आज़ादी

आज़ादी की नाभि रज्जु सत्य से जुडी हुई है। जिनके जीवन में सत्य सबसे अधिक मूल्यवान हैं, वे यदि हर पल सत्य का अनुसरण करे तो सदेव आज़ाद महसूस करते है। सत्य की डोर अनेक जीवन मूल्यों से जुडी हुई हैं। सत्य के साथ रहने का सीधा रास्ता स्वयं से सदैव सच कहने पर हैं। जब हम मुनाफे या नुकसान, चाहे व्यक्तिगत हो या हमारी किसी सामाजिक भूमिका से जुड़ा हुआ , दोनों ही से अलग हो कर सिर्फ सत्य को देखते है और उसे ही कहते है, तब हम सही मायने में सत्य को जीते हैं। भारत को आज़ादी के ६७ वर्ष हो गये हैं। आइये, आज हम सब इस बात का विश्लेषण करते हैं की हम जिस आज़ादी का हर साल अनुष्ठान करते है, उस आज़ादी के उत्तराधिकारी-- यानि के हम सब-- सही मायनो में आज़ाद है या नहीं। हर वर्ष भारतीय स्वंत्रता के इस पावन पर्व पर हम एक दूसरे को बधाई देते है, राष्ट्रीय गीत गाते है, देशभक्तिपूर्ण सिनेमा देखते है और इस बात को दोहराते हुए स्मरण करते है कि हम आज़ाद है, हमारी स्वंत्रता के लिए कई क्रांतिकारियों ने अपने जीवन का त्याग किया है और यह स्वंत्रता ही एक नागरिक का बहुमूल्य अधिकार है। यह सब सच है। किन्तु सच यह भी हैं कि जीवन-तराज़ू में जहा एक पलड़े में अधिकार हैं, वही दूसरे में ज़िम्मेदारियाँ; और इन दोनों को संतुलित करने की जो बाट हैं वह सत्य हैं। जहाँ एक नागरिक के अधिकार हैं वहीं कुछ ज़िम्मेदारियां भी हैं। ज़िम्मेदारी नेताओं के प्रति नहीं, राजनैतिक उत्क्रांति के प्रति, ज़िम्मेदारी सिर्फ राष्ट्रीय आर्थिक विकास के प्रति नहीं, बल्कि उससे निकलने वाले पुनर्वितरण विकास के प्रति, ज़िम्मेदारी केवल राष्ट्रीय पहचान कायम रखने के प्रति नहीं, ज़िम्मेदारी वह मूल्यओं को कायम रखने के प्रति जिन पर राष्ट्र का निर्माण किया था-- स्वशासन, धर्मनिरपेक्षता, लोकतंत्र, समाजवाद और गणतंत्र| अब समकालीन भारत को इन मूल्यो के हर रूप मे तोले और देखे कि क्या हम इन्हे निभा सके है?

 कई दशको का विश्लेषन तो बहुत होता है, हम एक नज़र बीते वर्ष कि ओर ही डाल लेते है| यूं देखे तो कुछ सकारात्मक बदलाव ज़रूर आये है| भारतवासी पहले से ज़्यादा जागरूक हुए है; हर मुद्दे पर आगे आने लगे है, संगठित होकर शांतिमय आंदोलन करने लगे है| जहां पहले भ्रष्टाचार, बलात्कार जैसी गंभीर समस्याओं को लेकर अधिकांश उदासीन थे और केवल कुछ संगठन ही आवाज़ उठाते थे, वही समकालीन भारत ने कुछ ऐसा जन संगठित विरोध देखा है जिससे यह पता चलता है कि हवाओं का रुख बदलने कि पूरी कोशिश आरंभ हो गयी है| एक ओर उठती हुई इस आंधी को रोकने के प्रयास भी आरंभ हो गये है| हाल ही में देखे तो प्रशासनिक अधिकारिणी दुर्गा शक्ति नागपाल को किस तरह से सियासती खेल का मोहरा बनाया गया, ये ज़ाहिर है| बावजूद इसके कि यू.पी. सरकार के इस फैसले पर सब ओर से उंगलिया उठी थी, सियासती गठबंधनो के चलते इस पर खामोशी छाना शुरू हो गयी है| गंभीरता से सोचे तो सिविल सेवा के संभावित उम्मीदवारो के लिये ये कितनी हतोत्साहित करने वाली बात है| १६ डिसेंबर २०१२ को सामूहिक बलात्कार का शिकार हुई 'निरभया' के लिये अब तक न्याय नहीं आया| न्याय की अपनी प्रक्रिया ज़रूर है, लेकिन बार बार प्रक्रिया की ओट लेना इरादो पर संदेह डाल देता है| इससे देश के महत्वपूर्ण शासकीय एवं न्यायकारी अंगो पर अविश्वास की स्तिथी पैदा होती है और जनसमुदाय में उदासीनता छा जाती है| इस उदासीनता के कारण नागरिक जागरूक होना छोड़ देते है और व्यक्तिगत लाभ में मग्न हो जाते है| परिणाम यह, कि इसका लाभ उठाते है सत्ता चाहने वाले|

 धर्मनिरपेक्षता के उपर कई चर्चा-विवाद हो चुके है| यदि हम उसके मर्म को समझे तो उसका मतलब इतना है की धर्म व्यक्तिगत है और इस चुनाव को हम सार्वजनिक शेत्र में ना लाये| जिये और जीने दे| आज़ादी के बाद पण्डित नेहरू ने कश्मीर के संदर्भ में कहा था कि कश्मीर का फैसला जनमत-संग्रह से होगा| लेकिन आज कश्मीरियत (जो सच में धर्मनिरपेक्षता क़ी मिसाल थी) ढुंदली हो चली है और लोगो को जीने का अधिकार भी नहीं है| हम सब जानते है कि इसे नाज़ुक विषय बताकर उग्रवादी कैसे किसी भी वैकल्पिक सुझाव को दबाने के प्रयास करते है| पर यह साहस इसलिये करना है क्योंकि कुछ सवाल है हम सबके लिये जो इन मूल्यों को शर्मिंदा कर रहे है| अपने घरो में बैठकार, सीना ठोककर यह कहना आसान है कि कश्मीर हमारा है| इससे हम देशभक्त भारतीय नहीं हो जायेंगे, बल्कि यह समझना ज़रूरी है कि एतिहासिक दृष्टि से इस संदर्भ मे हमसे कहाँ गलतियाँ हुई है और इन्हे कैसे सुधारा जाये| दोनो देशों के लिये नहीं; दोनो धर्मो के लिये भी नहीं| कश्मीर के लोगों के लिये|

 भारतीय होने से पहले सह नागरिको -भारतीयो- से संवेदना होना ज़रूरी है, चाहे वह किसी भी कोने से हो| तो मेरा आप सबसे अनुरोध है कि किसी भी महत्वपूर्ण मुद्दे पर किसी एक व्यक्ति या संस्था के कथन पर निर्भर ना रहे, चाहे वा मीडीया हो या परिजन; चाहे दोस्त हो या राजनितिग्य| हर मुद्दे पर अनुसंधान कर अनेक पेहलू इकट्ठे करे और फिर उन पर विश्लेषन करे, भारत के मूल्यों की कसौटी पर| खुद को शिक्षित कर जागरूक रहे और दूसरो से यह शिक्षा बाटें| फिर मिलेगी सम्पूर्ण आज़ादी|

 

अंततः आप सभी को मेरी ओर से प्रेमपूर्वक आज़ादी का संदेश और बहुत बधाई!

आपकी सह नागरिक,

प्राची

Travel Diaries: Bangalore ~The Garden City~

You know how there are places where it feels time fleets? This is one of those places. The Garden City, The Silicon City or as formally known, Bangalore. After having heard so much about its beautiful weather, a desire to visit it had already budded in my heart. Chance and opportunity got together and created a plan for me to fulfill this wish.

I had for sometime now, had the desire to tour the Art of Living Ashram in Bangalore and spend time in Yoga and meditation for a few days. The opportunity provided itself and i decided to take it up. Another motivation for me, apart from the desire to see the Silicon Valley of India and the Ashram, was to visit a very dear friend of mine, Alfiya. We'd had quite a few wonderful moments during our engineering undergraduate as fellows. She works with IBM Research now and has been a resident in Bangalore for quite sometime. Her genial nature indulged itself and she volunteered to be my mate in this expedition. Oh! And yeah, i also had to take Ielts in Bangalore.

With these motivations, i set out for Bangalore on 31st May 2012. The first thing that struck me when i landed was how much cooler it was here. It's the middle of summers and hot, torrid days are of common in the country not excepting the nights. With temperatures of 45 C and above in the cities, it was a pleasant and surprising change to be here. It's true. The delight of a fair weather is incomparable. It sets the mood, the tone of what's yet to come. I was excited to have had a respite of a few days to look forward to.

Exploration began the next day. Alfiya took me to UB City, the largest commercial property in Bangalore, owned by United Breweries. Malls usually aren't a testimony to art. But, the architecture of UB City was really entrancing. Set in an opera style entrance, with shades of cream and gold, the interiors looked truly beautiful. A sense of elegance was prevalent. The delightful part of the evening was enjoying a cup of bitter dark chocolate blended with Indian spices and herbs at 'Bliss'. After that, we made our way to M.G. Road and visited the Karnataka State Arts and Crafts Cauvery Emporium. It had everything that is distinctive of Bangalore; from pure sandalwood crafts to silver and stone work art pieces, from excellent craftsmanship on wood and metal décor to Bangalore Silk Sarees. The day ended on a soothing note with the two of us sharing a lovely meal at 'On the Edge' at 13th Floor. It's a Mediterranean and South Asian cuisine restaurant with a mix of Greek, Italian, Turkish and Thai food. We had a Mezze platter (a Lebanese speciality) and pasta. The food was amazing but the real delight was the terrace setting overlooking the bright lights and greenery of the city.

UB City

On the Edge, 13th Floor

On the 2nd, we started out late in the afternoon, after resting our limbs. Alfiya's room-mate, Deepti accompanied us. Our first stop this time was the Botanical Gardens at Lalbagh. What can i say of its beauty! With tall trees and topsy-turvy grasslands, the narrow lanes shaded by dark woods and pathways that reminded me of Wordsworth's 'Miles to go before I sleep', I felt I was in a green haven. The aesthetics were incredibly pleasing with dark woods, fountains, a lake, a lotus pond and a Glass house. There's a small plateau beyond the paved entrances where Kempegowda Tower is situated. One can see the sprawling beauty of the Gardens from here. There was a Mango Festival going on when we visited. Mango is a speciality of Southern India and one could taste various types of them. I bought about 4 Kgs. of 'Malgoba' mangoes (a popular type grown in southern parts) to take home (I am still in Bangalore as i write this and they've gone a bit yellow by now so we've had to start consuming them! I hope they last the last few days). With a delightful evening spent with nature, we then headed to M.G. Road again (a place I'll be visiting time and again during my visit) to pay heed to one of my dearest passions - Reading! We visited HigginBothams, the oldest and one of the most popular bookshops in Bangalore. Situated in an old stone structure, the bookshop had quite a few genres to offer. But, having heard so much about it, i was slightly disappointed with the collection. The stationary was good, however, and we bought some. I am, in particular a stationary enthusiast (it may sound queer) and new books, notepads, ink pens and pencils make my heart skip a beat. Late Evening was a quiet, domestic affair at home, with a home-cooked meal and warm conversations. A lovely breeze gently reminded us of a warm feeling of satisfaction with a day spent well.

Lake at Botanical Gardens

Glass House

Botanical Gardens

3rd was spent doodling at home in the morning. Late afternoon Alfiya and I set out for IISc (Indian institute of Science), where she is an alumnus. IISc is a premier institute of Science and Research in India. Located on a sprawling 400 acres, it is a house of education for more than 10,000 students from various fields such as Computer science, Ecology, Engineering sciences etc. in more than 40 departments. It was founded by Jamsetji Tata to establish a place of scientific excellence in India. The campus is beautiful with greenery wherever one sees. The ecology of the place is paramount. The main form of transport for students is a bicycle and it is a delight to take a walk around the campus. We spent the afternoon walking and saw many old and beautiful trees. They had descriptions written on them. The most wonderful part of learning in an environment which is ecologically sound is that there is a connect in everything. I could empathise with the students and felt the environment must contribute in its way to keep them serene when they are pre-occupied most of the day in discerning scientific solutions. We came back late in the evening and enjoyed the 45 minutes drive from the institute to her place.

IISc, Bangalore

Next day, i was to leave for the Art of Living Ashram for 6 days of meditation and yoga as part of a course. It was a long distance and it took me about 2 hours to reach. I was there by 3 and after the registration process, decided to relax a bit. There was Satsang in the evening with Sri Sri Ravishankar. The whole crowd was a mix of people from different parts of India and the world. The satsang was around the Vishalakshi Mantap, the most beautiful structure i had seen so far. Set against the backdrop of dark blue skies and embellished with glittering lights, it dazzled like a jewel in the midst of heaven. The marble structure is like an inverted cone with a glass dome at the top and surrounded by nature all over. Sri Sri's voice soothed the crowd and he conducted a 20 minute moon meditation. It felt great sitting there in the serenity amidst a joyous people. We had dinner in Annapurna hall. The process was quite simple and what impressed me the most was that there was a sense of independence in everything we did. The dinner was cooked and served by volunteers doing 'Seva' as part of the Ashram and everyone washed their own utensils after a meal. That same night, i received an email mentioning my exam was to be on the 6th and it changed all the plans i had made for the days to come.

Vishalakshi Mantap

Attending the exam meant exempting from the course as it was required in the Ashram to be fully committed to the course. I was disappointed for a few moments to have come all this way to return without the experience of Ashram life. However, what was to be done was evident. The next day, i woke at 3:30 AM and got ready to head towards Yoga and Sudarshan Kriya at 6. It was a blissful morning and post Yoga, it felt amazing to be in that environment. I had breakfast and soon after set out to straighten matters for an exit. I was leaving that day in the evening. I had decided to spend the day exploring the ashram and what a delight it was! I began the day with an amazing Hot Stone Therapy in Sri Sri Ayurveda Panchakarma. The masseur Samanta was incredible. I've experienced Shiatsu, Balinese and Lomilomi massages before but the Hot Stone is hands down the winner among them all! It was the most rejuvenating experience. With alternate hot and cold lava stones, and a combination of oils and fragrances, Hot-stone therapy is one blessed experience. It is incredible how a bit of relaxation can set the tone for the day. I spent several hours after that, browsing through some handicrafts and ashram merchandise. The Ashram has its own factory and one can buy wonderful handicrafts at moderate prices.

Hot Stone Therapy

There was 'Darshan' in the evening that day (where Sri Sri meets people) and i decided to join in before leaving. Being a spiritualist, i wasn't inclined to getting involved in it intensely. However, i felt it gracious to honour the creator of such an incredible environment. There were about 5000 people for the Darshan that day. What i felt most acutely was the utter madness in the crowd to get close to him (which ironically only resulted in him shying away from them). The people met him in batches of hundreds with him passing by, blessing and occasionally talking to an eager devotee. Initially, I wasn't even sure what i was doing there or what i was going to talk about. Honestly, after serious contemplation, i couldn't find anything that i was sure i wanted to ask or wish for. The general restlessness in the crowd was most likely, making me think about it. However, once seated i realized i was just there to pay respects to him for the amazing ashram and bringing the gift of Sudarshan Kriya to people; just as we don't leave without thanking the hosts, i didn't want to leave the ashram without greeting him. A little boy of 6th Grade sat next to me and chattered on about how it was unfair that some could get so close to Guruji while others had to wait for so long in the line. He earnestly asked me (with some anger) if the people meeting Guruji in his room were "VIPs" and why had they not like the rest of Ashram inmates waited in the line to meet him. I wasn't sure what to tell him and so had to settle for a "No, they are not VIPs". Apparently, the seeds of the dichotomous society we live in have started to become a part of his observation at such young an age already. He wistfully looked at Sri Sri's closest people, declaring that he'll be there one day. Sri Sri's absence drove the crowd restless and they began chanting bhajans in loud voices to beckon him. Alas, he appeared. The crowd was restraining itself with great difficulty. I sat silently, observing his progress through the crowd. Eventually, he passed by me, our eyes met and he blessed me with a peacock feather. It felt good. Well, blessings always feel good. From parent, teachers, friends and obviously, people who have created something unique.

This was followed by a Nadi Parikshan by an Ayurvedic Doctor and upon receiving my credit note for the programme, i bid farewell to the Ashram at 8:00 PM and headed back to my friend's place. One word on transportation in Bangalore. The public transport system of buses is the best option. It is reasonable and convenient. What most disappointed about Bangalore were the 'auto-rikshaw wallas'. Apparently, there's no strict monitoring of them here as in Mumbai. They blatantly ask to overpay for trips and post 10'o clock take 50% more charges than the meter reading. One will do well to stick with the efficient albeit slower bus system. The Auto- rickshaws are definitely a dark spot on Bangalore's otherwise efficient transportation system.

The next day i had my ielts speaking test. Post exam, i decided to explore the city on my own. I was at M.G. Road and went along the path of HigginBothams. Just before that bookshop, i found another lovely bookshop Gangaram's. This place was incredible. By far, the best bookshop i had ever seen in terms of collection. It was marvellous! Oh! What fun i had. I spent nearly 2 hours in the bookshop exploring and bought several books. It has a great collection and is organised according to publications. I was famished by the time i got free as it was almost 2:30. I stopped by for a bite at Jus Juices in barton Centre and resumed my exploration after resting my bones for a bit. Next, ahead on the path was Cubbon Park, a 300 acre park abundant with flora. Just at its beginning is the Government Aquarium. I spent sometime visiting it. There are several varieties of fishes there such as eels, snake head, lion head, Moon tail etc. I saw some really odd looking fishes, one with an eye the size of a human baby's eye.

Eel

Snake Head

White Angels

Jeweled Fish

 

Post aquarium, i trotted along the park. The park is beautiful with magnificent tall trees and greenery that soothes the eye. I think I've seen greenery enough in Bangalore to pass the rest of the summers quite cheerfully. Along the same path, i came to Venkattapa Art Gallery. I browsed through some paintings that included abstract art, architecture models and facial close-ups. There were also some ancient sculptures enclosed in a Garden just outside the gallery. It was a beautiful evening. I had walked for about 7-8 Km. My real pursuit was for the State Central Library. I had chanced upon the aquarium and the art gallery along the way. Alas! I came to the State Central Library. It is a huge red stone structure that houses more than 2.5 Lakh books on diverse subjects. I browsed through them and was pleased to see comprehensive sections dedicated to Indian History, World History, Political Science, Arts, Religion etc. There were even sub-sections of national leaders and a separate competitive exam wing. It is an absolute pleasure and fortune for the citizens of the city to have access to a state run library which is so well-maintained and updated. Having attained my objective, i headed along Cubbon park to go home. I truly feel there is nothing more marvellous than to set out exploring a city all by yourself. It is fun to hang out with friends but the true spirit of travelling is in exploration and acceptance of the novelty of life.

Cubbon Park

State Central Library

Well, I've had a marvelous time so far. It's been quality time with Alfi too. The kind we never really spent in college. We went to a nice restaurant yesterday called Casa Piccola. It was an evening spent with good food and a nice long walk. I am nearing the end of my visit to Bangalore and am still ready for a few more surprises and novel experiences. This has been one of the best trips so far mostly because of the ease with which everything happened. And, despite a few jolts here and there, there's an inexplicable joy and peace in the heart. Will keep you updated if something interesting turns up in the next couple of days. 

Ciao!

The Kite Runner

Salaam Alaykum!

I searched for long for a suitable title to go with this post that would make the reader understand exactly what i feel towards this book. After a brief pause, i decided 'Some things are best left untouched'. And, lo! This exactly defines how i feel about the integrity of this masterpiece of soul enriching literary experience.

I am touched. And, grateful. Grateful because when i picked it up last morning i was clueless and a little resigned as to what i was getting into. To put it simply, i had had it for quite sometime on my shelf and yesterday i opened it with the resigned curiosity of a reader by habit. I hadn't anticipated one bit the journey it will take me on.

Once i began reading, there was no way i was going to put it down unfinished. It just wouldn't do. I wanted to know more about Amir and Hassan. Find out what eventually happens to them in the course of the book. The book is so powerfully written, it tugs at your heart to become human in the way a human being is meant to be. There's so much wisdom in the sparsely used philosophical musings.

For instance, With Amir's last shred of remorse gone for his past, he thinks:

'I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night'.

Or in the belief in young Sohrab's words:

'Father used to say it's wrong to hurt even bad people. Because they don't know any better, and because bad people sometimes become good'.

Amir is a Pashtun and Hassan, a Hazara. The book spans the decades from before the soviet invasion into Afghanistan through Taliban regime to post 9/11 in America and Afghanistan. It begins with the pre-soviet invasion era of Afghanistan and mirrors the tranquil yet class divided society. Amir's father is a businessman with a resolute spirit. Hassan's father Ali is a servant in the household but very dear to Amir's baba as they were raised together. Amir and Hassan have a relationship that is beautiful and pure in its essence yet restrained by the class divide that is the basis of Afghan Society. It is this relationship and the change it undergoes over time that forms the soul of the book. There is loyalty, love and true friendship at one end and guilt, remorse and envy at another end. What is most gripping is the transformation that Amir's character undergoes through each phase of life. How the demons of his past haunt him, how one moment of weakness makes him believe in his cowardice for most part of his life and how he initially runs away from them only to have his past confront him and make him atone for his weaknesses in order to find true peace within.

Reading this story is like nourishing one's soul. It is one of those profoundly powerful stories that make you feel like you've completed a cycle of life. Like you were the author's shadow throughout the story, the characters' alter ego. Cheering on the protagonist deep within to 'please come out as the better man'. It isn't a story to forget. It isn't one to mark as read and move on either after a bit of hoopla. It is a story that stays. It is an experience that encapsulates you within and lets you wander through the dusty roads of Afghanistan, to the hill top with the pomegranate tree under whose shadow you can still find Amir reading stories to Hassan especially the one with 'Sohrab and Rostam', to the Kite Flying contest of Kabul, to California where Amir spends 15 years of his married life, to Peshawar where Rahim Khan shows the way of atonement to Amir, to Kabul under Taliban and later Islamabad where he finally finds his salvation. As the experience ends, you come out enriched and feel like you've known this life.

The book is sound in writing and expression. The usage of Afghani words adds to the authenticity of the experience and provides the right feel of the place. The characters are well-defined and are important in their element. The flow of the story is natural in pace and context. There is a constant undisturbed poignancy in it which makes the yearning for a peaceful end natural.

I heartily recommend everyone with a stomach for reading to go ahead and savor its flavors; for you wouldn't find many with so many in a perfect blend that will leave not just the body but the soul satisfied. Even if you don't, Zendagi Migzara!

Tashakor!

Copyright created on 18th October 2011

A Touch to Credibility

When Friedrich Nietzsche said ‘All credibility, all good conscience, and all evidence of truth come only from the senses’, he knew what he was talking about. In the wake of the recent controversial remark made by Mr. V.S. Naipaul on women writers, the question of credibility and its permanency stands relevant.

In an interview at the Royal Geographic Society about his career, when asked if he considered any woman writer his literary match, Mr. Naipaul replied: "I don't think so." Of Austen he said he "couldn't possibly share her sentimental ambitions, her sentimental sense of the world". The author said that this was because of women's "sentimentality, the narrow view of the world. And inevitably for a woman, she is not a complete master of a house, so that comes over in her writing too," he said.

Reading these remarks, one ponders on how as accomplished a writer as Mr. Naipaul could have reflected a long-lived prejudice through his words. There is nothing new in such prejudices and they don't add value or make a difference in reality. However, they come under discussion or thought when the subject has an element of credibility to him/her as is the case with him. As Mrs. Shashi Deshpande rightly pointed out in her article, ‘All writers know that literature is not a matter of competition’. Literature in its true essence is interpretive and subjective which is why we relate to certain authors more. It is a reflection of our own inner self being reflected in the author’s views. Contextually, these remarks may seem more inclined towards fostering an attitude of prejudice instead of living up to the credibility that his works have brought him.

Austen’s ‘Sense and Sensibility’ reflects a deep understanding of sense on the part of the female protagonist Elinor and it has been observed throughout her works that she reflects a realistic approach to the subject of love and relationships with truth instead of sentimentality. How it is portrayed on the silver screen is like all other works subject to interpretation and colored by the social situations prevalent then. Female writers bring in a touch of sensitivity to a subject matter and that reflects their style of writing which is natural to them. However, there is a marked difference between 'Sensitivity' and 'Sentimentality'. Sensitivity is a part of nature, humanity, the zenith and nadir of all life. Sensitivity is the focal point which holds together all life. Sentimentality on the other hand springs not from truth but from desire. Hence, sentimentality can reflect the 'narrow' view of things because it is in its nature to be focused on that 'desire'. But, sensitivity will reflect the liberal view of things. Its goal is to heal, to foster growth and to bring balance to life. And this is what most committed writers aim to reflect through their works irrespective of them being Women writers or Men writers. Writers such as Ayn Rand, Enid Blyton, Jane Asuten, Emily Dickinson, Louisa May Alcott, George Eliot, Sarojini Naidu, Arundhati Roy (1997 Booker Prize), Anita Desai (3 Booker nominations), Kiran Desai (2006 Booker Prize), Jhumpa Lahiri (2000 Pulitzer Prize) and many others are popular among readers due to their works.

Prejudices are meant to come, live and go. The world has evolved a lot over the past century. The prejudices that were present earlier have been abated if not eradicated by revolutions. Were it not true, we would not have a ‘colored’ President ruling the most powerful country in the world. The best way to deal with prejudices is to look at the truth of things and believe that nothing can stop you from going where you want to go and being who you want to be.

It is important to remember that Credibility has no permanency without truth and objectivity towards life. Earning credibility and building a reputation is a process that takes time but a slip of judgment reflects the true depth of one's nature. Building credibility is an ongoing process and desires a grounded attitude towards fame and accomplishments. Were it not true, a man like Gandhi and with his popularity among the masses would wear a throne, walk on clouds and eat gold instead of donning a ‘dhoti’ and living the life of an ascetic. At the end of it all, it is only about being ‘Real’.

In the words of a prolific Female writer, Ayn Rand: “Ask yourself whether the dream of heaven and greatness should be waiting for us in our graves – or whether it should be ours here and now and on this earth”

Copyright created on 4th July 2011

Here come the Rains!

The monsoon season is upon us and with it, it brings all the promise and splendor of nature's beauty and love. As the first drop of rain touches the earth, we squeal in delight for the forthcoming of a whole new season of freshness and greenery after the torrid hotness of the summer.

Children dancing in the rain on the streets, people bustling by to run their errands, the quintessentially Indian 'Chai' and 'Pakodas' in offices & homes and grannies who regale the delighted children with interesting stories. All of this heralds the joy that the monsoons bring.

Yet, there is a life beyond the goodness of this season. A life where people living in coastal areas deal with the monstrous side of the rains on a day-to-day basis. The most disaster prone areas have experienced it acutely. Life there stops for no one. The rains bring the joy of a new season but along with a hoard of other problems. Homes are re-located, roads re-built time and again, disaster management processes put in place to avoid yet another season of high inconvenience and chaos.

Despite the efforts, there is a general lack of seriousness in the crowd. They have by large taken it to be another permanent part of their lives. Monsoon or no monsoon, life must get on and when it is a matter of survival for most where would the joyous disposition for rains come from? When would there be a time to pause and wonder at the beauty of it all? When there are uncountable puddles to avoid and the rush hour to cross as the minutes pass by and you're either stuck in the middle of nowhere in a bus full of wet, drenched to the skin passengers mingling in the scent of 'beedis', coffee, the good ol' sweat and the damp odor of the weather or you're travelling in a Mumbai local much to the same effect with the additional swaying of bodies to the rhythm of the beats that the rain Gods play.

Life just doesn't stop. This is a land where people time and again reaffirm Darwin's 'Survival of the Fittest'. We are typically laid-back when it comes to management and implementing processes. We seek to cross the hurdles by getting around them instead of taking them head on and uprooting their seeds. Yet, their is a beauty to it all. There is a beauty in the chaos, there is music in the sounds of the crowd, there is rhythm in the life that flows through the crowd as they move in different directions always seeking; always running. And, there is respect and an inexplicable joy in the hearts of the people when they make it through another day without losing themselves.

Love for the monsoons come to each heart that has loved, that has lived, that has breathed and that has danced. It is the season of love when the peacocks come out and dance to the tune of the rains, when the trees and flowers are at the peak of their beauty. Monsoon is that time in the life of nature which is the age post-adolescence. Each year the nature is born, grows and withers in old age. Monsoon is the time of the year when the nature is at the peak of its youth. And, what beauty it has! It reminds us of our very own youth and the freshness of the heart. So, let's take that cup of 'chai' we talked about and sit back and admire as the nature parades and dances through the love season.

Copyright created on 23rd June 2011

Inner Peace! You're going Down!

Possibly the most fantastic thing that happened this year. A Panda stole my heart! He's fun, he's cute, he's innocent, he's unassumingly adorable and boy! is he awesome at some serious ass-kicking Kung Fu!

In a quest to save Kung-Fu, Po, the 'Dragon Warrior' Panda and the Furious Five make their journey to China but what lies ahead can change Po's life forever. The place not only is the land of Kung Fu Legends, but also holds the mystery to Po's identity. His arch enemy Lord Shen has a connection to Po's past that Po's unaware of. What starts as a mission for Po to save Kung Fu soon turns into a struggle to master Oogway's last lesson of Kung Fu- "Inner Peace".

Jack Black brings alive our favorite Panda with a renewed energy. His voice does for Po what nothing else does- makes him approachable to the audiences' heart. Jolie is fantastic as the Tigress along with Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu, Jackie Chan as Monkey, Seth Rogen as Mantis, Lucy Liu as Wiper, David Cross as Crane and Gary Oldman as Lord Shen.

The movie has some awesome special effects and brilliant animation. There's never a dull moment. And, the best part about the animation is that it brings the element of comic virility alive. There are a lot of scenes of wonderful sequences and unpredictable comic timing in action that leaves the spectator filled with delight. The action sequences are full of awesome Kung fu moves and funny twists.

The scriptwriting is brilliant. There are dialogues that make beautiful sense for the sheer simplicity with which they've been written and used. The movie has a very positive note in that it includes spirituality and fun in a perfect blend of blissful awareness.

In the words of Po, "Let go off the past, because it just doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is what you choose to be now." And, many more such moments of awareness that spring out of delightfully touching scenes. The movie is very moving in certain key moments that leaves the audience spellbound mostly due to the poignancy of the emotion combined with Po's innocence and truthfulness that's reflected in his face. Everyone can relate to the Panda in moments when his eyes shine with each new realization that brings him and with him the audience closer to 'Inner Peace'.

The Dragon Warrior's waiting for you. If you are at all into Kung Fu, animation, spirituality or just plain awesome fun, do watch it! And trust me when you do, you'll be saying in the words of our own very Panda,

"That is Severely Cool!"

Copyright created on 17th June 2011

Indifference makes all the difference!

Indifference is the much underestimated symbol of peaceful existence. Contextually, it is even a representative of a certain level of detachment required for confident decision-making.
Let's sketch our context first. What we're talking about here is not indifference towards life, how we live, how we are with other fellow beings and how we are with nature. Rather, indifference towards generalizing the whole human population. We live in a small small world and it is full of people with different views on life and how to live it. So, when a person acts on even a slight deviation from our scope of acceptance and definition of what life is, we instantly embark upon validating our beliefs on the other person's life by coercing him/her to come to our point of view.
Appreciating and accepting differences is the first major step towards living a good healthy life. Sometimes it is best to 'Let it be'. Since we know life to be a process of evolution and we know that each one of us is evolving every second with our own life experiences, it is futile and unnatural to urge the process of life to fasten its pace to accomodate our beliefs and validate them in another's life. That is arrogance. That is disturbing the nature.
And, look what we've come to by disturbing the natural course of things. Artificial breeding, inhumane treatment of animals, extensive deforestation, Factory farming and theologizing poitics. These are but a few of the major issues that have brought the world to a crisis today.
Detachment from an excess of anything is essential today and will always be. Because balance can never be found in 'Extreme' and Balance is the law of nature. And, the law of Nature is for All not excepting humas. And , we'll do well to remember this. For we never know when we meet our Nemesis.
Adopting indifference in this particular aspect of our life which is to not look around with insecurity towards what others are doing and keep walking our own path with self-belief can make human relationships as sweet as a newborn's kiss, as fresh as the smell of freshly tilled earth and as steady as holding the hand of a friend.

Copyright created on 13th June 2011

The Moment's Fleeting away, Friend. Watch it!

It’s like Ayn Rand said; “The hardest thing to see is the glaringly evident which everybody has decided not to see”. When Anna Hazare sat down to fast unto death for the anti-corruption Lokpal bill to be constituted fairly, a lot of eyebrows were raised. Not because they didn’t want an anti-corruption law passed, but because it signified a tremendous force of change. A Change, which is inevitable and often uncomfortable for most.
Corruption is evident in our politics. But, it finds its roots and its most formidable ally in the lazy and tenacious attitude of indifference that its citizens posses. It sits back on the throne of our indifference and manipulates the people and processes to suit its needs. Its shadow passes over the entire land and it spreads its arms to capture and engulf as many people as it can until they languish, their value systems decay and they become a part of the monster. The error is in the attitude. The process of change takes years to materialize by which time the spirit of revolution takes a diminutive form. For this reason, it is imperative to always keep the spirit for Revolution of Change ignited.
We did not get freedom overnight. First, there were minor protests mainly based on personal issues such as religion, food or poverty. Then there came the Revolt of 1857 which gave a somewhat effective picture of a revolution. There were tribal uprisings and revolts of the peasants and artisans. And, slowly but steadily people started empathizing with each other and forming a ground for a common goal i.e. 'Swaraj’. For any change to occur, it is necessary to establish a common highest goal based on a true human value. For instance, the process of independence had one common goal based on a true human value of Freedom. Freedom from dominance, freedom from the shackles of stale establishments which ceased to serve the highest purpose of humanity.
The methods which were used earlier may or may not be effective in today’s context. The reason is an apparent lack of Patience. Any change that happens is based on a strong desire and urge. Since, the world is changing a lot many times faster than it did 50 years ago, the form that today’s revolutions take is different. The spirit remains the same. The desire remains as strong as it was but methods change. Processes change. Today’s revolutions are instantaneously aided by social media tools.
One drawback that the present population suffers from in this fast-paced world is what I call ‘The Temporal attachment’ syndrome. Since, there are so many changes occurring and so many minor or major revolutions happening (recall the Arab world’s uprising recently); that to put spirit into one and work towards its completion has become a big challenge. Our attention span for anything that lasts more than a few days is severely limited.
So, keeping the spirit up is the most important thing. To remain aware and focused on the long-term changes and effects on the world around us is vital. A conscious direction to steer our values towards the kind of life we have, want to have or will leave for our next generation to have will do well to remain a priority for us.
So, lookout Friends! The moment’s fleeting away and it’ll do us all well to capture it and create the best we can keeping in mind the highest goals of humanity. http://www.naidunia.com/Details.aspx?id=252824&boxid=30530140

Copyright created on 13th June 2011

Committing to the Moment

Human beings are possessors of a brilliant mind. This mind when explored to its potential can create wonders. Wonders such as the Eiffel tower, the wheel, complex mathematical equations, Mozart's music, Van Gogh's art or Leonardo Da Vinci's archetypal brilliance. We are possessors of a beautiful heart and a lit up soul which, when understood and given the reins has all the knowledge and wisdom of the world to create Paradise on Earth.

But, more often than not, we find ourselves in situations where our personal choices come in conflict with the social norms that require us to follow a convention. For instance, suppose you are having lunch with a colleague. You have a lot of work on your hand and just barely enough time to grab a bite. You finish your lunch and now are waiting for the other person to do the same. It so happens that you're torn between the urge to excuse yourself and get on with your work or to conform to the social politeness of waiting till the other person has finished.

Now, not being judgmental, neither here is a choice better or worse than the other. The choice depends on the criticality of the subject matter in hand i.e. work. If it is important, one may excuse oneself and get going. However, some people find themselves extremely uncomfortable in such situations. They perceive it as a form of rudeness and start wondering what the other person is going to think. Can you relate to this situation? The result is that one is unable to commit to either choices and so restlessness takes over composure. The mind gets distracted.

One can recall many such similar instances of life where he/she was unable to "commit to the moment" or simply "make a choice".

Committing to the moment means taking responsibility for one's choices. The example mentioned above is but a mere one. In many big decisions of life, each day, each moment, we either completely put ourselves out there or half-heartedly wait for some catalyst to snowball our processes.

Committing to the moment reflects ownership. One is declaring one's choices, attitude towards life and value system and hence, creating an image that others can relate to.

It signifies consciousness. Awareness. Power. Individuality. So ,how do we commit to the moment?

We commit when the mind, body, heart and soul are in coherence with each other. When there are no conflicts amongst these four pillars of human consciousness. When we are focused only on the goal, the objective relevant in the PRESENT MOMENT.

"Past is an instance of an experience that has occurred. Future is a figment of the imagination. Present is this moment. The REAL THING".

Copyright created on 29th July 2010

"Holier than Thou"

Each person that has walked this Earth has been in search of faith. I often ask myself why religion for all its good intentions, power, teachings and enlightenment is considered the root of all misery there is in the world today.In reality all wars that have been, that still are and that are going to be are not wars between religions or between ideologies for that matter. These are the battles of wills, of a struggle to vindicate faiths that have been formed over years by undergoing a process of transformation from being an innocent, compassionate, trusting human being into an insecure, shackled, religious extremist.

"Live with differences" and "Live and let Live" or "acceptance of all" is the motto of all spiritual truths. No religion in this world encourages, much less preaches violence and war. No Messiah that has walked upon this Earth; be it Jesus, Buddha, Mohammad, Krishna, Moses, Guru Nanak, Mahavira and the likes has ever preached hatred for another being. All these masters spoke only of Love and Peace. And, instead of assimilating their knowledge and freeing one's spirit, human beings over the ages have used their sacrifice as an excuse to create religious empires, fulfill selfish motives and manipulate human sentiments of Kindness,Love and Joy by restricting them to a specific group of people as opposed to embracing all of humanity as one.

"Holier than thou" has been the battle cry of all religious extremists. There is something "special" about each religious extremist. Birth determines the honour/ worth of a person instead of one's life. There is glory in rituals, sacrifices, pain, killings(or honour killings as some would call it!). There's shame in kindness & love; weakness in mercy; strength in enduring separation from all of life and injustice in breaking tradition!

In truth, all have been made in the likeness of each other. The universe is just to all its creations. It does not distinguish between black and white or rich and poor. It does not understands high and low, important and unimportant, pure and impure. These are the creations of mankind.

In all its glory and the jackpot that came to humankind in the form of an opposed thumb, the ability to be a master of creation, an artist, a poet, to paint a picture of our existence; this is what we have given the universe. That out of 6.8 Billion(approx.) people alive today- 20,785 died of hunger today at a time when millions are wasting away the produce of this year in other parts of the world. That most of us spend our entire lives on such insignificant issues that there is no time left to stop and look at the world go by. No time to reflect. No time to look beyond our immediate needs, our immediate family, our religion, our Nation or anything remotely related to us. To actually look at our biggest family- the universe in its entirety.

This is the Aquarian Age! A new era. The age of transformation and of change. The time has come for us all to put human values above all the existing and preached knowledge of the world. To not only embrace our own species, but also, embrace other vulnerable species that have been enduring the brunt of all our foolishness and selfishness and have now come to a point of tolerance or extinction beyond which nor will there be a world; nor us.

It's time to be what we were born to be! The Creator of new inventions, of modern science, of music, of art and of new discoveries but not at the cost of our identity as a Preserver. That role is the most essential one and one, which requires a sensitivity and consciousness to it that no other role requires. The motto of this era should not be "Holier than thou" but, "Holier than what i have been". Growth.

Copyright created on 22nd July 2010

A Cocktail of thoughts and such

Okay! Here i am. Finally! There's something there about writing which satisfies one a lot. Sometimes it just springs up as a notion in one's head. Time and again; until one picks up that pen (or in this case the keyboard) and starts pouring that inner pool of thoughts out into the world. It's like that saying- "What goes around, comes around!". Just like thinking. For years i've been thinking. Thoughts. A lot of them. It happens to each one of us. From the moment we wake up to the moment we close our eyes again, the mind is constantly engaged in thoughts of all kinds. Whether we're walking by ourselves, eating breakfast, talking to friends, doing some work or just lazing around the house. They're always there. Creating a web of uncountable philosophies of life; and testing each one of them as we move into newer experiences in varied situations. But, There's always one question: What works? Which of these philosophies is going to get me out there in the world and keep me happy and satisfied with my life? Well, there can be several of those as long as one really "wants" to be happy. So, there comes to mind a question. Doesn't that imply that we get what we want? It's again a way of looking at life.

Now, there are different kinds of people in the world who would react differently to this question. Really, each individual is unique. And, one may react to it on the basis of the depth of one's understanding of life. For instance, an optimist would say- "I get what i want because i believe". A pessimist on the other hand, would say- "The rest of the world seems to have it all figured out. But, it doesn't work for me". A skeptic would say- "You can't bet on life to give what you want. It's too good to be true" and a cynic would say- "So, what's the deal here?". Whatever, the actions be, the truth is that the philosophy that really shapes our lives is the philosophy of belief. Beliefs play a major role in directing the course of our life. More than our thoughts and knowledge about a particular thing. So here, neither of the above mentioned class of people is right or wrong. They each react in their own way because of their own beliefs. An optimist believes in the positive outcome of things, hence, his reaction to the thought or situation would be driven by positivity. Similarly, a pessimist would be driven to a negative reaction and so on. Now, the question arises: "Where do beliefs come from?"

Are they the byproduct of family values given down for ages from one generation to the next? Are they the consequence of upbringing of an individual influenced by his/her familial, educational, regional, social, cultural and political surroundings? Or are they simply a set of values created by an individual from his own experiences? I believe all of these are a major factor to different degrees depending on the nature of the person. For instance, a person with a high degree of flexibility in his nature would be more apt to change than one with a lesser degree of flexibility. One may then infer that such a person would be more prone to being influenced by society and less resistant to force. Again, if the same person with a flexible nature is also more individualistic; then he would take his own decisions. He'll be resistant to influence from external factors. Now, throw in some positivity and he'll be flexible, individualistic yet positive when the tide is against him/her. He'll take a decision without external influences, on his own, demonstrating his individuality. If something goes astray and he finds himself in a situation he did not plan on to happen; he'll adapt to it demonstrating flexibility. If he adapts to it begrudgingly it'll demonstrate his dependence of happiness on external factors. On the other hand, if he takes it in stride and keeps his head on his shoulders, it'll be his positivity working behind that attitude. So, here, there are several factors working behind laying a foundation for a belief system in one's life. Here again, such a person would be an example of "Inner world being independent of external world"; which is a law truly universal. While we don't have control over what happens around us, we do have a control over what happens inside us. It's a food for thought!

Copyright created on 9th December 2009