Growing up with God

Words are not enough

May be the timing is not right? When the whole world which was urging "you know who" to retire a day earlier, have started hitting the post button from their drafts thanking him for the memories... Should I too join the bandwagon?? May be once everyone is back to the senses on their hypocrisy, I should have started this..  But let it be.. Even He got his timing wrong at times. And I am just another man!

There are some things you know will never change.. Programmes in Podhigai TV, public and civil apathy in India, BSNL broadband connectivity playing hide and seek when you are online etc. In this list was Him creating the equivalent of a 99.94 in ODIs.

When the news first broke out via sms, I plunged headlong into grief.. Just to imagine that I wont be seeing God striding out to open the batting for the Men in Blue..  Still has me in a daze.. I immediately went online and started reliving his innings via scorecards on cricinfo.. What was his last ball in ODIs? What was his last ODI score, how get got out.. My own memories of seeing him @ MAC in the World Cup.

Next was the newspapers the next day. Clinging on to each and everyword  that evoked nostalgia about The God.. I first remember cricket as a match on TV. The day we got a Telephone in my home was an India vs SL World Cup match in 1996. I was in middle school.. Sachin's Century.. The famous Jingle "Sachin aayare bhaiya..". Once I started  following cricket, I was in love with The Superman from India. His pleasant nature in presentations, his focus on the field made him a larger than life role model.. Then came the moment.. For Indians, Desert storm has got nothing to do with geographies.. It represents the blade screaming MRF. Though I could not see the match, once I read it in newspapers, I knew it was a superhuman effort. Fortunately I got an action replay in the final. I need to thank Tony Greig capturing the appropriate mood and making it a timeless classic. You just cannot forget "Its gone wayyye over the stands!!" chant, can you??

Lest you forget, The way he brought Henry Olonga back to the earth... Coming down the ground and late cutting Paul Strang fine of third man.. Those arms having bat and a helmet instead of a conch and a discus. Eye towards the sky... I came to live through him. I still regret not being able to see His hundred for MCC XI as a captain.

My earliest recallable hobby of collecting pics from newspapers and sticking it on a book was born there.
Love became devotion.

The power to make a billion smile and change the mood of the country was remote controlled by one man.

Then comes the 1999 World Cup, Ganguly-Dravid-Taunton Classic and the lump in the throad when he scored another hundred against Kenya. When he looked at the sky, we had a lump in the throat..

I was changing school for my 7th standard.

When he scored a 137 in Chepauk and yet we lost, I had tears brimming in my eyes. Here is one man battling back spasms and feeding you the match and another 10 men like a 6 month old swishing hands on a cricket field wasting his effort.

His effort in Australia in 1999-00. One man vs 11 Australians. 0-3. World's finest art has to come with a melancholic strain, does it?

His Triple strike in THE Greatest test of all time.. How easily it slips to the backseat in our minds?

2003 World Cup.. After the effigy burning, One superman took it upon himself to make amends and inspire another 10 more to the final.. In the space of a month, he changed public mood to the other extreme.

I was changing schools for my 11th standard.

2004-05 series in Aus... The 241 showed us what discipline is.. When you need to discipline your self, I can challenge you, there is no better inspiration!!

I had finished my schooling and joined college.

A rough patch in 2005-06, tennis elbow, I was one of the billion who were used to seeing him superhuman that we just couldnt accept him as a mortal and shamelessly wanted him to retire. The 141 on him comeback match against WI gave me a slap on my cheek and said that God is one who need not prove himself to  our pointless rationalism. Devotee again.

He was back and How...  What a 3 years that was... (Forget that 2007 WC) 2008 series in Aus.. A classic in Perth. Amends for the Sydney test in ODIs. CB Series finals. 117 & 91.. Lest you forget. He took it upon himself to win the Cup. Three bullets against Lee. Upper cut against Mitchell Johnson.. Arrival of a young squad had reinvigorated God.

College over by 2008

Another great 2009. A day before CA final exam was the 175 which brought me back to 90s again. 19 from 18 and these ******s couldnt do it for Him... Couldnt get the sadness out of it for 2 days.

Cleared my Professional Exams

After all the years of Watching him on TV, decided to see the God in IPL. The date was Apr 6, 2010. Informed of the decision to watch the match almost a fortnight in advance in office so that I wont be disturbed. Sadly enough, I am to go outstation on 30th March and hopefully would be back by 4th or 5th. I had planned even if it took 7th, I would catch a 3 hr bus journey back to city and be back the next morning. I was never going to miss it unless by some bad stroke of luck.. Unfortunately, I had that stroke. Review was to be conducted on 6th and I would be returning by night. I was so angry and frustrated at life that day that it still ranks among my top 3 bad days in life. I was never going to forgive myself. I still dont. I was lucky to have my colleague who was n times more responsible than myself that the job was completed without hiccups. Everything from Apr 4 to Apr 6 was a haze. But I remember coming home to Him speaking on the presentation. The match was a classic.

I was only happy when God dragged his team to finals against CSK that year just as he had done with India. That was one rare match, I didnt bother CSK losing.

Joined employment
Determined to see him, especially in the WC, tried all avenues but the ticket was sold out days before the match.. Where there is desperation, there is a solution. Just a couple of days before the match, online booking was opened for the match and I jumped at it.. 2k+ tax was never going to stop me this time. Finally got to hear the Chant "Sachinnn Sachin" - Goosebumps. A short while it lasted (2 balls to be exact -  A golden flick and a caught behind) that was enough to provide me with a lifetime experience.

IPL presented me another opportunity but his team wasnt schedule to visit Chennai in 2011 edition. But they had a match in Bangalore. I was neither going to miss him. Only a fifty or more would quench my thirst! April 13, 2011. Bunking office on health pretext, visited Bangalore for the match. God answered my prayers. An unbeaten 55 off 46. All shots in his book unfurled. Pulls, Hooks, Cuts, Slogs, drive over the bowler's head, coverdrives, flicks, sweeps, one legged swipe and the Straight Drive!!! My salvation was attained.. On returning back to office, another experience to laugh about over the years was awaiting me.

Now, One thing yet to see was a six from his blade. That happened in IPL 2012. Though He retired hurt in that match, a divine and cover drive & another loft over the extra cover boundary.. I was consumed. I knew it. Felt as if my bucket list has been kicked up..

I shifted jobs.. Still growing up with Him.....

Just as another die harder will expect, despite his serious lack of form, I believed he could make it to 2015 WC in Australia.  Thats when the thunderbolt struck. When your constant companion is never available again, it hurts. Gives .. for lack of a better word, "Grief". But brings out the value in the memories gathered. The phrase"India score enna? Sachin evlo?" wont be heard in ODIs now and in Tests possibly another year later.

To savour it while it lasts. After all when we grow old,not money or relatives, but Memories are our only companions.. To live up to one billion aspirations in one life.. That is what you are all about!!

Thanks Sachin.. You have meant a lot to me!!  Praying to Father Time that we catch up during India-Australia Tests in March!!
Respect!

Discrim 'in' 'Nation'

Newspapers today give bad signals to its readers. They spread gloom and give opinions instead of facts. In fact, save those souls who read only the sports columns and drag themselves half heartedly till 'world news' section, i can safely say that those who read the balance portion of Indian Newspapers atleast are becoming more paranoid and rigid in their views. One can almost sense a divide between those reading vernacular newspapers and english ones. While the former pride themselves on being updated more on the local happenings, the latter believe that they read more global events and are even more informed.

Ignoring the previous para which has nothing special to do with this post, we go about on discrimination. This word has kept me fascinated for the past couple of months. Caste discrimination being practised today resulting in untouchability seems far fetched from my cosy armchair of my home. But why such a hue and cry? Untouchability definitely does not pluck the right strings. But where do we stand as regards discrimination. Is discrimination only an act or is it a thought? Do we stereotype and prepare ourselves for discrimination at the required time?

Why do caste votes have such a powerful force in elections? Why do we prefer our own kind as our colleagues while reccomending a job? Why do we give preference to the background of the speaker than the  item spoken?

I would say discrimination (atleast in thought) is a way of life and more of a culture for the Indian subcontinent (and by extension 1/6 of world population which is a good sample for the world as a whole). We are people who discriminate on a day in day out basis. In fact what would we do without discrimination, since we have a sorry history of discrimination? Sample this for various levels of discrimination:
1. We discriminate on a country to country basis (we have a special corner of our heart discriminating Pak)
2. If India and Pak were to Join - Language  - Urdu guys vs Hindi guys (sub matches like tamil vs kannada, telugu, malayalam .... etc)
3. If One language is accepted as common language - Religion - Hindus vs Muslims vs Christians (3 way tag match)
4.  If one religion is accepted as a common ground -  caste becomes a factor
5. If all castes become one - town vs village (land based discrimination on a minor scale) for e.g. "Inda pasanga tirunelveli, madurai lendu vanduttu, kannu mannu theriyaama otranga!!! ******!" - regular stereotype we give for a cab driver who drives rashly
6. If that stops, we have wealthy vs the unwealthy in the same area.
7. Beyond dat if people have same wealth, we discriminate on fairness / darkness of the skin
8. Even if we are blessed with same skin tone, we will have no other way except to go with male vs female gender discrimination.

All said and done we may preach equality on the surface and seem to follow it but what is the situation in our heart. As instantly as seeing , we opinionate and stereotype and prepare ourselves to discriminate in times of need. As the Joker says in the Dark Knight  - "You see, their morals, their code, it's a bad joke. Dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these... these civilized people, they'll eat each other... "

If discrimination is so hardwired into our system how effective is quota / reservation system to achieve social equality? How effective is inter caste marriage to bring about social equality? They can only solve one issue and make people effectively focus on other forms of discrimination.

How do we address the culture / nature / psyche of the normal human being? School? Meetings? Politics? Only way and which makes it all the more harder to achieve or almost impossible to achieve is the change shud come "From within". Till that day, all that differentiates a rationalist and a radicalist is a mask!!

Am i confused or do i see something?

Around the Office in 72 days - Abridged version

April 4, Monday Morning 9am:
Arjun - Accelerating the car -  "Yuck! Yet another monday?? Why do i even have to be there?" interrupted by the bike before him braking suddenly on the road. Red it is. Screech!!! "Paradesi. nadu road la ya break poduva!" A scowl and a couple of word exchange later, mind voice - "What fun it is to rush to office at 9 and head back 15 hrs later?"

9:15 Facebook notification - " @Arjun Even i used to be a rockband member. It was my passion. But I still like my work and here I am." Reply comment: "R u able to pursue ur passion on weekends atleast??" One like immediately.

9:30 - Prakash's sleep devoid eyes were shut but the mouth was working as usual - "Dae. Arjun. I am going to quit this company. I hate the work pressure. I have been working continuously for the last 6 weekends. Would you believe it?? What life am i having?"
Arjun's Mindvoice - "Leave aside working continuously, i doubt even if you were working on the weekdays"
Prakash: "Pl keep this confidential dude"
"Kandippa da. Nan yaartiyum solla maaten."
One murmur by a senior apprentice - "Ivan ipdi dan 3 varushama solran. Pora vazhiya kaanom" Smile.
Prakash: "Variya coffee polam??"
Mind voice - "Pochu da. Aarambichutan!!"


10:00  - "Dae. Sathya. Innikku Notes to Accounts verification mudikkanum. I ve allocated components to you, and have given you the workings in pendrive. Pl give it before lunch. Since u r a senior article now I expect you to take more responsibility."

"Arjun.. Lunch kulla lam kashtam. Nethi 12:30 ku dan veetukku ponen. kannu eriyudu."

"Dae time illa da. Kandippa venum. All workings are avbl just check it da. Avlo dan. Nan oru client call ku poren. Any help reqd, pl msg"

11:00 - Via glass door - Sathya's desktop - fb on one tab, cricinfo on another, msnger chat with sruthi, Status in msnger - "Drowned in work :("

12:00 - Arjun's msnger was pinged - "Machi. Un mail lam reference panada. Recipient oda initials use panna, he feels u may use the mail against him"
"Dae. Idula enna da use panna irukku. Reference panadu kuthama?"
"Therla. Pl keep calm. U cant change ppl here. Be careful. Un crime rate erite pogudu"
"k."
Mindvoice - "Why are ppl so lame? Oru reference pottadukku yen da scene podranunga. Perhaps insecurity is the order of the day?"


12:40 - "Dae. Notes check panniya? "
"Going on da.. Will take some time.. "
"Apdi enna da pannirukka?? kaatu." - Two tabs in excel containing 40 cells of characters was the work done.
"Dae. Enna da ivlo dana? U could have finished the whole work with the workings given by this time!! Enna da ipdi panreenga. Seri finish asap and give da"
"ok. sure da"

1:00 - "Arjun. Lunch poitu varlame. I am hungry."
Mind voice - "Venam nu sonna vidava pore"  - "Sure.. Come back soon da" - Mind voice - "Workpaper innikki varum, aana varraadu!!"


April 7
6:00pm - Msnger ping - "3rd floor la oru ponnu nalla irukka. Variya anga poi coffee saaptu varalam??"

"Vera vela??"

6:10 pm:

Ram - "Machi.  'Samayal' Sriram ku 2 months la kalyanamaam. Kooda articles panna ponnaye correct pantan!"
Arjun - "Avanaavadu seekram settle aarane!"
"Namma veetla nammala jadagam nu solli emathuraangalo? Unakku eppo plansu?"
"Min 28 years aaganumam. Once settle aana approm dan!"
"Settle a? appo unna yaaru kalyanam pannuvanga? aduthavanga kalyanathukku poi atchada poda vendiyadu dan"
"Ivlo pesura nee yen poyum poyum oru paiyanoda coffee saapda vara?"
"Dae...sssh ava vara " Presses a button on mobile "Alagaana aangal kudi irukkara kaalany la aayiram ponnunga thedi varum.. Adellam oru prachanaya" - Gounder reels off his lines in his trademark loudpitch.
"Sirichta.. Eppudi?"
"Dae. Avalukku puriyadu.."
"Summa adichu vidada"
"Nejama. Ava friend oda pesumbodu sirichtu pona. Un ringtone a kettu sirikkala"
"Poraamai...  I know "
"Dae . Ava rajasthani. Tamil theriyadu.."
"Unakku epdi da theriyum?"
"Yennaaa. nan ippo dan 10 mins munnadi, innoruthanoda coffee saapda inga vanden!!!"
"Thuuu "


April 10 - 12:30 pm
Arjun: "Vidra. Kelvi patten. Unna poi arrogant nu soltangale da."

Prakash: "Konjam enthusiastic a work panna, overacting - Kova patta irunda arrogant - Client kitta thittama, co-workers gang la client a thittina - no client handling skills - Think panni fresh a panna - Lack of commitment to organisational system - Periyavanga kitta pambala na - lacking soft skills..."

Arjun: "Absolutely da." Mindvoice - "Epdi paathalum Adutha half hour ku vela seiya vida maatan"
Arjun - "Variya 3rd floor la coffee saapte pesalam?"
Satya - "Va da........ Idellam oru office nu naamalum irukkome, nee enna solre? paper potrulama?..."


April 12 7:00am
Checked fb for reply to the rock band guy..No response yet.

April 14 - 12:00am
Arjun: "Dae. Annikke file a anuppa sonnene da? Yen da panla"
Satya: "No time. I have been spending close to 15 hrs on the field. No time to check the data given da"
Arjun: "Ippo paaru.."
Satya: "I'm in another client now, will call you soon. Now client is coming. will call you soon."

May15 -
Msnger ping:
Prakash: "Dae Arjun... Appraisal Results announced.."
Arjun: "Great! Whats for you..?"
Prakash: "Nothing da. No proms for me"
Arjun: "Oh. Bad man.. What next? Looking for any shift..?"
Prakash: "I love the learning here da. Promotions are secondary.. The work experience I get and the exposure helps me go on here da..
Arjun: Mind voice - "Sathiya sodana."
Prakash : "Dae. nee enna da ivlo cool a irukke, unakku enna achu da?"
Arjun: "Enakku appraisal Illa da. This is my last week at this office. I've put my papers a week back"
Prakash: "Sollave illa? Great man. Neeyavadu nalla iru. Enga da treat ? Naanum escape aanum nu paakaren, mudila. All d best to you"
Arjun: "Thanx"  Mindvoice - "Mavane. Enna ulla poi pottu kuduthe nu kelvi patten, padu nallavan maari ippo pesuriye da"


June 1:
Raghav: "Sir. I am the new AM deputed to work under you sir. I was informed I would work with u on IMFS Ltd  assignment"
Prakash: " Welcome to the orgn. You will enjoy the work here. If u have passion, u can do wonders in this orgn ... blah blah.... blah blah..."
Senior apprentice pings to his friend: "Dae, Sikkiruchu da adutha sundeli..... blah blah"

June 15:
Prakash: "Dae Raghav I am going to quit this company. I hate the work pressure. I have been working continuously for the last 6 weekends. Would you believe it?? What life am i having?"
Prakash: "hey. Unna nambi solliten. Pl keep this confidential dude"
"Kandippa. Nan yaartiyum solla maaten Prakash."
Senior Apprentice: "Marubadiyumaa...."

Rajni Rare Interview - Great Lessons, Interesting Views!!!!