For a change..

For a change, this post is in Tamil. Apologies if you can't read it.

ஆழ் கடல் சூழ்ந்த ஆளில்லா அக்னித் தீவு அது!

அமைதி வேண்டுமென்றேன் அன்று,
அது போதுமென்றேன் இன்று..

அன்னத்தை புறக்கணித்தேன் அன்று,
அது புறமுதுகு காட்டியது இன்று..

பாசத்தில் பற்றில்லை அன்று,
பற்றிக்கொள்ள ஏதுமில்லை இன்று..

இயற்கை சூழவேண்டுமேன்றேன் அங்கு,
சூழ்ந்தது போதுமென்றேன் இங்கு..

தனிமை இனிமை என்றேன் அன்று,
அது இனிக்காது என்வாழ்வில் இன்று..

--
எட்டிய தூரத்தில் படகெதுவும் தோன்றவில்லை..
அருகில் தோன்றிய வானமோ எட்டவில்லை..

புரியும் மொழி பேசிக்கழிக்க தோழன் இல்லை..
எதிரே நின்று பேசும் குயிலின் மொழி புரியவில்லை..

தாகம் தணிக்க தேடிய குடிநீர் கிடைக்கவில்லை..
தேடாமல் கிடைத்த கடல்நீர் தாகம் தணிக்கவில்லை..

சற்று நேரம் களைப்பாற ஒரு மர நிழலுமில்லை..
நித்தமும் எனைத் தொடரும் நிழலோ களைப்பாகவில்லை..

கண் மூடி எனை மறக்க நல்ல படுக்கை இல்லை..
கடல் படுக்கைக்கோ மூடிக்கொள்ள கண் இமையுமில்லை..

வேலை செய்து பிழைக்க வேண்டிய அவசியமில்லை..
அவசியமற்ற இப்பிழைப்புக்கோ இனி வேலைஇல்லை..

--
கண்ணை மூடினேன்
கடலில் மூழ்கினேன்
கழுத்தை நெறித்தேன்
கதிரவன் தோன்றினான்
காலை உதித்தது
கதவு திறந்தது
காற்று வந்தது
கனவு கலைந்தது!

Move on

Our house was sober on Saturday - It's the house of 3 die-hard fans of CSK. All were deeply disappointed with the dismal performance of CSK in IPL-2 semi-final.

I tried hard to convince myself saying that it's after all a game, winning & losing are all part of the game and that "the better playing team deserves to win", I just couldn't let it go. I'm sure every die-hard-fan of DD or CSK would have gone through the same. Eager and Enthusiasm to experience every CSK match... Wearing a not-so-sophisticatedly-designed / coloured jersey which when worn, made people in the roads give a weird look at you...  Yes, a month long dream and drama finally ends with disappointment. Not just that - you lose the chance to play in Champions League. You had such a great batting-line-up, you topped in the league table and finally end up nowhere - that's what was frustrating.

Saturday night. As they call it, I told myself "Let me take a step back" - I realized there is a strong correlation between my Happiness Index and the performance of India Cricket team and off late, CSK. Why so? Why so much attachment to a cricket team? Why not such an attachment to let's say MI or RCB teams (I love these cities as well). So, it's not a phenomenon of city. Nor is it completely cricket. All that were needed were inclusion of some players I admire in the team, the team winning some (if not all) matches and some free time to watch and think about the matches.

It become clear that there is no clear-cut-rational why people follow some team over the other. Most people follow some team and keep following it for no reason. People shift their loyalty based on the winning teams. There are people who support teams just to frustrate their friends.  But "attachment" is the stronger and evil cousin of "supporting". It makes you feel the extremes - be it happiness or dejection.

The next day. People at home forgot that CSK lost - life looked normal - Everyone got busy in lazying around. Friend commented "there are bigger problems to face in life". Comes the bliss part of attachment - Unlike commitment, every attachment will eventually get over. Some of them after a day's dream. Others after few weeks or years. Yes, eventually, we all "move on" in life. 

Dear Dr. Manmohan Singh,

Dear Dr. Manmohan Singh,

You along with your UPA colleagues have made people laugh at the predictions of experts such as Swaminathan Aiyar, N.Ram, Cho Ramaswamy and the 'never-accurate' exit polls. It's clear that people have voted for your capability, integrity (though both questionable at lower levels) and stability. Yes, you had the lady luck on your side. Nevertheless a "thumbs-up" victory and my hearty congratulations for the same. Here is a set of requests from yet-another Hindustani:

The Basics:

• Right people for your ministries: Getting this right is more than half job done. Remember what happened to the National security with Ex-Home Min Mr.SP. Please don't compromise on the quality of the ministers based on pressure from allies or oldies playing the "loyalty" card. Please give priority to Clean and Capable people. I really liked the idea suggested by Director Shankar in movie Mudhalvan (Nayak in Hindi) to have 2 ministers for every department - an enthusiastic youth accompanied by a wise experienced. Please look at its feasibility. This election saw a never-before emphasis on youth both from electing and elected.
• Play long term: Hopefully you don't have the headache of constant black-mail from your allies. So, please don't resort to populist initiatives. Rather go with what's good for the country in long term. You have good full 5 years to play full on.
• The crucial 100-day plan: By "play long term", I didn't mean relax and let things happen at its own pace. Be it a new born baby or a beleaguered economy or a bankrupt organization,  the first 100 days are crucial and set the stage for the future progress. I request you and your colleagues to not get complacent over the victory and ignore these initial days.

The "3-E"s:

1. Education: Things have changed quite a bit since the years of Lord Macaulay. Though our overall literacy rates are still low, we have moved from the stages of simple "increase literacy rate". India needs to have its focus shifted towards "Quality Education". A complete reformation, transformation and a transmutation at a war-like speed is required. Please don't just rely on panels which does an exhaustive analysis and stops there. A collaborative result oriented action required. Think of Public-private partnership. Encourage better coordination between central and state governments. Develop new programs for personalities and corporate to adopt schools.
2. Economic Development: Whatever bad is said and written about Mr. Modi, he should be acknowledged for bringing Gujarat its vibrancy (or at least the image which would help in economic development). If Modi can do it to Gujarat, why can't Mr. Manmohan do it to the entire nation. Yes, simple things like making the nation attractive for foreign investment and working closely with industry players. It might read a bit Management-ish, but please try to draw a road-map for the next 5-10 years for India - What are the core industries that we need to focus on and how can India be more competitive in the increasing globalized economy.
3. Empowerment: A progressive empowerment (unlike your UP allies) especially for Rural, Women and Youth. I know you would attribute this election win to the aam-aadmi policies. I agree with you. Please revive some of the popular large-scale, high potential initiatives, which were largely ineffective due to poor execution. Need for the country are the initiatives on Youth Empowerment, Vocational skills development, Support to Microfinance / Self-Help Group /Small enterprises & entrepreneurs. Please get a passionate and capable person like Rahul for this department. We need to get this done at any cost.

I know that all these are easier said than done. But freedom from non-progressive parties should definitely make it easier than your last term.

I also know you know all these. Still.. we Indians become very expressive when it comes to having expectations from politicians.  Yes, our expectations are running high. Hope you fulfill them. We would soon know whether our Singh is the Real King!

Guide.. Chide..

The Age of 13 to 18. An important transition period in the adult kid's life. Mysterious physical & physiological changes. Significant pressure in studies and peer recognition. Important decisions about career. People try to find his own identity. A period in which the entire world is full of "enemies". A transition from a happy playful place to a serious, unfair and cruel world. The teenagers start understanding the world and most importantly understanding themselves.

Such an important and challenging phase of life. But does our society understands this and treats the teenagers the right way? In my opinion, it's a big NO. Especially, the parents and teachers who play a significant role in shaping the lives of teenagers.

First, the parents: Many parents still treat the teenager as a kid - they want the children to do what they think is ideal for the children - Do this, do that, don't watch that, don't play, study, don't eat that, eat this. Yes, there is good intention. But what's the use if it's counter-productive? Most parents deny the freedom the teenagers yearn for. Yes, it's like walking on a tight rope - No that easy to take sides - to be strict or liberal. Those who have taken the extremes have probably screwed the good prospects of their child. So, what can they do? First, make a very honest attempt to understand the child. One has no choice but to be a friend, as a teenager doesn't like anyone else except his/her friends. Physically and mentally try to be young. Try understanding the Gen-X culture - what they like, do, see etc. Talk their language. Listen to them. Take them around places. Treat their friends well. Yes, it's too much to ask for. But the rewards are plenty.

Second, the teachers: I feel there are 3 levels of teachers: (1)
Officers: They are just Salary-Drawers. They have absolutely no regard for the development for the students - "As long as I get my salary, it's fine" kind of mentality (2) Preachers: Teaching is an obligation and a ritual for them. They do their job reasonably well, but they stop at teaching what the text book says (3) Gurus: Best among the lot - really committed to the students - teaching is their passion and they truly are interested in the welfare of the students. They want to develop students as good all-rounded personalities. They teach, explain, listen, coach, guide and most importantly understand. I feel the current split between the 3 categories would be - 50-60% in #1, another 30-40% in #2 and a meager 10% in #3. Most people agree that that the quality of teachers and teaching has been going down a lot (esp. in semi-urban and rural areas). Even if we have 20% of teachers in #3 category, we can significantly improve the lives of teenagers. To do that, a concerted effort is required from Government, teachers and private organizations. The educational department has to develop and build people like the Infosys & Wipros of the India.

So.. before chiding and guiding the teenagers to behave in a certain way, the parents and teachers of India need to really understand the children.

Disclaimer: This post is NOT a reflection of how I was treated as a teenager. Rather, what I saw, knew, heard, read from friends and others.

Whom to trust? (Part 2)

Trusting is like setting on a voyage while "not trusting" is staying on the shore. With trust comes the risk. No risk, no return. No risk, no life. To live, one needs to trust - at least to live as a human being. Having said that, it's important that we take "calculated" risks.

Trust derives from one's reputation - the congruence between  words & actions. Trust is expressed at multiple levels - be it for others [politicians, strangers, acquaintance, friend, dear ones in the ascending order], OR for oneself [physical,  emotional, intellectual, intuitional (or 'spirit'ual) and one's core values].

So, it doesn't matter whether you trust X or Y. But you need to trust something to move on in life. I think it wouldn't be wrong saying "Start trusting, start living"