Dichotomy

Here is an interesting article I came across a few minutes ago In India, Poverty Inspires Technology Workers to Altruism

On the one hand anything that can be outsourced is outsourced to India. On the other hand there are those who are of less means, in spite of all the globalization.

But there are a few who have taken it upon themselves to help those in need, use their knowledge to help the other half. What good is all that knowledge if not shared and used for a better cause?

Dichotomy is prevalent not only in India, but throughout the world. There are those that more than have, and then there are others who do not know what it is to have.

Outsourcing to India

Photo taken by Laju K.

I have heard and read a lot about outsourcing to India. But, outsourcing hair appointments and other personal appointments to India? In this day and age of globalization, even butlering can now be outsourced to India. Somehow language and accent barriers seem to be less of an issue these days. So don't be surprised if your meals are now cooked by someone almost half way around the world.

In the meantime, these days you can enjoy hot crisp masala dosas in most cities in the USA, including in Edison, New Jersey. Bon appetite!

Love and Fear

This news is no longer news, but it still makes me feel sad.

It is a shame that it has to be this way. Read SOMINI SENGUPTA's story in NY Times.

Economics and Politics

Photo by Laju K.

Thus far, I had always associated Paul Krugman only with Economics and authoring books like The Accidental Theorist, and not with writing about politics. But, of course, the two go hand in hand.

Success is a State of Mind

Photo taken by Laju K.

At one time or another when someone told you, "wish you much success," or something to that effect, you must have said, "thank you."

Well, very recently someone told me, "when you become a successful writer....," I immediately thought "Success a State of Mind, Just as New York is on My Mind."

What does it mean to be successful at something, really? How does one quantitate this entity? Do we want to measure it? Isn't the journey to becoming successful (whatever that is) or to wherever one wants to be supposed to be more fun?

Passion

Photo taken by Laju K.

It was Dr. Jorge Churchich, may he rest in peace, who said, "When you do something, you have to do it because you LOVE it and not because you want a degree!" It was he who gave me the book "For the Love of Enzymes," by Dr. Arthur Kornberg, at one of the most crucial periods in my life. I studied the book (it was meant as a gift) from one end to the other, in case I was questioned. He never did. Instead what he succeeded in doing was instilling passion for science in me. He would often say things to me like, "You need to know how to mix the colors before you paint."

So last Friday, at Leela's Lounge in Manhattan, when I heard Amit Varma, the winner of 2007 Frederic Bastiat Prize, respond to someone's question by asking something like "Do you love to write? Do you feel passionate about it?" I couldn't help but think of late Dr Churchich, my mentor.

First Love

They say one never forgets one's first love. But what if one has had two first loves? Is it possible? Anything is possible. What if you fell in love with the two things simultaneously. For example, you fell in love with science while reading a book or you fell in love with WORDS while reading about science. What if you wanted to become a writer while reading about molecules? What if you wanted to write about them because you were in awe of the molecules, the writing, and the scientist.

Kind of like did the chicken come first or the egg? Does it matter? Well it does and it does not. It is all a matter of time and the owner of the chicken and the eater of the egg.

More later......

An Informal Meeting With Amit Varma at Leela's Lounge - a SAJA Event

Photo taken by Laju K.

From Left to Right: Arzan Sam Wadia, Manish Vij, Preston Merchant, Amit Varma, and Jasmine Varma.

It had to be done someday, so why not today is what I thought as I took off from work an hour earlier to join in the informal meeting with Amit Varma, the winner of this year’s Frédéric Bastiat Prize. Who was to predict that the on average 40 minute bus ride from NJ to Port Authority would take almost 2 hours! By the time my friend and I arrived at the bus stop, I was sick to my stomach. "I can't do this feeling the way I do," I said. "Perhaps a not so great idea on an evening pouring cats & dogs. Or maybe it is for the best. I will sit down quietly and observe."

But when we reached Leela's Lounge, it seems I was transformed. "You don't look sick anymore,” my friend said. "He is trying to cheer me up" I thought. As soon as we entered the restaurant on Broadway and 3rd Street, I spotted Sree Sreenivasan talking with other attendees.

Trying not feel intimated, I first introduced myself to Sree and then to Arun. Making sure that I was not completely out of view, I ventured to a spot where I could see Amit and others. I knew if I did not speak-up, I would forever remain silent, at least at such events. So after having a seat, I said hello to those sitting and standing closest to me - Hareesh, Yuvraj, and Sanchit. After finding out a little bit about them, I finally got the nerve to ask Amit my first question, not that I wanted to interrupt Yuvraj; but, as soon as there was a nanosecond lull in the conversation, I took what I had thought was a good opportunity. But by then someone else had Amit’s attention. It was Hareesh and Yuvraj who said, “Amit, Amit, she has a question.” "How nice" I thought.

Time flew by as it does, but not before I had made my acquaintance with Amit from India Uncut, his lovely wife Jasmine Shah Varma, who is an Art Curator, Manish from UltraBrown, Preston Merchant, writer and a photojournalist, Arun Krishnan of CuttingChai.com, Pam, Arzan Sam Wadia from wadia. in, Hareesh, Yuvraj, and Sanchit.

I went home feeling blessed to have met them all, being supported to write each day.