Book Review of Unaccustomed Earth

“Those hypnotic eyes are devastating," wrote Touré, a TV journalist, columnist and author about Jhumpa Lahiri, the gorgeous author of three seriously literary books including, this year, a collection of short stories called Unaccustomed Earth.
The eight stories in this splendid volume expand upon Lahiri’s epigraph, a metaphysical passage from “The Custom-House,” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, which suggests that transplanting people into new soil makes them hardier and more flourishing. Human fortunes may be improved, Hawthorne argues, if men and women “strike their roots into unaccustomed earth.” It’s a perfect metaphor for the transformations Lahiri oversees in these pages, in which two generations of Bengali immigrants to America — the newcomers and their children — struggle to build normal, secure lives. Lahiri examines Hawthorne’s notions from all angles. Is it true that transplanting strengthens the plant? Or can such experiments produce mixed outcomes?
The title of Jhumpa Lahiri’s latest book—“Unaccustomed Earth”—refers to the first story in this collection and also to a motif dominating all of the stories: tales about a world unaccustomed to the tectonic shifts and changes taking place beneath its surface, a world uncomfortable with the destruction and loss brought on by hurricanes and tsunamis, facing modern diseases and traumas, and unsure about the class and cultural conflicts that dominate relationships in the lives of characters. Death and mourning permeate most stories in this collection, including the three linked ones in the final section. People may be struck at any time by chance, in any corner of the world. Uncontrollable events may assail them anytime, anywhere.
There are five stories in the first section of this book. In the title story, a middle aged man’s wife’s death opens up new vistas of thinking to be explored. His Americanized daughter Ruma struggles with the traditional Indian duty to invite her father to live with her family He visits her in Seattle and is pained to see she has given up her job as she awaits the birth of her second child. “Growing up, her mother’s example — moving to a foreign place for the sake of marriage, caring exclusively for children and a household — had served as a warning, a path to avoid. Yet this was Ruma’s life now.” He asks her a question: “Will this make you happy?” He reminds her that “self-reliance is important” and that she should not stop working and sit at home. Thinking back on his wife’s unhappiness in the early years of their marriage, he realizes that “he had always assumed Ruma’s life would be different.” His thoughts are very touching and reminiscent of every father’s thinking pattern in the world as he thinks about his children for whom “he and his wife were …the whole world. But eventually the need dissipated, dwindled to something amorphous, tenuous, something that threatened at times to snap. That loss was in store for Ruma too; her children would become strangers, avoiding her. And because she was his child he wanted to protect her from that…”
In “Hell-Heaven,” the narrator, Usha, recollects her insensitivity towards her mother’s sacrifices as she ‘reconstructs the tormenting, unrequited passion her young mother had for a graduate student during the narrator’s childhood.’ In “Only Goodness,” an older sister, Sudha, aids and defends her alcoholic younger brother Rahul and learns the bitter lesson only when her relationship with her husband and son’s life are at stake. “A Choice of Accommodations” talks about a husband and a wife during a weekend at the wedding of the husband’s crush during his school days and the revitalization of the lost spark in their married life. “Nobody’s Business” is about an American student attracted to his Bengali-American roommate Sang (short for Sangeeta) who entertains no romantic feelings for him, rejects the advances of “prospective grooms” from the global Bengali singles circuit (Lahiri’s subtle hit at the community) and is devoted and almost engaged to a selfish, foul-tempered Egyptian historian who may be two timing her.
Lahiri's piece, "Only Goodness" towers not only because of her skilful, succinct prose, but also because the author liberates her writing from cultural influence and allows her characters to breathe as individuals free of any limiting baggage.
The final three stories, grouped together as “Hema and Kaushik,” explore the histories of the title characters, a girl and boy from two Bengali immigrant families, as their lives cross over the years. The first story, “Once in a Lifetime” begins in 1974, the year Kaushik and his parents return to India and return seven years late to Massachusetts. The next story, “Year’s End,” shows Kaushik as a grown up, wrestling with the news of his father’s remarriage and meeting his father’s new wife and stepdaughters. The final story, “Going Ashore,” begins with Hema, engaged to a Hindu Punjabi man by parental approval, spending a few months in Rome before entering into this marriage. She is in Rome where she meets Kaushik by chance. And the fate that follows.
The interlinked yet independent stories in part two are brilliant for their narration. Jhumpa Lahiri is at her best here as she handles her characters objectively and carefully giving them space to breathe and develop through her narration. The second story of this part is specially recommended for an artistic touch of underlying pathos.
Lahiri creates a gripping tale, which, like most of her stories, is driven by a simple question: can her characters escape loneliness and be happy? The answer, more often than not, is no. But life goes on ‘forever’ like Tennyson’s brook, irrespective of the men and women who come and go.
Jhumpa Lahiri has a subtle ear for dialogue and a knack for imaginative, picturesque descriptions. Her ‘hypnotic’ eyes miss no detail and mince no words in expounding on them. Readers are leisurely allowed to escape into lap of nature’s beauty time and again. She casts her spell page by page with the magic wand of her powerful and compelling writing as she explores the innermost depths and takes them to heights. Though the luxurious writing makes this book a genuine pleasure to read, these stories have become more profound and deeper compared to her debut collection, “Interpreter of Maladies.”

Women Empowerment and Information Technology

As a manager working with a company that allows its employees to work from home from any corner of the world, I feel blessed. But a chance invitation to present my views on 'Women Empowerment and Information Technology' had me thinking about the female population that is still bereft of the benefits that technology brings. While some have the world at one click of a mouse, others aren't even aware of such 'miracles.'

The uneven distribution of information technologies within societies as well as across the world has been termed "the digital divide." It reflects a division, a dichotomy, a chasm within countries on grounds of discrimination such as race, ethnic group, class, age, region, and gender; between countries; and between those who have access to information resources and those who do not have this access.
The gender gap in the digital divide needs immediate attention. Access to and use of these technologies is directly linked to social and economic development so it is vital to ensure that women understand the significance of these technologies and use them. If not, it will lead to further marginalization of women from the economic, social, and political mainstream of their countries and of the world. Without full participation in the use of information technology, women are left without the key to participation in the global world of the twenty-first century. IT can be an important tool in meeting women's basic needs and can provide the access to resources to lead women out of poverty. As with all new historical trends, the advent of information technology has been accompanied by a tremendous amount of exaggeration about its transforming powers. Information technology in itself will not bring about an end to poverty or transform the lives of women in developing countries. At the same time, IT can threaten the livelihoods of women, when, as part of economic globalization, it eliminates the jobs they were performing or puts them in new jobs under harsh conditions and with low pay. But like nuclear power that brings with it the best as well as worst uses, IT brings threats, it also brings the assurance of new and better jobs and businesses, of communication with worlds beyond the boundaries of home and community, of easy access to information and resources, and of the ability to acquire education and skills and to transcend social restrictions— to empower and improve the quality of women's lives in developing countries. Most women in developing countries have neither the access to the new technologies nor the prerequisites for their use. So it is imperative that taking advantage of the opportunities will also take awareness and action. Programmes will have to be designed accordingly and put in places that ensure women have easy access to the technologies that can empower them in many aspects of their lives.

It is encouraging to note that the percentage of female students opting for Science and Technology is increasing. IT based options are available even to non-engineers as is evident in the BPO sector (even the concept of rural BPO is catching up fast). Beyond access to basic education, girls and women must be equipped with skills to prepare them for a range of roles in information technology. These roles could be as varied as users, creators, designers, and managers.

More, later.

Leisurely speaking

To many, about 100%, my first impression falls of a person who is so friendly and sweet. To others, another 100%, I seem like a serious person with only interest in life being immersed in books as they 'consult' me about their children/s education and field/s of interest and ask me to 'guide' them.

I wish I could shout with my lungs out, 'I am not what you think me to be' and that most of the time I would like to be left alone rather than feigning a plastic smile welcoming endless guests in the house.

I am fed up, simply wiped out.

My father is too gregarious and doesn't even allow a postman to leave without having a cup of tea in his presence. My mother has stopped complaining after years of complaining as she knows nothing will deter her husband from his mission.

Chai,chai

Our house seems like a railway platform on holidays with people thronging in from everywhere.

Not always on their own but over a very friendly invitation over phone-

"So what are you doing today? Come over a cup of tea, we will talk. You don't like tea, never mind, have breakfast or lunch with me."

RSVP : obviously my father's.

He doesn't think what trouble it is for the female members (my mother on 365+1 days and I, during my holidays) to come downstairs in the kitchen everytime the guests arrive and they are expected to be treated royally.

I curse the person who framed 'Atithi Devo Bhava' , the famous Indian quote that my father often quotes. But is there any option when he calls out and says- 'beta, uncle aaye hain, kuch chai, coffee pilaao'

I pray to God that these uncles refuse to have anything so that I am spared but they grin and say, why not!

Why not! Why yes?

The worst part is when tea is taken in a tray with biscuits and other snacks to the drawing room, the taker (again, either my mother or I as there is no full time servant in our house) must not go away abruptly but has to say 'namaste' to the guest/s and stop to answer his/their queries or simply to smile at his/their rhetorical queries or statements.

Sample:

1) Usually to my mom, 'kaisi hain aap, tabiyat theek hai na,'(how are you, how about your health) 'sit, won't you?' etc.etc.

2) To me and at times even to my brother (who fortunately is spared most of time as he prefers to sleep throughout the day and throughout the night during his vacation) , from 'kis company me kaam karte hain' (which company you work with) to 'kitne bade ho gaye, itne chote the tab dekha tha' (how much have you grown, I/we had seen you when you were thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis small.)

Yesterday I bought a Nescafe tea/coffee vending machine for easing out the 'tea task', that I may call this muddle for want of a better term. Euphoria sets in the house. Papa is enthusiastic as he tries to learn how to operate it. Mummy is relaxed and exclaims, 'now we can breathe when guests arrive. Your papa might as well invite the whole town, says she in jest.

Which is what he does.

He invites atleast six to seven friends to 'come and see what Sonal, my daughter, gifted to me.'

As another set of uncles arrive the next day, I can't even grumble at my father's logic: 'now that the machine is here, mummy and you won't have any problem in preparing tea. Just pour five cups and keep them on dining table and tap gently. I will get the hint and come to carry the tray to drawing room.'

Actually I haven't bought any vending machine. Just imagining what would have happened if I had done so.

The up down movement on the stairs continue.

Busybees, Halt, stop and enjoy your life

This article is inspired from somebody real and I salute her for personifying everything that has been mentioned here. Her life is a testimony to this fact.

Envy of others and cynosure of Goddess Lakshmi, a successful manager in one of the most reputed companies of the world with a huge demand in the corporate world while still in 20s or 30s; both the spouses working- money in plenty, a big house, a good car and all the latest gadgets, children studying in the costliest of schools, what else could one ask for and yet when such people are prone to stress and stress related diseases, it is a sorry state of affairs. Why? Is being too successful taking a toll on all the happiness in life? All the soul searching leads to nothing but a quagmire of conflicting thoughts. The question arises why is there existence of problems when everything seemed to be going on just right! Switching jobs or taking a temporary break do nothing to alleviate the tired mind.
Today, working in the 24X7 cut throat world of competition, time for self has become a rarity. Leisure seems but a luxury. Family and friends get togethers have become almost a thing of the past.
Life for the very busy is full of dichotomy. There are demands on both the fronts- the personal and the professional. Any gap between the two leads to the guilt factor which sets in as a seed and starts growing within the mind till one day this seed takes the form of a tree. It is at this juncture that one needs help.
Can anything be done about it? The answer is yes if one is willing to follow it.
Go back to childhood
Seems awkward initially but the aftereffect is magical. Recollect how happy you were as a child doing things you liked- all the mischief and nonsensical stuff.
Take out old childhood photographs and go through them. Notice that phase in life when your dressing styles were so out of fashion compared to your present living standard.
Get yourself some books and comics meant for children. It might seem silly but then who cares as long as it frees the mind. Play snake and ladder instead of chess, billiards and golf at times. I have tried and believe me, the aftereffect has been magical.
Invest in cartoon DVDs and some of the funniest and most hilarious movies available. Watch them (with family if you are not staying alone) and don't miss a single opportunity to smile and laugh when away from work. Remember the innocence of childhood when little things used to make you smile. Even at work you don't need to be a morone. Nobody appreciates a cross looking person.
Propose games like "jalebi race" or "spoon and marble race" or "three-legged race" once in a while in the office.
Visit zoo or good parks sometimes instead of big malls and cinema halls. Companies are going out of the way in organizing employee engagement activities which is welcome.
Even though you might be cutting a sorry figure at drawing and sketching, try your hand at this art. Or pick up drawing books and fill them with colours. Your mind will feel as light as air.
Try to recollect the times when as a child you used to feel instant pity on the needy. Its time to rekindle those feelings. Visit orphanage or old age homes and see for yourself how there is a life beyond all the artificiality of materialism. The peace of mind achieved after that will be incomparable to any spa or head massage in a parlour. (Not that you don't need the latter. Go ahead).
Pamper yourself once every week or fortnight by buying little gifts for yourself or treating yourself with your favourite dish in a restaurant with your family or friends. This will be the prize for being good throught out the week.
Keep pets. Playing or spending time with them rejuvenates.

Reconnect
Call up your old school and college friends. Try to find some gossip (light hearted and harmless ones) ;)
Don't forget your parents. As a child you were most dependent on them and whatever you are today is because of your own efforts plus their faith in you. Back to present
There are just two things you need to do to enjoy life
Keep your laptop and mobile away once a week
Take a day off your work religiously for revisiting your childhood innocence and fun. It will be infectious and embosom you thoroughly till the time you form a habit that will transform your personality altogether.
Don't let the child in you die as you grow up and climb ladders of success. Ask yourself a question- what if I have just 1 day to live?
How would you like to spend this last day on earth? Spend your leisure in the same way.
Always remember the poem recited during childhood-
“Jack and Jill
Went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down and broke his crown
And Jill came tumbling after”
Consider the hill to be the pinnacle of success and the water, a part of success out of which you went to fetch your share. If a balance is not maintained, you too would surely come down tumbling and the pain would be greater- stress, strained relationship, conflicting lifestyle, health problems and so on. Wake up and give your life a new meaning before its too late.

Connection - II

As senior level managers, we can derive a valuable teaching from literature that criticism is part of appreciation and it gives holistic view; learning must never stop and that "we stand in need of training for enjoyment".

It has been rightly said, "art moves from stage to stage by two opposing paths; the way of constructive acceptance and the way of revolt." This rule is applicable to everything on earth and in the universe, be it evolution of mankind and animals or professional growth. To take up anything new involves planning, organizing, controlling, directing and leading by deed or example. In this process, there are various alternatives that must be evaluated thoroughly to choose the ultimate and the most suitable one and on this depends success or failure of the task undertaken. Needless to say, the path to success is cleared once obstacles are tackled carefully. The concept of thesis, anti-thesis and synthesis substantiates the above-mentioned argument. Organizational politics is precisely one aspect that has to be handled well for employees to collectively strive for overall development of the organization to remain ahead in the market.

Today's professionals are somewhat caught in the same situation as Antony of Shakespeare's play 'Antony and Cleopatra' who had to face a stiff choice between being "world's best soldier" and "world's greatest lover" wherein lay the tragedy that world's greatest lover could only blossom over the grave of world's greatest soldier and vice versa. Thankfully, policies like flexi time and work from home have made the balancing act for professionals easier, especially for today's Antonys and Cleopatras. :)

In literature, there is no right and only analysis of a poem. Each poem can be explained at various levels from different perspectives- allegorical, symbolical and others. Similar is the case with employee issues. One size fits all approach does not hold true today for each employee comes with a new set of talents, expectations and worries which need efficient and effective handling by the HR managers.

The common ground of literature and HR brings these two vibrant disciplines together- both deal with the most valuable treasure of the universe: MANKIND

Connection- Part I

Dreams have the power of alchemy. To believe in giving wings to thought and thus acknowledging the power of human mind can lead a person to soaring heights.

What does it take to be a good manager? Literature has an answer to that. One might be tempted to ask- is there a relation? The answer is- YES. Literature does not go by resolutions because to have resolutions will mean setting boundaries to the power of thinking. Writers do not limit their thought process and HR needs to do just that for exploiting creative potential that mind can unfold.
The Hindi translation of literature is "sahitya" which means 'for the benefit of others'. It reminds all the HR managers of the purpose their profession was conceived for- justice to employees' concerns and betterment of service conditions.
Some cynics would argue literature to be all about flights of fantasy and doing nothing but building castles in the air and writing about it. No problem cynics! The primary aim of literature is projection of idealism and "to find an echo" from every heart. HR managers work to ensure smile of satisfaction on the face of every employee and to make and implement polices for the same. Satisfaction of employees is the idealism that HR fraternity is working at 24x7. Attrition is a fact that shows dissatisfaction amongst employees which to some extent is good. (Had man been satisfied, we would have been moving around jungles and caves and not talking about development at all!). It only proves that the HR manager in the next company is working harder towards providing plugholes to the pins of your dissatisfaction.
How can we ignore the Renaissance concept of "virtue" when we talk of an updated and progressive professional? 'Virtue' signified "a single minded pursuit of a goal, ignoring all else, even other considerations if they come in the way of what an individual had set his heart to." Infinite desire for knowledge was what led Doctor Faustus (protagonist of Christopher Marlowe's play by the same name) to claim for himself- “thou art still a man” and to tread the forbidden path. Such intensity is needed to remain abreast with the latest and lead by the power of knowledge.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Backward

You know what happened? I wrote my first piece for this blog and it couldn't be saved. It died a premature death. Alas! Trying to recall the content, I feel hopeless. This is my third trial with blogs. All the earlier ones died within a few days of conception. Reason? My forgetfulness, especially with passwords.I even lack the iron will of Bhishma Pitamah to take a resolution of not forgetting my passwords in the year 2009. (Resolutions limit the power of thinking you know!)
The organization I work with is great. People keep on forgetting their passwords and the worse, even their login ids for which the first prize goes to the Vice Prsident. She is lovable for all her amnesia. And today she asked me to create another email id and password for her. Yet again. (Me, of all the people.Hah!) Can't blame her though. She has such a hectic lifestyle. Managing office, managing server at times, managing a haircut in Singapore or a vacation in Italy. We lesser mortals sigh and await our turn patiently to reach the top.
Yesterday was special. Labour Commissioner had charged and booked us under various acts and sections for things we couldn't understand. Well,well,well, atleast I couldn't recall any of the acts and sections she was continuously hurling at us. (Others pretended they knew but I am sure even they couldn't remember anything at that moment. He,he). It was not until one of us told her that our company does not fall under the purview of any of the Indian acts since we are registered in the US of A , that an imminent crisis was averted and all cacophony died down to emit a more pleasant HIP HIP HURRAY. The Commissioner had come fully prepared with full intentions of sending some of us to jail (I smell a rat). Our crime: we dare to follow the most updated practices, the latest HR practices that the poor and outdated labour laws of India, badly in need of reform, have not even an ounce of an idea about. Waah waah.
Anyway, its becoming interesting. Not the office scenario but blogging. I will be a blogger for sure. Without forgetting my password this time. This is my promise. To myself. Instinctively ;)