There are two basic ways in which humans react to an adversity in life. Actually three, if you count our first reaction of asking God, "Why me ?".
One is to do something so that others do not have to suffer like you had to. I have a friend
whose younger brother was attacked by polio as a kid. He is a handsome young man today except for the pronounced limp, thanks to polio. Every year, when the government announces the polio vaccination programme (Polio Plus) for kids, his family makes available the ground floor of their house for the cause. So that other kids don't have to live with the handicap caused by the disease. This is their way of reacting to an adversity.
In this context, I am reminded of what a friend told me about auto-drivers in Europe. If an oncoming driver flashes his light at you for no obvious reason, it usually means that there are cops ahead, who are stopping drivers going above the speed limit. It is the driver's way of warning you to slow down to the speed limit. He might have just paid a hefty fine for speeding, but still wants to warn others so that they do not end up paying the fine like him. He also believes in following the former approach.
On the other hand we have people who wish that others also are stricken by the adversity
that they were hit by, and derive some kind of crude pleasure by knowing that its not just
they that are suffering.
We do not gain anything by behaving either of the two ways. But if our reaction is the former, we have the satisfaction of knowing that we could do our bit to help others escape suffering.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Kiddy talk
Talking of kids and kid talk, my niece who is all of 5 years old talks stuff that makes us think.
My sister and brother-in-law are not the usual religious couple. They do pray and all that,
but do not go to church on Sundays or for special occasions. Instead, they prefer to go in the evenings when there is no function on and just sit and pray in the silent environment.
My niece had some idea about the concept of God - somebody who has supernatural powers
and listens to our prayers and someone to whom we can look upto in times of trouble. She
had this ritual of a daily bedtime prayer, when she would pray to Jesus to take care of and protect her parents, friends and loved ones.
Last Easter, my sister felt that it was time she had a chat with her daughter about God,
Jesus, the church, relevance of Good Friday, Easter etc. She talked about Jesus and how he
was crucified on Good Friday.
This was the first time when my niece became aware of the fact that Jesus was dead. And all that she had to say on knowing this was "What ? Is he dead ? If so, how is a dead person going
to save us ? "
I don't think my sister had an answer to that question and was left wondering about whether
it was a right thing to introduce the scriptures to her daughter.
Pretty logical thinking, right ? Well, I just hope she does not loose faith in a power above us. Hope/faith is the essence of life and I would like my niece to grow up with it.
My sister and brother-in-law are not the usual religious couple. They do pray and all that,
but do not go to church on Sundays or for special occasions. Instead, they prefer to go in the evenings when there is no function on and just sit and pray in the silent environment.
My niece had some idea about the concept of God - somebody who has supernatural powers
and listens to our prayers and someone to whom we can look upto in times of trouble. She
had this ritual of a daily bedtime prayer, when she would pray to Jesus to take care of and protect her parents, friends and loved ones.
Last Easter, my sister felt that it was time she had a chat with her daughter about God,
Jesus, the church, relevance of Good Friday, Easter etc. She talked about Jesus and how he
was crucified on Good Friday.
This was the first time when my niece became aware of the fact that Jesus was dead. And all that she had to say on knowing this was "What ? Is he dead ? If so, how is a dead person going
to save us ? "
I don't think my sister had an answer to that question and was left wondering about whether
it was a right thing to introduce the scriptures to her daughter.
Pretty logical thinking, right ? Well, I just hope she does not loose faith in a power above us. Hope/faith is the essence of life and I would like my niece to grow up with it.
Apartment living
Living in an apartment complex has its own pros and cons, though I see more cons than pros.
The only pro that I see is that the security is pretty good due to having a dedicated security staff round the clock.
Reached my flat around 8PM from work as is the case on most days. While unlocking the door,
I could hear a heated argument going on in the next door flat. A family of four stay there - Dad,
Mom, 3 year old son and a 12 year old daughter. I could make out that the argument was
between Mom and daughter and had something to do with the TV.
Well, next morning, I met the Mom in the parking lot and during our chat she mentioned about
the argument which went something like this.
Daughter : When are you getting the cable connection for our TV ? I am bored watching the DD programmes.
Mom : Sometime soon.
Daughter : Thats what you have been saying for the past 2 years.
Mom : Well, we will get it soon.
Daughter: And how soon will this be ? Ater I am dead and gone ???
Thats tough words from a kid's mouth. Kids of today seem to be more knowledgeable than we were at that age. And they know what they want and how to get it.
Needless to say that they got cable the next day itself.
The only pro that I see is that the security is pretty good due to having a dedicated security staff round the clock.
Reached my flat around 8PM from work as is the case on most days. While unlocking the door,
I could hear a heated argument going on in the next door flat. A family of four stay there - Dad,
Mom, 3 year old son and a 12 year old daughter. I could make out that the argument was
between Mom and daughter and had something to do with the TV.
Well, next morning, I met the Mom in the parking lot and during our chat she mentioned about
the argument which went something like this.
Daughter : When are you getting the cable connection for our TV ? I am bored watching the DD programmes.
Mom : Sometime soon.
Daughter : Thats what you have been saying for the past 2 years.
Mom : Well, we will get it soon.
Daughter: And how soon will this be ? Ater I am dead and gone ???
Thats tough words from a kid's mouth. Kids of today seem to be more knowledgeable than we were at that age. And they know what they want and how to get it.
Needless to say that they got cable the next day itself.
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Patriotism in USA
One thing that strikes you the moment you land in America is that Americans wear
their patriotism on their sleeves & the star-spangled banner is out there everywhere
- on their cars, in their homes, hotels, even their office cubicles.
It is a matter of pride for them and we as foreigners are either envious of their pride
or jealous that we don't see a similar attitude in our fellow countrymen for our country.
Though I can't be sure, I have this feeling that all these flags, spread-eagles etc came
out into the open after 9/11. Whatever be the case, its well & good that a country rallies
together in moral support when faced with problems.
The problem though is that just as they take pride in being citizens of a free country,
they don't understand that citizens of other countries also have the same desire to be
free of shackles and to be able to hold their head high and see their flag flying high.
Actually, I am wrong there. They do understand, but don't really give a damn about it.
All forms of life, including humans are self-centered (with only the extent varying), but Americans would take the cake. As far as they are concerned, only they exist in the
whole world.
It's surprising that a country which fought long and hard against colonialism to become a
free land, should seize any available opportunity to curtail the freedom of other people.
The examples are numerous to list, but a few prominent ones that come to mind are the
slave trade, Vietnam, Afghanistan and lately Iraq. At times I wonder how Bush & Co. can
sleep peacefully when they have the blood of so many innocent victims on their hands ?
It was the US that armed Saddam in the first place. Then they bomb the country to dust
on the pretext of disarming him. Well, its an open secret that the whole business was
about oil. They go to bed with dictators all around the world just to ensure safety of their interests and to create chaos in the world and to avoid the rising of any power that could
stand up to them.
Well, life is cyclical in nature. And I am a firm believer in the saying that we would reap according to what we sow. I see a day, not too far away, when we have someone coming
up who would stand up to the bully and give him a taste of his own medicine.
Two probables would be India and China.
"America is probably the only country in history to have moved directly from barbarianism
to degeneration, without the usual interval of civilisation in between."
Whoever said this about America was bang on target.
their patriotism on their sleeves & the star-spangled banner is out there everywhere
- on their cars, in their homes, hotels, even their office cubicles.
It is a matter of pride for them and we as foreigners are either envious of their pride
or jealous that we don't see a similar attitude in our fellow countrymen for our country.
Though I can't be sure, I have this feeling that all these flags, spread-eagles etc came
out into the open after 9/11. Whatever be the case, its well & good that a country rallies
together in moral support when faced with problems.
The problem though is that just as they take pride in being citizens of a free country,
they don't understand that citizens of other countries also have the same desire to be
free of shackles and to be able to hold their head high and see their flag flying high.
Actually, I am wrong there. They do understand, but don't really give a damn about it.
All forms of life, including humans are self-centered (with only the extent varying), but Americans would take the cake. As far as they are concerned, only they exist in the
whole world.
It's surprising that a country which fought long and hard against colonialism to become a
free land, should seize any available opportunity to curtail the freedom of other people.
The examples are numerous to list, but a few prominent ones that come to mind are the
slave trade, Vietnam, Afghanistan and lately Iraq. At times I wonder how Bush & Co. can
sleep peacefully when they have the blood of so many innocent victims on their hands ?
It was the US that armed Saddam in the first place. Then they bomb the country to dust
on the pretext of disarming him. Well, its an open secret that the whole business was
about oil. They go to bed with dictators all around the world just to ensure safety of their interests and to create chaos in the world and to avoid the rising of any power that could
stand up to them.
Well, life is cyclical in nature. And I am a firm believer in the saying that we would reap according to what we sow. I see a day, not too far away, when we have someone coming
up who would stand up to the bully and give him a taste of his own medicine.
Two probables would be India and China.
"America is probably the only country in history to have moved directly from barbarianism
to degeneration, without the usual interval of civilisation in between."
Whoever said this about America was bang on target.
I am ...
I am curious. I experiment.
From experiments, I am lead to truth. Or so I believe.
I was part of a revolution. I gave roots to a concept - new to my nation, though not to the world.
I helped vote the first communist government in the world to power.
I rationalize, I think, I debate.
And I only accept what I believe to be the best, according to my rationalization.
I am well read. I am a linguistic minority compared to the many tongues spoken in my nation.
Still, the newspaper with the highest circulation in India comes out in my language.
My circle of interest is not limited to just my town or my state or even my country.
I am concerned about issues happening around the world and keep myself updated.
I am the true global citizen. You will find me all over the world.
The middle east, the Americas, Europe etc - you name the place, I am there.
Yet, wherever I go, I tune into the local culture and adapt to the conditions.
If I do stick out, its due to my hard work, efficiency and effectiveness.
I am above religion. What drives me is not what's written down over the ages,
but my acceptance of what's good & what's not.
I know that religion and politics are a potent mix and do not let them overlap.
My political leanings cannot be influenced by the highest authority of my religion & vice-versa.
I never give in to the arrogance of those who have power.
To me, power is about what I know, not about what I have.
I take my drink seriously. Well, a little too seriously.
Though I can't really say that I always practice sensible drinking. :-)
I accord equal importance to kids, irrespective of their gender.
Infact, I could be even accused of partiality towards baby girls.
While the rest of my country yearns for a male baby, and silences baby girls on birth itself,
mine is the only state in India with the male/female ratio in favour of females.
I see a movie as a work of art, with the director as creator - no blind hero worship for me.
And unlike other states, our movies emulate life and not vice versa.
I am extravagant when it comes to designing my home.
No wonder, you will find some of the most beautiful houses in my state.
Our women are known to be beautiful.
Infact, I might not be wrong in saying that they are the most beautiful on earth.
There is nothing to beat the sight of our women, at dawn in the temple or around the tulasi thara.
Their wet, long, black tresses held loosely by thin strands of hair.
To say that my state is blessed by Nature would be an understatement.
It would be more accurate to say that my state is in the lap of nature.
A carpet of lush greenery stretching from one end to the other,
with a seemingly never-ending canopy of coconut palms.
Who am I ?
I am ......... a Malayali.
A tribute to the indomitable Malayali spirit.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 2003 - 2007 - Inca Red Creations.
From experiments, I am lead to truth. Or so I believe.
I was part of a revolution. I gave roots to a concept - new to my nation, though not to the world.
I helped vote the first communist government in the world to power.
I rationalize, I think, I debate.
And I only accept what I believe to be the best, according to my rationalization.
I am well read. I am a linguistic minority compared to the many tongues spoken in my nation.
Still, the newspaper with the highest circulation in India comes out in my language.
My circle of interest is not limited to just my town or my state or even my country.
I am concerned about issues happening around the world and keep myself updated.
I am the true global citizen. You will find me all over the world.
The middle east, the Americas, Europe etc - you name the place, I am there.
Yet, wherever I go, I tune into the local culture and adapt to the conditions.
If I do stick out, its due to my hard work, efficiency and effectiveness.
I am above religion. What drives me is not what's written down over the ages,
but my acceptance of what's good & what's not.
I know that religion and politics are a potent mix and do not let them overlap.
My political leanings cannot be influenced by the highest authority of my religion & vice-versa.
I never give in to the arrogance of those who have power.
To me, power is about what I know, not about what I have.
I take my drink seriously. Well, a little too seriously.
Though I can't really say that I always practice sensible drinking. :-)
I accord equal importance to kids, irrespective of their gender.
Infact, I could be even accused of partiality towards baby girls.
While the rest of my country yearns for a male baby, and silences baby girls on birth itself,
mine is the only state in India with the male/female ratio in favour of females.
I see a movie as a work of art, with the director as creator - no blind hero worship for me.
And unlike other states, our movies emulate life and not vice versa.
I am extravagant when it comes to designing my home.
No wonder, you will find some of the most beautiful houses in my state.
Our women are known to be beautiful.
Infact, I might not be wrong in saying that they are the most beautiful on earth.
There is nothing to beat the sight of our women, at dawn in the temple or around the tulasi thara.
Their wet, long, black tresses held loosely by thin strands of hair.
To say that my state is blessed by Nature would be an understatement.
It would be more accurate to say that my state is in the lap of nature.
A carpet of lush greenery stretching from one end to the other,
with a seemingly never-ending canopy of coconut palms.
Who am I ?
I am ......... a Malayali.
A tribute to the indomitable Malayali spirit.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 2003 - 2007 - Inca Red Creations.
Thursday, May 27, 2004
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