FireBalls and Blunt Knives

How much time is invested @ work everyday in reading/replying our emails? Well, I do put (off-late) significant hours in mail management; some days all 8 hours are spent in reverting to people through this medium.

Chris Anderson (or Ted Chris as we all know him) has initiated “Email Charter”  by declaring war against current use/abuse of emails. In simple words Ted recommends tweeting in emails – “Short is not rude; acronyms are ace Ventura” are his mantra. Smart initiative and sooner or later will catch up like fire in Amazon.

Looking back @ the evolution of communication – couple of decades ago it’s all about pages and pages of letters and few stamps. I still remember drawing letters to my BFF in school. The more the pages, the more love and affection we shared. Simple times!! “There are rules in writing letter. It needs to be well-addressed, polite and kind, exemplary and explanatory” – I recall my English mam Vanaja teaching us the principles of letter writing. Long bygone is the magical era of using pen and paper to vent our emotions. In no time we succumbed to the technology explosion and from emails we quickly shifted to chat and inherited OMGs, BRBs and ofcourse the smileys.      

Now we are looking forward to incorporate an ensemble of chat and tweet in an email.

The forgotten phenomenon here is “Communication is an art”; and when it is not eye-to-eye and verbal, it becomes a Picasso task. The crux is simple:-

• Setting up the tone
• Convey the message in exact

When the above is lost, the below happens.

Wrong tone – 

We have no idea in what mind-set our “To-list” members are, when they open our emails. They may have got bitten by someone @ work, or have just experienced a passive aggression from the better half or may be incurred heavy loss in share trading. In totality, the timing is wrong and prep work for fireball is done. Few a times even my honest request was considered sarcastic by some recipients. Mention not the replies we get back – those are "FIREBALLS"; and subsequently your balls are on fire. The scale of fire depends on how much principles you are taught in response and how many more members are included in the CC.

Interestingly, people who do not speak up in person, show huge guts through emails. Avoiding confronting people eye-to-eye gives them the license for aggression. Trust me, face-to-face arguments can have a speedy recovery, but words inscribed in emails can be re-lived again and again.

Message forever – 

Messages which run pages and pages are “BLUNT KNIVES” – that’s what we call them. Their mission is to kill you.

• They WILL hurt you
• You WILL bleed
• But you wont die immediately

How far the knife is blunt? – Well it depends on whether it has attached documents or not.

Common misconception of these email originators are, the longer their emails, the more information and authority towards that information they possess. They will have loose ends in their big emails, things will be subject to interpretation and by the time we complete reading, we would have lost 30 minutes of our life and won’t remember where the pain actually started.

Communication through emails need to be Simple and straightforward. If not, better hold a meeting. Anyhow, quick suggestion - have a water bottle (ofcourse filled with water) all the time nearby you. You may need to hydrate a lot and calm down a bit, before replying to “Fireballs” and “Blunt Knives”. 

Unshakable castesim and its promising future

An excerpt from Deccan Chronicle - dated 20/12/2010

"Lecturers flop eligibility test : Less than 30% of 5300 candidates who sat for first ever Faculty Eligibility Test conducted by JNTU Hyderabad last week passed and the majority of those who failed were assistant professors working in engineering colleges. Of the 5300 candidates who appeared for the exam, only 1500 could clear it despite of the qualifying marks being only 40% for OCs (Other Castes) and 30% for reserved category candidates"

In reality if the above happens in any part of the world, the concern will be on the quality and capability of the educational system. India always stands unique. Beyond the failure of educational system, the worrying aspect is the political ideology. The caste reservation holds good even for faculty tests. Does that mean a faculty belonging to a particular caste chooses and teaches only students belonging to his caste ? It kills to watch reservations 40% and 30% being offered even for faculty tests.

It happens only in India.

BLUYOTA

BIOGRAPHY – LEAF 3

Oct 2004

A gloomy rainy Sunday in Stockport and I was having my body being cleansed by nature's water wash. Fitness and cleanliness are integral to my lifestyle, always in supreme form; or that’s what I heard my better half brag about me to couple of strangers. One of them looked @ me with all lust in his eyes; may be he wishes to take me along with him :) Off-late loads of people seem to carry that look on me. "I am a huge head turner. I should have been a model or star in next James Bond movie" - while I was totally engrossed in flying my own kite, I trembled from what I heard next. "She’s all yours" - I saw my partner handing over me to that stranger by grabbing my arms.

I am on motorway now with an outsider still shell-shocked in disbelief. The partner whom I thought for life has parted ways. It has happened before, but this time it hurt a lot. I saw my so-called new pal gradually taking me to an isolated town, to a semi-detached country home. Vague image of a crazy lady jumping up and down became clear as we neared the house. Her eyes, to my agony, gleamed in excitement, when she touched me. "I am not a toy" - I choked. "I am going to name her" - she squeaked. "She is our Bluyota" she announced as she hugged her hubby. "I am NOT Bluyota. I am a Blue Toyota Avensis for God Sake" - my tears got washed with the rain.

Oct 2010

It was adventurous 6 years. With new addition to our household gNisa (of course Green Nissan Micra) we share some memorable British voyages, from Scotland to Isle of Wight and from Wales to Great Yarmouth.  Time just drifts and within short span we robots age. Mortals do pledge to be organ donors with their full conscience and conscious, whilst we machines pledge ours the moment we are made in the factory. It has been a fulfilling journey though; the day I saved my family from what could have been a nasty accident in motorway, was the notable one. Now, It’s moment - to bid adieu and share what I am left with younger generation. This time there are no tears; just a sense of tranquility and gratification filled within.

 Adios Amigos !!!

That Day of the Year

September – a big month in our household. Mom’s b’day, Champions league T20 cricket, Hubby’s B’day; too many busy days and too less time!! It has been circa 6 years since we got married and I am running out of options to please my hubby with varied gifts. I finally decided to stick to the basics; T-Shirt and perfume and walked into “The Perfume Shop”. “Exquisite but not Expensive” I heard me say to the saleswoman, who in-turn threw me a “You Wish” look. “Come on! I am not demanding Chanel for £20 budget; a Gucci or Armani will do!” screamed my ego. In return she came up with some liquid in a miniature milk-can with a brand name I’ve never heard of; which she bragged too much about. For some reason I’ve given her the impression that I am a perfume virgin. She made me believe that the milk-can is the ONE for my man.

Adding that to my shopping basket, I started fishing in women’s section. Again she came up with unknown/mediocre products and this time I exactly saw what she was doing. She was teaching me a valuable lesson: Never ask a sales assistant “some” perfume for “some” budget. Go to shop with specifics. Hit with sudden enlightenment I said “Armani Diamonds”. She looked surprised that I can speak brands. With no intension to take the milk-can home I requested to be removed from the bill.

I am sure she was doing what she was told, MINUS a friendly attitude. I could have succumbed to her marketing skills, if she would have worn that trademark smile, every shopping assistant should. Instead she was killing the pleasure of my shopping with her heavy attitude. While stepping outside “The Perfume Shop” I realised that unknowingly I shopped for me instead of my Hubby :) It happens – in a woman’s world. Marks and Spencer’s however came to my rescue. I picked a trendy T-Shirt and small perfume bottle from the classy store.

Every year, to mark our phenomenal entry to this world, we cut cakes and share gifts at night 12 o’clock; it is a tradition - something like having turkey during thanksgiving. The next day we decided to dine fine with wine and chose “Jamie Oliver’s Italian” restaurant in Canary Wharf. For someone who was expecting a routine Italian menu with pizza and lasagne, it was full of surprises. First, The Menu Card – items with innovation and difference. Second, The Quality of food – having huge admiration for Italian cuisine I vouch that I have never tasted Italian dishes with such taste before; it was very unique. Third, The Price – for a restaurant situated in prime location in Canary Wharf owned by a celebrity with tasty menu items, it’s pretty reasonable. Finally, The food portions – for some people this may be a let down, but for me it was just perfect.

I ordered Italian nachos with angry arrabiata sauce (just awesome) and a MUSHROOM PANZEROTTI. My hubby fed on Lamb chop lollipops. On the whole, I loved spending 2 hours with the company of good food and of-course my hubby.

At the end, my hubby was probing on when I would stop this style of celebrating b’days. To be frank, I do not know. Every year these occasions give me immense happiness. I wish this tradition continues from me to my off-springs and last till the end :)

Its Anniversary No. 1

Its 1st Anniversary for my BLOG. Yooohooooooo !!!! 

 

My baby blog had a different look and feel a year ago; she used to be a simple, pretty, wide layout. Suddenly there was a viral attack and I provided her immune, re-invented her with a customized design and christened “ThePanto”.  From then on, she became my “silent” newspaper, run and read only by me.

I cannot believe that I have been writing snippets for a year now; well, do they convey any message? Do I have people following my rants? – Frankly, I don’t want to go there. One’s scribbling is an art for self :)  For me, beyond all encumbers, I have survived for one year. That’s significant - brags my inner voice.

To gratify the animal inside, I torment my hubby at times to read my write-ups. His favourite (and so is my couple of friends) is “An Evening in Wimbledon".They feel that it has a subtle humour intertwined which makes a pleasant read. Well, if they say so :)))

Its time to stop boasting about my baby and acknowledge others work. Here am I to present, as an anniversary token, the three articles which I enjoyed recently.

1. “Its on the internet, It must be True”  - This is referred by entrepreneur extraordinaire Vinodh Khosla, in twitter. The Article screams on how media is now run by people like you and me, the information explosion without a credibility check, its consequences and the publicity the owner gets on spreading a hoax (instead of punishment and embarrassment) . A very crystal clear write-up on how technology explosion has disabled media.

2. "Newsman Rajdeep Sardesai"  - He drew all news viewers attention, including mine, when he was associated with ndtv’s “The Big Fight”. Man!! - I used to wonder the way he handled big shots like normal contestants in the show. He oozed confidence and exuberance; brought in necessary control to the program which may have gone a disaster otherwise. His blog is always worth a read.

3. “Dharma in public place” - By Gurcharan Das. It is a beautiful interpretation of modern take on Dharma in comparison with epic Mahabharatha. Taking the whole Lalit Modi issue as undercurrent, he has drawn a numerical balance sheet and weighes mathematically the outcome. Must read!!

Well finally - thanks blogpot for creating this medium for expression.

As always, signing off ..

Sivi. 

Survival Precedes Humanity

Last evening while I was performing the ritual of “Cleaning the apartment”, the CSI Vegas guys went on to investigate a murder in air. Interesting and thought provoking episode it was.

Situation – Few people were travelling in flight, first class allocation. Suddenly, a guy behind another traveller, starts kicking the back of his seat hard, really hard. Loosing patience, the traveller in receiving end, gets up and starts raising his voice against the kicking passenger. The kicker, not explaining reasons for his action, yells, screams, pushes anyone and everyone blocking his way, refuses to listen to airhostess and others, bangs the door of cockpit and finally, tries to open the exit of the flight which still flies high at 30,000 feet. And what happens next - the in-evitable. Nearly 4-5 passengers, pulls him away from the exit door, brings him down and as a reflex, all of them starts stamping him at the back. Unfortunately, the guy who should have been just tamed and hurt ends up dying, because of the stamping and his fragile medical condition.


CSI comes in and cracks the case, adjudging that all 5 passengers travelling along with the victim as guilty. (It is revealed later that the victim was suffering from severe medical condition making him go frenetic). However the passengers eventually left free on the grounds of self-defence. Our CSI team end up divided in their opinion on the verdict. Couple of investigators vouched that they might have done the same as the other passengers did, while the others insisted “A murder is a murder; be it self-defence or not, accused should be punished”


Well, I am asking self; was the verdict justified? What will I do, if I were in that flight? What will I do when my scared child is nearby me while a fanatic tries to open the door of a vessel, flying 30,000 feet high?

 Here comes a very grey area – a thin line – a line between right and wrong – a line between should and should not - a line between survival and humanity. May be all 5 of those passengers and airhostess left free of charge against murder, but they know they had other options than stamping him down; they know that they could have tied him to a seat and given him some water and made him speak; they know that they could have been more humans than hooligans. And that’s what I would have loved to do if I was in their shoes; but what actually would have happened – I have no clue. So will many.


But this is a thoughtful story – a lesson in crisis management – do not loose your nerves; try to think and act even during extreme circumstances.


Good Episode from CSI crew.
 Signing off

Sivi

Roads not taken

Choices we make @ every crucial point in life, pretty much screws our future in instalments. To weigh one of the few damages I induced in my journey, I looked back into the “not so” interesting/intelligent past – a serious attempt to measure the dent. A vague picture of me walking to school in double plaits (with red ribbons), holding my mom’s hand came before my eyes, by-passing few concentric circles. Carefree with no responsibilities and clueless of what to achieve in future, I somehow pushed to finish second top in high school.


Too much cook spoils the broth and too many ideas kill the mission. In my case it was lack of (or NO) ideas that messed my future. Coming out in not so flying colours from Junior college, I caused the first disarray of my life - “Rejected an Engineering berth” as I did not get it through merit with the super mediocre marks I scored. I also named it as PRINCIPLE. I neither realised then, how over-rated that word was, nor yielded to the pressure from my cousin and mom to take up the course – Though I cannot say that my mom gave enough push; in a way she did not want to see me leave her wing and settle in a hostel for four years – her hidden agenda. I still remember how I autopsied and cursed the verdict I pronounced; say for the next 10 years of my being, after every rejection I faced for not holding a professional degree to qualify for something or the other (mainly for a decent job).




Some strategies people define in their lives end up like their project plans – Precisely nothing goes their way. In early 2000s’, happily settled in a better job, never worrying about raise in my fellow colleagues’ pay while mine staying stagnant, I giggled through to witness some of the hilarious moments. One of those - An ex-colleagues’ (miss) adventure in deciding his life partner. When most of us then were eligible to fly to U.S of A for an IT job with authorized H1B visas, cleared interviews and packed suitcases, this guys’ dad offered him an alliance of a Singapore based girl. Our boy, the H1B holder, who may leave anytime to America, refused to wed a mere Singapore (dollar) based girl and gave a good lecture to his dad on impeding elevation in his lifestyle and earnings. And then, the inevitable happened. Two flights swiftly cruised through his WTC life, creating boulders in his path towards American dreams, on 9/11. Coming from a Muslim family, made his dream literally crumble down like actual WTC. 1 year, 2 years – we all waited to see our H1Bs’ expire. Some of our friends started unpacking their suitcases and some even sold out for a good profit! Our friend, who by now given up on American dollars, slowly instigated his father to question the current status of the girl based in Singapore, only to realise that his dad would rather wait another 20 years to see his son go to settle abroad than asking a girls’ hand from Singapore. Well, his lecture on American dollars did work on his dad – at the least!

We all make decisions – the more input from experienced, the better. Still the outcome never resides in our hands. May be, that’s what the French call it “Force Majeure”. 10 years before, I never thought that I would be in a place where I am now currently. Does that surpass or in least ways, near to what I dreamt 10 years ago in terms of achievement and lifestyle? Well, I can assure that I am not unhappy and feel blessed to be what I am now. This is what age and experience does to one as days go by :)




SIVI signing off, for now.


Life is simple, it’s just not easy.

An evening in Wimbledon

Though my ultimate desire is to have a romantic rendezvous with tennis @Rolland Garos, it is as well, certainly, a rewarding experience to visit Wimbledon -THE PRESTIGIOUS tournament in tennis history, on a bright sunny Saturday.
Making no pre-plans, I and hubby set out to Wimbledon at 1 o’clock in the afternoon, expecting nothing but "No-Entry". Our satellite navigator vouched on taking not more than 30 minutes from our place to the venue; and as normal we took 1.5 hours to reach there. Impressed by the very helpful sign boards on parking, towards Wimbledon Lawn Tennis, my hubby pulled a Schumaker to land in one of the parking gallery entrance. “25 pounds please sir for parking” – Guard in the entrance dropped a bombshell on my hubby’s little sparrow heart. With cars lined behind, barrier in the front and guard with ticket by the side, my hubby, no way to escape threw a defeated look at me, eventually me handing over his wallet to him.


Grumbling at the treachery committed by the car parking authorities, my hubby vowed to extract every penny of £25 back, by spending as much time as possible in Wimbledon. We were directed to join a queue @3 o'clock and to our shock were told that it would take good 2 hours for us to reach the ticket counter. We carried no food or water, and with just 2 minute maggi noodles in stomach, we started feeling the real heat. Fuel on the fire - families behind and front of us has packed their pre-lunch, lunch, tea snacks, refreshments and dinner – all for that 2 hours queue journey. It took circa 45 minutes for us to move 200 feet in snails pace where a cute little volunteer gal gave a refreshing black-currant juice and aggravated the situation with her expert opinion that our journey would take another couple of hours. And then came the horrifying 10 minutes in our line up – sewage workers cleared the nearby toilets evoking FRAGRANCE, which nearly brought our small intestines out. The only consolation throughout the trek was a lady walking in front of us tripped and fell down twice :)))


At 5:15 pm, I was walking bare foot with my fancy shoes on hand, my hubby drank as much free black-currant juice as possible eventually started sneezing and with the family behind us moaning about shortage of food they brought, we were just half way through. Suddenly the movement in queue took its pace and I was dancing to put on my shoes back. We were able to see the light at the end of the tunnel – the ticket booth. Miraculously @5:30 we were in the ticket counter, purchased two “after 5” tickets and went inside. Obviously we were not allowed to visit Centre court and courts 1 and 2, where the good matches normally happen. So, I was routing to find a decent court, sit in an apt position to watch at least one full match and experience Wimbledon. However my hubby had very different plans. Suddenly I saw an urge in him to leave me in some place where I felt comfortable and take-on, on his own. Unable to fathom and no desire to question his intentions, I settled in Court 18 (which saw the iconic Isner Mahut ordeal few days before) in a very apt position to watch the forthcoming mens doubles.


While reserving a seat nearby and waiting for the match to commence, I (and others assembled in court 18) realised that one of the doubles guys, Philipp Petzschner was currently held up in a match against Rafa in centre court and doing good. It took sometime for the officials to re-schedule another match, a mixed doubles between Kas/King and Fleming/Borwell. Crowd slowly started filling in all the seats and I had to request the slot nearby for the apple of my eye. Grumpy old guard agreed to do so, provided, my hubby shows up in another 15 minutes. My hubby came back, full of zest, bragging on a game from Davenport/Bryan match. Also he acquired information that Sania Mirza, so-called Indian tennis ace (who never serves aces off-late) playing in court 12 and wished to see that match. To check the strength of the court he woke up again from his seat, only to grab grumpy old boy’s attention. The guard strictly warned that if my hubby leaves now, the seat is gone FOREVER. Clearly not happy with the verdict, my hubby settled in his place unwillingly, to watch couple of games in court 18. Promising a good match, he took me away from court 18 and walked me around Wimbledon letting me not to settle with any match. Court 12 was full, with people queuing outside to watch women’s doubles between Sania/Wozniacki and Black/Hantuchova. My hubby, to keep up his promise, directed me to witness Sania serving, from a small hole on the green blanket in security entrance and he eventually started doing the same.


Clearly infuriated by the proposal, I took-on to watch mixed doubles between Sa/ Zvonareva and Dlouhy/Benesova. It was an excellent ordeal where the women counterparts outplayed men in their own teams. Dlouhy’s game was littered with errors while Benesova was fantastic. She almost took the match till the second set single-handedly. And then Dlouhy, from nowhere, lifted his game way up, to finish third set with ease. In the middle of this match we saw Serena, Sania, Wozniacki, Black, Hantuchova all walking behind towards their locker rooms. We even saw Richard Williams (Serena and Venus’s dad) who was simple and alone, smoking. Of course, we did follow the tradition of collecting souvenirs in Wimbledon shop and brought the day to formal end.


Overall, it was a fantastic experience (missed to have strawberries and cream though) and at the end was left longing for another visit (may be next year). For me, it was made f(u)ntastic only by the presence of my hubby. :)))

What to update on !!

Well!! Long 2 months with considerable changes in my personal and professional front. And the world has changed as well – with Gulf oil spill, WC Football extravaganza in South Africa and of course Mr Cameroon’s warning to common us, “Start managing your lifestyle”.


BP is the huge offender since mid April here for USA, Mexico, Environment, British economy, Water inhabitants in Gulf of Mexico, Oil consumers all over the planet and taxpayers like us. Never thought one organisation could damage and annoy so many genres of sectors at one time. Kudos to BP!!! They are hitting news headlines almost everyday either with their untimely quotes or getting lashed out by media, President Obama or some representative from Louisiana.


According to the latest reports, it is the third biggest oil spill ever (do not forget its still ongoing and they can move to numero uno slot any time), killing 11 workers, fouling 120 miles of US coastline, slaughtering sea turtles, dolphins and birds eventually driving tourism away. But the biggest of all damages is yet to happen. The distance for common man to pay the price for BP’s blunders is just a mile away. And their attitude – BP’s tips and tricks to reduce the onus on them is not working. Misquoting the swarming amount of oil and politicizing the quotes of genuinely upset Obama as anti-British are not working for the corporation. With USA congressmen summoning BP’s chief and the man-in-action Tony Hayward to provide explanations on taking so-called cost cutting shortcuts on this crucial issue leading to mis-managing the crisis, is making them constipate further.


BP loosing 40% of its value as a firm in less than 2 months boast to have controlled just 50% of the oil spill and in total 10% of their problems. One may comment that it is very simple to sit outside the consortium under catastrophe and criticize, but for sure the crisis management, be it from BP or the USA government is near to mediocre. GOD SAVE the WORLD – World!! - Its World cup – a treat for football loving fans all over the globe.


With tournament favourites Spain yet to make their entry in WC2010, from out of the blues South Korea stunned one time Euro champions Greece in their opening match. With South American teams Brazil and Argentina in draw with Euro stunners England, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Italy, it is going to be a non-stop treat for the footie fanatics. It’s a pity that Wimbledon may get un-noticed during the football extravaganza. More disappointing factor, I am sitting in a place where there is no television!!!


I would love to draw some write-ups on on-going World Cup football, forthcoming Wimbledon and never-ending Gulf oil spill saga, when time permits.


Till then it’s Sivi signing off with a good quote below.


Disbelief in magic can force a poor soul into believing in government and business.
- Tom Robbins

Scandal of the month - Swami Nityananda

Well from a CEO monk to a SEX Monk - This is one hell of a transition.

For people who does not know what a monk in Hinduism means ...
The crux of a "swami (monk)" is Brahmachariam. A Brahmachari lives his life in conformance to the creative aspects of the ONE, shuns all the existing worldly pleasures to secure a place close to the divinity - The GOD himself.  To attain this ultimate bliss a monk should hold continence towards pleasures from sex, longing for material profits etcetera.

However the new age monks not only distant themselves from sexual continence but also seem to crave for more material profits on the name of Ashrams and Preachings. The new valuable addition to this list is Swami Nityananda. The young swami who brags about his life as a selfless monk and enlightens souls through his preachings in his official website http://www.dhyanapeetam.org/web/default.aspx , also very recently amused millions of viewers, with his latest sex scandal.

Sadly, this swami who in his early 30s, attained sky heights in popularity before this downfall. There is nothing wrong about an young lad craving for a normal life. To me, being "Swami" is/was Nityananda's job profile. And that job gave him an honorable identity, huge respect, immense wealth at a very young age. Lets get real here; who does not fancy a job with such an outcome? So whats Nityananda's mistake here? Nothing. If a well-read eloquent guy with some backing and affluence, cliams to be a monk, then let him be. Its his designated lifestyle.  

Do not make him a demi-GOD and cultivate huge devotion and expectation, for what he chose to be, at one point of time in his life. Remember ! Its his life and he has every right to modify his lifestyle the way he wants, anytime.  We should never ever have problem with that.

Its time for us to wake up, not Nityananda !

Copyright © Sivi 05-Mar-2010

Holy Matrimony - The Two Extremes

A chirpy discussion in orkut community among young generation hijacked my thoughts through those holy years of my matrimonial hunt. Hailing from the southern part of India, I serve witness to our conservative background and the pulse of those parents who still believes that a woman’s life is undoubtedly destined to enjoy the Marital Bliss and produce off-spring. The process of bundling a girl to her in-laws starts from the moment a baby girl is born in a family. Relatives, kin who visit the new born start scaring the proud parents with frightening quotes of wisdom; “You guys should start acting responsible. It’s a baby girl”! “Start investing smart and devout in gold. It will be handy while sending her off to a good family”. The infant would give an innocent coo, never knowing that her plight is being planned right next to her baby-cot by everyone else but her.

The paradigm of "hubby hunting" involves a series of procedural steps. Once the girl finishes her education, giving no consideration to her consent, her horoscope will be circulated through agencies and contacts. The crux of an arranged marriage is astrology; whether people are compatible or not, horoscopes MUST be compatible. If otherwise, the parents would not even consider speaking to the boy’s family, no matter how good he is. However the actual fun starts once the horoscope matches. THE RENDEZVOUS - Boy’s family visit the girl’s family. This will include episodes – “BOY meets the GIRL”, “An informal interview - conducted by the elders with habitual questions like – Can the girl cook traditional food? Can she sing? Will she be working after marriage? Etcetera”, “Customary dinner - served to the visitors”, “Embarrassing moments (There will be at least one in each of these meetings)” and “The Outcome”. If both the families are happy then the big day is decided, again by elders – The Engagement Day followed by Grandeur Wedding ceremony. This is pretty much how weddings happen in Eastern part of the world, till the last decade. A Girl gets to know the guy with whom she is to spend the rest of her life, only after marriage. However, things did take a turn in the last decade or so. A class of parents have become more considerate in accepting the choices of their children, after some minimal screening process though. I extend my beatific acceptance to this transformation.

Having settled in western part of the world, the cultural divergence in matrimonial significance definitely evokes chortle in me; or should i say its knocking my socks off! Here there is independence to choose your own partner; there are cute ways of proposing a girl with rock-diamond and make the Engagement Day a special memory to cherish all long life and there is less intervention from elders on how and where the wedding has to happen. Everything any young girl and guy would wish in terms of self-governing their life is available here, except the longevity in reliationship. Forthrightly being, I have travelled from one extreme conservative society to the other extreme liberated society. Independence Distorted is the appropriate way to describe the lifestyle. Here the following episodes may take place in jumbled fashion - “BOY meets GIRL”, “They DATE”, “They LIVE TOGETHER – They scream on top of the world about their relationship”, “HAVE kids”, “The PROPOSAL”, “WEDDING”, “BREAK-UP” , “BOY meets the next GIRL”. Every person in this side of the globe gravely denies the existence of monogamy. 

The irony is, despite all the flaws in so-called arranged marriages, they last long. Beyond reasons, very less break-ups or divorces, and happy family livings sighted in the age-old system of matrimony when compared to the liberal ones. Is this the lack of resilience and understanding here or immense de trop tolerance levels there? Can there be a balance between the matrimony systems from both the worlds? 

Copyright © Sivi 04-Feb-2010

Victory Vs Virtue

Football World Cup 2010 qualifiers! A knock out game between 1998 WC champions France and unseeded yet brilliant Ireland. The winner gets coveted ticket to South Africa and be part of "once in a four year" opportunity – World Cup Finale. At the end of 90 minutes the aggregate score between the teams was 1-1. In this Ireland radiant match, the unbelievable happens during extra time. Theirry Henry – the lifeline of French Football handles the ball, leading to William Gallas’ goal, securing the slot for France in World Cup 2010. The act went unnoticed by match referee and the line umpire, but not from Irish Players, the media and millions of viewers across the globe. The referee then blew his final whistle not just for the match, but also for the gallant Ireland’s hopes reaching World Cup Finals. 

As expected there was huge outrage from Irish media and subtle defense from French camp. It’s evident that this will be marked as one of the dark moments in Football history. Well let’s look back at history! Who can forget the infamous Maradona quote “a little with head and little with Hand of GOD”. In 1986 football world cup, quarter finals between England and Argentina, England was on the receiving end from Maradona’s Hand of GOD bravura act, scoring a goal not only to win the match 2-1, but also the World Cup of 1986. He made us swallow “Righteous Prevails – is for losers” 

Henry and Maradona, two football legends, do not just believe in winning a match, but winning it at any cost. Everything is now fair in sports. On post match interview, Henry very easily shifted the onus onto match referee’s shoulders. There is neither conscience nor decorum in players anymore. 

It is unfortunate that young aspiring kids look up-to these successful professionals and learn these sleazy techniques only to improvise them in their time. 

Why not FIFA appoint a general body to monitor these malpractices and fine the player post match, issuing Red Card?

Copyright © Sivi 20-Nov-2009

Nostalgia - An Inevitable emotion.

Many yearn rewinding their lives to commemorate those treasured moments whilst some long a dig into the past to re-live in a better way. In actuality, we loose the present chasing future and desiring the lost past.

My top 5 nostalgic moments:

• Barbapapa – Periodically I wonder how this cartoon occupies a slot in my mind. I was six years old when i last last watched this classic in a black and white television. It is true that thoughts in young brain stands like a nail in banana tree. Every Sunday morning around 9ish, i used to sit before television, trying truly hard to swallow a cup of complan drink and watch the Barba family changing shapes like amoeba to entertain me and other characters inside the show. I was just one of them. Innocent Days!.
•  8^th grade – The most successful year in my life till date. I was school topper in academics the whole year. I was unsurpassable. All teachers loved me. I tasted my first success in badminton, acquired my first gold medal for excelling in academics and won an opportunity to be part of my first ever science project at school. I have never ever been so successful in my entire life. Golden Days!.
  
• 1^st year college – Clueless of life outside school I still remember my first day at college loitering like a lost lamb. Despite yearning to rewrite most of my moments in college, I still cherish the first year. New friends, first college cultural, first fashion show; and very first time I came across girls who can scream at top of their voices in auditorium.  It was the beginning of a whole new life. Rejuvenating Days!. 
• 1^st IT job – After few non-IT job stints I landed in one stable career as an IT trainer. Our world was very small. Just 4 us, who ran the complete show in the company with great efficacy, right from training, to development, to setting up computers in network for 50+ people to carry out their project work. The more the responsibility the more we self educated. Our ensemble had an innate knowledge of “fun at work”. I rarely remember even a single day with no fun despite huge boulders at job. We laughed and we dreamt high. Simple yet Ambitious Days!.
  
• 1^st week abroad – From a little caterpillar I was endowed with an opportunity to break from cocoon and empower in becoming a butterfly to fly far away from my comfort zone. Being my first time away from my parents and homeland, it was bemusing and amusing. The transition from a roasting hot weather to freezing cold conditions, change in time zones, variety of characters with diverse cultural background; it was tough initially yet a gleeful experience. The new found independence taught me mammoth lessons in life. Adventurous Days!.
  

After few years from now, when I look back will the list remain the same? No clue. But these wonderful days carved its niche in the journey of my life.   Copyright © Sivi 14-Nov-2009

MMM - Mind, Mass, Magic

Some authors make huge impact in the society by sharing virtue of knowledge through art of writing. Dan Brown – acclaimed thriller fiction novelist who shook the roots of Christianity with “Da Vinci Code”, embodies guts and gift in mixing the right dose of religion, science, history and mystery in his work. “Noetic Science” – subject known only to fraternity existed in research and scientific field, is now in every common man’s lips. This is one of the most googled topics post the release of Mr. Brown’s latest work “The Lost Symbol”. I am not here to pen down how Lost Symbol coerced to modify my perception on mind, mass and GOD. I am here to tap my temple (that’s what Mr. Brown refers to one’s mind) and pour my thoughts on some similarities noted in Dan Brown’s writing and Derren Brown’s: How to win lottery.

            As stupid as this sound, let us stop judging my comparison for now and move on to renowned British illusionist Derren Brown, who made a startling prediction of lottery numbers in September 2009, worth generous few millions. Also Channel 4 aired a show of the acclaimed pysco-trickery illustrating how exactly he came with those six magical numbers worth a fortune. The demonstration was pretty interesting yet funny.

            Derren assembled 24 selfless people who truly believed in his methods and never wanted any share from the lottery winnings. Noble attempt!! He asked them collectively to focus on their ultimate goal of predicting the numbers and called for to relax and draw six numbers with closed eyes taking their own time, using pencil and paper. He later took the first number from each person, added them together and divided the sum by 24. He declared that as the first predicted number of the set of six. Similarly he continued the effort to forecast the rest of the five numbers from their collective endeavour. There were mixed reactions when those six numbers actually won the prize. Many reckon that his prediction stint was a split camera trick and most refused to buy his explanation in channel 4 program. Cannot blame the viewers; it was really funny to see 24 people, locked in a room with closed eyes, scribbling something on a paper (I and my hubby left no stone unturned in mocking the same like a zombie). However there was one powerful paradigm he delivered through the exemplification - “Collective thoughts can influence an outcome”.

            Prayers are held in churches, mosques and temples, in groups, for a reason - collective focused thoughts to influence the happenings around. To my astonishment my current reading, Dan Brown’s Lost Symbol also focuses on the power of human thoughts with convincing explanation. So, Do human thoughts really have mass? Do human mind have real power to modify the particles around us, physically? These are the million dollar questions may be noetic science experiments are trying to address. It is so strange that these theories, though tough to be believed, have been in existence for hundreds of years. Meditation and Yoga vouches that human mind can be controlled by self. Hypnotherapy again suggests mind can be controlled and made to communicate in a more relaxed environment. Telekinesis on the other hand trying hard to prove its existence, believes that human mind can control physical objects around. Isn’t that called MAGIC? Even though numerous “so-called” video evidences prevail in World Wide Web, they are tough to be accepted as most of them are hoax uploads in youtube. However, there are serious minds working round the clock to prove the power of mind scientifically, with strong supporting evidences.

            Science or myth, Mass or Magic; it is sure lots is expected from fields like Noetic Sciences, in near future, in understanding human brain and its powers.

Open Sesame!!!! 

Copyright © Sivi 23-Oct-2009

Mission of H's and O's

“Chandrayaan Mission a complete success” – ISRO at last have had an opportunity to boast on their hard work and acumen, in the field of science and become cynosure for all eyes in this world. When most smart Indian brains are lend to NASA, some back in ISRO today proved that they are not rusty either. It is a historic moment for India with the help of American Instrument; and an orgranisation like ISRO thoroughly deserves this recognition. Once aspired to work in ISRO, if pursued successfully i would have felt hundred times jubilant today. Following this huge breakthrough, there was a discussion in Orkut community highlighting the cost such missions demand. It further went on to say “the finance used in such missions are a waste and need to be channelled to improve the life of the mediocre living in the country”. When my left eye evoked acid on the insensibility and failing to appreciate a landmark achievement, my right eye was hit by the chord of reality it struck with. 

Incandescent memories of those days surfaced, where in late eighties and early nineties when I was still schooling. My parents rented a place just outside the city limits nearby my school and dad’s office. Water Scarcity was at its prime form in southern parts of India then and the dry well in home compound was our voluble witness. Every night between 8 and 10 p.m. the water pump at the end of the street, 5 minutes away from our home, used to give boon of corporation water. All 50+ families in that street depend on those coveted 2 hours to push the next 22 hours of our lives with H2O. We would try filling almost all big vessel containers inside our home with huge thirst, within this span hitting multiple trips to the end of the road returning with PRECIOUS water filled buckets. Well! Those were simple days. After circa 20 years when I visited the town few months ago, I saw lots changed. New roads, mobile maniac, web world wide and better water access facilities – still not the best though. As lovely as it sounds, still people below poverty dwell in streets. Water scarcity is flooded everywhere not only in India but also in the rest of the world. The million dollar question now is should these problems stop a country from making scientific progress and making her mark in history? NO!!!

Current exponential explosion in technology is achieved after spending many billions and trillions of dollars all over the world towards scientific innovations. The good news is, in theory, a portion of the currency earned by some millionaires and billionaires are reaching poor and needy through charity organisations. 

Coming back to where we started, there is a now a section of perplexed scientific community raking their brains on how water got to the surface of moon. ISRO with bolstered confidence believes this as the naughtiness of water possessed asteroids and meteors crashing onto the moon. Hey, since 1969 there were numerous missions to moon from our planet and who knows how many of those guys spilled some H’s and O’s in those aeonian visits contaminating the flawless Moon?

The irony here is some people believe that it may not actually be water on moon’s surface. From Rain water harvesting we have rapidly moved to a topic called Moon water harvesting even before confirming what we found is water (H2O) or hydroxyl (OH). It is believed that the so-called water particles on moon can be harvested for future Mars missions. Chandrayaan II is getting equipped with Russian Rover to dig lunar soil.
 

It is time for me to sign off with adage “Big bad time for Moon has just begun”.

Copyright © Sivi 02-Oct-2009