Thursday, November 7, 2013

Gurgaon Times


‘News is what somebody wants to suppress- all the rest is advertising’.

While the main newspaper tells you stories of maids being assaulted in Delhi, the magazine supplement (Gurgaon Times) tells a different story. As you read the newspaper supplement where they tell you that Gurgaon residents are looking for maids with passports, a sinking feeling envelops you like the dust haze embracing NCR.

Here is my problem with the magazine supplements. Reading them brings out the disgruntled activist in me. It makes me knock on the editor’s door and ask, ‘Who the hell is gifting diamonds for

festivals? Where the hell do these people work? If they are salaried people, how the hell do they manage to splurge on a vacation for their maid when I am struggling to buy vegetables?’

The fact that I live in Gurgaon exacerbates it for me. At a time when inflation is battering us black and blue, publishing stories about the privileged is more like dangling celery and asparagus on every woman’s face who is struggling to dice onions and tomatoes for salad.

But Gurgaon being Gurgaon, one learns to live with the feeling that you are nobody unless you wear a Herve Leger, carry a Fendi or flaunt a Tissot. No, don’t get me wrong. Gurgaon’s newly minted residents, bless them, are modern, but rooted in culture. My newspaper tells me that they celebrate all festivals from Holi to Halloween with fervor, albeit with a futuristic twist. While the women religiously fast for their husbands on Karwachauth, they prefer to break the fast by using an app which turns their smart phone into a channi. Likewise, there is always a reason for Gurgaon- wallas to party. And Halloween is an interesting one. Another paper tells me that social creepers were planning to buy expensive Evil Queen costumes and skull shaped diamond earrings to celebrate Halloween on foreign shores. I am assuming the maid with a passport accompanied them.

Well, nothing wrong with that at all. I am pure jealous. Don’t judge me, I am human. Who wants to be a struggling writer, when you can be a household cook and enjoy a paid vacation on the beaches of Seychelles?

Every morning after reading the newspaper supplement splashed with advertisements, the urge to get intoxicated and numb the feelings of emptiness and inadequacy overwhelm me. As it happens, there is a 24/7 online home delivery of wine and liquor in Gurgaon. That is if you can decide between a kilogram of onions and a bottle of booze.

But frankly, there is little point in cribbing and whining. I have two options. For minimum impact, I am contemplating reading the national daily with a glass in my hand. As I read the magazine supplement and snuff wine, I can imagine myself dressed as a billboard, hopping on my chartered plane and celebrating festivals in style. So what if Diwali is over, Christmas is on the horizon.

The other, better option is to read the main newspaper. It tells me that there is a slowdown in the festive spirit as price rise has hit sales. It also tells me that Gurgaon’s top cop suffers from dengue and that two people were stabbed to death in a call center.

Bad is never good until worse happens. One kilogram of onions hitting a century is better than one onion hitting a century. To hell with the maid with a passport - there is joy in simple things. Like watching television with the family. Like taking a walk in the park. And news? Well, as they say, ‘No news is good news’. All the rest is advertising. 



Picture Courtesy: Thinkstock, Gurgaon Times (The Times of India) 

 Originally in Friday Gurgaon.


78 comments:

  1. What I have done?
    1. Switched to 'The Hindu' after loving TOI to bits-n-bikinis, even when I worked for HT. For reasons similar to yours.
    2. There is either salad for dinner, or food. Never the 2 together. Although, similar salaried houses have opened a few educational institutes recently, and I too am pure jealous. I'm human too!
    3. I bought a pack of 12 spoons on Dhanteras. Stainless steel, of course.
    4. On Halloween, I simply left my hair uncombed. It's free!
    5. I do eat in 'PrivileDged Punjabi' restaurant in West Delhi once a month. To feel privileged, of course. How else how else?
    :D I'm sharing this masterpiece!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha. Thank you for sharing Sakshi. I didn't even know it was Halloween until a girl dressed as Dracula rang my bell and shouted 'Trick or Treat'. As for the spoons, ditto!
      So I am not the only one who feels inadequate after reading Gurgaon Times!
      :)

      Delete
  2. This article should begin with a disclaimer - "Reading any further could be injurious to the psyche of simpleton sarkari naukars, their kith & kin & those of their ilk !"

    Good one :-)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Senthil. Gurgaon does this to people- makes them feel inadequate.More so the magazine supplement.

      Delete
  3. I used to love the glossy feel of these newspaper supplements. They were just perfect as lining for drawers.

    And isn't that what the city supplements are for - entertainment entertainment entertainment! When it comes to flaunting their lifestyles, Gurgaonwasis will spare no expenses.

    A delightful read, Alka. Loved it as always.

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    Replies
    1. I too love the glossy supplements , one for reading its 'rich' contents of expensive items and after reading and 'burying' my consumerism urges to lay 'rest' the glossy papers in the drawers. They look nice and my drawers look 'glossed' up.

      Delete
    2. Entertainment, consumerism, in your face advertising or lifestyle of the socialites- they all make me feel as if I live on a different planet. Thanks Kalpana, Purba.

      Delete
  4. Alka, have just come across yours just now! What a fabulous read. Aye, the Gurgaon elites are what compose the new urban India, with their soaked in tradition inside and a flamboyant outside, nay, the regular, show-off kind of junta, Delhi is so used to. But, the write was terrific and really enjoyed it thoroughly. Sharing on G+ and Twitter :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow, Gurgaon and its newspapers seem to exist in a parallel reality, maids with passports, Halloween costumes, what will they think of reporting next!!!

    An awesome read, and an eye opener for a simple 'upwardly mobile' (read someone whose mobile bills are on an upward trend) monthly income earner like me.

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  6. Thank God I shifted to Bangalore in time - and went completely off newspapers :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lucky you!
      Come back, its fun here. Lots of topics to write about.

      Delete
  7. I know what u r talkng abt Fendis and Tissots but halloween !!! I surely missed a major chunk of GGN last year. Surely we can be content with pizza Tv and NO News :) and a brilliant write up as always

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  8. The supplements are best suited for my drawers, kitchen cabinets and as a cover on my favorite books and journals. Gurgaon does make a simple Delhite feel inadequate. Loved reading it. :-)

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  9. Wonderful post, Alka, keeping up with the Guptas just doesn't work for people like us, who have more common sense than brand labels. A funny anecdote: When our fridge broke down in more down-to-earth Noida, my 21-year-old maid, who had asked for cold water and been refused for above cited reasons, asked me, 'Aapke paas ek hi fridge hai kya?' Piqued, I asked, 'Ek se zyada ki kya zaroorat hai?' She returned with, 'Hamare ghar mein to do hai. Ek se thode hi kaam chalta hai.' PS: I got a metallic mug tree for Dhan Teras, Sakshi, mainly because I was tired of knocking down my mugs because I have so little counter space, but then, this is London.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome here Mimmy. Let me share mine. When we came here in 2010 from Bangalore, I called an electrician to change a bulb. Simply because I was unable to reach the socket. The guy asked me for five hundred bucks to change a bulb. When I protested he said, " Madam Gurgaon mein to pair(legs) rakhne ke paise lagte hain."

      Delete
  10. Oh Gosh! It is all about show-sha baazi these days! Seriously, I also wonder the same stuff. Perhaps, we are too downmarket for them. Sometimes, the glossies far outweigh the newspapers. I hardly even glance at them as they are only filled with ads. Lovely read!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Around Diwali, Dhanteras and Bhai Dooj, the glossies it seems are on steroids.
      Thanks.

      Delete
  11. Like Purba, I use the glossy supplements to line my cupboards. Don't find them of much use other wise !

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hahahaha! Great post :)
    A new upcoming and equally fruitful sector of work is here in front of us :D

    http://simplysaid22.blogspot.in

    ReplyDelete
  13. The glossy supplements everywhere are the same. They are designed to dip everybody into a pool of 'nobodyness' as we look at people who apparently have more. Lovely read.

    ReplyDelete
  14. These glossy supplements should be taken with a pinch of gloss oops I mean salt. Most people are battling inflation, cutting down on expenses, balancing family budgets and not worrying about what to wear for the Halloween party.

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    Replies
    1. To be taken with dollops of gloss. Moral? Read the main paper and use the supplement for lining the drawers.

      Delete
  15. oh wow....your place is rich ma'am!!! Maids with passports? I have a passport. I think I can make more money as a maid than doing my job here. The other day a friend said, her maid makes Rs.30,000 and both their kids go to the same school. Not that they shouldn't...
    Enjoyed reading it..you wrote after a gap this time. Happy Holidays!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes I was busy with Diwali Prudhvi, hence the lag. Thank you.

      Delete
  16. Loved going through. Better to get a passport anon and apply for it--so is the urge. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a post! Made my morning. BTW, there is a different I find in Pune Mirror that you may not see in Gurgaon Times. We are hell bent on proving that our municipal is the best in the world by cutting water supplies, how much it thinks of the city citizens :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha, I wouldn't know much about Pune though my son is there.

      Delete
  18. Maids with passports? Reminds me of a maid who worked in my mil's place in Chennai. The moment she knew I was in SIngapore and had to manage a small infant she kept saying that she is ready to come. I asked her 'Do you have a passport?' (Well, definitely required in this case). She retorted 'Passport! Whats that? Where can I get it? Is it like our ration card? or our bank passbook' :D Many in India do not even know what a passport is!! Your article reminded me of the TOI supplement in Chennai. There would be a page full of photos from parties and bashes in some five star hotel of the city. And names no common man can relate to!! Glossy glossy and glossy!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bang on Jaish. It is for the privileged. Anyway who wants to read about daily struggles?
      Thanks for reading.

      Delete
  19. Nice account of the present times Alka! It reminds of reading about French Revolution in school when Mary Antionette said ' if you cannot afford bread why not eat cake"? So binge on Pizzas while onion and tomatoes prices hit the roof!

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  20. Well, watching television brings other woes..:)
    It's always a refreshing break to read your blog, hope u had a great Diwali with your family:)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Sad are our times, as you have written. But I do have one question - during your research for this post, did you manage to get the contact details of Ved and Brigette, the ones lounging in a 5-star pool the other day? What about Sonal and Ayushman at the party at that farmhouse? Peter and Sandra? How about Rukmini and whats-his-name? No? I guess it is difficult because no one on Page-3 appears to have a surname. They are just people everyone is simply supposed to know!

    I am glad for Gurgaon. Such an equalizer our city is. Whether you can only afford to buy a cheapo Mercedes E-Class or the fanciest Porsche Cayenne, everyone must deal with the same cattle herds and potholes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are so right about the equalizer part. We all breathe in the same smog.

      Delete
  22. Why Gurgaon?Every city has two parts.The problem arises if we refuse to accept that there are two classes-the privileged and the under/unprivileged.The supplement is for the former.But why then newspapers attach a supplement for the well heeled people along with the paper for levity.The fault lies with them.
    I enjoyed the hilarious but bitter piece!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a tongue-in-cheek take on the supplements.Thank you.

      Delete
  23. The suicide rate. crime, and unhappiness quotient is also highest in metro's. It is a daily struggle to keep up the facade. MNC's may be paying fat salaries but job pressure is immense. Two people at a call center died because they were fighting for leave to go home for Diwali. The hype is due to some people who have moved from Delhi and US to live in exotic condominiums. Come on the road and there is no power, no sewage and no water supply. It is damn expensive to live here.

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  24. There are times when I run out of toilet rolls and that is when the glossy supplements come in handy. And that is what I call putting them to good use. They are meant for that.

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    Replies
    1. Hmm, ahem aren't they a bit harsh for that purpose? Though they are perfect for lining the drawers.:)

      Delete
  25. Have you seen a 58 year old man giggle? Its a horrible sight. I giggled reading this cheeky piece. Its been ages since I read a newspaper, Alka, though everyday, our mailbox bulges with those free papers, the Hudson Gazette, the West Island Gazette. They go direct from the mailbox to the recycle bin. I'm designing an automated chute so they'll make the journey by themselves in future.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. With all that is going around there is little to smile. Keep smiling, keep giggling. Irrespective of the age.
      Shove your worries along with the supplement via that automated chute.

      Delete
  26. Thank God I don't read them anymore. One glance to check if I might have wronged something important, my doubts are reconfirmed by the grime spread across. But, it is necessary. Everyone cannot be an ostrich like me, with the head deep in the sand.

    Nice post!

    Blasphemous Aesthete

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    Replies
    1. They sure have entertainment value. If you don't feel disadvantaged or inadequate after reading the Page 3 escapades.

      Delete
  27. Visiting your blog for the first time and plan to again :)
    I still read the main paper because I just cannot get the charm of reading one out of my system. As far as the supplement goes, it usually ends up as the platform on which i clean my leafy veggies :P On reading your post I feel I have been doing the right thing all along!
    Good one!

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    Replies
    1. Welcome here Seeta. Glad you stopped by.
      I use them to clean my greens too.

      Delete
  28. Gurgaon is ie place in NCR where the disposable income is in abundance.
    I was surprised to see a boy who wasnt even 20 take out his credit card and signed Rs 8000 for DVDs
    As for news papers..buying them is now a stsus symbol though anyone hardle reads them.
    Late night TV news is enough..News papers are a source of dipression.

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  29. Alka ji . hats off to you . What a fantabulous write up . MIxing facts & fun perfectly . Brilliant .

    http://www.sweetsharing.com/

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  30. Maids with passports? Wonder how deep the divide in the society is going to get!
    Enjoyed the humor you laced the post with.

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    Replies
    1. Glad you enjoyed Indrani. Thanks for voting on the Indivine.

      Delete
  31. One thing is clear: We need to start growing our own vegetables at balconies/terraces, henceforth :)

    And yes, I am also jealous of that maid :P

    Destination Infinity

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha, so the feeling s universal.
      Thank you for stopping by.

      Delete
  32. Interesting read with facts and your personal opinions. Inflation is very high in India and people who look for maids with passport sounds real weird. But I enjoyed ( yes i did) your grumbling here :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Uma. Inflation is at an all time high. It is now hurting the upper middle class too.
      Glad you enjoyed this.

      Delete
  33. Freebird Alka You have excellent writing skills.If Maids with a Passport .....is true it is really interesting and new(s) to me.The humour and the fast pace was awsome.You are right nothing is bad till it is successful.

    Suresh USA

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  34. Maids with passports!! Looks like Gurgaon is on altogether a different planet!!
    A perfect tangy pick! Congratulations! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Only a select few who need maids to care of the kids while they shop abroad.
      :) thanks Shilpa.

      Delete
  35. I have stopped reading TOI. After diwlai, the size of the paper reduced drastically. It is the most hypocritical newspaper. And let alone the employers, the maids are snooty to. Let's go for a walk to digest this news :)

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  36. damn! the last line was a puncher. :P

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  37. This is not only in Gurgaon but all over. I find the glossy paper useful for other purposes in the house.
    I used to get two newspapers in the house, now cut it down to one. No point in going through the ads all over again in the second paper.
    Maids with passport? This is news to me.

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  38. A tale of sex..err ads that sell..time to move over Amitabh, SRK, Salman and sex..better sniff the wine..wow! maids with passport..the rising Maid-lle class:)

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  39. The supplement during Diwali almost became a weekly magazine. I don't remember going past even the first page.

    ReplyDelete