The World is passing through a Critical phrase, though not an absolutely hopeless phase. Religious Fanatism is ruling the roust. Multinationals want to destabilise the Governments of the Countries in which they do their business. NAME='GODGIVENGENETICMANMADE'>GOD GIVEN, GENETIC MAN MADE
I read in some palmistry book that left hand is God given. Right hand is man made.(May be because most people work with right hand). Let it be aside.
What we inherit genetically from our forefathers/mothers/uncles/aunts (apart from external possessions such as bank balance, houses) should be more relevant than what is God Given. Let us take the beauty of a hollywood star. What portion of her beauty is God Given? What portion is genetic? What is her own made? What is the role of a beauty clinic?
ANGER AND SELFISHNESS - CONTROL
A person gets angry from two sources. 1. Internal stimulii. Eg. Failure to fulfil one's own ambitions, desires, goals owing to internal inconsistencies and weaknesses and external environmental reasons. 2. External Stimulii - such as somebody hurting ego or personality. Thus anger can be even for genuine reasons which are justifiable or for vanity reasons. Suppressing anger (where it is for genuine reasons) can lead to psychological/psychiatric disorders. In today's society, it is becoming increasingly necessary to suppress anger for business reasons, social reasons and Governmental reasons. Even the ancient society advocated suppression of anger. I feel that wherever possible, we should express our natural anger and not be artificially peaceful.
A boy bought in the street a poster containing a daily prayer. It has no printer's name or any indication of any copyright.
The poster has a photo of a child kneeling. The prayer is good. It has a title 'DAILY TRIFLE'.
'Oh God, help me that
1. I get no ANGRY (Capitals - sic)
2. I stay blissful, calm and happy
3. I get strength to raise mind high above daily
trifles
4. I get energy to surrender myself to thy will
with love
5. I do all actions correctly without thinking of
FRUIT. (Capitals - sic). '
A child or an adolescent or an oldman may, perhaps, accept the prayer 'as it is' and adopt it as a daily ritual to recite.
Youth may probably examine some of the sentences for their practicalities. 'GET NO ANGRY' is something difficult or less functional. There may be situations where a person may have to be really angry or at least pretend to be angry.
STORY
A cobra bit a sage. The sage instead of dieing laughed at the snake. He caught the snake at its hood and advised him calmly to stop biting people.
The snake took him SERIOUSLY and stopped biting people. People in turn started beating it or scolding it, as it was harmless.
It could not procure its food and started becoming lean.
One day the sage came again on the same path and found the cobra in a weak condition. He could guess the reason for its condition. The sage advised the cobra: 'I have asked you not to bite people. Did I ask you not to hiss or freighten people by making sounds?'
The cobra started hissing and regained a part of its lost power. Sometimes even hissing may become excessive and unless the snake bites nobody may bother. Sometimes, it may be better for a weak person not to be angry.
WORKING WITHOUT THINKING OF FRUIT
=================================
Many philosophical texts like ' target='_blank'>Bhagavad Gita advocate this nonchalance for the outcome of efforts. Will it be really possible?
It is like expecting businesses to work like philonthropic organisations without aiming at profit. That is the essence of all human activity.
Maximum what we can deduce from the prayer is, if we concentrate more on the fruit, we may forget about watering and nursing the plant.
STORY
An 80 years oldman was planting a mango tree beside a forestpath. Emperor Babr was passing through the place riding on a horse. He was happy with the oldman planting the mango plant and queried:
'Ae! Do you think you will be alive to enjoy the fruits of this mango plant?'
Old man: 'If our forefathers thought in the same manner, would he have any mangoes to eat?'
Immensely pleased, the Emperor threw at him a bag of gold.
Old man: 'Normally mango plants take years to give fruits. But during the Babr Padusha's rule, they yield fruits the moment they are planted. (Referring to the gold bag).
The Emperor threw at him two gold bags this time.
The old man giggled. 'Normally mango plants give one crop in a year. During the Babr Padusha's reign, they give two crops.'
Now, Babr found that he did not bring sufficient number of gold bags. He gave his ring to the old man and asked him to come to the Fort to collect the gift.
This story is from an old Telugu film titled 'Tenali Ramakrishna'. The old man was Tenali Rama himself. The poet's role was played by Shri Akkineni Nageswara Rao, renowned actor.
CERTAINTIES AND UNCERTAINTIES
Most of us abhor uncertainties and risks arising therefrom. Insurance Companies cover some risks and earn premium from indemnifying (making good the loss of somebody).
Human life is uncertain viewed from a Puritan base. But insurance Companies arrive at some amount of certainty by making actuarial scientific calculations (using statistics and averages) and undertake the risk, by spreading it across customers.
Pakistan Information and Broadcasting Minister announced that Musharaff will be elected as President of Pakistan for the second time in October 2007. Now let us the certainties and uncertainties in it. Army Generals capturing power through coups, never vacate it till their death. It is a certainty. In Pakistan, a functionary can lose power, before the plane in which he is travelling, is allowed to land in the airport. In Africa, S. America, Oceania, W. Asia, S.E. Asia, any ruler may lose his power while on a tour abroad (eg. Thailand in 2006).
Thus certainties and uncertainties coexist everywhere.
This applies to what is permanent and what is temporary.
Real Estate Companies present everything as permanent and permanently growing. Yogis present everything as transient and illusory. Then what is really real and what is illusorily real and what is really illusory and what is illusorily illusive?
These are what are called "dvamdvams" in Hindu philosophy. Two opposite states of mind, things, beings, etc. existing simultaneously and exerting their influence on us is "dvamdvam". The effect of one may be intense for sometime followed by the other. This cycle continues. Eg. heat, cold, heat, cold cycle. happiness, sorrow, happiness, sorrow cycle.
Some persons may feel not only totally exhausted after sex and suddenly a sense of ephemerality may come to mind, particularly when there is a problem of premature ejaculation.
Ultimately, everything boils down to adjustment with life.
MARITAL RELATIONS
>WIFE'S ROLE
This analysis compares two writers.
1. Francis Bacon: 1561 - 1626, English essayist.
QUOTE:
Wives are young men's mistresses; companions for middle age, and old men's nurses.
2. Baddena, a Telugu poet, died 1260 A.D.
MULTIPLE ROLE OF WIFE
1. A servant maid while working; 2. A nymph and sweetheart during intercourse; 3. A minister and adviser in plans and strategies; 4. Mother while feeding.
Though Baddena identifies four roles, essentially Baddena and Bacon portrayed similar roles.
So far so good, optimistically.
The real question is every home has a varying mix and weights for different functions.
Two extreme examples:
First: Mistress : 70%, Minister and adviser : 20%, Mother 5%, Maid 5% (probably during early days of marriage).
Second: Servant maid 70%, Mother 20%, Nymph 5%, Minister and adviser NIL. (As the marriage progresses).
ARTHA NARIISVARA - FIFTY MAN FIFTY WOMAN
In this concept, wife is vertically the left half of the body of the husband. Indian musical theatre shows this concept in a beautiul choreographical arrangement, to enable even lay persons understand it better. If there is another woman in the life of man, she will be on the head of the husband.
In ancient India woman was never hidden behind curtains or under a veil. This hiding started after external invaders from Central Asia started kidnapping Indian women brutally. The heinous practice of Sati (Immolation of wife in the funeral pyre of the husband was also an offshoot of the external invasions).
Due to this symbyotic and synergic relationships between the husband and wife, marrital relationships last long, albeit sometimes without emotional unity. But there will be some equilibrium.
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pani ceeyun ed`ala daasi yu,
anubhavamu na rambha, mamtri aaloocana lan,
tana bhukti ed`ala talliyu,
nan tana kula kaamta umd`u nagu raa Sumatii !! 71
pani = work; ceeyu = doing, working; ed`ala = at the time of ; daasi = servant maid; anubhavamu na = experience of intercourse; rambha = name of a heavenly nymph; mamtri = minister and adviser; aaloocana = thought, plan, strategy; tana = one's own; bhukti = feeding, food; ed`ala = in the case of ; talli = mother; kula kaamta = wife;
umd`u = stays, functions; agu = will be.
MEDITATIONS
What is meditation?
--Contemplation about something serious.
==Dictionary.com recognizes the religious and
philosophical aspects of meditation.
==Meditation should have nothing to do with religion. A cat before pouncing on its target will be closely watching it, often with half closed eyes. We may think, it is meditating. At the opportune moment it leaps on its prey.
What is transcendental?
--Transcending is just moving from one level to another level.
Ascend - move up
descend - move down
--Transcending can be material, mental, physical or anything.
--Religious men claimed that this movement is mental.
==Dictionaries and encyclopaedae seem to have been heavily impressed by the spiritual and supernatural/superhuman descriptions and definitions made by God persons and preachers.
What is Transcendental Meditation?
Belief that people transcend from one mental level to another mental level, while meditating.
-- exaggerated and hectic claims of
intuitive and superhuman experiences.
-- Far from truth.
Are there no benefits of meditation?
We have to appreciate the numerous limitations of meditation (s). It is not a panacea.
The basic benefit we get from meditation is ability to concentrate on our tasks and perform better.
Stress relief is doubtful.
Is there no transcendence?
Transcendence takes place everyday consciously or unconsciously without meditation. Meditation is just a tool; not a super tool.
A forest-dweller, does he undergo transcendence?
ha haa! Certainly. Unless he is a hunter, no animal will be afraid of him. He will not be afraid of any animal (except some instinctive fears).
EDMUND BERKE'S PHILOSOPHY
Context
July 9, death anniversary of Edmund Burke, British philosopher and politician. 1729 - 1797.
Contemporary of Samuel Johnson and Oliver Goldsmith.
Burke's life
>
-- Supported American Freedom Movement.
-- Stoutly opposed French Revolution.
==Predicted arson, chaos and ultimate
ruin of the French revolution.
==His words came true.
-- Supported the king.
-- Supported 'representative democracy'.
== Did not agree with the idea that the
elected representative should be obliged
to his constituency and protect its
interests.
TYRANNIES
How does INTERNAL TYRANNY work?
1. State suppresses the rights of its citizens through the Police, Intelligence and the Army.
2. State enforces draconian laws.
3. Extreme levels of surveillance and reconnaisance.
4. Undue Restrictions on media.
5. Restrictions on movements of citizens.
6. Threat to SECURITY OF THE STATE.
Excuses a) Terrorism.
Today citizens in most countries experience the internal tyranny. Even democracies are gradually turning into INTERNAL TYRANNIES.
How does EXTERNAL TYRANNY work?
Tyranny initiated by external invaders.
1. DIRECT INVADERS.
Happens in colonies.
2. INDIRECT INVADERS
Happens through weak allied and stooge Governments.
How does financial tyranny take place?
Some MNCs undertake INDIRECT EXTERNAL TYRANNY
by instigating the INTERNAL TYRANNY of despots. This we can call
FINANCIAL TYRANNY.
What type of tyranny, the WTO is notorious for?
W.T.O. may indulge in TRADE TYRANNY in the name of promoting OPEN TRADE.
FINANCIAL TYRANNY can take place in the guise of protecting INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY RIGHTS.
What type of the tyranny the World Bank is notorious for?
World Bank may indulge in LENDOR TYRANNY in the guise of promoting BORROWER
FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE.
How does a FAMILY TYRANNY arise?
One partner suppresses the other. It can be a male or female, but often male.
What is NEIGHBORHOOD TYRANNY?
Neighbors make their own laws and enforce on all houses in the vicinity.
What could a SCHOOL TYRANNY denote?
Schools can be tyrannical in three ways.
Tyrannical to children by imposing extremities of discipline;
-- to parents by extorting exhorbitant fees and collecting fines;
-- to teachers by treating them as beggars.
What could a TEACHER TYRANNY denote?
Teachers can be tyrannical in two ways
-- make life unbearable for the child;
-- unbearable for the parents, by calling for frequent discussions.
INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY VS NATIONAL SECURITY
Some countries have enacted draconian statutes to safeguard against global terrorism. The provisions of the protective legislation sometimes allows Government Officials to peep through the privacy of citizens, to arrest citizens without warrants, exempt the police from producing the arrested persons in a court of law.
One critic questioned, quoting Benjamin Franklin: 'Those who would sacrifice Liberty for Security deserve neither."
There are numerous instances in history of rulers of countries in search of security entering into ignominous agreements with parties which promised security. The rulers paid huge price in terms of both money and obligations to satisfy the conditions imposed by the protectors.
The best example of people losing liberty in exchange for a promise of security, can be seen in RELIGION. People surrender themselves to the priests and the relgious authorities and undertake numerous obligations, just to get a safe place in heaven.
Billioneers spending a part of their treasure for creating TRUSTS OF CHARITY, when they have entered the phase of Sunset in their lives may also fall under this category. Strange that they spend all their lives in working out cunning plans and cause suffering to millions of people, with the sole object of making millions. At the fag end, abruptly they find that there is a need for security after death.
INVOLUNTARY UNEMPLOYMENT
AREA
ISSUES
COMMENTS
Involuntary Unemployment
Teaching fish may not always work, when compared to giving bread. For example, there are a number of bloggers and writers who are adept in writing blogs and publicising them. Yet, they are not succeeding because, there is a surfeit of blogs - About 200,000 are written everyday. Who will read all these and click the adsense.
Where there is excess supply of labour, there will be involuntary unemployment. Though a person has an intense desire to work he may not get one.
In one blog here, I found that the girl has a full time job, a part time job and in fact has no spare time. Yet, she toils to earn USD 3 or 4 per day by freelance writing, to reduce her debt burden by that much. One day, if she is tired, what she will do? One day if she loses her full time/part time job what she will do?
Another phenomenon, I observe is, when the age advances, people tend to become unemployables. Then what they have to do?
BAD GUYS AND GOOD GUYS
There are no definitions of 'a bad guy' and 'a good guy'. There are only images and impressions. The word 'bad' has 627million pages in a Google Search. The word 'good' has 2.1 billion pages. The words have been extensively and globally used. Difficult to say that the words have been misused. Today, life becomes difficult without use of adjectives.
When people call persons as bad or good, it is as per their perceptions based on their past feelings, habits, and values. Ceiving takes place often objectively, sometimes subjectively. The objects and objectives also vary. Just as beauty is skin deep, badness and goodness can also be skin deep.
We get from English literature, and literature of thousands of languages and hundreds of countries and civilisations, numerous historical, mythical, real life stories.
Appearances can be deceptive. Daughters of King Lear (Shakespeare) can be taken as example.
The dirty looking, tattooed, filthy language using guy, may, when an occasion arises prove himself to be a lovable darling and vice versa. Then again, a question arises? What is the common experience which majority of people go through with a 'bad guy looking guy'. May be a bad experience.
A decently dressed, talking guy may end up to be a cruel, sadist creature. It is how some marital relationships get broken when the true personality of the decently appearing bad guy goes on a binge or rampage.
Thus we get a four-faceted graphic picture of bad guys and good guys.
CONTINUING EDUCATION DILEMMASWe come across three types of people.
1. Those who study till they get a degree just adequate to secure a job. Thereafter, they study nothing formally in Universities. They also do not read anything pertaining to their profession or not pertaining to their profession.
2. Those who go on getting degrees either in full time mode or in distance education mode. After obtaining a degree, they stop reading the particular subject.
3. Those who go on reading and studying everything both pertaining to their job/occupation/profession and much more beyond that. But they do not get any University certification, though they have oceans of knowledge. Their knowledge may or may not help them in upward movement in their profession.
A person has to analyse for himself in which category he falls. Studying for certification/examinations may remove the pleasure from the reading/studying. For some others, it may be a motivator; else, they would have preferred to sit and watch TV or spend time aimlessly.
NERO - JANAKA
June 9. Death of Nero,the Roman Emperor who died in 68 AD. There is one similarity between Nero and Janaka, the Indian King of the Mithila. Both were non-chalant when their Capital Cities were burning.
Nero is a historical personality, an Emperor of Rome.
Janaka is a mythical king found in Indian Epics.
NERO
Nero, according to popular belief was fiddling, when Rome was burning.
Nero's playing with fiddle cannot be true, as fiddle was not invented by that time.
(According to violinmp3.com , 950 AD North Indian stringed instrument was mother of Rebec which became popular in Arabia in 14th Century. It led to the renaissance fiddle.
According to www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/nero there are two accounts.
1. Nero was singing 'Sack of Ilium' a Greak epic song, in his costume settings. He was using a lyre.
or
2. Nero was not in Rome at that time. He was vacationing at his native Antium. Hearing of the tragedy, he returned to Rome and organised rescue operations.
If the first account is believed (singing with lyre), he may be taken to be mad or fiend. Or his act may be worthy of condemnation.
If the second account is to be believed, he was a sensible emperor, at least in respect of rescue operations.
JANAKA
Janaka is portrayed by Hindu epic Ramayan`a, Bhagavata Purana and Bhagavat Gita as a Karma Yogi, a man of steady wisdom, unperturbed both by happy events and sad events.
The culminating test for this capability of balance of mind is the incident of burning of Mithila. The persons around him flatter him as a great sage, instead of advising or requesting him to order rescue operations.
Doing one's own duty even under trying circumstances is a virtue. How ignoring a catastrophe can be acclaimed as a 'great balanced mind'?
IS JANAKA A REAL CHARACTER?
Janaka may be an imaginary character or a position as the ruler of the city Mithila.
Since Ramayana is believed to have taken place at least 500 years earlier than Maha Bharata, the Krishna of Bhagavata, the existence of Janaka in both the periods becomes questionable.
Even if we take the chronology of 'yugas (ages)' given in the scriptures Ramayana took place during Treetaa Yuga at least least 500,000 years ahead of Maha Bhaarata which relates to Dvaapara Yuga.
SUMMARY
Having a balance of mind both during moments of pleasure and grief, may be a positive trait for peace of mind. Can it be extended to levels of stupidity?
CHILD NAMES
In the Euramstranz (Europe, N America, Australia and New Zealand) there is apparently a shortage of first and middle names. Consequently, we find millions of people possessing the same first/middle names.
What are the disadvantages of having few names available for christening children?
1. Limited choice.
2. Confusion to teachers while calling children.
3. Confusion among children while responding.
4. Lack of freshness.
5. Confusion for the Government in preparing voters' lists and citizens' registers.
If new names are to be searched and added what types of names we may add?
1. Secular (irreligious) names as far as possible.
2. Easy pronunciation
3. Meaningful names
4. Without bizarre or ugly meanings.
Will foreign names not be bizarre?
English language as a lingua franca (universal language) imported thousands of words from foreign languages, including non-European languages.
Initially names from foreign languages may appear to be strange. But people get accustomed.
What are the difficulties in naming babies after leaders, sports persons and stars>
1. After the Bolshavik revolution, many people named their children as 'Lenin, Stalin, Marx'. After the collapse of Sovient Union, people carrying the names might have felt uncomfortable.
2. Children named after film stars and cricketers may face social ostracism if those stars become bankrupt or get involved in crimes.
3. If children named after great leaders become criminals, it becomes unbearable.
What awkwardness meaningful names can cause?
1. A girl named 'Lakshmi' (Goddess of wealth) may end up as a bigger.
2. A man named 'Vivek' (Wisdom) may die of drug poisoning.
Should we name children 'Kiki' (some meaningless sound)?
That will be more awkward.
Should babies be given citizen numbers lasting a life time?
1. Last four digits or three digits of the numbers can be used for calling.
2. The number will be absolutely unique.
FOOTWEAR SELLERS
FOOTWEAR MARKETING
A footwear Company which has branches all over the country and has international presence offered following guarantee for manufacturing defects in the footwear sold by it.
Compensation
Upto 15 days 10%
From 16 to 30 days 75%
From 31 to 60 days 50%
From 61 to 75 days 25%
Beyond 75 days nil
This Company speaks of stringent quality controls and claims that among millions of pairs, there may be one pair with defects. The Company holds ISO 9001 certification.
If the claim of the Company that there may be only one defective pair in millions, why it should hesitate to guarantee the footwear for six months? By restricting itself to guarantee them only upto 75 days, the Company is giving an indirect indication that the shoes may not last on the 76th day.
Could NOT this ISO 9001 Company with stringent quality controls rise upto 180 days in protecting the consumer? Anyway its loss will arise only for one pair in millions.
POSITION IN USA and the WORLD
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A letter posted in 2003 at Complaints.Com on the net indicated that she purchased X brand of shoes at a cost of USD 54/- and for over a month she was unable to contact the manufacturer. It is not clear whether her grievance was redressed or not.
HONORARY DOCTORATES CONFERRED BY UNIVERSITIES IN INDIA
Andhra University is a Great University of Great Fame and Great History. It was headed by philosophical giants like Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. With this glorious history, we cannot say that the University Administration consisting of a Syndicate and Senate having great men as members does not know the meaning of a University, its goals and purposes.
Unbefitting of its stature, this University has decided to confer honorary Doctorates on commercial film heros who dance to the tunes of obscene songs, speak vulgar dialogs, manipulate distribution networks and collect millions just for shaking their body. What the people learn from their films is: 'how to steal, rob, murder and indulge in mindless violence'. It is not art, deserving honor of an honorary doctorate.
Of course, the Andhra University can always try to cover itself by declaring that they are not the first or the only University in the country to confer honorary doctorates on film heros. Delhi University which is in the country's Capital is there to set example by conferring Doctorates on film heros.
If illiterates and semi literates believe that it is the Film Heros who will lead them and show the direction to the Society and become fans of the film stars, their ignorance can be overlooked. How can a University fall in this ditch? Did Mr. Arjun Singh, the Union Human Resource Development Minister, who is notorious for his reservations craze has brought out any ordinance introducing 33% reservations to film stars? Conferring honorary degrees compulsorily every year to film stars, seems to be an All India disease like Dengue and Chikun Gunya. For the epidemics and endemics suffered by common people there may be vaccines. No vaccines for diseases suffered by the all knowing Universities!
FUTURE OF CONGRESS IN BENGAL
FUTURE OF CONGRESS IN BENGAL
Mr. Pranab Mukherjee is the Leader of the House in Lok Sabha. He is Defence Minister. He is the President of Bengal Congress Committee. He is the chairman of the Special Congress Committee on Telangana.
His recent resignation as the President of Bengal Congress and its non-acceptance by Ms Sonia Gandhi is a fiasco. His accepting moral responsibility for the poor performance of Congress in Bengal makes little meaning because he is riding too many horses nowhere. An octogenarian, who does not have a mass base in the people, a member of RS for three decades, getting elected to Lok Sabha for the first time all these clearly indicate that he is only a courtier and not an organisation builder.
Mr. Pranab Mukherjee's role can be compared to that of Polonius in the Shakespeares's Shakespeare drama HAMLET. Polonius in the drama hanged around the villainous king Claudius, flattering and doing rounds of an errand boy, till he while eavesdropping, was killed by Hamlet.
The Congress also seems to be resigned to the system of accepting minor partnerships in States overtly or covertly, in exchange for support at Centre. In Bengal, the campaign of the Congress was hence only a token. With Buddhadeb Bhattacharya falling in line with the economic policies of the Congress clamouring for industries and the World Bank loans not much difference is left between the Congress and the CPM.
Rebuilding Congress from grassroots in Bengal is not possible for Sonia or her nominees. Besides, her hands are full with the insurmountable task of nursing Congress in UP. In the circumstances, her choosing to continue the Bengali Polonius as the Lord of West Bengal is only perfunctory.
If this is the way in which she runs the Congress Party of 125 years of which at least 50 years has glorious past, the inglorious end of the Party will not be far away.
INCOME AND WEALTH DISPARITIES
Indian media competed with one another to celebrate the declaration of Mr. Mukhesh Ambani is the richest person of India. What is there to celebrate? In India 50% of the population struggles to earn two square meals a day (or at least $2).
India received international acclaim, fame and recognition as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Obtaining a birth certificate, life certificate, and death certificate in this country is nearly impossible without paying a bribe even for a Municipal Commissioner. If that is the prevailing situation, how can a business family earn billions of Dollars in India without being caught or questioned by anybody. The bribing can be self-propelled overzealous type to get things done, or a routine type just as a cow is made to graze in a meadow, or a coerced type. Whatever type it is, it will be fair for Mr. Mukhesh Ambani and his Management Team to emerge brighter and cleaner by disclosing or at least leaking out from time to time the names of the politicians/bureaucrats who are receiving their largesse and in reciprocation turning out to be their benefactors.
A business quotation from Mr. Mukhesh Ambani (kind courtesy: woopidoo.com ).
We call it infectious impatience. That's his hallmark and we are trying to inculcate it in the entire organization. Infectious impatience. So that things not only get done but get done in double quick time . Emphasis is this blogwriter's.
His concern for high and double quick speed is praiseworthy.
People respect a rich person out of fear or hope of some favour. There can be no satisfaction in possessing prosperity of such type. Industrialists in India can have greater peace of mind and self respect by disclosing openly (or at least leaking out to media) the names of the corrupt officials/politicians to whom they are forced to pay bribes). In the long run, the industrialists will also benefit, because they can function with gusto in a corruption free environment.
POLITICS, RELIGION AND SEX: Why etiquette shuns?
An etiquette web site has been found to be advising its trainees not to discuss politics, religion and sex. According to them, 'weather condition' is the best suggested opening, as it makes the listener comfortable.
'Don't discuss politics, religion, sex' recitation has arisen probably because people are fed up of the politics, religion and sex.
Or probably because, discusssion of these subjects resulted in heated inconclusive arguments.
Or because, these subjects lead to personally irksome questions requiring some self-regulation and soul searching.
Or because the trainers felt that if people discuss PRS without bounds, they neglect acquiring and using livelihood skills; then their families would suffer.
This abhorrence of PRS may not be a newly germinated sapling of today. In 1774, Oliver Goldsmith presented his play 'She stoops to conquer'. The heroine's father Mr. Hardcastle was a squire. He was awaiting the arrival of the proposed groom for his daughter, to arrive from London. The youth and his friend arrived, but they were misled to believe that the Hardcastle's was an inn and mistook Mr. Hardcastle to be an inn-keeper. Hardcastle also acted like an inn-keeper. His dialog:-
'I fretted myself about the mistakes of the Government, like other people, but finding myself everyday grow more angry and the Government growing no better, I left it to mend itself. Since that, I no more trouble my head about Hyder Ally, or Ally Cawn, than about Ally Croker. Sir, my service to you ....'
Baiting Bush or Clinton or XYZ makes little difference. The Governments are incorrigible. The same applies to religions also. They refuse to correct themselves. The only thing that remains is 'sex'. There is already a downpour of it in the net.
Now see the graph:
PERSONAL DECISION MAKING - DECISION IMPLICATION GRAPH
Decision making involves choosing among available alternatives. If there are only two choices, which are like devil and deep sea, a dilemma arises. We can minimise dilemmas by exploring and identifying more alternatives.
Decision-making have implications. No impact or result is also one implication.
Short term decisions have not only short term implications, but also long term implications.
Long term decisions have not only long term implications, but also short term implications.
Pl. see the graph:
Example:
'In the moment of passion, fortune may be despised, but it ever produces a lasting repentance.'
-- Oliver Goldsmith, English dramatist (1728-74).
in his play 'She stoops to conquer'.
Spoken by : Character Miss Neville Constance.
Spoken to: her lover Hastings.
Occasion: Hastings proposed to her to elope with him, leaving the
fortune which she should get from her villainous aunt. It was
in the form of jewellery.
The decision involved here is a long term decision with both short term and long term implications. Short term implication: Bliss. Long term implication: Loss of jewellery, which may result in life time repentance.
Decision: Miss Neville persuaded her lover to wait, as she preferred to approach the elders for redressal of their grievances. Fortunately the elders permit them to marry and also ask the villainous aunt to return the jewellery.
Comment: Timing of a decision is very important.
MOTHER'S LOVE
Ramayana, the ancient Sanskrit of India laid great emphasis on the greatness of the mother and the motherland. According to them they are greater than the heaven itself.
'Jananii janmabhuumischa svargaadapii gariiyasi'
Janani = mother.
Janmabhuumi = motherland
svargaad = than heaven
api = also
gariiyasi = greater.
However, Marxists believe that all relations in this world are economic relations. Even a mother=daughter, mother-son relationship fall under the 'Economics' category.
OEDIPUS COMPLEX
---------------
Male child's unconscious desire for the exclusive love of his mother.
Sigmond Freud, the father of psychoanalysis stretched it, somewhat to an absurdity, stating that the desire includes jealousy towards the father and the unconscious wish for father's death.
Odipus killed his father Lailus and married his mother Jocasta.
PARASU RAAMA's love to his mother
---------------------------------
The mythical sage Parasurama killed his mother Renuka at the instance of his father Jamadagni. Later, when the father offers him to choose a gift, he asks for reviving his mother.
PANDAVAS' love to their mother Kunti
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Pandavas are five brothers. The middle one wins a princess Draupadi in a contest and presents her before their mother Kunti indicating that they brought a fruit. She advises the sons to share. All the five brothers, to honour their mother's word, marry one girl i.e. Draupadi.
GARUDA'S LOVE to his mother Vinata
----------------------------------
Garuda was son of Kashyapa and Vinata. Vinata and her son Garuda were enslaved by Kadruva another wife of Kashyapa. To relieve the mother from her slavery, Garuda fetched nectar from heaven and satisfies Kadruva's ransom.
VARIETIES OF LOVE
BRITTLE LOVE
Brittle love breaks at slightest provocation or suspicion.
DURABLE LOVE
Lasts long. Strengthens as time passes by.
PASSIONATE LOVE
More explicit. More intense. Like a fizzled drink may have to short a life or continual.
INTRINSIC SUBLIME LOVE
Continuous. Blooms on intellectual, moral and spiritual nourishment. Naturally durable.
PAINTING FOR MARKET; PAINTING FOR SOUL FULFILLMENT
Painting since centuries has passed through the dilemma, to paint for the market or for the soul fulfilment.
Painters like Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci have painted to satisfy their inner=selves. They became immortal.
Some painters may get their painting skills genetically. They learn quickly from the environment. Painting schools help in acquiring painting skills. What we get from the schools is technical perfection. For soul's fulfillment we have to work to our heart's content.
The key question is whether we paint for our selves or for our family, friends and neighbours or for the market. When we paint exclusively for ourselves, there should be no need for us to show it to anybody. Held close to the chest like a personal diary, our works will be available only after death. Our legal hairs may again preserve them as personal treasures or sell in the market, anyway that is not our concern after our death.
When a man is born, he is destined for consumption. Only mother's milk is free. Everything is to be bought, in early life by our parents and later by ourselves. Consequently, painting for the market becomes inevitable.
When we produce for the market, we have to satisfy its demands, some of which our conscience may revolt.
The picture above shows the position of most of us as painters, where we work both for the market as well as our self-actualisation.
On the X axis are producing for the market and painting for inner satisfaction at two ends. Though we can never rigidly argue that both will not meet, often they will not meet. A man who paints for the market loses some self-satisfaction.
On the Y axis, technical perfection and aesthetics are at the bottom. Reality and truth are on the top. Both beauty and facts rarely match. The market wants aesthetics and external features.
Even writers face the above dilemma - to write for the market or to write for the effervescence of inner self. This happens even for cookery recipes. What we cook with 10% concentration, if no body is going to eat, for whom is the cooking?
SUCCESSES AND FAILURES, DRUDGERY AND LAZINESS
LABYRINTHINE INTRICACIES OF SUCCESS AND FAILURE
'How to succeed in business without really trying' is a commonly searched item on net.
This question raises another: 'Will such success give satisfaction?'
A person who succeeds without real efforts, tend to become arrogant or parasitic. He cannot inspire others. He can mislead them.
The graphic depiction explains the success-effort relationship.
X axis : On the west is no effort. On the East is drudgery. Most of us have a central tendency i.e. moderate workers. With motivation, we make great efforts. In the absence of hygienic factors (Hertzberg coined he phrase) we do less effort. Never we prefer total laziness.
Y axis: The North is super success. The South is utter failure. Super success with little effort is the arrogance zone. Great success with great efforts is satisfaction zone.
The South is utter failure. Drudgery and utter failure combination can lead depression and suicides. No effort - failure (or no success / no failure) is not altogether bad for an individual. It may injure the society.
[Robert Browning's (1812-89) poem Andrea Del Sarto dealt with a painter's agony with successes and failures. Next blog will deal with similar issues.]
CONCEALMENT AND DISCLOSURE, TRUTH AND FALSE GRID
Sir Francis Bacon an Elizabethan essayist, lawyer, politician and friend of James I.
His essay 'On simulating, dissimulating' is the spur for this blog.
Humans wear socially acceptable masks. Sometimes, the masks may be very thick and nearly impenetrable. Sometimes they may be thin, onion peel-like.
Bacon propounded four classes of people. Apart from the antiquity of the Elizabethan language, the essay looked somewhat clumsy, required repeated reading. But it has great depth and the original is worth reading. The original is available on the net at hundreds of sites.
The grid drawn by this blogger shows the important terms:-
Y axis has 10% disclosures on the north and 10% concealment on the south. The 10% disclosing persons are wholly transparent, they have nothing to hide.
The 10% concealing persons have secret iron curtains. Even pentagon will not be so secretive.
X axis has 10% falsehood on the west and 10% truth on the east. Life becomes miserable for a person who wants to speak 10% truth today. 10% falsehood knocks out our self respect and self-confidence. May be found in some politicians.
Ordinary mortals like us tend to be occasionally revealing and occasionally concealing depending on moods and modes. Deliberate Machiavellian monstrous concealment we may not undertake.
Secretiveness and Openness need no explanation. Openness sometimes locks us in irrevocable commitments.
Simulation: Feigning, pretending false disclosures.
example: In the notorious Bofors gun purchase deal, the Indian Govt. feigned that there were no middlemen and there were no kick backs. The bluff did not last long.
Dissimulation or Dissembling : Disclosing very little, that too in a negative manner.
example: Q: Do you smoke?
A: I do not smoke cigars.
(The reply is silent about cigarettes. The dissimulating person smokes cigarettes, but does not reveal This is a partial negative disclosure.)
A person cannot always use only one tool. The essay indicates:
1. Use of openness and frankness in expressing opinions.
2. To maintain secrecy - while speaking about habits.
3. To use dissimulation when the situation demands.
4. To use simulation (give false info) when giving correct info. will explode.
This blogger's comment: Difficult to have any hard and fast rules. As far as possible, if we are true and open, we get our peace of mind. Those who know us will trust us. Others, if they hear about us will test us without our knowledge and start trusting us. In the meantime, there may be some mistrust.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN - DESERVED BETTER
Today: April 17. Death anniversary of Benjamin Franklin.
Though Benjamin Franklin was never a President of US , he had done to US more than what some of the US Presidents did despite having abundant Govt. apparatus and the approbation of people. He deserved better.
Had he been born in the next century (19th) he would have reached the zenith. His potential could not be fully utilised due to the peculiar circumstances prevailing in the 18th C. His age might have worked against him.
Today's media does not have much time, or rather it does not want to waste its resources on venerating a gone-by-generation man.
Freedom fighter
Signatory to all the three principal documents of the free USA.
1. The Declaration of Independence
2. The Treaty of Paris
3. United States Constitution.
Not a racialist
Far from being a racialist, he was found to be an abolitionist. He was President of Pennsylvania Abolition Society and he raised the cause of abolition of slavery in the House of Representatives in 1790 itself.
HIs contribution: A Plan for improving the condition of the Free Blacks.
His plan will be valid even today considering the media reports that 50% of the black youth fail to complete their school education and that some of them habitually go to jails.
Now, is everything bright on Benjamin Franklin?
While his autobiography had received alround praise, masters like Mark Twain and D H Lawrence had a few reservations and comments, notwithstanding Benjamin Franklin wrote an errata listing out his own omissions. The American Library Association has included The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin in the list of banned books for social reasons.
There is some haziness. (Base: courtesy: Wikipedia).
National Anthem
National Song
In the context of some sections of population refusing to sing the National Song 'Vande Mataram', the Deccan Chronicle (13.9.06) published on the first page a news item titled 'People cannot be forced to sing anthem'. It recalled a 1986 Supreme Court ruling in Biju, Binu Mole, Bindu Emmanuel Case. In the particular case, three school children belonging to a Christian Sect Jesuit Witnesses refused to sing the National Anthem. The school authorities suspended the children from the School. Kerala High Court upheld the Action. Supreme Court reversed the judgement, to protect the fundamental right of freedom of religion.
The idea behind digging out this 20 year old judgement seems to defend the refusal to sing National Song Vande Mataram in the light of the SC verdict that National Anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' cannot be forced to be sung. Where is the place for Vande Mataram?
With due respect to the Supreme Court which gave its judgement in 1986, I feel that the judgement needs a review, in the wake of changed national environment, fissiparal tendendcies and terrorism.
For a human being, human rights are supreme, trespassing national boundaries. No nation can take away the basic human rights, unless there is a great danger or grave threat.
Eg. Legalising confining of a human being in an isolated cell and forcing him to drink his own urine. This the State or the Judiciary or the Legislature cannot do.
Then we have the national duties, obligations to the motherland, which every citizen has to fulfil, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. As long as the Nation does not place undue and unreasonable obligations on a citizen, these are to be respected by the citizens.
Eg. Asking a citizen to pay 95% of his income/wealth as tax. This becomes unreasonable.
In the order of priorities, the role of religious freedom must be third. While the right of an individual to chose any religion or God is to be respected, the religion cannot place undue restrictions on the individual, which are not within its purview, within the meaning of 'religion'. If a religion unreasonably restricting an individual, it is violating his human rights. When the State itself cannot take away the human rights of people, how can the religion take away?
When a State is asking its citizens the Anthem and Song, it is not preventing/prohibiting individuals from praying their own Gods. The State is not stepping into the shoes of the religion.
Singing or not singing the National Anthem or National Song cannot be within the purview of religion. The Govt. should appoint a Commission to identify areas in which the religions are interfering into human rights of individuals and widen the scope of jurisdiction of the National Human Rights Commission to cover them.
Back to the case of Biju, Binu, Bindu the children though technically were guided by their guardians, the guardians themselves had been under the dominating influence of religion. The members of some religions and denominations have a reached a stage where they cannot think, speak and act freely as there is a lurking fear of excommunication or fatwa. Besides, ordinary citizens are illiterate and have no time to think about the intricacies of law and the conflicts between the State and the Religion. In the circumstances, it may be necessary for judiciary to go to the spirit of the Constitution and not to the literal interpretation of its Articles. The State must come to the aid of the innocent practitioners of religions and rescue them from unreasonable interference by the religions into private affairs of individuals.
If a religion prescribes that a person should not sing its National Anthem or the National Song, there must be something basically wrong in the approach of the administrators and interpretors of the tenets of the religion. Their motives in thinking always negatively, conflictingly are to be explored.
SONIA SHOULD READ AND SPEAK LIKE A NATIONAL LEADERAt the Naini CMs' Conference, the Congress President Ms Sonia Gandhi spoke about the safety of the Minorities, instead of about the safety of the people. She talked like a petty politician When terrorism explodes and violence erupts, all the people in the proximity die. Death lays its icy hands on its victims ignoring their caste and creed. It is foolish to believe that a Govt. can protect only a person belong to a minority community picking him among the crowd. According to Bhagavad Gita, soul is universal pervading all humans. Minority souls and majority souls are not separate. If Sonia fails to recognise this 'Universality', she will become only 'Sonya'. Her coming to India, and embracing Indian customs will become futile, if her 'I' is only on UP elections. She can win her elections in India, more comfortably if she becomes a statesperson and develop a macro-vision of human values, national values, and above all ethical values. For that, she must voraciously READ the works of writers like Bertrand Russel, George Bernard Shaw and Mahatma Gandhi. She should gradually free her tongue from her speech writers and wings from her coteries. People are to be motivated genuinely and not to be misled into trenches.
CPI AND CREAMY LAYER IN RESERVATIONS
CPI (Communist Party of India) is hasty in criticising the judgement of the Supreme Court supporting the concept of Creamy Layer in reservations. The Marxist philosophy is an 'Economic Philosophy' relating itself to the suffering of the poor and lowly paid workers. It has nothing to do with caste. Creamy layer in any caste are well to do families and enjoy some prestige and respect in the society.
Being born in a particular caste is accidental. Providing reservations on the basis of caste alone leads to more injustices. They take to a situation which will be worse than the atrocious caste system. Removing the creamy layer from their entitlement to reservations will improve the opportunities available to the poorer sections among the Reserved Categories.
Though raised earlier, the issue of deciding backwardness, poverty and eligibility for reservations on the basis of father/mother's profession, is being ignored time and again. Certain occupations such as scavengers, cobblers and tanners, beggars and pig rearers continue to be low paying and socially degrading. Their backwardness, poverty, and wretchedness are too obvious and crystal clear. They are forsaken by God of every religion. The demand made by the most suffering classes like 'Madigas' (chamars) for a priority classification within the Scheduled Castes arises and needs support in this context only.
Someday, every profession has to get delinked from birth and caste. Inheritance of profession, income and wealth from parents and dynasties have to go someday or the other. Can CPI do some rethinking?
CPIM AND CHINA
Mr. Sitaram Yechuri, Polit Bureau member of CPIM went on a picnic to China, the modern Mecca of Communism. (Earlier: Russia). He has a dream: 'India and China are not in an undue hurry to settle the issue of occupied territories.'
For any country, its territory will be the most valued possession. India lost Ladakh (one third of Kashmir) and NEFA (one third of Arunachal Pradesh) in 1962 to China which occupied them on a cold night, like the icy Goddess of Death. The then Chinese Premier Chou En Lai was a signatory to Panch Sheel at Bandung, propounded and propagated by Nehru. The Panch Sheel envisaged that Nations would settle all disputes by discussions and would not resort to wars. Chou En Lai broke his promise and trespassed into India. India lost thousands of its brave soldiers on the Indo China border operations. Their widows are still alive and their children are still living like paupers, albeit with glorious faces of being sons of martyrs. This is history.
China built the Karakarom Highway through Ladakh and Pak Occupied Kashmir to Pakistan. Hence, Chinese reticence to settle the issue of border is understandable. It is squating on Indian territory, and it will be irksome for it to discuss the question of settling and vacating.
Then, why India should not be interested to discuss the issue of border? Only Mr. Sitaram should explain.
China continues to show large parts of Arunachal Pradesh as its territory in their maps. Chinese goods are invading Indian Markets. Chinese textiles are wiping out the Indian textile industry both mechanised and handloom weaving. China is diverting the Brahmaputra waters into Tibet. This task when completed will leave India-Assam-West Bengal and Bangla Desh arid and desert-like. China does not support the Indian deserving cause of India's candidature for permanent membership of Security Council. (Decades back India foolishly supported the reinstatement of Mainland China in their permanent membership). What goodwill does China have towards India, except its eyes on Indian markets? Its Foreign Minister is again chanting the Panch Sheel which China threw in the Yangtze River in 1962. Will China invade India again?
CRITICISM AGAINST MAHATMA GANDHI CRITICISM AGAINST MAHATMA GANDHI
There are strong reasons to deduce that excessive prayers performed by Gandhiji, his using religious language and vocabulary and show of religious fervour raised suspicions in the minds of Jinnah and other Muslim leaders that, after independence, there will be a Hindu Government in India dominated by priests. The threat of an impending Hindu Raj, apparently forced the Jinnah & Co. to harden their postures. Gandhiji might be crystal clear and clean in his mind, but the Jinnah and Co's mind was polluted. Gandhiji with a view to attract the Muslim youth to the mainstream freedom movement, supported the Khilafat movement about the removal of Turkey's khalifa by the British invaders. This raised suspicions in the minds of the staunch Hinduist activists that Gandhiji was favouring Muslims. Had Gandhiji acted in strict secular - dictionary sense of being unconcerned about religion, things would have probably been different.
The problem with 'would have beens' is :- we view things from hindsight. A person leading a national movement has his own problems. The spectators both the TV and the Stadium type want the cricket-hero to hit sixers and make a century. The man who actually faces the bowling and the pitch knows his difficulties.
Had Gandhiji not prayed at all, did not call for the help of Ram at all, even Hindus might not have joined the freedom movement. The mill owners might not have financed the Congress movement. The women might not have given their ornaments for the Congress fund.
It is absolutely difficult to predict. For influencing people, a person may have to appear like a real Mahatma, and project himself in a child-like manner. When we see Gandhiji's
1. handling of the Congress Working Committee in dealing with the contest between Netaji and Pattabhi for Congress Presidentship,
2. patronising Rajaji ignoring equally capable and sacrificing Prakasam,
3. refusing to take up strongly with the British PM to postpone the execution of Bhagat Singh,
we may have to conclude that he was not 100% Mahatma. In being a Mahatma, he might have been far ahead of all other freedom fighters.
Many veteran freedom fighters ungrudgingly co-operated with Gandhiji though they did not agree with him on the means or strategies. It shows that they were also Mahatmas in their own way, just as Gandhiji was. Entry of Gandhiji directly to the top of the Indian freedom movement displaced equally charismatic and sacrificing leaders like Lokmanya Tilak and Annie Besant. Magnanimous they were, they did not envy him. (Compare this to the introduction of Sonia Gandhi as Congress President in the place of Sitaram Kesari, how abrasive and chafing it was).
CRITICISM AGAINST MS SONIA GANDHI
WHERE ARE THE PRINCIPLES OF MS SONIA GANDHI?
--SG's assertion that her decision to quit and recontest the Rae Bareli is a fight for principles is not tenable.
If she had been sincerely fighting to uphold principles of honesty, the following course of action would have been more appropriate.
1. Submitting explanation to the CEC about her inadvertent omission to check the rules about accepting an office of profit.
2. Abiding by his decision.
3. Or Approaching a court of law for redressal of grievances.
Instead of choosing any of these, she preferred to manoeuvre politically. In the process she imposed unnecessary by-election on her Constituency. It resulted in an avoidable cost of about Rs. one crore to the State exchequer for conducting the election and another Rs. two crore to all the parties put together to contest the election. Besides the administration of the District and its development have come to a halt as the administrative machinery is engaged in poll work and then there are poll time restrictions.
Her election speech itself shows the way for her, the meaning of which she does not know because she does not write her own speeches and reads out the recipes of ghostwriters. An excerpt: of her subhashitam 'Politics shows the path to service. This path is difficult, but it definitely ushers in people's love and affection. I know I have your love. You know the Congress is not merely a political party. It is an ideology, a policy, an ideal, a principle and a culture.'
If what she really needed from people is 'LOVE', then she ought to work in the areas of abolition of dowry, child labour, prevention of child marriages, prevention of AIDS. What would be the ideology, policy, ideal, principle and culture of a party which is unable to find a leader from millions of its own workers who can head the party other than the anointed Nehru legatees?
Unfortunately, the villagers and the poor of the Rae Bareli do not understand the rhetoric and the platitudes incorporated in her speech. They know only color of the skin and the aristocratic looks, to believe that the person is fit to rule them. Today, even if Lord Shri Rama himself comes down and presents before them, they will scorn.
We have a Prime Minister who is not keen on contesting Lok Sabha and is pulling along by representing Assam, by furnishing some cushion address in Guhawati. If Ms Gandhi is really fighting for principles, she should have invited Mr. Manmohan Singh to contest from Rae Bareli and canvassed for his victory. Her presence in Lok Sabha during the last two years did not make any difference, as she has no time to develop original thinking on the problems faced by this country and its people and suggest solutions by speaking in the House. She has only a glamorous presence in the Parliament a la the filmi femina.
INDIAN UNIVERSITIES WANT TO FLY AWAY
Vice Chancellors of Indian Universities want full autonomy for their Universities. Won't they have autonomy today? It is a matter of interpretation. Public Sector Universities in India are mostly incorporated under Special Statutes. Universities run by State Govts. have a Chancellor, who often happens to be the State Governors. The Universities get budget support from the State Govts. and the University Grants Commission. Both, naturally exercise some sort of indirect control on the operations of the Universities. Today, Indian Universities are passing through a critical phase. Intense competition among the Public Sector and Private Sector domesttic Universities. As a part of financial reforms launched by India and the commitment given to W.T.O., Foreign Universities will enter the arena. Foreign Universities, Deemed Universities and Private Universities enjoy significant freedom in designing of courses, charging fee and selection of staff. The ability of the State Governments to provide adequate grants to State Run Universities from budget allocations is dwindling and the Universities have to fend themselves even for working funds.
In the area of course selection and design, the Universities feel suffocated with AICTE, NCTE, BCI, MCI, and UGC trying to impose framework of common core syllabi. There is little space for the Universities to flex their bodies. The frustration of the Vice Chancellors increases when they lose their market share to Private, Deemed and Foreign Universities.
There is already some confusion about the standard and value of the degrees awarded by different Universities in the country. Though a system of rating Universities has been introduced, such grading relates more to the infrastructure available in the University rather than the standard of education. If Universities are allowed to deviate much from the Common Core Syllabi, comparison of degrees among Universities becomes a casualty.
' NAME='RESERVATIONPOLITICSOFSACHINPILOT'>RESERVATION POLITICS OF SACHIN PILOT
In the post LPG India, prestigious degrees and coaching strategies have become the passports for success and cozy jobs. Students whose parents are rich, have access to all these and flaunt themselves as the meritorious. In private sector, caste is irrelevant today. Appearances (red face, dress, shoes, ties, English communication with accent, etiquette) matter. Some performance also matters, unless the candidate is the kith of the CEO who is being introduced to the family Company as an executive trainee. Due weight is given for recommendations when they emerge from somebody who has some value for the conduct of the business of the Company safely on a path of growth. Thus, what the recruiter weighs has nothing to do with the social values or the Government's professed policy. In this set up, naturally a rich candidates easily fit themselves.
Poor candidates also get employment after some repeated trials. If the Companies are filled with 100% inefficient lazy persons, they cannot run. The recruiters, therefore, take poor meritorious candidates as 'coolii ciimalu' in the ant hierarchy of indian industry.
Back to the respected Mr Sachin Pilot, his own membership of Parliament is a legacy from his late father Rajesh Pilot. His ability to spend money in elections is also a legacy. The Prime Ministership of this country is reserved for Mr. Rahul Gandhi, without a need for him to prove his merit. It will be sufficient even if he is mediocre.
Congress workers born in OBC or other castes/religions do not get a chance to contest from Dausa or Amethi because they are not from the divine royal families of inheritance. Dedicated workers toiling in the party for thirty years; yet unfit?
The link between among aristocracy, success and superficial merit can be seen from the adulating adjectives poured on Mr. Pilot in media and meetings: '1. savvy young parliamentarian 2. youngest member of the Parliament and the BRIGHTEST 3. Certainly a man to watch out for 4. the pride of Gujjar community 5. Award winner for the most stylish person in politics 5. Squeaky clean youthful looks, with an edge over other politicians 6. Congress' young Turk 7. A Wharton MBA (Wharton also mentions him) 8. Bright, intelligent and capable person 9. Poster boy of Congress 10. Smart, very smart.'
Well, no need to envy Mr. Pilot for getting alround praise and nationwide acclaim. But, since he is supporting the reservations, he can start the charity from his home. He can relinquish his legacy, a la Sonia and resign as MP from Dausa. He can provide an opportunity to a Senior Congress worker of Gujjar Community (Pilot's own community) to contest the bye-election and canvas for the new entrant.
A champion for the rights of the suffering youth of India, is Mr. Pilot. He can therefore initiate a campaign for reservations for redistribution of inherited wealth on quota basis to poor. He can keep from his father's estate that minimum required for his needs of food, clothing, shelter, old age security and expenses for fighting elections. The fruits of growth of 10% which he promises in his high flier speeches at the Seminars held by Chambers and Business Houses can also be redistributed on reservation basis. As a Wharton MBA he can get sinecure jobs in India to take care of extras. Awaiting for a plan of realistic egalitarianism from him.
TEXTILE MARKETS IN ANDHRA PRADESH
People in AP nowadays use synthetic textiles made using polyester staple fibre or yarn. During summer some women use handloom/power loom/composite textile mill woven cotton sarees. Company executives and Government Officers wear ready made shirts and pants, ties. Foreign brands are favoured.
PONDURU KHADI
Though everybody may love to wear Pondur Khadi, it is costlier than synthetic fabrics, hence only politicians wear. Khadi is also known as khaddar. Handmade cloth. The difference between khaddar and a handloom cloth is:-
HANDLOOM CLOTH
In handloom cloth, the yarn used for weaving is made by spinning mills. Synthetic colours consisting of chemicals are used. Weaving alone takes place on looms. Patterns of checks and stripes are woven using intricate designs.
KHADI (KHADDAR)
Even yarn (thread) is spun using a charkha (hand operated spinning wheel). Every stage of the conversion of cotton into cloth is done using hands. KHADI effectively protects body from summer heat and winter cold. It absorbs sweat. Of great utility to persons who are HEALTH CONSCIOUS.
Weaknesses of Khadi : 1. Crease (folds) made by pressing (ironing) does not last. Frequent ironing is necessary.
2. No variety of colors. A sort of fawn (brown) and pure white, that's all.
3. Less durable when compared to synthetics.
(Though Indian Rupee prices are higher in US Dollar terms, the khadi may compete well in US. due to 1$ = Rs. 46 approx.)
WHAT IS THE SPECIALITY OF PONDUR KHADI?
Pondur is a small village in Srikakulam District. of Andhra Pradesh. The Pondur khadi is made only at Pondur using a lengthy, painstaking, elaborate process (here I am not describing due to space and readability criteria).
href =' NEWSPAPER CLIP' TARGET='_BLANK'>HINDU PAPER CLIP
Pondur Khadi is a 100% eco friendly product. It is dyed naturally, hence minimises the risk of allergies caused by chemicals in fabric colors.
RAG PICKERS' STORY
Sept. 30,2006. 6 a.m. Dawn. Cloudy sky. No mist. Clean air. Today morning I went into the street to buy milk packets. (For the questions given in each paragraph, answers are given at the end of this post.)
The first person I saw today was a rag picker. About 25. Unkempt hair. Bright, youthful eyes. Searching with his right hand in the dust bin for recycle-able materials such as waste paper and iron scrap. Question 1: What he was holding in his left hand?
The second person, I encountered today was also a rag picker. White beard. Wrinkled face. Shining front tooth, only one. Limping on his left leg, due to an unhealed sore. He was munching something. Question 2: What he was munching?
The third person, I came acoss today was also a rag picker. She was pulling a cart loaded with saleable garbage. A youthful woman with a muscular body. Wearing a brass necklace of black beads, and an yellow thread with two gold buttons shining well, an indication of being married. Looked delighted at her successes.
The fourth person, I found today was also a rag picker. A small boy of 10, with torn knickers. The shorts were bound to his waist with a red colored cotton thread. He was searching for food in the dust bins. Not with perceivable success. (Food has becoming very expensive. People are cooking small quantities and eating in small quantities. There are not adequate left overs). He was looking disappointed. Question 3: Where could he have found some food?
I wondered: 'Why so many rag pickers are on the road today? They are coming like ants from the ant holes.
I invited the boy to my house and gave him something to eat. Thereafter, I gave him some old newspapers. The boy could not believe himself that he would get double benefit. He muttered in a low voice? Question 4: What did he ask me?
__________________________________________________
Answers: Q 1: 1 year old child.
Q 2: Own saliva. Hungry. Nothing to eat.
Q 3: At marriage halls. Local practice: Guests do not eat all the eatables served to them fully. Because they believe that other guests will consider them hungry poor who have not tasted sweets in their lives. Besides, diabetes patients also leave the sweets in the plates. What a squalor!!!!! Wedding parties are ugly!
Q 4: Old empty beer bottles. I am a teetotaller. I did not have. I could not satisfy the boy. I was disappointed.
SKELETONS IN THE CUPBOARDS
Terrorism is ubiquitous and omnipresent. Islamic terrorism is the open variety. State sponsored Interntional Terrorism is a more dangerous and disguised variety.
History of every country, nation, race, and religion is filled with terrorist activities. But our national pride does not allow us to recognise it and correct ourselves. Our lives have been so brainwashed, that we do not look back.
Here are the 12 such back-grounds of Nations with shallow foundations, out on to enforce discipline on the entire world.
1. USA: The European settlers went there around 1600 A.D., equipped with guns and gun powder. Poor native red Indians did not have the ammunition. They were driven to a State called Indiana and would have been nearly annihilated but for their need as laborers. Their religion and customs were termed as savageous, as if the settlers had a better civility and nobility.
2. Canada: -do-.
3. South America: Spanish colonisers destroyed the Maya Civilisation; destroyed the Amazon Forests; Manro doctrine and a protective umbrella from USA saved the South American countries.
4. Africa: European and US slave traders transported the African Blacks as cattle and sold them in auctions. The Novel 'Roots' by Alex Haley and Mark Twain's 'Adventures of Huckel Berifin' present us a faily clear picture.
Colonialisation of Africa by British, French and the Dutch.
5. South Asia: Colonialisation of Indian Sub Continent by the British.
6. South East Asia: Colonialisation by British, French and Dutch. Even China could not escape the British tyranny.
7. Greek, Bactrian, Arab, Turkish, Mangolian and Iranian Invasion of India from 326 B.C to 1751 A.D.
8. Roman Invasion of Europe including Britain upto 6c. A.D. What was the religion of the British before the Roman invasions? Were they sinners condemned to hell?
9. Turkish invasion of Europe around 1453.
10. Conquests by Czars of the Northern Asia and subjugation of the tribals.
11. British excommunicated prisoners and settlers nearly destroyed the aboriginals in their own country and New Zealand.
12. Aryan invasions from North Europe and Central Asia on the Indian Sub Continent.
This list incomplete. Whenever invasions took place 1. the victorious armies robbed the villages in the vicinity. 2. the victorian races imposed their religious beliefs on the natives. In this respect neither the Christianity nor the Islam is CLEAN.
In this context singling out Islamic Terrorism as something barbarian is unreasonable. Proof: The Talibans destroyed the Bamean Buddha Cave Statues cruelly. The Pakistan sold the Al Qaida activists and Talibans to US. The US made them naked, kept them in metal cages in Gantanamo Bay and behaved like a possessed Nation.
The suspicions of the practitioners of Islam that the US, Europe and Israel are hell-bent to destroy
the Islam have a basis in that if Red Indians, Aboriginals and Blacks could be enslaved, why not the Muslims? Strangely, the Islamic fundamentalists and clerics forget, how they spread their religion in India from 1000 AD to 1857 AD. In the world history, at a particular period of time, or a particular Century one race/religion/country/Nation may have an upper hand. In the next Century, it may become a slave. Now, the Islam has become the underdog.
The EurAmstraNZ are aggravating the sense of being annihilated.
If Bush goes ahead with what he is doing now, (eg. purchasing suspected terrorists from Pakistan by paying 'Price') he will only make a greater mess of the world harmony among the countries. US has to go slow, but steadily and smoothly on a correct path, for which he has to consult philosophers and writers and spend several months before each step. Or invent new weapons?
(To continue and modify on the basis of comments).
STORY OF ALARKA
Kuvalayaava was a king in India. His wife was Madalasa.
They had their first son. K named the child as 'Vikranta'. M smiled. K was surprised.
Next year, they had their second son. K named the child as 'Subaahu'. M smiled. K was more surprised and wondered 'Why should she smile?'
The third year, they had their third son. K named the child as 'S`atru mardan'. M smiled. K wondered 'Was she smiling derisively? I have named them in well-meaning words.'
The fourth year, they had their fourth son. This time, K asked M to name the child. 'Every time you have been laughing at the names given by me, though I was giving the children well meaning names. Now, you name the boy. Let us see how you will perform!'
M named the child 'Alarka' and waited a moment. This time it is the turn of Kuvalayasva to laugh derisively. 'ha ha ha! what a name! Alarka means 'a mad dog! Does anybody name once own child a mad dog?'
STRIKES IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECTOR
War is the last step in settling political disputes. On the same analogy, strike should be the last step in settling in labour and work disputes. Strike is the legitimate weapon of workers whether intellectual or blue collared. The CPM which claims to be the champion of workers' causes in India does not want strikes to take place in Information Technology Sector in India. This is because West Bengal, the traditionally CPM ruled State in India is trying to woo IT Corporates. CITU, the Trade Union Organ of CPM is keen to start a Trade Union.
In India, at Indian standards, there is a belief that IT Sector employees are well paid. But, this belief is going to become diluted, as thousands of Engineering graduates leave the Colleges with their degrees and compete for their space in the IT world. When supply of labour increases, wages are bound to fall, though the IT Sector says that it is slated for a large scale expansion. With the increase in supply of labour, comes the exploitation, harassment and victimisation are bound to take place. The first generation (pioneers) of IT Software industry in India were magnanimous and paternalistic to their employees. But now fly-by-night operators are entering the arena, particularly the BPO sector. They may not have the same generocity which the leaders have.
It is high time that CPIM looks into ideological moorings and decide whether it wants to tread a path of ideology or a parth of convenience and opportunism. It cannot have both worlds.
TATAS TATA
Steel production involves hazardous labour. In spite of use of robots, steel production continues to involve hard physical work. European countries suffer from low birth rates and shortage of working age youth and middle aged persons. Iron ore countries like India and China have started their own steel mills and are competing in Steel Export markets with European Steel Mills. Converting iron scrap into steel by medium sized Rerolling Mills has also developed sufficiently to slacken the demand for steel produced by large integrated steel mills. With a view to reduce weight and gasoline consumption, automobile makers are raising the proportion of plastics and fibreglass in vehicles. In this environment, the European Steel Mills find their future prospects declining and are exploring opportunities of shifting to greener and comfortable pastures. The eagerness of Mittals and Tatas (More Indian entrepreneurs on the way) to invest abroad made the task of Euro Steel Mills easier to exit by palming off their none-too-healthy steel units by window dressing and bolstering of balance sheets.
Indian Prime Ministers right from Rajiv Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao, Vajpayee to Manmohan Singh toured the entire world scouting for foreign investments in India. Strangely, the Indian steel giants are pouring Rs.350 billion in U.K. before the very eyes of Manmohan Singh. Tatas may be transferring funds from Cash Rich units like V.S.N.L. (Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd.- a Public Sector Telecom giant which Tatas got from Govt. of India) and other Indian Units for their global investments. One is tempted to wonder, whether this step will really benefit Tatas and Mittals. With their business acumen, they may turn around the fortunes of the global steel makers. They may also buy some prestigious position like membership of House of Commons/Lords. They may get some historical titles like 'Sir'. They may even successfully escape the menace of political donations and mafia collections prevailing in Indian Corporate environment. But, there will be British political donations and other threatening collections in U.K. Hence, it may be a fall for them from the hot pan into the red hot stove.
TENALI RAMA'S GOLD MANGOES
Tenali Rama was a 16th Century Telugu Poet in the court of Sri Krishna Deva Raya. His stories are known for their joviality.
The King's mother was on her death bed. The physician after trying every medicine, prescribed a diet of mangoes for her. That was winter season and mangoes were not available. (Mangoes have a normal season of summer, in Northern Hemisphere: June). She died saying 'Where are the Mangoes, I want Mangoes!'.
After completing her funeral rites, the Priests advised the King that he should distributed mangoes made of gold to all the Priests in the Capital. As the King was anxious that his mother's soul must rest in peace, he decided to distribute gold mangoes to all the priests in the Town.
Tenali Rama came to know about. He understood that the Priests gave this advice to the King, with a view to benefit the priestly class/caste. He wanted to create a rhapsodic scene and also hint the king about his error, because the Treasury of the King will become empty with the extravagance.
Rama sat at the entrance of the Fort with a stove and a branding rod made of iron. He was heating it continually on the red fire.
He stopped at the gate, the priests who came to collect the gift of the gold mangoes. They were surprised at the poet sitting at the gate with a branding iron. They asked him what for he was heating it.
Tenali Rama: 'You have come to collect the gold mangoes. Isn't it? If so, pl. get branded on your back, chest and shoulders and stand in the queue. The number of mangoes you get will be as many as the number of brandings you accept. For example, if you take three brandings, you will get three mangoes.'
The Priests were happy to hear it. Every priest got 2/3/4/5 brandings greedily and went inside. The King sat personally and started distributing the gold mangoes.
Irrespective of the number of brandings, the king was giving only one mango. Priests were accepting them grudgingly, and were not even thanking the King. One particularly greedy priest got angry and demanded from the king five mangoes. He showed the five brandings on his back and chest and justified his request.
The King was surprised and inquired from the Priests who was branding them at the gate. They said 'Tenali Rama was sitting at the Gate with his stove and iron rod,and was doing the mischief.'
The King went out personally and found Tenali Rama at the gate with his stove and iron rod with the burning embers.
King: 'Why are you deceiving these poor Priests? Are you mad? Who told you that I would give more mangoes for more brandings?'
Tenali Rama: Forgive my my Lord! You are my savior. I shall tell the whole story. My mother was suffering from a peculiar disease. The Doctor asked me that she will be cured only if she is given some hot brandings on her legs. Before I could heat the stove, she died asking: 'Brand me quickly with the iron. It will be better than this pain.'
'I completed the funeral rites of my mother. As her soul can rest in peace only if some hot brands are made on somebody, I was searching people who will accept the hot brands on their back. I thought that there is a similarity between your mother's desire and my mother's desire. Hence, I made a link between gift of gold mangoes and hot brand marks.'
The King realised that the Poet played a practical joke on him. Being a kind man, he laughed at it and left the poet.
The King did not repeat such costly gift campaigns.
WHAT MS. JAYALALITHAA WILL DO IN POES GARDENS
Ms Jayalalithaa submitted her resignation in a dignified manner, stating diligently that she did her best. Her declaration that she may not attend the TN Assembly regularly because it was 'anaagarika - UNCIVILISED' may also be JUSTIFIABLE considering her past experience of being disrobed in the open House.
By absenting herself from the Assembly, she is letting down HER OWN people of Andipatti Constituency. She has not at least pre - intimated her voters before polling that she will not attend the Assembly if she is not the CM.
While she was the busy CM, she might have attended to the citizens of Andipatti through proxies. People could understand it. Now she can directly meet them. If she lives in Andipatti and spends at least seven nights in every village of the Constituency she can get a first hand experience and renewal of the images of experiences of the poorest of the Andipatti. She can collect lists of names of quarry labour which has migrated to other States in search of livelihood. She can identify child labour and counsel the parents - particularly those who are her devotees to send the children to schools She can see with her own eyes the evils of alcohol addiction. Though she may be not be able to raise the problems in Assembly as she does not attend the Sessions, she can at least meet the District Officials and try to redress them. If she prefers to stay in Chennai, what she will be doing at Poes Garden? Some guess work is unavoidable.
WHAT MS JAYALALITAA WILL DO NOW?
--Atend more temples and Matt's, bathe more in rivulets and tanks, and donate more elephants.
--Go to Hyderabad and supervise the maintenance of her Estate.
--Climb countless steps of countless courts to defend countless cases which the new Govt. may be register. TN Govt. and she has the money to feed the lawyers.
COULD SHE DO THESE?
--Visit stone quarries near Hyderabad, Vijayavada (NH9), Guntur (Perecharla) etc. and speak in Tamil, to Tamil women breaking stones in the hot sun. They may not be her voters. Doing one virtuous thing now and then, will cleanse thousand sins committed in a power mongering spree.
CONTENTS
INDIAN ECONOMICS
STRIKES IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECTOR
TATAS TATA
INDIAN POLITICS
SONIA SHOULD READ
CPI AND CREAMY LAYER
CPIM AND CHINA
CRITICISM AGAINST MAHATMA GANDHI
CRITICISM AGAINST SONIA GANDHI
FUTURE OF CONGRESS IN BENGAL
INCOME AND WEALTH DISPARITIES
WHAT MS. JAYALALITHAA WILL DO IN POES GARDENS
RESERVATION POLITICS OF SACHIN PILOT
National AnthemNational Song
NATIONAL ANTHEM
PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT and SELF IMPROVEMENTANGER AND SELFISHNESS
BAD GUYS AND GOOD GUYS
BEGGING VS. STEALINGInvoluntaryUnemployment.Does teaching a man to fish always work, when compared to giving him a slice of bread?
CONTINUING EDUCATION DILEMMAS
MEDITATION
Transcendental Meditation
SUCCESSES AND FAILURESRelationship between hard work and success.
GLOBAL POLITICS
INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY VS. NATIONAL SECURITY
TYRANNIESVarieties of TYRANNIES. More.
STORIES
STORY OF ALARKANames and their Meanings
TENALI RAMA'S GOLD MANGOES
MISCELLANEOUS
FOOTWEAR SELLERSwhimsical ways. More.
HONORARY DOCTORATES
MARITAL RELATIONS
MOTHERS LOVE
NERO - JANAKA
The Roman King Nero and the Indian Mythical King Janaka have been compared.
PAINTING FOR THE MARKETS
POLITICS, RELIGION, SEX
Oliver Goldsmith's play: 'She Stoops to Conquer'
PONDURU KHADI
RAG PICKERS STORY
ALIGN='LEFT' VALIGN-'TOP'>SKELETONS IN THE CUP BOARD
ALIGN='LEFT' VALIGN-'TOP'>UNIVERSITIES WANT TO FLY AWAY
ANGER AND SELFISHNESS - CONTROL
A person gets angry from two sources. 1. Internal stimulii. Eg. Failure to fulfil one's own ambitions, desires, goals owing to internal inconsistencies and weaknesses and external environmental reasons. 2. External Stimulii - such as somebody hurting ego or personality. Thus anger can be even for genuine reasons which are justifiable or for vanity reasons. Suppressing anger (where it is for genuine reasons) can lead to psychological/psychiatric disorders. In today's society, it is becoming increasingly necessary to suppress anger for business reasons, social reasons and Governmental reasons. Even the ancient society advocated suppression of anger. I feel that wherever possible, we should express our natural anger and not be artificially peaceful.
A boy bought in the street a poster containing a daily prayer. It has no printer's name or any indication of any copyright.
The poster has a photo of a child kneeling. The prayer is good. It has a title 'DAILY TRIFLE'.
'Oh God, help me that
1. I get no ANGRY (Capitals - sic)
2. I stay blissful, calm and happy
3. I get strength to raise mind high above daily
trifles
4. I get energy to surrender myself to thy will
with love
5. I do all actions correctly without thinking of
FRUIT. (Capitals - sic). '
A child or an adolescent or an oldman may, perhaps, accept the prayer 'as it is' and adopt it as a daily ritual to recite.
Youth may probably examine some of the sentences for their practicalities. 'GET NO ANGRY' is something difficult or less functional. There may be situations where a person may have to be really angry or at least pretend to be angry.
STORY
A cobra bit a sage. The sage instead of dieing laughed at the snake. He caught the snake at its hood and advised him calmly to stop biting people.
The snake took him SERIOUSLY and stopped biting people. People in turn started beating it or scolding it, as it was harmless.
It could not procure its food and started becoming lean.
One day the sage came again on the same path and found the cobra in a weak condition. He could guess the reason for its condition. The sage advised the cobra: 'I have asked you not to bite people. Did I ask you not to hiss or freighten people by making sounds?'
The cobra started hissing and regained a part of its lost power. Sometimes even hissing may become excessive and unless the snake bites nobody may bother. Sometimes, it may be better for a weak person not to be angry.
WORKING WITHOUT THINKING OF FRUIT
=================================
Many philosophical texts like ' target='_blank'>Bhagavad Gita advocate this nonchalance for the outcome of efforts. Will it be really possible?
It is like expecting businesses to work like philonthropic organisations without aiming at profit. That is the essence of all human activity.
Maximum what we can deduce from the prayer is, if we concentrate more on the fruit, we may forget about watering and nursing the plant.
STORY
An 80 years oldman was planting a mango tree beside a forestpath. Emperor Babr was passing through the place riding on a horse. He was happy with the oldman planting the mango plant and queried:
'Ae! Do you think you will be alive to enjoy the fruits of this mango plant?'
Old man: 'If our forefathers thought in the same manner, would he have any mangoes to eat?'
Immensely pleased, the Emperor threw at him a bag of gold.
Old man: 'Normally mango plants take years to give fruits. But during the Babr Padusha's rule, they yield fruits the moment they are planted. (Referring to the gold bag).
The Emperor threw at him two gold bags this time.
The old man giggled. 'Normally mango plants give one crop in a year. During the Babr Padusha's reign, they give two crops.'
Now, Babr found that he did not bring sufficient number of gold bags. He gave his ring to the old man and asked him to come to the Fort to collect the gift.
This story is from an old Telugu film titled 'Tenali Ramakrishna'. The old man was Tenali Rama himself. The poet's role was played by Shri Akkineni Nageswara Rao, renowned actor.
MARITAL RELATIONS
>WIFE'S ROLE
This analysis compares two writers.
1. Francis Bacon: 1561 - 1626, English essayist.
QUOTE:
Wives are young men's mistresses; companions for middle age, and old men's nurses.
2. Baddena, a Telugu poet, died 1260 A.D.
MULTIPLE ROLE OF WIFE
1. A servant maid while working; 2. A nymph and sweetheart during intercourse; 3. A minister and adviser in plans and strategies; 4. Mother while feeding.
Though Baddena identifies four roles, essentially Baddena and Bacon portrayed similar roles.
So far so good, optimistically.
The real question is every home has a varying mix and weights for different functions.
Two extreme examples:
First: Mistress : 70%, Minister and adviser : 20%, Mother 5%, Maid 5% (probably during early days of marriage).
Second: Servant maid 70%, Mother 20%, Nymph 5%, Minister and adviser NIL. (As the marriage progresses).
ARTHA NARIISVARA - FIFTY MAN FIFTY WOMAN
In this concept, wife is vertically the left half of the body of the husband. Indian musical theatre shows this concept in a beautiul choreographical arrangement, to enable even lay persons understand it better. If there is another woman in the life of man, she will be on the head of the husband.
In ancient India woman was never hidden behind curtains or under a veil. This hiding started after external invaders from Central Asia started kidnapping Indian women brutally. The heinous practice of Sati (Immolation of wife in the funeral pyre of the husband was also an offshoot of the external invasions).
Due to this symbyotic and synergic relationships between the husband and wife, marrital relationships last long, albeit sometimes without emotional unity. But there will be some equilibrium.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
pani ceeyun ed`ala daasi yu,
anubhavamu na rambha, mamtri aaloocana lan,
tana bhukti ed`ala talliyu,
nan tana kula kaamta umd`u nagu raa Sumatii !! 71
pani = work; ceeyu = doing, working; ed`ala = at the time of ; daasi = servant maid; anubhavamu na = experience of intercourse; rambha = name of a heavenly nymph; mamtri = minister and adviser; aaloocana = thought, plan, strategy; tana = one's own; bhukti = feeding, food; ed`ala = in the case of ; talli = mother; kula kaamta = wife;
umd`u = stays, functions; agu = will be.
MEDITATIONS
What is meditation?
--Contemplation about something serious.
==Dictionary.com recognizes the religious and
philosophical aspects of meditation.
==Meditation should have nothing to do with religion. A cat before pouncing on its target will be closely watching it, often with half closed eyes. We may think, it is meditating. At the opportune moment it leaps on its prey.
What is transcendental?
--Transcending is just moving from one level to another level.
Ascend - move up
descend - move down
--Transcending can be material, mental, physical or anything.
--Religious men claimed that this movement is mental.
==Dictionaries and encyclopaedae seem to have been heavily impressed by the spiritual and supernatural/superhuman descriptions and definitions made by God persons and preachers.
What is Transcendental Meditation?
Belief that people transcend from one mental level to another mental level, while meditating.
-- exaggerated and hectic claims of
intuitive and superhuman experiences.
-- Far from truth.
Are there no benefits of meditation?
We have to appreciate the numerous limitations of meditation (s). It is not a panacea.
The basic benefit we get from meditation is ability to concentrate on our tasks and perform better.
Stress relief is doubtful.
Is there no transcendence?
Transcendence takes place everyday consciously or unconsciously without meditation. Meditation is just a tool; not a super tool.
A forest-dweller, does he undergo transcendence?
ha haa! Certainly. Unless he is a hunter, no animal will be afraid of him. He will not be afraid of any animal (except some instinctive fears).
EDMUND BERKE'S PHILOSOPHY
Context
July 9, death anniversary of Edmund Burke, British philosopher and politician. 1729 - 1797.
Contemporary of Samuel Johnson and Oliver Goldsmith.
Burke's life
>
-- Supported American Freedom Movement.
-- Stoutly opposed French Revolution.
==Predicted arson, chaos and ultimate
ruin of the French revolution.
==His words came true.
-- Supported the king.
-- Supported 'representative democracy'.
== Did not agree with the idea that the
elected representative should be obliged
to his constituency and protect its
interests.
TYRANNIES
How does INTERNAL TYRANNY work?
1. State suppresses the rights of its citizens through the Police, Intelligence and the Army.
2. State enforces draconian laws.
3. Extreme levels of surveillance and reconnaisance.
4. Undue Restrictions on media.
5. Restrictions on movements of citizens.
6. Threat to SECURITY OF THE STATE.
Excuses a) Terrorism.
Today citizens in most countries experience the internal tyranny. Even democracies are gradually turning into INTERNAL TYRANNIES.
How does EXTERNAL TYRANNY work?
Tyranny initiated by external invaders.
1. DIRECT INVADERS.
Happens in colonies.
2. INDIRECT INVADERS
Happens through weak allied and stooge Governments.
How does financial tyranny take place?
Some MNCs undertake INDIRECT EXTERNAL TYRANNY
by instigating the INTERNAL TYRANNY of despots. This we can call
FINANCIAL TYRANNY.
What type of tyranny, the WTO is notorious for?
W.T.O. may indulge in TRADE TYRANNY in the name of promoting OPEN TRADE.
FINANCIAL TYRANNY can take place in the guise of protecting INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY RIGHTS.
What type of the tyranny the World Bank is notorious for?
World Bank may indulge in LENDOR TYRANNY in the guise of promoting BORROWER
FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE.
How does a FAMILY TYRANNY arise?
One partner suppresses the other. It can be a male or female, but often male.
What is NEIGHBORHOOD TYRANNY?
Neighbors make their own laws and enforce on all houses in the vicinity.
What could a SCHOOL TYRANNY denote?
Schools can be tyrannical in three ways.
Tyrannical to children by imposing extremities of discipline;
-- to parents by extorting exhorbitant fees and collecting fines;
-- to teachers by treating them as beggars.
What could a TEACHER TYRANNY denote?
Teachers can be tyrannical in two ways
-- make life unbearable for the child;
-- unbearable for the parents, by calling for frequent discussions.
INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY VS NATIONAL SECURITY
Some countries have enacted draconian statutes to safeguard against global terrorism. The provisions of the protective legislation sometimes allows Government Officials to peep through the privacy of citizens, to arrest citizens without warrants, exempt the police from producing the arrested persons in a court of law.
One critic questioned, quoting Benjamin Franklin: 'Those who would sacrifice Liberty for Security deserve neither."
There are numerous instances in history of rulers of countries in search of security entering into ignominous agreements with parties which promised security. The rulers paid huge price in terms of both money and obligations to satisfy the conditions imposed by the protectors.
The best example of people losing liberty in exchange for a promise of security, can be seen in RELIGION. People surrender themselves to the priests and the relgious authorities and undertake numerous obligations, just to get a safe place in heaven.
Billioneers spending a part of their treasure for creating TRUSTS OF CHARITY, when they have entered the phase of Sunset in their lives may also fall under this category. Strange that they spend all their lives in working out cunning plans and cause suffering to millions of people, with the sole object of making millions. At the fag end, abruptly they find that there is a need for security after death.
INVOLUNTARY UNEMPLOYMENT
AREA
ISSUES
COMMENTS
Involuntary Unemployment
Teaching fish may not always work, when compared to giving bread. For example, there are a number of bloggers and writers who are adept in writing blogs and publicising them. Yet, they are not succeeding because, there is a surfeit of blogs - About 200,000 are written everyday. Who will read all these and click the adsense.
Where there is excess supply of labour, there will be involuntary unemployment. Though a person has an intense desire to work he may not get one.
In one blog here, I found that the girl has a full time job, a part time job and in fact has no spare time. Yet, she toils to earn USD 3 or 4 per day by freelance writing, to reduce her debt burden by that much. One day, if she is tired, what she will do? One day if she loses her full time/part time job what she will do?
Another phenomenon, I observe is, when the age advances, people tend to become unemployables. Then what they have to do?
BAD GUYS AND GOOD GUYS
There are no definitions of 'a bad guy' and 'a good guy'. There are only images and impressions. The word 'bad' has 627million pages in a Google Search. The word 'good' has 2.1 billion pages. The words have been extensively and globally used. Difficult to say that the words have been misused. Today, life becomes difficult without use of adjectives.
When people call persons as bad or good, it is as per their perceptions based on their past feelings, habits, and values. Ceiving takes place often objectively, sometimes subjectively. The objects and objectives also vary. Just as beauty is skin deep, badness and goodness can also be skin deep.
We get from English literature, and literature of thousands of languages and hundreds of countries and civilisations, numerous historical, mythical, real life stories.
Appearances can be deceptive. Daughters of King Lear (Shakespeare) can be taken as example.
The dirty looking, tattooed, filthy language using guy, may, when an occasion arises prove himself to be a lovable darling and vice versa. Then again, a question arises? What is the common experience which majority of people go through with a 'bad guy looking guy'. May be a bad experience.
A decently dressed, talking guy may end up to be a cruel, sadist creature. It is how some marital relationships get broken when the true personality of the decently appearing bad guy goes on a binge or rampage.
Thus we get a four-faceted graphic picture of bad guys and good guys.
CONTINUING EDUCATION DILEMMASWe come across three types of people.
1. Those who study till they get a degree just adequate to secure a job. Thereafter, they study nothing formally in Universities. They also do not read anything pertaining to their profession or not pertaining to their profession.
2. Those who go on getting degrees either in full time mode or in distance education mode. After obtaining a degree, they stop reading the particular subject.
3. Those who go on reading and studying everything both pertaining to their job/occupation/profession and much more beyond that. But they do not get any University certification, though they have oceans of knowledge. Their knowledge may or may not help them in upward movement in their profession.
A person has to analyse for himself in which category he falls. Studying for certification/examinations may remove the pleasure from the reading/studying. For some others, it may be a motivator; else, they would have preferred to sit and watch TV or spend time aimlessly.
NERO - JANAKA
June 9. Death of Nero,the Roman Emperor who died in 68 AD. There is one similarity between Nero and Janaka, the Indian King of the Mithila. Both were non-chalant when their Capital Cities were burning.
Nero is a historical personality, an Emperor of Rome.
Janaka is a mythical king found in Indian Epics.
NERO
Nero, according to popular belief was fiddling, when Rome was burning.
Nero's playing with fiddle cannot be true, as fiddle was not invented by that time.
(According to violinmp3.com , 950 AD North Indian stringed instrument was mother of Rebec which became popular in Arabia in 14th Century. It led to the renaissance fiddle.
According to www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/nero there are two accounts.
1. Nero was singing 'Sack of Ilium' a Greak epic song, in his costume settings. He was using a lyre.
or
2. Nero was not in Rome at that time. He was vacationing at his native Antium. Hearing of the tragedy, he returned to Rome and organised rescue operations.
If the first account is believed (singing with lyre), he may be taken to be mad or fiend. Or his act may be worthy of condemnation.
If the second account is to be believed, he was a sensible emperor, at least in respect of rescue operations.
JANAKA
Janaka is portrayed by Hindu epic Ramayan`a, Bhagavata Purana and Bhagavat Gita as a Karma Yogi, a man of steady wisdom, unperturbed both by happy events and sad events.
The culminating test for this capability of balance of mind is the incident of burning of Mithila. The persons around him flatter him as a great sage, instead of advising or requesting him to order rescue operations.
Doing one's own duty even under trying circumstances is a virtue. How ignoring a catastrophe can be acclaimed as a 'great balanced mind'?
IS JANAKA A REAL CHARACTER?
Janaka may be an imaginary character or a position as the ruler of the city Mithila.
Since Ramayana is believed to have taken place at least 500 years earlier than Maha Bharata, the Krishna of Bhagavata, the existence of Janaka in both the periods becomes questionable.
Even if we take the chronology of 'yugas (ages)' given in the scriptures Ramayana took place during Treetaa Yuga at least least 500,000 years ahead of Maha Bhaarata which relates to Dvaapara Yuga.
SUMMARY
Having a balance of mind both during moments of pleasure and grief, may be a positive trait for peace of mind. Can it be extended to levels of stupidity?
CHILD NAMES
In the Euramstranz (Europe, N America, Australia and New Zealand) there is apparently a shortage of first and middle names. Consequently, we find millions of people possessing the same first/middle names.
What are the disadvantages of having few names available for christening children?
1. Limited choice.
2. Confusion to teachers while calling children.
3. Confusion among children while responding.
4. Lack of freshness.
5. Confusion for the Government in preparing voters' lists and citizens' registers.
If new names are to be searched and added what types of names we may add?
1. Secular (irreligious) names as far as possible.
2. Easy pronunciation
3. Meaningful names
4. Without bizarre or ugly meanings.
Will foreign names not be bizarre?
English language as a lingua franca (universal language) imported thousands of words from foreign languages, including non-European languages.
Initially names from foreign languages may appear to be strange. But people get accustomed.
What are the difficulties in naming babies after leaders, sports persons and stars>
1. After the Bolshavik revolution, many people named their children as 'Lenin, Stalin, Marx'. After the collapse of Sovient Union, people carrying the names might have felt uncomfortable.
2. Children named after film stars and cricketers may face social ostracism if those stars become bankrupt or get involved in crimes.
3. If children named after great leaders become criminals, it becomes unbearable.
What awkwardness meaningful names can cause?
1. A girl named 'Lakshmi' (Goddess of wealth) may end up as a bigger.
2. A man named 'Vivek' (Wisdom) may die of drug poisoning.
Should we name children 'Kiki' (some meaningless sound)?
That will be more awkward.
Should babies be given citizen numbers lasting a life time?
1. Last four digits or three digits of the numbers can be used for calling.
2. The number will be absolutely unique.
FOOTWEAR SELLERS
FOOTWEAR MARKETING
A footwear Company which has branches all over the country and has international presence offered following guarantee for manufacturing defects in the footwear sold by it.
Compensation
Upto 15 days 10%
From 16 to 30 days 75%
From 31 to 60 days 50%
From 61 to 75 days 25%
Beyond 75 days nil
This Company speaks of stringent quality controls and claims that among millions of pairs, there may be one pair with defects. The Company holds ISO 9001 certification.
If the claim of the Company that there may be only one defective pair in millions, why it should hesitate to guarantee the footwear for six months? By restricting itself to guarantee them only upto 75 days, the Company is giving an indirect indication that the shoes may not last on the 76th day.
Could NOT this ISO 9001 Company with stringent quality controls rise upto 180 days in protecting the consumer? Anyway its loss will arise only for one pair in millions.
POSITION IN USA and the WORLD
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A letter posted in 2003 at Complaints.Com on the net indicated that she purchased X brand of shoes at a cost of USD 54/- and for over a month she was unable to contact the manufacturer. It is not clear whether her grievance was redressed or not.
HONORARY DOCTORATES CONFERRED BY UNIVERSITIES IN INDIA
Andhra University is a Great University of Great Fame and Great History. It was headed by philosophical giants like Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. With this glorious history, we cannot say that the University Administration consisting of a Syndicate and Senate having great men as members does not know the meaning of a University, its goals and purposes.
Unbefitting of its stature, this University has decided to confer honorary Doctorates on commercial film heros who dance to the tunes of obscene songs, speak vulgar dialogs, manipulate distribution networks and collect millions just for shaking their body. What the people learn from their films is: 'how to steal, rob, murder and indulge in mindless violence'. It is not art, deserving honor of an honorary doctorate.
Of course, the Andhra University can always try to cover itself by declaring that they are not the first or the only University in the country to confer honorary doctorates on film heros. Delhi University which is in the country's Capital is there to set example by conferring Doctorates on film heros.
If illiterates and semi literates believe that it is the Film Heros who will lead them and show the direction to the Society and become fans of the film stars, their ignorance can be overlooked. How can a University fall in this ditch? Did Mr. Arjun Singh, the Union Human Resource Development Minister, who is notorious for his reservations craze has brought out any ordinance introducing 33% reservations to film stars? Conferring honorary degrees compulsorily every year to film stars, seems to be an All India disease like Dengue and Chikun Gunya. For the epidemics and endemics suffered by common people there may be vaccines. No vaccines for diseases suffered by the all knowing Universities!
FUTURE OF CONGRESS IN BENGAL
FUTURE OF CONGRESS IN BENGAL
Mr. Pranab Mukherjee is the Leader of the House in Lok Sabha. He is Defence Minister. He is the President of Bengal Congress Committee. He is the chairman of the Special Congress Committee on Telangana.
His recent resignation as the President of Bengal Congress and its non-acceptance by Ms Sonia Gandhi is a fiasco. His accepting moral responsibility for the poor performance of Congress in Bengal makes little meaning because he is riding too many horses nowhere. An octogenarian, who does not have a mass base in the people, a member of RS for three decades, getting elected to Lok Sabha for the first time all these clearly indicate that he is only a courtier and not an organisation builder.
Mr. Pranab Mukherjee's role can be compared to that of Polonius in the Shakespeares's Shakespeare drama HAMLET. Polonius in the drama hanged around the villainous king Claudius, flattering and doing rounds of an errand boy, till he while eavesdropping, was killed by Hamlet.
The Congress also seems to be resigned to the system of accepting minor partnerships in States overtly or covertly, in exchange for support at Centre. In Bengal, the campaign of the Congress was hence only a token. With Buddhadeb Bhattacharya falling in line with the economic policies of the Congress clamouring for industries and the World Bank loans not much difference is left between the Congress and the CPM.
Rebuilding Congress from grassroots in Bengal is not possible for Sonia or her nominees. Besides, her hands are full with the insurmountable task of nursing Congress in UP. In the circumstances, her choosing to continue the Bengali Polonius as the Lord of West Bengal is only perfunctory.
If this is the way in which she runs the Congress Party of 125 years of which at least 50 years has glorious past, the inglorious end of the Party will not be far away.
INCOME AND WEALTH DISPARITIES
Indian media competed with one another to celebrate the declaration of Mr. Mukhesh Ambani is the richest person of India. What is there to celebrate? In India 50% of the population struggles to earn two square meals a day (or at least $2).
India received international acclaim, fame and recognition as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Obtaining a birth certificate, life certificate, and death certificate in this country is nearly impossible without paying a bribe even for a Municipal Commissioner. If that is the prevailing situation, how can a business family earn billions of Dollars in India without being caught or questioned by anybody. The bribing can be self-propelled overzealous type to get things done, or a routine type just as a cow is made to graze in a meadow, or a coerced type. Whatever type it is, it will be fair for Mr. Mukhesh Ambani and his Management Team to emerge brighter and cleaner by disclosing or at least leaking out from time to time the names of the politicians/bureaucrats who are receiving their largesse and in reciprocation turning out to be their benefactors.
A business quotation from Mr. Mukhesh Ambani (kind courtesy: woopidoo.com ).
We call it infectious impatience. That's his hallmark and we are trying to inculcate it in the entire organization. Infectious impatience. So that things not only get done but get done in double quick time . Emphasis is this blogwriter's.
His concern for high and double quick speed is praiseworthy.
People respect a rich person out of fear or hope of some favour. There can be no satisfaction in possessing prosperity of such type. Industrialists in India can have greater peace of mind and self respect by disclosing openly (or at least leaking out to media) the names of the corrupt officials/politicians to whom they are forced to pay bribes). In the long run, the industrialists will also benefit, because they can function with gusto in a corruption free environment.
POLITICS, RELIGION AND SEX: Why etiquette shuns?
An etiquette web site has been found to be advising its trainees not to discuss politics, religion and sex. According to them, 'weather condition' is the best suggested opening, as it makes the listener comfortable.
'Don't discuss politics, religion, sex' recitation has arisen probably because people are fed up of the politics, religion and sex.
Or probably because, discusssion of these subjects resulted in heated inconclusive arguments.
Or because, these subjects lead to personally irksome questions requiring some self-regulation and soul searching.
Or because the trainers felt that if people discuss PRS without bounds, they neglect acquiring and using livelihood skills; then their families would suffer.
This abhorrence of PRS may not be a newly germinated sapling of today. In 1774, Oliver Goldsmith presented his play 'She stoops to conquer'. The heroine's father Mr. Hardcastle was a squire. He was awaiting the arrival of the proposed groom for his daughter, to arrive from London. The youth and his friend arrived, but they were misled to believe that the Hardcastle's was an inn and mistook Mr. Hardcastle to be an inn-keeper. Hardcastle also acted like an inn-keeper. His dialog:-
'I fretted myself about the mistakes of the Government, like other people, but finding myself everyday grow more angry and the Government growing no better, I left it to mend itself. Since that, I no more trouble my head about Hyder Ally, or Ally Cawn, than about Ally Croker. Sir, my service to you ....'
Baiting Bush or Clinton or XYZ makes little difference. The Governments are incorrigible. The same applies to religions also. They refuse to correct themselves. The only thing that remains is 'sex'. There is already a downpour of it in the net.
Now see the graph:
PERSONAL DECISION MAKING - DECISION IMPLICATION GRAPH
Decision making involves choosing among available alternatives. If there are only two choices, which are like devil and deep sea, a dilemma arises. We can minimise dilemmas by exploring and identifying more alternatives.
Decision-making have implications. No impact or result is also one implication.
Short term decisions have not only short term implications, but also long term implications.
Long term decisions have not only long term implications, but also short term implications.
Pl. see the graph:
Example:
'In the moment of passion, fortune may be despised, but it ever produces a lasting repentance.'
-- Oliver Goldsmith, English dramatist (1728-74).
in his play 'She stoops to conquer'.
Spoken by : Character Miss Neville Constance.
Spoken to: her lover Hastings.
Occasion: Hastings proposed to her to elope with him, leaving the
fortune which she should get from her villainous aunt. It was
in the form of jewellery.
The decision involved here is a long term decision with both short term and long term implications. Short term implication: Bliss. Long term implication: Loss of jewellery, which may result in life time repentance.
Decision: Miss Neville persuaded her lover to wait, as she preferred to approach the elders for redressal of their grievances. Fortunately the elders permit them to marry and also ask the villainous aunt to return the jewellery.
Comment: Timing of a decision is very important.
MOTHER'S LOVE
Ramayana, the ancient Sanskrit of India laid great emphasis on the greatness of the mother and the motherland. According to them they are greater than the heaven itself.
'Jananii janmabhuumischa svargaadapii gariiyasi'
Janani = mother.
Janmabhuumi = motherland
svargaad = than heaven
api = also
gariiyasi = greater.
However, Marxists believe that all relations in this world are economic relations. Even a mother=daughter, mother-son relationship fall under the 'Economics' category.
OEDIPUS COMPLEX
---------------
Male child's unconscious desire for the exclusive love of his mother.
Sigmond Freud, the father of psychoanalysis stretched it, somewhat to an absurdity, stating that the desire includes jealousy towards the father and the unconscious wish for father's death.
Odipus killed his father Lailus and married his mother Jocasta.
PARASU RAAMA's love to his mother
---------------------------------
The mythical sage Parasurama killed his mother Renuka at the instance of his father Jamadagni. Later, when the father offers him to choose a gift, he asks for reviving his mother.
PANDAVAS' love to their mother Kunti
------------------------------------
Pandavas are five brothers. The middle one wins a princess Draupadi in a contest and presents her before their mother Kunti indicating that they brought a fruit. She advises the sons to share. All the five brothers, to honour their mother's word, marry one girl i.e. Draupadi.
GARUDA'S LOVE to his mother Vinata
----------------------------------
Garuda was son of Kashyapa and Vinata. Vinata and her son Garuda were enslaved by Kadruva another wife of Kashyapa. To relieve the mother from her slavery, Garuda fetched nectar from heaven and satisfies Kadruva's ransom.
VARIETIES OF LOVE
BRITTLE LOVE
Brittle love breaks at slightest provocation or suspicion.
DURABLE LOVE
Lasts long. Strengthens as time passes by.
PASSIONATE LOVE
More explicit. More intense. Like a fizzled drink may have to short a life or continual.
INTRINSIC SUBLIME LOVE
Continuous. Blooms on intellectual, moral and spiritual nourishment. Naturally durable.
PAINTING FOR MARKET; PAINTING FOR SOUL FULFILLMENT
Painting since centuries has passed through the dilemma, to paint for the market or for the soul fulfilment.
Painters like Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci have painted to satisfy their inner=selves. They became immortal.
Some painters may get their painting skills genetically. They learn quickly from the environment. Painting schools help in acquiring painting skills. What we get from the schools is technical perfection. For soul's fulfillment we have to work to our heart's content.
The key question is whether we paint for our selves or for our family, friends and neighbours or for the market. When we paint exclusively for ourselves, there should be no need for us to show it to anybody. Held close to the chest like a personal diary, our works will be available only after death. Our legal hairs may again preserve them as personal treasures or sell in the market, anyway that is not our concern after our death.
When a man is born, he is destined for consumption. Only mother's milk is free. Everything is to be bought, in early life by our parents and later by ourselves. Consequently, painting for the market becomes inevitable.
When we produce for the market, we have to satisfy its demands, some of which our conscience may revolt.
The picture above shows the position of most of us as painters, where we work both for the market as well as our self-actualisation.
On the X axis are producing for the market and painting for inner satisfaction at two ends. Though we can never rigidly argue that both will not meet, often they will not meet. A man who paints for the market loses some self-satisfaction.
On the Y axis, technical perfection and aesthetics are at the bottom. Reality and truth are on the top. Both beauty and facts rarely match. The market wants aesthetics and external features.
Even writers face the above dilemma - to write for the market or to write for the effervescence of inner self. This happens even for cookery recipes. What we cook with 10% concentration, if no body is going to eat, for whom is the cooking?
SUCCESSES AND FAILURES, DRUDGERY AND LAZINESS
LABYRINTHINE INTRICACIES OF SUCCESS AND FAILURE
'How to succeed in business without really trying' is a commonly searched item on net.
This question raises another: 'Will such success give satisfaction?'
A person who succeeds without real efforts, tend to become arrogant or parasitic. He cannot inspire others. He can mislead them.
The graphic depiction explains the success-effort relationship.
X axis : On the west is no effort. On the East is drudgery. Most of us have a central tendency i.e. moderate workers. With motivation, we make great efforts. In the absence of hygienic factors (Hertzberg coined he phrase) we do less effort. Never we prefer total laziness.
Y axis: The North is super success. The South is utter failure. Super success with little effort is the arrogance zone. Great success with great efforts is satisfaction zone.
The South is utter failure. Drudgery and utter failure combination can lead depression and suicides. No effort - failure (or no success / no failure) is not altogether bad for an individual. It may injure the society.
[Robert Browning's (1812-89) poem Andrea Del Sarto dealt with a painter's agony with successes and failures. Next blog will deal with similar issues.]
CONCEALMENT AND DISCLOSURE, TRUTH AND FALSE GRID
Sir Francis Bacon an Elizabethan essayist, lawyer, politician and friend of James I.
His essay 'On simulating, dissimulating' is the spur for this blog.
Humans wear socially acceptable masks. Sometimes, the masks may be very thick and nearly impenetrable. Sometimes they may be thin, onion peel-like.
Bacon propounded four classes of people. Apart from the antiquity of the Elizabethan language, the essay looked somewhat clumsy, required repeated reading. But it has great depth and the original is worth reading. The original is available on the net at hundreds of sites.
The grid drawn by this blogger shows the important terms:-
Y axis has 10% disclosures on the north and 10% concealment on the south. The 10% disclosing persons are wholly transparent, they have nothing to hide.
The 10% concealing persons have secret iron curtains. Even pentagon will not be so secretive.
X axis has 10% falsehood on the west and 10% truth on the east. Life becomes miserable for a person who wants to speak 10% truth today. 10% falsehood knocks out our self respect and self-confidence. May be found in some politicians.
Ordinary mortals like us tend to be occasionally revealing and occasionally concealing depending on moods and modes. Deliberate Machiavellian monstrous concealment we may not undertake.
Secretiveness and Openness need no explanation. Openness sometimes locks us in irrevocable commitments.
Simulation: Feigning, pretending false disclosures.
example: In the notorious Bofors gun purchase deal, the Indian Govt. feigned that there were no middlemen and there were no kick backs. The bluff did not last long.
Dissimulation or Dissembling : Disclosing very little, that too in a negative manner.
example: Q: Do you smoke?
A: I do not smoke cigars.
(The reply is silent about cigarettes. The dissimulating person smokes cigarettes, but does not reveal This is a partial negative disclosure.)
A person cannot always use only one tool. The essay indicates:
1. Use of openness and frankness in expressing opinions.
2. To maintain secrecy - while speaking about habits.
3. To use dissimulation when the situation demands.
4. To use simulation (give false info) when giving correct info. will explode.
This blogger's comment: Difficult to have any hard and fast rules. As far as possible, if we are true and open, we get our peace of mind. Those who know us will trust us. Others, if they hear about us will test us without our knowledge and start trusting us. In the meantime, there may be some mistrust.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN - DESERVED BETTER
Today: April 17. Death anniversary of Benjamin Franklin.
Though Benjamin Franklin was never a President of US , he had done to US more than what some of the US Presidents did despite having abundant Govt. apparatus and the approbation of people. He deserved better.
Had he been born in the next century (19th) he would have reached the zenith. His potential could not be fully utilised due to the peculiar circumstances prevailing in the 18th C. His age might have worked against him.
Today's media does not have much time, or rather it does not want to waste its resources on venerating a gone-by-generation man.
Freedom fighter
Signatory to all the three principal documents of the free USA.
1. The Declaration of Independence
2. The Treaty of Paris
3. United States Constitution.
Not a racialist
Far from being a racialist, he was found to be an abolitionist. He was President of Pennsylvania Abolition Society and he raised the cause of abolition of slavery in the House of Representatives in 1790 itself.
HIs contribution: A Plan for improving the condition of the Free Blacks.
His plan will be valid even today considering the media reports that 50% of the black youth fail to complete their school education and that some of them habitually go to jails.
IS EVERYTHING BRIGHT on Benjamin Franklin?
While his autobiography had received alround praise, masters like Mark Twain and D H Lawrence had a few reservations and comments, notwithstanding Benjamin Franklin wrote an errata listing out his own omissions. The American Library Association has included The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin in the list of banned books for social reasons.
There is some haziness. (Base: courtesy: Wikipedia).
National Anthem
National Song
In the context of some sections of population refusing to sing the National Song 'Vande Mataram', the Deccan Chronicle (13.9.06) published on the first page a news item titled 'People cannot be forced to sing anthem'. It recalled a 1986 Supreme Court ruling in Biju, Binu Mole, Bindu Emmanuel Case. In the particular case, three school children belonging to a Christian Sect Jesuit Witnesses refused to sing the National Anthem. The school authorities suspended the children from the School. Kerala High Court upheld the Action. Supreme Court reversed the judgement, to protect the fundamental right of freedom of religion.
The idea behind digging out this 20 year old judgement seems to defend the refusal to sing National Song Vande Mataram in the light of the SC verdict that National Anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' cannot be forced to be sung. Where is the place for Vande Mataram?
With due respect to the Supreme Court which gave its judgement in 1986, I feel that the judgement needs a review, in the wake of changed national environment, fissiparal tendendcies and terrorism.
For a human being, human rights are supreme, trespassing national boundaries. No nation can take away the basic human rights, unless there is a great danger or grave threat.
Eg. Legalising confining of a human being in an isolated cell and forcing him to drink his own urine. This the State or the Judiciary or the Legislature cannot do.
Then we have the national duties, obligations to the motherland, which every citizen has to fulfil, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. As long as the Nation does not place undue and unreasonable obligations on a citizen, these are to be respected by the citizens.
Eg. Asking a citizen to pay 95% of his income/wealth as tax. This becomes unreasonable.
In the order of priorities, the role of religious freedom must be third. While the right of an individual to chose any religion or God is to be respected, the religion cannot place undue restrictions on the individual, which are not within its purview, within the meaning of 'religion'. If a religion unreasonably restricting an individual, it is violating his human rights. When the State itself cannot take away the human rights of people, how can the religion take away?
When a State is asking its citizens the Anthem and Song, it is not preventing/prohibiting individuals from praying their own Gods. The State is not stepping into the shoes of the religion.
Singing or not singing the National Anthem or National Song cannot be within the purview of religion. The Govt. should appoint a Commission to identify areas in which the religions are interfering into human rights of individuals and widen the scope of jurisdiction of the National Human Rights Commission to cover them.
Back to the case of Biju, Binu, Bindu the children though technically were guided by their guardians, the guardians themselves had been under the dominating influence of religion. The members of some religions and denominations have a reached a stage where they cannot think, speak and act freely as there is a lurking fear of excommunication or fatwa. Besides, ordinary citizens are illiterate and have no time to think about the intricacies of law and the conflicts between the State and the Religion. In the circumstances, it may be necessary for judiciary to go to the spirit of the Constitution and not to the literal interpretation of its Articles. The State must come to the aid of the innocent practitioners of religions and rescue them from unreasonable interference by the religions into private affairs of individuals.
If a religion prescribes that a person should not sing its National Anthem or the National Song, there must be something basically wrong in the approach of the administrators and interpretors of the tenets of the religion. Their motives in thinking always negatively, conflictingly are to be explored.
SONIA SHOULD READ AND SPEAK LIKE A NATIONAL LEADERAt the Naini CMs' Conference, the Congress President Ms Sonia Gandhi spoke about the safety of the Minorities, instead of about the safety of the people. She talked like a petty politician When terrorism explodes and violence erupts, all the people in the proximity die. Death lays its icy hands on its victims ignoring their caste and creed. It is foolish to believe that a Govt. can protect only a person belong to a minority community picking him among the crowd. According to Bhagavad Gita, soul is universal pervading all humans. Minority souls and majority souls are not separate. If Sonia fails to recognise this 'Universality', she will become only 'Sonya'. Her coming to India, and embracing Indian customs will become futile, if her 'I' is only on UP elections. She can win her elections in India, more comfortably if she becomes a statesperson and develop a macro-vision of human values, national values, and above all ethical values. For that, she must voraciously READ the works of writers like Bertrand Russel, George Bernard Shaw and Mahatma Gandhi. She should gradually free her tongue from her speech writers and wings from her coteries. People are to be motivated genuinely and not to be misled into trenches.
CPI AND CREAMY LAYER IN RESERVATIONS
CPI (Communist Party of India) is hasty in criticising the judgement of the Supreme Court supporting the concept of Creamy Layer in reservations. The Marxist philosophy is an 'Economic Philosophy' relating itself to the suffering of the poor and lowly paid workers. It has nothing to do with caste. Creamy layer in any caste are well to do families and enjoy some prestige and respect in the society.
Being born in a particular caste is accidental. Providing reservations on the basis of caste alone leads to more injustices. They take to a situation which will be worse than the atrocious caste system. Removing the creamy layer from their entitlement to reservations will improve the opportunities available to the poorer sections among the Reserved Categories.
Though raised earlier, the issue of deciding backwardness, poverty and eligibility for reservations on the basis of father/mother's profession, is being ignored time and again. Certain occupations such as scavengers, cobblers and tanners, beggars and pig rearers continue to be low paying and socially degrading. Their backwardness, poverty, and wretchedness are too obvious and crystal clear. They are forsaken by God of every religion. The demand made by the most suffering classes like 'Madigas' (chamars) for a priority classification within the Scheduled Castes arises and needs support in this context only.
Someday, every profession has to get delinked from birth and caste. Inheritance of profession, income and wealth from parents and dynasties have to go someday or the other. Can CPI do some rethinking?
CPIM AND CHINA
Mr. Sitaram Yechuri, Polit Bureau member of CPIM went on a picnic to China, the modern Mecca of Communism. (Earlier: Russia). He has a dream: 'India and China are not in an undue hurry to settle the issue of occupied territories.'
For any country, its territory will be the most valued possession. India lost Ladakh (one third of Kashmir) and NEFA (one third of Arunachal Pradesh) in 1962 to China which occupied them on a cold night, like the icy Goddess of Death. The then Chinese Premier Chou En Lai was a signatory to Panch Sheel at Bandung, propounded and propagated by Nehru. The Panch Sheel envisaged that Nations would settle all disputes by discussions and would not resort to wars. Chou En Lai broke his promise and trespassed into India. India lost thousands of its brave soldiers on the Indo China border operations. Their widows are still alive and their children are still living like paupers, albeit with glorious faces of being sons of martyrs. This is history.
China built the Karakarom Highway through Ladakh and Pak Occupied Kashmir to Pakistan. Hence, Chinese reticence to settle the issue of border is understandable. It is squating on Indian territory, and it will be irksome for it to discuss the question of settling and vacating.
Then, why India should not be interested to discuss the issue of border? Only Mr. Sitaram should explain.
China continues to show large parts of Arunachal Pradesh as its territory in their maps. Chinese goods are invading Indian Markets. Chinese textiles are wiping out the Indian textile industry both mechanised and handloom weaving. China is diverting the Brahmaputra waters into Tibet. This task when completed will leave India-Assam-West Bengal and Bangla Desh arid and desert-like. China does not support the Indian deserving cause of India's candidature for permanent membership of Security Council. (Decades back India foolishly supported the reinstatement of Mainland China in their permanent membership). What goodwill does China have towards India, except its eyes on Indian markets? Its Foreign Minister is again chanting the Panch Sheel which China threw in the Yangtze River in 1962. Will China invade India again?
CRITICISM AGAINST MAHATMA GANDHI CRITICISM AGAINST MAHATMA GANDHI
There are strong reasons to deduce that excessive prayers performed by Gandhiji, his using religious language and vocabulary and show of religious fervour raised suspicions in the minds of Jinnah and other Muslim leaders that, after independence, there will be a Hindu Government in India dominated by priests. The threat of an impending Hindu Raj, apparently forced the Jinnah & Co. to harden their postures. Gandhiji might be crystal clear and clean in his mind, but the Jinnah and Co's mind was polluted. Gandhiji with a view to attract the Muslim youth to the mainstream freedom movement, supported the Khilafat movement about the removal of Turkey's khalifa by the British invaders. This raised suspicions in the minds of the staunch Hinduist activists that Gandhiji was favouring Muslims. Had Gandhiji acted in strict secular - dictionary sense of being unconcerned about religion, things would have probably been different.
The problem with 'would have beens' is :- we view things from hindsight. A person leading a national movement has his own problems. The spectators both the TV and the Stadium type want the cricket-hero to hit sixers and make a century. The man who actually faces the bowling and the pitch knows his difficulties.
Had Gandhiji not prayed at all, did not call for the help of Ram at all, even Hindus might not have joined the freedom movement. The mill owners might not have financed the Congress movement. The women might not have given their ornaments for the Congress fund.
It is absolutely difficult to predict. For influencing people, a person may have to appear like a real Mahatma, and project himself in a child-like manner. When we see Gandhiji's
1. handling of the Congress Working Committee in dealing with the contest between Netaji and Pattabhi for Congress Presidentship,
2. patronising Rajaji ignoring equally capable and sacrificing Prakasam,
3. refusing to take up strongly with the British PM to postpone the execution of Bhagat Singh,
we may have to conclude that he was not 100% Mahatma. In being a Mahatma, he might have been far ahead of all other freedom fighters.
Many veteran freedom fighters ungrudgingly co-operated with Gandhiji though they did not agree with him on the means or strategies. It shows that they were also Mahatmas in their own way, just as Gandhiji was. Entry of Gandhiji directly to the top of the Indian freedom movement displaced equally charismatic and sacrificing leaders like Lokmanya Tilak and Annie Besant. Magnanimous they were, they did not envy him. (Compare this to the introduction of Sonia Gandhi as Congress President in the place of Sitaram Kesari, how abrasive and chafing it was).
CRITICISM AGAINST MS SONIA GANDHI
WHERE ARE THE PRINCIPLES OF MS SONIA GANDHI?
--SG's assertion that her decision to quit and recontest the Rae Bareli is a fight for principles is not tenable.
If she had been sincerely fighting to uphold principles of honesty, the following course of action would have been more appropriate.
1. Submitting explanation to the CEC about her inadvertent omission to check the rules about accepting an office of profit.
2. Abiding by his decision.
3. Or Approaching a court of law for redressal of grievances.
Instead of choosing any of these, she preferred to manoeuvre politically. In the process she imposed unnecessary by-election on her Constituency. It resulted in an avoidable cost of about Rs. one crore to the State exchequer for conducting the election and another Rs. two crore to all the parties put together to contest the election. Besides the administration of the District and its development have come to a halt as the administrative machinery is engaged in poll work and then there are poll time restrictions.
Her election speech itself shows the way for her, the meaning of which she does not know because she does not write her own speeches and reads out the recipes of ghostwriters. An excerpt: of her subhashitam 'Politics shows the path to service. This path is difficult, but it definitely ushers in people's love and affection. I know I have your love. You know the Congress is not merely a political party. It is an ideology, a policy, an ideal, a principle and a culture.'
If what she really needed from people is 'LOVE', then she ought to work in the areas of abolition of dowry, child labour, prevention of child marriages, prevention of AIDS. What would be the ideology, policy, ideal, principle and culture of a party which is unable to find a leader from millions of its own workers who can head the party other than the anointed Nehru legatees?
Unfortunately, the villagers and the poor of the Rae Bareli do not understand the rhetoric and the platitudes incorporated in her speech. They know only color of the skin and the aristocratic looks, to believe that the person is fit to rule them. Today, even if Lord Shri Rama himself comes down and presents before them, they will scorn.
We have a Prime Minister who is not keen on contesting Lok Sabha and is pulling along by representing Assam, by furnishing some cushion address in Guhawati. If Ms Gandhi is really fighting for principles, she should have invited Mr. Manmohan Singh to contest from Rae Bareli and canvassed for his victory. Her presence in Lok Sabha during the last two years did not make any difference, as she has no time to develop original thinking on the problems faced by this country and its people and suggest solutions by speaking in the House. She has only a glamorous presence in the Parliament a la the filmi femina.
INDIAN UNIVERSITIES WANT TO FLY AWAY
Vice Chancellors of Indian Universities want full autonomy for their Universities. Won't they have autonomy today? It is a matter of interpretation. Public Sector Universities in India are mostly incorporated under Special Statutes. Universities run by State Govts. have a Chancellor, who often happens to be the State Governors. The Universities get budget support from the State Govts. and the University Grants Commission. Both, naturally exercise some sort of indirect control on the operations of the Universities. Today, Indian Universities are passing through a critical phase. Intense competition among the Public Sector and Private Sector domesttic Universities. As a part of financial reforms launched by India and the commitment given to W.T.O., Foreign Universities will enter the arena. Foreign Universities, Deemed Universities and Private Universities enjoy significant freedom in designing of courses, charging fee and selection of staff. The ability of the State Governments to provide adequate grants to State Run Universities from budget allocations is dwindling and the Universities have to fend themselves even for working funds.
In the area of course selection and design, the Universities feel suffocated with AICTE, NCTE, BCI, MCI, and UGC trying to impose framework of common core syllabi. There is little space for the Universities to flex their bodies. The frustration of the Vice Chancellors increases when they lose their market share to Private, Deemed and Foreign Universities.
There is already some confusion about the standard and value of the degrees awarded by different Universities in the country. Though a system of rating Universities has been introduced, such grading relates more to the infrastructure available in the University rather than the standard of education. If Universities are allowed to deviate much from the Common Core Syllabi, comparison of degrees among Universities becomes a casualty.
RESERVATION POLITICS OF SACHIN PILOT
In the post LPG India, prestigious degrees and coaching strategies have become the passports for success and cozy jobs. Students whose parents are rich, have access to all these and flaunt themselves as the meritorious. In private sector, caste is irrelevant today. Appearances (red face, dress, shoes, ties, English communication with accent, etiquette) matter. Some performance also matters, unless the candidate is the kith of the CEO who is being introduced to the family Company as an executive trainee. Due weight is given for recommendations when they emerge from somebody who has some value for the conduct of the business of the Company safely on a path of growth. Thus, what the recruiter weighs has nothing to do with the social values or the Government's professed policy. In this set up, naturally a rich candidates easily fit themselves.
Poor candidates also get employment after some repeated trials. If the Companies are filled with 100% inefficient lazy persons, they cannot run. The recruiters, therefore, take poor meritorious candidates as 'coolii ciimalu' in the ant hierarchy of indian industry.
Back to the respected Mr Sachin Pilot, his own membership of Parliament is a legacy from his late father Rajesh Pilot. His ability to spend money in elections is also a legacy. The Prime Ministership of this country is reserved for Mr. Rahul Gandhi, without a need for him to prove his merit. It will be sufficient even if he is mediocre.
Congress workers born in OBC or other castes/religions do not get a chance to contest from Dausa or Amethi because they are not from the divine royal families of inheritance. Dedicated workers toiling in the party for thirty years; yet unfit?
The link between among aristocracy, success and superficial merit can be seen from the adulating adjectives poured on Mr. Pilot in media and meetings: '1. savvy young parliamentarian 2. youngest member of the Parliament and the BRIGHTEST 3. Certainly a man to watch out for 4. the pride of Gujjar community 5. Award winner for the most stylish person in politics 5. Squeaky clean youthful looks, with an edge over other politicians 6. Congress' young Turk 7. A Wharton MBA (Wharton also mentions him) 8. Bright, intelligent and capable person 9. Poster boy of Congress 10. Smart, very smart.'
Well, no need to envy Mr. Pilot for getting alround praise and nationwide acclaim. But, since he is supporting the reservations, he can start the charity from his home. He can relinquish his legacy, a la Sonia and resign as MP from Dausa. He can provide an opportunity to a Senior Congress worker of Gujjar Community (Pilot's own community) to contest the bye-election and canvas for the new entrant.
A champion for the rights of the suffering youth of India, is Mr. Pilot. He can therefore initiate a campaign for reservations for redistribution of inherited wealth on quota basis to poor. He can keep from his father's estate that minimum required for his needs of food, clothing, shelter, old age security and expenses for fighting elections. The fruits of growth of 10% which he promises in his high flier speeches at the Seminars held by Chambers and Business Houses can also be redistributed on reservation basis. As a Wharton MBA he can get sinecure jobs in India to take care of extras. Awaiting for a plan of realistic egalitarianism from him.
TEXTILE MARKETS IN ANDHRA PRADESH
People in AP nowadays use synthetic textiles made using polyester staple fibre or yarn. During summer some women use handloom/power loom/composite textile mill woven cotton sarees. Company executives and Government Officers wear ready made shirts and pants, ties. Foreign brands are favoured.
PONDURU KHADI
Though everybody may love to wear Pondur Khadi, it is costlier than synthetic fabrics, hence only politicians wear. Khadi is also known as khaddar. Handmade cloth. The difference between khaddar and a handloom cloth is:-
HANDLOOM CLOTH
In handloom cloth, the yarn used for weaving is made by spinning mills. Synthetic colours consisting of chemicals are used. Weaving alone takes place on looms. Patterns of checks and stripes are woven using intricate designs.
KHADI (KHADDAR)
Even yarn (thread) is spun using a charkha (hand operated spinning wheel). Every stage of the conversion of cotton into cloth is done using hands. KHADI effectively protects body from summer heat and winter cold. It absorbs sweat. Of great utility to persons who are HEALTH CONSCIOUS.
Weaknesses of Khadi : 1. Crease (folds) made by pressing (ironing) does not last. Frequent ironing is necessary.
2. No variety of colors. A sort of fawn (brown) and pure white, that's all.
3. Less durable when compared to synthetics.
(Though Indian Rupee prices are higher in US Dollar terms, the khadi may compete well in US. due to 1$ = Rs. 46 approx.)
WHAT IS THE SPECIALITY OF PONDUR KHADI?
Pondur is a small village in Srikakulam District. of Andhra Pradesh. The Pondur khadi is made only at Pondur using a lengthy, painstaking, elaborate process (here I am not describing due to space and readability criteria).
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Pondur Khadi is a 100% eco friendly product. It is dyed naturally, hence minimises the risk of allergies caused by chemicals in fabric colors.
RAG PICKERS' STORY
Sept. 30,2006. 6 a.m. Dawn. Cloudy sky. No mist. Clean air. Today morning I went into the street to buy milk packets. (For the questions given in each paragraph, answers are given at the end of this post.)
The first person I saw today was a rag picker. About 25. Unkempt hair. Bright, youthful eyes. Searching with his right hand in the dust bin for recycle-able materials such as waste paper and iron scrap. Question 1: What he was holding in his left hand?
The second person, I encountered today was also a rag picker. White beard. Wrinkled face. Shining front tooth, only one. Limping on his left leg, due to an unhealed sore. He was munching something. Question 2: What he was munching?
The third person, I came acoss today was also a rag picker. She was pulling a cart loaded with saleable garbage. A youthful woman with a muscular body. Wearing a brass necklace of black beads, and an yellow thread with two gold buttons shining well, an indication of being married. Looked delighted at her successes.
The fourth person, I found today was also a rag picker. A small boy of 10, with torn knickers. The shorts were bound to his waist with a red colored cotton thread. He was searching for food in the dust bins. Not with perceivable success. (Food has becoming very expensive. People are cooking small quantities and eating in small quantities. There are not adequate left overs). He was looking disappointed. Question 3: Where could he have found some food?
I wondered: 'Why so many rag pickers are on the road today? They are coming like ants from the ant holes.
I invited the boy to my house and gave him something to eat. Thereafter, I gave him some old newspapers. The boy could not believe himself that he would get double benefit. He muttered in a low voice? Question 4: What did he ask me?
__________________________________________________
Answers: Q 1: 1 year old child.
Q 2: Own saliva. Hungry. Nothing to eat.
Q 3: At marriage halls. Local practice: Guests do not eat all the eatables served to them fully. Because they believe that other guests will consider them hungry poor who have not tasted sweets in their lives. Besides, diabetes patients also leave the sweets in the plates. What a squalor!!!!! Wedding parties are ugly!
Q 4: Old empty beer bottles. I am a teetotaller. I did not have. I could not satisfy the boy. I was disappointed.
SKELETONS IN THE CUPBOARDS
Terrorism is ubiquitous and omnipresent. Islamic terrorism is the open variety. State sponsored Interntional Terrorism is a more dangerous and disguised variety.
History of every country, nation, race, and religion is filled with terrorist activities. But our national pride does not allow us to recognise it and correct ourselves. Our lives have been so brainwashed, that we do not look back.
Here are the 12 such back-grounds of Nations with shallow foundations, out on to enforce discipline on the entire world.
1. USA: The European settlers went there around 1600 A.D., equipped with guns and gun powder. Poor native red Indians did not have the ammunition. They were driven to a State called Indiana and would have been nearly annihilated but for their need as laborers. Their religion and customs were termed as savageous, as if the settlers had a better civility and nobility.
2. Canada: -do-.
3. South America: Spanish colonisers destroyed the Maya Civilisation; destroyed the Amazon Forests; Manro doctrine and a protective umbrella from USA saved the South American countries.
4. Africa: European and US slave traders transported the African Blacks as cattle and sold them in auctions. The Novel 'Roots' by Alex Haley and Mark Twain's 'Adventures of Huckel Berifin' present us a faily clear picture.
Colonialisation of Africa by British, French and the Dutch.
5. South Asia: Colonialisation of Indian Sub Continent by the British.
6. South East Asia: Colonialisation by British, French and Dutch. Even China could not escape the British tyranny.
7. Greek, Bactrian, Arab, Turkish, Mangolian and Iranian Invasion of India from 326 B.C to 1751 A.D.
8. Roman Invasion of Europe including Britain upto 6c. A.D. What was the religion of the British before the Roman invasions? Were they sinners condemned to hell?
9. Turkish invasion of Europe around 1453.
10. Conquests by Czars of the Northern Asia and subjugation of the tribals.
11. British excommunicated prisoners and settlers nearly destroyed the aboriginals in their own country and New Zealand.
12. Aryan invasions from North Europe and Central Asia on the Indian Sub Continent.
This list incomplete. Whenever invasions took place 1. the victorious armies robbed the villages in the vicinity. 2. the victorian races imposed their religious beliefs on the natives. In this respect neither the Christianity nor the Islam is CLEAN.
In this context singling out Islamic Terrorism as something barbarian is unreasonable. Proof: The Talibans destroyed the Bamean Buddha Cave Statues cruelly. The Pakistan sold the Al Qaida activists and Talibans to US. The US made them naked, kept them in metal cages in Gantanamo Bay and behaved like a possessed Nation.
The suspicions of the practitioners of Islam that the US, Europe and Israel are hell-bent to destroy
the Islam have a basis in that if Red Indians, Aboriginals and Blacks could be enslaved, why not the Muslims? Strangely, the Islamic fundamentalists and clerics forget, how they spread their religion in India from 1000 AD to 1857 AD. In the world history, at a particular period of time, or a particular Century one race/religion/country/Nation may have an upper hand. In the next Century, it may become a slave. Now, the Islam has become the underdog.
The EurAmstraNZ are aggravating the sense of being annihilated.
If Bush goes ahead with what he is doing now, (eg. purchasing suspected terrorists from Pakistan by paying 'Price') he will only make a greater mess of the world harmony among the countries. US has to go slow, but steadily and smoothly on a correct path, for which he has to consult philosophers and writers and spend several months before each step. Or invent new weapons?
(To continue and modify on the basis of comments).
STORY OF ALARKA
Kuvalayaava was a king in India. His wife was Madalasa.
They had their first son. K named the child as 'Vikranta'. M smiled. K was surprised.
Next year, they had their second son. K named the child as 'Subaahu'. M smiled. K was more surprised and wondered 'Why should she smile?'
The third year, they had their third son. K named the child as 'S`atru mardan'. M smiled. K wondered 'Was she smiling derisively? I have named them in well-meaning words.'
The fourth year, they had their fourth son. This time, K asked M to name the child. 'Every time you have been laughing at the names given by me, though I was giving the children well meaning names. Now, you name the boy. Let us see how you will perform!'
M named the child 'Alarka' and waited a moment. This time it is the turn of Kuvalayasva to laugh derisively. 'ha ha ha! what a name! Alarka means 'a mad dog! Does anybody name once own child a mad dog?'
STRIKES IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECTOR
War is the last step in settling political disputes. On the same analogy, strike should be the last step in settling in labour and work disputes. Strike is the legitimate weapon of workers whether intellectual or blue collared. The CPM which claims to be the champion of workers' causes in India does not want strikes to take place in Information Technology Sector in India. This is because West Bengal, the traditionally CPM ruled State in India is trying to woo IT Corporates. CITU, the Trade Union Organ of CPM is keen to start a Trade Union.
In India, at Indian standards, there is a belief that IT Sector employees are well paid. But, this belief is going to become diluted, as thousands of Engineering graduates leave the Colleges with their degrees and compete for their space in the IT world. When supply of labour increases, wages are bound to fall, though the IT Sector says that it is slated for a large scale expansion. With the increase in supply of labour, comes the exploitation, harassment and victimisation are bound to take place. The first generation (pioneers) of IT Software industry in India were magnanimous and paternalistic to their employees. But now fly-by-night operators are entering the arena, particularly the BPO sector. They may not have the same generocity which the leaders have.
It is high time that CPIM looks into ideological moorings and decide whether it wants to tread a path of ideology or a parth of convenience and opportunism. It cannot have both worlds.
TATAS TATA
Steel production involves hazardous labour. In spite of use of robots, steel production continues to involve hard physical work. European countries suffer from low birth rates and shortage of working age youth and middle aged persons. Iron ore countries like India and China have started their own steel mills and are competing in Steel Export markets with European Steel Mills. Converting iron scrap into steel by medium sized Rerolling Mills has also developed sufficiently to slacken the demand for steel produced by large integrated steel mills. With a view to reduce weight and gasoline consumption, automobile makers are raising the proportion of plastics and fibreglass in vehicles. In this environment, the European Steel Mills find their future prospects declining and are exploring opportunities of shifting to greener and comfortable pastures. The eagerness of Mittals and Tatas (More Indian entrepreneurs on the way) to invest abroad made the task of Euro Steel Mills easier to exit by palming off their none-too-healthy steel units by window dressing and bolstering of balance sheets.
Indian Prime Ministers right from Rajiv Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao, Vajpayee to Manmohan Singh toured the entire world scouting for foreign investments in India. Strangely, the Indian steel giants are pouring Rs.350 billion in U.K. before the very eyes of Manmohan Singh. Tatas may be transferring funds from Cash Rich units like V.S.N.L. (Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd.- a Public Sector Telecom giant which Tatas got from Govt. of India) and other Indian Units for their global investments. One is tempted to wonder, whether this step will really benefit Tatas and Mittals. With their business acumen, they may turn around the fortunes of the global steel makers. They may also buy some prestigious position like membership of House of Commons/Lords. They may get some historical titles like 'Sir'. They may even successfully escape the menace of political donations and mafia collections prevailing in Indian Corporate environment. But, there will be British political donations and other threatening collections in U.K. Hence, it may be a fall for them from the hot pan into the red hot stove.
TENALI RAMA'S GOLD MANGOES
Tenali Rama was a 16th Century Telugu Poet in the court of Sri Krishna Deva Raya. His stories are known for their joviality.
The King's mother was on her death bed. The physician after trying every medicine, prescribed a diet of mangoes for her. That was winter season and mangoes were not available. (Mangoes have a normal season of summer, in Northern Hemisphere: June). She died saying 'Where are the Mangoes, I want Mangoes!'.
After completing her funeral rites, the Priests advised the King that he should distributed mangoes made of gold to all the Priests in the Capital. As the King was anxious that his mother's soul must rest in peace, he decided to distribute gold mangoes to all the priests in the Town.
Tenali Rama came to know about. He understood that the Priests gave this advice to the King, with a view to benefit the priestly class/caste. He wanted to create a rhapsodic scene and also hint the king about his error, because the Treasury of the King will become empty with the extravagance.
Rama sat at the entrance of the Fort with a stove and a branding rod made of iron. He was heating it continually on the red fire.
He stopped at the gate, the priests who came to collect the gift of the gold mangoes. They were surprised at the poet sitting at the gate with a branding iron. They asked him what for he was heating it.
Tenali Rama: 'You have come to collect the gold mangoes. Isn't it? If so, pl. get branded on your back, chest and shoulders and stand in the queue. The number of mangoes you get will be as many as the number of brandings you accept. For example, if you take three brandings, you will get three mangoes.'
The Priests were happy to hear it. Every priest got 2/3/4/5 brandings greedily and went inside. The King sat personally and started distributing the gold mangoes.
Irrespective of the number of brandings, the king was giving only one mango. Priests were accepting them grudgingly, and were not even thanking the King. One particularly greedy priest got angry and demanded from the king five mangoes. He showed the five brandings on his back and chest and justified his request.
The King was surprised and inquired from the Priests who was branding them at the gate. They said 'Tenali Rama was sitting at the Gate with his stove and iron rod,and was doing the mischief.'
The King went out personally and found Tenali Rama at the gate with his stove and iron rod with the burning embers.
King: 'Why are you deceiving these poor Priests? Are you mad? Who told you that I would give more mangoes for more brandings?'
Tenali Rama: Forgive my my Lord! You are my savior. I shall tell the whole story. My mother was suffering from a peculiar disease. The Doctor asked me that she will be cured only if she is given some hot brandings on her legs. Before I could heat the stove, she died asking: 'Brand me quickly with the iron. It will be better than this pain.'
'I completed the funeral rites of my mother. As her soul can rest in peace only if some hot brands are made on somebody, I was searching people who will accept the hot brands on their back. I thought that there is a similarity between your mother's desire and my mother's desire. Hence, I made a link between gift of gold mangoes and hot brand marks.'
The King realised that the Poet played a practical joke on him. Being a kind man, he laughed at it and left the poet.
The King did not repeat such costly gift campaigns.
WHAT MS. JAYALALITHAA WILL DO IN POES GARDENS
Ms Jayalalithaa submitted her resignation in a dignified manner, stating diligently that she did her best. Her declaration that she may not attend the TN Assembly regularly because it was 'anaagarika - UNCIVILISED' may also be JUSTIFIABLE considering her past experience of being disrobed in the open House.
By absenting herself from the Assembly, she is letting down HER OWN people of Andipatti Constituency. She has not at least pre - intimated her voters before polling that she will not attend the Assembly if she is not the CM.
While she was the busy CM, she might have attended to the citizens of Andipatti through proxies. People could understand it. Now she can directly meet them. If she lives in Andipatti and spends at least seven nights in every village of the Constituency she can get a first hand experience and renewal of the images of experiences of the poorest of the Andipatti. She can collect lists of names of quarry labour which has migrated to other States in search of livelihood. She can identify child labour and counsel the parents - particularly those who are her devotees to send the children to schools She can see with her own eyes the evils of alcohol addiction. Though she may be not be able to raise the problems in Assembly as she does not attend the Sessions, she can at least meet the District Officials and try to redress them. If she prefers to stay in Chennai, what she will be doing at Poes Garden? Some guess work is unavoidable.
WHAT MS JAYALALITAA WILL DO NOW?
--Atend more temples and Matt's, bathe more in rivulets and tanks, and donate more elephants.
--Go to Hyderabad and supervise the maintenance of her Estate.
--Climb countless steps of countless courts to defend countless cases which the new Govt. may be register. TN Govt. and she has the money to feed the lawyers.
COULD SHE DO THESE?
--Visit stone quarries near Hyderabad, Vijayavada (NH9), Guntur (Perecharla) etc. and speak in Tamil, to Tamil women breaking stones in the hot sun. They may not be her voters. Doing one virtuous thing now and then, will cleanse thousand sins committed in a power mongering spree.
HOW MUCH TO EXPOSE?
TO EXPOSE OR NOT TO EXPOSE is the enigma for women worldwide from time immemorial.
SHOULD RESPECTABLE WOMEN COVER THEMSELVES MORE?
Historically, the practice of respectable women covering more and more of their body parts with robes seems to have developed during the Medieval period of Indian History, probably after the Arab, Turkish, Mughal and Bahamany invasions, as a defensive strategy to prevent drawing the attention of the invading soldiers.
FEMINISM NEED NOT OBJECT TO EXPOSURES
Feminists worldwide seem to object. Obscene presentation of woman for commercial purposes deserve strictures. Obscene presentation of woman for artistic purposes by male artists, needs thorough discussion.
FILM STARS :: TREND SETTERS
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Film actresses and models bare themselves reckless for moolah. Can't they look beautiful without exposures? Why should we copy stars?
AGED WOMEN NEED NOT LOOK JADED
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Even aged women dye their hair and wear trendy dresses, though there is no real life need to attract anybody. Every aged woman has her own human right of chosing her hair style and dress style. This must be welcome.
LADIES' TAILORS UNDER STRESS
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Tailoring and apparel making is a competitive world. Tailors compete with one another in exposing.
1. How many inches of neck should be shown?
2. How many inches of back should be shown by lowering or raising the height of the blouse?
3. Should there be slieves or not? If sleeves are to be there, how many inches long? The sleeves move up and down every year, as a trend of fashion.
4. The frontside of the neck goes up or down to the extent of showing the place between the two breasts. The ladies' tailors face the wrath of their customers either for showing less or more and their scissors are cursed.
5. Some housewives started lowering their saree line at the waist, lowering it exposing folds on the stomach.
DILEMMA OF GIRLS AND WOMEN
---
1. How much to show to husband in bed room?
2. -do- at other places?
3. How much to show to family members at home? (Sometimes, what is intended for husbands may get messed up and may be shown to family elders resulting in an embarrassing position.
4. How much to show at a fashion show or at a party?
5. How much to show walking on a road? (The women who travel in cars do not have this problem, but when they board a train, the problem will be back.)
GUIDANCE FROM ELDERS IN DRESSING
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In traditional homes mothers-in-law used to watch the dressing style of their daughters-in-law. Some mothers-in-law expected the d.i.l. to point out and correct her own (mother's) dress style. There used to be m.i.l who used to find fault with d.i.l. both ways.
ROLE OF COMMERCE IN EXPOSURES
---
Watching the ugly dresses and bikinis worn in fashion shows particularly in the West, one wonders that the textile industry will be bankrupt.
Why should a woman show herself at all or hide her beauties at all? It can always be left to herself. The problem, is commerce is behind her. The business is more eager to bring her bare on to the stage. They want to make quick money. For them, showing face, is just not enough. The unfortunate women who show their bare bodies have their own compulsions to oblige.
EXPOSURE IS A BIOLOGICAL NEED
---
There is nothing wrong in girls and women trying to look attractive. In fact some anthropologists say that it is a biological necessity arising out of far reaching changes which have taken place during evolution of man as an erect animal with hidden sexual organs. Then how much it is a biological and need and how much it is a civilisational need?
VOLUNTARY SELF DISCIPLINE IN INDIAN CULTURE
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PAST: Cultured youth looked only look at feet of the women, even if they are naked.
PRESENT: Cultured youth look at face and general appearance. Not at breasts or thighs.
There can be no moral policing or burkha system. It is for the individual to decide how far to provoke others with his hair on chest or her tight bikini. Then, the onlooker will have a right to view with X-ray eyes.
Today, youth are in a confused state, on how to express themselves. Expressing one-self through flesh and curves will have only a temporary effect on the viewer. The ability to impress will also be lost with aflux of time.
School children who are barely 13 or 14 start getting lascvious thoughts and become restless. Continuing this clouded atmosphere on roads will cause incalculable damage to the society. The intellectuals must address to this problem, leaving out their own personal sexual gyrations.
John Keats: - BEAUTY IS SKIN DEEP seems to have to eternal validity.
Most religions speak of
1. sinning, protection after prayer;
2. desires, fulfilment after prayer;
3. hardships, amelioration after prayer;
We have four types of prayers: 1. Private prayers in private homes 2. Community Prayers in Private HOmes. 3. Private prayers at public places. 4. Community Prayers in Public places.
Prayers involve surrender by kneeling.
In some churches, there is a practice of confession in the ears of the Preachers.
Hinduism boasts of spirituality. Islam speaks of single supreme God, but allows spirits being employed by him.
The whole world looks bizarre.
Back to the materialist world, there is more mess work. Stock Exchanges booming and falling. Corporates fudging their books and cheating the investors and the Government.
Even homes are losing their peace with 'Buy this Buy that stuff blaring all the time' from the TV. Even if we go to some picnic or site seeing, hoardings will not leave us. Even in deep forests, there will be hoardings and ads. Flight and Rail Reservations, Hotel reservations, everything trying to knock out the tourist and his inner zeal to see. The moment a tourist is on the road, heshe longs to be at home in exhaustion.
Among all the places, the toilet seems to be the most peaceful place, if there is nobody in waiting outside.
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