Detangle By Uproot

I finally bought that conditioner from the market for which I had seen the ad on T.V several times. It said it helps detangle hair. The first 2 times I used it I didn't see much difference but I was shocked during the 3rd time. Chunks of hair came out as I applied the 'conditioner' and washed my hair. I was heartbroken. I saw the bottle and read the instructions. I did follow them. I also read that it said 'detangles'. Now I know how! It removes your damned hair and that way you don't have tangles anymore. I like my hair too much to use that damned conditioner again.

Unreliable Service

A senior manager in my previous company where I worked said that she can't allow employees to work from home as the Internet connection and electricity is unreliable in our country. The work from home option is available to our American counterparts. I didn't agree with her then but now I see that Internet connection can be frustrating. We definitely can't depend on it to do our work from home. It's annoying to have to pay first and also to pray that it connects.

A Pleasant Surprise

One of life's pleasant surprises is finding out that an old friend is there in the new city that you have moved in to. I was surprised and happy to receive an email from one of my school friends last month. Turned out she was also in Mumbai and not very far from where I live! I was happy to know that I have at least one friend here in this city where I hardly know anyone. Now we talk over the phone for several minutes a day about many things. Domestic issues top the list though as both of us are married and at home.

The Year That Was 2008

Year 2008 has been one of the most significant years of my life. This year I got married to a wonderful man. I had a big wedding in July and enjoyed being a bride. The second half of the year has flown by like minutes to me. It has been a new and exciting phase of my life. I am learning to cook for me and my husband.

The downside of this year has been leaving my job at a good software company at Bangalore . More than that, I am sad about leaving my mother and brother behind and coming about 1000 km away from them to Mumbai. God, I miss them! I also miss my old, familiar home. My new home isn't too bad either.

Time For Resolutions

It's that time of the year again. It's the end of year 2008. Time to welcome a New Year and also the time for resolutions! I like making resolutions. Let me come up with a list by the end of the month.

Modesty Please

I was watching an old hindi film on T.V last week. It was probably made in the 80s featuring Amol Palekar and Vidya Sinha. I couldn't help but wonder how simple life was then. Offices closed at 5. Heroines wore sarees. Only the 'bad' girls wore short/revealing clothes.

I hate where Bollywood fashion is going now. It's disgusting. Why are our women dropping their clothes so  quickly? What happened to good old fashioned modesty?

Despite being used to watching the movies and videos these days, I was really shocked by a trailor on T.V for this show (ironically) called 'Dress Circle'. I can't remember which channel aired this one. It showed the program's host- a woman posing in her innerwear which I am sure wasn't what the program was about. 

What's the world coming to? Aren't we ashamed or shocked anymore? 

Maaya

There was a reader's column in the newspaper yesterday (Hindustan Times). He writes that he doesn't buy the concept of 'Maaya' or illusion. It's hard to believe, he writes that what he sees, feels, touches and experiences is not real..

I like the way he had written it. And yes, the popular theory that everything in this world is an illusion or 'maaya' is not true. It's hard to convince people of this falsehood because they can't experience it.

The truth is 'maaya' is not this world or us. Maaya is the 'parda' that cloaks us in ignorance keeping us away from the true knowledge of who we are. Maaya makes us believe that we are the body and our purpose in life is to make as much money as we can and have a good time as long as we are here on earth with all its attractions.

Maaya makes us forget that we are actually our soul and not the body. We will return to the earth again and again and again in different forms till we learn fully life's lessons. We will be on our path to salvation only when we erase our karma and gain the true knowledge that our purpose in life is to serve the Lord through our actions. To do our prescribed duty and remember our Creator at all times.

Maaya is also a name of Durga Devi, wife of Lord Vishnu.

Last Weekend

Last week I went to the Mahalakshmi temple at Kolhapur.. The idol of Mahalakshmi is beautiful and so well adorned in silk and gold ornaments. It's really enchanting.

I bought a pair of silver anklets and a nose ring, called 'nathu' from here.

The following day we went to Mahabaleshwar and on the way visited the Balaji temple at Narayanpur. The scenes at Mahabaleshwar were beautiful.

Top 10 Cities In India

Last month there was a show on TV that listed the top 10 cities of India.. Not bad, I thought.. I have lived in 3 of them and visited 3 others.. The top cities were Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Kolkata, Chandigarh and Gurgaon.

Big Town Small Town

I like the small town folks.. They usually have big houses and big hearts too.. They are more hospitable to guests. They are more relaxed and have more time for everything. As opposed to city dwellers who live in their small flats and have little time for others.. I think living in large cities make us insecure, suspicious and self centered... It could be due to the higher cost of living, stress from commuting and small cramped living places that make us this way.. Sometimes I think I would love to live in a medium sized city like Mysore or Hubli. Ha ha... I haven't seen either of those places..

Why?

Why does the 'market' crash everytime I am looking for a job????

I Want To See Him

Here is a beautiful picture from dwarkadhish.org.
I want to visit Him at Dwarka.

I am Bored

Weather Here

It's ridiculously hot and humid here in Mumbai now.....I have no choice but to have cold water baths and eat lots of ice cream to keep my cool!

Thought For The Day

Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop!

My Latest Addiction

My latest addiction is playing Spider Solitaire on the PC. I can play for hours while listening to songs. It seems to me that I have played all the games in it because everytime I start a new game the order of cards seems familiar to me. 

Something Different

Is it only me or has any one else also noticed? Aren't 'mothers' looking different on TV these days? I mean earlier married women and mothers had bindis on their forehead and their mangalsutra was shown. Not so, these days....

Abhi SMS keejiye

'Abhi apna cell phone uthayiye aur is number par SMS keejiye option A,B ya C.'
I don't understand why anyone would spend their money on sending sms's to support people they don't know. I remember about 15 years ago we were asked to send our answers by Postcards for quizes on TV. Now almost every program on TV asks its viewers to sms or call. The only people who benefit are the Channel owners and the Mobile network like Airtel. KBC was one of the first programs to start the smss. It's said that the prize money they gave out the winners was nothing compared to what the channel and their partner Airtel earned through SMSs alone.
Isn't this another form of gambling? Winning by chance. What is it that makes people do this? It's similar to why people buy lottery tickets. The hope that we might win although the odds of winning are 1 to several lakhs.

I Don't Like Ads

I saw a good film on TV last week called 'Corporate'. It's well made exposing the harsh reality of what goes on in the business world. The film highlights the 'Cola' wars between two fictional comapnies and how they fight it. It reminds me of the Coca Cola/Pepsi wars and how one of them was found to have pesticides in it.
As the film says at the end, people soon forget about the pesticide content and keep drinking it as if nothing ever happened. There's even an ad now for the Coca Cola "fridge" pack featuring a 'happy family' with 2 kids as they celebrate with Coke.

I read a long time ago on the Internet about the psychology of Advertising. It's a vast and an interesting topic. It's amazing how the ads and ad makers play with the minds of people. They make the public feel inadequate if they don't have the product that they are trying to sell. It makes the product look cool to use/ drink/ own it although it may not be so. I am surprised at how many ads there are on shampoos, soaps, detergents, fairness creams, softdrinks, cooking oil, hair oil which promise to make our lives better. I especially hate the ad with the family and kids. I read that kids are now major consumers and a majority of the ads are targetted on them.

I long for the simpler days when there was no cable TV and no mind- numbing ads that bombard us everyday.

Consumerism

The western habit of Consumerism, buying on credit and running up huge credit card bills hasn't caught up here, Thank God.

I remember reading about it somewhere. It's been defined as, 'Buying things you don't need with the money you don't have to impress the people you don't like.'

What Am I Doing?

It's been 3 months now since I left my full time job as a software engineer with a big American telecom company at Bangalore. I am now playing the role of a homemaker in Mumbai. I like the free time that I now get. I spend most of it in front of the PC. I don't watch so much TV. There's hardly anything good on TV. I spend more time channel surfing than actually watch.

Sometimes I miss my job.. I definitely miss my family at Bangalore and yes, I miss Bangalore. The familiar place, people, language and my friends.

Pitfalls of Imitating The American Dream

Here is the link to one of my favorite online columns. It's called Pitfalls of imitating the American dream by Sudheendra Kulkarni.
It's worth a read.

Apply Apply

I complained when I didn't get a job few years ago, "It's only apply and apply but no reply (from the employer)!!'
My funny cousin said, 'No, you keep applying they will reply.'
Me- 'The only reply I get is a regret letter'.
Him- 'You keep applying, they will regret sending the regret letter!!!'

Wedding Planning

My mother had arranged for the purhoith. Like most people we wanted the rituals to be finished at the earliest but without leaving out any of them.

We had arranged for a 'handra' in front of our house and serial lights for the whole building. Too bad we didn't take a picture of that. It looked very good.

I had been to Uma's bridal for a trial saree draping and hair do. I liked how I looked that day that I didn't want to take the saree off!! I came home in my blue reception saree!!

We had to shop till the last minute. It's amazing how much work needs to be done for a wedding ceremony to happen smoothly.

After A Long Break

I have been away from my blog for 2 months now.
I am back - now married, unemployed and at Mumbai.
The last 2 months were full of events. After I left my job, my family and I were busy planning and organising my wedding..I must say we enjoyed doing it all and it all turned out well. God has been kind to us.
We were lucky we got a very good wedding hall, an excellent caterer and One Minute Uma the beautician.

It all started with the selecting a hall. Last July I had been to my friend's wedding and liked the hall. Luckily we found a similar hall after seeing about 20 other wedding halls.

Buying the invitation cards, getting them printed, addressing and posting them.. We made notes, checklists, estimates and set reminders and yet after everything we realised we forgot to invite a few people whom we wanted to.

We went saree shopping in Chennai. In 6 hours, we completed almost 85% of the clothes shopping for the wedding.

Then we had to hire the caterer, florist, band, beautician etc.....

Compromise

Can we compromise on our self respect for money? or for any other benefit?

Sri Ganeshaya Namaha

Ganesha is probably the most used God in the commercial world- calendars, posters,wall hangings, gift items and what not. You can see Ganesha modified to suit an artist's imagination, especially on wedding cards. So, here is a picture of my card with Ganesha!

Thought for the day

In Pyaar ke side effects- 'Shaadi ek aisi beauty contest hai jo har ladki jeet sakti hai!'

Hmm.. What Could I Have Said?

'Why are not married still?', asked a prospective groom to me. Well, I thought, why are you not married? that's why even I am not married... Logical answer, isn't it? But I didn't say that.

'Can we continue to be friends if this (alliance) doesn't work out...', suggested another guy. Why isn't it working out? I wondered but only nodded my head at that.

'You know, life is very different there in U.S.... I wanted to do my PhD after my double masters....', went on another guy describing his wonderful life in U.S.

'Do you have any questions?', a guy asked me repeatedly to which I replied, 'Nothing really, you have covered almost everything.' I thought to myself, 'Yeah, I have only one question. Will you marry me or not????'

Funny Seinfeld

Jerry Seinfeld on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, 1990

Jerry Seinfeld Returns to Standup Comedy Letterman 21 March

Smile

A corporate trainer in my previous office told us, 'Smile is a symbol of success'.

Somebody else once said, 'What good is life if we don't enjoy what we do?'.

A Saying

The English translation of a saying in Kannada, 'We can't clear all the thorns that surround us. We can cover our feet instead.' That is to say if we can't improve things around us, we can at least protect ourselves.

Disturbing

I haven't been following news regularly for sometime due to other work. So, I was shocked to read about the recent murder in Noida. What is the world coming to? Man kills his daughter. Really what is happening????

Last week, I watched a film, 'Life in a metro'. It was very disturbing. I think I should stop watching films.

I remember my friend who is a SRK fan telling me she won't watch KANK because she didn't agree with the way it ended (Woman leaves her husband for lover).

If I follow the rule of not watching films where I don't agree with the director, I can't watch most of the films. Even films like 'Cheeni Kum' or 'Bombay', children don't ask for permission anymore. It's only FYI.

So Complicated

I have always been fascinated by the working (also sometimes non-working) of our minds. Why? How? are the questions I ask. What are our priorities, motivations, beliefs, desires? Whom do we listen to? What happens when there's a conflict? For example I always wanted to know what's the trade off between time and money. Obviously time is very precious but when is it less precious than money? So too with health. How much health can we lose for making wealth?

What drives us to do what we do? Are there good and bad decisions? If we have taken time and considered all options before deciding and later if it turns out not as we expected, will that be called a bad decision? or bad luck?

Should we let a child grow up 'freely'? Shouldn't we fill his/her head with right and wrong, good and bad? I wonder why it's not fashionable now for children to follow their parents. Children are becoming more independent with time. If they are not within the control of their parents, they are very likely to come under the control of someone else.

Are we ourselves or are we what we want others to think we are. Anyway, I found a very informative article on wikipedia about Defence Mechanism.

True

Be careful for what you wish for. You might get it!

Thought for the day

You’ve failed many times, although you don’t remember.
You fell down the first time you tried to walk.
You almost drowned the first time you tried to swim.

Don’t worry about failures.
Worry about the chances you miss when you fail to try.

Kitchen is not my favorite room in a house. I have never liked cooking. I have always had this image that it's a chore and only done by 'housewives'. I need to build a good image of cooking. Since preparing food is inevitable and I have to do it I may as well enjoy doing it.
Although it's my dream to have a full time cook and servant at home plus a driver and a gardener maybe. :-)

Utsavam At Tirumala

Here are the pictures from tirumala.org. They are taken at the Padmavathi Parinayam Utsavam that's happening at the Narayanagiri Garden, Tirumala. Doesn't it look splendind??
This is an annual event. I wanted to go last year but couldn't. Same this time too. Next time I hope to make it

Hmm

ಪಾಲಿಗೆ ಬಂದದು ಪಂಚಾಮೃತ
संतोषी सदा सुखी
போதும் என்ர மனமே போன்செய்யும் மருந்து
It means a satisfied mind is the best medicine....

Contentment is the key to happiness....in any language

The Question

'What is wrong with me?', I often ask myself and my brother and my mother and whoever is available. Really, what's wrong with me?

Self Pity

My father used to say, 'undu thindhu gandagagi atharanthe....'.
I never understood it's meaning then.
Now, I am beginning to get it :)

'Good Old Days'

I am sure growing old. The other day at home we started talking about those 'good old days' when we could buy a bus ticket for 50 paise and travel up to 5 Kms. 100 rupees was a huge amount and 1000Rs. notes were rare.

Today, the new five rupees coin looks a lot like the 50 paise coins. It's not as heavy as the earlier 5 Rs. coins. What with the rising inflation and essentials becoming dearer. I sometimes wish for the simpler days of the '80s.

Where There Is A Will....

Where there is a will.... there is a way.
Where there is a will... there are relatives.

Where Mothers Are Born

I read two related articles in the newspaper today. The topic is something that doesn't concern me now - childbirth.

One article said that in the U.S and U.K more women now want a choice of having their baby at their homes with the help of midwives and not at hospitals.
Whereas the other article on page 1 of the supplement carried the headline 'Where mothers are born'. It was about the new trend of super specialty hospitals in India that offer specialised pre and ante natal care. They are called 'The Nest' or something. They provide a five-star ambience and personalised care for the mother and the newborn, all of course at a steep price.

I wonder why having children is now made such a big deal? I mean earlier having children was a such a regular affair. It happened at homes with the help of midwives minus the hospital smell.
I remember my uncle (father's cousin) telling me that our ancestral house had a 'Bananthi koni' or 'room for the new mothers' and that almost always occupied. My paternal grandfather had 3 sisters and each of the sisters had about 10 children each. My paternal grandparents had 11 children.

The kids were so many and parents hardly gave them 'quality' time as the new age parenting requires, yet they all turned out to be fine.

Speaking of parenting advice, I remember reading a quote in the Readers Digest, that said, 'Don't worry that your children aren't listening to you. Worry that they are always watching you.'

My mother is the ideal parent then because she doesn't talk much or preach. 'Lead by Example' seems to be her motto.

Outsourcing Cricket

I don't care much for cricket except during World Cup and if India is playing and/or there are really cute guys on the field!!
With the IPL so much in the news, I thought let me see what it's all about.

I see that money is the only motivation as the players aren't there for the nation nor for their respective states. Sworn enemies are now playing in the same side. Players who had retired are now here for the big money.

Whoever thought of this idea has combined India's two major crazes- Bollywood and Cricket. Of course, the media is loving it. While the 20-20 format is great, I hope this IPL thing doesn't catch on.

I'd love to see more of Dhoni though :-)

Chanchalam he Manah Krishna

Mind is very restless, forceful and strong, O Krishna, it is more difficult to control the mind than to control the wind.

~ Arjuna to Sri Krishna

What I am Reading

I am reading 'The Google Story' these days while commuting to work. It's an old book comparatively but it sure makes great reading. It's fascinating how unconventional these founder guys are and how equally successful their company is.

Installing.... Cancer (Click On The Picture Below)

Few things annoy me more than cigarette smoke. And few people more than unapologetic smokers. I wonder who is to blame for the huge loss in terms of money, health and man days that's caused by smoking and tobacco use.

I believe film actors are partly to blame for promoting a 'cool' image of smoking.

I remember reading on the Internet that companies lose huge amounts of money due to employees who smoke. The cumulative effect of time they take off for a puff and loss of man days due to ill health is humongous.

Ironically, some people smoke to beat stress....Well, it's surely a sign of distress ahead for them.

Thought for the Day

If you look at what you do not have in life, you don't have anything.

If you look at what you have in life, you have everything.

Summer Is Here!

The best part of summer is having lots of ice-cream, I think.
Starting last week we have been buying a family pack every day, the favorite flavor being Butterscotch. Mmm... Delicious! Wonder what makes it so tasty... perhaps some forbidden ingredient!!

One Of The Reasons I Hate Visiting Banks

Yesterday I had gone to the local branch of a nationalised bank to open a savings account.
[Scene: Bank]
Manager (looking at my application for opening an account): Who has signed your introduction?
Me: My mother
Manager: How long has she known you?
Me(surprised!): From birth
Manager: Ok, Write that on the form...
Me: Sure

ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ

ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ வணக்கம் నమస్కారం

എവിടെ ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് അറിയുന്നവര്‍ ആരെങ്കിലും ഉണ്ടോ ?

Evide English ariyunnavar aarenkilum undo ?

(Is there someone here who speaks english ?) ha ha

My First Trip in 2008

My first trip in 2008 was to the 3 pilgrim centers of YellamanGudda, the Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple and the Vittala temple at Pandarpur.
My uncle had made arrangements for a vishesh pooja at the Pandarpur temple. About 15 of us had gone on this trip and we had a great time. This picture was taken on the street that leads to the main temple at Pandarpur. You can see the shikar at the center of the pic.

A Bit Under The Weather

'How are you?', asked my colleague today morning and before I could say anything I coughed twice in response to that.

Yesterday, after a long time, I had the luxury of taking a sick leave in the middle of the week. On a wednesday to be precise. I have a very sore throat and it has been that way for more than a week now. It's annoying me and I am sure also those around me as they hear me go 'cough... cough.. cough' persistently.

Tall - Decaf - Cappuccino.

“The whole purpose of places like Starbucks is for people with no decision-making ability whatsoever to make six decisions just to buy one cup of coffee. Short, tall, light, dark, caf, decaf, low-fat, non-fat, etc. So people who don't know what the hell they're doing or who on earth they are, can, for only $2.95, get not just a cup of coffee but an absolutely defining sense of self - Tall - Decaf - Cappuccino.” Tom Hanks in You've Got Mail

I love that quote!! Later in the film he calls coffee, 'legal addictive stimulant'!! I have started liking cappuccino myself, recently. Not in a fancy coffee shop but at the coffee vending machine at work.

Ha Ha Bhakri Movement

I found this on the Net while searching for 'Pandarpur'.... Ha Ha.... It says 'Bhakri' Movement instead of 'Bhakti Movement'.

Does Choice=Confusion?

I wonder if sometimes having choices creates confusion or maybe even stress.

Real Confidence -- Ralph Marston

The strongest confidence is quiet, inner confidence. The surest sign of inherent weakness and lack of confidence is the need to boast.

Practice humility and what you will build is confidence. The less you care about impressing others, the more impressed they will be.

Be honest and authentic, and your confidence will grow. The more fully you realize that there's no need to hide who you are, the more confident you'll become in every endeavour.

Approach each task with understanding and patience. Don't let arrogance infect your attitude, for arrogance is a feeble imitation of confidence that drives real confidence away.

Know where you are going and why. True confidence flows naturally from a clear sense of purpose.

There is a solid, genuine confidence within you, and it can empower all that you do. Live and act to nourish and grow that confidence, and it will surely serve you well.
-- Ralph Marston

[Ctrl C, Ctrl V]

Not For Brownie Points

The morning of 16th Feb 2008 was the best time I have had in a very long time.
The event for special (autistic) children was organised by Kilikil. I got to know it through I Volunteer's e-mails. I called up the coordinator to confirm that I will be volunteering that day.
I reached Coles Park by 9.30 and met Prarthana from IVolunteer. All her volunteering work is quite impressive. I also met two other volunteers, Krishnaveni and Merlin.
One by one the parents and children reached the park premises. The kids were shy initially but slowly I got to know them. Some 20 kids came running into the play area and occupied the swings, slides and the see-saw. The naughty kids would say to us 'Aunty push! (the swing)'. I learnt that these kids are from the school for the hearing impaired. Some among them were normal kids too. I learnt that the sand pit is also a favorite with the kids. They build castles or play with the sand toys.
Kavita's son Ananth was celebrating his 6th birthday that day along with Sidharth whose birthday was on the following day. There were balloons, caps, cakes, candles, chips and everything needed for a party!!
I couldn't inflate a balloon without the help of a pump. And there was a granny who inflated several balloons with her mouth!! We tied up the colorful balloons along the fence and later distributed one to each kid gathered there.
We got all the kids gathered at one place for the cake cutting and celebration. It was nice to see the smiling faces of all the kids gathered there. They looked adorable wearing the birthday hats. We all sang 'Happy Birthday...' and distributed cake and chips to all those present. All new parents were asked to register. Merlin noted the e-mail IDs and contact numbers of all of them. Finally at around 11.30, it was time to leave. The happy faces of the kids made all the time and effort spent worth it.
I always thought the best way to spend saturday morning was to relax at home. But now, I know that the best way to spend that time is to be with these special kids.

Quick Solution

The quickest way to be happy is to make somebody else happy.

Daasarendare Purandara Daasarayya

This week is the Aradhana of the great poet of Carnatic Music, Sri Purandarasa Daasaru.
He is believed to be an avtar of Narada muni.
He was born as Srinivasa Naik and made a living as a goldsmith. The famous incident when his wife donates her nose ring to a brahmin (Vitthala in disguise), changes Srinivasa Naik's life forever. He gives up all his worldly belongings and becomes a daasa or servant of the Lord.

He wrote songs praising the Lord and his infinite auspicious attributes. It is said that daasaru would compose songs extempore.
For example, when he saw a lady carrying a pot to fetch water, he composed 'Taarakka Bindige, na nireegehoguve..........'. When he saw somebody cleaning the vessels, he wrote, 'Musire toliyabeku, manada musire toliyabeku.....'. A song that sounds like it's about ragi, 'Ragi thandieera....'.
Here's a song that's easy to remember because it's about the food items 'Raama naama payasakke, Krishna naama sakkare......'. There's a song about kallusakkare or sugar candy "Kallu sakkare koliro, neevellaru.......'. It sounds like the are songs about the items but are actually in praise of the Lord Vitthala.

It is common for shishyas to write songs in praise of their Guru but probably the only song that a Guru (Vyasarajaru) has sung in praise of his shishya is 'Daasarendare Purandara Daasarayya.....'.

Similar Wisdom, Different Language And Location

I listened to a 20 minutes motivational speech by Tony Robbins, at the following link.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Cpc-t-Uwv1I

I couldn't help but notice the similarities between some of the points he mentioned and what we traditionally believe here in India.

Tony says that his life changed when he was 11 and hungry during Thanksgiving and his family received food from total strangers. 6 years after that incident, he started donating food every Thanksgiving starting with 2 families and now after 17years - 2million people. He calls it the most fun, fulfilling thing he ever did.
The importance of Annadaana has been told over and again by our seers. It's the greatest among all 'daanas'. Not only to fellow humans but we must feed the cows, crows, pretas, pitrus, devatas and neivedya to God Himself.

Tony makes another point saying death alone brings true meaning to life. He asks his audience if they knew that they had only 9 days to live, who would they call, what would they say and what would they do?
We already know the answer to that!! In Bhagavata, it is said that when King Parikshith knew he had only 7 days to live, he gave up his all and in total dispassion and complete devotion, spent all 7 days listening to the Bhagavata.

Emotion, Tony says is very important for anything. We believe so too. The bhava or bhavana behind a thought, word or deed is what is important.

Tony also says that fulfillment is the ultimate human need and that doesn't come from achievement. He says it comes from giving and contributing beyond yourself. True. The message of all shastras is do paropakara or service to others.

What's Happening????

How can a human look at another and think, 'Let me steal his/her kidney!'? I will never know.
The kidney racket has made news again recently and I still cannot believe that people steal kidneys. Mobiles, watches, wallets, gold get stolen but an organ??????

Encouraging Words Can Inspire A Life

Encouraging Words Can Inspire A Life
You never know what an encouraging word can do to impact a life. When you inspire others to go past their comfort zone, they feel empowered and you have great influence over them.

I came across the above lines on the Internet. Very true, I thought to myself.

When the chips are down, when nothing's going our way, an empathising person or an encouraging word can be a huge help.

Encouragement is not same as praise. Praise is not always a good thing. It can make the person at the receiving end, complacent. I remember reading an article on why you shouldn't say 'Good job' to your child everytime. It's the effort that the child made that should be encouraged so the child learns not to give up when faced with odds.

It's All About Money, Honey

Economy, Finance, Equity, Riches, Wealth, Affluence, Success, Status, Power, Money, Paisa, Dhuddu, Kaasu..

What is this deal with money, I will never fully understand. What power is there in it that can make or break a relationship? There is a saying in Kannada that money can separate a mother and child, a bond that is supposed to be unbroken.
Brothers fighting over property is almost the norm.

One can read in the newspapers regularly about robberies, con jobs, thefts and burglaries. Yesterday I read that 4 teenagers in the city killed a watchman of a temple and looted with Rs.5000 cash and some silver jewellery. Then there was this woman who was murdered in her home when alone and the thieves made away with Rs.10 lacs worth. The worst piece of news I have heard so far is about a young man who killed his mother for Rs.50.

Then there are frauds, embezzlements, cheating, bribery and whatnot.

The desire for land, gold and money is so inborn in almost all of us. If not checked, greed can overcome anyone, I guess. It just happens at various levels. From a few rupees to a billion dollars.

Who's The Idiot?

Bheja Fry is a film by Sagar Ballary, as you may know by now.

The main character is that of Bharat Bhushan- an aspiring singer, a typical middle class, government employee who holds his values above everything else. Then there's Ranjit Thadani- a corrupt, unfaithful, self centered, arrogant business man who makes fun of innocent people by inviting one of them to dinner every friday.

At the beginning of the film, you might find the character of BB annoying. But in the end, the director brings about the contrast between the two characters and you can decide who is the 'idiot' between the two.

What I liked in the film is how BB exhibits values like patriotism, gratitude (to his father, guru and the institution where he studied), loyalty(to his unfaithful wife), friendship, generosity, helping nature and most of all sincerity.

Why should he be called an idiot?

You Are Sunshine

The film almost everyone is talking about - Taare Zameen Par. I must have listened to this song -Tu dhoop hai about 100 times, on the cab radio, that is.

I like the words of this song.

Source: http://www.taarezameenpar.com

Mann Re Tu Kahe Na

Here's a link to listen to an old, melodious song, sung by Mohammad Rafi.
It's called Mann Re Tu Kaahe Na Dheer Dhare.... Must listen and also read the meaning of the words.

http://musicwizard.vox.com/library/post/mann-re-kaahe-tu-na-dheer-dhare.html

This link is no longer working :-(

Breaking News.....

Not very long ago, I thought I cannot live without a television.
Surprisingly, it's almost 4 years now that I have managed without it and I am alive!

Our old TV doesn't have a remote and after we moved to Bangalore, somehow we haven't bothered to get cable. And we don't miss it at all.

There's the newspaper to catch up with news. Thank God we don't have to watch the 'Breaking news' on every news channel, otherwise!

Very rarely when Doordshan decides to show a good film during the weekends, we try to watch them.

I actually feel relieved sometimes that I don't have to watch the stupid serials, the same re-runs, reality and talent shows. We spend that time more usefully talking to each other or reading books. And I almost forgot, the computer monitor is always on during the evening so we don't save much on electric :)

Calvin To Start The Year

Hello 2008!!

A Very Happy New year to you all :)

It's a new year and it's time for resolutions.

Last Jan I had made 6 resolutions and when I checked again last week, I had kept 3 of them. Not bad!

And this year again I have come up with 6 new ones. Let me see how it goes.