Saturday 21 June 2008

Annoying calls

It has been a nightmare since I got my account in HDFC. They all start by asking, "Madam, aapka profile bohot achcha hai. You can apply for our gold credit card which is valid internationally. The gold credit card suits your profile too." I asked her what she meant by a 'good profile'. Quick came the reply, "Your company has a good name and reputation. It is in our good books."
I fail to understand how does it matter whether our company has a good repute? The company can throw us out any time. Their so-called 'gold' and 'silver' credit cards won't come to save our necks then. I also don't know how do other consumer finance companies get our numbers and other details. It was hilarious when I got a call today from one of these 'lenders'. He asked whether I was interested in getting a car loan. I am like, Dude! I have not yet even got my full month salary. I have just started out as a trainee. I don't know why they keep calling without doing a complete background check.
But I must say, I feel privileged after getting such calls. I mean I know how difficult it is for one to sustain a job but there are actually people out there who think 'Oh! she must be some big shot. Let's ask her if she would be interested in this service or offer.'

Dera Sacha Sauda and the recent violence


I have a problem when people talk of religion as a reason to fight. I mean why does a Guru Ram Rahim Singh have to strut around looking like Guru Gobind Singh?
He knew it would garner more publicity. And now, his bodyguards did not think twice before shooting one of the protesters. Why do these so-called 'spiritual leaders' decide that they are equal to some 500-600 years old spiritual leader? And above all, how on earth does a common man follow these fakies? A peace-loving leader would not roam around with a fully loaded gunman for once. He is a spiritual leader for God's sake! Give examples of peace and non-violence rather than cheap publicity. 
The protesters who created ruckus in Central railway line in Mumbai are also to be blamed. But it will take some time for a common man to understand that such incidents are highly politicised and the best way for opponents to throw mud at the ruling party.
I will not be surprised if the protest becomes nation-wide tomorrow. And of course! In such cases never blame the police. They are all hand-in-glove with these protesters.

(originally posted on 21 June 2008 on http://zippy-famousfour.blogspot.in/2008/06/dera-sacha-sauda-and-recent-violence.html)

Tuesday 10 June 2008

Damn the Life!

Well, after looking at the title don't think I am going to commit suicide or something. For me life right now is happy-go-lucky (touch wood!). But I do get initial pangs of frustration. There are also times when I feel like a dead wood.
Anyways, I was thinking about my job and stuff (usual thing I do when in local trains at night) when suddenly a Gujarati family came and made themselves comfortable around me. With legs crossed, chappals on seats (eeeow!) and opening their chatter boxes, the ladies made it impossible for me to enjoy the rains outside and the wonderful breeze inside the compartment. I quickly changed seats to find solace elsewhere.
I realised that my new companions were quite different from what I usually see. They had heavy make-up applied with large eyes almost popping out but neatly bordered with kohl. It was a bunch of six ladies, all decked in make-up. It didn't ring any bell initially but only when one of them spoke on phone about her pregnancy did it strike me. They were bar dancers! The one who was talking about her pregnancy kept saying, "Aaj toh koi collection hi nahi hua. Sangeet teacher ne bhi kaha. Sirf 200 rupees kamaiye. Chalo, aane jaane ka kharcha toh nikal gaya." Her name was Kajal and she complained that one of the doctors in Mira Road advised her to abort the baby because during pregnancy she is not supposed to take any medication. She was taking some pain killers and still the doctor advised her on not taking the pills. She was given pills worth Rs 3000 to abort the baby I guess. (I am not sure about the purpose of the pills)
The ladies also kept saying that because their collection was so low today, they will not go tomorrow. I cannot recall all the names but there was also one named Rosy.
All this while I was totally shocked to have sat beside a bar dancer. But as stations outside went by, my fear and initial shock was transferred into curiosity and sympathy (a perfect combination for a journalist). Indians have this craze of English medium schools and convent education. The ladies were also worried about their children's admission and education. It is heart-warming to know that after undergoing such hardships, they want to dream a nice career for their children.
But what surprised me the most was the fact that bar dancers have full-fledged families. It reminds us of the fact that no matter whatever the circumstances a mother will always think of her child first than anything else. I guess I am done for the day with this!

Saturday 7 June 2008

Hunting for stories

The term used by many journalists 'hunting for stories' holds true in many ways. We at Economic Times literally hunt for stories. Being in a business paper makes it difficult to think of stories with a business angle. I will have to remember the famous saying 'Follow the money'. Now whenever I think of any story, the first thing that comes into my mind is 'How big is the industry?' 'Is it new or will people be interested in reading about it?'
The training I have received at ET so far is giving me immense exposure. It gives me a sense of the system and pay of course!