I was at my school reunioun and the DJ was playing lousy and sad tracks. Some English numbers were being played and no one wanted to dance. There was a request counter and one guy requested for nashik dhol. The crowd of 50-60 who were present there wen t wild. At that moment, I just thought about it "How Indian we are?".
Needless to say, Indianness comes to us from within. It is in our culture and how much every we try, we will always cling on to it. You can see us practicing it in every part of our life. Most part of it is good but somethings ought to change.
Indianness as one can say is the real Indian feeling that we get. Its all about overloading passengers in a car and traveling to having roadside stuff and feel and know that it is better than 5-STAR stuff. Its all about bribing people to not waiting in queves. Though the former thing can be more associated with, the latter people will complain is due to unavoidable circumstances and deny that it is Indianness. But yes, it is! Tough this form of Indianness has come up in the last 20-30 years, lets hope it doesnt continue like the other forms of Indianness over a century. Every Indian craves for this Indianness. I'm sure that Sachin Tendulkar after having more than 500 crores in his bank account misses the Shivaji Park vada pav competitions he had with Vinod Kambli.
Lets talk about us, the normal middle class Indians. Some cases where our Indianness is seen. This is something that separates us from the entire world. This is our identity. This is where our heart dwells. This is something 90% Indians, may it be in US or in India will always do. When an Indian family buys a car, the car has to go to the temple first. Then it can see the face of the house where its going to stay for years to come. Every year on dussera, it doesnt matter if you are a Hindu or a Christian or a Muslim, u pray to you machine. Whatever machine you associate your business with. These are some of the religious things that we as Indians do. We don't care a damn when we dance during ganesh festival that anyone would observe us. We just don't care. In fact, we feel left out if we see someone dancing on the streets during the ganpati festival.
Now about our habits. No matter where we eat, for us roadside stuff is the best food that we have every tasted. We enjoy the vada pav more than Mcdonalds burger, tough the latter is hygienic. We enjoy the nashik dhol more than rock songs which are referred to as trendy in front of Indian counterparts. We enjoy the 'ghati' dance more than the soothing and slow ball dance. And in the ball dance we get to come close to our lover. We all want to sit in a mercedes and we enjoy it but the fun of sitting on the first tier of a double decker bus right in front is different. Recently, while standing just round the corner of a road, I observed a vendor carrying gulab jamun on a hand cart. Heaps of gulab jamun. I instantly wanted to grab a bite of it, however unhygienic it might have been but only to realize later that i had my exams round the corner as well.
Why does an Indian mind differ from others in such cases? I have absolutely no idea but it has something to do with our culture and our traditions. We have inherited somethings and we can never loose them. We as the present generation have a job cut out. We need to see to it that such tings don't change and India and Indians remain the same as they are. Some things have to change but not the ones I have mentioned above.
JAI HIND
(See here again, v haven't used Jai India but persisted with our old things. I have goosebumps all over my body when I say these words. )
Jun 21, 2008
Jun 20, 2008
BACK TO BLOGGING
Kirti, Rishkul and Siddharth have somehow got me back to blogging. But I can't write blogs as they can write because:-
1. I can't think of any topic.
2. I can't express properly in words.
3. I manage to write half an article and then I get bored.
4. I make hell of a lot grammatical mistakes and then keep pondering over it, if it is right or wrong.
5. No one reads my blog.
6. Comments are rare to find.
7. I can write about current affairs, but no one wants to read it.
- News channel provide them with enough information.
8. Writing about current affairs is nothing but gossiping.
- People have newspapers at home to know about current affairs.
9. I cammit a lot of speling mistakes.
(Here, I did it purposely)
10. I like photography more than blogging.
The above 10 reasons seem perfect for any MU exam. Give 10 reasons why you don't want to blog. :P And the answer is just about perfect. That's what you need to crack a MU engg exam. You need to have the 'fekofying' skills. I have done that for a month now and I have had enough of it. I don't want to add such stuff in my blogs.
That is the reason, instead of writing article here, I will post some of my photographs I managed to take with my Kodak C663 digital camera in automatic mode. I still have to learn the manual functions. All pictures were taken during the SEM II exams. You just can't manage to keep me away from the camera.
I was forced to take this photo by my mother. I was busy studying CP-II when it started pouring and my mother wanted me to take the photo. I did it against my will and this just turned out to be a fantastic picture. Fantastic by my standards and mind, not by professional photography level.
This is one of the best pictures that I must have taken. I was in my garden studying chemistry and there I spotted this butterfly flying to find nectar from one of the flowers. I observed it till it found its flower. I rushed in, grabbed my camera and took 5-10 snaps of this fly, of which one of them is here.
This is from my neighbors terrace. This actually didn't need photography skills at all, but the view was awesome and thus, the picture. This might look to be a place outside Mumbai, in some dense jungle. But this was taken in the Konkan of Mumbai, Kamgar Nagar in Kurla. You'll find about 500 coconut trees here. And more than 10,000 trees. I wanted to take an aerial snapshot of this place, tough this covers only 25% of the entire area, I like this picture.
What got me into photography? "I don't know", I would say. I remember quite well , the 8th standard picnic when for the 1st time I had got my hands on my camera. The normal roll operated camera. I took 36 photos and none had me posing in for the photo. That had made my parents quite angry and rightly so, I would say. It wasn't free developing those rolls as it is the case with digital camera these days. But, I would say, that was the time, when I got into photography.
I have loads of pictures more to come. I hope you people like it and comment sincerely on those. Criticism is welcome. In fact, I like criticism more than praises. Praises don't bring about a change in me, criticism does.
Enjoy these pictures. More, I will post.
Once again, thanks Sidd, Kirti and Rish-i-cool!!!!!
1. I can't think of any topic.
2. I can't express properly in words.
3. I manage to write half an article and then I get bored.
4. I make hell of a lot grammatical mistakes and then keep pondering over it, if it is right or wrong.
5. No one reads my blog.
6. Comments are rare to find.
7. I can write about current affairs, but no one wants to read it.
- News channel provide them with enough information.
8. Writing about current affairs is nothing but gossiping.
- People have newspapers at home to know about current affairs.
9. I cammit a lot of speling mistakes.
(Here, I did it purposely)
10. I like photography more than blogging.
The above 10 reasons seem perfect for any MU exam. Give 10 reasons why you don't want to blog. :P And the answer is just about perfect. That's what you need to crack a MU engg exam. You need to have the 'fekofying' skills. I have done that for a month now and I have had enough of it. I don't want to add such stuff in my blogs.
That is the reason, instead of writing article here, I will post some of my photographs I managed to take with my Kodak C663 digital camera in automatic mode. I still have to learn the manual functions. All pictures were taken during the SEM II exams. You just can't manage to keep me away from the camera.
I was forced to take this photo by my mother. I was busy studying CP-II when it started pouring and my mother wanted me to take the photo. I did it against my will and this just turned out to be a fantastic picture. Fantastic by my standards and mind, not by professional photography level.
This is one of the best pictures that I must have taken. I was in my garden studying chemistry and there I spotted this butterfly flying to find nectar from one of the flowers. I observed it till it found its flower. I rushed in, grabbed my camera and took 5-10 snaps of this fly, of which one of them is here.
This is from my neighbors terrace. This actually didn't need photography skills at all, but the view was awesome and thus, the picture. This might look to be a place outside Mumbai, in some dense jungle. But this was taken in the Konkan of Mumbai, Kamgar Nagar in Kurla. You'll find about 500 coconut trees here. And more than 10,000 trees. I wanted to take an aerial snapshot of this place, tough this covers only 25% of the entire area, I like this picture.
What got me into photography? "I don't know", I would say. I remember quite well , the 8th standard picnic when for the 1st time I had got my hands on my camera. The normal roll operated camera. I took 36 photos and none had me posing in for the photo. That had made my parents quite angry and rightly so, I would say. It wasn't free developing those rolls as it is the case with digital camera these days. But, I would say, that was the time, when I got into photography.
I have loads of pictures more to come. I hope you people like it and comment sincerely on those. Criticism is welcome. In fact, I like criticism more than praises. Praises don't bring about a change in me, criticism does.
Enjoy these pictures. More, I will post.
Once again, thanks Sidd, Kirti and Rish-i-cool!!!!!
Mar 3, 2008
The Santa Claus budget???
Recently we all saw the unveiling of the annual budget of 2008-2009...It was termed as the Santa Claus Budget. I don't know a lot about budget..............but I've heard a lot of praises for it this particular year.
So I'd really appreciate it if someone, anyone can tell me what this dream budget has done for the common man.
Further , with the very high levels of corruption in our country, can this money really reach the masses?
I'd really appreciate it, if someone really tells me what all this is about!
Feb 27, 2008
RAIL BUDGET FOOLS US, BUT STILL GOOD
The grand Indian Railways budget for the year 2008-09 was presented by Hon. Minister of Railways Lalu Prasad Yadav in the parliament on 26th February, 2008. The budget seems to be totally decided in view of the elections that are due in 2009. But, it is necessary to go through the budget carefully to really understand that Lalu Prasad has not really cut the fares or offered any thing out of the blue. He actually just got a platform to announce that he would be offering certain things which can be bargained for votes later.
Consider his lowering of fares. These fares will actually be applied only in the off season and non-popular trains. So, basically, the cut in fare is not applicable to most of the trains. The Rajdhani's and the Shatabdi's and trains between metro stations are all categorized as popular trains and hence there will be no fare cut in these trains. The middle class people living in these metros who cannot afford a plane ticket or rely on sleeper class and AC-III tier won't get any benefit. The 5% fare cut in second class doest serve any purpose because a normal ticket costs around Rs 100 and a 5% cut will mean it costs Rs 95. I know, I shouldn't be underestimating the value of Rs 5, but still, is it really going to help?
The second thing that caught my attention was Lalu announcing free suburban tickets for girls up to graduation. Minister, don't you thing that in India, Suburban trains are only used in Mumbai and the Maharashtra government already has concession in place for all students (not only girls) up to graduation level. The concession means that second class suburban pass for a month will be free. The student still has to shell out money for quarterly pass. The same is now going to be applied all over India but do students outside Mumbai actually use trains? Is the city network of trains that good as it is in Mumbai?
The next thing that really angered me was his announcement of Smart cards being introduce in Mumbai in the coming year. Mr. Lalu, it has already been done and thanks for letting us know that you are still not aware of this.
I really don't understand the meaning of garib rath's. The middle class is having access to it and not the poor man. I guess instead of having AC coaches as garib rath's and having a lower fare, he should have actually introduced Sleeper class at a lower rate. I personally dont like the name garib rath's as it is actually not ment for "garib's". We can have a number of names for these garib rath's. Also, I guess the charges that are levied for internet booking ought to be totally removed. It is saving man power and machinery of the railways when one books through the internet and gets a print out of the ticket himself.
But, even tough these points came up, I have liked the budget. Lalu has promised that by 2010 all coaches in Indian railways will be made up of stainless steel. He promised that 50 stations will have escalator and elevator facilities and that is the need of the hour. He announced that a company which was in loss 4 years back has made a profit of Rs 25K crores. His aggregate profit over 4 years has been Rs 78K crores. What he has done good here is, he has allowed the oficers to implement all programmes that they wanted without any fuss. He has not interfered in their working and hence he deserves this credit. He even alked abt food in railways not being upto the mark and thats good that he accepted faults in the railway service. The cleanliness issues in railways really need someone to address and he did it and I guess privatization is the best way out.
I feel the budget has been a balanced one even tough Lalu's attempt to fool people to a certain extent, he has offered many gains to people too. Kudos Lalu for your four years in the ministry. The Indian railways is getting a face-lift and that what is the needed and fast. I hope, the next minister of railways is as good as Lalu or better. Lets hope for the best and remember, success of railways is dependent on us as well up to a certain extent. Lets try to make the Indian Railways which employs 14lack employees, India's largest employer the ebst in the world. Many such budgets, will surely make it one.
Consider his lowering of fares. These fares will actually be applied only in the off season and non-popular trains. So, basically, the cut in fare is not applicable to most of the trains. The Rajdhani's and the Shatabdi's and trains between metro stations are all categorized as popular trains and hence there will be no fare cut in these trains. The middle class people living in these metros who cannot afford a plane ticket or rely on sleeper class and AC-III tier won't get any benefit. The 5% fare cut in second class doest serve any purpose because a normal ticket costs around Rs 100 and a 5% cut will mean it costs Rs 95. I know, I shouldn't be underestimating the value of Rs 5, but still, is it really going to help?
The second thing that caught my attention was Lalu announcing free suburban tickets for girls up to graduation. Minister, don't you thing that in India, Suburban trains are only used in Mumbai and the Maharashtra government already has concession in place for all students (not only girls) up to graduation level. The concession means that second class suburban pass for a month will be free. The student still has to shell out money for quarterly pass. The same is now going to be applied all over India but do students outside Mumbai actually use trains? Is the city network of trains that good as it is in Mumbai?
The next thing that really angered me was his announcement of Smart cards being introduce in Mumbai in the coming year. Mr. Lalu, it has already been done and thanks for letting us know that you are still not aware of this.
I really don't understand the meaning of garib rath's. The middle class is having access to it and not the poor man. I guess instead of having AC coaches as garib rath's and having a lower fare, he should have actually introduced Sleeper class at a lower rate. I personally dont like the name garib rath's as it is actually not ment for "garib's". We can have a number of names for these garib rath's. Also, I guess the charges that are levied for internet booking ought to be totally removed. It is saving man power and machinery of the railways when one books through the internet and gets a print out of the ticket himself.
But, even tough these points came up, I have liked the budget. Lalu has promised that by 2010 all coaches in Indian railways will be made up of stainless steel. He promised that 50 stations will have escalator and elevator facilities and that is the need of the hour. He announced that a company which was in loss 4 years back has made a profit of Rs 25K crores. His aggregate profit over 4 years has been Rs 78K crores. What he has done good here is, he has allowed the oficers to implement all programmes that they wanted without any fuss. He has not interfered in their working and hence he deserves this credit. He even alked abt food in railways not being upto the mark and thats good that he accepted faults in the railway service. The cleanliness issues in railways really need someone to address and he did it and I guess privatization is the best way out.
I feel the budget has been a balanced one even tough Lalu's attempt to fool people to a certain extent, he has offered many gains to people too. Kudos Lalu for your four years in the ministry. The Indian railways is getting a face-lift and that what is the needed and fast. I hope, the next minister of railways is as good as Lalu or better. Lets hope for the best and remember, success of railways is dependent on us as well up to a certain extent. Lets try to make the Indian Railways which employs 14lack employees, India's largest employer the ebst in the world. Many such budgets, will surely make it one.
Feb 25, 2008
LEWIS IN THE WRONG RACE
What happened in Barcelona, Spain during the F1 off-season testing was the most shocking case of racial abuse in recent times.
Lewis Hamilton the worlds first Black Formula one driver was racially abused by the Spanish crowd . The reason being Lewis ,in his debut season ,out performed his team mate Fernando Alonso who happens to be of Spanish origin and more importantly a white.
Lewis Hamilton is a resident of Britain and he entered the world of F1 in the2007 season . He became the first F1 driver to have a podium finish in each of his first nine races and missed the championship title by single point finishing second ,behind Kimi and in front of Alonso. It is truly disheartening that a skilled and an excellent racer like Hamilton who impressed the likes of Ron Dennis (the Mclaren boss) and Sir Frank Williams should be looked down upon just because he belongs to another race
This show the general white mentality of racial superiority and their inability to see a human deeper than his skin. It is neither a one off incident nor is it a new phenomenon. From the times of Jesse Owens ,sports has always been plagued by this lack of racial tolerance and baseless racial pride. No sporting body can,however hard it tries, stop it as it is in the minds of the fans(or fanatics I may add) and just too deep rooted and too widespread .
The only solution is an awakening,a revolution of sorts, among the fans and the sportsmen alike , to strive for a world where people love and respect a sportsman for his skills and not for the colour of his skin
But all this remains a Utopian dream, or it shall be as long as our eyes see no deeper than the skin. For when we see deeper ,that's when we realise and appreciate the beauty of the soul .
I'll end this by respecting Hamilton's attitude as he kept mum about his reactions to this incident and avoided the media attention which he could have easily used for his advantage. By doing so he did good for his race ........no not the black race .........the human race
Hey there
My name is ranjith. I am the third person to be posting on this blog.As they say the third person to do anything is always the best.................Okay so may be i made that up ,but hey! I will give blogging a try.I've got nothing to lose. I am not gonna blabber about myself as I know that frankly none of you are really interested in a charcter sketch of a person who is still a stranger to you .For those who read this completely THANKS A LOT . I will post as soon as i get a topic to post on . till then Adios Amigos
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