People Like Us and People Like Them

This article, written by Sandipan Deb, appeared in The Financial Express.


In a discussion on the net with a bunch of friends on the film Omkara, I wrote: “Yes, Omkara is the one film this year that all we PLUs have been waiting for.” Asked a dear pal, professor at a New York University: “And what be a PLU?” That set me thinking.

PLU (People Like Us), and the yang to its yin, PLT (People Like Them) entered our lexicon in the early ‘90s. And the terms neatly pinpoint the basic class divide in Indian society, as perceived and lived (in many cases, not even consciously) by the urban English-educated middle and upper middle classes. So what be a PLU?

Of course, we PLUs know another PLU the moment he or she starts speaking. And we know a PLT at first sight. This distinction is important. Many PLTs cleverly manage to dress and look like PLUs, but give themselves away as soon as they open their mouth. But let’s get more, well, scientific. In my mind, to be PLU, you have to fulfill all or most of the following conditions in complex and interconnected ways (and please remember, most of these qualities are necessary, but not sufficient).

• It helps to be a manager/ academic/ media/professional/ creative type (though obviously all people in these professions are not "like us"). If a businessman, you should preferably be in the knowledge/ IT/ ITES/ services industry. If you are a manufacturing entrepreneur, you need to be very strong on the other attributes. If you are a garment exporter or real estate agent, you have no hope of being a PLU.

• Most basic requirement: You have to be evolved in the way you express yourself in English. You could be an investment banker at Goldman Sachs earning a gazillion rupees a year and not be PLU, because you still call up someone and say: "Hello, Rakesh Marwah this side, can I speak to Mr Mukesh?"

• So money isn't important? Well, again it’s not so simple. PLUs are generally doing well in life, but you could do well in many ways, not necessarily monetarily. You could be teaching English Literature at St Stephen’s, earning a modest salary, and be PLU. But then you have to give the impression (or genuinely feel) that you give a damn for what your collegemate is earning. But you could be all that, and teach English Literature at Lala Omprakash College, and there, you’ve blown your chances of ever being a PLU.

• More than anything, education matters. Rarely is anyone who is not from a good college considered PLU. Sachin Tendulkar may end up scoring twice the number of runs Bradman made, but he is not PLU. (His wife is.)

• PLUs are for gender equality, globalisation, democracy. Above all, meritocracy, a concept they have crafted carefully, completely delinking it from any advantages that a PLU may have been born with. PLUs are secular and condemn the Gujarat riots from the bottom of their hearts, but would rather have Vajpayee than Sonia Gandhi, because she is a foreigner (To get over the ignominy of being ruled by a foreigner, all PLUs send their children to foreign lands for higher studies as soon as they can). PLUs are a class created by Dr Manmohan Singh, so feel let down by him, yet believe that he will finally do the right thing (that is, take care of PLU interests).

• But. Again, like everything about PLUs, it's not simple. PLUs have strong ideologies, as described above. Yet all PLUs know that Sitaram Yechury is one of them. Prakash Karat is not, because on TV, he comes across as a humourless Stal-inist to PLUs; he could have been, but missed the bus.

• Everyone who works or has worked in McKinsey is a PLU.

• Sachin Tendulkar may not be PLU, but Rahul Dravid is. So is Anil Kumble, even though all PLUs have been complaining for 15 years that he doesn’t turn the ball. Sourav Ganguly, though from St Xavier's Kolkata, is not, because he lives in a joint family. Shah Rukh and Aamir and Saif Ali Khan are PLU (Saif is currently the paradigm of PLU, and the fact that he could do Langda Tyagi so well in Omkara has made him the PLUs' favourite actor), but Salman will never be. Bobby Deol is PLU, Sunny is not. Sushmita Sen and Preity Zinta are PLUs, but Rani Mukherjee will have to try a wee bit harder to get in. Karan Johar thinks he is PLU, but PLUs (actually a small segment of them) are interested in him only as a post-modern cultural and sociological phenomenon that, if studied, would give the PLU stuff for interesting conversation over drinks.

• Ajay Devgan is PLU because Kajol married him.

• Is Narayana Murthy a PLU? This question keeps PLUs awake at night.

• You are, very likely, not a PLU, if

a) you are pro-reservation in any way, other than economic reservation (unless you are Sitaram Yechury), b) you haven't read The Da Vinci Code, c) you never mention China in your conversations, d) you don’t know at least the first two lines of Hotel California, e) you have never bought a pirated DVD of a foreign film, f) never wondered why Priyanka Gandhi married Robert Vadra, g) not believed in what the BRIC report predicts (even if you’ve never heard of the BRIC report), h) are not willing to give to charity every year, i) you are not proud to be Indian, and have chosen to stay here, and really hate it when your friends from the US come for a visit and never wear anything anywhere but shorts.

Those are the people who are the People Like Us. We are not bad people; like everyone else, we are trying to make sense of this country, and make sense of ourselves. And how to connect the truths that we find at the end of our twin searches. That, I told my professor friend sitting far away in New York, would be the crucial connection. "

छत्री

छत्री

पाऊस हॊता पडत, वारा हॊता सॊसाट्याचा
चाललॊ हॊतॊ रस्त्यावरून, एक छत्री घॆऊन

हाक आली ऐकू म्हणुन पाहीले शेजारी
ठोका चुकला ह्रुदयाचा माझ्या, क्षणभर गेलो हरवून

भिजत होती एकटीच, का कोण जाणे
किती वाईट वाटले म्हणून सांगू तिला पाहून

म्हणालो छत्रीत ये, माणूस आहे तसा मी बरा
हम्म्म्म... म्हणाली ते कळतेय तुम्हाला पाहून

काय दुर्बुध्दी झाली मला, जे तिला विचारले
माझे असेच किती पावसाळे गेले निघून

एक वेळ मी भिजलोही असतो, तिला माझी छत्री देऊन
पण ती भिजत राहिली तशीच, आणी माझी छत्री गेली गंजून

- अनिरूद्ध रहाळकर.

आणखी एक...

आणखी एक...

आणखी एक माणूस
हल्ली समाधीसाठी संभॊग करतो

आणखी एक कुत्रा
तूप चाटून पॊळी टाकून दॆतॊ

आणखी एक बाई
पडलॆला पदर हल्ली डॊक्यावरून घॆतॆ

आणखी एक तरूण
हल्ली दिवसाचीच रात्र करतॊ

आणखी एक वाघ
मांजरीकडून नखॆ उसनी घॆतो

आणखी एक चिखल
हल्ली ज्यात कमळॆ उगवत नाहीत

आणखी एक ठॆच
लागली तरी रक्त यॆत नाही

आणखी एक अश्रू
हल्ली जॊ बाहॆरच यॆत नाही

आणखी एक मी
पूर्वी फक्त बघायचो हल्ली कविता करतॊ

- अनिरूद्ध रहाळकर.

First Mumbai-Pune Kobra meet

17th March Lonavla

Here we go...

Till Friday...

I had least idea about who's gonna come, from where.. nothing. Andy was co-ordinating basically. I got Gunesh's number from him, called him up on friday. We decided to meet at Kalyan station and to reach Lonavla by Deccan.

Saturday...

I had to get up early in spite of it being a saturday, but had to follow lord andy's orders :)
Had never met Gunesh before, just had seen his profile pic, but I managed to recognize him even without his mustache.
Train came a bit late, journey was uneventful too, but we ate everything we could :)
Reached Lonavla bus stand by 10 AM. Andy and Adi were already there. So after formal intro n stuff andy suggested a place called Hotel Mulaquat, so we settled there. It was a small restaurant kinda place but was cool.

When we started the affair, all four members present were from Mumbai. Mr. Prasad Limaye from Pune, the sole representative joined us later. There was no fixed agenda as such but do we Kobra's need it ? Hell no... It hardly took 15-20 minutes for people to settle and get going :)

Discussions consisted of topics from sex to meditation, history to politics, culture, traditions and many more...
They just won't fit here, you just have to be there ! Fag, tea, cold-drinks, snacks everything was there to keep our spirit up.
Finally we adjourned at around 2.30-2.45.

Andy dropped me and Gunesh at Sion station, Adi too got himself (And his wife) dropped at home by a tow-van.
Not gonna mention in detail what happened in journey back home, otherwise he would kill me :)

Had a rocking time.

लाल शॆंबूड

शिमगा झाला
खेळ संपला
आलो घरी
शिंकरले नाक

शॆंबूड आला बाहेर
लाल

काय केले शिमग्याला
रंग फासले तॊंडाला
खेचले लोकांचे पाय
खुन्नस काढली जुनी
चिखलात बुडवले एकेकाला

शॆंबूड आला बाहेर लाल
विचार केला कसा होतो हा तयार

अनेक दिवसांच्या सर्दीने
तो साठतो आत

जेव्हा कोंडतो श्वास
आपण शिंकरतो नाक

तो कसा झाला लाल
झाले शिमग्याचे निमित्त्त
चिकट असतो नेहेमी तेवढाच
पण नसतो रंग त्याला

होत असतो तयार आत
नेहेमीच
निमित्त्त मिळाले की येतो बाहेर
नाक सोलवटेपर्यंत

कधी भगवा कधी हिरवा
कधी निळा कधी लाल.

- अनिरुद्ध रहाळकर.

Human Touch

Heard this Bruce Springsteen song on the radio one evening, never heard it before though it was there in my collection.
I reached home, listened to it again 3-4 times. It touched my heart deeply.

You and me we were the pretenders
We let it all slip away
In the end what you don't surrender
Well the world just strips away
Girl, ain't no kindness in the face of strangers
Ain't gonna find no miracles here
Well you can wait on your blesses my darling
I got a deal for you right here
I ain't looking for praise or pity
I ain't coming round searching for a crutch
I just want someone to talk to
And a little of that human touch
Just a little of that human touch

Ain't no mercy on the streets of this town
Ain't no bread from heavenly skies
Ain't nobody drawing wine from this blood
Its just you and me tonight
Tell me, in a world without pity
Do you think what I'm askin's too much
I just want something to hold on to
And a little of that human touch
Just a little of that human touch

Oh girl that feeling of safety that you prize
Well it comes at a hard hard price
You cant shut off the risk and the pain
Without losing the love that remains
We're all riders on this train

So you've been broken and you've been hurt
Show me somebody who ain't
Yeah, I know I ain't nobody's bargain
But, hell, a little touch up and a little paint...
You might need something to hold on to
When all the answers, they don't amount to much
Somebody that you could just to talk to
And a little of that human touch
Baby, in a world without pity
Do you think what I'm askin's too much
I just want to feel you in my arms
Share a little of that human touch
Feel a little of that human touch
Give me a little of that human touch.

I need it.

Black Friday

Sunday night 9.30. Saw Black Friday.
Spellbounding movie !!! KK Menon was just superb ! I'm a fan !
A must see.

Carnage

Saurabh gave me Max Payne -2 on tuesday.
I like to kill smoothly and save ammo, practiced head-shot a lot in Max Payne -1. I'm an expert now.
MP rocks ! thnx to lil' bro.

Homecoming

Today I caught 7.37 dadar local from dombivli, it's a semi-fast one, last first-class bogie. I was a regular member of 7.37 group once, then I opted for a faster version. Today I just felt like visiting the old love again, so I just followed my instinct.

Most of the members were present, I felt the same old warmth, I was infact quite popular there. Everybody seemed cheerful. Some new members were introduced to me, all were nice. One uncle got retired, One got a son. 1-2 changed there jobs, but the old spirit was still there.

Alas ! but the ladies compartment quality was deteriorated, though the quantity was there :( All aunties and grandmas ! They said it happened because you left. lol !

participated in usual customs, sms exchange, dirty jokes etc. One friend recently visited France, brought a pack of Gauloises, so I got one from it. Nice taste ! got one threading ceremony invitation.

Whatever, but really enjoyed my homecoming ! Missed the Kurla bus, doesn't really matter but.

Osho on word 'Fuck'

It is one of the most beautiful words in English language.
The English language should be proud of it.
I don't think any other language has such a beautiful word.
One Tom from California has done some great research on it.
I think he must be the famous Tom of Tom, Dick and Harry fame.
He says: One of the most interesting words in the English language today is the word 'fuck'.
It is one magical word: just by its sound it can describe pain, pleasure, hate and love.
In language it falls into many grammatical categories.
It can be used as a verb, both transitive (John fucked Mary) and intransitive (Mary was fucked by John), and as a noun (Mary is a fine fuck).
It can be used as an adjective (Mary is fucking beautiful).
As you can see there are not many words with the versatility of 'fuck'.
Besides the sexual meaning, there are also the following uses:

Fraud: I got fucked at the used car lot.
Ignorance: Fucked if I know.
Trouble: I guess I am fucked now!
Aggression: Fuck you!
Displeasure: What the fuck is going on here?
Difficulty: I can't understand this fucking job.
Incompetence: He is a fuck-off.
Suspicion: What the fuck are you doing?
Enjoyment: I had a fucking good time.
Request: Get the fuck out of here!
Hostility: I am going to knock your fucking head off!
Greeting: How the fuck are you?
Apathy: Who gives a fuck?
Innovation: Get a bigger fucking hammer.
Surprise: Fuck! You scared the shit out of me!
Anxiety: Today is really fucked. And it is very healthy too.

If every morning you do it as a Transcendental Meditation-- just when you get up, the first thing, repeat the mantra "Fuck you!" five times -- it clears the throat.
That's how I keep my throat clear!

Apathy toward voting

Today we have municipal corporations elections in mumbai and many other places in state.
Yesterday while talking to some friends about it, I observed a general feeling of apathy toward voting.

Somehow I was disturbed, because they were all people of my age. What will happen to the country if the educated and young people start loosing faith in democracy ?

Personally I strongly believe in democracy, I'm proud to be a part of it. Even statesmen envy it. We are the greatest example of a very deep-rooted democracy. We have a greater ability to sustain anti-social activities. We have so many examples to prove it.

You can not blame the system if you do not vote ! Your vote can make the difference. You have the right to ask the question then.

Think about it, you are the voice.

Roger Waters Concert

Coming February 2007 and Mumbai will rock to the sound of one of the greatest rock legends of all times - Roger Waters, co-founder and creative genius behind Pink Floyd. The Roger Waters Dark Side of the Moon concert tour will be in India courtesy Royal Challenge & DNA Networks and the iconic rock star will perform live at the MMRDA Grounds in Mumbai on Sunday, February 18th! This is Waters' second performance in the country. He was here last in 2002, when he enthralled more than 30,000 fans in Bangalore.

If you're a Roger Waters' fan – this is an event you don't want to miss. He'll be here, live, performing in true Pink Floyd style. For the less aware, this event promises to be an entertainment extravaganza unmatched by any other – because DNA Networks, the event organizer is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that fans get the ultimate Pink Floyd experience.

The event will include signature Pink Floyd effects of thundering helicopters, the pink pigs, and brick walls, combined with psychedelic special effects and a 360 degree quadraphonic sound. The concert is the largest event ever held in India, and Roger Waters is expected to arrive in India a day before the event, with a 12 member band, and more than 32 tons of equipment to ensure fans get the ultimate experience. The concert is also the longest ever held in India, with the legendary expected to perform on stage for close to three hours!

Says the legendary rock star, "My last India experience was phenomenal. The Indian audience really knows how to rock – and Bangalore was a fabulous city. I'm looking forward to being in India again, and rocking with my fans in Mumbai. From what I hear of Mumbai as a city – this is going to be a rollicking experience!"

Gates Open 17:00 Hrs..

All You Floyd Fans...Be there or Be Square...

Pulp Fiction

Saw Pulp Fiction yesterday, a real cult movie. Tarantino is just amazing. I don't really like watching movies on pc, but in last 3 days I saw Babel too. Babel was also nice. Thanks to dc++ and IceDrip.

The spirit of freedom

On one fine day I decided to create my own blog. So now you need a name for it...
I asked some fellows to suggest the title, but I was horrified when I got their inputs !
"Confessions of a dangerous mind", "Big bang theory", "blogger blues", "Milk it !" were few of them. I said enough is enough and started thinking on my own (Which I should have done before).

Guys ! It's just so difficult !!! So many thoughts, total chaos ! I'm screwed again !


23 years of mind fuck, how many still to conquer ! I decided to give some nice name, because I expect even "People Like Them" to comment.

Free Thought Free World is what I came up with.

I don't need money, food, sex, music... Freedom is all I need.

I was in Pune for 3 years, away from home. Days of thunder ! Days of freedom.

Money was tight (Dad's money !). No sex (lol). No mp3 player, had an old walk-man.
Month used to start with a pack of marlboro, and end up with a shared wills.

But it's all about freedom guys ! No "wh" questions, night-outs, booze, shag.

Now the times have changed, I have responsibilities now, personal and professional commitments, your parents are getting older, wife n kids yet to come.

How to enjoy the freedom then ?

Your thoughts are free, your mind is totally under your control, You can think freely, you have a freedom of speech, India is the biggest democracy, you are FREE !

No I have realized that freedom is not just about wandering aimlessly, it's much more than it.
Think freely, discuss, argue, brainstorm, vote. It's all free !

Think about it !