Guardians of development!

Recently, at my residence I had a few 'friends' who assumed I’d be as free as they were. Masquerading as altruists, a few attempted glibly to persuade me into doing things they considered society-centered, hinting insinuatingly that I was selfish and self centered. One or two who were loud-mouthed (pun intended) even raised their voice to pressurize me into toeing their line despite telling them I had had enough of their cock and bull stories. And there was one wisecrack who even accused me of being frustrated (with what, I can't fathom) and embarked on a polemic on these terms- frustration and concerns. This "aristotle' had the cheek to pronounce with utmost finality and so intelligently that anyone who expressed or even had concerns about things must be frustrated. Under what philosophical line of thought did he proclaim so is very intriguing, even today. Had he said disgusted, yes disgusted with what was happening around I would have readily agreed with him. May be even grabbed this mumbo-jumbo's hand and said "Yes boss, you are a genius." Sadly, he didn't give that opportunity to me. Anyways, what really upsets me is the assumption that one makes about people depending on the job they do. When someone says, Look, man I don't have the time for you, why can't people simply go? The unwillingness to spend time on things may be for several reasons. May be I don't believe in things that you do, or may be I have better things to do or may be I have more important things to do or may be I simply don't want to be part of this hocus-pocus in the facade of 'development'. What airs, my God with which these roosters strut about! Hope better sense prevails on these society conscious guardians! My appreciation is also due to those who patiently and silently heard me out without uttering a single word; may be they thought I was being unreasonable or unduly critical or who knows they probably thought I was voicing their concerns, too.

trying to catch up

My god! it's been ages since my last post and not that i wasn't aware of it. Needless to say that i was busy otherwise, what with academic, admin and research work. No jokes, i'm absolutely serious. So thought i 'll catch up with you even if it is simply to tell you that i've been busy. I'm envious of my other friends who, despite their work manage to blog. God bless that bunch! The thinking subjectivities symposium organized by the department went off well and i'm glad there was lot of student participation. The symposium brought in several perspectives, which at times were startling as many things in the past we had taken for granted. The discussions, in some enhanced the already existing confusion but i guess that was to be especially when such topics are discussed. On the whole it was a fruitful endeavour and my colleague PK, the convenor really needs to be appreciated. Christ University in Bangalore is becoming increasingly alive with academic and non academic activities and that is a very healthy sign indeed! Credit must go to all, the student community in particular.

'Decent' living....

Had an interesting discussion in class today. The stimulus actually was a question posed to the listeners of one of the many FM Radio stations in Bangalore. "How much money does one need per month to live a decent life in Bangalore?" I was curious to know the responses. The techie crowd that had tuned in to the station did not belie my expectations. Some said one lakh and a few others said two lakhs. The techies were just being true to thier extravagant and flamboyant life style. Reaching college i thought i must get my students' views on this. How much money do you need per month to live a decent life in Bangalore? Inwardly i was hoping to get a realistic answer. As students how much they can spend every month,i thought even if it means an occasional splurge... Again my hopes were belied. They chorussed the same... one lakh, maybe two max...Seems like for today's youth living in cosmopolitan cities thousands don't count at all or may be they don't even exist. What a seachange in the attitude of the generation of today compared to the previous ones! Probably their understanding of the word decent is quite different from the one that i have. The impact of the consumerist culture is so strong among the urban youth that at times one wonders if even talking to them about value systems that we all often talk about like responsible living without being excessively self centered with a strong sense of social responsibility would only evoke laughter and derision.

Kudos to the aspiring journalists

Had the inauguration of the Journalism association of the University. Dr Chengappa, a journalist cum political scientist was the Chief Guest. Students participated in large numbers and it was a refreshing sight. Hopefully they continue and sustain the momentum as oftentimes the initial euphoria slowly in due course of time disappears. Let the students organize more such programmes and let the spirit of inquiry flourish. All the best!!!

Bicycle Thieves

Got to watch Bicycle Thieves once again.,,,.after almost two decades, thanks to the initiative taken by the MSComm students of the University led by Fr.Biju. The movie continues to impact despite the passage of time. Not surprising at all considering the fact that the theme is universal or should I say eternal. Not many of us however brought this up during the discussion – the relevance of the film to our contemporary situation. The agony and anger of post-war poverty, the director depicted clearly and the shame and guilt experienced by the protagonist at the climax- very poignant they were. Who is a thief? What makes one a thief? Who is to blame for making a perfectly decent, law abiding citizen into a law breaker? Still waiting for answers.

Welcome to Christ!

I guess it's time to break the silence. Time to renew the commitment to the profession - at the beginning of yet another wonderful year. Was happy to see so many new, anxious faces in the auditorium- took me back to my college days.

These are beautiful days, you know...one's college days, yes. But some of you will take time to experience that beauty - beauty in the campus, in the teachers, in the chosen course, in the system - in everything that you will come in contact with. My only request to all of you is this ...Take time to understand...be patient and comprehension will not elude you... and beauty will not deceive you. A beautiful quote for you.....

"Learn the art of patience. Apply discipline to your
thoughts when they become anxious over the outcome of a
goal. Impatience breeds anxiety, fear, discouragement
and failure. Patience creates confidence, decisiveness,
and a rational outlook, which eventually leads to
success."

-- Brian Adams


WISH ALL THE CHRISTITES GOOD LUCK!

The 26/11 mania!

There’s so much talk about 26/11 – have we changed as a nation after a year? How prepared are we to face another such attack? – many more such questions are hurled at us by the media - especially by the electronic media. Many channels are working overtime, interviewing students and working professionals- in other words gearing up for the D-day 26th November. The way it is done one gets an impression of celebrating a festival that one has been eagerly looking forward to. Some have started rerunning all the available footage of the fateful day in their prime time programmes with eminent panelists analyzing the sequences threadbare. In all these attempts to replay in our minds the horrendous scenes of that day there seems a vulgar motive. Is the media trying to inform and educate the public so as to help us become more alert, more vigilant? Is the media suggesting to the government concrete measures to avoid or tackle such problems in future? Ideally, after all that had happened one would wish it were so – that our media, the fourth estate would act more responsibly instead of resorting to rhetoric and gimmicks almost amounting to vulgarity. But, unfortunately it is the same old story being played again and again. And mind you, tomorrow the 26th is going to be worse…from morning to night our media is going to feed us on this sickening diet all the time hoping for another such story that would give them yet another 62 hours of non-stop sensationalism. Justice Liberhan’s recommendations for the working of the media are quite relevant in this context. How is the media to be held responsible and accountable? What measures are in place to deal with irresponsible people (Liberhan’s choice of expression for this is yellow journalism) in the field of media? Will the media respond positively to the suggestions made or will it a turn a blind eye to them and continue to live in their ivory tower assuming that all is well with them?

Date with a Woman

Of late may mail box is filled with all kinds of mail….offers, loans, advice, tips on savings and what not! Some have also tried very hard to make me a millionaire. Successfully I have resisted the temptation or else I would have lost even the little that I have. Well..today I received an interesting mail from a friend that I thought I must share with you– on reading it I became very emotional…very nostalgic. Signs of old age? Perhaps! But the fact is, very often in life most of us realize the importance of people, even our dear ones only after they are gone. We just take them for granted when they are alive, one’s family, children and parents for example. The common excuse is ‘Where is the time?’ But sadly, when the time may come it may be a little too late. Wouldn’t our life be more meaningful and joyful if we spent a little more time, a little more thought, a little more attention when it is needed…? Read on…


After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to
dinner and a movie.. She said I love you but I know this other woman loves you too and would love to spend some time with you. The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. 'What's wrong, are you well?,' she asked. My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. 'I thought that it would be pleasant to be with you,' I responded. 'Just the two of us.’ She thought about it for a moment, and then said, 'I would like that very much...'That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on.. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary.

She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's.

'I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,'she said, as she got into the car. 'They can't wait to hear about our meeting'. We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Large print.Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me: a nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,' she said. 'Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor,' I responded. During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation - nothing extraordinary, but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.' I agreed. 'How was your dinner date?' asked my wife when I got home. 'Very nice.Much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered. A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have time to do anything for her.

Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.' At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU! and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till 'some other time.'

How Much Does One Need?

Is there a limit to one’s needs or wants? I know it’s an age old question that has never been answered convincingly. The recent controversies involving Sashi Tharoor and our Indian CEOs have made me revisit the much explored realm one more time. I must admit I had high regards for Tharoor as an intellectual, as a writer and as an individual till a few months ago. Frankly not any more… In the first issue relating to his stay in a luxury hotel I thought his response was utterly ridiculous and extremely irresponsible. In the second issue, too as regards his ‘cattle class’ remarks, sadly his years of experience as a diplomat failed him miserably. Well, this is one section –a highly educated group of our nation leading us from the political front. There is another such group on the business front already rich, filthy rich If I may add, and yet wanting more and more, so much so their salaries and their demands for more are labeled vulgar. We are a nation of sharp contrasts: on one side there is abject poverty and on other there is vulgar display of opulence. In the list of the world’s richest people India stands fourth and yet it is in our own country that we see so much deprivation. How are we to bridge this gap? At what point of time in one’s life does ‘more’ has no more value? I’m reminded of Tolstoy’s Pahom in How Much Land Does a Man need?

Inspiring students!

Students are a great source of inspiration….sometimes in the classroom but most of the time outside of it. Within the walls of classrooms not many volunteer to express themselves, but outside everyone wants to have a go at everything.

Got a mail from an old student today who took me back some years in the past…this one was different…. this was one who did a lot of talking in class. He says,

“Firstly, I do hope that you remember me… This is Jonathan Thomas from the graduating class of 2005(PSEng)…You used to lead the discourse on Mahatma Gandhi in the final year and Dr Faustus in the 2nd year. I was the opinionated guy with anti-Gandhian sentiments... Our debates in class were notorious…I wanted to thank you for not curbing, or in any way try to curtail my personal expressions…
My friends and I still do fondly remember your classes and all the fun learning … Thank you for your sincerity and dedication to the English Language… You'll be happy to learn that I have been working with JP Morgan Chase for the past 3 years…I was recently promoted to Head the Communications Department for North America's Human Resources…Luckily at work they like opinionated and passionate people…”

Thank you Jonathan for your kind words. As a teacher I think I have merely given you the space that you needed and the platform to discover and to know yourself. You must know I don’t believe in curbing or curtailing one’s expressions. I’m glad you are doing well in life and feeling happy doing what you are doing. Kudos to you and a whole lot of other students who are doing the same.