They said it costs the environment great danger. We didnt listen. They now say its going to cost you money- we will listen, wont we?
For the first time ever, I felt happy paying for something which I didnt have to pay for so far. A medium size plastic bag costs Rs 2 henceforth and doesnt come free with your groceries at the department store. Though I had a desire to contribute to the cause of saying NO to plastics, I never stood by it strong. I went to the extent of placing an online order for a reusable cloth bag to carry for shopping but never bothered to followup when the online payment failed. Now I HAVE to
Is it human nature to ignore long term benefits against short term pleasures and convenience. Is it human nature to neglect unless something costs money. Seems to be so!
Please take a look at http://smallsteps.in/?q=models. Encourage your colleagues, friends and family to order these easy to carry cloth bags that can be used instead of plastic bags. This way you not only take that small step that can save the environment but also contribute to the well being of those who produce and distribute it. What more, it looks trendy too!
Educated and Literate we claim ourselves to be. Little more time on the website will help us see how arrogant we have been in contuinuosly contributing to the damage to the environment in every small way we can and pretending not to have known it . Time to wake up, face the fact, listen to, love and respect our Mother Earth. To wither or to Go Green is our choice now
Monday, August 15, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Bharathi - I adore you.
தேடிச் சோறுநிதந் தின்று - பலசின்னஞ் சிறுகதைகள் பேசி - மனம்வாடித் துன்பமிக உழன்று - பிறர்வாடப் பலசெயல்கள் செய்து - நரைகூடிக் கிழப்பருவ மெய்தி - கொடுங்கூற்றுக் கிரையெனப்பின் மாயும் - பலவேடிக்கை மனிதரைப் போலே - நான்வீழ்வே னென்று நினைத் தாயோ?
This poem was an inspiration to me when I got to read it the first time a decade back. It haunts me these days. Afterall, what is it that I do other than eat, sleep and work. Time to wake up. And here is my Prayer
நின்னைச் சிலவரங்கள் கேட்பேன் - அவைநேரே இன்றெனக்குத் தருவாய் - என்றன்முன்னைத் தீயவினைப் பயன்கள் - இன்னும்மூளா தழிந்திடுதல் வேண்டும் - இனிஎன்னைப் புதியவுயி ராக்கி - எனக்கேதுங் கவலையறச் செய்து - மதிதன்னை மிகத்தெளிவு செய்து - என்றும்சந்தோஷங் கொண்டிருக்கச் செய்வாய்...
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
From my offline blog (?) - Mangalore
I resorted to logging my thoughts in a word doc during those intial days when I missed being connected to net.. This is dt.30 March 2010. A year has flown past and lot of things have changed now..
Mangalpuram
New job, new place, new team, new look.. Life seems nice all of a sudden
When I got the offer, there was the usual hesitation and resistance to change.. in addition to which I didnt get to hear anything positive about this place People didnt seem to know much about this place except communal sensitivity and very hot weather. Its human tendency to remember such things forget the good as mundane. Coimbatore is still remembered for the blasts that happened more than a decade back though the population there doesnt. Applying the same logic here I decided to take it a shot. The weather which is considered as bad by " normal" beings was ok for me due to the abnormalities nature of my health and it was a good point to convince my Parents and bro. Now about Mangalore
1. For two masala dosas, one plate sambar vada, two coffees all you pay is 52 bucks. tasty simple food. My Dad was shocked.You get full dabba of leechi icecream for just 30 rs!!! I was shocked
2. Auto men stick to meter and dont harass you. They pay you back the change even if its one re( Chennaites and cbeians reading this.. Believe me..it IS TRUE)
3. Traffic though not so organised is less comparitively.
4. City is yet to develop in terms of the no of IT or ITES companies however already has happenign malls in the place
5. Though few farmlands are being cleared,, there is still lot of greenery around
6. Women are beautiful ( MLR gave India her first Miss World). Men are ok ok but then mostly decent and disciplined.
7. The place where I work,, our country manager prefers to take the bus to office and eat the not so good yet no so bad food at cafeteria along with the team, steps out for women to enter the lift first..(( OH.. I ADORE HIM) He hails from Mangalore..
8. I have not so troublesome colleagues.. no trouble so far team with good friendly open minded members
Than everything else, the smile I had almost lost somewhere down the line is back in my face
All this could be just because of the fancy in place and people being new... I still dont mind.. for these days are the good ones I am having after a very loooooooong time.I love Mangalore for that
Mangalpuram
New job, new place, new team, new look.. Life seems nice all of a sudden
When I got the offer, there was the usual hesitation and resistance to change.. in addition to which I didnt get to hear anything positive about this place People didnt seem to know much about this place except communal sensitivity and very hot weather. Its human tendency to remember such things forget the good as mundane. Coimbatore is still remembered for the blasts that happened more than a decade back though the population there doesnt. Applying the same logic here I decided to take it a shot. The weather which is considered as bad by " normal" beings was ok for me due to the abnormalities nature of my health and it was a good point to convince my Parents and bro. Now about Mangalore
1. For two masala dosas, one plate sambar vada, two coffees all you pay is 52 bucks. tasty simple food. My Dad was shocked.You get full dabba of leechi icecream for just 30 rs!!! I was shocked
2. Auto men stick to meter and dont harass you. They pay you back the change even if its one re( Chennaites and cbeians reading this.. Believe me..it IS TRUE)
3. Traffic though not so organised is less comparitively.
4. City is yet to develop in terms of the no of IT or ITES companies however already has happenign malls in the place
5. Though few farmlands are being cleared,, there is still lot of greenery around
6. Women are beautiful ( MLR gave India her first Miss World). Men are ok ok but then mostly decent and disciplined.
7. The place where I work,, our country manager prefers to take the bus to office and eat the not so good yet no so bad food at cafeteria along with the team, steps out for women to enter the lift first..(( OH.. I ADORE HIM) He hails from Mangalore..
8. I have not so troublesome colleagues.. no trouble so far team with good friendly open minded members
Than everything else, the smile I had almost lost somewhere down the line is back in my face
All this could be just because of the fancy in place and people being new... I still dont mind.. for these days are the good ones I am having after a very loooooooong time.I love Mangalore for that
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
KISS
Did I mention earlier I shall keep my posts smaller? Its end of Jan and resolutions start to fade by now.
BTW, the title is a abbreviation used in Communication skills Training sessions- To Keep It Short and Simple( or sweet). I managed to keep the title atleast that way
BTW, the title is a abbreviation used in Communication skills Training sessions- To Keep It Short and Simple( or sweet). I managed to keep the title atleast that way
Phir mile sur??? Nowhere close
When I saw a mention about this in the net, I immediately logged into youtube to see the video. It definitely had a grand opening with ARR on Continuum and my expectations soared that very moment. ARR on this instrument reminded me of the haunting but awesome music in Delhi 6(Rehna Tu) An all pervasive, reverberating, melancholic still sought after music that lingers on for long.So.. grand opening it was. Did the rest meet my expectations? Hardly.
The benefit of doubt that remakes and remix dont satisfy people who tend to compare it with the original, doesnt hold good here.
I have watched Mile Sur a million times on DD in my teens. It had the effect close to that of our National Anthem in me and maybe a little more enthusiasm/commercial masala effect due to the presence of cinestars, musicians and other famous personalties.Even today when I hear/see the old version,it has the same effect, not to mention nostalgic. The latest one is a complete disappointment that way. Forget partriotism..it just seems just as a hurried attempt to remake a masterpiece by lining up celebrities.
I found even Sonu Nigams singing a little out of place. Deepika should have saved that dress for the ramps. Why did Aamir choose to sing this one in Aye.. kya bolti style? Heights! Shahrukh could have spared atleast this one of his boring outdated arm stretching posture.
On the other hand, you find almost all of the great musicians and artists of the country there doing their part in the most sincere and beautiful manner possible( Sivamani rocks).I guess Vikrams tried it himself and he sounds good, not sure though. Priyanka should have tried as well for the singer she is claimed to be and could have avoided coming out so strange. Big Bs voice creates the usual magic.Aishwarya does her part by looking stunning as ever and holding hands with her husband. Salman with the kids is a touching, heart warming addition. Individually, most have done justice - but the mixing together is totally messed up. So there is Sur.. but why is the essence of it interwining and coming out as a whole missing big time? You see gaps and holes in the whole which the popularity of the participants has failed to hide.
Also, Where is the common man?? Is India all about Cinema and Sports? I really miss the shy malayalee atop an elephant going "ente swaramum.." slanting his face and moving histhin body to the music, the bunch of oldies getting off the train, the man on the boat in Kashmir lake.. How can a Indian relate himself to this one like the earlier one which showed a part of him in there? The earlier one celebrated both the significant and simple aspects of India while this one seems like a toast for the successful ones only
The benefit of doubt that remakes and remix dont satisfy people who tend to compare it with the original, doesnt hold good here.
I have watched Mile Sur a million times on DD in my teens. It had the effect close to that of our National Anthem in me and maybe a little more enthusiasm/commercial masala effect due to the presence of cinestars, musicians and other famous personalties.Even today when I hear/see the old version,it has the same effect, not to mention nostalgic. The latest one is a complete disappointment that way. Forget partriotism..it just seems just as a hurried attempt to remake a masterpiece by lining up celebrities.
I found even Sonu Nigams singing a little out of place. Deepika should have saved that dress for the ramps. Why did Aamir choose to sing this one in Aye.. kya bolti style? Heights! Shahrukh could have spared atleast this one of his boring outdated arm stretching posture.
On the other hand, you find almost all of the great musicians and artists of the country there doing their part in the most sincere and beautiful manner possible( Sivamani rocks).I guess Vikrams tried it himself and he sounds good, not sure though. Priyanka should have tried as well for the singer she is claimed to be and could have avoided coming out so strange. Big Bs voice creates the usual magic.Aishwarya does her part by looking stunning as ever and holding hands with her husband. Salman with the kids is a touching, heart warming addition. Individually, most have done justice - but the mixing together is totally messed up. So there is Sur.. but why is the essence of it interwining and coming out as a whole missing big time? You see gaps and holes in the whole which the popularity of the participants has failed to hide.
Also, Where is the common man?? Is India all about Cinema and Sports? I really miss the shy malayalee atop an elephant going "ente swaramum.." slanting his face and moving histhin body to the music, the bunch of oldies getting off the train, the man on the boat in Kashmir lake.. How can a Indian relate himself to this one like the earlier one which showed a part of him in there? The earlier one celebrated both the significant and simple aspects of India while this one seems like a toast for the successful ones only
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Why blog?
Aasai arubadhu naal, mogam muppathu naal- This is usally said to denote that the fancy of love/lust/marriage dies quickly, a max of 90 days. I think it applies to all. Even blogging. I started it few months back and now I dont seem to get a chance or mindset to post something regularly as before. Why start then? People always want to try something new when there is no loss/harm in trying. So did I. Why do people blog. These are few things I could come up with. Maybe others can add
1. They are bored and got nothing else to do
2. They want to share information
3. Voice their opinion( you dont have to worry if any one is listening. so convenient)
4. Avoid debating as a consequence of 3. Moderate or remove comments
5. Bring out the writer in them or test writing skills
6. Portray they're net savvy - am the Gen X Y Z Z1 Z2 Z3 group( I wonder why they started with X..maybe the one who coined it thought the world would disappear in three to four decades from then). Or is it something I am not aware of.
7. Connect with the rest of the world
8. Can write better than talk.
9. Just for fun
10. Get no strings attached companions.
I sqeezed my brains so hard and could comeup with nothing more.I , btw, belong to category 1.
Having noted that my posts are way too long mostly and that its the age of "Twittering" I am going to try to convey more in less. That again sounds convenient for now. Not sure if it will work out for me
1. They are bored and got nothing else to do
2. They want to share information
3. Voice their opinion( you dont have to worry if any one is listening. so convenient)
4. Avoid debating as a consequence of 3. Moderate or remove comments
5. Bring out the writer in them or test writing skills
6. Portray they're net savvy - am the Gen X Y Z Z1 Z2 Z3 group( I wonder why they started with X..maybe the one who coined it thought the world would disappear in three to four decades from then). Or is it something I am not aware of.
7. Connect with the rest of the world
8. Can write better than talk.
9. Just for fun
10. Get no strings attached companions.
I sqeezed my brains so hard and could comeup with nothing more.I , btw, belong to category 1.
Having noted that my posts are way too long mostly and that its the age of "Twittering" I am going to try to convey more in less. That again sounds convenient for now. Not sure if it will work out for me
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
To help or not to
One of my friends recently narrated this incident that happened in the bus and how bad he felt for not being able to help a woman who fell down flat on her face when the bus braked suddenly. She was standing next to him. He could have prevented her fall if at all he had held her while she was falling. I asked him why he hadn't. He said he was afraid to be mistaken. Now, is a fall embarrassing or a man holding you ( which means physical contact)to prevent the fall.
I was at the chennai station a little too early for my train and was waiting at the platform. A man not the conventional " decent looking" type came to me with his luggage- few blankets, a big shopper and another bag and asked me if I could watch it for him when he went out to do/get something. When I hesitated he said " just five mins". I accepted. And then all the worrying started. I looked at the bags and was wondering what was inside them. I tried finding reasons to justify my decision which only made it worse. He was actually seated earlier next to a North Indian family and it would have been easier for him to have asked them. Why me? Every minute seemed like hours and he hadnt turned up even after ten mins. I forgot the bags ( including mine) and started gazing around and far to get signs of him coming and/op look for some help. I realised that many of them had worn similar color combination dress like him. I started wondering if I need to tell someone about this and saw a cop. Thankfully before I I went to him this man came back. He showed me his ticket and said he was not able to make the coach number because of the poor print. It looked anything similar to S5 S3 S8 and S9. He had gone searching the charts for his name. I tried to look at other numbers printed, matched it and told him it would probably be 8 or 9. How nice it would have been if he had told this to me earlier.
Few months back, a lady came to my house for a survey. She informed me that she is doing a survey on consumer behavior patterns on behalf of AC Neilson. Having worked for Call centers and in outbound calling for more than two years, I usually try to be nice to these people. I felt a fully filled survey form is definitely going to fetch her some money. Why shouldn't I help her. I started answering the questions and it took more than half hour. I brought her inside the house as it started raining mid way.
After she left I went over the questions she asked. There were some very suspicious ones
1. Who are all the earning members in the family
2. What time does your brother come in and go out( She said as per her sampling , she was supposed to question the third member ( as per age) in the family and that will help her more
3. What brand TV, Fridge, Washing machine, computer, phone do you have
4. What brand shoes do you buy
5. How often do you watch movies and where you go and when you go
6. What time does everyone watch tv at home
She asked a lot many questions and I had also refused to give her some.,.ex, salary range, phone numbers however I had given her enough info to find out when there will be people in my house and what items we have, their value. Next few days I wasnt able to sleep peacefully and would wake up at the slightest sound.I still dont know if what I had done was right or not.
Similar confusions happen when I pay beggars( especially after watching Naan Kadavul). There are many who ridicule/scold me for paying them. " Kai kaal iruku la..ozhachu sambathikalam thaanay". This statement fills me with rage. Why the hell would someone resort to begging if they had other options to live. If its about being lazy, is begging as easy? Would you resort to begging at any point to save physical or mental strain?. But then, you never know. I finally decided that anyways I would pay them. Firstly, I try to buy them food if hunger is the problem else pay. Where it goes and how its used is not my problem. Even if I paid hundred of them and 99 cheated, its worth " being fooled" for the sake of one.
Many of us might have reasons ( genuine enough at times) for not being able to help. However at most times, we just look for excuses. Other than the fact that I am an AR fan, I love this song "Pray for me brother" for this one single line coined. - ARE YOU SEARCHING.. FOR A REASON.. TO BE KIND..
I was at the chennai station a little too early for my train and was waiting at the platform. A man not the conventional " decent looking" type came to me with his luggage- few blankets, a big shopper and another bag and asked me if I could watch it for him when he went out to do/get something. When I hesitated he said " just five mins". I accepted. And then all the worrying started. I looked at the bags and was wondering what was inside them. I tried finding reasons to justify my decision which only made it worse. He was actually seated earlier next to a North Indian family and it would have been easier for him to have asked them. Why me? Every minute seemed like hours and he hadnt turned up even after ten mins. I forgot the bags ( including mine) and started gazing around and far to get signs of him coming and/op look for some help. I realised that many of them had worn similar color combination dress like him. I started wondering if I need to tell someone about this and saw a cop. Thankfully before I I went to him this man came back. He showed me his ticket and said he was not able to make the coach number because of the poor print. It looked anything similar to S5 S3 S8 and S9. He had gone searching the charts for his name. I tried to look at other numbers printed, matched it and told him it would probably be 8 or 9. How nice it would have been if he had told this to me earlier.
Few months back, a lady came to my house for a survey. She informed me that she is doing a survey on consumer behavior patterns on behalf of AC Neilson. Having worked for Call centers and in outbound calling for more than two years, I usually try to be nice to these people. I felt a fully filled survey form is definitely going to fetch her some money. Why shouldn't I help her. I started answering the questions and it took more than half hour. I brought her inside the house as it started raining mid way.
After she left I went over the questions she asked. There were some very suspicious ones
1. Who are all the earning members in the family
2. What time does your brother come in and go out( She said as per her sampling , she was supposed to question the third member ( as per age) in the family and that will help her more
3. What brand TV, Fridge, Washing machine, computer, phone do you have
4. What brand shoes do you buy
5. How often do you watch movies and where you go and when you go
6. What time does everyone watch tv at home
She asked a lot many questions and I had also refused to give her some.,.ex, salary range, phone numbers however I had given her enough info to find out when there will be people in my house and what items we have, their value. Next few days I wasnt able to sleep peacefully and would wake up at the slightest sound.I still dont know if what I had done was right or not.
Similar confusions happen when I pay beggars( especially after watching Naan Kadavul). There are many who ridicule/scold me for paying them. " Kai kaal iruku la..ozhachu sambathikalam thaanay". This statement fills me with rage. Why the hell would someone resort to begging if they had other options to live. If its about being lazy, is begging as easy? Would you resort to begging at any point to save physical or mental strain?. But then, you never know. I finally decided that anyways I would pay them. Firstly, I try to buy them food if hunger is the problem else pay. Where it goes and how its used is not my problem. Even if I paid hundred of them and 99 cheated, its worth " being fooled" for the sake of one.
Many of us might have reasons ( genuine enough at times) for not being able to help. However at most times, we just look for excuses. Other than the fact that I am an AR fan, I love this song "Pray for me brother" for this one single line coined. - ARE YOU SEARCHING.. FOR A REASON.. TO BE KIND..
Its their age: Keen observation and striking intelligence
A decade back it was the day of the youth.Nowadays,its their kids'.. kids upto the age of eight are now leaving the youth behind. They intelligent than us, learn quickly through keen observation and an open mind which doesnt exist in the elders as it gets corrupted by experiences in life over years. The exposure they get and the easy access to information has made the difference. Todays Parents,the youth of yester years put all their love, care and intelligence in bringing up their kids, gave them all they had wanted from their Parents but failed to get. However, these kids have left them wondering if what have done is right or wrong. They border lines of overconfidence, so sure about what they want and dont look for advice and neither listen.Tricking them is almost ruled out but there is great possibility of them tricking us. Is this intelligence for good is what we need to be thinking.
My neighbours son who is two years old, was having a chocolate. when I asked him if I can share a bite ,, he says " Yeh Devayi hai" ( This is medicine). He must have learnt it from someone else. Only that this time he applied it to his favor.
When I took my sisters kid who visited us for her vacation for purchase, she just wontstop showing me pieces which she felt would definitely look good on me. Two mins after I enquire the attendant about a piece on whether its cotton or not, she pulls up another one and asks him " Is this cotton or metal? My periyamma doesnt want metal" She probably heard "material" as metal and was testing the knowledge she just gained. The attendant laughs " Metal a ??". She doesnt want to give up says " yeah.. dont you know metal.. Pithalai" I had to pull her out of the conversation when she got this response " Paapa pathira kadai poyichu pola inga vara munnadi" ( kid probably went shopping for vessels before coming here ).
My 4 year old neices' favorite pass time is Role play. Her name is Niranjani
Niranjani: Amma.. you are Niranjani and I am amma
Her mom: Ok
Niranjani: Niranjini.. how long its been since you woke up.. brush your teeth.. NOW
Her mom: OK
Niranjani: Oh Amma. Dont spoilt it. Do I say yes. I say No
Amma ( laughs): No mummy.. I wont
Niranjani: I am going to be angry now.. you better brush..
She gets bored at this point and comes to my Dad
Niranjani: Thatha. I am the chef. You want food. Ok?
Thatha: mmm...
Niranjani: What tiffin do you want?
Thatha: ( pretends not to understand intending to irritate her..) What?
Niranjani: Thatha.. What "TIFFIN" do you want? ( with little more volume and stress on the word Tiffin)
Thatha: What???
Niranjani: Oh thatha " What mum mum do you want?"
I can use this as an illustration for " paraphrasing " technique on call when training my team on phone etiquette. What we have to train adults to say and do, these kids know and do it naturally and by default.
All these sound good and nice still there are a lot of things to worry about as well.
My colleagues daughter wants her mom to wait until the hero/heroine undress before changing channels. If at all her Mom dares to, she says " they still have their clothes on .. why do you have to change the channel.. am enjoying watching it"
My sisters kid comments on catching me singing.. " Why do you always sing melody- ..You look so sad.. I feel sorry for you.." I asked her what then would make her feel that I am happy. She goes " sing nakka mukka or kathazhe kannalay". Thats the effect TV and media has on them.
My 12 yr old cousin doesnt want her mom to go to Parents teachers meet without straightening her frizzy hair. That is the importance they give to external beauty. I recently saw an ad where this girl says that she is ready to clean her room or worse even do dishes (!!!) if God can make here pimple vanish before the DJ night. Here cleanliness is about being without a pimple. Kids who are 8 or 9 yrs get waxing done on body hair. Hygiene, health and beauty are confused with one another. If clean skin has to be fair and flawless, where would all the dark skinned or pimpled population go
Talking about ads, Virgin mobile ads irritate me to the core. The entire value system is questioned and made fun of. Many of them expect me to see the humor and ignore it, what about the kids who grow up watching it everyday? Generation gap? I dont know.
Well, I started somewhere and deviated to these topics. Getting back,Are we going to feed their intelligence with something good or let them turn into a bunch whose values would be nothing but materialistic and fake? What about their life after their thirties when the charm and intelligence starts to fade, life becomes lonely and monotonous?
My neighbours son who is two years old, was having a chocolate. when I asked him if I can share a bite ,, he says " Yeh Devayi hai" ( This is medicine). He must have learnt it from someone else. Only that this time he applied it to his favor.
When I took my sisters kid who visited us for her vacation for purchase, she just wontstop showing me pieces which she felt would definitely look good on me. Two mins after I enquire the attendant about a piece on whether its cotton or not, she pulls up another one and asks him " Is this cotton or metal? My periyamma doesnt want metal" She probably heard "material" as metal and was testing the knowledge she just gained. The attendant laughs " Metal a ??". She doesnt want to give up says " yeah.. dont you know metal.. Pithalai" I had to pull her out of the conversation when she got this response " Paapa pathira kadai poyichu pola inga vara munnadi" ( kid probably went shopping for vessels before coming here ).
My 4 year old neices' favorite pass time is Role play. Her name is Niranjani
Niranjani: Amma.. you are Niranjani and I am amma
Her mom: Ok
Niranjani: Niranjini.. how long its been since you woke up.. brush your teeth.. NOW
Her mom: OK
Niranjani: Oh Amma. Dont spoilt it. Do I say yes. I say No
Amma ( laughs): No mummy.. I wont
Niranjani: I am going to be angry now.. you better brush..
She gets bored at this point and comes to my Dad
Niranjani: Thatha. I am the chef. You want food. Ok?
Thatha: mmm...
Niranjani: What tiffin do you want?
Thatha: ( pretends not to understand intending to irritate her..) What?
Niranjani: Thatha.. What "TIFFIN" do you want? ( with little more volume and stress on the word Tiffin)
Thatha: What???
Niranjani: Oh thatha " What mum mum do you want?"
I can use this as an illustration for " paraphrasing " technique on call when training my team on phone etiquette. What we have to train adults to say and do, these kids know and do it naturally and by default.
All these sound good and nice still there are a lot of things to worry about as well.
My colleagues daughter wants her mom to wait until the hero/heroine undress before changing channels. If at all her Mom dares to, she says " they still have their clothes on .. why do you have to change the channel.. am enjoying watching it"
My sisters kid comments on catching me singing.. " Why do you always sing melody- ..You look so sad.. I feel sorry for you.." I asked her what then would make her feel that I am happy. She goes " sing nakka mukka or kathazhe kannalay". Thats the effect TV and media has on them.
My 12 yr old cousin doesnt want her mom to go to Parents teachers meet without straightening her frizzy hair. That is the importance they give to external beauty. I recently saw an ad where this girl says that she is ready to clean her room or worse even do dishes (!!!) if God can make here pimple vanish before the DJ night. Here cleanliness is about being without a pimple. Kids who are 8 or 9 yrs get waxing done on body hair. Hygiene, health and beauty are confused with one another. If clean skin has to be fair and flawless, where would all the dark skinned or pimpled population go
Talking about ads, Virgin mobile ads irritate me to the core. The entire value system is questioned and made fun of. Many of them expect me to see the humor and ignore it, what about the kids who grow up watching it everyday? Generation gap? I dont know.
Well, I started somewhere and deviated to these topics. Getting back,Are we going to feed their intelligence with something good or let them turn into a bunch whose values would be nothing but materialistic and fake? What about their life after their thirties when the charm and intelligence starts to fade, life becomes lonely and monotonous?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Women and travel
Two recent incidents, one involving a close friend of mine and another to which i was a silent spectator has made me give a lot of thought to this...
One of my friends who traveled from chennai to cbe in the night train alone had a tough time with a co passenger.Based on what he was talking over the phone she was able to make it that he was disturbed.. He took her water bottle and gulped it down fully without even bothering to ask her.. spilled food all over her seat and on top of it offered a 1000rs note when she complained about the water later. In addition he kept talking nonsense. And the climax.. to avoid facing him further.. she retired early only to catch him taking a snap of her using his mobile.. the rest of the passengers in the coach were immersed in themselves ( two were honeymoon couples on the way to ooty probably is what she said). When she complained to the TTR about the snap he brought in policemen and they said they cant do anything unless she files a complaint.This man was still behaving funny but the police wanted her to prove that he had indeed taken a snap of her.The other passengers in her coach were indifferent and couldnt/ didnt want to come forward. luckily a man from the press insisted that they take a look at his mobile.. even then they could make nothing but a blurred image ( obviously) and finally matched it to her face and dress somehow.Now.. the TTR arranged to give her another seat and the police gave a word to protect her. Still, she was alone when she got down at cbe.. what if the man followed her???If not anything else , she had lost her good nights sleep, peace, felt vulnerable and would never again be comfortable travelling alone in the night.
I had always dreaded night travel after having heard terror stories from other women and friends..of men brushing against.. putting their hands " accidentally " on you while passing by.. men smoking/ standing near the toilets etc..
Forget about the public acting/reacting/ helping women in such cases, the second incident shows how they wont even acknowledge the problems but make fun of it. I had to travel by bus to bangalore recently and could get tickets only by KPN. There was a girl who took the window seat next to me and her uncle/ dad had come to see her off. The man was little bit concerned about her travelling alone and kept advising her. He went to the driver then to enquire where the bus would make stops for food or refreshment.. the driverwent on to say" whenever needed". The old man insisted asking.. but dont you stop regularly at some place.. the driver says " We cant.. How can I find out when your daugther needs to piss.. she has to come and inform and we will stop ( the translated version looks less ugly.. these were his exact words " unga ponnuku eppo onnuku varum nu enaku eppidinga theriyum".. ) and laughed. He was so impressed at his quick wits that he repeated the same aloud so that the entire bus can hear it.The oldman couldnt retort obviously as his daugther still had to take the bus. I really havent known any woman travelling alone go to the driver and ask the bus to stop at some place... except for ones very old.. Even if they do.. how safe and convenient is it for them to attend to the natures call in such places.. This may sound cliched however would the driver like someone talking to his mom/sis/wife in the same manner.
Not only these,, its quite common to see men occupying " magalir mattum" seats in the bus. The conductors dont bother either even if someone complains. There are sarcastic comments passed sometimes " you say you are equal to men.. why dont you stand n come?".I dont expect them to give their seats away to healthy and young women.. cant they do it at least for the elderly women/ men.
Further,freedom/comfort in terms of dressing is also misunderstand..I am little conservative with respect to skin show however dont mind wearing clothes that are comfortable and fit the occasion n place. Still it doesnt mean that a man can comfortably rub against me while sitting next to me in the train just because I sport a jean. I have seen a very different behaviour when I wear a salwar which has that traditional look.. Modern dressing( even if decent) is considered as a sign of " accesibility" and different value system.
Still, in spite of all these inconveniences women manage to travel to work and earn. Working women MIGHT have financial freedom but it hasnt come in the easy and convenient way as it seems to be.
One of my friends who traveled from chennai to cbe in the night train alone had a tough time with a co passenger.Based on what he was talking over the phone she was able to make it that he was disturbed.. He took her water bottle and gulped it down fully without even bothering to ask her.. spilled food all over her seat and on top of it offered a 1000rs note when she complained about the water later. In addition he kept talking nonsense. And the climax.. to avoid facing him further.. she retired early only to catch him taking a snap of her using his mobile.. the rest of the passengers in the coach were immersed in themselves ( two were honeymoon couples on the way to ooty probably is what she said). When she complained to the TTR about the snap he brought in policemen and they said they cant do anything unless she files a complaint.This man was still behaving funny but the police wanted her to prove that he had indeed taken a snap of her.The other passengers in her coach were indifferent and couldnt/ didnt want to come forward. luckily a man from the press insisted that they take a look at his mobile.. even then they could make nothing but a blurred image ( obviously) and finally matched it to her face and dress somehow.Now.. the TTR arranged to give her another seat and the police gave a word to protect her. Still, she was alone when she got down at cbe.. what if the man followed her???If not anything else , she had lost her good nights sleep, peace, felt vulnerable and would never again be comfortable travelling alone in the night.
I had always dreaded night travel after having heard terror stories from other women and friends..of men brushing against.. putting their hands " accidentally " on you while passing by.. men smoking/ standing near the toilets etc..
Forget about the public acting/reacting/ helping women in such cases, the second incident shows how they wont even acknowledge the problems but make fun of it. I had to travel by bus to bangalore recently and could get tickets only by KPN. There was a girl who took the window seat next to me and her uncle/ dad had come to see her off. The man was little bit concerned about her travelling alone and kept advising her. He went to the driver then to enquire where the bus would make stops for food or refreshment.. the driverwent on to say" whenever needed". The old man insisted asking.. but dont you stop regularly at some place.. the driver says " We cant.. How can I find out when your daugther needs to piss.. she has to come and inform and we will stop ( the translated version looks less ugly.. these were his exact words " unga ponnuku eppo onnuku varum nu enaku eppidinga theriyum".. ) and laughed. He was so impressed at his quick wits that he repeated the same aloud so that the entire bus can hear it.The oldman couldnt retort obviously as his daugther still had to take the bus. I really havent known any woman travelling alone go to the driver and ask the bus to stop at some place... except for ones very old.. Even if they do.. how safe and convenient is it for them to attend to the natures call in such places.. This may sound cliched however would the driver like someone talking to his mom/sis/wife in the same manner.
Not only these,, its quite common to see men occupying " magalir mattum" seats in the bus. The conductors dont bother either even if someone complains. There are sarcastic comments passed sometimes " you say you are equal to men.. why dont you stand n come?".I dont expect them to give their seats away to healthy and young women.. cant they do it at least for the elderly women/ men.
Further,freedom/comfort in terms of dressing is also misunderstand..I am little conservative with respect to skin show however dont mind wearing clothes that are comfortable and fit the occasion n place. Still it doesnt mean that a man can comfortably rub against me while sitting next to me in the train just because I sport a jean. I have seen a very different behaviour when I wear a salwar which has that traditional look.. Modern dressing( even if decent) is considered as a sign of " accesibility" and different value system.
Still, in spite of all these inconveniences women manage to travel to work and earn. Working women MIGHT have financial freedom but it hasnt come in the easy and convenient way as it seems to be.
Monday, January 5, 2009
No Honk please
Most of us have been victims of noise pollution thats been on exponential increase in the last few years but there is very less thought we give to it. Rather, we hardly react. What is with noise, todays gen and their obsession with it?? It has gone so far that we need a Guru to come down and show us how much peace and happiness can be felt at heart if we can just remain quiet for sometime and listen to nature talk... I thought about this a lot during my visit to Dhyanalinga (Isha). The volunteers even asked the ladies to remove their anklets or other jing bang stuff they usually wear as accesories. All that you have to do is sit down, remain silent in the hall when you get to hear the sound of waterfall and some mild music. One way, I am glad someone came up with this. On the other hand it saddens me that we expect another person to show this to us.. Do we have to be " taught" all these?
I am a person very sensitive to sound. Unlike most music lovers, I have always listened to songs with optimal volume and the same applies when I watch TV. My mobile ringing volumes are mostly at the average level. I go with cotton in my ears to watch movies these days because of the "DTS effect" and needless to mention most tam movies villains and heroes keep screaming Aye! Aye! for no reason..
Though all the above can be countered in some way or the other and the entertainment part of it compensates for the trouble, something I just am not able to cope up with is the sound of honking..
While there are times when honking is absolutely necessary, I can say that about 90% of the times its not. As against need, It is done out of habit ( few drivers just cant take their hands of the horns), frustration,anger,fear, impatience, hurry or just to irritate someone and enjoy, eve teasing ( oh yes) and few for pleasure !?!? As I am sitting in my room writing this.. I can hear the honking outside in the road. I live in a residential area where traffic is comparitively less and so is the need for blowing horns to this extent.
As always, I was complaining about this one day while waiting near the signal,listening to the people honking incessantly ( come on.. there is a red signal and we cant move.. do you want us to break it? aaaaarggggggggggggghhhhhh) Thats when I got this what you can call an idea.. its kinda ridiculous but I felt so much peace to event think of how it will be if implemented.. Idea is a Manual honk... Provide all drivers with a whistle which they have to blow if they need to honk.. Wow.. will any driver honk unnecessarily therafter.. the effort that the task will take will stop them from doing it unnecessarily.. if they honk ( whistle) at the same rate they do currently.. their lungs will explode .. I think the traffic regulatory board ( or whatever it is called) should think about this..
It seems highly stupid and kiddish but the kinda irritation I have been thru and headache it has given has made me think in these terms.. I remember an ex boss of mine mention during his visit to India from US that he must have hardly used the horn twice in his life time. He was 54 that time.. Even if that seems too good to be true cant we minimise it to 2 times or when in need (whichever is higher) on a days drive??
As against the usual Horn Ok please sign I read that No honking day stickers were seen on vehicles on April 7, 2008 which is was observed as No honking day in Mumbai. It is Jan 1st this year in Delhi. But this is not about a day, isnt it? How many of us even know that unnecssary honking is an offence? I was surprised to read this "Blowing of horns unnecessarily, especially in silence zones, at signalised junctions/intersections, using multi-toned horns, pressure horns are illegal and punishable under section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, attracting a fine up to Rs 100,". Instead of the fine, the Whistle option should work out better. We learn our lessons the hard way.
I am a person very sensitive to sound. Unlike most music lovers, I have always listened to songs with optimal volume and the same applies when I watch TV. My mobile ringing volumes are mostly at the average level. I go with cotton in my ears to watch movies these days because of the "DTS effect" and needless to mention most tam movies villains and heroes keep screaming Aye! Aye! for no reason..
Though all the above can be countered in some way or the other and the entertainment part of it compensates for the trouble, something I just am not able to cope up with is the sound of honking..
While there are times when honking is absolutely necessary, I can say that about 90% of the times its not. As against need, It is done out of habit ( few drivers just cant take their hands of the horns), frustration,anger,fear, impatience, hurry or just to irritate someone and enjoy, eve teasing ( oh yes) and few for pleasure !?!? As I am sitting in my room writing this.. I can hear the honking outside in the road. I live in a residential area where traffic is comparitively less and so is the need for blowing horns to this extent.
As always, I was complaining about this one day while waiting near the signal,listening to the people honking incessantly ( come on.. there is a red signal and we cant move.. do you want us to break it? aaaaarggggggggggggghhhhhh) Thats when I got this what you can call an idea.. its kinda ridiculous but I felt so much peace to event think of how it will be if implemented.. Idea is a Manual honk... Provide all drivers with a whistle which they have to blow if they need to honk.. Wow.. will any driver honk unnecessarily therafter.. the effort that the task will take will stop them from doing it unnecessarily.. if they honk ( whistle) at the same rate they do currently.. their lungs will explode .. I think the traffic regulatory board ( or whatever it is called) should think about this..
It seems highly stupid and kiddish but the kinda irritation I have been thru and headache it has given has made me think in these terms.. I remember an ex boss of mine mention during his visit to India from US that he must have hardly used the horn twice in his life time. He was 54 that time.. Even if that seems too good to be true cant we minimise it to 2 times or when in need (whichever is higher) on a days drive??
As against the usual Horn Ok please sign I read that No honking day stickers were seen on vehicles on April 7, 2008 which is was observed as No honking day in Mumbai. It is Jan 1st this year in Delhi. But this is not about a day, isnt it? How many of us even know that unnecssary honking is an offence? I was surprised to read this "Blowing of horns unnecessarily, especially in silence zones, at signalised junctions/intersections, using multi-toned horns, pressure horns are illegal and punishable under section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, attracting a fine up to Rs 100,". Instead of the fine, the Whistle option should work out better. We learn our lessons the hard way.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Rain Rain dont go away
In an article of his, the founder of Isha asks why would Kids in India sing a rhyme to chase the rain away when rain is what we need . This shows our madness in following "english" culture irrespective of whether its applicable or not.. He also explains that English kids do have a reason to, cuz its very rare in their countries to see sunshine.. Why should it be the same here.. forget about rest of the factors.. even the countrys economy is dependent on the rains.TN has been in dark for quite sometime due to lack of rains at the right time and do we want our kids to chase rain away..
Right from childhood I have been warned not to get wet in rain.. when I dared to, I found out how much I had missed until then. Feeling the rain connects me to Nature and the Creator than ever and the bonding strengthens my love for them.Just like how the earth blooms on the receiving the rains.. so do we human beings.. It just that we have disconnected ourselves with nature so much offlate that we tend to miss the inherent beauty and wonder in it.
Rain has always been favorite to people related to art and entertainment. There are lots of lovely songs written on rain.. One of my favorite in terms of both lyrics and music( my Darlings of course) is "Sakkara Vaagamo" in En swasa Kaatre". Sadly, many movie makers have used the rain to either accentuate the contours of a scantily dressed female character in the movie or make her cling on to the hero on the strike of thunder.I dont know about the rest of the audience but it seems ridiculous to me.Rains evoke a lot more feelings in a person than just romance or lust. Its unfortunate that we have been focusing only on those.
I also remember reading this -The saddest quote by the funniest man ever born, Charlie Chaplins-“I love walking in the rain, so no one can see me crying”. Pain or pleasure be it whatever.. I usually sense my hidden and dormant emotions surface when I watch the rains or when I occasionally dare to get drenched . Rains bring out memories..they whisper a lovely song by your ears, they listen to your hearts cry, cajole and console you.While the rains usually evoke the spiritual side in you and make you realise your self as a part of the whole ..they also bring innocent smiles .. especially the ones in summer that come along with a rainbow and the sweet and unique smell. A real feast for your senses. Whenever I smell them.. I get this strong urge to taste mud(%&^&^%!!!) but my brains tease me and I stop with a steaming cup of tea and the hot tasty bajjis my mom makes. At those moments is when I realise that best things in life come free.. without demand..like the rain and Moms love. Thats when I wonder ..Can something be so simple yet feel so good..Why do we complicate our lives chasing things out of our reach.. chasing mirages and materials.. and the more we get the more we want..
Kids these days grow with an aggressive attitude. Survival of the fittest is the motto and they are required to destroy anything that comes in the way to get what they want. Parents teach their kids to dance, sing, swim, study only to compete and make money. How many teach values.. to "live" life and enjoy the beauty of the simple and sweet packages that come along with it. How many say.. " Kiddo.. here comes the rain.. Lets go get drenched.."
Right from childhood I have been warned not to get wet in rain.. when I dared to, I found out how much I had missed until then. Feeling the rain connects me to Nature and the Creator than ever and the bonding strengthens my love for them.Just like how the earth blooms on the receiving the rains.. so do we human beings.. It just that we have disconnected ourselves with nature so much offlate that we tend to miss the inherent beauty and wonder in it.
Rain has always been favorite to people related to art and entertainment. There are lots of lovely songs written on rain.. One of my favorite in terms of both lyrics and music( my Darlings of course) is "Sakkara Vaagamo" in En swasa Kaatre". Sadly, many movie makers have used the rain to either accentuate the contours of a scantily dressed female character in the movie or make her cling on to the hero on the strike of thunder.I dont know about the rest of the audience but it seems ridiculous to me.Rains evoke a lot more feelings in a person than just romance or lust. Its unfortunate that we have been focusing only on those.
I also remember reading this -The saddest quote by the funniest man ever born, Charlie Chaplins-“I love walking in the rain, so no one can see me crying”. Pain or pleasure be it whatever.. I usually sense my hidden and dormant emotions surface when I watch the rains or when I occasionally dare to get drenched . Rains bring out memories..they whisper a lovely song by your ears, they listen to your hearts cry, cajole and console you.While the rains usually evoke the spiritual side in you and make you realise your self as a part of the whole ..they also bring innocent smiles .. especially the ones in summer that come along with a rainbow and the sweet and unique smell. A real feast for your senses. Whenever I smell them.. I get this strong urge to taste mud(%&^&^%!!!) but my brains tease me and I stop with a steaming cup of tea and the hot tasty bajjis my mom makes. At those moments is when I realise that best things in life come free.. without demand..like the rain and Moms love. Thats when I wonder ..Can something be so simple yet feel so good..Why do we complicate our lives chasing things out of our reach.. chasing mirages and materials.. and the more we get the more we want..
Kids these days grow with an aggressive attitude. Survival of the fittest is the motto and they are required to destroy anything that comes in the way to get what they want. Parents teach their kids to dance, sing, swim, study only to compete and make money. How many teach values.. to "live" life and enjoy the beauty of the simple and sweet packages that come along with it. How many say.. " Kiddo.. here comes the rain.. Lets go get drenched.."
Monday, December 8, 2008
Mahathmas Mystery Monkeys and Movies
I had a strong urge to write about the movie Taare Zameen Par when I saw it first. I hadnt as I wasnt sure if my words could express what I felt and two.. I am not competent enough to review a movie. However I did suggest to whomever i spoke to( rather strongly.. I remember literally forcing the SlipTrip man) to watch it in the theaters. This is the first and only movie that I have watched thrice in the theaters.
What is making me write about it now? Well, I usually follow Saregamapa on Zee TV and this time the guest on the show was Aamir. I am not a person who confuses the reel heroes with the real ones.. But this man has become an exception. I would even vote for him if he chooses politics!! Until this happened, I have refrained from liking or disliking a person I haven't met or known in person except for one person.. the Darling of my heart AR Rahman.I am surprised to know that Aamir is close. Through out the show I found myself smiling at this man on screen either in appreciation or admiration. He didnt crack jokes..neither was he quick witted or spontaneous like Shah rukh or say Salman. Still there was a sincerity about whatever he said and did.
One another factor that I was able to relate to .. He seems to be a person who always looks at perfection and keeps doing a self assessment. To be able to do that.. he needs practice/rehearsals on everything he does, to improvise. He is not spontaneous enough to link to the participants quickly or even take compliments from them and react. Two participants mentioned very emotionally how they were able to relate to the movie and his reaction was hardly anything but a shy/happy smile . He was very conscious of his extempore performance. He played the drums on request from a Judge and sang Ay.. Kya bolti tu but did mention hat he might spoil the effect the song had on the audience earlier when the movie was released. I should rather be seeing this as a flaw.. (I was really upset with our Superstars stage presence at an Award function of NDTV, when he had to answer questions from Karan Johar and Shahrukh Khan) Surprisingly I wasnt able to in case of Aamir.. That is when I realised it was due to this movie he has given us.If this man can deliver something as good as TZP on his debut what more do we need to admire him.
I am not good at analysing a movie at all angles -talk about its techincal superiority or directorial touch.. still I can say that TZP is the best by all means of the movies I have seen offlate. The story, cast, music n lyrics( simply superb),dialogues, the script, the colors, the costumes - the lady who play Aamirs pal looks fresh as a flower with beautiful same time decent attire..Even the names chosen for the characters are unique and thoughtful. You cry and laugh and react to every single action of every character in this movie. I happened to watch it with my Parents once , with my my friend and her husband and then with my sis and mom again. All of them enjoyed it. There is no age limit or range for liking this movie. I have seen Mothers shed tears on watching or hearing this wonderful song Maa.. and so have I though I am not one yet. It brings out the Mom in every woman and what else can stand proof for the movie being good. Than anything else it highlights the positive side, speaks about the forgotten values of human bonding and emotions in this fast competitive and materialistic world
I have always felt that a movie has to portray all the good things in the world .. and deliver implied messages in a pleasant manner as against those that show violence and are sleazy and shocking in the name of reality, especially the psycho movies. It brings out the hidden emotions and the animal in people who otherwise see it as uncommon and try to suppress them. We are what we see hear and say. Isnt that what our Father of the Nation suggested through the Three monkeys.. that if we do not hear, see or talk evil, we ourselves shall be spared all evil.Its time that the entertainment industry took some responsibility for the societys wellbeing and not cleverly use the chicken egg concept to say we are showing what is there already and what is liked..Few of them claim that they leave it to the audience to take what is good and leave the bad behind.. If all a max percentage of human beings are capable of doing that.. the world wont be what it is today. If not all atleast a percentage of movies that each person makes, does and distributes should belong to a socially responsible or atleast pleasant and decent category- movies that are good to hear see and talk about and not evil.
I was really happy to hear that TZP is Indias official entry into the Oscars. This movie has proved wrong that a good decent make devoid all the regular conventional masala wont be a commercial success.. I am not sure if it will win an oscar but it already has according to me.
What is making me write about it now? Well, I usually follow Saregamapa on Zee TV and this time the guest on the show was Aamir. I am not a person who confuses the reel heroes with the real ones.. But this man has become an exception. I would even vote for him if he chooses politics!! Until this happened, I have refrained from liking or disliking a person I haven't met or known in person except for one person.. the Darling of my heart AR Rahman.I am surprised to know that Aamir is close. Through out the show I found myself smiling at this man on screen either in appreciation or admiration. He didnt crack jokes..neither was he quick witted or spontaneous like Shah rukh or say Salman. Still there was a sincerity about whatever he said and did.
One another factor that I was able to relate to .. He seems to be a person who always looks at perfection and keeps doing a self assessment. To be able to do that.. he needs practice/rehearsals on everything he does, to improvise. He is not spontaneous enough to link to the participants quickly or even take compliments from them and react. Two participants mentioned very emotionally how they were able to relate to the movie and his reaction was hardly anything but a shy/happy smile . He was very conscious of his extempore performance. He played the drums on request from a Judge and sang Ay.. Kya bolti tu but did mention hat he might spoil the effect the song had on the audience earlier when the movie was released. I should rather be seeing this as a flaw.. (I was really upset with our Superstars stage presence at an Award function of NDTV, when he had to answer questions from Karan Johar and Shahrukh Khan) Surprisingly I wasnt able to in case of Aamir.. That is when I realised it was due to this movie he has given us.If this man can deliver something as good as TZP on his debut what more do we need to admire him.
I am not good at analysing a movie at all angles -talk about its techincal superiority or directorial touch.. still I can say that TZP is the best by all means of the movies I have seen offlate. The story, cast, music n lyrics( simply superb),dialogues, the script, the colors, the costumes - the lady who play Aamirs pal looks fresh as a flower with beautiful same time decent attire..Even the names chosen for the characters are unique and thoughtful. You cry and laugh and react to every single action of every character in this movie. I happened to watch it with my Parents once , with my my friend and her husband and then with my sis and mom again. All of them enjoyed it. There is no age limit or range for liking this movie. I have seen Mothers shed tears on watching or hearing this wonderful song Maa.. and so have I though I am not one yet. It brings out the Mom in every woman and what else can stand proof for the movie being good. Than anything else it highlights the positive side, speaks about the forgotten values of human bonding and emotions in this fast competitive and materialistic world
I have always felt that a movie has to portray all the good things in the world .. and deliver implied messages in a pleasant manner as against those that show violence and are sleazy and shocking in the name of reality, especially the psycho movies. It brings out the hidden emotions and the animal in people who otherwise see it as uncommon and try to suppress them. We are what we see hear and say. Isnt that what our Father of the Nation suggested through the Three monkeys.. that if we do not hear, see or talk evil, we ourselves shall be spared all evil.Its time that the entertainment industry took some responsibility for the societys wellbeing and not cleverly use the chicken egg concept to say we are showing what is there already and what is liked..Few of them claim that they leave it to the audience to take what is good and leave the bad behind.. If all a max percentage of human beings are capable of doing that.. the world wont be what it is today. If not all atleast a percentage of movies that each person makes, does and distributes should belong to a socially responsible or atleast pleasant and decent category- movies that are good to hear see and talk about and not evil.
I was really happy to hear that TZP is Indias official entry into the Oscars. This movie has proved wrong that a good decent make devoid all the regular conventional masala wont be a commercial success.. I am not sure if it will win an oscar but it already has according to me.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Happiness- where to find it?
Nothing can ever be right for you.. this is what one of my best friends told me during a heated argument. It could have come out just at the spark of the moment but there was hell a lot of truth in it. Its not that I am happy to hear that from a friend.. it cant come from someone who is a true friend still I just looked back to see what had gone wrong and why. I probably lost the friend in that process but found myself back..
Somehow I feel that how much ever women pose to be or want to be self reliant or independent its tough for them. I might be wrong in generalizing but this is how I find it. I see that my happiness is mostly built around others.. their acceptance and acknowledgment. Please don't read this as "sacrifice" or being " selfless" cuz its still " my" happiness. All the time, I expect others to keep me happy and it
has never come from within except for very very rare instances. Right from childhood its been that way. I do a painting..I need that nod from my Dad to feel good about it be it the best or worst of my paintings. Its another thing that my Dad loves me too much to say anything bad about it. This way.. he has pampered me and kept me away from what is the real world. when he got tired and let me to face it.. it threatened me and I was almost lost for sometime. I kept running from one to another be it my work.. me singing or painting, writing.. sharing a joke.. expressing love and affection .. For both the simplest and most complicated things I needed acceptance from others. Few of them are fortunate enough to get it from one or the other all the time. Few like me, who wish to be self reliant in few matters and dependent in other situations find it difficult because of the conflicting interests. When things that I do for others, ignoring the pain and hardship involved
expecting nothing in return but acknowledgment for the love ( not even reciprocation), goes unnoticed and worst.. is thrown back at me saying its of no use or never expected.. I feel hurt.
Women happiness is mostly built around people near and dear to them... which is why most of them are unhappy. I wont say this is as nature.. its in the way we are brought up. Its changing these days..Unlike those of my age or my Moms generations, girls these days are changing. They know what they want for their own self, have likes and dislikes of their own and know how to demand or get it. Earlier I used to despise them.. felt they were selfish. over smart or cunning. However then I realise that there has been lot of times when I have belonged to that category ..Even while I am sitting here writing this, my Moms out in the kitchen washing dishes.. I could have opted to help her but didn't as I am selfish.. Still, I cant but feel guilty about it which is why I chose to help her whenever she asks me to though not voluntarily. She would be really glad if I do it voluntarily but I chose not to pay for her helplessness.. her leniency with others.This makes me realise another fact all of a sudden. I actually try to please people whom I want to.. who arent easily pleased while I completely ignore those ( like my Mom) whom I take for granted..
What you give is what you get back. This seems to be a cycle. You ignore people who love you, care less for them and run after those who dont care for you as much as Why? I wish I could answer that.Back to the topic of happiness being built around others.. I learnt this lesson the tough way. Its exactly when I look for support and love from others, I find them missing. When I find myself lonely in a crowd and see how even the near and dear ones have gone that extra mile or compromised to find happiness for their own self.. I realise that I need to change. I feel this every now and then and I try to change but somehow end up getting back to being my older self... wish I change someday and things tend to being right for me...
Somehow I feel that how much ever women pose to be or want to be self reliant or independent its tough for them. I might be wrong in generalizing but this is how I find it. I see that my happiness is mostly built around others.. their acceptance and acknowledgment. Please don't read this as "sacrifice" or being " selfless" cuz its still " my" happiness. All the time, I expect others to keep me happy and it
has never come from within except for very very rare instances. Right from childhood its been that way. I do a painting..I need that nod from my Dad to feel good about it be it the best or worst of my paintings. Its another thing that my Dad loves me too much to say anything bad about it. This way.. he has pampered me and kept me away from what is the real world. when he got tired and let me to face it.. it threatened me and I was almost lost for sometime. I kept running from one to another be it my work.. me singing or painting, writing.. sharing a joke.. expressing love and affection .. For both the simplest and most complicated things I needed acceptance from others. Few of them are fortunate enough to get it from one or the other all the time. Few like me, who wish to be self reliant in few matters and dependent in other situations find it difficult because of the conflicting interests. When things that I do for others, ignoring the pain and hardship involved
expecting nothing in return but acknowledgment for the love ( not even reciprocation), goes unnoticed and worst.. is thrown back at me saying its of no use or never expected.. I feel hurt.
Women happiness is mostly built around people near and dear to them... which is why most of them are unhappy. I wont say this is as nature.. its in the way we are brought up. Its changing these days..Unlike those of my age or my Moms generations, girls these days are changing. They know what they want for their own self, have likes and dislikes of their own and know how to demand or get it. Earlier I used to despise them.. felt they were selfish. over smart or cunning. However then I realise that there has been lot of times when I have belonged to that category ..Even while I am sitting here writing this, my Moms out in the kitchen washing dishes.. I could have opted to help her but didn't as I am selfish.. Still, I cant but feel guilty about it which is why I chose to help her whenever she asks me to though not voluntarily. She would be really glad if I do it voluntarily but I chose not to pay for her helplessness.. her leniency with others.This makes me realise another fact all of a sudden. I actually try to please people whom I want to.. who arent easily pleased while I completely ignore those ( like my Mom) whom I take for granted..
What you give is what you get back. This seems to be a cycle. You ignore people who love you, care less for them and run after those who dont care for you as much as Why? I wish I could answer that.Back to the topic of happiness being built around others.. I learnt this lesson the tough way. Its exactly when I look for support and love from others, I find them missing. When I find myself lonely in a crowd and see how even the near and dear ones have gone that extra mile or compromised to find happiness for their own self.. I realise that I need to change. I feel this every now and then and I try to change but somehow end up getting back to being my older self... wish I change someday and things tend to being right for me...
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Why should God exist
I personally don't know or cant prove whether God exists or not. Irritated by those who take God as an excuse for their inability, I have chosen God to be related to all those good and nice things that exist, good deeds done, unconditional love, anything and everything good within and around us.I see God even in music.. in its healing power.This not only seems to be rational ( others usually don't attach logic to God) but always helps me refrain from hurting others or my own self in the name of God.. ex.. few traditional beliefs demands life sacrifice,breaking coconuts on your head etc..
There are people who ruin their life with their own stupid choices and wash their hands off later when their decisions fail blaming it on Gods will.These are people who give love to some unknown unseen power called God than sharing it with fellow humanbeings who suffer and rot everyday in this mean materialistic world. God, according to these people, will take care of those people who are actually their responsibility.
The way people treat God, if they treat their fellow beings, life would be better off for them and those around them.They dont blame God if something bad happens to them, they spend time with God, they offer him gifts, they love him unconditionally, they
confide in him. Isn't this what all human beings need or crave for from their loved ones?
Now, whether we believe or not, having faith/fear in God always helps.I am not sure how many of those who claim to have faith in God really believe in his/her( well, there sure IS a probability of God being Her.. isn't it.. though conventionally its been otherwise) existence. Faith has a condition attached to it. Not to question. It has to be unconditional. For, when you are really lonely, desperate and helpless
with no one to look up to, you have God! And you always have him unlike those people around you who claim to love and care for you but are not there when you actually need them. To top it all, God is conveniently invisible. The omnipotent God is someone who needs to be felt, not seen. Now how favorable that can be to a desperate soul. He doesn't need proof.. he just has to believe that there is someone. It gives a lot of help, relief and peace.On the other hand, if its fear as against faith, that helps too. It forces people to be good, stay away from the bad.
It all depends on the perspective. We always have a choice.. to see the good from bad, to chose to help than ignore, to smile instead of sulk, to see light in darkness, to believe in the goodness in us than feeling unworthy and desperate, to put the devil to sleep and awaken the Godliness within.. Its in all these and more that God exists..rather should exist. Todays world needs him.
There are people who ruin their life with their own stupid choices and wash their hands off later when their decisions fail blaming it on Gods will.These are people who give love to some unknown unseen power called God than sharing it with fellow humanbeings who suffer and rot everyday in this mean materialistic world. God, according to these people, will take care of those people who are actually their responsibility.
The way people treat God, if they treat their fellow beings, life would be better off for them and those around them.They dont blame God if something bad happens to them, they spend time with God, they offer him gifts, they love him unconditionally, they
confide in him. Isn't this what all human beings need or crave for from their loved ones?
Now, whether we believe or not, having faith/fear in God always helps.I am not sure how many of those who claim to have faith in God really believe in his/her( well, there sure IS a probability of God being Her.. isn't it.. though conventionally its been otherwise) existence. Faith has a condition attached to it. Not to question. It has to be unconditional. For, when you are really lonely, desperate and helpless
with no one to look up to, you have God! And you always have him unlike those people around you who claim to love and care for you but are not there when you actually need them. To top it all, God is conveniently invisible. The omnipotent God is someone who needs to be felt, not seen. Now how favorable that can be to a desperate soul. He doesn't need proof.. he just has to believe that there is someone. It gives a lot of help, relief and peace.On the other hand, if its fear as against faith, that helps too. It forces people to be good, stay away from the bad.
It all depends on the perspective. We always have a choice.. to see the good from bad, to chose to help than ignore, to smile instead of sulk, to see light in darkness, to believe in the goodness in us than feeling unworthy and desperate, to put the devil to sleep and awaken the Godliness within.. Its in all these and more that God exists..rather should exist. Todays world needs him.
Friday, July 18, 2008
SlipTripSmokeEngine
Check this mans orkut profile and you will have all his friends talk about his flipping tripping and slipping episodes. Healthy by all means, though he abuses it by constantly smoking, this man needs no reason to slip and trip.. not even a banana peel. He will be walking right in front of you and the next moment he is gone..if you look for him, you will find him on the floor either with a sheepish grin if he isn't hurt much or writhing in pain if hurt. He tries to put up a brave face but being fair skinned, there is no way he can hide the pain as all the blood in his body rushes to his face and people easily can spot it. He falls so often that people get used to it over time. If someone is standing next to him and laughing out loud looking at him, the spectator assumes that Humpty Dumpty has had his big fall again.
Though the above portrays a very funny picture, he is the most intelligent, understanding and friendly personality I have ever come across. Sometimes I feel that he deliberately makes others laugh at him to make them feel comfortable. Same time there is this dignity level he maintains and no one can cross the boundary or take him for granted.
There is also this sincerity with which he does things that you might find him replying "Glad to meet you too" when someone in the church seated to his left/right shakes his hands and says "Peace be with you".Well, our man is hard of hearing( or shall I say poor listening skills) at times and that was his first visit to the Church.
He owns a mobile but uses it like how someone uses the landline. And whenever he dares to keep it mobile he loses it . You give him a call he returns it after ages. But call it coincidence or miracle, he is always there to cheer you up when you desperately need a friend.
Readers.. you are wrong if you feel I got only good things to say about this man.. but guess what.. today is his Birthday. I wouldn't have mentioned this in my blog if not for his suggestion that I need to keep my blog bit more personal. Happy Birthday buddy!!!!!!! and quit smoking yaar.. I don't think you want a sequel to SlipTripSmokeEngine highlighting the other side.. lol.. Enjoy your day and continue bringing smiles to all those near and dear to you. May you be blessed with a
long life full of fun, happiness, love and peace.
Though the above portrays a very funny picture, he is the most intelligent, understanding and friendly personality I have ever come across. Sometimes I feel that he deliberately makes others laugh at him to make them feel comfortable. Same time there is this dignity level he maintains and no one can cross the boundary or take him for granted.
There is also this sincerity with which he does things that you might find him replying "Glad to meet you too" when someone in the church seated to his left/right shakes his hands and says "Peace be with you".Well, our man is hard of hearing( or shall I say poor listening skills) at times and that was his first visit to the Church.
He owns a mobile but uses it like how someone uses the landline. And whenever he dares to keep it mobile he loses it . You give him a call he returns it after ages. But call it coincidence or miracle, he is always there to cheer you up when you desperately need a friend.
Readers.. you are wrong if you feel I got only good things to say about this man.. but guess what.. today is his Birthday. I wouldn't have mentioned this in my blog if not for his suggestion that I need to keep my blog bit more personal. Happy Birthday buddy!!!!!!! and quit smoking yaar.. I don't think you want a sequel to SlipTripSmokeEngine highlighting the other side.. lol.. Enjoy your day and continue bringing smiles to all those near and dear to you. May you be blessed with a
long life full of fun, happiness, love and peace.
Ads ads everywhere
One of my ex managers at work used to say that promoting and using products like Fair and Lovely is equivalent to spreading racism. . He has no need to take it out on those fair skinned people as he doesn't need it anyways. Everyone adores him for his intelligence and also for the way he carries himself. He hasn't said this out of frustration but with a sane mind and good reasoning
Except for such people who can think logically, most of the dark skinned population is lured towards using such products in their desperateness to gain attention and become beautiful/ lovely/handsome forever. But can how can beauty be related to the color of your skin??
The business world selling such products was targeting only women earlier. Now its the mens turn. Only difference is that a guy rejected because he is dark will not accept the girl after he becomes fair on using the beauty product however a girl shall always be happy to accept the guy who rejected her earlier as she was dark.. like a dignity less punk ..even someone as beautiful as Asin or Priyanka Chopra.. Ridiculous. I am surprised how even actress who are known for their dark but dusky and lovely complexion promote fairness. They aren't being fair.. are they?
Forget ads, comedy tracks in movies are based on the color of the skin. I have even heard certain objections, faintly though, being raised for mocking people who are physically/ mentally challenged but this is equally worse. Even comedy actor Vivek whose tracks usually tries to evoke some social awareness and thinking , makes fun of the the two daughters of the dark skinned Solomon Paapaya( a renowned scholar and a very popular and influential person) and for who.. on behalf of our Super star Rajinikanth.I personally am a huge fan of his but is this the message he is trying to convey to his fan following? Tamil cinema accepts heroes who are dark skinned,not conventionally beautiful but scripts stories where "beautiful" heroines fall for them after identifying their inner beauty. The vice versa never happens. I guess in reality its different. I know of lot of my friends who like, adore, respect and love women not for their external beauty but for certain characteristics, behaviour and inner personality.
I understand its difficult for everyone to be too good to say that they see beauty in everyone and its the beauty within that matters. But how can we be so conveniently( but unfortunately in reality) ignorant and give up to the gimmicks played by those promoting consumerism some way or the other. In this age of reality shows, glittery glossy ads and movies,its difficult for the youth to identify what is actually "real" and they are so vulnerable.
For those who have some patience and want to gain some inputs on why we are seeing such changes, who is gaining and who is losing, a must read/ watch is http://www.thestoryofstuff.com. Though not completely in relation to what we are discussing here, this video is an eye opener for those who are asleep and those pretending to as well. Thanks to one of my friends who shared the info ( http://erramya.blogspot.com/)
Except for such people who can think logically, most of the dark skinned population is lured towards using such products in their desperateness to gain attention and become beautiful/ lovely/handsome forever. But can how can beauty be related to the color of your skin??
The business world selling such products was targeting only women earlier. Now its the mens turn. Only difference is that a guy rejected because he is dark will not accept the girl after he becomes fair on using the beauty product however a girl shall always be happy to accept the guy who rejected her earlier as she was dark.. like a dignity less punk ..even someone as beautiful as Asin or Priyanka Chopra.. Ridiculous. I am surprised how even actress who are known for their dark but dusky and lovely complexion promote fairness. They aren't being fair.. are they?
Forget ads, comedy tracks in movies are based on the color of the skin. I have even heard certain objections, faintly though, being raised for mocking people who are physically/ mentally challenged but this is equally worse. Even comedy actor Vivek whose tracks usually tries to evoke some social awareness and thinking , makes fun of the the two daughters of the dark skinned Solomon Paapaya( a renowned scholar and a very popular and influential person) and for who.. on behalf of our Super star Rajinikanth.I personally am a huge fan of his but is this the message he is trying to convey to his fan following? Tamil cinema accepts heroes who are dark skinned,not conventionally beautiful but scripts stories where "beautiful" heroines fall for them after identifying their inner beauty. The vice versa never happens. I guess in reality its different. I know of lot of my friends who like, adore, respect and love women not for their external beauty but for certain characteristics, behaviour and inner personality.
I understand its difficult for everyone to be too good to say that they see beauty in everyone and its the beauty within that matters. But how can we be so conveniently( but unfortunately in reality) ignorant and give up to the gimmicks played by those promoting consumerism some way or the other. In this age of reality shows, glittery glossy ads and movies,its difficult for the youth to identify what is actually "real" and they are so vulnerable.
For those who have some patience and want to gain some inputs on why we are seeing such changes, who is gaining and who is losing, a must read/ watch is http://www.thestoryofstuff.com. Though not completely in relation to what we are discussing here, this video is an eye opener for those who are asleep and those pretending to as well. Thanks to one of my friends who shared the info ( http://erramya.blogspot.com/)
Thursday, July 17, 2008
So when did u know its love ???
That is the punch line or story line of the movie Jaane thu ya Jaane na. I am not going to talk about the movie here other than that its a cute, fun filled, commercial but decent movie where most of them have done justice to their jobs and roles. Its the story line that caught my attention. Excellent timing and apt for the generation
The group especially ones born after 1980, has this major problem seeing the line between Friendship and Love and puts itself thru a lot of trouble.I have seen both guys and girls go thru this.The permutation and combination of relationships that come out of it is really amazing but funny at the same time.
Few combos include -Its only the girl or guy who thinks its love or who thinks its friendship... Or both the girl and guy think its friendship but its " actually' love( like in Jaane thu)... or they both think its love but its friendship in reality.. or the guy/ girl thinks its love but prefer to continue it as friendship as Love leads to complications.There is also this lot that sacrifices love to retain friendship and so on..( like in Kadhal desam) Good Lord...this can be endless. poor youth of today.. they have so much to get confused about..on top of that we have the Parents.. who are also confused as to what extent they need to control or decide with respect to this fact.
There are a lot of movies made on this subject... Add external inputs to the theory like a another guy or girl other than the lead, which forms a triangle love story, or Parents, then the variety is endless. Common factor is the confused state of mind and the pain.
Whats the solution? Honesty I would say. People here are so much used to having something in mind and saying something else( for intentions good or bad) be it in official or personal life. Everyone tries to be diplomatic and wants to be nice to everyone though in reality they don't want to. As time passes, reality bites and there are heart burns,blame games, manipulation, indecisiveness, and depression. When someone really likes/dislikes someone or loves/hates someone they hesitate speaking about it. Other hand, they speak about something which isn't true just because its the trend. A guy " needs" to have a girl friend and I guess
the vice versa is also true these days else they stand alone in a crowd.
"I love you" has been so commonly used that you say it to anyone right from your doggy to your spouse. Its actually good to express your love...if the relationship is already well defined then there is no confusion but in other cases it causes problems. "I meant I like you not love you, I said I love you but not in those terms, I said I love you but not that I want to marry you.." - could be certain manipulations
So.. Guys and girls.. when you know its love..say it.. whenever you really love someone.But dont... when you actually dont..
The group especially ones born after 1980, has this major problem seeing the line between Friendship and Love and puts itself thru a lot of trouble.I have seen both guys and girls go thru this.The permutation and combination of relationships that come out of it is really amazing but funny at the same time.
Few combos include -Its only the girl or guy who thinks its love or who thinks its friendship... Or both the girl and guy think its friendship but its " actually' love( like in Jaane thu)... or they both think its love but its friendship in reality.. or the guy/ girl thinks its love but prefer to continue it as friendship as Love leads to complications.There is also this lot that sacrifices love to retain friendship and so on..( like in Kadhal desam) Good Lord...this can be endless. poor youth of today.. they have so much to get confused about..on top of that we have the Parents.. who are also confused as to what extent they need to control or decide with respect to this fact.
There are a lot of movies made on this subject... Add external inputs to the theory like a another guy or girl other than the lead, which forms a triangle love story, or Parents, then the variety is endless. Common factor is the confused state of mind and the pain.
Whats the solution? Honesty I would say. People here are so much used to having something in mind and saying something else( for intentions good or bad) be it in official or personal life. Everyone tries to be diplomatic and wants to be nice to everyone though in reality they don't want to. As time passes, reality bites and there are heart burns,blame games, manipulation, indecisiveness, and depression. When someone really likes/dislikes someone or loves/hates someone they hesitate speaking about it. Other hand, they speak about something which isn't true just because its the trend. A guy " needs" to have a girl friend and I guess
the vice versa is also true these days else they stand alone in a crowd.
"I love you" has been so commonly used that you say it to anyone right from your doggy to your spouse. Its actually good to express your love...if the relationship is already well defined then there is no confusion but in other cases it causes problems. "I meant I like you not love you, I said I love you but not in those terms, I said I love you but not that I want to marry you.." - could be certain manipulations
So.. Guys and girls.. when you know its love..say it.. whenever you really love someone.But dont... when you actually dont..
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Gender bias
With just about 7 years since I started to work, I have been “successful” in building a excellent career in terms of position and monetary benefits. I am single and my Parents support me a lot when it comes to work .They don’t mind if I work odd or late hours despite belonging to a rather conservative family, society and city. Mom does occasionally crib about my “lack of interest” in cooking and other house hold chores
Within such a short span of time and with as much favorable climate around, there have been so many problems and difficulties that I have faced at work and at home ( caused because I work) the root cause being my gender. There are a lot of questions that I have raised to myself every now and then but ignored as need of the hour then would have been to face another problem and not analyze and/or find answers. Few include
1. Do working women have more freedom and independence than those who are house wives ( women who actually do more work at home than us)
2. Do women face more challenges at work than men?
3. Given a choice, how many of us would resolve to be at home and look after husband and kids than otherwise. Which is easier and suitable?
4. Have we landed out there in the deep blue sea because we didn’t want to face the devil. If yes, how good are we at swimming and how equipped are we to face the tsunamis and the sharks?
5. How many of us would drop the job once the need had been fulfilled though the passion towards work still remained?
6. Do hikes and/or promotions become a nightmare than being a cherished moment, because of comments from colleagues that it was easy because of the gender
7. How many have faced complete insubordination from your team member or complete non co operation from your peer because of “why should I listen to a lady” types of opinion
8. How many of you have been branded as “dominating” though you have been as flexible and nice as possible?
9. How many of you found it easy to get the tasks done because you are a woman
10. How many have been ridiculed for inability in understanding electricity and hardware ? or for not being able to change gears in your vehicle as easily and efficiently as men do?
11. How many of you had to face the frown from elders and relatives because you couldn’t attend a function or a gathering because you had to be at work that time?
12. How many of you got laurels at work and love from family without you having to sacrifice one for other?
13. Why is that after a point all those women prefer to “work from home”?
In short are women working because they want to or is it because the men out there alone couldn’t manage it all by themselves in this fast world. How many are working because your family and society “allows’ you to work or “needs” you to work? Till date I feel that if there were no financial need in the family at the time I started I might not have stepped out to work, either because life is smooth and easier ( in conventional terms) otherwise or because my family may not be that happy with that option.
Within such a short span of time and with as much favorable climate around, there have been so many problems and difficulties that I have faced at work and at home ( caused because I work) the root cause being my gender. There are a lot of questions that I have raised to myself every now and then but ignored as need of the hour then would have been to face another problem and not analyze and/or find answers. Few include
1. Do working women have more freedom and independence than those who are house wives ( women who actually do more work at home than us)
2. Do women face more challenges at work than men?
3. Given a choice, how many of us would resolve to be at home and look after husband and kids than otherwise. Which is easier and suitable?
4. Have we landed out there in the deep blue sea because we didn’t want to face the devil. If yes, how good are we at swimming and how equipped are we to face the tsunamis and the sharks?
5. How many of us would drop the job once the need had been fulfilled though the passion towards work still remained?
6. Do hikes and/or promotions become a nightmare than being a cherished moment, because of comments from colleagues that it was easy because of the gender
7. How many have faced complete insubordination from your team member or complete non co operation from your peer because of “why should I listen to a lady” types of opinion
8. How many of you have been branded as “dominating” though you have been as flexible and nice as possible?
9. How many of you found it easy to get the tasks done because you are a woman
10. How many have been ridiculed for inability in understanding electricity and hardware ? or for not being able to change gears in your vehicle as easily and efficiently as men do?
11. How many of you had to face the frown from elders and relatives because you couldn’t attend a function or a gathering because you had to be at work that time?
12. How many of you got laurels at work and love from family without you having to sacrifice one for other?
13. Why is that after a point all those women prefer to “work from home”?
In short are women working because they want to or is it because the men out there alone couldn’t manage it all by themselves in this fast world. How many are working because your family and society “allows’ you to work or “needs” you to work? Till date I feel that if there were no financial need in the family at the time I started I might not have stepped out to work, either because life is smooth and easier ( in conventional terms) otherwise or because my family may not be that happy with that option.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Job hunt
When I read articles published on how corporates are aiming at using the net resources to pool in candidates I did believe that probably they are finding it too difficult or that they are trying to make the most of the resources available. Moving from job sites like Naukri or Monster companies were trying to source people from Orkut!!! I don't have an account in Orkut and for a moment I felt bad for not being a big fan of online social networking. For the first time, I decided to do little bit more than a glance at Hindu opportunities. I registered myself in few well known job sites and vigorously put in applications. Response - almost nil except for a few auto response. After waiting for about three to four weeks I decided to call those whose numbers were published on either the job posting or on their website. Invariably, all of them asked me to forward my Resume again and to a different email id. Why on earth do they post online then. I was also surprised to see that there can be as many as 1250 applicants for a particular posting.
Mistake can be at either sides. Applicants hardly see the relevance of jobs and go for "easy apply" options the moment they see an opening. This might mean that out of 100 resumes that a company might receive only 2 or 3 might be kinda relevant. This having been the trend, posting a vacany on the job site might have become just a ritual for the employers with no actual effort taken to reap its benefits.
On the other side I came across few job posts ( from reputed institutions and big names in the industry) that were quite funny. One asked for candidates who have " experience in all call center training activities including ACTION TRAINING" I didn't know that Call centers needed stunt masters in addition to accent trainers for their employees
If this is the case with job sites, here is my experience when I attended an interview through a consultant for a reputed BPO in town. After filling all information thats available in my Resume once again in a form that was given by the Interviewer, I sat for the first round with an HR Executive. I had applied for a position in Quality and probably it was the company norm that the HR executive ask some questions relevant to the role. " What Matrix have you used in the previous organization" was one question that was thrown after the conventional " tell me something about yourself " type of questions. The only Matrices that I was aware of were the ones that I learned about arrays and structures in my 8th standard math and another one which is the famous movie . At that point, I felt there might have been some method to measure Quality using a Matrix or that such a structure is deployed in the process. I accepted my ignorance. I saw the smile on her face - satisfaction coupled with sarcasm and also a proud look that implied she knew much better than me and probably I am not fit enough for the role or worse,a conclusion that the experience that I have claimed to have in quality isn't reliable. Further questions from her revealed that she had meant " Metrics" and not "Matrix". Well, I am to be blamed. Having applied for a position in call center I must have had good listening skills and an open mind that will help me see variations on account of pronunciation accent and jargons.
who is the loser? First I felt it was me however later I convinced myself that my job would have been really difficult at such places. Still, Shouldn't corporates focus on what impression they want to create on candidates during Interviews and be a bit careful about it.
Mistake can be at either sides. Applicants hardly see the relevance of jobs and go for "easy apply" options the moment they see an opening. This might mean that out of 100 resumes that a company might receive only 2 or 3 might be kinda relevant. This having been the trend, posting a vacany on the job site might have become just a ritual for the employers with no actual effort taken to reap its benefits.
On the other side I came across few job posts ( from reputed institutions and big names in the industry) that were quite funny. One asked for candidates who have " experience in all call center training activities including ACTION TRAINING" I didn't know that Call centers needed stunt masters in addition to accent trainers for their employees
If this is the case with job sites, here is my experience when I attended an interview through a consultant for a reputed BPO in town. After filling all information thats available in my Resume once again in a form that was given by the Interviewer, I sat for the first round with an HR Executive. I had applied for a position in Quality and probably it was the company norm that the HR executive ask some questions relevant to the role. " What Matrix have you used in the previous organization" was one question that was thrown after the conventional " tell me something about yourself " type of questions. The only Matrices that I was aware of were the ones that I learned about arrays and structures in my 8th standard math and another one which is the famous movie . At that point, I felt there might have been some method to measure Quality using a Matrix or that such a structure is deployed in the process. I accepted my ignorance. I saw the smile on her face - satisfaction coupled with sarcasm and also a proud look that implied she knew much better than me and probably I am not fit enough for the role or worse,a conclusion that the experience that I have claimed to have in quality isn't reliable. Further questions from her revealed that she had meant " Metrics" and not "Matrix". Well, I am to be blamed. Having applied for a position in call center I must have had good listening skills and an open mind that will help me see variations on account of pronunciation accent and jargons.
who is the loser? First I felt it was me however later I convinced myself that my job would have been really difficult at such places. Still, Shouldn't corporates focus on what impression they want to create on candidates during Interviews and be a bit careful about it.
Better late than never
I have always been slow in picking up with the pace of technological advancements, in using/abusing or exploiting the options offered by it. I was the last one to buy a cell phone, to get a PC and a net connection amidst my circle of friends, companions, relatives and colleagues. I
still "write" letters to few of my friends than choosing to email them. Like after a point of time you got to sail along with the tide when you get tired swimming against it for no obvious reasons (or just because swimming against the tide is your nature)... I change my ways but only after some time. I have offered lots of lectures on change management to my team but who says you need to practice what you preach...
Well, one of the main reasons why I finally have chosen to blog is that I have ample of time in hand and dont find anything better to do. I do respect bloggers and there are many atimes when I have found what I wanted in the blogs than anywhere else on the net. Catch here is, there might not be anything as useful in mine. However, I do see it as a way to share my thoughts and experiences and let people know that they are not the only one in the world going thru such circumstances.. if not for a "social cause" a place where you can vent out, go jab jab or ramble with no one to question.
What I am going to write about? thats still a question.. probably I will speak aloud, write few things which I might share with a friend of mine whom I meet after a long time or just about anything that can be shared without hurting others and hurting my own self. I dont have strong opinions or advice to offer ( there are lot others who do it for free and voluntarily these days). There might be lot of complaints as I am an excellent fault finder and I am known for being pessimistic.
still "write" letters to few of my friends than choosing to email them. Like after a point of time you got to sail along with the tide when you get tired swimming against it for no obvious reasons (or just because swimming against the tide is your nature)... I change my ways but only after some time. I have offered lots of lectures on change management to my team but who says you need to practice what you preach...
Well, one of the main reasons why I finally have chosen to blog is that I have ample of time in hand and dont find anything better to do. I do respect bloggers and there are many atimes when I have found what I wanted in the blogs than anywhere else on the net. Catch here is, there might not be anything as useful in mine. However, I do see it as a way to share my thoughts and experiences and let people know that they are not the only one in the world going thru such circumstances.. if not for a "social cause" a place where you can vent out, go jab jab or ramble with no one to question.
What I am going to write about? thats still a question.. probably I will speak aloud, write few things which I might share with a friend of mine whom I meet after a long time or just about anything that can be shared without hurting others and hurting my own self. I dont have strong opinions or advice to offer ( there are lot others who do it for free and voluntarily these days). There might be lot of complaints as I am an excellent fault finder and I am known for being pessimistic.
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