Employees, Customers, Investors - Who is who?

This is the era of startups. Like we had the dot com boom, we have the app startups. They mushroom in web space or app space and grow into multi million, multi billion companies. They get seed finding, angel funding, funding from bigger conglomerates, they go public and becomes another "regular" company there after. From the ideation phase to the phase which ever it reach, does all these companies keep their initial motto in tact? Or do they loose them in between? Do they sacrifice some of them during the course of becoming a bigger company? Do they treat the customers/users the same as they did when they started? Or do they use all kind of data mining on the customers/users buy patterns and use it for theirs or some other business' benefit? As netizens aren't our clicks tracked?  Well, all these can be discussed for long.

What made me write this is the news that Nevzat Aydin shared his fortune with his team. Very few people has done this before. Let there be more.

Employees, Customers, Investors - Who is who?

Customers: "Customer is King" goes the line. Obviously no business can flourish without a loyal customer base. If customers are dissatisfied, they keep away and the business collapses. So customers are always pampered by businesses. They get loyalty bonus, they get offers, etc etc.

Investors: A company grows with the investment and business it receives. Investors thus become a need for the company to survive. Investors are one of the main decision making group in a company. The more they invest the more controlling power they get. So businesses are soft towards investors. Otherwise the fate will be of the CEO of one of the startups, which made headlines these days. In simple terms he was ousted because of his attitude towards the investors.

Employees: Employees work for salary, for bonus, for benefits. Sure. They have their contracts with the employer. Legally, they are not entitled to get something like Nevzat Aydin's employees received. Considering as a group, the employees play an equivalent role along with customers and investors in the making(or sometimes collapse) of a company. Except in few companies/organizations, they are the least pampered. How many companies give a special rise to an employee when there is an addition in the family? I pause here and leave the rest for your thought.

Buying a home in Bangalore

To own a home in Bangalore is a dream for all who don't have it, a "job-well-done" kind of feeling for all those who have bought the right ones and "god-save-us" kind of feeling for all those who bought from wrong people. There are risks within our limits and there are risks outside our limits. We have to try and minimize the risks within our limits to have a "peaceful enjoyment of the property" we bought spending a lot of money. Let me jot down some things i noted while I bought a flat in Bangalore. Also let me tell you, I am not a professional in this field  and below what you read is my personal views and experiences over the subject and most of it is only applicable to Bangalore area.

Step 1. Decide whether to buy or to live in rented space.

Advantages of renting: No strings attached. You can move to new place when you want. You can change if bored with current place. You just need to shell out the advance amount and just the rent, so no commitments of EMI payment etc. Advantages of buying: Emotional -  You own a home in a big city like Bangalore. Practical - Tax benefits and returns from the property.

Step 2. Budget, Size and Location of the property

Decide on the budget of the property. Once decided stick to it. Do not exceed your budget or else "trouble in the future". While budgeting, keep in mind that you would have to spend around 10-15% of the basic cost for registration, tax, amenities etc. Size is variable. Some people feel a 750 sq.ft. house is good enough for a 2BHK while some feel 1200sq.ft house is small. So decide on what you need. Its also good to have a plan in mind(a plan of the house you want to own) - which uses the spaces in an optimized way. One of the best plans is attached below. Location also matters because rates are different in different localities. Budget, size and locality are "co-related", I would say. 

Step 3. Identification of properties

Take sometime to identify the best among the available options. Properties can be widely divided into two categories - "Under construction" aka "UC" and "Ready-to-move-in" aka "RTMI". I would put the "Re-sale" ones also in "Ready-to-move-in" category. Both has pros and cons.

Pros for the former is that you get it for a fairer price(than latter); you have sometime to arrange for money; you can do minor modifications in the builder's plan; you can see the construction quality and inspect it by yourself; etc etc. Cons are that you have no guarantee of what will be the final product(flat or villa or other); you have no guarantee of when all the work will be over and you can move in; there is no guarantee whether after construction the builder could attain required approvals from local authorities - fire, water, sewerage, electricity, geological, environmental etc.

Pros for the latter is that you can see, touch and feel the final product; you can decide when to move in; from the documents you can come to know if the necessary approvals are acquired or not; you can compare and find out if the property has deviations from the approved plan for building(this is important because deviations can cause trouble later. I shall explain this later in this article) etc. Cons are that the price will be  around 20%-30% higher than its launch time; you have to arrange the full money for buying it; you cannot do much modifications in the structure or plan; you have no guarantee of the build quality other than the fellow owners' comments etc.

For me, "RTMI" properties are "peace of mind" properties because you know what you are buying and you buy it because you feel it is worth buying. You are in total control of the situation - whether to buy or not. 

So, coming back to identifying property - search in newspapers, search with the brokers, search yourself by going around and finding the projects in one locality - there are many ways. The best being searching yourself. You know what you need than anyone else and its better you check out what is out there. You can search and find out some properties. It is best to make a list of "buyable" properties. Why a list? Step 4 is the answer.

Step 4: Validation of properties

Validation is an "elimination process". So how do you eliminate the items in the "buyable" list? Other than your regular questions like price, built-up-area, amenities, building materials etc, take the below questionnaire:

What is the percentage of deviation from the approved plan? This is important because after the construction of the building, the approvals will depend on the % of deviation. Buildings with deviations upto a certain percentage is approved by levying a penalty amount. But buildings with deviations above this level find it difficult to procure approvals.

What khata the property has? There are two kinds of khatas - A and B. A khata properties are considered safe to be bought because it is a fully legal building with respect to the terms and conditions of the local authorities. B khata properties are the ones which might have deviations or some issues. But this does not mean B khata properties are dangerous to buy. Some of them can be converted to A khata by applying for and paying "betterment charges" specified by local authorities.

Has the builder pledged the property to any financial firm to acquire loans? Many builders pledge the property to financial institutions to raise the fund for construction. After construction they need to clear all titles. Hence this needs to be clarified.

Which all banks have approved the project? Some banks would have already approved and disbursed loans in the same project. Knowing details about them will help to get faster loan approvals. This also makes sure that the project is safe for buying.

Along with these some long term issues like water etc needs to be considered. Make sure there is a dependable water resource and other resources required.

The above questions are "reject criteria". If answers are "reasonable" then go forward. Else its better to reject the item in the list. 

Step 5: Verification of the property

Validation does not mean that you can go ahead and buy the property. You need to verify the property. You need to make sure that the property identified is legally clear from any kind of litigation now and in future. You need to make sure that the owner of the property has all the rights to sell the property. Now you might think that the bank is doing verification and hence I'm out of danger. But I read in an article that if in case you get into a litigation between the bank, banks usually take a stand that they approved and provided loan based on your repayment capacity and not on any other grounds.

How do we do that? For verification, we need documents. Builders will have all the documents - title deeds, approvals, GPA - general power of attornies if any, JV developement agreements and all the related documents for the project. Builders normally share the documents only after you pay the "booking amount"(in case of UC properties) or after you enter into an agreement by paying a token amount(in case of RTMI properties). If you are not satisfied with the verification then the amount is refunded.

Here are some of the documents to be collected from the builder for verification:
1. DC conversion certificate/document
2. Sanctioned building plan - sketch, approval letter
3. Up-to-date encumberence certificate
4. Up-to-date tax paid receipts
5. Approval from BBMP
6. Mother deeds(history of the property)
7. Present docs - sale deed, partition deeds, GPA etc
8. Individual khata certificate and khata extract
9. Occupancy/possession certificate and receipt of penalties paid for deviations, if any
10. Agreement for joint venture developement between builder and landlord
11. Amalgamation/Partition documents if any
12. Betterment charges paid receipt if any
13. Approval letters from fire, pollution etc etc which ever is applicable
14. A copy of the real sale deed with all terms and conditions

My suggestion is to employ a good advocate who works in the real-estate field and get his detailed opinion on the property you wish to buy.

Step 6: Enter into a sale agreement
Once you have verified the property, enter into a sale agreement with the builder/owner. This needs to be registered with the local registering authority. Otherwise its not legal. For registering the document you need to pay a certain prevailing amount. This amount can be then re-imbursed at the time of registering the original sale deed.

Step 7: Buying of the property

Last step is to buy the property by signing the sale deed with the owner/builder. This sale deed document needs to be submitted at the registrar office, and needs to be signed, sealed and registered by paying the respective registration charges. In this registration process, a property search will be done to make sure that this property is sale-able by the seller. After the registration is done, you will receive the original sale deed, receipt for the payment towards registration and an encumberence certificate.

For those who plan to buy land for building houses
Those who want to buy plots and build houses needs to do much more planning and care while identifying a property. One has to know the below:

1. What khata the property holds? A or B?
2. Under which local body does the land fall in? BBMP limits or village or other?
3. How wide is the road for the property? This is very important as the height of the buildings are restricted if the road is narrow.

Again its better to get in touch with a professional who can guide you on this.

After buying
There are some steps after buying a flat or a house.
1. Change of address for electricity meter
2. Khata transfer into your name and get the certificate
3. Payment of property tax - for this you need to perform step2 and then contact BBMP tax collecting centres.

I hope this article gave you some information. Wish you good luck.

The Crude reality

Foreword: There are lots of misleading articles and illustrations in all the media these days regarding the petroleum products' pricing in India. I am an Indian citizen trying to find the facts behind the 'tough decisions' of my government. Please read through this article and if you find this 'reasonable' enough, please share and forward. Please keep your mind open while reading this article. Lets us think and reason with the brain, let the heart pump the blood.

Types of Crude : Let us learn a little bit about crude oil. There are mainly two kinds of crude oil traded in the international markets - WTI(West Texas Intermediate) crude and Brent crude. I would like to quote http://www.oil-price.net/ here : WTI is more important in- and is-limited to the US, probably because WTI is produced and refined within the US. Brent is the real international benchmark. India uses Brent crude. There are many political, geographical and etc etc reasons why we use this, which is out of the scope of this article. Below is the real-time crude prices for WTI and Brent.

Oil trade: I mentioned oil trade. Oil trade is futures. It means, we trade today for future use. Oil companies forecast the quantity of future usage and buy from international markets. We buy today for usage in future. I highlighted it because this is the key to the oil price. I have seen many illustrations which says petrol price is very high in India in media, quoting today's crude oil price. For all those who propagate this, I tell you, "ignorance is bliss". Because, the oil bought today is used after many months. So how could anyone quote today's crude price and illustrate today's petrol price? Please go to this link to know the prices http://www.oil-price.net/ . Here if you hover over the Brent crude chart, you can see price for 1m(1month), 1q(1quarter), 1y(1year) and 5y(years). Check out the price in Feb-Mar 2012. It was around 125 USdollars. Currently it is $98 - $101. Now I guess you will be able to relate the news' in media saying government will reduce price in coming days. Our government is not doing any injustice to us. The crude oil we bought months back is being distilled now and we are using it. Since oil companies bought it for high rates, they have to sell it for high rates. Please note that they bought the crude months back for 125 US dollars, but did not hike the price relatively that time. Even if there was a hike during this period, it would have been for a previous crude hike. Moral of the story is today's Crude price decides tomorrow's fuel price. Today's petrol price is relative to past crude price.

Oil prices: I am no economist. But I try to read and understand economics. From what I understand, Oil prices not only depend on the basic pricing principal - Demand and Supply. It also depends on various political situations or geographical reasons etc. Sometimes, some report comes out saying economic growth will be slowed down due to X reason. The crude price then starts reducing because the buyers who buy for future forecast a lesser amount of usage and buy less. This reduces demand and hence price falls. Some other time news is that economies will see a boom in growth that it will need more resources. Oil traders buy more oil in the assumption(not a dumb assumption, calculated forecast) that there will be more oil usage. Sometimes when the oil prices go too low, the oil producing consortium(group of main oil producing countries - OPEC) meets and decides to reduce the production of oil. Hence supply - demand gap can be maintained and they can have guaranteed income. We have to understand, that is their biggest area of income. War could be another reason for high crude price. Iraq and Iran were very friendly countries with India and both oil producing. You know what is the status now. Please click here to know. Hence all these factors and more, like speculation trade, affect oil prices.

Government's position: Our government is caught in between devil and sea. I agree there are lot of scams and other things which it has to answer for. Let us be focused to the topic in discussion - crude price. Devil and sea. Yes. In one side there is this devil - oil price which it cannot control. There is only one option, buy at whatever price it is sold. Since we cannot produce much crude ourselves, we have to do this until some other source comes up. We also have to understand, government, through its different arms like ONGC, is investing in different explorations to find oil. Inside India and outside. Sea - is us. Many well educated people blindly criticize the government without learning the facts. Sure we have right for expression. But our sentiments should not cloud our ability to think and reason.

Wrong Illustrations: Now lets face the fact. Those who try to illustrate the petrol prices, they quote WTI crude price. By this time, you would know that this is absolutely false. There is a 15-20 dollar difference between these two(WTI is 80-85 us dollars and Brent is 95-105 us dollars : click here), the Brent crude which we use having a higher cost. So how can one illustrate that the government is looting us when the base factor that is used itself is false?

Reality: Reality is that we don't have much crude with us. To produce that, the "break-even" price(amount spent for exploration, building oil wells etc etc until production) is much much higher than the normal oil producers. This is because our best Oil exploration site Mumbai high is in the sea.Oil exploration and production costs much lesser in onshore fields. But we still explore to find more because we don't have to spend much Forex for it. Since we cant produce much crude ourselves, we have to buy it from the market and buy it at that price which prevails in the international market. Although The Government will not be trading day-to-day for crude, we cannot expect it to get lower than average rates from the sellers. Government is trying its best to hold the prices by giving subsidies. It is a fact that diesel, LPG, kerosene etc still have a lot of subsidy from government. All these fuels are given subsidies because increase in these will directly hit the common man and the poor man of India. We should know that the government is spending tens of thousands of crores of rupees to give this subsidy. A comparative study of petrol prices  can be read here. Government is trying hard. Let us help ourselves by understanding the facts.

Useful Links: Request you to also read through following links as this will enlighten you, I'm sure.
http://oil-price.net/index.php?lang=en
http://www.oil-price.net/en/articles/wti-edging-on-brent-crude-oil.php
http://www.oil-price.net/en/articles/oil-price-at-comfortable-level.php
http://www.mcxindia.com/SitePages/ContractSpecification.aspx?ProductCode=BRENT_CRUDE_OIL
http://205.254.135.7/countries/cab.cfm?fips=IN
http://oil-price.net/en/articles/profitability-of-USD100-oil.php
http://useconomy.about.com/od/commoditiesmarketfaq/f/oil_prices.htm

Fuel price - a different view

As usual I left my home to office today morning. But unusually there was very less traffic. It seems many people left their cars at home. Why? Another fuel price hike. I hope you would have read my older post Contrast. This time its not only petrol. It seems we might see hikes in diesel and cooking gas too. Immediate response to this were harthal offerings, protests etc. Since only petrol prices are hiked, I guess I should be concerned too much because I drive a petrol run Ford Fiesta at my hometown and a Hyundai i10 at Bangalore

Lets think about this from different angles.

1. Expenditure - Time, Money. Let's hope this price hike makes people think twice before they drive their car out of the parking. Do i really require a car when I got to office, that too alone? Can I manage with my motorcycle? Can I manage with the public transport? Though its a bit difficult, it gives me some exercise which i miss most often. My experience : My car does not give me any additional respect. If I commute by car, it takes average 1 hour stressful driving for travelling 8 Kms. If I commute by my motorcycle, 20 mins, cool drive. Currently my car runs 20 kms per week and mostly on weekends only.

2. Environment - Pollution. In these times of global warming, it will be a big favor we do to our next generations if we can reduce our carbon footprints by selecting a motorcycle or a public transport. My excuse for choosing a two-wheeler is that my kid will be enjoying a less polluted environment when he grow up. Would you like your kid to dwell in a polluted enviroment? Then keep driving your pride, your fuel guzzling, environment killer. Otherwise we have to  cut-down the unnecessary driving habits ourselves before anyone else does.

3. Impact on the economy - Foreign currency. We all know India heavily depend on imports for its petroleum oil requirement. Hence this is the major expense of the economy and any upward fluctuation of the oil prices directly impact us in all ways. Fuel prices will go up, travel expenses go up, price index and commodities index go up. What do we do in a family when we find that our income and expenses does not meet? When our expenses are much more than our income? Sensible, reasonable people cut down the unnecessary expenditure. This normally solves the problem. So lets do it. If "India is my country. All Indians are my brothers and sisters.. ", then India is also my family. Lets cut down our unnecessary expenses. Before asking anyone else to do it, let us start ourselves.

We can make this place better. Lets start today!!!

Block Officer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Again a story from the first days at work. When we joined we were about 150 together, divided into 5 batches of 30 each. I made friends with some and one day we were in the cafeteria to catch our lunch. We got settled in a table and the chair opposite to me was vacant. As fresh recruits, we were scanning all around in an effort to increase our "network". While we were gladly scanning and having lunch, the unstoppable happened.

This tall guy, from our own batch, whom we are yet to be friends with, comes and sits on the chair opposite to mine. I got so irritated and told my friend in Malayalam "What is this block officer doing here, blocking all our views". He never seemed moved by the comment. We too were not bothered, as we thought the guy did not know Malayalam.

Later, when we got introduced we knew that he is a Malayalee, born and brought up in Rajasthan, but speaks and understand Malayalam. It wasn't too much of an embarrassment for us, as he was very friendly and we had already made friends with him.

Moral : Appearances can be deceptive.

Humanity in danger!!!!!!

Isn't humanity in danger?? Yes. I am sure it is. Read across and you will find many researches and studies which says human beings may not stay long on the earth. The mercury is rising, the ice is melting, the sea is eating the land and one by one species are getting extinct. What are we, humans? Another species, who thought, are the masters of the universe.

Humanity is in danger. We ourselves are our enemies. To rephrase, we suicide. We are killing ourselves and the generations to come. Some generation of humans in the future will curse their past generations.

Future generation will curse us. For inventing automobiles which sent out gases which choked the earth and its atmosphere. For inventing refrigerators and air-conditioners. For cutting down trees. For constructing buildings all around. For inventing all the products that are killing the earth little by little.

I remember a poem I had written sometime back : Little by little

"Little by little you lose my love, my care, my concern.."

I would like to rephrase it:

"Little by little we killed ourselves"

Little by little we invented machines,

Little by little they poisoned the earth,

Little by little they killed the Earth, and

Little by little we killed ourselves.

All over the world there are movements to reduce carbon footprint, reduce greenhouse gases and campaigns to increase the greenary. Will this help? I dont think so. Why?

These does not help because if we want to save humanity from destruction, we would have to walk back. We would have to walk "the walk" back. The walk which we considered is the golden era of humanity. The walk in which we ruled and ruined the Earth. The walk in which we were proud that we invented the truth of the Nature. We never invented any truth. We only invented our own graves. And we dig it deeper and deeper so that we can bury the future generations too.

A generation will not recognize the effect of their doings in the human history as they live very less. 100 years may be. Changes on Earth should be taken into account with long term vision. Just gather data on how much change/increase has come to the temperature of your town in last 20 years, in last 40 years, 60 years, 100 years, 200 years. How much difference has come to the climate. How much changes has come to the vegetation.

I can see the facts in front of me. But what will I do. I will reduce the usage of vehicles, air conditioners, plant trees. But can I walk the walk back. NOOOOOO. I am stubborn. I am bound to the comforts of life that all this give me. I cant sweat a little for my great grand children. I cant. I am not worried for the generation to come. I dont care about what comes in future.

So, my dear fellow humans, let us realize this. We are just another species in the world which will extinct in the due course of time. Lets be ready to get extinct. Do not try too much. Do not be so stubborn to cling to the earth. We say, something happened in earth that Dinosaurs were wiped out of Earth. Some other species on Earth in a later age will say "Humans invented things that killed them in due course. They did a suicide."

Jeans!!!!!!

Jeans. Everybody loves it. Everybody wants to buy it. Everybody wants to wear it. The whites, the colored, the aged, the kids, all love jeans.

I got my first jeans when i was 10. It was bought for my cousin's wedding. It was some 20 years back and I just have a vague memory about it.

The second one was bought when I was 16, during my 10th class(1996), after a long fight with my parents as they considered it to be worn by hippies!!!!! RUF-N-TUF!!!! Yes. The famous brand endorsed by Akshay Kumar. The ready-to-stitch wear. I bought it from one of the shops and gave it for stitching. Whatever happened, happened bad. I wanted the five pocket style and the tailor stitched it like a normal pants and more - with pleets in front. I can remember friends making fun of me for wearing jeans pants!! I just remembered, there was a big reason for me going for a ready-to-stitch. Besides the fact that readymade ones were costly, I had this problem of having a narrow waistline. So not many readymade dresses fit me.

I was very upset for not having a jeans. So after so much of pleading, I got one more RUF-N-TUF. This time another color, light blue. I gave it to a different tailor. It was still not my time to wear a decent jeans. The tailor did follow the five pocket pattern but made such a mess of my jeans that the bum part was too large, too big. As if I had an extraordinarily huge bum. I had to adjust it by not tucking in the shirt or the T.

Another ready-to-stitch came during one of my birthdays from my uncle. This time luckily I got it properly stitched. And I remember using it till it was torn so much that it would have been a fashion now. It was not a fashion during late 90's. He hee..

Later I had many. By the time I was doing my PG course, I joined the 26 inches club which was the least size for branded jeans . I had a couple of them. But still the narrow waist problem haunted me.

I joined work and there I made some progress and managed to become 28 inches and remained for a long time. Around 4 years. And now.......

I got married. I grew. I grew more around my waist than anywhere else. No wonder people say I put on weight. I did, I agree. But now, I sit in a 30 inch jeans, bought 4 days back thinking how to get rid of this tight jeans. Whats your size? He hee...

Summer vacation at amma's home

Its the memory of the vacation in my mom's home which makes me sad, that I have grown up. Wish I had never grown up, wish I had ever remained a child with all the pampering around. I bet you will agree with this once you read this.

The second part of our vacation is at my mom's home. My mom is the eldest kid of my grandparents. And before you know anything you should know a lil background of the family. My grand-grand father was a wealthy man. He has eight daughters and one son, my grandpa. He is the fifth in the family. Marriages happened at late teens for girls and early twenties for boys those days. My grandpa got married to my grandma at the age of twentyone. She is convent educated, English medium(trust me, she speaks better English than I do, sings poems, tells stories), and was around twenty then. There wasnt much age difference between my amma and her younger aunts. Less than ten years difference. So they were aunt-niece and they were friends too. My grand parents have 11 kids - 4 girls and 7 boys and hence I had 7 uncles. Alike, my amma's aunts have four-five kids on an average. Have you heard of labour room? Ever had one at your home? We had one at my mom's home. I said my grandpa have eight sisters and he have four daughters out of which one is a nun. Rest all are married. One after the other - aunts, grandma and the nieces(my amma and her sis) had bourne kids and delivered and there was this room where they all stayed sometime or the other. For some years, the room was occupied by one or the other mother and child. It is a bigggggg family during gatherings. Still is. All of us count around two hundred people and still counting. So much about the genesis.

Moral of the story was that I have seven uncles, we have. My sisters and me. Then my mom's younger sisters' kids - same like us. Two girls and a boy. So six of us had seven uncles to serve us. And they were of different ages that we could do anything with their help. All this because the elder ones were working and earning and the younger ones were so young that there was no age difference between them and my elder sisters. Nice no? My eldest uncle used to tease the youngest uncle who was a kid himself calling "Jais mon uncle" and raise him into air in his arms like a small boy, as he did us too.

So the routine during vacation. The day starts early because there are more mango trees than at my own home and there are more mangoes to be collected. Once the light shows there are many takers for them - crows and mainas and every other bird. So we wake up a bit early and start the hunt. Since sisters were elder they will lead us. Once the basket is full, we will transfer them into their skirt which they will hold like a fabric basket. Girls are too good at finding simple solutions, you know. Yes, so we gather all mangoes and then we attend to the nature's call. Its grandpa's duty to handle the mangoes and the realted stuff. He makes juice for us and the rest is dried and kept for use after the season. The memory still waters my mouth. After breakfast,we play for sometime, find the ripe coco fruits and eat. Find other fruits - sapota, guava, egg fruit etc. When exhausted, we go to the mill - rice mill which my grandpa owned. There will be people who work, boil the rice, dry it in sun, grind, fill the sack and load the lorries. Its all so green in the memories. I was so very fond of the mill that I used to ask for spoon similar to the one used in the mill(a showel). Also, at my mom's home, we used to have plates like those in hotels. One plate with different spaces for rice and curries. And i used to ask for that when i go there. Now a days I am so grown up(30 yrs old and married too) that I feel ashamed to ask for it.

The lunch is a big gathering again as all family comes togather. We had a big table with benches on both sides. I remember we had a wooden boat in the ceiling of our dinig hall, an old boat used by my great grandfather and grandpa too. My amma says, we owned an island somewhere nearby which was surrounded by the great periyar river. So the boat was used to bring coconut and other things and also to take people across the river.

After a nap, we all wake up and head towards the mill's office. There we will have one or the other of the eldest uncles. Its our right to have something from them and they know what we have come for. Its the sip-up. Yesssssssssss!!!!!! We had a small shop on the other side of the road where there were sip-ups of many colors. Orange, grape, mango flavors. We buy as much as we can with the money given by uncles. We stay there for some time. Entertain uncles for sometime and then we leave to the next destination.

Thats an electronics shop run by one of my uncles. He will be there working on the tape recorders and the radios. Once I got an electrical shock from there. I was on the process of getting some money, giving him kisses and tickling him. He was seriously working on some radio with a soldering iron and suddenly it happened. I got the shock. He dint as he was wearing chappal and sitting on a wooden chair. I suddenly stopped and went and laid on a cot nearby in the shop itself. He felt something happened coz i stopped all wooing atonce and was a nice kid suddenly. He asked if I got shock and since I could get scoldings too, I said no and escaped from there. We usually wait near the mill and the shop and get hold of any uncle who can give us some paisas to get some sip-ups.

The younger uncles treat us during weekends. They were in college and were cricket champs themselves. For that they should thank grandpa for being such an enthusiast in sports and games. He still is. He knows more about sports and games than any of us, I must agree, because he consistently watches and follows them. Cricket and tennis are his favorites. So, my younger uncles used to play cricket at home and on Sunday, they had the real pitch - the mills open space were rice is dried. Wowww!!!! nobody else had this opportunity. After the game, uncles will buy yummy yummy tuty-fruity bread from the shop nearby. We had a retail dealer for modern breads very nearby, near the shop from where we buy sip-ups. Those were so tasty. I still have the taste on my tounge.

I remember one incident. I got an eye infection. The medicine was made at home, an eye drop which cause so much discomfort. It feels like a hundred bees are stinging inside. I dint know this for the first time and I happily agreed to put the drops. Second time, I knew the sting and I started running all around. My grandma missed one shot in the afternoon. But in the evening, uncles were home and there were enough of them to catch the running me and put me on a bed and hold me tight on the legs, the hands and the head. Side effects of having so many uncles. He hee.

Its time!!!!!!

Its time that I come back to my readers. I have a beautiful memory to be shared. A beautiful past, where I was pampered in most ways a village boy could ever be. Sure those days are worth to be called "the good ol' days". I believe it's been the same with you too.

Its summer vacation now. When I see out of my door, in Bangalore, I see children playing cricket in the narrow corridor of their houses. When I see it, an alarm rings inside my head, it says "this might happen to your kids too".

During our days(Every generation has one 'our days' that they consider the 'golden era' of the history. So do I.) it was a celebration, the vacation. There are two main spots of vacation - Own home and mom's home. Which one first, it depends on my aunts, uncles and cousins. Simple. When my cousins are coming down to my home, we(my two sis n me) defer the journey to the second spot. How many cousins? Let me count. 5+4+4+2=15. Plus 3 at my home including me. Its a whopping 18. I forgot to tell you, I got 5 aunts, one of them is put up very nearby. So, from the 18, I have to subtract 5 people who are my eldest aunt's sons and daughters. They were a bit older than us and hence dint come under our group. (Generation gap, you know. he hee). And yes, one more. She wasnt shy. But she never stayed overnight. May be her dad-mom couldnt sleep without her. ;-). Hence we were a dozen. Wow. my math is still good.

So, whats the agenda? Actualy I cannot remember all but some. And thats the reason I started writing this. I just rememberd one of our favourite sports. I have to specify, its a biys game. Guess what?? No. I wont tell this now. You read this full then you will know what it is. Hide and seek, its fun. Isnt it? So, the routine. Before even brushing our teeth(by the way, when did I start brushing? I remember, before it was "umikkary" that we used to use. Mind you, its the best, the teeth shine like whitest white, m sure even the best teeth whitener will fail before it. And the bundle of old "eerkkili"), we go to the mango trees. Why mango trees? You guessed right. Its summer, mango time!!!!!!! How many mango trees we had? is that the question? We had many. One "komavu" just in front of the house. The mango was not so sweet. So we were not so interested. Two "moovandan mavu" in the west boundary. Then one more "panchara mavu" or the famous "chappi kudiyan" in the west boundary. And two more "moovandans" in between. We get plenty for our needs. Once we collect all those which have fallen down, its time for the "umikkari" treatment. For all who do it themselves, its nice. For others, its one of the hardest part of life. So sad, they have to undergo the umikkari treatment by some elder and for sure they will make sure the teeth looked white. Ufff. This was torture. First of all the rule - to do the umikkari treat daily. and that too by and elder. Limits. For a five year old, it is one of the toughest situations. Mummeeeeeeeeeeeee. The session is near the open well in front of the house. Elders will get water. No motor. Old "kappi n kayar". It will take some time for us to finish as the elders will start, young ones will run to escape the umikkari and needs to be caught and then cleansed. In the meatime, some kiddo will try to reach the well wall and try to look into the well and that needs a screw near the fleshy butt. ssssssss. I can feel it now. he heee. By this time the middle aged will start sprinkling water on each other.(FYI - At a time when 'pichkoos' were not available, it was the natural pichkoo that was used. THE MOUTH. he hee). Finally, it will be a bathing session too. Most of our dress will be wet and either amma or ammamma will say "I wont let you in like this. Get them cleaned and bring them." The order is for the elder ones. Whatever the younger ones do, the blame and punishment is for the elders. And they sure will pass it on without fail, sooner or later. he hee.. But, it was fun. It was great fun. Believe me, each item that i said here or the ones which are about to be said are long enough to be written as a novel. I dont know how I would tell you all that. I would tell you the precise contents and the imagination is left to you.

Its breakfast time now. "Kangi" or the rice porridge(wow.. what a name.. isnt it? "Rice porridge") was the usual breakfast. Also, one usual item during summer - "manga chammanthy". Then some "uppery" or the other. You know how good it feels to take one single bite in the group of your beloved ones than having stomachfull of best dish in the world, alone. Most probably you would have seen that. In classrooms, fighting over one another, holding ones hand, struggling hard. Thats the spirit, thats the joy. He hee. Games. What games? Whatever entertains us for a while is a game. There were so many that we never got enough time to play all in a day. After sometime it will be lunch time and this is when we(boys) do our special game!!!!!! What shall I call it?? "Pump game"?? "Pump action"?? Whatever. Before you guys take any wrong guesses, let me explain. It was simple. We had a verandha from where we(only kids) pee. Specially during night time when we are afraid of all the villians waiting for us in the dark and when moms are tired of daily work and tell us "do it from here". So the game. We boys stand in a line. The one who pees farthest wins and wins the bet or whatever we have bet for - may be a sticker( a sticker label- dont you remember?). Yesssssssssssssssssssssss. We used to try the game in the night too. But couldnt see the pictures that we Michael Angelos and Da Vinccis drew on the muddy ground near the coconut tree whose trunk was the farthest that we could reach by our "streams". Never wondered how girls would play this game, we were so innocent then. he heee.

For lunch, mango again is a hero, which comes in different styles everyday. "manga pachady", "manga curry" and many more. After lunch, its bed time, rather its "paya" time. Amma will give payas and pillows for all. All lie down, fight for sometime. Fight for not getting a specific pillow, big one, small one, what not. Some yelling, some crying, some "screw"ing from elders, all calm, all asleep. Mid-day sleep is broken by the smell of some snacks or our famous "nalu mani unda". Yes, since the snacks are served at around 4 in the evening, the rice unda got the name - "nalu mani unda". For this the ladies - amma, ammamma and the elder girls (who get scoldings for sleeping like kids. "Sleep sleep and sleep. Dont you need to go to a guys home one day and manage a kitchen there? What will you do then? Come and help me? Sleep sleep and sleep.." The murmuring will go on and become louder if the elder girls dint respond. And eventually a thud if they dont get up before amma gets free time.) work hard in the kitchen. People, do you know who has got a longer work time in the world? The housewives. Or the one who cooks at home. Whoever it is. We have to appreciate the task that they do. Wellness or sickness, they are to work. From early morning to late night. They had to work. Ladies and those few gents who do this task, I salute you. Time has changed. But timings has not changed in the kitchen.

Evenings are very busy playing around and watching all elders play. Nearby children come home or we go somewhere to play. But for small kiddos the role just becomes that of spectator's as the elder ones dont put them in a team as it may weaken the strength and spirit of the team. ha haaa. How many times I have done it myself. Sorry kiddos, I was a spectator once. But mind you, I was happy to have one if the other team took one with them. Clever, huh?

Finally, the time of the villians, night. Its TV time. As I remember, Doordarshan used to start broadcasting at 6 in the evening or something like that. I dont remeber being stuck near the TV for a long time during childhood(but now is different. Almost 10hrs a day is a whopping time in a life. Either its a monitor or the TV. What difference does it make?). Krishidarshan, the news, etc had no glitz and glamour attached. But I have to tell you, I was so attached to a series - "Space cities sigma". I still remember vaguely how the set was - it was a space ship and happenings in it. There were laser guns, or sophisticated tech in it. By the time pappa will be home. Appappan too. Dinner time. Small small quarrels, patch ups and paya again. Oh sorry, the "Pump action", then paya. Good night.

Cattle Breeding... And the search for Bride

I dont know why these things happen to me... But it happens...

I am a bachelor(When I am writing this). And I am in the process of searching for my girl. I have registered my self in a good matrimonial web-site. Don't know why, even after being handsome and attractive I am not getting much inquiries. But I have not lost hope. I am expressing interest to every other girl whom i feel is good looking and matches other conditions, first being good-looking.

I had expressed interest towards a girl's profile and her response was pending. We never had a chat over phone or any other communication other than the express interest from me. This I did on a week day and I was going to my native place that Friday. I had received the tickets and reached the bus stop with one of my best friends, Anumodh. We had done our usual chats and gossips abt friends and family and now its time for some new topic.

I started off with my intention of starting a new-business which is cattle-breeding. Kerala needs a huge quantity of beef and most of it comes from outside Kerala. So my idea was to breed cattle as chicken is rared.

So the chat went something like this :
Me: "Hey Anumodh, why dont we start a business, cattle breeding? Like we do chicken and goats, why not cattle. That too when beef is in use in large quantities in kerala? Also most of it used now comes from outside Kerala."
Anu: "Thats a good idea considering the fact that some 90-95% of cattle used for beef come from outside Kerala. But how?"
Me: "See, all the cattle which are brought from far places lose weight by travel. So, my intial plan is to have a check-point kinds where all the cattle will be kept, fed, medicated and looked after very well. Then they will gain weight and we will sell them off to the butchers."
Anu: "Thats a good idea. We will arrange place somewhere in Palakkad, which is one of the entry point of goods to Kerala."

We were standing near the bus-stop when we started talking as there was no seat left. Then two people left the seats and me and my friend got into them with me in the middle and Anumodh and one Lady on sides. We never looked who was sitting beside. One lady - thats all.

Me: "But what bothers me is the quality. When cattle come from outside, we dont have a stipiulated quality. Whatever comes, we take and give. No quality is maintained."
Anu: "Thats the way it is. How could you do that?"
Me: "Only one way - start breeding. Its very complex but like we rare chicken, start breeding cattle. Thus we can ensure the quality. Make sure that we breed only the best of the cattle. And the brand never gets spoiled. By the way there is a big problem."
Anu: "ya. breeding can be done. but very expensive and complex. wts the problem BTW?"
Me: "The problem is that cattle have a longer pregnancy period. Say months. BTW, do you know how many months? Nine?"
Anu: "Nine is for humans. For cattle, its lesser."
Me: "Whatever. Its must be some 6-7 months i guess. Still we have the problem."
Anu: "What?"
Me: "Its like for every calf, we need one mother. And the pregnancy period is 6-7 months. And there needs to be enough resting period for the mother before she bares a new calf. It cannot do it like a chicken lay egg. No chain pregnancy. Otherwise it will die."
Anu: "Ya. thats a big problem"
Me: "Hmm. Then we would have to have another business with this. Dairy. There is no other way. Coz we cannot discard them after giving birth due to monetory loss and other losses. All mothers can be milked and a dairy will help. So the cycle will be a female getting pregnant, deliver, then moved to diary, after some 4-5 months again. The calves will be kept separately. All get well-fed and grown. When Females reach adulthood, we bring them in business, can be used for breeding again. and thus goes the cycle."

By this time, I see a friend of mine coming and I wave and call him. he turns back and responds. Then i go to him and bring him near our seat and introduce Anumodh.. Then I turn towards the lady in a normal glance and I get the shock of my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its the same girl whom I have expressed interest for, in the matrimony web-site. OMG!!!!!!!!!!! I am done. I was doing all this cattle breeding talks near her.

By this time, our bus came and there was no time to patch up. I told Anumodh, if she heard all that we were talking, we are good. But if she heard bits and pieces of it( pregnancy - delivery - chain pregnancy - females reach adulthood - bring them in business) we are gone... Dig a deep hole and bury ourselves in it... Afterall who will expect software engineers to talk about animal husbandry and breeding with such authenticity ... Ha haaa...

Traffic woes

I could not step back from the civic responsibility when I heard what happened to my friend who lives in Bangalore. He was suffering from fever and acute back pain because of which he was not able to walk the distance. He usually travel by bike but could not, that day, as the situation was very worse. He decided to go to the Hospital nearby, MGA hospital in Marathahalli, which is just 1KM away from his place, just near to Bharatis restaurant. He stood on the road for an autorikshaw. He called four autos and the first three demanded 30Rs, 40Rs and 30Rs each for this 1KM. Finally he got a person who took him to the hospital with meter charge. he consulted the doctor and it was time to return. He stood near 'The New Shanthi Sagar' restaurant looking for an auto back to home. He called for 4 autos and all demanded 30Rs for the 1KM distance. Disappointed by the kind of arguments that the drivers put, he walked down the signal in acute back pain. I am sure, if you have ever been in Bangalore and have traveled in autos, you would have come across similar experiences.

Now the problem is: many public transporters - specially autorickhshas - dont go by government regulation. they charge the public extra bucks- sometimes 5Rs extra, sometimes 10 and sometimes the double, citing silly excuses and the public who is in need have to submit to what the transporter ask for. (I dont forget those few people who go as per rules and regulations and charge only as per the meter). Not only this, they stay in the road most of the time, even if not been utilised. They pollute when they go around looking for people who can pay them high. That is in effect we are having a poor public transport system in the shape of autorickshaws, which use up one of the scarce resources - the road space - and pollute the city. People usually take private vehicles - cars or bikes - if they could manage it, since there is no surety of the public transport - with respect to the cost of travel and the kind of treatment they receive. This adds to the number of vehicles on the roads, traffic woes and pollution and the rest. Many steps taken by the authorities have not been so fruitfull till date.

What is Ideal? : At the times of car pooling and maximum utilisation of public transport, we have to make sure that the autorickshaws are utilised to the fullest possible extend. For that the first thing to be done is with the fares. Public should be sure that when they travel a certain distance, anywhere in Bangalore, they are charged the same as per the government regulations - not a penny more, not a penny less. Fare should not be more when they hire an auto from 'The Forum' mall or 'Garuda' mall. Fare should not be more when someone hire and auto towards 'Logica' or towards any where for that matter.

What could be done? : Why dont we introduce 'Fair fare autos'(FFA)? The idea is to bring together the group of autos that charge the real fare from the public. They wont over-charge the public. They wont reject any trips due to any reasons. They wont misbehave to the customers.They will be identified as FFA. So the public can hire a FFA without any fear about the fare they will be charged.

How could it be implemented? : This could be implemented only with the help of all the stakeholders - The public, the auto drivers, the traffic police and all others involved.
--> First of all there needs to be a registration in which the auto driver will furnish the details of the auto and his license details
--> Then they will be given identification - for the auto and the driver - a visual identification so that the public can identify a FFA
--> There will be a notice in every FFA, showing where to register complaints and whom to contact.
--> There will be a central location where all data of FFA will be kept and managed
--> Necessary actions will be taken -- like stripping off FFA title -- according to the complaints received.

I know its not simple. But we have to start somewhere. Pass on the message if you like it. Add your comments and suggestions. Thank you.

Nalu mani unda

In my childhood, we had a man who worked in our fields and the farmhouse. His name was Xavier. In local slang we used to call him ‘Chowriar’ chettan. He was a bit tanned due to sun. He was in his early sixties that time. He used to wear a lungi and a towel around his neck. He used to have a small beard as he used to shave once in a week only. He was one of our favorites as he used to sing well. Specially parody songs. He will pick some topic and start singing, like an instant poet. We had a song for him too – Chowriarettaaaa, Chowriarettaaaa, Kannampuzhakkale Chowriarettaaa – I don’t remember the other lines. But we used to tease him with this song by adding whatever situation requires. He used to call me “Nalu many unda”. My amma used to make some or other kind of undas for snacks in the evening. So we used give him too a share. All children who used to come to my house or the houses we used to visit for games used to get this legendry undas. My amma is a good cook.

My first marathon

I did my first marathon at the age of nine. My school was 10KMs away from my home. It all happened. And whatever happened, happened good.

It was our first day in Class 3. It’s usual in our school that time that the books were distributed on the school re-opening day and that day we had school till noon only. Since I showed enough growth to handle things, my parents had given me money to buy the text books from the office. As usual, we went to class 2. Our old class teacher Mary miss called the names of those who had passed – BTW, all had passed – but it was a practice followed. Then we were taken to our new class and our new teacher was introduced. She took the attendance once again. Then we were talking to each other while waiting for the last bell to ring.

After the race to reach the van, I went upto Chakkappan chettan and told him my intention to go and get my textbooks. He was busy getting other kids into the van. I thought he heard me. He thought I was in the van.

I reached the office and there was a big queue and I had to wait. I got my books, paid for that. There was some change left. Then I reached the parking area and searched for our van. It was gone!! What would I do? I sat there for some time. Since it’s a half day, we don’t bring lunch that day. But I was not so hungry. But as time flew, I started thinking of getting home.

As a kiddo, I have travelled in buses with my parents. But I also knew that there are so many buses which go different places. I had enough money to reach my place by bus. But I dint know which bus to go in. If I go in a wrong bus, I would be somewhere else. Also, in case if anyone come looking for me, how would they see me if I am in a bus? I thought and thought about a safe bet. And I decided to walk down to my home. Since I had travelled 4 years on the same route, I knew the way home. There was another thought that if someone comes looking for me, they could see me walking on the road and can go home with them. Anyway, I started walking.

After our school comes a ladies college. Then, Chalakudy railway station. Near to the railway station was an open area where beggars had tented. Those days also beggars used to kidnap children and disfigure them for begging. I believe, the guardian angel sent by the lord himself had protected me then and till this moment.

I walked the whole way with a plastic bag which had my text books. But by this time, our van reached my place and to Chakkappan chettan’s shock, I was missing. What would he do at this time? Can he go to my home and tell my parents that I am missing? What would be their reaction? He decided to go back to school after he leave other kids who are left in the van.

I was walking coolly. We have a farm house outside our house which is 3 KMs away. And I used to go there with my parents very frequently. So I knew that way too. This way was a short-cut to my home from our school route. But we used to take a different route as there were many other kids from different places. When I had walked around 7 KMs, it was a nearby locality of our farm house. While I was walking, one of our servants, who used to work in our farmhouse, saw me walking and she was puzzled why I was walking. She asked me to go with her and said she will take me home. But I insisted on walking straight to my home. I took the short-cut and reached home safely with my guardian angel.

My parents, grandparents and sisters thought that the classes might be delayed and that’s why I was late. I had this thought in my mind that I would be welcomed as a hero, since I have walked the whole way down home. But it did not happen. Why? They did not believe me when I said I have walked down the whole distance. They thought I was bluffing. As a kid, I was very talkative. And there was no proof for me to prove my point.

Chakkappan chettan went to the school back to look for me without knowing all these. He searched and searched and couldn’t find me. He was so grief stricken and shattered. I cant even imagine such a situation in my life. Someone has entrusted their kid with you and the kid gone missing. Oh god!! He gathered strength and decided to tell this to my parents. After around 2 hours that I reached home, Chakkappan chettan came home. My parents were surprised when he asked for me. They said I am in. Believe me, that would have been his happiest moment in life. Then he said the story of how I went missing and then my parents realized that I really did walk the whole 10KMs down. The next day, our servant also gave statement that she saw me walking down home. Thus was my first marathon.

I remember one of the verse from Bible where the lord says - “I would protect you under my wings; I would protect you like the Apple of my eye”.

Chakkappan chettan

Chakkappan chettan was our driver cum local guardian from the time we leave home till we reach back. Chakkappan chettan had a black Ambassador car in which we used to go to school. Later he bought a STANDARD van – you can see those in old Hindi films of 1970s. During LKG, there were 8 of us total in the car. Later there were many and Chakkappan chettan bought a van.

Chakkappan chettan is a good man with dark skin. He has long hair growing from his ears and has a small black growth on his face. For unknown kids, he might be frightful, but he was very nice – “Appearances can be deceptive”.

As I have mentioned earlier, he was a good driver with good track record. When other drivers used to race, we kids were so sad because Chakkappan chettan’s – rather our – car will be the last. All other vehicles would go past us. But now I realize the way in which he exercised his responsibility. We never had a single accident during our 7 years journey with him, other than some flat tyres.

We had a good time with him. In the evenings, we used to ask him for toffees. Not always, but once in a while he used to buy us ‘jeera-sweet’. In the car, we used to have nick names – mostly given by Chakkappan chettan. I remember names like – “Kumbalanga”, “Mathanga”, “Puzhuppallan” etc. I know, now you want to know my nick name. He heeee. I was called “Vayarony”. Ha haaaaa. Good name na?

Later when we grew up, we stopped going in his van and started our journey in buses. Chakkappan chettan is still alive and kicking. Now he don’t drive as he is aged now. I remember the good old days when I see him.

The tall fat boy and the sweet

One more, tall fat boy whom I was afraid of. During our KG, we had snacks interval by around 11 in the morning. My classmates and I used to bring different snacks and drinks. My amma used to give me nice snacks usually. But once in a while she used to give me ‘ellunda’. And I was not so fond of its taste. There was this boy in my class who used to snatch my ellundas from me. So one day I decided to play a trick on him. I never liked ellunda, but I liked the sweet in it. So before he could snatch the ellundas, I used to put the ellundas in my mouth, water it and squeeze out all sweet and then keep it back in the snacks box. The other boy used to eat it as if nothing has happened. He heeee. I think it continued for a long time till we stopped bringing the snacks box.

The story she told me

There was this pretty girl in our van. She too was a good friend of mine. She used to tell me many things and I remember one specific story of hers. One day she asked me “Rony, you know how you were born?” I said “My mother was pregnant and she delivered me” She said “you know how I was born” “Your mother was pregnant and she delivered you” I said. “Nooo.” She denied “I will tell you. One day my papa had a big back pain. he had a big growth on his back. Then he was admitted to the hospital. Doctors did a surgery and took me out. That’s how I was born.” She said smilingly. I dint know whether she was trying to fool me or something else. But, I behaved as if I believed her. She was happy. And so was I.

Vidya, Me and the pencil

So as I said earlier, we were many friends in the van. Vidya, Lucy, Skaria, Antony, Jacob, Ramu. And many more joined later. One day it happened. We were on our way back from school. I was seated with Vidya and someone else on a seat. I was playing with her pencil. It was a nice pencil which she loved a lot. During the play, the pencil broke somehow and it was in my hand. I managed to join the pencil for the time being. But, Dangerrrrrrrrr. From Vidya and her bro. Her bro Ramu is a fat guy and I was scared of him. So I planned a trick. I said “ Vidya, I will show u a magic”. She said OK. The I said said “ I will break the pencil and join it back”. She said ok. Then I took the pencil and acted as if I am forcefully breaking it. Then took the pieces apart. Then I joined it and held it upside down. Thankfully, the other piece dint fall down. Then I said “ Its your turn now. Try” . She tried. By this time, the broken area was loose and it never stood as before. I said “Oh Vidya, u really broke it.” May be she really believed she herself broke it. Or something else. Anyway, she dint complain and I was saved from the punches. He heeee.

My First Day in School

When I think about my past, the clearest picture that comes into my mind is my first day in school. My mother took me to the school – Carmel School – run by CMI fathers. My parents say that I had a pre-admission test, in which I did well, because of which I got admission, I don’t remember giving any. The school opening day was a messy day. Since it was my first day in school, I thought everything will go fine. My mother took me and non-teaching staff showed us the way to my classroom. I was so scared while we were getting near to the classroom, as I heard lots of crying. Children cried because, the parents had to leave then at the classroom door. Thereafter teacher and the non-teaching staff will look after them. So did my mother. Anyway, there I was in the center of so many crying children – as I was the only grown up child who was not crying. He he. You know me. I had blocked my ears with my little fingers, to get rid of the crying sounds, which might possibly break my control. There was this teacher, ‘Mercy Miss’, as we fondly call her. She was so sweet, I remember. Probably in her early twenties, trying to calm down all the 35 children except me. She was very beautiful. I didn’t cry, I was very brave, you know. But I am a sympathizer; I couldn’t stand alone in the crowd. And how could I ditch my classmates? I too burst out into tears. But believe me, it was very silent. Tears rolled down my eyes, but not much sound came out. I controlled it. After some time of unsuccessful attempt to calm down the children, our dear Mercy Miss announced that the class is dispersed. Chaos again, all were fighting near the door to reach their parents first. Some had made the decision not to come back to the school. How could they? Away from parents and that too no freedom to roam around or play. No way are we gonna come back!!

But, later for me, it proved to be a very good place of learning. I did my whole schooling in the same school and when I look back to those days, I say – cool.

I remember a lot about my Kindergarten days. I was a day scholar and the school was about 10 Kilometers from my home. I went to school in a van – Standard, I remember the writing in its back -- with my friends Vidya, Lucy, Skaria, Jacob, Skaria’s elder brother Antony and some more. Our driver – Chakkappan Chettan -- was a trustworthy person, who was entrusted our local guardianship from the time we leave home till we reach back. So, we were all happy with Chakkappan chettan, except the fact that he don’t drive fast. He was real slow, like a snail. We used to make fun of him, till we understood the importance that he didn’t had any accidents in 7 years that we travelled with him. That was why he was the best person, for our parents, to entrust our lives.

The voice ..... Part III

Years flew like supersonic jets...... I am now doing my MCA - masters in computer application......We were the first batch of MCAs from our college..... I was the part of the 'naughty-troublesome-rebellious' gang of six - the U6 ..... we had some other names too ;)...... there was no leader...... but we all were...... we all had that 'talent' ..... something which kept us togather..... later we added more members, as they showed the 'talent' ......the 'talent' of the fittest..... other than some very exceptional events, we were not just naughty, but we were the best.... the cream..... We protested when there was a problem.... we facilitated when there was an event.... we organised and conducted events..... we participated in evets and inter-collegiate festivals and events.... we initiated when changes were required..... we supported when it was required..... but we never fell back in studies...... we had ranks in the 'top five' too.....I remember being part of a 3 day event conducted by our department..... five of us were heading the different committees....Organising, finance, food, decoration and welcome..... we slept three nights in the hall to take care of the valuables there..... Those days were fantastic.....
So, we were doing good..... We were the final year students then... There are two junior batches for us..... Then our teachers' and HOD decided to have a 2 day national seminar on 'Neural Networks'...... As usual, the U6 headed the committees.... It was all smooth..... We had a good time.... No classes for two days..... Enjoyment..... Closing day.... I was bit upset.... Something was bothering me from the morning...... everything else were fine..... All arrangements are done... Only thing left is the closing ceremony..... I also sat with my friends for it to start.... Almost all our batchmates were sitting behind..... Except some, all other people were sitting in the front rows.....Also, as we were the organisers, we might have to go, out and in, occasionaly.....so, i was there.. bit screwed up.. bit upset.... my friends knew this...... rather U6 knew this..... then came the time for Prayer...... the meeting usually starts with prayer song..... we were all standing..... then to my shock, rage and embrassment I felt someone trying to swirl me..... It was himmm..... No wonder..... 'Wrong time'.... I said in mind.... Then I turned back and told him the same..... and added - ' I am in a wrong mood. Leave me or you will repent'..... I repeated the same..... No effect..... I am still being swirled......The prayer was going on... My hands were tied...... I am a thin guy.... so, I have seen people trying to overpower.... or trying to subdue... which i resisted to the fullest extend I could..... May the same i felt here... also I was upset!!!!!!!....... real wrong time to mess with mee..... he didnt know..... he tried.... and he got his piece of cake..... the prayer lasted for some 3 minutes..... and I was being swirled.....from behind..... my blood was boiling for this much time......when all were trying to grab their seats after the prayer, I heard the voice.... you guessed correct..... 'ATTACK' .......... I turned back..... my right hand was fast and long enough to reach him.......One big blow...... The best one I have done ever in my life...... It should have made crack on his cheeck bone..... He was shocked....All others near us were shocked...... I sat down... as i have spilt the rage..... he broke down to tears..... it would have really hurt..... and he isnt so tough..... the situation was under control ..... my friends scolded me for the rage....... they consoled him and comforted him...... no one else knew this event as we were sitting in the last rows..... and also the proceedings of the meeting were on..... I sat there till the end of the meeting..... he sat there weeping.... with his blood-red left eye...... I almost missed his eye.....it was too close..... he left before the meeting was dispersed...... I went home as usual.... but with an itch in my mind.....two three days had gone...... there werent any enemity signs..... nor any counter attacks..... I went upto him, said sorry, told him that the action was only out of rage..... We were friends agian.... and still are...... He pulls my leg occasionaly referring to this incident...... Thank god.... he doesnt have any problem with his left eye till date......

The voice ..... Part II

Two years had gone.....And its time again for a fight......This guy joined our school from some other......He joined us in 9th standard..... We were friends.... and you know what.... we were bench mates..... He was not so good in studies..... So he used to take my help.... I used to help him out.... He used to take my books home to write down the notes...... Ohh... That was a himalayan task...... How many note books we have written...... History, geography..... Oh god!!!!! So the time came for us to quarrel..... We had some arguement.... calling 'names' .... some pulling and pushing.... inside the class..... But it wasnt so serious, I thought..... It was during our lunch interval.... It was a wednesday...... We have two hours drill on that day.... Last two periods...... Usually we are allowed to play in that time.....He did not talk to me after the interval..... There was one period......He kept mum..... Then we went to the playground for soccer....But, things were not so, as I thought...... He was very much disturbed by one of the 'name' I called him..... I dont remember which.... But he was real serious...... He did not join us for soccer.... I was playing.... After a very long, exhausting dribble I was gasping and was taking rest near the goal post........ The goal post was actually supporting me to stand...... I was like glued to the post....... I didnt see this guy coming near me..... He came and ..... THUD!!!!........ he blew a hard blow behind my back..... it took the whole air out of me..... I was stunned for a moment......Everyone who was near was also shocked.... Only we two knew the reason...... I sat down........... 'ATTACKK' - there came the voice.....what could I do other than obeying..... the voice from inside..... I stood up..... He got into his heels..... He ran towards the school building......He sure knew he was faster than me!!!! Also that if he is inside the building, I wont dare to do anything..... But I did extra..... I could catch him before he got in and before others came running to us.....But the place was a bit risky...... I caught him near our Electronics class room..... and our Electronics teacher - another drill sargent - who is know for his short-temper is there in the class..... teaching our seniors.... What a place to catch a fish..... Now I am in trouble.... I cant beat him right here..... If I do, the sargent will come to know..... If I dont, I loose the chance..... Also, the occassion is not so big that I beat him up after 2-3 days... or whenever I get him all alone..... for which the chances are less......But, my other classmates interfered.... They didnt know it would become a chance for me.... When we two were pulling pushing each other, some of them came to resolve..... during talks, He still in my clasp.... they pushed us away from the Electronics classroom's window...... Now the angle is clear.... No teacher can see us ...... The troubleshooters had actually concentrated on my hand which was holding him... So my other hand was free..... Idea struck..... I calculated the way by which i can reach his cheek bone....Closed my fist.....THUD!!!!!!!...... the balancer....... He was shocked..... others too..... they knew it balanced the game..... so they left...... he also knew it is a balancer..... so he didnt fight back.... But he didnt cry.... He was a hard boiled egg..... As usual, I went upto him, said sorry and befriended him, the next day......