Mediocre Perspectives

A decade ago, our home received a photo frame. It had two dogs one facing you and the other brooding over the ground. The portrait had the words, “What you focus on determines what you miss”. I was too schooled into conformity back then that education ruined my thinking. It took me many years for understanding the statement in the context of the picture. When things began to sink later the statement made more sense in many aspects of life. I found that discourse more starking in politics than anywhere else. The Demolition of Babri Masjid on the December 6 of 1992 is one of few events which challenged the concept of India. Though India has undergone so many transformations post-liberalization the issue has not been solved. The honourable Supreme Court of India has advised, not ordered the warring litigators (those who want a mosque or a temple) to ‘settle’ the issue through ‘negotiation’. When the highest court of the country even suggests looking at an alternative route to judici...

I am pretty sure that most men and few women in India get to enjoy hanging out in the incomparable Tea Kadai (shop) . There isn’t a specific reason why I am inclined to use the word ‘incomparable’. Probably because the place could give you the same comfort as your home or maybe because visiting a tea Kadai could bring about incomparable nostalgia. I believe now the word ‘incomparable’ makes more sense. The two rupee biscuit, oily bajji, the versatile tea master who does juggling between tea varieties – tea, coffee, milk, black tea, lemon tea, ragi milk, horlicks, boost – and still maintaining the requested ratios – strong, medium, sugar and sugar less, the standard tea cup, the stained bench and the odd newspaper. All are part of a wonderful package. But along with them most men and few lucky women have to deal with another item which comes as part of the complete package. A complete Package Photo Courtesy: Pratap Sankar Smoke and the essence of the Tea kadai are qui...