What are we?

What did we do against the Mumbai terrorists attacks:

1. We participated in online polls and declared that India badly needs to take more stringent action against terrorism
2. We participated in Email campaigns and added our names to the lengthy list of citizens seeking action from the government
3. We participated in peace marches
4. We supported tons of websites on the themes of India rocks, Proud to be Indian etc..
5. We lit candles to honour the victims of terrorism
6. We bought T-shirts with whacky slogans supporting the fight against terrorism
7. We watched and may be a few of us participated too in panel discussions
8. We observed a minute of silence in the honour of the terrorist victims
9. Sachin dedicated his century. Amitabh cancelled his dinner with Clinton. Sanjay Dutt lowered his fee. RGV visited the terror ravaged Taj. Bollywood registered 30 movie titles. Saif and Kareena condemned the most heinous terror act and government’s failure to protect the citizens. Aamir Khan wore a black dress on Eid to denounce the terror act.


We have recovered now. We have come back to organizing our lives around two of our most important goals - Watching our bank balances increase and liabilities decrease.

That brings me back to the main question. Are we fundamentally hypocratic or plain helpless?

Not Today

December 10, 2008

8.35 AM: I started from my home and sped towards Chanakyapuri (my office). The moment my car hit the main road I realized that I would have been much better-off had I started even 5 minutes earlier. But that never happens... I hastily laid that thought to rest and drowned myself in loud music to transport myself to a different world. My mood changed and I started appreciating Delhi - Its misty romantic look, clean and broad roads, greenery... Delhi is great. A couple of PYTs (Pretty Young Things) walk past.... My mood elevates even further..

8.50 AM: After some skillful driving, I manage to reach office on time. Those gleaming Volvo cars parked in the office, stole my vision. They always do. I console my mind saying that someday I will own them.

8.55 AM: Reached my desk. Was happy to see my desk as clean as it always used to be. I don't like a cluttered desk. It reflects a cluttered mind. Not sure if a clean desk reflects a clean mind... But I would like to think so.

Started my laptop. It slowly comes to life and after a few minutes of what seemed an herculean effort, it asked me for my password. Without a second thought I punch in those keys... And here comes the first jolt of the day

"Your account has been disabled. Pls contact the administrator"

Wild thoughts run in my head...

What was the last assignment I did? Did I really screw it up that they did not even bother to inform me before firing?

But how can they do it? The notice period serves both ways right?

I thought IFC is a relatively safer island amidst all this mayhem and I never expected this could happen here... And to me..

9.10 AM: Office is still almost empty and there is no one at office who could help... my emotional mind makes its temporary exit and in comes the rational mind..

I make a mental calling plan..If the news is confirmed..

Call your wife first.. assure her that you haven't married a dumbo and that i would be back on track in a short time

Parents next... my mind was racing ahead and thinking of simpler ways to explain the subprime story and the woes of mortgage backed securities.. One good news though, tell them you would be back in Chennai soon..

Make calls to previous bosses with whom i am still in good books..

Calculate the burn rate (cash used up per month) and the bank balance to see maximum period of self sustenance without external assistance

Meanwhile start thinking of those entrepreneurial plans you always had..

Be calm.. if it has happened, it has happened..

9.20 AM: "You were supposed to change your password on Friday and you did not change it. That's why your account has been disabled. Do it now" yelled the IT administrator..

Heaved a sigh of relief.. Not today..

Happy to work now