Tuesday, January 31, 2006

"Some say it has come a bit late, but I have never worked for awards"

Makes me wanna say "Humbug!!!"

Such statements can be heard every time the nation goes about recognizing the efforts of its citizens...some bluntly say that the recognition is late, some are more tacky and say that while my family/friends/neighbours/chowkidar/paan waala think that its late, I think its an honour...then there are those who say I refuse to take the award as the government has failed to provide me tickets at concession to travel abroad or on account of some more serious principle.

Just accept the award with humility as some of the others do even if you don't value it...or if you genuinely don't want to be associated with the government then do so quietly...just stop blowing your own trumpet for once...

Thursday, January 26, 2006

RDB - II

First Day, First Show...tickets bought at three times the price...but it was well worth it...awesome experience!

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Symbolism

"It is with in my rights to sit while the national anthem is playing...what's the big deal anyways!!"

"But it's your duty to stand in respect!"

Reminds me of the many discussions I had on similar lines in DSchool(where else) while in college - what is the point of having a parade that costs millions and means nothing...should one be allowed to wear a dress designed to look like the national flag but actually doesn't measure up(dimensions for example, or swim suits?). Should one be allowed to burn the national flag in protest?
I think it's all symbolic. The flag, the anthem, the constitution are symbols; symbols of our national spirit; something that the citizens can associate with; another way of defining nationality.
Do we really need to bother about them? It's just like asking a devout Hindu the point of worshipping an idol when god is free of form...and he will tell you that the idol is just a representation meant to - help him grasp the enormity of the idea, to help him channelize his thoughts...

Coming back to college discussions, the most interesting was about the burning of the flag...freedom of expression or vandalism? We never reached any consensus...as was generally the case with all our discussions...:) A more funny discussion was about clothes designed as flags...a female friend was very strongly in favor of it being allowed...when my friend Shehzaad quietly asked if she was comfortable with the idea of a Pakistani wearing swimming trunks with the tricolor...it was nice to see her switch to our side...:))

Man, do I miss those heated discussions or what...good old college days...(sigh!)

"Encumbered forever by desire and ambition
There's a hunger still unsatisfied
Our weary eyes still stray to the horizon
Though down this road we've been so many times..."
[High Hopes by Pink Floyd]

Saturday, January 21, 2006

RDB

Friend : "So what do you think abt RDB?"
Sid : "What is RDB? Relational Database?"
Friend (Rolling his eyes) : "Ugh!RDB is Rang De Basanti!"
Sid: "Oh! Well!"

Can never figure out acronyms...they are just not meant for me...in college too my friends used to play these acronym duels...another one that I remember rather well - "lets go do some HCF"...not Highest Common Factor but Hot Chocolate Fudge...Duh!

Project deadlines suck big time...the amount of work packed in the last couple of weeks make you think what the hell the team was doing all this while...
Everyone I talk to these days is "neck deep in work" (borrowed quote)...and its just the start of the new year...its Depressing. Seriously!

Coming back to the conversation...well he apparently meant what I thought of the music...I hadn't heard it...so I did...and must say its awesome....very cool sounding indeed...all tracks except the romantic track(seems so out of place in the album) and Khalbali sound great...
I am looking fwd to seeing the movie...but its directed by the guy who made Aks...need I say why I am a bit skeptical?

Sunday, January 08, 2006

Voting rights for NRIs?

I say "What for?"

Those in favour/asking/demanding it put forward the claim that since they retain/still hold their Indian passport its only fair to let them have the chance to vote...some even want a reserved (that word again) seat for NRIs in the parliament on the lines of seats reserved for Anglo-Indians. Some also put forward the example of postal ballot in the US thanks to which Mr. Bush won in the first place...

The NRIs based in the Gulf have been demanding voting rights for a long time as they cannot participate in the electoral process of countries like Saudi Arabia. Hmmm! That has to be the most absurd logic to put forward such a claim. I will sooo like to see people who live in Tax Heavens like Monte Carlo say the same thing...they dont levy taxes so I want my national govt to levy taxes on me...there are already plenty of privileges bestowed on people of Indian Origin...maybe its govt's idea of sending everyone abroad so that the population stays in check...:)

No, seriously speaking I say so coz its practical utility is zero, zilch, nada, none. To start with it requires an amendment made into the Representation of Peoples Act(R.P), the relevant section of which states (Section 19 of the R. P. Act, 1950):

"Only a person who is ordinarily resident in a constituency is entitled to be registered in the electoral roll of that constituency and can vote in Indian elections. However, the non-resident Indian Citizens who are employed under Govt. of India in a post outside India are eligible to be registered as voters in terms of Sec 20 (8) (d) read with Sec 20 (3) of the R. P. Act, 1950"

Then those who cite the US postal ballot...well we don't have a presidential form of government, there are 545 seats in the parliament...one would need to find the right constituency for everyone...how do you prepare the voting list? How do you ensure the validity of the ballot? It just doesn't make sense...if this is allowed, then I guess I should also be allowed to post my ballot from Hyderabad to Delhi.

And one more thing...if I can vote..umm can I stand in elections as well?

Not for a moment am I questioning the loyalty/patriotism of people living outside India, nor am I challenging the knowledge about the constituency he/she belongs to - I am sure a lot will know more than the locals and will be in a position to make more informed decisions. But that is no reason in itself to let some one vote.

Comfortably Numb

This is one of the best Pink Floyd songs and I really enjoy listening to it - more so when I am myself feeling a bit numb by life's tricks.

These days I feel that my life is leading me rather that me leading my life...don't like this lack of control!!!

There is no pain, you are receding.
A distant ship’s smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I can’t hear what you’re sayin’.
When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse,Out of the corner of my eye.
I turned to look but it was gone.
I cannot put my finger on it now.
The child is grown, the dream is gone.
I have become Comfortably Numb
PS:My apologies to those coming here in search of the lyrics. They can be found here