I went to an outlet of a famous bakery in Chennai to buy cake for my friend. Thats the outlet which I frequent, but yesterday was the first time I noticed this.
As I was parking my vehicle outside the bakery, I saw a lady thoroughly enjoying a mango standing just in front of the bakery. I got inside and was seeing through the varieties of cakes piled up. There was just one salesperson and she was busy with another customer. So I just waited and in a few seconds, the lady with the mango came in and asked me "enna venum"? I was listing out my orders and just right in front of me she cleaned her teeth with her hands and without any second thought started to grab the cake which I asked for with the same hands. I shrieked... "Stop!". And she asked me "Idhane ketinga?" I was like........."Ennanga vaya clean pannitu, adhe kaiya potu cake eduthareenga?". Then she took a spoon kinda thing that was lying nearby and gave me the cakes I ordered.
I came out of the shop promising that I would never ever enter that shop again.
Well, I know the small food shops dont bother or cannot afford full hygiene. But being one of the popular bakeries, the employer must have taught the importance of cleanliness and hygiene to his employees. I did not expect the lady in the bakery to wear gloves and handle the food items, but at the same time I definitely dont want her clean her mouth and handle my food items with the same hand. It is unhealthy and we cannot tolerate this kinda, I dont even get a name for it, habit.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Yesterday's experiences
1. I had an appointment with a doctor and I was waiting in the hospital around 10:00 AM. A lower middle class family, consisting three ladies (one old and the other two in late twenties) were sitting next to me with a quite tensed face and speaking softly. I did not want to interfere and was praying that everything goes well with them. Within 15 - 20 minutes a man came rushing to them and said to the old lady "onnu porandhuduchu amma....paiyan" (meaning: one baby is born...a boy). I understood the situtation and was quite happy for them. The man's mother to whom he announced the birth of a baby boy was not all that happy and I was wondering why. As if reading my thoughts, one of the other ladies "enna amma". (Probably the man's sister). The old lady said "onnudhane vandhuruku....innonu potta pullaya porandhuduchana kazhuda" (meaning: only one baby has come out....what if the other one is a girl). I am sorry to say but I felt like throttling her. The girl in me wanted to just strangle her neck and ask " being urself a woman why are you cursing a baby for God's sake which is not even born". As I started to realize how much that baby (if it is a girl) would suffer in this kind of a family. Yes, I read a lot about female infanticide and here I am sitting right next to a family which I dont know what would do to that baby. Oh God! Why is this society like this? A woman herself being an enemy of another woman. Is it not enough that so many men take women for granted and use her just for flesh (forgive my language). Just then another lady told her "enna amma ponna irundha enna? ponnudhama azhagu...adhudhama nambala madhikum, vachi kapathum... ennaku iruku paaru oru azhagana chella ponnu" (meaning: what if a girl is born? Only a daughter will obey us and protect us. See I have a cute daughter) and then she kissed her small daughter. Well her words kind of consoled me...
I heard someone call out my name and it was my turn to see the doctor.
2. I had to the go to one of the busiest parts of Chennai. I had to walk in a crowded street and I faced a number of perverted men who took advantage of the crowd. When I shouted at one such pervert, a woman nearby said "Indha area idhu madiri dhan ma. Alayuvanga" (meaning: it is a bad area and there are so many men just waiting to take advantage). I did not know how to react. Hundreds of school children, office-goers take that street to reach the nearby station daily, and they all just suffer silently? God...............why is it like this?
3. I had to take a share auto or bus to reach my friend's place. Just as I walked to the main road I saw a share auto waiting with a seat just for one more person. I got inside it and when the driver was just about to start a traffic policeman came by and stopped. I thought may be the driver stopped it at a wrong/'No Parking' place... But I was wrong. The driver said "Sir Vandhu tharen sir" (meaning: Sir, I will come and give". I was wondering what it was all about. Once the driver started moving, he said "namma vayatha kazhuvaruthuke varumanam patthala, idhula ivunugaluku daily Rs 100 azha vendi iruku". It seems each share auto driver has to give the traffic policeman a sum of Rs. 50/Rs. 100 depending on the person every two days. And this place is not a remote one, it is right in front of one of the busiest railway stations. I believe it is just not in one place, some days they even have to part with two or three policemen. Imagine the drivers sweating out to earn a few hundreds everyday and they have to give it to some third person. Is he a traffic policeman/goon. When they are appointed by the Government to help public, they are doing a day light robbery... I am sorry i dont have a better word for this act...
I heard someone call out my name and it was my turn to see the doctor.
2. I had to the go to one of the busiest parts of Chennai. I had to walk in a crowded street and I faced a number of perverted men who took advantage of the crowd. When I shouted at one such pervert, a woman nearby said "Indha area idhu madiri dhan ma. Alayuvanga" (meaning: it is a bad area and there are so many men just waiting to take advantage). I did not know how to react. Hundreds of school children, office-goers take that street to reach the nearby station daily, and they all just suffer silently? God...............why is it like this?
3. I had to take a share auto or bus to reach my friend's place. Just as I walked to the main road I saw a share auto waiting with a seat just for one more person. I got inside it and when the driver was just about to start a traffic policeman came by and stopped. I thought may be the driver stopped it at a wrong/'No Parking' place... But I was wrong. The driver said "Sir Vandhu tharen sir" (meaning: Sir, I will come and give". I was wondering what it was all about. Once the driver started moving, he said "namma vayatha kazhuvaruthuke varumanam patthala, idhula ivunugaluku daily Rs 100 azha vendi iruku". It seems each share auto driver has to give the traffic policeman a sum of Rs. 50/Rs. 100 depending on the person every two days. And this place is not a remote one, it is right in front of one of the busiest railway stations. I believe it is just not in one place, some days they even have to part with two or three policemen. Imagine the drivers sweating out to earn a few hundreds everyday and they have to give it to some third person. Is he a traffic policeman/goon. When they are appointed by the Government to help public, they are doing a day light robbery... I am sorry i dont have a better word for this act...
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
A Cobbler...
I have to cross an ever stinking, open drainage, crowded, small (i am at loss of words) road to reach my office. I have been taking this road for more than 2 years now.
Yesterday just as I was entering the road my slipper broke. There used to be a cobbler on that road and luckily I spotted him in his shop. Well I should describe his kind of "shop". He sits on a wodden plank and a small "stream" of drainage runs underneath that plank. Even while walking/driving through that road, one needs to close the nose and mouth. I wonder how he spends the whole day there.
Anyway it was mid day and the Chennai heat was at its peak. And this cobbler had a thin plastic sheet as his roof. It took like 5 minutes for him to repair my slipper. The heat was unbearable for me. I wonder how he spends the whole day there.
He returned my slipper "indhanga ma" with a smile. And I gave him Rs. 5. He said "Thanks ma" again with a smile. Now what makes this cobbler smile to each of his customers? That too getting Rs. 5 or Rs. 10 as his pay?
I sit in my air conditioned office and the work area always smells good with the office boy spraying perfume atleast twice a day. Inspite of earning in thousands I wonder if I would get that kind of smile n satisfaction at the end of the day at office.
I have a lesson to take...
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Pookara amma
Flowers! Fresh Jasmine, Lily, Roses, Tulasi... This was the sight that welcomed me at a bus stop in Chennai. It was around 3 PM in the evening and many Pookara ammas were busily setting up their shops. The swiftness with which they were making the garlands, interacting with customers and at the same time taking care of the flowers by sprinkling water on them at regular intervals amazed me. "3 maniku kada potu 9 manikulla ellathayum vikkanum, illana nashtamdhan", this is what one Pookara amma told me.
That reminded of an old lady who comes to our house daily to sell flowers. I have not really thought about how much hard work she has put in, to bring them fresh at our door step every night at 7:30 PM sharp.
Flowers play an important role in the wedding ceremonies, family functions, parties, political meetings, temples, and the list goes on. And I feel it brings a kind of happiness and freshness especially in ladies - be it school going children, college girls, or office-goers.
I remember, my NRI friends who come to Chennai on long leave, adorn themselves with muzhams and muzhams of flowers. Because they dont get the kind of Jasmine, or lily garlands that our Pookara ammas make. Hats off to our Pookara ammas.
Just then the bus I needed came. When I was about to get in a small girl, must be 9 or 10 years old, said "akka poo vangitu po ka". She gave me 3 muzhams (from her small hand) of malligai poo for Rs. 10. That fresh malligai poo rejuvenated my mind. Thank you Pookara Ponnu.
That reminded of an old lady who comes to our house daily to sell flowers. I have not really thought about how much hard work she has put in, to bring them fresh at our door step every night at 7:30 PM sharp.
Flowers play an important role in the wedding ceremonies, family functions, parties, political meetings, temples, and the list goes on. And I feel it brings a kind of happiness and freshness especially in ladies - be it school going children, college girls, or office-goers.
I remember, my NRI friends who come to Chennai on long leave, adorn themselves with muzhams and muzhams of flowers. Because they dont get the kind of Jasmine, or lily garlands that our Pookara ammas make. Hats off to our Pookara ammas.
Just then the bus I needed came. When I was about to get in a small girl, must be 9 or 10 years old, said "akka poo vangitu po ka". She gave me 3 muzhams (from her small hand) of malligai poo for Rs. 10. That fresh malligai poo rejuvenated my mind. Thank you Pookara Ponnu.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Thoughts...
Thoughts from the books I read in the past few days...
1. Do not focus on problems, FOCUS ON SOLUTIONS
2. Success should feed your responsibility not your ego
3. Leadership is not about position-it's more about passion.
4. Go back to sleep and dream, or
wake up and chase those dreams.
Choice is yours...
1. Do not focus on problems, FOCUS ON SOLUTIONS
2. Success should feed your responsibility not your ego
3. Leadership is not about position-it's more about passion.
4. Go back to sleep and dream, or
wake up and chase those dreams.
Choice is yours...
Thursday, June 5, 2008
30 minute power cut
It was 10:00 PM when I came home from work. This is not unusual for a person working in software concern. My mind was filled with thoughts about deadlines, deliverables, review comments..... The work that needs to be completed the next day caused concern, worry and irritation. I had a quick dinner and I forced my mind to stop thinking about work. When I was just about to drift off to sleep...the power got cut. Not a way to end a hectic day.
Thoughts about the next day added to the summer heat was just unbearable. Thats when my husband with a twinkle in his eyes and a cheer in his voice suggested going to terrace which means that I have to climb two floors. I did not want to disappointment him. Wondering what he is so cheerful about I climbed the stairs.
He sat down and asked me to sit nearby. The sweat and the pain from insect bites made me get upset with my husband. I started walking in the terrace restlessly cursing the power. On the other hand my husband was enjoying something. Out of curiosity, with an irritated tone, I asked him what was it he is enjoying in this kind of situation.
He made me sit nearby and asked me look at the sky. I did. A black layer decorated with white sparkles welcomed my eyes. I was somehow not able to take my eyes off that scene. I forgot the insect bites, and I was able to feel the cool breeze. The silence due to power cut that was kind of eerie before, now gave me peace. For nearly half an hour I did not even mind the pain in my neck.
I even started counting the stars like a child and argued with my husband about which star is the brightest. Tension about work, and the tiredness due to a hectic day disappeared from my mind. I can only feel the cool breeze, the countless stars, the black sky that spread over me to an immeasurable distance, and my beloved one next to me. It was just amazing. I dont remember when was the last time I enjoyed the power cut. Probably during my school days when I need not do my homework.
In this kind of hectic life which I am leading, I understood how a simple thing of going to terrace and staring at the sky for 10 - 15 minutes will make the thoughts about home, work, health and family just vanish from my mind. I often feel that I dont get enough time with my husband. We dont even talk anything other than work most of the times. Even if we it will mostly be about the issues in the family.
Suddenly I was disturbed by the lights coming from the buildings and the blaring sound from TV. I cursed the power for coming back.
When climbing down the stairs my husband asked "Coming down from another world?". Yes, in a way. I thanked him for taking me away to another world, which is our own terrace, for 30 minutes.
Thoughts about the next day added to the summer heat was just unbearable. Thats when my husband with a twinkle in his eyes and a cheer in his voice suggested going to terrace which means that I have to climb two floors. I did not want to disappointment him. Wondering what he is so cheerful about I climbed the stairs.
He sat down and asked me to sit nearby. The sweat and the pain from insect bites made me get upset with my husband. I started walking in the terrace restlessly cursing the power. On the other hand my husband was enjoying something. Out of curiosity, with an irritated tone, I asked him what was it he is enjoying in this kind of situation.
He made me sit nearby and asked me look at the sky. I did. A black layer decorated with white sparkles welcomed my eyes. I was somehow not able to take my eyes off that scene. I forgot the insect bites, and I was able to feel the cool breeze. The silence due to power cut that was kind of eerie before, now gave me peace. For nearly half an hour I did not even mind the pain in my neck.
I even started counting the stars like a child and argued with my husband about which star is the brightest. Tension about work, and the tiredness due to a hectic day disappeared from my mind. I can only feel the cool breeze, the countless stars, the black sky that spread over me to an immeasurable distance, and my beloved one next to me. It was just amazing. I dont remember when was the last time I enjoyed the power cut. Probably during my school days when I need not do my homework.
In this kind of hectic life which I am leading, I understood how a simple thing of going to terrace and staring at the sky for 10 - 15 minutes will make the thoughts about home, work, health and family just vanish from my mind. I often feel that I dont get enough time with my husband. We dont even talk anything other than work most of the times. Even if we it will mostly be about the issues in the family.
Suddenly I was disturbed by the lights coming from the buildings and the blaring sound from TV. I cursed the power for coming back.
When climbing down the stairs my husband asked "Coming down from another world?". Yes, in a way. I thanked him for taking me away to another world, which is our own terrace, for 30 minutes.
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