Tag Archives: India

Life

Frolic Friday – Sachin Tendulkar Knows You, Maria Sharapova

Image July 4, 2014 jcisnowjs 5 Comments

: Who Is Sachin Tendulkar?

Oh Maria!!! Poor Maria!!!

What have you done Maria???

You never would have guessed that all hell will break loose on you, the moment you said that you don’t know about Indian God of Cricket – The Sachin Tendulkar. Poor you. I pity you.

It so happened, that a journalist asked little doveSharapova, ‘Sachin Tendulkar was the other person who came in at the same time as David. Do you know who Sachin is?’

And our little dove replied by saying, “I don’t”.

: Sachin and Beckham

However, she does know, who Beckham is? 🙂

This simple ignorance or should I say lack of general knowledge of hers, has created a mayhem in the Indian Cricket fans groups. Result being, Maria’s Facebook posts and photos are littered with abusive and derogating comments. Not only this, several of her memes are going viral on internet showing fury of Cricket fans. Most fascinating is the trending of “#Who is Maria Sharapova” on twitter.

A question to Indian cricket fans here (which includes me too), why does it bother you so much, if a player of another country have no knowledge of a player (goddamn player), of your country.

Specifically, because first –

She belongs to Russia, a country who does not play Cricket. India does not play Rugby, and I bet many of you would not be able to tell the names of two or three top rugby players. Leave Rugby, how many swimmers, or athletes or basketball players you know of.
There are only a few countries where Cricket is played. Mostly commonwealth countries and few more. Many nations are there, where cricket is not even known to the people. I have yet to see an American playing cricket in my local grounds, however Indians do play there.
Do you know the name of Indian Tennis Players? Except Sania?? If yes, how many of them you know of?
If Alia Bhatt (Oh I so wanted to point her out in this case. Resemblance is uncanny 😛 ), so if Alia Bhatt, does not know who the Prime Minister Of India is? Then is this her lack of general knowledge or does that mean that she has insulted The Prime Minister of India.
Alia is smarter then Maria
Did she anyhow said something derogatory about Sachin? No. Right? She just doesn’t know him. Accept it.
Sachin is God. I agree with that. But is it necessary that our God should be others God too. She is allowed to have a God of her own, and not know anything about other Gods.
So, just forgive her. Even you knows, that Sachin The God, also would prefer that. After all, Sachin Knows Maria. 😛

However, I am too tempted to post some of the funniest memes which are making rounds on poor Maria. So Enjoy!!! But don’t forget to forgive. 😀

Photographs, Random

Thursday Treats – Crocheted Bangle

Image July 3, 2014 jcisnowjs 1 Comment

Do you know that one of the difference between Bangles and Bracelet is, that Bangles are not flexible?
Do you know that Indian city Moradabad is India’s largest producer of bangles?
Do you know that Bangles are made from material ranging from glass, gold, metal, plastic, rubber, silver and wood?

And just now I have shown you a bangle which is crocheted with yarn. 😀

P.S. See more of my Crochet experiments here…

Random

What Kind of Government We Want?

Image June 11, 2014 jcisnowjs Leave a comment

I was watching a television series yesterday, where the dethroned Queen asks one of her Knight, “People of my Land must be waiting for me to return”. Knight replied “My Lady, People do not care about who is ruling them and who is not? What they care about is that do they have enough to eat, or shelter, and safety”.

We say all big things like corruption, world peace, global warming, woman empowerment, while choosing our governments but the basic reality does not change. We all want our basic necessities to be met first, only after that, we would care about global warming and world peace.

Recent posts that I am seeing on facebook, from my friends belonging to U.P(Uttar Pradesh), India, makes me realize that those who were fighting before elections taking sides are now all on one side.

One side which is complaining about huge Power cuts. In the scorching heat of Delhi and U.P, there is no relief whether you are outside or inside home, due to power cuts. Now some may ask what it’s got to do with politics?

Actually few days back when I was debating with a friend about the scene of Indian Politics, this point arise where he said that “I can not believe that an educated person can say that people of Amethi are more concerned about the basic things like roads and power, and not see the corruption done by Congress party over the years. How can they choose Rahul Gandhi over and over again?”

He was right, but to some extent. Point that I made was, people of Amethi are not bothered about corruption as they do not see it directly affecting their lives. What is affecting them more is poverty and lack of infrastructure. They are not electing a party, they are electing an individual, Rahul Gandhi, Golden Prince. Why they are electing him?

If you visit Amethi, and could be able to chat honestly with the people there, they will say, “we know congress didn’t do anything here, but last year they gave a government job to my little brother. Our whole family is feeding because of it.” Or, “my old mother is getting pension because of them”, or, they gave me quota work for making this road, which I may or may not make”. Congress has not taught them fishing, but they are provided with Fish to eat, from time to time.

My point being they are feed only that much, which is enough to fill their stomach but not for long, so they will come asking for it again. Their desires are simple. Their needs are limited. Lets take a totally different scenario now. Lets ask a person living in USA, what does he need from his government?

Will he say that he wants power supply, or good roads? No, he doesn’t need them, because he already have them.

A girl living in Delhi, may or may not say about better roads, but she will sure say safety on roads as her biggest concern. A small businessman may say less tax on his business, or a youth for more job opportunities, or a housewife managing her household on a minimum budget may say, ability to buy more in less.

Each one of us has different priorities and these change based on what we already have and what we aspire to have next. So, basically we want our government to give us everything, but we need all the basic necessities first.

As they say in hindi “Bhooke Bhajan Na Hoye Gopala”, meaning “You can not pray on an empty stomach”.

Life

What I Miss About India The Most

Image June 3, 2014 jcisnowjs 16 Comments

Last year this time I was in a plane, coming to USA for the first time, with my hubby and three kids. I was unsure of what future holds for me. How will I get along with new country, new culture and new people?

It turned out, pretty good. For those, who have read my post on How America is treating me…., would know what I am talking about. I didn’t write anything about India at that time, reason being, I wanted to feel it by the course of time, If I do indeed miss being in India? Or, what exactly did I miss about being there?

Now, that I have spent one whole year, I think I am eligible enough to write my first experience of missing India. So here it goes…. not necessarily in a specific order.

Indian Food

Indian Food – bet I won’t be the only one to agree on this point but, Indian food tastes better, in India only. You can visit any top notch restaurant of the world, but the taste of spices, that you have in Indian food, can not be found anywhere. I have been to the Indian restaurants here, but taste is not the same. I cook daily (almost), but still it’s not the same. I have eaten food cooked by others too, but it’s not the same. Miss that aroma, that smell of Indian soil and air.

Crowd

Crowd – I know you may not agree with me on this one, but I do miss that crowd, that long stretch of people everywhere around you. When you go out and you start seeing people the moment you step out of your door, to the small lanes, parks, elevators, stairs and main roads…. everywhere a stream of people running for their daily errands. It’s so lively, as if everything has a life. Here I can stroll around blocks away from my home without seeing a single soul for miles (if we leave people running to their destinations, in their cars).

Movie Queen

Movies – I do see Indian movies here, in theaters too, but the feeling is not the same. Indian movies are meant to be seen in big halls, with a cheering and whistling crowd of movie watchers; with some school kids still in their school uniforms bunking their classes; few college going love birds trying to find their corner seats; some oversize uncles spreading their legs and bumping your seat over and over again; smell of that buttery popcorn and slurping sounds of big colas; this is what Indian movies audience should be like. Miss it here.
Kids flying kite

Indian kids – I miss kids playing in the neighborhood. Now, nobody rings my doorbell and runs away before I open the door. 🙂 I miss that innocence when little girls would come by ringing your door bells not once or twice but million of times and would ask, “Can we take Tisha to our home for play?”. I miss kids playing cricket in the streets or flying kites on the roof, and shouting with all the strength of their lungs, on small victories. I miss seeing kids all dressed up in their uniforms, looking fresh and tidy in the mornings. Miss seeing grandparents dragging and carrying those same kids, exhausted after school, and take them back to home. Miss the mayhem and mischief of kids.
Indian street

My Neighborhood – I miss that chat with the neighbors through balcony having sips of tea in between. How easily we discussed everything from household matters to cricket to debate on who should be the next prime minister, with the whole neighborhood, while still in the comfort of our homes. I miss those small gatherings on the stairs with the neighbors, which used to start with the simple namaste and how are you?, to discussion about their daughter’s friend’s kids school admissions. I miss those visits by neighborhood uncle, who will come by just to say hello. Miss listening to Hindi songs playing on a radio of a very distant shop.
Indian Food

Late Nights – In India we have a wrong notion that people in USA have a better night life, as if they party all night, and have more fun, than us. On the contrary, I have found, here people sleep early, to be precise 8pm is their sleeping time, while we on the other hand would not even have our dinner by that time. Markets are close by 8 or max 9, and then you have no place to go to. I miss those evenings/night snacks of chaat and golgappas by roadside at 10 pm. Going out to eat at 11 and still be able to find good food, specially those late nights aaloo paranthas in Noida.
Indian Driving

Driving on Indian Roads – It would be insane to say that, but seriously, the fun that you have while driving on Indian roads can never be the same in USA. I loved going on long drives there, specially on highways; here it looks like every road is a highway, pretty boring. Missed that road rage and honking. Cutting into each others lanes and taking wrong turns. It may sound bad, but it was thrilling (however, I would never advise others to do that). Miss bikes and rickshavalas passing alongside your cars and taking sharp turns, miss cycles and school vans, with kids waving byes.
Golgappe

Street Food and Dhabas on Roadside – Dear dhabavalas, you are really a blessing, and now I have realized your importance. The way we can stop our cars anywhere on the road and would find a small dhaba, have a little glass (not cup) of tea with pakoras… yumm… and those jaljira places in summers…. ooohhh…. missing you. Miss aaloo chaat, golgappa, momos, chowmein, paranthas, ice creams, and jalebi shops/counters (thela to be precise).
Vegetable Market

Indian stores and Markets – Maggi and Dairy Milk Chocolate are no longer soem food item for me, they are life’s little pleasures. You will know it, when you have to go to 100 miles to buy a dairy milk chocolate. Running to Indian stores to buy that Imli chatni or Indian namkeens and sweets….. how easy it was in India, to go to a store on a walking distance and buy these life’s small luxuries. Step out of your home, and there you will have a shop, delivering everything that you desire, sometimes home delivery too.
Most importantly, I miss family and friends. Miss those times when we would just go to a friend’s place unannounced, just to have a cup of tea, and would come back fully loaded having dinner. Miss that, when you feel close enough to your family and friends to be able to reach them in time of need within hours. Every birthday or small celebration with your close ones. People who really matter in your life. Miss home and miss my hometown. Miss actually everything that my country has. Miss India. 😦

Life, Spiritual

Religion and My Ignorance

Image May 7, 2014 jcisnowjs 6 Comments

I have read so many mysteries and thrillers, but most mysterious and thrilling stories are from our Religious notions. There is so much that we don’t know, still there is so much that we believe in. Believing in something which we don’t know fully, still we have full faith in our beliefs. I am writing this post cause my curious mind took me to a journey of some of the widely practiced religions and stories behind them.

I am ashamed to say that I knew so little about them, even right now, I am so unsure of my limited knowledge(rather say ignorance), but I am eager to learn.

For instance, I didn’t knew that three of the most popular religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam, originated from one. But, I did knew that, Hinduism is considered as the oldest Religion and it has given birth to several most widely practiced other religions too, like Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Most astounding fact being, that all these religions emerging from Hinduism are in accord and harmony (as far as I know).

The case is not same with Christinaism, Judaism, and Islam. They started from the same Abrahamic belief, and then along the way they distinguished themselves and took separate paths. A path which now seem, so extreme from each other that one can never imagine that their roots were in the very same area of Jerusalem.

A holy place captured and attacked so many times in history, and now surrounded by walls reaching the sky. A holy place which is the center point for the most controversial religious debates between three major Religions of the world. I wonder if God still resides there, enclosed in those walls.

This actually reminds me of my visit to disputed Ram temple site of Ayodhya, India. A place of worship and faith, surrounded by army and police, guarded in such a way, to make you feel like, distant from your own God. I read about and also watched some documentary on Jerusalem, and the only thought that came to my mind was, why can’t they all live in peace accepting each others Religion. What’s wrong if person of two religion wants to pray in a single place?

It strikes me, how I felt about the Ram Temple and Babri Masjid disorder. How would I feel, if I am praying their and at the same time my Muslim friend is offering his prayers too? Will it create more discord, or, it just won’t matter, as long as we both have a right to express our religious beliefs freely?

It’s too complicated, or maybe not. I am trying to understand, what need not require understanding. Religion is not meant to be interpreted. It’s for believing. It’s for practicing my beliefs, without hurting others. It should be about love and closeness with the Lord, and not about building walls. I believe in that.