Influence can buy you your life??

In our country, doctors and nurses are viewed as a reincarnation of God and the medical profession is one of the most noble. However, an experience I had yesterday has put me in doubt.

My neighbor had a blood pressure drop and was unconscious for nearly an hour. Getting a doctor to see a patient at home is very difficult and considering it's a Sunday, made the task quite hurricane. Finally we managed to get a kind doctor Oscar from the village who was on his way to Panjim but took an u-turn and came back to Betalbatim to see her. Getting her to consciousness through garlic and burnt cloth smells was a jolt to reality. The doctor having given the first aid asked to admit her to the government hospital as soon as possible. Having taken her there, I was told there are no beds available in casualty to treat her and she'd have to wait till there is a vacant slot. Old that she was, she could not even hold her head still while sitting and waiting till we get a vacant bed in casualty. Better sense prevailed and I called back Dr Oscar explaining the situation. He immediately made a call to the doctor inside and only then did the nurses relent to let her in. If influence and power could save lives, no wonder the poor and lower class are dying in pain.

On one side there was a Dr. Oscar who took a u-turn and came back to treat a patient, called up nearly four-five times to ensure everything was alright while on the other there are doctors and nurses who need phone calls from higher ups to bring them back to reality. I sometimes wonder what would have happened had Dr. Oscar too turned the other way.

I sometimes feel that I did a mistake not having taken the medical seat I had qualified for ( I chose to study engineering ), and in times like this my mistake seems quite grave.

What's in a name?

The legendary Shakespeare once said "Whats in a name?". Today many years down the line one of India's most prestigious entrepreneur proved it right, perfectly right! India's fourth largest IT company built on lies, and fraud contrary to its name - Satyam! But in fact what great source to lead to the downhall - Maytas, the reverse and the opposite of Satyam - the truth.

This puts a question mark on the running of the other biggies in the IT industry. I really don't know about the others, but would definitely not like to put Infosys in the same list. I consider NRN to be my idol and can't see him in the same light as what was done and become of Raju.

Having had seen him from close for two years during my stint with Infosys, I have only heard the best of anecdotes about him whether from his colleagues, his personal staff or the housekeeping staff of his office. With him as a leader in Infosys, even be it non executive I strongly believe he has set a legacy for Infosys with a strong value set to emulate.

I do not know how many people would read this article, neither do I consider myself significant enough whose opinion can be valued, but I'd still like to say Infosys is definitely a company to look up to. The values we have learnt are what makes us different!! Not just the name, afterall!

Yahoo!!! I won!!!

Yes, two days ago I won an essay competition organized for the youth of villages around the Benaulim constituency. Now how many participants did I defeat you may ask. None! Shocked?? I was too when I landed at the Visionaries counter to find myself as the only contestant. Even with such effective marketing as prominent banners advertising the venue, date and time, our opinioned youngsters did not have the time to make it to an event which would have probably contributed to their own development.

I've read innumerable blogs, posts, articles in newspapers by the youth of our state that we need to wake up, stand for our rights, blaming the government about their inaction and so on. But words those are. The time for action may never come. It is all so easy to criticize the government, blame the terrorists, right strong words of condemnation against this and that act, but ask them to meet and come down to congregate for a purpose and no one wants to walk that distance. Its all happy and gay as long as I have to move my fingers over the keyboard to write my opinion on blogs from the confines of my home. But come down in scorching heat to make a difference and no ones there. But the silver lining was definitely to see a crowd of little kids taking part in the painting competition. Guess they are heat resistant. Probably I am generalizing a small set of the Benaulim constituency to the entire state or maybe the country. Probably I am wrong. But where is the proof!!

Khana No Khazana

In a bid to pump my efforts on finding the eluding proton, my mother keeps coercing me to improve my culinary skills. 'The way to a man's heart is through his stomach' she quips. What a glutton!!!! Not that I am a bad cook. I consider myself a very experienced cook considering the full-on appetizing and taste bud churning (unfortunately - the wrong way) experiences I've had while trying my hand at the heart rendering dishes.

However, keeping in mind the new age stomach cancer, diabetes, cholesterol and the age old obesity, I'd rather stick to the direct Kismat Connection than go maneuver through the Paapi Peth. What if he's the Calendar Khaana do types. I'll be languishing in the confines. There goes my world tour! Down the food tube!!

Raj or Taj - What's our inspiration?

As I read an SMS from a friend about the starkingly obvious absence of MNS chief Raj Thakeray after the Mumbai attacks, I was struck by a thunder bolting thought.

Raj and The Taj!!! Apart from the phonetic similarities in their names, there seemed to be a few more things in common in the idealogies of the two. Probably their complete dislike for the British agenda. While Raj and the Shiv Sena promote the Marathi manoos bandwagon by changing colonial British names to Indian ( Victoria Terminus to Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Bombay to Mumbai), the Taj was built as a result of Jamshedji Tata being deprived the luxury of staying in Watson Hotel, as it was restricted to whites.

But the similarities end there.

While Raj stands for divisive politics dividing the Indian mindset into the North and Maharashtra, the Taj stands for unity as an Indian entity as people from all states, religion, caste, gender and in fact from differennt nations, stood by each other, saved lives risking their own.

While Raj remained silent after the terror attacks, the Taj spoke of its tears, its sorrow, its pain and its triumph.

While Raj stands for fear and destruction, the Taj is a beacon of hope and fearlessness that we will conquer terrorism come what may.

Viva Portugal

I was reading the blog of my long lost classmate, when I realised how true his wish of Portuguese rule in Goa was ( Refer Viva Portugal ). Our once beautiful state is being marred by a change in infrastructure, a change in demographics, corruption and shoddy politics. What with the likes of the Monserrates, Ranes and Pachecos who are filling their already overflowing coffers with the bounty destined for the people of the state.

A complete wipe off of the Portuguese culture seems to be on the rise with an influx of migrants. I understand being an undivided nation, an Indian has the freedom of moving from one state to another and I am probably contradicting my earlier posts on the great North Indian - Marathi divide. However, I do believe that Goa is in a league of its own and should be given special status considering its rich and unique culture. A Portuguese rule would not only have brought in development but also maintained the once hyped about beauty of out homeland. The vandalism of idols and churches would not have occurred so closer to home and we'd probably be living in a mini paradise of our own. But what else can we do now. It's just wishful thinking!!!

Say No to Mumbai attacks!

What's the point I say of murder and killing?
What's the point I say of bloodshed
Innocent lives you hurt
Your own young lives you ruin
In the name of religion, caste and creed.

Mumbai is burning today
Not just of the Mujahideen attacks
It still feels the pain
Of the MNS' personal vain
Why use guns when the mighty pen works

Feel free to add more in your comments! We need to weed out terrorism and crime in any form, for any motive.

Idiot Box! Where art thou?

"Ekta Kapoor ka Kkkkkasam Se, KKKyunki..., ya KKahani..
Saloni ke Saath Phere, ya Sanjeevani ke doctors saare
Kabhi din the ki hum kosthe the unhein
Ab do hafton se kahan gaye pyaare"

There were days that were never complete without a touch of the rona dhona and husna husana of the saas bahu soaps and glamour and controversies of reality shows. The nearly two week long strike has imposed a compulsory saabatical on the daily dose of millions of Indians around the world. Not that there is a dearth of quality work on the idiot box. In fact, the idiot box should be renamed 'coz the no show of serials had definitely helped it lose the adjective as people are shifting to news, sports and foreign documentaries.

I would have never have known who invented television in its crude form if not for this strike. Coz' it coerced me to research on the history of the medium and I strongly believe that Paul Gottlieb Nipkow would not have had the faintest idea of the craze he created decades ago. Not that I am against the so called dulhans and bahuranis of television. I'd definitely like to see a change in perspective to a more real and closer look at the society and its depiction on television. The closest to it is Ballika Vadhu on Colors, while the reality shows are complete showdown. Their unwarranted tears and drama do make for a delightful sight, however none of it ever makes an impact to stay.

The recent ratings surges of news, sports and foreign channels is definitely a short span indicator. The strike end may be just a few days away and we'll be back to the rona dhona as if none of it ever happened!

I was Born Intelligent, Education Ruined Me.

I am in a room with twenty seven faces scribbling on a sheet of paper. A moment that could define their future while for me yet another boring day as a lecturer. Having done an MBA from an international school had had no meaning and in fact barrelled me down in a professional heap.

But for these 20 year olds, it is the beinning. They could evolve to become CEOs and Presidents. The world is their footstool but for what they write in those sheets of paper. Our educational system has been reduced to just these sheets of paper. All we do is give exams and grade and consequently be graded. Our lives are just now numbers - 90%, 40% and so on. It does not matter whether you are intelligent or brain dead, as long as you can gobble up texts and vomit them on paper, you are deemed a star,

We forget to learn from history. Geniuses are not born through examinations. Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Thomas Edison and the like were not products of universities. They were common men who who worked hard through their own calibre and determination and whose names nations will remember. My paper degree would only go to dust. But you 20year olds scribbling on paper still have a chance, wake up!

From my Diary!

A road less trodden
Paths unsung
Are life's ways
As I can see
Though millions have walked
Ahead or gone past me

On life's journey
I am but alone
People come and go
Though crowded I may be
Yet at the end of it all
I will be judged
For the ways that I called

An Indian Obama?

As the Obama craze sweeps the nation, a keen look at our own backyard is the call of the day. With a country as large as ours and demographically diverse, there may be countless mini Obamas brimming with inspiration looking to wiggle their tails to the top. However, there needs to be a reality check of the Indian answer to a replay of the American dream in our country.

As America went through hundreds of years of slavery and racist oppression, there were leaders like Martin Luther King, Marcus Garvey and others who stood for the minority creating a dream for the future. These leaders kick started a revolution that was to years later create the first Afro-American President.

Now let's zoom down closer to home. After sixty one years of independence, India is considered to be the largest democracy in the world with freedom of speech and movement being the fundamental rights of our Constitution. But a closer look at the newspapers today delves into rise of ME ME and DOWN WITH THE DOWN TRODDEN politics reigning our country.

Instead of being an inspiration to the minority and oppressed communities, as well as millions of little children, through advancement of science and technology and peace process of the Father of Our Nation, we have mass killing of Christians and branding of ALL Muslims as terrorists. Is that what we call democracy? In fact, it is the so called political leaders who are endorsing the view and jumping on the bandwagon of crime to increase their vote bank. That does not mean there is a dearth of strong leaders! But we have those that harness their energy in divisive politics. The latest attacks on North Indians in Maharashtra and vice versa are proof of the regionalism that is corrupting the minds in our country.

I used to be proud of being an Indian.But a few years abroad showed me that I get much more respect in a foreign land while I am treated like garbage in my own homeland. Coming back to my original bone of contention of an Indian Obama, looks like I would probably have to turn in my grave for many more years before I can chance to see that blessed face.

Marriages are made in heaven or is it?

I've come a long way from being a bottle swinging toddler, a tantrum throwing teen to a mature individual looking for that heavenly mate. Not that I have been offered a swayamwara opportunity, but pressure from the external environment has somehow got to me. Potraits of friends with smiling lovers in picturesque locales of the world seem to add to my agony of being a single electron in search of that all eluding proton.

'Opposities attract',' Marriages are made in heaven' and innumerous of such quotes depict a positive future, though the ground realities are much harsh. Being a little picky and finicky about my choices and options has compounded the issue to a highly hilarious level. In fact, the other day I met a guy in the famous affair friendly Cafe Coffee Day ( CCD or shoud i say Couple Collaboration Dairy). After the usual odd hellos and introduction, we settled to a monotonous silence that got disturbed by the drone of a cell phone to the tune of 'Pappu can't dance sala'. As a lady at a neighbouring table answered the call, I asked the pappu in front of me if he could dance. Listening to his answer I realised that my wait was not yet over for this pappu could really not dance.

If I go on about my rendezvous with the innumerous pappus I've come across, I'll probably run out of memory on the server. Anyways, I am still waiting for the 'heavenly proton pappu' who does not have two left legs and also fulfils my never ending list of 'must' and 'must nots'. Luckily, the list is in my head 'coz I would not be able to save it in a computer.

Apprentice!!

"A job interview from hell", that's how the Apprentice episode always begins. But I really would not mind it considering a £100,000 salary figure. I would love to have been in Lee's place right now! Anyways, considering that I am having an official work farewell tomorrow, it looks like any interview, even one from hell would be like a georgious Belgian Chocolate.

Diamonds are a girl's best friend!!!

Have you ever envisaged your home filled with glittery, sparkling stones reflecting much more light from your mirrors, compared to your boring tube lights or lamp shades. Jan Constantine has launched her georgeous and out of the world diamante range of cushions, lavender bags and throws all in luxurious creams and velvets.

An innovative way to earn money online

Now, who does not want to earn a quick buck. And if you've got the creative juices, it's all the more easier. Its a couple of days I heard about PickyDomains and I am completely hooked. All you need to do is sign up with the site, and suggest domain names to logged in clients. If they pick your suggested name, you are paid. It's that simple. Do give it a try.

The nightmares are getting worse!

Imagine being haunted by ghosts from your marketing and IT text books! Kotler and Keller stalking you with brands and Linus Torwalds literally drilling in open source use even in your dreams. But that's not all! Coz the nightmare does not stop when you wake up. In fact it gets worse. If that's the case with you, I share your agony. In fact, I've been going through this for three months now. The MBA research dissertation on 'Use of Open Source in Small Businesses' has not only taken over my small existence but is also threatening my open source life of fun and friends.

Three months into it, and I am still stuck at finding authors and reading crazy articles saying small businesses do not use open source. The heck of it! I know they don't, but why and what percentage, give me figures, give me references, afterall thats what the university wants to see. Else they would not waste time in putting a plagiarism charge. But no!! All I get to do is ask questions. For the past 25 years, I've been asked questions. You ask me questions, I can answer. When I was a kid, my parents' friends came over and asked me, "Little one, what's your name?" and pop came the answer "Roseline, aunty". Teachers asked "What's 10 x10?" and 100 came the answer. Been doing this for 25 years now. But no!! What happens now is I ask questions to do some research that no one may bother reading. And to top it all, I ask questions to some crazy small business owners and also pay for postage to get their replies back. How mad can it all get? Would have been much simpler if the university lecturers asked me questions like 'What is a brand and What is an SME?'. I could answer those. In fact, I can answer any questions, but ask them. Not my cup of tea.

Decorating a new home or refurbishing your home?

It's a nightmare. With scores of designs and range of colours, it becomes so difficult to choose the ideal look. In fact, recently some home accessory stylists have mixed fashion designs with home wares to make that all important choice more difficult.

There may be some who are very picky about hand made products. For them, why not try hand embroidered home furnishings. There exist numerous designs in vintage embroidery and the more contemporary looks from jan constantine at Jan Constantine

Peek!!! Life of an IT engineer in Bangalore

If you gonna expect an exciting day in the life of a hi-profile IT engineer in Bangalore, you are mistaken. Coz this post cannot go into such details, as the author has not experienced any of the prolific lifestyle, though herself being a software engineer in the so called Silicon City of India.

The minute you wake up, before you even have the customary bed tea, a style borrowed from the West, one begins dreading the hours one may have to spend commuting to the IT world. Yes, the world famous Hosur Road which is known more for it's traffic jams than it's bridge to the electronic world of information technology- The Electronic City which houses some of the biggest names of the industry.

As a first timer( read fresher) begins the journey into the unknown, you are not only oblivious of the amount of time it may take you to reach your destination but also of the ardous journey that lies ahead. With bumps and sleeping comrades, the bus crawls past similar looking boxes on wheels around. You look around you only to find the same faces staring back at you as if you were looking in a mirror which projects expressions. The only consolation you may have are the plugs in your ears which croons Basanti and Darius' voices as if they were some distants Gods warning you of the impending disasters ahead through Jam Busters.

But slowly, after lots of shakes and pauses, you begin to see greenery which is an indication that you are closing onto civilization, when you are given a final jolt. A long snake like queue of wheels at the entrance of EC. But by then, you feel I've gone through so much, a little more won't do any harm. So all you do is make faces and stupid expressions and keep shifting in your seats as your back hurts like hell.

Then it's YAHOO!!!! I've made it. I've reached into the IT dungeon and what more in one piece. Broken but not bent. You trudge along to your seats, your new boxes, though these ones thankfully not on wheels.

As the day ends, you now have to go through all of it again, but now in the reverse direction to get to the comforts of your home. But all the best!!! We'll make it one day.

Some day the Guiness Book of World Records may enter our name in it's books for reaching the Electronics City traversing through Hosur Road without a single traffic jam, in say 10 minutes. A distant dream but where there's hope, there's a way and there's a will.

Laxmi Sawant

“Men in shining armour
What gallant knights behold
It's only the common people
Whose stories go untold."

I always believed that heroes existed only in fairy tales and movies where they saved young princesses and helped old ladies. But when I met Laxmi Sawant on the first day of high school I knew she held a secret of her own.

The first few days of high school were pure fun. Getting to know so many new young people of my own age who have so many wonderful things to share was a real delight. I had so much in common with my new friends-Succorin Fernandes and Sonia Kenkre. We enjoyed cricket and liked reading mysteries. Though I used to hang around with my group, I often observed Laxmi who was quiet and reserved. In the company of noisy and fun loving friends, she was very conspicuous with her quiet manners. I noticed, though she came to the canteen she never would buy anything but rather ate her own tiffin which always was one roti (Indian bread) and pickle.
After a few months she didn’t come to school for a week and I began to wonder whether she has fallen ill. So along with my friend Succorin, I paid her a visit. I was surprised to find that the address given by the teacher led us to the poorest parts of the city. As we walked along, we noticed the lanes getting narrower and garbage heaps lying on either sides of the road. There was a bad stink emanating, flies and mosquitoes hovered about and little children were playing with dead frogs and lizards. The sight was really nauseating.

When we entered Laxmi’s house we realized how privileged we were to live in clean houses with all sorts of comfort. The house had just one room. The walls were dirty and paint was peeling from them. The only furniture was a wooden table and a cot. On the cot lay an old woman who was continuously coughing and Laxmi was feeding her. When Laxmi saw us she stood gaping for a moment. When we explained why we had come her eyes glistened with tears. She said we were the first people to have shown some concern for her.

When we sat down on the mat she laid, I asked her the reason for her absence in school and why she was so quiet and reserved. As she told her story, we were deeply moved.

Laxmi was the only daughter of a potter. Her mother died as soon as she gave birth to Laxmi. Her father therefore disliked her and blamed her for his beloved wife’s death. He also thought Laxmi would drain off his meager income in dowry at the time of marriage So he kept her at his mother’s place who was suffering from asthma. When Laxmi was five, her father remarried. Thus the occasional visits he used to pay her also stopped. Laxmi studied at the municipal school where the education was free. But one day, the teacher misbehaved with her, so she stopped going for classes and completed her primary education learning from her friends’ books. She did not want to join high school because she was afraid of the teachers, yet she had to do so since she wanted to become a social worker and help clean the roads and improve the living conditions of people around her. She entered the Learner’s competition and won a scholarship. She couldn’t come to school for a week because her grandmother was sick and she had to look after her.

As I walked home that day, my thoughts drifted towards Laxmi. Though poor and young, she had enrolled herself in high school with determination and will power. She had the courage to face all the challenges that came her way. She didn’t let her surroundings deter her from her goals. Yet she wanted to change her surroundings and give people the chance to live a better life. She was truly a hero. Though not like the ones I had read about in fairy tales but surely a real one.