Ami Bangla porte pari. Likhte pari na. Tai Ingreji te likhchi. Mane Ingreji lipi baybohar korchi. Ar Bangla likhte parleo hoyto Facebook-e Banglay type koyto kora jeto na. Abar hoyto jeto -- ke jane? KhoNj nebar dorkar poreni. Tai matha gamaini.
Amake dekhle thik Bangali bole mone hoy na. Ar jokhon Banglay kotha boli, tokhon kintu aroyi oBangali mone hoy. Hoyto amar accent? Tobe ami to mone kori je onek probashi Bangali amar moto Bangla bole. Tobe I may be wrong. Amar shathe kotha bolar por onekei comment koreche je ami to besh bhalo Banglay kotha bola shikhechi! Jokhon boli amar naam Shiddhartho Shannal, tokhon shunte hoy -- apni nishchoi bideshe thekechen.
Bidesh bolte ki bojhay? Ami UK, America, France ar Japan ke bidesh mone kori. Tobe dekhchi je average Bangalira kintu Ranchi keo bidesh mone kore. Tai jodi shotti hoy, tahole to ami bideshi. Amar jonmo Delhi te. Manush hoyechi Bombay, Kanpur ar Delhi te. Hain... Kolkatay secondary schooling korechi ar college-o porechi. Tai Bangla bolte shikhechi. Tobe jehetu oi boyeshe Beatles, Marx ar marijuana niye pore thaktam, Bangla ta bhalo kore shekh hoyni. Bangla boi to porar cheshtao korini. Shomoy chilo kothay? Parar chelera paNk dito, taNsh bole dakto bole oi ektu kaaj chalabar jonno Bangla shekha. Beshirbhag khisti -- "beshi kotha bolley tiktikir b--- diye p-N- mere debo" type of bhasha. Tai bhodro shomaje mukhta bondho rakhtam ar bolley-o English ba Hindi te boltam.
Ami ashole (single s) -- I am not an a--h---! Ashole ami kintu Bangla shikhechi Delhi-r Chittoronjon Park e thake. Okhane to Panjabi dokandar-rao Banglay kotha bole. Beshirbhag dokan gulo to oderi haate -- Bangali dokandar-ra jokhon nake tel diye dupure ghumiye mota hocchilo, tokhon Panjabi dokandar-ra dokhan khola rekhe business kore poysha kamiye mota hocchilo. Jai hok, tobe eta mantey hobe je ora kintu Banglay kastomar der shathe kotha bolto. Oi amar moto Bangla bolto jodio amar shathe Hindi-tei kotha bolto. Ora bishash korto na je ami Bangali.
Tobe ami ki shotti Bangali? Ei buro boyeshe PNPC korte shikhlam na! Dine du bar ruti kheleo kono oshubidhe nei. Masher por maash maach ba mangsho na kheye thakte pari. Adda na mere thakte pari. Mohaloya shuni tobe gole pori na. Ar pujote notun kapor porina. Onek shomoy to pandale jai o na karon amar bhir bhalo lage na. Ar sheje guje burider konnader moto nyakami shojjho hoy na.
Tobe shob kota sharodiya shonka gulo kini. Golpo gulo pori. Shomoy lage, tao pori. Ar shujog pele Bangalider jonno jodi kichu korte pari, kori. Bongobhumi ebong Bangalider poton dekhe dukkho pai. Ekhankar "wark kalchar" dekhe hotash hoye jai.
Commust der "heaven" ba "hell" nei bole Marx more beNche gache. Marx porte Ingreji shike, nijeder chele-meyeder English Medium school-e poriye je Marxist ra je Inreji je ograjjho kore ei Bongobhumir ja khoti koreche, sheta hoyto Marx ba shotti kono Communist mai ka laal shojjho korte parto na.
Jai hok. Ami kintu 16 Ana Bangaliyana pari na. Tar karon ami to matro 8 Ana Bangali. Baba chilen Bangali. Ma chilen Tamilian domiciled in Kerala. Tai bodhhoy. Tobe aschorjer baypar ta ki -- dutoi state are "in the Red"! 8 Ana hole ki hobe -- ami holam Bongobhumir mai ka laal. Ar ei Bharat Mai ka laal. Bhetoreo laal.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Delhi-berate Oversight
Those responsible for the CWG "fiasco" are probably quite relieved at this point. The games are half way through without any mishap. The weather has cooperated -- no rain, no leaks. The roofs have stayed suspended. No more brigdges have collapsed and so far, no one has complained of the "Delhi belly". They managed to put up a world class show and Indian sportspersons have done the country proud by winning a record number of Gold Medals so far. The organizers are probably patting themselves on their backs. They've "pulled it off". Now that there's general public euphoria about the medal tally, all will be forgotten and forgiven. The roofs did not leak, the tiles did not fall off, the bridge did not collapse and everything was perfect. This is India... "manage ho gaya" Now forget everything and be proud to be an Indian till the euphoria lasts and then let the Indian cricket team lose a match and we are back to square one!
So what am I complaining about? And why am I complaining? Some people close to me are positively upset that I keep looking at the negative stuff instead of the positive stuff. They are upset that I keep harping about what went wrong "before" instead of being happy that our sports persons have done us proud. To them I am like the "media" who seem to focus only on the "bad things" and not on the good things. They tell me: live for today, yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come!
My problem is that I can't forget the past. One shouldn't! In fact, it's history that helps us to improve the present and secure the future. To forget the past is to keep committing the same mistakes over and over again! To forgive may be divine... to forget is downright stupidity.
My other problem is that I can't live for today without worrying about tomorrow! We who live now have a responsibility towards those who will come after us. What kind of country (and world) are we going to leave behind for them? What lessons will they learn from us? We use up resources for our own survival and that's natural. But when we waste resources, we steal from those yet to come!
And it's true, that if we forget about it by living in the present, the future may never come! Ask anyone who lived for the moment. Their future is full of regrets, remorse and recrimination.
Now what does all this have to do with the CWG and my own apathy towards the games? Well, I just can't seem to forget what happened before the games and get lost in what's happening at the moment. Yes, we are winning medals, that's great. It's to be expected when you perform in front of a home crowd and familiar with the weather and environment. And also when you are competing in an arena of a few nations and most of them economically worse off than your own and hence can't provide training and equipment for their sports persons or a wider participation. As Indians we should know that you get to participate because of who you know and who likes you rather than on merit. Even to get noticed you need to be in the right place!
Ok, I'm not trying to take away from the glory of those who are among the medals. But most Indians lack the ability of taking a critical look at themselves. So let's be aware of how and why we are doing so well. I'm willing to grant that it's due to better training facilities and equipment. And this is precisely the bee in my bonnet. Would it not have been better to forego the hosting on the CWG this year and spent the money on building more stadiums, training more atheletes and providing better equipment?
So much money has been spent. But it has all been concentrated in just one city! I still feel like a Delhiwala even though I spend years away from it from time to time and I am proud of my city even when I'm away from it. But Delhi is not India! And hence, as an Indian I feel that perhaps instead of beautifying Delhi and concentrating more on improving sports facilities in that city, other cities could have been chosen to host the games. Couldn't the CWG games take place in Guwahati instead? Kohima, Imphal or Bhopal? And better still, if the CWG did not take place at all and the money was instead used to build stadiums in every district -- a more inclusive approach to national governance!
So what am I complaining about? And why am I complaining? Some people close to me are positively upset that I keep looking at the negative stuff instead of the positive stuff. They are upset that I keep harping about what went wrong "before" instead of being happy that our sports persons have done us proud. To them I am like the "media" who seem to focus only on the "bad things" and not on the good things. They tell me: live for today, yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come!
My problem is that I can't forget the past. One shouldn't! In fact, it's history that helps us to improve the present and secure the future. To forget the past is to keep committing the same mistakes over and over again! To forgive may be divine... to forget is downright stupidity.
My other problem is that I can't live for today without worrying about tomorrow! We who live now have a responsibility towards those who will come after us. What kind of country (and world) are we going to leave behind for them? What lessons will they learn from us? We use up resources for our own survival and that's natural. But when we waste resources, we steal from those yet to come!
And it's true, that if we forget about it by living in the present, the future may never come! Ask anyone who lived for the moment. Their future is full of regrets, remorse and recrimination.
Now what does all this have to do with the CWG and my own apathy towards the games? Well, I just can't seem to forget what happened before the games and get lost in what's happening at the moment. Yes, we are winning medals, that's great. It's to be expected when you perform in front of a home crowd and familiar with the weather and environment. And also when you are competing in an arena of a few nations and most of them economically worse off than your own and hence can't provide training and equipment for their sports persons or a wider participation. As Indians we should know that you get to participate because of who you know and who likes you rather than on merit. Even to get noticed you need to be in the right place!
Ok, I'm not trying to take away from the glory of those who are among the medals. But most Indians lack the ability of taking a critical look at themselves. So let's be aware of how and why we are doing so well. I'm willing to grant that it's due to better training facilities and equipment. And this is precisely the bee in my bonnet. Would it not have been better to forego the hosting on the CWG this year and spent the money on building more stadiums, training more atheletes and providing better equipment?
So much money has been spent. But it has all been concentrated in just one city! I still feel like a Delhiwala even though I spend years away from it from time to time and I am proud of my city even when I'm away from it. But Delhi is not India! And hence, as an Indian I feel that perhaps instead of beautifying Delhi and concentrating more on improving sports facilities in that city, other cities could have been chosen to host the games. Couldn't the CWG games take place in Guwahati instead? Kohima, Imphal or Bhopal? And better still, if the CWG did not take place at all and the money was instead used to build stadiums in every district -- a more inclusive approach to national governance!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
ALWAYS a Proud Indian
I must admit that I was quite impressed by the Opening Ceremony of the CWG. I'm so glad they pulled it off without any mishap. I just couldn't shake off the feeling of apprehension during the few moments when I could watch the ceremony of TV. Then the lights went out!
Yes, there was a major power outage and electricity was restored only when the ceremony was almost over. So I didn't get to see most of it. It was frustrating. But then I consoled myself saying that I at least got to see something. Most Indians living in rural India, perhaps don't have any electricity at all and owning a TV is no less than a dream. So in reality, while Delhi and urban India celebrated the CWG opening ceremony, Most parts of India was dark. Nothing unusual. This is how it is most of the time. While India celebrated, most of Bharat went to bed early and probably on an empty stomach. I was one of the fortunate few who had a hearty meal and slept under a fan. Like the rest of India, I did not spare a thought for all those migrant labourers who died during construction work. I did not spare a thought for those who survived the slavery of labour contractors and who probably never got to see the ceremony at all.
But then these are those "stupid Biharis" who mess up the beautiful cities that we live in. The defecate all over the place and hang around just about anywhere. The government of the day pats itself on the back saying that it has provided employment to so many people! As if the government has done its citizens a big favour! But why didn't the authorities ensure that the labour contractors adhered to labour laws and provided the migrant workers with accommodation and basic facilities? We all know that the "call of nature" does not respect location! If, because you have been living in unhygienic conditions and eating "iffy" food, then you "let go" wherever you are -- even if it is in the middle of a beautiful stadium or an apartment block you are helping to build. But it is so much simpler to point at others for all that goes wrong and absolve oneself of responsibility.
But all said and done, I'm glad the CWG is taking place in Delhi. Unfortunately, a lot that is wrong with this country is being surreptitiously swept under the carpet in the euphoria. Suddenly everyone is feeling proud to be an Indian. As if they have just realised that they are one! Yesterday, someone told me to relax and enjoy the ceremony. Feel proud to be an Indian! Hey man, I feel pround to be an India ALL THE TIME! And not only when we win a cricket match or host a sports event. I love this country and am proud of it despite everything and am proud to be an Indian at all times. But that does not mean I am blind! It's because I care that I feel so strongly about what is not right. I want to set it right. I want to be counted as one who loves his country enough to try and set things right. And no one can deny that in my small way, I have tried and am still trying. If only every Indian did just a little bit for his country instead of "waking up" only when we win a match and go to sleep when it comes to casting their votes, this country would be Valhalla!
Anyway, the games are on. I'll try and watch them on TV if the national grid does not syphon off all the electricity and send it to Delhi. But like Arindam Choudhury, I too wonder if the poor of this country should be financing an event that highlights how great the British Empire was? We have the Olympics, the Asiad to prove our prowess (or the lack of it) as a sporting nation. Must we spend money to remind ourselves that we were once slaves? Well, if Britain wishes to bask in past glory, let them organize it and fund it in all the countries they had colonized! If India bids for the Olympics, when it hosts the Asiad, I feel proud. When it hosts the CWG, I feel proud that we can get together resources and pull it off. But I can't help feeling unhappy that we are reminding ourselves of our colonial past. A past steeped in slavery and chains. And that too a day after we celebrate the birthday of a man who freed us from our shackles. What Gandhiji did was to give us freedom but he could break the shackles in our minds.
I've got my fingers crossed. I pray the games go off well. Not because it makes me feel proud to be an Indian. I was born with that pride. I will die with it. I want the games to pass off without mishap because of the blood, sweat and tears of all those thousands of forgotten heroes who made the CWG possible despite the bungling and corruption of those who had the "power". I do hope that our leaders will now feel more confident that they can "do things" if they want. That they can do things very well, if they are less corrupt. I can only pray that they will use the same skills and resources to build world class roads, schools, provide electricity to the hinterland too! Let's showcase ALL OF INDIA and not just the Capital and the cities that we have -- most of which have been established by the British. The captial of this country is mostly referred to as Lutyen's Delhi. Let's prove that Delhi is Bharat ki Jaan
Yes, there was a major power outage and electricity was restored only when the ceremony was almost over. So I didn't get to see most of it. It was frustrating. But then I consoled myself saying that I at least got to see something. Most Indians living in rural India, perhaps don't have any electricity at all and owning a TV is no less than a dream. So in reality, while Delhi and urban India celebrated the CWG opening ceremony, Most parts of India was dark. Nothing unusual. This is how it is most of the time. While India celebrated, most of Bharat went to bed early and probably on an empty stomach. I was one of the fortunate few who had a hearty meal and slept under a fan. Like the rest of India, I did not spare a thought for all those migrant labourers who died during construction work. I did not spare a thought for those who survived the slavery of labour contractors and who probably never got to see the ceremony at all.
But then these are those "stupid Biharis" who mess up the beautiful cities that we live in. The defecate all over the place and hang around just about anywhere. The government of the day pats itself on the back saying that it has provided employment to so many people! As if the government has done its citizens a big favour! But why didn't the authorities ensure that the labour contractors adhered to labour laws and provided the migrant workers with accommodation and basic facilities? We all know that the "call of nature" does not respect location! If, because you have been living in unhygienic conditions and eating "iffy" food, then you "let go" wherever you are -- even if it is in the middle of a beautiful stadium or an apartment block you are helping to build. But it is so much simpler to point at others for all that goes wrong and absolve oneself of responsibility.
But all said and done, I'm glad the CWG is taking place in Delhi. Unfortunately, a lot that is wrong with this country is being surreptitiously swept under the carpet in the euphoria. Suddenly everyone is feeling proud to be an Indian. As if they have just realised that they are one! Yesterday, someone told me to relax and enjoy the ceremony. Feel proud to be an Indian! Hey man, I feel pround to be an India ALL THE TIME! And not only when we win a cricket match or host a sports event. I love this country and am proud of it despite everything and am proud to be an Indian at all times. But that does not mean I am blind! It's because I care that I feel so strongly about what is not right. I want to set it right. I want to be counted as one who loves his country enough to try and set things right. And no one can deny that in my small way, I have tried and am still trying. If only every Indian did just a little bit for his country instead of "waking up" only when we win a match and go to sleep when it comes to casting their votes, this country would be Valhalla!
Anyway, the games are on. I'll try and watch them on TV if the national grid does not syphon off all the electricity and send it to Delhi. But like Arindam Choudhury, I too wonder if the poor of this country should be financing an event that highlights how great the British Empire was? We have the Olympics, the Asiad to prove our prowess (or the lack of it) as a sporting nation. Must we spend money to remind ourselves that we were once slaves? Well, if Britain wishes to bask in past glory, let them organize it and fund it in all the countries they had colonized! If India bids for the Olympics, when it hosts the Asiad, I feel proud. When it hosts the CWG, I feel proud that we can get together resources and pull it off. But I can't help feeling unhappy that we are reminding ourselves of our colonial past. A past steeped in slavery and chains. And that too a day after we celebrate the birthday of a man who freed us from our shackles. What Gandhiji did was to give us freedom but he could break the shackles in our minds.
I've got my fingers crossed. I pray the games go off well. Not because it makes me feel proud to be an Indian. I was born with that pride. I will die with it. I want the games to pass off without mishap because of the blood, sweat and tears of all those thousands of forgotten heroes who made the CWG possible despite the bungling and corruption of those who had the "power". I do hope that our leaders will now feel more confident that they can "do things" if they want. That they can do things very well, if they are less corrupt. I can only pray that they will use the same skills and resources to build world class roads, schools, provide electricity to the hinterland too! Let's showcase ALL OF INDIA and not just the Capital and the cities that we have -- most of which have been established by the British. The captial of this country is mostly referred to as Lutyen's Delhi. Let's prove that Delhi is Bharat ki Jaan
Monday, September 6, 2010
Wandering Wondering
Every day, except Wednesday, M wakes up at 6:00 am with the rest of the family. The little girl whimpers. She wishes to continue sleeping. Her mother heads for the kitchen and I can hear the clang of utensils. The M's mother steps into MY compound to go to THEIR garden to pluck flowers for her puja. The girl protests. Whines. The father yells. The mother yells. The grandmother placates. Then she too yells. So starts a new day for another average Indian family.
Soon the child will be driven to school. The wife will make breakfast. The grandmother will perform puja. The husband will get ready to go to work. Every day is the same. Except Wednesday. It's a holiday. For the father and the child. The wife has to go about starting the day. The grandmother ensures that she does. She wants her fist cup of tea. Perhaps she loves her daughter-in-law. Perhaps she is taking revenge on her own mother-in-law. How else do you explain why a woman who was a daughter-in-law mistreated in turn mistreats her own daugher-in-law? Or is it just possessiveness? How dare you take away what is mine -- my son?
I'm glad I don't live this way. I wake up early. Even before my neighbours wake up. But I don't have to. Maybe that's why I'm up bright and early. I could sleep for a few more minutes or hours. Who would care? Perhaps if I slept too late, the maid would get worried. Maybe the neighbours too: they are used to hearing me pray. I pray aloud because I like to hear the sound of the shlokas. The sound fills up the empty spaces and drives away the aloneness. Mind you, not loneliness. I don't feel lonely. I do feel alone.
I know I am alone because I can eat breakfast when I want. Watch TV if I wish to. Listen to any music I prefer. I know I am alone, because no one really cares what I'm up to -- unless of course it effects their life in any way. To find out sometimes I play a game. I don't call. And my phone never rings. I often wonder how long it will be before people discover that I've been dead? Who cares? I won't be there!
Soon the child will be driven to school. The wife will make breakfast. The grandmother will perform puja. The husband will get ready to go to work. Every day is the same. Except Wednesday. It's a holiday. For the father and the child. The wife has to go about starting the day. The grandmother ensures that she does. She wants her fist cup of tea. Perhaps she loves her daughter-in-law. Perhaps she is taking revenge on her own mother-in-law. How else do you explain why a woman who was a daughter-in-law mistreated in turn mistreats her own daugher-in-law? Or is it just possessiveness? How dare you take away what is mine -- my son?
I'm glad I don't live this way. I wake up early. Even before my neighbours wake up. But I don't have to. Maybe that's why I'm up bright and early. I could sleep for a few more minutes or hours. Who would care? Perhaps if I slept too late, the maid would get worried. Maybe the neighbours too: they are used to hearing me pray. I pray aloud because I like to hear the sound of the shlokas. The sound fills up the empty spaces and drives away the aloneness. Mind you, not loneliness. I don't feel lonely. I do feel alone.
I know I am alone because I can eat breakfast when I want. Watch TV if I wish to. Listen to any music I prefer. I know I am alone, because no one really cares what I'm up to -- unless of course it effects their life in any way. To find out sometimes I play a game. I don't call. And my phone never rings. I often wonder how long it will be before people discover that I've been dead? Who cares? I won't be there!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Monday Morning Colours
It's a quarter past eight in the morning. It already seems I've been awake for ages! But yes, I've been up for a while. I've been to the toilet, had a shower, done my pranayam and asans, listened to a morning raag by Pandid Jasraj and I've been at my workdesk for the past 30 minutes. Oh yes, I forgot to mention that I spent a while reading the papers, had breakfast too!
Most people are probably getting ready to go to work now. They'll spend anything between 30 to 60 minutes and perhaps even more commuting to work. Thank God, I'm spared all that. If time hangs heavy on my hands, I can always go to the project or to Kolkata. Though, I must admit, in this weather, I don't feel like going anywhere -- not even to the market to buy provisions. The mornings are scorching and humid, the evenings are hot and humid. It has started raining now and then. But these are brief showers that act more like water sprinkled on hot stones in a sauna. And humidity is something I just can't stand. I'm about to go crazy despite yoga and meditation!
The mosquitos here are a menace! They are killing me slowly by sucking up all my blood! I may be saving money by not smoking. But I am certainly spending an equivalent amount on mosquito repellents that don't seem to work!A friend advised me to keep changing the brand of repellent as the mosquitos get acclamatized to a brand very quickly! Unbelievable? Come to Bolpur and I will show you that he's possibly correct!
The worst part is that I don't feel inspired to do anything. I don't feel like going out at all. And even indoors, all I feel like doing is sleep, sleep, sleep just to get away from this heat. Can I really continue to live in Bolpur? Was I not better off in Roldih or Kolkata. Yes, travelling to and fro was very tiring. Bolpur seemed like a good option. Also, it seemed an ideal place to start some new work. But now I'm not so sure. Computer Courses and Spoken English classes have sprung up all over the place overnight!
Anyway, it's 8:30 am now, though for me it seems like afternoon already! Time to watch TV and catch up with all the latest news..... more scams and killings and the stupid antics of our politicians who make issues out of non issues and sweep the real issues under the carpet.
Most people are probably getting ready to go to work now. They'll spend anything between 30 to 60 minutes and perhaps even more commuting to work. Thank God, I'm spared all that. If time hangs heavy on my hands, I can always go to the project or to Kolkata. Though, I must admit, in this weather, I don't feel like going anywhere -- not even to the market to buy provisions. The mornings are scorching and humid, the evenings are hot and humid. It has started raining now and then. But these are brief showers that act more like water sprinkled on hot stones in a sauna. And humidity is something I just can't stand. I'm about to go crazy despite yoga and meditation!
The mosquitos here are a menace! They are killing me slowly by sucking up all my blood! I may be saving money by not smoking. But I am certainly spending an equivalent amount on mosquito repellents that don't seem to work!A friend advised me to keep changing the brand of repellent as the mosquitos get acclamatized to a brand very quickly! Unbelievable? Come to Bolpur and I will show you that he's possibly correct!
The worst part is that I don't feel inspired to do anything. I don't feel like going out at all. And even indoors, all I feel like doing is sleep, sleep, sleep just to get away from this heat. Can I really continue to live in Bolpur? Was I not better off in Roldih or Kolkata. Yes, travelling to and fro was very tiring. Bolpur seemed like a good option. Also, it seemed an ideal place to start some new work. But now I'm not so sure. Computer Courses and Spoken English classes have sprung up all over the place overnight!
Anyway, it's 8:30 am now, though for me it seems like afternoon already! Time to watch TV and catch up with all the latest news..... more scams and killings and the stupid antics of our politicians who make issues out of non issues and sweep the real issues under the carpet.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Those Whispers
Those whispers
Sometimes they caress my hair
Grey and thinning
Once proud and black
Those whispers
Warm breath upon my chest
Turn to drops of sweat
And crawl down my skin
Those whispers
The clanging in my ears
Mostly lost in monotony
At times deafening
Those whispers
Once slipped past parted petals
And pearls in rows
Now lost as if unuttered
Sometimes they caress my hair
Grey and thinning
Once proud and black
Those whispers
Warm breath upon my chest
Turn to drops of sweat
And crawl down my skin
Those whispers
The clanging in my ears
Mostly lost in monotony
At times deafening
Those whispers
Once slipped past parted petals
And pearls in rows
Now lost as if unuttered
Monday, August 30, 2010
iGoogle knows Bolpur Exists!
I'm quite excited that Bolpur, West Bengal figures on the weather map on iGoogle. Shanti Niketan does not! So all those intellectual snobs who live there can turn green with envy if they like. I only discovered day before yesterday that those who live in Shanti Niketan tend to look down upon those who live in Bolpur even though it's hard to distinguish where Bolpur ends and Shanti Niketan begins. Those living in S. Niketan are supposed to be "educated" and "cultured" people. In other words Bhodroloks. Where as those who live in Bolpur are supposed to be "banias" (small business owners, shop owners, etc).So, if one is educated and cultured, how does one become so snobbish? Aren't educated and cultured people supposed to be more egalitarian, tolerant, kind, etc?
It rained quite a bit this afternoon. But not continuously, unfortunately. It rains and then the sun shines and it rains all over again. Unfortunately, this increases the humidity and makes it uncomfortable. For some odd reason, the mosquitos seem to proliferate and become quite aggressive. Mosquito repellents don't work... nothing works.
Archie, a friend who is also a professor at Vishwa Bharati Universtity, said he may come around this evening. I am waiting for him. If the rain does not discourage him, we will go out to a "dhaba" (road-side cafe) to have chicken and roti this evening! My mouth is watering even though I don't like chicken very much. Rain, rain, go away.... come again some other day....
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| The swing -- a present from Dani and Tak |
Archie, a friend who is also a professor at Vishwa Bharati Universtity, said he may come around this evening. I am waiting for him. If the rain does not discourage him, we will go out to a "dhaba" (road-side cafe) to have chicken and roti this evening! My mouth is watering even though I don't like chicken very much. Rain, rain, go away.... come again some other day....
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Private Tuition for Pre-school Children!
My neighbour's daughter is 4 years old. A friendly little girl. Very chirpy. But I hear her crying every morning and evening. She starts crying at 5:30 a.m because she has been woken up to go to pre-school by 6:00. She gets home around noon. Her mother and grandmother would like her to come to my place and spend time with me, so that she's out of the way. But since I've very subtly made it known that I'm busy during the day, she no longer comes across. In the evening again at 5:00 pm I hear her whining because she doesn't want to go to the tutor's place. She comes back from the tutor at 7:30. Maybe she gets to play, maybe she doesn't.
Her cousin, who is all of 7 has roughly the same routine. I haven't heard her crying or whining. But that's probably because she doesn't live on the ground floor next to me. But she too, hardly gets any time to play. She has a private tutor coming home to teach her. And because the parents know I don't quite approve of small children getting tuition, I was told that her tutor is a student who needs the money and comes home to play with the child. The lessons did not sound like child play.
It really makes me sad to see that parents need to engage tutors for children who are in pre-school or are in the primary schooling stage! When we were young, we were allowed to go out and kick the ball or fall off trees or bicycles but we were asked to come home by nightfall, wash up and finish our homework. That is all the studying we did outside school. I don't think we've done very badly in life? I wonder how many tutors Dhirubhai Ambani had?
I never had a tutor when I was young. I recall that I used to go across to a neibour "uncle" if I had a maths problem that I could not understand. My daughter never had a tutor except in her final year of school, when she used to go thrice a week to a math's tutor because she was weak in maths.
So what's happening? Are the schools not teaching? I remember that our "classwork" and "homework" taught us all that we know today. Tutors were for "duffers" -- thick-headed people with little brains. But now, it's only a rare child who does not take "private tuition"! Where's the need to go to school then?
I spoke to a friend who's a school teacher and she said that parents are terrified that their children won't get good grades. Without "good marks" they won't be able to get into "good colleges". Also, she said that in many schools the teachers deliberately "fail" children in class exams so that their pupils are forced to seek "private tuiton" from the same teacher who teaches them in school. The whole system is corrupt these days -- including teachers. This worries me. It scares me. A nation without good teachers is bound to perish and be enslaved. It amazes me that my generation has been so corrupt. What kind of legacy are we leaving behind?
Also what bothers me is lopsided education. Those who can afford it, send their children to "private schools" (wonder why they are called public schools) and then get them tutors so that their children do well. On the other hand, the poor or working class people who can't afford to send their kids to government schools where the teaching is sub-standard. And they certainly can't afford private tutors. So what happens? The gap between the haves and havenots is widening rather rapidly and this does not auger well for the country.
This is why I like Mitali's effort at creating a balance. She was teaching a couple of "rich kids" in the evening and was very frustrated by the attitude of the parents who "bought" education. So she decided to stop that and has started tutoring slum children in her home. She has four kids and expecting more. I wish more people would follow her example.
Her cousin, who is all of 7 has roughly the same routine. I haven't heard her crying or whining. But that's probably because she doesn't live on the ground floor next to me. But she too, hardly gets any time to play. She has a private tutor coming home to teach her. And because the parents know I don't quite approve of small children getting tuition, I was told that her tutor is a student who needs the money and comes home to play with the child. The lessons did not sound like child play.
It really makes me sad to see that parents need to engage tutors for children who are in pre-school or are in the primary schooling stage! When we were young, we were allowed to go out and kick the ball or fall off trees or bicycles but we were asked to come home by nightfall, wash up and finish our homework. That is all the studying we did outside school. I don't think we've done very badly in life? I wonder how many tutors Dhirubhai Ambani had?
I never had a tutor when I was young. I recall that I used to go across to a neibour "uncle" if I had a maths problem that I could not understand. My daughter never had a tutor except in her final year of school, when she used to go thrice a week to a math's tutor because she was weak in maths.
So what's happening? Are the schools not teaching? I remember that our "classwork" and "homework" taught us all that we know today. Tutors were for "duffers" -- thick-headed people with little brains. But now, it's only a rare child who does not take "private tuition"! Where's the need to go to school then?
I spoke to a friend who's a school teacher and she said that parents are terrified that their children won't get good grades. Without "good marks" they won't be able to get into "good colleges". Also, she said that in many schools the teachers deliberately "fail" children in class exams so that their pupils are forced to seek "private tuiton" from the same teacher who teaches them in school. The whole system is corrupt these days -- including teachers. This worries me. It scares me. A nation without good teachers is bound to perish and be enslaved. It amazes me that my generation has been so corrupt. What kind of legacy are we leaving behind?
Also what bothers me is lopsided education. Those who can afford it, send their children to "private schools" (wonder why they are called public schools) and then get them tutors so that their children do well. On the other hand, the poor or working class people who can't afford to send their kids to government schools where the teaching is sub-standard. And they certainly can't afford private tutors. So what happens? The gap between the haves and havenots is widening rather rapidly and this does not auger well for the country.
This is why I like Mitali's effort at creating a balance. She was teaching a couple of "rich kids" in the evening and was very frustrated by the attitude of the parents who "bought" education. So she decided to stop that and has started tutoring slum children in her home. She has four kids and expecting more. I wish more people would follow her example.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Destiny's Lost Design
I thought it would come to me
Destiny's Design
A blueprint
Droped from heaven
Like a spiraling paper plane
But at three scores and ten
I've waited in vain
And now even the green grass
Of my myriad dreams
Have turned to straw
I keep staring skywards
Waiting for raindrops
To wash them away
In rivulets of rain
Along with my accumulated pain
Destiny's Design
A blueprint
Droped from heaven
Like a spiraling paper plane
But at three scores and ten
I've waited in vain
And now even the green grass
Of my myriad dreams
Have turned to straw
I keep staring skywards
Waiting for raindrops
To wash them away
In rivulets of rain
Along with my accumulated pain
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Fair & Lovely Ki Jai, Vivel Ki Jai, Fairness Cream Ki Jai
While I wouldn't go so far as to suggest that "fairness" creams should be banned. I would certainly like to see all advertisements that promote "fairness" be banned. Some of these ads are so insulting! I often wonder, how the women, in a country where the majority are dark-skinned, tolerate such insults that suggest that to be desireable and successful, you need to be fair. And what's more disgusting is that now there are ads for "fairness" creams for men! And there are "men" (really?) who go out and buy them! Jesus H. Christ!!!!!
I sometimes wonder why Indians are so colour conscious. Is it becasue of our colonial past? Or is our history? It's true that through milleniums the country has been over-run by fair-skinned people -- the Aryans, the Arabs and then the Europeans. So maybe subconsciously "superiority" has come to be associated with "fairness".
This is really sad as the majority of Indians are dark and devastatingly beautiful. Ask any enlightened westerner and they'll tell you so. And I make this suggestion quite deliberately. As Indians we seem to accept what "firangis" have to say rather than use our own intelligence!
Where would Ravi Shankar, the musician (or Indian classical music) be had it not been for George Harrison? And where would Ravi Shankar, the AOL Guru be (or yoga and meditation) had it not been for the fact that the Beatles discovered Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Transcendental Meditation?
So, my dear Great White Friends, if you are reading this blog, please go out of your way to tell us Indians how wonderful we look even though we are not "fair" -- skin colour as well as dealing with others! It's the only way we can fight the onslaught of "fairness" cream ad invasions that will convince us Indians, except the Punjabis and Kashmiris (I'm only refering to only those who think they are Indian) that we need to invest more in "fairness creams" and not education to succeed in life.
I sometimes wonder why Indians are so colour conscious. Is it becasue of our colonial past? Or is our history? It's true that through milleniums the country has been over-run by fair-skinned people -- the Aryans, the Arabs and then the Europeans. So maybe subconsciously "superiority" has come to be associated with "fairness".
This is really sad as the majority of Indians are dark and devastatingly beautiful. Ask any enlightened westerner and they'll tell you so. And I make this suggestion quite deliberately. As Indians we seem to accept what "firangis" have to say rather than use our own intelligence!
Where would Ravi Shankar, the musician (or Indian classical music) be had it not been for George Harrison? And where would Ravi Shankar, the AOL Guru be (or yoga and meditation) had it not been for the fact that the Beatles discovered Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Transcendental Meditation?
So, my dear Great White Friends, if you are reading this blog, please go out of your way to tell us Indians how wonderful we look even though we are not "fair" -- skin colour as well as dealing with others! It's the only way we can fight the onslaught of "fairness" cream ad invasions that will convince us Indians, except the Punjabis and Kashmiris (I'm only refering to only those who think they are Indian) that we need to invest more in "fairness creams" and not education to succeed in life.
Friday, April 16, 2010
I don't live in Pornokuteer anymore. I now live in Kolkata. Hence, I've been wondering if I should change the name of the blog. Make it more socially acceptable. No one has commented on the site itself but face to face they've been shocked at my choice of the title. The shock was much greater because I'm "not like that at all". What's that supposed to mean? What am I like?
I wish I knew. In fact, I wish many things and if wishes were horses.....
But I do wish I could write clever things. I admire those who write these wonderful blogs full of news, ideas, original thoughts and perceptive observations of what's going on in their lives and also about the world around them. I can't do that.
People tell me that I write well. But what's the use of writing well when I have nothing to write about? When I was on the project I had so much to write about -- I could bitch about my colleagues and the community. I could crib about the weather. I could write about the children.
But now I'm stuck in Kolkata. Nothing much happens on a daily basis. But my life is not boring either. Especially when I travel. After staying stuck to a village in Jharkhand, it now feels good to be moving around. I've been to Itanagar, Agartala and Hyderabad -- cities I had heard of but had no reason to visit. I hope I get to see more of this country.
It's strange how we attach ourselves to situations. We don't have to. But we do. The need to BELONG to someone, to a family, to a group, a country is so strong in us. Are there any "lone wolves" in this world. And if there are, is it a matter of choice or circumstances? Even renunciates, monks, yogis tend to either live in groups or create their own groups. Man is a definitely a gregarious animal.
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