I was recently talking to a friend of mine and he just told me how useless he feels now that he is in his final year of graduation. "The whole degree is useless", he told me. And I replied, "You feel just three years were a waste, I feel the whole education system in India is a waste." Yup, that sums up my feelings towards the education system in India, a system I literally abhor and I really do not subscribe to.
..........and then I read This article in TOI. It really made me think.
MUMBAI: Three-and-a-half year old Annapurni is a bundle of life and energy who prattles away in four languages and loves reciting her favourite folk tale about a farmer who spills ghee on the grass. Her parents, die-hard environmentalists Ganesh Subramanium and Sarita Pungaliya, have not sent her to school.
Like a small but growing number of parents in the city, they have decided to skip the process of formal education, avoiding the paranoia of school admissions, college entrances and the education rat race. Sampat and Vidya Shetty, parents of a bright four-year-old girl, Sanskriti, are also staunch believers in home-schooling.
"The current education system is more about stress, pressure and rote learning, less about knowledge," says Sampat. "Education today is all about mass-producing clones. With the high level of competition children lose their originality altogether."
The Shettys have both been journalists who in the course of their careers discovered how corrupt the institutions of higher education actually are. Yashodhara Kundaji and Kanwarjit Nagi read up extensively on various systems of education before deciding against putting their six-year-old son Anant in uniform.
"I remember how traumatic my initial years at school were because I didn't want to be separated from my parents," says Yashodhara. "I didn't want to put Anant through it." Outside the structured confines of the classroom these parents have much more freedom to explore other means of education, such as travel.
Continued...
This article talks about how few set of parents in Mumbai who do not believe in the mainstream education system do not send their children to school and prefer schooling them from Home. They echo similar sentiments that I have in mind against the education system in India. They walk their talk, they practise what they preach.
I suddenly began wondering would I be ever as courageous as them. Disgust and contempt towards the current education system not withstanding, is it a right decision to not send your kid to school altogether? Will the child be psychologically affected if s/he doesn't undergo the traditional schooling method? I mean, I am all for alternative schooling and education methods. But is pulling the child out of school totally recommended?
I think whatever said and done, school is one of the most important areas of socialisation for a kid. Howbeneficial it would be for a child? I am just wondering.... There is a quote in the article which talks about how the current education system is a all about massproducing clones and how children loose their originality all together. Well, I believe when you subscribe to a particular system, one does tend to loose the orginality to a certain extent, not completely. It takes lot of guts to do something which goes against the tide but which is something you believe completely. I do not know. I salute these parents coz they are following a path that they believe in despite the obvious opposition. Just makes me glad that ideals still work in this world. However I have my doubts. Can a child be taught about various other things, skills in life while going to a regular school? if not, is taking a child off school completely a right thing to do? I don't know. In future, the child has to survive in this society. Would lack of schooling mean lack of development of social skills? There are just loads of questions inside my mind.
I am all for alternative methods of schooling. But I feel uncomfortable when I think about a child being schooled at home. Coz, the child then misses an important part of his/her socialisation, which is very very important.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Friday, October 07, 2005
Hey Hey hey
Oh well, hello guys. I am back. Yes, I am very much alive. It's just that work has taken so much precedence over my life that blogging is the last thing in my mind. Anyways, my stupid faulty net connection also did not help matters.
Anyways, I am just wondering what to post. I suddenly realised that tomorrow is Saturday, my weekly off. Yayyy...But I would be working this Sunday, like I have been working for the past many Sundays. :( Man, that can be depressing sometimes. Especially when I ahve Sunday morning blues......Sounds funny na? I remember having written this post Nowadays I crib when a sunday approaches coz it means work after my saturday chutti. Booo hoo...My Saturday also gets over so soon. But for now, I am excited coz I am gonna attend my first catholic wedding, in church and all. What's life if there is nothing to look forward to? So a big, huge reason to cheer and hereby I retire to bed.
Dammit, my most useless post till date, I swear..
Anyways, I am just wondering what to post. I suddenly realised that tomorrow is Saturday, my weekly off. Yayyy...But I would be working this Sunday, like I have been working for the past many Sundays. :( Man, that can be depressing sometimes. Especially when I ahve Sunday morning blues......Sounds funny na? I remember having written this post Nowadays I crib when a sunday approaches coz it means work after my saturday chutti. Booo hoo...My Saturday also gets over so soon. But for now, I am excited coz I am gonna attend my first catholic wedding, in church and all. What's life if there is nothing to look forward to? So a big, huge reason to cheer and hereby I retire to bed.
Dammit, my most useless post till date, I swear..
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Reality shows
There are way too many reality shows happening on the Indian television scene, isn't it? Way to many I guess....Sony entertainment television introduced Fame Gurukul immediately after the widely watched Indian Idol ended. (Apparently Indian Idol is stated to make a comeback during October, round about the same time fame gurukul is supposed to end....not a good idea I think, viewers would be saturated with similar kind of shows...but well, that's besides the point!)
I was watching Zee TV's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. There's another talent hunt show happening there. Interesting concept, of pitting contestants affiliated to various Gharanas headed by popular music directors from the Hindi Music fraternity. I am not a regular viewer. I just happened to catch it while surfing channels. One girl Rakhtima from the Adesh Srivastava's team won yesterday. Despite the fact that she won, she started crying. The she confessed on the show that her mom was in the nursing home because she had suffered from an Heart Attack. Poor girl, had to perform under trying circumstances. However what she said later shocked me to the core. Apparently in the last episode which was an R D Burman special, she lost the contest. Her mother could not bear to see her daughter losing and SUFFERED AN ATTACK BECAUSE OF THAT.
Holy crap! I was stunned beyond belief. Shessssssh.....poor girl, so much pressure. I just thought how important it would have been for her to win today. But the point is....I am just plain irritated. The whole thing was dramatised completely as is the Indian style. What might be traumatic to the poor girl would be increasing TRPs for the channel. Sick! In their quest to attain quick stardom, I think the participants fail to realise that the channels are just playing with their emotions. Simply because live drama would just bring in more moolah. There is a singing talent hunt happening in every television channel these days. What happens to those who don't win? They are in the spotlight only for that specific period of time. Post-show, it is struggle time for them again. I don't understand why do they have to subject themselves to such ridiculous scrutinies with a camera looming around them 24/7? Why is there a glaring need to succeed instantly? I don't know, speaks a lot about us, the youth of my generation. Speaks a lot about me too. I think we have just missed the point somewhere. Only a selective few get to the TOP. Otherwise they are just mere pawns to get more TRPs. Sad reality! *Sigh*
I was watching Zee TV's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. There's another talent hunt show happening there. Interesting concept, of pitting contestants affiliated to various Gharanas headed by popular music directors from the Hindi Music fraternity. I am not a regular viewer. I just happened to catch it while surfing channels. One girl Rakhtima from the Adesh Srivastava's team won yesterday. Despite the fact that she won, she started crying. The she confessed on the show that her mom was in the nursing home because she had suffered from an Heart Attack. Poor girl, had to perform under trying circumstances. However what she said later shocked me to the core. Apparently in the last episode which was an R D Burman special, she lost the contest. Her mother could not bear to see her daughter losing and SUFFERED AN ATTACK BECAUSE OF THAT.
Holy crap! I was stunned beyond belief. Shessssssh.....poor girl, so much pressure. I just thought how important it would have been for her to win today. But the point is....I am just plain irritated. The whole thing was dramatised completely as is the Indian style. What might be traumatic to the poor girl would be increasing TRPs for the channel. Sick! In their quest to attain quick stardom, I think the participants fail to realise that the channels are just playing with their emotions. Simply because live drama would just bring in more moolah. There is a singing talent hunt happening in every television channel these days. What happens to those who don't win? They are in the spotlight only for that specific period of time. Post-show, it is struggle time for them again. I don't understand why do they have to subject themselves to such ridiculous scrutinies with a camera looming around them 24/7? Why is there a glaring need to succeed instantly? I don't know, speaks a lot about us, the youth of my generation. Speaks a lot about me too. I think we have just missed the point somewhere. Only a selective few get to the TOP. Otherwise they are just mere pawns to get more TRPs. Sad reality! *Sigh*
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Question
Acha...I have a question. How does it feel after confiding into someone? Do you feel oops....s/he knows everything now or do you feel light? (s/he maybe close friend/relative/sibling etc) I am curious to know about the state of mind as such. Do you ever feel bad? Have you ever felt that you have done a mistake as such? Well...well...well...lots to answer...So...long comments awaited :)
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Irritated
I am just irritated with certain people. People whom you love, you accept them for what they are. However there are certain things I cannot accept anymore. Funniest thing I have told them what's bothering me. But well...DUUUHUHHHHHHHHH! I hate stingy people....people who have all the money on earth but WON'T SPEND. Paisa, hain, nahi hain, ek hi baat hain....kanjoos they will be.all their fucking lives!
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Havoc
Well...much has been said about rains. One must have heard countless stories of bravery, tolerance, mishaps etc. etc. courtesy the media, friends, blogs, magazines and so on. Some of the stories I have heard are chilling. I was fortunate enough to have a relative staying nearby. Things were so bad that my family couldn't go back to our home for 3 whole days. Fortunately Amma, Appa and me were together at my relative's place. However I do have a little experience to share with you. On my way back to my workplace, I hopped into the train which happened to one of the last trains which plied on tracks that day. Suddenly it halted in middle of nowhere with the rains lashing heavily outside. I waited patiently for 15-20 minutes in a hope that the train will start moving. Much to my dismay, I saw other trains also halting abruptly in middle of nowhere. It was then I realised.....Oh oh...I AM STUCK. Gradually ladies in my compartment started getting down. Well getting down isn't very easy because in absence of a railway platform, the distance between the compartment and the tracks below is huge. The ladies started getting down with the help of the chotu ladder installed below. The tracks were full of water. If unlucky, one would just land up inside a naala. Also, some years back amma had done a little bit of jumping from the train and had broken her ankle into 3 pieces. The imaginary warnings of Appa kept ringing inside my head. I tell you, when you left to fend for yourself also, parents' warnings and Dos and Donts don't leave you alone......gr.....! So there I was busy contemplating whether should I jump....well not technically jump, hop out of the train.....hehehe! But then I finally decided that instead of staying inside the train and rotting away the time, I might as well hop down and walk my way to the station. I positioned myself properly and was all geared upto get down, but my legs couldn't find the stairs and I chickened out. I was way too afraid tog et down. Also when you are scared of heights, it doesn't help matters. I stood there looking like a fool. Gradually the number of ladies began to dwindle which prompted me to think about it again. I decided that I would try for a second time. Again I chickened out. Feeling like an absolute loser, I came inside the train . I was all drenched with all my stupid histrionics. (How irritating. Got all drenched but still did not get down.) I enviously looked at the ladies who were all down and walking their way. Then I saw this 60-yr old lady getting down. That was it! Now my ego was hurt. I had to get down. I had a point to prove.....to myself. So I mustered all the courage and decided, ok....I am getting down. Suddenly one gujju lady who had got down, took the initiative of supervision of the remaining ladies' climbdown. My legs again started searching for the stairs and I again panicked. However, this lady grabbed my leg and placed it over the ladder. Thank god, bless her! Finally I got down and I walked up to my way to the station. I finished my work and then went to my relative's place who stayed closeby.
I should confess that this has been one of the most disastrous rains ever faced. It's the not the magnitude of the rains which is alarming, it is the way the infrastructure has literally crumbled is a cause of major worry. In my 20 years of my existence I have never seen the infrastructure crumble like this. Take the railways for example. The lifelines of Mumbai. Heavy rains are not unusual in Mumbai. Neither are the stalling of trains. However usually, the train services resume the next day after an event of a downpour. The torrential rains hit Mumbai on July 26th. The railways have not yet resumed their services properly and there exists only skeleton service for the time being. This is worrying because for the first time I am seeing the city being brought to a halt. No matter what, Mumbai has always bounced back, that's the unique feature of the city. However this time, I see schools, colleges closed. Many people have not been reporting for work. I am afraid that the undaunting spirit which Mumbai is known for has been hit badly. Not because that Mumbaiites have suddenly chickened out. It's because the infrastructure has just tumbled like a pack of cards.
It's the biggest irony that after raining COWS AND BUFFALOES AND HIPPOES, there is an alarming water shortage. I mean isn't it funny....it's the biggest joke. My house has not received water for the past4 days. We received water only today only for 10 minutes :| There are power cuts galore.
There is anger, there is frustration. The administration did not come and help anyone. The people helped each other and that is the real story of the disaster. The feel good factor of the tolerance of Mumbai shouldn't be taken for granted and I am afraid that's what has been happening now. If care is not taken to rectify the situation, I really don't know, it would escalate into something really disastrous.
I should confess that this has been one of the most disastrous rains ever faced. It's the not the magnitude of the rains which is alarming, it is the way the infrastructure has literally crumbled is a cause of major worry. In my 20 years of my existence I have never seen the infrastructure crumble like this. Take the railways for example. The lifelines of Mumbai. Heavy rains are not unusual in Mumbai. Neither are the stalling of trains. However usually, the train services resume the next day after an event of a downpour. The torrential rains hit Mumbai on July 26th. The railways have not yet resumed their services properly and there exists only skeleton service for the time being. This is worrying because for the first time I am seeing the city being brought to a halt. No matter what, Mumbai has always bounced back, that's the unique feature of the city. However this time, I see schools, colleges closed. Many people have not been reporting for work. I am afraid that the undaunting spirit which Mumbai is known for has been hit badly. Not because that Mumbaiites have suddenly chickened out. It's because the infrastructure has just tumbled like a pack of cards.
It's the biggest irony that after raining COWS AND BUFFALOES AND HIPPOES, there is an alarming water shortage. I mean isn't it funny....it's the biggest joke. My house has not received water for the past4 days. We received water only today only for 10 minutes :| There are power cuts galore.
There is anger, there is frustration. The administration did not come and help anyone. The people helped each other and that is the real story of the disaster. The feel good factor of the tolerance of Mumbai shouldn't be taken for granted and I am afraid that's what has been happening now. If care is not taken to rectify the situation, I really don't know, it would escalate into something really disastrous.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Sweetmeet
Aaaah, that's my pathetic attempt to con a word. But well, what the hell. Hello people...How have you all been doing? Life's become hectic for me but well, I met Ridhish and Bhai the other day :D
Ridhish and me started blogging about the same time. We both have known each other for the past 2 years. So I was all excited and looked forward to meeting him. When I started blogging, we belonged to a small coterie of bloggers (aint that a nice collective noun?) who had all started blogging round the same time. Me, Vidya, Ashwin, Ridhish (dumbo, doesn't blog anymore..grrr), Shonu etc. etc. Infact it quite funny. I got acquainted to Mumbai bloggers only after I started visiting Ridhish and Vidya's blogs. And they both reside in Australia. So well, to cut the story short, we both go a long way Also Ridhish is the one who is responsible for the template that I have currently, he designed it for me :D
Pranshu....It was so much fun meeting him too :D An absolute sweetheart :D So, myself, Ridhish, Bhai and BBC decided to meet up and what a meet up it was! As usual, I started my budbud......but I had someone here who just about overtook me as far my chatterbox skills are concerned. Ridhish, I bow to thee....Kitna bolta hain yaar....Hahahahaha! As we both competed as to who spoke the maximum, Poor Bhai and BBC were left with no chance but to keep mum :p But well, this just happened only for 15-20 minutes :p Bhai gave a polite excuse of a sore throat for not talking, but well, we know it better, don't we, Ridhish? ;) hehehhee!
It was just meeting old pals and catching up! I had great fun. Of course, we spoke endlessly...had pav bhaji, coffee, Mayonnaise roll outside my college......Boy, it was one fun day :D You will find masaledar spicy gossip added versions of blogmeet at Bhai and Ridhish's blog (he promised me that he will blog) Don't believe it I say..:p Also, thank you for the books Bhai :D You da best >:D
Ridhish and me started blogging about the same time. We both have known each other for the past 2 years. So I was all excited and looked forward to meeting him. When I started blogging, we belonged to a small coterie of bloggers (aint that a nice collective noun?) who had all started blogging round the same time. Me, Vidya, Ashwin, Ridhish (dumbo, doesn't blog anymore..grrr), Shonu etc. etc. Infact it quite funny. I got acquainted to Mumbai bloggers only after I started visiting Ridhish and Vidya's blogs. And they both reside in Australia. So well, to cut the story short, we both go a long way Also Ridhish is the one who is responsible for the template that I have currently, he designed it for me :D
Pranshu....It was so much fun meeting him too :D An absolute sweetheart :D So, myself, Ridhish, Bhai and BBC decided to meet up and what a meet up it was! As usual, I started my budbud......but I had someone here who just about overtook me as far my chatterbox skills are concerned. Ridhish, I bow to thee....Kitna bolta hain yaar....Hahahahaha! As we both competed as to who spoke the maximum, Poor Bhai and BBC were left with no chance but to keep mum :p But well, this just happened only for 15-20 minutes :p Bhai gave a polite excuse of a sore throat for not talking, but well, we know it better, don't we, Ridhish? ;) hehehhee!
It was just meeting old pals and catching up! I had great fun. Of course, we spoke endlessly...had pav bhaji, coffee, Mayonnaise roll outside my college......Boy, it was one fun day :D You will find masaledar spicy gossip added versions of blogmeet at Bhai and Ridhish's blog (he promised me that he will blog) Don't believe it I say..:p Also, thank you for the books Bhai :D You da best >:D
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Reporter's diary--Part 2
Hmm...So I finally reached the area where the actual family stayed. This family stays in one of the numerous slums Mumbai has. I was directed by a small girl to the house of that family. I am really amazed as to how these people live. It was like a bhool-bhullaiya, by the time I reached the family's house, I was completely lost. I mean the distance between two houses is so small that I can't walk properly...it's like I am walking on a narrow bridge and if someone comes opposite to me, then we both are stranded. I don't know if I am describing the whole scene properly...But well, that's another post altogether. (I really wanna visit the slums of Dharavi, I am wondering when would the visit happen...hmmm) Ok, I went to the house and inside there were two ladies sitting. I thought they were Rajasthanis. Well, when I introduced myself, I could actually see them tremble. I was shocked to see that. I wasn't intimidating, I didn't speak anything wrong. But well, I was prepared for a negative reaction, so did not really mull over it. I tried convincing them once but well, I came out on the main road. I was talking to the little girl when the little girl suggested to me that she will take me to the family's friends' houses. I agreed. I went to another family's house. I began just talking to them about idhar-udhar ki baatein and then broached about the family's topic. Suddenly they started talking in hushed tones. The interaction went something like this....
Family Member (FM): That guy died of AIDs na?
Me: Umm...welll.....ummm........errr... (I wasn't sure whether to open my mouth here) How did you arrive at this decision?
FM: Arrey, it came in the newspaper...
Me: WHAT? (absolutely shocked)
Well, newspapers normally never mention the names, addreses or anything related to the victim. So I was shocked to know how they came to know about it?
FM: Arrey, it came in the XYZ Marathi paper. His name also was mentioned. That's how we all know.
Me: WTF! Do you have the copy of the paper.
FM: Oh yea....here it is..(he removed the paper out of his pant pocket and showed it to me)
I stood staring at the paper, completely shocked beyond my wits. The reporter had not only mentioned the victim's name, he had also mentioned his address. SICKOS! Now I knew why the family trembled. I can visualise how people around them would have subjected them to thousands of questions, simply cause AIDS is such a taboo topic. I shudder to think what the family must be going through. The lady has 3 kids. The kids will surely be mocked at. DAMN!
I kept telling myself...ETHICS OF JOURNALISM.....whr did it go? all for a toss.... Now the entire galli, mohalla knew about the incident. Ironically I felt really powerful that day. But you know, alongwith power comes responsibility. I think many journos forget that. The kind of effect media has on people, is amazing. A small report in 4th page could bring about such a huge difference....This incident was an eye-opener for me as a journalist. I think i would take extra pains now to see if I am not hurting people's sentiments. I know I have to be more aware now.
Family Member (FM): That guy died of AIDs na?
Me: Umm...welll.....ummm........errr... (I wasn't sure whether to open my mouth here) How did you arrive at this decision?
FM: Arrey, it came in the newspaper...
Me: WHAT? (absolutely shocked)
Well, newspapers normally never mention the names, addreses or anything related to the victim. So I was shocked to know how they came to know about it?
FM: Arrey, it came in the XYZ Marathi paper. His name also was mentioned. That's how we all know.
Me: WTF! Do you have the copy of the paper.
FM: Oh yea....here it is..(he removed the paper out of his pant pocket and showed it to me)
I stood staring at the paper, completely shocked beyond my wits. The reporter had not only mentioned the victim's name, he had also mentioned his address. SICKOS! Now I knew why the family trembled. I can visualise how people around them would have subjected them to thousands of questions, simply cause AIDS is such a taboo topic. I shudder to think what the family must be going through. The lady has 3 kids. The kids will surely be mocked at. DAMN!
I kept telling myself...ETHICS OF JOURNALISM.....whr did it go? all for a toss.... Now the entire galli, mohalla knew about the incident. Ironically I felt really powerful that day. But you know, alongwith power comes responsibility. I think many journos forget that. The kind of effect media has on people, is amazing. A small report in 4th page could bring about such a huge difference....This incident was an eye-opener for me as a journalist. I think i would take extra pains now to see if I am not hurting people's sentiments. I know I have to be more aware now.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Reporter's diary
Reporting is a fun job though I repeat again that it could be very tiring. Travelling from anywhere to anywhere in Mumbai is so tiresome and takes a minimum of an hour. That can be pissing off but well, all part and parcel of the job. Reporting gives me a chance to meet new and very interesting people. In this one month, I have learnt lot of things. I have some amusing experiences to share with you.
However recently, there was a suicide case in JJ hospital. The person had AIDS and he committed suicide jumping from the third floor of the hospital. To know more read..
I was asked by my editor to hunt down the family of the suicide victim and do a human-interest story on them. I immediately agreed. I had to first trace the address of the family. Now I called up the police to find out the address. Hmmm..After few attempts I finally got hold of the police-in-charge who gave me the required address. Surprisingly the place turned out to be somewhere close to the area I stay.
The person who died was Abhimanyu Rane and I had to meet his wife, Naina Abhimanyu Rane. The next day I left home early and went about hunting for that place. I realised it was not all that close either, but it was ok. In process I reached a slum area. I began hunting for Abhimanyu Rane. Now it was really odd that people couldn’t really figure out whom I was searching for. Normally when you go to slums, everyone knows everyone. I felt really odd. Nevertheless I kept asking around. Finally I landed up at the Rane residence. The people who were giving me directions kept asking me what work I have with them. Damn, some people, they have so many questions to ask! It was raining cats and dogs. I felt very weird. How to approach them in a moment of grief like this? One of the disadvantages of my profession is that it can land you in the most awkward situation possible. Also, I was doing something like this for the first time. I was supposed to sensitive too. I was just tongue tied and I can tell you it not the best situation to be in after you have landed up at the your subject’s house and knocked the door too. I knocked and man in his early thirties answered the door. (All the conversation that ensued happened in Marathi. I am speaking sexy Marathi now, I am proud of myself, Yayyy!)
He : Whom do you want.
Me: I wanted to meet Naina Abhimanyu Rane.
He: Oh, she is my brother-in-law’s wife. What work you have with her?
Me: (In a fix. How to tell him, that I wanted to meet her coz I want to talk about her hubby who died committing suicide coz of AIDS ) Well, I had some work with her (All I could mumble)
He: But she doesn’t stay here.
Me: Oh Damn… (I didn’t want to delay my article.) Where does she stay then?
He: Don’t worry, she stays nearby only. I will take you there.
Me: Oh, ok, great.
He: But she’s gone for work.
Me: Eh, work? (Goodness, her hubby died and she’s gone for work?) Where does she work?
He: She works in J J, she’s an attendant there.
Me: Eh? (An attendant in the same hospital where her hubby committed suicide? Oh my! this is amusing. ) Oh well….when will she be back from work?
He: She will come a bit late. In the evening only.
Me: Oh damn! (and I was there by noon. It would be late)
He: By the way what work you have?
Me: I wanted some information.
He: what you want, I know everything about her. I will give all the information.
Me: Well..err….I am from the press. I wanted to meet for some information.
He: Oh, press….hmmm
(He suddenly goes in to show photographs)
He: This is Naina. (Her marriage photos they were.) This is her husband. They used to stay here before. But she shifted to another place two years back. She used to stay here only.
Me: But the information I got was to meet her on this address.
He: Ohh…she stays at a different place now.
Me: Where’s her husband?
He: Well, he expired.
Me: Oh…how come?
He: HIV (in hushed tones)
Me: (All surprised. This chap doesn’t have any qualms admitting it. WOW) Ohh…sad.
He: Yea and Naina did not even marry you know.
Me: Does Naina have AIDS?
He: No. I did a proper check up. Neither does she nor does her son who is 6 years old.
Me: Oh, great. (Just for clarification) When did he die?
He: Some 4 years ago.
Me: WHAT? 4 YEARS?
He: yea…
Me: Did he not die some 4-5 days back by committing suicide?
He: No, he died a natural death and he dies four years ago.
Me: But how can it be possible? There was a suicide few days ago in JJ of a patient who had AIDS. Isn’t he the same? Isn’t he Abhimanyu Rane?
He: Arrey, But he died four years ago and He did not commit suicide.
Me: Oh Damn
He: You don’t trust me? Ask my neighbour.
(Neighbour nods in assent)
Me: (Shit shit shit) Sorry, Sorry I wasted you time. I seem to have got wrong information. (Freaking stupid arsehole police.)
He: (laughing) Arrey na, no problem.
Me: Thank you haan, bye!
Now I know how she can go to work inspite of her husband’s death. Well, he died 4 years back, she can’t be mourning for four years na. I was all confused. Why did the police give my wrong address? Damn it. I felt so stupid. Then the first thing I did was to go to JJ Marg police station. I went there and asked the police who made me wait for almost an hour. Finally when they gave me the address, I realised I had a different address. I was so angry. I told them that I was given the wrong address. But well, they were too busy to even pay any heed. I think the attendant’s address was used to accept the body for some official purpose. I am not all that sure. It still remains a mystery to me as to why that Naina’s name was present.
(GOLDEN LESSON LEARNT: GET YOUR DETAILS DIRECTLY. NEVER BY PHONE)
Lesson number 2: You still won’t ever get your details properly. I had to again call up at 12 in the NIGHT to get the proper details because the concerned officer was available only in the night shift. Bloody….grrrr……^%$%^$%$^%
Finally I got the correct address only when the clock struck 12 night, the next day. WEIRD!! WEIRD!!!
Just imagine if the family didn’t have any death due to AIDS, I WOULD HAVE BEEN STONED TO DEATH…. HOLY CRAP! Shesssh…..God saved my life, atleast there was a death due to AIDS. (I can’t believe I am saying this) Nahi toh, I would have been dead by now. I can visualise people running behind me throwing stones and trust me it’s not a happy sight. K
I finally tracked the REAL family Well, that’s another story.
to be continued...
However recently, there was a suicide case in JJ hospital. The person had AIDS and he committed suicide jumping from the third floor of the hospital. To know more read..
I was asked by my editor to hunt down the family of the suicide victim and do a human-interest story on them. I immediately agreed. I had to first trace the address of the family. Now I called up the police to find out the address. Hmmm..After few attempts I finally got hold of the police-in-charge who gave me the required address. Surprisingly the place turned out to be somewhere close to the area I stay.
The person who died was Abhimanyu Rane and I had to meet his wife, Naina Abhimanyu Rane. The next day I left home early and went about hunting for that place. I realised it was not all that close either, but it was ok. In process I reached a slum area. I began hunting for Abhimanyu Rane. Now it was really odd that people couldn’t really figure out whom I was searching for. Normally when you go to slums, everyone knows everyone. I felt really odd. Nevertheless I kept asking around. Finally I landed up at the Rane residence. The people who were giving me directions kept asking me what work I have with them. Damn, some people, they have so many questions to ask! It was raining cats and dogs. I felt very weird. How to approach them in a moment of grief like this? One of the disadvantages of my profession is that it can land you in the most awkward situation possible. Also, I was doing something like this for the first time. I was supposed to sensitive too. I was just tongue tied and I can tell you it not the best situation to be in after you have landed up at the your subject’s house and knocked the door too. I knocked and man in his early thirties answered the door. (All the conversation that ensued happened in Marathi. I am speaking sexy Marathi now, I am proud of myself, Yayyy!)
He : Whom do you want.
Me: I wanted to meet Naina Abhimanyu Rane.
He: Oh, she is my brother-in-law’s wife. What work you have with her?
Me: (In a fix. How to tell him, that I wanted to meet her coz I want to talk about her hubby who died committing suicide coz of AIDS ) Well, I had some work with her (All I could mumble)
He: But she doesn’t stay here.
Me: Oh Damn… (I didn’t want to delay my article.) Where does she stay then?
He: Don’t worry, she stays nearby only. I will take you there.
Me: Oh, ok, great.
He: But she’s gone for work.
Me: Eh, work? (Goodness, her hubby died and she’s gone for work?) Where does she work?
He: She works in J J, she’s an attendant there.
Me: Eh? (An attendant in the same hospital where her hubby committed suicide? Oh my! this is amusing. ) Oh well….when will she be back from work?
He: She will come a bit late. In the evening only.
Me: Oh damn! (and I was there by noon. It would be late)
He: By the way what work you have?
Me: I wanted some information.
He: what you want, I know everything about her. I will give all the information.
Me: Well..err….I am from the press. I wanted to meet for some information.
He: Oh, press….hmmm
(He suddenly goes in to show photographs)
He: This is Naina. (Her marriage photos they were.) This is her husband. They used to stay here before. But she shifted to another place two years back. She used to stay here only.
Me: But the information I got was to meet her on this address.
He: Ohh…she stays at a different place now.
Me: Where’s her husband?
He: Well, he expired.
Me: Oh…how come?
He: HIV (in hushed tones)
Me: (All surprised. This chap doesn’t have any qualms admitting it. WOW) Ohh…sad.
He: Yea and Naina did not even marry you know.
Me: Does Naina have AIDS?
He: No. I did a proper check up. Neither does she nor does her son who is 6 years old.
Me: Oh, great. (Just for clarification) When did he die?
He: Some 4 years ago.
Me: WHAT? 4 YEARS?
He: yea…
Me: Did he not die some 4-5 days back by committing suicide?
He: No, he died a natural death and he dies four years ago.
Me: But how can it be possible? There was a suicide few days ago in JJ of a patient who had AIDS. Isn’t he the same? Isn’t he Abhimanyu Rane?
He: Arrey, But he died four years ago and He did not commit suicide.
Me: Oh Damn
He: You don’t trust me? Ask my neighbour.
(Neighbour nods in assent)
Me: (Shit shit shit) Sorry, Sorry I wasted you time. I seem to have got wrong information. (Freaking stupid arsehole police.)
He: (laughing) Arrey na, no problem.
Me: Thank you haan, bye!
Now I know how she can go to work inspite of her husband’s death. Well, he died 4 years back, she can’t be mourning for four years na. I was all confused. Why did the police give my wrong address? Damn it. I felt so stupid. Then the first thing I did was to go to JJ Marg police station. I went there and asked the police who made me wait for almost an hour. Finally when they gave me the address, I realised I had a different address. I was so angry. I told them that I was given the wrong address. But well, they were too busy to even pay any heed. I think the attendant’s address was used to accept the body for some official purpose. I am not all that sure. It still remains a mystery to me as to why that Naina’s name was present.
(GOLDEN LESSON LEARNT: GET YOUR DETAILS DIRECTLY. NEVER BY PHONE)
Lesson number 2: You still won’t ever get your details properly. I had to again call up at 12 in the NIGHT to get the proper details because the concerned officer was available only in the night shift. Bloody….grrrr……^%$%^$%$^%
Finally I got the correct address only when the clock struck 12 night, the next day. WEIRD!! WEIRD!!!
Just imagine if the family didn’t have any death due to AIDS, I WOULD HAVE BEEN STONED TO DEATH…. HOLY CRAP! Shesssh…..God saved my life, atleast there was a death due to AIDS. (I can’t believe I am saying this) Nahi toh, I would have been dead by now. I can visualise people running behind me throwing stones and trust me it’s not a happy sight. K
I finally tracked the REAL family Well, that’s another story.
to be continued...
*Important Disclaimer*: Names, locations used above are changed.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
2nd B'day, Mumbai bloggers meet and a Big Hello!
OMIGOD, I just realised that it's been exactly two years since I started blogging. Whoa Baby.......Happy birthday to my blog :D Thank you to all for frequenting it. It's been a pleasurable journey to say the least :)

Oh no, This ain't my last post and I am not thinking of quitting blogging so soon. This is a hobby I aim to continue as long as I can. I just want to thank all my friends and the silent readers (am sure there would be some) for reading my blog inspite of the fact it is so miserably updated! Also Happy b'day Alkoo dear!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ok, back to posting! Helloooooooooo everybody. Yea...I am alive, very much alive! Just way tooooooo busy to even think about blogging. It's a weird feeling now that I am blogging. I dunno, but it feels like the time I posted for the first time. hehee! Don't ask me why...probably, I haven't blogged for a looooooooooong time! My visit to Tsunami affected villages was super awesome! I eman, I couldn't have had a better time. I learnt so much and I had infinite amounts of fun. More details about that later, sure sure! I don't know where to start. So much is happening currently that I seriously don't have the time to sit aaraamse and think.
WHOA! For starters.....I WORE LENS :D Yayyy!!!! I feel so liberated....ehhehee! All thsoe people who have met me and have known me also know that I wear specs and that we both are inseperable. But now....yayyy! I have started wearing contact lens. I wore it for the first time yesterday. Well, technically not for the first time, I have worn it before also. I was in my final year that time. But I got disillusioned in first 2-3 days. So i stopped wearing it. This time, its for keeps. The doc is damn cool, she taught me a supakk technique of putting the lens and I am not bored also. Lets see, how long my sluggishness allows me to continue with my lens habit. But for now...I am happy..yayy! But this is no tata bye bye to my specs, coz I am way too dependent on it. Hehee! But I tell you, the feeling of liberation is something. I COULD SEE EVERYTHING CLEARLY WITHOUT ANY EXTERNAL HELP.....WHICH IS MY SPECTACLES! WHOA BABY! I had reached the point where my specs had become a part of my anatomy. Sometimes I feel a little handicapped. It's weird. I am sure all the people who wear specs would perfectly understand with what I say. hehehe! YAYYY!!!!
Also, I am a working woman now! :D :D My life has taken a 360 degree turn. I mean life's become very busy. Suddenly I feel more responsible. I mean it has an affect on every single thing in your life. Hmmm....To be a journalist has been my high school dream. To see it getting fulfilled now is a different feeling. I sometimes think I am very lucky and that god's been overtly kind to me. Not many are fortunate enough to do what they have always wanted to do. Thank you god, I love you *muah*
Ok....I have been asked to do publicity of Mumbai blog meet which would be happening next saturday i.e. 25th of June! So ladies and gentlemen.....*drumrolls please*
I would be there, most probably (95%). Please all the Mumbaikars and non-mumbaikars, if you are in Mumbai on 25th, please do come. It would nice meeting you all. I hope to see you guys there! Do come :D For more details go to here
Ok...its meme time! So Lakku, Gundu, Ashwin and all have tagged me! Ok, So here's the meme.....
THREE NAMES YOU GO BY:
- Shobha
- Shobhu (my dad calls me and I don't like it if someone else calls me by that name, i dunno, its weird, but that's the way it is)
- Amma :| (It's cute haan but >:D< buhahas)
THREE SCREEN NAMES YOU HAVE HAD:
- Shobha
- Majja ni life che........ehehheheee.....I dunno, I was in a supakk mood and I had kept this id!
- simplyshobha
THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
- Eyes.....I have got huge humungous eyes, they are thoda droopy, one classmate had once asked me if I am on dope coz my eyes apparently looked like that :| I dinno how to react. But nevertheless I love the same.......My eyes they are :p
- My smile....:)
- My wavy hair
THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU DON'T LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
- My height...ama shortie
- Myopia...am with reiya here!
- I dunno wot else....I am happy with the way I am
THREE PARTS OF YOUR HERITAGE:
- Procrastination, Impatience and I can go on and on...
- I am sincere...I make a good friend :p
- I am a chatterbox but there are times when I can be really quiet! People don't believe this but I can be incredibly quiet at times!
THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:
- Cockroaches :|
- Loneliness
- Heights
THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS: (This is a weird section to write about coz there aren't many everyday interesting mandatory things I do apart from the usual mundane things. But still after wracking my brains I came up with this.)
- I have to read Indian Express
- One glass moru i.e. buttermilk :D
- checking mails...
THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW:
- A big, huge T-shirt
- A watch
- Specs :p
THREE THINGS YOU WANT IN A RELATIONSHIP:
- Loads of wonderful conversations :D, thodusa arguments n fights too, nahi toh wot fun!
- Trust and Honesty
- Loads of laugh and fun :D
TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE (in no particular order):
- I am extremely uncomfortable while lying....I just can't lie!
- I hate ice creams
- I can't live without my curds rice!
THREE PHYSICAL THINGS ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX THAT APPEAL TO YOU:
- Intelligence.....that's a major turn on.....can't handle dumbos :|
- A Good Sense of Humour (I dunno if both the above things can qualify in "physical things")
- A good height..tall men are such a turn on!
THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO REALLY BADLY RIGHT NOW:
- Watch Bunty aur babli and Parineeta
- Go out shopping for clothes, sketchers and all that blah!
- Go back to Pondy.......I am in love with that place :D
THREE CAREERS YOU'RE CONSIDERING: considering? ummm....apart from journalism i wouldn't mind being the following!
- Social Worker, I really wanna do an MSW i.e. Masters in Social Work!
- Teacher
- Vada Pav stall owner :D
THREE PLACES YOU WANT TO GO ON VACATION:
- Sikkim and poora north east
- Venice....My dream place...I don't know, whenever i see pics of venice, I feel home or I just get the feeling that I have been there before.Weird!
- Kerala
THREE KIDS NAMES YOU LIKE:
Ananya, Aditi, Arjun, Kabir, Tara
( I like so many names...not fair to ask only 3)
THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:
- Travel Rural India on a shoe string budget :D So cool it would be!
- Trek in Himalayas........Please if anybody has plans, please do tell me!
- Secret wish to write a book :D
THREE (I want more people) PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO TAKE THIS QUIZ NOW:
Dayan, ANDA-man, Vidya, Kishore, and I might just add to the list........so keep watching this space!
HAPPY BLOGGIE B'DAY
Oh no, This ain't my last post and I am not thinking of quitting blogging so soon. This is a hobby I aim to continue as long as I can. I just want to thank all my friends and the silent readers (am sure there would be some) for reading my blog inspite of the fact it is so miserably updated! Also Happy b'day Alkoo dear!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ok, back to posting! Helloooooooooo everybody. Yea...I am alive, very much alive! Just way tooooooo busy to even think about blogging. It's a weird feeling now that I am blogging. I dunno, but it feels like the time I posted for the first time. hehee! Don't ask me why...probably, I haven't blogged for a looooooooooong time! My visit to Tsunami affected villages was super awesome! I eman, I couldn't have had a better time. I learnt so much and I had infinite amounts of fun. More details about that later, sure sure! I don't know where to start. So much is happening currently that I seriously don't have the time to sit aaraamse and think.
WHOA! For starters.....I WORE LENS :D Yayyy!!!! I feel so liberated....ehhehee! All thsoe people who have met me and have known me also know that I wear specs and that we both are inseperable. But now....yayyy! I have started wearing contact lens. I wore it for the first time yesterday. Well, technically not for the first time, I have worn it before also. I was in my final year that time. But I got disillusioned in first 2-3 days. So i stopped wearing it. This time, its for keeps. The doc is damn cool, she taught me a supakk technique of putting the lens and I am not bored also. Lets see, how long my sluggishness allows me to continue with my lens habit. But for now...I am happy..yayy! But this is no tata bye bye to my specs, coz I am way too dependent on it. Hehee! But I tell you, the feeling of liberation is something. I COULD SEE EVERYTHING CLEARLY WITHOUT ANY EXTERNAL HELP.....WHICH IS MY SPECTACLES! WHOA BABY! I had reached the point where my specs had become a part of my anatomy. Sometimes I feel a little handicapped. It's weird. I am sure all the people who wear specs would perfectly understand with what I say. hehehe! YAYYY!!!!
Also, I am a working woman now! :D :D My life has taken a 360 degree turn. I mean life's become very busy. Suddenly I feel more responsible. I mean it has an affect on every single thing in your life. Hmmm....To be a journalist has been my high school dream. To see it getting fulfilled now is a different feeling. I sometimes think I am very lucky and that god's been overtly kind to me. Not many are fortunate enough to do what they have always wanted to do. Thank you god, I love you *muah*
Ok....I have been asked to do publicity of Mumbai blog meet which would be happening next saturday i.e. 25th of June! So ladies and gentlemen.....*drumrolls please*
Here's presenting...
Mumbai Bloggers meet on 25th June, 2005 @ (cafe coffee day or Barista)Bandstand, Bandra!
I would be there, most probably (95%). Please all the Mumbaikars and non-mumbaikars, if you are in Mumbai on 25th, please do come. It would nice meeting you all. I hope to see you guys there! Do come :D For more details go to here
Ok...its meme time! So Lakku, Gundu, Ashwin and all have tagged me! Ok, So here's the meme.....
THREE NAMES YOU GO BY:
- Shobha
- Shobhu (my dad calls me and I don't like it if someone else calls me by that name, i dunno, its weird, but that's the way it is)
- Amma :| (It's cute haan but >:D< buhahas)
THREE SCREEN NAMES YOU HAVE HAD:
- Shobha
- Majja ni life che........ehehheheee.....I dunno, I was in a supakk mood and I had kept this id!
- simplyshobha
THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
- Eyes.....I have got huge humungous eyes, they are thoda droopy, one classmate had once asked me if I am on dope coz my eyes apparently looked like that :| I dinno how to react. But nevertheless I love the same.......My eyes they are :p
- My smile....:)
- My wavy hair
THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU DON'T LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
- My height...ama shortie
- Myopia...am with reiya here!
- I dunno wot else....I am happy with the way I am
THREE PARTS OF YOUR HERITAGE:
- Procrastination, Impatience and I can go on and on...
- I am sincere...I make a good friend :p
- I am a chatterbox but there are times when I can be really quiet! People don't believe this but I can be incredibly quiet at times!
THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:
- Cockroaches :|
- Loneliness
- Heights
THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS: (This is a weird section to write about coz there aren't many everyday interesting mandatory things I do apart from the usual mundane things. But still after wracking my brains I came up with this.)
- I have to read Indian Express
- One glass moru i.e. buttermilk :D
- checking mails...
THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW:
- A big, huge T-shirt
- A watch
- Specs :p
THREE THINGS YOU WANT IN A RELATIONSHIP:
- Loads of wonderful conversations :D, thodusa arguments n fights too, nahi toh wot fun!
- Trust and Honesty
- Loads of laugh and fun :D
TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE (in no particular order):
- I am extremely uncomfortable while lying....I just can't lie!
- I hate ice creams
- I can't live without my curds rice!
THREE PHYSICAL THINGS ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX THAT APPEAL TO YOU:
- Intelligence.....that's a major turn on.....can't handle dumbos :|
- A Good Sense of Humour (I dunno if both the above things can qualify in "physical things")
- A good height..tall men are such a turn on!
THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO REALLY BADLY RIGHT NOW:
- Watch Bunty aur babli and Parineeta
- Go out shopping for clothes, sketchers and all that blah!
- Go back to Pondy.......I am in love with that place :D
THREE CAREERS YOU'RE CONSIDERING: considering? ummm....apart from journalism i wouldn't mind being the following!
- Social Worker, I really wanna do an MSW i.e. Masters in Social Work!
- Teacher
- Vada Pav stall owner :D
THREE PLACES YOU WANT TO GO ON VACATION:
- Sikkim and poora north east
- Venice....My dream place...I don't know, whenever i see pics of venice, I feel home or I just get the feeling that I have been there before.Weird!
- Kerala
THREE KIDS NAMES YOU LIKE:
Ananya, Aditi, Arjun, Kabir, Tara
( I like so many names...not fair to ask only 3)
THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:
- Travel Rural India on a shoe string budget :D So cool it would be!
- Trek in Himalayas........Please if anybody has plans, please do tell me!
- Secret wish to write a book :D
Dayan, ANDA-man, Vidya, Kishore, and I might just add to the list........so keep watching this space!
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