दौड़
आज मैं उस दौड़ में शामिल हूँ
जो कब शुरू हुई पता हीँ न चला
कल रात जब सोया था
बडे चैन से सोया था
सुबह होने पे खुद खो बेचैन पाया, शायद थोडा व्यग्र भी
खुच माहौल में चिल्ल पों , साथियों की buck उप की आवाजें
और शायद मन में खुछ कर गुजरने की इक्छा
पलक झपकते हीँ ,शायद मैं उस दौड़ में शामिल था !
आज मैं अकेला सोया हूँ
सुकून और शांति हम बिस्तर होने की बात मुस्कुरा कर टाल गयीं
उनका कहना है- मै किसी गुप्त रोग से पीड़ित हूँ!
हकीम का कहना है - यह मर्ज़ हीं लाइलाज है
बशर्ते की ये दौड़ ख़त्म हो!
ये दौड़ कब ख़त्म होगी....
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Mexico 86 and South Africa 2010- My Memories of Soccer indulgence!
Mexico 86 and South Africa 2010- My Memories of Soccer indulgence!
Circa 86- A gawky 13 year old, grade 7 student is building his castles in his dreams . He waits anxiously , eagerly and salivates for the kick off for the 86 world cup. The scene is further made easy with his elder brother Nikhil, feeling his excitement, gets his parents to buy a new colour TV!! The stage is all set for the grand finale…..
I was growing up in my own “hiccup- tical” ways- playing cricket, soccer, volleyball, athletics, table tennis, chess et al but soccer , for reasons faded in memory, remained very close to the heart! Carl Lewis, giant of an athlete post jesse owens, would haunt the dreams and so would our desi greats, Sunny gavaskar and Kapil Dev! The football stars occupying similar status were not from brazeel but from oh, so cool, Calcutta clubs!! Few school seniors like Randhir singh and sanjay ahirwaal would trespass the dreams sometimes. These were the soccer favourites of my pre teen years -
That year, we had 2 periods each of 35 minutes for soccer per week and that was one high time for all of us! We never missed school on those two days ( Tuesday and Fridays for us!), would plan for it a day before and dream of scoring a goal the previous night !! In grade 7 and 8 , we were the soccer section!! We had beaten all the other sections comprehensively in last two years. The stalwarts like manish kumar “ dhawak aka gwala”, Sunil sinha “ Kodhi” and sumit kumar “ singh” were already knocking on the doors of school team. Soccer had become our real passion while we followed other sports with similar spirit! Adpoting this life time passion in grade 8, I think, I became a global citizen , a lot before embarking for the unknown lands in year 2000.
The world was not inundated with media then… EPL and La liga were virtually unseen off apart the few erratic columns dedicated to them in sports section of times of India and Hindustan times… The journal de jour!
One was intoxicated on the wiles , guiles and dribbling of the stars of the three tittilators of Indian soccer fan – the three Calcutta clubs- East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammdean sporting.. Cricket had the most important status in the lives and minds of the entire country and for our generation, more so post the 1983 world cup victory but the escapades of these three clubs came only a close second .
The issue after issue of “sports star” and “sports world” which did give lots of coverage to the CPL ( common persons league! ) were diligently kept between the course books and every section was virtually memorized.
The exposure to world soccer was limited to print pages and a few documentaries on the God Pele on our own Door –Darshan, the national TV channel! Though , one gorged on all that the print media had to offer about the English summer of 66 , cryuff’s cunning craft of 74 or the way Italians inundation of 82! The history in pages created more awe , more dreams and more excitement in those adolescence years; much more than anything else could provide that time.
This B division team from Germany came to play 7 matches in india in 84/85 . Every match was telecast live on Dooor – Darshan ( the ball remained quite far from the screen!). Each match afternoons were meticulously planned and those 90 mimutes would take the breath away. First exposure to the western toughness. The wizardy , the guile of satyajit chaterjee’s and subroto banerjee’s and the safe hands of bhaskar ganguly appeared so humane and fallible (Almost the entire Indian 11 then would be from Calcutta- the soccer capital! With a few thrown in from Goa or Kerela.)
The TV revolution had just revolutionized our little world and we could think , breathe and visualize colours . One could dream of the yellows of samba, the bleu azzurris , oranje from the dutch land, the Spanish red , the light bleu stripes of the argentinians . The magic was building up… I could feel it in my fingers and I could feel it in my toes!!
Further all the print reports about magic of the short , rotund magician from Buenos aires were making the air even more exciting!
The print pages and our experts from the maidan of calcutta ( Pls note india had been a Olympic semifinalists and asian champions in few decades preceding 80’s!) called it as the cup of the mid fielders/ attacking midfielders. I couldn’t get the logic as I would think the world soccer would still be defensive in approach with the Italian wall having stolen the cup away the last time. I was glad , it was moving forward anyway!
The curly haired magician, Michel platini was all ready to sound his bugle. The deadly trio of Gullit, Van basten and Rijjkard wanted to do what cryuff couldn’t and were riding high on recent success. Sans smoke mais déjà mari (jua) nated magician maradona was showing off the rippling thighs in his short, stout frame. My favourite .. the low profile, gentleman from the streets of rio.. who could weave magic when needed , was Zico ! The prayers for brazeel started that fateful year and have continued since then!!
Brazeel has been the favourite since then and ritualistic prayers have ensured the ones around have followed my efforts of asking the gods to shower special blessings on the yellow jerseys! My 20 month old sang Brazeee and my 6 year old forced leezy, our dear dutch friend, to wipe off the dutch colours from his cheeks during the Brazilian dutch encounter in 2010. Am glad to have passed on the love for samba magic!!
Mexican waves , maradona’s last laugh both with the hand of god goal and goal of the century, zico’s drooping shoulders after the penalty fumble remain firmly embedded in my memory . I was initiated into the world soccer with late night matches being played on the other side of the planet.
Circa 2010
The world has changed, La liga, EPL and bundesliga are all over television, live. The club transfers of players is tracked and discussed over social gatherings. The fairer sex chants Go Espanyol and talks more of Messi than the usual messy stuff!
The stage was set with the vuvuzelas blowing the world away . It announced African arrival on the world stage in a loud, boisterous and in an emphatic manner. We were gifted two vuvus by chimene and Amelia , our south african friends! They became Rudra’s swords for the entire festive period.
Messi floundered, italinas withered, French bickered, German machinery was visible only in parts, England aka lampard could not be more unlucky but cant blame the queen f and my favourites brazeel bombed while trying out a new dung-a– soccer!
The two finalist did steal the heart away! Dutch played beautiful soccer and for a change kept winning !.. The espanyol delieverd when mattered.
We had a wonderful mix of friends watching the matches at bars, embassies, friends places and the final at dutch ambassador’s residence. The boisterous blowing by rudra on the Spanish goal stunned the entire gathering ! While I rejoiced the Spanish victory , my heart did ache for the magnificent dutch..!
For the entire period, Rudra blew his vuvuzela as much as he could and we got to bond together!! Even though brazeel lost and messi messed, I initiated him into the fantastic world of soccer.. My magic potion from the Cup of 2010!!
Circa 86- A gawky 13 year old, grade 7 student is building his castles in his dreams . He waits anxiously , eagerly and salivates for the kick off for the 86 world cup. The scene is further made easy with his elder brother Nikhil, feeling his excitement, gets his parents to buy a new colour TV!! The stage is all set for the grand finale…..
I was growing up in my own “hiccup- tical” ways- playing cricket, soccer, volleyball, athletics, table tennis, chess et al but soccer , for reasons faded in memory, remained very close to the heart! Carl Lewis, giant of an athlete post jesse owens, would haunt the dreams and so would our desi greats, Sunny gavaskar and Kapil Dev! The football stars occupying similar status were not from brazeel but from oh, so cool, Calcutta clubs!! Few school seniors like Randhir singh and sanjay ahirwaal would trespass the dreams sometimes. These were the soccer favourites of my pre teen years -
That year, we had 2 periods each of 35 minutes for soccer per week and that was one high time for all of us! We never missed school on those two days ( Tuesday and Fridays for us!), would plan for it a day before and dream of scoring a goal the previous night !! In grade 7 and 8 , we were the soccer section!! We had beaten all the other sections comprehensively in last two years. The stalwarts like manish kumar “ dhawak aka gwala”, Sunil sinha “ Kodhi” and sumit kumar “ singh” were already knocking on the doors of school team. Soccer had become our real passion while we followed other sports with similar spirit! Adpoting this life time passion in grade 8, I think, I became a global citizen , a lot before embarking for the unknown lands in year 2000.
The world was not inundated with media then… EPL and La liga were virtually unseen off apart the few erratic columns dedicated to them in sports section of times of India and Hindustan times… The journal de jour!
One was intoxicated on the wiles , guiles and dribbling of the stars of the three tittilators of Indian soccer fan – the three Calcutta clubs- East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammdean sporting.. Cricket had the most important status in the lives and minds of the entire country and for our generation, more so post the 1983 world cup victory but the escapades of these three clubs came only a close second .
The issue after issue of “sports star” and “sports world” which did give lots of coverage to the CPL ( common persons league! ) were diligently kept between the course books and every section was virtually memorized.
The exposure to world soccer was limited to print pages and a few documentaries on the God Pele on our own Door –Darshan, the national TV channel! Though , one gorged on all that the print media had to offer about the English summer of 66 , cryuff’s cunning craft of 74 or the way Italians inundation of 82! The history in pages created more awe , more dreams and more excitement in those adolescence years; much more than anything else could provide that time.
This B division team from Germany came to play 7 matches in india in 84/85 . Every match was telecast live on Dooor – Darshan ( the ball remained quite far from the screen!). Each match afternoons were meticulously planned and those 90 mimutes would take the breath away. First exposure to the western toughness. The wizardy , the guile of satyajit chaterjee’s and subroto banerjee’s and the safe hands of bhaskar ganguly appeared so humane and fallible (Almost the entire Indian 11 then would be from Calcutta- the soccer capital! With a few thrown in from Goa or Kerela.)
The TV revolution had just revolutionized our little world and we could think , breathe and visualize colours . One could dream of the yellows of samba, the bleu azzurris , oranje from the dutch land, the Spanish red , the light bleu stripes of the argentinians . The magic was building up… I could feel it in my fingers and I could feel it in my toes!!
Further all the print reports about magic of the short , rotund magician from Buenos aires were making the air even more exciting!
The print pages and our experts from the maidan of calcutta ( Pls note india had been a Olympic semifinalists and asian champions in few decades preceding 80’s!) called it as the cup of the mid fielders/ attacking midfielders. I couldn’t get the logic as I would think the world soccer would still be defensive in approach with the Italian wall having stolen the cup away the last time. I was glad , it was moving forward anyway!
The curly haired magician, Michel platini was all ready to sound his bugle. The deadly trio of Gullit, Van basten and Rijjkard wanted to do what cryuff couldn’t and were riding high on recent success. Sans smoke mais déjà mari (jua) nated magician maradona was showing off the rippling thighs in his short, stout frame. My favourite .. the low profile, gentleman from the streets of rio.. who could weave magic when needed , was Zico ! The prayers for brazeel started that fateful year and have continued since then!!
Brazeel has been the favourite since then and ritualistic prayers have ensured the ones around have followed my efforts of asking the gods to shower special blessings on the yellow jerseys! My 20 month old sang Brazeee and my 6 year old forced leezy, our dear dutch friend, to wipe off the dutch colours from his cheeks during the Brazilian dutch encounter in 2010. Am glad to have passed on the love for samba magic!!
Mexican waves , maradona’s last laugh both with the hand of god goal and goal of the century, zico’s drooping shoulders after the penalty fumble remain firmly embedded in my memory . I was initiated into the world soccer with late night matches being played on the other side of the planet.
Circa 2010
The world has changed, La liga, EPL and bundesliga are all over television, live. The club transfers of players is tracked and discussed over social gatherings. The fairer sex chants Go Espanyol and talks more of Messi than the usual messy stuff!
The stage was set with the vuvuzelas blowing the world away . It announced African arrival on the world stage in a loud, boisterous and in an emphatic manner. We were gifted two vuvus by chimene and Amelia , our south african friends! They became Rudra’s swords for the entire festive period.
Messi floundered, italinas withered, French bickered, German machinery was visible only in parts, England aka lampard could not be more unlucky but cant blame the queen f and my favourites brazeel bombed while trying out a new dung-a– soccer!
The two finalist did steal the heart away! Dutch played beautiful soccer and for a change kept winning !.. The espanyol delieverd when mattered.
We had a wonderful mix of friends watching the matches at bars, embassies, friends places and the final at dutch ambassador’s residence. The boisterous blowing by rudra on the Spanish goal stunned the entire gathering ! While I rejoiced the Spanish victory , my heart did ache for the magnificent dutch..!
For the entire period, Rudra blew his vuvuzela as much as he could and we got to bond together!! Even though brazeel lost and messi messed, I initiated him into the fantastic world of soccer.. My magic potion from the Cup of 2010!!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Development!
The Mango tree in front of my house!
It stands tall and arrogant ….Have seen it erect ..all by itself .. challenging the others in the lane with its swagger and with the circumference of its chest.. Always happy and fresh .. I have seen it for the last five years… It has nurtured my feelings and emotions all these years .. I have only taken from it…. Never given back anything…
He ..and not it… is unique… He has fruits all the year round!!
Any point of time…it has small green sour mangoes hanging on the fresh branches.. i love them in my pickle bottle..
It always has some mature green ones which are untouchables for me and who I leave to enjoy the transition from puberty to ripe youth…
There are a few orange, few semi red, few semi yellow.. some half green and half yellow.. and some with plethora of shades making it the fruit royal!
I taught my son colours couple of years back…green .. orange , what red is and of course yellow ... The mango tree aided me in the same..
The tree has been with US for years now… He is part of our daily chores.. When he wants to shed some leaves. it adds to the chores of our gardener ..
He gives us the most delicious mangoes ….
My Mango tree is the best .. sturdiest, longest, greenest hunk of the lane!
A sad Thursday.. viral fever afflicting of us and then this un-green scene in the lane..
I have counted 72 chopped trunks in the lane -today!!!
All in the name of infrastructural development..
My tree still sways with its usual swagger… I dread the coming weeks..
Just saw a Chinese mark vehicle with a Chinese gentleman talking to my security guard!
God bless the week ahead
It stands tall and arrogant ….Have seen it erect ..all by itself .. challenging the others in the lane with its swagger and with the circumference of its chest.. Always happy and fresh .. I have seen it for the last five years… It has nurtured my feelings and emotions all these years .. I have only taken from it…. Never given back anything…
He ..and not it… is unique… He has fruits all the year round!!
Any point of time…it has small green sour mangoes hanging on the fresh branches.. i love them in my pickle bottle..
It always has some mature green ones which are untouchables for me and who I leave to enjoy the transition from puberty to ripe youth…
There are a few orange, few semi red, few semi yellow.. some half green and half yellow.. and some with plethora of shades making it the fruit royal!
I taught my son colours couple of years back…green .. orange , what red is and of course yellow ... The mango tree aided me in the same..
The tree has been with US for years now… He is part of our daily chores.. When he wants to shed some leaves. it adds to the chores of our gardener ..
He gives us the most delicious mangoes ….
My Mango tree is the best .. sturdiest, longest, greenest hunk of the lane!
A sad Thursday.. viral fever afflicting of us and then this un-green scene in the lane..
I have counted 72 chopped trunks in the lane -today!!!
All in the name of infrastructural development..
My tree still sways with its usual swagger… I dread the coming weeks..
Just saw a Chinese mark vehicle with a Chinese gentleman talking to my security guard!
God bless the week ahead
Sunday, May 23, 2010
A Day with the Bonobos…
Promises to keep.! One is often burdened with the heavy responsibilities that come along with this seven letter word- Promise! This one was made early this week to my 5.5 year old son. Visit to Bonobos reserve park this Sunday! And I couldn’t escape the ordeal of driving some 30 kms away from the city to visit this reserve park for Bonobos. In the bargain , I missed out on my tennis and the mutton Biryani.
While my son had made elaborate plans which ranged from peanuts and bananas for Bonobos and marsh mellows, chips, juice and sandwiches for the visitors, I was more keen on the 3 kilometer trek through the woods.
And the bag had to be prepared the evening before ! Yes we went to the super market at 9 pm to ensure we had stuff which suited the pallete of the mighty Bonobos, The peanuts at home were summarily rejected by Rudra because they were spicy and the bonobos might not relish that!!
Bonobos- 98% of the genetic imprint is like homo sapiens . Could see that; They could peel off bananas in a more dexterous manner than me! . Found only in the Congos – precisely to the south of river Congo, They were elevated to a species status in early 20th century. Till then they were considered to be from the family of chimpanzees and are still popularly known as pygmy or dwarf chimps.
The most amazing thing which I noticed when a bonobos spread its palm to take a banana from Rudra- The presence of heart line, head line and a life line – akin to the human palm…
Are palmists and astrologers listening…
I kept trying hard to delve into the 2 % difference in the genetic imprint from the Homo sapiens .. I couldn’t observe a thing till the guide enlightened me –
When the Bonobos have a disagreement with each other they tend to hug or share food instead of having a fight. Bonobos have never been observed to KILL each other.
How different from the Homo Sapiens!!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
EXPATS IN DARK CONTINENT
The Dark Continent has its own ways of getting the glue with its expatriates. Wish the expats themselves could answer it. The oft debated and deliberated upon topic over a glass of scotch- How and why do they continue to live for months, years and decades in this part of the world. Myriad responses emerge - Some very black or white, some have grey shades but the best that I have ever heard has been from a Greek friend of mine- “I have lived my dream here”!!
It is vague but the bondage between the continent and its expatriate inhabitants is quite unique….
In my decade long stay, I have come across expatriates of all kinds in Africa.
They range from a fourth generation Asian expatriate; an owner of a few hundred million dollar biz empire. Born in Africa; the person did his schooling in Africa and then moved over to US for university and masters. Having served for few years in Europe, middle east and south east financial capitals and in high profile financial institutions, Has come back to control the African empire . A difficult and unique decision but he wants to be where the bucks come from…
There are other 3rd generation Indian expats who don’t know what India is but have built a biz model which can be envied by entrepreneurs with training in elite Business Schools or those teaching entrepreneurship skills at Harvard business school. They will smoke and drink anything but will always eat Indian cuisine at home though peppered with generous amounts of the hot – err hottest pilli pilli and still use their native language to converse within the family. They have localized to a large extent and understand the local terrain and local language very well. They go to school in Switzerland and university in US/ Canada but will remain an Indian at heart. Unique they are!
Another group is of second generation Indian expats.. With parents willing to stick out their neck in the chaotic times of sixties and seventies in Africa, they stand to have inherited a fortune due to the exodus of the previous rulers of their colonies. They used the newly acquired fortune to study in US universities and then come back to handle the fledgling businesses with high real estate values. Many of this breed lead an aristocratic life with an US colored view of world while financing their elite lifestyle of driving luxurious cars , champagne evenings and super elite holidays with greens earned from this dark land.
An admirable set of hardworking, thrift spenders, maintaining a normal style even after having made a fortune is of First generation entrepreneurs who arrived in early eighties and strived hard in the difficult times to make it big. A very admirable set who still know the value of money and who still spend long hours day after day trying to maximize their return on investment.
There are hordes of CAs, MBAs and engineers from India who have made Africa their haven, some came for a few years to make some quick bucks and then carry on with their life. Most stayed on... few moved to Australia and Canada after having saved ENOUGH and very few returned home to eat the parathas as they couldn’t survive this world.
There are many who came and didn’t make it big but sill did enough to ensure a good life for family and self. They got into basic trading business and carried on!!
This is the largest set of expat set across the continent. There are hordes of traders and shop owners of asian and Lebanese origin selling toothpaste to tomato paste.
I have also come across tons of young clumsy teens from villages of Gujarat and Kutch. On the behest of relatives or someone from extended family, they ventured into the unknown land and have survived managing shops of their owners and saving a few hundred dollars every month. The night clubs of Africa and the many of the local birds flying inside the dark alleys of the club owe their living to these gentlemen.
A different but unique genre is of the men who have betrothed local women from powerful local families. This has helped them to get special concessions required to launch big businesses and make tremendous wealth. Salutations to this set on their high degree of adaptability.
The continent was inundated with Greek gods during the decades of sixties to 80’s. The entire trade in agri commodities was in hands of our Greek brethren. They would talk proudly of their ancient heritage with the assumption that they were born to dominate wherever they were. Their dominance has considerably waned over last few decades but their life style, their self confidence and their belief in the continents wealth generating capabilities ensured they continue to eke their dreams here! Yes, they still are lords of coffee going to coffers of nestle or beans of cocoa circumventing their ways into factories of Cadburys.
I have a large set of friends whose grandfathers were part of the colonial empire. While the MEN in question moved back to France, Belgium Portugal or England way back when the African nations ushered in independence, their progeny found it hard to get away. They were so used to the the basic comfort of the place while growing up and the belief that they were more networked here than in their European terrain, decided to stay over here. Some of them had followed their grandparents ; but returned within few years to make a living out here. They still live a great life here. They ride horses. Travel all over the world to watch Formula one , own properties in key locations in Europe and holiday in exotic locations. They are more African than many native Africans. They feel more at home in this native land. Europe remains a holiday and shopping destination for them.
I have plethora of friends who left their troubled land of Lebanon a few decades back and made the continent as their home. The entire trade in west and central Africa is dominated by our Lebanese brothers. Most of them have thrived on the chaos of the last 30 years and have made a rock solid business empire. They have a large set of young boys from their villages who help them monitor this business empire. These are the ones who are the most visible Lebanese face in the restos, night clubs and places of interest to any tourist. And count on their gelled wet look and an enormous swagger when they enter a night club! Kudos to their self confidence! Most of them still need to sit for the pre university exams!
I have also come across friends who serve in embassies of different developed or developing countries. These belong to the haloed set who live life king size in big mansions, play golf 10 hours a week and still make money-;). Many of them want to prolong their stay in Africa.
These are the expats who sit and shine in the dark land, they use the African safari into a worthwhile adventure to make a career, a business, a life and live their dream.
Give it to all kinds of these expats… They have made a choice and have lived it to the hilt.
And To my friends, peers and family who wonder on my choices in life--
Two roads diverged in a wood, I chose the one less travelled and that has made all the difference!
लीक पर वें चलें जिनकेचरण दुर्बल और हारे हैं,
हमें तो जो हमारी यात्रा से बनेऐसे अनिर्मित पन्थ प्यारे हैं ।
It is vague but the bondage between the continent and its expatriate inhabitants is quite unique….
In my decade long stay, I have come across expatriates of all kinds in Africa.
They range from a fourth generation Asian expatriate; an owner of a few hundred million dollar biz empire. Born in Africa; the person did his schooling in Africa and then moved over to US for university and masters. Having served for few years in Europe, middle east and south east financial capitals and in high profile financial institutions, Has come back to control the African empire . A difficult and unique decision but he wants to be where the bucks come from…
There are other 3rd generation Indian expats who don’t know what India is but have built a biz model which can be envied by entrepreneurs with training in elite Business Schools or those teaching entrepreneurship skills at Harvard business school. They will smoke and drink anything but will always eat Indian cuisine at home though peppered with generous amounts of the hot – err hottest pilli pilli and still use their native language to converse within the family. They have localized to a large extent and understand the local terrain and local language very well. They go to school in Switzerland and university in US/ Canada but will remain an Indian at heart. Unique they are!
Another group is of second generation Indian expats.. With parents willing to stick out their neck in the chaotic times of sixties and seventies in Africa, they stand to have inherited a fortune due to the exodus of the previous rulers of their colonies. They used the newly acquired fortune to study in US universities and then come back to handle the fledgling businesses with high real estate values. Many of this breed lead an aristocratic life with an US colored view of world while financing their elite lifestyle of driving luxurious cars , champagne evenings and super elite holidays with greens earned from this dark land.
An admirable set of hardworking, thrift spenders, maintaining a normal style even after having made a fortune is of First generation entrepreneurs who arrived in early eighties and strived hard in the difficult times to make it big. A very admirable set who still know the value of money and who still spend long hours day after day trying to maximize their return on investment.
There are hordes of CAs, MBAs and engineers from India who have made Africa their haven, some came for a few years to make some quick bucks and then carry on with their life. Most stayed on... few moved to Australia and Canada after having saved ENOUGH and very few returned home to eat the parathas as they couldn’t survive this world.
There are many who came and didn’t make it big but sill did enough to ensure a good life for family and self. They got into basic trading business and carried on!!
This is the largest set of expat set across the continent. There are hordes of traders and shop owners of asian and Lebanese origin selling toothpaste to tomato paste.
I have also come across tons of young clumsy teens from villages of Gujarat and Kutch. On the behest of relatives or someone from extended family, they ventured into the unknown land and have survived managing shops of their owners and saving a few hundred dollars every month. The night clubs of Africa and the many of the local birds flying inside the dark alleys of the club owe their living to these gentlemen.
A different but unique genre is of the men who have betrothed local women from powerful local families. This has helped them to get special concessions required to launch big businesses and make tremendous wealth. Salutations to this set on their high degree of adaptability.
The continent was inundated with Greek gods during the decades of sixties to 80’s. The entire trade in agri commodities was in hands of our Greek brethren. They would talk proudly of their ancient heritage with the assumption that they were born to dominate wherever they were. Their dominance has considerably waned over last few decades but their life style, their self confidence and their belief in the continents wealth generating capabilities ensured they continue to eke their dreams here! Yes, they still are lords of coffee going to coffers of nestle or beans of cocoa circumventing their ways into factories of Cadburys.
I have a large set of friends whose grandfathers were part of the colonial empire. While the MEN in question moved back to France, Belgium Portugal or England way back when the African nations ushered in independence, their progeny found it hard to get away. They were so used to the the basic comfort of the place while growing up and the belief that they were more networked here than in their European terrain, decided to stay over here. Some of them had followed their grandparents ; but returned within few years to make a living out here. They still live a great life here. They ride horses. Travel all over the world to watch Formula one , own properties in key locations in Europe and holiday in exotic locations. They are more African than many native Africans. They feel more at home in this native land. Europe remains a holiday and shopping destination for them.
I have plethora of friends who left their troubled land of Lebanon a few decades back and made the continent as their home. The entire trade in west and central Africa is dominated by our Lebanese brothers. Most of them have thrived on the chaos of the last 30 years and have made a rock solid business empire. They have a large set of young boys from their villages who help them monitor this business empire. These are the ones who are the most visible Lebanese face in the restos, night clubs and places of interest to any tourist. And count on their gelled wet look and an enormous swagger when they enter a night club! Kudos to their self confidence! Most of them still need to sit for the pre university exams!
I have also come across friends who serve in embassies of different developed or developing countries. These belong to the haloed set who live life king size in big mansions, play golf 10 hours a week and still make money-;). Many of them want to prolong their stay in Africa.
These are the expats who sit and shine in the dark land, they use the African safari into a worthwhile adventure to make a career, a business, a life and live their dream.
Give it to all kinds of these expats… They have made a choice and have lived it to the hilt.
And To my friends, peers and family who wonder on my choices in life--
Two roads diverged in a wood, I chose the one less travelled and that has made all the difference!
लीक पर वें चलें जिनकेचरण दुर्बल और हारे हैं,
हमें तो जो हमारी यात्रा से बनेऐसे अनिर्मित पन्थ प्यारे हैं ।
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
To my Niece- Shreya- Bon Chance!!
The countdown has begun ! Next month would be your month. For you will weave magic , wriggle out of challenging hours with a big grin and achieve glory.. Inshallah!
This is a momentous occasion, Grade 10 exams! Let me take you through the reason why so much importance is associated in our psyche to this silly test .
Pre Independence times ,only the elite Indians went to the university. Any native who was a matriculate was respected , considered educated and was guaranteed a job. Post independence many more people got access to university but the basic defining criterion for having having the halo of intelligence remained the percentage scored in grade 10.
Moreover , In the India of 60s to 90s, Plus two education was still carried in universities. Thus, The grade 10 scores acquired paramount importance for they opened the gates of the premier universities which of course ensured you had a tag worthy of a good career. And the importance of a good tag of a good university has always made one comfortable in an interview room.
Ask the previous two generations how they sweated it out for grade 10 scores and u know the reason now!
Times have changed and evolved for better. Grade 10 scores neither give u the tag of “ educated” and guarantee a job like pre independence times. Neither do they get you into a premier university .
You could end up walking in the same corridors of DPS with the same bunch of friends. Hence, there is nothing much you can do with the scores you get here. This is not the world cup final and this is not the last ball where a six has to be hit for victory. This is just a friendly match!!
This should take off the pressure. Take a deep long breath and feel the sudden magic in yourself ! Coz there is no pressure! You can feel you can play all the strokes and play a gem of an innings ! This can only happen when there is no pressure and there is no pressure cause the stakes are not very high. So go ahead and hit sixes and make a century! You can do it !
But this Match has its own importance and that is much more than getting in a university which is a brand.
Self Belief and this competitive world- . This is the first public test of your life. A good performance makes you feel confident about yourself and enhances your self belief. That is what takes you places in this materialistic world. Get pounds of it and you manage to take on the world. So a good score here will ensure that at the end, You can thump your chest and say I did it with no one around me, Not even mum and dad! Go ahead and crack it!
Habit of winning- Winning is a habit and it comes early. For my generation , the one who took to this habit at an age of 16 and has stuck to it ever since is no else than Sachin Tendulkar- God of cricket! Believe me, Winning is more addictive than cocaine. So its better to start early and get addicted to this habit.
These exams provide you the right platform to get the glue – Go and become an addict!!
And yes , You are the first of the gen next ! So lead from the front and become a role model for the the entire gen. I was the youngest so I never got a chance to become a role model. Few get a chance and you have it - not by design but by gods grace ! Make full use of the chance given to you by god, a chance to inspire the entire generation of the family!
And then , There is this challenge! This one should excite you , pump you up and get the adrenalin going ! Here is the gauntlet. Can u beat my score of 85% by a margin of 5%?? Try it out… Both of us will emerge happier and proud!
Go ahead and make us proud, My Dear!
This is a momentous occasion, Grade 10 exams! Let me take you through the reason why so much importance is associated in our psyche to this silly test .
Pre Independence times ,only the elite Indians went to the university. Any native who was a matriculate was respected , considered educated and was guaranteed a job. Post independence many more people got access to university but the basic defining criterion for having having the halo of intelligence remained the percentage scored in grade 10.
Moreover , In the India of 60s to 90s, Plus two education was still carried in universities. Thus, The grade 10 scores acquired paramount importance for they opened the gates of the premier universities which of course ensured you had a tag worthy of a good career. And the importance of a good tag of a good university has always made one comfortable in an interview room.
Ask the previous two generations how they sweated it out for grade 10 scores and u know the reason now!
Times have changed and evolved for better. Grade 10 scores neither give u the tag of “ educated” and guarantee a job like pre independence times. Neither do they get you into a premier university .
You could end up walking in the same corridors of DPS with the same bunch of friends. Hence, there is nothing much you can do with the scores you get here. This is not the world cup final and this is not the last ball where a six has to be hit for victory. This is just a friendly match!!
This should take off the pressure. Take a deep long breath and feel the sudden magic in yourself ! Coz there is no pressure! You can feel you can play all the strokes and play a gem of an innings ! This can only happen when there is no pressure and there is no pressure cause the stakes are not very high. So go ahead and hit sixes and make a century! You can do it !
But this Match has its own importance and that is much more than getting in a university which is a brand.
Self Belief and this competitive world- . This is the first public test of your life. A good performance makes you feel confident about yourself and enhances your self belief. That is what takes you places in this materialistic world. Get pounds of it and you manage to take on the world. So a good score here will ensure that at the end, You can thump your chest and say I did it with no one around me, Not even mum and dad! Go ahead and crack it!
Habit of winning- Winning is a habit and it comes early. For my generation , the one who took to this habit at an age of 16 and has stuck to it ever since is no else than Sachin Tendulkar- God of cricket! Believe me, Winning is more addictive than cocaine. So its better to start early and get addicted to this habit.
These exams provide you the right platform to get the glue – Go and become an addict!!
And yes , You are the first of the gen next ! So lead from the front and become a role model for the the entire gen. I was the youngest so I never got a chance to become a role model. Few get a chance and you have it - not by design but by gods grace ! Make full use of the chance given to you by god, a chance to inspire the entire generation of the family!
And then , There is this challenge! This one should excite you , pump you up and get the adrenalin going ! Here is the gauntlet. Can u beat my score of 85% by a margin of 5%?? Try it out… Both of us will emerge happier and proud!
Go ahead and make us proud, My Dear!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Weddings. . .......
MARRIAGES AND LEARNINGS
How do you define a marriage… In my basic understanding it is a formal coming together of two bodies , two souls , two individuals , two identities. Its about merging of all the above into one.. Two becomes one and two decide to tread a “singular” path. Two decide to give space to each “one” while merging the two to usher in joys of being “one”.
Two , sometimes of diverse cultures and backgrounds, decide a common future and the Two contribute to the evolution of world in their own way by procreating. They prefer to give their own identity to world and history through their progeny. Though due to the nuances of genetics where random fusion of gametes takes place ; There are often vastly different creations. All the above is divine and hence a marriage has divine interventions and is quite sacred to the teeming millions around.
I have had my experiences of few marriages which linger in my memory and few which I would have loved to attend if I would have been born earlier!
My parents got married on 1st march 1968. A 26 year old fair , handsome, professor of physics taking an unknown girl of 18 as his life partner. A virtual geek be it physics or literature getting bestowed with a girl who could ride horses , play hockey and swim at competitive levels into creating a life together.
I realized; Marriage merges different ingredients to make a delicious ONE dish! Delicious this has been.. alhumdulillah- for they have stayed happily together for 40 years in thick and thin. Have heard a lot about the foggy mornings that winter and how my dear grandpa organized the wedding of his only son. I learn- Organisational skills come to fore in organizing a marriage ceremony and each gets his chance in life!! I shall get mine , too-;))
Have heard a lot also of a pre independence wedding of asthas grandparents in early thirties. A prince getting another princess, blossoming of love and then carrying on with the same intensity of desire, passion and mutual love right into the next century is a romantic story of the last century. The same becomes more powerful with the landscape of ever evolving and changing times- decades tof pre independence, post independence chaos, losing royalty privileges and coming to terms to life as a commoner. Would love to know what happened in the sacred ceremony which led to this sustained love and acceptance of each other. I believe- Marriage is love in abundance and readiness to flow together in all tides – high and low!
The first marriage of significance in my life was in 1985 . My father’s cousin got married and it was a great occasion for- a ready to barge into teens-me. My brothers and mine sacred thread vedic ceremony was also conducted that time making us “twice born” from that day. All these made the event even more memorable. Tons of photo, happy, sulking, dancing, our generation’s first brush with alcohol and tobacco and then asking for more in life mark that marriage. I learnt- Marriage ceremonies give us a chance to indulge and experience new highs and lows.
The next one was the marriage of our only beloved sister in 1993. Still an undergraduate student, I watched this one take place over months with financial and executional plans with elder bro playing his role to the hilt. I watched in awe and tried to execute to my limited capabilities as I watched the drama unfold . It was execution par excellence- a wonderful team effort. All timed perfectly. Have fond memories of friend rana singh, resorting to opening of coke bottles with mouth/ teeth when openers failed, my friend sumit taking me away for a smoke during the sentimental vidai ceremony ! Luv you guys…
While the focus remained on the ever genteel jijajee and my dahling sis and of course on my dearest bro as always.. I tried to understand the intricacies , pros , cons and nuances of getting into a responsible married life. It has been a wonderful ride for both brothers to have found a friend and well wisher in Jijashree. Merci beaucoup Monsieur! I learnt Marriage provides a platform to build life long friendships and relationships.
Scene moves to Delhi 1997.. My first year into professional career, big dreams and ambitions and a raring fire to make a difference to the society.. Here I was .. dancing away to glory as I had never done before- celebrating the big day of my only brother- my friend sometimes and my idol always! A banker joined the family and ushered in lots of fun times for us.
I can still remember the wide and rare smile on my dad’s when all finished well and to his liking . I hadn’t seen that one post my sisters wedding and not later during mine. Finally, he expressed it! His love for his special one. All of us love this love and have enjoyed it always in our family banters!
I learnt Marriage ceremonies bring out many a disguised and hidden emotions!
And now I fall in the trap too. Dec 2000!! They say before marriage you are incomplete and post that you are finished! While gloating over others crossing the line was ok , I finally took my big leap too. A literature enthusiast with love for Shakespeare and bachhan in same measure, a dreamer, a lover of peace and abundance walks the aisle with a realist, a mathematician one who loves chaos and scarcity !
I learnt Marriage brings in diverse souls and they make a lovely lock and key!
Am in a flight to attend my brother in law Harsh’s and his fiancé vidishas wedding. Have decided to have max fun! “Har pal yahaan – jee bhar ke jiyo, phir yeh samaa-kal ho na ho” is my theme for next 7 days. This would be the wedding of this decade.
Next decade I look forward to my niece, shreya’s wedding which would be another memorable occasion.. Young , I shall remain then, in words and spirits atleast.
Hope both the above make me learn few more things about the concept , the institution that is marriage!
PS- I have missed out on weddings of plethora of friends where I had planned to be there for sure - These are pals from mikes, DPS, Hindu and IRMA. I owe you an apology dears!!
How do you define a marriage… In my basic understanding it is a formal coming together of two bodies , two souls , two individuals , two identities. Its about merging of all the above into one.. Two becomes one and two decide to tread a “singular” path. Two decide to give space to each “one” while merging the two to usher in joys of being “one”.
Two , sometimes of diverse cultures and backgrounds, decide a common future and the Two contribute to the evolution of world in their own way by procreating. They prefer to give their own identity to world and history through their progeny. Though due to the nuances of genetics where random fusion of gametes takes place ; There are often vastly different creations. All the above is divine and hence a marriage has divine interventions and is quite sacred to the teeming millions around.
I have had my experiences of few marriages which linger in my memory and few which I would have loved to attend if I would have been born earlier!
My parents got married on 1st march 1968. A 26 year old fair , handsome, professor of physics taking an unknown girl of 18 as his life partner. A virtual geek be it physics or literature getting bestowed with a girl who could ride horses , play hockey and swim at competitive levels into creating a life together.
I realized; Marriage merges different ingredients to make a delicious ONE dish! Delicious this has been.. alhumdulillah- for they have stayed happily together for 40 years in thick and thin. Have heard a lot about the foggy mornings that winter and how my dear grandpa organized the wedding of his only son. I learn- Organisational skills come to fore in organizing a marriage ceremony and each gets his chance in life!! I shall get mine , too-;))
Have heard a lot also of a pre independence wedding of asthas grandparents in early thirties. A prince getting another princess, blossoming of love and then carrying on with the same intensity of desire, passion and mutual love right into the next century is a romantic story of the last century. The same becomes more powerful with the landscape of ever evolving and changing times- decades tof pre independence, post independence chaos, losing royalty privileges and coming to terms to life as a commoner. Would love to know what happened in the sacred ceremony which led to this sustained love and acceptance of each other. I believe- Marriage is love in abundance and readiness to flow together in all tides – high and low!
The first marriage of significance in my life was in 1985 . My father’s cousin got married and it was a great occasion for- a ready to barge into teens-me. My brothers and mine sacred thread vedic ceremony was also conducted that time making us “twice born” from that day. All these made the event even more memorable. Tons of photo, happy, sulking, dancing, our generation’s first brush with alcohol and tobacco and then asking for more in life mark that marriage. I learnt- Marriage ceremonies give us a chance to indulge and experience new highs and lows.
The next one was the marriage of our only beloved sister in 1993. Still an undergraduate student, I watched this one take place over months with financial and executional plans with elder bro playing his role to the hilt. I watched in awe and tried to execute to my limited capabilities as I watched the drama unfold . It was execution par excellence- a wonderful team effort. All timed perfectly. Have fond memories of friend rana singh, resorting to opening of coke bottles with mouth/ teeth when openers failed, my friend sumit taking me away for a smoke during the sentimental vidai ceremony ! Luv you guys…
While the focus remained on the ever genteel jijajee and my dahling sis and of course on my dearest bro as always.. I tried to understand the intricacies , pros , cons and nuances of getting into a responsible married life. It has been a wonderful ride for both brothers to have found a friend and well wisher in Jijashree. Merci beaucoup Monsieur! I learnt Marriage provides a platform to build life long friendships and relationships.
Scene moves to Delhi 1997.. My first year into professional career, big dreams and ambitions and a raring fire to make a difference to the society.. Here I was .. dancing away to glory as I had never done before- celebrating the big day of my only brother- my friend sometimes and my idol always! A banker joined the family and ushered in lots of fun times for us.
I can still remember the wide and rare smile on my dad’s when all finished well and to his liking . I hadn’t seen that one post my sisters wedding and not later during mine. Finally, he expressed it! His love for his special one. All of us love this love and have enjoyed it always in our family banters!
I learnt Marriage ceremonies bring out many a disguised and hidden emotions!
And now I fall in the trap too. Dec 2000!! They say before marriage you are incomplete and post that you are finished! While gloating over others crossing the line was ok , I finally took my big leap too. A literature enthusiast with love for Shakespeare and bachhan in same measure, a dreamer, a lover of peace and abundance walks the aisle with a realist, a mathematician one who loves chaos and scarcity !
I learnt Marriage brings in diverse souls and they make a lovely lock and key!
Am in a flight to attend my brother in law Harsh’s and his fiancé vidishas wedding. Have decided to have max fun! “Har pal yahaan – jee bhar ke jiyo, phir yeh samaa-kal ho na ho” is my theme for next 7 days. This would be the wedding of this decade.
Next decade I look forward to my niece, shreya’s wedding which would be another memorable occasion.. Young , I shall remain then, in words and spirits atleast.
Hope both the above make me learn few more things about the concept , the institution that is marriage!
PS- I have missed out on weddings of plethora of friends where I had planned to be there for sure - These are pals from mikes, DPS, Hindu and IRMA. I owe you an apology dears!!
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