NDNC

As with all democracies, policies are floated on a trial and error basis. This directly affects the hapless citizens on whom the policy is tried. One such is the national do not call scheme.
All of us must have faced the pesky telemarketer calls and dealt with customer support executives of various services that today’s world demands be fulfilled through the ubiquitous mobile cell.
But how does one deal with them??? They do not understand the problem, have no solution and know only one sentence “I am really sorry for the inconvenience caused to you.” Angrez chale gaye sorry de gaye.
It is really frustrating to these people and how does one get through this giant industry and talk to somebody who understands and solves the problem. Why do we not have a consumer service industry?? Even when one is subscribed to the national do not call service, one still gets telemarketing calls, and how does one deal with the situation. Does that mean that I have to leave all my day to day activities and pursue another never ending telephone calling, getting transferred from one place to the other and being on hold for an eternity to bring the problem to light? Or do I take 5 min out of my hectic schedule and hear out the telemarketer (hell they are just doing a job) and then politely say no or take out 10 min from my life and yell and abuse them….how does one deal with them??
Is there etiquette to be followed?? I am at my wits end… somebody plz help… Or maybe I should start my own telemarketing business... they say if you can’t beat ‘em…join ‘em!!

Being Charu

I dont know how being Charu feels like... but from a 2nd person perspective, it looks like fun. Yes trust me, I know her since the last 2 years only but it feels like I have known her for eons. This is the same person who can be extremely rude and bitchy if you are not on her side or team and extremely caring and fun if you are.
Let me take you through the exciting world of Charu from an insiders point of view... she gets up in the morning and heads to the gym class where she learns horrendous aerobic steps, which she diligently shows off to unsuspecting fans like me. Then she has her breakfast around midday and heads off for coffee by the sea. Once, seated in the nice corner of the coffeeeshop she places her order after religious deciding to not repeat yesterdays order. But being the eternal embodiment of confusion and greed, she ends up ordering the same coffee and thoroughly confusing the poor waiter who is happy to run away. Once coffee n catching up on recent gossip is done, she heads home to watch TV or trouble her son Abeer. If Abeer's exams are on, then heaven forbid--- she insists on teaching the poor kid, who is already exhausted from various tutorials. And wonders of wonders...she chooses to teach him Chemistry having never studied the same. She keeps on quizzing her kid and doesnt even know if the answers are correct or not.
Satisfied on having done her bit in the education sector, she moves on to the food problems of the world (read- her stomach). Having gorged on some tidbit she decides that she will skip lunch. In the evening, some hapless fan like me drops by and is forced to sip some wine or subjected to some amazing cocktails (entirely her connotation). All the while sharing some interesting tidbits. Then she insists on having dinner early as she wants to hit the bed early.
Thats a day in her life, very idyllic ...but what makes her an interesting person is her madness... her forget fullness... she starts a conversation in her mind and continues midway in actual sound... so the person gets even more befuddled and when tries and gets some semblance of clarity... she is already traipsing on another completely disjoined topic.
How can one describe or define what Charu is?? I tried to but I guess I didnt capture even half of her essence. She is a wonderful person, a friend, an elder sister, a mom, a punching bag, a clown, a wonderfull cook and a great (ahem!) dancer....a supportive spouse (for Pankaj) and a crazy mom (for Abeer).... I will miss her when she moves to Bangkok... I wish she didnt have to... although it opens up my window to Bangkok... I have already managed to wriggle a vacation at her place ther... but I will miss landing up unannounced at her place and staying with her post dinner, drowning drinks with her, exchanging theories ranging from world peace to bollywood with her, badgering her with my PJ's and expanding my millitant fundas at her socialist attitude... I have grown so used to her that I shudder at the thought of a life without Charu and wish Pankaj didnt have to get transferred to Bangkok.

Heroes

I love Heroes... of all kinds, shapes and sizes... who wouldn't...but the thing which has caught my fancy rite now is Heroes the show -season 2. I am amazed at the kind of effort that goes into the show... with so many characters, so many locations, etc... it must be a nightmare top produce it but if the end product is this good then it is worth all the effort.

But then, I keep on wondering which of these heroes would I like to be if I get an oppurtunity... Hiro is the first person that comes to my mind... not because he is soooooo cute with his innocence of saving the world and being a superhero.

Then comes sylar... the bad ones always leave a lasting impression. Then comes Monica... there is something about copycats with us Indians, so she scores more than Peter Petrelli and others... Hey I wud even love to get into somebodys mind and read their thoughts... on second thoughts no... it would drive me crazy!

Till the next episode of Heroes then,

I am a Terrorist

I am a terrorist... yes ask all the stray dogs in my neighbourhood... I terrorise them with my eyes narrowed, right hand mid way in the air and a demonic laugh that I have mastered over the years. Why do I do this... because I'm sick of all these animal lovers who do not think twice before picking up a pub from the road and dropping it off in civilised areas where there are children and old people who are very susceptible to allergies and cant even run if some dog takes a fancy to them. Yes I also like animals, I'm no moron, but pray what sense does it make to go ga-ga over dogs, cats, and god forbid lizzards!!
Do you guys even think how stifled they must feel over all these unwanted love bestowed upon them? I for one dont like it when strangers smile at me, parental warning over the years about never to trust strangers has made me suspicious even of my own shadow, so how can I have a friendly look for the poor canine or feline creature.
So blame my terrorism to my childhood trauma... there for all you criminal pyschologists, I have given yu ample reason for my demented behaviour.... but I'm telling you, no dog is safe in my neighbourhood as long as I have my way!

Peeing about

Why do people pee on the road... or for that matter spit, litter, etc... Is it because the need to relieve in public adds to the satisfaction or is it really beacuse of the poor sanitation in our country. If we are blaming the government for this then can anyone plz explain why do ppl in huge big cars (hey if they can afford cars that cost 10 lakhs upwards then they can afford a toilet seat for themselves) pee on the road... wat can be the solution to this... a conscious decision to not pee on the road even if it is a matter of life n death. And the stench, it is there everywhere, on the roads, in the railway stations, near bus stops, near offices...u name it and our dear friendly neighbourhood smell is there.
One can actually navigate a city with this stench, if it is foul and overpowering, then you are near a bazar with lots of people...more people, more urine, more stench. If the stench is faint, then you are hopefulluy near an housing society, and if the stench is mixed with other smells of flowers, food, perfume, you are near a hi-fi shopping mall.
I wish all these stars who launch a perfume after their names, should actually encourage perfumers around the world to create an eco-perfume...which can liberally applied all over the eco-system to mask this stench.