Why am I not posting?

Its been long that i posted anything. And why? Lesser coffee sessions and lesser chats..

Work has become hectic nowadays ... a strange phenomenon in the times of recession .. but yes its true. And when it becomes hectic, it becomes boring. 

I am in India, probably the country which is least affected by recession as it appears, if you do not consider the lay-offs. The part of our economy that is dependent on the west is affected only i believe. If you are reading the newspaper everyday, you would know. Recent headlines being, air conditioners and refrigerators sales increase 35%, Indian auto majors in all time high profits, PSUs declaring record quaterly results etc etc. Indian market is not affected. A huge part of the working class are employed in Govt jobs and their salaries have seen a steep rise in the recent year. The middle class is getting richer, cultivating luxurious desires in their mind and they are not stopping themeselves fulfilling them. Thanks to them, cash is still flowing in the market.

When you come to the real estate the story is a bit different. Their  major customer is the highly paid IT sector which has seen a downfall recently. The reason being their dependency on the American economy which is in deep shit. But comparatively with the measures that they have taken, for instance, major cost cuttings by reducing travels, paid leaves, lesser use of resources etc etc., they now realise what were they misusing and that their profits could have been even higher had they walked on this line before. Sometimes, recession looks to be an Awareness mission, an eye-opener to the executives running billion dollar businesses. As it is rightly said, you get the maximum out of your brain when you actually need it which in turn reflects that recession has asked us to start thinking, to make more use of our grey cells, which we would have never done otherwise. 

I too work for a company whose economy is largely dependent on US and I am fortunate enough that I am still not jobless though i do not expect much increments in our salaries. The first increment, the first promotion might not be as exciting as the first job and the first salary. But then there is a ratio we would always look at: the output we are giving to the input we recieve which is becoming higher and higher. Work has increased, at least in my firm, lesser people employed for the same job, cuts on resources, sharp and stiff deadlines and much more. At the same time, no increment means lesser inputs, lesser resources that we consume, no team outings, entertainment, more hours at work, have to even fight time for coffee with friends. The job was already not much exciting and recession has snatched away even that much. Many are saying that its a good time for higher studies and yes it is. The competition has increased even more. Many fresh graduates are jobless and they are more in need of that degree. The cost of a degree has also risen tremendously though they cannot promise a job good enough to repay the loan that the students would take. Thinking about all this sometimes creates an attitude of "Why am I existing, when everything is temporary and going to end soon" sorts. But the consolation is in the attitude itself that everything is temporary and it will end soon. 

The ones who are just one year into their first job are most affected i guess after the ones who still do not have one. They are strangling themselves in the thoughts of a higher degree or a better job or continuing this job. They are the ones who are most Lay-off-phobic. They do not even have enough capital to invest which their richer managers are doing with the saved cash over the years. They hope for a good rise in salary after one year into the job only to find that they are hoping against hope. Situations like these are even responsible for suicide cases of the best brains in the world. Recently i got to know that one of our batchmates who had passed out from one of the best engineering colleges of India succumbed to recession. Students belonging to the middle  and lower middle class who could not afford the education and took heavy loans have nowhere to go without a job. They are cursing themselves that they were born in the wrong time. Their families are also completely out of any clue, helpless and giving up.

The future of so many bright brains of this country is at stake. The rusted sword of recession is still sharp enough to rip their confidence apart. The govt is doing a lot to control this situation. Our banks are still doing strong when major banks across the globe have collapsed. Financially, the Govt companies are going very strong. A large section of the freshers have opted for government jobs this year bringing fresh and aspiring talent into these organizations which would obviously gain a lot. Also, the ones recruited in these jobs are more or less recession proof with a salary even higher than the private jobs. They are the happiest amongst us today. Somtime down the line they would be the most in demand in the private sector companies as they always allure people from the public sector to buy their talent.

Looking at it positively, this is a good learning experience in life and only a few are fortunate enough to face this.

A really haphazard post it is - all the trash in my head is just dumped into this bin. Hope the coffee stimulates something good out of me next time.

Indian Political League

What is hot in news? IPL and Politics.

The former has been running for a while and has become a little boring. Time for adding some spice up to the news and here you get a lot of it. 

When the whole world waits for the finals tomorrow of the Indian Political League, there is more than a regular drama happening out here. But that's not the end of this largest of its kind tournament in the world. Its just the beginning of the news season, a fresh season with fresh biddings in place. Its a big stage of opportunistic louts demanding a place in the team of "make money from home" union ministers.

For instance the captains of most of the parties demand a few seats in the cabinet, the safest business, make fast money, as much as you can and you are completely recession-proof. Plus you get free security for your money. They are also claiming the insurance over the past as their teams lost some legal cases by demanding the cases to be wiped off the records.

I think time is not far when BJP and Congress will have their own teams in IPL gaining enormous amount of publicity. Advani may then invite Manmohan to the pitch and challenge his skills. Rahul Gandhi receives an enormous support as the youth leader who the audience thinks can move his body around the field. That might also ask Jaya for a fitness test :| and she would be more than ready for it. Sonia & Priyanka can definitely cheer their team performing some essential backstage roles ;). Offcourse they have spokespersons too who will take up the position of commentators and fight a verbal battle there. And don't you think that the international stars wont get a place in their teams. Imagine a traditional political turban on Hayden going around Haryana and promising them reservations for Jats. And Monty Panesar supporting the Akalis. There is a point, isn't it? Very soon a bill will be passed in the parliament duly approved by our sincere president that international cricketers can avail Indian citizenship and file nominations for the General elections. And then as one of my mates said, our PM will  no more be desi. That's interesting! 

Now there are some serious security issues when they go to the field without their A,B,C... class security and bullet-proof BMWs. So our home minister and National Security Advisor suggest that they don't want to exhaust the Indian Security forces and put a proposal in front of the Election Commission to host this game outside the country! Ah..haan...Quite Possible!

AAh.. all this crap and why not if there is a lot more happening in the minds of our incredulous politicians. This has become as cheap as the actual IPL where a team which says "korbo lorbo jeetbo" is fighting hard to keep its position lowermost screaming aloud "lorbo morbo harbo". So  much of cheap shit brought to you by the Indian Political League, the largest in the world. Ain't you proud of it?

One more point, this extravagant event will be displayed live tomorrow @ places across the world in big screens.. They really need some entertainment.

The 1000 oaks

A long weekend at work is over

And its nine, it’s a Friday night

The music I enjoy by the door

Am I dreaming, or just feeling light?

“Welcome again sir”, the routine smile

He gives me a seat, asks for order

The men I see walking by the aisle

Women beside make the air warmer.

 

“Make it the color of fresh peach

For the lady, a sex on the beach

One pitcher, the best you can make

Not like the face you often fake”

The music I enjoy with my lady

It’s not very dark, just a bit shady

Country rock is on the list tonight

Showing the great American might.

 

I drink not for me, not for love and peace

I drink not for the smiles and sorrows

It leaves me dead, it leaves me silent.

 

Its past nine, it’s a Friday night

I just drink to this unending plight

Of families left behind, of kids orphaned

Of the sons lost or left handicapped

They reverberate a revolution in me

I care for them and the same does she

But within myself I go deep inside,

And whenever I peep, I step aside.

 

Where I come to live, I may die too

My steps just walk till the nearest loo

I read the alphabets on the window pane

“You must come out and buy again”

Now I just come to live here folks,

I admire the splendor, I love the essence

By the table of The Thousand Oaks.

Disclaimer: The name 1000oaks is derived from the name of a lounge bar in Pune. There is no similarity between the description in this poem and the actual place.

Not WIthout You

The dusk is glooming over the blue horizon

Waiting for the unforeseen dark, silent and serene

Under the orange moon, over the quiet meadows

You and me, sailing over the grey clouds

No destination but journey is what we know.

Tonight we beckon the dawn but not always

For years have arrived to depart in days.

A long way along the golden woods we take

For the bliss of life as death is never so far.

The heaven above is unlike the earth’s entropy

But the love pot will be spilled one day.

I don’t pray, I just wish and I just hope

To row my boat over the winds to the stars

Touch the sky and wait there for you in solitude

Till the eternity when your soul would kiss me;

For your loss is unbearable to my faith

The emotions would grant me an unwished death

Death of the heart with limbs free to move

The fear I never would challenge alone.

Untitled!

I’m unwaged no more this December,

Will gulp the beer with my daily burger.

I’ve got a job, one dollar a day,

Will increase to three by the end of May.

Next Sunday when I get the coins in hand

I’ll go to the store near my remand;

Buy a bunch of roses, yellow and red;

Write with a blue ink my love unsaid.

You were a good friend, you are rich,

You are my love, that’s the only hitch,

You bear the royal blood my princess

And mine from a warm heart is no less.

I’ve a wage and I’ve the courage

To let my love out of the steel cage;

I know you adore me too, I know

Your silence is for my mercy I know.

I’m alive to earn, to buy us the dream;

When I’m done, I’ll melt the iron beam.

I’m learned, I’m in the jailhouse library;

Daytime they treat me good and are merry.

By the moonlight I serenade my songs

And I play music with a set of tongs.

I know the notes reach you in your sleep

And in your dreams you silently weep.

I’ve committed no sin but to love you;

The roses are forming a daily queue;

Someday they’ll touch your soul;

The thorns I’d use to dig like a mole.

And I’d be free; I’d be hated by all,

But I’d love you till our lives fall.

From Oscars to Prostitution

"When A R Rahman walked up to receive the golden Oscar statuette, her eyes misted over. Preeti Mukherjee knows exactly how it feels. Four years ago, she was on the same stage at Los Angeles’ Kodak Theatre, where she, too, had hugged the statuette and cried tears of joy."

This refers to February, 2009 when A R Rahman walked up the stage to receive the Oscar for Best Original Score in the movie Slumdog Millionaire. But how is the text in quotes relates specifically Preeti Mukherjee to this event? Here is the story which was known by a few till then and still many are unaware.

Preeti Mukherjee used to be an actress or cast in the documentary, "Born Into Brothels". The film was made and shown in 2004. It won 20 international awards. In 2005, Preeti Mukherjee attended the Oscar Award ceremony and went on stage with the director, Zana Briski when the film won an Oscar.Briski gave Mukherjee's mother money and tried persuading her to let Preeti stay in the US. Mukherjee's mother refused to let go of her only child and daughter. In time, Preeti Mukherjee has entered the same sex trade profession as her mother.

She was one of the 9 kids in the movie which brought worldwide awareness about the actual behind the scene story in sex trade. They were all picked up from red-light areas and after the success of the movie all of them were given opportunities to come out of the business and live a normal life. They were even offered funds for their education abroad. But Preeti's mother didn't let go her only daughter. Is this because she considered her to be one more source to add to her incomes? Or were they entangled in a no-other-option situation? As a minor even police rescued her from a sex-racket, but she was again claimed back by her mother. Did she never imagine a better future for her? Did she not realize the second chance also. Why did not she let her go? The answer to this is not easy. We don't know what actually was the situation in their lives at that time that forced her to do so. After all, how can a sane and normal mother could throw her child into a terrible life which she has faced and which she knows very well, is not worth living? And Preeti was a kid then. She hardly knew what was going on or even if she knew she was powerless to do anything. 

Many a times we feel sad for the people who are in this trade. We express our sympathy towards them and the more generous ones even giving them opportunity to return back to a normal  life. We can probably stop them from entering this business after they manage to come out of it but what about their mental state, the society which sees them as a degraded section of the crowd and many other things. They have seen so much evil happening to them when they were forced into this, they have taken so much of pain, they have shed tears night after night, they have always craved for love but nothing and no one could help them. They are now immune to whatever we say about them. They don't give a damn what the society speaks about them. They have understood the weakness of this society very well which is their living. And when you can fall no further, you have to rise. They have earned their living, they have sacrificed their lives, their emotions for this and they will continue to do so. This is just another business! After all, what comes easy in life? They don't seek any kind of sympathy that the society offers them. They are happy, they are enjoying today what life has offered them, what they have bought from their hard earned money. And why won't someone be? Even if we say that they do stuff which is degraded in our eyes and they don't have a normal living, they do think and act like any human being will do if put in a similar situation.

Same is the case with Preeti. She is defiant. She doesn't regret her life. She doesn't blame her mother for pulling her into this trade. She had accepted it long back and it was already a part of their family, something that she had been seeing from childhood. She did not go to good schools and colleges to get a good job but she had perfected the art which she knew would earn her much more than probably a simple job would. She has a flat in Salt Lake, Kolkata. She has all the amenities needed to live a normal life, just like any other human being. People like her are not alone. they also have their own community. One might wonder who would marry such a woman and she won't be able to experience the love and affection of a husband and nurture kids. The truth is there is no concept of such kind of love and affection for them. And about kids, u can call them illegal or legal, even that doesn't matter to them. Their kids probably will give birth to a tiny streak of love in their lives and they would nurture them to the best of their abilities, teach them the art they are expert in and the cycle continues. They simply feel helpless. There is actually no one to help them and no one can actually help them not even they themselves. They are trapped in this vicious circle of hopeless darkness where only light is this hypocrite society. Some are cowards and choose death and the remaining brave ones decide to accept it and live on.

Staying happy is what matters, how you do it, doesn't.

It would take years that a society decides not to use them just as a timely need and even more to stabilize their minds and rehabilitating them. Sounds fairly impossible. You can do this to a few of the many. If you are, you are doing a great job but the root is very deep inside.

He created us or we created Him

This soul, this mind and the harmony between these is a necessity of survival apart from oxygen, food and water. The mind is a creator and the soul is the result of this creation. What else have we created? Almost everything that we need for ourselves, material or spiritual, our mind works for us under our command. There are a lot of fictions that illustrate the creation of humans or the first life by “God”. Is that true? Science explains everything starting from the traces of carbon and hydrogen in this universe. Then where is God playing or he is just the referee! Have we ever wondered who had coined this word and why this word? Why isn’t it named after you or after me and why not any animal or any plant? Human mind is parallel to none. It’s selfish always to think for its master. So when he saw everyone around him of equal abilities, he had no one to fear. But then if everyone is same then who will extend his hand to pull him up from the well of dilemma? It had to be someone to whom he could submit to, someone he could fear from, ask him for help when in turmoil, to gift him his wishes, whose verdict was agreed by all and no one could question.

The result was the manipulation of his believes to an entity that was named “God”.

Humanity succeeded again. This form of belief that united individual souls to form a society, a belief that is more powerful than itself, a belief expressed in various forms, induced in us a fear that was needed for the survival of this species. And everything was preached and composed with certain rules that defined the existence of our community. The rules were so extensive and were made so powerful by us that they controlled almost everything that we do everyday. This was necessary to regard someone as the supreme power. Humans started giving names, chanting hymns, writing holy books and the belief was so strong that they started feeling good. The power of the human mind compelled us to be the slaves of our own belief, so powerful is this small piece inside our skull. The strength is therefore the thought, the wish, the belief and not the entity “God” but it’s very hard to accept this because of the lines drawn by the society and the words passed on to generations. And now this has become a need; survival without this has become difficult and why not? It gives you what you want if your belief is strong enough and “God” is just a medium that helps you believe in yourself. As long as we are happy we won’t call for a change. The supreme power, the source to smiles, the slave charmer is nothing but we ourselves but why would we think so; after all we have got someone to blame when we find none.