"Good afternoon and welcome to the Phase II Press conference of the upcoming mission for the Giobal Precipitation Measurement." "To discuss the mission we have with us John Stockton" "GPM Project Formulation Manager from NASA HQ." "Mohan Bhargav" "Project Manager and Spacecraft Mission Director from GODDARD." "Over to you John." " Thank you George." "The Office of Management and Budget released the President's 2004 fiscal year budget plan in early February fiagging off the GPM Launch." "We have in the Formulation phase of GPM taken steps to reduce risks to ensure a mission confirmation review." "That's where Mohan Bhargava, our Project Manager comes in." "Thank you John." "Good afternoon everybody." "Before I come to Phase ll, a quick update on the recently concluded Phase I." "In Phase I we focused on the Definition of Mission Scope," "Systematic Measurement Approach and Technology Roadmaps." "Wili you roll the tape please?" "Thank you." "The core satellite is designed like a TRMM Spacecraft." "It'il be launched in non-sun-sync orbit at an inclination of 65-degrees and an altitude of 400 kms." "The constellation satellites would be pre-existing operational, experimental  dedicated satellites, with PMW radiometers." "They would operate both in non-sun-synch and synch orbits at an altitude of 600-900 kms." "You are welcome to throw any questions." "What are the objectives of the Globai Precipitation Measurement programme?" "Last question." " Is this budgetjustified?" "Giobaliy, there is a danger of water recession in the near future." "It will not be unreal to imagine that in the 21 st century, cities like" "Beijing, Amman, New Delhi, Santiago, Jakarta, Mexico City, Lima and many others, will drink up their surrounding waters and perish." "Water is going to be rare." "Is it not a reason enough to justify any budget?" "Are there any more questions?" "Thank you for being here." " Thank you very much." "I've never seen John Stockton smile so much." "He is really very happy with us." "The press conference went off well." "And your presentation excellent!" "This is a quantum leap for us." "Weli, we can now let our hair down now that phase I is finally over." "Hey, you've been very quiet." "What's the matter?" "I want to get a cup of coffee." "Wouid you like some?" "Make me a strong one." " Sure" "Two new messages," "Hi Mohan." "This is Paui tried calling you at work and your cell you seem to be in a meeting, cali me back." "Good afternoon Mr. Bhargava, this is Steven Carter from the BCIS  your request for citizenship has been accepted." "Piease call me on Monday." "Bye." "congratulations!" "Your request for citizenship has been accepted." "You seem lost." " Not really." "I get it." "Work pressures are stressing you out and then you have no other interests..." "No pubbing, no partying!" "Take my advice, you should get married!" "You need a life partner." "Like they say" " Happiness only doubles when it is shared!" "It changed My life!" "No Vinod, that's not it." "Then what is it?" "What's the matter?" "Today is the death anniversary of my parents." "Oh!" "I'm sorry." "No, It's okay." "I still vividly remember that I was in my last year of University in Pennsylvania ... when I received the news of their car accident!" "Now I understand why you've been so low all day." "You know Vinod..." "There's something else, which has been pricking my conscience these last few months." "Do you remember Kaveriamma?" "Kaveriamma?" "Your old maid servant, right?" "Please don't call her a maidservant." "She was like a mother to me!" "I'm sorry." "I had no idea." "What about her?" "As you know, I was the only child." "My parents brought me up with a lot of love, they provided me with everything." "But along with them, Kaveriamma too had a special place in my life." "My mother would make my breakfast, while Kaveriamma would feed me." "My parents tucked me into bed, while Kaveriamma sang me a lullaby." "From the age of two to seventeen she looked after me completely." "You could say Kaveriamma was like a second mother to me" "So when was the last time you met her?" "At my parent's funeral." "I remember crying like a child in Kaveriamma's arms." "It was a very tough time for me." "Then I came back here and began to find a footing in life." "Kaveriamma would often write me letters, and I would send her replies as well." "But later, I got so completely immersed in my work, that I just lost touch." "All this is so out of the blue Mohan." "why did you suddenly think of her today?" "It's not sudden, Vinod." "I've been thinking about her since the past few months." "I've been having recurring nightmares of her being  old, feeble, and helpless." "Vinod, I have blundered." "I now feel very guilty that I have neglected her  and haven't been able to look after her." "I had become selfish Vinod." "She is the only thread who can string the memories of my parents." "I was thinking of going to Delhi..." "and bringing her here." "Absolutely!" "Brilliant idea!" "But I don't think John will consent." "There can't be a better time for you to ask for a vacation than now," "We are 28 weeks away from the GPM launch." "John won't refuse." "You think so?" " Yeah sure." "Promise to bring him back an elephant or something." "Yeah sure" "Thank you very much." "So its on the outmost importance to get the time pressure on the stabilization unit." "Thank you very much gentlemen." "Excuse me John." " Sure, tell me." "I have a request for two weeks off." "Need to go to India, is it possible?" "Is everything ok back home?" "Oh yeah everything is allright." "Just a pending matter." "When do you have to leave?" "Actually as soon as possible." "28 weeks to launch?" "You realize you have to delegate Some of this to others." "Oh yes yes I'll have a detailed meeting with the team and" "I'll be in constant touch with Vinod from there." "Alright then, have a good trip." "Thank you very much John." "Amazing..." "John agreed very quickly." "I should have asked for a vacation myself." "Thank God you didn't." "If you had, he would have cancelled mine too." "May I clear your tray please?" "can I get you anything else?" "No thank you." "This is your captain here." "Good morning everyone." "We have now started our decent" "And in a short time we'll be landing at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in delhi." "Hope you had a comfortable flight Thank you for flying Air India." "Your attention please." "Announcing the arrival of flight AI-1 1 2 from New-York" "Good to see you." "Good to see you too." "How was the flight?" " Connecting flight was delayed." "Rest ok!" "Did you get anything for me?" " Yeah, everything's for you, kid!" "So Kaveriamma... is she still living in an Old age Home?" "Did you speak with her?" "No, I want to surprise her!" "She'll be so glad to see you." "I'm sure she'll have forgotten me." "Obviously!" "Excuse me." " Yes?" "May I help you?" "I've come to meet Kaveriamma." "Kaveriamma?" " Yes." "Kaveri oh yes!" "She doesn't live with us any longer." "Doesn't live here?" " She stayed with us for about a year  till a woman came looking for her." "And then, Kaveri left with her." "But where did she go?" "Just a minute, I'll have to check the register." "Bharati ji, this gentleman is looking for Kaveri." "Do you know where is she now?" "Bharatiji used to share the room with Kaveri." "I remember her mentioning a village before leaving." "Now what was it... ?" "charanpur." " That's right, Charanpur." "Where is this Charanpur?" " Never heard of it." "We'll find out." "Kaveri was a good woman." "We all miss her." "Here's the address." "Thank you!" "Kaveri is very fortunate." "There was someone who came for her then, and now once again." "Otherwise who cares for old ones like us?" "come on." "Excuse me." "Here's the map." "You'll find Charanpur in here." "That'll be 1 50 rupees." " That's ok." "Don't pay me." "Do me a favor." "Watch the counter for me while I nip to the bank." "Get me a loan too!" " Sure, you'll manage the counter, right?" "I'll just sit behind." "That's good." " Come back soon." "Excuse me you've no respect?" "What happened?" "You can see I am picking up books, and still you're walking all over them." "I did not mean to." "Look, books are a source of knowledge and culture... and if you don't know how to respect them, you shouldn't be here." "Well I'm sorry." " Thanks." "I'm sorry, I was just looking at this map." "You want to buy these books?" "No!" "I want to sell them!" "Oh stupid question, I'm sorry." " No I'm sorry." "Actually I'm just a little irritated." " No, I saw what happened." "You dealt with the man right." "Some people just don't have the basic etiquette." "Oh yeah..." "I'll do this for you." "Lots of books." "I will need a..." " Over there." "Yes, thank you." "That's 1 3 books of mathematics into 1 7  is equal to 221/- + 22 Language books into 1 2 is equal to..." "Four-Eighty five." "That's 8 geography books into 19 is 1 52 plus 485 is..." "Six-Thirty Seven." "Really 637?" "Thanks." "And these 8 note books at 1 1 3 and the total is..." "Seven Fifty." "Must be right!" "750 it is." "Your... maths is pretty good!" "Actually, I should be giving you a concession." "You selected the books, you did the totalling... you should be in my chair!" "Then give me a concession?" "Sorry I can't!" "Actually my name is Mohan Bhargav." "I'm Rahul's friend  he's the owner of this shop, he's just gone to the bank  he was broke you see..." "needed to get some money" "I'm just filling in for him." "Oh!" "I'll just pack this for you I just need..." "Bags." "I have been looking for Charanpur in this map" "It's a small little village." "Have you heard of it?" "Yes, I know where it is." "Go down National Highway No. 6 for 1 1 0 kms till you reach Charoti." "Take a left from there." "Then keep going for 80 kms till you reach Azamgarh." "From there 20 kms on a dirt track, you'll reach Charanpur." "Wow!" "Your geography seems pretty good as well!" "Here you..." "Hello!" "Excuse me." "Please look after the counter." "Hello." "What happened?" "You sick of the job already?" "No, a girl came in, bought a lot of books... but left without her change." "Hey!" "Not bad!" "You made a profit for the company on the very first day!" "You've got the job!" "She was amazing!" "She even gave me directions to Charanpur!" "Great, where is it?" "About 200 kms from here." "Spare me Mohan." "Don't expect me to leave the store and drive you there." "No worries!" "I'll need a car though." "Take mine." " No, no. could I get a caravan?" "caravan?" "What for?" "Don't know the conditions I'll have to face in the village." "Ok, ok Mr. NRI (Non-Resident Indian)" "You'll have your caravan." "Don't worry." "can you tell me which of these paths will lead to Charanpur?" "You have strayed from the path." "Really?" "I've been following directions..." "I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere." "It was your destiny to make this mistake." "charanpur is pretty far from here." "I'm headed in that direction." "If you want, I can show you the right path!" "Go on, O traveller!" "O traveller!" "Go on!" "How beautiful is this world" "Forget thy troubles all Behold!" "The beds of flowers enthrall" "Heed thee vibrant world's call" "Wow!" "Encore!" "Sing." "This path now bids me:" "Somewhere, someone's waiting for thee!" "'" "This path now bids me:" "Somewhere, someone's waiting for thee!" "'" "Why doth my heart impatient be?" "Who longeth to meet me?" "Perhaps, in the narrowing compass What I'd cherished is coming to pass" "Go on, O traveller!" "O traveller!" "Go on!" "Life's a car;" "Time's the wheel" "There's the river of tears for sure And a garden ofjoys too, secure." "O brother, all these stare intently upon thy path" "Go on, O traveller!" "O traveller!" "Go on!" "How beautiful is this world" "Forget thy troubles all Behold!" "The beds of flowers enthrall" "Heed thee vibrant world's call" "Wherever I cast my eye upon these paths colours stream in my glance" "The breeze is cool, the shade cool too" "Far, over there, I wonder whose hamlet stands" "Ah!" "How didst the rain clouds amass?" "That my heart was brought to such a pass" "What dream have I seen?" " That every dream doth true appear," "Kindling fire in my body If thy heart's path thou traverseth" "Thou shallst pick pearl from The oyster every moment" "Only if thou couldst always heed thy heart" "Go on, O traveller!" "O traveller!" "Go on!" "How beautiful is this world" "Forget thy troubles all Behold!" "The beds of flowers enthrall" "Heed thee vibrant world's call" "The heart experienceth such ease" "As though the burden upon the shoulder hath dropped off" "As though innocence of childhood hath returned" "As though at longest last in River Ganga hast one had bath" "The heart purged as it were Every bond at large" "I find the life sanctified now" "There's love in my living, a song upon the lips" "This is verily the triumph of thy life, O traveller!" "Whichever direction thou goest, Love alone thou squander" "You light a million lamps, O traveller!" "Go on, O traveller!" "O traveller!" "Go on!" "Who is it that haileth me" "The river, hill, lakes and streams, the woods and trees" "Who's it that signals from these" "Go on, O traveller" "How beautiful is this world" "Excuse me." "Do you know where Kaveriji lives?" "Hey Chikku!" "Take this man to Kaveriji." "Sorry!" " Watch it!" "Ammaaaaaa!" "Ammaaaaaa!" "(Mother!" "Mother!" ")" "Ammaaaaaa!" "Wait a while." "She needs to be massaged like this in the morning and evening, Maithili!" "She'll cry a little, but ignore it." "Understood?" "Now say." "Amma, someone has come to meet you in a big car." "A very big car?" "come on, now!" "It's parked outside." "I am coming." "chikku, hope this isn't one of your pranks!" "Look at that." "It's big; isn't it?" "What's going on?" "Huh, who is this?" "Go on take a guess!" "I can't." "Come on, who is this?" "Let go of me!" "Atkan batkan dahi chatokan, (Lord Krishna's childhood couplet)" "Tu Yashoda, main hoon... ?" "(Lord Krishna's childhood couplet)" "Mohannnn!" "Mohan!" "Kaveriamma." "Mohan... it's you, it's really you!" "I can't believe my eyes!" "Do you know who this is?" "This is Mohan." "The one I keep talking to you about." "come" "Stop!" "Wait right here." "Do not step inside." "I'll be back." "Now you can come in!" "Kaveriamma." " Yes?" "Oh... what are you doing?" "I can't express how happy I am to see you Mohan." "Let Gita come." "I'll tell her I've won the bet." "Bet?" "What bet?" "Gita always said "Your Mohan has forgotten you, Amma."" "Really?" "But I would always retort:" ""No, he will come to meet me."" "And then we had a bet!" "If you did come, she would have to treat me to an ice cream." "Ice cream?" "Kaveriamma!" "Why?" " Because you haven't changed a bit!" "You haven't lost your appetite for ice-creams!" "Why not?" "Why not?" "Are ice creams meant only for kids?" "can't we oldies enjoy it?" "Sit!" "All right, you win." "And by the way, who says you're old?" "So... who is this Gita?" "Don't you remember?" "You often played with her as a child." "She used to visit our Delhi house with her mother." "Gita..." "Are you referring to that 'Gitlee' by any chance?" "Yes!" "You called her that." "And this is Nandan Gita's younger brother." "But we lovingly call him chikku." " Chikku!" "Hey Chikku!" "He has faked a tummy ache today so that he can miss school." "How old are you?" " Eight." "Which school do you go to?" "I study in Navjeevan Paathshala." "My roll number is 6 and I am in the fourth standard!" "The motto of our school is" "Books are a source of knowledge and knowledge is strength." "Your school seems to be a good one." "Why haven't you gone today?" " I had a stomach ache." "Really?" "Was the pain here?" "Or here?" "Would you like to see my school?" " No, not now." "I want to talk to Amma." " No !" "Let's go right now." "All right chikku." "Mohan, why don't you go visit the school with chikku." "You can meet Gita as well." "She teaches there." "Ok, but I thought Chikku had a stomach ache!" "Ache?" "Oh yes!" "It was there, but itjust went away!" "Let's go to my school now!" "That's Uncle Postman!" "Notjust postman my dear ... I'm the plough and the bull, field and seed, crop and the grains." "I am everything here!" "I sort the letters, seal them and distribute them as well!" "When on my bicycle, I'm the Postman and in my chair, Postmaster." "The name is Nivaaran Dayal Shrivastava." "How can I help you?" "can I call America from here?" "There is no ISD, here but you can get connected through Mizwa village." "By the way, there is no bank, no bond, and no registry in this village." "I apologise, for the trouble earlier today." "That's ok." "You live abroad, right?" " Yes." "I too happen to know some English." "What can I do for you?" "Very good." "Look Mohanbhaiyya this is my school!" "I'm impressed, chikku!" "It was in 1942 that the slogans of the 'Quit India Movement' were first heard in Bombay." "From Bombay to Lahore, Lahore to Peshawari... the Indian revolutionaries and the British soldiers were locked in conflict!" "Blows were dealt in succession, bullets were whizzing and ricocheting." "But through all of it our protests were on, and we never raised our hands!" "I got hit by a bullet on the shoulder as well." "Then they arrested us and threw us in prison ... we kept protesting" " Inquilab zindabad!" "(Long live the Revolution)" "Dadaji, did you have a beard then?" " I wish I did!" "Then the bullet would have got stuck in my beard and got lost!" "I... am... going!" "We... both are... going!" "We... all are... going!" "Very good!" "Kamala, now you repeat..." "I... am... going!" "It's you!" "I must have misunderstood your directions and got lost." "Excuse me!" "This is a school and a class is in progress." "I'm sorry." "Mohan bhaiyya this is Gita didi." "And didi didi, this is Mohan bhayya..." "He has come from Aamkarica!" " Not Aamkarica, Chikku!" "America." "chikku, what are you doing here?" "I thought you had a stomach ache!" "Amma asked me to show Mohan bhaiyya the school so I just..." "So you are Gita!" "Remember me?" "I used to call you 'Gitlee' when we were kids." "The children are supposed to be studying." "I'm sorry." "Now I understand." "Mathematics, Geography..." "Oh yeah, by the way  you forgot your 50 rupees at the bookshop!" "Thank you, will you please go now?" "Yes." "I'm very sorry." "I... am... going!" "Very good." "What's this?" "This is a foot massager, that'll take care of your aching feet." "There is no electricity at the moment." " Why?" "We have power failures quite often." " Oh, when will it resume?" "Nothing can be said for sure." "This happens 3-4 times a week." "Who are they?" "Gita's parents Shanta and Jagmohanji... who started the school in Charanpur." "When chikku was only five, Jagmohanji passed away." "Gita was studying in a college in Delhi at that time." "As soon as she graduated, she came here  to help her mother with the running of the school." "But Shanta's health was on the decline, till a point when she sent Gita to the Old Age Home to fetch me." "Before dying, Shanta entrusted the upkeep of Gita and Chikku to me." "Thanks." "Why did it take you so long, Gita?" " I had to correct a few test papers." "Thought I may as well finish it there." "Didi, didi, look what Mohanbhaiyya got for me!" "Guess what I'm going to cook for you Mohan?" "Very nice." "Your favorite tadka daal, aloo ki sabzi and kheer." "Wow!" "Gita!" "Now you will have to treat me to an ice-cream." "You lost the bet." "Oh Kaveriamma, I've missed your food." "The kheer was especially good." "I knew you would like it." "Enough about me." "Now tell us about yourself...and America." "Everything's fine in America." "I have all the comforts." "I have all that I could ask for." "I'm glad to hear that." "And how is your nasha going on?" "(nasha" " Hindi slang for drugs)" "Nasha?" "Why?" "Have you quit?" "Nasha?" "NASA?" "NASA?" "That's what I meant." "My work at nasha..." "I mean NASA is going very well." "So, you're an astronaut?" "No." "I'm a Project Manager for the Global Precipitation Measurement!" "GPM." "Global Precipitation Measurement." "Very good." "Look at this Mohan bhaiyya!" "Wow!" "Very good." "You are a great artist!" "chikku, you bunked school today." "And, you have to catch up with studies." "Good night Chikku!" " Say good night!" "I owe you an apology." "Apology?" "For what?" "I'm sorry  that I wasn't there to take care of you" "What are you talking about?" "Let me talk Kaveriamma!" "I'm sorry... that I wasn't there to take care of you." "I'm sorry... that I was not there when you needed me most." "I'm sorry... that you had to go to an Old Age Home." "Not another word now!" "Son  these are all matters of destiny." "I have everything..." "Everything, but you!" "I miss you very much Kaveriamma." "Will you come with me?" "Where?" "America." "No, I'm fine here!" "Just come with me, you'll love it there." "You'll get a lot of rest and peace." "It's a much better life there." "Let me think about this." "come on now..." "You should go to sleep here." "Here?" "If you don't mind, I will sleep in the caravan." "Now what new machine is this?" "One that puts you to sleep!" "Something like that!" "Good Night." " Good Night." "Yes?" "Yesss?" "Sir, I am Mela Ram!" "Hello." "What do you want?" "Sir, I have brought you breakfast." "Please try my breakfast." " Breakfast?" "Not now." "Sir please, I made it especially for you." "I am a very good cook." "Got it... means understood!" "You're a good cook!" "I'm impressed." " Thank you sir." "You have come from America sir?" "I have a question sir." "In America, are there a lot of highways?" "Yes, there are." "They are called freeways there." "Got it!" "Means I understood." "One more question, sir." "Be comfortable." "Do they have Dhabas on these freeways?" "(dhaba - an Indian fast food joint)" "Dhaba?" " Yes." "Sort of." "Why?" "What do you think?" "Will an Indian dhaba work on those freeways?" "I think it'll work!" " Will it work?" "I think maybe... thanks for the dhaba, I mean breakfast!" "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to get ready!" "Of course sir." "I'll meet you again sir." "Thank you, Thelaram." "Sir it's Mela Ram!" " Sorry, Mela Ram." "Sir last question." "Sir I will give you a very good offer sir." "We'll open a dhaba in partnership." "I will give you 50% half share of all the money I make" "I have even thought of a name for this dhaba." "It will be called Mela Ram Dhaba." "Ok?" " Ok." "Happy?" " Very happy." "It's a deal sir." "Jai Ramji ki!" "(Lord Ram be praised)!" "So this is your caravan!" "Not mine." "It belongs to a friend of Rahul's." "It's nice!" "Isn't it Gita?" "chikku was right." "Really, this car is exactly like a house." "There's a kitchen here... a TV... a bathroom... a bed too." "Wow!" "This car is like a house on wheels!" "Er... yes." "Absolutely!" "It's very comfortable." "Now we should be going." "We don't want to miss the Panchayat (A village body for village governance) come on." "Let's go." "come on." "Quickly." "District Council is deliberating upon all the demands made in the last village panchayat meeting." "The decision will be taken soon." "Sadanandji, please tell us when the remaining electric wires are being put up?" "We plan to start work as soon as possible." "The Gram Panchayat ha..." " Just a moment, Sadanand Bajpeiji." "I've never seen a Panchayat before." "Whenever you are asked, all you say is "We plan to start work." "You are the Block Development Officer" "You are well aware that we have been dealing with this problem for a long time" "75% of the village is constantly plagued with electricity failures and the remaining one-fourth still lives in darkness." "This is like covering your back while your front's open." "Then, what's the use of these electric wires?" "Dadaji, the Government Surveyor has recorded his observations... it is now just a matter of a few days." "A few days?" "In a few days I'll be at Heaven's Door." "Then you can come light a bulb on my shrine." "Dadaji, don't say that, may you live a long life!" "Please don't mind Dadaji, even I have a complaint against the village." "What?" " One hears that Dukhi, Santram and  their boys steal electricity from the poles." "It's not us." "It's Santram who's the culprit." "Hold your tongue!" "When did we steal electricity?" "Now I understand why there was no power last evening." "calm down everyone!" "Sadanandji, this job should be done soon." " Ok." "Or else we'll take the matter to the higher authorities." "Sangam, what is the next case?" "case No.35" " The school!" "Yes Gitaji?" "I wish to continue teaching children in the existing premises." "The new alternate place you are suggesting... is too small and then it's also too far." "Children won't be able to walk so much everyday." "But why do you need such a big space for the school?" "You don't even have enough children to fill up the classes" "More children will come to study in the school." "That's what you've been saying for a year now!" "She has been trying!" "We've all been trying!" "Look Dadaji, we need the school space for the Panchayat." "Then the tehsildars also want to establish their office in the school." "The village also needs a spare room for the granary." "It will be the economic center of the village." "And the place we are offering you is good enough for teaching." "No, it won't be enough want to start a few more classes in the school." "I want to reinstate those children who've left the school in the past couple of years." "And then there are some villagers who are not sending their children to school." "Today, I appeal to all of them to send their children to school." "All right, Gita." "If you can manage to enroll more children in the next three months then we're ready to reconsider." "But if there are no new admissions... then you must agree to move from the current premises." "This month's Panchayat is adjourned." "come Mohan, let me introduce you to the members of the Panch." "This is my Mohan." "He has just come from America." " Okay." "Mohan... this is the head of our village" " Vishnuduttji." "Hello." "Namaste!" "(Greetings)" " My blessings, son!" "Munishwarji." "God bless you my son." "Gungadinji." " Namaste." "Fatimabi..." " May you live long my son." "... and Narayanji." "God bless you son." "May Lord Rama protect you." "What do you do in America?" "I work in a company called NASA." "So, what does this company manufacture?" "We make satellites." "Now what is that?" "Oh come on, Fatima you know those things in the sky." "Satellites er satellites" " Let me explain." "Satellites are like the moon orbiting earth, which help us to know when, where and how much it will rain predict the changes in the atmosphere they send us information about all these things." "That's it!" " Isn't this what you had told me?" "Wow Kaveri I'm impressed!" "I had no idea you knew so much ...about these things." "All this work that you have described is done by our Sahdev out here without rotating himself, believe me!" "Hey Sahdev, tell us!" "The sky is clear." "There will be no clouds in evidence for the next two days." "Very good!" "That's precisely what I do." "Mohan bhaiyya!" "Look!" "That's the temple!" "Beautiful!" "Beautiful!" "What's this?" "This is the specialty of our village." "These are the footprints of Lord Rama and Sita." "What?" "!" "Ram and Sita's footprints!" "charanpur!" "Ok." "That explains the name of the village charanpur. (Charan means feet)" "How are you?" " I'm all right." "And Kaveriamma?" "How is she?" " She's fine." "I've been trying your cell phone." "There is no network coverage here." "Vinod I'm no longer in Delhi." "I'm in a village called Charanpur." "Oh." "Anyway now what about the GPM instrument concept and risk reduction study that needs to be initialized." "I'll e-mail you the graphics right away!" "You do that." "But the internet connection here is weak." "I won't be able to download the graphics." "Why don't you Fed-Ex the cD to Rahul in Delhi?" "He'll send it to me." "Okay." "come fast." "One more thing!" "The week will pass by very quickly" "All right." "I am going to be here a little longer than I thought." "Kaveriamma has some pending work here because of which she can't leave right away." "Ok." "That's fine." "can I have a word with John regarding this?" "Is he there?" "Don't worry about that I will take care about that." "See you then." " Bye." "Jai Ramji ki." "(Lord Ram be praised)." "Well, well... the village lingo's getting a hold on you." "Jai Ramji ki!" "Bye." " Bye." "One moment." "How much was that?" "Five hundred and eighteen rupees?" "Five hundred eighteen rupees sir!" "One moment sir." "Sir, you just mentioned the word "internet"." "I've heard the word "international"." "but 'Internet'?" "What's that?" "I think I've heard it before." "Internet..." "Internet is a medium through which we can  connect and communicate with people in any part of the world." "No Post-office needed!" "This is called e-mail." "E-mail!" "Really?" "Fantastic!" "If this e-mail is somehow installed in this village" "I'll be in seventh heaven." " How is that?" "Because then I wouldn't have to deliver any letters." "I would just sit here and email them all." "Email is indeed the summum bonum it would break the walls that separate home and the world." "Thank you sir." " Okay." "Time to get up!" "Kaveriamma, don't wake me up!" "Haven't slept like this in years." "Get up." "We have a lot of work to do now." "The guests will be here at eleven." "The house needs to be cleaned." "What's going on?" "Who are the guests?" "A potential groom is coming to see Gita with his parents." "What?" "They are from Azamgarh." " Gita's marriage?" "Yes!" " Yes?" "Gita's marriage... !" "I forgot to tell you last night." "About two months ago, Vishwasji, the boy's father had written to me." "Now finally they'll be here today." "But what is the need for all this?" " What do you mean?" "I mean..." "I mean what's the rush?" "She's just a child!" "What a strange thing to say!" "come on, get ready." "Why should I get ready?" "As if they're coming to see me!" "This is Gita." " Namaste!" "This is Raghunath." " Namaste!" "Please sit." "Excuse me, I'll just be back." "I've heard... you run a school here." " Yes." "We have a chemicals business." "Really." "The demand that you are making is not acceptable to me." "Teaching is my profession and my passion." "And I'd like to continue this work even after marriage." "A woman's hands are full just with the household chores." "I disagree!" "I'd like to take care of the house as well as work." "Let me tell you, that we would not like the women of our household to work outside" "Besides I fail to see why you would want to keep working after marriage?" "What if I say the same to your son?" "My parents too have brought me up with equal love and affection... they expect me to live my life with self-esteem, independence and self-reliance." "If your son has a desire to be something in life, to make a mark in society then why can't women have the same desire?" "Be it in any field women are making their mark equally." "There's more to a woman than just wearing bangles." "And after marriage, aren't the house and the children as much  a responsibility of the man as the woman?" "Why can't the husband and wife work as a team?" "Why should one of them sacrifice more than the other?" "I don't accept the demand of not being allowed to work after marriage." "You mean... are you rejecting this proposal?" "I have nothing else to say..." "This is how the new generation thinks." "We should not carry this matter any further!" "I'm sorry Shardaji, Vishwasji." "It's all right." "I'm upset with what happened today." " But I felt I was right." "I don't think you should have expressed your views in this way." "Whatever it is, this is against my principles." "Kaveriamma, Gita is right." "But Mohan, he was a nice boy." "You can change people's views about life over a period of time." "Well, you do have a point there." " No, I couldn't have changed him." "Habits can be altered over time but narrow opinions and beliefs cannot be." "I'm absolutely sure that their next demand would be the dowry amount." "Quite possible." "I completely agree with you." "This thinking is imbedded in our culture traditionandit hampersthe nation." "Excuse me." "Without culture and tradition the country would be left with no soul." "But Mohan, we are not talking about the country." "I know Kaveriamma, but it's all connected, isn't it?" "What is this soul you talk off Gita?" "We are plagued with problems." "Will you disagree, when I say that illiteracy is rampant?" "That we have administrative problems!" "We are yet under-developed." "That's true!" "Illiteracy and poverty are hand in glove!" "Kaveriamma, your village has not even got electricity yet." "caste discrimination, overpopulation, unemployment and corruption  our state of affairs is pathetic." "Pass me the salt." "You have drifted from our topic." "But since you've brought this up, let me tell you  the Government is trying to find solutions for these problems." "Yes!" "Yes!" "We'll see how much good their solutions will bring." "The infrastructure that the Government has is not enough to cope with even..." "1/4th of the existing population," "The Government has always failed in satisfying the peoples' needs." "The Government is making policies, making efforts." "What do you mean by 'efforts'?" "Just to make resolutions  collect funds for them is that where the Government's work ends?" "Whether this money even reaches the grassroot level  whether the common man benefits or not from their resolutions  are they not responsible for that as well?" "Yes they are." " Then..." "But what do you think the Government is, after all?" "The Government is a system, of which the public is also a part." "You, me, this village... all of us!" "Now if the system is lacking in certain things, then  to rectify its weaknesses is our responsibility as well." "God helps only those who help themselves." "Yes Kaveriamma, but things are not going to change here." "Because no one wants to change!" "It's easy for you to criticize." "But are you doing anything about it?" "No!" "Excuse me." "At least, I am not defending the government like you." "I'm building satellites to help technology advance." "For everyone mankind!" "Some more curry?" " No!" "But you are doing it all there." "I'm doing all that I can here, at the village grass root level." "I'm trying to make this a better place!" "Gita... you too are a typical Indian!" "You Indians can't take criticism." "You Indians?" "Sorry, I mean... we Indians... !" "Anyway, we are aware that not much has changed in our country in a long time." "But I still want to try and make a difference." "You have given up all hope." "No I haven't.." "Yes you have!" " No I haven't!" "She's really a fighter, isn't she?" "You're no less yourself!" "Now what is to become of this girl?" "He was such a nice boy." "There are other boys..." " I know" "But it is not easy to please Gita." "She has too many expectations." "To top all this, there is the school case." "And until both these problems are solved you won't be able to leave with me." "I have a plan..." "let's split up the work." "I'm the boy..." "I mean... you find a boy and I will find children for the school." "We'll round off all of Gita's problems." "What did you say?" "Nothing." "Nothing at all!" "Hail the Lord of Strength!" "This is the first lesson in wrestling." "Remember it." "There's no letter for you Mohan babu." "You're a wrestler as well?" "I have been wrestling since I was a child and it's my favourite hobby." " Very good." "Just out of curiosity, till what grade have you studied?" "I mean, you must have worked very hard to gain this post." "I am a graduate!" "How fortunate you are!" " Fortunate... yes!" "But I've also studied very hard to attain this post." "I'm sure you studied hard but at least you had the opportunity to go to High School." "I feel very sorry for the village children." "Why is that?" " I'll explain." "What are your views on the school case?" "The school case?" "It's very simple." "The school must move from here." "That space is needed for the Panchayat." "That is why I feel bad for the children of the village." "Look... the Panchayat is not allowing for a High School to be started here and what good is it going to be for children to have studied till 4th Std?" "If they want to succeed in life like you then they must go to High School." "True... !" "Look!" "It's here the high school will stand." "The children will study here." "Then they can start writing letters for their parents themselves." "Think about the work it will save you." "I think the school should not shift from here." "I will talk to people in the village." "You must!" " Definitely" "Praise the Lord of Might." " Praise the Lord of Might." "Mohanbabu..." "Yes?" "Why don't you drop by our wrestling ring sometime?" "Sure, why not?" "How about a wrestling session?" "Sure!" "Mohan babu, I have a surprise for you..." "Here... have some pakodas with shimla mirch tandoori." "I've made it specially for you." "Is this all that you can make?" " No sir, I can cook whatever you desire." "Got it." "Listen Mela Ram..." "Please don't say a word." "I know what you have on your mind." " What?" "Actually I was thinking..." "you must have felt bad." "I'll give you 60%." "I'll give you 60% in partnership." "Okay." "Your lunch and dinner will be on the house!" "I have changed the name of our dhaba." "We can call it Mohan's Mela Ram Dhaba or Mela Ram's Mohan Dhaba." "You decide." "Then we'll lock it." "The first one sounds ok." "Mohan's Mela Ram Dhaba." "Ok then sir..." "So deal done, sir?" "But before that, you'll have to help me." "Help?" "How?" " I wish to send the kids from  your community to the school for which I need your help." "Understood." "But it's little difficult sir." "Well, then your going to America also looks little 'difficult' to me." "It is easy sir." "I'm ready." "Just tell me what I need to do." "Our children and their kids in the same school?" "Never!" "Lions and sheep never drink water from the same pond, Mohanbabu." "So  what is your background?" "I mean... what caste are you?" "I'm a Brahmin!" "Then learn to behave like one." "So what am I expected to do?" "We've heard that you eat food, cooked by Mela Ram." "Are you aware what his caste is?" "But what difference does that make?" "What age are you folks living in?" "Don't you dare degrade our piety!" "You've fallen, are you out to drag us down too?" "And you Nivaaranji, seems like you've switched sides already!" "I am only doing what I think is right." "If you have any objections you don't have to accept this." "Hey Birsa." "Mohanbabu wants to have a word with you." "What has happened sir?" "Have we done anything wrong?" "No, not at all." "I just came to ask  if you would you like to send your children to school?" "Huzoor, the villagers that do not allow us to work in the village  do you think they will agree to educate our children?" "Don't worry." "Your kids will go to school." "Also, of what use is studying, now that they are in their marriageable age?" "My daughter Lajwa is going to be engaged." "child marriage!" "can you not see our situation?" "We barely manage to fill our stomachs." "Who is going to pay their school fees?" "Gitaji doesn't run the school for money." "Teaching is her passion... her life!" "If we speak with her we can assure you that she will help you." "The village folks don't want to see us around." "Just listen to me..." "Let it be saheb." "Education is not in their destiny." "Not in my children's destiny." "What have you decided Vishnoji?" "Studies are not going to fill an empty stomach!" "Since pottery will be their livelihood then why waste time studying?" "Have you made these?" "They are beautiful." "Tell me." "How much do you sell this pot for?" "Thirty rupees." " What!" "We have a contractor in the city, who buys it from us." "Sometimes we even get an extra five-ten rupees." "We won't sell it for less than thirty!" "The price of this pot in the city is 1 00 rupees or more." "Maybe if you people were educated you wouldn't be fooled like this." "I know that this art has been passed down through generations." "I agree that your kids should carry on this tradition." "But in this day and age, it is crucial for them to be educated." "Is it not Nivaaranji?" " Absolutely." "Because education will help them take this art to its deserving end  and earn appropriate prices." "You are selling us a dream!" "Don't show us these dreams." "Namaste Sarpanchji." "Welcome Nivaaranji." "Welcome Mohanji." "Mohanbabu wanted to discuss the school with you." "I know, I know." "Let me tell you... that both my grandsons are enrolled in the school." "We have great respect for education in this house." "But I have heard that you have two grand daughters as well and both of them have dropped out?" "Oh yes, Kusum and Suman..." "They have both studied till the fourth grade." "Now how much more can they study?" "It's time for them to learn household work cooking and such things." "After all, this is what will help them once they get married." "How can you say such things?" "Education instills confidence in girls." "Don't you want to see them study and live their lives with self-respect... independence and..." "self-reliance?" "There's more to a woman than just wearing bangles." "Agreed Mohanji!" "But Charanpur does not even have a High School for these girls to study in." "But Mizwa village does." "You could have sent them there." "But now you don't need to worry about that because Gitaji is planning to open a High School in Charanpur." "If she has your support that is." "Do support us." "No Mohanbabu!" "Not possible." "But how long are you going to control the children's lives with caste  community?" "Who are you to tell us what we should be doing?" "How much do you know about the ways and problems of this village?" "I accept that you were born in this country but that doesn't mean you can go around giving sermons." "We understand perfectly what we need to do for the progress of our village." "But the only ones who stand to lose are the children." "Enough of this!" "I don't want to argue with you." "Father." "For heaven's sake, stay out of the village matters." "Mohanbabu, you are just a visitor here roam around, enjoy the village..." "why get into all this?" "Attention!" "A movie is to be screened in Charanpur." "Tonight the Panchayat has organized a movie screening in the village." "You must come and watch..." "you'll enjoy!" "Get down." "Ok sir, we'll meet later." "Why?" "Won't you see the movie?" "I'll be sitting this side and watching the movie." "Okay." "By the way, which film are they showing?" "Yaadon ki Baaraat!" "(Union of Memories)" " Who's union?" "Union of Memories!" " Oh, I heard...our union!" "Shut up" "Just kidding!" "It's one of my favorite films." "Please turn off your lanterns the film is about to begin." "Dear lords, kind patrons and art-lovers!" "Here's an important announcement" "Mothers must keep a vigilant eye upon children during the screening." "And please don't disturb your neighbour." "So, presenting the separation and union of three brothers." "Todays' movie is..." "Yaadon ki Baaraat." "Are you going to sing a song, which you used to sing every year?" " Yes." "What happened?" "What happened to the movie?" "Not a power failure again!" "chikku, it's just temporary." "No, it won't come back." "I know it won't." "How much time will this take?" "It will take twenty minutes to start the generator." "Hurry up." "Don't cry now children!" "Everyone quiet!" "Sit down." "All the children on the other side, quiet!" "Don't cry." "Now, listen to me carefully." "Everybody, now look up at the sky and tell me what you see." "The stars!" "Now tell me... can you see the stars forming a plough?" "Plough?" "Yes, plough." "Do you see it?" "No." " I'll help you." "Look... can you see that brightest star in the sky?" "can you see it?" "Yes." "Along that star on the right are three stars in a line." "Yes." "can you see them?" " Yes." "Now below the third star, five stars form a curve to the left." "can you see them?" " Yes." "Now look at them as one." "Look closely." "You will see the plough taking shape." "I can see it!" "Yes, plough." "So what we must understand is  if we want, these stars ... we can make anything out of them." "But if we look at each star, Though it looks beautiful, ... it is only a shimmering lone star." "This star, the one yonder and every little star" "Fancy, the one who would love from afar" "This star, the one yonder and every little star" "Shouldst these but together shimmer" "Entire firmament is filled with glimmer" "Shouldst these but together shimmer" "Entire firmament is filled with glimmer" "Twinkling stars, a couple o' stars a handful, a hundred stars Shimmering luminaries every star's a fiery spark!" "Thou hast seen the rainbow" "Pray, how many art the hues?" "Seven colours so to speak" "Yet how many shades its company keep?" "Know this to begin, if the colours wert alone" "How couldst a rainbow be full blown?" "If we wert not to join hands, to fight cause unjust" "There wouldst be no public, nor trust" "Know thus and protest not, that the weak hath lost" "Hmmm... the star, star" "This star, the one yonder and every little star" "Fancy, the one who would love from afar" "Shouldst these but together shimmer" "Entire firmament is filled with glimmer" "Twinkling stars, a couple o' stars a handful, a hundred star Shimmering luminaries every star's a fiery spark!" "Of drops well-gathered" "Doth a river swell" "Ocean too is of drops assembled" "But for the drops, it is but a naught" "Grasp this riddle; for if drop wert all alone" "It would be quite nothing." "Wert we to leave others; desert one and all," "Lonely our lot is, to appall." "Why not unite then in a single current?" "Hmmm... the star, star" "This star, the one yonder and every little star" "Fancy, the one who would love from afar" "This star, the one yonder and every little star" "Shouldst these but together shimmer" "Entire firmament is filled with glimmer" "Twinkling stars, a couple o' stars a handful, a hundred stars Shimmering luminaries every star's a fiery spark!" "Peasant who wieldeth a plough, of earth reapeth gold" "cowherd tending cows, of milk a river flows" "Blacksmith that mouldeth iron, every tool fashioneth" "Mud that a potter holdeth, turneth into pitcher" "All these art the fonts of labour And of desire to work a wish" "None inimical with any All art united in common dream" "Harken!" "Everyone's but a kin None an outsider to pin" "This simple truth, regard thou, my friend!" "Hmmm... the star, star" "This star, the one yonder and every little star" "Fancy, the one who would love from afar" "This star, the one yonder and every little star" "Shouldst these but together shimmer" "Entire firmament is filled with glimmer" "Twinkling stars, a couple o' stars a handful, a hundred stars Shimmering luminaries every star's a fiery spark!" "Gita!" "I want to talk to you about something important." "I cannot keep it in me anymore." "Go on." "I had recognized you at the bookshop in Delhi." "And I'd guessed that you had come to take Kaveriamma away." "You did not make a mistake in the address of Charanpur." "I had deliberately given you the wrong directions." "Why is that?" "call me childish  but I did not want you to reach Charanpur" "and to meet Kaveriamma." "For all that you're doing for the school, I'd like to thank you!" "But I cannot let you take Kaveriamma away." "Why?" "You want her so that she can take care of your house and do all the household chores." "How dare you say that?" "How can you accuse me of such a motive?" "I have travelled 1 2,000 miles only out of concern for  Kaveriamma's well being." "If you were so concerned then where were you when she was in an Old Age Home?" "It was I who traced her and got her here." "Maybe, that's because you needed someone to take care of Chikku and your house." "Why did you come back?" "Why did you have to come back?" "We were so happy." "You have everything in life." "But all we have is Kaveriamma." "You are not the only one with a right over her." "I agree that she is like a mother figure to you  and you like a son to her." "But she is a mother to me too." "I don't want to become an orphan again!" "I understand Gita." "I will not allow you to take Kaveriamma away from me." "Kaveriamma will come with me to America." "Whether you like it... or not!" "I'm in a dilemma Fatima." "Mohan is asking me to go with him, while Gita expects me to be here." "I just don't know what to do." "Allah knows, when Mohan arrived I was so happy for you." "But I never thought things would get into such a tangle." "You'll have to disappoint one or the other." "I'm not clear whether I should go to America with Mohan or not!" "I don't understand why he wants to take you there?" "To work there?" "Did you ask him?" "No Fatima." "He loves me." "He'll take good care of me." "Well, I hope you are right Kaveri." "Otherwise who is to know what tomorrow has in store?" "Kaveri, why don't you ask Mohan to stay on over here?" "No Fatima, he won't agree." "Remember one thing  every piece of ice is inevitably ordained to melt in its own water!" "Get him to understand this perfectly well." "We played a lot." "Kaveriamma  you can stop looking for a groom for me!" "I have decided... not to get married at this point!" "But why?" "Yes." "I want to focus all my time on the children and the school's progress." "That's alright, but..." "Furthermore, I'm not yet prepared for marriage!" "Well done!" "This is a good move to stall Kaveriamma from leaving." "But then, come to think of it who will want to marry you anyway?" "Now, don't get me wrong!" "I'm not saying you're not beautiful." "But this attitude, tonnes of ideals and principles... who'll suffer all this?" "It's a good thing, you have decided to opt out yourself." "But there is one crazy guy, who might want to marry you." "Yes Mohan, the precipitation measurement list has been drawn up." "You understand what I'm saying?" " Yes Vinod." "We've tested the dual frequency radar, the horizontal  vertical resolution's fine" "Yes, but the waveforms need to match with the longitudinal parabolas." "Ofcourse, ofcourse they work in alignment." "Nivaaranji..." "Nivaaranji..." "Here speak to Steve." " Hi Mohan." "Steve, what about the geometrical axis function?" "It's being calibrated." "The baseline parameter's been optimized." "See, the sun-synch orbit needs to be in alignment with the radiometers of TRMM." "Ok, I'll make the remaining readings and call you in a couple of days." "Ok, thanks." "Hey Mohan so how's everything else?" "Everything's fine." "All is well." "So, have you found yourself a village belle?" "Actually, you can say yes." "What?" "You're kidding me right?" " No." "What's her name?" "Her name is Gita." "Kaveriamma lives with her." "I don't believe this!" "Except, she's no village belle..." "She studied in Delhi and now she runs a school here." "Have you told her?" "Does she know?" "How can I tell her?" " What do you mean?" "I mean..." "I mean she's got a different set of ideals et al." "She's just different." "come on!" "You can't make that mistake." "You have to tell her how you feel." "All right... if you say so." "Listen I'll catch up with you later, gotta go now." "Your two weeks are almost up!" "I know." "I'll be back soon." "You should have been back already." " But let me propose to her first." "I'll be leaving soon, catch up with you later, bye." "Bye." "Gurnaamji, how much was that?" "32 minutes." "Is it ok if I pay tomorrow?" " Yes." "My apologies Mohanbabu!" "The electricity is problematic here." "Why are you trying to corrupt Chikku's mind?" "What are you talking about?" "Haven't you been talking to him and his friends about going to America?" "No Gita, I was just explaining..." "Am I teaching these kids so that they can go abroad and settle down like you?" "You NRI." "Non-Returning Indian!" "Hand me the mug, please." "You don't even know how to have a bath." "You should learn from Chikku." "Gita, I think you need a vacation." "Why don't you come back with me for one?" "Gita, you are very mischievous." "Where's the bucket?" "Listen..." " No." "You listen to me." "What?" " I like you very much..." "Gitli!" "What?" "!" " It's true, Gitli!" "I liked the way you handled that man in the bookshop." "Don't try to sweet talk me." "Kaveriamma will stay here... with me!" "You're misunderstanding." "I really like you." "Shut up!" "And don't you try to corrupt the kids again, ok?" "I'm not corrupting anyone." "I'm only bathing." "More than the kids, you're the one who needs an education!" "You can keep calling out to YOUR Kaveriamma now." "All right now, remove your notebooks." "The topic is General Knowledge." "So who's going to tell me  the names of five of the most important rivers in the country?" "I'm sorry to be late teacher." "Look ahead." "Today I'm going to take your class!" "First question  name five main rivers in India?" "You  tell me!" "Let me think." "Ganga, Jamuna, Narmada  Bharati  Panchgani..." "Bharati?" "Panchgani?" "Are they rivers?" "Vidya, you tell me." "Ganga, Jamuna, Narmada..." "Godavari and Brahmaputra." "Excellent Vidya!" "Second question  name the new state that has been formed in North-West India?" "I know this one." "It was a part of Uttar Pradesh, right?" "Yes Chikku." "You tell us!" "It's Uttaranchal!" " Oh yes, Uttaranchal!" "How could I have missed it?" "I forgot!" "Well done, Chikku!" "Now the last question  if our new student does not know the answer  we'll have to demote him to a lower class." "How many lion heads does the Ashoka pillar have?" "This one is easy." "Three." "Noooooo!" "It's got four!" "Excellent, children!" "The lesson of the day is  before gaining knowledge about foreign lands, it is important that one should know one's own country first." "Don't forget to do your homework." "The rivers Ganga and Jamuna have their confluence point in Allahabad." "The new state Uttaranchal  is the 27th state of India with Dehradun as its capital." "This is the land where the Mahabharata was written!" "The Ashoka pillar rests in a circular abacus, which is girded by four animals." "The bull of the West  the elephant of the East, the horse of the South  and lion by the North." "Gita, the blackboard is clean." "Gita..." "I am..." "Gita... !" "But all my answers were correct." "This is Natthu, the potter and this is Shankar  he makes baskets." "Both of them want us to admit their children in school." "What Mohanbabu said to us the other day touched our hearts." "We don't want our children to suffer like us." "On the morning of Dussehra (Indian festival) you can come and enroll your children in the school." "Yes ok." "The tides have begun to change direction." "Haven't they?" "I'm sorry." "Mohan!" " Yes?" "Mohan, I have some work for you." " What work?" "There's a place called Kodi a few miles from here." "Gita has some family property there, which has been leased to a farmer called Haridas." "He has not paid his rent for some months." "I want you to go an recover the money." "Me?" "But why do you want me to go?" "can't you send someone else?" "If you go and ask he just might pay up." "Oh!" "So you want me to be a collector now!" "Ok, when should I leave?" "I have to fuel up the caravan." "You have to leave now." " Now?" "Yes, and you can't take the caravan there." " Then?" "You will have to take the train for three hours to Narsinga  then a boatjourney across the river to Maangaon  and finally three hours by bus..." "and you've reached Kodi!" "Sure, that's pretty closeby!" " You'll return by tomorrow evening." "And Mela Ram will go with you." "He knows the way." "Kaveriamma..." " Yes?" "My vacation is nearing it's end." "What have you decided?" "You finish this work first." "come on Collector saheb... !" "Why are you sending Mohan?" "I sent Haridas a message only a few days ago." "I know what I'm doing!" "Good morning sir." " Good morning Melaram." "I'm all set to take you on a sightseeing trip of the village." "Ok, I'll take your leave." "Mohanbhaiyya, you'll bring me a toy, won't you?" "Of course!" "Gimme five... yes!" "And what shall I bring for you?" "Nothing." "I know you don't want me to leave, but I have to go for Kaveriamma." "And listen, don't think about me too much." "Don't miss me too much." "Now what makes you think that I'll miss you?" "The look in your eyes!" "They give your feelings away." "O beloved, most beloved, surely" "I am infatuated with thee" "Thou hast endeared my heart" "O beloved..." "O beloved, most beloved, surely" "I am infatuated with thee" "Thou hast endeared my heart" "O beloved..." "My heart's bewildered" "My body with fire kindled" "It's monsoon of my dreams" "The courtyard of my eyes streams" "The pitcher of my heart is overflowing" "O beloved..." "O dear who hast drawn so near!" "O dear who hast endeared my heart!" "How canst I recount" "What hath been thy bequest pray how?" "Somewhere art buds of a throbbing heart" "Somewhere the dream-lanes" "Mirth that dwells in the heart," "How shallst I articulate?" "Thou swayeth me so" "That oft times I am embarrassed" "It seems I have lost my path" "Ever since I have seen the haven of love" "Haven of love" "O beloved, most beloved, surely" "I am infatuated with thee" "Thou hast endeared my heart" "O beloved..." "Now that thou hast met me This world's transformed" "Methinks the flowers have begun to beset my path" "And I fancy too That this earth's renewed" "The sky too freshly spun in our love" "Wanton breeze singeth some melody" "River too narrates some tale" "All's changed, my love since my eyes courted thine" "I have lost presence of my mind, gone is my treasured selfhood" "O beloved..." "Haridasji!" "Yes?" "I'm Mela Ram and this is Mohan Bhargavji." "Tell me." "Kaveriji and Gitaji have sent me." "It's about the rent." "I understand." "come in." "You have travelled a long way." "You must be tired." "Please rest." "Make some bread." "Run along now." "Please come in." "You really shouldn't have bothered." "How is that possible?" "A guest is like God!" "We've served what we have;" "you eat and then we'll talk." "Ok." "If I had the capacity to pay, I would have come to Charanpur myself." "Sir, I was a weaver before I took up farming." "Since the advent of machine woven fabrics in the market, weaving had ceased to be a lucrative business." "So I became a farmer." "I took Gitaji's land on lease." "I'd imagined, once the crops flourished the children's life would improve." "But it was not to be!" "Why?" "By taking up farming, I had changed my profession." "The village elders did not accept this and looked upon me as an outcast." "They felt a weaver should remain a weaver, even if it meant, that he had to go hungry." "I cried, pleaded..." "but no one listened to me!" "Nobody offered a drop of water to irrigate my land." "Entire crop dried up . and whatever survived, the villagers refused to buy." "It is because of this, I've not been able to pay Gitaji's rent." "But this is wrong." "It's unfair." "It is an outrage!" "It is the way things work here." "Not a morsel to fill our stomach, no clothes to wear, no roof above our heads," "no education for children, nor land!" "The thirst in my heart alone knows the taste of my tears!" "Then what did you do?" "What could I do?" "I thought about migrating to the city, hoping life would be better there." "Those who had been there, recounted the anguish in the cities." "A labourer goes there to work, and falls into the grip of contractors." "He either returns hungry, or never returns." "And soon, the wife has to sell the little land she has." "No sir, no!" "I couldn't feed my children in this life  what is to happen after me?" "And about Gitaji's money," "I have nothing to offer except helplessness and shame." "Nothing..." "Thank you for the food, Haridasji." "Haridasji, I'll take your leave." "Please don't mind." "Here's some money." "Keep it." "Mohanbabu, it's very kind of you but I can't accept it." "Please Haridasji, I want you to keep it." "When you have it, you can return it to me." "But I don't know when I will be able repay it." "Don't worry about it." "Here chotu, this is for you." "Share it with your sisters." "Please give Gitaji and Kaveriji my respects." "Water for sale... water for sale..." "25 paise for a glass... 25 paise for a glass of water..." "Saheb, please have a glass of water." "Mohan you're back!" "How was your journey?" "Ok." " Did you meet Haridas?" "Yes." "But I could not get the money." "His situation is pathetic." "He can't pay the rent!" "Instead, sir gave him money from his own pocket, before leaving." "I couldn't bear to see Haridas' condition." "I don't think you should expect any rent from him." "Mohanbhaiyya, did you get me my toy?" "I couldn't get anything." "come chikku." "Mohan this is the general state of affairs." "What is money when compared with the value of human life?" "I'm glad you gave him money." "Now don't get disheartened." "Rest a little." "Kaveriammaaaa  how do I wrap this around?" "Kaveriamma has left for school." "For the decorations." "I don't know why she wants me to wear this dhoti?" "What's wrong with my jeans anyway?" "It is the appropriate thing to wear on Dussehra." "If you wish I can tie it for you." "How do you know?" "Have you ever worn one?" "It's not a saree, ok!" "Ok then!" "Do it yourself." "All right, all right." "Just do it quick." "come..." "Give..." "Hold it." "What the..." "There, it's done." "Sure, it's done  but I hope it doesn't unravel in a crowd!" "Or else..." "Shut up!" "Today is the auspicious day of Dussehra." "It was on this day that Lord Rama... had slain Ravana and marked the triumph of good over evil!" "I am very happy that on this day we initiate new students in the school." "May the Goddess of Knowledge be with you." "It's Lajwa." "This is our little granddaughter Kusum!" "Now, go and play." "Mohanji, where are you off?" "Why don't you spend some time with us?" "I'm impressed." "How well you've tied your dhoti Mohanbabu?" "How did you manage to learn so quickly?" "It's pretty easy." "It was tied in seconds." "You're looking like a bridegroom." "Thank you." "So how long have you lived abroad?" "It's been almost twelve years now." "You must have adapted yourself completely to their way of living?" "We would also like to know a thing or two about America." "Well..." "America is a big country..." "We've heard that it's also very rich?" "Rich it is." "But there are several reasons for that." "One among them is that their land is rich in mineral resources..." "Even our land is rich, but in crops." "Our strength..." "lies in our fields." "Do they have problems of rain?" "Are they affected by drought and famine like us?" "And what about electricity?" "They've set up infrastructure to provide all the basic amenities to the common man." "Electricity, housing board, healthy food and free education." "We have one thing, they don't have and will never have." "What?" "culture and tradition!" "Yes, agreed." "And till we have that, no one can destroy us." "Ours is the greatest country in the world!" "Absolutely!" "culture and tradition is our strength, don't you agree?" "Munishwar..." "I don't think..." "Mohanbabu agrees!" "Do you Mohanji?" "You're right." "I don't agree that ours is the greatest country in the world!" "But I do believe that we have the potential and strength to become great." "Both these countries are economically, sociologically and culturally apart." "I shouldn't say this but since you have broached this topic, let me say that  whenever we suspect losing in comparison  we clutch on to our favourite refuge  culture  and tradition!" "America has progressed on its own strengths." "They have their own culture and own tradition." "It would be wrong to claim that their culture their tradition and beliefs are inferior and ours are laudable." "It's wrong." "But I have heard that there they discriminate against members of ethnic races." "Yes!" "There are clashes sometimes." "Aren't they everywhere?" "What is important to analyze is that we make differences based on caste." "You talk as if we have created the caste, class, religion and the social system." "This hierarchy of caste is ancient as is culture and religion." "And colour and creed." "Remember, one's caste is a thing that can never die!" "Just because a custom is ancient, it does not have to be right." "Why are you imposing your views on us Mohanbabu?" "I am not imposing any views." "I am only speaking of things I've experienced while living here." "And I've realized that we keep fighting amongst ourselves  when we must fight against illiteracy, over-population and corruption." "Every day, in our streets and homes, each one of us keeps saying" "The country has gone to dogs." "The country is on the path of destruction!" "If we keep saying this, we will one day actually land up there." "You'll need to do something to remedy this." "You too!" "Notjust the members of the Panchayat but everyone in the village." "You are blaming the members of the Panchayat for your problems." "But when you step into their shoes, you'll do the same thing." "This applies to me too!" "The dalits blame the brahmins  and brahmins claim that their piety is despoiled by the dalits." "The blacksmith and potter blame the moneylender." "The land owners blame the peasants, but they don't give them their rights." "In what way are we great then?" "If we have problems in the village, we point our finger at the State  and the State at someone else." "We all are finding fault with each other!" "The fact is that we're all to be blamed." "Because the problem... is us!" "Me... you  all of us!" "Have you lost your head?" "What are you saying?" "All I know is that  a weaver who changed his occupation by becoming a farmer  cannot feed his family" "or give his children an education." "He can only watch his kids die of malnutrition." "Every moment weighs terribly, we're beset with a calamity" "O scion of Raghu race, come to rescue me come, O Raghu stalwart, O lord, I beseech thee" "Adorable lord of my heart, O my good Ram, appear" "I recite thy Name, hear thou O Ram and come" "I recite thy Name, hear thou O Ram and come" "Proclaim glory of truth by beat of drum, burn Lanka of sins" "At once come, rescue me and heed loud proclamation mine" "Every moment weighs terribly, we're beset with a calamity" "O scion of Raghu race, come to rescue me" "Forget Ram, look!" "It's Ravana who hast come" "His mighty shadow hath spread over all quarters" "Why dost thou recite Name of Ram?" "Why dost thou sing rosary of Ram?" "This 'Ram' 'Ram' thou hast begun by rote" "O Sita!" "what virtue didst thou see in Ram to quote?" "Who can recount all His virtues?" "Lexicon too falleth short" "Who can reach the summits" "Where my adorable Ram sits" "Ram is most excellent in this world, unswerving in virtue" "Most puissant yet possessed of restraint" "But now his restraint too hath suffered diminution" "O Ravana!" "It's not too late to beg for mercy!" "May the glory of truth be proclaimed by beat of drum!" "Lanka of sins shouldst burn" "Here cometh Ram; we bow unto Him" "Accompanied by noble brother Lakshmana" "Every moment weighs terribly, we're beset with a calamity" "O scion of Raghu race, come to rescue me" "Shouldst Ram possess strength;" "shouldst He valour proclaim" "Why hast He not come to rescue thee, thy fame?" "He whose glories thou singeth untiring" "Pray, where is that Ram at this moment, uncaring?" "Ram resides in mine heart;" "Ram is mine breathing part" "Ram is soul mine, Ram doth my life define" "Ram in all my moments liveth, it's Ram in every breath" "Ram is in every hope of mine;" "Ram is in every wish and pine" "Ram verily in compassion stayeth, in peace too dwelleth Ram" "Ram for sure in unity is, progress too is glory His" "Ram, in contemplation of devotees, and of enemies alike liveth" "Forsake sin, O Ravana!" "And thou shalt find Ram in thy heart" "Ram in thy heart, Ram is in mine heart" "Ram in every home and abode, Ram at every threshold" "Whoever shouldst oust Ravana from the heart, to him doth Ram dart" "Every moment weighs terribly, we're beset with a calamity" "O scion of Raghu race, come to rescue me" "Look Lord Ram has come, Mine Lord Ram has come" "Here comes the scion of the Raghu race, Here he comes to rescue me" "Look Lord Ram has come, Mine Lord Ram has come" "Here comes the scion of the Raghu race, Here he comes to rescue me" "Siyavar Ramchandra Ki..." "Jai (Glory unto Lord Ramchandra)" "The burning Ravan is looking prettier in the darkness." "Every moment weighs terribly, we're beset with a calamity" "Quiet!" "Please be quiet!" "Why do I feel that  all of you have started enjoying living in this darkness?" "You've adjusted to this darkness?" "For how long are you'll going to take your problems lying down?" "But what else can we do, Mohanji?" "Will you do as I ask?" "Have you once again come up with some strange solution?" "Please have mercy on us!" "Wait Munishwar..." "What do you want us to do?" "Is there a spring on the nearby mountain?" "Yes there is." "So?" "I need a hundred men." "A hundred men?" "You shall have them." "You shall have a hundred men!" "Thank you Dadaji." "Sir, one hears lightning had struck this spot several years ago." "Since then there has been this gush of water." "Wonder what he's upto!" "This is Point A1" "We shall build a reservoir here." "I mean a water tank." "The water will be acccumulated here." "From here, there will be a water pipe which leads to Point A3." "A3 will have a shed with a turbine, I mean a machine." "When the water falls on the turbine, it will rotate with great speed." "And if all things go right, electricity will be generated." "We'll form four groups." "The blacksmiths will cast the moulds." "The 2nd and 3rd group will do the digging work for the tank and so on." "Now let's form the groups." "Fast!" "This boy looks promising!" "Surely seems like." "Reservoir will be made here." "Length 5 metres and breadth 1 metre." "I mean, 5 arm's length by 1 arm's length." "For this we will have to clear out all the stones and bushes." "Is that clear?" "Yes." "It's 7 feet and 6 inches." "Shall I try it?" "Where's Mela Ram?" "What is this?" " From boot to suit, total American sir!" "But why?" "Now that we are going to do business together..." "I thought that I should look like a 40% partner!" "This is my passport and this is my VISA form, fully filled out!" "Once it's stamped..." "Baloo, show him an alternator powered 24 watts." "Please come in sir." "Here's your water, Dadaji." " Thank you, Santaram." "How's the work progressing on the hill?" "It's getting on perfectly fine." "How long will it take?" " It will be completed very soon." "You take rest!" "I'll take your leave now." "Jai Ramji Ki!" "By the way Vinod, will the turbine principle work in power generation?" "Yes." "Why do you ask?" "You know what, I am trying to generate electricity here." "Electricity?" "What the hell are you talking about?" "No no Vinod I'm lighting a bulb here." "John is beginning to lose it by the day." "Speak to him, and buy me some more time." "We've started working nights." " Common Vinod handle it for me." "I'll talk to you later." "Bye." " Bye." "25 X 75 is equal to..." " 1875." "23.3 X 33.9" "789.87 = 790." "I'm about to finish this." "I've fallen in love with you." "What did you say?" "Come again." "See!" "Just see!" "It's you and me, and long solitude!" "See!" "Just see!" "How delicate are these shadows!" "Listen in; heed the heartbeats" "Listen in; heed the song of silence" "Listen in; heed what the night hath to say" "Night's come;" "with desires nameless and many" "She narrateth a hundred woes;" "I listen to her epiphany" "Night unwindeth, unabashed stripeth her cloak" "Pearls, scattered as it were;" "I pick" "You have chanted some spell in words" "Lamps are alit in my eyes" "You have chanted some spell in words" "The darkness of my nights hath poured out" "Melaram ready?" " Ready sir." "Release the valve." "Release the value further." "Good!" "The water will gush to this turbine through this pipe." "The turbine will rotate with the force of water." "With this steering wheel, we can control the water flow." "We need to release enough water to make this pulley rotate and make this alternator spin at the speed of 1 500 rpm." "And if this happens, electricity will be generated." "Lonely wert the day and nights sans you, overcast with desolation" "And now it seemeth the nights, kissed by the day art perfumed for you art my companion" "I was incomplete sans you, more complete now none couldst be" "In yours, my world I discovered, yet I am all lost" "Both of us have now learned, art of living well earned" "Like Midas touch, our living how well hath altered" "Both of us have now learned, beauty of life well earned" "O joys, we owneth a score, enough and more" "What are you'll doing?" "There will be electricity in your house, Dadi Setu!" "The wires are up." "Now all that we have to do is wait." "Ready..." " Ready sir." "Nivaaranji ok?" "Yes Mohanji." "Mela Ram, release the water." " Ok sir." "Open the valve..." "Slowly..." "Electricity will be generated at 230 Volts." "come on..." "Nivaaranji, is the valve fully open?" " Yes Mohanbabu." "Mela Ram, is the valve fully open?" "Fully open sir." "Totally open." "Sure?" " Sure Sir." "Gita, Come." "Hold the stick." "Hold it." "If the valve is fully open, how come there's no pressure?" "Has the pressure increased?" "Yes!" "Jafarbhai, how many rpm?" "800 sir." "I say, how long now for the electricity?" "Have patience Munishwar, patience!" "Electricity!" "Electricity." "Mohanbabu, we have done it." "Electricity of our own village!" "Generated with our toil and sweat." "Just like this project, we must think of newer and innovative ways to solve our village's problems." "Sarpanchji, come quickly!" "Dadaji's health has deteriorated." "Dadaji..." "Electricity?" "Is it here?" "Yes." "The day  I saw you  I felt  something special about you..." "Now that you're here  I can... die in peace." "But Mohan, you've alreaby been away for five weeks." "This really isn't right.." "I'm extremely sorry John." "I've just been caught up with some personal work and..." "We are in Phase II of Core design here." "There can't be any further delays!" "I understand John." "I've just finished what I needed to do here and" "I'll be back in three days." "Three days it is!" " Of course John." "Yes..." "I will." "What surprises me is how you can think of going after all that you have seen and learnt here." "It's true Gita." "I have learnt so much here, gained so much here." "Felt the problems here  but I cannot live here." "And I cannot live out of this country." "I am willing to marry you  but I won't go to America." "I know that you are not going to come with me." "Mohan, I've given it lot of thought." "At this age, I'll not be able to adopt the ways and customs of another country." "I am happy here." "Now that you are leaving  I will miss you very much." "If you were here, our family would have been complete." "I'll take your leave." "May you live a long life son!" "We had forgotten that you were a guest." "A visitor must leave one day." "We'll miss you very much." "When you come here next you'll surely find Internet in Charanpur Post Office." "Every little lad will email you." "What we couldn't have, is our wrestling match." "I am sorry Mela Ram that I have to leave suddenly." "But I'll surely send you the sponsorship papers." "I don't need them anymore." "I'll be fine here." "Your presence in the village has changed some things around here." "Some things have definitely changed." "But you had planned your migration." "When the creeper in your house crosses into your neighbor's compound  one's own house is ruined." "It's like a lamp on your threshold giving light to the neighbour's house." "All the best Sir." "Thank you Mela Ram." "Mohanbhaiyya, this is for you." "I will put this up in my house." "Listen, study well." "Right!" "Where is Gita?" "I haven't seen her around since morning." "I have to leave now." "Or else I'll miss my flight." " Ok." "Please explain to her, ok?" "Go son!" "My love and blessings are always with you." "Dont worry..." "Bye." "Gita, you're impossible!" "You're here and  I've been looking for you all over." "I did not want to talk to you before the villagers." "I'm saddened with your decision but I can understand your predicament." "I can understand." "Gita, I too understand  but please don't mistake my helplessness for betrayal." "I did not mean to hurt you..." " Mohan." "I love you." "I want you to be happy wherever you are." "This is for you." "What is this?" "Open it." "What's all this?" "The summation of all our traditions!" "Little flowers of our profound faith!" "Our fields  our greenery  rivers... our culture  all these will keep reminding you of us!" "And maybe  maybe compel you to return!" "Please stop!" "Don't go!" "And as we can see, we have some points here that the satellite travels along the way to capture data of the Global Precipitation." "Next we're going to see the territory of the GPM instrument, as it goes from Australia to India" "This country, thy soil" "It's thy motherland!" "She calls thee" "This is a bond that can never be severed" "The scent of the soil:" "How canst thou fail to remember?" "No matter where thou wanderest Thou art bound to return" "From newer paths thou toureth" "From thy sighs hushed." "From thy forlorn heart" "Some one shalt beckon" "This country, thy soil" "It's thy motherland!" "She calls thee" "This is a bond that can never be severed" "To thee hast thy life" "Words to proclaim" "Thou hast gained all" "What dearth to name hath thou?" "All the happiness hath showered, though:" "Thou art far away from thy home come, return O wanderer" "Where someone wouldst name thou a kin" "And summon thee to the native soil" "This country, thy soil" "Is thy motherland!" "She calls thee" "This is a bond that can never be severed" "Now that you're here..." "I can... die in peace!" "It is like a lamp on your threshold giving light to your neighbor's house." "I've made up my mind, Vinod." "I must go back." "Not again!" "How can you go back for a girl?" "Just persuade her to come here." "Its not that Vinod!" "It's not only about Gita and Kaveriamma." "This is the moment decreed" "In which concealeth" "Full eon entire existence" "Don't thou dare ask why roads two cross thy path through" "Thou art the one to resolve the road Thou art the one to discern the code" "Which direction?" "Whither dost the path leadeth to true abode?" "This country, thy soil" "It's thy motherland!" "She calls thee" "This is a bond that can never be severed" "I got it." "Just because you lit a bulb now you have delusions of sparking a revolution in the whole country." "You're being foolishly romantic!" "Let's leave aside sentiments..." "Have you figured out what you are going to do there?" "I have a few ideas." " Like?" "I could be a Project Manager for Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre." "I can..." "I can work in tandem with NASA from there." "There's a lot to be done there." "You're impossible." "I can't understand you!" "If you can't understand even after hearing all this  then its pointless telling you anything." "You'll have to come there and see things." "Otherwise you'll never understand!" "We're just a few minutes away from the launch of the GPM Spacecraft on an important scientific mission to better understand the global water cycle here on earth." "GPM will allow improvements in predicting precipitation forecasts, and better predict flood hazards." "We are not tracking any technical problems at this time." "All systems are GO on the launch vehicle." "Weather forecast is very good for today." "Just a few minutes away from launching the GPM spacecraft." "This spacecraft will give us information... that will help us better predict precipitation" "In addition, we can better predict flood hazards." "T minus 20 secs." "T minus 1 5 secs." "T minus 1 0 9 8 7 6" "We have a GO for main engine start 3 2 booster ignition . and Lift-Off!" "John I tried to knock some sense into his head and tried to convince him not to leave but..." "Mohan, you do realize what you are going to lose." "John, I know what I'm going to gain." "But you're aware, you could have gone places." "I am going places!" "All right Mohan go light your bulb!" "Nobody has ever thrown me like this." "Where did you learn these wrestling tricks, Mohanbabu?" "Where there is a will, there is a way." "Afterall, a marshmelon changes its colour in company of another marshmelon!" "Do you understand now?" "Excellent match, Mohanbabu."