Q w/o A - I ....

Is everything written or "maktub".

Is the future charted by destiny or free-will.

***

I have no answers.

Associative Nostalgia - III ... Children's Comics

This is an attempt to write about the more beautiful things that thankfully exist on earth; after what had been a series of serious posts.

***

Tinkle, Chandamama (not strictly a comic, but still...), Amar Chitra Katha, Champak, Billoo, Pinki, Chacha Choudhary (whose brain works faster than a computer), Mandrake, Chacha Bhatija, Gokulam, ...... and the universal Tintin, Asterix, Richie Rich, Casper, Archie (and the Little Archie ones..; never really liked them though), ......

The one thing that is common to all of them, is that they would remain beautiful no matter how old, matured and worldly the once-upon-a-child becomes. Each comic has its own USP. Each is colourful. The good and the bad exist (as real as it can be). It is always the triumph of the good over the evil. The characters are as real as real life ones. Of course, in some of these, like Champak and some stories in Tinkle (Kalia the crow, Kapish, etc.), the characters happen to be animals. Who cannot but remember the Jataka Tales of Wisdom and the ready wit of Birbal and Tenali Rama brightly captured as comic strips. Amar Chitra Katha does cover many topics ranging from fables to biographical accounts of the historical greats to spotlight on Indian culture to what not.

Such simple children's comics do have valuabe lessons for us, no matter how old we are. I recently came across a Mathnawi by Rumi which was similar to a tale from the Panchatantra. The lessons remain the same, but in different forms and languages. It is not a shame to continue to read these comics. They often bring a smile onto us. The very Obelix and his cravings for wild boar, the Thompson and Thomsons (one with and without the "p"), the gifted language of Captain Haddock, Cacophonix and his musical abilities, the duel between Fullyautomatix and Unhygienix, the intelligence of Asterix and our very own Chacha Choudhary (both happen to be short persons), ....

***

The truth is a big circle and at times a paradox too. A person is always in search of the truth, and more often than not, he/she comes back to the same point of departure. This is to remind us.. We have come from the earth and we would go back to the same. So, when we are here, it would be best for us to love the beauties that the earth has to offer us in so many forms; without any pride and prejudice, whatsoever.

August 15....

The Independence Day of India. Back in 1947, the partition of India lead to the birth of two new states - India and Pakistan. India has come a long way since then, with her own share of ups and downs. A few of her dreams have been realized and a few shattered to pieces. Yet, she goes on dreaming with the hope that people begin to realize and act.

The middle class youth and the educated would be disenchanted with the politics. Politics, my dear reader, is the same everywhere. Every country has its own share of turmoils and politically motivated masterplans. People, the very educated ones, once they settle down towards a decent living, begin to criticize at India. It is like dishonouring her. She is what we make her to be. This is more so among the Indians out here in the US (the NRI's or as Geeta from the movie Swades puts it - "The Non-returning Indians"). This is not to mean that all the Indians in India are proactive and working towards her development. This is not to mean that the Indians in India don't criticize.

There are a few organizations like AID, ASHA, etc. out here in the US which do significant work towards the development of India. It all depends on the attitude of the people. These organizations have a limited yet dedicated volunteer base. It doesn't really matter as to where one is.

It is time we did something rather than just sit laid back, talking and criticising. I urge everyone of you to be a lighthouse, spreading light in whatever significant/ insignificant manner. This is the only solution thanks to which the concept of "India Shining" would become more of a reality rather than remain a virtuality or an impossible dream.

Jai Hind.

PS: Coverage of July 04.

Health Consciousness...

As a sequel to the previous post. It merits mention that the author felt that it was high time we looked for the inner beauty in ourselves and others. This article presents a different viewpoint on the subject of physical well-being.

Is it wrong to be physically conscious. Is it all right to wallow in self-pity over our seemingly ill-toned and ill-structured bodies. Is it not time now to do something about them.

Yes. It is time. But then, why should one do it? Is it to get into the books and looks of the people around us. I would say a definite big NO to that. The only sensible answer would be - for our very own physical well-being. Obesity is known to cause certain fatal complications later on in life. Moreover, a well-toned body gives that divine peaceful easy feeling. Exercise keeps one active too. I have seen 60+ men jogging their way to glory. So looking at it at the micro level of our very own self, we need to have a well-toned body.

But then, in some cases, people desperate to put on weight stay lean despite their eating a lot of junk stuff. On the other side, people desperate to lose weight remain as they are despite their compulsive dieting (which at times reaches heights of paranoia). In such cases, I guess we need to learn to accept ourselves as we are; and yet continue to exercise to keep ourselves "fit".

Well, Why do I seem to contradict myself, every now and then? Its all got to do with paradigms.

PS: Btw, for those factors beyond our control and influence, like our skin color, we have to be happy as we are. Commenting on the beauty of a person based on skin alone is down-right vulgar and shameful.

PS2: I have known of instances where a person with spectacles looks down upon an another because she/he is wearing spectacles. An inexcusable case of double standards.

Beauty (Revisited)....

Who defines beauty in a woman? One of my friends went this far to comment that He/She made women during his/her free time with great creativity and craftsmanship. Most romantic images, be it words, pictures, poems, paintings, songs, etc. have emphasised greatly on this feminine beauty. There does happen to be a rich repertoire of metaphors ascribed to the concept of feminine beauty, grace and charm.

Images of lust conjure up in the minds of young men and old men too, and preferences seem to be greatly different. Men, especially when in a group, "critically" rate the women under their purview on a scale of 10. I have known places where they have great means of referring to the women in question and consideration. For e.g. say 3 o'clock can be given a CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) of 6. The other would say, "Oh! Come on. She deserves more." Guess, this is a routine in the life of an average male. That is the irony of it all. The average male passes critical reviews on the beauty of women, totally unconscious of his lack of masculine beauty or handsomeness.

Can everyone be a diva or a madonna or the perfect epitome of a well-chiselled sculpture? What about the less fortunate ones. Does beauty translate to the plane of materialism where it boils down to just the physical structure. What about the inner beauty which when rightly appreciated would overwhelm the most stoic of a person himself? Sadly, with so much emphasis being placed on the physical beauty, women strive their best to uphold the norms of the masculine society. Women less endowed would be wrongly judged and would have to live with that inferiority complex for ever.

But then, are the women less beautiful in the eyes of the cruel world really not happy? Are they single. Don't they find their someone somewhere? The only thought that comes to my mind is the poem about Laila and Majnu, that has been beautifully captured with words by Rumi.

A gist of it is this.

Caliph : Laila, What did Majnu see in you? You are just like any other ordinary woman.

Laila : In the eyes of Majnu, I am the most beautiful woman; and your eyes are simply not his.

It is time, we as men, learnt to reach out towards the inner beauty in a person. I guess the same applies to women too. The inner beauty is neither feminine nor masculine. It is something, which, both men and women possess; and which remains pregnant most of the time within the person. It gives birth when the doors of the impregnable fortress, read the soul, open through the means of connectivity, with an another soul.

PS: This article is on women from the point of view of men. I do not know about the other side's opinions on men.

PS2: Lastly, this article is dedicated to my friend, (let it be anon.), who triggered it all off today, with his seemingly innocuous comment mentioned earlier on.

PS3: The previous thread on beauty of a different kind is also beautiful in its own sweet way.

Money (Revisited)....

More at the micro level of the self. The reader can refer to an earlier post for the author's views on the same at the macro level.

Does possession of money necessarily translate towards a paradigm shift where in a luxury becomes a necessity. Is it a case of "sour grapes" for the "lesser fortunate" souls who do not have money. Is man (for that matter, an woman) ever contented with the money he/she has. Is it wrong to be a materialist. Is it worth spending vulgarly on those "necessities" when a definite change can be brought about in an another's life. Who are we to help others - are we breeding parasites?

Opinions on these confounding questions are more than welcome.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S

Most people know you for what you seem to be. Few know as to who you really are.

Why do we need friends? In most cases, they come into our lives, become dangerously close only to diverge. I am talking of divergence in the form of physical separation. There is a more unfortunate case of divergence, when friends part not as friends, but strangers. I would like to talk of the first scenario. I will talk about the case of dissonance and mutual severing of the relationship later on.

The world is full of people. Most times, bystanders, acquaintances and friends, serve as omens to provide us with valuable lessons of the world. At times, the lessons are only too bitter and bring forth betrayal, treachery and unhappiness. There are times, when the friendship is so so beautiful that there is amazing connectivity and resonance. Such friendships are rare to come by. Hurt is a part and parcel of this process of seeking friends. However, the soul is always on the lookout for another soul that would match it beautifully. The fear of hurt is always lurking in the corner of the mind or in the heart.

First of all, why do we have friends when we all know that we would be parting ways sooner or later, hopefully as friends. Separation and farewells are difficult but inevitable. Why do those few people who know you really really well later on turn to those strangers who not know you that well? They cannot be blamed; because a person keeps changing with the hope that the change is for the better.

Is it a difficult thing to do - being friends for life. I truly do not know. I guess that feeling needs to be mutual. As is important in any relationship - as long as there is mutual respect and love, the friendship should stand the tests of time. The only "sane" way at looking at the bigger scheme of things - We encounter so many people in our lives - as bystanders, acquaintances, friends, best friends, etc.; maybe more so to appreciate the "right" ones that come along.

PS: As a rejoinder, even the serial F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is no more so. Sadly, all beautiful things do come to an end. This really gives me the shivers. Or is it that one beautiful thing leads to another beautiful thing? I truly do not know. I would really appreciate your opinions on this bewildering topic. I must admit that this is one of the most incoherent pieces written by me. Kindly excuse that.

PS2: This blog is dedicated to all the people in my life, who have provided me with lessons. Each and every experience with another individual has brought forth its own share of joys and sorrows.

Unparliamentary Words....

Paradigm #1

Bad words are so so essential in relationships, esp. between close friends of the same sex. The free unrestricted use of such words develops a sense of bonding and closeness between the friends. They are usually filler words with no harmful and malicious intent whatsoever. This I believe is universal. Each language has a rich repertoire of such "good" words.

Paradigm #2

Bad words are used in the sense that they are meant for. Rude, abusive and unparliamentary and loaded with harmful and malicious intent. This usage is what I loathe. Recently, I came to know about many unfortunate incidents that had actually happened. Minorities (esp. the coloured ones), women (the beautiful and the not-so-beautiful ones), etc. were involved in events where the so-called self-thinking "evolved" souls literally cursed them with such words (that don't merit mention here). Sadly, in some cases, the event also lead to a physical assault. What is the world coming to?

The Face....

"Face is the index of the mind" is a well-known saying. However, does every face convey the true emotions of the heart and the simple/convoluted thoughts of the mind. The fantasies that the human mind can weave are often spell-bounding and enigmatic too.

But, then, each face that we come across in our lives has a story behind it. And each face is hardly a open book. It is always on the lookout for other faces that understands not just the face; but then, the body, mind, heart and soul of that face too.

Each and every face in this world has an interesting story to tell. Fortunate and blessed are the ones willing to listen to such stories.

Sour Grapes.....

A highly optimistic way of looking at things. Instead of regretting or repenting over what had happened, the "grapes are sour" paradigm does wonders to one's psyche. When someone wants something badly, and that same something doesn't happen - then what can one poor soul do? Just make this good old claim of sour grapes and carry on. A rather difficult thing to do, but then much better than wallowing in excessive self-pity.

Indianness X - Restaurants....

The article in "The Hindu" about our very own President Dr. Kalam recommending the good old vadai to Icelanders made me finally write this long-pending article now. Let me not make this to be an extensive coverage of vadai. That article has done great justice to this South Indian delicacy. One point, however, merits mention. In one of the Indian restaurants in the US, it was advertised as "The Indian Do-nut". What a way to attract attention of the ignorant ones? When I am at it, the Onion Uttapam was described as "The Indian Pizza - with onion topping" and the Sambhar as "Lentil Soup".

The restaurants in the US do their best to project the Indianness, that is sadly not available anywhere else in the world but India. Believe me, restaurants do hold a special place in an Indian's heart. Sadly, people of our grandmother's generation are strictly anti-restaurants. Most restaurants/mami's place/iyer's lunch home/udupi high class vegetarian hotels/ whatever, use the indispensable onion for almost every preparation. This fact doesn't really appeal to the orthodox class of the society. Having a coffee there is also taboo. I happen to know of people who have gone to restaurants on the stealth, just to avoid the wrath of these people.

The face-lift that the restaurants have undergone is shocking. No longer is it the simple place to have that Sambhar-Vada or Masala Dosa and a cup of coffee. The quality of food has deteriorated with the people giving more preference to the ambience, location and the seemingly vulgar catering to the high-class. Nowadays, the food being catered to the high-class is no longer high-class. This is not to say that all restaurants are like that. There are some that continue to survive these necessary yet difficult times of westernization and modernization, courtesy their USP - Indianness.

What is the appeal of these places catering to the high-class? Is it because people have lots of money to splurge on something as banal as dining out. People end up spending around 20 times what they would have in a normal restaurant. During my trip to India this Dec-Jan, I was surprised to find people giving preference to Subway (where they dole out their health conscious low calorie salad based subs), MacDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut, etc. over the best restaurants catering to the middle-class with high-class food.

Another incident to mention. I had been to a "rustic" high-class udupi hotel in Triplicane, Madras with my father during my trip. That place was supposed to have been established pre-independence and its main USP was and continues to be Sambhar Idli and Onion Rava. People (all normal sane ones, poor and the rich alike) thronged to this place to have that white, soft, puffed rice pancakes dipped in lentil soup made with small onions.

Rusticity Rules!!!

July 04...

The land where people of a certain kind are termed "Aliens" celebrated its I-day today. The non-aliens were at their patriotic best, and such feelings were highly contagious. So, we (the aliens) celebrated the I-day too.

Independence, is too neat a concept and importantly is worth every bit of our support, no matter where we may be. May all of us find the "real" independence to do what we really want to - be it personal, academic, professional, spiritual, or whatever.

PS: a real short one, courtesy Ammani's influence?? :)

Malignant Cancer I - Dowry...

This is a topic that every right-thinking person (no political overtones intended) has strong views on. The author recently came across poignant and thought-provoking short stories by our very own Premchand and Tagore on the evils of Dowry. Guess thought-provoking would be a mild way of mentioning it. A better description would be, those stories would make your blood boil. It does surprise me that Dowry continues to plague the Indian society, among the elite and the educated classes too.

Dowry is one of the means of the vulgar and demeaning objectification of the woman. Is it in recognition of a groom's upbringing or education. In some communities in India, the rate increases with a person's education standards. IITs, BITS and IIMs bring in more money. Much better if the person in question happens to be doing his graduate studies in the land of dreams for many - the US. What shocks me is that this is happening among the so-called educated people. Most have this inevitable excuse - "Depends on my parents. If they want me to take dowry, then I cannot go against them. I do not want to hurt them." As banal and absurd as it sounds, this is one of the cheapest ways of cleansing the conscience of whatever iota of guilt it does have.

Another means of justification goes like this - "The parents of the bride are rich, well-to-do, have lots of money and lands. She is the only daughter. So, what's wrong in their parents gifting us "Dowry"?" Is money a quantity to be hoarded and bartered for a woman. What are the grooms doing with their education? Why cannot they stand on their own legs? Why look for easy money? Does a person love his wife more because she got in more money. Believe me, money is the easiest way to a person's heart. Sons-in-law have a real soft corner for their in-laws who are well-to-do courtesy their own hard work. This is not to say that daughters-in-law do not have similar respect for the in-laws. Sad, but true.

Money continues to play a havoc in the lives of the people. People who do not have money crave for it. People who have money are not satisfied. People always seem to be on the look-out for easy money. This is where I love the utopian village of Ayn Rand's creation in "The Atlas Shrugged". Well, I am going off-tangent here. So coming back to this malignant cancer, it does have a lot of social repercussions. People consider the girl child a burden. They start saving towards her wedding right from her birth. The wedding which is supposed to be a celebration of joy - the union of a man and a woman - becomes an albatross around the neck for the parents. Then, there are the concepts of societal obligations and status maintenance. The parents of the bride continue to spend huge amounts on the event which becomes more a welcome/unwelcome means of flaunting their status. People cease to be themselves; and what can you or I do?

Well, what was the purpose of this article? Can a few idealogists bring about a change in the society. It is foolish to think that Dowry is a happening of the past. It very much continues to grow; assuming even more grotesque forms because of the increased sophistry involved these days. The writers (then and now) have given vent to their feelings on "Dowry" by employing the devices of sarcasm and melancholic tragedies. But then, people continue to be like that. All that I can say is that the resolution for "A No to Dowry" should come from within.

It is with a mixed feeling of frustration, helplessness and hope, that I rest this case here.

Scent of a Woman....

This article is with reference to the medium of Indian Cinema. The role of an actress in a movie has undergone a catastrophic metamorphosis. Recently, I came across an article about an actress(?), who proudly claimed to be the "Kissing Queen". The role of the woman in most movies of today has been reduced to the oomph and vulgar objectification of the woman. Thankfully, role-oriented movies keep coming once in a while, and such movies are equivalent to an oasis in a vast desert. The seeker in search of water in the desert would at most times refuse the filthy water being offered today. In the current scenario, the water offered by Chandalika of Tagore fame would be the purest of all. More pure than everything and way above the actual filth.

The land of Madhubala, Savitri, Nutan, Jaya Bhaduri, etc is a sad and mute witness to this plight. The scene is worse in the Telugu and Tamil Filmdoms. These industries seem to thrive on the actresses from the north. The success of an actress is nowadays inversely proportional to her dressing sense. "Lesser, the more merrier" seems to be the order of the day. Well, what is it that makes the public want to see such movies (that gives the porn industry a run for its money). Or is it just the manifestation of the views of the present generation and in the name of woman's emancipation. I frankly do not know. There were a fair share of movies with the oomph factor in the 70's and 80's, courtesy the vamps. But then, what is currently being produced, seems to be with a huge difference in the attitude.

Is a woman a mere object; something to be acquired at all costs. Does an extra-marital affair translate to the expression of a woman's free will. Be it a man or a woman, this expression cannot be condoned. Further, what is being displayed as love in the movies is a crass mis-representation of this sublime emotion. There is no concept of a romantic duet nowadays. Even the songs with the two going around trees amidst nature of the yesterera have given way to a group dance with so many extras with skimpy clothes thrown in for added pleasure. I cannot fathom why all this continues to happen. People seem to be obsessed with one thing - Sex. They do not want to talk openly about it. To satisfy their urges, they seem to derive vicarious pleasure from such movies. Would this be why such movies are being produced. A better solution for these filmdoms would be to provide its loyal fans - XX movies. It is better to shatter the glass rather than live inside a hell-producing glass house.

Compare the present arrant trash with those movies of yesterera. Nutan epitomises the woman in movies like Sujata and Bandini. Madhubala does justice in Chalti Ka Naam Ghadi. Jaya Bhaduri dressed in starched cotton saree with no/minimal makeup emotes amazingly well in Piya Ka Ghar, Abhimaan, Kora Khagaz, etc. It begins to hit you hard with the more you compare. Something must be done about the helplessness and the frustration that one experiences. I am still trying to find that "Something". We cannot and shouldn't gift these movies as a legacy to the children of tomorrow.

What should then be the safest approach? Being against something would mean sticking to that same something. I guess it would be best to let things be as they are. Does this contradict the previous para. The road to salvation definitely knocks on the doors of sins and suffering. I am sure that the manifestation of the true spirit of the woman - the feminine face of God would happen amidst such filth and chaos. The children of today and tomorrow would learn it the real hard way, making the lesson all the more valuable.

PS: As has been mentioned, thankfully, there are a few handful of movies with real substance, that surface every now and then. Such movies need the right attention and appreciation from us; whether they succeed or not at the box-office is an altogether a different issue.

Associative Nostalgia II - School Teachers....

Most schools start early. Most teachers are women. Most of the women have household responsibilites too. Most of them have their share of blues of life. Most of them cook, get their family going in time during those hectic mornings, catch a bus/auto to school, and also be on time to school. Me for that matter, have been late to school, quite frequently.

To top it all off, a teacher's salary is not that great. What is it that drives the world of a teacher?

This question becomes all the more difficult to answer when the teacher happens to be a man. Nowadays, both have equal earning capabilities. However, in households of the traditional man as the bread-winner types, it becomes increasingly difficult to manage the household. I have seen Sir's take extra tuitions to augment their income. So, again, we come back to the basic tenet. All are one and the same. Be it a man or a woman.

Teaching involves shouting at the top of their voices. Further, unruly classes need to be controlled. An unruly class can create inexplicable havoc in a teacher's life. Then, there is the eternal happening of students commenting on their teachers. She is partial, yaa. She likes him. He likes her. She gives more marks to him. He doesn't like me. She makes me go to sleep. Oh! He is so boring. She gives lots of homework. He doesn't allow me to enjoy my Sunday.

So, coming back to the basic question. What is it that drives the world of a teacher?

"Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya"

O Mother! Help me lead the children from darkness to light. There can be no other reason. I have seen teachers from middle class households who need the income to supplement their way of life. Further, I have seen teachers from well-to-do househould, with their husbands amazingly high up the technical/corporate ladder who teach more to put their degree to use. The one thing that is common amongst all -They love what they are doing. Blesssed are these souls who do what they love to. Satisfaction, Contentment, Happiness are certain pursuits that Money can definitely not buy.

So, what is it that they expect from the students? Believe me, they are so generous that they do not demand anything. Their greatest happiness is when their ward has come up in life and when he/she is happy. They always pray for the well-being of their students. Where else can you find such loving people, who are very well part of your family, yet are not so by blood.

The least that we can do, for all the wonderful things that they have taught us, be it academic or non-academic, is to remember them, and pay a visit to them whenever possible. The joy that a student has remembered his/her guru, is unparalleled.

I end this heavily nostalgic piece, by praying for the well-being of all my Guru's. I have begun to see all of them as one; though in my younger days, I too was partial to some of them. The love, reverence, attachment and respect that a Shisya has for a Guru is the best possible gift and believe me, this gift is ephemeral. The Shisya doesn't forget his/her Guru's during the entire lifetime. Maybe, when each of us are entangled in the web of life, we fail to express contentment and gratitude to them. However, deep inside, within the subconscious, we deeply love and respect these teachers.

That's the beauty of it all. Love and Respect, both going hand-in-hand. Not many relationships exist with these two seemingly conflicting emotions at the same time.

PS: When the author generalizes most teachers to be women, he is not being sexist. Well, a majority of my teachers happened to be women. During the beginning of the article, the author wanted to highlight the dual roles played by the woman in the society.

Associative Nostalgia I - Childhood friends....

Where are those friends of yesteryears?

What are they upto in life now?

How has life treated them so far?

Well, faces and their childhood innocence to serve as a constant reminder that they had once existed in a person's life. Would we be able to recognize them now. Thanks to www.orkut.com and the net, being in touch with friends and acquaintances of the recent past is a happening thing.

As we grow up, supposedly "mature", we tend to have expectations from our friends. There are some points of appeal in him/her. Blessed be the friendships that have multiple mutual planes of interactions. We start picking friends. We become cynical of people too. We get hurt by simple things courtesy the people around us. The so-called matured mind starts filtering people before converting them to friendships and relationships. That is all now, when we have grown up.

But what about those friends, who were all part of our lives. In fact more than a part of our lives. Where our lives seemed to revolve around them, and life without them seemed to be impossible. We shared a lot of joys together. How simple things brought us unlimited joy?

Now, we are no longer together. We don't even know as to what the other is doing. All that we can hope is that they are all doing great. The irony is that the separation was not induced. It was not due to loss of face/respect, irreconciliable differences or whatever. It just happened.

Childhood friends - more like seeds of a pollinating plant - the Mother Earth herself. Now, they have all dispersed and turned into beautiful fruits. Would each fruit recognize the other now. Thankfully, we are still under the loving embrace and care of the Mother Earth.

Lastly, a dangerous question. Even if they were to meet, would it ever be the same as before.

PS: I have used "We" everywhere. The author believes that this phenomenon is universal. Such nostalgic thoughts would have definitely embraced each person's life at some point of time or the other.

The Five Books You Meet In Earth....

My very good friend Hesam wanted me to compile a list of 5 books that have affected me the most. Believe me, from that day, this mind was searching, accepting and rejecting books. Well, I happen to love books. Books are there to teach us. But, then with so many wonderful books waiting to be read, it does sound immature to bring out a list of Top 5. But then, I will definitely oblige a request from Hesam.

***

With no prejudice whatsoever, here are the five books that I fortunately happened to encounter. There are many more that could have been in the list. And there are many more waiting to be read and assimilated.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Its all about following your dream. A simple story woven around a simple theme. The simplicity is what astonishes us. Talks about certain ways of life that can be considered most natural, but sadly and unfortunately forgotten. For those of us daring to dream, or simply put, having the courage the dream, it is better to follow the dream and bear with the consequences rather than live with that regret.

Roots by Alex Haley

An enquiry into the past as Alex Haley traces his roots back to Africa. A deeply moving book. We often wonder about our ancestry and for Alex Haley, this daring adventure would have been both satisfying and horrendous (courtesy the cruelties heaped on his ancestors). Provides valuable insights into the psychology of the individual.

An Equal Music by Vikram Seth

The only romantic novel to feature in this list. Set admist romantic settings of Europe (Vienna, Italy, UK, etc.) and Classical Music, Vikram Seth sensuously glides us along the main theme with his poetic prose. Provides valuable insights into the musical life of a musician. How music unifies the people and how music makes and destroys the fragile fabric of relationships.

Surely You're Jokin! Mr. Feynman by Richard Feynman

To Define is to Limit. This book takes you along the seemingly funny adventures of a curious character - Richard Feynman, himself. His eclectic and esoteric tastes, philosophy of dignified tolerance and enthusiasm to importantly try out new things leave one with mixed feelings - zeal and frustration.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

A simple story. There definitely is a Jonathan Livingston Seagull in each one of us. Highlights the seemingly thin shade of difference between living and existing. Often, we are so entangled in the web of life, that we often cease to live. We simply exist.

***

Others that happened to narrowly miss the list were The Bridge Across Forever by Richard Bach, Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho, Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, Fine Things by Danielle Steele, The Luck of the Bodkins by P G Wodehouse (my first book by Plum), The Dark Room (my first book by RKN), Trustee from the toolroom by Nevil Shute, Nirmala by Premchand, Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer, The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom, and so on.

As an extension, here are the five authors/authoresses who have had a great impact in my life. I bow down to them in deep reverence, love and gratitude. I have read the same books over and over; and I happen to love each and every book. Well, love might be an understatement. I happen to be dangerously crazy of each one of them.

Pelham Grenville Wodehouse (Plum)

R K Narayan (RKN)

Enid Blyton

Paulo Coelho

James Hadley Chase

Well, Chase might be a revolutionary inclusion. Famous/infamous for their paperback covers, they are nevertheless, amazing books on the psychology of the criminal. Written solely from the criminal's point, they delve into the reasons behind the shattering metamorphosis from an innocent peace-loving individual to a violent, often helpless, criminal.

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Lastly, I request Abilin, Saurav, Arun, Ajay, Nitin and Abhilash to come up with their list of five books. Subtle recommendations do work.

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Randomhouse's 100 Best Novels. And, an interesting list by Eroteme.

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Hesam, I am beginning to love this. :)

Indianness IX - Mulligatawny Soup.....

For those of you wondering as to what this title means; well, it is the British equivalent of a South-Indian mouth-watering dish that goes about being referred to as Rasam/Saar/Saaru in most parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The British fell in love with this clone(?) of tomato soup. By the way, Mulligatawny soup refers to "Pepper Water" in Tamil. So, no points for guessing the ingredients of this dish. Tomatoes, Pepper, Curry leaves, Tamarind Water, Toor Dal, Mustard/Rye + Ghee for seasoning. Now, lets forget about the British. For all you know, this dish might very well be patented elsewhere under the name of Mulligatawny Soup for its medicinal properties. This dish does occupy a special place in the hearts of the people.

The making of the dish is relatively simple. Yet, only those fortunate few hands have that capability of making it taste really good. A person's cooking capabilities are often judged on the basis of the Rasam he/she prepares. Surprising, right. Well, this goes to say that the things taken for granted as simple/easy often prove to be the most difficult of things. Since the time of our ancestors, this dish has undergone numerous refinements.

First, the vessel itself. It is made in a "Seesas Thappel" which is actually made of lead or an alloy of lead. I had learnt (in high school Chemistry) that Tamarind and this very alloy react very slowly to create a compound that is poisonous. To put in simple words, preparation of Rasam in this vessel is definitely a slow poison. I used to wonder if our ancestors were mad for this fact didn't deter them or the inheritors of this legacy (us). They definitely believed in leading life the "Carpe Diem" way. And such is the hold of the sense of taste in a person's life, that we forget its poisonous nature. By the way, what is not a slow poison in this era of pollution?

Not every variety of tomato gives the same taste. In India, we have the Naattu Takkali (country side tomatoes) and Bangalore tomatoes. While the former is more on the sour side, small in size, and best when in the phase of neither being totally ripe or totally unripe; the latter is more on the sweet side. Well, Naattu Takkali does help in accentuating the taste of this dish. The Roma tomatoes available here serve the purpose, I suppose.

By the way, who would ever forget the role played by this dish during the grand meals (esp. during the festival times, marriages, upanayanams, etc). Served after Sambhar/Kootu, and before the customary second round of Kheer and first round of sweets, it is often a delight to watch people have Rasam Sadam/Saar Baath/Saaru Anna on a banana leaf. People are involved in this battle - how fast one can eat with the Rasam flowing all around the leaf towards the ground. I must say that people are ingenious. When the rice is served on the leaf, they make holes in the middle so as to accomodate Rasam. They build canals/dams/ and what not during that phase of the meal. Well, having this dish on a banana leaf demands great talent, and fortunately, one can achieve perfection by constant practice. Another lesson for us!

Well, I guess I have written a lot on this topic. Let me stop here. However, I must mention that such a simple dish, which most people take for granted, often proves to be elusive and blessed are the souls who have tasted and appreciated excellent Rasam. Well, what was served as Rasam in the messes would often drive away even the most tolerant of souls. So, people who had formed a biased opinion against Rasam, (courtesy that water which was doled out in huge quantities in the name of Rasam, only to be left untouched in most cases,) please do consider it favourably. Everything in the world deserves a second chance.

Lastly, I dedicate this blog to Gopi for having served this author excellent Rasam, a few days ago, in a place, miles away from the land of Rasam.

Service with a Smile..

The curtain raiser for today's event would be in the form of questions for which there are no universal answers. I would encourage you to think about them. Here, I would be presenting my views. I thank AID-TAMU for giving me this opportunity to express myself. There might be differing opinions and I would respect an individual's personal opinion and would expect the same from the other side.

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Life - A journey; where man and woman are one and the same; to experience the same joys and sorrows; to learn lessons and more importantly to do something about the lessons. It is not to so uncommon for us to get entangled in the web of life. Nothing else would then seem to matter. So, this reminds me of the basic question - What, then, is the concept of social service? Why does it exist? Is it fashionable for a person to be branded a social activist? What is his/her purpose in life? With the constant increase in the NGOs, this question becomes all the more important for us. In the first place, should service be allowed? Is it right for us to help others. Who are we to help others? Would helping others lead to the growth of dependents or in the extreme case, parasites?

Well, it truly depends on the quality of service being rendered. It is better to give the means of making a loaf of bread than the loaf itself to the deserving. Productivity, then, is rightly the solution. Thus, we need to give them the ways to sustain themselves. By this approach, we would definitely not be nurturing dependents. It so happens that there is a skew in the very distribution of resources. At times, people are simply helpless but to give in to the dire poverty. At the other end of the spectrum, we do have rich people who have come up the hard way, the simple way, the honest way, the crooked way, well, have come up nevertheless.

It is more at the micro level, at the level of humanness within us, "Service" of others can be beneficial in more ways than one. In the wise words of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian Nation,

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

Often we are so blinded in our thoughts, and are too involved with our very own problems. It so happens that we make mountains out of mole-hills too. The satisfaction and contentment that one gets from doing service is inexplicable. Best when experienced. For most of us, grappling from one end to another, "Service" opens up new frontiers, improves our understanding of the world around us, makes us forget our problems, etc. So, when we look outside the box, look at others less fortunate than others, we do have the sense of being more fortunate. This is not truly and ethically correct. We look towards someone less fortunate for our own appeasement. Celebrating the strengths, success in everyone, multiplying the joys would be a better goal. Nevertheless, the realization of this utopian dream needs a start. Thus, "Service" should rightly be a way of life and importantly, a means of service to our very own self.

What then are the qualities of a social worker? Service with a Smile. We are into this scheme of things for our very own sake. Often, we tend to bring others into the picture. We at times crave for recognition, appreciation, support. When we encounter criticism, we are morally shattered. The mistake has been done right at the beginning. It is always our very own inner self on its alchemic quest towards the state of elysian bliss and ecstacy. No one else matters.

People who know not much about the purely voluntary efforts of the workers comment on their very ways of functioning. It is very easy to pass judgement on others. There are always two extreme sections of people - one, that is dangerously crazy of something; and the other that is equally dangerously against that same something. Every work that is carried on by the people has seemingly an increased number of critics than appreciators. With so much of attachment to negative qualities, it is often a wonder to us if someone is exceptionally pleasant to us. More often than not, if 9 people were to appreciate us, and 1 was to criticize, we would still be thinking about the "1".

So, where is all this leading to? This very concept of "Service" seems to be hazy, caught in its very own whirlpool of creation. With so many ideas floating around, it is but natural to be bewildered and do nothing about it. This is sadly, the worst thing that can happen, and is so in most cases. We need to learn to revere, love and appreciate the efforts put by people who have chosen "Service" as a vocation/ an avocation. These people invest the most valuable commodity - "Time". Nothing should bother them. We are lighthouses. Our duty is to bring light and shine into other's lives. Nothing else matters.

Thus, I would like to end this with the Chinese proverb-

It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.

Let us all take that small but significant step towards making this world a better place to live in. There is no ocean without the small drops of water in the first place.

With this introduction, I take this opportunity to welcome you all to the 2005 General Body Meeting of Association for India's Development, Texas A&M University (AID-TAMU) Chapter.

Thank You.

Science and Discovery...

What leads to discovery? Are discoveries those moments of serendipity that sadly and vulgarly relegate those moments of frustration and helplessness to the background. With no intention of disrespect to the greats who have/had made their mark in their respective fields courtesy their discoveries, I write this article on a subject, that has proved to be one of the greatest unanswered questions of all times for me.

Does Science provide the fundamental basis for all the happenings in the universe. Science, that proves to be an invaluable tool for the scientists, researchers, engineers, etc. does seem to provide an answer to most questions. But then, does it truly answer all the questions? We might rationale most fundamental happenings with the help of science. What baffles me often is this: What happened to the rationale when these fundamental happenings were discovered? In other words, do the discoveries happen by those moments of truth and serendipity followed by a detailed analysis using the tools of math and science to explain those very moments or vice versa.

This looks like an extension of Godel's Incompleteness theorem (Well, I might be wrong here. I would appreciate feedback on this). Science can explain almost anything under the sun, but definitely not everything. There are certain things that are just beyond any possible explanations or rationale. For e.g. the very concepts of Miracles and Hope. From the previous post on Anahata, I was clearly of the opinion that music was discovered more on the basis of instinct, intuition, determination, and ceaseless efforts in bringing out the unstruck sounds. When these are explained with the very faculties of scientific reasoning, the reasoning sounds fallacious (it might be perfectly logical for that matter).

This is not to mean that I hate Science. I love science. I am fortunately/unfortunately in a field that is close to science. Technology would never have been a possibility without science. This however doesn't stop me from asking these questions for which I have no answers.

Lastly, I would end this article with these quotes

Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts. (Richard Feynman)

The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge.(Daniel J Boorstin)

PS: The author was recently recommended by a good friend of his avaldes - "Structure of Scientific Revolutions" by Thomas Kuhn. It should provide certain answers.