Priced Possessions!!

While cleaning up my son's bedroom, I bumped onto a plethora of seemingly trivia, non-sense and 'why do you need to keep these' kinda stuff. Weeding them out altogether was not in the least of my intentions this time! His cribbing and nonstop whining lasted for hours when I tossed a torn up picture of a superhero into the dustbin during one of those cleaning missions last time:-) In his own verbiage, I was ruthless, mercilessly rude and callous; to say the least. His vehemence and unflinching opinions on my insensitivity made me ponder a bit, going beyond those mundane house hold chores.

If you see a bunny eared notebook, with half the pages torn up with those crayon arts scattered all over, that could most possibly be their travel journal. You probably did not notice the name tag and the subject written on the very first page in a wavy cursive (and sometimes in mixed print!). Well, it's their journal, and that's how they document their memoirs. Way different from ours and our perceptions! And it is available right their when they have the best of creative mindset to jot down something! And the book shelf would not be a wise choice since you need to hunt the book down when you feel to write something. A spoil sport indeed!

A long folded piece of double ruled notebook sheets, with red pointy edges could well be their weaponry. You will mostly fail to notice the faded out letters on the sides, saying 'World War II re-enacted'. Again, stay off and be safe! Art rules in those little minds.

A semi-dried leaf, with an wooden piece wrapped up in a butter paper could well be their priced possession from a national park. Be safe than sorry in ignoring those during your cleansing mission.

An almost used up eraser and a broken pencil sharpener under their bed could be the one their teacher presented for helping her in the Computer Class. You could probably pack off their pencil boxes with new ones from Staples, but again, stay off from those priced possessions:-) You cannot replace them!

The manifolded square sheet of wide ruled paper almost finds its place in the bin. But then, you notice the messy handwriting with their name and a happy birthday note just below. Their best friend's greeting card on their birthdays could not be more sweet.

A small Hershey's in a foil wrap could well be the return gift from another friend's birthday party last week:-)

The half read Laura Ingall would be under the bed; and another Wimpy Kid Diary could be under the pillow. Convenience matters, and tidiness doesn't. If you keep them neatly arranged in a Library like display, they may not find it when they need:-)

The tea cup with their name tag could be the prize won in school for a musical chair. And that could just find a place on the bedside. So, they could look at it everyday, and be proud of their achievement.

A holiday picture with Dad, Mom and sis could well be stuck on the wall, just above their bed, with unevenly cut cello tape and coloured corners. So, they could look at it every time and Thank God for giving a happy family. If you frame it up and mount it on the wall, it's just another family photograph.

My cleaning missions are well informed ever since, with that sensitivity factor attached. I would rather wait for them to trash them up. Until then, let them enjoy their priced possessions; closer to their hearts, down and under their beds and pillows and right on top of their bedspreads!

Cheers
Roy

@Kids..

The winter evenings are quite mundane these days. The slightly capricious weather makes it all the more exciting:-) I was on a fiesta - siesta combo at four in the evening, half asleep, and partly contemplating future; the Christmas week with my planned holidays, and our trip to Mammoth Lake the week before Christmas. Excitement galore and an old paper back from Robin Sharma provided the right feel to slip off to sleep. Someone patted not so gently on my back, and broke me off my reverie!

"Dad.. Is it okay if I disturb you for a minute?" It was my son, taking a break from his non-stop fun with that Netflix thing on a lazy Saturday evening.

"Err.. No dear.. It's okay. BTW, do you need to get onto my laptop, and I should log you in?"

"Oh no.. I just have a question.. and I am done in a minute."

Well.. that sounds good. I love kids when they have questions to ask, more and more of them, weird and mundane and thought provoking at times! And was thinking about the last one he posed off reminding me of the NatGeo bee thing. But my Geography, and stepping a bit up, and knowledge on the fauna and flora of hitherto un-visited places is very limited. The questions involving the difference between a turtle and a tortoise or a crocodile and an alligator have always been puzzling to me.

To my relief, it was slightly different this time. “Dad.. BTW, do you remember your childhood, I mean, ages like 3, 4 and up?"

Err again.. Have my memories solid and vivid on my Math teacher in 3rd grade, who was ridiculously rude, and the fourth grade mate who was a bully king. My back hurts the moment I think about his bicycle kicks on my lower back during e very recess. That apart, I struggle to keep anything at the back of my mind:-)

Not really.. Come to the question, quick.

"Dad.. did your Dad used to kiss you? Hugs and all that?"

Well.. errr.. Can't seem to recollect any acts like that, sans the corporate punishments for my freaky childhood deeds..

"Not really.. Or I don't have the faintest memory of him doing that to me. He might have loved me from the bottom (at least half way down:-) of his heart, but no real hugs or kisses."

"But you know what.. I remember the showers that you used to give me every evening when I was back from school; when I was in KG.. and the ones that continue even now when am 9 and odd.. The warm kisses that followed; I kind of liked it every time." I was lost in thoughts again and went back to sleep, with the realization that the little things that get un-noticed get etched into their minds with picture clarity, and are going to stay sweet forever. They are growing up quick, and our sweet hugs and kisses would soon turn into an adult's appreciation on another. They need to be sweet, timely, explicit and blunt; without being held off:-) because they kind of like it, every time!

Childhood at its best!!

Never seen a picture of late that captures the sheer excitement of childhood that these two snaps do.

These are exactly the moments when we cherish childhood, the sheer fun out of a freaky evening in the beach! Sans the occasional parental sermons (which definitely went to deaf years for sure), they were totally unfettered.

Captivated only by the wild waves, the silky smooth sand that offered all they want - fun and frolic, the little pits they pulled in with waters sprouting out a bit, the incredibly swift little crabies that they chased to their holes, the winds that kissed their foreheads showering all of their love and affection, the surfers out high and low, the setting sun off the horizon, the fights with the mighty waves over and over again until they realize that they are too hard to beat.. These broad smiles, look closer, they come right from the bottom of their hearts! Childhood at its best, and so they stay!

Reason enough to offer more of these for them to cherish for a life, the sweet little memories, the sheer fun out of such freaky evenings.. After all they are growing up sooner into an adult's world, where fun has altogether a different meaning and perspective!

 

5 Things that you want to do over and over in Trivandrum!

Been contemplating and trying to collate an exclusive on the list of
things that we would want to do over and over in Trivandrum, without
the slightest unbearable ennui that is:-)

These are my personal picks, and if you have something that comes on
top of your minds, please write back!

@Those who are not familiar with the city, for your next agenda:-)

1. Mutton Omelette @ICH aka Indian Coffee House, Spencer Jn.

A gourmet's delight and a passerby's pleasure, this delectable dish
was an ever green hit (not sure whether we still have the ICH there
and the item figures in their display board; if not, pardon my
ignorance). An evening spent with your close pals, talking through the
day's rigours and fun@work, savoring the overly spicy omelette with
chopped and sauteed mutton filling was an experience in itself.
Washing it down with several cups of extra strong coffee indeed came
next to having a large Mojito on a rainy Friday evening, watching
Casablanca for the umpteenth time:-)
Reason enough to have this on the no 1 spot:-)

2. Parippu Vada@ the small time eatery - rear exit of C-DAC

A few yards from the Althara temple, this small time cafe used to be
an inseparable part of our end of the day agenda. The crispy,
irregularly circular, parippu vadas were so inviting! We were welcome
to pick as many as we wanted from the glass tumblers on the rickety
wooden patio. The owner used to keep tabs on everyone with his uncanny
math:-) Biting through the warm vadas rejuvenated the spirits, and was
usually an excuse to go back to work! Something that I can't miss
during my next vacation.

3. A walk along the Kowdiar stretch

My memories of this beautiful stretch of road from Vellayambalam to
the Palace Jn. have always been majestic. The traffic signal at the
fag end of the road seems to be a spoiler, but then this is part of
the inevitable urban developmental needs. Clearly marked and broad
pedestrian walk ways were real walkers' paradise. Several fruit
vendors beside the petrol station on the left sold fresh guava, orange
and other seasonal fruits.

4. Shankumukham Beach

One of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen, barring the
concrete walk ways that we see now. Being simple yet revealing the
charming beauty and innocence keeps a beach etched in your minds. And
truly, this one scores straight onto your heart any day. Watching the
sunset, holding hands with your loved ones.. or eating your favorite
Masala Dosa from the ICH overlooking the beach, watching the
catamarans way out into the ocean, the waves hitting hard on the shore
with an insatiable revenge, the snacks on the wheels, the kites aiming
high up in the sky, the adorable families out to enjoy a lazy week
end. You tend to get lost here, and wish the evenings would never end!

5. The Double Decker Rides from East Fort to Sasthamangalam!

Reminiscing my first double decker journery in the city 17years ago,
this one is a must do in my short list. This unusually pleasant public
transport, with several 'hard to find vacant seats' in the otherwise
crowded city buses was a breather for a casual traveller. Grabbing a
seat by the window on the upper deck, you could explore the streets
and window shop in your favourite outlets in the long stretch from
East Fort to Sasthamangalam. Or close your eyes and contemplate
future, a little bit of introspection or simply enjoy a siesta or
engage in an animated conversation with your fellow traveller!

Do we still have these double deckers on the road?

Best regards

Everyone is a socialite, that surprises me!

Someone, of late, was talking about a symptom called laptop shoulder.. The gradual build up of pain on your shoulders if you are regular carrying your lappie on your shoulder. But then, again of late, lappies come in handy backpacks for carrying with ease and giving that casual look (get away from the regular nerdie look, eh?)..

Well, the side story apart.. Thinking about this hitherto unknown symptom (that would not potentially affect me because my Dell came in handy with a mediocre backpack, not stylish, but convenient, and light! sigh).

I stepped onto the company bus. My usual window seat was empty..The morning traffic was slowly building up.. The gentle man beside was deeply engrossed in his BBerry, busy checking/responding to emails, his face revealing that straight-on-the-face expectation 'do not disturb please!.. The gals sitting on the front row were completely lost in their iPods, probably tuning to the latest hit from mausm?? Could not notice any taps though! Most of the crowd on the other side were busy picking up the news updates from DNA..

The silence in the bus was contagious, a complete show stopper for anyone wanting to say hi to his neighbour.. The mundane sights and scenics on my everyday route usually fails to keep me wide awake in those morning hours.. Lost in reverie, and falling in and out of momentary naps, my 50mins morning commute to the workplace were a cakewalk, by any score.

The bus stopped in the huge parking bay, and rows and rows of techies with lappies on shoulders (and backpacks for some...), marched through the security gates, reminding me of those military parades, sans the march and drills. My efforts in building a strong professional network in the workplace failed miserably when my His and hellos were reciprocated with the coldest of responses.

The ladies and gentlemen who never said a hi/good morning/how r u to his/her neighbour during a 1hour commute to the work place now have hundreds of friends on social networking sites.. Sharing their photos, family pics, and trivia from day to day lives.. The ones who marched through the security checks in a military parade, without even sporting a cheer to the folks around.. Give me a break!

Reason enough for me to stay away from the social networking sites..

Cheers
Roy

Incredible street foods!

The busy pavements in Russel Market off Shivaji Nagar bust station were bustling with activities. It's holy Ramdan time, and people head to the umpteen eateries on both sides of the narrow streets to break their day long fasting. The Sunday edition of a city newspaper had an exclusive coverage on the gamut of food items on display, and the garam-garam samoosas, pavs, kebabs, tandoors served straight off the grills. Being a foodie, and a connoisseur myself,the pictures accompanying the exclusive were truly captivating, to say the least!

Heading straight to the city's most popular market place, soon after our afternoon siesta, we were a little too excited to savor the numerous Ramdan specials. Walking hand in hand, we decided to explore the eateries and small time single cart counters end to end before venturing out to place our order.. The Hyderabadi Haleem looked so inviting and appetizing that my wife ended up gulping down a single serving herself! Her it tastes so yummy kinda smile endorsed this hitherto unexplored delicacy. Walking down further, we ordered a handful of golden fried mutton samoosas, and another pack of kebabs, fiery red and crispy. Unaware of the crowd, and the folks in queue to place the orders, the little ones picked up a fight over the last remaining piece:-)

The food apart, we were totally engrossed in the bustling charm of this naive, incredibly crowded street. And everything seemed to have an order, a discipline in the middle of chaos! The honking vehicles, the passers by, the waiting customers, the window shoppers..

Heading back home, happily carrying hot samosas packed in foils, the four of us vowed together, we will be back! The little one on the back seat was already enjoying yet another fiesta-siesta combo!

Cheers
Roy

Connecting the dots!

The rusty, worn out cart on four wheels pulled off on the roadside. Couple of grayed out green buckets, a gas stove, a few steel plates, knives and steel glasses found their places quickly on the makeshift diner. The lady lighted the stove and her first cauldron of hot coffee was up in the making. Passers by and auto drivers made short stops and grabbed the idli-vada, and rice-pav combo, washing them down with hot coffee. While the lady dished out the hot dishes one by one, her husband managed the front office, collecting cash and tending out change. The little girl standing beside her mom, was reading out a lesson from her English reader. Closing her book, she dashed out occassionally to do the dishes and filling the wash area with water. She would rush to the nearby primary school when the clock hits a quarter to 9 to be back before the evening rush hours.

The NGO that we are part of ran a connect the dots drive to meet several children in the city's government primary schools and their parents. Prizes were distributed to the top performers in each class and also to those excelled in co-curricular activities. Much to my surprise, the little girl, who am so familiar with, made her presence twice on stage, bagging the topper award for class V and another first prize for water coloring. Her parents clapped in excitement from the front row, misty eyed and beaming with pride.

And BTW, her poem appeared in a popular national daily in their children's section!
Meals on the wheels is still a hit, and the little girl continues to be a brilliant multi-tasker, waiting for her day to come..

Did I say the title of the poem read 'Dreams on the wheels' when translated?

Best
Roy

Look who is going to BSchool this fall!

The tall, dusky lady at the back row in the class was very silent until the last day of our three day workshop organized for rural women.The targeted audience was women who could not continue their studies after matriculation or PUC due to different reasons. We spoke about various options available to pursue higher education even within the comforts of their homes, even without spending thousands for admission fees, tuitions, living expenses etc. Most of them were working in an Auto Manufacturing unit that employed about 500+ women in their factory floors and assembly lines. With ageing parents to support, and kids attending the local primary school, quitting the job to pursue higher education was out of question for all of them. They worked 8hrs a day, six days a week, for a meager 2000 per month.

In the first two days, we were mostly talking about opportunities in pharmacy, nursing, engineering diploma, trade certifications etc. Majority of them were matriculates; and talking about anything beyond this repertoire did not make sense to us. My colleague was winding up the last session on the third day. The lady at the back row stood up, sir "can you also talk about management education? I know it may not make sense for me to even dream about a MBA at this time, but I would really like to know." The rest of the class was silent.

Shira Banu was a school drop out. She worked in the factory floors for two years as a cleaner, sold pan and tea near the bus stop in the evenings and went back to school the following year. With an ageing father, and two siblings still in primary schools, Shira struggled to complete her PUC. Having secured 65% marks in the commerce stream; and standing fourth in the state, she caught media attention. Her life and achievements were featured in most of the city news papers, and TV channels!

Three years down the line, Shira graduated in Commerce by attending evening classes, and continued working on the factory floors during the day. Her absolute commitment and sincerity at the workplace got her multiple accolades, and was promoted as an accountant in the back office. The NGO that we were part of worked through various media to bring her story to the masses. Well wishers came forward with the offers of sponsoring her higher education.

Sipping coffee and skimming through the newspaper on that lazy Sunday morning, it took quite a while for me to recollect the smiling face of Shira. Come next fall, she is heading to one of the world's leading BSchools to pursue the management education that she has been dreaming for years! With exemplary academics, five years of solid work experience, and armed with hard learned lessons from her own life, am sure she had one of the most genuine, straight from the heart Statement of Purpose!

What an incredible journey! Dreams come free of cost; but she also knew their realization doesn't!

Cheers
Roy

Look who is going to BSchool this fall!

The tall, dusky lady at the back row in the class was very silent until the last day of our three day workshop organized for rural women.The targeted audience was women who could not continue their studies after matriculation or PUC due to different reasons. We spoke about various options available to pursue higher education even within the comforts of their homes, even without spending thousands for admission fees, tuitions, living expenses etc. Most of them were working in an Auto Manufacturing unit that employed about 500+ women in their factory floors and assembly lines. With ageing parents to support, and kids attending the local primary school, quitting the job to pursue higher education was out of question for all of them. They worked 8hrs a day, six days a week, for a meager 2000 per month.

In the first two days, we were mostly talking about opportunities in pharmacy, nursing, engineering diploma, trade certifications etc. Majority of them were matriculates; and talking about anything beyond this repertoire did not make sense to us. My colleague was winding up the last session on the third day. The lady at the back row stood up, sir "can you also talk about management education? I know it may not make sense for me to even dream about a MBA at this time, but I would really like to know." The rest of the class was silent.

Shira Banu was a school drop out. She worked in the factory floors for two years as a cleaner, sold pan and tea near the bus stop in the evenings and went back to school the following year. With an ageing father, and two siblings still in primary schools, Shira struggled to complete her PUC. Having secured 65% marks in the commerce stream; and standing fourth in the state, she caught media attention. Her life and achievements were featured in most of the city news papers, and TV channels!

Three years down the line, Shira graduated in Commerce by attending evening classes, and continued working on the factory floors during the day. Her absolute commitment and sincerity at the workplace got her multiple accolades, and was promoted as an accountant in the back office. The NGO that we were part of worked through various media to bring her story to the masses. Well wishers came forward with the offers of sponsoring her higher education.

Sipping coffee and skimming through the newspaper on that lazy Sunday morning, it took quite a while for me to recollect the smiling face of Shira. Come next fall, she is heading to one of the world's leading BSchools to pursue the management education that she has been dreaming for years! With exemplary academics, five years of solid work experience, and armed with hard learned lessons from her own life, am sure she had one of the most genuine, straight from the heart Statement of Purpose!

What an incredible journey! Dreams come free of cost; but she also knew their realization doesn't!

Cheers
Roy

Women's Day Run

I am running 10km on Women's Day (13th March) supporting the education of the girl child.

Like to register? Click Here!

Best
Roy

The little things that matter!

Might feel a little odd, but true.. How come one regret missing a 730PM show of Grand Old Mumbai circus, even after a long 15years?

Reactions vary from ridiculous, to outrageous to simply non-issue:-) But you know what, this turns out to be a little more sensitive issue than you can imagine. Parashuraman a.k.a Pash is my ex-colleague. Having spent years together in a venerable Govt. of India Research Lab in the earlier stages of our career, we parted ways; but were destined to meet again to travel together on yet another roller coaster. Over a lager late last evening, Pash recollected the circus incident.

Grand old Mumbai circus had just landed in Trivandrum.. Posters sprouted all along the Kowdiar stretch, Palayam and Statue area.. Those unblemished Russian teens demonstrating their uncanny abilities in the ring. The jokers sporting the mundane, yet refreshing, costumes. The old yet majestic tuskers, the king of the jungle sans its aggression. Pash was so excited that our bike rides along the Kowdiar stretch to the office in the morning rush hours were unusually longer.

Later one evening, Pash flipped open his wallet and showed off that green Rs.50 first class pass.. He was planning to watch the 730PM show over the week end... Being part of the same team working on a key strategic project of the organization, I was not sure about making it over the week end, especially when the first prototype was up for a scheduled testing. But Pash was confident of sailing it through, and pack off well before 4pm that evening. The visiting officer from the collaborating firm was keen to get the testing done on day one itself. Everything was going pretty well, until we noticed a problem with the power supply. This was causing unsolicited signals in the input gate and the system started malfunctioning. Pash was cool handling it until he noticed the hour needle closing on to 7pm. Shutting down the unit, he put on his watch, packed his bag and started leaving.. The gentle man frowned, and shouted.Pash explained the reason why he should leave. Brazen, to say the least, was my take on it:-) How could you ever think of watching a circus when a priority work in office is still pending? 'Let me speak to your boss, I need to understand the priority of this work'. the gentleman continued to be aggressive on getting the stuff done. Half an hour later, Pash was back at work, flouted his Rs.50 pass and tore it off in the bin. I smiled inside, you need to have your wisdom to choose your priorities mate:-)

But now stepping into Pash's shoe; watching a circus, which has been in your list of to do things for long, was a must do. Life is not all about work, earning and spending.. It is also about the little things that we cherish, that we are so passionate about, that peps us up...Reading through your favorite book, sipping coffee in a cold windy evening, walking along the beach holding hands with your wife and little ones, watching your kids play hide n seek, the early morning workouts that you have been planning so long, drinking wine in the company of your wife and talking through the wee hours, enjoying that fiesta siesta combo on a lazy Saturday afternoon. Watching your little ones on stage on school day, attending their first dance performance, cooking your favorite dish with your wife, gossiping and talking through the day's rigors..

All these matters, and they don't pass onto the trivia list.. But my early twenties were too early to figure this out:-)
But then, I didn't have the luxury of so many gray cells then!

On a side real note: prototypes seldom work:-)

Regards
Roy