General Knowledge

Come April, and all the schools are out campaigning about their "summer camps" for those pests called children. I also like to send my kids to summer camps where, they are kept busy with some dancing, singing,playing,painting whatever. I was not really expecting them to emerge into Picassis(feminine for Picassos) but simply let them have a good time. In fact I really don't want to strain them but learn something only when they are truly interested. I never went to a single summer camp in my childhood, (actually there weren't any except the ones organized by Bal Bhavan which was on the other end of the city) and spent time reading books and innovating new ways to spend time. Well, I'd really like to put down the questionnaire which was given to my 4+year old. You can read her answers inline.

General Knowledge Questionnaire

Q1.How many bones do we have in our body?
A1.Donno.

Q2.How many times does our heart beat in a minute?
A2.Four times.

Q3.How many continents are there in the world?
A3.Donno.

Q4.Who is the President of India?
A4.Donno.

Q5.How many states are there in India?
A5.Donno.

Q6.What is the capital of India?
A6.Donno.

Q7.Name the biggest animal in the world?
A7.Giraffe

Q8.Which state do we stay in?
A8.H.S.R.Layout.

Q9.What is the capital of Karnataka?
A9.Donno.

Q10.Who is the father of the nation?
A10. Daddy.


Amen!

(Mummy now gotto go and interview daddy)

Que sera sera

I have been through such an eventful period these two months that encapsulating all of it would be a huge task which I do not want to take up. I maintain a blog not because I want to share every event of my life over a public platform, but to aesthetically put down some little sparklers in my life which I can check back every once in a while and smile.

One such thing happened the other day, after my younger daughter's fourth birthday, the same day Obama swore in as the President of the United States. I had a hectic morning after her B/day celebration and fell asleep. I felt something rustle near my ear and woke up to find my little one motionless and dumb-struck like a thief caught red-handed. I demanded to know what she was upto and she said"Don't scold me or beat me". I agreed to her negotiation. She then said" I put sand in your ear" On further inquiry she revealed that she had brought some sand in her dungarees' pocket from the sand-pit in her school. I really did not get angry and found the whole thing so amusing. I mean I am usually impressed when someone comes up with anything original (because I consider myself highly ingenious)
And my daughter just beat me.
I named her Anuhya when she was born. It means "the unpredictable" or "something which is beyond imagination" [ooha means imagination]
That was the last thing that I could ever expect. Imagine. Sand poured into the ear. What was she thinking???Beats me.

Long shot

"The recent terror attacks in Mumbai have been a total failure from the terrorists point of view. Instead of spreading fear, they have angered the nation, united the country, woken up the politicians, facilitated the strengthening of armed forces and police, given India international support and put a lot of pressure on Pakistan, where the terrorists were breeding.

Please also note : The muslims in Mumbai have declined to even bury the bodies of these terrorists in their graveyards. "

I came across this when I was reading a blog of Shoba dee, in the comments section. I liked it. I liked it very much. Many people/friends/fellow bloggers were curious to know why there was no blog from me about November27th attacks in Mumbai. They probably wanted to know whether it hasn't upset/angered/touched/inspired/scared me enough to write about it.Why wouldn't it? I also have a better half who is in and out of airports and planes in this sensitive situation.

What do you expect from me? I do not intend to write a dramatic monologue to give vent to what I feel. This is not the time to give lectures/criticize/express anger but give a constructive contribution or thought which can make us do "our bit of good to the nation". The title of my post also does not highlight or suggest the attacks. I have very good neighbors who are Muslims who in fact helped me in rescuing some animals.

If there are a group of school kids, and 2 or 3 have created chaos then it is not the time to change the teacher and Principal of the school, right? [I also want to know why a civilian like Ram Gopal Varma was allowed to enter the Taj where the massacre occured.But what's the use making a hue and cry about it, instead of helping the police solve the case]

The problem is with our entire system. If it was known by everyone that the coast of Mumbai/Chennai/Kerala were all little windows for terrorists/viruses to enter the country, why didn't we guard them, or raise an alarm?Why are we now talking like women who were raped? A thief can enter the house even through an exhaust hole now-a-days. The need of the hour is to ensure that such leaks are sealed. We need Damage Control not further chaos in the form of rebellions and demonstrations. Why doesn't the public protest when an official uses Government vehicles and services for his personal use? Why does the public bow to such authority? It is right at the grass-root level that our system is corrupt. When the roots are decayed how can you expect to have a great plant? There are hundreds of people/bloggers who are acting like true patriots, but have broken rules, encouraged corruption and themselves did their own little bit by boasting about their brother-in-law or cousin who is in a public office and uses such benefits. Why don't they be patriotic by shunning such relatives in public office? No, they don't. Instead they are extra courteous to them because, they could be "useful" to them in future. Reformers and patriots are those who have the guts to challenge such corruption,to me these men of action who can think right are true heroes, not those who make plenty noise outside and then like sterilized mice, get lost in their own safety.