CHARISMA OF CHROMOSOMES & 'WEAKER SEX'

Two months back my younger brother died of cardiac arrest at Delhi airport. He was 64. His post mortem report revealed 90% blockage in one artery. Since we have a strong family history of heart disease, invariably, we would suggest a thorough checkup. But, he always brushed it aside.

He had his own philosophy and detested the very idea change in lifestyle that may be may be warranted. He had no symptoms nor was he indulgent type. His only aberration was need for extra sugar in his tea and was unabashedly assertive about it. His life was a saga of all round satisfaction. A happy marriage, worthy children, well-educated, married into good families, a granddaughter and unassailable financial security constituted his life. A contended person, he was perfectly at peace with himself and his surroundings. No regrets, no unfulfilled desires. Unwittingly, we the family, fell prey to his logic. Now, in the hindsight, we live with the guilt pangs which will not be forgotten easily.

I am trying to figure out whether it was a case of misplaced chivalry that took his life OR a game played by chromosomes. A close look points the finger towards the latter. It appears that men tend to be more casual in their approach to life as compared to women. In fact, it is considered to be a ‘macho’ instinct. Even when men become proactive, invariably it would have been caused by sustained spousal prodding.

In contrast women are more pragmatic. Life preservation comes to them naturally. It could be because only they are endowed with capabilities of giving birth. Physical discomforts as well as hormonal upheavals during pregnancy, delivery and post-natal periods build a formidable reserve of strength and resolve in them to protect life. It reflects in their attitude for their lifetime.

Am I right if I attribute it to chromosomes?

Let’s consider another game that chromosomes play.

There have been in my extended family, several examples of women surviving for many long years after demise of their spouses. Loneliness, at times neglect, notwithstanding. Men, in contrast do not last more than a few years. once their spouses depart. Do look around and you will agree.

Can we still call women, a ‘weaker sex’?

In the end, lets’ all agree that Mars and Venus definitely play their own magic which we call chromosome effect.

BON VOYAGE!

BON VOYAGE TOMY!

In a week’s time from now, Tomy Abhilash, will be setting the sail for a voyage round the world. He will be embarking on a solo venture, riding the waves for six long months. It certainly is not first ‘round the world’ solo voyage by an Indian. But Tomy’s mission is first of its kind by an Indian. His voyage named Sagar Parikrama II will not be making any stops during the protracted period at sea.

A 33 year old, Dornier Pilot with Indian Navy, Tomy is aware of the formidable challenges that lie ahead. He plans to counter these with indomitable courage, resolute spirit and unflagging faith in himself. His cheerful willingness to explore uncharted course is backed by endless optimism as he prepares for the task ahead. Besides, Tomy loves Solitude and intends to make most of it.

Meanwhile, ‘Mhadei’, his boat has been flagged off from Goa after, thorough check to ensure its sea-worthiness for the arduous journey head. Tomy’s source of inspiration, encouragement and guidance is none other than Commander Dilip Donde. Cdr Donde happens to be the first Indian to have achieved the rare feat of solo circumnavigation, albeit with stops.

As a part of efforts to restore the maritime glory, Indian Navy is supporting Lt Cdr Tomy Abhilash’s venture.

Let’s salute Tomy’s grit, determination and fortitude and Wish him Success.

BON VOYAGE, TOMY!

ROLL CALL FOR ROTIS

In a recent interview Nandita Das & Hubby Subodh Maskara come up with candid details of their lives which became the basis of their play, ‘Between the Lines’. It revolves around lives of protagonists who are as different as chalk & cheese which they attribute to diverse family backgrounds.  

At one stage Subodh talks about his family which like most Indian ones was a patriarchal set up. He then goes on to tell us about an amusing practice of Roti Roll Call during dinner times. They followed an unwritten protocol to serve Rotis first to the father, then to elder brother followed by younger one, then to sisters and so on. Women and kids were the last on the list. Surprisingly, I did not find it amusing because I had witnessed similar practices.

In fact Roti service has a special place in all households. Most homes follow the hierarchy. Men, especially family heads insist on being served hot-rotis straight from tawa. Pampered hubbies would even throw the roti away if it is not as per his liking. Throwing their plate of food by hubbies was even considered macho reflex. Strangely, their wives would extol these misdemeanors like virtues. Was it a privilege extended to the bread-winner?

What is the scene today? For one, kitchens have become smart and swanky spaces which cost loads of money. Best of gadgets and comfortable environs are the hallmarks of these kitchens. But the tragedy is that the owner lady hardly enters the area. She has abdicated it to the ubiquitous bai who quickly picks up tricks to cook in the hi-tech kitchen. A few years earlier, it was only the working women who took recourse to this arrangement. Today, even women who are only home-makers, shun kitchen chores.  

And what happens to the roll-call for rotis? That protocol is gone for a toss. And so is the craving for hot rotis. These households have become the fiefdom of cooks who come at their convenience, prepare food and go. You can consume it in ‘as is where is’ condition or ‘microwave’ it if you like it hot. Most families comprise members flitting in and out with no fixed schedules. Seldom do they dine together. Hierarchy is passé in these.

Another interesting fallout of the situation is that all family members learn to like whatever fare is served. No complaints, no arguments, no throwing of plates. Understandably, restaurant excursions become frequent for them.

WAITING FOR GODOT

“Waiting like they did for Godot” was the title of column by venerated city culturist, Shanta Gokhale in Mumbai Mirror of 4^th Sep.  Generally, she sticks to analysis of culture scene, coming up with rare insights into the goings on. As I pored over, I realized that this was not her normal fare. It turned out to be an anguish laden essay against wrong doings by our politicians. Going against her grain, she chose to lam-bast the band of bandits that rules us. She seemed to be particularly piqued about the scale of irrigation scams in Maharashtra. And in this case Godot is the elusive White Paper on irrigation projects.

Her rants reminded me of great ‘PULA’ the doyen amongst doyens on Maharashtra cultural scene. In 1977 when the nation was reeling under Emergency, Jayprakash Narayan had led the movement against political atrocities and excesses. At that time a whole lot of intellectuals from all walks of life including writers, poets had jumped into the fray adding literary fervor to the movement. Inimitable PULA added his own comic overtones, keeping the audience enthralled as only he could.  

It was like a non-violent revolution.

Time has come when intellectuals in greater numbers must pitch in and help initiate a new stratagem that can not only rid us of the rotten governance but also usher in an era of morality and accountability. Common goal should be to evolve a new system that keeps the interests of citizens as paramount.

Present system is blatantly arrogant and disrespectful of public sentiments. Our rulers have no qualms in resurrecting politicians who were shamed (were they?) by stigma of corruption. Nominating A. Raja and Suresh Kalmadi to Parliamentary standing committees is like spitting in your face. 

I am afraid; this could just be a test case. If they get away with it, they will be emboldened to exonerate all political scamsters and run away with the loot.

We are a very strange nation. We chose to remain silent spectators no matter how much are we pushed against the wall.

Ours is a country that for a long time was exporter of sugar. It was priced around Rs 15 per kg. All of sudden we were sold the story of unprecedented sugar shortages. To tide over the crisis and in view of festive season, government was forced to import sugar. It was a paradigm shift. Overnight, an exporting nation had become importer. Further, thresh-hold price of sugar went from Rs 15-16 to 35-36. They continue to be at same level since then. 

We remained unmoved then. We continue to be in state of stupor.

Dals are to Indian Cuisine what pastas are to Italian. For the less privileged sections of society which could not afford the luxury of vegetables, dals came as cheap source of nutrients. Some years back, we set up a commodities exchange. It is nothing but a gamblers’ den where ‘rich’ of the nation play checkers with our most essential needs. They make millions and prices of commodities rise steadily. Your dal is just one such commodity. Today, even middle class feels the pinch of pricing for dals. For the poor, fruits were unimaginable, vegetables unaffordable and now even dals have been tossed out of their plates.  Are we becoming roti-snatchers?

We still maintain a sphinx like silence.