Mental Crutches

Last week, as my boss mentioned the new Smart Art graphics in power point presentations is making most presentations look the same. I had to agree with him, in the name of improving productivity the dependency on tooling is only dulling our creativity and other mental faculties.

Number Crunching - Thanks to caculators and excel sheets, even basic arthimetic has become impossible, both shop keepers and customers alike are clueless without technology.

Birthday Reminders – There was once a time, I could remember the birthdays of all my close friends and family members, then with the advent of social networks facebook and orkut, the dependency on social networks to remind us of birthdays leading to a large gap in memory.

Spelling – the most disturbing dependency I have fallen prey to is the spell check options in MS Word or even on google search. Now there are words for which I dont ever know the right spelling, just depend on auto corrections. My biggest fear now, writing an written exam on pen and paper.

Limiting Social Interactions – This is the most disturbing dependency which we have grown so fond of , when we could meet face to face, we have moved to cell phone conversations, from cell phone conversations, we have moved to text messenging and most uncapable to making human contact anymore.

Tablets / Smartphone fixation - Steve Jobs proudly claimed the iPad is the definitive post PC device and it is the end of the desktops and laptops. Although I agree desktops and laptops are clunky devices but typing on a glass surface is even more difficult. It is scientifically proven, devices like tablets and smartphones are more suited for passive consumption rather than comfortably typing or creating inputs.

Although technology is definitely taking humanity ahead, there are several de-humanising and limiting effects as well so that mental crutches we have grown to depend on needs to be reduced if not eliminated altogether. 

The faceless and silent Indians

The booming India middle class indulges in itself in luxury goods and foreign holidays, there is a class of Indian who are watching by silently. The maid servants,drivers and security staff, these often faceless people are facing life with a quiet dignity.

As India continues to shine and business news channel mull over issues like FDI, Sensex and corporate transitions  and discussions on how Inflation and petrol prices which we crib about idle Sunday evening chit-chats, the face is inflation hurts the slient Indians much more badly than us.  Over the years, I have had some interesting interactions which have stayed with me for long.

Security Guard outside a cyber kiosk (2002)

Star Wars – Attack of Clones had released, I used to frequent a government cyber / information kiosk which allowed 15 mins of free Internet surfing which was a big thing for an engineering student with limited pocket money. Once I was waiting for my turn, the security guard around 22-23 years began an interesting discussion on Maya graphics software and how animation was going to change Indian IT in the near term. He told you see the crowds in the Clone war they are all animated and there was no need for extras like they used in Mughal-e-Azam. He said he was saving up money to attend a Maya course and change his life.

I don't know if he did manage to enter the animation field eventually or succeed, but I loved the zeal in his eyes and his unwillingness to resign himself to a fate of a security guard.

Pickpocket in Mysore (2004)

Funny experience, I was in Mysore and had gone to drop my parents off at the bus stand. The bus stand was fairly crowded, since it was early morning I didn't take my wallet and was in my track pants without pockets. A pickpocket tried his luck and didn't find a pocket to pick. I quickly looked around at him and gave him a look, he gave me a sly smile, shrugged his shoulders and disappeared into the crowd.

Damn funny, an interesting day in the life of a pickpocket, you win some and lose some.

Cab driver in Bangalore (2009)

I met a very chatty and garrulous Tamilian cab driver, as I was leaving Bangalore and he was so interested in my life and admonished me for not getting married yet and predicted by next year 2010, I would be married ( which turned out correct). He spoke about the time he was a personal driver in Mumbai and Chennai and how becoming a cab driver in fleet taxis is far comfortable with medical benefits and steady incomes. In fact he mentioned fleet cabs today are looking for steady reliable drivers and they are indeed paid well and not over worked. In fact he wanted his son to join the cab fleet, he is a B.Com graduate and wants to do a MCA or MBA. He also asked me about prospects in the IT industry.

An extremely talkative but mind at peace sort of person, I really wish his son succeeds in life and doesn't need to become a taxi cab driver like his father.

Auto wala in Mumbai (2010)

I met an auto driver in Chembur and he said once he was plying near Ghatkopar during monsoons and visibly disturbed old man asked him to take him to a hospital near Sion. He said its not possible as the water logging is intense and vehicle will get stuck. The elderly man said please take me, my mother is unwell and I am ready to pay Rs 500 for 40 bucks ride.

The auto walla said no saab, not need for the extra money and took the guy to the hospital. It also turned out the lady needed continuous blood transfusions and since auto wala was a local Shiv-Sainik, he contacted the blood donor group and ensured enough donors for the elderly man.

The elderly man was actually a senior trustee in a reputed educational institute and promised the driver an confirmed admissions for his kids as sign of gratitude as the auto wala did not accept money as reward.

The auto driver has been able to put 2 of his children and one nephew in one of Mumbai well known colleges with little cost. This amazing tale really amazes me how a kind deed comes back multi fold.

Maid in Pune (2011)

We have a maid in Pune and she makes rotis for lunch at work. One day, we had run out of atta ( wheat flour) and I hadn't found time to buy the same. We assumed today no chappatis and behold our maid brings atta from her home. She was hesitant and asked us if we would eat flour from her house as she knew we had run out of atta. She was apprehensive as caste barriers still exist in society. We were amazed by her kindness and accepted her offer.

This act really touched me and till today, I think its a great example of going beyond the call of duty. Instead of taking a day off, she had the heart to share her food with us.

Conclusion

The Indian middle class is doing well and has little to complain yet we find so much misery in our lives but there is a large section which struggling to make ends meet, instead of cynicism and envy, they contastly surprise us with enthusiasm. The rich class often treat them with disdain, we don't mind spending thousands in malls and clothes but if a maid wants a 200 rupees raise or day off on Diwali, we throw a fit.

Whenever I see building Kachra wali (housekeeper) an elderly lady clearing the dust bins with toothless smile or the milk man who listens to bhajans on his cell phone loudly and delivering milk with a smile, I realize there is a better work ethic and instead of running the rat race, enjoy the moment and spread joy to people we come in touch in our day to day lives.  

Some Movie Gems which deserved better and some movies which could have been better !

One of my favorite passions is watching movies, I have a great threshold for pain, I can watch any B grade hindi potboiler or a dubbed southern movie for kicks. On a serious note, there have been some great movies which audiences never appreciated. Also some movies I seriously wished the directors had done a better job of since I watched them with so many expectations only to be led down.

Luck by Chance (Director Zoya Akhtar)

One of the most layered and character driven script written and executed in recent Hindi cinema, it is tale of 3 struggling actors and how each one makes individual choices with varying degrees of success in the film industry. The fickle relationships and ease with which star kids get a privileged entry into cinema is well treated. With a number of stars playing cameos Luck by Chance drives home a subtle message, success is not easy, one has to work for it and even if one is hard working, the ability to create visibility and networking is crucial only then does Luck favor you. Farhan Akhtar is aggressive attends film parties, builds contacts with producers and charms the star-kid co-star while his friend believes in honing his art and doing theater. It’s any one guess who succeeds in the end.

Mumbai Meri Jaan (Director Nishikant Kamat)

An ensemble cast of how people reacted to the July train blast in Mumbai, how an unemployed Hindu youth Kay Kay becomes a bigot, why a true blue Mumbaikar Madhavan cannot take a local train again, why a poor man Irfan Khan who is denied entry into malls makes fake phone calls to spread panic and fear. How Soha Ali Khan a journalist who loses her fiancé in the blast is exploited by own channel by asking the most obvious and vulgar question “Aap ko kaise lag raha hai ?”. The best performance belong to Paresh Rawal a police havaldar who has seen the old Mumbai where there was no fear and how he could go inside the airport with his wife to see the planes take off. That one line conveys how India and world were once at peace when terror and fear was not part of our daily lexicon.

Iruvar -the Duo (Director Mani Ratnam)

Fantastic biography of Tamil Nadu’s two popular chief ministers Karunanidhi and MGR, the tale of 2 friends who rose from obscurity in cinema and then made the leap to politics and finally ambition got the better of their friendship. The movie also highlighted the multiple affairs the men had and was not an air dashed eulogy. Predictably it was opposed by supporters of both political parties and it bombed at the box office. Ashwiarya Rai played the young Jayalalitha in the movie and years later when Simi Grewal interviewed Jayalalitha, she admitted she did like Ash to play her role in a biopic.

Anbe Sivam (Director C Sundar)

The tale of 2 men an atheist communist Kamal Hassan and a god fearing ad-man Madhavan and how they come to understand each other’s point of view over a course of journey from Bhubaneswar to Chennai. Instead of seeking God externally; one should realize that love and selflessness of a fellow human being is the true manifestation of God. In the climax when the henchman realizes his folly and does not kill Kamal as instructed, Kamal said he is no longer an atheist he just saw God in him.

Rocket Singh – Salesman of the Year (Shimit Amin)

Very few Indian movies focus on an office story and very few explore the life of a salesman. Rocket Singh was a take on why companies resort to corruption and fake promise instead of delivering genuine products and building lasting relationships. Towards the end of the movie, Ranbir Kapoor tells his nemesis and former boss, “You cannot run a company on numbers alone, you need the people to come along”. Although the movie is bit indulgent and has dialogues repetitive the authentic depiction of typical characters in an office and cynical bosses was very good.

Movies which didn’t work

There are some movies which I am sure when the director and script writers began with the concept it must have seemed fantastic on the story board but somewhere in execution the movie went for a toss. I feel with a bit more of control and focus on character development these movies could have been classics.

Raavan

When there is enough of blogs on the internet panning this movie, but the relationship between Beera (Abhishek) and Ragini (Ash) could have handled more maturely. It seems Mani Ratnam copped out from presenting a bold love story. Also there was no back story for either Ram and Ravaan characters or justification for the choices they make. Visually the movie was stunting but undone by the weak screen play.

London Dreams

The plot is about two best friends Ajay Devgan who is ambitious and hardworking whilst Salman is talented and easy going. The jealousy which Ajay experiences when faced with his own best friend Salman effortless success in his chosen field and his subsequent treachery was a nice premise which was squandered.

Tashan

The original B-Movie with outrageous heroes and villains set in lawless land. The movie was meant to be kitschy movie which of the 80’s &90’s like Tridev and Main Khiladi Tu Anari . Instead of been a parody or high octane action comedy instead it stuck to a very predictable plot franking boring. However action movies are back with hits like Ghanjini and Wanted doing well these days.

Salaam-e- Ishq

Remake of the extremely popular English movie Love-Actually, but it was led down terribly by weak subplots and predictable performances. Clearly Nikhil Advani proved to be one movie wonder after making a decent movie like Kal ho Na Ho, he delivered 2 flops back to back like Salaam-e-Ishq and Chandini Chowk to China.

Interesting Desi Shop Signboards

As part of MBA course in marketing, students are taught about segmentation, targeting and positioning and dope on brand building. We MBA folks once armed with this gyan really love to condescending look down upon the rest of world. However, in the last few weeks I am come to realize that some shop-keepers/entrepreneurs have a clear idea of their brand even better than slick MBAs. Here are some of them which hit the mark.

“Shear Elegance” – Amazing name for a hair stylist shop definitely cuts through the clutter of dozen hair stylist shops; I really loved the homonym usage of shear instead of sheer. (Yes, I had to google to find the word Homonym and its meaningJ)

“Prompt Printers” - A printer who appreciates the urgency associated with your printing needs, another Tamil signboard I loved at this place was “Seripayum Veripayum velila voduvam” (Leave both your footwear and anger outside when you come in)

“Zimendaar Travels” – In my brief travels in North India recently, I realized what a pain it is to travel in private transport; delayed buses, getting offloaded in the middle of no-where leaving you at the mercy of cab owners who fleece you. Also the rash driving by taking such sharp turns in the Ghats who increase your blood pressure and devotion to God. “Zimendaar Travels” actually captures your mind as an ideal travel agency should be J I have no clue if they offer better services or not but they definitely have my vote for getting their brand promise spot on.

Manashanti BAR - Actually a bar which promises you maan ki shanti :) Its near Mankhund Station and no I havent been there !!

While above are some shop signs which are fantastic there are others that really shake your confidence. Here are a few for good laughs.

White water rafting Contact Mangesh – 98xxxxx76 Profashnals available: Would you really want to your life in the hands of this profashnals (professionals) ?

Multi-cuisine Andhra Style Restaurant – Err sounds very much like a recent movie dialogue from a Kamal Hassan starrer “Naidu Sir can speak 5 languages in Telugu”

Cyber Café Music Downloudable Here – This actually could have been an intended pun on how today’s music is actually very loud: D

Chainees available – Gobi Majuryran : Don’t expect get authentic Chinese here for sure J

Let me know if you have encountered some funny signboards to add to the list.

Random Images ....

For a while now, I have been thinking for a theme to blog on but some how, nothing seems that pertinent to write on elections, hate speeches or monster dads. So just decided to pen my thoughts on some random images which have stayed with me for the past week or so.

A perky 4 year old kid in a train

I saw the kid in the train accompanied by his parents and he was one cocky, loud kid screaming his lungs out at 6.00 am in the morning and at that time did not seem cute at all to me or the co-passengers. But there were two stand out moments in the journey though

• At one point of time, the train was going really slow, he said mom i will get down and push the train to move faster, his mother giggled at this show of strength the kid obviously hurt said he is really strong and pick up the train too with all seriousness
  
• Second really funny moment was when the kid was given a drawing book to color and he was to color Mickey Mouse, the kid ended up coloring the entire page black and saying mom see how fast I can color with proud approving glances from mommy dearest !

What can I say, the innocence and the perkiness of the kid and love of the supportive mother made this image stick on my mind.

A photo of a newly wed bride

Thanks to the update features of social networking sites, the most often thing you see are newly updated photos, and I saw one such photograph which captured a very serene and peaceful look of a newly wedded bride. I mean there was love and happiness in the eyes too, but the strong sense of completeness which has come about by the union was very apparent.

The reason the image stuck in my head is probably I often see people happy and over excited which often is short lived and leads to strife soon but then we do find the one eventually after a few bumps on the way and we know it is the bond of a lifetime the moment is rather special.

Old Age a Reality Check

I met a relative of mine close to 7-8 years later and found him a completely changed person, teeth gone, sagging shoulders and mentally very tired. As a kid, I remember him as a very sharp, intelligent and well dressed person but time has taken severe toll due to illness and other problems.

This image did shake me up a bit, I cannot generalize but I always behave like I am going to live for ever and I take a few things for granted youth, intellect and health perhaps I did exist in a bubble of illusion. The bubble has finally burst and I do have food for thought.

Summary

If I have to just put a common theme around these three images, in childhood we are rambunctious and so full of life, we do not know what lies in store in the future. In our youth we face our victories and defeats which shape our lives. Finally time catches up with us and we fade away inevitably.

Quoting from a movie I saw long back, which had these closing lines which are apt here

"Someone once told me that time was a predator that stalked us all our lives, but I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey and reminds us to cherish every moment because they'll never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we've lived"

The choice is up to us if we want to fear time as an enemy or enjoy the moments as they come.