Issue No. 142 I June 2013

EDITORIAL

The searing heat, when temperatures were hovering around 45°C, has been replaced with more benign temperatures in the high 30’s after pre-monsoon and monsoon rains dumped copious amounts of water in the city. On the comfort scale, is that manna from heaven? Certainly not. While temperature in the mid-forties is a sure recipe for heatstroke, the high humidity that rains bring, makes the weather very sticky and uncomfortable. I however, like this transition as the plants revive from the summer onslaught and the lawn has a verdant look to it. It also gives a respite from the dust and pollution, albeit with an invitation to mosquitoes to feast on our blood. We cannot have it all, can we?

Ennui sets in when you are not one of the fortunate ones to head off on an exotic holiday. Staying back in this stifling weather with nobody to share your woes with, as all your friends are living it up, is an indication to raise the “I am bored” flag. The middle of the year conundrum of “should I” or “should I not” head off for a vacation is driven more by compulsions of having to stay back because of various commitments rather than a lack of desire to go on a holiday. This is the time of the year that invokes lassitude. While one is yearning for an afternoon siesta, one has to drag oneself to the office of the ROCS and DDA to follow-up on the long pending matter of regularisation. The office bearers, along with Mr.Umapathy and Mr. P. Krishnamurthy, are sparing no efforts to get the juggernaut to move. The process is painfully slow with several stumbling blocks negating our sincere efforts. In the process, several of us have been stricken with heat induced indispositions, but we battle on. The results seem nigh, like a mirage in the desert.

With the onset of monsoon, the colony drains have been cleaned. Yet we need to be cautious to ensure that the colony does not report any cases of dengue and chikangunia. Please report to the office, any instances of water-logging.

The gas pipeline work going on in some Alaknanda complexes has been suspended till after September, owing to the monsoon. We are the second last complex on IGL’s schedule. Just as well, since the complexes which are dug up are a mess. In any event, none of the complexes will get gas until the trunk pipeline which has to come from across the road in Govindpuri gets laid under the main arterial road. That is going to be a challenge since it is the main bus route and closing the road for two or three days may not be practical. Likewise, they also have to cross the main road in front of our complex which is also an arterial road. At the present moment, the gas pipeline seems a pipe-dream.

The Indian cricket team has for the first time returned undefeated in a tournament which included practice games. The two heroes of the team, Shikhar Dhawan and Ravinder Jadeja, who excelled with bat and ball respectively had recently acquired upper lip plumage. Whether this hirsute avatar has got anything to do with their turn-around fortunes, one will never know. But there was new found swagger and self belief that manifested itself in these individuals after they sprouted the fuzz. Therein lies a tale. Anyway, Dhoni and his boys have done the country proud by winning the Champions Trophy. Kudos, to the men in blue.

In one of the most tragic events of recent times, a cloudburst in the hills of Uttarakhand laid to waste, several pilgrim sites and brought grief to hundreds of families who lost many near and dear ones. With the fate of several thousand unknown, it is feared the casualty list may be in the thousands. May this serve as a bitter lesson to those who degraded the environment and brought this upon themselves and the community at large.

For many of us who frequent the Alaknanda market or the footpath outside the complex or the way to the temple through the park, the one thing that strikes immediately is the total lack of civic consciousness amongst the citizenry and apathy from the authorities. Multiplicity of agencies like MCD, PWD and Delhi Jal Board, with each of them having different jurisdictions, just adds to our woes. When complaints are lodged, one agency passes the buck on to the other. While PWD comes under the Delhi Government and consequently the Congress, the MCD comes under BJP. In the current contest, both parties are guilty of callousness and inefficiency. The irony is we cannot solve the problem by voting the guilty out of power. The alternative ostensibly is worse. While MCD and PWD twiddle their thumbs, we cope with overflowing sewers, dug up drains, rubble and refuse, our patience is being tested.

The ideal condition for a rain dance is when it is hot and dry, when the splash of water gives welcome relief. Unfortunately, on 29^th June, after a relatively dry spell for a week, rain came pelting down in buckets just an hour before the scheduled time of 6.30 pm. However, as suddenly as the rain appeared, it also disappeared promptly at 6.30 pm. Though, the lawn was soggy because of the rain, it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the kids who were present in full strength.

The inflatable pool donated by Namagiri of C-001 came very handy for the tiny tots. While some made merry under the shower from the lawn sprinkler, others splashed water onto the unsuspecting with a garden hose. Aparna Krishnan, Aparna Varma, Samarth Varma, Tanvi, Sahana Savarkarr, Sahana Venkat, Devyani, Vanshika, Samiksha, Adwita, Shreeya, Shreeja, Anjali, Kiyana, Ananyaa, Aadya, Aryan, Mani, Anirudh amongst the children and Sreekumar Madhu & Dr. Abhilash amongst the adults revelled in the rain fest. Owing to the downpour the music system was not brought out. But the lack of decibel assault from the music was made up by the squealing and shrieking noises made by those who got doused with the water hose. Tejaswini, Asha, Poornima, Renu, Soumya, Anusmita, Anu, Madhuri, Alka, Shwethaa, Venkat, Thomas, Madhu Nair, Vishnu Prasad amongst others watched from the sidelines away from the reach of the hose. A matter of despair is the lack of enthusiasm amongst the adults to let their hair down and drop their guard. This singular lack of enthusiasm to participate in anything wild and unconventional amongst the adults is disappointing. Pictures of rain dance can be viewed on the Yamuna blog.

SNIPPETS

Catching the Yamuna grapevine by surprise, Medha of D-204 offered her troth to Mayank on 25^th June in an engagement ceremony only privy to the kith and kin. Mayank is a Punjabi. I do not know whether Mayank knelt before the lady to slip the ring on her index finger but this union across the Vindhyas is sure to benefit both sides of the cultural divide. We wish Medha and Mayank a great period of courtship before they tie the knot. Ramji Narayanan and Padmini must be thrilled that they didn’t have to go through great pains in trying to find a match for their daughter.

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Another news that evaded the nosy parker in me, is the birth of a bonny boy, Kiaan, to Priyanka and Raj Nathan of A-107. Pryanka delivered the baby in Kolkata on 15^th May, 2013. Raj’s mother, Ambika, will have her hands full when Priyanka returns. Baby sitting, when the parents head off to work, has become a norm for many a grandmother. Nappy changing and sleepless nights would dominate the first year of the baby until you hear the patter of little feet. It is an experience that teaches patience among other things. Congratulations to Raj and Priyanka.

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R. Nagarajan, resident of A-202, has relocated to Singapore. His role as Technical Director(R and D) at Glaxo Smith Kline has been moved to their new Global Head Quarters at Singapore. Relocating to Singapore should do a world of good to his career prospects and for the education of his children. Lalitha Nagarajan who had made the Invocation song at the Annual Day her personal turf would be sorely missed at this marquee event. We wish the family an exciting time in this South East Asian metropolis.

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Yamuna girls are keeping the cultural flag flying high. Netra Sundaresan of G-301 gave a solo Bharatanatyam performance at the India Habitat Centre on 7^th June, 2013. Netra is a student of renowned dancer and Padma Bhushan recipient Dr. Saroja Vaidyanathan. In an hour long dance recital, she gave glimpses of what you would expect from a professional. Her guruji must surely have been proud of her. Dancing as Durga who slays the buffalo demon Mahisasuramardini in “Aigiri Nandini”, she captured a plethora of emotions. In an instant, she effortlessly switched from anger, pathos and joy with her abhinaya, which would have made even a connoisseur proud. In the climax, Thillana, she displayed myriad formations and styles that brought the curtains down on an entertaining evening. Yamuna was fairly well represented in the audience. Netra, you made us proud.

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Mr. Judhisthir Behera has moved into C-207. Mr. Behera is a Vice President with Axis Bank and has moved from Ahmedabad. This family from Orissa will add to the demographic diversity of Yamuna. Mr. Behera is fond of travelling, reading and playing badminton. His wife, Diptimayee is a homemaker and loves cooking and painting. Their daughter Anushka, is nine years old and is a student of K. R. Mangalam School. She is an Odissi dancer and loves painting. She is also learning to play the piano. They can be reached on 9818557669. We welcome this family to the Yamuna community.

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Grandmothers are fond of telling bedtime stories to their children. Most people in India would credit their knowledge of the mythologies to their grandmothers. I am pleased to inform you that Mrs. Kalyanalakshmi Mahadevan of C-001 has penned these stories for her progeny which includes her grandchildren and now, great grandchildren. These stories, written in Tamil and translated into English by her granddaughter Namagiri, have been brought out in a very well compiled book with an attractive cover. With preponderance of nuclear families in the present times where children do not benefit from the sage advice and tales from their grandparents, the arrival of this book is a godsend. Copies of the book can be had from Namagiri.

MIRTH CORNER

Even Hell cannot control the Indians.  Corruption is their way of life and they spread it freely; even in Hell. 
God, as well as the Devil, is tired of them.  They want to get rid of them as fast as they can..through re-incarnation!  

The angel Gabriel came to the Lord and said: 'I have to talk to you. We have some Indians up here in Heaven and they are causing problems. They're swinging on the pearly gates, my horn is missing, they are wearing Dolce and Gabbana saris instead of their white robes; they are riding Mercedes and BMWs instead of the chariots, and, they're selling their halos to people for discounted prices. They refuse to keep the stairway to Heaven clear or clean, since they keep crouching down midway eating samosas and drinking chai (tea). Some of them are even walking around with just one wing ! They do not believe in discipline and push their way through the line. The Lord said: 'Indians are Indians. Heaven is home to all my children. If you want to know about real problems, give Satan a call!'  Satan answered the phone, These Indians are trying to install air conditioningto make the Hell a comfortable place to live in by putting out the fire, which is there to keep them uncomfortably hot! Since they are so tech savvy, they were trying to start a telephone and IT connection between Heaven and Hell; between ME and GOD. They have started a social network service for the troubled and believe in Karma and are good at convincing others. Some were trying to start a chai-pakora, chhole-batura, chakri and Dokla shop, which I had to stop. Many have no trouble living in dirt as they are so used to it down on earth. We have shortage of toilets to make them uncomfortable as this is Hell. But, they have no problems in doing everything outside in the open. They are excellent in corrupting everyone and my staff are being bribed by them. I have difficulty in controlling the graft and corruption in Hell. They never complain. I am having such a hard time controlling and dealing with them! I am, therefore, requesting you, OH LORD, PLEASE, send them back to earth as soon as they arrive for re-incarnation!" So, this is why Indians are the only ones that are privileged to be re-born!