I've only read about florence Nightingale...today i can proudly say i know two of such. Well I'm not one to hug & bring tears to my eyes, get emotional...But i'd like to tell the world I'm proud to have 2 female friends who saw me through my worst phase pf 2 days. The 2 days of 103 & 104 degrees temp fever made me realise how my life will be in my old age if i don't have anyone.
The day i spoke to my firned ND & told her i've left the pathological lab which refused to take my blood sample, i had no idea i was already having 103 deg fever. I knew i was thoroughly unwell, because i was shiering like someone who was given an electric shock. I'd not shaken like this even in Gulmargh when i went one December!
SHe felt listening to my voice that i really must be bad. I'd taken a quilt & was lying down on the sofa when i spoke to ND. SHe had a gut feeling something was wrong & smsd saying she's coming...i was in touch wt her & my family doc. ASked ND to go straight to doc's house while it was raining...ND came home & tucked me away while she lay down reading...we waited for the people fm the lab to come to take my blood samples. ND was keeping track of everything we called the lab, doc & she went to the lab for the report & then to the chemist. Meanwhile she called SK another darling frnd...they came for dinner...the 2 kept a watch on me..while putting ice packs in between, making me dirnk lots of water & took over the running of the kitchen, looking after me...they were god sent.
Ofcourse our debates, arguments & friendly fights or taunts continued...that's the fun of our friendship. by the time we slept it was late...then they kept putting ice packs...by midnight i heard SK in deep sleep, by then i was covered by a shawl, under a quilt & went into the kitchen with immense shivers. At one point i didn't know what was happening. Ofcourse as usual i got up to go to the loo few times with the amount of liquids i was drinking.
Between 12.00-4.00 i waited & eventually woke up SK. Poor thing she brought the ice pack & then neeta...we slept on for a while the domestic help & eventually the cook came. I knew SK was looking tensed...ND showed nothing but i can understand. ND told me later she had panicked seeing my body colour that morning. I was completely red in colour. All I knew is that my head ached & felt the brain would splinter in million pieces..i feared cerebral malaria. You never know…
We waited till 8.0am when ND called the doc. I was irritated. I'd never experienced such splitting headaches before in my life. She threatened me & said 2nd dose of Malaria pill & i have to show some improvement else i'd be sent to the hospital. ND & SK asked me...i said NO way had i got any money, it would take time before i was receive money fm DNA. AS for hospital no way. ND kept saying “you have to mentally toughen yopurself…else we can explore having a nurse over..” both options were a BIG NO No for me…meanwhile the leaking was on….Then i agreed with ND's plans of going to her house. SK too offered, but i knew ND's family was there...except i didn't watnt to add more to the crowd there...
Our other friend DD sent us a car. Hers this one decision really motivated me to pack completely & mentally prepare myself to stay away for 7 days. It was the first time i wld be staying at any friend's house for so long. We went to the doc, her daughter my abso sweetheart who i've held as a baby now studying medicine was there to help her mother in the OPD. My headaches had reduced temp was far less & then doc said if i drink 4 litres at least, eat & rest well i'd be set for mond following week.
Hats off to ND & her old mother...believe me that stay was like a holiday. Sund-mond were still not good. Tues afternoon she put ice pack till then i had temp. Everyday altaf wld call & something new i'd learn abt malaria..ND was by my side. SHe even postponed her social activities..tho i thought she shld've gone..i was to rest.
This lady is care personified. ND. Every night & morn she would boil water & ensure i drank 4 litres without fail. She would see the clock & give me nachni porridge wt fruits, food every 2 hrs. She'd check on me & I'm sure i must've stretched her patience, endurance, time line, gen space...but she was truly fantastic healer...my only best wishes are for her always...she deserves all happiness & success...she has taken such care i told her she can take over the kitchen in ourold age & i will tend to the gardening :) haha...
Her aai was abso great company. She saw me & was like "What will happen to us if u fall ill.." every afternoon we both wld have our chaha....i really enjoyed having tea with her. ND's sister too...despite all her famiy responsibilities...other chores she wld ask, plan & cook for ever meal something tasty & diff. They took real warm care of me...i really did NOT miss aai-baba...i mean the Deshpandes did everything to help me recuperate asap.
SK came for 2 days..when she saw i was ok gave some silly translations to do...then she disappeared only to learn she was bitten by a dog! She came to cheer me up in her style...after that i miss having chaai at & with the Deshpandes. I go when i can, like on narali pornima...may be i ain't vocal but i know how these 2 friends have really helped me thru those 2 days...love them...they know that..ya Neeta style..still...i'm glad to have them as friends....
Monday, August 30, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Moving ahead in elite world
I have a high regard for those people who strive, they take a risk & without fear of the consequence, but have dared to move ahead. Here are 4 of my journalist friends. They are all hard core Maharashtrians, who worked in Marathi newspapers. They took the decision of taking that BIG step & moving into the English media, with the tide. Suddenly in 2004-2005 there were lot more openings, more & more reporters from regional media were being sought after by the elite English media editors.
Simple logic, the real reporters who know the pulse are from Marathi -regional media of the state & hindi. Many may not agree or like my view, but it is true & one can see from their contacts, sources & articles. Most of all the backgrounds they have come from are soo typical Marathi & the odds they have battled to get to where they are today, is most credible. I think all Sainiks..whether Shiv Sena or MNS really need to take lessons from these 4. I always say we all who are better equipped, have access to information & knowledge need to help people like these 4. They are so UNLIKE typical maharashtrians, though let me tell you they still live & breathe in their traditional localities. They may have invested in new apartments but haven't forgotten their roots or traditions. And i soooo luv these 4 friends for being themselves -simple, Marathi boys who are not whiners.
KT who started with Maharashtra Times, moved over to Midday a tabloid, then DNA (like many of us) & now as deputy bur head, India Today. He has come a long way. seniors were extremely critical of his jump from DNA to a national magazine Ind Today. However i beleive one must move & take the risks rather than wait & regret that they missed the bus. KT has done some v good stories in his career & more so he adjusted to writing in english, learning to write crisp stories. With some initial diffidence he can talk confidently with the editor, desk persons in English. The move as i saw will help him develop a writing style & help him think originally in English, rather than think in Marathi. The fact that he has taken this bold move i think will help him tremendously. The first case in trying hard & going beyond one's Marathi roots. KT is fm Dombivli-hard core middle class Marathi Brahmin suburb of Mumbai. His family too is traditional & he is proud of his roots. But unlike travelling up & down & getting stuck in a cacoon which becomes a protective shield, he has moved on to take more challenges.
Second is PM. Typical proud, loving personality & true blood Maratha. Like many Maharashtrians he has his fat-fati, is tremendously low profile & wears his ray bans like all Maharashtrains like goggles. He worked in Loksatta, Sakal marathi papers & moved into a leading Tabloid Mumbai Mirror when it launched. Has good contacts in the political arena & still holds himself back. PM does some good civic stories. This is one Marathi reporter who has great contacts & still doesn't tap them for greater stories. He has a treasure of information & knowledge. More interesting is the fact that the politicians he knows are of state & national stature, but NEVER & i push him for not giving those kinds of stories..if he did he will get mroe success. Diffidence, staunchly maintaining low profile. Often that makes him look like he's underperforming, actually he's just chilling. He'd rather stay away from the mad rush. But that often tends to make seniors ignore him & his talent. He also has stayed away from covering political beat full fledged, wc is not correct. I don't know what he fears, because i do think with the contacts he has he will do more justice than others... PM is a silent worker, amicable & great company to be with. The envious English-speaking elite journalists however have always tried to put him down. Pass rumour he can't write to save his skin. But my fight with these types has ALWAYS been, he is a reporter. News organisations have a desk, its their job to re-write a good article. Reporter is hired to go out & get a good story. Yes, unlike KT, PM needs to be pushed, he needs cajoling, sometimes a pat on the back. He lives in Kalachowkie so traditionally Marathi, those hard core Bombayites would know. This feeling runs in his kid daughter too. Although PM has bought a new house, she has made it clear to the father she wants her grand parents & friends & Kalachowkie is the area where their true 'home' is. I can see him smile as he reads this...
SM, is another friend who read my previous -blog on 'Learning Marathi' & sent me a sms saying, "Liked ur article on blog...inspired..want to learn english..m so weak in lang..." This is one friend who I admire loads. SM worked in Saamna. He moved to Midday & I remember half the world pulling him down. Having lived in a BDD chawl, his whole upbringing is traditionally Mahrashtrian. He went into journalism with the ideology he grew up with. His parents too have toiled hard. Today he has invested in a nice house at nana chowk, but he is still simple man with tall dreams.
SM moved in English tabloid Midday when all the Maharashtrians told him, "bagh ghasarlsheel" You will find it tough..he still went ahead. What i like about SM is that he calls if he is stuck with words, framing sentence or paras. He hasn't developed the ego that prevents him from asking & thereby learning. He went a step ahead & asked me to give him a nice eng novel that will help him learn more. This attitude has helped SM a lot. He's still soooo simple i'm relieved to see that. He is a helpful person & shares sources, nos & has brilliant ideas. I am glad if he sticks in media as he has moved well with the times. His wife too is in broadcast media & though in Marathi, she too is a formidable journo. Both helping each other & learning at the same time will surely take them forward. What i like most is that he asks & wants to learn more...
lastly but not the least...is SA. He's my dear. He has come from abso poor background, child of a worker. He has come up only on merit & hard work. I am not at all surprised that he says, "Pahila dev, aai-baba ani nantar baki sarva." For this statement & belief in himself, i have utmost regard for him. Also for his tireless effort to work hard & excel. Today he is the best health reporter in Mumbai city.
His beginning may have been small but his dreams, ambition, attitude, hard work & goals have never been small. His connections in health sector, doctors or now in life are the best in the city. He has earned a well deserving name for himself. He has only struggled to achieve it. He NEVER hesitates to call & ask me, health experts, seniors if he is stuck for some word. He is the star reporter of Mirror who moved to DNA. His climb is credible. Saamna, Mirror & now DNA.
He's gone everywhere on his terms & conditions. He has shown he is capable of great stories, political, helath or bazars of the city His rivals, many eng speaking elite, snoots have scorned him. The buzz when he bgan having concrete talks with DNA was "neeta SA is coming to DNA lets see how long madam will tolerate him. He hasn't mvoed with the times, changed, he can't write a word of English." Is it? have these spreading the rumour work with him? Have they seen his copies? Have they chalked his progress as a reporter? No. Then another 2 reporters told me, "He butts in other people's beats na? He does stories fm all beats na?" Why this fear & insecurity? Because when you are very good, have the talent then others are bound to be scared. I am glad that these girls are talking abt SA like this. It shows he is capable of great work.
Also, SA's attitude reflects on his middle class Marathi roots. He is thankful to those who have helped in getting good stories. He calls them once a month, keeps in touch with them. He has the people's skills. He is also enterprising. More so he has never forgotten his poor background. He has been helping other poor children minute he started working as a journalist. He teaches the kids at the night school. He helps as many poor children as he can for health, medical issues. He helps others too. He is clean hearted good lad who wants to do well. He hasn't shed his childhood friends, his background & is never shy of saying it. He doesn't hide his colours, Marathi ness. He has a fine sense of humour & rapatoire whereby he can even make fun of english taught & spoken in Marathi schools.
These are 4 Marathi friends whom i have a high regard. I've always maintained, these are the kind who need all our help as seniors in the field. Their efforts to excel in English news field & not at the cost of their values, ethics & backgrounds is such a big feat i truly am proud of it.
Simple logic, the real reporters who know the pulse are from Marathi -regional media of the state & hindi. Many may not agree or like my view, but it is true & one can see from their contacts, sources & articles. Most of all the backgrounds they have come from are soo typical Marathi & the odds they have battled to get to where they are today, is most credible. I think all Sainiks..whether Shiv Sena or MNS really need to take lessons from these 4. I always say we all who are better equipped, have access to information & knowledge need to help people like these 4. They are so UNLIKE typical maharashtrians, though let me tell you they still live & breathe in their traditional localities. They may have invested in new apartments but haven't forgotten their roots or traditions. And i soooo luv these 4 friends for being themselves -simple, Marathi boys who are not whiners.
KT who started with Maharashtra Times, moved over to Midday a tabloid, then DNA (like many of us) & now as deputy bur head, India Today. He has come a long way. seniors were extremely critical of his jump from DNA to a national magazine Ind Today. However i beleive one must move & take the risks rather than wait & regret that they missed the bus. KT has done some v good stories in his career & more so he adjusted to writing in english, learning to write crisp stories. With some initial diffidence he can talk confidently with the editor, desk persons in English. The move as i saw will help him develop a writing style & help him think originally in English, rather than think in Marathi. The fact that he has taken this bold move i think will help him tremendously. The first case in trying hard & going beyond one's Marathi roots. KT is fm Dombivli-hard core middle class Marathi Brahmin suburb of Mumbai. His family too is traditional & he is proud of his roots. But unlike travelling up & down & getting stuck in a cacoon which becomes a protective shield, he has moved on to take more challenges.
Second is PM. Typical proud, loving personality & true blood Maratha. Like many Maharashtrians he has his fat-fati, is tremendously low profile & wears his ray bans like all Maharashtrains like goggles. He worked in Loksatta, Sakal marathi papers & moved into a leading Tabloid Mumbai Mirror when it launched. Has good contacts in the political arena & still holds himself back. PM does some good civic stories. This is one Marathi reporter who has great contacts & still doesn't tap them for greater stories. He has a treasure of information & knowledge. More interesting is the fact that the politicians he knows are of state & national stature, but NEVER & i push him for not giving those kinds of stories..if he did he will get mroe success. Diffidence, staunchly maintaining low profile. Often that makes him look like he's underperforming, actually he's just chilling. He'd rather stay away from the mad rush. But that often tends to make seniors ignore him & his talent. He also has stayed away from covering political beat full fledged, wc is not correct. I don't know what he fears, because i do think with the contacts he has he will do more justice than others... PM is a silent worker, amicable & great company to be with. The envious English-speaking elite journalists however have always tried to put him down. Pass rumour he can't write to save his skin. But my fight with these types has ALWAYS been, he is a reporter. News organisations have a desk, its their job to re-write a good article. Reporter is hired to go out & get a good story. Yes, unlike KT, PM needs to be pushed, he needs cajoling, sometimes a pat on the back. He lives in Kalachowkie so traditionally Marathi, those hard core Bombayites would know. This feeling runs in his kid daughter too. Although PM has bought a new house, she has made it clear to the father she wants her grand parents & friends & Kalachowkie is the area where their true 'home' is. I can see him smile as he reads this...
SM, is another friend who read my previous -blog on 'Learning Marathi' & sent me a sms saying, "Liked ur article on blog...inspired..want to learn english..m so weak in lang..." This is one friend who I admire loads. SM worked in Saamna. He moved to Midday & I remember half the world pulling him down. Having lived in a BDD chawl, his whole upbringing is traditionally Mahrashtrian. He went into journalism with the ideology he grew up with. His parents too have toiled hard. Today he has invested in a nice house at nana chowk, but he is still simple man with tall dreams.
SM moved in English tabloid Midday when all the Maharashtrians told him, "bagh ghasarlsheel" You will find it tough..he still went ahead. What i like about SM is that he calls if he is stuck with words, framing sentence or paras. He hasn't developed the ego that prevents him from asking & thereby learning. He went a step ahead & asked me to give him a nice eng novel that will help him learn more. This attitude has helped SM a lot. He's still soooo simple i'm relieved to see that. He is a helpful person & shares sources, nos & has brilliant ideas. I am glad if he sticks in media as he has moved well with the times. His wife too is in broadcast media & though in Marathi, she too is a formidable journo. Both helping each other & learning at the same time will surely take them forward. What i like most is that he asks & wants to learn more...
lastly but not the least...is SA. He's my dear. He has come from abso poor background, child of a worker. He has come up only on merit & hard work. I am not at all surprised that he says, "Pahila dev, aai-baba ani nantar baki sarva." For this statement & belief in himself, i have utmost regard for him. Also for his tireless effort to work hard & excel. Today he is the best health reporter in Mumbai city.
His beginning may have been small but his dreams, ambition, attitude, hard work & goals have never been small. His connections in health sector, doctors or now in life are the best in the city. He has earned a well deserving name for himself. He has only struggled to achieve it. He NEVER hesitates to call & ask me, health experts, seniors if he is stuck for some word. He is the star reporter of Mirror who moved to DNA. His climb is credible. Saamna, Mirror & now DNA.
He's gone everywhere on his terms & conditions. He has shown he is capable of great stories, political, helath or bazars of the city His rivals, many eng speaking elite, snoots have scorned him. The buzz when he bgan having concrete talks with DNA was "neeta SA is coming to DNA lets see how long madam will tolerate him. He hasn't mvoed with the times, changed, he can't write a word of English." Is it? have these spreading the rumour work with him? Have they seen his copies? Have they chalked his progress as a reporter? No. Then another 2 reporters told me, "He butts in other people's beats na? He does stories fm all beats na?" Why this fear & insecurity? Because when you are very good, have the talent then others are bound to be scared. I am glad that these girls are talking abt SA like this. It shows he is capable of great work.
Also, SA's attitude reflects on his middle class Marathi roots. He is thankful to those who have helped in getting good stories. He calls them once a month, keeps in touch with them. He has the people's skills. He is also enterprising. More so he has never forgotten his poor background. He has been helping other poor children minute he started working as a journalist. He teaches the kids at the night school. He helps as many poor children as he can for health, medical issues. He helps others too. He is clean hearted good lad who wants to do well. He hasn't shed his childhood friends, his background & is never shy of saying it. He doesn't hide his colours, Marathi ness. He has a fine sense of humour & rapatoire whereby he can even make fun of english taught & spoken in Marathi schools.
These are 4 Marathi friends whom i have a high regard. I've always maintained, these are the kind who need all our help as seniors in the field. Their efforts to excel in English news field & not at the cost of their values, ethics & backgrounds is such a big feat i truly am proud of it.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Aug 2
Sometimes one plans something, but life has other plans in store for each person. I never would've have imagined 2 of my best friends would NOT be around despite making big plans & promising to be there for each other. Yes, old age plans of taking care of one another other.... god or nature or life had other plans for these two angels of mine -Kartik & Chetan. They left me & went off...
First Kartik passed away..one of Chetan's best plays (i think it brought out all his energy, chutzpa & passion) Jungle mein mangal was staged...Then Chetan fell ill severely & we'd talk of a lot of things, as usual reg our life, plans, future...He told me not to pin my hopes on the Rotary intnl scholarship since it would be time consuming. He insisted i go back to television. He'd say, "I don't know what u will do & where u will go, but go back on tv...u're made for it...do some old people's ads & he'd burst out laughing, But you shld go back to TV." he left us all & this planet...in that one yr i got selected for the Intnl Rotary scholarship, they wanted me to go for the 2 yr stint, i opted for 4 months..returned to salary cut, pay loss of 4 months, but had managed to retain my job..wondered what I will do...
this Aug 2, was the 2nd anniversary for Chetan. It was my new job as i was to return to tv news! Yes i know chetan wld've been thrilled to bits...kartik wld've said here goes my mama again...no one will marry her...abso nutty...Chetan's eldest bro' Milind was over the top (He is on occassions...but listening to the joining date he was near to tears). He had insisted Aug 2 shld be my joining date & told him its the HR of NewsX that has to decide. I was all mixed in my stomach wt all sorts of emotions...
butterflies, wc i think is a v good indication for me. That means i'm not confident or over confident...little extra alert..weak coz i was getting fever...apprehensive because of the new place, abso new environment. After 5yrs i was being my old self wanting to take a risk despite a huge EMI...plus slightly emotional, though it can never be seen on my face....it was Chetan's 2nd anniversary. There was some play planned by Avishkar for that day, but there was NO way i was going there. Guess nature had other plans for me.
I fell ill, got malaria & began shivering in the office itself. I was weak, got no time to think at all. I remembered the date...but I am a little finicky about these events...i believe life has to go on...there is not a single day of my life that goes when I don't remember Kartik or Chetan. Their photographs are atop of my book shelf...i see their faces before i shut my eyes at night..i strongly they are seeing from top...my angels that they are..but last few weeks i have been feeling little lost..i miss them, i miss talking to them..most of all Chetan..
i also feel scared off late..i've been around..there for family whether parents, siblings or Chetan/Kartik (they were my family). But i hope i will have someone to be there for me...hope i am not left alone..it gets lonely sometimes.
First Kartik passed away..one of Chetan's best plays (i think it brought out all his energy, chutzpa & passion) Jungle mein mangal was staged...Then Chetan fell ill severely & we'd talk of a lot of things, as usual reg our life, plans, future...He told me not to pin my hopes on the Rotary intnl scholarship since it would be time consuming. He insisted i go back to television. He'd say, "I don't know what u will do & where u will go, but go back on tv...u're made for it...do some old people's ads & he'd burst out laughing, But you shld go back to TV." he left us all & this planet...in that one yr i got selected for the Intnl Rotary scholarship, they wanted me to go for the 2 yr stint, i opted for 4 months..returned to salary cut, pay loss of 4 months, but had managed to retain my job..wondered what I will do...
this Aug 2, was the 2nd anniversary for Chetan. It was my new job as i was to return to tv news! Yes i know chetan wld've been thrilled to bits...kartik wld've said here goes my mama again...no one will marry her...abso nutty...Chetan's eldest bro' Milind was over the top (He is on occassions...but listening to the joining date he was near to tears). He had insisted Aug 2 shld be my joining date & told him its the HR of NewsX that has to decide. I was all mixed in my stomach wt all sorts of emotions...
butterflies, wc i think is a v good indication for me. That means i'm not confident or over confident...little extra alert..weak coz i was getting fever...apprehensive because of the new place, abso new environment. After 5yrs i was being my old self wanting to take a risk despite a huge EMI...plus slightly emotional, though it can never be seen on my face....it was Chetan's 2nd anniversary. There was some play planned by Avishkar for that day, but there was NO way i was going there. Guess nature had other plans for me.
I fell ill, got malaria & began shivering in the office itself. I was weak, got no time to think at all. I remembered the date...but I am a little finicky about these events...i believe life has to go on...there is not a single day of my life that goes when I don't remember Kartik or Chetan. Their photographs are atop of my book shelf...i see their faces before i shut my eyes at night..i strongly they are seeing from top...my angels that they are..but last few weeks i have been feeling little lost..i miss them, i miss talking to them..most of all Chetan..
i also feel scared off late..i've been around..there for family whether parents, siblings or Chetan/Kartik (they were my family). But i hope i will have someone to be there for me...hope i am not left alone..it gets lonely sometimes.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Learning Marathi
Of late in one week 2 women friends have shown interest in wanting to learn marathi. They have begun staying in Mumbai after a long gap. One Bengali who was born here, lived for a while & father being in govt services moved around. She lost touch of school Marathi. She asked me online, "How to say happy b'day in Marathi, Neeta." I smiled told her its said, Vadhdivsachya shubhechcha."
She asked me whether i will speak to her in Marathi. I was happy to see the enthu. She said she is scared to speak in Marathi because she fears she will make mistakes. I told her if we don't mistakes S then we will never learn. That is about every aspect of our lives. Our whole schooling & correcting methods are DONT, NEVER, IF THEN..punishment. WRONG means bad...hey common we ain't robots. So she is trying now.
another friend, colleague, who sat behind me again another S has been quietly learning marathi on her own. She chats wt me, asks for few words. In fact she has bought a learn quick marathi, or easy to speak marathi book. She asks few words on chat or when we meet. She is a Jain who lived in Kolkatta & can speak few languages. This S has in fact gone a step ahead. She has in fact told her father that since she lives here he shld send all her tax papers, so that she can file her IT taxes, returns fm here instead of West Bengal.
This is their Karma bhoomi & they want to keep it that way, silently. DNA has a lot of good & nice people. Really. The new HR head is a relief, considering we've had a track record of all sorts, especially typical bengali, this H Ghosh is like god sent. He doesn't encourage Bengalis who show familiarity to him. Begin speaking in Bengali instantly, or say where in Bengal, Kolkatta you are fm, I'm fm so & so place, blah blah. He says his janma bhoomi is West Bengal, but his karma bhoomi is Mumbai. He speaks chaste marathi & loves Mumbai.
These are noteworthy efforts. They won't go down in history record books, but surely we Mumbaikars need to appreciate their efforts. Somewhere i feel them being women too makes a difference. Do i sound biased? may be. But experience doesn't contradict me. Women take that little extra effort to adjust to new environment, learn something new, equip if that creates a sense of semblence, serenity & equilibrium. Ok won't elaborate on this too much. More so these MNSs, Sena types instead of spewing venom in the name of Marathi shld go & give bouquets to such silent residents who want to make Mumbai their home.
When i went to Bangalore in 1999, i would carry a notebook, stop all & sundry to jot down words in Kannada. Being the bureau head of a tv channel i had to pick up the language ASAP, like yday types. Coz the leading politicians feared a Thackeray type there called Vatal Nagraj. He toh does vatola of everything.. destructs. I had already learnt few words, kept my ears wide open. So that i could at least grasp the gist. Yes, i have an ear for language & more the tones. somehow across languages some sounds convey the same emotion.
Kannadiga people appreciated that i took that effort of noting, asking & making mistakes. But believe me it was easier to make mistakes in Kannada than Marathi. I'd laugh with them when i made mistakes. More so many males liked i asked them to teach some abuses in Kannada. Obviously because one must know abuses in everylang. It says a lot..
however When i began speaking in Marathi, made mistakes it was seen as worse than killing a human!
Now people won't believe if they heard me speak Marathi today. That once upon a time (no i don't believe in fairy tales) i really didnt know how to write or speak in chaste Marathi is something im not ashamed to say. I would listen to the pronounciations & then write what i'd heard. so, instead of writing bolayala, i'd write bolaila, because that was the sound that fell upon my ears. Father thankfully gave up on me in childhood-see where i've reached today- he once saw my music notings i'd written sa-re-ga-ma in English phonetics & he lost it. His temp reached sky level & whatever happened thereafter, i have blanked out ...
Then many would make fun of me, haha..its not like that..arey you don't even know? How badly you speak...do u have any shame? Arey ur a Kolhatkar, Brahmin. Initially i would get hurt, then my horns would come up toink. Excuse me Marathi is NOT my mother tongue. It is Gujarati. My mother is fm Billimora & wrote, spoke lived Gujarati. I infact learnt Parsi-Gujju vv Bilimora types. Then my entire schooling was in a British Eng school. Pl NO convent. so Marathi was a 3rd lang for me. Yes, third lang. What we were taught was mughlike a parrot & puke in the exams. Where was the learning?
Unlike most others Chetan & Kartik wld be most encouraging. Papa made me buy plays, books, said start wt easy poets, writers. His father dada was toh great person. He'd say jaude loka boltat, tu prayatna karit ahes hech khoop zala. Tu kiti utkrushta Hindi boltes...come more on tv..adorable i tell you. mother wasn't concerned, other typical Baman neighbours would make snide remarks & evetnually sent their kids to the same school as ours.
At home speaking to aaji was NO issue. Or writing letters to her. She'd listen to my sister & me fight..argue...she's say say kay stupid, idiot, donkey monkey bolta ek mikina..marathi bhanda ki..My aaji, granny was a doll personified. I'd have killed someone & she would still have protected me like i was an innocent child. So she wouldn't pull me up. the childhood days the Father was on another planet, I say fm Hitler's planet. Baba is polar opposite today. We sat down & did translation of Srikrishna commission & India's riots cases post Babri masjid demolition. A person wanted those translations, every morn baba & i wld sit at the table & work..with all fights, arguments, snide remarks he against Muslims, me against the Hindus, especially Bamans.
Mother aai was the best. She'd say jaude mala he yet nahi tevdha jar ka ala tula,khoop zala. So learning marathi was daunting for me early in life. then because i spoke chaste, eloquent English i was derided, looked own upon. It is easier for these ladies. Maharashtrians are less mean to these women. Like most indians they too are victims of symbolic gestures.
One who shows enthu, tries needs to be helped & encrouaged i feel.
She asked me whether i will speak to her in Marathi. I was happy to see the enthu. She said she is scared to speak in Marathi because she fears she will make mistakes. I told her if we don't mistakes S then we will never learn. That is about every aspect of our lives. Our whole schooling & correcting methods are DONT, NEVER, IF THEN..punishment. WRONG means bad...hey common we ain't robots. So she is trying now.
another friend, colleague, who sat behind me again another S has been quietly learning marathi on her own. She chats wt me, asks for few words. In fact she has bought a learn quick marathi, or easy to speak marathi book. She asks few words on chat or when we meet. She is a Jain who lived in Kolkatta & can speak few languages. This S has in fact gone a step ahead. She has in fact told her father that since she lives here he shld send all her tax papers, so that she can file her IT taxes, returns fm here instead of West Bengal.
This is their Karma bhoomi & they want to keep it that way, silently. DNA has a lot of good & nice people. Really. The new HR head is a relief, considering we've had a track record of all sorts, especially typical bengali, this H Ghosh is like god sent. He doesn't encourage Bengalis who show familiarity to him. Begin speaking in Bengali instantly, or say where in Bengal, Kolkatta you are fm, I'm fm so & so place, blah blah. He says his janma bhoomi is West Bengal, but his karma bhoomi is Mumbai. He speaks chaste marathi & loves Mumbai.
These are noteworthy efforts. They won't go down in history record books, but surely we Mumbaikars need to appreciate their efforts. Somewhere i feel them being women too makes a difference. Do i sound biased? may be. But experience doesn't contradict me. Women take that little extra effort to adjust to new environment, learn something new, equip if that creates a sense of semblence, serenity & equilibrium. Ok won't elaborate on this too much. More so these MNSs, Sena types instead of spewing venom in the name of Marathi shld go & give bouquets to such silent residents who want to make Mumbai their home.
When i went to Bangalore in 1999, i would carry a notebook, stop all & sundry to jot down words in Kannada. Being the bureau head of a tv channel i had to pick up the language ASAP, like yday types. Coz the leading politicians feared a Thackeray type there called Vatal Nagraj. He toh does vatola of everything.. destructs. I had already learnt few words, kept my ears wide open. So that i could at least grasp the gist. Yes, i have an ear for language & more the tones. somehow across languages some sounds convey the same emotion.
Kannadiga people appreciated that i took that effort of noting, asking & making mistakes. But believe me it was easier to make mistakes in Kannada than Marathi. I'd laugh with them when i made mistakes. More so many males liked i asked them to teach some abuses in Kannada. Obviously because one must know abuses in everylang. It says a lot..
however When i began speaking in Marathi, made mistakes it was seen as worse than killing a human!
Now people won't believe if they heard me speak Marathi today. That once upon a time (no i don't believe in fairy tales) i really didnt know how to write or speak in chaste Marathi is something im not ashamed to say. I would listen to the pronounciations & then write what i'd heard. so, instead of writing bolayala, i'd write bolaila, because that was the sound that fell upon my ears. Father thankfully gave up on me in childhood-see where i've reached today- he once saw my music notings i'd written sa-re-ga-ma in English phonetics & he lost it. His temp reached sky level & whatever happened thereafter, i have blanked out ...
Then many would make fun of me, haha..its not like that..arey you don't even know? How badly you speak...do u have any shame? Arey ur a Kolhatkar, Brahmin. Initially i would get hurt, then my horns would come up toink. Excuse me Marathi is NOT my mother tongue. It is Gujarati. My mother is fm Billimora & wrote, spoke lived Gujarati. I infact learnt Parsi-Gujju vv Bilimora types. Then my entire schooling was in a British Eng school. Pl NO convent. so Marathi was a 3rd lang for me. Yes, third lang. What we were taught was mughlike a parrot & puke in the exams. Where was the learning?
Unlike most others Chetan & Kartik wld be most encouraging. Papa made me buy plays, books, said start wt easy poets, writers. His father dada was toh great person. He'd say jaude loka boltat, tu prayatna karit ahes hech khoop zala. Tu kiti utkrushta Hindi boltes...come more on tv..adorable i tell you. mother wasn't concerned, other typical Baman neighbours would make snide remarks & evetnually sent their kids to the same school as ours.
At home speaking to aaji was NO issue. Or writing letters to her. She'd listen to my sister & me fight..argue...she's say say kay stupid, idiot, donkey monkey bolta ek mikina..marathi bhanda ki..My aaji, granny was a doll personified. I'd have killed someone & she would still have protected me like i was an innocent child. So she wouldn't pull me up. the childhood days the Father was on another planet, I say fm Hitler's planet. Baba is polar opposite today. We sat down & did translation of Srikrishna commission & India's riots cases post Babri masjid demolition. A person wanted those translations, every morn baba & i wld sit at the table & work..with all fights, arguments, snide remarks he against Muslims, me against the Hindus, especially Bamans.
Mother aai was the best. She'd say jaude mala he yet nahi tevdha jar ka ala tula,khoop zala. So learning marathi was daunting for me early in life. then because i spoke chaste, eloquent English i was derided, looked own upon. It is easier for these ladies. Maharashtrians are less mean to these women. Like most indians they too are victims of symbolic gestures.
One who shows enthu, tries needs to be helped & encrouaged i feel.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Devastating Malaria
You know when we were really tiny, many would split into giggles if someone told us they got malaria. hehehe she got loveria...now she says malaria. I can well understand their angst. On 31st July i was under weather. Went out wt Ranjib & Sujata to do merry, get wet & enjoy the last day of working with DNA.
On Sund i was more under weather, bones ached & felt as if im getting the flu or viral fever. Same symptoms. My cousin came to give me a nice box massage wc just leaves me relieved all dead to the world. By night i'd eaten early, taken steam, had a crocin & went to sleep. I felt the fever rise. Being alone - yeah its a pain, missed aai & baba- had to be more alert & spoke to family doc cum family friend reg what to take.
Was under pressure, had not signed up for the new job & Aug 2nd was my D day. to join at NewsX bureau as Mumbai head. However there was lot more oending work. Since few days there had been severe water seepage fm the ceiling & walls in the toilet & loo. I kept putting old chaddars, cloths..water got collected & i was spraying the anti-pest spray...feared mosquitoes coming there.
By monday i was kind of shivering & 2 friends had psyched me into going for blood test. First day of a new job as head of Mumbai. My apetite was fine, but health was bad. I began shivering, covered fm head to toe, covered my head wt pull over hood & then 3ish i left office. I walked into Bio-Tech pathology lab & asked them to take my blood sample.
They say when you have malaria fever & shiver that is the time to get your blood tested. The dr Mayur Parekh outright refused to take my blood. I was shaking & said why don't you realise, can't you see im shivering, have 103 deg fever. No he refused outright -prick- he can't turn down customer who's come suo moto. ALso its my body, my blood what's a risk in that? That rude pathologist insisted i call my family doc. He wanted to talk.. my doc had just returned fm hard day & was in the kitchen, i had no energy. Came home opened doors & windows for light & air, took a blanket & fell on the sofa.
My fever was Fluctuating b/w 103-104 deg temp & headaches that made me think my brains wld split into tiny particles. I was scared i'd get celebral malaria. What's wt our city? why are we in this world still being stung by mosquitoes? The repairs contractor in my bldg got the sound hearing of his life. He came to my house wt his long drawn face.
This is ridiculous..we are in astate of unaccountability is all i can say. Anyways the good samaritan friends were up the whole night putting ice packs to bring down my fever. Crippling to say the least. Im glad to be over it. Main reason - doc threatened to put me in the hospital. I've been weak for a week. Gaining strength by the day.
On Sund i was more under weather, bones ached & felt as if im getting the flu or viral fever. Same symptoms. My cousin came to give me a nice box massage wc just leaves me relieved all dead to the world. By night i'd eaten early, taken steam, had a crocin & went to sleep. I felt the fever rise. Being alone - yeah its a pain, missed aai & baba- had to be more alert & spoke to family doc cum family friend reg what to take.
Was under pressure, had not signed up for the new job & Aug 2nd was my D day. to join at NewsX bureau as Mumbai head. However there was lot more oending work. Since few days there had been severe water seepage fm the ceiling & walls in the toilet & loo. I kept putting old chaddars, cloths..water got collected & i was spraying the anti-pest spray...feared mosquitoes coming there.
By monday i was kind of shivering & 2 friends had psyched me into going for blood test. First day of a new job as head of Mumbai. My apetite was fine, but health was bad. I began shivering, covered fm head to toe, covered my head wt pull over hood & then 3ish i left office. I walked into Bio-Tech pathology lab & asked them to take my blood sample.
They say when you have malaria fever & shiver that is the time to get your blood tested. The dr Mayur Parekh outright refused to take my blood. I was shaking & said why don't you realise, can't you see im shivering, have 103 deg fever. No he refused outright -prick- he can't turn down customer who's come suo moto. ALso its my body, my blood what's a risk in that? That rude pathologist insisted i call my family doc. He wanted to talk.. my doc had just returned fm hard day & was in the kitchen, i had no energy. Came home opened doors & windows for light & air, took a blanket & fell on the sofa.
My fever was Fluctuating b/w 103-104 deg temp & headaches that made me think my brains wld split into tiny particles. I was scared i'd get celebral malaria. What's wt our city? why are we in this world still being stung by mosquitoes? The repairs contractor in my bldg got the sound hearing of his life. He came to my house wt his long drawn face.
This is ridiculous..we are in astate of unaccountability is all i can say. Anyways the good samaritan friends were up the whole night putting ice packs to bring down my fever. Crippling to say the least. Im glad to be over it. Main reason - doc threatened to put me in the hospital. I've been weak for a week. Gaining strength by the day.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Being the change i want
Mahatma Gandhi had once said become the change you want. I decided this year that it will be 5 years since i've worked with DNA, my longest stint so far. This would be the final year if i'd be compelled to cut my cake. (I took off to the jungles to see tigers so was spared that public cake cutting embarassment). I'd decided i HAD to get a better, more paying job than at DNA. I had reached my maximum, had done well & want to do something more.
To achieve this i worked to believing that i HAD to change...i must. New look (new hair cut), new belief, assertion
Well, i have a strong belief after i once read years ago a comment fm a very senior journalist in the west. "After working for over 10 yrs in the industry and that too with ethics, all you get is a watch or clock...wc costs peanuts to the company." So i kept this statement in my mind.
I would not stay more than 3 yrs on an average. I experimented, risked shuttling between different mediums & languages. I switched from Broadcast to print at a time i wanted to take stock of my career & self. I needed a grip on my health, life & the innane work i was doing. I was NEVER trained to be a 'byte-taking' journalist. But realised i didn't fit in the current scheme of things. Wc was temporary, byte oriented.
My dear friend J was keen i switch to prove i still have the mettle. I am formidable journo that he knew of me....so he asked if i'd join DNA. i'd avoided the newspaper like hell. Some people i didn't want to work with I wasn't sure if i wanted the same daily nonsense. I wanted time to write good stories, do good investigative work & have some fun in the profession that i had CHOSEN...to work passionately.
SO the best kind of work i got to work for the weekend issue. Take a good responsible position & got that much of work too. I was given the free hand to do specials. It is not frequently that a journalist gets a byline in the launch issue and i got it! Besides got a front page byline for 3 consecutive issues from launch. So i've actually achieved all that a journalist can dream of!
Got to do some really good specials, cover stories. Moreover had editors who pushed me took pleasure in pushing myself, increasing my benchmark & most of all stood by me...they showed faith in me. They heard me out if i said there was some story or news wc needed to be highlighted. They also wanted the best from their staff.
times they r a changin' as Louis Amstrong sang....now its time to leave a place where many of us had big dreams for DNA. They instilled faith in us & made us believe we will be doing something different. We would create a newsy new paper. Well we weren't off target. But we made mistakes, of hiring, constant change, confusion with whats news or not, presuming on behalf of our reader, constantly sending mixed signals. Besides constantly changing bosses...that is a trend wc this organisation management needs to get rid off. This is a menace wc has caused more harm than good.
Now that was NEVER part of my package deal or contract that i will be compelled to adjust to a new boss every 6 months. TO re-prove myself, talent, news sense. NO. Sorry bosses who have their own favourites, likes dislikes, yes boss types. I must've NOT liked most of those bosses but my commitment to my job was never less than 100%. But there is a limit. A point of "this is it....can't take more..." that's where i reached.
But instead of getting into the negativity i decided to make the changes within. Im glad i did it. went to the jungles, saw tigress who sealed my decision to quit! "If its tiger, its change," said Jaideep my pal... & I quit DNA..now where ever the paths take me i will go....
To achieve this i worked to believing that i HAD to change...i must. New look (new hair cut), new belief, assertion
Well, i have a strong belief after i once read years ago a comment fm a very senior journalist in the west. "After working for over 10 yrs in the industry and that too with ethics, all you get is a watch or clock...wc costs peanuts to the company." So i kept this statement in my mind.
I would not stay more than 3 yrs on an average. I experimented, risked shuttling between different mediums & languages. I switched from Broadcast to print at a time i wanted to take stock of my career & self. I needed a grip on my health, life & the innane work i was doing. I was NEVER trained to be a 'byte-taking' journalist. But realised i didn't fit in the current scheme of things. Wc was temporary, byte oriented.
My dear friend J was keen i switch to prove i still have the mettle. I am formidable journo that he knew of me....so he asked if i'd join DNA. i'd avoided the newspaper like hell. Some people i didn't want to work with I wasn't sure if i wanted the same daily nonsense. I wanted time to write good stories, do good investigative work & have some fun in the profession that i had CHOSEN...to work passionately.
SO the best kind of work i got to work for the weekend issue. Take a good responsible position & got that much of work too. I was given the free hand to do specials. It is not frequently that a journalist gets a byline in the launch issue and i got it! Besides got a front page byline for 3 consecutive issues from launch. So i've actually achieved all that a journalist can dream of!
Got to do some really good specials, cover stories. Moreover had editors who pushed me took pleasure in pushing myself, increasing my benchmark & most of all stood by me...they showed faith in me. They heard me out if i said there was some story or news wc needed to be highlighted. They also wanted the best from their staff.
times they r a changin' as Louis Amstrong sang....now its time to leave a place where many of us had big dreams for DNA. They instilled faith in us & made us believe we will be doing something different. We would create a newsy new paper. Well we weren't off target. But we made mistakes, of hiring, constant change, confusion with whats news or not, presuming on behalf of our reader, constantly sending mixed signals. Besides constantly changing bosses...that is a trend wc this organisation management needs to get rid off. This is a menace wc has caused more harm than good.
Now that was NEVER part of my package deal or contract that i will be compelled to adjust to a new boss every 6 months. TO re-prove myself, talent, news sense. NO. Sorry bosses who have their own favourites, likes dislikes, yes boss types. I must've NOT liked most of those bosses but my commitment to my job was never less than 100%. But there is a limit. A point of "this is it....can't take more..." that's where i reached.
But instead of getting into the negativity i decided to make the changes within. Im glad i did it. went to the jungles, saw tigress who sealed my decision to quit! "If its tiger, its change," said Jaideep my pal... & I quit DNA..now where ever the paths take me i will go....
Inception & salt
Now a lot has been said about Inception the film. I like what my buddy said, "Its a dream in a dream in a dream...." every minute was gripping. Every scene vv important. Leonardo's grown in every stature as one of the most formidable actors in Hollywood. Truly he has...what a choice of films he has made....!
The whole concept of putting a seed of thought, concept, Idea in someone else's brain. Wow...then going into the mind of the individual. In fact once a film called Matrix came by. Similar lines...but yet i thought somewhere Matrix was far toooo techie based. Nice stunts, hung upside down types....hung by ropes. Inception was to do with the mind, technology & concept. Yet it was human oriented. The techno did not take over precedence over mind or the person.
I liked how staying in a limbo the chinese man remains old...what happens to the memory? That wasn't really highlighted. Again how memory interrupts the whole dream-tech ride. Nice. I definitely thought it amazing, brillanto.
Now comes Salt. It was fat too salty & nauseating. Will that poutankar Jolie lady STOP pouting? her mouth is always open & pouting...plllll its sickening.
NOTHING in that film. What lady James Bond that too anorexic & NOT good looking? Stunts alone don't make a film. Bruce Lee & Jackie Chan have shown the way loooong ago. It was nice twist though. Quite predictable, as the Americans are obsessed with themselves. They won't ever let any anti-American, whether spy, alien or otherwise ever win the stakes. It's well shot, great stunts, good camera...but sorry NOT great film.
The whole concept of putting a seed of thought, concept, Idea in someone else's brain. Wow...then going into the mind of the individual. In fact once a film called Matrix came by. Similar lines...but yet i thought somewhere Matrix was far toooo techie based. Nice stunts, hung upside down types....hung by ropes. Inception was to do with the mind, technology & concept. Yet it was human oriented. The techno did not take over precedence over mind or the person.
I liked how staying in a limbo the chinese man remains old...what happens to the memory? That wasn't really highlighted. Again how memory interrupts the whole dream-tech ride. Nice. I definitely thought it amazing, brillanto.
Now comes Salt. It was fat too salty & nauseating. Will that poutankar Jolie lady STOP pouting? her mouth is always open & pouting...plllll its sickening.
NOTHING in that film. What lady James Bond that too anorexic & NOT good looking? Stunts alone don't make a film. Bruce Lee & Jackie Chan have shown the way loooong ago. It was nice twist though. Quite predictable, as the Americans are obsessed with themselves. They won't ever let any anti-American, whether spy, alien or otherwise ever win the stakes. It's well shot, great stunts, good camera...but sorry NOT great film.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Receiving juicy mail as response
Getting a response to one’s articles or news is something I’ve always looked forward to. Often it is hate mail, especially if I’ve written against the right wing fundamentalists, or written human interest stories on the families of TADA detainees. Once when I wrote about the security wall around Siddihvinayak Temple impacting on real estate prices I got the most entertaining reactions from some devout followers. Some questioned my eblief system and some thought I was doomed.
Then there have been many a Marathi Manoos who has given vent to the angst they have held in their hearts when I have questioned the politicisation of the Marathi language and identity issues. They have attributed my questioning and investigating the issue as effect of convent schooling, only because I went to a ICSE English school. The joke is my school was a Protestant!
Even if Manu (of Manusmriti fame) were alive wouldn’t have thrown such choicest names at me, the way many a Brahmin has, because I have questioned the community’s fence sitting attitude always. Some readers send couplets to me hoping some sense will dawn on me and I will eventually get enlightened about how those politicians who beat a poor bhaiyya in the name of Marathi are the true messiah. If only their wishes were to come true.
The readers often also tell me how the paper has to be run. They have elaborate plans and ideas, which they expect me to convey to my editors. Like most Indians who know before hand if Sachin had to hit a particular in a particular way he would’ve scored triple centuries, similarly they insist if the paper ran on the lines of their suggestions then we’d be number one in the country. One reader recently asked why don’t write on the sex lives and personal lives of those in public life.
Whenever I have written about cooperative factories, agriculture or on Girgaum I have received a lot of response from readers. It is nice to see how curious and open readers are to new ideas and learning to imbibe new research. When I wrote on a private company doing research on paddy and other crops, many readers called and wrote asking for details, from remote places.
Receiving emails is one thing, but I don’t know why readers’ response to agriculture has always come in form of inlands and post cards. I have actually stored these for keep sake value. In fact one senior citizen wrote on a post card on the article I wrote on Alphanso mangoes. He said he appreciate the number of places I stated where the Alphanso mangoes are grown. He wanted to test only one from each place. The only hitch being he is old and immobile so if I could do him a favour of getting one mango from each place and sending it to him for testing! I thought of booking a seat for him on the Konkan Kanya train to taste the amcha mango.
Then there have been many a Marathi Manoos who has given vent to the angst they have held in their hearts when I have questioned the politicisation of the Marathi language and identity issues. They have attributed my questioning and investigating the issue as effect of convent schooling, only because I went to a ICSE English school. The joke is my school was a Protestant!
Even if Manu (of Manusmriti fame) were alive wouldn’t have thrown such choicest names at me, the way many a Brahmin has, because I have questioned the community’s fence sitting attitude always. Some readers send couplets to me hoping some sense will dawn on me and I will eventually get enlightened about how those politicians who beat a poor bhaiyya in the name of Marathi are the true messiah. If only their wishes were to come true.
The readers often also tell me how the paper has to be run. They have elaborate plans and ideas, which they expect me to convey to my editors. Like most Indians who know before hand if Sachin had to hit a particular in a particular way he would’ve scored triple centuries, similarly they insist if the paper ran on the lines of their suggestions then we’d be number one in the country. One reader recently asked why don’t write on the sex lives and personal lives of those in public life.
Whenever I have written about cooperative factories, agriculture or on Girgaum I have received a lot of response from readers. It is nice to see how curious and open readers are to new ideas and learning to imbibe new research. When I wrote on a private company doing research on paddy and other crops, many readers called and wrote asking for details, from remote places.
Receiving emails is one thing, but I don’t know why readers’ response to agriculture has always come in form of inlands and post cards. I have actually stored these for keep sake value. In fact one senior citizen wrote on a post card on the article I wrote on Alphanso mangoes. He said he appreciate the number of places I stated where the Alphanso mangoes are grown. He wanted to test only one from each place. The only hitch being he is old and immobile so if I could do him a favour of getting one mango from each place and sending it to him for testing! I thought of booking a seat for him on the Konkan Kanya train to taste the amcha mango.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
'Crime' being single
When I resolved to become a journalist I was too naïve to realise that as a journalist I won’t be considered only as a working woman. There are many related issues which I would face suddenly without being prepared, while I braced myself for reporting only. I have never understood till date how my marital status affects me as a reporter. Especially when dealing with the police force at any level. Strangely the politicians who otherwise keep an eye on the reporters’ ‘weighty’ issues never show as much curiosity regarding our marital status.
With the change of guard every time I hope that the traditional mindset will change. But instead I’ve had to sharpen my skills to deal with this personal question. I have changed from being tremendously defensive and slightly aggressive because I don’t think my single status is for public consumption. And now I’m totally humorous, poke fun at myself and the questioner.
In fact one police inspector source would call me at odd hours to give news and I’d say family will not like. Promptly I was asked for residence address, whether the husband was nice, number of children and if he was a good father. Astounded I said I can’t talk at that hour. In fact another asked if I had few children because he thought I looked motherly. Now what that means I’m still to understand.
In fact in true police style I would be asked, bang in the middle of an interview taking me off guard. In fact one former director general of police was keen on finding me a suitor. I feared he would soon register my name with a matrimonial bureau. So I began exchanging notes with few women police officers.
So few days ago I met up with a senior lady police officer and we as usual were sharing our laughs and little gossip. I told her it is time I tell any inquisitive male police officer who asks me if I am single that I am either a divorcee or a widow. She laughed throwing her head back and said, “Oh so you too are subjected to queries regarding your marital status?”
The lady officer said how women have been the subject of gossip and talk within the male journalistic and police fraternity. Continuing in a lighter vein she asked me to declare that I am a widow because at least then the officers would show some sympathy. The lady officer cautioned me if I said I am divorcee I would become a butt of more loose talk and would be declared the cause of the break up.
And I realised I wasn’t alone. They too were put through these queries which made to the corridors giving enough fodder to us journalists. In fact one very senior officer gave me words of advice and cautioned me never to make friends with policemen. “We can never be friends, we are always police,” these words guided me through out as a reporter. In fact few months ago a senior police officer threatened to call me late at night to his office I told please do call other journalists too because I was confident he didn’t want to give exclusive news to only one newspaper. He never bothered to meet me after that.
With the change of guard every time I hope that the traditional mindset will change. But instead I’ve had to sharpen my skills to deal with this personal question. I have changed from being tremendously defensive and slightly aggressive because I don’t think my single status is for public consumption. And now I’m totally humorous, poke fun at myself and the questioner.
In fact one police inspector source would call me at odd hours to give news and I’d say family will not like. Promptly I was asked for residence address, whether the husband was nice, number of children and if he was a good father. Astounded I said I can’t talk at that hour. In fact another asked if I had few children because he thought I looked motherly. Now what that means I’m still to understand.
In fact in true police style I would be asked, bang in the middle of an interview taking me off guard. In fact one former director general of police was keen on finding me a suitor. I feared he would soon register my name with a matrimonial bureau. So I began exchanging notes with few women police officers.
So few days ago I met up with a senior lady police officer and we as usual were sharing our laughs and little gossip. I told her it is time I tell any inquisitive male police officer who asks me if I am single that I am either a divorcee or a widow. She laughed throwing her head back and said, “Oh so you too are subjected to queries regarding your marital status?”
The lady officer said how women have been the subject of gossip and talk within the male journalistic and police fraternity. Continuing in a lighter vein she asked me to declare that I am a widow because at least then the officers would show some sympathy. The lady officer cautioned me if I said I am divorcee I would become a butt of more loose talk and would be declared the cause of the break up.
And I realised I wasn’t alone. They too were put through these queries which made to the corridors giving enough fodder to us journalists. In fact one very senior officer gave me words of advice and cautioned me never to make friends with policemen. “We can never be friends, we are always police,” these words guided me through out as a reporter. In fact few months ago a senior police officer threatened to call me late at night to his office I told please do call other journalists too because I was confident he didn’t want to give exclusive news to only one newspaper. He never bothered to meet me after that.
13, Awantikabai Gokhale Cross Lane
When I was asked to concentrate on covering Samyukta Maharashtra special, it was a reporter’s instinct that told me I am likely to meet some real true unsung heroes, besides getting good stories.
It truly was a daunting task to sift through the files in the archives nearly everyday because I felt as if I was frozen in another time zone. I got a few names from the files but I wasn’t prepared for the total unavailability of records or lack of documentation of the people involved in Samyukta Maharashtra Movement.
Many who participated in the movement are not alive anymore. Many textile mill workers have gone back to Kokan and many more have moved out of Girangaon. However, what was more challenging was to find out addresses of those still around. My search for history and faces to match it was challenging. Among the first few people I needed to contact was Roza Deshpande, comrade SA Dange’s daughter. Dange’s old house has given way to a shopping centre.
One late evening I began searching for Deshpande’s address. I was confident that Dange’s house was in Dadar as a Maharashtrian I would find her new house easily. When I enquired at the spot no one had ever heard of Dange, forget Deshpande. “Kon Dange? Mahit nahi,” was the reply I got everywhere. The police station was not near, the post office was shut being late and despite scanning every floor of the two surrounding buildings I had not hit upon the right source.
It was sheer journalist’s instinct that I decided to speak to a small tapri shopkeeper. Raju has a tiny stall and sits behind hanging cellphone covers, jackets and other accessories. The minute I enquired whether he would know Deshpande. Raju was forthcoming and gave me all the details of “Roza tai.” And he added, “Please tell her Raju directed you to her.” I thought that was nice. Deshpande was another person who directed me to many others.
Deshpande also gave me addresses of places and told me some do not exist anymore like Laxmi Cottage, which was pulled down and a building has come up there. Many houses of many mill workers or even mills that now have given way to sky scrapers. The initial phase was frustrating to get to the right people, but once I did there was no looking back. This reminds me of my school days when a renowned film maker out of the blue was directed to our residence by few neighbours from Girgaum.
The film maker planned to make a film on Raghunath Dhondo Karve, a visionary social reformer. Karve was pioneer in family planning and birth control. Karve’s views seemed blasphemous at that time and according to my father and old residents Karve was even ostracised in society. They lived a lonely life. The filmmaker was only informed that Karve ‘reportedly’ stayed near Opera House. Then began his search, he thankfully met an old resident who knew my father said he was among the oldest residents here so to check with him. Till I too wasn’t aware that our family for over 70 years has lived in the apartment right above Karve’s. Later after Karve’s death, his flat was bought by a spiritual person who became more famous than Karve.
The filmmaker wanted to capture Karve’s house, books, his instruments and arte facts. Today, there is no Dange’s or Karve’s house or documents indicating where they lived. I realised through my years as a journalist that I didn’t even know I have always lived above history!
It truly was a daunting task to sift through the files in the archives nearly everyday because I felt as if I was frozen in another time zone. I got a few names from the files but I wasn’t prepared for the total unavailability of records or lack of documentation of the people involved in Samyukta Maharashtra Movement.
Many who participated in the movement are not alive anymore. Many textile mill workers have gone back to Kokan and many more have moved out of Girangaon. However, what was more challenging was to find out addresses of those still around. My search for history and faces to match it was challenging. Among the first few people I needed to contact was Roza Deshpande, comrade SA Dange’s daughter. Dange’s old house has given way to a shopping centre.
One late evening I began searching for Deshpande’s address. I was confident that Dange’s house was in Dadar as a Maharashtrian I would find her new house easily. When I enquired at the spot no one had ever heard of Dange, forget Deshpande. “Kon Dange? Mahit nahi,” was the reply I got everywhere. The police station was not near, the post office was shut being late and despite scanning every floor of the two surrounding buildings I had not hit upon the right source.
It was sheer journalist’s instinct that I decided to speak to a small tapri shopkeeper. Raju has a tiny stall and sits behind hanging cellphone covers, jackets and other accessories. The minute I enquired whether he would know Deshpande. Raju was forthcoming and gave me all the details of “Roza tai.” And he added, “Please tell her Raju directed you to her.” I thought that was nice. Deshpande was another person who directed me to many others.
Deshpande also gave me addresses of places and told me some do not exist anymore like Laxmi Cottage, which was pulled down and a building has come up there. Many houses of many mill workers or even mills that now have given way to sky scrapers. The initial phase was frustrating to get to the right people, but once I did there was no looking back. This reminds me of my school days when a renowned film maker out of the blue was directed to our residence by few neighbours from Girgaum.
The film maker planned to make a film on Raghunath Dhondo Karve, a visionary social reformer. Karve was pioneer in family planning and birth control. Karve’s views seemed blasphemous at that time and according to my father and old residents Karve was even ostracised in society. They lived a lonely life. The filmmaker was only informed that Karve ‘reportedly’ stayed near Opera House. Then began his search, he thankfully met an old resident who knew my father said he was among the oldest residents here so to check with him. Till I too wasn’t aware that our family for over 70 years has lived in the apartment right above Karve’s. Later after Karve’s death, his flat was bought by a spiritual person who became more famous than Karve.
The filmmaker wanted to capture Karve’s house, books, his instruments and arte facts. Today, there is no Dange’s or Karve’s house or documents indicating where they lived. I realised through my years as a journalist that I didn’t even know I have always lived above history!
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Tiger trail
When i was in school, which was really long ago, i'd read the book by Jim Corbett on the tigers. His description upon seeing a tiger was what i had kept in my mind always. To hope i too see a tiger in it'e eyes when IF & when do see one. June 3 -7, i was on way to Tadoba tiger reserve... forest in Chandrapur. It was sheer determination, I wanted to see real tigers yet again before they become extinct. Unlike other tiger reserves, Tadoba has NO forced sighting of tiger. It's sheer luck, by chance....
I was determined to go under any circumstances. I was fed up on my job, my work profile & fed up of petty politics. Instead of whining & complaining i thought, yes let me see beyond humans. I've always loved a tiger & tried to trail wherever, like in Chitwan when i went way back in the early 90s. So here i was alone exploring, just with a gut feeling i WILL see a tiger.
My aai, (mother) was hell bent on not letting me go, just for the records the temperatures in this area were varying between 48-50 degs. Deaths of people, monkeys, other animals were reported from Vidarbha region. This was my chosen destination. I packed 8 bottles of nimbooz-ready made lemon juice available, electral, 20 bottles of water. My bag nearly bogged down my shoulders wt the sheer weight of these bottles. All for the tiger.
My start to the journey was hilarious. After a mix up of train timings my friend told me i had only 45 mins to reach the VT station. I hate uncertainities, i plan travel rather tediously, well in time before departure. This was rush, rush. Reached in time for Nagpur train. My friend & colleague Jaideep one fo the finest reporters in young Vidarbha region. He arranged everything for me...i took a car & left for chandrapur, however the forest officials had just left back for nagpur. It was merry go round for me going fm pillar to post to get inside. Finally i made it to the forest fm Kuthvanda gate. Now ONLY at Tadoba have they divided the number of vehicles across the 5 gates. But the problem is vehicles that need to be allowed should be only gypsies. However public use all their political clout, access to officials & ministers & then they all come in their own petrol/diesel vehicles.
The first eve was doomed. Everyday on every trip i spent Rs 1500/- nearly. I didn't ask the officials to take me in their vehicles, because that would mean it wasn't seeing by chance. Till then i saw NO tiger...but what a terrain! Parched, dry, pinching my insides. Skin felt torn, head splitting wt the heat. I kept sipping water. Thankfully visiting a forest is no mean task. It also means getting to see innumerable birds & animals that we otherwise can't. So while the tiger was away the monkeys, bulls, deers of all varieties, birds were at play.
On 2nd day early morn was a monkey show ONLY for me. i told the official they have to let me in their vehicle. I saw 5 youth wt cameras. I smelt a rat. I too had professional cameras, not a single but 2 cameras. He was trying to postpone my visit, the field officer & i realised if i let go of that chance i'd never get it again. Unfortunately for that officer, he was calling out to those 5 youth, while the gypsy owner signalled me. He said the officer was calling me, i went ahead & finally my friend Jaideep called. I told him the whole story & he was like just go ahead.
The officer asked me to sit rt inside in the gypsy. I said no, im a lady i can't get squashed between all the men. Honestly it wasn't a excuse. When realised there were 5 men, i made immediate calculations & realised that i'd NOT get any chance to click a single pic. They trouped in & i shoved them inside in the back seat.
Finally we went to the water hole, where grandly sat a tigress wt her 2 cubs...she gave us ferocious looks for a few seconds, then when the jeep was turned off, she sat quietly keeping a watchful eye over her cubs. These were one & a half yrs old. They looked fully grown. They were awesome. By then, i'd forgotten all about my thirst, immense heat & blistering sun. It all got eclipsed in a fraction of a second. I recently told a friend that i was headed to the jungle to meet my 1st love, the tiger. Truly i think i love this animal more than anything else.
The cubs were happy soaked till their necks in the water. Believe me if we humans find 48 degs & humidity that day was over 65% hot, then it's twice more for those animals. I was stunned by their beauty. We moved reverse, came closer when i got a better view & then one cub got up fm the water to give me that 'tiger' look. That cub was signalling me that 'look don't forget i'm a tiger!' then he went towards the mother to climb over her & play wt her. The tigress was just too watchful keeping an eye over her other 2 cubs.
We came out i wanted to dance around like the bhalu to express my immense happiness. But more was to come, which i didn't know. By then i was relaxed, i'd got something that most don't easily get. Yet i felt the Jim Corbett experience had eluded me. By then I'd happily seen 8-10 varieties of deer species, bisons, plenty of birds, peacocks, bear that ran amok right up til the gate, monkeys, especially the black faced ones, the langoors. So on & so forth.
The officials had booked me in the director's room at the rest house. It overlooked the lake at Kolsa. It was truly beautiful but everything was hot. Even the ground was hot that day, it was immensely sultry as there had been few showers inside Moharli gate & village. Next day early morn i reached Kolsa gate & the guide Rajesh took me around. Around 10.15am there was a buzz among drivers & vehicles that a tigress had sat in numb 2 water hole when she heard a vehicle & had gone inside the jungle. We waited there. Thankfully one professional group of wildlife specialists were there. They were keen enthusiasts who could shut up loud public, noisy vehicles and abso listless public that had no idea about dos & don'ts of a jungle.
We stuck behind their vehicle. We sat watching as every minute in that heat seemed as if i was in the middle of a lava, or crater. The heat was killing. On top of that i had climbed out & sat on the window after rolling down the glass. I kept both the cameras handy the manual & digital. That tigress was a treat to the eyes! to say the least. She walked stealthily popped her head out, looked around & went right back. She must've really got pissed off by the human beings. But its summer time, the tigers & bisons can't stay out of the water for long.
It was then i recollected Jim Corbett's words. All that i had read came to my mind. Jungle & especially tiger trail teaches one a lot. Mainly being patience. I had all the time in my life I'd come for this purpose ONLY. The public in other vehicles was getting impatient. I tell you we city people should be disallowed from jungles if we can't behave ourselves. Then the professional foursome hushed everyone. They told me, 'These are sarcastic bastards who want to tease the tigers.' it's true to a large extent. Then madam tigress came halfway out. I was dumbfounded, absolutely silenced. I only wanted to see her. My first instinctive action was not to rush for the camera, instead i remember saying, "Wow! she's gorgeous." If the US army has a weapon called stealth bomber, its a name abso apt for the tigress. She moved with such conviction, majestically she commanded attention & yet so agile, silent, its amaZing.
She went around from behind the water hole she moved in, keeping an eye on us all. Then the profnals requested all cars to wait for at least 10 mins silently. Just then one jerk's car wt automatic lock made some sound. His defense was, "what can i do?" He drove right behind us disturbing the tigress. She was losing patience. Predators are of cat family & they like their space. They need to be left alone, i believe in it & follow the same attitude. My mother always says 'Neeta you must've been a cat in your previous birth." she thinks i'm vv cat like.
Then the jerk behind us honked & that was it, another impatient bimbo put his gypsy in motion. They tried to blame my driver for the noise, but all knew it wasn't us. The tigress had had enough of us humans & went inside the jungle. By the time we went to th rest house in a huff the guard told me he had taken action on the guide & fined the vehicle for breaching the rules. Those tourists left in anger..like i give a shit.
Our guide was one great human. He knew his jungle well. He told me "Madam you come by 2.45pm sharp at the gate, we will go inside. I guarantee you the tigress will be at the water hole." We saw many birds & animals, including mountain rat, Ghorpad. Yes, same one fm Shivaji's story days. We went on water hole trail & there she sat inside the pond. She sensed us, in few secs got up quietly & went inside. I got her pics. Then she looked harassed by humans, sounds & more so the heat. She was thirsty & wanted to cool off. So we waited patiently at a distance. This was abso EXCLUSIVE. Tigress sat wt her head down abt to sleep. Then came trail of pvt vehicles. Their car nearly fell on one side as the elders, kids squealed loudly...look tiger tiger..kuthe...toh bagh..tithe...it was like a zoo. The tigress surely must've thought we are all from some zoo. stupid, ridiculous the whole atmosphere was.
Then word spread around that we were the only ones to see the tigress. suddenly all & sundry came to ask when next will we see a tiger, was it male, female. blah blah. We had our show. We were fed up & we had had our fill. Meanwhile Anil driver & rajesh guide got into a competition to tell me whose luck had rubbed off on me. I was like i'm really lucky to have 2 people's luck rub off on me!
I know one thing for sure, this is one majestic animal, tiger/tigress & i had a dream that i'd see it walk past me. It happened. It was magical, i have no words to describe that ultimate pleasure.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Historic day for Mumbai & state police force
I write this with great pleasure, as i do feel vindicated. I hope the player concerned realises what a league he has left behind. it is abso clear, MN Roy will have to GO as the DGP on May 31, when he retires.
2 days ago i was on way to Bhiwandi, when i went via Thane commissionerate's office. The buzz was 'Tklya' is on his way out. That is the word used...abbreviation for a bald person in India -taklya. Roy is to go across for a meeting on May 29. At this talk the local constables too have been called. The police asked me, "so madam do you think he will go?" I like this question coz i've been waiting for this man to get out of the police force. NOT because i've taken him on, yes i have. But because he is a through corrupt, inefficient & abso dishonest policeman. In addition to carrying his northern feudal mentality. So i was all the more amused that Maharashtrian cops asked me what i thought.
Just last week i had gone over with few other female junior colleagues to meet the home secretary Chandra Iyengar. The minute i spoke of my favourite cop, Hassan Gafoor, she was a hen whose feathers were ruffled. She was emphatic, nasty, sarcastc & went onto say, "Gafoor is not on my radar...ok" "He is not my background, foreground...no one is talking of him, ok girls..." i want to laugh. Has she bit her tongue. Because i remembered this exact conversation at the Thane commissioner's office. What has this lady got into? She along with her dear, 'Shiva" for us commoners it means D Sivanandan, the commissioner of police...they with Roy had formed a conglomerate in the officers circle. Poor lady. As a woman i'm sympathetic that she lost out on the dominating, patriarchal male monopoly of IAS officers. She was denied the post of Chief Secretary. But this moron lady made her displeasure known reg Gafoor. Coz he had the balls to say that the 2 South Indian officers & 2 north Indian officers stayed put at their homes & cabins rather than step out on the night of terror attacks, 26/11, 2008.
She was their shield. She wanted to put Gafoor in a fix & had initiated a departmental inquiry & wanted to earnestly give an extension to her favourite 'taklya.' what went wrong then?? only they can answer. The police force is tainted. One joint commissioner is alleged to provided women & Rs 20 cr for a Mumbai posting. He was posted at a place near to mumbai where one minister has a stronghold. Well, he's alleged to have eloped with a married lady despite both being formally married to other spouses...now that's what a cop is for you in Maharashtra.
Taklya or as Roy is called...has already got into innumerable problems, legal, ego, corruption, protecting tainted officers & taking bribes to hush murders & cases. Well he hated some of us reporters because we'd ask questions about it, question his proximity to a political person- his godfather along with those of NCP; some gangsters too i'm told. He was the first ever CP who had to issue clarifications that he isn't close to any political party or person.
Then his posting to the post of head of state police -TAINTED yet again. He was without any post for 6 months....was seen at every Page 3 party. One really has to be thick skinned to be like him. The former DGP of anti-corruption, Chakraberty took this man to court. He was then posted as DGP..he did all in his capacity to get an extenstion.
Now the Thane cops tell me, "Madam this meeting on 29th is vv imp." Is it I ask...why? They had a smirk & said, "Because constables too have been called." I had this huge frown, my anntenaes went up! Is it? so? Its good to sound dumb when wants the other person to say something....'Bcoz madam it means the DG is saying, tata, good bye... haha they laugh. I was like, ok...constables..ho hum...but why?? "Because he wants to talk to them, which the DG never does. He doesn't go down to this level. TO motivate them, blah blah...madam this is his farewell talk." I see...
so I spoke to few other senior cop friends & sources they were like, "Neeta he's calling for farewells. He's attending parties galore." I was like what's new? huh he & few others thrive on it...so they were like, "No there has been a circular for raising money for his final farewell by the police club." The one at worli...i was like wow! There is some god. Finally after all his powers, all what he has done, the money he has, he can't change his destiny. He will get NO extension, he has to LEAVE.
I strongly believe may 31st, is HISTORIC for mumbai & state police. We are truly embarking in a new environment, new league & new times. I am in favour of gafoor because he is honest. He is NOT tainted & gives an ant's arse to anyone to tries to bribe him. He is my hero, someone i look upto & see that there is hope...i'm waiting for this hope in media & journalism too...let's see...i wonder what will happen to Iyengar....what happens to the other 4 cops??
Also for the sake of 26/11 widows & their families i hope my cop friend Gafoor talks.. henceforth stands up for what he believes...i can only hope...may be this decision & new posting will motivate him.
2 days ago i was on way to Bhiwandi, when i went via Thane commissionerate's office. The buzz was 'Tklya' is on his way out. That is the word used...abbreviation for a bald person in India -taklya. Roy is to go across for a meeting on May 29. At this talk the local constables too have been called. The police asked me, "so madam do you think he will go?" I like this question coz i've been waiting for this man to get out of the police force. NOT because i've taken him on, yes i have. But because he is a through corrupt, inefficient & abso dishonest policeman. In addition to carrying his northern feudal mentality. So i was all the more amused that Maharashtrian cops asked me what i thought.
Just last week i had gone over with few other female junior colleagues to meet the home secretary Chandra Iyengar. The minute i spoke of my favourite cop, Hassan Gafoor, she was a hen whose feathers were ruffled. She was emphatic, nasty, sarcastc & went onto say, "Gafoor is not on my radar...ok" "He is not my background, foreground...no one is talking of him, ok girls..." i want to laugh. Has she bit her tongue. Because i remembered this exact conversation at the Thane commissioner's office. What has this lady got into? She along with her dear, 'Shiva" for us commoners it means D Sivanandan, the commissioner of police...they with Roy had formed a conglomerate in the officers circle. Poor lady. As a woman i'm sympathetic that she lost out on the dominating, patriarchal male monopoly of IAS officers. She was denied the post of Chief Secretary. But this moron lady made her displeasure known reg Gafoor. Coz he had the balls to say that the 2 South Indian officers & 2 north Indian officers stayed put at their homes & cabins rather than step out on the night of terror attacks, 26/11, 2008.
She was their shield. She wanted to put Gafoor in a fix & had initiated a departmental inquiry & wanted to earnestly give an extension to her favourite 'taklya.' what went wrong then?? only they can answer. The police force is tainted. One joint commissioner is alleged to provided women & Rs 20 cr for a Mumbai posting. He was posted at a place near to mumbai where one minister has a stronghold. Well, he's alleged to have eloped with a married lady despite both being formally married to other spouses...now that's what a cop is for you in Maharashtra.
Taklya or as Roy is called...has already got into innumerable problems, legal, ego, corruption, protecting tainted officers & taking bribes to hush murders & cases. Well he hated some of us reporters because we'd ask questions about it, question his proximity to a political person- his godfather along with those of NCP; some gangsters too i'm told. He was the first ever CP who had to issue clarifications that he isn't close to any political party or person.
Then his posting to the post of head of state police -TAINTED yet again. He was without any post for 6 months....was seen at every Page 3 party. One really has to be thick skinned to be like him. The former DGP of anti-corruption, Chakraberty took this man to court. He was then posted as DGP..he did all in his capacity to get an extenstion.
Now the Thane cops tell me, "Madam this meeting on 29th is vv imp." Is it I ask...why? They had a smirk & said, "Because constables too have been called." I had this huge frown, my anntenaes went up! Is it? so? Its good to sound dumb when wants the other person to say something....'Bcoz madam it means the DG is saying, tata, good bye... haha they laugh. I was like, ok...constables..ho hum...but why?? "Because he wants to talk to them, which the DG never does. He doesn't go down to this level. TO motivate them, blah blah...madam this is his farewell talk." I see...
so I spoke to few other senior cop friends & sources they were like, "Neeta he's calling for farewells. He's attending parties galore." I was like what's new? huh he & few others thrive on it...so they were like, "No there has been a circular for raising money for his final farewell by the police club." The one at worli...i was like wow! There is some god. Finally after all his powers, all what he has done, the money he has, he can't change his destiny. He will get NO extension, he has to LEAVE.
I strongly believe may 31st, is HISTORIC for mumbai & state police. We are truly embarking in a new environment, new league & new times. I am in favour of gafoor because he is honest. He is NOT tainted & gives an ant's arse to anyone to tries to bribe him. He is my hero, someone i look upto & see that there is hope...i'm waiting for this hope in media & journalism too...let's see...i wonder what will happen to Iyengar....what happens to the other 4 cops??
Also for the sake of 26/11 widows & their families i hope my cop friend Gafoor talks.. henceforth stands up for what he believes...i can only hope...may be this decision & new posting will motivate him.
Paid leave
When it is time to take leave have noticed the usual looks, queries galore & presumptions more than asked for? "Are you quitting neeta?" "Where are you going?" "Why are you taking leave now?"
Have never understood why Indians are so very inquisitive. I've always asserted my right to take my leave. I may just NOT go anywhere. I don't think i'd like to spend.. now that i have an EMI But i am a born nomad i strongly believe. I can't stay rooted to some place, as my CV too shows.
So now especially as i have to deal with the most laborious task of sticking onto my last job -well since last 5 years! phew i sound bored...i decided before i'm forced to go on leave i should.
I'm NEVER my best in summers. Believe me it takes immense self-control on my part I simply get bogged down & this year's been the toughest. I feel bad though that 3 days of my paid pleave have gone waste in resting. Yes dear me! I was laid down by fever, cough & cold. No better day than my own birthday. After over a decade i've fallen ill on the night of my b'day. My male friend quipped, "Yeah it happens when one day you exert yourself by cooking all the dishes." Yes. i agree.
I believe i am NOT born to do everything. I can't be expected to cook, clean, swap, wash vesles & the urrgghhhh clothes & as if it's not enough, even cook. To save my life i'd be caught dead doing all of it. I bless James Dyson to come close to making some sort of clothes washer way in 1930s.
That apart, having stated the original creator, it has to be a man to do all this sort of work. So when loads of it befalls on me, i simply wilt under pressure. I can do any amount of research, investigations, use of mental, intellect & creative talent but i don't much posses energy for more of domestic chores.
Do i look down on them? No. But i seriously believe i've a good eye, nose & taste for buying fresh veggies, fruits, flowers & accessories. I'm good at ludging all of it too. I'm sure my women folk bless me for it. So i do believe when i'm on leave i should be either travelling, or simply RESTING.
I've done that. My only motivation to get up in the morning is the gymn. Not that i look forward to it. Especially when i've a twit of a gal instructor thin, with NO body shape asking if i've weighed myself. I glare, give a serious glare & inform - I'm here to get fit NOT for weight loss. If i'm ever asked to weigh myself i will take back my fees & get out at that very moment. I could see her shiver at the thought of ever repeating this question to me again.
Now this is a week into my leave. Before i've even stepped out of my office its been passed around that Neeta has quit the newspaper. I hope their wish comes true, very soon. But as of now, sorry honies ponies...i'm here to hound you everyday. When asked where am i going visiting in this heat? I say, Mukkam Post, GIRGAUM. I'm asked, "Whats a mukkam post!"
Lol! I thought i'm living in India....mera Bharat mahan. So i explain, i'm staying put in my parent's house, Girgaum. Why?? is the next question; considering i don't show even fraction of curiosity in other people's lives i fail to understand why others are soooo curious abt mine. Am i not travelling, why do i moan abt my loan...blah blah.
SO i wonder if these are workers, employees? Do they know the definition of workers, of one's rights as worker. Whether editor or writer, one is at the same level, a worker. One has certain rights which one needs to exert, or fulfill depends on one's situation. I requested & i got my leave sanctioned. I want to cleanse myself mentally & emotionally. I want to go back refreshed & with renewed energy. My energy levels are sapped beyond imagination right now. However sadly with corporatisation of journalism, writers, deskies & journalists have forgotten their basic option - paid leave...all the best...while i do plan on going to Pune & visit tigers...see ya
Have never understood why Indians are so very inquisitive. I've always asserted my right to take my leave. I may just NOT go anywhere. I don't think i'd like to spend.. now that i have an EMI But i am a born nomad i strongly believe. I can't stay rooted to some place, as my CV too shows.
So now especially as i have to deal with the most laborious task of sticking onto my last job -well since last 5 years! phew i sound bored...i decided before i'm forced to go on leave i should.
I'm NEVER my best in summers. Believe me it takes immense self-control on my part I simply get bogged down & this year's been the toughest. I feel bad though that 3 days of my paid pleave have gone waste in resting. Yes dear me! I was laid down by fever, cough & cold. No better day than my own birthday. After over a decade i've fallen ill on the night of my b'day. My male friend quipped, "Yeah it happens when one day you exert yourself by cooking all the dishes." Yes. i agree.
I believe i am NOT born to do everything. I can't be expected to cook, clean, swap, wash vesles & the urrgghhhh clothes & as if it's not enough, even cook. To save my life i'd be caught dead doing all of it. I bless James Dyson to come close to making some sort of clothes washer way in 1930s.
That apart, having stated the original creator, it has to be a man to do all this sort of work. So when loads of it befalls on me, i simply wilt under pressure. I can do any amount of research, investigations, use of mental, intellect & creative talent but i don't much posses energy for more of domestic chores.
Do i look down on them? No. But i seriously believe i've a good eye, nose & taste for buying fresh veggies, fruits, flowers & accessories. I'm good at ludging all of it too. I'm sure my women folk bless me for it. So i do believe when i'm on leave i should be either travelling, or simply RESTING.
I've done that. My only motivation to get up in the morning is the gymn. Not that i look forward to it. Especially when i've a twit of a gal instructor thin, with NO body shape asking if i've weighed myself. I glare, give a serious glare & inform - I'm here to get fit NOT for weight loss. If i'm ever asked to weigh myself i will take back my fees & get out at that very moment. I could see her shiver at the thought of ever repeating this question to me again.
Now this is a week into my leave. Before i've even stepped out of my office its been passed around that Neeta has quit the newspaper. I hope their wish comes true, very soon. But as of now, sorry honies ponies...i'm here to hound you everyday. When asked where am i going visiting in this heat? I say, Mukkam Post, GIRGAUM. I'm asked, "Whats a mukkam post!"
Lol! I thought i'm living in India....mera Bharat mahan. So i explain, i'm staying put in my parent's house, Girgaum. Why?? is the next question; considering i don't show even fraction of curiosity in other people's lives i fail to understand why others are soooo curious abt mine. Am i not travelling, why do i moan abt my loan...blah blah.
SO i wonder if these are workers, employees? Do they know the definition of workers, of one's rights as worker. Whether editor or writer, one is at the same level, a worker. One has certain rights which one needs to exert, or fulfill depends on one's situation. I requested & i got my leave sanctioned. I want to cleanse myself mentally & emotionally. I want to go back refreshed & with renewed energy. My energy levels are sapped beyond imagination right now. However sadly with corporatisation of journalism, writers, deskies & journalists have forgotten their basic option - paid leave...all the best...while i do plan on going to Pune & visit tigers...see ya
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Random thoughts
Why do dogs run into the middle of the road like they are bitten by some parasite? They seem lunatic, majorly brain affected & the rascals nearly make us skip our heart beat. They run in, screech & run back? for what?
Have you noticed how the crows in Bombay, Mumbai city are demanding territory, forcibly taking it over, encroaching like the SS, MNS & throwing out other birds?? They chase away the other birds. Like as if the sparrows, other birds are migrants....huh
Why do Indians feed 'chana' beans that trigger diarrhoea, stomach problems to birds? Especially the pigeons. There are many rather countless of poor people who can cook curry with that grain...rather beans. Instead they feed those stupid pigeons who crap all over the city.
As if this stupidity is not enough, the cows, buffaloes & bulls are fed the worst grass ever. Cows are holy in this land. But they are dirty, unhygienic, they shit a lot & dirty the place. On top of that for washing our own sins, silly Indians feed cows grass, & more grass...the cows keep shitting. I think they too must be dying of gastro. No one ever tests how & why cows, buffaloes die in India.
Do mosquitoes bite dogs & cats? They roam around freely in the gutter, by lanes & garbage of the city. If i sit in the garden i am hounded by swarm of mosquitoes.
Do rhinoceros, Bison & Hippopotamus die of diabetes & obesity? they are soo humongous ya. They look they will burst open.
How to differentiate between male & female crow, pigeon, egrets, cats? Coz until cats get pregnant you can't decipher. Others are sooo confused & as a result confusing to us humans...difficult to understand the birds & bees of animal kingdom.
I know dogs get epilepsy, now heard they get heart attack. Do animals get paralysis attacks? Do they go in comatose condition? DO they suffer from other ailments?? like diabetes??
does a caterpillar taken out from the garden...put in a in-house box with soil, water & sufficient grass & sun grow into a butterfly & fly away? When i was a child i removed all my pencils, pens all that junk fm ma pencil box, put wet mud, grass, covered the box with paper & made holes, which i stuck with sellotape later...put 3 caterpillars to scientifically watch them grow into butterflies, i was given a beating of my life...scolded, the stuff thrown into our building garden & caterpillars sent free. I thought science was self-learning through experimentation....guess it was all mugging NO learning...
Have you seen mosquitoes mating?? eeks i know but i wonder if they mate or multiply from our blood. As a kid when i'd watch Hindi movies they would show 2 flowers coming together in a cling type. Yes, i'd wait for the wind to blow & think ok now the flowers will have sex....don't laugh it was when i was a child...& in my mind visions, pictures, colours always stayed imprinted....
Have you noticed how the crows in Bombay, Mumbai city are demanding territory, forcibly taking it over, encroaching like the SS, MNS & throwing out other birds?? They chase away the other birds. Like as if the sparrows, other birds are migrants....huh
Why do Indians feed 'chana' beans that trigger diarrhoea, stomach problems to birds? Especially the pigeons. There are many rather countless of poor people who can cook curry with that grain...rather beans. Instead they feed those stupid pigeons who crap all over the city.
As if this stupidity is not enough, the cows, buffaloes & bulls are fed the worst grass ever. Cows are holy in this land. But they are dirty, unhygienic, they shit a lot & dirty the place. On top of that for washing our own sins, silly Indians feed cows grass, & more grass...the cows keep shitting. I think they too must be dying of gastro. No one ever tests how & why cows, buffaloes die in India.
Do mosquitoes bite dogs & cats? They roam around freely in the gutter, by lanes & garbage of the city. If i sit in the garden i am hounded by swarm of mosquitoes.
Do rhinoceros, Bison & Hippopotamus die of diabetes & obesity? they are soo humongous ya. They look they will burst open.
How to differentiate between male & female crow, pigeon, egrets, cats? Coz until cats get pregnant you can't decipher. Others are sooo confused & as a result confusing to us humans...difficult to understand the birds & bees of animal kingdom.
I know dogs get epilepsy, now heard they get heart attack. Do animals get paralysis attacks? Do they go in comatose condition? DO they suffer from other ailments?? like diabetes??
does a caterpillar taken out from the garden...put in a in-house box with soil, water & sufficient grass & sun grow into a butterfly & fly away? When i was a child i removed all my pencils, pens all that junk fm ma pencil box, put wet mud, grass, covered the box with paper & made holes, which i stuck with sellotape later...put 3 caterpillars to scientifically watch them grow into butterflies, i was given a beating of my life...scolded, the stuff thrown into our building garden & caterpillars sent free. I thought science was self-learning through experimentation....guess it was all mugging NO learning...
Have you seen mosquitoes mating?? eeks i know but i wonder if they mate or multiply from our blood. As a kid when i'd watch Hindi movies they would show 2 flowers coming together in a cling type. Yes, i'd wait for the wind to blow & think ok now the flowers will have sex....don't laugh it was when i was a child...& in my mind visions, pictures, colours always stayed imprinted....
Star struck
We all love heroes they say. Some of us love sports people, some their parents, some their neighbourhood heroes, hoodlums & most love actors. As part of news or journalism field, i've met many, many interesting people, known faces, people, stars & sports personalities. I'm one for ordinary people who are real heroes..but i have my major likes who are primarily sports persons. One doesn't need to behave star struck, that was one thing i have always believed. May be because the kind of family i came from. We have seen people, my father has taken pics of who's who in this country & city & me too have met people across the globe...
yesterday one Ms Katrina Kaif visited DNA office. Our newspaper office. It was a sight. Coz here was this frail, very tall, very very fair girlie smiling, walking with an air of confidence around or office. Mary's little, tall & plenty of lambs followed her around. We've had stars & celebs coming to our office before. Priyanka chopra came once in track pants & jacket, straight from the gym ha..she walked in with our former director of the company, Pradeep Guha. Then Riya sen, Rakhi sawant who created quite a flutter, then Piggy Chops came yet again...then few others. This Kaif created a stir.
Star struck employees came running. Best part was the HR department of DNA was present in full numbers. The head of HR actually asked the other girlies if they saw 'katrina kaif. Bahut sundar hai na woh?' she exclaimed. My irritation was that HR dept is for the welfare of the employees. One should see how the HR of news organisations behave. They either order around, snap, DONT react or simply look through us. Yeah...one must read their letters all the DONTS of internet etiquettes they follow to the last tee. They are simply entertaining. I ofcorz commented aloud, "Instead of looking so star struck may be they need to give some attention to the employees." One thing they forget is that they too are employees, but i guess they feel they should save the company's money everywhere.
Sadly, the whole dept that called kaif was present in large numbers. They tried to 'talk' to her. It was next to impossible i am told. Because star quotient said she doesn't read newspapers - i am just NOT surprised. She speaks with a cocky accent, not sure wc part of the world or countries. Then she was asked if she read the lifestyle/entertainment supplement of DNA. She said yes (oops! Me thinks she forgot it still is a newspaper, although a supplement...chaah...we'll appraise her of the details in due course). Asked which section she reads, she said 'astro' part...gues Marjorie orr still has a hold over many people. The conversation i am told is to that effect.
What amused me was senior women journalists or writers, mostly deskies excitedly got up to see her. Oh did i mention all in a single file? Their teachers will be proud of them. I was always scatter brained, dyslexic & prankster so there never was a file in my perception...all wanted to haul me out of my chair. Why should i? I don't want to see her, i've seen as she walked up & down with not less than 50 following her like puppy dogs. I certainly was NOT going to do such a thing.
I was told by 'women' ofcorz that i am simply jealous. FOr what i still haven't a clue. "she's pretty admire her common neeta." were some of the comments made. I agree she looks pretty on the screen, she's got good height, wears really high shoes, is extremely fair -& yes i have a problem to that. I don't think far too highly of fair people in this country...- also im not dumbstruck by her. I'm NOT fond of her. I would have liked to meet her were to pass by...guess i've to start feeling star struck..eh??
yesterday one Ms Katrina Kaif visited DNA office. Our newspaper office. It was a sight. Coz here was this frail, very tall, very very fair girlie smiling, walking with an air of confidence around or office. Mary's little, tall & plenty of lambs followed her around. We've had stars & celebs coming to our office before. Priyanka chopra came once in track pants & jacket, straight from the gym ha..she walked in with our former director of the company, Pradeep Guha. Then Riya sen, Rakhi sawant who created quite a flutter, then Piggy Chops came yet again...then few others. This Kaif created a stir.
Star struck employees came running. Best part was the HR department of DNA was present in full numbers. The head of HR actually asked the other girlies if they saw 'katrina kaif. Bahut sundar hai na woh?' she exclaimed. My irritation was that HR dept is for the welfare of the employees. One should see how the HR of news organisations behave. They either order around, snap, DONT react or simply look through us. Yeah...one must read their letters all the DONTS of internet etiquettes they follow to the last tee. They are simply entertaining. I ofcorz commented aloud, "Instead of looking so star struck may be they need to give some attention to the employees." One thing they forget is that they too are employees, but i guess they feel they should save the company's money everywhere.
Sadly, the whole dept that called kaif was present in large numbers. They tried to 'talk' to her. It was next to impossible i am told. Because star quotient said she doesn't read newspapers - i am just NOT surprised. She speaks with a cocky accent, not sure wc part of the world or countries. Then she was asked if she read the lifestyle/entertainment supplement of DNA. She said yes (oops! Me thinks she forgot it still is a newspaper, although a supplement...chaah...we'll appraise her of the details in due course). Asked which section she reads, she said 'astro' part...gues Marjorie orr still has a hold over many people. The conversation i am told is to that effect.
What amused me was senior women journalists or writers, mostly deskies excitedly got up to see her. Oh did i mention all in a single file? Their teachers will be proud of them. I was always scatter brained, dyslexic & prankster so there never was a file in my perception...all wanted to haul me out of my chair. Why should i? I don't want to see her, i've seen as she walked up & down with not less than 50 following her like puppy dogs. I certainly was NOT going to do such a thing.
I was told by 'women' ofcorz that i am simply jealous. FOr what i still haven't a clue. "she's pretty admire her common neeta." were some of the comments made. I agree she looks pretty on the screen, she's got good height, wears really high shoes, is extremely fair -& yes i have a problem to that. I don't think far too highly of fair people in this country...- also im not dumbstruck by her. I'm NOT fond of her. I would have liked to meet her were to pass by...guess i've to start feeling star struck..eh??
Friday, May 07, 2010
Qasab Saga
I know reams have been written on Ajmal Qasab & TV channels have bombarded us with the whole case. I'm asking questions.
Why did it take soooo long (as usual) to complete the trial? COnsidering unlike any other trial, here was a 'terrorist' / insurgent nabbed alive & was in custody.
Why has the Special PP not been controlled?? He has lashed out at Qasab in his limited vocabulary restricting it to calling him names of animals or linking his behaviour to various animalistic behaviour.
IS Nikam going to be restrained or not?
How different is Nikam to murderers? He went on to claim on channels, "My score is 38 death sentences & 169 life sentences."
Are human rights activists justified in saying NO to capital punishment at all?
We have caught a small fry in the whole system, he is vv important NO doubt. What happens to those right on top??? Will we ever lay our hands on them?
What Happens to the case now? The High Court will put it on fast trial, it will go to SC then what?
Will Qasab languish in jail or be killed?
Are we looking for vengeance or justice?
When can we stop tv journalists world over to say..."Aap ko kaise mehsoos ho raha hai? Aap ko kaisa lagta hai? How do you feel now??"
Are the survivors or kin of the dead going to say, "You know what look im twisting, twirling, dancing???"
DO we allow passions to rule us & make this whole issue into one patriotic, jingo, eye for eye mega serial?
Mahatma Gandhi was born here in India, peace was born here too, then why have we shed all practical sensibilities????.....
Far too many questions i guess...i have even stopped looking for answers...
Why did it take soooo long (as usual) to complete the trial? COnsidering unlike any other trial, here was a 'terrorist' / insurgent nabbed alive & was in custody.
Why has the Special PP not been controlled?? He has lashed out at Qasab in his limited vocabulary restricting it to calling him names of animals or linking his behaviour to various animalistic behaviour.
IS Nikam going to be restrained or not?
How different is Nikam to murderers? He went on to claim on channels, "My score is 38 death sentences & 169 life sentences."
Are human rights activists justified in saying NO to capital punishment at all?
We have caught a small fry in the whole system, he is vv important NO doubt. What happens to those right on top??? Will we ever lay our hands on them?
What Happens to the case now? The High Court will put it on fast trial, it will go to SC then what?
Will Qasab languish in jail or be killed?
Are we looking for vengeance or justice?
When can we stop tv journalists world over to say..."Aap ko kaise mehsoos ho raha hai? Aap ko kaisa lagta hai? How do you feel now??"
Are the survivors or kin of the dead going to say, "You know what look im twisting, twirling, dancing???"
DO we allow passions to rule us & make this whole issue into one patriotic, jingo, eye for eye mega serial?
Mahatma Gandhi was born here in India, peace was born here too, then why have we shed all practical sensibilities????.....
Far too many questions i guess...i have even stopped looking for answers...
Monday, April 26, 2010
Procuring a new house
I was told many years ago by friends, soothsayers who i would visit wt my friend that i would make property. "You will buy a house." I never remembered it. Always thought it can NEVER be so, bcoz there was just NO way for me to make profits, save & make a house of my own. I however had an itch a few years ago.
Reasons are plenty. I wanted a place of my own. People may say that my father's property is mine, but i ALWAYS say & believe it is NOT. It is his, its his priority whom to give it to or leave it in the name of anyone.
It also happened that a few years ago my famous hot cook Radha told me how she is buying a house in Virar. Even if it is a chawl i still think its awesome that this poor illiterate lady was married forcibly by her parents to an abso skunk who left this hottie for some worker on his work site & dumped her wt 2 children. However at that time i really felt pathetic for myself.
People say Maharashtrians born in Mumbai, basically the natives like me are 'susegath' unambitious, lazy. Now i don't think everyone can be generalised. However, i do admit i am lazy by nature, i'd love if a remote could do a lot of my work, or for that matter machines. I often ask myself why do i have to work so much, that too sooo hard. I'd rather retire. Yeah i often dream of a green lawn, garden & do gardening...laze around, ofcorz all that paid for by some other means than my hard work.
Really speaking i am like a busy bee. I can never sit in one place for long, i love to be on the move, but important point is AT MY PACE. i don't like to be pushed around. SO suddenly i rose from my slumber, when Radha told me she had bought a place. I felt immense admiration for her, but felt angry at myself. I felt, what's the use of all this hard work, if i am unable to buy myself a house?
In the mean time my name was cleared for the Press Club, the excitement was short lived b’coz the then CM Vilasrao refused to sign Pr Club’s proposal for this hsg scheme. For nearly three years this scheme was pushed under the carpet. I went & saw 2 houses -Quite depressing. Had started thinking of zeroing in Panvel, Sanpada types (vvv far it is) by then my sister came & went. People began advising me how the new airport will come up at Panvel & I shld buy a place there…there was also a lot of mystery surrounding the future of my parents’ home in Girgaum.
My sister left for back home (US) in July & one night my friend called to tell me, “Neeta check your email.” Mid-July 2009 onwards till March first week 2010 it has been one whirlwind breezy time. Collecting papers, collating them, Xeroxing 1000s of copies, evaded one corrupt officer by complaining to the higher authorities. Initial delay took place & with it was some sense of disappointment & feeling of bitterness. I eventually sent an SMS to MHADA chief & dear old friend Gautam Chatterjee. I did NOT seek his help but simply informed him.
Then had to wait patiently for MHADA to sanction my file, meanwhile the PRO Vaishali too put in a good word to process my file faster. However I did not bypass the Pr club that had taken the onus to be the coordinating agency. Yes, they still owe us Rs 5000, as they had promised to return that amount once we took possession of our houses.
Then began another process began though it wasn’t tedious or more so emotionally taxing –HOME LOAN. It definitely wasn’t as they show in ads, but the sr asst mgr at the SBI HQ was amazing. She put in overtime so that I could get hold of my cheques personally at 7.00pm sharp. I ran to see a film after that. Since then Prateeksha nagar & me have this love-hate relationship.
I still can’t believe its my house. Every month I see money being deducted from my account, a huge lumpsum…less said the better. I love to crib & have bunch of friends who tell me “Your pay will never be the same, it will always increase, at least you have a house of your own.”
Sure, salary NEVER remains the same, but hope people know I’ve been incurring pay cut since over a yr. More over I went on a scholarship last year for 4 months, the newspaper I work has NOT bothered to consider a study leave, 4 months special leave by giving me at basic salary. They were forcing me to take Paid Leave. I had to muscle my way with the HR head that it was NO bloody leave, I would begin my day everyday by 6.30am attend 8.15am class & finish by 5-5.30pm then research, do home work & project work. It was by NO means a HOLIDAY. Sure it was a nice break & just when the world economy went in recession.
So here I have a new house, NO money to put things in it. My salary gets deducted every month with an EMI for a hsg loan & NO other means of salary or increment. I have a house….at least something that shows my own name….!
Reasons are plenty. I wanted a place of my own. People may say that my father's property is mine, but i ALWAYS say & believe it is NOT. It is his, its his priority whom to give it to or leave it in the name of anyone.
It also happened that a few years ago my famous hot cook Radha told me how she is buying a house in Virar. Even if it is a chawl i still think its awesome that this poor illiterate lady was married forcibly by her parents to an abso skunk who left this hottie for some worker on his work site & dumped her wt 2 children. However at that time i really felt pathetic for myself.
People say Maharashtrians born in Mumbai, basically the natives like me are 'susegath' unambitious, lazy. Now i don't think everyone can be generalised. However, i do admit i am lazy by nature, i'd love if a remote could do a lot of my work, or for that matter machines. I often ask myself why do i have to work so much, that too sooo hard. I'd rather retire. Yeah i often dream of a green lawn, garden & do gardening...laze around, ofcorz all that paid for by some other means than my hard work.
Really speaking i am like a busy bee. I can never sit in one place for long, i love to be on the move, but important point is AT MY PACE. i don't like to be pushed around. SO suddenly i rose from my slumber, when Radha told me she had bought a place. I felt immense admiration for her, but felt angry at myself. I felt, what's the use of all this hard work, if i am unable to buy myself a house?
In the mean time my name was cleared for the Press Club, the excitement was short lived b’coz the then CM Vilasrao refused to sign Pr Club’s proposal for this hsg scheme. For nearly three years this scheme was pushed under the carpet. I went & saw 2 houses -Quite depressing. Had started thinking of zeroing in Panvel, Sanpada types (vvv far it is) by then my sister came & went. People began advising me how the new airport will come up at Panvel & I shld buy a place there…there was also a lot of mystery surrounding the future of my parents’ home in Girgaum.
My sister left for back home (US) in July & one night my friend called to tell me, “Neeta check your email.” Mid-July 2009 onwards till March first week 2010 it has been one whirlwind breezy time. Collecting papers, collating them, Xeroxing 1000s of copies, evaded one corrupt officer by complaining to the higher authorities. Initial delay took place & with it was some sense of disappointment & feeling of bitterness. I eventually sent an SMS to MHADA chief & dear old friend Gautam Chatterjee. I did NOT seek his help but simply informed him.
Then had to wait patiently for MHADA to sanction my file, meanwhile the PRO Vaishali too put in a good word to process my file faster. However I did not bypass the Pr club that had taken the onus to be the coordinating agency. Yes, they still owe us Rs 5000, as they had promised to return that amount once we took possession of our houses.
Then began another process began though it wasn’t tedious or more so emotionally taxing –HOME LOAN. It definitely wasn’t as they show in ads, but the sr asst mgr at the SBI HQ was amazing. She put in overtime so that I could get hold of my cheques personally at 7.00pm sharp. I ran to see a film after that. Since then Prateeksha nagar & me have this love-hate relationship.
I still can’t believe its my house. Every month I see money being deducted from my account, a huge lumpsum…less said the better. I love to crib & have bunch of friends who tell me “Your pay will never be the same, it will always increase, at least you have a house of your own.”
Sure, salary NEVER remains the same, but hope people know I’ve been incurring pay cut since over a yr. More over I went on a scholarship last year for 4 months, the newspaper I work has NOT bothered to consider a study leave, 4 months special leave by giving me at basic salary. They were forcing me to take Paid Leave. I had to muscle my way with the HR head that it was NO bloody leave, I would begin my day everyday by 6.30am attend 8.15am class & finish by 5-5.30pm then research, do home work & project work. It was by NO means a HOLIDAY. Sure it was a nice break & just when the world economy went in recession.
So here I have a new house, NO money to put things in it. My salary gets deducted every month with an EMI for a hsg loan & NO other means of salary or increment. I have a house….at least something that shows my own name….!
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Festering environments today
What does one say when top officials of companies subtly play games, harass, make sexual advances in a paternalistic manner & puts the female staff & juniors under immense pressure? There is a top official of a media company who never knew how to sell newspapers or has anything to do with media. He in fact disassociates himself from the newspaper he is the top boss of.
This top official doesn't mind getting tipsy at official parties, directly coming on editorial floor & bullying female reporters. Sadly, he has not been put in his place...all fear for their jobs. The official is known to take frequent smoke breaks, talk loudly & actually tell juniors who speak or laugh aloud to maintain silence. He sneaks upto journalists' computers and question if someone tries to play solitaire, chat or do something legal, for a small break.
A few days ago this official sneaked upto a senior journalist & told her "wow you have time to play cards." So she asked "Why have i broken any rules?" No no he shouted aloud and came to her desk, "I only wish i had so much of time." SHe mustered courage & said that she had filed the story & then said v casually & lightly, "Well sir you take frequent smoke breaks while i'm playing this only after i've finished my work." Now he laughed it off but we knew he would not take this lightly.
Within a few days that journalist wrote an article of her foreign assignment. She received SMSz from even colleagues from rival newspapers. She got good feedback fm within the paper too. She was pleased people read gossip about people & events pertaining to another language. Suddenly her happiness was brought to a rude halt by the official. Now in between the top 2 editors of the paper had informed the whole team & team heads that NO ONE will directly speak to that Top official, it has to be through those 2 editors.
So when last week the top official called upon the female journalist, she spoke to the bureau head abt it, he told her its ok go & check. This man took off on a tirade against her. He pulled out the paper put spit on his fingers to turn over the pages (eeks) & questioned her about that article. She was brave enough to say what's wrong. "Ita tongue-in-cheek, I've not maligned anyone, what's the problem?" He smirked & snapped at her saying, "What tongue in cheek ha...you go out on this event, get entertained, have fun & write all this..." so she was baffled..he continued, "We sent you on this mission, there were few others too from marketing, what is this you write." "Who do you report to? Who are your bosses? how did they sanction this?"
So she said "yes pl speak to my bosses. You said there were others, Who were the others? there were only us 2 women." Moreso, she pointed out to him that the organisers infact that put up even women journos in shady red-light kind of area & in fact he shld be concerned abt his females staff. She even asked him to go on his PC & read blogs of internatinal women on that hotel. She then questioned him, "The office didn't send us 2 women. ALso there weren't any other person besides the 2 of us," she said.
The official continued lambasting. He had NOT even read the copy correctly. It was a literary event, while he was at bay completely. He called out to his secretary who then told him the sales staff had gone on a business trip. The female reporter snapped at him & said, "see I was telling you. I hadn't gone on this trip, pl read the article."
This narration can give anyone sensible an idea of the affairs going on at that work place. The daily problems of finding good, exclusive news apart, the staff-especially women journos - have to deal with abso lunatic officials. Who do NOT read their own papers, do NOT bother to cross check before lambasting their juniors. Imagine the environment & pressure the staff must be working under.
The lady stuck her neck out. She promptly went & told the 2 editors. They told her its ok, don't worry. They said not to take that official seriously & they will tackle it.
This top official doesn't mind getting tipsy at official parties, directly coming on editorial floor & bullying female reporters. Sadly, he has not been put in his place...all fear for their jobs. The official is known to take frequent smoke breaks, talk loudly & actually tell juniors who speak or laugh aloud to maintain silence. He sneaks upto journalists' computers and question if someone tries to play solitaire, chat or do something legal, for a small break.
A few days ago this official sneaked upto a senior journalist & told her "wow you have time to play cards." So she asked "Why have i broken any rules?" No no he shouted aloud and came to her desk, "I only wish i had so much of time." SHe mustered courage & said that she had filed the story & then said v casually & lightly, "Well sir you take frequent smoke breaks while i'm playing this only after i've finished my work." Now he laughed it off but we knew he would not take this lightly.
Within a few days that journalist wrote an article of her foreign assignment. She received SMSz from even colleagues from rival newspapers. She got good feedback fm within the paper too. She was pleased people read gossip about people & events pertaining to another language. Suddenly her happiness was brought to a rude halt by the official. Now in between the top 2 editors of the paper had informed the whole team & team heads that NO ONE will directly speak to that Top official, it has to be through those 2 editors.
So when last week the top official called upon the female journalist, she spoke to the bureau head abt it, he told her its ok go & check. This man took off on a tirade against her. He pulled out the paper put spit on his fingers to turn over the pages (eeks) & questioned her about that article. She was brave enough to say what's wrong. "Ita tongue-in-cheek, I've not maligned anyone, what's the problem?" He smirked & snapped at her saying, "What tongue in cheek ha...you go out on this event, get entertained, have fun & write all this..." so she was baffled..he continued, "We sent you on this mission, there were few others too from marketing, what is this you write." "Who do you report to? Who are your bosses? how did they sanction this?"
So she said "yes pl speak to my bosses. You said there were others, Who were the others? there were only us 2 women." Moreso, she pointed out to him that the organisers infact that put up even women journos in shady red-light kind of area & in fact he shld be concerned abt his females staff. She even asked him to go on his PC & read blogs of internatinal women on that hotel. She then questioned him, "The office didn't send us 2 women. ALso there weren't any other person besides the 2 of us," she said.
The official continued lambasting. He had NOT even read the copy correctly. It was a literary event, while he was at bay completely. He called out to his secretary who then told him the sales staff had gone on a business trip. The female reporter snapped at him & said, "see I was telling you. I hadn't gone on this trip, pl read the article."
This narration can give anyone sensible an idea of the affairs going on at that work place. The daily problems of finding good, exclusive news apart, the staff-especially women journos - have to deal with abso lunatic officials. Who do NOT read their own papers, do NOT bother to cross check before lambasting their juniors. Imagine the environment & pressure the staff must be working under.
The lady stuck her neck out. She promptly went & told the 2 editors. They told her its ok, don't worry. They said not to take that official seriously & they will tackle it.
My quick Dubai trip
To attend Marathi Literary Meets are hilarious to say the least. Read on more for the quick trip to Dubai, 2nd Marathi sahitya sammelan...
Literature, poetry and ego clashes in Dubai
Marathi Sahitya Sammelans in Maharashtra have always been spicy meets, with ego clashes galore. And, the event in Dubai this March was no different.
For starters, the chief sponsor, Dhananjay Datar, director, Al Adil Trading Group of companies, and the Maharashtra Mandal were at loggerheads. This bitterness meant their tour agents were different. The stay, naturally, was contrasting. While the main organisers put up their guests in swanky hotels, journalists were put in a hotel that beggared belief.
While the hotel's disco music gave us vibrating massages we didn't ask for, its lights flickered till the wee hours outside our windows leaving us bleary eyed the next morning. Of course, our entry to Dubai was another story. Within an hour of landing, we were whisked away for a quickie tour, probably to save expenses later. Our pleas of reaching the venue in time fell on deaf ears.
With all this going on, we wanted to know just why Datar was sponsoring the event. Local Maharashtrians were more than happy to fill us in on the gossip. Apparently, Datar, who comes from a wealthy family, had been denied access to the family resources during his father's lifetime. The father thought his ostentatious son would dry up the family coffers with his spending — Datar had celebrated his son's thread ceremony on a plane.
After his father's death, Datar started hobnobbing with the who's who of Maharashtra politics, and loved organising various international events. The literary meet was one of them. Incidentally, his Rolls Royce became a vehicle for peace at the Dubai event. A huge fight had ensued between Kautikrao Thale-Patil, chairman of Sahitya Mandal, Sanjivani Patil chairperson Maharashtra Mandal and Datar. After the fight, Datar chauffeured Thale-Patil in his Rolls Royce. He said, "I fulfilled Thale-Patil's wish to sit in a Rolls Royce."
Literature, poetry and ego clashes in Dubai
Marathi Sahitya Sammelans in Maharashtra have always been spicy meets, with ego clashes galore. And, the event in Dubai this March was no different.
For starters, the chief sponsor, Dhananjay Datar, director, Al Adil Trading Group of companies, and the Maharashtra Mandal were at loggerheads. This bitterness meant their tour agents were different. The stay, naturally, was contrasting. While the main organisers put up their guests in swanky hotels, journalists were put in a hotel that beggared belief.
While the hotel's disco music gave us vibrating massages we didn't ask for, its lights flickered till the wee hours outside our windows leaving us bleary eyed the next morning. Of course, our entry to Dubai was another story. Within an hour of landing, we were whisked away for a quickie tour, probably to save expenses later. Our pleas of reaching the venue in time fell on deaf ears.
With all this going on, we wanted to know just why Datar was sponsoring the event. Local Maharashtrians were more than happy to fill us in on the gossip. Apparently, Datar, who comes from a wealthy family, had been denied access to the family resources during his father's lifetime. The father thought his ostentatious son would dry up the family coffers with his spending — Datar had celebrated his son's thread ceremony on a plane.
After his father's death, Datar started hobnobbing with the who's who of Maharashtra politics, and loved organising various international events. The literary meet was one of them. Incidentally, his Rolls Royce became a vehicle for peace at the Dubai event. A huge fight had ensued between Kautikrao Thale-Patil, chairman of Sahitya Mandal, Sanjivani Patil chairperson Maharashtra Mandal and Datar. After the fight, Datar chauffeured Thale-Patil in his Rolls Royce. He said, "I fulfilled Thale-Patil's wish to sit in a Rolls Royce."
Monday, April 05, 2010
SHANIA Episode & latest film
Now i am NOT much of a follower today especially of Pakistani or Indian cricket teams & more so tennis players. The couple Sania Mirza & Shoaib Mulik are in the news. Since the announcement of their engagement they are dominating our newspapers & tv.
This Ayesha urf, alias Maha -pardon me but she really looks Maha (BIG, Mega) & what with that smirk in her eyes! There is something definitely wrong at both the ends. This Shoaib comes across as the male chudail. He's goofed ( should we say fucked) majorly. This Ayesha whatever was born in Saudi, lived there & Dubai for most of her college life, when she met Shoaib. Now this Pakistani lad wasn't much of a name till his whole marraige, divorce episode came to light. These 2 knew each other in college, would meet frequently, got friendly & must've definitely had some sex. When things got too close, like Shoaib got Ayesha whatever preggies, the girl suddenly realised her Muslim roots & do's don'ts of religion.
This is from some Muslims of Dubai, that i heard. Till then Shoaib was 20 & not yet popular crick player. SO the Ayesha whatever began getting pushy, get married was her mantra. Began putting family pressure. Meanwhile Shoaib convinced her the time wasn't rt for marriage & more so baby production, because he wanted to make a name for himself. By then the Ayesha whatever must've got depresed. In order to keep her parents' anxiety at bay she forced nikkah...Shoaib's advisors told him he can have telephone nikkah...then for 6-7 yrs he hushed the matter. Tried to push under the carpet. He forgot he had even if a namesake nikkah, it still was wt some Ayesha whatever.
Now Ayesha whatever isn't a simple village belle. She & her family look to be publicity mongers, may be social climbers. To their dismay the girl's all problems made her big, while Shoaib's name became really big. Then came a Sania in his life. Now how was he to deal with this all? So he came up wt this theory of some Ayesha whatever being someone pretty, who got married, while another imposter, fake Ayesha or real Maha (We'll NEVER know who is real or what the truth is), is actually fake. The whole tele nikkah is true, but if he says talaq & it won't even cost him more than Rs 5000 mehr, he can't expose this part of his life & the remaining truth that he till now hidden fm his lady love Sania.
So this Shoaib male Item number has kept two young birds in his fists, trying to hit them at one time. Right now the love, sex or passion are running high so Sania & Shoaib will be happy. Trouble may begin later. More so this pathological liar won't be able to change his spots - real side- Sania will be left wt his child alone to fend for both. But right now this episode has done miracles that NO soap opera in India could. All Hindi News channels have toppled the TRP ratings of tv entertainment channels. FOr next few days this on-off nikkah is giving full entertainment to a sex-starved nation. Meanwhile the politicians on both the sides of borders seem to have much in common -putting their feet in their mouths & saying utter nonsense. Meanwhile the passionate youth seem happy they have a new love story as inspiration. Now Ram Gopal Verma - since he hails from the hyderabad will delcare he will make a film. Meanwhile being Indo-Pak issue, it is up ONLY mahesh Bhatt's sleeve.
So his daughter will go to Pak find a look alike of Shoaib, get Ateef Ali to sing some throaty numbers, find Sonam Kapoor look alike (NOT Sania look alike), then begin shooting in Pak while all drama unfolds here, the taped DVDs, CDs of the controversy & famed nikkah will be delivered to Pooja's film set & within a month we'll get fresh jism filled Vishesh film production. The title will be 'Salakhey'...tag line fm Star news will be 'sehra ya salakhey.' People will go & watch the film & critics will rate this docutainment as a satire on the Shaina controversy. However Shaina NC film designer will threaten to file defamation suit for the couple being called as Shaina!
This Ayesha urf, alias Maha -pardon me but she really looks Maha (BIG, Mega) & what with that smirk in her eyes! There is something definitely wrong at both the ends. This Shoaib comes across as the male chudail. He's goofed ( should we say fucked) majorly. This Ayesha whatever was born in Saudi, lived there & Dubai for most of her college life, when she met Shoaib. Now this Pakistani lad wasn't much of a name till his whole marraige, divorce episode came to light. These 2 knew each other in college, would meet frequently, got friendly & must've definitely had some sex. When things got too close, like Shoaib got Ayesha whatever preggies, the girl suddenly realised her Muslim roots & do's don'ts of religion.
This is from some Muslims of Dubai, that i heard. Till then Shoaib was 20 & not yet popular crick player. SO the Ayesha whatever began getting pushy, get married was her mantra. Began putting family pressure. Meanwhile Shoaib convinced her the time wasn't rt for marriage & more so baby production, because he wanted to make a name for himself. By then the Ayesha whatever must've got depresed. In order to keep her parents' anxiety at bay she forced nikkah...Shoaib's advisors told him he can have telephone nikkah...then for 6-7 yrs he hushed the matter. Tried to push under the carpet. He forgot he had even if a namesake nikkah, it still was wt some Ayesha whatever.
Now Ayesha whatever isn't a simple village belle. She & her family look to be publicity mongers, may be social climbers. To their dismay the girl's all problems made her big, while Shoaib's name became really big. Then came a Sania in his life. Now how was he to deal with this all? So he came up wt this theory of some Ayesha whatever being someone pretty, who got married, while another imposter, fake Ayesha or real Maha (We'll NEVER know who is real or what the truth is), is actually fake. The whole tele nikkah is true, but if he says talaq & it won't even cost him more than Rs 5000 mehr, he can't expose this part of his life & the remaining truth that he till now hidden fm his lady love Sania.
So this Shoaib male Item number has kept two young birds in his fists, trying to hit them at one time. Right now the love, sex or passion are running high so Sania & Shoaib will be happy. Trouble may begin later. More so this pathological liar won't be able to change his spots - real side- Sania will be left wt his child alone to fend for both. But right now this episode has done miracles that NO soap opera in India could. All Hindi News channels have toppled the TRP ratings of tv entertainment channels. FOr next few days this on-off nikkah is giving full entertainment to a sex-starved nation. Meanwhile the politicians on both the sides of borders seem to have much in common -putting their feet in their mouths & saying utter nonsense. Meanwhile the passionate youth seem happy they have a new love story as inspiration. Now Ram Gopal Verma - since he hails from the hyderabad will delcare he will make a film. Meanwhile being Indo-Pak issue, it is up ONLY mahesh Bhatt's sleeve.
So his daughter will go to Pak find a look alike of Shoaib, get Ateef Ali to sing some throaty numbers, find Sonam Kapoor look alike (NOT Sania look alike), then begin shooting in Pak while all drama unfolds here, the taped DVDs, CDs of the controversy & famed nikkah will be delivered to Pooja's film set & within a month we'll get fresh jism filled Vishesh film production. The title will be 'Salakhey'...tag line fm Star news will be 'sehra ya salakhey.' People will go & watch the film & critics will rate this docutainment as a satire on the Shaina controversy. However Shaina NC film designer will threaten to file defamation suit for the couple being called as Shaina!
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