2016 நினைவலைகள் (Ninaivalaigal)

The word Ninaivalaigal means recollection of memories, yes would like to recollect 2016 on the verge of its culmination. During one of my recent long travel a thought came to me on how can I be grateful to 2016, it will be if I gracefully accept the nostalgic moments and travel into 2017.

Let me start this from my blogging experience. When I observe the statistics it shows an interesting number, I have been blogging since 2009 but unlike previous this year the count not only stroked to double digits(22 excluding this) but it is highest. This establishes that the year 2016 was either with

• Lot of interesting events happened that warranted a sharing, though predominately the events were engulfed around travel and sports.I tried my best to share my other experiences too like updates about android apps and short write-ups on other events. OR 
• I had enough free time available at my disposal that contributed to write as many, could be true to some extent. Yes from start of 2016 reduced my TV viewing time and by the end of the year it is almost vanished that helps in channeling my resources towards my more passionate activities. OR 
• Finally could be less occupied (officially) and hence lot of reading and learning. Frequently shared the learning/ reading this year could be another factor. Will try and carry this habit to 2017

Being a sports fanatic, 2016 did not let me down either. The entire year was full of events in all sports and the major ones are

• Euro where a well-deserved maiden title to Portugal / Ronaldo that was eluding this guy for a long time.
• Olympics, though it was not a favorable one for India but enjoyed both Bolt and Phelps moments and of course Sindhu’s silver medal journey.
  

Yet another year where Roger did not carry home a GS cup is the only hitch apart from that an IPL without CSK was another. In tennis no new player erupted for this year too with same oldies like Djoker, Serena lifting the GS cup.

Politics too had its interesting moments this year, but for me the interesting pieces are those failed pre-poll surveys not only in Tamil Nadu but in US public elections too. The predictions made by the pundits were deposed by the public. Another prominent one is the attack on militants by Indian Military termed as “Surgical Attack”.

While in the field of Art and Entertainment, the remarkable moment for me was DiCaprio’s first Academy award for the film "The Revenant" though he got nominated for first time 1994, this leap year brought glory to this actor after several nominations.

In science and advancements, ISRO’s satellite launch was a commendable one. They launched record 20 satellites through a single rocket. Apple Inc foray into Wind power in partnership with Goldwind is its largest clean energy project to date, on the other side the new release of Iphone balances this project by its own way of polluting the atmosphere.

Finally the major one that appeared at the end of 2016 and will make its journey to 2017 is the demonetization by Indian Government. This one word has created estrangements in the societies which I will not penetrate into, to me personally this particular phase reiterated that any tough situations in our life could be conquered by the relationship we embrace with others. This particular trait was imparted by my father without my knowledge and would like to share my learning and experience.

During this period as a common man we would have faced 2 situations among many, one getting money from ATM and the other is to convert the Rs2000 into smaller denominations. First let me share my dad's principle with respect to relationship building that will throw some light on how I surmounted these situations with ease using those principles

Some of my Dad’s shopping habits that acted as a tool for relationship management are  

• A particular object will be bought from a specific vendor, for example he had one for coconut, one for Beetle leaves and similarly vegetables, flowers, fruits and he never invades supermarkets for his purchase. The entire shopping will be made from the road side vendor but each one will be at a considerable distance from other.
• If we misjudge the above to be a cost saving exercise then the following one will astonish, for groceries too he had Bombay Stores in T.Nagar and Jain Stores considered to be premium due to the quality/price. The monthly groceries will be personally picked from these stores and for rice we had a Andhra guy who visit our house to replenish.
• My dad had access to ATM and online banking but will personally visit the bank and have seldom used the ATM, only in case of emergency the services of ATM was received.

Though I have criticized and made fun of these habits, slowly these habits got infused into me since I used to accompany him during those days. After his departure and on my return from Hyderabad I used to shop from the same vendor and made attempt to follow him and was successful to some extent.

Since these have become habits and habits are not easy to get rid-off, these continued in Bangalore too. In the first week of the demonetization, I got Rs20/- bundle from the bank over the counter and getting smaller denominations was never a tough task since in the past I frequently visited the branch and maintained the relationship with each of them. Would like to remind you that I am not a current account holder and in case if I get Rs 2000 then my regular vendors played a pivotal role in getting smaller denomination.

Similarly the same shopping method of my dad was also practiced in Bangalore too. Would like to state 2 incidents that will stand as a testimony.

1. One of the Bangalore vegetable vendor identified me in Guruvayur temple crowd and took efforts to reach me and had a brief discussion, this definitely surprised my family.

2. Normally I use public transport to office, though options are plenty would restrict myself to selected few buses. On a particular day pooled a car and for the remaining distance boarded the bus and that happened to be my regular bus. Friend who accompanied me was astonished with the questions probed by the conductor of the bus on whether I changed my office etc., and the conversation we had.

This demonetization not only diverted the funds but the intent of my final blog of the year where I want to share my nostalgic moments of 2016 however I feel even the diversion was memorable.

              Wish You all a Wonderful & Great 2017