NHS- a melting pot

When I came to England for the first time in 1998, I was not expecting to meet and get to know people from so many nations. My Italian colleague could not understand why I spoke to my Indian (Goan/South Indian) friends in English while I seemed to use my own tongue to converse with people from Pakistan. It made matters worse for the poor man, when we tried explaining that the two languages had different scripts, but were spoken in a similar way. He had enough trouble remembering names of my colleagues from Africa, Middle East and South East Asia. Greek, Polish, Russian, German, Egyptian.... NHS employs them all.

2009 here in our staff residences, has been a good year. The celebrations started at Eid.  Arrival of disposable and non disposable containers of rich sewai and steaming Hyderabadi Biryani from the neighbourhood, made our day. This was then followed by the whole neighbourhood, celebrating navratra. Some of the more auspicious days had us relishing sweets and snacks from multiple households as they celebrated in their own unique ways. Little girls were in demand too, for the well known "feast for the girls" ritual. We missed Diwali, as we were in India, but I am sure there must have been much festivity then, and finally Christmas is here.

For children living in England, Christmas is about gifts and decorations and for the local people it is also a time for family gatherings. Our customary walks to the beach were much more lively during the holidays as extended families in groups were walking together, apart from the usual dog walkers. There were even wreaths laid on the seats looking out to the sea, which had been erected in memory of couples from the previous century, who had perhaps enjoyed the beach then,as much as we do today.

Christmas is about decorated wards, shops and houses. Christmas brings to life, the otherwise depressing and dull winter. But what most families like ours, simply cannot escape, is putting up and decorating the Christmas tree and finding presents to go underneath it. Children love the suspense of looking longingly at the increasing pile of gifts under the tree to be opened on Christmas day. At work, paper invitations of various Christmas get togethers go up on walls, for people to put their names down on. Though Christmas get togethers and exchange of gifts and cards can cause a lot of stress to a lot of people, some of whom have been known to say- "I hate Christmas"

On Christmas day too, our melting pot neighbourhood, did not fail us. We were treated to sweets and snacks from a South Indian Christian family. Trying to explain to my son, why Christmas was more important for this Indian friend and neighbour, even though the rest had Christmas trees peeping out of their windows, was interesting.

His observation that he would not like to move into a big house as he will lose all his friends was made note of, by us. I will remind him, when he is older, looking for a bigger house, bigger car....when life will be much more, than tearing around over hills and plains, in rain and snow in his bike!

Hopefully he will still have friends to bike around with!

मीठी मीठी यादें

बड़े दिनों से देवर जी की ख्वाइश थी कि मै हिन्दी में लिखूं । हाल फिलहाल की भारत यात्रा, इस श्री गणेश के लिए अति उत्तम है।

भारत जाना हमेशा एक निराला अनुभव होता है। दोस्तों रिश्तेदारों से मिलना, बाज़ारों के चक्कर...हालाँकि हर बार कुछ न कुछ एकता कपूर के नाटक कि तरह दिलचस्प और रक्तचाप बढ़ाने वाला हो ही जाता है लेकिन फिर भी.....

बच्चों के खिल खिले चेहरे देख कर ज़रूर दो किलो खून बढ़ जाता है। फिर चाहे वो सड़क पर चलते वाहन रोक कर पटाखे चला रहे हों, पड़ोसी की छत पर अपनी रॉकेट की उड़ान देख रहे हों या चाचा के सामने बैठ कर स्कूटर चलाने का लुफ्त उठा रहे हों,  या जीप के पिछले  हिस्से में खड़े हो कर हवा खा रहे हों.लेकिन इस बार तो दीवाली के अलावा उन्होंने दिल्ली दर्शन भी किया.

काश अगर हम भी बच्चे होते ....हम तो कोल्हू के बैल बने हैं, धोबी के गधे ....दुनिया भर के धंधों में हमारी भारत यात्रा का मुख्य ध्येय था, एक ज़माने पहले खरीदी हुई दुकान को अपने नाम कराना. भारतवासी भली तरह वाकिफ होंगे की पैसों से खरीदी हुई खुद की चीज़ को सरकार  के नज़र में अपना केहेलवाने  के लिए कितने पापड बेलने पड़ते हैं.

हमने अपने पापड़, दिल्ली हवाई अड्डे पर कदम रखने, के कई दिनों पहले से बेलने शुरू कर दिए थे। दिल्ली में रहने वाला हमारा छोटा भाई, फ़ोन पर हमारी आवाज़ सुन सुन कर पक गया था.  उस बेचारे ने जीजू का मान रखने के लिए बिल्डर, बैंक, वकील सबके चक्कर काटे लेकिन इसके बावजूद हम कुतुब मीनार को दूर से ही तरसती आंखों से देखते हुए , कमल मन्दिर से माफ़ी मांगते हुए, वकील के घर जो सुबह पहुंचे तो शाम को लौटे।

वकील के घर,  हम जैसे कई लोग अपने फ्लैट की रजिस्ट्री के लिए बैठे थे. एक दम्पति अमेरिका से आये थे. हम सब एक दुसरे का परिचय ले और दे ही रहे थे की हस्ताक्षर के लिए पोथियाँ पकडा दी गयीं. बीसियों पन्ने और हर पन्ने पर बाएं हाथ के अंगूठे के निशान और हस्ताक्षर दोनों, दोनों जन के. काफी मेहनत और लगन से हम इस कार्य में जुट गए. कहाँ हस्ताक्षर हो रहें हैं, कागज़ पर क्या लिखा है, सही है या नहीं, इस सब की फुर्सत कहाँ.  चूँकि सब इस दलदल में फंसे थे, किसी ने यह सवाल उठाया भी नहीं की यह पुलिंदा हमे एक दिन पहले पढने के लिए देना तो था.

अब तक तो सब एक दुसरे को जानने लगे थे, स्याही, कलम से एक दुसरे की मदद भी कर रहे थे. तालाब के  दूसरे छोर पर अटकी नैया में बैठे सभी बड़ी जल्दी एकजुट हो जाते हैं. मंजिल एक हो तो हाथ अपने आप एक दूसरे को थाम लेते हैं.

फिर शुरू हुआ इंतज़ार का सिलसिला "हमारा आदमी कार्यालय में है, जैसे ही हमारा नंबर आएगा, हमे फ़ोन करेगा" फिर बिल्डर वाले  साहब से अमेरिका से आये हुए साहब ने पूछा "मोबाइल का बिल कंपनी देती है?" जवाब मिला "कहाँ साहब, बिल भी खुद देते हैं और मंदी की वजह से तनख्वाह भी ज़माने से नहीं बढ़ी."

मुझे समझ में नहीं आता की कुछ साल पहले, बिना मोबाइल के  कैसे काम चलता था. आजकल तो टैक्सी, धोबी, नाई, बढई....सब "व्यस्त हैं, कृपया इंतज़ार करें".  भारत के ये  छोटे स्तर के व्यवसायी, सी एन एन पर एक दिन चर्चा का विषय बने हुए थे. संवाद दाता सड़क  के किनारे  पर बैठ कर नकली दांत बनाने वाले और उनकी दक्षता पर टिपण्णी कर रही थी, जब उससे अहम् सवाल किया गया-"क्या कोई भी इंडिया में टैक्स देता है?" अच्छा
 सवाल है.

काफी देर के इंतज़ार के बाद उसी क्षण पचीस हज़ार रुपये की मांग की गयी- आपकी दुकान की मार्केट वैल्यू बढ़ गयी है, इसलिए स्टांप ड्यूटी भी. झट पट घर जाकर दोनों माताओं के बटुए टटोल कर हम फिर हाज़िर हुए बाएँ अंगूठे और कलम के साथ. वकील के यहाँ चौकीदारी  करने वाले चहचहाते पक्षी अपने पंख समेट कर मुरझाये से बैठे थे. पता लगा "साहब" दादरी गए हैं, बस किसी मिनट आने वाले हैं. जब तक साहबजी दुर्लभ बने हुए थे, हमने चाट और पान का मज़ा लिया. वापसी में हमारे साथ इंतज़ार करने वाले  मिल गए. सुबह वाले जोश में सब बोले "आपको पहले चाट खाने जाना था"

फिर हम एक कमरे का ग्रेटर नॉएडा प्राधिकरण का कार्यालय, वहां पहुंचे. एक तरफ पंखे के नीचे एक बाबू अपने सामने खुली पोथी और पीछे बंद पोथियों के ढेर के बीच बैठे थे. कमरे के बीच में पारदर्शी दीवार थी और उस दीवार में तीन छोटी छोटी खिड़किया थीं. दीवार के दूसरी तरफ दुर्लभ वस्तु यानी "साहब" बैठे थे, एसी में. हर खिड़की के पीछे एक बाबू  और सामने एक कुर्सी थी. बाबू  आवाज़ देते, हमे कुर्सी पर टिकाया जाता, डिजीटल कैमरा से हमारा चित्र और स्कैनर  से हमारे बाएं अंगूठे का निशान लिया जाता और फिर अगला नाम पुकारा जाता.

भूत शहर की पदवी पाने वाले, मंदी की मार से जूझते अमेरिकी शहर, डेत्रोइत से आये हुए साहब से रहा नहीं गया और बोल पड़े- "मंदी , यह  मंदी है ?" जींस पहने दम्पति ने कार्यालय के चारों ओर अस्थायी रूप से बने सैकडों नोटरी, वकील इत्यादि की दुकानों में  खड़े दर्जनों लोगों को नज़रंदाज़ करते हुए, एक दूसरे के कमर में हाथ डाल कर तस्वीर खिंचवाई. सब ने एक दूसरे को मुबारक बाद दी.

दूकान हमारे नाम हुई लेकिन योगदान बहुत सारे लोगों का था. हम सब मिल कर कवाब फैक्ट्री गए. कवाब फैक्ट्री के मेनू में से बीच की दाल  सब्जी का सिलसिला हटा देना चाहिए. पेट बेचारा तो नाना प्रकार के कवाब(शाकाहारी भी) से ही भर जाता है और फिर मिष्टान्न तो जैसे कैबरे करती हुई हेलन गा  रही हो "अब तो आजा" भला इसे यानी मिष्टान्न को कौन ना  कह सकता है. कुल्फी, फिरनी, जलेबी रबडी, गुलाब जामुन, शाही टुकडा....

हम वापस आ गए बाकी रह गयीं सिर्फ मीठी मीठी यादें!

Who am I?

When I was in Middle school in a small town in India we used to have visitors from the foreign land- a land filled with mystique in my then, soft clay like brain. The visitors, who were actually relatives travelling from South Africa, looked like us, but smelt different (mixed aroma of perfumes, aftershaves, shampoos..I can now guess), communicated nearly always only in English, brought gifts and were generally a very welcome break from the monotony of school and home for me.

But even though they loved to look around the town and marvel at the roadside dentist, optician, palmist, blacksmith, potter and florist at the "purana bazaar", some of them would insist on taking the long and often tiring journey by train, taxi, bullock cart and foot to my mum's village, which is where their great or greater grandad came from.

I am ashamed to say that I have not yet visited the village in question and as a little girl I was not able to understand, their need, to see for themselves, where they had originated from. Today I try to retrace that journey and realize it was probably a quest to answer the crucial question- "Who am I?".

Years ago people in England, would belong to a church, would be part of each other's lives in birth, death, sickness and marriage.But, as times changed and polygamous kings challenged the authority of churches and their views on divorce and abortion, numerous other churches came into being and today less than 1 in 10 people will call themselves Christian in England. Local commnunities have ceased to exist and politicians talk about mending broken society in Britain.

This has resulted in ironical situations. A British Airways employee went to court and lost her appeal to be able to openly wear her cross. A nurse faced disciplinary action for "offering" to pray for a very sick and old patient.

Yet, we have seen a resurgence of wavy beards, skull caps and hijabs, even amongst professionals like doctors and cricketers. Infection control has stripped Consultants of ties and jackets but the wavy beard is here to stay, in multicultural Britain.

Do religious doctrines, help people hold on to their faith in times when it comes under attack? Does it help answer the question about who they are, where do they come from, what do they believe in? Are youngsters attending Sunday School, less likely to play truant and be directionless?

We will never know. What we do know is that people are different and trying to club them together in the name of secularism and multiculturalism doesn't help. That is the reason, politicians continually and successfully play the various cards- race card, religion card, region card, caste card, class card, Europe card....all over the world.

People live an anonymous existence, especially in big cities and yet the need to belong to a group remains. The popularity of various groups on internet, a throbbing community today, is witness to this need.

We should recognize our need to belong....accept and celebrate our differences by practicing tolerance (quite successfully done in a majority of diverse India), rather than disregard our identities and try to be like each other (like the Hindu Indian NHS Consultant in the early 90s whose house was decorated like a market fair for the Christmas party he liked to host, all in an attempt to "fit in").

No pain, no gain!

Everybody's antennae stand up on their heads when they spot an unusual name amongst the patients in the hospital. Next quesion is- Does she speak English?

The opening up of the UK to the EU has ensured that we are exposed to a variety of nationalities, peoples, cultures and languages. So in a country where we struggle with women requesting a caesarean for no reason, we may have to deal with a woman who had lost three of her family while having a caesarean in Africa and is terrified of even a suggestion that she may need a caesarean. The terror makes communication difficult but worse still, sometimes we may find no translators for an African dialect and have to spend an hour and a half worth of three point translation from English to a European language and into an African one.

Pretty young European women, who are pregnant, jump the queue for being alloted a house. This makes some people resentful, but it makes things worse when they realise that the woman in question, has not lived in Europe but has acquired a European passport by being in an African country, which was until a few years ago, a colony of a European country.

Translation has become huge business in the UK. Schools with classful of children who don't speak English make teachers work twice as hard. Public services feel the brunt of the influx, especially where large numbers have settled down.

Strikes by a number of industrial workers protesting against companies opting for "cheap immigrant labour" is something happening more frequently, as the recession gets under way and makes news.

British workers probably need to remind themselves of Darwin's rules of survival of the fittest and reinvent themselves and move out to Europe, just like Mumbaikars, who need to think, why hordes of non skilled workers from Bihar, continue to find work in "amchi Mumbai".

Businesses work on basis of supply and demand, profitabilty and cost effectiveness. Doing business is easier, as long as you can remain competitive.

But as capitalism limps ahead, propped up by socialistic measures like intravenous boluses of tax payer's money, struggling businesses abandon social responsibilty. Common people like us are asked to bike to work, not go on flight holidays, recycle our rubbish and do our bit, while huge machines turn old cars into scrap, to kickstart the automobile industry.

What about all the wars which have taken such a huge toll on human life? America is top exporter of defence goods and this tiny island country is next- 21% market share.

The think tank has advised the Government that investing in Defence firms is likely to get us out of recession than investing in Banks! Well, that is not rocket science! But I wonder how you create a marketing campaign to create demand for defence services.

They envisage that since the wars on terror have been more successful in recruiting terrorists at home and abroad, the world is going to need kits to protect themselves from terrorists and also pirates- thankfully for the defence firms, they have made a comeback too!

It is not just doctors who benefit from other people's suffering.

So much for the symbiosis or interdependence of the two worlds- civilized, democratic and green and not so civilized, democratic and green.