New JOB

Now this one is a classic example to show the effectiveness in the working of Govt Departments in our country. It highlights the 'coordination' between them.
Friday, January 16, 2009. The clock was saying 'quarter to five' in the evening. Ding-dong. The speed-post guy. My brother received it, which was a letter meant for me. He told me that I was selected in IDBI bank as an executive, for which I had taken a written test and an interview, and it was my appointment letter sent by the bank. Okay people, IDBI is 52.3% govt. For more, read
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_Development_Bank_of_India

The news came as a slight shock to me, although a happy one. Shock because they declared me 'not qualified' when I had checked results on the net. I thought that some factors other than my performance were responsible. But now, I became happy and started reading the letter, only to discover that a bigger shock was in store for me.
On turning the pages, I came to know that last day to report for the job was January 15, 2009. Are you getting the effectiveness and coordination that i was talking about? I got the letter a day later than the last date. In fact, it was dispatched on 16th. At least the stamp on envelope yelled that. It was just 10 minutes to 5. I had to report at Pusa Road branch, which would have got closed by 6. It was told on phone.Without wasting any time, I picked my certificates,and headed off for the office in an auto. My auto walla was a gem, who understood my situation and took me to the branch. He even took the pain of asking the whereabouts of the place. He was a very fine human being at heart, as he did not forget to wish me luck. And for all his wishes and contributions, Rs 150/- that he charged, for picking me from Safdarjang Enclave and dropping at Pusa, was just an offering, the farz that I had to fulfill.
Anyway, back to my appointment. They said that I was late. I was also prepared. To fight. To have heated arguments. But nothing of the sort happened. I explained the situation just once. And I was recruited, albeit next day, with some red tape involved.
And now, I am working there. Not for money. Not to make a career out of it. Being honest, I do not like the work. Though I am getting applause on daily basis. And i am getting it from the source that matters. My boss. She is a very sweet person. Many people have called me lucky to have Pooja Mam, as everyone calls her, as my boss. Other bosses are more interested in bossing around, rather than getting the things done. I noticed it today, when she said, "Yeah! No problem" when I asked whether tomorrow I could leave early.


I realize that I have been writing this post in a manner akin to sas bahu serials. Story starts at a place, then takes a digression. Then back. Then digression.
Anyway, coming back to my job, I have joined the bank because two years of studies at home has taken a toll on me. And by interacting with people, I hope to come out of the emotional vacuum that has got created around me. As for why this job, which is nowhere near the level of UPSC, well, I do not have marks to sit in Bank PO type exams. And SSC exams I have not taken. Corporate jobs shall pay me well. But then, time left to me shall be too less to be in touch with my books. So, this job has put me on an optimum place, if not the best....
Let's see what happens.

मर वे

updesh sandesh aadesh janadesh adhyadesh samavesh aavesh nivesh pravesh and roadways railways busways hillways takeaways doorways more-ways nowadays always faraway surveys Burveys karvey bharve marve ladve marve ladve marve

"Cheap Thrills" Diaries- Dilli Haat!

The weather is perfect and the place is colourful and vivacious….just as life ought to be!! I am writing about going to Dilli Haat (INA Market) one of these days. The Dastkar festival is on and it is the perfect time of the year to check out this place. The entry is Rs.15 per adult and Rs.10 for a child below 12 years of age. Start with the mandatory round of the haat, going from stall to stall. As you enter, starting from the left side of the market, there is a stall selling art de facts made from iron which are beautiful and affordable. If buying huge wall hangings is not your cup of tea, you could make do with a small souvenirs comprising of a bunch of tribal people dancing or a single tribal man beating the drums! They look beautiful and make for good gifts as well. Moving on, one comes across the hand crafted works and paintings from Orissa and Bihar. Madhubani, and other such styles of paintings. There are stalls for Pashmina’s from Kashmir and silks from Chanderi. Everything from carpets, to pearl and silver jewellery to woodcrafts and handicrafts are available in intricate designs and styles.

The food area starts somewhere around the middle of the market and offers a decent variety to gorge into. The scheme of the food court is such that one can explore food options from different States. Though with the passage of time, what remains is a loose segregation into ‘chaat-dosa type of food’ and the ‘ Indian chinese type of food’. Not much scope for trying out too many authentic dishes. I guess that is because there were’nt too many takers for it in a largely Punjabi-vaishnavi food loving Delhi!
Hygiene and cleanliness is not exactly the high point but the place does make for a good hang out zone for those who enjoy dhaba like ambience. There are lots of stall selling momos, fruit beer, chaat, north Indian meals etc. One has to explore to find out what is good where. But I do highly recommend the spicy Rajasthani thali at the Rajsthan food stall. It is as close as one can come to getting a taste of authentic Rajsthani food. For Rs.120 you can get a taste of dal-baati, rajasthani kadhi, bajra roti, rice, choorma, halwa and more! Two people can easily share the thali by ordering an extra roti. The Rajasthani kachori is also quiet popular. Infact, I noticed that the Rajsthan food stall itself is quiet a hit as compared to the rest of the food stalls. Oh yes, do not forget to polish it off with a steaming cup of tea served in an earthen kullar adding to the rustic feel!

The place has been done up nicely with colourful décor. It is particularly nice during the day when it is cold and the sun is pleasantly shining.

Continue exploring and interact with the artists and artisans sitting at the stalls. Most of them come from their native states and it’s a good break from the seasoned sales persons of Delhi!!

Go with a big gang or enjoy it in solitude. One can never get bored at this favourite hang out of mine. It is an open air locale and is not the same during the hot Delhi summers. So go right away and enjoy!

Jo beet gayi so baat gayi

Jo beet gayi so baat gayi
Jeevan mein ek sitara tha
Maana woh behad pyara tha
Woh doob gaya toe doob gaya
Ambar ke anan ko dekho
Kitney iske taarey tootey
Kitney iske pyarey chhootey
Jo chhoot gaye fir kahan miley?
Par bolo tootey taaron par
Kab ambar shok manata hai???

An extract from a poem by Harivansh Rai Bachchan that we had, so innocently read in school, without understanding the meaning. The spirit of the whole poem is very zindadil, urging the real man to go ahead. It rightly asks the man to live in present, thus paving foundation for a better future, by forgetting the past mis-haps. The poet has rightly asked not to have any regrets. Just to carry on.

But is it that easy to bring these lines to our lives? Is it possible for me NOT to think and get saddened in such a case? Sky has millions and billions of stars. Is that the case with me, too? NO. So why should I sport a fake smile? I don't intend to present a grim face. Still..............

BUT yeah! I believe that time is the best healer. And it shall heal me, too.

Tab tak, koshishein jaari rahengi , to live life, to the fullest.