Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Kids letters to God

Dear GOD,I would like to live 900 years like the guy in the Bible.Love,Chris

Dear GOD,We read in school that Thomas Edison made light, but in Sunday School they said You did it. So I bet he stoled your idea.Sincerely,Donna

Dear GOD,I bet it is very hard for You to love all of everybody in the whole world. There are only 4 people in our family and I can never do it.Nan

Dear GOD,Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they had their own rooms. It works with my brother.Larry

Dear GOD,I think the stapler is one of your greatest inventions.Ruth M.

Dear GOD,It rained for our whole vacation and is my father mad! He said some things about You that people are not supposed to say, but I hope You will not hurt him anyway.Your friend(But I am not going to tell you who I am)

Dear GOD,In school they told us what You do. Who does it when You are on vacation?Jane

Dear GOD,Did you really mean "do unto others as they do unto you"? Because if you did, then I'm going to fix my brother!Darla

Dear GOD,Please send me a pony. I never asked for anything before, You can look it up.Bruce

Dear GOD,Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don't You just keep the ones You have now?Jane

Dear GOD,Did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident?Norma

Dear GOD,Who draws the lines around the countries?Nan

Dear GOD,Are you really invisible or is that just a trick?Lucy

Dear GOD,Is it true my father won't get in Heaven if he uses his bowling words in the house?Love, Anita

Dear GOD,I went to this wedding and they kissed right in church. Is that okay?Neil

Dear GOD,If You give me a genie lamp like Aladin, I will give you anything you want except my money or my chess set.Raphael

Dear GOD,My brother is a rat. You should give him a tail.Ha ha.Danny

Dear GOD,Why is Sunday school on Sunday? I thought it was supposed to be our day of rest.Tom L.

Dear GOD,Thank you for the baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy.Joyce

Dear GOD,What does it mean You are a Jealous God? I thought You had everything.Jane


Dear GOD,I was thinkin that maybe you can make a mail service in heaven so we can write letters to some people up there or they can send us pictures of what heaven looks like and stuff like that.Caleigh

Dear GOD,Are you happy and healthy with all the people up there with you?Jacob

Downloaded from net

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Giving and Receiving

Art of giving -

My friend's most painful memory is having gone to a rotary club gathering and collecting her scholarship and books in front of a group of people.

After many many years she shared this with tears - "I was in college and in the evening I had to go to this five star hotel to collect my scholarship. When I reached there, I was made to wait for the chief guest and the rest of the gathering was busy drinking whatever they choose to. When the chief guest came there were photographs taken and then they called me to hand over the books and the cheque and everyone clapped (when she said this she was choking). One member had the decency to ask me which college I was from, did I like the subject and also asked if I wanted to eat something, the rest of them behaved as if I did not exist. I still want to run away from the scene".

She does rub shoulders with the rotary club members these days but the pain has not eased.

I feel we are dehumanizing the person when we call them for a meeting and give away stuff in front of a large gathering. It could be the domestic help who has to collect her goodies in front of guests who come to visit us during festivals.

Karna is supposed to have "given" even with his left hand. When someone asked if it was not impolite, he said the mind is ever changing and in the process of transferring (money for ex) from one hand to another, your mind will ask you questions like should you give all of it, should you give it now, should it be for this person and your plans will change.

So give as soon as someone asks for something.

Can we learn from this story of Karna and what my friend suffers and be sensitive to the nuances of giving and the feelings of the receiver.

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Focus, goal , direction

"Is your life run by compass or a clock", "Focus on the larger picture and don't expend your energy on short term goals", "Do you know what where you are going ?" These words of wisdom, (!!) scream at us from self help books, godmen, business tycoons, gurus etc.

In life there are two things that are definite, life and death. Once we are born, one of these deed is done and nothing can change that.

The the other one left is death. So in essence - death is the direction all of us are moving towards on a second, to minute, to day, to year basis.

Ironically though the end is obvious, we invest and expend our reserves on life, which is over the minute we came to earth. Isn't this a paradox that we constantly spend our energy on a futile battle to extend our lives, make believe (maya) that things are permanent, atleast semi permanent, leave an indelible mark, appearance, clothes, wealth, sensory pleasures etc etc and get caught in the web of life.

Maybe like a child who gets distracted by a chocolate before a shot is given by the doctor, life distracts us with all of this before life gives us the shot - death.

The focus could very well be on dissociating from earthly wants and pleasures, petty squabbles, enemity, illness etc. so that when the inevitable goal (the one we did not set for us, but is there in an unchangeable way) "death" is reached, it is easy for us to surrender ourselves to this goal with total comfort.

Friday, December 02, 2005

Musical torture or torturous music

Never thought that the two words music and torture will be uttered or written together.

Read in abc news that at abu ghraib they play loud eminem rap music and that prisoners find this tortorous and they confess.

Can't understand whether the torture is rap music, loudness, or the words in eminem song Anyways I knew music had healing powers, now I know it had other powers too - like drawing a confession

Friday, November 25, 2005

A piece of cloth

This is from ramyanags.blogspot.com with her explicit permission in her comments section for anyone who wishes to republish the post.

Thanks Ramya. Wanted to be an "anil" in Anshu and your efforts.

மதம், மொழி, கலாசாரம்,பொருளாதாரம் போன்ற விஷயங்கள் ஒரு பெண்ணின் வெளித் தோற்றம், உடை, அலங்காரம் போன்றவைகளை வேண்டுமானால் மாற்றலாம். இவை எல்லாவற்றையும் தாண்டி ஒவ்வோரு மாதமும் ஒவ்வோரு பெண்ணுக்கும் தேவையானது ஒன்று இருக்கிறது. நான்கு அல்லது ஐந்து நாட்களுக்கு தேவைப்படும் இந்தப் பொருளுக்கு விலை கொஞ்சம் அதிகம் தான். அது தான் ஸானிடரி நாப்கின். இதை ஒரு பெரிய விஷயமாக நம்மில் பலர் நினைக்க மாட்டோம். இதைப் பற்றி பேசுவதற்கு ஒன்றும் இல்லை என்று தான் நானும் நினைத்துக் கொண்டிருந்தேன், கூஞ்ச் என்ற அமைப்பின் தலைவர் அன்ஷு குப்தாவின் பேச்சை கேட்கும் வரை. என் நண்பர்களோடு சேர்ந்து நான் சிங்கையில் நடத்தும் NRI Singapore என்ற ஒரு சிறு அமைப்பின் அழைப்பை ஏற்று பிப்ரவரி மாதம் அன்ஷு சிங்கைக்கு வந்தார். நாங்கள் அவர் அமைப்பின் ஸ்கூல்-டு-ஸ்கூல் திட்டத்திற்கு பண உதவி செய்து கொண்டிருக்கிறோம். ('என் முந்தைய பதிவில் அதை பற்றி எழுதியிருக்கிறேன்) அத்திட்டத்தின் செயல்பாடுகள் பற்றி பேசுவார் என்று நினைத்தேன். "Every woman needs a clean piece of cloth for five days every month" என்று தன் பேச்சை ஆரம்பித்தவர், சமீபத்தில் கிராமங்களுக்கு சென்று, பெண்களோடு பேசி அவர் தெரிந்து கொண்டதை பகிர்ந்து கொண்டார். சாப்பாட்டுக்கே கஷ்டபடும் மக்கள் ஒரு பாக்கெட் ரூ.60 என்ற விலையில் விற்கும் ஒரு பொருளை நினைத்து பார்க்க முடியுமா? 'சரி, பழைய துணிகள், பஞ்சு?' என்று கேட்கலாம். 'இரண்டே புடவைகள் இருக்கும் வீடுகளில் மாதா மாதம் சுத்தமான துணி கிடைப்பது கூட குதிரைக் கொம்பு தான்' என்கிறார் அன்ஷு. 'அப்படியா? என்னதான் செய்கிறார்கள் இந்தப் பெண்கள்?' சிலர் தரையை துடைக்க வைத்திருக்கும் துணியை உபயோகிக்கிறார்கள். சிலர் மிக நைந்து போன பழைய துணியை உபயோகிக்கிறார்கள். சில சமயம் இரண்டு நாட்களுக்கு ஒரு துணி தான். அந்தத் துணியை பகிரங்கமாக தோய்க்கவோ, உலர்த்தவோ கூடாது. அதனால் சரியாக காயாத ஒரு அழுக்கு துணியை ஐந்து நாட்கள் உபயோகிக்க வேண்டும்! ஒரு வீட்டில் ஒன்றிர்கு மேற்பட்ட பெண்கள் இருந்தால், அதே துணி தான் அனைவருக்கும்! இது எப்படிப்பட்ட கொடுமை என்பது பதிவை படிக்கும் பெண்களுக்கு புரியும். இதனால் ஒரு பெண்ணுக்கு வரும் உடல் உபாதைகள், மன அழுத்தம், சுகாதாரக் கேடு போன்றவைகளைச் சொல்லவே வேண்டாம். "இப்படிபட்ட பழக்கத்தை அறிந்திருக்கும் கிராம மருத்துவர்கள் இப் பெண்கள் கர்ப்பமானால் அல்லது கர்ப்பப்பை சம்பந்தப்பட்ட பிரச்சனைகளுடன் மருத்துவரிடம் வந்தால் அவர்களைச் சரியாகவே பரிசோதிப்பதில்லை. அப்பெண்களின் சுகாதரக் கேடான பழக்க வழக்கத்தினால் பரிசோதிக்க விருப்பமில்லாமல் மேலேழுந்தவாரியாக பார்த்து விட்டு அனுப்பிவிடுகிறார்கள். இதனால் இவர்களின் உடல் நலம் மேலும் மோசமாகிறது, " என்கிறார் அன்ஷு. கிராம மருத்துவ நலத்திட்டங்கள் பல இருந்தும் அடிப்படையான இந்தத் தேவையை எவரும் கண்டு கொண்டதாக தெரியவில்லை. எனக்கு தெரிந்த வரை ஸானிடரி நாப்கின்களை பன்னாட்டு நிறுவனங்களான P&G, Hindustan Lever போன்றவைகள் தான் செய்கின்றன. இதன் விலையைப் பார்த்தால் ஒரு அத்தியாவசிய பொருளின் விலை போல இல்லை. ஒரு cosmetic பொருளின் விலை போல் தான் உள்ளது. எனக்கு தெரிந்தவரை இது சுற்றுப்புறத்திற்கும் தீங்கிழைக்கும் வகையில் தான் செய்யப்படுகிறது. அதாவது bio-degradable பொருட்களால் செய்யப்படுவதில்லை. இதற்கு பெரிய தீர்வுகள் யோசிப்பதை விட அன்ஷுவின் செயல்படுத்தக் கூடிய திட்டத்திற்கு வருவோம். பழைய பருத்தி துணிகளை அவரின் அமைப்பிற்கு நன்கொடையாக கொடுத்தால் அவற்றை உபயோகித்து குறைந்த செலவில் மறுபயனளிக்ககூடிய பருத்தி sanitary towels தயாரிக்கும் பணியை ஆரம்பித்திருக்கிறார் அன்ஷு. நேற்று அவரிடம் தொலைபேசியில் உரையாடினேன். "முதல் batch ரெடி. ஃபரிதாபாதுக்கு அனுப்பிவிட்டேன். இன்னும் கொஞ்ச நாட்களில் அங்கு சென்று பெண்களின் கருத்துக்களை கேட்டு மடலனுப்பிகிறேன்" என்று சொல்லியிருக்கிறார். வாரயிறுதியை உற்சாகமாக்கிய செய்தி. நாம் அனைவரும் அவருக்கு உதவலாம். அவர் அமைப்பை பற்றி தெரிந்து கொள்ள இங்கே சுட்டவும். போன வாரம் அவரைப் பற்றி Hindu வில் வந்த செய்தியைப் படிக்க இங்கே சுட்டவும். யாரும் யோசிக்காத பிரச்சனைகளைப் பற்றி யோசித்து அயராமல் அதற்கு தீர்வுகள் காண முயற்சிக்கும் இந்த இளைஞருக்கு ஒரு salute!

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Music

When I used to go for my music classes my teacher would teach a small section of the song and then would get us to practice for 10/15 minutes. On my way home from the class this small 'bit" will keep ringing in my ears and slowly will get into my system. The pleasure of going over the nuances of this small section of the song - alone - in my head was ecstatic.

I find it difficult to play a casette and listen to one song after the other, even if they are my favorites. I want to have music in small doses and let it play in my head and enjoy that pleasure. Is this fast paced world that has made us miss these slow, intense happiness through our senses??

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Travel Light

There is a strong need to travel light, and flow with life.

Like peeling the onion, if I take away education, family, relationships, job, looks, gender, ideas, opinions .....................and many other , that "I" think makes me and reach a point of nothingness and draw strength from that void - yes I can travel light

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Social brownies

Movie - Rich hero marries a village girl and is not accepted by the hero's family. One day she walks through the garden or sits in front of pooja room and sings melodiously - she is instantly accepted by the family

or

heroine paints a beautiful picture or does a rangoli in front of the house and is immediately respected and accepted.

I have always wondered what if she could not sing or paint or do a rangoli? Does everyone have to have something "special" (and this special defined by someone else) to be accepted. Why cant someone just be themselves not exhibiting or demonstrating anything different ( i am refraining from using the word special) and still be respected and accepted?

One professor I know studied in Harvard and also held high profile jobs (once again high - defined by "dont know who"). She has never mentioned this to anyone except to a few of us. She is who she is as she was before I knew that she had studied in Harvard. Not for a moment I am devaluing Harvard - but these social brownies sometimes end up being the cause of discrimination and as an evolved race can we do away with discrimination in any form?

High and low, talented and not talented, rich and poor, beautiful and ordinary, special and average - aren't they relative?

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Power and prerogative

What to say and what not to say it largely determined by the inherent power structure in all institutions - be it marriage, family, school, college, work place.

Sick, sick, sick ..................

Bosses can hold perceptions of employees (use the quote "perception is reality" - which in my opinion is totally wrong) and voice them, use these perceptions to destroy self esteem of their poor subordinates - BUT - an employee is not supposed to talk about his perceptions of his boss anywhere ......

Adults can say anything they want about children - but children are not supposed to say anything about adults ??????????

Wish there is a world where these power structures don't exist and freedom of expression is practiced in totality.

Friday, October 21, 2005

Live and let live

She is an awesome human being. Caring, loving, generous, sensitive and efficient. Commands respect and treats everyone fairly.

Stands in a shopping mall and says I don't want you to think I am a freak, I have a "partner". What could I do, except to give her a big hug and say she is not a freak and that she is still adorable, respectable and the nice person she is.

Why can't people live and let live and not stigmatize people for their personal preferences, be it food, clothes, color, caste, relationships ...........................

Friday, October 07, 2005

Being

A poem from the book "On becoming a Person" by Carl Rogers -

Be not like the child Oh child
For the child in its innocent curiosity - pries open the bud
And the beauty he thus wished to see - is lost forever
Let thyself unfold thyself without manipulation either by thee or others

I am not sure if I got the exact words but it makes so much sense.

We seem to live either in the past or rush ahead to meet the future ignoring the joy of every moment's beauty in the present . Isn't being more important than becoming?

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Reminiscing

Salangai Oli - my all time favorite movie. So many subtle moments, so very well presented by a team of artists, amazing.

Though many would say that Kamal stole the show, Jeyapradha has given a stellar performance. The prelude and her expressions for Mounamana Neram song, her caring, pained expressions while witnessing the sufferings of Kamal and the helplessness - she is far out in this one film.

One "picture" perfect in everysense

Friday, September 23, 2005

Math, Science and others

Music with a male and female voice singing together and for a fraction of a second, total oneness with the voices and a moment of bliss in the listener, trees through which, sun casts its golden coins, shimmering on mud earth ; a blissful moment; waking up in the morning with a theory or a concept flashing with total clarity that was elluding for weeks together causing a blissful state.

Are you losing time, could it be a short term memory loss ? The entire beauty of the moment wiped out in a second.

It is always - till I experience something it does not exist.

Is there anyway a theory like reducto ad absurdum that Kasthuri wrote about help in these situations - where it exists is proved by beginning with an assumption it does not exist.

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Ban

Legalizing drugs - cannabis in particular was the topic of discussion with a friend. People will overdose and create problems for society and family , suffer ill health .....

Points presented in favor of legalizing cannabis -

People hoard money through illegal means - can we ban money
People overeat and get obese - suffer ill health, families get affected - do we ban food
Drug sale is legalized in Amsterdam for personal consumption - if the above logic holds good, is everyone there a drug addict?

Anything done in excess does lead to problems and with all aspects of life there will be a section that carries things to extreme, therefore banning something is not the answer.

Friday, September 09, 2005

Ideal and real self

To accept my real self means falling short of so many things, as I aspire to become my ideal self there are so many unanswered questions - Is the ideal self for me defined by the external world, my experiences and internalizations; is it too high an expectation; or too low to satisfy my real self?

Depending on the answers to the above from my real self, my effort to become the ideal self appear futile, too easy or needless :)-

At what point do these two meet and is that what is known as integrity in terms of thought, word and deed? Kaya, Vacha, Manasa - in total harmony

Thursday, September 08, 2005

Kinder souls

Pedigree dogs are "allowed" to mate when the owner thinks it is time and "permitted" to litter, and then a buyer comes , separates the pup of his/her choice from the mothers as young as it can be and the pup cries the whole night and day for months, changes the diet to match the family's diet , made to feel bonded with the family, left in animal care when he/she travels and then die... ..................

Is love and kindness absolute?

If it is absolute, how come people who have pedigree dogs/cats or any animal for a pet, and are willing to devote time, energy (cleaning potty, cleaning the mess, giving food on time, medicines etc, etc) do not think of bringing home a child and raising it?

Sujatha (tamil writer) once mentioned that he brought home a baby and the baby kept crying the whole night and him and his wife decided to "return" the baby !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! May be I missed the whole story here :(- and wish I am totally misinformed on this since I hate to believe it happened.

All of us should spend a few hours in an orphange (I hate this term - someone give me a positive sounding one - please) on a regular basis to probably empathize with what I am saying.

Ps. I love animals and I care for them. I am just sort of perplexed with the concept of forced breeding and the exhorbitant sums spent on a pedigree dog/animal...

Monday, September 05, 2005

Gestalt

Whole is more than the sum of its parts ....

When science demystifies something like Buddha's search for truth and "scientists " talking so definitively about the experiences of Buddha, and drawing similarities it to mood enhancing drugs, (like the 'nod' a smack addict experiecences and time expands to infinity), I want to scream that the whole is more than the sum of its parts , how much ever you guys demystify these, you will still miss out on the magic of the binding thread that bonds all experiences of these great souls and presents itself to the whole world.

Friday, September 02, 2005

Death

I read somewhere that the biggest fear of death is about not being able to share that experience with anyone.

As I read and write blogs, I realize how strong is the need in each of us to share and let others know of our experiences. Do we aim for immortality through every effort, to leave some parts of us to go on with life?

The transient nature of cyberspace, has not deterred us from attempting at immortality through writing. Isn't it an irony that one click of the button we will all die a cyber death either out of our own will or some one decides the eblogging is not a good thing to happen and makes the technology obsolete!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but still go on talking about our experiences.

Even the thought of not talking about experiences and only listening sounds so difficult.

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Religion and discipline

All religions seem to lay emphasis on self control, renunciation of sensory pleasures, submitting these pleasures to the supreme and dissociating ourselves, implying everything about human existence is inadequate and wrong unless it is dedicated to the search of truth/supreme being. There seems to be a implicit punishment associated with these religious rituals and rites when they are not followed. Either no Moksha, or rotting in hell ...

One may choose to take this path or not, but its impact on people seem to be diverse.

1. Fear as the motivating factor to do something good
2. Requiring a moral police all the time
3. Suffering from guilt if one violates from these rules and regulations either voluntarily or by force - leading to neurosis and psychosis
4. Difficulty in moving out of the comfort zone, preferring to suffer rather than try something new
5. An extreme belief that one is an inferior being and therefore acting in a servile manner in all contexts or putting on a front of aggressive behavior to compensate for this inferiority

I do wonder if religious scriptures are binding us or liberating us?

Monday, August 22, 2005

Vishesha Dharma and Management

A story in Mahabharat goes like this -Krishna runs away after stealing butter from a few homes and the womenfolk are chasing Krishna to punish him. Krishna goes into a house and hides inside a pot and tells the man there, not to let the women who come chasing know that he is hiding. As promised the man tells these angry women that Krishna never came there. Krishna comes out of the pot and shows his true form. The man asks for moksha and Krishna grants it to the man and also to the pot.

The discussion that ensues ater this wish was granted, is interesting. The man asks - how come he gets moksha for telling a lie and Krishna says that there are two types of dharma - saamanya (ordinary) dharma and vishesha (exceptional) dharma. Saamanya dharma includes truth, honesty etc, etc whereas vishesha dharma is about exercising saamanya dharma in exceptional situations like saving a life. One can tell a lie to save a life and that is vishesha dharma and the man and the pot got moksha for exercising vishesha dharma.

In organizations everything is about saamanya dharma, there is a rule book, be it for HR, Technology, Finance....... saamanya dharma is elucidated and documented well and followed. Probably that is why we have managers and not leaders in organization. Are people assembly line products that these rules will apply in all contexts to all?

Semco appears to be the only organization in the world that practices the true ideology of vishesha dharma. (Anyone who is interested in knowing more about Semco - please read Maverick).

Thursday, August 18, 2005

Abstract thinking

Mind doctors talk about different types of intellect and also the different levels. Focus seems to be on challenged individuals whereas in so called "normal" population too these levels are present. Have you experienced a situation where you are talking about a concept or an idea and use an analogy and the listener gets stuck with the analogy and does not move beyond that. It scares to me to no end, if this mismatch happens in a relationship, how does one handle it.

I know, I know that comments will pour on love and not reason as the basis of a relationship .... ...... but still .....

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Dr Shantha and Magsaysay award

The award has gained more meaning by going to Dr Shantha.

In this current age of emails, cell phone and other electronic communication a two line letter on a POST CARD from anywhere, is sufficient to fix an appointment with Dr Shantha. Her office writes back to us promptly. Never do letters get lost or misplaced in this institution. She is there when you go to see her and carries out the examination personally with total care and concern. Though the situation under which I met with her was quite tense and scary, I am glad I have had the opportunity to see this great soul.

Nirai kudam thalumbathoonu solradu poiye illai. (In English the adage used in the place of this tamil expression is empty vessels make the most noice - in Tamil it is positive and talks about a vessel that is full.)

What is the English word for talumbadu?

Monday, August 15, 2005

Technophobia

I need HELP !!! How do I add links on the sidebar - for example - I read - dubukku, agelessbonding, thewitchyangel, thekfactor, thenathan world, jikku etc. etc. How do I get this appear on the side bar ?

If anyone chooses to help me out with this, please remember that I am allergic to technology, I can get rashes and I am also suscpetible to spontaneous combustion on hearing any technical word/slang and therefore you need to go reaaaaaaaaaaal sloooooooooow on explaining stuff to me using basic English

Understanding human mind

Read Thi Jaa's 'Sembaruthi' and Jayakanthan's 'Adum Naarkali.'

Once again these stories validated the depth of understanding these two writers have about human beings. Psychologists and psychiatrists can take a couple of lessons from these two !!!!!

They are not preachy and JK lives upto his own maxim that writers are not to judge people and present individual characters the way they are. The themes they have chosen and the way they are able to vividly describe places is amazing.

Witchy angel - you may want to read these two if you can lay your hands on them

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Eblogging and the comfort of anonymity

The tamil expression "Mottai Kadidasu" (anonymous letter) has a strong negative connotation and when I look at the eblogging and the number of anonymous comments, it makes me wonder if anonymous writing is negative at all ???????

I find the freedom to write anonymously very liberating. No one knows who I am, how I look, what is my background and read whatever I write as just thoughts and ideas from a head and a heart. Strangely the negative comments or accusation of a anonymous writer, makes me introspect and think about the comment rather than about the personality of the writer.

It is healthy in the psychological sense, if we can overcome the block of considering an anonymous writer as someone timid, shy, mean or manipulative and look at this person as someone who just wants his/her thoughts to be read or heard.

Monday, August 08, 2005

Knowledge and cash

Are the days of knowledge for knowledge sake is over?

BBC had a program on students not enrolling in adequate numbers for higher level courses on certain subjects. The key point of discussion centered around - 'should courses like physics, chemistry and philosophy be removed and be replaced with courses that are in demand like management, journalism etc'.

I am glad that Socrates, Einstein, Descartes, Huxley, Sartre, Freud, Jung and other thinkers are not here to hear this.

No wonder school kids have seen through this and have started using education as a means to make money and not as a vehicle for knowledge gain.

Friday, August 05, 2005

Stereotypes

Primo Levi's book on Survival in Auschwitz talks about several things, "are all concentration camp survivors, noble". "what did they do and did not do, to survive the camp", "how many stole their fellow inmates food, clothing and killed in order to survive" etc and talks about how easily it became a passport for being known as a "good" person .

Many people may find this quite controversial and not palatable (oh my God they have suffered so much and how can you call them as evil or bad - kind of reaction).

The other thought that has been nagging me is, how easily we marginalize people by stereotyping them.

1. Rich people are not kind, whereas poor people are always kind
2. People who wear fashionable clothes are show offs
3. People (Indians) who speak with American or European accents are show offs
4. People who wear ManU jersey or paint their faces in Indian tricolor don't know much about the sport
5. Simple people are nice people and are knowledgeable
6.Poor people are unhappy people

The bottom line is every individual is different and not to judge anyone.

Why can't we accept individual differences and accept people the way they are.

Thursday, July 28, 2005

Changes in work life

Leadership meeting announced that the org chart which was like a joint family clothes line is to be compressed and made into a smart looking stand that are used in apartments. Not sure how many clothes will fall down and lines get cut. Kattundom, poruthiuppum..... kaalam maarum ...

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Kelviyin nayagigal

Pakkathu veettil 3 akka thangaigal ... vishama kodukkungra varthaikku uruvam kidachapola . Idhai padichutu ellam 3/4 vayasunu ninaikka vendaam, 10-15 vayasukulla irukkum.

Avanga amma vayatherichala kottikkave, kelvi kettu padaa paduthum moonum. Avanga amma edungala "maanam poradu ungalale"nu solli thittuvaanga. Oru naal thalai pinnikka varumbodu seepu konduvaralai, adukku anda amma, "oru velai ozhunga panna therialai, ippadi irukkeengale, enakku maanam poradu"nu solli mudikkavum, kadai kutti, romba paavama moonjiya vechundu - "maanam ennamma adikkadi poittu poittu varumaa" nu kettudu, adukappuram mudugula naalu podara satham mattum k0nja neram...

anda ponnukku ippo badil kidachurukkamanu kekkanum , avalukkum ippo 2 ponnu irukkunu kelvi..

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Innocence and wisdom

Three days were spent on teaching a 13 year old, wordly wisdom!!!!!!!!

He has been battered and bruised by a team of adults because he had presented his viewpoints to his teacher who had extremely favorable view points towards a particular religion. Since most adults have lost the ability to focus on the mind speaking and not on age, size, gender, socio economic status and every other factor, it was not palatable to an adult that a child had countered his sentiments.

Bottomline is that he was taught to replace his courage of conviction and his genuine self with cunning, manipulation and compromise.

Tentative step

Never have written a diary or aired views in public. Inspired by ammani, dubukku et al... have taken the first step

OK here we go - roll my sleeves, fingers on the key board ... nothing is happening... total nirvana ..no thoughts ... no ideas... nothing to say ....

Do I have a sense of humor - yes - others say so ......
Can I make sensible conversation - yes - so do others say...
Can I think logically - yes - come on I know this.....
I can do a lot of things ...

then why the hell am I struggling to get some thing posted......