Diversity

Which group would you rather be in? 

(irrespective of gender)

For some, it is more convenient to hang out with people with similar tastes in food, clothing, music, even the same set of values. There is less chance of conflict, less possibility of being shocked. You can feel you 'belong to' the group. And of course, there is ingroup favoritism and perks like free mentoring from your alumni association, or information about musical concerts of genres your share affinity towards.

A group can be of new parents, foodie, bloggers. I'll definitely appreciate a passably decent social event for marketers for startups right now. The categorical variables may vary, but the idea is the same. In some cases, it is essential to belong, to have conversations regarding your existing interests. But if we interact with people ONLY within our comfort zone, we will never learn new things or see the world from a different perspective. Scary.

Terra Nova

I was talking to SG's niece, who is a few years younger to me and is in the final year of her undergrads . During our conversation, I remembered my final year of Bachelors. In fact, every major event when I had to start afresh : when I had to leave home for the first time, when I finished college, when I had to leave the country I grew up in -for my Masters, when I had to say goodbye to Boston to settle in California.

I had to relocate very few times compared to some other people I am acquainted with. I guess almost everyone feels some degree of anxiety when making a move- the fear of losing friends, the fear of a new world we are not prepared for. But we are a strange breed. We find a way to flourish even in the most unlikely places.

Thoughts on Dashami

As a kid, I always wondered why they immersed the idols of Goddess Durga in water on Dashami- the 5th day after Durga puja begins on Shasti. So much effort and resources go into making the pandal and idols only to be drowned (traditionally; doesn't happen in US) at the end of the celebration. A meaningless exercise until  you realize why it is important. It is like building a sand castle at low tide and then watching it wash away on high tide.

Dashami. Time for immersion. Time to let go. So that you can rebuild again.