Unplanned Journeys

I know it’s politically incorrect, but I really do not relate to our old national Heroes anymore. Gandhi, Nehru, Tilak …I’m sure they were all fine men and Heroes in their own right, but they are too old for me. Look; I understand that they may still be relevant and what they have left behind is of great value to us…but that’s not what helps me live everyday now. Let me explain. You see, if this was the 1940s and India was fighting for independence (or something) , I’m sure a lot of us would get inspired by these people, but not when my mobile ring tone changes every hour to suit my mood. I need Heroes and role models that inspire me now , in 2010, to become better, do more, seek higher…exactly what a role model should do. That too in everyday life. Let’s look at the remaining possibilities (in terms of available role models) that may inspire the current lot, in which I include everyone from age 3 till the age when one still gets inspired (choose). 1. Sports stars. Very few. ...

We read about Naxalism everyday. We discuss it at parties with expensive scotch in our hands, our women at that time arguing about the benefits of ‘Lycra’ in the new Levi’s tight-fit jeans. Then, when the drink is done and the children start to tug at our sleeves, we wish each other good-night and leave for home in our AC cars, with the latest Bollywood item number playing on our expensive 4 channel system . A normal discussion, a normal day, a normal life. Driving back from Kanatal last weekend, we were grateful for the thunder and storm that was building up. It had been a hot week and a little rain would have definitely helped. It rained. We decided to take a less frequented route; the one that joins Raipur to Kaddukhal. Barely a few kilometers down, we were hit by wind and rain like we hadn’t experienced in many years. With that; the land slides, falling trees … and we knew that the only way to reach DehraDun safely is to keep driving and pray. And pray we did. All 7 of us in our S...

In my life, some people have clearly stood out. They stand out for what they have taught me; while teaching, supervising, being peers, or reporting into me or standing outside the office. Most of these people I failed to thank, when I knew them. So thank you people (list below) for contributing to a life (sometimes without knowing): • Mr. Tantra , Master of Chemistry at St. Joseph’s Academy , DehraDun , circa 1988-89 . Mr. Tantra could make a boy shiver, without even raising his voice. His eyes had it. I shivered every time he looked at me and he looked at me a lot. He made sure that everything that a ‘gentleman’ does; is taken responsibility for by the same animal… fixed, appreciated, thrashed, loved, stared at, hugged, taken to a side, applauded publicly…the animals in our small class knew Mr. Tantra to be capable of everything and more. Most remembered by boys who would never loosen their tie at 47 degrees Celsius. • Manoj Kumar, Master of Food Production at IHM Pusa , around 1992. ...

This time when I went to DehraDun, I felt different. The biggest reason was that I wasn’t thinking of my work back in Delhi and taking calls or looking at the Blackberry. I had quit my job and was relieved quickly and (though I hated the silence), I suddenly realized how important this small town was to me. A month before this visit I had paid thirty two thousand rupees for a ‘4 day, 3 night’ package at Kanatal and gone back a happy man. Happy because the 3 nights in the hills usually calm me down and make me ready for the race to nowhere. I had packed much in the three days in the hills, to the extent of regimentation. Walk every morning and evening. Must sit in the sun. Must have a bonfire. Must have the right whisky, sharp at 7:30 PM. Must have ‘chicken tikkas’. Must play (for at least 45 mins) with my daughter. Must (try to) talk to my wife. After doing everything I had put in my Outlook calendar (synced with my blackberry), with reminders 15 minutes prior to the even...