I searched & searched for Zeeshan, the lawyer & real-estate agent, on facebook.
If only I could get his no. & reach him before he reached.
I was calling Dad to find out where he was, as my train entered Durg station, & I got up & came to the door to find him & …
The phone dropped into the folds of the blankets, & I never knew.
When I had deboarded, & was checking my luggage, I realized the phone was not there, & the train was leaving… (& that’s how I lost my 4th phone, a new set I had just bought for my sister)
Zeeshan would be getting off at the next stop, & that’s why the futile attempt to get him to keep it.
I had been in the train almost 24 hrs, chatting with the Mango businessman, & another old gentleman, who shared some experiences with him, & was going to Vishakhapatanam for the inauguration of a Gurudwara.
Zeeshan told us about his internship work on the Telgi case, & how he had been amazed by the proportions of it. He was an easy guy with an entertaining style. His boasting didn’t sound like boasting. He told us how he does what he believes, how he had twice invoked RTI, how he had once approached a news channel who gave him a pen-camera for candid capture of corruption.
The Mango businessman got defensive talking to him.
At night, after everyone had dinner, he asked me to go stand at the door & chat. Since I wasn’t sleepy, & lights were out (so I couldn’t read), I agreed.
He offered me a cigarette. (That’s a first) I refused. We talked about this & that. He stated strongly how one must do the work they truly enjoy.
On hearing that I enjoyed counseling, he very sincerely advised me to become a Spiritual counselor, & establish a “math”. These people make tones of money! To illustrate, he told me a story.
There is this very popular spiritual Guru (no names). & elite too. His disciples are all financially established, & the rejuvenation courses cost small fortunes. & people also give huge donations to these gurus, to whiten their black money or to lighten their still-existant consciences. Such a man had been coming to this guru. Every month-end, he would discreetly place Rs 25 Lacs at the gurus feet. He stayed & meditated, but never tried to correspond. This went on for 6 months.
One day, he went up to the guru. Very concerned & asked for special blessings. On badgering, he broke that he was in urgent need of a large loan for the starting of a real-estate project. But he was not able to get it sanctioned.
The Guru considered. He asked for the documents of the deal, & after studying them, decided to invest in the project himself, not lend, but set up a partnership with the guy.
You can imagine the rest. The man ran away with a sum of Rs 7.5 Cr. They couldn’t trace him.
“See what a bet he played – he sniffed out where the money lay, & took a risk of Rs 1.5 Cr.” Says Zeeshan.
The dissappeared one
Where is the Rakhi-ism?
I was waiting for "Rakhi ka Swayamvar"
Beacuse, one should also challenge oneself.
In my case, I wanted to test my sanity & sense of sophistication, by the onslaught of mind-numbing melodrama...
But it is proving to hardly be a challenge.
Rakhi Sawant is no longer Rakhi Sawant.
What used to be entertaing (even endearing) about her was her complete oblivion to the surroundings. She'd throw tantrums, & howl so genuinely, even the most formal of us would be forced to consider,
Can this be just a ASD(attention-seeking disorder)? She probably does feel the way she says (howls) she feels.
If she trumpeted about being "self-made", she looked the part. "Unpolished" described her best.
But someone or something seems to have polished her quite a bit.
She's displaying reserve, for heaven's sake!
A sense of self-preservation, I grant her. After all, she's good a,t & successful in, her profession, as well as her (apparent) life-aim of limelight-hugging. She has to have survival instinct.
But common sense? (reasonably)Good judgement? Rationality? Self-restraint?
oooooooooohhh
I'm dissappointed.
She might have learnt to leash in her emotions, not create a scene whenever shocked.
Or she might have internalized that plots & scripts are best left to professionals, & she was not born to improvise.
She's behaving as a wellwisher would like her to...
Did she just get mature, or did she just get mature?
"DOODH -BHAAT" FOR UNDERPRIVILEDGED STUDENTS
The Right to Education Bill, 2008
Highlight point 2 says
No child shall be held back, expelled, or required to pass a board examination until the completion of elementary education. Schools may not screen applicants during admission or charge capitation fees. A child who completes elementary education shall be awarded a certificate.
My head is spinning.
While the flaws mentioned here are significant, they are certainly of debatable philosophy.
Meanwhile it is difficult to laud "such bold steps as scrapping of class X board exams"
Already, automatic promotion till Class V plays havoc with children's progress.
A child who completes elementary education shall be awarded a certificate??
Exactly WHAT is the criterion of a child COMPLETING elementary education?
Tests & their results, right? Here we are talking of eliminating all tests & all results. As if they are the cause of our poor educational system!
Will "COMPLETING ELEMENTARY EDUCATION" consist of Attendance in school from age 6 to 14?
Please Mr Ministry of HRD !! Education is poor due to poor resource distribution & poor teachers, not Due to test & results - these, for heaven's sake are indicators! You are cutting off your own eyes & ears !!!
If a child's sense of self-worth is important, is real ACQUIRING of knowledge not?
By continuously erasing formal testing, we are left with no ways to assess the "learning" of student, nor capability (qualification or logistical) of teacher.
In such a situation which denies any verification, how is ACCREDITATION going to be unbiased?
Annexure to the Raipur incident
What happenned inside the Dr's chamber
Deepti had got me to buy glue & paste the photo on the declaration. So the forms were almost complete. The senior nurse took my ECG, & sent it & me to the Dr for interpretation. Thankfully, everything was alright with me. While fulfilling the formalities, the Dr proceeded to tell me a story.
"Mere saath bhi aisa hua tha. (He had been stating the obvious - the inco-ordination in the Company.) I went to Bombay. (He had completed DM in 1995, but didn't look his age) I had applied, & got selected, & got a call for medical checkup. I had 4 & 4.5 power. It was out of range for the employment. So they said, You'd have to go to a medical panel. What did I care? 3 senior Drs are going to test my vision, so I get a free examination. I went for it. They examined me. They gave a 'go-ahead'. I received an appointment letter. I tore it up. Mujhe Govt job karna hi nahin tha!"
What happenned outside the Dr's chamber
Deepti got herself a bottle of water. There were many children around. All 3-4 yrs olds. Two of them, a brother & a sister, got Deepti. First, they kept telling their mother (while looking at Deepti) that they wanted water. Since she kept telling them that their father had gone to get it, Deepti didn't offer them. So they gherao-ed her. They kept asking strange questions (i do not know the details), leaped & hopped around her in cult-fashion, commented & made demands (even after their father got them water) & might have eaten her live if the Dr took any more time...
What happened at the Railway station.
Poor Deepti had been missing her siesta for 3 days, & getting quite ill. After submitting the documents, we went home, & collected my things, (& new tops) & Deepti thought that I could catch the 5:15 train. In the hurry, she forgot her wallet & mobile.
She dropped me at the station. Though I didn't catch the 5:15 train, I was in ample time for the 6:25 one. I asked Deepti not to park & return straightaway. She told me she'd call once she reached home.
I settled with the Cosmopolitan.
OW-ME-GAWD!
There was something in it. Her roommate's certificates, & extremely importat certificates they were too! I started calling her frantically.
Called my Mom to get Deepti's (cute) brother's no., & called him in case he had her roommates no. He didn't.
After many calls, Deepti fianlly picked up. I called her back. I asked her to park & come straight in through the station restuarant - I had no time for her to get a platform ticket.
She came. & also got me the frozen finger fries I had bought the other day, & kep at her landlady's fridge.
Seriously.
Deepti's a darling.
Lose count
I enquired if it was an electronic document they could forward me & I could print. No. It was a hard copy.
I blew my top. Dad said "Jaa beta, it's last day today". Yash pampered me on the phone as best he could.
Deepti had stopped being surprised. She called people up to find out the location. After lunch, we ventured on the Activa & went to the RO ourselves. I collected the letter which had been sent to them, they gave me the whole thing, because, I was the 1st case, & nobody would have any idea.
I didn't even open it, & rushed to the panel Dr.
He called me in. We both went. He pointed out that the letter mentioned all tests to be conducted by panel-listed service providers. "I'm on panel for medical check-up & ECG. not for the rest of the tests. Though we have the facilities". Deepti suggested that we could get valid results from the Medical College. He pointed out that the problem will be the same. He gave us the address of the Lab that was on panel.
There was also a 'declaration' regarding health, to be signed by me, & required a photograph. I didn't have one on me. Why would I carry snaps for medical test? I was livid. But I did not argue.
Deepti was in better state of reason than me. She took me to take a a snap. I withdrew money. Then she took me to the designated Lab. They collected samples, I paid advance.
Then we went shopping.
(Yes, girls will be girls.)
Next day, I collected all the stuff while Deepti was on duty.
The pp size phot came out good. I didn't look a ghost. 
Then after lunch, she took me to the panel Dr, & then, to the regional office, where I deposited the report, & claimed reimbursement, while she baked in the Sun.
But there is more.
Ye to Ibtidaa hai !
The panel Dr called me inside. "Every comapnay has it's own proforma. What all tests they want conducted on their candidates. & a standard format of reporting too. I'm not on the panel of this Company. I do not have their proforma"
I asked him to prepare a report on his letterhead, & seal it. So, he didn't conduct any tests, & wrote a general report based on clinical examinations. I paid him, took the envelope, & went out. Deepti was asleep in the waiting area. Sitting upright. I tapped on her shoulder with the envelope. She woke immediately, & later said that all people there had been staring.
We went home & went to sleep.
Deepti woke up with a head-ache from the ill-timed nap. I looked at her snaps, chatted with her roommates. Then dinner & sleep. Then next day dawned.
As yesterday, we tripled to the hospital, had breakfast & went to the department.
At 10, I booked an auto return, & went to the Company's regional office.
I submitted the report. Informed them that the Dr had not had the proforma, & took reimbursement. they said, if the proforma arrived, they'd fill it up themselves. I gave them my address & phone no., & told them that I'll get the specified tests done if I'm told.
I returned. I went up to Deepti's OPD, & pleased with myself, opened an issue of Cosmopolitan I had found at her place. I tried to ring up my Dad & Yash. Yash is my fiance. Both phones were engaged.
The lady at the RO called me. The proforma had arrived. Have I left Raipur? No? Good. Can I come & collect it?
the incident at Raipur IV
I approached the man sitting at the nearest desk, but was intercepted by the sweeping maid. I told her what I was there for, & she asked me to sit. Means wait. I sat. Though no reception, there was a waiting area. With two sofas.
I looked around. The place was overloaded. Anyway, an open arrangement of office, without cubicles, means a lot of noise. & right on the road, this place collected a lot of dust. There were cartons & cartons of copier paper. & of new LCD monitors. & the monitors too, on the sight-offending but otherwise functioning desks. In one case, the carton was lodged between the monitor & the wall...
The maid crossed me thrice, & told me each time that no-one had arrived yet. Then who were these (now 6 or 7) people?
15 mins later, one gentleman approached me & said "I did not realize it was you. You have come for joining, haven't you?" Before I opened my mouth to explain, a middle-aged lady entered, & I was directed to her desk. I showed her my letter.
They discussed. "Inka interview hua hai. Medical check-up ke liye Dilli se letter bheja hai. RO likha hai, lekin address hamaara de diya hai na". "You should go to the RO, Madam" they told me. "Ye galti se hamara address de diya hai". They gave me the names of 2 contact persons, & the address of the regional office. They also said they'd inform there.
I went back to meet Deepti. This place was on the ring road, on the highway. Not confident to find my own way there, I took an auto. Deepti meticulously quizzed the driver about his know-how of the place.
But ill -luck. The auto broke down. It won't restart. The poor fellow did everything he could, even taking out a spare spark plug. I relieved him.
Fortunately, I was not too far from the highway, & a share auto dropped me close enough.
I went up to the regional office, they were expecting me.
The divisional office had informed them. I met the lady in personnel. She took a copy of the letter, as no communication had reached them. She took me to meet the RO incharge. This was the first time Riapur regional office was performing any recruiting duties at their level. They had no designated Dr. That meant, they'd borrow a panel Dr from a sister concern with more penetration in this area. I won't mention the name of the organization, just Sister concern. this was what Dad had found out from his acquaintance. If I had heeded, I'd had thought of contacting this regional office from the divisional office itself - on phone - something these people were now suggesting ...
The incharge reasoned that the panel Dr of the Sister Concern will not acknowledge me, & so gave me a letter directing him to conduct a medical examination, & hand the results to me itself, in a sealed envelope.
I returned. (The stoooopid auto driver this time took me to Science University, instead of Medical college... but FORGET IT)
Deepti was starting to get amazed. We had Lunch. Deepti took me to the said Dr. She deduced the roads & got me there without much difficulty.
the incident at Raipur III
I find 'tripling' most unsophisticated. (My sister, Suchs loves the fun of it!). No, honestly, if it were not illegal for safety concerns, it should be for indecency.
But I was disturbing Deepti's routine (& was to continue doing so - though I did not know then...), so I didn't make a sound. Anyway, we were all 3 thin enough, to sit comfortably.
We had breakfast at the hostel kitchen. Then we went to Deepti's department. Dermatology.
Oh! Did I not tell U that Deepti's a Dr, & works at the Medical College Hospital, Raipur? Well, she is, & she does.
She told me she might be able to take me to the company's office. She might be free.
Never underestimate the ability of patients for ill-timing!!!
As a clinician, U might think that U r not too busy (after all, u took up this post so that U'd be able to study for PG in their empty OPD), but trust them to turn up in hordes, just the day U'd rather be bunking duty.
So, a little before 10, Deepti asked if I could myself use her Activa. I was carrying my Driver's licence, so it was fine with me. (& extremely generous of Deepti, seeing as she mortally mistrusts me with any 2-wheeler!)
This office was right on the road on which the medical college is, so with minimum effort, I located it. I parked Deepti's Activa (Tow-away was her big concern) & went up to the office.
1st floor. There were two marked doors, both partially barred. I just like that went inside. 10:05. A maid was sweeping. 4 or 5 different persons were at different desks. No trace of a reception or receptionist.
the incident at Raipur II
I wanted to take the 7:20 local to Raipur. Dad dropped me to the station. I asked him to buy me a ticket, so I won’t have to remove my ‘wrapping’. 
There were 4 guys standing at the counter, being restless.
The ‘behind-the-counter’-s were unable to
Initiate their software/ link-up to their server/ find the correct option to book (not regular booking guy) or something.
Hence, no tickets.
Meanwhile, the 6:30 local was still standing at platform 3, I looked at my watch, 7:05. Everyone started jumping up & down. “Manual 
ticket de do na bhayya”
That too was too difficult. It was obvious that the designated employee was late. In another 10 mins, they did manage to hand out manual tickets. These may be relics soon… should already have been.
The 6:30 local departed at 7:15, & reached Raipur in the time of the next one, the 7:20 one. Deepti had called & I had told her my position, & I called again after reaching. She came & picked me up.
Deepti lives close to the Medical college. Which is quite close to the railway station. With 2 roommates – sisters; they share a 2BHK house on the 1st floor.
I shed my scarf. I told her my plan to visit the office of the company & then the designated Dr, & showed her the address. It was close by.
They got ready. Deepti “tripled” Simmi & me to the Medical College hospital.
the incident at Raipur I
I’m about to join a new job. I was called for ‘medical Fitness’ test for it. That became blog material.
To avoid disclosing the organization’s name (Who knows who gets offended!) I’ll call it “The Company” now on …
I saw it on the website that I had cleared the interview. They were going to send me a letter directing me to the nearest Regional Office to report for Medical Check-up.
It did arrive, though a trifle late. I got it on 27th. “We will appreciate if you call to confirm the time of your visit” they had said. I called the regional office. Call was not answered. I became h-a-p-p-y! No Saturdays! 5-day week!
So there would be no appointment. “immediately and in no case later than 30.6.2009 at 10.00 AM” the letter said, “In case you fail to report for Medical examination by 30.6.2009, we shall assume that you are not interested in joining the Company …”
Since I’m located at Bhilai, I was suggested the Raipur regional office, & address was provided. The end of the letter said “ CC : Regional I/c., RO Raipur for information. Our detailed instructions are being sent separately.”
Dad consulted someone, who works for that company, & confirmed 5-day week, & that there would be training at Noida, & that this address was in fact the Divisional office … & one more thing, & I didn’t pay attention.
I called Deepti. She said she was again contemplating break-up. I said I’m coming down on Monday. I’d need her resources. All out …