Ye Zindagi ke Mele!

This is an opening line of a song, from the movie Mela (1948). Mela means a Fair!

The meaning of the first couple of lines of the song is “This life is a Fair and there will be Fairs galore going on all the time! These Fairs will continue, alas, I will not be there!” The word “Fair” is the metaphor for “Life”!

This song represents the realities of life because life goes on and on! Our life is just a drop of water in the flowing river. At the end of our life, the water drop merges into river water and ends up as water. You folks must be wondering from my “All is Well” blog which I published yesterday, how come I have gone into reverse gear! I am not talking of sadness but realities of life. This is about one of most positive experience in my life!

This thought came in my mind when I attended a function for a book release. The book was written by my friend Vishwas’s wife Vineeta. The name of the book is “Grieving to Healing”. Vishwas died suddenly this year in January, and here is Vineeta publishing a book of poems she wrote while grieving. The courage shown by her is unbelievable and I am sure this book will guide many who have lost their spouses!

What is life? What would happen to this world if you and me never existed? What would this world be without a Gandhi or a Nehru? Where would this world be if there had been no Einstein or Picasso? World would have been the same if there had been no Lata Mangeshkar and Mohmad Rafi or a Tendulkar. Contribution of these eminent personalities is enormous. But had they not been born; our world would have been almost the same at it is today! Our individual contributions have no relevance, considering the life span of the earth. All of us are born and are assigned finite number of breathes. The beauty is we do not know that number. This lack of knowledge is what drives the world. Before the human being reaches the golden period of his life, after 60, fallibility as a concept is alien. In the golden period the thoughts come in mind about end of journey. If the end comes as a natural progression, after old age and illness, brief or long, humans accept the death philosophically. But when this happens suddenly, as if skidding on a speed breaker, the grieving is profound.

The book release, especially the thought behind it, is one of the important paths that Vineeta has shown us to move forward in life. People handle grief differently. Humans tend to think that sudden death occurs in someone else’s life and not their own life. Death of a spouse can happen in any home, like Cancer, Heart Attack, Fatal Accident also can happen to anybody. So why not plan for such possibility, the way people plan careers, and finances in life. Mind you, this is not going to be a golden wand solution, but planning will help one to handle the grief a little better.

What other ways come to mind? Create a small group of friends, who meet regularly. Do your exercise regularly and shun fast food!  But while doing this, be honest to yourself. A neighbour who died recently had a very different story. His son lives abroad and had come on a holiday. The neighbour had told his son that his BP/sugar values were regularly checked. His dad was going to Gym daily and met his friends post gym. As he died suddenly, the son kept on wondering why the death was sudden. He found, that testing was done regularly but values were wide outside the safe range. He did his Gym routine in a very relaxed manner, without sweating. He and his friends met after Gym for smoking and eating fast food. This was exactly opposite of what he should have been doing.

Trying to cultivate hobbies is a very important way of keeping yourself busy and interested in life. Planning, means one should start trying hobbies as early as possible and not after the event has occurred. Friends, history has shown that women handle the death of spouse much better than men. This could be because, day to day chores in the house like cooking, cleaning and tracking of groceries are ongoing and keeps women busy. Men also should try their hands at cooking and other daily chores; try helping your wife in the kitchen! Don’t start with something very fancy but start with something which you normally eat. Both men and women should start some activity which ensures that there is something to look forward to the next day or week. Do not plan your things around your children and their families. Sometimes we tend to forget that they have also grown and have their own life, worries and anxieties. Support them, help them. Be their lighthouse but don’t make them your lighthouse!  And do not expect the children to look after you! Anxieties increase when expectations are not met.  

If you are a people’s person, life can be much easier. After the death of your spouse, your most reliable partner is gone. Being people’s person will help you handle this change in a better way. Don’t go into shell. Start going to market for your daily chores. Initially you may find it tough. But over a period, things ease out. Start going on holidays, to movies. Do things that you normally do.

Friends, passing of a spouse is the thing that will hit you the hardest. It is the most difficult event to handle. But it is doable. Try to start doing things, that your spouse would have expected you to do! As the saying goes, your spouse will be  watching you from up there, till you take that final journey to rejoin!

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All Is Well!

Pramod somehow managed to make Internet Genie run at the high speed that was expected of him. Genie as usual started narrating a story. He started with a question, “Is really everything well with this world?” Pramod knew that if he uttered a word, Genie would slip out of his control and system will hang! So Pramod did not give any reply to the question asked.

As usual Genie kept on talking. Pramod, world over, we have ISIS, Terrorist of different ilk doing atrocious things!  Today, the muslim nations have come together and have decided to fight all the terrorists upfront.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/saudi-crown-prince-condemns-egypt-attack-at-meeting-of-islamic-military-coalition/story-LEupTN0M10pcub8j7OuWzN.html

Genie said that this is one the best news he has read in years! This news gave you a feel that “All is Well” in this world. Concept of “All is Well” in global context is different as such events happen occasionally. But “All is Well” can happen in our day to day life regularly. The combined events of these individuals or organizations give the feel that “All is really Well” in this world. These small and big contributions of individuals daily, make us think positively about our life.

Pramod, “All is Well” is a term coined based on song from a movie by the name “Three Idiots”. In this movie three college students are passing through their college hassles with happy face against many adversities, singing “All is Well”! Below is the video of the song.

Pramod yesterday, you reached home after dinner, with friends. In your parking slot, in the condo, you are required to reverse the car. A young kid, delivery guy for food items, was waiting for the lift (Elevator). As soon as you started reversing, the kid jumped and went behind the car! You wondered what he was doing! He started guiding you to reverse the car, as the area did not have good lighting. Pramod, you could have managed without his help as there  were proximity sensors in the car. But the kid was keen to help you, and you took his guidance to park the car! You, of course, thanked him for his help! Such small actions by unknown people really help you believe that “All is Well”.

Pramod while you were travelling from Zurich to Frankfurt, your train could not take a direct route as there was some issue with the tracks. You were required to take three breaks to change trains, to reach Frankfurt. At a very small station during this detour you found that it did not have escalators to change the platforms. In fact, after changing the platform, you were required to travel by bus for about 20 km. Pramod, you had two heavy bags and two bag packs and were worried how to reach the bus, going down and up the steps. Suddenly, a guy materialized from somewhere. He was wearing a uniform. Most probably he was a porter. He picked both the heavy bags and spoke something in German. You thought that he will charge you money for his services. Pramod, you were relieved that he was helping you, and you wanted to pay him. After crossing the platform and putting the bags on the bus, you asked him the charges. He knew a bit of English, and said, “No charges, Gratis!” This was a most unexpected response and the incident again proved that “All is Well!” Benefits of being  senior citizens?

Pramod, one sees many good Samaritans in this world, so you tend to think that there is  “All is Well” kind of situation in the world. But there are some bad elements. Yesterday a case was reported in Pune where a professional was recording the intimate scenes of his neighbour, a husband and wife,  using selfie stick. Outwardly that person was well behaved, passionate in his work, very helpful in nature! But he had some very bad streak within him! Currently he is missing. On the other side you see so many good citizens that your faith goes on the upswing! Some time back Mumbai had a flood like situation due to very heavy rains, there were good Samaritans on road who offered food, tea and some cases shelter for stranded people to spend the night at their home too!

Pramod, the ultimate act was by Policeman Ombale during 26/11 in Mumbai; his sacrifice helped the police to catch one of the terrorist alive though Ombale died. This shows that there are more good people in this world than bad people. Ombale’s act really shows that “All is well”

Pramod, I want your reply on this as I know you have strong views!! Pramod just could not keep quiet. He said, ” Genie, I am quite gung ho about our world where All is always well, though there are some major or minor negative events happening all the time. “All is Well” ledger is always in the black!”

With this statement Pramod broke the golden rule of silence that Genie had locked him in.  At that instant Genie slipped out of Pramod’s grasp, Genie’s speed became equivalent of 2 G and system hung!  Genie could not help but make a passing remark before escaping. ” Pramod, I am feeling ashamed of my 2 G speed when people are already talking of 5 G and 6 G, so I might be away for some time, ciao!”

 

At the end of the day!

Pramod somehow managed to make Internet Genie run at the high speed that was expected of him. Genie as usual started narrating a story. He started with a question, “At the end of any day what will you consider as your greatest achievement?” Pramod knew that if he uttered a word, Genie would slip out of his control and system will hang! So Pramod did not give any reply to the question asked.

As usual Genie kept on talking. Pramod, I know that life is full of great many options. You can be a great businessman, or you can be a great professional or a great sports person, or an artist. But what would you call your real achievement? Will you be happy if people say that Pramod is very smart guy, but he is an even better human being? What have been your targets in life? What have been your goals in life?

Pramod, today during at an event for a book release, about overcoming the loss of a spouse, a speaker said that between spouses four things are very important love, faith, humility, gratitude. That is succinct way of putting things across. These four words define the closest relationship in the world where you are friends, lovers; you fight and make up! You sacrifice for each other and you are proud of each other. You give tit for tat in anger and love in equal measure! If similar thoughts can be extended to other relationships in life, Pramod, I would add empathy!

How are the relationships formed and sometimes broken in life, Pramod? When the deficit of any of the five points starts on a regular basis, relations can sour but Pramod there is no reason to break any relationship. People may drift apart but reaching a breaking point is not necessary. One can agree to disagree but what is the point in breaking a relationship. There is only one life to live.

Pramod, I have seen how you have managed the relationship in life! I have been tracking you, though you may not know! Once I remember your son asked you if summer training was possible in Cummins. You told him, “Let me call someone”.  Next day it was arranged. Your son asked you the next day, “Hey dad! How come you always say, let me call someone for any and everything?” You just smiled.

Pramod the other day an old business friend of yours read your recent blog and after a brief exchange of messages, you phoned him. He was so happy that at the end of your chat, he said, “Will it be ok if I barge into your office right away? After listening to your voice, so many old memories kicked in, I feel that I must come and see you right away.” He came to your office in 15 minutes for a cuppa!

Pramod, you have always managed to keep professional and personal relationships in the right perspective but with your attitude and natural friendliness, even you also did not know when professional relationships changed into personal respectful relations. You have become a sounding board for many, people simply share anything and everything with you. You have unknowingly or maybe knowingly applied all the five principles of life in a beautiful way. This has made you a natural aggregator of friends. Pramod, I remember once you had told me about your mother’s opinion about you. She had told someone, “Pramod does not need alcohol to get drunk. Meeting or talking to a few friends is enough for him!”

Genie continued. He said, Pramod you should be proud that this continues well and true in the next generation; and this transition augurs well for the world, if your way of thinking becomes part of inheritance! Yesterday, you met your new neighbour in the lift (elevator). In that one minute, as only Indians can do, you knew details about each other. One thing led to another and you invited him for a cuppa to your home. I know how you managed to convince a person, you had met only for one minute, to come over to your home. He happened to work with your son Sachin, in a company called PTC, about ten years back.  Sachin lives in the US and his friend was working for Pune office of PTC. After half an hour, his friend got up to go home and took a promise from you to visit them over a weekend. While going he said, “Pramod, Sachin was my manager in PTC. When he decided to change his job and move to Microsoft, many of us reporting to him cried!” They were all young professionals, in thirties! You asked him to explain more about this. He said, “Pramod, Sachin is a rare person, who is very smart and he has love, faith, humility, gratitude and empathy. He carried his team together in a beautiful way. I never knew that this is possible in a professional relationship.”

Pramod, I want your reply on this as I know you have strong views!! Pramod just could not keep quiet. He said, “Genie you seem to in mood to praise me and for a change I really do not know what to say! I am happy that you like what Sachin and I are doing in a natural way. I have never tried to form a relationship, they just happen. I could switch to first name basis, in first or second meeting with most, though it was not so popular in late 80’s and early 90’s. I could keep separation of work and personal relationship easily, so at the end of a tough meeting, I would enjoy a cup of tea as if nothing had happened. Come to think of it, my mother had a very easy way of knowing new people and had her friendly relationships with many. It is probably HIS way of passing the right genes down the generations. So, my greatest achievement in life is long list of people who are my friends!”

With this statement Pramod broke the golden rule of silence that Genie had locked him in.  At that instant Genie slipped out of Pramod’s grasp, Genie’s speed became equivalent of 2 G and system hung!  Genie could not help but make a passing remark before escaping. ” I am sure if the world is full of persons like you and your son, and of course your mother, all is well. 9/11 and 26/11 are just blips!”

 

 

The Dirty Dozen!

Pramod somehow managed to make Internet Genie run at the high speed that was expected of him. Genie as usual started narrating a story. He started with a question, “What do you know about Dirty Dozen?” Pramod knew that if he uttered a word, Genie would slip out of his control and system will hang! So Pramod did not give any reply to the question asked.

As usual Genie kept on talking. Pramod, I know you are thinking about the war movie released just when you had joined engineering. Did you like the movie? Lee Marvin and Charles Bronson were two of the main characters from a dozen of them. It was your kind of movie and I know that you had seen it a couple of times.

 

But I am not talking of that Dirty Dozen; this is a list of modern day “Dirty Dozen” who have borrowed money from institutions to the tune of US $ 50/ Billion. Out of this at least 60% is borrowed by the Dirty Dozen. Their loans are declared NPA’s (non-performing assets) as these organizations will never be able to service the debt, ever! Pramod, I am not going to talk in technical lingo but will discuss in plain English. If this default is not handled properly the institutions who have given these loans will sink and will affect the overall market sentiment and Indian Economy. With these banks sinking our FD’s kept with these banks will sink and there will a major catastrophe. Government is pumping money in large amounts in the lending banks; Government has also come up with a comprehensive legislation in 2016 to overcome the issue.

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016 seeks to address this issue by bringing in a consolidated legal framework for resolving defaults by infrastructure companies and partnership firms in a time-bound manner. The code, is in force since December 2016, supersedes all extant insolvency laws.

Before this there were different laws handling bad loans using separate routes, resulting in long delays or no action. Money would just go down the drain, but promoters would be billionaires many times over. Probably they had all conveniently forgotten the famous quote of Ex Chrysler Motors Chairman, Lee Iacocca. “We borrow the money the old way, we repay it”! Pramod, sometimes I get a feeling that the Dirty Dozen gang never had any intention of repaying the money! Below are the details of money owed by these companies.

India has done something right as its rank in “Ease of Doing business” jumped by 30 nos. Previously only debtors could apply for bankruptcy but now creditors can also ask for the bankruptcy proceedings against their customer if there is a proven delay in payment, as per law. This change has given more teeth to the system. Recently Ericson has filed insolvency case against Reliance Communication for non payment of dues. Before the new law,  it was not possible to do so. In the world of business companies run well and they fail too. There has to be a simple method and law to handle the failures. Since India was lacking this, foreign institutions were very careful while dealing with Indian companies.

Pramod, I am sure that you are aware that there is are proven international practices to handle the failed companies; first step is to start the insolvency process. Secondly, lenders using a legal process can “sell” these companies. If total valuation of the failed company is 100, then these companies can be “sold” at 80 to 90 % value. Second method is global organizations with huge funds, buy the “debts” of these companies; thereby releasing funds for lenders.

Pramod, on 24^th November 2017 the Government has released an ordinance. In the ordinance, if the assets of the insolvent companies are NPA for more than one year, then the promoters of these companies cannot take part in bidding process for the “sell’ of their own failed companies. There are more such entities who are also banned.

In August, National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) allowed Synergies Castings to acquire Synergies-Dooray Automotive, which made and supplied Aluminum alloy wheels for Rs 54 crore when the company owed Rs 900 crore to lenders. The company could pay Rs 20 crore upfront with the rest over five years. This prompted the government to promulgate the ordinance. Don’t pay your lenders, become sick and then buy your own company dirt cheap, sans the loans,  was the trick followed by “successful” manipulators. Pramod, the “experts” don’t want to run their business but they want to take advantages of loop holes! Pramod, would you like to become “successful” this way or you would rather follow Lee Iacocca’s footsteps?

Pramod, I want your reply on this as I know you have strong views!! Pramod just could not keep quiet. He said, ” Genie, I would rather be poor than being a cheat! I know that sometimes businesses fail genuinely, for example sudden policy changes, sudden changes in customer requirements and so on. But even during such events, I am not sure if the promoters have not made money on the side! Government is doing an excellent job of closing as many loop holes as possible in the system. At the same time, they are making the laws which are on par with international laws!”

With this statement Pramod broke the golden rule of silence that Genie had locked him in.  At that instant Genie slipped out of Pramod’s grasp, Genie’s speed became equivalent of 2 G and system hung!  Genie could not help but make a passing remark before escaping. ” Well said Pramod! Let us hope we see the results of the same very soon!”

 

Civilized behaviour of Oldest Civilization!

Pramod somehow managed to make Internet Genie run at the high speed that was expected of him. Genie as usual started narrating a story. He started with a question, “Pramod why do we Indians behave in different ways to real life situations?” Pramod knew that if he uttered a word, Genie would slip out of his control and system will hang! So Pramod did not give any reply to the question asked.

As usual Genie kept on talking. Pramod, I read in newspapers that a girl student in IIT, Chennai committed suicide. Pressures due to studies is one aspect. But this unfortunate event occurred after the girl was caught copying in the semester examination. The result, she was asked to leave examination hall and her parents were informed. The girl went to her hostel and committed suicide. Two things were to happen, she would have been debarred from exam for one semester and parents were to be informed! When she tried the copying, I am sure she must have known the consequences of getting caught. Pramod, why did the girl end her life? Insult? Repentance? But why end life?  She was just to lose one semester! She had an opportunity to make up for her error! Why copy? Why such a drastic reaction?

Some years back I remember a news item of students resorting to mass copying in Marathwada area, in Maharashtra. Pramod, if you see the photograph below, you will be amazed. The persons helping students to copy are climbing three to four stories from outside of a building. Shocking, to say the least! Are these people not afraid of the authorities? Are they not afraid of injuries? Apparently no! Later, the government took a stiff action and made district officials responsible to stop this. What is the reason for this mass copying? It appears that on passing tenth grade, these kids could get a government job as a peon or office assistant! Before the authorities became strict the passing % was 85 to 90 %. Now it is 45%! But was mass copying the solution?

In Mumbai, Afroze Shah decided to take up the cleanup drive of Versova beach but he is now forced to stop this due to apathy of Municipal corporation, threats by bad elements forcing volunteers to stop work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04OuaathdnI

Read about their work in the link below.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/this-lawyer-spearheaded-the-world-s-biggest-beach-clean-up-at-versova/story-E75vbhoKUJXSJECsIncYkK.html

Afroze Shah is a young 33-year-old lawyer from Mumbai and he just decided a couple of years back, “enough is enough”! He started a drive to clean the Versova beach. Through social media campaign. thousands of volunteers joined to take part in the drive. This is officially recognized by United Nations as a great cleanup drive! The volunteers recently were threatened by bad elements in the society. The latest news is that Shiv Sena has fully supported Shah and has told him that they will talk to police and  corporation. There will be Shiv Sena volunteers to protect the people. Let us hope this works out. Here is one-man army who brought together thousands of people to stand in ankle deep muck, to clean the beach every week end. Why there is so much apathy from Government agencies? How are bad elements troubled by this activity? Let us hope the drive continues!

There was a drive against encroachers of public space. The hawkers were removed from these areas. After eight days same drive was done again, and this time hawkers attacked the officials! It is our right to earn livelihood, they said! But what about right of other people for free space! Hawkers were doing illegal things and wanted space free, for themselves, instead of going to hawker’s zone! On top of that they attacked the officials. What sort of thinking is this? Why do political parties support illegal activities?

Pramod, I want your reply on various points, as I know that you have strong views!! Pramod just could not keep quiet. He said, “Genie, copying during exams is such an unfortunate practice that these kids do not understand that passing exams is not the end but the means of achieving one’s goal in life!  Ok, you make a mistake but killing oneself is not the solution, one can repent and correct the error! In case of beach cleaning, I simply do not have answers! What to bad elements achieve by threatening the volunteers?  Government apathy? Tell me something new!  Hawkers probably are learning from Mallya’s and Subroto Roy’s of this world, how to make money by cheating?”

With this statement Pramod broke the golden rule of silence that Genie had locked him in.  At that instant Genie slipped out of Pramod’s grasp, Genie’s speed became equivalent of 2 G and system hung!  Genie could not help but make a passing remark before escaping. ” Pramod, there is not much space here, otherwise I could have given you hundreds of such examples from oldest “civilization” on the earth!”

 

And The winner is….

Pramod somehow managed to make Internet Genie run at the high speed that was expected of him. Genie as usual started narrating a story. He started with a question, “I want your frank opinion about Indian Electric Vehicle scenario, your favourite subject.” Pramod knew that if he uttered a word, Genie would slip out of his control and system will hang! So Pramod did not give any reply to the question asked.

As usual Genie kept on talking. Pramod,  only a few months back, there was not much clarity about EV’s in India, but you had once said that Indian EV scenario depended mostly upon the international companies who have a large market share in car segment in India. Their current share must be around 75%. Mahindra had their foray in EV since some years back but have hardly got much traction. But suddenly the scenario has changed. It appears that many people have been working on EV’s, secretly. Last month Tata Motors grabbed an order of 10000 EV’s from a Government department for supply within one year. Pramod, this was a surprise for all! There is a story in today’s papers that Tata has invested US$ 900 million in Tesla Competitor, “Faraday Future.” This could be the secret of Tata getting ready for mass production, with “Tiago Electric?”! This indicates that both Indian companies Mahindra and Tata are well ahead of the pack for the Indian operations as their EV’s have reached production level.

What will be the situation in 2022, Pramod, five years from now? I know that Suzuki and Toyota have come together in India. Suzuki will produce EV’s for themselves as well as for Toyota, in India. Technology for EV will be provided by Toyota. These two have already joined hands with Denso, a Toyota group company, for manufacturing batteries, in Gujarat. So, this group will be the first to have their own batteries in Indian market! This will give them cost advantage. They are talking of their EV being available in India from 2020.

Honda is talking of EV in India by 2019! Hyundai has not said much but I am sure they will be around the corner! Nissan Renault is quite ahead in the global market for EV’s; if they decide to come to India, they have the wherewithal. But main India strategy has to be pricing as usual, quality must be good anyway! That is where Suzuki and Hyundai will have advantage over others as they are successfully doing this for so many years. But Pramod, don’t forget that Tata has reached mass production level already in 2017! So, they will have advantage over others!

Pramod there is breaking news below! 

https://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/passenger-vehicle/cars/pm-narendra-modi-to-unveil-fleet-of-400-tata-nano-electric-for-a-cab-aggregator/61754665

Pramod, I saw just now in Economic Times that PM Modi will inaugurate a fleet of 400 EV Nanos for OLA, in Delhi on 28th November! Looks like Tata Motors have hired Usain Bolt to learn how to make a clean start against all competitors!

There is not much clarity in heavy vehicles and buses. Goldstone Infratech from Hyderabad appears to have reached mass production stage as they have orders from Himachal Pradesh transport for 25 buses, the buses have already started plying; they also have orders from BEST, Mumbai for ten buses. In Mumbai, buses will run 220 km per charge and in Himachal hilly area the buses will run 110 km per charge. It is too early to predict more  as none of the others have said anything.

Pramod, what about infrastructure for charging? Well, Suzuki-Toyota combine have said that they will invest heavily in this area too. Government of India is also going to invest heavily in infrastructure. Oil companies, Indian Oil/BPCL et al have said that they will jointly put up the battery plants and invest heavily in charging infrastructure! They already have petrol pumps all over India along the roads! Things look reasonably good in infra area ! Now Pramod, I want you to stand on the stage and call the winner by saying, “And the winner is…”

Pramod, I want your reply on this as I know that you have strong views!! Pramod just could not keep quiet. He said, “Under Indian conditions, Tata Motors turned about to be the dark horse! Mahindra has been around for some time. But Suzuki Toyota could be the force the to recon with!  “

With this statement Pramod broke the golden rule of silence that Genie had locked him in.  At that instant Genie slipped out of Pramod’s grasp, Genie’s speed became equivalent of 2 G and system hung!  Genie could not help but make a passing remark before escaping. ” Pramod, don’t forget Hyundai!”

 

 

Strange are the ways!

 

 Pramod somehow managed to make Internet Genie run at the high speed that was expected of him. Genie as usual started narrating a story. He started with a question, “Pramod today I am going to share some incidents and I want you honest answer, Ok?” Pramod knew that if he uttered a word, Genie would slip out of his control and system will hang! So Pramod did not give any reply to what Genie asked.

As usual Genie kept on talking. Pramod, when you were in school, there used to be a  Cricket commentator called Vizy, Maharaj kumar of Vijaya Nagaram. If there were an award for most boring commentator, he would have won it hands down. You were listening to the commentary and Vizy was telling some boring story on the lines of, “In 1936, when I was in England…” he kept on talking and talking. In between 2/3 times you heard sudden crowd noise in the background. Vizy kept on talking, then his co commentator suggested, “Vizy should we update our listeners about today’s match?” He said, “Ok, I will update.” He coolly said, “In the meanwhile India has lost three wickets!” Pramod, was it not a strange way to handle the situation? Did Vizy forget that he was there to explain the match to listeners and not talk only about his nostalgia?

Pramod, this incident is a bit serious! You were chatting to a friend who had gone on a holiday to Europe, along with a group of friends! When you asked how the tour was? He said, “Fantastico!” Obviously, they had visited Italy too! Then he told you about St Moritz, Lucerne and many such lovely places. All in all, they were extremely happy with the experience! You had heard that there was a mishap on the tour. So, you asked about it. He said, “Oh! So and so died as he had a stroke and hemorrhage on the bus while we were in the middle of nowhere!”  My worry is about “Fantastico”. How can one say that tour was Fantastico when someone from the group died! Pramod, was it not a strange way to react to a sad event?

Pramod, this is even stranger issue as it was the way things were handled by a group of Professionals. A friend of yours had a massive heart attack; next day doctors declared that patient’s heart was working at 18/20%. Doctors said that even if he survived, he would be left completely bed ridden. Next strange action was that he was put on a ventilator for 3 weeks. Obviously nothing was improving. Then they took a decision to perform the bye pass surgery and convinced the family how it is essential! Next day the surgery was performed. Result. Doctors came out and said, “ Surgery is successful!” After four hours they declared, “The patient died; his body could not handle the surgery!” Pramod, is this not a very strange way of handling the situation? That too by professionals. They performed the bye pass surgery only from commercial angle!

Pramod, last one is even stranger. A person died and he was a non believer. Cremation was done without any religious stuff. Then you were told that there  will be pooja on 13th day. This was a surprise to you. When you went for pooja, you found that there was a big religious stuff planned. Thoughts about the person who died and his immediate family be damned! The reason, there was a marriage in the extended family in a couple of months. The dark shadows formed because of death were to be thwarted. Who cares about the thought process of the person who died? Pramod, can anything be stranger than this? Tell me why people behave in such a strange way?

Pramod, I want your reply on this as I know you have strong views!! Pramod just could not keep quiet. He said, “Genie, you have told me so many incidents, I have to give you an explanation, incident wise.  Ok, Vizy was an old guy and in his own world. That a few wickets fell in between did not really matter. But in the case of European tour, how can the response be Fantastico?  Tour must have been terrible, post the death of a person from the group! The response should have been “Europe was good, but we had a very sad experience due the death of a friend on the tour”! In the case of the heart patient, the doctors should have advised the family that nothing more could be done. They should have allowed the patient to die peacefully! In the last incident, if people cannot honour the wishes of the dead then I don’t know what type of family are they?”

With this statement Pramod broke the golden rule of silence that Genie had locked him in.  At that instant Genie slipped out of Pramod’s grasp. Genie’s speed became equivalent of 2 G and the system hung!  Genie could not help but make a passing remark before escaping. “Pramod I agree with you, but what has world come to! Is there no humanity left?”