Filed under: Miscellaneous — vinaybsubrahmanya @ 12:15 am
Today is my mom’s birthday.
This is for you ma,
Baby’s Way by Rabindranath Tagore
If baby only wanted to, he could fly up to heaven this moment.
It is not for nothing that he does not leave us.
He loves to rest his head on mother’s bosom, and cannot ever bear to lose sight of her.
Baby know all manner of wise words, though few on earth can understand their meaning.
It is not for nothing that he never wants to speak.
The one thing he wants is to learn mother’s words from mother’s lips.
That is why he looks so innocent.
Baby had a heap of gold and pearls, yet he came like a beggar on to this earth.
It is not for nothing he came in such a disguise.
This dear little naked mendicant pretends to be utterly helpless, so that he may beg for mother’s wealth of love.
Baby was so free from every tie in the land of the tiny crescent moon.
It was not for nothing he gave up his freedom.
He knows that there is room for endless joy in mother’s little corner of a heart, and it is sweeter far than liberty to be caught and pressed in her dear arms.
Baby never knew how to cry.
He dwelt in the land of perfect bliss.
It is not for nothing he has chosen to shed tears.
Though with the smile of his dear face he draws mother’s yearning heart to him, yet his little cries over tiny troubles weave the double bond of pity and love.
When I was a small kid, I was exposed to one of the greatest cons of transportation. On one of our trips, dad eager to show his son a beautiful sunrise and also eager to see his son rise early, had lured an innocent me with the idea of a video coach. A small TV just behind the driver’s head is all you can expect at any video coach service. Like all disappointed kids I vowed to take a seat near the driver in any video coach I travelled by…ever. As I have travelled across the length and breadth of India on buses, I have figured out two empirical truths.
First, in every bus you’ll get a spurious cold drink seller and a chana/ chole masala seller and NEVER EVER will you watch a complete movie in a bus. Typically a movie starts as soon as the driver is in his seat and you’d miss half the movie by the time you get in. And the movie that starts after it, will never be completed by the time you get down. And just in case, you are lucky enough to be able to stay the entire time of the movie, you’ll fall asleep halfway for some reason or the other.
Though it’s fun to watch movies anywhere, it’s amazing to hear the comments getting passed as the movie progresses in a bus madly rushing on the highways across Karnataka. People here ACTUALLY watch the movies being played and kids from behind come across and sit on your lap or squeeze into your seat.
Bus journeys also make you stand face to face with one inevitable truth. Most of us consider these journeys as a necessary evil and we wish for the time when we would be able to hire a car and would book it in advance. A little bit of observation near the door will make you realize that a sizeable population of our country are yet to achieve the affluence to be able to buy even this bus ticket and are forced to travel on rooftops.
The humiliation in their eyes on being refused admission by the driver makes you feel small, really small.
Filed under: Quizzing — vinaybsubrahmanya @ 5:51 am Tags: Quizzing
Hey you all Quiz buffs, here is some good news. Karnataka Quiz Association si celebrating it’s 25th Anniversary this weekend with a quiz-festival titled ASKQANCE. There are nine quizzes scheduled over Saturday 28th June 2008 and Sunday 29 June 2008 ,and we’d love to have you take part.
Last Sunday, as I was returning from a quiz competation ( which is, by the way, very very (very) far from the limits of the city..) in a bus, I decided I would give my city a closer look than usual, instead of choosing the easier way of killing boredom, to sleep.
The city has become a big city now.. and I mean a BIG city.. the airport apparently looks marvellous ( I haven’t seen it yet, so the ‘apparently’ comes in). The roads are covered with what they call ‘luxury cars’ and huge malls and big branded stores and many many outlets of several kinds.. I’m impressed..
The city looks fancy and modishly illuminated with the neon (I guess) lights of the many many restaurants and malls and coffee bars and eat outs and every other kind of store or whatever, that I think I can’t even name. For a while, my thinking tube was switched on and I gave it a thought.. ‘Wow! My city is growing.. It has almost taken the shape of an ideal metropolitan.. Bengaluru is growing rich’.. This thought stayed on my mind all along the way till I reached the Hebbal Flyover junction.
Here, I saw this young man with an orange coloured shirt ( I wouldn’t call it rugged, but by the look of it, it was a clear sign of poverty and helplessness) on the other side of the road.. The bus had stopped at a signal, so I had enough time to observe him. He followed a ‘routine’.. As the traffic stopped at the signal, this man would limp across the road to reach the nearest vehicle to hold his hand out for some cheap money. And then, when the traffic would start moving at the wave of the traffic police’s hand. This man would retire and stand aside to get some water to drink.. By the time the traffic stopped again, he would’ve finished two or three sips from his almost empty bottle and then he would get back to ‘work’.
Richness and poverty go so well together, eh? It’s a pity to see such imbalances, especially when they come to sight one after the other.
I went on with my ‘journey’.. As the bus goes into a lane (not away from the main road) I see a young chap talking to an old man.. This old man looked lost.. I don’t know what exactly had happened, but I could make out that there was something wrong with him. This young guy really wanted to help.. He was trying to get him to talk, patting him, assuring and re-assuring that he’d be alright.. The bus didn’t wait for me to see what that guy did to help this old man.. I really wanted to see..
Well, if richness and poverty are in a fix, goodness still exists.. there is hope still left that the world could really grow into a place of genuine goodness.. If they say, ‘money doesn’t matter’.. they should know, goodness does.
So, then we moved on.. My eyes fell on this wine shop (don’t ask me why).. And i noticed that there was a crowd around the stall- all of them, customers.. As I was wondering why so many people wanted their night to end with a bottle or two of wine (or whiskey or vodka or whatever) I noticed a short figure in the crowd.. It was a little boy standing at the stall.. Why would a little boy be anywhere around a wine shop? Not as a customer, I hoped. But, this kid walked out with a cold look at the world holding a whiskey bottle and slowly slipping it into his pocket.
What has the world come down to? Little kids turning out to be devotees of alcohol?And we talk about child rights, etc?
Was I thinking of the world in a different way till now? Was I turning my back to the paradox of life? Had it slipped my mind that it takes all kinds to make the world? Or, is it just that I did not grow up at all to understand these strange faces of the being?
I have no idea why this happened, today.. All these sights in one go… Can you answer? Do you think you can explain? I’d love it if you do..
Thanks..
This is an amazing story. This story shows that, even the biggest storm in your life can be a blessing in disguise. So, read on:
There was a mud statue of Buddha in a temple made of mud in a small village called Wangchuk in Thailand. Both, the statue and the temple were very brittle. So, the villagers took special care of the temple. One fine day, it started to rain very heavily along with a heavy storm continously for two days. The villagers lost all hope of the temple and the statue surviving. So, on the third day, they go to clear the debris. To, their amazement, they see a shining golden statue of Bhudda. To protect the statue from getting stolen, the workers and sculptors had covered the statue with mud. This story shows that, even the biggest storm in your life might unearth the hidden golden talent in you, which even we are not aware of. So, never ever give up in your life.
This was Lord Macaulay’s address to the British Parliament. This is exactly the reason why our education system is in shambles. The youngsters today are discarding the ancient wisdom passed on to us by our forefathers and instead are more inclined towards the so called “cool” western culture. And whats worse is that some of the so called secular parties celebrate Macaulay’s birthday every year hailing him as the father of modern Indian education. I’am not asking you to abandon english education and do some of the fanatical political groups do. But, atleast one can devote sometime everyday to study our ancient spiritual knowledge, so that the next generation is not at risk. I hope you take my words seriously.
Filed under: Uncategorized — vinaybsubrahmanya @ 8:09 am
Consider making this healthy choice …Stacks of studies confirm that a diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables and grains is your best bet for living a longer, healthier and more enjoyable life. There are literally hundreds of great reasons to switch to a plant-based diet; here are 22 of the best:
1. You’ll live a lot longer.
Vegetarians live about seven years longer, and vegans (who eat no animal products) about 15 years longer than meat eaters, according to a study from Loma Linda University. These findings are backed up by the China Health Project (the largest population study on diet and health to date), which found that Chinese people who eat the least amount of fat and animal products have the lowest risks of cancer, heart attack and other chronic degenerative diseases.
2. You’ll save your heart.
Cardiovascular disease is still the number one killer in the United States, and the standard American diet (SAD) that’s laden with saturated fat and cholesterol from meat and dairy is largely to blame. Plus, produce contains no saturated fat or cholesterol. Incidentally, cholesterol levels for vegetarians are 14 percent lower than meat eaters.
3. You can put more money in your mutual fund.
Replacing meat, chicken and fish with vegetables and fruits is estimated to cut food bills.
4. You’ll reduce your risk of cancer.
Studies done at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg suggest that this is because vegetarians’ immune systems are more effective in killing off tumour cells than meat eaters’. Studies have also found a plantbased diet helps protect against prostate, colon and skin cancers.
5. You’ll add color to your plate.
Meat, chicken and fish tend to come in boring shades of brown and beige, but fruits and vegetables come in all colours of the rainbow. Diseasefighting phytochemicals are responsible for giving produce their rich, varied hues. So cooking by colour is a good way to ensure you re eating a variety of naturally occurring substances that boost immunity and prevent a range of illnesses.
6. You’ll fit into your old jeans.
On average, vegetarians are slimmer than meat eaters, and when we diet, we keep the weight off up to seven years longer. That’s because diets that are higher in vegetable proteins are much lower in fat and calories than the SAD. Vegetarians are also less likely to fall victim to weight-related disorders like heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
7. You’ll give your body a spring cleaning.
Giving up meat helps purge the body of toxins (pesticides, environmental pollutants, preservatives) that overload our systems and cause illness. When people begin formal detoxification programs, their first step is to replace meats and dairy products with fruits and vegetables and juices.
8. You’ll make a strong political statement.
It’s a wonderful thing to be able to finish a delicious meal, knowing that no beings have suffered to make it..
9. Your meals will taste delicious.
Vegetables are endlessly interesting to cook and a joy to eat. It’s an ever-changing parade of flavours and colors and textures and tastes.
10. You’ll help reduce waste and air pollution.
Livestock farms creates phenomenal amounts of waste. The tons of manure, a substance that’s rated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a top pollutants. And that’s not even counting the methane gas released by goats, pigs and poultry (which contributes to the greenhouse effect); the ammonia gases from urine; poison gases that emanate from manure lagoons; toxic chemicals from pesticides; and exhaust from farm equipment used to raise feed for animals.
11. Your bones will last longer.
The average bone loss for a vegetarian woman at age 65 is 18 percent; for non-vegetarian women, it’s double that. Researchers attribute this to the consumption of excess protein. Excess protein interferes with the absorption and retention of calcium and actually prompts the body to excrete calcium, laying the ground for the brittle bone disease osteoporosis. Animal proteins, including milk, make the blood acidic, and to balance that condition, the body pulls calcium from bones. So rather than rely on milk for calcium, vegetarians turn to dark green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli and legumes, which, calorie for calorie, are superior sources.
12. You’ll help reduce famine.
It takes 15 pounds of feed to get one pound of meat. But if the grain were given directly to people, there’d be enough food to feed the entire planet. In addition, using land for animal agriculture is inefficient in terms of maximizing food production. According to the journal Soil and Water, one acre of land could produce 50,000 pounds of tomatoes, 40,000 pounds of potatoes, 30,000 pounds of carrots or just 250 pounds of beef.
13. You’ll avoid toxic chemicals.
The EPA estimates that nearly 95 per cent of pesticide residue in our diet comes from meat, fish and dairy products. Fish, in particular, contain carcinogens (PCBs, DDT) and heavy metals (mercury, arsenic; lead, cadmium) that cannot be removed through cooking or freezing. Meat and dairy products are also laced with steroids and hormones.
14. You’ll protect yourself from foodborne illnesses.
According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest in the US, which has stringent food standards, 25 per cent of all chicken sold in the United States carries salmonella bacteria and, the CDC estimates, 70 percent to 90 percent of chickens contain the bacteria campy-lobacter (some strains of which are antibiotic-resistant), approximately 5 percent of cows carry the lethal strain of E. coli O157:H7 (which causes virulent diseases and death), and 30 percent of pigs slaughtered each year for food are infected with toxoplasmosis (caused by parasites).
15. You may get rid of your back problems.
Back pain appears to begin, not in the back, but in the arteries. The degeneration of discs, for instance, which leads to nerves being pinched, starts with the arteries leading to the back. Eating a plant-based diet keeps these arteries clear of cholesterol-causing blockages to help maintain a healthy back.
16.You’ll be more ‘regular.’
Eating a lot of vegetables necessarily means consuming fiber, which pushes waste out of the body. Meat contains no fibre. Studies done at Harvard and Brigham Women’s Hospital found that people who ate a high-fiber diet had a 42 percent lower risk of diverticulitis. People who eat lower on the food chain also tend to have fewer incidences of constipation, hemorrhoids and spastic colon.
17. You’ll cool those hot flashes.
Plants, grains and legumes contain phytoestrogens that are believed to balance fluctuating hormones, so vegetarian women tend to go through menopause with fewer complaints of sleep problems, hot flashes, fatigue, mood swings, weight gain, depression and a diminished sex drive.
18. You’ll help to bring down the national debt.
We spend large amounts annually to treat the heart disease, cancer, obesity, and food poisoning that are byproducts of a diet heavy on animal products.
19. You’ll preserve our fish population.
Because of our voracious appetite for fish, 39 per cent of the oceans’ fish species are overharvested, and the Food & Agriculture Organization reports that 11 of 15 of the world’s major fishing grounds have become depleted.
20.You’ll help protect the purity of water.
It takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of mutton, but just 25 gallons of water to produce a pound of wheat. Not only is this wasteful, but it contributes to rampant water pollution.
21. You’ll provide a great role model for your kids.
If you set a good example and feed your children good food, chances are they’ll live a longer and healthier life. You’re also providing a market for vegetarian products and making it more likely that they’ll be available for the children.
22. Going vegetarian is easy!
Vegetarian cooking has never been so simple. We live in a country that has been vegetarian by default. Our traditional dishes are loaded with the goodness of vegetarian food. Switching over it very simple indeed.
If you are still not convinced, please watch this video.
Disclaimer: Please do not watch it if you are weak hearted
