Head in the Crocodile's Mouth

Ever heard of this phrase? Well this is something which has occurred to me - as part of certain experience with a renowned builder of the NCR Delhi area (let's call this builder as big O, big as in bully).

I had the misfortune of applying to one of the schemes about to be launched by big O in the Noida / Greater Noida area. I paid a certain amount of money initially (M1). After 2 years the big O and broker (more on him in the paragraph below) misled me to pay some more money (M2). They told me the project had approval which was a complete lie and when the project failed to take off they refused to refund the money.

And to  make the pain worse this was suggested by a broker (let's call him A1) who happened to take care of some of my property matters (he was also a close family friend or so I thought, which was not the case as I came to know later to my regret) . This taught me another invaluable lesson that property dealers are simply crooks for lack of a better word and trusting them with your money is akin to financial suicide. The property dealer is wholly capable of buying house from one of his brothers and selling to another brother for the commission.

Coming back to big O, after many years of follow-up big O suggested that refund is out of question and I should take up house in another project. I was asked to pay some more money (M3) as booking amount to big O because big O said they are a branded company and blah, blah, lies, lies, and more lies. Big O and A1 misled me to believe that this was an approved project but what I came to know that this second project was also not approved at that point in time and another round of harassment by big O and fruitless follow-ups from my side ensued.

I was also misled by A1 to pay the booking amount (M3) even though big O was sitting on a huge pile of my cash already (M1+M2). What I understood much later was that this was a trick played by A1 and big O (brothers in all shady deals) so that I am on a weak wicket legally speaking.

Then came a representative of big O, a gentlemen who swore by big O's name and goodwill (let's call him A2). A2 came to my residence and said big O is a good company, blah, blah, lies, lies, and more lies. After 6 months of discussions and agreering to big O's unfair terms and conditions, the matter hasn't moved much.

I am now feeling as if my head is in the crocodile's mouth. When your head is in the crocodile's mouth, it means:

• If you try to pull your head out, you'll have to loose your head to the crocodile.
• If your head stays any longer in the crocodile's mouth you'll loose it. If the crocodile is more wicked than you assume it might try to pull your neck, torso and more into it's mouth.

Now replace crocodile with big O.

• If I try to get out of big O's grip I loose my money (M1+M2+M3). I may get a refund but no interest and no compensation.
• If I continue pursuing big O it will force me to accept it's unfair terms and conditions. If I go further with big O, Iexpose myself more.

As big O is just a name, no trust, no professionalism and no ethics my head is literally in the crocodile's mouth. However, in this battle between me (you can me H) and big O, it's always the case that individuals lose to institutions. So I know I will loose. I can see big O, the crocodile with its open mouth. In fact, I also see more people like me - individuals fight separately and loose collectively against any battle with institutions.

Tsunami and Earthquake in Japan in March 2011

The havoc and damage caused by the Tsunami and Earthquake in Japan in March 2011 seems to some kind of a warning from Nature.

It seems like a demonstration by nature that despite all the progress made by mankind and the material developments that have accrued from harnessing of nature in the form of science and technology, nature is still more powerful than mankind.

Man may imagine that by constructing a building which is resistant to certain intensity of earthquake there would be no more problem only to find nature come back with a higher intensity earthquake.

Mankind Survives at the Mercy of Nature

Japan is used to earthquakes and construction rules and regulations there ensure damage from earthquakes is either eliminated or minimal.

However, the earthquake and the ensuing Tsunami this time has been so powerful that the rules and their adherence mean little.

It is interesting to note that had it been any other country where rules and regulations are flouted with complete disrespect the damage would have been unimaginable.

This not only shows nature is more powerful than anything mankind has been able to do till date but also the fact that mankind must frame stringent rules and regulations.

And follow them religiously so as to ensure nature's fury is controlled to certain extent. 

Nature Can Surprise Us Anytime in Anyway

However, there's still a big question that remains with an answer mankind may not want to hear.

And that is the unpredictability of nature's actions.

Let's assume Japan was prepared to handle an earthquake even more severe than 8.9 richter scale.

Is there any guarantee the earthquake's would have been of lesser intensity?

In fact, what is the guarantee it will never be 100 on the richter scale or even more?

Mankind is so fragile that if and when nature decides to wipe it out it will take it just 10 seconds.

An earthquake with intensity of more than 10 has never been recorded.

No one except nature and God would know what is the intensity beyond which the earth may explode or implode into several pieces and life would cease to exist.

It has been theoretically postulated that an earthquake above 12 has the potential to split the earth into two!

Nature Doesn't Care for Human Civilization

All said and done mankind is at the mercy of a supreme being which allows earth to be hospitable for mankind to survive.

The day the supreme being decides to bring down the curtains that will be the end of it.

Nature doesn't really know of or really care about whether mankind survives or not.

Nature does't have to.

And even after major damage and possible wipeout of the species "Homo Sapiens' nature will go on as if nothing ever happened.

Sun, moon and other celestial bodies will continue their movement, rivers will flow and trees will grow as if nothing ever happened.

And not that only even if these things don't happen the supreme being won't care.

Handling People with Attitude Problems... Let it Go

In personal and professional lives you come across many kinds of people. In some cases you feel bad due to the way others treat you. Such people generally have an attitude problem or carry a complex. One such person I have met made me feel that way initially however when I analyzed that the person has an attitude problem or carries a complex I let it go.

This person was working in an organization heading one of the functions and was a senior person there. I met this person many times in different forums and meetings. After meeting this person couple of times I had imagined that when we meet the person would recognize me. However, contrary to me expectations, the person used to behave as if I did not exist or we were meeting for the first time. One certain occasions I took lead to strike a conversation but it did not go too far.

Then I decided that since the person has an attitude problem or carries a complex I should let it go. On one of the occasions I went on with my activities without bothering about the other person - in fact I did not even bother to look at the person. I had to catch a cab and I walked straight ahead passing this person without bothering about the person's presence and his very existence. I guess letting it go has helped.