तेरा चेहरा .. ढूँढू मेरी जान ...
तेरा चेहरा ..ढूँढू मेरी जान ...तेरा चेहरा !!
किसको भूलूँ .. किसको मांगूं .. किसको मैं याद करूँ ??
क्यूँ की गूंजे हर पल .. तेरा चेहरा ...ओह हो .... तेरा चेहरा ...
सोंचूं , .तेरा चेहरा .. मांगूं , तेरा चेहरा ...
जानूं .. मेरा हीं है ... तेरा चेहरा !
कैसे बोलूँ .. केवल मैं एहसास करूँ .. संग मेरे ...तेरा चेहरा !
सोचूँ बहुत , जाऊं किधर , फिर भी सिर्फ तुझ पे ऐतबार करूँ .. तेरा चेहरा !!
मेरी पुरानी गिटार.. awesome था उसका इकरार .. दो धरक्ते दिलों का संसार .. था उसमे डूबा मेरा अंगार ....
फिर भी मैं .. आज चाहूं , आज ढूँढू .. तेरा प्यार .. तेरा चेहरा - तेरा प्यार !
ढूँढू तेरा चेहरा .. तेरा प्यार !!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
तुम हो!
तुम हो!
मेरी चुप्पी मे .. तुम हो
मेरे शब्दों में भी ... तुम हो
मीठी बातों की सीमा रेखा , प्यार की फुलझरियां .. तुम हो
अनर्गल कटु शब्दों में भी... तुम हो
मुख से निकले बाण मेरे.... वो भी तुम हो
अधरों से गिरे फूल... तुम हो
मन में बसी पीड़ा ... तुम हो
मेरे विशाल ह्रदय का, प्यार , बेशुमार .... तुम हो
मेरे माथे पे पसीने की बूँदें ... तुम हो
उसे सुखाता शीतल हवा का झोंका ... तुम हो
रोष से लोहित हुआ मेरा चेहरा...तुम हो
मेरा हर्ष .. तुम हो! मेरा उल्लास भी.. तुम हो!
मैं में .. तुम हो
मैं हीं.. तुम हो!
मैं भी .. तुम हो
मेरी चुप्पी मे .. तुम हो
मेरे शब्दों में भी ... तुम हो
मीठी बातों की सीमा रेखा , प्यार की फुलझरियां .. तुम हो
अनर्गल कटु शब्दों में भी... तुम हो
मुख से निकले बाण मेरे.... वो भी तुम हो
अधरों से गिरे फूल... तुम हो
मन में बसी पीड़ा ... तुम हो
मेरे विशाल ह्रदय का, प्यार , बेशुमार .... तुम हो
मेरे माथे पे पसीने की बूँदें ... तुम हो
उसे सुखाता शीतल हवा का झोंका ... तुम हो
रोष से लोहित हुआ मेरा चेहरा...तुम हो
मेरा हर्ष .. तुम हो! मेरा उल्लास भी.. तुम हो!
मैं में .. तुम हो
मैं हीं.. तुम हो!
मैं भी .. तुम हो
Saturday, July 31, 2010
दौड़
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....
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....
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 ।
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