Look within…

Look within; sounds like such a cliché isn’t it. I have been doing some introspection lately and I started wondering about…about many things, about life in general. Pardon me for the long post…I will try to break it down to 2 part’s; I don’t want to bore you all with one big post.
On this note, I want to share with you all a journey, a very private journey I had undertaken a few weeks ago. I wouldn’t call it a spiritual journey but remarkable nevertheless, where I realized something I had been missing all my life. That something is what you will find out soon…

Until I was in late teens, every year my parents used to take us to one of the most holy places (according to Hindu’s), Tirumala (Andhra Pradesh). This is where Lord Balaji dwells, His temple is, and His generousness flows like water from a fountain.

I remember we used to take the train from Hyderabad to Tirupati (over night journey always in Narayanadri express). We used to travel in second class, sleeper coach compartments…I can still hear the voices of my parents and my sis’s laughter, like it happened a few minutes ago. Mom diligently packs puri’s and kheema (meat) and yogurt rice with pickles every year. Perhaps it’s the Indian-ness in me or it could be the faith that my mom knows best, it never occurred to me to ask her why we carry the same menu every year we go in those days.

After dinner my mom used to insist that we stay awake at least for 30 minutes, apparently it helps in digestion. But after the yummy dinner (puri’s some how never tasted that good when we ate at home) and the gentle rocking of the train, I hardly had any patience but to hit the bed…err, berth. As a rule I had to go to the washroom before I can sleep and trust me, you don’t wanna be full-tummy when going into to a second-class sleeper coach washroom.

Apart from the stink, I used to freak out that I am going to fall down through that tiny opening/outlet from the train. I think only a young kid would be able to understand how creepy that running train and a second-class-washroom combination can be. Even though I used to take a long time in the washroom (more out of fear) my sister never shouted at me to come out quick. And when I was out (knowing very well that I had been in there for at least 10 mins) and ask her if I kept her waiting for long, she used to shake her head and say, no. For this I am eternally grateful.

By the time my major hurdle (washroom) has passed, my mom invariably would have made bed on the berth. I think only mom’s touch can make even a train compartment home. After goodnights and sleep tights, I used to slip into comfortable rocking and deep slumber…well most time at least. I remember at least two instances where the fans were not working and the light just wouldn’t switch off.

The next morning, I always woke up to the, “ah…chai, coffee, horlicks”…”Ah…vedi vedi (hot hot) idli, vada, masala dosa…”….”Ah mango jelly mango jelly, aam papad mango jelly”….” Aaha ponnu mudi ruhmbo alaha iriki, malli puvvu yedu maa (little girls hair is pretty, buy some jasmines dear)”…”Ah chai lelo saaar/madamji”.
This was the only time I was allowed to have coffee, even when I was really young. And I think that’s when I really fell in love with coffee. Anyway…after a quick wash-up, we are all ready to embark on one of my favorite places on Earth, Tirupati. The journey had already begun…in Hyderabad. It’s now time for Tirupati…where Lord Venkateshwara (Balaji) dwells.

P.S: I doubt if anything changed even after so many years in the trains. It’s been at least 8 years since we had all been to Tirupati together in a train. If anything changed at all, it must be me.

To be continued…

(pictures taken from www.hampi.in)

Kerala- in news again for good reasons!

What comes to your mind when you hear the name Kerala? To me it’s always the mesmerizing and elaborate Kathakali, amazing backwaters, abundant coconut trees followed by Ayurvedic massages. But of course there are many more interesting and impressive facts about Kerala which one doesn’t often think about.

I knew that Kerala is the most literate state of India with 90.86% of its

population literate (2007).

But what I didn’t know was that,Ernakulam district in Kerala has 100% literacy rate! What an achievement! Do you know of any other district anywhere else which has 100% literacy rate? I wouldn’t be surprised if Mizoram has any district this way but how about any other state?

Now… did you know that Palakkhad district in Kerala is now fully lit district? Isn’t that amazing? When I was very little, my dad used to take me to the bank to

withdraw/deposit money. When I was 12, I couldn’t believe that there is something called ATM which can dispense money.

I was awed and so was my dad (I still remember).

But I always took electricity for granted. Until I went for an overnight tour through the backwaters in Kerala interiors (around Trivandrum area in early 20

06) I didn’t realize the importance of electricity. Complete black out every single day after sunset sounds like something un-real. But it isn’t for a

few people.

I can visualize people being as awed as I was about ATM about electricity in few rural areas.

No matter how much we hate our politicians (especially all those people who call various political parties as sick-ular); there still is hope for people. I strongly believe in this. And I seriously hope that this initiative to bring light stays put for all the districts around the country.

Well, I can hear people saying that perhaps this is another Congress’s plot to wipe out darkness in its party with this light (Palakkad is Congress MP Tharoors home)…but hey, as long as it’s the people who are the beneficiaries, it’s still good. (Even though the current CM of Kerala is from Communist party, these kinds of long term goals can be achieved by continuous efforts for a long time).

Zubi dubi zubi dubi…

I was trying to make a play list of the latest songs for my mom and I am totally stuck. Recently I had seen three good movies (good according to me); 3 idiots, Paa and My Name is Khan. I am stuck in the first movie itself, 3 Idiots!

As soon as someone says, ‘can you suggest a few melodious, meaningful songs’; I tend to look for songs by Kishore Kumar and Burmans. Even today…even after so many decades. Why? I will tell you why…what exactly is the meaning for the below song?

Zubi dubi zubi dubi pum pa ra zubi dubi para rum
zubi dubi zubi dubi naache kyon paagal stupid mum…

I can’t even get this tongue twister right let alone the meaning of it! And these days at least one song in a movie must have a song like this, no exceptions at all.

An acquaintance (an elderly person) of mine recently told me something which totally sounds naughty but in the good sense. He said, “While growing up ... in my day dreams ... all my girl friends had eyes of Sadhna, nose of Asha Parekh, body of Nutan, boobs of Simi (Mera Nam Joker scene), soft pale skin and smooth complexion of Wahida Rehman, butt of Nanda, and nazakat of Meena Kumari.”
Right now, if you really wash any actress face, all you will get is a ton of makeup!

Ok…I am still stuck with the first song in my movie list!

Mandatory Voting…

Democracy, like everyone is aware of, is a government which ensures equality and freedom (at least in theory). As much as we are never fully happy about any politician (many a time for rightful reasons), there is hardly anything we do to make sure that things change, for good. Many a time we forget that democracy is not just about rights…it is also about duties of every citizen.

I am thrilled about this new law in Gujarat which The Gujarat Assembly has (on Saturday, Dec 19, 2009) passed the Gujarat Local Authorities Law (Amendment) Bill 2009 which enforces: Registered voters who do not participate in local elections will have a month to explain their absence; they may face action.

I think this is a wonderful move. It will teach every one the discipline of what it means to be a responsible citizen. Surely we can all allocate some time from our super busy schedules to make sure that we vote too.
I am fairly sure that the government would allow certain allowance for those workers who are dependent on daily wages.

Like Narendra Modi say’s, black money is a huge problem in India; perhaps it goes parallel with the actual economy itself. This mandatory vote will be a step towards curbing black money (in terms of reducing the election campaign expenditure).

For once lets keep our sarcasm with statements like, should food, clothing and shelter be made mandatory too aside and appreciate the effort being taken by the politicians in Gujarat.

Love marriage or Arranged marriage?

I was talking to my good friend’s mom. She was kind of worried about whom her son, (whom she loves dearly), would get married to. Like any other mom under the planet, she wants everything best for her son…but there is a catch in Indian weddings...

The catch is (Like Chetan Bhagat so nicely said)…

Love marriages are so simple around the world. Girl loves the boy, boy loves the girl and they get married.

In Indian communities there are more steps involved. Girl likes the boy, boy likes the girl. Girl’s parents like the boy and boy’s parents like the girl. Girl’s parents like boys parents and boys parents like girls parents. If boy and girl still love each other, then they can get married.

Ten years ago if I were given this theory, I would have laughed it off. But now, I am fairly sure that the weddings, in Indian way, are done for a reason….a reason, as a teenager, I could/would have never comprehended.

I see so much bitterness in teenagers these days towards their parents and their beliefs. Well if you are reading online news, following a few blogs, forums, you will know that I am telling you the truth. The younger generation (I am not old…err not yet) seem to think that whatever their parents tell is old fashioned.

While to an extent it is good to be globalized, it would be a shame to be totally confused about what is right and what is…no too right.

Perhaps parents also should understand their children…should I say, make and effort to relate to them? The world is not what it was 10 years ago. Video games, MTV, blackberry, money…and sex have crept in to our society. While it might be difficult to ignore what is considered “in” by the teenagers, it would help to think from their perspective too.

And coming back to love marriages; nothing wrong with it either. Parents are more concerned about how kids would lead their married life in harmony if starting from culture to food; from language to religion are different. What ever said and done, courtship is totally different from living with each other in the same home. Living in the same home is not the same as meeting after work/college and hanging out in coffee shops or watching a movie, holding hands and kissing the moment you get a chance.

This is what I keep telling my friend’s sisters (and sometimes my cousins) that marriage is just the beginning of a long journey…a beautiful one.

A Tale of Two States...

I am half Telugu and half Tamilian and to all my North Indian friends I am a “Madrasi”. A while ago, when some one referred me as “Madrasi” I used to take offence; couldn’t they say Tamilian or a Telugu girl? My identity has become Madrasi and it would have remained the same even if I was from Kerala just for the reason that I am from South India. But after reading through my history books again, perhaps it’s OK if they call me a Madrasi.

I was born in Andhra Pradesh. When ever I send a mail to my parents I always used the states name as Andhra Pradesh. Now suddenly I realized that going forward I might have to use the name as Telangana. My first full time job was in Hyderabad.
Since I was a little girl my parents used to take me Tirupati (now another state), a place which is so close to my heart that every time I think about that place I get nostalgic. So basically Andhra and Telangana have been great to me. Am I supposed to feel sad that the state is now going to be split?

When some asks me what is famous in Andhra, I always used to say Hyderabadi Biryani and Tirupati Laddu. Now, how am I to choose just one of those?

The issue of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh dates back to as early as 1956, the Gentlemen’s Agreement of Andhra Pradesh, devised to protect and safeguard the discrimination against Telangana by the government of Andhra Pradesh, before the formation of state Andhra Pradesh. The alleged violations of this agreement are cited as one of the reasons for demands for separate statehood for Telangana.

The violations? Are we talking about Hi-tech city (pretty much a silicon valley of the south) or the world famous Business Schools?
Apparently University reservations are an issue. Why, Oh why! Why do we need reservations at all? Shouldn’t academics solely rely on academics and not on the place of birth?

Are we heading into another never-ending-Kaveri river water issue? Can’t we re-visit the gentlemen’s agreement and see that united we stay? Really, is the situation so bad that the state requires a partition?

Gandhi’ism has become a fashion statement. Fast-un-to-death!

Driving----Striving…

When I relocated to North America I knew that I would find it difficult to get used to driving on the right side of the road. What I didn’t know was that it would take forever to get used to driving here!

Considering I had driven in India for 5 years I should find the regulated driving here a cake walk! But alas! If only every word we say comes true.

I passed my written test with flying colors! But that’s when the real challenge began.

My first attempt to drive here was in my husband’s car. Poor thing…it suffered under my gas/break/gas/break like on/off switch for 2 weeks. Then the icing of the cake….I went right into the oncoming traffic while turning left! Thank God it was a country road and there was no oncoming traffic! I decided I cannot go on like that….firstly the insurance is going to sky-rocket and secondly I need an auto-transmission.

After a few months gap, we bought a car! Yes! Yes! Yes! I love my car but I don’t love driving anymore L

But it’s about time I get around to driving I guess, at least after all the money we spent and more importantly my husbands offer to help me learn better driving.

I am reminded of it again at work. Perhaps because my driving-day is approaching this weekend! Uffff….I am all tensed up….why is driving no fun?

When will be my “Driving---Thriving”?

I can hear everyone's thoughts now. Practice…practice…like a mantra. I am hoping that I will come back to this thread some time in future and vouch that “Practice Practice is indeed the mantra”…Until then I guess I am going to be tensed up.