Politics

Has anybody been watching the hideous drama unfolding in the Indian parliament? Somebody tell me that this is a horrible nightmare and that we will all wake up soon to realise that the world is still alright. That no longer is the common person's name used in vain in the game of politics, and the country is not bought and sold, over and over again, in the name of national interest.

I don't for a moment believe that real politics is un-dirty anywhere in the world. But it takes on its ugliest colour and most uncivilised form in the Indian parliament. How could a huge bag full of currency notes be allowed inside the parliament? How can MPs decide to take matters in their own hands and reduce the floor of the house to a stage where they execute their tamasha without the permission of the speaker? Why do grown up adults behave worse than four-year-old school children? Kidnapping MPs? Bribing them to abstain from voting? Allegations more and more disgusting each time around. Does anybody else feel its getting worse by the day?

On another note, I wasn't sure whether to laugh or to cry when an elected member of parliament asked what exactly is the connection between energy and poverty. Seriously now, my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets and for once I was thankful to the TV channel for repeating stuff over and over again - no I hadn't made a mistake, this MP who represented lakhs of people in the country was actually asking how energy related to poverty. For someone to not understand these fundamentals of economic and social development and to have the power to decide for the country - isn't something basically very very wrong here? Its quite obvious from the projections of the media and the politicians that the country believes it is all set to be a world power to be reckoned with. While that concept itself is debatable, is it at all possible for us to trust what is being described variously as the political class? Can we get anywhere at all with this dubious breed of professionals whose primary talents include wearing different hats and fabricating lies?

Of babies and wanting them

S and I caught up over a good old chat session after what seemed like ages. And we went straight for the issue that was most bothering the both of us - why is everyone lugging for our throats to have babies?

So we are both 29 somethings, dangerously close to the big three-o. Happily married, happily 'careered', happily settled - looks like thats not enough. I am in London and she is in Delhi but our problem is the same - everyone wants us to have babies and people have stopped mincing their words.

After a massive bitching and getting-it-out-of-ourselves session, we came to the conclusion that we both want children too, just not as a result of the pressure. And there is no way of knowing if we want the babies because we want them or because there is so much social pressure to tow the line. Plus the fact that we seem to have lost all our friends to the baby-brigade. What are we poor women to do?

That was where it ended with S. Meanwhile, this weekend, A and I decided to brave it and go see a friend's new born baby girl. We were all prepared to see our friends completely transformed into 'I couldn't care less about you, I have a baby now' strangers. As it turned out, no such thing happened and our decision to risk such a rendez-vous over Saturday night proved to be a good one. Mercifully, this was the first couple we met lately who appeared to have things in something close to a perspective. They are delighted and doting parents, no doubt, but they are also themselves, which is so refreshing to see.

And baby girl N is an absolute darling. She doesn't cry much, and is constantly smiling at pooh and tiger hanging from her mobile. Occasionally she will grace you with a look of pure love - oh that look is definitely to die for. When I saw K, a successful career woman, singing songs in Malayalam that I don't understand but still adore, I knew that it was pure love. S, a high-flying investment banker, was transformed into an indulging, loving father whose sole aim in life was to feed his daughter. It was over the course of the evening that I realised why we yearn so much for children, why it is said that life may well be good but it can only become better and richer with children in it. And that is perhaps why, I am truly looking forward to having some of my own some day.

a little bit of luck

What is the difference between success and failure? All other things being equal, does it not boil down to the 'something' factor - the small quirks of fate that turn things around? One can try all one likes, if it's not going to happen, it won't. And if it has to happen, hindsight will reveal perfect actions on the individual's part. Even if things were to go wrong, somehow you will be able to turn them around.

So is this a blog about destiny versus human actions? I'm afraid no. If only things were that simple. Oddly enough, I think the big picture comprises of smaller bits of both karma and kismat. Luck and hard work together make the winning combination. Seldom can one survive without the other.

So with a hope in my heart, a song on my lips and a tea cup in my hand, I am seeking a little bit of luck. Will it change my world? Who knows...

Making sense

There is something fundamentally attractive about jigsaw puzzles. Maybe it has to do with putting things together, using your hands, creating a whole bigger than the sum of its parts. Or the sheer childish fun of it.

D and I decided it was time we stopped throwing away precious weekend hours thinking of what to do and focusing on some problem-solving enjoyment. This is where we have got so far.

We are slow, but we never, ever ever ever ever ever give up! :-)

Of triggers, old and new

Many years back, when I went camping with my school mates, my dad got candy flavoured toothpaste for us all - so that we could enjoy even the rubbish process of brushing our teeth. Every time I have had candy since, I am transported to the beautiful banks of the Ganga in Rishikesh, a happy, care-free school kid, going white-water rafting with her mates. It's one of my fondest childhood memories and I only need some candy to re-live the glorious moments!

So imagine my delight when another sensory trigger removed me into a different Asian city today. A is in Bangkok, meeting some dear old friends. As I spoke to him over the phone, I could hear the cab driver shouting instructions into his cab radio in Thai. I was instantly transported to the city where I discovered myself again - the mad traffic, the lovely people, the enchanting buzzing of the air, the oppressive tropical heat and the coke with crushed ice in polythene bags- there's no place like Bangkok.

While my first love will always truly remain Delhi, if there is another city I absolutely adore, it is Bangkok. I know, I now, London is home now, and Delhi will always be home, but Bangkok is really home away from home.

After ending the call with A, I rumaged through my old photos. And this is what I found - a moment in time - the lovely home A and I made in the city that we remember so fondly.

Aafat and his friends

Aafat is my 3 week old calla lily who takes great pride in himself and his name. You do know that it stands for 'trouble' in Urdu right? Please make sure you pronounce his name correctly - he doesn't like it when people get it wrong.

Aafat is a bit moody these days. How do I know? He's getting slightly yellow around the edges and sometimes fights with the papers, pens, books, tea cups and the laptop on my desk to get some serious attention. Ac and I were a bit worried last week as we didn't want him to make himself ill. So we placed him by the window and now talk to him constantly. He seems to like this as he's getting his colour back.

Aafat also has some nice friends in the office, which helps. Eric, Ac's calla lily is his best buddy. We believe they gossip about us girls when we step out to get some tea. Aafat also finds Moufa rather interesting - surely you know Moufa? Ca's cactus? Ca decided that he needed to be named after how that particular day was turning out for her - Moufa I believe is 'not quite right' in Greek.

As we celebrated the end of the first mammoth review cycle with champagne and laughter, Aafat, Eric and Moufa too went a bit tipsy over shots of unadulterated water. Talk about demanding attention and getting it!

What we see

is what we want to see.
Big news in my office last Monday - no, there's no bonus yet. Apparently the brilliant shoe shop down the street, where you usually find all the women from the office ogling at the beauties on display in the show window and sighing at their prices, has got a sale on. Who cares that we are in the midst of one hell of a pressure cooker situation in the office - stress comes and goes but shoe sales, now that's something to stop and take stock of.
So each lady, and I mean each and every one, paid a visit to the shrine. Given that its a fairly select boutique, we were a tad worried that we might all end up in embarrassingly similar footwear - beautiful but certainly avoidable. And so, to our collective relief, surprise and nirvana-like joy, we all ended up picking up dissimilar foot candy. No two pairs were alike. Beautiful, but different. If only all the rest of the world's problems were this easy to resolve!
I overheard P telling B "oh I just love yours, but I just don't remember seeing them!" You see, we have eyes only for what we are after. And I am in love with my new acquisitions! What a shame I haven't any photos to show for it...