India is at war. And you wouldn't know it even if you see it.
You see, it is a war of attitudes. Indian vs the rest of the developed world. Or so I think.
Every night, Airplanes from all major airports in Europe sneak into Indian cities. A couple of days back, I was on one of them. As always, the plane gracefully swayed and sashayed into Mumbai, giving me one of the best views of Marine drive, even though I was not sitting at the window seat this time.
The landing was bumpy and the taxiing was brief. We had stopped. And then began the great Indian thrust - to be the first to disembark. A huge force propelled us to rise as one and open the overhead babbage bins and we began pulling out our stuff. Um.
The parry: 'All passengers are please requested to be seated TILL WE ARRIVE AT THE GATE. WE HAVE NOT REACHED OUR GATE YET. SIR. SIR, PLEASE PUT THAT BACK . . .'
The air hostess was at her wits end as to how to handle it. In Europe, we were all such well behaved gents and ladies. We waited our turn, were polite even as we were asked who had packed our stuff. Yes, Ma'am. I packed my own bags. No. No one gave me anything. Yes, we had battery operated devices. Cell phones, cameras and laptops. Yes Ma'am. Thank you Ma'am. And we flashed our Colgate smiles with our twinkling teeth.
And the moment we landed in India, the desi air seeped through the pressurized cabin and we geared up for what worked in India. To compete in India, to be the best, we needed to take advantage of every opportunity. Even the opportunity to get off the plane first.
I guess, it shows in the way we talk, the way we act and the way we drive. If there is an opportunity to get an advantage by jumping a queue, I will take it please. Yes, I am Indian. A proud one at that.
Yes, in your world, I will politely wait my turn to be serviced, and wear that smile on my face. But that is not who I am. Very briefly does the mask slip in your world. But the landing terminal is one such place.
I make no judgements, just tell it like it is. You may think I am rude. I am not. I am just the water. I take the shape of the bowl I am placed in. And that is adaptability.
The signal is about to turn green. There are still ten seconds left. I switch on my engine. and I creep forward. . . when I am half way down the crossing, it does turn green. and . . .Yes! I have crossed first.
PS: Re, the thrust and parry, there is a saying that goes thus: He who deplanes first, waits longest for his baggage to arrive. Touché?
PPS: Oh Alright! I made it up.
Till next time
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
How does a building get a life
We moved into a new building in June. It was incomplete. Bamboo sticks had still not been removed, especially from the elaborate structure at the lobby.
The lifts were covered with wooden planks and the final coat of paint still needed to be given in the staircase area. It was not a home, just an unfinished building. And we were the only occupants.
Every day, as I returned from work, I noticed the lights on only in one flat - ours. The building had not yet come to life.
As time went by, I got used to the single light. Busy Workdays and exhausting all-nighters were beginning to take over my life. It was then that the miracle happened.
Just before Diwali, as I came in after yet another late night, I glanced out of the rickshaw that dropped me home. Our light was switched on as usual. BUT there were many more!!!
In the ensuing months, the bamboo sticks had been removed, the paint had come on, and people had moved in. Our building had a pulse.
By glorious coincidence, the late nighters reduced and I started coming home on time. I saw people coming in, chatted with them and even got an occasional ride from them. Come Diwali, the building, my building came alive to the sound and lights of fireworks.
I don't stay in a building anymore. I stay in a home now. And I love it.
The lifts were covered with wooden planks and the final coat of paint still needed to be given in the staircase area. It was not a home, just an unfinished building. And we were the only occupants.
Every day, as I returned from work, I noticed the lights on only in one flat - ours. The building had not yet come to life.
As time went by, I got used to the single light. Busy Workdays and exhausting all-nighters were beginning to take over my life. It was then that the miracle happened.
Just before Diwali, as I came in after yet another late night, I glanced out of the rickshaw that dropped me home. Our light was switched on as usual. BUT there were many more!!!
In the ensuing months, the bamboo sticks had been removed, the paint had come on, and people had moved in. Our building had a pulse.
By glorious coincidence, the late nighters reduced and I started coming home on time. I saw people coming in, chatted with them and even got an occasional ride from them. Come Diwali, the building, my building came alive to the sound and lights of fireworks.
I don't stay in a building anymore. I stay in a home now. And I love it.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Who I Am
A Traveler since birth,
Seeking where laughter lurked
Traveled through hills and valley,
But not once realized his folly.
Till one day, he tiredly stopped,
By the lake side up on some rock,
He gazed at himself and quietly smiled,
He knew that he’d at last arrived.
No more did he have to keep on lookin’,
He now knew that it lurked within.
So he let it out, one hearty laugh
Burying thus, his demons past.
Seeking where laughter lurked
Traveled through hills and valley,
But not once realized his folly.
Till one day, he tiredly stopped,
By the lake side up on some rock,
He gazed at himself and quietly smiled,
He knew that he’d at last arrived.
No more did he have to keep on lookin’,
He now knew that it lurked within.
So he let it out, one hearty laugh
Burying thus, his demons past.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
What matters most - Part 2
Apologies for the delayed update. I wish I could say that there was some urgent business that kept me from this blog; but really there wasn't. I simply did not reflect to any substantial degree till now.
But back to the topic.
In our quest to uncover what matters , we had very tantalizingly stopped at the point of coitus . . . and we continue from there.
So if we were assume that what really matters most is the passing of fluids, er, genes from one generation to another, what next? Shouldn't our life span be a maximum of 30 years? (15 if you are in Britain, considering their problems with early pregnancy)
Or perhaps 60 years. 30 years to produce our own kin, and 30 to raise them up?
But I believe what matters most should be something greater than the sum of one and one's kids. Why then would we have invented the myriad things we did? and why pursue anything at all? Why indeed search for the meaning of anything?
It was at this stage that I stumbled upon this extract from a John Gardner speech:
Interesting, no?
But back to the topic.
In our quest to uncover what matters , we had very tantalizingly stopped at the point of coitus . . . and we continue from there.
So if we were assume that what really matters most is the passing of fluids, er, genes from one generation to another, what next? Shouldn't our life span be a maximum of 30 years? (15 if you are in Britain, considering their problems with early pregnancy)
Or perhaps 60 years. 30 years to produce our own kin, and 30 to raise them up?
But I believe what matters most should be something greater than the sum of one and one's kids. Why then would we have invented the myriad things we did? and why pursue anything at all? Why indeed search for the meaning of anything?
It was at this stage that I stumbled upon this extract from a John Gardner speech:
Meaning is not something you stumble across, like the answer to a riddle or the prize in a treasure hunt. Meaning is something you build into your life. You build it out of your own past, out of your affections and loyalties, out of the experience of humankind as it is passed on to you, out of your own talent and understanding, out of the things you believe in, out of the things and people you love, out of the values for which you are willing to sacrifice something. The ingredients are there. You are the only one who can put them together into that unique pattern that will be your life. Let it be a life that has dignity and meaning for you. If it does, then the particular balance of success or failure is of less account.
Interesting, no?
Sunday, August 23, 2009
To speak as me
I started this blog with the intention of being honest and fearless. Honest about my thoughts and perspectives, without fearing the need to accomodate anybody's sensitivities.
Anonymity, I figured, was key in being true to oneself. And so I became just another fly on the wall.
That has changed this past week.
Perhaps impulsively or perhaps knowingly I revealed myself to a friend. And here amidst the thoughts and perspectives, she found something that I had been hiding. My voice.
And so I learn to talk again. And I love it.
PS: Thank you. You know who you are.
Anonymity, I figured, was key in being true to oneself. And so I became just another fly on the wall.
That has changed this past week.
Perhaps impulsively or perhaps knowingly I revealed myself to a friend. And here amidst the thoughts and perspectives, she found something that I had been hiding. My voice.
And so I learn to talk again. And I love it.
PS: Thank you. You know who you are.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
What matters most
The question of what matters most is a difficult one to answer. How does one choose between one's values, family and friends, not to mention the precious things gathered over a lifetime. Some things are more expensive than others. However, in some cases, even the easily available can be deemed precious due to memories associated with it.
But today's post is not about what matters most or rather should matter most. Far from it. I'm afraid I am still searching for an answer. My post, rant if you will, has just one objective: to reflect on what has actually mattered to us in the past - not as individuals, but as a group.
A question that I'm forced to reflect on after I received this text message from a friend:
Before you all jump to question the accuracy of the numbers, let me disown them here and now. I make no claim to the numerical / statistical accuracy of these. I'd rather just focus on these two contrasting images and try to reconcile them.
Or lets take another example: In cricket, the first testicular guard was reportedly used in 1871. The first helmet was used only in 1971, a full hundred years later.
Granted, my viewpoint may be labeled narrow and the number of examples given are far too few. but my submission is that these simply highlight the fact that we value passing on our genes to the next generation as more important than self preservation, even though our genes may be corrupted by viruses and the resulting progeny would be short lived . . .
20/8 EDIT:
. . . Or may be I am simply trying to look for a common thread where none exists.
But at some level, I believe that as a species, our evolutionary objective has always been survival. To survive (as a species) means to just do two things:
1 - eat
2 - mate
In the competitive environment that we live in, where not all of us have access to resources or mates, we are forced to adapt. We do what we can to attract more of both of these. Some work their butts off, others go to school, still others steal. And I blog.
Perhaps then, it is not the precious or priceless artifact, it is not the person and it most certainly is not the money which matters most. It would not even our values (a level above the tangible). The answer is perhaps more basic.
Interesting, no?
PS: I shall keep updating this post as I reflect more. Comments are welcome
But today's post is not about what matters most or rather should matter most. Far from it. I'm afraid I am still searching for an answer. My post, rant if you will, has just one objective: to reflect on what has actually mattered to us in the past - not as individuals, but as a group.
A question that I'm forced to reflect on after I received this text message from a friend:
90 people get swine flu and the whole world wants to wear surgical masks. 20 million people have AIDS and yet, no one is keen to wear a condom.
Before you all jump to question the accuracy of the numbers, let me disown them here and now. I make no claim to the numerical / statistical accuracy of these. I'd rather just focus on these two contrasting images and try to reconcile them.
Or lets take another example: In cricket, the first testicular guard was reportedly used in 1871. The first helmet was used only in 1971, a full hundred years later.
Granted, my viewpoint may be labeled narrow and the number of examples given are far too few. but my submission is that these simply highlight the fact that we value passing on our genes to the next generation as more important than self preservation, even though our genes may be corrupted by viruses and the resulting progeny would be short lived . . .
20/8 EDIT:
. . . Or may be I am simply trying to look for a common thread where none exists.
But at some level, I believe that as a species, our evolutionary objective has always been survival. To survive (as a species) means to just do two things:
1 - eat
2 - mate
In the competitive environment that we live in, where not all of us have access to resources or mates, we are forced to adapt. We do what we can to attract more of both of these. Some work their butts off, others go to school, still others steal. And I blog.
Perhaps then, it is not the precious or priceless artifact, it is not the person and it most certainly is not the money which matters most. It would not even our values (a level above the tangible). The answer is perhaps more basic.
Interesting, no?
PS: I shall keep updating this post as I reflect more. Comments are welcome
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The making of a mother
The mighty river flowed and surged,
Ignoring those staring from the edge,
Mere mortals that they were,
Pondering the perils of being bottom fetch’d.
Trembling with fear, they boarded the raft,
So tiny was it, she almost laughed,
Oh! I could eat them whole, they’ll never know
Their virgin voyage, ended with a breath’s gasp.
Perhaps to humour herself, she let them row
Making small waves for them to conquer,
Having them yell, ‘Forward!’ and ‘Back!’
Readying to swallow at their first error.
And then she heard the joy in the lively laughter,
So refreshing an emotion it was to her,
In a journey begun as ice and ending as brine,
That she willed it to carry on further.
She bid the wind to sway and blow,
The clouds to make way and the sun to shine,
The Sun’s warmth made amends for her cold,
As she hummed her riversong to the paddle’s rhyme.
No longer did she care only for her path to the sea,
The next bend to turn or the next rock to wither,
And in allowing them to safely cross,
The Rampaging River became a Caring Mother.
Ignoring those staring from the edge,
Mere mortals that they were,
Pondering the perils of being bottom fetch’d.
Trembling with fear, they boarded the raft,
So tiny was it, she almost laughed,
Oh! I could eat them whole, they’ll never know
Their virgin voyage, ended with a breath’s gasp.
Perhaps to humour herself, she let them row
Making small waves for them to conquer,
Having them yell, ‘Forward!’ and ‘Back!’
Readying to swallow at their first error.
And then she heard the joy in the lively laughter,
So refreshing an emotion it was to her,
In a journey begun as ice and ending as brine,
That she willed it to carry on further.
She bid the wind to sway and blow,
The clouds to make way and the sun to shine,
The Sun’s warmth made amends for her cold,
As she hummed her riversong to the paddle’s rhyme.
No longer did she care only for her path to the sea,
The next bend to turn or the next rock to wither,
And in allowing them to safely cross,
The Rampaging River became a Caring Mother.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
And then there was . . .
. . .a blog.
Hello to all of you bloggers, readers and those just surfing.
To introduce myself, I was the silent fly on the wall. . .The one that was content to just observe. And then I discovered the internet. So now I must blog what I know.
Granted, I don't work for the CIA or FBI or CNN or any other intelligence gathering organization in the world. So I can't quite claim to produce any factual exclusives . . . but one thing that is exclusive is my perspective -case in point: see URL of this blog - blogger tells me that there is only one such url on the whole world wide web :)
So here is hoping that you enjoy reading this blog as much as I enjoy writing it.
For those of you who prefer hard details (a/s/l etc) to abstract summaries (fly on the wall), here they are:
Name: Fly on the Wall
Age: 28 (and growing older)
Sex: Male
Location: Mumbai, India (although I am going to claim that my perspectives are really geographically neutral - ha!)
Personality type: INTP (For those of you searching for yourselves, Myers Briggs personality type is an excellent starting place)
Occupation: professional consultant
Looking for: myself and then the significant other - so the answer is Yes, am still single, ladies ;)
Take care and keep reading
Hello to all of you bloggers, readers and those just surfing.
To introduce myself, I was the silent fly on the wall. . .The one that was content to just observe. And then I discovered the internet. So now I must blog what I know.
Granted, I don't work for the CIA or FBI or CNN or any other intelligence gathering organization in the world. So I can't quite claim to produce any factual exclusives . . . but one thing that is exclusive is my perspective -case in point: see URL of this blog - blogger tells me that there is only one such url on the whole world wide web :)
So here is hoping that you enjoy reading this blog as much as I enjoy writing it.
For those of you who prefer hard details (a/s/l etc) to abstract summaries (fly on the wall), here they are:
Name: Fly on the Wall
Age: 28 (and growing older)
Sex: Male
Location: Mumbai, India (although I am going to claim that my perspectives are really geographically neutral - ha!)
Personality type: INTP (For those of you searching for yourselves, Myers Briggs personality type is an excellent starting place)
Occupation: professional consultant
Looking for: myself and then the significant other - so the answer is Yes, am still single, ladies ;)
Take care and keep reading
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