Trip to Tirupathi

"Last weekend I went to Tirupathi". For almost everyone this could be a statement. But for me, it was an event.
Born an Iyengar, it may surprise many that I had not visited Tiruapathi, even once in my 52 long years. After umpteen failed attempts for the last 25 years, If I could visit Tirupathi, it cannot be called anything short of an event.
First time in '84, a well planned trip alongwith with my newly wedded sister and her inlaws, we took a train direct from Mumbai to Renigunta. (closest railway station to Tirupathi) The train was diverted from Guntakal (a station short of Renigunta).
Thereafter, I tried to join in with every possible person making a trip to Tirupathi. But it never materialised.
Sometime in the late 90's my husband casually said that he has booked a trip to Tirupathi by TTDC bus for the following morning. Probably, I was too exited about the trip and hada severe attack of asthma requiring hospitalisation.
I was so depressed that I just stopped planning or even thinking of a trip to Tirupathi.
Last weekend, without much plan, we set out to attend my sister's nephew's thread ceremony at Tirupathi.
And so finally, I set my foot on the seven hills and had a wonderful darshan not once but twice the same day - "Jab dheta hai to chappar phadke"

At the end of the trip, I can say, 'kurai onrum illai maraimurthy kanna'

Budget Blues

Finance Minister P Chidambaram was the man of the day on the 29th Feb. '08. He knew he had to keep in mind the coming general elections and present a budget to please all. One must admit, that the man is an expert at it.

All the news channels had experts to analyse and voice their opinions. Of course, the public on the street also had their share of the glare.

Going deeper into it, a couple of things which gnaws me is being overlooked by most. It is not likely to affect anyone in the near future.

Firstly, Rs. 6000 crore waiver of loans to farmers. Who or from where would this amount come from?
While I fully empathise with the farmers, I doubt if this would be a permanent solution.
How are they going to identify each of the farmer and pay off his debt? Has any plan been formulated ?If not, in this pre election year, it is sure to be misused in the hands of the politicians, corporators and local panchayat heads.

One need to understand as to why a farmer takes loan - for buying seeds and fertilisers.Would it therefore not be a better idea to have NGOs in local areas to assess the quantity and kind of seed requirement and let then distribute it. It is better to give in kind than in cash. Thereafter at harvest, make the farmers repay in the form of seeds for the next season A part of the harvest may also be bartered for the fertilizers for the next year.

Another probable solution is to form a co-operative society of the farmers like the Amul.
At least you would make the farmers self sufficient.

The second one is the income tax. This again would benefit the salaried class, a select urban population No doubt more spending power is a boost for the economy but at the same time, more two/three wheelers and cars is more pollution and traffic chaos.

I am a working women myself, but I still don't understand why they need to give a higher tax exemption limit for the women. We get the same pay as the men then why different tax structure?

There is a huge primany deficit and no one knows how this would be taken care of. Of course, that is the responsibility of the next Finance Minister.
Otherwise, this year's budget has nothing very interesting. No criticisms or protests.It was more or less on the expected lines.

Just Justice

The rolling bar at the bottom of the tv screen of a news channnel read "Lindsay does a stint at morgue". They did not think it essential to show more details.

Probably many read it as "stunt" and did not give much importance. I am sure many are not even aware as to who is Lindsay (Lohan). Anyway the whole country was rejoicing over the record victory of our cricket team at Perth.

Lindsay Lohan is an actress, punished for drunken driving. Apart from her jail term, the judge ordered her to spend two days of four hours each at the hospital morgue and then at the emergency room. This was necessary to understand the ill effects of drunken and rash driving.
No media or her fans could change this.

Compare this with our own Salman khan who too, a few years back, killed the innocent poor people sleeping on the footpath. He just ran away from the scene. When he was arrested and tried, he came out on bail and still no justice has been meted out.
The media also is to be blamed for all this. They give undue importance to all these stars and dont stand for the victims. Obviously, the victims are poor and of no use to them.

Now he and the whole media take pride that he is flying to London to unveil his statue at the Toussads.

Will the poor and non celebrity ever get justice in India?

Taare Zameen Par - nahin, har ek ke dil mein

I came out of the theatre with moist eyes and a heavy heart after watching "taare zameen par" (stars on earth). And I am sure, everyone who watched the movie also did.

I have been an ardent fan of Aamir Khan, since his 'quayamat se quayamat tak" - his first movie. Except for an out and out commercial like mela, I have seen, and enjoyed every single movie of his.

Kudos to Aamir khan for bringing it to the people, the mind of a child. The child actor, darsheel steals the show. The intensity with which he has portrayed the emotions, is amazing. No wonder his name appears the first in the list of cast.

This movie should be telecast with subtitles and should reach the maximum people. Every parent and teacher should see the movie. I am sure, they will be able to relate to every child, special or not, better thereafter. The best thing about the movie is that you feel part of the movie.

Critically, the movie at times tend to extend certain scenes like the one describing the child's mental agony and the painting competition. May be exaggeration is required, to drive home the points.

Having seen it in the south, it was sad to note that there were hardly 50 people in the theatre. Hope the word spreads like a wildfire and as we say in Tamil"yam petra inbam peruga iviyagamum" (let the whole world be blessed with happiness as I am).

Sister-in law - a finding

There has always been a complain among women about their sisters-in-law. Apparently, this seems to stem from the word to denote the relation. "Nanand" in hindi denotes one's husband's sister. This word is derived from the sanskrit word "na-ananda" meaning one who can never be made happy or satisfied.

Possibly, a change in the terminology would improve the relations.