Day 32- Head over Heart

This happened on one Friday night on my way back from Hyderabad.

Its 9.30 and I get in to a prepaid taxi at the domestic airport at Mumbai to go back home. The driver gets in but along with him a younger man, very casually, also gets into the taxi and sits next to the driver.

I ask the driver, "Yeh kaun hai?". The driver replies, "Yeh bhi driver hai...usey Andheri highway pe utarna hain". I sternly reply, "Usko utaaro... yeh nahi aayega hamare saath." The driver looks at me and smilingly says "Mere bharose ka aadmi hai" as if trying to reassure me. I retort, "Aapka uspe bharosa hoga, mera nahi hai. Unko abbhi utarne ko bolo". Hearing my indignant voice, the man gets off without a word and then me and the driver head home.

- This situation has probably happened with many of us. The man may have been harmless for all you know and would have gotten off at Andheri as was meant to be. But what if he wasn't! Now imagine an outsider from a small city in my situation. With all the naivete and simplicity, would have surely believed the driver and accepted his request, believing it to be true. 

So I asked myself, "Are these the unfortunate stories we see in newspapers?."

Better to go with the head than the heart in situations when we are dealing with strangers and strange situations. Safety is non-negotiable!

Day 31 - "Come, make in India" - An inspiring rhetoric!

For the first time in my life time I sat glued to my couch and watched the entire speech delivered by a Prime Minister on the occasion of India's Independence Day. It was NaMo's first address to the nation as a PM and what a speech it was. It was grounded, passionate, full of hope, rousing and more importantly it was about each of us - young and old, rich, middle class and poor - It was about a Billion Indians.


He spoke about the importance of building a positive national character, skill building and making youth employable, he emphasized on cleanliness and vision of Swacch Bharat by 2019 (to celebrate 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi) with toilets built in all schools, stressed on empowering the common man and on e-governance with focus on making a Digital India which would benefit the the smallest of towns with information and services, he spoke about launching a financial inclusion scheme to provide Rs. 1 lakh insurance to poor families. Through his speech, he inspired us to believe in a grand vision, “Come and Make in India”- inviting manufacturers from across the world to invest in India, and help boost India’s industrial growth. Also, called our attention to the importance of Zero Defect (product) and Zero effect (on environment) while doing so. Thus, making 'Made in India' a synonym of excellence. Indeed a grand vision which can only be expected of a man who's already established himself as pro investment and pro development during his reign as Chief Minister of Gujarat.

His rousing speech was not only about building a grand but realistic vision for India but he also took a moment to touch upon the various sensitive issues the citizens, more so women were facing in current times. He expressed his dismay on the recent rapes incidents frequently occurring around the country. He called on the parents to check and keep a tab on what their sons are up to rather than questioning their daughters. A sensitive point well made to a patriarchal society. Never before a PM has been upfront and addressed the nation on such delicate issues and that too so immaculately.

His speech was nowhere close to the empty rhetoric nor the monotonous fact presenting or humdrum report which we had grown accustomed to in previous years. In fact, many political veterans were quoted saying that it was the finest speech ever made by an Indian Prime Minister in a long time and also had many unique aspects. It was not only an awakening extempore speech but also it ran for over an hour, a longest speech probably only after the times of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Another first was that the PM spoke from the ramparts of the Red Fort without the customary protection of a bullet proof glass, bringing him even more close to the largest audience which has ever attended a Indian PM's address on Indy Day. And last but not the least at the beginning of his speech he once again drove attention to the point that he was not addressing the people of India as “Pradhan Mantri” but as “Pradhan Sewak” – the first servant.

It was truly a fantastic speech by the leader of our country and if I have to go only by the weight of words then I can safely say we are in good hands. As an Indian, I felt truly proud and
also secure about the future of billion Indians.

Now, keenly looking for the man to walk the talk! Hope springs eternal!

For those who would like to hear his speech. Click this link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=o1cxHe9TeD8

Day 30 - When 'Opting in' makes a huge difference.

This happened a week ago when I was traveling on work. It was my last evening in that city. I walked into the hotel room after a long day at work. Was glad to be back to what was my temporary abode for just one more day. The room service, like the past few days, was impeccable. And as I was admiring their handiwork, I noticed a small card placed on the neatly folded bed linen. It was a UNICEF card with two happy kids beaming on its cover and a caption which read 'Your $1 can change a child's life'. The card very succinctly highlighted how 100 million children miss out on the chance to go to school. It went to add how $1 can buy a notebook and how it can help a child to read and write and in turn have a chance for a better future. Then, what really caught my eye was that in order to support UNICEF's work, an extra US$1 was already being added to my hotel bill. If I agreed to it, I need not do anything but if I did not prefer to donate then I just had to inform them at the time of checking out.
And then the card signed off saying....
"$1 by $1, child by child. YOU can change the world."


I was an 'opt in' by default. If I didn't agree then I would have to opt out.

Very smart, I must say. Now tell me, who would mind a $1 being added to their hotel bill whether official or personal travel? Absolutely no one, right!

Now, it's been a week since I am back home. And since the last one week I have been seeing a series of advertisements and media coverage promoting August 13th as Organ Donation Day being propagated by Kokilaben Ambani Hospital and The Times of India. It's a noble cause which is also close to my heart. I was very happy to know that a big hospital and a leading newspaper have come together to create awareness for such a worthy initiative which has the potential to change the lives of millions who are either ailing or handicapped.
And then it suddenly occurred to me. We in India have the poorest rate of organ donation at 0.08 per million where as Spain which is acknowledged as the leader in organ donations has a whopping rate of 35.3 per million. A huge difference, right! And guess what, why is Spain so successful?

No prizes for guessing that one.

Spain has a legislation that acknowledges the presumed consent of the deceased donor (although the family's permission is compulsory), combined with highly qualified transplant coordinators who are permanently on call, that has added to high levels of legitimate organ transplants.
Which means, every Spaniard is considered as an 'opt in' case for organ donation unless his family thinks otherwise at the time of his/her death.
For such a fantastic cause isn't that the best policy to follow for any country. Undoubtedly, they have the best organ donation rate in the world. It's not compulsory, its still voluntary and yet so impacting. Tell me, how many would not want to donate their organs if given a choice.
So many lives saved, healed and made healthier.

I wonder, why do we not consider an 'opt-in' as a policy in India too. We have so many poor who have been in queues for a long time for an organ donor. On the other hand, the rich and influential manage to jump queues due to sheer money power. This policy may just wipe out the organ donation racket and many more will stand to benefit, and not just those who can wave a thick wad of currency notes.

The UNICEF promotion and Spain's organ donation policy are a case in point as to how a 'opt in' policy can be put to brilliant social causes. Seriously, it has potential to make a huge difference!

Day 29 - Just a short story

Had been stuck in office for a late assignment. It was time to wrap up work so I picked the cell phone to call my hubby. Its our small ritual so he knows that I am on my way especially when its beyond 9 in the night. His number is engaged for a long time. I wait for him to revert. No luck! He does not call back. That's uncharacteristic of him. So I try again and this time it rings for a long time but he does not pick up. I am irritated. Doesn't he know that its late and I am trying hard to get through to him. Or may be he's in the bathroom and so I try once more. But even now still no reply. Why is he not responding when he is supposed to be comfortably ensconced at home. Now I am totally furious and even sad. I have been trying to get through him continuously for 10 minutes. Typically, he will drop a message if he is not able to call back. But not a trace of that too.I shut down my lap top, pick up my bags, my lunch box and grab the keys of my office. I am stomping my way down the passage thinking of his callous attitude. I decide to try one last time as I am about to step out. His phone rings yet again. But this time the ring is not just filling up my ears, the familiar Nokia tune is also wafting into the office entrance door. It takes only a few seconds for it to sink in and I am standing, rooted to the ground and grinning from ear to ear. He picks my laptop bag and my other paraphernalia but he does not realize that in that single moment he has also swept me off my feet.


Moral - Why is it that we lose patience with those we love more than anyone? Why are we so much more patient with strangers than with ourselves and loved ones?