It all went of smoothly. My cataract operation. I arrived at Park Clinic at 8:00 a.m escorted by Mitali. Went to the Operation Theater at 9:00. A lot of time was spent on preparing me for the operation. Dr. Juthika Pal started the operation at 10:00 as scheduled and I was down at the Day Care centre by 10:00 and out of the clinic by 11:30 though I was supposed to stay till at 5 p.m. I thought I'd be able to rest better at "home" -- Raj and Mitali's place. Jayati was kind enough to send her car so that I would not pick up an infection by taking a taxi.
At home I had lunch and went to sleep for a while. Then Jayati's car arrived at 4:30 to take me to the doctor's chamber. The patch was removed. The doctor examined me and said all was well and I could feel it too and I could see properly and the world seemed a lot brighter. And surprise! I am not wearing glasses!
After receiving post-operative care instructions, Mitali and I went and had lots of chocolate ice-cream to celebrate and we came home. And then I sat at the computer and checked mail. Nothing muuch there. So I decided to watch the cricket match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings XI -- KKR won!
\So all is well. But yesterday while I was "blind" in one eye, I experienced what others who have one eye must experience all the time. It's inconvenient to say the least. Being able to see only one side and having to turn your whole body or head around to see the other side. You don't know what coming at you from the blind side. And yet, strangely enough, my sense of hearing was much more heightened... so I could hear the faintest of sounds. The rustle of cloth, paper, etc.... and even sounds that I would have otherwise ignored.
I kept thinking of the Nawab of Pataudi, one of India's greatest crickets. He had only one eye and yet, boy could he bat! His feat seemed so much more outstanding to me yesterday.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Bored Today
Cataract operation tomorrow. Expensive. Feel guilty about spending so much money. Opted for a cheap lens replacement. Hope it all works out well.
Nothing to do today. Might as well read while I still can! THE INTOLERANT INDIAN by Gautam Adhikari is a great book. Enjoying reading it.
Nothing to do today. Might as well read while I still can! THE INTOLERANT INDIAN by Gautam Adhikari is a great book. Enjoying reading it.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
E-Day in Kolkata
Yesterday was Election Day in Kolkata. And I just can't ignore the difference between yesterday and the 23rd which was election day in Bolpur. In fact, the day before I left Kolkata for Bolpur, I did not know it was election day there. I called Sunil, my neighbour to inform him that I was coming and he told me that he might be out to cast his vote. That's when I realized that I would be arriving there on a bad day.
Everyone in Kolkata told me that there might be violence in the streets, that I would not find transport to get home, no food in the restaurants, etc. etc. In fact, Mitali gave me a packet of Maggi Noodles so that I wouldn't have to stay hungry. On the train some people asked me if I was going there to cast my vote and I told them that I lived there when I lived there! I was returning after being away for over two months.
When I got off the train all seemed normal. The rickshaw pullers were there. I found a rickshaw quite easily and when I was riding it to Mission Compound, where I live, I found that all the shops were open and it was business as usual. The restaurants were open too and there no one seemed worried about violence or anything of that sort. Sunil came to meet me and said he was going to cast his vote and I asked him if it was safe and he simply laughed.
Then I came to Kolkata. And everyone seemed terrified about E-Day. And yesterday when the city went to the polls, the streets were deserted. The shops were closed and even the dogs were quiet! What a contrast! Amazing... really amazing.
Anyway, now that the elections are over, life has returned to normal. Thank God. I know that if I walk down to the corner store, I will be able to pick up a packet of cigarettes, that I could not do yesterday. Is this democracy?
Everyone in Kolkata told me that there might be violence in the streets, that I would not find transport to get home, no food in the restaurants, etc. etc. In fact, Mitali gave me a packet of Maggi Noodles so that I wouldn't have to stay hungry. On the train some people asked me if I was going there to cast my vote and I told them that I lived there when I lived there! I was returning after being away for over two months.
When I got off the train all seemed normal. The rickshaw pullers were there. I found a rickshaw quite easily and when I was riding it to Mission Compound, where I live, I found that all the shops were open and it was business as usual. The restaurants were open too and there no one seemed worried about violence or anything of that sort. Sunil came to meet me and said he was going to cast his vote and I asked him if it was safe and he simply laughed.
Then I came to Kolkata. And everyone seemed terrified about E-Day. And yesterday when the city went to the polls, the streets were deserted. The shops were closed and even the dogs were quiet! What a contrast! Amazing... really amazing.
Anyway, now that the elections are over, life has returned to normal. Thank God. I know that if I walk down to the corner store, I will be able to pick up a packet of cigarettes, that I could not do yesterday. Is this democracy?
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Eye Operation on 30th
Yesterday was spent getting tests done -- for blood sugar, hemoglobin, ECG, etc, etc... They took a lot of blood out of me! Got the results in the evening. All well with me. So no problems anticipated with the operation which will take place on 30th. Meanwhile I need to put eye drops... irritating.
Talking about irritation, my laptops keyboard jumps. I press one alphabet and it repeats itself numerous times. Don't know how to fix this problem. The keyboard seems rather sensitive
Talking about irritation, my laptops keyboard jumps. I press one alphabet and it repeats itself numerous times. Don't know how to fix this problem. The keyboard seems rather sensitive
Monday, April 25, 2011
Clueless in Calcutta
So, I'm back in Kolkata. This wasn't planned. I got a call from Mitali saying the eye doctor would see me today and I have to undergo a few tests before that and so I just had a couple of hours to book my ticket, have a shower and pack and lock up the house in Bolpur. And here I am, back in Kolkata.
The moment I walked in I got the bad news that Raj has not got the promised raise. I sent Vijay a message immediately. He called back later to explain to me that even if Raj hadn't got the promised raise, he would be getting performance pay of Rs 1 Lakh plus and that would in effect be a raise. I hope he is right. We can only wait and see. But I do appreciate the fact he called back. He didn't have to. He has done me a huge favour by giving Raj a job. So I was out of line in even messaging him. But I just can't stand unfairness in any form. And to me, Raj not getting a raise seemed unfair.
But Vijay took the opportunity to inform me that I wouldn't be getting the NSUI job. Well, it doesn't matter really and in a way I am relieved. But what's pissing me off is that he dragged me into it despite my reluctance, announced to the whole world about it, gave me a pep-talk to convince me to take up the offer and now tells me that it's not coming through! And just when I psyched myself up to do what he wanted me to do!
Anyway, whatever happens, happens for the best. At the moment, I'm relieved, disappointed and clueless as to what my next step should be. Only time will tell.
The moment I walked in I got the bad news that Raj has not got the promised raise. I sent Vijay a message immediately. He called back later to explain to me that even if Raj hadn't got the promised raise, he would be getting performance pay of Rs 1 Lakh plus and that would in effect be a raise. I hope he is right. We can only wait and see. But I do appreciate the fact he called back. He didn't have to. He has done me a huge favour by giving Raj a job. So I was out of line in even messaging him. But I just can't stand unfairness in any form. And to me, Raj not getting a raise seemed unfair.
But Vijay took the opportunity to inform me that I wouldn't be getting the NSUI job. Well, it doesn't matter really and in a way I am relieved. But what's pissing me off is that he dragged me into it despite my reluctance, announced to the whole world about it, gave me a pep-talk to convince me to take up the offer and now tells me that it's not coming through! And just when I psyched myself up to do what he wanted me to do!
Anyway, whatever happens, happens for the best. At the moment, I'm relieved, disappointed and clueless as to what my next step should be. Only time will tell.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Day Two of Return
I really must get my cataract operation done. I can't read for any length of time (and I have so many books to read!) and I can't watch TV for too long either. The right eye hurts, I get a headache and now my vision in the right eye too is getting blurred. Mitali is going to set up an appointment with the doctor today.
If I go in for an operation now, I will have to skip my trip to the project. But at least hopefully I will be fine in time for the next JNLI assignment. I am expecting some engagement once the West Bengal elections are over.
I arrived in Bolpur on the day of the election. When I got off the train, I was a little bit apprehensive about finding a rickshaw as I assumed they would all be busy taking people to polling booths. But I was pleasantly surprised to see that everything was quite normal. The shops were open. People were walking around. This does not happen in Delhi in election day. Usually the streets are deserted and the shops are closed and everyone including the taxis and autorickshaws are off the road! Thank God it was all so peaceful here in Bolpur.
I didn't do much yesterday. Tried to read a bit. Watched TV. Slept in the afternoon and went out and bought some vegetables in the evening.
It rained a few drops yesterday. But the dust storm that "erupted" in the afternoon cooled things down somewhat. It was cold at night and even now, it's cloudy and cool. Nice time to be here. Nice weather to sit on the swing seat on the veranda and read a few more pages of "The Intolerant Indian".
If I go in for an operation now, I will have to skip my trip to the project. But at least hopefully I will be fine in time for the next JNLI assignment. I am expecting some engagement once the West Bengal elections are over.
I arrived in Bolpur on the day of the election. When I got off the train, I was a little bit apprehensive about finding a rickshaw as I assumed they would all be busy taking people to polling booths. But I was pleasantly surprised to see that everything was quite normal. The shops were open. People were walking around. This does not happen in Delhi in election day. Usually the streets are deserted and the shops are closed and everyone including the taxis and autorickshaws are off the road! Thank God it was all so peaceful here in Bolpur.
I didn't do much yesterday. Tried to read a bit. Watched TV. Slept in the afternoon and went out and bought some vegetables in the evening.
It rained a few drops yesterday. But the dust storm that "erupted" in the afternoon cooled things down somewhat. It was cold at night and even now, it's cloudy and cool. Nice time to be here. Nice weather to sit on the swing seat on the veranda and read a few more pages of "The Intolerant Indian".
Saturday, April 23, 2011
A New Resolve
I'm back Bolpur. I arrived in the afternoon yesterday. Had lunch at my neighbour's house (Sunil) and slept like a dog all afternoon. I didn't realize I was so tired. Even when I woke up in the evening, I continued to feel tired... so after a bit of shopping, and tv watching, I went to bed and woke up around 7:00 am today -- which is rather unusual for me. I'm still feeling tired!
The house was surpisingly not too dirty or dusty considering I have been away for three months except for a brief visit in between when Vijay came to visit Shantiniketan. Shankari has been coming to clean up the place every now and then. Though Sunil feels not often enough. That's ok with me.
I don't know how long I'll get to stay in Bolpur. Suman says there are probably no JNLI assignments till end of May or even till June. So I can look forward to a month of rest and relaxation? I am hoping so. I wish to be able to stay put in one place for a while and catch up with reading and listening to music. But the former may pose a problem. My eyesight is deteriorating every passing day.
The cataract in my left eye is making me blind in one eye. The consequent strain on the right eye gives me a constant headache. And now the vision in that eye too has become quite blurred. But I'll manage till I find time and money to get the operation done.
Well, one resolution is to write a daily blog of my personal life. I'll explain why as I go along....
The house was surpisingly not too dirty or dusty considering I have been away for three months except for a brief visit in between when Vijay came to visit Shantiniketan. Shankari has been coming to clean up the place every now and then. Though Sunil feels not often enough. That's ok with me.
I don't know how long I'll get to stay in Bolpur. Suman says there are probably no JNLI assignments till end of May or even till June. So I can look forward to a month of rest and relaxation? I am hoping so. I wish to be able to stay put in one place for a while and catch up with reading and listening to music. But the former may pose a problem. My eyesight is deteriorating every passing day.
The cataract in my left eye is making me blind in one eye. The consequent strain on the right eye gives me a constant headache. And now the vision in that eye too has become quite blurred. But I'll manage till I find time and money to get the operation done.
Well, one resolution is to write a daily blog of my personal life. I'll explain why as I go along....
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