Sea, Sand & Skin

It was a Saturday. We had reached Pondicherry early in the morning and had been successful to find a place to stay after some search. Luckily this place was very near to the professor's place we had plans to visit the next day. Rested for a while before getting ready for the day. Visited the Aurobindo Ashram, had breakfast and hired a rickshaw for the whole day.

The driver doubled as the guide too. Went to the botanical garden and some churches before going to the Auroville. Fabulous place. Calm, serene, beautiful. Worth spending the whole day there. After seeing the sphere (only from the outside) we decided to go to the beach. Auroville beach.

Ah, here was the resort where we had originally planned to stay. Beautiful. Right on the beach. It was a typical Indian beach. People playing in the water, swimming. Sitting by the sea. Hawkers everywhere. We also got in the water. After some time a foreigner couple came out of the resort for a swim. The changed into their swimsuits before getting into the water. The woman was in a blue 2-piece suit, and I must say that she looked gorgeous.

Suddenly they came out of the water. While the woman put her clothes back on, the man went to a group of people standing at a distance. Some discussion followed. The man was going back when the woman too reached. By this time a beach constable had also come. The woman complained that one of the guys in the group was taking her pictures. She scolded the guy and wanted the constable to take him away. The constable obliged and all dispersed. The couple back in the resort and the constable & the guy with the camera away from the beach.

I felt bad. Is this how we treat our guests? Is this our culture? Why do people behave this way? I had no answers. I was about to get the whole episode out of my mind and get back into water when another thought struck me ...

What if this was a beach in Rio? What if the guy with camera was not Indian? Would the couple have reacted the same way as they did here? The sun was setting. It was getting dark.

Do Indians know India?

This happened during the winter of 2001 ...

I had just completed my engineering studies. Had landed a cushy software job last year itself. But the dot com bust spoiled the what had seemed to be a fairytale. Although I had never wanted to work for a Govt. organisation, my friends had made me apply for certain companies. And fortunately I did get through all the written tests. Was going to Delhi, with one of my friends, to appear for one of the interviews. We were travelling by the Rajdhani Express, the best set of railway trains in India.

After a day long journey, the train had stopped in Asansol, a place in West Bengal. It was a long halt. Passengers had got down to get some fresh air. It was dark and cold. The coach attendant threw the dinner trash in the nearby dust-bin. The moment he walked away from dust-bin, a bunch of children came running and foraged through the trash. They were hungry, poor, unclean, uneducated and perhaps orphans.

Looking at the scene a young (10 years old) asked her dad, "What are these children doing?". The dad replied, "Daughter, there are beggars in Bihar, Orissa & Bangal. They are very poor. They do not have enough to eat. So they are finding food in the trash." This family was a resident of New Delhi, the capital of India. I wondered if there are no beggars in Delhi. I wondered if there are no poor people in Delhi. Why did the dad responded the way he did?

Dialogue in library

This happened few weeks back ...

Thought of having a look at the new library in the new office building. Went there just before lunch.

Big, bright, sparsely furnished, book-shelves along the walls and in the middle of the room. Good place to read. Thought of looking at the collection of books ans started from one end. Mostly technical books. But here were enough books related to business too. As usual the genre of fiction was missing.

Suddenly my eyes wandered on to the gentleman sitting on the sofa at the corner. He was busy with a news-paper. On closer look I found that he was solving the day's Sudoku. On the paper, using a pen. That irritated me, gave him a stare, thought he noticed. He continued though. I decided to do what I was there for.

After having a look at all the books I was going out when I could not take it anymore. Walked up to the gentleman, still absorbed in his Sudoku. I said, "If you solve the Sudoku here, then how will I solve". I was coming back when he called me. He said, "I come here everyday and do this. I will come tomorrow also and do this. If you have a problem, then complain." I said, "There is no point in complaining. Your actions reflect on your character, not mine. Do as u wish. Bye." Did i do the right thing? What else could/should have I done? I wonder...

20-20 in Bangalore

It was the cricket fever all over. A new format of the game was taking over the world. IPL all the way. It was cricket, cricket and only cricket on TV for some days now. So decided to see it live, on the ground. Samaresh arranged for the tickets, Bangalore Royal Challengers vs Chennai Super Kings.

Left office early, gave some lame excuse. Took the auto. Expected a traffic jam and parking problem. I was looking forward to it. Had never been to a cricket stadium before. And Chinnaswamy is one of the bigger stadia in India.

Nothing could have prepared me for the spectacle waiting there. Live music and dance. Sivamani on the drums. Teams practising on the field. Although could not see any player clearly, it was easy to make out who was who. After much wait the game began. It was nothing as seen on TV. This seemed so easy and simple. The ground looked small, the pitch short and catches easy. TV really makes thing big. As expected the home team lost. Will watch the matches on TV only. That is better.

Traffic Police 3

I was having a good run with the traffic police of Bangalore thus far. Had another encounter. I was going to the Electronic City office. Heavy traffic jam on 100ft road, Koramangala.

With my utter disregard for rules and inconvenience caused to others, I drove on the foot-path. Just to overtake the traffic jam and take the left turn. But as luck would have it, the traffic police decided to take a break from guiding the traffic and came straight to my bike. Removed the keys and kept in his pockets and walked away.

I parked the bike on the side and ran after him. Now, this guy was young. Expected him to be honest. And importantly I was not carrying enough cash. He started with the same old warning of Rs250 fine. Although I had no money, I agreed. The next thing that he said was devastating, "I do not have the fine book. Collect your bike from the court." This was different. After some pleading he asked for Rs100. I opened my wallet and found Rs70 only. He took Rs50 and left the rest for me.

Who says that Bangalore Traffic Police are not considerate!

Traffic Police 2

It was a Sunday. A lazy afternoon. It dawned upon me that my bike needed a wash. So took it to the nearest service centre. It was closed. They keep it closed on Sundays!

While coming back, since there was no traffic on roads, took the one-way from wrong side. The same road I used to come in the first place. And what do I see, 2 traffic police men. I was signalled to a side. I was in for an interesting talk.

It started with the usual demand for all the documents. Fortunately, I had all. Am very particular about this. Then came the charge, entering the on-way from the wrong side. Fine of Rs250. I said, "Sorry, its my fault. I should not have done this. Please do whatever necessary as per the rules." The younger one asks, "Why do you want to pay Rs250? Lets settle it off the records." I said no, and he was surprised. Then the senior one took over. Gave me a friendly warning. Charged Rs100, and gave a receipt note too.

He later asked about my work and all. Wanted to know about engineering & MBA for his children. So another humane face of the Bangalore Traffic Police.

Traffic Police 1

My tryst with Bangalore Traffic Police

This is an incident of Friday 28 March 2008. There was no water at home and I was late for office. Boss had even called for some information before I had started for office. I was in a hurry to reach office and start working. Hate to be late. At the junction near St. John's Hospital, the lights turn red the moment I was about to turn left. It was a "No Free Left Turn" junction. Waited for a few seconds. Looked for the traffics cops. Could not see anyone. This was not a time for heavy traffic also. So, started the bike and jumped the red light.

Suddenly a traffic cop came in front from nowhere and flagged me to stop. Now, am in no habit of jumping the cops too. So shut the engine, pulled out the keys and parked on the side of the road. The cop, tall, young, moustache, came and said "Did you not see the No Free Left Turn sign?". I said "Sorry. I am late for office, am in real hurry. I am really sorry". "That will be a fine of Rs200." "Yes, I understand. I am sorry." "OK, whatever the rule says." "Rs200." "Please make a challan" "Show me your driving license", I handed it to him. He had a good look at it. Asked what the DL number was. We have different formats for DLs in different states. He further asked where that DL was made. Started to write the DL number and stopped. He gave the DL back to me and said "Go. Do not do this next time." I thanked him and started for office again.

What made him change his mind? I was ready to pay the fine. I even had my wallet out. Was it because I asked for the challan. Did he want to keep the money with himself? I do not think so. He could well have made a challan and collected the fine.

May be he was just a good cop. Understood the circumstances and me let go. Numerous incidents are reported about the unscrupulous cops. But the good ones go unrecognised. He was one such.

How I met Ashok Soota

Interesting thing happened to me this morning ...

I had noticed the sign board of "Ashok Soota" at the gates of the house just adjacent to the park where I jog. Always wondered if this the Ashok Soota of Mindtree Consulting. Many a times thought od asking the man at the gates about the same but never actually did. No particular reason.

As always, today also I went for the jog in the morning. While completeing the first lap a person coming from the opposite side captured my attention. Blue tee-shirt, grey trousers, black shoes and a wrist watch. Fair skin, the glasses. He was accompanied by a taller and younger fellow in slacks. The man looked strangely familiar. Could it be Ashok Soota, I wondered. Crossed him few more times as he was walking in the opposite direction. No one else was taking any note of him. Ashok Soota is a well known man I expected him to be with some security, expected other people to recognise him. I was now sure that he was Ashok Soota indeed, but the low profile was nagging me. Thought of asking him, but hesitated.

But curiosity got the better of me. Waited for him at the park's gate after my jog. He too finished his walk and came to the gate. I said, "Excuse me sir, are you THE Ashok Soota?". Hesitantly he said, "Yes". I was elated and extended my hands for a shake. Then he too smiled and extended his hands. Next two minutes he asked my name, where I stay and work, about my studies and if I liked my job. The mention of TCS brought a smile on his face. Smile of familiarity, smile of satisfaction. He then wished me luck and bade good-bye.

I had met him before in college, but that was official. He had come as the Chairman & Managing Director of Mindtree Consulting. This time I could see the real him, most humble.