Helmets - Compulsory

Thought of writing on a subject very close to my daily life.

HELMETS I bought the first vehicle of my life on Dec 8, 2010. It was a strange day. I came rushing in to my house to tell my parents that at the age of 34 I have finally bought a vehicle of my own - A TVS Wego. And this is the reply I got - Ur mom has for the 2nd time in her life in 20 years been diagnosed with cancer. What a day right?? I have now completed 13600km on the vehicle and my mom has defeated cancer for the 2nd time in her lifetime. That much about the credibility of it being a bad omen. Relatives advised me that ur scooter is a bad omen - ur time is running bad - beware of accidents - u watch out. I said u can hav ur opinions - I can just promise u that I wont step out of the house on this vehicle without a helmet - only that much I can assure u. 13600 kms later in the past 18 months, I have not travelled even a single metre without the helmet. I believe in helmets and so I wear them whatever discomfort people tell about them. I have had one fall in all these 13600 kms till date. I slipped on grease on the road at Tellicherry and fell flat on the road and the first thing I heard was the thud of the helmet jaw part on the road. I had an inner elbow wound, a chest wound due to a tabeez I wear on my neck which got sandwiched between my chest and the road, a knee injury and a shoulder ligament tear (only this one still remains due to the dynamic nature of the joint).I did not have any jaw bone fracture that day only because I wear a helmet every single km on the bike. I dont fear going on the bike even after that fall as I know that day I fell only due to the grease on the road and not due to my fault. Frequent excuses heard by people who dislike wearing helmets 1) We can't hear other vehicles honking - My answer: Bull shit - I have heard every single horn that was honked at me. It is just an excuse. 2) We sweat a lot under the helmet - My answer: Ur sweat or ur life u choose. Sachin Tendulkar sweats on a cricket field inside a helmet - have u ever seen him without a helmet?? 3) The opposite sex can't see my glamorous face - U first need to have a face for them to see it. U can ensure that ur face exists if yu wear a helmet. 4) I lose hair if I wear a helmet - My answer: A fairly genuine apprehension - Some ppl do lose hair with constant use of helmet. U better choose what u want - a bald head or 2 pieces of cotton in ur nose at ur funeral. I feel happy at having converted at least two of my students to Helmet wearers - Smith R whom I once admonished in public for giving his helmet for safekeeping to his pillion rider Varun K Das who used it for his elbow by stylishly holding it on his elbow. Hope that is where the head is. But I admire Smith for having taken the sarcasm in the right spirit and he himself told me one day that I do wear it all the time now. The other person is a Mohd Suhail another student of mine who I have not advised directly but who hears me say this time and again whenever I give some road safety messages. One day this month while I was in Jabalpur, I got a call from Suhail saying Thank u Sir, I had an accident and I escaped with only minor injuries as I was wearing a helmet. The first person I remembered after the fall was u Sir. That made my day. Moments like these make u feel good abt d profession of teaching. At least I could be the change for these two students. I can understand people not wearing helmets on the road for all the flimsy reasons I have listed above. But what I really get irritated about and cannot tolerate is making ur pillion partner hold the helmet so that if u sight a policeman somewhere ahead, u jst wear it. As if the policeman is concerned about ur splattered head on the road after an accident. I do give a snide sarcastic remark to such people when I am near them at a traffic junction. I usually address the pillion rider - I tell them in Malayalam - Ee PuLLi veenukondirikkumbol nilam thodunnathinnu mumbe onnu helmet ittu kodukkaNe (Translation: In case of an accident, I am confident u will save the rider by placing the helmet on his head as he is falling). I owe this statement to my friend Sunil. He was the first one I have heard cracking this funny one liner to a erring rider. Most cases, when I drive away after this remark, I can see the rider wear the helmet in my rear view mirror and I just ride away smiling. There are hundred others who think - Y the hell is this crazy guy bothered whether I wear the helmet or not? To them, maybe some day I will see ur obituary and spare a moment of silence. PS: I wish some contraption is made on bikes so that two helmets can be held on while parking cos I believe the person sitting pillion is at more risk while falling than the rider. Both should wear.

Physiology & Psychology of a Tattoo

This blog is 6 months late. Wanted to blog this on Jan 1, 2012 but finally ended up writing only on May 24, 2012. Dec 27th, 2011 - X Mas Vacations - impulsive decision - was at Calangunte Beach in Goa with my best friends - suddenly felt that I need to fulfill a wish that I had all these years - I had always wanted a tattoo (albeit a small one) on both my arms. Thought this was the best opportunity I have in life to have a very sterilized permanent tattoo from a professional. If u don't get it from a professional, u are open to all sorts of infections and disease. Spent 3 and half hours through around thousands of needle pricks with an electric tattoo machine deftly done by an expert licensed tattoo artist Parvez from Mumbai. Sat there through three and a half hours of pin pricks (not excruciatingly painful). I can describe it like this - how would feel if u were poked with a syringe for blood test for 3.5 hours continuously about 10000 times without a break? That is how a permanent tattoo feels like!!!! Is it worth it? That depends from person to person. I had a flaming sun tattooed (symbolic of my name - Kiran meaning sunrays in Hindi) with a 4 digit number on top of it on my left bicep. The number is the most important number in my life - that important that I had it tattooed on me forever. Check foto for proof. Let me get into the physiology of this one - A tattoo is a form of body modification, made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. The first written reference to the word, "tattoo" (or Samoan "Tatau") appears in the journal of Joseph Banks, the naturalist aboard Captain Cook's ship the HMS Endeavour. Despite some taboos surrounding tattooing, the art continues to be popular in many parts of the world. The growth in tattoo culture has seen an influx of new artists into the industry, many of whom have technical and fine arts training. Coupled with advancements in tattoo pigments and the ongoing refinement of the equipment used for tattooing, this has led to an improvement in the quality of tattoos being produced. The properly equipped tattoo studio will use biohazard containers for objects that have come into contact with blood or bodily fluids, sharps containers for old needles, and an autoclave for sterilizing tools. Certain jurisdictions also require studios by law to have a sink in the work area supplied with both hot and cold water.Proper hygiene requires a body modification artist to wash his or her hands before starting to prepare a client for the stencil, between clients, and at any other time where cross contamination can occur. The use of single use disposable gloves is also mandatory. Also, disposable gloves should be taken off after each stage of tattooing. The same gloves should not be used to clean the tattoo station, tattoo the client, or clean the tattoo; the tattoo artist should change their disposable gloves at each stage. Before the tattooing begins the client is asked to approve the final position of the applied stencil. After approval is given the artist will open new, sterile needle packages in front of the client, and always use new, sterile or sterile disposable instruments and supplies, and fresh ink for each session (loaded into disposable ink caps which are discarded after each client). Also, all areas which may be touched with contaminated gloves will be wrapped in clear plastic to prevent cross-contamination. Equipment that cannot be autoclaved (such as counter tops, machines, and furniture) will be wiped with an approved disinfectant. Tattoo artists, and people with tattoos, vary widely in their preferred methods of caring for new tattoos. Some artists recommend keeping a new tattoo wrapped for the first 24 hours, while others suggest removing temporary bandaging after two hours or less to allow the skin to 'breathe'. Many tattooists advise against allowing too much contact with hot tub or pool water, or soaking in a tub for the first two weeks. This is to prevent the tattoo ink from washing out or fading due to over-hydration and to avoid infection from exposure to bacteria. In contrast, other artists suggest that a new tattoo be bathed in very hot water early. It is very painful the initial 2 weeks after the tattoo as the wound has to heal properly. But once the wound heals and peels off completely, the image is there to stay for life. Biggest cautionary message - The removal of a permanent tattoo is more painful than the tattooing process. So beware of tattooing a partner's name onto your body parts if u r not sure of living with that person for the rest of ur life - like Angelina Jolie, Deepika Padukone and Nayantara found out after their breakups with partners. Society will always have something to say about it like my relatives offer me varied comments 1) Are you crazy? My answer: My body, my pain - and it is not visible outside - how is it disturbing u? 2) Was it worth it? My answer: I did it as I wanted to do it and the number means the world to me. 3) Would you recommend it to others? My answer: If u want it, u go get it done. 4) How do you go to temples where u have to remove the shirt? My answer: I am not ashamed of it. If u have problem looking at it, you always have the option of not looking at it. 5) How many more tattoos u plan in this lifetime? My answer: Just one more on my right hand, after three years. Let me enjoy this one. I have no plans of more than two. I am not a tattoo maniac. NOTE: DON'T TRY GETTING A TATTOO IF U CANNOT ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS & CAN"T STICK BY YOUR DECISION TO HAVE ONE. There is no turning back once u get a permanent tattoo.

India - You Beauty!!!!!!!

I am back at my place after a whirlwind tour of Central and Southern India from April 15th 2012 to May 13th 2012. The more I see my country, the more I fall in love with it. I still wonder why people spend so much of money exploring other countries when there is such an inexhaustible plethora of kaleidoscopic scenery available to be consumed in all its glory for years and years on. There are three top of the mind desires in me as far as travel is concerned - one is to visit Sabarmati Ashram of the great Mahatma Gandhi, the second is to personally witness the evening gate closing ceremony at the Wagah Border between India and Pakistan near Amritsar, the third is to visit Sikkim. My foreign dreams are to visit Sri Lanka, Singapore, Bhutan, New Zealand, Switzerland and Seychelles. Besides these, I am content with visiting India, India, India and more of India. The first of these wishes were fulfilled on April 16th 2012 when I stepped foot in the Sabarmati Ashram and experienced the hallowed portals where the Father of our Nation spent his days. I was moved to tears just by the thought that I am standing on the same soil where he had stepped on. I even had the opportunity to sit on the mat on which he sat and spun his Charka. I felt I was defiling it, so I sat a little to the end and not at the spot where might have sat. I am not worthy of it by any means. Ahmedabad was an eye opener as to how a state can develop in the hands of a master administrator (Narendra Modi - whatever may be his flaws). There was respect in the words of every body whom I spoke to with respect to his prowess as a Chief Minister. It was not fear, it was pure respect for work done. I could sense development every where. He even had the gall to make a statement that Rashtrapati bhavan may have powercuts not in Gujarat. That sums up his contribution. I visited a few other places, like the Kankariya Lake, the Zoo there, the Vintage Car museum owned by a private party who owns around 150 vintage cars collected from around the world in proper working condition. Dates back to even 1930, visited IIM Ahmedabad, a few temples in and around Ahmedabad, a few museums showcasing Rajasthani and gujarati art. Then I moved on to Pune, where I visited Aga Khan Palace where I visited the garden where the ashes of Gandhiji and Kasturbaji were kept. I took a decision to stop even the occasional beer that I drink once in a while after reading a few lines from one of his literature and converted myself to a teetotaller at that place on April 19,2012. It is something I can always live without. Pune offered me the joy of eating Shrewsburry Biscuits that are available only at Kayani Bakery there. It is an experience and has to be eaten to be described. Stopped over for 2 days at home in Kerala for laundry reasons (hee hee) and moved on to Hyderabad. My third visit to Hyderabad made me feel that I am so much at ease at that place, as I have visited it twice before. Streets seemed familiar, places seemed familiar, hotels seemed familiar. Visited Birla Mandir, Charminar and yes, how can I not go to the ICFAI Headquarters at Punjagutta, my previous employer, where I stayed in Dec 2006 for 1 full month undergoing training. I moved on to Nagpur where I was there only for a brief stopover. Visited the headquarters of the food giant Haldirams, sampled the famed Orange Burfee and watched two movies - Jannat 2 and Vicky Donor there. My next stop was the cantonment town of Jabalpur. Jabalpur was a pleasant surprise to me. It has so much of life that I could seriously hear it breathe. The vegetables and fruits were at the freshest that I had ever seen them, food was so tasty. Visited Bheda Ghat or the marble Rocks where there was a smashing waterfall called Dhuandhar Falls. I had perfect hospitality there courtesy two guys Kapil Rao (my friend's cousin) and Deepak Tiwari (Kapil's friend). Visited Gwarighat and a Kali Temple and the Sadar Market, the famed Madhur Kalash Mithai Stall and did some shopping at the Lucknow emporium. Final stop was at Chennai where I visited my uncle's place and returned back to Kerala. What the journey showed me was that India is so amazing, so beautiful and so vivid. The train journeys were an education in itself with the amazing diversity of cultures and eating habits u see around u. Gujarat doesnt have a breakfast culture like us, they are happy eating jalebis and bhelpuri or poha in the morning. Pune is more like Kerala with more solid food like Dhokla, Idli Vada, Roti paratha, Hyderabad is a foodie delight with meat in all forms and shapes and sizes, Nagpur is more or less like Pune with its delicious thalis and oranges, jabalpur was amazing food wise with both non and veg tasting yummy. The auto walas in Ahmedabad and Pune surprised me with their honesty and dedication to work, Hyderabad is very friendly, Nagpur very courteous and jabalpur people were really bindaas and enjoy life to the fullest. Chennai auto wale were cut throats as always. Crooks. Though I like their food. I spent time conversing with people around me in towns, cities and trains, trying to make the most of the experience of understanding my country and its nuances. Basically people are nice all over India, you just need to understand the background where they come from to appreciate why different places are different. We complain about the lack of personal hygiene of people in the North, but they have a climate where extreme cold makes them not used to having baths, not everyone has a heater at home, education is lesser and hence awareness lesser. Lot of changes are coming in and differences setting in. Any town in Central India and Maharashtra and Gujarat will have people zipping away on two wheelers with their faces covered with shawl like bandits, a scene we are not familiar with in kerala. It is due to the 45 degree plus heat and dust and nothing else. I found that hotels up North serve food unselfishly with huge quantities being dished out for us - in Kerala u are lucky if they serve u a full plate. Hyderabad was so irritating for a light eater like me cos they serve food for two if we order a dish for one - that generous they are with respect to food. All three days, I packed half food, heated the half and ate as dinner at night. This journey was an eyeopener for me and I look forward to more journeys like these in the future. My next year's target is Punjab to fulfill my dream of witnessing Wagah Border and Amritsar Golden temple. Hope it comes soon.

Humanity is still alive in this Age

Oct 23, 2011 is a day when I got solid evidence that Humanity still exists in my hometown which is infamous for being the hotbed of all the mindless political violence that erupts every now and then claiming lives in its wake. There is a Girl's orphanage in my town where once in a while I try to contribute in whatever way I can - either by donations or by food or provisions, on some occasions at home like birthdays and other important days at home. So, naturally being a patron, I was very happy to receive an invitation to the marraige of the eldest inmate of that orphanage. On further enquiry, I found out that the girl was being married by a really large hearted Brahmin (a really worthy cause considering all the customs and rituals they havewhich are very caste conscious ). So I marked the date in my mind so that I dont miss the occasion. The marraige was fixed to be held at Kannur Talap Sundareswara temple between 7AM and 8AM with breakfast to follow. I started towards the temple expecting a crowd of about 50 at the max. I was stunned to find that there was no place to park my vehicle and I kept it about Half a km away. My surprise got multiplied exponentially when I reached close to the venue of the function, the Mandap, where the ceremony was being conducted. Close to a 750-1000 people were present for the function. I had tears in my eyes seeing this scene. The Whoz who of my town to the economically lowest in the society were all present at such an early hour at 715AM on a Sunday morning for the function. An excellent breakfast ensued with Idlis Vadas and Tea - I would say that inspite of being so simple, it would rate as one of the tastiest meal that I had the good fortune to taste solely for the occasion. After the breakfast, there was a counter where people could give their contributions to the orphanage which conducted the marraige solely on donations. You wouldnt believe the mad scramble to offer donations at the counter. I made mine and left the place slowly completely humbled by the experience. On my way back, I could hear one lady comment, "I dont think my daughter's marraige had so many guests inspite of her and her groom being Software engineers." That statement summed up the situation for me. Every one who had the good fortune of being present there on Sunday would have been humbled by the experience. And I had only one thought in mind on my way back - HUMANITY IS ALIVE AND KICKING EVEN IN THESE HEARTLESS TIMES." God bless the groom (for his large heartedness to swim against the tide of customs and rituals) and the bride (for finally having God smile on her after 18 years of living as an orphan).

Have I made it large??? Not yet

There is a stage in the life of every individual where a person pauses and looks back and questions himself/herself - Have u made it large? To borrow a caption from a liquor ad.

This question was put into my head on Jan 23, 2011 by a person who takes great pride in seeing me succeed in life and make my mark in this world.

I have done an audit of my life over the last 35 years and done the checks and balances and have come to a conclusion about myself and where I want to take my life over the next 5 years and beyond. Just like mission, vision blah blah that strategic management gurus harp about. I just hope and pray that this new found purpose in life is seen to its fruitful end and aft 5 years I will ask myself the same question - Have I made it large?

A Silent Prayer for Aju Sivan

Some people come into your life just for some brief interlude and literally fade away. I am writing this piece in memory of a 24 yr old whom I met in 2007 and who is not in this world anymore. He went away the worst possible way - without knowing why he had to leave this world. Without any of his kin, knowing why he of all people had to leave this world.

Aju Sivan, an Alleppey native and an ex-student of Icfai National College, Alleppey was hacked to death at midnight on 16 Nov 2008 in a case of mistaken identity. He died in place of someone else. I knew him only for 4 months when I was his mentor during his internship for his MBA degree. A self assured, mature, smart young chap who stood out for his reverence to teachers and his hard work & self confidence. I was assigned 30 student interns and we all finished our jobs in Jul 2007 and parted ways. Only 3-5 out of this 30 still kept in touch and informed me abt their career and its twists and turns. One of them was Aju. Three Alleppey students, Aju, Afsal and Aromal made it a point to inform me whenever they succeeded in their jobs and I found them genuine and sincere in their calls. And I am 350kms away in Kannur.

God took away the smartest of the lot in a case of a murder gone foul. Wherever u may be now, Aju, I'll always remember u as a smiling face. I do nt cry too often or too easily, but I had shed tears for you......... you will continue to live in my hearts as a memory of my teaching days when I look back at my career in a decade or two. God help ur mom and sister.

A Tribute to Jane McGrath and all other Cancer patients

This is an improptu blog written immediately after reading and watching a touching slideshow of how Jane, wife of Australian cricketer, Glenn McGrath, finally succumbed after a long battle against breast cancer. My heartfelt prayers and condolences go through to his family, his two little kids and to millions of others who are afflicted with this ailment. Coming from a family which had to go through three miserable years seeing my mother suffer due to breast cancer, I can clearly empathise with what they go through. My mother was lucky enough to be in a family that was medically oriented and financially well-off to fight through the whole thing. She had ounces of mental strength and support from immediate family during those times and survived through it all & is still a survivor for last 13 years. Unfortunately, Jane was not lucky enough in the end but her work in spreading the awareness about cancer and the amount of money collected through the Foundation has changed the lives of many in Australia. In my small town of Kannur, a cancer care society is also doing similar work with minimal funds.

Cancer can be fought and won if there is awareness and finances to support such societies. Please spread awareness about it and contribute in any small way to any cancer Society near ur vicinity. Remember, it can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. Help fight it.