The Fixer: A Spoiler free review

The diminishing habit of reading – I postulate – is one of the major reasons for the reverse Flynn effect being noticed the world over. As the average age of the population is reducing in many countries across the world so is the average intelligence level, primarily due to our need for instant gratification through effortless entertainment. A need to be stimulated without exercising ones mental faculties is a malaise fast spreading across this generation who want their daily fix at the tap of a virtual button but I digress.

Fact of the matter is that any and every effort made towards encouraging the habit of reading is commendable and should be appreciated. When the effort is in the form of a book which has the potential to attract non-readers to the fold – it is admirable indeed.

There have been authors (Chetan Bhagat is an example) who, while not known for exceptional literature, have by dint of their own unique writing style, played an essential role in the revival of interest in books in the last decade. The number of bestsellers churned out by these authors effectively demonstrates that relatable characters and engaging storylines trump highfalutin literature.

Falling squarely in this genre is “The Fixer” a thrilling fictional account of a cricketer (Neil Upadhyay) with unrealized ambition who gets caught in a web of corruption and treachery in his search for validation. Suman Dubey adopts a less is more approach towards designing the story which results in a fast paced narrative.

Take a newly formed cricket league which involves businessmen in the gentlemen’s game add women, fame and riches to the mix and a dash of high stakes gambling- the stage is now set to replicate the early years of India’s IPL which tread a similar path after its inception. In fact many of the characters and situations written about in the book sound and feel familiar and I am sure that most readers will go through a feeling of Déjà vu while reading the book – but since it is fiction any resemblance to actual people or events has to be coincidental right ?

Launched at the time of IPL 2020 and based on cricket – this book is bound to be appreciated by all cricket lovers who will pick up the book owing to their love of the game and remain glued to it to savor the protagonist’s eminently real journey into the morass of corruption that seems to be overtaking the sport.

The family intrigue, the chicanery and machinations of the so called loved ones, the hegemony of the select few, it is all there and more. “The Fixer” teaches without being preachy and entertains without being frivolous it wheedles its way into your thinking and you end up caring for some of the characters whose lives are unfolding in front of you.

The only grouse I have with this book (and I know I am nitpicking here) is that I felt a little more comic relief would have added value to the story. Knowing the author the way I do – I am aware of the massive flair for tongue in cheek comedy that he is capable of and was slightly disappointed not to find that particular element in this book.

I strongly recommend reading this book not only for the story but also for the style of narration which while breezy and light does succeed in conveying its message in an entertaining manner. Neil Upadhyay and his family (representational in so many ways) welcome you into their lives and are bound to stay with you even after you put down the book.

Order ‘The Fixer’ now: https://unlk.in/TheFixer/

Of fishes, trees and Genius

“Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.” A quote from Einstein (As per a social media forward)

I find it hard to believe that someone as gifted as Albert Einstein would have made such a ludicrous statement.

Firstly everybody is not a genius. The word Genius cannot be bandied about so casually. It signifies an exceptional level of intelligence or skill, with proven successes and achievements in multiple fields. Leonardo Da Vinci well known painter and artist, was also an engineer, architect, scientist, inventor, cartographer, anatomist, botanist and writer. He had achieved mastery in all the above fields and can be called a true Genius.

Secondly if anyone is judging a fish by its ability to climb a tree, such a person has clearly and unequivocally, by dint of his actions proved beyond any doubt, his inability to be an adjudicator. Not only is he ill equipped to be a judge, he may possibly be suffering from some mild form of mental illness and is best ignored.

Thirdly if the fish listens to and values the judgment of, such an incompetent judge, it exhibits its impaired sense of awareness and disqualifies itself from any claims of Genius.

People like Leonardo Da Vinci, Newton, Goethe, Galileo, Erasmus etc. were geniuses not because the society considered them so – but in spite of societal discrimination, prejudice, intolerance and fatuous judgments.

That’s it – off my soapbox for now. The social media forwards always get my goat 🙂

Online education – The new normal?

The Covid 19 pandemic has brought life to a virtual standstill – the world has changed and everyone is focusing on ways to navigate this new and unfamiliar landscape where the old rules are no longer operative. While hunger, poverty and lack of resources are the major areas of concern it should also be kept in mind that over 1.3 billion students across the world are unable to attend schools/universities due to the various measures adopted by governments worldwide to prevent the spread of the virus.

Norway/Austria/Gleenland/New Zealand/ Iceland/Belarus/Turkmenistan/Vietnam etc are some of the few countries which have opened up their schools. (As per the Unesco website)

It is impressive that most of the educational institutions have risen to the task and have implemented distance learning mechanisms to ensure that the impact on students’ education is minimized. There has also been a surge in online education platforms with many choosing to provide educational tools free of charge or at very low cost to help students have access to education. I have noticed that there seems to be a general feeling of satisfaction around the way that this problem has been addressed, with some opining that online education is better than classroom education in many ways and that it is here to stay.

While online education undoubtedly has its benefits by way of reduced cost, comfortable learning environment, choice to learn at one’s own pace etc., it is very obvious that it comes with its own set of challenges which need to be acknowledged and addressed.

Some concerns with online learning (In the complete absence of classrooms):

Not everyone has access to online learning. The poorer strata of people would struggle to have access to computers/Internet connections etc. Furthermore technical issues such as slow web connections, older computers etc. will hamstring the process.

The onus of education rests more on the students than the teachers. Students with low motivation and unhealthy learning habits will fall behind. Insufficient regulation at home could result in students digressing from their focus area as there is no shortage of diversions on the net.

Some things cannot be taught online. To learn swimming one has to get into the water. Soft skills like Problem Solving, Critical thinking, Conflict resolution, Teamwork, Organizational skills, etc. cannot be taught in a virtual classroom.

Physical interactions with peers and teachers is an integral part of academic education, instilling in the students an understanding of cultural diversity and their own individuality. Collaborative learning fosters understanding and friendships and potential professional bonds which aid in the overall development of the students.

The above points are just a few of the issues that will impact a large section of students many of whom are going to struggle in the coming years when the time comes for them to get gainfully employed. It could result in a debilitating effect on their lives and careers and lead to another humanitarian crisis at a later date. Others could end up with a lot of knowledge but lack social skills, understanding and empathy for others which could be more dangerous for the society.

So while opening up the economy seems to be the top priority of many world leaders – opening up the schools is also vital. Unless we are ok with our leaders of tomorrow having phenomenal online scores but lacking in real world skills.

Global degrowth – Our options

With over 1.9mn people infected and 120,438 people dead at the time of writing, we can all agree with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres that this Covid-19 Pandemic is the greatest threat confronting humanity at the present moment.

Almost all countries have closed their borders, and initiated lock-downs of varying severity leading to an unprecedented slowdown of their respective economies.

For once all Economists, whether Business, Government or Academic, are in complete agreement that the market impact of this virus cannot be estimated with any degree of accuracy as the situation is still developing and there is no end in sight.

These are the hitherto unimaginable circumstances that we are living in where “We don’t really know” seems to be an acceptable answer to most questions.

I am a finance professional who has been associated with the FMCG Industry for over 20 years. During this period I have donned many hats and have braved many a storm, each of which seemed worse than the other. Having said that, I opine with no hesitation whatsoever that the challenge posed by the Coronavirus pandemic will be the most deleterious of all.

A presentation would be made later in the day by IMF Chief Economist Gita Gopinath on the latest outlook for the global economy. I have a sense of foreboding that the outlook is going to be exceedingly bad, both in terms of the degree of de-growth in the global economy and the duration of this ongoing recession.

Amid all this ambiguity and apprehension – business owners and leaders cannot afford to be in a state of flux. They need to be at their perceptive and vigilant best – devising strategies and outlining blueprints to help navigate these uncharted waters.

Know where you are

There have been recessions before and it has been seen that a recession is more often than not accompanied by a recovery as markets rebound. It has also been seen that regardless of the severity of the recession some industries are able to sustain and at times even grow in such a situation.

Some Industries which are least affected by recession, in no particular order are: (List A)

– FMCG Manufacturing and Retail

– Healthcare and Medical

– Education

– Freight and logistics

– Financial Advisory

– Repairs and Servicing

If we are in one of the above sectors, we are in a much better position than those in Tourism, Entertainment, Travel, Construction, Cement, Motor Vehicles, Furniture, Printing, stationery, Office supplies, etc. etc. (List B)

List out your options

If you are an investor whose investments lie in ‘list B’ above you are in for some challenging times. 1st option would be to secure the capital and get out before further erosion of the net worth. If that is not possible then one has to batten down the hatches and get ready to ride out the storm.

‘Survival’ becomes the mantra not ‘growth’. Reduce, release, renegotiate etc. need to be your buzzwords. The people whose investments are illiquid to begin with and are in the affected industry are the ones who will lose the most as their options are severely limited.

For a diversified group – with investments in both A & B list industries – focus must be on reducing their exposure in the ‘B List’ and maximize their investments in the Industries doing well. Secure the capital of the B List industries (even if it is marginally eroded) and invest those funds into the A List. The trickle-down effect of the global recession would result in further erosion of the net worth of the B list industries anyway.

If your investments are in the A list – you would be one of the very few who would stand to make money in spite of this unprecedented downturn. You can improve your profitability by increasing the size, capacity and reach of the industry if possible. If you are in a position to raise funds then the world is your oyster as you would be able to pick and choose acquisition targets for vertical integration.

In conclusion

In a recession the ones who lose most are the ones who are unable to act due to lack of options or those who act in haste. Here is to hoping that we don’t fall in either bracket.

Global Economy – response and responsibility

A Survey by the IMF staff usually published twice a year, presents IMF staff economists’ analyses of global economic developments during the near and medium term. The report published in Oct 2019 (IMF’s World Economic Outlook Database, October 2019. ) showed that with a nominal GDP of USD 2.94 trillion India has overtaken UK and France to be the 5^th largest economy in 2019. The country ranks 3^rd when GDP (PPP) of $10.51 Trillion is considered with US and China taking up the top two spots.

An update on 9^th January stated that Global growth was projected to rise from an estimated 2.9% in 2019 to 3.3% in 2020 and 3.4% for 2021—a downward revision of 0.1 percentage point for 2019 and 2020 and 0.2 for 2021 compared to those in the October World Economic Outlook

https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO

India and China were expected to grow at 5.8% and 5.6% respectively in 2020, ahead of the Global growth projections. USA 2%, UK 1.4% and Germany 1.6% were projected to be behind the Global average.

A Slowdown was projected in US and China Markets with Germany, Italy & UK said to be at the brink of recession due to various causes ranging from continued decline in manufacturing and sales sectors to high unemployment, huge debt and political turmoil.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/sergeiklebnikov/2019/10/28/here-are-the-countries-on-the-brink-of-recession-going-into-2020/#684685a83017

That was then.

It would be very interesting to see the changes to these projections when the April 2020 World Economic Outlook is released on Tuesday, April 14, at 8:30am ET, at which time a live presentation would be made by IMF Chief Economist Gita Gopinath. It would be safe to say that this particular presentation would attract more attention than ever before owing to the impact of the Covid 19 Pandemic on the Global Markets.

https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/Issues/2020/04/14/weo-april-2020

I do believe that being a largely self-sufficient country with a large indigenous market and very limited dependence on export, places India in a much better position than other countries whose economies are more susceptible to vagaries of the Global economy. India which was growing at 6.6% in 2017  – lost the title of being the world’s fastest growing economy to China in 2019 by slowing down to 5.8%  – could very well be in a position to not only recover faster than other countries but be a market leading economy along with USA and China.

Time will confirm the veracity or otherwise of any speculation made about the possible impact on the economies of specific countries – but what remains an indisputable fact is that every economy is facing its defining moment and the policymakers will all have their own ideas on how to deal with it.

Advanced economies which were considering Structural reforms in areas of governance, domestic and external finance, trade, labour etc. for improving standard of living and raising GDP growth, will now face strong resistance from hawkish nationalist policymakers who will raise their collective voices in support of local and national interests. Protectionists would now have a field day (month/year?) advocating policies which would lead to short term benefits to Industry and job creation but in the longer term result in weakened Industry, reduced quality and slowdown in economic growth.

The divide between the haves and have-nots has never been as stark as now and in the current situation the world is very clearly divided into those who are struggling to survive and those who are striving to make the best of a bad situation. The individuals and institutions that were barely staying afloat will go under – while those who were in a much better condition would have to just tighten their belts – take a few tough decisions and jockey themselves into a position from which they would be able to really benefit when the market starts moving up.

There is a very real risk of the rich getting richer as they are best poised to take advantage of the market volatility as the rest of the populace would be focusing on survival. Such an eventuality combined with myopic policies can have the effect of compounding the impact of the Pandemic and converting it into a tragedy of extraordinary proportions.

The coronavirus pandemic will push the global economy into the deepest recession since the Great Depression, with the world’s poorest countries suffering the most, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Thursday. The way to handle this Pandemic is to think of it as a Humanitarian Crisis first and then as a financial crisis.

George Bernard Shaw said “We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future” future generations will measure us on the strength of will and grace with which we handle this responsibility.

‘alea iacta est’

Corona Fallout – How ready are we ?

The world economic forum published a list of the biggest risks facing our world in 2019. Inability to contain a virus due to ineffective communication, insufficient medical aid and irresponsible behavior of people, was not one of them. Unfortunately for all of us the Corona virus Pandemic is here and it has the world in its cross hairs.

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/01/these-are-the-biggest-risks-facing-our-world-in-2019/

The world has witnessed many pandemics, Cholera, bubonic plague, smallpox, influenza etc., and they have all had the impact of changing the course of history and life as our ancestors knew it. Now in this day and age when medical knowledge is doubling every few months as opposed to every 50 years in the 20th Century, one would have thought that we were better prepared to handle such an eventuality. Fact remains that in spite of all the advancements in science and medicine, in spite of the tremendous progress in communication and logistics, we are still struggling to overcome the reach and effect of this Pandemic with the speed and efficacy which we should be capable of.

The cost of managing Covid 19, both human and financial is fast assuming colossal proportions and is steadily increasing by the day.

Let us keep aside finger pointing as to the cause of the pandemic and the reasons for the spread for another day and focus instead on the way forward. We have already realized that containing this pandemic is not possible. All efforts are now focused towards delaying the inevitable, slowing the spread of the virus, so that we avoid swamping the already besieged medical facilities available while we desperately hunt for a cure. Having said that, it is to be understood that this too comes at a cost. The unavoidable lock downs initiated by various governments (and flouted by imbeciles) have already had the impact of slowing down economic activity.

Various governments are working on a slew of economic measures to support the most vulnerable, tide over this crisis. Billions of dollars have already been committed as emergency measures and trillions are expected to be injected into the financial systems to calm the markets. At this juncture it is very difficult to accurately assess what the fallout of the pandemic would be, in terms of downgrades in economic forecasts of the global markets and the resultant increase in unemployment. However it is inevitable that during this period Industrial production and retail sales will suffer unprecedented drops.

JP Morgan are monitoring the situation on a day to day basis and have put a research document on their assessment of the fallout of the Corona virus pandemic.

https://www.jpmorgan.com/global/research/coronavirus-impact

Amid all this doom and gloom, with the awareness of the impending Global recession, one can tend towards either adopting a cynical approach or lashing out at the government for not doing enough, which while easy to do, will in no way improve our circumstances.

The world has changed, the things that we took for granted till a few weeks back are no longer viable. The need of the hour is to first focus all our energies on supporting our governments in winning the battle with the pandemic. The proliferation of available options to share our opinions with the world, intended to be a boon for communication, has become the bane of civilized existence as more and more people – either through omission or commission- share incorrect, inaccurate and misleading information on social media. We need to consciously decide not to share information that we are not sure of and stop the proliferation of fake news. A common sense approach towards hygiene along with a responsible attitude towards the government’s guidelines on the subject would go a long way in our fight against this nemesis.

At the same time we need to plan for the future – a new and challenging future, a future full of opportunities, which shall be available to those who anticipate and plan in advance. The changing ground realities will not be kind to those who wait to see how the chips fall. The situation demands that we unflinchingly re-evaluate business plans, re-imagine solutions towards funding in a market with decreasing liquidity, redefine business strategies and reconsider goals and targets. It has to be a back to basics approach where every assumption is questioned again at the drawing table. Any and all plans made pre-Corona would have to be validated post-Corona. Capital expenditure re-looked at, investment decisions challenged. This is difficult to envision now and will be painful to go about – but the alternative is infinitely more painful.

All things pass and this Pandemic too shall be defeated in due course of time – the institutions which have the agility and ability to plan for the uncertain future would be best placed in negotiating the fallout that follows. It may sound like a grandiose statement but I truly believe that the future of humanity depends on the ability of individuals and institutions to act with grace in the present and plan with fortitude for the future.

Post Meet – Ballad

Part I

The clarion call was loud and clear,
the effort made was not in vain;
It was answered by many from far and near,
as they boarded the memory train.

They heeded the call, came one and all,
DK boses’ there were, one or two;
Their’s was the loss, for dropping the ball,
so, lets forgive those unlucky few.

Seats we had, but we stood at the door,
this journey was for old times sake;
Vikas’ alu puri had us craving for more,
and Moya was the cherry on the cake.

No indian team, even in their dreams,
have ever been received so well;
As stacatto thrums, of tribal drums,
welcomed the group to the hotel.

Garlands of marigold greeted the throng,
accompanied by a lively beat;
excited some of us joined along,
and there was dancing in the streets.

The lobby was full with man and load,
Yet, rooms were assigned pretty fast;
But in boarding bus for the 10th mile road,
Unsurprisingly, AJ came in last.

10th Mile was great as great can be,
the men lazed around as they may;
our pretty womenfolk, adorned the green,
and the flowers had competition that day!

There was beer on tap, and bottle too,
ashish was up to his tricks;
as others mixed drinks with trips to the loo,
his camera cornered the chicks.

The trip to the dam, was an eventful one,
with singing and shouting on the van;
the tea was good, the walk was fun,
The photographer was given the can.

Jaya’s selfie stick, didn’t quite do the trick,
ashish lost a lens in between;
but dozens of photos and snaps were clicked,
and Sandy was the selfie queen.

Part II

The evenings theme was black, what a sight,
as everyone came dressed to kill;
the warmth came not from the fire that night,
but from the girls who were hot as hell!

Bhanu with his pods, was always at odds,
with the music being played at the time;
lost in his world, he lonesome twriled,
as the others found partners in crime.

Tomal the great, stood up to state,
that baskin robbins was his need;
Midnight then, was a tad bit late,
and Vivek was well and truly treed.

Booze and beer, with valley of the deer,
Were poured down the hatch by the ton;
every hand held a drink, every eye a wink,
even non-smokers flashed cigs for fun.

Alok and Anil were everywhere,
as were their legs and hands;
and many a pic taken there,
needs censorship as it stands.

As unsteady feet, struggled to meet ,
the demands of the giddy heads;
The fun that started with meet and greet,
had the risk of leading to beds.

The singer sang some wholesome hits,
a few with the mic tried their luck;
Yet others in the group were bored to bits,
and hoping for a chance to f… talk.

Paro and Sharmy took over the mike,
must admit they sang quite well;
Debo and Debu while sounding alike,
commenced their howling to hell.

Shiju’s dress was the star of the night,
and Pratibha’s ability to drink;
Manjit did bhangra to Amrik’s delight,
who gleefully danced in sync.

By and by the night gave way,
and the team gathered at the dawn;
the jublee jog was the start to the day,
as the sun heralded the morn.

Part III

Next as planned, by Vivek “the man”,
down the memory lane we went;
Visualise now, the place if you can,
Where our childhoods had been spent.

We turned the clock, to the good old days,
and we left our years at the gate;
We walked through the school and its hallways,
Almost in a childlike state.

We met the teachers and sat in a class,
We sang the anthem out loud;
we went to the hall and the field enmasse,
I daresay we all felt proud.

The vendors in wait, outside the school gates,
displayed their wares on the street;
Preetha and Vanita along with their mates,
pigged out on the sinful treats.

Christmas bash was at Anil’s place,
Time for more fun and games;
More dancing, more booze, till red in the face,
we all gave each other names.

Shiju and Sandy with solo numbers,
held the entire group in their thrall;
Rosh’s dance with tomal that night,
was appreciated by one and all.

Moni with her infectious laugh was there,
As was Seema with her graceful ways;
Amita looking like a kid, as it were,
didn’t stay for the full two days.

Few of the group were the silent kind,
Shubrah the teacher was one such;
Subhash and Asha too did not mind,
letting other do the talking, much.

Honourable mention needs to be made,
of the things that mandal did;
While most of the group had considerably aged,
he looked and behaved like a kid.

Vishal and Abhi like stalwarts two,
bookended the group with thier size;
they ate, drank, danced more than me and you,
After all they were XXXXL guys.

Niks brought a twist to the festive night,
with a santa who was bursting at the seams;
The gifts were a way to express her thanks,
for the efforts of the organising team.

Two nights and days, went away in a flash,
Oh we wish we could live them again;
From cloud nine we came down with a crash,
but those wonderful memories remain.

All said and done, the games and fun,
planning them was no easy feat;
Lets all raise a toast, to the terrific ones,
who organised this marvelous meet.

 

The Invite

The days of yore are a copious store,
Of memories, some sweet some not.
You’ve had your share, Let’s take you there,
To the place that time forgot.

That wistful stare, your soul lays bare,
You wish you could travel in time.
To the place where, With nary a care,
We were all partners in crime.

Give life a chance, that backward glance,
Need not be filled with regret.
Relive the days, (before we went our ways),
in the place where we all first met.

the school is there and the temple too,
street vendors still line up to the bell,
with nuts and fries, some Pepsi with spice,
and phone recharge vouchers to sell.

The muri was jhal, the khatta was kal,
The dosas of Anand were a hit,
Bauwajis tea, we had under a tree,
With fags in our hands we would sit.

The rolling hills of the dalma still,
Are green as green can be,
The Dimna dam, where some of us swam,
Is still a great sight to see.

The Regal ground, where we all ran around,
And the Jublee park with its springs,
We loved and lost, it was worth the cost,
For sweet are the memories they bring.

The city is steel, but the look and feel,
Is warmth, as everyone knows,
So heed the call, I tell you all,
Don’t dare be a DK Bose.

It started fine, this poem mine,
But lost class along the way,
That being said, Lets paint the town red,
And fuck the critics I say !!

 

At the Sonnet

A bunch of rogues – from near and far
though a mite long in the tooth,
decided to relive their childhood years
And reload the dreams of youth.

They clucked about from Morn till night
till they were confused to a man,
whatsapp came to the rescue and
t’was the chicks who hatched the plan.

16th of Aug dawned all too soon
and the Roosters preened for the day,
AJ looking like a fresh plucked hen
was set up to be the prey 😦

All roads led to the “Sonnet” that night
the “Adda” was the name of the place,
Same names, same faces same memories came
but Alas not the same Shapes 🙂

A drink or two set up the mood
as together friends broke bread,
while highland glens were sorely missed
Ex Students had ‘teachers’ instead.

Moni, shiju, seema, sandy
with Asha, Sharmi & Niks,
old wine but heady, bit drunk yet steady –
were up to their same old tricks.

AShek, DSan, Ssin, TYan
shook a leg in time with the beat,
Mchak, Apan, Akhem, Vman,
supported with both left feet.

The booze it flowed, the eyes they glowed
the legs grew steadier still,
the flesh though weak, with fun to seek
relied on the force of will..

Cameras flashed and immortalised
the shennanigans on the floor,
now post the date, its posts we await
of the snakedances galore.

The night was fun, thanks everyone
the DJ was surely a treat,
Lets take a bow, and sign off for now
Till the next time we meet.

Enduring change..

What’s changed in the town I ask myself, other than Cars, houses and streets?
Unchanged, the place appears, in spite, of all the changes that one sees

Unchanged is the rooster posing as a clock, unchanged the twittering birds
Unchanged are the frolicking goats in the grass, and the lazy buffalo herds

The cowpats stuck to the wall are the same, interspersed with posters of men
Clad in khadi with folded arms, with a brown disc for a face over them

Unchanged are the arrayed balls on the road, made of mud, coal dust and dung
Unchanged is smell of the fresh wood smoke, tickling the breather’s lung,

Same is the woman who bends and blows, with a pipe into a stove of mud
Same mongrels mosey around with the cows, which chew the same old cud,

Unchanged graphitti on the same old wall, states it’s not a loo, in vain
Unchanged is the act of man and dog, who disregard with disdain,

Same crows lie in wait to steal some grain, same eagles up high, glide
Same lads at the river with the bull and the bus, wash their respective rides,

Unchanged is the peal of the bell from the shrine, as a worthy to the lord speaks
No change at all in the manner or the words and same are the blessings he seeks,

The priest with the incense sticks is the same, describing circles in the air,
Directing the fumes to the lord with his palm, (is that a ringtone I hear?)

His hand vanishes into his voluminous wrap, and fishes out a piece in black,
He anoints my forehead while blessing me, multitasks, as he answers back

Perfectly commonplace for you and me, while others might find it strange,
India shall always remain the same at heart, yet embrace every change