I see this little girl every day. She must be hardly 8. She waits there near Shanti Sagar Restaurant, Domlur every day
from say 11 am to 3 pm asking for money. She has a huge vibhuti on her forehead. And a bitter-sweet
smile on her face.
A poor girl. She doesnt go to school. What is her future I wonder. What is her life I wonder. It has occurred
to me many times to just wait there and see what she does all day, who her parents are, where she stays etc etc. But the busy man that I am competing in the globalized world, I hardly have any time. Yet when I see her, I am reminded of another life.
Sometimes, I give her money. She will acknowlegde it with a smile.
How many such children exist in Bangalore today ? What can we do for them?
Whether you like it or not, they are India's future.
regards,
Samir
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
The Castle Rock Man
Keith is from Castle Rock. For those who dont know Castle Rock, Castle Rock is a place on top of the Sahyadris, just crossing the Goa border. When you go by train from Londa to Goa, Castle Rock is the place where the slopes of the Sahyadris begin. It is the last big station in Karnataka.
Coming from Goa, during the old meter guage times, at Kulem (the British called it Colamb), the train used to attach a second coal engine to it to climb the Sahyadris. At Castle Rock, it used to get removed.
I have such great memories of Castle Rock. In the rains, heavens wouldnt compare to this area.
Also, life centered around trains in this place. And Keith took to the same profession -- he became an engine driver just like his father. Keith is 62 now retired from the Indian railways.
His father was a mechanic of the coal engines, and Keith worked as a mechanic of the diesel engine.
Keith is still well built at 62. He is a bachelor and one look at hiim, one can see he is a man from the mountains. Keith tells us stories of wild boars, and snakes, and how life or at least used to be at Castle Rock. Also of river fish, and sorpotel and other exotic dishes.
With high-speed air travel, we have forgotten those romantic times of train travel. I keep telling Keith we should go for a weekend and visit Castle Rock.
Coming from Goa, during the old meter guage times, at Kulem (the British called it Colamb), the train used to attach a second coal engine to it to climb the Sahyadris. At Castle Rock, it used to get removed.
I have such great memories of Castle Rock. In the rains, heavens wouldnt compare to this area.
Also, life centered around trains in this place. And Keith took to the same profession -- he became an engine driver just like his father. Keith is 62 now retired from the Indian railways.
His father was a mechanic of the coal engines, and Keith worked as a mechanic of the diesel engine.
Keith is still well built at 62. He is a bachelor and one look at hiim, one can see he is a man from the mountains. Keith tells us stories of wild boars, and snakes, and how life or at least used to be at Castle Rock. Also of river fish, and sorpotel and other exotic dishes.
With high-speed air travel, we have forgotten those romantic times of train travel. I keep telling Keith we should go for a weekend and visit Castle Rock.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Other Bangalore's entreprenuership --- a veg pulao for ten rupees
Have you noticed the roadside gaddas in Bangalore? They compete next to the Shanti Sagars and the upscale joints. But mind you they are not empty; they are as full as the Shanti Sagars, if not more.
The other day I decided to try one of them. They gave me a plate full of veg pulao for Rs. 10/-. The same pulao or may be with some costlier rice would cost Rs. 50/- at Shanti Sagar.
But the point I found most interesting --- was that it was a husband, wife manning the shop and it was given with a smile on their faces. On top of it, the lady asked me if I wanted some sherva (I figured it is some kind of spicy gravy) with the pulao. Not knowing what sherva was, I said give me some.
Economics is not a zero sum game. I am glad to see all kinds of Bangaloreans doing well being entreprenuers.
Cheers, ,and Jai Hind!
Samir
The other day I decided to try one of them. They gave me a plate full of veg pulao for Rs. 10/-. The same pulao or may be with some costlier rice would cost Rs. 50/- at Shanti Sagar.
But the point I found most interesting --- was that it was a husband, wife manning the shop and it was given with a smile on their faces. On top of it, the lady asked me if I wanted some sherva (I figured it is some kind of spicy gravy) with the pulao. Not knowing what sherva was, I said give me some.
Economics is not a zero sum game. I am glad to see all kinds of Bangaloreans doing well being entreprenuers.
Cheers, ,and Jai Hind!
Samir
Thursday, January 31, 2008
What *is* the other bangalore?
Most of the times, in the evening, I go for a walk to a place called Neelasandra. It is decrepit neighbourhood next to the Infant Jesus Church. A place where Muslims, Christians and Hindus live in houses which are no more than a room. Yet, in general, except for rare times, there is harmony around. Most of the folks making a hand-to-mouth living; some selling fruits, others running small shops, or eateris, or barber shops, or what not.
After a hectic day at the computers, there is no better place for a relaxation. A place where people though poor are full of kindness. Where there does not seem to be much cut throat competition inspite of poverty.
For many of these guys, the evening ends in a bar or a shack after a hard day's work. It is a hard living where a night's drink is the result of a good day. The bars or rather the shacks are ill lit. But those who server liquor are friendly blokes and would be happy if given 10 rupees for a tip.
If one wants to really experience the "other" Bangalore, these and similar places around Bangalore are the placees. Yes, the IT industry has bought better times for these people. Many people who are real estate brokers make a good living thanks to IT folks renting out places. Others like masons, carpenters are happy due to the construction boom. Not many complain.
I heard that TCS employees are complaining about their pay being reduced due to the dollar going down. One needs to spend time with folks such as the one I am talking about and one knows what a priviledged life software engineers live. Sure, intellectual work is very tough, no doubt.
What people in places such as Neelasandra lack is formal education. Many are Muslims and perhaps get brain-washed in Madrassas. Also, disciplines such as software require single-minded concentration. In the circumstances that they live, there is just no space for something like concentration. There are too many people in one square meter of space at any time.
Most dont have a concept of an intellectual life. I am a frequent visitor in those places. Some call me a scientist, others probably think I am some kind of a mad guy. How does one explain to these people the kind of live we live? Leave alone these people, the concept of a serious software is too difficult to even explain to medical doctors, or to parents or to others who are in more people oriented professions.
After a hectic day at the computers, there is no better place for a relaxation. A place where people though poor are full of kindness. Where there does not seem to be much cut throat competition inspite of poverty.
For many of these guys, the evening ends in a bar or a shack after a hard day's work. It is a hard living where a night's drink is the result of a good day. The bars or rather the shacks are ill lit. But those who server liquor are friendly blokes and would be happy if given 10 rupees for a tip.
If one wants to really experience the "other" Bangalore, these and similar places around Bangalore are the placees. Yes, the IT industry has bought better times for these people. Many people who are real estate brokers make a good living thanks to IT folks renting out places. Others like masons, carpenters are happy due to the construction boom. Not many complain.
I heard that TCS employees are complaining about their pay being reduced due to the dollar going down. One needs to spend time with folks such as the one I am talking about and one knows what a priviledged life software engineers live. Sure, intellectual work is very tough, no doubt.
What people in places such as Neelasandra lack is formal education. Many are Muslims and perhaps get brain-washed in Madrassas. Also, disciplines such as software require single-minded concentration. In the circumstances that they live, there is just no space for something like concentration. There are too many people in one square meter of space at any time.
Most dont have a concept of an intellectual life. I am a frequent visitor in those places. Some call me a scientist, others probably think I am some kind of a mad guy. How does one explain to these people the kind of live we live? Leave alone these people, the concept of a serious software is too difficult to even explain to medical doctors, or to parents or to others who are in more people oriented professions.
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