ambika Soni reacts. SRK is ofcourse top of the rung, but even if you are an Amrita Rao, Ashish Choudhry, Neha Dhupia, you will get a special escort to Lalbaug Cha Raja and Siddivinayak temple. Not to mention good restaurant seats, special service at parlours and shops and VIP seats at kids’ school functions. And Shiney Ahuja is not a VIP; else he would never have been arrested on rape charges.
3. The Goras – It will be only a matter of time before they become our true masters again. At the airport , the custom guy will simper at the Gora and let him thru, while you are asked to lug the heavy bags thru the x-ray machines again. The Gora will get better service at a restaurant, theatre and the local grocery store. And in our own country can turn around and snub us down.And we explain it away by saying ‘athithi devo bhav’. But this does not apply to blacks and yellows who visit our country. Only to Hillary didi and hottie Angelina Jolie!
4. The models –check out the dudes who come to the gyms. At Leena Mogre’s, you know there is a minor VIP when Ms Mogre comes to the gym early in the morning and clucks over the VIP. And these VIPS do not take gym membership but their presence is supposed to ensure that the gym’s membership will increase. And the makeup is full on for photo-ops!
5. The dieticians/ personal trainers who help stars – Boy, that is the new generation of VIPs! They titter on TV, give knowledgeable interviews on TV and charge thru the roof for consultancy. And if you are a menial mortal like me, paying that much money will not ensure any service! Check out what Rujuta Diwekar charges now after Kareena Kapoor made her famous!
6. The big corporate giants – There is nothing that these BIG guys cannot get. They have body guards, film stars and politicians who fawn over them! And you would do well to follow their escorted cars in peak traffic. The traffic police will salaam you towards speedier return home! They get special escorts at airports with all the officials falling all over them for alms.
7. The ‘slumdogs’ – They can stare at you with impunity and strip you naked with their blatancy. They can brush past you and make lewd gestures. But you will not want to take a panga with them.Coz they can molest, rape, throw acid and/or kill you!
Please God, in my next birth, change some of my circumstances so I can also be a VIP!!!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Being Preeti Bakshi
When I was unmarried, I rather loved my surname! And when it was time to get married and take a new name, I was quite upset! Why should I have to change everything? Change the way I dressed, shift my loyalties from my parents to my new family and to top it all, change my name too! I protested, and Praneet being the sweet gentle soul he is, did not insist. My dad kept asking me to change my name, because it would make life easier for me – for passport and other documents.
But how would I include my maternal surname? Preeti Singh Bakshi meant that Praneet’s surname came in the middle and Preeti Bakshi Singh did not sound right! Anyway, since I was still working, I went with Preeti Bakshi most of the places, until I started feeling a little sorry for Praneet. Every time I was travelling and he would call me in the hotel, they would connect him saying, ‘Mr Bakshi is calling!’ So eventually, I gave it up after some months and settled down to being Preeti Singh.
Preeti Bakshi, for me is a time, when I was footloose and fancy free, the beloved daughter of my parents whose needs always came first. Preeti Singh is an adult (??), a wife and a mom (a crazy one), a home-maker (not very good, but still responsible for her family’s well being, first and foremost!).
And then, the other day, I received a courier from my parents – and they had addressed it to Preeti Bakshi. And I realized that my email ID is also saved as Preeti Bakshi in their address books.
This one act pleased me like no one’s business – While I love being Preeti Singh, I am still the same old Preeti Bakshi!! And that too for my Dad, who was most insistent that I change my surname! Love you Dad for keeping me alive!!
But how would I include my maternal surname? Preeti Singh Bakshi meant that Praneet’s surname came in the middle and Preeti Bakshi Singh did not sound right! Anyway, since I was still working, I went with Preeti Bakshi most of the places, until I started feeling a little sorry for Praneet. Every time I was travelling and he would call me in the hotel, they would connect him saying, ‘Mr Bakshi is calling!’ So eventually, I gave it up after some months and settled down to being Preeti Singh.
Preeti Bakshi, for me is a time, when I was footloose and fancy free, the beloved daughter of my parents whose needs always came first. Preeti Singh is an adult (??), a wife and a mom (a crazy one), a home-maker (not very good, but still responsible for her family’s well being, first and foremost!).
And then, the other day, I received a courier from my parents – and they had addressed it to Preeti Bakshi. And I realized that my email ID is also saved as Preeti Bakshi in their address books.
This one act pleased me like no one’s business – While I love being Preeti Singh, I am still the same old Preeti Bakshi!! And that too for my Dad, who was most insistent that I change my surname! Love you Dad for keeping me alive!!
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