This week at work

"RIZWAN, WHO YOU LOOKING FOR?" Asked Mr.S, as he walked pass me while I was walking around aimlessly searching for another intern.
I grinned and told him, "Well.., you Sir!"
"THEN LOOK!"
I stared at him and traced his outline from head to toe and back to his eyes again.
"Ok, Thanks." And I walked away.

"Im so pissed off with Mr.K right now..."
"Yeah Riz, go bite his head off"
"Mmmm... But then again, my dad always says I should respect a man, if not for anything, respect him for his age or his wisdom"
"And Mr.K sure is older!"

The Wedding

I managed to grab a bouquet for Rs300 at the neighbourhood florist. Shwet, Stanley and I decided to share the cost of the wedding gift. We planned to meet at 8pm at the mandapam (wedding hall).

We arrived just as the showers began and were greeted by a huge building shining brightly against the night sky. Surely no one has even been unable to locate a mandapam. You simply cant miss it! The decorations were elaborate, but the people were even more colourful. Women donned in every imaginable colour were walking in accompanied by their rather simple and drab looking men. I opted for a retro looking, Persian inspired shirt while Stanley put on his very first kurta. Shwet, being the rebel he is, had to come in a solid black shirt.

Mr GG was delighted to see us, he extended his arm across the crowd towards me, while signalling for us to come forward. We climbed the steps up the dais and were introduced to the lovely couple. Mr GG's son is your typical software engineer working in USA while the bride is an MBBS graduate. I must say that these form of graduate pairings have become all the rage in India. From the daily matrimonial ads I read, it hardly deviates much from this reality. Its always an MBA or an Engineer from Dubai or America searching for an MBBS or such. Alot of emphasis is placed on career and education. Anyway, the couple were very well spoken and you could tell they represented the booming future of India. Smart young people getting married, moving abroad and working hard but still holding on to their distinctively Indian heritage. An Indian can never forget India they always say. Its Bharat. The motherland.

The wedding reception was amazing. Vegetarian yes, but it was really tasty. And these men in white sarongs/dhotis keep traversing up and down the aisles making sure your plate is never empty. Then a family member of the couple will make his rounds, asking each guest individually if you're satisfied and if you need anything. Simple Indian efficiency at its best!

The wedding was an experience in itself. It was great to see Ashok Leyland colleagues out of uniform and as usual, i regretted overeating. After some handshakes and photographs, we took our leave. Catch it live at www.flickr.com/photos/dinkumadventures

Life Lesson VII

One guru tells another, "Always say things that cannot be checked." "Why?" asks the second guru. "Because," replies the first guru, "if you say 'Mars is peopled by millions of undiscernible beings, and I have met them,' people will not dispute it. But if you say, 'It is a nice day today,' some fool will always reply, 'But not as nice as it was yesterday'. And if you put up a sign saying WET PAINT, who will take you at your word? You can tell how few by the number of finger marks the doubters leave on it."

Today I saw a boy peeing into the wind.
:)

For Karma's sake

I stepped onto the road feeling dazed. Unsure of what just happened. My face felt numb and all I wanted to do was lie down. The experience was surreal, bordering on weird. The moment he told me to remove my shirt I knew I was not prepared for this. All I wanted was some pampering after a hard week.
I had made an appointment for a Varnyam assuming that it was simply an ayurvedic (indian holistic & herbal) facial. What I didnt know was that traditional ayurveda treatments have nothing in common with their western counterparts. This was more of an hour long face massage than any facial.
A multitude of oils were used, each slowly massaged into the pores. I know understood why I had to remove my shirt, but lying down on a hard traditional wooden plank while he kneaded my face made me more tensed than relaxed. The oils really reminded me more of my grandmothers kitchen than a beauty salon. I was half wanting to stick out my toungue. But instead I just squeezed my eyes tight as he tuned my chakra (life force) and reestablished balance to my karma.
Whatever it is, there were actual results! After the redness faded away, my skin felt really smooth and i had regained my colour! I looked just like the very day I landed in Chennai. So I think, for the sake of my karma, I will have to go again for a follow up facial treatment. ;)

Face it

Tell me now, when something unfortunate happens, how would you react?

"F**k, Why did it have to happen to me nooooooooowwwwww!"
or
"S**t.... Woaw, thank god it happened only now!"

Allow me to let you in on a little secret. The reality is that
Life, is fair.

The Rhythm of India

As I sit in the company bus, on the ride home I stare out into the vastness of the Indian sea. As the bus travels along the coastal route and the wind embraces me, I plug into my headphones and withraw from reality. I drown out the aggressive horning of the trucks and busses with melodious hindi songs, for english songs simply dont do India justice. As I stare out the window and see the fishermen hauling their boats onto the beach, I close my eyes and immerse myself in the rhythm of India.

I hear the music pulsating as the bus comes alive. One man gets up from his seat at the front of the bus and starts dancing along the aisle. He moves towards the rear, encouraging the rest to join in. The rhythm is catchy and a few more men get up and start dancing behind him, thrusting their arms in the air. They move in synchronous harmony, all dance steps well choreographed. I get caught up in the moment and find myself grooving with them on the aisle floor as the rest of the bus passengers wave their hands and whistle. Its just like a scene out of a bollywood movie.

As the bus goes over another hump, I feel myself thrown slightly off my seat. I open my eyes to a bus of sleepy men. Men facing downwards in uniformity. Men whose heads sway gently from left to right. Left to right. Unconsciously they sway. The rhythm remains...

Images of Bangalore

Catch live pictures of the amazing adventures of Dinkum at www.flickr.com/photos/dinkumadventures

The Ugly

I stood outside the auto with the driver. He said his auto couldnt cross over the state border and travel the 40km from Bangalore to Hosur, where Im staying in the company resort. As we stood in the night, facing a mosque, he told me that he wouldnt cheat me for he was an imandari man. Im not one to trust any man, but I had little choice. So I paid him to act as my hitch-hiking agent. He would stop a private tour bus which was going east and bribe the driver to stop us at Mookandapali, Hosur. As I sat in the auto with Stanley, I said a prayer for all we wanted was to reach the comfort of the resort in safety.

The driver came running and told us to hurry, there was a bus with empty seats! In a rush, I stuffed the money in his hand and we boarded the bus. In borken hindi, I ensured thrice that the bus was going to drop us at our desired location. We got great semi-sleeper seats and enjoyed the journey in comfort. I continued with another silent prayer. Soon enough, the bus boy ushered us and told us our stop was approaching. Again I mentioned our intended stop, only hoping that the driver would understand and not con us. As we alighted, we were surrounded by darkness. We were on the middle of a highway, lit only by the oncoming headlights. We didnt know if this was indeed Mookandapli or even Hosur.

With a deep breath, i pointed to the left and told Stanley, we'd walk this way... into the nothingness of the night. As we walked a few metres forward, I heard the wind carry a slight whisper "Dude" in the night. I stopped and looked back, hoping it was not a trick of the mountain spirits. A portly figure appeared shrouded in darkness and as it approached us, I couldnt hold back my joy. It was a fellow Ashok Leyland trainee Sudeep. I put my hand over his shoulder and told expressed how glad I was to see him.

The Bad

As we walked out of Tipu Sultan palace, we stopped at the junction to flag down an Auto. Suddenly I saw this public bus zoom by, and a teenage boy fell from the door way and landed on the road, the momentum causing his body to slide quite a distance! Without a though, I ran in the middle of the road to his side and he was in shock, his eyes glazed over. I thought of moving him but was afraid he might have broken some bones. Another man came over and stood over him. I tried to talk to the boy but he was still reeling from the shock and was dumbfounded. Me and the man then slowly turned him over and shouted for others to help carry him. Four of us lifted the youth off the road and onto the pavement. As I lifted him, he grabbed my arm tight and I guess he regained conciousness. A policeman came over to him and we left the boy in his care. Thank god the traffic had stopped when the boy was sprawled flat on the road.

The Good

Bangalore seals the deal. The weather is simply terrific and the people are gorgeous! It is the total opposite of Chennai. Here, every step I take, Im greeted by a lovely modern indian girl. Fair and in shades. Wow! Girls from all over India are here in Bangalore and what variety... kia maast! They throng the upscale streets and the only way you can escape their eyes is by staring at the ground! Im in love with india all over again.

Cool Bangalore

I stepped down from the bus groggy. It was 4am and I was shivering. I felt confused for a second, my mind not registering that I was in India. The same India that only 5 hours ago was a swelteringly hot 40 degrees. We walked in darkness towards nothingness. I was still only half conscious and my teeth were chattering from the cold wind on my face. We got into an auto rickshaw and zipped off towards Ashok Leyland Management Development Centre in Hosur, neighbouring Bangalore.

I must say, the journey to Bangalore was blessed. Every step along the way, there was someone looking after my affairs, just like I mentioned earlier, someone holding my hand, guiding me, never leaving me alone.

The Management Development Centre (MDC) feels like a holiday resort. Large private rooms, well manicured gardens, gym facilities as well as a library and Internet access. I met with Brigadier Bhoon and Major Swamy, retired Indian army personnel who run this campus for Leyland. Amazingly friendly people who made me feel like a VIP. Yet again, Im surrounded in the MDC by a group of guys I befriended in RK Mansion. Coincidentally, they re here on a seperate marketing course for MBA trainees and they've volunteered to show me around Bangalore over the weekend.

The weather here is terrific! The suns seems to have been rendered impotent. Its shining so brightly, but you don't perspire. Its weird really, like a force field of cool wind engulfs you and doesn't allow the suns heat to bother you. Im just going to cherish my weekend in Bangalore and start on some real shopping! Souvenirs anyone?

Somewhere between Tirumalai and Mandaveli

The train stopped one stop before Mandaveli, where we were supposed to alight. So we decided to walk the remaining distance back to RK Mansion. We conceived that the shortest path would be to walk along the overhead railway line and follow it to the next station.

As we adventured deeper along the path, the landscape began to change as buildings become shorter and concrete become wood which became straw. I had a feeling we were walking into a dead end and told Stanley to brace himself. We encountered emaciated cows and humans straddling the roadside. It was a true indian slum. Naked little boys running around and girls carrying water pots on their head. It was a scene totally different from the city, and yet we were right smack in the city.

I quickened my pace for a sense of uneasiness overcame me. Suddenly a funeral procession turned onto the road and trailed us from behind. I was trying my best to walk fast and draw as little attention to myself as possible but the funeral procession was like a parade and here I was at its helm. The priests blew horns and jingled bells, drawing the people out of their huts. It felt like it was my funeral. Eerie. All the villagers eyes focused on me as if I was a ghost. i quickened my pace even more, not even turning back to look if Stanley was following my lead. I saw a lean man lying across the road, flies all over him. I dare not even ponder if he was breathing. Dogs came close but thankfully the people didnt approach me. I kept my eye on the railway tracks above and breathed a sigh of relief when I caught a glimpse of the Mandaveli station. I saw Stanleys figure from the corner of my eye and continued onward.

Almost suddenly, the sound of horning and traffic shattered the silence and I felt like I had woken up from a dream.

Sathyam Cineplex

I thought of wearing my new cowboy hat to the cinema today but i realised it didnt have anything to do with pirates.

We got Elite tickets to an afternoon showing of Pirates 3. The cinema hall was huge. Imagine two storeys huge! So, we had excellent seats on the balcony which cost us just $4. The seats were large and of plush synthetic leather. I guess with the movies being India's national pass time, its not hard to imagine lavish cineplexs that put even GV Vivo to shame.

And the loo.. my gosh. There were like 30 urinals and each one had its own little LCD screen. I always believe you can get a feel of the place just by looking at the restroom. So with a loo like that, you bet the interior decor was impressive all over this stand alone multiplex.

The Indian movie experience is by its own a cultural immersion. These people know how to have fun! When Capt Jack Sparrow came on screen, the cinema went wild with wolf whistles and screams. It was more like watching a live performance. Whenever the suave Captain won a battle or landed upright on a mast, after swinging all over the place, the crowd would go wild with cheers and shouts! I just had to join in! (not the whistling though) I must say Singapore theatres are too quiet.

Then during the intermission there was a trailer for an upcoming Rajnikanth movie. Oh my god! The people went beserk. The whole cinema was in ecstasy. Rajnikanth is south indias largest superstar and Indias best paid actor. People here worship him, and i mean literally. There are actually temples dedicated to this 'idol'. Brings a whole new meaning to Indian Idol doesnt it? They refer to him as the Superstar and he is like a god to these people. Anything he says is like a 'fatwa' and thank god he hasnt entered politics. You dont want to be caught dead uttering even the slightest degradatory term about the Superstar or be ready to be pelted down my rocks.


Simply put, Movies are to Indians what Food is to Singaporeans.

Photo Story

We had an amazing company sponsored excursion to Mahabalipuram, on the outskirts of Chennai. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

www.flickr.com/photos/dinkumadventures

Cheque please

It´s all about the money
I´s all about the dum dum.......
And I don´t think It´s funny
to see us fade away
It´s all about the money
It´s all about the
I think we got it all wrong, anyway

I got my first paycheck and couldnt stop humming this tune all day.

Yesterday set in Quotes

"Sir, train is coming 1259 only"
at Parktown station. Time: 1150am!

"WHAT IS THE METER FOR! WHAT IS THIS METER FOR"
at Nundanam junction, heated argument with another auto rickshaw driver.

"Hi Sir! Remember me? We met at the airpot. I worked at customs... My wife is in the hospital for... Im short of Rp400 Sir... My paycheck will come at the end of the month"
stranger on the road who was awfully friendly, but with an ulterior motive.


"Is it normal for the guys to ignore the girl in India?"
at the HR briefing for all summer interns. Suchi Sen was the lone girl among 20 odd guys.

"If I take one sip of alcohol, I will loose my magical powers. I wont be able to tell the future or fly"
as the guys continue to tease me on my abstinence.

"Ar're f***ker, youre not even drinking and youre the first one to get drunk"
Shwet laughing as I carelessly dropped chips into my coke.

"Look man, Im high as it is on coke. One beer and I'll be dancing on the rooftop"
after six cokes and a major sugar rush.

"I love this guy yaar, I really love this guy. Im really gonna miss him man"
Shwet and Uttam embrace in their drunken stupor. A barrel of laughs!

"Dinner is on me, just shut-tup and eat"
at Zara, our final stop for the night.