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Divya replied to the topic Your state and whats the best about it.
I was born and brought up in Delhi, now settled in Chennai and I am a native of Kerala.
What is love about Kerala is the greenery, pollution free air and the...
9 years ago
Kalyani Nandurkar liked a reply to the topic These States are different from other States.
9 years ago
Kalyani Nandurkar replied to the topic Your state and whats the best about it.
You are welcome Divya and it is a really good idea! Why don't you start first with your own...
9 years ago
Kalyani Nandurkar liked the topic Your state and whats the best about it.
Hi all,
We are from different parts of India. Some may be settled outside as well but I assume you are Indians by heart :)
Just creating a post here to know...
9 years ago
Kalyani Nandurkar replied to the topic Edible Art.
@Divya thank you very much. Sorry the photo is quite distorted as I didn't check the size properly. This was my first attempt at salad decoration and food carving, so I think...
9 years ago
Divya created new topic Your state and whats the best about it.
Hi all,
We are from different parts of India. Some may be settled outside as well but I assume you are Indians by heart :)
Just creating a post here to know...
9 years ago
Divya replied to the topic These States are different from other States.
Totally agree with kalyani here.
And creating a discussion also... with this topic... let us see if we can get more interesting stuff :P
9 years ago
Divya replied to the topic Edible Art.
Kalyani Nandurkar wrote:
How's this one? I had made this with my son for a competition in his school. We won second prize for...
9 years ago
Kalyani Nandurkar replied to the topic These States are different from other States.
These states are definitely cleaner than rest of the country but all other states are also unique in their own right and are blessed with nature, although each in a different...
9 years ago
Divya created new article What I want to be when I grow up.
Kids bring back some very vibrant childhood memories. The memories which are buried deep down, forgotten and almost lost. Until there is a kid (especially your own) who decides to tread the same path. So here is my recollection of “what I want to be when I grow up” and how it evolved with the evolution of me.
Childhood
Flashback to the little girl in kinder garden. This is a time when you really don’t know that you have to become someone when you grow up. All the matters during those formative school years is to be able to get your favorite toy when the teachers opens the toy box. The wonderful years where you do not have to worry about anything not even the homework, leave alone thinking about the distant future and career. (Career?? Now what is that??) So when someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up, I would invariably say I simply want to grow up.
A little after that came the obsession for candies. Any number of candies you get, any number of candies you eat, but somehow you would never have enough. It was an uphill asking parents, that’s when this exceptional idea first came in mind. If I could somehow get a job in a candy factory, won’t it be wonderful, I would always be surrounded candies and I could eat one as and when I wanted. And so it was decided that when I grow up I wanted to work in candy factory. This ambition stayed for a long time just the factories kept changing with the changing times from Chewing gum to ice cream to chocolate and chips. At a point I just lost track of the item involved, it was always some factory where I wanted to work once I grow up.
Pre-teens
This was the time when cable TV had started making inroads in our lives. Before that we only had Doordarshan and Mile Sur Mera Tumhara. I would watch movies and serials - Byomkesh Bakshi was one of my favorite. He was brilliant, he was sharp and he was quick. And he was a detective. So I decided I wanted to become a detective. This is final and no changes after that. The decision was made. Till there were a series of movies and serials where I saw lawyers fighting cases and bringing the bad boys to book. They would tread the unknown paths to get the much wanted proof against the criminals and finally they would save the common man, win all the cases and get appreciation from one and all. Well! Since there is still time to grow, I guess its ok to change your ambition as well. So a lawyer it is, what I wanted to become when I grow. After this decision was taken, each time I saw a lawyer in a movie or a serial, I would imagine myself in that position, going through the hardships to get the breakpoints, listening to the sad man stories and saving the common man from the bad guys. Yes, this was all me. I will stick to this decision. No matter what. I will stand strong for what I believe in.
Teens and End of School
I really forgot I had to grow up. I forgot about the candy, chewing gum, chocolate and chips factories, I even forgot about the lawyer part. All that mattered was studies. Please note it was a forced decision and not a voluntary one. This continued till 9th or 10th standard I guess and it was time for the real decision making. Science, commerce or humanities. It is this decision which would shape the future. I understood that the factories and courts were just fantasies and would never be a reality. But such a huge decision was too much for my young self. And as a good girl I left it to my parents. I was too naiive to take the decision myself. And my father said, you should become an engineer. And the decision was taken. Engineer it is.
College
I was made to study science. I willingly did. I was told to prepare for the entrance, I did. I was told I should get a good rank in entrance so I get into a good college, I did. I remember the day dad came with me to complete the joining formalities for Electronics and Communication Engineering in one of the prestigious colleges in our place, after all was done he said – “ I have done my part and now it is up to you to decide what you want to become from here”. I was like “what…!!!!”. You decided its science, you decided its engineering, you decided its electronics, and now what am I to decide.
Anyways as the story goes I studied, got placed in a leading MNC, started working, got married, had two beautiful kids and life continues. But that one question still remains “what you want to be” (when you grow can be skipped now. Since I have already grown more than enough). And today for the same question I would say I want to become the child again to dream of the candy, chewing gum, ice cream, chocolate and chips factory again. The vicious circle continues.
9 years ago
Divya created new article What I want to be when I grow up.
Kids bring back some very vibrant childhood memories. The memories which are buried deep down, forgotten and almost lost. Until there is a kid (especially your own) who decides to tread the same path. So here is my recollection of “what I want to be when I grow up” and how it evolved with the evolution of me.
Childhood
Flashback to the little girl in kinder garden. This is a time when you really don’t know that you have to become someone when you grow up. All the matters during those formative school years is to be able to get your favorite toy when the teachers opens the toy box. The wonderful years where you do not have to worry about anything not even the homework, leave alone thinking about the distant future and career. (Career?? Now what is that??) So when someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up, I would invariably say I simply want to grow up.
A little after that came the obsession for candies. Any number of candies you get, any number of candies you eat, but somehow you would never have enough. It was an uphill asking parents, that’s when this exceptional idea first came in mind. If I could somehow get a job in a candy factory, won’t it be wonderful, I would always be surrounded candies and I could eat one as and when I wanted. And so it was decided that when I grow up I wanted to work in candy factory. This ambition stayed for a long time just the factories kept changing with the changing times from Chewing gum to ice cream to chocolate and chips. At a point I just lost track of the item involved, it was always some factory where I wanted to work once I grow up.
Pre-teens
This was the time when cable TV had started making inroads in our lives. Before that we only had Doordarshan and Mile Sur Mera Tumhara. I would watch movies and serials - Byomkesh Bakshi was one of my favorite. He was brilliant, he was sharp and he was quick. And he was a detective. So I decided I wanted to become a detective. This is final and no changes after that. The decision was made. Till there were a series of movies and serials where I saw lawyers fighting cases and bringing the bad boys to book. They would tread the unknown paths to get the much wanted proof against the criminals and finally they would save the common man, win all the cases and get appreciation from one and all. Well! Since there is still time to grow, I guess its ok to change your ambition as well. So a lawyer it is, what I wanted to become when I grow. After this decision was taken, each time I saw a lawyer in a movie or a serial, I would imagine myself in that position, going through the hardships to get the breakpoints, listening to the sad man stories and saving the common man from the bad guys. Yes, this was all me. I will stick to this decision. No matter what. I will stand strong for what I believe in.
Teens and End of School
I really forgot I had to grow up. I forgot about the candy, chewing gum, chocolate and chips factories, I even forgot about the lawyer part. All that mattered was studies. Please note it was a forced decision and not a voluntary one. This continued till 9th or 10th standard I guess and it was time for the real decision making. Science, commerce or humanities. It is this decision which would shape the future. I understood that the factories and courts were just fantasies and would never be a reality. But such a huge decision was too much for my young self. And as a good girl I left it to my parents. I was too naiive to take the decision myself. And my father said, you should become an engineer. And the decision was taken. Engineer it is.
College
I was made to study science. I willingly did. I was told to prepare for the entrance, I did. I was told I should get a good rank in entrance so I get into a good college, I did. I remember the day dad came with me to complete the joining formalities for Electronics and Communication Engineering in one of the prestigious colleges in our place, after all was done he said – “ I have done my part and now it is up to you to decide what you want to become from here”. I was like “what…!!!!”. You decided its science, you decided its engineering, you decided its electronics, and now what am I to decide.
Anyways as the story goes I studied, got placed in a leading MNC, started working, got married, had two beautiful kids and life continues. But that one question still remains “what you want to be” (when you grow can be skipped now. Since I have already grown more than enough). And today for the same question I would say I want to become the child again to dream of the candy, chewing gum, ice cream, chocolate and chips factory again. The vicious circle continues.
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article Changing Power Equation as Russian bombers us Iranian Air Field for Bombardment.
One of the principles of politics and world power equations is that they are never static, but dynamic and change at no stated interval. Thus we saw the signing of the 1938 Munich Pact when Nevile Chamberlain the British premier announced that " we have won peace for our time". Chamberlain woefully underestimated Hitler and the result was that Hitler annexed Austria and the Sudetenland and just 2 years later WWII broke out.
Another example we have is the famous non-aggression pact between Hitler and Stalin of 1939. The Soviet foreign minister Molotov went to Germany for the signing of the pact amid much fanfare. Yet on 22 June 1941, the German Wehrmacht launched an invasion of Russia. Thus nothing is static in the world of realpolitik.
Iran is an important power in Central Asia. For decades Iran was part of the American sphere of influence. The Shah of Iran was an American stooge and he was a strong partner in the various defense pacts like CENTO, Baghdad Pact against Russia. The Shah was also a tyrant and he executed hardline Muslim like animals. His favorite punishment ( authorized by him) was to carry the opponents to his regime in a helicopter and after tieing the man's hands and legs drop him from a height of nearly 8-10000 ft.
The Shah was overthrown by a popular revolution and the Iranians threw out the Americans. They began to refer to America as the "great Satan". The Shah was forsaken and a one-time ally of America was not even allowed to spend any time there as the US government sent him away. Only Egypt under Anwar Sadat gave refuge to the Shah. The world of realpolitik changed dramatically.
The Americans for long have been trying to regain influence in Iran. President Obama thought that by agreeing to Iranian demands and unfreezing their assets on the nuclear issue in return for some flimsy assurances, Iran will come back to the American fold.
Unfortunately, a battle opened up in the Middle East and Iraq in particular after the folly of George Bush in removing Saddam. Now Saddam was a Sunni and the majority of the Iraqi population is Shia. This was fertile ground for a conflict and the ISIS which is basically a Suni outfit was born. It began to execute Shias and Iran obviously came on the side of the Shia.
In Syria, the Iranians backed Assad who was also a Russian ally and as both Russia and Iran were on the same footing their interests converged. The Americans were keen to remove Assad, simply because he never towed the American line. The Iranians were thus once again crossing swords with the West and America. Obama's policy of appeasement with Iran collapsed like a sand castle.
Putin is a shrewd manipulator and his overtures to Iran cut a lot of ice with the Iran leadership. As both faced America, it was natural for Iran to align with Russia. The result is the beginning of a military collaboration which is anti-America and its ally in the Middle East.
The relationship has now been strengthened with the Russians using the TU-22M supersonic bomber and operating it from the Iranian airbase to bomb the opponents of Saddam. This help from Iran is perhaps the beginning of a military relationship with Russia. The Russian bombers had earlier to fly from a distance of 1900 km to bomb Syria, but now they take off from a base close to Tehran and the distance is reduced to just 630 km. The TU -22 with a speed of 2350 km per hour is a Mach II bomber and there is no similar plane in the world, none even with the USA and China.
The plane needs a longish airfield to operate and the Iranian have such an airfield. The bombers have been flying over Iraq to hit targets of the opponents of Syria. The TU-22 also called the Backfire is a lethal plane and the Americans are worried, more at the possible military alliance of Iran with America. Iran has never forgiven America for the atrocities of the Shah and also for supporting Israel.
The Russian bombers flew over Iraq after informing the USAF as per a pact between Russia and America signed a few years back. The world of realpolitik is changing and a country that was once part of the US alliance against Russia is now allowing the Russian Air Force to operate from its airfield. It's perhaps the budding of a military alliance and America will be perturbed.
9 years ago
shaloo walia created new article Hola Mohalla : Celebrating Valour.
Hola Mohalla is an annual Sikh festival which is celebrated on the day after Holi. It is an annual fair which is held for three days at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, India. People from far off places come to Anandpur Sahib to attend Hola Mohalla and enjoy the daring feats of fighting prowess and listen to melodious kirtans, music & poetry. The event concludes with a majestic military-like procession near Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib which is one of the five revered seats of Sikh authority.
The word Hola has been derived from 'halla' which means attack. Mohalla stand for an organized procession or an army column. Thus Hola Mohalla literally means 'the charge of an army'. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru founded the tradition of Hola Mohalla. After establishing Khalsa Panth, Guru Gobind Singh Ji started the tradition of a massive Sikh gathering where mock battles, poetry contests and display of gatka, horse riding and other fighting skills were organized at Holagarh Fort. Guru Gobind Singh Ji started Hola Mohalla as an occasion for military drills and mock battles to train the army. Hola Mohalla was an occasion for Sikhs to to demonstrate their fighting skills in mock battles. Guru Gobind Singh organized the first Hola Mohalla in 1701.
Hola Mohalla is a reminder of courage and valour of the Sikhs who made supreme sacrifices during the Mughal regime. During the three days festival, the nihangs carry on the martial tradition with organizing mock battles, swordsmanship and horse riding. Daring feats like gatka, horse riding, sword fencing, archery are performed. Kirtans and religious lectures are held at the various gurudwaras at Anandpur Sahib. The highlight of the festival is the grand procession on the last day of the festival which is led by the Panj Pyaras starting from Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib and passing through various historical gurudwaras like Qila Anandgarh, Mata Jitoji, Lohgarh Sahib etc. and finally ending at the Takht. The Nihangs dressed in traditional attires and carrying shining spears and swords look fierce as they gallop through the streets on horsebacks.
Langars or community kitchens are organized by local villagers for the people who have come to attend Hola Mohalla from various places. The nearby villages come forward to donate food material for the langar and the local women volunteer to cook and clean the utensils while the men take the responsibility of serving the food and cleaning the place. All the gurudwaras also serve langar on a grand scale.
Hola Mohalla serves as an occasion for the Sikhs to reaffirm their commitment to the principles laid down by the Gurus. It is an occasion to reaffirm unity and brotherhood. Hola Mohalla has been accorded the status of a National Festival recently by the Indian Government. Today the popularity of Hola Mohalla has grown into leaps and bounds. People from all over the world come to Anandpur Sahib to witness the festivities of Hola Mohalla and the locals welcome the visitors with open arms irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article Obscurantism at its best; Muslim Pir impregnates 300 plus women in Pakistan.
Islam came to the sub-continent nearly 1300 years back when the first invasions from Arabia took place. Initially, the Muslims came to plunder but later many settled in India. From about the 9th century onwards the Muslims increasingly became the rulers, first of North India and later of the entire India. There was a lot of mixture of the Islamic faith with Hindu and Buddhist religions. Though Islam adopted a hard line, yet a softer version of Islam peculiar to the sub-continent emerged. this was the Sufi movement that talked of enveloping all people in contrast to the Wahhabi concept that stipulated a strict form of Islam and implementation of the Sharia as written in the Koran and the Hadiths. The Sufism of Islam produced holy men called Pir's or Peers.
The Pir's are much revered in India and Pakistan. I have been following a Pir for almost 25 years from my youth and he is a man of god. Many Pirs are also hereditary and the son becomes the Pir after the demise of the father. The father is supposed to pass all his wisdom to his son who is then ordained as the Pir.
The hold of the Pir over Muslims is almost hypnotic and I will add that many Hindus also follow Pirs. However one of the facets of life in India and Pakistan in the countryside is the almost blind faith in the Pir. He is supposed to have direct communion with Allah and people believe that all their ills will be solved by the Pir.
The Pir is the 21st century may look an anachronism, but even in this century and age, he wields tremendous hold over his village flock. Some Pirs become famous and people from great distances travel to get the blessing of the Pir.
A strange story about the powers of a Pir has emerged from Pakistan. I could not believe it till my Pakistani friend from Lahore confirmed the news to me. What was the news? the news wasthat aa Muslim Pir has been arrested by the police after it came to light that the man had impregnated over 300 married women. Such is the faith of the women that they gave their bodies to the Pir willingly.
In Pakistan to be childless is as sin and a greater sin is not having a son and only daughters. This is a hangover of a feudal setup and it's very much prevalent in both India and Pakistan. Nw this Pir propagated that any women who could not conceive or wanted a son could come to him and he would intercede with Allah and grant the wish of the woman to have a child or a son if she desired.
Women who craved for a son went to the Pir for his blessings. At home, they were harassed and sometimes beaten by the mother in law for not begetting a son.Such women were emotional wrecks and when they met the Pir he charmed them with his magnetism. After a few meetings, he would invariably take the woman to a back chamber where he had a luxurious bed to which he referred as the Noor bed. There he would have repeated sex with the women.
It so transpired that a few women had sons and they divulged that this was due to the power of the Pir. They did not mention the fact of sleeping with the Pir on the Noor bed. Eager to have a son many other women also started to go to the Pir to seek his blessings. The Pir was young and virile and in the name of Allah he copulated with over 300 women and impregnated them. the women some of who were childless were obviously delighted to have a child and they spread the word about the power of the Pir. The fact that they had been sleeping with the man was not announced and remained a secret. The Pir continued merrily as more and more women some of who came from great distances gave themselves to the Pir.
This continued for some months till someone expressed his apprehensions to the Police. Hearing that the police were coming, the Pir ran away but was arrested.
The question now was as to what charge to frame against the Pir. No woman was willing to come forward and accuse the Pir of rape and the Police are wondering how to prosecute the Pir. In addition in case ,they try him under the Hooded ordinance, then as per the Sharia, there is a requirement of 4 eye witnesses. This is impossible in this case and I am told the Pir is on bail. I wonder if he has re-started his exploits.
I have been wondering if a statistic could be worked out as to how many of the 300+ women had male children. However, one fact stands out is the Pirs and holy men have a hypnotic effect on the people of the sub-continent. My Muslim friend from Lahore has given me a revolutionary opinion. She has said that the Pir must be complimented as he gave a child to a childless woman and thus saved her life from cruelty and beatings in rural Pakistan.
9 years ago
Palok Chakraborty created new article What ails Indian sports & games??.
Notwithstanding the advancement made in other walks of life – important as they are – a certain amount of progress in the field of sports and games especially when benchmarked against some of the developed countries is what proving to be elusive for the Indian community at large. Sports and games do signify and form a vital index of development in an overall arch of progress when viewed from a holistically considered standpoint. In spite of infusing crores of rupees into the making of a good athlete or say a good sprinter the results it seems, are hard to come by. And it has to be admitted that despite all these moneyed endeavours into creating a world-class atmosphere of sports and games, something is amiss in this entire architecture that goes behind the making of a world-class athlete or a sportsperson. Barring the singular exception of cricket which in no way draws global participation, India’s comprehensive retreat into shadows seems to be nearing consummation even from all those fields of sports which she used to dominate, for example, hockey and football. This falling down of the standard in terms of excellence coupled with the shift of emphasis from sports and games have wielded a baneful influence to the sporting fraternity. A close look will reveal multiple faults in this superstructure that houses sports and games. The primary faults that are besetting the Indian sports are as such: infrastructural problem, lack of research in sports psychology and medicine and an absence of state-of-the-art training facilities and proper trainers are some of the problems that need highlighting in this context.
Infrastructural inadequacy right now is the greatest bane that is afflicting the entire sporting community like no other else. A good infrastructure can make anyone reach his/her desired destination or at least can spur anyone to reach his/her destination in a positive way. And an absence of it can act as a negative catalyst in this crucial equation of success and failure in the field of sports and games. Viewed from a holistic point of view a good sporting infrastructure combines every sort of sporting facility including training facilities. Bereft of this we should continue to treat a certain Milkha Singh or a certain P.T. Usha as mere exceptions and not the product of a sustained, systematic effort on nationwide scale. Infrastructural insufficiency when dissected and ramified in a sports-specific manner paints a picture that is abysmally worse. With the possible exceptions of cricket, football and to some extent hockey no other sport in India can boast of a worthwhile infrastructure to date. A proper infrastructure lets the budding and raw talents breed and be bloodied in a proper way. And without this raw talents not only go unnoticed but just stop bubbling out after a certain level.
Lack of advanced scientific research in the field of sports medicine and psychology is another factor that is not only crippling our progress but also points to the unfathomable unawareness that has become a corollary product of our collective inertia in the field of sports and games. Proper research in a sport-specific manner will include research on diet, training and on an array of psychological aspects that an athlete should work on while honing his/her skills in a particular field of sport. We should also remember in this regard that every sport is unique and in that it demands a specific set of skills to be brought into play by the concerned athlete. And without proper research we will not be able to rectify our gaffes or improve upon what we already have in this entire process.
Last but not the least is the inexplicable absence of state-of-the-art training facilities and a pool of well-trained trainers who can impart their knowledge to all those budding athletes in an effective, professional manner. Trainers are the backbones of athletes and without them no pool of athletes, however talented, can succeed.
So, the obvious question is how to improve sports and games in India in a comprehensive and collective manner. The problem is that there is no readymade solution or panacea that will cure all the maladies in a jiffy. At the outset, the infrastructural insufficiency has to be remedied by critically re-examining the success models of different countries- countries that are traditionally strong in some specific branch of sports. So spending and pumping money in a profligate manner will not suffice, we have to ensure that it goes to the right place in the right manner and for the right cause. Also a lot has to be invested behind research on sports medicine and psychology. Collaboration or tie-ups with some of the leading foreign universities or institutes is an absolute must if we are to herald a new dawn in Indian sports and games. Coaches have to be trained and educated not only in India but if the need arises they should be sent to foreign countries for necessary specialization. Equal priority should be given to sporting activities right from the school level by not only introducing but also making sports and games a mandatory subject in the course curriculum. Above all, a supportive atmosphere towards reward and participation should be created across the nation so that sports can claim its rightful place in our society and country.
9 years ago
Divya created new article WhatsApp???.
The first thing I do in morning is not to pray to God for another wonderful morning, or thank him for the two beautiful kids I have or plan for the day ahead or think about my health and do some exercise or yoga. The first thing I do is switch on the Wi-Fi and see the number of messages I have in WhatsApp. I may or may not read them immediately but then I cannot start my day without doing this chore religiously. It’s an addiction, the addiction to technology. There are so many groups and so many people (sorry friends) who keep posting forward messages or discuss some topic just like in any other forum. But when I need a friend, do I have any of these virtual people around?
Addiction
The addiction does not end with just getting up and checking the messages. It lasts through the day. While having breakfast or lunch or dinner, while working in office, while helping my kids with their homework, the subtle presence is always there. The desire to know if there is a new message however irrelevant it may be. The desire to know the new gossips in the family groups. The desire to check the new DP (display pictures) or the new status. To know if I have been added in any more groups. Add to it the competition to create new supposedly “meaningful” groups and keeping it more active and “meaningful” than the groups started by others. Suddenly, I am like OMG (Oh my God) of all the addictions, did I have to fall prey to this WhatsApp? On a lighter but serious note, there is an unnamed disease, which is traced to excessive WhatsApp usage. Basically, only our thumb doing repeated scrolling and “touching” while the other fingers don’t move much. So dears, please do be careful and give your hands and fingers the much needed exercise in between please.
Information
But before you jump to a conclusion about this smaller version of the idiot box, let me tell you there are so many things which are so helpful and make it worthy of the time spent. A family group where the parents are in the native place, the son is in USA and daughter is in Chennai and they have kids. For all happy and sad occasions, you can share the pictures in the family groups. The grandparents will always be happy to see the kids the pictures and the videos because that’s the best they can have since they are unable to stay with new generation.
Similarly, my son misses school for a day. Immediately I post a message asking for homework and classwork done for that day in School Parents group and within minutes I have the screenshots being shared. No, the herculean task would be to make him do that homework.
As we move forward in life, our responsibilities increase, priorities change and the “me – time” is reduced. We seem to loose contact with our friends from college and school (yes we all had friends in school). But WhatsApp is a platform which has brought us all together again. A school friends or college friend’s group is just what is need to bring a smile to our face. A reminiscent of the good old days.
There have been instances where patients received appropriate blood donors through this wonder app. Some cases where lost people were also found with the news being spread faster through this app. But again things when in the hands of good people is safe, but the moment it falls in the hands of unscrupulous people it can create problems. So we all need to be careful and vigilant always.
My World
With everything said and done, WhatsApp continues to be a good time pass for me. Again the first thing I do in the morning is to check the messages, the gossips, the updates and the DPs.
9 years ago
shaloo walia created new article Vastu for Homes.
Vastu Shastra is an ancient science which is the traditional Hindu system of architecture aiming at a happy and prosperous life by making the home and workplace compliant to certain natural laws. If the construction is not according to the Vastu principles then the thinking and actions of the natives residing or working in such places will not be harmonious , thus leading to discord and illness. On the contrary, obeying the laws of nature as elaborated in the Vastu Shastra help in getting the divine support for the natives. Vastu principles as enumerated in our ancient texts are universally applicable irrespective of the place, religion, caste and creed.
Most famous and well-known temples in South India like Lord Venkateshwara temple at Tirupati, Meenakshi temple at Madurai etc. are vastu-perfect. Jaipur city founded in 1727 by Sawai Jai Singh II is in accordance with vastu shastra. Vastu shastra should not be just applied to homes but also in commericial building and industries where stakes are high.
There are certain things which should be kept in mind while planning the house. Vastu recommends that a house should be built in the shape of a square or a rectangle. Kitchen should not be under or above the puja room, toilet or bedroom. It should be in South-East corner of the house. The gas stove should not in front of the door of the kitchen.The person cooking the food should face East while cooking.Dining room in West direction is the best. The shape of the dining table should be square or rectangular. There should be no attached toilet to the dining room. Puja room should not be in the bedroom. The idols should not be exactly in front of the entrance.
Drawing room should be in North or East direction. Portraits of scenes from war or misery, crying women or children etc. should not be there in the house. Bedroom should not be exactly in the middle of the house but preferably in North side. Children's room is the best in West direction. Use light and pleasing shades on the walls of the bedroom. Keeping mirror in the bedroom can cause differences between the couple. Television and computer should also be avoided in the bedroom. The bed should not be placed under a beam because it will interfere with the sleep.Staircase should never be in the center of the house and should never end or start from the puja room. store room or kitchen. Circular staircase should be avoided. It is better to avoid basement in a residential house.
Defects of vastu can be minimized by matra, yantra and worship as it creates auspicious energy but it doesn't last long because it is obstructed by the faulty construction. Vastu Shastra principles are applicable both to the self owned or rented houses. The natives of the house may suffer for the vastu deficiencies of the house. While a vastu perfect construction adds to the peace, prosperity and happiness to the natives. So in case you are renting a house, you should consider if the house is vastu compliant.
9 years ago
shaloo walia created new article Practical Meditation Tips for Beginners.
If I have to name one habit that has been the most beneficial for me then it's the practice of meditation. It's the most important habit that I have formed in last ten years. I learnt meditation during a basic course with Art of Living. After a series of advanced meditation programs, I finally went for the teachers training program and became an Art of Living teacher in 2009.
Meditation has helped me in becoming more calm and peaceful. It helped in becoming more focused and less stressed. It helped me in having a heightened awareness and being more in gratitude. I am not perfect but meditation has certainly helped me in becoming a far better person than I was.
Most importantly, meditation helped me in being aware of my thoughts and what goes on in my mind. I used to get easily pulled down by negativity but now I observe the thoughts going on in my head and can make a choice between becoming a victim of negativity or being free and positive.
Due to immense benefits that I have experience by meditating daily for the past eight years, I highly recommend it to everyone. Meditation is not easy but you can start meditating and get better and better at it by daily practice. Like every other habit, it takes time to form a meditation habit and like every other skill, it takes practice to master it.
Here are some practical tips for beginners:
Start small. Start meditation practice by meditating just for five minutes daily for a week. Slowly and gradually keep increasing the time.
Make meditation a priority and do it first thing in the morning. You may forget to meditate if you decide to do it later in the day or simply might not get the time to do it.
Don't worry too much about how to do it. Simply sit cross-legged on the floor or on a sofa in a quiet place and meditate.
Start simple meditation practice by simply sitting with your eyes closed and focusing on your breath.
Observe how you are feeling- tired, anxious, busy. Observe the state of your mind.
When you sit to meditate, your mind will wander here and there. That's quite natural. Be aware and bring your attention back to your breath whenever your mind goes on a trip.
Be in harmony with your thoughts. Accept your thoughts and feelings as they are.
You might have doubts if you are doing it right. Don't get into doubts and just be happy that you are meditating.
People think that meditation means absence of thoughts. It takes time and lots of practice to reach that blissful state of thoughtlessness. For now, just accept the thoughts as a passive observer and don't get stuck in them.
Get to know yourself during meditation. Learn how your mind works.
Be committed towards meditation practice. Take 21 days meditation challenge in the beginning and commit to it.
You can meditate anywhere- while travelling, at home, in office, while walking. (Yes, you can do walking meditation too!)
You can start with guided meditations which are a bit easier for the beginners as they come with a set of instructions to follow.
Join a community of people who meditate where you can ask questions and get encouragement & support.
End your meditation session with a smile and a feeling of gratitude.
9 years ago
Divya created new article Twitter and Me.
Technology is touching our lives in almost all aspects. Gone are the days of visiting banks and shops now technology brings everything close to us through the internet. Even when I say internet, there is a huge plethora of things, websites, networks etc internet refers to, but today I will like to talk about twitter.
Twitter is a social networking forum for sharing short messages called tweets. One of the very gluing factor that I felt was the celebrities and those whom we look up to (those who are active on twitter) they actually read the message you send and many a times even reply to it. For a die-hard AB junior fan that I am, can you just imagine how I would feel if he actually replied back a message I send him? Oh…!!! It’s a cloud nine feeling and only twitter can make it possible.
Now everything comes at price. We get to post to the celebrities and they reply to the common people, supposedly fans. But there are so many others who use the platform in the wrong way just to vent out their frustration and anger. Sometimes when these “tweets” are from famous people they are likely to create a wrong impact on the readers. Like very recently, Ms Shobha De, the renowned write had tweeted that our athletes are in Rio just to take selfies (and not to win medals). Well, that is so gross to say the least. But given the online freedom this platform provides us she was thrashed left and right for her comments. There are times and instances when people tend to forget that the person we are tweeting about is an individual with family and friends. And the comments that we are posting are public and free for all to read.
But please do not think that this online world is ugly, it has its advantages as well. The best and the most recent eg would be our very own minister Ms. Sushma Swaraj, who is another very active twitter member. Recently a new married husband posted a picture of himself alone on his honeymoon flight because his wife had lost her passport to Ms Swaraj. She immediately tweeted back that she will make sure that his wife there with him on the next seat. And also promised to get her a new passport within a day.
Hence all technologies have a good and bad side to it. It is up to us to choose which path we wish to tread.
9 years ago
Divya replied to the topic Your state and whats the best about it.
I was born and brought up in Delhi, now settled in Chennai and I am a native of Kerala.
What is love about Kerala is the greenery, pollution free air and the...
9 years ago
Kalyani Nandurkar liked a reply to the topic These States are different from other States.
9 years ago
Kalyani Nandurkar replied to the topic Your state and whats the best about it.
You are welcome Divya and it is a really good idea! Why don't you start first with your own...
9 years ago
Kalyani Nandurkar liked the topic Your state and whats the best about it.
Hi all,
We are from different parts of India. Some may be settled outside as well but I assume you are Indians by heart :)
Just creating a post here to know...
9 years ago
Kalyani Nandurkar replied to the topic Edible Art.
@Divya thank you very much. Sorry the photo is quite distorted as I didn't check the size properly. This was my first attempt at salad decoration and food carving, so I think...
9 years ago
Divya created new topic Your state and whats the best about it.
Hi all,
We are from different parts of India. Some may be settled outside as well but I assume you are Indians by heart :)
Just creating a post here to know...
9 years ago
Divya replied to the topic These States are different from other States.
Totally agree with kalyani here.
And creating a discussion also... with this topic... let us see if we can get more interesting stuff :P
9 years ago
Divya replied to the topic Edible Art.
Kalyani Nandurkar wrote:
How's this one? I had made this with my son for a competition in his school. We won second prize for...
9 years ago
Kalyani Nandurkar replied to the topic These States are different from other States.
These states are definitely cleaner than rest of the country but all other states are also unique in their own right and are blessed with nature, although each in a different...
9 years ago
Divya created new article What I want to be when I grow up.
Kids bring back some very vibrant childhood memories. The memories which are buried deep down, forgotten and almost lost. Until there is a kid (especially your own) who decides to tread the same path. So here is my recollection of “what I want to be when I grow up” and how it evolved with the evolution of me.
Childhood
Flashback to the little girl in kinder garden. This is a time when you really don’t know that you have to become someone when you grow up. All the matters during those formative school years is to be able to get your favorite toy when the teachers opens the toy box. The wonderful years where you do not have to worry about anything not even the homework, leave alone thinking about the distant future and career. (Career?? Now what is that??) So when someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up, I would invariably say I simply want to grow up.
A little after that came the obsession for candies. Any number of candies you get, any number of candies you eat, but somehow you would never have enough. It was an uphill asking parents, that’s when this exceptional idea first came in mind. If I could somehow get a job in a candy factory, won’t it be wonderful, I would always be surrounded candies and I could eat one as and when I wanted. And so it was decided that when I grow up I wanted to work in candy factory. This ambition stayed for a long time just the factories kept changing with the changing times from Chewing gum to ice cream to chocolate and chips. At a point I just lost track of the item involved, it was always some factory where I wanted to work once I grow up.
Pre-teens
This was the time when cable TV had started making inroads in our lives. Before that we only had Doordarshan and Mile Sur Mera Tumhara. I would watch movies and serials - Byomkesh Bakshi was one of my favorite. He was brilliant, he was sharp and he was quick. And he was a detective. So I decided I wanted to become a detective. This is final and no changes after that. The decision was made. Till there were a series of movies and serials where I saw lawyers fighting cases and bringing the bad boys to book. They would tread the unknown paths to get the much wanted proof against the criminals and finally they would save the common man, win all the cases and get appreciation from one and all. Well! Since there is still time to grow, I guess its ok to change your ambition as well. So a lawyer it is, what I wanted to become when I grow. After this decision was taken, each time I saw a lawyer in a movie or a serial, I would imagine myself in that position, going through the hardships to get the breakpoints, listening to the sad man stories and saving the common man from the bad guys. Yes, this was all me. I will stick to this decision. No matter what. I will stand strong for what I believe in.
Teens and End of School
I really forgot I had to grow up. I forgot about the candy, chewing gum, chocolate and chips factories, I even forgot about the lawyer part. All that mattered was studies. Please note it was a forced decision and not a voluntary one. This continued till 9th or 10th standard I guess and it was time for the real decision making. Science, commerce or humanities. It is this decision which would shape the future. I understood that the factories and courts were just fantasies and would never be a reality. But such a huge decision was too much for my young self. And as a good girl I left it to my parents. I was too naiive to take the decision myself. And my father said, you should become an engineer. And the decision was taken. Engineer it is.
College
I was made to study science. I willingly did. I was told to prepare for the entrance, I did. I was told I should get a good rank in entrance so I get into a good college, I did. I remember the day dad came with me to complete the joining formalities for Electronics and Communication Engineering in one of the prestigious colleges in our place, after all was done he said – “ I have done my part and now it is up to you to decide what you want to become from here”. I was like “what…!!!!”. You decided its science, you decided its engineering, you decided its electronics, and now what am I to decide.
Anyways as the story goes I studied, got placed in a leading MNC, started working, got married, had two beautiful kids and life continues. But that one question still remains “what you want to be” (when you grow can be skipped now. Since I have already grown more than enough). And today for the same question I would say I want to become the child again to dream of the candy, chewing gum, ice cream, chocolate and chips factory again. The vicious circle continues.
9 years ago
Divya created new article What I want to be when I grow up.
Kids bring back some very vibrant childhood memories. The memories which are buried deep down, forgotten and almost lost. Until there is a kid (especially your own) who decides to tread the same path. So here is my recollection of “what I want to be when I grow up” and how it evolved with the evolution of me.
Childhood
Flashback to the little girl in kinder garden. This is a time when you really don’t know that you have to become someone when you grow up. All the matters during those formative school years is to be able to get your favorite toy when the teachers opens the toy box. The wonderful years where you do not have to worry about anything not even the homework, leave alone thinking about the distant future and career. (Career?? Now what is that??) So when someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up, I would invariably say I simply want to grow up.
A little after that came the obsession for candies. Any number of candies you get, any number of candies you eat, but somehow you would never have enough. It was an uphill asking parents, that’s when this exceptional idea first came in mind. If I could somehow get a job in a candy factory, won’t it be wonderful, I would always be surrounded candies and I could eat one as and when I wanted. And so it was decided that when I grow up I wanted to work in candy factory. This ambition stayed for a long time just the factories kept changing with the changing times from Chewing gum to ice cream to chocolate and chips. At a point I just lost track of the item involved, it was always some factory where I wanted to work once I grow up.
Pre-teens
This was the time when cable TV had started making inroads in our lives. Before that we only had Doordarshan and Mile Sur Mera Tumhara. I would watch movies and serials - Byomkesh Bakshi was one of my favorite. He was brilliant, he was sharp and he was quick. And he was a detective. So I decided I wanted to become a detective. This is final and no changes after that. The decision was made. Till there were a series of movies and serials where I saw lawyers fighting cases and bringing the bad boys to book. They would tread the unknown paths to get the much wanted proof against the criminals and finally they would save the common man, win all the cases and get appreciation from one and all. Well! Since there is still time to grow, I guess its ok to change your ambition as well. So a lawyer it is, what I wanted to become when I grow. After this decision was taken, each time I saw a lawyer in a movie or a serial, I would imagine myself in that position, going through the hardships to get the breakpoints, listening to the sad man stories and saving the common man from the bad guys. Yes, this was all me. I will stick to this decision. No matter what. I will stand strong for what I believe in.
Teens and End of School
I really forgot I had to grow up. I forgot about the candy, chewing gum, chocolate and chips factories, I even forgot about the lawyer part. All that mattered was studies. Please note it was a forced decision and not a voluntary one. This continued till 9th or 10th standard I guess and it was time for the real decision making. Science, commerce or humanities. It is this decision which would shape the future. I understood that the factories and courts were just fantasies and would never be a reality. But such a huge decision was too much for my young self. And as a good girl I left it to my parents. I was too naiive to take the decision myself. And my father said, you should become an engineer. And the decision was taken. Engineer it is.
College
I was made to study science. I willingly did. I was told to prepare for the entrance, I did. I was told I should get a good rank in entrance so I get into a good college, I did. I remember the day dad came with me to complete the joining formalities for Electronics and Communication Engineering in one of the prestigious colleges in our place, after all was done he said – “ I have done my part and now it is up to you to decide what you want to become from here”. I was like “what…!!!!”. You decided its science, you decided its engineering, you decided its electronics, and now what am I to decide.
Anyways as the story goes I studied, got placed in a leading MNC, started working, got married, had two beautiful kids and life continues. But that one question still remains “what you want to be” (when you grow can be skipped now. Since I have already grown more than enough). And today for the same question I would say I want to become the child again to dream of the candy, chewing gum, ice cream, chocolate and chips factory again. The vicious circle continues.
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article Changing Power Equation as Russian bombers us Iranian Air Field for Bombardment.
One of the principles of politics and world power equations is that they are never static, but dynamic and change at no stated interval. Thus we saw the signing of the 1938 Munich Pact when Nevile Chamberlain the British premier announced that " we have won peace for our time". Chamberlain woefully underestimated Hitler and the result was that Hitler annexed Austria and the Sudetenland and just 2 years later WWII broke out.
Another example we have is the famous non-aggression pact between Hitler and Stalin of 1939. The Soviet foreign minister Molotov went to Germany for the signing of the pact amid much fanfare. Yet on 22 June 1941, the German Wehrmacht launched an invasion of Russia. Thus nothing is static in the world of realpolitik.
Iran is an important power in Central Asia. For decades Iran was part of the American sphere of influence. The Shah of Iran was an American stooge and he was a strong partner in the various defense pacts like CENTO, Baghdad Pact against Russia. The Shah was also a tyrant and he executed hardline Muslim like animals. His favorite punishment ( authorized by him) was to carry the opponents to his regime in a helicopter and after tieing the man's hands and legs drop him from a height of nearly 8-10000 ft.
The Shah was overthrown by a popular revolution and the Iranians threw out the Americans. They began to refer to America as the "great Satan". The Shah was forsaken and a one-time ally of America was not even allowed to spend any time there as the US government sent him away. Only Egypt under Anwar Sadat gave refuge to the Shah. The world of realpolitik changed dramatically.
The Americans for long have been trying to regain influence in Iran. President Obama thought that by agreeing to Iranian demands and unfreezing their assets on the nuclear issue in return for some flimsy assurances, Iran will come back to the American fold.
Unfortunately, a battle opened up in the Middle East and Iraq in particular after the folly of George Bush in removing Saddam. Now Saddam was a Sunni and the majority of the Iraqi population is Shia. This was fertile ground for a conflict and the ISIS which is basically a Suni outfit was born. It began to execute Shias and Iran obviously came on the side of the Shia.
In Syria, the Iranians backed Assad who was also a Russian ally and as both Russia and Iran were on the same footing their interests converged. The Americans were keen to remove Assad, simply because he never towed the American line. The Iranians were thus once again crossing swords with the West and America. Obama's policy of appeasement with Iran collapsed like a sand castle.
Putin is a shrewd manipulator and his overtures to Iran cut a lot of ice with the Iran leadership. As both faced America, it was natural for Iran to align with Russia. The result is the beginning of a military collaboration which is anti-America and its ally in the Middle East.
The relationship has now been strengthened with the Russians using the TU-22M supersonic bomber and operating it from the Iranian airbase to bomb the opponents of Saddam. This help from Iran is perhaps the beginning of a military relationship with Russia. The Russian bombers had earlier to fly from a distance of 1900 km to bomb Syria, but now they take off from a base close to Tehran and the distance is reduced to just 630 km. The TU -22 with a speed of 2350 km per hour is a Mach II bomber and there is no similar plane in the world, none even with the USA and China.
The plane needs a longish airfield to operate and the Iranian have such an airfield. The bombers have been flying over Iraq to hit targets of the opponents of Syria. The TU-22 also called the Backfire is a lethal plane and the Americans are worried, more at the possible military alliance of Iran with America. Iran has never forgiven America for the atrocities of the Shah and also for supporting Israel.
The Russian bombers flew over Iraq after informing the USAF as per a pact between Russia and America signed a few years back. The world of realpolitik is changing and a country that was once part of the US alliance against Russia is now allowing the Russian Air Force to operate from its airfield. It's perhaps the budding of a military alliance and America will be perturbed.
9 years ago
shaloo walia created new article Hola Mohalla : Celebrating Valour.
Hola Mohalla is an annual Sikh festival which is celebrated on the day after Holi. It is an annual fair which is held for three days at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, India. People from far off places come to Anandpur Sahib to attend Hola Mohalla and enjoy the daring feats of fighting prowess and listen to melodious kirtans, music & poetry. The event concludes with a majestic military-like procession near Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib which is one of the five revered seats of Sikh authority.
The word Hola has been derived from 'halla' which means attack. Mohalla stand for an organized procession or an army column. Thus Hola Mohalla literally means 'the charge of an army'. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru founded the tradition of Hola Mohalla. After establishing Khalsa Panth, Guru Gobind Singh Ji started the tradition of a massive Sikh gathering where mock battles, poetry contests and display of gatka, horse riding and other fighting skills were organized at Holagarh Fort. Guru Gobind Singh Ji started Hola Mohalla as an occasion for military drills and mock battles to train the army. Hola Mohalla was an occasion for Sikhs to to demonstrate their fighting skills in mock battles. Guru Gobind Singh organized the first Hola Mohalla in 1701.
Hola Mohalla is a reminder of courage and valour of the Sikhs who made supreme sacrifices during the Mughal regime. During the three days festival, the nihangs carry on the martial tradition with organizing mock battles, swordsmanship and horse riding. Daring feats like gatka, horse riding, sword fencing, archery are performed. Kirtans and religious lectures are held at the various gurudwaras at Anandpur Sahib. The highlight of the festival is the grand procession on the last day of the festival which is led by the Panj Pyaras starting from Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib and passing through various historical gurudwaras like Qila Anandgarh, Mata Jitoji, Lohgarh Sahib etc. and finally ending at the Takht. The Nihangs dressed in traditional attires and carrying shining spears and swords look fierce as they gallop through the streets on horsebacks.
Langars or community kitchens are organized by local villagers for the people who have come to attend Hola Mohalla from various places. The nearby villages come forward to donate food material for the langar and the local women volunteer to cook and clean the utensils while the men take the responsibility of serving the food and cleaning the place. All the gurudwaras also serve langar on a grand scale.
Hola Mohalla serves as an occasion for the Sikhs to reaffirm their commitment to the principles laid down by the Gurus. It is an occasion to reaffirm unity and brotherhood. Hola Mohalla has been accorded the status of a National Festival recently by the Indian Government. Today the popularity of Hola Mohalla has grown into leaps and bounds. People from all over the world come to Anandpur Sahib to witness the festivities of Hola Mohalla and the locals welcome the visitors with open arms irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article Obscurantism at its best; Muslim Pir impregnates 300 plus women in Pakistan.
Islam came to the sub-continent nearly 1300 years back when the first invasions from Arabia took place. Initially, the Muslims came to plunder but later many settled in India. From about the 9th century onwards the Muslims increasingly became the rulers, first of North India and later of the entire India. There was a lot of mixture of the Islamic faith with Hindu and Buddhist religions. Though Islam adopted a hard line, yet a softer version of Islam peculiar to the sub-continent emerged. this was the Sufi movement that talked of enveloping all people in contrast to the Wahhabi concept that stipulated a strict form of Islam and implementation of the Sharia as written in the Koran and the Hadiths. The Sufism of Islam produced holy men called Pir's or Peers.
The Pir's are much revered in India and Pakistan. I have been following a Pir for almost 25 years from my youth and he is a man of god. Many Pirs are also hereditary and the son becomes the Pir after the demise of the father. The father is supposed to pass all his wisdom to his son who is then ordained as the Pir.
The hold of the Pir over Muslims is almost hypnotic and I will add that many Hindus also follow Pirs. However one of the facets of life in India and Pakistan in the countryside is the almost blind faith in the Pir. He is supposed to have direct communion with Allah and people believe that all their ills will be solved by the Pir.
The Pir is the 21st century may look an anachronism, but even in this century and age, he wields tremendous hold over his village flock. Some Pirs become famous and people from great distances travel to get the blessing of the Pir.
A strange story about the powers of a Pir has emerged from Pakistan. I could not believe it till my Pakistani friend from Lahore confirmed the news to me. What was the news? the news wasthat aa Muslim Pir has been arrested by the police after it came to light that the man had impregnated over 300 married women. Such is the faith of the women that they gave their bodies to the Pir willingly.
In Pakistan to be childless is as sin and a greater sin is not having a son and only daughters. This is a hangover of a feudal setup and it's very much prevalent in both India and Pakistan. Nw this Pir propagated that any women who could not conceive or wanted a son could come to him and he would intercede with Allah and grant the wish of the woman to have a child or a son if she desired.
Women who craved for a son went to the Pir for his blessings. At home, they were harassed and sometimes beaten by the mother in law for not begetting a son.Such women were emotional wrecks and when they met the Pir he charmed them with his magnetism. After a few meetings, he would invariably take the woman to a back chamber where he had a luxurious bed to which he referred as the Noor bed. There he would have repeated sex with the women.
It so transpired that a few women had sons and they divulged that this was due to the power of the Pir. They did not mention the fact of sleeping with the Pir on the Noor bed. Eager to have a son many other women also started to go to the Pir to seek his blessings. The Pir was young and virile and in the name of Allah he copulated with over 300 women and impregnated them. the women some of who were childless were obviously delighted to have a child and they spread the word about the power of the Pir. The fact that they had been sleeping with the man was not announced and remained a secret. The Pir continued merrily as more and more women some of who came from great distances gave themselves to the Pir.
This continued for some months till someone expressed his apprehensions to the Police. Hearing that the police were coming, the Pir ran away but was arrested.
The question now was as to what charge to frame against the Pir. No woman was willing to come forward and accuse the Pir of rape and the Police are wondering how to prosecute the Pir. In addition in case ,they try him under the Hooded ordinance, then as per the Sharia, there is a requirement of 4 eye witnesses. This is impossible in this case and I am told the Pir is on bail. I wonder if he has re-started his exploits.
I have been wondering if a statistic could be worked out as to how many of the 300+ women had male children. However, one fact stands out is the Pirs and holy men have a hypnotic effect on the people of the sub-continent. My Muslim friend from Lahore has given me a revolutionary opinion. She has said that the Pir must be complimented as he gave a child to a childless woman and thus saved her life from cruelty and beatings in rural Pakistan.
9 years ago
Palok Chakraborty created new article What ails Indian sports & games??.
Notwithstanding the advancement made in other walks of life – important as they are – a certain amount of progress in the field of sports and games especially when benchmarked against some of the developed countries is what proving to be elusive for the Indian community at large. Sports and games do signify and form a vital index of development in an overall arch of progress when viewed from a holistically considered standpoint. In spite of infusing crores of rupees into the making of a good athlete or say a good sprinter the results it seems, are hard to come by. And it has to be admitted that despite all these moneyed endeavours into creating a world-class atmosphere of sports and games, something is amiss in this entire architecture that goes behind the making of a world-class athlete or a sportsperson. Barring the singular exception of cricket which in no way draws global participation, India’s comprehensive retreat into shadows seems to be nearing consummation even from all those fields of sports which she used to dominate, for example, hockey and football. This falling down of the standard in terms of excellence coupled with the shift of emphasis from sports and games have wielded a baneful influence to the sporting fraternity. A close look will reveal multiple faults in this superstructure that houses sports and games. The primary faults that are besetting the Indian sports are as such: infrastructural problem, lack of research in sports psychology and medicine and an absence of state-of-the-art training facilities and proper trainers are some of the problems that need highlighting in this context.
Infrastructural inadequacy right now is the greatest bane that is afflicting the entire sporting community like no other else. A good infrastructure can make anyone reach his/her desired destination or at least can spur anyone to reach his/her destination in a positive way. And an absence of it can act as a negative catalyst in this crucial equation of success and failure in the field of sports and games. Viewed from a holistic point of view a good sporting infrastructure combines every sort of sporting facility including training facilities. Bereft of this we should continue to treat a certain Milkha Singh or a certain P.T. Usha as mere exceptions and not the product of a sustained, systematic effort on nationwide scale. Infrastructural insufficiency when dissected and ramified in a sports-specific manner paints a picture that is abysmally worse. With the possible exceptions of cricket, football and to some extent hockey no other sport in India can boast of a worthwhile infrastructure to date. A proper infrastructure lets the budding and raw talents breed and be bloodied in a proper way. And without this raw talents not only go unnoticed but just stop bubbling out after a certain level.
Lack of advanced scientific research in the field of sports medicine and psychology is another factor that is not only crippling our progress but also points to the unfathomable unawareness that has become a corollary product of our collective inertia in the field of sports and games. Proper research in a sport-specific manner will include research on diet, training and on an array of psychological aspects that an athlete should work on while honing his/her skills in a particular field of sport. We should also remember in this regard that every sport is unique and in that it demands a specific set of skills to be brought into play by the concerned athlete. And without proper research we will not be able to rectify our gaffes or improve upon what we already have in this entire process.
Last but not the least is the inexplicable absence of state-of-the-art training facilities and a pool of well-trained trainers who can impart their knowledge to all those budding athletes in an effective, professional manner. Trainers are the backbones of athletes and without them no pool of athletes, however talented, can succeed.
So, the obvious question is how to improve sports and games in India in a comprehensive and collective manner. The problem is that there is no readymade solution or panacea that will cure all the maladies in a jiffy. At the outset, the infrastructural insufficiency has to be remedied by critically re-examining the success models of different countries- countries that are traditionally strong in some specific branch of sports. So spending and pumping money in a profligate manner will not suffice, we have to ensure that it goes to the right place in the right manner and for the right cause. Also a lot has to be invested behind research on sports medicine and psychology. Collaboration or tie-ups with some of the leading foreign universities or institutes is an absolute must if we are to herald a new dawn in Indian sports and games. Coaches have to be trained and educated not only in India but if the need arises they should be sent to foreign countries for necessary specialization. Equal priority should be given to sporting activities right from the school level by not only introducing but also making sports and games a mandatory subject in the course curriculum. Above all, a supportive atmosphere towards reward and participation should be created across the nation so that sports can claim its rightful place in our society and country.
9 years ago
Divya created new article WhatsApp???.
The first thing I do in morning is not to pray to God for another wonderful morning, or thank him for the two beautiful kids I have or plan for the day ahead or think about my health and do some exercise or yoga. The first thing I do is switch on the Wi-Fi and see the number of messages I have in WhatsApp. I may or may not read them immediately but then I cannot start my day without doing this chore religiously. It’s an addiction, the addiction to technology. There are so many groups and so many people (sorry friends) who keep posting forward messages or discuss some topic just like in any other forum. But when I need a friend, do I have any of these virtual people around?
Addiction
The addiction does not end with just getting up and checking the messages. It lasts through the day. While having breakfast or lunch or dinner, while working in office, while helping my kids with their homework, the subtle presence is always there. The desire to know if there is a new message however irrelevant it may be. The desire to know the new gossips in the family groups. The desire to check the new DP (display pictures) or the new status. To know if I have been added in any more groups. Add to it the competition to create new supposedly “meaningful” groups and keeping it more active and “meaningful” than the groups started by others. Suddenly, I am like OMG (Oh my God) of all the addictions, did I have to fall prey to this WhatsApp? On a lighter but serious note, there is an unnamed disease, which is traced to excessive WhatsApp usage. Basically, only our thumb doing repeated scrolling and “touching” while the other fingers don’t move much. So dears, please do be careful and give your hands and fingers the much needed exercise in between please.
Information
But before you jump to a conclusion about this smaller version of the idiot box, let me tell you there are so many things which are so helpful and make it worthy of the time spent. A family group where the parents are in the native place, the son is in USA and daughter is in Chennai and they have kids. For all happy and sad occasions, you can share the pictures in the family groups. The grandparents will always be happy to see the kids the pictures and the videos because that’s the best they can have since they are unable to stay with new generation.
Similarly, my son misses school for a day. Immediately I post a message asking for homework and classwork done for that day in School Parents group and within minutes I have the screenshots being shared. No, the herculean task would be to make him do that homework.
As we move forward in life, our responsibilities increase, priorities change and the “me – time” is reduced. We seem to loose contact with our friends from college and school (yes we all had friends in school). But WhatsApp is a platform which has brought us all together again. A school friends or college friend’s group is just what is need to bring a smile to our face. A reminiscent of the good old days.
There have been instances where patients received appropriate blood donors through this wonder app. Some cases where lost people were also found with the news being spread faster through this app. But again things when in the hands of good people is safe, but the moment it falls in the hands of unscrupulous people it can create problems. So we all need to be careful and vigilant always.
My World
With everything said and done, WhatsApp continues to be a good time pass for me. Again the first thing I do in the morning is to check the messages, the gossips, the updates and the DPs.
9 years ago
shaloo walia created new article Vastu for Homes.
Vastu Shastra is an ancient science which is the traditional Hindu system of architecture aiming at a happy and prosperous life by making the home and workplace compliant to certain natural laws. If the construction is not according to the Vastu principles then the thinking and actions of the natives residing or working in such places will not be harmonious , thus leading to discord and illness. On the contrary, obeying the laws of nature as elaborated in the Vastu Shastra help in getting the divine support for the natives. Vastu principles as enumerated in our ancient texts are universally applicable irrespective of the place, religion, caste and creed.
Most famous and well-known temples in South India like Lord Venkateshwara temple at Tirupati, Meenakshi temple at Madurai etc. are vastu-perfect. Jaipur city founded in 1727 by Sawai Jai Singh II is in accordance with vastu shastra. Vastu shastra should not be just applied to homes but also in commericial building and industries where stakes are high.
There are certain things which should be kept in mind while planning the house. Vastu recommends that a house should be built in the shape of a square or a rectangle. Kitchen should not be under or above the puja room, toilet or bedroom. It should be in South-East corner of the house. The gas stove should not in front of the door of the kitchen.The person cooking the food should face East while cooking.Dining room in West direction is the best. The shape of the dining table should be square or rectangular. There should be no attached toilet to the dining room. Puja room should not be in the bedroom. The idols should not be exactly in front of the entrance.
Drawing room should be in North or East direction. Portraits of scenes from war or misery, crying women or children etc. should not be there in the house. Bedroom should not be exactly in the middle of the house but preferably in North side. Children's room is the best in West direction. Use light and pleasing shades on the walls of the bedroom. Keeping mirror in the bedroom can cause differences between the couple. Television and computer should also be avoided in the bedroom. The bed should not be placed under a beam because it will interfere with the sleep.Staircase should never be in the center of the house and should never end or start from the puja room. store room or kitchen. Circular staircase should be avoided. It is better to avoid basement in a residential house.
Defects of vastu can be minimized by matra, yantra and worship as it creates auspicious energy but it doesn't last long because it is obstructed by the faulty construction. Vastu Shastra principles are applicable both to the self owned or rented houses. The natives of the house may suffer for the vastu deficiencies of the house. While a vastu perfect construction adds to the peace, prosperity and happiness to the natives. So in case you are renting a house, you should consider if the house is vastu compliant.
9 years ago
shaloo walia created new article Practical Meditation Tips for Beginners.
If I have to name one habit that has been the most beneficial for me then it's the practice of meditation. It's the most important habit that I have formed in last ten years. I learnt meditation during a basic course with Art of Living. After a series of advanced meditation programs, I finally went for the teachers training program and became an Art of Living teacher in 2009.
Meditation has helped me in becoming more calm and peaceful. It helped in becoming more focused and less stressed. It helped me in having a heightened awareness and being more in gratitude. I am not perfect but meditation has certainly helped me in becoming a far better person than I was.
Most importantly, meditation helped me in being aware of my thoughts and what goes on in my mind. I used to get easily pulled down by negativity but now I observe the thoughts going on in my head and can make a choice between becoming a victim of negativity or being free and positive.
Due to immense benefits that I have experience by meditating daily for the past eight years, I highly recommend it to everyone. Meditation is not easy but you can start meditating and get better and better at it by daily practice. Like every other habit, it takes time to form a meditation habit and like every other skill, it takes practice to master it.
Here are some practical tips for beginners:
Start small. Start meditation practice by meditating just for five minutes daily for a week. Slowly and gradually keep increasing the time.
Make meditation a priority and do it first thing in the morning. You may forget to meditate if you decide to do it later in the day or simply might not get the time to do it.
Don't worry too much about how to do it. Simply sit cross-legged on the floor or on a sofa in a quiet place and meditate.
Start simple meditation practice by simply sitting with your eyes closed and focusing on your breath.
Observe how you are feeling- tired, anxious, busy. Observe the state of your mind.
When you sit to meditate, your mind will wander here and there. That's quite natural. Be aware and bring your attention back to your breath whenever your mind goes on a trip.
Be in harmony with your thoughts. Accept your thoughts and feelings as they are.
You might have doubts if you are doing it right. Don't get into doubts and just be happy that you are meditating.
People think that meditation means absence of thoughts. It takes time and lots of practice to reach that blissful state of thoughtlessness. For now, just accept the thoughts as a passive observer and don't get stuck in them.
Get to know yourself during meditation. Learn how your mind works.
Be committed towards meditation practice. Take 21 days meditation challenge in the beginning and commit to it.
You can meditate anywhere- while travelling, at home, in office, while walking. (Yes, you can do walking meditation too!)
You can start with guided meditations which are a bit easier for the beginners as they come with a set of instructions to follow.
Join a community of people who meditate where you can ask questions and get encouragement & support.
End your meditation session with a smile and a feeling of gratitude.
9 years ago
Divya created new article Twitter and Me.
Technology is touching our lives in almost all aspects. Gone are the days of visiting banks and shops now technology brings everything close to us through the internet. Even when I say internet, there is a huge plethora of things, websites, networks etc internet refers to, but today I will like to talk about twitter.
Twitter is a social networking forum for sharing short messages called tweets. One of the very gluing factor that I felt was the celebrities and those whom we look up to (those who are active on twitter) they actually read the message you send and many a times even reply to it. For a die-hard AB junior fan that I am, can you just imagine how I would feel if he actually replied back a message I send him? Oh…!!! It’s a cloud nine feeling and only twitter can make it possible.
Now everything comes at price. We get to post to the celebrities and they reply to the common people, supposedly fans. But there are so many others who use the platform in the wrong way just to vent out their frustration and anger. Sometimes when these “tweets” are from famous people they are likely to create a wrong impact on the readers. Like very recently, Ms Shobha De, the renowned write had tweeted that our athletes are in Rio just to take selfies (and not to win medals). Well, that is so gross to say the least. But given the online freedom this platform provides us she was thrashed left and right for her comments. There are times and instances when people tend to forget that the person we are tweeting about is an individual with family and friends. And the comments that we are posting are public and free for all to read.
But please do not think that this online world is ugly, it has its advantages as well. The best and the most recent eg would be our very own minister Ms. Sushma Swaraj, who is another very active twitter member. Recently a new married husband posted a picture of himself alone on his honeymoon flight because his wife had lost her passport to Ms Swaraj. She immediately tweeted back that she will make sure that his wife there with him on the next seat. And also promised to get her a new passport within a day.
Hence all technologies have a good and bad side to it. It is up to us to choose which path we wish to tread.
9 years ago