Disney - Where Dreams Come True

We have been to the Walt Disney World and been on the 4-night Disney Cruise earlier this month. The kids had a blast and are already asking to go on a 7-night cruise next week. Usha and I enjoyed the vacation thoroughly as well. This is our first cruise trip, but second visit to the Disney World. The cruise really is our dream come true. (yeah...why not?! no need to cook; no need to do dishes; no doing the beds nor washing clothes... ha ha)

One thing that really strikes me on our trips to Disney World is the cheerful faces of all those that work there, and their excellent customer service. Right from the bell boy to the store man to the security guard to the characters (of course). If there's any place on earth where someone bends over his/her back to satisfy the customer - then Disney is the place, we felt.

And yeah...we even celebrated Datta's 4th birthday (per Indian calendar) on the cruise and he really liked it.

More on the trips soon...
Swasti!!

Too long...

Chandra has a natural affinity to academics. He loves reading, writing, math etc. Datta is quite the opposite. He complains 'but it takes tooo long' for everything. Today, he's supposed to write 5 letters (QRSTU) in his Pre-K workbook. After an hour - of which 50+ minutes was spent playing around, 6 minutes spent whining and 4 minutes writing - I checked into his work - and he finished writing only two letters.

I asked him to write 'S' as well - but he said he will write two today and two tomorrow. I asked him to write S and T today, so he can write two more tomorrow. And he gave his favorite answer - 'but naannaa... it takes toooo long'.

I said to Usha: 'If we tell him that he has to study in school/college for 18 years, he probably won't even get started with school. Shall I tell him?!" We both had a hearty laugh...and I have to see how I can make enjoy writing. hmm.... writing...and enjoy... tough proposition for Datta for sure :)

Swasti!!

'Manners are not for following'

This past Friday I had an interesting conversation with Datta - my soon-to-be 4-year old son.

Me: No computer for you today, as you were not listening. (The kids watch playhouse disney episodes on the internet)

Datta: Please naanna (dad). Can I watch Handy Manny?

Me: I said no computer on weekdays. Also, you are not listening to us. No good manners, no computer.

Datta: But I said Please... that's a good manner?!

Me: Yes, but you have to listen to mom and me as well - and follow what we say. You can't do as you please for everything.

Datta: But naanna ... good manners are only for saying. Not for listening and following....

Me: What do you mean? What are good manners?

Datta: Please, Thank You and Sorry... these are all good manners. Not listening and following....

hmm... Barney and Mickey episodes on manners have greater influence on him ...what can I say, but to burst out in laughter at his innocence and unintended humor?!

Swasti!!

Lessons learned from Mumbai attacks?

The first anniversary of the tragic Mumbai attacks is already upon us - but there's no progress in the investigation (huh?!) nor could we hold Pakistan accountable and get them to act. How much did we expect and hope our politicians would act tough and get the real culprits to pay?! Alas! It's just a distant wish and our political bandits lack the will, and it's proved once again.

Are our cities any safer than they were in Nov '08? Are there any new security measures in place to check the visitors coming in by air, land and water ways? Have the laws of the land been updated or the existing laws being enforced any better? Have there been significant improvements in how the intelligence is gathered and shared amongst the various security agencies?

Sadly, the answers are all negative - even after such a tragic incident in which just a handful of rogue militants made a mockery of our system and played with the lives of hundreds, and more so - with the sentiments and emotions of crores.

The political class in the country proves they haven't let us down to the deepest depths yet, with each passing tragedy. Every time we feel it can't get any worse, and it can only get better from here on - our 'leaders' prove otherwise.

Hope things change for the better soon and we can see some positive developments that gives us hope for a better and secure future.

Swasti!!

It's RED - let's face it

As much as the pundits keep harping the positive adjectives about the economy - stabilizing, growing, black, green, shooting up, etc. etc. - I still feel very uneasy at the state of affairs.

Yes, the stock indices went up.
Yes, the job loss numbers are coming down.
Yes, the banks (some at least) are reporting.
Yes, they are buying more cars than last year.
Yes, this...
Yes, that....

Yet - I still feel these are all just glossing over the reality.

That - the economy is not really strengthening at its core. But the icing is made sweeter. That's all. Me feels, it's just the speculative investers making the money. It's just the institutions trying to control the costs and showing black/green. It's just the incentives offered by various quarters pushing the public (some of them) to spend and boost the numbers.

But, the fundamentals of the economy are 'still strong' - as McCain famously said last year. Nothing (or not much) has changed since - to change the way business is done. Consumer credit is still in danger of collapsing. People are still living dangerously on borrowed money. 'Leaders' are trying for the 'feel good' factor rather than 'doing good'.

Or may be we will continue to grow this 'bubble' until the next burst, without actually changing anything. And may be that's how economies operate - not on reality but on speculation. Only.

Oh well... let's see.

Swasti!!

da Gama Day

This year's Columbus Day in the US - Monday 12th October - made me wonder what ever happened to Vasco da Gama and his setting foot on India. As we know, Christopher Columbus set sail in 1492 A.D. looking for India in the Asian continent. He overly underestimated the earth's circumference - so much so that he ended up in the Bahamas islands, almost 1/2 the earth away from India. However his life is celebrated widely.

And then we have Vaso da Gama - who set sail in search of trading with India - and landed up in Calicut on 20th May 1498. Bulls Eye!! But nobody cares for him today!

Is the new world saying: Nothing succeeds like failure ?!

True, Columbus' failure musta prodded, motivated and excited Vasco to try another route and finally reach his target. Whatever the case - can we have a da Gama Day on May 20th every year - to celebrate the success of Vasco, and give him his rightful due?

Swasti!!

Nobel intentions ?!

Congratulations to the President, for being chosen for the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. The coveted prize, however achieved, is the greatest of the compliments.

However, the Nobel Committee's selection of Barack Obama raised more questions than it answered - about the selection process and about the panel's intentions, to name a few. Any which way I look at it, this award (verb), is not justified/appropriate at this time.

If Obama's aspirations, eloquence and initial steps helped change the world's perception of the United States - then he's just doing his job, correcting the wrongs of the previous administration. Nothing great there. If his grand vision of a non-nuclear world and sustainable peace across the globe is being rewarded, then he is not the only person of stature with those visions. There have been many who aspired as such, and worked hard and long for the same. Not enough reason, I think, for the award.

Anyway - as mentioned at the outset, a Nobel is a Nobel - however achieved. Congratulations Obama!! Luck is favoring your good intentions. Make the most of it and make a real difference in the world!

Swasti!!

My favorite quote

Be the change you want to see

This quote

- epitomizes HIS character and life

- sums up all his words, talks and deeds

- is the most powerful of all the words thus far spoken

- embeds profound meaning for everyone

- guides many with clear and concise mantra

- reaches all humanity with great relevance to their own situation

- when put into practice, would change the world for better

for ever

There have been many other quotes, spoken by many many worthy stalwarts in history. But none so potent, simple and self-guiding than this - I believe.

Let's rededicate ourselves to remembering this every day, and follow it with sincerity.

Mahatma! NamastE!

Swasti!!

The Sasquatch Experience

This weekend, we took the kids to 6 Flags - Great Adventure Park in Lake George, NY. We had return tickets and wanted to use them before it gets too cold. It was in the low-50's when we started at home in the morning. But once we reached the Park, the weather was very pleasant.

The kids enjoyed the rides, shows, pizza and characters walking around. We had a pic taken by the professional photographer outside the gate there - just in case. I was thinking, 'taking the pic is free - we can always say NO when the time comes to buy the pics'.

There are some adventure rides there, and Sasquatch was one such, introduced this year. I thought of trying that out - and I am glad I did. Usha tried to pull me back saying - you never tried these things, may not be good for the heart etc. etc. I thought - 'okkasaari fix ayyaananTE naa maaTa nEnE vinanu' :) and went ahead.

The ride up was abrupt, my head got pushed away from my body (which was secured by the restraints), I got lifted up into the air (whatever clearance was left between the seat and the top restraint. Before my thoughts reached a point of panic, the descent started - and a sense of relief started to occur when I realized I am still in the air, with my bottom still in the air, didn't know when I will sit down in the seat; how I will sit - will I be thrown down? will it hurt? should I keep the eyes open or close them? Did I secure the restraint latches well? Or will they open up with all this pressure? Oh my god. where am I now? when will this end?

Well - folks were already opening up their restraints before my thoughts subsided and at the end it didn't feel as bad!

All in all, an exhilarating experience indeed! I am glad I went for it!!

BTW, we ended up buying the photo package on our way out :))

Swasti!!

Kiss a Pig?

I am for adventurism, not all out but to some extent. May be 51%, just to tilt the scale. But when I was reading a piece the other day on different fundraising ideas - I came across this. Kiss a Pig. (http://www.stepbystepfundraising.com/kiss-a-pig-fundraiser/)

Kiss a Pig?! What the heck is that?! Apparently, I learn, it's a big hit with Americans and fundraising. As conspiracy theorists have been writing, these kinds of events are probable causes of the outbreak of Swine Flu. May be it's true after all!

What else are you guys kissing out there?! Gosh!!

Save Humanity!!

Swasti!!

R I P Y S R

Setting aside political and ideological differences, my heart goes out to the sudden and tragic demise of the Chief Minister of A.P. - Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhar Reddy. Here is another avoidable tragedy that could have been easily averted, if only politics is simplified and power is decentralized in India; and political leaders are not looked upon as demi gods beyond questioning. My heart also goes out to the pilot, co-pilot, Chief Security Officer and YSR's Secretary (IAS officer) who went with Dr. YSR.

I can't help but think at this juncture that had the various govt. departments been allowed to work independently, with authority, the meteorologists/security personnel/pilots could/would have forewarned and refused to fly the chopper taking into consideration the grave weather conditions. But given the power structure in India, nobody can dare dictate what a CM can or cannot do, despite clear evidence/facts available otherwise.

In any case, that argument aside - it pains me deeply at the circumstances in which Dr. YSR met his end - untraced, unattended and un-covered - in that hostile weather in the open for more than 24 hours. For someone who transformed himself into a people's person over the course of the past 6-7 years, leaving his radical/violent past behind, he deserved a lot better. However, destiny is so powerful and its ways so mysterious, one cannot fathom any rhyme or reason.

Despite the political differences, I appreciate some of his good qualities - thinking big, dynamic leadership, going after what he thought is right - being a few.

May his soul rest in peace. May the others' souls rest in peace. May their families find strength in God in this hour of sorrow.

Swasti!!

Redefining ABCDs

Last evening I asked Datta, who is more interested in playing and doing rather than reading/writing, to actually sit down and write ABCDs. Needless to say, he couldn't get computer time if he didn't write them.

He grunted, complained and found no other way but to write them. So he did, threw the paper in my lap and went up to play Disney games on the computer with his big brother and little sister. After I was done doing whatever I was busy with, I looked at the paper, and to my dismay - found just A, B, C and D scribbled on it. Nothing more.

Here's the conversation that ensued:

Me: Datta... why didn't you write it all?

Datta: I did.

Me: Where? You just wrote 4 letters. Where are the rest?

Datta: You asked me to write only those four.

Me: No I didn't. I said write ABCDs - meaning, you have to write until Z.

Datta: But Z is not part of ABCDs.

I am sure scores of parents have gone through this conversation with their kids. It's almost the end of the day. No energy left to sit down and explain to him. Nor to keep him engaged with anything else either...so I resigned and left him giggle away with his siblings in front of the computer.

Swasti!!

How to know where you work?

Recently, while returning home from a drive, we came across the hospital Datta was born in. Incidentally that's the same hospital Usha works in as well. I was telling the boys where each were born and they asked us where mom and I were born at. Here it goes:

Datta: Where is amma (mom) born?

Me: Amma was born in a hospital in India

Chandra: How about you nanna (dad)?

Me: I was born at home in my hometown.

Datta: Why? You didn't have a hospital there?

Me: Not like that. It was just convenient and the facility was available at that time.

Chandra: Oh I know - mom was born in a hospital, so she works in a hospital now. You were born at home, so you work at home.

Datta: Yes, so anna (big bro) and I will be doctors when we grow up and work in a hospital.

How I wish it's as simple as that?!

Swasti!!

Manicure or Pedicure?

Yesterday we had been to the NY State Fair in Syracuse. At the end of the day, we took the free shuttle to get to the parking lot. On the bus there were two teenagers sitting next to us, and I couldn't help but smile at the conversation I overheard.

She: (looking at his hand resting on the support bar) Why do guys have such short nails?

He: Oh! That's because I have a bad habit of biting my nails deep, for some reason.

She: Yeah - I observed that with many guys. Don't know why they can't stand normal nails.

He: I guess regular nails don't look nice on guys. It's okay for girls as you go to get pedicure done. Is it manicure or pedicure for hands?

She: Mani... Pedi... hmm...whatever! The place I go to has both and I just get my nails done. I didn't pay attention to which is which.

Swasti!!

Triceratops unravelled

Did you ever learn about the Triceratops? If not, here's a quick tip for you, courtesy Datta.

Triceratop are dinosaurs that try to eat the tops (heads) off the people.

So, there you have it! Forget what paleontologists have to say about the herbivorous nature of the genus.

Swasti!!

Milwaukee Art Museum

I like art. I like museums. But I don't like visiting Art Museums when I am travelling as I feel there are other better things to do than spend a half-day locked up in a museum. That being my mindset, I didn't allocate any time for anything other than taking my kids to the pre-planned Children's Museum in Milwaukee, WI on July 7th. We left Chicago around 11am and reached Milwaukee at 1pm. We parked in a lot and went into the Betty Brinn Children's Museum. The kids had a wonderful time there. After spending 3 hours there, and having lunch/snacks, we went out towards the lake shore and were surprised to see a wonderful building. Turns out, it's the Art Museum. The building itself is a work of art. The interiors are fantastic as well. We went in briefly, looked around, took a few snaps and came out for lack of time. We did stick around for the Museum's closing time (5pm) to see the wings close down for the night. Isn't it amazing? See that pic here.

Not sure if we ever go there again, but the next time we visit another city, we will make sure we check out the Art Museum. If it's as slick as this one, i.e.

Swasti!!

5 states and 2,717 miles

Back in 1998 I had been to Chicago but didn't have time to go up the Sears Tower. Usha wanted to go to Chicago for a long time and with our 10th Anniversary upon us, we decided to visit the Windy City. I checked the flight tickets and called some friends/relatives around there. One thing led to another, and we ended up with a long list of invites to visit. These invites were also from different places in that region - not just Chicago area. So, we both decided to go driving and took a week off from work.

Started in Albany on Thursday July 2nd morning. Here's our itinerary, in short - and the major places we visited:

1. Thu 07/02 - Albany, NY to Cleveland, OH - visited Tallamraju Madhury and Ravi family (Usha's cousin sister)
2. Fri 07/03 - Cleveland, OH to Darien, IL - visited Chaganti Mohan's family (Usha's cousin). Checked into Marriott in Elmhurst, IL for the night
3. Sat 07/04 - Attended the 17th TANA Conference in the Rosemont Convention Center - Chicago. Will write another piece about it. Returned to the hotel room at 1:45am in the morning, after the TANA programs.
4. Sun 07/05 - Chicago, IL to Rensselaer, IN - visited Dr. Chaganti Mallik and Lakshmi family (Usha's cousin).
5. Mon 07/06 - Rensselaer, IN to Chicago, IL - visited the Aurora Sri Balaji and the Lamont Sri Rama temples. Checked into the Marriott in Elmhurst, IL.
6. Tue 07/07 - Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI - visited the Betty Brinn Children's Museum and the Art Museum with its wonderful wing top (which closes every day in the evening). On the way back, stopped by Nori Vijay's place (a friend of ours), had dinner there and then returned to the hotel.
7. Wed 07/08 - Drove along the Lake Shore Drive, took pictures on the banks of Lake Michigan and visited the Navy Pier briefly. Watched a kids' Pirates show there, walked around and went to another friend's place in Elmhurst (Singaraju Trivikram and Smitha) for dinner before returning to the hotel room.
8. Thu 07/09 - Took the Double Decker Bus Tour around Chicago downtown; stopped at the Sears Tower; went up the building and ventured onto the glass chambers on the 103rd floor; returned to Navy Pier for some more fun times. Watched Cirque de Shanghai show there and went on a moonlight boat cruise overlooking the city's skyline at 10pm. Returned to the hotel room.
9. Fri 07/10 - Chicago, IL to Indianapolis, IN - visited Dr. Veena Nagappa (Usha's classmate in Boston Univ.) and her family; visited Prof. Kandukuri Lingamurthy of Andhra Univ Engg. College, who's visiting his children in Carmel, IN; and then went to Ayyagari Lakshmi and Raghava's house (Usha's cousin) for the night.
10. Sat 07/11 - Indianapolis, IN to Dayton, OH - visited Glen and Cindy Courtright (he's my previous boss in SAIC and a great friend).
11. Sat 07/11 - Dayton, OH to Columbus, OH - visited Vani and Srinivas (Usha's cousin) in Dublin, OH; visited Perala Umasankar and Sujatha (my friend from Andhra Univ) in New Albany
12. Sat 07/11 - Columbus, OH to Albany, NY - started there at 6:15pm and except for a few breaks in between for dinner, gas, pee-stops, came home at 5:15 am Sunday after unexpected, all-night driving covering 635 miles.

What a trip it has been - fulfilling, exciting, interesting, educating, fascinating, surprising and of course, tiring. We sure need another vacation to relax!! I will come back with details of these visits soon...

Swasti!!

If only Khomeini intervened

What a selfish, timid and weak leader Khomeini is! ha?! If only he were a true and strong leader, and acted as such, we wouldn't have so much unrest world over now. Look at this -

If only Khomeini intervened back in 2000 November and issued stern warnings of oil sanctions, we wouldn't have had a buffoon rule the US for 8 years.

If only Khomeini intervened then, we wouldn't have had 9/11 and the world would have been a far better place to live in today.

If only Khomeini intervened then, we would probably have seen a lady President by now, with a Black VP.

If only Khomeini intervened then, we wouldn't have seen the US automakers go under.

If only Khomeini intervened then, I could still arrive at the airport just 15 minutes before the departure time and still board the flight.

If only Khomeini intervened then, .......

Oh! The possibilities are endless. Suffice to say, 'World Peace' couldn't be used as a lofty goal any more! :)

But that's not to be! May be in another generation!

Swasti!!

Michael Jackson

To be honest here - I am not a western music buff. I am more of a classical music guy. I do listen to English music - but more of the jazz and classical type. That's not to say I don't get excited and enjoy when I happen to listen to a Dangerous or a Thriller or the likes from MJ. I just don't go out and about to get and hear to that music. That's all.

Nevertheless, I followed casually the life of MJ and have great admiration for him for his skills and charisma. I pitied his condition many a time as well. A part of me tried to convince myself the allegations against him were untrue. Despite all his frailties and failures as a person, he is and will be remembered forever for his flair, skill and contribution to the western music world, by music lovers and casual observers alike. (It's no exaggeration when I say that a whole generation of music buffs grew up thinking western music is nothing but MJ.) King of Pop, he sure is!

May his soul rest in peace!

Swasti!!

Did USA vote last week?

The coverage for the past few days in the media, especially radio and online, is sure to give a busy bee occasionally tuning into the outside world such an impression! I don't remember the media being so restless even in Nov 2000, when a certain joker was 'sham elected' to the supposedly most powerful, democratic position in the world.

Whoever expected the Iranian Presidential elections to be clean and fraud-free? How can any sane person, worth his shirt (even if it is Made in Nicaragua), think democratic processes will be followed to the word and spirit in a dictatorial regime? Or does the western world suddenly see Iran as a democratic nation, with an aberration last week that needs to be corrected? Or did they pump so much money and resources into Iranian election and are confident of the opposition leader Moussavi elected President somehow, that when their pipe dreams went for a tail spin, they are crying foul now? Or did they realize President Ahmadinejad is not someone who can be stared down or even beaten down into submission, so they need a puppet there? Or are they now undertaking the holy task of liberating Iran, now that Iraq is successfully liberated and living a peaceful life? ...

Ok...more questions than anything else. Nevertheless, I am so amused at the sight of the western leaders jumping like a monkey whose behind caught fire learning that they will have to deal with Ahmadinejad for another 5 years.

Stay calm folks! He is only one. But he is probably already worrying how he can keep decorum with a bunch of jokers leading the rest of the world.

Swasti!!

[Disclaimer - yeah, constructs like exaggeration, hyperbole etc. should come to mind]

Musings from missed cues

Some times we get lost in a train of thought or go into such expansive thinking that we miss the visible cues staring in our face.  One such amusing thing happened this morning.

Just before giving bath to Datta I removed the Diego band-aid he 'sported' for two days on his left elbow, saying his boo-boo is gone and he is fine now.  He agreed and stopped holding his hand in an awkward pose.  After the bath, while getting dressed, we were talking and suddenly we had the following conversation.

Datta: Naannaa (Dad) - how do boo-boos go away?

Me: When you eat well, and ...

D: (interjecting) Ba... it's a ba...

Me: and stay healthy...

D: (again) B'.... b'....

Me: without eating junk food, boo-boos get better and go away quick....

D: Naannaaaaa ... (in an almost exasperated tone) With a band-aid.

Me: Oh...yes!!  If we put a band-aid, it goes away!!

See... some questions warrant just a simple answer. :)  

Swasti!!

Real or Surreal?

The way the stock markets have risen over the past two months belies the real strength of the economy, I feel.  Not that I was looking for a complete crash to sub 5k levels, but looking at the lost jobs statistics, the wealth/funds that were wiped out across different sectors, coupled with the beating the financial institutions took - this growth trend looks surreal to me.  

True, I am not a stock-market investor and don't know the intricacies of how the markets work.  However with so much at stake for everyone, as the assets of various companies - financial or otherwise - are at stake in the markets and decide the future of many more jobs, I am concerned.  Is it just the hype created by the yet-again-cooked-up numbers by the various companies and banks or the hope created by the Obama administration that's behind this rally?

If it's really real - then that's great.  But if it's surreal without any solid basis, then it's better we go through the proper correction and come back strong, not overnight but gradually on the strength of real performance.

As always, only time will tell!

Swasti!!

My election experience

I called the Khairatabad Constituency voters (in Jubilee Hills area) in Hyderabad (first phase). It has been a wonderful experience for me personally and made a convert out of me, from being a long-time TDP supporter. I almost felt like I was canvassing door-to-door in the constituency, meeting various folks, listening to some of their issues, their struggles, their appreciation for JP garu, their frustrations, so on and on. I also had the opportunity to talk to some veterans who saw many a party come with a lot of promise only to fool them time and again by working for their own personal gains and greed. At the end of the conversation with some of them, I was made to believe I have them convinced to give Loksatta a chance. Then there were some more who didn't hide their affinity to the traditional parties, and said they appreciate JP's work but they have their candidate finalized already.

I must say the most intriguing analysis of the situation in villages was provided by someone I talked to, who summed up thus: It's very difficult for Loksatta to gain a mass following in our villages. In most of our villages, there are predominantly two groups that fight with each other. Political parties support one or the other group to further their objectives. People have to belong to either of those groups for their survival. Getting associated with Loksatta in such villages doesn't help them - as the details of ground reality are much harsher than the ideology we paint in broadstrokes.

In this context, I must also add the following. Although calling the voters and talking them towards LSP was a good feeling, the greatest satisfaction for me came from talking to some of the contesting LSP candidates themselves. I am completely overtaken with emotions listening to their account of the sorry state of affairs for the common man, especially farmers and their plight; the selfless service they rendered for many years before and since their association with Loksatta. It showed me firsthand what a bunch of humble, good minded, passionate and dedicated candidates LSP has in the fray.

If one of the candidates felt ashamed at his inability to see more success in driving people away from money and liquor enticements thrown by other parties, after many years of service and hard work in that direction - we can understand the humility of these candidates. However, the good thing is they see these elections as just another step in their effort to bring about a change, rather than the only means to effect it. They are all determined to move on with their efforts and each one of them serve as a guiding light for me, in my own conduct henceforth.

Swasti!!

Self imposed silence

Not that I am an avid blogger, blogging each and every thought every other hour here. But I imposed blogging silence upon myself for the past 20 days as I decided not to blog about the elections in A.P. given the sorry state politics are in, these days. Anyway, now that the polling's done there - I come out of my silence.

However, I am proud and glad to state that I associated myself with Loksatta Party and did my bit of volunteering by calling up some voters to urge their support for the lcoal LSP candidate. I also 'interviewed' 6 LSP candidates to prepare their profiles to be uploaded to the LSP website. I must say I am inspired by the stories they shared, of their lives, their electorate and what they face day in and day out. I'll see if I can summarize my findings, thoughts and feelings here sometime soon.

Swasti!!

3 minus 2

One fine morning last week, the boys were getting ready to go to school when Chandra started doing subtractions on his fingers.
2 minus 2 equals......... hmm... one finger, two fingers; fold two of them and you are left with zero.... (ok...who is reading this to learn? come on... go and get an education :) )
The restless parent in me tried to teach him the 'simple fact' that if you subtract a number from itself, you always get a zero. No need to work your fingers for 'such simple' things. Not content with just 'teaching' the principle, I wanted to test him.

Me: What's 3 minus 3?
Chandra: (as usual) takes 3 fingers and starts his calculations.
Datta: (interjects and says) Zero
Me: That's good Datta. Now what's 4 - 4?
Chandra flings a few fingers out but hesitates... and then says zero
Datta: (shouts immediately) Zero
Me: See peddabbai, Datta is already getting it. You don't have to use your fingers to do this simple thing. Let's try again... 5 minus 5 is?
Datta: Zero
Chandra: Zero
Me: That's very good Datta.

Chandra is happy that his little brother is also into learning math and asks Datta a question.
Chandra: Datta what's 1 minus 1?
Datta: Zero
Chandra: Datta what's 3 minus 2?
Datta: Zero

Hmm.... the kids made me realize what a fool I make of myself at times, trying to cut short the learning process and teach them the tricks :) Datta's just having fun and that's what it is meant to be, isn't it? Every kid has to learn the basics the old fashioned way and there's no shortcut there!

Well, if I think I learnt a lesson I can apply to parenting as a whole, I'll be in for a surprise when I get back to my 'restless parent' mode again soon enough.

Swasti!!

I am with the G-19

During the recent G-20 conclave, Obama tried hard but failed to get the European heads of state to commit additional stimulus packages in their own countries in his ongoing efforts to try and kick start the economy back to speed. However, almost all the other heads of state are fixated on more market regulations and other long-ranging measures. I must admit, although I am a staunch Obama supporter - I am squarely with the G-19 on this issue.

Simply pumping more and more billions into the market, without the needed checks and balances in place, is not going to bring true economic revival. True, it will make the investors (read, speculators) happy, and helps drive up the indexes. However, the fallacy of this policy is that once the stream of stimuli stops coming, the market (again read, speculators) will have nothing else to speculate upon and drive down the markets. Because, I believe, 'the fundamentals of the economy are not strong' (to borrow from Joe, the Also Ran). These investors look for each and any such stimulus or short term gains news and pump up the market, as we have seen recently. Once that stops, they run out as fast as they came in - at the expense of common man, thus wreaking further havoc on the psyche.

So, even if it is painful, I'd say - stay the course; strike the iron while it is hot - bring in the correct checks and balances needed for the long term health of the system, rather than announcing one package after another. That's what we expect of the man with the vision - long term vision, i.e.

Swasti!!

Nature - The greatest leveler

In this day and age of great seismologists, -graphs, technology and communication media - it is sad that the Italian government was not able to evacuate its subjects from the affected areas in advance. I didn't read the news items in detail but gather from the radio (NPR is my news source) that over 200 people and several centuries old/historical/heritage sites are among the casualties.

When I heard that, I couldn't help but think of what a great leveler nature is. Loss of life is very sad, but that's not what I was reflecting on. The greatly preserved heritage sites. Governments and private institutions shell out millions and millions to restore, preserve and promote such sites. But all that counts for nought, when Nature comes calling.

Isn't there a profound lesson to be learnt?!

Swasti!!

All Inclusive Day!!

We have the most famous Valentines Day and Mothers Day - meant for specific sets of people. Then we have the Fathers Day, Grandparents day etc. in the second rung of the Day-mania ladder. Of course, we also have other days that celebrate the Secretaries, Frienship, Workers etc. If you look at all these days, they are aimed at recognizing a specific set of people and relegates everybody else for that one day. Is that right? Or may be people in that specific group will be relegated for the rest of the year.

Come to think of it, there's only one day that treats everyone on equal footing without fear or favor, love or hatred, near or far, known or unknown. The simplest and cheapest of all the Days in terms of celebration - as it doesn't require spending or going out partying. No feelings of getting slighted whether recognized or not on this day. Isn't that a wonderful feeling? It just brings a smile on the lips and within us all, just at the thought of it.

Okay - you probably know what I am talking about! As Mark Twain famously quoted: "This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three hundred and sixty-four."

Happy AFD!!

Swasti!!

Happy New Year (India)

According to the Telugu calendar, today is the first day of New Year, titled Virodhi (meaning 'enemy', 'against' etc.) Doesn't sound like a good name for a year we all look forward to, to bring in positive change...does it?! What more?! This also happens to be an election year in India. And if positive change is not to be expected, based on predictions, then the prospects shudder me to no extent.

However, to a large extent, last year seemed to be a pretty bad year what with the earthquake in China, financial meltdown, recession, Mumbai attacks, etc. taking unprecedented toll on the common man. The politics and governance in India reached new lows as well last year.

What could go worse this year?! The politics?! The governance?! I can believe that - and we already see that in play.

But God! Save innocent lives and make this year better than last year atleast in that count. As for politics and governance - they reached such lows even God is helpless. The system has to correct itself after it can't go down any further.

Anyway, enough of the dark stuff. Wish you all a very pleasant new year! Even in the darkest clouds, we can see silver linings. I hope and wish for many such silver linings this year - so much so that the darkness could be withstood and forgotten.

Swasti!!

He believes he can fly

Remember the song from Space Jam - I believe I can fly ?! Datta reminded me of it when I was driving the boys to school the other day.

I was driving and stopped at a red light. Datta was chatting non-stop about what he would do when he grows up (which is another story for another time, as he has no concept of linear time and thinking; and thinks he can be a Benjamin Button - you know what I mean!)

So anyway - when I stopped at the red light, he didn't see the red light - and asked me to keep going. I told him I can't as the light turned RED. His response was: "I want our car to fly in the sky so we don't have to stop for red lights. I want our house in the sky. I want my day-care, annayya's (big brother's) school in the sky, our play ground in the sky, walmart in the sky, temple in the sky...". Chandra caught on as well and true to their mood then, they kept on and on...until they built a whole community in the sky.

Sometimes I am scared to ask them to do anything that looks like conditioining them, lest I should stunt their creativity. Well, that's only sometimes, though. :) Let's see what they become...

Swasti!!

Goal without a plan? Yes, sometimes...

My first significant goal after getting out of my home as an adolescent (for Bachelors education) was to get out of the country. During my M.S. education and initial years of employment in USA the strategic goal was to get back to my home country while still young. As the years passed by, the desire to get back not just to my country but to my hometown as well grew bigger and bigger.

We decided to return in October, after 15 years in USA. Do we have a plan? Yes and maybe. Do we need a well structured plan to get back to our homeland? The desire to get back to our roots and become a socially relevant entity there is strong enough in us and we believe that will get us to our current goal.

Do we need to plan and execute to it always? Sometimes the excitement is in doing things as they develop, while not losing sight of the goal. And we look forward to reaching there.

Swasti!!

The forgotten Martyrs

Wherever there's an attack by rowdy/terrorist elements on a celebrity (or plural), the whole world including the govts. and the media only focuses on the well being or predicament of the celebrity. Seldom are the lives of the security forces and the innocent passers-by given a second thought.

Consider the recent attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore. 9-12 security forces have been killed in the shoot out. But all you hear about is how the cricketers escaped and how many got bruises in their legs, arms etc. (To give credit here, a couple of them with a bullet or two in non-critical parts of their body). Mind you, I am not trying to belittle the incident nor the suffering of the Stars. I am peeved at the raw deal meted out to the men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line to save these Stars. Dead or alive, the latter get all the attention and support. Dead or alive, the former never get a second look.

Blame it on .... WHO/WHAT? The corrupt politicians/governments? The celebrity crazy media? The public's insatiable 'paparazzi'sh' appetite, which is fed by the media? Or the degrading value for life (if it is not ours) ??

May the martyrs lives rest in peace! And their families stay strong, healthy and find better living.

Swasti !!

Wake up the bull? Not anytime soon...

Markets are going down for a few months now. Not just in the USA, but everywhere. One would think the indexes have tanked and they will start turning back up pretty soon. But every passing day brings with it some other bleak story - pushing the numbers further down. Once in a while we see speculators pushing it up a little bit, in vain hopes of the govt. recovery package doing wonders. But alas, we see the bear shaking its back ever more vigorously on the Street.

We have seen hundreds of thousands of jobs wiped out recently. Many more are on their way out. Again, not just here - but every where else as well. Banks collapsed. Many companies were shut down. Auto giants are on their way out or getting ready to be marginalized to being minions. One would think the nation would start getting into a savings mode never seen in recent times. But I haven't seen that in my community here where the restaurants and malls are ever so crowded even during weekday evenings, let alone on weekends.

Then we have the learned economists asking the public not to withdraw into their savings shell, but continue to spend as if nothing has happened. They say that is the only way to beat the recession. Yeah - right! Aren't these the same elite who brought about this situation? How can a reliable solution come out of their brains, which created this mess in the first place? Are we to believe that they realized their mistakes and now are prescribing the right formula?

Methinks, in simplistic terms, that all these economists and highly learned folks, complicated the otherwise keep-it-simple theories only to suit their own self serving purposes without any social relevance in mind. You earn money, save it and spend it for your needs first, and then wants. You borrow at times to meet those. But what we have seen is that the second step is missed completely in recent times and that the wants and may-be's have become needs and cannot-live-without's. All because of the media and marketing blitz added to the plethora of pundits that rule this world with their short-circuited brains and convoluted thinking.

Keep it simple, stupid!

Swasti!!