Clue of the week
-------------------
"I am an imposing edifice, made of Red Stone. I reside in the Zero Mile neighborhood.I employ tons of Nagpuris. And oh yes, I got Money. Who am I?"
Friday, December 18, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Democratic Forum
One of the famous sub-plots of Mahabharat is when Krishna tells Duryodhan to cover himself up before meeting his mother who was to remove her blind-fold for a day.Krishna does this so that he can ensure his sides victory. Some may call this manipulation by the Lord himself to get his side's win. Other's will call it pragmatism, keeping the Big Picture in mind.
I believe pragmatism is really the road to Idealism. We have to work the system to make it work. Sounds oxymoron, but that's the way it is. In context of Nagpur First, there have been some well received suggestions last week, on pragmatism.
The hallmark of any democracy is an acquiescence to dissent, contest and even rebel. I hope we can keep this Nagpur First group as democratic a forum as it can be.Of course this means, we will have to deal with criticism and clashes of ideas. Sometimes these clashes can actually be fruitful.
Having said that, negative energy can sap the momentum. We are in a very nascent stage right now. All of us are volunteering for a cause bigger than ourselves. The cause being that of making Nagpur a Global City in next 11 years.
There has been phenomenal enthusiasm shown by Messrs Saqib Karori, Faiz Wahid, Ajit Kulkarni et al in past 2 weeks or so.. (More details to follow). Vivek Bhagwatkar has already shown how dedication and commitment can work wonders. More strength to him.
Since we are residing at different locations and we are a diverse group of Nagpuris, at times it becomes difficult to co-ordinate and move. But I feel good that we have got reasonable traction already. It's only a matter of time before things start taking bigger forms.
It may seem that things are moving slowly and nothing is really happening. But that is deceptive at best. We are moving one step at a time and lot is happening.
There would soon be a list published on all initiatives taken, either on yahoo group or this blog. We are always looking for volunteers to join any initiative of their liking with Tan (efforts), Man (constructive ideas, suggestions, process help etc.) and/or Dhan (of course the funds).
All folks who came forward with positive ideas,initiatives,donations should be commended for their virtues. Clearly shows, we are on a move and things will unravel positively from here on.
This is a horizontal platform, where vertical initiatives can grow and take shape. In other words, if any of Nagpur First members wants to join any initiative, your coming forward and aligning yourself with something, will be highly appreciated. In fact it will be encouraged.
There are two initiatives that have got traction in past week. One is led by our new member Ajit Kulkarni, from D.C who is targeting a 'walkathon' in Nagpur. Ajit is himself a marathon enthusiast, and has run some international marathons.
Ajit and Amit will be sending more details on this soon.
The other piece of news I need to share is that we have formalized a team for Nag Nadi Purification. The group is called Nag-Pure. We had our first meeting (the USA chapter of Nagpur First had this) and it went well. More invites would be sent to people who are keen on joining this movement and willing to bring positive ideas to the table.
Pretty exciting stuff there; So watch out for this space.
I believe pragmatism is really the road to Idealism. We have to work the system to make it work. Sounds oxymoron, but that's the way it is. In context of Nagpur First, there have been some well received suggestions last week, on pragmatism.
The hallmark of any democracy is an acquiescence to dissent, contest and even rebel. I hope we can keep this Nagpur First group as democratic a forum as it can be.Of course this means, we will have to deal with criticism and clashes of ideas. Sometimes these clashes can actually be fruitful.
Having said that, negative energy can sap the momentum. We are in a very nascent stage right now. All of us are volunteering for a cause bigger than ourselves. The cause being that of making Nagpur a Global City in next 11 years.
There has been phenomenal enthusiasm shown by Messrs Saqib Karori, Faiz Wahid, Ajit Kulkarni et al in past 2 weeks or so.. (More details to follow). Vivek Bhagwatkar has already shown how dedication and commitment can work wonders. More strength to him.
Since we are residing at different locations and we are a diverse group of Nagpuris, at times it becomes difficult to co-ordinate and move. But I feel good that we have got reasonable traction already. It's only a matter of time before things start taking bigger forms.
It may seem that things are moving slowly and nothing is really happening. But that is deceptive at best. We are moving one step at a time and lot is happening.
There would soon be a list published on all initiatives taken, either on yahoo group or this blog. We are always looking for volunteers to join any initiative of their liking with Tan (efforts), Man (constructive ideas, suggestions, process help etc.) and/or Dhan (of course the funds).
All folks who came forward with positive ideas,initiatives,donations should be commended for their virtues. Clearly shows, we are on a move and things will unravel positively from here on.
This is a horizontal platform, where vertical initiatives can grow and take shape. In other words, if any of Nagpur First members wants to join any initiative, your coming forward and aligning yourself with something, will be highly appreciated. In fact it will be encouraged.
There are two initiatives that have got traction in past week. One is led by our new member Ajit Kulkarni, from D.C who is targeting a 'walkathon' in Nagpur. Ajit is himself a marathon enthusiast, and has run some international marathons.
Ajit and Amit will be sending more details on this soon.
The other piece of news I need to share is that we have formalized a team for Nag Nadi Purification. The group is called Nag-Pure. We had our first meeting (the USA chapter of Nagpur First had this) and it went well. More invites would be sent to people who are keen on joining this movement and willing to bring positive ideas to the table.
Pretty exciting stuff there; So watch out for this space.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Why we love Nagpur
Over a weekend chat with Dineshji we started reminiscing about Nagpur (as two Nagpuris usually do) and were trying to put our finger on this one question - What's so special about Nagpur?
Why do we all love Nagpur so much, when, for all practical purposes, and on all conventional parameters like development etc, it does not have a sterling record (at least relative to other tier-II cities)
In other words - 'Nagpur mein aisa kya hai'? I am sure, most of us have questioned this at some point or the other.
My initial instinct is to look at the question itself. Look at what language this question I put in. Yep. Hindi. I think there in lies our first clue. Nagpur, a Maharashtrian city, technically, has an overwhelming presence of non-Marathi folks, who have smoothly assimilated into the Nagpur culture. For all practical purposes, HINDI is Nagpur's lingua franca. In fact I have been told that Nagpur is the second most cosmopolitan city in India!!!
These two things clearly indicate Nagpur's embracing culture. To 'allow' and 'nourish' and not alienate something which might be considered 'foreign' in other places. The word really is FREEDOM. Nagpur allows us to be 'free' for most part. Allows us to choose what we want to do or not do. It does not have a sense of overbearing imposition of a certain culture, rammed down your throat. It just makes 'it Easy'.
I am sure, you'd think, that the above paragraph is loaded. But the fact of the matter is, Nagpur has been that kind of a city. Easy going and Simple and there has never been a strong will amongst natives to IMPOSE their ideas and views and way of life on others.
I have to share something from my personal experience on this.
College days are great learning experience , both academically and non-academically. And of course you end up making friends with diverse group of folks, from different cultures and sub-cultures. And now that I think in hindsight, I see that we had such a diverse group of people in our friend circle. Some from South India, some from North, some even from Assam/Nagaland etc. Over the period of time, I realized that all my non-Nagpuri friends, had gravitated to Nagpur in some ways or the other. They had, believe it or not, become Nagpur fans. The Nagpur-ness had rubbed on them in some ways and they would find some excuse or the other to visit Nagpur (even after Graduation). And enjoy.
One of my close friends, who never had any relation to Nagpur whatsoever, before living there for fours years, till date calls Nagpur his favourite city. In many ways Nagpur had converted him and he went native big time, in just a couple of years.
I am sure there are numerous similar examples. Where a non-Nagpuri went completely bonkers over Nagpur and in many ways became a Nagpuri.
Again, it's hard to put your finger on that exact pulse. That exact answer. Why Nagpur is attractive, even with all it's apparent drawbacks? Why it inspires such intense loyalty, even for non-Nagpuris in a few cases?
I am sure, if I was up for a PhD , I would have considered this for a thesis. :)
If some of you have any anecdotes , examples to share of people who you personally met, who became Nagpur fans, we would certainly like to read about them. If nothing else, it will at least give a sense of elation.
****
Post Script : I remember a funny incident that happened some years back on a chowk of Nagpur. A guy riding motorcycle bumped into a bicycle guy on a chowk Signal ('Light' for the US walas). And the motorcycle guy immediately apologized - "Arey sorry Boss. Laga toh nahi". And the ever humble dude on the cycle, picking and gathering himself quickly from the downfall said.."Nahi.. per Thank you for your Sorry boss"..
And they both moved on. Memory of this incident still tickles me no ends.
Doesn't this tell us something about Nagpuris?
Why do we all love Nagpur so much, when, for all practical purposes, and on all conventional parameters like development etc, it does not have a sterling record (at least relative to other tier-II cities)
In other words - 'Nagpur mein aisa kya hai'? I am sure, most of us have questioned this at some point or the other.
My initial instinct is to look at the question itself. Look at what language this question I put in. Yep. Hindi. I think there in lies our first clue. Nagpur, a Maharashtrian city, technically, has an overwhelming presence of non-Marathi folks, who have smoothly assimilated into the Nagpur culture. For all practical purposes, HINDI is Nagpur's lingua franca. In fact I have been told that Nagpur is the second most cosmopolitan city in India!!!
These two things clearly indicate Nagpur's embracing culture. To 'allow' and 'nourish' and not alienate something which might be considered 'foreign' in other places. The word really is FREEDOM. Nagpur allows us to be 'free' for most part. Allows us to choose what we want to do or not do. It does not have a sense of overbearing imposition of a certain culture, rammed down your throat. It just makes 'it Easy'.
I am sure, you'd think, that the above paragraph is loaded. But the fact of the matter is, Nagpur has been that kind of a city. Easy going and Simple and there has never been a strong will amongst natives to IMPOSE their ideas and views and way of life on others.
I have to share something from my personal experience on this.
College days are great learning experience , both academically and non-academically. And of course you end up making friends with diverse group of folks, from different cultures and sub-cultures. And now that I think in hindsight, I see that we had such a diverse group of people in our friend circle. Some from South India, some from North, some even from Assam/Nagaland etc. Over the period of time, I realized that all my non-Nagpuri friends, had gravitated to Nagpur in some ways or the other. They had, believe it or not, become Nagpur fans. The Nagpur-ness had rubbed on them in some ways and they would find some excuse or the other to visit Nagpur (even after Graduation). And enjoy.
One of my close friends, who never had any relation to Nagpur whatsoever, before living there for fours years, till date calls Nagpur his favourite city. In many ways Nagpur had converted him and he went native big time, in just a couple of years.
I am sure there are numerous similar examples. Where a non-Nagpuri went completely bonkers over Nagpur and in many ways became a Nagpuri.
Again, it's hard to put your finger on that exact pulse. That exact answer. Why Nagpur is attractive, even with all it's apparent drawbacks? Why it inspires such intense loyalty, even for non-Nagpuris in a few cases?
I am sure, if I was up for a PhD , I would have considered this for a thesis. :)
If some of you have any anecdotes , examples to share of people who you personally met, who became Nagpur fans, we would certainly like to read about them. If nothing else, it will at least give a sense of elation.
****
Post Script : I remember a funny incident that happened some years back on a chowk of Nagpur. A guy riding motorcycle bumped into a bicycle guy on a chowk Signal ('Light' for the US walas). And the motorcycle guy immediately apologized - "Arey sorry Boss. Laga toh nahi". And the ever humble dude on the cycle, picking and gathering himself quickly from the downfall said.."Nahi.. per Thank you for your Sorry boss"..
And they both moved on. Memory of this incident still tickles me no ends.
Doesn't this tell us something about Nagpuris?
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