EDITORIAL
With the passing of the summer solstice on 21st June 2020, the days henceforth will progressively get shorter and cooler. Having said that, it has not been a bad summer at all, by a long shot. But the lower temperature will not mean greater comfort as the high humidity that the monsoon brings makes it very muggy and enervating. I prefer the dry heat any day. 21st June was also the day when we had the solar eclipse. This year’s solar eclipse has been complete. I believe that it is after 100 years that the moon’s shadow completely blanketed the sun. Some soothsayers have predicted that with the solar eclipse, the reign of the coronavirus will come to an end. Many such favourable predictions by astrologers have come and gone but we have not rid ourselves of the bug. So much for clairvoyance!
Sikhism is a very enlightened faith. Wherever in the world there is distress, Sikhs are among the first to volunteer by setting up free food camps, providing shelter and succour. They are omnipresent and their benevolent role during the Covid-19 crisis cannot be overstated. They follow the tenets of their great spiritual leaders, Guru Nanakji and Guru Gobind Singhji, of practicing universal brotherhood, irrespective of caste, creed, or religion. Even if we don’t don the cultural markers of their faith like turbans or sport beards, we should emulate them. What is the point of going to temples, mosques, churches, and other religious places if we cannot treat all people equally and help them in distress?
In the early days of the fight against Covid-19, when the lockdown was imposed and the number of cases was few and far between, the streets wore a deserted look; shops and businesses were shuttered and there was not a soul on the streets. It had a salutary effect on nature with clear blue skies, clean water bodies, an unobscured vista of snow-peaked mountains, and the presence of exotic birds and animals in unfamiliar surroundings. It took just one month for nature to regain its equipoise. How long will it take us?
Ironically, as the number of cases started proliferating, the Government, smarting under the burden of huge deficits, groaning unemployment, loss of revenue etc. was constrained to loosen the restrictions. At first, factories and shops opened and then malls and restaurants. Initially, the footfalls in the malls were light but lack of social interaction over extended periods of time was so exasperating for some that soon footfalls began to swell. It just goes to show that incarceration has its limits. When social distancing norms were most needed because the cases began to spike, people started to party and throw caution to the winds. This makes for an interesting case study as this pattern is playing out all over the world.
The cultural invasion of implements like chopsticks in our midst has raised my hackles and compromised my ability to enjoy Oriental cuisine. It is not that my dexterity with the digits is wanting. It is just that I am not a practiced handler of the chopsticks. It is an art that has to honed from childhood. It is not that I have not tried to use the infernal sticks. I just find it a bit unwieldy. On one occasion, while dining at a fancy restaurant, I picked up a juicy morsel and was about to launch it into my mouth when it slipped from the grasp and went looping across the table to land on the seemingly expensive dress of a matronly lady sitting at the adjoining table. She walked off in a huff to the washroom. Suitably chastised, I settled for the fork and knife. The waiter gave me those looks and roll of the eyes as though I was a”‘dehathi”. My children, of course, use the sticks like Samurai warriors. They denigratingly call me, “desi”, but I am proud of the moniker.
The suicide of Sushant Singh Rajput brought to the fore, the insidious and secretive ways of the Bollywood cabal. The multi-talented and gifted Sushant Singh was a Physics Olympiad winner who had rejected a scholarship to study at Stanford. He was also an accomplished dancer, a budding astronomer, a collector of rare old manuscripts and artefacts and a talented actor. When Sachin Tendulkar saw him hitting big sixes in a stadium, he enquired from Kiran More who this lad was who could easily walk into a first-class team. At that time, he was essaying the role of M. S. Dhoni in a movie. He was equally good at playing tennis. It is extremely rare for a person to straddle the world of sports, art, and science with panache. The cerebral Rajput could have very well excelled in any other occupation. Yet, the arc lights were his calling. It is a very unforgiving world. Many other talented individuals, who do not attain the fame of Sushant Singh, fall over the edge due to the immense pressure brought upon them to excel in an environment which is not conducive. Even the highly successful Deepika Padukone once confessed that she has bouts of depression and suicidal tendencies. It just goes to show that success, money, and fame are no yardsticks for happiness. There is a dire need for empathy and support. We all should all do our bit to help those who we believe are going through depression and provide a life raft.
The idle time that lockdown provided stirred a frenzy of home-baking options. Youngsters these days seem to abhor traditional cuisine and love to experiment with a variety of food options. More than the actual joy of eating, they like to post pictures of their creations on social media sites and yearn for the ‘likes’ that these elicit. Since baking is the new fad, oven-friendly recipes are in vogue. The run-of-the-mill muffins, chocolate chip cookies, walnut brownies, banana bread, and apple pie are all passé. The new kid on the block is ‘sourdough leavened bread’. Traditionally, the only way bread was made was to use natural yeast for the dough to rise. The resultant leavened bread was crusty on the outside but soft inside, with a nutty flavour. This bread has now become artisanal. When one goes to a fine-dining Continental restaurant, the waiters normally bring a complimentary basket of sourdough leavened bread and sundry breadsticks to be had with country butter, olive oil, or other dips, before the main meal. Thus, this peasant food has now undergone a social transformation to the high table!
The Chinese aggression in the Galwan valley is another indication that this northern neighbour’s top dog is a megalomaniac in the mould of Hitler. China’s insatiable appetite for usurping the territory of other countries in the Himalayas or the South China sea shows the hegemonic mind-set of Xi Jinping who has anointed himself the President-for-life through a calibrated and planned manoeuvre. This need for self-preservation actually stems from a deep-seated complex of inadequacy. The bloody response of the Indian soldiers has not gone down well with the establishment in Beijing. They expected the Indian side to cave in, but in Modi, they found an adversary who is made of sterner stuff. Their ego has been hurt and they have begun amassing troops and equipment for bigger and probably bolder actions. No doubt China has a bigger army and economy fueled by the relentless growth witnessed in the last 20 years, but India has the more spirited forces and the right of cleaner conscience on its side. Instead of using power and pelf to further its cause around the world to subjugate others, if China had used its rich cultural history and incorporated democratic values, it could have earned a name for itself in the comity of nations instead of the arrogant outsider that it is viewed as now.
The Congress party’s poster boy, Rahul Gandhi, has managed to booby trap his own party while brandishing his cheap-shot worry beads in public with shrill opposition to the Government’s handling of the Chinese aggression. As was expected, Congress is the only opposition party which is not standing united with the government in this time of national crisis. The already comatose Congress party is riven with internal bickering and the Gandhi scion is being resented by some of his own partymen for his incompetence, in hush-hush tones. Sanjay Jha, the erstwhile Congress spokesperson who had the nerve to spill the beans, was promptly sidelined by the party. So much for internal democracy in the party!
It just boggles the mind as to why there is a need to put up unmanned barricades in most of the arterial roads of colonies. These barricades can stop only vehicles and not pedestrians. If the idea is to contain the people in the containment zones it will obviously not be successful. The other day, I had to go to Kalkaji. After navigating through several U-turns and dead-ends, I finally reached the destination in 45 minutes – a distance that should not have taken more than 15 minutes in these days of light traffic. I was therefore astounded to learn that the GK-2 RWA is planning to install gates in most of the arterial roads of the colony. This will just lead to more traffic snarls and pollution. Protests from various sections of society are afoot. We hope the decision is reversed.
I was talking to Manoj Subramanian of H-005 who is now working as the Executive Vice-President of a watch retail company, ETHOS Luxury Boutiques. I remarked that it must be a bad time to be in this business, where one sells items of discretionary purchase. He told me that it wasn’t the case and that he had just sold a watch for Rs. 86 lakhs online, to a buyer who had deposited an advance of Rs. 20 lakhs. I just couldn’t fathom the mindset of the person who would acquire such an expensive watch, and that too, at a time when you don’t know whether the virus will get the better of you. Surely, India is a strange country with stranger people.
In May, we had stopped one of the safai karamcharis from entering the colony as she had reported ill. One day, she arrived at the gate stating that she had recovered. We asked her to get a doctor’s certificate confirming her fitness. The next day she brought the certificate. When the guard came looking for me with the certificate, I was chatting in the park with Kunal and Siby (while maintaining social distancing norms, lest you think otherwise!). None of us could decipher what the doctor had written. Griffonage of doctors is legendary, although I would not like to paint all doctors with the same brush. In fact, doctors should be the last persons to scribble a prescription, as a wrong interpretation by the chemist could cost a life. This is why in the US, doctors are required to type a prescription out.
In the Chronicle’s May issue, I wrote about a car windshield ostensibly cracking from an errant football kick by a group playing in the badminton court. In a letter to the Managing Committee, the car owner stated that the least he expected from the children was an apology. It was only after the Chronicle was published that I was given to understand that the children had indeed apologized and the matter amicably settled, although there was no tangible evidence that the football had broken the glass. My writing of it, I understand, hurt the children’s feelings, although no names had been mentioned. I wish to state here that there was no intention to cause hurt or besmirch their reputation.
The Premier League silverware finally went to Liverpool with seven games to spare when Chelsea beat City 2-1 on 25th June 2020. It will be a record that will stand for a long time in the annals of the sport. Last year they were bridesmaid to City although they lost only one game in the whole season. The victory for the Reds came after 30 years. I was a Liverpool supporter until Sir Alex started managing the other Reds, Manchester United. So, it was mixed feelings for me. It has not been great news for the majority of United fans in the colony. After a lacklustre start to the season, despite a rear-guard revival under coach Solskjaer, they are unlikely to make the Champions League spot, as Leicester and Chelsea in second and third positions don’t look like they would drop points. I have a grudging respect for Leicester who neither boast of large purse strings or a star cast, barring Jamie Vardie. Yet, they won the Premier League four years ago under little known Ranieri and were title contenders this season. Frank Lampard, after having hung up his boots as a star Chelsea player, is leading them admirably. The next season promises to be a mouthwatering affair with Liverpool, City, United, Leicester, and Chelsea all in good form. Spurs could also mount a challenge next year as all their key players, Harry Kane, Son, Dele Alli and Eric Dier are fit and Mourinho always excels in the second season. The Gunners too cannot be written off as Mikel Arteta is a manager who has five titles under his belt.
Rangamma, one of the maids working in Yamuna, was bereaved when her husband Selvaraj succumbed to Covid-19 in Max Hospital. She had spent about Rs. 6.5 lakhs for his treatment by borrowing from family and friends. Sapan Shah of A-204, in whose flat she was also working, played the good Samaritan and started a crowdfunding initiative through the Ketto website, whereby the money raised would get directly credited to the bank account of her daughter, Divya. At the time of writing this issue, almost all the entire money had been recouped. We would like to place on record, our appreciation for Sapan’s noble gesture.
SNIPPETS
Vinod Asthana and his wife Leena of G-302 left Yamuna for their own flat in Noida, after a stay of 12 years. It is one of the longest stays by a tenant. Vinod was a gregarious person who made friends easily. Yamuna will be at a loss with his leaving. We wish them the very best in their new environment.
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Karthik Jayaraman, Kirti, Krishna, and Ira have moved to E-301 from Noida. They had left Yamuna briefly last year but preferred to return as the presence of Kirti’s parents here will be a big support for the children, when in need.
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Manoj Subramanian, Prema, and Saishaa have returned to Yamuna after living in Mumbai for a few years. They are moved into H-005. Manoj is working as Executive Vice-President at ETHOS Luxury Boutiques. Prema is a Montessori teacher. Their daughter, Saishaa, is in Class X and has secured admission in DPS International, Saket. This fun-loving family will bring lot of joy to Yamuna.
Letter to the Editor from Mr. Vinod Asthana
Hi Yamunaites,
I came to Yamuna in 2008 with the help of Mr. Muralikrishnan, my colleague and best friend. Today, while leaving Yamuna, my heart cried.
It's been 12 years now and our family cannot count how the time has passed. People are so nice here, mingling closely in a way that's unmatched. I also reciprocated and my circle grew from big to bigger, from playing badminton and more. We really enjoyed the atmosphere.
While leaving, I do not have words to convey my feelings, but I urge Yamunaites, "Jaise ho, waise hi rehna". I express my thanks to all, from the gatekeepers to the Society Office and friends.
Lastly, pardon me if I have unintentionally wronged any of you. Kabhi alvida na kehna!
You rock, Yamuna!
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