Should we go the American way?

There was a time when everything associated with United States of America looked and sounded greatly fashionable.That was long time ago.....

Following the great globalization and liberalization of trade and commerce millions of us waited with bated breath for the launching of the famed Macdonalds, the chains of supermarkets like Wal-Mart and vast number of new gleaming irresistible cars expected to be available in plush show rooms which were dull and drab till then, hardly exhibiting any Premier Padmini and Ambassador because it was a sellers market and you had to wait unbearably long to take delivery and drive out one.

Our own economy was in worse shape in the early 90's when we had to pledge whatever little gold we had to keep the required reserve which was on the brink of bankruptcy. With gradual liberalization and opening of Indian markets 'foreign' goods once a rarity found their way to our homes.With the Gulf job boom people had a lot of disposable income which enabled them to indulge in shopping sprees.

Lawrence Sammers, the then Treasury secretary, United States, was very brutal in his scathing attack on the Government control and lack of private capital penetration in developing countries like India, China etc.. He advocated the need for the third world countries to adopt American method of accounting, transparency and more capital oriented business in the private sector.That was in 2008, fag end of Gunshot Bush's tenure.

American economy started falling apart in the late 2008 and in 2009, the once awesome colossal economic power became a shadow of its might and its fall was complete. US banks became synonymous of shady deals,with their capitals virtually wiped out started going bust one after the other.When all these were happening, the third world countries like India and China stabilized themselves which helped them to build up on a strong economy.We don't know what advice MR.Sammers could offer to his own countrymen!

Don't pat your back while you read this.Our problems, may be a bit different, will soon follow.
Our children enjoyed Macdonalds day in and day out, played computer games and watched televison all the time, started showing signs of good living. Obesity became a grave danger and soon there was a big chunk of adult population suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure.Gradually, people started to wean their kids away from rich fatty food to bring them back to the regular food they used to consume earlier. Adults too, looked the other way when they saw restaurants serving pizzas and ice creams. We started accusing the Americans for getting us hooked to their food habits.

More danger was lurking for 20-30 age group. The vast IT potential of our countries was fully utilised by the American business. The 20 -somethings earned hugely which helped them to lead a lavish lifestyle of material comforts which beckoned them for more.Men and women became intolerant of each other which shattered their family life. Divorces were uncommon till then, but now it hit the roof. The courts in Metro cities were bursting in their seams due to the heavy work load. Physical violence became more common among couples. Extra marital affairs and unwanted pregnancies became the norm. People raised questions in the open forums of TV channels- is this the result of going the American way? May be.

We never anticipated the development that would lead our cities and towns to severe traffic congestions. We were not used to planning beyond 5 years. This caused extreme chaos on our city roads with thousands of vehicles having been added daily to the existing numbers. Our roads are narrow and ill-paved with no proper maintenance and not equipped to handle such a vehicle population. Result? People preferred to park their cars at home and board the ubiquitous auto or just walk-good for health!The surging vehicle population also contributed more carbon into the already polluted air and our oil demand increased many times.

Our minister for environment, Mr. Jairam Ramesh is the latest in line to fire salvo
against American life styles. According to him imitating American life style is detrimental to every thing. He recently refused permission to build a hydro electric dam which would have probably lighted some more sprawling ranch houses in the suburban Delhi. He asked one pertinent question. Why should I allow them to block the free flow of water in a river to give the more affluent society of Delhi more power to waste?

Can we say the honourable minister is wrong? Hell no! Development is fine, but mindless unimaginative development will be a disaster. We have a responsibility to our grand children and their children; we shouldn't leave them the legacy of destruction and poison in air and water.Youngsters, think about the trauma of your child when you both separate. If you were that child how would you have reacted? Enjoy life; but your family life is more important. Give your children emotional and physical security and leave a clean earth for their healthy life.


American life is fine to those Americans; but every aspect of American life is not acceptable to us. Imbibe the best and discard the rest. Take for instance,their abhorrence to lack of cleanliness. They don't dirty their roads spitting all over or urinating wherever they want. Why can't we take that up? Why can't our youngsters be more tolerant to each other and start loving their families? There is a lot morelife ahead of you.

India Shining?

Harsh Mander has a column in the magazine section of Sunday's 'Hindu' His last week's column upset me.
Just like any other Indian, I gloat over the frequent statements of our politicians and businessmen and also by the greedy foreign tycoons about the opportunities offered by the emerging India and its surging economy.I'm, one of those several thousands of Indians who dream about being one of the citizens of an economic super power.Every timeI thought about it I loved it, till I read that article.

I can't say I was totally blind at the lurking poverty of this country;but having been in Kerala the most literate state flush with Gulf money, I haven't seen much of agonising poverty except while visiting other states. I haven't seen many Malayalees begging for alms as much as the beggars from other states on the streets of our cities and towns.But in the remote villages of Orissa, Rajastan, Jharkund,UP,Bihar and Andhra Pradesh the anguish of the parents for not procuring enough food for their childdren let alone schooling them is palpable.One Sahariya tribal in Rajastan says most of the time when the children cry for food, he feels so desperate that he wishes to take out his own liver and offer them.His wife begs for rice water left over after cooking rice from her neighbours and feed them. More often than not, the parents go hungry to feed their kids. Harsh narrates how Sheik Gaffar confided about his granddaughter takeing a fancy to something and demands it. Shamim, her mother, gives her a slap painfully raising her paralysed hand and the child sobs to sleep.Manee a young widow forcefully breast feeds her daughter and leaves her for the whole day in the care of her older daughter barely one year older.They wait desperately for their mother to return with some food. On many occasions, Manee goes to bed without any food.Those who go to the forest in search of food gather green edible leaves, 'kardi' (tender shoots of bamboo)grind them to a paste and drink with some water and some rice floating in it.

I've reproduced a few cases from the article. They were sufficient for me to feel ashamed of my indulgence be it food or life style.We bury our heads in every new Forbes list of billionaires to check how many Indian names have been added.We scan daily newspapers to see newer models of Bentleys, Mercedes, Audi and all other expensive cars introduced in this country.We go in raptures when we read about Ambanis building a 27 storied house just for 4 or 5 people to live in.

Where is our conscience? Are we to keep these wretched souls always illiterate and keep them away from such outrageous display of wealth? Are we to condemn these hapless children to their dismal future? In the hot pursuit of material comforts are we careening to a catastrophe? The article had a telling effect on me and forced me to think the disaster is just around the corner. When it strikes it will be merciless as we saw in great revolutions.We can still prevent it. Only if we consider these poor people as human beings; only if the politicians become less corrupt and engage in nation building; only if education is for all and compulsory; only if the government provide them jobs to improve their standard of life; only ifinexpensive medical help is made available for all and.Yes, the best technocrats can put their heads together to find a solution to this disgraceful problem-the extreme poverty.

Give it a thought, my friends; perhaps I may not live to see the end of poverty in our country. But you can. And you can be proud of it.

God bless you.

Anger &Desire

Recently I happened to pass by the family court of Olavakot, a small suburb of Palakkad and a Railway divisional HQ. There was a huge crowd of young couple waiting to be heard of their marriage woes. Some of them had small babies on their shoulders. I wondered; if this is what a tiny place like Olavakot has in store, what'd be the case with large Metros? One of the several arguments put forth by the young couples is that, well, it happened in your period also, but you chose to suffer; we aren't going to do that. Why should we?

Yes, my young friends, we too had or still have, tiffs & quarrels and difference of opinions on almost everything. Who wouldn't have? Two people from two different families with two entirely different back grounds chose to live together, there is bound to be friction. Especially when their temperaments are quite unlike. But we opted for peaceful methods to adjust the life between us- that's the word, ADJUSTMENT,that's totally missing from your lexicon. We thought about our future; we thought about you-our children. That's when we wanted to be more discreet and more matured.We didn't want you, our children, to grow in a vituperative and volatile atmosphere.What? Did you say we were wrong? Should we have exposed you to every single petty tussle? No, my young friend, the result would've been catastrophic. Today, you have a huge salary and a bright career which was a direct result of our self control and maturity. No, I'm not being boastful. It's a fact. We didn't want you to tread the same path we had to walk along- the path of difficulties, poverty and agonising days when someone else educated us. That's why we gave you good education- to chalk out a fine career ahead of you. This career gave you all material gains which we, for ourselves never dreamt about. But then, what happened? Why did yours and your spouse's lives fell apart like a pack of cards?

Too much of anything may harm you. With too much comfort, you wanted more.When you didn't get it, floodgates of resentment and protests opened. Life at home became hell.Your pretty young wife was equally indignant.Won't she be? She belongs to same genre and she is least tolerant of you and your habits. Apparently her talks & deeds provoke you which over a period resulted in body violence. All set for a formal separation!

Bhagavat Githa describes in the chapter Dhyanayoga 4th sloka, how your own soul is both your friend and foe at the same time.Only if you really want you can uplift yourself or push you deeper into the abyss. You observe yourself, identify your strengths and weaknesses, forget your ego which is your greatest enemy and be prepared to forget and forgive. This will give you an opportunity to be mutually tolerant and adjustable which will help you to reshape your life. With reduced or practically non existent ego, anger will find no place in your response. Your family life will bloom again and the story will have a happy ending!

It appears very easy. But may I warn you, it's a very difficult process. Unless you really want to put your life back on the rails the problem will remain insurmountable.Since our ego is blown out of proportion we will be aghast to distinguish our real 'us' from the false one. If you're ready to accept it, that's the end of all your problems.

ALL THE BEST TO YOU!!

Murali

Without a title!

Hello!
It has been a long time! I'm afraid I'm a bit out of touch. My darling niece {Paru too has temporarily quit blogging. Too bad.

My eyesight is not really good. I find it difficult to type. I underwent a surgery for retinal detachment a month ago. It may take some more time-maybe 4to6 months before I get back a fairly better vision.

I have, in fact, so many topics to write about but I'll dwell in length my favourite topic- Bhagavat Gita,which Unfortunately may not go well with youngsters. It doesn't matter.

I'll get back to you soon!

Bye till then

Murali

Which religion?

Our country is passing through a very difficult phase in its history. Apparently, we're making a lot of progress in the technology sphere, infrastructure, science and in the field of commerce and trade. It has resulted in the making of a new generation with a lot of money to spend, will to travel, adventurous, ready to take risks. But despite all these, are we happy? Religious fundamentalism, and the consequent intolerance, 'honour killings' murder with least provocation, arson, looting, vandalism all these threaten to tear the thin fabric of our society.With the active connivance of politicians most of the culprits go scot free.Politicians themselves aid and abet violence as we see the umpteen number of bandhs and hartals we're subjected to and their frenzy to make each one a 'great success'! Recently, we were shocked when a professor's hand was chopped by some miscreants. His crime? He prepared a question paper in which one question was derogatory of a religious head. A raid of the houses of some of the goons involved in the incident allegedly revealed conspiracy to target various places of worship.
Evidently, all these show the malaise that has set in our society. Religious leaders sow seeds of discontent and hatred. They exploit the gullibility of the poor and the middle class. We cannot tolerate fellow human beings.It is in this background, we should read the following conversation between DalaiLama and Leornado Boff, a Brazilian thinker and author of Theology of Freedom. Leonardo asked Dalai Lama:" Your Holiness, what's the best religion?"
He thought Dalai Lama would reply-Tibetan Budhism or some other oriental religion much older than Christianity. He looked Leo in his eyes, smiled and said "The best religion is the one that gets you closer to the God; it's the one that makes you a better person."
Leornado: "What's that makes me better?"
He responded: "Whatever makes you more compassionate, more sensible, more detached, more loving, more humanitarian, more responsible, more ethical.The religion that will do that for you is the best one"
Lama continued:" I'm not interested, my friend, about your religion or if you're religious or not.What is really important to me is your behaviour in front of your peers, family, work, community and in front of the world. Remember, the universe is the echo of our actions and our thought.The law of action and reaction is not exclusively for physics alone. It's true of human relations. If I act with goodness, I'll receive goodness. If I act with evil intention I will get evil.What our grandparents taught us is the pure truth. You'll get what you desire for others. Being happy is not a matter of destiny; it's a matter of option."
Finally he said:" Take care of your thoughts because they become words. Take care of your words because they'll become actions.Take care of your actions because they'll become habits.Take care of your habits because they'll form your character. Take care of your character because that'll make your destiny and destiny will be your life. There's no relilgion higher than this truth."
How relevent this interview today is something I leave to you to ponder about. One of my friends had send me this gem of a conversation by e-mail.I thought I should share it with someone who reads this.

The Nation in a limbo

Let's imagine we are a couple of foreigners having wide experience with Indians in business matters. How'll we assess an average Indian between us? " A typical Indian encompasses qualities of falsification, telling lies, dishonest,being fraudulent, arrogant,boastful, speaking loudly, bothering others in public places or while travelling, swindling at the slightest opportunity and spreading rumours about others in office and outside...." the list is never ending!
I went through an article that appeared in today's Business Line by the former CII director for Europe Mr.Mohan Murty who lives now in Cologne about the corruption in India. What I read deeply disturbed me. I never knew the magnitude of this pestilence till Mr.Murty enlightened me through his article. I knew we are corrupt to the core but I didn't realize that people thought so poorly about us.
Mr.Murty was one of the panel members of a discussion that took place recently with an audience of 100 well-known European CEOs. Other panel members were senior officials of two of the largest car makers of Europe and two top insurance cos all German multinationals operating in India. The discussion was moderated by a professsor of a reputed European Business school. Mr.Murty was the only Indian.
After the panel discussion came the question hour. The questions were fired at him. "Is your nation in a coma?" They were obviously referring to the corruption at high places even in the judiciary, impeachment of a judge on the brink, telecom scam-again it is a long list. When I read it I wished I could go and hide myself. I was so ashamed that I'm an Indian. Mr.Murty mentions here what a prime time German TV discussion had to disclose. One of the panellists a German Parliament member quoting a blog says: If all the scams of the last 5 years add up, it'll rival and even exceed the British colonial loot of India of about a trillion dollars!
Mr.Murty goes on to quote a German business daily editorial on India: " India is becoming a banana republic instead of being an economic super power. To get the cut motion designated out, assurances are made to political allays. Special treatmentis promised at the expense of the people. So,Ms.Mayavati who is the chiefminister of the most densely inhabited state is calmed when an intelligence probe isscrapped. The multimillion dollar fodder scam of another chief minister wielding enormous power is put in cold storage. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh chairs over this kind of unparalled loot."
According to Mr.Mohan murty, French newspapers also don't leave us alone. He says: An article in a French newspaper titled " Playing game the Indian style" says: " Investigations into the shadowy financial deals of the Indian cricket league have revealed a web of transactions across tax havens...."Another story mentioned in the same paper is about the former chiefminister of Jharkhand Madhu Koda and his riches. " Unfortunately, the Indian public do not know the status of that enquiry. (not only that enquiry-we don't know the fate of several such enquiries!)
Mr.Murty invites our attention to an Austrian newspaper." In the nastiest business scam in Indian records -Satyam- the government adroitly covered upthe political aspects of the swindle-predominantly involving real estate.....If the Indian Prime Minister knows nothing about these scandals, he is ignorant of ground realities. If he does, IS HE A COLLOBORATOR IN CRIME?" (emphasis is mine)
Mr.Murty signs off with a prediction which has very ominous undertones. He says: Europeans believe that Indian leaders in politics and business are so blissfully blinded by the new, sometimes ill-gotten wealth and deceit that they are living in defiance, insolence and denial to comprehendthat the day will come, sooner or later, when the have-nots would hit the streets. In a way it has already started with the monstrous acts of the Maoists. And when that rot occurs not one political tuncoats will escape being lynched. He blames our laidback attitude of "chalta hai" that has helped these unscrupulous men to continue without any hindrance.

It'll be greatest understatement of the year if I say I'm not scared. I had to face a barrage of questions of my conscience when I sat thinking about the whole story. Am I not a part of it? Haven't I descretely encouraged corruption in the haste of getting my driving licence renewed or passport updated? How much I paid to get the marriage of my son registered with the local municipality? Yes, Aiding and abetting are also criminal. I'm inextricably linked to this squalid social and poitical evil and there seems to be no escape.

May God bless us!!!

IPL imbroglio & Sasi Tharoor.

One columnist of the popular daily The Hindu brands IPL as India Paisa Loot! The columnist is well known for his leftist sympathy especially when he laments over the indulgence of the corporates sponsoring IPL, the huge amount paid to the players and the gargantuan scale of wastage of electricity because the matches are conducted at night.

I sent a letter to the 'letters to the editor' column and it was published minus my criticism of the columnist's views. What I don't understand is why these leftists want this thrilling and exciting sports event should be banned. If it is the money involved bothering them, then it can be looked into and curtail the chances of black money pouring into the event. Only moneyed class can sponsor the tournament and they'd certainly try to get the money they've invested back. Won't anyone do it? But think about the enjoyment of millions of people. This is a cricket crazy country and any form of cricket will thrive here.Any impoverished Latin American or African country would spend millions of dollars for their favourite soccer, then why can't we? Cricket became the household word because of the successful marketing of the game. The columnist made a suggestion to save the precious electricity 'wasted' as the matches are held at night. I suggested another alternative albeit sarcastically.We shift the season from April-May to a more player friendly December-January when you can enjoy a daytime match or change the venue to some hillstation where the climate may not be so oppressive. We saw how players like Sachin struggled in the sweltering heat of Chennai and even had to retire. Another suggestion I made to save electricity is to do away with all the illumination for any function attended by dignitaries like the ministers, MPs,MLAs. Why can't the chronically power starved states opt for renewable energy in a big way? I'm sure we will have enough and more power at our disposal if the Government decides to spend for it.



It is not by way of banning 20- over cricket or changing the format or making it a day event you can save this country. You try to stop the corrupt politicians plundering us. You target the visionless planning and gutless response of the ministries. You don't deprive the millions and millions of cricket lovers of their joy of watching their favourite game at least thro' the channels.



Talking about the politics. Sasi Tharoor, that brilliant erudite statesman became a non-entity yesterday when he was forced to resign for his alleged involvement in IPL. After his election from Thiruvananthapuram every step he made was a mis-step or at least his opponents made them seem so. It was quite unfortunate that having decided to take a plunge in the Indian politics, Sasi didn't try to recognize how murky and deep it was. It is a well known fact that many ministers have made crores and crores and possess lands in binami names. The antecedents of some of our ministers are much more suspecious. But Sasi Tharoor was an expendable commodity and a powerless pawn in the game of political chess! But no one can point an accusing finger at him. His love of cricket brought all the trouble for him. One can never accuse him that he was trying to make a quick buck allowing the big money to corner a big share in Kochi team. It wasn't his intention at all, but he was too naive to show his sincerity. But the hounds baying for his blood smelt their chance and pounced on him. There was no one to support him. It was good for you, Sasi. The ministership was a crown of thorns. by getting rid of it you can absolve yourself now. Why should you keep that M.P position ? Throw that at them and get back to U.S.A. Private or public enterprise will vie with each other to keep you in.



When Sasi joined Manmohan's team, all expected the new genre well educated politicians will have a good say in running the show. But all were relegated to the back ground, and the 'old guards' took charge once again. Hopes were belied, and it was business as usual for the cabinet!



Prying into the personal matters of Sasi, though unpardonable, was a favorite 'sport' of our paparazi. The channels also joined in the frenzy and it was , the more the merrier! One can only feel utter remorse at the shameless quest to dive deeper into the private life of celebrities which is the 'national past time' of our countrymen! God Save this country!

We Indians are too good at it!

Sania Mirza wanted to choose a life partner. She selected her childhood friend first but he had grown up and changed too much and so she rejected him even before the wedding! The next lucky guy was the handsome, young Pakistani cricket player Shaoib. Pakistani cricket is going through a very bad patch. No one knows if Shoaib will get a chance to represent the country once again! I may be exaggerating but at the same time I'm not trivialising either.Poor Sania, she's not doing well in her tennis most often plagued with injuries than by her opponents. She doesn't go beyond the second round of most of the ATP tournaments let alone grandslams. But still as Indians we applaud her and cry with her in her moments of agony (which are more frequent) and curse the opponent for pulverising our 'star player'!

Sania's second choice Shoaib incidentally, it is alleged, had promised another Indian Muslimgirl Ayesha that he'd marry her. The trouble started there. That was the hot discussion in the channels and the headlines screamed how Sania was caught unawares in this battle of wits. We had to do a lot of channel surfing for the last few days to keep off from Sania news!

Even some of my friends were indignant why Sania fell for a Pakistani. Love has no barriers-one should remember that. I feel there is nothing wrong in it. If you dig into the family histories of those who feel aggrieved over Sania's love for this dashing Pakistani there may be many skeletons in their cupboards. The least said about it the better!

What I hate to say about my countrymen is their penchant for gossips. They indulge in it! If it is a celeberity, the 'fun' is greater!Both Sania and Shoaib are grownups and they know how to handle their problems. Their family members are there to support them. Why should a third person be bothered about it?It's a crying shame that we have so many without any work to name who have time only to think and talk about others especially if they are having a torrid time. They can make their lives real hell.

It's time these upholders of virtue and righteousness make an introspection and assess themselves how virtuous and righteous they themselves are. I'm sure not even half of them can claim they have any moral standing to enable them to pick on others. Leave poor Sania and Shoaib. Let them marry and live happily wherever they want. Bless them if you can.

Arun, Ammu & Nikki left for Doha on Sunday morning. Nikki leaves behind a vacuum which we find difficult to fill. From 10th of Feb, we enjoyed her presence. Everyday we had something to look forward to-her antics, her cooings, her gurglings and her innocent smiles that lit up our otherwise drab days; we always looked forward to cuddle her and smother her with kisses which she seemed to enjoy; but all good things will end one day and in Nikki's case wasn't any exception. It was time for her young parents to leave with her to their places of work; we can't hold them back for our selfish reasons. We experienced pangs of these painful separations when Ammu and Krishna were small, but then that's life;that's how grandparents learn to bear the grief deep within when their children with their offsprings fly away at the end of their brief annual leave. After several years, at our ripe old age when we are no longer as strong and independendant as we are now, when our grand children will just have enough time to give us a hug or a wave or maybe a kiss these thoughts will brighten and cheer us up. Some of us may not even be in a position to think or focus our thoughts or recognize the very same grandchildren whom we had lavishly kissed and held close to our heart. Still, somewhere in some dark corner of a dysfunctional mind a feeling might originate-a feeling of warmth, a surge of affection for that tiny bundle of joy our grandchild was who with a toothless smile gladdened our hearts.

We will miss Nikki now and after a couple of months Ammu and Kichu (Krishna), who will go back to London to join their dad. One of the several ways to pursue the path of God as advised by Lord Krishna in Gita is to have a firm hold on your mind and for that develop detachment as not only a logical first step but a more practical and surer trail to follow. Now at this stage I cannot think of any other better way to console myself from the desolation I may experience in their absence and to reduce the intensity of my longing for the hugs with those tiny hands.As I'm still very much attached to my earthly belongings, I try to shrug it off with a philosophical resignation, for, I too did the same during my youth when I brought my wife and kids to my place of work. It's a natural process as we have seen how the tiny bird grows stronger on the food brought by the mother and flies away when the time is ripe for it to leave. It;s happening in our lives too. Think like that and you won't feel traumatic.

My feelings about worship

Hi folks!



If anyone has read one of my earlier blogs, they can recollect my fondness for the great Bhagavat Gita. It is my endeavour to adopt a life style as deemed to be fit as it has been elucidated in the holy book. Many a time I fail dismally even to achieve the basic of the basic necessity as envisaged, especially to control the senses. I'm fully aware of my shortcomings, my blemishes, my failings and my total ignorance. I don't qualify for a life depicted by the Lord himself, not even by a lightyear, but He doesn't say people like me should desist from such attempts. And that encourages me to continue with my attempts. I don't wish for the final result because, according to Gita, one can only act; never think about the outcome.

Studying Gita has been an experience of pure bliss. It has exploded all my beliefs and myths about worship and rituals sky high. Of these, the first and foremost my concept about God himself. Earlier I visited temples of our various Gods and goddesses, some of them regional, local pertaining to some villages alone, and I also believed in holy men and women. Even now I visit temples because it is more a way of life for an average Hindu, but I also understand what I'm doing is against the teachings of Gita. The great Sage Vyasa has mentioned in the book about the omnipresence of God as against what another great Sage Sri AdiShankara has depicted. While it is difficult to confine God within the four walls of temples and puja rooms of palatial houses, Adisankara not only gave forms for God and sang hymns about Him/ Her! Just read his apolgy to the Almighty before he ascended to heaven: '' Lord, pardon my three sins. I have, in contemplation clothed in form Thou who art formless; I have in praise described Thee who art inaffable, and in visiting temples I have ignored Thine omnipresence''. Today, the first lesson I'm trying to learn is about His omnipresence and to think that He is always there with this sinner that is me, wherever I go, whatever I do. It is not at all easy to perceive that change, so I am trying.

When you read Bhaktiyoga, you can observe that nowhere in this chapter the Lord has described the ways to worship though we practise them in about may be, a thousand different ways! Nowhere it has been mentioned the 'thantras' or 'mantras' as they are chanted now. Nowhere it has been said that the more money you deposit in a temple 'hoondi' the blessings will be couriered to you. I was often a mute witness of how Suma, my wife, frantically searches for coins to put in the hoondi. It is also a common sight to offer money to the temle elephant and get its 'blessing' .We don't realize the money goes to a country liquor shop in the evening, and probably the poor elephant left starving! Instead if only we give some food for that animal, the God would be surely pleased! We have millions of such meaningless customs and rituals which we practise with the fervent hope that god will shower all His blessings on us and not others. One saddening feature is how we put our babies into untold miseries and agony, just because we (the parents or grandparents) make a vow and subject the poor babies to all sorts of discomforts. Temples like Guruvayur are always crowded and hot. A baby of 4to 6 months, is terrified at the noise and literally roasted in the heat, with the result they scream to get them out of the suffocating atmosphere. If they don't scream it's because they are mortally scared of this strange people all around them.We have people there to make them sit for 'thulabharam' make them lie, pose for photos.. but why? Young kids are divinity embodied. Just look into their eyes- it's all writ there. The God while being sympathetic to the children, will certainly be very angry with us, as we are responsible for this cruelty!



I know of the consequences of this blog if read by fiercely orthodox Hindus who might issue a 'fatwa' against me! But this is the fact if you follow Gita. When you offer a 'vazhipadu' the Lord or a 'homam' do it for only for the God and do not hope to get something in return from Him. In short, according to Gita sacrifices have to be made without a bargain. Do we do that? We bargain for anything and we don't exempt Gods and temples!



Sri Aurobindo while explaining about sacrifice in the chapter 'Karmayoga' says: ''....But the highest only comes when the sacrifice is no longer to any gods, but to the one all-pervading Divine established in the sacrifice, of whom the gods are inferior forms and powers....''

The most important and difficult part of our quest is to identify the Divine you in yourself or the 'self'' itself.

This quest will take years or perhps a lifetime to achieve its objective but it is the trials and tribulations in its path that make it an endearing goal.



Interpretations on Gita are varied but they all give one advice: we needn't have any middleman to lead us to God. Many holy men are unholy and the pujaris of temples find the temples a superb source of income. To get a posting in Sabarimala or Guruvayur, the aspirants spend a lot of money which reminds me of the sales-tax personnel spending huge amount to get a posting in some most lucrative checkposts of the state! There are very pious among these people who are really holy in mind and body, but they are surrounded by a coterie which nullifies everything that's pure about them.



People were far more intelligent during the Vedic period of our history at least it appears to me because they didn't believe in idol worship. they didn't have so many gods and goddesses like we have. They worshipped only the nature which is sensible. That amounts to accepting the omnipresence of Almighty.



I'm not against going to temples or worshipping to any God of your choice. We mustn't bargain in the process. Bhakti is not going into a trance or shouting god's name or weeping looking at the idol-all these are emotonal. Real bhakti is dedication, and complete devotion to a shapeless, formless, God who is present among us, within us. To identify that God in ourselves or the true 'self', we have to start from the basics about which I mentioned in the beginning.



Shun anger.

Dump your ego.

Serve without waiting for gratitude.

Do the work; don't expect the fruits of your labour- ( very difficult but worth trying.) If you get rid of your ego half of the battle won.



This is only to start with. I've just started.

I am trying to put away my lethargy when some great news appear on channels and newspapers that inspires me. One such news is from none other than the 'prince' Rahul Gandhi. In an interaction with the students of Pondicherry University, he very boldly and categorically stated '' there is no democratic political party in India and people without a friend or relative in politics do not stand a chance of entering the political system''. He has highlighted the rot that is creeping into the political body that will soon engulf the political system of our country. Either the dad or mom find it convenient to give a lift for their ward or the son or daughter seeking a place in the vast political arena, finds it easier to jump into the bandwagon by piggyriding on mom or dad. This clearly shows the political bankruptcy the country is facing which makes it a fertile land for extremist idiologies. This is a terrible situation and it is only natural that Rahul mentioned it during his talks with the students.
While giving due credit to Rahul for his very bold observation, in retrospection, one would wonder how Rahul Gandhi propelled himself into the politcal scene. Having said that, one can only hope that Rahul may become instrumental to select and groom good, efficient, knowledgeable and well qualified people to lead this vast country.

We can go through the other news only with dejection and dismay. Mumbai is the commercial capital of India where millions of people earn their livelihood. To claim that Mumbai belongs only to Marathis is prepostrous. It is parochial chauvanism. No place in the whole country belongs to any single community or region. We're Indians and we can live whereever we want. No one can question us. Mumbaites themselves should see such unwanted claims are disowned and the perpetrators of such crimes are isolated.

Two days ago, during one of the several bus strikes we Keralites are facing, I gave a lift to one of the students waiting for a bus which would never come. The boy a 12 th std student, was carrying a big backpack containing his books and another one with his lunchbox and project work materials. He was much relieved when I offered him to drop him near his house.
We started conversation and I casually asked about his studies, probably just like any other parent would d0. He told me that he wasn't happy with his grades falling after every exam and his dad who was an NRI, was furious as well. I enquired if he has ever given any thought why he couldn't score better marks. I didn't have to wait for a reply. He just didn't like maths and any course associated with that subject. I asked him why did he chose a subject he hated. ( he had chosen first group) He informed me it was because his dad pressurised him to take first group to chart a course in engineering. He was more interested in visual arts as he was a good artist, singer and an actor. He wanted to go into advertising and short film making about which he was very passionately talking.
That incident set me thinking. Why do we parents coerce our children to study a subject which they're not interested in? Is it a status symbol to make our children an engineer or a doctor? Parents often commit the mistake of comparing our children with others. I have done it myself. Only now Ifeel how stupid it is to wish one's offsprings to try to usurp the personality of another thus losing their own individuality. Clearly, it kills the natural instincts in them. Every student cannot become a brilliant engineer or an expert doctor or a great scientist. They must pursue the vocation of their choice and liking and become successful in their careers.
Venkataraman Ramakrishnan was very reluctant to address meetings in India because he knew the type of questions he'd face. In one of the intractive sessions in Mumbai he was asked by a student (persumably coaxed by his parent) what he should do to become a nobel prize winner. I reproduce below what the great scientist said: ' That is a sure way to fail. You go into science to solve a problem, not to find ingredients of success'. This should serve as an eye-opener to parents and teachers.