No gifts please; no bouquets please

We recently received an invitation for marriage.It was from our friend,whose daughter was getting married.The invite itself was quite interesting as it had several venues and events; a hindu maharashtrian wedding; a church blessing ceremony and later reception and dinner at a different location;throw in a mehendi function and you have an interesting two day event.But the operative part of the invitation was 'no gifts, no bouquets, please'.
I have come across such 'requests' earlier too.It used to be 'no gifts' , so we used to end up taking bouquets!So this time, the message was loud and clear.
It makes sense no doubt.We have hilarious stories of gifts being given which are of pretty little use to the family;four flasks, five wall clocks ;umpteen wall hangings is what i remember about our marriage gifts.There was a thrill in opening gift boxes.I suppose the trend nowadays is one is expected to grow up and not look for such thrills when one is getting married!Leave childhood behind..
Another interesting facet of this wedding was there was no 'chathram' and centralised place where all events took place. Guests were put up in various locations and elaborate arrangements were made to ferry them from venue to venue!But everything neatly planned and meticulously executed, is what i could see.
Reception was in a huge lawn ;the atmosphere was relaxed and no one was in any great hurry to leave!I was comparing the situation here in chennai, where the hosts invite 10 times more people than they can accomodate comfortably.So there is a massive queue to go and greet the couple; pose for a minute on the stage to record your attendance!Then a mad rush to the dinner table.All the while your hosts are busy giving half smiles and nods to everybody.And everyone is in a screaming hurry to get in and get out.Not what you could call a pleasurable evening, to remember and cherish.
But this one was different, there was singing and a bit of shaking a leg and bonhomie all around, jokes were cracked and a band was playing choice old world songs.I am all for tearing down all these marriage halls and having open air affairs perhaps away from the city for marriage receptions in a relaxed and enjoyable manner.

100 rupees for spotting a pothole, anyone?

Travelling to pune via Bangalore, last week. Saw a Bangalore newspaper in the seatpocket. Browsing through it and found this interesting news there. Bangalore municipal authorities are fed about about the complaints about pot holes on the roads.They have introduced a cash incentive scheme to the citizens. For a starter, they have specified certain roads on which if a citizens spots a pothole of a specified dimension and more, they can inform the authorities through a dedicated phone line. It was introduced a few days ago and the authorities are proclaiming that they have not disbursed any incentive so far!Emboldened with the euphoria, they are busy adding more streets to the incentive scheme.
I found the bold initiative very commendable.It requires courage of a rare kind, rarely exhibited in public life and that too in a low end job like maintenance of roads.I credit the municipal commissioner or whoever it is who took this decision and made it public.I can visualise citizens going about with inch tapes in their hands to measure and report about the pot holes. Definitely citizens living on those streets would have done this first. I can see senior citizens who are all the time writing to readers mail of dailys, having a new past time.
No compalint has so far qualified for an incentive needs to be weighed with caution; if it is really what it purports to be, then it is laudable and we wish more and more streets are added to this list and not only cover the entire city of Bangalore, but like a virus spread to other cities as well.It could also be that the dimensions of the hole are way off the mark of most of the pothole measurements, then it needs to be reworked.
whatever it is, i welcome any scheme which coopts the citizen and makes it worth the whole to participate in governance

e-literacy classes at 106!!!

Been seeing a few ads in the billboards on the way to office. TimesNews for one, which shows a man falling down from his sofa, watching an earthshaking news.The message asks the onlooker a teasing question, "when was the last time such a thing happened to you"
Yes such a thing happened to me when i read in the newspapers today that a 106 year old woman from Ernakulam Kerala, is learning to use computers. She is attending the government funded 'akshaya' classes; can sit comfortably for the 1 hour that the classes demand.Does not mind the curious looks from other students,themselves old, old enough to be her grandchildren!She was fascinated with computers as she has watched her family members use it.She wants to play with computergames and send emails.She walked in and registered herself for the course, we are told.
Indomitable human spirit at work. Retaining a sense of wonder at new things, which is typically a child response, well into past 100 years is nothing short of miracle for me.I feel, one need not see beautiful and fantastic wonders of the universe to feel this sense of awe. But this rosakutty has made me drop my jaw at wonderment and i am not going to forget this in a hurry!

3000 gangwomen sure form a big gang

Indian railways is the largest employer in India;no news in that.But that they employ 3000 gang women on their roles was news to me. Gangwomen are the ones who keep a look out and maintain specified length of tracks everyday for 6 days a week. It is no doubt an ardous job, but has been willingly shouldered by these women. Hats off to them.Till 1980s railways never appointed them, they used to have only 'gangmen'!
It is said, that originally some of the gangwomen were given employment due to death of their husbands during service. Now railway recruitment board also recruits from the market, these women, to do a very challenging job. 10,15 of them come under a supervisor and they do mention that they are no different in taking up their assignment as their male counterparts. In fact, they do a more sincere job, we are told.
What is the exact nature of their jobs, i was curious to know.The list is mind boggling;They deal with minor problems like fixing small deviations, rearranging ballast, pour water to cool the tracks;they carry hemp cord, metre stick, fish bolt spanner, hand signal flags, detonators and much more.
They are quite happy with their lot and one of them proudly says she has managed to send her daughter to study in an engineering college.Another gangwoman has been able to save a person who attempted suicide on the railway track.

Humanities course in the mecca of technology

Recently Director IIT Madras made an announcement in the newspapers that they will be offering a 5 year integrated humanities course starting june 2006.He said there is tremendous potential for students who major in humanities courses in today's globalised, technology driven world. The announcement has spawned some news reports in the next few days from principals of CBSC schools,as to how they are offering specialised humanities subjects in their school curriculum, which could also be the fifth and optional subject for plus two students.
One has been reading and listening to teachers who are passionate about language, sociology, history and geography, lament about lack of interest among students to take up humanities subjects in their undergrad level.Driven by need to have a job at the end of graduation, students migrated to other streams which gave them enough skill sets to be readily employable even before they complete their course.
Of late there is a strong perception, that a generation fed on technology and tools of survival without humanising effect of humanities makes for a very dull and dreary student force.
There has also been pressure on IIT to take in more students, so that the resources given by the Central government are beneficial to a larger student community.Technology inputs call for heavy capital expenditure for expansion of facilities. Whereas a humanities course as an adjunct in a technical institution, clearly leverages on available physical classroom and library resources.I saw some interesting courses mentioned; technology and its impact on society, communication,science and historical perspective, managing technology and its fall outs...
IIT Madras always had a humanities department, but then it was tucked away in a corner, not very well known. Kumar used to be invited to their department for periodic lectures and seminars.I got involved in their MBA programme which they started recently. Introducing a course on life insurance as an elective to their second year mba students, i got a taste of the tremendous potential available in that institution which could benefit a larger student populace.
It used to be scary to reach their department and Prof L Ganesan's room;monkeys used to play havoc on the steps leading to his room, dancing as they would from the 'arasa maram' which was nearby.But i was relieved when it was reported that humanities department has shifted to its own new block in the campus.It is monkey safe? I would need to check it out one of these days, to be sure!

Suzuki to adopt indian best practices

It gave me tremendous thrill to see a news item which proclaimed that 2400 suzuki dealers(top performers from Japan are on a learning trip to India to understand how the Indian counterparts are able to perform so well.16 flights were chartered to bring them to India.I immediately sat up and told myself 'arey,i thought we were always fed on the belief that Japanese are better than us in many ways, more so in business and industrial outputs'.That such a large contingent of dealers are touring India to learn first hand the best practices that Maruti dealers adopt to show consistent and robust growth in sale of automobiles,was good music to my ears.
Indians are seeming to be doing some things right, which catches the attention of countries which hogged limelight for the same or similar business practices till recently.Were Indians not told that we were not perfect, we lacked ambition, we did not believe in quality and consistency?And was Japan not cited as the "Corporate God" who got everything right, every time?We managers were fed on the Japanese management mantras for hours on end and we swallowed it with a lump in our throat; wishing for a time when India will be able to lead the world in best practices and success stories of 'can do' spirit.
When we were in college, we were told we are a poor, hungry and overpopulated country, who could have had hoary past and great history,but today is not our day; with no prospect of tomorrow being our day either.Hence when today's youngsters are fed on 'feel good factor' about India, I truly rejoice, that we are able to bequeath to them an India which is far better than what we received.There is hope and pride in the air to be an Indian.

registration of marriages

Supreme court has ruled that all marriages,irrespective of religion have to be compulsorily registered.It has directed the government to put in place necessary guidelines for implementing the same, not later than 3 months from the date of supreme court order.
The ostensible reasons as given in the order are quite serious and necessary;to prevent child marriages, girls being sold in the guise of marriage,to arrest polygamy, enforce the rights of a wife after the death or desertion of the husband on her matrimonial house and other properties.It is quite welcome.I remember during my posting in Rajasthanm,child marriages were the order of the day;it never raised any surprise even from my colleagues who though would not perform such marriages, never found anything wrong if somebody did.Horror of horrors was during some auspicious day, hundreds of child marriages used to be performed enmasse, as if it is somekind of marriage shandy!I asked a colleague who could understand English better than most others,as to the rationale behind performing child marriages.He said it is economics. It is cheaper to perform child marriages as the expenses are minimum, the bridal dress and accessories cost less!I was too shocked to react;also to explore whether it is a flippant remark to ward off more serious discussion from me.
I recall another incident,when soon after marriage i wanted to change my name.Now in retrospect i feel i need not have taken the trouble and since we do not have surnames, could have continued with my maiden name.But then it was long ago, so asked for adding my husband's name to my maiden name. I was in Nagpur then, and Maharashtra already had registration of marriages then.They asked me for marriage certificate and when i said i do not have one, there was intense discussion among themselves. The papers will move to the next desk, and again i will be questioned on why is it i dont have a marriage certificate.It was quite tedious and had to go through an affidavit by two persons who had attended my marriage.I felt it took ages and at the end of it I was left wondering if it was worth all the trouble.
Nowadays even in states like Tamil nadu where Hindu marriages need not be registered, the trend is catching up.It has to do with either the bride or the groom is already abroad and marriage certificate is a necessary requirement for spouse visa formalities to be complied with.
Courts are getting into the sphere of forcing executive actions.

Ramanujam and Hardy

Reading a book on Ramanujam the mathematics genius, titled "the man who knew infinity".I came across a phrase which says 'A character so remarkably free from the petty meannesses of human life ... the most generous of men'.It is how a mathematician describes Hardy.He goes on to add 'freer from the emotion of envy than any man i have ever known'.Hardy knew the mathematical ability of Ramanujam was far superior to his own, all his life he championed him and hailed his gifts.Recognizing Ramanujam's genius,he wanted only to push it toward its limits.
All of know how Ramanujam kept showing his famous 'notebooks' to any one who had a claim to mathematical knowledge and scholarship. He faced an uphill task. But with Hardy he seems to have found a mentor.
I was reflecting on this trait of being able to rejoice in the pure spirit of talent and not having a tinge of envy.Is it such a rare trait? More so in professionals in the same line, it is I guess.To go to the next level and do everything in one's power to promote and encourage him , is something really very rare.It appears that Hardy was a true professional, who could see beyond himself, into the joy of pure mathematics and that gave him a 'professional high' as it were.
A thing of beauty is a joy for ever is true in every sphere.Be it a neatly solved equation, a defty accomplished artwork, or the exquisitely laid out dinner table, or a neatly written phrase, all of them give joy.
One should transcend oneself to be able to perceive the pure air of beauty wherever one sees it.
Remember a poem kumar used to quote from Village preacher;
'Rises above and midway leaves the storm
while around his head the rolling clouds are spread,
eternal sunshine settles on his head'

Marketing health

I have been seeing lots of advertisements about doctors, hospitals and health services in newspapers and bill boards. Wonder if this shrill pitch is of recent origin.Has health and health delivery become marketing commodities?Of course this phenomenon is in addition to the loud name boards proclaiming doctor's clinics and nursing homes,also with neon signs.
My uncle is a doctor and he belonged to the era where he felt his clinic (a part of his house which doubled up as one)should have a simple name board in ordinary letters and nothing jazzy about it. S Rangarajan, M B B S it used to proclaim.He used to tell us kids, that DR should not precede a medical practitioner's name, as it deserved for PhD scholars and of course M D's.My sister and her husband who are doctors also practise with under stated nameboards.It seems medical code of conduct and ethics demand that you shall not advertise.(I think other professions like CA's also have such code of conduct)Being brought up on such a diet, it is jarring to see the latest trend, when medical profession is advertising itself heavily.
India has emerged as a medical tourism destination, and a recent study by Ernst&young,exhorted doctors and their hospitals to get their act together and put up a good show to reach out to the world.The strident tone of the study was jarring, to say the least.

Have you heard of 'coin recess"

All of us quite familiar with tea breaks and lunch recess.But Orissa assembly had a 'coin recess' yesterday.To count coins amounting to 60,000 was the ostensible reason. Before you wonder if there has been a change in profile of legislators, let me assure you that it is not;not yet atleast.The provocation was when speaker fined three of its members 20,000 rupees each for damaging the audio system in the assembly.While it is heartening that legislators do respect the institution of which they are major players,their methodology was unique.Speaker of course condemned them for this act;though he did not impose another fine for this act!Though i can't say the same of school authorities during my school days.Any act of slightest disobedience gave them a good chance to levy fine and fatten their purses.
Remember RBI and the coins that used to be deposited with them.They never counted coins but used to weigh them.The massive doors of RBI will open at 9.45 am and there will be a steady stream of visitors with heavy bags filled with coins;of course there used to be another group with soiled notes wanting to exchange the same. The system used to be quite elaborate,filling out some challans and standing in queue.I was a coin note examiner in those days and used to watch these lengthy queues and the tellers weighing these coins with lots of amusement.
The good fun about this job was, we could get off by 2.30 of so everyday, and we were a gang of more than 10 of us, just out of college and with coins jingling in our pockets and time on our hands, made the most of it. Engage in endless quizzes and mind games and speed reading of latest novels. Of course ice cream parties in the suburban station stalls was a bonus.
Coin recess, yes, then and now!

First time, every time, so that there is no next time

Got to see a programme on national geographic channel yesterday titled 'megacities'.It was about New york.Today the programme is featuring amchi mumbai.
The programme gave a focus on New york subway system and explained the intricacies and challenges in running the system efficiently.One of the supervisors in their workshop had this to say which impressed me a lot. He said perfection is demanded and got from workmen.They also believe in designing perfect and foolproof systems to see the safety of passengers and also timeliness is always kept in mind. For this he said 'we want to be perfect first time, everytime, so that there is no next time'.
A far cry from ' chalta hai, dekh lenge and if something goes wrong we will see' attitude.
It was news to me that the system never takes a break, is available to commuters all 24 hours of the day 7 days a week.
Looking forward to today's eve prog on Mumbai and the suburban train system which is also very efficiently run.

Culture of re-use at tambaram

Saw huge mounds of garbage on the beach today morning while i went for a walk there. I mentally decided not to venture out on the beach on monday mornings;the more our citizens enjoy themselves on sunday eve, the more garbage that seems to be strewn about.Why can there not be more garbage bins(a few which were there were overflowing),why can't out populace collect the garbage they have generated and carry them home instead of throwing them around?Why should the garbage cleaners have to strain their backs and necks to pick up so many pieces instead of picking up from the garbage bin?Why? why? why? I went on and on and lost my pleasure that the usual morning walks on the beach give me.
How do people generate so much garbage i was wondering. When in any doubt or perplexity, mind goes back to one's childhood in tambaram.To draw necessary lessons from the life we lead then and again, to go back to first principles of garbage generation, collection and disposal.
We never had a garbage bin at home, i recall.Then how did we collect and dispose off garbage?Was left thinking long and hard and came up with a few lifestyle changes that have brought in more garbage in our day to day life.
We used to buy monthly rations from TUCS.I remember almost all articles used to be wrapped up in old newspapers and tied with a slim jute thread. We used to have an elaborate ritual of all of us sitting down and opening those parcels;We would not tear those old newspapers, but would religiously fold them and put them away;yes they will be used to line up the shelves in the kitchen.The jute thread will be nicely rolled and put away, one will get to use it sometime.The only snack that will be bought from the shop will be small round britannia biscuits.Even this will be rolled in newspaper and tied with jute thread. At the end of the process of putting away provisions for the month, we will not have any garbage to throw.Not a single item used to come wrapped in plastic bags.What about soaps i wonder, rexona/hamam used to come in paper wraps(?) and will be disposed off alongwith other vegetable/fruit peels. Yes, these 'green' items used to go into a small pit in one corner of the garden, for becoming manure sometime in the distant future.
Even here mommy used to be very particular that we eat most of the fruits with skin on and also the vegetables used to be only very thinly peeled to retain all the vital nutrients for our health.
Never knew shampoos and bottled hair oils. We were staunch, seekakkai powder family and also who believed in coconut oil bought from the shop which used to grind fresh copra into coconut oil, in our own refil bottle.Same goes for other cooking oils too.
No non degradable waste used to be generated at home. No 'onyx' and no corporation fellow coming for taking 'plastic waste'.
Mommy used to be a fanatic in reuse so much so she used to perennially reuse sunlight!Let me explain.We had three large balconys/verandahs which used to be open to the sunlight. Mommie will always manage to dry some stuff or the other every day; so much so , one day one of cousins made this remark that 'chitti will not waste anything, including sunlight'.No atta will be bought, every grain will be graded, sun dried and powdered in the 'chakki'.
We went out for buying vegetables or fruits in the market, we always carried cloth bags.It used to be such a religion that we hated carrying those bags.We used to go meet a friend and later pick up some vegetables;we were saddled with a bag which will be a tell tale sign that we are doing some errand for mommie;not on at all; Hence when we started having our own families, threw those cloth bags out and go empty handed to those shops.Thought and believed plastic bags are god's gift to a modern woman;end to the tyranny of carrying cloth bags when one had to go to the market.
How wrong we were and how very right mommy was.
Best way to solve a problem is to find ways and means so that the problem does not occur in the first place.
ahem.

Biometric mobile atm at sivaganga

Finance minister's constituency gets its first 'rural' Atm courtesy Bank of India's new initiative.I have been a new entrant in using ATM's and i can tell you, that the process is intimidating the first few times.My bank has an ATM just outside their regular branch office and i used to slip into the usual routine of withdrawing cash from the bank teller, though the bank thrust an ATM card on me quite some months back(i never filled in multiple pages of information, but bank decided to go ahead with a free add on benefit without any request from me).
It was not until a few weeks ago i suddenly realised the need for cash while making purchases for the 'homam' for appa's sathabhishekam.Realised 'narayanan naatu marundu kadai' does not accept credit cards.Hence swooped to the nearest atm.That was my initiation;it had a few hiccups and the security guard and later the customer who was waiting for me to get out, helped me complete the process satisfactorily.
The long story is to tell you that it takes a while to adopt to the simplest technology as it represents a change ; and when there is a need and there are no alternatives then we adopt the change, with a little prodding,a helping hand, maybe.
Hence when ATMs are introduced in rural pockets, pin numbers are dispensed with and a biometric identification is installed. Very innovative.Kisan credit/debit cards will be used in these atms and i am sure our rural folk will find out how to go about using these facilities.
I remember sometime back when M S Swaminathan started a rural initiative to empower them with technology,the alacrity with which they adopted to the same was shown in a video presentation.It was most endearing.I realised then that our rural people will use anything which will make their life better and catch any straw which will raise them above their present condition.There was this girl, just out of 12th standard who was managing a pc booth and charging for taking photographs from the webcam!The entire village lined up for this facility!I am sure this was not the most important application that the developers thought of, but the users got from the device what they want.
Coming back to the subject;"To bank the unbanked", says Bank of India's advertisement.I see a future where the rural populace embrace technology and reap the benefits that the same will bring to the fullest measure.

wanted error free codes

IT is making big news these days.India has emerged as the world's backoffice/frontoffice.It made big splash in Davos occupying centre stage and lecturing to the world how to conduct their business!One remembers not too long ago, we used to be apolegetic about our Indian passports.We were treated badly in international airports and that insult stuck. Now Indians are in great demand for their IT skills alongwith others.
Hence I was surprised to read statistics put out by Microsoft that Indians need to upgrade their 'coding' skills.Indians are 10 times more "error prone" while coding than their western counterparts.It goes on to say, Indians have 10 lines of error per 100 lines of code.
Assuming that this statistics is valid, i was wondering what could be the root cause for this level of lack of skill. Is it that we are scratching at the bottom of the skill tank among our employable population and hence come up with more errors?Is it that we are not very organised, so are used to making errors?Taking it a step further, are we also quick in correcting them and proceed further and give the desired outcome in the same time as westerners who would go about it in an organised fashion and arrive at the outcome in the same time?
Indians are naturally good in working in disorder and chaos more than in organised environment. It has to do with making do with less than perfect environment and is called upon to produce results nevertheless.It has to do with multitasking.Indians are adept at this, whereas it is said that an average American cannot blow his nose and walk at the same time!If he feels like sneezing, he stops on his tracks and sneezes and then proceeds.
Perhaps when an Indian is coding, some friend nearby disturbed him on a problem confronting him.We dont believe in doing one thing at a time and that done well syndrome.
Look at a typical bank clerk and now with multitasking and technology availability, everyone does every job necessary for customer interface.I noticed today morning, a customer was asking about his balance as he is expecting a cheque to be presented, another was thrusting his passbook for updation, third(that is me)was asking for retrieving passbooks deposited the previous day,simultaneously an employee perquisite matter was put forth by her neighbour,and her system was not booting, and she was asking the IT guy to come to her rescue.One is prone to err in such an environment.
With our colleges churning out graduates by the million, it is a serious issue that the industry feels only 20 percent of technical graduates and 10 percent of other graduates are employable!
Maybe we need finishing schools/institutes to perfect and round off the education imparted by colleges. But then I remember colleges were originally meant to do that!

numbers and numbers

Tourism department of Government of India is all geared up to market Incredible India as a great tourist destination. Yasas tells me that the campaign has come out quite well.Malaysia and Indonesia country ads are a poor second by comparison in her opinion.The campaign seems to be working from the figures that are regularly published. Last year has seen unprecendented air traffic; 60 lakhs of Indians went out of the country and 40 lakhs air passengers made their way to India. I said woh! and kumar also joined in!Great news i told myself, being overawed by the numbers.
It was shortlived though; I glanced at Midday and saw the numbers of rail commuters the suburban trains in mumbai carry every day. EVERY DAY!!!50 lakhs.I could not believe it. But then whether i believe it or not, whether i am able to comprehend the stupendous operation of transporting that huge numbers day in and day out or not, it is a reality.
The numbers game took time to sink in but it did eventually.
Yes, numbers are in our favour;it was not perceived to be so some years back. We believed every Indian born came with a hungry stomach only.Now he seems to be having two hands, surely and also a thinking mind.They also seem to be able to do productive work and their disposable income is increasing.
It will not be long before C K Prahlad comes out with a book, " There is money also at the middle of the pyramid"

You can reach me but you cannot locate me!

Been slightly irregular with my walks.Hence started early from work with the single mission of making up lost time.So here I was enjoying the total silence of early evening in our colony and purposefully walking along.I suddenly heard a voice from the creeping shadows. It was a young boy speaking on his mobile.He was telling someone, yeah yeah i am at home, please come to this shop in half an hour, i will be there. I looked closely, no this boy does not live in our colony and definitely would not be standing under the shadows and making calls to whoever-it-was if he was living here.Suddenly it stuck me, the power of the mobile. It can reach you wherever you are, but cannot locate you. It does not give you away!Gives you the freedom to be wherever you are. I remember people used to abhor a mobile some years back dumping it as an electronic leash!Leash it is but it keeps you free to be wherever you want to be!
I remember many a time, when we get a call from home, we say we are already on our way; never mind that we would have not yet stepped out of the office.A mobile helps to keep a guilty conscience at bay, albeit for a short time.
Compare days of only landlines. We obviously cannot say i am not in office, when you are. Remember the great comical scenes in movies where a child takes a call and says mommie is here in the kitchen, when you would have very much wished that you are not traced.If only one had a mobile then you can always tell the unwanted caller that you are held up in a traffic jam(you might be slurping on mixed fruit jam at home!) and hence cannot reach there in time.
Of course there are some special people who do not care to be reached(let alone located), even with a mobile. They evolve very imaginative ways; first of all do not get a mobile; this is the best, but due to some persuation, you get one; step 2, delay activating it; step 3, keep it in switch off mode; step 4 forget to charge it every time;step 5 ignore the incessant bills that keep coming and piling up;if all these fail, remember to drop it in the bucket while having your bath.Dies an unnatural death.End of story.
Of course internet and ATM also serve similar purpose of being available and useful to you to keep in touch, without disclosing your location.Perfect for youngsters!!!

Tamil and airports

Airports are no longer the exclusive domain of a few business people and chief executives jetsetting around the globe.Last few years has seen a tremendous increase in passenger traffic.Globe trotting IT professionals are the most visible signs of this trend.Last few months has seen a different kind of crowd in airports.They are the train passengers who have found air travel competitive to train travel.Yes, i am talking about the few budget airlines which have sprung up and have changed the landscape of airtravel completely.
All this is old hat. What is new?Change in profile of the travellers strikes you in many ways.Language of travellers is definitely more casual and congenial.Earlier it used to be either studied silence(!) or a muttering of accented English. Now the copassengers are very much at ease to talk in Tamil to each other;not only that they talk non stop and in a loud voice throughout the flight.While waiting in the lounge, they are busy communicating with their family/friends/colleagues in office through their mobiles;yes, again not in hushed tones, but at a fairly high decibel level.With the result, I am privy to the idiosyncracies of their family members, their habits and preferences.I know that my neighbour in the security check queue has a very understanding wife, who will not worry if the flight is delayed;while his friend's father is a compulsive neurotic;he would see every channel on the tv when his son is travelling and be ready and worked up about slight change in the flight schedules.
Do I want to know all this?Yes and no. Yes, because it is almost like travelling in a train;you bare your heart out to your copassengers and share everything you have brought in your food basket.But forget them the minute you disembark.K Balachandar, the tamil film director, had made a teleserial on this subject 'railsneham'.
And again a no, for obvious reasons. I am tuned in to be left to myself and my thoughts when i am in an airport and in an aircraft and all these unnecessary personal details leave me irritated.This time around, i had carried a book with me, which i wanted to read in the flight, but was constantly interrupted.
Having said this, it does appeal to me that there is so much cordiality going around which was absent earlier and also you get to hear Tamil much more than ever before. Yes, it is a mixed blessing.