DEATH SINGS A LULLABY

As another year is about to end, suddenly the thought of death came into my mind. It will be like a full stop where you no longer exist,I think.In Harry Potter,it is explained as "as easy as falling asleep".Death becomes a shock when it happens to a youngster and a relief when the person was a bed ridden elder.At any rate it is a stressful event for those who are close to the dead one.Any way the loss will be an irreparable one as no human can replace another.With the sorrow of two tragic accidents happened this year to two wonderful families I know, my year end thoughts refuse to go beyond the realm of death.Since I do not believe in rebirths, the losses are permanent.I hope people who suffered the trauma of losing their dear ones will recover someday somehow.

It may be a lullaby to those who left

But the dear ones hear only a sad song

As another year pass

the sorrow remains do not know how long?

When shiva the destroyer dances and yama enters the house

You surrender even if you are strong

You leave your body and all is blank

you go to rest while the church bells say "ding dong"

LET THERE BE LIGHT

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

December brings snow, cakes and carols with the biggest birthday celebrations of the greatest revolutionary, Jesus Christ. Apart from the religious aspect, he brings the picture of a man of charisma and conviction who sacrificed himself for humanity.This holy martyrdom and the power of assurance of his words( it need immense courage to speak"I am the way,the truth, the life") made christianity the most popular religion of the world.The acceptance of outsiders is another appealing factor.The conversion to christianity is high not only because of active missionary work; it offers a sense of belongingness and provides clear cut answers which is very attractive in a world of confusion.

Many believe that The church have moved away from what Jesus have preached.Whatever, he remains as one of the great leaders of history who is remembered and worshiped all over the world.

Merry christmas

LET THERE BE LIGHT

CRICKET

Its a curious thing that Cricket, a game designed for English summer is the biggest business in Indian subcontinent now.People quote the 1983 world cup win and media penetration as the reason for this immense popularity.But I believe that there are deeper psychological reasons.Cricket as a game is very much like our "unity in diversity".It is a loosely knit team game where individual performances matter more than the actual team work. So an individual with proper training can shine and win irrespective of the weaker links in the team.In cricket, there is lot of time to analyse and speak unlike other fast paced team games like football and volley ball where the action is fast and continuous.And there is a lot of statistics involved which the calculating,EMI addicted middle class can well identify with. i do not think cricket will ever be appealing to mediterrenian people who are more active and outdoor.Here we as a nation prefer to sit and talk more which is possible during the commercial breaks which appear after every over.

So before blaming anybody else for the over popularity of cricket at the cost of other games, one should think of how it became popular.

Indian sports in general have a long way to go because we have not yet developed any proper system of infrastructure and training.Still there are individuals who shine in every sporting event in india and cricket being more individualistic obviousely perform better than other team games. Commercial interests and advertisement friendliness of the game adds to the current situation.

let us hope that a proper system and culture of sports will develop in India sometime and all forms of sports get importance.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Philanthropy has been a value emphasised by almost all religions as a contribution of the more privileged to their lesser fellow beings.Later communism emphasised in level playing of an egalitarian world where a rich man is evil.This made a lasting impact on the mind of people and many rich people feel guilty for being one.So they want to do social services to shed the guilt of not doing anything for the poor.This is the cause of most of the so called corporate social responsibility projects we see.

An industrialist or a businessman do contribute to the development of the country and they do not need to feel guilty of making money. If only they really feel like giving, they should do social service.The people in the orphanages especially the children end up being highly materialistic with the occassional visit of corporate fellows with gifts and they increase their pestering power.They need care and love on a continuous basis than a publicity gimmick of distributing sweets. So in the end nobody really benefits.

Give things only when you enjoy giving(not everybody is like that).Anybody who contribute to the economy is doing their duty towards the people even though indirectly.Do your duty:that is the biggest social responsibility you have in a country which still need a lot of improvement in delivering services. Do not take up social service for the wrong reasons.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN

Patriotism is a very difficult thing to maintain in India with all the news on corruption, the pathetic state of infrastructure and the almost lack of civic consciences. Yet many will tell you that Indian culture is something which is to be proud of.They mean the family and rituals mainly.This is again something which I personally does not rate too high.But there are things in India which I am proud of; the culinary variety,the great many forms of textiles and accessories, the dances and most importantly music.

Musicians are the true representitives of all good things we attribute to India. When a Manganiar singer of Islam religion sing in praise of Krishna that is the true secular heritage we share. People who believe that all muslims are terrorists should listen to Manganiars. They are unusually tallented and such a delight to watch.Same way all the classical and folk artists contribute to harmony and peace and try to spread whatever good left in India to the world.Thanks to them, I can still say that I am an Indian with some pride.

LET THERE BE MUSIC ALWAYS

LET THERE BE LIGHT

MODERN DAY MISNOMERS

The scholars of English language must be well aware of how the usage of certain words have been changed over the years.Certain words which denoted alarm at one point of time are now used to denote appreciation (for example,fantastic).But there are many other words describing virtues of human beings which lost its actual meaning in the modern day(especially in India).This may sound strange;but let me give you some examples.

Humility is considered as a great virtue.A person of great achievement with no aura about himself is considered to have humility.Sometimes, even after achieving a lot,a person can feel inadequate and this may be the reason of not showing off.So the humility here can be actually cowardice in disguise.Especially persons from armed force are supposed to have pride in what they are and next time you see a police or military fellow with extra show of humility, rest assured that he is unworthy.

The line separate arrogance and confidence is very narrow and most of the time people confuse the two.Many confident people(especially youngsters) are termed arrogant and vise versa.To put it simple,"I can do it" is confidence and "I alone can do it" is arrogance.In the same way,being careless is sometimes described as cool(doing things without much tension). A cool person will be efficient without breaking his/her head over something:never careless about things.

A wise person is the one who have seen the world and who is objective with a sound judgement.But now a days,people who states that "world is a bad place"are proclaimed as worldly wise.A person without optimism and faith cannot be objective and a good judge.Because the world still has lot of good things to offer.

Many a times a person who is adamant is called courageous and many people become too rigid in the name of discipline.Both courage and discipline have wider meaning.Courage is standing up for something which you believe in.But that does not mean that you refuse to change even after you are proved wrong.Same way,discipline is a way of life of self control rather than sticking to a particular pattern and norms.

A "modern smart person" often can turn out to be a cheap person .One who bargain and push himself cannot be smart in the real sense of the term. Smartness is all about efficiency and energy level not about smart talks and tactics and this kind of smartness can irritate people which ultimately pull one down.A real smart person will not be short sighted but view things holistically. Smartness is not cunningness.

Do not confuse between emotional and passionate. An emotional person cannot balance and judge properly because of the strong attachment. Passion is all about involvement but it will never shut one's eyes from reality.

Simplicity is all about not showing off and spend according to the needs.Many a times misers may look simple because they hate to part with money and end up buying less.

One bigest misnomer I come across is branding naive people as good. A person who never talk back and whom you can order around is often called as good and when something happen to them because this naiveness people say" it is a pity that such a nice person has to go throuugh all these".Being good requires a lot of strength and conviction and a weak person end up worser than a bad one.

The great Indian family converted the word love into dependency.The affectionate parents never let the kids to do anything of their own as long as they are alive. One's career, life partner,name of the kids and their future etc. are all being decided by one's parents in the name of love. The moment someone thinks about deciding oneself, he/she will be subjected to emotional blackmails by these type of parents and even if some one break free from this, they may feel guilty. Such is the vicious circle of dependency coated with LOVE where your choice of following your heart becomes the "rarest of the rarest and heinous " crime.

Finally let me tell you about power. In India the ability to misuse rule of law is power. If you do not need to stand in queue anywhere,if you can jump the traffick signal without any problem,if you have ten subordinates around you to salute, you have power. That is why Lord Akton says that "absolute power corrupts absolutely". Many people do not know that more than the symbols above ,power comes from personality and strength of character and just because aquiring a position does not ensure power.

So there is corruption in our vocabulary also.It is important to be good judges of fellow humans and oneself to get these things corrected and for that try to cultivate all the above virtues in the real sense of the term.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

"TIME IS MONEY"

I know many youngsters who are workaholics and want to make the most when they are young say,before they turn forty.Many even admit that once they reach middle age, they will retire from the mundane tiring jobs in which they are in and will chase their dreams.They want to use the time when they are healthy to make a secure future before they enjoy.For this they are ready to take up extra jobs in their leisure time(if they have any)also because they say "time is money".

Well, I was taken aback because for me this sentence meant something different."Time is money" I think, does not mean that you should convert all your time into money making. It talks about time as a greatest wealth one can have.In other words, those who have enough time at his/her disposal is the richest.It is important in life that one should have enough time for one self ,to do things one love.And as you cannot bring back time once it is passed,it is more important that one should live in present, do things which one want at this moment rather than postponing it till one feel financially secure.Sadly, in spite of all religious texts emphasising this point of living in present, very few only seems to realise its importance.

People once they are lucky say about the perfect "timing" with which the things happened.This timing or the "right things at right time" is a bonus for people who respect time and live in the moment.The prisoners of past and the gamblers of future cannot be blessed with "timing" because they may never be able to keep up with present.

So before you work extra time for the better future of your kid,think about the child who want your time now more than he/she want your money in future.Do not expect that you will chase your dreams when you are old and secure(you will be tired,only).Its now or never because "time is money".....grab it now and utilise it for you before it is too late.

COMMUNISM CAPITALISM AND EQUALITY

When I first heard about the "time when each human listens to other like music" it appeared to be such a beautiful world.There were also promises for an egalitarian world where everyone will be treated alike.But how can people with different abilities be treated alike was a puzzle.
Communism is the most influential political ideology happened in the world because of the huge promises it carried(almost like a religion) and the material analysis which was very appealing.Even after the end of soviet union,we still have china and cuba and a lot of people who practise different versions of it from the socialists to maoists.
Communism presents a highly narrow view of society which tend to portray rich as bad and poor as good.It made making money with hardwork a sin and fail to acknowledge individual merits and differences.It violates many principles of nature and basic human instincts.And in principle it put more restrictions to people and took more life than Nazism or Fascism.And the opiating effect of it is higher than that of any religion.
What about Capitalism which is the natural enemy of Communism?Well, the competition and chances of growth are the good things about it but the emphasis on making things big can always put pressure on human life.It always highlight instant success and state that one can sell anything with advertisement.It sometimes set unrealistic targets which can be often cancerous.Still The democracy which is supposed to be the best system of governance so far ,work best with capitalism.With the mantra "think global act local" capitlism can work well for countries like India with a proper balance of welfare measures and market forces.
In the name of equality one should not vouch for uniformity.No one should be banned from pursuing one's own path.State should not put too much restrictions on one's life but should try to give basic facilities to all so that people should be naturally ready to compete.Too much protectionism always hinder development.
Differences are the very nature of life.It does not make things superior or inferior.It is the hierarchical thinking which create problems.Even in the worst of times ,people have a choice.If one is free and confident within there is no need for any "isms"to make the world a better place to live in.
LET THERE BE LIGHT

EMPIRE SINGS BACK........

When Indian writers who write in English started winning awards across the globe,it was termed as "Empire writes back".Now it is the turn of singers.The Liberalisation generation who communicate in English is coming up with amazingly high quality English songs of all possible genres.They hate to sing popular numbers from the west but create their own songs with a touch of Indianness.The young kids who are still in college are saving money to come up with new albums of their own.The internet gives them space to propagate their tunes.
Confidence and camaraderie are the two things which makes this singers the real face of the changing India.The tradition of respecting senior musicians is replaced with singing along the tunes of your buddies whom you love.When reality shows concentrate on imitation,here the key word is originality.
Rahman is winning Grammy and Oscar and I am sure there is a bunch of youngsters who will follow....They are amazingly talented.(Anybody who is doubtful can check reverbnation.com and try e flat,skrat,blacklisted and touchwood).
LET THE MUSIC BEGIN............
LET THERE BE LIGHT

WAH USTAD!!!

Music is said to be the bridge connecting oneself to the supreme self.The songs appeal to the cognitive part with the thought provoking lyrics and the music along with the voice which render it soothes senses.Being a music lover who enjoys all genres ,I still had apprehensions about my ability to enjoy instrumental music until I heared two greatest artists who literally took my breath away.
Pandit Shivkumar sharma and Ustad Zakir Hussain are one of the most popular pair in Hindustani Jugalbandi.The stream like sweetness of the Santoor when joins the storm of Zakir's Tabla create an out of the world experience.In the end Zakir performed such unbelievable strokes as if he unleashed the power of all elements into the concert hall.
It was amazing to see such greats with so much of humility and abundance of talent.They truly represented the secular India.
Jai ho
let there be light