Durga Pujo again!

As usual, in Delhi for the Durga Pujo to be with the near and dear ones. Not that the festival gives me the kind of passionate pleasure it used to some years ago.

There was a time when Pujo was a heart throbbing experience. When we would count our dresses and each pandal hopping event would mean wearing a fresh set. It was critical to have that many sets before we could even get to Shoshthi, the first day of the Pujo. And how the tailors made us run for the dresses! It was always a nail biting finish! No readymades gave the kind of design choice that we would want at the time.

The days of splendour would start with Shoshthi and peak on Ashtami with the best dresses and accessories out to dazzle one and all. I didn't realise at the time that the fun began being with my parents who created the stability around me that gave me the sense of freedom to enjoy.

Life, of course, unfolds with time. Today, I avoid the same crowds that I rushed into with excitement. The dresses are not so important any more. The days are more sedate in terms of expectations.

But there is a paradigm shift in some other way. I have grown to realise that it is important for me to be with my parents at this time. Whether I visit the pandals or not, surrounded by the same familiarity gives me the sense of togetherness that I miss greatly in this mad rush of living life.

For me, this relationship is priceless.

Rain and thunder

It's pouring in Mumbai. After a while. Global warming has created havoc in all places including this city.

There was a time when Mumbai had torrential rains even in the month of May and the rains continued well into September. Today, we are thankful if it rains in July. And then the rains continue well into October sometimes.

October is a warm month in Mumbai and the winter chill starts only by the end of December.

Delhi weather seems to be changing as well. It rains in Delhi more often than I can remember and sometimes the climate is amazing. Delhi is a beautiful city and the rain washed one, green and fresh, is even more attractive.

As I hear the thunder roll from my sit out in Mumbai, I wish I saw more of Delhi than I do today.

Are we not cattle class?

I am amused at the furore Shashi Tharoor has created with the term 'cattle class'. We Indians specialise in sweeping all unspoken problems under the carpet and believe we are like the cats who steal milk with closed eyes.

Are we not cattle class? Look at the roads. Look at the clutter of cars! And how many hours do we have to wait at a signal to take a turn when some odd 'holy cow' is given the right of way to attend an innocuous event?

Are we not cattle class? How many times do we have to go to a government office and plead to get something done which is actually his or her job to complete for us. In fact, the salary that the person draws is from our taxes!

Are we not cattle class? How many times have we been able to get a proper treatment at a hospital without a known doctor around?

Are we not cattle class? How many of us are patriotic enough to take the progress of the country seriously and are committed to making the systems better?

Think and you will want a new India!

This and that

Hello! It's been sometime since I've been here. There's so much happening around me that it becomes difficult to keep the momentum going on all fronts.

Firstly, been busy trying to get my business to the next level. Business really takes a lot out of you. Talk to me if you intend to start one!

Saw Kaminey some weeks back. While I do feel Vishal Bhardwaj is really talented, I think Omkara was a far better movie and sorry, but Saif Ali Khan really scored over Shahid if one is to compare the success quotient post their VB association.

Have yet to see QGM.

Have been reading The Kite Runner. The book holds my attention even when I am dog tired and I marvel at the story teller in Khaled Hosseini.

Been to Delhi a few times in this month. The city is getting ready for the Commonwealth Games 2010. So many flyovers! And the Metro! The city is happening, man!

Where the hell are the millions in our slumdog city?