Sudipta's Life

[Introspective post alert again! Not for the faint of heart!] If you go up to a school kid and tell him that his school is the worst in town, what do you expect to hear? Yes, I am referring to an average kid and not a disgruntled 3-time failure of a bully in the class. Well, to say the least, you get to hear a lot of expletives, a lot of indignation, and a stubborn resolution that no, you are wrong... his school is the best! Or at least, if not the best, it is a good school; certainly not the worst. The question is, why? You know, this perception, this subtle ego remains alive no matter what you do. I saw my friend's mother proudly pointing out to almost everybody who came to her home that her husband could lift a 50-kilo iron weight just by the little finger while he stood dead-straight. It appeared funny to me, but she was so proud of the fact that I never quite mustered courage to laugh. And as I think now, I should never have. Let me give some more examples before I explain. Yo

Ok, junta, I am back from Scotland now... and I am in good old amchi Mumbai. Two or three more posts are coming up on the Scotland visit... but first things first! I don't know if you have this, but I have an innate should-not-get-mugged feeling whenever I step into a big place where I know little around. On Friday, I dropped into Kolkata to attend USEFI 's Pre-departure Orientation programme --- a small seminar which was supposed to arm us well for the big journey to the far side of the world! I have been in Kolkata a number of times... almost know all the main routes and stuff, but connecting routes and trying to figure out how to go to any other place outside the ones I know is not something I trust myself with. So, as per directions from a lady who is a true Kalkatte-waali , I took a cab and reached the American centre on time. You know, it always feels good to see a familiar face smiling at you when you reach these places. This good lady was standing there, all bright and