A Special Award

Thank you Priya for honouring this blog with the proximity award.

I don't understand the words in the image but the text below that goes with
it is something that can make one feel proud of.
Thanks for making this blog feel special about itself!

What is this Proximity award about?

This award is given to a blog that invests and believes in PROXIMITY - nearness
in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These
kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or
self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut,
even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these
writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and
include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.


Wow! That's a wonderful energiser.

I would like to hand over this to you, Sowmya and Deepa.

Hope you will choose your eight bloggers. It will be interesting to see who gets it from you!

..and now, the mike please.

I take this opportunity to applaud and thank you all for bringing some great moments through your posts. I thoroughly enjoy reading your
blogs , whenever you write, that is ;) I have personally learnt a lot and feel great pride to know you in the blog space.

...and Priya, I pray that your blog lives a long long life with your effervescent style. Keep writing.

The days that exposed us

Last week could easily be the worst week for India.

I was in Pune at that time and the tremors of events unfolding could be felt in every corner of the city. The numerous stories and rumours devastated all our faith and beliefs built up over many years.

The policemen did what they were supposed to do; even with jammed .303 enfield rifles (World War II?) even physically hanging onto the automatic weapon of one of the attackers, taking all the bullets onto his body...an ultimate act of courage and patriotism.
The Marine commandos did their part
The NSG acted in a way that will be admired by the world for a long time.
The media risked their lives to bring us the latest

We got to see exactly who can save us.

Today, the thousands of people who took to the streets in Mumbai with posters and candles expressed one language - loss of faith in the Leaders. The anger on them was more evident than the anger on the attackers because every lacuna stands exposed today.

Come on, India. It's at times like these that a nation's true grit is tested. This is the time to drive all the resources to the maximum possible and bring out the real powers behind the devastation. Whoever it is, deserves to be treated as a criminal. Expose the real people for what they are...

This is the time to redeem all the inaction and wrong things we collectively did so far.
This is the chance for our leaders to do what they have been there for all these years.
What is the use of a bright tomorrow when we can't live peacefully today?

We look up to you, beloved Leaders...even now.

Show us NOW, why you deserve to Lead us.

Install Love

This piece from today's Times of India is a great one under The Speaking Tree. A great way to express a wonderful truth. Will definitely want to store so I can read while visiting again...and again.

Install Love, It Is Really Quite Simple (E-mail forward)

Tech Support: Yes, how can i help you?

Customer: Well, after much consideration, i’ve decided to install Love. Can you guide me through the process?

Tech Support: Yes. I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?

Customer: Well, i’m not very technical, but i think i’m ready, as long as you walk me through the steps. Tell me now, what do i do first?

Tech Support: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart?

Customer: Yes, but there are several other programmes running now. Is it okay to install Love while they are running?

Tech Support: Er... what programmes are running, can you list them for me?

Customer: Let’s see i have Past Hurt, Low Self-esteem, Grudge and Resentment running right now.

Tech Support: No problem, you can go right ahead. Love will gradually erase Past Hurt from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory but it will no longer disrupt other programmes. Love will eventually override Low Self-esteem with a module of its own called High Self-esteem. However, you have to completely turn off Grudge and Resentment. Those programmes prevent Love from being properly installed. Tell me, can you turn those off?

Customer: Umm... let me see. Actually, i don’t know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how? Please help.

Tech Support: With pleasure. It’s really quite simple. Go to your start menu and invoke Forgiveness. Do this as many times as necessary until Grudge and Resentment have been completely erased.

Customer: Okay, done! Wow, Love has started installing itself. Is that normal?

Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base programme. It’s quite basic. You need to begin connecting to other Hearts in order to get the upgrades.

Customer: Oops! I have an error message already. It says, ‘Error — Programme not run on external components.’ What should i do now?

Tech Support: Don’t worry, relax. It means that the Love programme is set up to run on Internal Hearts, but has not yet been run on your Heart. In nontechnical terms, it simply means you have to Love yourself before you can Love others.

Customer: So, what should i do?

Tech Support: Pull down Self-acceptance; then click on the following files: Forgive Self; Realise Your Worth; and Acknowledge Your Limitations.

Customer: Okay done. That wasn’t too difficult.

Tech Support: Now, copy them to the ‘My Heart’ directory. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching faulty programming. Also, you need to delete Verbose Selfcriticism from all directories and empty your Recycle Bin to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.

Customer: Got it. Hey! My heart is filling up with new files. Smile is playing on my monitor and Peace and Contentment are copying themselves all over My Heart. Is this normal?

Tech Support: Sometimes. For others it takes a while, but eventually everything gets it at the proper time. So Love is installed and running. One more thing before we hang up. Love is Freeware. Be sure to pass it and its various modules around to everyone you meet. They will in turn share it with others and return some cool modules back to you.

Customer: Thank you, thank you so much.

http://spirituality.indiatimes.com

Crosswalk

This is yet another wonderful piece from Attitude Is Everything. Thanks Guys...It really reminds to appreciate life's treats and is all about being alive.


CROSSWALK

As I slowly pulled myself into work this morning, I was overwhelmed with exhaustion; with full speed stress headed my way. Anticipating the "mind over matter" feeling I needed, my eyes not wanting to open my "inbox" to start the day, I remembered the crosswalk.

I was on my way to work a couple weeks ago, frustrated at how late traffic was making me, annoyed at my bad hair day. It was already scorching hot, humid and NO wind. I just wanted to stay in bed and sleep. While being frustrated and annoyed and just plain angry at the day, I was held at a stop light for what seemed like forever.

I glanced over to my left and saw a woman probably in her mid twenties, waiting for the crosswalk sign to allow her to cross. She was dressed in bright colors, gorgeous shoes, with a purse at her side and a glowing smile! Along with these striking things, she also had her dog along for the stroll.

A joyful golden retriever, hopping along on the leash, excited for the day and to be outside with his owner. He just couldn't sit still with how much energy he had. So the woman petted him with her hand, and was talking to him with so much expression, and love - they were so happy! It made me smile underneath my gloomy bad mood.

One detail not mentioned; the woman dressed in bright colors, gorgeous shoes, purse and a glowing smile, with her pal at her side was handicap, in an electric wheel chair, which she could only operate with her right hand. As the crosswalk sign changed, and she pushed the black knob forward to operate her wheelchair across the street, her dog followed happily beside her as the leash was tied to the arm of her chair.

A tear filled my eye, and I smiled! Someone else's situation can kick your mind into gear and remind us what to be thankful for! I have no doubt this woman and her dog were put there for a reason, so I would wake up, and enjoy my day no matter what my hair looked like, no matter what traffic I was stuck in, and no matter what my day had in store for me!

I greatly appreciate this woman and her golden retriever, for teaching me a wonderful lesson! Pay attention to the smallest moments, they will teach the most!

By Amy Sandlin

Strong @ Sixty One

A great moment for India. My country. Our country. Number of years, as such, do not enhance or diminish the importance but an occasion arrives to celebrate and one just relishes getting mixed up in a lot of emotions associated with the day.


This August 15 was one such day when individuals, by default, have to take a backseat against thousand others who made this journey a worthwhile one. Great sacrifices, great efforts and amazing resilience by millions of people...there can be no substitute to the feeling of pride and belonging.


Right now, it's really a mixed feeling. There are thousand great things brightening up. There is something for everyone here to feel proud.


And then, sadly, there are also few things that we could do much much better.


The economy, of course. I am no expert on this, but the rising costs, sudden black out of certain essential commodities, the mad rush for petrol & diesel we faced recently, for example...these things clearly indicate a gaping hole in our system. The worst part is that other than making statements on issues, we haven't seen any real action from the empowered leaders. If we cannot assure certain basic things to our people, then what have we done with the 61 years of our lives as a country? This is an area of real concern. Has the exercise of choosing our own governments not ensured a steady movement towards a better system, however incremental whatsoever, over all these years?


The chain of events that have rolled out in the last one month where common man was targeted through a series of blasts speaks of the mess we are right now in.


Independence days are clearly marked as terror-targeted days. We see more check posts and restrictions on such days. Sadly, individuals with limited options and powers are trapped in these situations and cannot do much about these things other than thanking one's stars for reaching home safely every day.



Whenever a catastrophe strikes a city there are reports praising the resilience of 'the common man' who bounces back. Frankly, do we have a choice to do anything else?

Looking at the medal tally in the Olympics brings a lot of comparative revealations among the countries of the world. Much smaller and much younger countries are sweeping the stakes while we are struggling. We win one gold but then we understand that it was won despite our system.

The scarcity, the prices, threat to peace could all be taken care by an effective system put in place and nurtured by effective Governance.

Abhinav had to build his own practice range at home and had to go out of the country for his training. And at last, he earns his gold but there are stories - real or fictitious, they have done enough damage already - of attempt to sabotage his rifle. And then, we complain that he did not display enough pride and patriotism at the podium while receiving the medal.


Is it enough just to praise our past? Is it enough to just say we are the biggest democracy in the world? I have no idea what it takes. Like the Spidey says...with great powers come great responsibility. Let's hope that the people with power realise this.

At 61, there is no doubt that our country is strong... but we could have been even STRONGER.

I hope and pray that at 62 we get a bit more stronger.

An approach to success

Like the thousands of Indians and a few hundreds from other nation, I too was fascinated by the 'Indian' Gold medal in the Olympics.

Rather than gushing and blurting about it here, I would rather let the first person view tell all the tale.

Here is what was on the day before...

"Today is my day off and so i am going to spend some time soaking in the village and actually getting my mind to do something it has never done before.... NOT THINK ABOUT SHOOTING!!!


So instead of thinking about shooting perfect bulls eyes... today i am going to think of the pretty women in the village, the weather, the great city of beijing and whatever else pops into my mind will be allowed to stay as long it doesn't involve the words "rifle", "shooting" in it.... hey all it is a great time to be an athlete and this event is what we all live for..... "

....and here is what was on, after....

For more than a decade now my life has been all about my sport. In fact, I do not have a life beyond the confines of the 10m range. I have had a range built in my own home to cut down any possibility of distraction and to be able to practise my sport whenever the fancy strikes me. It all did pay off, didn't it?




The joy that the nation feels at my win is humbling. I just wish that this is repeated more and more often.


With our depth of talent and expanse of people I firmly believe India can be a world-class sporting power. What we need are precise systems. I will try to do my bit at grooming the next generation. I would like to appeal to each Indian to also do their bit in prodding us out of sporting complacency.

To me these statements seem to be the ultimate success mantra.

May be, one more stop to enquire about success could be with one Mr. Phelps! He is unstoppable.

My salute to all the heroes who break the barriers, at will.

Bucket-Filler or a Dipper?

You have heard of the cup that overflowed. This is a story of a bucket that is like the cup, only larger, it is an invisible bucket. Everyone has one. It determines how we feel about ourselves, about others, and how we get along with people. Have you ever experienced a series of very favorable things which made you want to be good to people for a week? At that time, your bucket was full.

A bucket can be filled by a lot of things that happen. When a person speaks to you, recognizing you as a human being, your bucket is filled a little. Even more if he calls you by name, especially if it is the name you like to be called. If he compliments you on your dress or on a job well done, the level in your bucket goes up still higher. There must be a million ways to raise the level in another's bucket. Writing a friendly letter, remembering something that is special to him, knowing the names of his children, expressing sympathy for his loss, giving him a hand when his work is heavy, taking time for conversation, or, perhaps more important, listing to him.

When one's bucket is full of this emotional support, one can express warmth and friendliness to people. But, remember, this is a theory about a bucket and a dipper. Other people have dippers and they can get their dippers in your bucket. This, too, can be done in a million ways.

Lets say I am at a dinner and inadvertently upset a glass of thick, sticky chocolate milk that spills over the table cloth, on a lady's skirt, down onto the carpet. I am embarrassed. "Bright Eyes" across the table says, "You upset that glass of chocolate milk." I made a mistake, I know I did, and then he told me about it! He got his dipper in my bucket! Think of the times a person makes a mistake, feels terrible about it, only to have someone tell him about the known mistake ("Red pencil" mentality!)

Buckets are filled and buckets are emptied ? emptied many times because people don't really think about what are doing. When a person's bucket is emptied, he is very different than when it is full. You say to a person whose bucket is empty, "That is a pretty tie you have," and he may reply in a very irritated, defensive manner.

Although there is a limit to such an analogy, there are people who seem to have holes in their buckets. When a person has a hole in his bucket, he irritates lots of people by trying to get his dipper in their buckets. This is when he really needs somebody to pour it in his bucket because he keeps losing.

The story of our lives is the interplay of the bucket and the dipper. Everyone has both. The unyielding secret of the bucket and the dipper is that when you fill another's bucket it does not take anything out of your own bucket. The level in our own bucket gets higher when we fill another's, and, on the other hand, when we dip into another's bucket we do not fill our own ... we lose a little.

For a variety of reasons, people hesitate filling the bucket of another and consequently do not experience the fun, joy, happiness, fulfillment, and satisfaction connected with making another person happy. Some reasons for this hesitancy are that people think it sounds "fakey," or the other person will be suspicious of the motive, or it is "brown-nosing."

Therefore, let us put aside our dipper and resolve to touch someone's life in order to fill their bucket.

Attitude is Everything

Just a few minutes more

We are busy people. No matter what the amount of work we have on hand, we are busy people. For most of us, this feeling of being busy, feeling of being pushed against the fence comes from the illusionary fort we have built in our minds and then we allow ourselves to become captives in it.

Just imagine. If we were to get away from all the daily grind, I mean physically get far away. No phones, no internet and no bosses or subordinates...and then also imagine that there is nothing to do for a week. Wow, what a blessing, right? The point is, in such a situation, we will come to realise the castle we had built over the years. An illusion, alright.

The sad part is that we feel we are busy and ignore a lot of aspects of life that are not urgent but important, or even critical. Relationships. Friends. Appreciating simple things. Appreciating simple assistance we get and guidance we receive from those around us. We even start taking close ones for granted.

This Friday, I got this message and was totally swept off on the truth it reveals. Let's give them just a few minutes more and enrich lives.


While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground.

"That's my son over there," she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide.

"He's a fine looking boy" the man said. "That's my daughter on the bike in the white dress."

Then, looking at his watch, he called to his daughter. "What do you say we go, Melissa?"

Melissa pleaded, "Just five more minutes, Dad. Please? Just five more minutes."

The man nodded and Melissa continued to ride her bike to her heart's content. Minutes passed and the father stood and called again to his daughter. "Time to go now?"

Again Melissa pleaded, "Five more minutes, Dad. Just five more minutes."

The man smiled and said, "OK."

"My, you certainly are a patient father," the woman responded.

The man smiled and then said, "Her older brother Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here. I never spent much time with Tommy and now I'd give anything for just five more minutes with him. I've vowed not to make the same mistake with Melissa.

She thinks she has five more minutes to ride her bike. The truth is, I get Five more minutes to watch her play."

Life is all about making priorities, what are your priorities?

Give someone you love 5 more minutes of your time today!

European Championship

Image

It's not everyday that I wake up late in the night to catch up on a program; but yesterday was different.

I had caught up on a few games earlier, then the semifinals and yesterday it was the final. The chanting, the crowd, the colours, Enrique and then the fervour that ignited as the teams entered the ground...everything was worth every minute of lost sleep. The anger, the disappointment, the efforts and a myriad of other emotions were all there.

While the match was in progress, one thing was evident. The Spanish made more attempts at scoring, they kept the ball more among themselves. And then, whenever the Germans ventured into Sapnish territory, the defence was so solid that on a comparison of number of shots at goal itself, the Spanish were much ahead at any point of the game. This proved the old adage - to increase the chance of success, increase the number of attempts, you are bound to be successful.

I really felt bad for him when Fernando Torres sent the ball zooming at the goal only to be bounded off the post. He deserved that goal for the sheer attempt. Bounding off the post does not make the effort less worthy but then a goal missed is a goal missed. Later, a few minutes later, it's through the same degree of perseverence and poise that he guided the ball into the goal, this time at a much safer distance from either posts and there was nothing that anyone could have done to stop it.

It looked so simple, sheer magic. The restrained move didn't give anything away for Lehman; just as the goal keeper moved in, the ball was lifted ever so delicately over him and into the goal.

I watched the event till the cup was lifted; and then felt the sleep catching up in an instant; browsed the channels... tamil, kannada, telugu, malayalam, hindi....irrespective of language, every channel was playing some movie song or the other. After the wonderful efforts of the two teams, such film based programs appeared so weak, pale and well, actually pointless. I guess, I wouldn't be watching these channels for quiet some time.

Long live the game!

Responsibility

At first glance this image evokes thoughts about hormonious co-existence. But then, is there anything natural about it?

The elephant lives in a herd and generally exhibits a highly social behaviour. The one in the pic definitely doesn't look like one in captivity. Then what makes it to haunt the national highways and demand food from speeding trucks, putting its life at such a huge risk ?

Typically the ones that get separated from their herds behave like this. Yesterday's newspapers reported that in a small town in Orissa’s Keonjhar district, such an elephant had attacked some villagers while on a rampaging search for its food. Obviously it had got used to threatening people to get its mouthful and so it was another attempt on another empty stomach day.

The inaction of forest officials and all those who had the power to do something about it had angered the villagers. It seems the tusker had killed eight people in the last two years. In spite of the track record, no efforts were taken to retrieve and confine the wild streaked animal. The common villagers could only see the threat from the big animal. From their simple existence, things like conservation and protection of endangered animals do not matter as they are constantly pitted against such life threatening situations and for them its a matter of their survival.

Fed up of the animal's antics and fed up of inaction from concerned officials, the mob took things in their hands and turned their fury on the elephant. Someone poured petrol on it and then lit it on fire.

After the incidence, the officials blame the public, the public blame the officials but the half burnt elephant had run away into the jungle.

Who knows when it will return?

Who knows what will be burnt next?

How many such half burnt issues are running amok just waiting for a solution from the empowered ones?

Priceless things in life

Here is an interesting story.

A husband wakes up at home with a huge hangover. He forces himself to open his eyes, and the first thing he sees is a couple of aspirins and a glass of water on the side table. He sits down and sees his clothing in front of him, all clean and pressed. He looks around the room and sees that it is in perfect order, spotless, clean. So is the rest of the house. He takes the aspirins and notices a note on the table. "Honey, breakfast is on the table, I left early to go grocery shopping. Love You!"

Totally shocked with the note , he goes to the kitchen and sure enough there is a hot breakfast and the morning newspaper. His son is also at the table, eating. He asks, "Son, what happened last night?"

His son says, "Well, you came home around 3 AM, drunk and delirious. Broke some crockery, puked in the hall, and gave yourself a black eye when you stumbled into the door".

Confused, the man asks, "So, why is everything in order and so clean, and breakfast is on the table waiting for me? I should expect a big quarrel with her!"

His son replies, "Oh, that! Mom dragged you to the bedroom, and when she tried to take your clothes n shoes off, you said, "LADY LEAVE ME ALONE! I'M MARRIED!"

Moral:
Self-induced hangover - $ 400.00
Broken crockery - $ 800.00
Breakfast - $ 10.00
Saying the Right Thing While Drunk – "PRICELESS "

Have a wonderful week ahead :)

Tag of many things

Here's wishing everyone a happy Chithirai 1.
It's not the new year, remember! so I cannot wish anyone a happy Tamil New Year.

Got this really interesting tag from Priya.
Thanks Priya, I have tried to do justice except for passing it on.
Hope you allow me to skip passing it on :)

1.LAST MOVIE YOU SAW IN A THEATRE:
Taare Zameen Par

2. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
Knowhow by Ram Charan

3. FAVORITE BOARD GAME?
Nothing in particular

4. FAVORITE MAGAZINE?
Week, Ananda Vikatan

5. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Old Spice, the ghee from pongal at home

6. FAVORITE SOUND?
Flute, Santoor and of course the waves breaking against the rocks, water falls

7. WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD?
Lack of self respect, fear of another human being

8. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE?
Where is the clock? ( to silence the alarm!)

9. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?
Murugan Idli Kadai,( if you can accept Idli as fast food) Tastes heavenly! When I run my own Company, they will be the official cateres!

10. FINISH THIS STATEMENT. "IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY I’D...?
Retire into a philanthropic career

11. DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?
No. Neither stuffed, nor alive.

12. STORMS-COOL OR SCARY?
Scary.

13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?
Maruti, what else! My third one won't be from the same stable, though.

14. FAVORITE DRINK?
Tender Coconut; a life rejuvenator!

15. FINISH THIS STATEMENT, "IF I HAD THE TIME I WOULD...
Reach out to a book..if still left with more time..then it would be friends.

16. DO YOU EAT THE STEMS ON BROCCOLI?
Should I ?

17. IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE?
Any colour is ok as long as it is black.( a bit old fashioned!)

18. NAME ALL THE DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS YOU HAVE LIVED IN.
Salem, Pune, Mumbai, Assam, Hyderabad, Bangalore.

19. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Football, Basketball, Surfing, Cricket ( occasionally)

20. ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU.
She writes from her heart; and touches others’ hearts :)

21. WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED?
A Pair of dumbbells and a carton full of old books- will never get around to disposing them

22. WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE BORN AS YOURSELF AGAIN?
Oh yes...definitely...on second thoughts, may be with some additional grey matter :)

23. MORNING PERSON, OR NIGHT OWL?…
a midnight owl, to the core.

24. OVER EASY, OR SUNNY SIDE UP?
Sunny side up

25. FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX?
The bedroom, beside the reading table

26. FAVORITE PIE?
Nothing in particular

27. FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Anything by the name of ice cream goes.

28. OF ALL THE PEOPLE YOU TAGGED THIS TO, WHO'S MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST?
Oh..sorry….I may not tag anyone. Hope it's allowed?

Fun and frolick, soaked in colour

I know for sure that my life is currently under the influence of a powerful conglomeration of planets working in a cartel formed in cosmic space. I can also vouch that these planets are the most vengeful and aggressive ones ever known to our astrologers, for what else can explain the fact that I had to go to office on such a 'made-for-fun' day.

Thankfully, I managed to wind up around mid-day and could return home. All along the way back, the sight of groups of colour soaked people cheered me up quickly to the festive mood. Even at spots where there was no one, the pools and puddles with 'can-you-find-my-shade' colours reminded everyone of what had happened there.

The people waiting at the bus stand looked tired and their appearance, right from each strand of hair till the soles of their shoes, was broadcasting their morning escapade with colour. There was silver, green, yellow but mostly it was red and pink. They have had their fun and their faces had that most unbelievable expressions but fun seemed to pour out from every single pore. I am sure that even if an empty bus were to stop there, none of them will sit down. They would definitely stand laughing at each other all through to their destination.

Down the road, a group of boys and girls were laughing at each other standing around a coconut vendor. The coconut in their hands was the only thing about them that was of single colour. Otherwise, their dress, hands, feet, the bikes and scootys and even their teeth were all telling the frolicking abandon with which they had played. There is no doubt that the revelry will continue once the tender coconut water manages to refresh them.

Along the way, entrances to most homes had that beautiful mixture of myriad colours bearing witness to the sheer fun people had visiting houses and colouring everyone around. Vibrant colours, painted faces and multi coloured people moving around in groups; Joy, laughter and great fun!

*

Wow! What a bright and youthful canvas the holi brings to our life! Though I am from Tamil Nadu where Holi doesn't carry much of a punch, years of working outside the state had rubbed me off with wonderful memories of this festival. This is one of those festivals celebrated across barriers of state, religion and language.

*

Over a period of time, most of the traditions around holi would have died down but the gaiety and bonhomie that it brings about has never failed to impress any fun loving individual. There is supposed to be the burning of holika to symbolises Prahlad's triumph but the image of Krishna, Radha and the Gopis playing with pichkaris is the one that seems to be more acceptable for the sheer youthfulness it portrays. Most of the Krishnas and the Radhas I saw today on the road did not carry pichkaris though. The city roads too appeared festive wearing a cocktail of colours.

And then I reach home...the concrete parking lot I left in the morning was now so brightly wet and colourful with various sizes of bare feet imprinted all over it in different directions...I can almost feel the groups waiting to pounce with buckets in their hands...I take the vividly coloured steps that had become slippery due to paste, powder and anything people managed to lay their hands on...and peep in to look at familiar faces with unfamiliar textures...no prizes for guessing what happened next.

*

Wish you all a fantastic Holi!

An amazing movie

There was this simple ad in the newspaper that caught my attention in the morning. It was about the movie ‘My Boy Jack’ that was to be telecast in the night at 9 PM. It also mentioned about Daniel Radcliffe playing a role in it. I remember wondering at that time whether it will be worth watching and also what is this movie doing on the History Channel. Little did I realise at that time that much later in the day, late into the night, I will be thoroughly devastated.

I returned home a bit late, which is as usual, and caught up with the movie that had just started off… it was only when the movie was over that I realized I hadn't moved from my seat throughout. I hadn't touched the remote either.

What a riveting performance by David Haig who plays Rudyard Kipling! Much later into the night, learnt the secret behind the brilliance – he had been living with this story for the past 22 years by the time the movie was shot! He had written a play by the same name and had donned the same role in it much before the movie was made.

To quote him from an interview “The film version of My Boy Jack was written 11 years ago, 11 years after I was handed the biography of Rudyard Kipling by Ed Herrmann in New York. It’s taken 22 years to effectively realise this dream.” It was also very interesting to learn that David has a very close resemblance to the actual Rudyard Kipling! I was totally blown off by the performance of the entire cast.

Well, the storyline goes like this ( unfortunately I missed the link to this on the net, so unable to link back to the source) “It’s 1915 and World War 1 has been declared. Aged only 17, Rudyard Kipling’s son John “Jack” (Daniel Radcliffe), like most of his generation, is swept up in the enthusiasm to fight the Germans, a mood stoked vigorously by his father. Jack is cripplingly short-sighted and the Army has rejected him twice, rendering him too myopic even for an Army suffering thousands of casualties a week and desperate for recruits. Yet Rudyard is undeterred, determined that his son should go to the Front, like countless other young men, and fight for the values that he, Rudyard, espouses so publicly.

Using his fame and influence, Rudyard persuades Lord Roberts, on his death bed, to get Jack a commission in the Irish guards. This intervention is barely tolerated by Carrie and daughter Elise (Carey Mulligan) as they disagree Jack is fit to fight and fear for his safety on the front line.

Jack is instantly popular with his troop – he is a great leader and trains tirelessly to overcome the disability that is his eyesight. Six months later Jack sails to France as a lieutenant. In his pocket is a spare pair of spectacles and written permission from his father to travel to the Front before his eighteenth birthday. On the day of his birthday, Jack is told they will go over the top the following day. Days later, the Kipling family are informed that Jack is ‘missing believed wounded’, news which devastates them and leaves Elsie furious at her father for his part in Jack’s fate.

Desperately clinging to the hope that their son is still alive, Carrie and Rudyard scour hospitals and obsessively track down and interview survivors. Two years later, Jack’s friend and fellow Irish Guard Private Bowe (Martin McCann) arrives at Bateman’s, the Kiplings’ home in Sussex. Suffering from shell shock, he finally describes to the assembled family what had happened in the Battle of Loos.”

I won’t give away any spoilers, in case you haven't seen this film yet. It is a real heart wrencher. Hats off to the entire team for such a wonderful movie. It reminded me of a similar haunting experience that I had while watching Roberto Benigni in 'Life is Beautiful'. I couldn't sleep that night too.

Here is the poem which Rudyard Kipling wrote for his son which features in the film too.

“Have you news of my boy Jack?”
Not this tide.

“When d’you think that he’ll come back?

”Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.

“Has any one else had word of him?”

Not this tide.

For what is sunk will hardly swim,

Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.

“Oh, dear, what comfort can I find?”

None this tide,

Nor any tide,

Except he did not shame his kind—

Not even with that wind blowing, and that tide.
Then hold your head up all the more,

This tide,

And every tide;

Because he was the son you bore,

And gave to that wind blowing and that tide!

Go, take a shower

It's quite common for us to feel low at times. At times nothing seems to go right. If there is one thing that pulls us through and gives us the power to rise above the mundane, then it's hope. Is hope a thing, a feeling or a state of mind? It could be anything that makes us believe 'Yes, now I can pull through on my own'

The following story, yet another great gift from attitude is everything, touchingly tells us of that "Ah ha" moment. I wish we all have more such moments!

Some few years ago I was attending a local university, the University of Botswana. Because I was living on campus, every evening I would go jogging to keep fresh and myself fit. There was a park behind the university and this was a perfect place for an evening jog.

As it sometimes happens in our lives, either triggered by an event or just comes from nowhere, it came at a time when I was just tired. I was tired of my faith, tired of studying, tired of my life and just tired of almost everything. Normally when in this state, we as human beings like finding more reasons to stay in this state, and wisdom tells me that this is the worst time to make any major decision. If you are used to praying it becomes difficult to pray, to read scriptures, life looks hopeless.

One winter day, this "hopeless" day came. On that day I did not even want to take a jog as usual. But late at night I just decided to go. It was dark and dangerous to do so. I started putting on my jogging gear with an "I don't care what happens" attitude. I jogged, and came back to the hostels, safe and sound, but still psychologically and spiritually empty. I went straight to the hostel bathrooms to take a shower.

As if what I was going through that day was not enough, the water was very cold. "I don't care I will just shower" I concluded, and I jumped in. The chilling water ran through my body; imagine the combination of cold body with mental vacuum. The more the water hit my body, sadness and despair accelerated.

Suddenly, the temperature of the water started changing. It became lukewarm, and then warm and suddenly I had to turn on cold water to keep a reasonable bathing temperature. Amazingly, as the water temperature changed, something started changing in me as well. There was hope where there was hopelessness, happiness and a sense of purpose was restored in me. The desperation, loneliness and all bad thoughts started disappearing as if they were flushed down the drain by the warm shower. I started singing! I learned right then in life that God can use anything to restore us to a place of freshness and purpose.

So if you are going through a rough time; just know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Just take a shower!

AUTHOR: Simon Ramaabya from Botswana, Africa
simon.ramaabya@Orange.co.bw

Wonders of the world

We often get carried away by the effect of immediate experiences in our daily life. They seem to be so imposing that we forget the simple things that add a lot of value to our lives. Like when a speck of dust lodges itself in our eye, we forget everything and just focus all our energy in getting it out. But then it is a discomfort that needs to be corrected. We just can't sit around and wonder about it philosophically. We have to get it out for our comfort because it keeps reminding us continuously about its presence.

There are many days when simple instances drain out so much energy that we end up absolutely tired in the mind. The body slumps, we walk with a stoop and the whole world seems a let down. The whole body language changes to that of a loser. When such a feeling is experienced frequently, it could as well mean a life with great efforts.

Then there are days when we seem to get along fine with just about everything we come across. We notice the flowers on the road side tree which was there since two weeks but we failed to notice though we drive on the same route daily. We suddenly have all the time in the world to notice the laughter the scooterist shares with his pillion rider at the signal.

So if it is the state of mind that determines our quality of life, then why do we feel so miserable at times? The most beautiful things in life are always there. We are consumed by the immediate problems with so much intensity that we choose to look only at only the materialistic or the troublesome things that bother us.

The wonder of simple things"It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere.
- Agnes Repplier "

This little story I received in the usual mail forwards hit so hard in the most simplest way:

Some high school students were required to list the Seven Wonders of the World. While gathering the lists, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."

The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:
1. to touch...2. to taste...3. to see...4. to hear... (She hesitated a little, and then added...)5. to feel...6. to laugh...7. and to love.

The room was so quiet; you could have heard a pin drop.

May this story serve as a gentle reminder to all of us that the things we overlook as simple and ordinary are often the most wonderful - and we don't have to travel anywhere special to experience them.

Enjoy your gifts!

Gandhigiri in cricket

"It is finished. The punishment is only for using obscene language."

That's the relief in Indian camp when Harbhajan was let off the racial charge and was only fined for using abusive language. There is obviously a lot of celebration on the Indian side but the Australian side is truly the other side of the coin. There are quotes indicating BCCI's money power pulling the strings ! They accuse ICI of bowing due to the power of BCCI. Oh, nice to hear that, thank you.
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People are relieved that the player only 'used abusive language' as if that was a lesser crime...
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What a way to celebrate Gandhi Jayanthi!
Hope the teams seriously take a lesson on Gandhigiri from our Munnabhai.
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And to lighten up a bit, here is one of those forwards but an evergreen one with a great sense of humor through play of words:
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I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger.....and then it hit me.
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Police were called to a day care where a three-year-old was resisting arest.Did you hear about the guy whose entire left side was cut off? Well!!! He'sall right now.
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To write with a broken pencil is pointless.
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The short fortune teller who escaped from prison was a small medium atlarge.
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A thief fell into wet cement. He became a hardened criminal.
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Thieves who steal corn from a garden could be charged with stalking.
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We'll never run out of math teachers because they always multiply.
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The math professor went crazy with the blackboard. He did a number on it.
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The geology professor discovered that her theory of earthquakes was onshaky ground.
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The dead batteries were given out free of charge.
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If you take a laptop computer for a run you could jog your memory.
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A dentist and a manicurist fought tooth and nail.
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A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired.
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A will is a dead giveaway.
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He broke into song because he couldn't find the key.
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A calendar's days are numbered.
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A boiled egg is hard to beat.
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He had a photographic memory which was never developed.
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Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.
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When she saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she'd dye.
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Acupuncture: a jab well done.

Have a nice week :)

கேட்டீங்களா..கேட்டீங்களா

தை முதல் நாள், பொங்கல் தினம் தான் இனி தமிழர்களின் புத்தாண்டு தினமாகக் கொண்டாடப் படும்!

விபரங்கள் இங்கே

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மாவட்டங்கள் மற்றும் போக்குவரத்துக் கழகங்களின் பெயர் மாற்றம் எனப் பார்த்திருக்கிறோம். இப்போதோ, தமிழர்களின் புத்தாண்டு தினத்தையே மாற்றி விட்டார்கள்.

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சராசரித் தமிழனுக்கு இதுவா முக்கியம்? ஒரு வேளை இருக்கலாம்...

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- எந்த ஒரு பண்டிகையானாலும் அதி காலையிலிருந்து நள்ளிரவு வரை தமிழே பேசத் தெரியாத நடிகைகளிலிருந்து கேமரா மேன், மேக்கப் மேன் வரை தமிழர்களின் வளர்ச்சிக்காக உயிரைக் கொடுத்து உழைப்பவர்களைத் தொலைக் காட்சியில் காண்பது என தமிழர்களுக்கே உரித்தான தனி பாணியில் கொண்டாட ஒரு நாள் குறைகிறது.

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-இந்திய / உலகத் தொலைக்காட்சிகளின் வரலாற்றில் முதல் முறையாக...என முழங்கி பின் வரும் இரண்டு / மூன்று திரைப் படங்கள் பார்ப்பதற்கான நாட்களில் ஒன்று குறைகிறது.

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- பல கோடிகள் குறைகின்றன: சேனல்களின் விளம்பர வருமானம்

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நல்ல விளையாட்டு! இதன் லாஜிக் தெரிந்தால் கொஞ்சம் எனக்கும் விளக்குங்களேன்.

A tag that adds on

Priya tagged me; thanks, Priya . And I am giving here the same content with a few relevant changes at few places.

It's quite simple. This link loving in 2008 came from Simone's Butterfly:

Have selected 5(I could think of only 4!) of you below to be tagged and I hope that you will similarly publish this post in your blog. You will have to tag 5 other bloggers and just keep adding on to the list. (Do not replace, just keep on adding! Yes we hope it will be a long list!)

It’s real easy! Tag others and see your Technorati Authority increase exponentially!
The benefits of Viral Linking:
-One of the fastest ways to see your technorati authority explode!
- Increase your Google PageRank fast
- Attract large volume of new traffic to your site
- Build your community- Make new friends!

Add your blog url here...The Strategist Notebook /Link Addiction/ Ardour of the Heart /When Life Becomes a Book /The Malaysian Life/ Yogatta.com/ HYPERLINK "http://www.thyeoh07.blogspot.com/"What goes under the sun /Roshidan’s Cyber Station /Sasha says /Arts of Physics/ And the legend lives/ My View, My Life /A Simple Life /What Women REALLY Think /Not Much More Than This /Jayedee /Jenn /Beth/ Christie/ Marla /Cailin /Simone /FlipFlopMom Katrina /Gill's Jottings /Work of the Poet/ Wakela/Modern Day Goddess/Livin With MeHYPERLINK "http://mouseski.blogspot.com/"Are /We There Yet?? /Everything And Nothing/The Diamond-drops Mansion / Staying Young..and Healthy /What happens if I don't blog /Life is a Treat./ Add yours here... Finish copying here.

I am gonna tag these people:
Deepa
Sowmya (Missing again! Hope you get back soon!)
Seeker
Jyoti

Sydney replied @ Perth

Just a blog earlier, I quoted Sanjay Manjrekar that the Indian team should "play and defeat them at their own game" rather than bowing to sensationalised public opinion that they cancel the tour and come back.

...India record one of their most amazing victory overseas...

Stay back, they did. What an amazing reply they gave the Aussies! That too in a pitch supposed to be the happy hunting ground of the Aussies, a pitch where they predicted that India wouldn't last three days.

Stop them from bullyimg, intimidating and sledging the opponents and stop the umpires from giving them unbiased support from ageing umpires and immediately their 'invincibility' gets questioned. Well, that statement was a bit strong. Rather, a 16 time champion should not be discussed in such a way but then the team's behaviour at Sydney actually removed all sympathy towards them, even if they deserved any.

May be their burden of the world record was too heavy for the Aussies. May be the acrimonious events of the Sydney Test ate into their conscience but a well deserved world record of 17th straight win was spoilt. Even the one individual who led the team for the last 12 straight wins, Ricky, could not do any more than watch his dream go in tatters.

But what followed the win was a great spoiler for the ardent fans back in India - dropping Sourav, Laxman & Dravid for the ODIs.

Now the great Indian public wants the selctors to be sacked. Earlier they wanted and actually got one umpire removed from the series and now the fans want the players to be in the team.

Guess its not any different in Australia either as they too polled their opinion to sack Ricky for cheating in player's verdict for a catch taken.

It's a consumer's market, by all means!

A promise is a promise

They said it's impossible. Many laughed at the idea itself. Some went into analytical mode and said it just cannot be done. Some wanted the project to be scrapped. Some wanted to ban it. One man's dream and his commitment to a promise made five years back took the entire world by surprise - the 'Nano' which by any means is not an apology of a car as many had expected.

It's sheer engineering excellence. The specs indicate a courageous act of breaking all barriers and limitations to deliver a car which promises much more than any one expected, applying multitudes of skills and knowledge to reach technology to common man.

In delivering the dream, the Tatas have lifted India to great heights and made the worldwide biggies wonder, "how on the earth did they do it?"

Just look at the reactions:

We cannot make a cheaper car. We don’t know how to make a 1 lakh car unless we sacrifice something. We won’t go below the 800 in our product line-up. Shinzo Nakanishi MD, MARUTI SUZUKI, INDIA BEFORE THE NANO LAUNCH

We have been considering the possibility of a mass car. So far, even our feeling was that such a car can’t be made, but we'll take a closer look at this and explore all possible ways. Arvind Saxena SENIOR VP, MARKETING & SALES, HYUNDAI

I haven't seen the car yet, but there must be something for us to learn from the viewpoint of manufacturing technology and costcutting measures. M Takedagawa PRESIDENT & CEO, HONDA SIEL CARS INDIA

Here is the brilliance of it.

- Dealer price of just one lakh, almost half the price of currently available cheapest car making it the world's cheapest car

- Addressing all safety concerns, they have come out with an all sheet-metal body, with safety features such as crumple zones, intrusion-resistant doors, seat-belts, strong seats with the rear tailgate glass bonded to the body. As if these were not enough, they have added tubeless tyres which have also reduced the overall weight of the car..

-Environmental concerns: The nano promises to bring emission performances exceeding current regulatory requirements with an expected fuel efficiency (20 km/litre) along with low carbon dioxide emissions.

- Over hundered vendors had worked with the team for 3 years to make this a reality

This is COMMITMENT to deliver on a promise made. The value of the impact can only be undestood by counting the number of people who said it is not possible! In fact, it was almost a forgone conclusion that even if some one from Tatas had actually announced that the project will be kept in cold storage, every one would have understood and left it at that. But rely on the Tatas to deliver through engineering excellence and above all they have shown the real meaning of commitment, value & shown the world what it takes to keep a promise.

This could very well be the achievement of the millennium. India salutes. The world looks at him in awe. And, as if all these were his daily routine, the great man has quietly changed gears and has his sights firmly on the other end of cars with Ford.

A well kept promise that will change the way a nation drives.

'...A promise is a promise' Chairman Ratan Tata said as he announced the Tata Nano at a dealer price of one lakh rupees

2008 - Nothing new about it

The new year started off in a very innocuous way. I mean, nobody could have imagined that the initial days will be loaded with so many negative incidents that stare at us in our face and ask us "Where in the hell are you?"

First, there was this ugly incident in Mumbai about a newly married couple getting roughed up by an unruly crowd. The small group of people wanted to have a taste of new year celebration in India but they ended up being immediately surrounded by the wrong group of people. Whatever happened in Mumbai on that new year night, can bring any Indian to shame.

The couple were right in refusing to come back to Mumbai for the identification parade of the suspects ...the police should be congratulated for allowing them the privacy they wanted post the trauma.. what was more deplorable were the photos of molestation being splashed across the pages of most papers and news web sites the next day. Do we need to see graphic details of a young woman being molested by an unruly crowd to know the news? What kind of guys can sit and select suitably exposed photos to accompany a story on molestation? That is really sad indeed. Talk about respecting individuals and granting their right to dignity.

Then, the channels were awash with images of a class ten student gunning down a class 8 student over an unknown issue within a month of another such incidence in a Delhi School earlier. What are our schools turning out? How can the parents be so careless about how they store weapons at home allowing free access to children? Who taught these kids to use a gun?

Then there was this murder inside Shantiniketan...this one seemed to be a case of settling personal score but guys, do you realise that the name of the Institution stands for such a respectable tradition and is almost respected like a temple by the whole world? To let such incidents happen inside a University of such repute is itself a shame on our system.

And now, whatever channel one turns to, there is this cricketing controversy involving the India & Aussie teams. Anyone who is someone is in the news on some channel or the other giving verdicts and throwing free advice to BCCI, ICC or anyone about how they should run the business. There were city wise, and (Sic!) Genderwise polls about what should the BCCI do - most people said India should pull out of the tour and come back to India immediately. How unfortunate. I don't think so. Surprisingly, the Australian media had turned agianst Ponting's behaviour and 61% of Australian respondents said they want him sacked.

I liked Sanjay Manjrekar's view that the Indians should rather reply through their game rather than any other means. Play them and defeat them at their own game in a straight forward game. He said that will bring them to their knees more than an orchestrated settlement or revokement of sentences by match refree. By end of the day the world got to learn that Bucknor is out, Bhajji is in, Hogg is in the red light for verbal abuse, the series will go on and Bhajji can play but the verdict on him is pending and what not...Gentlemen, can a sport be played like a sport, please ?

And, by the way, don't we have any thing more important to analyse on TV shows?

Sincerely, the way TVs sensationalise daily events is taking more and more of comic proportions than real value.

What a beginning to a new year :---( ( a long, long very long face .)