Globalization

There are many stories that try to bring out the spirit of Globalization. Though listening to them helps you understand its meaning, the true feeling underlying this world is something to be experienced. I had such an experience first-hand in California. How you would you feel when you are sitting in an "Indian" restaurant in "USA" when a "Mexican" comes to you and serves you"Sambar Vada" while actually pronouncing it properly (better than the westernized teenage Indian girls :P)..!! It wasn't the first time I was seeing a person from a foreign land in such a situation, but, it was the first time I had this kind of realization strike me..

While dining in another Indian restaurant, I was helping an American choose his dishes, since he was a bit confused with non-familiar words such as 'Kofta', 'Panneer', etc. We soon struck up a conversation and he was recollecting his recent visit to India which happened to be his 2nd trip there, after 20 years. He sounded astonished at the development and westernization of the country and felt that India in the 90s was nicer. Now, many of us confuse ourselves between the development of a country and getting westernized. Westernizing our culture and thoughts does not make us a developed country. Similarly, the inverse need not be true either. But its a very fast ride, and all of us seem to be just about holding on to see where it leads us..

About 100 years ago, the country with the largest conquered land was the world's superpower - and Britain was the best player. Then came the age of Information and the US has taken a strong stance there. But no nation has remained at the top for long. So who is going to be next? Can India overcome looking up to the western world and take its own stance? Would China make the steady progress they have been doing with an intelligent and hard-working workforce? Or would it be a totally unnoticed player who would make a sudden leap into the race? Globalization has more often been looked upon as "westernization" of the world. The West has given us good and bad times. And its time to learn from them. Would we see an age where this buzz word represents its true meaning? Or are we heading towards adopting an existing set of streamlined ideas?

Break a leg

Wrote this in Nov 2010. But left it floating away...

Its the Final phase of Education for most people as they near the completion of their Masters' degree. 3 semesters of eventful days and sleepless caffeinated nights have finally given you two more letters to your name. But wait.. That's the least of worries isn't it.. The reason for all the pain and pressure was getting a good job in your industry of "passion". The fantasies from back home where every relative whom u knew in the US was working with a big giant seems so far-fetched. And all you hope for now is to catch the light at the end of the tunnel and pray that every spell of darkness is just a curve in your path. And thus starts the remaining part of your journey...

With countries trying to climb up from the economic recession that tore them apart, the American dream still seems to be just a dream for many. Talent, passion, knowledge and interpersonal skills can get you as far as doing well. But to secure the peak, the last 5% might be required. People call it by different names - some call it chance, some call it fate.. But, in general, it goes under the name of luck.

It is very common for the young, self-driven community to believe that such an entity never exists - its rather a superstition. But certain events in your life sometimes make you ponder at times... What if?? The most confusing questions start this way.. What if luck does exist? What if you need this unmeasurable non-existent entity to succeed? Life's most frustrating twists are spun into one beautiful web. The web is a source of confusion when you are right in the middle, but taking a step back, and an amazing design unravels right before your eyes.

La Vie est Belle...

PS: Dedicating to a friend who still awaits his 5%. Break a leg buddy...

Water water everywhere, nor any drop to drink...

Water spraying to the sides.. The sun burning into my skin.. All I could see ahead was the blue shade of the sky reflected over miles and miles of water. And all I could hear was the hum of my jet ski... It was Spring Break last week.. And as usual, we came up with a plan to freak out - 3 days at Panama City Beach, Florida - the Spring break Capital of the World. Its known for the huge student crowd that it attracts with its beautiful beaches, interesting beach parties and an active night life. We spent most of our time at the beach. But on the third day, we went for a dolphin tour - a 2 hour tour on jet skis that included a close-up view of dolphins in the sea and a visit to Shell Island. Due to the absence of water-proof cameras on any of us, we ended up capturing our surroundings only through our eyes.

We started off slowly and headed straight to the place where most dolphins preferred hanging around - A part of the Atlantic just off the lagoon. The ride was a smooth one until we reached the borders of the lagoon. Soon, as we entered into the open ocean, the huge waves and the roughness of the ocean made it a tad more interesting to ski along (Pity my pillion rider who held on so hard trying not to fall :P). The dolphins seemed to enjoy swimming near an island where the waves were a bit cut down. The sight of the dolphins swimming alongside us was a never-to-forget experience.

After our acquaintance with the second most intelligent species on the planet (following all primates), we skied off to Shell Island. The island had a view of the mainland with calm waters on one side and the rough open ocean on the other side. The ride to the island with all the scenery around could be expressed in nothing but one word - "Wow!!!" (with all three exclamation marks). It was at this point that I really regretted being unable to capture what my eyes were relishing in a more permanent form. With the mainland on one side, an uninhabited island on the other and miles of water touching the horizon straight ahead, every moment out there was lived at its fullest.

The uninhabited Shell Island was a small stretch of land with a little grass and a run-down wooden building. It was possible to see all ends of the island from any point and was covered in white beach sand all over. The coast was dotted with a number of dead jelly fish washed ashore by the current. The clear water and the bright sand made it seem like living in a desktop screensaver - so serene and calm. The sound of waves splashing and the wind rustling was such a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of the city.

If only Lyf had a pause button.... Hmmm...

Topsy Turvy

Its been almost 2 years since I came into the land of opportunities. Yet, I wonder, what is it that makes thousands of young people leave their home countries? What is it that draws everyone all the way from the Far East to the Western-most land? What makes a foreign country so perfect than the land that you belong to? What is it that makes people all over the world "westernize" and try to adopt "western" styles? Are we moving towards globalization or westernization? I read once that the forefathers of this country founded the new land on grounds of scientific wisdom over ancient superstitions. I believe it is these roots that have sky-rocketed this nouveau group over other ancient civilizations.

But with the huge leaps in technology, mankind has seen another interesting phenomenon. I never realized this until I witnessed it myself - The borderline between culture, race and citizenship. Consider an Indian couple who have settled down in the US for about 20 years. At this point in life, you have a family who are American citizens, the elders have had Indian education with a recently adopted western life and kids who see India as a holiday spot for documentary writers. How would you now view the Indians (by race) who are Americans (by citizenship)? I feel immensely happy when I see American-born Indian kids learning to play classical instruments, classical art, classical dances, etc. Its sad such arts are considered "old-fashioned" and "boring" by the current generations in the very lands where they were founded (count my adolescent counterpart in too). In trying to save ones identity, we try to stick to our cultures while moving to a different lifestyle. The words that we ponder about faced very little difference a few decades ago.. Regardless of where we live or where we have settled down, we are and will be always identified by our roots - not in terms of religion and caste, but, by culture and traditions. While the migrated crowd is doing its best, it is essential that we (the so-called modern youngsters who turned to the West) attempt to understand and pass on our true identities too...

The hunt..

There have been times when I look at people around me and wonder. People busy with their own lives. Talking their own language - both linguistically and technically. But where is everybody heading to? Away from home.. In a far far away land. Understanding and respecting a foreign culture. With hardly any time to call back home. Unable to say a friendly hi to your college buddies. Having your loved ones go upset because you couldnt spend 5 dedicated minutes with them.

But beyond all this, the sense of commitment and motivation within every one of them. The fire to achieve something. To not just complete, but to suceed in what they have begun. And above all, the hunt for a true friend. Its not about being desperate for company. Its about being able to lean on to someone. Someone you can turn to. Someone you can trust. Someone's shoulder to share your load for sometime...

The wandering solitary mind

The transition into a new system.. New environment.. New friends.. A new lyf.. I find around me, a variety of confused minds.. Trying to find companions.. Tryin to socialize.. Tryin to get some space.. But still confused. The mind of every individual wanders into an abyss of memories. Lyf at college, at school, at home... After a stroll through ur past, ur mind returns only to find that it better hadn't. It takes quite a bit of time before u start realizing that the most memorable times of ur lyf wud hav been the hardest too. Or atleast the result of the hardest part. Ur wave of lyf touches every peak - the rise and the fall. Success is abt getting up after the fall, but determination is abt how fast we do it. N to do this, a helping hand is always appreciated.

So now, I've understood the real meaning of the proverb "Birds of a feather flock 2gether".

N Finally... Ur wandering mind is no longer solitary..

(Huh This is the 1st time I've tried out such a style of writing. Further articles might vary depending on reader comments..)

Adios...

P.S.: This article does not point to any individual, dead or alive, n is just an attempt to bring out the common thoughts that people generally experience, but choose to refuse. My apologies if I hav failed in my attempt :) ...

India away from India

Guess I'm posting after a really long gap.. But I'm back.. N here I am at Georgia Tech, Atlanta, understanding the true impact of India's exploding population. Everywhere I turn, I meet an Indian. The term "cultural shock" has been lost into oblivion since there isn't much transition to expect. Though the system n lifestyle change, u remain the same.. Hey.. Sounds kinda poetic.. Huh.. On second thoughts, chuck it...

With Indian restaurants and grocery stores around the city, Indian spices, Indian products and of course the Indians themselves (maybe I should say 'ourselves'), it feels pretty much the same. Well, the skyscrapers along with the muscular cars and fancy roads obviously deprive u of the real India.. But thats just the materialistic part..

With such a setup around, i have still not ceased to wonder if I had traveled all around the globe just to be met by our same very own. But then I look at the professors and realize.. Aaah... Here are some of the people whose names I have read only at the cover page of some famous texts. Woa... No wonder Indian students pack up for an MS asap after their bachelor's. The question lingering in my mind for so many years has finally been answered.. N I.. Hav attained nirvana... Aaah.. Ya rite...