Priorities: The Space Race – Checked?
24 May 2012 Leave a Comment
by jillinthebox90 in Home, No Expectations Tags: 2012, Apathy, Awareness, Blogging, Developing Countries, First-timers, Hypocrisy, Journalism, Mera Sixty-Deka Duith, Politics, Sri Lanka, Trying Times
I am fascinated by astronomy. At night if time and location permit I look up and try to identify the little constellations I know and make my own in secret. A much awaited visit to the Planetarium recently instilled in me once more my childhood liking for stars and jazz.
The Daily Mirror today – thank you for all the updates – brings us news of Sri Lanka joining the global space race. This was immediately after reading that the country would be ready to implement the LLRC recommendations.
At first I questioned at the necessity of appointing a Committee (headed by the Presidential Secretary himself) to implement the recommendations made by the Commission. While I do appreciate the division of labour and delegation of responsibilities, the caricature of a few politicos hovered over a desktop at a conference table fails to escape my mind.
Proceeded by this realisation, I read on Sri Lanka’s venture into the stars. The numbers are big. I think they are even bigger than the tsunami relief that we received. We all know which seas they were washed into.
Despite being a space enthusiast I am not for Sri Lanka launching its first space satellite. It would have been more apt if it happened a few years ago as an initiative taken with Arthur C. Clarke involved – yes fan girl talking.
Yet now, I see this as an ill-planned, ill-timed course of plan, like most other things we see happening today.
P.S. – Jillinthebox90 apologises for the (many?) glitches in this article in terms of content, language and accuracy. More content could be obtained from the front page story of the Daily Financial Times.
Developed Country Much?
23 May 2012 Leave a Comment
by jillinthebox90 in Home, No Expectations Tags: 2012, Apathy, Blogging, Developing Countries, First-timers, Ignorance is not always blissful, Journalism, Mera Sixty-Deka Duith, Politics, Sri Lanka, Trying Times
Some people sure do act fast. So now SF is to have a new political party lu: “Democratic Party”, Daily Mirror tells me. I thought I read somewhere that upon being released from court that he won’t be allowed to partake in politics or something to that effect. Pardon the lack of information but politics is just not my cup of tea. I understand it and am interested in it, in bits. Like business and law. In my defence, I am still learning.
When we were in school, I remember Social Studies very well. After leaving school I realised that not only did they not teach us “how to socialise” but they also did not teach history that escaped the shores for Sri Lanka – not the syllabus I was taught at least. Such a fail. My knowledge of the World Wars and Revolutions has been extracted from the internet and literatures.
One of the things I learnt for Social Studies – yes bits have retained in my memory – was the difference between developed and developing countries, the first world and the third world. I remember – I hope I have remembered right – that having two major political parties, the Government and the Opposition.
Clearly, our country is not heading in that direction. Especially not with the new political party joining the x-number of unheard and unseen opposing political forces. Not that I’m against Fonseka – it may seem like it is so – but no I am not against him or his actions. I am apathetic towards the state of politics, I haven’t voted to date – I had legitimate issues being a December born – and I don’t live in the country.
Would it be too idealistic and juvenile to ask for a joint Opposition with well “opposing” points of view?
I think yes.
P.S. – Jillinthebox90 apologises for the (many?) glitches in this article in terms of content, language and accuracy.
When Media Fails
20 Apr 2012 9 Comments
by jillinthebox90 in Home, No Expectations Tags: 2012, Awareness, Developing Countries, Ignorance is not always blissful, Islam, Journalism, Oppression, Sri Lanka
This post is ironic as I too am presently in a media organisation, but then, I could justify my statement by stating that I do not work for a “news” organisation and therefore the post does not necessarily apply to me. However, the post is being written from the perspective of a citizen and not a media personnel.
Just today I was Googling – since most inspiration is drawn from this domain – for news happening in the country as I needed a story having lost one of my leads. The only story which seemed newsworthy to pop up on Google was that egg-less chicken. All I could hope for is that this being a one-off case and not something that would happen more frequently. I like my eggs and chicken as two separate entities.
A few hours later, something newsworthy did come up. The Dambulla mosque attacks or protests or something to that extent – I am not too sure. Why? Because there was no information on the internet – again, since that is our first source of information. Tweeps from Sri Lanka waited patiently online to hear any piece of information with regard to what was happening in Dambulla. A foreign correspondent from BBC was supposed to be responsible for the “breaking” of this news. Pray, on behalf of all citizens I ask, where were our local news organisations during this time? Print and electronic media have their local or regional correspondents and where were they during this vital hour? Hats off to Ceylon Today for being the first official media for providing a few lines with regard to the situation but what about the rest of the media?
People turn to the fourth estate for information. When this information is not provided when something “new” or “news” takes place, pray then, what is the purpose of media after all?
With The Dark Hour Approaching
30 Mar 2012 Leave a Comment
by jillinthebox90 in Home, No Expectations Tags: 2012, Black, Developing Countries, Devil #win, Environment, Hypocrisy, Ignorance is not always blissful, Trying Times
So Earth Hour is to take place this Saturday, same time, all the places. I still recall the madness and frenzy when it took place last year. Running around the hostel trying to switch off all lights with the irony of having to see the warden watching the idiot box in darkness.
This year, Earth Hour is coming and the weather will “supposedly” not permit anyone to turn off their fans and boredom will keep them from shutting down their laptops. I read up on controversies that led to this campaign and they speak of the fumes of candle and how it is hazardous to the environment.
Furthermore, the theme for 2012 speaks on the lines of “If you will, I will”. I don’t know how many people will, or comprehend the necessity of this not-yet-commercialised-save-the-earth-campaign let alone “will” for it, thus it’d just leave me and well, myself. Oh and, I, too.
The problem I see with the world today is the fact that they take everything for granted. The fact that there is an unlimited supply of whatever required available with dealers, both legal and illegal. Despite the horrendous economic calamity that is taking place, I sincerely doubt that the economy has not thrived as much it is now since the time of the barter system. People are in debt, yet they continue to buy. Fuel prices increases, yet the sale in the number of vehicles do not decrease. CoL is atrocious and the dollar back home is gaining like there is no tomorrow, yet people continue to populate and buy luxury items that could feed hundreds, if not thousands.
In this light, why should people practice Earth Hour? Production has to run in order to avert colossal losses. People have to continue to buy, buy and hoard more than their wardrobes or storage places could hold.
We are all turning out to be capitalist slash consumerist bitches. I too am one. Environmentalism seems to have conveniently found itself outside the window.
We No Longer Have Time to Save the World
16 Jan 2012 2 Comments
by jillinthebox90 in Home, No Expectations Tags: 2012, Apathy, Black, Blogging, Developing Countries, Devil #win, Environment, Faith, Hypocrisy, Ignorance is not always blissful, Life in a New Land, Pressure, Soul Searching, Sri Lanka, Trying Times, Yindiar, Youth
I used to be an environmentalist. Then I came to India.
With all due respect to Indians, this is not me being my usual racist ways but I am truly and deeply concerned. The country has astounding rates of poverty – no I do not know the figures but I know it is bad – it is overpopulated – contradict me, but when there isn’t room to budge in the street, yes it is crowded – and no one is doing anything about it.
The place where I live: a reputed girls hostel in an even more reputed educational institution. I was surprised at how much of food – purchased from outside – was wasted, how many lights were left on, taps unclosed but then my bewilderment was nothing in comparison to what it was upon the dawn of Christmas. While gaudy may perhaps be the ideal term to describe the decorations, the number of lights used – not even CFL mind you – were just, so many. To my utter amazement, while most electricity was consumed by these ugly – I know that everything is beautiful in its own way, but even the term grotesque beauty would not suffice to describe the pathetic state of the driveway.
That’s when it dawned on me. Please note that my observations are entirely objective.
The West maybe is not so keen on letting the East come to power because they wouldn’t want consumers of a similar nature in this world. On the contrary, like most in the East, I do agree that the West would not want to share their resources with the rest of the world. Bah. There goes our Economics lesson on the equal distribution of resources flushed down the toilet.
But then again, I cannot help but blame natural human tendencies. The more we earn and the more our purchasing power increases, the more we buy. We make ends meet and even surpass it, at times.
I agree that God did not create us perfect so that we could find our purpose in this world. Just today I was justifying man’s flaws and the search for purpose. But what happens when all our flaws submerge to the same big fat ugly truth?
I used to be an environmentalist. Then I grew up. I manage my expenses less and I’m also ashamed of myself when compared to what, my philosophies once were. India only opened my eyes to the reality I was denying.
Childhood Fantasies
04 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
by jillinthebox90 in Home, No Expectations Tags: 2011, Black, Blogging, Developing Countries, Faith, Ignorance is not always blissful, Individuality, Journalism, Life in a New Land, Miserable, Planner, Pressure, Sri Lanka, Trying Times, Work, Yindiar, Youth
Probably as a result of all the developmental psychology, I tend to apply the theories to my life and see, if I too have been a part of all these teachings while growing up. I suppose I have, and I don’t know which came first – the teachings and its application or a genuine sense of confusion – but my instinct tells me that at present it is Erikson’s Identity vs. Identity Confusion that has come in to play with my life now. Yes, I know that it is for adolescents, but as the lecturer said, the latter part of one stage tends to overlap with its proceeding stage. Yes, let’s go save my ass.
As a child of four years I wanted to become the President. CBK was my role model then and as purple was her favourite colour, it was mine too – the purple three wheelers I insisted to go in! Then came the eras of the doctor, mechanical engineer, the pilot – which hung around for a LONG time -, psychologist, then after A/Ls I started working as a journalist. When I left to India last May, I knew two things: I liked to write, or rather I enjoyed writing and I like all the subjects I was going to study.
Now however, a year a little few months after studying I have realised a few more things: I still like all my subjects; I have to do honours in either psychology or literature, if not it would be problematic during post-graduation; communication, journalism and media in particular cannot be taught – the best of journalists (at least the ones I know whom I consider to be the best) comes with aeons of experience (think that applies to most professions in Sri Lanka); I am inclining towards literature, though I have no idea what I would want to do after.
One of the biggest problems I faced when I went back home was the question of, ‘What would you do after your degree?’ Clearly I don’t want to do Masters immediately. I wouldn’t mind, provided it is during the evening or weekend and I could work simultaneously. I know I want to stay in Sri Lanka, but yes there is that slight craving for London (I have no idea where that came from). I don’t mind teaching, for a while but no, not a life long career. Research? Lots of issues to deal with there.
Why couldn’t times be like that of our parents? When opportunities were limited and we didn’t have to dwell long and hard on our futures. Yes, I know I’m being lazy and irresponsible now. Everyone would be a doctor, or an engineer or wait, that is my Indian mentality coming in to play now.
Or why couldn’t we just stick to the ambitions or career choices we opted for while children? Why can’t I be the next President. Yes, you may roll your eyes.
When I was fifteen, I wanted two things in life before I turned nineteen: ten piercings and at least one published book of all that poetry. I would turn twenty-one this December and I have seven piercings and all that poetry locked away.
27 Club
24 Jul 2011 2 Comments
by jillinthebox90 in Home, No Expectations Tags: 2011, Apathy, Black, Blogging, Developing Countries, Hypocrisy, Journalism, Life in a New Land, Miserable, Trying Times, Yindiar, Youth
So Amy Winehouse is dead. I can’t believe that she actually is, even after the lapse of a day. It were the same sentiments that I felt when Britanny Murphy died two years ago. Funnily enough I was never ardent fans of either, maybe just took it for granted that they would be around forever. I suppose that happens with everyone around.
Amy’s death which seemed to dominate all ten Trending Topics on Twitter yesterday made me realise that the world still cares. Or maybe I say that to make myself happy. With regard to Trending Topics however, it took a slightly different turn with a hash-tag of #blamethemuslims. Naturally, I was flabbergasted. More than a hundred people die in developing countries everyday – I might be generalising but then again, don’t we all? But Oslo is bombed and a few hundred die and suddenly it is newsworthy. Not that it shouldn’t be, by all means it should. But the fact that it has been given as much attention in comparison to, for example the West Asia attacks? In an attempt to justify the mentioned statement I would put it down to Media’s nature of reporting that of which is new, current and all that jazz. For all we know, West Asian attacks have been going on forever, Gaddafi has been in power for eternity.
I was told by a very close friend that Bangalore is so mundane that it lacks the desired inspiration to blog. Recalling the words of my Editor with a slight modification to them, the emergence of inspiration or opportunity solely depends on one’s own ability to create it.
Living in this what I would call “inhospitable” land has not only made me more appreciative of the place from where I come from, but has also given me ample time to think, rethink and look in to the possibility of “What If?” in the context of the news that I hear around me.
Thus I wonder, what if things didn’t turn out the way it did? What if, Amy Winehouse was still alive, would she have given up her addictive tendencies some day? What if, I were to give up media, rejoin the musical scene and to be knocked down by a drunk driver and die at twenty-seven?
Afore mentioned ample time provided also has its downsides. One’s ability to look to the most unlikeliest of probabilities in the period of extreme hormonal reaction. Sigh.
Passing the Pipe
15 Jun 2011 4 Comments
by jillinthebox90 in Home, No Expectations Tags: 2011, Awareness, Developing Countries, Devil #win, Life in a New Land, Mera Sixty-Deka Duith, Pressure, Sri Lanka, Trying Times, Yindiar, Youth
Yes, I did recognise the trend of reminiscent and nostalgic posts that preceded this one, but for some peculiar reason, I cannot help myself. Tsk tsk. Nonetheless, this post was – I would not use the word “inspired” as the moment was not entirely praiseworthy – decided upon after having come to India after Summer. To some extent I do believe that this one was a long time coming, but this instance I believe was the ultimatum.
In the context of the United Nations those falling between the ages of 10-24 have been declared youth and according to Wikipedia those between infancy and puberty as children. For those of whom who know me, you maybe familiar with my use of term, “Child”. I say it with neither the intention of patronising nor overly humble * as if that made any sense* Point being is that I use the word, maybe a little too much for the liking of certain individuals. Leaving the use of terminology aside, in my context I describe children as all those below the age of approximately eighteen. Or rather, those still living custody of their parents. I know my Mother still considers me to be her “child”, a) because I’m the youngest in the family and b) hence, I will never “grow up” regardless of the increase in chronological age.
Drawing myself back to the triggered instance, it was the very night Pavani and I got back from home. Driving to the hostel at 9-10pm in the night, I told the cab driver to make shop-stop. I did not tell him that I needed Sprite to beat the indigestion but merely asked to stop, in my broken Hindi. In response to my request, the first thing the cab driver – good soul, Bless him – asks me was as to whether I wanted to buy cigarettes?
I do not smoke, I do not drink and that does not mean that I’ll see you in Heaven. However, the question he asked me did surprise me, a lot – hence the blog! I maybe in my twenties but having been rejecting food for an entire week, I sincerely may have looked so. Thus, having looked a teenager or young adult, I did not expect to be asked by an adult or someone older than I, as to whether I wanted to buy cigarettes.
Having come to India, one thing I realised the most was that “children” who smoked and the availability to birth control and safe sex measures – with the latter being a relatively positive thing, I think – is high. At least it is in comparison to Sri Lanka. Or like I keep saying, “Maybe we don’t move around with the “right” circles back home.” Nevertheless, I love my little circles, squares and triangles.
Coming back to country with a populace of nearly one billion, it maybe a natural thing for the simultaneously increasing number of children, adolescents, youth or whatever they are called to become fixated to a vices and adopt a change in their lifestyles.
As a student of American Literature, I learnt that certain vices ironically draw communities together. Passing of the pipe during Tribal days among the Native Americans was a mark of fraternity and oneness.
However, my conscience fails to accept the fact that this “passing of the pipe” among Indian kids as thus. In that context, I maybe going one step beyond the boundaries given to me by stating this but, from what is observable to me, those whom we consider to be elders may not always offer the best of advice. Instead, they may even be the catalyst of such vices among youth, like the cab driver.
As previously stated, he was a cab driver, and I’m not Indian. Now all you Indians who surround my present dwellings may throw your chappals in disagreement. I am purely exercising my freedom of expression.
Growing Up
09 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
by jillinthebox90 in Home, No Expectations Tags: 2011, Black, Developing Countries, Life in a New Land, Miserable, Oppression, Trying Times, Women, Yindiar, Youth
I miss being a child. I miss the times when everything was the least complicated. I miss the times when I was driven to school, food given to me in a nice orange lunch box and the mere thought of school. Most of all, I miss the fact that I vaguely remember what once was. Elaborating further, I regret the fact that I remember things vividly upon recollection.
Having to come back to India, while I was home I was compelled to begin the tedious task of packing. A two-month long vacation that I once thought would never be over when I first came down in June 2010 and also prior to leaving in April. Now in India, I still remember my first night home – the Nescafe that was not strained and the beef sandwiches which had to be heated in the small frying pan. I remember what I wore, I remember what I did after I came home. I dislike the fact that I can remember all this. However, I do not remember as to how those sixty-plus days came to an end so fast.
I keep telling myself that India is temporary. Given that one year flew without us even realising is just amazing. Like I said, growing up helps keep all the days that you look forward to and dread remembering. Sigh. Life would have been better with a closed economy and oppressed women who weren’t allow the freedom of higher education.
Earth Hour
10 May 2011 Leave a Comment
by jillinthebox90 in Home, No Expectations Tags: 2011, Developing Countries, Environment, Hypocrisy, Individuality, Life in a New Land, Pressure, Sri Lanka, Trying Times, Yindiar
It’s a little late in the day I know. In fact, it was the first thought that crossed my mind upon opening a new tab, but still, better late than never eh? Now coming to think of it, Earth Hour has been on my probable blog list for sometime now, ah we all know where that went. However a post on LBO resurrected this dying thought.
Despite claiming to be an environmentalist, I must say that I do very little for the environment. In as much as there is so much I want to do, at times my measures are limited to merely switching off a monitor, which does not happen always either. I managed to get rid of the microwave at home a few years ago, only to have two air conditions, a high pressure, vacuum cleaner, electric grill and a few other electrical appliances consuming nearly 1000 w or more in my house now. At this point of time, the only term that blinks vividly in front of me is hypocrisy.
However, there is this infamous Earth Hour which I think to be is a great concept. While it maybe overrated, I appreciate the positivism it engulfs. Even if people do it for the sake of doing it – turning off the power for an hour #RhymeAwhile it does make a change. In this context, I believe that by turning off one light, fan, television that is used in that one room of your house or apartment creates a world of a difference. But the question lies with being unable to accept that the same is made when I turn off a monitor at my workplace only to get a minor-verbal bashing from a co-worker.
Being in India for Earth Hour this time, I was surprised to find out as to how little people knew about it. Looking back on that day, I think I am more disappointed and saddened by that forsaken hour as opposed to being surprised. The girls in the hostel were curious to find out as to why all the lights were switched off. Last year I vaguely remember being at an event during Earth Hour.
The train of thought flows. A call interrupts it. This is followed by an invitation for chocolate mousse, which is delightful. The blogging resumes and I contemplate of ways to segregate the waste at home.
