Kutta-Dutta Rigmarole
Sri Kutta! Does it sound weird?
Yes, that’s how he would have been officially addressed because the spelling of his surname in the official record tells just that - had Sri Srikanti Kutta (Dutta) of Bankura not protested.
Dutta was determined and was made of sterner stuff.
After repeatedly failing to move the authorities to make a valid change of the name on his ration card, he chose to stage a protest in the most non-violent and creative way. He took his appeal to the head of the organization for the fourth time and instead of requesting the authorities with folded hands wearing a hangdog look, he yelped and whined like a snarling dog much to the chagrin of the BDO in the full public view. The video became viral on social media.
Yes, that’s how he would have been officially addressed because the spelling of his surname in the official record tells just that - had Sri Srikanti Kutta (Dutta) of Bankura not protested.
Dutta was determined and was made of sterner stuff.
After repeatedly failing to move the authorities to make a valid change of the name on his ration card, he chose to stage a protest in the most non-violent and creative way. He took his appeal to the head of the organization for the fourth time and instead of requesting the authorities with folded hands wearing a hangdog look, he yelped and whined like a snarling dog much to the chagrin of the BDO in the full public view. The video became viral on social media.
The Silence of the Sounds
Some days back in Bangalore, around midnight I was shaken off my sleep by an ear-piercing unfamiliar sound. It was the typical sound of a piece of a heavy metal hammer hitting another large metal body at rhythmic regularity. Why would someone in a residential colony hit a metal body with another hammer continuously for hours so late at night? I started analyzing what could the situation be and drew a big blank.
I could not associate this sound with the industrial situations I had experienced so far. I remained clueless.
I could not associate this sound with the industrial situations I had experienced so far. I remained clueless.
Respect – What it means and what we have made of it
A cousin of mine who works in a school for children with special needs was recounting an experience of hers.
A senior retiree who stayed alone in their community with time to spare, came occasionally to that school to help people with their chores. He didn’t mind doing any task – big or small whoever asked for help. He wanted to contribute to the community. He was always punctual, came much earlier to school time; and would invariably park his car at the farthest end of the parking lot.
This habit caught the attention of my cousin who asked him about this quirky habit of parking when there are many vacant slots available closer to the exit. He said, as I come early if I park near the exit, the ones who are unable to reach in time for some reason on that day will be forced to park at the farthest end. That will make them still late to work. As I have time in hand, I choose the distant slot and leave the better ones for others.
A senior retiree who stayed alone in their community with time to spare, came occasionally to that school to help people with their chores. He didn’t mind doing any task – big or small whoever asked for help. He wanted to contribute to the community. He was always punctual, came much earlier to school time; and would invariably park his car at the farthest end of the parking lot.
This habit caught the attention of my cousin who asked him about this quirky habit of parking when there are many vacant slots available closer to the exit. He said, as I come early if I park near the exit, the ones who are unable to reach in time for some reason on that day will be forced to park at the farthest end. That will make them still late to work. As I have time in hand, I choose the distant slot and leave the better ones for others.
BMC and Kishore Bhaina Friction
I flew out of Bhubaneswar when the drama surrounding Kishore Bhaina’s Roadside Hotel was at its peak.
For those who came late; the drama started with the BMC authorities sealing his eatery with the notice of non-compliance with food quality and hygiene standards. It was not an isolated incident; they had done it at more than a dozen such places as a part of their routine drive. It’s a known fact that the evicted encroachments get back to business the very next day; while the media and authorities choose to look the other way.
Jadoo ki Jhappi
A few days back when Ratan Tata said, "You don`t know what it is to be lonely, until you spend time alone wishing for companionship"; to many of us that was happening to someone, somewhere else.
A common description of loneliness is the feeling we get when our need for rewarding social contact and relationships is not met. Loneliness is a state of mind. Loneliness causes people to feel empty, alone, and unwanted. It is marked by feelings of isolation despite wanting social connections. It is often perceived as an involuntary separation, rejection, or abandonment by other people. There is a difference between Loneliness and Solitude. If the latter can be therapeutic at times the former is corrosive.
Sustainable Living – We are facing the consequence of ignoring our traditional values.
A recent UNEP article stated “To combat the climate crisis and secure a safe future below 1.5°C, the world needs to cut emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gasses by 50 percent within the decade. Individuals and policymakers can help secure a healthier planet through their sustainable choices. Research shows that lifestyle changes could help the planet slash emissions by up to 70% by 2050. For many, ambitious targets such as this can induce a sense of dread and paralysis. But experts say there is a lot we can do as individuals to counter climate change.”
Celebrating Men Seen Cycling to Moon
Are you planning to cycle today too?
4th June, early morning, after being fed an overdose of pictures of people cycling with their friends the day before, I, in my churlish best, threw this question to the air on my social media walls – many responded. Many in the picture wore that MeToo happy smile, and many wore those cycling gears making them practically unrecognizable.
The Sleep-Restfulness Conundrum
The thing that we secretly desire to do on a Sunday is ‘Not Doing Anything’ which in common parlance broadly comprises a post-lunch siesta and a good night’s sleep.
The symptom of the need for rest usually starts showing up in our minds from Wednesday. That is why Wednesday is called The Hump Day. Because if we had started our week on a Monday, we would have reached our peak by midweek and are expected to drag ourselves till Friday and take rest on the weekends and revive.
That Missing Credible Voice
Two incidents and vitriolic exchange of words between two interest groups kept the media space filled towards the second fortnight of April. The one at the national level was the high fuel price and closer home it was the Puri Heritage Corridor Project.
The fuel price kerfuffle was centered around whether the center or the states should reign it in by reducing the percentage of taxes that they are collecting per liter of fuel. The rigmarole of Puri was around the huge opacity around what is being planned to be done to the heritage site – people demanded facts be presented.
Climate Change: Can we afford to be the ostrich when the storm is not temporary?
[Science is unequivocal about the impending danger the world faces and the proofs it has presented. Our own experience of the last few decades corroborates that. When the crisis is knocking on the door and the knowledge to deal with it is available; what are the factors at the level of general attitude and belief that is preventing mass climate action? It’s our life and it’s our planet. Do we have any alternative? My take on Earth Day]
About me .
Entrepreneur · Researcher · Communicator
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