R-Rated

Nearly a month into our return from “the land of opportunities”, I am trying to figure out the opportunities the Motherland has to offer. Being in India , the key thing I DON’T need to worry about is whether a company has to sponsor a visa for me, but rather will I find the quality of a potential new job satisfying and challenging and of course, how much moolah will I be offered. Having said that, one probably has to fight off the “slave mentality” of Indian managers here and the unsaid requirements of long hours at work (never a handicap but leaving the office at around 5:30 PM might still be considered “half-day” by certain nut-cases totally ignorant about the fact that the work-day began at or before 8:00 AM). Being a firebrand myself, it’s definitely going to be tempting for me to fight back (and I mostly will in my own subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle ways) to such Oppressors when the need arises. Almost every good paying position in my industry and whereabouts seemingly...

Before I begin this post, my sincere apologies to K, Su and the rest of the ladies who crave Mumbai/Pune street food (you are about to be disappointed). Dudes, I am not apologizing to you, you won't mind. In no particular order, this is what I have consumed last week; Ragda Pattis, Pav Bhaji, Chole Bature, Bhel Puri, Dahi Puri, Bread Pattis, Paneer Pattis, Wada Pav, Aloo Paratha etc. and some of the regular lunch/dinner fare. My weight, you would think, would have ballooned to proportions you can only associate with such heartily oily, but deliciously tasty food. But, it is not that bad, considering the heat I am subjected to on a daily basis. My sweat glands are working over-time and are asking for a salary hike. Pune has been kind so far (with emphasis on the 'so far'), with just a Bharat Bandh last week that did not disrupt my schedule or travel to/from the office. Hinjewadi is quite isolated from Pune city and so it was uneventful for us even though 1...