This video is very close to my heart. Married in the Summer of 2008, I came to the US with Siddharth. Being what he is, a caring husband, he made sure I did not miss home. We went to a lot many places this summer. 2008 has been for me a year of journey, new experience and transition.
Editing, direction and camera are all done by Siddharth. All I can do is thank him for making me feel special!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
The NRI Wife Syndrome
This term 'The NRI Wife Syndrome' was familiarized to me by my husband, Siddharth. This syndrome, as the name suggests, is predominant among the Non Resident Indians and it got a name only when Siddharth and his friends intervened. You can also call it 'H4 visa syndrome.'
When the well educated, well settled NRI gets tired of his weekend road trips, late night parties and American lifestyle, he realizes how hollow his life is. He misses his homeland, his family and most importantly his mother and her cooking. The farther he goes, the more he is haunted. The dal-chawal, bindi ki sabzi with roti, a cow on the road, antakshari during the power cuts and the roadside chatwala, all call him back. And since he cannot go back to India, he tries to bring India to him.
He gets married!
Enters his life, his wife, on H4 visa. The Indian bride fulfils his deepest desire. He now feels belonged and connected. She becomes his anchor who keeps him ashore.
But that is not all about her. The now dependent wife, who is well qualified, once led an independent life back home. She, then, dint have enough time to divide between her family and friends. But now, she is in a strange land, away from her home and family. Her H4 visa ties her around their apartment and leaves her with nothing but ample time. Her activities and movements are now restricted. She is now completely dependent upon a guy, who until a few days was a complete stranger.
The honeymoon period, initially, goes well with the new relationship, new home, new country. But the problem begins when the dust settles and life becomes a routine.
The husband goes off to work early in the morning, leaving his wife alone at home. The wife cleans and decorates the house, does the dishes and washes his clothes, cooks food for him, watches tv, goes online and waits for his return. Next day again she cleans the house, cooks, does the dishes and wash clothes, watches tv, goes online and waits for his return. And then on the third day she cleans, cooks, washes, watches tv, goes online and waits for him to return.
This goes on and she finally shows the first sign of the infamous NRI Wife Syndrome - she fights, is irritated, lonely, feels worthless, becomes depressed and nostalgic. She misses her home, friends and her job. This is when she breaks down and wishes to return to her country. Certainly, the NRI is now left nowhere. He cannot go back nor can he comfortably live outside India. He is confused, she is depressed and...
And, this is just the beginning!
P.S.: The blog post is based upon true events. However, resemblance with any individual or her life is purely co-incidental.
When the well educated, well settled NRI gets tired of his weekend road trips, late night parties and American lifestyle, he realizes how hollow his life is. He misses his homeland, his family and most importantly his mother and her cooking. The farther he goes, the more he is haunted. The dal-chawal, bindi ki sabzi with roti, a cow on the road, antakshari during the power cuts and the roadside chatwala, all call him back. And since he cannot go back to India, he tries to bring India to him.
He gets married!
Enters his life, his wife, on H4 visa. The Indian bride fulfils his deepest desire. He now feels belonged and connected. She becomes his anchor who keeps him ashore.
But that is not all about her. The now dependent wife, who is well qualified, once led an independent life back home. She, then, dint have enough time to divide between her family and friends. But now, she is in a strange land, away from her home and family. Her H4 visa ties her around their apartment and leaves her with nothing but ample time. Her activities and movements are now restricted. She is now completely dependent upon a guy, who until a few days was a complete stranger.
The honeymoon period, initially, goes well with the new relationship, new home, new country. But the problem begins when the dust settles and life becomes a routine.
The husband goes off to work early in the morning, leaving his wife alone at home. The wife cleans and decorates the house, does the dishes and washes his clothes, cooks food for him, watches tv, goes online and waits for his return. Next day again she cleans the house, cooks, does the dishes and wash clothes, watches tv, goes online and waits for his return. And then on the third day she cleans, cooks, washes, watches tv, goes online and waits for him to return.
This goes on and she finally shows the first sign of the infamous NRI Wife Syndrome - she fights, is irritated, lonely, feels worthless, becomes depressed and nostalgic. She misses her home, friends and her job. This is when she breaks down and wishes to return to her country. Certainly, the NRI is now left nowhere. He cannot go back nor can he comfortably live outside India. He is confused, she is depressed and...
And, this is just the beginning!
P.S.: The blog post is based upon true events. However, resemblance with any individual or her life is purely co-incidental.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Rendering Santa Homeless!
Every year the world waits for Santa Claus. Santa, on his reindeer sledge, comes from Arctic to fulfill our wishes. Santa for the world means happiness and joy. But how are we repaying him?
We are rendering him homeless!
The Arctic ice is melting faster than ever before. Scientists say there are possibilities of total ice meltdown in the pole. In fact, the chances for Arctic to become ice free this summer is 50-50.
This total ice meltdown has even opened up the Northwestern passage for navigation. 2007 August saw the first ever navigation through this region.
And no points for guessing the reason behind Arctic going ice free. Yes, it is global warming.
Global warming has already led to climate change and deadly disasters around the world. Now, it has even affected the Arctic, home to dear Santa Claus. We are not far behind. We have taken our planet for granted but now is time, when we will have to correct our act.
For more, click on http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/06/30/north-pole-melt.html
We are rendering him homeless!
The Arctic ice is melting faster than ever before. Scientists say there are possibilities of total ice meltdown in the pole. In fact, the chances for Arctic to become ice free this summer is 50-50.This total ice meltdown has even opened up the Northwestern passage for navigation. 2007 August saw the first ever navigation through this region.
And no points for guessing the reason behind Arctic going ice free. Yes, it is global warming.
Global warming has already led to climate change and deadly disasters around the world. Now, it has even affected the Arctic, home to dear Santa Claus. We are not far behind. We have taken our planet for granted but now is time, when we will have to correct our act.
For more, click on http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/06/30/north-pole-melt.html
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Buy an expensive car; go green!
The latest news on Indian media - the rise of prime lending rates by half a percentage point. RBI says this is necessary to control inflation that has touched 11 percent. The RBI hopes that increased interest rates will reduce the demand for goods, thereby, reducing inflation. High inflation can slower down any country's growth rate.
The major reason for inflation is the hike in fuel and food prices. Demand for fuel is growing by the day. The more oil is extracted from the earth's crust the more demand grows. The greed for energy is now leaving many oil wells dry. Old wells don't bear oil and new wells are hard to find. Even if new oil reserves are found, they are in challenging locations. Saudi Arabia plans to extract more oil to meet the demand. But this will take at least a few years. Till then, don't be surprised to see oil prices going up each day.
In this situation, the last thing India needs is Tata's Nano. The one lakh car is easily affordable to any middle class family with a decent income. Gone are the days when cars were for the affluent. With the induction of Nano in the showrooms, the number of cars on the Indian streets is sure to rise. More cars easily means more pollution and global warming (as if we bother about it) and more fuel consumption. Easily, increased consumption means increased demand and hence, even higher prices. This again means, higher inflation and increase in lending rates by RBI. And the cycle continues!
The least we can do is pledge to buy only expensive cars. Wait till you have saved enough for it and get your money's worth. Till then, we always have the public transportation.
The major reason for inflation is the hike in fuel and food prices. Demand for fuel is growing by the day. The more oil is extracted from the earth's crust the more demand grows. The greed for energy is now leaving many oil wells dry. Old wells don't bear oil and new wells are hard to find. Even if new oil reserves are found, they are in challenging locations. Saudi Arabia plans to extract more oil to meet the demand. But this will take at least a few years. Till then, don't be surprised to see oil prices going up each day.In this situation, the last thing India needs is Tata's Nano. The one lakh car is easily affordable to any middle class family with a decent income. Gone are the days when cars were for the affluent. With the induction of Nano in the showrooms, the number of cars on the Indian streets is sure to rise. More cars easily means more pollution and global warming (as if we bother about it) and more fuel consumption. Easily, increased consumption means increased demand and hence, even higher prices. This again means, higher inflation and increase in lending rates by RBI. And the cycle continues!
The least we can do is pledge to buy only expensive cars. Wait till you have saved enough for it and get your money's worth. Till then, we always have the public transportation.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
It all happens for good
Not so long ago, I had a full time, well paying job, was free of family responsibilities and commitments, holiday meant relaxing at home and eating mom made food and going out with friends and not to forget shopping. I felt I was one in a million then.
But all of a sudden, things are different now. I don't have a job, I have to cook and look after my house and dear husband, holidays are still fun but I miss mom made food, friends are too far away to meet, shopping still continues but it is mostly for the house. Today, I feel lost in the Indian diaspora.
This was quite frustrating earlier but not anymore. Today, I am much more happier and all for the same reason - feeling lost in the Indian diaspora.
With no job on hand, I have a lot more time for myself now. It is like having extra 15 to 17 hours a day. This extra time has given me an opportunity to know myself better.
I recently took charge of the canvas and the brush. I loved to paint as a child but couldn't persue the same. It really feels great to do something that connects me to my childhood, brings out the real me and express myself through colours. As I painted, I met the otherside of me.
I never realised being out of job and different from 'the modern, independent girl' could be so satisfying and rewarding. Today, I see a lot many ways opening up for me, a lot many opportunities coming my way. Staying at home, spending time on myself allows me to follow my heart and frees me from all obligations.
It is like living a dream and I now know that it all happens for good.
But all of a sudden, things are different now. I don't have a job, I have to cook and look after my house and dear husband, holidays are still fun but I miss mom made food, friends are too far away to meet, shopping still continues but it is mostly for the house. Today, I feel lost in the Indian diaspora.
This was quite frustrating earlier but not anymore. Today, I am much more happier and all for the same reason - feeling lost in the Indian diaspora.
With no job on hand, I have a lot more time for myself now. It is like having extra 15 to 17 hours a day. This extra time has given me an opportunity to know myself better.
I recently took charge of the canvas and the brush. I loved to paint as a child but couldn't persue the same. It really feels great to do something that connects me to my childhood, brings out the real me and express myself through colours. As I painted, I met the otherside of me.
I never realised being out of job and different from 'the modern, independent girl' could be so satisfying and rewarding. Today, I see a lot many ways opening up for me, a lot many opportunities coming my way. Staying at home, spending time on myself allows me to follow my heart and frees me from all obligations.
It is like living a dream and I now know that it all happens for good.
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