Enough is written and televised about CWG fiasco. Let the world know what we have ignored for long in our own back yard.
It shames us because hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals are visiting for CWG in Delhi. Otherwise, it is fine. Toilets in Government hospital, hotels, and restaurant have been dirty. Why even public toilet in any railway station in India is dirty. We mutter few words, put handkerchief on our face as we enter this toilet and after 5 or 10 minutes it is not a problem anymore.
Our Politicians are dirty, our civic administration guys are dirty, and our cops are dirty. We see filth everywhere, so much so that we all are convinced in our lifetime nothing is going to change. We all get exasperated and think nothing will change in this life time. Actually even this thought is not right and actually dirty.
Dharavi and its filth have been there for more than 40/50 years. It has not bothered us so far, lot many taxis carrying foreign passengers have crossed by this area. Why so much ruckus now for CWG? I am glad though. Let something shame politicians and administrators.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Lalit is making money, or is it some politician or is it some money bag with a shady background converting his black to white or white to black. Who cares, I am absolutely sure none of the 50000 guys who were in the stadium or few 1000s who were in various cinema halls watching the match or countless millions glued to TV munching bajias and kurkure in the comfort of their home.
We have heard and seen the frenzy of soccer, American football or baseball and NBA in Europe and US.
I am just thinking about what is in store for us in India . Just to think, 600 plus millions, following a sport with passion that is unmatched for involvement or for sheer number. They are consumers too. Suddenly, US of A and Europe look downsized compared to India in the business of Sports. China do not count. They may have some guys winning in gymnast or badminton or TT.. But to drive the entire nation with a sport, MR. Modi has done it.
My customers in the business of printing Plastic cards got IPL business, my cousin running a leading retail chain is all smiles and informs me about fantastic footfall in the mall. Printers all over India are running 3 shifts.. Ad and creative agencies, signage companies are recruiting people left, right to keep up with the sudden surge in demand.
Okay, there are corrupt people around, they just don’t matter now. Ancillary industries like above are doing business which is 100 times more than all these franchisees put together. In my business I do involve touts at times, teek hai na,,, there are some politicians in this business of IPL too.
Forget all charges against Modi.. Just handover COMMONWEALTH GAME management to him and see what he can do for us. If he is making some 100 Million dollar in the process, so be it..
What we can do without amidst the entire melee is when a player of Tendulkar’s stature not coming clean when he took the catch of Dravid which he would know for sure that it bounced off the ground. Come to think of it, these two icons have fought together many a battle standing up to each other.. Sorry, Mr. Tendulkar, maybe I am from old school of thoughts, this is just not done.
We have heard and seen the frenzy of soccer, American football or baseball and NBA in Europe and US.
I am just thinking about what is in store for us in India . Just to think, 600 plus millions, following a sport with passion that is unmatched for involvement or for sheer number. They are consumers too. Suddenly, US of A and Europe look downsized compared to India in the business of Sports. China do not count. They may have some guys winning in gymnast or badminton or TT.. But to drive the entire nation with a sport, MR. Modi has done it.
My customers in the business of printing Plastic cards got IPL business, my cousin running a leading retail chain is all smiles and informs me about fantastic footfall in the mall. Printers all over India are running 3 shifts.. Ad and creative agencies, signage companies are recruiting people left, right to keep up with the sudden surge in demand.
Okay, there are corrupt people around, they just don’t matter now. Ancillary industries like above are doing business which is 100 times more than all these franchisees put together. In my business I do involve touts at times, teek hai na,,, there are some politicians in this business of IPL too.
Forget all charges against Modi.. Just handover COMMONWEALTH GAME management to him and see what he can do for us. If he is making some 100 Million dollar in the process, so be it..
What we can do without amidst the entire melee is when a player of Tendulkar’s stature not coming clean when he took the catch of Dravid which he would know for sure that it bounced off the ground. Come to think of it, these two icons have fought together many a battle standing up to each other.. Sorry, Mr. Tendulkar, maybe I am from old school of thoughts, this is just not done.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
"3" Idiots
‘3 Idiots’ is a good movie; in fact a smart movie.
This movie is an attempt to relate to the mind set of current middle income group and literate class.
This class have been busy in the pursuit of achieving and reaching the higher strata of the society. Houses are bought; movies costing some Rs. 250 are seen because the Middle class can afford it now.
Academic prowess and economic freedom has taken our country to a different level for first time since independence.
Please rest assured Mr. Khan, your movie is being appreciated but do not attempt to preach. We are no welfare state; as for the middle class, academic is the ticket to economic freedom.
Certain classes or communities, that have faced problems in achieving academic prowess since times immemorial, will take your attempt as self liberating.
Good comedy, excellent actors and current burning issue with excellent marketing are wrapped and bundled up for people to wake up at 6.30 in the morning with chai and biscuits. Sheer brilliance, Mr. Khan!
Take the core from Ayn Rand, indulge in system bashing, drape it with Archie, Reggie, Veronica scenario and there, you have a blockbuster!
We can do with more 3Is, and there is nothing wrong in making a smart movie backed by excellent marketing.
This movie is an attempt to relate to the mind set of current middle income group and literate class.
This class have been busy in the pursuit of achieving and reaching the higher strata of the society. Houses are bought; movies costing some Rs. 250 are seen because the Middle class can afford it now.
Academic prowess and economic freedom has taken our country to a different level for first time since independence.
Please rest assured Mr. Khan, your movie is being appreciated but do not attempt to preach. We are no welfare state; as for the middle class, academic is the ticket to economic freedom.
Certain classes or communities, that have faced problems in achieving academic prowess since times immemorial, will take your attempt as self liberating.
Good comedy, excellent actors and current burning issue with excellent marketing are wrapped and bundled up for people to wake up at 6.30 in the morning with chai and biscuits. Sheer brilliance, Mr. Khan!
Take the core from Ayn Rand, indulge in system bashing, drape it with Archie, Reggie, Veronica scenario and there, you have a blockbuster!
We can do with more 3Is, and there is nothing wrong in making a smart movie backed by excellent marketing.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Paa
Paa, the movie was great. I even dare to say, I liked it better than ' the curious case of Benjamin Button'.
There never should be any comparison as there is nothing to compare between the two.
Amitabh might end up getting the best Child Artist of the Year Award from one of the dozen or so award ceremony which is there every 6 month.
Vidya Balan, she is a sheer delight to watch. Every Iyer with Kerala background I have come across is claiming her to be from their nadu. Just the other day, my friend Venkat claimed she is from Trissur and Ramchandran (pronounced Ramendran) claimed her to be from Palghat. This, of course, when implied ' she is from their own village' of their town or city also means, they are related.
This happens to most of the celebrities of Kerala.
The role of Vidya Balan is pure fiction. Hot, witty, practical bold, very adjustable, not demanding, no pressure on the guy of her life, daughter of a very understanding mother, good doctor, great mother and so on and on In real life, guys will agree that if we have more of such women, one need not look for any marriage counsellor, stay late in the office late or hit the bar for the occasional drink or two.
Survey conducted in Matunga, Chembur, New Mumbai and Dombivli states that 96.6% of those who have seen Taare Zameen Par and Paa, heard about Dyslexia and Progeria for the first time. This includes good percentage of doctors and medical students.
I saw trailer of a movie starring Himesh Reshamya and I wondered whether that movie was about cold and influenza.
There never should be any comparison as there is nothing to compare between the two.
Amitabh might end up getting the best Child Artist of the Year Award from one of the dozen or so award ceremony which is there every 6 month.
Vidya Balan, she is a sheer delight to watch. Every Iyer with Kerala background I have come across is claiming her to be from their nadu. Just the other day, my friend Venkat claimed she is from Trissur and Ramchandran (pronounced Ramendran) claimed her to be from Palghat. This, of course, when implied ' she is from their own village' of their town or city also means, they are related.
This happens to most of the celebrities of Kerala.
The role of Vidya Balan is pure fiction. Hot, witty, practical bold, very adjustable, not demanding, no pressure on the guy of her life, daughter of a very understanding mother, good doctor, great mother and so on and on In real life, guys will agree that if we have more of such women, one need not look for any marriage counsellor, stay late in the office late or hit the bar for the occasional drink or two.
Survey conducted in Matunga, Chembur, New Mumbai and Dombivli states that 96.6% of those who have seen Taare Zameen Par and Paa, heard about Dyslexia and Progeria for the first time. This includes good percentage of doctors and medical students.
I saw trailer of a movie starring Himesh Reshamya and I wondered whether that movie was about cold and influenza.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
MNC/PVT Banking Con
Not long ago, a wise guy in my department of sales advised me, “Consultants are guys who look at your watch and tell you what the time is.” This was during one of those meetings held in my MNC to achieve ISO and quality policy certification.
In such meetings, the consultant individually asked us our job profile, how we go about doing our job, the process, etc. On the last day, he gave us an excellent presentation on how we should be doing our job which sounded very professional and impressive. Of course, we were all given a neat folder with lot of charts and jargons. After a year or so, I read it one evening and realized that it actually is what we had told the consultant in the first place on the first day.
How well do we know our bank is what I am trying to cover in this blog of mine. Actually we do not know them at all. Banking in India and elsewhere is a nice con. Bankers make money because people do not know and trust each other, i.e. you have excess money and I am in need. You deposit the money, get some measly 8% with lot of stars and I pay some 14 % and give collateral which is 2.5 times the loan amount. My calculator is throwing a margin of some 75% or so earned by our bank with our money.
Recently, my accountant who commutes from Kalyan and my Peon from a chawl in Mulund, decided they should own a house of their own. As such they are paying rent which is more than the EMI as per the calculations given in website of various bank.
MBA Marketing Managers of Kotak Mahindra and Standard Chartered, who tried for over 6 months to make an inroad to my cabin to get our account, turned away my peon and the accountant for housing loan. The reason give is “policy matter” which negates sanction of any loan to people who reside beyond Thane. This is ridiculous as I know for sure many of the employees from these banks hail from Dombivli and Nala sopara.
NPA amongst housing loan from areas beyond Thane is less than 1%. I am sure there should be some law against this practice of KM and SC for discriminatory attitude they have against people residing beyond Thane.
I am closing my account with Standard Chartered bank and Kotak Mahindra. They are not bankers, they are plain money lenders. I will go to them when I want because, I know they will give, when they know for sure that they will make money and it makes business sense to them. I don’t have to have a relationship with them. Yeah, the guys, who are in regular touch with my staff including this peon and the accountant, are designated as ‘Relationship Managers’.
In such meetings, the consultant individually asked us our job profile, how we go about doing our job, the process, etc. On the last day, he gave us an excellent presentation on how we should be doing our job which sounded very professional and impressive. Of course, we were all given a neat folder with lot of charts and jargons. After a year or so, I read it one evening and realized that it actually is what we had told the consultant in the first place on the first day.
How well do we know our bank is what I am trying to cover in this blog of mine. Actually we do not know them at all. Banking in India and elsewhere is a nice con. Bankers make money because people do not know and trust each other, i.e. you have excess money and I am in need. You deposit the money, get some measly 8% with lot of stars and I pay some 14 % and give collateral which is 2.5 times the loan amount. My calculator is throwing a margin of some 75% or so earned by our bank with our money.
Recently, my accountant who commutes from Kalyan and my Peon from a chawl in Mulund, decided they should own a house of their own. As such they are paying rent which is more than the EMI as per the calculations given in website of various bank.
MBA Marketing Managers of Kotak Mahindra and Standard Chartered, who tried for over 6 months to make an inroad to my cabin to get our account, turned away my peon and the accountant for housing loan. The reason give is “policy matter” which negates sanction of any loan to people who reside beyond Thane. This is ridiculous as I know for sure many of the employees from these banks hail from Dombivli and Nala sopara.
NPA amongst housing loan from areas beyond Thane is less than 1%. I am sure there should be some law against this practice of KM and SC for discriminatory attitude they have against people residing beyond Thane.
I am closing my account with Standard Chartered bank and Kotak Mahindra. They are not bankers, they are plain money lenders. I will go to them when I want because, I know they will give, when they know for sure that they will make money and it makes business sense to them. I don’t have to have a relationship with them. Yeah, the guys, who are in regular touch with my staff including this peon and the accountant, are designated as ‘Relationship Managers’.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Cricket and IPL
I have been quite regular watching IPL matches which starts at 4 pm in office and the second one which is at 8 pm. A lot happened in or did not happened in last 40 odd days which has helped Mr. Mody big time to make it a success?
when there is no call for business, no meetings of any significance, this match at 4 pm did help. when people were around in the office, all I had to do with go to rediff and kept clicking on refresh button for the latest score. Before I know, it was 7pm and time to go home to catch up another. When the marketing people were out on a call ( hopefully), I did switch on my new LCD tv in my cabin.
My friendly competitor who keeps coming to see me, claims plasma is better. I told him i have that at home. that put to rest the argument of which is better.
Coming to plasma and LCD, trust me it is painful decision to make, whichever you go for,well, actually the decision is taken for you by the salesman and that depends on their margin and what is in ready stock. Neighbor and that wise cousin will claim the other one is better.
My friend from Durban, actually told me recession has hit them so much that people throng to the stadium when the matches are there to escape from NO work.
I luv to see IPL and its popularity when South Africa is back to business in full swing. But then, India shoud be back to big time danda pani too.
IPL reminds me of my cricket playing days. The arena is perhaps bit smaller. The game was played between two buildings. Boundries were defined, 20 meters. No sixes, it was known more as sixers' then. In fact, batsman was declared out ( expression then and now is the same of disgust)if the ball is lifted over the boundry. meaning.. jump over the wall of the next building to pick up the ball.
We were more technical than IPL players of today. We all mastered the art of not hitting the window panes which was almost in the gap of 1 meter from first floor to 3rd floor from short midwicket to long on and gully to long off. In the eventuality of any of the players miscued a hit and break the window glass, the problems to follow were aplenty. No games for next 4 days, till one ramu or subbbu braves that aunty who will be furious.
I always wondered why is that the boy of that house is always missing in the very game the window glass of that house gets broken. May be theory of relativity... We used to use simpler words then, plain panvathi.
Matches were played for much bigger stakes... Pride. girls next door, uncles and aunties were our spectators. Disputes were settled by uncles for run outs and LBW. The problems of LBW became so enormous that most of the matches played in Mumbai between the buildings and in gullies decided to do away with LBW.
We played 10 over match, under arm on weekdays and over arm on holidays. Overarm is played more seriously as some office goers in late 20s and mid 30s known for big hitting will be around and teenagers were very keen to impress them. These office goers when they do not fair well, will say the standard,... it has been a long time... you know..I used to think, danda udayana, chup chap reh.
Kya life tha, 4pm School bell will ring, I used to make it home by 4.15pm and our IPL then used to start by 4.40pm. If I had not changed to civil dress and played cricket wearing school uniform, solid thrashing was in order followed by tiffin and bashan.
Modi just stole our script of life during school days.
when there is no call for business, no meetings of any significance, this match at 4 pm did help. when people were around in the office, all I had to do with go to rediff and kept clicking on refresh button for the latest score. Before I know, it was 7pm and time to go home to catch up another. When the marketing people were out on a call ( hopefully), I did switch on my new LCD tv in my cabin.
My friendly competitor who keeps coming to see me, claims plasma is better. I told him i have that at home. that put to rest the argument of which is better.
Coming to plasma and LCD, trust me it is painful decision to make, whichever you go for,well, actually the decision is taken for you by the salesman and that depends on their margin and what is in ready stock. Neighbor and that wise cousin will claim the other one is better.
My friend from Durban, actually told me recession has hit them so much that people throng to the stadium when the matches are there to escape from NO work.
I luv to see IPL and its popularity when South Africa is back to business in full swing. But then, India shoud be back to big time danda pani too.
IPL reminds me of my cricket playing days. The arena is perhaps bit smaller. The game was played between two buildings. Boundries were defined, 20 meters. No sixes, it was known more as sixers' then. In fact, batsman was declared out ( expression then and now is the same of disgust)if the ball is lifted over the boundry. meaning.. jump over the wall of the next building to pick up the ball.
We were more technical than IPL players of today. We all mastered the art of not hitting the window panes which was almost in the gap of 1 meter from first floor to 3rd floor from short midwicket to long on and gully to long off. In the eventuality of any of the players miscued a hit and break the window glass, the problems to follow were aplenty. No games for next 4 days, till one ramu or subbbu braves that aunty who will be furious.
I always wondered why is that the boy of that house is always missing in the very game the window glass of that house gets broken. May be theory of relativity... We used to use simpler words then, plain panvathi.
Matches were played for much bigger stakes... Pride. girls next door, uncles and aunties were our spectators. Disputes were settled by uncles for run outs and LBW. The problems of LBW became so enormous that most of the matches played in Mumbai between the buildings and in gullies decided to do away with LBW.
We played 10 over match, under arm on weekdays and over arm on holidays. Overarm is played more seriously as some office goers in late 20s and mid 30s known for big hitting will be around and teenagers were very keen to impress them. These office goers when they do not fair well, will say the standard,... it has been a long time... you know..I used to think, danda udayana, chup chap reh.
Kya life tha, 4pm School bell will ring, I used to make it home by 4.15pm and our IPL then used to start by 4.40pm. If I had not changed to civil dress and played cricket wearing school uniform, solid thrashing was in order followed by tiffin and bashan.
Modi just stole our script of life during school days.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
me shivaji rao bhosle boltoi.....
what a movie!! it will be wrong to say this movie is for the maharashtrians. well it is for any indian, any middle class people who have forgotten their values, their self esteem and pride.
i ended up seeing this movie mainly because my daughter, kavita insisted on it.
i actually did my part of promoting the movie by sending sms' to some 50 odd maharastrians known to me.
people actually dont forget their values, it is the price which they pay to hold it dearly.
people do not actually forgo their self esteem, it is the challenge of holding it which makes them falter
the director whoever is one smart alec. he knows well the maharashtrians sense of pride or the lack of it with few. He knows that ghatis as he challenges them, however affluent they are refuse to be anything but middle class. it is a kind of comfort they enjoy being part of a bigger group.
Mahesh manjarekar, just rocked. I believe the director gave him his script and a good bottle of deshi or scotch. Mahesh just went about it naturally. It showed in the movie his intensity with red shot eyes, fluffy with hangover but witty as any drunk would be.
Sachin Khedekar portrayed the typical guy next door excellently and couldn't have done it any better. The rest of the members in his family in the movie just lived their role. I guess nothing needs to be said more.
I believe a movie is great when after several years we remember the cast, their dialogue and every scene etched on to our memory. Sholay is one in my view and this movie another. nobody can forget, chachi or asrani or jagdeep in Sholay, despite their limited role that they had. Similarly, this movie was carried not only by the main cast but also by the sidies.
My rating is 6 stars.
For a change this movie was also presented well and for the first time an english sub title. it went well with madrasi ghati like me, who are 4th generation here in amchi mumbai.
i ended up seeing this movie mainly because my daughter, kavita insisted on it.
i actually did my part of promoting the movie by sending sms' to some 50 odd maharastrians known to me.
people actually dont forget their values, it is the price which they pay to hold it dearly.
people do not actually forgo their self esteem, it is the challenge of holding it which makes them falter
the director whoever is one smart alec. he knows well the maharashtrians sense of pride or the lack of it with few. He knows that ghatis as he challenges them, however affluent they are refuse to be anything but middle class. it is a kind of comfort they enjoy being part of a bigger group.
Mahesh manjarekar, just rocked. I believe the director gave him his script and a good bottle of deshi or scotch. Mahesh just went about it naturally. It showed in the movie his intensity with red shot eyes, fluffy with hangover but witty as any drunk would be.
Sachin Khedekar portrayed the typical guy next door excellently and couldn't have done it any better. The rest of the members in his family in the movie just lived their role. I guess nothing needs to be said more.
I believe a movie is great when after several years we remember the cast, their dialogue and every scene etched on to our memory. Sholay is one in my view and this movie another. nobody can forget, chachi or asrani or jagdeep in Sholay, despite their limited role that they had. Similarly, this movie was carried not only by the main cast but also by the sidies.
My rating is 6 stars.
For a change this movie was also presented well and for the first time an english sub title. it went well with madrasi ghati like me, who are 4th generation here in amchi mumbai.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
naan south indian
It has been a long time... some stray thoughts of madness..
Jab we met
is my movie of the year. It is such a beautiful movie that I thought that the director wanted to make a movie but instead without realizing started enjoying himself. I keep reminding myself that I should always enjoy my work and not drag my feet through the day. Nowadays, I have stopped reminding myself that, it has become a way of life.
Shivaji... absolute fab of a movie The movie.. totally without any connection, says a lot about tamilians.
Shankars, subbus, and venkats or vichus with a mind of their own, tend to be loud amongst the crowd of north indians or goras to make their presence felt.
Their humors are never subtle, it is always meant to make a person laugh heartily. If we like a place, it is the most Wonderful place, if we like a foodl, it is fantastic; if we like our boss, he is the best da; if he is isnt then he is the lousiest da. It is always their point of VIEW
But then we are like that only. I always wondered why this compulsion to live and be in a way which is politically correct in others point of view.
Shankars, subbus and venkats are a minority amongst the tamilians.. some 5 odd per cent. Rest 90 per cent are the politically correct ' Aiyam Iyer'... screaming out to the world that we have brains to...
type out correctly a two page letter without any mistake, which now is
write out a program without any mistake...
make a proclamation that ... In India the way to do business is..........
make a statement that, the management is unable to understand his views ... Ha Happy that a foreigner some 15 years younger based in delhi or US is able to...
make a solomn declaration that only he or she can manage the department if given the Charge..
some 10 or 15 years ago, my biggest fear or rather hope that i dont get a south indian boss, who has started out as a steno but has worked (?) his to way to the top. Top means some 223 odd guys between him and the guy who has put in the money. By top, what I mean is vishwanathan or narayanan has conveyed to the society and his relatives that HE is The Head of the Dept., nothing moves without his knowledge in his company. Actually, a nice man to report to... but kithna lecture, kithna gyan, bardash nahi kar sakta..
Shivaji is a nice movie for we south indians. Such movies fight the demons for us, which we conveniently do not wish to....
Do you know our film makers have more IQ than any leading industrialist listed in NYSE..
Jaane tu..... people in 40s liked it because, they wanted to live like that.... but could never. When it comes to their kids, No way, they should focus on their studies.......
I am happy for aaj ka southy college going kids, they live like ..... pappu dance nahi...
Jab we met
is my movie of the year. It is such a beautiful movie that I thought that the director wanted to make a movie but instead without realizing started enjoying himself. I keep reminding myself that I should always enjoy my work and not drag my feet through the day. Nowadays, I have stopped reminding myself that, it has become a way of life.
Shivaji... absolute fab of a movie The movie.. totally without any connection, says a lot about tamilians.
Shankars, subbus, and venkats or vichus with a mind of their own, tend to be loud amongst the crowd of north indians or goras to make their presence felt.
Their humors are never subtle, it is always meant to make a person laugh heartily. If we like a place, it is the most Wonderful place, if we like a foodl, it is fantastic; if we like our boss, he is the best da; if he is isnt then he is the lousiest da. It is always their point of VIEW
But then we are like that only. I always wondered why this compulsion to live and be in a way which is politically correct in others point of view.
Shankars, subbus and venkats are a minority amongst the tamilians.. some 5 odd per cent. Rest 90 per cent are the politically correct ' Aiyam Iyer'... screaming out to the world that we have brains to...
type out correctly a two page letter without any mistake, which now is
write out a program without any mistake...
make a proclamation that ... In India the way to do business is..........
make a statement that, the management is unable to understand his views ... Ha Happy that a foreigner some 15 years younger based in delhi or US is able to...
make a solomn declaration that only he or she can manage the department if given the Charge..
some 10 or 15 years ago, my biggest fear or rather hope that i dont get a south indian boss, who has started out as a steno but has worked (?) his to way to the top. Top means some 223 odd guys between him and the guy who has put in the money. By top, what I mean is vishwanathan or narayanan has conveyed to the society and his relatives that HE is The Head of the Dept., nothing moves without his knowledge in his company. Actually, a nice man to report to... but kithna lecture, kithna gyan, bardash nahi kar sakta..
Shivaji is a nice movie for we south indians. Such movies fight the demons for us, which we conveniently do not wish to....
Do you know our film makers have more IQ than any leading industrialist listed in NYSE..
Jaane tu..... people in 40s liked it because, they wanted to live like that.... but could never. When it comes to their kids, No way, they should focus on their studies.......
I am happy for aaj ka southy college going kids, they live like ..... pappu dance nahi...
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Hyderabad
Traveled to Hyderabad for a day and a half. My observation about my traveland stay in this city spanning last 20 years or so.
1980
Traveled by Luxury bus( sic), high pitched volume of TV withVCP ( VHS ),hoping, praying that I will have a nice frill sitting next to me and that I can spin out a yarn about my corporate life, my disc life, my plans as to how I am going to take over companies etc. etc. I end up having one Ramulu or Hanumantha Rao, who will out snore the volume of TV blaring Mr.Natwarlal.
My mother would insist that I carry water bottle, idly with mulugapudi.Vazhi la laam chapdade
City was dusty and dirty, looked like our Sewri or Masjid Bunder. There were huge posters of NTR and few others who all looked alike, bada badagaal, big thick mooch, hair set like nest.
1985
Traveled by 2nd AC, would have told my folks at home that I am going by2nd AC may be 20 times before I embarked on my train journey. Hoping for agreat crowd was thoroughly disappointed to see guys in 40s and 50s, oildripping from their head, opened their tiffen carrier and much to my anguish, paraded their chicken biryani, the stench remained in the cabin till I alighted from the train some 30 hours later. The guys were shopkeeper, who keeps visiting Bombay to buy 'ready made dress'( this term is made in India)
The city was dustier and dirtier. People had developed natural aggression in their speech. I guess, the people of this city were coming to terms with themselves. People then were in great hurry to prove they are no less than chennai and Mumbai wallahas.
1990
Hmm. I flew by Indian Airlines, Middle Aged wonders wrapped around in sarees thinking they are queen of Sheba came in the form of air hostess, heavily painted to cover dark circles around their eyes. Acknowledged only1st class passengers in 40s because they are ' regular' ( which got changed to frequent flyer in 5 years)
Mr. Rao's and Reddy's, in jeans and checkered shirts were around in plenty but they were in their late 20s, on their way back from US of A, just finished a massive project involving software, which I later learned was nothing more than glorified typing job on a 486 PC.
1995
Traveled by Jet, Raos and reddy's were in jeans with designer 'T'shirt, mainly crocodile, laud, heavily accented with their family this time, kids were made to talk so that other passengers can make out that they are actually naturalized Americans, Mrs. Raos and Reddyes were clad in jeans with Kurta, big pottus, mangal shutras paraded and all that 'screaming that though they are settled in US of A, they still are very much Indians. Bislery water was in place. Very Imp.City had no time for guys from Mumbai. They wanted only Delhi dandewallasand phirangi for business. Mumbai guys who used to be their sir ka taaj,whose company was insisted upon till late night, have become a pain fortheir socializing in the evening/late night hours. Actually, My cousin has come from US of A. Sorry dont mind, ha! SIR. ( take a walk, I always wanted to be left alone with my book and my choice of channel).
CITY teek hai, thoda kuch teekh hua. Little cleaner. Better shops andrestaurant. Localites still the same. I used to call it a city ofrickshaws then.
2000Traveled by Jet, this time on a business class ( actually economy was not available). Had a German for a company, my counterpart from my head office. For a typical German that he was, talked about machinery and business throughout 1 hour journey. Did not notice anything about airhostess or fellow passengers.
City was showing signs of changing. People in the city look different, I could see a sign of urgency in all. Lot to be done. Most of them were polite. I was greeted well wherever I went. City surely had changed then I found only young crowd everywhere.
2005/6
WOW Fantastic. Forget about flight. The road from airport to Hotel...fantastic. There were more luxury cars in the city roads. Guys and girls alike look as if they have just spent fortune on themselves from the nearby parlor. Hair well done up, Skin well toned. Designer cloths and all. Looking cool. Nothing heavy. Hey this city has changed alright.
They don't want to impress anyone. City and people here are naturally impressive. Lakhs of girls and boys, work in BPO, IT cos, NOT interested to go abroad. They say it is cool to be here.
Infrastructure at its best and this is only the beginning. 5 years from now, when I go, trust me I will have only great things to say. All this possible with efforts of one politician. Just imagine our country with all 500 MPS and 30 CMs doing their job well.
1980
Traveled by Luxury bus( sic), high pitched volume of TV withVCP ( VHS ),hoping, praying that I will have a nice frill sitting next to me and that I can spin out a yarn about my corporate life, my disc life, my plans as to how I am going to take over companies etc. etc. I end up having one Ramulu or Hanumantha Rao, who will out snore the volume of TV blaring Mr.Natwarlal.
My mother would insist that I carry water bottle, idly with mulugapudi.Vazhi la laam chapdade
City was dusty and dirty, looked like our Sewri or Masjid Bunder. There were huge posters of NTR and few others who all looked alike, bada badagaal, big thick mooch, hair set like nest.
1985
Traveled by 2nd AC, would have told my folks at home that I am going by2nd AC may be 20 times before I embarked on my train journey. Hoping for agreat crowd was thoroughly disappointed to see guys in 40s and 50s, oildripping from their head, opened their tiffen carrier and much to my anguish, paraded their chicken biryani, the stench remained in the cabin till I alighted from the train some 30 hours later. The guys were shopkeeper, who keeps visiting Bombay to buy 'ready made dress'( this term is made in India)
The city was dustier and dirtier. People had developed natural aggression in their speech. I guess, the people of this city were coming to terms with themselves. People then were in great hurry to prove they are no less than chennai and Mumbai wallahas.
1990
Hmm. I flew by Indian Airlines, Middle Aged wonders wrapped around in sarees thinking they are queen of Sheba came in the form of air hostess, heavily painted to cover dark circles around their eyes. Acknowledged only1st class passengers in 40s because they are ' regular' ( which got changed to frequent flyer in 5 years)
Mr. Rao's and Reddy's, in jeans and checkered shirts were around in plenty but they were in their late 20s, on their way back from US of A, just finished a massive project involving software, which I later learned was nothing more than glorified typing job on a 486 PC.
1995
Traveled by Jet, Raos and reddy's were in jeans with designer 'T'shirt, mainly crocodile, laud, heavily accented with their family this time, kids were made to talk so that other passengers can make out that they are actually naturalized Americans, Mrs. Raos and Reddyes were clad in jeans with Kurta, big pottus, mangal shutras paraded and all that 'screaming that though they are settled in US of A, they still are very much Indians. Bislery water was in place. Very Imp.City had no time for guys from Mumbai. They wanted only Delhi dandewallasand phirangi for business. Mumbai guys who used to be their sir ka taaj,whose company was insisted upon till late night, have become a pain fortheir socializing in the evening/late night hours. Actually, My cousin has come from US of A. Sorry dont mind, ha! SIR. ( take a walk, I always wanted to be left alone with my book and my choice of channel).
CITY teek hai, thoda kuch teekh hua. Little cleaner. Better shops andrestaurant. Localites still the same. I used to call it a city ofrickshaws then.
2000Traveled by Jet, this time on a business class ( actually economy was not available). Had a German for a company, my counterpart from my head office. For a typical German that he was, talked about machinery and business throughout 1 hour journey. Did not notice anything about airhostess or fellow passengers.
City was showing signs of changing. People in the city look different, I could see a sign of urgency in all. Lot to be done. Most of them were polite. I was greeted well wherever I went. City surely had changed then I found only young crowd everywhere.
2005/6
WOW Fantastic. Forget about flight. The road from airport to Hotel...fantastic. There were more luxury cars in the city roads. Guys and girls alike look as if they have just spent fortune on themselves from the nearby parlor. Hair well done up, Skin well toned. Designer cloths and all. Looking cool. Nothing heavy. Hey this city has changed alright.
They don't want to impress anyone. City and people here are naturally impressive. Lakhs of girls and boys, work in BPO, IT cos, NOT interested to go abroad. They say it is cool to be here.
Infrastructure at its best and this is only the beginning. 5 years from now, when I go, trust me I will have only great things to say. All this possible with efforts of one politician. Just imagine our country with all 500 MPS and 30 CMs doing their job well.
1966-1970
I was living in Bhandup and shifted to Matunga my family house since 40s. I found myself suddenly amidst lot of strangers. Comfort of known people was taken away, admitted to a school which closely resembled a wedding hall, kalyana mandapam to be more precise. I thought this is one big hall and I have lot of relatives, all tamil speaking people. Teachers many of them, whom by mistake I addressed as Mami. I can’t recall, though whether I got a spanking for that. lunch much to my horror was 3 chappathis folded to precision with potato bhaji rightly centered. This made the centre chappati soiled, which I always threw away, much to disgust of my ‘amma’, nirupa roy of our house. The lunch was to be taken in assembly hall. After the lunch break, the hall would look a mess, few students everyday will have a fall slipping on a banana peel or thayir chadam. I still remember khaki clad man, thick mustache would single handedly clean the floor for PT period to start after 1 hour.
My building was full of people who were speaking strange tongue, which I later came to know as Gujarati, Marathi, Konkani, malayalese, kutchees, etc. Guys would pick up fights with me for reasons well known to them I was too proud to talk about it to my folks at home. I was wonderstruck, hating, why I was taken away from Bhandup.
My call for recognition came, when I pulled up a guy for harassing my kid sister. I fought a bitter battle with one Suresh , my good friend for years to follow. Fight then was actually holding each other by neck and roll on the floor till one of the two got tired or got separated by some elder. Boys would discuss in detail, who won or lost. The next day we got together to play showing no signs or knowledge of the fight previous day. My parents for years told me don't get into fight with marathi and gujarathis. I never understood why those days. They were synonymous for being mighty and moneyed, respectively. ( know something, we guys of 77 helped our parents in getting over that ' alien feeling' of mumbai.
I got the due recognition from guys of the gullee, got included in the gang, played cricket , for good 6 months taken as kutcha limbu. My most humiliating experience then and my ambition was to get promoted to pukka limbu group.
My idea of Bambai was the world I was exposed to. All the doors in my floor of my building was always open. We could hide in anyone’s house, if we were playing hide and seek, or thappo or chor police. If any door was closed, we used to actually lock it knock on the door/ring the bell and run away.
My neighbor would bring in dal/kadai in exchange for sambhar/khootu or rasam.
This was a daily ordeal. The pretext was Raju ( my house name) ko acchha lagega. In fact, I never liked the garlic. My bro used to relish it. Our Konkani neighbor not to be undone would bring some thing which we used to religiously put it in the bin. Gosh it used to stink. Best kept secret for years.
Please be explicit in telling me if this is boring. I would write about life of 70s in my next mail, if you guys want me to continue. Such bolu tho, I am writing all those meaningless stuff which were hidden and waiting to be unraveled from some part of my brain.
My building was full of people who were speaking strange tongue, which I later came to know as Gujarati, Marathi, Konkani, malayalese, kutchees, etc. Guys would pick up fights with me for reasons well known to them I was too proud to talk about it to my folks at home. I was wonderstruck, hating, why I was taken away from Bhandup.
My call for recognition came, when I pulled up a guy for harassing my kid sister. I fought a bitter battle with one Suresh , my good friend for years to follow. Fight then was actually holding each other by neck and roll on the floor till one of the two got tired or got separated by some elder. Boys would discuss in detail, who won or lost. The next day we got together to play showing no signs or knowledge of the fight previous day. My parents for years told me don't get into fight with marathi and gujarathis. I never understood why those days. They were synonymous for being mighty and moneyed, respectively. ( know something, we guys of 77 helped our parents in getting over that ' alien feeling' of mumbai.
I got the due recognition from guys of the gullee, got included in the gang, played cricket , for good 6 months taken as kutcha limbu. My most humiliating experience then and my ambition was to get promoted to pukka limbu group.
My idea of Bambai was the world I was exposed to. All the doors in my floor of my building was always open. We could hide in anyone’s house, if we were playing hide and seek, or thappo or chor police. If any door was closed, we used to actually lock it knock on the door/ring the bell and run away.
My neighbor would bring in dal/kadai in exchange for sambhar/khootu or rasam.
This was a daily ordeal. The pretext was Raju ( my house name) ko acchha lagega. In fact, I never liked the garlic. My bro used to relish it. Our Konkani neighbor not to be undone would bring some thing which we used to religiously put it in the bin. Gosh it used to stink. Best kept secret for years.
Please be explicit in telling me if this is boring. I would write about life of 70s in my next mail, if you guys want me to continue. Such bolu tho, I am writing all those meaningless stuff which were hidden and waiting to be unraveled from some part of my brain.
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