Away

I have been reading a few books in the past few months that had diaspora and its effect on people as their most prominent theme. Now, ordinarily they wouldn't leave a significant impression on me. However, my own experiences of staying away from home has changed my views on it considerably.

Indian diaspora literature is nothing new. Its roots were formed during the Partition period. In case some of the readers have trouble understanding what that word means, this term is used to refer to division of the then India after independence from British rule into two new countries - a predominantly Islamic Republic of Pakistan and a secular India with a Hindu majority. The result of this move was the displacement of more than 10 million people across the newly created borders. Millions of people being stripped of their land and other possessions, being forced to leave their country, largely on the basis of their religion wasn't a very tactful decision. Almost a million people were killed in communal riots all over the borders. The impact of this huge exodus was felt bitterly across the borders and shared by all who were even remotely affected by it. Any amount of writing is not sufficient to capture the emotional, physical and economic upheaval that was suffered by the people displaced during one of the largest migration in recorded history. Since then, numerous writers and poets have tried to capture the effects of this change in their works. The writings are of such quality and number that they have carved a niche in the infinitely vast Indian literature called Partition literature.

In more recent times we have witnessed a mass migration of a less dramatic nature. It is intriguing when contrasted with the one described above because it is completely voluntary in its origin. This obviously is the immigration of hundreds of thousands of South Asian people to developed countries such as the U.S, Canada, Western Europe and Australia-New Zealand. The numbers might never match the multitudinous waves that crossed the borders in West Punjab; the impacts of this recent migration are no less worth inspecting. That is why, South Asian diaspora literature which examines the consequences of such voluntary migrations is also a sub genre in its own right.

What connects the two? Apparently nothing. The sorrow of leaving your homeland behind is the same. However the circumstances in which these events took place or are taking place are poles apart. Being forced to leave all your possessions and leave in the middle of the night to a place where there is no guarantee of your survival beyond the first couple of days is terrifying to say the least. And there is the constant threat of communal riots breaking out with the millions of hate mongers surrounding you, preying on the feeling of injustice that is growing in everyones heart.

Against such a emotional and sweeping wave, the migration of South Asian people to foreign lands is a trickle in comparison. By experiencing this change firsthand however, I feel deeply touched and comforted simultaneously in sharing experiences with people with similar backgrounds. Reading such literature is a part of this exploration.

At the risk of "being late to the scene" I would highly recommend the following books for anyone with interest in this subject - be it the first wave or the second trickle :

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
The Ice Candy Man by Bapsi Sidhwa
The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
Handwriting by Michael Ondaatje

Guidelines for myself

A bit of moralistic preaching now. I figured it has been a long time since I have had a post with that theme. I came across this blog post and for some reason I felt the quotes here touched me more than the usual b.s we are used to reading on coffee mugs. Thought I would share a few with everyone. I read each one carefully and thought how I have always regretted not following each one of these lines. Oh well - better late than never.
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• Don’t only do what is convenient. Learn how to make a deeper commitment and take a more radical responsibility for yourself. Build integrity by exercising the values and ethics which are important to you.

• Recognize the divine in others through practicing respect and love. Although everyone has their own needs, each are different but equal.

• During conflict, don’t be limited only to your needs. Step outside yourself to consider the needs of others in a more compassionate manner. This helps manifest a positive solution for all concerned.

• Eliminate manipulation through demands, threats and passive-aggressive behavior. Only take from others what they are willing to give freely, and accept others for who they are.

• Let go of ego and practice simply being in each moment. Rather than trying to exert control over circumstances, learn instead how to become present.

• Healing begins from within. Treat your body well through exercise and a well-balanced diet rich in grains, fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water each day, the rich honey of life.

• Recognize that everything has a limit; the day, the night, even one’s own energy and time. No matter how great one’s perceived wealth, there always exists an extent to which one may enjoy it. Feel grateful for and humbled by your current unique blessings.

• Ever catch yourself saying, “I just don’t have time” or “I wish I had time to”? Take responsibility by recognizing that everyone has the same amount of time in each day and ultimately you decide how that time is used. Choose productively and wisely how you wish to dedicate each precious moment.

• Incorporate a quiet meditative practice into your daily routine. Prolonged meditation sharpens focus and enables you to think well, while awakening new levels of the Divine Self. Recent empirical studies are now recognizing how continued meditation physically enlarges and alters our brain.

• Take the time to properly honor all the small steps leading up to where you want to be. Don’t miss the beauty of the journey, as each step is equally fulfilling and significant.

• Experience temporary sensory deprivation. Try fasting, taking an hour long vow of silence, or wearing a blindfold or earplugs for an extended period of time. This will enhance awareness of both body and breath, bring perspective and allow you to develop a deeper appreciation for each sensory organ.

• Change is inevitable and everything is constantly influx. Use this wisdom to react less to personal inner dramas and focus more on acceptance and being present.

• Instead of dismissing or burying negative emotion, become aware of fear, worry and discomfort to fully observe and experience it. This helps bring perspective and heightened awareness as you begin to understand the root causes of these emotions.

• Take action. Don’t feel discouraged if progress feels slow. Just as a toddler learns how to walk one step at a time, it’s taking that baby step which is most crucial.

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1-18-08

Happened to "stumble upon" a really cool movie trailer. Produced by J.J. Abrams, the same guy who is the creator of the Lost series, the film is codenamed "Cloverfield" and is yet to be officially named. Currently, it simply goes by the name of 1-18-08. This trailer was debuted in screens all over North America on the premiere night of the Transformers.

Rumors are aplenty on the net and this is rumored to be something similar to the Godzilla (help!) and although the result could be similar, you simply cannot beat the trailer story for generating interest.

Paramount is marketing this single trailer as the only promotion of this movie before they release it. Going with the secrecy theme, the cast was not given the script of the movie while they had auditioned. All that anyone knows about this movie is that its created by Abrams and it has a Godzilla-esque theme.

Anjaani Raahon mein...

A funny thing just occurred to me.

Ever since I have been in the US, all the sappy Karan Johar-Yash Chopra-Subhash Ghai movies about the "vides" and the "pardes" and how our des is the best with typical over the top jingoism suddenly start making a teeny weeny bit of sense!
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I know!

This isn't the thing you would associate with me (umm thats if you know me firstly) but it seems to be the most common phenomenon observed amongst students or expatriates who leave their own country for certain reasons, only to realize the value of a certain things they used to take for granted. Each and every person whom I know has travelled to the US in the recent past cries the same old sob story. Note the common theme amongst all Indian student conversations in the US.

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Student 1: Yaar..bore ho gaya..kya socha tha..US mein aake we would be chilling out all the time, partying, studying, earning and enjoying the good life..and kya mila.

Student 2: Totally! Only the studying part turned out to be true..the rest was just hogwash..and what about the food..man i miss that..eating these cold sub sandwiches and pizzas have rendered my tastebuds impotent.

Student 1: I miss the misal paav at _____(insert the college canteen of your respective college) yaar..bunking lectures, going for movies, trying to patao chicks, general lukkhagiri.

Student 2: Not to mention the spicy hot oversize vada-pav at ___(although the word oversize is a clear give-away for this noted establishment, insert whichever stall comes to your mind!) with extra hot chutney with a hint of tamarind chutney.

Student 1: Hmm.. yeah..but more importantly, I miss my friends, my family my building people and the usual gang yaar.

Student 2: ...washing it down with a tumbler full of mango lassi...ummm..yeahhhh!

Student 1: Are you even listening to me?

Student 2: How about the atomic hot pani puri at the roadside chat stall..one gulp of that tasty piece of heaven and KOWABUNGAAAA...you are OUTTTTA HERE!

Student 1: OK dude...seeya later!

Student 2: Wait! Have you ever been to the place where they sell those reshmi kababs for a dirt cheap price..

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Alright. That conversation might have drifted somewhere else altogether primarily because I manifested myself as Student 2.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing can beat Mumbai lifestyle for the sheer convenience it offers in certain aspects.

You want your clothes ironed?
- Call the neighbourhood dhobi and he is there in a flash.
You want your tubelight fixed?
- Call the electrician and he is there before you hang up the phone.
You are craving for a pack of Maggi?
- Call the kirana stores downstairs and he will hand over that heavenly food to you before putting the amount on your monthly "khaata".

Movies, theatre, food, shopping, drives - you name it and options start appearing right in front of your eyes.

You realize the value of smaller things in your own land only when you leave it - be it the convenience of friends getting together (just a call away) or the joy in meeting your grandparents (in your vacations) or the happiness in arguing with your mom and dad over trivial things.

Now when I think about these things, I realize that there are some aspects of life that can be never captured in movies. And it isn't Bollywood to blame. No movie or book (or even this blog, for that matter) can ever capture the true sentiments of a non resident. It isnt just the cliched "maa ke haath ka gajar halwa or the naani ke haath ka aam achaar" that the hero misses about India. Well of course, those too, but the things you miss the most can never be penned down or shown in a movie. Simply because they are not just one concrete emotion. Ask any homesick Indian who hasn't been to India for a long time on how he feels. You will always get a sheepish smile which says it all - "How do you think I feel?"

Funny Facts

HOWLARIOUS!!

i am still recovering...

This site has got to be the funniest shit i have seen in years..

Its got these quotes about how macho a certain character is(in this case the star of the hit AXN show "24"- Jack Bauer played by Kiefer Sutherland)

They are over-the-top..nonsense and completely exaggerated but mann....they made me roll on the floor laughing..howling...read it at your own risk..

Whether or not u know these stars is irrespective...just enjoy the exaggeration. This really is some crazy shit!

P.S there are similar ones about Vin Diesel and Chuck Norris too

But Jack Bauer takes the cake!

Ashamed?

I am seething with anger as i write this. Mainly due to a feeling of deja-vu that i experienced when i switched on the telly today morning. As you all must be aware, workers from a certain party have gone ballistic in their form of protest for the desecration of a statue of their mother figure and the entire city is witness ONCE AGAIN to this form of modern day hooliganism and outright breach of human liberties.

Why do we always fall prey to such tactics? How many times have we seen scenes like the ones flashing across the tv today? Come to think of it, looking at the party's track record and penchant for indulging in such incidents it is mighty surprising that they waited so long since the infamous Valentine Day bashing up of innocent teenagers to revert back to their old ways!

When i think of such people i am reminded of an idea expressed in Michael Crichton's book State of Fear. He says that governments,dictators or any form of leadership the world over share one common policy - to constantly provide the society with a reason to be afraid of something. This idea is called the STATE OF FEAR. When the people are held in such a position, they are seldom likely to notice more important or larger issues of administration. Issues, which although the government ought to be looking into, are however no longer in their control. Hence the need to divert people's attention from them using ever changing producers of fear. Although these reasons keep changing the world over as time goes by, they serve the same purpose for the people in power - to keep the people in check,to keep them from venting their anger at the apathy surrounding them. This single common feature could be the most successful method of establishing authority through government policy across every nation in the world.

The author describes the constant threat of GLOBAL WARMING (and in my opinion, a very non-existent threat) used by governments against corporations.(read the book)
General Musharraf and all Pakistani leaders before him used Kashmir as a reason to stir up people's emotions to distract them from the real issues affecting Pakistan.
And over here, our beloved parties do the same thing over and over again in the name of relgion,casteism and communalism.

Its a deadly combo-a sureshot winner. In an adolescent democracy like ours where the media themselves have hardly any clue as to how to play the watchdog, such policies are extremely effective in baiting their innocent and unsuspecting targets.

Why couldnt a single leader give a statement on TV saying that although an extremely despicable act has been committed, disrupting the lives of millions and creating a general sense of panic serves no purpose. But no, they wouldnt dare do that..the numerous votebanks across the city would be lost in a single blow. What does that say about us,the people, then?

The duration of public anger in Mumbai has to go down in history as the shortest period in time measurement, possibly even shorter than the oscillation of a Caesium crystal!
Why didnt all of us enquire as to what happened to those poor people bashed up by these thugs on the 14th of February this year? Did the young man deserve to get a cut across his face for giving a greeting card to his friend? Did the girl deserve to be manhandled by the morons who in the name of Indian Sanskriti destroyed the property in the house while the much more rowdy festival of Holi was allowed without any problems? Maybe because they were entertaining themselves in dance bars on that night and every other night.

The Marathi Manoos no longer needs these goondas. In the name of fighting for the Marathi honour they have risen to power and made a mockery out of the political system. In no other country can a leader get away with a statement such as "Haan abhi iss insult ka reaction to dena hi padega".

The poor become poorer. The snooty rich stay away from the polls. And hooligans continue to rule the city.

I have the Visa power!

Howdy everyone! Got my visa day before yesterday..yippee.. the appointment was as follows
23rd June
Mumbai Consulate
Time 9 30 am

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I reached at around 8 45 at the embassy directly( hadnt taken the VFS lounge option) and saw people from 9 am appointments getting in line. I stood around in the back for a few minutes after which the line for 9 30 was called. I was so relaxed on the earlier day and even today morning but somehow the whole atmosphere at the embassy is so charged up and intimidating that you can bet your last buck even "Ice Man Steve Waugh" will get a bit zonked out!

So anyway, i waited in line for about 15 minutes, the time was 9 20..took out my i-20, sevis, passport and hdfc receipt and waited some more.
Finally i was called inside for security check. I had left my wallet,watch etc with Dad so no probs there.. i was given the wooden stick which i took in the inner hall. Inside the scene was that of total commotion, gujrati announcements and usual anxious faces, serious discussions..however i turned left and joined the line to get the pink token.

Here the person stapled my passport with the token quite horribly,handed me the processed DS forms and asked me to proceed to fingerprinting, right ahead. I was so friggin tense that my hands were sweating and the lady out there had to wipe them 4 times with some sorta spirit to finally get a reading on the electronic screen.

The scenario was like that of a bank. So many people bumbling about that it was kinda funny and relaxing too! Then i took a seat in the waiting area(it is advisable to take a front row seat) in front of the counters and waited for my turn. Contrary to everyone's experience, i could easily make out the announcements being made for the applicants as to which applicant no is called to which counter.

At about 9 45 my number was called alongwith a couple of others to counter no 6 occupied by a pleasant young lady. She must be hardly 30.
So i step inside

I went in and suddenly all fear, anxiety and stress vanished away. The booth is sound proof and the quiet atmosphere somewhat chills you down.


VO:Hi! Good Morning! How are you?
Me:Good Morning! I am fine thank you(Big smile!)

VO:Ok, so why did you choose Indiana University at Bloomington
Me: M'am coz its CS department is highly ranked and has one of the best labs when it comes to research in Distributed Systems, which is my interest.

VO:Ok. Good. So why CS?
ME:(D-uh, if im interested in Distributed,what else would i take? Civil?)
So i explain the whole interest in the subject all over again

VO:Ok. (with a smile)But you really dont have to stoop and talk in the mike, i can hear you perfectly well!
Me: (in my nervousness and stupidity, i stoop down again to say) Oh, sorry M'am!(with an equally sheepish grin!)

VO: (Laughing) ok so do you have any brothers or sisters?
Me: Yes. I have one brother who is doing his Masters in the US

VO:Show me your i-20
Me:Here it is(Hands over the i-20 lying in my hand...folder still closed)

VO:So how are your parents going to afford your 29k$ mentioned in the i-20 AND your brothers education as well?
Me: Well they have saved up for both our education and have enough assets to pay for our education. Should i show my liquid assets summary statement?

VO: No, no need
Me:OK (Phew!..Visa power..here i come..though somewhat regretting the effort wasted in arranging the file!)

VO:So what do your parents do?
Me:My Dad is a General Manager etc etc and my Mom is a professor of English Literature

VO:(Completely baited..i just reel her in) Wow! thats great...english lit huh..(prolly wishing she could discuss Chaucer with her)..cool
Me:(Smiling)

VO:Ok im issuing your visa. Passport will be couriered in a few days. Thank you!
Me: Thank you! (mwaaah meri jaan..life banaa di)

Grinning proudly, i step out..10 15 am..the mere mortals in the waiting room look at the absence of passport in my hand and realize i have been granted the visa. They clap, they cheer, they do a standing ovation and the girls come out and we all discoed till the evening!

LOL sorry couldnt help the end

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Well finally the journey which started from last july when i started my GRE prep has finally come to an end. All that remains is what i do witht he chance i have been given. An intimidating thought but still a path i am really looking forward towards!