This one is a big news.
Every news channel in US had it as their breaking news. I am hearing all the interesting views and counterviews about the man, his legacy, his music and his misdemeanours. I would not go into that.
The only thing I would disagree is with the headlines that read "Michael Jackson Dies". Whenever, I have looked at Michael Jackson's photographs recently and read any news story about him, I always felt he truely crossed over from being a human being.
My fear was, like the fairy tale step mother, he would never die but would just wither away to dust in full public view, when the spell would finally be gone.
Each time I would look at him, I would fear his face would come-off, his hair would fall-off or his fingers would melt away. Like an unwell Mango, I would balk to look at this Man.
So, while the news and counterviews goes on, let's have the headlines changed.
Jun 27, 2009
Two Bright Spots
I read the TOI, epaper, today. As much as I deride it, I still cannot live without it. It helps me keep in touch with home but rarely gives me a moment of despair from being away from home.
However, two news stories touched my heart today - Kapil Sibal and Nandan Nilekani.
Kapil Sibal's education reform agenda will finally put education at the center of our national agenda. It will also enable HRD ministry to move away from the being a political tool of social mobilization.
Sibal's proposals are bold. I do not claim to have the expertise to judge them, however, the single school board plan definitely makes a lot of common sense. Having faced the wrong side of the sword, I know how easy my life would have been if this was in place during my schooling.
The second news about Nilekani heading the Unique Identification (UID) project is even more exciting. I recently got exposed to the US Social Security concept. I am also in awe of how the Scandinavian countries walk the talk when they call themselves a welfare state.
I have a hunch (since I do not have much knowledge of the scope of the UID project) that, if implemented successfully, the UID project will go a long way in stabilizing immigration and plug the leak in our social spending.
I need more such news stories to uncover the gloom.
Jun 16, 2009
Happy Birthday June!
June turns five today. A milestone, which I will miss. It's a strange feeling to be away from her birthday celebrations. So I take the liberty of getting a bit emotional.
A lot has happened in five years. I have changed three jobs, been away from home three times, seen my income grow threefold and most importantly, my marriage evolving each day and meandering through the challenges of time.
All of these five years, however, I have enjoyed watching June in her moments of growth. Each of those instances have been my moments of truth. I feel a step closer, as I etch those moments in my mind.
From her blank expressions, to her first responses to light and sound. From her motionless throwing of her legs, to her first turns on the bed. From her complete disinterest in walking, to my frantic chase behind her so that I could prevent her from running away in a crowded place.
In the interim she has changed three schools, and we have changed four homes. Her refusal to talk has now given way to non-stop blabber.
I was skimming through all her photographs today. Her first shot, the eyebrows cringed, in the hospital. I compared it with the most recent photograph, where she is looking into the camera, with an expression of naughtiness, almost talking to the camera.
Each day I look at her, I thank Mun, for forcing me into parenthood. It has been five memorable years right from the first moment when I was unable to figure out if the baby in the nurse's arms was a he or a she.
At that moment, when I held her in my arms, I was filled up with a sense of ownership. A connection which is not umbilical but deep and without description.
I hope life continues as it has and we as a family can stay rooted, to each other and to reality. Happy birthday June! You remind me of the need to have faith in life.
June's first photograph
A lot has happened in five years. I have changed three jobs, been away from home three times, seen my income grow threefold and most importantly, my marriage evolving each day and meandering through the challenges of time.
All of these five years, however, I have enjoyed watching June in her moments of growth. Each of those instances have been my moments of truth. I feel a step closer, as I etch those moments in my mind.
From her blank expressions, to her first responses to light and sound. From her motionless throwing of her legs, to her first turns on the bed. From her complete disinterest in walking, to my frantic chase behind her so that I could prevent her from running away in a crowded place.
In the interim she has changed three schools, and we have changed four homes. Her refusal to talk has now given way to non-stop blabber.
I was skimming through all her photographs today. Her first shot, the eyebrows cringed, in the hospital. I compared it with the most recent photograph, where she is looking into the camera, with an expression of naughtiness, almost talking to the camera.
Each day I look at her, I thank Mun, for forcing me into parenthood. It has been five memorable years right from the first moment when I was unable to figure out if the baby in the nurse's arms was a he or a she.
At that moment, when I held her in my arms, I was filled up with a sense of ownership. A connection which is not umbilical but deep and without description.
I hope life continues as it has and we as a family can stay rooted, to each other and to reality. Happy birthday June! You remind me of the need to have faith in life.
June's first photograph Apr 20, 2009
Apr 6, 2009
Paying for Father's Sin
Today I was late by about 30 seconds for a training session in office. The intructor did not allow me to get in. I was embarrassed. While I was thinking about the episode my mind was forced back to the day when June was punished for arriving late for school. What happened with me today was very similar. I was held as an example so that the trend could be bucked.
In July 08, June, along with others, was made to catch her ears and sit up ten times in full view of the public. The sad part was that June was late because of me. I stood there watching my daughter getting punished for my sin (sloth in this case).
This load was pretty heavy to carry. It was the first time ever that June got punished in school.
Interestingly, the episode kept working on my mind throughout the day. I was wondering how would June take it? Would she feel insulted? Would she avoid going to school? Would she make sense of it? It would be difficult if I was her.
It is always illogical to be paying for others' sins. I called Mun in the evening to find out what did June had to say when she came back from school. June was fine. She did'nt even remember that she was punished. Infact, when spoke to her about it I had a hard time explaining
In July 08, June, along with others, was made to catch her ears and sit up ten times in full view of the public. The sad part was that June was late because of me. I stood there watching my daughter getting punished for my sin (sloth in this case).
This load was pretty heavy to carry. It was the first time ever that June got punished in school.
Interestingly, the episode kept working on my mind throughout the day. I was wondering how would June take it? Would she feel insulted? Would she avoid going to school? Would she make sense of it? It would be difficult if I was her.
It is always illogical to be paying for others' sins. I called Mun in the evening to find out what did June had to say when she came back from school. June was fine. She did'nt even remember that she was punished. Infact, when spoke to her about it I had a hard time explaining
- What is punishment?
- Who gets punished?
- Who gives the punishment?
- How is someone punished?
I didnt have a clear answers to any of these larger questions.