It was tired day, with all the journey in the past couple of days, had a very good sleep on my first day in Saskatoon. It was sunny day. I was not allowed to go outside of my room. So, one of my friends helped me getting all the required things to survive for those 14 days. He just dropped at the front door and I picked up the things and moved straight to my room without even moving my head sidewards. This guy from Punjab,India was staying in that airbnb for almost 7 months. We had a brief discussion on the life here is and would be and how difficult it is to secure a job. He has given an a lot failed attempts and has a very negative opinion on Canada and would imbibe in me the same thoughts all over again and again. But I was so pumped up and would not consider those negativity touch the tip of my fingers. I just told my self, everything will be fine. Every other day in the evening, there would be the police vehicle sirens all around the street. I was told the property I took on lease is in west side of the city where most of the natives and first nations reside and create all sorts of havoc around the community.
One day my live on partner banged my door at 10.30 p.m scared the hell out of me to leave the house or the govenrment authorities would come and take you for a hefty fine of $75000 for violationg the state's quarantine rules. My heart was sinking down underneath ground. Sweating like hell. Legs shaking and probably I would have just pissed in my pants. The rule says " the person should be in self isolation for 14 days with out any contact with the outside world, or should not be residing with the elderly people and people with pre existing medical conditions". Just my 4th day in the country, surviving finacial distress, he has thrown a missile on my mind. I was blank. No idea what to do. What if a officer comes to me and says, you have violated the law. What if I get deported. What if they ask me to pay the amount. What if my hand cuffed dragging me to the prison. I should have booked a saperate room. I should not have thought about the discounts this property was offering. With all these thoughts showing up one after the other, I was asleep.
The next day, on looking at his sarcastic smile, I thought I offered myself to him to fuck me hard. I browsed the quarantine rules and read throughly and made him understand but still he insists me of taking another room or relocate to somewhere else. I was reluctant. On my 12th day of quarantine plan, a lady police officer, dressed in black, with a pistol on the side of the waist, looked damn hot like those in the movies, asked my name. I was just staring at that hot lady. On asking for the second time, I came back to my senses, handed over my passport, asked about my health condition and disappered like a thunder. More than me, the punjabi guy was relaxed and I took a deep breath wanted to show this guy my middle finger and shout out loud " FUCK OFF". After 14 days, I wanted to move out of this place, relocated to one of my friend's room on the east where most of the Gujarati community resides. I spent alomost 4 weeks in the house. I occupied the the living room. I secured a job very quickly in a restaurant. That was a quick service restaurant. They did train people in every aspect. I was trained in chopping vegetables. Sorting out the raw non-vegetarian(NV). NV was against my principles and ethics. But I dont have choice. I worked there for about 4 days without any pay and switched over my job to a call center which was work from home.
My initial days travelling by bus, looking around the city, the malls, people, in all I missed my better half throughly. Even for a 2 min walk to grocery in India, we used to go together. Now I'm all alone.
I shifted to a new house on sharing accomodation with Indian people as my previous roomate was moving out of province and wanted to get away with the apartment. So, here I'm, in my new house, shared with 2 other people, located to all the groceries and medical walkby. Started my call centre job, undergoing training, receiving calls, jotting down the case notes, made some mistakes, hanged up the calls intentionally, it was all fun. Continued the job for about 3 months and bought a pre owned Mazda make 2 Lit. automatic sedan car which I made money from the call center. Learning car in a new country was entirely a new challenge in which my landlord from Pakistan helped me alot. They taught me how to drive. where to stop and where no to stop. They were the ones who made me drive confidently. All credit goes to them. They are so nice and warm. They helped me going to a department store, purchasing the daily needs, taking me to the food bank where food is available for free, helping me select the right car, in almost everything.
I did two jobs. Day job was the call center and the night one being the sales associate in a reputed convenience store for three days in a week from 12 a.m to 7 a.m. It was tough. Taking an hour break, switching over to my call center job. Since this was a remote work, I had taken advantage of sleeping sitting before the desktop during our training sesions. There were many frustrated days thinking of the job I was doing against my education, against my experience back home, against my expectations before arrival. I got so deeply hurt getting to know the fact that the employers wanted Canadian experienced employees. How the heck one should one fullfil this requirement? I kept applying for jobs. Finnally I saw a light at the end of the tunnel securing a job in an electronics manfacturing field with a decent pay good enough for myself. I was happy.
Saturday, January 16, 2021
Saturday, January 9, 2021
Maple Leaf
Before landing in the country of Maple Leaf, Canada, we along with family made sure we visted to all gods and temples to complete our vow.
Have taken the flight from Hyderabad-New Delhi-Toronto on 9th June 2020. Traveling amidst the Corona Virus made me take all the necessary precautions. Have checked in my baggage at Hyderabad airport and boarded the flight for Delhi. A layover of about 8 hrs and then boarded a flight to Toronto. On entering the flight, there were no signs of social distancing. I wore a N95 mask all through out the journey and a transperant plastic face shield. I've submitted A duly signed paper, before boarding, which says the Airline is not responsible for any kind of covid symptoms and shall deboard the flight immediately and the cost shall be borne by the passenger. There were a group of passengers, probably heading to China, dressed in white apron from top to toe shielding from virus attack. I look around the airport and the passengers, spraying all over the seating places, rubbing theirs palms with sanitizers, it was wierd but it is the new normal.
As I reached my seat in flight, I see a zip lock bag with some chips, chocolates, fruit drinks and sandwich. Indirectly it says, stop calling the crew members for any snaks and drinks you moron! So, my dream of having wine is gone for a toss. During the entire 16 hrs of journey, I had'nt had taken any food or drink as I know that would create huge pressure in my intestines which would burst out like a volcano. I saw, from my window seat, the city lights twinkling like stars, thinking of all the dramatic changes to the initial plan and slowly slipped to sleep. Sleeping with a mask and face shield was a challenge in itself. But that's the new normal. When I woke up, I saw the beautiful clouds passing by. By the time I landed in Toronto, it was around 6 a.m and very soon I was in line for my turn at the immigration cell.
After waiting for almost an hour, I did show my passport, my COPR(Confirmation Of Permanent Residence) document, my address and clarified about my 14 day quarantine plan. My COPR document was stamped and I was told would receive my PR card in 3 months by mail. My plan was to stay at the aiport since my connecting to my city, Saskatoon, was on the following day. But, due to covid restrictions, passengers were not allowed inside the airport. So, I headed towards a nearby hotel by taxi. Just for a night, I paid about $260. My first spending in CAD in a new nation. It was hard to digest the amount on the very first day. I got refreshed after a long flight, had a very good sleep. Woke up the next day early morning, arranged a taxi and was getting all the luggage to downstairs from thr 2nd floor. Unlike in India, there's no one to help you. I took two iterations for all this and meanwhile the taxi driver was waiting and I was late by about 5 min. He got pissed off and said to me" look out for other taxi. Im getting late." I then understood, here in Canada 'Time is Money'.
As I entered the domestic flight lobby, the lady on the counter asked me to pay some $900 as the previous transaction of the credit card did not go through. My second heart stroke on the second day. I left with no other choice but to follow her. In an hour I boarded the flight. 3.5 hrs of journey, I saw myself in Saskatoon, my destination. It was a sunny day. Took a taxi to the hotel where my quarantine plan was scheduled. A guy who was staying there, as this is air bnb accomodation, drops a bombshell making me sleepless nights for the rest of the quarantine plan.
Have taken the flight from Hyderabad-New Delhi-Toronto on 9th June 2020. Traveling amidst the Corona Virus made me take all the necessary precautions. Have checked in my baggage at Hyderabad airport and boarded the flight for Delhi. A layover of about 8 hrs and then boarded a flight to Toronto. On entering the flight, there were no signs of social distancing. I wore a N95 mask all through out the journey and a transperant plastic face shield. I've submitted A duly signed paper, before boarding, which says the Airline is not responsible for any kind of covid symptoms and shall deboard the flight immediately and the cost shall be borne by the passenger. There were a group of passengers, probably heading to China, dressed in white apron from top to toe shielding from virus attack. I look around the airport and the passengers, spraying all over the seating places, rubbing theirs palms with sanitizers, it was wierd but it is the new normal.
As I reached my seat in flight, I see a zip lock bag with some chips, chocolates, fruit drinks and sandwich. Indirectly it says, stop calling the crew members for any snaks and drinks you moron! So, my dream of having wine is gone for a toss. During the entire 16 hrs of journey, I had'nt had taken any food or drink as I know that would create huge pressure in my intestines which would burst out like a volcano. I saw, from my window seat, the city lights twinkling like stars, thinking of all the dramatic changes to the initial plan and slowly slipped to sleep. Sleeping with a mask and face shield was a challenge in itself. But that's the new normal. When I woke up, I saw the beautiful clouds passing by. By the time I landed in Toronto, it was around 6 a.m and very soon I was in line for my turn at the immigration cell.
After waiting for almost an hour, I did show my passport, my COPR(Confirmation Of Permanent Residence) document, my address and clarified about my 14 day quarantine plan. My COPR document was stamped and I was told would receive my PR card in 3 months by mail. My plan was to stay at the aiport since my connecting to my city, Saskatoon, was on the following day. But, due to covid restrictions, passengers were not allowed inside the airport. So, I headed towards a nearby hotel by taxi. Just for a night, I paid about $260. My first spending in CAD in a new nation. It was hard to digest the amount on the very first day. I got refreshed after a long flight, had a very good sleep. Woke up the next day early morning, arranged a taxi and was getting all the luggage to downstairs from thr 2nd floor. Unlike in India, there's no one to help you. I took two iterations for all this and meanwhile the taxi driver was waiting and I was late by about 5 min. He got pissed off and said to me" look out for other taxi. Im getting late." I then understood, here in Canada 'Time is Money'.
As I entered the domestic flight lobby, the lady on the counter asked me to pay some $900 as the previous transaction of the credit card did not go through. My second heart stroke on the second day. I left with no other choice but to follow her. In an hour I boarded the flight. 3.5 hrs of journey, I saw myself in Saskatoon, my destination. It was a sunny day. Took a taxi to the hotel where my quarantine plan was scheduled. A guy who was staying there, as this is air bnb accomodation, drops a bombshell making me sleepless nights for the rest of the quarantine plan.
Friday, January 1, 2021
IVF, Pandemic, . Its an epic.
The stock markets across the globe started crashing. Global economy started down fall. Businesses came to an halt. Most of them defaulted. International flights stopped. No public out on streets. Fears everywhere. Death rate hovering to the peaks. Hospitals were more than the capacity. Doctors were not in a position to operate patients. Even if they do, clueless on the right medication. Job crisis at historical highs. All this is not because of war between nations. No border conflict issues. No race to take over Mars. Just a small virus.
Yes. A virus created such a havoc across the world with no positive news. We were shopping frenzy to Canada when the news hit on the TV's and our flight was cancelled just a week before scheduled. Goverment decided to stop evrything. From railways to brick and motor stores. From Flights to movie theatres. From supermarkets to companies. The country was in Lockdown. Its the same with all global economies around the globe. Just a small virus with origins from China and the fact that it is being hidden from rest of the world created a deep crisis which can never be compensated. The word positive created a real pain in the ass.
Personally I was devastated. All my plans shattered. There's nothing in our hands. Sitting at home. spending hours together sticking to the TV to hear any positive news on the Pandemic. I had some quality time spent with my family after a very long time. Roof gardening, learning some spiritual songs, morning walks, some cricket with my wife, playing cards, relishing some authentic home made dishes. This was my daily activity. During nights, where the city was hell of noise and air pollution, I sensed an absolute paper drop silence. This was the time we decided to plan for kids again as there is high uncertainity on when we are gonna land in Canada and we dont wanna delay further. So my wife fed me with banana and chocolate shake as if I'm gonna enter the boxing ring with all my muscles bumping up. So here we are in the March experimenting with all kind of angles to hit the bulls eys.
The following month, we have consulted our family doctor and they suggested to go for IVF. On entering the IVF hospital, there were quite a few patients in the lobby. We males are looking at each other as if we had some telepathy, oh! even you did not hit the bulls eye. Looks like we were on the same boat with our own rudder in hands. And then I grinned, why the heck should I care. We were headed to the doctor's cabin. She explained the process and the bottom line was "you will not get normal pregnancy". We both looked at each others face as if we made some crime and wanna run out of this semen bank. She then said the cost of the complete package will be explained to you in another room. The lady in another room started explaining the details of how long does this take, how often we need to visit, what is the installment payments and every other details. They just wanna suck us into this trap which we may never come out and loosing our hard earned money on this crapy thing.
We gave it a thought after coming home. Spoke to few of our friends and relatives. We decided not to go for IVF and out of vengeance towards the doctor's words quoted above, my performance levels, day in day out, doubled with taking more of shakes and fruits. During lockdown, helping the poor and the disabled provide food was a relief to my house arrest. It was in May that the government decided to start international flights and we were lucky enough to get 2 tickets to Canada through VandeBharat(Air India rescue flights to bring back stranded Indians) flights for June 9th 2020.
If everything goes as planned we would call overselves GOD. It was only then when my better half visited the doctor and confirmed the news that she is carrying and been 4 weeks then. Everthing has changes in just an hour. Literally, my mind was not in a state to accept I go alone to Canada. Bags were packed. Got all the required documents. Loaded my international forex card on 11th hour. On the last day, we both hugged. kissed. Cried. Next morning, out of no where she touched my feet. Final adieu to my beloved ones.
Yes. A virus created such a havoc across the world with no positive news. We were shopping frenzy to Canada when the news hit on the TV's and our flight was cancelled just a week before scheduled. Goverment decided to stop evrything. From railways to brick and motor stores. From Flights to movie theatres. From supermarkets to companies. The country was in Lockdown. Its the same with all global economies around the globe. Just a small virus with origins from China and the fact that it is being hidden from rest of the world created a deep crisis which can never be compensated. The word positive created a real pain in the ass.
Personally I was devastated. All my plans shattered. There's nothing in our hands. Sitting at home. spending hours together sticking to the TV to hear any positive news on the Pandemic. I had some quality time spent with my family after a very long time. Roof gardening, learning some spiritual songs, morning walks, some cricket with my wife, playing cards, relishing some authentic home made dishes. This was my daily activity. During nights, where the city was hell of noise and air pollution, I sensed an absolute paper drop silence. This was the time we decided to plan for kids again as there is high uncertainity on when we are gonna land in Canada and we dont wanna delay further. So my wife fed me with banana and chocolate shake as if I'm gonna enter the boxing ring with all my muscles bumping up. So here we are in the March experimenting with all kind of angles to hit the bulls eys.
The following month, we have consulted our family doctor and they suggested to go for IVF. On entering the IVF hospital, there were quite a few patients in the lobby. We males are looking at each other as if we had some telepathy, oh! even you did not hit the bulls eye. Looks like we were on the same boat with our own rudder in hands. And then I grinned, why the heck should I care. We were headed to the doctor's cabin. She explained the process and the bottom line was "you will not get normal pregnancy". We both looked at each others face as if we made some crime and wanna run out of this semen bank. She then said the cost of the complete package will be explained to you in another room. The lady in another room started explaining the details of how long does this take, how often we need to visit, what is the installment payments and every other details. They just wanna suck us into this trap which we may never come out and loosing our hard earned money on this crapy thing.
We gave it a thought after coming home. Spoke to few of our friends and relatives. We decided not to go for IVF and out of vengeance towards the doctor's words quoted above, my performance levels, day in day out, doubled with taking more of shakes and fruits. During lockdown, helping the poor and the disabled provide food was a relief to my house arrest. It was in May that the government decided to start international flights and we were lucky enough to get 2 tickets to Canada through VandeBharat(Air India rescue flights to bring back stranded Indians) flights for June 9th 2020.
If everything goes as planned we would call overselves GOD. It was only then when my better half visited the doctor and confirmed the news that she is carrying and been 4 weeks then. Everthing has changes in just an hour. Literally, my mind was not in a state to accept I go alone to Canada. Bags were packed. Got all the required documents. Loaded my international forex card on 11th hour. On the last day, we both hugged. kissed. Cried. Next morning, out of no where she touched my feet. Final adieu to my beloved ones.
Taking Pride
Interviewer : Tell me about yourself.
Me : uttered some story.
Int: Will you be able to relocate to remote location?
Me : Yes
Int: What are your salary expectations?
Me: 20% hike on current CTC.
Int: We cannot offer you so high salary.
Me: Downgraded to 15%.
Int: We can offer you 15% cut on your current CTC.
Me: Just thought to my self "Fuck Off You Assole".
This was one of my interview shots out of many. When you have a gap on your resume, everyone looks at you like a shit. Just dont know how to get on with my jobless days, have utilised this time making trips to temples. Then again on one fine day, there comes a good news. I was offered for heading a plant in Bhiwandi,Maharastra in one of the most trusted brands of India, Nilkamal.
Visisted Lucknow for one of my friend's marriage. We both were roommates during my first company days. He has come to my marriage. So as a typical Indian mind, it is my obligation to give it back. There we are in the middle of a north Indian marriage with all the music, reverberating through the streets, their relatives were so surprised to see us and complimented our pair. During our bus journey from the grooms's place to the hall, we have had good friend's with all of his cousins. They really took care of us. Everyone behaved well mannered. Post marriage, we had taken a day off from the marriage noises and went on to look at the city. We visted few of the Moguls built forts, parks and a riding on a water boat. Enjoyed every bit of it thoroughly.
I've joined the company on March 13th in their corporate office in Andheri. Building was very big with all of the departments working here and controlling the plant operations pan India. My stay was in the company's guest house and headed to the Bhiwandi Plant the next day along with the HR and the Vice President - Operations. The company was built in a godown following all the safety protocols. The team was young. In no time I took charge of the plant operations completely. Management was happy with the performance. Life going good. Actually better. Leaving the company on time and spending some quality time with my family made me forget of all those hard times I faced. This was when we wanted to go for kids as there was no updates on my Canada PR.
My wife missed her monthly cycle and this was when we discovered the egg got stuck in one of the falopian tubes and has to be removed on war foot basis. This is the second encounter to hospital. Booked a flight to Hyderbad the next day morning, went to the hospital directly and after examining all the reports, doctor suggested for cutting off the falopian tube. Which means, the chances of getting normal pregnancy was down by 50%. She was taken to the theatre, operated for about 2 hrs. This was again a matter of life and death. How the hell did she endured all the pain all these days? How the hell did she manage to visit the doctor and the CT scan in Bombay all by herself? How the hell did she not loose courage ans stayed strong all through? These were many of the questions running through my mind.
Luckily this time, I got the health card activated and numerous call to my health advisor, the bill amount from my pocket was just Rs.6000. Doctor suggested not to plan for kids for the next 3 months. So, for me it was like going on for a diet on 90 days. With absolutely no terms and conditions. I was back to my work in 2 days. This is the worst part. When you take care of your health, there is something which cannot be controlled and hits you hard. My wife has taken extreme care with no drinks, no junk food and yet her body was taken for a toll.
The good news of my PR approval to Canada has bee the shine in the dark, after a long two years of our sincere efforts. There were no limits to ur joy. Tears rolling off. Time to sign off from this company as well. By the time I resigned, the company's inventory value reduced, NPA reduced to great extent, Production no.s increased and the serviceability increased as well. I was proud of myself turning a chaos plant into a systematic run plant.
Before landing in Canada, We wanted to treat ourselves a good party and this time its "Goa". It was treat for Canada. It was treat for our anniversary. It was a treat for our final days in India. Boozing on pool side, roaming around, watching girls in bikinis, beaching, paragliding and what not. Goa is actually an out of country experience with most of residents from abroad, sign boards in russian language, foreigners setting up businesses here. That was fabulous. After all this, we took an oath to visit again with kids. We returned to our hometown and booked 2 tickets to Canada on March 31 and then the whole world came to end in just matter of days.
This was one of my interview shots out of many. When you have a gap on your resume, everyone looks at you like a shit. Just dont know how to get on with my jobless days, have utilised this time making trips to temples. Then again on one fine day, there comes a good news. I was offered for heading a plant in Bhiwandi,Maharastra in one of the most trusted brands of India, Nilkamal.
Visisted Lucknow for one of my friend's marriage. We both were roommates during my first company days. He has come to my marriage. So as a typical Indian mind, it is my obligation to give it back. There we are in the middle of a north Indian marriage with all the music, reverberating through the streets, their relatives were so surprised to see us and complimented our pair. During our bus journey from the grooms's place to the hall, we have had good friend's with all of his cousins. They really took care of us. Everyone behaved well mannered. Post marriage, we had taken a day off from the marriage noises and went on to look at the city. We visted few of the Moguls built forts, parks and a riding on a water boat. Enjoyed every bit of it thoroughly.
I've joined the company on March 13th in their corporate office in Andheri. Building was very big with all of the departments working here and controlling the plant operations pan India. My stay was in the company's guest house and headed to the Bhiwandi Plant the next day along with the HR and the Vice President - Operations. The company was built in a godown following all the safety protocols. The team was young. In no time I took charge of the plant operations completely. Management was happy with the performance. Life going good. Actually better. Leaving the company on time and spending some quality time with my family made me forget of all those hard times I faced. This was when we wanted to go for kids as there was no updates on my Canada PR.
My wife missed her monthly cycle and this was when we discovered the egg got stuck in one of the falopian tubes and has to be removed on war foot basis. This is the second encounter to hospital. Booked a flight to Hyderbad the next day morning, went to the hospital directly and after examining all the reports, doctor suggested for cutting off the falopian tube. Which means, the chances of getting normal pregnancy was down by 50%. She was taken to the theatre, operated for about 2 hrs. This was again a matter of life and death. How the hell did she endured all the pain all these days? How the hell did she manage to visit the doctor and the CT scan in Bombay all by herself? How the hell did she not loose courage ans stayed strong all through? These were many of the questions running through my mind.
Luckily this time, I got the health card activated and numerous call to my health advisor, the bill amount from my pocket was just Rs.6000. Doctor suggested not to plan for kids for the next 3 months. So, for me it was like going on for a diet on 90 days. With absolutely no terms and conditions. I was back to my work in 2 days. This is the worst part. When you take care of your health, there is something which cannot be controlled and hits you hard. My wife has taken extreme care with no drinks, no junk food and yet her body was taken for a toll.
The good news of my PR approval to Canada has bee the shine in the dark, after a long two years of our sincere efforts. There were no limits to ur joy. Tears rolling off. Time to sign off from this company as well. By the time I resigned, the company's inventory value reduced, NPA reduced to great extent, Production no.s increased and the serviceability increased as well. I was proud of myself turning a chaos plant into a systematic run plant.
Before landing in Canada, We wanted to treat ourselves a good party and this time its "Goa". It was treat for Canada. It was treat for our anniversary. It was a treat for our final days in India. Boozing on pool side, roaming around, watching girls in bikinis, beaching, paragliding and what not. Goa is actually an out of country experience with most of residents from abroad, sign boards in russian language, foreigners setting up businesses here. That was fabulous. After all this, we took an oath to visit again with kids. We returned to our hometown and booked 2 tickets to Canada on March 31 and then the whole world came to end in just matter of days.
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Rolling Stone & Canada
My third company in Hyderabad was into making of Automated Meter Readings(AMR's) which has a very very small manufacturing set up in a 3 floor building converting a nice home into an electronic manufacturing. My first day, my blood rushed to high peaks of converting this nano company into atleast a micro. As I owe them the gratitude of offering me a job offer during crisis.
I hardly understood anything in the process. But gradually, I learnt the parts go into it. Spoke to the vendors for quick deliveries and negoiated on the volume discounts. Understoof the process of purchasing and electronics industry. I was giving my best shot to the company but I very quickly found that the management and the directors of the company don't have sufficient funds to run the business and inturn delaying employee salaries. Delayed for upto to months together. Even then I worked in the interest of the company.
On personal front, I was doing okay. My wife started working to compensate the household expenses. On one bad morning, she started getting severe stomach ache and when taken to the doctors, they pulled out the scan reports which stated she has fibroids, small tumors in the uterus, and has to be taken care of immediately. This has blown off my mind. Doctors scared us so much that it was like "now or never". This was first encounter with the corporate hospitals. We both were frightened. Informed our angles, our beloved parents. With the help of our family doctors, she was taken to a room wherein she was lying for overnight to get prepared for the operation next day. The surgery took about 2 hrs. Doctors have removed all the fibroids performing laproscopic myomectomy. This was the most disturbing part in our lives after marriage. She has lost weight post surgery. She has to be extremely careful while walking. No bending,carry heavy weights and no strides at all.
My pockets were empty for paying the hospital bills. I just have close to a lac which was not enough to cover up the expenses. Hospitals suck your hard earned money especially when you do not have a health policy in place. I sold few of my stocks which gave me an oxygen of about 50k. Then I got some money from one of my uncle's and my sister from States. This was very difficult time. Professionaly it was not encouraging. I could'nt take it anymore. I quit the company again with out having a backup plan. It was then when we bith us together discussed and rolled out our business selling ladies garments from our house. We had those leggings sourced from Tiruppur, Tamilnadu, from one of my friends. Then we had stock of kalamkari sarees, dress material and kurta pyjamas. I ran shop to shop to market the leggings. From one end of the city to other. We got few orders. We supplied them. But everyone wants on credit which I cannot afford at that time. We are making reasonal money.
One day from one of our acquaintances, we discovered the permanent resident for Canada is easy and we got into the details with one of the consultancies. We have decided to go for it and I gave IELTS with a score of 6.5. Proceeded with all the documents and process with no hopes of getting any close to it.
After a gap of nearly six months, I landed another job in a mattress making company where I was incharge of the production. Life was going good again. We got a good news that my profile has been selected for the Canada PR. Due to long distance travel to work, have managed learning car and used to commute by car. We were so much confused over planning for kids in India or in Canada. Personally I wanted to have it in India as this would be her first time and she has to be taken care of.
On professional front, I used to be very busy, coming late home, tired and drifting to sleep in 5 min. Once the marriage is done, there will be a mounting pressure fom parents to become grand parents. Every phone call to my mom, she asks only one question for which I really do not have answer. Every month, she asks for my wife if she has mensus. She tried explaining me how complicated it would be if we keep on delaying for kids. She explains me how the planning should be if we wanna go for a second child. She literally persuaded me to go for kids asap. After every mensus cycle she would ask me if we made love and would wait for another cycle to hear the happy news. It was'nt just my mom but every relative whom we talk over phone, whom we visted on weekends. If my wife gained a bit if weight and wore loose tops/kurtas the instant question is: are you conceived? Everybody was "in persuit of an answer".
By the time I was sure of the Canadian PR, I again quit my job hoping to receive the final PR in just couple of months.But it was taking more time than I anticipated and again I was back to square one. In just three years I rolled over 3 times to various companies. But all through this, my wife stood by me like rock solid. I'm very lucky to have her in my life. There's no frame in my life without her.
I hardly understood anything in the process. But gradually, I learnt the parts go into it. Spoke to the vendors for quick deliveries and negoiated on the volume discounts. Understoof the process of purchasing and electronics industry. I was giving my best shot to the company but I very quickly found that the management and the directors of the company don't have sufficient funds to run the business and inturn delaying employee salaries. Delayed for upto to months together. Even then I worked in the interest of the company.
On personal front, I was doing okay. My wife started working to compensate the household expenses. On one bad morning, she started getting severe stomach ache and when taken to the doctors, they pulled out the scan reports which stated she has fibroids, small tumors in the uterus, and has to be taken care of immediately. This has blown off my mind. Doctors scared us so much that it was like "now or never". This was first encounter with the corporate hospitals. We both were frightened. Informed our angles, our beloved parents. With the help of our family doctors, she was taken to a room wherein she was lying for overnight to get prepared for the operation next day. The surgery took about 2 hrs. Doctors have removed all the fibroids performing laproscopic myomectomy. This was the most disturbing part in our lives after marriage. She has lost weight post surgery. She has to be extremely careful while walking. No bending,carry heavy weights and no strides at all.
My pockets were empty for paying the hospital bills. I just have close to a lac which was not enough to cover up the expenses. Hospitals suck your hard earned money especially when you do not have a health policy in place. I sold few of my stocks which gave me an oxygen of about 50k. Then I got some money from one of my uncle's and my sister from States. This was very difficult time. Professionaly it was not encouraging. I could'nt take it anymore. I quit the company again with out having a backup plan. It was then when we bith us together discussed and rolled out our business selling ladies garments from our house. We had those leggings sourced from Tiruppur, Tamilnadu, from one of my friends. Then we had stock of kalamkari sarees, dress material and kurta pyjamas. I ran shop to shop to market the leggings. From one end of the city to other. We got few orders. We supplied them. But everyone wants on credit which I cannot afford at that time. We are making reasonal money.
One day from one of our acquaintances, we discovered the permanent resident for Canada is easy and we got into the details with one of the consultancies. We have decided to go for it and I gave IELTS with a score of 6.5. Proceeded with all the documents and process with no hopes of getting any close to it.
After a gap of nearly six months, I landed another job in a mattress making company where I was incharge of the production. Life was going good again. We got a good news that my profile has been selected for the Canada PR. Due to long distance travel to work, have managed learning car and used to commute by car. We were so much confused over planning for kids in India or in Canada. Personally I wanted to have it in India as this would be her first time and she has to be taken care of.
On professional front, I used to be very busy, coming late home, tired and drifting to sleep in 5 min. Once the marriage is done, there will be a mounting pressure fom parents to become grand parents. Every phone call to my mom, she asks only one question for which I really do not have answer. Every month, she asks for my wife if she has mensus. She tried explaining me how complicated it would be if we keep on delaying for kids. She explains me how the planning should be if we wanna go for a second child. She literally persuaded me to go for kids asap. After every mensus cycle she would ask me if we made love and would wait for another cycle to hear the happy news. It was'nt just my mom but every relative whom we talk over phone, whom we visted on weekends. If my wife gained a bit if weight and wore loose tops/kurtas the instant question is: are you conceived? Everybody was "in persuit of an answer".
By the time I was sure of the Canadian PR, I again quit my job hoping to receive the final PR in just couple of months.But it was taking more time than I anticipated and again I was back to square one. In just three years I rolled over 3 times to various companies. But all through this, my wife stood by me like rock solid. I'm very lucky to have her in my life. There's no frame in my life without her.
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
Hosur Dairies
My bride, tied up in a red and green saree with jasmine flowers buckled up in her tied up hair holding a glass of milk in her two smoothie like palms entering room on our first night. I was just eager to get a complete picture of top to toe made me more nervous and anxious.When the door clinged, my heart beating at some 200 kmph, blood levels rose, might be sugar levels as well, sweating like I was in Sahara desert with A.C turned on at 18. My legs shivering. My palms wet and soaking. As she stepped in the room, I was like a blown up baloon. She was wearing a normal kurta pyjama with no milk glass, no flowers and not even a naughty smile on face which I saw in movies over 1000 times since childhood.
When we made ourselves comfortable, aftersome chit chat I gave a ring for her thumb finger to extend my gratitude for choosing me in her life. For making a strong decision to change her family name. For coming to me leaving her parents and loved ones behind. For becoming my future. For stepping in my house as a daughter. The first thing I did was to lay my head on her warm lap. We talked alot. It was memory to cherish. Its been 5 years since then and still all those memories are echoing in my mind crystal clear.
By the time I was married, I had an offer letter from one of the competitors of my current company. I thought my wife could not get habituated here in Erode because of the difference in culture, language and on top it is a village. This was a costly mistake I made very drastically in my very early marriage days.
We moved to Hosur, 40 kms to Bangalore. The place is quiet diversed in culture, with most of the people from southern part of India and mainly we could communicate in Telugu, my mother tounge. Both of us were having a really good time. We used to visit Bangalore, watch movies, get dominos pizza over weekends with vodka. Life was pretty good. We both celebrated the festials together, made lot of wishes, and the thing in common was, God, please make sure all goes well. There were also moments where we both had verbal fights, did not talk to each other for few days, we did not quiet understood each other and parents from both sides used to interfere and made us understand the intricacies and delicacies of wife and husband relation.
There has been mounting pressure on professional side, where I was unable to meet the huge expectations from the management, all of them were keralites. I spent sleepless nights with the crisis of my job, was even thinking of going back to Erode and join my previous company. Things were not going as expected. My wife could'nt take all this. She prayed god. She beggeed him to show some light. She cried alot sitting alone. Finally Ive put my papers on the table. I resigned without having a back up job. All my well wishers suggested to come back to Hyderabad and start taking some software courses. I had no choice but to follow.
I felt like my life has been ripped apart. Torn into pieces. But my wife stood by my side. No matter where what how, I'm gonna be with you, she said. I felt like crying. She hold my hands strong. She kept on pushing me. motivating me. One of my uncle's has a small one room on the terrance of their three floor building in Banjara hills, one of the richest localities in Hyderabad. When me and wife saw the saw, she instantly with hesitation said she is gonna stay in there with me which has no proper lighting, no cieling fan, no attached washroom and no saperate kitchen. Just one small 150-200 sqft room. There's a saying. A real man's loyalty for his woman is checked when he has everything at his disposal and the real woman's loyalty is checked when her man has nothing left in his pockets. My woman not just held my hands but supported me all through for which I shall always be indebted to her.
Just as a ray lof light in darkness, I received a call from a very small company offering a job in their electronic manufacturing set up as a production manager. I was on cloud 9. No limits for my happiness. I quickly accepted the offer and joined the company on 1st Feb 2016 and only then I realized this joy would not last longer.
When we made ourselves comfortable, aftersome chit chat I gave a ring for her thumb finger to extend my gratitude for choosing me in her life. For making a strong decision to change her family name. For coming to me leaving her parents and loved ones behind. For becoming my future. For stepping in my house as a daughter. The first thing I did was to lay my head on her warm lap. We talked alot. It was memory to cherish. Its been 5 years since then and still all those memories are echoing in my mind crystal clear.
By the time I was married, I had an offer letter from one of the competitors of my current company. I thought my wife could not get habituated here in Erode because of the difference in culture, language and on top it is a village. This was a costly mistake I made very drastically in my very early marriage days.
We moved to Hosur, 40 kms to Bangalore. The place is quiet diversed in culture, with most of the people from southern part of India and mainly we could communicate in Telugu, my mother tounge. Both of us were having a really good time. We used to visit Bangalore, watch movies, get dominos pizza over weekends with vodka. Life was pretty good. We both celebrated the festials together, made lot of wishes, and the thing in common was, God, please make sure all goes well. There were also moments where we both had verbal fights, did not talk to each other for few days, we did not quiet understood each other and parents from both sides used to interfere and made us understand the intricacies and delicacies of wife and husband relation.
There has been mounting pressure on professional side, where I was unable to meet the huge expectations from the management, all of them were keralites. I spent sleepless nights with the crisis of my job, was even thinking of going back to Erode and join my previous company. Things were not going as expected. My wife could'nt take all this. She prayed god. She beggeed him to show some light. She cried alot sitting alone. Finally Ive put my papers on the table. I resigned without having a back up job. All my well wishers suggested to come back to Hyderabad and start taking some software courses. I had no choice but to follow.
I felt like my life has been ripped apart. Torn into pieces. But my wife stood by my side. No matter where what how, I'm gonna be with you, she said. I felt like crying. She hold my hands strong. She kept on pushing me. motivating me. One of my uncle's has a small one room on the terrance of their three floor building in Banjara hills, one of the richest localities in Hyderabad. When me and wife saw the saw, she instantly with hesitation said she is gonna stay in there with me which has no proper lighting, no cieling fan, no attached washroom and no saperate kitchen. Just one small 150-200 sqft room. There's a saying. A real man's loyalty for his woman is checked when he has everything at his disposal and the real woman's loyalty is checked when her man has nothing left in his pockets. My woman not just held my hands but supported me all through for which I shall always be indebted to her.
Just as a ray lof light in darkness, I received a call from a very small company offering a job in their electronic manufacturing set up as a production manager. I was on cloud 9. No limits for my happiness. I quickly accepted the offer and joined the company on 1st Feb 2016 and only then I realized this joy would not last longer.
Monday, December 28, 2020
24-12-2015
T12345, T45678, T....., these were the common T codes which you can see scribling everywhere possible. No, that is not SAP related Transaction codes but related to the matrimony websites in sreach of a bride for me.
Attaining an age of 26 and 23 for boy and girl respectively makes Indian parents go sleepless nights and sometimes nightmares till the time they get married and I'm no different. There was quiet a lot of buzz going on with the girls photographs, their zodiac signs and the family background. I just a simple requirement. We should be making a good pair as in "made for each other". I've visited to couple of the prospective bride's house for a very casual and formal discussion. When parents of both side ask the prospective bride and groom to go to another room to get to know each other, it makes me very uncomfortable and nervous as well.
Then all those days, my mom was very excited and eager to know who shall be the lucky charm as the daugther-in-law, who can take responsibilities, who can live up to the expectations, who can imbibe in our family's traditions and culture. She had a vow to perform my marriage before i turn 30. This number to my mom is very alarming and intimidationg. The bride's market is so limited and dont wanna look for a grrom who's 30.She just wanna hit the bulls eye. On the other side, my dad, 62, was learning the art of astrology. Kudos to my dad who has the quest to learn something entirely a new subject at such an age. He learnt the basics so well that he used to tell the bride's parents right away, after asking the nakshatra & gotram, for a yellow, red or green lights.
On one fine day, my mom decided to stay with me at Erode for few days as she thinks I've become skinny and very soon my skeleton would be visible for a science fair. She wanna add some fats to my body. Together we had good time. I told her that I used to eat non-veg and now restained completely. I told her that I very occasionally take alcohol. It was when she received a call from back home that one of the tenants has occupied a commercial space and now not vacating the thing even after polite discussions. My mom's BP rose to the highest levels, blood boiling to the some 1000 C and was unable to sleep that night. She has decided to go back home the following cutting short the trip. I also wanted to go along her so that there should be nothing bad happening and everything under control.
By the time we reached our hometown, there were few discussions with the tenant and there was also a formal meeting on the table with the prospective bride at a temple on mutual agreed time. Since we both had a brief video talk, we know a bit of background about each other. After we had blessings from the temple diety, we sat under a tree on a cemented bench at the entrance of the temple. I talked a bit and I can see she was bit nervous talking to starngers. Conversation lasted for about 5 min may be. Out both families departed. I liked the girl. She liked me. Our families came together and the final date was decided for the auspicious ceremony, Dec 24th 2015.
Marriages are made in heaven does'nt need to be literally be that way. In my case, I was headed to my hometown for some other purpose and something else was destined to happen. We exchanged no.s and we spoke hours together. Texting. Sleepless nights. During work. During meetings. In canteen. This is a very strange feeling. I loved it. Love was all over the place. Marriage was indeed a huge responsibility. Unprepared and ready to face the challenge with a smile along with my better half.
We had a grand reception on Nov 21 2015 and the marriage date was fixed on Dec 15 2015. The marriage was pulled out in a very grandoise way. Held in a truly sounth Indian brahmin cultured style, me wearing just a white dhoti exposing my white skinny with a little flesh over my skeleton all through out the ceremony and my better half changed the costume couple of times. Since both the families are from the same place, Warangal and both of the families have a lot of common relatives, the hall was full with nearing about 1000 attendees. The stage was decorated with one of the most unique designs at the time. Till date many of our relatives talk about the extravaganza.
Attaining an age of 26 and 23 for boy and girl respectively makes Indian parents go sleepless nights and sometimes nightmares till the time they get married and I'm no different. There was quiet a lot of buzz going on with the girls photographs, their zodiac signs and the family background. I just a simple requirement. We should be making a good pair as in "made for each other". I've visited to couple of the prospective bride's house for a very casual and formal discussion. When parents of both side ask the prospective bride and groom to go to another room to get to know each other, it makes me very uncomfortable and nervous as well.
Then all those days, my mom was very excited and eager to know who shall be the lucky charm as the daugther-in-law, who can take responsibilities, who can live up to the expectations, who can imbibe in our family's traditions and culture. She had a vow to perform my marriage before i turn 30. This number to my mom is very alarming and intimidationg. The bride's market is so limited and dont wanna look for a grrom who's 30.She just wanna hit the bulls eye. On the other side, my dad, 62, was learning the art of astrology. Kudos to my dad who has the quest to learn something entirely a new subject at such an age. He learnt the basics so well that he used to tell the bride's parents right away, after asking the nakshatra & gotram, for a yellow, red or green lights.
On one fine day, my mom decided to stay with me at Erode for few days as she thinks I've become skinny and very soon my skeleton would be visible for a science fair. She wanna add some fats to my body. Together we had good time. I told her that I used to eat non-veg and now restained completely. I told her that I very occasionally take alcohol. It was when she received a call from back home that one of the tenants has occupied a commercial space and now not vacating the thing even after polite discussions. My mom's BP rose to the highest levels, blood boiling to the some 1000 C and was unable to sleep that night. She has decided to go back home the following cutting short the trip. I also wanted to go along her so that there should be nothing bad happening and everything under control.
By the time we reached our hometown, there were few discussions with the tenant and there was also a formal meeting on the table with the prospective bride at a temple on mutual agreed time. Since we both had a brief video talk, we know a bit of background about each other. After we had blessings from the temple diety, we sat under a tree on a cemented bench at the entrance of the temple. I talked a bit and I can see she was bit nervous talking to starngers. Conversation lasted for about 5 min may be. Out both families departed. I liked the girl. She liked me. Our families came together and the final date was decided for the auspicious ceremony, Dec 24th 2015.
Marriages are made in heaven does'nt need to be literally be that way. In my case, I was headed to my hometown for some other purpose and something else was destined to happen. We exchanged no.s and we spoke hours together. Texting. Sleepless nights. During work. During meetings. In canteen. This is a very strange feeling. I loved it. Love was all over the place. Marriage was indeed a huge responsibility. Unprepared and ready to face the challenge with a smile along with my better half.
We had a grand reception on Nov 21 2015 and the marriage date was fixed on Dec 15 2015. The marriage was pulled out in a very grandoise way. Held in a truly sounth Indian brahmin cultured style, me wearing just a white dhoti exposing my white skinny with a little flesh over my skeleton all through out the ceremony and my better half changed the costume couple of times. Since both the families are from the same place, Warangal and both of the families have a lot of common relatives, the hall was full with nearing about 1000 attendees. The stage was decorated with one of the most unique designs at the time. Till date many of our relatives talk about the extravaganza.
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