This movie - Mani Mangalsutra - is first ever Marathi movie to be premiered in North America. As proud and supportive, I was for the cause, the movie was a let down. I have to write something about it, because Marathi movies need to put in a lot more effort in research and logic.
The movie ventured a comparison between married life and live-in relationships. However the examples were poorly chosen.
The story in short is as follows.
Two couples - First one is a young couple -
Shantanu and Swati - who have been living together for 7 years and the girl wants them to get married. But, the boy doesn't care about a wedding. His argument is shown to be based on the fact that a couple he was well-acquainted with, as a child, never got married and managed to live happily.
This second couple - Savitri and Purushottam- is two generations older and yet they are shown to have been living together, without getting married.
The whole movie is a debate between these two points of view. Unfortunately however, the second example was not a live-in relationship at all. Purushottam couldn't marry Savitri because he had not divorced his first wife. His first wife leaves him because he is impotent.
The movie got mixed up in two entirely different issues- 1. Impotence and 2. The question of marriage.
One question I asked the director:
Purushottam's problem was impotence and not his bombastic thoughts about marriage. What if they had gotten married, and she had found out his drawback... Would the marriage have lasted as a life- long commitment?
I doubt. Well, his first marriage fails exactly because of that. Oh, Purushottam's character makes me so angry. He totally takes undue advantage of helpless Savitri. He makes an appearance of being the "ideal" gentleman, by never touching her etc... Such a hypocrite!
It would have been a valid comparison only if Savitri and Purushottam had an actual "relationship". A different and real example would have helped.
Think before you make movies people!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Longing for real education
As a child, I often dreamt of opening my own school one day. This dream has resurfaced. It is funny how the internet works. I was looking for music by Bhupen Hazarika, landed on a Bengali site that mentioned Shantiniketan, and there… I was dreaming again! :)
I am sure many of us were tired of rote learning and exams that made no sense on a deeper level. I was too. I remember crying and longing to go to a different system. I even fought with my parents sometimes, accusing them of forcing me to memorize the historical dates. However, the fault was hardly theirs. They, like every other parent of the day, wanted the best for their child, and saw no other option.
Similar thoughts have resurfaced in the recent movie ‘Three Idiots’… also, many international universities in the US and elsewhere are realizing the drawbacks of the “British” way of popular “education”. I am glad to know that I am not alone.
Lucky are those who escaped the clutches of standardized books and exams.
Well, I still have time to open this one “dream” school of mine! Investors wanted! :)
What better place to start yet another school, but Pune!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Creativity and "Template" thinking
I watched this video recently and my thoughts about creativity and its decreased use today, sprung up again. (Please click on the title of this post to watch the video) I have had a few thoughts and reflections after I read Ayn Rand’s books, which I have been trying to put into words, but it seems more and more complicated every time I press the questions deeper into my brain.
I have come to realize that we are drawn to “templated,” simplified thinking today. We simply try to modify or tweak what our forefathers did or have done and call it “change”, when what we really need is a totally new thought, a totally new solution.
What is all this blabber about? You may ask. What questions? What solutions?
Well the society as a whole is becoming more and more complicated because we have stopped questioning authority. We have stopped seeking real “out of the box” (as cliché as it sounds) solutions.
Take the law of “reservation” in India for example. We are merely implementing what Dr. Ambedkar did in increasing quanities, hoping the problem will go away. But all of us know deep within and it is not a solution. It is a “simple”, temporary way out of the mess.
Take the middle-east for example. We are still applying age-old “war” methods that seem to solve problems, but in reality solve nothing.
People are increasingly afraid to have their own opinions, ideologies or thoughts. We are increasingly dependent on social approval, simply because we are not trained enough, not bold enough to ask the difficult questions.
People who founded NATO, IMF etc… came up with these creative solutions to address the problems of “those” times. We are not doing the same in “our” times.
Any revolutionary, starting from Sant Dnyaneshwar to Isaac Newton, to Galileo, or Einstein, came up with brilliant ideas because, they truly wanted answers to questions. They truly needed to present a solution to whatever problems they may have faced.
Following templates is easy. But not a permanent solution to any problem.
I am sorry if this post is confusing. I just needed a brain dump! :)
Monday, May 3, 2010
GO ORGANICS!
Happy about this new development. I hope more and more farmers profit from organic farming practices and it is a win-win situation for all. I hope Sharad Pawar realizes the economics of organics. I am not against profit making, but profiting without harming our national health sounds better.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Battle against plastic
An interesting use:
http://epaper.esakal.com/esakal/20100324/5732827625753125836.htm
http://epaper.esakal.com/esakal/20100324/5732827625753125836.htm
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
GM Foods and Our Right to Good Food!
Why do we all wake up in the morning and go about our various businesses of making money? The basic answer that is common to all, rich or poor, young or old is FOOD.
Food is a basic necessity and the RIGHT of access to good food is quite fundamental. But most of us seem to ignore this fact until we encounter health issues arising from bad food consumption.
I have been living in the industrialized world for more than a decade and have been consuming the so called “advanced” products with fortified ingredients. The basic question is why were the vitamins extracted from the food in the first place only to “fortify” it more vitamins?
The corporations have been having their way because we - the consumer – have stopped asking basic questions in the name of “progress”.
In the face of the current debate in India about promoting genetically modified products, the basic question is – is there a real need to genetically modify eggplant/brinjal? What is really being achieved here.
To be honest I have been consuming the GMed brinjal and it tastes quite awful. This is one of the many vegetables that I enjoy eating when I visit India.
The following statement on this website seems baseless – although I am not a specialist. It does not address the costs involved in measures of long term health, let alone the actual cost of hiring hi-tech people and acquiring the hi-tech instruments to produce the GM crop.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Now-Pawar-bats-for-GM-crops-to-meet-food-security/articleshow/5584530.cms
“Conventional technologies of agriculture are inadequate to meet the formidable challenges. The most compelling case for bio-technology, and more specifically transgenic crops, is their capability to increase crop productivity, lower production costs, conserve bio-diversity, efficient use of external inputs, and improvement of economic and social benefits and alleviation of abject poverty in poor and developing countries,"
Please watch the documentary “Food Inc.”
One thing that the US is doing wrong and other countries shouldn’t follow is “Use complex solutions to solve a simple problem”.
Example in the documentary it shows that if cows were to eat simple, regular green grass on pastures, they wouldn’t be infected with e-coli. It acts as a natural cleanser. Instead the industry chooses to add more “anti-bacterial” material to the “fodder”.
Where is common sense? (My Hindi friends will understand) --- Ghaans Charne! :)
Food is a basic necessity and the RIGHT of access to good food is quite fundamental. But most of us seem to ignore this fact until we encounter health issues arising from bad food consumption.
I have been living in the industrialized world for more than a decade and have been consuming the so called “advanced” products with fortified ingredients. The basic question is why were the vitamins extracted from the food in the first place only to “fortify” it more vitamins?
The corporations have been having their way because we - the consumer – have stopped asking basic questions in the name of “progress”.
In the face of the current debate in India about promoting genetically modified products, the basic question is – is there a real need to genetically modify eggplant/brinjal? What is really being achieved here.
To be honest I have been consuming the GMed brinjal and it tastes quite awful. This is one of the many vegetables that I enjoy eating when I visit India.
The following statement on this website seems baseless – although I am not a specialist. It does not address the costs involved in measures of long term health, let alone the actual cost of hiring hi-tech people and acquiring the hi-tech instruments to produce the GM crop.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Now-Pawar-bats-for-GM-crops-to-meet-food-security/articleshow/5584530.cms
“Conventional technologies of agriculture are inadequate to meet the formidable challenges. The most compelling case for bio-technology, and more specifically transgenic crops, is their capability to increase crop productivity, lower production costs, conserve bio-diversity, efficient use of external inputs, and improvement of economic and social benefits and alleviation of abject poverty in poor and developing countries,"
Please watch the documentary “Food Inc.”
One thing that the US is doing wrong and other countries shouldn’t follow is “Use complex solutions to solve a simple problem”.
Example in the documentary it shows that if cows were to eat simple, regular green grass on pastures, they wouldn’t be infected with e-coli. It acts as a natural cleanser. Instead the industry chooses to add more “anti-bacterial” material to the “fodder”.
Where is common sense? (My Hindi friends will understand) --- Ghaans Charne! :)
Monday, January 4, 2010
Konkan Bliss
This beautiful, untapped countryside of Maharashtra gave us a week of peace and quiet - A great get-away from smog-filled Pune. Konkan has been blessed with a unique combination of Sahyadri Mountain Range and the ocean. It is simply a treat for the eyes.
Obviously, as some of you might have guessed this blog is not about what is fine and dandy! :) There is so much potential for developing tourism in Konkan in a very environment friendly way!
2. Ban the sale and use of plastic.
3. Every beach should have a ticket window with garbage cans by it. Every beach should charge at least 5-10 rupees per person. This collected sum should go towards keeping the beaches clean and free of trespassers-- On some beaches we weren’t able to relax by the water... because there were people driving their SUVs and cars at full speed on the beach… some people were running a para-sailing business… which is great.. but unfortunately the para-sailing was being done using a motor vehicle instead of a motor boat.
4. Use of re-cycled newspaper bags is also important.
5. Food should be served in “patravlis” (plates made from leaves) if there is a need to use disposable plates.
6. Food and drink should be allowed only in designated areas of the beach and garbage should only be thrown in assigned garbage containers… A fine of 5000 Rupees should be charged to offenders. – The “beach police” should be in-charge of this.
7. The villages should also get a cut from the proceeds of the beach and this money can be used for the upkeep of the village streets.
8. Composting should be made mandatory for organic waste of every temple and every household in Konkan. It is imperative that people of Konkan wake up and take this task up seriously. We saw people of restaurants and temples throw the organic waste into the sea which is brought back on the beach with waves.
Simply keeping the villages and beaches clean and free of plastic, would help increase the appeal to international tourism.
9. We also witnessed a number of toilets built right on the sea whereby the waste goes directly in the water - Here is an idea to fix this - please visit the following link: I am sure it is very cost effective and easy to implemet. Common sense goes a long way.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/04/haiti.SOIL.toilets/index.html
Some ideas for local businesses:
Selling organic products will be great business:
10. Currently kokam, avala, jambhul, karvanda etc... products are being sold in plastic containers and use preservatives and unnecessary chemicals. It would be nice to buy all-natural products containing no preservatives.
Instead of plastic the either glass or following type of containers can be used.. they look nice, and give a feel of home-made.
- Plastic – it s curse to our generation. The unsightly presence of plastic garbage on the beaches hurts not only the eyes but also the heart! I usually do not speak unless I have a solution in mind and here are a couple of ideas – anyone out there reading?
- a. Make cloth bags from waste produced by tailors. Sell these cloth bags of various sizes at a cheap rate… make them available in every shop and store and corner of Konkan. Post signs to re-use these bags.
- b. Provide filtered tap water at every petrol pump. Travelers can fill up their bottles or cans whenever they fill up petrol in their vehicles.
2. Ban the sale and use of plastic.
4. Use of re-cycled newspaper bags is also important.
9. We also witnessed a number of toilets built right on the sea whereby the waste goes directly in the water - Here is an idea to fix this - please visit the following link: I am sure it is very cost effective and easy to implemet. Common sense goes a long way.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/04/haiti.SOIL.toilets/index.html
Some ideas for local businesses:
Selling organic products will be great business:
10. Currently kokam, avala, jambhul, karvanda etc... products are being sold in plastic containers and use preservatives and unnecessary chemicals. It would be nice to buy all-natural products containing no preservatives.
Instead of plastic the either glass or following type of containers can be used.. they look nice, and give a feel of home-made.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
A Sorry State of Affairs
I was very fortunate to have an opportunity travelling by ST, (Maharashtra State Transport), in Maharashtra recently. I was amazed at how much was still the same.
I remember travelling by ST in the 70s and 80s. The rattling buses, always ready to serve you with the most joyful experience. ST was a window into the roller-coaster experience for us small-towners.
I was glad to see that it is still the same. The buses still rattle and struggle against the slopes on the roads. The buses have even managed to stink equally as badly as then. The consistency in the service quality is quite admirable and probably unmatched. The ST stands are still the same... littered with filth and dusty, mixed with the black smoke emitting from the wonderfully maintained buses.
The number of people using ST has dramatically increased though. The government has managed to keep the fares quite reasonable still.
However, I still find it hard to believe that it runs in a loss. Taking into account the fact that nothing has changed, neither the buses nor the bus stands, there should have been massive amounts of money left over from the fare charges because the number of customers has at least quadrupled.
Where does the money from the people and government subsidy, go? What a naive question to ask!
I remember travelling by ST in the 70s and 80s. The rattling buses, always ready to serve you with the most joyful experience. ST was a window into the roller-coaster experience for us small-towners.
I was glad to see that it is still the same. The buses still rattle and struggle against the slopes on the roads. The buses have even managed to stink equally as badly as then. The consistency in the service quality is quite admirable and probably unmatched. The ST stands are still the same... littered with filth and dusty, mixed with the black smoke emitting from the wonderfully maintained buses.
The number of people using ST has dramatically increased though. The government has managed to keep the fares quite reasonable still.
However, I still find it hard to believe that it runs in a loss. Taking into account the fact that nothing has changed, neither the buses nor the bus stands, there should have been massive amounts of money left over from the fare charges because the number of customers has at least quadrupled.
Where does the money from the people and government subsidy, go? What a naive question to ask!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Now I know why I was confused as a child! :)
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/naxal-backed-tribals-kidnap-rajdhani-drivers-near-lalgarh/533971/
This news is the strangest thing I have read in a while. I used to want to read the newspaper as a child but news like these made it very confusing for my mind to process a contradictory item like this one.
Basic question: Why would a "People's" Committee Against Police Atrocities abduct 2 "people"? Isn't that a bit out of line? Doesn't anyone in the committee think of a simple like this? Aren't they committing atrocities themselves?
Simply bewildering.
This news is the strangest thing I have read in a while. I used to want to read the newspaper as a child but news like these made it very confusing for my mind to process a contradictory item like this one.
Basic question: Why would a "People's" Committee Against Police Atrocities abduct 2 "people"? Isn't that a bit out of line? Doesn't anyone in the committee think of a simple like this? Aren't they committing atrocities themselves?
Simply bewildering.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Capitalism/Socialism/Greed - A lay man's conundrum.
Recently watched the Michael Moore's - Capitalism - a love story.
All I have to say about this one is that it says what the American common people need to hear at this point in time. A classic example of juxta positioning various images to create a new meaning. It may be a whole bunch of stock images from Getty or a youtube video bought out at a measly cost.
I was shocked at the poor quality of some of the footage. Despite the quality of the documentary, was the message delivered? Was the point made?
Hmm... don't think so.
There were however some good questions raised: A question whether there is a third option to the two "isms". Or the point about why should tax payers money be used to bail out the auto/finance industry?
There was another interesting option presented about running a company like democracy. Vote on every issue. Majority wins.
I don't believe running a company like a democracy works unless everyone's skill level and competency is exactly the same. For example it might work in a setting where village women getogether to start a cottage industry - sowing or producing home made goodies.
However, to what extent can a democratic set up work in a field like IT where the competancy and varies from person to person. Why would a programmer who writes a particular program 1minute receive the same compensation as someone who takes 2 hours to write it?
Sounds unfair.
How do you then ensure fair wages? In capitalism there might be favouritism and some might receive unfair amounts of compensation which is kept confidential. In socialism the laziest of workers receives the same wage.
Profit sharing? this might work if the management is honest.. but how can one guarantee honesty? I have worked in 2 companies that had profit sharing and I didn't find enough fairness or transparency in "sharing" of the profit.
My husband and I were discussing the topic after the movie and we came to a conclusion that the movie was all about greed.
The greed for more money of the lay person to re-mortgage their homes using instruments that they couldn't understand. Why would you invest in something you don't understand? One reason: Greed.
The greed of the creators of the instruments who banked on the "illiteracy" of the public. The greed of the auto industry to use tax payer's money in the name of "general good".
This reminds me of another documentary I watched a few weeks ago : It was about the growing suburbs and a foreseen end to these. I was shocked to hear that the automobile industry lobbied against railway track and tram track (in North American cities) construction in the past. They had their "jacks" in the govt. and stopped govt. investment in public transport.
Think about how much we would have saved if there had been an infrastructure of trams and railways...
1. Save gas
2. Save traffic jams
3. Save time
4. Save parking spaces
5. Save highway maintenance costs
Again selfishness and greed. There has to be a better way. Can someone crack the code? Solve the puzzle?
All I have to say about this one is that it says what the American common people need to hear at this point in time. A classic example of juxta positioning various images to create a new meaning. It may be a whole bunch of stock images from Getty or a youtube video bought out at a measly cost.
I was shocked at the poor quality of some of the footage. Despite the quality of the documentary, was the message delivered? Was the point made?
Hmm... don't think so.
There were however some good questions raised: A question whether there is a third option to the two "isms". Or the point about why should tax payers money be used to bail out the auto/finance industry?
There was another interesting option presented about running a company like democracy. Vote on every issue. Majority wins.
I don't believe running a company like a democracy works unless everyone's skill level and competency is exactly the same. For example it might work in a setting where village women getogether to start a cottage industry - sowing or producing home made goodies.
However, to what extent can a democratic set up work in a field like IT where the competancy and varies from person to person. Why would a programmer who writes a particular program 1minute receive the same compensation as someone who takes 2 hours to write it?
Sounds unfair.
How do you then ensure fair wages? In capitalism there might be favouritism and some might receive unfair amounts of compensation which is kept confidential. In socialism the laziest of workers receives the same wage.
Profit sharing? this might work if the management is honest.. but how can one guarantee honesty? I have worked in 2 companies that had profit sharing and I didn't find enough fairness or transparency in "sharing" of the profit.
My husband and I were discussing the topic after the movie and we came to a conclusion that the movie was all about greed.
The greed for more money of the lay person to re-mortgage their homes using instruments that they couldn't understand. Why would you invest in something you don't understand? One reason: Greed.
The greed of the creators of the instruments who banked on the "illiteracy" of the public. The greed of the auto industry to use tax payer's money in the name of "general good".
This reminds me of another documentary I watched a few weeks ago : It was about the growing suburbs and a foreseen end to these. I was shocked to hear that the automobile industry lobbied against railway track and tram track (in North American cities) construction in the past. They had their "jacks" in the govt. and stopped govt. investment in public transport.
Think about how much we would have saved if there had been an infrastructure of trams and railways...
1. Save gas
2. Save traffic jams
3. Save time
4. Save parking spaces
5. Save highway maintenance costs
Again selfishness and greed. There has to be a better way. Can someone crack the code? Solve the puzzle?
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Crop circles - Art or No Art :)
As I was researching for my story about how humans could be the ones who are aliens to the planet, I came accross the ever so intriguing phenomenon of crop circles. And not too late in the research I came accross this website created by the, oh so mysterious crop circle makers. Yes, that's right. They are works of art. (I recently saw a documentary on the National Geographic channel that did not cover this aspect of crop circles)
http://www.circlemakers.org/case_history.html
They even have a beginner's guide to making crop circles. Although, at some level, I am disappointed that no one from other planets is interested in meeting us.
Enjoy!
http://www.circlemakers.org/case_history.html
They even have a beginner's guide to making crop circles. Although, at some level, I am disappointed that no one from other planets is interested in meeting us.
Enjoy!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Art or No Art
Yesterday I visited the Queen West Art Crawl -- a street festival where artists from different disciplines exhibit their art-work and hope to sell some. This led me back to a thought that appears occasionally in my mind. What is art and why does something, that might appeal to me may not have the same effect on someone else and vice-versa?
I have been also mulling over the question of what is “abstract art”. There are some modern artists whose work produces an inexplicable effect and there are others whose work I hesitate to call “art”.
I once saw a documentary about a 5 year old prodigy who paints abstract art:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3701484.stm
The documentary clearly showed two schools of thought: Artists who go to great lengths and details for realistic painting and the other that find expression of a feeling through a bunch of what may seem like scribbles to an untrained eye (scribbles that even a 5 year old is capable of). (I am no “art guru”, hence the humility in the choice of words. :))
I was once visiting the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) that has some interesting pieces and one of them was by Yoko Ono. I couldn’t understand it. It was a needle mounted on a glass pedestal. It was supposed to express anti-war or peace sentiment. I was confused.
There are things that pretend to be art and there are some that are clearly traditionally artistic. This led me to do some research in this subject and I came across a website for “fluxus” art. I like how they don’t hide behind the heaviosity. Please read:
http://www.artnotart.com/fluxus/
http://www.artnotart.com/fluxus/dhiggins-childshistory.html
Here are some abstracts that one may find debatable:
http://www.abstractmodernart.com/AA_Site/pages/misc/gallery.html
To summarize, I think all art is an expression or an impression of the artist’s mind. However, some seem to be planned, purposeful pieces and others seem more like accidents and yet others could be what they call “happy” accidents – they are accidents but they create a dramatic effect.
And some are nothing but scribbles pretending to be “art”.
These are my thought anyways. I would love a good debate over this and sort things out.
I have been also mulling over the question of what is “abstract art”. There are some modern artists whose work produces an inexplicable effect and there are others whose work I hesitate to call “art”.
I once saw a documentary about a 5 year old prodigy who paints abstract art:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3701484.stm
The documentary clearly showed two schools of thought: Artists who go to great lengths and details for realistic painting and the other that find expression of a feeling through a bunch of what may seem like scribbles to an untrained eye (scribbles that even a 5 year old is capable of). (I am no “art guru”, hence the humility in the choice of words. :))
I was once visiting the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) that has some interesting pieces and one of them was by Yoko Ono. I couldn’t understand it. It was a needle mounted on a glass pedestal. It was supposed to express anti-war or peace sentiment. I was confused.
There are things that pretend to be art and there are some that are clearly traditionally artistic. This led me to do some research in this subject and I came across a website for “fluxus” art. I like how they don’t hide behind the heaviosity. Please read:
http://www.artnotart.com/fluxus/
http://www.artnotart.com/fluxus/dhiggins-childshistory.html
Here are some abstracts that one may find debatable:
http://www.abstractmodernart.com/AA_Site/pages/misc/gallery.html
To summarize, I think all art is an expression or an impression of the artist’s mind. However, some seem to be planned, purposeful pieces and others seem more like accidents and yet others could be what they call “happy” accidents – they are accidents but they create a dramatic effect.
And some are nothing but scribbles pretending to be “art”.
These are my thought anyways. I would love a good debate over this and sort things out.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Maybe WE are aliens!
I have been thinking about aliens and other galaxies and strange planets recently (District 9 may have been a reason).
And I wonder:
Would it be in fact that humans are the ones who are “alien” to this planet, we call Earth?
After all:
1. We are the only animals who can smile
2. We are the only animals who are intelligent enough to manufacture using earth’s resources
3. We are the only animals who can stand erect on our hind limbs.
4. We are the only beings on earth who cook food
5. We are the only beings on earth who drink milk of other animals.
6. And possibly many more differences.
The fact that humans have to struggle so hard to make the best use of available natural resources, to find the necessity to discover new ways of manufacture and to not care much about what we are doing to this planet, makes me think that may be this earth isn’t our home. Maybe we just dropped by to say hi and lost our ship and were forced to be a part of this planet.
The fact that all other animals seem to fair much better and without stress, makes me think that, that is the way it is supposed to be – all they have to worry about is food. Hunt it and eat it. And even their hunting is part of the ecological balance. We are the only animals that seem like outsiders.
Maybe on the planet we really belong all animals are intelligent and can smile and cook their food and fire is found naturally.Maybe all animals walk on their hind limbs and the products of intelligence of these animals together creates an ecological balance on that planet.
If you thought I were coming to some environmental message. I am not! :)
And I wonder:
Would it be in fact that humans are the ones who are “alien” to this planet, we call Earth?
After all:
1. We are the only animals who can smile
2. We are the only animals who are intelligent enough to manufacture using earth’s resources
3. We are the only animals who can stand erect on our hind limbs.
4. We are the only beings on earth who cook food
5. We are the only beings on earth who drink milk of other animals.
6. And possibly many more differences.
The fact that humans have to struggle so hard to make the best use of available natural resources, to find the necessity to discover new ways of manufacture and to not care much about what we are doing to this planet, makes me think that may be this earth isn’t our home. Maybe we just dropped by to say hi and lost our ship and were forced to be a part of this planet.
The fact that all other animals seem to fair much better and without stress, makes me think that, that is the way it is supposed to be – all they have to worry about is food. Hunt it and eat it. And even their hunting is part of the ecological balance. We are the only animals that seem like outsiders.
Maybe on the planet we really belong all animals are intelligent and can smile and cook their food and fire is found naturally.Maybe all animals walk on their hind limbs and the products of intelligence of these animals together creates an ecological balance on that planet.
If you thought I were coming to some environmental message. I am not! :)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Hindu Ritual - Geography
This time of the year somehow makes me question a lot of the rituals and age-old traditions.
As I was growing up and as my questions to every religious ritual were answered, I came to an understanding that Hindu rituals involve natural elements found in that particular location, as a way to express gratitude to nature. Our deities are mostly representations of that which is found in nature and deeper thought how this “srishti” came into being.
Therefore, in India today, although the philosophy of the religion basically stays the same the rites and rituals vary according what region you belong. Deities have been traditionally presented with veg or non-veg “prasadam” depending on the peculiarities and characteristics of the life-style of that particular region.
Although, I was always brought up to believe that there are various ways of understanding God, and rites and rituals is only one of them -- I urge the Hindus who live outside of India and who believe in rites and rituals to include the flora and fauna and vegetation from the country they now belong . This will mean that you are grateful to the natural resources of that particular country as well.
Example, in Canada we can use maple leaves and local fruits and even make sweets of maple syrup etc… In Canada we need to utter the names of rivers and lakes existing here rather than in India, because the whole world needs to be grateful to Canada for being the largest fresh water resource.
I would even go so far as to ask to change the festivals according to the relevant season/climate of that country. Because I have been told that we eat what we eat during the festivals is because that particular food is abundant in that region during that particular season and therefore healthy.
Increasing globalization calls of localization of Hindu ritual. :)
According to the Hindu view, revelations are not limited to any individual, time or place. Just as there have been revelations in the past, they can occur at present or in future also. (http://www.hindubooks.org/wehwk/chapter3/page1.htm)
Continuing the above thought, I think that the pandits need to add to the knowledge of Vedas rather than blindly following them. I appeal to the Sanskrit pandits to modify the shlokas in “fill in the blanks” sort of way, so that people from any country can see God in their local natural resources.
If they are already doing so, it has certainly not made its way to the common man.
As I was growing up and as my questions to every religious ritual were answered, I came to an understanding that Hindu rituals involve natural elements found in that particular location, as a way to express gratitude to nature. Our deities are mostly representations of that which is found in nature and deeper thought how this “srishti” came into being.
Therefore, in India today, although the philosophy of the religion basically stays the same the rites and rituals vary according what region you belong. Deities have been traditionally presented with veg or non-veg “prasadam” depending on the peculiarities and characteristics of the life-style of that particular region.
Although, I was always brought up to believe that there are various ways of understanding God, and rites and rituals is only one of them -- I urge the Hindus who live outside of India and who believe in rites and rituals to include the flora and fauna and vegetation from the country they now belong . This will mean that you are grateful to the natural resources of that particular country as well.
Example, in Canada we can use maple leaves and local fruits and even make sweets of maple syrup etc… In Canada we need to utter the names of rivers and lakes existing here rather than in India, because the whole world needs to be grateful to Canada for being the largest fresh water resource.
I would even go so far as to ask to change the festivals according to the relevant season/climate of that country. Because I have been told that we eat what we eat during the festivals is because that particular food is abundant in that region during that particular season and therefore healthy.
Increasing globalization calls of localization of Hindu ritual. :)
According to the Hindu view, revelations are not limited to any individual, time or place. Just as there have been revelations in the past, they can occur at present or in future also. (http://www.hindubooks.org/wehwk/chapter3/page1.htm)
Continuing the above thought, I think that the pandits need to add to the knowledge of Vedas rather than blindly following them. I appeal to the Sanskrit pandits to modify the shlokas in “fill in the blanks” sort of way, so that people from any country can see God in their local natural resources.
If they are already doing so, it has certainly not made its way to the common man.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Undercover Marketing
I heard a very interesting discussion about undercover marketing on TV the other day and couldn't help but think: I knew somehow that it existed but it was more on the lines of: "They must get paid for saying it... oh come on!.. really? nooo? who gets paid for saying things like that about a product! I am just getting ahead of myself."
But it seems to be a marketing strategy applied by many. It may be a colleague or a relative bragging about a product that they recently started using, or some people (actors) on the street talking about some cool new gadget.
An example of this type of marketing they showed on TV was:
A door man standing at the door with a whole bunch of boxes that appear to be delivered for some people in the building from a company. A man leaves the building early in the morning, greets the doorman and thinks: "Looks like a lot of people order from this company. I should give it a try."
Meanwhile the company has paid the doorman to stand there with those "empty" boxes.
I guess it is a harmless strategy of marketing if the product is good. But something to keep in mind regardless.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undercover_marketing
But it seems to be a marketing strategy applied by many. It may be a colleague or a relative bragging about a product that they recently started using, or some people (actors) on the street talking about some cool new gadget.
An example of this type of marketing they showed on TV was:
A door man standing at the door with a whole bunch of boxes that appear to be delivered for some people in the building from a company. A man leaves the building early in the morning, greets the doorman and thinks: "Looks like a lot of people order from this company. I should give it a try."
Meanwhile the company has paid the doorman to stand there with those "empty" boxes.
I guess it is a harmless strategy of marketing if the product is good. But something to keep in mind regardless.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undercover_marketing
Friday, July 17, 2009
Very excited about this
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS-City-Pune-PMC-proposes-to-supply-wet-garbage-up-to-75-km/articleshow/4786882.cms
I had been thinking about this idea for a while now. Probably the brain waves have somehow reached the authorities.
This is a wonderful thing and all puneites should participate in it. One person's garbage is another person's wealth!
I had been thinking about this idea for a while now. Probably the brain waves have somehow reached the authorities.
This is a wonderful thing and all puneites should participate in it. One person's garbage is another person's wealth!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Further to yesterday's discussion about curruption
Here is a quote about it from "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand. I feel, to a major extent Indian politics of bribery can be attributed to this way of thinking.
... The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for people to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens?What's there in that for anyone? But pass the kind of laws that neither can be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted - an you create a nation of law breakers -- and then you cash on the guilt.
... The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for people to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens?What's there in that for anyone? But pass the kind of laws that neither can be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted - an you create a nation of law breakers -- and then you cash on the guilt.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Politics of Terrorism
Reading about these chain of events got me thinking:
http://www.rediff.com/news/dec/01mitra.htm --- Indira Gandhi covertly supports LTTE
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20060521_02 --- Rajiv Gandhi gets assassinated
http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/51/099.html --- US and Pakistan supported Islamic Extremists
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11_attacks --- 9/11
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/16/AR2009021601063.html --- Taliban in Pakistan
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/pak-created-and-nurtured-terrorists-concedes-zardari/486672/ --- Zardari Acknowledges
http://www.guardianweekly.co.uk/?page=editorial&id=479&catID=1 ---
If corrupt officials can be translated as terrorists, a government that supports corruption terrorizes its people in subtle ways, so that people are afraid to protest.
In above kinds of terrorism, support to militants involves (generally speaking) a concentrated number of people and the main objective is to either attract attention or kill a target whether it results in killing of innocent civilians or not.
However, the terrorism of corruption seeps into the society through every nook and cranny to every single mind in the country.
It is a jolly good way to control a people! All you need is one case where a protestant was killed or simply given a hard time, and a whole society/generation grows up being afraid or terrorized. -- Corruption is a form of Terrorism
http://www.rediff.com/news/dec/01mitra.htm --- Indira Gandhi covertly supports LTTE
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20060521_02 --- Rajiv Gandhi gets assassinated
http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/51/099.html --- US and Pakistan supported Islamic Extremists
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11_attacks --- 9/11
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/16/AR2009021601063.html --- Taliban in Pakistan
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/pak-created-and-nurtured-terrorists-concedes-zardari/486672/ --- Zardari Acknowledges
http://www.guardianweekly.co.uk/?page=editorial&id=479&catID=1 ---
If corrupt officials can be translated as terrorists, a government that supports corruption terrorizes its people in subtle ways, so that people are afraid to protest.
In above kinds of terrorism, support to militants involves (generally speaking) a concentrated number of people and the main objective is to either attract attention or kill a target whether it results in killing of innocent civilians or not.
However, the terrorism of corruption seeps into the society through every nook and cranny to every single mind in the country.
It is a jolly good way to control a people! All you need is one case where a protestant was killed or simply given a hard time, and a whole society/generation grows up being afraid or terrorized. -- Corruption is a form of Terrorism
Monday, July 6, 2009
A turn of events
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sc-judge-apologises-for-taliban-remarks-on-muslims/485727/
I had commented on a news item on my blog of Monday, March 30, 2009. The link above, comes as a relief. Although it seems like the judge reluctantly apologized, I am happy for the student who is fighting for his constitutional rights.
The judge in this case has shown irresponsible behaviour and seems like is not qualified to give an unbiased opinion about anything. I am not sure why he is even allowed to be a judge.
I also like the fact that the newspaper is following up on the event and reporting it rather than just letting it slide into oblivion. This "following-up" of a news item, I find, is a rare quality found in the Indian Newspapers that I read.
I had commented on a news item on my blog of Monday, March 30, 2009. The link above, comes as a relief. Although it seems like the judge reluctantly apologized, I am happy for the student who is fighting for his constitutional rights.
The judge in this case has shown irresponsible behaviour and seems like is not qualified to give an unbiased opinion about anything. I am not sure why he is even allowed to be a judge.
I also like the fact that the newspaper is following up on the event and reporting it rather than just letting it slide into oblivion. This "following-up" of a news item, I find, is a rare quality found in the Indian Newspapers that I read.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
More unanswered questions.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News-By-Industry/Jobs/India-Inc-created-300000-jobs-in-US-Study/articleshow/4672503.cms
Please read the news in the link above. The news seems haphazard at best.
These are the questions that come to mind.
1. Which industry created most of these jobs?
2. Are these created jobs still in existence?
3. Have they been hit by the current recession?
4. How has creating these jobs added value to the American economy? - i.e. how necessary were these job creations - as many of you who work in corporations know that positions could easily get redundant in a corporate bureaucracy.
5. Will this justify the outsourcing of American jobs?
I tried looking for answers in other newspapers, but everyone - using their journalistic "expertise" - simply seems to be quoting this important news item from PTI verbatim.
Please read the news in the link above. The news seems haphazard at best.
These are the questions that come to mind.
1. Which industry created most of these jobs?
2. Are these created jobs still in existence?
3. Have they been hit by the current recession?
4. How has creating these jobs added value to the American economy? - i.e. how necessary were these job creations - as many of you who work in corporations know that positions could easily get redundant in a corporate bureaucracy.
5. Will this justify the outsourcing of American jobs?
I tried looking for answers in other newspapers, but everyone - using their journalistic "expertise" - simply seems to be quoting this important news item from PTI verbatim.
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