A NOTE ON 13/7, MUMBAI

Yesterday's incident has seriously dented the certainty of life esp. in Mumbai! One of my friend euphemistically put Mumbai as a huge bowl of curry..where, whenever there is lack of taste in it..you add..BOOM KABOOM some bomb blasts (read: spices), to make it more interesting..and heyyy next moment Mumbai is again resurrected, dissected on CNN, CNBC, BBC, NDTV etc... once again it attains its fame..but on the COST OF...INNOCENT LIVES & SHATTERED HOPES & BLAME GAMES!

After Osama was killed, Hillary Clinton started her speech with these profound words "WE ARE AMERICANS, WE GET THE JOB DONE"! It shows the focus of US on its key issues..even when there was change in Government. Like you all I m not completely a pro US. However, sometimes I admire the external policies of ISRAEL & US. though sinister...but they value the life & comfort & SECURITY of their citizens..as their primary responsibility.

People, I invite you to share your views...IF YOU HAVE ANY....

I, INTERNET & IMPATIENCE....how internet is killing patience.

Let me give few scenarios and make you readers relate to it…the first one..say you are in front of an ATM Machine and there a queue, to make matters worse, the person inside its taking a ‘bit’ longer to come out! How would that feel? Well the second one… you are trying call your friend and she doesn’t respond after 2 trials and yet you try 1 more time…how would that make you feel? And the last one, You have purchased some item or groceries from a mall and then we you just about pay at the counter you find a queue…I’m sure that each one of must have undergone this experience and the feelings that erupt of these situations can named as frustration, angst, paranoia, tense, jittery etc. and if we probably would like sum these up and give it a name then will be of course called as IMPATIENCE! And I am very much sure that each one of us knows about its relevance in today’s world.

Now let me give you a connection to this very phenomenon named impatience, by bringing in internet, cell phones, video conferencing etc. a.k.a. Technology. And this will be the theme for my blog. And trust me each one us will be a part of this blog because this is not just about my experience but also about all you readers too. Internet is celebrating its silver jubilee and sooner will cell phone. These two technologies changed the face of human civilization. Technology indeed did shrink the world, well almost. The best examples can be Facebooks, orkuts etc. This has bought countries as well the cultures to proximity and made them conspicuous, even the recent uprising in West Asia, which includes the historic toppling of Egyptian government, is finest examples of these very internet applications (facebook). Never was knowledge so lucid information so accessible and people so near and approachable. I still remember, when I was doing MBA, my professor once quoted an example of how video conferencing is slowly competing with airlines, in a way that people prefer to sit in their home locations and discuss rather than travel and waste both time and money...isn’t this interesting.

However, this not what I am here to discuss, the major observation that has been brought to notice is about growing impatience among people recently for even petty things. And researchers attribute this to fast and accessible world, the world driven completely by technology, ready-to-serve food, internet, cell phones et al. as mentioned earlier no doubt they changed our lives for better, but one cannot ignore other side of the coin right? All these has also lead to attention deficiency, impulsiveness and impatience, no wonder there are at least 5 incidences of Road rage which ends tragically! A point to ponder. “It is definitely a cause of worry,” says psychologist Dr Kalpna Menon, “spending a lot of time with our devices suggests that excessive dependence on cellphones and the Internet is akin to an addiction, which is fast becoming a modern day psychological disorder.”  Similar concern is expressed by Dr. Elias Aboujaoude, who happens to be the Director of Impulse Control Clinic at Stanford. He interestingly has stated in his article that life nowadays has started resembling a chat room and the virtual dependence is causing more and more people to become cognitive in their lifestyle. Nicholas Carr author of a new book The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains smartly expressed in his Official blog that social and familial responsibilities, work and other pressures influence our use of technology. “The deeper a technology is woven into the patterns of everyday life, the lesser is the choice we have about whether and how we use that technology,” writes Carr on his blog. Reading these makes us feel that as if we have been taken over by machines as they show in Terminator. A recent British has proved the same. British people seem to be becoming increasingly impatient - On average they will lose their patience after 8 minutes and 22 seconds.

If a website takes more than 1 minute to load, 70 percent of people will become impatient.

The maximum average time for people to wait for a reply after making a call is 5 minutes and 4 seconds.

In addition, the survey also shows that the youth lose their patience earlier than the elderly. One third of the respondents aged between 18 and 24 said that they will start getting very annoyed when refreshing a webpage takes more than 10 seconds.

Related to the same, there are more things that need attention and it is about this virtual world that we have created for ourselves, especially games like Second Life and various chat rooms have given a new meaning to anonymity, where one can indulge in his fantasies and feed his alter ego. Many psychologists feels that this in long run is very detrimental as the person loses touch with reality and absorbs himself in something which is not real. To add further, now with all these, a person has very less or time for his family and friends, which leads to further isolation and imbalance on personal front. No wonder, these was study done which proved direct correlation between internet and divorces, the details and reasons of course are more than one and not purely related to just internet but interwoven in it.

It is however quite interesting because a decade ago, we had trunk calls, we had money orders which used to take 2-3 days, same goes for parcels and letters by post, and even home delivery was very prevalent, travelling also took time, all these eventually made people more tolerant and patient. Now, with internet and other applications of technology, the situation has totally changed, where in even a pizza that you order is guaranteed to be in your hands fresh and hot in just 30 minutes! what more shall I say, no wonder we are expecting more in shorter period…and these are the recipe for umm well ‘Impatience et al’. If you have some experiences, please do share with me.

                      

Ref: People Daily.com

       NY Times

       Indian Express

Mumbai has always been my home, my world, though I was born in Chennai, my upbringing was in Mumbai. This city dictated my life, like every other inhabitant. People, culture, friends, night life, rush trains etc. but what I found most intriguing is that in spite of busy life that people in this city carry on their back, they still have that warmth in their attitude. The attitude to reach to other person, help seek help, smile. This is something which I found very rare absolutely rare in other parts of the country. And I really cherish it, and personally I feel this is what the spirit of city is all about. 

It was like the old fable, for a frog in well who has never ventured out of the well, the world for him is the well itself. The same somewhat applied to me. Mumbai was everything to me, but then a small turn in my life, a positive one which I realized later. I changed my job from an IT company to a major & prominent bank. And as a part of my job I had to relocate and I was required to undergo my on the job training in several branches in different locations for a year! Tough it is, isn’t it? Ifor me this situation was like that of a child who was going to school for first time. Now I hope most of you will be able to relate right?

So off I left my home, trust me people, never in my 27 years did I ever leave home for that matter my city. This was lot off new experience for me. I was partly eager and partly anxious. Okay I think I m drifting from what I want to express. Well my training schedules were going fine, and the places that I needed to report were equally interesting, I spent most my schedule in Goa, yes you heard it right, its Goa. And this made many of my colleagues jealous. But then here I unfold my journey now that this journey just 1 more month away. So folks, kindly join me in this journey because I’m sure most of you travelling on the same boat as I am.

Oh, ok well I was not blogging for quite a long time, however, now with insistence my former colleague and  good friend. here I m starting again. So, like every great writer (atleast I can pretend to be one among them), I dedicate this blog to my friend. Thanks to him.

BEST BOOKS TO READ: a bibliophile's journey till now.......

Before I start to write further, I wish every one to have a look below two fabulous quotes on books…….


“The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it.”


~James Bryce
“You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.”


~Paul Sweeney


How true they are right? A good book is an ocean of knowledge, a true friend, a great philosopher or rather a trustworthy companion.

My intimate relationship with books started the very day when my father bought comics of….would you believe…Chacha Chaudhry by cartoonist Pran! I am sure some one must have giggled here. But that’s the truth….it was in 3 rd std and I read those comics voraciously…they were very funny but were a good start. Since then there was no looking back (ah finally I found the meaning of this phrase! Read a lot but never could put it in perspective).


From Chacha Chaudhry I graduated to…….Nagraaj, Doga, Super commando Druv???!!! Ok ok let me tell you all, my tryst with books began when I was in Indore and during that time trust me they were most sought comics and they were thrilling and interesting for the very fact that they were in Hindi. But they were good I must say, you still get those comics, grab then read you will know the worth. Ok now, further from there I graduated to Gokulam (a south Indian children magazine, equivalent to Chanda Mama & Tinkle). Then to our ever green Tinkle and to tell you the truth I still read Tinkle with same enthusiasm as I did before.

The Moment Of truth:

Yes then came this moment, the thought to grow up. I then jumped to Famous five, Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys. But somehow they just were a fad! I finally found my forte when once again my father got me books, the books with a strong reason, a reason to read more, kind of thirst for knowledge…..Over the period I have read a lot of books mostly non fiction.

I have from my experience or through my journey have listed top 10 books which someone must read and they are:

1. My Experiments with Truth By Mahatma Gandhi (please do read, it’s a fantastic book and very interesting too)

2. Freakonomics by Steven D Levitt (Economics was never so interesting especially in answering mundane questions beautifully).

3. Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell ( Great author and a great book, its all about human dynamics and sociology explained in a very easy language.)

4. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (Why are some people successful? Read to know and trust me you will be really surprised.)

5. What the dog saw by Malcolm Gladwell (Again an amazing book with repository of knowledge which will leave you speechless.)

6. Power of Simplicity by Jack Trout (a must read for all CEOs and budding ones too)

7. Seven habits of Highly effective people by Stephen Covey (Best book if you want a shot of inspiration)

8. Made in Japan by Akio Morita . (Know Japan from the eyes of the person who built the great electronics giant…..SONY)

9. Five Point Someone by Chetan Bhagat (a brilliant rib tickling book mocking our education system with sprinkles of masala a very good attempt indeed.)

These are some of the best books which I am sure will captivate you as you keep progressing each page, and yes the credit goes these smart authors. Especially Malcolm Gladwell.

Let me end this blog with a very funny and witty quote below……..happy reading

“Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.”


~P.J. O'Rourke

My brief account on Indore: The city where i lived and now the city that i visit.

Rushed and banged and huffed and reached Borivali station, thought I would miss the train. No, I wasn’t boarding our Virar or Churchgate local. I was in fact boarding Avantika express, going to Indore. The journey is 12 hrs and very comfortable overnight journey. However this was never a planned journey, neither was I running an errand for my firm or any personal reasons. I just wanted visit, just wanted that’s all. Decision taken, had to execute it.

Now what is this Indore connection?! Well, it’s definitely not my native place. Well then here I go… Indore is a place where my father was posted for 4 years and a place where I did my basic schooling (from 2nd till 6th STD). Those 4 years have been one of my best moments and really-not-so-good moments. Do not want to discuss much on that.

Now Indore is beautiful peaceful bustling city in Madhay Pradesh (for those of you who are weak in geography). It was the prime regions for Holkars or rather the center point of Holkar administration, the rulers who ruled it for many years. It has now transformed itself well, in tune with current ‘india rising’ phenomenon. It got its 1st mall known as Treasure islands 3 years ago, within 3 years you now have Central, Mangal City etc as major Malls. One will also find Macdonald’s outlets there and yes lots of apartments & multistory residential places, some thing which is new here and which shows that this city is growing too. This was not the Indore that I existed.

Indore in my time was very serene, simple town. But a self sufficient town. The only happening place was Rajwada, a fortress (of Holkar’s of course), surrounding which there was sprawling market and trust me a very vibrant, and to this date it still is. You will get everything, almost. Then there are lot temples, famous one being Kajrana Temple, of Lord Ganesha and couple of more, then you had and have Meghdoot gardens a simple but huge park, best for weekend family get together. However what makes Indore so special is the 3…the first being its people, trust me very genuine I must say, very helpful. Indore like Mumbai has mixed demographics, a complete mosaic representing almost whole of India. Even they have their typical Indore accent or dialect of Hindi which very much distinguishable. Then comes their houses! Yes, trust me Indore doesn’t have much of apartments, so naturally all are independent houses and when I say independent, you can run your imagination the way these people take their abode seriously. Magnificent is the word. Beautifully planned rich houses and its not something that only rich here do, even the well off middle class have their houses well built. Ahh then comes my favorite…Food, yes Indore is also a paradise for foodies, take my word for it. Once you are here, you should not miss Kanda Kachori ummmm so divine! Mung ki halwa, a sweet delicacy with generous helpings of ghee, if you are dieting then forget it. Then you have hot gulab jamuns the evergreen and then comes the quintessential snack of indore….Pohe! Yes one of the healthiest snacks available on the Indian platter and Indoreans know it the best. The hot pohe with generous servings of spicy sev is a perfect breakfast. There is a place here known as ‘Chappan Dukan’ which means 56 shops precisely. This is where you can taste the best delicacies of Indore. Once here do visit this place.

Indore also is well connected to other cities like Bhopal the capital, which takes 4 hours to reach. Then one should also visit Ujjain, a beautiful city of temples and spirituality and also the place where ‘Omkaleshwar’ the famous temple of Shiva is located.

I can keep on going further and further about Indore but I think in today’s internet age, you very can find out well. This is just my view, my raw account of Indore. Now let me end this so called travelogue with what future holds for Indore. Indore has all the ingredients to rise as one of the major metropolitan cities! The demographics here is same as that of Mumbai, a sample of whole India. The Indore development Authority (IDA) has taken proactive steps to make Indore closer to a good city, like doing away with conspicuous tempos! Now they were the indispensable quirky looking mode of transport for the people of Indore and replacing Nagar Sevas (mini buses, another mode of transports) with better sturdy and comfortable buses. Now Indore is well on the radar of the development, courtesy, its 3 cousins Mhow, Dewas and Nagda, which are complete industrial belts. And this proximity has given Indore a nitro in development. However one suggestion to IDA, please improve the roads…trust me, they are still pathetic!

Though I stayed there for 2 days, those 2 days were enough for bringing back all my memories and enriching me! Genuine people, great food, hassle free city is what Indore is today. I boarded same Avantika express for Mumbai, which leaves from there at 3.50 pm and reaches Mumbai (Borivali) in morning at sharp 6 am. Great, isn’t it? Best for office goers. But as I left Indore, one thought crossed me…. Indore is undergoing major changes interms of infrastructure, lifestyles etc. yes it as good but I hope it doesn’t threaten the delicate social fabric of this city. No another jam packed, suffocating, stressed city lost in the race of time. So, long as that is taken care of, rest assured Indore will win hearts of many.

Paradox in its own, a metaphor on platter: the other platform (of mumbai railways)

Every mumbaite must have definately travelled by train at least once in his life time (i may be exaggerating a bit). And now this for those who frequently travel by train.........

A typical mumbai station has one platform for to & fro destinations, bustling full of activities, people aligting and boarding, while some catching quick bites at nearby food stalls and then there are vendors catching on their business. And this is where you witness the typical cosmopolitan spirit of mumbai. A rich fabric of class and society intertwined in the maze of time transcending class creed gender etc. It is said that average time a train stops in any staion is 28 seconds! just 28 seconds and within that time a for someone it is the destination and for other it is the start of journey! All one has to do is to sit down watch, watch fast paced life of mumbai, experience the pressure, the anxiety, the rush of competition and yet a solace from a stranger.

But havent we all glanced at the other side..ok i mean the other platform... which acts as complete stranger to this speed of city life! no food stalls, no paper marts, no vendors, no passengers! the impression here is not spooky but a very naive, quite place where the only movement is a fast train zooming and thats all. here the time seems to have taken rest! Exactly thats the feeling that you get. Peace actually prevails here!

And this is the shelter for those who dont have one! Also this where you will people from diffrents walks of life sit, relax, introspect, stare (god knows what?). For some this is perfect place to sit royally and feast on their home made lunch, you may find students studying and discussing, and yes even sales men discussing their day.
For them, the rat race, the pressure of urban civilization is absolutely oblivious! As if there is no urgency! At least for this moment as long as they are in shady cool zone of peace, this platform.

What i thought as a waste of public money once (how else would you think about a platform which has no train stopping and nothing happening much and why would goverment build such platforms in almost all stations?) is no more for me!

I look at this side and wonder, what a paradox that this place exhibits! On one side you can actually feel the pulse of city, the city on speedway and then on the other side on this lonely platform you find a complete opposite avataar! this so called 'zone of peace'!

Indeed this platfrom is a metaphor, a metaphor offering everyone one advice..............to decelerate......apply gentle brakes on their supersonic life.....and halt......introspect, acknowledge the peace, the humbleness the beautiful moments of our life shared alone or with our family & friends, so that now and then we know our purpose and that is to spread happiness and peace. let us not become a victim of this treadmill of life!

WALL E: MOST TOUCHED ANIMATED MOVIE!

This oscar winner is definately a must watch for any movie buff....with a penchant for serious content. This not just any other animated movie, this is perhaps a movie transcends all imagination and creativity and just touches through the soul of the viewer.
Kudos to producers (disney & pixar) and director (mr.andrew stanton) for bringing in such magnificient movie!

The plot is very futuristic yet very simple, our planet earth is no more than but a huge ball of trash and we humans have abandoned it for a spaceship which i call 'heaven', its actually is heaven coz the life there is just too comfortable that man loses his identity! His existence is but a mere joyride with a time bomb attached! (maybe you will figure out what i mean when you watch this movie).

And then on our very earth you find this cute robot Wall E whose work is to process the trash but he is not just any other robot, hes one with a......heart! Then comes a probe/robot on earth (a cute one indeed) named EVA, whose mission is to find life on earth and then bring a proof so that the spaceship returns to earth. Now he (Wall E) falls in love with EVA and then starts his pursuit to win her heart and the journey of will, love and humanity.

Trust me a brilliant execution by animation team (of course its from disney.pixar stable), great screen play and a great movie oh a great animated movie...with a strong story! However i would give one word that you should have patience to watch this movie then you will enjoy it for sure!
My advice: rent a dvd of WALL E, on a weekend evening with a can of coke and some nice hot somose or hot maggi and enjoy the movie!