Tuesday, March 05, 2013
Big small thoughts
I was in the train heading to the office this
morning when a group of kids got into the train. They were about 12 kids aged
around 15 years. They were running and chasing each other up and down the train
from the moment they got in. Once they were seated, they pulled out their smart
phones and started taking pictures of each other.
Looking at them reminded me of my school days. Walking
to school with friends in the morning, chasing each other back home, playing
cricket on the footpath, skipping classes, getting scolded for dirtying the
uniform… One thing I cannot forget is that
when I was a kid, I wanted to be like my father; grow up and go to work J. And today as I sat in the train looking at those kids I could
not stop wondering how much I missed my school days!
===============================================
The whistle blew as the train readied to move
from the stop;
People searched for seats holding close their bags not to drop.
The train moved still the noisy kids scrambled to find a place.
Chasing each other it seemed they were playing a game of maze.
People searched for seats holding close their bags not to drop.
The train moved still the noisy kids scrambled to find a place.
Chasing each other it seemed they were playing a game of maze.
Looking at them reminded me of my school day
when running and cycling with those heavy bags seemed a normal way.
Those times of staying late at the all friends night;
And that morning rush for the last bench to keep off the teachers sight.
when running and cycling with those heavy bags seemed a normal way.
Those times of staying late at the all friends night;
And that morning rush for the last bench to keep off the teachers sight.
Strangely as it seems, the movies with friends
or skipping classes didn't have its take;
Nor were those long hours in playgroup or the library detours which kept me awake.
Rather it was the thought to grow big and go to work, that was strong
Funny I miss those school days now that I have come so long.
Nor were those long hours in playgroup or the library detours which kept me awake.
Rather it was the thought to grow big and go to work, that was strong
Funny I miss those school days now that I have come so long.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Names and Faces
I was at a grocery store yesterday when I heard
somebody call my name. He was a friend
from work and I think the last I had met him in person was about 2-3 years
back. We spoke for some time and for almost half of that time I was trying to
recall his name. It really took a while
for me to recall his name while he had called me by my name the minute he had
seen me.
Just a week back, I had this friend who was
telling me how important it was for politicians and CEO’s and people in high
places to remember people by names; especially by their first name. Calling
people by their first name, especially while meeting somebody after a long time,
adds a kind of personal touch.
I was thinking about both these and realized
something. I can never be a politician or a CEO or someone in a high place because
I don’t possess the most important skill needed for these occupations;
remembering people by their names. Not that I had ever thought
of becoming a politician or something J. I spent the rest of my
yesterday thinking about what else I can be. Anything related to academics; a
scientist, teacher, mathematician is all a big no. At most I can be a just ok
bathroom singer, so scratched music off the list. I then thought of sports as I
understand a little bit of cricket. I have seen most cricketers announce their
retirement plans from active field cricket by late 30’s which probably means
they start thinking about retiring when they are 33-34. So I cannot start
thinking of a new career at an age when master sportsmen start thinking of
their retirement. By late yesterday evening I realized I had scratched off
almost every profession I knew, from the list.
Then suddenly I had this second realization. I
could not recollect when was the last time I had thought so much about what I
wanted to be, in my entire life. i.e. my entire life till now has been pretty
much goalless. I have read of CEO’s who plan on how they want their company to
be in the next 3 years, 5 years and 10 years. All I had planned till now was at
most for 6 months or a year.
I woke up this morning with that same feeling of
being goalless at the back of my head, but quickly got into the daily routine. I
was reading the newspaper when I started thinking again. True, all those big
folks come up with such stellar plans about how they want to grow their
companies but haven’t we seen enough of many such stellar companies crumble
overnight? I have read somewhere that the number of people who are cancelling
their newspaper subscription has increased over the last 10 years. Who had
thought that this will happen, 10 years back? I might not have a quantified 10 year goal but
I do have short term ones. Thinking about all this suddenly started making me
feel better! I was amazed how uncomplicated my life is and how much thankful I
should actually be for it! I spend hours with my wife on a park bench watching
our daughter play, watch cartoons with my daughter just because I don’t have a
10 year quantified goal.
I might one day come up with a 10 year goal but it doesn't seem bad not having one. For now, this is something I want to do.
The next time I meet somebody and I am unable to recall their name, I will just
politely ask for it.
~Narendra V Joshi
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Merry Christmas
It was a cool dark night;
As Akshara snuggled in her warm blanket tight.
Suddenly she heard a tiny rustle;
Like crisp paper which wrapped her toys and puzzle.
Out jumped Akshara from her bed;
And ran towards the Christmas tree glowing red.
The gifts and treats sparkled under the lights;
As she searched to thank Santa who was nowhere in sight.
She looked out the windows into the starry night;
“Merry Christmas” greeted the stars twinkling bright.
~Narendra V Joshi
Sunday, December 16, 2012
The short lived cheer
My wife and daughter were just back home from
the Christmas and the holiday party at our daughters preschool, when the news
of the Newtown school tragedy came out on the breaking news. I simply could not
believe what had happened. It’s just gruesome, inhuman and pure evil. Had written
the first 3 stanzas when I went to drop my kid at the school on Friday morning
and added the 4th one later. My heart and prayers go to the families
of the victims of this horrible tragedy.
Cheers and whistles echoed through the hall.
As the pretty little kids stepped in to their teachers call.
Picking their noses as they walked in a line;
As the pretty little kids stepped in to their teachers call.
Picking their noses as they walked in a line;
The band was ready soon for their big
choir time.
The big ones sang along as the carols played.
While the little ones mostly gave a confused
stare.
It was to the parents who waved to the song;
It was to the parents who waved to the song;
Hoping their little ones will follow along.
The performance was over and the kids were ready
for the treat.
It was not just the cakes but Santa too whom they were to meet.
With the pictures and cakes and candy canes through;
The wishes and cheers for the holidays grew.
It was not just the cakes but Santa too whom they were to meet.
With the pictures and cakes and candy canes through;
The wishes and cheers for the holidays grew.
==========================================
A sense of horror and disbelief, and grief filled
the day.
As the news of the gruesome tragedy slowly trickled its way.
As the news of the gruesome tragedy slowly trickled its way.
We could only pray as we huddled and held
our daughter tight;
Praying to give those families the strength, and help set the things right.
~Narendra V JoshiPraying to give those families the strength, and help set the things right.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Why? Doesn't God love chocolates?
This is what our daughter
Akshara asked me when I asked her to pray while we were at the temple. I told
her that God will give her chocolates only if she prays and she goes "why
papa, doesn't God love chocolates?” I said he does but he wants to
share and he will share only if she prays. She said "papa, I share
with my friends.. sharing is good, fighting is bad”.
Akshara is now 3 year and 5
month old. For almost everything we ask her to do, she wants to know the
reason. And if we say no to something she asks, she has some advice too.
“Sharing is good”, “We are family”, "God loves me"... I think she has
learnt this all at her preschool.
The other day I stopped at a gas
station and started filling the car. Akshara asked me what is it and I said
it’s like chocolate milk for the cars. She asked what else does the car eat and
I said nothing else. So goes "papa, I drink chocolate milk and also
cookies and chapati and anna saru (Anna Saru = Rice and Rasam in Kannada)”.
Sometimes it will be almost as
if she is tricking us! She had once scribbled all over the wall with her
crayons. When asked she goes, "papa, I was trying draw a picture of you me
and mama". It was almost like emotionally blackmailing me not to scold her :).
If she asks for chips or cookies and I say no, she very beautifully says “papa
you have to share. Sharing is good, fighting is bad”.
Whenever we are at the grocery shop, she knows
her mama will say no for the chocolates and so she comes with me and shows me
the chocolate she wants. If I say mama said no to chocolates, she says “papa,
[rem]member.. we are family. Akshara loves papa and mama”.. The way she
says it, I have almost always bought her the chocolate she asked. When she
opens the chocolate wrapper and I ask her to share the chocolate with me, her
answer will be “papa, you are big and chocolates are for small girls like me;
[rem]member”. . (Whenever she says remember, it sounds like member to me!)
The other day at the dinner
table my wife asked her to say the prayer she had been thought at the school.
She said the first 2 lines and stumbled. Started all over again but kept
repeating the first 2 lines. My wife asked her what is happening and she said
"mama, that is echo". I was quite sure she forgot the 3rd line but
was amused the way she had called the repetition of the first 2 lines as an
echo.
We like when she tries to reason
everything we ask her to do. Sometimes we are able to reason and sometimes we
are not. A question on food, to start with, we know will come very soon. We are
vegetarians; we don’t eat meat. Many of Akshara’s friends at school eat meat.
My wife and I both know that the day is just around the corner when she asks
why we don’t eat meat and why her friends do. We however don’t yet have an
answer for her.
There are many more questions of
her I am unable to recall as I type this, but I am sure one day the answers
to some of her questions will become obvious to her, and she will figure some
herself. And also by then, she will have newer questions for which she will
expect us to know the answers. Until then, it will be newer reasons and newer
tricks and newer happiness as the days go by.
~Narendra V Joshi
Monday, July 16, 2012
The gory and the ignorance
The molestation and harassment incident that happened in Guwahati is a matter of shame. And in my personal opinion, the list of who need to be punished does not end with just those hooligans. Quite a few deserve to be punished in varying degrees.
1) The hooligans, so that this does not every happen anywhere or to
anybody.
2) The reporter who taped the entire incident never seemed to try to
prevent it. Whatever might be his reason, it looked as if he was more interested in the “breaking news” than on
the plight of the girl.
3) The pub which allowed a minor girl to enter their premises clearly
violating the law. (*read next para for conditions)
4) The girl (aka the victim) and her accompanies if any, for going to
a pub clearly violating the law against minors going to pubs.
* Going by the latest news on this episode I think even the writers
or reporters or whoever it is from the news media, also deserved to be
punished. Reason - for inconsistent (read it as irresponsible) reporting. The
age of the girl was reported as 16 years when the news first came out, a few
days back. Then it was reported as 17 years and today it is reported as 20 years.
A friend and I were talking about this incident. He started telling
me of how China might use this incident in the international community to
further their cause. He spoke at length how this is all bad to India. Initially
I thought my friend was worried that this incident might be used in the international
community to highlight human right violation and will negatively affect
tourism. But after sometime I felt he might be confusing Guwahati/Assam with
Arunachal Pradesh. I asked him and he indeed had confused Assam with Arunachal
Pradesh. I corrected him and explained a bit about the different states which
form the North eastern part of India and where Gawahati is, to the best of my
limited knowledge of the north eastern states.
I am not surprised with the conversation I had with my friend. I
had read an article about a college in Mumbai (or Delhi maybe; can't remember)
which conducts interaction programs to increase the awareness of North eastern
states among the college students. The program quoted a survey which said more
than 85% of working professionals in India can’t name all the states of North
east India. Not just the professionals, I think even our movie makers are not
aware of the different states in north east India. I have rarely come across
any mention of any north eastern state in any of our Bollywood movie. I will
not be very surprised if some of our ministers and law makers ignore the
incident thinking it’s a problem of China and nothing to do with us.
Going by all the gory and the ignorance, I am hoping this incident
ends with something more than just punishing the culprits.
1) Swift judgment awarding the gravest of the punishment to the
hooligans.
2) Changes to our judiciary laws to invoke capital punishment for
such incidents so that it serves as a warning for all the hooligans who will
ever even think of committing such a horrible crime.
3) I also hope that this incident opens the eyes of rest
of the Indian citizens towards the different states of North east India,
removing the ignorance and paving a way for a much united and stronger India.
~Narendra V Joshi
Sunday, June 03, 2012
Day at the zoo
We had been to the zoo this past weekend and it was the first time
at zoo for Akshara. She was excited to see the animals from her picture book. But the
part that bothered her was that none of the animals said ‘hi’ as they usually
do in all her cartoons! She waived at every animal and even fed some of them
holding the animal feed in her hand at the animal feeding time. By late noon we were done visiting each of the animal enclosure in
the zoo and decided to head home. Akshara waved good bye to the animals!
I wondered how the animals in the enclosure felt. We humans go into their homes(jungle) uninvited and put them at the zoos. We expect them to greet us or even do a trick for us while we are at the zoo. But if they ever come to our homes, we treat most of them as pests and hunt or run them out.
I wondered how the animals in the enclosure felt. We humans go into their homes(jungle) uninvited and put them at the zoos. We expect them to greet us or even do a trick for us while we are at the zoo. But if they ever come to our homes, we treat most of them as pests and hunt or run them out.
The excitement showed as she held close her animal toys;
For the trip to the zoo had been her first choice.
The lions and zebras were all long friends from the picture book;
And it was now time for a real close look.
The elephants were big and the giraffes were tall
But neither said hi as they did in the cartoon call.
She cheered at the lions and the zebras and the chimps
And tapped on the aquarium glass to call the sharks and the
shrimps.
We were soon done and it was time to leave;
With the sun pushing the little shade the animals had moved to
relieve.
She waived bye but they cared less for the uninvited guest
Just as we treat them when in our homes, as pest.
~Narendra V Joshi
