Namma Bengaluru

Before I start this post, the word ‘namma’ has a special place in our hearts, for it was once ‘used’ to talk about probably the sexiest woman on earth(trying to stifle a laugh). Well, it was one of those early mornings when I used to wake up and go through the Times of India, just to know the current affairs, when unknowingly I picked up the Bangalore times that comes along as a supplement(;)) and there she was, on the last page of the daily, doing what she does best, posing for a photograph which makes her look best in ways that u can just imagine and the caption was ‘Namma namitha goes to London’ and I felt like I was going to nauseate.. Of all possible things that could have happened, this had to happen… A perfect start for the day..
Could not resist waking up my fellow roommates who were busy sleeping and managed to ruin their day as well..
P.S: Hope I have not hurt any true tamilian here, there is a rumor that a temple is being built for this goddess, namma namidha(a.k.a nami) .


The post is going to be about people who have to commute from their homes to their workplaces daily. And If you are one of those people who don’t own a vehicle(not that owning a vehicle makes u sweat less) or people who feel a six kilometer walk will take longer than going by auto, you are in for a ride. Autos it is.

There are quite a few things that goes on in the minds of every Autowala. Probably the first thing he looks at is whether you have a girl along with you. If yes, you would not have much of a problem catching an auto. In our world, this is termed ‘chilrai kaamam’. Anyway, Bangalore girls can have that effect on you.

And if you are a bunch of guys waiting for an auto, showing your thumbs up and waving, he looks at you, asks where you want to go, and before u even finish the name of the place, he guesses what that is and takes off. You are left slightly dented and irritated. The insane thing with these guys is, even if the place where u want to go is en-route the direction in which the auto is going, they do not care.

Then comes the next one, looks at the three of us. Knows very well that we don’t speak the language. Asks us to get in. Once we are in, he coolly says, sir, meter+20 rs kudi . O.K. And he starts the auto. What? We cry a little protest and there we are out again on the streets waving and thumbing. No sane man would give meter+20 when the meter itself in all probability would show 25 rs.

Just thought of an incident that happened to me, It was one of those frustrating days with the autos. I was out of steam and was no longer waving even. Then, an auto stopped by. What a pleasant surprise. I get in and tell him where I want to go. He doesn’t crib. He doesn’t say anything. Ah, lucky I thought. We go hundred metres and he says, sir, have to put petrol first, so will take some time. I don’t have a problem with that, not as if am running to catch a plane. I say ok. Little did I know that the dreaded petrol bunk was a kilometer away from the place where I got into the auto and that too in the other direction, opposite to where my home was. A smirk on his face. He will drink to me tonight.

And finally, even if you are a little agnostic or an atheist, you have got to pray that it does not rain when you are outside. There is the concept that you have to pay 1.5 times the meter price when it gets dark. But when is ‘dark’ is completely left to the autowala. And if it starts raining around 9 PM, its festival time for the auto’s. Two times the meter price is the best bargain that you will get. And they know you well, they know you would not want to get wet and that you would not care about paying that extra money for one day. (It rains quite a lot in Bangalore).

There is still a little bit more about these autos, the way they manage to heat up the meters and make it show 85 for a 55 rs ride, how he starts to explain his plight, whenever we ask for a ride, that he would get no ride back and petrol prices are sky high and blah blah blah, that you get into the auto hoping against hope that at least he stops cribbing once we are inside.(But he does not).All the cribbing for the 10 rs extra on the meter.

Is there a way out.. Buy your own vehicle. But watch out.

Someday Syndrome

Teacher : What do you aspire to become when you get old?

Me : (little, wearing shorts… some 3^rd grade or so) Be the first human to touch Mars, I say that and I look around the class with a smile beaming on my face.

Seven years later..

Appa: Time to choose your stream man, choose a proper one… think about what you want to become.

Me: I still want to become an astronaut.. what do I do pa..

Appa: Choose what you feel is best for u, you are old enough.. If u ask me, Science Stream ..

Me: Yeah ok, Science it is..

The dream is still on…

Two years later..

Every person I meet on the road: What are you planning to do?

Me: Still thinking, no idea. Not sure if I have any chance of getting aeronautics.

3^rd Person: Aeronautics, U have the course at so and so college, but am not sure about placements and future. Think twice.

Me: Yeah, I got to know about the placements. I am thinking Computers. I was good at it in my 12^th grade.

3^rd Person: hmm.. hmmm..

1 year later..

Next door dude: Movie?

Me: Yeah, Yeah .. these

common courses, a pain in the a$$ …

2 and a half years later..

Every person I meet on the road: What are you planning to do?

Me: Still thinking, no idea. It’s either got to be an M.B.A or M.S. I don’t think I will do an M.S though, enough of this technical crap… hmm.. let’s see.. first let me get placed someplace.

3^rd Person: Yeah, a good start for career is important, always better to work for a year or two and then do an M.B.A.

6 months later..

Appa: Dei, Good good, heard u

made a good job at placements.

Me: Yes pa, finally, happy ..

really happy..

Appa: What about future plans..

Me: Not right now, let me work for some time, then let’s think about it later.

2 Months later:

Me: Hello Ma’am.. Got a new job, have got sweets.

Teacher: Oh, good good.. U lived your dream of landing on mars? A chuckle ..

Me: Smiled dismissing her comments, No ma’am, knew that was a little too far-fetched, was a kid then.

6 Months later..

Colleague: Dude, fed up with this job.. wanna go out for lunch? We can spend atleast two hours or so outside.

Me: Yeah sure, for the work that we do here….. We guys should be doing something innovative, something more interesting machi..

Colleague: Yeah.. hmm.. no point grumbling now..

Someday Syndrome: not doing what you want to because you don’t know what it is, because you’re procrastinating about it, or because you have too much stuff getting in your way.( Got the definition from http://zenhabits.net/2008/12/11-ways-to-cure-someday-syndrome/)

Each one of us are doing this to some degree, like, Someday I will learn guitar and play an Iron Maiden Song, Someday I will join a football club. Someday I will be this, Someday I will do that ….. The day never comes ….

We wait, we wait for the fruit to fall.. Little do we know that by the time the fruits fall, all you have is squirrel-bitten, rotten-on-one-side piece… No point waiting, no point waiting for that dawn … Time we took our chance and Chased our dreams, aspirations….

In an Indian Society, a place where only engineers and doctors are pretty much considered literates, the fight is intense, not just the fight against laziness, fight for opportunities.. fight for bread..

Time has come to change this, this mentality, break the rules… We need a revolution… Enough of unfulfilled dreams and lost chances.. These are wounds that just won’t heal..

I am a software engineer (yet another one) working in one of those MNC’s.

The Catcher in the Rye

For those of you who have not yet read the book, please go ahead and read it. It will change your way of life, trust me.

Have you ever entered an elevator and started a conversation with 'Hi, How are you doing'? ' How are kids at home'? You give a little pause and smile for the replies that he gives and yeah, he asks you the same questions. And you look at the number on the lift, it's still at the 4th and you are seated on the 13th floor. You are left with no choice other than to start conversing something again and what else to talk about when you just do not know what to say. 'The weather has got really cold right' you say and he nods and talks about the morning dew. You also have to say something now or else he would be offended. Oh yes, he would be. Again a pause.....

This is something that you do every day, every day when you walk your dog out of your house, everyday when you enter your office elevator.. This is termed 'Small Talk' - light conversation for social occasions. I am one of you people who hates these 'Small Talks'. There is a better word for this, 'Phony' .

The Catcher in the Rye is one book which made me think. And think twice about this society and the phonies living all around us.
-> Fellow students, who are more interested in playing a part or looking good than in doing or saying anything honest.
-> The Movies - the dramatics involved ...
-> Politicians-i don't need to talk about this group of people
-> Sports people who seem to be longing to show their skills and exhibit themselves rather than playing their part
-> Neighbors who know well to flash a smile when they pick up the morning papers and forget you once they are inside.

When you think of all this is when you wish for a conversation that's straight from the heart, to converse with someone anything and everything that comes to your mind. It is really difficult to find relationships of this kind, but only when you find them, your pursuit of happiness will end. Till then, you are also very much part of this phony world and giving your share as well.

Go and find that person, maybe a friend, a love, your cousin who is two years old and who is innocent, your grandfather who is 70 who wishes for your good and who means it........

Intro

Have always been looking to write diaries, there is so much that happens everyday in your life, so many emotions, so many lies, so many phony smiles, so much that you need to sit down and pour it all out. Here I am, starting a blog, to express and share my thoughts.

Some of my posts would be in Tamil(mostly poems etc) . Otherwise, the blog would predominantly be in English.

About me, I am very much an emotional person, someone whose mood swings by the minute, someone who can be a good friend and lend a helping hand, and at another time be as selfish as it can get.

There's a lot more to me(I like exploring myself) .. But I don't want to bore you anymore.

P.S: 'I like exploring myself' - Signifies just my mind. Not to be mistaken in any other way. :) .

Kalloorich Chaalai

kadhavugal thirandhu kaladi veitha andha naal mudhal

kai kulukki katti anaithu kai vidum varai

ethanai ninaivugal

kavalaigal maranthu kutti sevatril

kathaigal pesum andha sila nodigal

vagupparai thavira veru idam ellam engal kaaladigal

ovvoru muraiyum medai eri nadithanpin

kai thattalin naduve Kanavodu sila neram

ellam indrudan mudigarathu

sattre,siragagul mulaithana

kootai vittu veliye selvathai
ninaithu parthale.........
Ninaithu paarkayil kangalin orathil iru thuli kanneer... indha naalu varudandgal.. marava ninaivigul..