Women who symbolized essence of Lok Sabha elections, 2019

The curtains are drawn to one of the biggest political extravaganza—Indian Lok Sabha 2019.  

“May your choices reflect your Hopes, not your fears,” said Nelson Mandela. The Indian voter has chosen. And chosen in no uncertain terms. The incumbent, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has got a big thumbs up from the electorate to rule and guide the country for next five years. While supporters construe the victory as a vote for hope and leadership, detractors term it politics of decisiveness and polarization.

Whatever is one’s view point, each election has its defining moments and personalities. This election was no different: Turf war, legacy at stake, bold and audacious challengers, risk takers, who had nothing to lose but to make a statement, contestants who took the battle to the opponent’s camp…All this was no better represented than by the four women who were part of the Lok Sabha elections 2019—Tejaswini Ananth Kumar, Sumalatha Ambareesh, Smriti Irani, and Mamata Banerjee.

What’s in the name? A lot!

Not a very polite way–rather a rude way to welcome a guest, I thought.

You first allow the guest to settle, make them feel comfortable, maybe offer a drink, and then pass the menu for the order. But here, I was thrust the menu right on my face and that too right at the entrance of the restaurant! Why would you look at the menu even before you have taken a seat? The waiter started to explain that the menu included Pan Asian items from Japan, China, Thailand, and so on. Now, wait a minute, you first thrust the menu and explain the menu has Pan Asian items! Do you think I am a fool to not know that and book a table at the restaurant? How rude, I thought. I just entered the restaurant and took a seat. I did not want to make any fuss about it, for my daughter wanted to eat Sushi—a vegetarian one! So, here we were at place that served one.

Over the weekend I visited a restaurant, Asian Curry, with my family. It was a nice experience travelling for a change on the Bengaluru Metro train and not driving through the weekend traffic. It took around 60 minutes to reach the place and cost just about the same if I had driven. But then, without the tension and effort of driving, it was well worth the cost.

Sustainability or self-sustenance: is there a conflict?

It is funny that I am writing a blog from a resort in Chikmagalur. I had come here to take a break from the routine, a break from the monotony that I had got into, a break from the mad rush that I was part of, a break from the dependency on gadgets that I have got used to, but yet here I am, using my laptop to write a blog!