Sunday, September 05, 2010
Thursday, September 02, 2010
A chat with the enemy - a short story
His big bulky eyes stared at me and his question lead me deep into the spiral of silence. The very fact that I existed bought out the worst in both of us and we knew that we were better off avoiding each other.
But then one fine day the enemy walks up to me and offers me a cigar.
“Have it” he says “Its my birthday”
I look at him and few moments go by in complete silence.
Something seemed wrong in those big bulky eyes and that sly smile. (One which know it all have).
“No its not poisoned” he says.
But I still linger with the cigar in my hand.
I did not smoke. But today was not about what I did not do. Today was about what I can do.
“I quit smoking, 35 years ago”. I said and I felt it was a nice joke.
But he not feel so, no laugh not even a chuckle
But he was an enemy after all.
So many times I tried to not think about him. So many times I left the place he was with pleasure so I could avoid him. I felt anger every time I see him, but strangely I still respect him.
So Cigar it was. And I finally lit one.
How’s family ? I asked.
Family is good. Family is always good.
In my head (Yeah right how they must be bearing with you…)
How’s yours ?
Excellent Never been better.
I must say you turn out OK , old sport
You are doing Great Gatsby with me.
Get out of here
No you get out of here.
And then we did actually moved on. We are still enemies. But we did share a little moment of peace.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Insignificant
We the Insignificant
We the Unimportant
We the people whose time is not important
We the people whose words are to be ignored
We the embarrassment
We the threat
We the face of every thing wrong
We the backlash
We the glitter and publicity
Yet we the scrape-goats
We the Unimportant
We the people whose time is not important
We the people whose words are to be ignored
We the embarrassment
We the threat
We the face of every thing wrong
We the backlash
We the glitter and publicity
Yet we the scrape-goats
We the Insignificant
We the Unimportant
We whose love is uncared.
We the people - common people
Die each Day
We the people- whose life is not important
Will Die - Each time, You call us Insignificant.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Decoding and Messages
Take a TV series like Boy Meets World. It was a typical American coming of age story with a middle class Protagonist boy, Cory Matthews (calm, average in intelligence, kind hearted) his stereotypical best friend – Shaun Hunter (Bit Wild, rough, street smart, also poor)
It also had characters like Topenga Lawrence (His ever too sweet Girl friend) Mr. George Feeny (A very moralistic and ideal teacher/professor) and other characters like Cory’s brother, his family, Shawn’s Dad, Shawn’s other influencers etc.
This series was a comedy/drama sitcom. It was also done realistically. (Slice of
Life) Now an Average American/ Canadian could watch it on Disney channel or ABC Even now its reruns are going on.
When a sitcom like this that is so American in nature is shown around the world, it is bound to have a variety of reactions. It was a Disney product and hence it was distributed widely. Firstly the Asian countries got shocked by seeing the bold story lines and felt the culture shock. The fact that two 12 year olds have a perfect understanding of topics like sex, love, commitment, give and take was very hard for them to comprehend.
Infact the series was pulled out of India after season 1 simply because the Disney India was not quite sure if Indian people would want their kids to see a love story develop between two preteen kids.
Also the series talked about values that the Asian people do not understand quite well. Like the school Janitor (Shaun’s Dad in one season) is respected for the work he does. In India we never value work. We only value status, money and tittles.
Also Mr. Feeny is shown to empower his students, including Shawn Hunter and Eric Matthews (Cory’s Brother) and not over power or black mail them. This is something we as Asians definitely lack. We like to (as Academicians) point out mistakes, we like to punish them, and we like to embarrass them in front of their colleagues. We also don’t like to give second chances even with a handicap.
The point is that Mr. Feeny was not tolerant about sub standard work, plagiarized work, or no work at all. But he allowed his students to do something which not only covered up for the task they missed/cheated on but they had learning’s about management, about friendship, about how nothing is impossible, about how quality depends upon the interest generated. Mr. Feeny is the professor who teaches Shawn that if he puts his mind in to something he can do anything. He leads Eric to College after high school and on a personal note he even helped me come up with my Eskimo theory. This kind of professor who brings best in students comes out of the fact that he is modest, dedicated (despite of low pay) and communicates with his students regularly to understand what makes them tick.
Of course such an academicians is a rarity in India, where the teachers are least bothered. Eventually the motivation of student is lost and learning does not happen. The only motivation a few academicians believe in is the threat of punishment.
So in the end what does Boy Meets World say of America.
Well it projects it as a well-protected country where manifest destiny can actually come true and anyone can become successful. It gives an image of American youth, full of hope, completely dedicated to friends and committed to a partner (with whom sex is to practiced only after marriage) and has only a few problems like unemployment, divorces, drug /alcohol addiction issues
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Chamber of Secrets part 2
So Daily Prophet was bought over. Nothing unusual about it. But its the lack of Integrity which amuses us. How do one sleep with mudblood all over ones hands.
The things may change and soon muggles would be back carrying on with their lives. But some amount of transparency is required. Trust is never bought over. It has to be earned. The lack of accountability is clear. The thickheadedness in denying the careless way the whole Basalik incident is treated will be remembered.
Finally Harlem
Harlem
By Langston Hughes
The things may change and soon muggles would be back carrying on with their lives. But some amount of transparency is required. Trust is never bought over. It has to be earned. The lack of accountability is clear. The thickheadedness in denying the careless way the whole Basalik incident is treated will be remembered.
Finally Harlem
By Langston Hughes
What happens to a dream deferred?
......Does it dry up 4
......like a raisin in the sun?
......Or fester like a sore–
......And then run?
......Does it stink like rotten meat?
......Or crust and sugar over–
......like a syrupy sweet?
......like a raisin in the sun?
......Or fester like a sore–
......And then run?
......Does it stink like rotten meat?
......Or crust and sugar over–
......like a syrupy sweet?
......Maybe it just sags
......like a heavy load.
......like a heavy load.
......Or does it explode?
Chamber of Secrets
Muggles dont get it. Basilisk will hurt us over and above what it usually does and the room of requirement is not secure anymore. Its all up to the seekers skill to actually bring out the change. But who can be the boy who lived in the world run by he who should not be named.
Monday, August 02, 2010
To make the market and to grow it.
If the first stage of marketing is to make sure you have a right product, which is desirable and it is easily available then the next step can be how to build on such a market. What does a consumer need? Does he need an unique experience or does he need his expectations to be fulfilled.
It is a tricky situation because designing unique experience requires investment in manpower, technology, operations, and other logistical management.
But just providing satisfaction to a consumer can lead to the brand being a me too as it is not unique.
For example today Pepsi is coming out with Pepsi Max its new zero calorie drink or Intel is coming out with Atom after a hugely successful Core and Pentium . One might say that these are just examples of product innovations are they are not unique experiences. But isn't unique experience something never seen before/felt before. So doesn't it fall under the domain of innovation.
By Ninad Tatke
It is a tricky situation because designing unique experience requires investment in manpower, technology, operations, and other logistical management.
But just providing satisfaction to a consumer can lead to the brand being a me too as it is not unique.
For example today Pepsi is coming out with Pepsi Max its new zero calorie drink or Intel is coming out with Atom after a hugely successful Core and Pentium . One might say that these are just examples of product innovations are they are not unique experiences. But isn't unique experience something never seen before/felt before. So doesn't it fall under the domain of innovation.
By Ninad Tatke
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