Statue, statue on the wall,
who is the dumbest of 'em all?
behenji, behenji, behenji it has to be
for building monoliths on and on.
Her white overalls lending grace
diamonds shining through the stone,
trendy shoes on her feet
and voila ! a handbag firmly in place!
but can anything ever match
the innate wickedness on her face!?
Her weird weird attempts to lasso
glory, grandeur & greatness
to create a physical halo
around herself
are just getting so crass!
Only if, this megalomania
had many a mouth fed
or housed the poor
cutting across race,
statues would 've been redundant
for junta to worship the stage;
the messiah that led them
from indignity, filth and despair
to safety, hope and care!
When the living are dumb
With their brains in the bum
statues only unveil
the absence of thought,
and the absence of rationale.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The roar is back
I got up this morning to hear what i had been waiting for! the roar of the monsoon.
after much delay, parched earth and water cuts, it was nice to see the silvery blue getting thickly clouded. Razor sharp showers accompanying the roar cut through frowns, sliced away worries and spliced open oodles of joy and cheer.
Rachu dextrously re-arranged the windows to save the furniture from the wafting water while allowing the breeze to come in. The playful romance of this breeze was as intoxicating as the waterdroplets carried by the wind to our room. In one stroke, the spirit was rejuvenated, my steps had a spring and the lilt in my voice, unmistakeable.
Thank God for his little mercies. And for always showing us what all, only he can do to re-instil hope, perpetuate "feel goodness" and inspire us - when we need it!
after much delay, parched earth and water cuts, it was nice to see the silvery blue getting thickly clouded. Razor sharp showers accompanying the roar cut through frowns, sliced away worries and spliced open oodles of joy and cheer.
Rachu dextrously re-arranged the windows to save the furniture from the wafting water while allowing the breeze to come in. The playful romance of this breeze was as intoxicating as the waterdroplets carried by the wind to our room. In one stroke, the spirit was rejuvenated, my steps had a spring and the lilt in my voice, unmistakeable.
Thank God for his little mercies. And for always showing us what all, only he can do to re-instil hope, perpetuate "feel goodness" and inspire us - when we need it!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Dont Screw tll you can!!
Choices abound when it comes to disciplining erring employees. But they all come with several strings attatched! Just a cursory glance at the list below reveals multiple options that have differing impacts on the concerned individual as well as on rest of the team.
a) just letting 'em have it - in the presence of others. Embarrass the guy, make him squirm.
b) well targeted artillery fire in private so that the world can be spared his agony.
c) question, probe, question,question, probe for days on end till the guy feels pressurised to alter behaviour
d) load him with so much work that he knows that somethings wrong
e) Write nasty mails with the world on cc and say nothing when you cross one another
f) take away his responsibilities and load it onto others
g) polite, docile fact based discussion
wanting to keep your team members in high spirits, motivated and charged for the tasks on hand is often a big challenge as intrinsically it is difficult to motivate people who are not firedup themselves. It's like expecting fuel less rockets to soar up skywards. But tolerating mediocre performance is as tricky for it directly contradicts with what you would like to achieve for the business. And then there is the even more contradictory stance when one doesnt like the thought of loosing team members because of the impact this has on the morale of the rest of the team. So what does one do?
I had tried several routes and not seen them deliver. The route i recently took was (e) except that instead of the world, only the HR deptt was on cc followed by a pretension of (f) and (b).
The pretence was necessary to instil the fear of God in a guy who had the ability but not the attitude. My genuine concern was to improve his performance level and to send out the right signals to the rest of the team watching in anticipation, waiting for my first stumbling block.
I am confident, he will change. If he does, it will be the organisation's victory. and mine too.
a) just letting 'em have it - in the presence of others. Embarrass the guy, make him squirm.
b) well targeted artillery fire in private so that the world can be spared his agony.
c) question, probe, question,question, probe for days on end till the guy feels pressurised to alter behaviour
d) load him with so much work that he knows that somethings wrong
e) Write nasty mails with the world on cc and say nothing when you cross one another
f) take away his responsibilities and load it onto others
g) polite, docile fact based discussion
wanting to keep your team members in high spirits, motivated and charged for the tasks on hand is often a big challenge as intrinsically it is difficult to motivate people who are not firedup themselves. It's like expecting fuel less rockets to soar up skywards. But tolerating mediocre performance is as tricky for it directly contradicts with what you would like to achieve for the business. And then there is the even more contradictory stance when one doesnt like the thought of loosing team members because of the impact this has on the morale of the rest of the team. So what does one do?
I had tried several routes and not seen them deliver. The route i recently took was (e) except that instead of the world, only the HR deptt was on cc followed by a pretension of (f) and (b).
The pretence was necessary to instil the fear of God in a guy who had the ability but not the attitude. My genuine concern was to improve his performance level and to send out the right signals to the rest of the team watching in anticipation, waiting for my first stumbling block.
I am confident, he will change. If he does, it will be the organisation's victory. and mine too.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Giver of all thingz good, bad and ugly
Forever, we have believed that the giver of all thingz good is God himself. Then who is it that gives us the bad, the ugly and the terrible ?Guess, the anwser lies buried deep somewhere in the mind that often tricks us into seeing ourselves as targeted victims or as objects being tested by GOD.
What we tend to loose in such times, is not the material or social wealth that we may have garnered but faith, patience and strength in our own belief about the supremacy of the ultimate power.
It is the mind that exaggerates the importance of such material and physical wealth and overhypes our body reaction to its perceived loss or erosion. In effect, it tends to overwrite our innate faith that whatever God wills, is for our benefit. The giver of all things bad and ugly is therefore not the unfortunate circumstance or the scheming individual but the mind that gives it more importance than it deserves!
I have over the years developed a way to psyche myself into believing that I have everything in plenty - money, recognition, love, success, everything..In situations which give me less than expected or take away something unexpectedly, i tend not to worry for i believe that more good will come to me, because it belongs to me and because the Giver of all things good is always with me.
What we tend to loose in such times, is not the material or social wealth that we may have garnered but faith, patience and strength in our own belief about the supremacy of the ultimate power.
It is the mind that exaggerates the importance of such material and physical wealth and overhypes our body reaction to its perceived loss or erosion. In effect, it tends to overwrite our innate faith that whatever God wills, is for our benefit. The giver of all things bad and ugly is therefore not the unfortunate circumstance or the scheming individual but the mind that gives it more importance than it deserves!
I have over the years developed a way to psyche myself into believing that I have everything in plenty - money, recognition, love, success, everything..In situations which give me less than expected or take away something unexpectedly, i tend not to worry for i believe that more good will come to me, because it belongs to me and because the Giver of all things good is always with me.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Janta bole Naa toh Naa
Congress surprised itself and others! But what a relief, its been to see every kingmaker cut down to size. Paswan, Lalu, Jaya Amma, Mayawati, Mulayam Singh, Amar Singh, Pawar, Ramadoss, Vaiko, Shibu Soren, even former trouble makers like Bagarappa, AR Antulay and assorted criminals in UP, Bihar, MP- contesting across parties have been either booted out or have come back with diminished mandates! Way to go.
While everybody would like to annoint Rahul G as the latest messiah, I have an interesting take and wd like to point out the role played by the media in general in shaping our collective approach towards politicians, this time around.
These are ads, films and television exposes with political overtones that have been aired over the last 3-4 years. These have sub consciously raised our level of expectation from the political establishement and in a way also influenced our behaviour when it counted.
a) Tata Tea - remember the politician who is accosted by a calm young man and asked for his qualification to run the country !!
b) Idea Cellular - janta bole Naa to Naa.
c) Rang De Basanti - the film with Aamir as protoganist and its unabashed angst against the political class.
d) Crusades run by TV channels (specifically NDTV) towards exposing the politician criminal nexus while covering the BMW case, the Jessical murder trial, etc
e) Lead India and Bleed India campaigns run by TOI.
i think collectively all these gave vent to our cynisim towards politicians and helped formulate a sharper response towards both corrupt politicians as well as those who seek to divide and rule.
And as far as Rahul G is concerned, i still think, Chaddi pahen ke Fool khila hai.....fool khila hai.
While everybody would like to annoint Rahul G as the latest messiah, I have an interesting take and wd like to point out the role played by the media in general in shaping our collective approach towards politicians, this time around.
These are ads, films and television exposes with political overtones that have been aired over the last 3-4 years. These have sub consciously raised our level of expectation from the political establishement and in a way also influenced our behaviour when it counted.
a) Tata Tea - remember the politician who is accosted by a calm young man and asked for his qualification to run the country !!
b) Idea Cellular - janta bole Naa to Naa.
c) Rang De Basanti - the film with Aamir as protoganist and its unabashed angst against the political class.
d) Crusades run by TV channels (specifically NDTV) towards exposing the politician criminal nexus while covering the BMW case, the Jessical murder trial, etc
e) Lead India and Bleed India campaigns run by TOI.
i think collectively all these gave vent to our cynisim towards politicians and helped formulate a sharper response towards both corrupt politicians as well as those who seek to divide and rule.
And as far as Rahul G is concerned, i still think, Chaddi pahen ke Fool khila hai.....fool khila hai.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Political Supermarket ka entertainment
Welcome to the Indian Political supermarket - where you get all possible creatures of the animal kingdom under one roof.
Beautifully displayed in this great Haat are political animals of all kinds - ranging from asses, horses, buffaloes, vultures, hyneas and tigers. All freshly washed, sorted and neatly lined up. A casual view showcases their fresh and attractive appeal, pleasant demeanour and their colgate smiles. But touch them, feel them, question them and you know their core is nothing but sheer crassness, deadly fangs and gnawing teeth. One moment you observe them making the right diplomatic announcements and overtures, giving the right bytes to the paparazzi and just the next they would be changing colour, contracdicting what they said earlier.
The smiles and cordiality displayed is misleading. Animals like Chiranjeevi (Praja Rajyam), Ramadoss (PMK), Rao (TRS), my favourite Mayawati (BSP), Amar Singh and Mulayam (SP), Deve Gowda (whatever his party is called) and Jaya amma (AIADMK ) can make or break the next 5 years of our country. Each is masquerading as a saviour when he or she is nothing more than a lowly pimp, whoring around to sell his MPs to the highest bidder and promises of political gain in his or her home state.
What is chilling is that not one of them, even vaguely, has an agenda for the country ! Its not that others like the Congress or BJP have one, but atleast they have intellectuals who can cobble up one and can respectfully represent and simultaneously do good for the country.
The fact that we would see another election and a spend of 15-20000 Cr again from the central exchequer within 2 years, at a time when the macro economic environment is floundering, could possibly imply increased prices, increased taxes and an increased cost of living in general. That the government would be spending most of the time in managing its disparate allies and their contradictory demands, would mean reduced time for governance and lower focus on issues that truly matter. Plus there is a real and grave danger of being saddled with less than competent people who could severely compromise the image and face that our country has built over the last couple of years on the world stage.
Beautifully displayed in this great Haat are political animals of all kinds - ranging from asses, horses, buffaloes, vultures, hyneas and tigers. All freshly washed, sorted and neatly lined up. A casual view showcases their fresh and attractive appeal, pleasant demeanour and their colgate smiles. But touch them, feel them, question them and you know their core is nothing but sheer crassness, deadly fangs and gnawing teeth. One moment you observe them making the right diplomatic announcements and overtures, giving the right bytes to the paparazzi and just the next they would be changing colour, contracdicting what they said earlier.
The smiles and cordiality displayed is misleading. Animals like Chiranjeevi (Praja Rajyam), Ramadoss (PMK), Rao (TRS), my favourite Mayawati (BSP), Amar Singh and Mulayam (SP), Deve Gowda (whatever his party is called) and Jaya amma (AIADMK ) can make or break the next 5 years of our country. Each is masquerading as a saviour when he or she is nothing more than a lowly pimp, whoring around to sell his MPs to the highest bidder and promises of political gain in his or her home state.
What is chilling is that not one of them, even vaguely, has an agenda for the country ! Its not that others like the Congress or BJP have one, but atleast they have intellectuals who can cobble up one and can respectfully represent and simultaneously do good for the country.
The fact that we would see another election and a spend of 15-20000 Cr again from the central exchequer within 2 years, at a time when the macro economic environment is floundering, could possibly imply increased prices, increased taxes and an increased cost of living in general. That the government would be spending most of the time in managing its disparate allies and their contradictory demands, would mean reduced time for governance and lower focus on issues that truly matter. Plus there is a real and grave danger of being saddled with less than competent people who could severely compromise the image and face that our country has built over the last couple of years on the world stage.
Meanwhile, for another 7 days or so, this supermarket show will go on. Wares are being lined up for sale. Parties are busy changing the point of sale merchandising - announcing new Buy 1, get1 free offers, new improved pricing and using spit and polish to keep the wares looking attractive. Party bosses have begun shopping. Selected animals are being picked and placed in their shopping carts while some other displayed animals are being turned upside down to check their pricing labels. Some animals after having been purchased are even seen jumping shopping carts.
Actually this is not Politics. This is entertainment masquerading as Politics.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Jarnail Unleashes Shu-nami
The current electoral battle reminds me of a C grade movie. One with C grade actors mouthing tuneless songs, sidekicks unleashing absurd humour and in general an insipid narrative that gets you to either run for cover or produce infectious yawns even before it has started off. Never before has one witnessed an election that is so issue-less, crass or dull. One is continuously being subjected to stale jokes, staler diatribe between the lead protagonists and stinking -sinking standards of political debate.
The only bright spark, one must admit has come from the innovative iraqi who has inspired many a sardaar to perfect the art of gently lobbing a sneaker and making a point, howsoever pointless.
Welcome to the new age journalist indulging in "Jarnailism" when not reporting obscure stories. What Jarnail Singh has unleashed is a virtual "Shu-nami". Within a fortnight, atleast 4 more politicos have been targeted by different brands of shoes in different parts of the country. Am sure that Madhur bhandarkar must be itching to announce a grandiose plan to direct a film around this "historic s(ho)e-ries of events".
While this mega event led to some "has been" politicos being "shoo-ed out", for me, it has served as an inspiration to draft my own list of favourites from diverse fields, who must be "booted out" - figuratively - if we were to save our senses from being continuously assaulted.
The only bright spark, one must admit has come from the innovative iraqi who has inspired many a sardaar to perfect the art of gently lobbing a sneaker and making a point, howsoever pointless.
Welcome to the new age journalist indulging in "Jarnailism" when not reporting obscure stories. What Jarnail Singh has unleashed is a virtual "Shu-nami". Within a fortnight, atleast 4 more politicos have been targeted by different brands of shoes in different parts of the country. Am sure that Madhur bhandarkar must be itching to announce a grandiose plan to direct a film around this "historic s(ho)e-ries of events".
While this mega event led to some "has been" politicos being "shoo-ed out", for me, it has served as an inspiration to draft my own list of favourites from diverse fields, who must be "booted out" - figuratively - if we were to save our senses from being continuously assaulted.
- Southern Sleepies : Karunanidhi & devegowda : for being the most ugly political faces on TV.
- the buffalo brigade - Mulayam, Maya and Mamta -for wanting to take India back to the 18th century - sans computers, english, cars,,,........!
- The Sawant shows : Rakhi Sawant - for turning herself into a bigger spectacle by aping Jade Goody. God help her and the guy she gets married to in front of a live TV audience!!
- Sagarika Ghosh, Rajdeep Sardesi and Karan Thapar - for loving their own voices and forgetting why they invite guests to their studios.
- Sonia Gandhi's Hindi or "wiper arm" tactics - dont mind the face or personality. but please i cant see her arm waving tactics and cant bear to hear her for another 5 years
Shoo kar mere man ko kiya tune kya ishaara....
Can more jarnail Singhs please stand up!
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