I need a holiday!

We all work hard. Weekends are more like workends. We sleep with our smartphones. And we think vacations are for wimps. So we don’t take them. Or if we do take a break its because folks nag nag nag, so, we take work along with us.

But my own learnings have impressed on me that a break, a holiday, a vacation not only makes me feel healthier and happier, equally makes folks - family feel the same. So why are we busting our backsides without a well deserved break? 

Here I feel the need to add a qualifier- a break by definition means- time out. Time to unwind, pace down, go slow, relax. It aint about the same frenzied life like at work- now on a vacation too!  

Allow those mellow, good vibes, to envelope you, let that deep breath inhale all the worthy oxygen to help create a happiness pandemic. This collective restoration in itself is healing and rejuvenating. 

Most cold countries, see a sharp decline in anti-depressant prescriptions during their summers. Telling isnt it? Vacation time must mean leave work completely aside. Do the things you like and enjoy. Get outside, meet friends, spend time with loved ones, discover places and new people, spend time with aging parents, have that aromatic brew you so love with a friend you haven't met in eons, chase away the blues, just be.

Resting, gathering lost energies back, enhances emotional mood and productivity once back in the hum drum of daily life. Patience levels are higher, tolerance quotient deeper. Wonder why corporates don't encourage this - given how positively it impacts work. They say Europeans, with their 20 and 30 days of paid vacation every year, live longer and spend less on health care than Americans. 

Get awed by the gigantic elephants in the wild, the sleeping lions in the shade, the dew drop on a leaf, the singing and dancing around the campfire, the friendly jostle over a drink, the beautiful sunrise in a kayak...without the niggle of the blinking light on the BlackBerry, or the dread of work pile up once you are back

This cannot be too much to expect for ourselves surely? Especially if you do understand the weight of *health is wealth* - so go on, take frequent breaks, get transported, and sort of awed by nature or whatever it is that you love to do over and over again.

Raksha Bandhan - the bond of love

Raksha Bandhan is a celebration of the love and trust between brother and sister. When the sister ties rakhi on the right wrist of her brother she prays for her brothers safety and prosperity at all times and in return the brother vows to protect his sister at all times.

I was told two stories by two ppl today (on Raksha Bandhan day). Both - felt right


‎Story 1

Draupadi once tore a strip of silk from her sari and tied it to Lord Krishna's bleeding wrist, he was touched by her gesture and declared Draupadi as his sister.

Years later Lord Krishna helped Draupadi in protecting her honour. Thus, a small strip of silk became that raakhi which Hindus started following as Raksha Bandhan.

Its a brothers vow *to respect & protect his sister/s*


Story 2

The essence and spirit of Rakshabandhan - or the secret if you will, is that when a sister ties the thread on her brother’s wrist, it is a gesture of her saying to him “I will protect you at all times”. So it is the sisters who pray and wish for the protection and well-being of their brothers. This is what Rakshabandhan truly means. 

A woman is often considered as weak and fragile, how can she hence, protect a man and give him moral strength and support?

Women possess a very unique power within themselves – the Sankalpa-Shakti (the power of will and determination) - it is this will power and inner strength that helped Savitri get her husband Satyavan back from Lord of Death.

Inner strength implies -the power of intellect and also the strength of will and emotions. A woman possesses the unique and beautiful combination of both these. Hence some say, that on the day of Raksha Bandhan, it is the ladies who take a vow to protect the men (by tying a sacred thread on the wrist of the brother).

Each of them stories, resonates. Afterall it is about smiles, laughter, silliness, spats, arguments, jokes, pokes, tears, hugs... between a brother and a sister ...  *the* bond of love

Deepavali. Dispels darkness.

Derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali  this translates to “row of lights,” that honours the triumph of good over evil, light over dark, and knowledge over ignorance. Lamps are lit on this day not just to decorate homes, but also to communicate a profound truth about life -- when the darkness within is dispelled through the light of wisdom; the good in us wins over the evil.

Deepavali, in essence, is celebrated to kindle the light of wisdom in every heart, the light of life in every home, and bring a smile on every face. Life has many facets and stages to it. It is important that we throw light on all of them, for if one aspect of our life is in darkness, we cannot express life in its totality. The rows of lamps lit on Diwali remind us that every aspect of life needs our attention i.e. “lighting good qualities”.


Some of us have forbearance, some have love, strength, generosity; others have the ability to unite people. When all these qualities are lit, awakened, that is Deepavali. That’s why it is said - don't be satisfied with lighting one lamp; light a thousand! If you have the value of service in you, don't be satisfied only with that. Light the lamp of wisdom in yourself and acquire knowledge. Awaken all the facets of your being.

Another profound symbolism of Deepavali is in lighting firecrackers symbolizes “Letting go”. In life, we often become like a firecracker, waiting to explode with our pent-up emotions, frustration and anger. When emotions are kept suppressed, cravings and aversions are bound to reach a point where they explode. Bursting crackers is a psychological exercise from ancient times to release bottled-up emotions. 

When you see an explosion outside, you feel similar sensations within as well. Along with the explosion, there is a lot of light as well. When you let go of these suppressed emotions, the light of knowledge absolutely dawns.

Deepavali also means “to be in the present” -- dropping the regrets of the past, the worries of the future, and living in the moment. The sweets and exchange of gifts symbolizes forgetting the bickering and negativities of the past, and renewal of friendship for the times to come. A true celebration means dissolving all differences. Happiness and wisdom have to spread in society, and that can happen when all come together and celebrate. Even if one member of the family is shrouded in darkness, you cannot be happy. You need to kindle wisdom in every member of your family. Extend it to every member of society, every person on the planet.

No Deepavali celebration is complete without the “spirit of service”. Whatever we own today, should be shared with others, for it is in giving that we receive. That is true celebration.

Deepavali must be about every moment and every day.

Light the lamp of love in your heart; the lamp of abundance in your home; the lamp of compassion to serve others; the lamp of Knowledge to dispel the darkness of ignorance and the lamp of gratitude for the abundance that we are blessed and bestowed with.

Save Trees. Trees Save. Bangalore.

I THINK that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed

Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree. ~Joyce Kilmer. 1886–1918

Beneath the horse's hooves: Ferrari

When you view Germany or China or even Singapore, you do with respect? Perhaps tinged with a bit of fear and awe? These nations are not to be taken lightly. Yet when foreigners seek India, come to India- they walk all over us.

Does your blood not curdle? Are we nationalistic and proud enough as a nation? When someone insults India, why don't most Indians hurt and want to lash out? Any insult to our nation cannot be casual & natural no-more!

Being an ardent Formula 1 fan and at that an ardent Ferrari fan it pains me to see Sports making overtures so obvious, into Politics.

Where or why did Ferrari antagonize its fans in India? A couple of months ago 2 Italian navy sailors killed 2 unarmed Indian fishermen in Indian waters (the Italians dispute the jurisdiction). India arrested and charged these 2 marines. The Italian government wants the Indian government to let the Marines free. Perhaps because they know the Italian connection that exists in the ruling party in the Indian govt? The arrogance and the racist undertones in Italy's stance are obvious to me and many others. The subtext rings loud and clear "Our marines killed 2 of your guys by mistake but what's the big deal. We'll pay a couple of crores, the poor fishermen don’t matter either way” seems to be the disregard for India

My question is, do you think, that if the fishermen were Italians, India would have got away with such a sub text? Or if it had been Americans killed off the coast of America, the Italians would dare be this brazenly arrogant? Does Ferrari foolishly believe that Indians will hear and believe Ferrari, more than their own common sense?

The Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix is this weekend. Ferrari has announced it will carry an Italian Navy flag specifically in support of their 2 marines. It's not like Ferrari has been carrying the flag throughout the season. They're doing this only in India. They're not even using the pretext of just supporting the Italian navy in general. Their statements specifically mention support for the murderers. This is akin to a British team carrying the flag of General Dyer's regiment only in India to express solidarity with his actions in Jalianwala Bagh! 

Beneath the horse's hooves, lies a Ferrari with misplaced intentions  Or maybe not. Ferrari is way out of line in supporting their marines who are murderers, whose crime, I repeat, is not even in doubt. Ferrari is espousing the wrong cause and has embroiled itself in unwanted controversy by declaring support to the accused Italian marines. 

As an Indian, I find Ferrari's stance stupid, misplaced and irresponsible. If Ferrari was genuinely concerned for the truth, it would know how insensitive its support for their Marines who were target practising on our unarmed fishermen, is! What a farce being played out this weekend

India needs nationalism more than any lip service today. This is not a regular incidence to be casual about.. I am a huge supporter and fan of Scuderia Ferrari, BUT, I am a bigger patriot of my country! No way should the marines flag be branded on the car. It’s very wrong. Ferrari’s jingoism is misplaced.

Sweet sweet tooth

A creamy dreamy crunchy sweet rainy afternoon with a Florentine and my fave brew coffee. Was so inspiring that I am writing about it! Sometimes I wish had a job of being a judge for chocolate…, what a dream job that would be. Sigh.

Florentines are a delicious mixture of toasted nuts and candied fruit that are coated with a sweet sticky mixture of honey and sugar and baked until golden brown and bubbly. The crowning touch is a layer of melted chocolate. These palm-sized rounds of brittle are covered in thinly sliced almonds.

When you hear the name 'Florentine', you instantly think it must be from Florence Italy. Unfortunately, I don’t have the vaguest clue where is its origin from. I know its very popular in Europe and comes in many forms.

My introduction to Florentine was by my brother who absolutely dotes on these, and I think he discovered this sweet delight in London.

One form of a Florentine consists of a layer of pre baked pastry, topped with the nut and candied fruit mixture, and finished with melted chocolate. Another form of Florentine is a cookie, thin caramelized disc of candied fruit and nuts also with a layer of chocolate on one side. And then there is the Florentine La Dolce Vita - a thick layer of caramelized fruit and nuts that is baked in a cake pan and finished with a layer of melted chocolate. Some people here call it “chikki” (??!!)….

Taste one if you haven’t, and then tell me, how awesome was it really…have it with a latte or a black coffee, the combine is delicious.

A heads up to all coffee lovers who read this post: Italians eat very well, and quite rightly take great pride in their cuisine. Possibly one of the most offensive ways of ending a meal is by asking for a cappuccino ( especially when with the Italiano’s). Coffee to them is really a snack –  a large cup of warm milk, and very filling. Ending your meal with a cappuccino (apart from constituting a violent assault on your digestive system!) implies that you have not eaten well or sufficiently. If you cannot manage an espresso then try learning this phrase: “Un caffè americano con tantissima acqua calda, e un po’ di latte freddo a parte.”  (An espresso coffee with lots of hot water, and some cold milk on the side)!!! Any Italian waiter worth his salt will call this “dishwater” once out of your hearing...or perhaps even well within your hearing!  But you will get something approaching an Anglo-Saxon watery coffee that you can drink, and that doesn’t (drastically) upset the cook or the hosts! J

India or abroad?

Lately I have been in an apocalyptic mood. Watching the scenario in Political, Social India I feel depressed, wondering why such an optimistic story (about a nation called India) has suddenly, gone sour, fraught with negative sentiments? It is times such as current – when the economy is not galloping ahead, when inflation is at an all-time high, when scams seem to crawl out of the woodwork with no reprieve, when hallowed Institutions like the Armed forces and Judiciary seem under a cloud, when the young seem vacant and goalless, when the value system seems nonexistent and beaten severely…I shrivel up inside, too afraid to live in India…  

On the heels of such an apocalyptic mood, the thought of living elsewhere makes the brain hyper active.

My thinking

# We are an emotive people. We like to spend time with family. It is this same family (who at times we want to run away from) that gives us a sense of calm, a feeling of belonging, a deep sense of being wanted and loved  

# We are used to our festivals, customs and holidays. Sure, celebrating Xmas and Eid is fun, but not engaging directly in the rituals of Ganesh Chaturthi, Mahashivratri or Gokul Ashtami  - makes me feel detached, rootless, wasted

#  It can be argued that by living abroad one learns new cultures, foreign languages…Then again I say, look at my country, do I even know all the various distinct languages, cultures, and people of India? Such diversity right here in my backyard, why abandon it  to seek it elsewhere?

# Varieties help create and transform. Absorb the rich diversity of this land we are born in, the ease with which we live the pluralism called India. Which other nation, even remotely, promises such a rich texture of existence?

# The weather. It is next to impossible for someone like me to adapt to a land which is dull, grey, and rainy, with little or no sunshine. I don’t like extreme climates. India affords me bright sunshine, balmy days, cool evenings, 4 seasons of the calendar in the right doses!

# Immigrants are regarded with suspicion, no matter how rich or poor, in foreign countries. It is a social problem and we all know the fall out of such ailments (hostility, racism)  

# Perhaps one shouldn’t over obsess over other’s opinions about India - obsessing over contrarian opinions won’t make our opinion any more credible. But then again India and its fabric of life is like no other, right?. Why compare and be distraught?

# Look at our own behaviour in the most clinical way. One nation thinks sleeping with your child is a crime. Westerners think eating with your fingers is uncool. Another nation distrusts us in every aspect of our entrepreneurial qualities. Lets face it, we are an idiosyncratic nation. Will we be able to do all of what we do inside India, elsewhere, in the outside world?

# And last but not the least - If you are remotely even fond of India, I don’t think you need to think about living elsewhere. Stay put, enjoy your life, improve things in your immediate life, give the world more reasons to look at us.

For now this reasoning will see me through and keep me happy, In India

Fear

I like animals…I really do. Okay, I like MOST animals. Let me break this down.


I like dogs.

After seeing Happy Feet, I kinda like penguins too ( so long as they can tap dance)


The one’s I don’t like are the one’s that are the killer variety. You know, like the sharks for instance – since I was small Jaws has mortified me, I really wish sharks…cough…water welling up in the eyes…didn’t exist. (Yeah, I said it - all you “Shark” fanatics, you are all crra-ay-zee). I think sharks are as terrifying (ok maybe a wee bit less) compared to the stories of the paranormal kinds! Worst fears of my life.


I run miles away (mentally) from anything ‘paranormal’ in definition, even a hint of it, I can evaporate! Unfortunately Hollywood has used so many animals and birds and cats and bats and stuff in its ‘scary’ movies, that now I am not only severely allergic to ghosts, spirits, in a throat closes, eyes swell shut, heart stops beating , turn into a zombie kind of way, but am also scared of bats, cats, roaches, and what have you! Its safe to assume this is a no go zone for me. Never can be.


Other than that, as long as a pet isn’t rubbing its butt on me, and your bird isn’t pooping on me or trying to peck my eyeballs out, I can deal with most animals…

Establishing Tradition: The India F1 way

Mention the track at Greater Noida and the first image that springs to mind is the vast expanse of land (very Shanghai-ish!). Huge expressways that zip you to Buddh International Circuit, a race track for us normal folks, if you will!:)

Manicured, landscaped edges, well-marked directions, massive car parking for every stand within the stadium – unadulterated joy.

The only two flaws, I can think of (1) lose sandy dust of Greater Noida - a horrendous nightmare post Sunday race, when 95000 people and perhaps another 30,000 cars exited the stadium. We were enveloped (literally, physically and mentally) by a thick haze of dust cloud all around us, making for zero visibility. I am no scientist but I'd say it’s a deathly combination - mix of dust, pollution and vehicle smog, so tough to breathe.

(2) The pit exit. Far too dangerous, must be changed for 2012. It may get a bit hairy during the race

Some memories of the race track, the stadium, the stands, the paddock - the track is far steeper than it looks on tv. I can only empathise with the people who sat in the North Stand for instance who had a steep climb to make to reach their seats! Fortunately, for us our parking was very close to our stand and I didn't have to walk up much. I did, however, while on my exploration on Friday, walk about, from a level below the paddock to a level above the pitlane. That was steep. Huffed and puffed all the way! But had to simply do it for the thrill of it

Friday afternoon was unadulterated pride and joy. ‘Pride’, for witnessing, an epic international gigantic stadium, with India debut-ing in the World of Motorsports.

‘Joy’ for seeing Massa’s scorching pace of 1:25.706 the fastest lap in P1. Massa not only left his arch rival Lewis and Red Bull champ Seb behind, he had his own team mate Alonso eat dust when he hit the chequered flag! Such a promise Friday held out for Sunday, for a Ferrari fan like me…I was clearly expecting a repeat on Saturday and on Race Day, 30^th Oct 2011

In the midst of the races on Sunday a follower on twitter, asked me about DRS, while I did explain in the short time before the Race began, I do want to touch upon the Drag Reduction System

DRS was designed to facilitate overtaking, because no matter what the rule makers have tried, it seems that once the car gets within a second of the car it is chasing then it is impossible to overtake them. The fans have been crying out for more overtaking for years and last year;s dry races were not exactly thrilling to watch.

There are the purists who say that this is all bad for the sport and that F1 is pandering to the masses while ignoring the hard core fans. But how could they have enjoyed the races how they used to be? I find it mystifying myself - as far as I am concerned, in 2011 we have great racing, good strategy and interesting stories after each race.

We didn't have these dry races before. Wet races were/are exciting. Feel strongly the need for more overtaking and fixing the dirty air problem. We now have a formula that works great and has fixed all this, yet there seems to be a lot of people still unhappy. Maybe F1 has had too many drastic rule changes over the years that it now has an identity crisis- maybe people's perceptions of F1 is governed by when they started watching it?

I personally think DRS and other rule changes for this year are going to make for great racing and the best season in years! I just hope the FIA continue to tweak it so that we get more races like China and none like the dreadful Abu Dhabi finale last year.

Seb claimed his 13th pole of 2011 F1 season in Delhi on Sunday Oct 30th 2011. It was also Red Bulls 16th pole victory. What a record!! Well done!

McLaren's Lewis was 2nd quickest in practice sessions but started out 5th as was given a 3 place penalty (for being black-is the accusation?) dropping him behind Webber, Alonso and team mate Button. A pity really.

This race proved nervy for Button, suffering from poor grip thru this season. Button had used up all 3 sets of soft, opting for a single run in Q3, his quick lap was initially under fire as he sped thru yellow flags while Massa was busy going off! As this incident was unfolding, Buttong avoided the penalty by the sheer skin of his teeth

For Massa of course, the race season hasn't boded well. Don't know what's the planetary alignment for him and Lewis and why the 2 gravitate so towards each ther ( Massa and Hamilton could well be driving in the desert and they would find a way to crash into each other) such is their magnetic pull for the other! Massa from Friday, had been pounding kerb 9, and every-time he flew into the kerb, I was ready with my camera! O the dust he left in his wake definitely posed a bother for the oncoming traffic ...who surely would have cursed him:)

I don’t have much to say about Fernando Alonso. He has Schumi’s ambition and hunger, he is driving like a maniac possessed. I maintain what I tweeted, no TV camera can even get close to showing the extent of Alonso’s ambition, his ability to stretch possibilities with every single point. You can hate Alonso as much as you will, we at #Ferrari love him! He is definitely our ace for the next season!

I could go and on and on about the races, such is my passion for this sport, but will conclude this post. A word must be put in for the Jaypee group guys! The much touted India Formula 1 GP success is indeed more for them, than for the Mayawati Govt or the Centre. Well done guys! The GP is not the sole sporting offering from Jaypee, soon they will be throwing their doors open to an international cricket stadium – and boy o boy! Cricket and F1 combine can’t go too wrong now, can it?:) Jaypee group made the inaugural F1 Grand Prix of India a cracking success. So from me, it's a heartfelt thank you for putting on a great show.

I can hope and wish fervently that the passion burns bright amongst the local population – motor racing is no fun when all you do is annoy the locals. So hoping all the land disputes are settled amicably, the locals well and productively employed and absorbed within mainline existence, while the rest of Indian fans throng to see the next year’s race.

A reality check - while the rest of the world has given up on the idea of making profits from any other sport (barring Inida on cricket) I have a fair sense that Jaypee Group may actually do a Harvard case study to demonstrate how they cracked the sports business model to deliver profits from the Indian Grand Prix!:)

India, take a bow, you have made yourself world proud! From a mound of earth, a great facility has been created. It'll get better from here!

Death

National Geographic says two people around the world die every second. There couldn’t be a more natural part of life than death, yet, we run and hide from the subject as if it’s going to make it go away. It’s the equivalent of sticking our fingers in our ears, closing our eyes tightly, and humming a song loudly to stop anything approaching us.

The Upanishad titled “Death as Teacher” says “Birth is but the beginning of a trajectory to death; for all their love, parents cannot halt it and in a sense have ‘given is to death’ merely by giving us birth

How can we best be prepared for this parting, termed Death? In its wake, one experiences deep depression, a sense of grief, sadness and even anger. Some resort to the isolated road, or use drugs, alcohol to numb the loss and some have family and siblings to be sad together with, grow stronger with, and deal with the loss.

Advice is free flowing at such times, but the ear is not willing. And anyway- free advice is hardly ever heeded to, right?

The huge question that stares one in the face, will life ever be normal. How could this happen to me/us. Why did it have to happen to us? What wrong did we do to anyone? Yes, universal questions.

But heck Death is not a punishment. No. An eventuality, yes. A certainty, yes. Perhaps even a gift, at times.

Sure the photographs, albums get displaced, the clothes get given away, the rearranging of life beyond superficiality, gotta be addressed. Yes displacement disrupts normalcy. Big time.

My quest is not to understand this ‘post-death’ phase. I am hoping to deep dive into why so many of us, are not prepared for this eventuality called Death. Why do we run scared of something we know for sure is a cent per cent occurrence? Why do we fear it so?

The initial argument is perhaps, not wanting to see the loved one in discomfort or pain, hence you want the individual to get well. Despite knowing the status is getting bad to worse, we still hope for a miracle of recovery. Sure this is optimism, positive thinking. But don’t most live in a dogged denial, negation - of *the one* eventuality? We simply do not want to bell this one.

So, what are we afraid of here? The pain and suffering the loved is going through? But that will only reduce, peace will make way. Their agony? Cannot be, right? Because that will eventually make way for calm.

So, could it be the sadness of them departing, leaving us “alone” behind that makes us sad? So possible. The one about to move into the next phase of a new journey is sad because he/she cares, just as much, as we do. It’s this unseen strong force that weds us into a bonded close relationship. It is this very unseen force that makes us crumble with a fear of loss. And perhaps that is why we remain afraid, mortally afraid.

So, we are afraid?

Afraid of a life without that loved one? Afraid of lack of companionship? Unconditional love? A bond that means so much, is about to snap? Then, it is about ‘us’? And not really, about the person who is dying, right? We are afraid that our status quo is/will be disrupted. Change is never good, is it?

And if that be the case, it once again proves, doesn’t it, Love is selfish. Rooted in “I, me, myself”, unbending and uncompromising? So, my conclusion - Are love and Death, 2 sides of the same coin?

In our fear of dying, we seem to have forgotten that it is a natural process that is part of life. Plato believed that death would free the soul, so that it could reach perfection. And even a determinist cannot claim that we don’t have the choice to decide over our life, even if in that view we have no sway over the events in our life. The right to Death should be as fundamental as the right to life!? For another day.

Go well, ALL