Dot busting

 Today i came across this article. Some far right fellow in the usa was disrupting Diwali celebrations in a most non violent manner. Here be the link. Let me come to my grouse. One would see that he is holding a placard which expresses a desire to "deport all dot heads".  For people who do not know, what he means by dot heads, let me explain. Hindu females traditionally apply a marking on their forehead, using the ring finger maybe, using a powder called kumkum or kunkumam. The curious reader may search about tis powder, its composition, the traditional beliefs and maybe myths also. This marking has been applied over centuries if not millenia. Later on sticker bindis also took over considering the convenience. But one way or the other, the tradition continued through invasions. However, lately in industry and sadly in government jobs also, there is thisw wave of secularism sweeping in. let me begin with my observations in corporate or rather "information technology" industry in India. Lot of males and females joined the industry and learned the habits and practices of a mostly western corporate environment. 

I do not know when this trend started of removing the bindi or kumkum by the female section of the populace. I rememeber in 2010 tat even the most proud, fierece and feminist outlook females would wear bindi. Their feminism was in action, decision making and not so much on eschewing the sari or salwar for something more western outfit. I reiterate that this is not a judgement but merely and observation. MAtronly females in corporate can still be foind pottering about sporting large bindi. 

I do not remember when this trend started to dispose off the bindis. Maybe, my aged colleagues felt awkward showing random religious symbols outwardly, it could be that the influenece of TV series had also layed an influence. What started off as an exception - mainly metro or convent education(probably government educated also), has now become the norm. One would hardly find a Dotted Female in india in corporate workforce in any significant numbers. The other point to be mentioned is that on the day a company declares a "Traditional day", these same populace would be dressed up in all finery(one would want to use the word bridal) - whether it is the latent desire to wear the dress has welled up or some trendy thing to put in instagram or any other reason is unknown to me.

Should the onus be only on femles to uphold or wear traditional pottu? i am not entering this. Indian males have long given up vibhuti, tilakam, etc. 

I have also not touched upon the government practices of abolishing religious symbols - except Sikhs. This is a different topic.

Hoping that the above provides a simple enough background, I am sure that Hindu females in usa have also stopped or reduced using the pottu. Maybe early settlers did, that is why the westerners would have observed this and named quaintly as dot-heads. But given the recent trends, I wanted to tell Mr. Jake Lang and his brotherhood, in case he chances on this blog - not to worry about dots. They are long gone except for some festival or traditional day.

Thank you for your attention to this not-so-important matter!!!

Another purchase rather late in the day

I do confess that i really like this photo and style of the vehicle. Looks somewhat wicked. Yes, it costs me 1,500+ rupees a day.

 

Absurdities of job change posts on linked

This is meant to be a caustic observation on the quality and type of posts on LinkedIn. I consider LinkedIn to be the ultimate narcissistic, pseudo humble boasting and fake content of all websites i have visited - which to be fair is not much.  The only reason i maintain an account on it is to see some technical developments. The latest posting trend to arouse my ire are the ones posted by people who got booted from their company and post sob stories of their experiences. 

First thing they write is "i am saddened/disappointed to announce that I am impacted by the recent job re-shuffling at so & so company...."...

firstly, who the bleep is interested in your announcement on linkedin?

secondly, "impacted by the job blah blah" - FFS that kind of verbiage is used by the public relations people to maintain the image of the company(rather its board of directors). Reality is that you have booted out: in other words your pay is a burden on the company and you do not bring enough value(in the eyes of someone of course) for the salary you wolf down. so, suggestion is to write "i have been asked to leave.....". Do not delude yourself that you are anything more than a employee code.

Thirdly, another common trend is for them to thank their colleagues which is fine by me. The annoying part is the one where they start whining about their career milestones at that company - including "great learning", "welcome culture", "openness" and so on. These again may be true as per personal experience. However, they then go hyper emotional saying "i miss blah blah family, caring sharing etc.". Guys - get a life. It always puzzled me that people who area hard headed about finances - eg bargaining raises, sniffing out the best real estate deals etc suddenly become "vulnerable and emotional" and absolute wimps and see "family" in the same set of people they were probably bitching against. my interpretation is that they now realise they have to pay for the tea/coffee/juices which they may have been wolfing down and now thinking how to pay for these.

Finally, some of them write that they are "off to a new adventure and keeping watching this space for more information". For the first few times i encountered this phrase, may it came from genuine people and i also was pleased with the choice of words. later on, this is used by almost everyone. again, my sincere opinion is that no one is interested in your blessed adventures. You are but one in 6 billion; if you were really a tycoon, or a major personality, you need not give yourself false airs about your next adventure. Fir sure, you maybe smarter than a lot of people, including myself - but dont pretend you are off to another adventure. your corporate rat-life is anything but one. its a stinky, self serving, delusional, arse licking misery which is the exact opposite of an adventure - unless you call being suffocated and swallowed alive by a python as an adventure and eventually expelled from its body as turd.

so, keep it real - as Ali G said.

A whimsical purchase late in the day

 A Whimsical Purchase and a ride map

The Background

Rather late in life, the courage to buy and ride a two wheeler came. Most males, i think are fascinated by moving machines of some kind. Being no exception, i bought an automatic scooter. However, that was nice for a while and reasonable kudos to the TVS motor company. However, for a few years i have been observing the advent of the Honda Highness. Royal Enfield or rather simply the Bullet has been the leader in the thump domain, for people of my generation and a few years older as well as younger. Especially the army 500 version was the tub thumper of our times. Those days, 25 years back, RE Bullets were way beyond afforrdable range for the middle class. Those were the days of Bajaj Chetak, Vespa(LML) came later, Lambretta was before my time. 

Anyhow, times change, economic situation improves and Indian two wheeler market explodes with motorcycles. The generation which promised itself and dreamt bought Bullets and the Eicher Motors which probably was on the verge of closing Bullets suddenly could not manufacture enough. So many variants; and then the foreign manufacturers. Anyhow, circa Honda launched the CB Highness, and different variants. Some uncharitably call it the Bullet made by Honda or some such. Anyhow, due some personal circumstances, my mind got set on this model. After picking courage for 4 years and tipping point finally came in 2025 3rd quarter. I must acknowledge the financial advice of The Hound who assured me that I wouldnt be a pauper and have to go around in beggin bowl in my old age if i splurged on this motorcycle, costing roughly 2.5 lakhs INR(250,000) with all the company cost, tax, yet more tax, yet more road tax, surcharge fees, and of course bribes for vehicle registration. The booking itself was an adventure and anyhow it was delivered.

Random Information

Interestingly, The Hound himself graced the occasion of us inspecting the vehicle(a rather cursory check i must say after i saw the manufacturing date). At this point, I must recommend that the sales outlet called Topline Honda(St. Marks road nearabout) is quite decent. For the uninitiated, the Bigwing showrooms are the ones where premium motorcycles upto 500 CC or so are actually sold. The workhorse model are not available at Bigwings; these are available at Redwing showrooms. Then come the Topline showroom. I was led to believe that the Topline showrooms are the elite of the elite.i saw the Honda Goldwing there; unfortunately the Africa Twin is no more sold in India due to emission norms.The jokes never end. Anyhow, i would recommend checking here or even buying from here. The Hound, came to the showroom looking like a lout; and took a few pics of me riding or sitting astride the motor. After a quick inspection, i made payment and invoice was generated.

A note to the unwary: the day your invoice is generated is the day your warranty starts. Date of delivery is immaterial. I got delivery after a week, even though the vehicle was ready in couple of days.

The Hound also treated me to a filter coffee at a nearby expensive coffee chain - it is quite popular. I was taken aback to see that we two were the most senior citizens. The clientele there was pathetic - affected, pretentious, self absorbed, narcisstic young people - hoodies, laptops and fashionable glasses popularised in tome TedTalk to some prophet of AI. These ghastly and pathetic creatures were staring into space or typing something int he laptop as if  ... words fail me. Probably there were a couple of youngsters trying to feel cool with loose clothing and unhealthy pallor and body structure, maybe trying to act the way they saw some american movie and bosoms falling out. The nation is in terrible hands if this is the future. The other fun part of it was the the Hound himself was trying to act cool with some sleazy sun glasses. The Cashier at the counter promptly cut the Hound to size by declaring positively that his coolers or shades were from lenskart and not some Armani. This deflated the Hound and increased my joy.

Rides

I have not gone on many rides but posting the route map of the latest on. I was accompanied by Mr. AN who acted as an excellent second seat. The motorycle is very good, at least as per my usage; obviously there is a bias as i have plonked a good amount of money. 

The weather was pleasant, how 50KM passed is a mystery. Being a long weekend, the roads were very clear and it was a pleasure to ride. People were fairly civilised in giving way; and even BMTC buses were not actually trying to run you over. I hope it is not beginner's luck.

Postscript

One cannot crop an image in blogger - at least i could not find a way to do it.

Need to buy helmet(new), gloves, a riding jacket and maybe shoes.