THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING ‘WAS’
Humans have a penchant towards their past. It never ever stops following the present, try whatever one may. It is almost futile to even make an effort. It is possibly because he cannot make any amends.
We have some sort of love hate relationship with our past. We love the good part of and hate the bad of it. For most of the good parts we give credit to ourselves and for most of the bad parts, we blame others. We fail to apportion credit and blame in equal measure. In our quest to acquire various objects of desires, we did hurt some and pleased some.
Then there are always some ‘ifs’. If only I had done/not done this or that. If only I had said/not said this or that. It is often suggested that we should dump our past somewhere and move on. There is always something to remind you even if you have really forgotten about it.
There is another type of ‘was’. The united joint family now replaced by nuclear families. The cultural heritage now degraded by modern values. The neighborly brotherhood now shadowed by strangers surrounding you.
Modern technology has made some of our past not to be so proud of. Telephones, televisions, computers, digital cameras, digital or quartz watches, motor cars, scooters, shopping, travel and the list is endless. Still we do remember that ‘was’ and so will present generation will remember their ’is’ when it becomes ‘was’.
There is always a tendency to compare the present with the past. Recounting the days in school or college or office comes easily. In most cases the past seems to be better than the present. At what stage of life does this really happen? When do we start realizing this ‘was’? What became our “was’ and from what age? Not many of us remember the very early stage of in life say when we were under 5 or 6 year old.
Does it have to do something with the stage in our life when we are no more active like post retirement age? This ‘was’ is a great pass time of elders depreciating all that is present in order to appreciate what was ‘was’.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
THEY LIVE AMONG US
THEY LIVE AMONG US
I wish to narrate this incident and wish you all a very happy 2011. I am sure there will be more such people among us.
This happened on Monday 27th December, 2010. My elder is here from the USA with her family for the New Year. We have a plan to visit Sunderbans close to Kolkota with her friends. We had to leave by the afternoon flight to Kolkata.
Her friends have sent her e-ticket by email. I have internet at home but no printer. So we decided to go out to a cyber café and take a printout of the ticket. Totally unmindful of the fact that Monday being a holiday for the local shopkeepers and small businesses in our area, we go to the cyber café I know and find it closed. We try to locate some other cyber café or a place with internet and printing facility without success. We decide to get it done at the Airport counter of the Airlines for which we may have to squeeze some time and reach early at the Airport.
I wanted to make a last try and entered an office to enquire if they could guide us to a cyber café nearby. We enquired from the lady sitting in the office. She tried to exercise her memory but in vain. She casually asked what we need it for. I said to take a print out. She said you can as well do it here.
Obliged to hear that, my daughter logs on to her account and takes a printout of the ticket. We thank the lady and slightly hesitatingly ask the charges.
“No way, Sir. It’s just nothing. Have a nice flight”
“Many thanks.” we murmur and leave thanking her in our heart of hearts.
They live among us.
31.12.2010
I wish to narrate this incident and wish you all a very happy 2011. I am sure there will be more such people among us.
This happened on Monday 27th December, 2010. My elder is here from the USA with her family for the New Year. We have a plan to visit Sunderbans close to Kolkota with her friends. We had to leave by the afternoon flight to Kolkata.
Her friends have sent her e-ticket by email. I have internet at home but no printer. So we decided to go out to a cyber café and take a printout of the ticket. Totally unmindful of the fact that Monday being a holiday for the local shopkeepers and small businesses in our area, we go to the cyber café I know and find it closed. We try to locate some other cyber café or a place with internet and printing facility without success. We decide to get it done at the Airport counter of the Airlines for which we may have to squeeze some time and reach early at the Airport.
I wanted to make a last try and entered an office to enquire if they could guide us to a cyber café nearby. We enquired from the lady sitting in the office. She tried to exercise her memory but in vain. She casually asked what we need it for. I said to take a print out. She said you can as well do it here.
Obliged to hear that, my daughter logs on to her account and takes a printout of the ticket. We thank the lady and slightly hesitatingly ask the charges.
“No way, Sir. It’s just nothing. Have a nice flight”
“Many thanks.” we murmur and leave thanking her in our heart of hearts.
They live among us.
31.12.2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
RELIGION IS UNFAIR TO WOMEN
RELIGION IS UNFAIR TO WOMEN
On the one hand Hindu religious books tell us “yatra naryastu pujyante, ramante tatra devata” (The land where women are worshipped is the abode of Gods and Goddesses. Our Goddess of education is Saraswathi, Goddess of wealth is Lakshmi and Goddess of Power is Durga. Names of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna are prefixed with the names of their consorts, Sita and Radha.
And here is how Sabari describes herself while showing her gratitude to Lord Rama:
“Adham se adham adham ati nari, tinha mah main mati mand adhari”---Ram Cahrit Manas- Aranya kand. (Means: Woman is at the lowest of creation and on top of that I am stupid and rudderless)
And this is how Ravana describes women:
“Avgun aath sada Ur rahain, sahas, anrit, chapalta, maya, bhaya, avivek, asauch, adaya”---Ram Charit Manas -Lanka kand(Ravana to His wife Mandodari)
(Means: A woman has eight vices namely: 1. Indiscrete. 2. Liar 3. Freckle 4. Deceit. 5. Coward. 6. Foolish. 7. Impure. 8. Unkind)
There are so many instances in Tulsi Ramayana where women have been talked about in degraded terms. A few examples:
“Sati concluded that the omniscient Lord had come to know everything and felt sorry that she had tried to deceive Sambhu. The woman is silly and stupid by nature”--- Ram Charit Manas –Bal Kand- 57
Also in Geetha 9.32 here is how woman is equated with Vaishya (prostitute) and Sudras (Outcasts and is considered of a sinful birth.) It goes:
“For taking refuge in me, they also who, O Arjuna, may be of a sinful birth –woman, vaishayas as well as sudras—attain the Supreme Goal”
It is said that but for his wife Tulsi Das would never have gained the wisdom to write such a beautiful poetic description of Rama’s life “Ram Charitra Manas”. He was passionately in love with her and on one dreadful dark night crossed the flooded river at the cost of his life. His wife was devastated and said “If you would develop for Lord Rama even half of the love that you have for my filthy body, you would certainly cross the ocean of Samsara and attain immortality and eternal bliss”. Kalidas, the famous Sanskrit scholar, Dramatis and poet also had the blessings from his wife in form rebuke and humiliation for his lack of education.
For centuries women have been degraded at every walk of life. The situation is not any better still today in some of the communities.
Also the situation is not any better in Islam or Christianity. Women are not permitted to become Maulvies or Pastors as far as I know.
Inspite of all this degradation and indifference, women have survived and surpassed men in many fields of excellence.
The question still is why our religious books are biased against women and should not we ask for deleting these verses from these books.
On the one hand Hindu religious books tell us “yatra naryastu pujyante, ramante tatra devata” (The land where women are worshipped is the abode of Gods and Goddesses. Our Goddess of education is Saraswathi, Goddess of wealth is Lakshmi and Goddess of Power is Durga. Names of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna are prefixed with the names of their consorts, Sita and Radha.
And here is how Sabari describes herself while showing her gratitude to Lord Rama:
“Adham se adham adham ati nari, tinha mah main mati mand adhari”---Ram Cahrit Manas- Aranya kand. (Means: Woman is at the lowest of creation and on top of that I am stupid and rudderless)
And this is how Ravana describes women:
“Avgun aath sada Ur rahain, sahas, anrit, chapalta, maya, bhaya, avivek, asauch, adaya”---Ram Charit Manas -Lanka kand(Ravana to His wife Mandodari)
(Means: A woman has eight vices namely: 1. Indiscrete. 2. Liar 3. Freckle 4. Deceit. 5. Coward. 6. Foolish. 7. Impure. 8. Unkind)
There are so many instances in Tulsi Ramayana where women have been talked about in degraded terms. A few examples:
“Sati concluded that the omniscient Lord had come to know everything and felt sorry that she had tried to deceive Sambhu. The woman is silly and stupid by nature”--- Ram Charit Manas –Bal Kand- 57
Also in Geetha 9.32 here is how woman is equated with Vaishya (prostitute) and Sudras (Outcasts and is considered of a sinful birth.) It goes:
“For taking refuge in me, they also who, O Arjuna, may be of a sinful birth –woman, vaishayas as well as sudras—attain the Supreme Goal”
It is said that but for his wife Tulsi Das would never have gained the wisdom to write such a beautiful poetic description of Rama’s life “Ram Charitra Manas”. He was passionately in love with her and on one dreadful dark night crossed the flooded river at the cost of his life. His wife was devastated and said “If you would develop for Lord Rama even half of the love that you have for my filthy body, you would certainly cross the ocean of Samsara and attain immortality and eternal bliss”. Kalidas, the famous Sanskrit scholar, Dramatis and poet also had the blessings from his wife in form rebuke and humiliation for his lack of education.
For centuries women have been degraded at every walk of life. The situation is not any better still today in some of the communities.
Also the situation is not any better in Islam or Christianity. Women are not permitted to become Maulvies or Pastors as far as I know.
Inspite of all this degradation and indifference, women have survived and surpassed men in many fields of excellence.
The question still is why our religious books are biased against women and should not we ask for deleting these verses from these books.
GODS DO NOT NEED PALATIAL ABODES I N POOR INDIA
GODS DO NOT NEED PALACIAL ABODES IN POOR INDIA
India lives in its villages and the vast stretches of slums dotted all around our Metros. A vast majority of our population living in these villages and settlements is much below the poverty line as described by the Government of the day. There are families who find it difficult to afford two square meal round the year. On a rough estimate more than 50% of Indian population lives below poverty line. An UNO survey puts Indian per capita Gross Domestic Product at $1032(RS 46000) per annum.
Coupled with this problem of poverty are the problems of health, education, and employment. Government schemes directed towards improving these areas have failed in implementation. A very small percentage say 15% reaches the intended beneficiaries and balance is pocketed by the shameless people who run these schemes.
On the other hand we find huge sums being spent on the building of new abodes for our Gods and Goddesses and maintenance of the existing ones. Not Hindus alone, other communities are not far behind in building new Mosques, Gurudwaras and Churches.
This reminds me of the following lines by famous Urdu Poet Nida Fazli.
1.बच्चा बोला देखकर मस्जिद अIलिसान ,
अल्लाह तेरे एक को इतना बड़ा मकIन.
(Upon seeing the huge Mosque, the child said “God for you alone such a big house?)
2.घर से बड़ी दूर है मस्जिद. चलो कुछ ऐसा करें ,
सड़क पर रोते हुए इस बच्चे को हसाया जाये.
(Mosque is far away from the house, let us make this crying child laugh)
From time immemorial Kings and Badshahas built huge temples and mosques all over the country. As Indians we are proud of these magnificent structures. Many of these abodes of our Gods, Prophets, and Saints were built during famine times to keep the people fruitfully engaged but the hidden message of wealth and splendor was for the neighboring kings also.
We have enough of these abodes. Some of them are engaged in the field of health and education and are doing commendable job. These structures are our national pride, assets and witness of our rich cultural past. Every effort must be done to protect our heritage.
However, do we really need to build new abodes particularly when these funds could be utilized for the benefit of the poor and marginalized members of our country?
India lives in its villages and the vast stretches of slums dotted all around our Metros. A vast majority of our population living in these villages and settlements is much below the poverty line as described by the Government of the day. There are families who find it difficult to afford two square meal round the year. On a rough estimate more than 50% of Indian population lives below poverty line. An UNO survey puts Indian per capita Gross Domestic Product at $1032(RS 46000) per annum.
Coupled with this problem of poverty are the problems of health, education, and employment. Government schemes directed towards improving these areas have failed in implementation. A very small percentage say 15% reaches the intended beneficiaries and balance is pocketed by the shameless people who run these schemes.
On the other hand we find huge sums being spent on the building of new abodes for our Gods and Goddesses and maintenance of the existing ones. Not Hindus alone, other communities are not far behind in building new Mosques, Gurudwaras and Churches.
This reminds me of the following lines by famous Urdu Poet Nida Fazli.
1.बच्चा बोला देखकर मस्जिद अIलिसान ,
अल्लाह तेरे एक को इतना बड़ा मकIन.
(Upon seeing the huge Mosque, the child said “God for you alone such a big house?)
2.घर से बड़ी दूर है मस्जिद. चलो कुछ ऐसा करें ,
सड़क पर रोते हुए इस बच्चे को हसाया जाये.
(Mosque is far away from the house, let us make this crying child laugh)
From time immemorial Kings and Badshahas built huge temples and mosques all over the country. As Indians we are proud of these magnificent structures. Many of these abodes of our Gods, Prophets, and Saints were built during famine times to keep the people fruitfully engaged but the hidden message of wealth and splendor was for the neighboring kings also.
We have enough of these abodes. Some of them are engaged in the field of health and education and are doing commendable job. These structures are our national pride, assets and witness of our rich cultural past. Every effort must be done to protect our heritage.
However, do we really need to build new abodes particularly when these funds could be utilized for the benefit of the poor and marginalized members of our country?
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
LOVE IN MARRIAGE IS A CRAZY DREAM
LOVE IN MARRIAGE IS A CRAZY DREAM
Having eaten the forbidden fruit Adam and Eve proceeded on a long journey of procreation. A couple in the beginning of creation is now six and a half billion strong sea of humans. The relationship between man and woman initially was on a might is right mode. Then the institution of marriage evolved. The latest version is live in relationships.
Is procreation is result of love or passion or both? Nature seems to be working in favor of passion. Love is an after- thought. There is that fatal attraction between sexes which brings them closer to each other. The dominant factor, again, is passion, conveniently called love. Society does not believe there can be friendship between a man and a woman without that element of sex, though it is quite possible.
Marriage is also termed as compromise between two humans borne out of basic needs of home, food and clothing, man providing the role of provider and woman the role of care taker. Despite the difference in individuality, both play their roles to the hilt for the sake of their off springs borne out of, again, passion.
Marriage is seen as social permission to procreate. Procreation cannot take place without marriage or social permission; it is far more convenient to have it. When two individuals live together for a long time, they get used to each other which some may like to call love.
Love marriages fail because the so called lovers fail to compromise and get used to each other. Love is not strong enough to hold them together. In fact, it is rather impossible that two individuals will have the same feelings at the same time except possibly the need for a passionate hug.
Marriage is a trick played by nature to make children to guarantee its continuity. Love otherwise is a crazy dream.
Having eaten the forbidden fruit Adam and Eve proceeded on a long journey of procreation. A couple in the beginning of creation is now six and a half billion strong sea of humans. The relationship between man and woman initially was on a might is right mode. Then the institution of marriage evolved. The latest version is live in relationships.
Is procreation is result of love or passion or both? Nature seems to be working in favor of passion. Love is an after- thought. There is that fatal attraction between sexes which brings them closer to each other. The dominant factor, again, is passion, conveniently called love. Society does not believe there can be friendship between a man and a woman without that element of sex, though it is quite possible.
Marriage is also termed as compromise between two humans borne out of basic needs of home, food and clothing, man providing the role of provider and woman the role of care taker. Despite the difference in individuality, both play their roles to the hilt for the sake of their off springs borne out of, again, passion.
Marriage is seen as social permission to procreate. Procreation cannot take place without marriage or social permission; it is far more convenient to have it. When two individuals live together for a long time, they get used to each other which some may like to call love.
Love marriages fail because the so called lovers fail to compromise and get used to each other. Love is not strong enough to hold them together. In fact, it is rather impossible that two individuals will have the same feelings at the same time except possibly the need for a passionate hug.
Marriage is a trick played by nature to make children to guarantee its continuity. Love otherwise is a crazy dream.
NOSTALGIA BELONGS TO MUSEUM
NOSTALGIA BELONGS TO MUSEUM
Nostalgia can mean home sickness or a desire to revisit the past. It is normally used to remember our past, its sweet memories. It can also include the carefree days within the walls of the college or perhaps the dreams lived with first love.
Some people believe nostalgia is the luxury for the weak and emotional. People made of sterner stuff move on. They carry no baggage on their backs. They simply enjoy the present. They believe nostalgia has a place only in the museum.
Museum is a place where interesting objects of arts and science are displayed . You visit the museum, appreciate the collection and come out. There is no attachment.
People migrate to different lands in search of better opportunities in their youth. The plan is to return as a big and successful man. This seldom happens. Home becomes a thing of nostalgia. Once in a while he revisits his home, stays for a while, and appreciates its soil and returns, just like a visit to the museum.
Sterner people return permanently only if the home can offer them better life with better opportunities. For them any land is good enough it can meet their need and greed.
Some people get uprooted from their lands for political reasons (1947 India –Pakistan Partition) or war or natural calamities. I believe they always long to go back. They are nostalgic about everything of their roots. They may or may not return but will never part with the nostalgia. For them nostalgia does not belong to museum.
Nostalgia can mean home sickness or a desire to revisit the past. It is normally used to remember our past, its sweet memories. It can also include the carefree days within the walls of the college or perhaps the dreams lived with first love.
Some people believe nostalgia is the luxury for the weak and emotional. People made of sterner stuff move on. They carry no baggage on their backs. They simply enjoy the present. They believe nostalgia has a place only in the museum.
Museum is a place where interesting objects of arts and science are displayed . You visit the museum, appreciate the collection and come out. There is no attachment.
People migrate to different lands in search of better opportunities in their youth. The plan is to return as a big and successful man. This seldom happens. Home becomes a thing of nostalgia. Once in a while he revisits his home, stays for a while, and appreciates its soil and returns, just like a visit to the museum.
Sterner people return permanently only if the home can offer them better life with better opportunities. For them any land is good enough it can meet their need and greed.
Some people get uprooted from their lands for political reasons (1947 India –Pakistan Partition) or war or natural calamities. I believe they always long to go back. They are nostalgic about everything of their roots. They may or may not return but will never part with the nostalgia. For them nostalgia does not belong to museum.
YOUTH IS A DEFECT THAT IS CORRECTED WITH TIME
YOUTH IS A DEFECT THAT IS CORRECTED WITH TIME
The inspiration for this topic is Mr. Lalit Modi’s (IPL Commissioner facing corruption charges) admission that he did do drugs during his student days in USA and he termed it as indiscretion. He is the grandson of Late Gujar Mal Modi, founder of the Modi Group of Industries and must have had right upbringing. There may be so many instances of such indiscretion resulting from weakness, anger, lack of judgment or simply youthful adventure. Youth is aggressive, intolerant, reckless and restless.
There is no denying the fact that our youths are talented and they continue excelling in performing arts, academics, sports, profession, business and every other field. But a good percentage of them fall prey to various temptations in young age. Experimenting drugs, smoke, wine, junk food and all such harmful addictions is a part of their growing up. Reckless driving, road rage, cruel and senseless ragging in educational institutions, disrespect for elders, rape in moving cars, kidnapping for quick money to meet extravagancy, dangerous biking and all such mindless activities are part of this process. It is another issue if it is done because of peer pressure of just for the fun of it. These traits stay for a long time till something drastically alters the course of life. Being casual at best and non believers at worst towards religion can also be attributed to young mind that wants to explore all things before admitting and accepting.
These defects (?) get corrected with time as one grows. Time enables to distinguish between good and bad and the wheels of time make one sober, compromising and eager to adjust and adapt to the circumstances. When one is young nothing seems to be impossible and as he grows older he wants everything to be certain.
Is it therefore correct to say that youth is a defect that is corrected with time?
The inspiration for this topic is Mr. Lalit Modi’s (IPL Commissioner facing corruption charges) admission that he did do drugs during his student days in USA and he termed it as indiscretion. He is the grandson of Late Gujar Mal Modi, founder of the Modi Group of Industries and must have had right upbringing. There may be so many instances of such indiscretion resulting from weakness, anger, lack of judgment or simply youthful adventure. Youth is aggressive, intolerant, reckless and restless.
There is no denying the fact that our youths are talented and they continue excelling in performing arts, academics, sports, profession, business and every other field. But a good percentage of them fall prey to various temptations in young age. Experimenting drugs, smoke, wine, junk food and all such harmful addictions is a part of their growing up. Reckless driving, road rage, cruel and senseless ragging in educational institutions, disrespect for elders, rape in moving cars, kidnapping for quick money to meet extravagancy, dangerous biking and all such mindless activities are part of this process. It is another issue if it is done because of peer pressure of just for the fun of it. These traits stay for a long time till something drastically alters the course of life. Being casual at best and non believers at worst towards religion can also be attributed to young mind that wants to explore all things before admitting and accepting.
These defects (?) get corrected with time as one grows. Time enables to distinguish between good and bad and the wheels of time make one sober, compromising and eager to adjust and adapt to the circumstances. When one is young nothing seems to be impossible and as he grows older he wants everything to be certain.
Is it therefore correct to say that youth is a defect that is corrected with time?
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