Feel like having a “Dreamy” Badami this report.
Dreams are scary.
If Gabbar Singh of “Sholay” fame was alive today, he would have changed his line from “Kitne aadmi the” to “Kitne Chawal hai” due to the present rice crises havocking the world.
Gas has become so expensive that my friend dreamed that he wanted to fill up 5 dollars worth of gasoline, and when he went to the gas station, the Attendant just farted and have him a 5 dollar receipt or invoice.
Another guy dreamed about the start of the banking problems hounding the world. Bonds, mortgages, funds, shares, and others. Let start with his dream. He met a Wealth Manager over lunch. Did I say Wealth Gambler or Manager? It’s wealth Manager.
Told to invest a million dollar and he would get several time leverages to play around with the economic boom of the world. Did I say Doom? Or Boom? Everything was great. Success stories over lunches, parties and overseas trips, designer’s selection for the Mrs. and open credit card for the kids. Few deals later, he is now in the red. No, I do not mean “Red” restaurant at Shangri-La. He woke up with a shriek and reality of how shares can destroy years of hard work, and sincerity.
It is not a dream but a fact that an Indian Chamber of commerce in the Asian region has send a circular to help its members regarding this major financial crunch, which rough estimates amounts to US$ 500 million loss for our Sindhi brothers, and some sisters. It tough, but life has never been easy.
Everyone is headed off to China to attend the fair. China has suspended Multiple visas for all nationalities. Double entries are the max you can get. Visa as Shenzen has been suspended. Blame it on the Olympics. By October end, all visas issue will be back in track. Meanwhile, if you have the Multiple visa, keep on using it.
Olympics have too created so much demand that believe me all export prices has gone up. Factories are turning out souvenirs for the Olympics in so much demand.
A Sindhi has understood as to why the RMB or the Chinese Yuan keeps on appreciating. Imagine from 7.10 Yuan to a dollar if it gets strong at 6.50. If a McDo would cost Yuan 7, at 7.10 I have to bring in .99 cents if I am an Olympic visitor. If the Yuan becomes 6.50 I would have to bring in 1.09 dollar to enjoy the same McDo burger. So as an Olympic visitor, I would bring in 10% more of the US currency to enjoy the same McDo. If US$ 20 billion were expected during the entire games, the visitors would have to bring in US$ 22 billion. The Chinese gets 2 Billion more foreign reserves, and after Olympics the rate goes back to 7.10. Wah Wah what Sindhi Dimak you Chinese have.
One has heard of marriages getting cancelled over demands for dowry. It is seldom that a marriage is called off over an issue as trivial as the demand for serving a specific delicacy, in this case AAM RAS, to the relatives of the groom. However, this did happen on April 17 at the Shivshankar marriage hall in Mukundgenagar area of Pune during a marriage function involving 2 well to do families. The police are investigating.
Before, I get too business like in this column, and earn the ire of my female readers, let me remind you what Confucius had to say on Greed and sub prime issues. We must learn Wisdom by three methods: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.
He also said, “the Journey of a thousand miles, begins with the first step”. So, remember the journey of a 24 hours must also begin with the first step in thanking God. And we must thank our lady in the house, who always does this.
Jhule Lal.
I would like to thank my friend from Australia who send me these liners:
How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
Why do you have to "put your two cents in"... But it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?
Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?
Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
What disease did cured ham actually have?
How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
Why is it that people said they "slept like a baby" when baby’s wakes up like every two hours?
If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?
Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?
Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
Why do doctors leave the room while you change?
They're going to see you naked anyway.
Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?
Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?
If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours?
They're both dogs!
If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?
Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?
Jhule Lal.