Resolution - unresolved!

This is what you would call the right time to compose a blog post about New Year Resolution...

There would be cries - who is this lazy bum? One writes about new year resolution when the first month of the new year is almost gone... Should I call it a new year still :P

I would rather argue that it is the right time - because this post is not about - Hey Folks - Wish you all a very happy New Year!! but it is about the idea of taking New Year resolutions.

Does anyone even remember what they even planned to resolve after 11.59 PM 1st Jan XXXX? I bet you can easily the heads of such souls if they ever did exist.....

It is a bit weird when one of my friends asked me what is your new year resolution? I was dumb struck, gathering words to talk - I have never taken a resolution in so many years of my existence.

When I repeated the question - he simply answered - "Unresolved" :P... I was like - eeekeesss

On 1st Jan 2009 I was hunting folks I know - Has anyone taken a new year oath and finally I found one right under my nose.....

Guess who - My Dad!!

Learn all South Indian Languages - I saw Telugu, Malu, Kanada and a rastriaya basha book.....

Woohoooo - I was impressed.. Kalakara appa nuuuu.....

Aana ippo - I see all those learn ABC in 30 days sleeping in one corner of my dad's desk! :P

So this is how a resolution always remains unresolved huh?

Finally Out of 12 Mile!!!!!

For the past 1 1/2 years I have been to Detroit 5 times and each time have stayed close to 2 - 3 months. Whewwww! all tiring days with loads of work and no fun. The company had given accommodation in a hotel which is on the 12 mile road - a very impressive and decent place to live for months together.

Till the 4th visit to the same place and I have never been out of bloody 12 mile road damn (what a shame that too for a person who just gets way too restless sitting in same place for more then 10 mins - nonsense huh?) . [woooff liar did'nt you go to Houston, TX once - oh common that is just a second home - lazing around in ma sisters place]

I would not blame myself much 'cos did not have the right gang and proper transportation...

But this time - whoohooooooooooooooo.... Been to 7 states to US of A... CrAzY mooooo....

What was it all about and which one to say....

Cranky rides on the zigzak roads of Upper Peninsula or the west cost near Lake Michigan or the exciting trip on the subways in New York or those long walk on the streets/ferry in Chicago or mind boggling view of the scenery during the fall season or getting jealous on how can few be so intellectual in NASA or superb drive through Pennsylvania - All were damn goodddddddddddd.....

I really mean it when I say - FINALLY out of 12 MILE!!!!!!

Nosology

Nosology (from the Greek νόσος, nosos, "disease" + λόγος "logos") is a branch of medicine that deals with classification of diseases. I would rather call it Nose - ology!

With the first line just do not draw conclusions and get of my blog - I am no medical geek - rather a normal human with a stupid mind with wandering thoughts and blah blah thinking..

What attracts you when you first look at a person's face?

My instantaneous answer would be - NOSE

I would rather say I have a fatal attraction towards nose ;)

Of all the 5 basic senses - 4 are essential to form a face
- Ears - As long as it is there and the person is able to hear we are good, who bothers about how well structured it is unless it is the gajendrans ears...
- Eyes - Apart from the vision, it does matter it is in good shape to well suite the structure of the face.
- Mouth - A key requirement to survive in this god damn world - but of course it should look sleek and not bulging out as it does give a weird dirty look.
- Nose - You better not have this organ functional if only life can just go on without breathing the polluted air. The structure of nose does makes the difference of how stunning the face could look.

Imagine a nose which makes you look just like a mickey mouse with a button on the tip of the nose (ting ting ting) or it as sharp as a wood pecker (aaahrg) or it is as close to that of a monkey - (do you get that - there is no trace of a feature named nose - cleaaaan!) or as blotted as that of a hipo (hip hip hipooooo!)

There is this weird analysis, may be it is true and does makes sense!

If you notice people falling near the equator the features are far from one another - More space between the eye brows, eyes and nose, mouth more wide and nose fatter and flatter as if there is not bone in their.

But as you go far away from the equator you can notice these features getting closer to one another, sharper and thin making the nose more prominent. You might ask what about the Chinese and the rest falling under that belt near to Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn - their nose are almost close to flat and eyes small - the equation there should be a bit different based on the longitude and latitude under which they lie.

OK enough of this crap or few may appreciate this be a something even you would have thought about.

The reality is the closer the features are, sleek the cheek bones and sharper the nose (inverted seven huh) the much prominent the face looks.

Nothing can be done about the nose unless your grand mom or mom works on making it better within few years of your birth. However pretty good amount of face exercise can make the skin on the face huggin the facial bones to make the look more refreshing and stunning.

And for your nose may be a bit of effort can be made to clear all the hair and black heads sprouting here and there on top of it. :P

So happy nose analysis ! And common do not stare at the persons nose, as they would end up staring at their nose and probably scratching them - I always finally end doing that people I stare at :D

Two Weeks of FUN!

I had started this post months ago and now I am scratching my head trying to recollect what made me give "Two Weeks Of FUN!" to a post...

Have I got selective amnesia - what crap?

Common - Bhagss wats up with you - How can you ever forget those days!

It has been years since I have so much of fun with my folks. Passing back on the memory lane - I do recollect those naughty summer holidays and thiruthalam trips that we used to make along with entire family including aunt, uncle and cousins.

The only difference this time was instead of the GANG being tiny tots we are all grown up having our own life...

It all started with a long walk to the beach and a great dinner in food court at City Center!

Fun just continued for the next 2 days.....

It was my Dad's 61st birthday celebrations in Thirupathi and the entire gang was in Baj's premises..

The exciting part was climbing the 7 hills - we started it all brisk and finally when we were reaching the top of the hill we were literally crawling... In fact there was stretch that was the most difficult of the lot and I just climbed that part of the hill in a jiffy - You know the reason why - My cousin just made me believe that there was a loo area just 1000 steps up :P

The wedding anniversary was the great (A chance to see your parents getting married and you just stand behind giggling and commenting) and I missed my brother a lot there :(

The next few days was greaaaaaaaaaat with my sister down here in Chennai we went all purchasing, yakking, gossiping and loads of fun.....

I would call this as the best days of my life!!!

Super aappu!

Andha nal nibagam nengile vandha dhe vandha dhe....

Oye soda budi....
Beku mathiri irruka...
Yen ippadi thiru thiru muzhikara...
Yen ma kanna enna kalaya vachu irruka..

Illa kanadila vachu irrukean sollanum thoonum :P

Have been wondering how does it feel to see the world without searching for a stupid glass for ages... Yeah it has been for years together....

The plan to get rid of glasses and do lasik started from December '2007... Kannagi sabadham mathiri idhu kandi sabadam :P..

You are not supposed to wear lenses for 2 weeks before lasik surgery and I stopped wearing in the plan of doing the surgery during the end of December...

But thanks to on demand project deadline and traveling, I was not able to get the surgery done... And one fine day, when the date of surgery was fixed you will not believe the lasik operating machine went out of order....

What a luck?

Enna koduma saravana sir idhu :P

Apporam after long long months after persuading the chinna boss, periya boss, client boss and all mottai boss the surgery is finally done...

Padathula heroine kanna katti open panara effect la amma azhachindu poi irrundhean... but doc orru karupu kanadi mati annupichutaan...

But after all these struggles, build up and effects....

It was lots of pain in the eye and I dozed off like kumbakarni...

I opened my eyes the next day morning... Orre panni mootam.. Ooti - Kodaikannal la panni mootam effect la, devadhainga ellam vella dress potundu appadiye oodi vandhundu irrundhaanga imagine pannidean.. But all kaanu pulicha maa :P..

But after cleaning the eyes...

It is amazing to look at the world without a foreign object in your eyes or sitting on your nose....

Super aappu illa Super appu!!

Hurrah!!

Is this going to be a motivation factor to write?

Wearing Helmet - A boon or pain in disguise???

If anyone would ask me - Do you like wearing a Helmet? "NO" - "I HATE IT" this would be my answer without any second thought. It feels like you have dipped your head in a bucket of water - the head scarf is socked with sweat and the hair completed stuck to the head ridiculing the hair less zones of the head... Traveling with the head in a ultra heat oven (helmet) for a hour – the brain is getting cooked and re-cooked - hope it just does get overcooked and pops out.

It is really a pain in disguise!

Thinking with level head - Hey common cool down and think practically…

Do you really need to wear a helmet??

The answer to this question is a union of answer to the following questions.

1) Do you die in an accident out of a Head injury?

2) Do you want to remain in a coma state because of some Head injury?

3) Do you want your dear ones to come and see you in the visiting hours in a mental hospital?

4) Is it okay for you to have mud and dust falling on your eyes and face when you are driving?

.

.

.

There are hundred such questions and for all of them the unanimous answer is "NO" - Then why the hell do you say "I HATE IT".

Just do not argue that you would drive safely and there is no need for a Helmet. You know something it is totally unsafe only for safe drivers with so many rash drivers bullying around.

Unless anything is forced upon no one would follow - A great initiative from the government and cooperation to install a rule that it is compulsory for anyone who sits on a two wheeler to wear a helmet. If you do not wear then you better pay a fine.

From May 31st the regulation was 90% implemented. It was great seeing shinning heads (because of helmet) around on the road.

All well implemented for 2 days and suddenly someone gives a new announcement "Please do follow the rule rigorously as I have been receiving lots of complaints" just on the day of his birthday. Now hardly any of them wearing Helmet.

Who would follow rules and regulations unless it is wrapped in a chocolate paper or with a stick to terrorize that you better follow it. People would complain for few days but finally they would follow it just like how kids would do after crying and brooding after moms chastise.

Wearing a Helmet is definitely a BOON (however you got to bear with little suffocation).

Finally it all looks like a business deal - just how I, a friend of mine and coconut dweller was talking the other day. All the Helmets sold within 2 days and the regulation had gone for a six.

What the HELL?????????

Will it ever change??

Have you ever been to banks like SBI, IOB? I bet these banks would never change - If you ever shout the word adaptability it would be screaming at deaf ears...

I have been a frequent visitor of banks from my school and under graduation years and my family - a big fan of SBI and we have been account holders for almost 22 years.

The SBI branch I am talking about is the one located near my residence. Apart from the new paint on the walls and the furniture’s to resemble something like counters and few banners hanging below the tall ceiling there has been no change in the customer service.

Visiting the bank has always been a pain because of the long queue and the hours one have to spend before completing the work. I couldn’t postpone the visit any longer as Dad or mom would pounce at me – I had been creating enough drama about going to the bank.

I was waiting there silently seated on one of the chairs in the bank lobby for the electronic voice to call my number. There were 30 more to go and just 2 counters when it was supposed to be 4 counters (2 of them have happily put leave). To my agony an old lady was seated at one of the counters and she was processing each and every customer's request at ant speed.

I was sitting there on one of the chairs irritated and wiping the sweat that was running down my temple waiting for the numbers move - just like how anyone would eagerly watch - staring the food on the stove to get cooked when you are starving, waiting for your friend outside the cinema hall when you know that at least 30 minutes of the movie you thriving to watch would be over by the time you enter the theatre, waiting outside the campus for someone from the office to stick the results on the notice board, thin water droplets filling the bucket in the toilet - I could give you hundred such melodramatic comparison to express the state at which I was.

Restlessly I glanced the other faces waiting and it was just a mirror image of how I looked sitting at that place. There were few who were dozing off sitting on the chair - I was feeling jealous seeing heads falling out of sleep. There was this weird feeling that tickled my brain - when most of them sitting there were oldies - you might not know if you can doze off permanently in their sleep before their number would be called.

There was one banner was hanging between 2 ancient pillars of the building - "Walk out by creating an account within 15 mins...." - I just couldn't help laughing - the account would become a senior citizen's account before the account is actually created.

By the time I had my PPF account created it was almost 1.5 hours I have been out there with my back aching like hell sitting on those uncomfortable chairs.

Why shouldn’t these banks do better and try to learn from few of the foreign banks for kinds of services they offer, issue more electronic cards for withdrawals, more counters, recruit people who would do their work at decent speed...

I have seen this bank the same for almost 10 years now and I have this big question unanswered...

Will it ever change??????

Hibernating

No post for almost a month - Have been hibernating for a long time...

I am sure you wouldn’t believe what I have been up to....

Padichindu irrundhean (orru vazhiayaa cleared the first level of sun certification - eppadi padikardhu nu ne marandhurthu) and was trying attempt something new - fitness - reducing few pounds :)

For almost a month - got up at 5.00 AM in the morning - sharp 5.30 I would be on the road jogging towards Marine Beach (almost 1.3 Km from my place).

Ellam orru veerapu thaan - Akka next time chennai varumbodhu I can say - Darling look few centimeters of the shoe sole (She brought it for me almost a year back hoping that I would go for a walk one day :P) is eroded with my effort :)

Gandhi Thatava pakarthukulla kodale vellila vara rangeku muchuvanga arambichidum! Nai mathiri naka velila thonga pootu muchuvaangeena image spoil vera.. Rombha kashta patu kuninju kaiya kala ataramathiri orru scene potu breath aah control panavendiyathu thaan...

Orru vazhiya samlikarthukula nanbi kiteandhu phone - "Oye enga irruka - I am not able to find you!" - avalumpavum orre kutaila vurina matainga - same scene :)

Rendu perru full swing la we jog till Vivekandhar illam on the beach road - Then walk till the shore to watch sunrise (Coffee illa!). Semma sight! (atleast we get a chance to look at the sunrise if not few handsome dudes - Ella pasangalum somberinga).

By the time I reach home it would be 6.45 - literally I crawl on the way back.

But there is one thing for sure - it feels so good the whole day - FRESH :D. Night switch pootamathiri thookaam vaarum.

If not for lose of sleep and the good friend laziness peeping here and there - going for a walk in the morning is a HEAVEN :)

கிறுக்கல்கள்

Have been hibernating for sometime now without any post - Would write another post on what I have been up to of late.

But here in the meantime you can enjoy pulling Lakshmi's leg :P. So here you go with few of the கிறுக்கல்கள் from Lakshmi.

ஏன் உன் முகம் என்னும் பெட்டகத்தை மூடிக்கொல்கிறாய்?
கிடைக்காமல் தவிக்கின்றேனடி, புன்னகை முத்துக்களை பொறுக்க வந்த நான்.


கடற்கரையின் மெல்லிய காற்று ...
உணர்த்தியது ...
என்னவலின் தாவனியின் தீண்டலை ...


நண்பர்களே கொஞ்சம் பையனை கவனிக்கவும்!! :D

Bug Free!!!

Hurrahhhh!!!!!!!!!!

My blog is now bug free :) :) :)

It was always a pain to post anything, as there were many cross browser issues which made my posts look messy at times. This has been happening for quite some time and has driven me crazy. The top and bottom header images did not integrate well in IE as it did in Firefox and to add to the list there were certain Javascript issues too when linked with ad sense.

Alas! I decided to put my CSS knowledge (whatever little I have) to use and I think I have succeeded in my attempt to a certain extent.

I was lazy ’ing around to read the template code and finally I made it today :).

I played around with the repeat attribute of the background image, top-padding in the CSS - Seri seri bore aadikaala podumaa!! Enna koonjam excitement thaan - a new interest towards Web 2.0 ;)

Now the web site works perfectly in both IE, Fire fox and Modzilla :D.

UNICEF

Contribute 5$ to UNICEF by accepting the invitation - that is what the web site says - click on the link below.

Link removed - HEARD THAT IT IS A SPAM!

Weekend Bonanza!

The weekend started off with a pinch of irritation that peeped on and off on Friday - thanks to the evening beach visit - it was fun and it really cooled my pulse. Of course followed by a awesome dinner at Kana Kazana - we were just pushing our tummies to reach the bike stand ;).

Infact we had killed the time in an interesting way then expected.

Plan for watching the new releases - Mozhi - paruthi veeran - was total flop - as none of the theatre doors were open for us (HOUSEFUL).

What next??

Let’s try something different.

Saturday evening we visited the Grand Royal Circus opposite to Nehru Stadium Chennai. Appa was looking at me up and down when I broke the news that I am planning to visit the circus - Kalutha vaayasaachu unnaku enna circus nu :P. I hardly remember watching a circus - Appa romba emmathitaa :( - If my memory is right it was when I was 4 years - suthama niyabagame illa.

It was a 2.30 minutes show and surprisingly it was good to watch it as a gang. I was dumb struck gazing at many of shows - they are all really talented - hanging up side down, body twisting just like rubber, playing with rings - balls, well trained dogs - horses - elephant playing cricket and many in the list. There was one another entertainment - I was playing with the small pony of kid who was sitting in front of me - yebba these days they can talk anything :).

After circus we directly landed in Ratna Cafe Triplicane and we ate like hungry Lions (Koonjam decent aah sollanum na) but the glare that server gave us when we had requested him to get some nth helping of sambar, it was a bit indecent: D - paakitaanama saapitom - amma parthu irrundha seriyana oozhal nu thiti irrupa :P

idhoodha niruthi irrukaalam - Sunday evening again at the Besi Beach. Intension was to go for a long walk - of course we did - but finally settled to watch the Chennai Sangamam koothu paatarai - super aah irrundhu dhu.

It was a different weekend and of course it is not going to stop here and I better concentrate on reducing the pounds I am gaining before the weighing machines starts to cry.

Seriyaana thaaruthalaiya soothitu irrukom nu athula vaiyaara :D

Game Shows Mania

I just could'nt stop my fingers typing this post.

Of late it has been game show mania and Star Vijay leads the satellite channel's queue in implementing their creativity successful, while Sun TV tries to adopt something similar catches the race as it is the most watched channel by tamilians across the world (I just wonder how these ladies watch these sobbing mega serials - totally jobless).

This post is completely dedicated to all those ridiculous shows... lol…

1) Thiruvalar Thirumathi - Saturday nights in Sun TV - it is a show for couples - Oh My god - Narayanaaaaaaaaaaaaa! - I was stumped watching one of the couples dancing (winner of the that specific round wins some cash) - orru orru couple um road roller mathiri irrukaanga and looking at them dancing on a glass stage, koonjam bakku bakku nu irruku :D - there is also on the spot skit (verbal fight) and what not - Enna aachu tamil nadu makkaluku nu thaan theriyala - they look like real jokers..

2) Kasu Mazhai - Raj TV on weekdays - I was shocked looking at people locked in a cell catching money they is flying in the glass cage - romba kevalama irruku.

3) All those shows where talented makkal come and sing - these shows are sometime good - but I am bugged and bored watching these - koonjam creativity koondu varallam.

4) Top ten movies - they can stop these ratings atleast for sometime.

5) How can I miss these shows where people dedicate songs to others – I just wonder how people have so much time to call – post letters – answer questions for these shows – total waste of time and money?

6 - 7 - 8 - 9 ----- poodum there is lots of add to this list...

Looks like I am completely pissed off with these shows and I have missed out many in this list as I hardly watch the Television???? Why do not you guys go ahead and add them???

Serious ah thaangala..

Aha FM

The amount of time I spend gazing the hoarding is high when compared to the time I spend concentrating on the traffic and signals when I am on the road.

Of late the advertisement of the new FM has been bit weird - Each and every time I watch any of the hoardings relating to this FM I am not able to see the intended message the advertisement should actually trying to convey.

In each of the hoarding you can see a person totally mesmerized, exhausted and thoroughly intoxicated listening to the music from the FM. But the expression that you see in their faces - talks lot more: D. I rather feel the concept behind the advertising for the FM is lost. Of course it does attract people’s attention that is how the ad is – but ???

Few of the hoarding images captured using a mobile camera.

Do comment on what you think about the hoarding and do you feel that ad talks what it should?

PS: Photographs by Praveen.

Bounce

This should have been the first post of today - but I was taken away by that questionaire you would have seen my previous post - so indha post koonjam late :)

A saying in Tamil - "Aal pathi adai pathi" - I would rather say "Aal pathi, adai pathi, hair stylum pathi" - ithu puthu molzi...

For a long time wanted a change of hairstyle and did not find the right time for the past 2 years. Usually I do a holy hair cut in Thirupathi and then go to a parlor for a better style. After lots of postponing we did visit Thirupathi but had to wait for almost 2 weeks to have a better cut - Amma thaan Thirupathi la cut panna and it was zia zag - Sunday is longer than Monday range la.

Last time I had been to "Kanya" quite a famous saloon - rather a beauty parlor. But the cut that time was not much impressive. So this time decided to go to a better place.

As usual ennoda Guru Ji - Verra yaru my useless akka suggested "Bounce Hair Lounge" (chumma pulling your legs di :D). She said that this place was great - seriously I believe her - onnume illama irrundha ennoda sister oda hair aah - semma thick kaavum stylish aavum aakinaanga - so should be true :P.

In fact I just thought of the scene in the movie "Goburangal Saivathilai" in which the expert hair stylist would go nuts seeing Suhasini's hair - I would rather say she would go mad repairing her hair :P. Akka nanu unnoda hair stylavum Suhasini hair stylavum compare panave illa ;).

To be true - these guys are real professionals - good system and specialist. In fact I was impressed when they said you would need an appointment to visit the place.

A must visit place for quality hair cut!

They did a great hair cut for my zig zag mess - enna amma thaan konjam arandha vaal mathiri irruku nu sonna :(

Caste System in India

Sunday evening and there is nothing great on the Television. As usual switched on the "potti" - (that is how i call my "kanini" - laptop) and I received an unusal request from a person in skype.

His name was Lea - that's how is display name appeared in skype - I that the person was a He.

[9:24:22 PM] Lea says: hi, my name is lea and I am from Germany. In school I have do write a very important work about the caste system in India, in order to make the work more vivid and more lifelike I decided to make a questionnaire. I therefore want to ask you if I can send you this questionnaire. It would be very nice and you would really help me.thanks a lot!Lea

I was just warming the sofa with my but on it and spontaneously decided why not help this guys - sounded like a reasonable request. I asked him to send the questions over skype and here we go with the questions and the answers.

Sunday anniku paana orru urpidiyaan kariyam - orru paiyanuku help pannirkean - so why not post that in the blog.

Questionnaire

General question:

1) Gender: FEMALE

2) Age: 26

3) Occupation: SOFTWARE PROFESSIONAL

4) married/single? SINGLE

5) children/no children? NO CHILDREN

6) Did you spend your whole life in India? YES

7) Are your parents both Indian or are they foreigner? BOTH ARE INDIANS

Question regarding to the caste system:

1) The Constitution of India promise in its preamble every citizens “Equality of status and of opportunity”. Do you take the view that this assurance is a lie or do you think that it is reality? I AGREE. EVERYONE IS TREATED EQUAL IN FRONT OF LAW AND MOREOVER MORE OPPORTUNITY IS GIVEN TO MINORITY AND WOMEN.

2) In article number 17 the Constitution of India assures the people of no caste, the untouchables:

“Untouchability is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden. The enforcement of any disability arising out of Untouchability shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law.”

Do you have the opinion that the politicians have reached their aim to abolish untouchability or are the untouchables still discriminated and seen as “polluting”? I WOULD RATHER SAY THERE IS STILL SUCH PRACTISES IN REMOTE VILLAGES IN INDIA BUT HIGH PRIORITY IS GIVEN TO ABOLISH THIS. IT DOES TAKE SOME TIME TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF SUCH A MINDSET. IT WOULD BE COMPLETELY ABOLISHED AS GENERATIONS WOULD PASS.

What do you think about the second sentence of the 17 article? Does the police punish people who still practice untouchability? YES PEOPLE ARE PUNISHED IF THEY FOLLOW SUCH PRACTISE

3) Do you know if the caste system is pervasive in India? And are there differences between urban areas and rural areas?

YES CASTE SYSTEM IS PERVASIVE AND THERE IS LOTS OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS WHEN IT COMES TO THOUGHTS ON THE SAME.

4) How does the caste system works in everyday life?

IT IS A DIFFICULT QUESTION TO ANSWER. TAKE THE CASE OF HINDUISM - IT IS A WAY OF LIVING. AND THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT SUB SECTS IN HINDUISM AND THEIR PRACTISES DIFFER AND THE SAME IS APPLICABLE FOR MUSLIMS AND CHRISTIAN. WAY OF LIVING DIFFERS EVEN IN FOOD HABITS EVEN IN HOW THEY COOK. THIS IS RATHER A LONG ANSWER :)

5) The caste system is entwined in Hindu beliefs, but does it encompasses non-Hindus as well?

YES - YOU CAN EVEN SEE HINDU CHRISTIANS AND HINDU MUSLIMS.

6) And how does the caste system works between Hindus and non-Hindus or foreign people?

NOT SO GOOD. PEOPLE HAVE NOT BECOME SO BROAD MINDED. BUT IN COMING GENERATIONS IT WOULD BE MUCH BETTER AND THERE WILL BE IMPROVEMENTS IN THOUGHTS AND IDEAS.

7) Are there still the four castes (Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaisya, and Sudra) and the people of no caste, the untouchables?

NOPE. BRAHMANS STILL EXIST IN BOTH RURAL AND URBAN AREAS. KSHATRIYA AND VAISYA ARE RATHER VERY RARE. SUDRA - THEY DO EXIST PREDOMINENTLY IN RURAL AREAS.

8) Are there explicit standards within a caste?

YES. IT DOES EXIST. EVEN HINDU'S YOU HAVE HIGHER AND LOWER SECT.

9) Does the caste one belongs to have influence on the choice of occupation today because in the past Brahman for example had to become priests or scholars, and Kshatriyas had to become warriors or rulers?

NO NOW A DAYS IT IS MORE TO WITH HOW OF MUCH EXPOSURE AND EDUCATION A INDIVIDUAL GETS.

10) What is about personal contact/ relationship with members of other castes?

IN URBAN AREAS IT IS LESS. RURAL I WOULD SAY IT DOES EXIST. BUT THE DEGREE OF SEVERITY IS COMPARIVITY REDUCED.

11)What do you think about marriages between different castes?

Do you believe that a person, who decided in favour of a love-marriage, would be excluded from the family?

I FEEL THAT THIS RIDICULOUS. MARRIAGE IS BETWEEN TWO INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR COMPATABILITY.

12) Is it possible to move from the own caste into a lower or higher one? YES. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO HINDUISM THERE IS NOT SUCH THING CALLED CONVERSION AND THERE IS NO PREACHING FOR THE SAME AS IT IS A WAY OF LIVING.

13) Do you think that the Indians have become more flexible in their caste affiliations? YES IN URBAN AREA A FEW OF THEM HAVE BECOME BROAD MINDED BUT THE PERCENTAGE IS VERY LESS.

14) Do you know the reason why the caste system is sill existing in India? Is it perhaps attributable to the samsara (reincarnation) and karma (quality of action)? Or is it because of the system of marriage? I BELIEVE IT IS FOR SAMSARA AND KARMA. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO MARRIAGES PEOPLE STRICTLY DO NOT GET MARRIED OUT OF CASTE, BUT NOW A DAYS THERE HAS BEEN MORE OF REVOLUTION ON THIS TOPIC WITH RESPECT TO MARRIAGES.

15) To which caste do you belong to? HINDU – BRAHMIN - MORE DETAILS - VADAKALAI IYENGAR - WORSHIPPERS OF GOD VISHNU.

I did not want to go to the depth how bad it was in rural areas – nambha nata pathi bad aah portray panna pidicala – but I also did not want to lie that caste based issues does not happen in India – touched things from a 100 feet level.

Any thoughts on the question and answers – feel free to add your comments – your keyboard would not cry if you type a bit :P.

Employee of the Year!

How was Feb 3rd 2007???

Got up at 7.00 AM in the morning - Appa thirupalli padindu irundha.. I had to clean the vasappadi and put kolam so that dad can proceed with his daily pooja...

9.00 AM sharp, I was ready to catch the bus and leave to the Photon Towers so that B and I can ride the scooty pep we had left in the office yesterday... How can we ever start on time - there was some delay (last min coffee preparation for my dad) and I finally reach Mandhavali bus stand at 9.30 AM. Bhu was waiting for me in front of the terminus.

It was 10.30 when we reach Karaipakkam and in the meantime we had walked, travelled in share auto and bus. We took the vandi and we were off to the Kochar Farms and as usual late!

11.00 AM - 4.00 PM It was Photon Day and we had a offsite managment meeting in the morning... It was a pretty decent session - boring and interesting at time… Came to know more about what the top managment had planned for the future growth of the company and employees... We did a lunch break also in between: D

4.00 PM - 6.30 PM it was entertainment session and there we few dazzling dance performances, game shows and light music.. Nangalam medaila illama orru event aah.. NEVER!! We planned an on the spot skit..

The new fresher joinees were totally enthusiastic and we wrote the story and dialogues with amazing contributions from other counterparts.. The skit did come out pretty decently and it would have been much better if we had practiced more...

Wanna know the role I did - The Pandi's role in Kakka Kakka :P

Conducting parties in ECR is not allowed and our police uncle's made special appearance without invitation to the company party at 6.30 PM and before they were out with the amplifiers it was already 7.00 PM.

No one could stop the presentation.. We had our CEO talking about the promises, growth rate, future pipeline and so on without the mic.. The response from the audience was terrific with encouraging applauses... Finally it was award presentation to employees who had done well last year.. they announced names which were very familiar in the organization and they had done great work!

At the end of the 5th award they announce a name that was very very familiar..

Bhargavi Krishnamachari - oops that was my name!

Lots to tell but it would look like I am giving a speech after a oscar award or a paramveer chakra.. lol.. It is of course quite an achievement to be proud about as it was out of 800 employees and it all came through in 2.5 years and for all the hard work... But did not expect it to come so soon ;) … Indeed it had been a rollercoaster ride!

The day ended great! Of course there was a pinch of fear - What am I going to do for the bills???– sure gonna become bankrupt treating – it would be great it was a cash award ;)

Kalyana samayal sadam

Mom had gone to "Ahobilam" and for the past two days I managed with breakfast - coffee, lunch - hotel Insuvai (on Friday) and office sponsor (Saturday) and dinner - fruits and milk.

Yebba mudiyala... vellila poitu aathu varum bothu Amma unna romba miss panarean - No food :(...

Inikum same schedule - no way!!...

Lets start the dance nu I entered the kitchen - nallavela Amma kitta cooking items ellam enga irruku nu oru quick session thursday annike ketundean.

First engine ku koonjam oil poodalam nu - coffee pottu appa vum nanum kudichom..

Enna samaikalam nu think paanum boothu than therinjuthu vegetables eeh illanu. So first went to the market and purchased Potatoes, Tomatoes, ladies finger, kothamalli and karuveppillai.

Edula arambikarthu ne theriyala?? Seri modalla sapadu decide paninean…

Idea rice yum urlakalangayum boil paanalam nu cooker la set paaniean.. ana how much of water to add for cooking the rice?? Seri logic use panalam... 1 cup rice ku 1 1/2 times water nu conclusion draw panitu cooker ah stove mela vetchachu...

Next kulambhu - hmmmmm... ennapanaradhu - Seri lets try Vethakulambhu but adhula podara vethal - I did not know where it was – final ah vendaika vethakulambhu nu mathitean :)... Socked tamrid for some 10 mins, then filtered the mix. Then heated the vaanali with oil, kadugu and parupu (thooram parru nu ninaikarean :P).

Within a min I poured the tamrid water, then the kulambhu podi and the vendaikai.. Oru medium heat la irundhadhu and I starring at it for some 4 mins and it looked watery... seri put some more kulambhu podi to make it thick :D... Ellam usual technique thaane.. lol.. Kolambhu was ready within next 5 mins - moved it out of the stove before it became pulikachal ;)...

Side la cooker was shaking and at that time only I realized that I did not put the weight on the top of it.. Vedikathuku munadi podanum and I was searching it when it was already there in my hand.. tension :P

Appa seriyana pest.. samaika ve vidala.. cat mathiri kitchen la anga umm inga umm odindu irundha.. Appo thaan purinjuthu why mom does not allow him in the kitchen nu :P... I literally dragged him out..

In the meantime cooker la ella matter umm over - I took the aaloo out and I started to roast them in another vanali... that is pretty simple but I was literally tossing it when I pealed its skin – semma sudu..

Ellathulayum multitasking venum - enna naaga ellam semma efficient la - rasam start panlam second trip tamrid mix panitu stove la aadhayum heat pana arambichutean.. I put some rasam powder cut 2 tomatoes and it was boiling in the adjacent stove..

Within 5 mins rasam ready and next kaadugum thaalichu kootiyaachu... 10 mins la roasted potatoes um ready...

Of course I put salt and other necessary spices for potatoe, sambar and rasam..

Appa ready sapadarthuku!!

He was sitting in the dinning table and ennaku he looked like a rabbit in a scientist lab: D... Appa is very particular about few things on the plate... Vethakulambhu and pickle - enna combination noo theriyala and I do not know how he likes that ;)... He was eating and I was anxiously looking at him...

Finally exam results range ku poiduruthu - He told that I cooked better than MOM!!! Nalabagam :D...

Nanbargale eppo enkaiyala samaicha food aah sapada varengo ;)

Seri ippo naanu poi saapadaporean - semma pasi!

It did happen!!

T time conversations are usually fun and electric depending on seed (topic). After a long time we had a great time - Mom, Dad and I. Dad was narrating few of the real time comedies that happens in Court and you would definitely need to agree that they are much better then all those flakes that you watch in movies. Lets hit one of them now!

Dad a.k.a T.V.Krishnan BSc BL (T.V.Krishnamachari - Appa-Amma vetcha perra maathardhala ennoda appa onnum exception illa :P) - I would rather call him Krish ;).

Okay!!

Krish (should be around 24) successfully won the case (It was his 10th case - not sure) and had a decree against the opponent that he should either pay the debt amount or would be imprisoned. The court would then send a notice to the concerned person and they should present themselves in front of the magistrate - either pay the money or get behind the bars.

Krish's client - Mr X in full enthu was present in court to collect the debt amount from the court as per the notice he received.

What actually happened????

A usual hectic day and Krish was waiting for his number in court 7 rechecking on the evidences and proof he was going to present. Mr X came running to court 7 searching for Krish.

"samy enna idhu ennaku onnume puriyala" said Mr X.

"Enna aachu, paanam kidaichudha" said Krish.

"Iyya nanu court room la wait panikittu irrundhean. Apporam nambha case number koopitaanga naanum elundhirichu judge iyya munadi nindhean. Avar enna paanam kaataraya illa jailluku poorayaa nu ketara. Ennaku onnum puriyala samy. Judge iyya kitta nan thaan kadan koduthean nu sonnean avar enna pathu sirichittu ungala kopitu kondu vara sonnaru" said Mr X.

Krish then read the notice that X had got and he was like - What the hell!!

The court room exploded with laughter when the judge enquired on what had happened. These court staffs are real nuts! They had sent the notice to the petitioner instead of the opponent. Kadan koduthavan kitaye kadana thirupi pay pana sollaranga paa! Kalakitanga po!

Enna ithu sirru pilla thanama :P

Mr X said to Krish - Ennaku panam kidaikalanalum parava illa samy enna jail la podavendamnu sollunga :D.

Finally Judge had to explain to Mr X (completely paranoid) that it was not Krish's mistake but the person who sent the notice and he will not be sent to Jail.

Aiyo! Aiyo!