Today I complete Four Years back in India

Exactly four years ago I left Ottawa to come back to India. It has been four years of intense engagement in the field of ICT4D. There are have been many highs and many lows.

I have travelled, met new people, worked very very hard, even at the cost of my health, and actually lost out on the personal front of keeping myself in the fittest of health.

As a new expat back home, four years ago, it was with a lot of hope and expectation that I returned. One thing was certain. I needed to focus more on myself, and to do my bit for the country.

As I reflect on the four years spent, there has been not a moment that has been boring. Tiring, yes, but boring, no.I am also sure that the next phase of my life is going to be the final innings of my working life, before I plan and retire to enjoy the fruits of my hard work, and do the things I want to do..

What are those things that I want to do?

- Attend live concerts - western jazz, instrumentalists, classical maestros (hindustani or carnatic).
- Complete the cookbook that I am working on, and enjoy hosting friends and family over at my place.
- Socialise and network (which I still love doing).
- Travel to the beautiful Kashmir Himalayas (the one bit of Himalayas that I have not travelled much to, except to Srinagar, that too in the middle of strife).
- Relax and read books.
- Write a novella/ short story book
- Become Debt Free!

I will be looking out for new opportunities to further the skills that I have acquired, and also to move ahead with the zeal and enthusiasm that has always kept me going. Certainly a change of pace is on the cards. More to take on a role that will give an edge to the quality of the work, and one that gives adequate value for money that we deserve.

Surely to keep with the inflation, unless there is an average increase of 25% in the wages earned, one cannot cope with the rising prices. That will be high on my cards.

Geeta Kohli is waiting to become a grandmom

There comes a cool bonus for being a sis of Geeta Kohli, my wonderful eldest sister. Both her kids Juni and Mini are waiting to become proud parents anytime in February/March 2008. What a wonderful bonus for Geeta, and an opportunity to shuttle between USA where Mini lives with Sarvesh, and India (between Delhi/Motihari in Bihar) where Pratibha and Juni (Mohan PS Kohli) lives.

Mohan, my fabulous nephew is currently on a national mission mode programme with the WHO's National Polio Surveillance Project. He is a medical doctor who has specialised in public health administration from National Institute for Health and Family Welfare, and for the past two years dedicated his life in the most vulnerable pocket where Polio virus still continues to attack the kids, despite massive immunization efforts of the government.

Poverty, traditional mindset, interiors of Bihar with little or no development, superstition all cause problems for the polio programme to take full effort. But the dedicated doctors and mission members have not given up. They are all at it. Kudos to Juni and the team members for serving the nation, and putting the family next to service.

Geeta is my dear sister, and my guardian angel. She has been there for me during my thick and thin. She is a wonderful soul, who does not hesitate to call a spade a spade. She is also the greatest mom, who has nurtured two wonderful children, and dedicated her life to her family, her extended family, and all her younger siblings (we are eight kids in the house, and she is the senior second!).

Geeta's ability to communicate, her encyclopedic knowledge of many things, her sensitivity to people, emotions and her own frail emotional self are all to be admired. The trio sisters, Geeta, Raji and Jaya (self) all have pledged to be by each other's side, and to be an emotional support. In the picture taken on the beaches of Calicut are from left to right - Geeta (with the bag), Jaya (with the mobile phone hanging), and Raji (in a cheerful bright dress).

I am going to be the happy beneficiary of Geeta's new awaited status - Grandmom. Wow! I will also become a younger grandmom of her kids' children. She always blesses me and pours love, and I am sure she will be as loving a grandmom, as she has been a wife, daughter, daughter-in-law, mom, dear sister... the list of relations that surround her goes on and one.

The best thing, she always has time for people. Love you Geeta, and best wishes for the new role that awaits you!

Baking Pizzas in the Electric Tandoor

As you all know, I love to cook. In the past two weeks, I have been struggling to discover oil-free and salt-less cooking. Having to spend less time and create wonderful vegetarian cooking made me to explore the desi Pizzas on an electric cooker. All you need is the pizza base which is nowadays available in most Indian metros for Rs. 7.5, the sauce, and vegetables to embellish it. I love using onion, tomatos, bell-peppers, american corn (frozen variety), and topping it with oregano and parsley, and final layer of vegetarian Pizza Cheese. Bake for 10 minutes flat, and a crispy medium sized pizza is ready. The cost comes to about 30 rupees for a pizza, all inclusive. I brought two of them to work yesterday, and it turned out to be a great hit! I hope to share other recipes with you folks in future.

Crazy things are happening in NOIDA

The last week of December is often ending up bizarre. A couple of years ago, the Tsunami hit like anything, snuffing away millions of lives in Asia. The recent serial killing in NOIDA - where I have been living since May 2004 seems to be horrendous. Poor migrant workers, trying to eke out a living were losing kids, often any from the age of 3 to 20. The story has unfolded and two persons have been arrested. Police apathy, and system failure to give any hearing to the woes of the poor and disempowered parents is something that shocks most of us, but this story has really jolted me out.

I am deeply saddened by the happenings.

When will we be humanitarian?

The Travel Bug

The Travel Bug



Works on Coral Reefs protection in Spain. Looks great. I fully support this. Its a dream to be part of this magnificant rainforest of the seas. Last year, in May 2005, I had a chance to spend time learning diving to study the flora and fauna diversity in Langkawi islands in Malaysia. We also spent time in Penang, which is another beautiful but slightly larger island that Langkawi. The best holiday I had so far.

Madhukar's recovery was miraculous

Since the last 9 days its been a daily visit to the hospital at Holy Angels in New Delhi. Getting a feel of what it is to face the rock bottom with one's health. Madhukar, my friend has been in Intensive Care Unit, battling a severe attack of pancreatis. But Dr. Mahajan and Dr. Joseph, besides the nursing care staff have all toiled hard to help Madhukar pull through this. He is likely to be shifted to the general ward today. I would hope with another lease of life for him. Hope its a turnaround time for all of his family, and time to bounce back to normalcy. Everytime I drive down to the hospital and come back, I have bouts of anxiety, tension, and this gives me lots of introspection opportunities. Wondering why we are so fragile, and how fine the human body functions, as long as it functions.

Jaya, Delhi, 22 March 2006

Free Airconditioning for North India

This was a magical change to a hot and sultry Delhi. Trying to get a grasp of what the global warming can do. Bring rain, and actually cool down the city. Its been five months since I returned from Ottawa and have been painfully re-adjusting to the heat and dust of the city that gave me the education, and sort of hanging roots.

Looks like yesterday's rains are the signals for winters to come by, nothing like the the Polar winters in Canada. No snows really but cool fall.

My plans to visit the city of Chennai was cancelled at the last minute since the hosts did not have enough chairs (read seats) for a Partner's meeting. With two days of time freed up, I decided to go ahead and do all the small nick-knack tasks that have become pending in the last two weeks.