treat everyone with politeness
even those who are rude to you,
not because they are not nice
but because you are nice.......................
even those who are rude to you,
not because they are not nice
but because you are nice.......................
Handshake with the PM
Posted 22nd July 2008 at 01:04 AM by Anushiv
Our Singapore National Day (August 9) is fast approaching & the Lion city has already started to prepare for its celebration. No doubt, it is going to be a spectacular & a marvelous treat to our eyes but being an Indian & coming from India I (rather most of us over here) always look at it as an entertainment feature rather than a patriotic display. It is sad indeed but I do have high & sincere respect towards the Politian & people over here. 
When I was in India, I never had a chance to meet or talk about politics or politician. May be the brutal impact of movies would have made me to look down upon them. They were never been in my good books. I hated them without any reason but the moment I entered this country my view about Politics has totally changed. Here, Politian’s are chosen according to meritocracy, all are well-learned, profound thinkers, polite & as well as proud personalities.
Just imagine these strong & weighty men moving around without any black cats behind! On Sunday, I had a chance to meet these ministers. Not just the one but quite a handful of them which includes our Prime Minister Mr. Lee, Education minister, Health Minister (Dr. Balaji Sadsivam) & other few MPs. It was for rational harmony celebration at our CC (community centre)… around hundred people attended it. One of the committee members of the CC had invited us to join the celebration. Mr. PM was shaking-hands with many of them & was having a brief conversation with few people. We too were standing in line with a plastic smile to greet him. I was wearing a sari (courtesy- my husband); even though I never felt odd, it looked different among the rest. The tall 6’’ PM came towards us & gave a big hearty smile shook hands with us & we had a brief talk. He was asking me a few questions. How long I have been in here. What I am doing? Etc. I felt exalted & my husband who was standing beside me was just grinning. When we were returning home, he began to talk, “See, The sari has made a difference, I told you to wear it & that was the reason you stood & looked different from others…it even pulled the PM”! Yeah, sometimes DH is correct we need to agree that right.
Two things, which I learnt on that day-
To be in Politics or to be a politician is after all not an easy job. You need to be a strong character at the same time flexible, humble& open-minded person. Especially, in a developed country like Singapore you should also be Educated, balanced & sharp thinker. Yesterday, I did notice that in Mr. Lee.
And wearing our ethnic dress has really made me proud & happy! I wish all the Indian Ladies do it. Recently, I saw pictures of Aishwarya Rai & Preity Zinda in western outfit (Cannes, film festival). Why can’t these celebrities in Red carpet wear sari? I am sure Sari is equally glamorous & elegant.
Following their footsteps, nowadays I see few south Indian actors like Trisha, Priya Mani, shreya etc. appear like Mary’s of the church!
Come on ladies, do share your feeling about it & thanks for reading my ‘dragging’ blog!
When I was in India, I never had a chance to meet or talk about politics or politician. May be the brutal impact of movies would have made me to look down upon them. They were never been in my good books. I hated them without any reason but the moment I entered this country my view about Politics has totally changed. Here, Politian’s are chosen according to meritocracy, all are well-learned, profound thinkers, polite & as well as proud personalities.Just imagine these strong & weighty men moving around without any black cats behind! On Sunday, I had a chance to meet these ministers. Not just the one but quite a handful of them which includes our Prime Minister Mr. Lee, Education minister, Health Minister (Dr. Balaji Sadsivam) & other few MPs. It was for rational harmony celebration at our CC (community centre)… around hundred people attended it. One of the committee members of the CC had invited us to join the celebration. Mr. PM was shaking-hands with many of them & was having a brief conversation with few people. We too were standing in line with a plastic smile to greet him. I was wearing a sari (courtesy- my husband); even though I never felt odd, it looked different among the rest. The tall 6’’ PM came towards us & gave a big hearty smile shook hands with us & we had a brief talk. He was asking me a few questions. How long I have been in here. What I am doing? Etc. I felt exalted & my husband who was standing beside me was just grinning. When we were returning home, he began to talk, “See, The sari has made a difference, I told you to wear it & that was the reason you stood & looked different from others…it even pulled the PM”! Yeah, sometimes DH is correct we need to agree that right.
Two things, which I learnt on that day-
To be in Politics or to be a politician is after all not an easy job. You need to be a strong character at the same time flexible, humble& open-minded person. Especially, in a developed country like Singapore you should also be Educated, balanced & sharp thinker. Yesterday, I did notice that in Mr. Lee.
And wearing our ethnic dress has really made me proud & happy! I wish all the Indian Ladies do it. Recently, I saw pictures of Aishwarya Rai & Preity Zinda in western outfit (Cannes, film festival). Why can’t these celebrities in Red carpet wear sari? I am sure Sari is equally glamorous & elegant.
Following their footsteps, nowadays I see few south Indian actors like Trisha, Priya Mani, shreya etc. appear like Mary’s of the church!
Come on ladies, do share your feeling about it & thanks for reading my ‘dragging’ blog!
Total Comments 27
Comments
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Dear Anu,
The title of the blog, made me rush here...I first thought Manmohan singh...but..then realised...you are in Singapore.
It must have been a special feeling to shake hand with a PM(you mentioned.."our" PM, Mr. Lee??) and have a small exchange of pleasantaries with him...
Yes, I too have read about politics in singapore...Hats off..
You are right about them...have to strong..yet flexible.
Its always elegant to wear Sari when attending functions or some get togethers like you attended. We do stand out in it.Me too was wondering about the dress sense of Aish in Cannes, though I did not think of her in Sari there....Maybe it is Good idea.
But when it comes to travelling and moving around to work, the other dresses are good.
Thanx for sharing your meet up..... with usPosted 22nd July 2008 at 01:16 AM by Saraswathipv
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Thank You Saraswathi
Dear Saraswathi,
My first blog & you were the first to respond to it. I am just jumping out of joy! I thank you, thank you, thank you...!
Your feed back & your encouraging response motivates me to write more & better.
Well, I am in Singapore now for the past10yrs. It is my second hometown. Even though, born & brought up in India, I have a special place for this place & people. That has made me to write ' our' country. Anyhow, if I had a chance, I love to meet our Indian PM too.
when I go to work, I too wear only western out fit but I strongly object when these celebrities who are in the red carpet & who had gone to represent our country...why can't they wear sari? After all, they are like ambassadors representing a nation. If this trend continues...sari will become a costume & not a dress!
Once again, thank you saraswathi from my bottom of the heart for stepping in to my blog.
Posted 22nd July 2008 at 04:46 AM by Anushiv 
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Dear Anushiv,
Congratulations on your entry into the blog world. And what a blog!! Fantastic.Anushiv you have really written very well.
You have penned the excitement and the ecstasy really well. And also the dicrepencies in the political arena of both the countries.
And yes I agree the grace that a saree emits can never come from the most expensive designer creations of any other wear!!
Keep posting Anushiv!! Im sure everyone here would approve of your lovely blogs!
Love,
DevikaPosted 22nd July 2008 at 05:24 AM by Devika Menon - Hi Anu,
Congratulations on your wonderful blog. You write well. look forward to more write-ups from you.Posted 22nd July 2008 at 06:12 AM by roopadadia -
Dear Anu,
Nicely expressed. Yes....Sari ...that prompted me to write a FB
Having been in foreign land, I never hesitated to flaunt Indianess and move around in Indian clothes. In fact, everytime I wore indian attire (no matter if it was salwar or sari)...it did get some curious looks but it got more respect & admiration.
True that foreign men do get attracted (as your DH had said) to the indian attire. I have had ppl tell me that they feel proud if i am next to them when I am in a Sari!!!
Hats off to Sari & Indian attire and the aura it emnates!
Cheers
JenzPosted 22nd July 2008 at 06:58 AM by Jenz
