Tag: Personal Freedom

Posted on

Sinhagad (again)

Sinhagad holds a special place in the hearts of Punekars and I dont mean for its history. If one has not been there, its simply not done. And I do not mean driving up in a vehicle to this hill located at about 25kms from the city. Nah! That’s for non-Punekars! Any self respecting Pune resident will climb up the about 800m (please recheck for precise figure).

Note: its a good idea to double click and view these images…
We had not ‘logged’ a visit for a long time and could finally trek up only recently. The climb up and down was as exhilarating as always. However this time I did find several interesting developments…

For a start the base was swarming with cars with no space to park even at 630AM. This probably is a good sign of people preferring the outdoors… The path that leads up now boasts of solar powered lamps. These must be tremendously useful for several Sinhagad enthusiasts who go up as early at 530AM. You see the true Sinhagad ‘fans’ take the first early morning bus from Swargate, climb up and then come down to the fort- in time to board a bus on its return journey.

As soon as you reach the top the vendors tempt you with dahi, buttermilk, roasted bhutta, nimbu pani, groundnuts, mangoes and cucumbers – all of which I must add are excellent to revive an exhausted trekker! Further ahead one can savour pithla bhakri, bhajee.

Over the years their offerings have remained the same. I cannot say if this a success of desi over FMCG but the cost to transport packaged goods to the peak and then manually carry them to stalls cannot be an attractive proposition for marketers. You see, despite a tarred road going up to the top of Sinhagad, one has to walk all the way inside.

These vendors physically carry their ingredients on their shoulders or head to their stalls so visitors can enjoy a piping hot meal. This dissuaded us from arguing about the price of a cup of tea or dahi!

Looking around I was pleasantly surprised to find the area quite clean, no garbage and surprisingly was free of the usual unpleasant odours. I did not peer into the valleys or the undergrowth but that surely must have had a wonderful plastic collection! But I did find signs that Homo sapiens have not lost their ability to damage nature- note the engraving on the Agave.

The climb down is tougher than going up, or may be as tough. If you are lucky you can get ride downhill in a jeep. All in all, a trek up is highly recommended in this season or the next for that matter!
Dont delay!
Ciao!

This is the link to my earlier post about Sinhagad: https://yenforblue.com/2008/04/sinhagad-calling.html

Posted by Picasa
0
Posted on

The big fat Indian wedding…

May is the wedding season for us Maharashtrians… The wedding ceremony itself may have withstood the test of time but that’s about all. Everything else related to weddings is nothing like what was seen probably about 60 years ago. The event is totally ‘nationalised’ for want of another word as celebrations are spread over many days with tid bids added from wedding festivities of other states. So now we have a dedicated ‘mehendi’ some even have ‘sangeet‘ something quite unknown in this area- during weddings at least (and I don’t mean the barat)!

Prime time telly serials have increased our exposure to such events (though I am told some Hindi serials increasingly portray stories about Marathi families) and hey why not! As most families now have one or two kids, there is every reason to ‘celebrate’ in this manner. Splurging on flowers, clothes, jewelery and food seems the order of the day…

An upcoming wedding means women may go on a crash diet to best show off their zari and crepes and are not keen to lose it all in the high-calorie, deep-fried, sugar rich menus that such events usually offer. Others may have ‘weighty’ issues like diabetes, cholesterol (an increasingly common condition among Indians) hence again will not really ‘tuck into’ meals. Gone are the days when the hosts would go round to serve their guests – the exercise mostly consisted of them ‘coaxing’ (the closest possible English equivalent I can think for the Marathi word आग्रह) the protesting individual to eat some more of the sweet. So one often found the occasional guest ‘manfully’ demolishing a plateful of jalebis or several bowls of shrikhand while the ‘lucky’ others had long cleaned out their plates. Instead we now have buffets which has is own plus and minus points…

Most Maharashtrian weddings stick to our typical menu for the wedding lunch। Yet come reception time and most weddings offer a bewildering range of foods ranging from Italian, Chinese, north and south Indian delicacies, chaat, salad bar, fruit and desert spreads.

At some recent events, I found most guests had helped themselves to few preparations and some stalls were almost ignored. I shudder to think of the extent of leftovers at such events. Considering cost of food, is it really morally and ethically correct to be a party to such wastage? Are we worried about being called as ‘less hospitable’ if we offer fewer but well-prepared dishes? Are these ostentatious food spreads meant to be some kind of a statement about our social or economic status?

Do we have the ‘courage’ to stand apart from the crowd?
These are difficult questions with even more difficult answers.
But they demand some introspection…
All the best!

0
Posted on

Exotic Trees: Good or bad?

We often read and hear ecology experts criticising trees growing around us. Wait a minute, the criticism is about their species and not trees per se. Their contention is that these trees are exotic (non-native) hence not suitable for our environment.
I was surprised to know that trees like the Gulmohor (Delonix regia) and Glyricidia that grow rampantly everywhere are exotic. Other commonly seen trees that are exotic are the rain tree (Sanabea saman), Shewga (Moringa oleifera), Buccha (Millingtonia hortensis) and Tabebuia varieties. Ecological experts opine that only native trees must be grown in any particular region and not exotic ones because:

  • Exotic species attract pathogens that may damage native species.
  • They compete with local trees for water and space.
  • Their leaf and soil chemistry may adversely affect our native trees. (there may be more reasons, these are just an example)

Their arguments seemed convincing to me till I heard another point of view from learned botanists.

  • The much maligned Glyricida actually is very useful in rural regions as fuel wood. Its branches can be broken easily into short straight bits that can easily be put in the wood stove. The tree grows back rapidly hence provides fuel again. In barren regions, trees like these grow rapidly and provide a green cover.
  • Trees are trees and they carry out their basic function namely photosynthesis. Hence they provide us with useful oxygen and remove CO2. In a highly polluted city this is highly desirable.
  • If our environment was unsuitable to these species, they would not have survived and flourished in our land all these years. We know from our evolutionary history that species may die if environmental conditions are unsuitable.
  • 60% of the food we eat in Maharashtra is said to be exotic. Potato, wheat, tomato, chillies, guava and chikoo are examples of non-native plants that we eat, experts told me. So then what do we eat if we shun these exotic species??

I guess we cannot just kill off trees growing around us. They give shade and greenery in a cement and concrete jungle. What can be done is to make sure that native trees do not suffer, there are new plantations of native species.
What do you think?

By the way, an excellent resource to know about trees around Pune is a book called ‘Trees of Pune’ by Shrikant Ingalhalikar and Sharvari Barve.
Cheers!

0
Posted on

Botany at Forty

I love trees, plants, herbs, shrubs… in fact almost all green (and not green) things that grow in nature. When setting up our home at each posting the sight of similar vegetation growing in our garden or even our residential campus gave a comforting familiarity. I almost looked upon the trees as a friend. While the Neem was rampant in Bidar, this tree was not as easily found in Assam. I never did think I would miss Neem even amidst the widespread greenery of the East. Yet miss I did. Ditto for the bamboo when we moved out from Assam. Often I recognized the tree or the blooms but did not know their names… I did try to Google their identity but success was not assured… The feeling was akin to not knowing the name of a close friend…
A course in Field Botany seemed just what the doctor ordered. I would be able to learn not only know names but habitat, classification, growth patterns, characteristics of many many more green friends. Full of josh, I made copious notes, referred to my old photographs and supplied notes. The first discordant note appeared after a few lectures. It was March on the Tekdi and being a dry/moist deciduous forest (my newly acquired gyan!!) the trees that had become bare in winters were just springing forth with tender shoots. While previously I would have admired their different shades of green and so on, I now found myself trying to analyze shape of the leaves, their arrangement on the stem, the stipule (if any or if modified), petiole, venation etc etc.
I started carrying my Cell Phone just to take photos of leaves for my homework. I did not have time to admire the forest that was bursting back to life nor for the few flowers in full bloom that tried to attract my attention with the fragrance…. Walk became work and study. Suddenly it began to lose its charm particularly when confronted with an unidentifiable specimen… I seriously contemplated going back to an indoor work out…
On the botany front, we had progressed to inflorescence. This is not to be confused with flowers. Our module was so designed that we would be able to view (study) most angiosperms that grow in our part of the world. Naturally my bonsai too were blooming. My daughter and I were admiring my Kamini (Murraya panniculata) with when she suddenly dropped a bombshell. At least that was what it was to me…
“Aai what is this type of inflorescence called?”
“Hmmm… Looks like the inflorescence is of the determinate type…”
“Yes- that is cymose. Go on…”
She has a biotechnology background so I knew I would not be able to bluff my way through this one…
“Is it a dichasial cyme?”
“You tell me…”
I started at the bright red fruit looking for inspiration. How come that branch had escaped my pruning shears after the flowers had wilted? I felt about three feet tall and was immediately transported back to the early 1990s but with roles reversed. To be specific, I was the child answering a viva!! I wished the flower would talk back to me describing itself. I did talk to my plants did I not?? There was no help in sight…
The Cell phone rang and took my daughter’s attention away and I breathed a sigh of relief… That call saved my day.
I still have to work on a presentation and luckily I have the freedom to choose a topic. Mainly I have to describe in details whatever trees I choose. That means I would have to undergo more of what I have just described and plus some more. I have to describe the stem, leaves, inflorescence, fruits etc etc… Is it an herb or a shrub or tree?
The timetable shows that our ‘abbreviated course’ will have four lectures on the flower even though we will not be studying microscopic characteristics. Will I ever be able to enjoy the fragrance of a Tuberose or admire the colours and shape of an Orchid without analyzing its petals, sepals etc etc. Does it have to be beauty or science and can the two not go together?
Suddenly I hated myself for joining this field botany that did not allow me to enjoy my flowers or greenery around me. Did one really need to know the name and biodata of every tree around me? Would I like the Nerium lesser if I did not know that its leaf arrangement was decussate or that the ‘flower’ of my Anthurium was actually a spadix? Would I be less aware of my responsibility to maintain the fast disappearing green cover over my city? I don’t think so….
I have to rush now, my books are waiting…
Wish me luck!
0
Posted on

Plastic Money

As more and more establishments accept plastic money, we increasingly turn to the comfort and convenience it offers not to mention some time leeway before we actually make the payment (in case of credit or charge cards). The process usually consists of the card being swiped at the cash counter, signing on a tiny slip (printed with fading ink in microscopic font- particularly for baby boomer eyes!!) and walking out with the desired goods!
Simple aint it??

Yes provided the machine that does the swiping is in good working condition.
Have you at any times been met with an ‘error’ message on the machine? Probably… Usually the cashier re-swipes the card or you may proffer another one from the plastic collection in the wallet! The machine spits out the piece of paper and you are done. Voila!

However it may happen that the machine and related IT connections have actually deducted the sum from your account, but you do not know that. Repeated swiping will still give the ‘error’ message and the money will continue to be deducted. Of course this is only an occasional issue and does not happen in all instances of ‘error’ messages of the swiping machine.

In the above case, the bank account will show multiple deductions to the same vendor…
This can be an extremely painful situation. What is to be done???
  • The first thing is if possible go back to the shop and inform the manager and get him to inform his bank about this failed transaction/swipe.
  • Then contact your own branch with details of the transaction.
  • If the shop/vendor informs his bank and does not claim the money then it will be credited back to your account in a fixed time (for different banks this differs e.g 11 working days etc). Till then the funds remain in suspense account. Of course, immediate action on your part is vital.

In the interim you may worry yourself sick but till that mandatory period is over your funds will not be returned. All cards have some policy about this so it is important to take some time to understand it. Check out the relevant page on the website of your debit/credit/ charge card or better still speak to their customer care.

Another thing you can do is to activate SMS alerts for debit/credit/charge card debits on your account. This way you will immediately know once some funds are debited once your card is swiped even if the machine shows an error. This can save you a lot of hassle and headache. Not to mention loss of interest on your money.

Here is the link to a query in the Economic Times about a failed online card-transaction. The expert’s replies are given there. (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/personal-finance/fixed-deposits/query-corner-fixed-deposits/articleshow/7616504.cms)

As they say in the military, its better to sweat in peace than bleed in war.
As you take time to understand interest rules on your plastic money, or actions if it gets lost, also understand what to do and what is the normal bank procedure in case of a failed card transaction.
Cheers!

0
Posted on

Retirement, then what?

Retirement! This is a dreaded word not merely as it may signify that the person is officially ‘old’ but because of the void it brings in the lives of the retirees. Time hangs heavily as a person used to being in office for long hours, having several people look up to them (by 58/60 years, most people do reach a position of some responsibility in their profession and lead teams of varying sizes) suddenly finds nothing to do. Retirement age in our country was increased to 60 from 58 years but better health care, better diet etc mean people are fairly fit, active and mentally sharp at this time.

By age 60, children of most parents have left the nest and are settled elsewhere in India or abroad. If the mind is allowed to become inactive, idle then physical aging and degeneration sets in rapidly. Knee/ back pain who were strangers earlier suddenly become unwanted companions as can other physical ailments. Within a year post-retirement, I have seen several such people look older. Besides health issues, financial constraints may begin as the monthly paycheck stops (particularly in absence of smart retirement financial planning). In joint families, communication may suddenly become an issue as the children and their spouses are busy in their own careers.

Many of our top politicians have seen over 60 summers and some consider themselves still young! (read this interview: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cabinet-reshuffle-is-not-a-damp-squib-ambika/141300-37-64.html).
In the private sector, leaders of some top Indian firms belong to the over 60-year club as well (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/7323575.cms?prtpage=1

http://www.rediff.com/money/2005/aug/09inter.htm)…

In a country predominantly comprised of youth, over 60 year-olds cannot think of a regular job. Such fresh retirees (a la fresh grads!) are a rich source of wisdom that industry and society can benefit from. Some kind of post retirement engagement will be a win-win situation for the individual and the industry. This is easily said and done for politicians, CXOs, bureaucrats but about others? Are they to fade away, spend their time playing golf/bridge, babysitting grandchildren, etc?

Some companies do turn to retired executives as ‘consultants’. Is there a need for a dedicated organisation / NGO to help over 60-year old retirees? Should the retirement age be increased again? (read this article: http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/government-mulls-raising-retirement-age-to-62-yrs/366841/)
What do you think?

0
Posted on

Ninth Pune International Film Festival 2011 (PIFF)

Not an avid movie aficionado, I decided to become a ‘delegate’ for the ninth Pune International Film Festival (PIFF). At Rs 500 per person (other than for students and senior citizens) it seemed a steal as one could watch movies for the entire day (four a day at some venues) – obviously you had to have the stomach for it … And I refer to more than an overdose of movies. It takes quite something to move from theater to theater as the mind is bombarded with expressions of tormented feelings from across the world extending from love, hate, violence, forgiveness, religious extremism and so on. Spoilt for choice we learnt to ‘study’ the brochure and match it with the schedule and our work and tried to watch as many as possible (11 is the latest score and we have two days to go…)

Not all movies were what we expected but some notable ones were ‘Zeppelin’, ‘On the path’, ‘The Cherry Orchard’, ‘Puzzle’, ‘The Tree’ and ‘How I ended last Summer.’

One way to know about different places is to physically visit them. For couch potatoes reading Outlook Traveller is a good option. I have just discovered that watching movies from different countries is a good way to see that countryside up close. So do make it a point to visit an international film festival being held in your city… We enjoyed the accompanying Japanese arts exhibition and free sushi at the PIFF 2011!!

The disadvantage is that with the movie overload, we do not have time to savour, introspect and let the movie’s thoughts and emotions sink it. So make your choices and enjoy every screening.
I remember a very apt dialogue by the character Matthias Silcher about films in the movie ‘Zeppelin’, he says they”… make time stand still but also fly past…”

Overall the PIFF was well organised but there is huge scope for improvement if it wants to go places. Buying the passes was a stressful experience. I have not yet fathomed the need for Pan card or electricity bill for the same. Of course as films did not have the usual Censor board certificate and had very explicit content I can understand that organisers wanted to be sure that attendees were over 18 years… The screenings were at several venues across town but we were unable to make it to Fame and NFAI Kothrud. My comments on organisation/actual presentation of the movies are in the table below and are obviously based on shows that we actually watched and feedback of other delegates who regularly attended that particular venue.

Quality

Venue: E-square

Venue: Inox

Venue: City Pride Kothrud

Venue: R-Deccan

National Anthem

NOT Played

Played

NOT Played

NOT Played

Announcements

In Marathi and English

Only English

Only Marathi

Only English

Censor Board Certificate

Not Displayed

Not Displayed

Not Displayed

Not Displayed

Interval

No

No

No

Yes

Punctuality

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Presentation Skills of announcers

Needs vast improvment

Needs vast improvement

Needs vast improvement

Needs vast improvement

Age Group of Delegates

Predominantly youth

Mixed age group

Predominantly seniors and baby boomers

Mixed age group

0
Posted on

Thumbs up for Fighter Pilots!

Fighter pilots are a breed into themselves. This is something that must be experienced and no amount of anecdotes can make you aware of this fact.

Superficially one sees the signature aviator glasses, dashing uniform and a dynamic personality immortalized by Tom Cruise in ‘Top Gun’. No one can remain unimpressed when faced with such raw energy, charm and their sense of humour. Their ability ‘to think on their feet’ is something that all of us must try to imbibe.

Dig a little deeper and you will find that pilots in general tend to be different from other professionals, fighter pilots in particular. It could be because of the rigorous training they undergo combined with the very nature of their flying that can be unforgiving or close knit relationships they form in their flying units/squadrons.

Before I am accused of exaggeration, here is scientific proof of some of these differences:
A University College London study has found huge differences in brains of pilots of fighter aircraft in comparison to a control group. Researchers used cognitive tests and MRI scans for the study. It is not yet known if people are born with these differences or they are acquired later. (Read the study here or copy paste the following in a new browser: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/1012/10121402)

In a country increasingly enamoured with fat pay checks and ivy league MBAs, such studies can help encourage youngsters to take up a career in military flying that is often only associated with low pay and dangers.
Happy Landings!!

0
Posted on

Are you fully Empowered?

What does womens empowerment really mean? Is it restricted to access to education, financial independence, taking control of one’s relationships, jobs and so on?
Probably many women particularly in urban India may have these choices- what they choose to do is of course their prerogative.

Yet, I find that when in a crisis, we tend show symptoms of the what I call ‘damsel in distress’ syndrome!
Put simply it means we just throw up our hands and expect someone else to sort out the problem for us.
Example: car battery suddenly discharging (of course she forgot to turn of the lights when parking!), a flat car tyre, computer glitches, inflated utility or other bills particularly when the husband is away or gadgets going unserviceable -they always seem to do so when I am around 🙁

Sounds familiar?

While it is always helpful to have get someone else to de-tangle such knotty issues, its important that we know whats to be done…
Here’s what I suggest:

  • Update your contacts list be it on your cell phone or the ubiquitous diary with names and latest phone numbers of providers like emergency car recovery garages, hardware repairmen (taps, electric switches uncannily know when you are alone), helpline numbers of your bank, telephone and Internet providers etc
  • Keep these in an easily accessible place.
  • Learn some basic ‘fault finding’ in gadgets you use. Dont throw away booklets provided with your gadgets. Refer to them when some equipment goes unservicable, you may be able to fix a minor problem yourself.
  • Learn how to change a flat tyre. Besides refuelling your vehicle, check tyre pressure, PUC and insurance validity.
  • Exercise regularly and stay fit so unexpectedly having to carry some weight or walking two kms is not an issue
  • Make sure you follow traffic rules particularly when with your kids-you will set a poor example for them… In keeping with the topic of this post, arguing with the traffic cop, paying a fine or worse finding that your vehicle PUC is out of date is a more than uncomfortable situation…

Learning and doing these basic jobs in no way takes away from our ‘femininity’!
Then our empowerment will be truly complete.
Cheers!

0
Posted on

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-Part 1

Am I the right person to write about Harry Potter?
I have read all the books as avidly as any other tween right from about 2001 when we first encountered this bespectacled wizard in far away Chabua. This boy hero endeared himself to readers across India and was variously called Hari Puttar, Hari Pitre etc as the book was translated into local languages I am told, self included.

The shock of losing Sirius Black or the death of Dumbledore among other events in previous books was an intense piece of writing hence I was keen to see how such written imagery is actually brought to life on screen. It could be that I am biased but the written work generates profound emotions and images that can hold the reader spell bound and gets him/her back for more.

Ask any Potter fan about the number of times they have re-read any particular book. The answer is quite likely to be in mid single digits!! So to answer the first question, yes I have read the entire series and watched movies till date so surely qualify to write…

The recently released movie is part one of the final book. After a long long time I went to the theatre on the first day. I was a bit apprehensive thinking I would be sorely out of place amongst a roomful of kids but was pleasantly surprised to find that I was not the only baby boomer there. And the others were not escorting their young ‘uns either. In fact there were hardly any school goers at all, most being in their early twenties. There was not much fan fare (Friday fever) that is the norm these days at a movie launch. The tickets were not exorbitant either which made the time out easier on the pocket.
The movie does justice to the book, the cast keeps up with the demands of the characters and keeps the audience engaged throughout.
Would I see the movie again – probably not but would I read the book again- yes certainly!
🙂

Here are some links to reports of the movie. Use them as a guide but if you are afflicted by Pottermania then you will watch the movie any way…
Enjoy!

http://business-standard.com/india/news/latest-harry-potter-movie-casts-24-mn-midnight-spell/415621/

http://business-standard.com/india/news/harry-potter-pips-guzaarish-in-weekend-collections/415844/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11817593

0
Proudly powered by WordPress