Author: Archana

Once a Physiotherapist now a Wordsmith. Field Botanist. Bonsai. Proud Indian. Fauji Wife. Doting Mother and Mother-in-law. Devoted Grandmother. Reluctant Cook. Happiest on a road less travelled. Enjoying the middle ages!
Posted on

What(er) on earth?

Puneites misery continues with water supply on alternate days. What is worse is are the distribution anomalies as is the blatant wastage that occurs in the pipelines.

The dailies carry reports of tanker water suppliers demanding above prescribed rates for water. The PMC claims to have taken some steps in this regard.

Now Mumbai too faces a 30% water cut. Click here for details.

Did you know that only 1% of world water is usable by humans. Click here for some interesting information about sources of water.
0
Posted on

Every drop counts

The infrastructure crisis in Pune city continues. Roads, electricity and water take turns in testing patience of Punekars.

Water currently is the chart topper with monsoons playing truant. Though the Met office says June 2009 rainfall met average levels, dams that supply water to the city are drying up and fast. Currently we face a 40% water cut with supply on alternate days.
Through the year the Khadakvasla and Panshet dams that supply water to Pune serve as picnic spots substituting for Mumbai’s ‘chowpaty‘ (beach). The amount of rainfall in the Khadakvasla and Panshet dams is closely reported in Pune dailies.
More constructive action on part of citizens is required.
Saving water in all possible means is of utmost importance at all times.
Install rain water harvesting systems in existing buildings. While the cost may seem high, it would be shared by several people and returns over time would make this investment worthwhile.
Washing machines consume a large quantity of water. Change to manual washing and use the machine only to spin dry the clothes. Else use the ‘economy’ mode available on the machine.
Click here for some tips on saving water at home.
Click here for the latest satellite image of the country to get an idea of upcoming rainfall.
We are paying the price for carelessness and irresponsibility that we resorted to through the years. Simply praying to rain gods or blaming the system now will not count. All round and year round efforts are required at times with some personal discomfort.
Every effort counts to make each drop of water go a longer way.
Do it. Now.
There is no time to lose.
0
Posted on

Numbers of Note

Came across some interesting figures. Click at relevant places to read the entire story.

One quintal of sugarcane yields about 9 kgs of sugar.
One tonne of sugarcane yields about 120 kgs of jaggery.
One barrel of crude oil (about 160 lit) yields 5 to 19 litres of petrol subject to quality of crude, refining process used and refiners specifications.
Organic milk contains can contain up to 71% more omega-3 fatty acids compared to conventionally produced milk, a study by the University of Aberdeen showed.
Calorific value of domestic coal in India has fallen to about 3,500 kcal/kg from about 5,900 kcal/kg in early 1960s, according to Power Ministry estimates.
India was placed in third spot as third best place to survive the economic crisis by a Servcorp International Business Confidence survey.
Digest these numbers for now.
Best wishes.
0
Posted on

U Turn

Just watched the Marathi play ‘U Turn’. Its not for me to answer why many new Marathi plays have English titles but that in any way does not take away from merits of this play. The play explores loneliness of a spouse when a husband-wife are not together any more- either due to death of one partner or divorce. Some choose to go in for a ‘companion’ yet will society or more pertinently will their family members accept this arrangement?

U Turn explores the developing relation between a divorced Major of the Indian Army (played by Dr Girish Oak) and a widow (Ila Bhate). The strict, no-nonsense disciplinarian Major is very lonely and has advertised for a companion in a newspaper. Rama Gokhale happens to ring his door bell and from there on both go on an emotional roller coaster. Rama often delved into the days gone by whereas the Major firmly stayed only in the present. Both dote on their only children who inturn have often expressed concern for their parent’s loneliness.
As the couple enters this new relation that has as not yet really received social sanction, they naturally assume full support from their respective kids. Rama befriends and opens her heart to Madhu, the Major’s daughter who is in the final stages of pregnancy, ready to offer all support necessary at this delicate stage. The Major goes all out to learn of the well being of Sahil, Rama’s son when news of terrorist attacks in London reaches them- which is where Sahil lives.
All through this phase, Dr Oak and Ila Bhat beautifully depict the subtle changes in the Major and Rama’s personalities, their fears, joys, anger and grief as the situation unfolds before them. Do the children really accept their parent’s new found partner and joy? Can the parents handle the reaction? Do they live for their children or should they think of themselves now that their children are independant adults? Does this couple follow the direction of the time trodden path or do they take a U Turn?
The cast, director and other team members have won several awards at the state level. This two act two character play is heavily recommended.
Be Happy!
0
Posted on

The Son Rise

While political analysts may have felt slightly deprived at the speed with which our new government was formed- they had a field day in speculating and counter speculating strategies, names and potential situations if the Congress ‘allies’ had decided to support the government from outside.

The dust has finally settled. With the second round of  swearing in India can now get back to business. 
While the exclusion of Rahul Gandhi in the cabinet did raise some questions, the Cabinet is well sprinkled with scions of political families. Sons, daughters and all manner of relatives that were political heirs have come into their own and landed ministerial appointments. 
In a country with a huge youth population, there are high hopes from the young ministers. They need to set the bar high and work towards it despite political, social or other pressures. This article talks of performance being the criteria. 
Many have questioned if we are a dynastic society. Does a constituency vote blindly for the progeny of the previous popular leader? Is pedigree all that matters? What about performance by the next gen?
Results across India would suggest as much which will explain why every such politician makes an extra effort to ‘nurse’ that region towards more growth. 
A sociologist would give us a better perspective on this. In the meantime,
the son has risen
there is hope on the horizon
a new day
a new beginning
time to start afresh…
Jai Hind!
0
Posted on

Three cheers for the Indian voter

A vast majority who had geared for a long suspense about our new government were pleasantly stunned. By us of course, the Indian voters! 

Experienced analysts and politicians could not gauge the mood of the people or even predict what was in store for them. Could it be that the voter finally will not be swayed by political gimmicks? Not fall prey to promises that he knows may never be fulfilled under the name of coalition politics? Developed the capacity to think independently? 
At least some of these must be true. That alone explains the clear mandate (opposed to the fractured one expected by a vast majority) and clipped wings of regional satraps. 
The voter does not always have to argue, protest, fight verbally. This is his power to tell the politicians that like all other jobs, delivery matters. Performance matters.  They would be evaluated continuously over five years. Instead of an annual report there is only one report at the end of five years. Illiterate and poor our masses may be, they are not dumb. 
The Election Commission of India did an excellent job of holding peaceful elections (barring a few incidents)- besides sheer numbers, extreme heat and security threats were issues they dealt with in a most satisfactory manner. Technology came to their aid in the form of EVMs. Obviously many would complain about the voter registration process, names going missing etc. 
There is a lot that needs to be done- infrastructure (roads, electricity, clean drinking water and food for starters) and employment come to my mind first. Womens issues still need to be looked into- female infanticide, dowry. Obviously every one has a wish list.
Those who missed out on casting their ballot this time, visit the offices of the Election Commission in your city this week itself. Start the enrollment process. 
Jai Hind!
0
Posted on

More about car colours and insurance premiums

My last post was about the relation between car colours and driving skills (06 May 09). To my surprise the Economic Times dated 11 May 2009 also carried an article on similar lines – relating car colour to insurance premium. Read the entire article here.

Their take was that vibrant coloured cars may end up paying higher premium as they are more susceptible to accidents. For insurers’ better visible colours like silver are less risky and may carry lesser premium. The article cited Rahul Agarwal of Optima Insurance Brokers as saying that “insurers who have conclusive data on the colour factor may tweak their premiums to charge more or less.”

If this works out then one may have to think before buying that red fast number to zip through the city. 
Irrespective of  what wheels  you own, remember drive safely. For someone waiting at home for you. For yourself.
0
Posted on

Of Car Colours and Brands

I recently came across this article that talks about car colours and insurance premiums and human personality. I know that colours are associated with emotions but this was new to me. 

I would like to go one step beyond this.
Are car brands associations with certain personality types limited to flaunting ones wealth, social status or machismo? Have you observed performance of  hatchback/ SUV/ sedan and multiple other passenger vehicle category drivers that zoom past us at signals, on highways, tiny streets and by lanes, at day or night? 
More often than not a particular brand recurrently tends to jump signals, overtake persistently from the left, honk endlessly and generally make their presence felt when driving on roads. Some incidents often get known by their car types more than the incident itself. Read this and this and this…
Similarly there are some vehicle types that are ones that I found to be maximally adhering to traffic rules. 
One thing I know for sure. The presence of a female pillion rider almost always sends the speedometer of any two wheeler driven by a young male, zooming in the clockwise direction. 
Whatever be the psychologists’ verdict (on relation between behaviour related to road safety and traffic rules and car brands), safe driving is as important to a driver, vehicle occupants as it is to pedestrians and other vehicle drivers.
Follow traffic rules.
0
Posted on

We Are Like That Only

Being an avid shopper and firm believer in ‘retail therapy’ I seized the first opportunity to read Rama Bijapurkar’s “We are like that only”.  Besides all those wanting a ‘pie’ of the Indian marke, this book is also a must read for consumers. 

Our decisions on why we choose a particular soap, TV, car or paint affects the fortunes of these corporates. As consumers we must know how each of our decisions is analysed or interpreted. 
Written in a simple easy to understand style (there is enough management jargon and figures for the corporate honchos)  “We are like that only” takes an in depth view of all aspects of our lives. 
Even the evolution of the marriage market has come under the scanner. 
Though not a conventional thriller, it certainly will hold your attention all through. The book was published in 2007 but thoughts expressed therein continue to be valid.
Read my review here.
Happy shopping! 
0
Posted on

At last, a Plant Hotel!

Each time I have to move out of Pune for more than a day, my biggest fear is for my plants. My small bonsai collection, few perennials and the usual foliage pots are my extended family. I had read of a ‘hotel’ for pets when owners travel or are on a holiday and desperately felt the need for a similar plant hotel.

Quite by chance I came across an article about Plant Doctors in the Good Housekeeping magazine March 2009 issue. Green Carpet – The Garden Centre offers a home for plants when we are away. They have centres at Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Surat, Goa, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Coorg, Cochin and Pune (Hooray!)… According to the article, the centre also offers help for a sick plant. Click here to visit the Green Carpet website. Location addresses are available on the ‘Network’ bar on the home page.
I have yet to use their services but for those with travel plans this summer holidays this may be worth checking out. Those of you who have experience of this or other such centres, do share your views.
As for me, I can now plan a holiday this year that I was partially avoiding due to my plants. 
Happy Holidays!
0
Proudly powered by WordPress