A Bitter Reality डिसेंबर 28, 2006

One nice fwd story………

ONE BEDROOM FLAT… AN INDIAN SOFTWARE ENGINEER’S LIFE…

As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree in Software Engineer and joined a company based in USA , the land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the USA , it was as if a dream had come true.

Here at last I was in the place where I want to be. I decided I would be staying in this country for about Five years in which time I would have earned enough money to settle down in India .

My father was a government employee and after his retirement, the only asset he could acquire was a decent one bedroom flat. I wanted to do some thing more than him. I started feeling homesick and lonely as the time passed. I used to call home and speak to my parents every week using cheap international phone cards. Two years passed, two years of Burgers at McDonald’s and pizzas and discos and 2 years watching the foreign exchange rate getting happy whenever the Rupee value went down.

Finally I decided to get married. Told my parents that I have only 10 days of holidays and everything must be done within these 10 days. I got my ticket booked in the cheapest flight. Was jubilant and was actually enjoying hopping for gifts for all my friends back home. If I miss anyone then there will be talks. After reaching home I spent home one week going through all the photographs of girls and as the time was getting shorter I was forced to select one candidate.

In-laws told me,to my surprise, that I would have to get married in 2-3 days, as I will not get anymore holidays. After the marriage, it was time to returnto USA , after giving some money to my parents and telling the neighbors to look after them, we returned to USA. My wife enjoyed this country for about two months and then she started feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India increased to twice in a week sometimes 3 times a week. Our savings started diminishing. After two more years we started to have kids. Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to us by the almighty. Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked me to come to India so that they can see their grand-children. Every year I decide to go to India .But part work part monetary conditions prevented it. Years went by and visiting India was a distant dream. Then suddenly one day I got a message that my parents were\nseriously sick. I tried but I couldn’t get any holidays and thus could not go to India. The next message I got was my parents had passed away and as there was no one to do the last rights the society members had done whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents had passed away without seeing their grand children.
After couple more years passed away, much to my children’s dislike and my wife’s joy we returned to India to settle down. I started to look for a suitable property, but to my dismay my savings were short and the property prices had gone up during all these years.I had to return to the USA.

My wife refused to come back with me and my children refused to stay in India .My 2 children and I returned to USA after promising my wife I would be back for good after two years. Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an American and my son was happy living in USA. I decided that had enough and wound-up every thing and returned to India. I had just enough money to buy a decent 02 bedroom flat in a well-developed locality.

Now I am 60 years old and the only time I go out of the flat is for the routine visit to the nearby temple. My faithful wife has also left me and gone to the holy abode.

Sometimes I wondered was it worth all this? My father, even after staying in India , had a house to his name and I too have the same nothing more. I lost my parents and children for just ONE EXTRA BEDROOM .

Looking out from the window I see a lot of children dancing. This damned cable TV has spoiled our new generation and these children are losing their values and culture because of it.

I get occasional cards from my children asking I am\nalright. Well at least they remember me. Now perhaps after I die it will be the neighbors again who will be performing my last rights, God Bless them. But the question still remains ‘was all this worth it?’ I am still searching for an answer…………….!!!!

By an Indian SE who was in US.

Glass Paintings डिसेंबर 28, 2006

Recently i had been to ICE 2006 held in mumbai. It claims to be the biggest exhibition ofr indian customers. many leading brands from all over the world participate in this exhibition. This fest has items like handicrafts, electronics, daily use items, food, furniture etc etc. The one interesting stall i visited was of pidilite. This stall of pidlite had items for hobby class which included items for glass painting, ceramic paintings, stained class, foil paintings etc etc. The glass painiting kits were dirt cheap and was a huge suces. Everyone brought a glass painting kit and were looking for guidance. And lo!!! the pidilte employees provided guidance on every product they offered.
I brought myself a stain glass kit. Now i am loking out for good sketches for glass painting. I searched the google and found many interesting sites that offered various sketches and designs for the same. This one site i found interesting. its www.chantals.com. This site gives various designs and color scheme for sun catchers. Also it has designs for lamp shades, glass boxes, jewellery boxes etc. Now i am in process of making a unique glass painting…i hope i complete it well within time and does not become a five year project.

Google HQ डिसेंबर 27, 2006

Yday I read about the coolest workplace in world in Midday issue of Mumbai. The award was given for Google HQ based in California for being the coolest workplace for the year 2006-07. This HQ host around 100 employees with latest gizmos and comforts. The workp lace comprises of comfort cushions , DVD players, MP3 players and plasma TV. The PC is stragetically palced so that the employee finds total comfort while working on project. The policy of the Google HQ is for every employee the deli should be within the circumference of 100 meters so the employee doesntr have to walk much. The deli consist of cusinies from all over the wrld. “You name it and you have it “. Moreever the employees can bring in their kids and pets . These kids have specially designed play areas suitable for their age group. The pets can eander easily and alone in the office premises. They say the meeting rooms form top shots are designed so that they give the ambience of golf club. The connference table is green colored and so desinged that the MDs and GM can play billiards whilst having meeeting. The work station for each employee is designed such that its full of cartoons, images,photos,CDs etcetc.
I will soon upload the photos of coolest workplace on earth……till then ciaoo….

Free Pizzas डिसेंबर 26, 2006

Recently in The Times of India there was an article / advertisement about Pizza delivery Companies which guarantees you free pizza if they fail to deliver within the specified time (like 30 minutes). Have you ever wondered who pays for the free pizzas?? Well, the delivery boy is made to pay for the pizza. They are paid such low wages and the price of the pizza is deducted from their monthly wages which can amount to upto 60% in some months (It becomes difficult to run their family). To deliver the pizzas the delivery boys take high traffic risks as delivery becomes their priority. Their life and safety risks are neither looked into by the Pizza Shop Management nor the Pizza Delivery Boy himself. (They are more concerned to avoid the deduction from their salary).If this type of exploitation is carried on in your city’s pizza logistics we should stop availing the home delivery system, because to deliver our pizza one person may be risking his life. Is the life of an Indian citizen so cheap and of no value? In case he is late in delivering the pizza, we are enjoying the free pizza at the hard earned money of a poor delivery boy. Is it fair or right on our part to do it?
As a human, please think and if you feel that this is wrong, please spread the message and stop having pizzas delivered at home.
Please think…..

Random Musings डिसेंबर 12, 2006

Today the mind is clear.. without any random thoughts. What do write about now.. it seldom happens that mind has stopped thinking. is it due to physical constraints well no idea whatsso ever.. actually the random thoughts play an important part in life. isnt it.. one moment you are in skies and the other you are in dungeons of mind.there is brightness and one end of the life and darkness at the other. The world seems enuff at times and the other it never seems to be getting enuff. At one point of time you are ready to face the world and the other the competition makes you think thousand times before you take the leap.
Random thoughts never leave you. they are present in the deepest part of”you”. That Me plays a imporant part of life. It is what we are afterall. it represents an indiviual. a complete person.
Today i saw a person walking past the street. He was carrying a HP laptop was wearing a executive suit.. walking past with a well read and well informed person.. so nothing wrong in that except that t was carrying a jaap -mala in his hand. Quiet unique he was chanting some prayers while walking. It was quiet a paradox wish i had a camera in my hand so that i can click paradox of life.. think ove rit.. and you will know what i am talking about…
Dont forget to tell me what you think in first place.. afterall its random musing

Man eater of Malgudi डिसेंबर 9, 2006

Recently i have been reading Man eater of Malgudi by none other than our famous cartoonist R.K.Laxman. the story deals with the character called Narayan whose a complete”common man” staying in Malgudi.Narayan owns a printing press in the small village called malgudi where he prints labels, wedding cards and hotel bills. Life is normal for Narayan with his smal bunch of friends like the poet who sings in monosyallables for radha Krishna, a journalist who is against all the govt policies and thinks communists should rule over the country and shastri who is senior working in his press but behaves like he the owner of the press and not to forget the neighbour of Narayan who owns a original heidelburg.Life runs smooth with press and quiet family surrounded with friends.
Life takes a new turn when Vasu a taxidermist by profession drops in press.Vasu bullies in every way he could. He captures the attic of press and makes it his dweeling place without paying asingle penny to Narayan. Narayan as usual keeps his mumb on this issue pacifying himself by saying he will find a new place for himself soon.Vasu bullyies narayan and takes me to the forest of Mempi and in small fight leaves narayan in memphi forest alone. Thanks to the Tes owner who lends money to narayan to get back to city.By which Narayan learns a lesson to stay away from Vasu. Soon hordes of visitors such as a hynea, tigers, eagle , jackals, wolfs become members of narayans press. Soon after that one night narayan sees Rangi a prostitute and Temple dancer leave from his attic.The world of Narayan is shattered by seeing this.Shastri who works in the press also threatens to leave the job.
Turmoil comes when Vasu plans to kill temple elephant for making new interior plot. Vassu tries to convince narayan by saying it will fetch a hansome amount of money.Plans to stop vasu from murdering the temple elephant take a full swing and in the end Vasu meets his own end. Vasu is murderd in attic and everyone pinpoints Narayan fro the murder. Relation ships takes a new toll and in the end truth emerges. its a story where truth always truimph over evil.
The simple and lucid language of RK Laxman makes the book worth read. Also the story of the common man with little insights over childhood of Narayan makes the book interesting.There are series of books written by RKL. this bookis published in 1961 and is still available is cross words.

License to kill डिसेंबर 9, 2006

Kudos!!!! Finally theres a new law that has been passed from the govt…well now no onehas a license to kill while driving.. if you do.. your license gets cancelled permenantly . Isnt it a great idea. Finally the vehicles act 1988 is being upgraded.And its always welcome when new year is approaching by…

7 minutes!!! डिसेंबर 8, 2006

Its 8.15 on the railway sstation. And evryones waiting for the train to come down…
20 year old meera, a college student:when is the train finally going to arrive .. the anouncements are going on since 10 minutes .. grr.. when is it finaly going to arrive.. Gosh from tommorow i should get up early.. afterall my exams are on.. i should get up early.. oh god.. ganpatti baapa.. pllsss plss let thetrain arrive in time.. i dont wont be late. wen is the train going to arrive.. oh look at that the girl from my complx.. pretty shirt. wonder were did she get from.. must be westlife.. God.. wheres the train…? I wonder if shes in my college..?

19 year old Anjali, a science student:ohh no again i am late.. all due to this stupidd bs.. should it arriive on time.. now i am late for all this.. ultimately.. i m the one whos always late .. damn. where sthe train.. has it been cancelled.. or did i miss the anaouncement…..goshh.. i am fed with life in mumbai….ohh arvind uncle.. on the same platformmm… better hide…

35 year old arvind, a stock broker: umm.. why am i leaving so early.. gosh didnt even get time to check sensex today… god knows what are the up and downs… better to onvest the exceess in stock.. is it a good option.. hhmm even mutual funds are goodthesed ays.. wheres the train.. indian railways are never on time.. where sthe train.. today i have to mmeet some important client and this train is fucking late…. what should i do.. where sthe train.. Ohh theres shanataram there.. now he will nagg for the job.

40 year old Shantaram. a peon in pvt office:again late.. not again.. now my half days salary i going to go to bin.. i should have applied for govt job. I heard that ravi is working in govt office .. lucky guy .. earning a BIG salary and still no work.. i should start looking for a govt job now.. Ohh .. thers a mrs.seema how beautiful she looks in saree.. and nlok at my wife.. she has no dressing sense.. becoz of her now i am going to get half my salary.. wheres the train now,. why i this worlsd everybody has started troubling me.. cantthey find anyone else?????????

Mrs.Seema,45, a bank employee: Hushh.. did i turn of fthe gas.. finallyy.. wait lemme checkout.. oohh noo i forgot my mobile phone.. hhmm i think so i did turn of fthe gas… am i getting old. where sthe train.. it should arrive in a minute other wise it would be difficult to get in.. i stil have to pay electricity bill.. hhmm..oh no.. the fast train went by.. shit… i should have gone on platform no.5….oohh no.. heres mrs.rao.. hpe she doesntt alk to me now.. she naggs to much about her daughter in laws…

Mrs.Rao,58, working in LIC:stupid, stupid stupid….doesnt understand a word of what i say.. shes soo grown up and still asks for advices in small small things. what will happen to my son and my grand daughter of their mothe ris like this.. wheres the trian.. In dian railways are just like my daughter in law.. never in time.. life is better for mr. Banerjee.. atleast hes retired from work and has good family to support.. lucku him .. no bahus.. all my bahus are useles.. just like railways.. now where has the train .. died or derailed?

Mr. Banerjee,65,Retired person:The train should arrive in time.. otherwise i wont be able to get in to the rain.. i better go in senir citizens coach.. atleast i will get space to squeeze in .. its true no on easks retired persons these days… its such a dogs life after retirement..look at the college students around.. look at the girl what clothes is she wearing for college… is she going for studie sor being amodel on the platofrm.. ohh look at meera.. and her clothes. better i should talk to her parents.. about her dressing.. poor chaps wouldnt even know what their daughter is wearing for college.. they are just too busy.. in their own life….

Suddenly theres a train arriving.. even one finaaly manages to get in.. cursing the motorman and indian railways for the delay…As the train speds along the ways.. the occupants are lost in thoughts again…