Friday, August 22, 2008
Time For A Rant
Too much work pressure can lead you to making some mistakes. What I really mean is you are mentally fatigued and you overlook a certain thing and the next thing you know is you have made a serious blunder and the project has suffered because of that. Sometimes the only way to rectify it is to make sure you don't make the same mistake again. Other times there is hope that damage control will be able to salvage the project.
After panicking and chiding myself and calling myself all kinds of names and putting myself though mental agony and calling up ‘always there friend (atf)’ and telling that I am no good and atf telling me that’s its okay and we all make mistakes and anyway its not a very big blunder and after feeling very low I decided to get back to work.
Um… all is not lost (some thing to do with baby faced people getting away with mistakes?) because a brain storming session later, the project is back on track. Keeping my fingers crossed, and having already faced a few hiccups, hope things will sail smoothly from here and Mr. Murphy will find someone else to torture.
Update: Just came to know that it wasn't a really big goof up and I wasn't completely wrong. And I put myself through mental agony for all that... grr @ me....
Update 2: Updated my photo blog
Originally posted on Friday, September 01, 2006 5:36 PM
After panicking and chiding myself and calling myself all kinds of names and putting myself though mental agony and calling up ‘always there friend (atf)’ and telling that I am no good and atf telling me that’s its okay and we all make mistakes and anyway its not a very big blunder and after feeling very low I decided to get back to work.
Um… all is not lost (some thing to do with baby faced people getting away with mistakes?) because a brain storming session later, the project is back on track. Keeping my fingers crossed, and having already faced a few hiccups, hope things will sail smoothly from here and Mr. Murphy will find someone else to torture.
Update: Just came to know that it wasn't a really big goof up and I wasn't completely wrong. And I put myself through mental agony for all that... grr @ me....
Update 2: Updated my photo blog
Originally posted on Friday, September 01, 2006 5:36 PM
Monday, June 16, 2008
Delhi Bloggers Meet - Version Two
After the shady details of the meet, here's more stuff dished up for you guys.
On 15th I spoke to Maddy and confirmed that the meet was happening on 16th. We talked about how we will recognize each other. Thankfully neither decided to bring a 'red rose in the hand'. Just a lost expression on face would suffice us to recognize each other.
On the day of the meet, I was the first to reach the venue. I went and sat down near a music store looking at people wondering if someone is an O3 blogger. One guy in blue t-shirt walked past me quite a few times, looking for someone. I thought maybe he's a fellow blogger. But it was false alarm. And its never a good idea to stare at men especially if you are a girl sitting alone.
I called up Maddy, who told me that Shady had reached and was parking his car. I told Maddy what I was wearing and so Shady was able to spot me. Meanwhile I thought maybe I should have got some kind of a placard saying 'O3 Blogger'. On second thoughts, it would have got some unwanted attention. Shady recognized me and made me talk to Maddy and so I knew it was the right guy :) First round of introductions happened and while we were talking, his phone rang.
We saw a guy in brown shirt a few meters in front of us, talking on the phone and searching for people. As Shady asked him to raise his hand, we knew it was Abyb. As he joined us, the second round of introductions happened.
As all three of us were talking, Shady's phone rang again. This time it was Maddy. She joined and the third round of introductions happened.
We proceeded to go and sit inside Buzz.
Obviously no one could believe how old was I and I told them I had identification to prove my age and they all said this to me- This is Delhi, yahan nakli identification bhi banti hai :) Oh and Abyb actually thought I was 'elderly'. Now this is one statement I would have gladly recorded because no one in my entire life has called me anything more than a teenager.
After the usual chit chat, Taira joined us and the next round of introductions happened. Now the seating arrangement was such – Maddy, next to her was Abyb and next to him was Taira. On the opposite side, I was sitting in the corner, Shady next to me and a khali seat (where Kamesh eventually sat).
Taira asked me if I would like to have some cocktail and proceeded to tell me names of some interesting ones but I decided to stick to my Shirley Temple mocktail while Maddy proceeded to tell about the toothpaste cocktail which she had created once with secret ingredients (which even the expert mixologists/top intelligence agency/scientists in the world will not be able to replicate).
As Kamesh joined us, the final round of introductions happened. Phew! Next time we should have some kind of stickers on our foreheads so it’s easy to recognize people.
We ordered some food and everyone passed it to me first. Maybe everyone thought I could magically grow (?) if I was fed well.
As Taira began her tirade against men with Maddy joining in, I wonder what was going though Abyb’s head, sitting in the middle of man-eaters :D The man with body parts from different states (Kamesh) was quiet and Shady- well he could only nod in agreement.
I spoke a little but observed a lot (wink). Someone suggested I should sit in the middle and Shady offered to swap places with me which I refused. I didn’t want them to look like bodyguards sitting on my either side.
Abyb did mention about a shady place called national cinema hall behind the national stadium. Hearing about someplace shady our Shady Man’s ears perked up. And he told us somethings about his shady past in college daysJ As SBH messaged him, we all decided to break the party. I was imparted some gyan by the people that I should definitely visit Goa (without folks in tow and with friends in tow).
Dividing the bill was a very difficult task and Kamesh took up the challenge to divide it between us while Shady started to sweat – don’t know if it was the complex calculation or the phone call to his better half :P
After insisting that I could go alone, I was dropped by a fellow blogger.
Here's hoping the next meets happens soon!!!
P.S: I have left out some details because they are already there at Shady’s post and I didn’t want this to be repetitive
Originally posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 5:05 PM
On 15th I spoke to Maddy and confirmed that the meet was happening on 16th. We talked about how we will recognize each other. Thankfully neither decided to bring a 'red rose in the hand'. Just a lost expression on face would suffice us to recognize each other.
On the day of the meet, I was the first to reach the venue. I went and sat down near a music store looking at people wondering if someone is an O3 blogger. One guy in blue t-shirt walked past me quite a few times, looking for someone. I thought maybe he's a fellow blogger. But it was false alarm. And its never a good idea to stare at men especially if you are a girl sitting alone.
I called up Maddy, who told me that Shady had reached and was parking his car. I told Maddy what I was wearing and so Shady was able to spot me. Meanwhile I thought maybe I should have got some kind of a placard saying 'O3 Blogger'. On second thoughts, it would have got some unwanted attention. Shady recognized me and made me talk to Maddy and so I knew it was the right guy :) First round of introductions happened and while we were talking, his phone rang.
We saw a guy in brown shirt a few meters in front of us, talking on the phone and searching for people. As Shady asked him to raise his hand, we knew it was Abyb. As he joined us, the second round of introductions happened.
As all three of us were talking, Shady's phone rang again. This time it was Maddy. She joined and the third round of introductions happened.
We proceeded to go and sit inside Buzz.
Obviously no one could believe how old was I and I told them I had identification to prove my age and they all said this to me- This is Delhi, yahan nakli identification bhi banti hai :) Oh and Abyb actually thought I was 'elderly'. Now this is one statement I would have gladly recorded because no one in my entire life has called me anything more than a teenager.
After the usual chit chat, Taira joined us and the next round of introductions happened. Now the seating arrangement was such – Maddy, next to her was Abyb and next to him was Taira. On the opposite side, I was sitting in the corner, Shady next to me and a khali seat (where Kamesh eventually sat).
Taira asked me if I would like to have some cocktail and proceeded to tell me names of some interesting ones but I decided to stick to my Shirley Temple mocktail while Maddy proceeded to tell about the toothpaste cocktail which she had created once with secret ingredients (which even the expert mixologists/top intelligence agency/scientists in the world will not be able to replicate).
As Kamesh joined us, the final round of introductions happened. Phew! Next time we should have some kind of stickers on our foreheads so it’s easy to recognize people.
We ordered some food and everyone passed it to me first. Maybe everyone thought I could magically grow (?) if I was fed well.
As Taira began her tirade against men with Maddy joining in, I wonder what was going though Abyb’s head, sitting in the middle of man-eaters :D The man with body parts from different states (Kamesh) was quiet and Shady- well he could only nod in agreement.
I spoke a little but observed a lot (wink). Someone suggested I should sit in the middle and Shady offered to swap places with me which I refused. I didn’t want them to look like bodyguards sitting on my either side.
Abyb did mention about a shady place called national cinema hall behind the national stadium. Hearing about someplace shady our Shady Man’s ears perked up. And he told us somethings about his shady past in college daysJ As SBH messaged him, we all decided to break the party. I was imparted some gyan by the people that I should definitely visit Goa (without folks in tow and with friends in tow).
Dividing the bill was a very difficult task and Kamesh took up the challenge to divide it between us while Shady started to sweat – don’t know if it was the complex calculation or the phone call to his better half :P
After insisting that I could go alone, I was dropped by a fellow blogger.
Here's hoping the next meets happens soon!!!
P.S: I have left out some details because they are already there at Shady’s post and I didn’t want this to be repetitive
Originally posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 5:05 PM
Independence And Freedom
As I left for work today morning at 6.30 AM (now don't ask what I do), I saw police everywhere.
With the terror threat that we are under, I would say that the security was unprecedented. After every kilometer or so, there were police check posts. They stopped all cars, checked inside the car as well as the baggage, asked a few questions and then let the people go. For the ten kilometers or so which I travelled, I had never seen so many police personnel on the route.
It just got me thinking that even if we are free from colonial rule, we are living in the shadow of terrorism. Which brings me to the question - Is freedom ever absolute?
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And on a completely different note, you all can check out my new photo blog
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Also, check out the shady version of delhi bloggers meet
Originally posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 8:52 AM
With the terror threat that we are under, I would say that the security was unprecedented. After every kilometer or so, there were police check posts. They stopped all cars, checked inside the car as well as the baggage, asked a few questions and then let the people go. For the ten kilometers or so which I travelled, I had never seen so many police personnel on the route.
It just got me thinking that even if we are free from colonial rule, we are living in the shadow of terrorism. Which brings me to the question - Is freedom ever absolute?
--------------
And on a completely different note, you all can check out my new photo blog
--------------
Also, check out the shady version of delhi bloggers meet
Originally posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 8:52 AM
Changing Profile Of Terror In India
Islamic Terrorism in India at one point of time was just confined to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The terror spreading elements were from the other side of the border and some who were locals either helped under pressure or were lured to work for the terror groups.
But slowly terror started spreading to different parts of the country. This happened because many radical/fundamentalist Islamic organizations and Islamic educational institutes not just imparted education but also started taking a political flavour.
They talked about the atrocities on Muslims not only in India but also in other parts of the world. Young impressionable men were told to fight for the rights of the Muslims, to avenge what they were told was ‘religion under siege’. Thus terror started taking a new shape as pan Islamic issues emerged.
Local sympathizers and support for the terrorists came about. The number of such people is still little as compared to the entire Muslim population but their actions are what the Indian Muslims paying for.
The question I ask is how do we stop this changing profile of terrorism? Because if it is not curbed now, it could prove to be harmful and deadly in the long run. National policies have to be put in place to deal with this relatively newer shape of terrorism.
Before I start the rhetoric that the middle and lower middle class Muslims needs to be integrated into the main stream, we need to focus on the issue of educating them. One sided education (brainwashing in simpler terms) cannot allow a person to make an informed choice or decision. Education is also a stepping stone into the ‘integration process’.
Long term plans have to be drawn at both Central and State level such that the Indian Muslims feel part of this country without the burden of them proving their loyalty and changing their mindset that they are been ‘victimized’. But how do we bring about these changes? And whether they will be effective and if not then what else can be done.
As Islamophobia is seeping into the Indian psyche and creating a divide between communities, polarization of society and statements and actions of religion based political parties are making sure the gap widens.
Making the chasm smaller will leave us less vulnerable to terror attacks and hopefully this changed profile will be substituted with peace and safety again.
Also read this
Update: Can the commentators please discuss the issue at hand instead of trashing one religion or the other. Please don't force me to delete comments which go completely off track
Originally posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 2:03 PM
But slowly terror started spreading to different parts of the country. This happened because many radical/fundamentalist Islamic organizations and Islamic educational institutes not just imparted education but also started taking a political flavour.
They talked about the atrocities on Muslims not only in India but also in other parts of the world. Young impressionable men were told to fight for the rights of the Muslims, to avenge what they were told was ‘religion under siege’. Thus terror started taking a new shape as pan Islamic issues emerged.
Local sympathizers and support for the terrorists came about. The number of such people is still little as compared to the entire Muslim population but their actions are what the Indian Muslims paying for.
The question I ask is how do we stop this changing profile of terrorism? Because if it is not curbed now, it could prove to be harmful and deadly in the long run. National policies have to be put in place to deal with this relatively newer shape of terrorism.
Before I start the rhetoric that the middle and lower middle class Muslims needs to be integrated into the main stream, we need to focus on the issue of educating them. One sided education (brainwashing in simpler terms) cannot allow a person to make an informed choice or decision. Education is also a stepping stone into the ‘integration process’.
Long term plans have to be drawn at both Central and State level such that the Indian Muslims feel part of this country without the burden of them proving their loyalty and changing their mindset that they are been ‘victimized’. But how do we bring about these changes? And whether they will be effective and if not then what else can be done.
As Islamophobia is seeping into the Indian psyche and creating a divide between communities, polarization of society and statements and actions of religion based political parties are making sure the gap widens.
Making the chasm smaller will leave us less vulnerable to terror attacks and hopefully this changed profile will be substituted with peace and safety again.
Also read this
Update: Can the commentators please discuss the issue at hand instead of trashing one religion or the other. Please don't force me to delete comments which go completely off track
Originally posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 2:03 PM
Scotland Diaries
This is the final part of the Travel Series where I visited the Braveheart's country.
I saw a cloud making factory while I was traversing through the English countryside on my way to Scotland. Yeah you read that right- a cloud factory. There was smoke coming out of a factory which was the same colour as clouds above. As the two met with each other, it looked like clouds were made here!
I reached the city of Edinburgh only to find a cow parade happening there. The only difference being these weren’t real cows like India. The parade has traveled across many countries and the cows are sold for charity proposes.
And what is Scotland without men in tartan and Scottish pipe music. What I learnt was that there are different Scottish clans and all have distinctly woven different tartans. A Douglas would wear a different kilt from a McIntyre.
As I visited the Edinburgh castle, members of the royal family were gathered there because it was birthday of someone royal. A twenty one canon salute was sounded while all the tourists stood and watched.
Other places I visited included a small Scottish village tucked away in Southern Scotland and Leith to see the Firth of Forth.
What I didn’t expect was to find all kinds of cuisines from India to North Africa in this culturally vibrant city of Edinburgh. I couldn’t visit all the museums but I did walk down the Royal Mile, trekked up the Arthur’s Seat and shop at Princes street and did all the touristy things. And if anyone is going to this city please visit ‘The Pie Shop’ at Nicolson Street. The smell of freshly baked pie will be irresistible and while you are at it please get some for me.
On my list of places to visit in Scotland and I couldn’t this time around were Inverness, Aberdeen and Glasgow. As I always say – there will be a next time!
Originally posted on Thursday, August 03, 2006 2:45 PM
I saw a cloud making factory while I was traversing through the English countryside on my way to Scotland. Yeah you read that right- a cloud factory. There was smoke coming out of a factory which was the same colour as clouds above. As the two met with each other, it looked like clouds were made here!
I reached the city of Edinburgh only to find a cow parade happening there. The only difference being these weren’t real cows like India. The parade has traveled across many countries and the cows are sold for charity proposes.
And what is Scotland without men in tartan and Scottish pipe music. What I learnt was that there are different Scottish clans and all have distinctly woven different tartans. A Douglas would wear a different kilt from a McIntyre.
As I visited the Edinburgh castle, members of the royal family were gathered there because it was birthday of someone royal. A twenty one canon salute was sounded while all the tourists stood and watched.
Other places I visited included a small Scottish village tucked away in Southern Scotland and Leith to see the Firth of Forth.
What I didn’t expect was to find all kinds of cuisines from India to North Africa in this culturally vibrant city of Edinburgh. I couldn’t visit all the museums but I did walk down the Royal Mile, trekked up the Arthur’s Seat and shop at Princes street and did all the touristy things. And if anyone is going to this city please visit ‘The Pie Shop’ at Nicolson Street. The smell of freshly baked pie will be irresistible and while you are at it please get some for me.
On my list of places to visit in Scotland and I couldn’t this time around were Inverness, Aberdeen and Glasgow. As I always say – there will be a next time!
Originally posted on Thursday, August 03, 2006 2:45 PM
England Diaries
Well this post is much delayed because I didn’t have the photos with me and didn’t want to put up a post without photos. So here goes –
One fine evening my sister asked me if I wanted to visit Brighton. I, having read ‘Pride and Prejudice’ obviously jumped on the chance. But the trip didn’t happen. I wonder if my sister thought I was going to run away with someone :P
But I did visit Windsor. The castle is really beautiful from inside. Gilt edged furniture and wall carvings, ceiling painting a la Leonardo Da Vinci’s work in the Vatican, Persian rugs, Indian swords, the works. You really feel like you have stepped into something very royal. The only thing troubling my mind was that some of the wealth came form our country when they plundered us.
On my way to Windsor, I saw horse drawn carriages with Ladies in gowns and pretty dressed and Gentlemen in shirt tails been driven away. I was transported to previous century until someone told me that members of the royal family were headed to the Royal Ascot races.
I passed through Runnymede where the Magna Carta was signed. I enjoyed the English countryside with hills which looked like patchwork quilts of different shades of green interspersed with fields of white,red and yellow wildflowers and towns and village which looked untouched by the modern world.
Then I decided to head over to Stonehenge. I have this fascination for druids and occult courtesy my weekly diet of a TV show called Buffy the Vampire Slayer which I used to love watching in my teenage years. :D
The day I chose to visit this historical monument was the day of solstice, June 21. I was informed that the Druids would be performing their ceremonies and we wouldn’t be let inside. I was totally disappointed. This was supposed to be the highlight of my trip and I couldn’t go inside!
But the tour operator made it upto us by providing us a free lunch at a 14th century Inn. It was a quaint little place, tucked in a little village off the highway and has a proper hatched roof and a wooden ceiling. It sort of made up for the disappointment of not going inside the Stonehenge.
Then I headed for the beautiful city of Bath where the Roman Baths were discovered a few centuries ago. As my tour group walked inside the Roman Baths we were served complimentary Champagne and Elderberry Flower Juice for young people in the group. The Gentleman serving us didn’t believe I was legally old enough to drink (18 years is the limit in UK) and was thus served the juice.
This was my whirlwind tour of southern England.
Places I wanted to visit but I couldn’t in this trip - Stratford Upon Avon (The Bard’s home), Lake District and Cornwall. There will be another time for this.
P.S: Photos in the London dairies post have been updated.
Coming up next: Scotland dairies
Originally posted on Saturday, July 29, 2006 12:06 PM
One fine evening my sister asked me if I wanted to visit Brighton. I, having read ‘Pride and Prejudice’ obviously jumped on the chance. But the trip didn’t happen. I wonder if my sister thought I was going to run away with someone :P
But I did visit Windsor. The castle is really beautiful from inside. Gilt edged furniture and wall carvings, ceiling painting a la Leonardo Da Vinci’s work in the Vatican, Persian rugs, Indian swords, the works. You really feel like you have stepped into something very royal. The only thing troubling my mind was that some of the wealth came form our country when they plundered us.
On my way to Windsor, I saw horse drawn carriages with Ladies in gowns and pretty dressed and Gentlemen in shirt tails been driven away. I was transported to previous century until someone told me that members of the royal family were headed to the Royal Ascot races.
I passed through Runnymede where the Magna Carta was signed. I enjoyed the English countryside with hills which looked like patchwork quilts of different shades of green interspersed with fields of white,red and yellow wildflowers and towns and village which looked untouched by the modern world.
Then I decided to head over to Stonehenge. I have this fascination for druids and occult courtesy my weekly diet of a TV show called Buffy the Vampire Slayer which I used to love watching in my teenage years. :D
The day I chose to visit this historical monument was the day of solstice, June 21. I was informed that the Druids would be performing their ceremonies and we wouldn’t be let inside. I was totally disappointed. This was supposed to be the highlight of my trip and I couldn’t go inside!
But the tour operator made it upto us by providing us a free lunch at a 14th century Inn. It was a quaint little place, tucked in a little village off the highway and has a proper hatched roof and a wooden ceiling. It sort of made up for the disappointment of not going inside the Stonehenge.
Then I headed for the beautiful city of Bath where the Roman Baths were discovered a few centuries ago. As my tour group walked inside the Roman Baths we were served complimentary Champagne and Elderberry Flower Juice for young people in the group. The Gentleman serving us didn’t believe I was legally old enough to drink (18 years is the limit in UK) and was thus served the juice.
This was my whirlwind tour of southern England.
Places I wanted to visit but I couldn’t in this trip - Stratford Upon Avon (The Bard’s home), Lake District and Cornwall. There will be another time for this.
P.S: Photos in the London dairies post have been updated.
Coming up next: Scotland dairies
Originally posted on Saturday, July 29, 2006 12:06 PM
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Drops of Romance
Bedraggled. Cold. Wet. But I still love rains.
Armed with the weapons of keeping myself dry (WKMD) - raincoat and umbrella, I still ended up getting soaked, making my colleagues wonder if I jumped into every single puddle on the way to the office. I lost the battle to the rain in the time I stepped out of the home to the time I got into an auto. But I am not complaining.
I remember my childhood days when I deliberately jumped into all the puddles while singing the song - Raindrops on roses... Rains have inspired poets and love songs and I wonder how in the world could Anu Malik come out with a song like - Its raining, dekho baarish ho rahi hai... It is the most pathetic rain inspired song I have ever heard in my entire life.
Originally posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 11:48 AM
Armed with the weapons of keeping myself dry (WKMD) - raincoat and umbrella, I still ended up getting soaked, making my colleagues wonder if I jumped into every single puddle on the way to the office. I lost the battle to the rain in the time I stepped out of the home to the time I got into an auto. But I am not complaining.
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I remember my childhood days when I deliberately jumped into all the puddles while singing the song - Raindrops on roses... Rains have inspired poets and love songs and I wonder how in the world could Anu Malik come out with a song like - Its raining, dekho baarish ho rahi hai... It is the most pathetic rain inspired song I have ever heard in my entire life.
----------
And as I look outside the window I see overcast skies, green trees and a hear a thunderstorm or two. Inside the office I can hear a news report about Lebanon. Which reminds me its time to stop dreaming and get back to work.
Post will be updated if I feel like adding something more.
Originally posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 11:48 AM
Being A Woman
This evening as I left work, I was in a good mood. It was drizzling slightly and I simply love the rains. I usually take an auto back home but I saw the bus approaching which goes to my home, I decided to hop in. Happy that it was mostly empty, I got a window seat in the left aisle and sat down.
Sitting behind me were two men, one who seemed half asleep and the other just sitting nonchalantly. As soon as I kept my rucksack (yes I carry a rucksack to work!) on my lap, I felt a hand move, trying to touch my back. Now living in a city like Delhi, you always feel that you are about to be groped, especially in a bus. I got a little wary though giving benifit of doubt to the men behind me. I mentally chided myself for imagining things as I continued to enjoy the scenery outside, lush green trees and a beautiful evening sky. Suddenly I felt a hand groping my back. Not a hand carelessly brushing past my back, a hand which purposely touched me. I turned back to address the culprit. One man was sitting with his hands folded and the other was asleep. I couldn't figure out who did that to me.
I turned towards my right now, almost facing the right aisle and in the corner of my eye I could see the movement of hands of both men. I was fuming from inside, feeling humiliated and treated like an object of someone's pleasure. Ten minutes later, the supposedly sleeping man did the same thing again.
Unable to control my fury, I got and up pulled his hair, so he could face me and slapped him. I told him to keep his hands to himself and after his protest that he was not doing anything wrong, I slapped him again. Everyone in the bus was looking at me, this was like a free ka tamasha for all and not a single person stood up to support me. Not that I expected anyone to.
After the fury subsided, I felt scared. What if he would have whipped out a knife or a pistol? What he comes tomorrow with four other men and tries to take 'revenge'? My pepper spray or karate moves will be of no help at all. Police inaction is well known too. It is this fear that mostly stops women from speaking out.
And even though incidents like this cannot break my spirit, as a woman living in this country I wonder how many will I feel violated and agonized? How many times will I retaliate and how many times will I fight? How many times will I keep quiet? Will I ever be able to use the public transport without feeling wary, without being on guard? Will I be able to walk on the streets without prying eyes looking at me? Will I ever be free?
P.S : I hope he learnt his lesson well and will never try to grope another woman ever. If he hasn't... there is no hope for this country.
You all can check out fellow blogger Blog C's post which is an offshoot of this post.
This post is part of Blank Noise's initiative for the International Women's Day 2007. For more check out their blog.
Originally posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 9:06 PM
Sitting behind me were two men, one who seemed half asleep and the other just sitting nonchalantly. As soon as I kept my rucksack (yes I carry a rucksack to work!) on my lap, I felt a hand move, trying to touch my back. Now living in a city like Delhi, you always feel that you are about to be groped, especially in a bus. I got a little wary though giving benifit of doubt to the men behind me. I mentally chided myself for imagining things as I continued to enjoy the scenery outside, lush green trees and a beautiful evening sky. Suddenly I felt a hand groping my back. Not a hand carelessly brushing past my back, a hand which purposely touched me. I turned back to address the culprit. One man was sitting with his hands folded and the other was asleep. I couldn't figure out who did that to me.
I turned towards my right now, almost facing the right aisle and in the corner of my eye I could see the movement of hands of both men. I was fuming from inside, feeling humiliated and treated like an object of someone's pleasure. Ten minutes later, the supposedly sleeping man did the same thing again.
Unable to control my fury, I got and up pulled his hair, so he could face me and slapped him. I told him to keep his hands to himself and after his protest that he was not doing anything wrong, I slapped him again. Everyone in the bus was looking at me, this was like a free ka tamasha for all and not a single person stood up to support me. Not that I expected anyone to.
After the fury subsided, I felt scared. What if he would have whipped out a knife or a pistol? What he comes tomorrow with four other men and tries to take 'revenge'? My pepper spray or karate moves will be of no help at all. Police inaction is well known too. It is this fear that mostly stops women from speaking out.
And even though incidents like this cannot break my spirit, as a woman living in this country I wonder how many will I feel violated and agonized? How many times will I retaliate and how many times will I fight? How many times will I keep quiet? Will I ever be able to use the public transport without feeling wary, without being on guard? Will I be able to walk on the streets without prying eyes looking at me? Will I ever be free?
P.S : I hope he learnt his lesson well and will never try to grope another woman ever. If he hasn't... there is no hope for this country.
You all can check out fellow blogger Blog C's post which is an offshoot of this post.
This post is part of Blank Noise's initiative for the International Women's Day 2007. For more check out their blog.
Originally posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 9:06 PM
Angered Again
Scroll down for the updates
Anger. This is the emotion which I experience as I write this. The death toll increases every few minutes as I hear of one blast after the another. About five hours after the last blast, the death toll just keeps increasing. I ask for updates every fifteen minutes, praying the figure has stabilized. I am afraid its not.
Enough is enough. Taking a soft stand on the terror issue is unacceptable. During the tenure of the current Prime Minister we have seen Ayodhya attack, Delhi Blasts, IISc attack, numerous attacks in Srinagar and now Mumbai blasts.
Tomorrow morning we will hear of Mumbai’s resilience as it will get back on its feet. But the damage cannot be undone. The fear in the minds of people cannot be undone.This incident will make sure that the religious line on which people are divided will make the chasm wider. The forces working to create a discord in communal harmony are working with zeal. I wonder when will the Government and the Intelligence.
Every single time we have heard the Centre condemning the blasts/attacks with the Prime Minister and his coterie’s heart reaching out and grieving for all those affected. A promise of firm resolution in working to defeat the evil designs of terrorists and not allowing them to succeed (after they have succeeded?). Mr. Prime Minister, how long are we going to hear this?
Update: Am still in no state of replying to comments. I have no idea why. Will reply to comments in some time, till then let the comments flow in...
Update 2 (July 13): Is This and the other side making us confused in terms of our reaction? How does one deal with the 'actual' problem? It gives mixed signals. What should one believe and how much can one trust? Questions keep popping up in my head. I am not sure if I make any sense at all.
Originally posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 10:52 PM
Airport Tales: Happens Only In India?
The other day I was at the Airport waiting to pick up someone. Here's something interesting I noticed.
Why do some people dress up like they are going to marriage when they fly? I saw women in chamki gaudy saris, insanely high heels and wearing a hell lot of makeup. Then I saw some kids dressed up like they were going to a marriage too. It is mandatory to look like this because you are flying-shying in an aeroplane?
What are the weirdest things people bring with them? While I was checking out both the people(wink) and the trolleys, I spotted hoola hoops and a huge ladle.
And why do some people stop in the middle of the way to greet someone causing the trolley to find a life of its own and either crashing into other people or effectively blocking the traffic.
Then there are some who are eagerly waiting to pick up someone. This variety will stand bang in the middle of the path again blocking the way, behaving like traffic policemen and hindering movement of people and trolleys as they veer either sides.
Then there are some who are so confused when they come out of the arrival lounge that after making sure that they leave the baggage in the most busy and obstructive spot, they will proceed to fish out there mobile phones and speak loudly.
Then I saw this woman checking out another woman, while I was busy checking out the expression on her face which told me what she was thinking. Achhaa usney aisey design ki sari pehni hai. May bhi kharidungi. This woman continued to stare at that woman's sari for a full
minute, turning 180 degrees when the sari woman walked past her!
Waiting to hear bloggers airport experiences J
Originally posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 1:41 PM
Why do some people dress up like they are going to marriage when they fly? I saw women in chamki gaudy saris, insanely high heels and wearing a hell lot of makeup. Then I saw some kids dressed up like they were going to a marriage too. It is mandatory to look like this because you are flying-shying in an aeroplane?
What are the weirdest things people bring with them? While I was checking out both the people(wink) and the trolleys, I spotted hoola hoops and a huge ladle.
And why do some people stop in the middle of the way to greet someone causing the trolley to find a life of its own and either crashing into other people or effectively blocking the traffic.
Then there are some who are eagerly waiting to pick up someone. This variety will stand bang in the middle of the path again blocking the way, behaving like traffic policemen and hindering movement of people and trolleys as they veer either sides.
Then there are some who are so confused when they come out of the arrival lounge that after making sure that they leave the baggage in the most busy and obstructive spot, they will proceed to fish out there mobile phones and speak loudly.
Then I saw this woman checking out another woman, while I was busy checking out the expression on her face which told me what she was thinking. Achhaa usney aisey design ki sari pehni hai. May bhi kharidungi. This woman continued to stare at that woman's sari for a full
minute, turning 180 degrees when the sari woman walked past her!
Waiting to hear bloggers airport experiences J
Originally posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 1:41 PM
Thursday, March 20, 2008
London Diaries-II
Warning: This is long post. It is the concluding series of London diaries. These are some snippets of my trip :)
Always curious. That’s me. So I decide to walk from Blackfriars Pier to Tower Bridge. Along river Thames I start my journey. Near the Tate Modern Art Gallery, I take a wrong turn and the river side disappears. Since I know I am walking in the direction of the destination, I don’t panic. Modern architecture gives way to narrow lanes with cobbled pathways and stone archways. It is a treat to discover something old and quaint preserved right in the centre of the city.
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And on a windy day I decide to go to Greenwich. To stand on the line where time begins is an amazing feeling. Around the line are names of all the capital cities and the time difference in all. I search for Delhi and I can’t find it there! I mean those %^&(* Britishers don’t have the capital city of India in the list. I do manage to spot Mumbai in the list.
And on a windy day I decide to go to Greenwich. To stand on the line where time begins is an amazing feeling. Around the line are names of all the capital cities and the time difference in all. I search for Delhi and I can’t find it there! I mean those %^&(* Britishers don’t have the capital city of India in the list. I do manage to spot Mumbai in the list.
While coming down from the Royal Observatory, I am busy taking photos. I miss a step and tumble down. The stone pathway is merciless as blood trickles down. After first aid and injured knee I return home limping.
That’s when I see people scurrying home. And some carrying England flags, rushing towards pubs. I watch the England vs Sweden match with a few British friends who tell me that the world mania is such that their respective offices recently held inter departmental mini world cup. A friend works in a museum. She tells me that the paleontologists lost to the finance department (and somehow it reminds me of Ross in Friends).
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And this one time, I am buying souvenirs when I meet a girl from Ghana. She moans about the fact that she would like to eat homemade spicy Indian curry and I moan that I have to eat it every single day of my life! She promises to look me up when she comes to India. Lets see if that happens.
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In between shopping and sight seeing I manage to squeeze in a lazy afternoon at Hyde Park. As the sun plays with the clouds, I sit and have my lunch. A rock concert is going on there. A beautiful afternoon is spent taking in the green grass and the blue skies as the music fills up my soul. A mandatory visit to the serpentine and watching the ducks in the water, the afternoon turns into evening and its time to leave.
That’s when I see people scurrying home. And some carrying England flags, rushing towards pubs. I watch the England vs Sweden match with a few British friends who tell me that the world mania is such that their respective offices recently held inter departmental mini world cup. A friend works in a museum. She tells me that the paleontologists lost to the finance department (and somehow it reminds me of Ross in Friends).
----------
And this one time, I am buying souvenirs when I meet a girl from Ghana. She moans about the fact that she would like to eat homemade spicy Indian curry and I moan that I have to eat it every single day of my life! She promises to look me up when she comes to India. Lets see if that happens.
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In between shopping and sight seeing I manage to squeeze in a lazy afternoon at Hyde Park. As the sun plays with the clouds, I sit and have my lunch. A rock concert is going on there. A beautiful afternoon is spent taking in the green grass and the blue skies as the music fills up my soul. A mandatory visit to the serpentine and watching the ducks in the water, the afternoon turns into evening and its time to leave.
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When good girls pretend go bad, they go to Camden Town. Yes, I am Guilty. I have never seen Goths in my entire life and I wanted to go to Camden Town to ‘see’ them. Tattoos, pieced body parts, black leather clothes, silver chains, mohawks, black makeup, tough looking.
When an almost thirty something elder sister says she wants to buy leather trousers for herself, I jump at the chance and decide to shop around Camden.
When an almost thirty something elder sister says she wants to buy leather trousers for herself, I jump at the chance and decide to shop around Camden.
We were the only Asian girls walking down the street. After doing a bit of window shopping and people staring, we got down to the agenda of buying leather trousers. Shop no. 1 - a fast talking Italian tries to sell us trousers for £100. Hasty exit. Shop no. 2 – can’t find the right size, the salesman offers to custom make it for us. On asking how much is that going to cost he says £600. We are about to beat a hasty retreat and he starts to laugh. Then he says he was just kidding. He’s trying to flirt with us. Turns out, he’s an Indian from Gujju Land (All cheesy ones belong to this place?). On establishing an Indian connection and icy response from us, we decide to check out other shops. There’s another we go to. The shop owner has a Russian accent and the trouser costs a bomb. Anyway I guess it cheaper to buy the trousers from India, so we drop the idea and just browse around.
Sticking out like sore thumbs (read: not in the Goth dress code) and getting some weird glances, we decide to leave Camden town.
Sticking out like sore thumbs (read: not in the Goth dress code) and getting some weird glances, we decide to leave Camden town.
And then when I walk down Knightsbridge and Oxford street later on, the contrast is there to see. Women who look like they have stepped off the ramp on to the streets walk about as nonchalantly as Goths would in Camden Town.
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I realize that I have used all possible means of transport in the city as I travel in a tube, bus, train, tram, car and on foot. The only transportation I don't take there is an autorickshaw, an image of which I can see displayed in a shop window at Oxford Street.
When I decide to eat Turkish food, I am told Marble Arch is the place to visit. Every second restaurant there is called 'Maroush' just like every second Indian restuarant has the word 'Elephant' in it.
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On the last day of my stay there I indulge myself – buying shoes, accessories and clothes from the high street like its my last day alive J
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As all good things come to an end, so does this except while going to the airport, I cry buckets. I just don’t want to come back to India. There is so much more to see and discover. Obviously I have to come here again.
Originally posted on Tuesday, July 04, 2006 2:05 PM
London Diaries- I
The below are some observations made by me. Here's my list of ‘You know you are in London when :)
- You spend an evening with your friends in a pub. Incidentally they are from China, Austria, Spain, India, Chile and oh England too
- When you are walking down the street and you can identify people speaking in languages ranging from Russian to Greek
- You can have any cuisine from Moroccon to Italian
- Women will wear summer clothes in what I call a winter like temperature, 4 inch stilettos and walk on cobbled streets. It is called the fashion capital for a reason!
- The weather forecasters call 23 degrees as a warm day
- An umbrella is a daily fixture in your bag
- At any time of the day you will find people jogging along the South Bank
- Everyone’s reading a newspaper or a book in the tube
- Every fifth person in Marks and Spencer is an Asian
- The phone booth is red in colour
Maddy adds:
- Every 3rd cab one takes, it has either an Indian or a Pakistani driver
TiM adds:
- When u look around the high street and dont exactly get to see a Bad Looking person
- When its supposedly raining hard and us indians still manage w/o an umbrella because its a very soft kind of rain here
- When you see the pubs heavily crowded on a Wednesday and on a Friday
- When for every chota sa touch/push people say sorry and excuse me and
- When you see everyone carrying an oyster card
Any more to add on?
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Travel series continues :)
Is anyone else also having a problem with 'web vies' counter? Mine show's 0 everytime I post something new.
Update on the web views counter - Seems it is working today :D
Originally posted on Monday, July 03, 2006 3:59 PM
London Changed!
I visited this city after three long years. The moment I landed to the moment I boarded the flight back, I could feel an invisible eye following me all around. I don't know if it is a direct after effect of the 7/7 attack or the city has started to live on an edge but there were CCTV cameras everywhere.
Wherever I looked there was a camera peeking about. In stores, on the streets, in the tube, buses, trains, trams, stations, museums, art galleries, loos (yes...even that!) not in cubicles but near the wash basins.
On an average it is very easy for the officials to track where I went, how I went, what I did, what I shopped, what and where I ate, how much time I spent in one place. The cameras followed me and tracked me everywhere.
Someone practically know how I spent my entire day!
It is definitely unnerving when you know that the only place you are not been watched is inside your home. But there are talks of neighbourhood CCTVs as well.
And as a londoner told me that you get used to the cameras after a while, I wondered if it is acceptable to compromise the lack of privacy for the safety of the people.
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Post on the actual vacation coming soon
Originally posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 11:48 AM
Wherever I looked there was a camera peeking about. In stores, on the streets, in the tube, buses, trains, trams, stations, museums, art galleries, loos (yes...even that!) not in cubicles but near the wash basins.
On an average it is very easy for the officials to track where I went, how I went, what I did, what I shopped, what and where I ate, how much time I spent in one place. The cameras followed me and tracked me everywhere.
Someone practically know how I spent my entire day!
It is definitely unnerving when you know that the only place you are not been watched is inside your home. But there are talks of neighbourhood CCTVs as well.
And as a londoner told me that you get used to the cameras after a while, I wondered if it is acceptable to compromise the lack of privacy for the safety of the people.
----------------
Post on the actual vacation coming soon
Originally posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 11:48 AM
Crib Time
Date: 07/06/06
This post is written soley to crib.
Why does Murphy loves me so much? Why is everything going wrong? I mean it was just a bloody fever and sore throat and now I have a horrible allergic reaction to the medicine. And I am in the office.
And I am going on a holiday this weekend and I can't afford to be unwell. I haven't done my packing as yet. This sucks big time.
Date: 08/06/06 - An Update
Crib Time: Almost Over
Update- I am feeling better today. The allergy is almost gone. There is no sign of the fever *touchwood*. I did half of the packing yesterday. There is a song on my lips. Now it feels like I am going on a holiday. I am leaving on a jet plane.....
This list will get me in my spirits. So here goes, in no particular order, the things I am looking forward to-
This post is written soley to crib.
Why does Murphy loves me so much? Why is everything going wrong? I mean it was just a bloody fever and sore throat and now I have a horrible allergic reaction to the medicine. And I am in the office.
And I am going on a holiday this weekend and I can't afford to be unwell. I haven't done my packing as yet. This sucks big time.
Date: 08/06/06 - An Update
Crib Time: Almost Over
Update- I am feeling better today. The allergy is almost gone. There is no sign of the fever *touchwood*. I did half of the packing yesterday. There is a song on my lips. Now it feels like I am going on a holiday. I am leaving on a jet plane.....
This list will get me in my spirits. So here goes, in no particular order, the things I am looking forward to-
- Gorging on Muller's Yogurt (Actually salivating at the thought), Chocolate Muffins, Cakes (Advantages of been slim)
- Turkish, Italian, Any Interesting Food
- Window shopping on Oxford Street, High Street Kensington
- Buying trinkets at Portobello Road, Camden Town
- Sitting at Covent Garden, Hyde Park, South Bank
- Visiting all the museums and art galleries yet again
- Catching a play or a musical
Date: 09/06/06 - Another Update
Crib Time: OVER!!!
I am feeling fine *touchwood* . And all set to go. A little apprehensive because a new boss is coming in the time I am on my leave. I planned my leave in such a way that it would not happen but with Mr. Murphy's presence, these things are bound to happen. So there will be some changes when I will not be around. I am hoping that things remain under control because there is no dearth of back stabbing colleagues.
Anyway, my schedule is totally packed today. After office I have to meet a few close friends who I will not see for two weeks and who will kill me because it will be a flying visit from your's truly. Then I have to go for dinner at a relative's place and then do my packing. Yes procastination rules. Yes, I haven't packed completely and I leave tomorrow morning. So many things to do, so little time. I need a clone today!!! :D :D
10/06/06
Finally... I am leaving. Yippeee!!!!! Take care everyone. Love and hugs to all. See you all after a break :)
Originally posted on Wednesday, June 07, 2006 10:22 AM
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