Sunday, July 22, 2012
BBC's 'Our World'today afternoon on television made a chilling revelation of the rise of German nationalism. Chancellor Markel's economic policies extending huge aids to the ailing economies of Spain and Greece has created a sense of insecurity among conservative Germans. The migrants from the former East European countries and muslims from Turkey and other nations, they feel, will make the vibrant German culture non-existent. In an interview given to the BBC correspondent, a hooded far right activist said they want the original German culture to last longer and German economy should flourish.
We can't brush this aside saying it is the handiwork of a few mavericks considering the support they're gaining among Germans. They have already started indoctrination in some of the schools to start with.Perhaps last generation may have some knowledge of Hitler's attempt to purify German nation which started in the lae 1930s resulting in the annihilation of millions of Jews and how his nationalism unleashed the disastrous world war.The world is in in a much worse situation with allround economic downturn than when the war started.I am not a doomsayer, but in the eventuality of another Hitler coming up the damage to human life can be mindboggling thanks to all modern technology.
Nationalism has found followers in France, Belgium and Netherlands where wearing burqua has been made illeagal. Sarkowsky barred gypsies' entry from Eastern Europe.
Even in England there is a 5 million increase in population which has put the economy into severe strain. Govt-run institutions like National Health Scheme are finding it difficult to find funds so much so that doctors are discouraged to prescribe costly medicines if a cheaper alternative is availabe even if it acts slowly and less effective.There may be simmering discontent beneath the all is well scenario which might come to surface when matters take a downturn.
Suppressing Neo-Nazis and allied groups by force may be counterproductive. Improving the living standards and clearing the minds of people of unwanted fear may ease the situation. Otherwise,German nationalism will make the Arabs and Muslim nationalism a child's play.
Murali
Monday, July 9, 2012
Roger Federer Again!!
A few days past since my last blog on him and now I've to eat my words! I was in a hurry to write Federer off before he sailed into the 3rd round but after witnessing his performance in the QF I felt this champion is playing with a renewed vigour and surging confidence. His SF defeart of Yoshny was emphatic. A doubt began growing in my mind if he plays like this why not another Grand Slam for him?
With all credit to the great fighting spirit of Murray, finally, as BBC commentator said the best player won the tournament.
Federer has Olympics& US Open before him. Now I wonder: Will this amazing champion add these two coveted prizes to his already bulging bag of GSlams & titles. Maybe, May be not.It's immaterial.The present is more important.
Bye
Murali
Monday, June 25, 2012
Roger Federer
I am avid tennis fan.
From the days of Pietrangelli,Ramnathan Krishnan, Rod Laver, Newcomb, Amritraj bros till now I have watched the rise and eclipse of so many great names in Men's tennis.Pete Sampras was the first player whom I started admiring for his game and on court and off court behaviour. Before Pete, all others became insignificant!One by one they bit the dust. Lendl, Connors,Macenroe, Borg. Wilander the list is long.But not until one youngster who was still wet behind the ears yet came form somewhere and showed the world he intends to stay there for sometime to come- Roger Federer.He started winning titles one after the other and became the cynosure of all when he defeated his own idol, Pete Sampras in 2001 Wimbledon Final.Federer wept unashamedly like he did when he lost Australian Open to Nadal almost a decade later,because he won the first Grand Slam beating his favourite player after whom he fashioned his own game.
Sixteen Grand Slams and almost all amjor tournaments later his game is at cross roads. For almost 10 years he reigned supreme. The King Federer had no rivals!He won the coveted Davis Cup for his country-Switzerland. there was still one more Grandslam to be added to his kitty-French Open. Two years ago he won that too.He was 29 and Nadal was breathing down his neck.His winnings came to a trickle one here, another there, he became erratic,his powerful shots seemed to slip away losing points at the end of long rallies...well, his game no longer had the consistency which was its backbone once.
I don't know how he's going to fare in 2012 Wimbledon which is going on.I saw the way he thrashed the spaniard Ramos 6-1,6-1,6-1 with some delectable shots,net drops and baseline drives.Tennis critics are wondering if he'll achieve the seemingly impossible task of a 7th Wimbledon Crown, we can't say anything now. (I myself don't see him going beyond semifinal when he is likely to meet his nemesis Djokovic)
Whether he will win anymore tournaments or not is not important. The fact is he has created a special place for himself in the minds of his admirers like me. When the seeded players came to Wimbledon before the draw, everyone jostled to come closer to Federer. Not many bothered about Nadal or Djokovic. Federer didn't disappoint anyone. One young boy stammered:'' Can I be good-er sorry-like you?''Federer ruffled his hair and asked him''How good are you now?''
I was in Doha for 2011 Qatar Open. The final was between Federer and Davidenko. When Federer came to the court there was an electrified effect! All rose to give him a standing ovation. Today also, when he beat Ramos, I witnessed the same. Everyone got up and applaued him; not because he defeated a much junior player; that ovation is only for legends like him. No wonder he was the 2nd most popular person after Nelson Mandela!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Eye Problem!
My tryst with the vision started in September2010 when my retina got detached from its original place showing great discomfort at the way I was treating my eyes. It was promptly diagnosed by my eye specialist Dr.Rajesh who sent me to Sankara Eye Centre, Coimbatore. Dr.Prabhu Sankar, the retinal specialist who has undergone specialist training in Moorefields, London operated on my eye. What he found was more holes than retina itself!So he filled some silicon oil and sent me home asking me toreport to him after four months to get the oil rmoved.I returned from Doha after a 2 months stay with my son Tinku on 12th Feb and on 8th of march second surgery to remove the oil took place.While extracting the thick Fevicol like oil,a strand of retina again fell off.So this time he filled the empty space withinthe eye with gas to make the retina stick. Things were OK till3rd May when once again the right eye went blank! I promptly consulted Dr. Prabhu. He was appalled to see the gas escaped through the many holes. My son said my retina is more like Keerala roads when the highway dept tries to fill the pot holes they keep appearing somewhere else! So I was once again one-eyed Jack!I'm getting operated tomorrow once agin by Dr.Prabhu who wants t fill my eye space with silicon oil once again. I don't know who has the maximum fun-The doctor or my stubborn retina!!
The moral of the sory is learn to live with deficiencies. I've become an expert to use my only available eye! I can even drive a car and watch movies and why I can even type this blog!!!
The moral of the sory is learn to live with deficiencies. I've become an expert to use my only available eye! I can even drive a car and watch movies and why I can even type this blog!!!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, November 15, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
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
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
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