Make a Difference - GUJJU Style

Hello world,

I would like to share a portion from an email that I received from our HR dept today:

"......we found that there are a number of patients who have to stay in the hospital for the treatment for a very long time... for months, even for a year or more... And most of them are from poor families.

This time we are targeting patients who are admitted for treatment for Dialysis and kidney transplant.

They have to be admitted for 6-8 months and they have to follow a strict diet plan.

As per doctors' suggestion "Ganthiya and Jalebi" is very good for kidney patients due to the use of sodium bi-carbonate in their preparation.

So our social committee has planned for distribution of "Ganthia and Jalebi" on 27 June - Sunday to the Civil hospital kidney patients.

We have a target to distribute......"

Amazing! I never knew Gathiya-Jalebi is good for my Kidney!!! The best thing that Jalebi reminds me about is its mouth-watering golden-warm taste and the "Shuddh Dhara" ad in which li'l Chunnu who runs away from home comes back just to hog his Mom-made Jalebis!!! But that’s not the point.

I just want to share or rather point out that there are so many small little things in life that seem very casual to us, but can make a huge difference in someone's life! A casual snack for me could be a life saving (I know I am exaggerating) medicine for someone (at least it could be an aid to the treatment)!!! It truly is ironic that there are people around us who cant afford these things even when they are highly needed.

Most of us may not have to think twice about a lavish dinner at Barbecue Nation or a casual breakfast at IIM or Vastrapur or Iscon, but there are people who cant even afford a prescribed meal or a drug! It is our moral responsibility to come forward to help them.

But of course, we have our social responsibilities as well towards our families and work which may not allow us to spend time in helping others. These kind of efforts put at an organizational level help in bridging that gap. I cannot go to the civil hospital everyday to offer gathiya-jalebi to the patients there, but at least I can contribute financially if my company is assuring me that she will do it on my behalf. (Yes, 'company' too, is definitely a female - why do you think she is so unpredictable and demanding and yet so much needed???)

Jokes apart, but we all should be proud that there are millions of organizations worldwide who are putting efforts to help those who are in need today. And I really appreciate the idea 'coz even a small contribution from each individual in an organization would result into a huge aid at the end of the day.

So, I request you all to participate actively in these kind of official-charity events and encourage your organization to organize these sort of events on a regular basis. Not just organizations, even Co-Op Societies, clubs and other groups should think on these lines.

Two thumbs up to all the companies and individuals who have been putting efforts towards helping each other by helping the society.

And last but not the least, A heart felt congratulations to all the makers of Gathiya - Jalebi!!!

God Bless!

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Diplomat Dog S#!T...

Ever wondered why our MPs don't get bored in the parliament???

Well, there is sooooooooo much of entertainment they get to witness live... Have a look...

Mr. Lalu Yadav at his BESTWA...

The Doctors of Death

You may be wondering why am I writing about doctors instead of the current hot subject of FIFA or the Oil Spill or something of that sort. I am as shocked as anyone else about Spain's and France's hilarious defeat and very interested in knowing how exactly the $200 billion from BP is going to be distributed in Louisiana - but I would rather talk about something related to the grass-root level than something which is globally appealing.

The reason behind me writing something else is that I am sincerely shaken by this incident and want to do something about it.

Here we go:

My colleague's father faced an unfortunate health issue in the last week. His condition was that there was a small blood clot in his right lung due to which he was facing acute breathlessness and high blood pressure. Obviously, the cause was diagnosed only after he was admitted at one of the reputed hospitals in Ahmedabad.

To save you from suspense - there is an injectable drug available in the market made by Reliance health; which was given to him and now his health is improving. Though he still is in the ICU, but it is rightly assumed that his illness will be 100% cured. (Touch the cross!)

Obviously, health - like any other place in the world, is very costly to maintain in India as well, especially once you are admitted to a clinic for a week or so! The first question that is asked at most of the hospitals when someone is admitted is "Does he / she have a mediclaim?" And I think the doctors keep their fingers on both hands and even their toes invisible under their shoes crossed hoping that the answer would be "YES".

Once the doctors get this green signal, they let out a sigh of relief, thinking that their sinful fees would be paid from a Wealthy Multi-million current account of an Organization rather than a middle class 'okay-doing' person's Fix deposits or savings account. This probably gives them a feeling of being just. Like you would feel its okay to kick an elephant rather than a lamb! (I am not so great at examples so bare with me please!)During his medication, my uncle was advised to get a CT scan done. CT scan is a very interesting thing - it sounds high tech and every thing that sounds high tech sounds expensive as well. Hence, my colleague asked the doc about the fees.

Doctor's reply : "Its 9000 if you want the bill; 6000 without bill"

(For non-Indian readers, bill in India is the receipt / check )

All of us are well aware about the flourishing gray market in India in the software, computer, mobile and other electronic items. But I never even dreamt that even the medical field would have this sort of arrangements. 'Coz I simply can't compare a doctor with a mobile sales person. But surprisingly, even at the hospital where CT scan was done (One of the renowned and reliable ones in A'bad), the staff is well versed with this procedure and would ask you up front before hand whether you want the bill or not.

Thinking further, VAT is 4%, other taxes may be maximum 10%. I cant figure out how exactly can a bill - no bill make a difference of 3000 bucks???

And since this is coming out from someone who is officially incharge of saving people's lives, I feel like bloody giving this in news papers, getting a Sting operation done at the clinic and at the hospital and putting them behind bars. Unfortunately, my uncle is still admitted at the same hospital at the mercy of the same doctor. Hence, my/our hands are tied.

But I assure you and make a self-commitment today - I will do something about this corrupt procedure which is so taken for granted. Its really ironic that someone's life and well being is someone's business, a source to earn, a career to pursue!

With all due well deserved respect to the medical profession, Screw you Dr. CORRUPT...

God bless only the deserving this time!

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The "Mind-Lifting" LIFT!

Thanks to my wonderful wife, its a routine for me to drop her everyday at 12:30 afternoon at her pickup point. Today, as always, I was performing my gentleman's act by making sure she got safely on board her company cab... However, on my way back home, something interesting happened that I want to share in here.

Our home is 1.5 km straight drive from the main road (SG Highway); but this straight drive is through a very busy street of a local market and its obvious to find familiar faces of your neighbors while you are driving/riding there.

It is impossible not to find someone from our colony or our apartment shopping something or going somewhere while you are crossing this 1.5 km. Today, the familiar face was of our watchman. It so happened that he recognized me and I recognized him - and in that one fraction of a second that we saw each other - we realized the need of the minute - that he wanted a lift back home!

So, I stopped my bike and said "Chal aaja - ghar hi ja raha hai na?" ("Guess you are goin home, so hop on!") And so he gladly accepted the offered lift and became the pylon on my bike. Now its obvious that when you are giving a lift to someone, you ask questions like "What had you come here for?" and show some curiosity in other person's business while you are riding together for 5-7 mins.

Hence, I did the same and showing interest in Bhuppi's (our watchman) business, I asked him what he had come to buy at the market. To which his reply was that he had come to get "chaas" (buttermilk) from a dairy shop in the market - not that I dint see the buttermilk packet in his hands when I first saw him. So, trying to be his well wisher, I suggested that he can buy the same thing from the supermarket right next to our building.

I also asked him how much does he get the packet for at this shop - and I found out, that infact it was 50 paisa costlier than the supermarket. You get amul buttermilk for Rs. 7.50 at Hind Supermarket, where you can shop in Air conditioned environment without having to walk almost 1.5 km in rain or scorching heat to reach a local dairy and buying the same thing by paying a higher cost everyday.

Astonishingly, my watchman's reply to my advice was "Nahi sa'ab, udhar jana humare liye thik nahi hai" (Its not appropriate for me to go there...)!!!

In my last to last blog, I had spoken about the rich-poor divide. These kind of incidents make me realize that this divide is so intensely carved in the minds of the lower middle and poor class people, that they simply deny even if they are aware of any privileges that they might be offered or have a right on.

Their upbringing and their outlook towards the world doesn’t allow them to savor even their most obvious rights. Of course, I am not saying that everyone thinks like this - but what I have observed is many of them do! Unless these people are practically taught to exercise their rights as well as their responsibilities, they will not be comfortable doing that.

We easily notice if a laborer or some such person is littering or doing something abnormal according to the social standards. But have we ever wondered - If we expect someone / everyone to be responsible, are we ready to give equal privileges to everyone as well? If a person wearing a watchman's uniform or looking like a laborer is shopping next to you at big bazaar - wouldn't you get surprised or even suspicious for that matter?

I asked Bhuppi to let me know (which I doubt he would) when he goes to buy buttermilk again, and I will go along with him to the supermarket to change his thinking. I believe this should make a small difference. Ironically, he needs that 50 paise saving more than I do; and still he chooses not to go for it!

Thinking of change, now I wonder, this divide is not just a small gap or a crack between the two strata of society. But it is a vast river which is created by ideologies which are conceptionalized from the very birth and nurtured through out their upbringing in both the classes. It is taken very much for granted and considered as a universal fact that they are to stay separate, to remain divided.

Not done bhuppi - I don’t care if these two classes unite or not, or if this divide is bridged or not; But you my friend, are going to save that 50 paisa the next time you buy buttermilk.

God bless all of us, Hind Supermarket and the dairy-wala as well!

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Silver Arrow...

There are certain times in everyone's life when one tends to be philosophical! I have my poetic moments too, and this one is a product of one of them!

Here we flow...

I admit that being 'me' is honestly fun!
For my life is a journey - and my end is none.
Every day I am different, yet just the same;
Never do I stand still - moving on is my game!


I was born out of mountains, who rendered me to these lands
Hence the fluid ideas - with a concrete stand.
I enjoy the nature while wandering through trees
And celebrate the social life in the fun filled cities!


Of all the sojourns I make, each is a special one
Some struggling yet thrilling, some smooth but fun!
I love my pals the most, the wonderful relation we share...
Even after I have passed by them, with them - I am always there!


On my way through the woods, I steal leaves and flowers
They share their aroma, and I give them showers;
Sharing is something I adore - its like breath for me
I roar and rattle - to be as expressive as I can be!


In some barren love-less lands, I cut through like a knife
Like blood in veins, I flow and carry life!
Whomever I touch, I try to prosper and flourish,
No grudges do I bare - only experiences to cherish!


I also help dispose... Clean dirt out of mind!
By carrying away the negative, and leaving freshness behind.
I have a journey of my own - on a self made road,
Give and take is my religion - which is self bestowed!


I progress but not alone, there are several friends to me,
Some drink from me my freshness; And some just like to see!
Some join me and swim along, and a few fly above,
Some visit me on occasions to express their love.


And there are certain special ones - some life long allies,
Like the earth that gives me support, and the sheltering skies.
For the base that she provides - I thank the Earth the most!
She is my ultimate abode, assuring I will never be lost.


The Mountains motivate me to be strong, offer parental advice,
They have taught me to stand true on my way, and so I am concise.
My brother - 'Sea' is vast n great - inspiring me to grow!
He will always be there for me, in my high and low.


My friends inspire me all the way - like rain, they complete me,
Their ideas reflect on my silver surface - throughout the journey!
This odyssey is not about me, not us, but the FLOW
What matters is not destiny, but what the 'journey' has to show!


Together - we travel days and nights, and carve our way
To create a better tomorrow, we modify our today!
No matter how thick or thin I am, serene or gushing, deep or shallow,
To flourish others and self - is the code that I follow...


I wish to move on, to grow, progress and proceed...
I care about the Voyage. Destination - I dont need!
I know that the choices we make decide our fate...
So the Destiny has to be Glorious, when the Journey is This Great!

This lil piece of creativity is dedicated to all my lovely friends and relatives, my parents, my bro and my dear partner for life! Also to all the people whom I have interacted with for a short while face to face or through other mediums, and people whom I have read or watched or heard!

Basically, a dedication to life, 'coz LIFE to me my friends - is all about people and things and thoughts who define "her". ( YES - life is definitely a female - otherwise she wouldn't have been so complicated and yet so beautiful! )

God Bless!

The most luxurious weapon!

I, like every other mediocre Indian, am planning to buy a car in the near future. For my reader friends abroad, owning a car in India is a luxury and not a necessity - So dont get surprised. Also, this is due to the climatic situation here, and not because India is poor - so dont be judgmental.

Currently, I am browsing for different cars, loan arrangements and emi schemes - And to be honest with you, taking test drives is really an enjoyable way to spend time. However, something happened this sunday that triggered my thought process in quite a different way.

I am sure many of us have already thought about this, but I would still like to pen it down - for documentation sake. And for all you know, it may even make a difference in someone's thinking.

On Sunday afternoon, some friends and I were enjoying a nice Fountain Soda (A'bad specialty) at a fairly posh locality of town. In the middle of our lil soda party, one of my friends literally dragged me to the other side of the road to see something which was of great interest for him. This object that seemed more important than a Blue Berry Soda to my friend was a product from one of the largest bankruptcy filer company - General Motors - A Hummer H2.

Now I admit shamelessly that I am no car-freak. I like to know about automobiles, have read "The toyota way", "LEAN technique", etc. Have also read about legendary tales of Ferrari and Mercedes and a few others. Also like to watch Formula 1 and read automobile mags at the barbers'. But thats it. I have never kept wall papers of Lamborghini on my cell or laptop; or drooled over Fast and Furious vids; or fantasized about getting out of a Bentley Mulsanne or something of that sort.

So, this H2 had a Mumbai passing - knowing which my Automobile literate pal calculated that it would have cost this hummer fellow about 8 grands for fuel to have come from Mumbai to A'bad. And the most interesting part, price of Hummer H2 in India - Rs. 7 crores and 20 lacs on road after duty and everything!

I know I am behaving typically middle class here - but maaaaaaaaaan... I feel like becoming a communist after listening to this. I am thinking about joining this NGO which organizes sunday classes for less privileged children; who cant afford regular school fees and education (about Rs. 4000 a year!!!) - and at the same time what I see is people can afford to buy cars worth 7 crores and fuel them up for 20 grands every damn weekend!

Plus, I write about saving electricity and fuel and about the evil of plastic bags, I genuinely try to save fuel by doing things like turn off my bike's engine at traffic signals (though my bike gives a 50+ mileage), etc. I take interest in knowing about cities like Melbourne running majorly on non-conventional energy sources - And here is this H2 fellow - feeding a liter of petrol for every 3-4 kilometers to this gigantic show off!!!

I mean, dont rich people have any common sense or any sense of responsibility??? I am sorry if I am offending anyone who is rich - or for all you know any hummer owners, but c'mon guys, have some noble purpose in life. Its great to earn money - And I aspire the same - Health, Wealth and Prosperity in life. But there should be some sort of a cause involved in it too.

The energy resources on this planet are depleting anyway. I genuinely feel that the government should ban these kind of luxury vehicles. This is nothing but a WEAPON devised my human race to kill its own future. At this stage, we cannot afford to be so careless about where we are utilizing our energy sources.

I think middle class people are more concerned about saving electricity and fuel then the rich strata of this society. If someone has the money to spend, he should buy a Civic Hybrid or a BMW X6 - At least these cars will save fuel since they run partially on electricity.

Please people, stop wasting financial and natural resources. There are people out there who dream of owning a second hand bajaj scooter; cooking on a gas stove rather than chulhas made of mud and bricks using wooden branches and cow dung as fuel; and also people not buying air conditioners just to avoid their electricity bills. Your personal luxury may be costing someone else a great deal of compromise in his life.

Let us try to eradicate this mammothic divide between the rich and poor. Let us try to make this world a better place, to make a better today, a better tomorrow - for everyone!

God bless (even the hummer owners)!

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