A friend of mine was an insurance salesman. He was sick of his job because it comprised of wheedling appointments out of friends, acquaintances and relatives, going to their homes on a Sunday morning, narrating stories of how someone he knew died of a heart attack at the prime of life and left his widow and teenage son helpless in this big bad world, followed up by ‘uncle I hope you wont make the same mistake; here’s a policy just perfect for you, blah blah blah..’.
While I always knew I would never have the caliber to become a salesman of this level, I thought post engineering that some kind of ‘technical’ selling could be my forte, considering my so called ‘soft skills’. That misconception was shattered after I joined GE and failed miserably trying to make high tech sales of high end diagnostic medical equipments. I became totally confident that as a salesman I would not even meet my targets selling chilled beer in the middle of the Sahara.
But…my post-blogging days have transformed me. Here are some samples of my typical conversations with friends:
X: Aur beta kya kar raha hai?
Self: Chal raha hai yaar. Blog likh raha tha.
X: Blog? U ka hai?
Self: Arey bataya nehi? Dekh le. Its http://www.absolutelynothingisavailable.blogspot.com/
Y: Did you see Rang de basanti?
Self: Saale blog me itna halla hua dekha nehi? Dekh aur comment likh. http://www.absolutelynothingisavailable.blogspot.com/
Z: Bad news man! Raj’s father passed away.
Self: Shit man! He was a great guy yaar! I need to write a condolence message on my blog. Maybe if he reads it he can find some consolation. Its http://www.absolutelynothingisavailable.blogspot.com/
A: Boss what about that doc you were supposed to send me?
Self: Gimme 2 minutes.
A: OK thanks.
Self: Check out the Amazing fact of the day. Its http://www.absolutelynothingisavailable.blogspot.com/
B: Did you get my mail? I am in serious shit with my girlfriend man!
Self: Get it? I posted it dude. It was too good to resist!! Its http://www.absolutelynothingisavailable.blogspot.com/.
B: Shit!
And so on and so forth. I am pretty disgusted guys. I was always someone who never took myself seriously. And now I refresh the bloody blog 40 times each day to see if someone has posted a comment or if some reviewer has ‘discovered’ me. When there are no comments (usually there aren’t, except for those of my brother Loky) , I read through old posts.
When I finally realized that blogging has made me more shameless than an insurance salesman and more self obsessed than any narcissist, I was pretty disgusted. The first thing I did was to remove the pic from the site. Second, I have vowed never to remind anyone to read my blog.
Relieved everyone?
Feb 28, 2006
Feb 23, 2006
A short story
The bone of contention among the Kumars had always been money. They were reasonably happy (if reason is a term one can use in conjunction with anything to do with marriage) and the birth of their daughter had brought them together to a common daughter-devotion-fan-club platform. But they had yet to work out a method when they will not go for each other’s throats the minute finance raised its persistent head in any conversation.
As financial behavior went, they had always been poles apart. While Naveen was irresponsibly open handed, Neetu was as tight fisted as any champion heavyweight. Naveen lived life for the present, while all Neetu thought about was the rainy day. Things were manageable during courtship, primarily because Neetu had no idea about the exact state of Naveen’s finances. But post marriage every discussion ended in the same way.
‘I don’t want to discuss this with someone who does not have the ability to support his family’.
‘If you want support then behave like a housewife and keep your trap shut’, would be Naveen’s standard reply. ‘You so called modern women make me sick. You people have your careers that come before anything else. Remember that your home is a job also. You guys invest your salaries while the husband buys the vegetables’.
‘Yes. At least that way you don’t spend your entire salary on alcohol’, would be Neetu’s discussion closer, before slamming the bedroom door.
Yesterday had been especially bad and Naveen was regretting some of the things he had told Neetu. While taking his shower in the morning he suddenly remembered their early days – the bike rides, the rain soaked lazy afternoons, the movie theatre neckings, the weekend stayovers. There were a lot of things that were good about his wife. Some of his friends’ wives he saw, he was thankful for his marriage. ‘I would make a fresh start’, he resolved. ‘I can make this work. From today……’
His thoughts were broken off by a knock on the bathroom door. ‘The milkman is here. Give him 750’, his wife said.
As financial behavior went, they had always been poles apart. While Naveen was irresponsibly open handed, Neetu was as tight fisted as any champion heavyweight. Naveen lived life for the present, while all Neetu thought about was the rainy day. Things were manageable during courtship, primarily because Neetu had no idea about the exact state of Naveen’s finances. But post marriage every discussion ended in the same way.
‘I don’t want to discuss this with someone who does not have the ability to support his family’.
‘If you want support then behave like a housewife and keep your trap shut’, would be Naveen’s standard reply. ‘You so called modern women make me sick. You people have your careers that come before anything else. Remember that your home is a job also. You guys invest your salaries while the husband buys the vegetables’.
‘Yes. At least that way you don’t spend your entire salary on alcohol’, would be Neetu’s discussion closer, before slamming the bedroom door.
Yesterday had been especially bad and Naveen was regretting some of the things he had told Neetu. While taking his shower in the morning he suddenly remembered their early days – the bike rides, the rain soaked lazy afternoons, the movie theatre neckings, the weekend stayovers. There were a lot of things that were good about his wife. Some of his friends’ wives he saw, he was thankful for his marriage. ‘I would make a fresh start’, he resolved. ‘I can make this work. From today……’
His thoughts were broken off by a knock on the bathroom door. ‘The milkman is here. Give him 750’, his wife said.
Music Television
Rock purists say MTV killed classic rock. The early 80-s saw the rise of music videos and with it, hair bands, disco and pop. The last rites were performed in the 90-s with rap and boy bands.
In our very own India the bug has caught on. Yesterday I saw the hideous Asha moving her body to a remixed RD song. It was painful to watch that face pouting lips, looking 'naughty', trying to be playful and sexy. Trying to match Asha and Lata's faces with their voices is as complex an exercise as keeping a woman happy. In the good old days one had the best of both worlds. One can watch a Mumtaz or a Saira Banu on screen and hear the nightingle sing. Not anymore. If you have to watch Asha Bhosle calling you with the words 'Piya tu ab to aa ja', or Lata asking you to 'Baahon me chale aao'....shudder shudder shudder.....
In our very own India the bug has caught on. Yesterday I saw the hideous Asha moving her body to a remixed RD song. It was painful to watch that face pouting lips, looking 'naughty', trying to be playful and sexy. Trying to match Asha and Lata's faces with their voices is as complex an exercise as keeping a woman happy. In the good old days one had the best of both worlds. One can watch a Mumtaz or a Saira Banu on screen and hear the nightingle sing. Not anymore. If you have to watch Asha Bhosle calling you with the words 'Piya tu ab to aa ja', or Lata asking you to 'Baahon me chale aao'....shudder shudder shudder.....
Feb 22, 2006
Jessica Lal verdict
What did you expect anyway? In our fucked up country, with the most fucked up constitution and judiciary, did the result come as any surprise? The only way we can clean up our act is to change the arcane judicial system. Circumstantial evidence must be considered for these cases, because eyewitnesses wont (cant) come forward. If I was an eyewitness and Pappu Yadav kidnapped my son and sent me his little finger in the mail, I will NOT give evidence. Its as simple as that. Even if there exists a system like the Witness Protection Program, I would not do it. I would not uproot my life and my son's life for someone else. The only way is if the law changes. Eye witness evidence must take a back seat. Truth serums must be legalised to grill suspects. There could be a 100 things that could be done. True, some innocent people will be wrongly convicted. But the theory that 'even if a 100 culprits go scott free, even 1 innocent should not be wrongly punished' does not hold water any longer. Some innocents will be punished wrongly. Tough luck. That does not mean that these bastards will get away with what they choose.
The only problem is..who will change the system? The people who are responsible for changing the laws will never do something that will screw them. So is the ending of RDB the only way out?
The only problem is..who will change the system? The people who are responsible for changing the laws will never do something that will screw them. So is the ending of RDB the only way out?
Fingers crossed
Today is judgement day for Vikas. Its his first job interview. That too for a position of Country Head in a big company as Pinnacle! Boy, I wish he gets it. Then its a drink-and-puke evening today. Go for it Vikas!!!!
Feb 21, 2006
RDB - 2 viewpoints
Vivek and Koushik loved the movie, Vikas said the second half was ridiculous. Sagarika Ghosh (CNN IBN) thinks its dangerous. I havent seen the movie, but from what Vikas told me, I tend to agree with her. It increasingly seems to me that in India we are rapidly losing our shades if grey. Everything is portrayed in black or white. So the first half is one extreme and the second half is the other. In the first half, do you identify with this Amir more than the Amir in Dil Chahta Hai? And is it possible to identify with anyone in the second half? What kind of society will ours become if the vendetta raaj takes over? A friend of mine gets drunk and dies in a road accident so 4 of my friends get together and murder Vijay Mallya and Bajaj? Is that the message of this movie?
And I would agree to one more thing that Sagarika wrote. The fact that this movie is such a big hit scares the shit out of me.
And I would agree to one more thing that Sagarika wrote. The fact that this movie is such a big hit scares the shit out of me.
Feb 17, 2006
Inzy bhai
Aloo is too damn sweet man! He is one of the first Paki cricketers I started genuinely liking. Growing up watching Miandad, Malik, Sohail, Moin, Aaqib and Saqlain, I had developed this hatred for the men in green. Watching those Sharjah matches, listening to their animalistic screams when they got our wickets and the constant tension watching the one day encounters were nightmarish stuff. Things have changed over the last year or so. Now watching the Pakis play one doesnt get the impression that its jehad. They have become more relaxed and fair on the field, and youngsters like Malik, Butt, Asif and Kamran and really likeable.
But Inzy is the best. Not just his game. He is a sportsman, on and off the field. Never gets into controversies, never goes overboard in his actions and comments and is always modest and full of humility. But the greatest thing about him are his post match interviews. They are hilarious. "Salam Walequm, bismillah, ek rahman ek rahim. First of all I want to say thanks to allah..". This is the starting irrespective of the result. Followed by a series of 'is is is is''.
Next time he is on check it out.
But Inzy is the best. Not just his game. He is a sportsman, on and off the field. Never gets into controversies, never goes overboard in his actions and comments and is always modest and full of humility. But the greatest thing about him are his post match interviews. They are hilarious. "Salam Walequm, bismillah, ek rahman ek rahim. First of all I want to say thanks to allah..". This is the starting irrespective of the result. Followed by a series of 'is is is is''.
Next time he is on check it out.
Feb 15, 2006
Our heroes
Imran and Inzy have opened hospitals. Our heroes, Saurav and Sachin, have earned at least 500 times these guys and have opened restaurants. Something to ponder about?
Feb 14, 2006
Valentine Day's Programme
I love golf so I am headed to the course for a round. Tell me your plans guys.
Dho Daala!!
No. I am not talking about Dhoni. Uska to pata hi tha (and let vikas confirm that I have been talking about dhoni for the past 2.5 years, if we was playing I would watch duleep, challenger, ranji anything...much before the so-called experts in the media were talking about Patel's innocent looks). I am talking about Prez Musharaff's speech at the end of the match. I can wager my last chaddi that there is not a single politician in india who has the callibre to make a speech like that on the fly. Not only that. If you see how he has handled Bush since the Afghan war you will understand what a fantastic politician he is. He harbours terrorists and gets money from the US to beef up his anti-terrorist cell, he keeps the hardline islamic fundamentalists at bay, he warns the US government when they accidentally kill civilians in a taliban strike (and the US keeps mum), he does exactly as he pleases while our politicians huff and puff in UN councils and go around the world trying to get support to label Pakistan as a terrorist nation.
Hats off to you Sir. Wish we had someone like you in charge here.
Hats off to you Sir. Wish we had someone like you in charge here.
Feb 13, 2006
Bollywood Extras
Yes BOLLYWOOD Mr Bacchan. Recently AB has taken to correcting anyone who mentions the term by saying 'please dont use that word. say the Bombay film industry. we have our own identity'. So its ok so steal blindly from them but not to be named after them eh? Nowadays they dont even bother changing the name of the movie. Yesterday I saw the copy of Fight Club (Brad Pitt) released with the same name. On his Oscar acceptance speech Satyajit Ray had said that this was a dream come true as Hollywood was his inspiration for becoming a filmmaker. So 'Big' B, if its good enough for Ray, its good enough for me and you can shove your opinions up where the sun doesn't shine.
Anyway. I was watching an bollywood award show yesterday on TV. The women have become more beautiful, production has become sleek, comperes have improved - everyone seems to have improved except the extras who dance behind the stars. I had once stayed at a PG acco in Bandra where everyone except me was 'struggling'. There was a playback singer who had sung one jingle in 3 years, 2 actors who had worked in 2 serials in DD, 2 models who had done nothing and a senior actor who had done bit roles in 3-4 movies but was out of work for 4 years. It was an amazing world. To see these guys struggle for that elusive dream for years on end, going from door to door, getting kicked out every studio, generally being treated like shit but never losing that hope, waiting for that ONE break that will change their lives. Girls with loose morals at least have the casting couch, these guys have nothing. And just when things look hopeless and they decide enough is enough, someone they know gets a break and they start afresh.
One of the models in that flat was Sayan Munshi. He has made it and it took him 6 years. The others have sank without a trace. Maybe the only thing left in their lives is the fact that they had struggled alongside Sayan.
Anyway. I was watching an bollywood award show yesterday on TV. The women have become more beautiful, production has become sleek, comperes have improved - everyone seems to have improved except the extras who dance behind the stars. I had once stayed at a PG acco in Bandra where everyone except me was 'struggling'. There was a playback singer who had sung one jingle in 3 years, 2 actors who had worked in 2 serials in DD, 2 models who had done nothing and a senior actor who had done bit roles in 3-4 movies but was out of work for 4 years. It was an amazing world. To see these guys struggle for that elusive dream for years on end, going from door to door, getting kicked out every studio, generally being treated like shit but never losing that hope, waiting for that ONE break that will change their lives. Girls with loose morals at least have the casting couch, these guys have nothing. And just when things look hopeless and they decide enough is enough, someone they know gets a break and they start afresh.
One of the models in that flat was Sayan Munshi. He has made it and it took him 6 years. The others have sank without a trace. Maybe the only thing left in their lives is the fact that they had struggled alongside Sayan.
The 'Baraati' Problem
Raju Srivastava (The Great Indian Laughter Champions) did a great one on baraatis. How they misbehave and what the girl's family has to go through. Brought back memories of 2 instances I had seen.
The first was in Mohuadi's wedding (our family friends for the last 45 odd years). Shanuda's folks had come from Asansol and were slightly late. In our weddings, generally the first dinner batch is for elderly people or for people who have to travel long distances. Someone told Mashi that these guys have come shouldn't we sit them first? She replied that they are late, let them wait. This was overheard by one of them who promptly squealed to Shanuda's dad who huffed and puffed and started a walk out. We were flabbergasted. Requests by a couple of uncles fell on deaf ears and it seemed that a lot of dinner will be wasted. Lu uncle came to the rescue. He prostrated himself on the father's feet and asked for forgiveness and the latter regally forgave us. After everything was over, a very emotional Jethu (mohuadi's dad) thanked Lu uncle for what he had done. Lu uncle shrugged and this was no big deal, it happens in every marriage in the south.
The second one was Munia's (Sr) wedding. That was the time of Sooraj Barjatiya and people in Kolkata were learning about stealing shoes and 'cher-charing' saalis. One 15-16 yr old kid started hanky panky with one of my cousins. I caught him by the ear and asked him what's going on. He rushed off to tell his father, probably thinking gleefully that he will be able to start a major fight or hoohah, ala bollywood. Imagine his frustration when his father came and asked me what the matter was and on learning the truth gave him an earful!!
The maximum baraati problem I have heard of in Bengali weddings is people acting smart at the dinner table. They will pile up food they wont eat, they will throw rasgullas in the dust and ask for more and crap like that. But this god like status is never given to them. That's something to be proud of, isn't it?
The first was in Mohuadi's wedding (our family friends for the last 45 odd years). Shanuda's folks had come from Asansol and were slightly late. In our weddings, generally the first dinner batch is for elderly people or for people who have to travel long distances. Someone told Mashi that these guys have come shouldn't we sit them first? She replied that they are late, let them wait. This was overheard by one of them who promptly squealed to Shanuda's dad who huffed and puffed and started a walk out. We were flabbergasted. Requests by a couple of uncles fell on deaf ears and it seemed that a lot of dinner will be wasted. Lu uncle came to the rescue. He prostrated himself on the father's feet and asked for forgiveness and the latter regally forgave us. After everything was over, a very emotional Jethu (mohuadi's dad) thanked Lu uncle for what he had done. Lu uncle shrugged and this was no big deal, it happens in every marriage in the south.
The second one was Munia's (Sr) wedding. That was the time of Sooraj Barjatiya and people in Kolkata were learning about stealing shoes and 'cher-charing' saalis. One 15-16 yr old kid started hanky panky with one of my cousins. I caught him by the ear and asked him what's going on. He rushed off to tell his father, probably thinking gleefully that he will be able to start a major fight or hoohah, ala bollywood. Imagine his frustration when his father came and asked me what the matter was and on learning the truth gave him an earful!!
The maximum baraati problem I have heard of in Bengali weddings is people acting smart at the dinner table. They will pile up food they wont eat, they will throw rasgullas in the dust and ask for more and crap like that. But this god like status is never given to them. That's something to be proud of, isn't it?
A first in the Indian TV industry
I may be wrong about this but yesterday I saw a show that was perhaps the first original idea in the Indian television industry. It was a show called Brand-e in the newly launched Times channel. Its an ad show, in which there is a segment called Flashback. Yesterday it featured the Bajaj bulb ad of 85 (jab main chota bachcha tha, badi shararat karta tha). Talked about what an impact it made, showed sound bytes of people across age, sex and socio-eco status who remember the jingle word to word and best of all traced what each of the models are doing what now. Good trip down memory lane.
Feb 10, 2006
Think you are smart?
I thought so too. Before I went here and sweated through this simple test. Found out that my bloody IQ is only 135, about 65 less than what I used to think it must be. Try it out and let me know your scores. It might cheer me up a little bit.
Feb 9, 2006
Finally some sense?
There have been many occasions when people have done something significant after getting the idea from a book or a movie. 9/11 was one such example. I am now reading Tom Clancy's 'Sum of all fears' where he has given a new twist to the Israely-Arab conflict. A Palestinian protestor, inspired by Gandhi and King, convinces the leaders that passive resistance is the best way. An Israely police captain, unused to such tactics loses his head and orders his men to shoot rubber bullets into the crowd in which a man dies. A CNN correspondent covering the event comments 'Finally the bastards have smartened up'..The entire world sides with the Palestinians for the first time and Israel lose their moral ground (their only ground in this conflict IMHO). That's as far as I have gotten to.
Anyway, this looks like something like that. This is the first time these guys have done and said something sensible. Its high time the west came down from its high moral ground and practised what they preached. I would really like to see leading western papers extolling the virtues of 'freedom of speech' publish cartoons about the holocaust and Vietnam. How about some research into who screwed Virgin Mary? Or maybe about Amercian Indians living in conservations, about what happened to Blacks after Katrina (no I wont say 'African Americans' because I dont believe that calling someone 'Black' is derogatory in the first place). How about some screamingly funny ones about Hiroshima?
Anyway, this looks like something like that. This is the first time these guys have done and said something sensible. Its high time the west came down from its high moral ground and practised what they preached. I would really like to see leading western papers extolling the virtues of 'freedom of speech' publish cartoons about the holocaust and Vietnam. How about some research into who screwed Virgin Mary? Or maybe about Amercian Indians living in conservations, about what happened to Blacks after Katrina (no I wont say 'African Americans' because I dont believe that calling someone 'Black' is derogatory in the first place). How about some screamingly funny ones about Hiroshima?
Feb 8, 2006
Feb 7, 2006
Enough is still not enough?
There was a line in a bengali song that went 'I grow up but I dont grow'. That describes the muslim religion. How long will this go on?
Unsung Heroes
Did you know that this guy is your countryman?
Continuing on the vein of the 'Baggages' post, we are a nation obsessed with the handful of superstars that we have produced whereas there are people like these whom nobody knows about.
Thank god i dont have any special achievements to my credit. I would died of frustration at the lack of respect and recognition.
Continuing on the vein of the 'Baggages' post, we are a nation obsessed with the handful of superstars that we have produced whereas there are people like these whom nobody knows about.
Thank god i dont have any special achievements to my credit. I would died of frustration at the lack of respect and recognition.
Feb 3, 2006
25!!!
Never thought i will achieve this incredible milestone! I was sceptical when i started..it was tough for me to start in the first place man! But...a request to my readers..the limited readership (if i can call it that) I enjoy, i get all my comments via phone calls, messages, mails and drunken discussions. Guys..please..post your comments on the site. These are memories I will need when I am accessing my blog from a hospital 15 years from now (hopefully)...
Mera Bharat Mahaan
A debate is raging currently between me and Loky. To give you some background, he has spent the last 3 years out of India (Japan, US and Germany) and is now desperate to return to India. Vikas is on the verge of immigrating to Australia in March and Loky feels that this is a bad move on his part. I think moving out of our bloody country (to some specific countries like Australia, New Zealand, parts of Europe, Singapore, Thailand or Malaysia) is the only sensible option left. Here are some excerpts of our mature conversation:
--------------------------------------------------------------
neil_goswami: as far as i am concerned noida se adelaide is zillion times better place for sanika to grow up in
Lokendra Singh Parihar: so u guys think no indian kids should grow up in india, thats ridiculous!
Lokendra Singh Parihar: so u think confused desis are better than desis
neil_goswami: shut up u fucking NRI
neil_goswami: 2 saal bahar rehke patriot bann gaya behn ka loura
neil_goswami: 2 german kya gaand pe laath maara behnchod indian hone ka yaad aa gaya
Lokendra Singh Parihar: sach hamesha kadwa hota hai
neil_goswami: kadwa kyu hone laga? mai to hu desh me..tu aaja..fir baat karte hai
Lokendra Singh Parihar: i'm sure, i'll be happy to be in india
neil_goswami: yes..and if u r not u will convince yourself that you are
Lokendra Singh Parihar: no i'll not
--------------------------------------------------------------
Here is what he will find when he arrives in India:
1) He will carry his suitcase across the tarmac and step over overflowing shit from the toilets because AAI is striking.
2) He will be robbed blind by the taxi driver whose taxi he will take to reach home.
3) On the way he will sit a traffic snarl-up because some political party has taken out a procession protesting America’s role in Iraq.
4) Relaxing on his couch in the evening he will watch a news channel where there will be a 3 hour special about a DIG Police who has started believing that he is the reincarnation of Radha.
5) Retiring to bed he will stay up till 1 AM because the neighborhood ‘club’ is celebrating some religious festival by playing LOUD film music.
6) In the morning papers he will read that income tax sops given to salaried individuals have been withdrawn by the Finance Minister and the HRD has decreed that his son will have to learn Kannadi in school for 6 years.
7) He will go to office and do bullshit work and then find out that he has stay late in office to attend a telecom with US clients.
8) He will find that colleagues are uncooperative (and some downright hostile) because he is a ‘north-indian’.
9) On a long weekend he will take his wife to a resort only to find that he cannot venture out too much because a group of boisterous, rowdy and drunk students are making life miserable for everyone.
Come soon Loky. India is waiting for you.
--------------------------------------------------------------
neil_goswami: as far as i am concerned noida se adelaide is zillion times better place for sanika to grow up in
Lokendra Singh Parihar: so u guys think no indian kids should grow up in india, thats ridiculous!
Lokendra Singh Parihar: so u think confused desis are better than desis
neil_goswami: shut up u fucking NRI
neil_goswami: 2 saal bahar rehke patriot bann gaya behn ka loura
neil_goswami: 2 german kya gaand pe laath maara behnchod indian hone ka yaad aa gaya
Lokendra Singh Parihar: sach hamesha kadwa hota hai
neil_goswami: kadwa kyu hone laga? mai to hu desh me..tu aaja..fir baat karte hai
Lokendra Singh Parihar: i'm sure, i'll be happy to be in india
neil_goswami: yes..and if u r not u will convince yourself that you are
Lokendra Singh Parihar: no i'll not
--------------------------------------------------------------
Here is what he will find when he arrives in India:
1) He will carry his suitcase across the tarmac and step over overflowing shit from the toilets because AAI is striking.
2) He will be robbed blind by the taxi driver whose taxi he will take to reach home.
3) On the way he will sit a traffic snarl-up because some political party has taken out a procession protesting America’s role in Iraq.
4) Relaxing on his couch in the evening he will watch a news channel where there will be a 3 hour special about a DIG Police who has started believing that he is the reincarnation of Radha.
5) Retiring to bed he will stay up till 1 AM because the neighborhood ‘club’ is celebrating some religious festival by playing LOUD film music.
6) In the morning papers he will read that income tax sops given to salaried individuals have been withdrawn by the Finance Minister and the HRD has decreed that his son will have to learn Kannadi in school for 6 years.
7) He will go to office and do bullshit work and then find out that he has stay late in office to attend a telecom with US clients.
8) He will find that colleagues are uncooperative (and some downright hostile) because he is a ‘north-indian’.
9) On a long weekend he will take his wife to a resort only to find that he cannot venture out too much because a group of boisterous, rowdy and drunk students are making life miserable for everyone.
Come soon Loky. India is waiting for you.
Feb 2, 2006
Baggages
I realised that we Indians are quite emotional and loyal as a race. That probably explains why we are burdened with 2 superstars who just refuse to quit. I am talking about Mr Bachan Sr. and Mr S.R. Tendulkar.
Remember the time when DD showed Shakti one amazing day back in 1991? I remember the streets of Cal were pretty empty that day. It was an event to talk about - how DD has finally done something worthwhile. Now I groan when I switch the TV on and see a new ad featuring a bored and boring AB, selling clothes, chocolates, milk, cars, detergents, pain killers and anything else under the sun. His movies flop (Family was the 4th consecutive flop), his amazing voice nowadays grates on your nerves, his walk looks artificial and once-diehard fans (it was more than fan actually..we used to worship the guy) like me flip channels when he is on.
Remember Sachin's debut in Karachi? I had skipped a Stats exam to watch that. There have been many many more after that but is that what we remember now? Nope. Now I remember him as someone who walks when he is not out so as to get out of the line of fire, someone who exagerates his actions on being bowled to convince viewers that the ball was low, someone who is a pimp selling products, someone who is a 80 crore industry that no one dares speak out against.
Whats wrong with these guys? It cant be about money because they have made enough to last 3 generations. Dont they realise what a shame it is to have such greatness and ruin it all by clinging on?
Remember the time when DD showed Shakti one amazing day back in 1991? I remember the streets of Cal were pretty empty that day. It was an event to talk about - how DD has finally done something worthwhile. Now I groan when I switch the TV on and see a new ad featuring a bored and boring AB, selling clothes, chocolates, milk, cars, detergents, pain killers and anything else under the sun. His movies flop (Family was the 4th consecutive flop), his amazing voice nowadays grates on your nerves, his walk looks artificial and once-diehard fans (it was more than fan actually..we used to worship the guy) like me flip channels when he is on.
Remember Sachin's debut in Karachi? I had skipped a Stats exam to watch that. There have been many many more after that but is that what we remember now? Nope. Now I remember him as someone who walks when he is not out so as to get out of the line of fire, someone who exagerates his actions on being bowled to convince viewers that the ball was low, someone who is a pimp selling products, someone who is a 80 crore industry that no one dares speak out against.
Whats wrong with these guys? It cant be about money because they have made enough to last 3 generations. Dont they realise what a shame it is to have such greatness and ruin it all by clinging on?
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