Lost in Thoughts

It's been quite long since I tried to post anything new. Nothing around me seemed to move/motivate/inspire me to use my pen! Guess this is the first thing that could happen to an MBA graduate, busy  learning the skills to barge into a potential market.

I wonder how little girls bring me back into a world that calls for attention and action. As Harish Bhai silently drove us back home, I was still pondering over the beauty of the Taj. It was hell hot and I asked Harish Bhai to get curtains for the car. I wondered how people could brave the hot sun at 2 noon in Agra.                                      

Looking around in the stuck traffic, I noticed this little girl in deep thoughts!

Lost in Thoughts

The over-crowded auto promised no dearth of insecurity as people struggled to make place for each other. Unaware of the surroundings, immersed in deep thoughts was this little girl with no intention to understand what a better living could look like. Perhaps she had much more to worry and address as we tried to wave to her in vain.

She remained undisturbed by the horn, the dust, the heat and the screams! I could in no way read her. My Mom's efforts to maker her come to present paved off as she smiled back in approval as we sped from that place.

Was it poverty, child labour, insecurity, unprotective environment, lack of education....????? This might just be endless...

The Brand called "Nationalism"

The Gujarat Parivar in Andhra, The Maharashtra Sangh in Gujarat, The Andhra Society in Delhi....

63 years after independence, India still witnesses the "Nationalism syndrome". We Indians have come to take Nationalism in a way quite different from what it actually signifies.

We might not have given a thought to it when someone was asked to indicate Nationality in an application form. We might not have given it much importance when a friend abroad asked us about our nationality. We might not have left any chance to take credit when someone raised the question “Who invented zero?”

During the recent concluded National Conference on Environment, Hyderabad, I met teachers from Delhi who were working for the Andhra Society there. The other day I was reading the newspaper to find that the Bengali Society in Bangalore is planning to celebrate Dusshera with great pomp and show. It was then this thought struck me. Why do people want to be identified and associated with societies they come from?

Nationalism has just become a brand for the people to have a value added advantage. To my agony, the brand recognition is highly prominent and the Nationalism in true spirits goes for a wash. Instead why don’t we come up with an “Indian Society” and celebrate our culture with enthusiasm and joy....

CONFINT 2010

This post is the result of insomnia caused due to jet lag after having been to Brazil the last week for CONFINT 2010.

The International Conference on Youth and Children, Brazil will be the most cherished event of my life. The reasons??? To name a few

1) It was with regard to environmental concern as to how to bring about a change through the charter of responsibilities.
2) I was proved completely wrong for my negative opinion about the people abroad
3) I was proved wrong again for my belief that one cannot stay happy for long!
4) I was proved wrong this time for my opinion that unity in diversity lies only in India!

The above mentioned might seem equally confusing and enduring as it stimulates a little thought in some part of your never-to-rest mind. I have seen and been through all this personally and I can say it without hesitation that 'foreigners' who now have turned out to be sweet friends are the best people to be with. I have smiled so much in the past 14 days that I might not have done in the past twenty years!!! I could sense the fragrance of committment, dedication, warmth and affection at the same time. It was a concoction of serious work and fun unlimited endowed with the qualities of beauty, dignity and discipline.

At the end of the conference, I am made to understand that Unity in Diversity finds itself a place whenever and wherever a compassionate and conscious set of people come together to realise a global dream to make this Earth a better place to live in...

I had to restrict myself to a very timely and limited description of the event. Had it not been for the reason, I would have written a new blog for every day making the count to 14 posts! ;)

One Way!!!

It was after a very long time that I attended the college for one full day!!! It was five past five when the college bus dropped me on the main road.I crossed the road with great difficulty and then headed straight for my hostel. I usually have to walk for a km and then cross a narrow lane to reach the hostel.I was walking on the right side of the road when I suddenly found my conscience advising me to follow road rules for safety.

I proudly looked to the left, then to the right and again to the left before reaching the opposite side. Looking for vehicles on the left was a foolish thing I could do, as it was a One Way lane.I laughed at myself for being so stupid for looking to the left, right and then left!!! I was still smiling when a speeding vehicle drove past me, and yes he came from the left!I turned back to confirm its presence when another 'karizma' speeded in the wrong direction.

At the end of the day,I felt happy for not being that foolish in anticipating the way of the One Way ideology!!!The sign boards have to be made larger rather look larger...

International Woman's Day

March 8, 2010:

This day finds a place, very special, in my heart as I see "Women" being appreciated for their contributions in diversified fields.I find it weird and enthusiastic to jot down an incident-all positive from my perspective on this special occasion of International Women's Day.

Well, this took place somewhere in mid February. I was to attend the cultural and technical fest at IIIT, Hyderabad to collect my certificate of participation. The only means of transport was the friendly and old local because it offered a hassel free jorney despite the nuisance created by the'gentlemen'! That day, as usual, the local looked so crowded that I was sure to witness another fight.

To my astonishment, the Ladies compartment wore a deserted local and there was no sight of any gentleman!I just could not believe my eyes until I saw a policeman standing rather guarding the compartment. The very appearance of a policeman made me think that the Telangana-Rayalaseema issue had taken a serious stand in a way that even MMTS seemed afraid to operate normally.

Out of my inquisitive habit, I went up to one of the policemen and questioned him about his presence specially in the Ladies compartment. The answer I heard worried me a lot at the second thought as I could see that I would have nothing more to pen in this space hereafter!!!I would be left with no chance to question someone, provoke someone etc etc!!!

"It is on the orders of the DSP of Hyderabad, that we have been put on duty here. Cases of eve teasing and disorders have been reported. So, here onwards there will be two guards in every Ladies compartment and it will continue forever". This was in response to my question- "How far do you think would this seriously continue?

My happiness knew no bounds...Voices take long to be heard. But when they do, they echo and reverberate with such a high dB that it becomes difficult to turn a deaf ear!!!

Though the Women's Reservation Bill still awaits approval (since the past 13 years),let us celebrate the spirit of womanhood with freedom of thought and speech!

Proud to be ONE!