Cities – Relatively speaking

Ok! This was news to me that there is a pissing contest between Mumbai and Delhi as to which is the better/worse city. So when I had met up my friends in Delhi and casually mentioned ‘its not like in Mumbai..’, I set in motion the most animated discussion that is second only to Arnab Goswami on Times Now.  When put under the lime light for comments, I dug deep into my repertoire of GD skills and offered “Well, I think we need to define a framework as to what we mean by better..” As expected, I was ignored for the rest of the evening.

In reality, I feel the city works for you if there is a connection between who you are and what the people of the city believe in. In times when people are seeking out McD and PVR in every city (and ‘taken for a ride’ by the respective autowalas and taxiwalas), this vibe you can feel only after staying in a city and interacting with the actual localites. (So, all you Bangalore guys and girls in Electronics City don’t qualify).

I guess cities are more like relatives, friends and acquaintances. So like people they can be stereotyped and made fun of. This is according to me – the 5 cities I can comment about. 

Delhi: Delhi is that HDFC grand dad – ‘na sar jhuka hai kabhi’ types. Got that determined pride about it. Filled with monuments and tombstones (heritage), it assumes the head of the family role. Shows off richness like royalty. Can be preachy, can entertain you with stories (not to mention really pretty granddaughters.. ahem) Gets a bit boring at times. People in this city live life the way they want and with pride.

Mumbai: Mumbai is like that wild outgoing girl you try to ask for a dance at a party. Wild, colorful and pretty friendly with everyone, she is the one you have a crush on. Seems fun at first sight but then you slowly realize she will continue to party without ever attaching a bit of warmth towards you. Doesn’t expect anything from you and you better not expect either. People in the city carry dreams and are happy in their silos.

Chennai: Chennai was easy – strict and a bit ill tempered dad. People outside can’t understand why you love the place. It punishes you with the heat and humidity, admonishes you (judgemental) but will love the family. This means if you are an outsider, your acceptance is not a given. Can tell you stories that ‘build character’ like Calvin’s Dad but will expect you to get its approval.  People in this city look to fit in however different their ideas.

Bengaluru – Bengaluru is like your neighbor. Hi, bye and the occasional get together apart, they leave you to yourself. Sometimes nosy, but mostly cordial. Well maintained lawns (what with the gardens), loud music at times, problem with pets (number of street dog chases) and of course the neighbor’s daughter(s) ;) People in this city move about their lives with minimum fuss.

Shillong – Your lazy roommate. The guy who suggests to switch off the lights at 10 and wake up at noon, tells you to chill when you are upset about something and always game for a lazy chat. People in this city are just too content with life. 

Now it wouldn’t exactly be fair to compare which is better. Maybe which you like the most can be a valid question. In my opinion “it depends on what various factors and is also a function of tim... Hey! Wait! I’m speaking here! Hulooo…”

Been a while since my last post -> All is well.  Whatever I had to say I seem to have conveyed in 140 chars these days. Adios. (On Twitter: girish_k)

In Memory

Memories have a crazy and almost sad way of surfacing. Last Sunday, I remembered, downloaded and revisited a chapter from my CBSE class XI book called “God Is Near” (Chapter 12 of “It Shouldn’t happen to a Vet” by James Herriot). I now realize you can’t find closure in books for the loss of such a loved/loving pet.

Binny who became an integral part of our family put up a fight to stay alive and finally gave up on Thursday. I reached today morning to my home filled with his absence. And it doesn’t quite feel the same. In his short span of 2.5 years he has managed to bring so much joy and smile to us that with time I would be able to only remember such beautiful memories. Now is a different scenario.

I would miss him dearly and that is an understatement. We all would. He is irreplaceable when it comes to his antics, his intelligence and unconditional devotion and love. This is in loving memory of such a great friend and almost a family member.

"They say animals have no souls."

"Who says."

"Oh, I've read it and I know a lot of religious people believe it."

"Well I don't believe it." I patted the hand which still grasped mine. "If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. You've nothing to worry about there."

"Oh, I hope you're right. Sometimes I lie at night thinking about it."

"I know I'm right, Miss Stubbs, and don't you argue with me. They teach us vets all about animals' souls."

 From It  Shouldn't Happen to a Vet

Hell he even managed to get a mention in most of my blogs since his arrival. I guess a ‘dog’s life’ is  desirable after all :( 

The True Emotions Over A Fake Cup

You know, 12 years from now, when my kid can understand cricket, she/he is going to ask me “Dad what were you doing when India won the WC in style?” I know I have ruined it for her/him with my “Eh.. Umm..I was travelling in flight from Guwahati to Chennai”. Now my kid will then go on to become Poppit World Champion or the lord of Farmville with no trace of Cricket! I might just save it by saying “Hey, if it means anything, the cup was a fake.. (stupid grin)”

I tried to reconstruct my actions after listening to India win ball by ball over phone at the Airport. First came the screaming announcement that I made at baggage (ironically) conveyor. Then a jig that left a couple of impressionable audience scarred for life. Then discussed non-stop with a poor taxi driver on the defining moments of WC (much to his frustration, what with his leave application denied). Finally caught the images that matter the most as soon as I reached home – over and over again!

After promising myself, I will not talk about Leadership, Team Dynamics et all, thanks to the over eager media who should have left it to us – Its beyond words to describe what an achievement this is! I mean, we WON! Despite the Nehras, Chawlas and Sreesanths! In Style! This bunch has managed to capture the dreams of the billion and make it a reality after struggling to win against Ireland and Netherland! It was almost as if it was scripted by the richest country in ICC!

Watching MSD smash the six and react, I almost got reminded of his innings against the hapless Kings XI Punjab in the last league game of IPL3. With adrenaline pumping, the images were so similar, only this time it was the entire billion who were jumping in joy. (More on MSD) A crying Yuvraj, yet another similarity, but then again, this is a whole different context. Virat Kohli became an overnight hero due to his smart statement to media that touched a chord with all the Sachin fans.

Of course after this every one of those cricketers is crores richer, but then again, I don’t mind! Except when my grandmom, after looking at my PGDM degree from IIMS shed tears of happiness and said, “Had you been a cricketer, you wouldn’t need all this, no?”  

Knowing BCCI, the next step would be to organize a 50 over IPL format and create one more Lalit Modi. But hey, when Sharadh Pawar can be responsible for Anti-Corruption, I would gladly let Lalit Modi take on the reins of IPL and make it grand! I even forgive them for pocketing the 15lakhs and giving away the fake cup and then paying 25 lakhs to cover it up!

For the obscene amount of money Nike has spent on India, I will say, We Bleed Blue! Although I’m just extremely proud and happy we won! Yayyyyyyyyyyyy! Pride that will be carried into every tournament for the next 2 years (or till India gets its ass kicked real bad) 

Go India! 

The Finish Line

Since my last blog 3 months back, I have kind of changed as a person. Nothing Marlyn Mason type, just a few minor adjustments to prep me up for the post B-School world. Given the scariness of the place outside and the 2 years that were supposed to equip me for the battle, its time to set things right.

Everybody says it’s a rat race out there. Then shouldn’t the one who breaks the rope at the finish be the toughest and the meanest rat? I always wondered what they were racing for. In a B-School, especially an IIM, everyone runs more out of the fear of being left out than reaching the destination.

If it were the grades that people were worried about, then I can safely assure you, in a small institute like ours it did not matter. The happiest people were those who did not worry about the grades. Given the fact, whims and fancies of ‘business’ people with egos can influence your grades; they never are an indicator of a person’s acumen. So the race was not for the grades.

Pay checks maybe? I don’t think it mattered much. People have been sensible enough to prioritize what they wanted and at the end of the day everybody is happy (I hope).  And nobody I knew was eyeing what the other person should not get, if you know what I mean. So I guess it was pretty much every man for himself and the ‘race’ as such was inconsequential. More like a game of Koko.

Whatever it was, when we just finished a dress rehearsal for the convocation parade today, I realized none of it matters. We rehash the memories of the awesome batch we had, the people who we will miss, the last tryst with education for most and the legacy we are required to uphold. I know every batch of every B-School thinks they are special, but not many batches get recognized as special by the admin, juniors, faculty et all. We didn’t need any validation – the Awesome 66. I guess the real winning at this stage is the fact that we were together at the finish line.

The long nights of bakar, TT room, the group presentations, ‘situations’ and open houses,  politics, impromptu presentations, classroom nautankis, long walks, 3am maggi – without these, the lifestyle seems a tad boring! Heck, I even went to the library the last 2 days, place I had hardly gone the last 2 years!

 As I move ahead to my dream career, I will dearly miss some of the most amazing people anyone will ever meet, who are destined for glory and greatness. As I try to steal moments the last few days to relive every single aspect of this great journey, I know memories are all I will have. Wonderful journey with the wonderful people – Blessed! 

So much for brevity!

Special mention: A huge thanks to PGP10 for making the last month or so, so memorable for us and the hell awesome yearbook J All the best!