To Sir with Love-Part I

Definitely it’s not difficult to visualize the content of the blog once you have read the title. As most of you thought it’s all about teachers with whom perhaps we have spent more time next to our parents, in schools. It’s an attempt to jot down what I thought on the mentors I came across which in turn may unfurl a story of your own in the memory lane.

It’s quite natural that we tend to pick up or learn many a things from parents, mentors, friends which reflect our thinking. But parents (sometimes) and mentors (often) have different way of teaching the things to us be it academics or moral values, i.e. harder way and that to how? In an unforgettable way. I believe this is the one reason why some of you had night mares and treat school as a jail then, as I did.But reminscing incidences of school days with the classmates now make us laugh non stop.

Going back to the flash back of my days in school especially the first period of English for three consecutive years was a night mare and felt like a jail in high school. Even if I think of English teacher today I will suffer with a mild heart attack!!!, for that matter even if he comes in front of me now I will take a step back to fade away from his sight. To describe the scene of his class its just like a terrorist attacks, you never know what can happen, but at the end of 50 minutes you can see most of the class weeping with different tones!!!!That’s the specialty of our English teacher, Mr.Nanja Reddy(NR). The beauty is that he himself will proudly tell us what he was called by us Nara Rakashasa (NR)but again quick to tell that one fine day we are going to realize motive behind what I called attacks. To complement the statement it did not take much time to realize what NR Sir said,either to me or few of my classmates who I know closely when we finished off schooling with a decent scores and entered college life. I and my friends were really quite happy to get rid off the school days especially that first period of NR Sirs’ and was happy feeling that we may not come across such attacks from then on. But it was the time which made me or my friends think that we are missing teachers like him when it comes to mentoring not punishment!!!!in college days.But on the flip side he is a perfect Gentle man in 40s, highly disciplined, austere, always encouraging who used to spend more time in studying than us in library. I believe, if he looks at this blog once he would be more than happy not for the fact that I have written about him but with the fact that I can write something on!!!!!!

There is one more incidence which substantiates my stand on harder way of teaching the things when I was hardly expecting it from lecturer during my PU days. One fine day at the end of class in 1st year of PU,Kannada lecturer was calling out the names for attendance. So when it was my turn I answered “Present Sir” waving the hand. Suddenly the lecturer was staring at me looking at the waved hand but I never knew what was going on in his mind but the moment he gave me a tight slap immediately, which no one including me expected in a combined class of Science and Arts, came to know the mistake of answering the attendance call waving left hand. But make no mistake even then it was not intentional from my end as I was busy taking notes from my friend next to me so my right hand was busy!! That slap from Kannada lecturer was so tight that even for today whenever I wish or greet anyone for that matter younger, elders or friends waving left hand the next moment the hand takes me to the memory lanes nevertheless I wonder and laugh thinking at wow!!!What a shot for the life time, what a lesson!!!at the time when I least expected it .Thank you very much Sir.

I along with few my friends were cricket freaks so mad that we all used to meet in the field to play cricket just few hours before the exams till 9th standard. That’s all changed in 10th standards for many of my friends but not for me .I was so crazy that finally parents complained to one of my favorite teachers, YVN, Hindi teacher. Even that complaint barely had any effect on me but one fine day when Sir asked me in front of the whole class “What you want to be in Life?” I replied “I want to be an Engineer”. In reply to this Sir replied,“Good. If you are playing Cricket like this you are going to be a sweeper one fine day.” I had hardly expected an answer like this from him for to contradict the statement he was the one who was encouraging be it taluk or district sports meet. But the comments from a favorite teacher was more than sufficient to break up with playing Cricket which in turn helped me pass out with a decent score.

It was not what YVN sir intends to convey but it’s always his thinking of the fact that he was dreaming for us (the whole class) to be successful. Unfortunately Sir passed away because of brain tumor, a couple of year’s ago.He may not be alive but his thoughts, moments and encouragement will always remains in the heart.

You and me might have come across many such teachers filled with full of memories but what stands out of all the things about them and make them unique is that there selflessness, austerity, encouragement, desire to dream for us and enjoying our success. Seldom you can see a person with all the attributes but we can see that in our teachers.

Thank you very much for everything Sirs!!!

Buried in the Ashes!!!!

Finally the Buzz around the cricketing circles and fans on who will have last laugh on historic coveted Ashes trophy put to rest with England wining it convincingly challenging, arrogant Aussies. Having a place in the history books as oldest series between the two rival nations it has once again lived up to the expectations of cricketing fans all around the world unfolding some exciting moments in the oldest format of the game. Perhaps this year Ashes did not have the same zeal as compared with the 2005 series but it had its share of excitement. A miraculous escape from the jaws of defeat in the first test courtesy valiant effort from tail enders reminds me of 2007 Sydney test between India and Australia where our own Anil Kumble fighting a lone battle with rest of tail enders departing. That’s the beauty of longest version of the game where it gives joy even playing for a draw in second innings. India has lost that match, however this time around Australians were at the receiving end. But at the end there was consolation of 11000 test runs for Ponting. Inspired from the great escape England when getting ready for the next battle, then came shocking news the retirement of 2005 Ashes Hero Freddie by the end of series from test cricket. Freddie has been the main force and was an asset for England over a decade in whites. Not disturbed by announcement made, Freddie gave his best shot and helped England win in second test with his five for in second innings. He reinstated that he is one among the best and a legend of English cricket. With rain playing the spoil sport in the third test ended in a draw.Fealing the heat from every quarter Ricky Ponting men showed why they are a team to bet upon and still good enough, by wining the fourth test to level the series. With series 1-1, stage was set for the decider on who will have the last laugh on the 2009 Ashes. England dominating and outplaying Aussies in all departments had a last laugh and podium finish with hands on coveted Ashes. For England there was a star born in Jonathan Trot while Freddie moved to oblivion. At the end there was downfall of mighty Australians from the top. Australia is not a same team as it was before with likes of legends Waugh, Warne, McGrath, Gilchrist and Hayden, playing. Ironically Ricky Ponting once considered great captain is now a chicken Kebab for everyone. He is a legend no doubt about it but he is a captain as good as his team.He does not required to be a great captain to lead with all the legends mentioned above in the team,even a ordinary captain can end up on right side of the result. This might not be the end of the road for Aussies to be back in top considering the traits of Aussies playing hard cricket. But it certainly a road map to the downfall of dominant Aussies just like WI giants in the late Eighties, with many countries like India, South Africa, Sri Lanka fighting for the top spot.


Indeed it was a great Ashes this year which has buried not only the invincibility of Aussies over a decade now but also the talk of survival of test cricket due to the advent of T20 cricket. Test cricket is always purists’ choice and will remain forever provided the matches are between the evenly matched competitive teams playing on a sporting pitch. It was all evident through out Ashes with packed stadium all the days in all the test matches.

India shining????

Recently we have celebrated 62nd year of Independence Day of our country. It’s a very special and proud day for every one of us for we got independence from British who ruled us for centuries and the day we usually remember the martyrs of the nation. To recall my schooldays Independence/Republic days are always special for many reasons .The day unlike routine used to start as early as 4.30am in the morning with attire especially made for the occasion and singing National anthem early in the morning. It was also one of those days where there used to be reunion of friends from different schools in a common place, the parade grounds. Finally the day used to end with a march in main roads of the town and with a matinee show in Doordarshan it’s more or less expected among Roja/ Mr. India /Parades. It’s not about the Independence Day celebrations I want to throw light on.

Post Independence, India has come a long way to be an economic hub and a force to reckon among the worlds best economies. Infact the last decade and half India has been the leader in software, telecommunications to name few and many other emerging sectors, if not wrong, fostering the economic growth to new heights when all others slowly and gradually making way to emerging India. India making a note in other fields as well such as in Space, Automotive,Aerospace,Defence, sports, entertainment…..

If Economic growth or India shining is one face of the nation there is another face which has been haunted by poverty, corruption, communual riots here and there, insecurity, and troubling neighbor nations. Since Majority of our country is a rural India there are millions of people, who are deprived of, having basic needs, accessing the basic public services though there has been a system in place, it hardly reaches out to the poor due to the corrupt netas/public servants. In built extremists such as Naxals/Moists are taking advantage of poor, illiterate tribal and rural people and jeopardizing the nation’s security within. Then there is illiteracy in most of rural India, fortunately after 62 years of Independence there was bill of free education from age of 6-14 passed recently in parliament. This type of system is already prevalent since long time in the countries like Australia, England, Germany, and Srilanka….according to my research. Given that India is a secular country there have been communal riots in the recent past erupting havoc among the people which justifies that there is still castiesm prevalent in India shining. The neighboring nations always have been a threat to the nation’s security with Pakistan having lions share posing problem time and again very frequently with its own strategy called terrorism infusing havoc among the secular, united Indians. Pakistan has been outsourcing hub of terrorits especially invading the Indian soil very often since independence.Though terrorism has become a global threat after 9/11, we are the one who are near to the source and highly affected than any other nation. Post independence, India has been ruled by one dominant Gandhi family till today for decades and also by many corrupt netas / public servants, and the above mentioned problems.

Its not that we are the one only one nation facing all these problems, off course all others have their own problems to deal with just like in our own lives. Ours is a unique nation with myriad of religions, languages, culture and even more unique with having all the problems we are a force to reckon. Many notable personalities, with due respect to Dr Abdul Kalam who started it all, claim that India in 2020 will be a developed nation. I have even heard someone saying that Delhi and Bangalore wil determine the economy of world by 2020.Ten years down the line is too long a time given the obstacles in front of us pragmatically it would take a longer time than expected 2020.And again nothing is impossible given the fact that how Japan has come up post world war-II!!!!! India can perhaps be a developed nation by 2020 economically but will there be an end to all the problems? Can we have better, safe, shining India for future?

Who is Guilty???????!!!!!!!!!

It’s been very well documented that we do not have good opinion on most of our politicians though elected by us for they are not only corrupted but also pompous in every sense who are good for nothing. In the recent past some politicians want to show off their political clout and muscle power by unethical behavior by slapping the public servants and some other wants to have their own statues erected in public places. It’s even more shocking that the way these arrogant people get away with such an unethical behavior. In contrast imagine what would have happened to same public servant if he had slapped the MP??? At First place he would have become national hero with all his heroics in flash news and at second place perhaps he would have lost his job!!!!!!In addition to this he would be living in the yell with prolonged torture from MP life long. I believe the same results shall hold good to the MP as well but it’s easier said than done for Laws never exists for politicians. Pondering over another incident of past, I was thinking what would have happened if the same MP in place of our honorable Home Minister when he got a royal boot from a Singh????Perhaps the MP would have reciprocated with the same act without missing the target with as many chances as he wish taking even others boots!!!!!!! as well. The culprit in this case ,who is common man, is very lucky to get away easily for he targeted gentlemen, who have helped India grow over the years, who immediately excused him for that act. Above all there might be many reasons from exempting him, one that was election times, two he had strong backing in Sikhs protesting the Sikh riots of 1984, three he was a journalist. No politician would take a chance against journalists as it would back fire them one or the other day. Finally if this would have happened in any other nation (I mean in the same league) perhaps easily they should have been behind the bars if not should have been out of the party.That shall never be the case instead we should show the doors to M(onopoly) P(oliticians).

Coming to another glorious politician who is good for nothing, a dalit czar, Ms.Maya –w----athi wants her own statue erected spending thousands of crore for the project. It’s very common in our country that many of the streets/areas named after politicians but this is something unique. I have heard some one saying that she is the only one after the great Saddam Hussein, another useless bloke, erecting statues of their own when they are alive.Intersting fact about Ms Maya who is unmarried, was teacher before making a cut into the politics, is highest income tax paying politician with 29Cr!!!.Any one with little common sense or without common sense can guess the source of her fortune. One thing is for sure she has decided to dissolve a part of her fortune on building statues 100 ft above. Perhaps not even our father of Nation statue placed above 100 ft high!!!!!Does it really make sense to have elephant queen statue??????? With due respect to some of the very few politicians who have helped country grow over the years. This is utterly ridiculous and reflection of ethnocentric behavior who unfortunately rule our country. At last who is guilty either politicians or we the people who elect them. God help us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kal Ho Naho!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It’s been almost more than a year I have been thinking of to launch my blog, however finally I have been able to launch one with help of Giri in customizing the blog to my satisfaction. I was not intended to start my blog on a philosophical note as the header of the blog suggests but still I preferred to ….

It was one of usual weekend routine where I used to hang out with some our friends at different places in Bangalore.This time around it was in Jaynagar.Giri and Suprith already turned out in there as usual I told Suprith that I am already near to Jayanagar just when I left home much like a perfect Indian .After having spent time in there shopping and something to cool ourselves in cool joint, it was time to say good bye as there was something really shocking and unforgettable incident was in store for me and Giri on the way to Marathalli on our bikes.After fifteen minutes later two college guys on a brand new Pulsor overtook us with jet speed heading towards steep of Gandhi Bazar flyover. Moments later while we were about to catch up with them we saw two guys with pulsar gone down to the road hitting a old man almost out off his life. Looking at a shocker in front of us we parked our bikes on the road and rushed towards the old man lying on the road with blood oozing out of a small hole on the forehead like a river. Both of us stayed back for a moment while I called out a security man sitting near by ATM and the other two guys to take old man to hospital near by. With two autos rejecting to carry old man, fortunately an auto finally came to rescue. I went forward to help the old man into auto rickshaw but suddenly he got epileptic and saw the broken legs swinging like a pendulum with most his body drenched with blood.This was shocking incidence we never came across so close and I was not dare enough to touch him and shouted at Giri who was standing next to his bike busy with mobile. For a moment I thought what the yell was he doing there with his mobile but in fact he was trying to call Ambulance dialing 111, which is Hutch Customer care no. instead of 101!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Inbetween all these old man has been hospitalized to the near by hospital. After all the drama we continued our journey towards destination mulling over the shocking incident.When we thought of stepping into those two guys shoes and what would have bean going through their minds during that time was horrible .Perhaps any of us, who followed them, would have been in the same situation .Recapturing the act of Giri calling Vodafone customer care instead of ambulance I had to convince him by joking “Perhaps Even the sharpest of minds will go blank at that moment, with you fumbling is no big thing”.Life is too short but with any such fatal incidents it may be even tooooo short !! to any one of us. Touch wood.Finally I concluded thinking that we do not know what’s in store for future so Kal Ho Naho!!! Enjoy the life to the fullest.