Wings of Change- HID

If you don't like something, change it. 

If you can't change it, then change your attitude. 

Don't complain. - Maya Angelou

Firstly, I love my country. "Mera bharat mahan" (Although 'sau mein se ninyanvein beiman') & all the high jinks that goes along with it. Undoubtedly, we have a great culture, history and diversity. We are generous, hospitable colorful folks. But can we take a moment and address the facts which are not-so-great? 

Spending just, few years in USA made me realize how gradually we Indians, in our country have become irascible, lacking in the matters concerning manners and common-courtesy to each other. Few of us are so inconsiderate, that I assume people lack the common sense or rather sometimes common courtesy to each other. How else would you explain well-educated, well-traveled, city-bred people throwing/ spitting trash/chocolate wrapper etc. out of their cars (moving/unmoving)? Or bumping each other in the lines to grab any empty cart in an airport/ grocery center? Or honking at cars in front when they can clearly see there is a traffic-jam? I am not an activist or any "-ist" for any matter, but there are just somethings that grab my attentions. However, beside Nautanki- (Drama Queen), I AM, Ms. Practical.

 

I worry about my country. While the world appreciates our rich arts & culture, diversity, and traditions.. us Indians, see those same things and call them our differences on the basis of race, caste and color. 

No city or country or an individual is without its faults. Wasn't that the whole point of bringing all the states together and making India, "AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY"so that we can co-exist and retrieve the benefits of a nation?

Previously, I used to believe that may be the reason for India's sleepy progress are the social causes- Growing population, poverty and illiteracy, etc. However, as the time proceeds I am learning by an observation, that it's the educated, selfish, and headlong people that are the actual cause. The reality is that when we see 'others' progress and prosperity we get jealous and instead of trying to improvise ourselves better at our respective jobs, we try and find ways to brings 'the others' down rather being.

Presently, when I see people around me, I observe one thing in common - Discontentment! None of us are satisfied with what we have. We want what others have. We crave for MORE.
 

Now many of you might be thinking what I am going to do rather than poking around & jotting on it. The only cause, that I would like to work for, would be something that enlighten people to change their prespective. I would really like to discover ways of making individuals learn how to be at peace with themselves & accepting things around them, logically, rather than nagging about petty items & complaining, often about it. Change can happen within us.

Half the problem would get solved, automatically, if people will mind their own business. Let the cricketers play cricket, movie-stars make movies and politicians do.. oops.. I forget, what exactly is it that they do?

Few crazy American Desi :P

Top 20 things generally a Desi does after returning to India from "US":
 


20. Tries to use credit card in road side hotel.
 
19. Drinks and carries mineral water and always speaks of health conscious
 
18. Sprays deodorant such so that he doesn't need to take bath.

17. Says "Hey" instead of "Hi".
Says "Yogurt" instead says "Curds".
Says "Cab" instead of "Taxi".
Says "Candy" instead of "Chocolate".
Says "Cookie" instead of "Biscuit".
Says "Free Way" instead of "Highway".
Says "got to go" instead of "Have to go".
Says "Oh" instead of "Zero", (for 704, says Seven Oh Four Instead of Seven Zero Four)
 
16. Doesn't forget to crib about air pollution. Keeps cribbing every time he steps out.
 
15. Says all the distances in Miles (Not in Kilo Meters)
 
14. Tries to figure all the prices in Dollars as far as possible (but deep down the heart multiplies by 43 times)
 
13. Tries to see the % of fat on the cover of a milk pocket.
 
12. When need to say Z (zed), never says Z (Zed), repeats "Zee" several times, if the other person unable to get, then says X, Y Zee(but never says Zed)
 
11. Writes date as MM/DD/YYYY, on watching traditional DD/MM/YYYY, says "Oh! British Style!!!!"
 
10. Makes fun of Indian Standard Time and Indian Road Conditions.
 
9. Even after 2 months, complaints about "Jet Lag".
 
8. Avoids eating more chili (hot) stuff.
 
7. Tries to drink "Diet Coke", instead of Normal Coke.
 
6. Tries to complain about any thing in India as if he is experiencing it for the first time.
 
5. Pronounces "schedule" as "skejule", and "module" as "mojule".
 
4. Looks speciously towards Hotel/Dhaba food.

Few more important :P

3. From the luggage bag, does not remove the stickers of Airways by which he traveled back to India, even after 4 months of arrival.
 
2. Takes the cabin luggage bag to short visits in India, tries to roll the bag on Indian Roads.
 
Ultimate one:
1. Tries to begin the conversation with "In US ...." or "When I was in US..."
 
 
PS: 'ABCD' doesn't counts here. Though, full sympathy to them ;) :P

Change- 4 Good!!

CHANGE IT!!

While the world admires our culture, diversity, and traditions; we Indians see those exact same things and call them our differences on the basis of race, caste and color. 

Any logical person would know that no country/ city/ individual is perfect. Every region has something to offer while it lacks in something else. That's the whole point of bringing all the states together and making ONE country, India- diverse nation. So that we can co-exist and reap the benefits of a nation.

Of course, while growing up there have been many discussions where one city/state was being pinned against another and I felt I had to stand up for my city. But today, I know better not to participate in such a discussion even if it is done in 'good' humor. Not only I might not have the power to control everyone. But also, such discussions never reach a conclusion but definitely sew seeds of racism/regionalism. As well  educated, travelled & responsible adults, we all should think before we even try and make joke (or remark) which has even a hint of racism or discrimination.

The world is moving at lightening speed, while we are still arguing over whether South Indian food is better than North Indian food or if more color and tradition lies in West India than East India. I mean, who cares? We should be glad that we'll are luckily part of the same country and do not have to choose! Just imagine would you prefer to live in a world, where we needed "Visa" and "Passport" to go from one state to another. I mean, just imagine GOA not being part of 'YOUR' country? [I am sure that must have got your attention ;)]

SO, until WE do not cease axing our country in to regions and start seeing it as ONE, there is little to no-hope of 'real' advancement!!

Urgh 2 all the "Blah-2 Blahzz.."

I guess, most of the-Indian-girls encounter the 'common' stereotypical questions, throughout her lifetime. Some questions are universal and some even coincide with the ones asked from boys, but nonetheless after a point they are all just annoying and pointless. For example,

From a Young girl - "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
From a High-school girl - "What subject/major have to decided to take in college?"
From a College girl - "Do you have a boy friend?" (Only in Liberal families though!);
"When are you getting married?" (In Traditional families)
From a Married woman - "When are you having a baby?"
P.S. Even if you are 21 years old you straight jump to being a woman from a girl, magically!
From a Mother of-a-child - Right after the birth of your first child, "Are you planning for a second child?"

Which is eventually followed by, "Which college are your kids going to?", "When are the kids getting married?", "When are you becoming in a Grand-mother?" .... & blah blah blah!! ....Urgh :|

I am at the stage of the "Married-woman-question". I love kids but why everyone has to ask when I am planning to have a baby. It's like their life will be incomplete without knowing this tiny detail about my life. At times it amuses me how everyone thinks they know what I should do in my life and when I should do it as well. Some people have even used the liberty to tell me when is an appropriate time to have one; & them there is the age factor- Just one question to those mind- What if I remain unmarried at this age too. Do you still expect a baby from me.. ;) :P
So, while I will withhold my opinions about when I should have a baby, I just want to say that sitting idle after marriage is most definitely not a good reason to have one!

Transformation.. ;)

We all know how some days are really gloomy days? When you dislike few things about yourself & feel all hmmm.. "Y Me!!" types.. I felt the same since few days.... But then I remembered the promise I made to myself for not being 'nagger' about anything & a 'cry baby' for many things (4 few things chalta hai as soon as it is working) ;) So Keeping on the commitment.. I peeked into my album & all of a sudden it made me realized 'dude' you did a killer work with your body so y not to show it via post ;) :P So here it goes.. :)

Can't stop floating around it, no doubt this morning has been filled with doses of narcissism.. (Duh!! I love myself :P..) Lately, I wondered, I might not have achieved any standard remarks to boast about, but then I realized 'babes' you made a change; a transformation & then I thought its better to write (flaunt.. ;)) about it.. :P 

Bottom line is I realized instead of cutting down my cravings for chocolates or sweet!! I kept indulging myself for my best-est hobby that turns out to be a fun workout- Dance, Dance & Dance.. Of course it was not a sudden one night change.. But ultimately, the feeling you get after a long process stays with you forever (till you don't give up!!) Now, I believed "Slow and steady, indeed wins the race!!"