The Mirror

Cricket's Shame!

2012-01-29T13:22:00.003+05:30

In a country so obsessed with cricket, where other sports are sort of neglected, where people take leave to watch an important match, where its cricketing board revolves around and only around money, power and hence corruption, once again its fans are upset over a 0-4 whitewash in tests against Australia. Giving just the due respect to the sport, and not over-indulging and wasting time analysing 11 people who get enough money irrespective of what they do in the field, just thought to jot down a few random thoughts.

1. A 0-4 whitewash was expected, but didn't expect the team to be like rats there. It's not the failure but the manner of the failure that irritates a fan. No team can win all their matches. But this time barring a few, none gave a fight at all. In a five day match, usually some session will belong to a team. Here we didn't see even one such session where India dominated. The effort to fight itself wasn't there from the majority, else how you could explain players like Kohli, Saha, Ashwin doing quite OK? As a layman, I didn't feel the Aussie bowling was unplayable. Rather it was shamelessness and spinelessness on the part of the Indians that they never bothered to even put up a fight.

2. Our batsmen have never been good against major foreign teams in their soil. They have never done well in sporty bouncy tracks. This has been happening ever since we started playing cricket. And what has been done so far? Doesn't the rich BCCI have enough money to prepare bouncy pitches in India of the like of Mohali and make players play Ranji trophy etc there and prepare them well? Of course they have. Then why not?

Well we Indian fans are also sort of responsible for the same. For many of us cricket is just about hitting every ball for fours and sixes; very few of us want to really see or believe in building partnerships, rotating strikes with singles etc. Crowd turns out to see big sixes. Bowlers' efforts are seldom appreciated. Other than a Kapil Dev we really don't have any bowler celebrity. And so what better way to please the crowd than to prepare flat pitches? Give the crowd what they want and mint money via APL, BPL, CPL, DPL etc...

After such a horrendous tour, to better the batting tigers' averages, to bring the crowd back, and to forget this kind of humiliation, just call in Bangladesh or Zimbabwe and plan a five match series in India, preparing pitches where ball drops in the leg and moves via the off, making batsman rotate in their crease. And our heroes hit double, triple centuries and once again become paper heroes, having excellent average scores! This eyewash has been going on for years now.

3. It's time that zonal-based selection of selectors need to be taken away. On what basis was Vinay Kumar selected other than Srikanth a southie is the selector? Same goes with Mithun. If Ranji trophy is looked into, why not even one player from Rajasthan, who were in excellent form, taken in the team? Why Irfan was left out? What about Ashok Dinda's performance this season? This is not the usual talk where after one batsmen fail, we normally ask why not the other. This is a genuine case of excellent form vs. poor form.

4. Unlike Australia, we go by big names and not the current form of the batsmen. In-form batsman has to be taken in playing 11 and an out-of-form star has to sit on the bench. Neither the captain nor the team management have guts to take these decisions. Rohit Sharma, in excellent form (by now might have gone) was not even considered for a single match even when stars where cutting a sorry figure. Then why was he and Rahane taken in the first place?

These points just bring out the rotten system in our cricket and also reminds us that there is no point in pointing fingers at a few players and getting out of the blame. The board should remember that the same fans who bring them money might desert them one day, and BCCI can become a story of riches to rag. It's high time that they start changing things from the very base - selectors, selection criteria, nepotism, preparing sporty wickets in India so on and on. Hope authorities open their eyes at least now, though it is too late.

God Save his Own Country's TV Viewers

2012-01-25T18:48:00.005+05:30

Come January, and it's that part of the year where you felicitate the good works of the previous year in the entertainment industry, right from Oscars to our own Filmfare awards. Nowadays, even your neighborhood Krishna Appalam sponsors a film award as Krishna Appalam Film Awards 2012, that channels find it tough to accommodate them in one January with limited Saturdays and Sundays. Well all that's good for the ET industry as more recognitions come their way.

But what am coming to is not the awards per se. And this pertains only to Kerala. Come Saturday/Sunday, it's tough to even walk by the TV without listening to someone screaming and killing your mother tongue. It's a shame we don't have any other presenter in the whole state who can handle two languages, Malayalam and English properly? "Irritating" is the softest word I can use to describe this "neither here nor there" being's presentation. Is somebody listening? God save us!

The POLITrICkS

2012-01-24T23:06:00.000+05:30

In the depth of a remote village came a group of entertainers named POLITrICkS. The group consisted of a bunch of magicians, body builders, acrobats and so on. The natives of the villages made its livelihood from back-breaking works equipping themselves in agriculture and related fields. Taking a break off their hard day to get entertained was quite relaxing, improving their morale and the people became very cheerful. Thus in a way, the entertainers were sort of doing a service to the society.

The vanishing acts, acrobats, dramas and power shows quickly gained interest among the villagers and became super hits. The entertaining group was gaining popularity and making good profit. They were consistently increasing the entry fee but people were ready to pay that price without much hesitation. Gradually the entertainment group became wealthy and started investing it in the land and properties of the same village.

The villagers not knowing what was happening at a macro level, gave away their assets either for small blown-up margins, or as a consequence of threats, and became dependants. The dependence ratio kept on increasing due to the ignorance of the people and over time, majority of the villagers were bound to the entertainers literally. Now the POLITrICkS were in control of things. They were the wealthiest as the entire village worked for them. They were the decision makers in the village as they owned most of the assets there. And they manipulated things as they wished, as the entire village was directly or indirectly dependent on them.

The condition prevailed but none dared to voice against it, such was the influence of the entertainers now. Things started to go out of control and people who were in support or part of the POLITrICkS Group did whatever they wished, as there was no code of conduct for them. When things went overboard, some folks started raising their voice against the POLITrICkS and its motive. Initially there were big agitations in unison against the deeds. Slogans were raised and agitations were noticed throughout the village.

Did this change the condition of the village? No way. The group said that they will look into the happenings and do the needful. For namesake, some actions were taken. The idea behind this move was to reduce the boiling point by eating time and once the heat subsides, the agitators could be dealt needfully. The effectiveness of this trick was so much that even people within the protesting group became tired of the frequent agitations and wait for action. The group started loosing strength and at the right time, the POLITrICkS Group tried injecting split into the agitators which to some extent was effective or at least induced doubt in the minds of supporters. Thus the POLITrICkS Group was in control of the proceedings.

Once the heat subsided, the initial face saving acts by POLITrICkS Group were taken back and their members started roaming free. Though the heat was no more intense, the strong agitations made the POLITrICkS Group cold and numb. Some people who were affected by the wrongdoings were determined to bring things to light. They realized that they should expose the truth without delay, bringing in the land grabbing and related profit making deeds of the group to the epicenter.

The sequence of events started to become a threat for the group. One jolt followed by the next became a little bit challenging to handle. They could foresee their downfall, if things prevailed and continued the same.

What is the solution for this? The solution was the same technique used to make appear a big line small. That is, just draw a bigger line near it. Thus the group decided to ignite a fire that catches wild and grows big enough that all other things goes out of focus. Down the southern end, a commotion between neighboring villages was flamed up and situation in both villages started to become sensitive. People started reacting emotionally and without logic. Of all the tricks played till then, the current trick, playing with the sensitivity of the issue between the two villages became a big success. None were bothered about the wealth misappropriation or the land grabbing. Everyone in the village were keen for each others' blood on misguidance. Time was running away from the villagers as they indulged in unwanted activities rather than working for their prosperity. After a few days of fight and bloodshed, people became tired and realized that their normal life has been hampered considerably and decided to return to their root, but by then all the initial unity and togetherness for the common cause had gone with the wind. POLITrICkS magic worked again.

“We don’t belong to that village who were ignorant, who doesn’t have highly equipped communication system, or who didn’t have even basic education, right??? No one will ever dare to try the same with us because we are the Hi-Fis of the world till date, correct??? When everything happens at the click of a button, how can any POLITrICkS Group play their magic on us, right!!! All the wealth of information is always available at our service, so how can some one misguide us, correct??? When the world has been shrunk more than one can imagine and has become a place where everything can be understood as first hand information, how can someone over smart and fool us, right!!! If we are overconfident about ourselves so much, then it is time to rethink. Let's use the resources and figure out how many times we were made to look nonsensical but still gone unnoticed by us. Just go back and look at what the groups that were supposed to serve the people had really done to us, right from the list of scams to tension between states in the name of disputes from aqua to air. Basically we continue to be those villagers who are exploited in every possible way and the POLITrICkS Group continue to play their trick on us in the form of the vanishing acts, sympathetic dramas, muscle power, groupism and so on. The magic continues and we fail continuously to notice it.….

If the greatest poet of Tamil Nadu, Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi, was still alive, probably he would have again chanted the lines from his poem Endru thaniyum intha suthanthira thagam? Endru madiyum engal adimayin moham? the meaning of which goes thus…

“When will this thirst for freedom be quenched?

When will the desire of a slave die?

When will this shackles on our hand go away?
When will our sufferings get exhausted?
Oh God, who came to make the country of Bharatha then,
Oh God , who supports the life of a gentleman
Is not the support given by victory, your grace?
Is it proper for these true slaves to fade further?”

Let’s render our basic duties properly or a day will come when we are slaves again, but within our country by our own people.

Om Asatoma Sadgamaya,
Tamasoma Jyothirgamaya
Mrithyorma Amrutangamaya
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

SATHISH

The World of Maya

2012-01-17T19:22:00.000+05:30

When I was a kid, my mom used to read spiritual books and say that the entire world is Maya and all our pain are due to our ignorance about Maya. This statement kept on puzzling me. Maya means illusion, and I always wondered when I can see everything around me, feel everything around, and even touch everything around me, how does the world get categorized as Maya or illusion. Since the declaration on Maya was made by spiritually enlightened personalities, I couldn't rule it out as a junk statement.

At one point I understood that the conflict within me on Maya was my current knowledge and the realization toward understanding the in-depth meaning shared by yogis as the knowledge I should seek. Time passed and events started unwinding, life started teaching lessons on materialism, attachment and greed. Slowly the vagueness about Maya was getting cleared. It is a good learning on how to distinguish things and make life more meaningful and happy from the interview video with Sister Shivani of Brahma Kumaris posted by Ramesh Bai.

The main source of completeness for human being off late is from materialistic things that has a monetary value associated with it or from power or from recognition among the genders or different permutations and combinations of three. Perhaps expecting this shift long back, philosophers had stated that people who find their happiness in the aforementioned things will never be peaceful in their life. Let’s imagine an individual’s life and associate the general mindset at each stages and it consequences.

Till the education, life for an individual is totally at a different plateau. The learning and the grooming during initial phase comes handy for the rest of the life. Hence teachers and parents have a key role in molding the right platform of attitude, character and skill set. Now moving to the mainstream, once into professional line individuals will be keen to get a job that pays them handsomely because it is believed that money will "buy" you everything and also there is always a comparison by people on the scale and the status involved in getting a well paid job. What about Job Satisfaction? For some it is a priority but often money overtakes it.

Now the next stage is getting as much as gadgets, well furnished house and vehicle. These are all needs but the problem arises when materials sought extends beyond need. After this it is settling in life, alliance sought after will be again one who is equal in status and better in monetary background. There will be an elaborate wedding function. Reason? All these establish themselves in the society and they feel happy directly and indirectly.

The consequences of this are: First, there is over dependence on the so-called needs that gets elevated to a different level. Second, all the materialistic things are perishable, means the happiness and completeness is going to perish one day or another by default. Third, there will be a lot of financial obligations associated with all the materials and sweating day in day out for the rest of the life span will not be sufficient to settle them.

Ultimately this will lead way to: First, there is no time for yourself. Two, there is no time for the family. Third, a fear factor of insecurity and breaking down always looms large. Fourth, relationships get bitter. Fifth, health goes for a toss. And finally, life becomes mechanical and there is no more wholehearted living happening.

What is the core reason that life transferred to turmoil which was supposed to be traveling in the path of happiness and completeness? In very simple terms, the reason is the over-attachment with materialistic things that was imagined to have an idealistic long shelf life, which is not the truth. This sort of unrealistic attachment is mere illusion, which is Maya.

Let’s overall view few things that exist in world that we generally are eager to possess and try categorizing them.

Type	Category	Definition
Gadgets	Material	Maya
Properties	Material	Maya
Wealth	Material	Maya
Power	Exhaustible	Maya
True Knowledge	Permanent	Non-Maya
True Intellect	Permanent	Non-Maya
True Love	Permanent	Non-Maya
True Affection & Care	Permanent	Non-Maya

Now depending on what we give priority to, we can experience bliss or pain, the choice is ours. There can be a question that now doesn't love, affection and care fall into the category of Maya since there is high percentage of chance that it gives pain at one point or another. The pain happens when there is a something expected in return, even if it is permanent existence or attachment, but true love, true affection or true care doesn't expect anything in return, it is like being a true devotee.

Now the next question is, will it be possible to live a normal life staying away from the materialistic things. One should understand that there is a lot of difference between seeking basic necessities and obsession, possessiveness and attachment towards the materials. Imagine you are going in a cart. If the cart is comfortable for the people to travel and the bullocks to ride, plus it is safe that will become the need whereas if it is elaborately decorated and fitted with all the latest technology available is senseless. The technology will become a necessity if you are breaking the barriers of safe zone.

So, just because there are a lot of items available in the market, let’s not fall for it but know the limit of the need and allow life to unwind in a peaceful and pleasant format for everlasting happiness. We often see people becoming restless and insecure. This is mainly because the condition that they put themselves into, either by getting tangled due to overspending and directionless to make either ends meet or over attachment thinking everything is permanent. Both conditions will lead to physical and psychological weakness and eventually lead to the unfortunate.

So rather than seeking happiness outside, try finding it inside in what you are, try seeking it in the knowledge that everyone is same as us, and try enjoying leading a life of the highest value of peace, acceptance and content. Content doesn't mean stopping to explore but it means knowing the limits of one's needs. There is a proverb in Tamil which goes like this "Pothumendra Maname Pon Seiyyum Marunthu" which means the moment one understands the upper limit of ones need and can make thy heart accept and follow it, it is the golden medicine one possess for a life of happiness, peace and prosperity. Wishing Everyone a Wonderful & Peaceful Life Ahead.

SATHISH N

In Search Of Happiness - 1

2012-01-15T11:56:00.000+05:30

Really loved this series of talks between Suresh Oberoi and Sister Shivani of Brahma Kumaris. I have always loved the way she explained things. It's worth a watch, and I am sure each one of us will get something worthy and implementable, if not everything...

New Year in Water?

2011-12-29T20:36:00.001+05:30

THANE - a "very severe" category cyclone is expected to hit land on the morning of 30th between Nagapatinam and Chennai bringing in widespread rains in entire South India, especially Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Storms touching 125 kmph expected to hit the coastal areas of these areas. Prayers that the cyclone weakens and that there is no loss of life.

Pic Courtesy: IMD

Sibling: The Best Relation One Can Own

2011-12-25T20:26:00.000+05:30

Life is full of events - events that make us strong, events that make us weak, events that change our perspective, events that are special, events that change our personality and so on. I thought I would share few events in my life that moulded me or helped me to widen my views and logic.

I would like to start with an incident that happened when I was in my early teens. Till my XI standard I was a strict brother. I was nicknamed "Mahout" by my sister, Sandhya (who is three years younger to me), for my rough attitude and mercilessness towards her. I often misunderstood that elder brothers are supposed to keep a distance from their siblings and should establish their dictatorship. Sounds very illogical and stupid right but that were how I was. I guess since I have never seen good siblings’ relationship but had witnessed more of rivalry, I had nurtured myself with such narrow-mindedness.

My mom often used to say that whenever she leaves me and my sis at home and goes out for shopping, she by default had to consider purchasing Band-Aid for the bruises and scratches that we would have succeeded in contributing to each other. If blood relation has a different meaning as the one who injures other and ensures that blood is coming out of it, then we would perfectly fit that definition.

One day I was having severe headache and the noise around added to my misery, thus resulting in uneven BP. At this point, my mom was away and I had an argument with my sis. This developed in physical assault and we started hurting each other. My physical condition made me more arrogant and aggressive and I hurt my sis a lot more than any one would have ever hurt their sibling. I still regret for my deed that day. Even today I remember her crying with intense pain and anger. I also remember my first experience with BP where the entire vision around me was shrinking and narrowing down into darkness.

Though I was not that affected by my barbaric reaction immediately, one event that followed it made me bow my head down with shamefulness in front of my own conscious. It was my first experience of mutual respect and acceptance towards sibling by my friend Praveen Antony. Praveen Antony was a very jovial and fun loving person. Generally there will be three slabs in schools, the studious, the backbenchers and the neutral. I belonged to the third category and my sis the first (probably that too should have added fuel to the fire ;-)). Right from my fifth standard when I joined the school, we had the same batch till X. Praveen Antony joined us during IXth or Xth, I don't remember exactly when but he was such a friendly and humorous character that everyone liked him. His nature brought all the three slabs under one roof of friendship, such was his persona and I had great regards for him.

Another friend of mine, Manu, had a library run by his mom. One day, during our XI, we went to borrow books from his library. While few were checking books like Hardy Boys and Agatha Christie, Praveen was looking for the Mills & Boons. We started teasing him and pulling his leg for his eagerness to read romantic books. He very coolly said that he is searching the book for his sister who was just a year younger to him. Hearing this, I don't know how much others were shocked, I was taken back. A brother selecting a romantic book for his sis was out of my zone and indigestible. I was keen and asked him, how can you do this? He as always was very cool and replied that, "After an age, just like how I grew, my sister too would have grown. Just like how I know all the good and bad, she also knows. So it is meaningless to hide the truth but rather apt to accept and respect it." I felt as if someone slapped me on my face.

Praveen's words and maturity started haunting me and I felt how silly I had been all these years. There was an instantaneous change in me and I started accepting my sister as part of my life, not as a sister alone but as my best friend. The whole dimension changed. Growing up I did commit few mistakes after that but never as intense as I had during the yesteryears. Thanks to that event that I realized the value of intelligence over instinct. I also migrated from the illogical world of dictating to the logical and pleasant universe of love, care and affection.

Not everyone will get a person like Praveen Antony to display the value of good sibling relationship. Nor does any sibling relationship need to go through so much of agitation and pain for so many years which deserves to be colored with beautiful events and memories. I guess it would be apt if parents could make their kids understand value of loving each other and erase the mentality of competition. Today, my sis, Sandhya, is the best sis and friend combo that I am blessed with and I always regret missing out on those wonderful years of growing up. Accept your relation as they are and enjoy every moment, life will be a beautiful story unwinding to the tune of happiness, fun, fulfillment and completeness. For people who are committing the same mistake that I did, think again please!!!

SATHISH N

A Special Day in my Life

2011-12-14T11:34:00.000+05:30

Recently there was a topic on a talk show about celebrating the dear one's special days. There were points raised like things look too artificial, things seems to be done for the sake of doing, public disturbance and so on. The counterpoint raised by people who supported it said these things are done to make people realise how special they are, make them happy and excited, an expression of care and likewise. On this particular topic I was on the neutral side, as I supported surprises but without much noise and fanfare.

I work in the night shift away from all the heavy traffic jams, tiring travels and reckless rides of the day. On November 29th, I was on my routine and busy with the day's work. By around 11:45 PM or so I started feeling hungry and was pestering my friend Sinoj to go to the canteen. He was busy with some work and was delaying things. With my stomach grumbling, questioning me if I am going to feed it or not, I decided to cool it down with some water. At this point, my Manager, Ranjith, enquired me about a report that I had mailed him a day back. We logged into my system and discussed on the report. Ranjith suggested certain logics and asked to do some analysis based on that.

As I was looking on to the report and checking on the suggestions, our office boy, Shanmugam, told me that someone is waiting for me at the parking lot in a rickshaw with a Big Box that I am only supposed to collect. Surprised and shocked to hear it, I asked him not to kid and check properly as there can't be anyone asking for me at that time of the night. He returned for confirmation, while I continued with my analysis. Few minutes later Shanmugam returned saying that the person is waiting only for me. Doubled minded, I decided to join him and check out what is the matter. When we were about to move out, Shanmugam found that the Big Box was in our meeting room which was already collected by someone. Thinking that Shanmugam was wrongly updated, I decided to go back to my system and start working on the report.

Just few minutes into the report, my Manager called me to my mobile, asking to come to the conference room immediately. When I reached there I found that all the managers and supervisors were there with a box of sweets and a cake with good wishes on it. There was also a big box unopened, which Shanmugam had mentioned earlier. Everyone shook hands and wished me. Yes, it is 12 O' Clock and November 30th. So what is special about November 30th??? Years back, it was on that date I inhaled my first breath on mother earth. My friend Sinoj wished me with a tricky smile, which clearly revealed that he intentionally delayed from going out to have food.

Away from the normal practise, I was asked to light up a Nilavilakku (traditional lamp) which I liked so much; I guess it is Ranjith's suggestion. Even though it was a simple thing or a different format of lighting, I felt something special lighting it and seeing it glowing bright. After cuttting the cake that our team brought and celebrating, people started pulling my legs on the Big Box that was on the table. They confirmed that the Big Box was a gift for me from some unknown. When we opened it up, it was a very big cake, enough to be shared with all our departments. The cake was very cute with wordings "Happy Birthday Dear Sathish" on the upper half and the bottom half was fully decorated with Rose Flowers of different colors. It was looking so lovely and beautiful.

The only update that we got from the person who delivered the cake was, 'It is a Surprise for Sathish from CMS (my school) friends'. I was puzzled who on earth after so many years remembered my birthday and planned so much to give me a surprise. Mahesh is one person who is from CMS but since he knows that I don't like to be in the limelight, he will not push me into it. Everyone asked who is that special person and so on but I was in shock, surprise and happiness that someone had valued me so much. I was in cloud nine and could feel the stars around. My mind was totally blank and couldn't think too much. I just kept on staring at the cake mesmerized at the way my name was cherished over it and the decorations. Though, back of my mind, something started hinting me that this should be the handwork of my childhood friend, Ramya, but details like CMS friends and delivery at a place 100 kilometers away from where she is located at sharp 12 forced me to doubt my instinct. There were some messages from her wishing on my brithday and missed calls but since I was in the festive atmosphere, I couldn't read them or attend the call immediately. I tried reaching her after the celebration, but she didn't pick up, maybe she dozed off.

Ranjith suggested that we will celebrate it with our entire team. The team joined us and each and everyone wished me. We shared the gift with everyone in the office. Even after giving it to the entire office, we had enough to parcel for our office boy and security's family. I too took few to home to share it with mom and dad. I believe it was the first time in my life that so many people wished me on my Birthday. Also me cutting the cake had never been part of my personal agenda during birthday's, but now I had one shared with my entire second family (my team). Sinoj was very particular that I should find the person when I report to office the next day as people were pointing him. I was suggested to even call Mahesh at that time to get things cleared but being in the middle of the night, we controlled our eagerness.

By morning, the suspense was broken, it was the handwork of Ramya and Mahesh. They know each other well but never expected to bring out such teamwork. Ramya was the biggest support during my days of turmoil and helped me stand strong and recover fast. She wanted to celebrate this birthday as if it is my first. She had already presented me with some gifts which itself was a surprise but it seems she felt that it didn't give enough punch that she had wished for. She had called up Mahesh and they planned on this surprise cake gift. While I was pulling Sinoj to join to the canteen, she was guiding the person to deliver it on time. Being a long day, after ensuring that the gift had reached its destiny, she dozed off and that's the reason she didn't attend when I called her back.

It has been quite some days since this has happened, but I am still in the clouds. Feeling that you are special is something that one should experience by themselves. Few people believe that there is no need to express themselves, since affections needs to be felt, else it will be like marketing. I too belonged to the same category all these years but after this incident I have a totally different perspective. The amount of happiness, completeness, self confidence, and self respect that expressing oneself injects in the dear ones is boundless. Though we may have everyone, during tough days loneliness creeps in by itself but such expressions move life to a different plateau that the concept of loneliness will be always at bay. When I see some lovely friends and families, I always wonder how wonderful their special days would be but gets disappointed when they state it was same as any other (maybe all the day is a celebration for them and I have not grown to that level to understand it :-)).

More than the day, I believe it is an opportunity to express yourself to your dear one in a royal way how special they mean to you. I felt special and my heart is filled with happiness and wholeness for I have beautiful souls and hearts with me. No wonder the talk show had so many people supporting it and now I too fall into that list. Life is big, live it king sized. We run around the never satisfied materialistic things like money, property, luxury, power and other materials and do anything and everything to attain it even by forgetting to enjoy the basic reason of our existance, life and relation. I wish all the lovely people celebrate their relationship and enjoy it to the most instead of loosing life to miniscule things. I also wish everyone be blessed with dear ones with beautiful souls as I am blessed with, including the ones who call up on Dec. 6 and say it is your birthday today dude, not on Nov. 30, and let's celebrate it now :-)

SATHISH N

God is Everywhere - A Real Life Experience.

2011-11-28T11:45:00.000+05:30

Life has gone through a rollercoaster ride over the past one year. After lot of heavyhearted days, now things are peaceful. Looking back, it is the First Anniversary of God proving his presence in my life.

A year back, life was at its worst. Unending problems and miseries were creating trauma. We were keen to see the light at the end of the tunnel. All efforts and means to make things straight were in vain. I was slowly losing my faith of recovery. The only thing that was keeping me running was the blind faith and support by a beautiful soul.

Things were taken to a level that once I questioned God about his existence, out of frustration. But he was the only person who could help too. To help myself settle mentally I thought of going on a pilgrimage to Sabarimala, which I normally do, but this time with much more traditional fervor. As per norms to go to that temple one should be following certain rituals for 41 days, which very few follow nowadays. This time I wanted to follow it as much as I could but that too didn’t last long since the problems were piling up like heap of sand and I was getting buried beneath. But deep within I was ensuring that the soul and thoughts are not hampered.

The trip was planned for 19th November 2010. The return would be on 21st November 2010. In between few other temples would also be visited. The cab had 13 members, of which six of them were from our group. We were perfectly paired. Sabari and his cousin Sathish; Mahesh and his college friend Adhavan; and myself and my colleague Siva Kumar made the 6 members of our group.

Though the start was early and we had enough time to visit the temples, people were keen to cut short the journey and skipping the temples. It was me who booked for the journey and there were comments like they thought it was just one-day direct journey. The ironical part of it was that though there were statements like the tradition is lost and none are following things religiously and so on, people were reluctant to do what was expected to be done during such trips.

After reaching Sabarimala we took dip in the Pamba river and started on foot to the temple which is inside the forest about five kilometers from the river. There were only two options; one is by foot and other using dolly. At the foothill, one dolly guy was around Siva Kumar stating it will be very tough for him to make it to the temple on foot so better use dolly. Siva Kumar was hefty but young and was unimpressed with the dolly guys approach. I could see it was mere business strategy of that person and was unhappy in the way they were making their moves. I was also upset that such things are happening even in temples like Sabarimala. Another reason for not opting for dolly was it costs 2200 Rupees.

Siva opted to go by walk. And as any over smart person, without getting to know the truth, I suggested Siva that we will make it together and I got his side back and carried it. On the way he had said that he had complaints of throat pain for past couple of days. The pain popped up again once we started uphill. After about 15 minutes of walk he found it difficult to proceed further as the pain was increasing. At one point, he said he will give up and go back but decided against it since it will have negative impact on the beliefs and his family. Though I tried to energize him with some glucose water, he was not fit enough to walk all the way. And he had to opt for dolly, but decided only one way.

We planned that I will move fast and wait for him at the place where the dolly would drop him. The walk was on for around two hours. The wet terrain due to the heavy rain during the previous days made it a bit challenging. As per plan I was there to reach first and waited for Siva. After around 15 to 20 minutes of waiting he too arrived at the location. We moved ahead and finished with the Dharsan. Immediately after finishing the Dharsan, it started to rain heavily. So we took rest under a shed and waited for the other 11 members to arrive. The rain was at its best and lasted for hours continuously. Siva and myself chatted on general stuffs and he was feeling sleepy too. Then we heard an announcement asking for us by our team members. We followed their instruction and made it to the lodging.

After the night’s rest, we finished with the formalities and started with our way back downhill. Siva took some money from the ATM available there at the Sannidhanam. He was feeling fresh and so opted not to have the dolly. He was much more energetic and active than the rest of us and made it soon to the river down, closely followed by myself, Sabari and his cousin Sathish. We found our vehicle at the parking. After a brief wait for the rest of the group, we started with our journey back to home. We wished each other on having another successful year of making to the temple.

I was tired, as the rest of the group, and was slowly starting to dose off when suddenly Siva woke me up complaining of severe throat pain again. He said both of us would stay back and visit a hospital and let others continue with their journey. I didn’t know why he was saying so for a throat pain as my understanding limited to think of it for acidity. I told about it to my friend Mahesh alias Mahe. He immediately asked the driver to take the vehicle to the nearest hospital. Luckily for us there was ASSISSI Hospital on the way itself just 5 minutes from where Mahe had instructed the driver.

We entered the hospital in a state of emergency as Siva was finding it difficult to sustain with the throat pain. Being Sunday and a hospital in a remote place it was not highly equipped but served the need of the hour. The doctor was a young chap and he told us they would take the ECG. What followed that sent shiver down my spine. The doctor said that Siva had undergone a major heart attack and needs immediate medical attention. I was sweating. I didn’t know what to do. Siva’s family and kids were staring at me in my mind. I was shivering too since this is the first time I am encountering such a situation and I had to make a difference. Being alone at such a critical situation made me worried and weak. I was sweating and feeling giddy. Mahe was with me at that time and I asked him to be with me. His assurance that he will be with me and will take care of things together made me feel better or in fact confident for we’re good friends from school.

Since their hospital was not equipped to serve the situation at the higher level, the doctor quoted Mary Queens Hospital, Kangirapally, which was 17 kilometers away from our current location. Since their main ambulance had gone for some other’s service, they got us their stand-in ambulance, which though was not that well equipped, was well directed by its driver to help us reach Mary Queens Hospital within 20 minutes or so. That was my first journey in an ambulance.

Mahe was with me in the ambulance. We told the rest of the members that we would decide on our further plans once we meet the doctor at Mary Queens Hospital. Siva was given with some basic medicines to help his heart function. In the ambulance, he was supported with oxygen supply. I was holding his hands and every time would look at him to see he is fine. He was mainly staring outside through the window and was relieved to see him normal. At one point I wished that the doctor was wrong and everything is fine with him.

After reaching Mary Queens Hospital, Siva was taken to the ICU. He was given some medicines and was kept under observation. The senior doctor came for check up. I was eagerly expecting a different explanation from him but he too made the same statement. In fact, he added fuel to the fire stating that an emergency surgery is a must and should be taken to Kottayam at the earliest. He said if we had brought him within 6 hours of attack, medicine would have helped but since it seems to be 24 hours since attack, giving medicine will only complicate things. He told Angioplasty is the need of the hour. They suggested taking a special ambulance that had equipments to help any worse case scenario. The doctor suggested two hospitals and we opted for Bharath Hospital. When asked if Siva could be taken to Coimbatore for further treatment, the doctor said it would be like tying a time bomb around the waist and traveling, so don’t even think of it.

Once this was confirmed, we asked the rest of the group to make their move and continue with their journey. We had two main challenges at this time. One, we had to communicate the condition to Siva’s family and ask them to make to Bharath Hospital. Usually I don’t take mobile phone when I am on pilgrimage but luckily Mahe had his post paid mobile connection with him and I asked him to pass the message. He called Siva’s home and said that Siva is having chest pain and we had to take him to hospital, so please try to make it to Kottayam, Bharath Hospital, as soon as possible. I just can’t imagine what would have been their mental state hearing this news. Their cousin who had a car was at his home during that time so they started to Kottayam immediately but it was not going to be easy as it was nearly 8 hours of journey from Coimbatore to Kottayam.

We informed the ambulance service about our requirement and were waiting for them. And here comes our second problem. In total we had only 4000 bucks with us with the bill of the current hospital yet to be paid. Along with that we had Siva’s ATM card that had some 9000 in it. While we were discussing on it, we got a call from the ambulance service stating that the initial 10 kilometers will be charged 2000 Rupees and from thereon 50 Rupees per kilometer. Kottayam was around 50 Kilometer from our current location, which means we should have 4000 bucks for the ambulance alone. And with the remaining very few bucks we should get the surgery done.

After a wait of around 40 to 45 minutes the ambulance arrived. We made our payment at Mary Queens Hospital and started to Kottayam, Bharath Hospital. Being a Sunday was an advantage for us at this point. The traffic was limited but the rain made it a bit tough. Only one person was allowed to sit near the patient. There were two male nurses for help in case of emergency. The ECG machine was running throughout. And every now and then I would look at it. Though I knew nothing about it I was looking at the consistency of the pattern. There was a reading as 120 on the display and every time I would look at it. Siva was fast asleep and I was quick to disturb the nurses to know if it was normal.

After about an hour’s travel we reached Bharath Hospital. Siva was asleep till then but woke up at the last minute, thanks to the last patch of bad road. Here again Siva was immediately taken to the ICU as soon as seeing the letter and prescription handed over by the Mary Queens Hospital. Mahe took care of the initial hospital formalities and I went out in the Ambulance itself to take money from the ATM. Thanks to the ambulance driver and the staffs that they had the heart to drop me back as I was unfamiliar with that place.

After making the payment for the ambulance, I rushed to see where they were. The security personnel guided me to the location. Mahe and myself were met by the doctor and some executive and were explained on the situation. Siva had undergone a major heart attack and there was a block that is stopping the supply for blood to a particular part of the heart. The option left was to do Angiography and find the block and give medicine to open up the block or do Angioplasty and open up the block with stent. There were risks involved with giving medicine as Siva was just 37 and there can be issues of bleeding and also Angioplasty will be needed, if not now but later. They asked us to make the decision.

By then Siva’s family was on the way. In between Siva’s wife had called me and asked to say openly if he had an attack. I didn’t conceal the truth then but didn’t reveal the intensity. That piece of early information helped to get things straight soon and they asked us to go ahead with Angioplasty itself. But now another issue was two different states and no relatives were around to take the responsibility of risk. The hospital was a little worried on those lines. We made the doctor speak to Siva’s wife and since they too were convinced they decided to go ahead with the surgery and they conducted the surgery without even asking a single penny from us. We were in the traditional pilgrimage attire throughout, so were easily noted and people were eager to help us irrespective to religion or place, as they should have been aware that we are there because of emergency. Siva was taken into the operation theater by 7:00 and at around 7:30 the doctor called us and explained the condition and what was done.

Siva had a 100% block in one of the blood vessel in the heart. That was both because of clot as well as fat around the vessel. There were other minor blocks because of clots but it was removed with medicine. This particular block, which was 100% had to be opened by inserting a stent. We were relieved when the doctor said Siva was perfectly okay but needs to be under medical supervision for 48 hours as his blood had a nature that can get clotted. Immediately after getting the news that he is fine, we called his family and passed the message, we didn’t want them to be tensed any longer and wished them to at least be peaceful that Siva is out of danger.

The main positives here were, Siva was brave and never hit the panic button. Secondly, their family members were understanding and didn’t create any confusion. Thirdly, the doctors, nurses, and security were very humble and supportive that we felt saving Siva was their primarily target. Fourth, our friendship (myself and Mahe) and understanding helped to face the situation with courage. And I could see Gods in all those people who helped in getting Siva fine, right from the doctors who treated him to the nurses who supported with the needful, to the ambulance drivers and staffs who helped in reaching destinations safe and timely, to the drivers on the road who responded immediately to the ambulance siren and gave way. At no point throughout this time period we even imagined about any other consequence other than Siva getting fine and I felt it was a strong message from God, to me in particular, not to doubt his existence as he showed it in the different forms.

As we look back, again and again, even the slightest delays or hastening had an implication; else the timing of treatment that followed would not have been a possibility. We would have either been stranded in no man’s land at Sabarimala facing a critical situation or on the travel in search of hospitals. Though it may sound stupid, was the statement by the dolly guy a warning by God for what had awaited us? Only God knows!!! As Steve Jobs mentioned in his Stanford Commencement Speech 2005, you see a clear picture when you join the dots in the reverse, so did I.

It has been one year since we witnessed that fearful day. Siva is healthy and energetic. I wish God to be with him and his family throughout as he had been during that day showing the right way and bringing goodness to that wonderful person and his beautiful family. I also wish God to create more friends like Mahe on this earth and also bless him with peace and prosperity. And finally, I thank God for making me realize him better, deeper and understand him more closely. God is everywhere and if we look closely there is God Everywhere, not by the count that we get from the different religions but by the countless humans where he lives within.

SATHISH N

Religare With Yourself

2011-11-08T19:29:00.000+05:30

Recently a friend of mine had few promotions happening in her office. Being a person who is very dedicated and knows the value of her contribution to her family, the natural instinct made her a bit upset for not being part of that group. It is quite normal that during such situations you will become gloomy and will allow the devil's advocate rule your mind. I felt the prolonged soberness on her vibrant nature was not going to help her in anyway.

Since I had undergone similar situations many times, which only helped me to mould myself and be what I am, but for the ample support from my good friends like Premjith, Ambrose and Ramesh Bai, something told me that she too needs the same support. I tried to recall things (googled too) that could help her get the bigger picture, but in vain. Then I thought it is apt to share an imaginative scenario that I communicated with my friends who feel they are slowed down and are in difficulties due to some obstacles.

The situation goes thus: Imagine yourself blindfolded and led to a vehicle. You are handed over the task of taking control of the wheels. It is a very, very dark night that even after removing the blindfold, it made no difference. Somehow you managed to get the ignition on and turn on the headlights. All that you can see is the headlight’s energy glaring on the road ahead. You can't even guess what vehicle you are in or what all features it composes.

At this moment of doubt and puzzle, you are handed over with the responsibility of reaching a particular destination within a stipulated time. One relief is that on the way you will see the direction boards that will guide you. Worried you start the vehicle and put your foot on the accelerator. Within minutes of your start, you notice that a person cycling right in front of you at the speed of a snail. You try to alert him but he is least bother about it.

Anyone who is in this situation has two options:

Option One:

With great difficulty, you slow down the vehicle and start driving at his speed. You didn't dare to get out of the vehicle for the fear of being in an unfamiliar area. Straining yourself and the vehicle and wasting extra fuel, you kept on travelling behind him. You were so irritated that you didn't realize to look beyond the person ahead of you. The travel was getting tiresome and the engine too was being damaged.

The early morning sun rays bring light in your zone. Now you realize that the road was really big enough and the car that you were using was the make of BMW's best-in-class that you could have easily overtaken the person and clocked miles. You realize the target ahead of you and the insufficient time but to your relief you have a wonderful vehicle that just glide over the road. It responds to your call and makes the destination on time.

Option Two:

Rather than slowing down, challenge the cyclist at the first instance. Along with averting him from blocking your path, you will get a mild feel of your vehicle's capacity. Now you would be travelling at a better pace with ample time to cover the distance. This makes the travel less stressful and you can enjoy the journey and the landscape.

Now what is the big deal with this scenario? Equating certain items in the scenario to some other things will get a better picture. The journey can be considered as your journey of life or even the journey towards success in a particular field. The vehicle is nothing but you yourself. The darkness is the ignorance of our capacity. The cyclist is the slow dragger that injects doubts, which can be our own imaginations or from other sources, that blocks our progress. The direction boards are the timely support that you get for being what you are in your journey. Some direction boards maybe en route and few accompany you always like a compass.

In the first instance, falling into the trap of the obstacles didn't help in any way. Though we felt it is easy to be accepting it, it made the journey really painful, both physically and mentally. We often believe saying excuses is the easiest way to escape the reality but only time will teach we were fooling ourselves by doing so. By engaging ourselves with that mindset, we not only are going to exhaust the fuel of time, health and also discolor the passion of life, which will make things more and more tough in the later stage.

Whereas in the second instance, when you rightly realized your obstacles and challenged it, you got a hint of your capacity. The initial journey in darkness also allowed you to experiment yourself with your skills and tune your talents. This was more of an incubation period of sculpting yourself by realizing your metal. So, once you hit the limelight, without your own knowledge you have grown in stature.

So I suggest everyone to explore yourself and understand your passion and talent. Self realization is the key to unlock anything and everything in life. By doing it honestly you will be the best fit for any situation and circumstances. All the materialistic things that people long for will be longing to be pampered by you. I wish my friend to realize herself at the earliest and start enjoying her journey of life and success.

"Your Soul Has A Vast Reach, Vaster Than One Can Imagine; Scale Those Heights and Make life Large."

SATHISH N

I LIKE SERIES - 5

2011-11-05T12:12:00.002+05:30

Intellect - The Spinal Cord of Personality

2011-11-01T12:08:00.000+05:30

Once up on a time there lived a dumb man who led a pathetic life. Looking at his condition, the Goddess of Wealth decided to bless him with lots of invaluable stones, pearls and gold. He was expected to prosper with the help of those gifts. But ignorant of the worthiness, he just placed all those items at the corner of his house amongst some ordinary materials. The man neither benefited nor the wealth received its deserved value.

There was no change in the person’s life. At this moment, the Goddess of Bravery blessed him with power and strength. The man felt new energy and vigor in him. He wanted to show off his strength but didn’t know how to, so he went on a rampage attacking all the vulnerable things. The banana tree which dedicated itself completely to benefit of human beings was the most affected due to its soft nature. The man continued with his assault till he got worn out trying to overpower the banyan tree.

At this juncture, Goddess of Learning gifted the person with knowledge so he would use it properly and benefit himself and the surrounding. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen that way. The gift of knowledge made him feel supreme and started insulting and hurting the ordinary. People who learned things with experience and were lower in grade were expected to acknowledge and accept whatever the gifted person was expressing. Even valid points suggested were suppressed, quoting out their past mistakes and forced to surrender. Things were getting worse on a mass scale day by day.

The Goddesses didn’t want their blessings to be misused, so they combined and showered the person with intellect. The latest blessings injected sea change in the person. He realized the knowledge is to be shared and used for the welfare of the needy. He also understood that strength and power is to be used for constructive purpose and not for destruction. Finally, he also realized the preciousness and worthiness of different items and started to give the deserved respect and value. Everything in his zone became radiant and illuminated with prosperity.

With increasingly lesser emphasis on intellect, certain class blessed with skill of learning and retention believes themselves to be super beings. They voluntarily or involuntarily hurt their fellow beings. Certain other classes believe that power, strength and position they posses are ultimate and start showing it off on the vulnerable. Certain heads in the family will be the best example for the same. The vulnerable like the banana tree dedicate themselves from very tender age but get squeezed and used till the end. Also due to the dump nature or the ignorance of certain people the true value of the near and dear is not realized. This mainly is due to the take-it-for-granted attitudes of individuals.

While we wish that these people attain their intellect at the earliest for the betterment of themselves and their people, let us look at the same scenario in a different dimension. What is the mistake done by the invaluable souls that get ignored by their own people? They too have a heart that has a breaking point. To all those beautiful hearts, I have just one thing to say, if the owner of the house fails to realize the fragrance and beauty of the rose in his garden, it is not the fault of the flower but probably the inefficient sense organs of the owner. Rose has a value of its own in this world as long as it remains so, hence don’t feel lost due to the some narrow minded people but preserve your nature and enjoy your real identity.

In the second instance, I suggest all those people with the character of banana tree dedicating themselves but not being realized their value and hurt, to adopt to the situation not by bending down but growing up to the circumstance. If the condition demand elevating to the toughness and rigidity and determination of a banyan tree, don’t hold yourselves back. By doing so, you will be able to preserve your existence and continue your service on a broader and larger scale. One should note that the banyan tree never goes to show off its power but hold on to its position calm and composed. It is its internal strength, deep rooted value and wide range of coverage that gives the success to the banyan tree, so enrich yourself.

Finally, a person with mere knowledge is like machine loaded with information. A person without knowledge but with intellect is much more valuable than hundreds of programmed human machines. For those machines, who feel that their retention capacity and memory power is their success, a day may come soon when injecting a chip into the body may fill the person with all knowledge on earth. but intellect is real value and identity of a person that is gained only when he is clean at head and heart and holds to valuable principles. A person with intellect is like natural pearl and a person with spoon fed knowledge “alone” is like a plastic bead. Whatever maybe the count of the plastic beads, it will never be equivalent to the one pearl of intellect. Blessed is a person with all the good qualities of above starting from intellect to right knowledge, power, recognition, adaptability, and self realization, he/she is the priceless.

Asato Ma Sat Gamaya
Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya
Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

SATHISH N

Rain Rain Come Again!!

2011-10-26T23:01:00.000+05:30

The Korean car company had created a huge interest in the market with their latest launch. From the hype created that it is competing against the entry level hatchback of the biggest market share holder and is fittingly priced, I too was eager to get the details. During the weekend, I visited their showroom but only to my disappointment, I felt it is a bit overly priced. With all the canvas build around the vehicle slowly going out of shade in my mind, I came out of the showroom amidst a heavily overcast evening. It was getting darker and darker because of the fast accumulation of clouds around. Within no time, weather Gods started their musical extravaganza, much to the excitement of nature lovers and the nature as a whole.

Crossing line of the path of Rain God after a long time, I decided to stay back sheltering myself in a Bus stand and enjoy the real music of nature. The rhythm of the heavy downpour was just too good and the temporary streams across was kindling the kid in almost everyone. There were a lot of working group returning home assembled around and waiting for some clearance. Being a weekend, most of them didn't bother the wait and seemed to enjoy. In the middle of the group, a cute interaction between a couple caught my attention. Being within their vicinity for a brief moment, I was not able to make up if they were good friends or partners in making, whatever it is, I felt something special about them.

The girl offered the umbrella she had to the guy, which he was reluctant to use; probably he too was mesmerized by the beauty of the rain. In a soft matter she insisted him to use it and not to get drenched. The boy meanwhile found a mom with a baby on hand nearby, so he opened the umbrella and gave space for that mom and kid in it. At this time the girl was in the center of the shed and allowed others on the edge to be safe under the umbrella she provided. Meanwhile a bus came and the kid and mom got into it. At this time the girl joined the guy and they started discussing about something. It was very obvious that they were in their own sweet world, no artificiality was around in their conversation/reactions and there was 100% involvement, which displayed the immense understanding they shared. Though that was the case, they also looked around, not because they were worried/keen to see if someone was noticing them, but to ensure none got disturbed because of the water drops that fell from the umbrella that they had.

In the mean time, another group with an infant and few small kids took shelter in the bus shed. Since the bus shed was almost full, they were getting wet standing at the edge. Few guys gave way for them to move to the center of the stand but there was a small leakage over there and it didn't help them much. Noticing this, the boy and the girl welcomed them to join them under the umbrella. Being a big group to get beneath that small umbrella, the kids were around their mom hugging her legs. The boy happily gave way to them and even suggested them better positions so that they didn't get drenched because of the rain drops.

In spite of a break in the intense conversation they were having, they were unaffected. There was more of completeness and satisfaction of being able to help those kids on their face than the normal expressions we would expect. It was like a cute movie telecasted live, such was the pleasant feel watching them. After a while, the rain reduced its intensity, as if giving an interval for the long performance. Capitalizing on this break, I decided to move home. Though the price of the vehicle disappointed me personally, I was happy with the visuals of beautiful life that I could encounter. Whatever be those two good souls’ relations, I wished that their understanding and pleasantness grow further and hold a relation of the highest value. I also wished "rain, rain come again, little me wants to see, how pleasant living is, with diamond hearted people in life".

SATHISH N

Decorating The Infinite Capacity Container

2011-10-17T18:41:00.000+05:30

Recently I was discussing with my friend about the various types of people we encounter in day-to-day life. One common thing that annoys almost everyone is attitude issues and immaturity level of certain folks. Self realization and self esteem are vital for individuals but rating themselves to be superior to the rest is immaturity. An individual with real talent and hunger for knowledge and wisdom will least have time to dwell upon complexes, but will always be keen to fine tune and improve themselves. They will be respectful to almost all the people they come across for they get the opportunity to learn, realize, understand and implement the good qualities in others, and also learn from their mistakes.

Historically, one would see that some big troubles were created because of certain short-sighted and out-of-mind people. Those “empty vessel would have made heavy noise” that paved way to unpleasant sequence of events. There are many forms in which the empty vessels make noise and the most common format nowadays is “EGO”.

Any normal and matured individual will respect and appreciate a true leader. A true leader will be a great inspiration, a wonderful role model, and an ultimate motivator. A true leader will posses qualities like calm and composed nature powered by honesty, truthfulness, righteousness, unbiased approach with high analytical skills and optimal decision making. All these qualities are result of years of experience and on-field learning, company of great personalities, and self analysis. These qualities cannot be taught with a book or some sessions.

But currently what we are encountering is some people who maybe “skilled labors” misunderstands themselves to have grown to the stature of great leaders and start displaying their complexes just because they got some recognition among peers. Unfortunately, such individuals have the backing of similar immature guys and start making noise strong enough to spoil the balance of a progressive system and shake it out. Their EGO will put oil to the fire, only to burn themselves to extinct. By the moment they realize their mistakes, they would have lost precious time and great individuals from their life.

Imagine an “Infinite Capacity Container” that has two sections. Different people who pass aside the container share their possessions to the person owning the container. The person distinguishes between the good and bad and fills the respective sections in the container. Depending on the richness of the good, the content in the bad section will get churned and converted to good and transferred accordingly. Ultimately, the bad section will become empty and only thing that is present in the container will be goodness.

Whereas on the other hand, if the person in charge of the container is one who consider himself/herself to be superior to the rest, fails to distinguish the good and bad. Anyone who sings praise about him/her will be more appealing for them. Naturally, they will fail to segregate the content properly and the bad stuffs may be dumped into the good section. Indirectly this will result in lower churning and the container will be dominated by bad features. Also if the person is an EGOist, then it is like a hole pierced on the lower part of the good section through which all the goodness (only goodness) leaks. As long as the hole of EGO is present, the goodness however accumulated will keep on leaking and ultimately make the container a rotten and stinky one.

The aforementioned phenomenon is what happens with human beings. The container is nothing but our mind that has infinite capacity. If we could be neutral and support the good, our aura will be good and so will be our deeds and such people will be respected and considered with at most importance. But if a person is addicted to his/her EGO and wants to dominate others, they will be flocked by parasites and will stagnate, and the deeds will start to sting. Their aura will be very negative and normal people over time will hate to accompany such folks.

All of us know what is right, only to satisfy our petty greed we fail to dedicatedly travel in its path. My simple request is, let’s not get blinded and chose the wrong route that lead to self destruction. It may look colorful at the early phase but just like how good rivers were transformed to drainage over time, one's life will also become unpleasant, useless and poisonous if we don’t place our vision at the highest level.

My suggestion to others who are disturbed by the deeds of negative people is to ignore them. There is no use wasting your valuable time and energy at a wrong end. A person who honestly is willing to grow as an individual will voluntarily be dedicated to accept the goodness, churn the bad, carry positive vibe and never be an egoist. So share the knowledge only if the person is worth it. An egoist and superiority complex person is one who is blowing out the light around in his his/her life one by one and forcing themselves into darkness. The light that we may carry will be insufficient unless they are willing to use it to lit up the blown out sources and enlighten themselves and their surroundings.

Let only real talent and character be showered with recognition and grow up in stature.

SATHISH N

The Kid...

2011-10-12T19:06:00.000+05:30

There was a small kid who was never taken out of her room,
She always looked at the ceiling and wondered how high it is,
She wondered how beautiful it has been decorated and wanted to have a feel of it,
She used a ladder to go up and realize it for herself,
Filled with unexplainable joy, she jumped with happiness.

As time passed the kid grew, she was taken out to a castle,
She was astonished by the intricate work on the top and was eager to feel it,
She knew the solution by now, it is moving herself up,
She asked for some assistance and with adequate resources she went up and had a close feel of the art,
Again filled with lot of joy, she felt gliding around.

Days went by, and when she was taken out, she found beautiful clouds roaming around,
She was thrilled by God's creations, and again was eager to feel it,
She knew the solution for sure, it is moving herself up to heights,
She started preparing herself and when the right time came,
She flew in a plane to know the clouds more close,
Again filled with inexplicable joy, she looked up to marvel the God,
There she found the sky and beyond saw the universe....

She didn't try beyond but she was content and happy,
For she knew she has grown from a kid in a small room to someone who has felt the clouds and the marvel of the God!!!
She graduated to become composed and cool, for she realized herself and her means to height!!!
She recognized the ladders, the assistant and also the plane for they were the instrumental for her realization!!!
She realized her fellow being, for it was the true humanity!!!
She realized herself, for it was the true bliss!!!

SATHISH N

I LIKE SERIES - 4

2011-10-09T19:46:00.000+05:30

Life is Beautiful

2011-10-06T20:29:00.000+05:30

Recently we had a debate in our office on marriage. No, no it was not on the usual love marriage vs. arranged marriage, but on whether a marriage is needed or not. Though I am not going to brief the debate, one point struck my logics very badly. A point of argument on the necessity to get married was, "what happens when you fall sick or you get old and are depended". "Who will take care of your day-to-day needs?" Is marriage mainly aimed at that? Doesn't it have something more than that? Mostly weddings have become sort of a business agreement where an MOU is signed but in the marriage register office (fittingly the government has made it compulsory for any marriages to be registered).

According to my knowledge, partnership is the most sweetest part of life. More than the pleasures and services, it is identifying yourself in your loved ones. I have come across partners who may chat all the time when on phone but when they meet they will have nothing to speak but will be happy to rest on each others shoulders and involuntarily doze off. It may look odd, but I strongly feel this reflects the most intimate love than anything else. A peaceful mind and soul goes to rest when it sleeps, which a disturbed or tensed person can never be able to do. There is a sequence in yoga known as Shavasana which aims at emptying the thoughts and resting the body, and it will be noticed during that posture invariably the person who succeeds to perform it with extreme conscientiousness sleeps. I would relate the above happening within the couples to the same effect of Shavasana. It is the intensity of peace that one experience from the other resulting in this.

There is a saying that if one gets the right partner, he/she has the entire world to enjoy whereas if one gets the wrong pair, he/she will lose the right to live his/her own life. The primary reason for failure of any relation is impractically high level of expectations and we call it with a new terminology as possessiveness. Another reason for failure is personal needs and greeds. True love will always be happy only in giving, and less be concerned about personal benefits. The main expectation from the partner will be to see him/her happy. I may sound ideal, but you can check with any pair whom you feel respected for their relation, the above statement will fit perfectly.

Brian Weiss, a well know psychologist, in his book Many Lives, Many Masters elaborates on the existence of Soul Group and Soul Mate that occurs for everyone in every birth. I would advice reading the book to get a clearer picture of the concept. On a short note, the Soul Group is the one that becomes the best friends and the Soul Mate is the one who shares the life. So, even scientifically, for n-number of life spans we have been going through the cycle of sharing our life and it would be ideal to start looking at a higher value than relating it to a servant’s job or a business deal.

In a life that is filled with internal responsibilities and external challenges, we are tormented to the core. But these all end up to be trivial and easy to handle if we look at the highest value of true love. Any business will hit rough weathers if the profit margin is not good and may slide too during the worse-case scenarios. So don't practice business with relationships but rather know its true value and hold it at greater heights. Now there may be complaints that I am not peaceful with my partner, so how am I supposed to hold the relation at a higher level? The answer is quite simple, had we accepted the relations to satisfy our personal benefits and needs and they are done and dealt with, the relationship will start tasting sour because of (if we can call it) the materialistic bubble-burst. Rather, if you were really looking for your true soul mate, then you would be by default experiencing the completeness within you and at peace and harmony with the world.

A journey through long path that has streams that supplies tasty water, entertained by singing birds and beautiful flowers, fed by healthy and tasty fruits, enjoyed by pleasant climate, enveloped by cool and calm atmosphere, towered with a clean sky, basked by mild sun/moon will always be healthy and happy; such is the journey of life with the loved ones, just enjoy it and immerse yourself, you will always enjoy good health, and happiness will always enrich your life.

SATHISH N

The Legend Within You

2011-09-27T19:20:00.000+05:30

Being ignored by the loved ones is supposed to be more painful that denying. Deep within the soul, everyone craves to be recognized by either the family or relatives or friends or colleagues or competitors or society or the world as a whole. It all starts from the very tender age when we would have rolled over the mud road crying hard just to convey our parents the message that “I too am here”. As we grow, this attention seeking too grows with us but prevails in different forms and intensities.

Our life is a combination of a cycle of events that needs constant analysis and fine tunings. If we place ourselves at a neutral point and do the analysis, it will yield optimal results. Most often, blinded by the expected output, we tend to start our analysis one-sided or biased. Also presently, the general mindset of the people is that they are always correct and there is no need for self analysis. The moment the concept of I, Me and Myself creeps into individuals, they feel that they are matured and tuned to match at the highest level, which often is not the truth. This reluctance to understand the truth acts as a key barrier for any sort of progress, both inward as well as outward.

Though the greats visualize each and every life as the “History in Action” and individuals as history makers, most of the people see life as an “Action Movie” where they are the heroes. The inability to draw line between fantasy and reality is making things worse both for individuals, their families, dear ones as well as for the society. All the heroes on screen are projected perfect, flawless and champions by default. They are always in the limelight and forever successful. There is no need for preparation or self analysis. With all these features, everyone bothered only about the final outcome and never cared to look beyond into the efforts that their champions sweat in.

A woman says she is suffering both at home and in the society to keep her family in right shape and move ahead. A man says he is stressed out the most for the welfare of the people associated with him. The students group will say they are always at the wrong end of the world surrounded by intense competition and negatively politicized procedures, and success comes only because of their abundant talent. In an organization each may claim that they ultimately are putting extra effort than the rest or are the smartest of the lot but still not being given the justice. All of us may be doing our role to the best of our ability and these may be the extreme statements to express the efforts being put in, but if the approach is implying the mindset that their efforts are superior to the rest, then that makes it immature and biased.

The fast food nature of life nowadays has taken a lot of time out of everybody’s life and we are running short of time even to accomplish the assigned tasks and satisfy our materialistic wishes. Thus we are surrounded mainly by people who belong to the immature class in one form or another. They themselves are not stabilized to find what gives them ultimate happiness and at what point they will be content about what they have. If we are craving for recognition from such immature individuals, then we are misdirecting ourselves because an immature and biased person will never be able to provide the right recognition, and longing for it will become meaningless.

All great leaders suggest that recognizing yourself is more apt than wishing others to recognize you. In order to recognize oneself, he/she should first “realize” themselves. So self realization, neutrally, is of atmost importance. Knowing ones own value, strengths, areas of improvement, nature, weakness will help to improve and adapt to any situation. A wrong marketing may grab immediate attention but it will not hold for long unless the individuals is determined to support it for long with added lies and wrong doings but such acts will come to light one day or another. Rather than undergoing the pain and strain of strengthening the lies in order to prove it correct, it will be much easier to stick to the truth and follow its path.

Recognition of the society is like the applause a student gets for topping the class. If someone else gets the first position in the next exam, the attention shifts. At the end of the year, a new batch fills the lot and the competition will be among a totally different set of individuals. This scenario of changing focal point goes on and on and on. So if the ultimate aim is to be recognized by a third person, it is like an uncertainty that will change depending on the taste and maturity level of individuals. If we go after that we may finally end up being wounded internally with some personality disorders or complexes. One needs to understand that the right recognizer will have an eagerness to see you grow and hence may provide guidance or the least some positive inputs which is aimed at self realization (directly or indirectly) and never de-motivates or try to prove ones own worthiness.

People who try to realize themselves and graduates in that will be successful in producing the best out of them irrespective of the circumstances and will be able to enjoy it to the maximum, unhindered by the success or failure of their efforts. Their wholehearted effort itself will be a means of pleasure and the learnings to fine tuning themselves will be the greatest gifts for them. Over time, the continuous learning and dedicated performance takes an individual to heights where their life and knowledge will be of immense value to the world. They move beyond the limitations of time, more than mere heroes, and become legends.

If we look around beyond the current “Thamashas”, we can find a lot of things to learn from each and every life around us. Each one of us has a legend within us waiting to be released from the cage of ignorance. The birth and death of that true self depends on whether one is seeking internal recognition or the external one. The world maybe biased and people may be misguiding, so don’t get de-motivated by it, since it is a short lived spike, come out of the fantasies and biased outlook and allow the legend in you to take the shape and help you enjoy each and every second of living with happiness and content.

SATHISH N

The Island of King Trinabh

2011-09-19T11:32:00.001+05:30

The sun rose every day just to enjoy the beauty of this small island surrounded three fourth by beautiful scenic hills covered with thick layer of trees, which were hugged and kissed by the clouds that fall to its beauty and marvel. Along with the different species of animals and birds in those forests, the island sheltered a small group of natives whose livelihood was mainly dependant on vegetation. Ruled by, the Simple and Humble, King Trinabh, the island was the love for all those who could realize its value, both within it as well as outsiders.

Along with providing proper climate cycle, the hills rendered the source of water to the island via the rivers that originated from them. Being a small group, the king had clear strategy to his people, whom he saw as members of his own family. The human habitation was over the river banks with properly planned huts and plantations. It was enchanting all around with the entire canvas covered with different shades of green. The flowers and birds were the main dancers and musicians. The running water was so tasty and pure that it gave extra energy and freshness.

Ensuring the greenery of the hills around was the primary hobby of the islanders. This helped the animals to have an undisturbed world of their own. The hills also ensured that the rivers were perennial and never went dry. The people entertained themselves with rhythmic dances and songs. The main sports were wrestling and archery. Being a small group, the entire population was part of both the working group as well as the defense group. Men and women took equal responsibilities in vegetating their island. In the Army, while men formed the power force, women acted as the support staffs. The grown up kids took care of the homes, land and young ones during wartime.

The king believed that nothing is independent and everything was inter-dependent in one way or another. Though the island didn't witness any attack in the recent path, the kind was particular about being always prepared for one. Both the Army and the Agriculture groups were divided into three, the Right Wing, Middle Wing and the Left Wing, each led by an experienced war person who had proved his metal with agriculture too. This helped the king to communicate his ideas on both the battlefield as well as the agri field effectively and efficiently accomplish things in the best possible manner.

There was one wing that communicated directly to the king named the Primary Shield. This group was spread around the border and checks on the intruders. They were constantly trained and had capacity to withstand any sort of attack. This gave enough time for all the wings to group together and come heavily against the enemies.

Enemies who attacked the island were taken back by the sheer power of the islanders. The king's theory of interdependence was the main reason for this. Taking care of the agriculture and the hobby of maintaining forest along the slopes of the hill and entertainment by dancing ensured that everybody is fit and strong. The wrestling and archery helped them to improve their skills. The healthy food and pure water made them disease free and powerful.
Though the king had wide knowledge about the world around and the formats present there on the classes, scales of responsibilities and forms and entertainment, he was not impressed by them. The entertainment formats like Gladiators, drinks, and others had gained momentum but he was strictly against them because he believed that the strength of his people was their unity and power, so classifying them for entertainment will weaken them both mentally and physically as well as bring down the mutual respect. In the current set up, everyone were responsible for everything and there was no entertaining group and viewing group, but there was all participants enjoying and entertaining themselves and others, which ensured all are equally happy and excited.

The island didn't witness any attack for quite some time. Few intruders were there but they were brought on knees by the Primary Shield and imprisoned. There wasn't any search for the missing personnel by their kings, probably they were not cared or were believed to be drowned into the ocean bed.

Using the prisoners for in agriculture was a hot topic of discussion on the king's court. Though the head of the wings, who took care of agri and army, were not happy with the suggestion, the momentum towards it was very strong and it was approved. Few prisoners were released and joined the agriculture group. Being of small headcount, a separate commander was not nominated.

Shaking the balance of the opponent was part of the strategy of attackers. Making the enemies weak, directly or indirectly, was always part of the war plans. Some key enemies had learned the strength of concept of interdependence and wanted to break the link and make the islanders weak. These prisoners found the bill was the right opportunity for the same.

The released prisoners while carrying out their duty as agriculturist started marketing about their so called glorious lands and life style. They were discussing aloud about the separate army group, separate agri group, separate entertainment group, servants and arenas. They also said that the king's logic at the slopes was stupid and he was treating his subjects as animals who are always made to work. The prisoners said that their kings ensured that the authorities’ duty was to keep people happy and entertained, whereas here people are put into so much of hardship without any excitement.

The venom injected had its impact. Few forgot the fact that they were the strength of the country and few believed that since they were the strength of the country, it is dependent on them and should be given extra weightage. The arrested group was smelling success. Their theory was spreading like wild fire. Some immature guys got misguided. Though few had realized the truth, they were not allowed to voice their opinion and fearing agitation few declined to express their viewpoint.

The leader of the different wings came to know about this and in order to make their subjects realize the bigger picture, they summoned for a meeting but that didn't yield good reception. The misguided group claimed that they were treated badly than the prisoners who just need to do the agricultural work whereas they had to perform duty both on the field and during war. The vision of the higher was getting totally blinded. The point that all that were being done was to strengthen the country and people never got sold among them and it was considered as orders. They said that they are smart, talented and capable enough to face any war and win it.

The prisoner group continued to spit poison and the new gen started falling to the imaginative luxury and performing only when there is demand. They said all the time, other than the one that anyone needs work, is for entertainment and there is no need for any preparation. The assumption of being powerful and talented by default grew strong and the preparation phase witnessed lesser involvement. The food output became relatively less. The perennial rivers saw a minor reduction in levels.

Few people who realized the truth continued with their effort and kept on strengthening themselves and their group. They were clear that the things that were assumed now as work were not so but the way of living, which is to be enjoyed and experienced than complained. They continued with the king's plan and didn't lose their focus of the higher and hence could witness the improvement in skills, strength and confidence. All of them felt equally heroes. Since this was happy at the backdrop of agitation, it was not noticed much.

In order to restore things, the king called for a meeting. Everybody assembled and when the discussion was about to commence, a messenger from the Primary Shield came and informed that the island is about to be attacked. Immediate orders were passed for national duty. The troops were readied and moved immediately.

Ahead of the war the king addressed his subjects, "You compared things considering all the kings to be like me and the entire kingdom to be prosperous as ours. We need not depend on others' wealth because we are self sufficient. Others have to because they are not prosperous as we are or all the wealth is being eaten by the royals. Our vision was rich today and tomorrow, both culturally as well as wealth wise. We wanted everyone to enjoy a level playing field. We should remember that we were not working to establish prosperity because our ancestors had already done it and we were only maintaining it. We also should understand that when someone is attacking us investing so much of time and money, it is because they don't possess what we have and want to acquire it by any means."

He continued saying that, "If you feel what the prisoners uttered was true, and their land was better than ours, then why didn't they make even one attempt to flee our island. All that they had said was out of pure frustration of losing their identity and staying away from their dear ones. We don't know how many of us will see tomorrow but let us do what we can do for our motherland that was with us always. When the war is over, our triumph will be declared aloud and we will have more attention, so let's pledge that we will continue with our responsibilities with more vigor and gain strength and be always united and clear with our vision. In the name of our motherland, let's bring the enemies to our feet."

The army reached the border and saw a big group anchoring their ships. Their numbers outnumbered the islanders. Few young guys who were experiencing war for the first time were taken back by the atmosphere itself. The leaders along with the experienced warriors analyzed the enemies. After the analysis, they addressed, "Our skill, power and unity are our strengths. They may look large in count but not in strength. Their nation's pathetic condition is witnessed by the lack of passion and energy among the soldiers. They are a stagnated lot, whose destiny is defeat and steep fall. If we can team up properly, all of us will see tomorrow and be at the lap of our motherland enjoying her warmth and care. They may break the rules of war, so expect the unexpected."

The teams were grouped in different combinations. The war began. Warriors who were not misguided felt that all their efforts were coming handy and were overpowering the attackers with ease. Whereas soldiers who complained and got rusted found they were not as agile and free flowing as they used to be. They felt that they had to give extra effort to match with the strength of their own members. Once they started getting blows from the enemies they realized that they wasted key time and opportunity to enrich themselves to higher levels. They were having a tough time to survive, help themselves and the team. The fight lasted for almost a month. The constant supply of food ensured that all of them were healthy and strong, whereas the enemies were getting exhausted and depleted. The vegetation along with hills made it tough for the enemies to carry out attack from other sides. The islanders won the war with great flamboyance.

All the warriors returned home with very minor injuries and no loss to life, but with a completeness filled with pride. As soon as they reached, they unanimously requested the king not to let lose the prisoners but take them back to the prison as such weeds should not be surfacing the society. The strength and unity of the island along with its richness became well known among all the nations around the globe but none dared to attack them again. The islanders also made sure they never got rusted and took up responsibilities in all constructive things and kept upgrading themselves and all as each and everyone in their group. Though a small group, the island had its flag flying high among the rest of the world.

SATHISH N

Right Person at Right Place - Mindset

2011-09-08T15:52:00.000+05:30

“Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu.” I would like to first start with Onam wishes filled with Peace, Prosperity and the blessings of almighty to each and every creations in this world. My Hearty Onashamsagal to all.

Onam is the celebration on the occasion of the homecoming of the Great King Mahabali (Maveli). It is said that during his regime the world witnessed the presence of Heaven on Earth. There is a famous song on it that’s sung over Onam which starts as “maveli nadu vaneedum kalam…” The translation goes thus:

"When Maveli, our King, ruled the land,
All the people were equal.
And people were joyful and merry;
They were all free from harm.
There was neither anxiety nor sickness,
Deaths of children were unheard of,
There were no lies,
There was neither theft nor deceit,
And no one was false in speech either.
Measures and weights were right;
No one cheated or wronged his neighbor.
When Maveli, our King, ruled the land,
All the people formed one casteless races”

We can argue that the aforementioned is just an imagination rather than reality but is it a sample of the statement made by Albert Einstein on Mahatma Gandhi that "Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth." Whatever is the case, King Mahabali was the first person to ignite the thought of Right Person at Right Place in my mind.

The core of any event on earth trickles down to the individual, their maturity, attitude, and discipline. The CPU of the now robotic life is the mindset, which is directly or indirectly being programmed to float around the materialistic and immaterial pleasures. It doesn’t mean that all are trapped in that “World of Maya” but there is a strong wave moving in that direction that years down the line all of us may be addicted to it where discipline and righteousness will become trademarks of outdated individuals.

Nowadays the wrong things and causes are being the center of attraction that such people are treated as celebrities. Earlier, if a person finds someone to be cunning or dishonest, they will be sidelined and avoided because of losing his/her own identity. Whereas now those deeds are classified as smartness and they are the nucleus of celebration. This attitude is resulting in a gradual shift towards similar mindsets misunderstanding it as the shortcut to happiness and success. The aforementioned is like addiction to drugs that someone who tries to guide the right path is considered villains at the first instance; reason is a premeditated mindset and resistance to accept and follow the right path which needs dedication and systematic approach.

So even though a few argued that the concept of Right Person at Right Place is idealistic and impractical, I felt that if Prevention is Better Than Cure, then this is the best practice to follow. Even striving towards it and getting organized itself should yield good results. The key point one should realize is that only the broadminded and intellect will really understand the value of this concept.

With the current mind getting spoiled by the fantasies, only when the people who stand at the border of ecstasy of shortcuts & sweetness of truth graduates to accept and follow the higher value, we will start seeing the shift in the paradigm. The spoiled may cry foul because they have submerged deep in the imaginative world that coming out of it will need extra effort and forgoing the pleasures will not be that easy. So they may erupt with all sort of counter reactions which will need to be dealt with a neutral analysis and never getting carried away perspective.

The process of weeding off will be successful only if it is removed from the root, else the possibility of recurrence will be high. Unlike surgery, corrective measures involving human mind will need a slow and systematic approach. At the ground level, before initiating the process, what is important is the acceptance and belief that the tool in hand can be a viable solution and an earnest effort to stick to the basics and never get carried away.

We should also understand that any constructive measures will take some time to reap results but destructive things will spread like wild fire and give momentary output. Ignoring a beautiful pond as such and allowing the plants to multiply out of proportion and erasing the pond forever need no effort but maintaining it properly needs some genuine effort, which in turn will come out with widespread goodness to all the direct and indirect dependence of the pond.

Let us not misunderstand knowledge equates to intellect. Anyone who have good retention capacity or can logically grasp the scientific and non-scientific theories can claim to be knowledgeable but being intellect sets a much higher standard than that. An unbiased, neutral, broadminded individual who can perceive things from every angle and then draw the optimal conclusion taking hand of righteousness can be an ideal choice for an intellect.

Since an attitude to shoulder all the stress and strain at the top level and pamper the next gen is spreading at a rapid pace, we are at a situation where however the kid is, the parent should be flexible and tolerant; however the student is, the teacher should be adjusting and soft; however the employee is, the manager should be gentle and acceptive; however the people are, the nation should be progressive. Maybe it is quick fix we found since some empty vessels made too much of noise but what about the long-term when these kids , students, employees, and people need to elevate to become the parents, teachers, managers and represent the world??? In the name of generating retentive atmosphere, are we ending up grooming unmoulded and immature but egoist group to key positions, which may lead to further chain reactions that would shake up the entire stability and balance???

Though the practicality of a becoming a ruler like King Mahabali and establishing a life style of his time may trigger doubt in the minds, realizing a solution but not striving for it will be more grave and inhumane than people who spoiled things by living in a world of immaturity. The primary preparation is to have the right mindset. Let’s prepare ourselves mentally before getting into the act, which is the biggest and strongest investment; the backbone of the long journey ahead. Let the attitude, talent and Aura of Kind Mahabali be filled in each and everyone in this world establishing a prosperous world filled with the truth and righteous around. I wish we start seeing the Right Person in each and every one of us and start decorating the Right
Positions we take with at most precision. Happy Onam!!!

SATHISH N

Right Person at Right Place - Nation

2011-08-29T23:36:00.000+05:30

First of all I would like to start by conveying my appreciation to the supporters against corruption. Our country has once again proved that the peaceful approach is still a powerful medium to fight against injustice. There were few articles against the development relating it with the attempts by other personalities who tried similar ways for valid causes but in vain. There is always an argument that glamor holds a key position in sports for the players to get quick and heavy sponsorship but let’s not look at the current development using the same lens. One should realize that unlike the previous instances, the current one is questioning the dignity of the governing system, which they have to respond or else will be like accepting that it is not clean.

The mass agitation gives enough proof that each and every one is affected because of corruption one way or another. People should have felt this is the right opportunity to question the irresponsible and inhumane, who sucks our blood misusing our delicate situations. So the direct involvement of the otherwise silent citizens of our nation is the evidence of the realization of the doubt if we are becoming slaves to our own bureaucrats who are keen to satisfy their greed and selfishness.

The list of scams like CWG, ADARSH, SPECTRUM and so on currently on the radar has given enough evidence that the corrupt officers are only dedicated to catch hold of the biggest possible pie when it comes to money and are never bothered about our “Motherland or its reputation”, or the dedication of our “Jawans” or the growth of the “nation and its people”. All they are focused is money, money and more money. I wonder how much money will make them feel fulfilled and start doing their duty properly (is it ever possible to satisfy them) or do they have account in any Banks in the “HELL” so that they can transfer these “hard-earned grabbing” while inhaling the last breath of their life.

In any profession, depending on your skill and qualification, you will be placed in different designations. Probably what we are witnessing now is the hierarchy for Thieves. If one is not smart enough, he becomes Petty Thief. Be courageous and daring, then he succeeds being a burglar. If one can manage to hold up key position, he ends up being White-Collared Thief. If one can invest and get into politics, then he becomes Professional Thief. These thieves are wide-spread throughout our nation and it is a very important challenge for all of us to ensure that they are cured at the earliest.

Let us be the right Citizen (Child) to our motherland and understand that there is no shortcut to being righteous. Let each and every one of us perform our duties truthfully and happily accept the outcome for our efforts. Small droplets make big ocean, so let us join hands and form a perfect citizen group which is impregnable by any untrue deeds/actions/individuals. Luxuries are exhaustible and short lived, let’s not be blinded by them and lose the value of the big picture. If we don’t organize ourselves soon, corruption will slave us soon creating more and more imbalance and finally ending up a scenario which is insecure and unstable.

At this point, I wish to say that one thing puzzles me. While the citizens of our nation are pulling their act together to make a corruption fee nation, are we missing active involvement from other politicians and parties at the ground zero level, whom we believed and handed over the responsibility of prospering our nation? Is it that their key income source is being scrutinized that they are getting only some representatives to come out with some “beating around the bush statements”? We select and elect our representatives, so let’s make an honest review and understand. With the option to vote for President’s Rule available, we can also display our disbelief on the dedication of officials. Let’s also make a point that we first will become the RIGHT CITIZEN (CHILD) to our WONDERFUL & BLESSED NATION (MOTHERLAND) and stand together always and establish a righteous and prosperous NATION – OUR INDIA.

SATHISH N

Right Person at the Right Place - Intro

2011-08-23T18:07:00.000+05:30

Literature have shed ample light on the different stages of life as well as different slabs of living in the world. In spite of the differences, we unite to accept that all of us belong to the same species. Beyond that there are always differences in our perspectives that decide our actions and thus the happenings in the universe. Probably, one statement that most will stand united will be “I’m suffering”. Check with anyone, there will be very minimal individuals who say I’m happy. Everyone will have something or other that makes them “feel” incomplete, which acts as the reason for their pain.

One special feature about human beings is the notion that we are always correct, so all the problems are reasoned because of others. Whereas, during success, the statement changes, often it will be I did everything and my smartness and intelligence were the reasons, maybe the people who supported were just robots programmed by the claimer.

The truth always is that irrespective to success or failure, everything comes as a result of the collective effort. So our involvement is default and mostly the major reason for our own happiness/pain. This may lead to an argument that how can one state so for events where others pulled the strings. Such arguments are result of incomplete analysis. Often our analysis limits to the current events and we judge ourselves based on our involvement in those events. Also our justifications to portrait ourselves clean makes the analysis biased. So the result is invalid.

Also every action will have a root which will have a sequence of events before the ultimate. Our involvement at each and every instance will add to determine how much we are the reason for the final outcome. So the percentage of involvement may vary from 1% to 99% but never will be 0% or 100%.

Everyone on Earth are blessed with the common sense to differentiate between what is right and what is wrong (Exceptions: mentally disabled). Also every individual knows what gives happiness to them. Depending on how intense a person holds the hand of right/wrong in the journey towards one’s own goal, the right/wrong action is decided.

Imagine you have a big garden that has a lot of seeds sowed. One may like few types of plants, so will give more attention in its growth. Seeds that were cared at most will have maximum growth relative to others. Depending on the dominance of the type of plants in our garden, one decides the type of garden we own. As the ultimate owner of the garden, we can weed off the wrong plant and replace it with right, transforming the garden judiciously. Creating the right combination of plants will be always advisable as it will have positive effect on us as well as the creations dependent on the garden, not to forget the plants themselves and thus the garden too. Being flexible and adaptable to right practice is the best solution to become a good gardener.

Now relating the garden to our mind and caring of the seeds to nurturing the right/wrong, we will get the bigger picture of our soul. So the options are always open, choosing the right one at the earliest will give righteous outcome consistently. The world is nothing but combination of individuals, so zooming into the life of an individual, it can be learned that most of the negative happenings were due to the absence of the right person to guide and support. So the simple solution at the atomic level to this macro problem is “Right Person at the Right Place”.

We will try to get in detail about the influence of the difference key roles in an individual’s life that validates the blessings of the Right Person or rather the goodness of being the Right Person in our current role.

SATHISH N

Every Drop of Sweat Counts!

2011-08-23T06:35:00.000+05:30

One of the most powerful means to churn money nowadays is “Emotional Utilization”. We often see this vastly used by the entertainment media. The more one succeeds in tuning the effectiveness, the greater the reach, let it be the serials or the reality shows or movies.

There is another strong field that works on the same platform which is very powerful and vast, “the sentiment of poverty”. This is one area that can easily win sympathy and never come on the radar for scrutiny. This advantage has paved way for a successful business in the form of “beggars”. There isn’t a minimum cut off to enter this field or any retirement age. We come across beggars of all forms, right from the newborns with their mom to the grand old who may be immobile or moving around with the aid of wheeled platform.

This weekend I had to wait a little bit long for my bus that gave me opportunity to scan around and witness the different forms of living. There were stalls selling fruits, sweets, et cetera. Some had piled the cucumbers at a place for sale whereas some were carrying them to the passengers waiting and travelling. There was a mom and small daughter entertaining the people with their acrobats and making their living. (Few places we often come across people selling books, papers, lottery and eatables.)

There was another group that was moving around easily and making their effort count, probably at a better profit margin than the rest – Beggars. The investments that they make are minimum but the returns are manifolds.

Let’s do a simple math. Currently the minimum rate is Rs. 1. Assuming the success rate per round is 10, and every round is at a gap of 15 minutes, for a shift of 8 hours, the net output will be Rs. 320. Tallying it for a month, the net income is 9600. Isn’t this greater than the average salary of the youth in our country, who has more commitment and responsibilities.

Take for example the job of a normal Sales Executive. The effort they put in to make themselves successful is born-crushing. They should make themselves appealing and impressive and should be well groomed. Need to go on tiring long travels to try meeting their steep targets. Undergoes mental and emotional pain because of the clients, the superiors and in addition attitude problems and long faces. Their day start at 7 AM and ends only by 7 PM or even late, which is 4 hours-plus more than the calculation we did earlier. If everything goes fine, get incentives and if not, deductions. With all these, they may earn in the range of 7500 or so.

A call center employee needs to make his effort every minute to make his day count. The specified break timing is the only relief and after that the automated dialer will ensure they are on calls throughout. Same is the case with most of the professions. A split second is sufficient to cause major harm to themselves and equipment for professionals in hardware line, mechanical, civil or automobile, hence mental alertness is an added skill on demand to survive. So everything comes at a price.

We also have this group in the society that states themselves to be downtrodden (maybe with attitude and self respect) and lives as parasite on others’ hard work. Few have part time jobs too, Theft. There are different strategies that these groups employ like: lost in an unknown city and want to go back home; hungry and need money to have food (providing food is not entertained), eager to learn but dad is irresponsible and want to pay fees, emergency surgery/medicine and so on. In the above cases, they can be normal and need not picture themselves shabby. If successful in convincing and being sympathised, the yield is better, the minimum will improve from 1 to 10 or even 20. The city is vast and population is huge, so even success rate of 10 per hour will friend them with a monthly income of a staggering Rs. 24000!!!

I am not saying that there aren’t people in need of support and help but the message is let’s be cautious, conscious, smart and choosy. Professional beggars are not quitting it because they or their users are well paid for their effort. If this embarrassment needs to be erased from our society, then let’s not entertain blind service. To do service, let’s find the real helpless, verify and then support. Let’s value our intention, effort and hard work. Let the benefit and noble deed reach the needy and not the greedy.

SATHISH N

Searching For Jobs??

2011-08-23T06:32:00.000+05:30

10 Top sites to search for Jobs:

10. Devnetjobsindia.org

9. Careerbuilder.com
8. Bixee.com
7. Clickjobs.com
6. Shine.com
5. Freshersworld.com
4. Timesjob.com
3. Jobsahead.com
2. Monsterindia.com

1. Naukri.com

I LIKE SERIES - 3

2011-08-15T12:00:00.002+05:30

ROLE MODELS...

2011-08-11T16:42:00.000+05:30

Albert Einstein, Michael Jackson, Sachin Tendulkar, Alfred Hitchcock.... What is the primary impact of all those remarkable personalities? They become role models or benchmarks for individuals to aspire for. People can look up to someone's journey towards success in their "respective fields" and learn from their triumphs and failures. That is the normal case that we usually encounter but there is another dreadful impact which is leading to misery for young minds. Remarkable personalities and them impacting negatively doesn't jell well, right? Yes, but it is not the personalities who are directly influencing things but the parents who are setting these personalities as "targets" for their kids to achieve for. It doesn't matter if the kids are capable/interested or not, the kids are the parent’s angels (puppets) who are supposed to make the parents' dreams come true. Never dare to ask any parent why they didn't try to make their dreams a reality by themselves rather than passing the buck!!!

The real meaning of guidance is misunderstood and is ending up being forced. If a sportsperson shines in his field, the kids should grow to match him. If a scientist comes out with sparkling success, then the kids target is changed. Every parent wants their kid to be a star, so whoever is there on the top, shinning, should be their kids. Of course they should be cashing a lot of money too, financial security is the ultimate goal of any human being, right!!!

Off late the scenario is changing with people who suffered from it determinant not to inject the same venom into their kids but at times they tend to overdo things. Too much of pampering and overly cocooning is leading kids to be in an imaginative world filled with fun, safety and unaware about being responsible towards thyself or the society. Many teachers are getting affected because of this. When we hear about the suicide or suicide attempts by kids for being scolded by teachers, we tend to imagine that the teacher should have been so harsh for the kid to take such extreme steps but that is not always the case. Often the teachers are on the receiving end of the byproduct of illogical pampering, which is costing their career and life.

The primary thing one should understand is, the parents are the first and best role model for any kids. There can't be anything better than their acts and deeds that can mould them towards being a smart and successful individual. The world is not full of happiness or success, it is mix of everything and it is the responsibility of parents to make their kids be aware of it and make them educated about the value of being righteous. Showering money or materialistic stuffs will give happiness but more than that sowing the right attitude and character and grooming them as responsible individuals is more prosperous. Everyone wish to be in the limelight or recognized and kids should be made to realize that it is to be earned and for the right reason which will have chain reaction of right things, which will be long-lasting.

I would like to quote an example of the inspiring worlds of a mom that helped her son to grow to heights. Rajalakshmi was a homemaker and she didn't set targets for her kid to be an engineer or doctor or scientist or sportsman or whatever but she asked him to give the best irrespective to the field he was in. She quoted that even if her son chooses the profession of housekeeper who cleans the toilet, he should "give his best" and should learn and grow to be the best in what he does. It was very obvious that the stress was on giving your best and that probably made it easier for the kid. For him everything he does was an opportunity and the competition was within and not with the lakhs who contest for limited seats or designations. Had it been a specific target set, his choice would have limited and been under stress to catch the bus and never miss it. The kid's first job happened to be a barber (though for very short time), and even at that time the mom stuck to her words and didn't criticize. The kid ended up being a versatile performer in Indian Cinema. He took his mother’s inspiration words throughout his career and excelled in all that he was exposed to, whether he took up role of child artist (where he won the national award in his first movie itself), or being dance master, or script writer, or singer and so on, grooming himself to be well-versed in all those fields. The kid is "Kamal Hassan".

Preaching alone has not yielded results, so parents it is time for practice. Be the hero to your kids, they will become heroes by time.

SATHISH N

Our Culture

2011-08-08T19:55:00.000+05:30

One day I was waiting for the bus to my home. Nearby was a college student holding his books. One of his books had few wordings behind it which caught my attention. It said that the East India Company before invading India had asked to conduct a survey. The person after his study reported that to conquer India, the first thing to break into was the richness of Indian Culture. There was no/minimal theft, suicide rate was negligible, people had challenges but they didn't see those as demons.

Now whether the East India Company was successful in sowing its seed or we lost track of our roots and its value, vast majority of the current generation is highly insecure deep within. The raising crime rates, suicides, psychiatric problems, violence etc are testament of the same.

The century long fight for freedom lasting for three generations resulted in paving way for a new generation that was stranded and unaware/uneducated about the value of its culture. The maturity level and perspectives started to shrink due to the lack of guidance by generations before (whose key focus was independence) and made them directionless. Mislead by our invaders, materialistic achievements and pleasures became the new benchmark of happiness but they didn't realize this was set at the cost of peace of mind, safety of the conscious and socioeconomic prosperity. Gradually, life became less for living and more of business focused on returns and profits.

The path of self discipline, contentment, and self realization may not be as flamboyant as the current scenario but on a macro perspective it is far more prosperous and yields rich dividend, both for the individuals and the society. Now, for the sake of argument, let's not pull in selected failures and differences and delay our enlightenment and re-establishing the richness of our culture. Let's not continue with failed practices but hold hands of our successful and prosperous culture by upgrading it for the current century and setting a glorious path for the generations ahead.

SATHISH N - Still more to come.....:-)

FRIENDSHIP

2011-08-03T23:00:00.001+05:30

Friendship!!! When we flip over the pages of our Autograph Book of our school/college days, we would come across ample lot of definitions on friendship. But on growing up, when Love, Career and Responsibilities take the primary position, friendship slowly takes the backseat, and we often find that the most intimate person is no more part of our life itself.

In anybody's journey towards self realization, the role of friends is vast and deep. Some influence you indirectly whereas some directly. Some supplies you with free advice whereas some will be there with you as your shadow never bothered to be noticed but still always there for you. Some teaches you by leaning on you whereas some put the arm around and take you around comfortably even through the tough days. Some remembers during parties alone, whereas some grows to the stature of being a role model and guidance. Some friendship will be redefined as brotherly or sisterly whereas some are born as brothers/sisters but becomes the best friend available. More of the latter of the above list, the better.

Any successful/peaceful person will have a huge role of his/her friends. If anyone says that they are self-made, it is more of their "ego" of the "I" that is dominating their conscious and intelligence. As mentioned earlier, we fall apart during the journey of life and nowadays Orkuts and Facebooks helps to "keep in touch" but real friendship goes beyond to being celebrated and adored. Let us remember those great souls who made us what we are.

I would like to start remembering a few who stand apart for their uniqueness and molded me to be what I am with all their care, positive vibe and inspiration. In the order they came into my life, to start off: my sis, Sandhya, who is more than just any other ordinary sis. Sunitha, the first person who stood apart for her smartness, character and simplicity. Manu, for his intelligence. Ramya, for her innocence, care and support. Shilpi, for her self belief and self confidence. Premjith, a great motivator. Ambrose, humble and humane. Ramesh Bai, for his wide perspective, fun filled, and setting standards. Subash, spiritual enlightening. Mahesh, silent but anywhere, anytime reliable force. Christopher, Raguvaran, Sajitha and Murugan Anna transformed me into a new life taking all the pain and pressure of the rebirth. I wish everyone gets friends like I got who could transform even ordinary things to beauty with their sheer presence.

Though friendship doesn't fall to any mathematical equation, if one asks me what I had done for them, the answer would be "meager" but they continue to be what they are, boundless and boundaryless, and that's friendship. Each of us will be having such friends, let's have them back in our life and cherish their presence and relation forever.

SATHISH N (Thanks a lot for the contribution and the mention)

Importance of Implied Communications!

2011-08-01T14:07:00.000+05:30

Communication Skill

2011-07-26T20:42:00.000+05:30

I would like to share an interesting incident that happened few days back. I was traveling in a bus on way to my home. It was crowded and I didn't get a seat. I wanted to work on my reading habit and had just purchased "The old man and his god" by Sudha Murthy. Inspired by my friend Shilpi, who always submerges herself into books whenever she is alone, I too thought to utilize the time and have a feel of the book. I enjoyed the book right from the first page and couldn't resist it.

A fellow passenger who was standing behind me was looking over me. Being a Saturday evening, it seems he had already started with his weekend partying, which was obvious from the scent that he had on him and his rhythmic steps. As if keen to know, he asked what I am reading. I said it is a book on various life experiences. For that he stated, I don't know all those things but just wanted to learn what you are reading standing here in the crowd. Then I realized his problem was not me reading but had misunderstood it for showing off.

There was another similar incidence with my friend Sajitha. She was chatting with her senior officials over phone on her to way to home and the communication was through English. One person, who again was in his weekend party mood, passed her listening to the conversation. He had walked away few feet but returned and scolded her for talking in English. Again, communicating in English was misunderstood as showing off.

Communication is key skill to move up the ladder professionally. What is the use of taking everything on the shoulders but not able to express the ideas properly? I often ask my team to work on this skill but mostly they failed to know its value and the bigger picture, which was very annoying as that habit was not going to help them justify their effort. There are three key people in that branch who actively involves in making the team better but only one communicates on the happenings, the other two carries believes in action speak than words.

When I and Sinoj were there for a routine visit, the name of the person who usually communicates often came to mind easily and often, which I felt made the other two feel odd. During the one-on-one meetings we had after that, both of us shared the same point on improving the communication skill. We quoted that since I knew them and their effort, I was available to mention it but that need not be the case always. What if I was not there but someone else who was new to the entire system and never knew about their effort?

I think it is time for us to come out of the misunderstanding and ignorance that communicating in English is showing off and an effort to market oneself. Effective expression of ideas and opinions is key for any individual's growth as well as the growth of the team that they are involved with. Probably we can rate the people who still carry a wrong notion of communicating in English or efforts to improve that skill as one who are having hangover of ignorance and are still in their school days. Worth noting is, it is important to enrich our own literature, so let's balance things by effective time sharing and choosing good authors.

Sathish N

(Thanks again for the contribution - Ingu Porattey :-))

CB's Advice

2011-07-23T15:31:00.001+05:30

India Vs. England Test Series

2011-07-22T12:16:00.000+05:30

Well, to watch the ongoing India Vs. England test series at your office: CLICK HERE

Time to React....

2011-07-18T19:43:00.000+05:30

Our Mother Earth, our Motherland, wow! How exciting to hear those terms. People who live away from their native would have experienced goosebumps just by thinking about it. We may do anything to defend our Mother Earth during a crisis, even if it is at the cost of our own life. The army at the border will be accepting it chorus. But other than that are we really doing anything special for our world. During normal situations we think about prospering our wealth and resources but then what about our motherland's resources? Have we personally felt it is our responsibility to enrich our nature? Yes, there are dedicated groups who are involved, but when a small family needs everyone pulling the strings in the right direction to grow, what about our universal family?

We often feel it’s other’s mistake and I am perfect but let's realize we have responsibilities beyond being perfect or correct. Correction and cleaning is also our duty. We need to hold our hands together for combined strength in making things happen. If we need pure water, we should be bothered about the state of our water bodies. If we need healthy food forever, we should be interested about the condition of agriculture lands and the farmers engaged in it. If we need clean air, we, along with our near and dear ones, should be happily involved in preserving the natural vegetation and controlling pollution.

It is said that Evolution has brought about a lot of changes in human beings wherein the physical features were altered as per its utilization - some sort of nature's optimization process, which is external. But internally, as a soul, we remain the same. Only we forced or trained our mindset to shrink from universal to global to national to local to joint family to nuclear family and now moving towards I, me and myself.

We are happy to see our home neat and clean but forget to understand that the basement for our living place is our surrounding and it is an integral part of us. If it stinks, our home too stinks. When the drainage in our area overflows and is all around the street, we are irritated with the government but is it justifiable? What is the core reason for this? Is this not the result of our own family members or servants being lethargic and dumping garbage into the drainage? In what way should the government be pulled in? Did they advice you to keep surroundings unclean or appoint the servant? Now let's not point finger towards the neighbor, which is even worse. If self discipline is in place, the entire system will be in place, and will help in solving the problem to a great extent.

Look around to the present state of natural resources. If there isn't much to learn and realize from it now, a day will come when the world will tilt towards very pathetic days. Rich and poor, poverty and theft, violence and fear will rule the world. All current necessities will become luxuries. Crime rate will sky rocket but none will complain other than people suffering from it because we too may be part of it.

Today we justify ourselves saying we are too busy not to spend time with our family, to accumulate wealth for their safe future. We want them to be well educated and placed in better positions but it is better to teach them some martial arts and make them experts in it. If the current scenario prevails, safety will be out of question and survival will not be dependent on wealth or knowledge but one's ability to self defend. Let's not allow Charles Darwin’s theory of "Survival of the Fittest" become practical, but act together smartly saving and prospering our mother nature.

Via SATHISH N
(Thanks a lot for this thought-provoking article contribution)

Friggatriskaidekaphobia

2011-05-11T14:15:00.002+05:30

Millions of people, especially in the US, suffer from Friggatriskaidekaphobia. Folds appearing on your forehead? Well nothing but the irrational fear of 13th of a month falling on Friday, or simply put "Friday, the 13th." This superstition costs US hundreds of millions of dollars on that particular one day, as millions avoid their normal routines on this day.

With that in the backdrop, two days from now we have the next Friday, the 13th. This time around, Friggatriskaidekaphobia is supposed to hit India too. The assembly election results in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Assam are due to be declared on Friday. Definitely one set of people are going to be believers of this superstition. Red has always been a sign of danger, but this time around a danger is seen to Red in Kerala and West Bengal, if exit polls are to be believed. BP must have risen for all the contestants and party workers. Well let their heart and brain work at least one day.

Whether Friday, the 13th affects you or not, dear politicians, our work is over. We've all voted. But spare a thought for all of us who have made you victorious - by not gathering on public roads to show your happiness blocking transport. A few of us who have voted for you might even be on our way to hospital, being extremely sick. A few of us might be tying the knot on this particular day. A few of us might be having interviews to shape up our careers, and need to catch our trains and flights on time. You have all rights to celebrate, but do find a spacious ground for that. Please, it's a request. Don't make your voters suffer from Friggatriskaidekaphobia!!.

I LIKE SERIES - 2

2011-05-11T10:32:00.000+05:30

NOSTRADAMUS - BOOK II, VOL 5, PARA 3, LINES 24-28

2011-05-05T20:04:00.003+05:30

>>Brent Crude rises to $121 from $85 levels, thanks to the unrest in the Middle East.

>>Central Govt. mulls a Rs. 5 per liter increase in petrol prices next week.

>>Both inevitable and uncontrollable.

ENTER NOSTRADAMUS:
"One of the Friday/Saturday or Monday in the month of May, in the year 2011 A.D., Kerala govt. will be gifting its people a HARTAL holiday!! The universal remedy to all problems in Kerala. (The only hindrance is election results on May 13th)." This will be followed by indefinite private bus strike (as a part of their long-term efforts to improve passenger service) and a one-day auto and taxi strike.

We need to wait and see if this prediction of Nostradamus holds good:-)

I LIKE SERIES - 1

2011-04-25T17:09:00.002+05:30

The Shaolin Drunken Monk (EY)

2011-04-16T10:34:00.001+05:30

The Taste of India

2011-04-15T21:12:00.002+05:30

Prepoll, on election campaign Rahul Gandhi visits Kerala...requests to vote for Congress saying if CPM wins, we will again get a 93-year-old CM. VS replied calling Rahul an "Amul Baby."

Guess what. Amul was prompt to act on this and has leveraged this incident with their latest ad.

Happy New Year - Happy Vishu To All

2011-04-14T23:12:00.002+05:30

IPL Matches

2011-04-13T20:30:00.002+05:30

For a 5-min delayed feed of the ongoing IPL CLICK HERE

Dilemma Time....

2011-04-10T20:35:00.002+05:30

Well it's election time, and dilemma time for poor voters like us. People who disappeared five years ago has started creeping out just like earthworms after a rain. And worms they are, no doubt. But that's a different issue. The real dilemma is to choose the real good ones from hundreds of "very-highly educated" (pun-intended) and capable (pun-intended) worms. Here is a list of some.

Mr. V.P. Thirudanathan of ADF.

Mr. Thaskara Veera Kumaran of BDF.

Mr. Thief Dear Jackpot Rajan of ADF.

Ms. Kallathi P. Nair, who was in ADF until yesterday and today talking bad about them and supporting BDF (who knows with this character where she is in the next five years??)

Mr. Kallan Pavithran of BDF..

Mr. Stealer Pathrose of BDF.

Mr. W.M. L.G (Wind Mill Land Grabber) Menon of SPC, which was supporting ADF, but this time supporting BDF.

Mr. Honest K. Lal of ADF.

Mr. N.V. Woman Iser of KKPT, which supports ADF.

Mr. G.J.M. (govt. job for money) Govindan of ADF.

So now you can see how tough our job is as voters to find that lone "Honest Lal of ADF" out of a can of worms. That's our headache. But let that not deter us from voting. Please do vote on the 13th and help us eradicate or flush out the worms.

Bye-Bye WC......Welcome IPL....

2011-04-06T19:09:00.004+05:30

Apr 8: 8.00 pm — Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai.

Apr 9: 4.00 pm — Deccan Chargers vs Rajasthan Royals in Hyderabad.
           8.00 pm — Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in Kochi.

Apr 10: 4.00 pm — Delhi Daredevils vs Mumbai Indians in Delhi.
             8.00 pm — Pune Warriors vs Kings XI Punjab in Navi Mumbai.

Apr 11: 8.00 pm — Kolkata Knight Riders vs Deccan Chargers in Kolkata.

Apr 12: 4.00 pm — Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Daredevils in Jaipur.
             8.00 pm — Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians in Bangalore.

Apr 13: 4.00 pm — Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings in Mohali.
             8.00 pm — Pune Warriors vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala in Navi Mumbai.

Apr 14: 8.00 pm — Deccan Chargers vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in Hyderabad.

Apr 15: 4.00 pm — Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Jaipur.
             8.00 pm — Mumbai Indians vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala in Mumbai.

Apr 16: 4.00 pm — Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai.
             8.00 pm — Deccan Chargers vs Kings XI Punjab in Hyderabad.

Apr 17: 4.00 pm — Pune Warriors vs Delhi Daredevils in Navi Mumbai.
             8.00 pm — Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals in Kolkata.

Apr 18: 8.00 pm — Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Chennai Super Kings in Kochi.

Apr 19: 4.00 pm — Delhi Daredevils vs Deccan Chargers in Delhi.
             8.00 pm — Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals in Bangalore.

Apr 20: 4.00 pm — Mumbai Indians vs Pune Warriors in Mumbai.
             8.00 pm — Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala in Kolkata.

Apr 21: 8.00 pm — Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals in Mohali.

Apr 22: 4.00 pm — Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in Kolkata.
             8.00 pm — Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings in Mumbai.

Apr 23: 8.00 pm — Delhi Daredevils vs Kings XI Punjab in Delhi.

Apr 24: 4.00 pm — Deccan Chargers vs Mumbai Indians in Hyderabad.
             8.00 pm — Rajasthan Royals vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala in Jaipur.

Apr 25: 8.00 pm — Chennai Super Kings vs Pune Warriors in Chennai.

Apr 26: 8.00 pm — Delhi Daredevils vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in Delhi.

Apr 27: 4.00 pm — Pune Warriors vs Chennai Super Kings in Navi Mumbai.
             8.00 pm — Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Deccan Chargers in Kochi.

Apr 28: 8.00 pm — Delhi Daredevils vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Delhi.

Apr 29: 4.00 pm — Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians in Jaipur.
             8.00 pm — Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Pune Warriors in Bangalore.

Apr 30: 4.00 pm — Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Delhi Daredevils in Kochi.
             8.00 pm — Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab in Kolkata.

May 1: 4.00 pm — Rajasthan Royals vs Pune Warriors in Jaipur.
            8.00 pm — Chennai Super Kings vs Deccan Chargers in Chennai.

May 2: 4.00 pm — Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab in Mumbai.
            8.00 pm — Delhi Daredevils vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala in Delhi.

May 3: 8.00 pm — Deccan Chargers vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Hyderabad.

May 4: 4.00 pm — Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals in Chennai.
            8.00 pm — Pune Warriors vs Mumbai Indians in Navi Mumbai.

May 5: 4.00 pm — Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Kochi.
            8.00 pm — Deccan Chargers vs Delhi Daredevils in Hyderabad.

May 6: 8.00 pm — Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kings XI Punjab in Bangalore.

May 7: 4.00 pm — Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings in Kolkata.
            8.00 pm — Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Daredevils in Mumbai.

May 8: 4.00 pm — Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala in Bangalore.
            8.00 pm — Kings XI Punjab vs Pune Warriors in Mohali.

May 9: 8.00 pm — Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings in Jaipur.

May 10: 4.00 pm — Deccan Chargers vs Pune Warriors in Hyderabad.
              8.00 pm — Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians in Mohali.

May 11: 8.00 pm — Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in Jaipur.

May 12: 8.00 pm — Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Daredevils in Chennai.

May 13: 8.00 pm — Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Kings XI Punjab in Indore.

May 14: 4.00 pm — Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Bangalore.
              8.00 pm — Mumbai Indians vs Deccan Chargers in Mumbai.

May 15: 4.00 pm — Kings XI Punjab vs Delhi Daredevils in Dharamsala.
              8.00 pm — Kochi Tuskers Kerala vs Rajasthan Royals in Indore.

May 16: 8.00 pm — Pune Warriors vs Deccan Chargers in Navi Mumbai.

May 17: 8.00 pm — Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in Dharamsala.

May 18: 8.00 pm — Chennai Super Kings vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala in Chennai.

May 19: 8.00 pm — Pune Warriors vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Navi Mumbai.

May 20: 8.00 pm — Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai.

May 21: 4.00 pm — Kings XI Punjab vs Deccan Chargers in Dharamsala.
              8.00 pm — Delhi Daredevils vs Pune Warriors in Delhi.

May 22: 4.00 pm — Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings in Bangalore.
              8.00 pm — Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians in Kolkata.

May 24: 8.00 pm — Qualifier 1: First Placed Team vs Second Placed Team in Mumbai.

May 25: 8.00 pm — Eliminator: Third Placed Team vs Fourth Placed Team in Mumbai.

May 27: 8.00 pm — Qualifier 2: Winner of Eliminator vs Loser of Qualifier 1 in Chennai.

May 28: 8:00 pm — Final: Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2 in Chennai.

OURS.......

2011-04-03T00:08:00.002+05:30

OSCAR HEROES!!

2011-02-28T12:05:00.000+05:30

WORLD CUP SCHEDULE AND RESULTS - A BETTER ONE

2011-02-28T11:53:00.001+05:30

CLICK CLICK - Courtesy Suresh

ICC WORLD CUP 2011 - SCHEDULE

2011-02-20T13:39:00.004+05:30

ICC WORLD CUP 2011 - SCHEDULE - CONTD

2011-02-20T13:09:00.003+05:30

Time Pass -1

2011-01-15T20:13:00.001+05:30

Feeling bored? Interested in listening to Hindi songs - old or new? Then search for your favorite songs and play it. You can search artist-wise, album-wise or song-wise, even further categorised year-wise. Well it's Google's music search where currently only Hindi songs can be searched. It gives out results from three sites viz. saregama, in.com and saavn. So practically almost what I gave as search was available. Try it out for yourself...Click below.

GOOGLE MUSIC

Fancy it!

2011-01-11T12:11:00.000+05:30

Was just looking at today's date 11.1.11. Hmmm...every year we get one such day like 09.09.09, 10.10.10; but this year we have four such dates. The very first day of this year which is over 1.1.11; today 11.1.11, then we have 1.11.11 and 11.11.11 coming up in the month of November. So any takers for these fancy numbers??

Wait Till Valentine's Day?

2011-01-11T09:15:00.001+05:30

Yeah, this was exactly what I meant two posts back....

Work From Home - 3

2011-01-10T19:34:00.001+05:30

Papermasters is an US-based company which offers research papers, case studies, literature reviews, et cetera for undergraduates, graduates and Master's level students. If you have a Master's Degree in your chosen field, is good at writing, then maybe you can give it a shot. Lots of freelance opportunities are available, but I personally don't have much details or haven't gone in too deep. May be you could do a little bit of research and if suited can proceed ahead. So here is the link:

PAPERMASTERS

The Most Valuable Gift Items

2011-01-08T20:01:00.002+05:30

Thinking of what to gift to your loved ones? Well nothing better than these:

ONIONS PER KG:
NOV. 2010: Rs. 10-15
NOW: Rs. 65-85

GARLIC PER KG:
NOV. 2010: Rs. 40-45
NOW: Rs. 250-300

Good Job Mr. Sharad!

Work From Home - 2

2011-01-06T14:09:00.002+05:30

There is one more site to look for if you are inclined to writing in English. But this one am not that sure of, as I have heard that they pay you only if the content is really good. Anyway no harm in giving it a try. It is:

http://www.essaywriters.net/

Mirror Dressed Up...

2011-01-06T13:56:00.000+05:30

Just added some widgets on the side bar. First a few Internet Radio stations have been added under Hindi, Malayalam, and Tamil categories - just have to select the station from the drop boxes - of course some stations don't work :-). Then there is an Astrology section that gives daily, weekly and monthly forecast for all star signs. Then a section from where most of the news sites can be accessed. Then you have shoutmix to shout at me :-) other than comments. You also have a live cricket score widget. Thinking anything else can be added...

Work From Home - Part 1

2011-01-02T13:32:00.001+05:30

It is true that the world has shrunk with the advent of Internet. And with it came more and more avenues of working from home - be it tutoring students abroad, transcription, subtitling - opportunities are ample. We spend a lot of money to get trained in any profession of our choice and then there is no gaurantee that we will end up high in that field. Instead, if we just focus on English and have developed a knack for written English, there are opportunities galore.

So let me introduce one such site for you. It's Writers Mania. If you are good, I mean very good at English, then this is one where people can earn anywhere from Rs. 20,000 to 60,000 per month. If interested you need to send them your resume. Step 2 involves a written test and Step 3, a telephonic interview.

For more details, you can log on to:

http://www.writersmania.org/

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2011

2010-12-31T23:04:00.002+05:30

England Take Lead of 1-0 in Ashes

2010-12-07T19:01:00.000+05:30

QUESTION: What will be losing a test match in Ashes like?

ANSWER:

20 Things About Web!

2010-11-20T08:54:00.000+05:30

Here is a well-narated ebook titled "20 Things I Learned about Browsers and the Web" which the Google Chrome team came out today, illustrated wonderfully by Christoph Nieman. Covers jargons such as Web apps, HTML, Java, CSS, cookies, malwares, cloud computing etc. etc. Won't be much useful for experts but certainly a good read for novices like me. Appreciate it Google!.

CLICK ME

ACT NOW

2010-11-20T07:56:00.001+05:30

A few sentences spoken by Sonia Gandhi yesterday caught my eye. Without looking into it from any political angle, I felt these sentences sort of picture today's India. Well realization is of course the first step towards correction, but should be followed by action. Not from one person, we as Indians, from each one of us. Let's not think what good will it do if I am good when the whole world is bad. A beginning has to be made, but from where and when is the question. "Who" is already answered....Us and only us. Here are the excerpts...

“India’s contrasts” marked by the emergence of “more millionaires...alongside millions who struggle for two square meals a day.”

“We are right to celebrate our high rate of economic growth. We must do all that we can to sustain it. However, let us not forget that growth is not an end in itself. Much more important to my mind is what kind of society we aspire to be, and the values on which it should be built. Our economy may increasingly be dynamic, but our moral universe seems to be shrinking. Prosperity has increased but so has social conflict. Intolerance of various kinds is growing. Graft and greed are on the rise. The principles on which independent India was founded, for which a generation of great leaders fought and sacrificed their all, are in danger of being negated.”

News Muse

2010-10-22T20:28:00.002+05:30

Now this is ridiculous........

READ HERE

Malayali Manga Mallika (MMM)

2010-10-22T14:39:00.000+05:30

News Muse

2010-10-21T18:31:00.000+05:30

Today it's another India growth story... This time on the DTH front...
CLICK HERE

News Muse

2010-10-20T21:22:00.000+05:30

Thought of sharing links of news which are certainly not the headlines and which we might miss. Here is one about a tunnel in Mumbai post office....via BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11586210

A Few From MTV

2010-10-12T19:47:00.000+05:30

These are from MTV Ticker...

Which bollywood actress doesn't have any friends?
Koi-na-Mitra!

What did Dharmendra say proposing Hema Malini?
Ring-de-Basanti!!

What is one-fourth of Harbajhan Singh called?
Pav Bhajji!!

Few Onliners

2010-10-11T20:04:00.001+05:30

No one has ever complained of a parachute not opening..

My father is so old that when he was in school, history was called current affairs.

No one is listening until you make a mistake.

The severity of the itch is proportional to the reach.

To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research. And this compilation is a research :-)

There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.

Politicians and diapers have one thing in common. They should both be changed regularly, and for the same reason.

Tik Tok Tick Tok Tic Toc

2010-10-03T10:31:00.002+05:30

Hmm...well here is Kesha singing Tik Tok.....the one which SONY is using for its walkman ad... But don't ask me how do we wake up in the morning feeling like P Diddy....though I do wake up Giddy at time..

Lyrics

Kesha lyrics - Tik Tok lyrics

We Are Sorry...

2010-10-02T07:58:00.000+05:30

Bapu, you are remembered today by our nation for the struggle you have undergone to give us the freedom which we are utilizing bribing and getting bribes, being involved in scams, killing our fellow countrymen, extorting, enough...the list goes on. Yes, we are proud that we are following you - albeit your pic that we have beautifully printed on what we call CURRENCY. And we are equally proud that we are following your ideologies at least 10% which we hope to bring down to 0% by 2020. Anyways, we are also sorry that you are only rememberd this one day and that's the only day your statues get a bath and then you need to wait for a year to get yourself cleaned from the dust and crow droppings. Sitting there you might feel if you had wasted your life in giving us this freedom. But BAPU, please don't curse us...We are unrepairable. Forgive Us.

Here is the Trunk

2010-09-19T21:26:00.000+05:30

When the branch is that, can the trunk be different. Our CM here...

Proud To Be a Keralite

2010-09-15T17:00:00.000+05:30

Here our is minister health department of Kerala English little talking funnily....

SONY DSC-H55

2010-08-23T11:08:00.001+05:30

>>14.1 MP
>>10x optical zoom.
>>Approx. 20x digital zoom.
>>Sweep Panorama.
>>3.0 inch Clear Photo LCD
>>720p HD movie recording.
>>Approx. 170g weight.

Quote For the Day:

2010-08-18T19:01:00.002+05:30

"Oney nam, no ball ekak dana puluwan"

- St. Dilshan.

Suzuki GS 150R

2010-08-17T13:14:00.002+05:30

Take A Note Please...

2010-08-16T20:51:00.002+05:30

Finally a solution for the partially torn and soiled bank notes. RBI is planning to come out with polymer notes of Rs. 10 denomination by the end of 2010. Polymer notes are plastic notes which doesn't get mutilated or soiled. These notes would have an average life span of five years compared to one year for the paper-based currency notes (although most of the paper-based notes that are circulating now are more than five years old!!!). Based on the results of this, it will further be extended to other denominations.

Already countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, New Zealand are using polymer notes. In fact, Australia was the first country to issue polymer notes.

In a country which tops the tourism charts, it's a shame where tourists develop a phobia to touch our currency to avoid infections! The condition of paper-based currency notes are so pathetic that it is quite welcome that RBI woke up from the deep slumber to act on this issue. Indeed quite a welcome move....

MobNews...

2010-08-15T19:06:00.000+05:30

One of India's antivirus solution providers, Quick Heal, has launched what is claimed to be the world's first mobile phone virus scan - PC2Mobile Scan.

The mobile can be scanned once connected to the PC or laptop using an USB cable or via Bluetooth connections if both the PC and mobile are Bluetooth-enabled. It works on phones with Symbian OS, Windows Moblie OS and other Linux based mobile OS.

Currently it costs Rs 2,000 for one year. Customers will get a 30% discount for renewal of license after one year. Now that's not a big amount considering the fact that already 20-30 different variants of mobile viruses circulate in India and with the advent of 3G services and increasing number of smartphones, this threat is only going to increase.

Chor! Chor!

2010-08-14T13:02:00.002+05:30

It's everybody's knowledge that Bollywood gets a lot INSPIRED by Hollywood in terms of the story line and also music. Music directors like Bappi Lahiri, Anu Malik and nowadays Pritam gets too much INSPIRED by Western hip-hop and rock numbers. But it was new to me that they get INSPIRED to Hollywood posters too. Just have a look at the poster of Anjaana Anjaani slated to be released in September. And then maybe you can change all the occurances of the word "INSPIRED" in this para to a much more apt term.

HANG THEM!!

2010-08-13T10:38:00.000+05:30

For all those who watched the previous video, here is an addendum to it......Please CLICK HERE and read this.

What Do I Need More?

2010-08-10T08:31:00.001+05:30

Was thinking what do I need more? Make my home AC, buy a car, get a Nokia N900, a DSLR camera, a target-less bank balance, gold, a few acres of land.....list goes on....but will all that content me? Don't think so... A new list will take shape....hmmm idiotic ME.....

Visa, MasterCard, and...........IndiaPay

2010-08-08T10:55:00.001+05:30

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), with the support of Reserve Bank of India is actively engaged in the development of IndiaPay, a payment processing platform, which is expected to be up within the next 18-24 months. This is going to give Visa and MasterCard an unusual competition from India. Once launched, IndiaPay is going to affect the dominance of Visa and Mastercard, at the same time, bringing down transaction charges for the banks. Every time a cardholder uses credit or debit card, banks have to pay fees to Visa and MasterCard for facilitating the processing of such transactions. With the increasing use of plastic money, banks will be more than happy to give a thumbs-up to this platform, which will obviously be quoting a much lower transaction charge. The NPCI is promoted by major Indian banks including ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, Punjab National Bank, as well as global banks like Citibank and HSBC. Indeed another INDIAN development story.

EPIC 1.1

2010-08-07T09:44:00.001+05:30

Hidden Reflex, a Bangalore-based company had launched the first India-centric browser, EPIC, about a month ago, which is based on the Mozilla platform. Recently they have come up with the next version of it, Epic 1.1. Now, I am no geek to review something like this. But yes I can talk about it from a layman's point of view. I have been using this browser right from the day of launch and now using the version 1.1.

First of all, what's new in this? The major ones are the side bar and the built-in antivirus. Frankly after using other browsers, it took some time to be comfortable with this, you know to get that "used to" kind of feeling. But once I got used to it, was very comfortable with this. One mental hindrance with the side bar was the feeling that it took space from the viewable portion of a page, a feeling that you get by watching a 12 inch Tv after watch 32 inch regularly. But if you really see, the side bar doesn't take much space after all.

Now what does this side bar contain. It contains buttons - a one-click access to a host of applications like news, gmail, yahoo, orkut, facebook, twitter, cricinfo etc. and it is customizable. You can choose from your interest. Also there is a collection of more than 1500 India-centric wallpapers to choose from to give your browser the look you want. Of course, you can access your folders in your computer from the "My computer" button on the side bar. The browser supports 12 Indian languages. The "to do" and "timer" options on the side bar also attracted me. Next, you have a full-fledged word processing software, where you can write in English and get the text transliterated to a language of your choice. When you research online and when you find something useful, you just have to highlight the text and drag and drop it into the Epic write tab.

The anti-virus has options to scan your whole system for viruses and malware as well as automated scanning of downloaded files and provides anti-phishing protection too. It warns users when they’re about to visit a potentially dangerous website.

Then you also have a one-click private data deletion button which also deletes Flash cookies. And if you don't want to save any browsing information, you have the private browsing mode button for that. There is a zoom button on the right-hand bottom part whereby you can zoom a page that you are viewing.

And I think the rest, one can download and explore further. For I would say it's worth a thing to try out. One of thing I had felt was the time it takes to load, but even that has been rectified to an extent in version 1.1. So, go ahead and give this INDIAN product a try. JAI HIND....

LAUNCHED!

2010-07-31T15:23:00.001+05:30

Well for all those who were waiting their dream car to be launched (minus me) to buy one, Mercedes Benz launched the Gull Wing, Super fast, Sports Coupe, the majestic SLS AMG in India.

>>>Horse power = 571 on 6.3 L V8 engine.
>>>Top speed is 317 kmph.
>>>Started production couple of weeks ago in Germany.
>>>Will be delivered with waiting period of 6-8 months.

PRICE: Rs. 2.0 - 2.5 crore ONLY.

Flying Colors

2010-07-31T11:54:00.000+05:30

In continuation to my post dated June 20, 2010....

Watch out for the battle between Dev and Beera......

Mani Rathnam's RAAVAN premiers on Colors this Sunday...August 1, 2010 at 8 p.m.

Of course, this movie has a distinction of getting both the extreme reviews. One group who has said so good about it, and another who has said no good about it. Whichever side u take.....

If ads don't irritate you..... here is something to hang on with...

How I Wonder What You Are!

2010-07-25T13:58:00.003+05:30

Frankly speaking I had never heard about Prahlad Jani Mataji (male he is!) until two days ago when a program was aired about him in Vijay TV. That instilled a curiousness in me and it led to a little bit of research about him.

He claims to have lived without food and water for the past 82 years or so. Inedia or Breatharianism has references dated years back, but his claims are yet to be fully studied.

Two extensive testings were conducted on him by the doctors and researchers of Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Science (DIPAS), a branch of India's Defence Research and Development Organisation within the Indian Ministry of Defence. In 2003 and then this year, 2010, a team of 35 doctors kept him under 24-hour surveillance for fifteen days. The team reported that he did not consume any food or water during this time. Only thing he did was gargling and bathing and doctors had measured the fluid that was spit out. But they did not comment on his claim of being able to survive this way for several years. The study concluded that he was healthy without food or water, and had passed no urine or stool and no dialysis during this period.

Anyway until all results are published in a scientific journal, we will have to wait for the genuiness of these claims.

An excerpt:

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner

2010-07-20T16:28:00.001+05:30

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner made its first international flight on Sunday and landed in the UK to participate in the Farnborough International Airshow.

When its competitor Airbus went ahead with its large model the 880+ seater, Airbus A380, (called superjumbo now), Boeing stuck to its plan with a medium sized one, of around 330 seats. But Boeing has not been able to keep up its dates with the delivery of the first Dreamliner. It was due two years back, but it seems that the first delivery to Japan's All Nippon will be delayed further to maybe 2011.

But that does not seem to affect Boeing in any way. They are quite confident that once launched, they can give Airbus a run for their money. It seems despite the delays, the Dreamliner already has more orders than the rival Airbus A380 as of date. The advantages vs. A380 according to Boeing is that one, cost advantage. The A380 costs $326m vs. $180m for dreamliner. Two, many airports need to be extended to accommodate the A380, which is not the case with the Dreamliner. Anyway who will emerge victorious, only time can tell.....

Rupee Font - Free Download

2010-07-18T21:36:00.001+05:30

The good news is that Foradian Technologies, an Indian company has come up with the rupee font, and it is now available for download for free.

1. CLICK HERE and download the Rupee Font Version 2.0

2. Copy the font, go to START--SETTINGS--CONTROL PANEL -- FONTS, and paste it there.

3. Open MS Word, go to INSERT -- SYMBOL and select RUPEE FORADIAN from the drop-down menu, select symbol, insert.

4. In case you don't find the symbol, the first time, open MS WORD, go to FORMAT -- FONT, Select Rupee Foradan from the Font drop down menu, click ok and then click ~ key [the key above the tab key].

The only limitation now is that it works only on computers where this font is installed till unicode accepts this.

Kudos to Foradian for coming out with this so fast!!

Rupee - New Symbol!

2010-07-17T13:15:00.001+05:30

We now have a symbol for the Rupee. So far what was represented as Rs. and INR has now a symbol, thanks to an IIT postgraduate, D Udaya Kumar, whose design was selected from the five shortlisted. The design has part of letter R, or can be seen as the Hindi letter Ra (Devnagari) and an "equal to" sign which represents a part of the national flag or symbolizes that Rupee is no less inferior to any other currency.

In Malayalam, there is a saying "Ammayey thalliyalum randunde abhiprayam." Didn't get the equivalent in English, but it simply means that even if you slap ur mom, there will be two different opinions.

Opinions like what good will it do? Will it remove poverty? Will it do this, will it do that? Well our Rs. 500 in the bank account will surely not devalue. So, if there is no harm, why the hue and cry? Some said the symbol looks like a twin blade shaving razor. Well it's the perception. Then I can see the Japanese Yen as an old catapult which has lost its elastic!!

So, let's leave it there yaar. This negativity is unwarranted. Let us take pride in the fact that our currency has a symbol now. I am sure that it's going to give the Dollar, Pound and Euro a run for their money in another 20 years along with Ruble and Renminbi. So, ending with this wish to see the 3Rs ruling the world!! Jai Hind.

Soapy

2010-07-14T21:34:00.002+05:30

I am sure it has happened with all of us that we see a lot of information here and there but when we need it we might have to do a search all over again. Thought of just sharing certain things that might be useful for us in the future. By the way, I am no expert in any of these things. A little bit of research and an article on it. To start off, let me start with bathing soap.

What all we need to look at before buying a soap? Most of us just look at the fragrance and cost and take a decision.

The BIG thing to look at is the TFM percentage mentioned on the wrap.

TFM - Stands for total fatty matter. It's an indication of the percentage of fatty (oily) matter available in a soap. It is this oil that can make the skin supple. The higher the percentage, obviously better the soap is. Roughly this should be above 75% to be considered good. Worldwide, that is still grade-2. To qualify for grade-1 it needs to be above 80%, not seen in many soaps here in India. But below 75%, better not to go for it because it will cause a dry feeling after bath and is not good for the skin.

10% of a soap is water/moisture; so also look at date of manufacture before buying. As it can lose moisture and hence weight too making it a hard stone.

Of course, do not just look at cost alone. Look at the weight too. Many companies have big box cover and when you go home and open, the soap might lie in one corner of the box. Let's not get cheated by attractive and big covers.

So do check in the following order:

1. TFM
2. Date of Manufacture
3. Fragrance
4. Weight
5. Cost.

Happy soap buying!! :-) :-)

SO SPAIN IS THE FIFA WORLD CHAMPIONS

2010-07-12T21:06:00.002+05:30

CONGRATS..........................

Paul too will be remembered......

The next wait begins...2014... Brazil

HP and the Deathly Hallows - Part II

2010-07-12T19:51:00.003+05:30

The second part of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" is slated for release on July 15, 2010. The first part was released in Nov. 2009. So, Harry Potter fans eagerly waiting for the last movie in the series!

A Short Break

2010-07-08T21:31:00.001+05:30

Time for a short break -- I will be back tomorrow!!

FIFA WORLD CUP - SEMI FINAL-2

2010-07-08T20:46:00.002+05:30

So, it's Spain Vs. Netherlands final. And the winner? Well we have to wait two more days. Right now only God and Octopus knows the answer :-)

FIFA WORLD CUP - SEMIFINAL-1

2010-07-07T18:57:00.001+05:30

So, this time the FIFA World Champion is definitely from Europe. The last of the Latin-American team Uruguay was defeated 3-2 by The Netherlands in the semifinals yesterday.

Let's wait for the second semi final today - Germany Vs. Spain to decide the other finalist!!

Dhoni - (Married)

2010-07-06T16:52:00.000+05:30

Was wondering why nothing else came out other than strictly the marriage news. Finally got it. We ought to have it. Just have to search. The search ends......Read on....

http://www.bollywoodmantra.com/news/dhoni-s-affair-with-deepika-leads-to-secret-wedding/6034/

Quote for the Day

2010-07-05T19:32:00.000+05:30

Today, I was just thinking of a few quotes that I sometime use in my conversations, and never really think about who actually said those. Of course, when we use a TV, we don't think about John Baird all the time; neither of Galileo when we use a thermometer. That made me think about starting something like Quote for the Day, just to make a mention of the people who said those and remember them. To start with I chose for today a famous one:

A Thing Of Beauty Is A Joy Forever - JOHN KEATS

This is the beginning line of his poem Endymion published in 1818, and it received a lot of criticism after its publication. But it mentions things of beauty like trees, rivers, shepherds, sheep. The poet finds solace in nature, yet the pain and sting of ill health is still written repeatedly among nature’s beauty throughout this poem, thought something to do with the tuberculosis that he was suffering from, at the age of 20. John Keats just lived 25 years, but gave the world a collection of good poems, and was considered a romantic poet.

Hozzat?

2010-07-04T20:18:00.004+05:30

Not all get the opportunity to tie knot to their sweethearts! Lucky are those and doubly lucky are those who get their dreamgirl as their birthday gift. Well, if the news is not a rumour, Indian cricket team Captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is getting married to his childhood friend Sakshi on 4th of July and reception for the same scheduled for 7th of July, his birth date. Best Wishes Dhoni!

FIFA WORLD CUP - SEMIS

2010-07-04T20:03:00.000+05:30

This might be a rare world cup where you don't have any of France, Italy, Brazil, Argentina in the semis. Brazil and Argentina has a good fan following in India and most might have awaited a final between them. But it was Brazil's turn to disappoint the fans first, after being beaten by The Netherlands 2-1. Next day, it was the turn of Argentina to bow out, this time beaten by Germans 4-0. Superstars like Messi too seemed a cat in front of the Germans. In the other matches, Spain was victorious against Paraguay, defeating them 1-0. And Uruguay defeated Ghana in a penalty shootout 4-2. Thus, no African team even this time in the semis.

Well, now we are just three matches away from getting the FIFA World Champions - 2010. Semifinals are scheduled on 7th and 8th of July:

7-7-10 Uruguay Vs. Netherlands
8-7-10 Germany Vs. Spain

FIFA World Cup - Quarter Finals

2010-07-01T21:31:00.000+05:30

So now we have got the Top 8. Quarter final matches schedule for 2nd and 3rd of July:

Date Matches
02/07 Netherlands Vs. Brazil
02/07 Uruguay Vs. Ghana
03/07 Argentina Vs. Germany
03/07 Paraguay Vs. Spain

Keep Going Saina

2010-06-30T19:18:00.001+05:30

Hearty Congratulations to Saina Nehwal for clinching the Singapore open and Indonesian Open Badminton tournaments within a span of two weeks, improving her ranking to World No. 3 in the process. Her humble nature is definitely going to take her further, provided the media doesn't spoil her as was the case with Sania Mirza. Let Ads and Media maintain a distance from her and allow her to focus on and play her natural game, though I don't think she will be bogged down by both, looking at her nature. And in a country where cricket rules, making a mark with Badminton is by all means a great achievement. With commonwealth game so close, all wishes for her and prayers that she will be able to make India proud at Delhi and also in the many years to come.

Sri Lanka Test Series - Team Announced

2010-06-27T20:03:00.000+05:30

The team for the upcoming test series against Lanka beginning on July 18 has been announced. With the regular "Test"ies, Dravid, Laxman back in the side, plus Sachin, the team looks formidable.

Yuvraj is also back in the team. I like this fellow a lot, especially when he gets going. The only question in my mind is "why did the selectors drop him from the Zimbabwe tour and the Asia Cup?" The possible answers are lack of form or lack of fitness, or his overall attitude, or maybe all three. But if these three were the reasons, why is he back now? Has he proved his form? He has not played even gully cricket after being dropped. So where did the selectors see him playing? I think the same hold true for Sreesanth. Maybe even Ishant!

So one thing is for sure. The selectors just had to find some scapegoats for the T20 debacle. The bar issue at the Windies was something that everybody wanted to avoid. By this step, BCCI managed to keep the media's mouth shut for sometime. Now everybody has sort of forgotton those episodes. And bang....Yuvi is back.

All in all the team really looks good, at least in paper. The rest will be proved over the next two months. Let's keep our fingures crossed!

The Squad:

MS Dhoni (Capt), Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag (Vice Capt), Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, M Vijay, Yuvaraj, Suresh Raina, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha, and Wridhiman Saha.

Thank God! I am in your Country!

2010-06-26T21:36:00.002+05:30

Dear Fellow State Citizens,

I don't know how proud I am to be in God's (don't know if I have to read that backwards) own Country. I am delighted to have a government which is so empathetic with its people that we today had a Hartal Utsav. Why? Well, what a question, do we really need a reason?

But this time we have a reason. The center increased prices of petroleum products from midnight yesterday and we all are very much affected here. What did I hear? That it has also affected you? But we are different my dear fellow state citizens. We are citizens of the most-literate state. So, we are not like you. We will react. We don't suffer silently. Pardon me? What did we gain? Lots dear, lots....

1. No government institutions worked today - so what's new? It’s just like any other day. Well, jokes apart, at least if they open, an hour's job will nevertheless be done in a day!! Today, we couldn't. Sad. Really Sad.

2. None of the educational institutions worked. We all lost a day's session.

3. None of the private firms worked - A real loss of crores of Rupees to the exchequer.

4. I know at least one marriage - that of one of my relative’s today. Forget that people might not have been able to reach for the same, but as a result at least 500 meals must have been wasted in a country where a large number of population hardly gets a times food in a day. This is just one, I don't know how many marriages took place today in Kerala. Just spare a thought.

5. People must have been stranded wherever they are, not able to proceed for urgent meetings etc. losing one man-day of their life.

6. The sick would have had a really tough time going to the hospitals, pregnant ladies et al.

All these are not gains? Sorry, sorry, I had tell you the gains...

The gain is Drunkard's own country (not sure that you know that our state has this record - of being the largest liquor selling state in India) may have made at least 50 crores today. People in my state enjoy this day. The moment they hear the news of a hartal, they thank the government (or the party), run to a bar, stock up liquor and chicken for the next day's party, and see how much the government made out of this, offsetting all the above loses!!!!

Ok ok so what's the ultimate result of the hartal?

Well, the latest I heard is that our PM (who is currently abroad) was shivering out of fear hearing the news of hartal in Kerala, and has called up his ministers to maybe propose doing away with the hike immediately at least only for Kerala.

Well jokes apart here is a fact:

Kerala has the highest ad valorem VAT (something in the hands of the state government) for diesel in India!!! and not too behind for petrol too (close to 29%)!! That is almost one-third (Rs. 15) that you pay for a liter goes to them.

What? Yeah I said they have great empathy for us. So what? What? So why are they not cutting down on that VAT to help you out?

Well who really wants?? They just want to show their care for us. I mean only Show, not care!!

Regards
Citizen of Kerala.