What will make me quit?

I had been on the move since the 6th of March, and today is 18th April.  I will return to Delhi only on the 29th April.  In between 22 flights in total.  I am just tired.  I ended up going to a doctor yesterday to get some antibiotics, cough mixture and paracetamol.  I wonder why I do this?

I recall an essay by an American journalist commenting on Rick Santorum's decision to run for presidency, despite seven kids, one of them very badly ailing.  The columninst asks rhetorically, does he really have to do this?  Then why is she doing this? And she concludes that it is a personal obsession with the position made him run.  Last week he pulled out, fearing that he will lose his home state primary.

So, what will make me quit?

Genius of Human Brain Vs Nature

If anyone wants to see how man has challenegd nature and getting away, they should visit South-western Bangladesh, especially the polders near Sundar Bon (Beautiful Forest).  During the 60's and 70's, what was then East Pakistan, with the help of Americans built 4000 km of embankment, comprising 92 polders, along the coast of Bay of Bengal.  These structures are supporting a poulation density of 900 people per sq km.  In comparison, Sri Lanka has a population density of 300, and it is considered crowded.  The polders have kept sea water intrusion away, depite tidal movement of rivers, up to 5 m up and down, twice a day.

I was fortunate to be there in March, well ahead of monsoons, and well after monsoons.  I am told that that the whole area is under water from August till October, houses kept well above water on pillars.  When I visited, everything looked luscious and green.  Beautifully laid rice bays intermimgled with ghers where freshwater fish and shrimp were grown.

To my surprise, the school children looked healthy, and happy, on their way to and from school.

I was warned, that in a few months, another cyclone may come, destroy everything, often just before harvest.  BUT, I am also told, that people will stay back and rebuild.

It was all big pleasant surprise to me, a person, who folllowed the independence war of Bangladesh very closely, and always felt sorry for a nation, which does not need my sympathies.

Way to go Bangladesh!

Colombo undergoes a facelift

Recently I was in Colombo, and I could see a sea of difference,  It was CLEAN, green and beautiful.  It turns out that the president's brother is in charge of urban development.  He being in-charge of the Military, the Military is also supporting the drive to beautify Colombo.  Although I have not been to other cities of Sri Lanka, I am told similar changes are in place there too. 

Another thing I was happy about was, people are on street even around 9 PM, without the fear of being mugged or harassed.  Street cafes at Galle Face green were crowded, women with plenty of jewelry, sitting enjoying the breeze from the sea. 

Now that there are hardly any military check points, I think Colombo offers a very good value for money for many tourists.

Very Good.

Leadership - A disagreement

Once I worked with a Russian colleague, who did not believe in 'Leadership'.  He argued that it is what the workers do is important.  He did not think that the direction set by 'leadership' is a pre-requisite for workers to perform. 

There is a leadership change in my current organisation.  The new 'Boss' wants to address a type of problem, we have never done it in the past 27 years of existence.  But it will be done, because 'he' thinks it's a niche where we could make a serious contribution.

I think leaders are essential part of any organisation to direct changes in a positive manner.  Else, well meaning workers will start to drift, and the organisation will disintegrate with time.  There will be a few who will deliver what they want is inportant, but all the fews will not make a whole, because there has been no design for a whole.

Back to my Russian colleague, he is the only person I have met held such a view. Often wondered why he thought so, was it just to have an argument, or he really meant it.

Someone Missed Me in Delhi

I was away for eight days on an official travel, and got back this weekend.  Before I left, I gave my clothes for washing to a family which runs a laundry on the street.  They have a shed, a mobile phone number, I call them, someone will come and collect clothes and return when ready.

This family seems very young, the mother may be in her fifties, then there are a half dozen of girls agees between 15 and 25, two young men, possibly in their 20's, two little boys, the first one is 13, and the other is younger.  If there anymore, I have not seen them.

I could hardly communicate with them, a few words in Hindi, at times incorrectly used, and they know a few words in English.  Once I owed them six ruppess, the boy did not know how to say six in English, and to put him out of misery, I asked him is it 20 rs in Hindi.  He nodded, and I paid.  This is only 40 US cents, so not worth worrying about, but a good story on 'Lost in Translation'.

Back to the main story, the family was looking for me for two weeks, and today the teenage girl saw me on the street.  She started yelling at me in Hindi, calling me uncle, and wanted to know where I went.  Well, someone in Delhi missed me!

Maha Sivarathri - Now and then.

When I was a teenager, when Maha Sivarathris came and went, I have had very little memories.  We tried very hard to stay up all night, but usually went to sleep by mid night.  The next day, I will hear tales from my unruly friends about how they stayed up all night watching a third show movie (from 1 AM till whenever..).

Today is Mahasivarathri, and I am watching TV in India.  There are more than one channel, usually sponsored by a GOD's Men, - including the one who founded the Art of Living, and the one who founded the Isha foundation.  Plenty of bajans, music was mesmerizing, muscians were usually westerneres, shave heads-saffron clad - drummers, flutists, you name it.  They were all GOOD.  Stars like Hariharan trying to promote or endorse a CD.

A few hours ago, I went to a Siva Temple, the priest was in the Sanctum, gossiping with one of his visitors.  When the visitor left, he came for a walk about.  A middle aged woman wanted to touch his feet and receive his blessings.  Then he went back to the Sanctuom, leaned on the wall, and started to read a book of slogans - noone was paying attention to him, but it did not bother hime either.

I am unable to comprehend all these things!

Can anyone feel lonely in Delhi?

This is my first blog ever.  I just did not know how to do it, and did not have the time to figure it out. 

I came to Delhi on the 1st October 2011, and it is 4.5 months since I moved to Delhi.  This is a city of 13 million, and if you include the satellite cities, the population is over 20 million.  So, how can I be lonely.  Well, that's how I feel most of the time.  My wife and kids live far away, we meet three times a year, and spend about 10 weeks a year together.  Not good enough.  People I work with are locals - Delhites with families and plenty of friends, and I live in a flat not well suited for partying.  So, there you go.  I am lonely in Delhi.

So I will post blogs from now on.