PLUM CAKE

The most popular cake in Kerala during the Christmas season is the plum cake. All the bakeries sell their own version of the plum cake. 

WHITE LEATHER SHOES

I had my first holy communion with my elder brother at a Catholic Church in Sembawang, Singapore. We had to dress up in white for the occasion. White clothes were easily available. In those days we used to wear white canvas shoes to school but my father wanted us to wear white leather shoes on that day. So we went from one shoe shop to another looking for white leather shoes. Most shops had leather shoes only in black or brown. A few shops did have white leather shoes, but they had them only in adult sizes. At last, we came to a shop which had white leather shoes for children. They were expensive. My father bought them.

At church, I noticed most of the others were wearing white canvas shoes. I could not understand why my father took the trouble to get us white leather shoes. I am sure he wanted us to be well dressed for the occasion. Later on, when I began to understand how some of our relatives speak, I realised that another reason could be that he wanted to avoid listening to their sarcastic remarks.

After the function at the church we went to a studio and got a photograph taken. Then there was a party at home. I never wore those shoes after that day.

RP MALL

RP Mall, Kollam

SALES INTERVIEW

During the beginning of my career I was working in the Sales Department of a dealership. At that time I was called for an interview at a large multinational company. In India, even if there are only a few vacancies, organisations receive a large number of applications. I think it is due to the large population in the country. Applications are screened and some candidates are called for the interview. When I reached the venue, I noticed there were about hundred candidates. Later on, I came to know that there were only two vacancies.

They conducted a written test which included English Language and Product Knowledge. After the test results were known, half the candidates were asked to leave. The rest of us were divided into groups and given a topic to discuss among ourselves. They wanted to see how we speak. After the group discussion, half the candidates were asked to leave. Then there was a preliminary interview with the Product Manager, after which only five candidates were selected for the final interview with the Regional Manager on the next day. I was lucky to be among the five.

When I arrived for the final interview I noticed my application was on the Regional Managers table. It was very brief. At that time I did not even know how to send a proper application. He asked me ‘Is this the way you send an application? Don’t you think you should have given us more information about yourself?’ He asked me several questions but the one I remember most is ‘How do you know that your sales is increasing?’ I told him that if my sales for a product is Rs.100,000/- for one year and it is Rs.200,000/- the next year, that would be an increase in sales. He asked me ‘Is that the only way to look at it?’ I said ‘Yes’ since I did not know of any other way to look at it. Then he told me ‘Suppose your sales for a product is Rs.100,000/- for one year and the total market for the product is Rs.200,000/-, you have 50% of the market share. Next year you may sell for Rs.200,000/- but the market for the product may have grown to Rs.10,00,000/-, which means you now have only 20% of the market share. That’s a loss in market share.’ I told him I was working for a dealership and that they did not conduct a market survey. He said ‘If they don’t do it, you should do it.’ He told me that they would inform me if I was selected. I knew that I would not get the job, but I learnt something. I learned about the market share of a product.

SHRINE

Shrine of Our Lady of Velankanni, Tuet, Kollam

DOT ON FOREHEAD

Many women in India are seen with a dot on their forehead. The dot has some religious significance but today it has become more of a fashion statement. Sticker type dots are available in fancy designs. They stick it on in the morning and remove it at night. There is also a practical reason for putting a dot on the forehead. Women in India are shy and do not want men looking directly into their eyes. The dot distracts men. They tend to focus on the dot instead of looking into their eyes.

Men in India do not usually put a dot on their forehead. Sometimes they put a mark on their forehead after visiting a temple. It is part of a religious ritual. Those who are seen with it every day are religious people who are involved with temple activities or people who visit the temple every day. Some shady characters can also be seen with it.

FLOWERS

Some flowers seen near my house.

Compared to the red hibiscus this one has very few flowers.

This flower is found on a tree called the ashoka tree.

I see these flowers almost everyday.

This one is seasonal. They flower only once or twice a year and then lasts only for a few days. It is worth the wait though.