Anjali - Do It First Before You Tell Others

These are the days when the repartee is getting quicker and sharper.
S noticed that she had not done her hair. We were already on the road.
'Anjali, I forgot to do my hair,' she said. 'I told you to do yours but forgot to do mine.;

Pat came the answer.
'That's why you must do it first before you tell others.'

Straight, sharp and direct. How simple the world would be if all of us did things at our end before we told others.

Anjali - When We're Equal, We're Happy

Anjali put a lot of effort into her chart with plants, herbs, shrubs, trees etc.
'I took half an hour to cut the pictures, another half an hour to paste them and another half an hour to write their names and draw pictures,' she told me while going to school.

In the car Shobha asked her how she'd feel if everyone bought really beautiful charts, each one as good as the other, including hers. 

Anjali pondered over the question for a while.
'What is there? We'll feel happy when they do something nice na,' she concluded.

Then she said something interesting.
'When we're all equal, we'll feel happy na,' she said.

That got me thinking. Where then do these inequalities come in our minds? We all have the same life and we choose our lives and what to do with them. The one who has wealth may not have something else, and the one who has leisure may not have something else. Or best of all, the one who may have nothing at all may feel he has everything else.

In our mind we all can be equal. In our mind we all can be happy knowing that we are equal. I think I should explore this aspect with her a little more.

Anjali - But They Gave You Power Till Now Na

The frequent power cuts in Hyderabad got to me.
'Ah,' I screamed the other day when the power went off without warning. 'Another power cut. I don't believe it. How can they do this? '
Or something to that effect.

If one is looking for sympathy from the almost-seven year old brigade, forget it.
I got a severe reprimand.
'Arre,' said Anjali. 'But they gave you power till now na. Why are you so unhappy?'

Yes. What am I unhappy about?

The Intensive Household Survey - Telangana Government's Initiative

The survey people came on August 17, 2014 which is the pre visit 1, followed by pre visit 2 and then the actual survey.

Pre visit 1 on August 17, 2014 was pleasant enough. One well dressed young man who was very polite came to our door. He was a drug inspector. He handed me two papers - one which needed me to fill in details and another which explains why the survey is being done - it is aimed at creating a database of all households in Telangana and plan for a Bangaru Telangana to ensure proper services and targeting benefits. The papers also ask us to cooperate with the enumerator. We must fill the check slip and keep all documents handy. I have no problem because I have little to declare.

Pre visit 2 on August 18, 2014, we must keep the check slip filled and all documents ready as far as possible. The documents listed areas follows.
1) Drinking water connection copy
2) LPG connection copy
3) Post office/ savings bank account copy
4) Caste certificate copy
5) Disabled copy
6) Pattedar pass book or title deed copy
7) Voter Id Card
8) PAN card
9) House property document allotment order copy
10) House property tax receipt
11) Electricity bill
12) Aadhar card
13) Birth certificate copy
14) RC book of all vehicles copy
15) Mobile phone bill
16) Weaker section housing certificate
17) Pension pass book
18) Ration card

By the time all these three visits are done we would have photo copied close to about 30 pages of documents. But after some initial confusion (and copies made) the GHMC declared that copies are not required. Our word is good enough.

Yesterday one lad landed up at my sister's home. They had no pre visit 1 so their first visit turned out to be the last visit. He filled in all the details in a big book with a pen. He was a student. He said that he had about 40 houses to cover and he felt he might not be able to cover them all so he started a day early. Two questions that got me were - how many rooms are there in your house and whether you have any air conditioning.

Today our own enumerator came early. He was at my place by 820 am and he had already covered 11 houses. The same polite young man. He copied all the data I gave on his bog book. He asked me how many rooms, caste and community, religion and nature of work, number of pets and livestock. I noted that the air conditioning question was missing - I did not want someone to take away my poor Samsung air conditioner because I had not declared it. he said since I had not written in the pre survey form he had ignored it. I was surprised. How did I miss it? Then I saw it. It was listed under the vehicles - how may vehicles do you have - 2 wheeler/3 wheeler, four wheeler and under that air conditioner. Logically I thought the next question would be about buses or lorries and left it at that. I hope it was not about the ac in my car!

Now that all the information has been collected, we can be safely assured of moving on towards the Bangaru Telangana. The only few things that were missing are our IT returns, health records, details of household purchases bought, health records, insurance details, vacations taken, movies watched, malls visited, expenditure on hotels and parks and some other stuff I might have missed out. I can provide those details too willingly.

But the lighter note apart (don't want big brother to get offended), I am waiting to see what this survey will bring about. The intentions are right one must say - and fake beneficiaries must be weeded out. But in my opinion a survey like this will hit the bottom part of the population the most. The people who may have struggled to get all the papers together one way or another, so they can earn a livelihood and provide for their families. Most times they will find it difficult to get all papers right too. From their meagre earnings they also pay for the utilities and other services the government provides. It is these sections who will get hit, irrespective of where they hail from and what they are claiming as benefits. The top part, the people with the wherewithal to buy their way out of things will have all the documents, more than what may be necessary, and can even pick and choose what information they want to give. What if a rich man chooses not to divulge his bank details, his properties, his air conditioners, his pet animals and his live stock?

Our country is ruled by a fiction. We believe that the figures we see are the reality that is. That an Aadhar card, a passport, a ration card will solve our problems. The problem lies not there - it lies in the impossible difficulty of getting the entire system to work honestly and transparently. Why don't we question who has given permission to unauthorised structures that are being broken down? Why are there illegal water connections? Why are there illegal power connections? Why are there so many illegal beneficiaries? Who is to blame? Who is accountable to ensure it happens right? Why is the accountability not being questioned? How has such a mess been made? And who is now being made to pay for this - the consumer? 

The only reality is that over 90% people struggle to make a living, to protect what they earn. They are constantly asked to prove themselves. To do that they need to make hundreds of trips to offices, bribe people, get things done and still receive no service from any of the service providers the government has listed. How about asking all the consumers in the survey a couple more questions. Ask them what problems they are facing from the government departments and service providers?That would also give a fair idea of how things are functioning. The problem is not only with the consumers, it lies in equal share with the administrators.

Lao Tzu says that governments should rule by the lightest of feather touches, that the people must be not bound by too many rules and regulations. We may have the right intentions and one does not question the intent of KCR and his government - I am all for rooting out illegal and fake beneficiaries eating away. I only wonder how such an intent may be counter productive to the outcome one wants. Clearly he wants to make a difference and does not mind making enemies in pursuit of his dream of making a Bangaru Telangana. All of us would love to see the state prosper and to help it develop. But by going hard at the already beleaguered population which is confused by the partition, one may not only make more enemies but also lose out on a popular base. The key is not in breaking down existing structures, but in retaining them and creating more efficient and much bigger systems that will lead to the outcomes one wants. The way is to create more good so people flow towards that and overcome the evils that exist.

The intent is good. The effort humongous. The city of Hyderabad has been effectively shut down - my neighbourhood park was shut down too! I only hope it bears fruit and results in the outcome one wants.  

Lovely article on famous company slogans - Worth a look

I loved this article I found on the net. It has 400 top company slogans.
If you're an ad person, read it.

 http://closetflip.wikispaces.com/file/view/famous-company-slogans.pdf

Some that I liked.

Innovation - 3M
Oh Thank Heaven for 7 Eleven - 7 Eleven
Amazon.com "...and you're done."
Don't leave home without it - AmEx 
See America at see level - Amtrak
Byte into an apple - Apple
Think Different - Apple
The Ultimate Driving Machine - BMW
The greatest show on earth - Barnum and Bailey
Have it your way - Burger King
Nothing comes between me and my Calvins - Calvin Klein
I'd walk a mile for a Camel - Camel cigarettes
Are your friends living beyond your means - Chivas regal
Things go better with coke - Coca Cola
It keeps going and going and going ... - Energiser
Wishful thinning - Enhance
Relax, it's Fedex - Fedex
We bring good things to life - GE
Try walking into Merryl Lynch and asking for Mr. Lynch. - Gldberg-Pollen
Take me to the Hilton - Hilton Hotels
Nothing runs like a Deere - John Deere
Finger lickin good - KFC
I'm lovin it - McDonalds
Just do it - Nike
How do you spell relief? R-O-L-A-I-D-S
At sixty miles an hour the loudest noise in the new Rolls Royce comes from the electric clock - Rolls Royce
Some girls have developed a lot more than just their minds - Roxanne Swimsuits
Let your fingers do the walking - Yellow Pages

Anjali's 3rd blog Tarsan

Today i saw a movie called Tarsan. a little boy was rescued by a mother mountain gorilla ,Every one was glad to see him exept Clindo the  angrest  gorilla he said in a deep voice'he can't stay he's different But the lady gorilla would not give up'HE CAN she  yelled at him Fine  Clindo said but it doesn't mean he's your son.That night tarsan  went to mom and said'Why am i different? mom said 'Well i see two eyes like mine i see  two ears like mine  i see.... what else two hands said Tarsan  but he still frowned mom  put her hands under his chin and then put his  hand on his heart and said'What do you feel? My heart he said then she put his hand on her heart tarzan  said Your heart 'See,We,re  the same Tarzan said I'll be the best son. He said and then started learning with his brother and friends.When he grew up he meets a girl named Jane.he lears alot from her,her dad and her freind . 

(Anjali got tired and her hands started aching, so I was asked to type from here on.)

One day he heard she  was leaving. Tarzan said to Jane's friend "Jane stay if show gorilla?' 
'Yes," he says. 
He takes Jane and shows her his family. Clindo comes and tries to hit them. Tarzan tries and stops Clindo. 
By the time Jane, her Dad and her friend go away. Clindo says I allowed you here to protect us and you betrayed us. Weeping Tarzan goes out of the place. 
Later on his mother says, "I want to show you something that I should have shown you long ago". She takes Tarzan to a hut in the forest and she asks him to enter. Inside he finds the picture of a man, a woman and a baby boy. 
He asks his mother, "Is that me?" 
"Yes," she says in a very low voice. 
Then she goes out and says, "Tarzan whatever you choose I just want you to be happy."
Tarzan dresses up like a businessman and comes out. His mother starts crying. 
Tarzan says, "Wherever in the world I am, you will be my mother."

At Falaknuma Palace for a Special Event

The Falaknuma Palace looms over Hyderabad from its beautiful perch atop a hill. For years we passed by the palace as we went to Barkas to play league matches. Then we heard that this beautiful palace has been converted into an exclusive Taj heritage hotel.

The Falaknuma palace

So it was a wonderful opportunity to visit this fine part of Hyderabad's history and also meet our friends when Vandana invited us to be part of the celebrations on her father's 93rd birthday. The entire family was staying at the hotel and there was high tea on one day and dinner on another. Vandana is a dear friend of ours and her father, famous writer and poet and Padmashri awardee Prof Shiv K. Kumar is someone who has encouraged me on the writing journey, right from the days I read out a few pages of my first book to him many years ago.

The city of Hyderabad from the balcony

Vandana's younger brother, Manish, a successful businessman in the USA, hosted the high tea and dinner graciously. He had come with his friends and business partners, Jose and his fiancee Caroline and Joyce from the US. For dinner the next day another associate from Canada, Altaf joined them. Prof Kumar's older son Neeraj, his wife, son Neel and his fiance Monisha were present too. Of course Vandana and her husband Ramesh and son Seshu rounded off the party. Much love for Prof. Shiv Kumar who was visibly happy.

Anjali in foreground, Nizam Mahboob Ali Khan's portrait in the background

So we went to the fabulous Falaknuma palace 'The Mirror of the sky', home of the 6th Nizam of Hyderabad Mahboob Ali Khan. As a ruler Mahboob Ali Khan was much loved and cherished by his subjects and there remain many institutions and developmental works taken up by him including Mahboobia college and many others.

The palace was constructed by the Prime Minister of Hyderabad and Berar, Vicar-Ul-Umra. Construction o the palace was started in 1884 and was completed by 1893 at an estimated cost of Rs. 60 lakhs. It is built up over an area of 94,000 square meters approx. The Vicar lived here until he handed it over to the Nizam Mahboob Ali Khan in 1897. The Nizam lived here for his lifetime and was used until the 7th Nizam moved out in 1950. The last guest at the palace was the first President of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad in 1951. In 2000 the palace was given to the Taj Hotels on a 30 year lease by the last Nizam, Mukharam Jah. Taj spent 10 years in restoring the palace and an estimated 150 crores. 

One of the many chandeliers

The entrance to the hotel off the main road is rather non-descript as the road turns off quietly into a mud road. The security chaps at the gates need some confirmation from the guests of the hotel else you will not be let in. The ride goes up to the main gates, past what appear to be horse stables, where you deposit the car. After the mandatory security check you are transported in a car or a golf cart to the main hotel. The hotel guests get welcome drinks and a shower of rose petals too which is unexpected and much liked by the guests. Perhaps the Nizam had these traditions.

Anjali in the ladies 'gossip' room

We went along with a bunch of regular tourists on a guided tour. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and likeable, with a genial smile and lots of patience. The tourists were the same as always - sitting in the chairs where the royalty sat, taking pictures and videos busily.

The magnificent courtyard behind the palace

The palace was designed by an English architect and looks and feels like an English palace. It is shaped like a scorpion.

The palace from the courtyard

The tea  was masala tea, Hyderabadi style.

A surprise cake from the hotel, on one of the balconies - Vandana with her parents

A picture of contentment - Mr. and Mrs. Shiv K. Kumar

The views were brilliant. You can see the Charminar and the Golconda. As you pass the main building you go into the courtyards behind and the balconies that offer you views - Shamshabad airport for one.

The famous dining table that can seat 101

A sufi quawwali group sings beautifully. The inside courtyards remind you a bit of Chowmahalla palace. The rooms are lined alongside.

The opulence strikes you. The care and design is amazing. The dining hall with its famous table that seats 101 guests and its fabled acoustic were tested. Huge chandeliers, paintings, status, wood work, furniture - it all takes your breath away. There is beauty but then there is also a sense of desolation. But one must visit the palace to get a glimpse of how the Nizams lived, the rich and famous lived. I could not help thinking that it must be a lonely life to be  up there, with the world at your feet, a bunch of sycophants who may not tell you the truth ever.

The birthday was a special event. The hotel thoughtfully organised a small cake at one of the balconies, complete with a red carpet. Prof Shiv Kumar spoke before dinner and recited a lovely poem. It was wonderful.