Tag: Personal Freedom

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Akshya Tritiya

Newspapers and TV channels are flooded with ads coaxing you to invest in gold coins on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. Banks too are selling gold coins. Now everyone wants to take advantage of this day and many people do so with an eye on the future- invest in gold for a child’s marriage, for personal future needs, as an alternative to stocks/FDs etc.
This necessarily means we may want to sell the gold coins at a later date when the need arises.

So we can just walk back to the bank and sell back the gold coin for money. Right?
Wrong!!

This article in Hindu Business Line (click here ) dated 14 May 2010 tells us about the pitfalls of buying such coins. When buying a gold coin from a bank, one has to pay a higher price than the market rate and at times a service charge as well. Apparently a bank may not buy them back or accept as collateral for a loan. Not all jewellers will pay you cash for it either- you may have to buy jewellery instead. Read the above article for more details.

So do your homework before investing in gold coins.
Happiness Always…

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What’s in a word?

English is now an ubiquitous language in India and almost a must-know to get a ‘decent’ job. This may be the reason why spoken English classes flourish in many cities.

This post is prompted by a genuine query by my colleague: ‘What is the difference if any between chemist/pharmacist/druggist’. I am not an English teacher nor was English my major for graduation. Yet I admit many of us use these words interchangeably.

A little research showed that a chemist is one who excels in chemistry
Pharmacist is one who has studied pharmacy and dispenses medicines, Some ‘mix’ medicines as per a doctor’s prescription.
A druggist is a person trained to prepare and dispense drugs.

This suggests that pharmacist and druggist may be used interchangeably yet we almost always visit a ‘chemist’ to buy our medicines.
Do we ‘speak to’ a person or ‘speak with’ a person?
There is a difference in US or UK English usage for many words as well.

English teachers and purists rue modern English saying it is a poor abbreviated version of the language thanks to texting and other such avenues of ‘brief’ communication.

Does it really matter which words we use/how we spell as long as the meaning is correct?

As someone said, a few years later, the maximum number of people speaking English in the world may decide which words are used and how. That’s some food for thought for powerful developed nations!
What do you think?

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Women

Here are some links to interesting news about women. Click to read the stories in detail.

  • This is a story about Chhavi Rajawat who is an MBA and now sarpanch of a village in Rajasthan.
  • Kathryn Bigelow becomes first woman director wins an Oscar.
  • Air India operates all woman crew to New York.

On the down side:

  • No women fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force: says the Air Chief.
  • This is an article in ‘Time’ magazine about Holly Graf – a Captain in the US Navy who was relieved of her command of a vessel because an investigation report found among other things that she violated regulations “by demeaning, humiliating, publicly belittling and verbally assaulting … subordinates while in command of Cowpens.”U.S.S. Cowpens is a guided missile cruiser.

Have a good day!

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Katkon Trikon

In Marathi this means right angled triangle. Katkon Trikon (काटकोन त्रिकोण) is a two act Marathi play that deals with relationships in a urban joint family particularly the generation gap. The characters are tremendously realistic and one can easily relate to the developing story line. Dialogues draw from modern city life and succeed in keeping us entertained and touch the deepest chord simultaneously. Dr Vivek Bele has authored the play and also acts as ‘Rahul’ – son of Aaba (Dr Mohan Agashe in a superlative performance). He is torn between ‘Bhakti’ his wife and father as the story plays out minor sounding personality clashes that soon become a full fledged emotional war that ends up with Aaba falling off their fourth floor balcony.

Is this a suicide attempt or an attempted murder? Or is it a genuine accident?

Dr Agashe plays a double role as Bapat, the CID inspector who is investigating the case. He systematically investigates events that led up to the fall and in a humourous often acidic manner dissects their relationships with each other. Like Bhakti he does so using fundamental principles of geometry opening their eyes to the loneliness of a single ageing parent.

The play scores on its dialogues, acting, timing, theme. Majority of the audience for the show we attended were easily above 60. I do recommend it for baby boomers as well though they may not fully agree with the way the play ends.

The story does end up showing only one side of this sad state in our society. Seniors too have their share of ‘eccentric’ behaviour which jeopardises relationships. This could have been brought out somewhere- probably a good theme for another play.

This is the link to the Katkon Trikon blog has upcoming schedules for the play. Don’t miss this one.

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The First 20

Finally I achieved crossed this milestone. No I have not just crossed out of my teens, nor is it a weight loss target!!
Today I could cycle 20kms which included three steep inclines. I had turned back several times after 15/18 kms and this seemed like a huge barrier. Why 20? I don’t really know, seemed like a round figure and a good place to start. Does it mean I will take up long distance cycling? Time will tell.

It was an exhilarating drive to say the least.

However some unexplainable points that beg a mention:

  • Why do people walk on the roads when there are perfectly good and clean footpaths provided by our PMC? This allows dogs to treat footpaths as their personal fiefdom.
  • Bougainvilla or palm fronds that look so beautiful along roads are a huge hazard. How? The branches are usually always hang out so much that they hit our face as we cycle past on the edge of the left lane.
  • Stray dogs are a threat as they tend to chase cyclists : ( I faced one such incident and have no wish for a re-run. I usually slow down to a crawl when I spot a canine from afar much to the anger and disappointment of my fellow cyclists!

If one can manage to overcome these barriers, its a great exercise. Try it. Get on the road early so you avoid traffic.
I certainly do not adovate cycling as a mode of transport to office or shopping as of now. Too many issues- time consumed not to mention you would arrive sweaty and dusty for work and difficult to carry around your laptop and other accessories so much a part of the new age office set up.
Cheers!

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Targets

With my defence background, I think ‘target’ obviously must refer to something hostile that has to be got rid of. Or from my childhood it probably was the dart board where the aim (target) was to hit the center.

Now the corporate world has given the word ‘target’ a totally new meaning. Obviously every business activity has to have a goal so why not the word target? So we have targets for revenue, sales which seems perfectly justified.

Interestingly I found that HR personnel also have ‘targets’. They are to ensure sufficient number of ‘quality’ personnel are recruited (Click here to read one such ad). What is worse is that companies often want people with only a couple of years experience for this job, I know some that use fresh graduates for this purpose… Once into the company the ‘target’ becomes a resource but still remains a ‘target’ for potential head hunters…

Click here to read a Times of India article about how prized IIM recruits are ditching PSUs for higher pays elsewhere.

The by now ubiquitous vans lurking to heave off our vehicles from ‘No Parking’ zones also have ‘targets’ (also seen in the new HDFC bank ad meant to show that their ATMs give fast cash withdrawal) That will explain why a vehicle from an approved parking zone may be towed or carried away – just so the contractor (yes- this service is often out sourced) can meet his target of collecting sufficient number of wrongly parked vehicles every day!!

So does that mean home makers too now set targets on themselves? They do set ‘targets’ for their children (marks to be scored, prizes to be won) or husband (better pay, ‘phoren’ holiday for the family) so why not for themselves.
What may they be?Any ideas?

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News Flush…

Before you think that its a typing error in the title “Flush” instead of ‘Flash” let me tell you its not…
Here are two interesting news related to toilets that may have missed your keen Internet surfing eyes.

Click here to read a news item on Yahoo News about how unhappy Japanese women flush wedding aspirations in a temple loo! The article describes how women visitors to the Mantokuji temple, write their desires on a piece of paper that is flushed down the toilet. The temple has two squat toilets – the white one is for women who wish to cut ties and the black one for those who wish to strengthen ties. Read the article here for full details…

Here’s another…
This news describes a disposable toilet that can even be a fertiliser. The article describes plans of a Swedish businessman to produce a plastic bag that is biodegradable and that can be used as a single use toilet. This bag can then be buried in the soil where the waste is broken into fertiliser by chemicals in the bag. Click here to read this innovative and absolutely practical solution that is sure to be immensely popular.

This just proves the point that everything in this world can have more than one, its up to the user to find it.

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What is it with Vampires?

I recently read all four books of the Twilight saga series by Stephanie Myer. I was terribly impressed not only with the story line, characters etc but with fundamentals that the books advocated via its characters for youth. Namely: looking after parents, taking up a job to support your studies, studying, a NO to premarital sex (of course the reasons here were quite different but none the less!),
I also watched two movies based on the first two books and this made me into a vampire fan!
Visit the author’s site here for more details about the movies and books.

While channel surfing last evening, I happened to catch a movie called Love Bites on MGM. I had missed the initial part but within a few minutes it was quite clear the movie was about a 300 year old vampire- Zachary and a young city girl- Kendall. No gory stuff as people that Zachary bit actually seemed to enjoy it!! They probably turned into vampires but that bit I was not clear about… Kendall decides to help Zachary turn human again and helps him adjust to the modern world. The movie has strong romantic overtones despite two ‘villains’ namely Dwight (Kendall’s ex flame) and Nerissa (a female vampire from Zachary’s era). Kendall and Zachary are in love and she is pregnant with his child. Just a day prior to Zachary turning human the story takes a twist.
This is a link to the story: http://www.thatbmoviechick.com/reviews/lovebites.htm

From what I read up on the Internet, this movie seems to be made in 1993. Of course vampires have always been a popular movie subject but usually always the ‘bad guys’. However seeing these movies, has me wondering if their stock is on the uptrend now??
With Adam Ant as the vampire in Love Bites and Robert Pattison playing the cold but dazzling hero in Twilight and New Moon, I guess vampires may be losing their ranking as villains!

What? You havent read the books or seen these movies??
Then you know what is to be done this weekend… Visit burrp!tv here to know when Love bites is to be screened next…
Ciao!

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The Head Turner

I was firmly convinced that a pair of wheels was not something that would get people (mostly males) drooling and go into raptures about transmission, ergonomics, frame design etc. Many men and women are known to swoon and covet motorised two/three/four or more wheeled vehicles but a two wheeler that is powered purely by raw muscle power to my jaded eyes seemed a bit too low on the hierarchy of transportation means to elicit such reactions.

But that’s precisely what is happening! Before much ado let me clarify that I refer to the humble bicycle. Society in general has branded it as a poor man’s vehicle something that a student will eagerly discard in favour of a motorised version. As time goes by the number of wheels increases along with the horsepower to propel them.

Looking for an alternative exercise I was cajoled into trying out a cycle. For a lark I went ahead and surprise surprise I am enjoying bit. After the initial phase of muscle burn and DOMS I enjoyed the wind in my face, the speed and the taste of unbriddled freedom. We usually cycle out in the early hours when roads are infested with exercise fanatics- either walking, jogging, or on their way to the gym.

I noticed a strange phenomenon. As we cycle past, people actually stop to look at our vehicles. This includes those in ‘superior’ wheels, the youth and baby boomers. Initially I assumed it to be another version of eve teasing but realised soon enough that it was my cycle that was drawing attention not me! Just to confirm I sent out a PYT (pretty young thing) on my cycle and got same results.

This is Economic Times article describes the launch of a cycle that costs Rs 2.4 lakhs at the 2009 Auto Expo in New Delhi. That’s one baby that will surely draw plenty of wolf whistles.

Bottom line: If you are looking for an alternative to your cardio workouts, try cycling. Combined with the bike’s head turning potential you will not only burn calories but your morale will get a good boost too!
Cheers!

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Natrang

We watched Natrang- purely because of its music. Heavy promos on TV had us made us total fans of the songs presented in this movie. whose music directors are Ajay-Atul. And we were not disappointed by the movie or the music.

Natrang is the story of an farm labourer (Guna) who has a creative bent of mind. He loves to write poetry, act, sing to the extent of ignoring the well being of his family. Atul Kulkarni has depicted this character wonderfully. He had to put on weight and then loose 20 kgs in order to portray his character. Read about it here. When the landlord installs a pump to draw water from his wells, Guna is out of work and they all face starvation. He is an ardent fan of ‘tamasha’ – a form of folk dance in Maharashtra. Along with his friends he decides to set up a tamasha troupe. That’s when the story takes off. Overcoming all odds the tamasha troupe is ready but for one thing- the lead dancer wants to include a ‘nacha’- a transvestite who was usually a part of such programs. When they are unable to find one Guna decides to play this part.

Thats when the story really begins.
I won’t spoil your enjoyment by sharing what happens thereafter suffice to say Guna achieves his dream of a successful ‘tamasha’ troupe. At a huge price.

Natrang is a story of dreams, losing them but still achieving them at all costs. It also depicts lives of tamasha artists particularly the ‘nacha’. They are ostracised by their society, abandoned by their family, cannot have conventional families and are often the target of various crimes. Atul Kulkarni’s depiction of all these stages in Guna’s life are tremendous.

The movie is based on a book by Dr Anand Yadav. Phulwa’s choreography, Sonalee’s dancing, costumes, the director’s attention to detail makes it a touching and memorable film.

I left the theatre with a sad feeling. I recommend you watch it. At a theater closest to you!

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