Sunday, April 27, 2014

Sudden Tryst with Aam Aadmi Corruption

Surprised by the title? I was surprised, rather shocked, too when I saw it.

Whenever we talk about corruption, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Government. Ministers.  Government  Officials. Media.  I agree too, but in all that blame game we forget to include ourselves. Yes, the very own Aam Aadmi. Media always depicts us, the common man, as the great sufferer of all the ill deeds of the people-in-power, always at the receiving end, the downtrodden. But that’s not always true, as I witnessed myself today. Let me put the picture into place.

So, today I went to the zonal Delhi Traffic department to get myself a learner’s license. My over-enthusiastic Dad had already made me fill in the application form 2 weeks back, in fact made me visit the office twice only to find it closed due to the extravaganza called Lok Sabha Elections. But today, luckily everyone was on duty. But the whole crowd was not. Almost everyone wanted to cut the line, get in front by asking for separate lines in name of senior citizens or ladies when there was actually no need, parents bribing clerks to get their kid’s written test cleared. And we happily let it happen, thinking that’s way the things happen here. And we don’t feel the pinch until and unless it happens to us directly. Just like me. It was only when I saw the gal who was standing behind me in the queue on the Counter#1, pretty much clueless of how to fill the form, asked me to fill her form, and actually got her license much before me. And that’s because her dad decided to bribe the clerk and save time. The whole process became infected because of that one person. Not that he was the only one. Not that this was the first bribe. But, to think of it, things must have started somewhere.

We always crib about larger than life problems like inflation, recession, rising fiscal deficits conveniently attributing it to inefficient governments, corrupt ministers and flawed policies of the bureaucrats. What we forget, is that we are somewhere behind it, may be operating at a minuscule level, but still there, fueling the vicious circle.

Trying to cut a long queue short, getting license without a test, bring back office stationary home for free, bribing to get off a challan, showing VIP cards to avoid paying toll tax. It has become such a routine for us, that we don’t even count this as corruption. Small, yet Deep. And even if some of us realize it, we don’t try to change because we see it happening everywhere, and the feeling of being left out cripples us. No one wants to be right at the cost of losing the game. Change seems distant to me, not unless we stop blaming and start mending!

Monday, March 31, 2014

Another Read, Another Review :)!

The Best Thing About You Is You!The Best Thing About You Is You! by Anupam Kher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

At first it seems like a run-of-the-mill self help books, but as you read along it seems to find a connect. The various examples and personal experiences shared by Mr. Kher makes it easy to reflect upon each of the words and understand the deeper meaning. One book that one needs to keep on the bedside table to refer every time one feels sad or unhappy. It promises to make you see things in brighter light and feel happy about your situation, your accomplishments , your failures and more than anything, about 'YOU'!


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Friday, March 28, 2014

Back after a long time- With a book Review.. A Newlywed’s Adventures in Married Land by Shweta Ganesh Kumar

A Newlywed’s Adventures in Married LandA Newlywed’s Adventures in Married Land by Shweta Ganesh Kumar
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

'A Newlywed’s Adventures in Married Land' is a very candid account of how Mythili's life takes a turn when she leaves her Journalism to move to a new country as a 'dependent' wife. The story walks you through her self-discovery while she juggles her insecurity of being an outsider and desperate attempts to fit in the new community. Interesting and captivating read. Loved the fluidity and simplicity.


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Thursday, March 8, 2012

International Women's Day!!

To all the Lovely ladies out there, Happy Women's Day!!:)

I know I know.. for some of you this is again a cliche just like our very own V-day, just a more sophisticated one. But, I see it more relevant these days more so in the Indian context. With the growing women professional work force and changing outlook of the society, the awareness about the female potential needs to reach out to masses in the very interiors of the nation.

Seeing my organization (basically a US firm) bringing its culture of promoting gender diversity at workplace to the Indian offices is really heartwarming. Talking about their efforts, we have well structured WIN (Women INitiative) program that not only helps women professionals to grow within the organisation   by balancing their personal and professional commitments but also projecting it as an initiative to foster cordial environment to foster workplace diversity.

But does it really bring a change here?Some time back I was reading an article about why  even after so many programmes , the representation of women at senior leadership is low worldwide. I know some back out or slow down due to personal life commitments. But even doing so has a reason behind it. Women as individuals are not very assertive about our abilities , our work, our knowledge, our skills at least not as much as our male counterparts.

We are mostly, the kind of staff that will do there work with perfection in a timely manner but will never brag or even talk about it . We prefer to remain modest, we are taught from kindergarten not to expect or claim rewards for what we do. Precisely that why we remain happy  with performing the job give to us with the best of our abilities. We leave it for the world to  discover and appreciate it.

But in this chaotic world, where everybody is trying to have his/her share of pie, things go unnoticed or even if noticed are not well rewarded. Not because they are not up to the mark, but they haven't heard about it much or marketed well!!

So, the need of the hour is to make the women folks feel more confident about themselves so that they can project themselves in a better way to the outer world. Celebrating IWD is one such way to bring forward the women professionals encouraging them to take charge of their lives and careers, putting up their best face to the world :)!!

And what best day to Celebrate Women's day with, Holi!! After all we add colour to this amazing world :)!!
Happy Holi everyone!! 

Friday, March 2, 2012

Book Review :- The Immortals of Meluha

So,here I am posting my first book review for Immortals of Meluha.
For the beginner's, This is the first book of the Shiva Trilogy by Amish Tripathi the other two being , "The Secret of Nagas" and "The Oath of the Vayuputras".
I am through with the first book and currently reading the second part .And I am already worried 'coz the third book might not come out before 2012 end. 
The book is basically based in 1900BC Indus Valley Civilization which the author chooses to call the state of Meluha. The people of Meluha have a very organised way of living governed by the Laws by Lord Ram. But this perfect empire of Suryavanshis with almost perfect style of living, plagued by the sins of past, is facing threat from terrorist attacks from their neighbouring empire of Chandravanshis. And then a Tibetan named Shiva, enters the state and suddenly everyone in Meluha starts seeing him as their saviour -"destroyer of the Evil" or the legend "Neelkanth". The book takes us through the journey Shiva embarks, led by his destiny to find the evil. 
The book is gripping precisely due to its fast paced  narration and a simple language. The portrayal of the mythological characters in such a humanistic way makes them so believable. Although, the book has been criticized for portraying gods using such language but I believe that is the best way to convey the message to the masses.
The video trailer for the book is equally interesting . 

I would recommend you to grab a copy soon :)!! Let me know your views here.

Monday, February 27, 2012

I Miss You...

I knew this would happen, but to this extent, I was not sure.

Life @Delhi  has become hectic. Travelling 2-3 hours daily  that too in public transport drains you completely on office days.And with B-school calls looming over my head, weekend pretty much evaporates in mock group discussions and interviews. The time that is left goes away in family interactions and household tasks.

Initially, I had thought that you might get lost in the nitty-gritty of the fast paced life here, the memories would slowly fade into the background, becoming less visible. But, somehow you still manage to find a place in my thoughts.And not just for a flash, but you trigger a series of memories one after the other making me miss you more and more.During the long daily travel, the quiet hours at office, during the silent walk to home, I remember the days I spent with you eating, drinking, laughing, roaming, dancing...its like a warm breeze caressing my soul. But when I realize you are nowhere near, the same breeze leaves me feeling cold. You make me realize the vacuum that was created when we parted ways.

It's not as if we have lost touch.Nor have you forgotten me, I am sure. But the fact that your life remains unaffected by my absence,makes my heart ache. It has not even been a complete month since I have been away. Somehow, you also haven't made an effort to make me feel home away from home.You didn't console me , you didn't bother me again and again to check on me, to make sure I wasn't feeling lonely.

May be I am exaggerating, may be its just the fact that my mind takes a lot of time to get attuned to the change, or may be its 'coz I am too insecure to lose you, your touch, your company, your essence in my life.You will never know how you changed my life.May be some day we will unite again.. adding new dimensions to our relation and new memories to cherish.. Till then I just want you to know that...
......


I Miss You.....

 Hyderabad!!!



Thursday, February 16, 2012

Thought of the Day

Pleasures of Staying at home #1

Whenever you are leaving, there are hands waving you goodbye. And the glint in their eyes  makes  you know that at the end of the day, they'll waiting for you to come back :)!!