Only for their Eyes!!

I don't know why I didn't publish this post. It stayed in my 'Draft-box' from 23-Nov-2011. Even though, I don't live in Chennai anymore, the haiku there-in is timeless. So, here is that post with minor corrections ------------

I rarely miss my breakfast and when I do, my body never misses to remind me. After a healthy breakfast, I can take the Chennai Traffic heads on. You may classify the Chennai morning traffic into two categories. The maddening all-for-all traffic, where every soul on the street is going crazy and wants to get somewhere no matter what, nothing can stop them. Then there is this clue-less traffic, where everyone is super calm as if they have just woke up from their meditation and still not out of the gaze. They will cut through your way, without even meaning to be mean to you. Irrespective of the type of traffic, mornings are my favorite. I may have other vehicles crawl all over me and I may still not get frustrated or irritated.

Not today, though! I didn't take my car out and took an auto instead. I was to drop my little one Arav, on the way, at his school and head for a meeting. There was nothing wrong with the auto-driver. He was good and careful with his driving since we had a five-year old in the auto. In spite of his good driving, I was getting worked up. The chaos, noise and pollution were building up and I was losing my cool. Then all of a sudden Arav says, appa I saw a butterfly!

Overheard

A couple of conversations I overheard over the weekend!

At BigBazar: A father, accompanying his two teenage daughters, speaking over mobile phone. 'Where else? Shopping! You see! All I do these days is nothing but chauffeuring and swipeing credit cards!'

A chat between my wife, my three year old son and neighbour's son of same age:

My wife: a person who flies an aircraft is a pilot! A person who sails a ship is a captain! Now, you know this one, who drives a car?

The kids in unison, 'daddy!'

It appears that it is not without a reason many men out there fear marriage!

Living together!

Don't be surprised if you heard that this seemingly a western practice is not alien to India, that too in what is touted as 'the' traditional Chennai! My wife and I came to know of a couple who are living together. They have a five year old child from this relationship.

Neither me nor my wife thought ill of this relationship. In fact, this is only a problem of the middle income class, the torch bearer of countless traditions. They try to live their lives in whatever time that is left between these traditions. What a life? Anyways, neither the supper rich nor the lower income class care about these traditions. They have their money and day-to-day life to chase for, respectively!

We were only wondering what would happen to the child's future in the Indian setup. In India you cannot declare someone as your partner without a formal ritual. A ' life partner' is not a legal relationship! At least, you must have registered your marriage.

We were wondering what challenge one might face. Be it the legalities involved in the dependency, inheritance, guardianship, traveling abroad for fun or education; as we discussed more, what appeared or we thought as a problem, is not really a problem. At least, all these problems can be solved with proper documentation of legal nature.

It so appeared that except for the social stigma attached to this relationship, there are no other problems. Or are they?

The Govt Museum of Chennai

It had been years since I visited the 'seththa' college of Chennai. To give my wife the much needed break and to help her study for her exams, I decided to take my two and half year old son out for a day. The choice was the museum. It was not a good choice for the purpose after all. Except for the miniature model museum, to be specific, the miniature cars in the model, nothing inside the museum kept him occupied. He, of course, enjoyed the walking around the museum part.

The museum was clean and pleasant. It was evident that the same care has been given for the artifacts they maintain in the museum. However, I was not equally impressed with the display of our national treasures. As a nation with a long history and prehistoric culture, we are used to the treasures strewn all around us. Unlike many nations,we still carry on and practise a life style which has been in vogue for several thousand years. Even today our places of worship, the centres of our ancient craftsmenship still plays the host to these treasures. As a result, we do not give these treasures their due importance and place. Even if we value them, we do not let the worldknow our place. The british boast of their collection from all over the world, including the tons of gold ornaments that they had taken from India during the Raj. There is hardly anything older than five hundred years in the United States, still they are proud of showcasing their natural wealth. And, what we do? Having been used to the wealthof history, we had lost the sense of importance of our treasure. The stone and bronze statues on the display are supported by cryptic, hard to read small font explanations. In many cases, the paper notes are half eaten by moth. One walk around the hall leaves our eyes strained from reading. Certainly not an invite to a second visit.

To be fair, I dont think the museum is adequately staffed. I doubt that they are adequately funded either. They may think of seeking the help of volunteers, Im interested! I know a lot of you out there volunteer for many social causes. Is not this worth its time and effort?

Shopping with the westners

It is an experience shopping with the westerners. I happened to accompany two of my clients to Spencer's Plaza recently. They were thrilled to see the crowd and the host of stuff that can be bought from a single place.

One of them was about to buy a Nokia mobile (similar to the one that he's already carrying), which I noticed and pointed out to them that it is a Nokla and not a Nokia. Well, they were not expected to notice the difference between 'l' and 'i' at where they are coming from.

They were so appreciate of everything that the Salesmen would show them. Oh! that is wonderful, amazing, very nice, wow! that's half the price, that's so cheap. After all that you would expect them to buy a load - but they would walkaway with a big smile on their faces and a big 'thank you' to the salesmen.

Skewed – won’t get queued

Why is that, we, as a nation, hate queues and the token systems. Be it Saravana Bhavan or a cinema theatre, uh-hem! we won’t queue up, unless and otherwise some ruffian stands by with a stick in his hand and foul language in his mouth! We then get disgusted and queue up immediately!

However I must agree that this is one place where caste, gender, social hierarchies, political-leanings are forgotten. We rub and elbow each other, smell and get saturated with each other's sweat. Why?

The Doctors' clinics are no different. Our paediatrician does not have a number display, like hundreds of his brethren. Whenever we are there, someone or the other will say that their kid is really ill and they must be allowed to go first as if the rest of us usually go to our paediatrician for a dancing lesson! Today, one lady was pestering the attendant to let her go first , when he mentioned that others too are waiting for long with their small babies (some of them crying non-stop), she behaved as if she’s been unfairly denied her chance.

Why do we do that? Why we are so skewed and won’t get queued?