On Ramachandra Guha, Romila Thapar, and other deemed historians

 Guha is not a leading Indian historian. He is not even a historian. He has written some books that he and his cabal thinks are history. The rest of us classify them as delirious fiction.

Platform rules

 I have just had a major realisation.

If you want your posts to reach more people:

Things that don’t matter:

Content

Presentation

Time of Posting

Length of post

Use of hashtags

 

Things that do matter:

The pleasure of the platform algo.

 

The posts that went viral were suggested by the platform to readers.

The posts that were ignored were NOT suggested by the platform to readers.

 

That’s it. That’s the epiphany.

******* 

What this means in plainspeak is that since we took our conversations and connections online, we created a layer that can control us - that platform. 

If you are on the old blogger platform, you will see a list of blogs you follow and their posts list, in reverse chronological order. Thats it. There is no filtering, no selection, no recommended posts. I am grateful for that bcs blogger is an old interface and no one wants to touch it at Google. (Thank God!) 

But there isn't a single other platform that brings the same honesty to the table. All other platforms - Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, etc., create an opaque, dense layer of control that determines whose posts we will see and whose we will not. This algo also controls which ads we will be subjected to, and how many. 

Why do we need a Census at all?

 The objective of a Census is 'almost' accurate population count.

But now, we have the Civil Registration System which tells us how many births and deaths there have been. The entire machinery has been tailored to ensure that no birth or death can go unregistered. Succession does not happen without death certificate. School admissions and even Adhar card does not happen without birth certificate.

There will still be cases of unreported or unclaimed deaths, unreported births in remote parts of the country.

So, can we not optimise the usage of national resources by using the CRS data for metros and urban centers, and using the state's Census machinery for remote areas, where there might be lapses in reporting?

What do you think?

Short Story: A Midsummer Dream

 “All right, sweetheart, see you at 5 then.”

“See you. Can’t wait!” Sushila hung up with practiced ease. Two boring hours, but money was money, and Jai Batra was not that hard to tolerate.  

*************

“See you at 5. Wear the red dress, please!” Archish spoke softly into the phone. Natasha blushed.

Archish was easy on the eyes and easier on the heart. He was empathic, attentive, and observant. He could make a woman feel like a queen – the most beautiful queen in the history of mankind. Sincerely.

He loved the good life and lived it. His detractors might say without doing anything, but only he knew the hard work it took.

The main reason he loved his work was not the money or the perks. It was the genuine happiness that he brought to people. People don’t realise how lonely, unwanted, and unappreciated we make people feel as they approach middle age. It is inhuman, almost. Every time he brought a smile to a face, every time he saw a face light up in response to a compliment, he felt great about himself.

The money was easy in the sense that he did not have to break stones or code for twelve hours to get it. But it was hard because usually, in the first two months, his clients only complained. Only slowly, after repeated compliments and many dates, did the sweet side of their personality come out. Absorbing all that negativity day after day with a smile is not an easy job – ask anyone.

Archish was a professional gigolo. He met middle-aged ladies and dated – a few at a time. They plied him with gifts and cash, and provided the good life – the luxury spas, the 5-star hotel stays, the business class holidays – all paid and provided for.

At this time, one of the people he was seeing was Natasha Batra – the wife of Jai Batra – one of the best-known business tycoons in the city. Jai also doubled up as a sugar daddy. Natasha didn’t have the details, but in her mind, blowing up his money on a similar service was the perfect definition of sweet vendetta.

Who was Archish to complain? He was more than happy to be the chosen one. Now, all he had to do was ensure that she did not feel lonesome enough to take on another ‘partner’. So, he spent a lot of time with her.

********************

“Hello!” Jai Batra grinned salaciously as he entered the apartment. Sushila groaned inwardly, ‘At least keep five minutes for the prelude, dude!’ she thought, but then realised that his prelude had started as soon as he’d put the phone down. Anyway, he was a direct to action kind of guy.

So, they did just that.

Afterwards, she heard his stories of accomplishments .. yet again. How important he was, how many meetings he had to cancel to be here with her, how idiotic his team members were, how dumb the rest of the world was, how stupid and incompetent his wife was, how unattractive, how he had resisted advances from two women this week… she patiently bore it all.

When he was done, he left the cash on the table, at the usual place, and arranged for a day to meet the following week. She looked at her calendar and blocked the time. They kissed and he left.

Sushila showered again and then got back to her books.

Her Master’s was due to end next year. Then, she could look at a placement and leave Jai Batra behind.

How suave, accomplished, and smart he had first appeared when she met him a year ago. How star-struck she had been! And how flattered when he paid romantic attention to her – only her – out of the entire class. He was a speaker at an event in her college. He had singled her out and asked for her LinkedIn profile. Then, slowly, they had moved from LinkedIn to Instagram and Instagram to Whatsapp chats, Whatsapp chats to coffee dates, coffee dates to…

He had asked playfully about her boyfriend initially. When he realised that she was focused on completing her Master’s and not boys, he had been delighted. He insisted on paying all her bills – rent, conveyance, everything except tuition fee, so her parents didn’t get suspicious.

Sushila didn’t even realise when he went from being mentor to being sugar daddy. They never used that word, but they both knew what was happening here. She had considered dumping him, but she was too invested. That, and there was complete discretion. He would never breathe a word, nor would she.

A few months ago, she had realised that she was a part of a group list. At first, she was shocked. How did such a busy man find time to sleep with more than one woman? But now, she just smiled at the idea. His life, his problem.

************************

And this is how it would have continued if fate greed hadn’t intervened.

Jai and Natasha Batra were happy in their alternate universes. They both had partners who were young and attentive. They were using money as the currency of love. It was all working out.

The key to such an arrangement is mutual ignorance or mutual tolerance. So, this state of equilibrium remained while mutual ignorance was in place.

One day, the equilibrium broke.

**********************

“The &^*^! She is seeing someone behind my back, and using MY credit card to pay for it too! How disgusting can she get!” Jai Batra spat out the words with the right mix of venom and anger.

Sushila found it hard to stifle a giggle. The irony of this man complaining to her was too unmistakable to ignore. However, she stroked his shoulder in a placatory gesture.

“Can you imagine! 2 lakhs for a holiday! I thought what is she doing with 2 lakhs for one weekend? I used to feel guilty and give her all these indulgences. I never looked at the bills at all! One random bill I noticed – spa booking for two! Which +1 did she have with her 500 kms from home? Now it all makes sense. All this while, God knows how long, the %^*(( has been blowing my money on some toy boy!”

 Sushila remained silent. It was becoming harder and harder to keep a straight face. The stroking on the shoulder continued. Boy! This was going to be a long two hours.

Finally, he got down to it. Afterwards, as they were sipping their coffee, he suddenly leapt up from his chair and looked straight at her, “Sushi, I need your help. Will you help me?”

Sushi didn’t like the sound of this. But she could not possibly deny help to the guy who had done so much for her. “Of course! What is it?”

“I want you to befriend my wife. Get her trust. Then, get her to confess to this boyfriend of hers. Record that statement. Once I have that audio, I will take her to court and leave her a pauper. If I file for divorce now, she will take half my stuff. I haven’t worked so hard to share it with that %^&%$.”

Sushila stared at him, “Are you planning to divorce her?”

“What else can I do? She cheated on me!”

Sushila continued to stare.

“This is different. You and I. We love each other. Who will fall in love with that old, fat hag?”

Sushila looked at this ageing, middle aged man who kept himself ‘fit’ and mistook that for ‘attractive’. She didn’t know whether to loathe or pity this person. Both, probably.

“Why don’t you hire a PI to do this for you? There are plenty available.”

He shook his head, “No sweetheart, can’t take that risk. I am too prominent a public figure to have a PI looking into my family affairs. It has to be someone I trust. You are the only one.”

Sushila smiled again. She knew that the same request would be made to at least a few other women this week, and for her sake, she hoped that one of them would agree.

But Jai Batra either did not make that offer to anyone else, or no one signed up. Sushi would never know. All she experienced was that he wouldn’t give up. Every time they met, he kept pestering her to agree. Finally, she had to say yes. More to get him off her back than anything else. She considered breaking up with him, but couldn’t bring herself to do it. The human heart is a mysterious muscle.

************

Three months later, the human heart was a lot less mysterious.

“Jai, I cannot do it. Your wife is a tough nut to crack. I have been at it just like you said. I have done everything you asked me to do. I have missed important classes to help you. And it has not worked out. Sorry, Jai, I can’t keep trying any more. It’s too much stress. My studies come first, and they are hurting – a LOT!”

“Please sweetheart, it’s only a few more days. I know her. She is simply bursting to tell someone how lucky she is to have met this wonderful guy.”

“Well, she is not bursting to tell me, and I am busted, trying to find out!”

Jai shut up. They really had tried everything. Sushila had befriended Natasha at the salon, pretended to have similar hobbies, and had spent a lot of time in the last few months. She had gone drinking, played spin the bottle, and showed her pictures of her own supposed “friends with benefits.” But Natasha had been nothing but a warm, older friend and mentor. She had never mentioned her own bad marriage, much less an affair.

Suddenly, his face lit up again, “Ok, let’s try one last thing. If this does not work out within two weeks, I swear, Sushi, I will never involve you in this thing again. We should have thought of this before!”

Sushila shook her head, “No, Jai, Enough is…”

“Please, Sushi, I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t desperate. Without this, I will lose more than half my money! Access to my kids! Please, Sushi… if I have to have a chance in my divorce, even a fighting chance, I need this! Please!”

Sushi was too tired to go on resisting. Jai Batra was used to having his own way anyway. “Tell me,” she whispered with as much disinterest as she could muster.

“Why don’t you befriend the guy? The boyfriend? Then try to get to his mobile phone when he is in the loo or something, and get a screenshot of his chats or photos with Natasha. That will be something!”

“Are you insane? Do you know that the picture of a screenshot means nothing? Also, I am not a PI. That man is a professional gigolo, according to you. Why would a gigolo waste his time on a student with no money to spend?”

“Because even the gigolo has desires! Look at you! You are perfect! Which man would not want to spend a coffee date just gazing into your eyes?”

Once again, Sushila was fatigued out of resistance.

Chapter Two was about to begin.

***********************

Chapter Two

“Really, what’s a smart girl like you doing with a dumbass like me?” Archish flashed his signature smile – always full of charm and meant to disarm.

“Feasting her eyes,” Sushila said truthfully.

“I am eye candy, yes. To many people.” Archish said quietly.

“I am sorry.”

“No, don’t be. At least you were honest.”

“Look, if you want to go back or something…”

“No, no, its good to be here. You’re good fun to talk to.”

“OK then..”

And that is how the first Tinder[1] date was working out.

*************

It took only a few weeks for the magic to work.

It was fully filmi[2]. They tried their best to not be attracted to each other, but they were. They just couldn’t help it.

They moved in together[3] in less than eight weeks. Archish was upfront with Sushila about what he did for a living. She hadn’t yet come clean about why she chose him on Tinder, but did confess that she was seeing someone older and married before they met.

He cooked while she studied. He went out to work while she attended classes. They cuddled and slept.

Jai Batra was thrilled when he heard that Archish had moved in with her. This was going to be perfect. Now, it would only be a matter of time before he got his recording.

****************

Sushila was conflicted. She knew how much she owed Jai and what this recording would mean to him. But she was also sure that she loved Archish and did not want to deceive or cheat him. Honestly, she simply could not continue to even lie to this man, who had given her nothing but honesty, love, and solicitude.

Solicitude – what a wonderful word. Add “I See”, and solitude becomes solicitude.  What a difference it makes, when we see, really see, those around us and what they are going through.

 

She didn’t know how serious he was about her. Was it time to have ‘the chat’? Would she lose him forever? Only one way to find out.

Sushila steeled herself as best as she could. Terrible situation to be in – not even a bestie could be trusted with this dilemma. How did she get in this situation in the first place? What was she thinking, volunteering to spy?

Archish walked in as usual. He washed up and hugged Sushila. The smile that came back to him was not radiant. It was washed out.

“Tired?” he asked. 

“No. Not really.”

He came and sat next to her. Taking her legs, he started massaging them gently. Neither said anything for a while. He changed the TV to a stand-up comedy show. They laughed at a few dumb jokes. After a few minutes, he looked her in the eyes and asked, “So, what’s eating my darling?”

She was not ready for so much love!

Hesitatingly, she spilled it all out. Why she matched him on Tinder, why she needed to give a recording to Jai Batra, and how she wanted commitment from him, even if he was not in a position to give it.

“But I am in a position to give that commitment! I want to marry you, baby! There is no doubt at all!”

Sushila was startled. Out of the whole thing, THIS is what he focuses on? She was too dumbfounded to do anything but stare at him.

He laughed. Again, that easy, charming laughter.

“My sweetie pie, did you really think I wouldn’t know? What did you think I was doing with you?

But before we get there, I have to complete what I started saying. Sushila, you are the love of my life. If you can accept me for what I do, great. If not, you will have to support me after your graduation, while I start to make enough money. We can get married tomorrow, if you’ll have me. And if you want to wait until I can pay for myself, I am up for that test, too, my love…”

Sushila quickly silenced him with a kiss and a nod that said “Yes.” This was not what she had in mind. This was too quick. But it was right. In her bones, she knew this was right. This was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

In a while, Archish continued, “Natasha Batra told me to find out who her husband was sleeping with. I just did a little footwork and found you. I care for Natasha. Jai Batra has not treated her well at all.

And then, I found you on Tinder too! I thought that was a coincidence, but a few dates confirmed that it wasn’t. You were spying on me, and I was spying on you.”

“Why did Natasha want you to spy on me?”

“Oh, her motives were far more personal. She was jealous. The irony of sending your boyfriend to find out about the mistress of your husband was lost on her. But I did want to give her the details that she wanted. However, as I got to know you better, I realised that we were.. oddly placed. We were four people in a ratio proportion statement. A was to B as C was to D.

Then, one day, she did the most incredible thing. She asked me to get evidence of the cheating. So that she could file for divorce. I was willing to put a face to the name for her. I wasn’t about to become a PI[4]. That’s where Natasha and I broke up.”

Here, Archish paused.

“So, in short, Jai Batra wants to get evidence of his wife’s cheating so that he can cheat her out of a fair alimony. Natasha Batra wants evidence of her husband’s cheating so that she can claim that alimony and file for divorce. You and I love each other and want to marry. Where does that leave us?”

“I think.. in a very good place.” Archish said mysteriously.

*******************

The milking started slowly. Sushila kept asking for expenses. Archish was a gigolo, after all, and it can’t be easy to keep one. Jai Batra paid up. Sushila’s living expenses also went up. Jai’s meetings with her were a thing of the past. So, now, he was paying for her living expenses, for Archish’s living expenses, and getting a test of patience in return.

 

Archish contacted Natasha. At first, she avoided his calls. When they finally met, she said, “Archish, I don’t want to leave him. I want restitution of conjugal rights. For that, it is important that we don’t meet again.”

“But, why?”

“I have two reasons in flesh and blood – my children - and one in the heart. That’s all there is to it.”

“But… he is not with you. Whether you divorce him or not, he is not with you.”

“But I am with him. That’s the important thing. I can’t be untrue to myself. The time with you was perfect. After a long time, I felt like a living, breathing woman again. But when it came right down to it, I realised I didn’t want to file for divorce. I didn’t want his money. I want him.”

“You are a strange one!”

“Yes, I am.” Natasha smiled.

****************

“What do we tell Jai?” a concerned Sushila asked Archish.

“Nothing. We tell him nothing. He will anyway find out if Natasha files a case for restitution. He is a very important man who can buy everything from prestige to love. Let him savour his money.”

“But he is on my case[5], and getting restless by the day.”

“You know why he is getting restless? Because he is helpless. Tomorrow, if you say you have no proof, he can’t do a thing.”

“In that case, Archish, let’s put an end to this charade.”

“As you wish, sweetheart.”

Sushila nodded, then asked, “Tell me something. There are four of us in this chain. None of us is doing the morally right thing. But your disdain is reserved for Jai Batra. Why only him?”

Archish was silent for a minute before responding, “Where does this chain start, Sush? It starts with Jai Batra thinking he is Adonis, just because he has money and power. Jai Batra seduces or buys Sushila. Natasha, to avenge the insult, buys Archish. And suddenly, four people are doing the wrong thing. But that’s also not where my anger comes from. It comes from the state in which I have seen the wives of these powerful men. That depression, that feeling of being worthless that comes from being discarded. And why does the discard happen? Because the man is powerful and rich. So, he buys people. This dehumanising – of his own wife, and the women he seduces with power – what does that dehumanising deserve, if not disdain? I am too powerless to do anything more than this disdain.” He shrugged.  

Sushila kissed him on the forehead.

***************************

“I’m sorry, Jai, I cannot go on doing this. Neither Archish nor Natasha have shared anything. Are you sure this is not a figment of your imagination? You have ONE spa bill as your proof? What if she was wrongly charged and didn’t realise it?”

“You are right, Sushi! It must have been a mistake. She is totally into me and the kids. So sorry to have put you through this. Let’s forget all this, push that Archish out of your house, and go back to being together. I miss you so much!”

Sushila stared at the man. She was speechless.

“Sorry, Jai, we are not going back to anything. My exams are due in less than a month and I need to focus.”

“Are you breaking up with me?” Jai was incredulous.

Sushila felt like laughing in his face but maintained a stoic silence.

“Are you? Really? B%^&? After everything I have done for you?” Jai grabbed her by the shoulders.

“Let me go, Jai. You are hurting me.” Sushila still maintained her calm.

Jai let her go with a rough thud. Sushila got up and straightened her clothes. Without a word, she left the room.

********** 

Chapter Three

Six months later…

“Archish, you are such a sweetheart! This is the perfect day! I never thought I would be so happy on my wedding day. But I am!”

Archish smiled indulgently. What a change from his earlier, luxury-imbued life this was. An Arya Samaj temple[6] in the city. Ten guests, making up the grand wedding party. Thankfully, four out of these ten were beaming parents.

The bride, dressed in a simple red saree, the groom in a dhoti-kurta[7].

The lunch after the simple ceremony was a langar – a community feast where everyone sits on the floor. The food was organised by the temple.

Guests received hand-painted vases – made by the bride’s mother, as return gifts. 

The sari Sushila was wearing was a gift from her mother-in-law.

After the wedding ceremony, the bride and the groom returned to the small one-bedroom apartment that they had rented after Sushila completed her studies and got a job. Archish lived with her and had been applying for sales positions. He was due to start at a small firm next week.

 

 

 

 

---

[1] Tinder is an app that allows people to look for potential partners.

[2] Indianism for – Just like in the movies.

[3] Started sharing a house

[4] Private investigator

[5] Being on someone’s case means to follow up with them on something again and again.

[6] An Arya Samaj temple performs Hindu prayers in the Vedic methodology – through yagnas – offerings to the Fire. No deities are worshipped and no ornate rituals are observed.

[7] Saree is the Indian dress for women, while dhoti-kurta is the Indian dress for men.

New Fraud Style

 So, this is a new fraud style.

They first bought a domain name that is very like a govt domain name: maharashtrapolice.in.

Then, they created an email id on that domain name - cyberpolice-nagpur@maharashtrapolice.in.

Then, they sent instructions to bank managers to freeze certain accounts (176 accounts) because of 'suspicious activity'. The bank account details were accurate.

Then, they called the account holders and told them that their accounts are frozen by the govt, and they have to pay some money to unfreeze them.

Sweta Kumar Trilochan Panigrahi, an assistant manager with a bank, thought the email looked fishy and alerted the authorities.

Two arrests have been made in the case.

What makes this case unique?
A. Government email id was faked.
B. The accounts were actually frozen, so if the victim were to check their accounts, they would find them frozen. They were, therefore, more likely to comply.

A story in my next book does deal with this threat. In that story also, the detective figures out that the domain name cannot belong to the government.

What to do if this happens:
Do not transfer any moneys online to police or anyone else. Visit your branch and speak to the branch manager.

Police are investigating how the details of the account holders reached the fraudsters. Bank employees are expected to be involved. 

Why the Hindenburg Report should lead to a more detailed investigation on the organisation

Dear Hindenburg: 

There are two essential elements of research: The first is independence, and the second is integrity. 

Both involve not shorting the stocks of a company you have "researched" and then being found out, because you did not declare a conflict of interest. Since then, there hasn't even been a whiff of an apology from you. Which makes your case truly unique in the world. Any other research firm that did not disclose conflict of interest would have found itself de-registered. 

Then, you come up with ANOTHER "Research" report, this time targeting India's regulator personally, just as the regulator was starting to regulate finfluencers and lending apps. 

I have spent yesterday (It was Sunday, after all) reading your report, the statement from Madhavi ji, and your 'second explosive report' at 9 pm. 

Here's the thing: 

You are not connecting the dots. You are imagining connections. I invested in a fund that also invested in a suspect company x years ago. Therefore, I must be not investigating the said company today. 

Here are my questions to you: 

A. What did the rest of the investment portfolio of the fund? What has been the history of SEBI investigations or regulation upon these companies under Ms. Buch's leadership? 

B. What is the quantum of the said "gain" that prevented Ms. Buch from acting on Adani? USD 870,000? You might want to compare that to Ms. Buch's family income to understand why that figure makes no sense. 

C. What is the evidence that the investigation from SEBI into Adani was inadequate (other than you opinion, which, as you know, is less that worthless, in that if you point at someone we will only trust them more)? 

D. And the best part is your 416-word disclaimer: 

    - We are not a registered investment advisor. 

- The report is the nothing but “opinion and investigative commentary” and that readers should do their own due diligence.

- Following publication of any report or letter, we intend to continue transacting in the securities covered herein, and we may be long, short, or neutral at any time hereafter. - Meaning, you are not saying you will not long or short them again to make moneys. 

- Hindenburg Research makes no representation, express or implied, as to the accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of any such information

And my favourite part of the disclaimer: 

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice

- huh, really? 

Also, Hindenburg, the market of unethical finfluencers is MUCH BIGGER. If one wanted to make unethical monies, delaying investigation and regulation of that segment is much easier. In fact, her actions to protect small investors, to release a report on the performance of FnO traders, have only earned her respect - which is more than one can say for you. 

I want to know how your reports get the kind of media attention that they do. Other good researchers I know release better quality stuff and they have to share those reports on Whatsapp. 

Your report deserves to remain unread because it is ridiculous. But more importantly, it is time to look at your registration. You have now demonstrated two deliberately malicious attempts to influence India's securities market. 

PS: I tried to check what kind of legal entity you are, and Surprise, that information is not present on your website. There is no address, no leadership, no team, no information at all. Just one email id on the Contact us Page. It's a 3-page website. 

PPS: I would post this widely but that would only give u more publicity, which, in all honesty, you do not deserve at all. 

Original Quotes

 We should not denounce our idols just because someone else is calling them pagan. #Hindenberg #SEBI 

******* 

I just realised that basically, Jane Austen is the mother of all Mills and Boon plots - average girl, very talented, roasts the rich, handsome, ideal bachelor and he falls for her hook, line, and sinker. Then, couple of mis communications, one separation, and then reunification.

****

You cannot hide the shine of a diamond by smearing it with coal. Shine on!!!!

****** 

My memory is a worse than my ingenuity. So, i get great ideas, but forget them. 

****** 

Middle managers are the teens of the corporate world - they are dying to assert their individuality, but struggling to make sense of this brave new world. 

******** 

The trouble with democracy is that we expect great marketers to be great administrators. 

****** 

The ecosystem is, and has always been, the enabler and the disabler for all human enterprise. 

******** 

What Shrimati ji means

We often address the wife as "Shrimati ji" in India. 

Ever wondered what the term Shrimati means? 

Shree(big ee sound, not the small i sound)  means Lakshmi and Mati means brain or wisdom of. 

So, Shrimati means one with the wisdom of Shree Herself. 

Some other ways to address wives: Bhagyawam (the lucky one), Karmaanwaaliye (the one with good karma). 

It was written in our scripture that the wife is the one who brings good luck to the husband, and his destiny begins only after marriage. 

Air Vistara and Air India

The merger of Air India and Vistara reminds me of an old Khushwant Singh joke.

When Giani Zail Singh became the 7th President of India, his lack of fluency in English led to some embarrassment. So, Mrs. Gandhi personally appointed an English tutor for him. He was to receive instruction every evening.

After 3 weeks, Mrs. Gandhi called up the Singh household and asked to speak to Giani ji. She found that his English was halting, if that. She then had a word with the tutor and asked him to expedite the progress.

Three weeks went by, and Mrs. Gandhi called again. With the same result. This time, her words to the tutor were stronger.

Since Mrs. Gandhi was travelling, she could only call after a month. As luck would have it, the tutor picked up the phone.

"Oh, hello, Martin. Does your student speak English now?" she enquired.
"O seekh jayega haule haule. Kaali kyun karni hai?" Martin replied. (Translation: Punjabi for - He will learn gradually. Why the rush?)

Short version: Air India may be learning a few things from Vistara, but Vistara is learning a lot from Air India.
hashtag#SundayHumour hashtag#FlyingExperience