Uncared outer walls of Govt Offices

The other day while I was travelling in a BMTC bus, I happened to admire the colorful posters of Kannada movies, a few other language movies, some artist doing the the poster right on the compound wall using color chalks and some slogans of paarties. As the visual moved, I could see in some areas no posters and bare, dilapilated walls never having seen a coat of fresh paint or even whitewash from them day they were made. this was in total contrast to the joyous, colorful and collage kind of posters elsewhere. It made me wonder why the legislation to ban the wall writings, and posters on political parties, cinema posters on the wall? I feel they should be encouraged to use the outer walls of the state/central govt office buildings for this ultimate collages. It will give a unique visual kick to the casual glancers and may be inspire some budding artists some day to create a visual masterpiece. Even if it didnot do any such thing, atleast it coversthe ugly outer wall which never had a chance to bathe in the fresh whitewash or paint.

Deepavali, Crackers and Ashthma patients

Greetings of the festival of joy and lights!! Deepavali

In this colorful celebration mood, shall we spare a few thoughts for the  unfortunate people having breathing difficulties? As I have noticed over the years, people bursting crackers of intolerable sound levels, and obnoxius fumes have come down and fortunately, the diya lighters have increased. This is a good trend. But the folks who still need the cacophonic crackers and horribly smelling fumes, please do all your cracker bursting if you must do it, please do so in open places. Otherwise, the already polluted air gets moreunbreathable and the sound pollution adds to it. Again i dont have official stats, but the attacks of asthma in bangalore peak during deepavali season for this vey reason. Little kids, who are to survive in this changing world need their ears intact, so lets not burst crackers making huge racket. Finally, the festival spirit is in giving that feel good factor may be to an unknown neighbor rather than hogging the pleasure causing somebody pain.

Enjjoy a delightful deepavali devoid of dangerous patakhi fumes and sound

Kannada Rajyotsava Celebrations.

It was a pleasant surprise to recieve a call to attend a quiz program at Central Excise Office Near Indian express circle. But the beaurty was neither the partner was known or the format of the quiz known beforehand. (No fault of organisers, they had sent a fax fifteen days before) Convincing the bosses (u find a quite number in any self respecting govt office) that it was in the depts interest to send two participants to the quiz to enhance the sagging reputation took almost the first half of the day. I am no boaster, but am a passable quizzer of anything but music is my anathema. My partner, is a dynamic lady quite versed in dramatics and hindi songs.

Now, coming to the event, it was 50-50 of quiz and antaxari with emphasis on Kannada for the coming Rajyotsava celebrations. Our team flew with flying colors in the prelims, taking 2nd spot in the finals. Questions in the prelims were well thought out and refreshing our kannada culture. Even till the end of round 4, my team was comfortably placed at the top with safe margin of score. Once the antaxari started,(this quiz was unique in having this as a dessert) my team flunked so badly, even our competetors were reduced to tears at our pathetic attempt to find songs to the lips. I normally dont pray, but with my partner having forgotten her songs, and I was made to look a novice, I prayed to almighty to end the torture. Finallyh when He heard me, it was a comforting 4th place from the top, and my partner apologising for having lost her mental cassettes of kannada songs at the very moment they were required. At the end of it, I think it was a well organised quiz variety program by Shamsundar Kulkarni of central excise and his dedicated team which earned the kudos of all. You could not have done it better. Lets hope for a better showing next time, let me brush up on my old/medievel/mod kannada songs lest I be caught with voice box choked.

why ozs flinch when paid back

Congrats  to the Indian cricket team for their comprehensive thrashing of no.1 aussies. One important thing has emerged out of this encounter. Aussies are real ba d losers. Watch them lose or on the verge of losing, you find them no better than your friendly neighborhood bully who created ruckus if he lost and was the ultimate grace if he won. Zak needs to be complimented on his sweetlyh timed moutings hurled back at the hecklers from behind the stumps. Dear aussies, you deserved every syllable of it. For once, you have chaps who could play your mind games much better than you and cricket yes! no second thoughts on that. Hope our boys form and grit continue in the series. Better luck next time visitors.

Railways, profits and yadavji

Ever since the great lalooji took over as rm, indian railways has started making the best of business schools turn their snobby attention to this desi messiah turning the perennial loss maker into one of grand success storiesl. Mind you, lalooji has not increased one paise fare (fair!!). If you still are wondering how an aging sarkari dept can make so much profit without creating a hole in the pockets of paying public, travel in an ordinary express train for a night jounry and u will notice the tweeks wrought by the savvy laloo. Subtly hidden are the increased reservation costs which never find a mention even bhy the e ver vigilant fourth estate. Suddently you find that the atrocities caled side berths have shrunk even in their height. Lo and behold lalooji has tweaked in 3 side berths in place of two. Experience the heavenly experience if by my curse you get alloted one. You may wonder where is this third berth this joker is speaking about. Carefully watch the space below the upper side berth and u find a half berth contorted and rolled just under. This contraption when fully laid will make the occkupant and the person below ( heaven forbid if they are slightly endowed with good body flab) endure the hellish experience called sleep for their journey duration. Mind you You can't even turn your sides without upsetting the top occupant.  Agreed, you are less than 60 kgs, 5 feet or less and so no issues even then to get down you have to wait till the top occupant miraculously slides using his own propelling power or if he has a friendly assist to pull him to the saner safety of outside.

This contraption must have earned the IRs a cool 1 in 8 revenue without spending a pai more than the cost of the contraption called third side berth. And the nation is richer by at least 9X2 persons afflicted with ailments of all kinds becuse of this contortions.

Hows that for the passenger safety and comfort from our very own lalooji? Share with me if you have experenced anything like this before.

Economies have hit the nadir but life must go on

Looking back, I feel that the economic slowturn started the day justice krishna announced the 6th pay commission. The whole world, in particular the Indian aamlog, watched the tamasha unfold. It took 7 whole months for the money to come in payment that too in piecemeal. But, the real economists including chidu and co had already scented the blood. Markets (stock, reatly, retail, why even the neighborhood greengrocer also) started the one way trip to Paatala lokas. Prices meanwhile had hit an all time high for daily items. Even, while blogging this, I hear the soppu seller asking the behenji not to bargain because sarkari babus are getting itna ITNA! 

One funny thing amidst all this is, the attrition rate in the govt sector is one of the lowest! Does it get to your nerves?

A careful reflection shows that even after the much hyped 6cpc, pay scales continue to be one of the lowest in industry. But the work environ is can u believe it, ultimate only next to art of living???