for a Cause

Coming into the United States, one thing I could not miss is the fast paced lifestyle. The weekdays rush by and the weekend fly past before you notice. It is such a task to take time out for self, pamper self with some quality time. In such a set up, there are volunteers, mostly students, who also need to schedule their tasks, deadlines and other commitments like everyone else. But in doing so, they make sure to spare some regular time to think about others, those not as privileged as themselves. Such groups are always looking outwards to get support, to spread awareness and to ignite useful discussions and debates, but are never shy of giving their ‘twenty cents’ for a cause. And I believe that our Bloomington campus is the best place for these groups, with broad-minded people and an open community in general.

Some such groups that I am aware of are …. Association for India’s Development (AID) is the one that I am involved with and can talk more about. AID is a volunteer movement that supports grassroots organizations in India and strives for improvement in spheres like education, livelihoods, natural resources, health, women's empowerment and social justice. Bloomington is home to one of the 36 AID chapters in US with a number of enthusiastic volunteer members. Documentary series, cultural events and awareness campaigns are used to highlight the issues in India which can be generalized to many developing nations. Volunteering for ticketing and ushering in the local basketball and football games brings in the majority of funds which are used to sponsor projects in India. Fun ways of raising money like potluck dinners and festival celebrations are also useful in creating awareness and raising funds.

Some useful links -> www.aidindia.org , http://www.indiana.edu/~aid/

boring ...

Friedrich Nietzsche wrote “Against boredom the Gods themselves fight in vain”

i was just reading an article that said, being bored is not a bad thing and natural. It just prepares us to be productive in the next phase. The feeling of boredom comes when we feel being good for nothing, and whatever work we are involved with doesnt make us happy !

so you are bored and reading this random blog, dont feel bad, read on :) ... it might increase your productivity

finally in the driver's seat

aaja meri gaadi mein baith jaa
long drive jayenge, full speed jayenge...

or

main nikla, gaddi leke
o raste mein, o sadak pe,
ek mod aaya ...

Finally I am a car owner, and its exciting for now. However getting my first car was quite an experience. I had a simple not-asking-god-for-too-much wish to land me the right car for the right price; and I got the wrong exit it seems. There was this 99'accord that caught my attention, low miles on the car, good looking, nice condition. So i decided to test drive it (that reminds me of my previous attempts at test-driving a car; the girl in first instance set the meeting time to 5pm, then i was confirming at 4;50 and she suggested postponing it to 6pm; i agreed n waited for her till 6;15 never to see or hear from her. ditto with my second attempt) .. and was glad to be able to test drive a car finally.
The car was driving pretty well, and I kept asking the owner, what else you know about the car. Basically i know nothing about this, and wanted to know from the seller what i should know about the car before buying. He looked like an honest and ignorant guy like me, so i concluded its a good deal and car is in good condition. Bargained with him (its in my blood, though the bargaining gene is not expressed in my dna) and finally struck the deal.

As it turned out, i had the keys, but could not start the car. The car was loaned from some stupid financial company, and the pay-off was to come from what i pay. The financial company takes 10-14 business days to process the final pay-off and send back the title. I am yet to understand what takes so long .. but anyways i waited and got the title. Now the title needs to be signed off by the owner, before i can get the car registered in my name. But it was spring break, and the owner was of course enjoying his vacation at some beach in Florida.

So another week goes by and after many phone calls, voice mails, and emails, i get the sign and head off to the license branch.

License Officer: Sir, can you please step out and meet me by your car
me: sure (sweating, why the hell !!)
LO: i will read out the VIN no. (something to uniquely identify cars in US) from the car, and you check with the one on title paper
me: they dont match (dark clouds is all i see, but manage to get my wits together and confirm that the nos. dont match)
LO: sir, i wont be reporting you to police, but you can call them if you feel unsafe (me-wats going on). You need to bring here the right car, or the right title

(the LO for license officer is so close to LOL)
so i never noticed that the stupid financial company took 10-14 biz days of processing to send the wrong title .. for some 02'accord.

another week goes by and i finally got the right title .... and got my car registered.

Phew!!! yes i am a car owner .. and excited about that .. just a few more things to take care of .. changing tyres, changing oil, changing brake pads, changing battery, getting mats, fixing the plate

Its so much fun ... aaja meri gaadi mein baith ja...