Dispersed Thoughts

Facebook !!!

2011-03-21T11:54:00.000+05:30

Facebook… “Facebook Jamal Ibrahim”. How many “Like” would the name manage to get?
A Young Egyptian couple in their twenties is inundated with gifts and wishes for having named their new born as Facebook, in tribute to the role played by this networking site in emancipating Egypt. The day is not far when networking sites would determine what we do and what we intend to do. In the days of Google, Groupon, Twitter, Linkedin, etc., we would let these sites manage our beliefs and attitude.
81 Million Internet users- and still growing exponentially strong - 44% of which being students and youngsters, I only wish India will have a compelling story to tell in the coming years. But what more can be disturbing than looking at the recent string of events – the commotion during a bus day celebration, havoc in a infamous Madurai college and many more involving students - will help you evolve a different story – a story of stinking politics, wretched inhumane attitude, gory violence and inconsiderate behavior of the growing youth. (There are always exceptions though). We have to take cognizance of the fact that sizeable population of this youth crowd, involved in the above incidents, mostly come from middle income or low income strata. Never do these students have a clear visibility on their future. In the contrary, seldom do we see such incidents orchestrated by students of engineering colleges, who to a greater extent have secured their future. Thanks to their American dreams and the still existing labor arbitrage in the IT / ITes industry – read as low priced knowledge workers. With the existing environment prevailing, I could only predict the income gap widening in the Indian economy where there already exists a steep economic inequality. Also there might be a strong income gap between the above mentioned category of students. It would only be a dream come true if the students community can choose as how they come together to help the country and thereby help themselves by addressing issues that are haunting the country today. The answer would be – Social networking sites like Facebook.
In a country, where multi -crore scams are reduced to a mere SMS, where corruption is accepted as a way of life, where violence is seen as the only tool of power, where people exhibit insensitiveness to atrocities happening in their neighborhood, where votes are sold and democracy burnt, where movie stars become the only source of inspiration – would we need to foster change. This change would only be a dream if the students don’t come together and fight for it than squandering their time and resources on bus days and ridiculous college spats. They have technology at their disposal. What are they waiting for?
Arise, Awake and Stop not until the goal is reached!!!

123...What is LEFT???

2007-09-02T01:26:00.000+05:30

At 22, While I was still wet behind my ears, and in my first assignment as a Project Leader, I was conducting a feasibility study for a power major. It was during this Market research, I did get an opportunity to understand the power woes of India. Needless to say, the project was a ultra mega flop. Trying to enjoy this monumental victory, I gulped down 10 bottles of beer - believe me, I drank them all without puking (for all those who know my Beer Quotient, you can ignore this).

Hyper-demand for power in case of a "transforming" nation (Courtesy: US state Dept for having moved India from underdeveloped to developing and now to transforming nation) like ours, cannot be over-emphasized. Economists and few politicians claim, this strategic Civilian nuclear programme with the US would do India many good. But in this case, I firmly believe, the left is right. Had it not been for the left, the BJP would have sent troops to Iraq and we would have supported a wrong cause, a cause which had left .6 million dead and 2 million homeless, a cause which had successfully dethroned dictatorship only to build a nation of graveyard and feed through the oil pipes, a few rich rodents in the US. Left, would be correct in this case too and I don't see it as pro-Chinese. Americans are probably are the most friendliest guys, but their leaders are not.

Americans see the Middle Kingdom as a threat to their unipolar world, a threat which might question their hegemony and their never ceasing heinous crimes. Reactions from US on our Pokhran I & II, Uncle Sam' Machiavellian policies with Pakistan, Afghan, Iran,etc(you know, the list is endless) should be pondered on before hugging the US of A which would stab us with its traditional double standard foreign policies.

India can still leverage on Coal based production of electricity(NTPC produces environment friendly electricity at the mouth of coal pit heads) and tap non-conventional energy resources than trusting a chameleon with a venomous snake's tongue kissing the growth of India. Meanwhile, Dr. Singh, should develop a robust foreign policy and focus on alternatives than running amok like a headless chicken;-) while I join the left singing ...

Big fella!!
You got blood on yo' face
You big disgrace
We will we will rock you
We will we will rock you
**********************************************************************************
NRI & PIOs in the US are making big strides, is an outdated news, but the recent one about the Indian Playboy Mr. Richard Menon is not. He used all his "spare" time to create one of top porn production company in the US. Call it porn capitalism ......What a Stupid way of growing rich!!!

From the desk of Nary - 8 facts about me…

2007-08-22T21:44:00.000+05:30

You know life gets hectic. I spent the whole last week immersed in one of the most exciting books – Ponniyin Selvan. Having reached the climax of PS and with enormous requests mounting from my beloved friends who have started falling in love with my words and who perennially urge me to pen down my thoughts, I decide to share with you, friends, 8 facts about my life. Thanks to Mathi who tagged and nagged me for quite sometime now. Here you go…

1 – I aspired to be one of the most creative men on earth, until one day I read a research report which said 70% of creative men are gays. Please get me “straight”, I’m not creative.
2 – Invariably everyday I have at the least 2 to 3 sweet-voiced young women - probably beautiful too - calling to persuade me to use their services. I’m highly disciplined enough to say “NO”.
3 – I hate using credit cards. (Couple facts 2 & 3)
4 – I’m emotionally strong and I firmly believe my EQ is significantly higher than my IQ - This is the reason I provide for not being so successful in competitive exams.
5 – I go around preaching my friends not to a have a girl friend. Not because they are too expensive but because I don’t have one.
6 – I’m a glib liar. I’m good looking, innocent and have a heart that beats for others.
7 – I believe, Woman is god’s best creation on earth. (No, I’m not lying)
8 – I would NOT tag my friends. Not that I do not want to, but when it comes to blogging we are a bunch of chronic laggards. Let me spare them…

BLOG OF FAME...

2007-07-26T15:50:00.000+05:30

One morning after the regular morning prayer assembly, Rev. Fr. Paul came with this wierd idea of re-sizing sections. Shahul and I were unfavorably placed as this unexpected displacement would bring new changes in our daily routine of trading trinkets and choclates with MADE IN FRANCE embossed on it. Our inability to penetrate the new market filled with studious kids, made me allergic to trade and concentrate on my studies. Soon, I was moving to the top ranks and it was not until then I earned friends and one among them was a fragile, pale, thin kid - Pari aka Rangan. We grew together like brothers and shared similair interests and passion. Pari unlike me is a great "Kalaakari". I always urge him to pursue his passion - art and paintings and what you would find below is a small collection of Pari's in my BLOG OF FAME....

The Street of Peter Nagar

2007-07-17T23:49:00.000+05:30

Tall houses queued up in a neat row on either side of the street; Peter Nagar had its old memories hidden beneath its thick tar roads. Puddles of water would ornate the moist red sand road with crisscrossed and rutted gutters making the street adventurous for any rider. Deciding to dress the red naked road with black tar, the municipality authorities would rob the street of its sheen burying the natural look it adorned. It should have witnessed every phase in the lives of Peter Nagar inhabitants – birth, death, failure, success, grief, hate, passion, anger ……it had managed to conceal their secrets under its dark tar coated mask. It remained a silent spectator when we witnessed Paapa-akka’s life taking a twist; it chose to remain still when her husband tumbled down gasping for his last breath. It was still, when the incorrigible alcoholic Albert kicked the bucket; it did not react when Allwyn, the state topper, adopting priesthood frustrated with materialistic life. It remained calm reacting to none.

To me, the street of Peter Nagar is more than just a street, it was my arena where I exhibited my cricketing prowess, it was my favorite rendezvous where I made friends for life with whom I shared moments which I would carry to my deathbed and even beyond. It is where we held our clandestine meets to decide and host our “Group Study” and we would vote the absolute choice as Appu’s place, as he was the only privileged one to possess a VCR then. Appu & I would stroll up and down this street sharing lighter moments, trying to impress the Patrick’s girls who managed to ignore our superior stunts. With no four walls around, it is where we disclosed our dark open secrets, debating on trivia, thumping on accomplishments, expressing our love, friendship and envy.

Appu & I, befriended Hemchand with the strategic intent of leveraging his cricket kit, since then, cricket was even more fun with keeping gloves, BDM stumps and a fresh SS willow. Hemchand, I should say, gave a new fillip to our street cricket. His long run ups to bowl the most expected wide balls demanded him to take long strides like a bulky monster rummaging the already dent road. The blue TVS champ (had been the most coveted to make fun trips after winning matches) wearing his constipated smile and self proclaimed “I, me, myself” stories were his Unique Propositions. After Class X, Appu & I drifted away from his company and I would occasionally meet him up to exchange pleasantries. Otherwise, he was almost a forgotten entity.
Few days back, Dr. Hemchand fell as a prey to the ebb tide of his ruthless life which left him crippled and his legs amputated. When Ramesh apprised me on Hemchand’s ill fate, my heart was drowned in pain as I sympathized with a young lad dreaming to make big in life. As a kid he dreamt of marrying the actress Meena, riding a Tata Safari, starting his own hospital. The street of Peter Nagar would no more feel the real legs of Hemchand denting it; the fate made the street devoid of the rummaging that Hemchand would make on it, the road would no more be privileged to see him running mad after he picks up a wicket in a wide ball. I walked the street with a heavy heart unable to digest the fact and wishing it was a nightmare, while the street lay silent trying to offer me solace. The street should have seen many good times and bad yet it remained calm trying to empathize with my thoughts hiding its own sadness it should have felt for Hemachand. It hid its sadness beneath the dust laid tar road as I walked down the street searching the past.

Sivaji – The BOSS (Bachelor of Stupid Show)

2007-06-17T21:23:00.000+05:30

A Hyper-hyped India’s most expensive movie starring India’s greatest style icon raises a simple question. Why the hell the movie was made?

Conspicuous, throughout the movie, is the dilemma that the director should have faced – either to present a Rajini movie with no content or to direct a Shankar movie and deliver a message in his own extravagant style – and successfully failing to create a movie which is neither of the two. Invariably, a normal viewer might miscomprehend Vivek as the protagonist and Rajini as a comedian who accomplished an unsuccessful attempt to make the first part of the movie a slap stick comedy, thereby making a gleeful suicide attempt.

Horrendous comedies, awful screenplay, pathetic direction, poor characterization, weird re-recording and appalling acting constitute the movie Sivaji. Sum of parts is always greater than the whole and the role of Shreya is mere a constant C in the equation y=mx –c and she balances the failing, down-sloping equation. Evident it is - both Shankar and Shreya should have forgotten their brains in their wardrobe. AVM should have been frugal enough to spend on Shreya’s costumes, as the only cost they should have incurred is on a couple of Maagi noodles pack. Wearing these threadbare noodles in all the songs, she reveals all the interesting and barely managing to conceal the vital.

In short, Sivaji is a poorly executed low-quality movie contributed by powerful band of bigwigs thereby enlisting it as another stupid movie produced by the mighty Indian cinema house AVM.

Sivaji vaayula mannu thaanda(pallavi) ….
Sivaji Thalayula thundu thaan da ….
aaheke right a Sivaji right a
aaheke right a Sivaji right a (chorus) …

FAITH, the road more traveled

2007-05-30T22:10:00.000+05:30

Hitting the road, the spotless white Indigo danced to the tunes of the convoluted serpentine road which twisted and turned on its whims and fancies. Watching the world move behind me, I was spoiling myself in the plush leather seats as my ipod was playing its 1GB magic in my ears. Waging an authoritative altercation I was successful in disapproving the list of topics carefully chosen by dad & mom and let sleep creep in their exhausted minds to prepare them for the next round of lists which I would certainly disapprove of. Though I realize, mental paradigms could not be changed in just wink of an eye, most of the times, I feel quite sad and stupid as my parents fail to understand the needless pain they invite upon them in the name of religion, belief and superstition. This is one such “pilgrimage” for my parents in their pursuit of a heavenly after-life while I was enjoying their presence and living the current moment to my heart’s content.

Starting with a holy dip in Nala Theertham of Thirunallar (a temple for Saturn god) in a belief that it would make us devoid of all the future ill-luck, the trip un-winded as we visited Thirupampuram (Kingdom of Serpents), AnandhaMangalam, Swamimalai(A place for the war god Karthikeya), Uppaliyappan and Vaitheeswaran Kovil. Curious to know about the stories made around these temples I had started to collect the documented history(Thiruthala Varalaru) and was busy criticizing the well cooked up stories while my mom was fuming in fear that their mighty God might punish me.

All throughout the trip, I was quite successful in winning never ceasing arguments with dad and was brimming with pride for having exhibited glimpses of my analytical brain. Turning impatient, as I could see my dad enjoying the defeat, I was determined to humiliate him further and chose to discuss about the core of their beliefs – FAITH. Questioning their faith and their obsolete religion I was close in winning another battle until my dad uttered his closing sentences in his own unique style. FAITH IS ALL THAT KEEPS US MOVING AND ALIVE. IT IS THE ONLY LINK BETWEEN MAN & MAN and MAN & GOD. ONE WHO LOSES FAITH LOSES EVERYTHING. I found the answer convincing, and for the first time in the trip, I was defeated but yet felt the real joy in losing to my loved one and having rediscovered a known fact. Silence crept in and dad went back to his hibernating mode while my mind was furiously thinking about the truth in the fact called FAITH. I could see the world moved past as the Indigo cruised along in the road more traveled.

Ennangalin Mozhi...Kavithaiyo!

2007-04-26T17:05:00.000+05:30

Story of Bachchans, Britney & the Stupid Media….

2007-04-23T19:35:00.000+05:30

"We have to fight like Gandhi"....the words keep drumming in my ears.

Holding a copy of the Delhi Times, Amit asked "Would you recommend the pictures of these almost-nude models to an 8 year old kid?”. "As business students, appreciate the fact ......It’s our business" replied the Delhi TOI Editor after a momentary silence which revealed her capitalist mind successfully grappling her consciousness. Her sobbing consciousness hid under her black suit should have lost its balance, when she managed to restore it by gulping a glass of water. Having created ripples in an otherwise silent crowd, Amit was suddenly viewed as an outcast for having surfaced his "uncouth" behavior in a guest lecture.

After the seminar, I tried appeasing him, "Come on Amit, understand the realities of life". Ouch...my ego hurt when he slammed back "You are a selfish spineless Indian. This is a cancer and this evil should be fought against. We have to fight like Gandhi”. “Your hyper actions would never take you places. This is not a cancer it is just business” I said slapping back. I resolved never to discuss with him on this topic anymore and I was fairly successful.

Time passed by, TOI fervently captures market share in Southern cities of India. Business, as usual for Bennett Coleman & Co., busy filling its coffers to feed the already fat-rodents called shareholders. The so-called “Sensational” news which appeared in Page 3 found its swift way to the main page under the TOI banner. I could observe tremendous improvement in the quality of articles which is a must-read for every responsible Indian.

Headlines published are superlatively phenomenal and highly appealing to the salivating mouths of the well grown voyeurs of the great Indian democracy. The editor and the readers probably would chose Aishwariya touching Abhishek’s feet as a sensational feat and as critical as kargil when the likes of Katara elected to the Lok Sabha would be busy trafficking people. Yes, crucial is the big fat bollywood wedding when the efficacy of our MPs is not worth pondering.

The (ir) responsible paparazzi daily news paper would chase Britney and be concerned about her shaved head and arm pits, when Antrix Corporation(for the uninitiated it is the commercial arm of ISRO) makes huge strides. Liz Hurley washing her dirty linen in public is our top priority when Indian citizens are contemplating to avert the water crisis this summer. Guess what the headline is tomorrow…..Would the silica gel of Pamela Anderson grow bigger???

TOI is just an analogy, when the whole “media market” is busy chasing the craziest and stupidest things under the sun. It is high time to take account of our mistakes as these so called “businesses” provide what “we” want. It is time to start weeding the evil that has mushroomed in our fast paced economy corrupting our imaginations, thought and actions. It is the penultimate time to stop demanding newspapers and channels that makes us true voyeurs and mindless citizens.

Shedding my ego, I called up Amit to let him know that I have ceased to be a spineless citizen. "We have to fight like Gandhi"....the words still keep drumming in my ears.

How to name it?

2007-04-19T12:40:00.000+05:30

Train journey is something that offers you a new experience everytime...

Should I call this Oedipus complex???

Left in a romantic mood.....getting drenched in fresh rain....on my Hercules MTB...I could not think of anything but this.....
Walking down the end of MG road in bangalore. People wandering with lust is a common sight... Should prostitution be legalized??...I have no opinion...I'm thinking ...Should prostitution exist???

Blisters of Solitude :-)

2007-04-06T19:44:00.000+05:30

I was riding my Pegasus in solitude. The solitary ride could bring the best in many and could make a novice express naiveté. I'm unsure what it did to me, as it needs careful introspection but I prefer calling the outcome of this process as blisters of solitude.

25G

2007-03-16T00:40:00.000+05:30

Eyes firmly fixed on Peters Bridge; I was impatiently waiting to see a 25G ascending from the top of the flyover, with a hope that it would allow me to join the procession that it embarks. For much longer time(after my long arduous days in Delhi), I was oblivious to other MTC buses and enjoyed being blissfully ignorant only to conceive the thought that most benevolent people of Chennai commuted in 25G.

25G arguably, had the power of assorting the most diverse passengers and offer the best experience to an eavesdropper. Deciding to kill boredom, which had already spread its tentacles on my mind, I donned the innocuous mask and was adventuring on my new profile of eavesdropping. In a hope to hear recent Kollywood gossips I firmed myself next to a couple of college kids, grossly failing to realize their eyes were riveted on a middle aged good-looking woman, whose sari had betrayed her. Squeezing and inching forward to hear more captivating discussions, I halted beside two disgruntled old men discussing politics who apparently lost their faith in the whole system. Cursing my ill-fate and unable to hear their irrational and superlatively stupid comments, I quit eavesdropping and decided to be on my own.

As 25G was cruising along the road in its own style, I was busy humming a recent hit, assuaging my deprived soul, which, consciously made me think of her. Like an oasis in a desert, her memory brought me the utmost pleasure that I could derive in a crammed bus. Like fresh rain in a dry wretched day, her mere thoughts would bring in a respite of happiness, no matter how fleeting time is. Her beatific smile and her sharp eyes made me recall the verse from Love’s Labor lost, my memory failed to help me:

"From women's eyes this doctrine I derive:
They sparkle still the right Promethean fire;
They are the books, the arts, the academes,
That show, contain, and nourish all the world."

Having reached the destination, I managed to pull myself out of the city procession 25G would continue to make. Plunging into darkness, my fearing shadow joined me in the quest to understand its master better. I was mentally preparing myself to wear the mask my career would demand. The street lights effusing sheath of light alleviated the fears of my shadow and managed to bring it out of its master …..

Wearing my new mask, my shadow joined hands with me, as we were marching towards a new dawn which would bring us new memories…….. Her thoughts vroomed back again and I realized it is here to stay, whichever mask I wear…… From women's eyes this doctrine I derive…..

We Indians, the largest movie makers

2007-02-25T14:56:00.000+05:30

Thanks to this good friend of mine, who made me think, “I'm not a good KISS-er (Keep It Short and Simple)”. To prove to myself that I can relatively do a fair job in KISS-ing, and for those who are really impatient to read the entire text, here is the highly abridged content of this blog:

Expectations = fn (Perceptions, Experience)

For the rest and for myself here is the original unKISS-ed content:

If Wiki is to be believed, Indians are the largest film makers (877 feature films+1177 short films in 2003) Vs our nearest competitor US (473 in the year 2003). Believe me; the movie making is still not outsourced. (Hei, NAASCOM guys...a good market to jump on ....huh???)

In my attempt to understand the parallel between these two countries, my analyst brain could not think of anything but 2 reasons: 1. Heterogeneous Culture with common destiny 2. Uncertainty.

Formed by immigrants with a drive to build a nation, Americans shared a common destiny to create what became (and still is) a mighty land - United States of America. In 1947, Indians were given "freedom" to rule their own country. The people of democratic India, shared a common destiny to build a country which had (and still has) all the potential to become another mighty power. Corrupt politicians, Mindless bureaucrats, Nehruvian dreams (mixed economy & import substitution policies) and Lack of vision- all had its share in failing our dreams. Our dreams never turned into a reality and still remains a dream.

Americans probably are the friendliest guys having high tolerance and respect towards others' religion and culture. Indians, highly influenced by the philosophy of their land (which embraces the positive aspect of foreign culture and religion as its own) sustained their affinity towards heterogeneous culture. But sadly enough, uncertainty is always in the air for citizens of both these countries (USA and India) and both get caught in cycle of changes – a blessing in disguise.

Creativity is at its helm during uncertainties and it is not so surprising to see these countries make the largest number of movies which reflects the society, the attitude and the journey which the society embarks on. But the expectation out of a movie for an average American and an average Indian is radically different and are these expectations are poles apart. Though the kind of experience is similar (not necessarily same) the reason Americans make and demand quality movies has completely to do with their PERCEPTION.

Example 1– WTC was hit, hundreds of lives lost, not a single corpse was shown in any of the television channels. A case in point t0 prove the maturity of their media and the people.
Example 2 – Quality of themes picked up by the American movie makers, the finest amount of details and their relentless uncompromising attitude.

Not to deny the fact that Indians make amazing movies and have receptive audience. But what proportion of these audiences are receptive is the bone of contention. Movies have the power to bring in revolution, to bring in positive changes in the society, to influence people, to capture their minds with intelligent questions and the answer it may offer.

Not enough to have expectations, not enough to have experience (positive and/or negative) what we all need is a highly positive and constructive perception. Most Americans have it, which is reflected through their movies. Do we have it?????

The Quantity per se, does not produce victory, Quality does. Though we have made thousands of movies we might still lose out to Americans.

Lets be a part of the movement that brings in change of perception. It all starts with you and me.

The misunderstood concept of Love

2007-02-15T01:58:00.000+05:30

14 Feb, Valentines Day - probably a special day to unleash all the unexpressed love, carefully locked within an iron chest, whose keys have long been lost in the world of carnal and materialistic pleasures. Driven by more irrational and subjective wants, these so called special occasions are gathering increased traction in the rapidly changing landscape. With changing demographics, India would witness unbridled demand for such occasions in the years to come. Spinning the yarn to create more sell-able stories, the marketers stand to gain by creating more hype and hoopla around these events consciously resulting in commoditization of Love. Commoditization of love increases the dependency on material factors directly resulting in diminishing marginal utility of love, as in the case of any commodity. Accelerating the Commoditization of love is the external environment - movies and demographics causing the (un)desirable paradigm shift - creating dent on the enigmatic concept of love.

Love, in my opinion, has increasing marginal utility. And more so the incremental love is never incremental, but rather in high quantum which is immeasurable. Love does not wait for moments like Valentines Day, but rather it takes its own course to define moments which is not time & frequency bound. Love does not depend on material factors, but the material factors per se, creates delight factors in the game of love. Love can still exist without delight factors, as in the long run delight factors might not exist and what would still exist is Love.

Entities in failed relationships should have cognizance of seizing every opportunity to define moments of love. The True moments of love have higher degree of emotional appeal to make relationships work and keep it alive with life. The more we wait for moments to share and "exchange" love, the more the relationship is at risk. But unfortunately, the growing youth is inebriated with commercial aspects of Love and grossly miss out on its truest form weakening its spine. Increasing divorces, domestic violence, deserted relationships are all cases in point.

To cut the long story short....Don't wait for moments in the game of love just create them and keep li(o)ving it.

Sow Education .....Reap Prosperity

2007-01-18T23:19:00.000+05:30

Pongal - a traditional Tamil festival - celebrates prosperity and abundance. Though the festival might have lost its relevance long back, nevertheless we find our roots firmed on agrarian culture (feudal economy), not surprisingly pongal occupies significant importance amongst the plethora of Hindu festivals.

Mid 1950S - Late 1990s....

Encouraged by the merits of education and enthused by the relatively new found freedom, scores of young men carried their day dreams of making their fortunes in what was supposed to be the "islands"(townships) of opportunities. Not unlike many Indians, a young man left his hometown to pursue his "higher" education (VIII class) as neither the nearest school (5 Kms away from his village) nor his destitute father could support his education. As a 6 month old suckling, he lost his mother, and this made him determined to shower all love on his children, which the Gods deprived him of at the very early age.

Seeking refuge in his aunt's place in Pondicherry (a coastal town in South of India)he was rearing cattle and selling milk, providing an helping hand in his cousin's business. Holding his dreams in his heart, he inched in his education and metamorphosed. Pumping gas, gardener, stenographer ....were few positions he held to earn himself a living. Though he did receive support from his aunt and cousins, he was indeed craving for motherly love and affection.

Attitude, perseverance and hard work took him long way up the corporate ladder. Joined as a clerk he moved to hold a prestigious position in one of the State Owned Enterprises. His search for true love should have ended after he found a mother in his better half. He did ensure that his children did get the best education possible.

This gentleman has all my respects, not just because he is my dad, but because of his true character and attitude. His achievements were well narrated bed time stories only helping me imbibe values and principles which are still close to my heart.

14 Jan 2007

Saram vegetable mandi was abuzz with pongal activities. Tonnes of sugarcane had made the place a temporary sugarcane field. The corner grocerer was still there. He was struggling to manage his customers all alone. Not surprised to find his son who usually assists his father during festive seasons I curiously enquired about him. Back came the reply,” Sir, my son is now an engineer and he is busy preparing for his campus interviews; he aspires to find a job in his dream company ....Info.....sys. We are confident that he would find the job he wanted. He is a brilliant student, sir". I could see his sparkling eyes filled with pride. I had no words to offer, I was overwhelmed. Undoubtedly, education will lighten up the corner grocerer family & his son's life, like what it did to my dad, the fruits of which our family still enjoys. I felt the urge to celebrate prosperity.

I learnt Pongal is still relevant as the middle class families are starting to harvest (prosperity) on what they sowed (investment on education).

To fear or not to fear

2006-12-31T01:15:00.000+05:30

Her eyes stole my soul, the angelic smile put all ornaments to shame, and nature painted cherubic face personifying beauty confounds my tongue, brings fresh snowfall within to pump my hormones to new extremes. Life is full of surprises....

Déjà vu - Fear of failure amputated the thought of winning this beauty, holding my surging emotions to ransom. Mind ceases to function, thoughts constipates only to contemplate my past. Duels my mind with whirlpool of emotions to solve this conundrum, giving birth to the thought - Why fear failure, are failures not stepping stones to success? Why quake and tremble with fear? Why let fear oppress you?

Unable to find an answer…

Gandhi is Dead, Long Live Violence!!!

2006-12-18T21:12:00.000+05:30

Anton Balasingham is no more….. Mr. BalaSingham was critically instrumental in crafting the LTTE’s ideology and was fairly successful in nurturing and instigating the “LTTE’s philosophy” in the hearts and minds of millions of Tamils. Acclaimed as a master strategist, a chief negotiator during peace talks – the magnitude of his loss is nothing but colossal.

For over 3 decades now, LTTE’s struggle and demand for a separate nation has grown in great depth and magnitude, leaving the Tamil minority in crossfire. The forlorn faces and the tattered lives of people who seek refugee in Tamilnadu (India) speak volumes of the agony, the distress, the mental pain and suffering caused to these harmless souls, who fight all the odds stacked against them, expect nothing but a right to life. I deeply empathize with my Srilankan Tamil brothers and sisters, I completely understand the trauma they undergo & I would be forthcoming to support them to the extent possible. Not unlike many hot blooded young Indian men, with strong inclination towards violence & communism, I was fascinated by the heroic activities of rebels like - V Prabhakaran, Fidel Castro & Che Guevara. I grow up allowing myself to develop the ill-conceived conviction that "Violence" is the panacea to fight the evil in this society, to wrestle the heinous crime, to encounter corrupt politicians, to eliminate jingoists, to slaughter mindless hegemony in this world. Thanks to the movies which influenced me to a higher degree and helped reinforce my conviction and etched my thought process deterring me to think of nothing but violence as a fix-it-all solution.

Education, time and people can alter perceptions & offer new dimensions to life. I was no exception. Two years of my management education helped me to re-read history – now I was careful enough to read between lines – introspect and appreciate true values and beliefs. Leadership miracles by Jesus, Gandhi & Nelson Mandela intrigued and inspired me to seek the truth, which I understand is non-violence. Undoubtedly, non-violence yield better proven-results, prevents loss of life & property making the world a better place.

Pondering on why Gandhi and his principal-concept of non-violence not being followed by his own countrymen would give me Sleepless nights. I blame none for we have created a world filled with Violence and blood-shed. But now I firmly assert there is “one-solution” which would reverse all the blood-shed – NON VIOLENCE.

Had rebels resorted to non-violence and make it part of its central-strategy, had the Kashmir insurgents considered non-violence as a potential weapon, had the mighty leaders and their followers placed enough belief on non-violence, many wars could have been averted, many lives could have been saved, fruitful amicable solutions could have been born.

Gandhi realized it - We enjoy the fruits (freedom) borne by non-violence, Nelson Mandela stood for Non-violence - South Africans are successful in curbing racism. But sadly, BalaSingham chose violence. I have no doubts that their struggle would not fructify. With a heavy heart, I foresee, Srilankan Tamils would suffer for years to come. I don’t see light at the end of the tunnel. The LTTEs are now busy proclaiming “GANDHI IS DEAD, LONG LIVE VIOLENCE”.

Seek.... You shall find a friend in me

2006-12-06T22:51:00.000+05:30

Marching down my memory lane paints vivid pictures of my previous past.....first day at school, rubber ball cricket, ceaseless altercations , Summer computer courses, dropping out of Hindi class, board exam results, College ragging , Flirting days , first job, & all my friends - who made my life.

Brooding on my past, I understand my attitude and character have metamorphosed only for the good. This positive transfiguration would have not been made possible without my family and friends.

Friends made me what I'm today. I still wonder, how did I gain friends with all my weaknesses that I possessed? How did I win friends who stood by my side through all tough times? How did I succeed in acquiring the treasures of my life- friends?

Contemplating on what could have been the drivers of friendship - I could not think of anything other than unbound love, trust & care.Joy is multiplied when love, trust & care is reciprocated & happiness flourishes in any relationship leaving the entities soaked in pleasure and unbound happiness.

Over these growing years, I have learnt to reciprocate love in its purest form - friendship. I have imbibed the habit of overlooking an individual minor weakness and started searching for his strengths. I have learnt to stand strong by his/her side and fight for him/her, die for him/her even when the whole world is against us. After all, it is all for friendship.

Friendship has enabled to broaden my horizons of mind to offer my love to all those who seek it. With open arms I invite all my fellow beings to taste the fruits of my friendship that I can offer you. I'm determined to make your life richer with love, love and pure love....

I would sow in you - what my friends enlightened me with - the joy of sharing love through friendship and together we would reap happiness.

GOD - in You and Me.....

2006-12-01T13:52:00.000+05:30

Coming, as I do, from an orthodox Hindu family, which has unwavering belief in GOD, I was influenced to believe in His existence. The religion I followed lead me to appreciate diversity, learn tolerance, respect fellow human beings and fostered high values and belief in my sub-conscious mind which will still continue to influence my thought process for years to come. I'm unable to fathom, how a religion creating noble thoughts in one mind would influence fratricide in another? God - Would you answer?

Increasing religious holocausts, surging fundamentalism & incessant fanaticism are clear symptoms of sabotaging religious beliefs by tampering virgin minds. Should the obfuscated "concept of religion(s)" be obliterated? or Should His existence - the fundamental bedrock of religion - be questioned?

His existence has always been a topic of debate, I do not want to broach and comment on a contentious issue that is beyond my comprehension. It would be appropriate to mention that, the medium(religion), created with the intent of propagating peace and thereby guide human spirits to accomplish higher objectives grossly fail in most aspects. Contemplating on this, I understand, would lead to futile discussions as it questions the efficacy of religion(s).

I may have not been bestowed with the opportunity to meet Him nor my mind is seeking its further abode, but I have been fortunate enough to meet HUMANS who by their deeds have created the magic of illuminating millions of souls. I have been blessed to meet HUMANS who have lifted millions from their wretched and abject penury. I have been privileged to meet HUMANS who have made a positive impact on millions of desolated and ravaged minds. In every walk of life, I witness sacrifices by parents, brothers, sisters, friends, teachers, students, husbands and wives, all made for the well-being of another soul. These Sacrifices made are selfless and voluntary, these sacrifices are not for Quid Pro Quo, and these sacrifices can NEVER be quantified and monetised.

The selfless love and sacrifices that are made for a fellow human being making the recipient better-off, is love, in its truest form. Being a staunch believer in Advaitham, I firmly assert, if every human(irrespective of his religion) imbibes the habit of sharing selfless love with fellow beings, the world would be a happier place.

GOD - may or may not be existent, no more would we search Him, no more would we debate on superiority of a religion. We shall find HIM in you and me through unbridled love we share with our fellow beings, and He exists in small yet big things called "Love".

Weakness is Death...

2006-11-24T19:05:00.000+05:30

Your inability to make a choice during the time of crisis, in a reasonable time frame, is the greatest weakness of all.

During a predicament, How should decisions be made ? Should it be conative or cognitive?
History suggests, a cognitive decision- though receive brickbats initially- has the power to bring in favourable changes. The revival of corporate behemoths - you name it - be it IBM, Daimler Chrysler made radical decisions which helped to reinvent themselves and made the turnaround possible.

When it comes to personal life, the female species are emotionally strong and make radical decisions during the time of crisis. Men make ambiguous statements which mirror their state of mind and would try avoiding/postponing the decision making process which only deteriorates the condition of problem and enhance the number of constraints.

Taking a leaf out of my book, I believe this inability is a critical factor that makes the bond of personal relationships weaker. Repenting on the inane inability to make quicker decisions and being apologetic for the missed opportunities and failing to capitalize on the strength of a relationship are not uncommon outcomes of this inability.

Structured thought process, unambiguous communication, enormous will power, willingness to honor one's commitment and believing in one's self - Come what may - would help an individual evolve a favorable outcome and achieve his objectives. People who made this a habit, are celebrated as HEROES in the pages of history. It need not matter if history does not celebrate you as Hero, you already would have won the hearts of people around you and would be immortal in their hearts.

Be determined, stand up tall and exhibit your good values and beliefs to overcome this weakness of yours for the world might praise you as a HERO. You are no more a coward.

Addicted to work??

2006-11-24T16:08:00.000+05:30

Carreer, Family, Peer pressure, surging ambitions, moving targets, high aspirations ....caught up in a quagmire of things, bogged down by mundane and trivial materialistic pleasures.

Desperate to break free, introspect and document my erratic thought process. I hope this space would serve just that.

Would keep revisiting this space to share my thoughts, feelings and vent out emotions by satiating my passion for writing.