Life in Germany, then!

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Below:    Goa: An interesting talk!

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Life in Germany, then!

He landed in Germany on a cold day and was accommodated in the company guest house till proper accommodation was arranged. After a couple of days, he was informed that an accommodation had been arranged in the same area, in a town little further away. He felt nice as he would be living independently and free to do and eat what he liked. The appointed day he was driven along with his baggage to a home, a villa type one-storey house......

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This is a story or rather an experience of a traditional, religious and strict vegetarian family friend, an engineer, about his brief stay in Germany. His company had sent him for a refreshing crash course and a learning experience. It’s about all what he saw and experienced during his short stay there. The true experience was unique and also got an opportunity see the German lifestyle, behaviour and how practical they are in life.

It must be many years ago, about three decades ago to be precise; one of our family friends working for a multi-national company as an engineer in Mumbai was sent to Germany for a refreshing course and familiarization programme. He was a South-Indian, religious, traditional and a strict vegetarian. You can very well understand his apprehensions. He was getting a chance to go to Germany at company cost and stay there for a couple of months, with a provision, his wife could join him once he is settled there. Nobody would refuse such an offer. He was fine with everything the foreign country would offer, but for the food as he was a strict vegetarian. He was a bit worried, his friends calmed him by advising him to have fruits and rice and curds, and also carry some snacks while flying.

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He landed in Germany on a cold day and was accommodated in the company guest house till proper accommodation was arranged. After a couple of days, he was informed that an accommodation had been arranged in the same area, in a town little further away. He felt nice as he would be living independently and free to do and eat what he liked. The appointed day he was driven along with his baggage to a home, a villa type one-storey house. He was met by an elderly man, quite jolly and smiling. He felt good and welcome. The elderly man and his wife stayed on the ground floor and told him in broken English, he can stay on the top. But added, he will have to shift after a day as the bathroom needed some fixing work to be done, and temporarily he can stay in a room on the ground floor for a night. Keeping his baggage in the room, he went to the first floor to have a look. It was cozy and decently furnished and kept closed as no one would stay there. But he was surprised to see the barren bathroom and gave a surprise look to the old man. The old man smiled and said, don’t worry, it will be ready by tomorrow. He wondered how the hell the bathroom could be ready the next day.

Since he was tired, he went to his temporary room, changed and relaxed. It was quite chill. The old man came into his room with a tiny glass and told him, it will keep you warm. He hesitated but the cold was getting severe, without thinking he grabbed the small glass and drank the content. For a moment he was stunned as he felt as if his throat was on fire and his body started to warm up. Felt much better, and wondered what was in that tiny glass. He assumed it must be some liqueur and started praying silently, Shambu, Shambu, God forgive me, I drank it as I couldn’t bear the cold!

After a while, the old man drove away in his small truck towards the town and returned back in sometime. He brought along pipes, fittings, taps, adhesive tubes which appeared like big toothpaste tubes and tiles. Wearing an apron over his T-shirt and jeans, he carried all the stuff along with his tool box and got to work. Though I was relaxing, heard noises from the top floor. I was curious to see what was the old man doing. To my surprise, he was fixing and connecting the bathroom concealed pipeline. He was doing it as a professional at work. When he saw me, he smiled and said your bathroom will be ready by tomorrow. Curiously I asked him, why not call a plumber, he looked at me and said, here it’s difficult to get them, have to go to town, and they are very expensive, so self-help is the best way to fix things. Once the pipes were fitted and checked for water flow, he started fixing the glaze tiles on the walls of the bathroom using the big flexible adhesive tubes, sharply cutting the tile edges with a cutter, wherever required. In a short time, he finished the tiling and I left. And he continued with his work.

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Next morning, I shifted up to my room on the first floor, he said all fine and ready, and he just cautioned me to use the bathroom after a couple of hours as a precaution. I saw the bathroom I was amazed at his workmanship. Looked like a professional job with all fittings, shower, lights and taps in place. I congratulated him, he smiled and left. He must have been in his late sixties or seventy. I wondered how a retired and elderly person could do such a clean job. It taught me a lesson. No excuses, self-help is the solution.

I was busy with my routine of going to the office in the morning and returning home in the evening. The old couple got familiar and friendly, asked if I needed any help. In the compound saw a nice car, as good as new parked in the corner for many days. When I checked with the old man. He said it’s my car, I haven’t used it for long, the reason being the flooring of the car is rusted and its dangerous to drive. I wondered if in India, one would repair the flooring and proudly drive around. Since it was expensive to dump it, he had parked it in a corner.

And I noticed every morning, a young couple would honk, they would wave at the couple and proceed. I took courage and asked the man, every-day I see a couple drive down, stop and honk, wave and go. He smiled and said, that’s my daughter and son-in-law who live some distance from here. They drive, stop and wave and go, which means we are fine and healthy. This is their regular routine and visit us on Sundays to spend some nice time together. This was another lesson, how to check and keep in touch with your loved ones without disturbing each-others privacy.

Germans are considered to be not the easily mixing type of people, they don’t even smile. Even if a stranger wishes or wants to check directions, they are not helpful, they just ignore and walk away. Maybe it’s the language issue or its their attitude. Many find the Germans cold and not friendly. Some even accuse them of a superiority complex and snobbish. And I didn’t mix much with others except those I was familiar with in the office. Most of the time I was busy with myself. Once my wife joined me after a month, things changed. Had proper cooked vegetarian meals. Earlier I survived on curd and rice and fruits. I had company, felt better and more comfortable.

After my wife’s coming, we were invited to some family gatherings. They understood India as the country from the land of Indira Gandhi. They were surprised that we were strict vegetarians and did not consume meat or even eggs. They were intrigued by the sari and how a woman could wrap it around move comfortably. They were curious of bindi, long hair and mangalsutra and wanted to know its significance. That was the time when Germans started knowing more about India, its culture and curious to learn more about Indians. And for me, after staying in Germany for a few months, learnt many things which we take for granted in India. Staying abroad, love for my country grew and felt proud to be an Indian. But also realized we had a long way to go.

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Goa: An interesting talk!

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Late evening, I visited a quiet cottage of a traditional Goenkar who was busy sipping his Feni in the sit-out. He was my inspiration for the popular Pedro (Pedro’s words of wisdom and Smile with Pedro). He was fit and sharp for his age, looked good as before, and recognized me. He asked me to sit and said, Naikbab, I liked your Pedro. He’s almost like me.

As he was sipping, our talk veered to Goa, the good old times, and the present Goa. When I mentioned regular reports about bad roads, flooding during the monsoon, dirt, and filth around haphazard planning, and the old issue of commuting and taxi service. I could see him charging up. He started. You know Goa is slow in everything, and even the Goans are slow. Just look around; you will know what I am saying.

India got independence in 1947, and we got independence in 1961. India annexed Goa in a quick military operation, after years of diplomatic efforts to secure its independence from Portugal failed. The Portuguese ruled us, knowing we wouldn't fight them. They realized Goans are lazy and happy go lucky people. Some Goans love to think they are foreigners, different from other Indians, without realizing others have overtaken them.

The Portuguese main attractions were Goa and Mangalore, both on the west coast. And sea ports too. The Mangaloreans rebelled and attacked the Portuguese and drove them out. We let them consolidate in Goa. Mangaloreans don’t even remember the Portuguese rule, while we still remember them, and some Goans still believe they were good. This is our mentality. In Mangalore, old structures, churches, and a few cottages are the only remnants. The people don’t even remember the Portuguese. But here, some Goans still harp about the Portuguese and love to remember the Portuguese rule. And still clamor for a Portuguese passport. No Mangalorean will even think of it. That’s the difference.

Our leaders and politicians are so slippery that they quietly slip from one party to another party, where they find the grass more-green. How can you expect progress and development, good roads, hygiene, and planning from such leaders? Corruption is a major issue, be it construction, hotels, shacks, transport, or taxi service. They create a monopoly, and this gives impetus to malpractices and price rises. Outsiders know Goa for its drinks, fun, nightlife, music, and dance. Goa is much more, with a varied history, natural beauty, sunny weather, pristine beaches, folk music, temples, churches, forts, and great culinary experiences—Goan Catholic, Saraswat, and others. Goa is also called the Rome of the East. Most Goans will agree.

Re-filling his glass, he added, sometimes makes me feel like Goa is just surviving. Look at Dubai or Singapore, almost our size, and see where they have reached, and we are still struggling with the basic needs and requirements. It’s mainly because of Goans who are slow and tolerate injustice with their Chalta hai attitude. Goa needs new blood and young, educated people to take up the responsibility and take Goa to greater heights. Goa has great potential and needs to be tapped properly. Just big talk and false promises won’t do any good. Saying this, he continued sipping his Feni and asked me to join for dinner. I left, promising to join him during my next trip.

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Mahalsa Temple, Goa

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