We the people

I observe people quite a bit - now with no TV and a lil' more time in hand - I have started observing even more! And what I see of our people gives me the jitters.

I have grown up in a generation that was called the Gen X - youngsters - brash, yet with roots in Indian culture, etc. etc. But what I see of my generation now saddens me. And it is not thee brash, aggressive nature that worries me - it is the Indian culture! We have unfortunately imbibed many things that are not something we would be proud of!

Take for instance, breaking traffic rules - aren't they meant for our safety? Helmets have been made compulsory in most Indian cities, yet most of us will not wear them - the reason most often quoted being that in a hot country like ours, the helmet is a burden. Yeah right, the burden of being headless is better! The way people drive on Indian roads - with scant respect for traffic signals is well known. Somehow, I find this a much major problem in Chennai than I have seen in Mumbai. People have scant respect is not the word - they do not see traffic signals - if there is no one passing by - anyone can just drive past! The less said about the rickshaw drivers, the better. Sometimes I just wish I can stop and slap a few of these idiots! They are a danger to society.

I see many spitting on the roads - defacing walls - and the whole gamut of things! I used to think it is just other people who do it - we always hated such things - when we are grown up, we would do such things! I think I am wrong - every one thinks the same about his/ her generation. Have we lost our way again???

ToI is here ...

I finally got to writing something! Been a real loooong time. Many things have been happening - I have changed houses again! (My 4th house in a year in Chennai!!!) - on that note, I completed a year in Chennai - not counting the two wonderful years at DoMS ... the less said about this one year, the better! Chennai sucx ... big time! :)

Life in Citi is good - I enjoy the work I do - though it barely gives me time to do anything else. I just got confirmed and promoted - so it's good!

Another good thing to come to Chennai (finally!) was the Times of India!!! Yes, the paper I have grown up reading is finally available in Chennai. I still remember the days in IIT when we used to order a day old version of the ToI - just to read the ToI. The Hindu, and its publishers must have got a jolt when the D Day finally arrived!

For those who haven't done so, do try to get hold of a copy of the inaugural issue - a fantastic front page. The ToI hit at The Hindu, very very subtly. Just putting across the point that Chennaites were Hindu loyalists - but may not be so anymore!!!

They say that the best way to see if you have succeeded is to see the reaction of your competitor - and going by The Hindu's reaction - ToI certainly seems to have won round 1! The Hindu has started advertising big time - many bus stands now sport Hindu ads - the entire stretch of Anna Salai has lighted displays of the Hindu - stating things like "Chennai trusts only The Hindu" and "If its Chennai, it has to be The Hindu" A little too late in the day misters - I think it would be better if you improve the content of your newspaper! All in all, a very good battle in the offing - will be fun to see the outcome - my hunch is that ToI will bring in the NRS survey to Chennai to show its might! The Hindu - beware!