Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Where do we stand? Where are we heading to?
Just after celebrating the 61st birthday of this great nation, a nation which i can proudly say "MINE". India and Indians have made an amazing name in every corner of the world. I may not have seen every corner practically, but atleast the places I have been to, people speak proudly about INDIA, its culture and its people. The other day I was picking a coffee in starbucks and this old gentleman comes up and asks, if I were from India. "Yes" did i say with all the pride. Then we spoke about a lot of things from bollywood to cricket to politics. To be frank I realized that this person knew a lot about India. I was cornered with some questions that I did not have answers to. However this post is not about those questions. This is more about, where we as a nation stand and where are we heading to. As far as I am aware, we are great in what we do in most of the things. And that is where all this respect come to us. I agree that there are some things that we lag behind. But I am also sure that with that little extra effort and will power we can be the BEST in everything.
On this other occasion I met this gentleman (who actually wasnt really gentle) at an airport during a transit. He claimed to have been here from 30 odd years. As we started speaking abt some general topics, it soon turned into a debate. Again the topic of discussion was politics(rather corrupt politics). I somehow hate people who start blaming the state of affairs of a country on politics and corrupt governance. There is no country that is perfect. Also there is no such thing as a "government" on its own. Its we the people who make a government. If you call that corrupt, then you are corrupt too. I ask the same thing to every person, what have you as an individual done to the country? Have you ever done something that you can say that I have done my part of services to the country which I am blessed to be part of. If you want to sit 10000 miles away from home for 30 yrs and crib abt its governance today, you have no bloody freaking right to do that buddy.
I am in no way denying that there aren't people who live and die in the interest of the community and the country. There are several people who strive everyday to make this world a better place to live. Hats off to them. The point of discussion, is about the others. Is it really that hard for a person to do that small part of contribution which can take the nation to greater heights. My granny always used to say that every rupee you save from today will help you in making that million you dream of. Similarly, every small effort of every citizen, everyday, would bring that mammoth change, a change for the betterment. I dream of that day that would put India on the world map as an example for other nations to be like. I can see that happen in the near future. What we need is just a little more effort.
Talking about the culture that is so great about India, it exactly is nothing but the way how every human, part of a community, behaves and acts collectively. It reflects the overall social behaviour of the country as a whole. I have this American friend who once said, there is so much of love within you guys that it never seems to fade off. We definitely should be proud of this.
Dear fellow citizens, stop cribbing about some government/politician being corrupt. Wake up today, make that small contribution to the society and love your fellow citizens. Work for making this place even better. We have achieved a lot already, but its just the begining. There is a lot more to make a name and fame. Come on, get along and lets show the world that we are the BEST.
"JAI HIND. PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN".
On this other occasion I met this gentleman (who actually wasnt really gentle) at an airport during a transit. He claimed to have been here from 30 odd years. As we started speaking abt some general topics, it soon turned into a debate. Again the topic of discussion was politics(rather corrupt politics). I somehow hate people who start blaming the state of affairs of a country on politics and corrupt governance. There is no country that is perfect. Also there is no such thing as a "government" on its own. Its we the people who make a government. If you call that corrupt, then you are corrupt too. I ask the same thing to every person, what have you as an individual done to the country? Have you ever done something that you can say that I have done my part of services to the country which I am blessed to be part of. If you want to sit 10000 miles away from home for 30 yrs and crib abt its governance today, you have no bloody freaking right to do that buddy.
I am in no way denying that there aren't people who live and die in the interest of the community and the country. There are several people who strive everyday to make this world a better place to live. Hats off to them. The point of discussion, is about the others. Is it really that hard for a person to do that small part of contribution which can take the nation to greater heights. My granny always used to say that every rupee you save from today will help you in making that million you dream of. Similarly, every small effort of every citizen, everyday, would bring that mammoth change, a change for the betterment. I dream of that day that would put India on the world map as an example for other nations to be like. I can see that happen in the near future. What we need is just a little more effort.
Talking about the culture that is so great about India, it exactly is nothing but the way how every human, part of a community, behaves and acts collectively. It reflects the overall social behaviour of the country as a whole. I have this American friend who once said, there is so much of love within you guys that it never seems to fade off. We definitely should be proud of this.
Dear fellow citizens, stop cribbing about some government/politician being corrupt. Wake up today, make that small contribution to the society and love your fellow citizens. Work for making this place even better. We have achieved a lot already, but its just the begining. There is a lot more to make a name and fame. Come on, get along and lets show the world that we are the BEST.
"JAI HIND. PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN".
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Flashback....
Was surfing through the zillion snaps of good old days from College. Accidentally found this one, just to realize that these are the only 2 snaps where all of "us" are captured in one frame. This was from that one memorable trip to Yercaud, when Sandy landed in India in 2005. There are quite a few things about this trip that make me laugh till date. Firstly the "muthu" incident and then the rock-climbing effort...
Miss those days, miss those bike rides, miss those "sessions" and most of all miss you guys....
Date Taken : 02/12/2005 4:04PM
Date Taken : 02/13/2005 1:47PM
Miss those days, miss those bike rides, miss those "sessions" and most of all miss you guys....
Date Taken : 02/12/2005 4:04PM
Date Taken : 02/13/2005 1:47PM
Simply Timepass...
True to the name of the blog!! Landed early in office and realized that something has happened to my J2EE engine. Its very very slow. What a way to begin a day and that too when you come in early skipping breakfast. Wow, I am loving it. Now that its still starting, I cant do much about it. Sometimes I get pissed off with the SAP Netweaver, given that it never installs in the first try and secondly its bound to crash atleast once in a month.
As I was getting bored seeing the status bar move 100 times slower than a snail, I thought of trying out some new template layouts for the blog. This is the "Harbor" template. Kind of very soothing and plain and simple. Will have this for a week or two and then change to something else (prolly the next time my NWDS crashes...)
As I was getting bored seeing the status bar move 100 times slower than a snail, I thought of trying out some new template layouts for the blog. This is the "Harbor" template. Kind of very soothing and plain and simple. Will have this for a week or two and then change to something else (prolly the next time my NWDS crashes...)
Friday, August 01, 2008
How different is our English?
A person who travels to US first time, that too people like me after learning English(like what i thought it was) for 23 yrs, is bound to bump into some of these clashes. This may not be a comprehensive list, but indeed some of those I came across in these 7 months. You don't really speak English here, you speak American...
In US,
a) you don't take a bath, you take a shower
b) you don't fill a bucket of water, you fill a pail of water
c) you don't buy ladies finger, you buy Okra
d) you don't wash your clothes, you laundry them (quite acceptable)
e) you don't call it curds, you call it Yogurt
f) you don't call it capsicum, you call it peppers
g) you don't ask for a parcel, you ask for a to-go
h) you don't buy a Pepsi/coke, you buy a Soda
i) you don't reverse your car, you backup
j) you don't "wear" seat belts, you buckle-up
Are we so different?
Just trying to provide an example of how it would sound in both the versions. Excuse me for the grammatical mistakes. I am bad @ both the Indian and American versions :)
American:
I woke up in the morning and took a shower and cleaned my car with a pail of water. Stopped by at the grocery store to pick up Okra, peppers and Yogurt. Also picked up a soda. As i was backing up from the parking lot, someone bumped into my car and i banged onto the wheel cos I had forgot to buckle up. Stopped by taco bell for a Burrito. As i was running out of time, I ordered for a to-go and came home to laundry my clothes.
Indian:
I got up in the morning and took bath. Then washed my car with a bucket of water. Went to the shop to buy ladies finger, capsicum and curds. Then i also bought a Pepsi. I was taking reverse from the parking lot and someone dashed my car from behind and I hit my head on the steering because I had forgotten to wear seat-belt. Then I Stopped at taco bell for a Burrito. As I was getting late, I took a parcel and came home to wash my clothes.
Is there anything wrong in any of these versions?
PS: Comments welcome to suggest more, if you have come across something similar!!!
In US,
a) you don't take a bath, you take a shower
b) you don't fill a bucket of water, you fill a pail of water
c) you don't buy ladies finger, you buy Okra
d) you don't wash your clothes, you laundry them (quite acceptable)
e) you don't call it curds, you call it Yogurt
f) you don't call it capsicum, you call it peppers
g) you don't ask for a parcel, you ask for a to-go
h) you don't buy a Pepsi/coke, you buy a Soda
i) you don't reverse your car, you backup
j) you don't "wear" seat belts, you buckle-up
Are we so different?
Just trying to provide an example of how it would sound in both the versions. Excuse me for the grammatical mistakes. I am bad @ both the Indian and American versions :)
American:
I woke up in the morning and took a shower and cleaned my car with a pail of water. Stopped by at the grocery store to pick up Okra, peppers and Yogurt. Also picked up a soda. As i was backing up from the parking lot, someone bumped into my car and i banged onto the wheel cos I had forgot to buckle up. Stopped by taco bell for a Burrito. As i was running out of time, I ordered for a to-go and came home to laundry my clothes.
Indian:
I got up in the morning and took bath. Then washed my car with a bucket of water. Went to the shop to buy ladies finger, capsicum and curds. Then i also bought a Pepsi. I was taking reverse from the parking lot and someone dashed my car from behind and I hit my head on the steering because I had forgotten to wear seat-belt. Then I Stopped at taco bell for a Burrito. As I was getting late, I took a parcel and came home to wash my clothes.
Is there anything wrong in any of these versions?
PS: Comments welcome to suggest more, if you have come across something similar!!!
Dollar Dreams...Unlimited!!!
Seven months into the so-called "American" lifestyle I thought I should make a point to all those back home, thinking about making a move here.
There was once this life (just 7 months back), where I had to get up at 8-9 in the morning, go downstairs for a smiling moms face with the coffee ready to be served. Hot water kept ready along with a towel and cleanly pressed clothes. Then a sumptuous breakfast followed by a fresh thick shake. After all this, a drive to office in my own car with the fav songs playing on the radio station. Some hours later a rich meal in one of thousand available option of restaurants. Then a drive straight to the "adda" to catch up with the buddies. Now and then a late night party or back home to have a great dinner with family and a nice bed to sleep.
But, I said "to hell with this life" and decided its time to get Americanized and earn in dollars. And indeed i did come over and earning in dollars. However a day would begin with getting up at 6 (no one reaches office at 10AM or by a "second" shuttle in US), prepare my own tea, given that I have the patience. Then forcefully gulp some cereals and juice one among zillion "fat free" milk brands. Then realize that its already late, so either skip the "shower" or procrastinate until evening(remember you don't bathe in US, you "shower"). Then starts the tough part. If you are lucky enough to have a car, you survive, else, start one of those steaming/shivering walks towards office just to reach either stinking with sweat or a cold bone. Meanwhile I forgot to mention about packing the meal of the day, which was either cooked the previous day or a couple days earlier. And sometimes you end up eating a "garden" salad (literal to its meaning of garden). Its a sin to be a vegetarian here. Then you turn up at the apartment in the evening and, if, fortunate enough to have a "good/decent" roommate, who would help in some work, start cooking and cleaning and/or the weekly "walmart" routines. Then after all the washing and eating and an occasional call back home with friends, you end up crashing either on a sleeping bag or a mattress on the floor.
So, my friends, if you want to live a luxurious life here, just consider the above. Life is not too easy to start here. And by the time, everytime, you feel settled in a place, you are moved elsewhere and you start all over again. The cycle repeats. Not all are unfortunate, some end up settling down in a place. Make a calculative judgment before making a move here.
You may be wondering whats running in my mind. Am I for or against someone coming here? Definitely not. This is a land of opportunities. Just want to make a clear statement on the pros and cons. I made the "decision" and I have no regrets on that. Come here for a "reason", but not just because your neighbor's son went to US and you want to get Americanized too. I am here for a reason and I am living with it.
PS: You still earn in dollars. I agree its much more than what you can make back there. But you indeed are paying a high price for it.
All said and done, its high time i rush now. I am getting a free ride to Walmart :)
There was once this life (just 7 months back), where I had to get up at 8-9 in the morning, go downstairs for a smiling moms face with the coffee ready to be served. Hot water kept ready along with a towel and cleanly pressed clothes. Then a sumptuous breakfast followed by a fresh thick shake. After all this, a drive to office in my own car with the fav songs playing on the radio station. Some hours later a rich meal in one of thousand available option of restaurants. Then a drive straight to the "adda" to catch up with the buddies. Now and then a late night party or back home to have a great dinner with family and a nice bed to sleep.
But, I said "to hell with this life" and decided its time to get Americanized and earn in dollars. And indeed i did come over and earning in dollars. However a day would begin with getting up at 6 (no one reaches office at 10AM or by a "second" shuttle in US), prepare my own tea, given that I have the patience. Then forcefully gulp some cereals and juice one among zillion "fat free" milk brands. Then realize that its already late, so either skip the "shower" or procrastinate until evening(remember you don't bathe in US, you "shower"). Then starts the tough part. If you are lucky enough to have a car, you survive, else, start one of those steaming/shivering walks towards office just to reach either stinking with sweat or a cold bone. Meanwhile I forgot to mention about packing the meal of the day, which was either cooked the previous day or a couple days earlier. And sometimes you end up eating a "garden" salad (literal to its meaning of garden). Its a sin to be a vegetarian here. Then you turn up at the apartment in the evening and, if, fortunate enough to have a "good/decent" roommate, who would help in some work, start cooking and cleaning and/or the weekly "walmart" routines. Then after all the washing and eating and an occasional call back home with friends, you end up crashing either on a sleeping bag or a mattress on the floor.
So, my friends, if you want to live a luxurious life here, just consider the above. Life is not too easy to start here. And by the time, everytime, you feel settled in a place, you are moved elsewhere and you start all over again. The cycle repeats. Not all are unfortunate, some end up settling down in a place. Make a calculative judgment before making a move here.
You may be wondering whats running in my mind. Am I for or against someone coming here? Definitely not. This is a land of opportunities. Just want to make a clear statement on the pros and cons. I made the "decision" and I have no regrets on that. Come here for a "reason", but not just because your neighbor's son went to US and you want to get Americanized too. I am here for a reason and I am living with it.
PS: You still earn in dollars. I agree its much more than what you can make back there. But you indeed are paying a high price for it.
All said and done, its high time i rush now. I am getting a free ride to Walmart :)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)