I have many schoolmates from my village who dropped out of school. Some of them are in Bangalore. I met two of them recently. A is working as an agent who will get you driving license, although you might know little driving. B works as security guard in a private company near MG Road.
We settled for beer as its summer. A started talking highly of his contacts and money can buy anything here. He worked hard in a driving school for one year. Later he came to know that many of these schools bribe the traffic inspectors who take the test. He learnt the trick here to get familiar with traffic police inspectors. Rather than working hard at school, he started befriending people coming for driving license tests. Especially those who failed in the test used to be his targets.
He made some easy, illegal money and it went in to his head. Slowly he became a bucketwallah of the influential. The bucketwallah is borrowed term from rural side. It’s referred to a person who will hold bucket for influential, to everything they have to dispose off. Now don’t ask me what all influential people dispose off!
I received a call meanwhile, I went out to. By the time I came back A was shouting at the hotel staff “You know who I am? Don’t play with me”. I had to intervene and prevent any further incident there.
We sent off A home, I started talking to B. He said his job is weird. He had to do night shifts many times. Recently he had to lie about his job to a prospective father-in-law. No father agrees to give his girl for a security guard. When there was a confirmatory visit to his office by this father-in-law, he had to be in formal clothes. He had told him that he works an administrative staff. I encouraged him to enroll in to distance education. But not to take short cuts, like becoming a bucketwallah.
Meanwhile one hotel staff I knew was leaving for the day. I asked him the reason behind the scuffle with A. He informed that A spoke very cheaply with one of them. If not for the intervention they (hotel staff) would have celebrated his birthday and played soccer of him.
I see a big change in A, as I know him from childhood. It’s the same change you see in people believing that knowing influential people is a great protection for them. Every now and then we observe this kind of attitude with relatives of politicians, policemen. So INFLUENTIAL will haunt common mortals, even when they are sitting somewhere else.
3.19.2007
3.13.2007
1.Ray of Hope 2.Game On
Raja, Thimma and Jaggu are returning from the fields in the evening. There was eagerness in their steps. They had finished the work very much in advance. Jaggu buys a bundle of beedis (poor man’s cigarette) and match box for the drama master Ramayya. These three and others, who are part of drama to be played, are now stars in the village.
In the whole village, the drama was the headline in everybody’s thoughts, words. Everybody waited for the evening, for the practice to start. Children are running around, playing and imitating the dialogues, actions of this drama, which is based on Mahabharatha. All know up to what stage it has come now, which dialogue is the last one. When Thimma fell sick all prayed for his fast recovery.
Enters the age of cable TVs, now for last five years no drama was practiced. Everyone is busy watching serials and crime stories. Although some programmes like crime story are never meant for children, parents are not bothered even if they see it.
Group of five children are playing together. One boy who watched a gang war report in crime story the previous day is the leader of today’s play. He is explaining others how the first group was chasing the other in Bangalore. How they hacked when they actually caught them. Since the children did not have weapons, they were holding wooden sticks. Elders are not bothered about this imitation; they are too busy to worry about future of this future generation.
Now with so many play groups, there is a RAY OF HOPE in the creative fields. Most of them have people who are amateurs, who are never worried about commerce or mathematics of personal gain. With the revival of these fields, they are shifting the focus of the viewers from MIND TO HEART.
Game On:
In the whole village, the drama was the headline in everybody’s thoughts, words. Everybody waited for the evening, for the practice to start. Children are running around, playing and imitating the dialogues, actions of this drama, which is based on Mahabharatha. All know up to what stage it has come now, which dialogue is the last one. When Thimma fell sick all prayed for his fast recovery.
Enters the age of cable TVs, now for last five years no drama was practiced. Everyone is busy watching serials and crime stories. Although some programmes like crime story are never meant for children, parents are not bothered even if they see it.
Group of five children are playing together. One boy who watched a gang war report in crime story the previous day is the leader of today’s play. He is explaining others how the first group was chasing the other in Bangalore. How they hacked when they actually caught them. Since the children did not have weapons, they were holding wooden sticks. Elders are not bothered about this imitation; they are too busy to worry about future of this future generation.
Now with so many play groups, there is a RAY OF HOPE in the creative fields. Most of them have people who are amateurs, who are never worried about commerce or mathematics of personal gain. With the revival of these fields, they are shifting the focus of the viewers from MIND TO HEART.
Game On:
Puttu is boy of age twelve. As soon as he comes from school he has to play a computer game. In that game he has to kill at least five people. After this only he will have his food. His parents are working in highly stressful IT industry. They never bother about this aspect of his life. They get him whatever he wants.
His teacher asks him what he did for his birthday. He says his dad gave him 2500 Rupees. He took his friends for movie and later had dinner at a good hotel. The teacher’s observation is that he is very stubborn. He has an attitude problem; he wants whatever he wishes for then and there.
I met this teacher; she is worried about children like Puttu. She concluded that to cover the guilt, that parents have for not giving enough time to kids they pamper them like this. She observed a remarkable difference in kids who come from baby sitting (play home) backgrounds. They are impatient.
There are few internet cafes, near to my home. There most of the times it’s filled with children playing computer games. A friend of mine whose parents never gave him required time and attention during his childhood says he does not feel like respecting them. He feels he does not owe them anything. He is ready to give them some money every month, which they don’t need. The time and love he says he can’t as he has not got them.
The Japanese Philosopher, Buddhist thinker Dr.Daisaku Ikeda (whom I consider my mentor in life), coined a term called “Glass Children”. It means that they do not have toughness to stand failures or setbacks.
Puttu is sad not because his best friend was wounded today at school, but because his PC is crashed. He can’t play his game for few more days and therefore he can’t kill those guys in the game. So in his thoughts now the GAME IS ON.
3.12.2007
Evolution
A, B, C and D are final year engineering students of some engineering college in Bangalore. It’s evening 7.30PM that day. All of them have met for partying. The place is a bar near the main road which connects Mysore road and Banashankari Ring road.
They have drunk more than usually they do. Nobody is bothered about the amount of the bill.
A says to B “Maga (son) let’s do Annamma dance (some form of folk dance in Bangalore)”.
B who is bald headed joker said “Brilliant idea shishya (student)”.
He invites C and D. They are lost in the smoke of their cigarettes. Smoke created a scene like you find in mythological Indian movies, in which deities walk.
C says “Don’t disturb us. We are thinking about EVOLUTION”.
D says “Somewhere something went terribly wrong, that’s why we are here”. They are looking towards sky.
A says “True... something went terribly wrong between your parents and that’s why you are on earth”.
Everybody burst out laughing.
B started dancing and after some time kept beer mug on his bald head. He started dancing while balancing the mug.
They are partying using somebody else’s money. They have been organizers of educational tour in their college. They were appreciated by all for their dedicated efforts in meeting travel agencies and so on. Their work was called “selfless dedication”. But they did all this for this party. They stuck a deal with transport and other guys for commission.
They are all students with high IQ. But their moral intelligence is zero. In future what kind of leaders they will become? Will they build trust in all aspects of their lives like professional, personal and social?
Well this is all the result of too much importance to IQ from school level and “it’s OK” attitude about moral intelligence. Hope A, B, C and D will evolve as human beings.
They have drunk more than usually they do. Nobody is bothered about the amount of the bill.
A says to B “Maga (son) let’s do Annamma dance (some form of folk dance in Bangalore)”.
B who is bald headed joker said “Brilliant idea shishya (student)”.
He invites C and D. They are lost in the smoke of their cigarettes. Smoke created a scene like you find in mythological Indian movies, in which deities walk.
C says “Don’t disturb us. We are thinking about EVOLUTION”.
D says “Somewhere something went terribly wrong, that’s why we are here”. They are looking towards sky.
A says “True... something went terribly wrong between your parents and that’s why you are on earth”.
Everybody burst out laughing.
B started dancing and after some time kept beer mug on his bald head. He started dancing while balancing the mug.
They are partying using somebody else’s money. They have been organizers of educational tour in their college. They were appreciated by all for their dedicated efforts in meeting travel agencies and so on. Their work was called “selfless dedication”. But they did all this for this party. They stuck a deal with transport and other guys for commission.
They are all students with high IQ. But their moral intelligence is zero. In future what kind of leaders they will become? Will they build trust in all aspects of their lives like professional, personal and social?
Well this is all the result of too much importance to IQ from school level and “it’s OK” attitude about moral intelligence. Hope A, B, C and D will evolve as human beings.
3.11.2007
Happy Independence Day
Putti is studying in 6th standard and stays in next apartment. Today is her birthday; I came to know only after coming form office. I went in to their apartment; few from other apartments were also there.
The cake is already cut. Putti is waiting for one more uncle from another apartment. He arrives from office. She runs to his apartment and looks for if he has any gifts in hand. He says he still has to go and bring a gift. He says it’s unfair that she has already cut the cake. She says the cake is big and she can cut it again. Also she reminds him that she is ready to wait. That means he has no other option but to go and come back with gift.
Meanwhile she comes back and goes in to her room. She has bought gift for all of us. She will not display them to us. May be she thought that we might ask for more or gifts of our choice. She gave me the gift at last when I was leaving. I had not bought any gift for her. But finally she decides to make peace with me. Next day she comes in to my apartment and looks in to each and everything. She asked lot of questions, time and again she reminded me I owed a gift. She is very clever and cute. Still I forget about the gift whenever I am outside, but she has not stopped coming and having a conversation with me each day morning.
Today is august 15th, as it’s a holiday I am still in my bed. Watchman’s daughter called me; to give my credit card bill. She is elder to Putti by two years. She has not joined any school so for. Her younger brother goes to school. Near my apartment there are lots of construction workers. Their children never study, as the families keep shifting places. As they have come here from villages, they do not have votes here. So when you don’t have vote in India, you may not exist at all in policy maker’s memories. I am reminded of ‘LES MISERABLES’ of Victor Hugo.
I got in to my car and started typing some blog. I usually type them when traveling. My driver Ravi was annoyed with a boy on the road. He is playing on the mud road, never caring for the car on its way. The boy is from construction worker’s colony, he is wearing a T-shirt which is soiled. It’s written “happy independence day” with tricolor below on that shirt. May be the boy wanted me to see it, that’s why he was there. The distance between our apartment and this colony is just few meters, but when I recall lives of Putti and these less fortunate, the gap is probably not just few meters.
With rapid growth of Bangalore, more construction workers will move in. So Bangalore will grow at the cost of education of their children. It’s time that education department wakes up and does something about this.
Finally I gave Putti a gift. It's a cardboard replica of Taplow Court building in UK. She is very happy.
The cake is already cut. Putti is waiting for one more uncle from another apartment. He arrives from office. She runs to his apartment and looks for if he has any gifts in hand. He says he still has to go and bring a gift. He says it’s unfair that she has already cut the cake. She says the cake is big and she can cut it again. Also she reminds him that she is ready to wait. That means he has no other option but to go and come back with gift.
Meanwhile she comes back and goes in to her room. She has bought gift for all of us. She will not display them to us. May be she thought that we might ask for more or gifts of our choice. She gave me the gift at last when I was leaving. I had not bought any gift for her. But finally she decides to make peace with me. Next day she comes in to my apartment and looks in to each and everything. She asked lot of questions, time and again she reminded me I owed a gift. She is very clever and cute. Still I forget about the gift whenever I am outside, but she has not stopped coming and having a conversation with me each day morning.
Today is august 15th, as it’s a holiday I am still in my bed. Watchman’s daughter called me; to give my credit card bill. She is elder to Putti by two years. She has not joined any school so for. Her younger brother goes to school. Near my apartment there are lots of construction workers. Their children never study, as the families keep shifting places. As they have come here from villages, they do not have votes here. So when you don’t have vote in India, you may not exist at all in policy maker’s memories. I am reminded of ‘LES MISERABLES’ of Victor Hugo.
I got in to my car and started typing some blog. I usually type them when traveling. My driver Ravi was annoyed with a boy on the road. He is playing on the mud road, never caring for the car on its way. The boy is from construction worker’s colony, he is wearing a T-shirt which is soiled. It’s written “happy independence day” with tricolor below on that shirt. May be the boy wanted me to see it, that’s why he was there. The distance between our apartment and this colony is just few meters, but when I recall lives of Putti and these less fortunate, the gap is probably not just few meters.
With rapid growth of Bangalore, more construction workers will move in. So Bangalore will grow at the cost of education of their children. It’s time that education department wakes up and does something about this.
Finally I gave Putti a gift. It's a cardboard replica of Taplow Court building in UK. She is very happy.
3.09.2007
We hate IT
There is a serious discussion going on within group of people, in a locality of Bangalore. It's house owner's association meeting. The focus is on the question 'how much rent has to be increased in general this year?' Some have come with their home work well done. Without looking in to any document, they are able to say the percentage increase. The top priority on everybody's mind is to increase the rent beyond 5 percent, that's specified by the government.
My friend in non-IT industry described this to me. He said "You IT guys have altered everything in Bangalore. Non-IT people cant even dream of owning house here. The deposits for rented houses are going up enormously. I have observed few IT guys, coming for rent. Neither they bargained rent,deposit with the owner, nor they asked with anyone what is the normal rent in this locality. They behave as if every now and then they ink crore rupees worth deals!"
An auto driver I met while travelling late in night told me his part of story. "Sir I am working 18 hours a day. My house is in the outskirts of the city. I sometimes sleep in the auto rickshaw itself. The call centre, IT cab drivers are eating in to our business. Whenever they have vehicle empty, they lure our customers with minimal fare. Atleast in the night I get one and half fare. It was not like this before IT people came here."
Lastly, my friend from teaching field told me" I have been searching for a girl to marry, since last one year. Most of the parents prefer a boy from Software background. What have we done man?"
Bangalore may have become silicon valley of Asia, but that has come with a price.
My friend in non-IT industry described this to me. He said "You IT guys have altered everything in Bangalore. Non-IT people cant even dream of owning house here. The deposits for rented houses are going up enormously. I have observed few IT guys, coming for rent. Neither they bargained rent,deposit with the owner, nor they asked with anyone what is the normal rent in this locality. They behave as if every now and then they ink crore rupees worth deals!"
An auto driver I met while travelling late in night told me his part of story. "Sir I am working 18 hours a day. My house is in the outskirts of the city. I sometimes sleep in the auto rickshaw itself. The call centre, IT cab drivers are eating in to our business. Whenever they have vehicle empty, they lure our customers with minimal fare. Atleast in the night I get one and half fare. It was not like this before IT people came here."
Lastly, my friend from teaching field told me" I have been searching for a girl to marry, since last one year. Most of the parents prefer a boy from Software background. What have we done man?"
Bangalore may have become silicon valley of Asia, but that has come with a price.
3.08.2007
Election in a village…
Those of you who have not stayed in rural India, I guess you miss lots of fun which happens there. Let me narrate you the local election that happened in my village.
Election happens once in five years. The drunkards in my village regret this. Every election is a festive season for them. They get free the packets (the ultra invention of liquor companies to address the needs of people below poverty line or consumers at the bottom of the pyramid!), bottles (some serious brands). So the D company (Drunkards brigade) becomes extremely alert during this season.
They say good bye to work and roam with candidates for campaigning. They represent the candidate who has provided liquor the day before. They call this guy ANNA (elder brother) and describe him to be “generous”. But their loyalty changes every day. So organized is the group that they lobby seriously as a group. Believe me they get the best deal with each candidate.
Hanumantha was a worker in our farms. He was introduced to the world of drinking during one of such elections. He was physically strong and good to people in general. He is called “BIG BOSS” by everyone, after a popular movie. The drinking ruined his life. Since he became best in everything he did, he became leader of this D company. Now his parents stay separately, so that they don’t have to face his violence (verbal and otherwise) everyday. When I met him last time, he looked very weak. Each time I meet he asks for ten rupees (cost of a liquor packet). This time he asked for fifteen rupees, inflation has not spared Hanumantha also!
Who is responsible for all this? The political parties spend hugely on liquor; I hold them responsible for fostering many Hanumantha’s in rural India.
After voting I came out and met Hanumantha. I asked him whom did he vote for and why? He said he wants to be loyal to all as everybody gave him liquor. He has voted for all candidates in a single vote! I had to believe him, as he was drunk. So vote is invalid, and waste on evil budget of evil parties.
Election happens once in five years. The drunkards in my village regret this. Every election is a festive season for them. They get free the packets (the ultra invention of liquor companies to address the needs of people below poverty line or consumers at the bottom of the pyramid!), bottles (some serious brands). So the D company (Drunkards brigade) becomes extremely alert during this season.
They say good bye to work and roam with candidates for campaigning. They represent the candidate who has provided liquor the day before. They call this guy ANNA (elder brother) and describe him to be “generous”. But their loyalty changes every day. So organized is the group that they lobby seriously as a group. Believe me they get the best deal with each candidate.
Hanumantha was a worker in our farms. He was introduced to the world of drinking during one of such elections. He was physically strong and good to people in general. He is called “BIG BOSS” by everyone, after a popular movie. The drinking ruined his life. Since he became best in everything he did, he became leader of this D company. Now his parents stay separately, so that they don’t have to face his violence (verbal and otherwise) everyday. When I met him last time, he looked very weak. Each time I meet he asks for ten rupees (cost of a liquor packet). This time he asked for fifteen rupees, inflation has not spared Hanumantha also!
Who is responsible for all this? The political parties spend hugely on liquor; I hold them responsible for fostering many Hanumantha’s in rural India.
After voting I came out and met Hanumantha. I asked him whom did he vote for and why? He said he wants to be loyal to all as everybody gave him liquor. He has voted for all candidates in a single vote! I had to believe him, as he was drunk. So vote is invalid, and waste on evil budget of evil parties.
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