6 months ago I gave a test at the local RTA office and got my learner's permit. The permit said it's valid for 6 months and I could give the road test 30 days after the permit is issued. As usual, I put the permit in my wallet and went about driving. One fine day this month, I realized the 6 month deadline must be approaching, so without even bothering to look at the validity dates I went to the RTA office early next morning and stood in line to take the date for road test.
I haven't driven a car on Indian roads before - although I drove a manual/stick shift car for many years in the USA. So, I thought I would take a few days to get familiarized with it before giving the test.
The line started moving after a long wait - and slowly, but surely, my turn at the window came. The clerk inside took my papers, checked the computer, and asked me to pay Rs. 470 for the road test and gave me a slip. I asked him for 'the available dates after next week'. He said 'come for the test at 1:30pm'. I sought clarification asking - 'which day? I don't see a date on the slip'. He looked up and down at me and answered - 'come at 1:30pm today to the chinta chettu (Tamarind tree) area near the Maseed (mosque). Do you know where it is?' I answered in the affirmative thinking I could easily find out where the Maseed is. I muttered again - 'Can I get it for a later date?'; to which he looked again with the 'don't-waste-my-time' kind of looks and called the next guy in line who was already arching around and in front of me to hand over his application. I felt so unwelcome there and came away from there.
I then immediately called a car driving school number. I saved it in my mobile a few weeks ago, seeing it on the back of a driving school car thinking I should call them and practise a few days before giving the exam.
The instructor answered my call and said he's in the middle of a class. I told him I needed immediate help and that my test is at 1:30pm. He was confused as to how I could sign up for a road test when I haven't taken any classes. I asked where he was and went to him immediately. I explained my situation and sought his help.
He completed his class and told me he will show me what's needed. I got in the driver's seat and he guided me. He also took me to the Maseed testing spot and showed me where the RTA Inspector would stand and what he would ask during the test etc. After driving around a few rounds, we came back home. I grabbed a few bites for lunch and since it's already time for my test, went on my scooter to the Maseed testing location.
After waiting for a while the RTA came with his records assistant. The RTA first cleared those who came in their own cars for the test. Then came the turn of folks who needed a car for the test. A few 'contractors' are waiting with their cars for those like us who need a car for the test. After almost all are done, my turn came. They were sending two candidates each to be tested at the same time. They sent another guy along with me.
We went to the car assigned to us. The navigator asked me to sit in the driver's seat. I sat and tried to adjust the seat and the mirros. The navigator said - 'don't worry. they don't work. Only on setting for them since a lot of people have to use the car every day.' I didn't know what to say.
My hand went to the key in the ignition and left foot went to the clutch. He then said - 'this is a very old car - so the clutch is not working well. I will control the clutch and the brake, you control the accelerator'.
I didn't understand completely what he said at first. I was very puzzled. After a few seconds, I came to my senses and all I could do was smile. Meanwhile, the RTA officer was very busy chatting away with his subordinates and elderly driving license applicants - and didn't even turn towards us. The navigator asked us to go straight and turn right - only to come back half way. All of 200 yards. Then I had to sit in the back while the second applicant came in front of the steering wheel and drove straight to the point where we started.
The navigator then said, the test is done. And collected Rs. 50 each for letting us use his car. We got down and went to the records assistant - and he took our signature in the long book he's carrying. License issued 4 days later.
End of the story.
I was really shocked at the kind of testing being done for prospective drivers. Of course, they are not prospective because almost all of the applicants are already driving the vehicles they are seeking to get the license to drive.
If this is the kind of testing going on at the RTA offices for issuing a driving license, no wonder we see drivers rushing into the 4-lane intersection without looking for the traffic already in the intersection; and coming from bi-lanes into the main streets as if it's all one straight, traffic-free street, and they're the only ones driving on it.
It's not the roads we need to upgrade first. Upgrade the RTA offices, testing and verification procedures before issuing the licenses as also renewals.
Yeah - after 9 months upon our return, we are still learning the ropes of living in our motherland!!
Swasti!!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Shocker
Recently we let a couple of neighbourhood boys to come and play in our house with Chandra and Datta. These boys are around 10 years - a little older than my boys, but wanted to play in our house nevertheless. I watched them all play for a few minutes and seeing them get along well I went inside to get on with my work. They could play any of the board games, sports, toys etc., I told them - so I was looking forward to some undisturbed stretch of time.
I got on my laptop, caught some news headlines and after a few minutes - was about to start on my tasks when Datta ran in crying.
'He's catching my balls'.
I was shocked - and didn't understand what he's saying at first. I asked him to calm down and probed him further ... for which he said again, without calming down - 'I am playing and he's always catching my balls'. I was aghast at what the kids are learning these days - and from where - at such a young age. I was about to resolve not to let unknown and half-known kids in to play. I ran out to check out who was doing that and scold them.
A plethora of thoughts ran through my mind - in those few seconds it took for me to go out into the ground. Should I find out who did it and scold him? Or explain to him what's indecent behavior and not allowed in our house? Or should I go and talk to his parents instead?
When I went out, Chandra was batting and the neighbourhood boys were bowling and fielding. Since they are a little older, they are pretty much catching any ball that went up in the air. What can I say then? I looked down at Datta and he's still sobbing, with his face red from the hurt - I understood now - for getting caught every ball.
Who's at fault here? The neighbourhood kids, Datta, Me or the language?
Swasti!!
I got on my laptop, caught some news headlines and after a few minutes - was about to start on my tasks when Datta ran in crying.
'He's catching my balls'.
I was shocked - and didn't understand what he's saying at first. I asked him to calm down and probed him further ... for which he said again, without calming down - 'I am playing and he's always catching my balls'. I was aghast at what the kids are learning these days - and from where - at such a young age. I was about to resolve not to let unknown and half-known kids in to play. I ran out to check out who was doing that and scold them.
A plethora of thoughts ran through my mind - in those few seconds it took for me to go out into the ground. Should I find out who did it and scold him? Or explain to him what's indecent behavior and not allowed in our house? Or should I go and talk to his parents instead?
When I went out, Chandra was batting and the neighbourhood boys were bowling and fielding. Since they are a little older, they are pretty much catching any ball that went up in the air. What can I say then? I looked down at Datta and he's still sobbing, with his face red from the hurt - I understood now - for getting caught every ball.
Who's at fault here? The neighbourhood kids, Datta, Me or the language?
Swasti!!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Brains
Dr. Usha is a cleanliness freak. Are all dentists like that? Or am I lucky to get paired with one. Needless to say, I don't live upto her expectations of cleanliness. I tend to leave things behind as if I meant to get back to them, but forgot. I can't say myself for sure, if it is purposeful forgetfulness or genuine. I think in my case, the line between both has blurred a long time ago.
Anyway - coming to the present - summer vacation for kids - wake up late in the morning - mom's almost out the door to clinic - dad fixes breakfast - mess and mayhem follow....... yeah! you get the idea. Today's no different. To keep things simple, I carefully planted the idea of Vanilla Milk into their brains even while the toothbrushing is going on. Thank god, they bought into it.
They attacked some of the toys lying around while I ran into the kitchen to prepare Vanilla Milk. After mixing it up, feeling proud of getting a handy froth machine, I poured it into 3 cups, left the spoon on the kitchen counter. Yeah - lazy to just push it a little bit left so it could find its way into the sink. I placed the cups on the kids' picnic/park bench, ordering them to gulp it down by the time I come back from a visit to the bathroom.
I came back in a couple of minutes to pick up the glasses - but as usual - the milk cups were untouched. The kids were busy checking their toys after what seemed like ages for them since last night. I ran into the kitchen to mix some vanilla milk for myself. Instead of taking another spoon, my brilliant brain remembered conveniently that I didn't put the previous spoon into the sink. So, I reached out to the spoon - but my hand came back immediately with a mini shock. On seeing the ants attacking the few droplets of vanilla milk on the spoon. Where did they come from? How could they come faster from seemingly far off distance - while my kids can't reach the milk glasses within their arms reach?!
Who's got the brains here? The dad - who conveniently remembered and thought of reusing the spoon? The kids - who were making the best use of their summer vacation playing around, not even heeding to the call for milk? Or the uninvited guests, who stormed the spoon for the few drops of sweet milk, and lost their lives?!
Is there a way to draw Lakshmanrekha lines all around the house ?!
Swasti!!
Anyway - coming to the present - summer vacation for kids - wake up late in the morning - mom's almost out the door to clinic - dad fixes breakfast - mess and mayhem follow....... yeah! you get the idea. Today's no different. To keep things simple, I carefully planted the idea of Vanilla Milk into their brains even while the toothbrushing is going on. Thank god, they bought into it.
They attacked some of the toys lying around while I ran into the kitchen to prepare Vanilla Milk. After mixing it up, feeling proud of getting a handy froth machine, I poured it into 3 cups, left the spoon on the kitchen counter. Yeah - lazy to just push it a little bit left so it could find its way into the sink. I placed the cups on the kids' picnic/park bench, ordering them to gulp it down by the time I come back from a visit to the bathroom.
I came back in a couple of minutes to pick up the glasses - but as usual - the milk cups were untouched. The kids were busy checking their toys after what seemed like ages for them since last night. I ran into the kitchen to mix some vanilla milk for myself. Instead of taking another spoon, my brilliant brain remembered conveniently that I didn't put the previous spoon into the sink. So, I reached out to the spoon - but my hand came back immediately with a mini shock. On seeing the ants attacking the few droplets of vanilla milk on the spoon. Where did they come from? How could they come faster from seemingly far off distance - while my kids can't reach the milk glasses within their arms reach?!
Who's got the brains here? The dad - who conveniently remembered and thought of reusing the spoon? The kids - who were making the best use of their summer vacation playing around, not even heeding to the call for milk? Or the uninvited guests, who stormed the spoon for the few drops of sweet milk, and lost their lives?!
Is there a way to draw Lakshmanrekha lines all around the house ?!
Swasti!!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Our First Summer
We have been looking forward to it. With varied feelings. If we can live through this summer, we would know how it is to live here. Not that we haven't lived in India and Machilipatnam before. But that 'before' was almost 17 summers ago. A lot has changed since then in India. But more so, regarding the summer weather. I don't recall summers being so brutal in those days. May be because the day time highs were not as high as they are now. Was it because there's much more greenery around, much less concrete buildings and much fewer motor vehicles and much less pollution then? Could it be that we were more tolerant then? Or was it that we were not exposed the luxuries of life and were living more in unison with the nature to not feel 'burnt'? Or is my memory just trying to gloss over the past, making the present look worse?!
Whatever be the reason, it's very very hot out here. Forget 'out'- it's very very hot in here as well. The other day, blazing hot summer heat 'waves' started hitting the doors and windows as early as 10:30 in the morning.
Just 5 days ago, I was thinking - 'It's already the first week of May. This summer hasn't been as bad as I expected it to be. May be people just get psyched out about the few days of peak temperatures and attribute those temps to the whole season......' Then, as if the Sun God sensed my silent contempt, he started coming out loud and clear and early too - every morning since then.
Today it's 110F here in Machilipatnam (weather.com says - it feels like 116F). I thought the 110F I suffered in the Hoover Dam area in Arizona/Nevada border back in 2000 summer was my worst summer day. I didn't expect my native town to outwit that weather hands down - every summer day.
Dog days of summer?! Here they are, for sure. Yeah - the kids are grounded indoors from 9:30am - 6:30pm. Well - they have no complaints of course!
Swasti!!
Whatever be the reason, it's very very hot out here. Forget 'out'- it's very very hot in here as well. The other day, blazing hot summer heat 'waves' started hitting the doors and windows as early as 10:30 in the morning.
Just 5 days ago, I was thinking - 'It's already the first week of May. This summer hasn't been as bad as I expected it to be. May be people just get psyched out about the few days of peak temperatures and attribute those temps to the whole season......' Then, as if the Sun God sensed my silent contempt, he started coming out loud and clear and early too - every morning since then.
Today it's 110F here in Machilipatnam (weather.com says - it feels like 116F). I thought the 110F I suffered in the Hoover Dam area in Arizona/Nevada border back in 2000 summer was my worst summer day. I didn't expect my native town to outwit that weather hands down - every summer day.
Dog days of summer?! Here they are, for sure. Yeah - the kids are grounded indoors from 9:30am - 6:30pm. Well - they have no complaints of course!
Swasti!!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Politics above the Nation?
I don't usually blog on the political happenings - although I have my views on such things - whether or not I know the subject completely :) But the headline today on The NYTimes ticked me off.
The US House Speaker's invitation to the Israeli Prime Minister, to address Congress next month - without the express permission from the POTUS (President of the...), let alone the State Department - leaves a bad taste in the mouth of any sane, right...er...correct thinking democratic person. How can someone invite a foreign personality, without proper permission - when the two nations are at unease, diplomatically?! That too - when that someone is lower down the chain of command...
I see only politics at play here at the cost of demeaning the position of the POTUS - and there by the position of the nation. With the general elections round the corner (2012) and the 'minority vote' at stake - this is a cheap trick by the Speaker. Someone cut the Speaker's tail please....
Swasti!!
The US House Speaker's invitation to the Israeli Prime Minister, to address Congress next month - without the express permission from the POTUS (President of the...), let alone the State Department - leaves a bad taste in the mouth of any sane, right...er...correct thinking democratic person. How can someone invite a foreign personality, without proper permission - when the two nations are at unease, diplomatically?! That too - when that someone is lower down the chain of command...
I see only politics at play here at the cost of demeaning the position of the POTUS - and there by the position of the nation. With the general elections round the corner (2012) and the 'minority vote' at stake - this is a cheap trick by the Speaker. Someone cut the Speaker's tail please....
Swasti!!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Fever
Whenever I sign off saying something like - 'more on that shortly' or 'details to follow soon' - that 'shortly' or 'soon' inevitably comes not so soon or shortly. Anyway...that's for later. But for now - I will talk about the new fever.
No - I am not talking about the fever I got last month or the one my son got last week. But the exam fever that's going on now. All around the state, for that matter. Since late February, I should say. Our kids have exams going on now - for the past 4 days - and will complete their first academic year in India on April 21st !! They have been great in acclimatizing and learning fast to adapt to the new environs as well as new subjects/languages. And to stand 1st or 2nd in their classes shows how eager they are to learn, setting aside the numerous inconveniences they face, coming from the USA.
Usha and I have been busy for the past couple of weeks - preparing them for some program or exam or the other. Thank God, the academic year is ending this week! (Or is it not really a respite?! now that the kids will be home all day :( )
We shall see.
Swasti!!
No - I am not talking about the fever I got last month or the one my son got last week. But the exam fever that's going on now. All around the state, for that matter. Since late February, I should say. Our kids have exams going on now - for the past 4 days - and will complete their first academic year in India on April 21st !! They have been great in acclimatizing and learning fast to adapt to the new environs as well as new subjects/languages. And to stand 1st or 2nd in their classes shows how eager they are to learn, setting aside the numerous inconveniences they face, coming from the USA.
Usha and I have been busy for the past couple of weeks - preparing them for some program or exam or the other. Thank God, the academic year is ending this week! (Or is it not really a respite?! now that the kids will be home all day :( )
We shall see.
Swasti!!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Fire
I am fascinated by the fire in the pit. Not any pit. But the yaga pit - or the yagna kundam. I had the great fortune of participating in a 9 day long Vasudeva Yagam conducted within the precincts of the 350+ year old Batchupeta Sivalayam. Since Usha and I are the 'young couple' amongst the participants - we were 'offered' to lead the yagas almost every day - except for a couple of days when other yaga kartas (one who offers the aajyam - ghee - into the yaga kundam with the Sruvam - the wooden ladle) performed at both the yagna kundas.
I've never heard of Vasudeva Yaga before. It was on November 15th - in a Kartika Masa function in the Sivalayam - that the Brahma (one who has powerful jaws so one can chant mantras clearly and loudly so everybody can hear - we were told in the thanksgiving function by a sanskrit scholar) proposed this Yaga for January right after Pongal. At that time, I thought he was just proposing and it may or may not happen - depending on how serious the organisers will be; and how much money they can get pledged from donors.
By the first week of January, the main organiser came to me and asked if I wanted to be one of the Yaga kartas. I was non committal at first. Am I ready to do such yagas? Can I commit myself for 9 days? Is my body ready to sit for long periods of time every day for 9 days? so on and on... Usha was cautious as well. But we decided to take the plunge - as this is not an opportunity that comes often. Yagas like these are not performed regularly. After many such Q and A sessions in the mind, we informed the organisers we will participate. Of course, it involved monetary support as well and we pledged accordingly.
It all started on the 19th - when we took the pledge to perform the yaga for 7 days starting from the 20th. That evening the brahmanas generated fire from the 'arani' wood. It was a spectacle in itself. Two brahmanas sit opposite to each other holding one long rectangular piece of wood which has concave shapes in it. Another brahmana holds a second piece of wood with one end resting in one of the concave shapes. They churn the second piece of wood with the help of a rope - and they do that while chanting 'agni prajwalana mantras'. A good amount of smoke starts emanating from the concave shape - and after much effort one of them said the fire is here. I was expecting to see a good amount of fire coming out of that. But that was not to be. They showed us all a spark of fire (almost like the red hot fire we see at the end of a lighted incense stick). They then put that spark into some dried sacred grass - and blew air into it. Fire came out with many tongues - and they then put it into the yaga kundas. There was no stopping the fire for the next 9 days... It was all an interesting episode for me.
From then on, I am fascinated at the fire in the yaga kundas - and the purity of that fire. After all, it's one of the five basic elements - and by far the most unadulterated element so far.
I will write more on the yagas shortly.
Swasti!!
I've never heard of Vasudeva Yaga before. It was on November 15th - in a Kartika Masa function in the Sivalayam - that the Brahma (one who has powerful jaws so one can chant mantras clearly and loudly so everybody can hear - we were told in the thanksgiving function by a sanskrit scholar) proposed this Yaga for January right after Pongal. At that time, I thought he was just proposing and it may or may not happen - depending on how serious the organisers will be; and how much money they can get pledged from donors.
By the first week of January, the main organiser came to me and asked if I wanted to be one of the Yaga kartas. I was non committal at first. Am I ready to do such yagas? Can I commit myself for 9 days? Is my body ready to sit for long periods of time every day for 9 days? so on and on... Usha was cautious as well. But we decided to take the plunge - as this is not an opportunity that comes often. Yagas like these are not performed regularly. After many such Q and A sessions in the mind, we informed the organisers we will participate. Of course, it involved monetary support as well and we pledged accordingly.
It all started on the 19th - when we took the pledge to perform the yaga for 7 days starting from the 20th. That evening the brahmanas generated fire from the 'arani' wood. It was a spectacle in itself. Two brahmanas sit opposite to each other holding one long rectangular piece of wood which has concave shapes in it. Another brahmana holds a second piece of wood with one end resting in one of the concave shapes. They churn the second piece of wood with the help of a rope - and they do that while chanting 'agni prajwalana mantras'. A good amount of smoke starts emanating from the concave shape - and after much effort one of them said the fire is here. I was expecting to see a good amount of fire coming out of that. But that was not to be. They showed us all a spark of fire (almost like the red hot fire we see at the end of a lighted incense stick). They then put that spark into some dried sacred grass - and blew air into it. Fire came out with many tongues - and they then put it into the yaga kundas. There was no stopping the fire for the next 9 days... It was all an interesting episode for me.
From then on, I am fascinated at the fire in the yaga kundas - and the purity of that fire. After all, it's one of the five basic elements - and by far the most unadulterated element so far.
I will write more on the yagas shortly.
Swasti!!
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Happy 2011
Happy New Year!
Happy 2011!!
Happy Today! Happy Tomorrow! Happy Every day!!
We wish everyone we meet well. We wish all our friends and family and acquaintances well too - all the time, whether we meet them or not. So what's so new about Jan 1st? Or Ugadi day - for that matter ?
As some of the folks that know me are aware - I would much prefer Ugadi day to Jan 1st - any day! Not that I don't wish Happy New Year on Jan 1st. I did. I do. I will. But when I wish some folks (mostly family and other like minded friends) the thought of Ugadi being a more authentic New Year Day inevitably occurs at the back of my mind - almost always.
Nevertheless - I think Jan 1st is no less significant. For one thing - the Jan - Dec calendar is so ingrained in our daily lives that we literally live by it day in and day out. My mom completely lives by the Telugu/Lunar calendar (well - almost 90%) - being from old school. She still talks in Chaitram, Vaisakham..., pADyami, vidiya, pourNami etc... and takes a few seconds to relate it to Solar calendar for any chronological details. There are others in the family who live that life. They ruled the roost until a few decades ago - but we rarely see such people now. Almost 90% can't even tell all the lunar months - let alone in order. Nor do they know the tithis for that matter.
Given this great influence of the Gregorian Calendar on mankind (or shall we call man(un)kind?!) - it's no wonder Jan 1st usurped the New Year's Day mantle from Yugadi Day. But what fascinates me is that the Lunar Calendar didn't need correction in over several millennia - where as the Western Calendar underwent several corrections over the past 2000 years. The latest being on Sept 2nd 1752, when people in England slept for 12 days. Not too long ago, in the history of time, one might say.
Anyway - given the current influence of Jan 1st - Happy New Year! Happy today, tomorrow and every day!!
I am at peace!
Swasti!!
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