...and then, she was free...

Few drops of dark shades falling from her eyes, a naive view she was holding in, the deeper the world went, the smaller her heart grew. Dark water kept pouring in her empty hearted glass. It was like an endless waterfall of sadness. Her eyes, wandering in the mist of happiness, looking for a ray of sunshine, but all she got, was a snowflake in the dark summer. Days were pretty in her head, but none in her eyes. Reflections of the world she kept running from, followed her into every moment she lived.

A step here, and one there, on the pathless road with a desperation in her heart for a pure happy world. The millions of emotions she kept hidden inside a room of her pretty little heart, was like a magic box of the purest layer of desire. She packed it with the most beautiful bunch of flowers she plucked from the dark world she had left. As she walked out, she was up in the air, walking on a rainbow, a blooming heart, ready to fly. Silently, her wings grew like the moon among the stars, and then she set herself free. 

Free from the burden of expectations., she emancipated her soul from the shackles of self doubt. Letting go of her fear of inhibition, flying higher and higher into the deep blue sky. Yes, she's now free. Free to be anyone she wants to be... anything she wants to be

-Anon.

Homecoming.

There was a time., when it was the most formidable team in the global arena. They proved time and again, that they deserved to be called so. The game in this country got its name, and fame. As time rolled, unfortunately came the shame associated too. Adding to the burns was the emergence of another 11-man aside that became a 'Religion'.

But as they say, "The wheel of time has turned a full circle." There had been a lacklustre performance for a 'considerably long' while. But the team now knows what it wants. The boys know what the nation wants. The mix and match of experience and youth is ready to take on the best teams in the world now. C'mon Australia, England or Pakistan, our boys have learnt to dare. The last 8-9 months with their new coach have proved a fruitful association. Putting aside the recent trifles where, (like in Chak De! India, the movie...) despite of it, the team proved they stand united, there has been smooth sailing. It was more than a quarter century ago, that the best in the World Cup was put up by the MiB... And now, another World Cup awaits. With the tournament being played at home, it's time the trophy finds its true masters. The world over sits in anticipation. The country looks up to you. The game relies upon you to reclaim it's lost glory. Like the Phoenix which rises from its own ashes, it's time for the game in India to be celebrated. Let not the 'Other' World Cup'a year later outshadow your performace, and send you deeper into Hades. Team India, You are the Messiah for the game in your country. Prove that you have it in you to live up to your 'National Game'.

Get us back the glory of 1975. You have a billion dreams behind you. Well, atleast part of it, if the others still say Cricket is their life. Damn them. Only you can turn the tables for all those who still say so. Wish you the best of your performance in the FIH World Cup. Don't keep us waiting till longer.

Update: India beat arch-rivals Pak 4 goals to 1 in their inaugural fixture :).

is this a bloody joke!?!

yes, it seems to be one.
Before i excercised my authority today, i thought i should do a little bit of research on those who want to boss over us. i mean the candidates, who wish to represent us. (Thanks to the internet for having helped me so much.) Now, here, i come across all the High School Passouts, and highly qualified people fighting for power. In the midst of all these, stands one lady. She's the only lady from my constituency in the rat race.

There were new and experienced, young and old, tough and humble, all kinds of candidates. But one profile stood out of all the rest. wanna know who??
Yes, it was this lady. The moment i saw her profile, and her response to the top concerns of citizens, i thought i found what i wanted in this profile.

The foremost concern... It tops our country in global tables... yes, it was "Corruption".
Here's her response to it:
"Corruption should be prevented either by raising awareness among people and also by enforcing anti corruption act in the parliamentary level. This is the very big social problem could not be completely stopped unless and until the ideal society is created. "

Another concern: "Electoral Reforms". and here's what she had to say of it:
"The real criminals who have involved in severe cases should not be elected by the people. Even the political parties before giving the tickets should study the background of the candidates. "


N.B:The above citations are direct quotes, and no modifications have been done.

Now, ain't that something every leader would say??
she was honest with it too...

But what appealed the most to me, was the next big bang. It was a literal 11kV jolt down my spine. after saying so much about corruption, and corrupt politians, here's her (criminal) profile:
Charged twice, under sections 420, 465, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code. (click to know what they stand for.)
Did she remember even a single word of what she spoke in interviews about the citizens' concerns, when she submitted her contestant forms?

the reason for our country to be shattered and torn,
is the fact that it's ruled by such people baseborn.
(thanks anon, for the above 2 lines:))

"Kannada Barutha??"

Achtung:Readers, don't blame me for a rather long blog this time...
(btw, I've not taken long to type it all... ;) it's one I read somewhere, but felt I should publish, with some of my own spice :).

Aaaah! I am sure most of you in Bangalore would have heard this, but what is "kannada barutha?" here it goes. Bangalore the IT capital of India , the silicon city and now a Metro city opened its gates to almost all kinds of people. Very evidently the recent poll census proved that there are only 47% of original inhabitants in Bangalore/bengaluru. The life style of the city has seen a gradual change with Pizza Corners replacing MTR's, classy eat out's replacing "Vidyarthi Bhavans" and flashy pub's replacing all the "Mahalakshmi wine shops".

"Change is inevitable" from the days of HMT, BEML, HAL and BHEL to INFOSYS and WIPRO; Bangalore has a new look now on the world map. Gone are the days where a typical Sunday for any bangalorean was a nice romantic walk on the pavements of "LALBAGH...", "rave idli and coffee.." at the nearest yet old looking MTR and a wonderful Annavra film either at Santosh or central 'talkies'. Today's Bangalore is deluged in traffic, stress and pressure, Saturday nights without beer is desolate and a Sunday without a visit to either a nearest spa or health clinic is schlocky!! The gandhibazar's are now AC cooled super markets, majestic is now replaced by an ultra modern and diversified Brigade road, "Sri cauvery coffee joint" is now Coffee day... and "Bhagyalakshmi coffee adda"... is now Barista. With globalisation and more retail market the city will definitely see more forceful changes.

Have all these changed our language? Kannada the local language of Bangalore is supposed to be one of the most meaningful of languages; it also has an unique script as compared to many of its other counterparts; but what percentage of people really use Kannada in Bangalore now? The figures are staggering, only 37% of people speak kannada in the state's capital as i read somwhere. for rest it is only "Kannada barutha?"

Any normal guy starts with this sentence "Kannada barutha?" while talking to another person. people confirm before they speak the language. You want to ask an address in Bangalore? or reply to a question... then English is the most preferred language with Hindi. It's a fact that two kannidagas in an IT company always talk in a neutral language!! even the vendors and shop keepers are channeled to this new wave, the moment when you step in any shop in Bangalore , you are always asked "Kannada barutha?" or the entire conversation takes place in non kannada languages. People have lost the confidence of speaking in the local language and more over speaking Kannada on the streets of "M.G road "or "kormangala" is substandard.

Shopping malls in the city have been completely banned from using Kannada, not a forced one but definitely an adapted one. One has to confirm that the other person knows the language before he starts using any language. "ondu glass beer" is a insult when it comes to any decorous pub in Bangalore. "Swalpa menu card kodthira..??" has been replaced by "Can I have the menu card please...?"

Just to hit some facts, marathi is still the largest and common speaking language in mumbai even though mumbai has the highest no of inhabitants. Telugu is a practised ritual in yet another IT HUB Hyderabad. When it comes to tamil nadu, beware you can be alive either if you are a fan of rajnikanth or you know tamil. Malyalam runs in the blood of every mallu be it Kuwait , dubai or any hospital; but when it comes to kannada it isalways "kannada barutha?" and next is "namaskara."

I am neither a Kannada activist nor do I run any Kannada supporting organization, I am just a plebeian who just loves the language. Globalisation is the trend and modernisation is the mantra. but at the cost of a language? Sounds no logic.. Is speaking kannada down market? The answer has to be found within oneself. Next time when you hear "kannada barutha?"., just remember that "kannada runs in your blood.."

The secret of a movie...

Never had I thought that such an incident can happen on such a beautiful Sunday eve. But it had to, and happened this Sunday. 2 of us, A friend of mine, and myself, were sitting on a bench and discussing about something (irrelevant here) when one guy, seemingly aged around 20 came to us, and enquired if we spoke Kannada. Getting a response in the affirmative, he started chatting with us for a few minutes, and so unsuspectfully...
A while later, his true persona was revealed. He had come to us with a purpose.
From what he told us of himself, he was a dropout after being unable to pass his 10th, and had to go to one of his relatives' house in Chamarajpet. He asked us if we could help him. When we enquired about his whereabouts, he said he lived with his parents in the Quarters adjacent. His parents never stopped him from going to the relative('s') house, neither were they ready to give him any money. So, he wanted us to give him something, so that he could.
We looked at each other for a while, and thought (the first mistake!) that he was truthful, and decided we give him some money, at the most 20bucks.(the second mistake!!) However, as it was to be, neither of us had any bill that could be spared for him. I said I had nothing lesser than a Rs.100 bill, and pat came his answer. "Irli sir, adanne koDi, naanu 60 rupai change koDtini" (Ok. give me the 100 rupees, and I will give you a change of 60 rupees.). The most horrible shock of my lifetime. A person who hadn't even 20 rupees to go to his relative('s') house, in no time, possesses atleast Rs.60.
Us:Why do you need money when you already have sufficient?
He:actually, wanted to buy a CD.
Us:what's important? CD or Relatives?
He:both... I also want to go to their home. (Which, I interpreted as CD being more important)
Us:and what's more important?
He: CD.
Us:which CD is it, that's more important than your relatives?
He:actually, I want to buy a CD of "Raaz". (For those who might wonder, it's a Hindi Movie. I've not yet seen it though.)
Us:But you could actually rent one and watch it for less than Rs.10.
He:No. I want to own a CD of the movie! (Ain't it a wonderful answer?)

This shook us up literally. What's so special about this movie?
What is the "Raaz" behind someone being so desperate to own a CD and watch the movie?
can someone let me know, before I waste bandwidth to download movies like Raaz to find out the "Raaz"???

I'm worth just....

Happened to pick up a middle aged person on the way today. He wanted to go somewhere along my way. For the fact that we were to be riding together for a while, I stroke a conversation wid him. After a while, as we spoke, got to know he's a Security Guard... his work places - far n wide... every day, a different location to guard. As we spoke, he told me some facts about his profession...

each shift lasted 12 hours on paper, but it could go longer if the reliever was not in time.

consequtive shifts do not continue at the same place.

if he's late to his next assignment by more than 30min, he'd be marked absent.

Most of the night shifts are nightmares. Owners, drunk, shout at them late in the mid of darkness, without any knowledge. These chaps, without any right to protest, bear it all for just a square meal a day.

said they needed to sometimes, work for 96hours, without break.

24hours of break if he's guarded for 96hours!!! I can't even think of staying awake for half the time!

A family in some far off village. whom he's to money order a part of his earnings.

for every shift from 7PM to 7AM, the earnings are a meagre 100 bucks, and a 120 if it were working 7AM to 7PM!!! (does this really matter to us??? he's paid for his work... ain't he?)

A meal on the roads costs him atleast 40 rupees a day. His life goes on with a savings of 60rupees/day.

Today, when I earn nothing short of atleast 7 times what he earns a day, and that for mostly whiling away time in an Air conditioned cubicle, and that for working just for 7-8 hours a day... (SW Engineers, don't tell me you work for 13 hours every day. I'm one among you... and know the facts.) it makes me ponder over and again over the same question...

"Is his hard work of days together, justified by what he earns?"

Aren't we engineers grossly overpaid for whatever we're doing?

Give it a thought... never know, you'll never even think of looking into the eyes of a security guard now on!! shamed by life...

Where lies the problem???

I only wanted my city to be as beautiful as it was when the British made it their "Pensioners' Paradise". And I'm bound to do it. However, last weekend was nightmarish for me. I was in the M.G.Road of Malleshwaram for some purchasing. (not the usual shopping. I knew what I needed ;).) The shopkeeper in one of those shops I entered was hell-bent upon distributing plastic bags with an ad like most others, for his shop printed upon it. It was an annoying sight to me. Observing that he was a "Not too old" guy, and would understand the concerns of plastix, I approached him. Just suggested, "Why don't you charge a rupee or two for each plastic bag? It helps reduce plastic garbage". His response shocked me for a while. He said "I don't care how people use/reuse the plastic bags I'm distributing, as long as my business is done". Well, he's thought for his business, and rightly enough. But has he ever thought of his children and the future generations that would live on, in and with plastics?? I tried my best to make him realize this, but he was worried more of his business.
Is it as difficult to touch people's thoughts? It wasn't, atleast for me. Until then.!!!

striking the right cord

have you ever thought, how music would be if you do not strike the right cord for the note you have? yes. it is really annoying to hear such music. my point here, just to emphasize on knowing when, where and what to do. i thought i had planned to do something the way i thought, and thought it could be the right way. but all my presumptions were shattered in no time, and the fact that had it... one simple question. "What would you say if you were..??
yes, i had a plan to make a big impact on something. a way that could change the way we live. and this is what i thought was worth sharing with a friend of mine. i was telling him what i wanted to do, and how i intend to go about it. briefly, it was to make our city, a better place to live. yes i was thinking of refining ನಮ್ಮ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು. i also had some thoughts on how to go about it after i had read on some websites, how some bangaloreans had come to hate their own city, instead of striving to refine it., or in my words, redefine it. as i spoke, he asked me something, that i never thought of. had i begun my task at hand, i would definitely have failed miserably. the reason: well. i had never considered what was the cause behind all that was happening. this is what i meant by striking the right cord. he did something, which helped me refine my intentions. all that he did to make me realize that it would not succeed unless not a just a handfull, but all my "city"zens were part of it. he made me realize this when he asked me "what would you do if you were to lose something in return for this?" and being a typical bangalorean, my response was the same as what every other bangalorean's would have been. "it depends on what I GET out of it." he had knowingly, or unknowingly, made his point. as long as we come together as one, there is nothing that can stop people from blaming the sorry state of our city. not even GOD himself can object to people who object to the city's situation. i just love this city, that i don't want it to lose the recognition it had once gained in whatever sense.. be it as a pensioner's paradise, or the garden city, or off late, the silicon city. i just don't care for the collective adjectives, as long as every common thing is proper. they are just too abstract for a city like bangalore, which is much more than just that..
cumon people, you've all enjoyed Bangalore's pristine beauty at some point of your life. it's time to restore Bangalore's beauty, and give it some life too now. only together, can we make Bangalore the paradise it was once considered to be. wake up!!! for it's time to act.