Change your attitude

There is so much agitation in the west about jobs being "off-shored" to countries like India. It is "the" phenomenon being blamed for the job losses, a situation made worse by the recession. Its so bad that when someone loses there job to outsourcing- its called " he's been bangalored!". In the wake of the crises, President Obama plans to bring in more "protectist"measures. (rising economic vocabulary- sign of the times!).And India has pledged to do all it can to ensure its outsourced work stations (read: call centers) are safe guarded from job losses!.

What a world we live in!.. 

Each one for his own, shaping their economic destiny. 

Anyway, just wanted to share with you guys some thing i just read- from a letter written by a manager of a MNC to his employees regarding the outsourcing crises.

"....Change is hard.Change is hardest on those caught by suprise. Change is hardest on those who have difficulty changing too. But change is natural; change is not new; change is important.....Work gets done where it can be done most effectively and efficiently...it is time to think about the obligations of change as well as the oppurtunities in it...'

The Changing Face of Indian cinema: My Must See Movie List

In recent times I have come across a number of really good Indian movies- a suprising change from the usual song-dance-action routine. These films are more in tune with the times- realistic, low budget and refreshing. Technically too these movies are up to the mark in most instances. 

One of my present favourites is a telugu movie called "Happy Days". Its a college romance story.. but thats where the similarity to the usual masala potboilers ends. Its superbly made.. simple yet appealling. Its a definite must see for anyone who hasn't seen it yet. As for me, I have seen it 10 times already and till counting

Shekar Kamulla, the director of Happy Days, is quite obviously the brain behind the film- as the entire movie is steered by its direction. His earlier movie "Godavari" is also just as brilliant and is also a definite must-watch.

Another must see in my list is "A Wednesday" starring Naseruddin Shah and Anupam Kher in probably their best performances to date. Although somewhat predictable, its central theame is innovative. Another movie with a similar theame is " Aamir"- also a good flick. Although, made with sincerity that shows in the performances, its not quite in the same league as "A Wednesday". Naseruddin Shah gave us another stellar performance last year with "Parzania"- a moving story in the background of the Gujarat riots of 2002. More than the story, the movie brings into focus the horror of the riots like it has never been seen before- leaving you wondering how such deplorable acts can be carried out in this age!

A Pakistani movie "Khuda Ke Liye" is another reminder of the turbulent times we live in- where religious extremism and terrorism go hand-in-hand. You have to have patience to get through the slow script, but at the end, its worth it. It leaves you with a better understanding of society as its exists today.

I recently chanced upon a tamil movie-" Vaaranam Aayiram" and was floored by it. With dual acting by the ever perfect Surya and sound track by Harris Jayraj, its a complete entertainer. Even though it is a somewhat song-dance-action movie- its different in a way. 

Design of a Bygone Era

I have always been fascinated by design- art/science/ technology/fashion is full of examples of people striving to "design". Personally, i have a passion for interior designing. But, i love "design" in many forms- paintings, sculptures, architecture, modern technology and even fashion (although i rarely ever dress with the times!). 

I'm not exactly spiritually inclined but i do love visiting ancient temples, primarily for their achitecture. I always tell people- "if i wasn't a doctor, i'd be either a journalist or an architect". Temple architecture is mind-boggling in many ways. One of the temples in India that has left me spell bound is the Brihadeshwara temple in Tanjore, Tamil Nadu. In terms of size and architecture, it is clearly a cut above the rest. Recently i even saw a documentary on the temple on Discovery channel- the serial host was quite obviously awed by the experience. There are  number of interesting facts about this monument.

• The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Great Living Chola Temples" and has been built in the 11th cetury A.D.
  
• The 'Vimana' - or the temple tower - is 216 ft (66 m) high(about 70 meters) and is among the tallest of its kind in the world. The stones that make this mammooth object is believed to have been conveyed to the top by means of a inclined plane commencing from Sarapallam (scaffold-hollow), four miles north-east of the city!
  
• Rajaraja Cholan, the Great Chola king built the temple, also known as Big Temple. "In the twenty-fifth year of Rajaraja Cholan (A.D 1009-10) on the 257th day of the year the king handed over the copper pot for the finial at the top of the Vimana". It weighed about 235 lbs., and was overlaid with gold plate of weight of 292.5 Kalanju or nearly 35 lbs. It is believed that its shadow is never cast on the ground!
  
• There is a big statue of Nandi (sacred bull), carved out of a single rock, at the entrance measuring about 16 feet long and 13 feet high. The monolithic stone is said to come from the river bed of Narmada- in west India.
  
• There is a tradition that the Nandhi is growing in size with the progress of time. It was feared it might become too large for the Mandapam erected over it and a nail was driven into the back of it, and since, its size has remained stationery!!!
  
• The entire temple structure is made out of hard granite stones, a material sparsely available in Thanjavur area.
  
• The Sivalinga of Sri Brihadisvara is probably the grandest in existence. The tower over the shrine is named Dakshina-Meru after the abode of Lord Shiva at Kailasam, the Uttara-Meru.
  
• It is perhaps the only temple in the world which carries an exhaustive documentation ranging over almost a hundred long inscriptions engraved on the walls, pillars and podium, of the comtempory history of the times.
  
• The temple also sports a depiction in stone, of eighty one of the one hundred and eight karanas of Bharata Muni's Natya Sastra -  from whence the dance form Bharthnayam originated.
  
• The inscriptional data also abound in mention of the jewellery of the period; about sixty-six different types of ornaments and jewellery are listed with all the details.
  
• An axial and symmetrical geometry rules the temple layout.
  
• It is said that the the wish to build a temple like this is said to have occurred to Raja Raja while he stayed at "eezham" [today's Sri lanka] as a war head. He saw a lot of Buddha statues that were very tall, which would have made him wish to build a great temple to his cordial deity SHIVA.
  

If you haven't seen Tajore yet, then i'll highly recommend it especially if you are a design fanatic like me!

Best Weekend Breaks

Hampi- the erstwhile Vijayanagar kingdom, now in ruins is a definte must-see for anybody touring India. We left for Hampi in a car from Hubli.Its about a 4 hour drive.. reasonably good roads.. scenic too. We reached Hampi by midday. Since we were planning to return to Hubli by nightfall.. we had only a few hours at our disposal. We bought a guide book.. but the whole place was so vast.. that we didn't know where to start. Our best investment for the trip was a local guide.. who offered us an hour's tour for a mere 100 bucks..an irresitible offer! This guy was briliant.. took us all around the place.. explaining the significance of this and that.. took our photos (ensuring that both of us figured in all the photos.. instead of i-take-u-u-take-me).  the entire experience left us in awe. One shudders to think how this kingdom must have existed in its times of finery. Brilliant architecture.. especially the dancing hall with "musical pillars" and the imposing idols of worship.

Devbagh Beach- A beach resort on an island off the coast of Karwar..a perfect getaway from the city. We went by bus to Karwar.. from there the tour operators organized a ferry till the island. Is like getting into paradise.. as the boat steers you closer to the island... breathtaking views everywhere!. We stayed in quaint little cottages and cabins. The food was amazing.. cooked by the local chefs.Most of all..the privacy is the best part. The beach is for the most part isolated..letting you soak in the sun (and rain . in our case). Plus we were treated with the works.. Banana boat drive, Beach volleyball..etc..All in all.. Fantabulous!

Gokarna-Temple town on the west coast. This town has its mention in mythology and is sacred to Shivites. It has four beaches..dotted with innumerable resorts. We choose the lesser known Kudle beach to stay.. and we were rewarded with a plush resort, unbelievable privacy, awesome scenery and a number of phoren tourists! The beach was inviting.. and we had a blast. We explored the sleepy town the next day..cant forget the temple street with enterprising pujaris!..

BR Hills- a canopy of a forest atop a hill near the town of Mysore with an organised eco-tourism unit and a wildlife santuary. This place is dense jungle, cut off from the world. surrounded by tribal hamlets and beasts of the wild. We choose the monsoon month of september to visit this place..not the best of decisions if you hate getting wet and dirty as you tred through the forest. The jeep safaris were thrilling as were the night's stay in tents (with no electricity) amidst calls of the wild. 

Elections in the World's largest democracy

Elections 2009.. thats the big news story these days..everyone has taken to election fever. There are  stories of scrupulous leaders brewing hatred between communities, calls for debates between national prime-ministerial candidates- rejected quite expectedly by the incumbant candidate, money spinnning schemes by all parties of astronomical sums, frenzied campaigning and formation of new collaborations between erstwhile enemies. 

The media is having a field day- in these times od recession- i think it is one of the few industries making profits by the hour. However, the standards of journalism are a real disappointment these days.How in the world can a story be aired as "exclusive" on 10 news channels at the same time?  Why does the media devote maximum coverage to the personalities who least deserve it? For instance, the "varun gandhi" saga (I even loathe to say his name)..the media just cant let go of it!. I wonder why we never get to hear discussions about potential policies/new legislation that the different parties are comtemplating? When is the media ever going to put up one on one debates between party spokespersons on "the real issues"- and there are many to that list- electoral reforms/education/reservation/economic policies..? It is always focussed on " peudosecular vs deplorably communal" debates or "is this or that alliance going to make  or break the election?" kinda debates. Unbelieveable!

While the politicians play their games and the media continues with its poor quality- no issues coverage, there are a few heart rendering stories too. I am particularly impressed by the social activism growing in India these days. The new age Indian middle class seems to have woken from its slumber and is taking up cudgels with their leaders. Be it criticizing lameback policies on political blogs (which i regard as the biggest step that the leaders have taken to get closer to their electorate) or starting mass media programs to encourage people to vote (JAGO RE!).. these guys are the new faces of emerging India!.I was suprised to know that.. out the 44% of Indians who are educated and socially well off.. only a meagre propotion vote!..its the uneducated 60% that makes up the bulk of the  attendence at the ballot (which is the opposite of many developed countries like the US). I sincerely hope that this 40% puts up a better show this time around. 

I am also impressed by the emergence of a new breed of professional indepedent candidates around the country..a sign of frustrated souls out to solve the problems of their cities on thier own.

All in all, elections 2009 promises to be quite a showdown. All the opinion polls/ exit polls/ psephological analysis of the results when played out on TV, will have a billion people glued to their TV sets. About a month or so to go..

From my balcony..

Looks like my good friend has infused me with some poetic spirit..and as i sip my habitual evening coffee.. this is what i can find for inspiration....

From my balcony, I can see,

neem trees gently swaying in the breeze,

black clouds gathering in the skies,

bees and butterflies, as they fly.

A cuckoo "cooes", hidden in the green,

a waddling cow, "mooes" beneath.

Young lads assemble for their evening play,

just as the ladies, group, to gossip for the day,

a vendor strolls by, with his wares,

an uncle parks his car with care,

a jogger comes on his evening run,

noisy toddlers have their fun.

These and more, 

come my way, 

by my balcony,

every other day!

just some of the bustling scences of life,  enacted each day of life...

Onward sister!

Here are a few words penned down by a good friend of mine..

Run ahead, look straight ahead
Feel the breeze stinging your face
All senses programed on the the task ahead...
The thin golden line barely visible.

The sweat dripping down uncomfortably,
Your eyes straining to stay focussed
Your tongue longing for a drop.

You turn around for a seconds glance at the inviting medow.

Keep onward soldier, your prize is awaiting

Just when your lungs almost give way,
The thin golden line begins to materialize

The golden laurel waits patiently as you finally stop to admire!

Hmm...i really like this piece..it says a lot about the kind of circumstances she has been through in life..although the "golden laurel" still eludes her.. she has remained focussed on the task ahead..a lot of us were/are skeptical on her attitude.. but she has never succumbed to "giving up".. i really salute her attitude.. and pray "the golden laurel" is  soon hers forever.