இன்பமும் காதலும் இயற்க்கையின் நீதி..
எற்றத்தாழ்வுகள் மனிதனின் ஜாதி..
பாரில் இயற்க்கை படைத்ததையெல்லாம்..
பாவி மனிதன் பி்ரித்து வைத்தானே!
மனிதன் மாரிவிட்டான்...
Friday, February 08, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
An open letter to The Hindu
Respected Editor,
The purpose of this e-mail is to express my deep disappointment over the prejudiced views expressed by The Hindu against men citing the unfortunate and detestable "Mumbai molestation" incident on the New Year's eve in the article "An assault on dignity" - The Hindu Magazine dated 13th January 2008
Quote from the article
"The real issue that we must grapple with when such incidents occur has a name; it is "patriarchy". It includes the inability of men to accept that women have rights, that they are human beings, that they should be left alone, that they have a right tooccupy space in the public arena."
To say that all men are unable to consider women as human beings reflects a narrow-minded and prejudiced outlook of the author against men. I don't deny that social malices like dowry system still exists and are perpetrated solely against women. But on what basis does Ms. Kalpana come to a conclusion that such crimes are committed only by men? I do agree to the fact that women are always the victims in rape and I do empathize with them. At the same time there are also numerous cases in which women place false molestation charges against men and get away with it riding on the benefit of the "sympathy factor". What is the intention of Ms. Kalpana? To get justice for women or to get even with men for all the crimes committed against women (by both men and women)?
A sizable number of terrorism-related incidents can be attributed to Islamic terrorists, Indians or otherwise. I am sure The Hindu would not publish an article that implies that all muslims are terrorists. Why then does it publish an article that aims at blaming and defaming men because crimes are committed against women (by both men and women)? Articles such as these helps no good cause, but can flame up male and female egoism.
Ms. Kalpana is entitled to her opinion, however prejudiced, shallow and shameful they are. But the fact that this article made it to the front page of The Magazine (due to lapse in editing or conscious endorsement by the editorial team) is a clear indicator of the fast declining standards of journalism The Hindu. I believe, just like how money problems can't be solved my money, gender issues can't be solved by only one gender or pitching one gender against the other.
The only ways are
1. consensus between the two genders by sensitizing both of them of problems faced by one another,
2. strict *enforcement* of the law to deter perpetration of such crimes (this includes accessibility and transparency of law enforcement agencies)
--
Sincerely,
Badhrinath J
303, Patnivilla Apartments,
Rasoolpura, Begumpet,
Hyderabad - 500016
PS: I am also in total disagreement with the following views of the author
"Laws have never succeeded in changing mindsets. The death penalty has not reduced the number of murders. The Dowry Act has not stopped the custom of giving and taking dowries. Stronger laws dealing with crimes against women, although essential, have not reduced the incidence of crime"
These views seem to lack supporting evidence. Was there a time in India when the death penalty was abolished and the rate of murder increased or remained the same? Further, this analysis also depends on how well the laws are enforced, and how easy was it to make complaints when crimes are committed.
The purpose of this e-mail is to express my deep disappointment over the prejudiced views expressed by The Hindu against men citing the unfortunate and detestable "Mumbai molestation" incident on the New Year's eve in the article "An assault on dignity" - The Hindu Magazine dated 13th January 2008
Quote from the article
"The real issue that we must grapple with when such incidents occur has a name; it is "patriarchy". It includes the inability of men to accept that women have rights, that they are human beings, that they should be left alone, that they have a right tooccupy space in the public arena."
To say that all men are unable to consider women as human beings reflects a narrow-minded and prejudiced outlook of the author against men. I don't deny that social malices like dowry system still exists and are perpetrated solely against women. But on what basis does Ms. Kalpana come to a conclusion that such crimes are committed only by men? I do agree to the fact that women are always the victims in rape and I do empathize with them. At the same time there are also numerous cases in which women place false molestation charges against men and get away with it riding on the benefit of the "sympathy factor". What is the intention of Ms. Kalpana? To get justice for women or to get even with men for all the crimes committed against women (by both men and women)?
A sizable number of terrorism-related incidents can be attributed to Islamic terrorists, Indians or otherwise. I am sure The Hindu would not publish an article that implies that all muslims are terrorists. Why then does it publish an article that aims at blaming and defaming men because crimes are committed against women (by both men and women)? Articles such as these helps no good cause, but can flame up male and female egoism.
Ms. Kalpana is entitled to her opinion, however prejudiced, shallow and shameful they are. But the fact that this article made it to the front page of The Magazine (due to lapse in editing or conscious endorsement by the editorial team) is a clear indicator of the fast declining standards of journalism The Hindu. I believe, just like how money problems can't be solved my money, gender issues can't be solved by only one gender or pitching one gender against the other.
The only ways are
1. consensus between the two genders by sensitizing both of them of problems faced by one another,
2. strict *enforcement* of the law to deter perpetration of such crimes (this includes accessibility and transparency of law enforcement agencies)
--
Sincerely,
Badhrinath J
303, Patnivilla Apartments,
Rasoolpura, Begumpet,
Hyderabad - 500016
PS: I am also in total disagreement with the following views of the author
"Laws have never succeeded in changing mindsets. The death penalty has not reduced the number of murders. The Dowry Act has not stopped the custom of giving and taking dowries. Stronger laws dealing with crimes against women, although essential, have not reduced the incidence of crime"
These views seem to lack supporting evidence. Was there a time in India when the death penalty was abolished and the rate of murder increased or remained the same? Further, this analysis also depends on how well the laws are enforced, and how easy was it to make complaints when crimes are committed.
An open letter to The Hindu
Respected Editor,
The purpose of this e-mail is to express my deep disappointment over the prejudiced views expressed by The Hindu against men citing the unfortunate and detestable "Mumbai molestation" incident on the New Year's eve in the article "An assault on dignity" -The Hindu Magazine dated 13th January 2008
Quote from the article
"The real issue that we must grapple with when such incidents occur has a name; it is "patriarchy". It includes the inability of men to accept that women have rights, that they are human beings, that they should be left alone, that they have a right tooccupy space in the public arena."
To say that all men are unable to consider women as human beings reflects a narrow-minded and prejudiced outlook of the author against men. I don't deny that social malices like dowry system still exists and are perpetrated solely against women. But on what basis does Ms. Kalpana come to a conclusion that such crimes are committed only by men? I do agree to the fact that women are always the victims in rape and I do empathize with them. At the same time there are also numerous cases in which women place false molestation charges against men and get away with it riding on the benefit of the "sympathy factor". What is the intention of Ms. Kalpana? To get justice for women or to get even with men for all the crimes committed against women (by both men and women)?
A sizable number of terrorism-related incidents can be attributed to Islamic terrorists, Indians or otherwise. I am sure The Hindu would not publish an article that implies that all muslims are terrorists. Why then does it publish an article that aims at blaming and defaming men because crimes are committed against women (by both men and women)? Articles such as these helps no good cause, but can flame up male and female egoism.
Ms. Kalpana is entitled to her opinion, however prejudiced, shallow and shameful they are. But the fact that this article made it to the front page of The Magazine (due to lapse in editing or conscious endorsement by the editorial team) is a clear indicator of the fast declining standards of journalism The Hindu. I believe, just like how money problems can't be solved my money, gender issues can't be solved by only one gender or pitching one gender against the other. The only ways are
1. consensus between the two genders by sensitizing both of them of problems faced by one another,
2. strict *enforcement* of the law to deter perpetration of such crimes (this includes accessibility and transparency of law enforcement agencies)
--
Sincerely,
Badhrinath J
303, Patnivilla Apartments,
Rasoolpura, Begumpet,
Hyderabad - 500016
PS: I am also in total disagreement with the following views of the author
"Laws have never succeeded in changing mindsets. The death penalty has not reduced the number of murders. The Dowry Act has not stopped the custom of giving and taking dowries. Stronger laws dealing with crimes against women, although essential, have not reduced the incidence of crime"
These views seem to lack supporting evidence. Was there a time in India when the death penalty was abolished and the rate of murder increased or remained the same? Further, this analysis also depends on how well the laws are enforced, and how easy was it to make complaints when crimes are committed.
The purpose of this e-mail is to express my deep disappointment over the prejudiced views expressed by The Hindu against men citing the unfortunate and detestable "Mumbai molestation" incident on the New Year's eve in the article "An assault on dignity" -The Hindu Magazine dated 13th January 2008
Quote from the article
"The real issue that we must grapple with when such incidents occur has a name; it is "patriarchy". It includes the inability of men to accept that women have rights, that they are human beings, that they should be left alone, that they have a right tooccupy space in the public arena."
To say that all men are unable to consider women as human beings reflects a narrow-minded and prejudiced outlook of the author against men. I don't deny that social malices like dowry system still exists and are perpetrated solely against women. But on what basis does Ms. Kalpana come to a conclusion that such crimes are committed only by men? I do agree to the fact that women are always the victims in rape and I do empathize with them. At the same time there are also numerous cases in which women place false molestation charges against men and get away with it riding on the benefit of the "sympathy factor". What is the intention of Ms. Kalpana? To get justice for women or to get even with men for all the crimes committed against women (by both men and women)?
A sizable number of terrorism-related incidents can be attributed to Islamic terrorists, Indians or otherwise. I am sure The Hindu would not publish an article that implies that all muslims are terrorists. Why then does it publish an article that aims at blaming and defaming men because crimes are committed against women (by both men and women)? Articles such as these helps no good cause, but can flame up male and female egoism.
Ms. Kalpana is entitled to her opinion, however prejudiced, shallow and shameful they are. But the fact that this article made it to the front page of The Magazine (due to lapse in editing or conscious endorsement by the editorial team) is a clear indicator of the fast declining standards of journalism The Hindu. I believe, just like how money problems can't be solved my money, gender issues can't be solved by only one gender or pitching one gender against the other. The only ways are
1. consensus between the two genders by sensitizing both of them of problems faced by one another,
2. strict *enforcement* of the law to deter perpetration of such crimes (this includes accessibility and transparency of law enforcement agencies)
--
Sincerely,
Badhrinath J
303, Patnivilla Apartments,
Rasoolpura, Begumpet,
Hyderabad - 500016
PS: I am also in total disagreement with the following views of the author
"Laws have never succeeded in changing mindsets. The death penalty has not reduced the number of murders. The Dowry Act has not stopped the custom of giving and taking dowries. Stronger laws dealing with crimes against women, although essential, have not reduced the incidence of crime"
These views seem to lack supporting evidence. Was there a time in India when the death penalty was abolished and the rate of murder increased or remained the same? Further, this analysis also depends on how well the laws are enforced, and how easy was it to make complaints when crimes are committed.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
Accident with mathematics
It was Saturday, albeit an unusual one in that, I decided not be at my office to accompany the deserted cubicles. I decided to visit my uncle's family. His is a ?ollywood family. Four members, energetic dad, caring mom, elder daughter who defines the words "cute" and "sweet" and a younger son who cares more about defining "naughty" and "mischievous".
My uncle is a thinker! He has a take on almost everything. He has questions, often unanswerable if you are not allowed to guess. He also discovers facts that a normal man probably wouldn't. He has an excellent feel for "landmark-dates" in the past. Wedding anniversaries? No problem! Who died in the family, when and before who? Piece of cake! He remembers almost everyone's birthdays of course! Hence he is very good at finding out the age of anyone among our relatives.
"You are 27 now right?" This is how it started on the saturday!
"Yea!", I said.
"Age 28 is unique for you because, next year you will celebrate your birthday on the exact same day of the week, that you were born!"
I started calculating..when he interrupted!.
"If you observe holidays year after year, if Diwali falls on a monday this year, it will fall on a tuesday next year. But if it is a leap year, it will fall on a wednesday. So, if you add one for every year after 28 years you would add 28 days! Now in 28 years there are 7 leap years! So, 28+7=35 and 35 is divisible by 7!"
I said "Coooooooool!"
His eyes lit up when he said, "Its simple LCM!" and smiled!
My aunt, busy preparing the day's breakfast and hence oblivious to our discoveries, called out from the kitchen. "Do you hear me? The cooking gas is empty!
Can you please replace it?" He got up and pulled the new gas cylinder into the kitchen. I followed him into the kitchen for no apparent reason. I was looking for more. As he worked on replacing the cylinder, he seemed to be thoughtful and run out of things to say!
After a few minutes emerged out of his thoughts and said "We have been talking about mathematics and incidentally, today is December 22, 2007 and Sarvajit year according to the Tamil Calender. Do you know what is special today?"
I blurted out foolishly, "Tsunami in 2002?"
"That was on December 26. Remember? It was boxing day test match between Sri Lanka and Australia and Sri Lankan team came back. So no your answer is not correct!" He smiled again.
"Tamil Calender has a 60 year cycle. As I said earlier, this is Sarvajit year. So was 1947 (60 yrs ago), the year we got independence. And today in 1887 (120 yrs ago), a sarvajit year again, the mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan was born! Incidentally we are talking about mathematics!".
Then he called out to my aunt. "I have fixed it!"
My uncle is a thinker! He has a take on almost everything. He has questions, often unanswerable if you are not allowed to guess. He also discovers facts that a normal man probably wouldn't. He has an excellent feel for "landmark-dates" in the past. Wedding anniversaries? No problem! Who died in the family, when and before who? Piece of cake! He remembers almost everyone's birthdays of course! Hence he is very good at finding out the age of anyone among our relatives.
"You are 27 now right?" This is how it started on the saturday!
"Yea!", I said.
"Age 28 is unique for you because, next year you will celebrate your birthday on the exact same day of the week, that you were born!"
I started calculating..when he interrupted!.
"If you observe holidays year after year, if Diwali falls on a monday this year, it will fall on a tuesday next year. But if it is a leap year, it will fall on a wednesday. So, if you add one for every year after 28 years you would add 28 days! Now in 28 years there are 7 leap years! So, 28+7=35 and 35 is divisible by 7!"
I said "Coooooooool!"
His eyes lit up when he said, "Its simple LCM!" and smiled!
My aunt, busy preparing the day's breakfast and hence oblivious to our discoveries, called out from the kitchen. "Do you hear me? The cooking gas is empty!
Can you please replace it?" He got up and pulled the new gas cylinder into the kitchen. I followed him into the kitchen for no apparent reason. I was looking for more. As he worked on replacing the cylinder, he seemed to be thoughtful and run out of things to say!
After a few minutes emerged out of his thoughts and said "We have been talking about mathematics and incidentally, today is December 22, 2007 and Sarvajit year according to the Tamil Calender. Do you know what is special today?"
I blurted out foolishly, "Tsunami in 2002?"
"That was on December 26. Remember? It was boxing day test match between Sri Lanka and Australia and Sri Lankan team came back. So no your answer is not correct!" He smiled again.
"Tamil Calender has a 60 year cycle. As I said earlier, this is Sarvajit year. So was 1947 (60 yrs ago), the year we got independence. And today in 1887 (120 yrs ago), a sarvajit year again, the mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan was born! Incidentally we are talking about mathematics!".
Then he called out to my aunt. "I have fixed it!"
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
A lesson learnt - I
I was standing by the roadside waiting for my roomie to show up so that we can go to work together. The road was getting ready for another day's traffic congestion as the city was just starting to get to work along with me.
At time, there I spotted one man on a dilapidated Kinetic Honda in a plain sky-blue track suit distinctly out of place in that crowd. Just as he passed me his pocket promptly dropped his wallet. Before I could wave to him, he was gone.
Two bikers behind riding right him both typically anxious to get to work, stopped nevertheless and started exploring his wallet. I approached them to ensure that they are looking for an address rather than money (not that there was any in it!). After some futile attempts, they finally spotted a bunch of Business cards that carried "Satish Gupta: Global Needs". They matched it with a confidential pin-number intimation letter addressed to the same name, that was also in his wallet.
I started punched his number and informed that he has almost lost his all. As he was riding back I was basked in self-congratulatory mood telling myself "See, that is such a nice guy I am :)".
Within minutes the blue martian with a graying mustache was standing in front of me. "Thank you sir, I was told by another rider that I dropped my wallet. I was on my way, but didn't hope to find it". ...... Then his voice went mute as something stuck me. I started investigating my wallet even as the blue martian's face posted a question mark that constantly grew up in size.
After sometime I looked up and said. "Its good that you had your business card. I don't have one in my wallet." I fortunately had an untidy one in my bag which I wouldn't give to anybody. As I inserted it in to a groove in my wallet, I told him "A lesson learnt"
At time, there I spotted one man on a dilapidated Kinetic Honda in a plain sky-blue track suit distinctly out of place in that crowd. Just as he passed me his pocket promptly dropped his wallet. Before I could wave to him, he was gone.
Two bikers behind riding right him both typically anxious to get to work, stopped nevertheless and started exploring his wallet. I approached them to ensure that they are looking for an address rather than money (not that there was any in it!). After some futile attempts, they finally spotted a bunch of Business cards that carried "Satish Gupta: Global Needs". They matched it with a confidential pin-number intimation letter addressed to the same name, that was also in his wallet.
I started punched his number and informed that he has almost lost his all. As he was riding back I was basked in self-congratulatory mood telling myself "See, that is such a nice guy I am :)".
Within minutes the blue martian with a graying mustache was standing in front of me. "Thank you sir, I was told by another rider that I dropped my wallet. I was on my way, but didn't hope to find it". ...... Then his voice went mute as something stuck me. I started investigating my wallet even as the blue martian's face posted a question mark that constantly grew up in size.
After sometime I looked up and said. "Its good that you had your business card. I don't have one in my wallet." I fortunately had an untidy one in my bag which I wouldn't give to anybody. As I inserted it in to a groove in my wallet, I told him "A lesson learnt"
Thursday, November 15, 2007
When you say "My life stinks" - 1
This is a new series of videos that highlight or (is it lowlight) the plight of the people affected by conflict in different parts of the world. Hopefully this will put us in the place on a global perspective and remind us how much better our lives are the next time we say "My life stinks!"
Starting with Srilanka
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Twin temples of Chennai
After what seems to be a long time, I went back to Chennai for a one-week-break for the naming ceremony of my new nephew which fell close on the heels of Deepavali celebrations. Being a bachelor in a family gathering has little advantages. With no wife to look after, I became the most reliable person to handle all the emergency needs. That's to eulogize things. To paint a more realistic picture, I was footballed around for almost any and every need of the hour. Chennai weather, in november was no less hostile. But hey, for once I was actually useful. And not everything worked against me. In one instance of the shopping spree, I went to Parry's Corner with my dad where I bumped into the twin-temples of Chenna Malleeswarar and Chenna kesava temples!
So, the story so far turns out to be "I left the twin-cities for a twin-occasion and got to visit a twin-temple." Hmm, how often do you get that combo??
Built in the early 1640's, this temple is said the first temple built after the settlement of the English East India Company in India. The current Pagoda (the gopuram) is actually a replacement (built around a century later) of an earlier one which was brought down in order to expand Fort St. George.
This a much younger temple vis-a-vis the other temples within the city limits of the present day Chennai (Parthasarathy temple, Triplicane, Kapaleeswarar temple, Mylapore and Marundeeswarar temple, Tiruvanmiyur) which are built around 10th century AD). Neverthless, this temple seems to be no less coveted than other temples in its unique features.
- This temple is a coeval of the Chennai city itself!
- The only twin-temple in Chennai that is dedicated to Lord Shiva as well as Lord Vishnu!
- The name of the city owes is a copyright of this temple!
- Probably the only temple in chennai (if not TN) to have a carving of the person was instrumental in its construction
I entered the temple right about the time it was to be closed in the afternoon. So, I could get only a quick look at around the temple. Here is what I could quickly note and gather.
Moolavar: Channa keshava perumal with Sridevi and Bhoodevi Thayar. (no points for guessing)
Utsavar: Shanta Nrusimhar, a representative of the temple with the same incarnation as moolavar in Tiruneermalai, a locality at the outskirts of Chennai. (I wonder what is the Utsavar @ Tiruneermalai! :) )
- A good painting of Lord Vishnu marrying SriDevi under the auspices of Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma, on the ceiling of the temple's gopuram (I guarantee you, about 1% of the visitors would have really thought about looking straihgt up, let alone admire the painting!).
- The usual sannidhis for SriDevi, Bhoodevi, Chakkaratazhvar, Kothandaramar, and all the Alwars who conjured up the Bhakti Movement.
- Pillar sculptures represented the ten reincarnations of Lord Vishnu and various flagship scenes of Krishna avatar (reincarnation) like Kalinga Nardanam (Krishna's dance on the head of a 10-headed Cobra).
The surprise element of the temple - Two pillars of the temple premises had the sculpture of Andal Nachiyar - The only female alwar and believed to be the reincarnation of Goddess SriDevi.
What is so surprising about it? Well, the sculptures depicted her *naked*!
I had to step a bit closer to double check (It was really embarrassing. Trust me!). But it was unmistakable, the trademark parrot on her right hand and the trademark standing posture!
I am not surprised at the naked depiction in general. I have seen sculptures explicitly depicting various postures of sexual intercourse on the main Gopuram of Sri Govindaraja Perumal temple in Tirupati. But those were anonymous and didn't represent any revered God or Godess. I have also seen topless sculptures of Goddess Lakshmi that are quite common. But this is the first time I am seeing a revered Goddess (Sridevi) depicted totally nude!
References:
The Hindu : Metro Plus Chennai / Columns : An end and a beginning
Chennai - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Corporation of Chennai
Templenet - The Comprehensive Indian Temple websiteSo, the story so far turns out to be "I left the twin-cities for a twin-occasion and got to visit a twin-temple." Hmm, how often do you get that combo??
Built in the early 1640's, this temple is said the first temple built after the settlement of the English East India Company in India. The current Pagoda (the gopuram) is actually a replacement (built around a century later) of an earlier one which was brought down in order to expand Fort St. George.
This a much younger temple vis-a-vis the other temples within the city limits of the present day Chennai (Parthasarathy temple, Triplicane, Kapaleeswarar temple, Mylapore and Marundeeswarar temple, Tiruvanmiyur) which are built around 10th century AD). Neverthless, this temple seems to be no less coveted than other temples in its unique features.
- This temple is a coeval of the Chennai city itself!
- The only twin-temple in Chennai that is dedicated to Lord Shiva as well as Lord Vishnu!
- The name of the city owes is a copyright of this temple!
- Probably the only temple in chennai (if not TN) to have a carving of the person was instrumental in its construction
I entered the temple right about the time it was to be closed in the afternoon. So, I could get only a quick look at around the temple. Here is what I could quickly note and gather.
Moolavar: Channa keshava perumal with Sridevi and Bhoodevi Thayar. (no points for guessing)
Utsavar: Shanta Nrusimhar, a representative of the temple with the same incarnation as moolavar in Tiruneermalai, a locality at the outskirts of Chennai. (I wonder what is the Utsavar @ Tiruneermalai! :) )
- A good painting of Lord Vishnu marrying SriDevi under the auspices of Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma, on the ceiling of the temple's gopuram (I guarantee you, about 1% of the visitors would have really thought about looking straihgt up, let alone admire the painting!).
- The usual sannidhis for SriDevi, Bhoodevi, Chakkaratazhvar, Kothandaramar, and all the Alwars who conjured up the Bhakti Movement.
- Pillar sculptures represented the ten reincarnations of Lord Vishnu and various flagship scenes of Krishna avatar (reincarnation) like Kalinga Nardanam (Krishna's dance on the head of a 10-headed Cobra).
The surprise element of the temple - Two pillars of the temple premises had the sculpture of Andal Nachiyar - The only female alwar and believed to be the reincarnation of Goddess SriDevi.
What is so surprising about it? Well, the sculptures depicted her *naked*!
I had to step a bit closer to double check (It was really embarrassing. Trust me!). But it was unmistakable, the trademark parrot on her right hand and the trademark standing posture!
I am not surprised at the naked depiction in general. I have seen sculptures explicitly depicting various postures of sexual intercourse on the main Gopuram of Sri Govindaraja Perumal temple in Tirupati. But those were anonymous and didn't represent any revered God or Godess. I have also seen topless sculptures of Goddess Lakshmi that are quite common. But this is the first time I am seeing a revered Goddess (Sridevi) depicted totally nude!
References:
The Hindu : Metro Plus Chennai / Columns : An end and a beginning
Chennai - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Corporation of Chennai
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Celebrating Gandhi
"I shall work for an India in which the poorest shall feel that it is their country, in whose making they have an effective voice, an India in which there shall be no high class and low class of people; an India in which all communities shall live in perfect harmony. There can be no room in such an India for the curse of untouchability, or the curse of intoxicating drinks and drugs. Women will enjoy the same rights as men. We shall be at peace with all the rest of the world. This is the India of my dreams"
This is the Gandhian Pledge that the Prime Minister of India took on Oct. Sixty years after Independence and we are still pledging. Take a look at his dreams. We have got started on, forget about achieving, NONE of them. Why kid ourselves when we care the least about what he said?
We have to be honest to accept that
1. we know very less about Gandhian ideals and hence lose the right to fallaciously admire him or judge him
2. even a great man like Gandhi cannot be correct in *all* his ideals and *all* his ideals need not apply transcending time.
So, if we are interested in celebrating his birthday, we have to read about him. Read about his ideals at least to the point that we find at least one of his ideals that we disagree with. And we find at least one of his ideals which we feel will not be applicable to the present day.
Now that would be an honest celebration of his greatness on his birthday. At least better than the false idol worship we indulge in. What do you say?
Celebrating Gandhi
"I shall work for an India in which the poorest shall feel that it is
their country, in whose making they have an effective voice, an India
in which there shall be no high class and low class of people; an India
in which all communities shall live in perfect harmony. There can be no
room in such an India for the curse of untouchability, or the curse of
intoxicating drinks and drugs. Women will enjoy the same rights as men.
We shall be at peace with all the rest of the world. This is the India
of my dreams"
This is the Gandhian Pledge that the Prime Minister of India took on Oct. Sixty years after Independence and we are still pledging. Take a look at his dreams. We have got started on, forget about achieving, NONE of them. Why kid ourselves when we care the least about what he said?
We have to be honest to accept that
1. we know very less about Gandhian ideals and hence lose the right to fallaciously admire him or judge him
2. even a great man like Gandhi cannot be correct in *all* his ideals and *all* his ideals need not apply transcending time.
So, if we are interested in celebrating his birthday, we have to read about him. Read about his ideals at least to the point that we find at least one of his ideals that we disagree with. And we find at least one of his ideals which we feel will not be applicable to the present day.
Now that would be an honest celebration of his greatness on his birthday. At least better than the false idol worship we indulge in. What do you say?
their country, in whose making they have an effective voice, an India
in which there shall be no high class and low class of people; an India
in which all communities shall live in perfect harmony. There can be no
room in such an India for the curse of untouchability, or the curse of
intoxicating drinks and drugs. Women will enjoy the same rights as men.
We shall be at peace with all the rest of the world. This is the India
of my dreams"
This is the Gandhian Pledge that the Prime Minister of India took on Oct. Sixty years after Independence and we are still pledging. Take a look at his dreams. We have got started on, forget about achieving, NONE of them. Why kid ourselves when we care the least about what he said?
We have to be honest to accept that
1. we know very less about Gandhian ideals and hence lose the right to fallaciously admire him or judge him
2. even a great man like Gandhi cannot be correct in *all* his ideals and *all* his ideals need not apply transcending time.
So, if we are interested in celebrating his birthday, we have to read about him. Read about his ideals at least to the point that we find at least one of his ideals that we disagree with. And we find at least one of his ideals which we feel will not be applicable to the present day.
Now that would be an honest celebration of his greatness on his birthday. At least better than the false idol worship we indulge in. What do you say?
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Quota: Centre gets it right in the ass!
New report:
"Inclusion of a caste in the list would mean that it was previously socially advanced and did not figure among the backward class communities. But with time, their social status deteriorated and they had to be included in the list. This means more and more castes are getting backward as there are only inclusions and none being excluded from the list," it said.
Vahanvati said as per the procedure before NCBC, a caste could be excluded from the list only if someone filed a complaint alleging that a caste had become socially advanced. "No petitions have been filed seeking exclusion of any caste," he said.
The Bench replied, "Merely because there is no complaint, NCBC cannot abdicate its duty to conducta periodic review of the social status of castes included in the backward list."
Referring to the swelling number of castes in the backward list, the Bench said, "This means for 60 years, people who were disadvantaged continue to be backward. If this is so, then what is the meaning of the arrangements for social advancement of backward community for all these years?"
This reminds me of Kevin Verbal Kent's (Kevin Spacey) narration in the movie "The Usual Suspects" about how he felt when he along with his "usual suspects" busted The New York police's involvement drug racket.
"They got it right in the ass. It was beautiful"
"Inclusion of a caste in the list would mean that it was previously socially advanced and did not figure among the backward class communities. But with time, their social status deteriorated and they had to be included in the list. This means more and more castes are getting backward as there are only inclusions and none being excluded from the list," it said.
Vahanvati said as per the procedure before NCBC, a caste could be excluded from the list only if someone filed a complaint alleging that a caste had become socially advanced. "No petitions have been filed seeking exclusion of any caste," he said.
The Bench replied, "Merely because there is no complaint, NCBC cannot abdicate its duty to conducta periodic review of the social status of castes included in the backward list."
Referring to the swelling number of castes in the backward list, the Bench said, "This means for 60 years, people who were disadvantaged continue to be backward. If this is so, then what is the meaning of the arrangements for social advancement of backward community for all these years?"
Times of India, 26 Sep 2007,
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Why_is_no_group_ever_excluded_from_quota_SC/articleshow/2402984.cms
This reminds me of Kevin Verbal Kent's (Kevin Spacey) narration in the movie "The Usual Suspects" about how he felt when he along with his "usual suspects" busted The New York police's involvement drug racket.
"They got it right in the ass. It was beautiful"
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
So is the message "Sunita achievied despite a being of Gujarati origin"?
...so, the news tells me that Sunita Williams is a celebrity in India! She has won the Prestigious Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Vishwa Pratibha Award. Great! But before we talk about it any further, a brief life history of this successful astronaut.
Born: Euclid, Ohio
Father: Dr. Deepak Pandya, Indian
Mother:Bonnie Pandya, Slovenian
Education:
Occupation: Commander, US, Navy
Recent Achievements:
- Unprecedented 3 spacewalks in 9 days
- Cumulative total of 29 hours, 17 minutes in four spacewalks, highest spacewalk time for a woman.
Now these sure seem to be commendable achievements. But to put things into perspective, as the Vishwa Gujarati Samaj (VGS) claims this award is conferred "to well-known Gujaratis recognizing their lifelong services/contribution to the cause of Gujarat".
If the point is to recognize people who have served Gujarat, where does Sunita William's marathon fit in? Or if it is to recognizes her achievements, why was it not given to the person who has achieved the same feet earlier? Because she is not a Gujarati? From what I see, the only thing that connects Sunita to Gujarat is her father who was a practicing doctor there before moving to the US and she owes the plaudits and accolade not to her perseverence, but to her father.
For our own sake, why don't we refrain from quoting one's origin (place or community) as a reason for conferring an accolade to someone? It appears to send a specious message to the world, "Sunita could break the space walking record despite being a Gujarati." Would you like that tag on you Sunita?
Sources: Wikipedia
Born: Euclid, Ohio
Father: Dr. Deepak Pandya, Indian
Mother:Bonnie Pandya, Slovenian
Education:
- Needham High School, Needham, Massachusetts, 1983.
- B.S., Physical Science, U.S. Naval Academy"U.S. Naval Academy, 1987.
- M.S., Engineering Management, Florida Institute of Technology, 1995
Occupation: Commander, US, Navy
Recent Achievements:
- Unprecedented 3 spacewalks in 9 days
- Cumulative total of 29 hours, 17 minutes in four spacewalks, highest spacewalk time for a woman.
Now these sure seem to be commendable achievements. But to put things into perspective, as the Vishwa Gujarati Samaj (VGS) claims this award is conferred "to well-known Gujaratis recognizing their lifelong services/contribution to the cause of Gujarat".
If the point is to recognize people who have served Gujarat, where does Sunita William's marathon fit in? Or if it is to recognizes her achievements, why was it not given to the person who has achieved the same feet earlier? Because she is not a Gujarati? From what I see, the only thing that connects Sunita to Gujarat is her father who was a practicing doctor there before moving to the US and she owes the plaudits and accolade not to her perseverence, but to her father.
For our own sake, why don't we refrain from quoting one's origin (place or community) as a reason for conferring an accolade to someone? It appears to send a specious message to the world, "Sunita could break the space walking record despite being a Gujarati." Would you like that tag on you Sunita?
Sources: Wikipedia
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Tribute to a soul that entered and departed 100 years ahead of its time
மஹாகவி சுப்ரமணிய பாரதியார்
டிசம்பர் 11, 1882 - செப்டம்பர் 11, 1921
"Mahakavi" Subramania Bharathiyar
December 11, 1882 - september 11, 1921
- 'மாதர் தம்மை இழிவு செய்யும்
- மடமையை கொளுத்துவோம்'
Of denigrating womanhood
நெஞ்சு பொறுக்குதில்லையே - இந்த
நிலைகெட்ட மனிதரை நினைந்துவிட்டால்
"கொஞ்சமோ பிரிவினைகள் - ஒரு
கோடியென் றாலது பெரிதாமோ ?
'My blood boils to think of these idiotic men!
How many divisions within us, they are more than a crore!…'
Tribute to a soul that entered and departed 100 years ahead of its time
மஹாகவி சுப்ரமணிய பாரதியார்
டிசம்பர் 11, 1882 - செப்டம்பர் 11, 1921
"Mahakavi" Subramania Bharathiyar
December 11, 1882 - september 11, 1921
- 'மாதர் தம்மை இழிவு செய்யும்
- மடமையை கொளுத்துவோம்'
Of denigrating womanhood
நெஞ்சு பொறுக்குதில்லையே - இந்த
நிலைகெட்ட மனிதரை நினைந்துவிட்டால்
"கொஞ்சமோ பிரிவினைகள் - ஒரு
கோடியென் றாலது பெரிதாமோ ?
'My blood boils to think of these idiotic men!
How many divisions within us, they are more than a crore!…'
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Run
Life is a rat race. From the time our minds matured enough to distinguish between our mom from others we have been running. Some times behind a bus, sometimes a teacher or sometimes the manager. But we have been running to ensure that we are not left behind.
Interspersed in this never-ending struggle to stay afloat are momentary respites during which we walk back to the "good old days" when life was easy. But hey, haven't we been running all our life? Where did these "good old days" infiltrate from into our past?
Delving into my past I find that such nostalgic memories don't really constitute days that start with a morning filter coffee and end with a "sweet dreams" kiss on the forehead. Instead they are transient moments of memorable joy or just another respite in which we stopped running and life didn't speed backwards! Be whatever it may, they replenish our tired mind with enough energy to get up and start running again. Yet, as we keep running we always manage to let these magical moments zip past us from the uncertain future directly into the nostalgic past.
May be we should use the next break to evolve a strategy to catch the past as it happens. It may so happen that we are just running behind "good old days" instead of a bus. But hey, is the situation any better now?
Interspersed in this never-ending struggle to stay afloat are momentary respites during which we walk back to the "good old days" when life was easy. But hey, haven't we been running all our life? Where did these "good old days" infiltrate from into our past?
Delving into my past I find that such nostalgic memories don't really constitute days that start with a morning filter coffee and end with a "sweet dreams" kiss on the forehead. Instead they are transient moments of memorable joy or just another respite in which we stopped running and life didn't speed backwards! Be whatever it may, they replenish our tired mind with enough energy to get up and start running again. Yet, as we keep running we always manage to let these magical moments zip past us from the uncertain future directly into the nostalgic past.
May be we should use the next break to evolve a strategy to catch the past as it happens. It may so happen that we are just running behind "good old days" instead of a bus. But hey, is the situation any better now?
Friday, July 13, 2007
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