Sweets from different Portion of India

After hearing a co-worker that she had Gajjak - See link after her father got them from Karachi I thought I will research it a bit more at our end about how these sweets have become popular across. I always intrugued how sweets from certian part of India have become so popular around. I never heard people enjoying traidtionally North Indian sweets like kaju barfi or Rassa malai become so populuar everywhere. But born and brought in Calcutta and originally from North India where all the sweets origin from and my father always a connoseur of good sweet , a true brahman. I always felt I grew with a deep understanding of sweets of India. But I really feel the best done work on that certainly is done by Raghav Khanna using his articles especially in Hindi language but the Raja, Rasoi Aur Anya Kahaniyaan in Netflix is an excellent introduction to even me when I thought I was good enough Indiophile. 

So this time because my travels took me to different portions of India got these sweets so thought of researching a bit more of them and as I interacted with people and tried to answer their question, learned a bit more came to know more about the sweets. 

From Northern part of India

Mungfali Gajak - A white teel only - never a काला तिल (sesame seeds) sugar jaggery and peanut dessert. But interesting is other gajak see this link where a north Indian foodies describes the other gajjak and similar sweets like Rewdi and Laccha.
History - Origin from Chambal Valley in MP where you get both good sugarcane गणना and Sesame seeds (तिल). Gajjak is especially helpful during the dry heat and cold of harsh Chambal valley. Thus the most famous Gajak are from Morena Gajjak - See link. Again a misconception of people from Kanpur who feel Gajjak is from Kanpur area as Kanpur is the first big city close to Chambal valley. 

Aamir Khan does it Again - Reinvents yet entertains.... Creates a Main Stream Bollywood Blockbuster even though an off-beat movie

So after a long time went to see a premier. Actually a premier even before it was shown in India.!!!. And once more just like Dhoom 3 but more like Rang De Basanti, watching PK reminded all of us, why we like Aamir Khan. Not only he entertains, be brings forth some serious social questions. He creates a main Stream bollywood blockbuster, with all the drama, masala, emotional scene. Even though it has that tinch of an off-beat movie. But yesterday it reminded me, again, like so many Bollywood go-ers, why we always look forward to an Aamir Kahn movie. Be it Sarfarosh, Lagaan, Rang De Basanti, 3 idiots or Dhoom3.  Be amazed how this guy can produces these big budget, main stream Bollywood movies which have more to them than just Bollywood Masala.

Aamir Khan has always tried to re-invent himself. In the lands of Bollywood where there is set format , typecasting, ruled by types of Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan. Where people just follow which gets the next big blockbuster. Aamir khan and to some degree Hritik are the few in between who have tried to elevate Bollywood movie to more thoughtful, meaningful, better Cinema. Especially taking into consideration Aamir Khan was a product of the 1980s, the crappiest era of Bollywood. But it was Sarfarosh, which I think he first ventured into his try where he was still Megastar to try to make movies that are not pot-boiler. The drama of that movie highlighted the flawed characters unlike the Rama like always pure heros and Ravan like Villians. On one side was Gulfam Hassan (Nasseruddin Shah's) deep resentment after partition and him cliding with Pakistan juxtaposed with the Muslim police-officer  Inspector Saleem who even same was still an upright who still had trust in his country and would be a traitor to his community than his land.

The year that was 2012, esp. "Back to Future" Gifts

We got two surprise in our lives and as it happens it came all the way from 2012. As it happen, we relish especially years in our lives especially years on. When you see with lenses of past.


Two cars to our Vintage cars (sort of). Both our old silver love finally got retired. For both of us our first true car. And for both of us first-time independence from using local transport for years at stretch.

And we replaced cars that are way of future of automobile. The first true electric car for masses. maybe in 40 years history will tell, that was the time when humanity moved from the dirty fossil fuel to cleaner oil. And then we could say, we were amond the first to get on movement. And with us surely will be Uma, who might know her all lives with us in the car of future. And still in Early 2018 with selling over 300,000 it still the highest selling Electric car yet and we have the original machine, shipped all the way from Japan with some that got efected by the Japan earthquake of 2011. See article 

And then Volt a correctly designed intermediate vehicle which bridges the gap from Piston/Engine to Battery powered.


But these two real people's cars unlike Tesla came from the vision of two great future thinkers in Robert Lutz then Vice-Chairman and in GM https://cleantechnica.com/2016/08/19/bob-lutz-says-chevy-volt-car-hes-proud/ and Toyota's

Punjab di Shaan

Growing up in India in 70's and 80's we were enamored by Punjabi community. At that time though having a population of less than 10% constituted around 30-40 % of wealth of India. But with the emergence of new economy from mid 90s which I am part of there is quite an absence of this community. Dominated by southern indian dominance. How come a rich and extremely abobting community missed out on it.


Decline of them

1. The Glitz side took over. As I read in Kulwant Sing about difference of the true Punjabis and after Partition completed devastated but now Nove-Riche Punjabi's of Delhi wanted to show-off thier wealth
2. The Khalistan movement of 80s and divisive sect that brought the schism between the Hindus (2011 Cnesus 38% and Sikhs 51%). Listening to the Hindu Punjabi in Goa University of how it brought difference between how Sikh did not associate themselves as Hindus. Got aggravated by Indira Gandhi's 1984 and then Beant Singh's/Punjab Police Anti-Khalistan movement in 80s and early 90s It was quite different than in the Indendence and espeically during Partition where the Sikhs were the Shields of the Hindus.
3. Religion which came out blood attaction to valor and militarism. Much different than two other Missionary sects like mahanaya Budhism or Jews where education and development of mins is ecouraged more

More Fun awaits you after your International Travel. More Fun that only happens when you return back home in USI

Thoughts After Mark Talked About His Issues When He Came Back to the USA International travel can be exhilarating, but there’s always a unique brand of *fun* that awaits when you return to the US. It’s a reality that most travelers don’t fully prepare for, despite the excitement of coming home. Mark, a close friend of mine, shared his experience of excessive questioning, intrusive screenings, and feeling like a suspect after a relaxing beach vacation in Cancun. His stories echoed many of my own, especially the frustrations of being treated as a potential threat when you only want to get home. For me, it was even more personal. When I traveled with my daughter and family, I felt the sting of unnecessary scrutiny. The journey was stressful enough as it was, and the extra hoops we had to jump through at US immigration felt like a step too far. Still, after the grueling process, you can’t help but laugh about it in hindsight.

Nimantran to Kolkatta. A very different way of invitation.. From maybe a very different Person also.... And even weirder from mouth of not even a person.....

Saw this short Video on Kolkata. And as quintessential Kolkatan, it is not the story but how it is presented.
See the Video here for

Commonfloor Uncommon Cities: Kolkata Nimantran

What is so special, it is being presented through eyes of an inanimate objects that epitomizes Calcutta. And when it is presented through the voices the object whose only aim is to fulfill our wishes, It seems the best Nimantran (invitation) ever. What makes it so special is that a nostalgic tings that intertwines the facts about most important to do of Kolkata.

But what is most interesting is that it comes from a brick mortar website selling a house/apartment. And that what makes it so interesting. Of how the two conflicting goal come together to bring such a beautiful synergy. Of how pure capitalism, where a website that is trying to sell some floor space is selling a culture. At it's bare, it is selling a city by hitting the nostalgic string. But that is where the creativity comes in.

And this so interesting which always enchants me. Of so many good art has always been produced when a basic intent is to project something more materialistic. Be it Medici Family and Renaissance, which not only produced great art but re-ignited or started the modern Scientific thinking. some other example would certainly be Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri of Mughal which was in a sense a self-propaganda at a really large scale.

Which leads to important thought. Which is, is art just manifestation of a more selfish goal. Starting from the first art in caves in France, where hand prints and painting of animals where signs of the booties to today's art museum like Perot Museum to Getty where one is perpetuating oneself long after one is dead.

But more importantly in this is except Michelangelo and few others, doesn't art in some sense makes the artisan, like people of Taj Mahal or even the creative artist of this Ad take back stage or soon sort of obliterate him. And Art gets connected with the man with money.

So the question is, is Art the flowering of human creativity or self-flaunting of a really rich person or now a corporation (remember as per law corporation is another individual).

Great Cricket Test Match-South Africa vs. India-Eden Gardens-1996

As they say test match is the great game. And when it is a true test it shows why still, to any avid cricket spectator will always put it above any other forms of cricket.

There were many great test matches. But the one I will cherish will be the 2 ^nd test in 1996 between South Africa vs. India t in Eden Gardens. A game that will always be remembered for the ephemeral cricketer, Mohd. Azharuddin. He was player like very few. A true believer in destiny. It did not matter what were the circumstances. If he believed it was his day, he will play as if it was his last. His wrist work was legendary. I am sure the wristiest player I have ever seen. And if one was looking for a good example of his true class and also his character than this would be the game.

I still remember where I was. I had permanently started staying at our new house. And with its little or no infrastructure, the only means I could follow the game was via radio. With the game being played in Eden Gardens, all of Calcutta was as excited as if it was the second Durga Puja in a month. The game was played from Nov 27-dec 1. But the most important reason I will always cherish the game was as I mentally saw the game, in RADIO. I say it as I always felt when you are listening to radio, with your imagination doing the seeing; it elevates game to almost ephemeral proportions.

For Mohd. Azharuddin he already lost his captaincy. Many were feeling it was the end of his career which was already 12 -13 years of some great cricket. It certainly seemed especially with coming of the new crowd of batting talent in Sachin, Dravid, and Ganguly & Laxman. But for his entire fan, this will be his phoenix rise, a display of what it meant to Azharuddin. And where else this rise could be besides his favorite venue, Eden Gardens. He comes to crease when all the top players were lost to certainly one of the best fast bowler of all times, Donald. Even in the dead pitches of India he ransacked the top half of Indian batting. India was 7/116 with South Africa already scored 428 in 1st Innings. Donald had already scrapped off the big shots and Azhar had to come back after being retired hurt at 3/87. Luckily Donald had to take off because of being hurt. And in this precarious situation Azhar comes to pitch. And what a game it became. Azhar massacred all the bowlers but especially the new debutant Lance Klusner. His innings was 0/95 after 14 overs, with one over where he was smashed for 4 fours. Azhar scored 106 and with him and Kumble they took India out of certainly a follow-on and innings defeat. 

But for lot of us who liked him, the 2nd innings showed why we like this enigmatic guy. 2nd Innings is very similar to 1st innings. India already has lost all the top line except Dravid with score at  4/28. Azhar joins Dravid. They score a good 60 runs, with Dravid scoring 21 in 121 balls. With his departure and with Klusner showing his mettle, Donald never played in the test again, the onus was with Azhar. But it was Azhar; he was still swash bucking as if he could push India out by his swagger. And this time it was Klusner's turn. And with Azhar gone India lost by 329 runs.

Though India still lost the game, as Klusner who was certainly one of the better fast bowlers showed his mettle in the 2nd innings when he got 8/64, . But for Azhar fans and especially people from Calcutta it was one of the greatest innings we would ever see.

You tube video of Azhar's 1st innings -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4MCwlGi-Mo

Why Nelson Mandela rings a bell in me

 Growing as Indian, just as Fareed had talked when he mentioned about Nelson, there was always a charm to the 19th century Liberal gentleman which Gandhi, Nehru and even Nelson was one. They were born to century old eastern philosophy but were enlightened by the missionary schools of the British system. And these two amalgamations produced a very powerful force in all these people. 

Where their hearts was still Eastern their outlook was Western, open, forward looking. As someone told about Mandela's spirituality, he believed in infinity. Something which is not very true, of any pure conservative eastern folks.

For us who also had a slight degree of same upbringing, but with a much more western world we were born, but certainly lived predominately in our later years, many of the thoughts and action done by them was more an anathema. To be surprised by the strength of power all these individual had. Be it Nehru’s writing his best book in Prison when the British were trying to crush their spirits and at a personal level with his wife dying. Or be it Mandela and his associates being always happy when they were tried for crime which certainly would have got all of them hanged. 

But with Nehru and Gandhi they will always remain an Anathema. They died much before I was born. And in many ways they will always appeal to me, in many ways I will never be totally be able to connect with them.

Mandela in that ways certainly is an exception. Though he is truly an Eastern 19th century Liberal gentleman, he lived in a timeframe where western forces of open markets and demise of communists is a norm. And in him I see a person who though because of his upbringing should have alighted to these current forces he did. Much like many of us, who have a very socialistic thinking but know that today's world demand embracing open market/Rageanism/Hayek for daily life. And that is where Mandela can be an interesting example of how to align the socialistic thoughts of personal upliftment in a market driven economy. Juxtaposed thoughts with divergent aims and thought processes.

one big reason to supplement my hearing of "The Documentary" by BBC on Nelson Mandela by a good Autobiography on him. Again the rational-de force which made me writes this article.

Living a Dream!!!

 Like most of us who come from the lower middle class in as they used to call 3rd World World. Where we grew up not really poor, but just an echelon below where poverty and hunger was a truth besides few days in our lives where food was a scarcity. With all these scarcity we grew up as hard working never feeling we were enlightened to anything. We had to earn and create a world where we want to be. So most of our lives we spent seeing we use every minute of our lives judiciously. This during our High School days meant, putting over 8-10 hours in study. Atleast we aimed for it. Could not do as we had to spend 1-2 hour commuting to school for studying.

And as they hard work does pay. And when I think about my life it has been kind to me. Knowing that there are millions of people who are more talented better looking and are entitled to be in my position, I feel humbled that I have what I have. Live in county which is at pinnacle of its height, coming from a culture which only recently has been started being appreciated for it greatness. Finally moved to a place which is considered by many "Time magazine article of why Texas/Dallas is what future of US will be" is the best place to stay (best city to stay after Boston). At a career level, finally able to work in Technology that not only pays well, but with most companies looking in going a big way in the online way, especially with mobile technologies’ penetration and ubituousness. But most importantly at personal level having a very loving wife, and certainly one of the best people I have ever meet and staying at a house in a nice neighborhood of correct size and location.

So looking back, when three of us grew in a 550 square foot space with years where my Dad's business was not doing good, thus financially insecurity. To a house sound-level still affects me still now, to nice work, place to work and great wife and family, I am indebted to people who have made this possible. Humbled that I am, this also carries with a duty to see that with my privilege I do not feel entitlement, but more importantly pass these virtues to others who are as entitled to better living as I am living.

Tendulkar Retiring or Is It My Affair with the Game Ending?

It had been on the horizon for a while, but when the news finally came, it was still hard to process. Sachin Tendulkar, the cricketing icon who had been a constant presence in our lives for over two decades, announced that he was going to retire. It wasn’t immediate—he hadn’t retired yet—but the mere declaration that it was coming felt like the end of an era. For many of us, his retirement had been an unspoken truth, something we knew would eventually happen but could never fully imagine.

How could the man who had been a fixture of our lives for so long simply walk away? The thought was overwhelming. Our generation had grown up with Tendulkar, watching him rise, struggle, and eventually dominate the game. His journey had been interwoven with ours in ways that were almost inseparable. To think that he was stepping away felt like the end of not just his career but of something much deeper—an end to the connection we had with the game itself. Our maturing as individuals seemed so tied to his career that his departure felt like we, too, were being retired from the sport we loved. 

In many ways, Tendulkar’s retirement symbolized a personal loss. It wasn’t just about cricket; it was about an entire era of our lives. His career, alongside the careers of other stalwarts like Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, had been emblematic of the post-1991 transformation of India—a country emerging from its economic slumber and beginning to rise as a global power. The "India Shining" days, as espoused by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, mirrored the growing confidence of the country, with cricket serving as one of its most visible symbols of success. Tendulkar and his peers were more than just cricketers; they were the living symbols of India’s rise. 

However, as the global landscape shifted—especially with the 2008 financial downturn—the connection between these sporting icons and the India they represented became more poignant. India, along with the other BRICS nations, had weathered the economic storm, but the effects were still felt. It was during this period that we began to notice the retirements of some of these greats, and it felt like more than just the end of their cricketing careers—it felt like the end of an era. 

Tendulkar’s retirement, in this context, wasn’t just the departure of a cricketer—it was a farewell to an entire phase of India’s transformation. The post-liberalization, "India Shining" era that had begun with economic reforms in the early ’90s and accelerated through the new millennium had culminated in a golden period of cricketing success. But now, as these players retired, it seemed to signal the closing of a chapter. The transition was painful—not just because we were losing our heroes, but because their departures mirrored the fading of an era that had shaped our identity as a generation.

For us, the end of Tendulkar’s career wasn’t just about cricket—it was about the end of a time that had defined us. He and the other greats had not only represented Indian cricket on the world stage; they had also embodied the dreams and aspirations of a nation coming into its own. Their retirements marked a symbolic break from the "India Shining" days—days when we, as a country, felt on top of the world.

The moment Tendulkar announced his retirement, it was more than just a man walking away from the sport he had made his life’s work. It was a poignant reminder of the passing of time—of how, as individuals and as a country, we had matured alongside him. His departure made us confront the fact that we, too, were leaving behind an era that had been so central to our lives, and in some ways, that left us feeling unmoored. 

Tendulkar’s retirement wasn’t just his affair with the game ending—it was our affair with the game, and with the version of India he helped represent, coming to a close.

Hollywood and the war machine - Empire - Al Jazeera English

Hollywood and the war machine - Empire - Al Jazeera English

Watching Sachin maybe for the last time!

It is Feb 23, it is 1st Test-2nd day's Tea, between India vs Aus in Chintambaram stadium. It is Indian batting after Aus made 380sh. Importatnly the guys in the middle are Purjara and the great Sachin. They are 84/2 with both the batsmen in their 30s.

For Indian cricket fan there is certainly no better series than India vs Aus, especially when they are playing in India. Aus pitches still are a big hard for Indians. Not as bad as SA, but still not in the comfortable bracket. But for me as for many other cricket fan of my generation, it is all about Sachin. Sachin is 39, few months away from his 40th he is only a year away from the oldest player for India, Vinoo Mankat who played till 41 years. But unlike none to what I know he has over 23 years of international play. From Nov, 1989, when he was 16 years. So in a sense with 23 years in cricket makes him favorite amondg every generation of criket fans. To comprehend how long Tendulkar has played can be asertained that his batting partner Pujara, though 25 year was only a year old when Tendulakar played his first game. More interestingly in the current squad except Dhoni, Sehwag and Harbajan all others where less than 5 years old/and one Bhuvanesh was not even born. But that long tenure has its donwside. Sachin has reitred from both T20(2010) and ODI(Dec 2012) but none of his contemprary have long retired. His 3 year junior Saurav/Dravid have reited over a year back. And it is jsut matter of time that he is going to retire.

What makes Sachin-sachin is so many years of great criket he has givne to Indians and all the cricket lovers. He with the three other Titans (Dravid/Saurav/Laxman) made Indians a powershouse for over two decades. Mind wanders back to the great inning tbat Sachin played. The super 140s in Sharjah, or the magial 80s in the boucy New Zealand grounds. The fact remains for many of us who started watching cricket along with him, Indian cricket always had Sachin as an impotatnt ingedient in the team. With him gone, which will happen  very soon it would be a big lss.

For me with Sachin the same age as me, and with the other three it gave me so many hours of entertainment. And amny of them besides ODI innings it were the test matches. And the India vs Australia in India would certainly be the best among his innings. The best certainly would be the 1997 tour. Wiht likes of Warne and McDermott Sachin Devasted the Australian attack especially Warne, ending up with an avaerage of over 110 runs. Sachin was at his prime, actually scored max 100s during the period. And with some great innings including the 2nd innings where he with Azharuddin made 418 runs in 104 balls.

So with the evening setting in Chennai, and last few overs remaining of the day, and with Sachiin in his 60s, there is an aprehsension f wherhter he could get among his last centuries. Who knows how lng will he play. But as of tonight, I had time, and was able to enjoy his Innings, maybe my last. 

Is Indian Food Muglai? How Wrong could that be

Though had thought about it many a times but when I was talking about it with an old friend, it just refreshed it.

Everyone knows lot of people like Indian food. And as Healthy diet is becoming cooler so is the vegetranian or lean meat diet of Indian food places are pooping up everywhere. Back in hte old days, to what I saw and more importatnly what I heard from other immigratns who came before me ( SU Librarbian who came in 1960s), Indian food if you wanted it. It meant you make it. Or just make a trip to the Indian ghettos to NY city. There was no Little India in LA and nor the Silicon Valley's so called MG Road (aka El Comino Real). And certainly not the Huston and Dallas Indian grocery stores and resturants and dance halls which are like regular american Superstore. The Indo -Pak less than a mile away can be easily be mistaken as a small Supernarket Chain Grocery Store.

But still one thing that has not changed is the Indian food. Back then as today when you talk Indian food it is usually Muglai food. And that is where a serious anamoly comes in.

Muglai food is a delicacy. An extreemly spoisticated cooking that demands a lot of knwoelge of Indian spices which was perfected in the 18th centruy Landlords of Lucknow, the Nawabs. See Story of India- discussion of it. (Episode 6 - The Freedom - see from 18 minutes). Also see the PBS resource. A  ulmination of Spice capital of world and the Persian artsy culture. No other guess Taj Mahal is certainly the most famous of this mixing of oceans -Majma-ul-Bahrayn (The mingling of Two Oceans)), as Dara Shikoh talked about the culture and religion that came out of it also.

But Muglai food needs a lot of effort. Haven seen been done in my relatives who were once Landlords from the Licknow-Awad land.

So who then eats this food. Before the coming India and US market got hold of powdered easy to make Indian foods, I would say really few. Atleast I did not know anyone. You needed to be a true Bawarchi to make a Biryani. And for reagualr Mortals, to eat all that. If in Lucknow we had to go to Hazratgunj and if in Calcutta go to Lahore or places like that. Funnily hte reason why Calcutta came to know of how to make Biryani, it was because Nawab of Oudh aftre 1857 debacle was moved to Calcutta as was the last remining family of Tipu Sultan.

Indian food is more differnt and much more vibrant. It could be the true Punjabi rustic village food of "Roti and Sarsoon ka Saag" or Hindi Belts "Saabzi-rd spicees fresh watmusting a Persian word meaning a stoow). Be it Begali's Mustated oil Fresh water Hilsa to Goan fishy NMacarel amde with cocunit- portuguese breading and gaon kokum. From Vegetrarian Gujrati food using wheat and barley to South Indian all rice based food. And I certainly can not include the Kasmmire food or Bamboo shoot delicaies of NE or Tibetian food if you still feel it has some connection with India.

Yet when you go to

2:37pm

It is by Vani Subramanian...

Talk to you later! Have a good night...

Read about and saw a small exceprts of it.. I really think a true point.... To be frank so few makes or even can make Biryani or other epscial Muglai or Hyderabadi dishes at home.....

But when you call Indian food the first thing that comes is the extremely eloborate.. which I think is impossible without the powedered package to make all the espcial dishes

Muglai food is the eiptomthe of the 16th 17th century luzuries of the elite of the richest county in world... The Muglai India world

I am sure when in 200 years ppl look to some food of NY or western life style they might think the same

but a real good movie...

in case if you know if they might show it around TX tell me would love to see it

FYI a nice article on it

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/watch-your-diet/975262/2

By the way my best regional inidan food is the Konkani food.... thought originally from the famous Muglai Lucknow... I can never handle the over spiced Muglai food

LOL
TTYL

My Student Life@USA

 It all started with a chat with Vinu. And as has many times though the objectives of the work was very different you derive something very different from it. I was contacting Vinu and was thinking of catching up. But what I got out of the 20-30 min chat was  re-visting my student life. Especailly looking into some facets like Financial which at that time was so un-nerving that I never looked into it. But overall it was re-living a stage of my life which at that time was tough and hard, phyiscally but more importantly mentally. But it was the same hard going that changed and also improved me in so many ways.

US and India are so different now. Globalization has changed both of them in so many ways in the last 10 years I have know and have started appreciating them so much more. But my migration from my country to this certainly was when these changes had started. The Globalization force that will change the two Democracies that were so different make them seem a bit similar now. India is now a proud county, with greener future. And US by the same forces is now once the country whoes once green pasture so many wanted to come to, including me, are now encountering the Fall Season.




[12:31:06 PM] Shantanu Shukla: Hi Vinu seems you had contacted me earlier
[12:31:16 PM] Shantanu Shukla: on Skype.. was not online so missed you
[12:31:48 PM] vinu: hey
[12:31:49 PM] vinu: yeah
[12:32:08 PM] vinu: tell me....how much did u have to spend from your side for ur MS
[12:33:42 PM] Shantanu Shukla: Not sure about hte exact amount.. but I thnk Ihad some 6000$ from credit cards here and I had taken a loan of 8 Lakhs.....
[12:33:55 PM] Shantanu Shukla: plus some 2 Lakh my savings
[12:34:13 PM] Shantanu Shukla: and some 1.5 lakh tha my Dad gave from his pocket
[12:34:53 PM] Shantanu Shukla: but most important.... "THE COST of fees then were less than now"
[12:35:31 PM] Shantanu Shukla: all school's fee have increaded by atleast 40 -50 % from my time fees
[12:36:23 PM] vinu: u never got scholarship for any semester?
[12:36:34 PM] vinu: i mean did u have to pay fees for all the 4 semesters
[12:37:08 PM] Shantanu Shukla: yes that is correct... no scholarship
[12:37:21 PM] Shantanu Shukla: FYI the fees now at syracuse is $1,249 per credit hour
[12:37:38 PM] Shantanu Shukla: at my time it was around $800..
[12:38:08 PM] Shantanu Shukla: so around 60% more now if I had to do the same course
[12:38:45 PM] vinu: what about living expenses
[12:38:51 PM] vinu: how did u manage that?
[12:39:04 PM] Shantanu Shukla: we worked at food court to cover that portion
[12:39:27 PM] Shantanu Shukla: and working 80 hours to 100 hours a week during summer covered one semester fees
[12:40:03 PM] Shantanu Shukla: ie the 3 months of break we got between 1-2 year, ie between 2 and 3 semester
[12:40:43 PM] vinu: u basically have to pay for tuition and living expenses...right
[12:40:51 PM] vinu: there is no other cost involved....right
[12:42:24 PM] Shantanu Shukla: why not.. coming to US, I think it costed me Rs 50,000 or something like that for one way flight
[12:42:45 PM] Shantanu Shukla: besides applying fees to US... GRE fees etc etc..
[12:43:05 PM] Shantanu Shukla: But most important is time...
[12:43:19 PM] Shantanu Shukla: remember when I was incurring debts.. msot ppl were earning money
[12:43:58 PM] Shantanu Shukla: FYI - I did find the cost per credit at that time was less than 4*00 per credit
[12:44:08 PM] Shantanu Shukla: sorry $800 per credit
[12:44:14 PM] Shantanu Shukla: saw this link http://www.syracuse.com/visit/poststandard/index.ssf?/visit/colleges.html
[12:44:14 PM] vinu: yeah but not much money....when u were studying..ppl were earning Rs.25000-40000 per month max
[12:44:30 PM] vinu: in india
[12:44:41 PM] vinu: u could make that working in macdonalds in usa
[12:44:44 PM] Shantanu Shukla: But what about expereince
[12:44:50 PM] Shantanu Shukla: and oppurtunity cost
[12:45:09 PM] vinu: ur getting to study from usa....getting more experience than the crap work doen in india
[12:45:13 PM] Shantanu Shukla: Dude if I had worked there and came to US in 2004...my startning salary would be much higher
[12:45:24 PM] vinu: FYI....i have really learnt something after coming to USA
[12:45:32 PM] vinu: the quality of work in India was crap
[12:45:54 PM] Shantanu Shukla: remember if you cannot get through campus.... like most of us had to all our degree comes to nothing
[12:46:16 PM] Shantanu Shukla: Well Vinu we have talked about what is better.... earlier also...
[12:46:36 PM] vinu: i mean i had to sturggle to come to USA
[12:46:47 PM] Shantanu Shukla: The study in US kwas never easy and will never be easy.. if you are coming as fresh student from India...
[12:47:05 PM] Shantanu Shukla: But I had to struggle like ass when we came as student...
[12:47:07 PM] vinu: and i know people who came thought infosys, tcs etc....who worked for 60k-70k for years
[12:47:17 PM] Shantanu Shukla: and after the MS it was not even easy to stay back
[12:47:26 PM] Shantanu Shukla: immigration poicy in US is crappy even then
[12:47:41 PM] Shantanu Shukla: what do you mean by 60K...
[12:47:55 PM] Shantanu Shukla: my this years income is less than 60K
[12:47:57 PM] Shantanu Shukla: even now
[12:48:15 PM] Shantanu Shukla: and my first 3 years income after my MS was less than 50K
[12:48:56 PM] Shantanu Shukla: anyway vinu as I said... the MS only helped me broadening my understanding...  and that is what in the ,ong run that will help me...
[12:49:18 PM] Shantanu Shukla: and I am ok to go thorugh the suffering and pain to get it..
[12:49:46 PM] Shantanu Shukla: MS in US is tough... it was for me and so it was for Rose...
[12:51:19 PM] Shantanu Shukla: But what you get from it is not the degree but the mind... and the expereince... As we said if you can get through MS and survive you are ready for the real life out there..
[12:51:51 PM] Shantanu Shukla: A really good thing of US system... I really feel because of almost free educaton in India, you never realise it..
[12:51:55 PM] Shantanu Shukla: That is my take on it
[12:52:40 PM] Shantanu Shukla: Anyway one good thing of being unemployed... can look into other things which are also important...
[12:53:28 PM] Shantanu Shukla: anyway I know you are  work... But just FYI - a lot of this writing was for me to write out my thinking .. I might actaully write a Blog on it...
[12:53:39 PM] Shantanu Shukla: and that was Blog
[12:54:47 PM] Shantanu Shukla: so u can jsut neglect a lot of my writing or ramblings of mind if you could say so
[12:55:42 PM] vinu: i know of a lot of people...who came to study in university of southern california...good universities
[12:55:52 PM] vinu: and directly got into cisco, google etc
[12:56:31 PM] Shantanu Shukla: not us...
[12:56:43 PM] Shantanu Shukla: as i said it all depends which year you graduated
[12:56:54 PM] vinu: i mean there are 2 ways to come to usa through companies
[12:57:08 PM] vinu: either come through a consultant....or come through tcs, wipro etc
[12:57:23 PM] vinu: consultant is not a good idea...because they cheat a lot
[12:57:47 PM] vinu: and wipro, tcs, your skills are not too good....because god knows what they make you do
[12:58:10 PM] vinu: unless ur in jave, SAP etc...in which case....u can still manage a good salary
[12:58:39 PM] Shantanu Shukla: that is true about TCS etc
[12:59:14 PM] Shantanu Shukla: but that is the main reason we take risk of coming to US to study... it is not the MS we come for.. we come for oppurtunity...
[12:59:30 PM] Shantanu Shukla: and as you certianly know.. this is a land of oppurtunities
[12:59:57 PM] vinu: yeah...but not on a H1B....there are too many restrictions
[1:00:23 PM] Shantanu Shukla: Well you have to wait till you get the GC... it is worth the wait if you ask me...
[1:00:34 PM] vinu: btw...is canada...a land of oppurtunities lijke USA....i mean what can i not do in Canada...that i can do in usa
[1:00:51 PM] Shantanu Shukla: so why are you in US
[1:00:58 PM] Shantanu Shukla: Dude I know what Canada is...
[1:01:07 PM] Shantanu Shukla: cold as hell
[1:01:14 PM] Shantanu Shukla: and little oppurtunituy
[1:01:29 PM] Shantanu Shukla: Have you seen the cold of canada
[1:02:09 PM] vinu: i have seen cold of Germany....its not good...but u can survive
[1:02:16 PM] vinu: i have relatives in Germany
[1:02:28 PM] vinu: so i guess Canada is as cold as Germany...right
[1:02:43 PM] vinu: what u mean...little oppurtunity...have u been to canada
[1:04:14 PM] Shantanu Shukla: Germany is like Dallas
[1:04:20 PM] Shantanu Shukla: Canda is another stuff
[1:04:33 PM] Shantanu Shukla: I have stayed in Upstate NY
[1:04:56 PM] Shantanu Shukla: It is cold man
[1:05:02 PM] Shantanu Shukla: Cold as hell
[1:05:30 PM] Shantanu Shukla: well I think I should say the Hell would freeze if it was there in Upstate NY or Canda
[1:05:56 PM] Shantanu Shukla: DO you know US army trains people to fight the siberian cold by taking them to Upstate NY
[1:06:52 PM] Shantanu Shukla: I hope you know the diff between Germany and Siberia.. !!!
[1:06:58 PM] Shantanu Shukla: ie in coldness
[1:07:02 PM] Shantanu Shukla: they are not the same
[1:07:12 PM] vinu: ur saying its that cold
[1:07:33 PM] Shantanu Shukla: I have seen -25 Fhreheit
[1:07:42 PM] Shantanu Shukla: at night
[1:07:49 PM] vinu: i have a friend in montreal....and he says....its not that cold
[1:07:51 PM] Shantanu Shukla: and -5 F at 2 in the afternoon
[1:08:05 PM] Shantanu Shukla: all this minus the wind chill
[1:08:16 PM] vinu: he moved from miami to montreal....and i havent seen him complaining
[1:08:59 PM] Shantanu Shukla: how many winters he has stayed there
[1:09:03 PM] vinu: he told me....its just the wrong impression that canada is very cold....
[1:09:11 PM] vinu: he has been there for 3-4 years
[1:09:35 PM] Shantanu Shukla: Well Vinu I and all of Rose's family are from NE
[1:09:42 PM] Shantanu Shukla: if someone says NE is not cold
[1:10:07 PM] Shantanu Shukla: I think he must be coming from Siberia... :)
[1:10:18 PM] vinu: ok
[1:10:30 PM] vinu: i am just stuck on my H1B man
[1:10:42 PM] vinu: and i dont know how long it will take to get GC
[1:10:54 PM] vinu: so i was thinlking about moving to canada
[1:11:24 PM] Shantanu Shukla: have you applied for GC
[1:11:32 PM] Shantanu Shukla: and at what level
[1:11:36 PM] vinu: yes...its in process...EB2
[1:11:49 PM] Shantanu Shukla: so you are good
[1:11:53 PM] Shantanu Shukla: should get it soon
[1:12:07 PM] Shantanu Shukla: most of my freinds who had applied with me hav got theirs
[1:12:14 PM] vinu: my lawyer said...4-5 years
[1:12:16 PM] Shantanu Shukla: if it is EB2 you are good
[1:12:22 PM] Shantanu Shukla: when had you applied
[1:12:30 PM] Shantanu Shukla: ie ur prioirty date
[1:12:32 PM] vinu: i applied just recently
[1:12:40 PM] vinu: i havent got the priority date yet
[1:12:48 PM] Shantanu Shukla: man u are in US for last 4-5 years... should have applied earlier
[1:13:00 PM] Shantanu Shukla: I have been telling you from day one
[1:13:29 PM] vinu: yeah....i was not sure of my plans....if i wanted to stick with my compnay or not
[1:13:43 PM] vinu: so just got delayed
[1:14:33 PM] Shantanu Shukla: Well that is the part of the pain.. I was in GC process for 4 years myself...
[1:14:57 PM] Shantanu Shukla: luckily these dayit is only3-4 year.. when I had applied it was almost 4-5 years
[1:15:22 PM] vinu: yeah we will see
[1:15:46 PM] Shantanu Shukla: The time will fly by soon....
[1:15:49 PM] vinu: has everyone from our mca batch in usa....got their GC
[1:15:56 PM] Shantanu Shukla: but what is your exact application date
[1:16:16 PM] Shantanu Shukla: and hope you are following Muthy.com and toehr immigration sites
[1:16:46 PM] Shantanu Shukla: also as for Montreal when ur freind said it is not that cold there
[1:16:55 PM] Shantanu Shukla: the avegare temperature in Dec is AVERAGES
Hi   20°F
Lo   3°F
[1:17:02 PM] Shantanu Shukla: and it is not Jan
[1:17:10 PM] Shantanu Shukla: and if he says that is not that cold
[1:17:17 PM] Shantanu Shukla: I think he really comes from Siberia
[1:17:26 PM] Shantanu Shukla: http://www.weather.com/weather/monthly/CAXX0301
[1:17:47 PM] Shantanu Shukla: and remeber it is not Quebec and other places which are away from coast
[1:18:24 PM] vinu: anywyays...we will see
[1:19:11 PM] Shantanu Shukla: anyway enjoy your day
[1:19:16 PM] Shantanu Shukla: will need to run
[1:19:17 PM] Shantanu Shukla: Byee
[1:19:21 PM] vinu: ok...bye
[1:19:24 PM] Shantanu Shukla: lets catch up soon
[1:19:27 PM] vinu: sure
[1:19:39 PM] Shantanu Shukla: you have a nice day

Back Home to my Second Birth Place

It has been exactly a decade, when I born in this country. As many immigrants before me who come to the shores of this country at different ages, though they have a degree of maturity, coming to US is like being BORN AGAIN. You get a new SSN, which you apply rather than you parents, and you discover the new culture, American Culture. The only difference of new birth of a kid and a new immigrant, the development is much quicker, in a month getting Bank Accounts. In few more months the American Dream Fulfilment via Credit Card (to estabish history just like a new kid) and in few more months the driving license. And soon in few years, which startled many of us Adult immigrant as too much time to get over the cultural shock, the Indian/Chinese or Irish/German before us, become American. But how much American from heart one is able to obliterate the older nationality is debatable but for sure his lifestyle becomes American.

And has had happened with many others, coming to the shores of US, my journey of the above started. I still remember landing at the Syracuse Airport of the late August to the lush green flora all around. And just like then when in a day or two I moved with other friends to the House, I also in a day or two also moved to the Victorian style house. Only this time the room and house is much furnished. The E Gennesse House has electricity (a decade back as I had no other place to stay I moved with no electricity at the place) and is furnished. I Still remeber the outside room that I stayed at, the best taken by folks who had better connections, had nothing except a dresser. And with it being sunny summer it was easy to live at the place without the electricity. But everything about the place seemed strange. It was very dream like. With no friends and not knowing did I do the right decision of coming to US, it was sort of survival.

And this time jsut like last time, and especially when I think about the first week, with stay manily in the two hotels, just like old stay at senior friends place at Gennesse, the first week was rough. No work and lonliness. So well captured in the Google Photo, of two Indian students with early summer crossing E Gennesse street.

And this late at night at Rochester where the night is alive with all the chirpings of the night life of curtianed summer, it certainly makes me retro back to the days a decade ago.

But one thing for sure, things are different. I certainly have much more association with the place, especailly with Rose and her Long Island, NY connection. I though still not sure if coming to Rochester for job will work out but unlike earlier though I am few years older but I would say I am bit more richer both mentally as well as materialistically.

And as has happened with so many jobs and moving the new place will brings some hurdles but a new discovery. Hopefully this time a new way to discover myself. Of how to handle change and as Narendra Sir used to stay, after you made a decision go with it. Do not brood over it. Enjoy it before the fun of newness will metamorphose to the daily humdrum. When the reality of decison made can not be brooded but lived.

And as Amitabh Bachann said in Kaun Banega Crorepatti Season 5 starting about life's poetry. See the writing here of the poem. It tells of how the Haakka Bakka person starts flowing with the flow. And soon in few more days life and job and Indian trip will take the waking moments. And suddenly some other time at some other place, the Syracuse and Rochester days will exhume from the depts of mind.

Why American Pie hits the chords of heart

There was something to the song that is extremely touchy. As one of the interpretations did mention. At the surface it is easy to song with slight melancholic twist. And that is what caught me attention when I first heard during my early days in my early membership to this country.

But as all classic(it is num#7 in List of top 100 songs of the century), it gets even better as you know it better. And as I came more about the song, I not only came to know it even better but also identified with it more. Specially the historical change in Music as interpreted by Don Lean. ( a good interpretation here)

But I suppose the identification with oneself and a person's life is what makes a song cling to you. It could be melancholic as Don remembers his growing year's music ("And the music died") or symbolically going through similar life experiences.

This song in its core is a repentance of sort. Repentance of a bygone era. The loss of an innocent era. The early era which were simple and clean. And as always with everyone somehow they are always connected with events of the childhood. Though on a side note, for me being a GenX, I certainly would say my early childhood was not that bad at all, surely better than the present. Paradoxically this is the generation to which Don refers to "when the music died".

But this melancholic remembering the past events especially the early childhood and how when compared to the present adulthood world around us, makes those events look so much better. 

And this to me is the chord that makes this song rhyme with so many generation, even if they are paradoxical like me. Melancholic yearning the old good old days. When things were simple and life easier. In reality though it might have happened or not might be irrelevant. Don's golden age of 50s was not clean anyway. The American public and I would say the whole world was very optimistic about the future, especially after defeating the Satanic Nazis (UN is an embodiment of it certainly). But then seeds of poising of the future had already began. Be it in the music or Politics. Though Bob Dylan started the revolutionary transition from feel good music to societal challenges, it was a matter of time when the followers of it took to other level, the drugged Rock and Roll of 70s and 80s. And this good intentions going bad also followed in Politics. Trying to advance the "Better" western or more succinctly democratic Political ways, lead to mayhem of the later 70s era. Be it the Korean war or even UN's poverty elevation or the WWII Keynesian economics.

For GenX we also cling to the 70s as our Golden era. When the time was good. It was more simpler compared to today's connected another euphemism of complicated world. Today we are living on the other side of the barrel of things that went wrong in Afghanistan or Kissinger's way of making a "better" world. A boomeranged that got us so much pain such a big pain. Or more at person level where boundaries and changes are happening at such high speed. So though we lacked so many things that we have today, the comfort of simplicity is what many of us miss.

This is even more pertinent for us Indians. As for the India of the 70s was certainly in may ways the USs 50s. Be it how the society was at that time. See my Mona Lisa Smile and Walmart Blog. For us with the new connected world we certainly have come to a world with more growth avenues and prosperity but is it a better world of the simple 70s or 80s Indian past is debatable. Though we had one channel and the world used to stop becos Mahabharat was being shown. And unlike today's DVR and YouTubed Internet where we can watch it at our convenience, there still is something to the one TV-ed family and one channel TV network. And though for many of us have gone to places and done things which were just not possible for our parent's generation. But for this development we certainly have paid with breaking of the old extended family structure. So beautifully captured in the article "". And though the resistance to change is inherent to humans, we still feel the old days were simpler and better. Even though for the earlier generation the same time period was the complicated one. Case in point, when Erie Canal was built in the late 1800s old timers lamented of the "Slow" old days when things were moved by horse only. "What Erie Canal days were complicated?" would certainly aghast us.

This remembering the old Golden age that is now past. Which now only lives only in our memory is so well captured by this interpretative songs.

It is where this song hits the chords of the heart. The chords of a person's yearning for the old gone days. Were they correct would always be our interpretation of reality. I suppose that is what Don's meant when he was asked about the meaning of his lyrics in "but long ago I realized that songwriters should make their statements and move on".

Links
A societal and historical interpretation of the song
Interpretation of the song Interpretation 1

Radio Sound drifting from Past

It is a warm cloudy day in Dallas. Off course warm from Dallas late Feb winter standards. As usual when I opened my Radio, and with a bit of search I ended up listening and was drifted sounds from past. The pastness, letreally was only 12 hours. But when I started listening it took me and my mind certainly too to a window that was looking much behind. Growing up in lower income calcutta and at a busy intersection on top of Haridevpur post office. From the time I got up, when the sound of traffic was low, to noon and afternoon when again the traffic died down, you could listen to the lower pan shop echoing the osunds of All India Radio. Most often though Vividh Baharati. The anathemic sound, which hs universality all over the nation. It captured and played popular music picked by letters ( the 15 paisa mail postcards).

But what Vividh Bharati was capturing the songs as demanded by majority of Indians, i.e. Rural and mostly Norht and Maharastrain folks.

Kolkatta once capital of India in population

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-20/delhi/30302491_1_cities-population-kolkata 2001 http://geography.about.com/od/indiamaps/a/india-largest-cities.htm Kolkatta 1981 9,194,??? 1991 4,399,819 11,021,918 2001 4,572,876 13,205,697 2011 4,486,679 14,112,536 Mumbai http://www.citypopulation.de/India-Maharashtra.html 1991 9,925,891 12,596,243 2001 11,978,450 16,434,386 2011 12,478,447 18,414,288 Delhi The fastest growth in history of world 1991 7,206,704 ????? 2001 9,879,172 12,877,470 2011 11,007,835 16,314,838 A really good introducution to Growth of Kolkata A intereting aspect Kolkata population Hyper-Densities: Nonetheless, Kolkata continues to have some of the highest densities in the world. In 2001, one third of the central city population (1.49 million) live in slums and shantytowns (photo). They are crammed into just 2 square miles (5 square miles). This would be like all the population of the San Fernando Valley living within a radius 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) of Los Angeles City Hall or all the population of the city of Dallas in the space covered by the passenger terminals at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. This is more than 725,000 people per square mile (280,000 per square kilometer), and would nearly equal the "efficient density" definition that the Sierra Club wisely discarded. It can only be hoped that when the 2011 Census slum data is available, it will show that all of the city of Kolkata's population loss will have been from the slums. Interresting Aspect of Delhi Delhi has experienced some of the quickest and most substantial urban growth in the history of the world. Since the 1951 census, Delhi has grown from under 1.5 million people to a population of 22.6 million in 2011 (Figure 1). Delhi has been one of the fastest growing urban areas in history and (along with Jakarta, Seoul and Manila) has added approximately 20 million people over the past 60 years. Only Tokyo has added more new residents than these four urban areas, (25 million population). tcpomud.gov.in/Divisions/...%20Kolkata/chapter%20II%20Kol.doc Table 2.2: Total Population and Growth of Mega Cities in India No Cities Population (lakh) Annual Exponential Growth Rate 1981 1991 2001 1981-91 1991-01 1. Greater Mumbai 82.43 125.96 163.68 4.22 2.62 2. Kolkata 91.94 110.22 132.17 1.72 1.82 3. Delhi 57.29 84.19 127.91 3.80 4.18 4. Chennai 42.89 54.21 64.25 2.23 1.70 5. Bangalore 29.22 41.30 56.86 3.36 3.20 6. Hyderabad 25.46 43.44 55.33 5.20 2.42 7. Ahmedabad 25.48 33.12 45.19 2.58 3.11 Table 2.1: Population of India & West Bengal (Urban) & Kolkata UA: 1961-2001 (Million) No Years Urban Kolkata (UA) India West Bengal 1 1961 78.16 8.54 (10.93) 5.98 (70.02) 2 1971 107.82 10.97(10.17) 7.42 (67.64) 3 1981 159.46 14.45(9.06) 9.19 (63.60) 4 1991 217.61 18.71(8.60) 11.03(58.95) 5 2001 285.36 22.43(7.86) 13.21(58.89) Population of Mumbai http://cidcoindia.com/cidco/Population.aspx

Why American Pie hits the chords of heart

There was something to the song that is extremely touchy. As one of the interpretations did mention. At the surface it is easy to song with slight melancholic twist. And that is what caught me attention when I first heard during my early days in my early membership to this country.

But as all classic(it is num#7 in List of top 100 songs of the century), it gets even better as you know it better. And as I came more about the song, I not only came to know it even better but also identified with it more. Specially the historical change in Music as interpreted by Don Lean. ( a good interpretation here)

But I suppose the identification with oneself and a person's life is what makes a song cling to you. It could be melancholic as Don remembers his growing year's music ("And the music died") or symbolically going through similar life experiences.

This song in its core is a repentance of sort. Repentance of a bygone era. The loss of an innocent era. The early era which were simple and clean. And as always with everyone somehow they are always connected with events of the childhood. Though on a side note, for me being a GenX, I certainly would say my early childhood was not that bad at all, surely better than the present. Paradoxically this is the generation to which Don refers to "when the music died".

But this melancholic remembering the past events especially the early childhood and how when compared to the present adulthood world around us, makes those events look so much better. 

And this to me is the chord that makes this song rhyme with so many generation, even if they are paradoxical like me. Melancholic yearning the old good old days. When things were simple and life easier. In reality though it might have happened or not might be irrelevant. Don's golden age of 50s was not clean anyway. The American public and I would say the whole world was very optimistic about the future, especially after defeating the Satanic Nazis (UN is an embodiment of it certainly). But then seeds of poising of the future had already began. Be it in the music or Politics. Though Bob Dylan started the revolutionary transition from feel good music to societal challenges, it was a matter of time when the followers of it took to other level, the drugged Rock and Roll of 70s and 80s. And this good intentions going bad also followed in Politics. Trying to advance the "Better" western or more succinctly democratic Political ways, lead to mayhem of the later 70s era. Be it the Korean war or even UN's poverty elevation or the WWII Keynesian economics.

For GenX we also cling to the 70s as our Golden era. When the time was good. It was more simpler compared to today's connected another euphemism of complicated world. Today we are living on the other side of the barrel of things that went wrong in Afghanistan or Kissinger's way of making a "better" world. A boomeranged that got us so much pain such a big pain. Or more at person level where boundaries and changes are happening at such high speed. So though we lacked so many things that we have today, the comfort of simplicity is what many of us miss.

This is even more pertinent for us Indians. As for the India of the 70s was certainly in may ways the USs 50s. Be it how the society was at that time. See my Mona Lisa Smile and Walmart Blog. For us with the new connected world we certainly have come to a world with more growth avenues and prosperity but is it a better world of the simple 70s or 80s Indian past is debatable. Though we had one channel and the world used to stop becos Mahabharat was being shown. And unlike today's DVR and YouTubed Internet where we can watch it at our convenience, there still is something to the one TV-ed family and one channel TV network. And though for many of us have gone to places and done things which were just not possible for our parent's generation. But for this development we certainly have paid with breaking of the old extended family structure. So beautifully captured in the article "". And though the resistance to change is inherent to humans, we still feel the old days were simpler and better. Even though for the earlier generation the same time period was the complicated one. Case in point, when Erie Canal was built in the late 1800s old timers lamented of the "Slow" old days when things were moved by horse only. "What Erie Canal days were complicated?" would certainly aghast us.

This remembering the old Golden age that is now past. Which now only lives only in our memory is so well captured by this interpretative songs.

It is where this song hits the chords of the heart. The chords of a person's yearning for the old gone days. Were they correct would always be our interpretation of reality. I suppose that is what Don's meant when he was asked about the meaning of his lyrics in "but long ago I realized that songwriters should make their statements and move on".

Links
A societal and historical interpretation of the song
Interpretation of the song Interpretation 1

Growing up in the juxtaposed nations, one the future the other shackle of the world

Growing up in India now considered future of the world with one of the fastest growing economy, one of the largest youth population (50% of population is below the age of 25) and the biggest advantage a vibrant democracy/free press/education system. All these but especially the last one gave India the advantage for the knowledge revolution outsourcing that has happened but also tge potential of a better future than any other BRIC nations.
One of the biggest happiness for the current generation of Indians is the strong association we have seen of what I would call a 180 degree change of perception by the world and Indians also, of the country's potential. Our fathers grew up in a corrupted country and as my father said once "failed hopes after Independence" (The 1970's emergency/Indira and 80s). We remeber our childhood with a sort of shame we had of our country. A country with "highest number of graduates in the world", yet among the poorest. I still remember a great inquisition by one of tourist who asked me "How come you have a satellite and have your own nuclear technology but still have such expansive poverty."
Luckily we had the novice Prime Minister and more importantly his advisor the poor lad from Orissa, a great enterpreneur in US who wanted to give back to his roots. And so I grew up and have been living my active life as people who have brought up the change in this perception. The knowledge workers. Certainly one of the most prized commodity India has produced and certainly envy of developed countries working population.   Not only it is haeartneing to be the part of this change but it certainly is accentualted when I see it after spending a portion of it in US. As certainly in this country because it only attracts the creme-de-la-creme of the better educated Indians, this perceived threath/change is sometimes blown out of perception. Locals see the samrtest Indians have produced ( high majority of IITians and other knoweldge workers who have migrated to US) and make conclusion about the country, that also has more bums as US has (because India has 7 times higer probablity becos of 7 times the population!!).
Yet one of the most dramatic "juxtaposing" of this development of India is the stark degradation of our neigbour, certainly the shackle of the world today. And how interesting is having two neigbours that took such certain divergent paths for my current memery.
I certainly had certain inkling and knowledge of it but I was shcoked of the degree of it after seeing the documentary on Benazir (PBS  - From Pampered Princess to Polarizing Politician). Not we Indians are not aware of corruption of the political mass, a decease which is keeping all devlping nations to the state of "developing", but even more potent in the South Asia. But luckily for us the entrepreneur craved a India that is blossimg even though the political establishment still remains the same. Though Pakistan in people like Zaftiyar Bhutto and Benazir certainly had the same intentions as our novice PM Rajiv somehow one of us seems to have been making good of " tryst with destiny". In reality Benazir and Rajiv became PMs and certainly hope of both countries failed progress till that moment. Thus though in early 80s Pakistan certainly had a higer percapital income than India because of its inherent geographical/agricultural blessings, the future in a more service oriented world certainly looks more rosy for India.
This devergence of how one neigbour seems to get out of the shackle of emprovisement where the other seems to growing deeper into one is really captured in this documentery. So well capturing the failed state is this beautiful time line of political malice in Pakistan. 
The documentary shows how the hand in hand growth of the Talibalization/islamization of the country and the military junta. Certainly sort of neglected and earlier encouraged by now hit bad by its own creation of the Islamic Frankestian. The growth of this evil nexus certainly lies in Henry Kissinger's encouragement of Zia-ul-Haq's illegitimate coming to power (see this link). The parochial aim of removal of Russians from Afghanistan by the back door help by Islamization of Pakistan's ISI and thus helping the Taliban did bring the effects. But certainly not completing the task in the entirety and leaving two troubled nations has had serious recuperation for not only US but even more to India.  But long before the dangers of this Frankenstein were known, many in Pakistan forebode of the coming dangers. The path Beznazir followed (in footsteps of her Father who was unsuccessful in stopping the first wave of Islamisation of Pakistan in the 1970s) have been so well captured in this documentary. Benazir's constant struggle opposing the growth of fundamentalism in Pakistan and serious personal sacfise she took during her political life and ultimately with her death is moving and certainly food for thought. 
What I certainly took away from the documentary was the struggle of Pakistanis in trying to avoid what Pakistan has now become. This is certainly a sort of revelation for us. Growing up in the late 80s we had developed a repulsion of Pakistanian politics. We got the first shock of the unfinished task of removing Russian from Afganistan, where we saw how these now "unemployed freedom figthers" saw Kashmir as their next jihad after Russians of Afghanistan. And this certainly created a strong hate of Pakistan Politics and sort of painting everyone politician in black. Though certainly ISI/Pakistan military junta used Osama's and other Taliban facilities in Afganistan, not everyone in Pakistan were accomplice. And the struggle made by Benazir even though the military junta wanted her democratic establishment out was not what I was aware of. The two times desposition of her government's, even though both the times she won with a majority and putting the military puppet,Nawiz Sharif, (First Disposition and Second Disposition) was starkling even to me who have seen some pretty bad politics in India. How these dispositions were carried out certainly shows the lackadaisical nature of democracy in Pakistan. And these were certainly some new information for me.
The documentary brings forth the reason of why situations in Pakistan are so bad but more importantly how efforts of Benazir who could have avoided were squashed. And thus the documentary brings to light of people who certainly did not wish of creation of these two juxtaposed nations on two divergent paths.