Why Most Of Us Love School Reunions.!! Part 1.

I was  browsing the Facebook page of a prominent school of  Dehradun on which a ex student (now in her 60ties ),had put up two photographs of the school she had studied in ,during the sixties .Inevitably the word nostalgia found its way into the photograph captions .Nothing new .We all put up photographs of the schools we studied in .And we all want to flaunt its rich heritage and its distinguished alumni .The response to her photographs  was also as expected –a flood of teary eyed comments ,about the teachers ,about the friends and about the passing away of so and so .!!Again nothing new .

But the question still remains –why do we respond so powerfully to a collective memory of something which we never liked so much at the time we were in it ?Schools ,then ,(and let me be honest even now ) were always  a symbol of something that was not a joyous experience to go through .The way they were structured , led to a movement which propagated that only IF a child likes to go to a school –then it’s a good school, irrespective of whether he learnt anything there or not.The index was happiness –not achievement or marks (though if someone was happy at competing and getting marks ,then it was good school for that particular child )  .Otherwise –it was  a bad school .!But years down the line all stressful memories  get  washed away and the one memory that keeps haunting you is  –“school was wow .I wish I could go back to it .Oh –what would I NOT give to be taught again by Mr G.C .Gupta or Mr J.L. D’Souza”.!!

Why this yearning ?

I think its partly because as human beings we get “selective” about our memories .We tend to select the good  moments of our life –and we have plenty of them in school,not necessarily  connected to lessons in Maths ,Science or History .School is the first place where we interact with our peer group collectively over a period of time .It is a place where the mysteries of adulthood start to wrap around you –the first shave ,the first crush and the first attempt at dating and drinking !!Anything that happens for the first time is difficult to forget .And a lot of them happen while one is in school .

Psychologists also propound the theory that the recall factor is the strongest when we are young .In other words –the further one goes into the past ,the stronger are the memories .Which is interesting because one would expect that what happened in the near past should be clearer in our memory than something that happened lets say about 40 years back .But in practical terms it does not work like that. .At least as far as I am concerned –I have very vivid memories of what happened when I was a school boy and less of  them  what happened to me lets say about 5 years back .The result –we connect with what we can remember ,and schooldays are the strongest connect ,because they go as far as one can get as one ages .

Apart from what psychologists say ,I think there are certain other factors which make school days  always special .No matter what one goes through –childhood is always associated with  our dreams .Its a special quality that a child has in plenty – dreams!! .To be able  dream and enjoy  it –you  have to be  a child or as innocent as a child .The entire school system was based on selling you dreams .I remember writing a essay “If I could fly”.!!And I remember reading a fairy tales  of “Thumbelina”, “Jack and the Beanstalk” “Rumplestiltskin” or “Rip Wan Vinkle”!!.!! I remember acting in “Cindarella”as Prince Charming .!!

Witnessing A Part Of Gruesome History

Wednesday isn’t a day when you would  like to  attend a party .It sits right in the middle of the week and for people like me ,more often than not passes off uneventfully .It almost never is a party day in Jaipur –a city which has a magnificent social and party circuit and I was a bit surprised when my dear friend Ashok phoned me and invited me and Sangeeta for dinner and drinks at one of Jaipurs most happening restaurants .It was a rooftop restaurant and very popular with the youngsters because it has a dance floor as well .

“Whats the occasion Ashok?” I asked

“Kuch nahin –just a “bahaanaa for having drinks and food” he laughed !

“But why on Wednesday?” I persisted .

“ Yaar ye  Principal wale questions mat poochoh” he said .Ashok was a senior bureaucrat and a very well known one at that .He and his lovely wife Aradhana had become very close friends over  the years .

To be very honest –I was reluctant to attend the party .I was on a comeback trail as far as my health was  concerned and was on a very disciplined and restricted  diet. I  had almost given up drinking .Only the previous year I had barely managed to survive after being  in the ICU for 15 days  .But I just did not have the heart to refuse .

Ashok is a great host and we landed at his party .The dress code very specifically had been spelt out by his wife  Aradhana . “Dress as you used to when you were in the University” she had said .I ignored the dress code and went to the party in a coat and a tie .

“Oh my God Kullu.Dont tell me you dressed so formally when you were in Delhi University” cooed the ever effervescent Jaishree  .Before I could respond my good friend Ajit  made a entry – with a “jholaah”(bag) ,a crumpled kurta ,Kolhapuri chappals ,Jeans and a cigarette dangling from his mouth –a la Marlon Brando in the movie “On the Waterfront”.!!He was a alumnus of the JNU !! It was about 9.30 pm and the drinks and the snacks had started to circulate quickly .Very soon the dance floor came to life with songs of the byegone era. “ Mai Chali mai chali dekho pyaar ki gali, Koi rokeh na mujhe ,mai chali mai chali”  and songs like that .

The cream of Jaipur was present .Very soon the DGP  walked in .And so did page 3 crowd  -everyone who is someone in Jaipur !! We soon realized it was Aradhanas Birthday !! The party was celebrating the day she came into the world .

I still remember the date .It was  26/11 .

In Mumbai ,while we partied ,Ajmal Kasab and his gang of 10 terrorists had slipped into India At about  9.30 pm ,two of them  had gone on a rampage at the Leopold Cafe ,killing 10 people and injuring several ,while Ajmal Kasab and Ismail went beserk at  Chattrapati Railway Station killing 52 and injuring 109 people .They were finally intercepted at Girgaum Chowpatty . 

At Girgaum Chowpatty one of the great sacrifices in contemporary history, was taking place .Policeman Tukaram  Omble was an ASI with the Mumbai Police. His team was under-equipped for the attack, but he  managed to kill one terrorist and arrest the only terrorist taken alive - Ajmal Kasab. Unarmed, Omble  with only a laathi as his weapon  rushed to hold onto the rifle butt of  Ajmal Kasab, enabling other officers to apprehend him.With the barrel of the gun held by his hand and against his stomach ,Omble must have known it was a one sided affair .  Ajmal  pulled the trigger and fired several shots,piercing his intestines , killing him .A brave son of India passed into history 

 The other cowardly  terrorists had entered the Taj Hotel and the Trident Hotel .

We were unaware of anything .I floated around and stopped to exchange pleasantries with the DGP –Mr Bains .He was a very kind and sage looking man and very modest .I moved on to the other guests .Very soon we were on the dance floor –trying to shake a leg or two .

Ashok was next to me .And so was Ajit .Someone came and tapped Ashok on his shoulders .He excused himself .I saw him make his way towards Mr Bains the DGP .They both appeared serious .Ashok was bent with his ear close to Mr Bains lips –the music was loud and apparently he was finding it difficult to hear what the DGP was saying .He then escorted him towards the door and disappeared .

Someone was serving prawns along with the drinks .I was enjoying them and the great whiskey .Ashok reappeared after 15 minutes or so .I asked him whether everything was fine .His words froze me 

“There has been a terrorist attack in Mumbai .And its not a ordinary one .All the states have been alerted .Mr Bains has gone to take stock of the situation in Jaipur and Rajasthan”.

By now everyones cell phones started to ring .My son Pratique rang up and said

“Dad –the terrorists have attacked Mumbai “

“How serious does it appear” I asked him .

“Very bad Dad .It looks it’s a big attack .And its taking place at different places .Its live on TV .My God ……… “ and his voice trailed off .

“What happened” I asked ?

“They say they are at the TAJ Hotel .”

It was then that I realized that it was a highly motivated and planned attack .By now we were all talking about it .The party hung up .We all rushed home .Pratique opened the door and we all rushed to the television set .The Taj was on fire and gunshots were being heard .!! And yelling with excitement and anger were the journalists who have become a part of our daily lives –Arnab ,Rajdeep ,Barkha and many more .It seemed we were at war .And it showed how 10 terrorists could hold a big country like ours to ransom .We were witnessing the making of history .!!

Kulbhushan Kain's Blog: Life -Its Not How Long -But How Good It Is .!!

Kulbhushan Kain's Blog: Life -Its Not How Long -But How Good It Is .!!: When I joined College I knew what I had to do to succeed .I knew what topics to study and what   were  the marking schemes in each subject...

Life -Its Not How Long -But How Good It Is .!!

When I joined College I knew what I had to do to succeed .I knew what topics to study and what   were  the marking schemes in each subject  .So all I had to do was to get  down into the “formula “ of cracking the exam .And in my second year ,I even managed to “top” my college !! But  I soon realized that life is not a formula .The unfortunate thing and in the very essence of it ,is like a Agatha Christie movie .!! You don’t know till the end who the murderer is inspite of having clues that point overwhelmingly in a particular direction !! In life there is no core curriculum .The entire curriculum is elective.

 The paths are infinite and the results uncertain.This uncertainity is the cause of great anxiety ,because we have always been taught in school and college about formulas which guarantee achievement and results  .But remember that College ,School,University is something you complete and achieve in tangible terms –marks sheets and those horrible looking Degrees which I think is the most democratic idea of the world (apart from death ),-the idea that all men and women are equal .Its like a fool telling another person “ See both of us have got degrees and hence both of us are equal !! We are on the same page !!

But life is not a college degree which you achieve and complete .Life is something you experience  .You learn from experience to live with a amputated leg or a tumor inside your stomach ,brain or lungs .You learn from experience how to live after a tempestuous one night stand with someone else –only to realize  that you have not let down  your partner  –but yourself because he/she thinks you are loyal to him /her.You learn to live with the fact  that your colleague who sprinkles  sugar and honey on you in private ,goes  and deviously tattles  to dumb bosses who think that “psychophacy” is art and one should have it .And then think you are inferior !!You learn to live with lots of money and then reflect that there is something called wastage and  that something is horribly wrong somewhere that makes you  “diet”, when  millions are dying of hunger .

You also learn to live with failures .You realize that you failed in the IAS exams because you were never good at taking those kind of  exams –but took them because others expected you to take them .You realized that you failed because as a fish your strength was swimming –but you were trying to climb a tree !! You realize that failure was a friend because it kept telling you “don’t go there –you wont like it ,go there –the other way”!!

More importantly life teaches you what the great Roman philosopher said

“As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.”

Kulbhushan Kain

Good Bye Sadashiv Amarapukar

“Marun ya maarun ,maara jaoon ya jaan se maar du ,

Iska faisla kabhie na ho paayega ,

Soya hua aadmi jab ,

Neend se uth kar chalna shuroo kartaa hai ,

Tab sapnon ka sansaar use doobara dikh hi naa payegaa ,

Use roshni  mein jo nirnay ki roshni hai

Sab kuch smaan hoga kya ?

Ek palde me napunsakta ,ek palde mein  parush

Aur theek tarazu ke kante par –AARD SATYA .”

 I have never forgotten these lines  since I first heard them in the film Ardh Satya .It is one of the finest films  and  was made in 1984 by Govind Nihalini. The screenplay was  by Vijay Tendulkar .It starred the great Sadshiv Amrapukarl ,Smita Patel ,Shafi Inanmadar ,Om Puri among others .I was at that time just getting to grips with  dealing with the world on my own and felt like a infant who had been  separarted  in a mela  from  the hands and fingers that held  him.The movie raised the existentialist debate in my mind .The brave cop –Om Puri ,is hounded because of his honesty by a goon (Sadashiv Amrapukar) and criminals who work for him .The nexus between the politicians ,criminals and police is brilliantly brought out and somewhere in the middle of the movie Smita Patil (playing Om Puri girlfriend )asks him to read the above lines .Its one of the most poignant scenes in cinema and gave me goosebums (it will give you as well if you see it in the setting of the movie ).

Ardh Satya taught me more about Indias politics than any class /classes I ever attended those days  –till now .The brightest of the teachers of that film Sadashiv Amrapukar  is no more .Words are no substitute for anguish  -so I wont write something which I cant express .Many of his co stars are no more –Smita Patil ,Shafi Inamdaar ,Vijay Tendulkar .But this tribute is to the ultimate actor who played a villain with great panache –but in real life was a man with a heart of gold and gave up glory to pursue social service.Contradictions of life !! .A man signifying the the idea of. Ardh Satya –raising a question once again –are there absolutes in life ? Or are there only AARDH SATYAS? . Thank you for raising the question so brilliantly. 

 !!R.I.P.Salute .

Why Modi Must Be Protected At All Costs .

 Mahatma Gandhi was silenced by a bullet .So was Mrs Gandhi and her son Rajive(both Prime Ministers )  .The after effects  are well known –it led to  brutal killings as a retaliation .India seemed to be on the edge of a bloody civil war on each occasion .We limped back to normalcy because it was taken as a “internal matter” .However it  exposed how casually we take the security of our leaders. .That is what worries  common citizens  like me because any drift into lawlessness affects the common man the most .Law and order in India is very fragile .Anything (like the assassination of the PM) can upset the apple cart and create a situation akin to the “law of the jungle” .Is our present PM absolutely secure  ?

 Even if you hate Narendra Modi  ,we cant afford to lose him  to a bullet of a mad assassin . The stakes are too high .Why ? Lets  have a brief look at the comparision between South Asia (of which India and Pakistan are parts) and the state of Europe  prior to the First World War in 1914. .For many of you who are  uninitiated into History, a brief background of .Europe in 1914 is important .It was the year in which the First World War broke out .Europe at that time  was dominated by Empires –the Austro –Hungarian Empire ,the German Empire and the Ottoman Empire .It  was not a continent having independent nations (nation states ) as of now ,and it was ruled by monarchies .As the Ottoman Empire weakened(it was called the “sick man of Europe”) –states started getting independent .One of them was Serbia which became independent of the Ottomans in 1878.Serbia saw itself as the leader of the Slavs many of whom were under the Austro Hungarian Empire . ( Slavic people are classified into West Slavic (chiefly Poles, Czechs and Slovaks), East Slavic (chiefly Russians,Belarusians, and Ukrainians), and South Slavic (chiefly Bosnians, Serbs, Croats, Bulgarians, Macedonians, Montenegrins, and Slovenes) They had very little in common with the Austro Hungarian Empire which was basically a German speaking Empire .

 The Austro-Hungarian Empire and Serbia were neighbours, much as India and Pakistan are neighbours. There was no comparison between the military power, the economic strength and the political clout of the two neighbours: Austro-Hungary, like India vis-a-vis Pakistan, was undoubtedly superior. Nevertheless, tension between the two neighbours was rife, as in the case of India and Pakistan. Serbia-based non-State actors were secretly readying for a major terrorist strike against the Empire, backed by powerful forces within Serbia but out of government control, much as Pakistan-based non-State terrorists are constantly preparing for terror strikes against key Indian targets, backed by powerful forces within Pakistan, but outside government control. The Serbs were wanting to incorporate parts of Austro German Empire (Bosnia and Hergegovina ) into what they called “Greater Serbia “ Much like what Pakistan wants to do with our Kashmir(they already in illegal possession of a part of it which they call "Azad Kashmir"!!!!)  .

When a young band of Serbian terrorists slipped into Bosnia to kill Archduke Franz Ferdinand,(the son of Franz Josep the Emperor of A-H and nowhere as popular as Narendra Modi)  the Government of Serbia did not know, even as it is entirely likely that the Government of Pakistan did not know that Ajmal Kasab and his gang had slipped into Mumbai to target the iconic Taj Hotel. But, as in India, so in Austria, the suspicion was so strong that there were rogue elements in the Serbian establishment that were backing the terrorists, no proof was needed: suspicion amounted to conviction. Therefore, when the Serbian terrorists struck, assassinating the heir-apparent to the Austro-Hungarian throne, the Empire needed no conclusive proof that the Serbian government was behind the assassination. It knew, as India "knew", that 26/11 was master-minded by the Government of Pakistan. And even as the Pakistan government denied any involvement in such cross-border terrorism and undertook to set in train an investigation into the dastardly terrorist attack, so also, a hundred years earlier, did Serbia condemn the assassination and offer to investigate and bring to justice those responsible. 

But Austria –Hungary  would not be appeased.The war started due to a unreasonable set of demands and the coming into play of the alliance system .It made sure that a war between Austria -Hungary and Serbia would not remain confined to just the two of them .

Modi is a very popular leader .Call him anything ,but one thing is certain –it will become impossible to prevent a war with Pakistan incase “non state” actors from across the border attempt and get him .The repercussions are scary if that were to happen .Listening to a debate on TV a couple of days back ,I was shocked to hear a very senior ex  Pakistani official say that all they need to do is to drop a nuclear bomb on Delhi and how people will shit (sic) in their dhotis .A nuclear exchange is very possible considering the inflamed public opinion and their love for Modi and the hate for Pakistan if something were to happen to him which is from across the border .

That is why –we must protect our Prime Minister at all costs .God forbid a Pakistani terrorist gets him ,there will be mayhem .There wont be a Third World War .We will bilaterally  bomb each other out of existence .

Kulbhushan Kain

 

Oh God -What A Mess !!

Our educational system is in a mess .We seem to be totally confused because we don’t know what to do .Do what about, you may ask ?The problem is in the times we are living in .The other day we went to a restaurant and one look around made me aware of the times we live in .There was  near deathly silence –everyone was interacting either with their smart phones or ipads .Even while gorging into the biryani at Gazebo ,people were eating food all the while talking over their cell phones .The name of the locality in which Gazebo is situated –Dubai Internet City !! Well that’s the world we live in .But the problem with education is more serious .The biggest problem in using technology is that if you use technology to improve the learning outcomes with the present curriculum and the present education system, then there’s a conflict. A huge conflict .The technology, information technology, is essentially a nonlinear tool. You can go to the Internet and search  just about any content .You can skip from one field to another by just typing in the address .However  the education system as it exists   is a very linear one.Its a throwback of the Industrial Revolution and is out of sync with the Technological /Digital /Computer /Space age !!

Education over the years has been fashioned like an assembly line. Children get placed on a conveyor belt that carries them from grade level to grade level.As if they all learn at the same speed . At each stop on the way they are receive the same knowledge as everyone else. Rather than become  problem-solvers, students are expected to simply absorb the facts provided to them.And the schools do that by charting a syllabus on a week to week basis and with old fashioned systems of assessments which fetches you a “zero” if you answer differently because it is not part of the “marking scheme” or if the answer is not from the standard explanation of the chapter .!! How dare you say that Indians ate beef during the Vedic and other ages !!Its not part of the social history Mr Kain taught you in your 11^th Grade !!

But  technology enables a new, nonlinear curriculum, one that emphasizes problem-solving over memorization. But such improvements are impossible under the traditional educational system:

When you take technology and place it in the learning environment, if you make it subservient to the current linear system, then the power of the technology is constrained and then, to that extent, it is not affected. Then its effect is only as much as the school system’s effect.

Giving children access to technology is important, but doing so will only have an effect if we make fundamental adjustments to our education system. If innovation is going to shape the way the world runs in the next 50-100 years, it only makes sense to shift how we prepare students to face that future:

So the important thing is to learn the skills of learning, to learn cooperatively. The old system says you are going to learn and you are going to appear for the exam.And in the exam room you are sitting like a living dead with fierce looking invigilators .You are sitting trying to cover every millimeter of your answer script and will be lucky if you can lift your head up for fear of being told you are cheating . The new world  is saying you can work in groups and learn and crack the problem. So I think we need to fundamentally change the way we’re learning, the way that we are being assessed and certified as well.

You may well ask as to what the hell am I doing to change all that after being in the field throughout my life .Well as long as CBSE and other Examining Boards change the way they look at the childs achievements –we can do very little .The brilliant students are always going to be the ones who can cram the syllabus written in books by the NCERT !! And sit in classes packed in a orderly way like sardines !! Good luck .

Kulbhushan Kain

The Sacchin Tendulkar Of Politics -Modi !!

I need not add to the adjectives that have been used to describe the speech of our Prime Minister .No words are enough .So lets get beyond that and move to what was the more substantitive part of what it did to all of us –at least to me .1. As a non resident Indian –it made me feel very very proud .When people phoned me up and told me that “your” Prime Minister rocks –it swelled my heart and chest .It is no secret that every non resident Indian is very emotional about his country .Never ,never has the National Anthem not given me goose bumps  like it did yesterday –even though Kavita Krisnamoorty sang it not too well .2. All od a sudden I realized what we as Indians had been missing for decades  –energy and optimism .Throughout Mr Modis speech ,I was imagining how Manmohan Singh would have looked like on that stage at the MSG .I could imagine a old scholar rambling with no strength in his arms and hands to wave and no timbre in his voice to make an impact .Would anyone have blown all those kisses to him ?3.The PM  outlined the vision in very very simple terms .While the rest of the world would be old by 2030 ,India would be young –we have 70 percent population below the age of 35 !! So the world is for our taking .We have huge markets that create demand .And boy I love the line when he said “Hum mouse ko bhagaate hain”!!.And of course when he said that in every state of America you will find every nationality of the world ,but you will find a Indian in every part of the world .4 .I loved the way how he accepted his background .” Mein chai peelaatein peelatein yahan tak pahunch gaya .Chotaa aadmi hun ,isleye chotti chotti cheezein ke baein meih soochtaa hun”!! So basic ,so grounded .There were many other highpoints of his speech –and he floored everyone .

One question remains –can he deliver ? He is a star .No two ways about that and if you don’t admit it –you are not seeing the obvious .But to get things in India moving requires more than a good ,brilliant speech .Amitabh Bacchan and Dilip Kumar are better speakers .And I would rate Atalji as a class apart as far as public speaking was concerned .Speeches are forgotten .At the end of the day work can be done only if it is first conceptualized  .Franklin Roosevelt wrote once

To reach a port we must set sail –
Sail,  not tie at anchor
Sail,  not drift.”

Many before Modi have have set sail .Many before him have remained tied to the harbor .Many have sailed –but drifted .Modi seems to have set sail and is not drifting !! As a Indian –I wish him good luck .He seems to be our Sacchin Tendulkar of politics .

Kulbhushan Kain

Namo -Start Batting Like Yuvraj And Not Pujara .!!

Every one should have a knowledge of history and economics .And of course political science .Its all the more important in a country like India which is a developing nation and needs to keep evolving all the time .It also helps us to understand the difference between hype and fact .

We all went ga ga over Namo .Here was a man who promised us the world .Here was a man who sold us a dream .Here was a man who could make you angry ,laugh or cry .(He even managed to do that to hard headed politicians like Ravi Shankar Prasad in his innaugral address to Parliament ).Was what he promised all hype ?

After 4 months of his government being  in office –I have no definite answer to the above question .But it does seem that a lot of his precious mandate has so far been wasted .Which party can you expect in the near future to come to power with such a huge mandate ? As I hit my 60s I doubt wheter any party   will  in my lifetime .He needs to do something real fast .What is he waiting for ? And what the hell is he doing by indulging in these foreign policy tasks ? SAARCH ,BHUTAN ,JAPAN ,CHINA ,USA ,BANGKLADESH ,-what has it got to do with India at the moment .Infact it’s a shame that he was talking to Xi when Chinese troops were sitting in our terrirory in the Chumar Sector .And then signing on a paper which showed Arunachal as a disputed territory .Can you imagine what would have happened if Man Mohan Singh would have done that ? Narendra Modi came to power by promising fast economic growth to create millions of jobs. So, it’s mysterious that he has spent so much time on foreign visits and receiving foreign dignitaries like Chinese president Xi Jinping. Foreign relations matter, but cannot create millions of jobs .It is true that he signed MOUs with the Chinese and the Japanese which ran into billions of dollars . Big foreign investments make big headlines. Yet India itself has a savings rate of 30% of GDP, and this once touched 37%. It is contributed mainly by households and unincorporated businesses. Foreign direct investment in India is barely 1-2% of GDP. This links India to global markets and technology, and so is disproportionately useful.But it is not the crucial driver of growth . That has to be local investment. Above all, it has to be investment by small and medium enterprises, which already contribute more to investment and growth than large corporations.Modi has not done anything as yet on that front .He may do it later –but better is if he had started it earlier .Months will just eat into the years and we will be back where we started .

And people may still be talking of acche din –because they will fall to the hype and because they don’t understand economics or history .However ,let me add one last line –he is still the best bet we have as a PM .!!

Kulbhushan Kain

The Power Of One -Vinod Rai

In the dismal political scenario that I  grew up  and lived in  ,I  have  often found myself  asking the question –is there nothing good about Indian political institutions ? How is it that politicians ,bureaucrats ,teachers and even Generals get away with everything  without punishment?

To be honest ,I did get a answer “yes”  to the question .Yes, there are some pillars that have stood up and got themselves counted .One is the Indian Judiciary at the highest level –Supreme  Court .The Indian judiciary has been guided by some brilliant men especially Justice HR Khanna  in the crucial years of our democracy .Later , Justice Verma ,Bhagwati ,and many more were some of the most honest men one could find anywhere in this planet .The second institution that one can be proud of is the Election Commission .Nobody ever thought how powerful it could be till TN Seshan a rather bull dog looking Brahmin from South India took over .We were lucky that he  had successors like Mr Lyndoh (whom Mr Modi very immaturely called “James Michael Lyndoh” in a very taunting way in a election  rally ) and Mr Rao (who took on the might of Lalu Yadav).Without their  intelligence ,the courage and the determination to bring about a change ,India would have been a failed state .

Another individual has now made a mark .And he is  Vinod Rai .The CAG Office  is the watchdog of the nation .It sees whether the money you and me pay as a tax to the government is being well spent or not .For years the office  was lying in limbo .It required the “power of one” to energize it and bring to the forefront the powers that the constitution bestows on it .Vinod Rai  has done a wonderful job .And it makes me feel doubly proud because he  is a very good friend of the family and the friendship goes back to the seventies .He and my brother are both from the same college (Hindu) and from the same batch of the IAS .We always knew about his honesty . I think he has given the CAG office enough courage to stand up and be counted .Notwithstanding the fact that people like Praful Patel or Sanjay Nirupam drag him to court .You cant beat a honest man .And you cant beat him in a system that has a Judiciary like we have in India .

I am hoping for the CBI to turn the bend .One Vinod Rai ,Seshan ,or a Justice Verma is needed .It all boils down to the “power of one” !!Yes in this case -one swallow does a summer make .!!

Kulbhushan Kain

Scotland -Searching For A Pub On the Royal Mile .!!

I was in Scotland about 3 years back  -albeit for a very short time –but enough to see Edingburh ,Glasgow and  Stirling Castle  .I was also able to take in the view of the beautiful,national park  and go on a ferry ride on Loch Lomond .Lochs (lakes ) are common in Scotland and some of them can be really big –you cant see where they end .I need not repeat but  everyone knows that Scotland is perhaps  one of the prettiest spots in the world .It is a part of the British Isles at the momemt –but awaits its tryst with destiny as people will vote on the 18 th whether they want to be independent of Britain .Its a touch and go agffair at the momemt with polls suggesting a wafer thin “ No “ to independence .But a aggressive campaing to swing the undecided voter to say “Yes” could mean the birth of a new nation .If that happens ,then the next time I go to Scotland (which I will ),I will need a visa to do so .For that reason –I wish and hope the Scots say “NO”to a separation from  Britain .

Scots are different frm the Brits –make no mistake about that .I am not going to go into those differences (and I have been a student of British and Scot History as a undergraduate in Delhi University ), but one thing you can expect in Scotland in a greater measure than in Britain –they love their whiskey .They produce the finest whiskey in the world  so much so that any whiskey that is good is always compared with the one produced in Scotland “ Bilkul Scotch jaise hai” people would say when passing judgement on a local brand .I want to recount a delightful experience with a semi drunk Scot .

The Royal Mile 

Every one who goes to Edinburgh goes to, the Royal Mile .The Royal Mile  is an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, pubs and visitor attractions .The thoroughfare, as the name suggests, is approximately one  mile long and runs downhill between two significant locations in the history of Scotland, namely Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace .The Edinburh Castle is the landmark of the city and breathtakingly beautiful .The Holyrood Palace is the official residence of the British Monarchs  when they visit Edinburgh .I walked the Royal Mile a couple of times during the day and even purchase  a sweater for my son and a jacket  wife .Besides I picked up a gift of small miniatures of the top brands of Scotch whiskey to gift to a friend in Ahmedabad .On my last day ,I decided to hit the pub on the Royal Mile .I had researched where I wanted to go and despite bad reviews settled for “The Ensign Ewart “ . It has the distinction of being the highest pub in Edinburgh. Consequently, it offers, that after a hard night in the pub, going home is all "downhill”.I was staying a couple of kms from the Royal Mile and “walking downhill” after a couple of drinks would help!!! .

It had got dark and I was finding it difficult to find the pub .Suddenly I found a Scot ambling towards me .I stopped him and after wishing him asked  

“I am looking for a pub by the name ……..” .He interrupted me and said

“ You want a drink ?”

“ Yes"  I said .

“ Here ,come and share with me .I am drinking good Scotch whiskey .You don’t mind having a swig from the hip flask ?”

Before I could say anything ,he had reached the inner pocket of his grey overcoat and brought out the hip flask

“ No ,no “ I pleaded “ I AM LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO SIT AND DRINK”

“ Ok .Come ,there is a bench just a few steps away . Come lets sit and drink.Where are you from ?“ he drawled with a very Celtic accent   as he walked towards a bench .

I was in a bind .He was a friendly soul and was obviously looking for company .But I wanted to have a drink at the bar .The drink would have been accompanied  with fish and chips .The pub also had a band which played music .I was in no mood to sit with someone on the Royal Mile in weather that was getting colder by the minute .What if the cops came and rounded us up .?I was blunt .

“ I want to drink at the Ewart Pub ,and I have a friend waiting for me there(I lied). Thank you very much .You are very kind .Do you know where is it located ? “, I asked  .

“ Oh , You have a friend waiting .You must not make the woman wait .You must go .But it’s a lousy place to take a woman to .”

Ha ha .So many presumptions .So many lies .So many judgements

I finally found the bar .As it turned out  it was really no place to take a woman to .The drinks were expensive –but the fish and chips were nice .But  the best part of it was –it was all downhill and it helps if you have taken in a lot of liquid .!!

Kulbhushan Kain

Divine Sea Food In Dubai .!!

We always eat out on a weekend .And we research well before we do that .This time we had a choice of eating either sizzlers at Kobe or Seafood .We have been eating north Indian food –butter chicken ,dal makni,pannier pasanda –quite a lot .And our last experience in Arabian Courtyard was bad .I can put myself down as a food critic and that’s because I cook more or less everyday .The moment I see the food ,I know whether its going to be good or not .The colour ,the aroma ,and the heat that emanates from its containers are enough indication of how the food is going to be before the first spoon goes to the tongue !!

We settled for Seafood and we decided to hit Mahesh Seafood restaurant in Karama .Yes it’s a branch of the same Mahesh in Mumbai which is legendary for its seafood .The traffic was chock a block as we winded our wy into one of Dubais most crowded localities –Karama .We had booked a table for ourselves and we barely made it in time .The ambience of the place was  nice .We asked the chef to suggest two dishes of fish without any bones .–one dry and one in gravy .He suggested Basa Malabar Tikas and Hammour Mallipuram fish gravy .We asked for appams (like small chappati sized  dosas ),rice and chappatis .

What we got was amazing .!!The tikkas were  wonderful and had such a aromatic  flavor to them ,and the fish gravy was out of the world .It was slightly thin and cooked in coconut milk .Like all south Indian dishes it had all the lovely ingredients –cardamom ,black pepper ,”daal cheeni”, “curry patta” .cumming seeds ,and what not .It was cooked as per our specifications –we wanted it to less spicy .While we waited we saw waiters flitting carrying live pieces of fish and showing it to the customers .Yes –they actually ask you to select a piece of your own choice which they cook subsequently .Of course one has the choice of depending on their choice –like we did .!!

It was a great weekend and if you are in Dubai and want to eat sea food  in a good restaurant which is not located within the confines of a 5 Star Hotel –then  go to Mahesh !! And before going –maybe you could down a glass of Red French Wine !!

Kulbhushan Kain

Fiddling While "Kashmir " Burns !!

In AD 64 for six days and seven nights the citizens of ancient Rome watched helplessly as their city burned. The great fire that engulfed Rome , spread quickly and savagely. After it was over, 70 percent of the city had been destroyed. According to the great historian Tacitus  "Of Rome's 14 districts, only four remained intact.”. Of the million-person population, an estimated half was made newly homeless .

As is usually seen in such mass tragedies, rumors began to wind through the devastated streets. Reports emerged that some men were seen fanning the flames claimed they were under orders. As a result of the tremendous losses, the Roman people, feeling the effects of paranoia, looked for someone who might be responsible for the fire. They blamed their emperor -- Nero.

In the light of the great tragedy in Kashmir –our good friends (led by the terrorist Hafiz Saeed) are blaming the Indian Government for the floods !! Of course that venomous idea of his , no one is going to buy (he used the word “water terrorism”!!). But perhaps the most interesting rumor that emerged from the great fire was that Nero (the Emperor ) had played his fiddle(violin /flute). while Rome burned .While the above is debated amongst historians bcoz the violin was invented 1500 years later ,the phrase “fiddling while Rome burnt “ has come to stay .In simple terms it means indulging in your favourite pastime while there is calamity all around you .Is Omar Abdullah fiddling while Rome is burning ? The way the Centre is involved  in the disaster ,and the way the separatists and the state govt are ABSENT  ,its safe to say “ yes – all  of them are ” fiddling while Rome is burning”!

Kulbhushan Kain

A Visit To The Gurudwara In Dubai .

I went to the magnificent Gurudwara in Dubai (Jebel Ali),some time back with a Principal friend of mine .While bending down to pay my obeisance my Ray Bans must have slipped out of my shirt pocket and fallen off .I was unaware of it .We went down to the "langar" and had a fantastic meal -black daal ,soya aloo ,kheer ,pulao and chappatis .We made our way out towards our car .Suddenly ,Sandhya ,the Principal friend of the family realized that she did not have her Samsung Smartphone .She had obviously left it behind in the Grudwara (i was still unaware of the loss of my Ray Bans !1).We rushed back ,only to be told by a a kind looking sikh gentleman that we should contact the office where things that are found unattended are deposited .We made our way and lo behold the old gentleman asked us " is this your phone " .Of course it was !! We were very relieved .But only for a short time !! I suddenly realized that my Ray Bans were missing !! So we made our way back to the Gurudwara .But this time the old gentleman who spoke in impeccable English told me that no one had come to deposit a pair of goggles ." Why dont you go to the prayer room and ask the sewadars .Sometimes they come back after their duties with things they find .Maybe its with one of them " .I made my way ,and sure enough got my goggles from a sewadar .!! Its amazing that the aam aadmi is so honest -and yet the "khaas aadmi " is so corrupt .The fight against corruption must be relentlessly pursued -and taken to its logical end .!!

Kulbhushan Kain

The Indian Army -We Are Proud Of You .

“Moriam Nessa (Monday, 11.09am): My sister is stranded in Srinagar. She is 9 months pregnant. We have been desperately trying to get through but nothing is working. She is stuck on the third floor of her house in Jawahar Nagar with others...three houses have collapsed in their neighbourhood...

Army (Monday, 3.24pm): Jawahar Nagar is heavily flooded. Rescue teams will be going there. So, don't worry, they will be all right. Indian Army is there.

Moriam (Tuesday, 8.27am): Thank you so much for your relief work and in helping out people. My sister has been rescued. All thanks to you and your team. They wouldn't have made it without you”.(Report from the Times of India between about a exchange of communication between the Army and a  distressed resident in Kashmir)

Its time to doff our caps once again to the Indian Army .Time and again –they have lfless proved how dependent we are on them .Brave ,selfless and undervalued by common citizens ,its time we applaud them with all the vigour in our body and passion in our hearts .The Chief ,Dalbir Singh is leading from the front –“we will not go back into the barracks till we have rescued each one of our citizens” he said .Brilliant –and he has walked the talk .In sharp contrast to the stone pelters and the separatists .Please do let me know if I am wrong if I write that not one of them has thanked the Army.Am I the only one who is offended by their stubborn and ill mannered stand to thank the Army for risking their livesto rescue the Kashmiris ?Shame on them for deserting the struggling people in their hour of need .But aren’t rats the first to leave the ship when they smell danger ?And don’t the tigers always hold fort ?The floods have been an eye openers –its brought out the who is who in Kashmir.

Kulbhushan Kain

Words Are Not Enough On Teachers Day.

Prime Minister Modi was at his best when he addressed school children on Teachers Day .He was charming ,did not ramble with his ideas ,and had the right answers  to questions that were obviously well rehearsed by the kids who asked them, and maybe given to him in advance to reflect upon. What was the end  result ? Firstly he got the entire student community excited –the last PM who gave children so much of importance was Nehru .You could see appreciation and admiration drip from each one of the kids faces .!! He impressed on them the importance of respect for teachers ,motivating and urging parents to send girls to school ,mastering and using technology ,developing the reading habbit and so on .He turned out to be fabulous teacher because like crores of Indians he addresses at his rallies  –he held them spell bound .

But what will all this lead to ?He spoke for 100 minutes which in most schools is equal to 3 periods .No matter how great a teacher one is -3 periods in a year is just not going to help.All schools repeat what he said on a daily basis –though with much less conviction and minus the force of power behind them  .!! So what am I saying he should have done ? Not spoken ? The answer is both Yes and No .He should have spoken –but on Childrens Day.And then too realize that speaking is never going to be enough .Because the future of children lies in the hands of the teachers and getting teachers energized on a regular basis depends on policies and legislation that governments make and follow .I hope his government  does that.I also hope he talks to the students on Childrens Day  and goes beyond the pettiness of avoiding it because J Nehru was the grandfather of his arch rival Rahul Gandhi.

But what is wrong you would ask ,if he addresses children on Teachers Day ? My answer is that on Teachers Day ,he should have spoken more about Teachers than children .Yes –he did talk about why children must treat teachers like Gods and Goddesses. In all honesty  Modi sought to confer on school Teachers a large measure of professional pride.I know that he has a feel for schools because he has one in Ahmedabad . But Teachers rightfully have a number of complaints.It is a silent community and is browbeaten by managements and arm twisted by everyone .They are a exploited lot and have to beg for something so fundamental as DA increases ,gratuity and earned leave .They are shouted at by parents and ripped apart by the Press when they call a child jocularly “foolish” .They will slap a case of mental harrasment against the teacher .Managements and Principals( collaborators at most time ,like the bureaucracy is with the politicians !!)   will try to defang them and pulverize them to submission and yet expect children to respect them .They are underpaid and have to work under conditions which God forbid fortunate people don’t have to .I am talking of a majority of private schools in India .I was a Principal for over two decades and have a birds eye view of the way the system worked .Teachers need to protected by legislation which makes sure that exploitation of any kind will be met by zero tolerance .The Managements will always make a issue about and try not to  give  the teachers their financial dues and that is something which demotivates them .It is no wonder that the best talent is no longer coming into the profession .And the catch 22 situation is that the  mediocre seldom have the guts to stand up and get counted and they are easily beaten into submission .And that is why we have a educational system that is in a mess .Having worked  in Dubai for a year now ,I see the difference between what happens in India and here   .Teachers and Principals here  are so confident and well paid (in comparison to India) because everything is in black and white .The result –one can concentrate on your job and not indulge in psychophancy because that works well  in India but not here . !!

The PM and the State Governments must address the major problems that confront school teachers in India .China got its priorities right .They invested in Education and Health Care before turning  to other things . Yes, teachers have a litany of complaints—some very  legitimate and others not so legitimate . The future of India will depend on how it treats its school teachers .Giving a 3 hour discourse is a good idea –but so was the movie Sholay .It had entertainment value but was far too removed from reality .We cant have a ostrich like approach . To successfully “Make in India”, we have to educate our youth well. Not just to be skilled workers, but to be smart and thinking individuals. That requires us to stick to first principles –look after the teachers well .!! We cant postpone the problems further .Otherwise it will consume us .Sooner than later .

Happy Teachers Day .

A very humble message written by me for the teachers of my school in Dubai on the occasion of Teachers Day ..Sharing it with all teachers  who have been my colleagues

 “Those who educate children well are more to be honored than they who produce them; for these only gave them life, those the art of living well.”
― Aristotle
Dear Teachers .
Congratulations on being a teacher. I don’t think there needs to be a day for you  to be remembered –every minute is a tribute all should  pay to the greatest of all professions. Being a teacher myself, I have no hesitation in writing that the world is divided between the lucky ones who teach in a school and the not so lucky ones who do something else for a living. It is profession that gives immense satisfaction and  till your last breath you are able to hold on to that great  ingredient  of living –you retain a bit of the child in you .!!
It is by no means a easy profession .It does not have a mystique around it. It does not sound as complicated as a legal or medical profession, which are therefore challenged less. But I am sure you all realize how difficult it is to teach a child A or B ,1 ,2 or 3, or for that matter teach a child where the Czech Republic is or the value of  pie !! Everyone feels its simple because everyone knows the above. Therefore you are challenged on a day to day basis by people  not knowing that hardly anyone can teach those things to someone who  is coming to school as a young child. It takes hours and hours of patience and expertise to make the innocent mind aware of the basics of all subjects .It takes a lifetime to teach them what is right and wrong –the values .It requires hard work. It requires sacrificing family duties. It  requires the capacity to overcome disappointments. It requires the attitude to rise after a fall –to fall and rise yet again. Someone has to do that and who better than a teacher. You are the role models. It is rightly said that teachers affect eternity. Their work affects day to day living and lasts forever. That is why they are as  so precious. Children look up to you –they will dress like you, talk like you, walk like you and want to do everything like you. You teach them not just subjects –but as Aristotle has rightly said –the art of living well. You need to be very careful –because children look upto you as a God or a Goddess .
On the eve of Teachers Day ,I wish you all great happiness and satisfaction . I hope and am sure that as teachers you can teach what Rudyard Kipling had wanted his son to learn. I quote
“If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master,
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
It is you all who can teach children to do all  what Kipling wrote .The future of not only the child –but the whole universe depends on you .May God give you strong shoulders to bear this onerous responsibility .My Good wishes are always with you .
HAPPY TEACHERS DAY
Kulbhushan Kain

Kulbhushan Kain's Blog: My School Days -Part 4

Kulbhushan Kain's Blog: My School Days -Part 4: I was in the “A”,section throughout my school career .It is a misnomer even now among parents that “A”,section is the best section in a c...

My School Days -Part 4

I was in the “A”,section throughout my school career .It is a misnomer even now among parents that “A”,section is the best section in a class .The feeling stems probably from the fact that people normally say things like “Yeh restaurant A class hai”,or stuff  like that .!Also ,maybe because of the fact that “A”,is the first alphabet in the language ,so it will be the best section –“First Class”!!.But this is not true at all .I remember 9 C having the brightest children of our class in it .But being in “A”,was not a disadvantage either and I made some   friends for life here .

I remember the name of my class teachers with great clarity .In 5^th it was Mr Thapa ,in the 6^th it was Miss Massey ,in the 7^th it was Mrs Collingwood ,in the 8^th (oh I can never forget her till my last breath!!),it was Mrs D’Zouza,in the 9^th (the neatest looking man I ever met in my life,infact so neat that I gave up trying to look neat because the ideal was so unattainable!! –oh so wonderfully organized ),Mr Rathke,in the 10^th Mr Chhetri ,and in the 11^th it was the the omnipotent,the omnipresent ,the ambi dexterous and the Jack of all trades and the master ofALL OF THEM –Mr D’zousa.There were  subject teachers who I remember very well (how can one ever forget teachers ?!).Mr Gaur ,Mr Chaturvedi ,Mr Padam Singh ,and the don of Hindi ,Mr Chhetri taught us Hindi .Since our family had migrated from Myanmar ,we were not good at Hindi,and we were allowed to take “Lower Hindi”-a very rudimentary form of Hindi .But the teachers were good and Mr Chhetri in particular was a genius .I still remember him teaching us Rahim and Tulsidas .He was a artist –he moved while he taught ,there was modulation in his voice .He would get angry and he would laugh .In short –he never taught like a machine –he was a dynamic soul and reflected every bit of it in his personality .Unfortunately ,he passed away a couple of years after we left school in Agra ,I  where he had gone to attend a conclave .

Maths was taught to me by Miss Massey in the junior classes (she was good at geometry ),and by Mrs D’Souza in the middle section and Mr D’Souza in the senior classes .They were the ultimate Maths teachers (they taught English as well!!).Mr D’Souza was a specialist in Additional Mathamatics (Trignometry ),and boy was he good .!!I cant even get down to explain  how brilliant he was at his job .I remember him as a man who appeared as if he was always in a hurry .He walked briskly ,was bald and was lovingly called “Daddoo”!(as in frog ,because of his name D’Souza).He knew that he was nicknamed so and one day, as I went looking for him and asked someone in the corridors “Have you seen Daddoo yaar”, prompt came the reply from behind me “Yes ,I am right behind you”.!!Great man –though prone to losing his temper and sometimes raising his hand .He also was a wonderful musician who played the accordion on every conceivable occasion,and he was also the one who initiated me into debating .I am not going to get distracted here –otherwise the blog will never end .He came from Goa and had two distinguished sons –Phillip and Richard D’Souza

Then there was the science department and the man who headed it was like a God –not only for me ,but for generations of Josesphites .Mr G.C. Gupta .!How does one introduce a God ?I feel so defeated even attempting it Sir .I feel so inadequate at it .He was the most unique human being one could ever meet in life .And I would say that the world consists of two sets of people –those who met Gupta Sir ,and those who did not .Always wearing a Kashmiri topi ,fair (leucoderma ),a bachelor ,and a celebrity –no one who lived in Dehradun could miss him .I still remember the power of his reach and status.I had gone with my father to Elloras (at that time called Milkmaids),and as usual it was crowded .A lot of people were buying the normal bread ,butter ,eggs ,pastries etc .People were actually queued up and there was a lot of noise and chatter .Then ,in walked Mr Gupta to buy something .The queue actually disintegrated ,and there was pin drop silence .Everyone just stood –some with folded hands ,and all with smiles –and did the honours by asking him to take buy his stuff . “No ,but why should I not wait for my turn”,he replied .He was so surprised as to why the offer was being made to him in the first place .And inspite of my father almost cajoling him  to break the queue (sorry Dad ,I am in no way trying to imply that you broke rules and conventions !!),Gupta Sir waited ,looking into the ceiling .A wonderful ,wonderful teacher ,he taught me Physics and Chemistry which I have not forgotten till today .He had written several books and he was a very energetic teacher .He was a man worthy of the respect and love that was bestowed on him .He lived with his mother near the Bindal Bridge .I was moved beyond words when I met his niece at a school reunion a couple of years back in Gurgaon .I asked her a lot of questions about his last days on earth which he strode like a colossus .When my Mom passed away ,he came home and embraced me .When my father passed away ,he embraced me at our house .When my brother got married and we gave a reception –he was there for it .!!He was like a father for all the Josephites .If the world deserved a bachelor –it was Mr G.C.Gupta .Because Gupta Sir could never be onwned by one woman ,or a set of children .He was the property of the world –just like the sun and the moon .!!

(To be Continued .I would like to add here ,that the views expressed on the blog are totally my personal views .I don’t expect everyone to agree with my perceptions .I also don’t want to enter into any debate .The blogs form a part of a book which is going to be released soon).   

My School Days -Part 3

My School Days -Part 3

I entered the the portals of St Josesphs Academy and felt the difference immediately .It was a big school and had a rather intimidating Gothic  kind of administrative building .It had big playing fields –both in the front and in the rear .And there were two things which caught the eye immediately .One –the boys were bigger and stronger and looked more or less like college students ,and secondly a complete absence of girls .The reason was the fact that St Josesphs was a all boys school and it was a full fledged senior secondary school .On the main academic block was written in Latin, “LABORARE  EST ORARE”,which translated into English meant –“To work is to worship”.

It had a very distinctive block which was called a “rail gaari”-a row of classrooms adjoining the field at the rear .Now a swank new auditorium has replaced these classrooms They were so called because they resembled the compartments of a train .I will have to strain my memories to count the number but at a rough estimate there were 6 of them -9 C being the last and 5 A being the first .I don’t mind stand to corrected on the number ,but I would certainly challenge anyone to dispute the fact that 9 C was the last ,and 5A was the first class as one moved from the Principals office towards the second gate (next to Dr Naths house) .I am sure because I started my schooling in St Josesphs in 5A and my good friends Alok Jain and Sudhir Arora were in 9 C and I would hang around with them when I came into 9A .Symbolically ,my train journey started from here .!!I would like to qualify it with the rider ,that I was travelling in the best train and in its  first class compartment .!

It was fun –schooling .In 5 A ,I was uncomfortable ,because my class teacher  was the  very strict Hindi Teacher - Mr Thapa .But otherwise it was fun .During the milk break we either went to the grounds to play with marbles or we played “langdi taang”,a game in which one tried to catch the two legged boys within a small area but with one leg .Hence the term “Langdi taang”.There were superstars in these games as well .C.Harikumar (who was from Kerala),was a wonderful player of Langdi Taang ,whereas Vinod Gosain (who was a brilliant footballer as well ),was terrific with marbles .We always wanted to be in the team in which had these two in it .!!The teams would be selected by choosing two Captains ,who would then toss a coin .The one who called correct would be given the first choice to choose from a list of boys who were interested to play  .Hari was always the first choice in Langdi Taang of every Captain .I used to wait with baited breath –and one of the two Captains always called me in as the 4^th or 5^th choice .It was alright –I was a bit fat ,and my mobility was not good enough to be called in as a first choice in a game which involved hopping on one foot .!!I also played with marbles ,and my eye hand coordination was good .I could strike a marble from a fair distance and it was not uncommon to get back home with marbles jingling in my pockets .I avoided Vinod Gosain –he would have not allowed me to win ,he was the ace .!

There was another game we played during the milk breaks ,and this was hand cricket .Ah ,it was a wonderful invention of some genius .!Instead of cricket bats ,we used our hands ,which we folded into fists ,and then struck a tennis ball which was bowled  .It was a great way to detect who had a good eye hand coordination ,because if one could strike a tennis  ball with a a fist ,then he would certainly strike it with a bat .And since it was a tennis ball ,the rule was “One bounce ,out”.!!If one hit the ball and if one did not clear the in field ,the chances of survival were few –because even a catch after a bounce was out .!!I was very good at it and got spotted by Bro. Dunney as I played outside his carpentry class on the main field .He told me to start practicing in the nets .I became a cricketer who was to represent St Josesphs  School Cricket Team.!!

In St Josesphs those days ,we had teams according to height .So there was a cricket team of 4ft 10 inch and below ,who represented the school ,or a  team having children who were 5ft 2 inch  and below who would represent the school .And finally ,the main Cricket team comprising of children of all heights –the best  Eleven.Every one wanted to play for the school in the open height category .But it was almost impossible for a child who was 4ft 10 inches or below to be playing for the school which had boys as tall as 6ft .(One of them was called “Daddy”,I remember ,because he was so tall!!).Normally a very good cricketer who was around 5’2 would be in the 9^th grade .Hence there were few from that category who made it to the school eleven .But one who comes to mind and was a brilliant cricketer and about 5ft tall,and yet played for the school while still in the 9^th was Naval Patel .For all of us ,he was a star .But more about Naval (caught up with him on the playing fields of Delhi many years later ,and who I am told resides in Mumbai these days ),and more about my teachers and the famous bun samosa snack from Choc outside the school gate ,as also Saluja and Universal Book Stores and lots more in my next blog .!!Dont miss it as I wind my way through the memories of the legends –G.C .Gupta ,Mr and Mrs D’Souza,Mr Chhetri,Mr Rathke,Bro Foley,Bro Dunne,Mr Kala Mr Bari ,Mr Chaturvedi ,Mr Gaur ,Miss Massey, Mr Rawat ,Bro Dunney ,Bro Donovan ,Shashiji the cricket coach ,and many more .Of course I would need to write a book for all that ,but will try recreate the greatness of exceptional human beings and situations .!

Are Extra Marital Affairs Justified ?

This is in response to a anguished person asking me my views about a extramarital affair .Appropriately the bottom line of the persons rather labyrinthine explanation was “Do you think I am cheating on my partner “?. To be honest –I am no specialist in this kind of advice and normally I do not give it .A man woman relationship is a very complicated thing and at every point there will be a differing perceptio –wn to a problem .The reason for this difference in perception is not because of a differential  in reasoning ,intelligence,knowledge or wisdom between two partners .Its simply because of the fact that one is a male and the other is a female .The impulses and mindsets are different .The objectives are different .Where they converge on a point ,it is because of a give and take away from their natural make ups  .So compromise on both sides is a constant and ever evolving undercurrent .Sometimes we don’t know how much we compromise .It happens automatically .But when we don’t compromise ,then we start seeing the negatives of the other partner in a more focused way and inflexible way .And incase another man /woman steps into your life during this phase ,then  due to  a lack  of “positive” feeling for your partner  ,one  starts  thinking of the new entrant   as someone great .But then after sometime the differing aspects of your personalities will clash again if one is inflexible or uncompromising  by nature –because u are different human beings !! And the cycle continues.The solution is to keep adjusting if you think compromise is a ugly word  .I am a great one for a big “NO” to a extramarital affair .It can be exciting because it is adding a variety to ur life .But that is just a temporary phase .Ultimately it will leave big scars ,bcoz a relationship which it replaces (affair replacing marriage ), will never  go away because of the moments you have lived through collectively .And more often than not  it will generate a guilt feeling .All talk of "moving on" is just  theoretical.Philosophically it may sound the “in” thing .But practically it is not possible (unless Alzheimer hits you !!).Ultimately –there is no such thing as a honest cheat in a affair .!! That’s my take friend !!And remember –marriage is too important to be treated like a love affair .Any society that has a low view of marriage will degenerate into instability .

My Trip To India -Reminiscences"

I am back in Dubai after a fabulous 10 days in India .From the moment I stepped out from vestibule of the aircraft when it landed in Delhi , I had  felt the change .The faces ,the sounds and the smells .The people at the immigration were so different than the ones in Dubai –they had such familiar names pinned on their their shirts –Suresh Sharma who checked my passport looked at me and said “Dubai mein kyon ho .Hamare yahaan bahut school hai ,aap jaise logo ki zarrorat hai Sir” ,and smiled . He did not even know me –but that’s a Indian for you –complimentary at times  and abusive at others .!!He quickly stamped my passport as I exited .The hot  humid  air outside wrapped around me like a thick blanket  .I started to sweat  .It was quintessential Delhi as we wove our way through the chaotic traffic.My mother in law was waiting for me looking at every vehicle that came into her lane .It was nearly 11 pm !!.Welcome to India .!!

It was a whirlwind tour ,that took me up into the beautiful hills of Kandaghat to the beautiful home of my sister who has a summer house there .As I looked around me ,I saw huge ,tall and majestic pine trees .I could smell them .The mountains too made me feel what I sometimes forget – that i am very small and too insignificant and too intransigent in this universe .Mountains and nature  have lasted  millions of years .!!As always –sisters put forward their best foot to pamper their brothers .My sisters Kusum and Indu never lower the bar –they always raise it .Given their tastes and affluence –it was   like living  like a king for a few days .In Chandigarh and Kandaghat .

The celebrations continued at my in laws place at New Friends Colony ,Delhi.The lotus weed ("bheh" as we Punjabis call it ),paranthas and "kheer" which are perceived to be my favourite dishes were there for the eating .Pratique was born in a hospital  in New Friends .That was 21 years back .It brought back a flood of memories .The Community centre has been one of my favourite shopping and eating places .The dishes at Al Bake , Pebble Street ,Yum Yum Tree ,and Nathus , are legendary .The small barbeque just next to the Yum Yum Tree is out of the world .And the rasoogullas and golguppas of Nathus are mind blowing. I have been getting my clothes stitched  from Gargee Tailors in New Friends Colony for years  .Given my dimensions ,I never get a perfect fit in the mass factory produced shirts ,trousers or suits .And I always fall back on Gargee Tailors .Shyam ji made me 3 suits in super fast time .They are as always –excellently stitched.He always manages to make me look like what I want to look  .He will prod me to change a few things –“ Sir 2 inch ke coat lapel bahut kum hotein hai .2 1/2  inch  kar leejeeyeh” he said .A firm shake of the head and he backed off .Wonderful man .Understands me well .And a terrific salesman –always manages to sell me one suit or coat more than what I come with in my mind to his shop .!

Airports are so cut off from the reality in India .They (like 5 Star Hotels) are a striking contrast to what exists just as you enter or leave them .Once inside –you get a artificial feel that you are the chosen one .I observed people as they flitted around in the duty free shops and the coffee bars .All –or almost all !!-are well heeled and smelling nice .All of them are with smart phones and ipads and munching Hersheys and their hand baggage is ineveitably Samsonite and  Gucci leather bags .Some of the ladies carry Marc Jacobs ,Fendi ,Mouward ,and Judith Leiber !! And they flout them .And they are Indians .But most of them appear to be first generation rich .Their money shouts –it does not whisper .When they plonk themselves into a sofa seat ,they remove their sandals and display feet that  are cracked and black in the tiny crevices .These are feet that have walked the markets of Sarojini Nagar and Lajpat Nagar .The belong there .Nothing wrong .What is wrong is that they forget inside the airport that they belong there .Nothing wrong to forget that you belong there –its okay to get away from your own reality once in a while .What is wrong is that they start behaving like that with the staff that is not so rich –the trolley boys ,the stall attendants ,the airhostesses and stewards .They are the   “ Do you know who I am”?   kind of people .!!  I wish they ran into me in one of their put on acts –with me .!! I promise to tell them who they are .

Back in Dubai .Waiting for Sangeeta and Pratique .Sangeeta comes back on the 27^th and Pratique comes in on the 28^th .Am  as excited as a school boy going out on his first date .I haven’t forgotten that day .And I wont forget the coming days .! And I will never ever forget the cities of India that I have lived in and left behind  a bit of my body and mind .My greatest insecurity is , and regret will be, if i die in a foreign land .I love my India and its not the feeling of someone who has just returned from home .It is a part of my psyche every minute even when i am there .