Taxi Drivers:
I met a gentleman yesterday, he was an Auto driver in Indore. He had picked me up from my home to drop me to office. As I have had the habit to conversing with Auto and Taxi drivers he started to chat with me. I found him to be very knowledgeable. He started to talk to me on all kinds of issues. He spoke about MBA and MCAs. Then suddenly he became very nostalgic about his past. How he had to leave studies and become a truck driver when he was 19. He missed studying. He said that all his energies went into creating a future for his children. He had two daughters and one son. All of them were post graduates and they all were well placed. Last of the daughter was even working in an IT firm.
Talking to him reminded me of another gentleman of almost the same age that I had encountered in Australia. The day I was about to leave for India, I was sitting in the lobby of the hotel where we had spent the night. Waiting for this cab was frustrating because this guy was late by almost half an hour. Everyone would feel the pain of that half an hour. Another funny incident had happened just before this when Aneela accidentally dragged of my bag instead of hers. I didn't even realise. Fortunately she realized and came back in time. It would have been real frustrating if she wouldn't have realized in time.
Coming back to the Taxi driver. He was quite a dilapidated fragile character. One of those who become creeps in scary movies. He looked odd and it was hard to converse with him. However, as I started to chat with him he became friendly.
When he found about me going to India, he was very happy. He told me that his brother used to travel a lot to Pakistan and India on business. He told me a story that once his brother was getting late to reach the airport in India and how a cab driver even with a flat tire drove with full speed to get him there. When they got of the tire was totally in shreds. The txi driver's brother was totally shocked to see that commitment. However, he said that only living in India and Pakistan made you appreciate the life in Australia from his perspective. As we became involved in conversation he told me his life story.
His father was a Jewish migrant from before the war. Around mid 1930s as the persecution of Jews started he was one the first to realise that he needs to get out. His family objected to it but he insisted and ran to Italy. After living here for sometime he boarded a boat not even know where it would take him. On the deck he found two things which would change him forever, One, his destination which was Australia and second the girl who would be with him forever. Like him that girl was also running away and migrating to Australia. They fell in love. Just after landing in Australia, they got married. The guy was 19 and the girl was 16. He was a diligent hard worker and started to work at a grocery shop. Life flourished and with in few years they had two sons. The elder one was the gentleman I was talking to.
Both of them never looked back, never tried to find people back in Germany even in the worst years of Nazi era. I found this a little odd.
How can you forget where you come from, where your past lies. What I have relaised that people with abused childhood try not to look back. Maybe the reason could lie in the pains that are in the past, when someone tries to dig into their heritage or ancestory at some levels they also bring in their recent past to associate with it.
As life would unfold for the couple, they both were very happy, however their elder son was a little learning disabled and second one a little smarter.
Life went on, the elder one became a driver and the second one left Australia for Indonesia, where he lives alone and never married.
My friend got married and had one son very late in life. When I had met him his son was 17 years old. He was given the best possible education and the proudest moment came when he was selected by an English club for their 3rd tier team to play Soccer. Amazing isn't it, playing Football in England for a Austrlasian Poor Jewish boy.
By this time we were at the airport, I knew one day I would write this story and hence I paid him $10 extra to share it with me. Here he did something which made me cringe. He gave me a card which had a list websites of a few religious cults.
I am not sure why I dislike cults however I am a firm believer of following religion in its truest form. I am afraid of any religious organization. Specially once which hide in the form of improving your life. I believe like Osho (now he himself was a cult creator, which I would never join) that anyone who gives you belief system is your biggest enemy and people who join even if they are most learned have one major issue in life and that is their self esteem.
Here I lost interest and threw away the card.
Both stories have two common threads, one they both had given me a ride from one place to another and life's long journey they were story tellers for that blip in time. Second, they both had worked very hard to provide for their families and were so proud of their children.
This made me think, Is it that however hard we try to improve our own lives we end up working for our children. I guess I would only know when I am a father.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Entrepreneurship
Last few months have been very interesting, first I decided to take up a job sadly due to global slow down it did not work out. Now I have been offered a job which was beyond my expectations. The biggest telecom firm in India and world's 3rd largest telecom firm offered me Vice President position to head their Sub-Saharan Africa. They offered me money which I couldn't even imagine. However, I have spent last 7 years learning the traits of being an entrepreneur. It's a totally different thing than working for someone else.
I have spent last few days thinking about my future and contemplating on which is a better decision for me.
On one hand I have an opportunity to lead a major world brand into an almost virgin territory. Earn a lot of money. Make a brand for myself in the corporate world. Providing opportunity to millions to connect and give them better communication.
On the other, I have my own dreams, the feeling of contributing to India's economy, feeling of my 40 employees having a sense of pride in me and the pleasure that you get when you feel that you have made a family better by your work. My own dreams about my own company.
Being an entrepreneur has taught me a lot more than any education or any job could have ever taught me.
The struggles to make money, to learn to cope up with the debts, to learn how to deal with bad news day in and day out.
I had lived alone from the very begining and hence I am not averse to lonliness, being a
To learn to loose is something that I could have never learnt if I hadn't been running my own firm. The struggle for money to pay your employees has its own high. To loose and still keep your head high is a very tough thing.
I am proud of myself to have done it twice.
So now I am totally confused, should I choose money (a job of almost $500K in this market is not a small thing) and simpler life over the more complicated life of starting a successful firm on my own. Should I just leave everything behind that I have built in last seven years.
Lets say where life takes me.
Yesterday a girl who works at my office gave me a compliment which made me feel elated, looking at her smiling face I thought that I should sing :
aaj kaho to mod dun badhkarrr, waqt ke dhaareeee
I am leaning towards entrepreneurship just to feel that elation.
I have spent last few days thinking about my future and contemplating on which is a better decision for me.
On one hand I have an opportunity to lead a major world brand into an almost virgin territory. Earn a lot of money. Make a brand for myself in the corporate world. Providing opportunity to millions to connect and give them better communication.
On the other, I have my own dreams, the feeling of contributing to India's economy, feeling of my 40 employees having a sense of pride in me and the pleasure that you get when you feel that you have made a family better by your work. My own dreams about my own company.
Being an entrepreneur has taught me a lot more than any education or any job could have ever taught me.
The struggles to make money, to learn to cope up with the debts, to learn how to deal with bad news day in and day out.
I had lived alone from the very begining and hence I am not averse to lonliness, being a
To learn to loose is something that I could have never learnt if I hadn't been running my own firm. The struggle for money to pay your employees has its own high. To loose and still keep your head high is a very tough thing.
I am proud of myself to have done it twice.
So now I am totally confused, should I choose money (a job of almost $500K in this market is not a small thing) and simpler life over the more complicated life of starting a successful firm on my own. Should I just leave everything behind that I have built in last seven years.
Lets say where life takes me.
Yesterday a girl who works at my office gave me a compliment which made me feel elated, looking at her smiling face I thought that I should sing :
aaj kaho to mod dun badhkarrr, waqt ke dhaareeee
I am leaning towards entrepreneurship just to feel that elation.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
India
I hate the infrastructure in India.
I dislike our philandering politicians.
I am annoyed at the level of corruption.
I have an aversion to suspended dust and haze in our air.
I hate selfish, ignorant and illiterates who roam our streets.
I feel claustrophobic about our over indulgent media which gets into people's lives.
I can't stand narrow-mindedness based on religion, language, caste and sex is still rampant.
There are a lot of reason to be proud of India, however, the most important one is:
I have freedom to say all these without any fear.
Yesterday, we had guests at our home from China. They were extremely parochial. They even hated the idea that someone can criticize their own country. Our neighbour who got married to this Chinese girl went to China and was very impressed that amongst 200 channel 199 were in Mandarin or Cantonese and 1 was in English. He was telling me that no channel ever reports anything bad about anything in China. He said everything seems to be so perfect. He thought that Indian media is so stupid to keep showing what is wrong with the country.
Me and his sister, who lives in England, had a hard time understanding that how can you praise media which is not telling the truth.
Then the Chinese girl started to criticize US for no reason, she says that freedom in the US has brought guns on the street and a lot of people kill others. By this time I didn't have any courage to argue with her.
At the end I love freedom that my country provides a little too much to give it away for even my own security. I would accept terrorists who use our freedom to kill a few of us but how can we stifle our own people with stringent laws.
I will never accept any law which curtails my thought or my speech and neither can I live country where people do not respect that freedom.
I dislike our philandering politicians.
I am annoyed at the level of corruption.
I have an aversion to suspended dust and haze in our air.
I hate selfish, ignorant and illiterates who roam our streets.
I feel claustrophobic about our over indulgent media which gets into people's lives.
I can't stand narrow-mindedness based on religion, language, caste and sex is still rampant.
There are a lot of reason to be proud of India, however, the most important one is:
I have freedom to say all these without any fear.
Yesterday, we had guests at our home from China. They were extremely parochial. They even hated the idea that someone can criticize their own country. Our neighbour who got married to this Chinese girl went to China and was very impressed that amongst 200 channel 199 were in Mandarin or Cantonese and 1 was in English. He was telling me that no channel ever reports anything bad about anything in China. He said everything seems to be so perfect. He thought that Indian media is so stupid to keep showing what is wrong with the country.
Me and his sister, who lives in England, had a hard time understanding that how can you praise media which is not telling the truth.
Then the Chinese girl started to criticize US for no reason, she says that freedom in the US has brought guns on the street and a lot of people kill others. By this time I didn't have any courage to argue with her.
At the end I love freedom that my country provides a little too much to give it away for even my own security. I would accept terrorists who use our freedom to kill a few of us but how can we stifle our own people with stringent laws.
I will never accept any law which curtails my thought or my speech and neither can I live country where people do not respect that freedom.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Myths, Folks and Legends
I have started a new blog where I would contribute some of the stories that I have grown up with. These are not my own and hence I thought I would keep them in a different blog.
Myths, Folks and Legends
http://mythfolklegends.blogspot.com/
Enjoy
Myths, Folks and Legends
http://mythfolklegends.blogspot.com/
Enjoy
Friday, November 28, 2008
Terrorism and us
For a long time I tried to find logic in terrorism. I used to think that this was because of poverty. Then I thought that it was oppression that caused it. I really thought that be it India or Israel there must be something wrong that the armed forces must be doing that caused it. Then there was a parochialism of fighting for their own rights and country. After 9-11 it became a war of ideology and civilization. I am not sure about it anymore.
India has been probably the worst victim of terrorism in last 2 decades. We have always been a soft target because as people and as a race we always have been very accommodating.
Also, if you look at a history our borders have always been very porous since the days of Alexander. Since those times there have been various attempts to infiltrate into India. Another thing, in the olden days, historians point out is that the wars in India were normally amongst armies and civilian population really didn't care about it. Even in mythology when Kauravs were fighting against Pandavas, there were armies supporting one side or the other. They were from as far as present day China and Turkmenistan. However, there is very little reference of people's reaction in both Hastinapur or Indraprastha. This used to be kind of detachment from nationalism. It didn't matter to people much who ruled them. They loved good kings and hated bad ones but rarely they took up arms themselves.
As far as the border areas are concerned, it took a lot of skirmishes and almost 300 years of fight to get into Sindh for Islamic armies and capture Raja Dillu's capital near Karachi. It took 7 tries and many a wars by Ghauri to get to Prthaviraj Chauhan's Delhi. It took Babar almost 15 years to reach Delhi. Even during the British 'Raj' the Baluch and the NWFP were never fully in control. Half of British Army actually went in controlling those areas. So the skirmishes on the borders were always a norm. This kind of activity used to happen only on borders but now as world becomes a smaller place these terrorists get deep into enemy territories.
Another thing to look at in larger concept is that we are a very big nation and idea of nationalism in India is a very recent phenomenon. Nationalism has its own positives and negatives built into it. The positives are that it becomes harder to divide a country based religion, caste, language or ideology. However the negatives could be that our people can become far more aggressive and parochial in their approach towards other races, religion and countries. This parochialism can only go away when we have an encompassing nature. We have always welcomed anyone who wanted to be a part of this land, this tradition of open arms to accept people who are different than us should continue.
Historians say that this nationalism was created by the attitude of Britishers towards Indians. They treated us as one people and ruled as one entity. On the Indian end, most of our leader (barring Muslim League) was convinced that whole of India from now Afghan border of Pakistan to Burma and from Kashmir to Kanyakumari we were one nation and one people. But they was also aware of the fluidity of Indian borders. Nehru, Maulana Azad and company even thought that the existence of Pakistan was an unnatural state and the cultural ties would one day bring it back into the fold of larger India. However, for people born after the independence Pakistan was a reality and for most of their life, a hostile reality.
This attack was different, it really wasn't a terrorist attack, it was almost a war like feeling to it. I think that there are two reasons for the reaction that has been in India, A serious resolve with middle class to take on politicians to put our house in order. If you look at it there are basically four parties involved here. India, Pakistan, Terrorists and Other countries with lost men (US, UK, Israel and Australia)
In my eyes here is what each of them can do and should do to prevent such an attack.
Other Countries:
What was weird is that these terrorists came to India and targeted foreign nationals specifically. Why would someone come to India and kill a young Jewish Rabbi. If you have so much of problem then please go and be a suicide bomber in Israel. Only cowards kill this way. As far as all these countries are concerned, I think they should put enormous pressure on Pakistan, this could be diplomatic or economic. I think at least the US and the UK have been doing that. UK's language has been pretty tough, PM Brown also claimed that 75% of all terrorist attacks can be traced back to Pakistan. Is this the new world order speaking OR killing of Britishers is making them say that. Such rhetoric was never seen when only Indians were dying.
India:
Get our house in order as far as city security is concerned. NSG (National Security Guard) was built for such an attack, however, it took them 4 hours to get to Mumbai. We need Police reforms badly. Not only our Police Laws are archaic but also our police needs good equipment. How can we have bullet proof jackets which do not stop bullets. We need a comprehensive approach to stop infiltration. All armed forces, Police and intelligence agency should have a proper handshake for this to happen.
Second, most important thing India should look to stop alienation of minorities. India has done a commendable job till now, however, we can't sit on our past laurels.
Third, I do not think that military option is a sane one. We are not war mongers and we shouldn't attack. If you look from a 10000 ft. level, this attack wanted India to do exactly that. They wanted India to threaten Pakistan overtly and show more attacking gestures. What this would have done is that whole of Pakistan would have rallied against India and Pakistan would have been forced to move its armed forces towards Indian border. This would have helped terrorists take more control on the western border of Pakistan. I am so glad that Indian politicians have kept themselves away from this kind of populism.
Fourth, Even when we know that we shouldn't attack Pakistan we need to make sure that economic and political pressure is kept up on Pakistan to take action properly against these organizations which operate from their soil. However, India should be aware that Pakistan's economy is in total mess, its almost a bankrupt nation and pushing economic clout could ruin it economically and which in turn might result in collapsing of the State. This would be worse for India, hence the right balance needs to be maintained.
Fifth: Politicians, please wake up. The day when people in Mumbai were still held up, I was standing in a long queue to cast my vote for the state elections in MP. I am sure many people who were disgusted by the horrors of Mumbai were also present in that queue. However we all wanted to do our bit. Please don't let the democracy in us die.
Pakistan:
Mary Shelly wrote Frankenstein's Monster to show the horrors of science, however, the real world is worse than that. Here a monster doesn't go to the north pole and burns itself in self loathing. Here, not only it kills the creator but also damages everything that we hold close of humanity.
Amongst all players, the most that anyone should do is Pakistan. Not for India's sake but for itself. Terrorist organizations end up causing more damage to their creator than to the intended target.
However, I do not want to be in President Zardari's shoes. I actually pity the man. This is what we call being caught between the devil and the deep sea. Only problem is that devil here is not India but the terrorists.
Still, Pakistan should act swiftly and smartly to remove these people. Even if it comes at a cost of loosing populist or being seen as pro India.
In the larger view, if Pakistan is not able to control these terrorists the security situation in the whole area would be in deep deep trouble. Al Qaeda and Talibans are already touching and threatening Peshawar. If Pakistani army starts to loose control over the area it would be a big risk to stability and sovereignty of Pakistan.
The real problem for Pakistani establishment is that there seems to be no single sense of direction that the country wants to take. All its elements wants a different Pakistan. It's political establishment wants a democratic Pakistan where these politicians can make money and fill their pockets. Military itself is divided into two sections, the liberals and the Talibanised ones. The liberal want power at the center but at the same time maintain the professionalism of the force. The Islamists or the Talibanised ones want to help the Talibans but have no long term goal. This was clearly shown through the murder of General Alvi, who was supposed to be one of the cleanest officers. The ISI, probably the worst of the culprits is an Anti Indian organization, its power comes from being anti Indian and hence it would never let its power slip. The media again is divided into two sections one which wants to rise up and show the truth and second which drives its sales up by being anti Indian. The people are divided into few strata. The rich dont care, the poor can't care and unlike India the real people who matter, the middle and the upper middle classes, do not want to care.
Sadly, someone should do something and NOW.
Terrorists:
Why man, why? What do they gain? Any idea?
Gandhi Ji's favorite song was
vaishnav jan to tene kahiye jay peerh paraaye janneyray
par dukkhey upkar karey teeyey, man abhiman na anney ray
which translates into
The real God's child, feels and understands the pain of others
Does good to who are in misery and yet does not let pride enter his mind
Can some one please tell this to anyone who fights in the name of God and religion.
Amongst all this gloom there have been a silver lining, Indian Muslims. Not the first time but however first time in recent past, Indian Muslims have come out in large numbers criticizing the attacks and vehemently rejecting terrorism. From small gestures of wearing black armbands on Eid in memory of people we have lost to big things like rejecting the government's request to give land for the burial of the terrorists. They were categorical, any man who kills another human being is not a Muslim and how can we give our motherland for the burial of men who took our brothers away from us. Well done, don't make these terrorists martyrs.
At the end the song that has become the anthem for 26/11. This has become a grieving nation's salute to the men and woman who have laid down their lives to save many others.
Ek Lau Is Tarah ...
India has been probably the worst victim of terrorism in last 2 decades. We have always been a soft target because as people and as a race we always have been very accommodating.
Also, if you look at a history our borders have always been very porous since the days of Alexander. Since those times there have been various attempts to infiltrate into India. Another thing, in the olden days, historians point out is that the wars in India were normally amongst armies and civilian population really didn't care about it. Even in mythology when Kauravs were fighting against Pandavas, there were armies supporting one side or the other. They were from as far as present day China and Turkmenistan. However, there is very little reference of people's reaction in both Hastinapur or Indraprastha. This used to be kind of detachment from nationalism. It didn't matter to people much who ruled them. They loved good kings and hated bad ones but rarely they took up arms themselves.
As far as the border areas are concerned, it took a lot of skirmishes and almost 300 years of fight to get into Sindh for Islamic armies and capture Raja Dillu's capital near Karachi. It took 7 tries and many a wars by Ghauri to get to Prthaviraj Chauhan's Delhi. It took Babar almost 15 years to reach Delhi. Even during the British 'Raj' the Baluch and the NWFP were never fully in control. Half of British Army actually went in controlling those areas. So the skirmishes on the borders were always a norm. This kind of activity used to happen only on borders but now as world becomes a smaller place these terrorists get deep into enemy territories.
Another thing to look at in larger concept is that we are a very big nation and idea of nationalism in India is a very recent phenomenon. Nationalism has its own positives and negatives built into it. The positives are that it becomes harder to divide a country based religion, caste, language or ideology. However the negatives could be that our people can become far more aggressive and parochial in their approach towards other races, religion and countries. This parochialism can only go away when we have an encompassing nature. We have always welcomed anyone who wanted to be a part of this land, this tradition of open arms to accept people who are different than us should continue.
Historians say that this nationalism was created by the attitude of Britishers towards Indians. They treated us as one people and ruled as one entity. On the Indian end, most of our leader (barring Muslim League) was convinced that whole of India from now Afghan border of Pakistan to Burma and from Kashmir to Kanyakumari we were one nation and one people. But they was also aware of the fluidity of Indian borders. Nehru, Maulana Azad and company even thought that the existence of Pakistan was an unnatural state and the cultural ties would one day bring it back into the fold of larger India. However, for people born after the independence Pakistan was a reality and for most of their life, a hostile reality.
This attack was different, it really wasn't a terrorist attack, it was almost a war like feeling to it. I think that there are two reasons for the reaction that has been in India, A serious resolve with middle class to take on politicians to put our house in order. If you look at it there are basically four parties involved here. India, Pakistan, Terrorists and Other countries with lost men (US, UK, Israel and Australia)
In my eyes here is what each of them can do and should do to prevent such an attack.
Other Countries:
What was weird is that these terrorists came to India and targeted foreign nationals specifically. Why would someone come to India and kill a young Jewish Rabbi. If you have so much of problem then please go and be a suicide bomber in Israel. Only cowards kill this way. As far as all these countries are concerned, I think they should put enormous pressure on Pakistan, this could be diplomatic or economic. I think at least the US and the UK have been doing that. UK's language has been pretty tough, PM Brown also claimed that 75% of all terrorist attacks can be traced back to Pakistan. Is this the new world order speaking OR killing of Britishers is making them say that. Such rhetoric was never seen when only Indians were dying.
India:
Get our house in order as far as city security is concerned. NSG (National Security Guard) was built for such an attack, however, it took them 4 hours to get to Mumbai. We need Police reforms badly. Not only our Police Laws are archaic but also our police needs good equipment. How can we have bullet proof jackets which do not stop bullets. We need a comprehensive approach to stop infiltration. All armed forces, Police and intelligence agency should have a proper handshake for this to happen.
Second, most important thing India should look to stop alienation of minorities. India has done a commendable job till now, however, we can't sit on our past laurels.
Third, I do not think that military option is a sane one. We are not war mongers and we shouldn't attack. If you look from a 10000 ft. level, this attack wanted India to do exactly that. They wanted India to threaten Pakistan overtly and show more attacking gestures. What this would have done is that whole of Pakistan would have rallied against India and Pakistan would have been forced to move its armed forces towards Indian border. This would have helped terrorists take more control on the western border of Pakistan. I am so glad that Indian politicians have kept themselves away from this kind of populism.
Fourth, Even when we know that we shouldn't attack Pakistan we need to make sure that economic and political pressure is kept up on Pakistan to take action properly against these organizations which operate from their soil. However, India should be aware that Pakistan's economy is in total mess, its almost a bankrupt nation and pushing economic clout could ruin it economically and which in turn might result in collapsing of the State. This would be worse for India, hence the right balance needs to be maintained.
Fifth: Politicians, please wake up. The day when people in Mumbai were still held up, I was standing in a long queue to cast my vote for the state elections in MP. I am sure many people who were disgusted by the horrors of Mumbai were also present in that queue. However we all wanted to do our bit. Please don't let the democracy in us die.
Pakistan:
Mary Shelly wrote Frankenstein's Monster to show the horrors of science, however, the real world is worse than that. Here a monster doesn't go to the north pole and burns itself in self loathing. Here, not only it kills the creator but also damages everything that we hold close of humanity.
Amongst all players, the most that anyone should do is Pakistan. Not for India's sake but for itself. Terrorist organizations end up causing more damage to their creator than to the intended target.
However, I do not want to be in President Zardari's shoes. I actually pity the man. This is what we call being caught between the devil and the deep sea. Only problem is that devil here is not India but the terrorists.
Still, Pakistan should act swiftly and smartly to remove these people. Even if it comes at a cost of loosing populist or being seen as pro India.
In the larger view, if Pakistan is not able to control these terrorists the security situation in the whole area would be in deep deep trouble. Al Qaeda and Talibans are already touching and threatening Peshawar. If Pakistani army starts to loose control over the area it would be a big risk to stability and sovereignty of Pakistan.
The real problem for Pakistani establishment is that there seems to be no single sense of direction that the country wants to take. All its elements wants a different Pakistan. It's political establishment wants a democratic Pakistan where these politicians can make money and fill their pockets. Military itself is divided into two sections, the liberals and the Talibanised ones. The liberal want power at the center but at the same time maintain the professionalism of the force. The Islamists or the Talibanised ones want to help the Talibans but have no long term goal. This was clearly shown through the murder of General Alvi, who was supposed to be one of the cleanest officers. The ISI, probably the worst of the culprits is an Anti Indian organization, its power comes from being anti Indian and hence it would never let its power slip. The media again is divided into two sections one which wants to rise up and show the truth and second which drives its sales up by being anti Indian. The people are divided into few strata. The rich dont care, the poor can't care and unlike India the real people who matter, the middle and the upper middle classes, do not want to care.
Sadly, someone should do something and NOW.
Terrorists:
Why man, why? What do they gain? Any idea?
Gandhi Ji's favorite song was
vaishnav jan to tene kahiye jay peerh paraaye janneyray
par dukkhey upkar karey teeyey, man abhiman na anney ray
which translates into
The real God's child, feels and understands the pain of others
Does good to who are in misery and yet does not let pride enter his mind
Can some one please tell this to anyone who fights in the name of God and religion.
Amongst all this gloom there have been a silver lining, Indian Muslims. Not the first time but however first time in recent past, Indian Muslims have come out in large numbers criticizing the attacks and vehemently rejecting terrorism. From small gestures of wearing black armbands on Eid in memory of people we have lost to big things like rejecting the government's request to give land for the burial of the terrorists. They were categorical, any man who kills another human being is not a Muslim and how can we give our motherland for the burial of men who took our brothers away from us. Well done, don't make these terrorists martyrs.
At the end the song that has become the anthem for 26/11. This has become a grieving nation's salute to the men and woman who have laid down their lives to save many others.
Ek Lau Is Tarah ...
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The Semi Conscious Me
It must be around 6 in the morning; I woke up with a weird sinking feeling. In this state you are self aware of your surroundings but your body is comatose. You are not fully aware who you are or where you are?
Today, even in that state, I was aware of all my problems. I have had a lot of problems. Most of them I have had in last few years.
Then, came all the problems that have been happening at work, worse as a leader is that you are aware of all the problems that would come in next few days.
Then, I became aware of all my debts. Debt is the worst form of problem because it keeps you aware of itself and there is no immediate solution to it.
Then, came the realization of loneliness. I knew that amongst all these problems I was alone. No one to help and no one to go for help. Your life suddenly becomes very sad.
At this moment in that semi conscious state I became aware of a solution and that was Suicide. I realized that it was the easiest and the quickest way out. I started to figure out how to do it.
As my awareness grew I realized that I was actually sleeping and dreaming. However, still couldn’t move a muscle and the sinking feeling stuck around.
Waking up was hard but once aware I became conscious of my identity. I knew this was once in almost two decades that I had this self destructive feeling. Last time I had it was when I was 18.
I had worked very hard to become the optimist and to overcome that sinking feeling. Now, I know I am an optimist and would never commit suicide. But, the feeling was enough to scare me.
When I used to play cricket everyone used to ask me what goes on in your head when you face a bowler. I always told them nothing. You are nervous when you walk into bat, you are nervous when you face the first delivery and you are nervous when you are batting in tough situation. However, I have always felt that when the bowler starts running you lose that consciousness of the surrounding and ball is the only thing you see. When the bowler bowls the ball you treat it according to its own merit and the requirement of the game. Hence, the outcome just depends on the ability to execute the reaction in your brain. That is what we all should ideally do when we are faced with tough problems, just concentrate on the next step.
(On the tangent, that is why I am so impressed with Sehwag, nothing bothers him, he always backs his ability and hits the ball without any botheration, and his ability to back your instincts is amazing)
Somebody had once told me that you can tell what would happen on the way how your day starts. My feeling is that you know by it how hard you need to work that day. Today, I am working hard even in writing this because that sadness is lingering on.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Silk through Off plus Cruel to Spinners equals to Dada
Silk through Off, Cruel to Spinners and Dada to the young brigade
When Saurav walked into the stadium on the 4th day to bat for the last time in the Indian Shirt the whole stadium was shouting 'Dada, Dada'. All his colleagues were out on the balcony clapping. The Australian commentators were trying to explain it to the Aussie audience what 'Dada' meant in Hindi.
I say, Saurav can leave the theater but the theater can never leave Saurav. He got out for a first ball zero in his final innings as did the great Sir Don Bradman.
I am sure a lot of people must be wondering why would teammates refer to someone as their 'Elder brother'. However, that is what Saurav was to most of the young generation of Indian cricketers. From Zaheer to Harbhajan, to Kaif to Yuvraj, to Sehwag to Dhoni, they all became the world beaters because they flourished under him. As the popularity grew first most of his contemporaries started calling him Dada. Then the media picked it up and then the whole of India. He became India's Dada.
Just before I was leaving for the US, Ganguly and Dravid were selected for the England tour. Ganguly/Dravid in the first match scored a hundred and Dravid a 90. That was the start of a new generation of Indians who ruled Indian limelights for next 12 years. For the first one year I followed their career on the internet. I remember that me and a friend of mine had a big argument over who is better Ganguly-Dravid or Ponting-Baven. Baven fell off in time and now Ganguly has retired. But Ponting and Dravid are still going on. Let us see who wins this battle.
I first saw Ganguly in a test match when I came back from the US. I was amazed at his skill to penetrate off side field. Though, he didn't play on the leg at all but was brilliant through off.
Ganguly would be remembered not only for his batting but also for his captaincy. It could be luck or the face of changing India but one of the accomplishments that he would be remembered by is to threw away the zonal controversy that used to happen before him. He picked his team without bias of any zones. If you look at Indian cricket team (& Bollywood) it is a perfect example of a secular country at its best.
One of the qualities of a great leader is that he knows when and how to enhance other person's talent. You need to be honest to your profession and always give the right suggestions even if they come at a cost. This is what Saurav did to the young brigade. He took bunch of young talent, gave them breathing space to enhance their talent under him. He sometimes even let them run wild.
'The Times of India' came out with a title 'Robin Hood and his merry men', it described the feelings of these young cricketers towards Ganguly. As 1999 India-Australia series winded down every one knew that Indian cricket was at its lowest ebb. We were thrashed in Australia barring a few brilliant individual performances. Match fixing saga with some of the great names in cricket including Hansie Cronje, Mark Waugh, Salim Malik and Azharuddin were implicated. From here on Saurav took the reigns of Indian team. Slowly and gradually he collected his merry men and from no where turned them into world beaters. He gave them confidence and they gave him success. Who can forget the unbelievable chase which Yuvraj and Kaif scripted in Natwest trophy final.
He was unlike any other Indian captain, he wore his emotions on his sleeve. He got hurt when Flintoff took off his shirt in Bombay after beating India and Saurav was not to be left behind. He took his shirt off on the Lord's balcony after the most unlikely win that you would ever watch. Can you imagine doing that in a place where members can't walk in without a tie and jacket. Members of Lord's would be offended, so be it, he statement was very clear if you respect my country and my people I respect you, if you don't, I don't.
As a batsman he had one limitation against short pitched deliveries and teams planned to exploit it. His average of mid 40s in tests doesn't justify his talent but then he was always number 5 or 6 in the line up. On the positive side he was probably one of the finest one day batsman and in later half of his career he should the stoutness of a fighting test cricketer.
The greatest accolade doesn't come from media or fans but from your contemporaries. Rahul Dravid had ones said that "Through the off side first there is God and then there is Saurav", He could pierce off side with a surgeons precision. Great hand-eye coordination and impeccable timing made him a great player to watch. Sangakarra the other day was saying that Srilanka used to discuss at length on how to stop Saurav from scoring through off and yet on the field it was impossible to do that.
I remember an alcohol manufacturer wanted to promote his whiskey in India and to promote how smooth it is, they used Saurav's name. The advertisement told the viewers that the whiskey is as smooth is Saurav's cover drive. That was Saurav through the off.
He was almost cruel to spinners. He could dance down the track and loft spinners into stands almost at will. Murlitharan is a champion bowler but he would never forget that day in 1999 English world cup when Saurav thrashed him to all parts for his 183.
When Rahul Dravid had declared the innings in Pakistan with Sachin on 194, the media cried fouled. However, Ganguly's ability to put winning before everything else and drilling that into Rahul and everyone else around him was the real cause.
We all would remember him as a captain uncomparable and the greatest parting gift came from now India captain 'Dhoni' in the last test match against Australia. He let saurav lead the side for the last wicket. He ended up as winning captain.
When Saurav walked into the stadium on the 4th day to bat for the last time in the Indian Shirt the whole stadium was shouting 'Dada, Dada'. All his colleagues were out on the balcony clapping. The Australian commentators were trying to explain it to the Aussie audience what 'Dada' meant in Hindi.
I say, Saurav can leave the theater but the theater can never leave Saurav. He got out for a first ball zero in his final innings as did the great Sir Don Bradman.
I am sure a lot of people must be wondering why would teammates refer to someone as their 'Elder brother'. However, that is what Saurav was to most of the young generation of Indian cricketers. From Zaheer to Harbhajan, to Kaif to Yuvraj, to Sehwag to Dhoni, they all became the world beaters because they flourished under him. As the popularity grew first most of his contemporaries started calling him Dada. Then the media picked it up and then the whole of India. He became India's Dada.
Just before I was leaving for the US, Ganguly and Dravid were selected for the England tour. Ganguly/Dravid in the first match scored a hundred and Dravid a 90. That was the start of a new generation of Indians who ruled Indian limelights for next 12 years. For the first one year I followed their career on the internet. I remember that me and a friend of mine had a big argument over who is better Ganguly-Dravid or Ponting-Baven. Baven fell off in time and now Ganguly has retired. But Ponting and Dravid are still going on. Let us see who wins this battle.
I first saw Ganguly in a test match when I came back from the US. I was amazed at his skill to penetrate off side field. Though, he didn't play on the leg at all but was brilliant through off.
Ganguly would be remembered not only for his batting but also for his captaincy. It could be luck or the face of changing India but one of the accomplishments that he would be remembered by is to threw away the zonal controversy that used to happen before him. He picked his team without bias of any zones. If you look at Indian cricket team (& Bollywood) it is a perfect example of a secular country at its best.
One of the qualities of a great leader is that he knows when and how to enhance other person's talent. You need to be honest to your profession and always give the right suggestions even if they come at a cost. This is what Saurav did to the young brigade. He took bunch of young talent, gave them breathing space to enhance their talent under him. He sometimes even let them run wild.
'The Times of India' came out with a title 'Robin Hood and his merry men', it described the feelings of these young cricketers towards Ganguly. As 1999 India-Australia series winded down every one knew that Indian cricket was at its lowest ebb. We were thrashed in Australia barring a few brilliant individual performances. Match fixing saga with some of the great names in cricket including Hansie Cronje, Mark Waugh, Salim Malik and Azharuddin were implicated. From here on Saurav took the reigns of Indian team. Slowly and gradually he collected his merry men and from no where turned them into world beaters. He gave them confidence and they gave him success. Who can forget the unbelievable chase which Yuvraj and Kaif scripted in Natwest trophy final.
He was unlike any other Indian captain, he wore his emotions on his sleeve. He got hurt when Flintoff took off his shirt in Bombay after beating India and Saurav was not to be left behind. He took his shirt off on the Lord's balcony after the most unlikely win that you would ever watch. Can you imagine doing that in a place where members can't walk in without a tie and jacket. Members of Lord's would be offended, so be it, he statement was very clear if you respect my country and my people I respect you, if you don't, I don't.
As a batsman he had one limitation against short pitched deliveries and teams planned to exploit it. His average of mid 40s in tests doesn't justify his talent but then he was always number 5 or 6 in the line up. On the positive side he was probably one of the finest one day batsman and in later half of his career he should the stoutness of a fighting test cricketer.
The greatest accolade doesn't come from media or fans but from your contemporaries. Rahul Dravid had ones said that "Through the off side first there is God and then there is Saurav", He could pierce off side with a surgeons precision. Great hand-eye coordination and impeccable timing made him a great player to watch. Sangakarra the other day was saying that Srilanka used to discuss at length on how to stop Saurav from scoring through off and yet on the field it was impossible to do that.
I remember an alcohol manufacturer wanted to promote his whiskey in India and to promote how smooth it is, they used Saurav's name. The advertisement told the viewers that the whiskey is as smooth is Saurav's cover drive. That was Saurav through the off.
He was almost cruel to spinners. He could dance down the track and loft spinners into stands almost at will. Murlitharan is a champion bowler but he would never forget that day in 1999 English world cup when Saurav thrashed him to all parts for his 183.
When Rahul Dravid had declared the innings in Pakistan with Sachin on 194, the media cried fouled. However, Ganguly's ability to put winning before everything else and drilling that into Rahul and everyone else around him was the real cause.
We all would remember him as a captain uncomparable and the greatest parting gift came from now India captain 'Dhoni' in the last test match against Australia. He let saurav lead the side for the last wicket. He ended up as winning captain.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Jawahar Lal Nehru
Today is 14th November, birth anniversary of Jawahar Lal Nehru.
In India it is celebrated as 'Children's Day', to honour Nehru Ji's love for children. When he was alive everyone called him ‘Nehru Chacha’ and that is what he is still know as.
When I was young it was celebrated with far more fervor, however, I am not sure how it is done today in schools.
I have always claimed that I am more of a 'Nehruvian' by thought rather than ‘Gandhian’. It might sound a little odd to people because Nehru was probably the most ardent follower of Gandhi Ji and he was the son that Gandhi Ji would have love to have as his own. However, there were certain differences between them which become obvious if you ever read the letters that they had written to each other.
I grew up learning a lot from people around me. I was socialist from one uncle, learnt encompassing and frugal nature from my Nana, ever accommodating and free thoughts from my Dad & Worldliness and a bit of right wing philosophy from Krishnamurthy Uncle.
However, I am not sure how I became a Nehru fan. In an era where it is a fashion to criticize Gandhi and Nehru, I turned into a ‘Nehruvian’.
The major difference between Gandhi and Nehru philosophy is their views on religion. In my eyes among the leaders of that era,
Gandhi Ji was Inclusive: He thought all religions can co exist and each human can embrace all religions. He was extraordinary in that way. I really believe that the only true Christian to live after Christ was this non Christian. He actually took Jesus’ philosophy and turned them into mass movement.
Jinnah was Divisive: He kept his own religion away from his political life and still preached that Hindus and Muslims are too different to be together and wanted separate States for each.
Nehru was Exclusive: He thought that his own religion or his religious philosophy has no place in public life. He always kept his own religion at bay because he was a leader of masses. He never preached that all religions can co exist because for him religion was not a matter of any consequence in public life.
Hence, I am for Nehru, I can't bring my own religious philosophy into my organization or relationships. similarly i believe that religion has no role in public life and schools. I am all for banning all kinds of religious schools, be it Christian convents, Arya Samaj schools or Madarssas.
Another major difference between Gandhi Ji and Nehru Ji was that Gandhi Ji wanted India to improve and looked at its faults. One of the instances which Shashi Tharoor quotes in his book, 'Nehru, The invension of India' is, in the first congress meeting that Gandhi Ji attended, he was appalled to see that different communities were cooking for their own community and demanded that there should be one kitchen.
Nehru was a romantic. He loved India, its past, present and future. Given the same situation Nehru Ji would have gone to each stall and ate all kinds of food and then maybe written a book on cooking styles of Indians.
So in that sense he was more of an Indian, an Indian who loved the country un-ashamedly, without any biases to any other cast, creed, community and country.
On the night of 14th August at 00:00 hrs., he gave the speech which is one of my favourite pieces of text ever written. It has 'charm of leader', 'Tolstoyian in its prose', 'Poetic touch to it of Stevenson' and yet deep down they were thoughts of a proud and a hopeful Indian.
'Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially.
At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.
A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.
It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.'
He had impeccable oratory skills, fluency in many language, here is a glimpse of his speech in English.
He was by far the most erudite politician that has ever lived. If you ever read his 'Discovery of India' and 'The Glimpses of the World' you would realise his in depth knowledge of Indian and World History. Albert Einstein had once claimed that his books are a great window to look into the marvel called India.
When India became independent and as Gandhi Ji and Sardar Patel passed away in very quick succession, he became the biggest leader. As the Spiderman says 'With big power comes big responsibility'. He took his responsibility more seriously than his power. The India that we see today is his creation. His undying dedication to Secularism and Democracy made us what we are today.
If we look around us most country where are racial sibling live are in dire straits. Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, SriLanka and even Myanmaar are either ruled by despots or military rulers. Or they are struggling democracies.
If you were standing in 1947 and looked at the countries which became independent who you would say would be most successful in South Asia. I am sure you wouldn't pick India with its 30 odd languages, 1200 dialects, innumerable differences, 400 million ideas and religious identities. However, it is the most stable nation around, Why?
It is because of Nehru's leadership in its nascent stages.
He is the one who said looking at the 'Bhakra-Nangal Dam', these are the new temple of modern India. He envisioned a new industrial and scientific India. Under his leadership India started the Indian nuclear and space program.
Today, Chandrayan dropped a probe on the moon which would land and unfurl Indian Flag on the surface of the moon. What a fitting tribute Nehru Ji, I am sure where ever he is, he would still be the proudest and happiest Indian to see India as only the 3rd nation (or 4th entity) to put its flag on moon.
Shashi Tharoor's book's title is 'Nehru: The invention of India' and this modern India is 'the Invention of Nehru'.
As he said in 1947, it is up to us to carry his thoughts and actions forward.
We have hard work ahead. There is no resting for any one of us till we redeem our pledge in full, till we make all the people of India what destiny intended them to be. We are citizens of a great country on the verge of bold advance, and we have to live up to that high standard. All of us, are equally the children of India with equal rights, privileges and obligations. We cannot encourage communalism or narrow-mindedness, for no nation can be great whose people are narrow in thought or in action.......
To India, our much-loved motherland, the ancient, the eternal and the ever-new, we pay our reverent homage and we bind ourselves afresh to her service. Jai Hind.
In India it is celebrated as 'Children's Day', to honour Nehru Ji's love for children. When he was alive everyone called him ‘Nehru Chacha’ and that is what he is still know as.
When I was young it was celebrated with far more fervor, however, I am not sure how it is done today in schools.
I have always claimed that I am more of a 'Nehruvian' by thought rather than ‘Gandhian’. It might sound a little odd to people because Nehru was probably the most ardent follower of Gandhi Ji and he was the son that Gandhi Ji would have love to have as his own. However, there were certain differences between them which become obvious if you ever read the letters that they had written to each other.
I grew up learning a lot from people around me. I was socialist from one uncle, learnt encompassing and frugal nature from my Nana, ever accommodating and free thoughts from my Dad & Worldliness and a bit of right wing philosophy from Krishnamurthy Uncle.
However, I am not sure how I became a Nehru fan. In an era where it is a fashion to criticize Gandhi and Nehru, I turned into a ‘Nehruvian’.
The major difference between Gandhi and Nehru philosophy is their views on religion. In my eyes among the leaders of that era,
Gandhi Ji was Inclusive: He thought all religions can co exist and each human can embrace all religions. He was extraordinary in that way. I really believe that the only true Christian to live after Christ was this non Christian. He actually took Jesus’ philosophy and turned them into mass movement.
Jinnah was Divisive: He kept his own religion away from his political life and still preached that Hindus and Muslims are too different to be together and wanted separate States for each.
Nehru was Exclusive: He thought that his own religion or his religious philosophy has no place in public life. He always kept his own religion at bay because he was a leader of masses. He never preached that all religions can co exist because for him religion was not a matter of any consequence in public life.
Hence, I am for Nehru, I can't bring my own religious philosophy into my organization or relationships. similarly i believe that religion has no role in public life and schools. I am all for banning all kinds of religious schools, be it Christian convents, Arya Samaj schools or Madarssas.
Another major difference between Gandhi Ji and Nehru Ji was that Gandhi Ji wanted India to improve and looked at its faults. One of the instances which Shashi Tharoor quotes in his book, 'Nehru, The invension of India' is, in the first congress meeting that Gandhi Ji attended, he was appalled to see that different communities were cooking for their own community and demanded that there should be one kitchen.
Nehru was a romantic. He loved India, its past, present and future. Given the same situation Nehru Ji would have gone to each stall and ate all kinds of food and then maybe written a book on cooking styles of Indians.
So in that sense he was more of an Indian, an Indian who loved the country un-ashamedly, without any biases to any other cast, creed, community and country.
On the night of 14th August at 00:00 hrs., he gave the speech which is one of my favourite pieces of text ever written. It has 'charm of leader', 'Tolstoyian in its prose', 'Poetic touch to it of Stevenson' and yet deep down they were thoughts of a proud and a hopeful Indian.
'Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially.
At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.
A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.
It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.'
He had impeccable oratory skills, fluency in many language, here is a glimpse of his speech in English.
He was by far the most erudite politician that has ever lived. If you ever read his 'Discovery of India' and 'The Glimpses of the World' you would realise his in depth knowledge of Indian and World History. Albert Einstein had once claimed that his books are a great window to look into the marvel called India.
When India became independent and as Gandhi Ji and Sardar Patel passed away in very quick succession, he became the biggest leader. As the Spiderman says 'With big power comes big responsibility'. He took his responsibility more seriously than his power. The India that we see today is his creation. His undying dedication to Secularism and Democracy made us what we are today.
If we look around us most country where are racial sibling live are in dire straits. Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, SriLanka and even Myanmaar are either ruled by despots or military rulers. Or they are struggling democracies.
If you were standing in 1947 and looked at the countries which became independent who you would say would be most successful in South Asia. I am sure you wouldn't pick India with its 30 odd languages, 1200 dialects, innumerable differences, 400 million ideas and religious identities. However, it is the most stable nation around, Why?
It is because of Nehru's leadership in its nascent stages.
He is the one who said looking at the 'Bhakra-Nangal Dam', these are the new temple of modern India. He envisioned a new industrial and scientific India. Under his leadership India started the Indian nuclear and space program.
Today, Chandrayan dropped a probe on the moon which would land and unfurl Indian Flag on the surface of the moon. What a fitting tribute Nehru Ji, I am sure where ever he is, he would still be the proudest and happiest Indian to see India as only the 3rd nation (or 4th entity) to put its flag on moon.
Shashi Tharoor's book's title is 'Nehru: The invention of India' and this modern India is 'the Invention of Nehru'.
As he said in 1947, it is up to us to carry his thoughts and actions forward.
We have hard work ahead. There is no resting for any one of us till we redeem our pledge in full, till we make all the people of India what destiny intended them to be. We are citizens of a great country on the verge of bold advance, and we have to live up to that high standard. All of us, are equally the children of India with equal rights, privileges and obligations. We cannot encourage communalism or narrow-mindedness, for no nation can be great whose people are narrow in thought or in action.......
To India, our much-loved motherland, the ancient, the eternal and the ever-new, we pay our reverent homage and we bind ourselves afresh to her service. Jai Hind.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
November is here
As October 2008 went by, I personally went through a lot of upheavals during it. It was full of twists and turns. But in the hindsight it was a wonderful month.
When you look back at a month full of action the month looks longer, I had lost my cell phone on the 1st of October in Singapore looking back it feels that it was almost an year ago.
This was a wonderful month for India too,
Chandrayan I, India's first mission to moon is successfully on its way. A lot of people question the $100 million spent on it. However, they fail to see this is the opportunity to capture the place amongst countries of the future. Who knows what we would find on the moon, who knows when we would have to leave this planet and we all know that moon would be our first step. But unlike other Asian giants China and Japan, India's mission is truely global mission, this one has instruments from NASA and European agency on board too. It's wonderful to see that the mission has been sent on an Indian rocket from Indian soil, that gives ISRO 'Indian Space Research Organization' a very lucrative venture into launching commercial satellites at almost one fourth of the cost of NASA, which it already does.
Chandrayan missions in the short term would be a three step mission. The launched one would act as a satellite to moon and would scan the surface for minerals and water buried deep into the moon's surface. The second one would be launched in 2011 would be an unmanned mission to land on the surface and dig deep into the right areas. The third to be launched in 2015 would be a manned mission and would explore opportunities for humanity to build a base there.
Second great news is the Vishwanathan Anand has won the World Chess Championship. Now he truely is a world champion. He has now won world championship in all formats of chess. Another major achievement is that he becomes first Indian and only Second non-russian to beat a Russian player in the direct one to one contest. This shows the domination of Russians in the game of chess. Anand's major achievement in last 20 years has been improvement of Indian chess environment. We now have 18 Grandmasters. However, when we compare that to 180 in Russia it looks miniscule. I still remember the title of SportWeek in 87 where it said 1 in a Billion when Anand became first Indian to achieve the Grandmaster level. From there Indian chess has come a long way.
Third was of course India beating Australia to pulp in cricket. How satisfying it is to see Aussies being beaten comprehensively. The pleasure of seeing a defensive Aussie team, playing to survive and draw the match and still being beaten to pulp is amazing.
When you look back at a month full of action the month looks longer, I had lost my cell phone on the 1st of October in Singapore looking back it feels that it was almost an year ago.
This was a wonderful month for India too,
Chandrayan I, India's first mission to moon is successfully on its way. A lot of people question the $100 million spent on it. However, they fail to see this is the opportunity to capture the place amongst countries of the future. Who knows what we would find on the moon, who knows when we would have to leave this planet and we all know that moon would be our first step. But unlike other Asian giants China and Japan, India's mission is truely global mission, this one has instruments from NASA and European agency on board too. It's wonderful to see that the mission has been sent on an Indian rocket from Indian soil, that gives ISRO 'Indian Space Research Organization' a very lucrative venture into launching commercial satellites at almost one fourth of the cost of NASA, which it already does.
Chandrayan missions in the short term would be a three step mission. The launched one would act as a satellite to moon and would scan the surface for minerals and water buried deep into the moon's surface. The second one would be launched in 2011 would be an unmanned mission to land on the surface and dig deep into the right areas. The third to be launched in 2015 would be a manned mission and would explore opportunities for humanity to build a base there.
Second great news is the Vishwanathan Anand has won the World Chess Championship. Now he truely is a world champion. He has now won world championship in all formats of chess. Another major achievement is that he becomes first Indian and only Second non-russian to beat a Russian player in the direct one to one contest. This shows the domination of Russians in the game of chess. Anand's major achievement in last 20 years has been improvement of Indian chess environment. We now have 18 Grandmasters. However, when we compare that to 180 in Russia it looks miniscule. I still remember the title of SportWeek in 87 where it said 1 in a Billion when Anand became first Indian to achieve the Grandmaster level. From there Indian chess has come a long way.
Third was of course India beating Australia to pulp in cricket. How satisfying it is to see Aussies being beaten comprehensively. The pleasure of seeing a defensive Aussie team, playing to survive and draw the match and still being beaten to pulp is amazing.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Paul Newman and Rain drops keep falling on my head ....
I had a friend called Siddhartha Sharma in MHOW. We both loved English oldies. One day on an old gramophone we heard Englebert Humperdinck sing "Raindrops keep fallin' on my head". In later years I found out that there is a B. J. Thomas version of it in the "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid".
This song was written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach for the movie and won the Oscar for the best original score. It's a wonderful uplifting song. It was even in the soundtrack of Forrest Gump and Spiderman II.
'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' was a wonderful wonderful movie and here is ....
This song was written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach for the movie and won the Oscar for the best original score. It's a wonderful uplifting song. It was even in the soundtrack of Forrest Gump and Spiderman II.
'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' was a wonderful wonderful movie and here is ....
my tribute to the Gentleman of Hollywood, Paul Newman, who passed away a few days ago. Since the day I first saw this movie and I heard this song I have been a big fan of his work. The song's success should also be given to Newman and Katharine Ross. Who made it adorable with their innocence and charm.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
October 2nd
Man, at his highest potentiality, is realised and fullfilled within each creator himself..... Whether the creator is alone or finds only a handful of others like him, or is among the majority of mankind, is of no importance or consequence whatever; numbers have nothing to do with it. He alone or he and few others like him are mankind, in the proper sense of being the proof of what Man actually is, Man at his best, the essential Man, Man at his highest possibility. The rational being, who acts according to his nature.
It should not matter to a creator whether anyone or a million or all men around him fall short of ideal of Man; let him live up to ideal himself; this is all 'optimism' about Man that he needs. But it is hard and subtle thing to realize - and it would be natural to Dagny always to make the mistake of believing that others are better than they really are (or will become better, or they will teach them to become better or, actually, they so desperately want them to be better) - and to be tied to the world by that hope.
This is from Ayn Rand's notes about a character in 'Atlas Shrugged', but when I had read it I never thought from Mahatma Gandhi's point of view. He was that Creator, Creator who stood alone on his path when no one was around him. It didn't matter to him when all the people around him had a different take on India's struggle for freedom. (As it had happened after 'Chauri Chaura' when Nehru, Patel and Jinnah (people as intelligent and smart as them) had all thought that they should let the struggle go on, however, Gandhi ji had a different view. )
(On February 4, 1922, around 2,000 protesters gathered for picketing of the liquor shop at the local market in Chauri Chaura. Sensing the trouble, armed policemen were sent to the city police station to control the situation. The crowd marched towards the market and started shouting anti-government slogans. The policemen fired into the air as a warning signal. However, it had the reverse effect on the crowd who were in no mood to retreat and started pelting stones at the armed policemen. Seeing the situation was getting out of control, the sub inspector ordered the policemen to commence firing on the advancing crowd. Three protesters were killed on the spot, ( 2 Hindu and one Muslim) and several others were injured. Seeing this, the crowd became violent and attacked the police from all the sides. The armed policemen lost their courage to fire, seeing thousands of protesters marching towards them. They retreated to the shelter of the police station. The crowd decided to take revenge for their dead comrades and set fire to the building from all the sides. Twenty-three policemen were burnt alive, including the station sub inspector.
Mahatma Gandhi asked all Indians to end the Non-cooperation movement, and went on a five-day fast to absolve himself of what he perceived as his role in inciting the attacks. Gandhi felt that he had acted too hastily in encouraging a revolt against the British Raj, while not emphasizing the importance of ahimsa (non-violence) and not training the resisters enough. Due to his fast and the exhortation of Congress leaders, Indians gave up civil resistance in 1922.)
Nevertheless, unlike Ayn Rand's character, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was able to change men around him. He put most people through his tough standards of the 'Man'. Some went out crying however most become his ardent followers.
We need him and his ideals in the world more than ever.
October 2nd, is Gandhi jayanti (Mahatma Gandhi's birthday) in India and World Peace Day. A few years ago the UN had agreed to follow on Gandhi ji footstep of peace and termed his birthday as World Peace Day. He still motivates people all around the globe, even Barrack Obama quoted him on 2nd October and wanted world to follow on his footstep. Supposedly he has Gandhi Ji's photograph in his office and questions his every action against Gandhi's philosophy.
It should not matter to a creator whether anyone or a million or all men around him fall short of ideal of Man; let him live up to ideal himself; this is all 'optimism' about Man that he needs. But it is hard and subtle thing to realize - and it would be natural to Dagny always to make the mistake of believing that others are better than they really are (or will become better, or they will teach them to become better or, actually, they so desperately want them to be better) - and to be tied to the world by that hope.
This is from Ayn Rand's notes about a character in 'Atlas Shrugged', but when I had read it I never thought from Mahatma Gandhi's point of view. He was that Creator, Creator who stood alone on his path when no one was around him. It didn't matter to him when all the people around him had a different take on India's struggle for freedom. (As it had happened after 'Chauri Chaura' when Nehru, Patel and Jinnah (people as intelligent and smart as them) had all thought that they should let the struggle go on, however, Gandhi ji had a different view. )
(On February 4, 1922, around 2,000 protesters gathered for picketing of the liquor shop at the local market in Chauri Chaura. Sensing the trouble, armed policemen were sent to the city police station to control the situation. The crowd marched towards the market and started shouting anti-government slogans. The policemen fired into the air as a warning signal. However, it had the reverse effect on the crowd who were in no mood to retreat and started pelting stones at the armed policemen. Seeing the situation was getting out of control, the sub inspector ordered the policemen to commence firing on the advancing crowd. Three protesters were killed on the spot, ( 2 Hindu and one Muslim) and several others were injured. Seeing this, the crowd became violent and attacked the police from all the sides. The armed policemen lost their courage to fire, seeing thousands of protesters marching towards them. They retreated to the shelter of the police station. The crowd decided to take revenge for their dead comrades and set fire to the building from all the sides. Twenty-three policemen were burnt alive, including the station sub inspector.
Mahatma Gandhi asked all Indians to end the Non-cooperation movement, and went on a five-day fast to absolve himself of what he perceived as his role in inciting the attacks. Gandhi felt that he had acted too hastily in encouraging a revolt against the British Raj, while not emphasizing the importance of ahimsa (non-violence) and not training the resisters enough. Due to his fast and the exhortation of Congress leaders, Indians gave up civil resistance in 1922.)
Nevertheless, unlike Ayn Rand's character, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was able to change men around him. He put most people through his tough standards of the 'Man'. Some went out crying however most become his ardent followers.
We need him and his ideals in the world more than ever.
October 2nd, is Gandhi jayanti (Mahatma Gandhi's birthday) in India and World Peace Day. A few years ago the UN had agreed to follow on Gandhi ji footstep of peace and termed his birthday as World Peace Day. He still motivates people all around the globe, even Barrack Obama quoted him on 2nd October and wanted world to follow on his footstep. Supposedly he has Gandhi Ji's photograph in his office and questions his every action against Gandhi's philosophy.
Selfishness
On 30th September I was at the Changi Airport, Singapore to drop Tewari Sir. We had some time to kill before Tewari Sir left so we all decide to have a cup of coffee. First, I was the designated seat grabber while Farida and Tewari sir ordered coffee. When the order arrived we found that they hadn't given Tewari sir his coffee. So I stood up and ordered a new one for him.
As I was at the bar waiting for it when the girl who was preparing the coffee started chatting. She asked me, if I was in Singapore because of F-1. I replied that it was a combination of F-1 and business. She looked at me and smiled and said ..........
Deju Vu: An impression of having seen or experienced something before.
A few year ago I was at the JFK airport in New York. It was October too and I was there to meet my then girlfriend's parents. When I left Delhi to meet them by British Airways I was upgraded to Business class, hence at JFK when I checked in the lady at the counter looked at me a few times. She then called some one up and after a few negotiations told me that I have been upgraded on my flight back too.
She looked at me with a very generous smile and said " Sir, you are a very lucky man."
Without even giving a thought I immidiatly said " May this luck pass on to you from me." This was an instant reaction and that was the first thing that came to my mind.
She looked at me with amazement and said " Oooooohhhhh, that is so sweet, that is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me." She then gave me a lot of BA goodies. When she saw me at the boarding gate she took my bag and carried it in the aircraft. She insisted doing that and was very kind to me.
I never thought of this instance for a long time but it was almost as if I had given my luck away to her. Of course, I have never been upgraded after that, (which was an usual affair for me), I lost my business after having a tiff with my partners. I dried out my savings over a few months in trying to establish myself again. Then, even after looking very hard at a project I lost a lot of money in it where the mediators took me for a ride and never returned my money. Sadly a lot of this money was in the form of loan and I am still in the process of repaying them one by one. And, as luck (or un-luck) would have it the girl whom I trusted most to stand by me, Left too.
However, life moves on and we all make a new beginning. I changed my style a bit and things have started to look good now. I have always believed that hard work and patience never fails.
She asked me if I was in Singapore because of F-1. I replied that it was a combination of F-1 and business. She looked at me and smiled and said " Sir, you are a very lucky man."
For few seconds I kept looking at her but unlike last instance this had happened to me, this time around, I thought for almost 10 sec before saying " Thank you very much." I smiled back at her. She served me coffee and I returned to my table.
For last few days I have thought a lot about this and have contemplated on my own behaviour. Have I become more selfish and greedy?
I told Tewari Sir this a couple of days ago when I met him with Sandeep Bhatnagar. He was unimpressed and said " That was a very sweeping statement you had made." Then after thinking a bit he said "Babu, you should say this to only your children."
We discussed life and it's ironies. Like always he in his own unique style added "Aisa socho shayad yeh koi purana karz tha jo tumne chuka diya aur achcha hua ki yeh tab hua jab tumhare pass zyada nahin tha aur isse tum phir bana sakoge". (Think like this, this might have been be a debt from last life and you paid it now, what if this would have happened when you had a lot of money. At least you can easily make it back again.)
I smiled and agreed.
Now, all I want to know is that if that girl in New York actually benefited from my generosity of giving my luck away.
If she did, it was worth the troubles of last few years for me.
As I was at the bar waiting for it when the girl who was preparing the coffee started chatting. She asked me, if I was in Singapore because of F-1. I replied that it was a combination of F-1 and business. She looked at me and smiled and said ..........
Deju Vu: An impression of having seen or experienced something before.
A few year ago I was at the JFK airport in New York. It was October too and I was there to meet my then girlfriend's parents. When I left Delhi to meet them by British Airways I was upgraded to Business class, hence at JFK when I checked in the lady at the counter looked at me a few times. She then called some one up and after a few negotiations told me that I have been upgraded on my flight back too.
She looked at me with a very generous smile and said " Sir, you are a very lucky man."
Without even giving a thought I immidiatly said " May this luck pass on to you from me." This was an instant reaction and that was the first thing that came to my mind.
She looked at me with amazement and said " Oooooohhhhh, that is so sweet, that is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me." She then gave me a lot of BA goodies. When she saw me at the boarding gate she took my bag and carried it in the aircraft. She insisted doing that and was very kind to me.
I never thought of this instance for a long time but it was almost as if I had given my luck away to her. Of course, I have never been upgraded after that, (which was an usual affair for me), I lost my business after having a tiff with my partners. I dried out my savings over a few months in trying to establish myself again. Then, even after looking very hard at a project I lost a lot of money in it where the mediators took me for a ride and never returned my money. Sadly a lot of this money was in the form of loan and I am still in the process of repaying them one by one. And, as luck (or un-luck) would have it the girl whom I trusted most to stand by me, Left too.
However, life moves on and we all make a new beginning. I changed my style a bit and things have started to look good now. I have always believed that hard work and patience never fails.
She asked me if I was in Singapore because of F-1. I replied that it was a combination of F-1 and business. She looked at me and smiled and said " Sir, you are a very lucky man."
For few seconds I kept looking at her but unlike last instance this had happened to me, this time around, I thought for almost 10 sec before saying " Thank you very much." I smiled back at her. She served me coffee and I returned to my table.
For last few days I have thought a lot about this and have contemplated on my own behaviour. Have I become more selfish and greedy?
I told Tewari Sir this a couple of days ago when I met him with Sandeep Bhatnagar. He was unimpressed and said " That was a very sweeping statement you had made." Then after thinking a bit he said "Babu, you should say this to only your children."
We discussed life and it's ironies. Like always he in his own unique style added "Aisa socho shayad yeh koi purana karz tha jo tumne chuka diya aur achcha hua ki yeh tab hua jab tumhare pass zyada nahin tha aur isse tum phir bana sakoge". (Think like this, this might have been be a debt from last life and you paid it now, what if this would have happened when you had a lot of money. At least you can easily make it back again.)
I smiled and agreed.
Now, all I want to know is that if that girl in New York actually benefited from my generosity of giving my luck away.
If she did, it was worth the troubles of last few years for me.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Priceless & Tere mere sapne
Yesterday when I got back home it was almost midnight. Lying down on the floor I started to flip through channels. As it often happens that you don't find anything worth watching, I was about to give up and then suddenly I saw a face that I can watch whole day.
It was Audrey Tautou's. Before her an actress which made me stare at her was coincidentally another Audrey and of course she was the unforgettable Audrey Hepburn.
Audrey & Audrey
This Audrey is probably the only modern actress who makes me skip a heartbeat. She has charm which makes me feel that I should be around her. Her smile is so infectious that I would do anything to keep her smiling. When she is sad I feel sad. I really don't know if there is anyone who would dislike her. She is charming enough to even make a heartless guttersnipe melt.
Most people know her from Amelie, A very long engagement or from the Da Vinci Code. But I loved her in 'Hors de prix' (Pricesless). She plays a gold digger called Irene.
As the movie starts, Irene is gold digger who charms her way into old rich men's life for all the comforts. One day she sleeps with a bartender 'Gad Elmaleh' who she thinks is loaded. But as it happens the 'Old rich guy' catches them and she is thrown out. I do not want to narrate the story and spoil the fun for any one who hasn't seen it.
The story takes a nasty turn when Mumtaz is pregnant and she gets into an accident. Devanand tries very hard to bring the culprit to justice but fails as he is rich. Dejected and dissapointed Devanand leaves everything behind and goes back to town to earn money.
I think its worth watching. So do it and learn how the story unfolds next.
It was Audrey Tautou's. Before her an actress which made me stare at her was coincidentally another Audrey and of course she was the unforgettable Audrey Hepburn.
Audrey & Audrey
This Audrey is probably the only modern actress who makes me skip a heartbeat. She has charm which makes me feel that I should be around her. Her smile is so infectious that I would do anything to keep her smiling. When she is sad I feel sad. I really don't know if there is anyone who would dislike her. She is charming enough to even make a heartless guttersnipe melt.
Most people know her from Amelie, A very long engagement or from the Da Vinci Code. But I loved her in 'Hors de prix' (Pricesless). She plays a gold digger called Irene.
As the movie starts, Irene is gold digger who charms her way into old rich men's life for all the comforts. One day she sleeps with a bartender 'Gad Elmaleh' who she thinks is loaded. But as it happens the 'Old rich guy' catches them and she is thrown out. I do not want to narrate the story and spoil the fun for any one who hasn't seen it.
However, during this movie another movie which caught my attention was Devanand's Tere Mere Sapne. I had seen this movie a long long time ago and hence was annoyed to find two movies which I wanted to see showing up at the same time.
I have always felt that Devanand raised some great social issues through his movies. Sometimes he is ahead of his times. The only problem he has now a days is that he doesn't work with stars and he isn't the force himself to pull it through all by his own.
But 'Tere Mere Sapne' raised some very important issues.
Devanand as a young doctor lands up in a small mining town. He is an idealist and wants to help poor and deprived people. Here he encounters a drunk and depressed doctor in Vijay Anand. Though, Vijay Anand has returned from England to practice in India, he is depressed and dissapointed with the system.
As the movie unfolds Devanand falls in love with Mumtaz and marries her in the village. There is a lovely song where Devanand and Mumtaz are riding on a bicycle and they sing 'Maine kasam lee'.
As the movie unfolds Devanand falls in love with Mumtaz and marries her in the village. There is a lovely song where Devanand and Mumtaz are riding on a bicycle and they sing 'Maine kasam lee'.
The story takes a nasty turn when Mumtaz is pregnant and she gets into an accident. Devanand tries very hard to bring the culprit to justice but fails as he is rich. Dejected and dissapointed Devanand leaves everything behind and goes back to town to earn money.
I think its worth watching. So do it and learn how the story unfolds next.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Beef saga, Ms. Madhu Singh, Harivansh Rai and his Kayastha lineage
Yesterday Ms. Madhu Singh (of The Curse of Ghandhari) left a note on one of my articles (Beef) which ended with a small couplet by Dr. Harivansh Rai, of course she wrote it in the lighter vain but its about the Kayastha community of which he and me are a part.
The story around this couplet goes something like this: One day someone asked Dr. Harivansh Rai, "You don't drink then how come you write such profound work on drinking and alcohol", He answered through this couplet:
मैं कायस्थ, कुलोधाभव मेरे पुरखों ने इतना ढाला
मेरे तन के लहु में है पिछत्तर प्रतिशत हाला
पुश्तैनी अधिकार मुझे है मदिरालय के आँगन पर
मेरे दादा परदादा के हाथ बिकी थी यह मधुशाला
Main kayasth, kulodhabhav mere purkhon ne itna dhaala
Mere tan ke lahu mein hai pichhattar pratishat haala
Pushtaini adhikaar mujhe hai madiraalay ke aangan par
Mere dada pardada ke haath biki thi madhushaala
which roughly translates into:
I am a Kayastha prodigy, my ancestor's drank so much,
My blood now contains 75% alcohol,
I have an ancestral right on the floor of these bars,
My forefathers were the ones who visited these Pubs
Now this couplet basically describes about the free going, opulent and out-going life style which Kayastha community used to lead. I have done some research and work on Kayastha community's history but that could come later. This blog is more about Harivansh Rai's poems.
Some of his famous works are well known but I would start to put some of my favorites. He is known as one of the finest Hindi poets of last century but my favourite work is first part of his autobiography: क्या भूलूँ क्या याद करुँ (Kya bhoolon kya yaad karoon)
I was so tounched by a comment that he made in that book:
It's the time when Shyama Ji, his first wife passes away he says:
मैं उसकी मृत्यु से आधा मर गया, और वह मेरे जीवन में आधा जीवन जियेगी
Mein uski martyu se aadha mar gaya, aur wah mere jeevan mein aadha jeevan jiyegi
With her death half of me died and she would live half a life in mine.
In my eyes that is one of the most romantic comments that any guy has ever made about his deceased spouse . Isn't this better than building a Taj Mahal for someone.
One which would have offended most people in this time and age is:
मुस्लमान और हिन्दु हैं दो
एक मगर उनका प्याला
एक मगर उनका मदिरालय
एक मगर उनकी हाला
दोनों रहते एक ना जब तक
मन्दिर - मस्जिद में जाते
बैर बढातेमन्दिर मस्जिद
मेल करती मधुशाला
Musalmaan aur hindu hain do
Ek magar unka pyaala
(Muslims and Hindus are different, but they share a common peg of wine)
Ek magar unka madiraalaya
Ek magar unki haala
(Both have the same bar and both drink the same wine)
Dono rehte ek na jab tak
Masjid-Mandir mein jaate
(Both do not live together until they go to Mosques and Temples)
Bair badhaate masjid-mandir
Mel karaati madhushaala
(Mosques and temples increase the difference but the bar helps them to be united).
But one of my favorites is:
जो बीत गई सो बात गई
जीवन में एक सितारा
माना वह बड़ा प्यारा था
वह डूब गया तो डूब गया
अम्बर के आनन् को देखो
कितने इसके तारे टूटे
कितने इसके प्यारे छूटे
जो छूट गए फिर कहाँ मिले
पर बोलो टूटे तारों पर !
कब अम्बर शोक मनाता है !
जो बीत गई सो बात गई !
जीवन में था एक कुसुम !
थे उसपर नित्य निछावर तुम !
वह सूख गया तो सूख गया !
मधुवन की छाती को देखो !
सूखी कितनी इसकी कलियाँ !
मुरझाईं कितनी वल्लरियाँ !
जो मुरझाईं फिर कहाँ खिलीं !
पर बोलो सूखे फूलों पर !
कब मधुवन शोर मचाता है !
जो बीत गई सो बात गई !
जीवन में मधु का प्याला था
तुमने तन मन दे डाला था !
वह टूट गया तो टूट गया
मदिरालय के आँगन को देखो !
कितने प्याले हिल जाते हैं
गिर मिट्टी में मिल जाते हैं !
जब गिरते हैं कब उठते हैं
पर बोलो टूटे प्यालों पर
कब मदिरालय पछताता है
जो बीत गई सो बात गई
मृदु मिट्टी के हैं बने हुए
मधु घट फूटा ही करते हैं
लघु जीवन ले कर ही आयें हैं
प्याले टूटा ही करते हैं
फिर भी मदिरालय के अन्दर
मधु के घट हैं मधु प्याले हैं
जो मादकता के मारें हैं
वे मधु लूटा ही करते हैं
वह कच्चा पीने वाला है
जिसकी ममता घट पायलों पर
जो सच्चे मधु से जला हुआ
कब रोता है कब चिल्लाता है
जो बीत गई सो बात गई
Jo beet gayi so baat gayi
Jeevan mein ek sitara tha
Mana wah bada pyara tha
Wah toot gaya to toot gaya,
Amber ke aanan ko dekho,
Kitne iske taare toote,
Kitne iske pyare choote,
Jo choot gaye phir kahan mile,
Par bolo toote taaron par,
Kab amber shok manata hai,
Jo beet gayi so baat gayi,
Jeevan mein tha ek kusum,
The us par nitya nichavar tum,
Vah sookh gaya to sookh gaya,
Madhuvan ki chati ko dekho,
Sookhi kitni iski kaliyan,
Murjhaiyin kitni valleriiyaan,
Jo murjhayin phir kahan khili,
Par bolo sookhe phoolon par,
Kab madhuvan shor machta hai,
Jo Beet Gayi so baat gayi,
Jeevan mein ek madhu ka pyala tha,
Tumne tan man de dala tha,
Wah toot gaya to toot gaya,
Madiralay ke aangan ko dekho,
Kitne pyale hil jate hain,
Gir metti mein mil jate hain,
Jab girte hain kab uthte hain,
Par bolo toote pyalon par,
Kab madiralay pachtata hai,
Jo beet gayi so baat gayi
Mradu meeti ke hain bane hue,
Madhu ghat phoota hi karte hain,
Laghu jeevan le kar hi aayen hain,
Pyale toota hi karte hain,
Phir bhi madiralay ke andar,
Madhu ke ghat hain madhu pyale hain,
Jo madakta ke maren hain,
Vah madhu loota hi karte hain,
Vah kachcha peene wala hai,
Jiski mamta ghat pyalon par,
Jo sachche madhu se jala hua,
Kab rota hai kab chillata hai,
Jo beet gayi so baat gayi
I specially love the last few lines.....
The story around this couplet goes something like this: One day someone asked Dr. Harivansh Rai, "You don't drink then how come you write such profound work on drinking and alcohol", He answered through this couplet:
मैं कायस्थ, कुलोधाभव मेरे पुरखों ने इतना ढाला
मेरे तन के लहु में है पिछत्तर प्रतिशत हाला
पुश्तैनी अधिकार मुझे है मदिरालय के आँगन पर
मेरे दादा परदादा के हाथ बिकी थी यह मधुशाला
Main kayasth, kulodhabhav mere purkhon ne itna dhaala
Mere tan ke lahu mein hai pichhattar pratishat haala
Pushtaini adhikaar mujhe hai madiraalay ke aangan par
Mere dada pardada ke haath biki thi madhushaala
which roughly translates into:
I am a Kayastha prodigy, my ancestor's drank so much,
My blood now contains 75% alcohol,
I have an ancestral right on the floor of these bars,
My forefathers were the ones who visited these Pubs
Now this couplet basically describes about the free going, opulent and out-going life style which Kayastha community used to lead. I have done some research and work on Kayastha community's history but that could come later. This blog is more about Harivansh Rai's poems.
Some of his famous works are well known but I would start to put some of my favorites. He is known as one of the finest Hindi poets of last century but my favourite work is first part of his autobiography: क्या भूलूँ क्या याद करुँ (Kya bhoolon kya yaad karoon)
I was so tounched by a comment that he made in that book:
It's the time when Shyama Ji, his first wife passes away he says:
मैं उसकी मृत्यु से आधा मर गया, और वह मेरे जीवन में आधा जीवन जियेगी
Mein uski martyu se aadha mar gaya, aur wah mere jeevan mein aadha jeevan jiyegi
With her death half of me died and she would live half a life in mine.
In my eyes that is one of the most romantic comments that any guy has ever made about his deceased spouse . Isn't this better than building a Taj Mahal for someone.
One which would have offended most people in this time and age is:
मुस्लमान और हिन्दु हैं दो
एक मगर उनका प्याला
एक मगर उनका मदिरालय
एक मगर उनकी हाला
दोनों रहते एक ना जब तक
मन्दिर - मस्जिद में जाते
बैर बढातेमन्दिर मस्जिद
मेल करती मधुशाला
Musalmaan aur hindu hain do
Ek magar unka pyaala
(Muslims and Hindus are different, but they share a common peg of wine)
Ek magar unka madiraalaya
Ek magar unki haala
(Both have the same bar and both drink the same wine)
Dono rehte ek na jab tak
Masjid-Mandir mein jaate
(Both do not live together until they go to Mosques and Temples)
Bair badhaate masjid-mandir
Mel karaati madhushaala
(Mosques and temples increase the difference but the bar helps them to be united).
But one of my favorites is:
जो बीत गई सो बात गई
जीवन में एक सितारा
माना वह बड़ा प्यारा था
वह डूब गया तो डूब गया
अम्बर के आनन् को देखो
कितने इसके तारे टूटे
कितने इसके प्यारे छूटे
जो छूट गए फिर कहाँ मिले
पर बोलो टूटे तारों पर !
कब अम्बर शोक मनाता है !
जो बीत गई सो बात गई !
जीवन में था एक कुसुम !
थे उसपर नित्य निछावर तुम !
वह सूख गया तो सूख गया !
मधुवन की छाती को देखो !
सूखी कितनी इसकी कलियाँ !
मुरझाईं कितनी वल्लरियाँ !
जो मुरझाईं फिर कहाँ खिलीं !
पर बोलो सूखे फूलों पर !
कब मधुवन शोर मचाता है !
जो बीत गई सो बात गई !
जीवन में मधु का प्याला था
तुमने तन मन दे डाला था !
वह टूट गया तो टूट गया
मदिरालय के आँगन को देखो !
कितने प्याले हिल जाते हैं
गिर मिट्टी में मिल जाते हैं !
जब गिरते हैं कब उठते हैं
पर बोलो टूटे प्यालों पर
कब मदिरालय पछताता है
जो बीत गई सो बात गई
मृदु मिट्टी के हैं बने हुए
मधु घट फूटा ही करते हैं
लघु जीवन ले कर ही आयें हैं
प्याले टूटा ही करते हैं
फिर भी मदिरालय के अन्दर
मधु के घट हैं मधु प्याले हैं
जो मादकता के मारें हैं
वे मधु लूटा ही करते हैं
वह कच्चा पीने वाला है
जिसकी ममता घट पायलों पर
जो सच्चे मधु से जला हुआ
कब रोता है कब चिल्लाता है
जो बीत गई सो बात गई
Jo beet gayi so baat gayi
Jeevan mein ek sitara tha
Mana wah bada pyara tha
Wah toot gaya to toot gaya,
Amber ke aanan ko dekho,
Kitne iske taare toote,
Kitne iske pyare choote,
Jo choot gaye phir kahan mile,
Par bolo toote taaron par,
Kab amber shok manata hai,
Jo beet gayi so baat gayi,
Jeevan mein tha ek kusum,
The us par nitya nichavar tum,
Vah sookh gaya to sookh gaya,
Madhuvan ki chati ko dekho,
Sookhi kitni iski kaliyan,
Murjhaiyin kitni valleriiyaan,
Jo murjhayin phir kahan khili,
Par bolo sookhe phoolon par,
Kab madhuvan shor machta hai,
Jo Beet Gayi so baat gayi,
Jeevan mein ek madhu ka pyala tha,
Tumne tan man de dala tha,
Wah toot gaya to toot gaya,
Madiralay ke aangan ko dekho,
Kitne pyale hil jate hain,
Gir metti mein mil jate hain,
Jab girte hain kab uthte hain,
Par bolo toote pyalon par,
Kab madiralay pachtata hai,
Jo beet gayi so baat gayi
Mradu meeti ke hain bane hue,
Madhu ghat phoota hi karte hain,
Laghu jeevan le kar hi aayen hain,
Pyale toota hi karte hain,
Phir bhi madiralay ke andar,
Madhu ke ghat hain madhu pyale hain,
Jo madakta ke maren hain,
Vah madhu loota hi karte hain,
Vah kachcha peene wala hai,
Jiski mamta ghat pyalon par,
Jo sachche madhu se jala hua,
Kab rota hai kab chillata hai,
Jo beet gayi so baat gayi
I specially love the last few lines.....
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Should Olympic medal matter to us?
As Abhinav Bindra was standing on the podium to receive his Gold Medal and all of Indian media was going ga-ga over him, I stood there wondering two questions.
1. Why such a hype over one gold? and on the other hand
2. Does it even matter if we win 1 or 50 gold medals?
In a sense these both questions represents two different thoughts of mine, they are somewhat contradicting to each other.
One thought of mine wants to achieve more and more, wants to be the world's best and want India to be right up there at number one sporting country in the world.
Second one, a little more complex but it is of one which understands the complexities of Sports and wants Indians to play the sport for its love and play it for fun instead of trying to achieve 50 gold medals.
Of course, I am proud of Abhinav's achievement as any Indian would be and I do not intend to take anything away from it. He has worked very hard and he surely deserves a medal for that.
However, why one gold is making such a big noise? Yes, he is first individual Indian in the independent era to win it and the first Indian in 28 years to receive it. Last one was Indian hockey team back at Moscow Olympics.
Are we such poor achievers at sports or as many people think cricket is actually killing all other kinds of sportsmen. But if can produce a Sachin Tendulkar in cricket why can’t we produce world's best in other sports. I think the only reason is lack of interest in Indians towards other sports.
The other question is should it matter? Should we be ashamed that we have only one medal? No, not at all. I think we are free country and our kids decide what to play not based on what their PT Teacher tells them but what they like. In addition, until recent past we were a real poor country. It is only in last 4 or 5 years that we have started to grow and have started to put money into sports. Hope that in a decade we would be far better placed.
I had heard somewhere that in
Would we ever do that to our kids? Or rather, anyone would like that to happen to them and their kids. It is all fine in the name of a country but can a medal in Olympics be above personal choice and love and affection of parents. Is it that important?
As money would pour into sports in
Therefore, my fellow citizens, enjoy, play what you like, have fun, and enjoy your life. Of course, no one denies that when you play something it should be with utmost sincerity and hard work. As 'Steve Waugh' had once said, never give an inch'.
Give your best while playing sports, play to create memories not to win medals. No one remembers who won and who lost but people still remember instances which stick to our heads. Don't we remember Sehwag hitting 6 at 295 more than that the test match was India's first win on Pakistani soil. Don't you remember Leander Paes beating Henri LeConte in Davis Cup semi finals over who did he beat in Olympic QFs. That is because these instances would remain with us becuase they entertained us not becuase who won or who lost.
Play fair, Play hard, Play to enjoy and Medals would come automatically.
Few things about sports that have always surprised me:
1. Why most team sports are more attractive to us than individual ones?
2. Do Democracies play more team sports? Is it true or just my perception. Look at US, Australia, England etc. Team sports are far far more famous than lets say Athletics, Gymnastics or Swimming.
One question I have never ever understood,
3. Why do Indian do well in Sports which are expensive? Cricket, Tennis, Golf, Shooting. We are a poor country with lots of open spaces and 1 billion people. Why don't we excel in Football (Soccer) or just long distance running.
Any answers?
Monday, August 11, 2008
Karen's Cancer
I just found out that my friend's wife has been diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. It's rare at such an early age of 31.
But both Francis and Karen have written some amazing articles on their blog at http://karenscancer.blogspot.com/
Please do read them and pass on all your wishes to Francis and Karen.
But both Francis and Karen have written some amazing articles on their blog at http://karenscancer.blogspot.com/
Please do read them and pass on all your wishes to Francis and Karen.
Monday, August 4, 2008
One day in life of Ivan Denisovich, my tribute to Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Just heard that Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn passed away today. It is a very sad day for the literary world. He won the Nobel Prize in 1970 but had to wait for 4 years to receive it. He wasn't allowed to get out of the USSR then. A few years ago Vladimir Putin was standing and honouring him with the highest civilian honour of Russia. What a turn around for a poor young widow’s son who had struggled all his life with ailments and life full of hardships.
I have only read one of his books, of course its 'One day in life of Ivan Denisovich'.
To give you a little background about myself in order for everyone to understand why this book has had a big impact on me. When I was growing up, especially in the 70s and early 80s, India was very socialist. At least in theory.
From the time I was very young I grew up on Russian books for children (from the former Soviet Union, they were translated and published in Hindi and English). Father always thought the quality of these books was far superior to those Indian books which were available then. The only Indian books I was allowed to read (or rather buy, he allowed me to read everything) was 'Amar Chitra Katha'.
When I look back at these, I do realize that it was true. Yes, yes, I still have many books kept safely with me from my childhood. Still have 'Masha and her four dogs', probably one of the first books that my father got me & a few Sputnik magazines. The printing is nice, the language almost too perfect.
So when I was growing up I was bombarded with many socialist ideas. I loved life in the USSR, with its snow, its organized houses and lovely and happy schools. At least this is the impression that magazines and books gave it to me.
One of my Uncles was very pro Soviet Union and we always took pride in anything that they did better than the US. I always hoped that the USSR would win more medals than the US. We were far happier if Russians claimed that they had done something great. We were convinced that MIG-29s were better fighter planes than F-16s.
Then came the first Indian to go into space on a Russian ship. His name was Rakesh Sharma. When he was space, then Indian prime minister 'Indira Gandhi' was talking to him and she asked him 'Aapko upar se bharat kaisa dhikta hai?' (How does India look from up there?) He without wasting a second said 'Main be -jhijak kah sakta hoon, Sare jahan se achcha' (I can say without any hesitation, the best in the world). That instance, made all of us few inches taller. We all had pride in him and we all thought that one day we all will do something similar and would say something so touching.
It was one of those moments, which changes things, or is a sign of change.
By the time late 80s came and India started to see a new change in itself. There were better books, like Target. (I am so sorry to see that Target is not in the print anymore), there was renewed confidence. India was a world beater in cricket and at least in one day format. Rajiv Gandhi with all his flaws and immaturity was still a breath of fresh air.
However, we were never away from the USSR, the falling of the USSR came as a surprise with the hope that this is momentary. We still wished that the US would fall of the world and the USSR-India alliance would be supreme.
It was 1992, I had just given my 12th boards and the summer was in full swing. Some how, when everyone is preparing for those entrance exams, I was just doing it for the sake of doing it. In those days, I read almost all of Shakespeare in one go. The problem that has created is that now I am not certain of plots and characters, I get them all mixed up in my head. This was the same summer when I read 'One day in life of Ivan Denisovich'.
It is a story of man in Russian prisons 'Gulag'. His experiences in Stalin era prison have been presented in this book. This is almost autobiographical, as he himself had spent 8 years in Stalin's nasty dreaded prison camps. One thing I remember which gave me chills was that the cut off cold for workers not to work outside was -41 degree Celsius.
This book threw out all those left over socialist ideas from mind and I became a new person. I had read someone in the USSR in mid 80s read this book in one night and came out into the cold brisk Moscow morning. He said that feeling stuck with him for years because he hadn't walked into the Sun, it was as if he had left his old past behind. My experiences with this book were similar. I became a new person with new thought, new expressions, and new likings towards basic freedoms.
Maybe it was the last nail in the socialist coffin or maybe it was 'Eureka' for free will and free thought for me.
Now more I think, the more I am convinced about Free Will, Free People, and Free Economy.
I would surely read his 'Gulag trilogy' as soon as I can get my hands on them as a tribute to the person who hastened my thought process if not totally shatter my old ideas.
Though somehow deep down I still believe that I am socialist. I now think that Democracy, Free Will, Free Speech, Free Economy or Freedom at every level of human life is the best form of socialism because it removes the human being from chains and liberates him to achieve and live a life full of dreams and desires.
Isn't it, that at the end, dreaming of a better tomorrow, for us and all humanity is all we have.
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