The Cure-all Effect of Strawberries

“Never expected to find you in Mahabaleshwar, Lulu” I said to Lulu, my parrot who hopped from nowhere on my shoulder.

“Ha, ha. You must expect the unexpected from me. What are you doing here in Mahabaleshwar? Second honeymoon, eh?” Lulu asked.

“That is a cruel joke on a sixty year old, Lulu. You should not say such things. Besides, a good romantic will never keep count of the number of honeymoons!” I replied.

“I like that.....well, Are you enjoying here?”

“Yes, of course, Lulu. I am here with my darling wife. A friend and his wife too have joined us. We just finished a Strawberry with Cream. And but for my devilish doctor who has prescribed many restrictions, I would have polished two more!” I said.

“When did you start respecting Doctor’s advice? I saw you enjoying sugarcane juice in a village near Wai.”

“Absolutely irresistible it was! Sugarcane juice with a dash of lemon and ginger. Nothing beats it in this world. Not even a glass of whisky.”

“Yeah, you must be right. You seemed to have tried a quick swig of whisky too.” Lulu said.

“I really don’t know how you come to know of such things.....but to answer your point, yes, a small one is all that I allowed myself.”

“Ha, ha! You have really thrown caution to the wind. A diabetic should not indulge like this, it is injurious to health. You are enjoying as if there is no tomorrow!” Lulu laughed.

“There is a name for such people of my age.”

“What’s that?”

“Late bloomers! They do not do these things when they were young. So they freak out and try to make up following retirement.”

“Ha, ha. I had heard of ‘Baby boomers’ but not ‘Late bloomers.’ But follow the health guidelines. What else did you do?”

“Picked Strawberry in the fields. That was a great experience. I was observing plants closely several years after my botany classes. The smell of soil, of strawberry leaves and white flowers was very intoxicating...... more than a glass of whisky.”

“A glass of whisky seems to be your measure of pleasure; I don’t like that. Tell me what did you do with the strawberries collected from the farm?”

“I collected about a one-half a kilo. And promptly presented those to my wife who is celebrating her birthday today. There is no birthday present better than the Farm-fresh strawberries - I mean, personally picked by one's husband as a birthday present!”

“That was a smart one! Now I understand why your indiscretions are tolerated!” Lulu said laughing and dancing on my shoulder.

Vivek

Some Thoughts and Some Feelings Jan 11

Some thoughts and some feelings, all my own:

Like they say that rats leave the sinking ship, so I can understand why thirty-six air hostesses have left KingFisher Airlines. What baffles me is why they have joined Air India which is another sinking ship.

Like Air India pilots have not been paid their salaries for a few months. And what a fall it is from being labelled as the highest paid employees – they were envied by many till recently.

Like it must be a tragic experience to the employees of Air India and KingFisher to move from subject of envy to subject of pity. And this is solely due to gross mismanagement. Unfortunately both Praful Patel and Vijay Mallya who should and must own their responsibility in creating this state of affairs will remain unaffected.

Like the law of averages is working feverishly. Air India pilots get paid very high salaries but now no salaries; Indian cricket team wins the world cup and loses six matches in a row; Anna Hazare rises to the crest of popularity and now falls! Anything that goes up will surely come down!!

Like there was so much noise about the pregnancy and delivery of Aishwarya. Does anyone know what the name of Aishwarya’s baby is?

Like Anuj Bidve’s death was tragic, and what stands out in the tragedy was the dignified manner in which the family handled the difficult time of their lives. And also the way British Police handled the communication with the family.

Like the mercury in Mumbai is dipping which is [also!] a great encouragement to tipplers!

And finally, the only healthy trend I see is that there is a growing craze to run marathons. And there is an underlying unsaid statement that if you are not running you are not young!!

Vivek

My 2011 and Lokpal

"What are you writing?" Lulu, my parrot, asked.

"Everybody is writing about the year that went by, so I am writing too." I replied.

"There is a difference. Their stories are read! Ha ha ha." Lulu laughed sarcastically.

"You must not start our conversation today by your sarcastic remarks. I do not like it."

"Oh, Sorry, sorry. Tell me, what strikes you as the most important event in 2011?"

"Oh, that is easy to answer. I struck a deal." I said.

"With whom?" asked Lulu.

"With my darling wife. She was protesting very strongly for not taking her out. We decided that we will have one long and three short holidays each year."

"And the result?"

"The result is four long holidays. We went to Lavasa in April, then to Shimla, Kulu and Manali in June. This was followed by Visit to Coorg. And now one more is planned, we are going to Mahabaleshwar in January." I said with a complaining tone.

"That’s great. You can now stake your claim for being an ideal husband. Congratulations." Lulu said laughing.

"There is a heavy price one has to pay for that distinction! Four long holidays put you to a considerable loss. With travel comes shopping. And with a credit card in use, you do not even realise how much you have spent." I said.

"Enjoy your retired life, why are you grumbling?"

"Because income is so limited and meagre. We have not yet learned to manage within our means. I think there must be an Ombudsman or Lokpal for addressing complaints of husbands like me."

"Then be prepared to fast. Like Anna Hazare."

"That is asking for too much!" I said.

Vivek

From Annus Horribilis to 2012

“Hi Lulu” I called out.

“Hi there! How are you doing?” Lulu, my parrot, responded.

“The year is coming to end. Yet another annus horribilis!” I said thinking about the year that was coming to end.

“You say that every year end. Quite obviously you want only good things to happen all the time.” Lulu remarked.

“Ha ha. Yes, that is the wish.”

“And now don’t talk of New Year resolutions please.” Lulu pre-empted me, flipping his wings.

“Oh no. I have resolved not to make any New Year resolutions long back.”

“So what is happening?”

“Reading a book.” I replied. “‘The Biology of Belief.’ Somewhat difficult reading, but yet a good book.”

“What’s the theme?”

“Our perceptions shape our biology.” I answered.

“Why don’t you speak simple language? Could not follow anything.” Lulu said with a tone of annoyance.

“OK, ok. To put it differently, our beliefs shape our perceptions and thus our health; it is what Mahatma Gandhi said....

“Your beliefs become your thoughts.

Your thoughts become your words

Your words become your actions,

Your actions become your habits

Your habits become your values

And your values become your destiny” I explained.

“That’s better. Good beliefs will create good health as well as good life in general. We parrots are guided by instincts; human beings have free will, so it is more important for you” said Lulu.

“I agree.”

“So corrupt beliefs will create corrupt people and corrupt nation.” Lulu took the line further.

“You put it so well.”

“So focus on the thoughts and foster good beliefs.”

“That is a lifetime’s work.”

“Not much of a choice. That is perhaps the only way to avoid having every year as annus horribilis.” Lulu tapped on my head and looked at me expectantly.

Vivek

Some Thoughts and Some Feelings Dec 15

Some thoughts and some feelings, all my own:

Like Higgs boson, the God particle, is elusive but there are ‘tantalising hints.’ Anything associated with the God is no different!

Like there is no winter in Mumbai. But this season, with higher temperatures, the so called winter in Mumbai is actually another version of summer.

Like winning cricket series against West Indies is no evidence of India being on the top. That every game actually was a close contest is an evidence of not-so-good-performance because the West Indies team is rather weak.

Like while the world is keen to know the name of the B-Beti, Amir Khan and Kiran Rao have announced birth of their son as well as his name. And their boldness and openness in announcing that he was born of a surrogate mother only increases my respect for the couple.

Like Dev Anand who died recently was my hero and I feel sad that he is no more. And Dev with Waheeda Rehman was a pair that people of my generation will not forget. They looked as if they were made for each other.

Like the hospital tragedy at Kolkata brings to the fore many issues. Safety is one of them. In many housing societies in Mumbai a maternity hospital or a children’s hospital is allowed to run, which endangers not just patients for inadequate facilities but it brings the residents too in close contact with patients every day.

Like I became an Anna fan and now I am no longer so. In a way Anna is as underprepared as any political leader, the difference is that he has good intentions.

Like I feel like shouting ‘Will a good leader rise to take this country to its glory?’ And I know there are a thousand who feel alike, and it will in vain.

And finally, this year will end in 15 days and a new year will begin. And with that will come a review of the year gone by and resolutions for the New Year. The year 2012 is the Year of Dragon, followed by 2013 as the Year of Snake. That’s frightening!

Vivek

Destroying Environment, Sabotaging values

Here is a news item which one must read along with the Vision and Mission Statement of GEPIL. One can then appreciate the difference between preaching and practising. An excerpt from the news item in Economic Times is reproduced below:

SURAT: After the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) exposed two illegal pipelines from an Integrated Common Hazardous Waste Management Facility(ICHWMF), the Industries body at Sachin industrial estate are contemplating snapping ties with the unit.

Last week GPCB had unearthed two illegal pipelines originating an ICHWMF, operated by Gujarat Enviro Protective and Infrastructure Ltd (GEPIL) dumping untreated industrial waste into rivulet.

Following this revelation, many industries have stopped sending chemical waste in to GEPIL for disposal and diverting it to other effluent treatment plant at Bhrauch.

And now read the Vision and Mission Statement of GEPIL as seen on their website. What do you make of it?

At GEPIL, our clear vision helps us keep moving forward against all odds. We believe in making innovations for a better life. We believe in being an integral part of the environment management and waste disposal system of every state where we are present.

Our core values are clear in whatever we do and how we operate our business on a day-to-day basis. "Environment comes first" — is the value we hold close to our hearts. As a "life environment creation company," we assume social responsibility and endeavor to secure quality in every aspect, including safety, durability, and environmental consciousness.

At GEPIL we think green. 

We are a global, broad-based enviro-infrastructure company devoted to discovering new methods, new technologies and new ways to aid waste recovery, recycling and help build a sustainable environment. 

Throughout our history, we have been driven by a constant goal: to advance environmental science to augment our surroundings and help people live healthier lives. It's a part of who we are and it categorically drives our work. Our employees across the GEPIL group believe in "caring for the environment"-a shared commitment that helps us stay focused and convene on what we feel is of utmost importance- to conserve, nurture and sustain the environment in a manner that is both exceptional and unprecedented.  

We believe that good corporate governance is key to our operations and our reputation.

Our corporate governance is designed to enhance our ability to pursue the long-term objectives that are critical to our business and to ensure accountability and transparency.

  

Our board of directors play a vital role in charting, implementing and monitoring our corporate governance. We maintain extensive and timely education and training programs to make sure our governance culture is shared across regions where our business has presence. We believe in reaching out to our many constituencies and sharing our technologies with the industry to ensure that we remain dynamic and robust enough to keep pace with the ever-changing world in which we operate. 

We believe in the 3R policy-Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.  

Reduce - We encourage minimization of wastes produced by any of our processes especially those which produce harmfull byproducts. We believe this to be first step in being environment friendly.

Reuse – Reusing available resources is another mean of being an environment conscious corporate.

Recycle – Being able to recycle forms a big part of being capable of environmental assurance, save energy and conserve the environment.  

We are guided in our work by a commitment to building an environment that significantly improves life and living conditions of millions around us. In order to be able to deliver on this commitment we make every effort to stay true to our core values. We share a deep passion for our work and strive to set very high standards and achieve results for those around us and our clients. We are here to stay to address needs pertaining to the environment where they are the greatest.

My this Kolaveri, Kolaveri, Kolaveri Di!

“Did you hear ‘Kolaveri?'" I asked.

“Oh yes of course! Hmmm....Lulu burst out singing....

Distance'la Moon'nu Moon'nu Moon'nu

Color'ru White'tu White'tu

Background Night'tu Night'tu 

Night'tu Color'ru Black'ku

.....What a craze! Everybody is singing this song.” Lulu said.

“Why so you think it is so popular?” I asked.

“Hmmm...Letmme think’ku think’ku think’ku, Ille says’su brain’nu!” Lulu

“Ha ha! Search answers, my dear Lulu. Search. There must be some answer hidden in the psyche of people. People are experiencing Kolaveri, the murderous rage. Hmmm....Has it become popular because people felt Kolaveri when Sachin missed his century?”

“Oh No! No way!!” Lulu shot back.

“Is it because Sharad Pawar was given a slap?” I gave a possible explanation.

“Ha! No, certainly not. Not even Pune felt the Kolaveri when he was hit!”

“Is it because rising prices?” I asked.

“Hmmm....”

“Is it because it is Nov 26 today and we are reminded of the Terrorist attack?”

“Old story.”

“Oh, come on, what is it then? Is it because you have not seen a good movie in the last three months?”

“Forget it.” Lulu dismissed my suggestion.

“Then what is it, Lulu?” I asked visibly annoyed. “There are newspaper articles analysing this popularity. Tell me why, what makes it so popular. It must have something to do with the murderous rage, or Kolaveri, people are feeling.”

“Just sing the song, it’s fun, you idiot! Don’t intellectualise everything. Why this Kolaveri, kolaveri, kolaveri di...”.

Vivek