Apprehensions of age.

Mom's back with us after almost a month's hiatus and 'The Quarterdeck' is already filled with the sounds and other accompanying facets thanks to her presence. There are certain favourite places where she perches herself so that she's able to survey the entire scene, not missing out on even a single sight or sound, her hearing constraint notwithstanding!

We've structured our day to day activities to suit her requirements. By the time I'm back from my early morning walk, she'd have already woken up and progressed through her bath - an early morning bath is a pre-requisite before she has her morning cuppa, which has to be served piping hot but she drinks it only after much of the heat has lost its intensity. She browses the newspaper and offers reactions on some of the stories that has agitated her and mind you, it has a lot of sense packed in it.

The daylight hours are spent by her in monitoring the various activities that are going on in the house and she takes short naps, in between, at random. Every phone call is monitored and she's to be told about the identity of the caller and the contents of the conversations. Her afternoon siesta after a carefully measured lunch of rice - a must for lunch and dinner - and other attendant curry and vegetables is exactly for a duration of an hour and nothing more. The medicines are taken after she's carefully taken them out from their wrappings and bottles at designated timings.

By sunset, she insists on the main door being closed and bolted - we've frequent fights on this one - lights burning in all rooms and anxiously waits for my return from the evening walk. This evening, there was a thundershower which was more of a combination of lightning and thunder with very less rain and she seemed to be scared. This is unlike my mom that I'm familiar with but I suppose it's the metamorphosis of a human being consequent to advancing age!

And soon it's bedtime, at about 2145h, and I accompany her up the steps to her bedroom - she's brought down in a similar fashion in the morning, reminding me of the cane-orderlies steering the flight of stairs to and from the quarterdeck for the accompanying VVIPs.


Tailpiece.

At times, I tend to fly off my handle when mom repeats a query more than once. She doesn't react to my tantrums and let it pass, leaving me guilty and confused about my lack of maturity. But I'm sure she understands that there's not even a hint of malice in my thought or deed!

   

The games politicians play.

Thanks to election time, it's raining amusing behavioural aspects of individuals and shows the ridiculous extent that they can go, hoping like mad that each action of their's is gonna fetch them votes! Now, consider these:-

    (a) Pulling down view cutters.

     Depending on the security threat upon the individual, the police go by their bible on security and one of
     the materials that they use extensively is the green sack-like material to cover vantage points to block the
     view of a possible mischief monger and they call it the 'view cutter'. It was one such thing that was pulled
     down by Rahul Gandhi, quick to be taken up by none other than the Chief Minister and other worthies
     on the dais much to the consternation of the security personnel. The politicians had resorted to the act
     because they wanted to be 'in touch' with their political workers!

     Now who gets blamed, if god forbid, something wrong were to happen? The professional assessment
     by the security apparatus must be accepted without question.

    (b) Getting to be over friendly.

    We're returning from my sister's place at Palakkad with mom and somewhere enroute, we'd to cross
    the long motorcade of a candidate. He was on a topless vehicle and waving to one and all. When our
    car was passing by his vehicle, he'd bent down to the extent feasible and waved vigorously with a wide
    grin on his face. So much about being outgoing and friendliness.

    Do these same people display such enthusiasm once elected? I doubt it.

    (c) Making explosive statements and then blame about being 'misquoted'.

    Every politician is guilty on this count. They make outrageous comments, challenge their opponents
    on silly issues and can go to any extent for getting responses from the audience. Later, when they come
    under the Election Commission's scanner they sheepishly report that they've been misquoted. But the
    electronic eye nails their lie.

    Wonder what happens finally? Or is it that the complaints are registered and after warnings are issued,
    the matter is conveniently closed? Public memory is short.


Tailpiece.

But whatever one might say, the elections with all its attendant frills, games and boisterousness, is the hallmark of a true, vibrant democracy. We, Indians, can really be proud about it!   

A different experience altogether!

A forenoon that was crowded with activity. It's a combination of additions/alterations to 'The Quarterdeck', running errands for the household requirements and squaring up of a few personal work that have been pending since long. Everything had gone off well, notwithstanding the glitch at the ATM to pull out money which has been a constant bugbear that reminds me of my erratic interphase with technology!

We'd set off for Palakkad by a half past three in the afternoon. Achu was getting back and mom had to be brought back from my sister's place. We must have traversed around ten kilometers when a police patrol had flagged us to a stop to subject the vehicle to a search. I'd read in the papers - co-incidentally this morning - that there's been a lot of movement of currency notes, in bulk, that were being used by all the political parties without exception for their electioneering work. Consequently, random checks were being conducted at many spots on vehicles.

I'd opened the boot and saw the junior policemen 'groping' my bags - there were two of them - and I'd even suggested that they could open them to carry out a meaningful search which they refused giving off a weary shrug. It's then that the Circle Inspector - the team leader - who'd told me and I quote, "Sir, thanks for the co-operation. You may please go now". I'd noticed, in the meanwhile, a photographer in attendance who'd been clicking away my car's number plate and the boot space which just didn't seem right. It was then that I told the team leader that he'd be on a better wicket if the antecedents of the motorists were ascertained and incriminating evidence gathered, before resorting to photography.

And to convey to the team that I meant business, I'd told them that I'd be informing the police IG of the area - he's related to Lekha - about my observations. Was the team jolted out of their stupor? I don't know, because I'd continued with my onward journey without any further ado.


Tailpiece.

1. I know that I'd done something that I abhor doing viz. name dropping and flashing my connections. But photography, without permission, is just not done. We're not a police state, remember?!

2. And yes, I'd informed Lekha's relative late in the evening who's promised to get around what had happened!!    

A pure breed!

Aswin, my nephew, has been with us for the past couple of days as I'd mentioned earlier. He's going through a spate of interviews and tests towards picking up his dream job.

Whenever he comes into my field of thoughts, I'm always impressed by the way he conducts himself, his tremendous passion to assimilate the nuances of life, his ability to laugh at himself and above all, his clear-headed aim of wanting to become a space scientist. With his single minded pursuit, I'm sure he'd succeed in his endeavour and my prayers and wishes shall always be with him.

He's like a young bird, having learnt to fly, poised to take off into the wide, wild world. These times that he spends with us are gonna reduce when he embarks upon his career and more importantly, on a life of his own. Then, perhaps, his parents and all the rest of us would look forward to him finding time for us - a situation that depends on how much he prefers spending his time with us. And if he's been silently suffering my company because of family compulsions, the outcome would not be very difficult to understand! Having said that, I'd like to believe that he endorses me and my idiosyncrasies.

I've tried to compare myself - when I was his age - with him and have always come a cropper. His clarity of thought, despite the exuberance and idealism of age, is remarkable on various issues. He, to put it in his own words, is on a voyage of discovery about life. And his simplicity, nay lack of complexities, makes him an adorable young man. It's my fond hope that he gets everything that he wishes for in the journey of his life!

Good luck, Achu, my l'il one. May success embrace you at each stage and may you have the strength to convert adversity into opportunity to do even better to come out with flying colours!


Tailpiece.

Recapitulating my own life, I wonder what my mom and dad might have felt when I'd asked them on my first vacation from school while studying in class VII, "Don't you like me? Why did you've to send me into a boarding school?"      

A busy day in a different manner.

The pump that pushes water from the well on to the overhead tank definitely did have problems, three days back and I'd informed the concerned company as the instrument was still under the warranty period. Probably, the heat had got the better of the tough engineering equipment but jokes apart, it had a tendency to cut off midway and restart, after it had cooled off sufficiently!

The company's representative had finally fetched up to ascertain the defect and lo and behold, the machine worked perfectly. This has been a perennial experience in my life. He looked at me and I gave him a rather apologetic look but stood my stand that I'm yet to go off my senses to call for him for imaginary defects! What had swung things in my favour was that it was the franchisee's representative who'd first attended to the defect and reported the error. I was told that a new unit would be installed, in lieu, within 24 hours.

My nephew, Achu'd fetched up by lunchtime to spend a couple of days with us during which he'll call on Guruvayurappan and is also brushing up on the finer skills that are essential while attending an interview and he's quite a few of them lined up during the month. Talking to him is a pleasure because he's two sterling qualities viz he's a good listener and he's willing to learn! He's a great affinity for aeronautical engineering coupled with space technology and it's my fond hope that he joins the profession of his calling. After a bad show at the 10+2 exams, he's clawed himself back into the reckoning with a distinction in his BE exams.

The long procession of the plumber and the electrician had gone on to tackle the problem areas and hence, the afternoon siesta had to be bunked which forces me to hit the sack, earlier than normal, in the evening much to my dislike. The evening drive to the market, after the customary walk, was nice with Achu providing me a helping hand to cart bags containing provisions that were listed on Lekha's long list.

By the time I'd turned in for the night, it was a few minutes to midnight.    


Tailpiece.

Francis, from Kochi, had come to fine tune the grandfather clock earlier in the day. A thorough professional who knows his job. He rues the fact that he'd not concentrated on his education but thanks his dad for having taught him the skill of attending to the 'time' machines from whim he derives tremendous satisfaction! He's promised to look us up and our clock, whenever he were to pass by, from now on. Damn sweet of him!! 

A botch up or deliberate clumsiness?

Ex-Naval officer Ravishankaran, of the infamous Naval war room leak case, has come back to haunt the collective conscience of this country. A London court has found that there's no hard evidence against the individual that calls for his extradition to India!

Isn't that a laugh? Firstly, he seems to have had a free access into the 'high security zone' of the defence forces. Secondly, he'd collected information that covered the canvas of national security for the use of economic activity! He, being the nephew of the then naval chief's wife and himself, being an ex-serviceman, must have naturally opened forbidden doors for him. And one can never forget that chief's statement made through one of his articles, soon after the scam had broken out and I quote, "One has no control over the relationships one acquires through marriage!" What had forced him to disown his near and dear ones, one wondered then.

On initial reading of the fiasco, it's abundantly clear that the CBI - that's handling the matter - has botched up the case, in that, it had not made its case fool proof and strong enough to bring about his extradition. It's this fact that's absolutely difficult to digest because the government would have come down upon it like a ton of bricks for a grave mistake made on the turf of national security. Since that doesn't seem to have happened, were there any other consideration?

It's one's fond hope that the error is corrected forthwith and Ravishankaran brought back to the country, so that the law of the land takes over and delivers speedy justice.


Tailpiece.

On a personal level, I feel sad that he was a first termer when I was a member of the Directing Staff at the NDA. Where had one gone wrong in drilling into him and his course mates, the Academy's credo of ' Service before self'?  

A case of intolerance?

Unknown people had attacked the head office and the residence of Ravi Deecee, the CEO of DC Books on Monday night, reportedly over the release of the book, "Amrithanandamayi Madom : Oru Sanyasiniyude Velipeduthalukal"(Amrithanandamayi Math : A Sanyasin's Revelations).

The incident had actually begun earlier in the day when two persons had visited an outlet of DC Books, bought a couple of copies of the said book and tore them to pieces within the premises, soon after. The stone pelting at the proprietor's house took place around 2230 h by motor cycle riding miscreants who'd sped away soon after.

The 'math' had come under intense scrutiny when an interview with a foreign ex-devotee was aired on one of the Malayalam news channels. During the interview, the lady had gone onto say as to how she was sexually exploited by the number two man in the hierarchy and about the other sordid goings on within its premises. Predictably, there were instant reactions from the public for and against the 'math'. A few of the ardent supporters of the 'Amma' like film actor, Mohanlal, had come out openly in support of the math, citing the numerous charitable activities that the organisation has been doing for the well being of the society.

My take.

There would be differing opinions among the people about anything and everything. In this specific case, it's because of the fact that there's a large percentage of the population who view 'godmen' as ushers to god and seriously wonder about their relevance especially, when they're convinced that they don't require ushers to attain their god!        

And it's incumbent upon the organisation to remove the mistrust that has been generated by the young lady's revelations. Acts like those of the miscreants smack of cowardice! It's possible that the organisation had come to know of the mischief, much after it had been committed but perceptions are such that a needle of suspicion point towards it.

The math has been doing a lot of yeoman service for the welfare of the poor and the downtrodden in society. Its contributions in the field of education and healthcare are notable and praiseworthy. Here's hoping that the math is able to clear itself off the allegations and continue to do its welfare activities, targeting larger sections of the needy!


Tailpiece.

Came across a lovely saying and I quote,

    "If you're depressed,
        you're living in the past.

     If you're anxious,
        you're living in the future.

     If you're at peace,
        you're living in the present".