Compulsory Blog Post 9 - Interpersonal

This is my interview with one of my father's friends, Uncle Saranpal Singh Khaira. I would like to acknowledge and thank him for his invaluable time and insight.

Me: Do you feel that there have been rapid changes in India in the past 30 years ?
Uncle Saranpal: Major rapid changes have been observed with the opening up of the economy in the late 1990s. In the past, it had a very protectionist and inward looking economy with the emphasis on self sufficiency and not on trade. Foreign banks have now been given licenses to operate in India, and there are more liberal monitory policies in place. All this has helped encourage the country to be more trade oriented than its rural agriculture focus in the past.

One only has to look at the benefits of this liberalisation: in-flow of goods and tourism, and developing a services based industry in the IT sector (BPO or Business Process Outsourcing). Cities such as Bangalore, Hyderabad and Gurgaon are flourishing due to the IT industry.

Due to the economic success, there is now a growing middle-class society that is benefiting from these changes.



Me: How do you feel about them ?
Uncle Saranpal : It is good to see changes taking that can help improve the lively hood of the population. In the past, infrastructure such as roads were poorly maintained or not developed.

Me: What do you think have brought about these changes ?
Uncle Saranpal : The biggest hurdle to overcome was the political will of the ruling elite that were reluctant to make these economic changes. They were from the 'old school' of thought about foreign ownership of business in India. The new political leaders recognised that new world order required changes to their mindset. Change was brought in gradually and not all at once to maintain some balance and control, although there is still debate that it could have been initiated at a faster pace.

The introduction of the internet has also allowed India to establish a world-class BPO industry. With its large talent of English speaking population and low wages, India has a good foothold in this sector.

Me: How are these changes affecting the people ?
Uncle Saranpal: The middle-class is now benefiting from such new policies. Their earning power has increased and so has their spending power. Trade has encouraged goods to be easily imported and peoples' lifestyle has significantly increased over the 30 years.

Me:What other changes do you hope to see happening / not happening ?
Uncle Saranpal : One of the biggest challenges faced is the rampant corruption level that is endemic in India. Corruption is believed to exist at all levels of society and government administration. Whilst corruption affects everyone, it is especially difficult on the poor.This has to be eradicated, but will require a long time and with the commitment of the political elite.

The poor are still marginalized and many of these new economic policies are still not benefiting the poor. Education is the key to break the cycle of poverty, unfortunately, education is either not available to the poor or difficult for them to access it.

India still needs to invest considerably in its infrastructure such as better roads, telecommunications, airports, access to clean water and sanitation, and electricity generating power stations just to name a few.

It is a complex problem, but the country seems to be committed to continue to follow this path that they have started.

Compulsory Blog Post 8 - Musical

This is the song which I chose for the scene when Pinto died.

This is the link to the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpS2SSIhe2g&feature=related

I chose this piece as Lila, Bela and Kemal were very close to Pinto and loved him very dearly. I felt that this song was heart-warming and very touching. The part when the volume of the song was soft could be used when the three sisters were recalling about the fond moments they had together with the dog while the part where the volume was louder could be used when they finally came to realise that their dog was gone forever.

Compulsary Blog 7 - Linguistic (c)

Interviewer: What was life like in the village of Thul?
Hari: Life was extremely though for my family members and me. I had no boat to go out to sea to fish and earn money for my family. My father is a drunkard and he does not even care about our family. All he thinks about is drinking toddy. He does not even care about my mother. She is sick and lying in bed all day, getting frailer and weaker each day. Lila and I had to work hard everyday to put our younger sisters, Bela and Kemal through school.

Interviewer: I see. Was that why you decided to leave Thul for Bombay?
Hari: Yes. I thought that there would be more job opportunities for me in Bombay, and the de Silvas had also promised to give me a job as their car washer if I ever went to Bombay.I also felt very stressed at home and I could not stand my father's behaviour.

Interviewer: How did you feel when you reached Bombay?
Hari: I was at a lost after I was separated from the rest of my fellow villages. I decided to go and look for the de Silvas but one of their servants told me that they were not around and chased me away. Luckily, a kind security guard I met later brought me to his friend's eating house where I worked to earn money. I also learned how to mend watches from the watchmender next door.

Interviewer: Do you think your family members would be wondering where you were when you first left home?
Hari: Yes, I think they would. I left without a word on the night when I found out that my dog, Pinto , had died. I was really upset and furious. However, I wrote a letter to them soon after telling them that I was safe so they need not worry.

Interviewer: What was the difference of your life in the village after you returned from Bombay?
Hari: Oh, life was much better for my family and me. My father has turned over a new leaf and stopped drinking toddy. My mother is receiving proper treatment at the hospital in Alibagh. My sisters also work for Sayyid Ali and he gives them salary. I also learnt that when the factories are built, I can also help the engineers mend their watches when they were spoilt. I am so lucky to learn watchmending from Mr. Panwallah !

Interviewer: Thank you for your time.
Hari: You are welcome

Compulsory Blog Post 6-Intrapersonal (From Hari's Point of View)

Why am I so unlucky to have such a useless, drunkard father? Why must I be the sole breadwinner for my family? Why should I allow that irresponsible and inconsiderate father of mine to waste the money I earn on his toddy? Why can't he be like the other men in the village and go out to sea and fish like them? Why is it that he can't earn money for the family and care for us? Why does he not care about my sick mother, who is lying in bed, getting frailer each day? Why?

Even my dog, Pinto, has died! The small piece of land we own is bare. All my sisters know is to cry all day. How am I going to survive like this? I have no money at home. How am I supposed to buy food and daily necessities?

Should I go to Bombay? There are surely lots of job opportunities there. Or should I wait in Thul for a job in one of the many factories which will be built soon? However, I might not even be able to find a job in the factories as I have no skill at all. I did not even complete my university, so will they even want to hire me?