Friday, April 30, 2021
Aaj aur Kal (Today and Yesterday)
Hello to all the readers and hope you are well.
The title refers to how I feel right now and is also a name of an old hindi movie. First of all I would like to thank each and everyone of you for youur support and reiterate the fact that all of you are wonderful and important people no matter what struggles you may be facing right now.
As for me I maybe in a wheelchair and missing body parts like my right eye, right ring finger, ability to be on my feet and voice clarity but I have not lost hope for a better tomorrow.(The term A better tomorrow not to be confused with the following movie title ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Better_Tomorrowhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Better_Tomorrow).
I would like to end with saying that may God bless you all for your time and concern for me and my health.
Thank you and have a wonderful day wherever you are,
Kulwindar Singh
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Job
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Interaction
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Decision Day
When we think about important moments in history, the mind attempts to find our presence in them; we reflect on what we were doing what it happened and our role in the grand scheme of it all. November 4th 2008 was one of those days. Social historians in the future will record the global fascination of this American election, broadcast on countless news channels, with an audience ranging from Budapest to Samoa who enjoyed it vicariously, handicapped by the ambivalence of American foreign policy.
As for me, I was in the state of Virginia, arriving there a day before, for an interview in Richmond. Upon completion I went downtown to help my friend Genevieve at the campaign office on the west side of the city. Fate needs accomplices and on this day it was the volunteers. The office on the second floor of a large building had a large setup filled with posters, signs, and people working at all levels attempting to get the locals to vote. When I arrived there, I expected nothing, but to help, make some people smile and inspire people to vote. My role was to phone and ask if they had voted and arrange transportation for them.
In my conversations over the phone, there was always subtle humour intertwined with funny rejoinders and personalized touching remarks of wistful thoughts. It is this very communication that helped discover a woman absent from the voting lists, who I was able to convince to vote. My help however will be scarce compared to the thousands that especially flew from one part of the country to another, walked in rains to knock on doors, and worked for weeks on end with each approaching day having longer working hours than the previous.
After the polling closed the volunteers from around the city congregated at a pub/lounge with a large room reserved for the campaign. Flat screen televisions covered all the walls with a large one placed at the centre top, and a stage set with mike and speakers for various city officials that later joined. The broadcast was interjected by updates on stage about the counting underway in Virginia. An earlier (and requisite) appearance to take a picture at the podium resulted in a full blown announcement of Genevieve and I being present from Canada. As we watched the results pour in and the night stretched on taking with it the political balance of the country, I stood with strangers united by this hope of change.
Tired from standing I sat down with Genevieve who had especially flown from Vancouver to Virginia to volunteer. With my legs tired, I sat in reflection when I had an epiphany. With the Ohio results announced I was convinced that the election was over due to a quick calculation in my mind as California, Washington and Oregon would vote blue and thus secure the presidential victory. Filled with vim I walked to the acquaintances I had made and attempted to show them my logic. The networks announced the same a few minutes after I had said this, but were careful of any overarching statement as polling was still open.
When the moment did arrive as the West Coast polls closed the room is filled with an electric hush, as exhilarated supporters wait with bated breath to hear their next leader. Screams fill the air as the Obama’s name appears onscreen. People scream, dance, cry, laugh, celebrate, reflect and pray all at once. As the victory settled in, Senator John McCain came to deliver a sombre speech full of sentiments and promise to work together.
Next was the moment that we had all waited for. When Senator Obama did speak on television, hearing his speech and talk about America, at that moment it was possible to believe that everyone, from the recent immigrant to the person ground down, had the chance to share in the building of the nation. His words reminded me of something I learnt long ago, that the most important lesson of life is that there are no losers. Everyone is a winner as long as he/she does what they love best.
After leaving and driving on the streets of Richmond, it felt like that we had conquered the world. As supporters came out in droves, with their yelps of achievement ringing loudly, the stoic police stood guard to keep order. There was a level of chaos, energy and a sense that anything is possible now. It was an awake-ness of sorts. If there was a job satisfaction rating done I doubt anyone would be happier than the people who volunteered. Every face I saw is a memory. Soon the night is over and we all sink back into anonymity.
With a passion for cinema programmed into my genes I thought about a 1957 experimental film called Ab Dilli Door Nahin by the illustrious Raj Kapoor about a young boy from a far-off village journeying to Delhi to meet the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
As for me, I was in the state of Virginia, arriving there a day before, for an interview in Richmond. Upon completion I went downtown to help my friend Genevieve at the campaign office on the west side of the city. Fate needs accomplices and on this day it was the volunteers. The office on the second floor of a large building had a large setup filled with posters, signs, and people working at all levels attempting to get the locals to vote. When I arrived there, I expected nothing, but to help, make some people smile and inspire people to vote. My role was to phone and ask if they had voted and arrange transportation for them.
In my conversations over the phone, there was always subtle humour intertwined with funny rejoinders and personalized touching remarks of wistful thoughts. It is this very communication that helped discover a woman absent from the voting lists, who I was able to convince to vote. My help however will be scarce compared to the thousands that especially flew from one part of the country to another, walked in rains to knock on doors, and worked for weeks on end with each approaching day having longer working hours than the previous.
After the polling closed the volunteers from around the city congregated at a pub/lounge with a large room reserved for the campaign. Flat screen televisions covered all the walls with a large one placed at the centre top, and a stage set with mike and speakers for various city officials that later joined. The broadcast was interjected by updates on stage about the counting underway in Virginia. An earlier (and requisite) appearance to take a picture at the podium resulted in a full blown announcement of Genevieve and I being present from Canada. As we watched the results pour in and the night stretched on taking with it the political balance of the country, I stood with strangers united by this hope of change.
Tired from standing I sat down with Genevieve who had especially flown from Vancouver to Virginia to volunteer. With my legs tired, I sat in reflection when I had an epiphany. With the Ohio results announced I was convinced that the election was over due to a quick calculation in my mind as California, Washington and Oregon would vote blue and thus secure the presidential victory. Filled with vim I walked to the acquaintances I had made and attempted to show them my logic. The networks announced the same a few minutes after I had said this, but were careful of any overarching statement as polling was still open.
When the moment did arrive as the West Coast polls closed the room is filled with an electric hush, as exhilarated supporters wait with bated breath to hear their next leader. Screams fill the air as the Obama’s name appears onscreen. People scream, dance, cry, laugh, celebrate, reflect and pray all at once. As the victory settled in, Senator John McCain came to deliver a sombre speech full of sentiments and promise to work together.
Next was the moment that we had all waited for. When Senator Obama did speak on television, hearing his speech and talk about America, at that moment it was possible to believe that everyone, from the recent immigrant to the person ground down, had the chance to share in the building of the nation. His words reminded me of something I learnt long ago, that the most important lesson of life is that there are no losers. Everyone is a winner as long as he/she does what they love best.
After leaving and driving on the streets of Richmond, it felt like that we had conquered the world. As supporters came out in droves, with their yelps of achievement ringing loudly, the stoic police stood guard to keep order. There was a level of chaos, energy and a sense that anything is possible now. It was an awake-ness of sorts. If there was a job satisfaction rating done I doubt anyone would be happier than the people who volunteered. Every face I saw is a memory. Soon the night is over and we all sink back into anonymity.
With a passion for cinema programmed into my genes I thought about a 1957 experimental film called Ab Dilli Door Nahin by the illustrious Raj Kapoor about a young boy from a far-off village journeying to Delhi to meet the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
North American Debates
There is great euphoria in both Canada and America over the upcoming elections where the right to choose the next leader will showcase democracy in action. The public's most direct access to this process other than the television ads are the televised debates. Though both countries have campaigns, the focus invariably shifts to the larger election in America. In the anticipated and oft analyzed television debates, Senator John McCain's red tie both aligning to his party and juxtaposing Barak Obama’s blue tie illustrates the detail of this exercise with both candidates appearing with full preparation and composure.
Watching them striding and interacting with a clean-cut audience anxiously waiting in a well lit setting would be more in place for a west-end London play than the choice of the common person. Missing in this high debate is interaction with the person on the street who will be ultimately governed. Perhaps it is fitting that the debate is as long as it is for hearing the two men talk about issues ranging from the economy and international relations, something that they are far removed from would seem almost empty.
The craft of their speeches is superb, but, in an odd way, for they replicate the dilemma that it shows the nation is confronting. Structurally, the debates revolves around showcasing knowledge again and again, the topics move from deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan, to dodging future enemy states who are trying to reel in a nation that has gone places guns blazing. However at the end of the day both are at the stage convincing a incessantly television viewing populace that has a plethora of problems from especially economic stability. The looming financial crisis forms the rim of how far they can make promises in these unsavory times.
There was no boisterous promises that have now become a joke in India with a line that starts usually with "Hum waada karta houn" (I promise you) with implications of the changes that will come with the new regime. What was missing was the personal connection (something that apparently the both of the candidates had agreed that they would not be allowed to engage in conversation with the audience). There is no varied crowd from all strata of the country, and even if they were, it would be hard to tell from the almost studio audience like dress code and composure. The very neatness of the affair makes it far removed for the common person who needs inspiration to follow their leaders.
After it is over television analysts take the whole speech apart from the set details to the tone of responses with the issues become amalgamated into sound bytes instead of complex situations that should be given proper discussion and dissemination. Lets see what change the election brings.
Watching them striding and interacting with a clean-cut audience anxiously waiting in a well lit setting would be more in place for a west-end London play than the choice of the common person. Missing in this high debate is interaction with the person on the street who will be ultimately governed. Perhaps it is fitting that the debate is as long as it is for hearing the two men talk about issues ranging from the economy and international relations, something that they are far removed from would seem almost empty.
The craft of their speeches is superb, but, in an odd way, for they replicate the dilemma that it shows the nation is confronting. Structurally, the debates revolves around showcasing knowledge again and again, the topics move from deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan, to dodging future enemy states who are trying to reel in a nation that has gone places guns blazing. However at the end of the day both are at the stage convincing a incessantly television viewing populace that has a plethora of problems from especially economic stability. The looming financial crisis forms the rim of how far they can make promises in these unsavory times.
There was no boisterous promises that have now become a joke in India with a line that starts usually with "Hum waada karta houn" (I promise you) with implications of the changes that will come with the new regime. What was missing was the personal connection (something that apparently the both of the candidates had agreed that they would not be allowed to engage in conversation with the audience). There is no varied crowd from all strata of the country, and even if they were, it would be hard to tell from the almost studio audience like dress code and composure. The very neatness of the affair makes it far removed for the common person who needs inspiration to follow their leaders.
After it is over television analysts take the whole speech apart from the set details to the tone of responses with the issues become amalgamated into sound bytes instead of complex situations that should be given proper discussion and dissemination. Lets see what change the election brings.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
A new beginning
I read somewhere that flashbacks are common to ex-prisoners, police officers, hospital workers, soldiers and others that see and experience trauma. Sometimes it is so sudden that one loses focus of where they are. In the last month I have found myself reflecting on the children and people I have met in India. I think of the million of dreams that are born in that country and at the same time the millions of dreams that die as well. The country is a streaming and sweltering place for the creation of dreams.
Sometimes India has fulfilled my dreams to bring change, and sometimes she has turned it to dust. There are some good, some bad and some very sad memories. But in the dying embers glimmers hope, like shimmering gold after it has gone through fire. It’s the hope India offers that makes me love the country. Spending my time working amongst the hopeful in this country and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn't imagine a better fate than being here yet it has also left me wanting to continue the work after my return.
A part of me has wanted to turn back, with another part reminding me of the work that has to be finished here. And therein lays the dilemma. Slowly over the last month I have adjusted to my new denizen and plan for the future. People constantly seek solace in gods. But I have found my saints, angels and gods in the people around me who help me fit in again.
Sometimes India has fulfilled my dreams to bring change, and sometimes she has turned it to dust. There are some good, some bad and some very sad memories. But in the dying embers glimmers hope, like shimmering gold after it has gone through fire. It’s the hope India offers that makes me love the country. Spending my time working amongst the hopeful in this country and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn't imagine a better fate than being here yet it has also left me wanting to continue the work after my return.
A part of me has wanted to turn back, with another part reminding me of the work that has to be finished here. And therein lays the dilemma. Slowly over the last month I have adjusted to my new denizen and plan for the future. People constantly seek solace in gods. But I have found my saints, angels and gods in the people around me who help me fit in again.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Random Check
There are very few things as enjoyable as making someone laugh or smile. This merriment or happiness has an infectious quality as it not only places the person at ease but also gives a inward feeling of joy. A marvelous feeling indeed. When I remember happy times there is always someone in them that had a laugh or smile on their face. That I can sometimes make others laugh makes me happy as well.
"How does the hair look from the back", I whispered slowly, careful not to make a scene. A lady walking past, heard this and desperately attempted to control her laughter as I smirked at her and the situation. The officer paused but continued to examine my hair. I was standing at the security line of Vancouver International Airport (YVR) where I was told that I was "randomly" selected for a more rigorous checking. I of course had no problem with this and adhered to the instructions. The search may be considered intrusive by western standards with each centimeter of ones clothes, especially folds and buttons being carefully examined. When the officer started examining my head and hair from the back, I could not hold the comment, for the search had now become an exercise in achieving Pyrrhic victory. I could not help but think what could he find there other than a combination of coconut oil and gel, and if that was considered now to be a "dangerous mixture" capable of inflicting damage.
Soon it was over and my bags were also properly searched. As one can imagine, nothing of interest was found in them. Making my way to the gate, I was greeted by two security personnel who with great interest asked my name. After I told them they nodded and went on their way. As they walked away I thought about my name. What does it signify. It was given by my grandmother and I have always kept it in its entirety with no short forms. Living in India especially Mumbai and Delhi I know that a person finds religion in a name; in Punjab they find caste. Whatever they were looking for, I will not know, but by now everyone else was looking at me and no one is smiling or laughing.
"How does the hair look from the back", I whispered slowly, careful not to make a scene. A lady walking past, heard this and desperately attempted to control her laughter as I smirked at her and the situation. The officer paused but continued to examine my hair. I was standing at the security line of Vancouver International Airport (YVR) where I was told that I was "randomly" selected for a more rigorous checking. I of course had no problem with this and adhered to the instructions. The search may be considered intrusive by western standards with each centimeter of ones clothes, especially folds and buttons being carefully examined. When the officer started examining my head and hair from the back, I could not hold the comment, for the search had now become an exercise in achieving Pyrrhic victory. I could not help but think what could he find there other than a combination of coconut oil and gel, and if that was considered now to be a "dangerous mixture" capable of inflicting damage.
Soon it was over and my bags were also properly searched. As one can imagine, nothing of interest was found in them. Making my way to the gate, I was greeted by two security personnel who with great interest asked my name. After I told them they nodded and went on their way. As they walked away I thought about my name. What does it signify. It was given by my grandmother and I have always kept it in its entirety with no short forms. Living in India especially Mumbai and Delhi I know that a person finds religion in a name; in Punjab they find caste. Whatever they were looking for, I will not know, but by now everyone else was looking at me and no one is smiling or laughing.
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