Thursday, March 23, 2006
Life there after Life goes on. That is what they say.Last time, when I wrote, I was with Air India, I was technically single and I was in Mumbai. Now, Air India is history, for the time being at least, and PwC is the present. I am not single, even technically. And, I no more reside in Mumbai. It's Navi Mumbai, or New Bombay, what they call is popularly.However, there is another popular line, Nothing Changes.I am still writing this blog. I am still searching for something. I am still missing life from NV's text.This is strange, or rather not strange. Like me everybody wants a idyllic life without any monetary or other bothering. We miss past but we are chasing some future. Future knowing that it would be entirely different from the past we miss.But, to say that life has not changed for me would be a lie. At least, there is a sense of urgency when I walk out of the office at the end of the day. Anyway...life goes on....nothing ever changes....
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Monday, December 26, 2005
Days of longings
"Days of Longings". It is the English translation of one of my favourite novels. The original book is in Hindi. The writer of the book is Late Mr. Nirmal Verma.
He happens to be one of my favourite author as well. Much has happened since it wrote last. More than 6 months I guess. And things have changed. Changed, quiet fast and quiet dramatically as well. For better I hope, except one and that is the death of Nirmal Verma (NV). With him, all my favourite writers are dead. Greene, Hemingway, Kafka ( too soon u c..). And this means, all my favourite books are already written! Not much to finish now. I must have to find out another writer soon. Another day I was discussing NV with my sister-in-law, who has interest in literature, and we both agreed that we were sorry but not for his death which was anyway due. He was 75 years. But because we won't have more writings from him. Comparing his earlier writings, like Ve Din (translated into Days of Longings) or Ek Chithada Sukh (A Rag called Happiness), with his last one, Jan Aranya (translated into The Ultimate Wilderness), indicates that with time his intensity had not subsided. The coating of experiences of life had enabled him to describe lives in entirely different shades. I know his writing would be missed. Bit I know that many years later I'ld get the same sensation remembering his description of Neelu's return journey and her admirer preparing himself to miss her. Also, that his description of Delhi in late 60s in one of his stories would keep me haunting and missing that Delhi. Anyway, good that I read him and realize that there are people who see and feel the life in the same light.
Other significant change in my life is Priya. She is an HR professional. She is working with a medical transcription BPO firm. We met on 5th June. It was an arrange meeting. Our parents got in touch through some common friend, leading our this meeting. Had initial reservations about our age difference and her ability to handle me. After all their traumatic encounters and conversations, very few people had expected me to enter into a relationship and too into an arranged one. Cleared my doubts to some extent. And hope to prove others' doubts wrong by getting out of traumatic ways of life. Moving on to other phase. We are getting married on 6th Feb 2006.
So here I am now. Doings lots of bargaining and shopping. Still able to survive, thanks to the plastic money. Shall move into a new apartment by this year-end. Life would be more stable now, I hope. Lets see
-------------------------------------------------- Monday, July 25, 2005
Passing by
So the last I wrote after 4 months and this time I am writing after almost 6 months. Many things happened. Life is taking no turn. Can't say if this one would be better or the one I have left would have been better. Anyway...But seriously, I have no urge to write as of now. Its dying. Its almost a year and I haven't written anything, except furious letters to editors, which was never published. Strange want to write for a moment but have nothing to write and the moment is gone. Politics? Sucks as usual. Everybody is the same. Hypocrite. This way or that. Economics? Does that matter? You write and keep on writing. Who cares? Society? Well that’s changing too fast to keep track of. By time a thought is processed another change and the thought is old-fashioned you c. Better keep observing and don't comment. In fact a close tracking provides enough to keep me amused. Isn't it amusing to think that once we reach the greatest state of maturity and equality all of us would roam around nude? Relations? Well, people like us should not do experiments. And no experiment, no observation and then nothing to comment or write. Then what is left to write??Yeah yeah...many thing but you see have no mood to write. Hope would revert to writing one day...some day....
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Monday, February 14,
See last time wrote after 4 months and said that I was feeling strange. This time its almost 8 months and I'm still feeling the same. Incidentally today is V-day..:)). All the while was thinking of writing something. Something...not here....somewhere else. There I have not written for a while....may be a few years I guess. Then I'll a few more pages to burn. Yeah, those are too intimate to be shared and let others know. Its better they go before getting exposed. Or, perhaps I'ld post them to someone in US. Any address....would find out one from the net. After all how does it matter? And to whom? It was strange feeling to learn that my first crush has become a mom now. Papa nahin to mama hin sahi...:P....but I dunno...I just want to see them...the lady....her kid....hope she wont recall me. So u see, it doesn't matter. Nothing matters. Don't agree with that lady of Fountainhead....but do agree that the easiest way to kill somebody is to stop thinking of him or her. No blood, no scream, no risk of getting caught, nobody to answer too....and the victim dies everyday. How sweet..:)). Was reading abt male-menopause a few days back. Was worried was that what had struck me? On the wrong side of 30? Not worried any more..:)). Reading too much these days. Kafka, Marquez, Mann......and the net. Better than getting drunk and harassing the roomme..:). But its more depressing then. Anyway have nothing to do or think or look upon. All these readings send me to a different planet. Only then I can claim openly - Mankind sucks, especially because it can think a little and communicate much more. Poor souls can't cope with this imbalance.Goof up another interview yesterday. Nothing new. Am not writing because of that. Know I have communication problem. Lost too much because of that. In fact nothing much is left now. Its a strange feeling when everybody thinks you are a spinner and you have nothing to spin. In Delhi, people were asking why was I going back on 13th night and here people were asking why was I going on this particular weekend and that too for just 2 days. Have stopped saying much. Just a small denial. After all they are not wrong. Its just that nothing is nowhere. Got it?...Anyway...dont try...another try wont help..After all everybody has his/her share of world, he/she has to live in it any way....as long as its not distressing me...dint u remember...gud times must end and bad times become gudtimes....ya ya gud times....thr u c...that one is gudtime....thr...thr...can't u c...up thr....in the western sky...at the horizon....anyway...next...wud find another one for u....
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Writing after so many days is strange. These are strange days. Extremely frustrating most of the times with a few days of promises....like a big wall with small windows...Dunno whether I should reveal personal portion of my life here or not....but when personal life is so much intertwined considering one without other becomes almost impossible. Every effort to maintain sanity and keeping the two separate goes in vain. And sometimes it seems justified too. And the only thing I can say out at the last is....I dunno.Yeah, I dunno whether someone's leaving to US was unjustified when all her peers, her career and all her dreams were there. I dunno if her movement was still unjustified when like her 70% of Indians wanna migrate. I dunno if anybody's movement is unjustified when he/she can't get enuf opportunity here even to match his/her minimum skill and earn. (46% of Indian population is in the working age group of 18-42 yrs. I doubt our ability to provide them suitable employment.)I dunno if I should believe that once gone to US would ever comeback? Never seen anyone...until and unless forced by their immigration laws....and missing the place everywhere, everytime...But what if they have legal right to stay there? I dunno if I wud be able to see her again? And who comes back for someone else's comfort? In fact who does anything for other's comfort?I dunno whether after movement one will get the same love? I dunno if the intensity remains the same? And I dunno why we don't communicate any more....I dunno if thats a gesture to show disinterest....I dunno if its only a way to push me away without prolonging the pain?.......I dunno why I've started feeling so lonely in a crowded country....I dunno why this feeling is deepening......I dunno how others live with memories?....I dunno how to kill memories?....I dunno if I have to kill one more dream?.....I dunno what I've written.....I dunno...I dunno anything....I dunno what I've done....
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Friday, February 20, 2004
We are on the verge of entering another new year. I don’t remember any year when people were so eagerly looking for it. After all India din’t ever shine as much as it is now. And deservedly so. Silently, over the last few years it has gone many silent changes. The most visible one is the communication revolution. From a country, and a region, with virtually nil personal telecommunication unit density to a descent density and still rising, it has been a great achievement. The same holds true in many vistas. Visibly, from finance, banking and insurance in particular, to retail and perceptually, in exports, personal finance, in world politics and many. The newest concepts of software in social and personal life too have percolated down in these years. But never to forget the positive role, played by the nature in form of reasonably good monsoon in these years. It is not so common to find world’s leading reporters, political, social and economical, covering us. We have been projected future power, 3rd largest economy in next 4 decades, after China, and USA. We are projected to surpass UK and Germany in a decade or so and Japan by the end of another decade. We would be a rich nation. No?Well, in terms of cumulative money may be, but in terms of other aspects of development? Shall we have less number of people begging around, at street corners, at railway stations, at tourists’ spots, at temples, at airports? Shall we have less number of tourists taking pictures of begging children and ladies? Shall there be some system to take care of economically weak physically crippled people so that they are not forced to beg? Shall we have some system to ensure proper education of children? In short, shall we have some sort of socio-economic support system in place? Every developed nation has some such system but we don’t have. We, our government, have always blamed lack of resources for the same but in the projected scenario shall we have them in place?Another important issue that comes into my mind is the development in pockets. If analyzed properly, it can be observed that the shine is there but in pockets, demographically as well as geographically. That is a cause of concern. Social problems apart this loop sided development may be inhibiting the harness of our total growth potential. Look at this figure, when Indian GDP grew by 5.6%, the GDP of the state of Maharashtra grew by 4.4% only while that of the city of Mumbai, the growth was only 2.5%. This can be seen in two ways. One, supporting my argument, is that the concentrated development that has happened so far in Mumbai is inhibiting its further growth. The reason could be choked infrastructure such as transportation facilities etc, or basic resources such as manpower, space, to support more investment. This is strange comparing the size of Mumbai city vis-à-vis other metropolitans. Otherwise the same could be viewed as that capitalism as per its true nature, helping capital finding true destination for itself and hence leading to economic homogenization. It means new capital centers are developing. But as a beginner it would not be able to attract all available capital. It would require time to become more lucrative. Moreover this destination could be anywhere, even out side India too.In this case the active role of government becomes important. Government must pitch in to develop more alternate destinations by developing infrastructure etc. Thus it would help retaining capital, if not in already developed centers, in newer centers, ensuring the capital does not leave the country. These are my thoughts and don’t know whether it is in the right direction. And if it is right does any body in the government is thinking in the same line and doing something on it. Lets see. Lets pray. After all a more prosperous India is our common dream…J
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Tuesday, February 03, 2004
This is another letter I have written to the editor of The Times of India. Let's see if dares publish it. Here it goes..Dear Sir,Your article was very much relevant in the light of current developments. As a professional involved with this sector I realy feel very sorry for these state owned airlines. Interestingly, while the government sings the song of feel good factor elsewhere here its all like no end to plights. These carriers are not allowed to but aircraft, unruly workforce, every section of which is invariably backed by one national party or another and then they are compelled to cater to the ever-increasing foreign trips of these leaders. When Civil Aviation minister accuses his own babies (AI and IA) of non-efficiency, he must look at his contribution too. When AAI, AI and IA, all are under him why AI and IA complain of step motherly treatment by AAI? Ask any staff they would tell you how they are pushed to corners at airport, at aircraft parking bays, in providing basic infrastructure etc to support our national carrier? Why these airlines are pushed to compete with more resourceful carriers having backing which makes one think twice which the national carrier. Btw, do u remember how many civil aviation ministers we had under this feel-good cabinet? Its really pathetic. And then we are expecting a Civil Aviation Policy? For whom? BA? AF? SQ and other south-east Asian carriers? Can't these ministers (sorry but I really dont know if the present one would be there till tomorrow) see that all foreign airlines are increasing their frequencies to India, they are upgrading their aircraft our national carriers are still begging? Gone are the days when air travel was considered as a luxury. Most of the traffic of our national airlines constitutes of poor labourers to gulf. Even others passengers are much more price sensitive than ever. There is no feeling of patriotism and patronising national carrier any more. Value for money matters, come from wherever it may. All these Emirates, Singapore Airlines et al have come on the strength of fast growing Indian market only and they are world's best carriers now. Is it all because of our Civil Aviation ministry and our leaders? Sometime, I am forced to believe that all is not well up there. Its a big industry world-wide with big money. Who knows? Moreover, if they dare selling these airlines who'll carry them overseas? Where'll it be possible for their friends and relatives to get a first class treatment for a less than standard economy fare? I must remind you that a conscious medium, you must bring up these issues and build up awareness.Thank you,An aware reader.
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Monday, February 02, 2004
Excuse me Ms. Roopa Purushotaman, I don’t agree with your assessment with the future of Indian economy. I doubt some basic assumptions made in the study. To go point by point, let me start with this one:1. In the report itself it has been mentioned that the composition of India’s GDP is baffling. Its development from an agriculture-based economy to a service-based one bypassing industry-based phase is baffling. True. Only twenty years back ours used to be an agriculture-based economy with the share of Agriculture and related sectors being as high as 40-45% and service sectors contributing just 34-35% to our GDP. The share of Industries was as meager as 20-22%. It was a scenario very much similar to that of a developing nation, among the ones at the bottom of development. And see the present scenario, our GDP consists of 48-50% contribution from service sectors, agricultural contribution shrinking to 26-28% and industries’ contribution limited in the range of 22-25%. It is a scenario where we are very much similar to USA, the largest and one of the most developed economies, where the contribution of service sector is around 60%. Does it mean that we have developed to the extent of USA? We have developed amazingly fast? Perhaps all of us would agree to it, NO. So what has happened? A natural progression of development indicates that a primary economy, one which has agriculture, mining, fishery, forestry etc as main economic activities, matures and grows into secondary economy, with main economic activities in the field of machinery, productions, processing etc, to harness its built-up from primary resources say from mining activities, food processing activities etc. A secondary economy then develops into a tertiary economy, with major economic activities in non-physical products like communication, transportation, storage, financial activities etc, mainly to sustain its growth achieved during the second phase. Similar developments in other services develop with time to support its workforce say entertainment, sports etc. Has that happened in India? NO again. So can’t we conclude that we have come up in services but we are serving somebody else not ourselves?2. Another assumption you have made in your report is that of sustained growth on the basis of the Services sector. But for how long? Do you mean to say that India would be getting more and more outsourcing activities for next forty-fifty years? From where? It has already attacked the US market and to a lesser extent the UK market. Mainland Europe is not yet been substantially influenced due to language barrier. The same is the story with Japan. Say we do whatever we require to capture those markets too but would that be enough to help us grow for next 50 years? Moreover we are simply ignoring the threat of backlash from local communities in the present discussion. But can we? Can any business house with substantial exposure in a market dare to ignore backlash against it there? For example, take a fortune-500 US firm. It decides to outsource its major back office work to India, cutting thousands of jobs there. It leads to major outcry there and it faces a possible threat of people not buying its products. In such scenario will it outsource? It might look a fictitious scenario now but isn’t it possible? Can’t it arise in future looking at the extent of protests in UK right now? Therefore, business houses will have to consider the backlash in BPO decisions at some point of time, sooner or later?3. Another point that is missed in the report is that of development of new low-cost centers in next 45-50 years. Is it possible that not a single country would come up in next four-five decades to challenge India’s position of low cost service provider? Moreover would India be such a low cost service provider after a few decades? It is general phenomenon that the cost of labour increases with increase in the overall living standards of a society. So if India really grows at a pace of 6-7% p.a. even for the next ten years or so, the tremendous cost advantage it has is bound to get diluted and that same time some other lower cost centers like Vietnam, China, who knows may be some obscure country from Africa etc may become a lucrative destination. In this scenario, is it proper to assume sustained growth of India on the present model for a period as large as four-five decades?4. One fact that is largely ignored in the report is the speed with which India has come into the BPO business. It has taken hardly three-four years for all investments to become productive. If we consider the development years too then the duration would increase to say eight-ten years. This has happened in the background where a trend, of offshore outsourcing has just germinated. But once the concept develops, will it take the same time for all these activities to move out too to a new or more lucrative destination? In the later case there would not be the case of backlash from the main market etc too? And if that happens how shall India cope with it? Given the fact that most of the BPO clients are non-Indian majors, isn’t there a possibility of whole business disappearing too fast to respond? What will happen to Indian economy then? Has it considered any plan to tackle it or to prevent it? I cannot see it.The idea behind the article is not to put somebody in poor light. The idea is to project the fact that overall sustainable development cannot happen until we develop our own industrial base. We have been an industrial nation in making since time oblivion but we haven’t so far. And now the fear is that we may miss the target in the hype created by the boom in service sector or BPO to be precise. Any economy can have a sustainable service sector only if it has a developed industrial base. One can’t jump ladder in this process of growth. Its high time we realize it and do things go out of hand. Thank you for showing great faith in India, its people and its economy, may be because of your willingness to help your country of origin in a different way, by glorifying it, by marketing it and without toiling your hands for it. But I beg to differ on the assessment you have made.
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Monday, January 12, 2004
This is something which I read a few days back. Camus wrote it and I agree to it, it seems. I have added to it and might have modified to what the original Camus' idea was. This goes like this...It is not that many of us are afraid of death but what we fear is the futility of our life. We want to live on so that one day we can prove our worth. And most of us would identify ourselves as one of those many......How does it sound?
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Tuesday, December 23, 2003
Here is another piece...written after reading about declining female/male ratio in India...shockingly in the so called economically rising section....I am a concerned man. To understand my concern you must know a little about my background and me. I am a twenty-seven years old guy, passed out from one of the best business school in India and presently working with a very reputed company, atleast as visible from outside. Now as per the norms set by our society, everybody wants me too get married. And me too agree. But here comes the problem. I think myself as a person of good intellect (?), after all I have got double masters with basic engineering degree and all of them from institutes of great repute. So I have decided to get married to a girl of good education. Good is a relative term, therefore to be specific, with a girl having professional degree, i.e., either an engineer or doctor or a B-school graduate. With great difficulty I made my mom to agree to this idea of mine. And as expected she convinced my dad too. So dear friends, months have passed since all this was decided but all the time I got offers of girls not fitting into this criterion. Parents introduced all these girls as very beautiful, well educated and with a very cultured background. And since I too wanted to buy time I politely declined all of them. Recently dad got fired on me. He understood my tactics. So in self-defense I had to remind him of my criterion. And to my dismay he said “Son, what do you think we didn’t try? There is no girl meeting your criterion in our knowledge. Go find out yourself if you can.” And then I realized whom to find? We in our little known college used to joke that our college produced 100% export quality girls and that’s true. None of my lady batch-mates are in India any more. Even most of my juniors too have left. Most of them married to NRIs otherwise left India for higher studies but never returned, married there, some either to NRIs or fellow students who later turned NRIs or even to non-Indians. You know Indian ladies are in high demand in foreign market. And those who are left are looking for such guys. Try talking to them? You’ll realize that they are the most brutally treated people on the earth. I am not prejudiced. I tried to find out some facts from here and there. And here they are. 79% of Indians who go out to study never return. The second highest figure is that of China. Only 15% of those poor guys remain there. And the third one is South Korea, 9% of students from there don’t return. But the most amazing figure was that 95% of Indian ladies going out for higher studies don’t return. And with perpetually increasing proportion of female students, imagine our future? So now you know my concern? All so called intellectual ladies are leaving India either by marrying NRIs, who can boast of a qualified Indian “bahu” to their adopted countrymen, or by simply going away for “further study”. Add to this woe of decreasing female proportion in our DEVELOPING society thanks to large-scale female feticide, female infanticide, malnutrition related deaths of females etc. What will happen to our coming generation? With all intellectual would-be mothers moving out of the country and fewer newer ones being produced how shall we get more intellectuals in following generations? Would our human resource minister take any action against this? Does he consider himself responsible for generations to come? Well nationalism apart I am very concerned about my marriage first? Shall I ever get a life-partner of my dream?
