Power of Medium

Here I am, logged on to Flipkart.com, finally buying myself the copy of 'The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin'. The only word that can describe my present state of mind is.....FINALLY!
A little over a month back and the scene was different. I had been searching high and low, online stores as well as as mom and pop book shops but just could not find it anywhere. Not just Flipkart but I had even checked on Amazon, no luck and then I checked on similar other online sites, no luck there as well. I even looked up obscure children's websites which sell books. Out of stock! was the standard message I received across all websites. Finally, I inquired at the much dependable Strand Book stall. I somehow had a faint glimmer of hope that Strand folks will not disappoint me. But well, can you believe? Even they had run out of copies of this book. This book suddenly seemed to have gained the importance of a national treasure. Everyone seemed to have already hunted it out before me and it was apparent I was not quick enough.
Someone at the Strand Book stall even posed a question back at me....How come Benjamin Franklin has suddenly become so popular? We have actually never been out of stock on this book ever till now!
Though I knew the reason for Ben Franklin's sudden popularity I just gave a feeble laugh and quietly put down the phone. I am sure even Ben Franklin would have been pleasantly surprised knowing about the sudden turn in his fortune.

Given its unavailability, I was now more eager than ever to get my hands on the book and I was not going to let a minute go by.
So you see, the last one month has seen days of relentless hunt, interspersed with days of patient wait and even some days of despair. And finally today, a month later, I am buying the much elusive book 'The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin' online.
Till a month back, I knew this personality only to the extent that he was one of the founding fathers of United States, a great statesman and a able politician. But here I was, keen to know more about him more than ever before. But why?

It all started on January 27th, 2015 over a 'Mann ki baat' featuring PM Modi and US President Obama. Somewhere during the thirty minute long conversation, a question was posed to both leaders asking them which leader had inspired them the most. President Obama had sometime during the conversation, already made a strong reference to Gandhi being a leader par excellence. Our PMs answer however was not what I expected to hear or for that matter any other listener of 'Mann ki baat' expected this answer that day. May be an Indian leader like Swami Vivekanand or Vallabhai Patel was what we all expected to hear. But no, he mentioned Benjamin Franklin.
And here is the exact transcript of his answer around this question and once you read you will know my (and every other person's) sudden obsession with Benjamin Franklin.
"When I was young, I used to see Kennedy's pictures in Indian newspapers. His personality was very impressive. But your question is, who has inspired me. I liked reading as a child. And I got an opportunity to read the biography of Benjamin Franklin. He lived in the eighteenth century. And he was not an American President. But his biography is so inspiring - how a person can intelligently try to change his life.
If we feel excessively sleepy, how can we reduce that?
If we feel like eating too much, how can we work towards eating less?
If people get upset with you that cannot meet them, because of the pressure of work, then how to solve this problem?
He has addressed such issues in his biography. And I tell everyone, we should read Benjamin Franklin's biography. Even today, it inspires me. And Benjamin Franklin had a multi-dimensional personality. He was a politician, he was a political scientist, he was a social worker, he was a diplomat. And he came from an ordinary family. He could not even complete his education. But till today, his thoughts have an impact on American life. I find his life truly inspiring. And I tell you too, if you read his biography, you will find ways to transform your life too. And he has talked about simple things. So I feel you will be inspired as much as I have been."

Who would have thought that along with me there were many (probably thousands) others who would have also got moved into buying the book after listening to the episode of Mann ki Baat.
Well, such is the power of our PMs words (sender of message) and also his narrative, such is the power of the humungous reach of radio (medium) and also such is the power of Benjamin Franklin a leader (subject of message) who I almost know nothing of (at least right now).

After listening to the above conversation which was aired on All India Radio which has the potential reach of 90% of India's population, I am sure you now have no shred of doubt why Benjamin Franklin had suddenly become the hero every parent wanted their children to know about or every adult (like me) wanted to read more for inspiration.


Now waiting for the book to arrive!

Source for the Transcript: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Full-transcript-of-Obama-Modi-Mann-ki-baat/articleshow/46032820.cms

Truly, madly, deeply!

Woody is my cousin sister(s)'s 15-year old pet dog. That makes him 105 years old in human years. As old as a dog can get. He is counting his last days and looks like, he too knows it. It's a pitiful sight to watch him. More so because his younger self was always a mischievous, sprightly, playful, amiable and a visibly active dog. Someone who loved the company of humans and more so children. Someone who teased us to play with him. Someone who goaded us to become alive and childlike again. Someone who made us forget our worries and be in the moment completely. In fact, I always had a surreal feeling that he was an angel sent from above. A kind and a noble soul. I love all dogs, but this humane quality of his was perceptible in him more than any other dog I had known.

Now given his age, the last six months have not been kind to him unfortunately. He has aged progressively in the recent past. He does not move much. He is laid up in bed for most of the day and has also lost his appetite. Since he does not eat, he has also become emaciated. He needs to be force-fed and carried around most times.

A few days back, I had gone to meet my cousin sister as she was flying back to London the same night. And just like me there were other cousins/relatives too who had come to meet her.

As is expected with cousins coming together after a long time, all of us were making a racket, chatting up, and laughing out loudly. While all this was happening in the living room, oblivious to our self-indulgent human senses, Woody was resting quietly (as was his routine now) inside the bedroom.

A little later we suddenly saw his frail frame emerge in the doorway of the living room. Apparently, he had heard our loud voices across the passage. And in spite of his poor health, he had quite gallantly hobbled out of his bed. Limped all the way up to the living room with halting steps, came and gently sat right amidst us. As a younger self, he would have typically come running and thrown himself straight into our arms but today he just came and sat, and with immense difficulty.

Till then, we in our ecstatic stupor had forgotten all about his presence in the next room, and were completely immersed in our idle chatter. But Woody, given his amiable, social and affable personality had just done what he always did. True to his inherent loving nature he came seeking for us, notwithstanding his weak health. And we, who are considered to be the more evolved and emotionally superior living beings, had not given as much as scant attention to him or his whereabouts.
That very single moment left a deep impact on me and a special connect. A connection that no social media worth its salt is capable of doing.
He had with his single act conveyed to us what companionship and belonging truly mean. A display of selfless love that is much deeper than what most humans are capable of realizing.
A lesson that will last a lifetime and a gesture that will remain in my heart as a beautiful memory forever.
Without a whimper or a whine, he just sat there all through the evening. And he sat although uncomfortable right till the time we left from there.

Woody, I salute your undying spirit, your unrequited love and what you stand for...the most loving, tender and generous soul. An angel.You will always remain the favorite!

Pic courtesy: Vinita Dhume

P.S: Woody breathed his last on Jan 16th, 2015. He died a peaceful death in my aunt's lap. This post was written a week before his death.

Resolutions and blah blah...

A week before Dec 31st 2014, an after-dinner conversation between 'A' and me went something like this:

Me: I am making a goal sheet and a daily schedule for 2015. (me gently avoiding the trending word 'resolutions')
A: Hmmm....(half listening as he is watching some vague football match on ESPN)
Me: It's a list of things that I need to do.... and a list of things WE need to do.
A: Oh really! (turns to me, only when I mention 'we' the operative word)
Me: Yes, do you want to have a look at it? Maybe you would like to add or change something in the schedule (trying to make it look like a democratic process)
A: Hmm...not really! (goes back to watching TV)

Me: (pursuing the conversation) See nah! This is how it goes. Our day will start with waking up at 5:45 am. Then Yoga for 1 hour...blah blah. Then after work it would be reading a book in evening or learning something new on coursera...blah blah...
(I am rambling knowing fully well he is sitting somewhere in Emirates stadium watching an Arsenal match)
Me: (I continue) On weekends a walk in Aarey for 2 hours....all dinners will be at 8 pm with no carbs... (vehemently pursuing the conversation) 
                                                              
(Suddenly I am in luck. There is a commercial break on TV)                                                                 
A: (he turns to me and says) Oh! So are you saying 'It's going to be that time of the year again...soon!'
(huh, so he was listening after all).

Me: Yes, and believe me, this time its for real..really!
(the drama queen in me surfaces)
A: Good! All the best....and count me out! (with a 'been there done that many times' air to it!)
Me: Don't be mean. You have to give another chance. And this plan makes sense only if both are in it together. If both work together like a team then one of us can pull the other up if the other is slipping. (here I was playing my last card)
A: Hmmm... nice try ma'm. (He knows me too well)
How about just sticking to what we should be doing anyway rather than making some new grand plans that fall through the crack in less than a month. (he says with an air of finality)
Me: Thank you very much for your 'enthusiastic' response. Hmph... I don't need your gyaan ok...just tell me...
(As I am about to retort with sarcasm that was thrown at me....the damn commercial break is over. 'A' is back where he belongs... in Emirates Stadium..and me with my grand plan...all by myself)

Dec 30, 2014
My plan is ready...the goal sheet print out taken (in Font size 16 and double line spacing). Loud and clear!
I have put it up on the fridge door for (my) whole world to know. That is my not so subtle way to convey that I am going ahead whether 'A' is in it or not. Also, it was my way of committing to the plan by openly announcing it. I was putting my neck online here.
'A' had passed by the fridge multiple times...and I was very sure I heard a chuckle every time he did (or maybe my brain was over-reacting). Well, at least he knew the plans, and that was clear. I was just hoping he would warm up and join me after seeing my continued dedication and commitment through the year.
So here I was, gung-ho and ready to go!

Dec 31, 2014 (morning arrives)
I am brushing my teeth in my half asleep and half awake mode, and then there is a sudden jolt of realization.
A thought suddenly breaks my sweet reverie in the early morning stillness.
I realized that every year I tended to go overboard with resolutions that unfortunately fell by the wayside a few months into the year (if not days). I also remembered the conversation of few days back between A and me. I put two and two together. Maybe he was right there, after all. Instead of changing lifestyle patterns drastically or biting more than I could chew, why not just stick to a simple regime and follow THAT perfectly well.
It could be just one or at best two new items on the list. And do them so damn consistently and so well that it became a habit and eventually part of life.
Just like brushing teeth in the morning or having a bath every day. We never forget to do that don't we, whether hell or high water. So just like that!
It didn't take me long. I looked at my list again, struck off the many new radical changes I was planning to bring in my life, all at the same time and focused only on  what mattered the most. And there it was ...my revised goal sheet in front of me. SIMPLE AND DOABLE.
And this time I knew 'A' would happily join me willingly.

Mantra for 2015
"If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way." - Napolean Hill

A new day, a new year, a new realization!

For many days that rolled into months, we had a 'work of art' nurturing at home. We ignored it like we would a messy crayon drawing by a little child. Thinking, if we didn't pay heed, it would stop craving for undeserved attention. However, it was not to be. This piece of art, which was till now successfully obscured by its uncertain future, suddenly started making its ugly presence felt. We didn't realize it was capable of creeping up on our neighbors, too, and 'keeping them awake' with its creative outbursts.

That which was privy to only both (hubby and me) of us till now had suddenly started getting attention far and wide. It was out there for everyone to see, just like an object d árt in an art gallery. Only, in this case, our neighbors would come visiting at odd hours, check the 'work of art,' give their vociferous feedback, and leave fuming. It somehow had a way of bringing out the emotions even amongst those who are typically unperturbed people. What's more, we had them come back repeatedly as they could not 'rave' enough about it.

As you must have realized by now, the 'art piece' was nothing to be proud of but the handiwork of a leaky pipe in our bathroom. We figured out (though late) that this artwork had indeed amassed a vast area and unexpected attention. In short, inversely proportional to the time we had spent in 'looking' at it (or into it).

But now enough was enough!

We finally decided to go to the 'he-art' of the matter and identify the problem.

I must say that this experience of a few months has left us a little wiser. Like leaky pipes, we need to fix many leakages in our career, health, money, and relationships. Here are a few learnings which I derived from this experience.

Leakage problems can be very tricky. We think we know the source of the issue, but only when the plumber breaks and opens up the facade, we realize that we have been barking up the wrong wall. The problem is somewhere else altogether. In career, health, money, and relationships, we need to go to the root of the issue and address it. Simple and quick-fix solutions will not always work.

It is essential to identify the cause of the problem at the earliest. Once identified, nip it in the bud and address it immediately. Or else, the problem can fester and then lead to minor scrapes, then cracks, and eventually a shaky foundation - just like in life.

What may appear like a small issue on the surface may have grave and major issues running deep down.

Personal issues can remain private only if given the desired attention at the right time. If not worked on at the right time, then it has the strength to become a spectacle for all to see and comment upon.

If we can't solve problems on our own, seek external help, especially from those who are experienced, wiser, and skilled in that particular area. It's good to get a specialist involved, and moreover, a different perspective does help sometimes.

I am happy to announce that the leakage in our bathroom is now a 'closed' issue. Thanks to Munnabhai, our Dr. Fix It for all seasons (no, I didn't make up his name. He is for real), it is now a 'water-tight' case!

I have said my goodbyes to mildewed walls, damp ceilings, and hideous 'artworks.'

Ready to start on a clean slate and looking forward to creating real works of art in the days ahead.

Here's to new lessons and new realizations!

Age of Distractions

The day starts with me reaching out to my cell phone and not the newspaper as in earlier days
Few swipes up and down my smart phone screen and I know the stories which happened when I slept away.

Over hurried breakfast, my hubby is asking me something and I say ‘Yes’ without realizing what he asked
Blame it on the conversations on the cell phone; the personal ones sometimes get bypassed.

Heading to office creates a new ‘Me’ time where I have my FB, LinkedIn updates and RJ to boot
Dense traffic on the road as always, information clutter inside the car and fragmented attention too.

Once at office, the cell phone doesn’t stop ringing, messages flood in steadily and the email box has again reached its max limit
That’s how a typical day starts and ends, just about to focus on something and then a new distraction every minute.

Conversations cross over cubicles sometimes clashing with the voices inside my head
I want to make a point but the moment has already slipped through and forever waylaid.

In midst of resolving a problem and another one is already inching to take its place
I may seem to be involved in one thing but my mind is drifting somewhere else.

Just about to dash to grab my first good meal of the day and as luck would have it, a red flag is raised some where
One quick bite into what will be my half eaten lunch so that the issue gets attention fair and square.

So here I am, back at the workstation to deal with the situation at hand
Only to realize that someone made a mountain out of molehill, that too out of beach sand.

Never ending con calls and inessential meetings makes me wish I had a magic wand
Moving it in quick circles, make everyone disappear and take off to my dream land.

While I am talking to someone on phone at desk, my hand is drawing faces, triangles and squares
And in my mind I am looking forward to the evening get together and what will be my party wear.

As is apparent, our world will continue to get more chaotic, and many choices and options to choose from
What we need to understand are our sacrosanct goals in life and the rest leave outside our mind temple and 'home'.

Wise men have many time said before, our happiness is nothing but being in the present moment to experience a WOW.
And so as I am writing this poem I realized the joyfulness and bliss by just being here in the NOW.

Focus, single mindedness, and concentration are the rare bywords we should cherish and practice daily
In this age of multitasking, mind wandering and distractions, my simple aim in life today is complete the task at hand truthfully.

Being 40!

A spectrum of emotions as baggage, I embark on this journey of introspection,
a feeling of accomplishment and yet many things still undone much to my dissatisfaction.
Been there done that many times and yet to cross the finishing line,
a mixed bag of opportunities life has been so far, often going with the flow & sometimes by design.

When slowing down does not mean a sign of weakness, a new realization has dawned.
Acceptance and moving on, brings a sense of peace, as someone wise said, "This too shall pass."

"This world is just a theater", Shakespeare had philosophically said,
where each one is destined to play a certain part and address.
Yet attempting to write my own script & become the hero, I can look into the mirror squarely and face.

Besides a theater, this world makes a unique market place.
Where now I realize, giving back more than receiving is even more fulfilling and meaningful
in many more ways.

Better late than never is what describes best the present state of mind.
Retrospect and taking stock of what has been right and the rest leave behind.

Living in the moment and enjoying as if this would be (God forbid!) my last day,
many things yet to accomplish, Lord give me wisdom and strength to sustain, I pray.

Midlife is the best place to be unlike what many people say,
wiser from the many experiences of what has been and what could be possible is a hope, I continue to embrace.

Destiny's Children

There lived a young and beautiful couple, not very long ago

in a humble abode they stayed

with two little daughters on whom they used to dote.

They pampered, they indulged yet never too much

Showered them with love, happiness and laughter.

Brought up the kids in a fine environment

truly blessed were they but to the girls it never really did occur.

Perseverance, dedication and sincerity they tried instilling with example

Meaning of unrequited love, which they displayed to them in ample.

They taught them to keep their balance aloft, in times of difficult moments.

And also keep their heads on shoulders, stay grounded and not foment

In spite of life's many troughs and peaks, they made their life seem easy

Never did they realize when tough times came, for the daughters it was always breezy.

Beaches and parks in free evenings, holidays in vacations

Life was full of experiences rich, never a day of dull moment.

Yet keeping the girls on their toes were some dos  and don't s

which never should be forgotten.

If childhood was full of gay abandon, running, playing or climbing an odd tree

As the daughters became a little older, they taught them independence, being purposeful

and ability to foresee.

Sound advice, a helping hand, a shoulder to lean on always

Silently shaping their future, supporting, empowering them in many ways.

And now as they look back, the children realize,

how truly blessed are they and indebted to them forever.

A humble ode dedicated to their parent's selfless life,

are these scant words of praise, we hope do justice even for a moment mere.

A giant lollypop or a sweet nothing!

Some days back on my way to work, I happened to notice the Lollypop hoardings skirting the Western Express Highway (WEH) on a very short stretch. It was FedEx advertising on them all through.

As I tried to recollect my last memory of these hoardings, I wondered "Had they had become a blind spot to a Mumbaikar like me who travels up and down the WEH twice every weekday?" What with  with our head immersed in our mobile phones, it was quite believable as we don't have time to look out the car window.

For those who have not seen them, Lollypop hoardings are concrete structures literally the shape of what else but a lollypop. They are used for advertising on the flat surface on either side of it's face (see pic below). They came up in the 80's ( I think) and have been their ever since. And mind you, in recessionary times and even beyond we had seen only variety of bird images instead of any advertisements for a very long time.
I thought that as the media trends changed, even these lollypops would have gradually receded into oblivion. But after having seen them yesterday still 'alive and in complete form' with FedEx campaign running on it, it made me immediately infer. If there is one media vehicle which has bravely survived the onslaught of dynamic hoardings and even the fairly young social media, are truly these Lollypop Hoardings - standing tall on the fringe of Western Express Highway near the Mumbai Domestic Airport area. They truly deserve to be the hero of the movie 'Die Hard- Part 6', if ever there is one made.

However, what really amplified my curiosity was, why were the advertisers still using this medium?
What was attracting them to use these hoardings?? Was it the uniqueness of these lollypop hoardings, their few numbers, low advertising rates, the location of these hoardings or the sheer old world charm that the advertisers saw in this format? Now, that's something I am really curious to know. If you happen to have some insights on this medium, do let me know.
A giant lollypop for your thoughts!

What's in a name?

Juliet:
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

That's what Juliet said but I beg to differ with her.
Honestly, this was never intended to be a blog post but in the recent times there have been so many stories I had heard around this topic that it drove me to write this piece. I would not say it has been an inspiring lesson but let's just say I was inspired to write about it. And as a marketer, I can assure you that I am definitely not on the same page as Sir William Shakespeare on this one.

Let me start with the memory of a story I had heard a long time ago which came jogging back to me as I sat down to write on this subject.
Story 1
Legend has it that many years back Madura Garments (now part of Aditya Birla Group) was about to launch a store for its newly launched brand of shirt in India. It was in one of the big metro cities in southern India. The top head honcho of the company was going to unveil the showroom amid lot of fanfare. He arrived very much on time but to be welcomed by an unsightly fascia (front branding) of the shop. Apparently, no one had noticed it till then and he also chose  to grin and bear through the whole proceedings as if all was perfectly fine. He did his job of inaugurating by cutting the ribbon, posing for a few photographs, and then leaving quietly. As expected, all hell broke loose the next morning in his office. He asked his secretary to round up all those involved in the store launch and asked them to meet him in his office immediately. By then even the team involved in the store launch had realized their fatal oversight and lumbered inside his cabin like lambs to the slaughter house. And as they say, rest is history!
By now you must be wondering what was the unsightly fascia branding which really got his goat. Believe it or not some one in the marketing team had outsourced the store branding to a painter who apparently didn't know his ABC's so instead of the fascia that should have read Van Heusen it ended up as Van Hussain.

Story 2
A couple of months back my colleague and her family members had been on a holiday to some place in North India. It was a big group and hence all the travel arrangements were dutifully done through a travel agent. The family landed at the destined airport, collected their baggage and headed towards the exit gate. As is a normal case, they expected someone with a placard to welcome them and take them to their hotel. Unfortunately, it didn't exactly happen that way. They scanned every placard which was being thrust into their face. None of the ten family members could locate either their name or surname on any of the placards bobbing up and down over the sea of heads. My colleague's father-in-law checked, her husband checked, even the youngest member of the family scoured but could not find the person nor placard they were looking for. It had been almost close to 45 minutes and now they had all started getting impatient and irritated for not being able to find the bloke. The travel agent was assuring over the phone that he had sent a person but his words now started ringing hollow after a tiring hour long scouring and searching.
Finally, my colleague's husband saw someone standing in the crowd with an unusual name pasted on the placard. Given the name, it seemed almost funny and unreal to him. He put two and two together and saw a glimmer of hope shining right in front of him. He walked up to the bloke with the placard and asked him the name of travel agent he worked for and the hotel he was to take his guests to. When he confirmed the same travel agent name and the hotel name, it all fell in place. It was precisely this guy they had been searching all over the airport and it was as if they had finally unearthed him under the heap of people. All the tension, irritation and helplessness of few minutes back dissolved into hearty peals of laughter when the family members saw the unusual but familiar name printed on the placard. 
My friend's family name is Gupte but you won't believe, the placard actually had 'Chhatrapati Shivaji' written on it. Yes, you read that right. The name of the fearless warrior King Chhatrapati Shivaji who has famously been dead since April 3, 1680. I am very sure that the great Shivaji Maharaj himself would have laughed his guts out in his grave after hearing this one.
Someone naive at the travel agent's office who desperately needed lessons in History had definitely goofed up in communication. Interchanged the family name and the name of the airport they were arriving from. Whatever the confusion, the family's holiday had definitely started on a hysterical 'war footing'.

And many such short stories...
There have been countless stories around how names have been mispronounced by those uninitiated. Here are a couple of quick ones which I know of, to make you believe in the real power of name and why Juliet was absolutely wrong.
A weekend back, two of my friend's had gone to a nearby bar to down a couple of beers. They asked the attendant which brand they had stock of. The attendant promptly replied 'Karuna' and 'Honeycan'. For a minute both could not believe their ears and thought either they had heard him wrong or these were probably new brands in the market. They asked him again and when he repeated the same names, it suddenly struck them. What he meant was Corona and Heineken and oh, such a tragedy for the marketing managers of these two world famous brands. They would surely not have appreciated this unintended blunder. But my friends happily downed one two many over this incident.
And then there is my colleague in office whose name is Mary Fernandes which is as simple a name can be. But guess what, even that name gets distorted by the many vendors she deals with. All the invoices and bills she receives, either address her as Merry or Marry but never Mary. And now she is  living with the fact that they are never going to improve in spite of the many corrections and dressing downs. She dreads the day when they will start addressing her as 'Meri'.
So there you are.
What's in a name? is what Shakespeare famously wrote in Romeo and Juliet, but I say, if not for the name, we would surely have a complete loss of identity and be left highly confused as all the above stories pointedly prove.

A letter to my dearest school

My Dearest School,
Here is an honest confession coming your way from one of your progeny. I am writing an open and heartfelt letter to you for the first time in the last 25 years. My sincere apologies for the inexcusable delay and no words can undo this thoughtless inaction of so many years. Albeit awfully late, by the time you finish reading this piece I am hoping you would have softened your stand towards me.
Indeed a very long time to connect back to you, my alma mater, a very beautiful and prodigious institution. And what better occasion than now when you are completing 50 golden years of your remarkable existence.

As I sit down to write to you, it has instinctively opened the floodgates of all the sweet and delightful memories of you and everything that’s part of you. For me, you are like this great matriarch watching protectively over its little children all through the day. Sheltered by your discerning eyes, whether when we are running and playing with gay abandon, outside on the vast playground or studying in the close confines of the classroom, whether when we are carelessly experimenting with beakers and tubes in the labs or during the recesses when we tumble out with unbridled enthusiasm. Your solid silent protective presence, I feel even today.

There are also some fun and childlike moments I carry with me, about my growing up times with you. It was the time of homework - not always completed on time, sitting on the last bench in class– chatting and hoping that me and my friend won’t get caught, black polished shoes/white clean socks – an intense regime for me, red hairband – that never stayed on the head, PT exercises – and the art of slacking off slyly, short and long recess - sharing interesting stories over tiffin boxes with my school buddies, being in the classroom during sessions – and sometimes not really being there (figuratively speaking), being an outstanding student -for truly standing outside class(thankfully, not many times), Ranks and Report cards – The moment of bitter truth and many such indelible memories that have stayed with me even after all these years.

Another great quality about you is that you are truly all-encompassing. A precise reflection of our city- Mumbai, the real melting pot. We the students come from all cross sections of life, diverse social and economic backgrounds, different classes, castes and what not. And yet, you embrace all of us with equal magnanimity and affection. We children never ever feel different from one another in your loving hold in spite of the inherent differences within us. That is a wonderful trait very few schools can either embody or boast of.

You are the epitome of dynamism and silent fortitude, brimming with energy of thousands of kids cozily ensconced in your warm embrace. Whether learning by rote systematically in class rooms or shouting out to each other from school buses, whether singing harmoniously during prayer time or kicking up a ruckus on the playground for no rhyme or reason, whether marching in a synchronized upright stance in their NCC and RSP uniforms or cheering on top of their lungs for their favorite Kabaddi team, whether somberly answering the exam papers for unit tests or final exams or bustling with renewed energy on hearing the last bell ring for the day. The energy and exuberance of your lively environment can never be replicated by any other.

You, my dear school always encourage and inspire us to do well and perform to the best of our capabilities. Whether it is the English or Math scholarship exams, singing, dancing, elocution or drama competitions, Cricket or Kabaddi inter-school tournaments, handwriting or craft competitions or quiz contests you push us to do our best. Always nurturing and growing new talent under your able guidance. It’s no wonder then that many great stalwarts and luminaries from various spheres of life have been conceived and born out of your hallowed womb and continue to do so.

And so finally, I find myself asking this hard question to myself. What have I given you (my dear school) in all these years? Well, all I can say is that I have only taken you and your existence for granted, like we do all those who we truly love and can’t do without. But still, you never ever complained. You always personify the grace and poise befitting a noble matriarch.

So strong is my feeling and attachment for you my dear school that I cannot live without feeling fervently or impassioned for you. I adore you, lovingly complain about you, I am passionate about you, reminisce about you, also sometimes (yeah, sometimes) talk judgmentally and critically about you but at the end of it all I am happy that I am a part of you and I sincerely am proud of it!

It’s been an incredulously long 25 years from that momentous day when I crossed over the threshold of your sheltered, carefree and happy upbringing which I enjoyed for more than a decade. It just seems like yesterday that this misty eyed adolescent looked back with a twinge of sadness to bid adieu to you and the entire ecosystem that was Indian Education Society, English Medium School aka King George English Medium School. How time flies! Though it was with a heavy heart that I turned around the corner and simply lost sight of you so many years back, I am very sure that you stimulate the same warm feelings in thousands of children who came before and after me in the last 5 decades. Providing relentlessly the same motherly guidance and affection and help them soar to greater and new heights in their life.

As you complete your 50 golden years of your remarkable existence I can’t help but salute and thank you my dear school, you have been the beacon of wisdom and inspiration for me and many generations of students. This letter also cannot be ever complete without me saying a big thank you to all the wonderful principals, teachers, administrators and staff of the entire school for their steadfast dedication and tremendous contribution to the field of education, and society as a whole. And more importantly, for touching our life beautifully as only they could.

To the mother of all schools, Maa Tuzhe Salaam!

Last but not the least; I would like to close my letter with these beautiful lyrics from a popular song which aptly personifies my feelings for you, my beloved school.

Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.
It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
but I've got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it.
I would be nothing without you.

Thank you,
Yours sincerely,
Priya Wagle Awasare – Batch of 1989

 Above : Early evening of 4th Jan, 2014 with the ex students just about pouring in to celebrate 50 years of IES English Medium School now known as V.N.Sule Guruji Vidyalaya

 Above : Sameer gets to fulfill his long withheld yearning, finally!

 Above : Mrudula, Shruti, Chandani, urs truly, Anita, Amita, Vaishali, Sameer, Amrita, Swati and Nilesh. The gang of 'B' division poses outside its class...but misses the charm of the open balconies which have now been grilled.

 Above : A little fun in the corridor where some were involuntarily declared 'outstanding students' many moons back.

Above : Reliving the moments of the past...sitting in the same classroom as we did 25 years back. Though this time breaking the ritual... guys and girls actually sitting together on the same bench. :)


Image Creative courtesy: Aparna Wagle Telang
Pics courtesy: Chandani Fernandes, Mrudula Kulkarni and Sameer Warik

When slow is good!

Living in big cities like Mumbai can be tough. Its like running on a treadmill except that this one doesn't ever stop. Busy lives are running through it every day at a frenetic pace...pushing, jostling, brushing, sliding, hopping, racing... it's a crazy routine 24/7. The only time when we probably slow down is to catch our breath but only to get back  to our relay race. Hoping we will find someone to pass our baton to...but alas it doesn't happen!
Right from early morning when the right palm slams down heavily on the alarm clock as if reprimanding it to shut up, its just one action mode all the way - Run, Run, Run!!!
Indeed, we live in a time where the Law of this (concrete) jungle has truly become - "Survival of the fastest." We are so obsessed with speed and getting things done 'right now' that anyone slower than us is looked down and frowned upon as a weakling. We no longer recognize patience as a virtue. In fact I would think its kind of become passe. The ad taglines very befittingly mirror our new attitudes. Take the case of Pepsi's ad campaign. In its efforts to woo the youth it proclaims Oh yes, Abhi! effectively echoing the values of the 'I want it it now!' generation.

The last two decades, what with a slew of break through in technology have truly been a super fast ride on the information highway and everything else cruising along with it.
Be it fast food, instant coffee, 2 minute noodles, instant gratification, fast 'friends' (yes they do change very often these days), tatkal passport, fast track visa, jaldi loans, speed dating, instant messaging, quick fixes, speed delivery, instant blood check, ready to eat recipes, speed dial, now or never offers, instant glue,  instant recharge and even the movie Fast and Furious has now moved into its 6th edition. A sign of times indeed!

I would be blatantly lying if I didn't agree that all the above have made my life more comfortable. And I am genuinely happy for their existence. They have simplified our lives and help focus on more important issues in the scheme of things.

However, in spite of all the suitable hype around all these being useful, apt and convenient, I some times wonder what the hell happened to the good old maxim 'Slow and steady wins the race' and what happened to the sensible tortoise which we so lovingly embodied during our school days. Sadly, looks like the story's end has changed somehow over the years. It appears that the carefree or rather careless hare of earlier years has now become the new hero of the current generation and tortoise is the nice guy who finishes last.
I secretly hope not though.
For all that our lifestyles have turned out to be with the changing times I still am a fool for the old fashioned trappings.
Somehow there are but some things in life which will always remain either useful, appropriate, advantageous, pertinent or even charming because of their slowness. Without their slow effects they may just cease to exist. Here are some which are slow and have rock steadily been in existence till now.

1. Yoga - Slow but powerful!
2. Ayurvedic medicines - Slow but very effective!
3. Slow eating/cooking - Very healthy!
4. Slow dance/music - Romantic ofcourse!
5. Talking slowly (which means, thinking and talking) - A sign of intelligence!
6. Dheere dheere/holay holay wala pyaar - Again romantic!
7. Creating Indian handicrafts - It takes painstaking efforts and long time to bring it to life but oh so beautiful is each piece
8. Building meaningful relationships - Slowly but for life!
9. Chivalry- Gently slow but oh so charming
10. Slow vacations - No sightseeing, shopping but relaxing and only relaxing!
11. Climbing steps (and not taking lift)- Again healthy
12. Growing and nurturing plants - Slow process but brings great joy
13. TLC - Tender Loving Care...whether kids, old parents, spouse, or anyone you care for. Slow and gentle but always works
14. Book reading - Aah, the pleasures are many.
15. Fishing - Yes, definitely slow but eventually rewarding (most times)
16. Sitting in a temple/mosque/church - Brings peace
17. Walking habit - as against riding in a car. Definitely healthy and therapeutic
18. Art of Breathing/ Pranayam - Focusing on our breath. A slow process but is beneficial for lifelong.

All of them are slow in nature but derive amazing benefits for us. And not surprisingly, they don't require technology at all.
For me slow and steady definitely wins the race. If not today, eventually it will! Because it's not about the destination, its the journey that matters most!

Groovy kind of love! (Reinvented for today's times)

(To sing in the tune of 'Groovy Kind of Love' by Phil Collins)

When I have no clue, all I have to do
Is take a look at you, and then I feel so cool
When you're close to me, like to see you light up
And listen to your sweet ring in my ears

Any time I want to, I can turn you on too
Anything I want to, any time at all
When I miss your beeps, you help me to figure
Who could be the caller,  you are my slave!

Wouldn't you agree, baby you and me, we've got a groovy kind of love,

When I need to call, all I have to do
Is hold you cheek by jowl whether in office, home or mall
When you're in my palms, nothing seems to matter
My whole world could shatter, but not you I swear

When I am up in morn, just have to steal a glance
to know you're safely enconced, before I hurry, run or prance
And when I am off to work, I have to check your stance
I depend on you a lot, just cannot take a chance

Wouldn't you agree, baby you and me, we've got a groovy kind of love

When I am all by self, I have eyes for you, no one else
You truly complete me, and your presence is most felt
But when you are not with me, I quiver and I fear for you oh my sweet dear
Look for you here and there, hoping you are in safe hands

Wouldn't you agree, baby you and me, we've got a groovy kind of love

When I see you charged, the day goes flying by
without as such a sigh, there's nothing that gives more joy
But when you are drained and weak, I just cannot bear to see the fading light
And hear you whimper, my sweet boy.

By my side from dawn to dusk and in you I truly trust
You are the last and also my first, till the new one comes around
But I hope to see the day when there's no power and no range
You will fight the odds and be my true hero, inspite of it all.

Wouldn't you agree, baby you and me, we've got a groovy kind of love
We've got a groovy kind of love, we've got a groovy kind of love
Oho, we've got a groovy kind of love

P.s : With no offence to the original by Phil Collins :)

Seriously, not kidding!

The summer has been extremely unkind so far. Never has been the Mumbai heat so dehydrating and torturous as this year. To add to our sweltering woes, we (as in Ashish my hubby and me) have absolutely no escape plans to retreat from the heat of this summer. But hey, inspite of the situation and right in the midst of this unbecoming weather, we both (ashish and me)have a broad grin on our face since past few days. Grin which sometimes dissolves into hearty peals of laughter, on few ocassions leads to tears (of joy)strolling down our cheeks and other times complete bewilderment.

Confused?...Ask me why?

Like a fresh breeze of cool mint air, my niece has wafted into our lives to provide us just  the refreshing relief we were yearning for badly these past few weeks.
Though she is here only for couple of weeks to spend her summer holidays with her aajju (her grand mom) and aajja (her grandpa), I have not been able to contain (ironically) my childlike excitement since the time she has arrived. Her presence amongst us has not just enlivened and rejuvenated us into new beings but also every moment we spend with her is entertainment and freshness personified.

Like any other child her age, she is full of joie de vivre, with abundant energy and with a extra spring in her hurried steps. She talks nineteen to the dozen and regales us with her delightful puneri phrases (yes, she lives in Pune) and anecdotes. She is full of (camera worthy) expressions and dramebaazi. Never runs out of questions and counter questions. Keeps us on our toes and some times brings us to our knees. She is the energiser bunny, a stand up comedian, observant sherlock holmes, a demure barbie fan, mischievous elf,  and a very curious cat all characters rolled into one.
Ok, so that's my niece for you in a nutshell. And I am sure other kids her age would also show the same characteristics with a few plusses and minuses.

So what am I trying to say here!

This young girl within a short span of few days that she has spent with us has helped us to relearn a lot which we had left behind many years back. This blog post is all about what we secretly imbibed from our little niece when we were overtly reveling in her joyful company.

Below are those 8 virtues we realised we had forgotten as adults :

1. Pristine innocence tinged with naughtiness
2. Keen observation
3. Ability to forget the past (more so the negative)
4. Unbridled energy
5. Contentment in life's simple pleasures
6. Straightforward as an arrow
7. Curious as a cat
8. Fearlessness

If you look at all the above qualities, isn't it what we all yearn for and seek as adults. Its incredible that we sometimes don't have to read books, watch videos or look further for inspiration. The kids can be our best teachers and icons .
Seriously, not kidding!