The reality “spurt”

Once in a while, nowadays more often than not, I kind of question myself, mainly on the terms of “what is it that I am actually doing with my life”. A few moments where I do a self-analysis, when I think how lucky I am, when I think about the majority who are much more unfortunate than me, when I curse myself for not acting in spite of knowing these, for being the most selfish a person could be by knowingly ignoring the rest of the world.

On one fine Sunday, when I was immersed in such thoughts, I decided to put these thoughts into action, one way or another. I wanted the world to be a better place, a place where the first thought of a parent when they get to know the gender of the baby is not dowry, a world where child marriage and child exploitation is unheard of, a world where parents do not act because “chaar log kya kahenge”. I wanted the world to be a place where love, logic and reason would triumph over anything else. More than anything else, I wanted to make sure that these do not end up as random thoughts, but rather invoke an action.

And that is when I formulated a plan which would cater my needs (read: selfish) and satisfy the “human” in me. It was basically to move to a rural/backward area in India with the aim of helping others. I wanted to be a teacher, as that had been my “dream-profession” after I failed to qualify the Medical Entrance. I wanted to help the poor kids, and engage in night-education educating the adults. I wanted the people there to know that there is a huge world outside theirs; I wanted them to know the basics of science so that they could overcome the illogical aspects of religion. I wanted them to know what freedom actually means, so that they could make well thought of decisions. I wanted to tell them that females should be treated the same way men are treated, and that caste system is evil. I badly wanted to uplift them through education and awareness.

A new reality had dawned on me, and I was trying to think and sort out all the queries and (all possible) roadblocks that I would have faced. That was when I heard the washing machine alarm, reminding me to transfer my clothes to the dryer. “Damn it, Now I have to take the clothes from the machine and put in the dryer one by one! I just can’t imagine why these people make it so hard, and why they cannot make a machine which does both, and possibly even iron the clothes”. And then, I had the “second” reality "spurt" in a span of ten minutes or so. Erasing all my thoughts, I transferred the clothes to the dryer. And, everything is back to “normal” again.

Terrorism and Cricket.

Sporting and cultural isolation played a crucial role in bringing down apartheid in South Africa. South Africa was barred from 1964/68 Olympics, many great players including the likes of Don Bradman refused to play there, and no counties (except Margaret Thatcher’s England) toured there.

In today’s context, India follows the same “cut sporting tie” policy with at-least two nations. “Obviously” Pakistan, and now Sri Lanka. Recently, Jayalalitha declared that she would not allow Sri Lankan players to play in Tamil Nadu unless the Indian government acts tough towards the Sri Lankan government/Sinhalese reduces the atrocities committed towards Tamils.

It is unfair to compare the two policies – the one adopted towards South Africa, and the one adopted towards Sri Lanka/Pakistan because of many reasons. South Africa was a sports crazy nation, and isolation from sports will naturally trigger emotion and policy change there. South African players also practiced apartheid. There were many instances where the players openly spoke asserting their “superiority” against the so-called “black”.  Also, United Nations was not really capable of bringing significant restrictions/bans at that time, as it was only in its budding stage then. 

On the other hand, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, as we all know, are not countries where the foreign policy is controlled by the sports ministry. No decision will be taken by the Sri Lankan government just because a state in India barred its players from playing there. Especially, when they have faced more serious bans, tougher ones, and are on the verge of an UN isolation resolution. More than anything, it is unfair to treat the players the way they are treated now. It is silly to think that Jayawardane and co. practice racism when their greatest and most loved player- Muralitharan is from the “opposite” race.

Immediately after Jayalalitha's declaration, the IPL committee barred Sri Lankans from playing in Tamil Nadu. The decision could have gone 2 ways – remove Chennai from the venue list, or bar Sri Lankans from playing there. The IPL committee went with the easier and financially viable option. For them, it is just a matter of business and money. Shifting venue at the last moment would involve lots of trouble, and cost. Moreover, Chennai is one place where the venue is always full. So, why take all the trouble just to end up losing money? It is this decision that will definitely have larger, long-term repercussions. The decision when you end up choosing wrong over right, bending all sorts of laws, twisting the truth based on materialistic factors like ease and money will definitely stand as a motivator for many. After all, negativity is easily imparted.

In fact, the story ends up like we are the ones practicing racism. By refusing players of a particular country to play in one place, we are the ones encouraging a difference. There was a time when sports brought people together, not anymore, now it is a sheer device for promoting nationalism and jingoism.

a moment of elation...

For most of the day, I was thinking of the Federer match, the one that he was going to play against Raonic today evening. I was reading up the Australian Open reports, the previews and watching some videos, and what not.

Meanwhile, I had opened and kept another browser window, with the C.A results website. Kunju had written her CA exams, and was expecting her results today. She said the exams were really tough, and had started studying for writing it again in May. None of us had any hope, as she was pretty sure that she would not clear it this time.

To be frank, I have to admit that I was thinking more about the Federer match rather than her results, may be because we all were pretty sure about her not clearing the exams, or may be because the result declaration was 3 hours away. And, then, I got a call from amma, before she said anything, from her voice itself, I was sure that Kunju had cleared atleast one of her group. “aval pass aayachu” was what amma told, and there I sat numb, I could not say or feel anything. I wanted to get up, and tell Kirti, but I was unable to.

I refreshed my browser, but I could not see the result as it needed a pin number in addition to the roll number. I did not even say I am going to cut the call to amma, I instantly cut, and called Kunju, but her phone was unavailable. Meanwhile, I got up and told Kirti that Kunju cleared her exams. She also came to my seat, and we tried calling Kunju again, and finally after a few rounds, the call got connected. And then, it was one of her colleague who attended the call, telling she is talking with her boss. When I was about to cut the call, she came and I talked to her, and without congratulating, I asked the pin number. I wanted to confirm the result first.

She told the pin number, and I was able to look at the result. Yes, she had passed, cleared both the groups, and from now on, she is a C.A. I wanted to believe it, but I was unable to. It was so big an achievement. I knew many who had to wait years to complete the degree, and here, Kunju had done it, within an year. I congratulated her, Kirti also did, and we called amma and talked a bit. I needed time to believe it, to enjoy it, to take it in completely, to make sure that I was not in a dream chasing a wild goose.

And yes, I am happy, after a very very long time, I was joyful. I was just a bit sad that I could not share the moment together with my family. Just a bit sad that I was not there with them when the results were out. But, I guess that comes as a part of the package called life. Just moments earlier, I was wondering about the number of sets in the Federer match, when now, all of it seemed immaterial. Her efforts paid off, and I have to congratulate her for standing tall despite all her shortcomings and the obstacles she faced in this tough journey. And yet again, she has made me a proud brother.

sometimes I wonder...

random post #1:

1) When I go to a shop to buy something, many a times the shopkeeper says, the actual price is X, but to you, I will give it at a discounted price of Y.
Wow, thank you for the discount. Now, can you tell me how you know me for giving me such a big discount?

2) During my college days, I used to go for the movies, first day first show, and it was always crowded with long queues. I try to enter the queue in the middle, and people shout, “STAND IN THE QUEUE”.
I AM “trying to stand in” the queue, just that I am trying to enter the queue from the middle, not the back.

3) You are not sure of something in your work, and you ask your colleague. They clear your doubt, however it is always pre/proceeded by “I am not really sure if this is correct”, or “As far as I remember” or “I think it is because of”…
I asked you the doubt because of these reasons, because I was not sure, because I remember only so much, or because that is what I think it is. Could you not just take a few minutes, and give me a sure reply?

4) There is acute shortage of power (current) in the villages; cities have more than a few hours power cut. And cricket, a game which can be played in broad day light, has to be played as a day-night game with huge flood lights.

5) Pitch report for a football match, if there was one: “The ground looks great, and is fully covered with grass. The ball will roll on from one foot to another, but the midfielders will have a tough time trying to hit the right areas. However, defenders will have a great time as they usually know the opposite team player’s right area to hit. There is a little bit moisture in the ground, which will make the job easier for the forwards as they can dive comfortably. Above all, there seems to be a bit of fog, limiting the visibility of referees, thus making their job easier.”

6) When you travel in a flight, you are allowed a laptop bag (around 5kg) with your carry bag (7kg), but you are not allowed to carry a 8kg carry bag alone.

പത്രവും ടി.വി'യും

Its been a long time since I wrote something in Malayalam. Anyways, it is about Malayalam news and channels, so better to write in Malayalam.

രാവിലെ എഴുനേറ്റു അമ്മയുണ്ടാക്കി തന്ന കാപ്പി കുടിക്കുമ്പോ പണ്ട് തൊട്ടേ ഉള്ള ശീലമാ മനോരമ വായിക്കുക എന്ന്. ഇത്തവണ നാട്ടില്‍ പോയപ്പോളും ആ പതിവ് തെറ്റിച്ചില്ല..കയ്യില്‍ മനോരമ..ഫ്രന്റ്‌ പയ്ഗിലെ ആദ്യ ന്യൂസ്‌ "മാനഭംഗത്തിനു വധശിക്ഷ".."മ്മം..കൊള്ളാം...എന്തും ഒച്ചിന്റെ വേഗത്തില്‍ നീങ്ങുന്ന നാട്ടില്‍ ഇത്രെയും പെട്ടെന്ന് നിയമം പാസ്‌ ആക്കിയോ" എന്നാ ആത്മഗതവുമായി ന്യൂസ്‌ വായിച്ചു..അന്നേരം ആണ് മനസ്സിലായത് വളരെ അപൂര്‍വമായ ചില  കേസുകളില്‍, അങ്ങനെ ഒരു നിയമം നടപ്പാക്കിയാല്‍ കൊള്ളാമെന്നു അഭ്യന്തര മന്ത്രിക്ക് അഭിപ്രായം..അതാണ്‌ വാര്‍ത്ത..എന്നാലും headline "മാനഭംഗത്തിനു വധശിക്ഷ" എന്ന് തന്നെ...

അങ്ങനെ മുന്‍പിലെ വാര്‍ത്തകള്‍ ഇത്തരം ആണെന്ന് മനസ്സിലാക്കിയതോട് കുടി, സ്വല്പം entertainment ആകാം, സിനിമ ന്യൂസ്‌ വായിക്കാം, പുതിയ സിനിമകളുടെ വിശേഷം അറിയാമല്ലോ..entertainment section എടുത്തു... "ജയ ബച്ചന്‍ ഐശ്വര്യയെ ശാസിച്ചു"...ഇതാണ് മെയിന്‍ വാര്‍ത്ത‍...ഒരു പാര്‍ട്ടിയില്‍ ഐശ്വര്യ വൈകി എത്തിയത് കൊണ്ട് ജയ അവളെ പബ്ലിക്‌ ആയിട്ട് വഴക്ക് പറഞ്ഞു എന്നും, എന്നാല്‍ അതിന്റെ കാരണം അറിഞ്ഞപ്പോ ജയക്ക് സങ്കടം സഹിക്കാതെ ഐശ്വര്യയെ കെട്ടിപിടിച്ചു എന്നുമാണ് വാര്‍ത്ത‍..

അടുത്തത്, "കത്രിന കൈഫിന്  ഏതേലും ഒരു ഖാന്‍ മതി" - കത്രിന കൈഫ്‌ ഷാരൂഖ്‌ ഖാനെ പൊക്കി പറയുകെയും , അദ്ധേഹത്തിന്റെ charm'il  വീഴുകെയും ചെയ്തു..6 പായ്ക്ക് ഉള്ള സല്‍മാന്‍ ഖാന് ഒരു ഹൃദയം ഉണ്ടെന്ന ഓര്‍മപെടുത്തല്‍ ആയിരുന്നു ആ വാര്‍ത്ത‍..

ശെരി, entertainment വേണ്ട, സ്പോര്‍ട്സ് ആയികോട്ടെ.."സച്ചിന്‍ റ്റെന്ദുല്‌കര്‌ വിരമിക്കണം എന്ന് കേരള സ്പോര്‍ട്സ് അകാടെമി സെക്രട്ടറി"...വളരെ നല്ല അഭിപ്രായം..പ്രത്യേകിച്ച് അട്മിനിസ്ട്രടോര്‍ പോസ്റ്റ്‌'il ഇരിക്കുന്ന കേരള ക്രിക്കറ്റ്‌ സെക്രട്ടറി'യുടെ വക..പത്രം വായന പരിതാപകരം ആണെന്ന് മനസ്സിലാക്കി അത് വേണ്ടേ എന്ന് വെച്ചു...tv ഇട്ടേക്കാം...

tv ഇട്ടപ്പോ മഴവില്‍ മനോരമ, പുതിയ ചാനലാണ്‌...കഴിഞ്ഞ തവണ വന്നപ്പോ ഉണ്ടായിരുനില്ല..എല്ലാ ചാനെലിലെയും പോലെ റിയാലിറ്റി ഷോടെ പൊടി പൂരം...ഒരെണ്ണം "വെറുതെ അല്ല ഭാര്യ"...പച്ചകറി വാങ്ങിക്കാന്‍ പോകുന്ന ഭര്‍ത്താവിന്റെ സമര്‍ത്യവും, വേറൊരു ഭാര്യയും കുഞ്ഞും ഉണ്ടെന്നു പറഞ്ഞാല്‍ എങ്ങനെ react ചെയ്യുമെന്ന മനശാസ്ത്രജ്ഞന്‍'ടെ ചോദ്യത്തിന് ഉത്തരം പറയാന്‍ കഷ്ടപ്പാട്  പെടുന്ന ഭര്‍ത്താക്കന്‍മ്മാര്ടെയും ഷോ..ഇതാണത്രേ നാട്ടില്‍ എല്ലവരടെയും പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട ഷോ..കഴിഞ്ഞ വര്‍ഷം എത്രെയോ ഭേദം ആയിരുന്നു.. contestants 'ഇന്റെ അസുഗവും കുടുംബത്തിലെ കഷ്ടപാടും കാണിച്ചു വോട്ട് ചെയ്യാന്‍ മാത്രമേ പറയാറ് ഉണ്ടായിരുനുള്..പിന്നെ, റിയാലിറ്റി ഷോ അല്ലാതെ ഉള്ളത് ബന്ദുക്കളുടെ പേരില്‍ഉള്ള സീരിയല്‍ ആയിരുന്നു.."അമ്മ", "അമ്മായിഅമ്മ", "അമ്മാവി", "ഏട്ടത്തി", "നാതുന്‍" എന്നുള്ള കോമണ്‍ നൗന്‌ മാത്രമല്ല "വാസന്തി", "ശ്യാമള", "പ്രിയ", "ശാലിനി" എന്ന പ്രോപേര്‍ noun 'ഉകളുടെ പേരിലും സീരിയല്‍ ഇറങ്ങി തുടങ്ങി..

വേണ്ട, entertainment ചാനല്‍ കാണേണ്ട, ന്യൂസ്‌ ചാനല്‍ കാണാം എന്നായി..അതിട്ടപ്പോള്‍ ഭയംകര വാഗ്വാദം..മീശ മുളക്കാത്ത പയ്യന്മാരും മേജര്‍ രവിയുമൊക്കെ എന്തൊക്കെയോ അടിച്ചു വിടുന്നു..അവരുടെ വിലയിരുത്തലുകള്‍, നാട്ടിലെ മാനഭംഗം കുറെക്കാനും നേരിടാനുമുള്ള suggestions...ഒരു യഥാര്‍ത്ഥ ജനാധിപത്യം..ഫ്രീഡം ഓഫ് സ്പീച്..ആര്‍ക്കും എന്തും എവിടെയും പറയാനുള്ള സ്വാന്തന്ത്ര്യം...

കലികാലം, അല്ലാതെന്തു പറയാന്‍..പണ്ടെപ്പോളോ നാരദന്‍ പറഞ്ഞപോലെ tv 'ഉം പത്രവും കണ്ടു ഞാനും പറഞ്ഞു "നാരായണ നാരായണ"...

The gun mania...

Disclaimer Note: I have not been in U.S.A, I know about the U.S only from movies, news and some of my friends there. Hence, there is a good chance that whatever I am writing is based on ignorance, so continue reading with that in mind.

Last weekend, just like the news shocked anyone else, I too was in a state of horror learning the mass massacre/shooting of the kids (aged 5-10) by Lanza (a 20 year old guy). For those who are not aware, Lanza, armed with a couple of guns, walked into a school, and shot dead 20 kids and 6 adults. 

When I had a chat with one of my friend in the U.S, he said people there were very insecure. It was possible for anyone to come over and knock your door at night, threaten/kill you and walk away with your possessions. He was almost mugged by a guy at 6:30 pm in the town. It could be that insecurity that drives them to possess guns, for self-defense, for protecting themselves, and their family. And according to him, these are not some individual incidents, and they are common in many parts of the U.S.

Now, there are two probable solutions possible here. One, make guns legal, and let the citizens use it. Two, enact tougher and stricter laws to prevent mugging/theft/small crimes/drug abuse/alcohol abuse etc. U.S.A went with the first one. Possession of guns is legal, and people can use guns for self-defense according to the second amendment (even if the intention was not self defense when the amendment was made). The flip side is what you see nowadays, a new shooting incident every 2 months or so.

Why not the second choice? Why not enact tough laws to prevent small mishaps? For that, one might need to look into the reason causing mugging and thefts. Or may be ask ourselves the question, “What would make me steal?”. Nothing, but economic problem. We do not have money, our family is dependent on us, we do not have a job, we cannot earn, and we have to provide bread for our family. Yes, that can make us steal.  And probably, that is what that makes them steal too. Now, why is it hard to find a job and earn in the U.S?

Simply put, America is a country ruled by the corporate. The big industries of oil, weapon, banks and retail decides “what next” (more or less true). And in retail, who is bigger than the “Wal-Mart”? They have driven out every possible small scale and medium scale businesses. A good majority of these small businessmen and their employees turn jobless, and according to my friend, there are quite a lot Americans who find it difficult to get a job. 

My friend told me about a ridiculous practice that exists in U.S - price-matching. He receives a number of ad-posters via mail, and he can check that and find out the lowest price for every item. He can go to Wal-Mart with that, and they will give you the item for that lowest price. Now, do you think, any small-scale or medium-scale business can survive there, when you have a “Wal-Mart” which provides all the goods at the least possible price? I remember reading an article in "The Hindu" by Sainath, which stated that the size of onions in U.S is controlled by Wal-Mart. They make the onion size bigger so that people throw away after using the first half, and they come sooner for the next purchase. The article was mainly about the decline of the small family owned farms in U.S.

Now, if you think the lawmakers are going to do anything against the corporate, you can refer the source of the biggest fund for election campaign for both the parties. That will answer your question beyond doubt. If you ask me, I do not know a solution here, either that a strong leader should emerge, else undoubtedly, America is heading towards a revolution, sooner or later.

Coming back to the mass killings, people who tend to do these mass killings may be driven by mental issues. Either that they are born with mental issues, or society turns them insane. It might be that they do not get enough attention from family or friends because their character/personality/looks is different. The social stigma associated could probably cause depression, and drive them towards mental illness. As important as it is for the state to provide better mental health care institutes, it is important for the rest of the society to accept them as one amongst us, and act in a non-prejudiced way. Along with that, the media and the entertainment industry also need to evolve. Glorifying wars, killings, villains and violence plays an important role in shaping the young minds. When the state via media provides a “reason” for war which kills millions, the young can easily imbibe on it, and find a reason for killing a few.

Now, coming back to guns, I am completely against making guns legal. Even if a person encounters economic/social/mental problems, he can shoot and kill people only if he carries a gun. Making guns legal facilitates that.  Of course, one can obtain guns illegally and use them, but that is another story, which can again be prevented with tougher laws. Just the day before the Newtown incident, a guy in China stabbed a few school children. A horrendous incident, but still in light of the Newtown incident, does not the “stabbing” sound better? Of course, a root cause analysis of the problem is important, improvement of economic and social conditions, improvement of mental healthcare facilities, all are good, and will do well in the long run. But, what can be done to prevent occurrence of such incidents in the near future? Well, the answer is simple, ban guns, why do ordinary citizens need guns? Don't the guns cause more harm than help? Do the guns really help you when you are in a dangerous situation? Or are the guns just an illusion of safety?

People abroad say it is very dangerous to travel to India. India is insecure, you may be robbed, you will encounter eve-teasing etc etc. True, I am not denying the existence of robbery or eve-teasing in India. But, even with all this, we learn to live without guns. Till date, parents in India can send kids to school without the tension of them getting shot. Yes, there is a lot of difference between 4000 year old India and 250 year old “evolving” America. But still, some facts are facts.

May be the Newtown shooting and the tiny smiling faces will remain etched in our memories forever. Or, will it? Just like Newtown made Oregon or Colorado “easily forgotten", it might be only a matter of time till another mass massacre makes this one look small.