One step closer to Nirvana

I have journeyed home this weekend. To call it a short trip would be imprudent, as it was almost ephemeral. I write this at home, wishing that my stay could be longer, wishing that I could soak in the scents this wonderful city, my home. But fate and responsibilities are mistresses of mine, who are playing truant today. I shall have to return to my lovely college, to my friends there, to academics. I enjoy all those lovely things, but I can't help but think of Bombay.

Sometimes even tiny associations are greatly fulfilling. Thats the thing with these time compressed relationships. You don't have expectations of them, because you know that parting is a given. But living those moments are like elixirs. Energizing, invigorating you almost. But the harsh wand of reality still waves frantically around that head of yours. And reality hits you as hard as it can.

The trip was lovely. The joy that I could see in my grandmothers' eyes was enough to quell the disappointment of my quiz in Kolkota. But then there was more to follow. Providence had in store for me friends, a mother whose eyes were large with emotion, a father who wished to act, but couldn't contain the joy of his seeing his son again, rapprochements if you so deem to call them, both with myself and others, and conversations with friends that I shall always cherish.

Suddenly, I snap back into reality when I look at the incoherence. I realize the outcome of my nostalgia. But maturity, whether it stems from wisdom, or age, tells me that this emotion is ubiquitous. Even caterpillars ensconced in their cocoons experience it, thanks to memories of crawling along tiny twigs that the butterfly shall not be fortunate to have. This reality bite make me realize that this trip was an awakening to me. And just for that, this trip was priceless.

Bombay is known as the city of dreams. I was dreaming, Bombay awoke me in these three days.

Gyaan!

First certain disclaimers.

1. This weblog comes at the request of my myriad readers. (Jokes are good to break the ice. The boredom will set in soon.)

2. This post will contain an overdose of gyaan

3. I will not try and begin my branding w.r.t IIMC

I have been learning Economics lately. Yeah, its part of my pre MBA thing. And yeah, I like economics. And yeah, I BETTER like economics; I have just “committed” to something for the first time in my life.

Anyways, moving on, I have come to realize that many macroeconomic principles hold true even in the tiny microcosms that constitute the macrocosms which we refer to. Too much gyaan already? Well, just think of it that India is one big “happy” family, which is made up of millions of tiny little “happy” families, which are our families.

Before carrying on, let me clarify that this post is to be a parody. A parody on myself, and the Indian social fabric. Gyaan that is interspersed just underlines the severe lack of literary talent.

So, coming back, Macroeconomics keeps using a word regularly: “Government”. We, the bonded labourers of the software industry whine, whine and whine using that word. Hell, for that matter, everyone everyone seems to whine about the Government. The government included! The government is that factor which shapes all policies. Its supposed to be the “moderator”. If you ask me, I couldn't care less about moderation. I am a great believer of demand supply economics. I demand from God, and he supplies. But then hey, realities are a far cry from utopia.

Here is the basis of my conjectures (novel ain't I? I have an understanding for my guesses). For ease of understanding I shall use examples that we can relate to.

1. Money: Best case scenario in case of invalids like me (I am going to be one for the next two years), is I demand, and parents supply. But the government at home is restricted na? I demand, and they reject. In India, the people demand for better governance, and in return, they dont get it.

2. Neighbors: We try and establish government policies that keep us isolated from the rest of the planet when in comes to internal matters. And yet, India is known to wade into foreign shores. Closer home, we hate our house closets being emptied out, but we are known to be staring into our neighbors houses in our free time.

3. Inflation: The government is known to be the prime cause for rising inflation. Prime reason is government spending (on its politicians). The public whines, and the government spends more. At home, the government whines and then with rising incomes, it spends more on accessories. Women find a mention here.

4. Education: The one place where both score points. The government taxes the working class, or myself, for aiding my education. You get the idea as to what is happening at my place :)

5. Moralities: We Indians are possibly the biggest hypocrites on the planet. I know this would have the large crowd of bloggers who frequent my niche in the virtual world, up in arms, but hold on. We are the land of the Mahabharatha. We had Arjun who had 41 wives. We had Krishna with thousands of wives. Bhima was quite prolific too I have heard. So inter-caste marriages were sanctioned. Krishna at least is known to have “known” love. Bhima, is documented as having wedded a demoness! And yet, our government believes in moral policing. FTV apparently is a creation of the devil's syndicate. And so is valentines day. Ironically, hapless and hopeless romantics like myself, are witness to this erratic behaviour on the home turf, which is ridden with “Daddy's little daughters” who are too sacred to “touch”

So there you go. My first economics lecture. An overdose of gyaan as promised. I have served the dollops of crap. You can serve the dollops of hate comments.

P.S: To those who didnt notice, the IIMC branding HAS begun. Oblique references to MBA education have been made

P.P.S: I made it into IIMC. More on that later too