I keep hearing how people are being laid off in the US and how jobs are being outsourced to India. The other day it was IBM that was doing the outsourcing. Then there are others. Good for the Indian economy I suppose. Globalization.
So when I spoke with a friend of mine in India, the first thing I told him, "you guys should not be complaining about recession. You are getting all the jobs that are lost here."
Of course he felt they too were in throes of recession. Take Bangalore for instance. It used to be the hub of exports. The IT industry is what he was referring to you. "It is not the case. Things are slow here too. "But they are slower here. We are feeling more of an impact here, in the US" I said.
It's like, "when the US gets a cold we sneeze." I smiled but did not laugh. "A good phrase" I said, but I don't think he heard me. So he repeated, "when you get a cold, we sneeze."
"At least you recognize that US matters. Hopefully, so will rest of the world."
It can get tiring to hear how much we are hated. Period.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Recession and Cars
Heard on the radio this morning that in the US there was a decrease in car purchases by 37%. If you heard otherwise, please do let me know.
Not long ago, I heard car purchases were up by 40%. Hmmm. Now if there is a decrease by 37% what does it tell us? Do people no longer need cars? Or they can make do with what they have. Or perhaps they bought new cars or traded in their older cars for newer models simply because they could. Credit was not an issue. Whether they could afford to or not is a different issue.
Really cars tend to last a while. I used to hear that folks bought cars simply because they had to have the newer model or a different kind of car suited their personality or was necessary because of their lifestyle.
Now perhaps all that is changing, because of the recession. If car sales do not increase, would that be good or bad for the economy? Bad some would say. Good the others. Regardless, it is our spending pattern that has brought us where we are. And this is not only the case in the US. It applies to the rest of the world.
Why buy stuff when people can't afford to? Credit is available, so why not? There are the givers and the takers. Then there are the copycats. Why not live like the Jones, Smiths, Khannas, Kewalramanis, and Desphandes? One ought to stop and think perhaps the others earn a lot more. Perhaps the others have a problem that we do not need to imitate. Perhaps.
Perhaps we will go back to the way we were. Perhaps that way we were was not that good really. If it was, why are we in this state? Will we ever be the same again?
Not long ago, I heard car purchases were up by 40%. Hmmm. Now if there is a decrease by 37% what does it tell us? Do people no longer need cars? Or they can make do with what they have. Or perhaps they bought new cars or traded in their older cars for newer models simply because they could. Credit was not an issue. Whether they could afford to or not is a different issue.
Really cars tend to last a while. I used to hear that folks bought cars simply because they had to have the newer model or a different kind of car suited their personality or was necessary because of their lifestyle.
Now perhaps all that is changing, because of the recession. If car sales do not increase, would that be good or bad for the economy? Bad some would say. Good the others. Regardless, it is our spending pattern that has brought us where we are. And this is not only the case in the US. It applies to the rest of the world.
Why buy stuff when people can't afford to? Credit is available, so why not? There are the givers and the takers. Then there are the copycats. Why not live like the Jones, Smiths, Khannas, Kewalramanis, and Desphandes? One ought to stop and think perhaps the others earn a lot more. Perhaps the others have a problem that we do not need to imitate. Perhaps.
Perhaps we will go back to the way we were. Perhaps that way we were was not that good really. If it was, why are we in this state? Will we ever be the same again?
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Recession and Dogs
As I stepped out for my walk today, I saw a pet grooming van parked across our home. The van owner seemed to be busy grooming our neighbor's dog. I could tell because of the soapy water running down the street and then the hair dryer sounds. Through a window I could see various bottles.
The first thought that came to my mind was "in some countries children run around dirty because they have no means to clean themselves. Poverty. No water. Homelessness. No love. Beggars." Then there is USA where dogs are getting groomed.
Wonder how the pet felt after all the pampering? Good, I'm sure. Why not? Hard to be cooped up indoors all day for anyone, especially for dogs. With everyone so busy, perhaps even during recession, no one's around to scratch behind dogs' ears or pay them any extra attention.
This also made me think, things can't be that bad in terms of our economy if pets are getting groomed.
What do you think?
The first thought that came to my mind was "in some countries children run around dirty because they have no means to clean themselves. Poverty. No water. Homelessness. No love. Beggars." Then there is USA where dogs are getting groomed.
Wonder how the pet felt after all the pampering? Good, I'm sure. Why not? Hard to be cooped up indoors all day for anyone, especially for dogs. With everyone so busy, perhaps even during recession, no one's around to scratch behind dogs' ears or pay them any extra attention.
This also made me think, things can't be that bad in terms of our economy if pets are getting groomed.
What do you think?
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Death in Life
Life can be a death sentence
When you do not take chances.
Life can be a death sentence
If you constantly abide by everyone's rules.
Life can be a death sentence
If you do not know when to hold on or when to let go.
Life is what you make of it.
Death is what we've made of it.
See you around.
This poem is also published on Literary Kicks.
When you do not take chances.
Life can be a death sentence
If you constantly abide by everyone's rules.
Life can be a death sentence
If you do not know when to hold on or when to let go.
Life is what you make of it.
Death is what we've made of it.
See you around.
This poem is also published on Literary Kicks.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Inside the Heart of Mumbai
I was in Mumbai not too long ago. In fact, I watched the Oscar winning movie "Slumdog Millionaire" while I as in Bombay. Yes, I was there when the Oscars were announced. And, yes, I called my friends immediately and greeted them with a Jai Ho! I've been doing this every now and then since then.
Inside the Heart of Mumbai was the show aired on this morning's Goodmorning America. I came across it as I turned on the TV to watch the latest weather forecast. Glad I did.
Makes me wish I could just fly back and forth from the US to India as when I want--to partake in the dynamic culture at the blink of an eye.
The thing is--when I am there, I miss being here. When I am here, I would like to be there. Human nature, I suppose.
Best wishes.
Inside the Heart of Mumbai was the show aired on this morning's Goodmorning America. I came across it as I turned on the TV to watch the latest weather forecast. Glad I did.
Makes me wish I could just fly back and forth from the US to India as when I want--to partake in the dynamic culture at the blink of an eye.
The thing is--when I am there, I miss being here. When I am here, I would like to be there. Human nature, I suppose.
Best wishes.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Simmering Away
On a low flame, many have boiled away--waiting for the perfect time and taste.
This is how relationships can be--waiting for the next phone call, the next correspondence, the next glance, the next move, or none.
Why wait around when so much needs to be done?
Why wait around when spring is around?
Feel free to simmer, but only that much--as much as the heart can take.
This poem has also been published by Literary Kicks.
This is how relationships can be--waiting for the next phone call, the next correspondence, the next glance, the next move, or none.
Why wait around when so much needs to be done?
Why wait around when spring is around?
Feel free to simmer, but only that much--as much as the heart can take.
This poem has also been published by Literary Kicks.
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