Mom

My mom was a great story teller and an excellent singer. Unlike the typical stories that are told to kids (as seen in movies) my mom introduced us to fantasy land through the English books she had read as a kid. One of the initial stories I remember is Robinhood and his merry men. I also remember Robinson Cruso. She also told some of her favourites from Hollywood like Macanas Gold.

Unlike me, my mom never told stories during bed time, but they were during dinner time. As she narrated stories from Indian Mythology, Hollywood and from English classics I was lost in my fantasy world with mouth wide open and my tongue sticking out a bit. My sister would point my open mouth and I would be embarrassed.

My sister inherited the knack of story telling from my mom. During her visits from semester holidays the dinner time would mean us laughing till we cried with all the funny stuff she had tell from her hostel gossip. I really miss those good ol' days.

I would give anything to get back the family together. My mom serving 'kai thuththu' to three of us, the yummy saranna and wonderful stories and the sister narrating her rib tickling stories.
hmmm...is it too much to ask?

Where is the President?

It started with Aadi's Value Education homework. Very simple one, paste India's current President and PMs photos from the News Paper. I had disposed my old Newspapers and I had paper only from Nov. After a quick skim of the 20+ days Newspapers (ToI and Economic Times) and few Mags ,I got couple of pictures of our PM.

I expected any news to do with our Prez will be in Page 1. But I found none and I could find tons of Obama photos, I could find Advani, HDK, Yeddi, Daniel Graig and so many others...But not Madam Perz and it was quite a shock.

The first Prez I remember was Ghyani Zail Singh and he was always in Papers (Hindu) and on DD. Venkataraman, Shankar Dhayal Sharma and KRN were all seen in media time to time and Ofcourse I could find our dear Abdul Kalam's photo even now. But why not Madam Prathiba Patil, our first women President.

There was so much halla gulla when Mrs. Clinton was running for US Presidency and when Obama became prez...Indian Press wanted to know when we will get a Dalit PM. But, why media shies away from our Honourable Madam??

PS: I found a photo of Madam Prez in Page 3 :( which reported her recent visit to Bangalore.

Religion - A belief

During my childhood days, visits to temple were far and few. We had a small அரசமரதடி பிள்ளையார் ( ganesha under the peepal tree ) next to our house. There were lot of stories as to who put up the idol there, with claims between my family and our neighbor. There were no priest and no daily rituals. So the interaction between me and God was very personal. No brokers in between. So my prayers were either at home in the Pooja room or under the peepal tree.

Ofcourse studying in convent had its own effect and my mind was constantly looking out for help during the trying exam times from the single Christian God and the umpteen Hindu gods. Slowly God meant something that neither religion portrayed. I do, do my daily pooja at home and once in a blue moon visit temples but my relationship with God has remained the same.

When I go to our Mutt I find the customs amusing. Men not to wear shirts and ofcourse ladies cant enter temple during ....while what ever a religion may preach, at the end of the day I guess Religion is a belief and God lives within us. If we pause & listen to him/her we can lead a life with less vanity.

Ant and the Grasshopper - Whats good for the economy?

I remember the story of Ant and grasshopper as two diffrent versions.

One in the primary school which tells about why hard work is important and another (the version I enjoyed better) from high school from Somerset Maugham, which tells the story of two brothers, the "hardworking ant" elder brother and the "spend thrift & happy go lucky - grasshopper" yonger brother. Ironically, the younger one finds a rich old lady, marries and she dies leaving all the fortune for him to enjoy. hmmmm wonder what the moral is??? I guess this is life's reality.

I was reminded of this story today for many reasons, as the economy is slowing down we are all tightening our belts. With lesser investments in employee training and education...my income is not looking great. But, I have a long list of items to spend on. Some are essentials and some are not. But will soon become essential. I may have to change my lifestyle and I am not ready yet.

So who makes the economy better? The ant or the Grasshopper. When I was doing my economics paper last year I was thrilled to look at a simple calculation. A 1000 rupees put in the bank and given out as loans can create a cash flow of 10K in the market (ideally).

So, How can we create wealth? My simple mind says only two ways
1. Innovation - Have we dried out of simple innovations that has lost adding efficiency to our lives?
2. Ant + Grasshopper - Work hard , Party harder. More cash flow. More wealth. But ofcourse match demand and capacity. When will we see the balance?

I dont seem to contribute to point 1 and 2a :). I am blissfully married and hence cant dream of the grasshopper life as told by Somerset(ha ha haaaaa)...

So what does the leave me with ???

Bully

I had not heard this word during student days and studying in a girls convent school might have protected me from the bullies. But, Last 5 years at work and socially as the peck order had settled, it had become increasingly difficult to create my own space. I think one of the big reasons for leaving both my previous employers was also that I started feeling constrained and being pushed around. Not respected for what I did and others taking "undue" advantage of who I was, was a really huge problem. As I settled in this new role there has been many compromises...but one thing that myself and my partner have felt in common is not letting others to bully us or take undue advatage, it has been highly liberating. But, I still want to know how to survive in the corporate world without feeling obliged to say yes..and not feeling pushed around or bullied.

The Perfect B'day Party

We had a great evening yesterday. I also think it was the best B'day party for Aadi. We had invited his schoolmates and his friends. Aadi and Paaru helped me to set up the place. By 5 he was eager to see his cake. Aadi was disappointed that no one turned up at 6.30. Well, he needs to grow up a bit to understand IST stands for Indian Stretchable Time.

Slowly his buddies started to trickle in and lo..the power went. But it turned out to be better, with no power we turned the party into Candle light party and it was fun. The Kids started to look into the return gifts we had for them and the noise slowly started raising. I loved it. The more the merrier. Finally, we cut the cake in dim candle lights and then the power came back.

The tiny ones started asking for the balloons, I was more than happy to give away. I hadn't planned any games but still the kids had a good time. The hour went really well & I am glad one of my deliverables as a (near) full time mom was met.

Aadi loved all the gifts he had got. And for once slept without asking for a story. It was the first time I saw him exhausted and I am glad he spent all his energy well yesterday.

MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY DEAR AADI!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY and MAY GOD BLESS YOU!!

Why have a censor board??

I am a great fan of Bond movies...I am waiting to go for Quantum of Solace. Yesterday I was seeing a trailer and suddenly a Qn popped up in my mind. Why do we have Censor Boards in India? I checked with Mahesha and if he is right many countries dont have Censor Boards. They have ratings but no boards which proposes CUTS. If we can have Magazines, Books and other entertainments without a Censor Board. Why for movies? Why not just give it a rating? Just beyond U, A...like PG, PG-13 etc, instead of cutting scenes. Do Indian audience need such baby sitting?