Goodbye 2010. You have been mostly good. But time to move on.
Happy New Year World. Lesson from 2010 - Life changes when you least expect it.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
I just spoke to my temporary driver back home... he was so excited to hear that I was coming back.... 'arre madam, when are you coming back?' january... 'oh very nice... I will find a nice driver for you.. do you have a house to stay in?'.... no....by now I am a little taken aback by how happy he is.... 'oh dont worry... I will find good apartment for you... I am also working for a real estate company'.... oh ok...
is he being just nice or should I be cautious?? or is it just India? that is so warm.... and I have become cold after staying in a cold country....
is he being just nice or should I be cautious?? or is it just India? that is so warm.... and I have become cold after staying in a cold country....
why is the Congress taking such an aggressive stand?? and beating the BJP up so much... it sounds a little too defensive to me....
I would have expected a much more dignified performance by the Congress.... though I like Chidabaram saying 'apka number nahi aayega' to the BJP.... I sure hope not if they are going to be the same set of rulers who turned a blind eye to the happenings in Gujarat..... and who were obviously propogating a hindu bent of mind.....
Ahh India... tera kya hoga....
I would have expected a much more dignified performance by the Congress.... though I like Chidabaram saying 'apka number nahi aayega' to the BJP.... I sure hope not if they are going to be the same set of rulers who turned a blind eye to the happenings in Gujarat..... and who were obviously propogating a hindu bent of mind.....
Ahh India... tera kya hoga....
Monday, December 20, 2010
This weekend had a lot of firsts for me.... first off was the party that I hosted... I invited the people I had met in London and who had been really kind and warm to me..... it was my first hosting outside India and also for non-office crowd....many people came and I was the gracious hostess.... some lessons learnt... now I hope to be able to handly a party better if not host a party better.....
Then it was witnessing one of the worst snow storms that Britain has ever seen in like 25 years.... as I looked out of my window I saw the flurries come down in torrents! Ferociously..... and I watched from the safety of my home (while listening to NDTV live on the internet) I could not help but get into the middle of the action.... so there I was bundled up in all my winter finery walking through the snow storm... surprisingly it was not very cold outside and I was feeling quite warm.... and slowly as London was bathed in white I made my way back home.... only to venture out again at night to go to a dinner.... and that is when the hazards of snow actually hit me.... the tube was not working properly... I opted to take the bus to the dinner... which meant waiting in the cold for about 15 minutes... and even worse to see the buses trudging along slowly due to the ice on the road.... luckily I had a ride in a lexus on the way back home from the dinner....
and then today it was one more day of snow adventure ..... my friends and I after polishing off a traditional English breakfast set for Hampstead heath..... apparently a very British thing to do........ and what a sight it was ..... the entire park was white with specks of snowman around... one of them had its head knocked off... and there were two frozen lakes.... quite picture perfect.... and I made a mental note to make a painting of the scene... and then we went up the Parliament Hill (I think) which had spectacular views of London.... and it was there that I tried out sledging..... if only for a bit.... ....
and then we walked back home and ended our adventure with divine hot chocolate.... yummm...
note to everyone: snow fall is better than actual fallen snow... cos it is really really cold....
Then it was witnessing one of the worst snow storms that Britain has ever seen in like 25 years.... as I looked out of my window I saw the flurries come down in torrents! Ferociously..... and I watched from the safety of my home (while listening to NDTV live on the internet) I could not help but get into the middle of the action.... so there I was bundled up in all my winter finery walking through the snow storm... surprisingly it was not very cold outside and I was feeling quite warm.... and slowly as London was bathed in white I made my way back home.... only to venture out again at night to go to a dinner.... and that is when the hazards of snow actually hit me.... the tube was not working properly... I opted to take the bus to the dinner... which meant waiting in the cold for about 15 minutes... and even worse to see the buses trudging along slowly due to the ice on the road.... luckily I had a ride in a lexus on the way back home from the dinner....
and then today it was one more day of snow adventure ..... my friends and I after polishing off a traditional English breakfast set for Hampstead heath..... apparently a very British thing to do........ and what a sight it was ..... the entire park was white with specks of snowman around... one of them had its head knocked off... and there were two frozen lakes.... quite picture perfect.... and I made a mental note to make a painting of the scene... and then we went up the Parliament Hill (I think) which had spectacular views of London.... and it was there that I tried out sledging..... if only for a bit.... ....
and then we walked back home and ended our adventure with divine hot chocolate.... yummm...
note to everyone: snow fall is better than actual fallen snow... cos it is really really cold....
Saturday, December 18, 2010
So somebody was mentioning how there is more to the PM than meets the eye.... i was curious to find out how this person had found some juicy bits about the PM and his dark side .. given that no one in the country has been able to relate any such stories....... and the person started relating the story....
so a colleague of this person (Colleague) and the PM were room mates during their cambridge days.... and after several years both had returned to India and had started their respective careers... this Colleague's wife was an economist too.... so one day the wife decided to apply to the RBI for a post ..... and this Colleague called up Manmohan Singh to find out if he could push her case.... Manmohan was at that time the deputy governor of the RBI.... and apparently Manmohan said 'yes yes, I will see what I can do'.... the Colleague was happy that Manmohan had agreed to push his wife's case....
The day of the interview came... and apparently Manmohan Singh refused to recognise the wife and continued with the interview as if he was interviewing any other candidate... and the wife didnt get the job.....
I immediately stopped my friend.... wait... what is wrong with what he did?? he was in a public office and he refused to give her a push .... Shouldnt this be a story of how the PM is honest and above abroad???? I frankly saw this as a positive story....
apparently all were upset that the PM didnt keep his word on pushing the woman....
so it seems that if you say that you will be corrupt and you are not, people still think that is a bad thing....
so a colleague of this person (Colleague) and the PM were room mates during their cambridge days.... and after several years both had returned to India and had started their respective careers... this Colleague's wife was an economist too.... so one day the wife decided to apply to the RBI for a post ..... and this Colleague called up Manmohan Singh to find out if he could push her case.... Manmohan was at that time the deputy governor of the RBI.... and apparently Manmohan said 'yes yes, I will see what I can do'.... the Colleague was happy that Manmohan had agreed to push his wife's case....
The day of the interview came... and apparently Manmohan Singh refused to recognise the wife and continued with the interview as if he was interviewing any other candidate... and the wife didnt get the job.....
I immediately stopped my friend.... wait... what is wrong with what he did?? he was in a public office and he refused to give her a push .... Shouldnt this be a story of how the PM is honest and above abroad???? I frankly saw this as a positive story....
apparently all were upset that the PM didnt keep his word on pushing the woman....
so it seems that if you say that you will be corrupt and you are not, people still think that is a bad thing....
Friday, December 17, 2010
OMG!!!!!
Its snowing in London and how!! They predicted that 'Artic' conditions would come to England ...I didnt expect to see a blizzard.... sitting in office it was spectacular to see snow falling so ferociously .... and soon enough the photographer in me took over and I went out clicking pictures... ofcourse the problem is that I cannot download any of the pictures till after I come back to India....
And yet again I was asked my opinion about someone else regarding a very important decision in life.... and this person had been really really really nasty to me .... and to think that so many years later somebody asked me my opinion about this person.... this just reinforces my learning that you better be nice to everybody you meet in life... including the maid who cooks and cleans for you.... cos I think reputation is built in a non-discriminatory manner... no matter who is saying it some part of the bad review will stick with you.....
In other news, I am surprised at the hue and cry about what Rahul Gandhi said about indigenous fundamentalists... I mean what was wrong with what he said... I think he spoke sensibly... he merely said that locals are unlikely to support external agencies as much as they would support local fundamentalists.... so many people will reject the call to arms by Pakistan in India ... but many may succumb to the call to arms by Narendra Modi... so we have to be careful about all kinds of people who foster division... now what is so wrong with that?????????? and BJP cos of a lack of issue has jumped on that statement and said that he is dividing India....really BJP???? you have the gall to say that???? I lived through the hatred that your partyment spewed on December 6th and post that... my school had to be closed because of the dangers that your party men promised.... you made me fear for my own safety... I am grateful that you dont have a foothold in Kerala otherwise my parents would have had to flee the state because we are christians.... and you have the gall to say that?????? really now.....
Everybody seems to have backed off the PM.... but the lingering thot in everybody's head is why did the PM not take steps against an errant minister... were his hands tied??? is he a weak PM? I would tend to agree that it does not show his in good light... he is aboev suspicion but to turn a blind eye is also a lesser crime.... somebody compared him to Bhimshma of Mahabharta... where due to the compulsions of the political alliance he was forced to support the Kauravas against the Pandavas.... I think that description is apt for him... he is the type of man who, if he is knocked down by the opposition, the opposition would feel bad for that.... like Arjun cried when he had to shoot arrows into Bhishma's body....
Its snowing in London and how!! They predicted that 'Artic' conditions would come to England ...I didnt expect to see a blizzard.... sitting in office it was spectacular to see snow falling so ferociously .... and soon enough the photographer in me took over and I went out clicking pictures... ofcourse the problem is that I cannot download any of the pictures till after I come back to India....
And yet again I was asked my opinion about someone else regarding a very important decision in life.... and this person had been really really really nasty to me .... and to think that so many years later somebody asked me my opinion about this person.... this just reinforces my learning that you better be nice to everybody you meet in life... including the maid who cooks and cleans for you.... cos I think reputation is built in a non-discriminatory manner... no matter who is saying it some part of the bad review will stick with you.....
In other news, I am surprised at the hue and cry about what Rahul Gandhi said about indigenous fundamentalists... I mean what was wrong with what he said... I think he spoke sensibly... he merely said that locals are unlikely to support external agencies as much as they would support local fundamentalists.... so many people will reject the call to arms by Pakistan in India ... but many may succumb to the call to arms by Narendra Modi... so we have to be careful about all kinds of people who foster division... now what is so wrong with that?????????? and BJP cos of a lack of issue has jumped on that statement and said that he is dividing India....really BJP???? you have the gall to say that???? I lived through the hatred that your partyment spewed on December 6th and post that... my school had to be closed because of the dangers that your party men promised.... you made me fear for my own safety... I am grateful that you dont have a foothold in Kerala otherwise my parents would have had to flee the state because we are christians.... and you have the gall to say that?????? really now.....
Everybody seems to have backed off the PM.... but the lingering thot in everybody's head is why did the PM not take steps against an errant minister... were his hands tied??? is he a weak PM? I would tend to agree that it does not show his in good light... he is aboev suspicion but to turn a blind eye is also a lesser crime.... somebody compared him to Bhimshma of Mahabharta... where due to the compulsions of the political alliance he was forced to support the Kauravas against the Pandavas.... I think that description is apt for him... he is the type of man who, if he is knocked down by the opposition, the opposition would feel bad for that.... like Arjun cried when he had to shoot arrows into Bhishma's body....
Thursday, December 16, 2010
I was just reading about an interview of Oprah Winfrey where she broke down when questioned about her best friend.... while her breaking down is not what shocked me... but the reason why she spoke about her best friend.... she was asked whether she and her best friend were lesbians!!!!!!!!!!
and this is in America.... contrary to impression America suffers from a very backward inward looking mentality... it is in some ways more conservative than any other developed country.... it has a bible belt which clings on archaical principles... something that Sarah Palin endorses and seems to be finding favour with people in the US....
but on a more fundamental level I want to ask why did the interviewer feel the need to ask Oprah this question.... firstly everyone knows that Oprah has been in a steady relationship with a man called Steadman (pun intended).... and then she is so open about everything in her life (including rape) so why would she not be open about this.....
so what does this mean... does it mean that since Oprah has a boyfriend she should have discarded her friend long back?? and only clung on to her male partner for support and advice?? so if a woman shares her life with another person other than her male partner, she has in some way broken the norm? and hence the only possibility is that she is in a romantic relationship?
or is it just simple ignorant stupid mentality .... a woman if not married is lesbian.... God knows there are lots of people out there who think so stupidly and are stupid enough to open their mouths and sprout this as well.....
and it seems even in developed countries it is not better... ofcourse I think London is more liberal than America....
and this is in America.... contrary to impression America suffers from a very backward inward looking mentality... it is in some ways more conservative than any other developed country.... it has a bible belt which clings on archaical principles... something that Sarah Palin endorses and seems to be finding favour with people in the US....
but on a more fundamental level I want to ask why did the interviewer feel the need to ask Oprah this question.... firstly everyone knows that Oprah has been in a steady relationship with a man called Steadman (pun intended).... and then she is so open about everything in her life (including rape) so why would she not be open about this.....
so what does this mean... does it mean that since Oprah has a boyfriend she should have discarded her friend long back?? and only clung on to her male partner for support and advice?? so if a woman shares her life with another person other than her male partner, she has in some way broken the norm? and hence the only possibility is that she is in a romantic relationship?
or is it just simple ignorant stupid mentality .... a woman if not married is lesbian.... God knows there are lots of people out there who think so stupidly and are stupid enough to open their mouths and sprout this as well.....
and it seems even in developed countries it is not better... ofcourse I think London is more liberal than America....
A friend was pestering me today about giving the name of my blog... I was reluctant to give since I felt that it would restrict my ability to write freely thinking or knowing that so many people read it.... and more so if I write something offensive against anyone...then they may just not like it..... then my friend asked a relevant question 'if you cant write freely then why do you have a blog? and if people cant accept that then why do they read your blog?'
Which is so true.... in my stupidity I may have told people about my blog (I so regret it now)... but if they choose to read it then it should be accepted that they risk hearing my free opinion about things.. even if it is about them... and if they find it offensive then they should just stop reading my blog... actually I would be grateful if they did....
so all you clandestine readers out there (who while secretly reading my blog also pretend that they are so busy with their lives to read something so trivial).... seriously F*&^% off if you find something offensive on my blog....
Which is so true.... in my stupidity I may have told people about my blog (I so regret it now)... but if they choose to read it then it should be accepted that they risk hearing my free opinion about things.. even if it is about them... and if they find it offensive then they should just stop reading my blog... actually I would be grateful if they did....
so all you clandestine readers out there (who while secretly reading my blog also pretend that they are so busy with their lives to read something so trivial).... seriously F*&^% off if you find something offensive on my blog....
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Life is strange..... I was just asked my opinion about a person for a life altering decision ..... It is strange because when I met that person, that person had no reason to even consider being nice... he could have easily ignored me and moved on to a person who would most likely be able to butter his bread more than me... except he didnt... he took time to meet with me and was extremely nice to me... and I came away feeling only respect for him.... Nothing in the world would have made this person think that at some point of time I would be asked my opinion about him........
This just shows that one must be nice to everyone they meet... you never know somehow in some cosmic balance how you/the other person could shape/change life ....
This just shows that one must be nice to everyone they meet... you never know somehow in some cosmic balance how you/the other person could shape/change life ....
I think there are two people I would be most indebted to for making India what it is ... and also giving an ordinary Indian like me the dignity to live as an Indian....
First is ofcourse Nehru....I thank him for having built the institutions in India... today we are not in the same state as some of the other erstwhile colonies in the world because of Nehru's steadfast belief in the destiny of India... for having infused securalism in our government, for having built a society that promotes higher learning... Thankyou Mr. Nehru....
The other person I would definitely thank is Manmohan Singh... besides being the PM MS had the tough job of being the Finance Minister when the entire country was bankrupt.....he engineered the financial revolution in India the benefits of which are being seen by Indians today... people forget that in 1993 India was facing one of its toughest economic crisises ever.... and it took the unshackling of regulations by MS to get India back in the game... and today after 17 years India is one of the fastest growing economies of the world... and it is touted that India will have the biggest number of billionaires in the world.... Thankyou MS....
So when will the next generation of Nehru and MS come about in India?
First is ofcourse Nehru....I thank him for having built the institutions in India... today we are not in the same state as some of the other erstwhile colonies in the world because of Nehru's steadfast belief in the destiny of India... for having infused securalism in our government, for having built a society that promotes higher learning... Thankyou Mr. Nehru....
The other person I would definitely thank is Manmohan Singh... besides being the PM MS had the tough job of being the Finance Minister when the entire country was bankrupt.....he engineered the financial revolution in India the benefits of which are being seen by Indians today... people forget that in 1993 India was facing one of its toughest economic crisises ever.... and it took the unshackling of regulations by MS to get India back in the game... and today after 17 years India is one of the fastest growing economies of the world... and it is touted that India will have the biggest number of billionaires in the world.... Thankyou MS....
So when will the next generation of Nehru and MS come about in India?
So India is reeling under corruption scandals which are of gargantuan proportions..... this reminds me of the Narasimha Rao time when corruption and Congress were synonymous.....at that time I used to keep wishing that we had a clean Prime Minister....
And now we have a clean PM and a very earnest one at that... he genuinely wants to do something for the country... and is not after the money that being corrupt would get you.... a very simple, educated, honest man....
And yet, India is facing corruption charges again....not that corruption is not commonplace in other countries.... it is .. here in Britain there is a scandal about Ministry of Defence not being able to justify spending... and on MPs giving wrong expenses..... but you do get distressed seeing a country that can have it good wasting time over such issues....
And to top it all we have a very weak opposition.... who themselves have not done anything about corruption during their time..... everybody seems to be quiet about the fact that one of the people caught on the Radia tapes is the foster son-in-law of Vajpayee... and man that the whole of India respected.... and nobody is catching on to how his son in law actually garnered wealth.... why??? and nobody is actually questioning the fact the entire controversy over the 2 spectrum started with the flawed policy of the NDA government... and Promod Mahajan made tons of money diong that.....
but given a choice betweena government that is corrupt which is headed by an honest man and a government that is responsible for killing hundreds in their life and promotes religious animosity... I would choose the former... anyday....
And now we have a clean PM and a very earnest one at that... he genuinely wants to do something for the country... and is not after the money that being corrupt would get you.... a very simple, educated, honest man....
And yet, India is facing corruption charges again....not that corruption is not commonplace in other countries.... it is .. here in Britain there is a scandal about Ministry of Defence not being able to justify spending... and on MPs giving wrong expenses..... but you do get distressed seeing a country that can have it good wasting time over such issues....
And to top it all we have a very weak opposition.... who themselves have not done anything about corruption during their time..... everybody seems to be quiet about the fact that one of the people caught on the Radia tapes is the foster son-in-law of Vajpayee... and man that the whole of India respected.... and nobody is catching on to how his son in law actually garnered wealth.... why??? and nobody is actually questioning the fact the entire controversy over the 2 spectrum started with the flawed policy of the NDA government... and Promod Mahajan made tons of money diong that.....
but given a choice betweena government that is corrupt which is headed by an honest man and a government that is responsible for killing hundreds in their life and promotes religious animosity... I would choose the former... anyday....
What will I remember about London the most?
Definitely not the 'Mind the Gap' monotone that greets me everyday in the tube.... or the bland food..... I think I will definitely miss the warmth of the people in London... everybody has been so friendly and welcoming here.... that I was immediately made to feel at home.... I find London to be a unique cross between the British and international community... perhaps there is no other city in the world that matches London's diversity...... or its culture.... I look forward to continuing my association with London in some form or the other....
Having lived and loved London this time round I think one thing that has become clear to me is that what makes a city your home is not what the city has to offer in terms of places to see and things to do... it is the people.....I love Mumbai because I am able to be myself... and I love London because I could be myself here....and what aided that feeling was clearly the people I hang around with in these cities....and in my mind I cannot say mumbai is better or london is better... because both of them offered me the same thing, albeit differently....
I will ofcourse miss the funny street names of London city.... Staining lane, Gutter Lane, Ward of Cheap (when it is located in one of the most expensive places in the world!) and Ward of Bread...
As they say, the English are crazy....
Definitely not the 'Mind the Gap' monotone that greets me everyday in the tube.... or the bland food..... I think I will definitely miss the warmth of the people in London... everybody has been so friendly and welcoming here.... that I was immediately made to feel at home.... I find London to be a unique cross between the British and international community... perhaps there is no other city in the world that matches London's diversity...... or its culture.... I look forward to continuing my association with London in some form or the other....
Having lived and loved London this time round I think one thing that has become clear to me is that what makes a city your home is not what the city has to offer in terms of places to see and things to do... it is the people.....I love Mumbai because I am able to be myself... and I love London because I could be myself here....and what aided that feeling was clearly the people I hang around with in these cities....and in my mind I cannot say mumbai is better or london is better... because both of them offered me the same thing, albeit differently....
I will ofcourse miss the funny street names of London city.... Staining lane, Gutter Lane, Ward of Cheap (when it is located in one of the most expensive places in the world!) and Ward of Bread...
As they say, the English are crazy....
Monday, December 13, 2010
Jokes overheard
Girl:could I have hot chocolate please?
Lady: Sure .. with whipped cream?
Girl: Without whipped cream... actually without sugar either.... and only low fat milk... and not too much chocolate either....
Lady: Do you just want an empty cup? We wont charge you for it...
____
So this was during the shooting of 3 Idiots in IIMB campus... One of the girls got so excited about Sharman Joshi and wanted to click a picture with him... and as luck would have it Sharman Joshi was shooting in one of the rooms next to hers.... the girl and her friend excitedly ran towards the room.... and just then Sharman Joshi was coming out and almost bumped into them.... the girl frooze.... and was so scared of asking Sharan Joshi to take a picture with her that she blurted out ... 'please can you take a picture of me and my friend?'... Sharman Joshi was bewildered... but being a good sport he obliged and took the camera and clicked a picture of the two girls he had never met in his life and walked away.... with the girl hitting her head many times over at having clicked the picture with the wrong person....
____________
At a party:
A: so where are you from?
B: from Kashmir...
A: oh so you are from India?
B: No from Pakistan...
A: But Kashmir is in India...
B: But I am from Pakistan and not India...
Party C to Party D: Now would be a good time to bring up the latest Arsenal scores....
Lady: Sure .. with whipped cream?
Girl: Without whipped cream... actually without sugar either.... and only low fat milk... and not too much chocolate either....
Lady: Do you just want an empty cup? We wont charge you for it...
____
So this was during the shooting of 3 Idiots in IIMB campus... One of the girls got so excited about Sharman Joshi and wanted to click a picture with him... and as luck would have it Sharman Joshi was shooting in one of the rooms next to hers.... the girl and her friend excitedly ran towards the room.... and just then Sharman Joshi was coming out and almost bumped into them.... the girl frooze.... and was so scared of asking Sharan Joshi to take a picture with her that she blurted out ... 'please can you take a picture of me and my friend?'... Sharman Joshi was bewildered... but being a good sport he obliged and took the camera and clicked a picture of the two girls he had never met in his life and walked away.... with the girl hitting her head many times over at having clicked the picture with the wrong person....
____________
At a party:
A: so where are you from?
B: from Kashmir...
A: oh so you are from India?
B: No from Pakistan...
A: But Kashmir is in India...
B: But I am from Pakistan and not India...
Party C to Party D: Now would be a good time to bring up the latest Arsenal scores....
Weekendss... ahhh....
Saturday went to Leeds castle, canterbury and Dover..... with very entertaining people from my office.... canterbury cathedral and town are so quaint.... cobbled streets and all that jazz..... definitely worth a visit.... dover was not as much as I expected but had to see it.... Leeds castle... well.. apart from the frozen lake I didnt find anything that justifies the 'prettiest castle in the world ' tag... I can find a dozen havelis in Tamil Nadu that better suits that tag..... we were lucky in that the weather was a 'warm' 9 degrees and the sun was shining brightly....
Sunday was spent watching bollywood movie with desis followed by desi dinner.... both awesome... the movie was unusually refreshing... band bajaa baraat.... it was quite progressive in that the woman lead actually wants a career and does not want to be just a 'mummy'... and her father is completely supportive... I thot that was reflective of what is happening in Indian society now... ofcourse large parts still remain in the dark ages but still things are changing.....
the cold is apparently going to get bitter in the coming days.... look forward to India actually...
Saturday went to Leeds castle, canterbury and Dover..... with very entertaining people from my office.... canterbury cathedral and town are so quaint.... cobbled streets and all that jazz..... definitely worth a visit.... dover was not as much as I expected but had to see it.... Leeds castle... well.. apart from the frozen lake I didnt find anything that justifies the 'prettiest castle in the world ' tag... I can find a dozen havelis in Tamil Nadu that better suits that tag..... we were lucky in that the weather was a 'warm' 9 degrees and the sun was shining brightly....
Sunday was spent watching bollywood movie with desis followed by desi dinner.... both awesome... the movie was unusually refreshing... band bajaa baraat.... it was quite progressive in that the woman lead actually wants a career and does not want to be just a 'mummy'... and her father is completely supportive... I thot that was reflective of what is happening in Indian society now... ofcourse large parts still remain in the dark ages but still things are changing.....
the cold is apparently going to get bitter in the coming days.... look forward to India actually...
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
I have heard the name Susan Boyle... and also heard her being mentioned as the next big sensation in the UK.... but like many others I didnt give her much thought... untill now when I read that she was performing somewhere in London...
Her story is truly amazing... for one its amazing because no one, I mean actually no one, gave her a chance in life.... she was always made fun of ... she suffered brain damage when she was born and hence was ridiculed throughout school....and at 47 she was the oldest contestant for the show... and I saw the you tube video of her audition... everybody ccringed their faces when she said she wanted to be a professional singer.. and just looked on to see if they could grab some good laughs at her expense.... only to be blown away by the voice....
Isnt that the true story of human spirit? the triumph of will over circumstances? the belief that God has given every one a talent which is unique... and everybody has a role and place in life... and to think that after living a life of ridicule she is now the star in UK.... I think God just works in mysterious ways... and her story to me demonstrates what is possible in life....
but when asked about her life all that Susan Boyle said was 'she wanted to make her mother proud'.... you know what they say - sometimes parents do God's work.... it just feels bad that her mother was not alive to see her do so well....
but the strange thing is that she has 6 siblings.... and none of them were looking after her....isnt that strange?
Her story is truly amazing... for one its amazing because no one, I mean actually no one, gave her a chance in life.... she was always made fun of ... she suffered brain damage when she was born and hence was ridiculed throughout school....and at 47 she was the oldest contestant for the show... and I saw the you tube video of her audition... everybody ccringed their faces when she said she wanted to be a professional singer.. and just looked on to see if they could grab some good laughs at her expense.... only to be blown away by the voice....
Isnt that the true story of human spirit? the triumph of will over circumstances? the belief that God has given every one a talent which is unique... and everybody has a role and place in life... and to think that after living a life of ridicule she is now the star in UK.... I think God just works in mysterious ways... and her story to me demonstrates what is possible in life....
but when asked about her life all that Susan Boyle said was 'she wanted to make her mother proud'.... you know what they say - sometimes parents do God's work.... it just feels bad that her mother was not alive to see her do so well....
but the strange thing is that she has 6 siblings.... and none of them were looking after her....isnt that strange?
Baby George and I spoke again today.... when asked where he was my sister replied that he and his brother were playing with the cardboard box of the new washing machine..... apparently Christy was very good at building houses and Baby George was very good at sitting inside the house!!
So Baby George when he came to the phone energetically said 'hello vavaaunty!'.... so what are you doing?.... 'Washing Machine - beautiful' was all he mustered up and then quickly said a bye and ran away into his new make shift home...
Like my sister said once... Baby George does not need company... he can play even with an empty bottle......
I guess something he gets from his aunt....
So Baby George when he came to the phone energetically said 'hello vavaaunty!'.... so what are you doing?.... 'Washing Machine - beautiful' was all he mustered up and then quickly said a bye and ran away into his new make shift home...
Like my sister said once... Baby George does not need company... he can play even with an empty bottle......
I guess something he gets from his aunt....
they say one never knows what is waiting for you in life... so yday after an office I took the tube to Marble Arch hoping to enjoy a late night stroll to my house.... as soon as I got off the tube station a most unusual sight greeted me.... there were policemen everywhere.... in fact it was almost like a military march... they were all wearing helmets and carrying shields.... and were marching down oxford circus like it was a riot affected place.... to add to the whole drama there were police dogs everywhere and lots of police vans parked on the side with more policement inside... at one point a stream of policemen walked past me... they all looked sooo big....
and then I realised that Prince Charles's car had been attacked at Oxford Circus.... and that had led to policemen marching down Oxford street to ensure that there was no violence anywhere... and apparently even as I sat in my plush office at St. Pauls, White Hall (where the government offices are) were on fire...
shucks.... I wish I had joined in too....
and then I realised that Prince Charles's car had been attacked at Oxford Circus.... and that had led to policemen marching down Oxford street to ensure that there was no violence anywhere... and apparently even as I sat in my plush office at St. Pauls, White Hall (where the government offices are) were on fire...
shucks.... I wish I had joined in too....
Thursday, December 09, 2010
So many things to write about ... and no time... and also some connection problems....
I met someone who had just recently been to Mumbai... the person lives in New York... and he was mentioning that he found Mumbai to be really energetic... and I quizzed him... surely not more energetic than New York... his response was surprising.... accordingly to him Mumbai was way more energetic than New York....
I was completely thrown by that response... I have never lived in New York for a long period of time... but everytime I have been there I have found the place brimming with energy.... there is some sort of current going through the veins of that city and I always find myself completely joyous when I am there...
but come to think of it - I have found that sort of current only in Mumbai... not even in London... infact in London sometimes I find it very difficult to understand why things are not open later than 7 pm... and why the tube shuts down at 12:30... the sort of 24/7 life that I see in Mumbai is not there in London......I presumed that New York was like that.... and probably it is....
I have often said that Mumbai is my fav city in the world... with London coming a close second.... and while London was added to the list only because of the wonderful experiences I have had over here... Mumbai is my favourite partly because it is MY city... something I can claim as my own... and not be challeneged (except by the MNS probably)....
I met someone who had just recently been to Mumbai... the person lives in New York... and he was mentioning that he found Mumbai to be really energetic... and I quizzed him... surely not more energetic than New York... his response was surprising.... accordingly to him Mumbai was way more energetic than New York....
I was completely thrown by that response... I have never lived in New York for a long period of time... but everytime I have been there I have found the place brimming with energy.... there is some sort of current going through the veins of that city and I always find myself completely joyous when I am there...
but come to think of it - I have found that sort of current only in Mumbai... not even in London... infact in London sometimes I find it very difficult to understand why things are not open later than 7 pm... and why the tube shuts down at 12:30... the sort of 24/7 life that I see in Mumbai is not there in London......I presumed that New York was like that.... and probably it is....
I have often said that Mumbai is my fav city in the world... with London coming a close second.... and while London was added to the list only because of the wonderful experiences I have had over here... Mumbai is my favourite partly because it is MY city... something I can claim as my own... and not be challeneged (except by the MNS probably)....
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
one of the new things I did this weekend was attending a service at Westminister Abbey..... I was really keen to go since I had heard so much about the place and I wanted to see what it was like.....
Now the abbey has a lot of significance in history since a lot of important people have been buried there... so I was standing in front of the tombstone marking the place where Isaac Newton was buried... and I could not help but feel a tinge of history on the back of my head... imagine standing where Isaac Newton has been laid to rest... the service itself was good... there were alot of latin words spoken... quite frankly it would have made no difference to me even if it was in Malayalam... since i never quite follow what is being said at the altar... I looked around to see the majesty of the building... and there were so many photo opportunities inside... unfortunately photography is banned... and hence I had to contend with conceptualising it in my head.... I also took the communion and watched as the choir boys streamed past me at the end of the service... it was all so formal... and a bit scary...
I wonder why the church is so infused with so much formality and procedure..... isnt christianity a religion which the common man is supposed to have access to... but seeing such procedures and practices I felt completely cut off from God.... but I am glad I went..... its always nice to sit in a church... I find it very peaceful...
Now the abbey has a lot of significance in history since a lot of important people have been buried there... so I was standing in front of the tombstone marking the place where Isaac Newton was buried... and I could not help but feel a tinge of history on the back of my head... imagine standing where Isaac Newton has been laid to rest... the service itself was good... there were alot of latin words spoken... quite frankly it would have made no difference to me even if it was in Malayalam... since i never quite follow what is being said at the altar... I looked around to see the majesty of the building... and there were so many photo opportunities inside... unfortunately photography is banned... and hence I had to contend with conceptualising it in my head.... I also took the communion and watched as the choir boys streamed past me at the end of the service... it was all so formal... and a bit scary...
I wonder why the church is so infused with so much formality and procedure..... isnt christianity a religion which the common man is supposed to have access to... but seeing such procedures and practices I felt completely cut off from God.... but I am glad I went..... its always nice to sit in a church... I find it very peaceful...
Monday, December 06, 2010
The weekend weather was much more mild than expected and that added to the festivities....
so the weekend was jam packed as always... but as with any best laid plans some of them had to be rescheduled... first off was the bollywood movie that I had planned to see with some friends... when we landed there the movie had been cancelled!!! something that has never happened to me in India.... ofcourse as compensation we were given free tickets to see another movie... and I ended up sleeping through a boring movie.... but the most important thing was spending time with my friends here.... in between trying to catch the movie my friends and I went to the ICA and had deep heart felt conversations over coffee and hot chocolate.... the ICA is an artist cafe overlooking what I think is St. James Park... and then off we went to the Winter Wonderland again..... and this time I did all the rides.... and screamed my head off....especially when at the 'tower' and the damn thing plunged 200 metres ! topped off the whole visit with german sausages.... given that I was with Germans the choice of cuisine was limited.... when I reported this to my German friend, he immediately reacted 'I feel bad that you had to spend time with Germans'... hahah.. my friend is mad....
and then Sunday was the day I did something new....I went skating!!! and I was terrible at it... it is very difficult to stand free when all that is between you and the ice is a blade on your feet... anyways my friends held my hand and made me do two rounds on the ice rink... ater that it was back to holding the railing and walking along...... and I got several pity looks from onlookers.... many asked whether it was the first time for me ... and I cheekily asked 'what gave it away?'.... and as I held the railing and walked along many were doing the same... and one of them while crossing me joking said 'aww now we are so close we need to hug'... I think my skates moved at rapid speed at that.... all in all it was a fab experience...... and I have a picture to prove it as well....
the cold is a but bothersome... especially since going out means padding yourself up ... and then when you are inside you had to remove all the padding... I am sure I will get bored of it soon.... and a lot of londoners dont seem to like the cold at all.. and most wish for climate like Mumbai... ahhh yes...
living in london has made me question certain fundamental things .... I have not yet resolved the questions in my head but I sure hope I come to happy conclusions.... it is a new perspective that I have now.... not sure whether it will last .....
well what can I say.. it is not easy to be in love with two cities!
so the weekend was jam packed as always... but as with any best laid plans some of them had to be rescheduled... first off was the bollywood movie that I had planned to see with some friends... when we landed there the movie had been cancelled!!! something that has never happened to me in India.... ofcourse as compensation we were given free tickets to see another movie... and I ended up sleeping through a boring movie.... but the most important thing was spending time with my friends here.... in between trying to catch the movie my friends and I went to the ICA and had deep heart felt conversations over coffee and hot chocolate.... the ICA is an artist cafe overlooking what I think is St. James Park... and then off we went to the Winter Wonderland again..... and this time I did all the rides.... and screamed my head off....especially when at the 'tower' and the damn thing plunged 200 metres ! topped off the whole visit with german sausages.... given that I was with Germans the choice of cuisine was limited.... when I reported this to my German friend, he immediately reacted 'I feel bad that you had to spend time with Germans'... hahah.. my friend is mad....
and then Sunday was the day I did something new....I went skating!!! and I was terrible at it... it is very difficult to stand free when all that is between you and the ice is a blade on your feet... anyways my friends held my hand and made me do two rounds on the ice rink... ater that it was back to holding the railing and walking along...... and I got several pity looks from onlookers.... many asked whether it was the first time for me ... and I cheekily asked 'what gave it away?'.... and as I held the railing and walked along many were doing the same... and one of them while crossing me joking said 'aww now we are so close we need to hug'... I think my skates moved at rapid speed at that.... all in all it was a fab experience...... and I have a picture to prove it as well....
the cold is a but bothersome... especially since going out means padding yourself up ... and then when you are inside you had to remove all the padding... I am sure I will get bored of it soon.... and a lot of londoners dont seem to like the cold at all.. and most wish for climate like Mumbai... ahhh yes...
living in london has made me question certain fundamental things .... I have not yet resolved the questions in my head but I sure hope I come to happy conclusions.... it is a new perspective that I have now.... not sure whether it will last .....
well what can I say.. it is not easy to be in love with two cities!
Friday, December 03, 2010
Thursday, December 02, 2010
So China is angry with Norway for having awarded the nobel peace prize to one of its dissidents.... hmmm... I am somehow in support of China on this one... its like the nobel peace prize is given to one of the maoists leaders in India.... that would akin to telling the Indian government that we really dont think your government is legitimate... and for an organisation to do that would be preposterous..... and completely out of line... and shows a lack of respect for that government......
this brings me to the question of what is considered as anti - government in one time may actually be considered patriotic later on...come to think of it ... wasnt our freedom struggle as well a defiance of government and an attempt to uproot the government? so now we honour Gandhi and every freedom fighter for the courage they showed... by that same criteria shouldnt we shower honour on the maoists as well..... so when the Khalistan movement was demanding independence for Punjab, were they akin to the freedom fighters of our country? And same goes for Kashmir...
So at what point of time do we actually determine one cause is legitimate and the other is not.... and when does the State have the right to supress such a movement as being an anti - State activity? When is it alright to jail these so - called dissidents ?
I have grown up with the belief that India is one united country... a country which is unique because it is several countries rolled into one... but somehow in my mind it works... I identify with other Indians ... and very rarely do I see a gulf between another Indian and me... I understand instantly when an Indian says something about their culture... and I instantly feel like there is a common ground which I have with other Indians.....and that to me is the idea of India... a place which is diverse but a common thread binds us all.... maybe it is religion, may be it is the clothes, maybe it is the saree, or it is the punjabi kurta or the spicy food but all in all there is something called Indian culture... and no matter where you go in the world you will always be able to identify that ......
But seriously I am going to view Kashmir and Maoists as people trying to communicate their views... rather than as dissidents... to this extent I endorse what the Congress President has said... that lets fight maoists with development work....
now all we have to do is to find some honest people who will ensure that development will indeed reach the ground level.......
this brings me to the question of what is considered as anti - government in one time may actually be considered patriotic later on...come to think of it ... wasnt our freedom struggle as well a defiance of government and an attempt to uproot the government? so now we honour Gandhi and every freedom fighter for the courage they showed... by that same criteria shouldnt we shower honour on the maoists as well..... so when the Khalistan movement was demanding independence for Punjab, were they akin to the freedom fighters of our country? And same goes for Kashmir...
So at what point of time do we actually determine one cause is legitimate and the other is not.... and when does the State have the right to supress such a movement as being an anti - State activity? When is it alright to jail these so - called dissidents ?
I have grown up with the belief that India is one united country... a country which is unique because it is several countries rolled into one... but somehow in my mind it works... I identify with other Indians ... and very rarely do I see a gulf between another Indian and me... I understand instantly when an Indian says something about their culture... and I instantly feel like there is a common ground which I have with other Indians.....and that to me is the idea of India... a place which is diverse but a common thread binds us all.... maybe it is religion, may be it is the clothes, maybe it is the saree, or it is the punjabi kurta or the spicy food but all in all there is something called Indian culture... and no matter where you go in the world you will always be able to identify that ......
But seriously I am going to view Kashmir and Maoists as people trying to communicate their views... rather than as dissidents... to this extent I endorse what the Congress President has said... that lets fight maoists with development work....
now all we have to do is to find some honest people who will ensure that development will indeed reach the ground level.......
The whole of London is covered in snow today..... its white.... and the weather department had not even warned us about it! so I came back last night after having dinner with friends and walked back to my house.... all the time watching tiny dots of white falling from the sky... and I immediately dismissed it thinking this small specks wont make any difference....
and then lo and behold ... when I woke up this morning the garden outside my window was white.... covered with snow... and there is a statue of Victoria in the garden and poor Victoria's head was covered in snow... good thing she is made of marble - otherwise how cold she would have been :).... silly I know but I am just delirious to see snow....
apparently this is completely unprecedented ...... and people have not seen snow at this time of the year in years.... somewhere I feel God is sending the snow to show me how beautiful life is..... snow somehow brings magic into peoples lives... ofcourse too much of it is also bad..... but it immediately buoys up your spirit... and makes you feel more positive... I suppose it is to do with the white colour.... which signifies purity and lack of any danger.....
ahhh awesome..... London - stop making me fall in love with you!
and then lo and behold ... when I woke up this morning the garden outside my window was white.... covered with snow... and there is a statue of Victoria in the garden and poor Victoria's head was covered in snow... good thing she is made of marble - otherwise how cold she would have been :).... silly I know but I am just delirious to see snow....
apparently this is completely unprecedented ...... and people have not seen snow at this time of the year in years.... somewhere I feel God is sending the snow to show me how beautiful life is..... snow somehow brings magic into peoples lives... ofcourse too much of it is also bad..... but it immediately buoys up your spirit... and makes you feel more positive... I suppose it is to do with the white colour.... which signifies purity and lack of any danger.....
ahhh awesome..... London - stop making me fall in love with you!
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
I watched the NDTV arranged programme on the Radia tapes controversy.... where Barkha Dutt was asked a lot of questions by editors of other newspapers about her involvement in the scandal.... this included the editor of OPEN magazine....
and after seeing that I hated Barkha more.... she came across as being very defensive and unnecessarily aggressive.... she started attacking the OPEN magazine for having used the tapes and at one time even said that they were using her to sell the magazines... nowhere did she respond rationaly to the questions... she cames across as being very very insecure and totally out of depth... very immature.....
I think NDTV did a good thing by bringing about the debate along with all these editors.... but I think they really need to show a better face than Barkha Dutt.... I admire her for what she has achieved but seriously woman you are losing all the good will... first the 26/11 coverage and then this.....get a grip... and soon....
and after seeing that I hated Barkha more.... she came across as being very defensive and unnecessarily aggressive.... she started attacking the OPEN magazine for having used the tapes and at one time even said that they were using her to sell the magazines... nowhere did she respond rationaly to the questions... she cames across as being very very insecure and totally out of depth... very immature.....
I think NDTV did a good thing by bringing about the debate along with all these editors.... but I think they really need to show a better face than Barkha Dutt.... I admire her for what she has achieved but seriously woman you are losing all the good will... first the 26/11 coverage and then this.....get a grip... and soon....
I felt extremely elated after watching the hindi movie yday... and it was just not me but my British friend as well who really liked it... it was a total fluff movie... and we didnt expect much... but the movie did produce some good laughs and sweet moments... and I came away from the movie hall feeling quite warm and nice .... and obviuosly I missed India instantly... and for a brief moment I longed for the warmth of India....
ofcourse that lasted till I walked out of the theatre.... the cold wave just hit me on my face... making me cringe.... it was snowing outside... and as I walked in the snow fall with my bright orange umbrella I looked up at the bright lights of Piccadilly circus.... it was a magical sight to see the snow flakes falling against the bright lights of the circus... and for that moment I forgot the cold, the snow, the wet ground and just watched the magic unfolding in front of me... white specks dotting the entire sky ....people clutching their umbrellas and taking pictures..... snow resting on the statue of eros.... the snow fall had turned the picaddily circus into everyone's playground... the young, the old, the inbetweens...
and as i watched the spontaneous burst of energy I could not help but think back to 7 years when I had stood exactly at the same spot looking around and feeling elated....elated at what I dont know... I dont want to explore... I just was... I just am....
Today unfortunately there is no snow fall... I have my camera....do you think the snow gods will oblige me today?
ofcourse that lasted till I walked out of the theatre.... the cold wave just hit me on my face... making me cringe.... it was snowing outside... and as I walked in the snow fall with my bright orange umbrella I looked up at the bright lights of Piccadilly circus.... it was a magical sight to see the snow flakes falling against the bright lights of the circus... and for that moment I forgot the cold, the snow, the wet ground and just watched the magic unfolding in front of me... white specks dotting the entire sky ....people clutching their umbrellas and taking pictures..... snow resting on the statue of eros.... the snow fall had turned the picaddily circus into everyone's playground... the young, the old, the inbetweens...
and as i watched the spontaneous burst of energy I could not help but think back to 7 years when I had stood exactly at the same spot looking around and feeling elated....elated at what I dont know... I dont want to explore... I just was... I just am....
Today unfortunately there is no snow fall... I have my camera....do you think the snow gods will oblige me today?
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