29-03-2013

HE
Living that moment of purest contradiction, she stood there looking deep into my eyes. Her soft hair traced the untouched curve of her face, her smile revealed the tempting softness of her lips. Impossible it is to stay away, to not look at her, to lock that temptation, which makes me wish I could touch those lips, feel her as she was my sketch - a part of me.

SHE
There he stood in front of me as we mounted the skies and beheld the serene the enamoring stillness of the spectacle that welcomed us.
The breeze playing with my disheveled hair as I stared in the depth of his eyes and felt the rhythm of life that filled his entire being with a subtle touch...In that moment the absolute seemed close!

The Child Inside Me

Growing up is tough. But then who has a choice?
I still remember how excited I used to be as a kid, watching young men all suited up, returning from their jobs, meanwhile I fantasized about the day when I would have my own job, and could buy my own Video games, chocolates and Watch movies without bugging Mum and Papa.
Guess what. The time has come!

But something is wrong. Yes, I don't want to buy Video games, chocolates or movie tickets. I'm concerned about GPA, about Recommendations, about 10, 15, 20 LPA jobs, about the dreaded Office coffee, the Boss' grim expressions, and blah blah...but that's not what this blog is about.

This blog is about keeping the kid inside you alive. Learning to be crazy, carefree, silly and idiotic at times! Yes, it won't hurt at all! Follow your instinct, maybe help someone in need, fall in love, fall out of love, and do that over and over again till you know the real meaning of being loved - just like you learnt how to ride a cycle after multiple cycles of 'drive-then-fall-then-drive-then-fall'.

I know I loved being a kid. Being pampered by Mum and Papa. And then beaten up too :D
And I know I cannot bring those times back. But at times, I can travel non-existent wormholes and shed those layers and layers of sophistication and maturity. I can keep myself alive :)

It's lovely being a kid. To discover the little Superman, or the Barbie doll inside you. And to keep it alive. Forever.

Photographs - With my little cousin in Bareilly - 2011 :)

- K

Journey through hell - Tatkal Passport Application

28/02/2013

I don't intend to infuse either literary excellence or reader appeal in this particular blog entry. This is going to be solely a public diary entry, upon request from people who felt I should trap this day somewhere. I would inform you beforehand, that it's going to be pretty elaborate :-)

For the purpose of giving TOEFL and GMAT, I needed my Passport under Tatkaal quota. A friend of mine who has applied for the same gave me necessary instructions about getting Annex F and I prepared, former from the Institute Admin Office, while the latter from a local Notary.

I woke up early at 6, prepared with all required documents, except the proof of my Permanent Address. I went to the Admin Office sharp at 8 for Annex F. The guard informed me that the office would open at 10, and so I happened to visit my classes for a couple of hours. At around 11, I visited the office and straight away went towards the stationary room where the document had to be printed. I happened to know the person in-charge there, thanks to the interactions while preparing news releases for the IIT conversion struggle. He helped me get the document ready swiftly, with just one step of data verification left.

I was asked to get the data verified from a clerk who sits on ground floor. I was aware that with no proof of permanent address, it was going to be tough, but the reality was going to test me for the limits.

The clerk told me that I HAD to bring some proof, without which he could not approve. He advised me to get my permanent address updated from the bank, and then give him the bank statement.

I went to the bank and tried to get information as to how updating of the address could be possible. The clerk at bank informed me that banks would only rely on information which is based on a proof by a bank document. Even if I attach any declaration, I need to use the signature from account statement to get the signature verified. This was almost impossible for me, as under this logic, I had to request my landlord to write an application of declaration and his SBI bank account statement (assuming he had his account there!). I called my dad up, and when no solution seemed probable, I rushed back to Admin Office and informed the clerk about the same.

I requested him to give me permission for the meantime, and I would provide figure out a way to get the proof within a week. He made his stand humbly clear, and told me nothing could be done without the documents. I requested him to look into any provision that was possible. He asked me to wait for 10 mins, while he thought about how I could get the approval.

After about 5 mins, he told me about a way that would make the approval possible - getting a letter forwarded by the department head; the letter mentioning mention of my permanent address.

While I drove towards my department, I felt this was almost impossible, as they would again need some proof of permanent address at the department. But this time, while talking to my parents on the phone, I figured out a way. Taking permission from the HOD, I got my mother's internet bill printed out, and attached it with the application. This was accepted by the HOD, and he forwarded my application. Once, I got the application, I rushed towards the Admin Office and got the approval from the clerk, thanking him a million times. The final set of signature was done, and my Annex F was ready. The time was around 1:30PM now.

I went to my hostel to have lunch, and verified what was next in the to-do list.

After the lunch was over, I biked towards the Notary I happened to know, because he had made my Anti-Ragging Affidavit a couple of years back. I reached his office somehow, and he told me it was not possible that day as the electricity was not there, and he could not print the Annex document. I asked him if there was some other way, and if I could get the document printed somewhere else. He thought for a while, picked up his phone and called up a particular shopkeeper, asking him whether there was electricity there. Thankfully, the person replied in the positive, and I was asked to rush to the shop and get the document typed and printed before the electricity went away. The paper on which the document had to be made was the Notary paper, and I held it between my lips as I biked towards the shop. Once the printout was taken, I went back to the Notary, paid him the money and asked about directions for the Passport office.

The way was clear in my mind, and I thought I'll keep asking people for directions while I drive. When I approached the road crossing near IP Vijaya mall, I saw a huge traffic jam. Tactically driving, I reached upto  the front of the traffic, only to realise that I had to find some alternate route, all thanks to the religious procession blocking the way, and was supposed to take a couple of hours to complete.

I turned around, and sought alternate ways to reach to the destination. On the way, I met two gentlemen on the bike who helped me with the route, and I followed them for a while. My bike's chain was very loose, and on the way I had to stop about 4-5 times for getting the chain back on the driving gear.

Next, I kept on asking people around for directions, as I had to reach before 5PM.

On reaching the passport office, I rushed inside and stood near one of the counters. They were really cluttered with people, and I had to squeeze my way into one of them for asking the officer about the steps I had to follow. The building is a beautiful blue glass structure, and appears out of place relative to the surrounding very old shops. Even the overall processes were digitalized partially, and I felt an end coming to my worries. The officer on the counter told me that one additional printout was required, which had a bar code that they needed to proceed with the application. I just had to find a neighbouring shop and get that sheet printed. But just then, the person sitting on the right of this officer saw my Annex F, and said that it was not valid and would not work. I insisted on the fact that my friend had successfully applied with the same document. He told me to wait while he would confirm the same from the higher level officer in the Passport Office - the APO. When he returned, he handed over to me a sheet, and asked me to go back to college and show it to the Registrar, saying that it was not allowed under normal provisions for him to issue the Annex F. I was shocked, as I had not expected this, and I continuously insisted that the application be submitted the same day. Getting Annex F from any other authority was almost an impossibility, and so I stuck to my request. I was made to talk to the APO, and he repeat the exact same words of the Officer. I assured him that the message would reach the concerned people, but if he could forward the application, a big problem for me would be solved. I told him how urgently I required it. After a bit of thought, he asked me to come up to his room and meet him. I climbed up the ladders onto his room and stood near his desk while he examined my documents, while mentioning how problematic it can be for him if a special inquiry asks him the reason for this special permission.

He said that this would be the last application he approves, and no further requests should come to him. He asked me to come next day in the morning.

I did the same, and through a very formal strict procedure, my application for passport was finally submitted.

It was hell of an experience, and the first one for me, where tackling with a simple thing like getting a Tatkaal passport became just a very difficult and tiring experience!

But at the end of the day, the story had a happy ending. Now, I'm just waiting for the day when the passport arrives. I know this seems funny, but trust me - I really want to thank all those people who voluntarily helped me, because one thing I realized at the end of the day is - in official matters, there is no parameter for emotion. It is strict, harsh and formal.

But then....THIS is life.

K

Voice of the Naga

'UNBELIEVABLE' was what came to my mind when I met these two babas on Shivala ghat today while watching the famous 'sun rise by the river'.



It all began when an old man started asking me about how much time would it take if he goes to Sarnath. I quickly judged from his hindi, that he was not a local, as he sounded very similar to how people back in my hometown speak.
He then talked for a while in English, and I was surprised because it was difficult to expect a baba to be so fluent. We talked a little while and I asked him about his life.
He was born in Kashmir, and has been roaming all around India since his childhood. He knows so many languages, it baffled me when he started speaking Bengali as fluently as any Bengali. He talked about how dramatic some babas by the ghats would be...smoking weed, talking like they were some spiritual geniuses. He said it was just a part of their lifestyle....the actual learning is internal and absolute. It was impossible to externally portray it, and being naked, white ash all over the body, smoking weed was just a way of life for them.
He told me his name was Pagal Baba (Mad baba), because he always remained cheerful. And others would say that only a mad man can always stay happy! He would find a reason to laugh in anything I would say, and I myself could not stop marveling at this Superhuman standing before me.....with the Superpower to stay happy!
Just then joined another baba who looked like he was relatively new in the trade. He asked me what I was doing, and when I told him about my University and the job I was going to do, he smiled and told me that he was a B.Tech. himself. Electronics and Communication. Had worked in IBM Bangalore before becoming a baba. That was 12 years back.
The Pagal baba would take rounds around the B.Tech. baba, and I figured out it was to give him a curse! For fun of course. :D They are humans too, very obviously. And humans need 'work-and-play' to NOT be a 'dull boy'. :-)
He told me how fortunate I was to get an opportunity to study in a city like Varanasi - the way to the ultimate knowledge was a fusion of Spirituality and Science. And we were the lucky gems who were gifted with the opportunity to study engineering in the Religious capital of India.
He talked about how people misinterpret religion as something they have to follow. We should always look for meaning behind what we pursue. One can read in the news about Kumbh mela being the largest gathering in the world, but how many people who go to Kumbh really know its significance?
It's an opportunity to wash off all sins and negativity, and be gifted with a new beginning.
He also explained the significance about the enormous fore-head wide tilak that they apply. The central point of the forehead is considered to be where God resides. And as we keep temples very clean and decorated, it is essential that we decorate the forehead too. As a way of showing respect to the Almighty.
He also emphasized on not being artificial with God, and being comfortable with Spirituality. One should be the best one can, and in that he would always be at peace with God. No regrets, no guilt.
As my Russian guests arrived, I made them both meet the baba, and suddenly realised how well groomed they were with flirting. :D Yeah, trust me on this!
I was surprised at how sensible all of what I heard sounded, and a sudden realization struck that all the engineering we have learned so far has no meaning without knowing the meaning behind those underlying layers - a necessary fusion of Science and Spirituality - non-existent without each other.
Think about it :-)

K

Role Model 1 - Mumbai Dabbawalas

The whole Dabbawala system works between houses and offices, and concerns the lunch in a ‘dabba’ that there dabbawalas carry from houses to the respective destination offices.

We were introduced to the scale by various statistics being brought into the picture – 4 lakh tiffin transactions in less than 4 hours. The people involved are mostly uneducated, and lack any management or technical skills. Then how do they manage such a complicated process flow? This is what their head, representing the Dabbawala community, talked about that day.

Each dabba shifts hands approx 6 times during a single transaction. The Organization Structure is composed of a multitier system, were each person higher in the pyramid is responsible for the team under him. The only modes of transport are Mumbai Local trains, and the cycles which the dabbawalas use.

Astonishingly true, the error rate is 1 in 16 million. A 99.99 percent efficiency on the six sigma scale. The cost of service is Rs. 500 to Rs. 550 per month from a customer. They stand for NO STRIKE, and earn about Rs. 9000 to Rs. 10000 a month in average.

All dabbawalas share an identity mark – the white cap, which makes it easy for them to coordinate and work in a team. Their moto is ‘Work is Workship’ and they truly live up to it, imposing fines like Rs. 50 fine for not wearing the cap, Rs. 1000 fine for alcohol consumption during duty hours, and so on. The discipline is very formally followed.

We were informed about their Unique coding system, and as the dabbawala hilariously stated – that sometimes the uneducated ones are more efficient at work than us, the educated crowd.

Overall, the session was hilarious, and we enjoyed it to the fullest. The key observation by many of us was that despite being uneducated, they held pride in their trade, and with remarkable efficiency, they made an impossible-seeming task possible, that too with 0% Tech support.

We still have a lot to learn from the Dabbawala uncleji!

Day 1 - December 24th 2012

My JY confirmation mail came in December first week, just after my college vacations had begun. Even then I was not completely sure of what the so-called ‘Yatra’ could make possible for me. So I just decided to ‘jump’ into the opportunity.

I de-boarded my flight on Monday morning as I land in Mumbai for the first time. As instructed, I took a cab to Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Coming from a foggy Delhi to a heated up Mumbai was quite a jhakta.

As I enter the venue, a horde of new faces were all around me – 450 young people from all over India – from villages and cities, ranging from farmers to professionals working with reputed Investment Banks, different cultures, different languages, but one thing was evidently common – the passion to learn, the urge to bring about change, the potential to be the foundation stones of a new India. I had to get registered after the luggage was tagged, and then we were asked to find our Group members. These ‘Groups’ of ‘strangers’ were Yatris strategically selected and placed together in Cohorts with Facilitators as coordinators and a collection of Cohort became the group. I got ‘Group I’ and very soon I was in a crowd of new faces – each one as excited and pumped up as me.

Each group is a combination of 3 cohorts (2 Boys and 1 Girls). Each cohort is composed of 7 people – 6 Yatris and 1 Facilitator. There are total 21 groups.

While people were still registering, we combined 2 groups and started introducing ourselves with just a single thing we want us to be remembered as. This was much fun, and we managed to mint out wacky nick-names for almost all of us. I soon realized that these 450 people are not ordinary young men and women. Each one has his own story to share, and a dream to chase. The diversity prevails in their stories too. With some of them you could relate very strongly, but others would seem too hard to digest.

The very much awaited lunch followed. And I must admit that the management by JY team was awesome right from Day 1, and the lunch went smooth with people still introducing themselves while having a bite of the delicious food.

We were then asked to get seated in the Convention Center, where the Induction Ceremony would take place, followed by Team Introductions, General Guideline discussion, Cultural programs, and the Special take of the day – Mumbai Dabbawalas.

At this point, I must bring an important point up. From about 19000 registrations, 450 top selected candidates got to pursue JY 2012. The selections were not random, but based on a careful selection pattern, gauging NOT ONLY entrepreneurial spirit, but also the passion to bring about a change. So it was NOT individual play, but a team effort. And that was one of the key issues brought about in the discussion – India has sufficient funds and resources, and there is no dearth of ideas for sure. So what we miss is team to work with. And thanks to the Yatra, our teamwork began from Day 1. And this was highlighted very successfully by the Dabbawalas!

The initial Induction sessions were formal introduction to the program, and hence, very detailed (and too boring too). The JY volunteers and Core Team looked as energetic as ever and I partially envied their vigor, which was very evidently missing from the crowd, where every second person seemed to doze off. Stories were shared by the Organizing team members, and ‘Thank you’s were given, after which the Orientation finally got over.

The next session was a BIG surprise. The crowd was awakened by dancing onto the Gangnam style! – A warm-up exercise as mentioned by them. ‘Yaaro Chalo’ was played for the first time next, and we tried to match our steps with those of the Choreographer. Each little step symbolized our vision – beautifully portrayed in moving art. Next, some volunteers talked about their own experience in a beautiful musical setting.

With this we were told that a session with the first Role model would follow now – none other than the Dabbawalas!

Diary of the Curious Idiot

Jagriti Yatra 2012