Do we have not his glamour?
Why have we, no clamour?
Champions we too were in the past
Flew our flag high, at full mast
But nothing ever seems to last
Else why is forgotten everything so fast?
Once the pride were we not?
How did we end up in this rot?

Mother, we do not ask for much
Yet it always seems to sound as such
A fraction of his monies is all we need
Rest assured this isn’t greed
Some time too if you can spare
To show that about us you really care
Is this too much we ask mother dear?
Help us, we’ve shed many a tear.

Your sons we are too
Isn’t there anything you can do?
Help us out mother we plead
Lest we run out of blood to bleed.

Who are we, you are bound to ask
Without further ado off comes the mask
Soccer and hockey, the both of us be
Cricket the glamorous one, makes it three.

Note: This is based on a recent news item that I read. Here is the link to it: NDTV News Report

Hope that this letter finds you well. You may not have heard about me and till last week I hadn’t heard about you either. But it was a friend of mine who evoked an interest in you by using the choiciest of expletives none of which I would like to repeat in this mail. Having said that though, I think I might actually be able to help you out, my dear sir, with some of the problems that you have been facing. Allow me to explain in my own way.

From the limited knowledge that I have gained by poring over the recent news posts, I see that you have encountered one problem after another. It seems that ministers in your ‘cabinet’ have caused much damage to your reputation in the form of corruption cases against them. Now my dear sir, I have no idea why you would want to keep ministers in your cabinet, it seems such a strange thing to do. For you see, where I come from, there is only one minister and he is just too cool with earrings and stuff. But wait, I am digressing from the point once again.

The point that interested me most was the fact that you mentioning that you did not have a “magic wand” to solve problems. Now Dr. Prime Minister, I am not entirely sure that all your problems can be solved by a magic wand but I would like to suggest that you try one and see.

For you see my dear sir, I specialize in magic wands. And I believe that to my credit I have managed to match every single wand seeker with the wand that best suits him or her. Of course as I often quoted as saying, it is not the wizard who chooses the wand, but it is the wand that chooses the wizard. But I am pretty sure we can work something out for you as well. So I have a simple suggestion sir, that you come over to my shop and we will find you the wand that best suits you. Needless to say, I am currently the finest wand maker around and you can be assured of the best possible quality in your wand choice.

If you find this a suitable proposition, please fill up the short questionnaire about yourself. This would help me in trying to narrow down the wand core combinations that might suit you. I pride myself in being able to construct wand cores from dragon heartstrings, unicorn tail hair and other formidable creatures. Although if what I hear from my friend is true, I would have to create a one of a kind wand for you – from the heartstrings of a mouse of possum (I think that is what he said).

Thank you for your time sir. I look forward to receiving a favourable reply from you shortly.

Sincerely,

Ollivander (Mr.)
Managing Director
Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC
Diagon Alley
London

Encl: Personality questionnaire

Caged be each one from the start
Some made to resemeble tart
Others be the end of a free fall
Seven, the cage count be in all

Begin it does as a tiny tot
Sleeping, crying in the cot
Physical cages they be – the crib
I kid you not, I ain’t glib

Next the school child it be
Hours away at school, not set free
‘Math! Science! I want to egress!’
‘Have I no chance to digress?’

End of studies, begins the grate
Told you didn’t I, it is all fate
Working life thus begins in a box
And fake sincerity like a fox

Enter some time the parent stage
Some too young and others too age
Working ceaselessly for your child
Your life be hard and his mild

Aged you become as years go by
No more strength left to fly
Begins your life of on the pills
And cautious you be, no more thrills

Dependent you become on your child
But he is not in the least bit mild
Imposes his will on you he must
And you have no choice but to trust

Comes the end of life, end of fate
You end up most likely in a crate
Caged we all are from the start
Even when death splits us apart

My dear child, I have lost count
Of all my trips to ‘shame’ mount
And make another trip I have to, I see
Is this ever fair to me?

Why dear, why torture me like this?
Can’t have I ever a moment of bliss?
Fighting with your siblings you always are!
Why can’t you treat them at par!

For months you have fought, yes?
Yet, no solution for this mess!
How long will continue this game?
Makes me hang my head in shame!

Pledge to me, you daily do
Yet not a single part of it is true.
Interested in your own progress you always are,
You just don’t care about those near and far!

Lot of harm you did to me
But as a mother to you, I let them be
Forgave you most times I did
Yet sometimes I did blow my lid!

You now asked me for a chance to play host
Told me it would allow us to boast.
Agreed I did to your desire
And yet here I stand eyes mad with fire!

You promised the world you did!
And yet nothing is better than less tepid!
Not one thing has been done right
And all you do is internal fight!

They showed us on the news you know?
About how we are an absolute no-no
Is this what you wanted, my child?
Accusations against you, anything but mild!

Shamed me you have in front of all,
Pushed me to tears and beyond recall
Goodbye my child, I bear no more
For I have bled enough through every pore!

The meeting had gone off well. And there were no witnesses. He had ensured that his guards had been posted to the gates of his residence. They were to remain there at all times. His family was also off to some place on a holiday. Everything had been setup perfectly for the meeting that had just taken place.

His guest had arrived promptly at 2000hrs. Just as he had said he would. He and his guest then dined on a fine 7-course meal that his cook had been instructed to prepare. After the dinner, they retired to the study to go to work.

The guest was obviously no stranger to what he was being asked to do. He spread it out on the table so his host could see what and how much of it he had brought. He took care to ensure that he placed not only what the host had expected, but also a bit more. The host licked his lips at the glorious sight. He then took a moment and looked his guest in the eye and smiled and nodded. The deal was done.

Two months later

The news agencies were having a field day. All of them screaming the same headline and craving for attention. This time though, the headlines did merit attention. Or so thought the common man.

Many soldiers, numbers beyond belief, had fallen. There had been an exchange of gun-fire in which most of them had their lives cruelly ended. The initial reports coming in stated that there seemed to be something wrong with the bullet-proof jackets that the soldiers had been given. The common man looked at it in shock. Surely they were joking? Only two months back had there been a news item announcing that the soldiers were going to be given brand new bullet-proof jackets to help them fight better. And now the reports say that there was something wrong with the jackets? Something was very, very wrong. Something was just not right. Somebody had to take action! Somebody had to be held responsible for this fiasco!

Two months later

The attack that had killed many soldiers was now a story of the past. Well, it had been a story of the past 3 days after the incident happened. The mood now was of the high profile marriage of a couple of actors. Nobody really cared about the soldiers or for the state of the nation. Something was just not right had been replaced with obviously something was a trivial mistake. Somebody had to be held responsible for the fiasco had been replaced by nobody can ever be held responsible. And the nation went back into a stupor on its own affairs. After all, this was the coming union that had long been speculated but always been denied by the two parties involved. So naturally, the whole country was more interested in it.

Meanwhile, the intelligence agencies had gathered evidence that some anti-social elements were planning to attack senior personnel from different departments of the government. They had issued an advisory to all personnel to try and get more protection for themselves. They had also been asked to wear at all times, bullet-proof jackets. However, in order to ensure that the quality was good enough and not the same as those given to the poor soldiers, they had to get it cleared from some of the labs part of the defense ministry.

The man read the reports from the intelligence agency and thought that the odds of that happening were really low. Besides, who would want to wear a heavy jacket all the time? Maybe he could just have more security personnel guarding him to counter this. Let the attacker try and get him then. The attacker would stand no chance!

A couple of days later though, he was informed that he could not be given additional security because all the security had to be deployed for the protection of people higher than him. The agencies pressed him to get a bullet-proof vest soon and finally he caved in under their request. The man managed to get one and began using that regularly.

A couple of days later, the predicted attacks took place. Except that it took everyone completely by surprise. There had been someone on the inside who had informed his colleagues outside and the plan had been changed which the protection force hadn’t been prepared for.

The man stood in shock as he saw the events unfold right in front of his eyes. His attacker was charging towards him with a pistol pointed straight at his heart. The security personnel were trying to bring him down but the attacker was very skilled to keep dodging the bullets. Finally, they managed to bring him down, but not before he had shot one right at the man. The man, wearing the bullet-proof vest, didn’t notice it coming towards him. It hit him squarely on the chest. He didn’t think much of it since he was wearing the jacket.

The man took a few steps and then collapsed. Some of the security personnel rushed to him and others went to get an ambulance. When the ambulance did arrive, they realized it was too late. The bullet had gone right through the jacket. The jacket had not even offered a shred of resistance. The bullet wasn’t that powerful, but those near the fallen man realized something of the jacket. It was the same as the one used by the soldiers.

The teacher looked at her students again. And sighed again. She wasn’t sure how many times before this she had sighed already. But it seemed to be the only thing she could do.

The class sat in front of her. Their small little eyes, set in their small little face of the students, eagerly watching her every move, their small little ears listening to her every word. After all she was telling them a story. And which kindergarten kid wouldn’t want to hear stories, she thought.

She returned to her story narration. She had just gotten past the part where Goldilocks enters the home of the three bears while they are out for a stroll. But her mind wasn’t in it. She just couldn’t concentrate on the story. And she didn’t want to tell them a story when she wasn’t in the mood. She wanted them to relish every little detail when she said it patiently and that clearly wasn’t going to be the case now. Goldilocks would have to continue waiting at the bears’ home till next time.

‘OK class. Take out your drawing books now. Lets do some colouring!’, she called out to the class. They seemed puzzled, puzzled at the fact that the story had not been completed, but they took out their colouring books nonetheless. ‘Here is what we are going to do now. I want you to turn to page 76 and do the connect the dots on that page. Colour it well too! The best coloured will get a big chocolate from me’, she said with a big smile.

The class went into squeals of excitement. And they got started. That should give me time to think about this again, the teacher thought. And she got back to her thinking.

She thought about how each and every one of her students knew the other by name. How each and every one of them got along with the others in the class with no hesitation at all. How each and every one of them truly believed in the other. How each and every one of them placed genuine trust in their teacher as well as their friends. How each and every one of them were so very innocent and sweet.

And yet, she thought, a few years down the road, names would be forgotten. Frictions in friendships would crop up. Betrayals and cynicism would prevail over trust and belief in the other. Innocence would be lost and a desire to win at all costs would come out in its place.

Who really needs to learn from who?, the teacher wondered. We teach them how they shouldn’t become. We impress upon our children, our beliefs, our sense of ethics, our sense of etiquette. But if we think carefully, shouldn’t the children be the teachers? Teach us adults how to overcome the hostility between ourselves. Overcome the deep sense of distrust that we shouldn’t have developed in the first place. Teach us how to bridge differences and build bonds with others. Teach us to reclaim the lost world of innocence. And in fact, teach us the very way to actually leading our lives?

Ah well. Pretty heavy thoughts for the past five minutes of thinking, the teacher thought. Time to check on the class. And oh yeah! She wasn’t on good terms currently with the teacher next-in. So she would have to leave pretty soon. Maybe, she would ask the children to teach them how to be like them. But for now, she thought, think am going to give everyone a big chocolate.

]]> http://mirroredreality.wordpress.com/2009/11/14/story-attempt/feed/ 7 Antimony http://mirroredreality.wordpress.com/2009/10/13/a-hero/ http://mirroredreality.wordpress.com/2009/10/13/a-hero/#comments Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:26:39 +0000 Antimony http://mirroredreality.wordpress.com/?p=34 ]]> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8299780.stm

Now, this guy deserves serious respect. More respect than that is given to political leaders worldwide. He embodies CHANGE itself.

P.S. Thanks to Sathiyavelan for bringing this to my attention

]]> http://mirroredreality.wordpress.com/2009/10/13/a-hero/feed/ 1 Antimony http://mirroredreality.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/what-will-you-do/ http://mirroredreality.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/what-will-you-do/#comments Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:14:46 +0000 Antimony http://mirroredreality.wordpress.com/?p=31 ]]> So, the world’s largest democracy has just gone to the polls. Wonderful headline for any media person. But basically, is it really a nation that goes to the polls? Do the people of the supposed world’s largest democracy even care about the elections?

There was this news report which said that the overall voting turnout was around 60 per cent. It was seen quite a while before this article was even thought of, so it might not be the current figure. Nevertheless, there was this one figure buried amongst those poll figures that really gave an idea about how much India actually cares about the polls. The statistics was – in the state of Bihar, the voter turnout was 45 per cent. Now that tells a lot.

Forty-six per cent voter turnout? What gives? A child knows that if even half the people had turned up to vote in the election, then this number would have been fifty per cent. And what is the number here? 46 per cent. What does this show? Does this mean that the remaining 54 per cent of the population were so busy caught up in their chores that they did not find the required time to go and cast a single vote? Or does it mean that this 54 per cent doesn’t care about who comes to power and just don’t give a damn about the entire thing? In either case, it is absolute nonsense.

We have had enough periods of remaining indifferent to the exercise of choosing our leaders(for whom it has become fashionable to have atleast a couple of court cases booked against them).  And what is the end result? We end up with these so-called leaders who seem to be incapable of putting the interests of the nation ahead of their own interests. This statement might be harsh, but it is a statement that generalizes most leaders. For the few that have had sense enough to put their nation ahead, my apologies.

I am going to list some of the incidents that took place in the past decade.  But before that, let me make a clear disclaimer that I am not trying to brainwash you to vote for any particular party. I am merely pointing out certain observations and am trying to get you stirred up enough to go and vote.

We have seen over the past decade, some of the worst atrocities committed against us Indians. We have seen blasts on trains, seen the whole country held to ransom by a bunch of absolute morons and have lost loads of our countrymen whose only fault seemed to have been that they were born Indian and were staying in India. We have seen some periods in which our stock markets have beat all expectations and reached new highs but something which helped to alleviate the suffering of the underprivileged. We have been happy about the success of movies that had India as its central theme, had an Indian composer at the helm who went on to win the Oscar awards. Yet never in the aftermath of the movie’s success was there ever a statement either by the concerned state government or the central government to improve the conditions of those people. Populist policies are made – removal of technology from day to day life, re-building of certain religious places as well as more and more reservation schemes for the so-called backward sections of the society. On an international stage we go about presenting evidence to each country in turn, asking them for their support in approving sanctions against certain governments when the whole time intelligence agencies from different countries have validated our claims. We have treated our own borders with indifference and sneered at the capabilities of our armed forces.  We have abused our lady-folk by dragging and molesting them on the streets for their so-called ‘anti Indian culture behaviours’ (Wonder if dragging and molesting on the middle of the road is considered part of Indian culture?)  And have had governments which have been too weak to nip such nonsense in its bud. We have had people of certain races from our country being brutally treated in some of the countries that are well-known to us. Yet we have chosen to maintain our silence. And in order to appease the masses, we ask them about once in a pink moon to treat their people properly. And we are considered to be the country which respects human-rights and believes in non-violence. Yeah right!

At the end of the day, nothing has been done for the masses. Half, nay, three-quarters of the tax-payers money is wasted on absolute nonsense. And in the end, we are still far far below when it comes to having good infrastructure. How many villages and towns have proper access to water, let alone electricity? Nothing ever gets done. Grand plans are made in the Planning Commission and that is what they remain as – plans.

It is time we expressed our voice out loud. Tell the leaders what we think by going out there and voting. Remember, if you remain indifferent, there are problems of far greater intensity which we will face in the future. At that point, it will be too late to turn back the clock. Act now. Or forever hold your peace. Your choice.

 

]]> http://mirroredreality.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/what-will-you-do/feed/ 6 Antimony http://mirroredreality.wordpress.com/2009/01/04/an-anecdote-the-little-boy/ http://mirroredreality.wordpress.com/2009/01/04/an-anecdote-the-little-boy/#comments Sun, 04 Jan 2009 16:00:35 +0000 Antimony http://mirroredreality.wordpress.com/?p=26 ]]> The little boy boarded the bus in his little blue uniform. He was on his way to school, or rather on his way to his kindergarten. On his way to his kindergarten carrying his small school bag that had all the essentials that he needed, including a small pillow for the rest and relaxation session after lunch. All neatly packed by his mom into his neat little school bag.

The bus was neither full nor empty. It was nearing the morning rush hour, so to speak, but people still seemed to have just gotten up from their beds, having talked themselves into getting that extra bit of shut-eye before being enveloped in the madness that was known as work and employment. The bus driver too would probably have enjoyed having spent those extra minutes resting his eyes. But unfortunately, he belonged to the lot who had to coax themselves to rise long before the sun was scheduled to make its daily appearance. And as was usual, he let out a tired sigh when he stopped the bus at the bus-stop.

As was his custom, the bus driver observed everyone getting into the bus at the stop. Observed to ensure that everyone who wanted in, got in and everyone who wanted out, got out. He watched as the little boy in his little blue uniform got in, aided by his mother. And what happened next, came as a complete surprise to him.

The little boy looked at the bus driver, gave him his widest smile, a smile which coming from one of so young an age, was completely sincere was, no doubt, from the heart, and wished him a good morning. The bus driver acknowledged the greeting and reciprocated it, with as much warmth and sincerity he could muster. At the same time, he noticed how the whole bus had gone totally quiet when it had heard the little boy. It seemed to the bus driver that the rest of the bus had been put to shame by a simple act of the little boy. But once the little boy had gotten in and taken his seat with his mother, the previous chatter resumed. And the bus continued on its way.

The boy was by no means, the first to enter at the stop and nor was he the last. The others merely pretended to think that the bus was self-driven with no human interface and did not even glance in his direction. The driver was given a polite thank you and a cheerful goodbye, again from the little boy, when he had reached his destination. And although the occupants of the bus had been silenced once again by the little boy, the thank you and the goodbye from the little boy were all the greetings that the driver heard for the rest of his day. And it was this small gesture, which adults seemed incapable of giving, that the driver looked forward to for as long as he lived.

]]> http://mirroredreality.wordpress.com/2009/01/04/an-anecdote-the-little-boy/feed/ 5 Antimony http://mirroredreality.wordpress.com/2008/11/14/an-interesting-link/ http://mirroredreality.wordpress.com/2008/11/14/an-interesting-link/#comments Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:55:41 +0000 Antimony http://mirroredreality.wordpress.com/?p=22 ]]> This happens to be a video that I like a lot. You might find others funnier, but this was the first one I saw atleast 2 years ago and have always liked it. Link is below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx1XIm6q4r4

P.S. For Indians, it also happens to be Children’s Day today. Although you are likely to argue that you are too old to be considered a child, there is no harm in letting loose laughter and smiles like one. Hence the date of the post is 14th November 2008.

]]> http://mirroredreality.wordpress.com/2008/11/14/an-interesting-link/feed/ 1 Antimony