Oh well, I am not really dying, but since I have been on this diet I have had these bizarre cravings.
This afternoon when I walked home my flatmate was making herself a scrumptious salad sandwich. Just the smell of lettuce was making my mouth water. I wasn't eying the carb-laden bread itself but just the salad, yes, just the salad.
Now that seemed like an extremely healthy meal which I would definitely not put into my Saturday lunch menu. Weekends are for indulging. So while breakfast could be anything from omelets with cheese and sausages and bacon, lunch would be a delightful herb-filled burger or spicy chicken couscous. My mouth waters so much when I think of the chicken couscous I used to make; not to boast or anything but it was really really good.
So if you're wondering why I can't have salad when I am on diet I just can't. I am living on food packs which have all the nutrition and though I feel starved sometimes, I am actually not.
The other day a colleague at work was eating an apple and man, did I want that apple. I used to include apples in my usual fruit shopping because they are good for health and not particularly for the love of the fruit. While I would finish all the other fruits in the basket, the apples would remain in my refrigerator for weeks always going beyond the 'eat-by' date.
But now, I wish I could have just one bite of an apple. Or a bite of some crunchy lettuce and rocket salad. At least now I am craving for healthy food, so the diet is having some good effect after all.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Free to Go; Case Dismissed!
This is what happens after all. You commit a crime, you are granted bail and in all probability you will be let off because let's face it, our judicial system will pass judgment only when elephants start to fly and when I win the Miss Universe competition.
In recent news, the Mangalore pub attackers have now been granted bail. They were apprehended only because the media made this headline news.
The pub owner himself was apprehensive about filing a complaint against the offenders. I don't blame him. Pitting yourself against goons backed by political parties is not the wisest thing to do. Well, yeah all of us know that in India you can expect to be safe from your local petty thief but not politicians.
And not only politicians, the police as well. News archives bear testimony to crimes against women committed by the police; rape, molestation, harassment, the list goes on.
Santhosh once told me of an incident that his friend narrated to him. His friend was studying in Delhi at the time. For dinner he went to this Dhaba, I think around the outskirts of Delhi, and next to him sat this policeman who was armed. While he was making small talk with the policeman a van passed by and a girl was shouting and screaming out for help. He of course asked the policeman about why was he not doing anything about it, shouldn't he go and save her. The policeman said, "Kya saab, honge kuch MLA ke bete. Hum kuch nahi kar sakhthe." (Translation: What Sir, these people are probably the sons of some MLAs. We cannot do anything about it.)
So, politicians and their offspring have a free hand and can have anything and anyone they fancy. Santhosh's friend was of course really shocked, but the policeman was unperturbed. It was just another ignorable incident on his beat.
When I heard this story I was shocked too (more for the reason that things like this actually do happen and are not just dramatised in Hindi movies, where three out of five movies would feature a damsel in distress screaming 'Bachao, Bachao' (Help, Help) from a moving vehicle filled with nasty men) and was relieved that this sort of thing was not known to happen around Mangalore.
But I can't be so sure anymore.
Today, the politicians have attacked women in a pub in the name of morality. Tomorrow they might go a step further and commit more heinous crimes with the knowledge and assurance that they will be bailed out.
Are our leaders going to do something about this? Oh wait, most of our 'leaders' already have criminal records. And they know that they are "free to go".
In recent news, the Mangalore pub attackers have now been granted bail. They were apprehended only because the media made this headline news.
The pub owner himself was apprehensive about filing a complaint against the offenders. I don't blame him. Pitting yourself against goons backed by political parties is not the wisest thing to do. Well, yeah all of us know that in India you can expect to be safe from your local petty thief but not politicians.
And not only politicians, the police as well. News archives bear testimony to crimes against women committed by the police; rape, molestation, harassment, the list goes on.
Santhosh once told me of an incident that his friend narrated to him. His friend was studying in Delhi at the time. For dinner he went to this Dhaba, I think around the outskirts of Delhi, and next to him sat this policeman who was armed. While he was making small talk with the policeman a van passed by and a girl was shouting and screaming out for help. He of course asked the policeman about why was he not doing anything about it, shouldn't he go and save her. The policeman said, "Kya saab, honge kuch MLA ke bete. Hum kuch nahi kar sakhthe." (Translation: What Sir, these people are probably the sons of some MLAs. We cannot do anything about it.)
So, politicians and their offspring have a free hand and can have anything and anyone they fancy. Santhosh's friend was of course really shocked, but the policeman was unperturbed. It was just another ignorable incident on his beat.
When I heard this story I was shocked too (more for the reason that things like this actually do happen and are not just dramatised in Hindi movies, where three out of five movies would feature a damsel in distress screaming 'Bachao, Bachao' (Help, Help) from a moving vehicle filled with nasty men) and was relieved that this sort of thing was not known to happen around Mangalore.
But I can't be so sure anymore.
Today, the politicians have attacked women in a pub in the name of morality. Tomorrow they might go a step further and commit more heinous crimes with the knowledge and assurance that they will be bailed out.
Are our leaders going to do something about this? Oh wait, most of our 'leaders' already have criminal records. And they know that they are "free to go".
Friday, January 30, 2009
Where Are We Headed?
Where are we headed? Recent events in India always brings this one question to mind. If we look at the state of terror we are spreading amongst ourselves, then with what audacity do we blame another country for disrupting our 'peace'less world?
Raj Thackeray's men attacked candidates of the Indian Railway Exam in Maharashtra. They also carried out another campaign which warranted all non-Maharashtrians to leave Maharashtra.
At the time when I was talking to Santhosh about it he said, "If Raj Thackeray wants only Maharashtrians in Maharashtra he should call other Maharashtrians from all over India back to Maharashtra." Of course, he made the statement based on Raj Thackeray's logic which is a blatant anomaly in itself.
This would mean all of us to our own 'state'. So much for being a secular, democratic and republic country. Our own politicians are defying the 'Preamble' of our nation.
Not only in Maharashtra, look down south and how we fight over water. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have been going at it for years. Any decision taken over Cauvery water will give rise to tension in either of the states and finally break into violence. Does not seem very different from two countries fighting over Kashmir.
We have surpassed ourselves and moved on to bigger things, from fighting over religion, which still continues, to fighting over our origins, our language and our rightful place. People talk about racism faced in other countries, but look how we are treated in our own. I was called a Madrasi, with a lot of contempt, by a Marwadi guy in Bombay, what nerve!
Recently, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) desecrated a ceremony, in a school, honouring the heroes of the Mumbai Terrorist Attack. The reason being, Bhojpuri songs were being sung.
So is The Republic of India a farce?
I'm married to a Keralite, who has grown up in Mangalore and calls himself a Mangalorean. Does that mean at some point in the future he will be denied residency in Karnataka because his 'ethnicity' is Malayalee and his mother tongue is Malayalam, though he speaks Kannada and Tulu flawlessly?
What if a Raj Tackeray springs in every state and executes an operation 'Clean up our state; Free us from cooties of other alien states'?
Will India still be a republic? Or perhaps we could go back to the days when we had princely states. The goons will rule us, for lack of princes, and then the world will talk of the decline of a great nation once called India.
Raj Thackeray's men attacked candidates of the Indian Railway Exam in Maharashtra. They also carried out another campaign which warranted all non-Maharashtrians to leave Maharashtra.
At the time when I was talking to Santhosh about it he said, "If Raj Thackeray wants only Maharashtrians in Maharashtra he should call other Maharashtrians from all over India back to Maharashtra." Of course, he made the statement based on Raj Thackeray's logic which is a blatant anomaly in itself.
This would mean all of us to our own 'state'. So much for being a secular, democratic and republic country. Our own politicians are defying the 'Preamble' of our nation.
Not only in Maharashtra, look down south and how we fight over water. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have been going at it for years. Any decision taken over Cauvery water will give rise to tension in either of the states and finally break into violence. Does not seem very different from two countries fighting over Kashmir.
We have surpassed ourselves and moved on to bigger things, from fighting over religion, which still continues, to fighting over our origins, our language and our rightful place. People talk about racism faced in other countries, but look how we are treated in our own. I was called a Madrasi, with a lot of contempt, by a Marwadi guy in Bombay, what nerve!
Recently, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) desecrated a ceremony, in a school, honouring the heroes of the Mumbai Terrorist Attack. The reason being, Bhojpuri songs were being sung.
So is The Republic of India a farce?
I'm married to a Keralite, who has grown up in Mangalore and calls himself a Mangalorean. Does that mean at some point in the future he will be denied residency in Karnataka because his 'ethnicity' is Malayalee and his mother tongue is Malayalam, though he speaks Kannada and Tulu flawlessly?
What if a Raj Tackeray springs in every state and executes an operation 'Clean up our state; Free us from cooties of other alien states'?
Will India still be a republic? Or perhaps we could go back to the days when we had princely states. The goons will rule us, for lack of princes, and then the world will talk of the decline of a great nation once called India.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Devil and 'Pub Culture'
Now, Yeddyurappa says "We won't allow this pub culture in Karnataka to grow."
While everyone keeps talking about a growing 'pub culture', what exactly is it all about?
I don't mean to sound any more knowledgeable, but 'Pubs' are short for Public Houses and predominantly found in Britain and some countries which have had British dominance (which no doubt includes India). So, a pre-independence take on the whole 'pub culture' discussion would be that it has been around in India for centuries.
Bangalore being one of the cantonments of the British army, no doubt had the 'pub culture' instilled in it's roots a long time ago.
While there is a distinction between pubs, bars, taverns, it is only slight but a difference nevertheless. What we call pubs in India are not all necessarily pubs. Some of them are cafes, some clubs and most of them bars. But in India if you attach the word 'bar' to your extremely chic watering hole, you'll be dismissed for a place serving cheap booze and providing 'services' of a very sleazy nature.
Anyway, Yeddy-Yeddy-Ya-Da is talking about curbing growing 'pub culture'. What does that mean really?
Is he going to have a ban on drinking? Because though I am not familiar with his social habits, all political parties lure the young and gullible with alcohol. Karnataka actually had a CM who openly declared his love for wine and women for god's sake. As long as you are a politician, anything goes.
Coming back to the whole 'culture' debate. Who is anyone to decide what is part of my culture and what is not.
The way I have been brought up, alcohol has been part of our lives since forever and is never treated as a vice. We've grown with alcohol, and are responsible enough to handle it (though I am not denying there have never been drunken nights)
Any festival or event is never celebrated without alcohol. Beer, wine, whiskey, rum, brandy, vodka has always been free flowing.
While I am in Mangalore, our whole family makes a trip to a restaurant or a bar or a pub(mostly Froth on Top). All of us enjoy drinking, and that has been part of who we are; good food and good drink.
So is Yeddy now telling me that he is going to deny me of my culture?
While everyone keeps talking about a growing 'pub culture', what exactly is it all about?
I don't mean to sound any more knowledgeable, but 'Pubs' are short for Public Houses and predominantly found in Britain and some countries which have had British dominance (which no doubt includes India). So, a pre-independence take on the whole 'pub culture' discussion would be that it has been around in India for centuries.
Bangalore being one of the cantonments of the British army, no doubt had the 'pub culture' instilled in it's roots a long time ago.
While there is a distinction between pubs, bars, taverns, it is only slight but a difference nevertheless. What we call pubs in India are not all necessarily pubs. Some of them are cafes, some clubs and most of them bars. But in India if you attach the word 'bar' to your extremely chic watering hole, you'll be dismissed for a place serving cheap booze and providing 'services' of a very sleazy nature.
Anyway, Yeddy-Yeddy-Ya-Da is talking about curbing growing 'pub culture'. What does that mean really?
Is he going to have a ban on drinking? Because though I am not familiar with his social habits, all political parties lure the young and gullible with alcohol. Karnataka actually had a CM who openly declared his love for wine and women for god's sake. As long as you are a politician, anything goes.
Coming back to the whole 'culture' debate. Who is anyone to decide what is part of my culture and what is not.
The way I have been brought up, alcohol has been part of our lives since forever and is never treated as a vice. We've grown with alcohol, and are responsible enough to handle it (though I am not denying there have never been drunken nights)
Any festival or event is never celebrated without alcohol. Beer, wine, whiskey, rum, brandy, vodka has always been free flowing.
While I am in Mangalore, our whole family makes a trip to a restaurant or a bar or a pub(mostly Froth on Top). All of us enjoy drinking, and that has been part of who we are; good food and good drink.
So is Yeddy now telling me that he is going to deny me of my culture?
Human and Inhuman Rights
I am all for human rights, but does 'human rights' apply to people who are the most inhuman?
Muthalik was handed over to the Mangalore police after being granted bail by the Davangere police. And then the he says that he cannot travel because he 'was tired'. I say, human and fundamental rights apart, which he didn't care for while carrying out his various operations, he should have been given the same treatment that he has bestowed upon others and forcefully been taken to Mangalore.
This brings us to another questionable and known fact, 'how powerful are the Indian police?'. No doubt, when it comes to common people like us, they impose their power and even if you are right you have to concede defeat.
So why are political goons given V.I.P treatment? A person who violates another person's rights should be revoked and stripped of all his rights, then and there.
This incident has now made International news. And seeing the place of my hometown being on news for a reason like does not make me proud. We have the SRS to thank for this. Clearly with this incident they are 'going international' too.
It is a known fact that these political goons are given the best treatment in jails. It is probably second home for them and are, I guess, relatively safer. They can run their operations from jail; molesting, murdering and spreading a state of 'war' and there's no one to stop them.
While people are debating whether Kasab should be hanged or not, there are Indian militants within our cities and towns making life hell for us. The violation on human rights has been committed by both these people. Don't they both deserve a similar sentence then?
Muthalik was handed over to the Mangalore police after being granted bail by the Davangere police. And then the he says that he cannot travel because he 'was tired'. I say, human and fundamental rights apart, which he didn't care for while carrying out his various operations, he should have been given the same treatment that he has bestowed upon others and forcefully been taken to Mangalore.
This brings us to another questionable and known fact, 'how powerful are the Indian police?'. No doubt, when it comes to common people like us, they impose their power and even if you are right you have to concede defeat.
So why are political goons given V.I.P treatment? A person who violates another person's rights should be revoked and stripped of all his rights, then and there.
This incident has now made International news. And seeing the place of my hometown being on news for a reason like does not make me proud. We have the SRS to thank for this. Clearly with this incident they are 'going international' too.
It is a known fact that these political goons are given the best treatment in jails. It is probably second home for them and are, I guess, relatively safer. They can run their operations from jail; molesting, murdering and spreading a state of 'war' and there's no one to stop them.
While people are debating whether Kasab should be hanged or not, there are Indian militants within our cities and towns making life hell for us. The violation on human rights has been committed by both these people. Don't they both deserve a similar sentence then?
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Custodians of Indian Culture?
Two days ago Santhosh told me that "something happened in Mangalore." All I knew at that time was that some hooligans, assaulted some girls and boys in a pub in Mangalore. Well, those people didn't call themselves hooligans but identified themselves from the Sri Ram Sena; self proclaimed moral police.
These incidents have taken place in Mangalore in the past. If a Muslim guy is dating a Hindu girl, the Bajrang Dal will find them and beat up the Muslim boy. And if you think the Hindu girl is safe in all this, she is not. There has been news when these so called 'custodians of Indian culture' have molested, raped and beaten up the poor Hindu girl as well. Bastards! But then none of these incidents ever made it to the news.
So when I heard about this bit of news, I was not surprised; see how resilient we become? 'Yeah, it's happened before'; 'Bloody Bajrang Dal are at it again'
Yesterday I saw this video, and I was livid.
The people who are claiming to be 'custodians of Indian culture' were molesting and harassing women. You idiots! Is this your version of Indian culture, beating up women?
What right has anybody to physically abuse a person.
Muthalik in a press statement said that 'there is no need to raise a hue and cry about the Mangalore pub attack on women.'
And then he says that 'SRS activists did not attack the girls but the boys who had brought them to the pub'.
Oh yes, Muthalik, these were images of a fictional short movie, weren't they.
In this video, this young girl has given a first hand account and this just angers me even more.
I really wish rabid dogs were feasting on these guys' balls right now (Yeah, I heard this quote on FRIENDS)
These incidents have taken place in Mangalore in the past. If a Muslim guy is dating a Hindu girl, the Bajrang Dal will find them and beat up the Muslim boy. And if you think the Hindu girl is safe in all this, she is not. There has been news when these so called 'custodians of Indian culture' have molested, raped and beaten up the poor Hindu girl as well. Bastards! But then none of these incidents ever made it to the news.
So when I heard about this bit of news, I was not surprised; see how resilient we become? 'Yeah, it's happened before'; 'Bloody Bajrang Dal are at it again'
Yesterday I saw this video, and I was livid.
The people who are claiming to be 'custodians of Indian culture' were molesting and harassing women. You idiots! Is this your version of Indian culture, beating up women?
What right has anybody to physically abuse a person.
Muthalik in a press statement said that 'there is no need to raise a hue and cry about the Mangalore pub attack on women.'
And then he says that 'SRS activists did not attack the girls but the boys who had brought them to the pub'.
Oh yes, Muthalik, these were images of a fictional short movie, weren't they.
In this video, this young girl has given a first hand account and this just angers me even more.
I really wish rabid dogs were feasting on these guys' balls right now (Yeah, I heard this quote on FRIENDS)
Too Rich, Too Skinny?
A book I was reading had this quote, "You can never be too rich or too skinny". Now, I have never thought about getting rich, but getting skinny; I have been dreaming of getting skinny since forever. Of course, I have been only dreaming; my BMI is a blinking red, for danger and like I mentioned in a previous blog, it looks like I am ready to pop triplets.
So, when you know your heart is being overworked and that beer belly is not in fashion what do you do? Go on a diet. Oh no no no, this is not just any diet. Neither I nor Atkins has decided this diet, lest the carbs find me later and I end up fatter than when I started.
I had my last solid meal last week; chicken kebabs with pita bread and chips (fries). Yeah, load on the calories, you're gonna lose them anyway.
And ever since, I have been starving, craving and dreaming.
Ok not starving, but since I am used to large quantities and a variety of food I just feel like I am starving.
And who doesn't have cravings when they are on a diet. I now crave for food that I don't even fancy, like the KFC Chicken Bucket or a McDonald's Burger.
I have been dreaming about food too. The other night I dreamt that I was eating, actually not just eating, stuffing my face with chocolates and after I was done (in the dream) it dawns upon me that I am not supposed to eat them and then this overwhelming guilty feeling. When I woke up I was glad it was just a dream and had not broken my diet yet.
No, I am not hoping to turn into Paris Hilton; if I did I'd have to sell my brains get new ones. But isn't she the perfect example for too rich, too skinny and too dumb.
So while I am battling 'fat'dom and trying to get skinny I'll leave the rich part to my husband. Getting thin is a lot of hardwork you see.
So, when you know your heart is being overworked and that beer belly is not in fashion what do you do? Go on a diet. Oh no no no, this is not just any diet. Neither I nor Atkins has decided this diet, lest the carbs find me later and I end up fatter than when I started.
I had my last solid meal last week; chicken kebabs with pita bread and chips (fries). Yeah, load on the calories, you're gonna lose them anyway.
And ever since, I have been starving, craving and dreaming.
Ok not starving, but since I am used to large quantities and a variety of food I just feel like I am starving.
And who doesn't have cravings when they are on a diet. I now crave for food that I don't even fancy, like the KFC Chicken Bucket or a McDonald's Burger.
I have been dreaming about food too. The other night I dreamt that I was eating, actually not just eating, stuffing my face with chocolates and after I was done (in the dream) it dawns upon me that I am not supposed to eat them and then this overwhelming guilty feeling. When I woke up I was glad it was just a dream and had not broken my diet yet.
No, I am not hoping to turn into Paris Hilton; if I did I'd have to sell my brains get new ones. But isn't she the perfect example for too rich, too skinny and too dumb.
So while I am battling 'fat'dom and trying to get skinny I'll leave the rich part to my husband. Getting thin is a lot of hardwork you see.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
A Sure Case for Alzheimer's
I am convinced that I am a sure case for Alzheimer's , if not now then definitely in the next ten years. Let me narrate a small incident.
When I was back in Bangalore and was all enthusiastic about cooking (which is quite rare) I ordered some groceries from the grocer which included a kilo of potatoes. Now, after I had ordered I suddenly remembered that I had in fact picked up a kilo of potatoes about five days ago from the supermarket. Well, if you're thinking that this unnerved me, you're wrong.
So I looked into the small box where I store supplies and I couldn't find it. "Oh I must've cooked them then. But what and when?" I went through what I cooked over the past 5 days, and nope nothing with potatoes. Now, I was on the verge of wondering if I was crazy; didn't cook them and can't find them, how could they have disappeared suddenly. Heavy rummaging in the kitchen for about 20 mins and just short of looking into the garbage when it struck me that two days ago I had made pakodas with the damned potatoes. Now that the mystery was solved I was glad that I was not going crazy, but I realised that this kind of memory loss was bizarre. It might seem like nothing when I am writing about it but in those 20 mins I suffered a mini panic attack worried that if this carried on I could well be on my way to the loony bin.
And this was just one incident.
In my family I am known as the one who does not remember anything. Conversations, events are all beyond my recollection unless they have had some impact.
Another reason, people probably think I am rude for not recognising them. Sometimes faces and names just don't ring a bell, unless they've been nasty or extremely good to me.
Also, though I'd like to think I am quite eloquent there are times when I am struggling to get finish a sentence, obviously sounding like a retard, because I've just forgotten a word that I use everyday.
So I am hoping that my brain miraculously develops a better memory and I'll hopefully remember my husband when I am 40 and wrinkled.
When I was back in Bangalore and was all enthusiastic about cooking (which is quite rare) I ordered some groceries from the grocer which included a kilo of potatoes. Now, after I had ordered I suddenly remembered that I had in fact picked up a kilo of potatoes about five days ago from the supermarket. Well, if you're thinking that this unnerved me, you're wrong.
So I looked into the small box where I store supplies and I couldn't find it. "Oh I must've cooked them then. But what and when?" I went through what I cooked over the past 5 days, and nope nothing with potatoes. Now, I was on the verge of wondering if I was crazy; didn't cook them and can't find them, how could they have disappeared suddenly. Heavy rummaging in the kitchen for about 20 mins and just short of looking into the garbage when it struck me that two days ago I had made pakodas with the damned potatoes. Now that the mystery was solved I was glad that I was not going crazy, but I realised that this kind of memory loss was bizarre. It might seem like nothing when I am writing about it but in those 20 mins I suffered a mini panic attack worried that if this carried on I could well be on my way to the loony bin.
And this was just one incident.
In my family I am known as the one who does not remember anything. Conversations, events are all beyond my recollection unless they have had some impact.
Another reason, people probably think I am rude for not recognising them. Sometimes faces and names just don't ring a bell, unless they've been nasty or extremely good to me.
Also, though I'd like to think I am quite eloquent there are times when I am struggling to get finish a sentence, obviously sounding like a retard, because I've just forgotten a word that I use everyday.
So I am hoping that my brain miraculously develops a better memory and I'll hopefully remember my husband when I am 40 and wrinkled.
Slumdogs and Millionaires
I was trying to keep away from writing about 'Slumdog Millionaire', because knowing me I would probably be etching the whole plot in my blog and then that wouldn't be fair to those who haven't watched the movie.
I loved this movie. I thought it was very entertaining and had all the elements a good movie should contain.
But then with all success also comes some flak and criticism, which is coming this movie's way in abundance.
The fact that this very "indian" movie has been directed by a "gora" has not gone down well with many. Why should it matter? It is art after all. Danny Boyle saw a good story (Q&A by VikasSwarup) and decided to make a movie out of it.
There is another debate going on about how India, which is an emerging superpower, is being portrayed. Definitely we cannot deny that poverty does exist in India. Agreed, we might be an emerging 'superpower' (or that's what we'd like to think, we might have to wait a while till we set our system right and get rid off corruption). So why then are so many condoning this portrayal of slums in a movie?
Is this the real India? I'd say, the slums are very much a part of India. There is a small slum dwelling just outside my apartment in Bangalore. Some people have set up their tents on land they don't own and know that someday they will have to leave. But one day I saw that the tent had disappeared and instead a crude concrete structure was built, illegal no doubt. Some mornings I would see the slum kids playing about with things salvaged from rubbish. The kids were friendly with the stray dogs who wagged their tales happily when they were called out to.
While I was sipping my evening coffee in my balcony, these were the people taking their plastic pots and buckets to the common tap filling it with water for cooking and bathing. Isn't this diversity? All I had to do was turn on the tap in my house, no lugging, no spilling, no sweat. And all this just about 200 metres away from apartment building.
So why does one movie about the slums in India need to be debated?
The world does know about the Murthys and Premjis and now for adverse reasons the Rajus. India has been in the news for many reasons recently; the Mumbai attack, the Satyam case. Though I must say that 'Jamal' is probably more famous than 'Raju' here (in England).
Anyway, while there are slums and slum dwellers, there are also millionaires. Ambanis, Tatas, Birlas all these business people have been getting richer, not that it's a bad thing to be rich. But India has millionaires, some of who have made it to the top list of World's Richest People. These facts are never debated, by the way or probably are by social workers who think that the richest can up their donation amounts so a few more children could have shelter, clothing and food.
And in between all this, there are people like us. Who are happy to have our jobs, go about our daily chores and write into our blog.
But we all co-exist, don't we? Isn't this the real India then?
I loved this movie. I thought it was very entertaining and had all the elements a good movie should contain.
But then with all success also comes some flak and criticism, which is coming this movie's way in abundance.
The fact that this very "indian" movie has been directed by a "gora" has not gone down well with many. Why should it matter? It is art after all. Danny Boyle saw a good story (Q&A by VikasSwarup) and decided to make a movie out of it.
There is another debate going on about how India, which is an emerging superpower, is being portrayed. Definitely we cannot deny that poverty does exist in India. Agreed, we might be an emerging 'superpower' (or that's what we'd like to think, we might have to wait a while till we set our system right and get rid off corruption). So why then are so many condoning this portrayal of slums in a movie?
Is this the real India? I'd say, the slums are very much a part of India. There is a small slum dwelling just outside my apartment in Bangalore. Some people have set up their tents on land they don't own and know that someday they will have to leave. But one day I saw that the tent had disappeared and instead a crude concrete structure was built, illegal no doubt. Some mornings I would see the slum kids playing about with things salvaged from rubbish. The kids were friendly with the stray dogs who wagged their tales happily when they were called out to.
While I was sipping my evening coffee in my balcony, these were the people taking their plastic pots and buckets to the common tap filling it with water for cooking and bathing. Isn't this diversity? All I had to do was turn on the tap in my house, no lugging, no spilling, no sweat. And all this just about 200 metres away from apartment building.
So why does one movie about the slums in India need to be debated?
The world does know about the Murthys and Premjis and now for adverse reasons the Rajus. India has been in the news for many reasons recently; the Mumbai attack, the Satyam case. Though I must say that 'Jamal' is probably more famous than 'Raju' here (in England).
Anyway, while there are slums and slum dwellers, there are also millionaires. Ambanis, Tatas, Birlas all these business people have been getting richer, not that it's a bad thing to be rich. But India has millionaires, some of who have made it to the top list of World's Richest People. These facts are never debated, by the way or probably are by social workers who think that the richest can up their donation amounts so a few more children could have shelter, clothing and food.
And in between all this, there are people like us. Who are happy to have our jobs, go about our daily chores and write into our blog.
But we all co-exist, don't we? Isn't this the real India then?
Friday, January 16, 2009
No Country for Bold Men
Yesterday I wrote a blog entry about a very questionable Indian food item that was delivered to our home in Bangalore.
Of course, though I was not at the receiving end because I was not present when the reptile was discovered in the food I was really shocked.
I wrote about the incident in my blog but had to delete it.
Reason: a defamation case was being filed against my relative who made the discovery.
The restaurant people came over to our house and gave a story about how clean their kitchens were and how pest control is carried out every week. They also said something to the effect that "we are feeding so many people." For God's sake you numbnuts, you are feeding people for money. My relative was being gentlemanly and did not speak their language, which is money.
Agreed, they did apologise, with a fruit basket and a 2009 diary. So when he sent a few emails to his friends just to make them aware, was it a wrong thing to do? In turn he was harassed and had to go to the police station because the f***ing restaurateurs had filed a defamation case.
So, in this bloody f***ing country of ours and in a city which screams metropolitan what exactly are we supposed to do when we find a cold blooded vertebrate in our food?
The cops are fed enough money and so is the Health department. And as commoners we have to think about where we stand financially before these mafia backed businesses.
I think it's just disgusting. If we had taken compensation (a bribe actually) and shut our f***ing gobs the matter would have been hushed and both parties would have benefited.
It would've been moral suicide for my relative but he would at least benefit monetarily. He chose not to go the monetary way and he ended up making an appearance at the police station for eating unhygienic food.
For the restaurant it is business as usual, for my relative he is still trying to eat normal food. To top that coping with the tension of a probable legal case for no fault of his.
So when the constitution of India talks about freedom of speech and expression what the f*** is it talking about? That you can't send personal emails to your friends warning them about a possible health hazard? Where do we draw the line between defamation and information?
Of course, though I was not at the receiving end because I was not present when the reptile was discovered in the food I was really shocked.
I wrote about the incident in my blog but had to delete it.
Reason: a defamation case was being filed against my relative who made the discovery.
The restaurant people came over to our house and gave a story about how clean their kitchens were and how pest control is carried out every week. They also said something to the effect that "we are feeding so many people." For God's sake you numbnuts, you are feeding people for money. My relative was being gentlemanly and did not speak their language, which is money.
Agreed, they did apologise, with a fruit basket and a 2009 diary. So when he sent a few emails to his friends just to make them aware, was it a wrong thing to do? In turn he was harassed and had to go to the police station because the f***ing restaurateurs had filed a defamation case.
So, in this bloody f***ing country of ours and in a city which screams metropolitan what exactly are we supposed to do when we find a cold blooded vertebrate in our food?
The cops are fed enough money and so is the Health department. And as commoners we have to think about where we stand financially before these mafia backed businesses.
I think it's just disgusting. If we had taken compensation (a bribe actually) and shut our f***ing gobs the matter would have been hushed and both parties would have benefited.
It would've been moral suicide for my relative but he would at least benefit monetarily. He chose not to go the monetary way and he ended up making an appearance at the police station for eating unhygienic food.
For the restaurant it is business as usual, for my relative he is still trying to eat normal food. To top that coping with the tension of a probable legal case for no fault of his.
So when the constitution of India talks about freedom of speech and expression what the f*** is it talking about? That you can't send personal emails to your friends warning them about a possible health hazard? Where do we draw the line between defamation and information?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Our Cotton Anniversary at a "Beach Resort"
Did you know that the 2nd anniversary is called the 'Cotton Anniversary'. There, your G.K has improved for the day.
At mid-night, when we were still stuffing our faces with Christmas barbeque, my siblings, brother-in-law and Mom brought out this lovely cake for our anniversary, with candles and all.
Promptly, after the cake was cut it was shoved in my face and into my hair, like I could do with all the moisturising!
Minutes later, Santhosh says that we have to wake up early the next morning because he was "whisking you away and taking you somewhere. No one knows yet."
And I was like, ooh so romantic.; before I could get my hopes too up he said, as a caveat, "Well, we're not going somewhere too far but it's going to be only the two of us."
So after the late night on Christmas day we still managed to wake up quite early on the morning of the 26th. Most in the house were still sleeping but were woken up by my incessant rustling. When they saw us all packed and dressed they were kind of miffed and they wanted to come along too. My little brother (ok, not so little now) was holding onto me and asking me not to go. We did finally get into the car and I was still not sure where I was going.
I was excited and could not stop asking Santhosh questions.
"Where are we going?"
"Where are you taking me?"
"Is it Goa?"
"Is it close to Goa?"
"I hope it's not Summer Sands."
Finally he gave up and told me that we were on our way to 'Paradise Isle Beach Resort' in Malpe. Now, I have heard that the Malpe beach is great but I had not heard of this resort. If I have not heard about it, it probably was new, though I had a nagging feeling , something was not right.
I should have trusted my instinct. When we drove our car into the resort we saw this almost run-down facade. We were still hoping that once we got inside things would get better, but no. We had to wait for half an hour before anyone acknowledged us. We could see already agitated customers yelling at the reception staff. The resort Manager seemed to be pacifying other irate customers.
When we were finally asked to be seated, the lady at the reception didn't seem to have our booking. Right at that time was our window to get on our heels and speed away but we blew our chance. The receptionist then finally got us a room and said that we would have to pay the full amount for the two nights in advance. And the price for two nights at this wannabe resort was (let the band march in please) a steep 14,850 rupees only.
Now, no resort or hotel asks you to do this and we again could have refused and made a dash for it but we chose to stay on.
Santhosh paid the amount in full. We were then told that our room was not ready and they suggested we have lunch first.
The lunch was mediocre, nothing to titillate the palate. After lunch we were back at the reception desk, oh how we loved the reception, the unsuspecting root where our troubles bloomed.
Apparently, our room was finally ready and the bell boy was insistent that he take our luggage (a very small and light cabin baggage with wheels) to the room.
We reach the room and voila! Twin beds! Nice way to spend our anniversary eh? We now had to fight over who got the bed with the best view. Talking of 'best view' we looked out of the window and saw a paan stained wall, which was one of the walls of the resort.
I went back to the reception desk and asked for a refund. But before that they had the brilliant idea of 'joining' the beds (not with magic glue, but just put the beds side by side together). Their plan did not excite me and I thought it would be best if we left.
We were so tired and disgusted we just wanted to go back home. The resort people were also adamant, they insisted that we stay and after about another hour's wait we were shown to what they called the 'suite'.
The floor was still sandy, the bathroom big as it was (we could have played mini cricket in there) didn't have a bath tub and the shower was placed right in the middle of the bathroom. This meant you would create a mini-flood right in the middle of the bathroom and if you had to go really urgently you would probably have to put on your swimsuit to use the loo. Some really bad architect designed this place no doubt. And there was "an extra room that you can use", the resort staff promptly informed us. Yes, that's just what we needed; we were expecting guests and had put on a pot of tea. Extra room indeed.
Once we settled in, we were hoping that we would have no new surprises. We went out to their Restaurant for dinner and man, it is a bloody rip-off like their resort. The food was good though, thank god for that. Anyway, we decided to stop cribbing and complaining and not ruin our little break.
Oh and I forgot to mention this earlier, they call it a 'beach resort' but they don't have private access to the beach. When we asked them about the private beach the manager went on and on about how no one can own the beach. Ok moron, we get that, but you should at least have private "access" to the beach. I tell you, the guys running the resort were a bunch of yahoos who were just cashing in on the holiday season. Their website does look pretty good though but don't be fooled by it.
So the next day we go out to the beach and there were swarms of people, swimming in the beach, building human pyramids and lots and lots of noise. I saw many, getting out of the water, sliding down their underwear and squeezing the water out of it. DISGUSTING!
When we could not take anymore of the underwear removing display we went to resort's swimming pool. Neither of us was in the mood to swim, so we sat there sipping cocktails and reading our books, very relaxing.
We also checked out their billiards room. It smelled funny, the tables were ripped, the cues were bad and the balls were missing. So much for their 'activities' on the resort. From the billiards room we could see the discotheque (actually the badminton court converted to a discotheque). There were two souls trying to make the best of their holiday dancing to the DJ's music. Don't know much about the music, but must say that their sound system was pretty good.
The next morning, which was going to be our last morning at the "resort" we decided to go to St.Mary's Island. The resort actually included the trip by boat in the room rates. So we decided to make the most of it. Luckily for us instead of getting the usual boat we got the speed boat. Santhosh sat right in front, kind of on the nose of the boat if you can call it that. He looked like an excited kid. But going on a speed boat is really fun. At the island we roamed around a bit, saw the carcass of dolphin and got sun burnt (at least I got thoroughly burnt)
We checked out in the afternoon and on our way back stopped at Kediyoor Hotel in Udupi. We had awesome prawn curry and rice, some beer, an ice cream called Honeymoon Special (hyuk hyuk) and the bill was under five hundred rupees.
So yeah, in the end we did have a good time because we resolved to. But I am telling you this and you better listen and listen well, DON'T EVER even THINK of going to Paradise Isle Beach Resort. There is no 'Isle' (at least it's not on an island), there is no 'Paradise' and these people have their own definition of a 'Beach Resort'.
- Kavisha Pinto
At mid-night, when we were still stuffing our faces with Christmas barbeque, my siblings, brother-in-law and Mom brought out this lovely cake for our anniversary, with candles and all.
Promptly, after the cake was cut it was shoved in my face and into my hair, like I could do with all the moisturising!
Minutes later, Santhosh says that we have to wake up early the next morning because he was "whisking you away and taking you somewhere. No one knows yet."
And I was like, ooh so romantic.; before I could get my hopes too up he said, as a caveat, "Well, we're not going somewhere too far but it's going to be only the two of us."
So after the late night on Christmas day we still managed to wake up quite early on the morning of the 26th. Most in the house were still sleeping but were woken up by my incessant rustling. When they saw us all packed and dressed they were kind of miffed and they wanted to come along too. My little brother (ok, not so little now) was holding onto me and asking me not to go. We did finally get into the car and I was still not sure where I was going.
I was excited and could not stop asking Santhosh questions.
"Where are we going?"
"Where are you taking me?"
"Is it Goa?"
"Is it close to Goa?"
"I hope it's not Summer Sands."
Finally he gave up and told me that we were on our way to 'Paradise Isle Beach Resort' in Malpe. Now, I have heard that the Malpe beach is great but I had not heard of this resort. If I have not heard about it, it probably was new, though I had a nagging feeling , something was not right.
I should have trusted my instinct. When we drove our car into the resort we saw this almost run-down facade. We were still hoping that once we got inside things would get better, but no. We had to wait for half an hour before anyone acknowledged us. We could see already agitated customers yelling at the reception staff. The resort Manager seemed to be pacifying other irate customers.
When we were finally asked to be seated, the lady at the reception didn't seem to have our booking. Right at that time was our window to get on our heels and speed away but we blew our chance. The receptionist then finally got us a room and said that we would have to pay the full amount for the two nights in advance. And the price for two nights at this wannabe resort was (let the band march in please) a steep 14,850 rupees only.
Now, no resort or hotel asks you to do this and we again could have refused and made a dash for it but we chose to stay on.
Santhosh paid the amount in full. We were then told that our room was not ready and they suggested we have lunch first.
The lunch was mediocre, nothing to titillate the palate. After lunch we were back at the reception desk, oh how we loved the reception, the unsuspecting root where our troubles bloomed.
Apparently, our room was finally ready and the bell boy was insistent that he take our luggage (a very small and light cabin baggage with wheels) to the room.
We reach the room and voila! Twin beds! Nice way to spend our anniversary eh? We now had to fight over who got the bed with the best view. Talking of 'best view' we looked out of the window and saw a paan stained wall, which was one of the walls of the resort.
I went back to the reception desk and asked for a refund. But before that they had the brilliant idea of 'joining' the beds (not with magic glue, but just put the beds side by side together). Their plan did not excite me and I thought it would be best if we left.
We were so tired and disgusted we just wanted to go back home. The resort people were also adamant, they insisted that we stay and after about another hour's wait we were shown to what they called the 'suite'.
The floor was still sandy, the bathroom big as it was (we could have played mini cricket in there) didn't have a bath tub and the shower was placed right in the middle of the bathroom. This meant you would create a mini-flood right in the middle of the bathroom and if you had to go really urgently you would probably have to put on your swimsuit to use the loo. Some really bad architect designed this place no doubt. And there was "an extra room that you can use", the resort staff promptly informed us. Yes, that's just what we needed; we were expecting guests and had put on a pot of tea. Extra room indeed.
Once we settled in, we were hoping that we would have no new surprises. We went out to their Restaurant for dinner and man, it is a bloody rip-off like their resort. The food was good though, thank god for that. Anyway, we decided to stop cribbing and complaining and not ruin our little break.
Oh and I forgot to mention this earlier, they call it a 'beach resort' but they don't have private access to the beach. When we asked them about the private beach the manager went on and on about how no one can own the beach. Ok moron, we get that, but you should at least have private "access" to the beach. I tell you, the guys running the resort were a bunch of yahoos who were just cashing in on the holiday season. Their website does look pretty good though but don't be fooled by it.
So the next day we go out to the beach and there were swarms of people, swimming in the beach, building human pyramids and lots and lots of noise. I saw many, getting out of the water, sliding down their underwear and squeezing the water out of it. DISGUSTING!
When we could not take anymore of the underwear removing display we went to resort's swimming pool. Neither of us was in the mood to swim, so we sat there sipping cocktails and reading our books, very relaxing.
We also checked out their billiards room. It smelled funny, the tables were ripped, the cues were bad and the balls were missing. So much for their 'activities' on the resort. From the billiards room we could see the discotheque (actually the badminton court converted to a discotheque). There were two souls trying to make the best of their holiday dancing to the DJ's music. Don't know much about the music, but must say that their sound system was pretty good.
The next morning, which was going to be our last morning at the "resort" we decided to go to St.Mary's Island. The resort actually included the trip by boat in the room rates. So we decided to make the most of it. Luckily for us instead of getting the usual boat we got the speed boat. Santhosh sat right in front, kind of on the nose of the boat if you can call it that. He looked like an excited kid. But going on a speed boat is really fun. At the island we roamed around a bit, saw the carcass of dolphin and got sun burnt (at least I got thoroughly burnt)
We checked out in the afternoon and on our way back stopped at Kediyoor Hotel in Udupi. We had awesome prawn curry and rice, some beer, an ice cream called Honeymoon Special (hyuk hyuk) and the bill was under five hundred rupees.
So yeah, in the end we did have a good time because we resolved to. But I am telling you this and you better listen and listen well, DON'T EVER even THINK of going to Paradise Isle Beach Resort. There is no 'Isle' (at least it's not on an island), there is no 'Paradise' and these people have their own definition of a 'Beach Resort'.
- Kavisha Pinto
Eat, Drink and be Merry
What did we do for the fifteen days that we were there in Mangalore? Ate and drank and were merry all the way.
When in Mangalore a definite hog stop is 'Froth On Top'. With excellent Mangalorean cuisine as well as innovative continental, we never ever miss going there.
Sudhir said that his Mom has rendered her Mangalorean recipes to the chefs and taught them to perfect the mouth watering delicacies. The kori-roti is to die for and so is the prawn curry. Ooh, yum yum. Also, on a relaxed Sunday afternoon it is the best place to brunch. Hard liquor is not served here but the draught beers they have are the best.
Chinese takeaway anyone? 'Hao-Hao' no doubt. Their Sea-food noodles / rice is what makes my mouth water. Also, the pork roast is excellent. Washed down with chilled Kingfisher beer it's just heaven.
'Mangala Bar and Restaurant' is another food joint where we have to absolutely eat; if not eat in, definitely a take-away. We heard that some miscreants damaged the place badly and some sections of it were being renovated. So we did a takeaway. I love the beef chilly and parothas. Though the chicken chilly is good too. For best results wash down with chilled beer. And how can I forget the 'Sorpothel' it was absolutely amazing.
'Hotel Woodlands' known for their drive-in service (which Santhosh informed me about and was surprised that I was not aware) was another place we stopped at. After a movie at Adlabs we all wanted some tea and bites (not the vampire ones), so we stopped at Hotel Woodlands.
What absolutely floored me were the Banana Podis (or Banana Fritters). I can't even start to explain the absolute bliss of those bites. yummmm! Also, the Goli-Bajes (Mangalore Bajjis) were also amazing. I don't know how many of those deep fried wonders went down but instead of feeling guilty I was feeling content. We probably would've guzzled some beer here too if it was available but we had cups of tea which was an excellent combination; you know that awesome feeling when you've had some hot chutney with your snack and drink tea just afterwards.
On New Years eve, Sudhir took us all to 'Blue Waters' in Manipal, another place his brothers and him run; the others being 'Froth on Top' and 'Liquid Lounge'. We did a back door entry through the kitchen, well, was it exciting, I can't really say but we did feel special.
Drinks were on the house and so were some snacks. Though it was not packed up to it's capacity (reason - passes were sold last minute) it was still fun. Though the drinks were on the house enough alcohol was poured into them, making the drinks really potent.
We danced and drank and ate through the night, what a smashing start to the New Year.
Also, all through those fifteen days we ate a lot of Kuswar (Mangalorean Christmas Delicacies). And what has happened to me after all that? I look like I am going to deliver triplets anytime soon.
- Kavisha Pinto
When in Mangalore a definite hog stop is 'Froth On Top'. With excellent Mangalorean cuisine as well as innovative continental, we never ever miss going there.
Sudhir said that his Mom has rendered her Mangalorean recipes to the chefs and taught them to perfect the mouth watering delicacies. The kori-roti is to die for and so is the prawn curry. Ooh, yum yum. Also, on a relaxed Sunday afternoon it is the best place to brunch. Hard liquor is not served here but the draught beers they have are the best.
Chinese takeaway anyone? 'Hao-Hao' no doubt. Their Sea-food noodles / rice is what makes my mouth water. Also, the pork roast is excellent. Washed down with chilled Kingfisher beer it's just heaven.
'Mangala Bar and Restaurant' is another food joint where we have to absolutely eat; if not eat in, definitely a take-away. We heard that some miscreants damaged the place badly and some sections of it were being renovated. So we did a takeaway. I love the beef chilly and parothas. Though the chicken chilly is good too. For best results wash down with chilled beer. And how can I forget the 'Sorpothel' it was absolutely amazing.
'Hotel Woodlands' known for their drive-in service (which Santhosh informed me about and was surprised that I was not aware) was another place we stopped at. After a movie at Adlabs we all wanted some tea and bites (not the vampire ones), so we stopped at Hotel Woodlands.
What absolutely floored me were the Banana Podis (or Banana Fritters). I can't even start to explain the absolute bliss of those bites. yummmm! Also, the Goli-Bajes (Mangalore Bajjis) were also amazing. I don't know how many of those deep fried wonders went down but instead of feeling guilty I was feeling content. We probably would've guzzled some beer here too if it was available but we had cups of tea which was an excellent combination; you know that awesome feeling when you've had some hot chutney with your snack and drink tea just afterwards.
On New Years eve, Sudhir took us all to 'Blue Waters' in Manipal, another place his brothers and him run; the others being 'Froth on Top' and 'Liquid Lounge'. We did a back door entry through the kitchen, well, was it exciting, I can't really say but we did feel special.
Drinks were on the house and so were some snacks. Though it was not packed up to it's capacity (reason - passes were sold last minute) it was still fun. Though the drinks were on the house enough alcohol was poured into them, making the drinks really potent.
We danced and drank and ate through the night, what a smashing start to the New Year.
Also, all through those fifteen days we ate a lot of Kuswar (Mangalorean Christmas Delicacies). And what has happened to me after all that? I look like I am going to deliver triplets anytime soon.
- Kavisha Pinto
Monday, January 05, 2009
Bloody Ditch!
I am not sure if it is a good idea to be totally disconnected from the world while on vacation, and by disconnected I mean no phone / no Internet. Well, I did have my phone with me but conveniently pretended that it didn't exist. (I have already sent my apologies for not replying to messages and calls)
So, though there were lots of things to write about I couldn't. Let me begin with telling you about the start of our vacation. A vacation we were all eagerly looking forward to.
We set off to Mangalore on 20th morning (December), or rather noon though the plan was to leave before dawn. Dawn came and so did the scorching noon heat and by then we had only barely touched the outskirts of Bangalore.
All of us were looking forward to the break in hot and humid Mangalore. Ooh yes we love the heat and sweat that takes upon us when we are there.
The journey was excruciating, mainly for Santhosh who drove all the way, now that he is an expert ditch dodger. If you're ever going to drive to Mangalore avoid the Sakleshpur route, the ghats are ghastly. My brother-in-law actually switched from taking scenic photos of the ghats to the wonder that is called the 'Indian Road'. Believe me, these roads give you a whole new perspective to the term 'roads'.
I'll post some photographs later and you will know what I am talking about.All of us were looking forward to the break in hot and humid Mangalore. Ooh yes we love the heat and sweat that takes upon us when we are there.
The journey was excruciating, mainly for Santhosh who drove all the way, now that he is an expert ditch dodger. If you're ever going to drive to Mangalore avoid the Sakleshpur route, the ghats are ghastly. My brother-in-law actually switched from taking scenic photos of the ghats to the wonder that is called the 'Indian Road'. Believe me, these roads give you a whole new perspective to the term 'roads'.
All of us got a free roller coaster ride which was one of its kind, of course at the risk of our poor car visiting the service station soon.
There were some spots on the road where Santhosh had to stop to negotiate and decide which was the least risk angle to manoeuvre the car and move ahead. At one point he did a u-turn (because reversing was risky) and at a safe distance strategized his next move. Sounds like an action flick eh? The joys of driving on Indian roads, let me tell you.After about nine hours of driving we thankfully reached Mangalore with bones in the right places, people, car and all.
- Kavisha Pinto
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