Draft saved from a long time ago. Posting today....
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So, am sitting in my hotel room in Sao Paulo. Watching the glittering lights of a surprisingly elevated skyline of the city. Malbec, 2009, next to me. Listening to Khule Da Rabb. In two languages that I understand but don't speak. Punjabi (my alter ego language) and Assamese (a close cousin to my native Bangla). The weather in Sao Paulo is beautiful. 20 degree Celsius with this gentle breeze blowing. The people, as usual are beautiful in these parts of the country.
And I am thinking of my Dilli. Its only when you visit foreign lands that you really begin to appreciate what is ultimately yours.
Thinking of the microcosm of India's incredible diversity that it has come to represent. I remember being in the "H-Pocket Market" during my last visit. Heard Mizo, Hindi, Bangla, English, Telegu, Nepalese, Thai and god knows how many languages in 30 minutes of eating Momos and the most delectable Kaleji and Roomali Roti. That's the other thing that I miss about Delhi so much - the food - just the diversity of choices.
Dilli blows hot and cold. Its really hot and really cold, depending on the time of the year. The best metaphor I can come up with is a South Delhi Punjabi woman. Who is well educated, spunky, independent and yet traditional in so many ways. And they co-exist beautifully.
Such is my city, Dilli. As an immigrant into the city, I have special love for it like only immigrants can. It made me what I am. I am hard nosed and cynical. But I also like to think I am ambitious and fundamentally fair. Like my city, the most affluent in India. Coming out of a heritage of nothing. 50 years ago, Delhi was a supplanted city. Its traditional residents went to newly created Pakistan. And it suddenly got a million refugees to deal with.
And yet, today, it is the most diverse, the most affluent city in one of the most dynamic economies of the world. Yes, like most of us, it is hard nosed and cynical. But it is immensely ambitious. It is young and intensely competitive.
Delectable. My Dilli.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Memorial Day Musings
So, has been a long time since I have written.
Since, Memorial Day involves a little bit of free time, this might just be the time to buckle the trend. Just back from India.
India invariably teaches me a lot. Of how things are going to be ok. That you can only fight it so much. That its ok.
Some of my close friends say that I am "too Indian". What to do? I realize I am very Indian. Like the greeks are greeks. (with a failing economy). Or the Israelis are Israelis. Or the Irish, Irish. I dont think I need to explain why I am Indian. And not Indo-Irish. We did that shit 100 years ago. I am who I am. We are who we are. I am desi. Without apologies. We eat with out hands and thank god for the environment, that we dont use toilet paper:). It helps that the world is at an inflection point. We are going back to a non western paradigm. Where its ok for India to regain a part of the global economy. (For the uninformed, in 1865, India had a whole of 20% of the world economy). Ok, another 150 years later, we are on the verge of getting it back.
On Memorial Day, it behooves that I talk about my second love, America. The country that gave me what I have, that let me be. That didn't encourage - but didn't discourage. It, like I said, let me be what I wanted. For the good or for the bad. In true free market economics fashion.
So seriously, here I am. Between two countries and cultures that's going to define the 21st century (along with our friend, China). But, in the tripartite, I am glad I belong to the two that are the most open and diverse. Those countries that will never xenphobically kick a religious leader out. And I am damn proud that we gave him and his people Dharamshala.
I am a happy goose, atleast where my lineage and my adult undertakings took me.
Happy Memorial Day and may god bless both our countries.
Fishes~
Since, Memorial Day involves a little bit of free time, this might just be the time to buckle the trend. Just back from India.
India invariably teaches me a lot. Of how things are going to be ok. That you can only fight it so much. That its ok.
Some of my close friends say that I am "too Indian". What to do? I realize I am very Indian. Like the greeks are greeks. (with a failing economy). Or the Israelis are Israelis. Or the Irish, Irish. I dont think I need to explain why I am Indian. And not Indo-Irish. We did that shit 100 years ago. I am who I am. We are who we are. I am desi. Without apologies. We eat with out hands and thank god for the environment, that we dont use toilet paper:). It helps that the world is at an inflection point. We are going back to a non western paradigm. Where its ok for India to regain a part of the global economy. (For the uninformed, in 1865, India had a whole of 20% of the world economy). Ok, another 150 years later, we are on the verge of getting it back.
On Memorial Day, it behooves that I talk about my second love, America. The country that gave me what I have, that let me be. That didn't encourage - but didn't discourage. It, like I said, let me be what I wanted. For the good or for the bad. In true free market economics fashion.
So seriously, here I am. Between two countries and cultures that's going to define the 21st century (along with our friend, China). But, in the tripartite, I am glad I belong to the two that are the most open and diverse. Those countries that will never xenphobically kick a religious leader out. And I am damn proud that we gave him and his people Dharamshala.
I am a happy goose, atleast where my lineage and my adult undertakings took me.
Happy Memorial Day and may god bless both our countries.
Fishes~
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Of Economics and Philosophy (and how far one has traveled)...
So in one of my recent sojourns, on a plane ride from Argentina, I happened to sit next to a Harvard economist.
I was reading Fault Lines and I guess, he was intrigued, and so our conversation started.
Being in an plane with generally verbose economists for 10 hours lends itself to long conversations. And a long conversation it was.
My contention during the whole conversation was that economics is an abstract science. By definition, when we try to define human behavior in logical paradigms (e.g. will low taxation rates lead to greater enterprise activity), it by definition is a reductive science. That tells you that a statistically significant number of humans will act a certain way based on ex-post observations. My contention was economics (or most self important economists) doesn't factor in a vastly changing world ex-ante. And hence the field of behavioral economics.
He, the wise Harvard economist indulged me and then proceeded to give me statistics of things that I fundamentally disagree with. For e.g. how easy credit allows for more innovation (nothing wrong there) or how during economically slow times, government sponsored liquidity is generally beneficial ( again, totally agree).
What he failed to convince me on were two things. One, and most importantly, how does economics include vastly different cultural contexts in its macro-economic theories. Its tough, I know - to have archaic academic theories, with its predisposition to quantitative validation to engage in such questions. Second, if indeed, economists really can predict human behavior to this extent (which ultimately is what economics is - the ability to predict mass human reactions based on certain inputs) - why is it that behavioral economics and macroeconomics are not much more closer as academic disciplines.
Ultimately, I think it all comes down to a certain philosophical disposition. And for all that's its worth - here's mine.
Human being react differently. For e.g. there are cultures that wouldn't think twice before charging their kids rent if they live in their parents after they turn 18. And there are cultures for which it would be the most uncivilized thing to do. So, do people in these two cultures react exactly the same when faced with the exact same macro-economic factors. My contention is no.
And then there are core social factors. Guanxi in China. Jugaad in India. The whole world is not an arms-length economics set up like the western world generally is.
Unlike most shareholder based corporate structures in the west, most Asian corporate cultures are family based hierarchies - even though they are publicly traded companies - and unlike the west, they are tolerated, even encouraged by their shareholders. And there-in lies the rub.
Personally, my opinion is that most macro-economics theories - because they originate from the west, fail to account for critical cultural differences in non-western cultures. And because of the inexorable wealth transfer from the west to the east, my thought to our revered Harvard economist was that current macro economic theories are going to be irrelevant in the future.
I am not an academic. I could be wrong. And yes, the Harvard economist didn't agree. But I am from Columbia too. I couldn't care less:).
After all, we have more Nobel laureates then they do!
I was reading Fault Lines and I guess, he was intrigued, and so our conversation started.
Being in an plane with generally verbose economists for 10 hours lends itself to long conversations. And a long conversation it was.
My contention during the whole conversation was that economics is an abstract science. By definition, when we try to define human behavior in logical paradigms (e.g. will low taxation rates lead to greater enterprise activity), it by definition is a reductive science. That tells you that a statistically significant number of humans will act a certain way based on ex-post observations. My contention was economics (or most self important economists) doesn't factor in a vastly changing world ex-ante. And hence the field of behavioral economics.
He, the wise Harvard economist indulged me and then proceeded to give me statistics of things that I fundamentally disagree with. For e.g. how easy credit allows for more innovation (nothing wrong there) or how during economically slow times, government sponsored liquidity is generally beneficial ( again, totally agree).
What he failed to convince me on were two things. One, and most importantly, how does economics include vastly different cultural contexts in its macro-economic theories. Its tough, I know - to have archaic academic theories, with its predisposition to quantitative validation to engage in such questions. Second, if indeed, economists really can predict human behavior to this extent (which ultimately is what economics is - the ability to predict mass human reactions based on certain inputs) - why is it that behavioral economics and macroeconomics are not much more closer as academic disciplines.
Ultimately, I think it all comes down to a certain philosophical disposition. And for all that's its worth - here's mine.
Human being react differently. For e.g. there are cultures that wouldn't think twice before charging their kids rent if they live in their parents after they turn 18. And there are cultures for which it would be the most uncivilized thing to do. So, do people in these two cultures react exactly the same when faced with the exact same macro-economic factors. My contention is no.
And then there are core social factors. Guanxi in China. Jugaad in India. The whole world is not an arms-length economics set up like the western world generally is.
Unlike most shareholder based corporate structures in the west, most Asian corporate cultures are family based hierarchies - even though they are publicly traded companies - and unlike the west, they are tolerated, even encouraged by their shareholders. And there-in lies the rub.
Personally, my opinion is that most macro-economics theories - because they originate from the west, fail to account for critical cultural differences in non-western cultures. And because of the inexorable wealth transfer from the west to the east, my thought to our revered Harvard economist was that current macro economic theories are going to be irrelevant in the future.
I am not an academic. I could be wrong. And yes, the Harvard economist didn't agree. But I am from Columbia too. I couldn't care less:).
After all, we have more Nobel laureates then they do!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Life lived backwards
Have you ever thought of your life in terms of "what-ifs"?
Have you ever looked back and wondered what it could have been? Of course, human nature is such that we tend to have a much more positive view of our past than how we actually lived them. But yet, for some of us, when you realize your own shortcomings, it is a compelling exercise.
Where would I be if life didn't pan out in critical junctures like it did? Where would I be today?
So, today I thought about it. Am I happier for what I am? Or not?
As I watch my beloved Michigan State play Ohio State for the Big 10 championship, I am thinking. I flew in from Brazil this morning. Havent talked to any of my friends in a week. Ate some random chicken and rice over lunch and thinking if this is really how my life is going to be, going forward. Or, as I intrinsically feel, maybe its time to take a jump. Maybe its time.
But its good!! Michigan State just won! (Big 10 champs and a number 1 seed in the NCAA !!)
The one thing I am scared of is the so-called normalcy. Reading the New York Times today, I found a book review. Its called Why Be Happy When You Can Be Normal. Its one of my pet topics. Given how "normal" we Indians always want to be, regardless of any consequences, it was fun reading the review.
And yet, for all the intellectualization of a rather simple issue, I feel like its time. I have lived alone for a long time now. Maybe its time.
Have you ever ever been in a situation where you felt, perhaps, that your thoughts were getting too complicated, too involved? Life's desires can be so simple. Yet, over-simplification of complex things sometimes mentally stultifies you.
Sorry about the post. Even as I save it, I know it doesn't make a lot of sense.
Fishes folks.
Have you ever looked back and wondered what it could have been? Of course, human nature is such that we tend to have a much more positive view of our past than how we actually lived them. But yet, for some of us, when you realize your own shortcomings, it is a compelling exercise.
Where would I be if life didn't pan out in critical junctures like it did? Where would I be today?
So, today I thought about it. Am I happier for what I am? Or not?
As I watch my beloved Michigan State play Ohio State for the Big 10 championship, I am thinking. I flew in from Brazil this morning. Havent talked to any of my friends in a week. Ate some random chicken and rice over lunch and thinking if this is really how my life is going to be, going forward. Or, as I intrinsically feel, maybe its time to take a jump. Maybe its time.
But its good!! Michigan State just won! (Big 10 champs and a number 1 seed in the NCAA !!)
The one thing I am scared of is the so-called normalcy. Reading the New York Times today, I found a book review. Its called Why Be Happy When You Can Be Normal. Its one of my pet topics. Given how "normal" we Indians always want to be, regardless of any consequences, it was fun reading the review.
And yet, for all the intellectualization of a rather simple issue, I feel like its time. I have lived alone for a long time now. Maybe its time.
Have you ever ever been in a situation where you felt, perhaps, that your thoughts were getting too complicated, too involved? Life's desires can be so simple. Yet, over-simplification of complex things sometimes mentally stultifies you.
Sorry about the post. Even as I save it, I know it doesn't make a lot of sense.
Fishes folks.
Monday, February 27, 2012
NPR Wisdom
We all know who not to argue with. NPR being one of them.
And NPR(specifically, WHYY), reported today that writing is one of the most cathartic experiences of all. Trust NPR to research something as esoteric.
fishes folks!
And NPR(specifically, WHYY), reported today that writing is one of the most cathartic experiences of all. Trust NPR to research something as esoteric.
fishes folks!
Friday, February 24, 2012
From another lounge in another airport...
My regular readers know the drill. Another day, another airport, and yet another random post.:)
My existence at this point of my life, at this exact point is very interesting. I am sitting at an airport in Brazil, drinking scotch whiskey, talking to a Frenchwoman and a Peruvian man, going to the United States and dreaming of good old bengali Indian food. (while, for some reason, my iPod decided to play Shakira, a Columbian...:))
Anyways, am going back home today finally. I want to be home - its been two weeks and I am a little tired of staying at hotels. It was a wonderful week. I went to the Carnivaal for the first time - and my god, whatafuckingparty. I have seen a few parties in my day, but I have never ever imagined anything like this.
There are some things best kept to oneself - but lets just say, it was good. It was unbelievable. Maybe I shall post some videos of the party one of these days:)
So all in all an exhausting week. In many ways. But a week to cherish. Off to talk to my French woman now:)
Cheers folks...
My existence at this point of my life, at this exact point is very interesting. I am sitting at an airport in Brazil, drinking scotch whiskey, talking to a Frenchwoman and a Peruvian man, going to the United States and dreaming of good old bengali Indian food. (while, for some reason, my iPod decided to play Shakira, a Columbian...:))
Anyways, am going back home today finally. I want to be home - its been two weeks and I am a little tired of staying at hotels. It was a wonderful week. I went to the Carnivaal for the first time - and my god, whatafuckingparty. I have seen a few parties in my day, but I have never ever imagined anything like this.
There are some things best kept to oneself - but lets just say, it was good. It was unbelievable. Maybe I shall post some videos of the party one of these days:)
So all in all an exhausting week. In many ways. But a week to cherish. Off to talk to my French woman now:)
Cheers folks...
Sunday, February 19, 2012
From the Renaissance Hotel, Sao Paulo
It is sort of weird blogging from the swanky bar of the Renaissance Hotel in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
It's a combination of intense boredom, sipping a drink and the utterly beautiful women who frequent this place. I had to stay back this weekend for meetings that, ironically going to be held on that one day of the year, that is a holiday for both Brazil and the United States. But such is life..
Buddha lounge music in the background. Dim lights, candles.. Single malt in front of me. Wish my iPad had a camera and I could capture it. Post carnival lethargy seems to have caught up with the place. It's much more chilled out than I have seen. Even the stunning hookers who frequent this place are no where to be found.
Spent Sunday in a way that mirrored most of my weekends in New Jersey. Leisurely lunch - except that here, it was very high quality duck confit. Some very nice beer. And a siesta in the afternoon. Did some proposal work. Talked to S. Thought about my friend N. She just recently lost her dad. Need to call her.
Nothing to write really. Have to work tomorrow - but it's good, frankly, being the boss. It keeps you away from the specifics. Get involved just as much as you want to.
I miss being at 28 Coventry. Not that there would be any more company. Probably less. But miss sleeping on my own bed. Miss the good old smell. My anchor.
Permanence is funny, isn't it. It's constricting yet comforting. Something that everyone wants and yet shuns. I think I have it good. I am a wanderer. But I have a place, in a beautiful, quiet suburb of New Jersey that I can call my own. And a home in New Delhi, that is mine. In my dilli.
Fishes folks, have a nice Sunday.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
It's a combination of intense boredom, sipping a drink and the utterly beautiful women who frequent this place. I had to stay back this weekend for meetings that, ironically going to be held on that one day of the year, that is a holiday for both Brazil and the United States. But such is life..
Buddha lounge music in the background. Dim lights, candles.. Single malt in front of me. Wish my iPad had a camera and I could capture it. Post carnival lethargy seems to have caught up with the place. It's much more chilled out than I have seen. Even the stunning hookers who frequent this place are no where to be found.
Spent Sunday in a way that mirrored most of my weekends in New Jersey. Leisurely lunch - except that here, it was very high quality duck confit. Some very nice beer. And a siesta in the afternoon. Did some proposal work. Talked to S. Thought about my friend N. She just recently lost her dad. Need to call her.
Nothing to write really. Have to work tomorrow - but it's good, frankly, being the boss. It keeps you away from the specifics. Get involved just as much as you want to.
I miss being at 28 Coventry. Not that there would be any more company. Probably less. But miss sleeping on my own bed. Miss the good old smell. My anchor.
Permanence is funny, isn't it. It's constricting yet comforting. Something that everyone wants and yet shuns. I think I have it good. I am a wanderer. But I have a place, in a beautiful, quiet suburb of New Jersey that I can call my own. And a home in New Delhi, that is mine. In my dilli.
Fishes folks, have a nice Sunday.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, February 12, 2012
From Sao Paolo
The last few weeks have been a handful, in terms of travel. NY>CA>NY>Brazil>NY>Hong Kong>Tokyo>NY>Brazil.
Was supposed to add another one by flying back to NY for the weekend and then being back here on Monday. Last minute change of plans and here I am, sitting at the Marriott in the center of the business district of Sao Paulo, wondering if I should just eat at the hotel or go out and figure what to do.
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Completing from New Jersey...
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This was some trip. Ended up staying for 14 whole days in a hotel in Sao Paulo. It was interesting. After the glitz and the novelty of any place wears off, one pines for the familiar. In my case, (inspite of being the carnivore that I am..), it was getting good desi khana. Eventually, found a place called Tandoor. The owners were from Mumbai. Asked them to make me something off-menu. Daal Chawal. With Bhindi Fry. And a simple chicken curry. With bone. Thankfully, they obliged.
It, amongst all the Zagat rated restaurants that I ate in, was singularly the most fulfilling meal. As a matter of fact, I ate the rice, with my hands. Something, I would never even do in India.
Made me realize that we, as humans, always revert back to our comfortable mean. And that, for all my cosmopolitanism, it was the simple Indian food that I have grown up eating. Eating in the way that i like it.
Sao Paulo is a wonderful city. Much like an Indian city - it is filled with contradictions. In the parts that we stayed in, the prices were beyond New York for food and drinks. And yet, there are vast parts, where people just struggle to meet ends meet. Seems like the Gini Coefficient, is much like India. A little research on Wikipedia told me it was a lot worse. Makes sense. Louis Vuitton against endemic hunger was not a scenario far fetched.
Two things about Brazil (however cliched it may sound). One, the people are really really nice. And warm. Much like Indians. (and generally, nothing like anglo-saxons - much measured, formal people). They will invite you out from work, get their family members, call 10 other people you have never met. And everyone will drink and have a wonderful time.
And two, the women are really, really, really, really hot. And when I mean hot, I dont mean hot in the NY City kind of way. They are different. Women are really women. Not semi wannabe men.
The food was ok. The pizza is great. What I loved was how the Brazilians love to get lunch. Not grab lunch like us Americans. But get lunch. Salad, main course, coffee. Its beautiful and infuriating at the same time.
Paulista and Bela Cintra in Sao Paulo are nice places. Chances are, I may spend a lot of time there. This may just be one of the central stories of my senior managerhood as I make partner. On the other hand, it may not. We will see.
Cheers, one and all. Be happy. If all goes well, hopefully will post a few pics of the Carnivaal....:)
Was supposed to add another one by flying back to NY for the weekend and then being back here on Monday. Last minute change of plans and here I am, sitting at the Marriott in the center of the business district of Sao Paulo, wondering if I should just eat at the hotel or go out and figure what to do.
--------
Completing from New Jersey...
--------
This was some trip. Ended up staying for 14 whole days in a hotel in Sao Paulo. It was interesting. After the glitz and the novelty of any place wears off, one pines for the familiar. In my case, (inspite of being the carnivore that I am..), it was getting good desi khana. Eventually, found a place called Tandoor. The owners were from Mumbai. Asked them to make me something off-menu. Daal Chawal. With Bhindi Fry. And a simple chicken curry. With bone. Thankfully, they obliged.
It, amongst all the Zagat rated restaurants that I ate in, was singularly the most fulfilling meal. As a matter of fact, I ate the rice, with my hands. Something, I would never even do in India.
Made me realize that we, as humans, always revert back to our comfortable mean. And that, for all my cosmopolitanism, it was the simple Indian food that I have grown up eating. Eating in the way that i like it.
Sao Paulo is a wonderful city. Much like an Indian city - it is filled with contradictions. In the parts that we stayed in, the prices were beyond New York for food and drinks. And yet, there are vast parts, where people just struggle to meet ends meet. Seems like the Gini Coefficient, is much like India. A little research on Wikipedia told me it was a lot worse. Makes sense. Louis Vuitton against endemic hunger was not a scenario far fetched.
Two things about Brazil (however cliched it may sound). One, the people are really really nice. And warm. Much like Indians. (and generally, nothing like anglo-saxons - much measured, formal people). They will invite you out from work, get their family members, call 10 other people you have never met. And everyone will drink and have a wonderful time.
And two, the women are really, really, really, really hot. And when I mean hot, I dont mean hot in the NY City kind of way. They are different. Women are really women. Not semi wannabe men.
The food was ok. The pizza is great. What I loved was how the Brazilians love to get lunch. Not grab lunch like us Americans. But get lunch. Salad, main course, coffee. Its beautiful and infuriating at the same time.
Paulista and Bela Cintra in Sao Paulo are nice places. Chances are, I may spend a lot of time there. This may just be one of the central stories of my senior managerhood as I make partner. On the other hand, it may not. We will see.
Cheers, one and all. Be happy. If all goes well, hopefully will post a few pics of the Carnivaal....:)