I do not follow cricket, but I like it when India wins international matches. I love to see the trophy, despite the fact that I will never be able to lay my hands on it. This time, however, I have a feeling that our cricketers won’t be able to perform in the T20 World Cup to be held in West Indies.
The news that swashbuckling batsman Virender Sehwag has been ruled out of the World Cup forced me to feel that way. Yes, it is a big blow to India’s chances at the tournament. Just to garner some quick bucks, cricketers, including foreign ones, are burning themselves out, unmindful of the fact that the World Cup is just a few months away.
Sehwag has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury and has been advised rest for 3-4 weeks. It has been announced that Murali Vijay of Chennai Super Kings will be Sehwag’s replacement, who represents Delhi Daredevils. In the absence of Sehwag, Delhi Daredevils skipper Gautam Gambhir will take over as vice-captain.
A few other key players in the Indian line-up too are nursing IPL-induced injuries. Doesn’t this make you feel that India’s prospect in the coming World Cup will take a hit? It makes one ask: Country comes first or money is more important? Well, it’s time the country’s cricket managers did a serious rethink.
This IPL, too, is actually an alien concept for me. I’m always confused why people are crazy after the series – more so because I never seem to settle taking side of any particular team. I feel confused because I am a Delhiite—so should I cheer for Delhi Daredevils? I am a Bengali—I should be a good girl and cheer for Kolkata Knight Riders. The dilemma doesn’t end here. I work for Financial Chronicle—so I should cheer for the Deccan Chargers. But then they say everything is fair in love and war… I guess considering the fact that I have a crush on MS Dhoni—I must cheer for Chennai Superkings!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Sex and the city
The experience of transformation into motherhood is a privilege. But the male brigade, which includes the male-run firms, have tried everything possible to turn the affair into one that women now fear to tread. I say fear not because of the sweet pain of labour, but because of the bitter pain of getting discriminated against and/or losing one's hard-earned position in offices.
Can it be mere coincidence that over 5,600 female employees of Novartis have filed suites against the firm charging it of discrimination in pay and promotions – especially towards pregnant women? A clutch of other big firms mired in such controversies include Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Citigroup and Wal-Mart. There definitely are millions of other cases – filed in courts or not – in other countries as well. In Goldman Sachs’ last round of annual promotions, only 19 per cent of the 272 newly named MDs were women. The Wal-Mart suit, on behalf of about two million employees, is America’s largest sex discrimination case yet. This grossly implicates how bad the situation is for women.
In India, the situation is no better. There is always so much brouhaha when a woman takes charge of a big firm. But how many are there actually – women in leadership positions.
Negligible, minuscule. Why? Most women across the world have experienced what is popularly known as the 'glass ceiling' phenomenon, believed to be an unofficial, invisible barrier that prevents women from advancing in businesses. Why don't men realise that women are – and can be – as capable as men? Men don’t seem to understand that although a woman may be weaker in muscular strength, their mental wavelengths have no barriers. Raising a child in one's womb is definitely an arduous task. The men – in home and offices – can make it a lot easier. Only companies that recognise and act on the fact that the world does come in two sexes can be called truly competitive and modern. But only if they try.
Can it be mere coincidence that over 5,600 female employees of Novartis have filed suites against the firm charging it of discrimination in pay and promotions – especially towards pregnant women? A clutch of other big firms mired in such controversies include Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Citigroup and Wal-Mart. There definitely are millions of other cases – filed in courts or not – in other countries as well. In Goldman Sachs’ last round of annual promotions, only 19 per cent of the 272 newly named MDs were women. The Wal-Mart suit, on behalf of about two million employees, is America’s largest sex discrimination case yet. This grossly implicates how bad the situation is for women.
In India, the situation is no better. There is always so much brouhaha when a woman takes charge of a big firm. But how many are there actually – women in leadership positions.
Negligible, minuscule. Why? Most women across the world have experienced what is popularly known as the 'glass ceiling' phenomenon, believed to be an unofficial, invisible barrier that prevents women from advancing in businesses. Why don't men realise that women are – and can be – as capable as men? Men don’t seem to understand that although a woman may be weaker in muscular strength, their mental wavelengths have no barriers. Raising a child in one's womb is definitely an arduous task. The men – in home and offices – can make it a lot easier. Only companies that recognise and act on the fact that the world does come in two sexes can be called truly competitive and modern. But only if they try.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Bumper to bumper
Have you noticed big city cars closely? Almost all of them are scratched or bumped into. When I was new to Delhi, I was amazed to see swanky cars with their ‘wounds’ and used to wonder at the carelessness of the drivers. The bewilderment was resolved when I started driving myself.
Bumper-to-bumper drive is what is the cause of each vehicle’s misery. Bikers too always look for the little gaps in between two stationed cars in traffic jams to zoom past and hence the scratches. The famous parking woes in big cities too lend a bump or two to each car.
Hence, it seems impossible that a new car will remain dent-free once it starts its run on big city roads. Quite strangely, Mercedes and BMWs seldom have scratches on their bodies. Reasons can be many, but I feel people try and drive a few cars away from such cars, for they epitomise power and wealth, and running into them could be ‘memorable’.
But the question is when will we witness a cultural change in how we drive? On roads, even the most polite turns into a bully. On every scratch their vehicles suffer, people halt their cars right in the middle and tantalisingly come close to engaging in a bull fight. Honking is an acquired deficiency that most of us are proud of.
Traffic rules are there but then who follows them? I have seen many times cops flouting driving rules with impunity. I have seen as many as four cops on bike –all without helmets – zoom past me. I would have understood had they been on a mission, but no. They stopped at a chai shop to sip hot tea and gossip.
The need of the hour is not only stricter traffic rules, but also inculcating driving ethics. And about scratches on our cars, well I guess a big red ‘L’ sign – even if you aren’t a learner anymore – might solve some problem, as rash drivers will stay away. Just may be!
Bumper-to-bumper drive is what is the cause of each vehicle’s misery. Bikers too always look for the little gaps in between two stationed cars in traffic jams to zoom past and hence the scratches. The famous parking woes in big cities too lend a bump or two to each car.
Hence, it seems impossible that a new car will remain dent-free once it starts its run on big city roads. Quite strangely, Mercedes and BMWs seldom have scratches on their bodies. Reasons can be many, but I feel people try and drive a few cars away from such cars, for they epitomise power and wealth, and running into them could be ‘memorable’.
But the question is when will we witness a cultural change in how we drive? On roads, even the most polite turns into a bully. On every scratch their vehicles suffer, people halt their cars right in the middle and tantalisingly come close to engaging in a bull fight. Honking is an acquired deficiency that most of us are proud of.
Traffic rules are there but then who follows them? I have seen many times cops flouting driving rules with impunity. I have seen as many as four cops on bike –all without helmets – zoom past me. I would have understood had they been on a mission, but no. They stopped at a chai shop to sip hot tea and gossip.
The need of the hour is not only stricter traffic rules, but also inculcating driving ethics. And about scratches on our cars, well I guess a big red ‘L’ sign – even if you aren’t a learner anymore – might solve some problem, as rash drivers will stay away. Just may be!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Eureka, eureka!
As a child, I used to think Kumbh is a place where people are lost and found. But this conception changed when I decided, much against my parents’ will, to visit the congregation at Haridwar, and meet the mysterious nagas. There were zillions of questions on my mind, the most burning being - why do nagas stay naked?
Since I was travelling with fellow journalists, I felt secure. My quest for knowledge began early morning just before the nagas were to take out a procession before the holy dip. After my first-ever shahi snan, I set out to explore. Soon, I came across an ash-smeared naga with long, braided, unwashed hair. I said, “May I…” Surprisingly, before I could continue, he handed out his visiting card and said, “Come child, come get your questions answered like these souls who have come to meet us from across the seven seas.”
It was still February and I was cold even after the layers of clothing I draped myself into. I hesitated, but asked, “Don’t you feel cold?”
“It’s all in our minds. If you think you are cold, no volcano can make you warm enough. But if you try, Earth has a solution to everything,” he said, while setting alight a bunch of dry wood for me. I found that the nagas were much more attached with Earth than we could ever imagine. Their food, energy and even clothes – all that is needed to lead life is provided for by Earth.
While he was speaking, I mustered enough courage to ask ‘THE’ question.
“It’s our way to show people that if you can keep your desires under control nothing in the world is impossible,” he said. But even while they claimed to be naked, I found a certain nagas peculiarly stylish in the way they smear their bodies with ash. Stripes, polkas, and other designs – I found that the nagas definitely knew how to strike a balance between staying green and stylish. I picked up my camera and he posed for me with a burning chillam.
Since I was travelling with fellow journalists, I felt secure. My quest for knowledge began early morning just before the nagas were to take out a procession before the holy dip. After my first-ever shahi snan, I set out to explore. Soon, I came across an ash-smeared naga with long, braided, unwashed hair. I said, “May I…” Surprisingly, before I could continue, he handed out his visiting card and said, “Come child, come get your questions answered like these souls who have come to meet us from across the seven seas.”
It was still February and I was cold even after the layers of clothing I draped myself into. I hesitated, but asked, “Don’t you feel cold?”
“It’s all in our minds. If you think you are cold, no volcano can make you warm enough. But if you try, Earth has a solution to everything,” he said, while setting alight a bunch of dry wood for me. I found that the nagas were much more attached with Earth than we could ever imagine. Their food, energy and even clothes – all that is needed to lead life is provided for by Earth.
While he was speaking, I mustered enough courage to ask ‘THE’ question.
“It’s our way to show people that if you can keep your desires under control nothing in the world is impossible,” he said. But even while they claimed to be naked, I found a certain nagas peculiarly stylish in the way they smear their bodies with ash. Stripes, polkas, and other designs – I found that the nagas definitely knew how to strike a balance between staying green and stylish. I picked up my camera and he posed for me with a burning chillam.
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