Cartoon Shows

Cartoon Shows
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Look, there is Tom. He has just bound Jerry to the rail track with a rope. What Tom is going to do? Oh my god! Tom is riding a train and he is coming closer to Jerry. Will Jerry die? No, come on Tom you can't do it! See the cruelty on Tom's face. He came closer and???  Oh look, there is Jerry's cute little friend Tweety who is carrying a big black colored iron ball with a rope in his mouth. Tweety thrown it down and it made a big hole on rail track. It fell down just before Tom reaches it. And before getting any idea what's happening, Tom and his train goes into the hole. Hush. Tweety saved Jerry. Now Tom comes up and runs behind them. Even after this accident, Tom had no injuries. Jerry and Tweety runs to save their lives from Tom and we are laughing. Oh my god! What an amazing experience it was! Every Morning of my childhood vacations I spent with Tom and Jerry.

Not only Tom and Jerry but I remember some more of them like, Popeye the sailor man, Richie Rich, Scooby Doo, Duck Tales, Dextors Laboratory, Johnny Bravo, Mickey Mouse, Chip and Dale, The Flintstones, Roadrunner and the list goes on. I and my younger brother were glued to the Television set for watching all of them. Our parents used to shout at us for always watching it. Just like every kid, we use to fight with them for getting permission to watch it. Sometimes we had to plead for it. Those were golden days!

This morning I went to my friend's house and saw his cute kid debating with his mom on Shinchan (cartoon). I and his father (my friend) were laughing after listening to those innocent comments from kid. I felt a bit nostalgic and went into memories of our times cartoons. I and friend started discussing about our childhood and same fights and cartoons. We were missing all those cartoon shows. We were missing our childhood love.

From the argument of the mother, few questions strucked my mind likes, do these cartoons teach something to children? Are they affecting their lives? Are they affecting children's behavior? Which cartoons are better, our times old ones or new ones like Shinchan? And better in what sense they are?

When I was returning from friend's house I started finding out answers of all of them one by one. Cartoons resemble human beings, animals, birds which kids watch outside. Kids relate them with each other. They teach children, how to talk, how to react, how to think. They want to try all actions of those cartoons. We used to tie one side of our towel to neck and pretend like it is Superman's red cape and open both hands on each side of body and fly like him. We were fans of them and still we are.
After watching each show of Popeye, we had even enquired about Spinach in several retail outlets. That was fun.

Cartoons affect children's lives. Kids are always dreaming. They enjoy them. Kids get new ideas. I and my brother used to build a rope way between two cupboards using a rope and toothpaste box. And we were transferring soldiers from one place to another. Children learn a lot with these cartoons. Have you ever saw a kid repairing Batman's bike with a screw driver? Have you ever seen a cute little girl making up her Barbie? They are so concentrated in this work and they never want anyone's help until they become clueless. They will come to you with same innocence to show you how they did it or to ask for assistance. This way they become independent too and learn how to do things on their own.

When I compare cartoons of old age and new ones, I prefer old ones. I think they were far better than Shinchan, oggies and cockroaches, Pokemon, Doremon etc. Because those cartoons were simple and innocent. There may be or may not be dialogues sometimes but we enjoyed them. We used to get everything which was happening in their lives. We did not understand English, still we were getting everything. We were having multiple options but nowadays kids are having very few options from these cartoons. We still remember most of our times but I am not sure how much today's kids will remember their cartoons. I may be a bit selfish by saying our times cartoons are best, but it’s my opinion and it may vary person by person.

At the end, I am still searching those Cartoon episodes on the internet so that I can download. My plan is to sit back on a weekend and enjoy them with my niece. I would like to show them to her. Are you planning same for your kids?

Sunit S. Pendse
30th April 2014

Summer Vacation

Summer Vacation
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It was Saturday. Father was reading newspaper and his 8 years son returned from his exams. Being tired the son thrown his bag on bed. He yelled at his mother, “Mumma, I am hungry and thirsty too. Bring Rasna plzzzzz.”
Mom arrived with a glass of water and a glass of Rasna. Son ignored water and took glass of Rasna in his hand. He drank it in one sip. Father was observing all his actions. Mom returned to the kitchen. Son started telling his dad whole day story till now. Father kept acknowledging him asking questions to continue the conversation. As son finished with it, father asked him, “So, what’s the plan for this vacation?”
Son replied with excitement, “Lots of Maggie, Cartoon and Video Game. I am not going to miss any episode of shinchan, chhota bhim, oggies and cockroaches.” Son rushed to the bedroom to get fresh. Father laughed at his answer and got little worried too. Concept of enjoying vacations is changed much. By keeping newspaper in a hand, and looking outside the window, he started remembering his vacations. The old days he and his friends enjoyed much.

He remembered his childhood. All those moments started flashing right in front of his eyes. Not much of cartoon he used to watch. Day was beginning with swimming in the river. Later breakfast followed by bike tour with his friends. They used to visit Mango gardens every afternoon. They liked stealing mangoes directly from trees. Climbing the trees, resting on them and eating stolen fruits were their fun. This game continues till owner comes and shouts at them. Evening spent with cricket, and they used to sleep by listening to Grandma's bedtime stories. Sometimes they were visiting farms and riding bullock carts. Mom, Aunts, Grandma were making special food for these kids everyday which they liked much. His face was glowing with those sweet memories.

But, what has changed now? In the past, he was staying outside whole day and now his son will be at home? His son won’t be going anywhere. No cricket, no bike riding nothing is on his list. Why? Why did this happen? If the kid will be at home whole day, then he will get bored and his health may get affected too. How can this be avoided? Why is he not ready to go out? Even he didn’t ask for any picnic. He just wants to watch cartoon and eat Maggie. He wants to play the video game. Are we getting addicted to the idiot box and fast food stuff? The worried father started thinking and finding out answers of these questions.

He was staying in a village and now in a city. There is a jungle of various buildings in the city with less number of grounds and trees available. No such river is there. Only sea but it’s very risky to swim in sea water for kids. Swimming pools are there but they have specific timings. Natural air is replaced with the polluted air. In village, the doors of most of the houses are always open during daytime. But in city, it is changed. Doors are always closed. Open minded people are becoming lesser. There is no security guarantee in the city. Many things were getting into his brain.

These are the external things. What about parents? Do they have enough time to spend with their kids? Parents are always busy in corporate meetings and office work. Then how son will be able to enjoy vacation with them? Single child in family is better but is it good for that kid? Siblings are most close to anyone. They are the best friends from childhood. Does his aunts, uncles, cousins stay close by so that he can play with them? Nope. They are not here. They are divided in various cities. Nuclear family is good for getting privacy and, avoids any clashes or fights. But it’s not useful for those kids. They will feel alone. And hence they will become homesick. Kids need their aged people to play with. Only then they will go out.

Suddenly, the father started his laptop and started searching something. His wife was seating close to him which he didn't notice. She was observing him from long time while sipping up the coffee. In the mean time, he looked at her and smiled. She asked, “What are you doing?”

With the excited face, he answered, “I am planning a vacation for my son. We would be going out. Not only us, the whole Big family.” She got him and they laughed.

They walked towards their son’s room. Son was playing with his toys in his bedroom. They looked at each other and smiled, and kept watching their son playing. Father was happy as his son will not be homesick for this vacation.

Sunit S. Pendse
23rd April 2014
Sunitpendse.blogspot.com

The Vicious Circle of Job

The Vicious Circle of Job

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It was 4^th June, 2007, the day when our graduation results were getting out. At 1400 hours, I had received the mark sheet. I looked at it. It turned out to be the best day of my life. I was happy coz I have completed one step in my life by becoming graduate. I was the one holding a degree of B.Sc. (Comp. Sc.)!

Celebration continued for first two days after results were out. Now it was time to look forward for job! I had searched for best resume formats for a programmer over the internet. As it was my first time to prepare a resume, it took me around a day to finish the task. After that, I started visiting several job portals such as naukri.com, monster.com, timesjobs.com etc. I was looking for any job opening for fresher and at Mumbai. By looking at the results, I became happy as there were many job openings suitable for me. Next step was to create a free login account on these job portals and upload the resume. I did it and applied for several openings. I was hoping for getting a call from any of those organizations. And the day ended well with resume prepared, new logins on job portals and applications for several job openings.

Next day, my parents and relatives asked me the status. I explained whole process which I followed the earlier day. They felt good and wished me luck. The days were passing. Celebration mood of having a graduate son at home was getting over. The graduate son was turning into a jobless son. It was about to happen. Everyone started asking what is the status? It was two months from results and I was still jobless. I was feeling ashamed while answering everyone. In the meantime, I had attended ten interviews and seven of them kept me on hold and others rejected. I started forgetting everything I studied and practiced. My knowledge was becoming useless. During last year of my graduation, we have asked our seniors a question as “In how much duration do you get a job after graduation?” And they replied as, “In maximum three months.” With this answer, I was hoping to get a job in a month. But being fresher, it was not easy to get a job just like you wanted!

Day by day, being jobless, I was getting frustrated. One of my friends had suggested global certifications of Microsoft Corporation for getting good job with high salary package. Hence, I did it. Now I was fresher in job market holding Graduation degree along with Global Certification from Microsoft. I had applied on several postings, attended interviews but still no luck. Why did this happen? Why I didn’t get job till around a year? Why did I find most of the openings only for experience persons? Why they wanted experienced people only and not fresher? If there won’t be job, then there won’t be experience at all. And if no experience, then there will be no job. How can we break this vicious circle of job?

So many questions and there will be many answers. First of all, there are many job openings present in IT market for programmer but not in Mumbai. Those are present in other cities of India such as Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore etc. So I should have been open to relocate. What next? Next comes is the level of knowledge which organizations are expecting from their candidates. And this level of knowledge will not be there with fresher. Hence they prefer experienced ones. If institutes or education at degree level will give much knowledge with practical and projects, then it will be easier for fresher to get a job. Many of those institutes have their trainers who were studying from same institute and have no experience from the industry. Same case with colleges too. Hence, trainers must be having some sort of industrial experience to help them with proper knowledge. Job location, less experienced trainers we have seen yet. What next?

Organizations those which are having openings for fresher, they do ask global certifications from vendors such as Microsoft, Oracle etc. Sometimes, if candidate does not hold a global certification, but has knowledge still he/she will be rejected by HR team before giving them chance for the interview. That must be considered and fresher should have given chance without global certification too, even though there is some HR policy. Organizations also schedule walk-in interviews for fresher. Advertising of those interviews should be done properly. Organizations shall use social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin etc. These walk-in drives must be known to employees of same organizations so that they can also refer to needy. Until and unless fresher will come to know about those openings, the one won’t be able to apply. Next comes is the resume format. Your resume must display best of yours. Your resume must impress organizations. Prepare the best resume before applying for a job. One can take help of experienced individuals and internet to prepare it.

Last but not the least is the salary expectations. If a fresher keeps high salary expectations then he/she won’t be able to get job easily. Getting something is better than having nothing. One must be ready to get lesser salary package. At least he/she will be getting a job and experience too.

If no experience then no job, and if no job then no experience, this vicious circle can be broken by considering the points which I have mentioned. There may be more options present to break it. Can anybody suggest more points?

Sunit S. Pendse

16^th April 2014

sunitpendse.blogspot.com

Pets

Pets

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Last Saturday, I was enjoying an evening with my best buddies at Shivaji Park, Dadar. We were having ice cream, chatting and deciding place for dinner. At that moment, we all noticed that a cute little kitten passed nearby us. A kid who was going with his mother also noticed that kitten and shouted with extreme excitement “maaauuu!” He managed to escape from mother’s hand and ran behind that kitten. A poor afraid kitten hid under a parked car may be for safety reason. That sweet kid stopped close to car and bent down to see the kitty. When his mother reached up to that car, he just had a glance, said “mom, look at it!” by pointing towards car with his tiny hands. We all were the witness of such a sweet and innocent moment, which made us smile, made our evening too.

While talking with one of my best friend, I have shared this incident with her. And our discussion turned onto pets. During our discussion, few questions were playing with my mind. Just like, what is the place of a pet in Human’s life? How is it so important to have a pet in our family? What are the benefits of having a pet? And the discussion went so long which helped me to get most of the answers.

We often see cute puppies and kitties in our society. We see people taking a walk with them. Do they ever feel bad about it? No, I haven’t seen anyone carrying his/her pet with irritation. They take of it just like one of their family member and loves equally. Pets also have emotions like a human being. They are not selfish like us rather they are very innocent and honest.

We can share our loneliness with pets. People use to forget their stress, frustration when pets are around. If you don’t believe me, just go and ask a person who have a pet in his home. Pets affect your body, soul and mind. They help you to improve your well-being. They give you love, laughter and joy. They stimulate your mood. Ever being sad? Ever feeling down, depressed or disappointed? Was your day bad? Just hang out with your pet. Just play with it. Share your thoughts with it. You will feel good. Pet’s love is known to be best one after parents, as it is an unconditional love. You love them, they will love you. You hate them, they will hate you. It is as that simple!

Taking care of a pet involves many activities such as, walking with a pet, grooming a pet, playing with it. All those activities keep owner active. Taking care of a pet is the best exercise. It helps us to understand the responsibility in our life. Because of a pet, we learn how to look after someone who is close to us. We learn how to take care of our future family. We feed them, we wash them, sometimes we dress them even (I have seen my friends dressing their pets)! Pets teach us responsibility. They teach us how to love unconditionally. They teach us qualities such as patience and understanding.

Medical research has proved that pets help to increase lifespan of those who suffered heart attacks. In many cases, their presence has been known to reduce blood pressure as well.

Pets are neither a cure, nor a substitute. They are a recommendation for happiness, fun, friendship, love, activity and better health.

Sunit S. Pendse

9^th April 2014
sunitpendse.blogspot.com

The open bag

The open bag
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“Excuse me.”
“Yes?”
“Your bag is open.” I pointed towards his bag.
“Thank you.” He smiled and closed his bag. He continued walking. I headed towards my office building. While walking, I was looking around. Everyone was carrying cell phone in hand, either seating in the campus or standing near the pond and enjoying fun time after lunch. Some of them were talking on cell phone and some of them were listening to songs. A crowd of a few people was looking towards various fishes and their movements in the pond. Some guys were discussing about their own lives, personal or corporate and much more. 

In a few minutes, I entered my office. The security guard checked my bag to ensure that I was not carrying any material like CDs/DVDs or external hard disk. I reached my desk and greeted my colleagues. I turned on my desktop and connected cell phone to charging. Before going to washroom, I told my colleague to keep an eye on my cell phone so that no body touches it. I was wondering how much I care for my cell phone! If cell phone is so much valuable to me, then are other things such as wallet, tiffin, railway season ticket, debit/credit cards, office identity card etc., which I am carrying with me in my bag, also not equally valuable? Do I take care of them too? Before leaving my desk, do I check my bag? Do I really think about this?

Whenever we visit any public place, we observe a notice which asks us to take care of our personal things, our belongings. We run on clock tick whenever we are getting late. As a part of fast moving world, everyone is always in a great hurry while going or leaving office. While running with time, we often ignore such important notices and. become careless about our belongings. We buy things at a price, yet, when in hurry are careless to leave our bag open thinking that we will close it once in train. But we fail to do this sometimes. We are unable to manage and the bag remains open giving a golden opportunity to thieves to steal. Alighting from the train we get worried and start searching it, “Where did it go?” We query ourselves just to realize that we have lost it for ever. This happened at whose doing? Ours or that of the thief? Obviously the responsibility is entirely ours…!!!

Were we careful about our lost thing? The answer is no. The thing may get lost in a fraction of a second. So we have to be always alert and careful. Yes, such lapses occur due to personal tensions, or frustration but, we can avoid them by having presence of mind. Remember, none but we ourselves consider our valuables important. For others, they hold no value apart from their value in currency.

So, please take care of your belongings. None else cares for them as much as us.

Sunit S. Pendse
2nd April 2014
sunitpendse.blogspot.com