For the Better or worse ?

The 9yo is on an adventure trip learning the word Love has more meaning than the hugs she gets from her parents or teachers. The 6yo apparently is also not far behind for she chips in during converstaion that it the kind of love that leads people to marry.

And that reminds me of a recent conversation ...

Dad : We are going to California. 6yo : yay, we are going to Disney
Dad : Nope, we are going to a wedding and it is going to be fun for you can see an Indian wedding
6yo :  I dont want to. I want to go to Disney Dad : a bit more sternly, Why dont you want to go to a wedding ?
6yo: Emphatically, In a marriage the boy kisses the girl on the lips. And they share thier germs .....

While the Dad is digesting that he overhears his 9yo asking " Dad, can a boy marry a boy ? "

Needless to say, the value of a dignified silence helped a bit in the escape.

I am doing this right now ...

I come here occasionally, and mutter to myself ‘I have to write one.’ Make a mental note and then... move on to other mundane things in life that allows me the luxury of calling myself very busy and stressed. Today, right in the middle of work (Dont tell that to my boss :) ) I decided to make a change and write something. So here we go ...

Really? Am I that busy? A bit more of self introspection may lead to the dreary path of negative pessimism pushing me to that eerie dark space of depression on how insignificant the self is in the larger scheme of life and this existence. So let me not scratch beyond the surface or let me push it to another day when I am not that busy :)

Of late the path of introspection, egged on by some enthusiastic prodding by an ever inspiring set of friends who do not hesitate from speaking the truth and pointing to the right direction, has been leading to some very interesting thoughts on how passive the self has become. Even there is fire raging in some of the thoughts and in the emotions to the happening's that tickles my concern, but the eventual actions appear to be nonchalant in sharp dichotomy to the earlier expressions. What is tempering the action while the verbal and emotional outpouring advocates something different and more radical? I have no definite answers today and may never arrive on one tomorrow or even if I do, may not have the courage to share it. But rest assured the journey is on and if any out there can help I will be indebted :)

In short "Kuch Karo !!!!"

Yesterday I got to watch in some bits and portions a documentary called “Food, Inc”. Here is a link to a pre-view http://www.veoh.com/watch/v20368182MnDqr98W?h1=Food+Inc+HD+720p . There are full versions as well in some sites but I cannot advocate those as you may want to view them at your own risk ;). In today’s free world, you never know what comes through that digital conduit when we click that download or watch button. When I saw it, though the documentary suggests it is about food that we eat and how it is produced, what struck me was the phenomenal commonality in anything that we do today. In short this is our every day life as a consumer. Anything we buy or accept has a consequence. It is no longer someone else the cause of the problem. It is me alone. Now that is a thought and still muddling over the follow up action ;)

This is a reborn blog. Will it see another day? Hope so, Hope so, at least for my sake and maybe it will lead to some "action".

Enough is Enough !

Living so far away as I watched my city where I grew up most of my life, being blown up and set on fire by a bunch of criminals was so painful. Added to this I had to watch this minute by minute coverage all alone with no one to scream at since the family was right in that distant city. Personally for me the family was safe but the experience has left me so numb that it is difficult to express anything. The only solace was the occasional breaks I got when I could call up my friends at least a few minutes a day and talk of the anguish we feel, the utter failure of everybody that allowed this to happen.

 

It was not even before a few minutes of this incident our tamasha circus was well in motion.

 

The media coverage to start with raises so many questions. How should the media cover such an event? The beginning appeared to be a terrorist incident but soon the situation was akin to a war. A war situation, that lasted for well over seventy hours. Should media have paused and questioned if it is appropriate to cover in such detail? Do we cover the war in such a fashion? Will any military allow a live coverage of a war? I am not criticizing but just seeking answers as to what should be the norm.  

 

What about the world of cell phones, twitters, face book and so on? The digital nirvana that appears to be the solution to every problem as some of us believes. Does it have a bad head throbbing side affect? If so what do we do about that? While we find a challenge and even controversial to regulate the organized media we need to now ponder on self regulation. More questions and no answers today but we have to think on this because tomorrow this situation will arise again some where and we all need to know what is the right thing to do.

 

Then there were those general crowds hanging around the scene of utter devastation as the battle was still underway. Imagine if the terrorist had managed to hurl a few grenades from the Taj windows to the onlookers. How many more would have lost their life? It should have been the first strategic step of the security agencies to ensure the area be cordoned off and a strict curfew imposed till the situation was in control. A command center should have been established outside the perimeter probably a kilometer away to update the media and the nation. A select media could have been allowed inside the perimeter and allowed to record the happenings but not allowed to telecast live. May be they could have done that later. It is to our fortune that the ensuing chaos outside did not by itself turn into another situation. And the irony of it all, the very next day after restoring control our “fearless” Chief Minister decided to pay a visit. For what, I do not know, but more of that later. This time around the area was cordoned and secured.

 

The politicians, what a bunch they are. Across party lines they are all the same. They were looking for brownie points from the incident. A Prime Minister whose voice and speech was so insipid that the only thing that appears to make this man jump is somebody whispering in his ears “Madam Sonia Gandhi’ji is in the room.” I cannot believe this man so learned that he did not find anything of his own or even borrow a few words to lift the hopes and spirits of the people of a nation so demoralized that their gaze was steadily fixed to their boots. The all party meetings they were having later was more like our building society meetings discussing the water shortage or parking problems in the building. Actually I think even those are little more noisy and emotional than the one these people were having. Where is the outrage, even a controlled one or a dignified one? I read this on the banners of a protestor in Bombay today that sums up all “ Bharath Meri Maa, Baap Mera Ijada “. (My country is my mother, my father is impotent”) I am not asking for a war but at the least our leaders need to get some energy to express the collective emotion we all as a nation feel. Compare that with what Bush did post 9/11. Irrespective of what eventually happened credit that man to come out and tell and express the same emotion the nation collectively felt. We did not have one, one leader that can do that?

 

Talking about our beloved politicians and their parade for digging gold in the middle of a misery, One Chief Minister came from another State to give a political diatribe in the middle of a gunfight still raging behind him. The Chief Minister of the state himself was vacationing far away and deputes his deputy to hold the fort for well over 30 hours. Was he coming by train which probably explains the delay in appearance? Contrast that to Mayor Gulliani. I am not a fan of this opportunistic politician as well but on that day of 9/11 he rushed to the scene and put a command post right in the middle of that building. A message was sent on the steely determination to fight back. A token gesture may be but still a significant one.  

 

Some brave leaders who wanted Bombay to be only for those who could show blood of pure local lineage were hiding under their bed with bangles in their hands probably and watching on TV the brave men from all over the country giving their life, fighting with puny toys against the enemy equipped with the best guns. Where were these guardian angels of the city and culture when it was getting raped and defiled right in front of our eyes? Now come out and ask for the local purity in my blood before I can claim a place in the city where I am born, where I breathe and wish some day I die.

 

One best of the breed politician thought “lipstick statements” is still in vogue. Another best of the breed politician found a novel way to express his indebtedness to the brave men who gave their lives so that he and his loved ones can see another day. Another politician inadvertently managed to teach the world that a dog is far loyal than men and any day I will take a dog as a friend than a politician. Alas we can only fret and fume on how these men end up at the highest pinnacle of governance of our beloved land. Somehow all the fingers are pointing at me, so let us move on.

 

A few silver lining to this dark and merciless cloud is the grit with which our men in Khaki fought back and the response of the common man. No words can express and sum up the gratitude the nation owes to those brave men who fought fearlessly and with some even giving up their life in protecting the nation. The least we can respond with after that is only by our deeds to keep this nation free, thriving and most significantly intact. The response of the common man that followed was in itself an eye opener. The flames are lit and the fires yet to burn. We need to keep this flame on and burn anything that comes in the way of protecting the nation that defines us. Three days after the shearing strokes on their heart they stood up again albeit blood dripping, legs unsteady yet resolute in their eyes to take back their home from the looters who think of only how to plunder. To that I bow my head and I fervently pray their legions grow and stand steady every day, every where, such that the next time when the plunderer’s eyes rove around for yet another loot the only sight he is left with be the eternal darkness. 

An historic moment ....

What a night it was. Yesterday America showed why it is America. After eight years of forcing everybody to have an opinion about America and many of them writing off the nation as a “has been”, once again Americans show why it is always the land of hope and opportunity. For two years I was in the thick of this election and had so many lively discussions with my friends and colleagues. I myself was a skeptic initially and opined that political parties do not jump ship from a party insider to a new comer unless they are very sure of the new comer’s victory. So it appeared for a long time as the primaries went on state after state with no clear winner. Then there were many who opined that America is not ready to vote for a colored person. Some questioned his patriotism, some questioned his association and some more spewed just pure venom. All through that the steady man that he was kept gaining the respect and worthiness inch by inch every day by just being positive and talking of hope. Yes, many thought and still think hope alone is not going to help and change is just a fancy word that is not meaningful in the real world. And that may well be true at the end of the next four year term but even then we at least for today can hope only for the better.

 

If at all, as a parting shot to the good friends of mine who suggest that all they have seen is words of hope and change and nothing else, I would like to point to just one thing. This campaign was the longest one that went on for two years and for that long a period this was the best run campaign ever. How did he do it? Just a simple mantra, People, Team, Organization. Even if he runs the administration the way he ran the campaign we are in good hands. Period.

 

Irrespective of the final legacy of the 44’Th president, this election has already given so much to this world and in particular to any parent who want to teach their kid with a real life example. Here are some that I learnt …

 

Every parent genuinely can look at their kid’s eye and say, yes in America you can be anything that you want to be as long as you work for it with dedication irrespective of the color, religion or affluence.

 

Education, Education, Education. I cannot say enough of that. Watching both the President and the first lady you can feel immediately that progress and achievement is possible only by dedicating the first 21 years of your life to the single purpose of education.

 

When the others call you weak, or question your passion or even insult you, you do not need to show your passion or your emotion to prove that you have the grit and the mettle. All you need is to show what you are by doing what you do best and positive. Let the others live in their own ignorance. The next time you want throw a punch think about this.

 

You can win some on your own but a good team will always win lot more. So don’t be a superstar trying to win it all by yourself. Instead, just do what you do best for the team and be a part of the team where others do what they do best for the team. When team wins you automatically win.

 

That is it for me for now…. More on some other lessons later.

Joe the President, Still running ~

So much time has passed since that last post. It has been a historic time when we got two new “Joe’s” delivered by the presidential election process. First came “Joe, the six pack” and then came “Joe the plumber”. Of course we still have the original Joe Biden who calls  “Joe the plumber”, the 250k guy. Not sure what he calls “Joe the six pack” guy.  Questions to ponder that if Obama calls anybody such names, will he be called an Elitist?  As of now he is being called a terrorist because he sat on a school board with someone who was a radical enough to blow things around decades back and then got reformed and now works for the welfare American children’s education. I guess the thought of education itself is radical. By the way do you realize that “Joe the Plumber” is now giving more interviews than the prospective vice president Sarah Palin. As of what he is talking about socialism matches very close to what she is talking about her foreign policy experience.

There is a funny smell about a maverick. We had one for the past eight years and to top it he was also a cowboy. I remember working in UK and my boss would say “Don’t give me any cowboy solutions. “ It took a few years after coming to the USA and the last eight years to understand the full impact of that and unfortunately it was a live experience. A few days back the cowboy was there again telling the world that it is good that he is in charge and he knows how to solve the financial crisis. He said he understands and he will fix it. Well that sounded very much like what he said after that crisis in 2001 when he said “We will get him from his caves.” We all know how that turned out to be.

So in 20 days we elect a new president. The choice is either a man who looks more and more presidential as each day passes  or a man who is not sure what half of his body is doing while debating. Either a man who is serene and calm to the extent people think he lacks the passion or a man whose passion is only anger and now has to douse all his passions and ambitions with cold water a second time all over again. Either a man who is buying up prime air time to give an address like he is already the president or a man who is going around the funny shows hoping for comedy to deliver the presidency. Either a man whom people believe can walk the water or a man who hopes for a miracle to lead him to the White House. The choice cannot be more distinct than this but still ... hmm a tough one  :)

It is not that I am an Obama fan but a few things do stand out for me. One is the excellent team he has to run the campaign and hopefully some of those will make their way into the administration. The second aspect is the grass root momentum his team has built and sustained. The third aspect is the serene, calm, measured and the poised response he delivers. This is truly a different image of America and frankly one that the world desperately seeks. So that is it from me for now. Rest, in the next and hopefully soon.

Yes, I did it. Think ‘Dora’ hopping around. Yes that is the same feeling I have after I managed to set up my first blog. No big deal you might say but when the weeds of procrastination took a permanent residence at the decision making house of my head for months and years, I thought the battle is lost. The first step is always the most difficult and I have taken that but hey I have done that in the past as well and never took the next step. Hopefully that all will change, I hope soJ.

So as I was hunting for the right name to my blog, I discovered that every possible of my name and its variations and combinations already taken. Interestingly each of those blogs got registered years back and all have only a maximum of 3 updates till today. Most of them have not updated for the past 3 years. Could that be that there is some thing going on with the name and all those who have that name are procrastinators? That needs some research, don’t you think?

So what can I ramble on today? There are so many things going on. The meltdown, the election, lipsticks and pigs, the most powerful nation has a full house. One thing that I definitely want to say is that of all the times this nation has faced this is one time we definitely do not need a “Six Pack Joe” anywhere near the White House. I love “Six Pack Joe” for a beer, to talk and chat and watch a game together or go to a parent teacher meeting with. But do I want him to decide my 401K situation or negotiate with Russia or make a pitch at the UN? Come on please let “Joe be Joe” and let him not worry Ok?

One thing from the meltdown that makes me wonder is who the leader is and where is he leading? For the most powerful nation on earth in a crisis I guess the President is the guy to lead. All I see is a wrinkled brow face appearing on television every morning explaining that if we don’t act now it is dooms’s day. Then he retires back into his bed and hopes it all was just a bad dream. If the President cannot get the leaders of the house and senate together for resolving a global crisis and getting things done what is he there for? Imagine that one President in the past had locked up the world leaders Rabin and Arafat in Camp David and did not release them free till they agreed on something. For that outcome even deserved a Noble peace prize. Footnote: Arafat in those days was considered a leader.

For now, I too am planning to watch TV, pray and sleep so that tomorrow when I wake up either it is that wrinkle brow all over again or the whole thing has just passed away like a bad dream.