September 5, 2006
Its Teacher’s Day today, and I am getting nostalgic.
Though after coming to the corporate world, these days lose its meaning. But at school time, they had a special place for me.I studied in a no. of schools, and had the experience of meeting varied kinda teachers.
Teachers were Gods when I was a kid.Their word carried more weightage than even parents at that time.I was a favorite student in the initial yrs., more so as I was the regular topper(pardon my ugly boasting, “yeh situation ke liye zaroori tha“).I was made the leader in many activities done at my class level.The best I remmber was a play in which I was made to play a Husband, and made to say a lot of silly things as per the script written by a teacher. Then there was one Hefty M’am who had this uncanny obsession to exercising. After giving us some silly assignment in the lecture, she used to finish off the leftover exercises of the day in the class itself by moving her hands and feet in horrendous motions, more so making ppl like me scared, imagining she is getting ready to hit someone hard.That fear motivated me at least to concentrate very heavily on the assignment given, and I think many classmates also had the similar fears.
Lady teachers are always famous with boys, and I think the vice versa for the gals too.So, a new school, new bunch of teachers, but my fav. was a young and bubbly Vidhi M’am. She was pretty young and that’s the reason I heard abt her a lot when I used to move among senior boys.There was this Music M’am also who was pretty soft spoken but used to get her say through her tears.I had seen her cry on more than one occassion, but in the end that did what she was asking from the senior students, who were turning deaf ears to her earlier.
This was the stage when I was entering this world of adoloscence, and so things were becoming more clearer day by day. I particularly hated this Physics Sir,who was a bachelor at that time.He was always after the gals, and always used to be lenient to them, whether it comes to anything.His moves were also grossly abhorred by lot of us guys.”Saale mere maal par haath“, was the common refrain amongst us.
Then there was this Biology M’am who was a little biased towards guys, though not in the way the former Sir was. I think she cared for us like her child(though the girls of my class wud beg to differ). I still remmber an incident where me and one guy were least interested in the class, and were exchanging jokes, when the M’am caught us. I was really scared, but was surprised to see her smile and say, “What joke are you sharing, Anshul.Let us know also”. I just said sorry and was let off. The unpredictable happenned when in the same lecture, one girl was caught sniggling(thought she had taken this teacher pretty lightly). Lo and behold, the same teacher who had laughed on my act got really angry and made this gal stand outside the class, with her hand raised. We boys were really delighted at this(think my misogynist seeds were sown at this level), but this took us to the situation of drawing battle lines in the class.None of the gals talked to me for 2 weeks, and it was really hard.How come its my fault if a gal gets punished for the same offence and not me.
Then there was this Hindi Sir who used to make good use of his hand on our soft faces, and address us with some decently chosen but pure hindi-clad expletives. It was really difficult to hold one’s laugh when he’s having a field day.But he was a real good person at heart, and more so a good teacher too.
I particularly hated teachers who were not good to me, though they mayb hvg right reasons for tht.There was this History M’am who looked really tough and always carried a strict demeanour.Once she caught me asking some questions from a senior in an exam.She escalated the whole issue, and I was really angry on her doing this.Incidentally, she was my class teacher also.Though my parents rarely used to go to Parent-Teacher meets(u know their kid being always on top), but God knows what happnd that time when my father decided to go that very time.I was cursing my luck, and was pretty sure that bugger M’am wud definitely raise the cheating issue with my Dad.I think at that age, I wud not have prayed so much to God what I did in those few hrs. when my father was off to school.I was getting ready for a got hands-down on his coming back home.But when my father came back all happy, “meri nazar main us teacher ki izzat bahut bad gayi“.She acted as an insiration to dudes like me to cheat more(though factually I never cheated after that).
Another change of school, a big city, and loads of teachers, the last few yrs. at school though.They are generally the most interesting ones. There was this Principal, whom we called “Mamu” who I feel is the member of the “Holy Grail” of Hitler.He is the most ruthless teacher I have ever come across in life.N wht to say, I was most scared of him all through my last yrs at school(though I was wht u call a “accha bacccha“).Mamu was the dreaded creature on the campus. I think evrybody, including teachers, were scared like hell with him.And most of the ppl also held one or the other grudge against him.But he was a moody fellow, and when in good mood, he can pardon u for nething.Though he had this high ego, and this cruel personality, but he was a true teacher in every sense.He could teach you anything under the sun. There were many a times when he had taught us diff. subjects in another teacher’s absence.He taught us English, and I feel he really turned my interest in the subject through his style of teaching.There are no. of hilarious incidents that went with him though. He was the one who wud try to go deep into his subject. So, he used to teach us the Shakespearen plays, and somehow got this cassette of the play enacted somewhere in Europe. One fine day, he comes up with a television, a VCR in the class, to show us the play. We were really delighted, and it so happenned that there was one hot kissing scene happening in one act.We knew he was in good mood, so the naughty guys of my class requested him to replay the act as they are now getting interest in the play. He was happy like anything, “Oh, u wanna see it again”. N then we were made to see that hot scene again.Imagine a princi showing the students what they yearn for in those days.
Then there was this Physics Sir, who I think was a recent college passout.But he was unarguably the most stylish teacher on campus.He had either a huge wardrobe, or had some connection with the local Dhobi.He cud always be found wearing new clothes evryday, and had this unique way of teaching, animated and using some unheard and unknown words like “In-toto”.I was a good mimic, and so entertained the class with his acts.
There was one Chachu or Vice princi, who had a reallll soft corner for gals, and esp for some gals. Gals also understand these things and enjoyed the attention bestowed on them. I cud still remmber the scene when one of his heartthrobs was busy talking to her BF in the parking lot, the look on his face said it all, and that was the reason he always had some grudge or another with her BF.
Neway, this History M’am or Shruti M’am perhaps was a pretty interesting and close to us. She was pretty and had this special relationship with boys. We really respected her. She had bought a Kinetic Honda, and it was always one of us who had to take it off the parking lot, and clear the way when she drives out of school. One interesting incident happnd with her when she was teaching abt the Judicial courts in India. She was telling abt the categories, and one category was “Petty Court”. It sounded sthg else for us boys, and many of us started laughing. She did stop the lecture and scolded us saying “I know guys, where your imagination is taking you. So, hold on to it”.
Then there was this Hindi Sir, who had his linkages to the bygone era. He was a Hindi teacher on paper, but always used to speak English.He was a simple fella, old one, and at times it was difficult for him to handle Senior guys. Most of the boys in my class had their lunch in his lectures.He was scared like hell with our Princi(”Mamu“).One fine day he asked the class to do our own work as he was not in the mood to teach. We were having a good time sitting at the back and gossipping, when suddenly we heard this Hindi Sir blurting out passages from the study book. Many of us thought that he has got some fit and is made to remmber the torture he sufferred pre-Independence, but the real reason was made clear when we saw the Mamu looking creature walk past our class.
There was this Maths teacher who had this highly accented English,(perfect for today’s call center).He like Chachu loved Senior gals. Some gals resisted this attitude also. One of his dialogues was pretty famous in the school. One nice looking gal once gave him a Rose, and he came back with a perfect one liner for her. “Roses should not give Roses”. This line was put into the Hall of Fame of our school records, and might be used by amateur male teachers even now.Once the battlelines were drawn btw the boys and gals in the class, and the matter reached our “Tharki Chachu“.As the BF of his fav. gal student was involved, Chachu saw an opportunity in this, and took out his full frustation on most of us.All the boys in our class were tagged as “Eve Teasers”.This infuriated a lot of us, and some hot blooded once were on the verge of hitting back at gals, not understanding the hidden game of Chachu.Me and one guy decided to use sarcasm to hit back, and so at any pretext within the class, we use to refer any incident as “Eve Teasing”.Incidentally, we were heard by this Maths teacher, and pointed out. I was really surprised at the efficiency of his doggy ears. Though i admire him for putting an end to this situation by bringing sanity in the class. He had this ability to settle things.
The teacher’s day celebrations were mostly restricted to the school, and they lost its meaning once I entered college. The teachers at college had another stories attached to them, but I dont think i ever held my college teachers in the same esteem as I did for my school ones.
But all in all, I really cherished and respected most of my teachers.They have played a very crucial role in whatever I am today, and I think that hold true for most of us. So, on this b’ful day, I bow my head to all of them.
To all my teachers,
Happy Teacher’s Day
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There is some kinda revolution happening all around India.And that is the MuZik (as some latest brand says it) Revolution.
Everywhere I see, ppl are hanging on to some kinda stuff that makes their ears vibrant throughout the day.What has brought this sudden revolution of sorts is what i’m gonna delve upon.
India has been a country of arts and culture, but all that is not so pervasive in the modern day society where ppl are running to make ends meet.Time is simply a luxury these days, or so has been man-made thus.
Sometimes back if you wud hv asked an office goer to stop by and listen to some good song, he wud either ignore you or wud give u those “wht-the-hell” looks.Students were a party to music but not to an extent as it is these days.So, what has happenned in these 5 yrs. that brought about this change.
I think it has got more to do with the gadgets introduced in the Indian market, and also to the more spending power ppl have got in the present time.Gadgets brought in the status issue into the society, and more spending power meant ppl have more heart as well as will to spend on luxuries and entertainment.No doubt, the changes happening in technology worldwide helped the cause.
I-Pod changed the way music is viewed around the world.More and more ppl bought it to experience themselves.I too hv one of the latest one. The category of ppl buying it varied from serious music lovers who needed such handy devices, to timepass ppl willing to spend money on such items, to the show-off society which took it as a means to look happening and updated.Any revolution spawns its bretherns, and so it happened. Companies, esp cellphone companies saw an opportunity in this idea, and went aggressive on it.
There were two category of gadgets that made an entry. First were the lookalikes but cheap Mp3 players which were gulped in droves by the music loving or not so music loving ppl.
But what made the real impact was the act by Cellphone companies, which pushed such products as an added feature.Cellphone is a necessity these dayz, n ppl also want to grab on the latest model in most cases. Who would not want a better functional phone, offering more features than the old drab ones which madeyou just talk.I could hardly see any decent phone these dayz which doesn’t offer the music players.
What this has done is made ppl listen to more music.Whether it is travelling, or in office, or relaxing, cellphones and in turn music remains as omnipresent as ever.This indirect marketing of music industry by the telecom one is a case study in making.This shows that industries can come together to tap an unknown market which is beneficial for all of them.
More music will mean, more selling of cassettes, CD’s, MP3’s; more downloads and more sharing.Though in Indian context, the piracy is so rampant that it washes out all efforts in generating revenues.Even then, I am confident that with the improvement in technology, more security encrytions in the files, more demand for quality of songs, and more awareness and maturity of ppl all around, this phenomenon is surely a money spinner. Already some cell companies have introduced variations like caller tunes, ringtones etc., which are tapping into the unknown territories and also making ppl pay for these services.
This phenomenon is something which is already catching up, and is the one to watch out for, as it looks to me an industry in the making.I hope I would quote this post later on to show that I had my predictions right.
As customers would say in the words of Shakespeare ala Twelfth Night.
“If music be the food of love, play on”
The music and the cell industry would laugh their way to the banks.
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July 28, 2006
Sometimes I want to break free.
From the rubble rousing,
From the ever maddening rat race.
From the blaming world.
From all the noises that make you think.
And all the inner ones that make you introspect.
From the world of expectations.
From the sea of emotions,
That vary from being dried out to deluged.
From the need of material comforts,
Which like shadows keep growing through the day.
From the plethora of questions that dont let you sleep,
Or those that you are being asked at.
From the need to be always correct,
A need to achieve perfection.
To a world devoid of voice.
Where I could just hear the breeze flowing,
And the brook that chuckles on meeting rocks.
To a void that makes you stop thinking.
To the lost innocence which disowns worries.
To a world detached from any bondings.
To a world where opinion loses its meaning,
To a place of muted judgement.
Where neither virtue nor vice matters,
As there is no one to categorize it thus.
Where you dont bother for things which broke,
To a world which is not perfect.
I want to break free………..
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July 11, 2006
It happenned yet again,
The barbaric carnage of the innocent,
The inhuman display of an unwarranted cause.
But the moot question that raises its ugly head.
How long can v allow all this,
How long v’ll let them make a mockery of our restrain,
How long can v stretch our tolerance,
How long can v remain a soft state ready to be bullied.
Just how long………….
The tolerance has seen its limits,
The patience has given way.
Its time to raise the cudgels.
Get ready to do something.
Killing mankind was never considered apt,
But the elimination of inhuman animals is sacrosanct.
Its time for some ‘KARMA’.
And we shud b ready for it.
P.S. Just to add, as many of my readers have mistook my talk as a call for riots. What I was talking was not to raise the war internally, but internationally. I hope u ppl can c my post now in better light.
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July 6, 2006
I roamed around last weekend in Boston downtown, and incidentally had an amazing experience that made me to write this post.
Every city has huge skyscrapers, but the way this city has made use of it stands out.There is a building named Prudential Center, which is of 52 floors. The top of this floor has been converted to an observatory. It is so high that one can have a complete look around the whole city. It looks so amazing at the top, that only if you experience it, you can understand its significance. Nighttime is also fascinating, with the whole city lit up giving it a beautiful look. But it doesn’t come free; there is a nominal charge for this facility, which one feels expensive while at the ticket counter. One can feel that he can get such a look from the plane too.
But hold on, there is much more coming, and that is the topic I want to iterate in this post.
What the authorities have done here is to convert this observatory into a complete tourist attraction, informative as well as interesting. When you walk into the entrance, you’ll be given a small phone like device which has recorded tapes. Every set of three windows has a small no. written on top of it, which if you type in in your device, you’ll hear recorded voices. They’ll take you to a complete tour of the view that you are then experiencing. They’ll pinpoint to specific places, and tell you the history behind it. It is more interactive and lets you know about the places in historical details. It is much better than having a tour guide, saying sthg loud which you would rarely pay attention to. It is like a virtual tour guide for an individual. Even the kids get this device, and they have diff. recordings for them, which they can access dialing diff. nos.
The information that is given is deeply recursive and unending e.g. if they show u a house of a famous poet, then u can go into detail, and know more about this person, if you want by dialing diff. nos. as instructed.The complete history of Boston is captured on the interior walls, the war that took place there, the demography of the place, how the place has evolved, its culture ; all these things have been brought out in a very interesting manner, which makes it being read by ppl attentively.
Who would like to read a piece of history of an alien land, if it is just hanging on the wall.But if it involves some fun like pressing buttons to illuminate some lights on the plasma board, there would b many ppl who would try such a thing.All the famous men/women, who belonged to Boston have a presence in that place.
This place is also famous for watching sunset, and it does get romantic at the dusk.
I think after this tour of the place I know more abt Boston than any other Indian city, at least on paper. But this was the point I was coming to.
Look how a naïve idea has been turned into a good marketing proposition. This place could have been very easily become “just-a-view-from-a-skyscraper†kinda thing.But due to such innovation, it has turned out to be a big tourist attraction.
Who would not like to finish off a tour to a city in one hour, n this place lets u do exactly that.The way the history is rendered not only makes it interesting, but also makes ppl remember it for long.
I was just wondering, if they can, why can’t we, or why didn’t we.
India doesn’t have a dearth of skyscrapers, but we couldn’t we come up with such an idea.
Is it becoz of lack of funds or simply lack of imagination. We do a lot of talking when it comes to tourism, but we don’t c things executing in reality. Who or what is to be blamed?
I don’t think there is lack of such ideas in India, but its simply the will to back them up which is lacking. Govt. can earn a lot from tourism, it can be a big contributor in our GDP, if harnessed in right directions. N the amazing part of such ideas like Skywalk is, tht it doesn’t require only tourists to sustain their day-to-day expenses, the local populace will make it earn good money. I could see a no. of local ppl who were hvg this exp. along with us foreigners. So, making money on one such idea would not b tough.
This is an idea worth investing, and we need many more ideas like this if we think of making India a preferred destination for tourists around the world.
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June 27, 2006
The fingers pointing increase in number,
The yelling shakes the slumber.
It disturbs the calm beneath,
And brings with it questions umpteenth.
I am made to introspect,
To put the broken things correct.
I am made to wonder,
Is everything within asunder.
When the doubts shudder the belief,
Hoping it may all not turn out to be grief.
Even then u hear the whisper somewhere inside,
Saying Time will help to get over the tide.
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May 24, 2006
I have been to Europe earlier and have now had to come to US on an official trip. One thing I found most wanting was my lack of knowledge of culture,attitudes, values etc etc. of people abroad.
When I dig deep,I can make out that how I cud have got this knowledge.Either thro. my own efforts of Googling, or through some colleague telling me all the details, which generally varies from one’s experience to another. These days, many companies in India have some orientation course which tells one abt all these details, but this practice is even not tht prevalent.
But wht wud hv been better is if I was more prepared b4hand, and had better knowledge of all these details instead of going abt the ritual of learning it through good/bad experiences.I wud have dealt with these ppl much better and say in a manner that suites my business needs.N i feel its an issue which matters to anyone who comes across initially.
Now, that Indian corporates are going global, ppl are moving places. Most of the ppl, esp. if they are in IT industry, will b going sooner or later to some foreign country.So, this demands the need to inculcate this teaching very early in ppl.
What I wud suggest is to get it going at the school level.Students shud have a course at HSC or SSC levels, which teaches them abt the foreign culture.
It shud give a brief history of their evolution, how they went abt building up their countries.Wht is the culture in these countries, and how is it diff. from our culture. Wht are their values, their attitudes towards various aspects in a broad manner.
The question of faculty can be tackled by involving ppl working in MNC’s who can be used as guest faculty. They can share their experiences with children at school level. If the course demands them to cover other topics like history, culture etc. as I mentioned earlier, then these corporates can brief their experiences with the concerned faculty.
All colleges of higher education shud make such a course compulsary.
There is a urgent need to make our skillset more in line at global levels.English as a language has already given us a headstart against other nations, but add to tht if v can bring up our youths to come up with better soft skills, tagged along with superior technical skills, nothing like it.
This idea thus seem worth experiementing.
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May 7, 2006
Weekends make me take in more n more of TV, n the appetite just goes on increasing.
If u ppl hv read one of my previous article, u ppl know tht already.Neway, i’m not here 2 enlighten ppl abt my likes or dislikes, but 2 offer sthg interesting, in bollywood terms , sthg “HAT KE”.
So, apart from the usual Pramod Mahajan news flashing on TV, TV had sthg more 2 offer. SONY TV crowned its second “Indian Idol”, n once again it was anti-climax, n on unexpected lines, as the less favorite contestant won.
I have been following all these reality shows of late, n so I was thinking abt the psyche of
Indian ppl who make these simple ppl overnight celebrities.
So, wht makes these ppl click with Indian public, n wht is it they vote for?
Wht is the voting pattern, n next time if sthg of this comes, how can u take bets based on this analysis?
The winners of different shows are Abhijit Sawant and Sandeep Acharya for Indian Idol, Qazi Tauqeer and Rooprekha Banerjee for Fame Gurukul, Debojit for Challenge 2005, Ravindra Upadhayay for Channel V Super Singer( though he won by judge voting).
I cud find some similarity in these ppl n thus cud predict the voting pattern.
So,wht are the reasons these guys won?
1. Wht I cud find among these ppl is tht Indian public likes simple ppl, transparent ppl, who are good at heart and are good human beings, even if lacking on talent.
As these reality shows are becoming more and more personal, viewers get to know these guys more closely, they understand their whims n fancies, their nature etc.
So, attitude is one hell lotta contributing factor in the win. These contest saw many
talented contestants being voted out coz they were too haughty, n had lot of self-conceit.
2. U need to be a swht loser in life. This is how ppl can relate easily 2 u, n out of this
emotional surge, they vote for u in droves.
Ppl who are bullied in the show, who are insulted by the judges, are the hot favorites with
the public. This was aptly vindicated in no. of cases like that of Ravinder Ravi.
3. U need to belong to a Hindi speaking belt to think abt winning such competitions. This
was illustrated in Challenge 2005, n also in the Indian Idol, where worthy contestants were
eliminated as they din receive any votes from their region.
4. The X-factor does contribute to an extent. If u look hap, n hv the looks, there r chances u cud make it to a decent levels.
5. In shows where two ppl need to be chosen, its better to support the “Junta Ka Fav” rather than trying to score points on him. Junta generally makes up their mind on s.one, n the final result doesn’t come as sthg diff than previous weeks. This was shown in the case of “Fame Gurukul” where Qazi Tauqeer was the ppl’s fav. n Rooprekha did well in time to switch sides.
6. Generally, it is seen, ppl have some grudge against the judges. If judges extoll s.one,
there r good chances that guy’s result is screwed.
7. N finally, if the contestant of their region is eliminated, ppl tend to vote on
North-South-East-West divide.Instead of states or cities coming into picture, ppl tend to
gather around the NSEW pattern.
So, next time a new talent show comes up, come bak to this blog, and verify how many of my predictions abt the voting patterns came true.
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May 4, 2006
Yesterday marked an end of the road for a great leader.Pramod Mahajan or PM showcased the typical rags to riches story shown in only reel life.
He was a humble son of a teacher who had the ambition and the determination to reach the highest echeleons of power.To travel from such humble background to among the most important people of a national party deserves a standing ovation.
But what marked PM as someone different?
He was the visionary, a man ahead of times, and very much ahead in the Indian politics, when it came to making it better.He was not a mass leader, he made to Lok Sabha only once in 1996, and lost in the next elections. But he was a master strategist, an amicable person who could get around with anyone, and one who can get a solution to tough problem, or had a bent to sort out conflicting parties. He showed his acumen after the 1996 13-day BJP govt., when he played a major role in getting a 24 party coalition ready for the 1999 elections, and tht paid rich dividends.Also, not many ppl know that it was he who got all the parties to agree on Kalam’s nomination for President.
His stature within the BJP was rising each day, with Vajpayee even anointing him the “Lakshman” of BJP.Though he had a poor equation with the Sangh, due to his moderate inclinations, but even then there were few ppl who doubted abt him becoming the next BJP President.
He had a penchant for path-breaking steps, which he actively showed with the use of
technology in politics. He would be ascribed as a revolutionary in scientific management of
elections.Though BJP didn’t win coz of PM’s hard hitting “India Shining” campaign, but it
was due to some other factors than due to any technical mishmash.Ppl within BJP were not very comfortable with his use of such gadgetry power in politics.
Another quality that made him apart from today’s politician was his candour, courage to
accept defeat. He had no qualms in taking onus of BJP’s failure in last elections.Also, on
Jinnah issue, he said on TV that almost 99% of BJP was opposed to Advani’s remarks.He also had a clean image, devoid of corruption or indulgence. The Shivani Bhatnagar case and the Madhu Sharma case were just the part and parcel of the political life, which never had any weight.
He was witty, candid and a media savvy person.One who knew the trick to manipulate media aptly.His candour and forthright attitude made him a poster boy with TV journalism.His closeness with the corporates also drew a lot of flak, but it just showed his skills at getting along with ppl in all walks of society.
All in all,a ‘modern politician’, one who cud have served India well in coming years with
his far-sighted vision, and his recognition of youth and technology as the torch-bearers of
India in future.One who would have played a major role in India’s success, whether he stayed in or out of power.It is a great loss not only for BJP but to country as such.
May his soul rest in peace.
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May 2, 2006
He has been an idol to me since childhood.
What generally every child has in his growing years.
He is one helluva perfectionist.
He taught me all the ethics and ideals in life.
He taught me to stand up to any wrong being done.
He instilled in me enof courage to fight any indiscretion.
He taught me to fight even if nothing goes your way,
except the Will that says “Hold On”(IF i cud lift some lines)
N this is wht he still makes me do, in times of distress.
He inspired me to lead a life of sacrifices,
As what he always does, leading by example.
He didn’t blink when my studies costed beyond the reach.
He changed his ways to let me prosper.
He is damn emotional, but has the spirit to fight the odds.
He is transparent with heart, n anybody can read him inside out.
He is the crowd puller, and has the gift of the gab.
He can talk on any topic, and make sense of it.
He is a charmer, loving as well as lovable.
Wht is more, he is my Dad.
N today is his b’day.
Happy B’day Dad.
This is for you.
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