There is always a Hope...

“You can’t do this to me! You gave me a life and now…!” shouted Radhika appearing in Rajesh’s room out of nowhere.

“Who are you? What do you want?” Rajesh was stunned looking at a stranger entering his room and shouting at him. He stared at her for a while. He was meeting her for the first time yet her presence made him feel as if he knew her.

Rajesh kept his pen down and closed his book.

“You don’t know me?” asked Radhika with broken heart.

Rajesh gulped water from the glass kept on his table staring her from the corner of his eyes. He tried to recall but it didn’t help.

“Pardon me but not that I can recall you now! Please reveal the identity!” Rajesh replied with a guilt appearing on his face.

“I stay at Vasant kunj. I am doing engineering in Mumbai. I like Saamy… Need I say anything more?” replied Radhika looking in Rajesh’s eyes.

“But how did you come here?” Rajesh pinched himself so as to check if he is dreaming or something.

“You are my creator. You took so much effort. You gave me such a beautiful life. Now why do you need to do this to me? All I am asking you is to give me my Saamy! Can you do that, please!” Radhika said to Rajesh and a tear rolled down her eyes.

Rajesh Purohit is a famous writer. He was busy writing his latest novel. He was writing the climax of the novel when the protagonist of the novel Radhika appeared before him.

“Sir, you gave me such an wonderful life. I thoroughly enjoyed my life… my friends… my parents… the struggle and the winning attitude that you gave me… but now as I am standing at the crossroads, it is time I get the love of my life!”

“Dear Radhika, you had been such a sport all this way. S Swaminarayan (Saamy) is a good friend of yours but he is a South Indian. And Aayush is your parent’s choice. Not just he fits in culturally but also he is charming and already won your parents heart. Try and understand.”

“And I like Saamy!” shouted Radhika. She composed herself and told her creator, “Aayush is a nice guy. I like him. He is a good friend but the chemistry which I share with Saamy can’t be matched. If you are trying to say that he being a south Indian and I being a Punjabi, cant marry, isn’t it such a conservative thought. The world is moving and changing every moment and here you are making your protagonist to suffer based on caste! Make this novel a landmark novel. You need to be open minded!”

“And what about the readers?” asked Rajesh with a puzzled face.

“Trust me they would enjoy it all the more. After all what matters is good people and not caste. It is we humans who have created casteism in the society and it is the learned like you who can help in changing the society’s psyche.”

“And your parents?”

“Ahhh… you are the creator of my parents too. You are the almighty! A twist is what is required and you are an expert!” replied Radhika cheerfully.

The novel went on to become a best seller in a month’s time. Mr. Purohit went on to receive several awards for addressing such a crucial issue existing in society through his book. The society needs to be freed from the hatred among the people because of different castes.That award night he thanked Radhika for defining the moment of his life!

fOoD fOr ThOuGhT: It is absurd to differentiate human beings based on caste, culture or tradition. Love human beings not the name or race he is associated with. It is the humanness that matters.

The biggest enemy of the 'beautiful game'!

The beautiful game - Football has gripped the world like never before. Millions of enthusiast are glued to the television, sports magazines are selling like hot cake and bloggers are busy updating blogs moment by moment. Not only human beings but also animals are following the beautiful game. Paul - the octopus is garnering more views than even some of the highest paid football strikers. Truly hat off to the sport and its spirit.


In India, the matches are telecast in the evening and at late night. Though the football fever caught me lately, I always try to make home for the evening match, atleast the second half. I am forced to miss all the late night matches as I am suppose to wake up early and reach office early. (That's the reason I missed Brazil in action, this season.) Though I am an Argentina supporter and post its debacle, started supporting Germany for its truly beautiful and skillful game. It was wednesday evening, I reached home in the evening, as usual. We friends sat for dinner together discussing various stuff, from office to current bandh to sports.

After a while, Amol asked me, "Was I going to watch late night match between Argentina and Germany?" Now, Amol is a guy who is mad about sports in general and specifically football. He returns home early, take a nap for 2 hours to catch the late night matches.

I replied blankly, "No, as you know, have to get up early. Even at office some critical issues are going on, can't be late." I wasn't knowing what's gonna come for me from him, at that point.

He aggressively replied, "You are supporing Argentina, why aren't you going to watch it? After all this is the last time you could see a football world cup match live?"

I got puzzled, so thus everyone, I guess.

I asked,"Last time? Why? Why last time live? Why won't I be able watch late night telecast, the way I can do now?"

He said, very thoughtfully, "The next football world cup is going to happen after 4 years from now. By that time, you would be married. So how the hell could you see late night matches live? You would be thrown out of your own house if you disobey your would be wife!"

Nikunj replied very hopefully, "What made you assume that girls dont like football? Havent you gone too far in your planning? My girl friend is different. She appreciates it"

Even I opposed him. "Girls are not like that. Few compromise here and there is ok. And I have lot of female friends who stay awake to watch matches and keep updating their FB status message every few seconds!"

Amol replied sarcastically, "Just wait and watch!"

Initially everybody laughed and made fun of him, but I just thought how much this guy has thought about future! He was talking as if he is very experienced guy. His words were worth pondering on. And thud, his words pinch me, is this the last opportunity?

Over the food we formuliased various strategies as to how to deal with such a serious issue! We narrowed on few solutions, after all impossible is nothing! But none of the idea was practical. I still don't know if the would be (though I am not in hurry and haven't been thinking so seriously about it) dosent like watching late night football, what exactly happen!

fOoD fOr ThOuGhT: Do you guys have some solution for the issue discussed? For the female readers, how do you deal or plan to deal with such situation? For the male readers, do you fear the way I am fear now? Laugh out loudly!

PS: My biggest appologies to all the female readers out there. Take this on a lighter note, but the thoughts do scare.

Legalizing betting: Morality over-powering economic gains?

I remember betting with my sister on small small things. As trivial as who will reach home first from tuition classes, who will beat whom in the game of chess, to whom does mummy loves more, etc. The winner’s take away use to be a Kismi-toffee bar or a Dairy Milk or a Fruit and Nut. Mostly we ended up sharing the chocolates 50-50 percent, that too with a fight on who got a little bigger! Small things are so beautiful! But as the stake increases, the gravity of situation gets compounded.

In the on-going IPL saga revolving around Mr. Lalit Modi and the allegations put on him, some where it was mentioned that he was also involved in betting matches and tarnishing the face of cricket further. And then I thought why isn’t betting legalized in India? And then I thought why should it be legalized, in the first place? Does it exist (legally)? O yes! It does! We have legalized betting in horse races, gambling in casinos and can easily find lotteries up for sale outside temples and in busy markets, especially during festival times.

Gambling/ betting is defined as wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods. Typically the span of time between speculation and outcome is very short.

In developed countries like US gambling is legalised but not all forms and with heavy restrictions. In the year 2006, gaming activities itself generated gross revenues of $90.93 billion. In states like Nevada, casino is legalized but with heavy state restrictions. Both state and local governments impose licensing and zoning restrictions. Economy of Las Vegas is thriving predominantly on the gaming and tourism business. The story is no different in Louisiana, Illinois, Detroit, New York, California and many other places and countries. But the system is so efficient that if try to dig, we wont find a politician or a state minister holding stake in the business illegally. The policing is very strong and efficient.

In India gambling and bookmaking is not legal per say. Few exceptions are there like limited number of casinos is allowed to operate in Goa and Sikkim. Betting in horse racing is legal and can easily be witnessed in Mumbai and Pune circuit. Pretext for legalizing it was horse racing involves skills and isn’t mere speculation. In the 1970s and 1980s, Mumbai saw Matka gambling a form of gambling until police broke down the illegally operating establishment in 1990s. Lotteries are legalized but are controlled by the state or central government.

I think betting should not be legalized. It is like a short cut route for making big money. Since the demography of India comprises youth in majority, legalizing might paralyze the “working psyche” of the country. When we are young we believe we can do any and everything. Sky is the limit and barriers are just like commas and not full stops. Such confidence will back fire in the game of speculation. We Indians are proud of its rapidly growing middle class. The growth is majorly because of the hard working nature and ability to set targets and achieve them. Betting, where entry barrier is least, can challenge the foundation of our strong economy. No doubt it will churn huge amount of money for the government and such money can be used for the infrastructural growth. But it is not worth having a developed nation with paralyzed future.

fOoD fOr ThOuGhT: Considering the fact that the demography of India is dominated by young and working class people, legalising can cripple the economy. 'Hard working' psyche might get replaced by 'making shortcut' psyche. In the long run, it would prove more of  a hazard rather than any positive for the society.

"Attack the leaders"

Why do you see Amitabh Bachchan being attacked again and again by politicians? Why MNS drags him is meaningless issues? Why SRK is attacked on his IPL selection statement which wasnt contradictory to patriotism? And at the same time, why SRK has accused ShivSena of dirty politics? Why only Indians are attacked in Australia? Why at the global level US, Russia, Pakistan, Iraq are found attacking India and Indian leaders again and again?

Earlier it was between Khans now it is between AB and SRK, Chetan Bhagat and 3 idiots, only Tiger woods over infidelity, Mukesh Ambani over KG basin, Tatas over Singur, Steve Jobs over iPad, n number of cases in every walk of life. If you ask Shivsena, MNS, BJP, RSS some other acronyms, "What are you fighting for?" I bet, they wont have an answer! They just want to attack anybody who has visibility and can help them in their pursuit.

In the marketing parlance it is called "Attack the leader." It is one of the easiest way to take your words to the world. Any leader in his industry/ segment is dominant. He decides the pace, direction and sets the rules and trends. When you attack a leader, you are elevating yourself close to that leader's position, temporarily. The world gives you ear. And in a subtle way your work is done. When Mamata Banerjee created issue with Tatas over Singur land, she knew, it is not worth fighting against the business behemoth. But she got the coverage, she was heard. She retracted from her stance later, is a different story. The movie My Name is Khan cannot get a better marketing than what it has got! Look at Sarkar, Gangajal or some other movies. If you look around yourself, you will find either people have mastered or are trying to master the art of attacking the leaders.

fOoD fOr ThOuGhT: When ever you find any leader getting attacked, understand the motto. Hmmm, that means if I want to get famous, I should attack some political or business figure or ideology. Hahaha... Its not a child's play. When a leader retracts, you need to be fully loaded because 100% of the times, the attacker is at fault. For you guys, if you look at everything from "attack the leader" angle, you will always find it applicable!

Be careful, you might land in trouble!

I have been on orkut since 2004, own blog since 2007, on linkedin since 2008, On facebook since 2009 and on twitter since 2009. Things have changed drastically from the orkut days to the now twitter days. I joined orkut purely out of excitment. I really didnt know what it was. What profile meant, how to use scrap book, etc. Things like album, photo comments, tagging evolved with time. I primarily used orkut to increase my friends count, write testimonials and get more testimonials! Human beings! They want to hear good about themselves everytime, all the time.

Now things have drastically changed. People express themselves more often. The status messages and tweets are the in thing. "What's on your mind?" is new phenomenon! I doubt if people actually write whats on their mind when they are writing it. It is more to suit and appeal and make a statement within the community.

The point of focus here is the headline "Inappropriate messages on social sites could get you arrested, fired, or even divorced." The statement immediately caught my attention and I rather decided not to publish my post which was on the gundagiri happening in politics and precisely Maharashtra politics. Valentine's day is around the corner and yes politicians are all charging up, to express their love towards Archies and Hallmark outlets, the CCDs, the shopping malls and innocent couples.

India’s IT Act, notified in October 2009, make status messages and Tweets admissible as electronic evidence and the onus of the posts on these accounts now rests solely on users, say cyber lawyers. Most users are blissfully ignorant that whatever they write in public domain can be produced as a proof of copy. A printout or screen shot is all that is required. Hmmm, I need to be more politically correct now.

A Gurgaon IT profesional was arrested in 2008 for posting an obscene message against Congress president Sonia Gandhi on his Orkut account. UK-based Divorce-online said in Dec09 20% of all its divorce petitions contain references to Facebook status messages. Now I dont want to make a political statement by commenting on the message on Sonia Gandhi, but how do you justify it.

fOoD fOr ThOuGhT: On one hand, you say that it is a democratic country and there is "freedom of speech". And this freedom is extensively used by our politicians openly in the media and their newspapers but when comman man tries to use it, he is suppressed. Agreed that you should avoid provoking statements but the right to express should not be suppressed. You almost made me ignore my post from posting which was on politics. Any takers?

Can you father your grandfather?

It happened some 15 days back. As usual I was going to my office from home via BEST bus. You consider yourself lucky, if you happen to get a seat to sit as soon as you enter an AC bus. Its like your day is made! How, small small things can cheer you up!

Two bus-stops before my office, I saw an aged man waiting for the bus. Handkerchief on his head to protect from the sun, stick in one hand, shirt not tucked-in, very old man, in his early 80's. He could barely walk into the bus. As soon he entered, I got up and gave him my seat. People gave me reactions, as if I did a great job! The old man sat for a while, got his breath back...became normal...

He asked, "Tum gujrati ho?..." I said "Nope." Then he asked series of questions about my day to day life and native place. He paused for 5 mins and said "Can you give me some work? I am useless these days because of my age. I dont have anything to do, but I want to work so that I keep myself occupied." I was awestruck. I smiled and said, "I am too small to employ you, you are like my grandfather. You should be resting." To this he said, "But I want to work." His frim words hit me hard and from that day it is pinching me. Some avenue should be created for people like him to keep them occupied and not get bored in their older age. I tried to make up something by saying that he can enquire the society in which he resides, if they need caretakers in libraries or garden or if they have home for employing old people. As I was saying that, I knew I was not making much sense.

I got down at my stop, but could not really get rid of that thought. Isn't it our responsibility now to ensure that the grandpaas and the grandmaas are occupied with some work? We can't give them time, and they really dont want it. They want to do something constructive, creative at this age also.


fOoD fOr ThOuGhT: Isn't it time to give them back? They ensured for our bright future, isnt it our time to ensure that they spend time doing something and not just wait for the D day to come! Any suggestions?

STUDYING = STUDENT + DYING!

My heart sinks when I read about students hanging themselves or jumping infront of a running train and kill themselves. Mostly the reason is studies and the pressure to score high in exams. Peer pressure. "99% marks laaoge to ghadi, varna chhadi..."
 

Not everyone can take same amount of pressure. If students are killing themselves, I believe it is the solely responsibility of parents more than teachers. No one knows a child better than parents. A mother know what her crying baby wants. So, when the kids grow up, it is the duty of the parents to push their kids only to an extent they can handle. I call it the baloon effect: there is always a pressure limit, when crossed, bursts! Tell them stories, to keep them motivated and make them fit for facing challenges boldly. Set achievable targets. Escapism is easy but thats really isnt what we want to do, when we take birth as human beings.


In the movie 3Idiots, it is shown that the character hung himself because he was denied of extension of time and another change to showcase his project. And Aamir khan does it within time, thinking outof box. But the by the time it was ready, the student has already quit from the world. He failed to believe in himself. And in that scene the audience realises that he should have kept on going , it was within the horizon. Ofcourse, it was movie and so aamir could do it, but in real life too, things arent out of control most of the times. It is the decision we take, decides the fate!

Life isnt easy. It brings difficulties of different variations for different people. Lot of times, we need to think from a macro perspective rather than looking at the issue constantly. Lot of times we need to take a break, indulge into something else and get back to our study/work afresh. We get only one life, we need to make most of it, almost everytime!


I think todays generation who are in schools, are unfit to handle pressure is:
they hardly go out to play on play grounds. We were lucky in this regards, I use to play for 2 hours daily after school in the evening. I skipped homeworks, I skipped assignment, but the mind was fit for handling the pressure. Todays generation is glued to internet as soon as they come home. I have seen my cousins discussing home work via scraping on orkut. They think joining "I dont like doing homework", "My class teacher is dumb", communities is cool. I started using it when I was in graduation. Orkut, Facebook and other social websites evolved much later. Twitter is the latest thing. Cell phone was given to me in graduation 2nd year, after lot of pleadings.


fOoD fOr ThOuGhT: The system is not to blame. Study course and material is never to blame. The environment and ecology is to be blamed. The parents are to be blamed that they are not allowing kids to play and choose their area of interest. Children should be feed with motivational stories. They should be shaped into a better and allround personality and not just class toppers or high achievers.