Toral, The Snob

Yesterday, after watching the Trump Apprentice, it is becoming more and more evident that it doesn't take too much intellect or personality to be successful and earn millions. On the other hand, it also provides proof that being educated from one of the topmost business schools or any such education institution does not necessarily mean you are the best and the brightest. Toral, the Indian girl on the reality TV show was a perfect example of this. But she is not the first and she will definitely not be the last. Since the first Apprentice, the quality of the candidates has been deteriorating. For this season I read here, that Trump had himself interviewed 17 of the 18 candidates. Didn't make much difference I say, especially with the women. The guys more or less are decent, but the girls - phew!! They just can't get over the sorority, popularity stuff.
There are two sides to this post here. One is about the other girls on the team. From the beginning, since they didn't get to boot Toral out last week, they have been ganging against her. I did see a hint of some "ism" in there. But anyways, you would expect these women being successful individuals on their own would have some common sense so as to focus on the job. That is the number one rule in any successful task. Don't lose sight of your goal. In a way, they did not. Their goal was to send Toral home and they did win, rightly said by this piece. Last week's loss was not Toral's fault and so her friend did defend her.
But Toral is one of the snobbiest people I have seen on the show and this is the second side. I would have loved to see her succeed, but thank god that did not happen. She is so into herself that everybody around her are like microscopic creatures to her. That attitude is just so wrong. I don't know how the Wharton graduate could be so condescending towards others. I think her biggest problem was not being a team player. I agreed with her on certain issues like not being part of a popularity contest, but her attitude just got under my skin. No wonder the other girls hated her and she sure will be featured on the "Reality TV's Most Hated Girls".
Being an Indian, toral's attitude did make me angry. And her pseudo personal,cultural and religious reasons were exposed in no time. Raj, from the second season was so much better and indeed a smart individual. He did make mistakes and accepted them but he at no point insulted the others. I think that is one of the most important qualities a human being needs to possess.

Sixteen and counting?

Today I came across this post on CNN about Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar's sixteenth child. Yes, its not a typo, its their 16th child in 17 years since their first and all conceived on their own. That makes an entire cricket team with stand-ins. I am very sensitive when it comes to matters regarding population. It maybe because I am from India, a country where population explosion has been out of control. In some ways it has been a boon when it comes to BPOs and outsourcing but more often than not, it has been a curse. Millions of people without enough resources to sustain daily life.
Anyways, this is not about India, its about choices people make. I agree, that being someone who would stand for US Senate, Jim Duggar is not short of any resources. I am sure they are able to take very good care of their children. And ofcourse its a free country where people can make whatever choices they want and pursue whatever makes them happy. Population is not a problem in the US, so we don't really need to control it. I am not lobbying to introduce any drastic measures like China(one child policy) or even softer measures like India(Government officials who have more than two kids lose their jobs). But think just once before you decide about having more than a dozen children. Think about those millions of orphans in places like Africa and Asia. They are starving to death and do not have anybody to love them. Their parents have mostly died of deadly diseases like AIDS. Will these children ever get a chance to live a life that we here take for granted? I am sure many of these kids are bright individuals who if given a chance would shine in whatever skills they have a flair for.
Could a resourceful family like the Duggars not adopt half the number of kids they have. They say they love children, then why not adopt some. Why not give a child the chance to the American Dream. I think all those children are God-sent, then why are some left to die of starvation and deadly diseases? It is not necessary to have a cross-country, cross-cultural adoption. There are enough children in this country who would meet any prospective adopters profile.
I did come across the Duggar Family website where they do answer the question, why they have so many kids. The basis are obviously religious and I am no one to oppose that. My only concern is that we as human beings with more brain power have been given this education so as to make sensible decisions. So where do you draw the line?
I really admire Angelina Jolie for this very reason. She just received a humanitarian award from the UN and she does deserve it. At a mere age of 30, she has achieved a lot, the top being a savior to two cute little kids who now have the opportunity for a great life. Yesterday I came across this stupid article about politicians and celebrities exchanging roles which undermines what Angelina has done. What does the writer of the story think about himself. Has he ever done anything close to what celebrities like Jolie, Pitt and Bono have done?
I hope to adopt a child one day. I believe that if I have the power to make atleast one child's life better then I should.

Time to say 'I Do'

Its been a while since I put my thoughts in here. Just have been bit busy with some guests and then shopping around. There is an announcement to be made - I am getting married to my long time sweet heart next month. My dream is finally come true after five amazing years of togetherness. As the day comes nearer, the feeling is setting in. The marriage is in November in India and we will be flying there next month. Hence all the shopping and stuff, though I don't really have to buy anything for the wedding itself. My parents will take care of that back home. That's how it is with us Indians, we just go and get married.
It will be a hectic four weeks with some other cousins getting married. We plan to visit Kerela, let's see how that materializes. I wanted to visit 'God's own country' since long.
Hope to get back into the writing groove soon.
Ciao!