I am driver Jagannath again. Although I am not in the service of master Ravi any longer (and thank God for that) I still have to see him everyday. You see I have got another job in the same complex that he lives. Everyday, as I come in, I see him finishing his morning walk and flash my smile at him. At least master Ravi thinks that I am smiling at him. In reality, I am having a good laugh at his predicament. Months after he sacked me he is yet to find another driver. He has some temporary driver who my sources tell me make me dance to his tune.
This is what comes of not recognizing a good man who is doing his job. Look earlier, the population (pedestrians) had a problem. Now it is him.
On the other hand, my new master is a guy after my own heart. Look I am not even naming him. That shows you the kind of respect I have for him. No silly restrictions like driving at 60 kilometres per hour. He clearly believes that the world is a stage for drivers to parade their art. Nothing less than 100 kilometres on the highway. If in the process, some members of the population have to use their medical insurance, so what? No nonsense like, not getting into arguments with vehicles that are bigger than you. It is all about giving them a real run for their money. The cuts and thrusts on our vehicle are badges of courage. Finally, a master after my own heart. The guy is calling me. Obviously, we can take off.
Jagannath’s Master: How does one deal with Jagannath ? Granted that he is not mad but that is not saying much. He thinks that I really enjoy his driving. The facts are otherwise. I am too terrified to say anything when he whizzes past at 100 or is it 1000 kilometres per hour. I don’t care about the scratches on the car? Of Course I do. I shoud be in a state to admit this. Usually, I am too happy to just get off and run to safety. What does Jagannath mean by saying that he is not smiling but laughing at Ravi? Ravi takes it out on me. Whenever he sees me he doesn’t smile or laugh. He has no need to. He just shakes my hand and gives me a wink. That is his way of telling me: I know the feeling.
At last , I have mustered the courage to tell Jagannath that he has to go. That is why I have called him. My parents refuse to get on to the car. So much as I dread facing this modern version of James Bond with his own interpretation of a licence to kill, I am going to ask him to go. It is all about loving your parents you know. And will someone now tell Ravi that he can stop winking and actually start laughing.?
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
A Tribute to an Unknown Indian
November 10, 2010 is a day in my life that I will never forget. My son Sanjiv completed five years and we visited the family temple at Kalidaikurichi village in Tirunleveli District of Tamil Nadu. We were at the village after 35 years at the express desire of my father who wanted me to worship at the temple at least once in my life. Apart from my father and son, I was accompanied by my brother-in-law—Parthu-and father-in-law Mr Krishnan.
As the priest was performing the prayers, my worst fears came true. Suddenly my brother-in-law looked at my father and exclaimed that he appeared to be in trouble. A word of explanation is needed here. My father is a diabetic and at times he tends to lose consciousness, ironically enough when the sugar level dips. Indeed my father appeared to lose consciousness; we gave him sugar as we are generally prepared for such contingencies. He recovered but it was apparent to us that he was still not completely okay. My father however insisted on being in the temple as the prayers were still on.
Soon, it was clear that that this was not sustainable and my father fell unconscious again. My brother-in-law then acted swiftly and carried him on his shoulders to the vehicle parked outside the temple while a priest accompanied us to in order to give us direction to the hospital. A big thank you to these two men who were instrumental in saving my father’s life by their timely action.
Once we got to hospital, and explained the problem, the doctor put him on intravenous medication and wanted to see his case reports. I promised to secure it, went out and hailed an auto and explained the situation to the driver. The driver quickly took me to our relative’s place where we were staying and agreed to wait while I secured his case history.
Soon I was back in the auto with the reports and my mother. When we reached the hospital, we found out that my father had regained consciousness. I went back to the auto driver and offered to pay him extra money. He refused. I was touched and asked him for his name. “Ramaswami”, he replied. I thanked him fervently. I thank this unknown Indian again who resides in the small village of Kalidaikurichi but has kept alive my faith in human nature. Thank you once more Ramaswami.
As the priest was performing the prayers, my worst fears came true. Suddenly my brother-in-law looked at my father and exclaimed that he appeared to be in trouble. A word of explanation is needed here. My father is a diabetic and at times he tends to lose consciousness, ironically enough when the sugar level dips. Indeed my father appeared to lose consciousness; we gave him sugar as we are generally prepared for such contingencies. He recovered but it was apparent to us that he was still not completely okay. My father however insisted on being in the temple as the prayers were still on.
Soon, it was clear that that this was not sustainable and my father fell unconscious again. My brother-in-law then acted swiftly and carried him on his shoulders to the vehicle parked outside the temple while a priest accompanied us to in order to give us direction to the hospital. A big thank you to these two men who were instrumental in saving my father’s life by their timely action.
Once we got to hospital, and explained the problem, the doctor put him on intravenous medication and wanted to see his case reports. I promised to secure it, went out and hailed an auto and explained the situation to the driver. The driver quickly took me to our relative’s place where we were staying and agreed to wait while I secured his case history.
Soon I was back in the auto with the reports and my mother. When we reached the hospital, we found out that my father had regained consciousness. I went back to the auto driver and offered to pay him extra money. He refused. I was touched and asked him for his name. “Ramaswami”, he replied. I thanked him fervently. I thank this unknown Indian again who resides in the small village of Kalidaikurichi but has kept alive my faith in human nature. Thank you once more Ramaswami.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Driver Jagannath, and James Bond’s licence to kill
Hi I am driver Jagannath and I drive master Ravi’s Swift. He is a good man this master Ravi but he doesn’t know a thing about driving and I wish he would simply stay out of it. Instead he tries backseat driving all the time.
Take his ridiculous idea about speed for instance. He insists that I restrict to driving at 60 kms per hour. On the Highway ? Come on if you drive at less than 100 kms per hour it is a sign of disrespect to the highway as well as its builders. I am of the firm opinion that even in the narrow bylanes of Ghatkopar which we traverse everyday, anything less than 100 kms is an insult to the car, the roads and the engineers who conceived these narrow bylanes. When I express my views to master, Ravi he wonders as to where I got my licence from. Come on, I got it from the RTO. Also, although I am not much of a reading man I have heard of someone called James Bond and his 007 licence. Now 007 gives a man the licence to kill. Once you have a legitimate driving licence, in my opinion it is really up to the population (pedestrians) to take care of themselves. Did James Bond ever hesitate while using his licence? Why should I?
Take master Ravi’s other silly idea. Don’t get into confrontations on the road, he says. Remember to not get into silly arguments with BEST buses, the huge Volvo tourist vehicles and myriad lorries who simply get in the way of a man discharging his fundamental responsibilities on the road. Come on I know better. I have driven tourist vehicles in my earlier jobs and let me tell you that they didn’t win all the arguments. Yes the Swift may occasionally get a few scratches and even get smashed up. These are occupational hazards. Anyway, he has insurance. These cowards—how do they get to own cars in the first place. On top of that the guy doesn’t pay me properly. And he expects me to be on call. Oh God, he is calling me again. I will have to stop now folks and will update you later.
Post Script: This is master Ravi here although I have personally considered myself to be nothing more than a slave to Jagannath’s driving. I called Jagannath to inform him that after considering various options like buying hefty term insurance, I have decided to sack him. Thanks to that, I hope to celebrate my next birthday.
Take his ridiculous idea about speed for instance. He insists that I restrict to driving at 60 kms per hour. On the Highway ? Come on if you drive at less than 100 kms per hour it is a sign of disrespect to the highway as well as its builders. I am of the firm opinion that even in the narrow bylanes of Ghatkopar which we traverse everyday, anything less than 100 kms is an insult to the car, the roads and the engineers who conceived these narrow bylanes. When I express my views to master, Ravi he wonders as to where I got my licence from. Come on, I got it from the RTO. Also, although I am not much of a reading man I have heard of someone called James Bond and his 007 licence. Now 007 gives a man the licence to kill. Once you have a legitimate driving licence, in my opinion it is really up to the population (pedestrians) to take care of themselves. Did James Bond ever hesitate while using his licence? Why should I?
Take master Ravi’s other silly idea. Don’t get into confrontations on the road, he says. Remember to not get into silly arguments with BEST buses, the huge Volvo tourist vehicles and myriad lorries who simply get in the way of a man discharging his fundamental responsibilities on the road. Come on I know better. I have driven tourist vehicles in my earlier jobs and let me tell you that they didn’t win all the arguments. Yes the Swift may occasionally get a few scratches and even get smashed up. These are occupational hazards. Anyway, he has insurance. These cowards—how do they get to own cars in the first place. On top of that the guy doesn’t pay me properly. And he expects me to be on call. Oh God, he is calling me again. I will have to stop now folks and will update you later.
Post Script: This is master Ravi here although I have personally considered myself to be nothing more than a slave to Jagannath’s driving. I called Jagannath to inform him that after considering various options like buying hefty term insurance, I have decided to sack him. Thanks to that, I hope to celebrate my next birthday.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Celebrating Ganesha
This year’s Ganesha festival which was celebrated last month proved to be one with a difference for me. A mix of circumstances which began with my wife falling sick resulted in my performing the prayer. Usually, I was very happy to let my wife do it and prior to my marriage my father conducted the prayers. This has been in keeping with my nature of not being a great believer in rituals despite being a firm believer in God.
Well to perform the prayer, I had to get into traditional clothes and on earlier occasions I have made an issue of these things. This year though I got into them without any fuss and sat cross legged on the floor. I repeated the mantras after my father who read them out to me. The prayer lasted for about half an hour or so.
At the end of it all, it was time to ring the traditional bell, bow to the lord and seek his blessings. Strangely, after all this I was filled with a sense of peace and satisfaction. Maybe not the same peace that I felt at the Samadhi of the Father of the Nation at Rajghat.
http://glimpsesintolife.blogspot.com/2009/11/connecting-with-mahatma.html
A peace nevertheless.
Next day it was time for the immersion. Normally since the day after the Ganesh festival is a working day (which is the immersion day for many Tamilians), I have rarely been for these. Since, the next day was a Sunday, I went to immerse the statue of the Lord along with my mother at an artificially created lake near my house. We handed over the statue of Lord Ganesha to a young person who swam a bit and then immersed the idol. As I caught a glimpse of the Lord bobbing up and down with the sacred thread draped around it, I was filled with a senses of peace, quiet and joy. An image that has been captured in my mind in way no high resolution camera can. As the poet said “The music in my heart I bore, long after it was heard no more.”
Well to perform the prayer, I had to get into traditional clothes and on earlier occasions I have made an issue of these things. This year though I got into them without any fuss and sat cross legged on the floor. I repeated the mantras after my father who read them out to me. The prayer lasted for about half an hour or so.
At the end of it all, it was time to ring the traditional bell, bow to the lord and seek his blessings. Strangely, after all this I was filled with a sense of peace and satisfaction. Maybe not the same peace that I felt at the Samadhi of the Father of the Nation at Rajghat.
http://glimpsesintolife.blogspot.com/2009/11/connecting-with-mahatma.html
A peace nevertheless.
Next day it was time for the immersion. Normally since the day after the Ganesh festival is a working day (which is the immersion day for many Tamilians), I have rarely been for these. Since, the next day was a Sunday, I went to immerse the statue of the Lord along with my mother at an artificially created lake near my house. We handed over the statue of Lord Ganesha to a young person who swam a bit and then immersed the idol. As I caught a glimpse of the Lord bobbing up and down with the sacred thread draped around it, I was filled with a senses of peace, quiet and joy. An image that has been captured in my mind in way no high resolution camera can. As the poet said “The music in my heart I bore, long after it was heard no more.”
Celebrating Ganesha
This year’s Ganesha festival which was celebrated last month proved to be one with a difference for me. A mix of circumstances which began with my wife falling sick resulted in my performing the prayer. Usually, I was very happy to let my wife do it and prior to my marriage my father conducted the prayers. This has been in keeping with my nature of not being a great believer in rituals despite being a firm believer in God.
Well to perform the prayer, I had to get into traditional clothes and on earlier occasions I have made an issue of these things. This year though I got into them without any fuss and sat cross legged on the floor. I repeated the mantras after my father who read them out to me. The prayer lasted for about half an hour or so.
At the end of it all, it was time to ring the traditional bell, bow to the lord and seek his blessings. Strangely, after all this I was filled with a sense of peace and satisfaction. Maybe not the same peace that I felt at the Samadhi of the Father of the Nation at Rajghat.
http://glimpsesintolife.blogspot.com/2009/11/connecting-with-mahatma.html
A peace nevertheless.
Next day it was time for the immersion. Normally since the day after the Ganesh festival is a working day (which is the immersion day for many Tamilians), I have rarely been for these. Since, the next day was a Sunday, I went to immerse the statue of the Lord along with my mother at an artificially created lake near my house. We handed over the statue of Lord Ganesha to a young person who swam a bit and then immersed the idol. As I caught a glimpse of the Lord bobbing up and down with the sacred thread draped around it, I was filled with a senses of peace, quiet and joy. An image that has been captured in my mind in way no high resolution camera can. As the poet said “The music in my heart I bore, long after it was heard no more.”
Well to perform the prayer, I had to get into traditional clothes and on earlier occasions I have made an issue of these things. This year though I got into them without any fuss and sat cross legged on the floor. I repeated the mantras after my father who read them out to me. The prayer lasted for about half an hour or so.
At the end of it all, it was time to ring the traditional bell, bow to the lord and seek his blessings. Strangely, after all this I was filled with a sense of peace and satisfaction. Maybe not the same peace that I felt at the Samadhi of the Father of the Nation at Rajghat.
http://glimpsesintolife.blogspot.com/2009/11/connecting-with-mahatma.html
A peace nevertheless.
Next day it was time for the immersion. Normally since the day after the Ganesh festival is a working day (which is the immersion day for many Tamilians), I have rarely been for these. Since, the next day was a Sunday, I went to immerse the statue of the Lord along with my mother at an artificially created lake near my house. We handed over the statue of Lord Ganesha to a young person who swam a bit and then immersed the idol. As I caught a glimpse of the Lord bobbing up and down with the sacred thread draped around it, I was filled with a senses of peace, quiet and joy. An image that has been captured in my mind in way no high resolution camera can. As the poet said “The music in my heart I bore, long after it was heard no more.”
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