The first bicycle ride…. November 10, 2009

Do you remember the feeling of your first bicycle ride all by yourself ? Your parents pushed your bicycle from behind, ran with it and then eventually let you go on your own. A moment of fear then a delicate balance, then surge of self confidence and finally the feeling of liberation! Your bicycle sailing on the road. Your first ride.

I was in a park jogging today and I saw a little kid on a bicycle with his father. I saw him ride on his own after a while and I saw his face. That triumphant and jubilant face reminded me of the days when I was learning the bicycle. Though the memories were very hazy, I could still feel it myself after all these years. And although I can’t recollect who it was that taught me, I do remember the place. It was in the playground near my granny’s home in the suburbs of Mysore town. It was a very old Hero cycle of red color with handles bent inward as it was the style in its days. It was a bike almost a generation old at that time. Nevertheless, it did the job!

Happy Deepavali October 17, 2009

This Deepavali, light the lamp of love in your heart; the lamp of abundance in your home; the lamp of compassion to serve others; the lamp of Knowledge to dispel the darkness of ignorance on this planet and the lamp of gratitude for the abundance …that the Divine has bestowed on us. Deepavali is an occasion to unite society in wisdom, joy and celebration Happy Deepavali…

Rang De Basanti October 3, 2009

This post is my tribute to two of the great souls, who sacrificed their life for India’s freedom struggle….

Kid: Papa, what are you doing?
Dad: Beta, I’am planting a few saplings.
Kid: Papa, why are you doing this?
Dad: Beta, once this plant grows, we can harvest the crop and earn from that…..

Later that day, the dad finds his son sticking some sticks to the ground. Very eager to know what his son is doing, the dad goes there….

Dad: Beta what are you doing?
Kid: Papa, i am planting these guns, so that once it grows, we can drive the British from our country….

This revolutionary kid was none other than the legendary Bhagat Singh.

Sardar Bhagat Singh

He was not only responsible for making guns and bombs, but also made our country realize that you simply cannot communicate to a deaf man, you need an explosion to get them to their senses.

He was born on 27th september 1907. He made best use of the court trials to speak out his principles and opinions. One of the officers who was present while Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were being executed famously made this statement: “I always thought that, there are two kinds of people, one, who cry on the face of death and another who accept death with a smiling face. But, now i know for sure there is another kind“. This was when he saw the trio singing their way to the execution ground.

I frankly admit that i didnt realize that 27th september was the birthday of Bhagat Singh, until i received an sms on that day which read:
“Everybody celebrates the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi on 2nd october, but nobody even remembers the birthday of Bhagat Singh. Forward to all Indians, be a true Indian, Jai Hind!”

I agree the composer of the sms has done a great job in conveying to the Indians what they are actually forgetting. But i could not help notice one thing- why on earth was there a mention of Gandhi?

Yes i agree that Bhagat Singh has not been given his due by the government and its people. But, what has this got to do with Gandhi?
It would be a big blunder if people started comparing Gandhi with Bhagat Singh. Both contributed a lot to our freedom struggle. Had it not been for Bhagat Singh, the Britishers would never have taken the peace initiatives of Gandhi seriously.

One common arguement has always been that had it not been for Gandhi, we would have got independence much earlier. The entire freedom struggle slowed down because of his”non vilence movement. But the question is: Were we ready for independence at that time?

Just look at the aftermath of the Iraq war after Saddam Hussein was dethroned? It was utter chaos….

Had we got independence much earlier, India would have disintegrated to many parts viz.. Kashmir, Madras, Bundelkhand etc etc….. India as such didnt have unified movement which got everyone together. It was movements such as the Quit India movement, the Dandi March which gave the feeling of oneness.

Finally our independence was a result of sacrifices of thousands of noble souls. Just as Ustad Isa is credited to have architectured taj mahal, even though thousands have contributed building it. Similarly, Mahatma Gandhi was the architect of the Indian Independence movement, even though we cant forget the contributions of Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekanada [who in 1897, while addressing a youth gathering, had famously called upon the youth to fight the next 50 years for India's Independence, which we invariably got in 1947] , Sardar Vallabhai Patel, Sardar Bhagat Singh, Chandreshekar Azad, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Gopal Krishna Gokhle, Subash Chandra Bose etc.

End note: Lets stop playing politics over these great freedom fighters. Lets come out and celebrate the birthdays of these true heroes at the truest sense. Let the spirit of oneness be there. Let them be a true inspiration for us to face the modern day threats like Naxalism, religious fanatacism, poverty, female foeticide etc…

Jai Hind!

Going blank……… July 27, 2009

I’ve been away from my blog for far too long to even remember. Every once in a while I visit my blog with a half-hearted intention to write something and I fail. Things have changed so much. I have so much to tell and yet nothing. Ideas about writing something form in my mind like water bubbles and then burst immediately in absence of treatment. Sad but true.

If I could, what I would have written in all this time?

1. Seeing Guruji after a long time yesterday in the satsang. It was an experience worth sharing.

2. Funny stories from my last semester.

3. Mum’s 49th birthday last week.

4. Even though my friend Abhinand asks me not to worry too much about politics, i would have been tempted to write about the big blunder MMS and his team did in Sharm-el-sheikh in Egypt. The joint statement by India and Pakistan was, according to me, a complete sell out to Pakistan. Also, it was shameful on MMS and his team not to take part in 10th anniversary of Kargil victory.

5. The government has given a go ahead for genetically modified food. I feel this will be a bigger menace than the use of plastics if not checked immedietely. GM foods wont help solve the hunger problems.

6. Pros and cons of repealing section 377.

7. Roger Federer’s historic win in Wimbledon

And the list keeps on growing.
Will be back soon

A very touching Moment May 21, 2009

A very touching moment indeed!

Ufffff……. April 23, 2009

Well if you are not bored of politics these days, I am. I have been discussing with people about politics through mails, blogging and talking to my college friends. Sometimes i have gone overboard and sent mails to some anonymous people in my email address book and even sometimes i got hounded for imposing my political idealogies on people whom i dont even know. But, we are in the midst of an important make or break elections and we really cannot afford to stay away from keeping a close watch on what all is happening.

So, it was a welcome relief for me to have exercised my franchise today.
Some of the things that made me vote against this government was:
1. Its inability to handle terror. Inspite of all these, our government has announced pensions to the families of those terrorists killed in encounters, please watch this video:

So, whats next Manmohan Singh?
Reservations for children of terrorists killed in encounters.

2. Reservations in premier institutes:
The two wreckers-in-chief of the UPA government -
—> Human resource development destruction minister Arjun Singh, and
—> the evergreen hero of the downtrodden Anbumani Ramdoss

They both made sure that admission into premier institutes like AIIMS, IIT’s and IIM’s are not according to the merit, but purely on the basis of their caste identity.

3. Last but not the least, I still feel the congress party has some exceptional leaders in Pranab Mukherjee, SM Krishna, Karan Singh etc. But the sad thing is that only loyalty pays in the party. I still feel Pranab Mukherjee would have been a better PM than Dr. Manmohan Singh.

MAY THE BEST PARTY WIN THESE ELECTIONS

So, I am taking a much deserved break from all these and I would be going on a class trip to the Western ghats in Karnataka over the weekend.cya soon, bye

DOUBLE STANDARDS April 18, 2009

It has been long since i wrote something on my blog. Since it is election time in India, i have come up with this write up.

Before you come up with the first impression reading the title of this blog, i want to clarify a few things:

—>
I shall make it clear that though I’am a supporter of RSS and BJP, i do not subscribe to some of their ideologies.

—>
This article might be pro hindu., but this does not mean it is against Islam or Christianity. MY LIFE IS INCOMPLETE WITH MY MUSLIM AND CHRISTIAN FRIENDS.

—>
This is against the two sinisters of modern indian society-the media and the politicians.

My first messege is to India’s worst hypocrite- the so called balanced secular media:

—>
I’am a hindu who felt sad seeing Varun Gandhi make very provocative statements against the muslims. I really dont subscribe to such hate speeches. But why did the media turn a blind eye when an atheist chief minister from Tamil Nadu[we all know who] makes a statement like this- “If you see Brahmins and a snake together, brahmins should be killed first”
Isnt this a hate speech? Why did the so called balanced, nationalist, secular media did not focus on this? Is it just becuase Brahmins are not a big vote bank.

—>
I’am a hindu, who was literally in tears seeing the massacre of innocent people during the 2002 gujarat riots, but what hurt me the most was that media only highlighted only the muslim victims totally neglecting the hindu riot victims. If there is one thing more dangerous than a lie, it is half truth
Like every other mature indian, i laugh with agony at the report which said that the fire on the godhra trains was an accident. Every mature head in India knows that it was a well planned heinous crime against the RAM SEVAKS
I recently got a mail which said that Rajdeep Sardesai and Barkha Dutt working with NDTV at that time got $5 million to cover only muslim victims.
I wont say that i completely believe in that report. It was made to believe that Hindus sporting tilaks were the ones who brutally massacred the muslims. After all what you see is what you believe right?

MY NEXT MESSAGE IS TO THE SO CALLED SECULAR PARTIES:

During elections, in order to score brownie points, many so called secular parties rake up the babri masjid demolition. I was a 4 year old kid when the babri masjid was razed down in 1992. It was indeed a black day in Indian history. But many times it is just used to pit one community against the other.

I have a few questions for the secular parties:
1. Many beautiful and ancient temples are being razed down in Kashmir. The minorities in Kashmir i.e the Kasmiri pandits are being driven away[ the worst human rights violation ever]. Why doesnt your secular mindset protest this?

oooooopsssss i forgot, kashmiri pandits dont form a sizeable votebank

2. When you accuse some right wing parties of being communal, then why the hell you[ the communist and the congress] are openly flouting with a party headed by a terror accused Madhani and the Indian Union Muslim League in kerala?

this is vote bank politics of the worst kind

What do these parties think? just by appeasing the minorities, they think they can win these elections. BULL SHIT! The minorities are much more clever than what these dumb fellows think.

Please note that I’am one of those Hindus who believe in the age old Vedic saying-”Vasudhaiva Kutumbhakam”. meaning this one world is one big family
I will certainly vote in the coming elections to a better person else a lesser thief.

Last but not the least, I do have an advice for the BJP:
They shouldnt impose thier ideaolgies on the Youth of India in the name of Indian culture.

I do call upon my countrymen to vote this time on national issues rather than petty local issues.
NATIONAL ISSUES INCLUDE: TERRORISM, RESERVATIONS IN PREMIER INSTITUTES
Please make your voice heard this time atleast.

I’am surprised i came up with such an article. I’am a risk averse guy who absatins himself from writing such sensitive issues.
If i have written it, you might very well sense what should have been brewing all these years. I had to vent my anger today

comments, hate mails, howlers etc. are all welcome

A small clarification March 19, 2009

In my previous post, i had mentioned the protogonist’s name in the movie Slumdog millionaire as Ram Mohommad Thomas. Well, actually the name is Ram mohommad thomas according to the book Q&A written by Vikas Swaroop, on whose novel the movie is based on. My intention to use this name was just to highlight some of the unrealistic aspects of the movie. Due to some urgency while editing the post, i didnt mention the protogonist’s screen name.Well, actually his name in the movie which won an oscar is Jamal malik.

Slumdog Millionaire March 5, 2009

I felt Proud when my fellow Indians, A.R.Rehman, Gulzar Saab, Resul Pookutty won the Oscar award. I must say it was a very proud moment for India. My hearty congratulations to all of them, who have put their heart and soul into making the movie.

Yup, I did watch the movie yesterday evening and I must say it is one of the most realistic movies I ever watched and it does deserve an oscar. I did like the movie to a certain extent. The concept was good!! A slum boy by the name Ram Mohommad Thomas [A wierd name] abusively called Slumdog goes on to win a fortune and also finds his love. Hats off to Vikas Swaroop for this extraordinary work.

A GREAT MOVIE, BUT

India is not a poor country anymore. It is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Yes, we do have slums which you may not find it in the posh countries of Europe and the USA. But, this is not the way one would picturize India with slum as a backdrop. As, an Indian i seriously felt ashamed at this potrayal.

It is understandable when a British director directs such a movie. Is it bloody possible for a non Indian to understand the intricacies of the Indian way of life. And no Indian director would dare to make such a movie. We have had enough of 200 years of British rule in India. The least we would want is a complete mock on India for the viewing pleasure of the western audience.

There is one instance in the movie where the slum boy robs a foreigner, gets caught and gets beaten up and he audaciously says-”This is India” and that American lady hands him a 100$ note and says, “Son, this is America”. This scene really got on my nerve. I would like to ask you is this the story of India??? Is, this the reason why this movie got an oscar even at the cost of good movies like Dark Knight?

IS THIS THE STORY OF INDIA THAT YOU WANT TO TELL A WESTERN AUDIENCE?

If your answer is -”I dont care as long as this movie got an oscar”, I have nothing to tell you.

Some of you who are still not convinced, I want to bring to your notice that the western countries still believe that, we Indians are descendents of Snake charmers and fake godmen. They just cant digest the fact that a country of snake charmers and godmen is on developing rapidly.

As an India, everyone ought feel proud when a music wizard from our country wins an oscar. I still feel some of his compositions in Lagaan, Roja, Jodhaa Akbar had equally great composition. But the difference was that these movies were not directed by Danny Boyle.

To conclude with, I was amused when the government took credit for the movie winning an oscar saying that its policies helped India to shine on the world stage. I want to ask them, “Is this what you call as India shining”?

IF….. February 21, 2009

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream–and not make dreams your master,
If you can think–and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings–nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And–which is more–you’ll be a Man, my son!

–Rudyard Kipling