Hum aur AAP

After winning second largest votes in their maiden election AAP has definitely got peoples mandate. They called themselves (and we too believe) ‘a party with difference’. The success they have got has surprised them what to say about rest of the parties and voters. AAP is here to stay and make their impact on Indian politics.

The emerging party which has a base in Jan Lokpal has taken a very constructive turn. Even after some of Team Anna members has turned their back. People gathered to force political parties for strong Lokpal has ultimately involved in framing and brining the law. The movement got channelized with people’s support that never before the term Aam Aadmi was glamorous.

Never before countries people specially youth got mobilized and united against corruption, insensitive politicians and towards a common cause.

Never before India has seen such a wide outrage over serious and sensitive issues which has been rotting our country’s roots over long years.

Never before entering in politics was given a serious thought and more and more people want to associate with them.

Never before people’s opinion has been asked (so genuinely!) and even heard.
Never before people has been involved in decision making.

Never before a common man (Mr. Kejariwal) dared Chief Minister and challenged to contest. The fight during that time seem to be like Diya aur Toofan. When he shown his keenness to have open debate on her achievement’s. Replying to that on interview CM has blasted ‘I pick and choose’. Never she has dreamed that even voters has same right and with her arrogance and proximity to Gandhi family which Delhi-ites hated had shown her the door and booted out  her party as well. The defeat was so insulting and shameful and humiliating that party did not even bag 2 figure seats.

The AAP phenomenon is on such a rise that with greater confidence they are talking of contesting Loksabha elections. With wide popularity and support from all corners of the country they are going with all guns blazing. We have been hearing prominent people from various fields expressing their desire to join AAP and continue to make their contributions. Such is the confidence of AAP that they are talking about putting strong (read as: clean) candidates against some of the political heavy weights.  Now even the major parties has to rethink and relook their strategies. The age old saying – its dirty politics, has been rewritten and those who want to contribute in building new India has a solid alternative.  One thing for sure people of this country were fed up current politics which is coated with corruption, dynasty, blame game, lousy secular vs. non-secular debate and religion based fights killing innocent people.

Million dollar question arises- what’s next? Well, no doubt future seems to be promising but there will be some transitions and changes before AAP settles downs and people too digest the concept.

With general elections nearing, all major political parties are leaving no any opportunity to criticize, condemn AAP. I am reminded of Gandhi’s famous quotes:

“First they ignore you, then they criticize you later they fight with you and finally you WIN!”

-Shashank

Midlife Crises

Nothing could be better than writing my own experience. After completing forty years (couple of years back), I was wondering why this so-called midlife crises has started to affect me! So I did some research on the subject. I was surprised to find that in our traditional Indian culture this phenomena is unheard of, it was imported along with other good and bad things as we fall prey to western culture. So obviously our own literature never talked or even mentioned about it. But now after so many years it has gelled down in our society and no longer foreign to us.

There could be various reasons for going through midlife crises. It could be divided between Physical, Mental and Emotional. This troubles those who have crossed forty; it might be possible that due to fast pace life this could come early. It is a strange feeling after completing half of your life to realize that the journey is more than half over. Also the best of the time are either complete or about to complete. Our wonderful childhood (if you can call it) and aggressive youth have fallen behind. We have enjoyed our best of health and had excellent time with our friends, relatives and colleagues. Be it attending various family functions or wild parties with our buddies. But now slowly and steadily our body has started giving signals, as it is said ‘age is catching up’. We think twice before going for wild party or adventure which in younger days we used to do quite frequently.

On Mental front our marriage has been cemented and weathered during some tough times. Our kids have started not to listen to us (as we did to our parents), no excitement in married life. Moreover from career perspective we wanted to settle down but work environment is not allowing us to do. Even we are not able to zero down our prospective job in the industry where we can plan to retire. In addition we do not want to come out of our comfort zone where we spent and adjusted with company policy and culture. It could also be self-realization that we have not achieved what we originally plan. Our old buddies might have succeeded more in their professional life, even some of less talented lot amongst them also made their mark and we still are struggling. It is a peer pressure as well as low self-esteem. Same comparison unknowingly happens related to our spouse and kid. We try to make effort to know what our goals are or realign our goals to make them more practical. For some it might be when they still have ‘more life in middle’ but still some spice is missing. We could be having money, power, prestige but we still know something is still missing. So if everything is going on smoothly or we had enough of problems and worries, in both scenarios we show withdrawal symptoms. In some cases to prove some point or show the world that I am still alive and kicking; people have gone for tattoos or join classes for learning new skills worse of all is to try their luck in having affair with much younger partner.

In other words, people may reassess their achievements in terms of their dreams. The result may be a desire to make significant changes in core aspects of day-to-day life or situation, such as in career, work-life balance, marriage, romantic relationships, large expenditures, or physical appearance.

On emotional level we started to feel impact of above two: Physical and Mental.

So overall things are not in our favor. It is like we have started our voyage and in the middle of the journey when we realize that we cannot turn the wheel (go back) and path in front of us is not smooth. In this dilemma we know we have to move further. The question arises again and again why we are bitten by this bug. Had it happen if we were a joint family? Or is it similar hyped western concept as ‘seven year itch’? Probably a separate topic for blog!

Whatever it might be, we try to take every precaution that this transition is less jerky. Like in every major obstacle in our life this too goes from 5 stages – denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. By this age if we should know where to find right help; I mean if you are still taking life lessons from Bollywood celebrity and taking dressing lessons from say Sri Sri or Sadguru then you are in trouble. Apart from that there are few time tested measures to overcome most of the hurdles in our life. They are:

• Have me time, cultivate and nurture a hobby
• Try to find inner peace
• If you are asocial person, get socially active and participate in such activities
• Discover new meaning of life and enjoy small things as well
• Have good supportive and sharing friends
• Lastly, be innovative and try to find what suits you best to get over it

 Coming back to my journey I am still struggling to find my own measures which could possibly sail me over this phase. Before I conclude few of the motivational quotes which are worth sharing:

“Laugh so hard that even sorrow smiles at you. Fight so strong that even fate accepts defeat. Love so true that even hatred walks out of the way. Live so well that even death loves to see you exist.”

- Shashank

Waiting for Something

On recent Gandhi Jayanti there was article in leading newspaper – ‘Waiting for Gandhi’. Where writer expresses and emphasizes need for Gandhi, who will once again brings much needed peace and harmony in our world. Few weeks back I have also seen sticker behind a public transport vehicle – ‘Waiting for Christ’. We Hindus are also waiting for God’s tenth avatar. People of Maharashtra (read as: Marathi people) are waiting for two major Marathi dominated parties will come together in recent election and bring the prosperity in the state.

If we think little deep down, this funda of waiting for something, is very simple we believe that future will bring hope and prosperity. As the writer in his article mentions that present violent world once again need ideologies of Gandhi. I have a basic question in this; when we all know principles and values Gandhi practiced in his whole life and ultimately died. Why we need another Gandhi to repeat the same? It is something like I know it but will not follow it unless either someone guides me or others follow in first place (then, I will be last to join). Similar thing can also be said for Christ.

Why we need another replica, when one is enough (in fact as per Osho, one is more than enough and that’s why existence doesn’t repeat same person). Even if we get another Mahatma it will be on his terms and conditions and will not be exactly like Gandhi. His goal might be same but to reach he might use altogether different path than his predecessor. And for us it would not be easy to digest.

There is another root cause reason for this. We simply like to follow someone, it makes things simple. If something goes wrong we have already identified the person to blame for. Rather than standing alone for a cause we would like to queue behind someone.

May be this ‘waiting for’ syndrome cost our country a lot. It is like we were waiting for someone to invade our country. The list is long Mughals, British, and Portuguese.

So rather than waiting for something, it’s better to get going with some purpose or cause. It is like; if you believe in something stay connected with the idea. To put it Gandhi’s words – “first they ignore you, then they laugh at you…. “.

- Shashank

Why I don’t like IPL

Well, we are almost towards end of the season 5 of IPL. No doubt the tournament has evolved to great extent. Everything is now bigger, larger but sadly not better. We all know this tournament is derived on English Premier League and here too we all get our chance to cheer for or be sad depending our sides performance.

But for IPL everything is converted in big melodrama. I don’t call it a tournament for me it’s a show conducted in the cricket ground and for the people of India. In reality in this show only the few Indians are eating the real cake rest of us are just jumping and crying without gaining anything from it. Let’s admit that this jumping, crying is not reaching to our hearts. Indians win against Pakistan in test or one day is far more joyful than this hustle-rustle.

Below are things which I don’t like about IPL:-

1. Commentators- It’s very heartening to see our senior cricketers like Mr.Gasvaskar, Shastri doing commentary for these matches. It is like Sachin playing in our gully cricket for money. Then we also have some foreign x-cricketers like Prof Deno, Demi Morrison; seeing them what they do on screen makes me pity for them.

2. Cheerleaders- For me they still are Cheer-girls. Again watching them dance after every four, six remembers me bar-girls who cheers for their customers to entertain them during their drinks. And in return these customers shower money on them.

In the stadium the way crowd cheers and make gestures watching this so called leaders puts them in the same league as bar-girls. I wonder no female organization is raising any objection for the way these cheerleaders are being ‘used’ during the ‘games’. Why do we need some girls in tight attractive costume to promote the game? What value they really add to the game?

3. Team owners- These very elite people enjoys and encourages their respective teams along with their chamchaas . Even camera is very particular to show reaction of Ms. Zinta or Mr. Khan or even Ambani family. I again wonder whether they don’t have any work other than wasting their precious time. These are the people who have invested huge amount of money for greater returns. Usually they come with so much attitude that as if they are doing charity for the people of India arranging these matches.

4. Celebrity quotient- Though this time we have seen very less celebrities (in India people related to cinema –mostly hero and heroines are only considered celebrity) hired for cheering for the teams.

5. Camera men- These people are more interested showing Mr.Khan, then he waves his hands to the crowd and the foolish crowd takes it as personal gesture from Mr.Khan and shouts from bottom of their…. These camera men are being told that all the emotions on the field and off the field should be reported. So these guys’ works very diligent to catch every glimpse of it. As if emotion missed is equivalent to catch dropped.

6. Finally the crowd – we the people who watch these matches- It’s very shameful that we don’t have any other means of entertainment than watching these matches. In which our states are divided and make them fight against each other and we the biggest fools considering just because we born in that state have the right to show our solidarity for that team or our association for that team. In which most of the time no state players are playing (performing). I doubt whether any hardcore cricket fans watches these matches? As whenever any commentators describe the events of matches he only mentions how electrifying the environment is and how vibrant the crowd is. No one is really bothered about cricket there. It is similar to watching a thriller movie with your snacks and having good time. The worst part is people who watches these matches in pub or while having their drinks. I absolutely hate it, when a batsman takes 2 quick runs or a fielder makes desperate attempt to stop four, we are having our high calories snack along with drinks mixed with aerated soft drink. Piling on fats and making our heart to suffer. It is very contradictory.

The way crowd cheers after famous IPL tune reminds of snake charmer using his instrument to charm the snake and make him dance to his tune.

So what is the solution? Let me clear I am not against IPL matches, only thing bothers me is people’s craziness towards it. I perfectly know economics demand and supply rule. But here artificial demand is being created to promote these matches, and we fall victim to it. That’s real pain for me. I perfectly understands importance of entertainment, you cannot always watch, think and get disturb by shows like ‘Satamev Jayate’ ; but society should be more keen appreciating the shows and less people should keen towards IPL matches.

-Shashank

Property Advertisements - What they really mean

After reading various advertisments about newly launched housing projects and various techniques of builder to sell their properties. I started read between lines of the promises and descriptions from the project.

Here are the commonly used terminologies and what they really meant:-

1. 82% Green Space – be sure the builder has used the available 18% of space to build high rise towers; not less than 12 floors

2. Strategically locates – in other words; currently it is far from all major spots

3. Stay close to nature or in lap of greenery – please be assured the place is very far from city limits and soon this place will also be converted into cement jungle. Worse still, commuting to office will be a major headache and driving or using common transport will be very time consuming.

4. Lakefront or river touch – be prepared to face mosquito menace; if your luck is really bad it will be accompanied by stinking smell which most the lakes are emitting (of course thanks to our encroachments)

5. World class amenities – rest assured, the maintenance will be very high and if you are common man with common ambitions, soon the desire to use these facilities will dry down. Then you will really start feeling the heat on your pocket.

6. No common walls – means no common feelings amongst the residents and who has common attitude of not sharing their joy or sorrow with their neighbor’s.

7. In the heart of city – you will have to welcome the air, noise pollution which is in its heart (and which you cannot bypass)

8. Eco homes or smart homes- it will be like hybrid car, you will have to shell out more money compare to other similar projects. Funny thing is only the rich and famous can afford this living. It is said that smarter homes are usually occupied by dumber people.

I wonder why either nature friendliness or smartness of home should be a costly affair.

After dealing with builder, let's observe the families who are planning to be proud owners are not far behind.

I call ‘apartment block’ as ‘apartment blank’ as the resident usually are blank or has mental block about what happening in and around our building once they enter into their flat. Even not sharing a common ‘hi’or ‘hello’ among them.

Gated Community – Not only the houses has walls surrounding them, but even people living in it also has walls which you cannot cross.

Co-operative Housing Society – where most un co-operative people stays and wastes most of the time in discussing or debating (in the name of meeting) or pulling each other’s legs.

-Shashank

Which are good schools in Bangalore?

After changing 4 schools (and taking various experiences) for my son, I think I am qualified to talk on this topic.


Usually this is a common question being asked by parents who wants to move here (from abroad or other Indian states) or whose kids are ready to go for regular schools or even by parents who are not satisfied with their current schools and searching for better (?) option.

Before answering this question I would like to focus to main motive behind this question. Which is, whether my child will adjust in this school and more importantly will he be comfortable there? To get genuine answer we need to look at our child, for what qualities he currently has and how is his overall intelligence/behavior doing day-to-day activities. In other words; finding his true potential. If you think he is quite above average then you can think of admitting in high profile schools. Sadly, in B’lr good school definition is just restricted to schools which give importance (actually, only importance) to studies and do some artificial attempts to impress the parents that they don’t have the traditional ‘only books’ approach while dealing with their children.

We are also partially responsible for schools taking this approach, as we ask questions such as, what is the 10th passing percentage of this school? How many students have gone to reputed colleges after passing 10th? No wonder, school take every precaution to make sure their percentage is very good. The open secret is they ask parents whose children are not performing good (read as: at their standard) to take admission elsewhere. In other words sweetly instruct to seek other school for your kids.

Sometimes I think that there is too much importance given to the schools in which our pupils study. I think selecting a good school is as difficult as finding a bride or groom. And as in latter case we zero down on compatible factor, same way for schools also it should be finalized on what best suits to our child. As in marriage, we have to give some time till he adjusts in his new school. Whatever school you choose, there will be some advantages and disadvantages; you will hardly land up in a school where everything is plus and no negative points to mention. Do listen to the good and bad experiences shared by parents, but give them due importance, it may happen that your experience will be totally different. It mainly depends upon situation, student and teachers mood at that time.

Don’t ever fall prey to advertisements like, unleash a leader in your child. This is completely stupid; every child cannot be a leader (in conventional way). Nature doesn’t create too many leaders, otherwise there will be very difficult situation, where everyone is a leader and no one wants to be a follower (something like BJP party), total chaos.

Make sure that he looks forward and enjoys going to school. The process of learning should be enjoyed by him rather than just theory. Notice his favorite subjects and disliked ones and encourage more in his favorite subjects. Please remember one thing, your child does not exist to follow your dreams, don’t push him too hard. if you want to prove (or make) some point, do it on your own capacity and capability, please don’t push your child to achieve that. In other words, if you want to walk with high neck (सर ऊँचा) in society then do something on your own, make efforts on your own. Don’t treat your children as trophies; they have their own personality and identity, respect it.

If you find your child is facing it difficult to cope up in school, either in academics or learning along with the class (behavioral). Take some measures like there are many tool available online to find child’s learning styles or the multiple intelligence profiles etc. which may be good to understand the child. It is also possible through assessment to understand which grade level a child should go and which school may be good for him. For this you will have to take professional help.

So next time when you visit your family friend, relative or neighbor, try to ask the boy/girl about their hobby, interests or favorite activity rather than asking about school and favorite subjects and marks. At least we can be part of this small change.

-Shashank

India – Australia Cricket Series 2011-12

Well, lot has been written and said about current India-Australia Cricket Series. I thought of adding my bit and completing the picture (?).

To start with media began their campaign saying ‘AgneePath – Thunder Down Under’ and now before start of last test match we hear ‘Playing from Pride’. What a contrast, it is like a person going to a party with his three piece suit and during the party events later trying to hold on his only swimming trunk Or an individual is raped repeatedly for 3 times trying to save his ass on the forth occasion.

Though one thing confuses me is some of the commentator’s statements, like:

1. (after batsman hits a boundary or six )”He knew exactly where the fielder is “. They don’t repeat the line when same batsman gives a catch straight to the fielder.

2. “India should prepare (fast) bowler friendly wickets.” Now even after so many years playing international cricket, this line disturbs me most. OR it is like saying to a fish (in the water) to learn flying (like bird) or vice versa.

On the other side our players in the press conference or during interview usually mentions; if he is a bowler (and taken few wickets) will say, “We bowled in right areas and got the wickets”. If he is a batsman (who has scored few runs) will say, ”I have been practicing lot before this series”. Or if he is a bowler and made few runs then will say, “recently I have been practicing (or improving) on my batting skills”. Or “Sachin is helping me in fine tuning my batting skills”.

Accepting and understanding the term, “nothing succeeds like success”, I wonder where those right areas went when Australian batsmen were batting, did they make it disappear? And whether the preparing for the series only done by Home team? Since this time our senior players failed to perform, so everyone started shouting, replace them – retire them. If we had taken new faces and they had failed then the same people would have shouted, stick to seniors – balance the juniors and seniors in team.

We have been playing cricket on their ground for quite some year. In fact this is 4th tour for Sachin Tendulkar himself, but except few matches we have always performed poor. This time the performance was worse as none of the batsmen were in form and could not make 100 (except for Kohli). This overall poor performance in batting side cost us a lot which followed by some poor show in bowling by Ishant Sharma and we were not able to give a decent fight back to Australia.

Lets hope (what else we have) that Indian team and Selectors will learn a good lesson and start thinking of filling future vaccum which will be made after senior trio's retirement.

Good luck India for comming 20/20 game and ODI Series!!

-Shashank