Jas, Preet, Mark, Mano and Raj

Is Democracy stupid?

2006-02-06T13:23:00.000+05:30

Busy on their snacks at the canteen, people lazily watch the news on the canteen TV announcing the problems due to victory of Hamas in Palestine.

Preethi remarks: "What is this... they allow a terrorist organization to participate in the elections, and then wonder how to solve the problem when they have won."

Mark: "Didn't you hear the other part... Like the reporter said.. it is democratic to allow them run for elections. Its palestine's destiny.. had to happen.. what can anybody do about it."

Preethi: "C'mon Mark.. What destiny... you know they are terrorists, and still will give the country to them like suicide.
Why did people elect terrorists to rule their country ?, Raj."

Raj: "The Hamas is recognized as a militant organization by the US not by the palestinians itself. What Hamas is? and why they have support is something unexplained"

Mark: "But, why is US coming into the picture.. Why are they saying they are the first to be bothered by the results of the elections."

Raj: "US has been funding palestine's efforts for democracy. The Hamas victory has put question marks all-over on US efforts in palestine...

"Also I remember, a few years back a top Hamas leader was assasinated by Israeli attacks, which they say had US help. So this victory could mean more...

"But really we just know the news reporters perception of things... the details of what is happening in Palestine, or Israel or US government interests is unclear.

Mano: "I remember, after the killing of the Hamas leader, the Hamas openly called for a total destruction of Israel"

Raj: "Even today after winning elections they don't have any interests of recognizing Israel as a country and a neighbour. They also are not ready to call-off their terrorist activities."

Preethi: "Have they formed the government? Is a Hamas leader the president of palestine now?"

Raj: "The Hamas leaders are reported to have gone to Egypt where their top leaders are in exile... to discuss how to set up the government in palestine, and make a 'To Do' list. Clearly, hamas is not ready to form government, and has no idea what it has to do now.. probably they didn't expect to win the elections but only be a major opposition like always."

Mano: "Already both neighbours israel and palestine, having a setback, with palestine leader yasser arafat dead, and israel leader ariel sharon unconscious."

Preethi: "Oh!"

Raj: "Palestine now wonders what democracy means, and whether allowing Hamas to participate in the elections because its a democratic election was a mistake."

Jas: "Just like India is wondering yaar...Called the world's largest democracy.. India really, clearly is struggling internally for years, to improve its infrastructure, its population, its other national crisises like unemployment, drought, starvation, poor, etc., "

Mano: " .. except one thing, MONEY atleast seems to be well-managed in India meeting expectations from foreign investors in India."

Preethi: "Ya... when you said infrastructure.. I remembered..
Recently, the long-long due of modernization plan of India's major airports got into rough wind when political interests in the country took opportunity to press the employee unions of Airports Authority of India to go on strike. The result was a good show by the employees not knowing the intentions of their leaders, with all airports becoming dirty overnight, stinking bad"

Jas: "That stink will give a great entry into India for people who come here. Thanks to the stupid government employees.. "

Mark: "Huh.. government employees are always like that."

Raj: "And you know when this modernization thing was started seriously by the government.. Should be three or four years back.. a small 3-year old girl died in New Delhi's 'Palam' airport because her head accidentally got caught by the moving parts of the escalator, and the personnel had no idea how to stop it."

Preethi: "Ya I remember.. yes, all the politicians started actively making statements about modernizing airport, its staff etc., .. in support of the people."

Raj: "From then on, the politicians have been talking.. talking .. they have their own way of making money and making political mileage even out of devastating accidents.

"And, finally.. FINALLY when the modernization project is to kick-off, you have some stupid irresponsible people protesting.. forgeting all about the past, about the country's development, and what not...

"For the protestors, all that matters is, if I protest, I will get money or can demand pay hike, and if not now, not later.. so make use of the opportunity, and shout against the government for keeping me like this for years though I will work only the same way with the same efficiency for years."

"Atleast the airport has been stinking only now, but 50% people and 50% politics is stinking for decades in India.

"All mistakes in India, with the people being irresponsible towards the country, the government and politicians being corrupt on an average, are all attributed to the process of democracy."

Mark: "In India, democracy has a new meaning too, for the people it is: "Do whatever you want.. unless a government authority asks", and for the government it is: "Do whatever you want.. until the people ask".

Preethi: "Oh God!
This leaves me with the question...
"Is being democratic..stupid?.."

Because whatever said, a totally democratic country has problems all the time.

If it were the US, and Hamas an organization there, definitely they wouldn't be allowed to participate in elections making an exception to total democracy.

If it were China, and the airport modernation plan was protested by employees, the communist country would slap sanctions on the employees and the government would take steps to really bother them, because they are bothering the country's improvement.
"

Mano: "Just because you are democratic, giving everyone a chance, be it the militia, or the proven corrupt politician, etc., is really stupid.

"Don't you beat up criminals using the police, would you talk democracy or the criminals rights there? ofcourse only thing that can democratically be allowed is giving him a chance to defend himself in court. "

Mark: "But that too, in my opinion you should have limitations, because the law is never ever going to be perfect to hold somebody guilty..after all its just in the use of arguments..."

Preethi: "take Saddam Hussein's trial for instance, does it ever seem conclusive?"

Raj: "Democracy like any other rule or law needs stopping points and exceptions, with proper judgement on what's correct on that day with all perceptions given a consideration.

And like any other english word, being democratic can mean different things for different people, based on their culture, their perceptions about things and history. It matters how its implemented. Democracy cannot be blamed for everything."

Mano: "Yes, just like every country has its own constitution, though the objective of the law everywhere is common atleast technically. If not for differences, we could do with something like, all countries in United nations follow a common constitution"

Raj: "There's something like that when you become part of some unions like UN, or SAARC.. etc., I don't know exactly what constitutional rights they agree to follow in common. But an example would be like all countries in UN adhering to Geneva convention on treating war captives of the enemy in a human manner."

Mano: "Oh!"

Preethi: "That's nice.. like Raj said .. Democracy cannot be blamed for everything. Its not the mistake of being democratic itself.. but it matters how its implemented."

The India awakening

2006-01-14T01:10:00.000+05:30

Almost finishing up on a college tour to Bangkok, the guys find time for a corner table chat at bangkok's China Town over dinner.

The chat begins.

Jas: "Yaar, whatta place.. I think after college I shouldn't live in India.. We should live in places like this, or UK or Australia. Such developed, clean places, less people, and good climate, yaar.. its so better after being in India. Kya kahte ho."

Preethi: "may be.. "
"Raj what do you think.. when will India become so good like this place bangkok."

Raj: "Firstly, India is not too bad a place like we Indians are making it to be.. We just get so disinterested, so often about our country, that we ignore that its only us Indians who can make our country better. :o)

"We can't actually compare India with the development of any other country I think. because India is a mixture, of people, of languages, of culture, and that too not because of foreign immigrants but by the very citizens of the country.

"People are different here and that is how we formed up into a country. Also India is over populated, and population determines how people live...the more the population in a place, the more resources it consumes, and it develops very slow.

"Further, we are a tropical country, the equator running right through the middle of the country, so we can't really do anything about our sunny temperatures compared to climates of America, or Britain.

"But one interesting fact is, India is economically better than Thailand or Bangkok, and even Japan. We do look bad in our infrastructure compared to these countries, though we are actually economically bigger. Do you know that a japanese yen is only 38 paise in Indian currency. So we have more money, but we aren't using it properly.

Mark: "Yea, most of Indians are middle-class citizens, and middle-class are so conservative about money.. its all in bank savings, or in lockers as gold jewels, or in foreign countries for better multiplicity."

Mano: "Then what should India concentrate on actually.. can there be a step-by-step development."

Mark: "India needs to improve its services in all fields.. not just one place, that is the problem."

Raj: "Right now we are doing it in software alone.. and that too for foreign projects alone I would say."

"India needs to have well-paid and highly-paid teachers, hospital staff who are not doctors, and the likes of ground-level labour who are in the service sector.

"Internal Services is the mantra for development and building. Because when you service well, people get motivated and inspired to be good like you, or, to do better than you.

"For example, when a teacher brings a model of a brain and shows the left, right lobes and things, the student gets motivated to know more about the brain its functions, and sometimes this small thing creates an urge in the student which gets him interested into medicine or similar fields.

"Right now, we have teachers in schools and colleges, but most of them are carelessly recruited as fillers for a vacant position. The principles of recruitment like 'right person .. for the right job' are not kept in mind on these positions.

"Teaching profession is seen as a less important profession in many schools and colleges, except a very few reputed ones. And the reason is because not much good skilled labour opt for this position.. which is again rooted in the fact that teaching is a less attractive option compared to those high-paid technology jobs.

"These days, teachers and proffessors are trying hard to ignore the fact that their student gets a starting salary close to or greater than the teacher's current salary, when the student leaves. And that too, the teacher would have got to the current salary only after atleast 3 yrs of teaching experience.

Preethi: "What do you think is a good payscale for a good teacher at school and then in college."

Raj: "I would say a payscale of around 50,000 to 1,00,000 rupees or 1000-2000$ per month is a nominal amount for a good teacher at college.

"And, a school is actually not less important than a college, or niether is a kindergarden less important than high-school. All stages of a growing person are important, and so we should the same scale to good school teachers also.

"Of course, doing this would not change everything. The teacher should be the first one who needs to be motivated to learn...so that he can teach better and motivate his students. A higher pay-scale is only a starting point and an interest driver for the teachers.

"If there are NOT such high paid teachers in a school or college, then I think that place hasn't really understood the value behind education....especially good education.

"Good education can do wonders.. "

"If a good speech by a good manager can do the first step in driving his team to work better and increase efficiency, then why aren't we seeing the same thing at schools and colleges. After all, schools and colleges are also at the bottom-line having the same aspects of work and ethics like a business does...though education institutes aren't best referred by the word 'businesses'.

Mark: "Yes, like Raj says, if we take care of today's teachers, they will take care of tommorrow's humans who will propogate the idea of development and that's the way development can emerge and happen."

Raj: "Exactly."

Mano: "Another thing that we should work on is the present. and the near future. There should be awareness among people to have a responsibility towards their environment, and very importantly, themselves.

"I mean, most people these days aren't first bothered about themself or their future, they make their huts in garbage dumping grounds or inside dry canals which are passage ways when their is a flood. "

Preethi: "Yea, people are not serious about themselves these days. Thye eat unhealthy and irregular, just because they lack the vision to see a problem with their future health, and fitness."

Jas: "Yea, blame it again on education, all through, we kind of have a feeling that these words 'vision', 'forecast', 'future', etc., are only for essays on business development.. whereas its important we visionize a future for 'us', our living space, our lifestyle etc., and work towards that."

Raj: "Yes.. But I strongly disagree about blaming something or somebody. Most often I hear the same things.. either someone blames something for the bad state of the place, or just says "love the place.. or leave the place.. don't complain". That's not going to help.

"Even today, even with well educated people, there are not much awareness towards the future of the country. For example, parents only think about their child's higher studies, or marriage expensese when they think of the child's future.. but not many think like 'my child should live in a better environment, in a better country when he grows up .. or things like that'

Jas: "Wow.. that's a great thought... but too good a future thought for an Indian parent given the things he can control about the country's growth."

Raj: "Why not !!

"What's a country.. its not a marked area of land that you call a country.. its the people living in that area that form the country, the people's economy that makes the country's economy, and so on.

Mark: "yea.. if the people develop, the country develops.. and each person only has to develop himself, his career, his surroundings, not that he has to plan development for the whole, big country."

Preethi: "Correct. and that's possible right. Like you said, just that we have all got to wake up to this and live our life responsibly."

Raj: "Yes. not just earning money, not just saving money for future.. but also take up small small responsibilities about the surroundings like, call the police if there's problem in your locality..rather than going indoors and peeping out of the window and watching the crime next door."

"...like questioning your city authorities when you see a bump in the road. Imagine if atleast 10% of people using a bad road in India, made just a 1min complaint call to the local authorities about the bad road, there would be enough calls that the authorities would be on their toes to correct the problem.

"Today, we are just ignoring all our responsibilities, tolerating too many small things that happen around us...that the whole number of small things turns out to be huge huge number of problems with the country and our attitude itself.

Preethi: "Exactly. we need to wake up. have awareness. and educate the future with the best possible resources, how much ever it costs or whatever it takes."

Raj: "yea. but but things won't happen like the press of a button, because its a huge huge population to wake up, even if 10% of Indians have to wake up .. so we have to patiently, but optimistically commit our best efforts to make it happen.

"And I personally feel, Indians are good at taking responsibilities, and so just like us discussing it here, many more people are, and India is waking up.

Good old Harry potter... but where are the other fairy tales?

2005-11-24T00:57:00.000+05:30

Preethi & others join at the canteen for a snack at tea time.

Preethi: "Hey mark, you seem tired! What happened. Was your class really that boring in the morning session"

mark: "Not actually, I didn't sleep much yesterday night. Went for a movie... night show"

manoj: "What movie was it?"

Preethi quickly: "Night show... and you watch only english movies... don't tell me you went to Harry potter and the bloglet of fire... that's the one running in the cinema close to your hostel."

"That's no bloglet.... GOBLET" quips mark quite irritated at the wrong name. (Mark gets irritated at every wrong or bad usage of english.. he is our peter in the gang)

jas: "How was it... I heard this one has more graphics and a not so childish tone, compared to the other harry potter movies"

mark: "yea, it was ok.. but i am not any potter fan.. some guys pulled me to go with them.. "

Preethi: "and sooo you were a group of guys who went for this movie... but all the time you guys keep talking as if its very childish to go to harry potter movies.. and only girls would do that"

Mano and Raj smile agreeably at Preethi for that...

manoj: "But may be there's nothing so childish watching a harry potter movie.. Worldwide all the harry potter stuff is proven to be a big hit. If it were very childish i dont think it would have got to become that popular. Think about our old cindrella stories, egyptian mummy stories, snow white.. where have they gone these days... they still are only in books.."

raj: "Who says that.. all these stories have also been movies.. but not the 1hr 50 min stuff of course.. because they are short stories for children ... best called fairy tales.

Children only like those stories.. because they are easy to understand.. do you think children at the age of 5 -15 go to harry potter movies because they follow the full story.. i dont think so. they must be liking the graphics, the school of magic that makes the story of the film.. and all that.

Preethi: "No raj, i have seen small kids discussing harry potter stories. my niece who is just 8 years old catches up with all the harry potter books as soon as they are released, and her mom says the girl wants to know as much of the story as she could read to tell her friends at school the next day. I think with harry potter, they are really going with the story.. "

jas: "For me.. i feel this harry potter stuff is catching on because its been some time since there were popular stories on witchcraft, magic or fairy tales.. "

manoj: "Also these days, they make the movie version of such stories once the book has completed taking its due popularity. That allows for tempting a reader to see how the story comes alive in a movie... its a good feeling to see things that you read as fancy stuff in books. This happened with lord of the rings also not just harry potter"

jas: "That should be a great marketing mantra of these days... cross promoting and selling the book and the movie.... somebody wants to read the book because the movie was interesting, and somebody wants to see the movie after since the book was interesting.

"But the sad thing is... i wonder.. all those fairy tales that mano was saying really has been forgotten now.. and kids of today probably dont know who is cindrella, or snow white."

Preethi: "True... my niece doesn't know cindrella or snow white and all. ... she doesnt like those small illustrated story books also.. she likes barbie, harry potter.. .. also she likes spiderman and batman only in the movies. She says cartoons are good on TV or movies.. and on books its not interesting. Perceptions have probably changed these days. "

mark: "Don't worry.. with the way these things are catching up... digital movies are great these days... they will make cindrella and snow white also one day with newer additions to the actual old story like it happened in the batman and spiderman movies. And when it comes to cartoons... I just loved that one.. Finding nemo, by pixar Films"

raj: "Yes, that was a very good movie.. with that kind of expressions in the characters of a full graphic film... you would not be any interested if 'Finding nemo' comes in a book.. Pixar also made the next one 'Incredibles' just as entertaining. But, like you(looking at Mark) I also dont have a liking for harry potter movies.. i haven't read the book version of it though.

"But things do look different like Preethi and Jas pointed.. probably perceptions and likings have changed.. and probably the marketing mantra is tempting the changes"

French Riots ...ended

2005-11-21T23:22:00.000+05:30

manoj: "Hey, the recent French riots.. I heard its over!!".

raj: "Yes. Fortunately for the french, it ended. I always assumed Europe to be the only continent less into wars/fighting compared to all others... ofcourse excluding the extremes like antartica. But what happened in france with these riots, and some news websites pondering whether it was Jihad, beats the idea of Europe I had in mind".

preeth: "what's it all about.. Why did the riots happen?"

raj: "Like US, UK, France also attracts many foreign students and a lot of immigrants. Having been all the time in India, actually we guys dont understand immigration and its pros or cons much.. because india's immigrants to natives ratio is very very low.. in countries like france its close to 10% of the population. To give us an idea, that means 1 out of 10 people living in france.. is a foreigner.

"Also, greater than 5 million people are muslims in france. Europe and the west has always worried about france and turkey, for their considerably high muslim population in that half of the world.

"That's a considerable alien population to deal with for the french natives, and there are problems of discrimination. You should have heard about protests by immigrants now and then. And you should heard of this... france has a ruling in its constitution that no student would be allowed into colleges if he/she wears a muslim purdah, or a sikh turban".

jas: "Yes, something like our dress code here.. that we are protesting".

"Ah! this dress code we have is nothing.. its obvious.. here we are only being asked to come to college like a proffessional and especially girls not wear something to brand themself 'hot'", says mark looking at preethi's reaction.

"preethi responds angrily, "mark, stop that.. we girls dont wear for becoming 'hot'. you nuts only put your imagination skills to such use rather than studies".

"Now, now.. this is not about it.. stop any fight there", points raj calmly.

raj: "The french ruling on banning the purdah and turban created a wave of protests from muslims and sikh immigrants from India. All said, the ruling still holds.. but I am not sure whether the students are allowed into colleges with turbans, or, is their some kind of warm up time given till the ruling is enforced strictly.

"Now, the recent riots were organized by immigrants, most of them protesting were young men, who feel the french society neglects immigrants in many ways... There are unemployment problems, accomodation problems, racial discrimination, police harrasement, ... and all things that the french natives discriminate immigrants for.

"These riots have happened earlier when discrimination leads to some accident or creates disturbing issues. This time they say the riots would have ended earlier but for the electrocution deaths of two teenagers of African background hiding from police in an electrical sub-station. Then it sparked and became a more serious issue. Its also said that in one night on November 6th around 1400 vehicles were burnt and destroyed.. and since then the government declared a state of emergency.

"The interior minister of france even said that he has never in his life known of such three weeks of such extreme tension. The minister still said that he acknowledged the issues raised by the rioters on discrimination, but he was not happy with the way they are protesting by damaging vehicles and bringing normal life in danger".

"Now the riots have subsided, and the french government has promised addressing the issues raised".

What language is hot?

2005-11-18T00:51:00.000+05:30

"Hey guys I have an interesting question for you all... it was hot debate for the day at class.. and i think it will be hot to discuss. Let us see what you have got!", challenged Mark, energizing the group with all that air for a discussion.

"Is it.. what where you compsci guys the great debating on?", asks Preethi in a ignorant tone to tease Mark.

Mark: "What language is hot in the world according to you? .. and Why? That is the topic. Let's hear. Hey Preethi what do you think is the hottest language".

Jas: "Arre yaar... obviously its Hindi. The intellectuals language. Isme puchne ki kya bath hai (what's there to ask)"

Raj: "I think its French. Its the only language I have known, which is spread over continents and countries, even if no french speaking people migrated into some countries. I mean, generally people take to a language only after people speaking that language migrate into their habitat and encourage interest".

"Take English for instance. The english ruled and lived in many parts of the world in the 19th century, then, people started learning english from them and speak the language in all these countries. Probably the language has not much penetration into places like Japan, Russia, France, because english didn't rule these countries."

Preeth: "haan Raj that reminds me... what's that butler english. I have heard people say things like "that guy speaks butler english".

Raj: "Butler english is just bad english.. real bad .. which doesnt make much of a complete sentence. Sometimes people like cab drivers in our cities, who dont know english, try to speak the language to try attract foreign travellers to take their cab. This english they speak will be very broken and is to only convey a message when the recipient doesn't understand any of our languages".

"But I don't know why they pulled a 'butler' for describing it.. making it look like all butlers speak bad english. Might have had something to do like that for that name 'butler english'"

Jas: "English may be popular yaar. But hindi is our national language.. how can you say something in favor of english or french without respecting our own languages".

Raj: "Jas, c'mon! language is a way to communicate.. Look at it this way. dont talk politics by saying i don't respect our languages.. and speaking english or french is unpatriotic".

Jas: "If we don't speak our language, who will.. and how do you think our languages will survive in the future. These days even mothers talk to their new born kids in english. Speaking english is considered the most educated thing to do, and sometimes a status symbol with our people".

"Whatever said, mother tongue is our language.. and not speaking it is kind of unpatriotic to me. Also, its scientifically researched and proved that one is at ease understanding things spoken in their mother tongue rather than a foreign language.. because the brain processes more to understand the foreign language, one has to concentrate more and be attentive when listening to a foreign language speaker, process the accent / style in the language etc., "

"I think the best way to communicate and deal with languages is to strictly use your national languages, and even commit businesses to use the national languages like in Japan, China, Russia, etc., "

Mark: "Yea, people in Japan, China and all have their national language as the business language, and even software operating systems like Microsoft Windows packages a special Japenese or Chinese version for these countries. Also, for studying in countries like Germany or Russia, you first will have to be through a course in German or Russian".

Raj: "True.. we can keep arguing.. but in my opinion the choice of a language should be left with the people rather than forcing it to keep the language alive. There should be many other interesting ways to make the language alive and interesting.. rather than forcing people to use it".

Manoj: "I also agree with Raj that languages are communication means and not to be made an issue to face. But Jas's argument is also correct in a way, that people take up to foreign languages more often for showing off or in expectation of career benefits that their knowledge with foreign languages can bring".

"But Jas isn't this number of people who take to foreign languages for a show or career benefits very low.. Why should a country try to be afraid of losing popularity to a foreign language and force the national language.. look at the efforts in customizing software for chinese, japanese, and then for english, and come to india we have almost 1800 languages. Forcing national languages for business would in turn deprive the businesses of practical advantages with using a more widespread language like english".

Preeth: "Yea, probably this is one of those things where you can't draw a line.. and have to leave it to people for sometime, and to the politicians for sometime to force national language importance against foreign languages. But, like Jas says I feel very very comfortable following my mother tongue rather than english, be it speaking, writing or listening".

"There are days I go for english films with friends, and once out of the theatre each one of us have a different version of the story in the movie. With some english films where you have to pay attention to the dialogues and screenplay, it gets confusing even if you miss something for a few seconds in the movie".

Mark: "Yea, otherwise Preethi would understand stories in movies. Ha ha ha"

Preeth: "Hey Mark I am better than you anyway with english okay."

Manoj: "Whatever said we have to give our exams in english only, and those old lecturers understand very little of our english.. pray god that they understand better... rather than us."

Everyone gets a tight laugh on that comment and disperse for the evening.

From the Royal GFN department

2005-11-07T23:10:00.000+05:30

Mano walked up sad to the basket ball court where everyone was
already assembled for the after college chat.. and said 'Hi guys!'

Preethi hurriedly asks (in a way as to be the first one to ask), "What's up, mano, you are like you just were waken up from your sleep?". Before mano could answer, preethi fastly catches up towards mark, "What Mark you left him at class and came here early. What sleepy class was your last one?"

"I called him.. but this fellow just ignored me calling and stayed back there so long.. Probably boss is still worried about Swapna getting married... ha ha", Mark replied.

Preethi: "Haan yes. swapna came to hostel this morning with her father and gave us all invitation for her marriage. It was all looking weird, why would she get married so soon.".. still continuing non-stop... "She went all of a sudden two weeks back on leave for no reason, and today she comes and says she has been engaged.... but.. but why should mano feel bad of her marriage. Don't tell me you loved her Mano.. ha ha.. so mano is missing his heartthrob".

Mano smiles at this and gets behind preethi as she escapes him catching.

"You guys will never know what it means for swapna getting married. What will you know. This guy Mark is a nut.. he doesn't understand the deep blow this has given the prestigious computer science department", says Mano and leans head-on on the nearby tree depicting his sadness in total pre-historian way.

Jas: "Yea, I understand Mano.. I understand..", seemingly consoling, Jas continued... "but why take such a long name 'computer science department' when you are sad, ... cut it short and say 'GFN department' we will understand."

"GFN??", everyone turn towards Jas making faces of surprise except preethi.

Jas gives a scary look around not expecting so much attention at the comment.

"Is that Good for nothing department Jas... hey i guessed it.. heyyy" shouts preethi in all the excitement no less than an archimedes's Eureka.

Meanwhile Mark and Mano provide the friendly blows Jas seemingly expected ducking his head between his legs taking open cover.

...

Not seemingly content with the blows yet, Jas pulls his head out making a gesture pointing to Mark, ..says, "Make it Royal GFN department", and ducks back his head again as Mark gets very irritated now. At this Mano also joins the laugh.

Mark who has the habit of uttering now and then during conversations that his department be called Royal comps-kee department, still continues hitting Jas as everyone laughs.

Looong interval

2005-11-07T23:03:00.000+05:30

Its long time since I posted here...

things were serious at college for jas, preet, mark, manoj and raj. Yea, they had exams ;0) he he...

probably internal exams so no vacation.. thats why we are back early.

;0) he he.. ain't my imagination working tons gr8. God bless others.

Rose is a flower...

2005-10-06T16:35:00.000+05:30

Lunch Time!!!

Everybody was at the canteen. Mark had his plate in front of him and in deep thought.

"Mark... Mark.. what happened.. eat.. is something wrong?" disturbs Preethi, with all the enthusiasm she always had at the lunch table.

Mark: "shhh.. i am busy.. dont disturb me.. you got your food na.. eat it."

"Busy! ...", with astonishment Preethi raises herself little louder.. "did anybody hear this.. Mark is busy... "

Everyone had a bit of a laugh seeing mark looking at the fan above and moving his fingers in a gesture of deep thought... and turned again to their discussions.

Evening was off that day. since the computer department was celebrating its annual event. computer department students including Mark had off since two days allowing for preparations for the event. There will be students from most nearby college computer departments.

Later, after lunch, all our gang moved to the auditorium. Mark went backstage as normal as any department guy starts making a show, when its their department's turn to use the stage with all the rights that day.

"Mark is all excited and disgusting today.. what happened to him", started Preethi. The guys kept quiet, smiling at her.

The show started and Mark came back and sat with the rest of them.

For every program on the show Mark started explaining how he helped make this show, and made a fuss about everything that happened. "We are the Computer science department, guys.. we rock.. your shows dont stand a chance" pointed Mark teasing Raj, Preethi and Jas. Mano gave a hi-five for Mark's statement. Together all 5 of them had arguments cricizing, teasing each other, their department and having another great time.

Finally there came a guy on stage.. who had a poem to tell the audience..

As any other college student he started dedicating it to his unnamed girl friend.. how he loved the computer science department.. how they rocked to make this show happen.. all this even without starting the poem.

Then he told his poem.. dedicating to his girl friend..

"Rose is a flower" ... as if nobody knew ..quipped Preethi.
"It will stand for one hour" ... now that's something I didn't know ..said Jas.

..... (silence)

"You are my lover"
"You will be in my heart for ever".. finished the poet..

Mark rose loud from his seat all excited.. "Kalakita machiiiiiiii" he shouted..

Everyone pulled the excited Mark back to his seat and started teasing each other again. They had a nice time.

This poem was repeated almost a 1000 times in boys hostel corridors whenever a computer science guy walked across.. making noise for 2 or 3 days later..:o)

Rose is a flower..
It will stand for 1 hour...
You are my lover...
You will be in my heart for ever..

The Tatas: Beyond the last blue mountain

2005-10-05T02:47:00.000+05:30

Its 5:30pm and finishing his classes Raj waits at the basket ball court for the others to come. Raj is fully absorbed into a book he reads sitting there. Preethi is the first to come . Noticing Raj busy with a book, preethi walks behind Raj close to him so that he doesn't notice her coming.

Tapping Raj's right shoulder preethi quickly moves to sit to his left and grabs the book from him.

"Who's this guy.. He looks familiar." asks preethi as she looks at the picture on the cover of the book. "JRD Tata, yea... the man who built the tata empire, right"

"Not exactly! He was one of them who lead the Tatas." answers Raj as he looks around for the others to come.

"Where are the others" asks preethi as she reads through the books cover and about the author. "Have Mark and Manoj started studying already for next month's exam or what. They arent seen around. They keep making noise."

Raj: They must be coming.

Preethi reads out: "Beyond the blue mountain - A life of J.R.D Tata - by R.M.Lala, is he a new author.. not heard of him."

"One of JRD Tata's men. Since its a biography its better written by someone who knows his subject personally. Here the subject is JRD Tata." says Raj looking at his watch and waiting for the others. "I am hungry.. where are these guys still."

"You were so deep into the book when i came.. But you usually read novels.. Is this book good" queries preethi getting interested in it.

Raj: "Yes.. Its a very good book. You should read it.. you will read it.. i will give you once i finish.. its wonderfully written. Its not just about JRD Tata's life, but about the Tatas itself and what they stand for."

Excited about Raj's comment on the book, Preethi asks for more review: "Oh nice.. give me your review of the book."

Raj: "Its a very good book on the Tatas and nice that it happens to be the bio of JRD Tata who either witnessed or participated or lead the Tata Group from its growth from 14 companies to around 94 companies. The author R.M.Lala has spent a good 5 years making this book with interviews with the Tatas and he has studied everything in detail.

The book neatly describes the events, the colors, the british raj, the world war environments of the late 19th century and early 20th century... the period in which JRD grows up in different countries like India, France, and London.

Its so well written. I enjoyed its language. This is the first book i am reading of R.M.Lala , but I already admire his ways with the language. An easy read for an Indian english person, this book takes you through the years and the experiences JRD Tata has had. When you took the book from me now, I suddenly woke up from the 1930's... really :o) its so involving."

Preethi: "Wow.. that's nice.. I am already tempted to learn about the tatas.. so finish the book by next week and give me."

Raj: "Yes, It gives you a drive..reading about the vision of the tatas, the problems they faced, and how JRD Tata saw himself, his seniors, ..and all that just inspires you down the nerve."

Preethi: "Yes, They say 'A well written bio is the best inspiration'. Authoring bio's needs lot of research, patience and importantly a good flow of the language to put it in writing what the subject of the bio went through.

Anyways, Reading books itself is a good inspiration.. I took to reading books after seeing you and Mark absorbed into books so often. You guys almost have it as a habit."

By this time Mark arrives with others behind him.

Hearing preethi tell Raj something with his name used Mark teases her "hey hey.. what are you starting there with my name.. you.."

Preethi giggles and they get into another conversation.

BTW What is Democracy and how does it help us? he asks.

2005-10-01T19:51:00.000+05:30

This is a question that popped up when we where discussing things about India.. Everybody locked-up eyes with the guy who put this question, Jas.

Preet and Mark, soon turned towards Raj. Their eyes had the question.. "what are going to reply for this?"

Raj smiled and said. "Let's go to the canteen and have some coffee?"
They went to the canteen and took their usual corner table, the only one round in the whole canteen of square tables.

They sat down, and Raj sat opposite to Jas. Probably, with that gesture Jas guessed something and said, "So you have a long answer, Raj".

"Yea, we do have another hour for our next class" suggested Preet.

Raj sipped some coffee and started the answer, though he didn't know which things to put first given the wide territory of things democracy means.

Raj: "Yea, We have an hour.. but even if we talk about democracy for an hour we wouldn't have completely understood what it stands for.. sometimes."

"Its the similar... like you understand independence better only when you don't have it.

Democracy means a lot of things starting with, independence, freedom of speech, right to information.. there are many forms of it. To understand it fully, we need to understand the importance of its forms and what it means to us.

Imagine you are being locked up at home by your parent, and not being allowed to go out of the house for many days.. Mano:and that, for no mistake you did, or no reason in regard. How would it be? Raj:Yes, You keep on thinking why should I be locked up, why should not I go out when I have done nothing. You shout at your parents asking them give a reason, asking them open the door, telling them you need to do things.

Here, your right to freedom to go out is being restricted for no reason. And you try to speak out, shout and express your protest in the action to get back your right. This is a situation where you understand what your freedom means.

The most important thing in freedom, and thereby democracy is that you have your rights when you do no harm or when you don't misuse it. When you make a mistake the first thing to punish is your right, and then, you. Mark:Theives are being locked up in jail for misusing their right to be outside the jail.

Raj:When a government cheats you of your tax money with politicians swallowing it, they are misusing public resources for self gains. Its against public interests that they are doing this.. Although its done without our knowledge, this action that affects our interests of expecting the government to do useful things with our tax money.

In another instance, say some politicians in the government have some information that they are hiding from the people, or someone is smuggling weapons into the country.. you seek to know about it, or try to stop it, or report it to some authority to action against it, or report it to public through the media. By all this, you are exercising your right to information, your right to react, and by using some form of media you are using your freedom of expression.
Now all that was about what these rights are and how we already are using it. And all this is democracy.

Preet:And a constitutional code or "LAW" is built around that wider fact of protecting all democratic rights for the people covered by the constitution.

Raj: Suppose, If this be a country, where the press is censored, or interenet use is restricted, or its ruled by a dictator where people are punished for protesting or questioning anything happening in the country... how would your life be? That's what if its not democracy.

Nepal's Press censorship
Raj: Currently, Nepal is being ruled forcefully by a King who has indirectly banned nepal press from publishing any news against his regime. And we are not hearing anything from nepal now, be whatever is happening inside that country.

Preet:
Some newspapers publish protests happening in nepal... and we hear that some journalists are punished or warned of punishment. News is that the nepalese government is very closely watching all news published on all forms of media.

Mark:
There is one weblog 'Radio Free nepal' which keeps posting news on nepal, but this is to a large extent gets disrupted in service, or changes its webaddress, or posts do not detail things but only protest the rule. Its said, all posts are being done anonymously through various technical hacks so that authorities dont get to find the person or possibly stop the blog from existing.

Internet censorship
Raj: In countries like Cuba, Iran, and China, Internet access is restricted.While the Iranian government boasts of a technically advanced system in blocking many websites, Internet access in Cuba is the privilege of a very few and one has to get permission from the ruling communist party. The chinese have a model of allowing anybody use internet but they control online activity to a huge extent.

Mano:Being in a country like India, you very freely blog, write things and post on the web.. but can you imagine all this happening.

Raj:Even for sending an email, people in some countries use a different netcafe to browse each time to avoid being tracked at the same netcafe, or use various anonymity protection softwares to send messages and all.

There's a good downloadable book on blogging whose last few chapters detail various means of blogging with anonymite. Its a good read for the technical know-how.

And compared to all those people who have restrictions even in Internet, look at us, we are here in India posting anything on the internet, sending messages and communicating through emails and sms even when we are just few yards apart.... except for one thing.. but still... we are openly protesting in our college on the restriction of the dress code..."

Jas:"Haan yar.. what do you think our principal is going to do about this dress code.. Will it be taken off. They are ridiculous to force you come in light-colored shirts, keep your hair length, no hair coloring, all nuts."

"Yes, its ridiculous.. Time for class. Lets move", says Raj and everybody leaves for class.