October 29th, I went to sleep with the prayer for safety of all of you including my family members who are in US now. Our media did not fail to inform us that, Sandy was about to landfall that night. After seeing all those graphics created by our news channels showing how destructive sandy could be; we were all bit afraid and concerned at the same time. Although we knew our media has the habit of showing things beyond reality and closest to the highest level of Imagination. I was not sure if the people who created these graphics were the member of the same team who designed graphics for the movie 2012; but let me tell both of them were quite similar considering the level of destruction they depict on the television screen.
The next day morning when I woke up and the moment I switched on the television set and tuned to a news channel I came to know, Sandy was not a well-behaved kid as I predicted. But other than Sandy, I came to know that now we had to worry about our own unwanted guest; “Nilam”. It was about to hit us sometime during the next day.
During evening when my roommate returned, I told him “Do you know, Nilam is about to reach our place sometime soon”. Giving a shocking look he replied, “Who the hell Nilam is! Your ex-girlfriend or your new girlfriend?” For me this was not actually unexpected. I was expecting such a reply from him, as since our childhood we were not aware of such trends, of naming hurricane, cyclone. So with a smiling face I replied, “No I am not that good of a person so that any of my EX would prefer to return to my life again nor was I drunk yesterday to fall in love again.
During the cyclone
So after seeing the curiosity in his eyes, I told him- “Do not be happy hearing that I have no such relationship with Nilam; so now you have a chance. By the way She is not a girl; it’s tropical cyclone on its way to reach us anytime”. Without much of a discussion on it, we had our dinner. Then in the darkness of night suddenly our power went off and the wind started to increase its speed. We realized Darling Nilam had started dancing to the tune of the nature in devastating mood. We were just hoping and praying it would not step in to our people’s homes or dance on our people’s heads. Fortunately it was not that destructive although its affect was there for more than 24 hours with heavy wind and rain and power failure. But fortunately, not much casualties has been reported yet.
But leaving all these, I do wonder why people give names like Sandy or Nilam to these destructive natural forces.
Heavy wind making the palm tree dance to its tune
As far as I Know, Nilam is a Persian word which means Blue Sapphire and this is mostly given as names to girls.
And talking about Sandy, I honestly do not know its meaning. But I come across this name when I meet few people of my country whose original names are like Sandip, Sandeep, Sandil or something which starts with Sand; but in order to sound cool those people prefer to be called as Sandy. Actually this is a trend which has started since last few years where most of the youth add a “Y” to half of their names given by their parents (I am not sure if it’s the effect of globalization, modernization); because these days most of us believe our parents can never be right (As every generation believes it is more intelligent than the previous one and the next one).
By naming hurricane or cyclone with such names, I wonder do those people want to tell us or convince us that, “No need to panic; just enjoy your time with these guests?” I believe the names should be like Dracula, dead-conda or something time Godzilla re-returns. Then it would have made us less confused about whether to welcome these uninvited guests or to battle them out while letting them go over our head.
Nilam’s effect on Roadside stalls
Does not matter, what the names are or they affect which part of the world at the end of the day they hurt us, the humans and our properties. So let pray for quick recovery of all those people whose life got affected due to these natural calamities.
Northern Narratives
November 2, 2012
I agree that they should call these storms monster names. I like Godzilla. Happy that you are OK after your storm 🙂
Arindam
November 2, 2012
Thanks a lot for the concern. We got lucky this time. 🙂 I hope the people who name these cyclones, would come up with something more dangerous next time.
becwillmylife
November 2, 2012
Sandy has definitely wreaked havoc in our country. We don’t have hurricanes where I am, but we are in tornado alley and tornadoes are quite destructive as well. It’s funny that we name hurricanes but not tornadoes. I’m glad you were spared from too much damage from Nilam!
Arindam
November 2, 2012
Yes Becky, I’ve seen video clips of tornado. It also seems very dangerous. Tornadoes do not have names till now, but I hope that trend will start soon. 🙂 Take care.
Lakshmi Pramod
November 2, 2012
I adore your writing style Arindam…!!! Long way to go…!!!
Arindam
November 2, 2012
Thanks a lot. 🙂 So kind of you to say this!
elisaruland
November 2, 2012
You have a good point there, Arindam! The name Sandy does not fit destructive nature of our past storm, and Nilam sounds too benign for a cyclone. Did you say Cyclone? I’m glad you’re all okay!
Arindam
November 2, 2012
Yes you heard it right, Elisa. I said Cyclone. 🙂 These names Sandy and Nilam sound too cool for these storms. The fear factor was missing in these names.
soumyav
November 2, 2012
seems to make people more aware and get the attention..they use such names.. 😉 ..be safe and take care!
Arindam
November 2, 2012
Might be you are right! 🙂 Yes there is nothing to worry about it now.
soumyav
November 2, 2012
Good thts nice! 🙂 by the way your gravatar images that keep on changing every now and then and give a new look of yours everytime.. 🙂
Arindam
November 2, 2012
why are not you happy seeing many avataars of mine. 🙂 I am planning to start career as an actor soon. I am just joking. 🙂
soumyav
November 3, 2012
I’m happy dear! thts y just brought to your notice..you looking different in each one of them 🙂 🙂
Angelia Sims
November 2, 2012
Definitely praying for you all. Your visitor looked pretty dark and broody. Nothing like a pretty sapphire. I have yet to see a storm named the same as me. Maybe that’s a good thing?
Arindam
November 2, 2012
Ha Ha! 🙂 Angelia Storm, it would sound great! By the way it would be much better if no more storm for all of us. Yes our visitor was very wild this time, it made everything dance to its tune, without even asking if we were ready for it or not. 🙂
Shyam Sen
November 2, 2012
Catchy & crispy. Nice photos. The name Nilam was provided by Pakistan as it was her turn to name an Indian Ocean storm. Next guest would be named “Mahasen” by Sri Lanka.
Arindam
November 2, 2012
Thank you! And yes, I knew that Pakistan named this storm and next will be Sri Lanka’s turn. But I really do not understand, why we have this trend of naming storms with such beautiful names! 🙂
hemadamani
November 2, 2012
hey Arindam! We HAVE had names for cyclones, or tornadoes or such destructive forces since ages. just read our mythology. There was one ‘Trinavart’ demon sent by Kansa to kill Krishna which was a tornado. Then there was a ‘Bhasmasur’, and I’m sure can find many more if we looked…. 🙂 So we should go back to naming them as Asuras and not Neelam, Sandy and the likes.. 🙂
Arindam
November 2, 2012
I feel both sorry and ashamed of the fact that, even though I am a brahmin boy but I do not have much knowledge on our mythology. 🙂 But after reading your comment, I could remember Bhasmasur. So thank you for letting me know that, this concept was there since ages. But does Sandy or Nilam sounds very light comparing to Bhasmasur. It would have much better if they name these cyclones, hurricanes or tornadoes with the names of demons. Is n’t it!
hemadamani
November 2, 2012
yes, such names would be more apt!!
ioanna aggelidaki
November 2, 2012
I think that naming such powrfull nature elements with common names could be a way of lowering their power, making them look “just like another Sandy”. Making them look easier to face….
Arindam
November 2, 2012
Yes to a great extent you are right, Ioanna. But I feel like these name are too soft for these destructive forces. Do not you think so! 🙂
ioanna aggelidaki
November 2, 2012
Yes i agree with you on that……
justanotherwakeupcall
November 2, 2012
My daughter asked me the same question. Why are cyclones and hurricanes named and how are the names decided. We googled it! You know there is a long list of names for cyclones and hurricanes expected to take place in the future. All written and decided till 2017 🙂 and I like the idea of giving regular normal names. As you say its a good way of saying they are like guest. No matter what they do while they are here, eventually they will go and life will be normal again! Anyway I’d rather tell my kid “nilam” is coming. Can’t imagine what they will make of “Dracula” is expected tomorrow! 🙂
Arindam
November 2, 2012
Sapna, I think both mine and your daughter’s mind work in the same way. 🙂 Give my blessings to her.
Yes these names are predefined depending up on their place of origin. But do you really believe we should treat them as guest. I wish we should fight with them as if they are devils/demons. But as you very rightly pointed out, it would not sound good if we would have told these kids “Dracula is coming our way tonight! ” 🙂
justanotherwakeupcall
November 3, 2012
🙂 I think if we are well prepared with good contingency and evacuation plans the damage can be minimized . Afterall mother nature has purpose for everything – even the storms!
Arindam
November 3, 2012
Do you really see purpose in Storms! 🙂
justanotherwakeupcall
November 4, 2012
honestly? Ya! I do…. i honestly believe nature knows everything. Its like death, we don’t see a purpose to its, its painful but necessary !
justanotherwakeupcall
November 4, 2012
though, I must warn you that I see the other side equally well too. The side that believes storms are completely useless and, I agree with them too! its weird , but that’s always been the case with me. See both sides of the argument and empathize with both! 🙂 Got dunked in school a lot because of that 😦
sash
November 2, 2012
Prayers for safety.
And, votes for good clicks. 🙂
Arindam
November 2, 2012
Thank you! 🙂
writingfeemail
November 2, 2012
I like your names better. Especially at Halloween, the name Dracula would have been perfect.
writingfeemail
November 2, 2012
P.S. Love the new picture where we can see your expressive eyes!
Arindam
November 2, 2012
Ha ha! 🙂 Thank you, Renee. You are the first one to say that I’ve expressive eyes. 🙂
Arindam
November 2, 2012
Yes keeping Halloween in mind, names like Dracula, deadly blow etc. would have perfect. 🙂
Snoring Dog Studio
November 2, 2012
I can’t remember when, but I think Hurricane names finally include some male ones. Can’t blame everything on women!
Arindam
November 2, 2012
Ha Ha! 🙂 Yes, we can blame everything on women for sure. I am with you on this. 🙂 May be then someday my own name may appear on this list!
Addie
November 2, 2012
I wonder when typhoon Addie will come to be. 😛
Arindam
November 2, 2012
I wish that your wish come true someday. But I also wish that typhoon Addie would be a well behaved and gentle typhoon. 🙂
Elyse
November 2, 2012
These names were not fair — I don’t think they prepared us adequately. Glad you did ok during your storm, too Arindam!
Arindam
November 3, 2012
I knew you would have felt the same. 🙂 Actually my point was also the same, these names somehow do not help in pressing the alarm button to prepare for these nasty blows of the nature.
Thank you for the concern. We are all perfectly fine. I hope power is back at your place.
Trishanka
November 3, 2012
Arindam, I have been wondering about the reason behind their names too. And the names you opted for are funny & fits right.
Arindam
November 3, 2012
Thank you, Trishanka. I too find this naming of cyclone and hurricane concept, bit funny. 🙂
munchow
November 3, 2012
It’s an interesting question isn’t Arindam? And why do they tend to be female names? That for me is even more interesting. I have no idea, except I think using a name like Dracula or Godzilla would definitely scare the shit out of some people – more than is necessary.
Arindam
November 3, 2012
Yes it’s interesting for sure, but bit confusing too. 🙂 I feel the reason behind naming them with female names is to show us the other side of beauty! 🙂 And I do agree with you that, naming them with names like Dracula or anything similar, would press the panic button among the people. But it is also true that, few people take these warnings very casually hearing names like Sandy or Nilam. I hope they would have come up with something in between.
Becky Green Aaronson
November 3, 2012
Arindam, I’m glad you are okay after Nilam! Sandy has been horrific for our friends on the East Coast. Many were calling it Frankenstorm, and the name seems much more appropriate than Sandy.
Arindam
November 3, 2012
Thanks for the concern, Becky. Yes Nilam was not that much destructive although a ship and its crew members got affected badly due to it.
And I am with you on Sandy being called as “Frankenstorm”; it seems more appropriate to me too. It has affected Newyork very badly. Prayers for all those people living in those places where Sandy has been horrific.
renée a. schuls-jacobson
November 3, 2012
These storms are devastating. In the US, hurricanes alternate being named after women and then men. They go alphabetically, I believe. I think they should call them MuthaFucka and Ho,y Shizzlesticks, too. Because Sandy sounds like a woman who would bring you a pie. And Blue Sapphires, well…those are beautiful and desirable.
We really are crazy. 🙂
Arindam
November 4, 2012
Renee, I was not aware of these facts about how hurricanes are named in USA. Thanks for letting me know. And let me tell you MuthaFucka would be the perfect one. 🙂 Neither Sandy nor Nilam justify these nature’s destructive forces.
renée a. schuls-jacobson
November 4, 2012
She likes to remind us that no matter how much we THINK we are in control, we are not. 😉
Arindam
November 5, 2012
Absolutely! 🙂
rangewriter
November 3, 2012
So consumed was I by our Sandy that I had no idea what was going on on the other side of the planet. Sorry to here about Nilam, but glad she did not wreak as much havoc as ours did.
I, too, have been surprised that no one has drawn the parallel between the film 2012 and this darned storm.
Sandy, btw, is a diminutive of friendly version of the name Sandra. I don’t know what that name means but it is a relatively common female name. As a matter of fact a client I am working with right now is called Sandra. I asked her a few questions about this storm, let me tell you!
As far as naming storms female names…I always thought it had something to do with the wrath of a woman which can really raise havoc….I’m not speaking for myself here, just going by the old kitchen nonsense.
Now what I really wonder is why boats and ships always have female names?
pattisj
November 3, 2012
As much as we watched the Weather Channel, I didn’t hear mention of your cyclone. They were too busy with on-site reporters and Sandy. I’m with you, they should name the storms after big bad brutes, not the girl (or boy) next door. They used to be only girl’s names, but now they alternate between the two here in the U.S. Hope your power and life returned to normal.
Arindam
November 4, 2012
Yes Patti, fortunately Nilam did not do much damage; so might be the effect of Sandy overshadowed it. And let’s hope soon we are going to name these brutal forces of nature with something other than Girl’s names.
At our place, life and power returned to normal. So no more worries for us.
She's a Maineiac
November 3, 2012
Sorry you had to endure a storm as well, Arindam. I agree, a name like Sandy doesn’t come close to labeling such a horrific storm.
Arindam
November 3, 2012
Yes, these days nothing is going smoothly in our planet. But fortunately unlike Sandy, it did not damage much.
earthriderjudyberman
November 3, 2012
I love your idea for giving the storms monstrous names like “Dracula, dead-conda or Godzilla re-returns.” Mother Nature deals some severe blows with these storms. There’s nothing cutsie about them. I’m glad that you’re safe and sound, and I hope others recover quickly from nature’s wrath.
Arindam
November 4, 2012
Judy, I too hope others recover quickly. I do not see any thing good in these storms, so I really believe they should not be called with such nice names. 🙂
Amiable Amiable
November 3, 2012
Arindam,
I live in Virginia, near DC, and thankfully wasn’t impacted by Sandy despite the forecasters’ predictions. But I just want to thank you for keeping the people in her path in your prayers. I hope your family and friends in the U.S. are okay!
And I’m so glad that Nilam didn’t cause more significant damage. Your observations about the names of storms are so interesting. I love the meaning of “Nilam,” and can’t believe the irony of it being a storm name. I’ve been trying to find out the meaning of “Sandy.” One definition (with “Alessandra” as its Greek origin) is “Helper of Humanity!” What?!!!
I’m going to guess that female names are chosen out of respect for Mother Nature – one woman we know we can’t mess with!
I’m happy to have “met” you as a result of you “Like-ing” one of my posts – thank you very much!
Best,
AA
2e0mca
November 4, 2012
Oh Arindam, I just love that conversation between you and your room mate 🙂
In the Uk – because we don’t get hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, etc (at least we usually don’t), we also get confused about the naming conventions from time to time 😉 that doesn’t mean that we have a safe world – more people are killed in the North Sea and the English Channel ecvery year than die in the ‘infamous’ Bermuda Triangle. Rumour plays such a great part in our perceptions of danger…
Arindam
November 5, 2012
Yes, our conversations always go like this only. 🙂 I am glad you enjoyed a small part of that.
You should be happy and thankful that you do not have to deal with such destructive forces like an earthquake or a hurricane. And I was not aware that so many people killed in the English channel every year. It’s really unfortunate.
2e0mca
November 6, 2012
Fishing is a dangerous occupation wherever you are in the world – the North Sea is very dangerous.
Arindam
November 6, 2012
Yes that’s true. Even in India, hundreds of fishermen go missing or lose their life due to a a normal cyclone.
unfoldthecreativity
November 4, 2012
It was indeed one of the monster n strong storm. Luckily few of us r safe
Arindam
November 4, 2012
Yes, we should be thankful that we are safe.
island traveler
November 4, 2012
From what I was told, the women’s name are even milder storms that male names . Ouch! Ike hit HOuston several years ago and flattened row after row of homes in Galveton. I guess it’s true. Thanks for offering a prayer to the people who were under the storms path. I hope and pray as well for the victims of the tragedy as well as the natural disasters around the world.
heart7break
November 4, 2012
Good pt made..i wonder y i missed the pt.! maybe both sandy & neelam are quite far from here….2 years back there was a storm in oman..n they named it Gonu…that sounds like a pet dog ryt??
Arindam
November 4, 2012
Gonu, it sounds too cute to name a storm. Is not it! I hope these people should come up with something else. 🙂
heart7break
November 5, 2012
S..real cute n funny..
ZinalBhadra
November 5, 2012
remember hurricane katrina? 😛
No prize for guessing what image our mind conjures for “Katrina” 😛
Arindam
November 5, 2012
Yes, every man would love to die for that cyclone. 🙂 LOL
Madhu
November 6, 2012
The high speed winds battering us did seem like some Asura gone berserk 🙂 Thankfully it was more bark than bite and much less rain than we expected. My thoughts are with the victims of both.
Arindam
November 8, 2012
Yes it more bark than bite. But it’s also said that it affected badly Andhra once it crossed Tamilnadu.
Madhu
November 9, 2012
Andhra and even Bangladesh always bear the brunt of all NE monsoon storms! The feeling of relief when a cyclone passes us is almost always followed by terrible guilt 😦
Arindam
November 9, 2012
Yes it affects badly those parts. Nature has its own rules, even in destructive forms like these cyclones also.
Patti Kuche
November 9, 2012
Greetings from Sandy city where Irene blew through last year and good to hear Nilam did not wreak havoc where you are! I like the monikers as being easier and instant identifiers, grateful to know that Irene was a granny compared to big, brassy huzzy Katrina down in New Orleans. Love your line of thinking!
Sunshine
November 25, 2012
I am so happy to hear your storm was not disastrous…and like your other commentators who enjoyed your roommate’s conversation with you, I too was laughing! Of course, not at you guys but just what you talking about…oh, too funny!!
As far as storms, I think here in the USA, we have changed to alternating male/female names…so since we just had Sandy, the next storm will be a guys name. I think in August 2012 we had storm Isaac. Do not quote me but I think that is the way things are now so not to target women as storm makers!! haha! 🙂