Taare Zameen Par...

It’s a good lesson we learnt as we get ready to be parents. I felt, its a movie that every parent should watch.

Even I get kind of nostalgia and i recollect my school days, when I was pushed to study the subjects that I wasn't interested in, may not be the same condition as seen in the movie. But still in terms of pushing the child to do something that hates. I hated Hindi, History, but at the same time, I remember I had a passion towards Geography and Mathematics. But still being in the days of Pre-TZP (!) era, I was a victim too.

I had lot of interest in learning music, I still remember, my parents refused it, as I was heading to public exams. I don't complain, they had a goal of getting a minimum guarantee for my success in life.

But still, pushing the kids to compete with the rest of the world against their wish might lead to a disaster. This is one reason most of the NRIs fear in returning back to India. I can see a person laughing while reading this. Please don’t change your plan to RTI.

This is a movie that all the parents and especially teachers should watch. Hats off to Aamir Khan, Darsheel Safary and Amole Gupte and his wife.

Please watch it, else you are missing something in your life !

name...

How did my parents christen me? Did they think a lot, searched, looked for meaning, origin?

We are doing it now. Its going to be a tough time, before we finalize our baby's name. Lot of conversations, suggestions, google search, ... yet not finalized a name. Tossing between the shortlisted names we have in mind. Stacy ? Janelle? Neha? Nithi ? .... Lots more ...

But still, something within says, should i look for a different name?

Hopefully, we get one before the baby is born :)

return to india...

What should one expect when they return to India from countries like US ?

hmm... where do i start? the first thing that scares me is, i need to bribe for everything, from a to z. Why is it so? why should i pay them? Yes i was living that life earlier in India. But after i came here to US, i'm pushed to ask why should i pay? As i see a different world here, you know why?

As soon as i arrived in the airport, i didnt have to bribe someone to clear my customs, security. I didnt have to bribe here to apply my Social Security Card. I didnt have to bribe anybody to get my driving license. I paid the fee, took the test, I passed and i got the license, its so simple.

There's something called Law. But does any one care about it? Who will follow a traffic rule? I need not, I can hand a ten rupees (may be Rs.50 now) bill to the constable and move on. Does the goverment get any income out of the traffic fine? may be the law is changed now, and its for the traffic officials not for the goverment.

Who will give initiate a change on this type of culture?
Politicians ? Officials ? Media ? Vigilance department ? Common man ?

OK... If i'm ready to contribute for the change, what should I do? Can I change it all alone? where is the Vigilance department? Don't they know the bribe happening around RTO, Sub-registrar, Taluk offices and several other offices?

This might look like "soup mix", huh? yes, i'm so confused myself to see the way my country is heading.

I need to calm down and think.... let me come back later again.