alice's peephole

I have 4 stories to tell. Vodafone I landed in Delhi, and I got right down to it, the first thing that anyone worries about when they move. As I didn't know where any of the stores were, I called JustDial and they connected me to Vodafone. A recorded voice took me through all the motions, and all of 15 minutes of sub-human interaction later I had made all the arrangements for a new SIM to be delivered home. I was impressed by the speed and efficiency of the 'personalized customer care', so I even made a few calls (on roaming) to my friends back home to gloat and boast about it. I started work soon after, but I became confused as to whether I was working for CWG or as secretary to Hon.Mr.Raj Chhadha. I found myself answering call after call for him on my new number. It was only after a few weeks that I managed to get down to a shop, by this time having given up trying to actually TALK to these godlike customer care executives. I say godlike because just like God, you've ...

Have you ever seen a watchdog that is so rapt in guarding the neighbour’s property, that a burglar has a free hand over its own? If your answer is “no” then now is your chance! These new-age watchdogs roam the streets freely, barking at passers-by and chasing cars. They have taken upon themselves the heavy burden of preserving this countries great heritage and culture. Unfortunately, they weren’t at their grandmothers’ side when she told stories of chivalry and kindness, friendliness and hard work! They also missed the “global village” lecture from their contemporaries. Can’t blame them really, who has the time for such naive fairytales when there are so many disco-going women and valentines-day celebrating youngsters to attack? I had the opportunity to speak to one of these political biggies, about the “Marathi-manoos” agenda. This is what he patiently explained- they come to our state because their government provides zero infrastructure. They have planned to take over Mumbai! They l...

So much has already been written and said about 2nd April 2011, I am sure I will have nothing new to say. But what if Shakespeare had said the same thing about love, and had chosen to write sci-fi instead? So let me just get it out there. 2nd April, 3pm, I didn't dare to hope. By 6 pm, it seemed like the wisest decision I had ever made. It felt like hoping for a miracle. But what actually happened was pure magic! It was the stuff of fairy tales, Indian ones at least. The power of 1.2 billion people's fervent praying, teary pleading and making deals with God and the devil, was no match for 11 very talented islanders. Most of us are not even cricket-watchers, we are mere observers. We watch Ind vs Pak, well, because, its Ind vs Pak. But come world cup finals, and all other alternative occupations are wiped clean from national memory for 7 - 10 hours (depending on the result.) All roads are deserted, rickshaw drivers are sitting huddled in front of TV sets, and the nation waits w...