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Reena created new article Association Between Non-Vegetarian Food And Diseases.
Human body is very different from body of carnivorous animals. Human body cannot identify and differentiate the fat irrespective of whether it is obtained from vegetarian source or non-vegetarian source. Digestive system only does its work and tries to digest fat irrespective of its source. Digestive system of carnivores animal is very strong when compared to human beings. Since they have to solely depend upon living beings to obtain energy, their digestive power is quite enhanced. Their digestive system is so strong that it can extract more and more amount of carbohydrates and fat and digest everything completely. No ill-effects of any sort are imparted on their body. This is not the case with human beings. Their digestive power is not that strong. Digestive system of human beings is made for digesting vegetarian food which is light and easily digestible.
When human body consumes non-vegetarian food, its digestive system is able to digest only a part of it. Only that much of carbohydrates and fat is utilized as is needed for the body, rest is left unused. If consumption of non-vegetarian food is continued for a long period of time or if made as a life style then the fat rich element starts accumulating within the inner wall of arteries of heart. Continued accumulation of fat within inner walls of arteries will thicken them from inside and they will become constricted as a result blood flow to the heart slows down. This condition is known as arteriosclerosis. Heart should get sufficient amount of blood it requires all the time. This blood carries required amount of oxygen in it. Arteriosclerosis is a condition where this supply is cut down and this slows down effective working of heart thereby reducing heart beat. As a consequence to this stage comes heart attack. Apart from arteriosclerosis, clot formation in blood is also seen in people who consumes excess of non-vegetarian food and if the clot formation is in the blood vessels of vital organs like heart, brain, kidney etc..... then blood supply to these vital organs is greatly diminished resulting in a fatal failure of these vital organs.
Fat of animal products is not only responsible for causing heart attack, arteriosclerosis and damage to vital organs but is also responsible for causing deadly cancer. Colon is a part of large intestine. It is present at lower end of large intestine. Since human intestines are not designed for digestion of animal products, colon most of the times may get diseased and become cancer prone. Before undigested food enters excretory system, it remains in colon for a certain period. Rich fibrous foods gets digested easily and hence does not affect colon or other parts of intestine. Non-vegetarian food is devoid of fiber and thus undigested toxic non-vegetarian food passes very slowly through colon and remains in it for a long time and this is a very important reason that it gets affected with cancer. Not only colon, rectum is also affected equally. Thus, fiber rich diet is essential to prevent colon and rectal cancer. During digestion of animal fat, steroid metabolism is formed. It is responsible for causing carcinogenic cancer.
Non-vegetarians not only have to worry about the weak digestive power they have within them but also regarding other products that are very toxic and in spite of their toxicity given to birds and animals right form their birth and sometimes even before birth. These toxic materials help animals and birds to accumulate fat within their bodies. Excess of fat increases their price. But the real price is to be paid by human body who consumes them. These toxic materials not only remain limited to animals and birds but also reaches human body through the fat that they are consuming. Some of such toxic products are tranquilizers, hormones, antibiotics and many such medications. Animals are injected with higher doses of antibiotics. This keeps them alive because sustainability is difficult in their case as a question can be raised on the hygiene in which they are kept. The shelter they are provided is very unhygienic and rarely care is taken to keep it clean. Thus, they are affected with lots of diseases. Antibiotics help them to fight with diseases. However, these antibiotics not only remain limited in their body but also enter human body who consume animal fat. Not only antibiotics, in fact antibiotics resistant bacteria too enters human body which was initially produced in animal body due to excess of antibiotics ingested in them. If human beings consume animal fat in excess, may die of toxins present in it. In fact kids if are given animal fat even in small amount also can experience hazardous effects on their health and body.
Sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite are another two harmful chemicals sprayed in excess on various animals fat and also on fishes. These chemicals will keep animal fat from being spoiled and provide rich red color to it when it reacts with blood pigmentation. Animals are also scared of death and thereby excess of uric acid is present in their blood. This excess of uric acid also enters human body. It's a waste product our body produce which gets excreted out and excess ingested in human body through animal fat exerts poisonous effects on body.
Human body requires certain amount of carbohydrates and fat daily. Though one can obtain sufficient amount of carbohydrates and fat from animal fat, it also brings with it lots of toxins and hazardous effects. Thus nutrition and daily requirement of body should be obtained by following a healthy balanced vegetarian diet which is in rich in fibrous fruits and vegetables. Such diet will keep us healthy and enhance longevity by keeping diseases and disorders of all types away. Let us not depend on animal fat as human body is not designed to digest it. Instead of challenging our body and ingesting in it unwanted toxic materials, let us keep it free from toxins. Apart from caring about our health, let us also care about animals and help them to survive and breathe freely instead of preying on them.
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article Has Narendra Modi Missed his Date with History ?.
In 2014, after almost 65+ years of moribund rule, a wave swept India. This was the Modi wave and in the Hindi Speaking states and the western part of India, the BJP swept to power with an absolute majority. This was a victory chiseled by Modi and all the credit must go to him. One thought that after Nehru here is a man who will bring India back to its old glory. I supported Modi and also attended his first election speech that he gave to ex-servicemen at Rewari in Haryana.
The speech at Rewari was the launch of the election campaign of the BJP.General VK Singh, the ex-Army Chief had arranged this meeting and I can tell readers that almost 100,000 ex-servicemen from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and HP attended the rally. I attended the rally as word had gone around from high ranking retired officers that ex-servicemen should throw their lot with Modi.
Modi made a thundering speech and he grandly announced that when in power, he would ensure that One Rank One Pension, a demand that had been hanging over fire for four decades would be approved. He also grandly repeated that the sanction would be as per the Koshyari commission and approved by the parliament. He appeared to have kept his promise as the BJP dominated parliament along with unanimous support from the Congress and Rahul passed a resolution approving OROP.
Unfortunately, after coming to power, he forgot about his election promise and the approval by 2 parliaments. This led to an intensive agitation by ex-servicemen who also began a relay hunger strike. Under pressure, Modi approved a watered-down scheme which changed the very definition of OROP. The ex -servicemen were shocked and till date the agitation led by General Satbir Singh is on at Jantar-Mantar in New Delhi.
The point that I wish to highlight is that Modi did not honor his pledge to the soldiers and an important part of the election manifesto of the BJP. He used the votes of the soldiers, but at the crunch time did not do what he had promised. I think it was an extremely short-sighted policy as an election is due in 2019 and the servicemen who form a large vote bank in Northern states will not vote for the BJP.
Modi had similarly talked large and big in the BJP election manifesto. After reading the manifesto, I was impressed. Modi made some significant promises. One felt that here is a man who will rectify the wrongs done to India by a misguided approach epitomized by Nehru.
The BJP election manifesto touched on some core issues, which the BJP while in opposition was highlighting for years, nay decades. One should have taken the promises in the manifesto with a pinch of salt as the Vajpayee government had also made similar promises, but in effect, he achieved precious little. One can make an allowance as at that time Vajpayee and the BJP on their own did not have an absolute majority. But in 2014, the voters gave a clear mandate to Modi and the BJP and it was expected with a clear majority in parliament on its own and support from like-minded party's like the Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and Chandrababu Naidu, the BJP this time would honor its election pledge.
The BJP promised to undo the wrongs done in Kashmir. It had for years been highlighting the plight of the Pandits, who had been expelled by violent Jihadi attacks from the valley. The BJP promised to counter the insurgency in Kashmir and allow the Pandits to return home. Almost 200,000 Pandits had fled the valley. It was a terrible time as loudspeakers from Mosques broadcast messages to the effect "kill the Pandit men and marry the Pandit women". I was in the valley at that time on security duties and have a first-hand account of the atmosphere.
After coming to power, nearly 40% of the BJP term is over. The Kashmir insurgency has not been controlled. In fact, attacks have become more fierce and Pakistan inspired local Kashmir youth aided by a few die hard Mujahidins are attacking the camps of the army and CRPF. This never happened earlier and shows that the conflict has escalated. This must be put as a negative mark against Modi.
Modi had also promised that Article 370, introduced by Nehru would be abrogated. In fact, this was an important part of the BJP election manifesto. For years, BJP had been beating the drum about Article 370. Experts have long opined that Article 370 is like a stone around the neck and an impediment to integration of the state of Jammu and Kashmir with India. It is a sad story that in 2 years the BJP has just sat on the fence on this issue. The case for removal of Article 370 has not even moved one centimeter. In fact, Modi is silent on this issue.
Modi's silence on Article 370 is compounded by a lust for power. The BJP in Kashmir has joined hands with the PDP to form a government. The PDP is well known as a party that gives tacit support to militants and it is no wonder that for the first time in the history of Kashmir flags of the ISIS are flown in Lal Chowk in Srinagar. When in the opposition the BJP would lambast the Congress for being soft on Kashmir. But after coming to power, the BJP failed to show resolve and allowed the Hurriyat a group of separatists who want the state to accede to Pakistan to continue their activities like meeting the Pakistan High Commissioner. People began to realize that what the BJP preaches, it does not practice.
On a number of issues like the Uniform Civil Code and reservations, the BJP has been a passenger. Modi with all his majority has not shown the statesmen like quality expected of a man who wishes to bring social change in India. Perhaps he believed only in lip service. The BJP and Modi for decades have asked for abolition of the Sharia, practiced by Muslims and the enforcement of a Uniform Civil code as clearly mentioned in the Directive Principles of the Constitution. The matter has not even moved one inch forward. On the contrary, the Muslim leadership led by clerics have come out with a statement that even the Supreme Court cannot adjudicate in matters of personal law as enshrined in Sharia.
Perhaps Modi could have taken a leaf from the book of Mustapha Kemal, the legendary leader of Turkey who took on the Ulema head on and abolished religious schools and outlawed the Sharia. Perhaps Modi is just not that sort of man and I am afraid greatness will elude him. On the contrary, he has succumbed to pressure at every stage.
The Jat agitation is a case in point. All these years the RSS, the parent organization of the BJP has been advocating that the caste based reservation in jobs is an anachronism and needs to be slowly taken away. They were very critical of VP Singh, who had introduced reservation for Other Backward Castes (OBC). Unfortunately, a violent agitation by the Jats in Haryana, where they stopped the water supply to Delhi and indulged in arson and violent attacks saw the BJP government passing an act granting reservation to the Jats. Modi as the head of the government has to take responsibility for this decision. It is a most retrograde step and has set India back by decades. The Jats are an affluent community and giving reservation in jobs to them, makes a mockery of the constitution and Modi will go down in history as a man who perpetuated the caste divide. I wonder how he is better than VP Singh?
This reservation will now open the Pandora's box and one will have to keep his fingers crossed to see what happens from here on. The seeds of separatism have been sown and for once the BJP can't blame Nehru. In my view, it is a blunder.
The PM Modi has been talking of women empowerment. What does he mean by this? I have a different take on this. Here is a man who got married and then left his wife for four decades and never contacted her. The lady studied on her own and now ekes out an existence as a retired teacher. Modi never divorced her and he must explain why he behaved like this? She remains his wife and is entitled to maintenance; does he give her anything? I am afraid a man who treats his own wife so callously cannot be expected to bring empowerment of women in India. The least he could have done was to divorce her and cleared the air.
I have a lot of points on Modi and his economics.This, I shall keep for a subsequent post. His economic policy is a carbon copy of Congress. I will conclude this article on a different note. I have a friend in California named Steve Kinsmen. He is an astrologer. On my request, he cast the horoscope of Modi. He gave me his readings which are published on my blog. The only point is that Modi has a similar conjunction to Napoleon and Hitler. This shows a rapid rise and then precipitous fall, defeat, and disgrace. As per Kinsmen, Modi has risen but will bite the dust in 2019. However, I don't take astrology seriously and readers can make their own judgment. The fact remains that Modi has not done what he set out to do. One thought he will be the great man to lead India forward, but I am afraid he has miles to go and he is on the wrong track.
Modi has still got three years to go before his term expires. He can still pull a rabbit out of the hat, but he has done great damage to the social fabric of India by giving reservation to an affluent community like the Jats. One can condone his other errors, but this will be an anchor around his neck and history will judge him harshly. I hope he doesn't become the second Nehru. Nehru was greatly loved by the people and he had a big majority, but his thinking let India down. What will historians say of Modi ?
9 years ago
usha manohar created new article The Life And Times Of M . F. Hussain.
M F Hussain is probably one of the most well- known Modern Indian Painters , also part of the Progressive Artistes Group of Bombay. MF Hussain with all that fame and popularity, was also very humble, down to earth and an endearing person to all those who came into contact with him. I happened to see him interact with the children at Bangalore, where a school at Koramangala, close to his house had conducted an arts exhibition of paintings and drawings made by the students and some local artistes as well. He was the guest of honor and he came on time, sat with the children, making suggestions and interacting with them. He even showed them how to use the brush and the charcoal. Before departing he greeted all of us people gathered there with folded hands with a shy smile. At that time we were not to know that he would leave for the UK within a few months because of the controversy and the problems that arose with it! However, M F Hussain is still remembered by the residents with affection !
The intolerant society we live in!
We see a lot of intolerance in the society not just in India, it has become a global phenomenon which has been growing more violent by the day. It is not just religious intolerance but intolerance against life style as well. From their side, many of the artistes and writers fail to understand the sensitive feelings of people who are extremely touchy about religion and their god. They take the term artistic freedom too far failing to realise that there is no total freedom when you live in a multi-cultured society, you need to respect the beliefs of other people. They also fail to realise that freedom of speech is a double-edged sword that cuts both ways, like they have the freedom of expression, so do others who express their opinion often very strongly when they feel that their own faith is being questioned or made fun of.
In MF hussain’s case that is exactly what happened, he failed to realise the public feeling in his bid to express his artistic freedom through his paintings. He should have realised this fact before painting nude Hindu Goddesses because he was part of a community which was/is extremely intolerant, when it came to religious issues. MF Hussain became victim of a hate campaign which I personally think was started as a measure to hit back after the Salman Rushdie episode. Fundamentalism has no logic and we saw it happening recently with another great artiste A.R Rehman being hounded by the same kind of hate filled brigade. It happened with Salman Rushdie the writer after he wrote The Satanic Verses, is still being hounded after decades and Taslima Nasreen from Bangla Desh who has been living in exile since 1994 .
The charged Hindu groups, who were extremely hurt by some of Hussain’s paintings attacked him verbally and later he had to flee the country after his house in Bangalore was attacked by the miscreants. MF Hussain spent his last years in the house built in Bangalore which has now been converted into a heritage restaurant.
MF Hussain as a Muslim Painter
There are many arguments put forward by some people who feel that being a Muslim he was hounded much more. But one can see that being a Muslim artiste did not in any way hinder MF Hussain in his growth as an artiste of repute within India. In fact, he became a famous painter because of the encouragement he received from the people of India, who appreciated his paintings . In fact he was given a free 4000 sq ft plot by the Karnataka government under the artistes quota, in the upmarket Koramangala area where he built a palatial house and lived there for a number of years. Recently, after his demise, the house has been sold for a very high price to a hotelier, thereby making his children financially self -sufficient !
The major problem with his paintings was the way he depicted them – ‘Durga in a sexual union with a tiger,’ Goddess Lakshmi naked on Ganesha’s head, Naked Sita, Naked Draupadi, Naked parvati , Naked Bharatmata, Naked Brahmin with a fully clothed Muslim King. Now, when we contrast these paintings with his other paintings - fully clothed Mother Teresa, His own daughter's painting where she is fully clothed, Muslim poets and ladies fully clothed. One wonders what exactly was he trying to prove? Did his artistic expression work overtime while depicting Hindu deities or is that how he imagined them? Either way it showed a very insensitive side of an artiste who failed to perceive the pulse beat of the majority group within the very society he was living in.
Many people have wondered about these contradictions in him as an artiste and a private individual who from all accounts was loved by his neighbors and everybody else he came into contact with. One can openly say that he lacked sensitivity while depicting figures related to religion and religious beliefs. This made him unpopular with the masses, majority of who were Hindus. More so because this lack of sensitivity existed only with Hindu deities and not when he painted other gods or people.
The later years
MF Hussain after facing rage and controversies that even went to the extent of physical abuse by some elements decided to leave India. After MF Hussain fled from India, he spent his time in Qatar which was his adoptive country, where his son lived and later in London. In fact, he was more at home in London because of the cultural atmosphere there, and he became a well-known figure among the Indians and artistes living there. He breathed his last on the 9th of June, 2011 in London.
Coming to the question as to whether he deserves all the honor bestowed on him, one can never be sure because of many issues. His art was Modern Progressive Contemporary which is actually a mish-mash although it does have beauty. I have seen the modern artistes gallery in London, Hamburg, Belgium and Florence. I personally feel that MF Hussain’s paintings do not come up to the standard of those artistes although there are a couple of MF Hussain’s paintings displayed in Hamburg and London.
His paintings may have fetched a good price from the Indian perspective but that is not a yardstick for measuring quality. Some of his paintings on India civilization series are very good but certainly not the controversial ones of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, since there is no beauty in any one of them and they hurt the eye because of the manner in which they have been depicted.
On the whole it is clear that he got much more than what he deserved as an artiste probably because he was liked by all and his paintings too became more famous and popular because of the many controversies surrounding them and not because they were in any way great!
Conclusions
MF Hussain was committed to his art having started his career in painting from the age of 20, as early as 1937. By the year 1950 he had become internationally known. He was also the highest paid painter in India with a couple of his paintings fetching as much as 2 million dollars.
No matter how one looks at it, MF Hussain remains a famous and popular painter who in a way made other countries take note of Indian artistes. Although we had great artistes and painters in India, they were never considered at par with other European painters until MF Hussain came into the scene. As an individual he was a well liked person and even today remembered by many Bangaloreans who were in constant interaction with him while he lived there.
9 years ago
Babu saroj created new article The position of female education .
Introduction
The development of a nation, we often heard this word from the politician, mostly in election times. But do we realize that the development of nation depends on education of both men and women. It is rather a debating question whether the women in India are actually given equality to men or not. In most developed countries of the world today women enjoy equal rights with men. Such countries know very well the importance of educated women.
Position of women in the past and in present times
The picture was not so balanced in the past. In most of the countries women were treated as inferior to men. Their condition was not better than prisoners in their homes. Actually in some part of the world, husband doesn’t want their wife to come out of their houses and roam around. So a result they don’t receive education which creates lack of knowledge in them. Women are not entertained with social and economic freedom. The only things which they used to do in the earlier days is two things first they had to cook and second they had to play mother role which means they had to look after their sons and daughter and feed them with foods. But since the close of the nineteenth century their position began to improve and which is the good sign for the whole world.
The need of female education
We find several great souls and good hearted person like Rammohan, Vidyasagar etc. who opened for the first time regular schools for them. They tried their best to abolish totally the orthodox-section of the community and which very much hard to do because there are peoples who believe in saying rather than doing but these great men did what they have dreamt of and which is ultimately a great achievement in him. Actually if we keep them in the dark it is bound that half the population will remain ignorance that is an outrage against humanity. So women should be properly educated with men so that they can prove themselves to March hand in hand with men in every walk of life and which is very important for the developing countries.
Conclusion
Now the position of female education is well in our country. So we have some noble ladies who even surpassed men. In India women can enjoy social, political and economic freedom. There are a number of politicians, scientists, social reformers, doctors, educationalist, jurists etc. yet there are some men of deformed mentality who believe that women should not be equal to men. They think women should be confined in homes and play the role of mother only. But it is not right judgement. To make our country more advanced our government should lay stress on female education more than before because there are many small areas and villages where still women are not allowed to go to school and get knowledge from there and also there are many villages where there is no school and there are also some places where there is school but the school education stops till class 4 and higher education are not available. So I wish that the government should concentrate in this matter more seriously than before.
9 years ago
Reena created new article Sacred Spiritual Books.
Learning is an art and to learn anything one has to become thorough with the study material required for it. Studying or reading books, grasping the information provided in those books, help us to gain knowledge. Acquiring knowledge is the first step we have taken towards reaching our destination or goal. We often study what interests us or amuses us. We have acquired this wrong habit of judging books by looking at their covers. For example, as soon as one looks at a spiritual book, will never think of reading it as they have this belief that the contents present in it are too complicated and that is why they will find difficult to absorb it. Whereas others may find these kind of books boring as they feel the teaching present in them can no longer be used in practical lives.
Studying always helps in building new sort of associations. Same goes with spiritual study. Spiritual books has stories in it of great souls. Studying of spiritual books will help us inspire our lives and lead towards the right path. When we will study the stories of great souls we will start feeling a new association with these souls. We will feel like we are in contact with them and enjoy being in their company. Story of their lives will inspire us. Greatness will reflect from their lives in our lives. Books are our best friends. If we choose right study material, we will be helping us and benefiting us in many ways. If we choose wrong study material, we will be deceiving us as we ourselves are our friends as well as enemies. It is up to us to choose what to study and when to study.
When one has made up his mind to go for spiritual study, he should do it with great concentration and there should be no looking back. It only benefits us if we keep up with it and do it persistently. We cannot have a laid back attitude and behave the way we want to. We ought to have some sort of discipline when it comes to reading sacred books. We cannot do it fancifully. Complete devotion and firm determination along with concentration is essential. We cannot read a few lines today and give up reading tomorrow as we do not feel like reading and then continue reading after a few days. This kind of study will be of no use. If we have to do it then we should do it with complete dedication.
Most of us may not find spiritual study interesting and thus they give up soon. We become lazy as it is not amusing to us. We all know that content present in such books are of great importance, now it is left to us whether we want to benefit from such books and rise above everything which in turn will help in our advancement or keep listening to promptings made by our lower self. If we listen to our higher self then we will gather courage and master our mind and body, otherwise let them conquer us. For this, complete efforts are essential which have to be made from our whole heart. We find sacred books uninteresting as we are in a state of body consciousness. However, if we read them regularly, interest will start developing gradually. Study will make an impact on our mind and we will learn the discipline of self-control. Our concentration will increase and we will start developing keen interest towards study as we will show a shift form our body consciousness to soul consciousness. Mind has to be turned in the right direction if we want to achieve success.
Studying spiritual books is of great importance but the study has to be regular. It has to be done daily. Only then, one will benefit from it. It has great value in it. We need to keep a faith in ourselves as well as the study material because in the beginning we may find the content very difficult to grasp but with time, regular study will enhance our grasping power and more and more content we will start absorbing. We will start understanding the teaching which we once thought was way out of our reach. Grasping complete meaning initially is very difficult but as we become thorough with the whole study material, we will begin to understand what is being told to us. Study will help us to revive our spiritual nature. We throughout the day perform numerous duties which will help us keep our body healthy. We perform so many tasks which help us in advancement in our chosen field but when it comes to progress in the field of spirituality, we rarely do anything. We act as if our hands are tied and we cannot do anything. We along with other duties should also perform the duties which will help in sustenance of our spirituality.
Till now we have only performed duties which we find interesting and are of lighter interests to us. This is the reason that mind does not enjoy it. Mind will always prefer to read a novel rather than study spiritual books. One has to understand that these kind of spiritual books will help in the attainment of salvation. This will free a man and make him detached rather than making him attached to all the worldly matters. Any book beside spiritual books will offer a study material that will only cover outwardly matters. No book will provide study of self. Only sacred books will provide enough content and information that will help a person to know about himself. Once he will know about himself, he will conquest over everything around him. He is already a king but lack of knowledge puts a firm belief in him that he is a slave and thus he acts accordingly. Study of spiritual books will make him increase the reflecting power of his mind. If we want to make our lives valuable, we need to study these gems made available to us in the form of spiritual books as they will help us in real advancement.
9 years ago
Bajirao created new article Gudi Padwa - A Holy Festival.
Gudi Padwa is the most auspicious occasion, a holy festival and a new year for Maharashtrian people. This day is usually celebrated on the first day of Hindu Lunar month of Chaitra. Gudi Padwa is very special festival for my family and it is celebrated in a special way.
Importance of Gudi Padwa
Many stories and events are related to Gudi Padwa and in order of remembrance this auspicious festival is usually celebrated.
It is believed that on this auspicious occasion, Lord Brahma recreated the Universe from massive destruction and chaos. Hence Gudi Padwa is celebrated in the remembrance of innumerable Lords.
It is also believed that on this day Lord Rama returned Ayodhya after defeating or killing Ravan and his allies. Hence people of Ayodhya celebrated this day and considered as the beginning of new era.
Gudi Padwa Rituals
Holy Bath and Decoration
A day prior to Gudi Pawda, people start cleaning the house. On this day, it is a custom to wake up early in the morning, and take oil massage and then warm water bath. Oil makes our body soft and elastic once it is absorbed and warm water after the massage pleases our body. Women wear beautiful nine yard saree, also called as 'Navari' saree while kurta pajama and turban are the famous outfit in men during Gudi Padwa. Women and girls draw colorful rangolis in front of the door or house. My family also make use of small lamps or 'diva' to maker rangoli more beautiful and attractive. Also every house door are decorated with flowers or garland or' toran' in marathi. Most of the Maharashtrian people use flowers for every festival to decorate their homes as flowers signifies fragrance and purity which makes the home pure and full of positive energy.
Gudi
Once the house is decorated we start focusing on making the Gudi. The Gudi is basically a bronze Kalash that is placed upside down on a wooden stick. Swastik is made on the Kalash using turmeric and vermillon. Wooden stick is usually covered with bright red or yellow color cloth that looks like a saree. Along with Gudi, a garland made of neem leaves and sugar candy are hung. This garland signifies the bitterness and sorrow of our life, neem being sour in taste while sugar resembles sweetness. This Gudi is then placed tilted at an angle near the doorway or near the window. After placing the Gudi, people offer the flowers, perform aarti and distribute the prasad made of Neem and jaggery or sugar.
Special Dish
On this occasion a special dish is prepared called 'Puran Poli' which consists of paste made from bengal gram (chana dal), sugar or jaggery filled into wheat roti. Then it is prepared as we prepare roti. Some people make sugar and jaagery syrup so that you can eat puran poli by dpping into the syrup. In my family, we prepare both sweet syrup and spicy curry along with Puran Poli. This is the most delicious dish I have ever come across and I can eat it anytime anywhere.
Along with Puran Poli, we also prepare dal and rice, salad, potato vegetable, and kheer. This becomes a complete dish during Gudi Padwa.
This auspicious day ends with the evening dinner and in the remembrance of god for saving us from the disaster and for the beginning of new era.
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article Indian Army Soldiers and Congolese Girls.
The incident which I am about to relate happened in the last year of my service. I had been to Chandimandir, the Headquarters of the Army Western Command. I came to know that a Court of Inquiry was being conducted about some acts of moral turpitude by soldiers of the Indian army in Congo. I knew nothing would come out of this inquiry as no army can accept the fact that its soldiers have committed acts of moral decadence.
The Indian army has a long history of peacekeeping operations with the United nations. In particular, the Indian army has a fond association with Congo, a country in South West Africa. Right from 1960 the Indian army has been used for peacekeeping duties in the Congo. That was the time when the Indian prime minister was JL Nehru.
The Congo was centuries a colony of Belgium. The Belgium rule over Congo was unlike English rule over its colonies in Africa. Belgian rule brought no tangible benefits to the people and overall there was very little development. The Belgians concentrated in mining the rich country of its minerals and other raw materials, which they transported to the mother country.
In the late fifties, the hold of Belgium over Congo slackened as a local insurgency took shape. In a changing world scenario, with the demise of colonialism Belgium decided to pack up and free Congo. Unfortunately, the Belgian rulers never set up any administrative infrastructure in Congo and also made no attempts to teach the local people anything about self-governance. They just left in a few days, leaving the Congolese to their fate. Congo was deeply riven by factionalism and this abrupt departure by Belgium resulted in a frenzy of violence and anarchy.
With large-scale violence, the Security Council authorized the UNO to requisition troops from member nations to restore order. On a request from the United Nations Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold, Indian troops were dispatched to the Congo. This was a trying time for Congo, but the Indian troops did a good job and restored order. The leader of the Indian mission to Congo was Rajeshwar Dayal. This was the time when there was a bitter feud between Patrick Lumumba and Moise Tshombe, who had seceded from Congo and formed his independent state of Katanga. Ultimately Lumumba was captured and murdered. The Indian army at that time did an excellent job and the breakaway Katanga province was overrun and peace restored in Congo.
In 2007, a similar situation erupted again and once again the UNO requested Indian troops to help bring peace in the nation. The Indian army moved into the Congo to battle Congolese rebels who had started a reign of anarchy, murder and resultant chaos. The leader of the Indian army contingent was Major-General Bikram Singh, who later became the Chief of Army Staff.
The troops which were inducted into Congo in 2007 had a different ethos and mental makeup compared to the troops who had gone there in the sixties. They had new values and some of them were negative. In addition, they were prey to the all round atmosphere of promiscuity. This had a bearing on their conduct.
It appears that Indian troops and few of the officers began to indulge in indiscriminate sex with the local girls. The culture of Congo, which is a tribal culture treats sex as something simple and it is rife in the country. Even women rebels are not averse to bed down with the enemy at a moment's notice. Perhaps Indian soldiers took advantage of the prevalent social environment and began to have sex in an indiscriminate manner with local girls, some of whom were below 16 years of age.
The United Nations investigated the goings on of the Indian troops and prepared a secret report. The UNO report leveled serious charges of moral turpitude against Indian soldiers. The reports brought out a fact that led to a lot of soul searching. It stated that a large number of children with Indian features had been born in areas which were under the control of the Indian army. The report was forwarded to the Indian government.
The report brought out that Indian troops had indiscriminate sex with Congolese women and girls and worse, also slept with Congolese rebel fighters who were women. The UN report claimed that this fraternization even with rebel women fighters led to impregnation and compromised UN battle plans. The Indian government outright rejected the report and stood by the Indian army. However, the army Western Command was told to inquire into the incident.
Matters came to a head when the Chief of the Army was to be chosen. Some rights activists petitioned the Supreme Court that General Bikram Singh, because of the conduct of his troops in Congo did not deserve to be the army chief. The Supreme Court in its first hearing threw out the petition and cleared the decks for Bikram Singh to be promoted as the army chief.
The army inquiry whitewashed the issue and two JCO's and OR's were awarded administrative punishment, which is like a mild warning. The matter was closed and the ManMohan Singh government trumpeted the 'good work' done by the army.
A brigadier who I met had the last word. He was of the view that the soldiers could not be blamed. After all the Congolese girls and even the women rebel fighters, came to the bed of their own free will, hence no blame can be attached to the soldiers. I wonder what happened is correct, for such action could at some stage be repeated in India also where the army is deployed for a long period.
9 years ago
ABSIVAKUMAR created new article Navigating the recession and tough times.
Let us not make any mistake -- the recession is for real, and it is a global recession. There is absolutely no chance for escaping from this recession, which shows no signs of abating. The signals are also loud and clear.
There is a very suppressed demand in most manufacturing sectors and in the service sectors. Even the best of corporate organizations are wondering how to tackle this single most contributor to recession -- lack of demand, as such.
Be that as it may, each and every Indian needs to know how to combat the recession and the tough times. Though most of this is sheer common sense and proper planning, we refuse to understand realities and take things for granted or "just like that". This leads to total confusion, and by the time one starts planning, one's life is finished.
SAVE FOR THE TOUGH TIMES
Irrespective of on'es income and expenses, it is but essential that we set apart at least a small amount towards expenses, most of which is a tall order, when we get old. Hence, the most important expense, that is, medical expenses, should be totally taken care, when we start ageing.
But even when we are employed, it is but essential that we have proper medical insurance. There is one simple way of managing this. Start a small recurring deposit, even less than rupees one hundred, with banks like the Indian Overseas Bank, where they accept small amounts. For instance, Rs.60 set aside every month, will still fetch, a huge amount at the end of seven years, and this will suffice to pay the medical insurance amount.
This safety net is very essential.
Now, the essentials. Though the cost of vegetables is very high, one can switch to greens which is available at fairly cheap prices. One can also think of a small garden, particularly roof garden, so that one can grow vegetables and have the satisfaction of eating fresh vegetables, and also save cost in the bargain. Reducing small expenses here and there, will mean a great deal. These small amounts saved every month in recurring deposits, will help us a great deal, when we are old, or get into late forties or even older.
Similarly, it is really amazing that parents in cities like Chennai, do not hesitate to pay up to rupees one and half lakh rupees, to secure an admission in the LKG class for their child. This is absolutely atrocious and can mean so much for the middle class family's net worth, even if the man earns more than one hundred thousand rupees every month.
This dangerous practice should be avoided and should be put an end too. Parents can afford to put their children in the friendly neighborhood play school, as a huge amount of research has revealed that it is wise to put a child before the fifth standard in a methodology where the child learns at his or her own pace. Play is the best method possible, and this will in fact, induce a huge amount of creativity in the child.
AVAIL ALL THE BENEFITS OF TAX EXEMPTED SCHEMES
The Public Provident Fund is the best vehicle for good growth. The PPF is totally tax exempt, at the time of withdrawal. One needs to save just one thousand every year, to maintain the PPF account live. One can also pump in any amount, at any point in time, and this scheme normally earns around eight per cent, and when compounded, the total amount is fairly good, by any means. It is a superb scheme, and can be extended even when the fifteen years are over. Similarly, investments in mutual funds are also non--taxable, and it is wise to invest in some good fund, with the help and professional expertise of a trained investment consultant.
REDUCE ALL EXPENSES THAT HAVE SCOPE FOR REDUCTION
Am a pure vegetarian, but am told that the cost of cooking a good non-vegetarian meal for four people, particularly when it is made of mutton, is around seven hundred rupees. If there are other guests, it would go to upwards of one thousand rupees. So, four thousand rupees gets burned, and all those who consume the meal, are happy, but add a huge amount of fat, every month, as the expense is not only four thousand rupees, but the spices only spoil the health of every single person.
These are the kind of expenses that could -- and should -- be reduced. For instance, there is another angle to the whole thing. The non-vegetarian food accumulates the taste buds of people, and it is literally impossible to give up such bad habits.
Every single rupee saved, is a rupee earned, in these tough times. Similarly, we also have other occasions where we can save money. Many families take out their cars to go to temples or on tours to hill stations, at enormous expense. This can be easily reduced, if such families can go by train, which is much cheaper and very safe --- far more safer than travel by road, which is dangerous, to say the least.
So, one has to make small sacrifices to save the smallest accounts. For those who are well off, it is wise to reduce too much of conspicuous consumption, particularly the huge amount of junk food consumption, on weekends.
The children also needed to be educated about the value for money. Once they understand that the world is not going to be the same again, and that they need to understand the wider realities of life, the children will also realize the need for restraint on several matters, more so, if they are more than fifteen years old.
No greater advise can be given to children, than by walking the talk. Once the parents themselves start reducing expenses, the children will also play ball, with good results.
PICK UP NEW SKILLS
A middle class family with two children were wondering how to make both ends meet. Things were really difficult when the man learned that he would not get any increment, because the company was not doing well.
A friend suggested that his wife enroll in a local cooking class. This changed the entire savings of the family. The enterprising lady learned the tricks of the trade, and started a small hotel in the neighborhood. She tried different dishes and offered some variety.
Within six months, she was able to bring home a neat profit of over fifteen thousand from her business. This is the trigger that we all need -- we need to do things right and the rest will follow.
Tough times demand that we are tough ourselves. Once we are tough, we can successfully navigate the tough times, quite easily.
9 years ago
ABSIVAKUMAR created new article Why stereotypes are very dangerous.
Stereotypes of people exist in the minds of each one of us. There are millions of people who are unique in their own ways, and somehow or the other, "he or she is not like me" opinions or feelings, tend to get accumulated in the minds of people. This leads to stereotypes.
Stereotypes are very dangerous. They do not allow scope for openness, they simply shut out broad mindedness.
It is essential to examine how stereotypes are formed in India, and how we can combat them to the extent possible.
Region-based stereotypes
This is the most common stereotypes. For example, people in the North of India, always think that the people from the South of India, are very "conservative". They think that they so many customs, and are not open-minded.
Just because the North Indians do not much of an exposure about the people of South India, these stereotypes are allowed to be perpetuated. Very unfortunately, some stereotypes have also been perpetuated through Hindi movies for a very long time.
However, since Hyderabad and Chennai have not become huge centers for some of the finest movies, stereotyping is now on the lower side now, at least in the past ten years.
In reality, this stereotype is outright stupid. There are some customs that are part of local cultures and these have religious overtones. For example, there is a custom in Tamil Nadu, to wear what is called "veebuthi" or the holy ash on the forehead.
Just because this is seen, there is absolutely no reason to term such people "conservative". For, this is a hugely personal custom.
Beyond this, the same person, would be very much broad minded in terms of never even asking a single question about the neighbor's personal habits, or about any other personal preferences of any other human being.
This is so common in Chennai, where the apartment culture is as common as it is in Mumbai. The net result is that no one really bothers to even say hello to the neighbor, except on week-ends. People are highly tolerant of each other, and are very broad minded in terms of appreciating and accepting the other people as such.
In fact, the inter-region marriages -- that is, a South Indian boy getting married to a girl from North India -- is so common in Bangalore or Chennai or Hyderabad. The parents are game to this new practice, and nothing is going to stop this either.
Similarly, the South Indians assume that the North Indians are "very dirty" people. Yes, it is true that those from the lower strata of society, who travel from North India, to work in the various places in South India, by long distance trains, do not even talk their bath regularly, or do not maintain some fairly good hygiene practices -- for example, the trains are made very dirty by these people.
However, to paint every North Indian, with the same brush, to say the least, is rubbish. The more educated and refined North Indians have the best of hygiene practices and are very cultured indeed.
We really need to come out of these stereotypes.
Culture-related stereotypes
As mentioned in one of the above paragraphs, there is a stereo-type related to "conservatism" of South Indians, based on cultural practices. It is even more glaring to take religious practices into account, and arrive at the stereotype of conservatism.
Elsewhere in North of India, people also worship God, and have their own religious practices. So, it is very unfair to confuse religious practices with "conservatism".
Similarly, personal habits should also be tolerated. A few years ago, in Chennai, an eighty-years mother of one of my friends said that she would fast on that day, as it was a Friday. A friend from Maharashtra, who happened to visit my friend, was pleasantly surprised and started giving a big lecture, on the "stupidity" of the lady, as she would soon become anemic.
That was an auspicious day, on which old ladies of the earlier generation, as a matter of routine, fast the whole day. The old lady proudly said that she would be fine anyway, and that the person from Maharashtra should mind his own business.
Sensing that the discussion could turn unpleasant, my friend diverted his attention, and drew him away from the house on some pretext or the other. It later transpired that the friend from Maharashtra nursed a stereotype against such old ladies, who unnecessarily take to fasting, based on his understanding and perception.
All these perceptions and the stereotypes that follow, are always unwanted. Such stereotypes when carried in the head, or expressed, only bring unhappiness. One should never allow his or her perception cloud another person's preferences, and this can indeed destroy the very foundation of even very good friendships and relationships.
Such stereotypes can be avoided if we learn to accept cultural norms or culture specific behavior. It is also seen that these stereotypes are almost zero among Army officers or those in similar services. This is possibly because of the huge amount of exposure that they get at every single opportunity, as they get to serve at different locations.
Gender related stereotypes
Boys will be boys. This stupid, atrocious, and outright biased statement was made by Mulayam Singh Yadav, a very senior politician when asked about the increasing incidents of rape in the State of Uttar Pradesh.
This is the popular stereotype of boys and men as well. It is atrocious. Women should be respected and should be allowed to wear any dress, or do whatever they want. They should not be limited in terms of their personal choices.
For example, in Bangalore, women go occasionally to the pub and booze. This is now so common that no one talks about it.
In Mumbai, Pune, Kolkatta, New Delhi and even most parts of Punjab wear sleeveless blouses with saris, or even mini skirts. No one even comments anything about them, or at them. Life goes on, as if it is their personal business.
This is exactly as it should be. What can or should be the provocation to have so many stereotypes against women, is still not understood.
For instance, it is common to find this stereotype of any average Indian woman. They should always obey what the man says, should always respect her in-laws, do all the cooking and maintaining the house and so on.
She should always be dressed in particular ways -- wear glass bangles every day, go the temple, wear only saris, take care of all children, and do all that is necessary to satisfy the sexual needs of the husband. This stereotype is so common in most parts of India.
Why should all this happen? Because these have been sort of accepted as "the way of life".
But happily, women, more so, in urban areas, are highly cultured, educated and are more dashing than ever before. They work in all professions, and are always willing to go the extra mile to make a huge success of their careers.
These women have already broken most stereotypes, which is welcome. Widow remarriages are quite common too.
All these are positive developments.
It is very unfortunate that most stereotypes have been allowed to flourish to India. Only when we break all the stereotypes, will we be able to make progress, as a fully developed nation of very talented and highly tolerant people.
The stereotypes against women, need to broken with all the might that one can gather, at any point in time.
All this is very much possible, if we mentally accept people, as they are. We have no right to question their personal habits, or religious habits and, much less, the way they dress, or lead their lives. Once this done, everything will fall in place.
9 years ago
ABSIVAKUMAR created new article Why the rich and famous are never happy.
In any of our films, be it in Hindi or Tamil or Telugu, the hero will mostly be shown as a rich man, or as the head of a very rich family. The main villain will go all out to do some harm to our superb hero, who will find enough time to dance around the trees with his sweet heart, bash up all the bad boys and emerge successful at the end of the movie. The story will be a fairly simple one, and will mostly be a variation of one main story or the other.
So, money makes a huge difference in life. The rich and famous are always happy, we are told in so many movie tales.
Really? The gap between what is shown in the movies and what is the stark reality is really so huge. It is a big mystery why so many story tellers talk only about money.
It is a fact of life that the rich and famous are not happy at all. They are very unhappy, as can be seen from the real lives of most of our heroes and heroines. They get married amongst themselves, and except for some rare examples, get divorced within a few years. They live miserable lives and are bad examples of what cannot be achieved with mere money.
It is not that only the film heroes and heroines are unhappy. Those who are rich and famous -- the most famous rich businessmen, the exporters, our politicians and so on, are also not happy.
Why is this so? What really happens? Let us examine some answers.
The craze for money and the rat race
The rich and famous are never satisfied without some fixed amount of money. Their capital amount is only an investment to make huge amounts of money, running into hundreds of thousands of rupees, even per month.
Naturally, no one can be so honest in life, and there are several unethical ways in which they make money.
This rat race is something that the rich and famous are used to, but comes at a huge price. They have serious ailments that go along with irregular food habits, huge amounts of international travel and so on. So, what happens as a result of efforts to make huge amounts of money, is not so pleasant at all. The family starts falling apart, as children get used to money, and start looking at the world, through of lens of money alone -- nothing more, nothing less.
They would not give enough for charity
Two outstanding examples of excellently successful men -- Snri Narayamurthy of Infosys Technologies and Shri Azim Premji, of WIPRO, stand out as outstanding examples of the rich, who have made huge donations for charity, and for making a meaningful contribution to society. Their charitable organizations partner with Government organizations, and the money is properly channelized and spent.
However, these are two lone examples. The rich, for the most part, do not give even a small percentage -- mostly less than one percent -- for charity. The insecurity that comes with old age, haunts them, as the next generation starts fighting for the property, and what is seen in hundreds of rich families is very much the same. The fight for resources is so huge, and the net result is that the society gets virtually nothing out of the rich and famous.
However, the very same wealth, does not lead to happiness. This is because there is always a limitation to what can be really purchased with money.
The then owner of the Nutrine range of chocolates (since sold to a multinational company) had written a superb sentence in one of his books "even if you have six houses, you can sleep in only one of them".
Exactly. The cost of maintenance, the need to have a huge range of servants to take care of the houses and so on, will have a huge effect on the mental health of the rich.
Inability to understand real happiness
Mahatma Gandhi and others of his ilk had demonstrated that real happiness comes with making others happy. Kamaraj, the most outstanding leader of Tamil Nadu, till date, was so honest that when he died, his balance showed an amount a little more than one rupee!!
He was the most innovative leader, and it was he who introduced the mid day meal scheme for school children. This is considered the model for many States in India.
Happiness is a state of mind. It comes with very small things. Appreciating the beauty of nature, playing with very small children, listening to their innocent voices, understanding the suffering of the poor and developing some empathy for them are some ways in which one can really be happy.
All this is very unfortunately never understood by the rich. The balance between the commercial and spiritual life, very obviously needed for a happy life, is never understood by the rich.
First of all, their lack of empathy for others and their suffering, creates a wall and a big myth. Their own world shrinks when they start feeling very unhappy with some calamity in their family -- like a major accident, a prolonged sickness of a family member and so on. Secondly, their "yes men" and close friends often lead them to the path of ruin, as they divert their attention for their own selfish purposes. Thirdly, happiness, as it is understood by the rich, only means giving costly presents to their own family members to others, particularly close friends.
However, this is a total myth. These presents are total transitional in nature. Above some level, they become meaningless, as it has often been demonstrated by a huge number of real world examples.
Thus, the rich and the famous are caught in their own circle of make believe, their own world of happiness. But such a circle cracks with a monotonous regularity, and they start wondering what makes the much poorer people happy.
Their quest for happiness never ends -- it is a journey without any destination.
However, they all need to understand the limitations of money, develop friendships and relationships and do some good to others. They will experience happiness only if they share their wealth with those who do not have it, and need it so badly. If they start doing it, they can see a world of difference.
9 years ago
ABSIVAKUMAR created new article Making friends the right way.
Outside one's family members, it is very essential that we have friends. These friends can be long lasting, and can chip in with a great deal of help, if only we have the right approach in not only maintaining such friendships, but also going all out of the way to keep such friendships going on a steady pace.
It ought to be understood that nine out of ten people in this world are good. They also look out for new friends and relationships with such friends. Some try to become very close and interact as family members. Some maintain a distance, but really make a huge difference in times of need.
Be that as it may, what we need to develop is a good and durable friendship with several close friends and a good relationship with new friends in our lives.
The most important point that needs to be noted that we should also do something to maintain a good friendship. Trying to make commercial capital of any friendship, as many people attempt to do, is outright stupid and also unethical. No person in this world is an island. We all depend on others for some help or the other.
Neighbors can be great friends indeed. The apartment culture is a real problem in big cities, as people tend to lock themselves up within the confines of their houses and do not react at all, to any offer of friendship.
It should be noted that there are now concerted attempts being made in many cities to break this dangerous practice. There is one main reason -- the security angle. If people know each other, and are quite friendly with each other, it is very much possible that each person will go a long way in helping others in times of need. The sole security guard or even the CCTV cannot be a substitute for human watch over who is coming and going out of an apartment complex. So, friendship holds the key.
Significantly, the apartment owners have problems that are unique. So develop friendship with others will positively help one to identify plumbers, electricians, doctors, carpenters, cooks and servant maids, among other service people.
Friends have different needs at different stages of their lives. So, any attempt to solve any small problem at any stage, will be really welcomed and that particular friend will reciprocate in equal kind. For example, if we could be resourceful in identifying the best teachers to teach mathematics, physics and chemistry, and get these teachers to teach the son of a close friend, it will be a vital boon for the person.
There are friends who are very much caring, and present themselves first at any emergency, like when a person is seriously sick or is admitted in the hospital or there is an accident where the family member needs to be taken to the hospital immediately.
This is a very important aspect of friendship. If we have such friends, we also need to go all out of the way to reciprocate the same, on any occasion of emergency.
There are friends who do all the leg work related to a marriage and take care of all the guests who come to the marriage. They even handle the accounts and settle the accounts, with great accuracy. They accompany old people to the railway station and stay on, till all the formalities are over. They literally run the marriage as if it were their own.
Such is the quality of good friendship. We should always learn from such experiences.
In today's complex world, any vital knowledge about a good retirement scheme of a mutual fund or insurance company, can be a good avenue for investment. We need to spread this good word around and ensure that we have a close circle of friends who are very knowledgeable about such matters.
Hence, we should learn from whatever we see around us, and then develop such friendships.
As far as friendship through the social media is concerned, it is wise to stay within limits. Giving the cell numbers to total strangers or sharing family details can be very dangerous, as it has been proved in several cases of crime. Facebook or what's up or Twitter is all fine, but we need to share only something that can be shared. We need to be very careful here, and not attempt something stupid.
As far as friends of our children are concerned, it is wise to keep a big close watch. Friends who are very well known to the family are okay, but any new friend, from any other quarter can be very dangerous, more so, when the friend belongs to the opposite sex. If there are several such new friends, the father and mother need to be very careful indeed and nip any unpleasant development in the mud, before any wrong happens.
Yes, nine out of ten people in this world are good. However, just one or two can make a huge difference, and we need to be aware of such bad apples.
When we demonstrate good friendship and understand the need for deeper understanding among close friends, there will be joy all around. It is but essential that we learn from every single experience and by looking at really good people, who are already friends, to our close friends or relatives. By reaching out to them in a selfless fashion, it is indeed possible to develop good and meaningful friendships in the right way.
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article Christianization of the Baltic States by the Sword.
Introduction
Most people are quick to point out that Islam spread by the sword. To an extent it is true. However the same people rarely talk of the spread of Christianity by the sword. This was done by the Knights Templar, who spread Christianity by force. This spread of Christianity by force is often referred to as Christianization.
In this post I shall bring out the conversion of the Baltic States to the Christian faith. The Baltic States are located on the northern border of Russia and have the Baltic Sea touching one side of their land. In olden days this area was known as Livonia. For long periods this state was an independent entity till it was gobbled up by the Soviet Union under Stalin.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union these states re-asserted their independence. Presently these states follow the Orthodox Christian Eastern Church and are staunch followers of the Christian faith. The people of the Baltic states wear their faith in Christianity on their sleeves, but nobody spares a thought as to how the people in this area were converted to Christianity. In fact nobody wants to talk about it.
The fact is that from the 12 to the 15th century, the Pope authorized a mass conversion of the people of Livonia to Christianity. This was done by force and after great bloodshed. The earlier religion of the people of Livonia was a mixture of animistic and tribal beliefs. These beliefs were considered heathen by the Pope and the Christians. Accordingly specially trained soldiers called Knights Templars were dispatched to Livonia to convert the people to Christianity.
The Conversion
Christianity, more than Islam has its fair share of the use of the sword to convert other people. This conversion by the sword only stopped in the 19th century
The Christians used the sword to lethal effect, but they were not always successful. We all have heard of the crusades, the fight by the forces of Christ and the Muslims. A crusade is a religious war, whose primary aim is to subdue the "heathens" and spread Christianity. Mostly this was sanctioned by the Church. The wars with the Muslims are well documented, but little is heard of the conversion of Livonia to Christianity, which are also classified as crusades.
The Christians followed a set pattern when they started a crusade for conversion. This consisted in first destroying the pagan places of worship and denigrating the gods. Traditional religious ceremonies which were conducted by locals were classified as " witch craft". These ceremonies were criminalized and in most cases those who indulged in such ceremonies were put to death. But the Christians were clever and in some cases to placate the locals, they would absorb some tribal customs also and later jettison them.
The Christians drew their sustenance for conversion as per the " Great Commission". What was this Great Commission? It was the last instruction of Jesus Christ to spread the gospel and his message to the world. Christ did not anywhere say it had to be done by the sword, but later followers and leaders opted for this method as it brought speedy results.
The Christians decided during the Middle Ages to convert the believers in Pagan rights in Livonia to Christianity. Initially the residents of Livonia were opposed to Christianity. However Pope Celestine III, made the first plans to convert the people of Livonia to the faith propagated by Jesus Christ. Celestine III made the plan, but before it could be executed, he passed away. His successor Pope Innocent II put the plan to effect. Select Christian warriors, who had taken a special oath to the Christian faith called Knights Templar were commissioned to attack the people of Livonia.
A special and more blood thirsty group were now formed. Called the Brothers of the Sword, were used for the assault and carnage. This was ordered by the Pope who deputed Bishop Albert for this task. Much of the conversion was carried out under the guidance of Bishop Albert and the Brothers of the Sword. This was in 1237 AD.
The Brothers of the sword belonged to the Teutonic order and they unleashed a blood thirsty trail. In less than 50 years the Christian warriors subdued the tribes and won. They converted the local people en masse to Christianity. The period of conversion of the Baltic region to Christianity is generally assessed by Historians to be from 1206-90. The Christian knights destroyed the local forces and carried out mass scale killings. Livonian women were captured as per the instructions of the pope and impregnated by the Knights. Now we talk of the sermon of the Imam of Al Aksa Mosque to Fertilize European women to the migrants, flooding Europe. The Christians did the same thing nearly 800 years back and they were successful.
The Christian army was merciless and wholesale massacre of men who opposed them was the refrain. Defeated and forlorn the King of Livonia, Mindaugas and his queen converted to Christianity. It was more by necessity than choice . In case the king had not converted he was likely to be killed. As per records available by 1386, the entire region had embraced the Christian Catholic faith. it was a victory of the sword and the Pope, who had ordered the massacres and the war.
Last Word
People of the Baltic states today are devout Catholics and follow the Eastern Orthodox Church. The entire region is now 99% Christian. The Baltic states were the last area in Europe to be converted to Christianity, as entire Europe had already been Christianized. For a brief period the Moslems did rule parts of Europe, but once they were defeated and driven out the Pope ordered the infamous inquisition to restore Christianity. This was the period when anybody who was considered to be an enemy of the Church was tortured and either killed or imprisoned in underground dungeons to die a tortured death.
When one looks at the history of the spread of the Christian religion and also of Islam, one realizes that both made judicious use of the sword to further their cause. It is now part of history and Indians must learn, that ultimately only the sword carries the day. The one Indian king Emperor Samrat Ashok who embraced pacifism let his empire go to seed.The result? His empire collapsed within 60 years of his death.
9 years ago
Babu saroj created new article Success depends on opportunity, not on character .
Success in human life is an ambiguous term. It is true that often a man of character fails to succeed in life. This is more so in our present day context. It is an opportunistic culture in which we have to live today. Men in general are self-seekers, right from the corrupt politicians to even a layman on the street. It is a sad irony of an age when money is more important than merit. Naturally, although this sounds a bit unpalatable, yet it is the hard truth, and I shall paint this bitter truth that opportunity, today, is the main ladder to success. But a look back for a while would be rewarding.
In ancient days ‘character’ used to be considered the greatest virtue, in battles bravery and in trade honesty. In education knowledge and in general conduct integrity was paramount.
But today the reverse becomes true, both at the national and, to some extent, at the international level. We see everyday how our so-called leaders sell their values at the altar of power, rank and selfish objectives. Our students, in general, quote high and mighty phrases like; if character is lost everything is lost. But script after script reveals that the answers are all copied form one essay book. Teachers in meetings make tall speeches of unity and moral strength, but throw them to the winds for a mess of pottage. The headmaster or the principal, who are the custodians of favour, so easily make them the slave of the authority by distributing petty favours.
Today we have coined a typical phrase befitting our age: honesty is another name for lack of opportunity. To whatever facet of our life we turn today, the fitness of the above phrase is self-evident. We see how, almost every day, the advocates of character, morality and integrity slide into the camp of opportunity seekers. In fact it is a kind of vermin that slowly infects our body-politic. But it does not remain merely confined to the wielders of power. On the contrary it infects even their families like cancer. The sons, daughters, marital and other relations of political bosses promptly mount the applecart of opportunity. They make dents into our economy and eat into the vitals of our national life. They indulge in the dirtiest and the most scandalous activities being shielded by the powerful parents. Thus, today, politics has become their primrose path and the cross-section of value-loving, morally erect and cultured people withdraws into oblivion.
I regret that the painful irony of our time has forced me to sing in praise of ‘opportunity’ at the expense of character, I conclude that the remark of Brutus to Cassius could not have more befitting that today:
There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, when taken at its flood,
Leads on to fortune
Brutus meant it in right earnest although it proved fatal. But today it has become the truth for men, although in a changed context. Character is set at naught as it never leads to success.
9 years ago
Babu saroj created new article A little knowledge is a dangerous thing .
Pundit at last became a cow-boy. He was the only son of his father. He had entered the ‘pathshala’ with Atanu who was the son of a headmaster. Atanu was intelligent and he cleared the class examinations with distinction. But Pundit was very dull. He could somehow reach class three. His father was obliged to withdraw Pundit from school when he failed to reach the next class even after two attempts. In consequence Atanu went ahead and they parted company.
Pundit was at the opposite pole of his name. People in general knew him to be a fool and idiot, although Pundit thought of himself to be intelligent and wise.
Pundit and Atanu were neighbours. One day Atanu was going to his maternal uncle by train. The train stopped at a mid-station junction and Atanu got down getting a newspaper. His attention was drawn to a spot on the platform where many people crowded. He felt curious to know the matter. He, however, was taken aback as he saw their Pundit standing with a rope tied round his waist with several others. It was a magistrate checking. He learnt that Pundit was to be remanded unless he paid rupees twenty as fine. Luckily Atanu had the money. He released Pundit and sent him back home.
What Pundit narrated was this: His father beat him last night for negligence of work. He fled home and boarded the train for going to his mother’s sister at Nirmalli. He had traveled by that train previously to Nirmalli with his uncle. Naturally he had confidently taken his seat and was sure that it shall take him to his destination as on other days. But he did not know that it was a coupled rake and only the latter portion of it goes to Nirmalli. On the contrary he was too foolishly confident that what he knew or understood was the best. As there was much rush in the latter part of the train, he confidently entered into the front part of the train. The train took him to Madhubani, instead of Nirmalli. Pundit was so cocksure of his judgement that he did not even bother to ask anybody when he saw that the interim stations were different. The checking party found him without ticket for the route and he was rounded up.
Such persons with half-knowledge or half-truths generally suffer from a foolishly high regard for their intelligence. Naturally they are very apt to fall into traps. Our Sanskrit texts tell a story where an idiot servant was asked to stand guard on his master. He was given a fat stick and was advised that whoever disturbs his master when the latter sleeps, should be severely hit with the stick. We know how he hurt his sleeping master while hitting a fly that would always sit on the chest of his sleeping master.
9 years ago
Babu saroj created new article An invention which advances human progress and civilization.
The discovery that appears to be the most helpful in human progress and civilization, is the round object called the wheel. It, perhaps, belongs to the neo-lithic or the new Stone Age.
During its initial stages it must have revolutionized the life-style of mankind. Before it dawned on human life man’s chief source of communication must have been his two legs, or the domesticated animals. The horse, the ass and the different breeds of cattle were his chief sources of communication.
Naturally human mobility was, perforce, confined to a limited area and life was leisurely. But with the advent of the wheel a new spirit of exploration and joy must have inspired mankind. We know that the Wright brothers had tied wings to their persons and suffered fractures. But the very idea that one can fly like the birds if he had wings and that it is a feasible project, makes the Wright brothers immortal in history. Similarly those men that strove to roll on ground by tieing wheels to their legs, too, must have suffered falls time and again. People, too, must have laughed at their silly idea. But gradually the notion becomes a reality. Wheels were fitted on bare planks which later developed into carriages.
The wheels thus brought to our life mobility. This initial advantage which we owe to this object has remained with us till this day. All kinds of fast moving objects owe their worth to the wheel.
The aeroplane cannot take off without the wheel. The helicopter, too, needs the wheeling propeller to lift itself. The wheel functions as a turbine in engines and machines to lend them mechanical advantage.
Even in daily life this wheel serves us loyally as a friend. Village women feel much at ease as they draw water from the wells with the advantages of the pulley. Again, whether as a domestic apparatus or in the flour mills, it is the wheel that comes to our aid.
Modern age is one of science. Even the medical science owes its allegiance to this ultra-primitive invention, the wheel. The wheel-chair has brought a new life to the physically disabled due to deformed legs. We are all familiar with the happy sight of ambitious, but disabled boys that go to schools and colleges on their new-fangled vehicles. They are kinds of rickshaws in which the design is reversed. Of the two hands of the disabled man, one functions as the paddle, while the other controls the lever for direction. The wheel-chairs are lifted on board the aircraft and distance proves no bar.
Thus, wherever one looks, form the days of the Mahabharata to the present day, one simply wonders at this great invention. The modes of its application have changed with time and become more complex, but the simple principle of the rotating object remains unchanged as the basic reality.
9 years ago
Babu saroj created new article Pollution of all types becomes a curse to us .
The term ‘pollution’ till recent past was a localised phenomenon. It implied shabby living, filthy habits. But today the term has gained a wider significance and perspective and it is due to science. Now expressions like water, air and sound pollutions have gained currency. Those embodied in one terminology are known as the pollution of the eco-system.
The chief factor behind any kind of pollution is ‘exploitation’. It is a pity that with the galloping progress of science men has become blind to the fundamental truth of life on this earth. They have callously disregarded the truth that man is one of the components of the organic system that is life. On the contrary he has mounted on the Pegasus of progress and ravaged the forces of natural too selfishly for his own system only. Mother Nature tolerated this senseless and ruthless exploitation for long without demurring. But now it is her turn to retaliate and it is known as nature’s revenge. The chief causes of air pollution are the atomic explosions, massive deforestation, and the heavy thrust to conquer space and reckless disregard of rules by vehicular traffic. I shall touch on each of these in passing. The last two atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki have not been able to restrain the mad lust of power seekers. In the recent times atomic or nuclear tests have been conducted. Again the ‘scorched earth’ policy of Saddam Hussain set ablaze the huge fuel stores whose curling fumes vitiated the air. The released petroleum rolled down into the surrounding sea-water. Everyone has seen films depicting the misery of the sea-animals.
Massive deforestation for construction purpose and fuel has, over the years, slowly altered the balance that ought to exist between oxygen and carbon dioxide. On the other hand the rapid growth of industries has surcharged the atmosphere with unhealthy smoke. It is shuddering to think that even the upper regions of the Himalayas have become relatively barren due to deforestation.
Again the quest for knowledge and the conquest of the unknown by science has recoiled on us with telling effect. The rockets sent into space has caused rents through which ozone gas persistently enters and disturbs the eco-balance of our world. We have read in newspaper that America now has devices to repair this damage.
Environment science, today, has become the most formidable and constructive. Its purpose is to instruct men about the significance of balance of the elements in human life. Now there is sudden explosion in fuel –driven vehicles in every part of the country. The petrol gas that is emitted in huge quantity in the evening in the cities and towns affects human life with far reaching bad effects. It mixes with our breathings and makes us subject to fatal diseases like cancers, TB and what not. The law tries to prevent such heavy emissions of gas, which is due to bad maintenance of the vehicles. But very seldom are the authorities that execute such laws so vigilant.
The plain truth is that men who know the secret of these hazards must behave as responsible citizens. They have to observe the basic truth of natural law and see that the administrative laws that seek to prevent such hazards are observed by others and properly enforced by the hands of law. Otherwise man himself shall become a miserable victim of this imbalance. One most recent example of such unnatural human experiment is the ‘mad-cow-disease’ in England. It takes its origin form the fact that the British farmers have multiplied there yield of milk by feeding their cattle with processed flesh of the cows, pigs, sheep and other animals.
Nature ordains that cow is herbivorous and reacts. As a result the disease that infect these animal, now affect men and children who use milk of such cows.
9 years ago
ABSIVAKUMAR created new article Why HR is undergoing a transformation.
Of all professionals in the field of Management, Human Resources Management, often referred to as HR in professional circles, and identified as such, is the most challenging. There are many reasons why HR has still not been recognized as a major profession, like Finance and Marketing.
Be that as it may, the profession of HR is itself undergoing a transformation like never before. The different facets of this transformation needs to be properly understood.
Firstly, the times when HR was more identified with the more progressive sub-systems of HR like performance appraisal, career planning, training and development, talent management and so on, are all but gone, at least for another decade. We are back to the days of tension, back to the days when Industrial Relations was so important, and the HR Head was a legal professional of sorts, able to play the game of the Management by effectively exploiting all the loopholes in the labor laws. We are also back to the days of strikes and lock-outs, though the magnitude of this has still not reached the monstrous proportions of the yesteryears.
The earlier decade was one of huge growth, and the Corporate Sector grew by leaps and bounds. Managements were also a little bit more accommodating in terms of giving some more benefits, and extend the welfare facilities a little more than what was normal. So, industrial peace was possible, and the internal trade union movement also aided the formation of peace in most industrial undertakings.
However, two major factors are now responsible for a reversal of the trend, with Managements going all out to crush labor, with an iron hand, and taking recourse to contract labor like never before. The first major factor is the global recession, which does not show any signs of easing at all. So, profits are down, and Managements take the most easy route -- cost cutting by simply throwing people out of gainful employment. Naturally, this causes heart burn in every case, and the trade unions try to stop this practice. There is increased tension for the asking.
The second most important factor, is that the BJP Government at the Center is anti-labor in both letter and spirit. It has done nothing to stop the growing employment of contract labor, in just about every single industrial organization. The unrest at Maruthi Udyog, Honda Motor company, and in several other organizations, did not invite the attention of the BJP Government at all.
Worse, even the most recent ridiculous proposal of the BJP Government to tax the EPF Corpus of employees at the time of retirement, has sent a clear signal that the Government will simply play ball to the Managements and not protect labor at all.
So, we have a situation where the trade unions are up in arms against both Managements and the Government. However, they are not as effective as before, mainly because of the internal trade unions in most industries. Furthermore, the average worker is in no big mood to go on prolonged strikes and is less amenable to express dissent in any form.
However, there is a mad scramble to attract those who have a good industrial relations background, and Managers who have this background are in great demand. These Managers are back to the old days -- cost cutting at every single opportunity, exploiting labor and so on.
A case study of an auto ancillary organization will bring out how this is going on. This organization is part of a huge auto-ancillary conglomerate, which is also the largest in India, with Chennai as the headquarters for most group companies. The parent organization is Madurai-based.
This case study pertains to unrest in an organization of this group in a semi-urban area of Vellore district. The organization was happily employing contract labor in thousands in three of its manufacturing plants in the same location. They were on contract for even as many as over two decades. The workers were paid slightly better wages when compared to the contract labor in most other organizations in the surrounding areas, and were also given subsidized food in a canteen that was there for decades. They were given PF, Gratuity, ESI Medical facilities and so on, but were still on contract.
Such labor was employed for at least five years and up to twenty four years. For several years, there was simmering discontent among contract labor, who always felt that they were discriminated against regular labor. The Management did all this, even when the law of land says that if an employee was employed without any break for 240 days, he would have to be taken on regular rolls.
Worse, the work done by the contract labor was almost the same as the regular labor, and there were times when the contract labor were even computing data into the most sophisticated computers, as these labor were those who had cleared the plus two examination.
Matters came to a boiling point. One fine day, the contract labor who were on duty till 3.30 PM, in the general shift, refused to go out. They sat right in the huge open area in protest. They were joined by those who joined in, anytime between 3 and 3.30PM, and these were supposed to be the second shift. They struck work, and the labor combined themselves and demanded that the trade union leader, based in Chennai, would have to come and meet them.
Production came to a grinding halt. The Management sought to take the help of the police in throwing the workmen out physically. However, the police refused, fearing that a law and order problem would occur. Outside the gate, a huge number of members of the public gathered and the TV crew from a Tamil Channel managed to capture the event live and showed it on television, without mentioning the name of the company.
Two full days went, and there was absolutely no production. The trade union leader, an insider, was "taken care of" by the Management, and hence did not open his mouth all these years. However, when he eventually arrived on the third day, right after midnight, and tried to negotiate with the contract workmen, he was literally pushed away, and the workmen said that they would directly negotiate with the Chairman and Managing Director.
The CMD understood the gravity of the situation, declared that those who had completed over ten years of service on the date of announcement, would be taken on regular rolls. Those who qualified under this criteria, were immensely happy, and those who did not qualify, were left in the lurch.
Worse was to follow for such labor. Those who had put in less than five years of service on contract labor basis, were sacked overnight, and those who had put in even seven years of service, were also sacked. The Management was very harsh, and seemed totally unhappy with the decision of the contract labor to go on strike.
Those who now anxiously wait for another two or three years to qualify for the ten years of service, are now not sure that they will be taken in.
The Management closed down the co-operative credit store that helped the regular workmen to buy essential commodities on credit. They also closed down the technical training center.
This is just one example. Literally every single company is doing the same with labor, and playing around loopholes in every single labor law.
There is not much of a big hope that things will go back to the HR way, as Industrial Relations, with all its focus on cost cutting and dismissing labor, is back with a vengeance.
The profession of HR now stands at cross-roads and is undergoing a transformation, like never before. Superb practices like "engagement" that were loudly talked about a few years ago, are all but gone to the dustbin.
Only time will tell, when the global recession will abate a bit. Till then, HR in India, will be hugely influenced by the Industrial Relations function, for at least another ten years.
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article Muslim Terror in Belgium: Self Inflicted Injury.
Background
Belgium has been besieged by terror attacks. In fact just a few days back hardline Islamic terrorists attacked the airport in Brussels as well as a metro rail station close to the airport and exploded bombs. This was an attack by suicide bombers and later the Islamic State claimed credit for these attacks. The attack left almost 40 dead and close to 175 injured, some of them maimed for life. Even now some are critically injured and there is every likelihood of the death toll rising.
These attacks have come close on the heels of attacks in Paris by ISI indoctrinated Muslim youths, who in a suicide operation killed nearly 150 French and foreign nationals. There is a common thread between both these attacks. Investigation by the Belgium and French police now shows that both the attacks were masterminded by Muslims who were Belgium citizens and worse had been born and bred in that country. This is cause for concern to the Belgium authorities as it reveals that Muslims settled in Belgium for decades are not loyal to the Belgium state, but have thrown their lot with the ISI. They have followed the dictates of the ISI leadership and targeted Belgium as it is the soft underbelly of the European union.
The attacks have raised pertinent questions about Muslims in Belgium. The fact is Belgium is a small country, but in a way it has brought out that past policy of the Belgium king and government have in a great measure contributed to this situation. I am afraid these attacks will continue and Belgium may be hard pressed to counter them. It must also be borne in mind that in a population of 11 million, the Muslims number close to 600,000 and this is a significant number.
Belgium's Blunder
Belgium is a small nation with very few natural resources. It is part of the Low Countries and Hitler struck against France by attacking through the Low Countries. Hitler's army vanquished Belgium inside two days. They continued into France and the King of Belgium escaped to England. Thus Belgium has always been vulnerable. When the European Union was formed, Belgium people and government thought they will have security, but lack of resources, in particular oil was a galling sore.
In 1967 the King Baudouin of Belgium entered into a pact with King Faisal of Saudi Arabia for oil. This was a desperate act as the Saudis extracted their pound of flesh. King Baudouin agreed to supply oil, but in return asked for the construction of a mosque in Brussels. The Saudi government agreed to foot the bill for the mosque.The king agreed for the construction of the mosque and also allowed Saudi Arabia to send clerics who were trained in Saudi Arabia. The Saudis were also given a 99 year lease of the land and allowed to set up a centre of Islamic study in Brussels. These preachers duly arrived, but many of them were Salafists and these clerics in due course began to indoctrinate the Belgian Muslims on to the radical path. In hindsight, the action of King Baudouin was extremely short sighted and was taken without understanding the real nature of Islam.
Belgium also allowed Muslims to migrate to the country from Morocco and other places as they had a shortage of labor. The Muslims came in droves, but unknown to the Belgian authorities many of them became Salafists and were radicalised. They had no loyalty to Belgium and their loyalty was to Islam and the Pan Islamic movement.
Wiki leaks have now shown that for quite some time the Belgian government was concerned about the activities of the clerics in the mosque and had even expelled the director of the Islamic Institute some time back. The Belgian king and government realised the hard way that the Saudi's do a lot of double speak and though they say one thing they use their petro dollars to further the spread of Islam.
These indoctrinated Muslims have now come out into the open and launched terror attacks. One can say that had King Baudouin not signed the deal with the Saudi's for oil, the present situation would not have occurred. Now the horse has bolted and the Belgians are at a loss as to how to react. They cannot even do racial profiling as the number of Muslism is too large and as per latest figures Muslims constitue 22% of the population of Brussels. How does one profile 22% of the population of a city? Another factor bugging the Belgian police is that all the terror groups are constituted with Belgian Muslims , who have been born and bred in Belgium. How does a nation react against a renegade minority, which is large in number?
Last Word
Belgium is thus faced with a very difficult situation. The only way out is that the EU as a whole help Belgium. But as we have seen the EU is not a cohesive union and with England wanting to leave the EU, many are wondering about its future. The Germans after taking in a million Muslim refugees are alarmed, but the Muslims are there and they have shown their colors by attacking German women and girls on New Year eve. Evidence is also available with the German police that many of the refugees are fifth coulumns of the ISI and the mosques have been known to store arms.
Belgium has thus no choice, but to fight its own war against Islamic terror groups. The nature of Islam is such, that the Belgians cannot hope for a change of heart among the Muslims. The chances are that if a few are arrested another dozen will take their place. The Belgians are now faced with a problem that has no solution. The ISI radio and internet is bombarding Muslims in Europe to rise and Islamise Europe. Many devious means are being suggested including impregnating European women who have a low fertility rate. The Imam of the Al Aksa Mosque in a YouTube video has urged Muslim men to fertilize European women. All these add up to a great peril for Belgium and I do not see any short term solution. Belgium may have to live with this problem for many years.
9 years ago
Reena created new article Expectations: Degree Of Probability.
We as human beings expect all the time from every one around us. This is because we have developed within ourselves a belief that we all live in a society and thus it is fine to depend on others and form all sorts of expectations from others. Thus, we want other people to do something for us in return of something we did to them. It is more like give and take policy. Society itself was formed on that basis ages ago. It created a sense of togetherness and a medium of exchange of goods. Thus, no one was deprived of anything and everyone felt secure and protective. This is continued even today. The only thing that has changed is exchange of goods take place by means of money.
We say it is very natural for all of us to start expecting from others around us irrespective of whether they are our family members, colleagues, friends or someone we know from a long period of time. Sometimes we even build expectations from a stranger. Expectation is nothing but a wish of ours we want others to fulfill it for us. It can be anything. It can be in the form of a material, money or even sometimes a behavioral pattern. Expectation is like a want which we want at any cost to get fulfilled. We want people to behave in a certain manner and when they do not do so, they fall short of our expectations. We simply forget that they have got their own lives to live. They will behave or perform an act as per their belief system, staying in their own comfort zone. Something that is right for us, may not be right for them and vice versa. It is just a point of view. It's just a simply understanding that we need to build within ourselves. Once built it will create a sense of compassion within us. Compassion towards one another is something that has become need of an hour. This compassion itself will help us understand what the other person is going through and once we understand what the other person is going through, we will come to know the reason behind his deeds. We will cast off our expectations and embrace him completely with both hands.
Expectations hurt. If not all the time but say most of the times. When others meet with our expectations, we feel good and when they do not meet our expectations, we feel bad about it. This feeling of good or feeling of being devastated is being created by us. This is an outcome of strong belief system we have and that belief system is others have to act as per we say. We feel we are always right and this feeling is so common among all of us. All of us feel whatever we say or we do is right and others who differ form us are doing something wrong. In certain situations, when we are pretty sure that the other person performing an act is wrong, we can definitely go to him and advise him wisely. That is all we can do. Give him right advice, show him pros and cons and consequences he will be facing as an outcome of his deed or act. Once done, we need to step back and let him do his thing. We need to get detached right from that moment. However, most of us remain attached and expects the other person to go with the advice given to him. We do not leave a room or scope for that person to carry out his own thing and builds up a hill of expectations. This will create a lot of turbulence in him as well as in us.
Today we usually experience turbulent energy in our relationships because we try to control others. We try to levy our rules on them and want them to behave the way we want them to behave. If a person does not behave in the way we wanted him to or choose a side we wanted him to else say did not say something we wanted him to, we easily get devastated. Remaining detached is very essential to remain stable. Too much pressure and expectation we levy, narrows down the scope for other person to continue doing things he wanted to do. It is as well not very good for us as we are framing our character as well as personality. We are trying to control other person regardless of how good or bad our intentions are. Control is something today a major cause of disharmony in relationships. We are framing our character as we are trying to dominate over one person and then successively trying to frame a control over others as well. Within no time we will start poking our nose in each and every person's business whether they are known to us or unknown to us i.e., interfering in some one's life we have met just a few seconds earlier. We do not want to shape our character in that way. We should always wish to become some one who is of good and is of helping nature, who can be approached at any time for good advice.
The way we expect people to behave in particular manner, in the same way we also expect situations or circumstances to arrive in a manner which is favorable to us. If a certain situation does not turn out the way we wanted it to be then we start playing our favorite blame game. We start cursing ourselves, our destiny or simply put a blame on others. We wanted things to be in some other manner and as situation did not turn out the way we wanted it to be, we feel insecure. This insecurity is because we were not prepared to face such a situation as preparation was done for something else. We simply do not understand that people and circumstances are not in our control. We cannot control others as well as situations arriving in our day to day lives. We can only control ourselves. We need to put an intervention on our habit of expectations. We should stop ourselves from levying a whole burden of our expectations on shoulders of other people. It is more like do your work and do not worry about the outcome. This is because all that is in our hands is to do our work efficiently i.e., put in our 100% in the task that we are performing. Worrying about outcome is a lame thing to do. We cannot predict the kind of fruits we are going to reap and thus leave it on time. Accomplishing our task is in our hands. It is because we are the one who is performing it. Results are not in our hands. We need to embrace whatever outcome we get and that is what is called as embracing a situation. Regardless of whether we have received a failure or have passed with flying colors, we need to accept the things positively since this is all we can do. Instead of becoming devastated and feel negatively inside, we have to inspire ourselves for better work to be done in future.
When a person reacts aggressively or shows and throws tantrums around, even on lame and tiny issues, we create negative thoughts about him. We do not want him to behave in such a manner. Each one of us has a particular pattern of behavior and we seem to follow that pattern. However, we seem to forget that others too have their own self designed behavioral pattern which is created over a period of time and which according to them is best for them and thus they seem to follow theirs instead of ours. Each one of us is different from others and thus behavioral patterns too differs and in such case expecting something out of a person is a ridiculous demand we are creating for them. Since they are comfortable in their own zone, they find it difficult to come out of it and same stands for us. We cannot break our shell and try to do something for somebody so that their expectations can be met. Same stands for others too. We just need to fill into their shoe and think twice before expecting anything from anybody next time.
Parents does expect their child to choose a certain field or a career. They can give him right advice but cannot shoulder their dreams on his shoulder. This will be more like a burden. Child himself as an individual soul might have certain aspirations in his life and thus should be allowed to choose what he wants. A very common expectation parents have from their grown up child is that he will look after him in their old age. This is another expectation that should not be kept. Expecting some one to do something for us can bring pain to us if expectation is not met. If the child understands his responsibility, he will fulfill it and parents should take it as a bonus. If he does not understand, they should let him go. These kind of expectations we knowingly or unknowingly keep creating in our everyday lives. This is because we feel it is alright to expect something but rather we do not understand what harm it creates within us as well as to that person on whom we are depending.
We feel that if we have done something to some body, they need to return to us as favor and most of the times we do not call it as a favor, we name it as a responsibility. When we want our near and dear ones to do something for us, we call it as a responsibility and when we do not see that responsibility from being fulfilled properly, we feel bad about it as in our minds we have already seen it happening and this whole picture what we saw in mind itself is nothing but expectations we built up inside. One has to understand that the other person has to return the favor or not is his call. Whether he feels like fulfilling his responsibility or not, lets leave it on his comfort. If he feels like doing it, he will and if he does not then we should not force him for anything. First and foremost thing we need to do is stop creating expectations within our minds. Expecting something out of people or else expecting situations to arrive the way we want them to be is nothing but foolishness. Duties have to be performed. We need to give advice or recommend or share our feelings whenever we wish with the people for whom we care. We should not stop that and allow that person from falling into a pit hole or choosing a wrong direction. Once advice is given, then the person should be allowed to made his own decision. Let him choose the path on which he wishes to carry out his journey and whatever he chooses we need to support him and not feel bad if our advice did not get implemented.
Knowingly or unknowingly, we create lots of expectations from people around us, from the people we meet in our day today lives. We also expect situations to arrive in our favor. This habit of ours is creating hindrances and is causing an intervention and thus avoiding a perfect relationship between us and others from being flourished. Let us not control others and burden them or force them to do something we want them to do. Let us be supportive. In this way, it will be easy for them to live their life as well as keep us at peace and harmony as we will not disturb ourselves. We will remain detached and thus will save ourselves from inner turbulence that is bad for our state of mind, for our well-being, for good health as well as for a good relationship with others. Instead of expecting out of someone or something, let us accept the way people approach us or the way circumstances arrive.
Expectations develop within us because of our belief system. If we want to stop ourselves from expecting something, first thing we need to change is our belief system. For this we need to embrace self discipline which is a key that empowers us greatly. This power we can use to control our mind, body and senses. Then each and every act of ours will be for accomplishing something. Our forces will be directed with right energy and nothing will be inappropriate, neither our act nor our speech. Right now we feel that we do not have control over our words, our body or over our sense organs. This is because our soul is in control of them. Once we take control over them, we can rule them. Silence speaks a lot. Empowerment will enable a person to speak only when necessary. He will avoid wastage of energy. His words will become beautiful and more powerful. Unnecessary speech does a lot of harm and wastes energy. Thus, silence has to be practiced for enriching ourselves with greater power. Intuition of ours too with empowerment of soul becomes keener.
Lack of discipline will make us indulge ourselves in lots of other activities which are of no benefit to us, in turn reduce the energy. Discipline brings concentration and this concentration leads to denial from each and every activity that we are performing right now which is of no use today. It brings self awareness. Once we become aware, it is obvious we will start taking control over all those forces which are now behaving like untrained horses. Then our body and mind will reach a perfect position. One has to choose silence over noise.One has to try to bring equilibrium or harmony between his mind and body. This practice has to be carried on a daily basis without fail. This too requires sufficient discipline. It is of no use if it is done for one day as we feel like doing it and discontinue it next day.
Irrespective of the kind of life style we continued till date, we need to empower ourselves from now on and this empowerment only approaches to us when we start controlling our mind and body. Once we take a control and become masters, there is no looking back. No one can intervene us or stop us from accomplishing what we aim for. This is a state where we rise above all our evil characters and deficiencies and attain a supreme state. Lots of things bind us and act like a hurdle in our way that prevents our free action. They make us weak. We need to come out of our weakness, leave it behind and work as per our will. This itself will help in our uplifting. From now onward we have to remove the weeds of weakness and work harder to cultivate our strength which in turn will help us in our awakening. However, this awakening does not come in a day, we need to work for it and make intellectual efforts like meditation. Spirituality will help us know ourselves and once we identify ourselves we will become in-drawn. Outward things like developing expectations from others as well as from circumstances will rarely bother us as new experience within ourselves will fill within us lots of positive power and surround us with pure spiritual energy. In this way with complete devotion and discipline we will be able to control both our physical as well as mental nature.
9 years ago
ABSIVAKUMAR created new article Why spending quality time with children is so important.
It is a sad fact of life that nine out of ten urban middle class or even rich families do not spend even thirty minutes of their time with children. In some families there is a compulsory dinner time of thirty minutes, but even this is becoming rare, since the father is so busy earning money and the mother is so busy in the kitchen after a hard day's work.
It is not at all uncommon to find a servant taking care of the children till the mother arrives.
Whatever be the compulsions of the father and the mother, there has to be a compulsory dinner time or some other time, when the father and mother or either of them or jointly spends at least one full hour with the children.
in most families, there is only one child, or at best, two children.
What is seemingly impossible, because of the huge demands on the time of the parents, has to be made possible, through some stealing of time, and it has to be substantial on the weekends. The following are the main reasons, why this quality time is important.
Too many distractions
Thanks to the media explosion, and thanks to the reach of the internet, children are increasingly becoming aware of sex, and what it means to them. There are too many boys enticing girls at a very impressionable age, and take matters to the logical conclusion. Violence against girls is perpetuated through even black mail, as they can easily capture intimate moments of girls on smartphones, with the most of advanced cameras.
All this can be nipped in the bud if only the parents know any small disturbance on the part of girl children. The help of the police and the teachers can also be sought to tackle this menace.
Not only the physical intimacy, there are other distractions too. Children want to experiment with everything, and wearing simply outlandish clothes, eating the worst of junk food, making it regularly to the shopping malls, and indulging in costly things is so common. Since the parents do not have the time, they happily support the children in buying whatever they want, and this leads to further frustration of the parents when things go out of control.
Increasing permissiveness of children is also one huge distraction, and there is absolutely no way in which they can be controlled. Instead, they need to be counseled on a continuous basis.
Very complex Education
Gone are the days when education was a far simpler affair. Today's school education, more so, the school education in CBSE schools, has become very complex indeed. No more of cramming, no more of "revision" tests day in and day out. Excellence in academics is possible, only if the child is constantly on the move, understanding concepts in their totality, and the final examination is just one big exposure to the complete understanding of all concepts and their application.
Education is not only complex in terms of academics, the competition in the extra curricular activities arena, and in the space for gathering a huge amount of data about every single thing around them, is also not very competitive, but also complex.
For example, the foundation for later success in the IIM entrance examination is laid when the child understands the test of reasoning and data interpretation, and this always happens when the child enters the eighth standard. If the child slips in one direction, he or she will be less competitive, in the later stages of his or her life.
All this can be easily understood when the parents get to understand areas of concern, and then address them in the most comprehensive manner possible.
The missing values link
Some twenty years ago, it was quite common to see a fourteen years old girl or a sixteen years old girl, helping her mother in all her household chores, and then becoming a trained person, which will hold her in good stead in the later years of her life.
Of course, no woman is expected to only cook, and with the most ridiculous talk of women's liberation being linked to cooking took its own toll. It is not a matter of cooking.
It is matter of "me and my comforts" and many girls end up being disastrous brides, who always question whatever their husband does, and demand, literally that he does at least part of the cooking. This never happens, and ego problems, simply eat away the love and affection, that is part and parcel of anyone's married life.
This is a very dangerous trend, and the parents need to counsel the girl on the need for some minimum training in terms of cooking.
Values are totally missing. The children do not respect elders at all, they are becoming increasingly self-centered, they are totally selfish in all matters of money, at a very young age. They treat the poor with contempt, and children making fun of the grand parents is so common.
All this can be reversed and can be kept in check, only if the parents understand the need for giving them some good values.
For example, taking them to the old age homes, or any orphanages, will help the children understand that there are millions who are unfortunately placed at a disadvantage in economic terms, mostly for no reason that can be attributed to them. They will understand that they need to do something for the wider society, and will even develop a good habit of keeping expenses under control.
Career counseling
Though it is not the responsibility of the parents to only do career counseling, it is very much in the domain of either of the parents or both of them, to understand and discover the latent talent of the children, and help them to reach the maximum of their potential, in whatever way they can.
For example, one child had a great interest in painting and drawing. The mother, as usual, wanted to push the child into engineering, as many in her family were all engineers.
The father, a senior executive in HR, with a major company manufacturing a range of two wheelers, saw the merit in his boy's real interest and sent him to the USA to do an advanced course in the same field.
Years later, the boy is a big success in life, as he is a good artist. All it takes is to identify the latent talent, which sometimes never gets expressed by the child, in an open forum, or even in private.
Hence, it is very important for parents to spend compulsory quality time with children on a regular basis. This should happen very urgently in each and every family of India.
9 years ago
Reena created new article Association Between Non-Vegetarian Food And Diseases.
Human body is very different from body of carnivorous animals. Human body cannot identify and differentiate the fat irrespective of whether it is obtained from vegetarian source or non-vegetarian source. Digestive system only does its work and tries to digest fat irrespective of its source. Digestive system of carnivores animal is very strong when compared to human beings. Since they have to solely depend upon living beings to obtain energy, their digestive power is quite enhanced. Their digestive system is so strong that it can extract more and more amount of carbohydrates and fat and digest everything completely. No ill-effects of any sort are imparted on their body. This is not the case with human beings. Their digestive power is not that strong. Digestive system of human beings is made for digesting vegetarian food which is light and easily digestible.
When human body consumes non-vegetarian food, its digestive system is able to digest only a part of it. Only that much of carbohydrates and fat is utilized as is needed for the body, rest is left unused. If consumption of non-vegetarian food is continued for a long period of time or if made as a life style then the fat rich element starts accumulating within the inner wall of arteries of heart. Continued accumulation of fat within inner walls of arteries will thicken them from inside and they will become constricted as a result blood flow to the heart slows down. This condition is known as arteriosclerosis. Heart should get sufficient amount of blood it requires all the time. This blood carries required amount of oxygen in it. Arteriosclerosis is a condition where this supply is cut down and this slows down effective working of heart thereby reducing heart beat. As a consequence to this stage comes heart attack. Apart from arteriosclerosis, clot formation in blood is also seen in people who consumes excess of non-vegetarian food and if the clot formation is in the blood vessels of vital organs like heart, brain, kidney etc..... then blood supply to these vital organs is greatly diminished resulting in a fatal failure of these vital organs.
Fat of animal products is not only responsible for causing heart attack, arteriosclerosis and damage to vital organs but is also responsible for causing deadly cancer. Colon is a part of large intestine. It is present at lower end of large intestine. Since human intestines are not designed for digestion of animal products, colon most of the times may get diseased and become cancer prone. Before undigested food enters excretory system, it remains in colon for a certain period. Rich fibrous foods gets digested easily and hence does not affect colon or other parts of intestine. Non-vegetarian food is devoid of fiber and thus undigested toxic non-vegetarian food passes very slowly through colon and remains in it for a long time and this is a very important reason that it gets affected with cancer. Not only colon, rectum is also affected equally. Thus, fiber rich diet is essential to prevent colon and rectal cancer. During digestion of animal fat, steroid metabolism is formed. It is responsible for causing carcinogenic cancer.
Non-vegetarians not only have to worry about the weak digestive power they have within them but also regarding other products that are very toxic and in spite of their toxicity given to birds and animals right form their birth and sometimes even before birth. These toxic materials help animals and birds to accumulate fat within their bodies. Excess of fat increases their price. But the real price is to be paid by human body who consumes them. These toxic materials not only remain limited to animals and birds but also reaches human body through the fat that they are consuming. Some of such toxic products are tranquilizers, hormones, antibiotics and many such medications. Animals are injected with higher doses of antibiotics. This keeps them alive because sustainability is difficult in their case as a question can be raised on the hygiene in which they are kept. The shelter they are provided is very unhygienic and rarely care is taken to keep it clean. Thus, they are affected with lots of diseases. Antibiotics help them to fight with diseases. However, these antibiotics not only remain limited in their body but also enter human body who consume animal fat. Not only antibiotics, in fact antibiotics resistant bacteria too enters human body which was initially produced in animal body due to excess of antibiotics ingested in them. If human beings consume animal fat in excess, may die of toxins present in it. In fact kids if are given animal fat even in small amount also can experience hazardous effects on their health and body.
Sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite are another two harmful chemicals sprayed in excess on various animals fat and also on fishes. These chemicals will keep animal fat from being spoiled and provide rich red color to it when it reacts with blood pigmentation. Animals are also scared of death and thereby excess of uric acid is present in their blood. This excess of uric acid also enters human body. It's a waste product our body produce which gets excreted out and excess ingested in human body through animal fat exerts poisonous effects on body.
Human body requires certain amount of carbohydrates and fat daily. Though one can obtain sufficient amount of carbohydrates and fat from animal fat, it also brings with it lots of toxins and hazardous effects. Thus nutrition and daily requirement of body should be obtained by following a healthy balanced vegetarian diet which is in rich in fibrous fruits and vegetables. Such diet will keep us healthy and enhance longevity by keeping diseases and disorders of all types away. Let us not depend on animal fat as human body is not designed to digest it. Instead of challenging our body and ingesting in it unwanted toxic materials, let us keep it free from toxins. Apart from caring about our health, let us also care about animals and help them to survive and breathe freely instead of preying on them.
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article Has Narendra Modi Missed his Date with History ?.
In 2014, after almost 65+ years of moribund rule, a wave swept India. This was the Modi wave and in the Hindi Speaking states and the western part of India, the BJP swept to power with an absolute majority. This was a victory chiseled by Modi and all the credit must go to him. One thought that after Nehru here is a man who will bring India back to its old glory. I supported Modi and also attended his first election speech that he gave to ex-servicemen at Rewari in Haryana.
The speech at Rewari was the launch of the election campaign of the BJP.General VK Singh, the ex-Army Chief had arranged this meeting and I can tell readers that almost 100,000 ex-servicemen from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and HP attended the rally. I attended the rally as word had gone around from high ranking retired officers that ex-servicemen should throw their lot with Modi.
Modi made a thundering speech and he grandly announced that when in power, he would ensure that One Rank One Pension, a demand that had been hanging over fire for four decades would be approved. He also grandly repeated that the sanction would be as per the Koshyari commission and approved by the parliament. He appeared to have kept his promise as the BJP dominated parliament along with unanimous support from the Congress and Rahul passed a resolution approving OROP.
Unfortunately, after coming to power, he forgot about his election promise and the approval by 2 parliaments. This led to an intensive agitation by ex-servicemen who also began a relay hunger strike. Under pressure, Modi approved a watered-down scheme which changed the very definition of OROP. The ex -servicemen were shocked and till date the agitation led by General Satbir Singh is on at Jantar-Mantar in New Delhi.
The point that I wish to highlight is that Modi did not honor his pledge to the soldiers and an important part of the election manifesto of the BJP. He used the votes of the soldiers, but at the crunch time did not do what he had promised. I think it was an extremely short-sighted policy as an election is due in 2019 and the servicemen who form a large vote bank in Northern states will not vote for the BJP.
Modi had similarly talked large and big in the BJP election manifesto. After reading the manifesto, I was impressed. Modi made some significant promises. One felt that here is a man who will rectify the wrongs done to India by a misguided approach epitomized by Nehru.
The BJP election manifesto touched on some core issues, which the BJP while in opposition was highlighting for years, nay decades. One should have taken the promises in the manifesto with a pinch of salt as the Vajpayee government had also made similar promises, but in effect, he achieved precious little. One can make an allowance as at that time Vajpayee and the BJP on their own did not have an absolute majority. But in 2014, the voters gave a clear mandate to Modi and the BJP and it was expected with a clear majority in parliament on its own and support from like-minded party's like the Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and Chandrababu Naidu, the BJP this time would honor its election pledge.
The BJP promised to undo the wrongs done in Kashmir. It had for years been highlighting the plight of the Pandits, who had been expelled by violent Jihadi attacks from the valley. The BJP promised to counter the insurgency in Kashmir and allow the Pandits to return home. Almost 200,000 Pandits had fled the valley. It was a terrible time as loudspeakers from Mosques broadcast messages to the effect "kill the Pandit men and marry the Pandit women". I was in the valley at that time on security duties and have a first-hand account of the atmosphere.
After coming to power, nearly 40% of the BJP term is over. The Kashmir insurgency has not been controlled. In fact, attacks have become more fierce and Pakistan inspired local Kashmir youth aided by a few die hard Mujahidins are attacking the camps of the army and CRPF. This never happened earlier and shows that the conflict has escalated. This must be put as a negative mark against Modi.
Modi had also promised that Article 370, introduced by Nehru would be abrogated. In fact, this was an important part of the BJP election manifesto. For years, BJP had been beating the drum about Article 370. Experts have long opined that Article 370 is like a stone around the neck and an impediment to integration of the state of Jammu and Kashmir with India. It is a sad story that in 2 years the BJP has just sat on the fence on this issue. The case for removal of Article 370 has not even moved one centimeter. In fact, Modi is silent on this issue.
Modi's silence on Article 370 is compounded by a lust for power. The BJP in Kashmir has joined hands with the PDP to form a government. The PDP is well known as a party that gives tacit support to militants and it is no wonder that for the first time in the history of Kashmir flags of the ISIS are flown in Lal Chowk in Srinagar. When in the opposition the BJP would lambast the Congress for being soft on Kashmir. But after coming to power, the BJP failed to show resolve and allowed the Hurriyat a group of separatists who want the state to accede to Pakistan to continue their activities like meeting the Pakistan High Commissioner. People began to realize that what the BJP preaches, it does not practice.
On a number of issues like the Uniform Civil Code and reservations, the BJP has been a passenger. Modi with all his majority has not shown the statesmen like quality expected of a man who wishes to bring social change in India. Perhaps he believed only in lip service. The BJP and Modi for decades have asked for abolition of the Sharia, practiced by Muslims and the enforcement of a Uniform Civil code as clearly mentioned in the Directive Principles of the Constitution. The matter has not even moved one inch forward. On the contrary, the Muslim leadership led by clerics have come out with a statement that even the Supreme Court cannot adjudicate in matters of personal law as enshrined in Sharia.
Perhaps Modi could have taken a leaf from the book of Mustapha Kemal, the legendary leader of Turkey who took on the Ulema head on and abolished religious schools and outlawed the Sharia. Perhaps Modi is just not that sort of man and I am afraid greatness will elude him. On the contrary, he has succumbed to pressure at every stage.
The Jat agitation is a case in point. All these years the RSS, the parent organization of the BJP has been advocating that the caste based reservation in jobs is an anachronism and needs to be slowly taken away. They were very critical of VP Singh, who had introduced reservation for Other Backward Castes (OBC). Unfortunately, a violent agitation by the Jats in Haryana, where they stopped the water supply to Delhi and indulged in arson and violent attacks saw the BJP government passing an act granting reservation to the Jats. Modi as the head of the government has to take responsibility for this decision. It is a most retrograde step and has set India back by decades. The Jats are an affluent community and giving reservation in jobs to them, makes a mockery of the constitution and Modi will go down in history as a man who perpetuated the caste divide. I wonder how he is better than VP Singh?
This reservation will now open the Pandora's box and one will have to keep his fingers crossed to see what happens from here on. The seeds of separatism have been sown and for once the BJP can't blame Nehru. In my view, it is a blunder.
The PM Modi has been talking of women empowerment. What does he mean by this? I have a different take on this. Here is a man who got married and then left his wife for four decades and never contacted her. The lady studied on her own and now ekes out an existence as a retired teacher. Modi never divorced her and he must explain why he behaved like this? She remains his wife and is entitled to maintenance; does he give her anything? I am afraid a man who treats his own wife so callously cannot be expected to bring empowerment of women in India. The least he could have done was to divorce her and cleared the air.
I have a lot of points on Modi and his economics.This, I shall keep for a subsequent post. His economic policy is a carbon copy of Congress. I will conclude this article on a different note. I have a friend in California named Steve Kinsmen. He is an astrologer. On my request, he cast the horoscope of Modi. He gave me his readings which are published on my blog. The only point is that Modi has a similar conjunction to Napoleon and Hitler. This shows a rapid rise and then precipitous fall, defeat, and disgrace. As per Kinsmen, Modi has risen but will bite the dust in 2019. However, I don't take astrology seriously and readers can make their own judgment. The fact remains that Modi has not done what he set out to do. One thought he will be the great man to lead India forward, but I am afraid he has miles to go and he is on the wrong track.
Modi has still got three years to go before his term expires. He can still pull a rabbit out of the hat, but he has done great damage to the social fabric of India by giving reservation to an affluent community like the Jats. One can condone his other errors, but this will be an anchor around his neck and history will judge him harshly. I hope he doesn't become the second Nehru. Nehru was greatly loved by the people and he had a big majority, but his thinking let India down. What will historians say of Modi ?
9 years ago
usha manohar created new article The Life And Times Of M . F. Hussain.
M F Hussain is probably one of the most well- known Modern Indian Painters , also part of the Progressive Artistes Group of Bombay. MF Hussain with all that fame and popularity, was also very humble, down to earth and an endearing person to all those who came into contact with him. I happened to see him interact with the children at Bangalore, where a school at Koramangala, close to his house had conducted an arts exhibition of paintings and drawings made by the students and some local artistes as well. He was the guest of honor and he came on time, sat with the children, making suggestions and interacting with them. He even showed them how to use the brush and the charcoal. Before departing he greeted all of us people gathered there with folded hands with a shy smile. At that time we were not to know that he would leave for the UK within a few months because of the controversy and the problems that arose with it! However, M F Hussain is still remembered by the residents with affection !
The intolerant society we live in!
We see a lot of intolerance in the society not just in India, it has become a global phenomenon which has been growing more violent by the day. It is not just religious intolerance but intolerance against life style as well. From their side, many of the artistes and writers fail to understand the sensitive feelings of people who are extremely touchy about religion and their god. They take the term artistic freedom too far failing to realise that there is no total freedom when you live in a multi-cultured society, you need to respect the beliefs of other people. They also fail to realise that freedom of speech is a double-edged sword that cuts both ways, like they have the freedom of expression, so do others who express their opinion often very strongly when they feel that their own faith is being questioned or made fun of.
In MF hussain’s case that is exactly what happened, he failed to realise the public feeling in his bid to express his artistic freedom through his paintings. He should have realised this fact before painting nude Hindu Goddesses because he was part of a community which was/is extremely intolerant, when it came to religious issues. MF Hussain became victim of a hate campaign which I personally think was started as a measure to hit back after the Salman Rushdie episode. Fundamentalism has no logic and we saw it happening recently with another great artiste A.R Rehman being hounded by the same kind of hate filled brigade. It happened with Salman Rushdie the writer after he wrote The Satanic Verses, is still being hounded after decades and Taslima Nasreen from Bangla Desh who has been living in exile since 1994 .
The charged Hindu groups, who were extremely hurt by some of Hussain’s paintings attacked him verbally and later he had to flee the country after his house in Bangalore was attacked by the miscreants. MF Hussain spent his last years in the house built in Bangalore which has now been converted into a heritage restaurant.
MF Hussain as a Muslim Painter
There are many arguments put forward by some people who feel that being a Muslim he was hounded much more. But one can see that being a Muslim artiste did not in any way hinder MF Hussain in his growth as an artiste of repute within India. In fact, he became a famous painter because of the encouragement he received from the people of India, who appreciated his paintings . In fact he was given a free 4000 sq ft plot by the Karnataka government under the artistes quota, in the upmarket Koramangala area where he built a palatial house and lived there for a number of years. Recently, after his demise, the house has been sold for a very high price to a hotelier, thereby making his children financially self -sufficient !
The major problem with his paintings was the way he depicted them – ‘Durga in a sexual union with a tiger,’ Goddess Lakshmi naked on Ganesha’s head, Naked Sita, Naked Draupadi, Naked parvati , Naked Bharatmata, Naked Brahmin with a fully clothed Muslim King. Now, when we contrast these paintings with his other paintings - fully clothed Mother Teresa, His own daughter's painting where she is fully clothed, Muslim poets and ladies fully clothed. One wonders what exactly was he trying to prove? Did his artistic expression work overtime while depicting Hindu deities or is that how he imagined them? Either way it showed a very insensitive side of an artiste who failed to perceive the pulse beat of the majority group within the very society he was living in.
Many people have wondered about these contradictions in him as an artiste and a private individual who from all accounts was loved by his neighbors and everybody else he came into contact with. One can openly say that he lacked sensitivity while depicting figures related to religion and religious beliefs. This made him unpopular with the masses, majority of who were Hindus. More so because this lack of sensitivity existed only with Hindu deities and not when he painted other gods or people.
The later years
MF Hussain after facing rage and controversies that even went to the extent of physical abuse by some elements decided to leave India. After MF Hussain fled from India, he spent his time in Qatar which was his adoptive country, where his son lived and later in London. In fact, he was more at home in London because of the cultural atmosphere there, and he became a well-known figure among the Indians and artistes living there. He breathed his last on the 9th of June, 2011 in London.
Coming to the question as to whether he deserves all the honor bestowed on him, one can never be sure because of many issues. His art was Modern Progressive Contemporary which is actually a mish-mash although it does have beauty. I have seen the modern artistes gallery in London, Hamburg, Belgium and Florence. I personally feel that MF Hussain’s paintings do not come up to the standard of those artistes although there are a couple of MF Hussain’s paintings displayed in Hamburg and London.
His paintings may have fetched a good price from the Indian perspective but that is not a yardstick for measuring quality. Some of his paintings on India civilization series are very good but certainly not the controversial ones of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, since there is no beauty in any one of them and they hurt the eye because of the manner in which they have been depicted.
On the whole it is clear that he got much more than what he deserved as an artiste probably because he was liked by all and his paintings too became more famous and popular because of the many controversies surrounding them and not because they were in any way great!
Conclusions
MF Hussain was committed to his art having started his career in painting from the age of 20, as early as 1937. By the year 1950 he had become internationally known. He was also the highest paid painter in India with a couple of his paintings fetching as much as 2 million dollars.
No matter how one looks at it, MF Hussain remains a famous and popular painter who in a way made other countries take note of Indian artistes. Although we had great artistes and painters in India, they were never considered at par with other European painters until MF Hussain came into the scene. As an individual he was a well liked person and even today remembered by many Bangaloreans who were in constant interaction with him while he lived there.
9 years ago
Babu saroj created new article The position of female education .
Introduction
The development of a nation, we often heard this word from the politician, mostly in election times. But do we realize that the development of nation depends on education of both men and women. It is rather a debating question whether the women in India are actually given equality to men or not. In most developed countries of the world today women enjoy equal rights with men. Such countries know very well the importance of educated women.
Position of women in the past and in present times
The picture was not so balanced in the past. In most of the countries women were treated as inferior to men. Their condition was not better than prisoners in their homes. Actually in some part of the world, husband doesn’t want their wife to come out of their houses and roam around. So a result they don’t receive education which creates lack of knowledge in them. Women are not entertained with social and economic freedom. The only things which they used to do in the earlier days is two things first they had to cook and second they had to play mother role which means they had to look after their sons and daughter and feed them with foods. But since the close of the nineteenth century their position began to improve and which is the good sign for the whole world.
The need of female education
We find several great souls and good hearted person like Rammohan, Vidyasagar etc. who opened for the first time regular schools for them. They tried their best to abolish totally the orthodox-section of the community and which very much hard to do because there are peoples who believe in saying rather than doing but these great men did what they have dreamt of and which is ultimately a great achievement in him. Actually if we keep them in the dark it is bound that half the population will remain ignorance that is an outrage against humanity. So women should be properly educated with men so that they can prove themselves to March hand in hand with men in every walk of life and which is very important for the developing countries.
Conclusion
Now the position of female education is well in our country. So we have some noble ladies who even surpassed men. In India women can enjoy social, political and economic freedom. There are a number of politicians, scientists, social reformers, doctors, educationalist, jurists etc. yet there are some men of deformed mentality who believe that women should not be equal to men. They think women should be confined in homes and play the role of mother only. But it is not right judgement. To make our country more advanced our government should lay stress on female education more than before because there are many small areas and villages where still women are not allowed to go to school and get knowledge from there and also there are many villages where there is no school and there are also some places where there is school but the school education stops till class 4 and higher education are not available. So I wish that the government should concentrate in this matter more seriously than before.
9 years ago
Reena created new article Sacred Spiritual Books.
Learning is an art and to learn anything one has to become thorough with the study material required for it. Studying or reading books, grasping the information provided in those books, help us to gain knowledge. Acquiring knowledge is the first step we have taken towards reaching our destination or goal. We often study what interests us or amuses us. We have acquired this wrong habit of judging books by looking at their covers. For example, as soon as one looks at a spiritual book, will never think of reading it as they have this belief that the contents present in it are too complicated and that is why they will find difficult to absorb it. Whereas others may find these kind of books boring as they feel the teaching present in them can no longer be used in practical lives.
Studying always helps in building new sort of associations. Same goes with spiritual study. Spiritual books has stories in it of great souls. Studying of spiritual books will help us inspire our lives and lead towards the right path. When we will study the stories of great souls we will start feeling a new association with these souls. We will feel like we are in contact with them and enjoy being in their company. Story of their lives will inspire us. Greatness will reflect from their lives in our lives. Books are our best friends. If we choose right study material, we will be helping us and benefiting us in many ways. If we choose wrong study material, we will be deceiving us as we ourselves are our friends as well as enemies. It is up to us to choose what to study and when to study.
When one has made up his mind to go for spiritual study, he should do it with great concentration and there should be no looking back. It only benefits us if we keep up with it and do it persistently. We cannot have a laid back attitude and behave the way we want to. We ought to have some sort of discipline when it comes to reading sacred books. We cannot do it fancifully. Complete devotion and firm determination along with concentration is essential. We cannot read a few lines today and give up reading tomorrow as we do not feel like reading and then continue reading after a few days. This kind of study will be of no use. If we have to do it then we should do it with complete dedication.
Most of us may not find spiritual study interesting and thus they give up soon. We become lazy as it is not amusing to us. We all know that content present in such books are of great importance, now it is left to us whether we want to benefit from such books and rise above everything which in turn will help in our advancement or keep listening to promptings made by our lower self. If we listen to our higher self then we will gather courage and master our mind and body, otherwise let them conquer us. For this, complete efforts are essential which have to be made from our whole heart. We find sacred books uninteresting as we are in a state of body consciousness. However, if we read them regularly, interest will start developing gradually. Study will make an impact on our mind and we will learn the discipline of self-control. Our concentration will increase and we will start developing keen interest towards study as we will show a shift form our body consciousness to soul consciousness. Mind has to be turned in the right direction if we want to achieve success.
Studying spiritual books is of great importance but the study has to be regular. It has to be done daily. Only then, one will benefit from it. It has great value in it. We need to keep a faith in ourselves as well as the study material because in the beginning we may find the content very difficult to grasp but with time, regular study will enhance our grasping power and more and more content we will start absorbing. We will start understanding the teaching which we once thought was way out of our reach. Grasping complete meaning initially is very difficult but as we become thorough with the whole study material, we will begin to understand what is being told to us. Study will help us to revive our spiritual nature. We throughout the day perform numerous duties which will help us keep our body healthy. We perform so many tasks which help us in advancement in our chosen field but when it comes to progress in the field of spirituality, we rarely do anything. We act as if our hands are tied and we cannot do anything. We along with other duties should also perform the duties which will help in sustenance of our spirituality.
Till now we have only performed duties which we find interesting and are of lighter interests to us. This is the reason that mind does not enjoy it. Mind will always prefer to read a novel rather than study spiritual books. One has to understand that these kind of spiritual books will help in the attainment of salvation. This will free a man and make him detached rather than making him attached to all the worldly matters. Any book beside spiritual books will offer a study material that will only cover outwardly matters. No book will provide study of self. Only sacred books will provide enough content and information that will help a person to know about himself. Once he will know about himself, he will conquest over everything around him. He is already a king but lack of knowledge puts a firm belief in him that he is a slave and thus he acts accordingly. Study of spiritual books will make him increase the reflecting power of his mind. If we want to make our lives valuable, we need to study these gems made available to us in the form of spiritual books as they will help us in real advancement.
9 years ago
Bajirao created new article Gudi Padwa - A Holy Festival.
Gudi Padwa is the most auspicious occasion, a holy festival and a new year for Maharashtrian people. This day is usually celebrated on the first day of Hindu Lunar month of Chaitra. Gudi Padwa is very special festival for my family and it is celebrated in a special way.
Importance of Gudi Padwa
Many stories and events are related to Gudi Padwa and in order of remembrance this auspicious festival is usually celebrated.
It is believed that on this auspicious occasion, Lord Brahma recreated the Universe from massive destruction and chaos. Hence Gudi Padwa is celebrated in the remembrance of innumerable Lords.
It is also believed that on this day Lord Rama returned Ayodhya after defeating or killing Ravan and his allies. Hence people of Ayodhya celebrated this day and considered as the beginning of new era.
Gudi Padwa Rituals
Holy Bath and Decoration
A day prior to Gudi Pawda, people start cleaning the house. On this day, it is a custom to wake up early in the morning, and take oil massage and then warm water bath. Oil makes our body soft and elastic once it is absorbed and warm water after the massage pleases our body. Women wear beautiful nine yard saree, also called as 'Navari' saree while kurta pajama and turban are the famous outfit in men during Gudi Padwa. Women and girls draw colorful rangolis in front of the door or house. My family also make use of small lamps or 'diva' to maker rangoli more beautiful and attractive. Also every house door are decorated with flowers or garland or' toran' in marathi. Most of the Maharashtrian people use flowers for every festival to decorate their homes as flowers signifies fragrance and purity which makes the home pure and full of positive energy.
Gudi
Once the house is decorated we start focusing on making the Gudi. The Gudi is basically a bronze Kalash that is placed upside down on a wooden stick. Swastik is made on the Kalash using turmeric and vermillon. Wooden stick is usually covered with bright red or yellow color cloth that looks like a saree. Along with Gudi, a garland made of neem leaves and sugar candy are hung. This garland signifies the bitterness and sorrow of our life, neem being sour in taste while sugar resembles sweetness. This Gudi is then placed tilted at an angle near the doorway or near the window. After placing the Gudi, people offer the flowers, perform aarti and distribute the prasad made of Neem and jaggery or sugar.
Special Dish
On this occasion a special dish is prepared called 'Puran Poli' which consists of paste made from bengal gram (chana dal), sugar or jaggery filled into wheat roti. Then it is prepared as we prepare roti. Some people make sugar and jaagery syrup so that you can eat puran poli by dpping into the syrup. In my family, we prepare both sweet syrup and spicy curry along with Puran Poli. This is the most delicious dish I have ever come across and I can eat it anytime anywhere.
Along with Puran Poli, we also prepare dal and rice, salad, potato vegetable, and kheer. This becomes a complete dish during Gudi Padwa.
This auspicious day ends with the evening dinner and in the remembrance of god for saving us from the disaster and for the beginning of new era.
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article Indian Army Soldiers and Congolese Girls.
The incident which I am about to relate happened in the last year of my service. I had been to Chandimandir, the Headquarters of the Army Western Command. I came to know that a Court of Inquiry was being conducted about some acts of moral turpitude by soldiers of the Indian army in Congo. I knew nothing would come out of this inquiry as no army can accept the fact that its soldiers have committed acts of moral decadence.
The Indian army has a long history of peacekeeping operations with the United nations. In particular, the Indian army has a fond association with Congo, a country in South West Africa. Right from 1960 the Indian army has been used for peacekeeping duties in the Congo. That was the time when the Indian prime minister was JL Nehru.
The Congo was centuries a colony of Belgium. The Belgium rule over Congo was unlike English rule over its colonies in Africa. Belgian rule brought no tangible benefits to the people and overall there was very little development. The Belgians concentrated in mining the rich country of its minerals and other raw materials, which they transported to the mother country.
In the late fifties, the hold of Belgium over Congo slackened as a local insurgency took shape. In a changing world scenario, with the demise of colonialism Belgium decided to pack up and free Congo. Unfortunately, the Belgian rulers never set up any administrative infrastructure in Congo and also made no attempts to teach the local people anything about self-governance. They just left in a few days, leaving the Congolese to their fate. Congo was deeply riven by factionalism and this abrupt departure by Belgium resulted in a frenzy of violence and anarchy.
With large-scale violence, the Security Council authorized the UNO to requisition troops from member nations to restore order. On a request from the United Nations Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold, Indian troops were dispatched to the Congo. This was a trying time for Congo, but the Indian troops did a good job and restored order. The leader of the Indian mission to Congo was Rajeshwar Dayal. This was the time when there was a bitter feud between Patrick Lumumba and Moise Tshombe, who had seceded from Congo and formed his independent state of Katanga. Ultimately Lumumba was captured and murdered. The Indian army at that time did an excellent job and the breakaway Katanga province was overrun and peace restored in Congo.
In 2007, a similar situation erupted again and once again the UNO requested Indian troops to help bring peace in the nation. The Indian army moved into the Congo to battle Congolese rebels who had started a reign of anarchy, murder and resultant chaos. The leader of the Indian army contingent was Major-General Bikram Singh, who later became the Chief of Army Staff.
The troops which were inducted into Congo in 2007 had a different ethos and mental makeup compared to the troops who had gone there in the sixties. They had new values and some of them were negative. In addition, they were prey to the all round atmosphere of promiscuity. This had a bearing on their conduct.
It appears that Indian troops and few of the officers began to indulge in indiscriminate sex with the local girls. The culture of Congo, which is a tribal culture treats sex as something simple and it is rife in the country. Even women rebels are not averse to bed down with the enemy at a moment's notice. Perhaps Indian soldiers took advantage of the prevalent social environment and began to have sex in an indiscriminate manner with local girls, some of whom were below 16 years of age.
The United Nations investigated the goings on of the Indian troops and prepared a secret report. The UNO report leveled serious charges of moral turpitude against Indian soldiers. The reports brought out a fact that led to a lot of soul searching. It stated that a large number of children with Indian features had been born in areas which were under the control of the Indian army. The report was forwarded to the Indian government.
The report brought out that Indian troops had indiscriminate sex with Congolese women and girls and worse, also slept with Congolese rebel fighters who were women. The UN report claimed that this fraternization even with rebel women fighters led to impregnation and compromised UN battle plans. The Indian government outright rejected the report and stood by the Indian army. However, the army Western Command was told to inquire into the incident.
Matters came to a head when the Chief of the Army was to be chosen. Some rights activists petitioned the Supreme Court that General Bikram Singh, because of the conduct of his troops in Congo did not deserve to be the army chief. The Supreme Court in its first hearing threw out the petition and cleared the decks for Bikram Singh to be promoted as the army chief.
The army inquiry whitewashed the issue and two JCO's and OR's were awarded administrative punishment, which is like a mild warning. The matter was closed and the ManMohan Singh government trumpeted the 'good work' done by the army.
A brigadier who I met had the last word. He was of the view that the soldiers could not be blamed. After all the Congolese girls and even the women rebel fighters, came to the bed of their own free will, hence no blame can be attached to the soldiers. I wonder what happened is correct, for such action could at some stage be repeated in India also where the army is deployed for a long period.
9 years ago
ABSIVAKUMAR created new article Navigating the recession and tough times.
Let us not make any mistake -- the recession is for real, and it is a global recession. There is absolutely no chance for escaping from this recession, which shows no signs of abating. The signals are also loud and clear.
There is a very suppressed demand in most manufacturing sectors and in the service sectors. Even the best of corporate organizations are wondering how to tackle this single most contributor to recession -- lack of demand, as such.
Be that as it may, each and every Indian needs to know how to combat the recession and the tough times. Though most of this is sheer common sense and proper planning, we refuse to understand realities and take things for granted or "just like that". This leads to total confusion, and by the time one starts planning, one's life is finished.
SAVE FOR THE TOUGH TIMES
Irrespective of on'es income and expenses, it is but essential that we set apart at least a small amount towards expenses, most of which is a tall order, when we get old. Hence, the most important expense, that is, medical expenses, should be totally taken care, when we start ageing.
But even when we are employed, it is but essential that we have proper medical insurance. There is one simple way of managing this. Start a small recurring deposit, even less than rupees one hundred, with banks like the Indian Overseas Bank, where they accept small amounts. For instance, Rs.60 set aside every month, will still fetch, a huge amount at the end of seven years, and this will suffice to pay the medical insurance amount.
This safety net is very essential.
Now, the essentials. Though the cost of vegetables is very high, one can switch to greens which is available at fairly cheap prices. One can also think of a small garden, particularly roof garden, so that one can grow vegetables and have the satisfaction of eating fresh vegetables, and also save cost in the bargain. Reducing small expenses here and there, will mean a great deal. These small amounts saved every month in recurring deposits, will help us a great deal, when we are old, or get into late forties or even older.
Similarly, it is really amazing that parents in cities like Chennai, do not hesitate to pay up to rupees one and half lakh rupees, to secure an admission in the LKG class for their child. This is absolutely atrocious and can mean so much for the middle class family's net worth, even if the man earns more than one hundred thousand rupees every month.
This dangerous practice should be avoided and should be put an end too. Parents can afford to put their children in the friendly neighborhood play school, as a huge amount of research has revealed that it is wise to put a child before the fifth standard in a methodology where the child learns at his or her own pace. Play is the best method possible, and this will in fact, induce a huge amount of creativity in the child.
AVAIL ALL THE BENEFITS OF TAX EXEMPTED SCHEMES
The Public Provident Fund is the best vehicle for good growth. The PPF is totally tax exempt, at the time of withdrawal. One needs to save just one thousand every year, to maintain the PPF account live. One can also pump in any amount, at any point in time, and this scheme normally earns around eight per cent, and when compounded, the total amount is fairly good, by any means. It is a superb scheme, and can be extended even when the fifteen years are over. Similarly, investments in mutual funds are also non--taxable, and it is wise to invest in some good fund, with the help and professional expertise of a trained investment consultant.
REDUCE ALL EXPENSES THAT HAVE SCOPE FOR REDUCTION
Am a pure vegetarian, but am told that the cost of cooking a good non-vegetarian meal for four people, particularly when it is made of mutton, is around seven hundred rupees. If there are other guests, it would go to upwards of one thousand rupees. So, four thousand rupees gets burned, and all those who consume the meal, are happy, but add a huge amount of fat, every month, as the expense is not only four thousand rupees, but the spices only spoil the health of every single person.
These are the kind of expenses that could -- and should -- be reduced. For instance, there is another angle to the whole thing. The non-vegetarian food accumulates the taste buds of people, and it is literally impossible to give up such bad habits.
Every single rupee saved, is a rupee earned, in these tough times. Similarly, we also have other occasions where we can save money. Many families take out their cars to go to temples or on tours to hill stations, at enormous expense. This can be easily reduced, if such families can go by train, which is much cheaper and very safe --- far more safer than travel by road, which is dangerous, to say the least.
So, one has to make small sacrifices to save the smallest accounts. For those who are well off, it is wise to reduce too much of conspicuous consumption, particularly the huge amount of junk food consumption, on weekends.
The children also needed to be educated about the value for money. Once they understand that the world is not going to be the same again, and that they need to understand the wider realities of life, the children will also realize the need for restraint on several matters, more so, if they are more than fifteen years old.
No greater advise can be given to children, than by walking the talk. Once the parents themselves start reducing expenses, the children will also play ball, with good results.
PICK UP NEW SKILLS
A middle class family with two children were wondering how to make both ends meet. Things were really difficult when the man learned that he would not get any increment, because the company was not doing well.
A friend suggested that his wife enroll in a local cooking class. This changed the entire savings of the family. The enterprising lady learned the tricks of the trade, and started a small hotel in the neighborhood. She tried different dishes and offered some variety.
Within six months, she was able to bring home a neat profit of over fifteen thousand from her business. This is the trigger that we all need -- we need to do things right and the rest will follow.
Tough times demand that we are tough ourselves. Once we are tough, we can successfully navigate the tough times, quite easily.
9 years ago
ABSIVAKUMAR created new article Why stereotypes are very dangerous.
Stereotypes of people exist in the minds of each one of us. There are millions of people who are unique in their own ways, and somehow or the other, "he or she is not like me" opinions or feelings, tend to get accumulated in the minds of people. This leads to stereotypes.
Stereotypes are very dangerous. They do not allow scope for openness, they simply shut out broad mindedness.
It is essential to examine how stereotypes are formed in India, and how we can combat them to the extent possible.
Region-based stereotypes
This is the most common stereotypes. For example, people in the North of India, always think that the people from the South of India, are very "conservative". They think that they so many customs, and are not open-minded.
Just because the North Indians do not much of an exposure about the people of South India, these stereotypes are allowed to be perpetuated. Very unfortunately, some stereotypes have also been perpetuated through Hindi movies for a very long time.
However, since Hyderabad and Chennai have not become huge centers for some of the finest movies, stereotyping is now on the lower side now, at least in the past ten years.
In reality, this stereotype is outright stupid. There are some customs that are part of local cultures and these have religious overtones. For example, there is a custom in Tamil Nadu, to wear what is called "veebuthi" or the holy ash on the forehead.
Just because this is seen, there is absolutely no reason to term such people "conservative". For, this is a hugely personal custom.
Beyond this, the same person, would be very much broad minded in terms of never even asking a single question about the neighbor's personal habits, or about any other personal preferences of any other human being.
This is so common in Chennai, where the apartment culture is as common as it is in Mumbai. The net result is that no one really bothers to even say hello to the neighbor, except on week-ends. People are highly tolerant of each other, and are very broad minded in terms of appreciating and accepting the other people as such.
In fact, the inter-region marriages -- that is, a South Indian boy getting married to a girl from North India -- is so common in Bangalore or Chennai or Hyderabad. The parents are game to this new practice, and nothing is going to stop this either.
Similarly, the South Indians assume that the North Indians are "very dirty" people. Yes, it is true that those from the lower strata of society, who travel from North India, to work in the various places in South India, by long distance trains, do not even talk their bath regularly, or do not maintain some fairly good hygiene practices -- for example, the trains are made very dirty by these people.
However, to paint every North Indian, with the same brush, to say the least, is rubbish. The more educated and refined North Indians have the best of hygiene practices and are very cultured indeed.
We really need to come out of these stereotypes.
Culture-related stereotypes
As mentioned in one of the above paragraphs, there is a stereo-type related to "conservatism" of South Indians, based on cultural practices. It is even more glaring to take religious practices into account, and arrive at the stereotype of conservatism.
Elsewhere in North of India, people also worship God, and have their own religious practices. So, it is very unfair to confuse religious practices with "conservatism".
Similarly, personal habits should also be tolerated. A few years ago, in Chennai, an eighty-years mother of one of my friends said that she would fast on that day, as it was a Friday. A friend from Maharashtra, who happened to visit my friend, was pleasantly surprised and started giving a big lecture, on the "stupidity" of the lady, as she would soon become anemic.
That was an auspicious day, on which old ladies of the earlier generation, as a matter of routine, fast the whole day. The old lady proudly said that she would be fine anyway, and that the person from Maharashtra should mind his own business.
Sensing that the discussion could turn unpleasant, my friend diverted his attention, and drew him away from the house on some pretext or the other. It later transpired that the friend from Maharashtra nursed a stereotype against such old ladies, who unnecessarily take to fasting, based on his understanding and perception.
All these perceptions and the stereotypes that follow, are always unwanted. Such stereotypes when carried in the head, or expressed, only bring unhappiness. One should never allow his or her perception cloud another person's preferences, and this can indeed destroy the very foundation of even very good friendships and relationships.
Such stereotypes can be avoided if we learn to accept cultural norms or culture specific behavior. It is also seen that these stereotypes are almost zero among Army officers or those in similar services. This is possibly because of the huge amount of exposure that they get at every single opportunity, as they get to serve at different locations.
Gender related stereotypes
Boys will be boys. This stupid, atrocious, and outright biased statement was made by Mulayam Singh Yadav, a very senior politician when asked about the increasing incidents of rape in the State of Uttar Pradesh.
This is the popular stereotype of boys and men as well. It is atrocious. Women should be respected and should be allowed to wear any dress, or do whatever they want. They should not be limited in terms of their personal choices.
For example, in Bangalore, women go occasionally to the pub and booze. This is now so common that no one talks about it.
In Mumbai, Pune, Kolkatta, New Delhi and even most parts of Punjab wear sleeveless blouses with saris, or even mini skirts. No one even comments anything about them, or at them. Life goes on, as if it is their personal business.
This is exactly as it should be. What can or should be the provocation to have so many stereotypes against women, is still not understood.
For instance, it is common to find this stereotype of any average Indian woman. They should always obey what the man says, should always respect her in-laws, do all the cooking and maintaining the house and so on.
She should always be dressed in particular ways -- wear glass bangles every day, go the temple, wear only saris, take care of all children, and do all that is necessary to satisfy the sexual needs of the husband. This stereotype is so common in most parts of India.
Why should all this happen? Because these have been sort of accepted as "the way of life".
But happily, women, more so, in urban areas, are highly cultured, educated and are more dashing than ever before. They work in all professions, and are always willing to go the extra mile to make a huge success of their careers.
These women have already broken most stereotypes, which is welcome. Widow remarriages are quite common too.
All these are positive developments.
It is very unfortunate that most stereotypes have been allowed to flourish to India. Only when we break all the stereotypes, will we be able to make progress, as a fully developed nation of very talented and highly tolerant people.
The stereotypes against women, need to broken with all the might that one can gather, at any point in time.
All this is very much possible, if we mentally accept people, as they are. We have no right to question their personal habits, or religious habits and, much less, the way they dress, or lead their lives. Once this done, everything will fall in place.
9 years ago
ABSIVAKUMAR created new article Why the rich and famous are never happy.
In any of our films, be it in Hindi or Tamil or Telugu, the hero will mostly be shown as a rich man, or as the head of a very rich family. The main villain will go all out to do some harm to our superb hero, who will find enough time to dance around the trees with his sweet heart, bash up all the bad boys and emerge successful at the end of the movie. The story will be a fairly simple one, and will mostly be a variation of one main story or the other.
So, money makes a huge difference in life. The rich and famous are always happy, we are told in so many movie tales.
Really? The gap between what is shown in the movies and what is the stark reality is really so huge. It is a big mystery why so many story tellers talk only about money.
It is a fact of life that the rich and famous are not happy at all. They are very unhappy, as can be seen from the real lives of most of our heroes and heroines. They get married amongst themselves, and except for some rare examples, get divorced within a few years. They live miserable lives and are bad examples of what cannot be achieved with mere money.
It is not that only the film heroes and heroines are unhappy. Those who are rich and famous -- the most famous rich businessmen, the exporters, our politicians and so on, are also not happy.
Why is this so? What really happens? Let us examine some answers.
The craze for money and the rat race
The rich and famous are never satisfied without some fixed amount of money. Their capital amount is only an investment to make huge amounts of money, running into hundreds of thousands of rupees, even per month.
Naturally, no one can be so honest in life, and there are several unethical ways in which they make money.
This rat race is something that the rich and famous are used to, but comes at a huge price. They have serious ailments that go along with irregular food habits, huge amounts of international travel and so on. So, what happens as a result of efforts to make huge amounts of money, is not so pleasant at all. The family starts falling apart, as children get used to money, and start looking at the world, through of lens of money alone -- nothing more, nothing less.
They would not give enough for charity
Two outstanding examples of excellently successful men -- Snri Narayamurthy of Infosys Technologies and Shri Azim Premji, of WIPRO, stand out as outstanding examples of the rich, who have made huge donations for charity, and for making a meaningful contribution to society. Their charitable organizations partner with Government organizations, and the money is properly channelized and spent.
However, these are two lone examples. The rich, for the most part, do not give even a small percentage -- mostly less than one percent -- for charity. The insecurity that comes with old age, haunts them, as the next generation starts fighting for the property, and what is seen in hundreds of rich families is very much the same. The fight for resources is so huge, and the net result is that the society gets virtually nothing out of the rich and famous.
However, the very same wealth, does not lead to happiness. This is because there is always a limitation to what can be really purchased with money.
The then owner of the Nutrine range of chocolates (since sold to a multinational company) had written a superb sentence in one of his books "even if you have six houses, you can sleep in only one of them".
Exactly. The cost of maintenance, the need to have a huge range of servants to take care of the houses and so on, will have a huge effect on the mental health of the rich.
Inability to understand real happiness
Mahatma Gandhi and others of his ilk had demonstrated that real happiness comes with making others happy. Kamaraj, the most outstanding leader of Tamil Nadu, till date, was so honest that when he died, his balance showed an amount a little more than one rupee!!
He was the most innovative leader, and it was he who introduced the mid day meal scheme for school children. This is considered the model for many States in India.
Happiness is a state of mind. It comes with very small things. Appreciating the beauty of nature, playing with very small children, listening to their innocent voices, understanding the suffering of the poor and developing some empathy for them are some ways in which one can really be happy.
All this is very unfortunately never understood by the rich. The balance between the commercial and spiritual life, very obviously needed for a happy life, is never understood by the rich.
First of all, their lack of empathy for others and their suffering, creates a wall and a big myth. Their own world shrinks when they start feeling very unhappy with some calamity in their family -- like a major accident, a prolonged sickness of a family member and so on. Secondly, their "yes men" and close friends often lead them to the path of ruin, as they divert their attention for their own selfish purposes. Thirdly, happiness, as it is understood by the rich, only means giving costly presents to their own family members to others, particularly close friends.
However, this is a total myth. These presents are total transitional in nature. Above some level, they become meaningless, as it has often been demonstrated by a huge number of real world examples.
Thus, the rich and the famous are caught in their own circle of make believe, their own world of happiness. But such a circle cracks with a monotonous regularity, and they start wondering what makes the much poorer people happy.
Their quest for happiness never ends -- it is a journey without any destination.
However, they all need to understand the limitations of money, develop friendships and relationships and do some good to others. They will experience happiness only if they share their wealth with those who do not have it, and need it so badly. If they start doing it, they can see a world of difference.
9 years ago
ABSIVAKUMAR created new article Making friends the right way.
Outside one's family members, it is very essential that we have friends. These friends can be long lasting, and can chip in with a great deal of help, if only we have the right approach in not only maintaining such friendships, but also going all out of the way to keep such friendships going on a steady pace.
It ought to be understood that nine out of ten people in this world are good. They also look out for new friends and relationships with such friends. Some try to become very close and interact as family members. Some maintain a distance, but really make a huge difference in times of need.
Be that as it may, what we need to develop is a good and durable friendship with several close friends and a good relationship with new friends in our lives.
The most important point that needs to be noted that we should also do something to maintain a good friendship. Trying to make commercial capital of any friendship, as many people attempt to do, is outright stupid and also unethical. No person in this world is an island. We all depend on others for some help or the other.
Neighbors can be great friends indeed. The apartment culture is a real problem in big cities, as people tend to lock themselves up within the confines of their houses and do not react at all, to any offer of friendship.
It should be noted that there are now concerted attempts being made in many cities to break this dangerous practice. There is one main reason -- the security angle. If people know each other, and are quite friendly with each other, it is very much possible that each person will go a long way in helping others in times of need. The sole security guard or even the CCTV cannot be a substitute for human watch over who is coming and going out of an apartment complex. So, friendship holds the key.
Significantly, the apartment owners have problems that are unique. So develop friendship with others will positively help one to identify plumbers, electricians, doctors, carpenters, cooks and servant maids, among other service people.
Friends have different needs at different stages of their lives. So, any attempt to solve any small problem at any stage, will be really welcomed and that particular friend will reciprocate in equal kind. For example, if we could be resourceful in identifying the best teachers to teach mathematics, physics and chemistry, and get these teachers to teach the son of a close friend, it will be a vital boon for the person.
There are friends who are very much caring, and present themselves first at any emergency, like when a person is seriously sick or is admitted in the hospital or there is an accident where the family member needs to be taken to the hospital immediately.
This is a very important aspect of friendship. If we have such friends, we also need to go all out of the way to reciprocate the same, on any occasion of emergency.
There are friends who do all the leg work related to a marriage and take care of all the guests who come to the marriage. They even handle the accounts and settle the accounts, with great accuracy. They accompany old people to the railway station and stay on, till all the formalities are over. They literally run the marriage as if it were their own.
Such is the quality of good friendship. We should always learn from such experiences.
In today's complex world, any vital knowledge about a good retirement scheme of a mutual fund or insurance company, can be a good avenue for investment. We need to spread this good word around and ensure that we have a close circle of friends who are very knowledgeable about such matters.
Hence, we should learn from whatever we see around us, and then develop such friendships.
As far as friendship through the social media is concerned, it is wise to stay within limits. Giving the cell numbers to total strangers or sharing family details can be very dangerous, as it has been proved in several cases of crime. Facebook or what's up or Twitter is all fine, but we need to share only something that can be shared. We need to be very careful here, and not attempt something stupid.
As far as friends of our children are concerned, it is wise to keep a big close watch. Friends who are very well known to the family are okay, but any new friend, from any other quarter can be very dangerous, more so, when the friend belongs to the opposite sex. If there are several such new friends, the father and mother need to be very careful indeed and nip any unpleasant development in the mud, before any wrong happens.
Yes, nine out of ten people in this world are good. However, just one or two can make a huge difference, and we need to be aware of such bad apples.
When we demonstrate good friendship and understand the need for deeper understanding among close friends, there will be joy all around. It is but essential that we learn from every single experience and by looking at really good people, who are already friends, to our close friends or relatives. By reaching out to them in a selfless fashion, it is indeed possible to develop good and meaningful friendships in the right way.
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article Christianization of the Baltic States by the Sword.
Introduction
Most people are quick to point out that Islam spread by the sword. To an extent it is true. However the same people rarely talk of the spread of Christianity by the sword. This was done by the Knights Templar, who spread Christianity by force. This spread of Christianity by force is often referred to as Christianization.
In this post I shall bring out the conversion of the Baltic States to the Christian faith. The Baltic States are located on the northern border of Russia and have the Baltic Sea touching one side of their land. In olden days this area was known as Livonia. For long periods this state was an independent entity till it was gobbled up by the Soviet Union under Stalin.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union these states re-asserted their independence. Presently these states follow the Orthodox Christian Eastern Church and are staunch followers of the Christian faith. The people of the Baltic states wear their faith in Christianity on their sleeves, but nobody spares a thought as to how the people in this area were converted to Christianity. In fact nobody wants to talk about it.
The fact is that from the 12 to the 15th century, the Pope authorized a mass conversion of the people of Livonia to Christianity. This was done by force and after great bloodshed. The earlier religion of the people of Livonia was a mixture of animistic and tribal beliefs. These beliefs were considered heathen by the Pope and the Christians. Accordingly specially trained soldiers called Knights Templars were dispatched to Livonia to convert the people to Christianity.
The Conversion
Christianity, more than Islam has its fair share of the use of the sword to convert other people. This conversion by the sword only stopped in the 19th century
The Christians used the sword to lethal effect, but they were not always successful. We all have heard of the crusades, the fight by the forces of Christ and the Muslims. A crusade is a religious war, whose primary aim is to subdue the "heathens" and spread Christianity. Mostly this was sanctioned by the Church. The wars with the Muslims are well documented, but little is heard of the conversion of Livonia to Christianity, which are also classified as crusades.
The Christians followed a set pattern when they started a crusade for conversion. This consisted in first destroying the pagan places of worship and denigrating the gods. Traditional religious ceremonies which were conducted by locals were classified as " witch craft". These ceremonies were criminalized and in most cases those who indulged in such ceremonies were put to death. But the Christians were clever and in some cases to placate the locals, they would absorb some tribal customs also and later jettison them.
The Christians drew their sustenance for conversion as per the " Great Commission". What was this Great Commission? It was the last instruction of Jesus Christ to spread the gospel and his message to the world. Christ did not anywhere say it had to be done by the sword, but later followers and leaders opted for this method as it brought speedy results.
The Christians decided during the Middle Ages to convert the believers in Pagan rights in Livonia to Christianity. Initially the residents of Livonia were opposed to Christianity. However Pope Celestine III, made the first plans to convert the people of Livonia to the faith propagated by Jesus Christ. Celestine III made the plan, but before it could be executed, he passed away. His successor Pope Innocent II put the plan to effect. Select Christian warriors, who had taken a special oath to the Christian faith called Knights Templar were commissioned to attack the people of Livonia.
A special and more blood thirsty group were now formed. Called the Brothers of the Sword, were used for the assault and carnage. This was ordered by the Pope who deputed Bishop Albert for this task. Much of the conversion was carried out under the guidance of Bishop Albert and the Brothers of the Sword. This was in 1237 AD.
The Brothers of the sword belonged to the Teutonic order and they unleashed a blood thirsty trail. In less than 50 years the Christian warriors subdued the tribes and won. They converted the local people en masse to Christianity. The period of conversion of the Baltic region to Christianity is generally assessed by Historians to be from 1206-90. The Christian knights destroyed the local forces and carried out mass scale killings. Livonian women were captured as per the instructions of the pope and impregnated by the Knights. Now we talk of the sermon of the Imam of Al Aksa Mosque to Fertilize European women to the migrants, flooding Europe. The Christians did the same thing nearly 800 years back and they were successful.
The Christian army was merciless and wholesale massacre of men who opposed them was the refrain. Defeated and forlorn the King of Livonia, Mindaugas and his queen converted to Christianity. It was more by necessity than choice . In case the king had not converted he was likely to be killed. As per records available by 1386, the entire region had embraced the Christian Catholic faith. it was a victory of the sword and the Pope, who had ordered the massacres and the war.
Last Word
People of the Baltic states today are devout Catholics and follow the Eastern Orthodox Church. The entire region is now 99% Christian. The Baltic states were the last area in Europe to be converted to Christianity, as entire Europe had already been Christianized. For a brief period the Moslems did rule parts of Europe, but once they were defeated and driven out the Pope ordered the infamous inquisition to restore Christianity. This was the period when anybody who was considered to be an enemy of the Church was tortured and either killed or imprisoned in underground dungeons to die a tortured death.
When one looks at the history of the spread of the Christian religion and also of Islam, one realizes that both made judicious use of the sword to further their cause. It is now part of history and Indians must learn, that ultimately only the sword carries the day. The one Indian king Emperor Samrat Ashok who embraced pacifism let his empire go to seed.The result? His empire collapsed within 60 years of his death.
9 years ago
Babu saroj created new article Success depends on opportunity, not on character .
Success in human life is an ambiguous term. It is true that often a man of character fails to succeed in life. This is more so in our present day context. It is an opportunistic culture in which we have to live today. Men in general are self-seekers, right from the corrupt politicians to even a layman on the street. It is a sad irony of an age when money is more important than merit. Naturally, although this sounds a bit unpalatable, yet it is the hard truth, and I shall paint this bitter truth that opportunity, today, is the main ladder to success. But a look back for a while would be rewarding.
In ancient days ‘character’ used to be considered the greatest virtue, in battles bravery and in trade honesty. In education knowledge and in general conduct integrity was paramount.
But today the reverse becomes true, both at the national and, to some extent, at the international level. We see everyday how our so-called leaders sell their values at the altar of power, rank and selfish objectives. Our students, in general, quote high and mighty phrases like; if character is lost everything is lost. But script after script reveals that the answers are all copied form one essay book. Teachers in meetings make tall speeches of unity and moral strength, but throw them to the winds for a mess of pottage. The headmaster or the principal, who are the custodians of favour, so easily make them the slave of the authority by distributing petty favours.
Today we have coined a typical phrase befitting our age: honesty is another name for lack of opportunity. To whatever facet of our life we turn today, the fitness of the above phrase is self-evident. We see how, almost every day, the advocates of character, morality and integrity slide into the camp of opportunity seekers. In fact it is a kind of vermin that slowly infects our body-politic. But it does not remain merely confined to the wielders of power. On the contrary it infects even their families like cancer. The sons, daughters, marital and other relations of political bosses promptly mount the applecart of opportunity. They make dents into our economy and eat into the vitals of our national life. They indulge in the dirtiest and the most scandalous activities being shielded by the powerful parents. Thus, today, politics has become their primrose path and the cross-section of value-loving, morally erect and cultured people withdraws into oblivion.
I regret that the painful irony of our time has forced me to sing in praise of ‘opportunity’ at the expense of character, I conclude that the remark of Brutus to Cassius could not have more befitting that today:
There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, when taken at its flood,
Leads on to fortune
Brutus meant it in right earnest although it proved fatal. But today it has become the truth for men, although in a changed context. Character is set at naught as it never leads to success.
9 years ago
Babu saroj created new article A little knowledge is a dangerous thing .
Pundit at last became a cow-boy. He was the only son of his father. He had entered the ‘pathshala’ with Atanu who was the son of a headmaster. Atanu was intelligent and he cleared the class examinations with distinction. But Pundit was very dull. He could somehow reach class three. His father was obliged to withdraw Pundit from school when he failed to reach the next class even after two attempts. In consequence Atanu went ahead and they parted company.
Pundit was at the opposite pole of his name. People in general knew him to be a fool and idiot, although Pundit thought of himself to be intelligent and wise.
Pundit and Atanu were neighbours. One day Atanu was going to his maternal uncle by train. The train stopped at a mid-station junction and Atanu got down getting a newspaper. His attention was drawn to a spot on the platform where many people crowded. He felt curious to know the matter. He, however, was taken aback as he saw their Pundit standing with a rope tied round his waist with several others. It was a magistrate checking. He learnt that Pundit was to be remanded unless he paid rupees twenty as fine. Luckily Atanu had the money. He released Pundit and sent him back home.
What Pundit narrated was this: His father beat him last night for negligence of work. He fled home and boarded the train for going to his mother’s sister at Nirmalli. He had traveled by that train previously to Nirmalli with his uncle. Naturally he had confidently taken his seat and was sure that it shall take him to his destination as on other days. But he did not know that it was a coupled rake and only the latter portion of it goes to Nirmalli. On the contrary he was too foolishly confident that what he knew or understood was the best. As there was much rush in the latter part of the train, he confidently entered into the front part of the train. The train took him to Madhubani, instead of Nirmalli. Pundit was so cocksure of his judgement that he did not even bother to ask anybody when he saw that the interim stations were different. The checking party found him without ticket for the route and he was rounded up.
Such persons with half-knowledge or half-truths generally suffer from a foolishly high regard for their intelligence. Naturally they are very apt to fall into traps. Our Sanskrit texts tell a story where an idiot servant was asked to stand guard on his master. He was given a fat stick and was advised that whoever disturbs his master when the latter sleeps, should be severely hit with the stick. We know how he hurt his sleeping master while hitting a fly that would always sit on the chest of his sleeping master.
9 years ago
Babu saroj created new article An invention which advances human progress and civilization.
The discovery that appears to be the most helpful in human progress and civilization, is the round object called the wheel. It, perhaps, belongs to the neo-lithic or the new Stone Age.
During its initial stages it must have revolutionized the life-style of mankind. Before it dawned on human life man’s chief source of communication must have been his two legs, or the domesticated animals. The horse, the ass and the different breeds of cattle were his chief sources of communication.
Naturally human mobility was, perforce, confined to a limited area and life was leisurely. But with the advent of the wheel a new spirit of exploration and joy must have inspired mankind. We know that the Wright brothers had tied wings to their persons and suffered fractures. But the very idea that one can fly like the birds if he had wings and that it is a feasible project, makes the Wright brothers immortal in history. Similarly those men that strove to roll on ground by tieing wheels to their legs, too, must have suffered falls time and again. People, too, must have laughed at their silly idea. But gradually the notion becomes a reality. Wheels were fitted on bare planks which later developed into carriages.
The wheels thus brought to our life mobility. This initial advantage which we owe to this object has remained with us till this day. All kinds of fast moving objects owe their worth to the wheel.
The aeroplane cannot take off without the wheel. The helicopter, too, needs the wheeling propeller to lift itself. The wheel functions as a turbine in engines and machines to lend them mechanical advantage.
Even in daily life this wheel serves us loyally as a friend. Village women feel much at ease as they draw water from the wells with the advantages of the pulley. Again, whether as a domestic apparatus or in the flour mills, it is the wheel that comes to our aid.
Modern age is one of science. Even the medical science owes its allegiance to this ultra-primitive invention, the wheel. The wheel-chair has brought a new life to the physically disabled due to deformed legs. We are all familiar with the happy sight of ambitious, but disabled boys that go to schools and colleges on their new-fangled vehicles. They are kinds of rickshaws in which the design is reversed. Of the two hands of the disabled man, one functions as the paddle, while the other controls the lever for direction. The wheel-chairs are lifted on board the aircraft and distance proves no bar.
Thus, wherever one looks, form the days of the Mahabharata to the present day, one simply wonders at this great invention. The modes of its application have changed with time and become more complex, but the simple principle of the rotating object remains unchanged as the basic reality.
9 years ago
Babu saroj created new article Pollution of all types becomes a curse to us .
The term ‘pollution’ till recent past was a localised phenomenon. It implied shabby living, filthy habits. But today the term has gained a wider significance and perspective and it is due to science. Now expressions like water, air and sound pollutions have gained currency. Those embodied in one terminology are known as the pollution of the eco-system.
The chief factor behind any kind of pollution is ‘exploitation’. It is a pity that with the galloping progress of science men has become blind to the fundamental truth of life on this earth. They have callously disregarded the truth that man is one of the components of the organic system that is life. On the contrary he has mounted on the Pegasus of progress and ravaged the forces of natural too selfishly for his own system only. Mother Nature tolerated this senseless and ruthless exploitation for long without demurring. But now it is her turn to retaliate and it is known as nature’s revenge. The chief causes of air pollution are the atomic explosions, massive deforestation, and the heavy thrust to conquer space and reckless disregard of rules by vehicular traffic. I shall touch on each of these in passing. The last two atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki have not been able to restrain the mad lust of power seekers. In the recent times atomic or nuclear tests have been conducted. Again the ‘scorched earth’ policy of Saddam Hussain set ablaze the huge fuel stores whose curling fumes vitiated the air. The released petroleum rolled down into the surrounding sea-water. Everyone has seen films depicting the misery of the sea-animals.
Massive deforestation for construction purpose and fuel has, over the years, slowly altered the balance that ought to exist between oxygen and carbon dioxide. On the other hand the rapid growth of industries has surcharged the atmosphere with unhealthy smoke. It is shuddering to think that even the upper regions of the Himalayas have become relatively barren due to deforestation.
Again the quest for knowledge and the conquest of the unknown by science has recoiled on us with telling effect. The rockets sent into space has caused rents through which ozone gas persistently enters and disturbs the eco-balance of our world. We have read in newspaper that America now has devices to repair this damage.
Environment science, today, has become the most formidable and constructive. Its purpose is to instruct men about the significance of balance of the elements in human life. Now there is sudden explosion in fuel –driven vehicles in every part of the country. The petrol gas that is emitted in huge quantity in the evening in the cities and towns affects human life with far reaching bad effects. It mixes with our breathings and makes us subject to fatal diseases like cancers, TB and what not. The law tries to prevent such heavy emissions of gas, which is due to bad maintenance of the vehicles. But very seldom are the authorities that execute such laws so vigilant.
The plain truth is that men who know the secret of these hazards must behave as responsible citizens. They have to observe the basic truth of natural law and see that the administrative laws that seek to prevent such hazards are observed by others and properly enforced by the hands of law. Otherwise man himself shall become a miserable victim of this imbalance. One most recent example of such unnatural human experiment is the ‘mad-cow-disease’ in England. It takes its origin form the fact that the British farmers have multiplied there yield of milk by feeding their cattle with processed flesh of the cows, pigs, sheep and other animals.
Nature ordains that cow is herbivorous and reacts. As a result the disease that infect these animal, now affect men and children who use milk of such cows.
9 years ago
ABSIVAKUMAR created new article Why HR is undergoing a transformation.
Of all professionals in the field of Management, Human Resources Management, often referred to as HR in professional circles, and identified as such, is the most challenging. There are many reasons why HR has still not been recognized as a major profession, like Finance and Marketing.
Be that as it may, the profession of HR is itself undergoing a transformation like never before. The different facets of this transformation needs to be properly understood.
Firstly, the times when HR was more identified with the more progressive sub-systems of HR like performance appraisal, career planning, training and development, talent management and so on, are all but gone, at least for another decade. We are back to the days of tension, back to the days when Industrial Relations was so important, and the HR Head was a legal professional of sorts, able to play the game of the Management by effectively exploiting all the loopholes in the labor laws. We are also back to the days of strikes and lock-outs, though the magnitude of this has still not reached the monstrous proportions of the yesteryears.
The earlier decade was one of huge growth, and the Corporate Sector grew by leaps and bounds. Managements were also a little bit more accommodating in terms of giving some more benefits, and extend the welfare facilities a little more than what was normal. So, industrial peace was possible, and the internal trade union movement also aided the formation of peace in most industrial undertakings.
However, two major factors are now responsible for a reversal of the trend, with Managements going all out to crush labor, with an iron hand, and taking recourse to contract labor like never before. The first major factor is the global recession, which does not show any signs of easing at all. So, profits are down, and Managements take the most easy route -- cost cutting by simply throwing people out of gainful employment. Naturally, this causes heart burn in every case, and the trade unions try to stop this practice. There is increased tension for the asking.
The second most important factor, is that the BJP Government at the Center is anti-labor in both letter and spirit. It has done nothing to stop the growing employment of contract labor, in just about every single industrial organization. The unrest at Maruthi Udyog, Honda Motor company, and in several other organizations, did not invite the attention of the BJP Government at all.
Worse, even the most recent ridiculous proposal of the BJP Government to tax the EPF Corpus of employees at the time of retirement, has sent a clear signal that the Government will simply play ball to the Managements and not protect labor at all.
So, we have a situation where the trade unions are up in arms against both Managements and the Government. However, they are not as effective as before, mainly because of the internal trade unions in most industries. Furthermore, the average worker is in no big mood to go on prolonged strikes and is less amenable to express dissent in any form.
However, there is a mad scramble to attract those who have a good industrial relations background, and Managers who have this background are in great demand. These Managers are back to the old days -- cost cutting at every single opportunity, exploiting labor and so on.
A case study of an auto ancillary organization will bring out how this is going on. This organization is part of a huge auto-ancillary conglomerate, which is also the largest in India, with Chennai as the headquarters for most group companies. The parent organization is Madurai-based.
This case study pertains to unrest in an organization of this group in a semi-urban area of Vellore district. The organization was happily employing contract labor in thousands in three of its manufacturing plants in the same location. They were on contract for even as many as over two decades. The workers were paid slightly better wages when compared to the contract labor in most other organizations in the surrounding areas, and were also given subsidized food in a canteen that was there for decades. They were given PF, Gratuity, ESI Medical facilities and so on, but were still on contract.
Such labor was employed for at least five years and up to twenty four years. For several years, there was simmering discontent among contract labor, who always felt that they were discriminated against regular labor. The Management did all this, even when the law of land says that if an employee was employed without any break for 240 days, he would have to be taken on regular rolls.
Worse, the work done by the contract labor was almost the same as the regular labor, and there were times when the contract labor were even computing data into the most sophisticated computers, as these labor were those who had cleared the plus two examination.
Matters came to a boiling point. One fine day, the contract labor who were on duty till 3.30 PM, in the general shift, refused to go out. They sat right in the huge open area in protest. They were joined by those who joined in, anytime between 3 and 3.30PM, and these were supposed to be the second shift. They struck work, and the labor combined themselves and demanded that the trade union leader, based in Chennai, would have to come and meet them.
Production came to a grinding halt. The Management sought to take the help of the police in throwing the workmen out physically. However, the police refused, fearing that a law and order problem would occur. Outside the gate, a huge number of members of the public gathered and the TV crew from a Tamil Channel managed to capture the event live and showed it on television, without mentioning the name of the company.
Two full days went, and there was absolutely no production. The trade union leader, an insider, was "taken care of" by the Management, and hence did not open his mouth all these years. However, when he eventually arrived on the third day, right after midnight, and tried to negotiate with the contract workmen, he was literally pushed away, and the workmen said that they would directly negotiate with the Chairman and Managing Director.
The CMD understood the gravity of the situation, declared that those who had completed over ten years of service on the date of announcement, would be taken on regular rolls. Those who qualified under this criteria, were immensely happy, and those who did not qualify, were left in the lurch.
Worse was to follow for such labor. Those who had put in less than five years of service on contract labor basis, were sacked overnight, and those who had put in even seven years of service, were also sacked. The Management was very harsh, and seemed totally unhappy with the decision of the contract labor to go on strike.
Those who now anxiously wait for another two or three years to qualify for the ten years of service, are now not sure that they will be taken in.
The Management closed down the co-operative credit store that helped the regular workmen to buy essential commodities on credit. They also closed down the technical training center.
This is just one example. Literally every single company is doing the same with labor, and playing around loopholes in every single labor law.
There is not much of a big hope that things will go back to the HR way, as Industrial Relations, with all its focus on cost cutting and dismissing labor, is back with a vengeance.
The profession of HR now stands at cross-roads and is undergoing a transformation, like never before. Superb practices like "engagement" that were loudly talked about a few years ago, are all but gone to the dustbin.
Only time will tell, when the global recession will abate a bit. Till then, HR in India, will be hugely influenced by the Industrial Relations function, for at least another ten years.
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article Muslim Terror in Belgium: Self Inflicted Injury.
Background
Belgium has been besieged by terror attacks. In fact just a few days back hardline Islamic terrorists attacked the airport in Brussels as well as a metro rail station close to the airport and exploded bombs. This was an attack by suicide bombers and later the Islamic State claimed credit for these attacks. The attack left almost 40 dead and close to 175 injured, some of them maimed for life. Even now some are critically injured and there is every likelihood of the death toll rising.
These attacks have come close on the heels of attacks in Paris by ISI indoctrinated Muslim youths, who in a suicide operation killed nearly 150 French and foreign nationals. There is a common thread between both these attacks. Investigation by the Belgium and French police now shows that both the attacks were masterminded by Muslims who were Belgium citizens and worse had been born and bred in that country. This is cause for concern to the Belgium authorities as it reveals that Muslims settled in Belgium for decades are not loyal to the Belgium state, but have thrown their lot with the ISI. They have followed the dictates of the ISI leadership and targeted Belgium as it is the soft underbelly of the European union.
The attacks have raised pertinent questions about Muslims in Belgium. The fact is Belgium is a small country, but in a way it has brought out that past policy of the Belgium king and government have in a great measure contributed to this situation. I am afraid these attacks will continue and Belgium may be hard pressed to counter them. It must also be borne in mind that in a population of 11 million, the Muslims number close to 600,000 and this is a significant number.
Belgium's Blunder
Belgium is a small nation with very few natural resources. It is part of the Low Countries and Hitler struck against France by attacking through the Low Countries. Hitler's army vanquished Belgium inside two days. They continued into France and the King of Belgium escaped to England. Thus Belgium has always been vulnerable. When the European Union was formed, Belgium people and government thought they will have security, but lack of resources, in particular oil was a galling sore.
In 1967 the King Baudouin of Belgium entered into a pact with King Faisal of Saudi Arabia for oil. This was a desperate act as the Saudis extracted their pound of flesh. King Baudouin agreed to supply oil, but in return asked for the construction of a mosque in Brussels. The Saudi government agreed to foot the bill for the mosque.The king agreed for the construction of the mosque and also allowed Saudi Arabia to send clerics who were trained in Saudi Arabia. The Saudis were also given a 99 year lease of the land and allowed to set up a centre of Islamic study in Brussels. These preachers duly arrived, but many of them were Salafists and these clerics in due course began to indoctrinate the Belgian Muslims on to the radical path. In hindsight, the action of King Baudouin was extremely short sighted and was taken without understanding the real nature of Islam.
Belgium also allowed Muslims to migrate to the country from Morocco and other places as they had a shortage of labor. The Muslims came in droves, but unknown to the Belgian authorities many of them became Salafists and were radicalised. They had no loyalty to Belgium and their loyalty was to Islam and the Pan Islamic movement.
Wiki leaks have now shown that for quite some time the Belgian government was concerned about the activities of the clerics in the mosque and had even expelled the director of the Islamic Institute some time back. The Belgian king and government realised the hard way that the Saudi's do a lot of double speak and though they say one thing they use their petro dollars to further the spread of Islam.
These indoctrinated Muslims have now come out into the open and launched terror attacks. One can say that had King Baudouin not signed the deal with the Saudi's for oil, the present situation would not have occurred. Now the horse has bolted and the Belgians are at a loss as to how to react. They cannot even do racial profiling as the number of Muslism is too large and as per latest figures Muslims constitue 22% of the population of Brussels. How does one profile 22% of the population of a city? Another factor bugging the Belgian police is that all the terror groups are constituted with Belgian Muslims , who have been born and bred in Belgium. How does a nation react against a renegade minority, which is large in number?
Last Word
Belgium is thus faced with a very difficult situation. The only way out is that the EU as a whole help Belgium. But as we have seen the EU is not a cohesive union and with England wanting to leave the EU, many are wondering about its future. The Germans after taking in a million Muslim refugees are alarmed, but the Muslims are there and they have shown their colors by attacking German women and girls on New Year eve. Evidence is also available with the German police that many of the refugees are fifth coulumns of the ISI and the mosques have been known to store arms.
Belgium has thus no choice, but to fight its own war against Islamic terror groups. The nature of Islam is such, that the Belgians cannot hope for a change of heart among the Muslims. The chances are that if a few are arrested another dozen will take their place. The Belgians are now faced with a problem that has no solution. The ISI radio and internet is bombarding Muslims in Europe to rise and Islamise Europe. Many devious means are being suggested including impregnating European women who have a low fertility rate. The Imam of the Al Aksa Mosque in a YouTube video has urged Muslim men to fertilize European women. All these add up to a great peril for Belgium and I do not see any short term solution. Belgium may have to live with this problem for many years.
9 years ago
Reena created new article Expectations: Degree Of Probability.
We as human beings expect all the time from every one around us. This is because we have developed within ourselves a belief that we all live in a society and thus it is fine to depend on others and form all sorts of expectations from others. Thus, we want other people to do something for us in return of something we did to them. It is more like give and take policy. Society itself was formed on that basis ages ago. It created a sense of togetherness and a medium of exchange of goods. Thus, no one was deprived of anything and everyone felt secure and protective. This is continued even today. The only thing that has changed is exchange of goods take place by means of money.
We say it is very natural for all of us to start expecting from others around us irrespective of whether they are our family members, colleagues, friends or someone we know from a long period of time. Sometimes we even build expectations from a stranger. Expectation is nothing but a wish of ours we want others to fulfill it for us. It can be anything. It can be in the form of a material, money or even sometimes a behavioral pattern. Expectation is like a want which we want at any cost to get fulfilled. We want people to behave in a certain manner and when they do not do so, they fall short of our expectations. We simply forget that they have got their own lives to live. They will behave or perform an act as per their belief system, staying in their own comfort zone. Something that is right for us, may not be right for them and vice versa. It is just a point of view. It's just a simply understanding that we need to build within ourselves. Once built it will create a sense of compassion within us. Compassion towards one another is something that has become need of an hour. This compassion itself will help us understand what the other person is going through and once we understand what the other person is going through, we will come to know the reason behind his deeds. We will cast off our expectations and embrace him completely with both hands.
Expectations hurt. If not all the time but say most of the times. When others meet with our expectations, we feel good and when they do not meet our expectations, we feel bad about it. This feeling of good or feeling of being devastated is being created by us. This is an outcome of strong belief system we have and that belief system is others have to act as per we say. We feel we are always right and this feeling is so common among all of us. All of us feel whatever we say or we do is right and others who differ form us are doing something wrong. In certain situations, when we are pretty sure that the other person performing an act is wrong, we can definitely go to him and advise him wisely. That is all we can do. Give him right advice, show him pros and cons and consequences he will be facing as an outcome of his deed or act. Once done, we need to step back and let him do his thing. We need to get detached right from that moment. However, most of us remain attached and expects the other person to go with the advice given to him. We do not leave a room or scope for that person to carry out his own thing and builds up a hill of expectations. This will create a lot of turbulence in him as well as in us.
Today we usually experience turbulent energy in our relationships because we try to control others. We try to levy our rules on them and want them to behave the way we want them to behave. If a person does not behave in the way we wanted him to or choose a side we wanted him to else say did not say something we wanted him to, we easily get devastated. Remaining detached is very essential to remain stable. Too much pressure and expectation we levy, narrows down the scope for other person to continue doing things he wanted to do. It is as well not very good for us as we are framing our character as well as personality. We are trying to control other person regardless of how good or bad our intentions are. Control is something today a major cause of disharmony in relationships. We are framing our character as we are trying to dominate over one person and then successively trying to frame a control over others as well. Within no time we will start poking our nose in each and every person's business whether they are known to us or unknown to us i.e., interfering in some one's life we have met just a few seconds earlier. We do not want to shape our character in that way. We should always wish to become some one who is of good and is of helping nature, who can be approached at any time for good advice.
The way we expect people to behave in particular manner, in the same way we also expect situations or circumstances to arrive in a manner which is favorable to us. If a certain situation does not turn out the way we wanted it to be then we start playing our favorite blame game. We start cursing ourselves, our destiny or simply put a blame on others. We wanted things to be in some other manner and as situation did not turn out the way we wanted it to be, we feel insecure. This insecurity is because we were not prepared to face such a situation as preparation was done for something else. We simply do not understand that people and circumstances are not in our control. We cannot control others as well as situations arriving in our day to day lives. We can only control ourselves. We need to put an intervention on our habit of expectations. We should stop ourselves from levying a whole burden of our expectations on shoulders of other people. It is more like do your work and do not worry about the outcome. This is because all that is in our hands is to do our work efficiently i.e., put in our 100% in the task that we are performing. Worrying about outcome is a lame thing to do. We cannot predict the kind of fruits we are going to reap and thus leave it on time. Accomplishing our task is in our hands. It is because we are the one who is performing it. Results are not in our hands. We need to embrace whatever outcome we get and that is what is called as embracing a situation. Regardless of whether we have received a failure or have passed with flying colors, we need to accept the things positively since this is all we can do. Instead of becoming devastated and feel negatively inside, we have to inspire ourselves for better work to be done in future.
When a person reacts aggressively or shows and throws tantrums around, even on lame and tiny issues, we create negative thoughts about him. We do not want him to behave in such a manner. Each one of us has a particular pattern of behavior and we seem to follow that pattern. However, we seem to forget that others too have their own self designed behavioral pattern which is created over a period of time and which according to them is best for them and thus they seem to follow theirs instead of ours. Each one of us is different from others and thus behavioral patterns too differs and in such case expecting something out of a person is a ridiculous demand we are creating for them. Since they are comfortable in their own zone, they find it difficult to come out of it and same stands for us. We cannot break our shell and try to do something for somebody so that their expectations can be met. Same stands for others too. We just need to fill into their shoe and think twice before expecting anything from anybody next time.
Parents does expect their child to choose a certain field or a career. They can give him right advice but cannot shoulder their dreams on his shoulder. This will be more like a burden. Child himself as an individual soul might have certain aspirations in his life and thus should be allowed to choose what he wants. A very common expectation parents have from their grown up child is that he will look after him in their old age. This is another expectation that should not be kept. Expecting some one to do something for us can bring pain to us if expectation is not met. If the child understands his responsibility, he will fulfill it and parents should take it as a bonus. If he does not understand, they should let him go. These kind of expectations we knowingly or unknowingly keep creating in our everyday lives. This is because we feel it is alright to expect something but rather we do not understand what harm it creates within us as well as to that person on whom we are depending.
We feel that if we have done something to some body, they need to return to us as favor and most of the times we do not call it as a favor, we name it as a responsibility. When we want our near and dear ones to do something for us, we call it as a responsibility and when we do not see that responsibility from being fulfilled properly, we feel bad about it as in our minds we have already seen it happening and this whole picture what we saw in mind itself is nothing but expectations we built up inside. One has to understand that the other person has to return the favor or not is his call. Whether he feels like fulfilling his responsibility or not, lets leave it on his comfort. If he feels like doing it, he will and if he does not then we should not force him for anything. First and foremost thing we need to do is stop creating expectations within our minds. Expecting something out of people or else expecting situations to arrive the way we want them to be is nothing but foolishness. Duties have to be performed. We need to give advice or recommend or share our feelings whenever we wish with the people for whom we care. We should not stop that and allow that person from falling into a pit hole or choosing a wrong direction. Once advice is given, then the person should be allowed to made his own decision. Let him choose the path on which he wishes to carry out his journey and whatever he chooses we need to support him and not feel bad if our advice did not get implemented.
Knowingly or unknowingly, we create lots of expectations from people around us, from the people we meet in our day today lives. We also expect situations to arrive in our favor. This habit of ours is creating hindrances and is causing an intervention and thus avoiding a perfect relationship between us and others from being flourished. Let us not control others and burden them or force them to do something we want them to do. Let us be supportive. In this way, it will be easy for them to live their life as well as keep us at peace and harmony as we will not disturb ourselves. We will remain detached and thus will save ourselves from inner turbulence that is bad for our state of mind, for our well-being, for good health as well as for a good relationship with others. Instead of expecting out of someone or something, let us accept the way people approach us or the way circumstances arrive.
Expectations develop within us because of our belief system. If we want to stop ourselves from expecting something, first thing we need to change is our belief system. For this we need to embrace self discipline which is a key that empowers us greatly. This power we can use to control our mind, body and senses. Then each and every act of ours will be for accomplishing something. Our forces will be directed with right energy and nothing will be inappropriate, neither our act nor our speech. Right now we feel that we do not have control over our words, our body or over our sense organs. This is because our soul is in control of them. Once we take control over them, we can rule them. Silence speaks a lot. Empowerment will enable a person to speak only when necessary. He will avoid wastage of energy. His words will become beautiful and more powerful. Unnecessary speech does a lot of harm and wastes energy. Thus, silence has to be practiced for enriching ourselves with greater power. Intuition of ours too with empowerment of soul becomes keener.
Lack of discipline will make us indulge ourselves in lots of other activities which are of no benefit to us, in turn reduce the energy. Discipline brings concentration and this concentration leads to denial from each and every activity that we are performing right now which is of no use today. It brings self awareness. Once we become aware, it is obvious we will start taking control over all those forces which are now behaving like untrained horses. Then our body and mind will reach a perfect position. One has to choose silence over noise.One has to try to bring equilibrium or harmony between his mind and body. This practice has to be carried on a daily basis without fail. This too requires sufficient discipline. It is of no use if it is done for one day as we feel like doing it and discontinue it next day.
Irrespective of the kind of life style we continued till date, we need to empower ourselves from now on and this empowerment only approaches to us when we start controlling our mind and body. Once we take a control and become masters, there is no looking back. No one can intervene us or stop us from accomplishing what we aim for. This is a state where we rise above all our evil characters and deficiencies and attain a supreme state. Lots of things bind us and act like a hurdle in our way that prevents our free action. They make us weak. We need to come out of our weakness, leave it behind and work as per our will. This itself will help in our uplifting. From now onward we have to remove the weeds of weakness and work harder to cultivate our strength which in turn will help us in our awakening. However, this awakening does not come in a day, we need to work for it and make intellectual efforts like meditation. Spirituality will help us know ourselves and once we identify ourselves we will become in-drawn. Outward things like developing expectations from others as well as from circumstances will rarely bother us as new experience within ourselves will fill within us lots of positive power and surround us with pure spiritual energy. In this way with complete devotion and discipline we will be able to control both our physical as well as mental nature.
9 years ago
ABSIVAKUMAR created new article Why spending quality time with children is so important.
It is a sad fact of life that nine out of ten urban middle class or even rich families do not spend even thirty minutes of their time with children. In some families there is a compulsory dinner time of thirty minutes, but even this is becoming rare, since the father is so busy earning money and the mother is so busy in the kitchen after a hard day's work.
It is not at all uncommon to find a servant taking care of the children till the mother arrives.
Whatever be the compulsions of the father and the mother, there has to be a compulsory dinner time or some other time, when the father and mother or either of them or jointly spends at least one full hour with the children.
in most families, there is only one child, or at best, two children.
What is seemingly impossible, because of the huge demands on the time of the parents, has to be made possible, through some stealing of time, and it has to be substantial on the weekends. The following are the main reasons, why this quality time is important.
Too many distractions
Thanks to the media explosion, and thanks to the reach of the internet, children are increasingly becoming aware of sex, and what it means to them. There are too many boys enticing girls at a very impressionable age, and take matters to the logical conclusion. Violence against girls is perpetuated through even black mail, as they can easily capture intimate moments of girls on smartphones, with the most of advanced cameras.
All this can be nipped in the bud if only the parents know any small disturbance on the part of girl children. The help of the police and the teachers can also be sought to tackle this menace.
Not only the physical intimacy, there are other distractions too. Children want to experiment with everything, and wearing simply outlandish clothes, eating the worst of junk food, making it regularly to the shopping malls, and indulging in costly things is so common. Since the parents do not have the time, they happily support the children in buying whatever they want, and this leads to further frustration of the parents when things go out of control.
Increasing permissiveness of children is also one huge distraction, and there is absolutely no way in which they can be controlled. Instead, they need to be counseled on a continuous basis.
Very complex Education
Gone are the days when education was a far simpler affair. Today's school education, more so, the school education in CBSE schools, has become very complex indeed. No more of cramming, no more of "revision" tests day in and day out. Excellence in academics is possible, only if the child is constantly on the move, understanding concepts in their totality, and the final examination is just one big exposure to the complete understanding of all concepts and their application.
Education is not only complex in terms of academics, the competition in the extra curricular activities arena, and in the space for gathering a huge amount of data about every single thing around them, is also not very competitive, but also complex.
For example, the foundation for later success in the IIM entrance examination is laid when the child understands the test of reasoning and data interpretation, and this always happens when the child enters the eighth standard. If the child slips in one direction, he or she will be less competitive, in the later stages of his or her life.
All this can be easily understood when the parents get to understand areas of concern, and then address them in the most comprehensive manner possible.
The missing values link
Some twenty years ago, it was quite common to see a fourteen years old girl or a sixteen years old girl, helping her mother in all her household chores, and then becoming a trained person, which will hold her in good stead in the later years of her life.
Of course, no woman is expected to only cook, and with the most ridiculous talk of women's liberation being linked to cooking took its own toll. It is not a matter of cooking.
It is matter of "me and my comforts" and many girls end up being disastrous brides, who always question whatever their husband does, and demand, literally that he does at least part of the cooking. This never happens, and ego problems, simply eat away the love and affection, that is part and parcel of anyone's married life.
This is a very dangerous trend, and the parents need to counsel the girl on the need for some minimum training in terms of cooking.
Values are totally missing. The children do not respect elders at all, they are becoming increasingly self-centered, they are totally selfish in all matters of money, at a very young age. They treat the poor with contempt, and children making fun of the grand parents is so common.
All this can be reversed and can be kept in check, only if the parents understand the need for giving them some good values.
For example, taking them to the old age homes, or any orphanages, will help the children understand that there are millions who are unfortunately placed at a disadvantage in economic terms, mostly for no reason that can be attributed to them. They will understand that they need to do something for the wider society, and will even develop a good habit of keeping expenses under control.
Career counseling
Though it is not the responsibility of the parents to only do career counseling, it is very much in the domain of either of the parents or both of them, to understand and discover the latent talent of the children, and help them to reach the maximum of their potential, in whatever way they can.
For example, one child had a great interest in painting and drawing. The mother, as usual, wanted to push the child into engineering, as many in her family were all engineers.
The father, a senior executive in HR, with a major company manufacturing a range of two wheelers, saw the merit in his boy's real interest and sent him to the USA to do an advanced course in the same field.
Years later, the boy is a big success in life, as he is a good artist. All it takes is to identify the latent talent, which sometimes never gets expressed by the child, in an open forum, or even in private.
Hence, it is very important for parents to spend compulsory quality time with children on a regular basis. This should happen very urgently in each and every family of India.
9 years ago