Battling Chennai rains with love!

"We are not afraid, we are not afraid,
We are not afraid today;
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
We are not afraid today.

We shall overcome, we shall overcome,
We shall overcome someday;
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
We shall overcome someday."

These are the lines that are running in the minds of every Chennaitie and wish that "someday" is a day in the near future.Being born and brought up in Chennai, this is the worst that I've seen in so many years. Water, water, water, it's just the sight of water wherever you turn. But as it is claimed, we get to know the best of people only when we are going through a tough situation. City is witnessing so many random acts of kindness that is bringing us together and is helping us fight through it as a team. 

I got down last evening at a stop with knee deep water (not-a-low-lying area) and that was when I realised the intensity of the problem. If this is the case of a pretty high lying area, then imagine the plight of people from areas that are yet to get back to normalcy after last week's floods. When series of thoughts were crossing my mind, my eyes caught the sight of a tea shop that was opening its backdoor . The teashop anna walked out of his shop and was requesting people to wait inside his shop or to use it to trespass to the other side. He was offering free tea and biscuits to everyone around. This is just a small example from  millions of similar acts that's happening throughout. Everyone living in neighbouring houses are time and again checking on eachother and have opened their doors to the affected families.So many mechanics are offering help to move stranded vehicles. All popular cine complexes have opened their doors for public to stay. Actors, RJs and VJs are using their popularity and reach to garner more support from far and wide.Doctors, volunteers, emergency team...entire city is on its toes to come out of this situation together and stronger than ever before. People are using social media effectively to spread the word and do the needful.

TNEB Helpline numbers:

Superintending Engineer (SE) Chennai South 9445850111; Executive Engineer (EE) Adyar 9445850555; EE K.K. Nagar 9445850202; EE Guindy 9445850179; EE Tambaram 9445850227; EE Porur 9445850258; and EE I.T. Corridor 9445850164.

SE Chennai Central 9445850707; EE Mylapore 9445850717; EE Anna Salai 9445850686; EE Egmore 9445850696; and EE T. Nagar 9445850727.

SE Chennai North 9445850909; EE Perambur 9445850959; EE Tondiarpet 9445850889; EE Vyasarpadi 9445850871; and EE Ponneri 9445850915.

SE Chennai West 9445850300; EE Anna Nagar 9445850286; EE Ambattur 9445850311; and EE Avadi 9445850344.

List of doctors available:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tCRi8Dhb2Fxs-K_jvA4BsPk4Wd9pXFOuEgBgpecnirw/htmlview?sle=true#

Link to find accommodation:

http://chennairains.org/

List of all emergency contacts available:

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-chennai-floods-helpline-numbers-for-rescue-operations-food-blankets-accommodation-stranded-animals-and-more-2151017

Latest update on individual areas:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V9TraK4_ADSZ2EB_Tuj_KjpToRPEBWQgNI2r_H_aCvQ/edit?pli=1

Flood map to help us understand the situation and act accordingly

http://osm-in.github.io/flood-map/chennai.html#17.55/13.04697/80.26884/-30

Proud to be part of a city that is using its colours of love,unity and solidarity even when greyness is threatening to engulf the city...The city that is constantly fighting the downpour with its own showers of care,humanity and several acts of kindness. Chennai, you are amazing as always!

“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.” 
-Haruki Murakam

[55 F]: Priceless

He was lost! Days got longer and nights no better! All he wanted was love and care but nobody around had any time to spare! He grew restless with every passing day. Finally the wait was over! She arrived to take him home, promising a better tomorrow!

 “Quickr: 2 month old puppy found roadside – SOLD”

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PS: Inspired by a real incident. My friend had got a puppy home for free seeing the ad posted by an onlooker in quickr 

In Pursuit of God

This was submitted for a contest in my company's internal blog for the topic 'Finding God'
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Search begins at home (derived from charity begins at home ) Sticking to that tradition, biting a piece of dairy milk (Shubh Aarambh you see ),I asked my mom when she was busy cooking, “Amma… What’s your take about God? Do you know where to find Him?” My mom didn’t even give a second thought “Why do you want to know? To trouble Him too? Atleast let Him be in peace! Do you think you can distract me with your so called intellectual questions? Your cupboard is still as messy as your hair *simultaneously pushes my curls from falling on my face* , bed is not done…I asked you to dust all the windows…Am sure you didn’t even attempt to take that dusting cloth yet! What have you done to your T shirt…*I attempted replying* Don’t use that tone and look with me… How many times to tell you not to wipe your mouth with it” Clearly knowing that I will be ripped to pieces before I could even draft my final round post, I slowly slipped out! *scribbled the first attempt in my notepad* I dropped the idea of asking my dad as he might say “This is why you should watch news instead of watching unwanted programmes… Had you kept yourself updated, you wouldn’t be looking out for answers”.Sigh!

I visited Kalakshetra to pick up my niece from her music classes. My sister stopped for a quick chat with her music teacher . I heard her tell, “Music is divine…It gets you closer to God” *point noted* I heard another one reframe that sentence “Dance or music *must be a dance teacher* Any art forms for that matter gets you closer to God… It helps you find inner peace”I was reminded of Kungu Fu Panda and made note of it too!

One fine day, my friend and me visited a restaurant after a tedious round of shopping We were super hungry.We placed the order and waited patiently for it to arrive. Every single time the door opened, my friend sincerely asked ‘Is this the waiter who took our order…check’.Before I could see and make a judgement, he would turn in a different direction to go to the next table. When hunger took over , the saviour arrived to protect the world from 2 to-be cannibals. We made very less efforts to hide our zero patience level at the sight of food. TV was in sync with our mindvoice and played the scene from Thenali where Kamal tells ‘Neengal verum machhan illai…Deiva Macchan’ as he laid out the dishes on our table. As soon as my friend took the first bite, she remarked ‘Tastes Divine!’ closing her eyes to savour the moment. *searched notepad frantically in spite of the hunger and made a note* On the way back home, there was an elderly couple distributing food packets to few people who were dressed in rags. I found the mom of two little ones in that crowd to fold her palms as a token of her gratitude and added that the couple was sent by God to help them *point noted*

I decided that it was high time that I reach out for some expert advice. I asked my paati (grandma). She was thrilled and called out with all the possible energy that her fragile body could produce ‘Kozhandhai evlo azhaga kekardhu paaru… Evlo periya vishayatha patthi kekara…Kannu pattra pordhu…Dhrishti sutthi podanam’ (She was just expressing how proud she was to hear such a question from me #feelingshy )After the initial hungama and hush-hush about it’s the right time to take the wedding topic (I don’t know how every topic leads to this point ) she started with her gyaan about the theory of God being omnipresent. At one point, the information was getting over my head and I stopped scribbling on my notepad. My grandma has the habit of calling out God names while getting up or sitting down. That day, due to the preceding conversation that we had, she added ‘Iyyapa…nee enga pa iruka’ only to hear the plumber respond ‘Paati ma… inga dhan iruken… tap maathitu irukken.’ God is truly omnipresent…Whatte quick response!

When I sat down to analyse the points I received, I was able to summarize as below
Points got at home,

Doing our duty with dedication

Cleanliness
At Kalakshetra,

Happiness

Inner peace
At restaurant,

Giving something at the time of need

Helping at the right time without any second thoughts
As I write these last few lines, I am reminded of a brilliant scene from Anbe Sivam where Madhavan enters a first aid camp and sees a boy with his (rare) blood group bleeding…The kid dies in spite of the blood transfusion…Maddy is heart broken and has a superb conversation with Kamal.
Excerpts from it
Madhavan: “Oh.. Yaar antha kadavul..” (Kamal points his finger towards Madhavan).
Kamal: Munna pinna theriyatha oruthanuku kanneer vidariaye athan kadavul
Madhavan: Enna thideernu indha panivu..
Kamal: Ean na naanum Kadavul.
Link to the full scene with subtitles: https://youtu.be/Pg3spKxKQ1c
Anything/anyone that brings happiness with his/her actions is related to divinity or God sent. G(o)od in each person is that ‘secret ingredient’ to make this world a better place to live in.

Dream On!

“Dream, Dream Dream! Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action”

His voice reverberated as I read the news on screen that this voice is now a part of history! Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, a man who captured the hearts of millions of students with his charisma and simplicity! He redefined leadership and brought in a new dimension to it. Before 2002, all I knew about president of India was just the President’s name that too cos it will be asked in my social science paper. When he was sworn in as 11th President of India in 2002, in the very first class , my history teacher spoke about Dr Kalam to us. She was very excited and the excitement passed on to us as she shared about his life. From that day onwards, our classes never used to end without a slightest mention about him. My history teacher made it a habit to spend the last 10 minutes of her class to talk about the great man.  One day she told us that her friend’s daughter wrote to him and she got a personalised message from the president himself. She added that he can never ignore students however busy he might be as he is a teacher first…. That made each one of us to lit up with joy. We wanted to write to him. I had written a letter about how I was inspired by him and my love for astronomy. I didn’t know whether it would reach him safely if I just address it to ‘President,  Rashtrapathi bhavan’. So I shelved it for the evening and decided to ask my history ma’am the next day.  The next morning, all of a sudden,  we were asked to write a composition about anything of our choice… Being the one with astronomy as dream,  I chose about my role model,  Kalpana Chawla.  I had finished the essay with ‘She dreamt to reach the stars and now has reached far and beyond. She made me realise stars are not far. So here I am with my dreams ready to reach the stars!’  I remember this verbatim as I had to repeat it to many after this  My essay was selected as one among the best few that would reach our Dr.  Kalam representing my school. My joy knew no bounds. Days passed,  months passed… Still no reply.  Everyday I used to ask about it to anyone who can give an answer. All in vain.  Suddenly on a Thursday morning,  principal announced that it was an honour that president recognised and replied to the copy of book sent. She also said it will be out for display in notice board for the benefit of all.  Somehow after finding my way through the crowd,  I managed to read the page long reply from him.  He had mentioned about every essay and had mentioned that he was proud to know that India’s torch bearers are brilliant minds with passion to reach the top.  Regarding my essay,  he had specifically mentioned my last line and said ‘Well written. Dream on young lady! Your success is within your reach.’ It was my happiest moment. From then on, I started enjoying the art of writing. I would even say, if not for that day I wouldn’t have started writing seriously.  The little am able to write today is definitely due to the dose of inspiring words from him.

This is the very small tribute that I can pay to the man who has inspired millions of people like me.

Though he is not around us,  his words,  his deeds and vision will always stay alive in the years to come! He is truly the finest and irreplaceable !

We salute you sir!

55 Fiction : Priceless!

He was lost! Days got longer and nights no better! All he wanted was love and care but nobody around had any time to spare! He grew restless with every passing day. Finally the wait was over! She arrived to take him home, promising a better tomorrow!

 “Quickr: 2 month old puppy found roadside – SOLD”

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PS: Inspired by a real incident. My friend had got a puppy home for free seeing the ad posted by an onlooker in quickr :)

Due to Obama's visit

Obama’s visit made me feel like the school inspection that happens…. Entire school would be freshly painted, playground would get a new look , 100s of Dos and Don’ts would  be circulated time and again, we would be asked to come in neatly ironed uniforms…once the inspection is over, my principal would be beaming from ear to ear with pride which would drive home the point that inspector was impressed! Similarly, newly laid roads, tourist venues that were being neglected for years had sprung back to life with Obama’s visit… like in mythologies where a stone/tree/anything else waits for the blessed soul to curb the curse on it  For the past few days whatever happened in the country had the same reason ‘for Obama’s visit’… Not only in Delhi but also in Chennai (Don’t ask me why  )! Security was high…reason: Due to Obama’s visit, people were guided in proper queues while boarding train/bus…reason: Due to Obama’s visit, traffic was less or even zero…reason: Due to Obama’s visit (yeah…people were busy watching the emotional scene and wiping tears of joy when Modi Bhai was hugging Barack Bro) 

Mass Layoffs at TCS was reported…Reason: Definitely not due to Obama’s visit! There can be no connection between Obama’s visit and layoffs except that I read about both on the first page of newspaper  It was really disheartening to read about so many people losing the job that was a part of their life for so long…Not that I don’t know the seriousness of the issue but just that I am not able to ignore the lighter side! The news (both Obama’s visit and layoffs…now am talking about the latter) created waves across the nation and people who were not in any way part of the IT sector were the ones most affected 

I had heard my aunt  complaining about a maid who was irregular to work and her nonchalant attitude was definitely putting her in the “under performer” category in the performance meeting that was going on. Final verdict was clear that the maid had to look out for another job from the following month. After few days , my aunt calls up saying she retained her… She explained that she had decided it after reading about layoffs fiasco. Quoting from the conversation, “I can’t fire her from work calling her an under performer as she has been with me for 2 years now..I saw her work for a week and then only made her permanent…May be her disinterest at work could be due to my negligance…I have increased her pay this month…. Let’s see.” *mindvoice* Wow…Whatte learning! May be I should ask her about counselling the people incharge of layoffs.

One worried relative called me up (who doesn’t call otherwise)
She: “Are you working?”
Me: No no..Am not…Am watching TV.
She:..OMG! Am feeling so bad… You don’t be depressed!
Me: Aunty?????? *mindvoice* Watching TV=Being depressed?This aunty reads too much of medical columns and reads too much into my answer.
She: Ya…Everything happens for a reason…You will get something better…But don’t lose hope! Keep yourself engaged with some activity till you go to work.
Me: Errr…Aunty…Ocassionally watching TV doesn’t mean am depressed :S Am fine!
She: You said you are not working right? I saw it in news…
Me: I just informed my TL… Am not well so took a day off  what are you talking about?
She: Ohhhh…I thought you are one among the ones who got terminated.Your company has sacked many people right?
Me: Aunty…Am not working there and my job is absoultely safe as of now (sounding definitely pissed off) *mindvoice* Ufff…these abbreviations are causing Great Confusion in the Nation.
She: Guess…Somebody is at the door…Will call you back (and the back may be when next layoff news goes around  )

A shop vendor was scolding his employee as he had received complaints from customers… I happened to be at that shop for buying groceries. The owner went on to tell that boy , “Thank your stars for working here… Do you know such kind of complaints are never excused in those big big Computer companies… They will throw you out of the job instantly… You should be happy that you are working for a person who is spending all his energy in making you to realise your mistake rather than asking you to go out”. I was stunned to hear that working in grocery shop is considered to be a better option  I was about to argue but at second thoughts dismissed it as I didn’t want to intervene  the employer-employee one-to-one discussion  *IT traits*

So what made me to write a post today…Definitely…Heard you loud and clear… Post today Reason: Due to Obama’s visit  (Reacharge shop anna had closed his shop due to Obama’s visit yesterday…No net pack for chatting which made me draft this post ,thereby making use of the travel time  )

Obama-ji Ki Jai Ho!