News from KL

Hi all

I was thinking about the need to network with you. A mere friendship-day solemn mail is lost in wilderness. A sequel or may be a periodic post would really help to be in touch. Actually, I do not expect you to respond in return – that is your prerogative, but since you tolerated my first mail, I assume, I can squeeze in a few more before you say – “enough”. Yes, I need to be told – “stop” else I assume, mine is the most cheerful voice in your lives and that which you want to hear again and again.

Normally, the minutes of any meeting starts with PRESENT, Apology and Thanks…So here goes…

Present & Apology – Sorry Srikkanth, could not find time to connect with you in Bangalore last month because (no excuses), but finally I did connect with Param. Will be back soon, hope to catch up then.
Thanks : Dear Param – that was really wonderful that you could make it on my drive back to the Bangalore airport. Heard, my brother saved your life on the way back….(others – yes folks, the actual fact is - my brother was driving, and nearly met with an accident – because of some innocuous thing on the road).

I miss Bangalore though. But thanks to the metro, most of the landmarks have been spoilt, I used to love MG Road , Brigade Road , the salubrious Jaya Nagar and JP Nagar which was a real retreat…. Sad, cost of civilization, I think…

Thanks to all : While I reaffirm your contributions to my life, I do sometimes wonder – is it really that – what I am today is because of you or inspite of … just kidding, of course it is inspite of you… I don’t care if I am there in your circle of friends, but you are certainly there in my circle of friends, hence it is my duty to trouble you.

But I have to mention about one person in this group and who I really wish to distinguish for his abject sordid performance – not a single worthwhile contribution, never had any words of inspiration, etc. And the beauty is, this person is known to all of you – guess…

Anyway, moving to other matters, I felt like sharing itsies-bitsies from my side –

1. Firstly, let me wish all my Leo friends a happy Birthday as per English calendar assuming, your data was correctly captured…Heard recently that Linda Goodman had got it all wrong - as there are some calculations that she had missed out on due to which all the dates are now shifting by a week. Not sure if you still are Leo because of that. But my wishes are constant. That is why, one should never skip any chapters in school. Nevertheless, God knows how I have been putting up with these Leo – I guess it takes a bull to manage the lion. Oops! did not mean to hurt the lion’s pride… Having resolved to talk only good things, I cannot say anything more…But compared to the heady capricornians, leo is far better.
2. Malaysia is improving dramatically post my arrival. You may be aware I am staying in a place called Brickfield, which has a lot of bricks and Indians. After much persuasion and cajoling, the Malaysia Government agreed to my proposal to make this area as – “Little India”. So they are on a beautification and modification spree – built a few flyovers, 2-3 huge multistoreyed malls are coming up, Our Honourable Prime Minister ji – yes Dr Manmohan Singhji has agreed to be here on 31st Oct thereabouts, on my insistence, to inaugurate renaming of this area as Little India (you see, they are now extending their expertise in renaming….). And the Indians here are eagerly waiting to make their contributions to make this place memorable a la Singapore . If you guys noticed, of all places in Singapore , only the Little India area looks less cleanlier (to put it mildly).
3. Have to say, modestly – I have left my indelible mark everywhere I had been – Spent 25 tough years before I left Kolkata and it really improved …….after that. Similarly, Thane – the whole area got transformed, so has Vashi, so had Aden, so had Bangalore (well, the metro…), and now in Chennai, they have commenced the metro work as soon as I left, and now you have KL and Brickfield….
4. My condominium has become quite famous after my arrival.
a. So far no one has dared to occupy the 200 odd flats, despite being a brand new construction.
b. The few that are there were before my time.
c. And one couple committed suicide by jumping from the 29th floor. That was when I had been to Singapore with my family. My friend called to inquire my safety, as he had heard an Indian couple had committed suicide. I said, that’s not like me… I mean, others can (because of me) but not me…
d. Jokes aside, this was a North Indian couple from Mumbai. They were married after falling in love. Parental non-patronage, maybe Financial problem as well. But wretched decision. Sad story. They murdered their 3 year old by slitting his throat (the child was mentally retarded) and they jumped (fell) off. God, I wish, people are not so mired in emotions that they lose out their sense of judgement…It happens to all of us, at some point or other. But in my opinion, we should never lose hope, be always optimistic and work towards improving what we have rather than those beyond our control. Only a few days earlier, our families had met, exchanged pleasantries and fixed plans to visit each others place for dinner. Pity..!
e. The KL monorail passes by the side of my condominium. Yes, you could actually jump onto the roof of the monorail from the swimming pool area. I had petitioned for make a halt there – so that I do not need to walk to the station a few metres away. Let us hope for the best.
5. Rajanikanth and Aishwarya along with AR Rehman had come over to my place – under the pretext of launching the music album of new release “Enthiran”. I could not however accompany them to the launch ceremony – but lest they felt bad, caught some of the action in recordings. Rajani, was humility personified – spoke philosophy and I admire the simplicity and humility he displayed as also Rehman. I like this quality. One of the greatest traits of great human beings – is simplicity and humility, at least according to me. When I consider people like Sachin, Rahman, Rajanikanth, Myself, - yes, you got the point… Aishwarya – wish she had the brains to back her beauty – being as loud and bombastic as ever… try as I might can never appreciate her – I like my Hemas (!!), madhuris, sneha, rani mukherjees, kajols, vidya balans, katrinas, priyankas, et al (no certainly not hehe chawla, kareena, deepikas,…)
6. I have been a good host to so many Indian colleagues of mine who pop into KL – mainly from the Chennai and Mumbai office – and I think I can put up with you as well, should you feel this tearing hurry to come and meet me…I have a big heart and I am having this Little India built – so it would be a pleasure to host you. So, plan a trip to KL soon.
7. Of course, they have had to put up with the fare I dish. Thankfully the pure veg Punjabi dhaba downstairs bails them out with mouth watering aloo parathas, naan, dal thadkas with a gulp of lassi. Poor dhabawallah, he is also slowly converting into a vaishnav – no onion, no garlic, no cauliflower, no mooli, no carrot, no … big list – some other time….My American Boss converted to a vegetarian and I am planning the next trip with him and his family… No wonder, I could convince Julia Roberts and see the result…
8. The Holy Month of Ramadan (Ramzan) has set in and my muslim friends have started fasting. The effect in KL is not as pronounced as we had in Dubai or Yemen . Restaurants are open and life is busy as usual..
9. Heard Mr Suresh Kalmadi has recently been featured in the top 10 billionaires of the world. Bill Gates was mightly impressed and he is planning a mega cultural event on the lines of CWG….yes a virtual event (without anything real)….and has roped in Kalmadi as the Project manager. Laloo and Mulayam had also offered their expertise, but as you know Gates prefers the latest in everything he does…
10. So who’s in Kolkata this puja, of course besides those that are already there. On your return do not forget to get something for me(atleast a lal gamcha)….I may just pop in during Diwali – so beware. My parents would be in Kolkata 3rd week of August through end of this year…And I want to try out the Kudghat leg of the metro from airport. Heard they launched AC buses in Kolkata – wow…Hope to travel, assuming Mamata di does not plan something else. Heard she recently asked for inquiry into the death of a senior Maoist leader on humanitarian grounds. This Maoist leader did great deeds like killing lots of people for their own good, etc….
11. I am going on a repeat unique ram anu yatra Sep 10 – 30, all of 8500 kms in 18 days with a minimum baggage, being one with nature, to the accompaniment of 500 yatris average age 60+ … more of it in my next edition.

Time to go off air. “aar body support korche naa…”

I could have blogged this, but viewership is not guaranteed, at least now you would be forced to open and see a few lines. I could have written to you individually, but that would not be sharing enough and would have meant a lot of effort for me.

It is an hour past close of office and TGIF – have to rush for a dinner and movie date.. Then the usual stuff that I do on Saturdays & Sundays – getting up early, badminton, cleaning, shower, cooking, Pooja, lunch, relax, swimming/gymming, surfing, studies, tv, hit the bed. Sundays – all the above + washing, ironing and readying things for the next week…. Of course, each of the activity above is always subject to last minute changes for sure….

And last but not the least – I heard all of you contributed generously to ASHA – keep it up…..
Those of you still thinking to top up your contribution here is the link….

http://www.ashanet. org/workanhour/ 2010/index. php

Trust I have been able to tickle a few funny bones (hope it is not twisted).

PS
Answer to the riddle hereinbelow (to ensure you have read through the entire letter)
Do not worry – that one person is myself…(clue : sordid perf…)