Home Coming....

So finally, Pranay, and probably Sanjay as well, are planning to come back….. leaving behind all the comfort of the western world…. all the dollars…. and needless to say, HOT GORIs. And I would be the happiest person if they do come. Although to be politically correct, one need not wish like that coz they’re having the best of their career out there. They are getting what they truly deserve for their hard work and all the hardships they’ve faced in life. But, at times, the selfish Jay inside me does want his best buddies near him.

Whenever I talk to him these days, it’s like he is missing his homeland and his family badly. I can empathize with him since even after living just few thousand miles away from my family I miss them at times very badly. More than that, it’s the situations of our families which necessitates that we should be with them, or at least near them. And besides just the situation, it’s the loneliness we experience even after being surrounded by so many people. While I have roamed around some of the best cities of the world, experiencing so many comforts of life, had some of the best facilities where I live, a good salary job that satisfies more than my needs, the little soul inside me longs for that cushion of mom’s lap, that hug from father, that love from the little sister, that rotli-daal-bhaat-shaak, that juice round the corner after the dinner, those evening walks till Jivraj over bridge and so many other things.

Even after being so far, what makes us so connected to our roots, our family and our city? It has to be the values and culture that our parents imbibed into us right from our childhood. At times I wonder if our generation would be able to do so with our kids. As I see, with forthcoming generations, we are getting more and more disconnected with our family and getting closer to our friend circle. As we become more and more cosmopolitan citizens, the cultures are getting mixed. We no longer belong to a particular region. It’s not an easy task, in such a scenario, to make sure our children remember where they belong to.

I think the greatest challenge for our generation would be to imbibe the same ethics, culture and values in our children as our parents imbibed into us.

The First Proposal

Well ya, we’ve come of the age where our elders (strictly… elders) think that its time we have someone in life. The time when they start hunting for our life partner (assuming that we haven’t found one so far…. which, in my case, is true ;(). So, got this call from mom yesterday telling me that her Mama has suggested a girl from his friend circle and if things can move forward. Fortunately, my mom doesn’t think it’s the right time (just like me) and it stopped right there. However, a start has been made.

While I still don’t think I am old enough to get into this whole marriage thing, quantitatively I am closing down to the age where an average Indian man gets married.

It’s funny though when I think about it. Parents find out a potential partner for you and within few days (or hours in worst case) you need to decide whether you can spend your life with her. Its also high risk as one wrong decision can cost you your life. But this is something you cannot avoid. The best way to escape is to find yourself a partner… something which I haven’t been able to do so far.

But the thing that scares me the most is that whether I would get the right partner that I am looking for? Will we be able to understand and appreciate each others differences? Particularly in the case I get “arranged marriaged”, I am sure my parents will try to get me too good girl (unless the girl is able to fool my parents and the whole family ;P) which, I think probably, not the one I would like to have. The cultural differences are simply too much… or may be it is just in my mind. I don’t know.

But yes, things are moving now. And one year from now, it will be officially launched. Well, I wish I get somebody before that…. :D

A Place Called Ayodhya - It's time to move on!!!

O yes, the verdict is finally out… nobody gets the full dairy-milk… share the pieces brothers!!! Ya, that’s what our parents taught us when we were kids… Everybody happy (or sad, may be). Ya, only those for whom it matters!!!

I am not sure if I’d be visiting Ayodhya in my life, let alone for the temple. No no, I am not an atheist… but no place for religious fanaticism either. And I am sure; there are millions of young Indians who are in the same boat as I am. The sacred birthplace of Lord Ram has been polluted over the years by our great politicians and so-called religious leaders. It’s time to bury old wounds and start afresh.

The other day, I was reading the question by Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai on IBN who asked, HAS YOUNG INDIA MOVED WELL BEYOND AYODHYA?

If I consider my own observation, definitely it seems that the young India has better things to worry about than just Ayodhya. While an average youth struggles to make the ends meet in this country with rising inflation, fuel prices, food shortage (needless to say, artificial) and, oh how can I forget, Naxalism and Terrorism (icing on the top); it’s insane to believe that today’s youth will be bothered by such verdicts. As in one of the shows on TIMES NOW (not sure, I even saw Star News, Aaj Tak and India TV on that day :P), statistics revealed that the number of people in the country who have heard about Ayodhya issue has been decreasing over the years. These are, definitely, the signs of change. A change, that drives the new India to endeavor for a better future rather than fight over the history.

This, definitely, does not undermine the importance of Ayodhya issue. An issue, that has the potential to set India ablaze, for which RED ALERT was declared in number of cities across the nation, cannot be undermined for sure. However, if I consider my own observation, the anxiety about the verdict was more due to its consequences. Young India was not worried whether it would be a temple or a Masjid. With a country with more number of temples, mosques and churches than schools, colleges and universities, one temple/mosque less shouldn’t make any difference. And for a developing country like India struggling to make its mark on the world map, religious fights will only push us back in time instead of progressing ahead. Young India, instead, was worried that if the verdict goes in the favor of one party, it would lead to bloodiest consequences.

Well, good that Allahabad High Court followed the path of non-alignment (thanks Mr. Nehru!!!) to provide a verdict that would pacify both the parties (or three if we include Nirmohi Akhara). Three days on, no signs of any disturbances. Let the wisdom prevail!!!

It's High Time!!!

Finally, Shiv Sena has let the Australian and Pakistani players play in the IPL. While Pakistani players will not be able to play anyway in this edition of the T20 extravaganza, Australian players in the IPL will add a lot of excitement with the likes of Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne (all veterans) to play for Chennai Super Kings, Deccan Chargers and Rajasthan Royals respectively. In their last three movements, Shiv Sena found itself all alone in the agitation with almost zero public support.

The first agitation came against Rahul Gandhi’s Mumbai visit on the issue of North Indians being tortured in Maharashtra. While the Sena chief challenged the young Gandhi to visit Mumbai, RG not only visited the city but also traveled in the local train, speaking with the local people and providing open views regarding the issues. The Sena lost the battle to bite the dust.

The second one started when SRK made a statement regarding the inclusion of Pakistani players in the IPL. Shiv Sena took this issue to ban the forthcoming film of the King Khan, My Name is Khan. However, the Sena found itself alone in the agitation as the multiplex owners screened the movie after receiving government assurance with respect to security and movie lovers too came in flocks to watch the most awaited movie of the year. While the cinemas went houseful, the Sena chief Bal Thakery took out the fury on public saying, “Let those who love Pak-lover SRK watch MNIK”.

The third defeat came as Sena finally agreed to let the Pakistani and Australian players play in IPL-3. While the Sena chief maintained that concerns regarding the security of Indians in Australia made him terminate his agitation against Australian cricketers, it is public now that Sena is finding itself isolated in its agitations. However, the Sena supreme didn’t fail to lash out his agony saying “Let Australian cricketers come here, let Pakistani cricketers come here. Let trained terrorists come here. Sena will do nothing”.

It is time when Indians have shown that they are tired of such jingoism or narrow minded nationalism. In today’s world of globalization, stopping innocent foreign people from entering your country on the basis of some stupid narrow minded ideology is not at all acceptable, let alone stopping your own countrymen from other regions. It’s high time when such anti-social elements in the country understand that such chauvinism is not going to work anymore.

Once again...

It happened once again….. the thing which I would have wanted to avoid at any cost. Don’t know how but I ended up sounding stupid once again. Often when I recollect my 2 years stint at MDI+ESCP, I don't see myself having made any significant contribution to the class or the school. Probably the worst two years or the worst set of friends I have made in my life.

Two days back, I replied to the post by Vabs regarding a small mention of our batch in Business Standard. I couldn’t resist myself replying to the mail after seeing people go “Oooo… la la” over the article. While, on the first look, I found my argument perfectly valid with a slight indication over the possible batch bias happened in the article. However, once again the argument was collectively dismissed. I don't know how do I always end up on the wrong side of the table in every debate I have with the batch.

I haven’t been replying to the group mails since long. However, this time I replied, just to end up sounding stupid once again. While this doesn’t happen on a routine basis but with MDI batchmates, it has happened almost everytime. And the tragedy is that I cannot digest the fact that I could be wrong all the time.

Today when I read the actual facts about the article I could not believe myself to give a judgement like that. While wisdom demands a strong knowledge of facts before passing on a judgement. I don't know how did I missed out this time. Or is it just the destiny that I would keep on sounding stupid in front of my MDI batch?

Grown Up (supposed to be posted in October 2009)

This Diwali was one of the best Diwalis of my life. Back home is always fun. But it becomes even more fun when you meet all your near and dear ones. And Diwali is the time when you expect everyone to be at home. While I met all the family members back home, meeting friends is always special. Especially the ones with whom you’ve shared your childhood. I was really excited to meet them all. Especially Javed, Anjali, Nirali and Krupali with whom I’ve remained regularly in touch. Unfortunately Chinmay and Anvesh weren’t able to make it otherwise it would have been even more fun. Anjali got added to the non-attendant list later on. We all have spent some of the best time of our lives together at Don Bosco School. The school, where I spent 10 years of my schooling life or I should say 71.42% of my schooling life from 1st standard till 10th.

This time, two great news made me more excited to meet them. First one, Nirali was getting engaged to a guy in the US who was doing his PhD there. Secondly, Anjali was also getting engaged to a guy in Ahmedabad, about to complete his CA. This made me realize how fast the time has passed. Yesterday, you were playing with them in school and today, they have grown up to get married; to dedicate their life to that one person called “husband/wife”. They’ve grown up so much so to take up the responsibilities of their own. So matured in their behavior. Never realized where the time went by!!!

Yesterday, we used to get worried about homework, class tests, terminal and annual examinations and today we are talking about job, marriage, settling down n all. 10 years down the line the topics will change again. What will remain the same would be the strength and the sweetness of the friendship.