Book Review: Rich Dad Poor Dad

Check it out here.

new blog summary

hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!

its been a while that I wrote... been writing some new stuff elsewhere:

Check out nice music by Akhilesh on his Veena.

See some nice artwork by Ved.

And you would like to learn the art of how to carve vegetables.

And of course there are much more interesting things awaiting for you on YES!+ Bangalore Website.

That thing called PhD

Just now came across an article! Should have seen it earlier! For all those who are even remotely concerned with the thing called PhD:
I did a PhD and did NOT go MAD!


Also, worth knowing is the
History of PhD and other academic degrees.

Supercalfragalisticexpialidocious

Sher ki Kahani

Travelling Light

I had so much pain to transport my luggage from old hostel to new one, even though it was so close. First, I had to throw out a hundred useless things I have been keeping around. It seems there is abundance of Vishnu Shakti- skill of maintenance in me, and a budding Shiva Shakti - the transformation energy. So I had to invoke all the Shiva Shakti and select only few things to be taken further to the new hostel.

Still the luggage was HugE!! Some 7 Cartons. I shiped some on my Activa, and 3 had to go in Institute's Vehicle.

I recalled this story:- " Just Passing Through " from Bawa's Blog. Its so important to Travel light in the life! The incident made me aware of what all things I have been accumulating for no reason!

And this is just from one home to another. This body is also a home, I am temporarily living in here. When I have to leave it and go, will I be able to travel light!?

fantastic New Hostel !!!

Our Institute has been so much generous on all the students to have built a spacious, comfortable(in fact luxarious) hostel for students, which is also a guesthouse for our visitors!!

I am happy about my own room, it has everything so well planned. excellent bedding and cubboard, a wall shelf for my books just like they have in Shelfari.com, attached freshroom with hot/cold water shower, full length mirror and just very clean and lighted room!! Its like a five star room. {uhmm uhmm... another envious thing for software guys about the researchers!}

I am sure this will inspire me and lot more students to do our research at our best potential!!
You can see some photos during inauguration of our hostel at our
website.

The budding Poetess!

Bhawana's Poem has been published in an internationally reputed monthly magazine: Rishimukh !!

Congradulations, Bhau! :) 100 EC points to you!

Most difficult thing to hide...

You can easily hide the thoughts. Feelings are not so easy to hide, looking at someone, you can see what he/she is feeling. 

More subtler we go, its more difficult to hide! 

Love is most difficult thing to hide...

Yet, it is also most difficult thing to expres..!

There were days when movie songs would portray the dignity in love. There was some depth in the expression. When will the days come back

where we can have meaningful lyrics, written from heart, not intellect, and such devout singing that simply conveys the feeling, the longing?

since the days when the media has become so handy and easy, probably the producers have lost the depth of conveying it can give, so the production is so shallow.

Masti kee Aag

Launching the premier of:

http://yesplusbangalore.wordpress.com

:) N'Joy surfing!

Happy Birthday Sabari!!

Dear Sabari,
There has been plenty of moments
Spent with you in joy
Gone too soon!
:)
Abhay

"Gone Too Soon":- Michael Jackson

Like A Comet
Blazing 'Cross The Evening Sky
Gone Too Soon

Like A Rainbow
Fading In The Twinkling Of An Eye
Gone Too Soon

Shiny And Sparkly
And Splendidly Bright
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like The Loss Of Sunlight
On A Cloudy Afternoon
Gone Too Soon

Like A Castle
Built Upon A Sandy Beach
Gone Too Soon

Like A Perfect Flower
That Is Just Beyond Your Reach
Gone Too Soon

Born To Amuse, To Inspire, To Delight
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like A Sunset
Dying With The Rising Of The Moon
Gone Too Soon

Gone Too Soon

A Tile to heal

kindly download and enlarge for ease of reading.

The Wall Project

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9822921861
I love this activity some youth are doing:- They take permission of owners, and paint their walls! See the attached photos. Won't it be nice to have some interesting designs on the walls of the city homes!

If you would like to do similar activity, contact me!
Abhay.

Angels - 2

So Who is the Angel !? :)

Saint Kabir's songs

Bhawana, Danke Schon for the link ! Verses translated freely by me.

Jaise Til Mein Tel Hai, Jyon Chakmak Mein Aag
Tera Sayeen Tujh Mein Hai, Tu Jaag Sake To Jaag

Like there is oil in the seeds, and fire in the matchstick,
your Lord is within you, you wake up if you can !

Bada Hua To Kya Hua, Jaise Ped Khajoor
Panthi Ko Chaya Nahin, Phal Laage Atidoor

What use is the greatness, if it is like a Date Tree?
It doesn't give shadow to a traveller, and its fruits are out of reach.

Guru Dhobi Sikh Kapda, Saboo Sirjan Har
Surti Sila Pur Dhoiye, Nikse Jyoti Apaar

Guru is the washerman, the devotee is the cloth, the soap is the name of the Lord.
Get washed well, then your inner light will shine!

Pehle Agan Birha Ki, Pachhe Prem Ki Pyas
Kahe Kabir Tub Janiye, Naam Milan Ki Aaas

{When There is } First the longing for the beloved, Then the Thirst for attaining love
Then only you are eligible for the Mantra {from a Guru} , Says Kabir.

Kabir Maala Kaath Kee, Kahi Samjhave Tohi
Man Na Firave Aapna, Kaha Firave Mohi

Kabir, what does the Maala (Chain) used for chanting Mantra tell you?
If you aren't turning the mind (from outward desires to the inward Lordship), Then what's the point of turning me(The Chain)!

Kabira Teri Jhompri Gal Katiyan Ke Paas
Jo Karenge So Bharenge Tu Kyon Bhayo Udaas

(Disappointed by killings of animals), Kabir (says to himself) your hut is near the butcher's place.
Those who do these acts will pay for it themselves. Why are you getting remorse. (Not Being Wrong against things that are wrong...)

Geopolitics and Samskrit Phobia

Jul 5 2005 | Views 32933 | Comments (1222)

For detailed article, visit this page.

Geopolitics and Samskrit Phobia - Rajiv Malhotra.

This paper discusses the historical and contemporary relationship between geopolitics and Sanskrit, and consists of the following sections:

I. Sanskrit is more than a language. Like all languages, its structures and categories contain a built-in framework for representing specific worldviews. Sanskriti is the name of the culture and civilization that embodies this framework. One may say that Sanskriti is the term for what has recently become known as Indic Civilization, a civilization that goes well beyond the borders of modern India to encompass South Asia and much of Southeast Asia. At one time, it included much of Asia.

II. Interactions among different regions of Asia helped to develop and exchange this pan-Asian Sanskriti. Numerous examples involving India, Southeast Asia and China are given.

III. Sanskrit started to decline after the West Asian invasions of the Indian subcontinent. This had a devastating impact on Sanskriti, as many world-famous centers of learning were destroyed, and no single major university was built for many centuries by the conquerors.

IV. Besides Asia, Sanskrit and Sanskriti influenced Europe's modernity, and Sanskrit Studies became a large-scale formal activity in most European universities. These influences shaped many intellectual disciplines that are (falsely) classified as “Western”. But the “discovery” of Sanskrit by Europe also had the negative influence of fueling European racism since the 19th century.

V. Meanwhile, in colonial India, the education system was de-Sanskritized and replaced by an English based education. This served to train clerks and low level employees to administer the Empire, and to start the process of self-denigration among Indians, a trend that continues today. Many prominent Indians achieved fame and success as middlemen serving the Empire, and Gandhi's famous 1908 monograph, “Hind Swaraj,” discusses this phenomenon.

VI. After India's independence, there was a broad based Nehruvian love affair with Sanskrit as an important nation-building vehicle. However, successive generations of Indian intellectuals have replaced this with what this paper terms “Sanskrit Phobia,” i.e. a body of beliefs now widely disseminated according to which Sanskrit and Sanskriti are blamed for all sorts of social, economic and political problems facing India's underprivileged classes. This section illustrates such phobia among prominent Western Indologists and among trendy Indians involved in South Asian Studies who learn about Sanskrit and Sanskriti according to Western frameworks and biases.

VII. The clash of civilizations among the West, China and Islam is used as a lens to discuss the future of Sanskriti across South and Southeast Asia.

VIII. Some concrete suggestions are made for further consideration to revitalize Sanskrit as a living language that has potential for future knowledge development and empowerment of humanity.

Let's Speak Samskrit !!

I was looking forward for such an initiative!! Check out the blog

http://speaksamskrit.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Samskrita Bharati is conducting 2 full days Samskrit Sambhashan Shibirs (Samskrit speaking workshops) on Nov.22 (Saturday) and Nov.23 (Sunday), 2008, considering the constraints of not being able to attend 10 days course by professionals..

Salient features:

1. Knowledge of Devanagari Script is not required.

2. Can learn Samskrit speaking in our neighborhood in just 2 days.

3. Families and neighbors attend and hence an opportunity to continue it afterwards also.

4. Learning through games – learn while you play.

5. Learn while you eat also.

6. CD show during breaks.

7. Chart exhibition pertaining to Ancient Indian Contribution to Science.

8. Exhibition of daily usage items with Samskrit names.

9. Book-stall for selling books/ CDs etc. in Samskrit.

10. On the spot registration for furthering the study (may be correspondence etc.).

11. An opportunity to learn further (read and write) at neighborhood if sufficient number of people (25 no.) are willing.

Learning Samskrita is as simple as saying A-U-M !

Kindly note:

• Registration is first come, first serve basis.
• Registration charges per person are – Rs. 200/- for adults and Rs.100/- for children.
• Limited 25 seats only.
• Children can participate, if only parents participate.
• Participants are expected to be present by 9.00AM on both days and are required to be late in the evening.
• Contact persons from Extended Contact List for the nearest centre.

The most difficult job in the world ...

Anyone can work under a given set of instructions, in survilance of a supervisor, with a team etc, given any amount of hardwork required...
The most difficult job in the world is when you are on your own, without any set of instructions, your own judging and your own drive..!

Wake up now!

It is never really dark out there,
The Sun's light is always available.
Wake up and go out now,
Since you know that there is light there.
Else the apparant night will continue,
Casting dark shadows from candles lit by self effort.
Let the self effort be to open the door
and go out, to bathe in the warmth of Grace.

Not India's first woman saint

I found this article thought provoking and informative. Francois Gautier, a renowned journalist, tells about responsible journalism. A simple search in Google can show that Indian reporters have simply copied the story from the foreign journalists. Do foreign journalists have a right to talk about Indian History? And do the Indian Reporters have primary education in Indian History?
Taken from:
http://francoisgautier.wordpress.com/2008/10/17/not-india’s-first-woman-saint/

Not India’s first woman saint

Posted by speekout under Hinduism, India, francois gautier, media, missionaries, terrorism | Tags: akkamahadevi, andal, aryans, Auroville, babri masjid, bajrang dal, canonising, dalits, HINDUS, indian mujahideen, journalism, maithreyi, muslims, Narendra modi, saint, saint alphonsa, sangh parivar, Sri Sri Center for media Studies, SSCMS, tamil, terrorism, tribals, vatican |

Francois Gautier, Pioneer

Indian media went into a tizzy while covering the canonisation of Sister Alphonsa, an obscure nun, to prove its secular credentials! Indian journalists forget that this country has had other women saints too.

As a Frenchman, I was coached right from childhood that logic, what we in France call cartesianism, is the greatest gift given to man and that one should use one’s reason to tread in life. Thus, I taught to my students in a Bangalore school of journalism, the SSCMS, that the first tool of a good reporter is to go by his or her own judgement on the ground, with the help of one’s first-hand experience — and not go by second hand information: What your parents thought, what you have read in the newspapers, what your caste, religion, culture pushes you into…

Yet in India, logic does not seem to apply to most of the media, especially when it is anything related to Hindus and Hinduism. One cannot, for instance, equate Muslim terrorists who blow up innocent civilians in market places all over India to angry ordinary Hindus who attack churches without killing anybody. We know that most of these communal incidents often involve persons of the same caste — Dalits and tribals — some of them converted to Christianity and some not.

However reprehensible was the destruction of the Babri Masjid, no Muslim was killed in the process. Compare that with the ‘vengeance’ bombings of 1993 in Mumbai, which killed hundreds of innocent people, mostly Hindus. Yet Indian and Western journalists keep equating the two, or even showing the Babri Masjid destruction as the most horrible act of the two.

How can you compare the Sangh Parivar with the Indian Mujahideen, a deadly terrorist organisation? How can you label Mr Narendra Modi a mass killer when actually it was ordinary middle class, or even Dalit Hindus, who went out into the streets in fury when 56 innocent people, many of them women and children, were burnt in a train?

How can you lobby for the lifting of the ban on SIMI, an organisation which is suspected of having planted bombs in many Indian cities, killing hundreds of innocent people, while advocating a ban on the Bajrang Dal, which attacked some churches after an 84-year-old swami and his followers were brutally murdered?

There is no logic in journalism in this country when it applies itself to minorities. Christians are supposedly only two per cent of the population in India, but look how last Sunday many major television channels showed live the canonisation ceremony of Sister Alphonsa, an obscure nun from Kerala and see how Union Minister Oscar Fernandes led an entire Indian delegation to the Vatican along with the Indian Ambassador. It would be impossible in England, for instance, which may have a two per cent Hindu minority, to have live coverage of a major Hindu ceremony, like the anointment of a new Shankaracharya. What were the 24×7 news channels, which seem to have deliberately chosen to highlight this non-event, trying to prove? That they are secular? Is this secularism?

The headline of the story “India gets its first woman saint”, run by many newspapers, both Indian and Western, is very misleading.

For India has never been short of saints.

The woman sage from over 3,000 years ago, Maithreyi, Andal, the Tamil saint from early in the first Millennium CE and Akkamahadevi, the 15th century saint from modern-day Karnataka, are but a few examples of women saints in India.

What many publications failed to mention in the story is that this is the first woman Christian saint — not the first Indian woman saint.

This statement is ok, when it comes, for instance, from the BBC, which always looks at India through the Christian prism (BBC ran a few months back an untrue and slanderous documentary on Auroville), but when it comes to the Indian media, it only shows the grave lack of grounding in Indian culture and history of most Indian journalists.

As a result, they suffer from an inferiority complex.

This inferiority complex, as expressed by television’s live coverage of the canonisation of Sister Alphonsa, is a legacy of the British, who strove to show themselves as superior and Indian culture as inferior (and inheritor of the ‘White Aryans’, a totally false theory).

Is it not time to institute schools of journalism, both private and public, where not only logic will be taught, but where students shall be made aware of Indian history and of the greatness of Indian culture, so that when they go out to report, they will use their own judgement and become Indian journalists, with a little bit of feeling, pride and love for their own country?

Lost Mobile.

I lost my mobile. I had previously 5-6 times lost/misplaced it, and miraculously found it back. This time, its giving no chance of return.
Once when I lost it, I really missed it so much, that getting it back was inevitable.
I always liked the nice colored display it had, and every digit would show up in different color.
Somehow, I was not able to keep it well. The back cover of battery had got lost, the battery was short lived. I wished to preserve it as a monument, and buy new one. Since this got delayed, I have now lost it for ever.
This sense of separation is bit painful!
There were so many nice messages of my friends in it...
It really served me well. Travelled with me to Germany, where I used it as a timekeeper.
It did lot of seva, brought people in knowledge.
It had more than 500 contacts, and fortunately I made a partial list of those, so I have some of them still with me on my comp. But half are lost.
It had a life of its own. Its battery in particular. It would stay on and on, even if the indicator showed emptiness, when I was on an important call !
Once it had got wet, and suddenly stopped working, all buttons stopped working. Soon, as it got more and more dried up, the buttons started working. It sprang back to life.
Hmmmmm. Its over now.

Angels - 1

Bawa wrote about Angels recently, so I also recalled seeing them in my photos. Here is one recent snap during Diwali celebrations, to begin with:

Sri Sri addresses Nobel Laureates

Mulakat

Aap aaye the yahan, hum ne jaana apne doston se ...
Khush huve the hum kee aap ke kadam yahan pahunche!

Aise to humein kuchh bahana chahiye aap se milne ka,
Kabhi aap aaiyen, Kabhi humse milen!

Muddaten gujari jab hum aapse milen,
Lekin woh aakhari mulakat ab bhi yaad hai|

Woh najaron se aapke bahata huva pyaar,
Woh ek jhalak aakhari, jise hum ne kiya alvida|

Ab mitaye nahin mitati woh yaaden,
Bas mil jaiyega aankh mitne se pahle ||

Good news + general update...

Hello Everybody!!

I am a back from a much needed break and fun at home, celebrating my favourite Diwali festival!!

And today when I arrived at my desk, I have received the good news of acceptance of my first research paper for publication in Astrophysical journal!! hurray!
A publication is the only quantitative assessment of a researcher, and this is the best gift I could have asked for!

hmmmmm... Life seems to be all set to roll on now...

Back from Mumbai, I met up with Sabari last evening. We are generally used to meeting daily, and a gap of a week is like a long long time!
I updated him on what is happening in Maharashtra and Goa, we exchanged lots of new learnings about the game called "Life". He told me things I missed in YES!+ here. Even a week's gap in YES!+ activities, and it seems I have fallen out of place! After lot of gupshup and go-sip {"go-means-knowledge"!}, we went to attend Shant's brother's wedding. I met some more YES!+ friends there, and we had a great dinner. On the way we had bought a flower bouquet and I enjoyed learning how nicely he was packaging it. At the wedding, it was so nice celebrative atmosphere. Lots of interesting faces, there! :) I noticed some nice shining jewellary. In the dinner I enjoyed more of Puri and Chhole, Sabari liked more of rice variety. All of us liked the buttermilk! As soon as my stomach gave me a full signal, I stopped back this time...! Actually we are supposed to have 1/2 of our stomach with solids, 1/4th with liquid, and leave 1/4 empty! That empty quarter I have not experienced in my life! hahaha!
Back to Sabari's home we did some more go-ssip and I saw nice clothings for Sabari's wedding. hmmmm. The countdown has began, the tickets are booked by Mahesh!

Looks like a fantastic week ahead. My best wishes to you all too!!

Happy Diwali !!

Happy Diwali !!

Kindly accept these flowers,

And You are invited to walk your way To:

Physics Fun Days!

&

Something out of Nothing

Rishi Homa bliss

Magical memories of Navaratri still linger on my mind. After Rishi Homa I was in so much bliss! I took part in the Homa with some donation and formalities... I got the prasadam and ...

A beautiful locket, as I had received last year after participating in Sudarshan Homa!
In the Rishi Homa, all the Rishis who have "Logged on to the cosmic consciousness and downloaded the knowledge of the self! - Sri Sri", are invited and given offerings. It was a wonderful atmosphere!

Care for your head...

B.D.A.

Bangalore Develeopment Authority can be called as Bangalore's Department of Archeology, for digging up the roads!

Double Dhamaka!

Hello Everybody!!

Can't hold this secret in my heart any longer...!

Girls, please take care of your hearts!

One of the most eligible bachelors, Sabariram has tied the knot with his friend Kavita, and the wedding is in November!! :)  

So Mahesh and I are catching up some last few dinners with him... Now a days he is available less and less, and he goes in some other world when a special phone call comes!! :)

Mahesh and I are looking forward to visit Madurai, and you are invited too!! Please inform me of your arrival in Advance. 

Adding to the Good news, Sabari will be going to Denmark in later part of November!! 

Which one!?!

Which Cap suits me most! Upper or lower collage, which row or column!

Being Non-Sticky!

The events in life leave an impression on mind, and that causes lack of clarity in observation, perception, expression. To have a clarity, one needs to have a mind that is like a non-stick pan!

After an event, espacially a negative one, one needs to clean up the mind so that it doesn't stick on to the event, and one can move ahead fresh in life!

Photographic mind

Mind is like a Camera:

Whatever is observed through the five senses, it captures an image and stores an impression in the memory somewhere.
Due to over-exposure of the world outside on the same memory disc inside, there is confusion:- Has it happened to you in a film camera, that a part of film is double-tripple exposed, and it carries no real picture! Such is the overexposure of events to the mind, that causes all the confusion. Like to write something fresh on a blackboard, you need to clean it first. So also the mind needs to be cleaned up!

21st km

This is an absolutely amazing gem of a work in devotional youthful music! Check out the copy in the Art of Living Divine shops nearby and tell me how you find the song "Just Breathe"!

I need more such!

Karnataka Rapid Chess Championship

It was in Mangalore, in last November I guess. Over the weekend. I missed my first of 10 rounds due to late reaching of bus... Then obviously won most of the rounds, till a draw. And then winning all the last rounds, I stood joint first! On progressive counts it was second rank. I was amazed at my own performance after a gap of some 8 years in Chess tournaments!

Caption This!

The safest place for ...

...my chappals in the ashram is ...

...below my vehicle!

Kidnap

Saw Kidnap... my rating 6/10. As Bhawana says, I am used to find some thing sensible from non-sensical movies too!
Anyways, this post is not about the movie... But the actual story in which a guy almost kidnapped me and Sabari for few minutes, here is how!

We were returning late from Ashram, almost 11pm... Somehow got lift till Konankunte cross, few km before Banashankari. Then there are these office vehicles which take passengers on way to their night duty, and make pocket money for themselves. Its not a bad idea, as its not easy to get conveyance at that time. So we asked for travel to Koramangala. He asked for 100,and I said no then drop us at Banashankari, for 30 Rs. He agreed and we sat in. Then I made the mistake. I asked him, will you come for 70Rs to Koramangala. He didn't agree, and kept mum. In Banashankari, he didn't have parking place, so he pushed off a bit... Sabari got down, me too, and I had no change, so gave a note of 100, and asked for change.. but he didn't have it too, and started moving! then I got in and Sabari got in too, and as we moved further, looking for change, he started demanding more,something like 50 or so. After some arguments, I wanted to just get out of vehicle, and asked him to stop... But he wouldn't stop, and started moving much faster!!
Now I threatened to jump out by opening the door slightly.. this put him off balance further and finally when he stopped at a place, midway between koramangala and Banashankari, he was asking same high money...
Arguments continued on footpath, and I looked at the jeep number intending to copy it... That's it.. he was shouting and threatening to give a blow! He stood so close to me, my feet started trembling... At this time Sabari's coolness helped... He somehow convinced him for 80-90 bucks and we got in..
The part that I was angry at was that he was demanding us to take ride with him, when we didn't agree to. and then he was not stopping also when we wanted.

But his final avatar changed me. He threatened that he would follow us to home and come back and hit us! After that I was all soft, and asked him why he was so aggressive. He wouldn't talk... Sabari's kannada/tamil came to help. He found out that the driver was angry on me noting the number, since if we tell that to police, their job is lost for few years.

Finally we reached Koramangala, paid him handsome amount, thanked him to drop all the way, and gave him a packet of biscuit too. He left and then we walked to our homes. That night I couldn't sleep well!
Discussing with Sabari I realised and still remember one point which came up: I was wondering why such an incidence wouldnt even happen to Swamijis or teachers in aol. First was that their travel would be planned and they would have the conveyance ready. Second more important thing Sabari pointed out is that these Swamijis are so centered that they first think of the welfare of other person. What I was doing in my bargain with the driver was to make most of my profit, leaving very little margin for him.
This is where Saints differ, they think of others first.
Since then i have stopped bargaining. I just quote the rent I would give, if they agree yes, else I just say no thank you, please carry on. No further discussions.
Its great Sabari was there then, else I would have lost temper much more!

My designs!

Save Water...

Tagged

1. If your lover betrayed you, what will your first thought be?

I will go blanck for long time.


2. If you can have a dream coming true, what would it be?

Grandmaster in Chess


3. What is the one thing most hated by you?

Taste of Karela


4. What would you do with a billion dollars?

Keep one million with me, 9 million for my family and friends(so if you want to be a millionair sometime, you need to keep me in good terms!) and donate the rest to Guruji !


5. Will you fall in love with your best friend?

ya

6. Which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?

2nd. When someone loves you, you also start loving that person sometime or other!

7. How long do you intend to wait for someone you really love?

until that person wishes

8. If the person you secretly like is already attached, what would you do?

wait and watch!

9. If you like to act with someone, who will it be? Your gf/bf or an actress/actor?

Jim Carry

10. What takes you down the fastest?

temptations.... don't ask me which ones!

11. How would you see yourself in ten years time?

Check my post on "Life and afterlife of a research scholar"... Possibilities abound!

12. What's your fear?

that i might fall of some place or some road accident!

13. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?

sweet and simple

14. Would you rather be single and rich, or married but poor?

Rich, married or not doesn't matter!

15. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

Big Yawn

16. Would you give all in a relationship?

whatever is needed to be given

17. If you fall in love with two people simultaneously, who would you pick?

one who loves me!

18. Would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that special someone has done?

I will forgive, but not forget.

19. If you get to go back in time and fall in love all over again , would it still be with the same person?

Yes, very much.

20. List 6 people to tag.

Bawa n Dinesh
Rashmin

Kanasu

Akhilesh

Sabariram

Guys do it. Its fun!

Water and light

Thus they walked ...

...together for more years of life than I have lived myself! In the times of turbulence and happiness, leading and following, discovering and troubleshooting, caring and sharing... Parents are there unchanging factors in the changing world.

We are in denial :- Sri Sri

We are in denial :- Sri Sri Ravishankar
Negating identity causes inaction, sloth and lethargy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you come across a Communist, with a Hindu name, and ask him about his identity, he will deny being a Hindu. Yet, a Muslim Communist often claims his identity without hesitation. One wonders what causes this difference in attitude.

It is interesting to probe into the psyche of identity, which often is a source of security, insecurity, conflict and comfort. Perhaps the following reasons would answer the identity crises of the Hindus. The broadmindedness of Hinduism, its inherent inclusiveness and secularism, makes Hindus feel guilty about claiming their identity, as it is embedded in their philosophy that it is wrong to exclude others. Claiming a religious identity makes them feel they are excluding others and so they shy away from doing so.

Hindus have been traditionally groomed by the Vedanta to drop all identities. This has deeply influenced the Hindu psyche. Hindu philosophy is woven around egolessness. Let alone their religion, some sadhus don’t even say their name; they would say, “What’s in a name?” Sanyasis are even shy to talk about their parentage. A renowned ascetic in Rishikesh would meet with everybody, but not his own mother and family. When asked, he would say, “I am Vedanti; once I have taken sanyasa, I have dropped all my identities.”

This is an erroneous understanding of Vedanta. Why do we fear the identity so much? Seeing identity as stumbling blocks for one’s growth is ignorance. Sanyasa is transcending identity; it is being in that centredness from where you have equal love and compassion for all. It is the unshakable light and richness that one has found in one’s Being which is universal. Transcending identity is different from denying identity. When religious leaders themselves denounce their identity, the community follows suit. This is akin to the thought that secularism is anti-religion.

Caste identity is in some places much stronger than religious identity. The normal tendency is to go for one single identity than for a dual one. So, between caste and religion, many Hindus seem to go for caste. Hindus feel ashamed of the ills of Hinduism — its superstition, untouchability, and practices like sati are usually highlighted in the media, rather than its unparalleled philosophy and scientific temperament. Thus, for several centuries Hindu bashing has been a fashion.

The media seems to have given the prerogative of Hindu identity to the RSS and VHP and secular-minded Hindus would not like to associate with these two organisations. As a result they shy away from their own identity.

Within India itself, we witness a great deal of ignorance about the Hindu religion and its scriptures. Although Hindus form 80 per cent population of India, there is still only one university which teaches Hinduism — whereas there are five which teach Islam, five which teach Christianity, two which teach Sikhism and one that teaches Jainism. You would find every Muslim would know a couple of verses from the Quran; you can hardly find a Christian who has not read the Bible.

But Hindus who know Sanskrit or a few shlokas are rare. Most educated Hindus know the Bible; they know Christmas carols. When they know nothing about their religion, how can they take pride in it?

There are 1.25 billion Hindus in the world, a little over one-sixth of the world’s population, but you hardly find a single Hindu lobby at international forums. You will find a Christian lobby, a Muslim lobby or a Jewish lobby, but you can’t find a Hindu lobby. Just 12 million Jews in the world are such a powerful voice. Buddhists also have a voice and make their presence felt at world forums.

In countries of south and central America and in Europe, although they are secular democracies, they are not shy to proclaim their allegiance to Christianity. You will find the religious symbol of the Cross placed in their parliaments; chaplains offer prayer before every official dinner. While associations like YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) have gained wide acceptance. Why then is it that Hindu associations are viewed with scepticism?

A strong community is an asset to any nation. A weak community will always be in fear and because of insecurity will become aggressive. It is the pride in one’s identity which strengthens the community. Identity is in no way contradictory to universality.

People often ask, “Will not the concept of global family, Vasudhaiva Kutambakam, contradict patriotism? Similarly, will your religious identity not conflict with your universality?’’ The answer is “No”. Your duty as a family man is not a hindrance for your realisation that you are Brahman. You don’t need to run away to the forest to realise “All this is Brahman”. Your being spiritual in no way contradicts your being a socially responsible citizen. In fact, it enhances your ability to care and share.

The conflict in the world is because people are either stuck in their identity, and die for it, or shy away from their identity and lose their roots. One has to opt for a middle path. The ideal situation will be when every religion transcends its identity. Until that time, it is unwise for the Hindus to let go of their identity. We cannot, and should not, eliminate differences on this planet. We need to celebrate the differences. And this is the uniqueness of Bharat — from the atheism of Charvaka to Bhakthi Panth and Sufism, it’s one beautiful bouquet.

An identity is related to an action. Denial of identity will dump you in inaction, sloth and lethargy and hence Krishna reminds Arjuna of his Kshatriya identity even while giving “Brahma gyan” to remind him of his duties and responsibilities. Otherwise while giving this High knowledge of the Self, why would Krishna remind him again and again of his limited identity. The limited identity in no way contradicts the universal one. A policeman cannot perform his duties — steer the traffic — if he fails to acknowledge his identity. Similarly, if a businessman shies away from his identity, he cannot function. The same is the story of Hindu identity. India cannot make a distinct mark on the world if it ignores its religious and spiritual heritage.

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This Article is written by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar in The Indian Express, on 27 Nov 2004.

Tom Carratee

For those who want a quick to munch dish, here is one:
Peeled and grated carrot
Sliced tomato
Cheese
Atta or Brown Bread
Haldiram's Bhujia sev
Chat Masala
Place the things as shown in above picture to make a simple sandwich and munch!
Its very tasty, quite filling, 2-3 pieces can be enough for a lunch.
Its also good for health as I will describe later... till then, enjoy the taste!

Few notes... if you don't have grater, you can make slanted thin cuts on carrot, just like you sharpen a pencil using a blade.

If you prefer the sandwich to be half cut, or diagonally cut, then cut the bread before itself, not after putting the things in.