Are our wallets becoming thinner day by day?

I have the experience of getting caught by the traffic cops twice or thrice in Delhi, but hey!.. not for rash driving, but for parking in a wrong place (You know how difficult to get a parking!!! ;) ), and once because of driving with a broken number plate.

Coming to Bangalore, I was not geographically familiar with its slim streets initially. And I hate looking at GPRS while driving. I always call up my hubby to understand the roads…

I had to go to Koramangla for some reasons, just after reaching Bangalore. At Sony centre traffic light, I was confused where to go now. At the traffic halt, I dialled my husband’s number, just tried to understand what he said. Suddenly, I heard somebody knocking at my window. Yes, he was a handsome traffic police!!! ;)

I kept the phone, but he asked me to show my driving license. I told him, “Sir, I am new to the place, thus asked my hubby the road-directions. I have my driving license as well as the RC. But sorry, I have only Rs. 5 in my pocket.”…….He gave me a strange look and said, “You should not talk on phone while driving, and you should carry some cash too…Just keep in mind in future.” With a smiling face, understanding his intention, I nodded my head and proceeded.

But, just thought.....are not our wallets becoming thinner, day by day!!!

I can remember my grandparents showing me 1 paisa, 2 paisa, 10 paisa coins. Even when I was in Class V, I used to get a tasty Pop, or a big loaf for 25 paisa, or 50 paisa. These all seem far away now. 

Our parents used to get salary by cash, but now they even get direct deposit in the bank account. We have encountered electronic bill payments.  We now trust internet banking, transfer the money in few minutes.  We use a credit card or debit card at the petrol pump, or to buy grocery. And how can we forget our new ability to scan and deposit a cheque from a smartphone?

These are the clear signs of technology which are changing our lives and making our wallets thinner. I think we are not very far from the cashless endgame which will be apps for the smartphone that finally take over the concept of swiping a card, probably by fingerprint, sensors. Or probably a digital card, massively expandable that replaces every single magnetic-striped card you have in your wallet.

I personally feel that we cannot be totally cashless because we still feel obliged and indulged to tip the waiter, the doorman, or a traffic police, but who knows…maybe someday they will have a card reader in their smartphones. 

Are you thinking what I’m thinking? I bet you are…..

Saraswati Puja : Assamese Valentine day

Saraswati Puja!

Don’t eat plum before Saraswati puja.

Don’t study on the day of Puja. Enjoy and enjoy!!!

Just relish the Khichdi in the school / College / University! I doubt, hardly any student worship the Saraswati idol on this day in true sense. At least I did not.

Never missed a single Puja in my life since I was in school till my university days. Though my school uniform was Mekhela chadar from Class VIII till X, and I was very bad in wearing it, I used to be sooo excited to wear a beautiful Mekhela chadar of my Mom that day.

DCB College is a girl’s college from where I did my graduation. Feeling nostalgic about my first Saraswati Puja at college. Extremely excited…preparation started at least a month before…..My mom gifted me a new Mekhela Chadar set that year. Don’t remember how many times I went to the market –Garh Ali and Chawk Bazaar to match my earrings, hair pins, necklace etc.

For one day this Girls college would be teeming with visitors of opposite sex. (I am sure even now also). All girls used to be termed as ‘Devi’ for that very day….! Many of my boy - friends (wait!...not boyfriend) from JB college, JEC and even AMC informed me much before, that they would be coming to see our DCB Devis, saying, “Please get us introduced to your friends….”!!!! 

I too informed my college mates – like Bornali, Gayatri, Chandana, Prakriti, Dimpi, Lopa, Luxmi Aunsumi etc (Hey gals! Excuse me for taking your names!!!)….and all were so excited…. saying… “Please get us introduced….” 

The girls used to make two long rows to make a ramp in front of the Puja Mandap. Whoever wanted to worship Saraswati Devi had to walk on the ramp, and that was the best time for the girls to comment or tease the guys. 

My friends from JEC, JB, AMC came on time, infact before time, at around 10:30am…They informed me earlier that 11am sharp, they would be in the venue…. 

As there was no mobile phone that time, at 11 am, my girl-friends poked me to go to the gate to check if they had arrived. There were so many boys out there that I was extremely embarrassed. At last, my boy –friends came front…and my girl- friends were all set. While the boys started walking on the floor….I hinted my girl-friends and immediately they started commenting, “Bhal laagise dei….(You guys looking good)” …While going…they managed, but while returning…My Bad!!! One of my boy-friends fell down…….that’s even in between the girls. I really understand…how embarrassing it was for him!!! He didn’t look back, probably never dared to walk on that ramp again. And I failed to introduce both the parties.

Nostalgic!! Nostalgic!!! The charm of this Assamese Valentine day is unmatched. Missed it today!!!

Simple living simple thinking of Tea Pluckers

An Apple keeps your Doctor away! But …….

Do you know that just one cup of tea has more antioxidants and vitamins than eight apples?

Do you know that tea increases one’s metabolism?

Do you know that tea doesn't have any calories, unless you add sweetener or milk?

　

The benefits of tea cannot be denied, right from fighting cancer to lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and allergies. From savour with lime and honey in China till the sip in tiny chipped plastic glasses with milk and sugar in Indian railway stations, Assam tea is a household name for the brew lovers. But, I really wonder how many people know about the people behind the cultivation, plucking and processing of tea leaves : How they live in, do they know the benefits of tea, do they get to taste the pure and best green tea?

The fertile valley of Brahmaputra, Assam produces 60% of total tea in India. Here, each leaf is handpicked with extreme care to provide us with the finest tea. The tea plucker community in Assam are called ‘Coolies’ in deregatory way. The majority of these Adhivasis were brought in as treatied slave-labour from Central India by the British about 100 years ago. And the rest consisting of other local tribal communities, as well as Nepalis, Bengalis, Oriyas and so on.

There are more than 1000 tea gardens in Assam in which, about 70 lakhs people are dependent for their livelihood. Unfortunately, no basic infrastructure, no proper education system, no good health facility have been developed for them even after 100 years. The average age of tea garden workers is only 50 yrs. 

Every time I go to Assam, I visit Jakhalabandha the native place of my son's care taker, ‘Pokhila’ . She belongs to the tea plucker community. Her village on the bank of Brahmaputra has rich scenic beauty. There are 4-5 villages adjacent to each other. Pokhila and her mother live with her maternal uncle and aunt. All of  them go to pluck tea in the season and in the off-season, they go to brick-manufacturing factory. Working 6 days - 8 hours each day - and on every Saturday, they get wages of Rs.500 approx, they are happy enough in themselves.

One day Pokhila was very happy and excited, "My mom has bought a dress for me today...she has got Bonus on the occasion of Diwali..." I asked how much the bonus was. She said very happily, "Rs. 250!!!"

Pokhila's mother got separated from her father as her father got into his second marriage. She had one elder sister who died due to Colerreha while she was around 8 years old. Their house is just on the bank of a small brook. They fish in monsoon, go to the relief camp during the flood and run to another village when wild elephants come raiding during harvesting season and destroy their village. In five years probably, one or two candidate from her village pass out the matriculation. They hardly understand Politics.....the politicians go to their village just before the Election, bribe few local leaders with money & booze and win the votes from them. 

We went to Assam few days back. Pokhila went to her village to spend some good time with her family. They have a festival called Tisshu Puja during Makar Sankranti. She had a long list of plans to enjoy Tisshu Puja. But unfortunately, she had fallen sick after reaching her village, could not enjoy the festival at all. She had Typhoid. Her best friend had Anemia. And her friend and neighbour died by stomach ache. She stayed 20 days at her place. I gave some money to her Uncle specially for Doctor's check-up, he took her to a dispensary, and in the evenings, he spent rest of the money with his friends in boozing with meat and fish.

Pokhila is back, we will take care of her health till the time she will be at my place. But, then what after??? I really wonder!!!