A Mundane Life

My thoughts on Stanley Ka Dabba

2011-05-20T15:51:00.001+05:30

Recently I took both my kids to watch Amole Gupte’s Stanley Ka Dabba. I was intrigued to watch what Amole came up with considering his fallout with Aamir Khan during the making of Taare Zameen Par. A movie I loved. Also SKD was being promoted as a kiddie flick so I had to show it to the kids. So off the three of us went all pretty certain that the movie is going to be a fabulous one.

Must say the movie did not disappoint and Partho as Stanley was fabulous. The school they showed in the movie took me back to mine, of course my kids could not relate to such a school. They are in a school which has only 28 kids in class with 2 teachers hovering around them all the time. Well that is a different story, deserves another post for that. Even the teachers, especially the science teacher reminded me of my school. Sharing tiffins, who got what in their tiffin, my mom’s piping hot tiffin (since I went to a school which was barely 30 sec away from home), our tiffin fights it all came rushing back to me while watching the movie. It was pure nostalgic bliss. And when I saw Stanley’s principal (father is how we addressed them) I wished I too had a good looking principal like that. It would have made the school times perfect! Jokes apart, sadly my son could not understand why the Principal was wearing a robe to work. Sigh!

Totally heartbreaking though was the end. I knew the movie was heading in that direction as soon as the tiffin became the central theme. My son just kept asking me ‘Why can’t Stanley carry his own tiffin?’ ‘ Why was he asked to stop coming to school just because he does not carry his own tiffin?’ I definitely did not have the heart to tell him what was coming next and moreover by then I had started crying copious tears myself by guessing how the movie will end.

The end hit my son real hard. He just kept crying and crying and crying some more. Thankfully the daughter did not understand what was happening. All she kept doing was wiping our tears and kissing us both in turns. Yes she is a darling. After the movie ended I tried explaining the concept of the movie and all he kept saying was that ‘Mummy I shouldn’t have seen the movie.’ Yes outwardly he does come across as a strong, nothing can affect me kind of a person but he is a very sensitive child at heart. And the movie did disturb him.

I felt that’s the basic difference between Taare Zameen Par and Stanley ka Dabba. While the former ended on a happy note the latter did not. While the former was a little filmy and too full of positivity the latter was a simple, no frill yet hard hitting look at reality. I know it is unfair to compare the two movies considering their themes were absolutely different. The comparison comes because of the common factor between the two.

Okay so now I want to know from all you mums out there, which theme would you prefer to convey an important message to your child?Would it be the TZP style of explaining which, though slightly OTT , explained dyslexia and managed to keep it happy happy in the end or would you much rather take the SKD route which is ‘please face it that life is not all bed of roses but do make the most out of what you got.’

Till now I think I have been the TZP kind of a mom. I know there is lot of unhappiness out there in the world and it can be a totally wretched world at times but yet I want to shield my kids from this reality or if not shield gently break to them what the reality is all about. I do take my kids to the street school that we run, yes they are sensitive about kids coming from a less privileged background but yet I only choose to tell them the happy stories that emerge from my school. I keep away the stories that have the potential of breaking their heart.

So what kind of mum are you? Do share your thoughts about this ( if you manage to read the post in total that is :p )

Help spread the word...

2011-05-18T15:55:00.000+05:30

If you have come across any bright students coming from poor financial background who have finished their 10th standard this year and scored more than 80%, please ask them to contact the NGO - Prerana (supported by Infosys foundation).

The NGO is conducting a written test and those who clear the test will be eligible for financial help for their further studies.

Please ask the students to contact the people mentioned below to get the form:

580, Shubhakar, 44th cross, 1st A main road, Jayanagar, 7th block, Bangalore .

Contact numbers:
1. Ms. Saraswati - 99009 06338
2. Mr. Shivkumar - 99866 30301
3. Ms. Bindu - 99645 34667

Even if you don't know anyone, please pass on this info, someone might be in need of this help.

Want a pay raise? don't know how to go about it...?

2011-05-09T12:12:00.001+05:30

(These were my tips for Rediff readers. A dos and don'ts for anyone who plans to ask for a salary raise during appraisals!)

Follow the link :

http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-careers-need-a-raise-remember-these-8-tips/20110506.htm

Hope you find the tips useful!

The Munni-Sheila Influence

2011-05-03T16:46:00.000+05:30

(From my column in DNA dated 1st May 2011)

Before I start my rant about television and Bollywood, I have to say that I’ve always been a huge fan of Bollywood. I still am. Only, these days, due to lack of time, I barely manage to get my weekly dose of Bollywood masala.

I remember how, as kids, we used to wait for Sundays to watch a movie on the one and only — sometimes loved, mostly hated — Doordarshan. Another must watch on the channel was Chitrahaar.An occasional trip to the movie hall completed our quota of Bollywood.

The actors used to leave me mesmerised. They all seemed larger than life because their appearances were few and far between. I tell my kids that they are lucky to have access to so much more than we did. But in my heart, I believe we had it better, in spite of the ‘Rukhawat ke liye khed hai’ messages on DD. Yes, our kids do have the access. But do they understand the bittersweet pleasure of waiting to watch their favourite song on television, or watch a dance performed by their favourite actor/actress? I am amazed at the speed with which channels (some news channels included) are getting Bollywoodised! The exposure to Bollywood for our kids has been total.

My not-yet four-year-old daughter can sing every new Hindi song however raunchy the lyrics may be. She can dance with all the jhatkas and matkas the item girls do. She can even name every Bollywood actor — so what if she calls Shahrukh Khan ‘Kharooshan’. She is totally in love with Ranbir Kapoor and thinks she is a miniature Katrina Kaif. Her heart flips whenever she catches a Ranbir Kapoor ad on television.When I took her for a haircut and the stylist asked me how short I wanted it cut, my daughter said she wanted a haircut like Katrina’s in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahaani. I found that very cute and asked the lady to give her the Katrina fringe.

But this obsession was to get worse. My daughter started asking everyone to call her Katrina and would ask every guest or friend who visited if she looked like the actress. You can all imagine what happened when she heard ‘Sheila ki jawaani’ and watched Katrina dance to that song! Yes. Her fixation for the actress only grew stronger and she tried to imitate her dance moves too. She was fascinated with ‘Munni badnaam hui’ as well.

One fine day, when someone asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, she replied ‘Munni’. That was it. I realised that her interest in Bollywood had gone a bit too far. I couldn’t go into a ‘no movies, no TV’ phase, as that would just make her more stubbornly inclined to watch TV and movies. But I felt something had to be done.

I have now started working on getting her to learn more about icons from other fields, people she can identify with. I keep talking to her about Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Saina Nehwal, Vijender Kumar, Mahesh Bhupathi, Leander Paes, and so on.

Of course, as of now, she listens with polite interest but soon gets back to talking about her favourite topic. I am sure she will, with age, grow to look beyond Hindi movies for inspiration and find her own icons. Our kids have all the knowledge they need at the tips of their fingers, but the easiest accessible medium for them — the television — has sadly limited the information to Bollywood and badly-dubbed Hindi cartoons. Have you watched ‘Tom and Jerry’ in Hindi yet?

Even as I write this column, there is a new Hindi song playing on radio called ‘Character dheela hai’. Oh no! Not again.

So I finally coloured my hair!

2011-04-26T20:12:00.007+05:30

I consider myself lucky to have been blessed with great hair, non-fussy, non-frizzy, easy to maintain, which if left uncombed for days would still continue looking okay. I remember as a child how my mom painstakingly used to oil my hair, massage it, shampoo it and plait it. There was never a bad hair day. But yes as I grew older and busier in life I realized since my hair was the most well behaved part of me it ended up being the most neglected too. No oil massages, no hair serums, no hair colour nothing. Hair was good I was happy. The only treat they got was shampoo followed by hair conditioning. And an occasional trim, to safeguard it from split ends. I have never been the one to experiment with my hair too. Yes I admit I am very boring as far as my hair is concerned. No interesting hair tales to share.

So when I was invited for the Wella Kolestint Blogger’s meet to announce the launch of their new campaign ‘Get Noticed Now’ I was very intrigued and definitely interested to know more. And when you have a hair expert like Natasha Naegamwala from Nalini’s join you to give tips on hair care it is an offer you just can’t refuse! During the course of our chat with Natasha she did dispel a few myths that I had about hair colouring forever. (Yes I am one of those who believed that hair colour leads to hair graying faster L ) there were lots of questions that she answered in her extremely exuberant and vivacious manner. She made it a very interesting and interactive discussion, which was not only enjoyable but also informative. I quite enjoyed listening to Wella Kolestint’s brand representative Ragini Hariharan’s candid talk about her Wella experience.

After listening to both Natasha and Ragini, and having my questions satisfactorily answered with scientific reasons rather than ‘Because we say so....’ manner I was convinced enough to try out the colour that Natasha suggested. Since I don’t have a benchmark to compare my hair colouring-with-Wella experience I would say I was pretty satisfied with it. As it managed to deliver whatever it promised to. Their post colour conditioner was just way too good and so was their pre colour hair protectant (to be applied before colouring to ensure even colouring through the hair.)

I am happy that I chose to go there since I got to interact with some other interesting bloggers and also got insights into daily hair care and on hair colouring. Oh by the way, the food at Bungalow 9 was awesome too and so were our hostesses, who ensured that we were well looked after.

The Wella experience turned out to be good, very honestly more than what I had expected, so my recommendation would be that if you colour your hair do try it out.

To think before you do

2011-04-13T16:48:00.001+05:30

(From my column in DNA dated 10th April, 2011)

The biggest challenge any mom-to-be with a full-time job faces is how, after the baby arrives, will she balance her career, her child and her family. Should she continue working or quit her job? I faced a similar dilemma when I had my son eight years back.I had a full-time job then, but I chose to quit and become a stay-at-home mom.

Once I decided to quit, all my attention went in bringing him up. I promised myself that I would put my heart and soul in nourishing and nurturing my new born to be a success story! I started dreaming IIT/ IIM dreams on his behalf.

And of course he wouldn’t be just good at studies, but he also had to be a good sportsperson, fabulous dancer, good musician, and a good artist. Basically, everything rolled into one.

So as soon as he turned a year old I started looking for some age appropriate classes. With each passing day he was getting naughtier, but there were no relevant classes at that point of time where I could send him, to keep him occupied and busy. So by the time he was two I was almost drowning in self-created miseries of not being able to provide him with the right training and losing out on time to achieve perfection. I was almost obsessed with getting him to learn everything before other kids his age could do.

I started him off with tennis lessons at a club close to home. While I always went excitedly, my son kept crying that he didn’t enjoy tennis one bit. So this struggle continued before the coach intervened and told me that ‘I should give my son more time as he was not ready for tennis.’ I took that as a personal slight and in a huff got him to quit. My next attempt was to get him to learn art.

So I enrolled him for art classes, and yet again, I realised what was of interest to me was not for him. I did not stop at that. My other failed attempts were to send him to learn football, dance, skating, kick boxing, kung fu and swimming, besides other academic related classes.Mind you, all this I introduced in his life before he turned six. Exasperated at my failure and his stubborn refusal to learn, I gave up.

When he was six he asked me if I would enroll him for karate classes after school. Though I wanted him to take up basketball, I decided to go with his choice and see his commitment for an activity he had chosen.

I was surprised to see his passion for martial arts and how he took to it. There has been no stopping him after that. He has participated in many inter-school championships and has won some medals too. He doesn’t miss a single day of his coaching. He is willing to travel to far-off places to take part in tournaments.

What this decision managed to do was instill a sense of confidence and responsibility in him. I also realised that he took up the activities he had failed to show an interest in at the initial stage — such as skating, swimming and basketball — with renewed interest. He is doing well in these but his passion clearly lies in karate.

What I have realised is that if you make the child feel competent and capable of taking part in the decision making process, they usually start seeing themselves that way. They end up gaining self-confidence, become slightly more independent and most importantly become thinkers before doers.

I am still trying to get him to take up any one activity of my choosing and still secretly nurse the all-rounder No 1 dream. Come on, as a mom I am allowed to do that! No, I shall not give up, nor will I give in to every random choice he chooses to make.

For the love of her very own room

2011-04-13T16:46:00.000+05:30

(From my column in DNA dated 13th March, 2011)

I have been a mummy for almost eight years, and the journey has been very satisfying till now. My kids mean the world to me. But I am sure you would agree that it is not a perfect world and there is no perfect mum. So yes, while I am a proud mum, I also possess the ability to rant about some situations that I find myself in as a mother. One thing I am certain of is that our kids are smarter in understanding us and know exactly which buttons to press to get the desired response from their parents.

Recently, I decided that my 3-year-old daughter needed to move out of our bedroom. Sigh! Yes she still sleeps with us. I took this entire process as a project that I had to complete in a time frame of one month. Little did I realise that it would not be as easy as I envisaged. Stage one was when I gently persuaded her with promises of sleep fairy leaving a chocolate/toy for her if she slept in her own room.

Her instant response to that was, “Mama, chocolates are not good for the teeth so please tell sleep fairy that I don’t want” and “I have lots of toys. I don’t want anymore.” End of discussion. The next stage was slightly sterner where I told her that if she didn’t sleep in her own room everyone would call her a small baby, not a big girl, as she would like to be known.

Well, that worked a bit, she would go to her room but would be back in our bedroom within two hours. In my last desperate attempt to reassert my position as a mum before this project got indefinitely delayed, I got her to choose a few things that she would want in her bedroom to make her room more interesting. So the room got a few pink cut outs and a bit of Dora the Explorer. Voila! It worked like a dream. As of now, she goes off to sleep in her room most times happily, sometimes not so happily.

That brings me to another much-discussed topic between mums. When is it the right time to get the child to move out of your room? Most mums I spoke to were clearly divided on this topic. Some mums I shared this experience with told me that I had left it for too late, to which I tend to agree, as my son had moved out as soon as he was 2. Then, on the other side of the spectrum, are the ones who believe I was being a bit too ‘harsh’ on the ‘poor little darling’ and that I should let her be.

As a mother I have come to terms with the fact that there is no fixed solution to a certain issue that one faces with the child. You have to constantly keep evolving depending on the child, the situation and the environment. What works for one may not work for another and remember as a mum — you know best.

A friend remembered...

2010-11-01T15:17:00.000+05:30

A friend is someone who knows how you feel when you are low, A friend is someone who hand holds you when you falter, A friend is someone who can feel free to scream at you and tell you where you are going wrong, A friend is someone who you can hold tight and cry your heart out when you are depressed. I am truly happy and blessed I was given the opportunity to have a friend like that.

She was all this and more. I lost her a few years back but her presence I still feel with me everywhere I go. Even now when I am in doubt or losing my way she just seems to be there to guide me. This was no school/college friendship. This was a friendship which is rare.

I remember fun times with her, though she was much older she just found it so easy to connect with me and my friends. Make us laugh with her wicked sense of humour! There are just so many instances that I recall where she just helped show me the way. I believe a lot of what I am today is a reflection of what she was or could have been if she ever got a chance. The people who knew her called her the iron lady but for me she was the epitome of a lovely human being who loved her family above all and was fiercely protective almost like a tigress ready to attack if provoked.

When I was 17 I was this one difficult daughter to handle I wanted to start working part time along with my studies but my parents were dead set against it so I asked her to intervene in the impasse and she after hearing both sides out asked my dad to allow me to give it a try and made me promise that in case I found it difficult to manage both simultaneously I would have to give it up right there and then. That one decision was one life changing moment for me. I remember as soon as I got my first salary the first thing I went and did was to buy her a small gift. Her joy knew no bounds when she proudly declared to all about the gift. It helped me realise what I wanted to be for which I will forever be grateful to her. Even her faith in me was rock solid once we had flown her down to Bombay for her cataract surgery, a simple affair that went horribly wrong and she lost her vision. Since I was the one who had taken complete charge of handling it I just killed myself with the guilt of it going wrong...but she was just truly amazing all she did was take my hand in her hand and say that I only trust you on this please continue to help...those words just made me want to curl up and die. Such was her faith in me. She battled through her life without vision but there was no loss of joie de vivre, immensely positive.

In her last days when her health deteriorated, by then I was married and living in another city. I specifically remember her calling me asking me to come and meet her as she was missing me. I went to meet her then and she just kept insisting about how it was high time that I had a baby which annoyed me no end but told her not to worry about it. Within a few days of returning back home I got the news that she was no more. I was left numb with shock and cried copious tears, nothing absolutely nothing, could replace this huge sense of loss. Though everyone kept telling me it was for the best as her health was getting worse and with no vision it was getting difficult for her too to manage herself. At moments like these words cannot console you, your grief at losing someone so dear cannot be calmed by words. I knew she had gone to a better place, I knew she was at peace, I knew she will always be there looking after me but still the loss was unbearable. Within the first month of her passing away I realised that I was pregnant and my son arrived within the year of her passing. Ironic isn't it?

So she truly was a grandmother like no other. She coming from a small town in UP who did not get a fair chance to study considering the circumstances she was a part of and yet strongly backing me in everything I wanted to do in life and being there for me is something I consider exceptional. I really thank god for giving me a friend in her.

Unfortunately haven't been able to connect with anyone else in the same way. I believe even if I manage to be 10 percent of what she was it would be a life well lived. I know it sounds crazy but every decision big or small that I take in life I think of her and think how she would react in the situation I am in.

Oye some music ho jaaye?!

2010-09-25T16:38:00.000+05:30

Some links of songs I can hear on a loop without tiring of them one bit. Hindi songs for today

Maula mere Maula from Anwar is one of my clear favourite. There is something very soothing about it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvAPcNPXVDQ

Atif Aslam songs, most of them I enjoy listening to..but some of his Coke studio songs are awesome! Here are some of my most liked ones
Doorie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPRU-vVMuWg&feature=fvst

Tu Jaane Na- Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq0NTa4ov5w

Kaun Hoon Main- Prince
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFN_TG4lO4Q

Jal Pari- Coke Studio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCDPKcQpgwM

Wasta Pyar Da
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_aks21mG4g&feature=related

Peeloon -Once Upon a Time in Mumbai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFGsa2MFO70

Mora Piya-Raahat Fateh Ali Khan-Rajneeti
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLPqxm-E-bw&feature=fvsr

Teri Deewani- Kailash Kher
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtKodjQjIq8

Allah Ke Bande-Kailash Kher
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UuJK5Z_ltE

Mohit Chauhan is another singer whose songs, every single one he sings, I absolutely LOVE..

Tune Jo Na Kaha-New York
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxCCD3SS3dA

Dooriyan-Love aaj Kal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EfX3kAM1Ks&feature=related

Pehli Baar Mohabbat- Kaminey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMEg6DKkP0k

Okay I guess enough chitrahaar for the day :) Just felt like sharing some of my favourites..There are definitely many many more but these come to mind instantly. I will keep adding in my posts from time to time.

Enjoy the music!

Thank you Indiblogger!

2010-09-13T12:12:00.001+05:30

Thank You Indiblogger! You have managed to, thanks to your ranking system, salvage an almost dying blog! I was pleasantly surprised to get my new ranking for this blog- it stands at 47! Yes I am totally feeling guilty for neglecting this blog which was so dear to me but now your ranking has managed to revive my interest in the blog yet again..More so because I will feel motivated enough to keep writing to maintain this ranking.

Yet again it would be absolutely random posts just about anything that has caught my attention and is good enough to be shared with the readers!( going by absolutely no comments on the blog not too sure if I have anyone reading my blog anyway)

So there is this amazingly hilarious book that I am reading Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella…yes yes the same lady responsible for Rebecca (Becky) Bloomwood! She is now a mommy to a 2 year old Minnie who is as big a shopaholic as her mum…the sequences in the book are just way too funny. And as is the norm when you are reading about a mummy- baby book you are bound to make comparisons with your own self. I can absolutely understand the challenges Rebecca faces as a mother of a two year old Ms. Smarty Pants! It is similar to what I face with my daughter of course not as much as what Becky has to handle! Thank god my daughter is not aware of baby designer clothes...YET. Speaking of which neither is her mum...designer clothes and I don’t get along. Of course various reasons the topmost being the affordability J second I don’t understand fashion I usually pick up and wear stuff I am comfortable in so the spring/summer/winter trends is just not my cup of tea!

I don’t read Vogue and even if I do, I end up ogling at the designer bags/shoes. Oh I forgot to mention designer clothes is the only thing I don’t understand...the rest as in bags and shoes are just what I absolutely dig and love but sigh can’t afford!!

Of course not understanding or following fashion does not mean I don’t hoard enough and more clothes...Ask poor husband who has to keep making place in his wardrobe to make place for my stuff (must be a general woman thing since I know all my girlie friends do the same thing!). Handbags and shoes are other things that are constantly fighting for a place in my wardrobe!

Such is life for us women. All I have to say is I am lucky to be a woman…the sheer indulgence is, well so worth it!

I want to review a book too!

2010-08-31T15:18:00.001+05:30

Last evening while I was busy reading a book my son shyly (which he is usually never!) asked me "Mummy you review books for your blog?" I said "Yes, I do" so he quickly said "Can I also review a book I have just read?" I was for a moment taken by surprise that how was it possible for him to even come up with this idea. But my son never ceases to amaze me. So while keeping a straight face I asked him which book did he feel so strongly about for him to think of reviewing it. He immediately said Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr. Fox. This book also happens to be his reader in school! He has managed to finish reading it. And he really loved it. He asked me if it was possible for me to write down his review since he would find it difficult to type SO MUCH. I agreed. I sat down with a paper and a pen,I was really very curious what he would have to say about the book and his review...by the end of it I was absolutely and truly speechless with his attempt . He made me promise that I would put it on the blog right away. I choose to do it here rather than the book blog ...so here goes :

"Fantastic Mr. Fox is a book about a fox who steals food from the three finest farms in the world. The farmers are totally fed up of the fox and they think of some horrible ideas to catch Mr.Fox but Mr.Fox is too clever for them and always has a ready plan to escape from the farmers' clutches.He keeps coming up with new plans to steal food from these farmers' land.

The book is about how clever animals are.It is a funny and interesting book.I enjoyed reading the book very much.You must read it too.

I am now reading Ruskin Bond's Mr.Oliver's Tales. It is my first Bond book and I am enjoying reading that too."

He has now promised to review Mr.Oliver's Tales too! I am loving it. I am beaming like a proud mother of a 7 year old ever since!If you enjoyed reading his brief review do post your comments will read it out to him, it will sure encourage him and motivate him to take more interest in reading books as well as writing.

Keep reading the blog for more posts from him.

Independence day in the Street School!

2010-08-30T15:02:00.000+05:30

Some images from the I-Day celebrations in our Street School for Street Kids.Totally heartwarming :)

My Latest Attempt..

2010-08-25T19:08:00.000+05:30

I remember I had mentioned I would write more frequently but that somehow doesn’t seem to be happening! Alas, though there is just so much I have to rave and rant about but can’t seem to assimilate all the thoughts running in the head into one rant post...If this post seems to be disjointed please understand so are the thoughts in my head!

So let me first begin with one more news that I have to share. Recently a political party had invited applications for people who wanted to become members in their Mumbai team and I ended up filling the form just to see how serious they were about their claims of just about any newbie being given a chance to enter the so called system. Filled. Done and forgotten. You can imagine my surprise when I got a call from them stating that I was now a member and the next best part was that I could now stand for a party position in the party. So I stood and I WON! Yes I did! Okay now for the reactions from sisters to brother to all well wishers – not too happy with the idea. Yes I agree with their viewpoint that politics in India would make anyone squirm...when you conjure up thoughts of all our netas it makes you uncomfortable and apprehensive. Well I will be honest and say I too am a bit undecided but I have given it a shot and want to attempt to do full justice to it.

I know I sound crazy but somehow I believe that if we don’t come forward to change the political dynamics of this country why the hell should we expect anyone better to rule us? It is very easy to sit at home and denounce the state of affairs of the country it is altogether a different ball game when you try to step into the muck and attempt to bring about changes in the system. I absolutely have not entered with stars in my eyes that this position will help me change the country...but I believe it definitely is a small step in trying to be the change I want to see in this country. Who will come forward if not us?

The second thing I have noticed is that not many women come forward to try and enter politics. When I attended their first convention I noticed that there was only one woman candidate who attempted to stand for the Mumbai Presidential election amongst 21 males in the fray. Skewed numbers totally hence I absolutely appreciate the 33% reservation for women in the parliament and all elections big or small. The reservation if acted upon seriously could change the dynamics of the future of the Indian women in the country. Very honestly the women are usually not looked upon seriously in this area. I feel that this mindset would change too if more women enter politics.

So that is how things stand. I have chosen this and I will try to do full justice to it…I may drop out if I feel I cannot manage but will not give up without trying my best. Maybe, just maybe, I will be able to bring about a slight difference in the scheme of things to come.

You say I am immensely positive...I say yes I am! I have always looked at the glass as half full rather than half empty...yet again maybe proved wrong but at least I attempted, I went beyond speaking about the changes I wanted to see in the system.

As long as the heart is in the right place for the right reasons I am sure it would be an enjoyable time! If nothing else will get a chance to learn the intricacies of what makes the world’s largest democracy India tick.

Back for good!

2010-07-30T17:53:00.000+05:30

I have been missing in action for so long! I seriously feel bad that I almost abandoned this blog. There should be a punishment for bloggers who just stop updating their blog (I am sure I will be the front runner in this!).It is not that I gave up on blogging altogether it is just that all my efforts were diverted to my other blog! Yes I do have another blog but it is all about books! I have always been very passionate about books. Books have been my companion, my best friend, my hobby all through my growing up years and continue being an important part of my life till date! So, the choice was not very difficult as I knew if there was anything I would want to write about besides my mundane life it would obviously be that. Since I don’t have the expertise or bandwidth to write more complex things like state of Indian Politics, Government, International Affairs!
Lots of other things have also been happening in my life…Ahem, I am sure you would want to know what has been keeping me so busy and occupied-well for instance twitter, facebook have kept me busy and so have my kids! My daughter turns 3 next month, which would ideally mean end of terrible twos and a life of peace as a mother. But sigh it doesn’t work that way with my kids. There have been no terrible twos or threes with my kids or being naughty only up to a particular age! They have been naughty and a handful ever since they were born, especially my daughter! I have been blessed with a daughter who, I am sure, was a super woman in her past life she is so full of energy and always up to mischief . If she is Super Woman then my son is no less he I feel is a reincarnation of Bruce Lee. I kid you not! They are quite a combination, right? If you think I exaggerate please feel free to try and babysit them for an entire day as the pleasure would be all mine.
The other good thing is, the street schools are going strong and we have over 200 kids coming everyday for two hours of school.
Okay I know, I know not enough excuses for not updating this blog! Plan to change that and keep posting random, nonsensical stuff. Of course my raving and ranting about the world, country and family in general will continue here! That is an important part of me and can’t be wished away.
Yes back and hopefully for good!
(PS: Please do read my book review blog and of course feel free to comment! Not that I am moderating comments here..!)

Namaste Teacher!

2009-03-23T16:59:00.003+05:30

It's been quite a while since I posted on the blog!I have been busy with the start of IH's pavement school 2.Sometimes I go teach there as well...I can't even begin to tell you how satisfying the experience is..
The school took off last Monday with 15 kids and today a week from then we have 60 kids already.As soon as I go there I am greeted with 'Namaste Teacher' chorus...can't tell you how happy that makes me feel!It makes my day and I guess that's the only reason why I end up going there to teach even though we have 3 teachers there handling the kids.

Too much of India Helps in my life!

2009-03-21T17:28:00.003+05:30

Or so a friend liked to believe and pointed out to me very subtly during a conversation I was having about, what else but IH....

Yes I can be pushy when I need to be and not realize it as well till not pointed out to me !

Well dear friend thank you for your feedback....but unfortunately IH is gonna be an important part of my life so please to forgive ;)

Homework Blues!

2009-02-10T14:36:00.003+05:30

While I write this my son is howling and crying about not doing his homework.Week after week it is a struggle to get him to sit down and do his homework.

My son goes to a school where each class has only 28 kids with 2/3 teachers.Pretty good child teacher ratio where every child is personally observed by the teacher.Everything that they are taught in school is absolutely hands on and no learning by rote is involved.So why is it that getting him to do his homework is such a difficult task?Considering that he goes to a school which does not give tons of homework for the child to do everyday and the homework is all of 3/4 pages to do over the weekend seems to be a big chore for my son..

If this is what it is now at pre-school level I dread to think what lies ahead.
Whenever I see this behavior I rewind back to my school days carrying a heavy school bag on my back and almost everyday getting homework for every subject.I used to diligently sit down in the evening and ensure my homework was complete to avoid getting teachers remark in my school diary.And having a class crammed with sixty kids the only way we could get attention from the teacher was when we did our homework well/wrote neatly.The compliment from the teacher in front of the class was well worth the effort put in to do the homework!

So what is it that makes this gen tick...........am still looking for an answer!If anyone knows pliss do helllllllp am at my wit's end!

..And let it be known that I was there!!

2009-01-19T17:07:00.005+05:30

Yes I finally managed to go for the marathon!! But as I said I was unable to run as I hadn't registered.Though I didn't run the experience was exhilarating!I shall tell all right from the start...
I woke up at 6.30 and was feeling really bad for my little baby who would be dragged to my sister's place early morning but at the same very excited about the marathon.Poor hubby was dragged along as well with me but I must say he was quite a sport throughout.So the two of us headed for the train station (did not take the car as were not too sure about the parking etc)and were quiet surprised to see just so many more people heading for the marathon all wearing t-shirts of the cause they were supporting.We managed to get into a slow train and you could almost feel the fervor. As soon as we reached Churchgate we met up with the rest of the India Helps team and together with them we went on our mission which was to try and create awareness about our cause and probably get more volunteers.While walking from the station to Azad Maidan we could see lots of colours,kids in various costumes and loads of excitement.So we went and stationed ourselves where the registrations were happening and realised that most of the registration process was completed and not many were left with whom we could talk about our cause.So off we went towards the media stand and saw the Corporate Challenge flagged off but had to move from there as it was way too crowded.We had still not found the perfect place to distribute leaflets and put up our banner!So we walked towards Marine Lines and reached where the race ended.That is where we parked ourselves.It was great to see lots of govt. owned companies participating with a huge contingent like the WR,MCGM,BMC,ONGC etc then there were also the celebrities running for their cause I saw Anil Kumble,Soha Ali Khan,Harsha Bhogle...what was great to see was the camaraderie -everyone running as an equal whether you a celebrity or a commoner and all running for the city of Mumbai!The mood was very festive,there was lots of music, you could see lezhim dancers,singers who were pepping up the mood of the runners at the fag end!Everyone ending the race with a huge smile and what was more heartening was the response to our leaflets some stopped by to understand what India Helps was all about and what our plans were.What was equally heartening to see was the number of senior citizens participating (It was for Harmony).Lots of kids on strollers were part of the huge dream run turn out.It was one big carnival out there!
So after the leaflets were handed out we decided to call it a day and head back home.Both husband and I were very happy about being a part of the marathon.We have decided to register ourselves and take our kids as well because I am sure they'd enjoy the experience as well.
Kids or no kids I am surely gonna be there!!

Sibling rivalry or revelry?

2009-01-15T10:03:00.004+05:30

Today while reading the morning newspaper I was very disheartened to read about the Dutt family it brought to the forefront the ever existent debate about sibling rivalry.
I come from a big family and as older sister have been fiercely protective about my brother and love him like crazy........poor guy has not only me, but three more sisters who feel the same way if not more about him!!So being the older ones we have more or less always felt that we should try and do the best we can for him and obviously expect the best out of him.We are bossy,pushy with him if we feel that whatever we are asking him to do will help him in the future.
There are two ways that an outsider could look at this situation
A) We should let the guy be and not push him to do things our way (though its helpful for him in the long run!).Let him take studied decisions himself after weighing the pros and cons and let the final decision be his and back out of his life.
B)We do this out of love and a sense of been there done that.Being the older sibling you feel responsible for the younger one and feel the need to protect him/her from the big bad world.
I think its the latter which turns the younger sibling a rebel and that's when they want to do things their own way and that's when the journey of being independent begins .Mistakes I feel are good but only if you learn a lesson from it.
Going back to Sanjay Dutt ,I can only comment as an outsider, that the man is truly blessed to have sisters like Priya and Namrata who have stood by him through his good times and bad.Tried to be there for him whenever he needed them but it would be unfair to say it is only one sided even he I am sure would have tried to be as good a brother as possible.
But today they stand at cross purposes in life.Both sides while trying to keep the family together are also responsible for dividing the family into two.Really heart breaking.
I feel sibling rivalry starts early and in small gestures like 'oh look he is eating faster than you' or 'she is always first while you never win'...harmlessly spoken by parents and family but leaves a big dent in the child's life.Since I have a huge family thankfully we never had comparisons (because I guess there were too many to compare!) but there were clear favorites in the house.Even my son is very emotional and even a small bit of comparison raises his hackles and I instantly see him getting violent with my younger daughter.
I dread to think that if this was to happen between my two kids?And for my brother, though difficult, but true that I should let him be rather than pushing him to choose the path that I want him to choose.....
So this is going to be my new year resolution that I should stop being a pushy sister and try to be a non-partisan mum!!

Marathon and me!

2009-01-13T15:26:00.004+05:30

This year I plan to go for the Mumbai Marathon!!!If I was asked to attend this annual mega event two months back I would have laughed it off considering I could not have imagined running/walking or whatever they do out there!!I am too lazy a person to go down for a stroll in my building forget running,sweating,handling the heat,braving the crowds it's just not me.Give me a good book and I can just plonk myself on the bed and read for hours on end......But here I am absolutely super excited and looking forward to attending this event.I may not get a chance to run (thank god for that!!My fitness levels are nothing to write home about..) considering that the registrations closed for the event way back in August 2008.
What made me change my mind?Why am I even attempting to be there considering I stay a good 20+ kms away from where the Marathon happens every year and leaving two small kids at home?I do this because this year I am participating for a cause that I feel strongly about.
In my earlier posts I had mentioned that I was absolutely shaken after the 26/11 episode so I finally chose to do something about it.I have chosen not to sit back and forget what happened that day.
Post 26/11 the intent was there but I did not know how to go about it but thanks to Kiran who started a blog I realised that a group of concerned citizens could actually make a big difference in bettering the lives of families of the victims.The team is still taking baby steps considering that some of us are relatively new to this but the support from like minded people has been tremendous..So that is where the marathon comes in.We are trying to get more people to involve themselves in this cause.
Going to be there with lots of hopes and absolute confidence that the people of Mumbai will not let me down!And will support us whole heartedly...

Dance like no one is watching!

2009-01-06T10:07:00.002+05:30

Ever since I remember I have been a very reluctant dancer and you can easily say I have two left feet.In my family all are fabulous dancers..my sisters have won many prizes for their dancing and so has my brother.I was always happy watching them from the sidelines but if I was pushed to dance I used to throw a major tantrum!!I really find it very difficult to co-ordinate my hand and leg movement simultaneously.I would say my various attempts at dancing have been really hilarious.
I remember around 2 years back I finally decided I wanted to learn how to dance so I hired a tutor who could teach me how to dance. I must admit, all her attempts to teach me how to dance flopped miserably and she politely backed out of this mission impossible!!Really I don't blame her!
The bollywood actor and actresses really amaze me with their jhatkas and their gravity defying dance moves..so do today's kids- you must watch them dance!!Most of them are absolutely successful in copying the heroine/hero of the song even the expressions are absolutely the same.Watch any dance show on TV and you have these miniature Shahrukhs and Kareenas dancing away to glory for the much coveted prize money.The kids are made to dance,sing,and act like stand up comedians in these kid based shows..really makes me wonder where has all the innocence gone??
Anyway back to my dancing prowess or rather the lack of it,today I see even my son inherits this quality from me.I have tried sending him for a dance class once but he would absolutely refuse to listen to his dance sir.So I gave up when he refused to step into the dance class.I would be very honest here and say that he does dance when he chooses to.And he can dance very well (that is where the two of us are different!) but he has chosen the same path as me of not dancing in front of people and when they are watching..
So what do I do to change this?Many a times the child watches the parent for cues..so I have chosen to dance- I don't care if my moves are not in sync with the music really how does it matter?I have chosen to dance on any music that is foot tapping it could even be the birdy dance..I have chosen to dance like no one is watching.All this in the hope that my son also doesn't turn out to be a reluctant dancer like me.
I can definitely see the change, though very little, but it is there.He dances when he sees his mother dance..he also laughs on watching his mother dance!!So he now knows it's ok to dance funny or continue dancing even when people find your moves hilarious...but atleast he enjoys the effort and so do I.have started enjoying dancing!
So here's to many more dance sessions with my son!Oh by the way did I mention that my daughter at 16 months is a fabulous dancer?!Play any bollywood song and she dances like one bollywood diva...
The travails of a mother!

Wake up guys...what are we waiting for?

2008-12-24T15:03:00.001+05:30

It's going to be a month since our city was gang raped...yes i say this because I feel that way about the terrorist attacks.A city that was going about its life was attacked and how.But the aftermath is also as bad as the attacks.
I seriously wish we could have leaders instead of politicians in our country..guys let us get our house in order before we blame others.So the blame game is on and the steps taken by our government is as good as none.A month and Taj is back in full glory and so is The Oberoi but steps taken to do something towards these episodes not happening in our country again are almost close to nothing.
I have noticed it is an Indian problem to point a finger at others rather than own up responsibility.
Alright so we have a neighbor who is troublesome but we cant wash our hands off by blaming them and then waging a war against them.That's the last thing that a recession hit country like us needs.
What we need is a great leader who can lead us from the front and take some decisive action against this kind of terrorism rather than being politically correct all the time.We are definitely tired of hearing the same things time and again.All talk no action.
So there I have let off steam against these politicians I also have a bone to pick with the citizens of Mumbai..
Guys lets not forget the 26/11 episode that shook our souls..Let the fire within us this time not fizzle out... let us get together and collectively take charge of this city...yes it is easier said then done.I felt this was the episode that would make each and every citizen of Mumbai get up from their sleep and jolt us into action..but alas barring a few we guys are still comfortably numb.As long as our immediate family is out of harm's way we guys are fine and move on.But guys if this has happened to someone's family today it could happen to one of us tomorrow...why can't we all get together and ensure that this fear of tomorrow is wiped out of our collective mind forever.I have personally in my experience tried to get people to contribute in whichever way they can towards the victims of these attacks but after lots of 'yes that is the way to go' attitude all is forgotten and lavish parties are being planned and not to forget 'What are your plans for new year's eve?' .It just makes my heart cry and mind scream..Am I the only one who feels that way?
I know I know I better stop my crib!It sure is loads of raving and ranting before Xmas.
Hope this season brings with it an awakening...an awakening of a soul long lost in the hurry to earn money
..in the hope of a better tomorrow.

No longer a mundane life..

2008-12-18T10:58:00.001+05:30

Whoops had absolutely forgotten about A Mundane Life ..!!Well, after two years, I can absolutely and truly say that my life is anything but mundane!My son is now close to six and I have a 16 month old daughter to give him company!!
Reminding me of which,I am in the process of getting my daughter's admission in a play school.I got a call last evening asking me politely to be there in school at 9.30 with my husband and toddler as the school counsellor would like to have a tete-a-tete with us!Imagine my disbelief at dragging my daughter to school to know if she is fit enough for playschool...in India competition for a place starts early, but this early ,I was definitely not aware of.
So both parents with our daughter in tow went to the school at the time given.Both of us were very nervous about how our little girl would behave in the counsellor's presence .Well once we reached there I felt the counsellor was more nervous than us.So our little miss takes a seat and the first question to her is what is your name?.........blank..........beta bolo what is your name........?stares blankly....no response just a bit of mumble jumble which even I failed to understand.
Ok so we move on to the next question...can you give me the apple (I was absolutely confident that this particular bit she will sail through as I ask her to do that at home everyday!!)but horror of horrors again no response....beta apple de do ...doesnt even look in that direction...And till now i thought my daughter was pretty quick in her response.Which I still believe she is.
Which brings me to the most important fundamental question here even if this was just a formality that the school wanted to do..why subject a 16 month old child to such questions?Does the child really need to go through all this to prove that she is smart enough to be a part of a toddler group.Are we as parents expecting too much out of our children?I am absolutely opposed to the idea of taking a 2 year old to school and having to start schooling so early in life.But if I dont get an admission now I know i will face bigger hurdles in getting her into a school of my choice.Thats the way it works here.
After the tete a tete my husband told me that we should start looking at other options for school as our daughter didn't respond satisfactorily
I refuse to believe that she did not respond favourably,I feel she responded how a normal 16 month old child should respond to strangers.
Anyway I am hoping for the best (as if my child has given some exam) and hoping for her to sail through...

The Rockstar is born

2006-12-11T20:13:00.002+05:30

Yesterday..Sunday was just the usual day with husband having to travel and me being home all by myself with my 3 yr old son for company.....by evening i was totally going mad due to sheer boredom.
Just then I got a call from my younger sister (who was carrying full term and due anyday)saying that the baby was all set to arrive..
Now finally I had something to do ... which was basically, twiddling my thumb and wondering what was happening out there ...how was my little sister handling the pain? Would she be scared?By the way did I mention she lives in the US while I am in Bombay.It brought back tons of memory of my own pregnancy..how I was happily getting dressed to go for a party..had a routine check up with my doctor..I go there all happy and excited with my thoughts firmly on the party and what all I will eat!I love parties..birthday, Wedding, Engagement whatever as long as I get to meet people and have great food I am game!Well, at that stage, food was the only thing on my mind!
But when the doctor checked he said the party is over guys get ready for the baby to arrive....I was wondering is this it, no pains nothing and I am in labor?I was all geared for a majorly painful journey..breathing exercises,dire warnings by by mother and older sister,some tips from other young mums about what was coming my way...was I jittery? Was I tensed,worried?...nope,nothing..there was just a feeling of happiness..that the long wait was over and I could hold the baby...my baby..our baby....
How was I to know that after his arrival my life was going to change absolutely and completely!Nothing, I say absolutely nothing, prepares you for motherhood.None of the self help books work!It is a total learn-on-the-job kind of an experience.There have been ups and downs but I have learnt tons from all the experience
Well back to my sister I desperately wanted to be by her side rather than nervously waiting for the news.
WAIT WAIT WAIT..............and she calls finally! She is laughing ..you know she is tired,wants to sleep desperately but she is laughing and tells me the ROCKSTAR has arrived and he is beautiful .........
Yes I can fully understand my dearest sister..I can absolutely understand the feeling!!