Why are we all feeling so ashamed of the spectacle that the Commom Wealth Games are turning out to be? We must embrace it coz it truly represents what we Indians are
Proscrastinators - We start out any task with the ‘just in time ‘ attitude.So all preparations, presentations happen just in time and we manage just fine.The CWG preparations will also happen till and after the opening ceremony. So What?
JLT - Just like that . Attention to detail - What’s that? Since we do things just in time , we execute them JLT only. It might be the tacky shoes under fancy clothes at a fashion show, or the wrong flowers at a party or dirty loos at the CW Village.And nothing in life is permanent, so why stress on quality?
Of a higher hygiene order - When the CWG official claimed that the Indian’s hygiene level is different from other countries, he was absolutely right.
We believe in the purificatory properties of water, therefore our bathrooms are always wet. The temples are dirty with the muck that the water picks up.The crematoriums are dirty as is the Holy Ganga. So What?
Our houses are clean because all the garbage is thrown outside. And that outside area is not one’s concern (unless you can encroach upon it somehow).
Likewise, every Indian, from one travelling in a train or a bus to a BMW casually throws the garbage out of the window on to the road. Paan is also meant to be spat out on the roads and buildings - unless ofcourse there is a god’s picture adorning the wall.
Loos everywhere - from temples to airplanes to fancy hotels and multiplexes are ALWAYS dirty.And very likely someone would have also pissed on the ground.And ofcourse, the world is one’s personal loo -so you can piss and defecate anywhere in India.
We dig our noses, scratch our crotches and burp in full public view. So what! That is my janam sidh adhikar.
Ofcourse, we Indians are lazy, corrupt, inefficient and dirty. So What? We were a (supposedly) great people once and can still bask in that glory. We don’t have to follow the Western notions of cleanliness, efficiency and detailing. Please excuse us - we are like that only. We are not and will never rise above our station..So what! Live and let live.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The Indian Middle Class
Everyone talks about the country sitting on gunpowder , waiting to explode any day because of the growing divide between the rich and the poor.
Hello, does anybody even think of the Middle Class and the fact that one day they will wake up to the harsh realities of their existence?
Squeezed like a limp piece of chicken from both sides - the rich on one side whose money gives them everything on a platter . The poor on the other side who walk away with all the benefits because of grants and subsidies.
Paying taxes through their noses, but getting no service. Bad roads and infrastructure, an expensive educational system that does not deliver, reservations that ensure that meritocracy does not stand a chance.
Paying through their noses for bad housing and running pillar to post for subsidised housing. The rich can afford all and the politicians and bureaucrats allot subsidised housing to themselves. The poor only have to squat anywhere and they reap dividends in terms of free housing and free land.
A judicial system that makes you wish you knew an underworld don who would deliver justice through the parallel system. A police force that only services the politicians and one that you would not trust your daughter with.A bureaucracy that is a living nightmare.
Prices that rise , expenses that rise and salaries that don’t keep up.
I think there will be a time that the middle class will also become militant. And stand up for its right.And demand answers on his tax money, incompetent politicians, avaricious bureaucrats. It may even demand to know why everyone shares equal rights as them- when clearly it is the Middle Class that makes this country tick?
Maybe it will already be too late when they do stand up. We might have relinquished our democratic rights already in favour of an oligarchy or even a monarchy!
Hello, does anybody even think of the Middle Class and the fact that one day they will wake up to the harsh realities of their existence?
Squeezed like a limp piece of chicken from both sides - the rich on one side whose money gives them everything on a platter . The poor on the other side who walk away with all the benefits because of grants and subsidies.
Paying taxes through their noses, but getting no service. Bad roads and infrastructure, an expensive educational system that does not deliver, reservations that ensure that meritocracy does not stand a chance.
Paying through their noses for bad housing and running pillar to post for subsidised housing. The rich can afford all and the politicians and bureaucrats allot subsidised housing to themselves. The poor only have to squat anywhere and they reap dividends in terms of free housing and free land.
A judicial system that makes you wish you knew an underworld don who would deliver justice through the parallel system. A police force that only services the politicians and one that you would not trust your daughter with.A bureaucracy that is a living nightmare.
Prices that rise , expenses that rise and salaries that don’t keep up.
I think there will be a time that the middle class will also become militant. And stand up for its right.And demand answers on his tax money, incompetent politicians, avaricious bureaucrats. It may even demand to know why everyone shares equal rights as them- when clearly it is the Middle Class that makes this country tick?
Maybe it will already be too late when they do stand up. We might have relinquished our democratic rights already in favour of an oligarchy or even a monarchy!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Security for kids
Obama must be a guy with the highest amount of security. And yet, none of it seems visible and instrusive. At a recent visit to China, hubby darling was in the same hotel as Hilary Clinton and he could not tell.
Of course, lets not get to our politicians in india who have so much visible security - yet they manage to get killed and get mauled with chappals and shoes. They are a story oft repeated.
But I am seeing another class of protected ones. And I feel sorry thinking about the kind of lives they are destined to lead - one without privacy and in full glare of people watching their every move. These are kids (of all ages ) of filmstars, diamond merchants , liquor barons and any other high networth/high profile persons. The bodyguards accompany the kids everywhere. While the kid is in school, they sit outside the school yapping and exchanging notes with other drivers and staff members. They accompany them to gyms , where they stand outside the main area and watch everyone , including young girls sweating it out. The body guards switch on their distress lights and honk maddeningly as they follow the car with the baba log, shooing everyone else off the crowded Mumbai roads.
And I don’t understand how they are protecting their charges? By blaring their horns and creating drama on the roads, they attract attention to the very people they are meant to protect. So a kidnapper does really know whose kid travels in that car. And can decide on the amount of ransom depending on the size and make of the car. Anyone can walk into the gym and shoot those young kids exercising, while their bodyguards try to get close to their bodies.
Perhaps their parents need to watch 24 or take tips from Obama’s security that will really protect their kids.
More importantly, why should I have to pay for their security? I don’t care , would not turn a second time to look at these kids. Then why should my car get bumped off the road and why should someone watch me huffing and panting in the gym?
Of course, lets not get to our politicians in india who have so much visible security - yet they manage to get killed and get mauled with chappals and shoes. They are a story oft repeated.
But I am seeing another class of protected ones. And I feel sorry thinking about the kind of lives they are destined to lead - one without privacy and in full glare of people watching their every move. These are kids (of all ages ) of filmstars, diamond merchants , liquor barons and any other high networth/high profile persons. The bodyguards accompany the kids everywhere. While the kid is in school, they sit outside the school yapping and exchanging notes with other drivers and staff members. They accompany them to gyms , where they stand outside the main area and watch everyone , including young girls sweating it out. The body guards switch on their distress lights and honk maddeningly as they follow the car with the baba log, shooing everyone else off the crowded Mumbai roads.
And I don’t understand how they are protecting their charges? By blaring their horns and creating drama on the roads, they attract attention to the very people they are meant to protect. So a kidnapper does really know whose kid travels in that car. And can decide on the amount of ransom depending on the size and make of the car. Anyone can walk into the gym and shoot those young kids exercising, while their bodyguards try to get close to their bodies.
Perhaps their parents need to watch 24 or take tips from Obama’s security that will really protect their kids.
More importantly, why should I have to pay for their security? I don’t care , would not turn a second time to look at these kids. Then why should my car get bumped off the road and why should someone watch me huffing and panting in the gym?
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Indian Loo Habits
If there is one thing that binds the rich Indian and the poor one, a fat Indian and a scrawny one, a North Indian and a South one, it is the loo habits we have. We follow this philosophy of purification by water a little too seriously. The inward and outbound flights from India very quickly have loos that are watery and messy. Most will disregard the humble commode and discharge their waters on the floor of the toilets. And if one does decide to make use of the commode, why not sit half squat or not pick up the covers and spill the effluent all over the place!
Really this one Indian habit really shames me. I can bet that if a study were carried out, Indians would top the list for not knowing how to use public loos. And it is not only one class of people who is the culprit. ALL of us are. I now play a game at the cinemas with Nishna. The better dressed hep babe/aunty will be the one who will leave the loo messy, stare at us balefully and walk out. And I am left complaining loudly.
For myself, I have learnt to carry my own toilet paper and learnt to not follow an Indian into the loo.
Really this one Indian habit really shames me. I can bet that if a study were carried out, Indians would top the list for not knowing how to use public loos. And it is not only one class of people who is the culprit. ALL of us are. I now play a game at the cinemas with Nishna. The better dressed hep babe/aunty will be the one who will leave the loo messy, stare at us balefully and walk out. And I am left complaining loudly.
For myself, I have learnt to carry my own toilet paper and learnt to not follow an Indian into the loo.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Obama Condoms
At the Times Square in New York I experienced something that was truly democratic. At a crossing, there was a guy selling Obama Condoms. Some people held lively discussions with him, some picked up a keepsake condom and others like yours truly smiled and crossed the traffic light.
Later it set me thinking what the Obama Condom truly signified. Freedom of Speech and Expression that is the Fundamental Right in any true democracy. The Obama Condom, whatever the intention of the seller , did not lessen the awe in which most of the world citizens hold Obama . An intelligent , Ivy League College Black guy who has become the most powerful man in the world. An orator par excellence who makes you believe you can!
And can you imagine the same happening in India? Pawar contraceptives,Thackeray condoms or Gandhi birth control pills? And can they be sold at the traffic signal? Chances are some decent citizens will be outraged and will blast you. Else, the n number of political parties looking for issues other than roti, kapda aur makaan will wallop the daylights out of you. The police will arrest you and your family and your building and neighbourhood too! And many obscenity laws will be invoked to keep you among hardened criminals in jail!
We let go of our Freedom of Speech so easily in India. We want to say nothing about politicians or any other person who we consider powerful.A movie like Rajneeti is whetted by the Congress to make sure that there are no similarities with the Gandhi family. The government treads lightly when Canada refuses visas calling our Security outfits terrorists, but issues strong warnings to the author on Sonia’s biography. No Maratha politician bears even the remotest likeness to the Great Shivaji and yet they want to ban a book on him!Why only politicians, even vocal people like Harsha Bhogle and Ravi Shastri kept mum when Sachin Tendulkar cheated in the IPL match this year.And no film reporter worth his salt will report the dalliances and drug abuse of our most popular film stars. We don’t even have the courage to tell people to not spit on the road or wear a clean pair of shoes to the gym!
This makes me mad and upset. Our freedom has come after tremendous struggle and we have been given Rights that should not be frittered away because of inertia or fear.
I should be able to buy Singh condoms at Pali Naka!
Later it set me thinking what the Obama Condom truly signified. Freedom of Speech and Expression that is the Fundamental Right in any true democracy. The Obama Condom, whatever the intention of the seller , did not lessen the awe in which most of the world citizens hold Obama . An intelligent , Ivy League College Black guy who has become the most powerful man in the world. An orator par excellence who makes you believe you can!
And can you imagine the same happening in India? Pawar contraceptives,Thackeray condoms or Gandhi birth control pills? And can they be sold at the traffic signal? Chances are some decent citizens will be outraged and will blast you. Else, the n number of political parties looking for issues other than roti, kapda aur makaan will wallop the daylights out of you. The police will arrest you and your family and your building and neighbourhood too! And many obscenity laws will be invoked to keep you among hardened criminals in jail!
We let go of our Freedom of Speech so easily in India. We want to say nothing about politicians or any other person who we consider powerful.A movie like Rajneeti is whetted by the Congress to make sure that there are no similarities with the Gandhi family. The government treads lightly when Canada refuses visas calling our Security outfits terrorists, but issues strong warnings to the author on Sonia’s biography. No Maratha politician bears even the remotest likeness to the Great Shivaji and yet they want to ban a book on him!Why only politicians, even vocal people like Harsha Bhogle and Ravi Shastri kept mum when Sachin Tendulkar cheated in the IPL match this year.And no film reporter worth his salt will report the dalliances and drug abuse of our most popular film stars. We don’t even have the courage to tell people to not spit on the road or wear a clean pair of shoes to the gym!
This makes me mad and upset. Our freedom has come after tremendous struggle and we have been given Rights that should not be frittered away because of inertia or fear.
I should be able to buy Singh condoms at Pali Naka!
Monday, June 14, 2010
To the land of Plenty
Off to the land of plenty and there are plenty of reasons I will find to eat and make merry!
The BIG MAC – there is something about this poor imitation of the original beefburger. The thing is – it satisfies every single time. I can feel the pickle on my tongue already and the whole family will head to this All American icon first thing on arrival!
The clam chowder at Boston and the Vietnamese restaurant at Harvard Square, the hot dog at Central Park – these are the things that good food memories are made of. And what is an early morning drive out without a Coffee Coolata and a BEHC sandwich from Dunkin Donuts? And the yucky candied apple at Disney looks so appealing that I have to absolutely bite into it. The sickly sweet Cinnabon is another must have. Not to mention the generous portions of steak and chicken! And the yummy ice creams and frozen yoghurts! And the deli cuts and cheese. And the Thai, Chinese and Indian also thrown in for good measure.
This feeling that I will not get to eat this food again never leaves me on a holiday. And the humongous portion sizes fit my greed every single time. Fatigue eating hits an all time high driven by fatigue from enjoying at the theme parks and fatigue from shopping too much! Then I eat coz I am happy and I eat coz I am angry about something.
The land of aplenty has gorgeous fruits and salads too – Come again? My mind switches off to those possibilities atleast!
So I will eat and come back many kgs heavier and look at the weighing scales in horror. And tell my self – I don’t know what happened!!!
And get back to trying to lose these kgs before starting to lose the weight I had put on last summer!
Oh.did I mention that I will also get two different sizes of clothes – one to fit into now and one that I will fit into six (eight, ten ) months later!
The BIG MAC – there is something about this poor imitation of the original beefburger. The thing is – it satisfies every single time. I can feel the pickle on my tongue already and the whole family will head to this All American icon first thing on arrival!
The clam chowder at Boston and the Vietnamese restaurant at Harvard Square, the hot dog at Central Park – these are the things that good food memories are made of. And what is an early morning drive out without a Coffee Coolata and a BEHC sandwich from Dunkin Donuts? And the yucky candied apple at Disney looks so appealing that I have to absolutely bite into it. The sickly sweet Cinnabon is another must have. Not to mention the generous portions of steak and chicken! And the yummy ice creams and frozen yoghurts! And the deli cuts and cheese. And the Thai, Chinese and Indian also thrown in for good measure.
This feeling that I will not get to eat this food again never leaves me on a holiday. And the humongous portion sizes fit my greed every single time. Fatigue eating hits an all time high driven by fatigue from enjoying at the theme parks and fatigue from shopping too much! Then I eat coz I am happy and I eat coz I am angry about something.
The land of aplenty has gorgeous fruits and salads too – Come again? My mind switches off to those possibilities atleast!
So I will eat and come back many kgs heavier and look at the weighing scales in horror. And tell my self – I don’t know what happened!!!
And get back to trying to lose these kgs before starting to lose the weight I had put on last summer!
Oh.did I mention that I will also get two different sizes of clothes – one to fit into now and one that I will fit into six (eight, ten ) months later!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Getting away scotfree?
Does anybody really go scotfree? I believe not. Even when the law of the land does not catch up with you, there is a higher power that makes sure that life evens out. Has Warren Anderson walked away scotfree? Well our dirty politicians that took money to help the white skin (actually it could be any colour as long as the money was deep and smelt good!) and he has never stood before an Indian court to be dealt a punishment. Now despite the fact that media and others are baying for his blood, chances are that Anderson will kick the bucket before anything comes of it.
But he has not gotten away scotfree. Even if his conscience does not bother him, people around him would view him with suspicion and he would never have been above reproach. Maybe nobody spoke up in front of him about killing those poor brown Indians, but worse, they would have discussed it behind his back. And I wonder what his kids and wife thought of him. Surely it is not a pleasant feeling to not be above suspicion.
People such as these enjoy no goodwill. The Ansals got away lightly in the court, but a lot of people I know dropped them from their social lists. I have no positive thoughts for them and really, as a business family they have not gone anywhere. Tytler and other perpetrators of the ’84 Sikh riots are not a happy lot and have spent a lifetime trying to escape the noose.
Karma works – every single time. You only need to look around you to see it work. Justice happens and happens well. I am always reminded of what Rose Dawson said of the people who got saved after the Titanic sank. “Afterward, the people in the boats had nothing to do but wait. Wait to die. Wait to live. Wait for an absolution that would never come.”Even a non believer like me believes in this.
But he has not gotten away scotfree. Even if his conscience does not bother him, people around him would view him with suspicion and he would never have been above reproach. Maybe nobody spoke up in front of him about killing those poor brown Indians, but worse, they would have discussed it behind his back. And I wonder what his kids and wife thought of him. Surely it is not a pleasant feeling to not be above suspicion.
People such as these enjoy no goodwill. The Ansals got away lightly in the court, but a lot of people I know dropped them from their social lists. I have no positive thoughts for them and really, as a business family they have not gone anywhere. Tytler and other perpetrators of the ’84 Sikh riots are not a happy lot and have spent a lifetime trying to escape the noose.
Karma works – every single time. You only need to look around you to see it work. Justice happens and happens well. I am always reminded of what Rose Dawson said of the people who got saved after the Titanic sank. “Afterward, the people in the boats had nothing to do but wait. Wait to die. Wait to live. Wait for an absolution that would never come.”Even a non believer like me believes in this.
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