Friday 19 February 2010

How far we can go?

In today's paper there is a news.. hope you might have read it. It may not be of importance to anyone else, but it struck me. Two youths went for an interview in Hyderabad and were beaten black and blue by locals. Their fault? they are not from the state. Being a mother i can understand the kind of fear those young people's mothers felt after seeing their son come home terrified and injured. Just think, these people had not gone for a private company's interview- it is BHEL.

In this world of privatisation who wants government jobs?As far as i know it is the middle class, especially those with a  government employee at home. They may not be very rich. Like us they have a hand to mouth existence. They don't even see their full salary even for a day.. thanks to the price of necessary commodities it just evaporates at the touch of their hand- nothing is left, no saving...It is not that they don't want to save and lead a comfortable life after retirement like the guy in the multinational company's pension plan advertisement. Unfortunately for them everything depends on their pension after retirement . You have to build a house, teach and marry off your kids... everything from the meagre pension amount. That means even in your old age you have no peace of mind.

Their only hope of  a better future is their children. They do everything necessary to see to that their children are better educated and get a better job. But where is the job in villages or for that matter in every city? Thank God our development is not proportional.. some areas are highly developed and it brims with money and other places still the same - smelly gutters, roads where you can't even walk, no transportation facility... to say the least not even food, water and electricity. So, these less fortunates have to travel to the big cities for job. As they don't need a visa and passport to travel through India and work, and as it is less costly, they travel- even to far away places for jobs.
 But now there are a number of states in India which won't let Indian citizens from other states to their territory. They say whatever their state produces is theirs.They have a right over it. But, just think if all the  small cities and villages in India say the same. Who will suffer? Undoubtedly it is the big cities? They do have big big buildings, posh apartments and all the facilities for a better life... but where do they get their food from? who cultivates it/ where do they get their water from? who keeps the city and their house clean?

Don't you remember the pledge we used to take in school  everyday, " India is my country. All Indians are my brothers and sisters..."So like you the rest of the people in India too have a right to your state. It doesn't mean you should give away everything to the others. You can also compete... but not the physical way, not through violence... educate yourself, better your abilities, apply for a job.. give your hundred percent.. and then let the better person win...

Those who settle in other states should also learn to respect their culture, move closely with the locals, try to be one among them. It is not good to flaunt your money, force your culture on them, look down upon the locals. poke fun at their customs, looks, language or culture....They are being good to you by letting you work there.. be good to them in return.. that is the least any human being can do for the other...

Monday 8 February 2010

Love day and some wisdom

Like any other day today also we, a group of women in various age group, went for a walk. On the way we usually discuss everything - from our neighbour to the governmental policy.  Shanta aunty is the one who talks most of the time. She is a motherly figure like the one we see in the old bollywood movies. Concerned for everyone. But today, she was silent, deep in thought. Once we reached the park i went to her and asked," what happened aunty, why are you so silent? Is there anything at home?". " No beta, i was thinking..."." what aunty?" " Is this guy who talks about disturbing the lover's day celebration poor?". The rest of us said in one voice 'can't be, why?" "Then does he has a big family to feed?" That also got a negative answer. Now all of us were curious, why Shanta aunty was this much concerned about that person whom she had no connection we know of. Seeing our face she sensed our concern. She said smiling. I read in newspaper that he got more than 2 lakhs pink chaddi last year. Even after that he is still saying the same thing. So i thought he really wanted those chaddis". We all rolled on ground laughing.....
But this innocent concern gave us the topic for our discussion. Why that guy and his men started making such a ruckus again this year before Valentine's day? What purpose this threat was supposed to serve?
Rugmini aunty felt that the Sena is the marketing wing of some big greeting card and gift companies. Instead of stopping people from celebrating the festival he is spreading it across the country. She said," otherwise why did  he come up days before the celebration? He could have sat silent and stopped people on the day". Right Na? Even we saw logic in Rugmini aunty's words. If it's true, just think what fools are those who follow them and do whatever they tell them to do!!

For Yellamma aunty this is a new subject. She doesn't even know what is a Valentine's day. For her she has been living with a man for the past 35 years. Not even once they said 'I Love You' to each other. Does it mean they don't love each other?
Some days ago Yellamma aunty's granddaughter gave her and her husband a card and a rose. She said it is the Grandparents day.But  this gift didn't makeYellamma aunty  happy. She says anyone can give you a card and a rose, but to be there when the other person needs you and do things without asking to be done is what counts and that is love according to her. Other than giving the card and the rose Yellamma aunty's grand daughter never gave her even a glass of water when she was not well, or even noticed her on other days. Her words moved us. We all felt it to be true.
One thing is sure we are living in a world of hollow exhibitionism. We call up, send messages, say ' I Love You' a thousand time, buy diamond rings. But never shy away from breaking a relationship at the drop of a hat.  So, what is the purpose of Valentine's day or days like that if we don't feel for one another from heart.
Our serious conversation was ended with Janamma aunties funny quotes. She said, " these men are wasting their time and energy on something so stupid and trivial. The pair we saw last year and felt they were much in love can be seen with another partner today. They also will look like deep in love. So, after many years of such pairing they will exhaust with partners and the Valentine's day celebration will die its natural death". Oh, God! what an old wisdom.. Are you listening??
Regards
...

Monday 1 February 2010

Solving the traffic problem

Do you know how tough it is to drive on a busy Bangalore road? especially for a learner. I experienced it lately. I am a four wheeler learner. The guy who teaches me says it is very easy.. just know your clutch, gear and brake and it is done.
After a week's toil i learnt my clutch, brake and gear... but still driving is a pain for me. In the traffic my coach tells me... "go forward.. cut the traffic and go.. the other guys will stop don't stop for them". but i think if the other person also thinks the same way, then?
My driving coach spent 15 days with me, still am at square one... bugged and irritated he is given up on me...' madam, there is nothing I can do, you have to practice.. drive your vehicle everyday". I agree... but is it a good option? am i adding chaos to the crisis?
undoubtedly yes, but i want to move around the city.. go to job, pick and drop my son at school, shop, meet frnds.... i need to learn driving... am confused!! how can i learn driving without disturbing the already disrupt Bangalore traffic..
Thought over it for days....finally came up with a plan.. will drive around my layout... with new vigour i started driving around my layout.. to your knowledge it is a properly laid layout... but when i drove along there were a lot of drawbacks.. first thing..people park their vehicle where ever they like.. sometimes at the turning, and at the middle of the road!! ( no, am not exaggerating, it's true). Then they come from anywhere.. and go anywhere No signal, no honking...as if they are driving on the moon!!

Now you know why the Bangalore traffic is in such a mess.  Preaching is easy, no one looks at their own courtyard and blames the neighbour for the stink.Let me make an appeal to those who are already driving please introspect and see how you are driving.. do you have traffic sense and citizen sense... Do it fast so that learners like me can come out on road and drive peacefully.. Let us all join together and make Bangalore the best city of the world.

Hope everyone listens,
Regards
.....