:: Witty Nuggets ::

Anticipating a new epoch, are we? #BeyondCovid19

2020-04-17T22:55:00.010+05:30

This year has thrown us in the face of unprecedented times that seem more suited for dystopian fiction than reality. Our common enemy, the novel coronavirus presents a litmus test of the efficient performance of the healthcare infrastructure globally and how governments tackle a snowballing crisis. At the individual level, it is not just a test of our immunity but also mental health. When a catastrophe surpasses all distinction and difference — geographical, racial, economic, social, political, of caste and gender, it espouses a kind of solidarity. Unlike humans, viruses don’t discriminate.

The outbreak first noticed in Wuhan, China spread to other countries as people travelled in and out of China and the authorities alerted WHO only at the last minute. The WHO quickly declared Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) as a public health emergency of international concern and the infections only amplified. The irresponsibility of the Chinese led to the domino effect of disease which has shaken the entire world with 2,168,045 confirmed cases globally and 12,000 cases in India.

When the WHO declared the COVID-19 as a pandemic meaning a global epidemic, a wave of panic and fear swept over people, as sanitizers and face masks became our closest companions. The past few weeks have been nothing short of a learning curve for many of us, with understanding what quarantine and lockdown meant and how it would pan out. Who knew that a virus could shake up the mightiest of countries and put brakes on major economic activity?

The lockdown experience is a first for all generations that are living it and is truly one of it’s kind. Commentators are forced to draw references to the Spanish flu of 1918 which began in Europe before it started its global march and wiped close to 3% of the global population. They say COVID-19 could be a once in a century pandemic. It’s already been more than three weeks that we’ve all been at home, going out only to the grocery store or pharmacy while maintaining physical distance, a privilege not available to everyone. The media has drilled the need for “social distancing” to fight the pandemic successfully. Terms like “social distancing” only enlarge the cloud of panic that surrounds us in this digital age. We can alternatively try and use the term “physical distancing” instead, without generating more fear of isolation in the minds of a close-knit community of people. We might be physically distant and not seeing each other in realtime but that doesn’t entail that we remain socially isolated, thanks to smartphones and social media.

With the overabundance of information and misinformation being circulated mindlessly by some, it is believed that the authorities will have to simultaneously fight an ‘infodemic’. In the age of fake news and hyper-connectivity, it is not difficult to mislead people who cannot cherrypick reliable sources from the supposed sea of information. The taboo of touch may see a life beyond the pandemic as these concepts can get internalised by many in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Recent research suggests it takes nearly 66 days for a behaviour to become automatic so it won’t be a surprise if people are sceptical of social gatherings and showing affection long after containment of the disease.

We live in a global village with deep interconnections with other countries so that seamless exchange of commodities, services, ideas, and people across borders can take place. When it comes to a pan-country phenomenon like climate change or a pandemic, we suffer collectively. The world economy in 2020 is on track for the sharpest downturn since the 1930s. As businesses of all sizes suffer, unemployment rates will increase causing ripple effects. This crisis can potentially espouse a rethink of how countries want to depend on one another and whether we need to rejig the present growth model. The global economy with the United States at the centre was already falling apart and the calamity is another nail in the coffin.

We may think of ourselves to be self-reliant but life in modern society entails multiple layers of connections, whether at the unit of the individual or of the country due to a complex ‘division of labour’. For this reason, many of us are facing disruptions in our lifestyle and consumption habits beyond essential items and services. Nevertheless, these things are tiny in the face of the looming crisis of hunger, sickness, poverty and death.

Initially, I was keeping a tab on COVID-19 developments and checking the statistics. It made me feel pathetic and quite helpless, there isn’t much any of us can do other than maintaining good hand hygiene and wearing masks. The initial days of lockdown were tough as life’s everyday rhythm gets disrupted. Small things I took for granted earlier like a saunter down the market, a jog in the neighbourhood park or just a leisure walk down the sideway seemed things of the distant past.

There was a brief spell of boredom and slowly I had an epiphany as my gaze moved beyond the immediate and the personal. Things are quite bad but they could be much worse. Not everyone can quarantine at a comfortable space called home with a fridge full of food. Grocery and medicine are available, although access is limited. If one can access essential goods and services, all one needs is compassion for the deprived and maintaining a calmer outlook.

A Silver Lining

The fast-paced modern life seems to come to a standstill and we suddenly realize we have the posited luxury of time. We go as far as saying that time is money so aren’t we in some sense richer? With no intention to justify the present topsy-turvy situation, It also brings with itself some opportunities and takeaways.

Never have we possibly had so much of leisure time at our disposal to do what we like to, to cultivate or hone a hobby, to learn a life skill we’ve always procrastinated or to do a thorough cleanup of our living space that we brush under the rug. This seems to be the perfect time to take up tasks that we have been wanting to do for long but somehow never got to do them from the comfort of our homes. If we can engage in acts of kindness and charity towards daily wagers, migrant labourers and the less privileged, we can alleviate a fraction of their plight. Kindness and empathy will take us leaps ahead in the battle against the virus.

Being in self-quarantine at home irrespective of whether one is working from home or not gives a chance to cement existing relationships with friends and family. It gives some headspace to even possibly reconnect with old colleagues, teachers and friends over the phone. This period can open our eyes to certain toxic relationships or fake friendships that we might be sharing with people but weren’t conscious about due to masked feelings, convenience or sheer benefit. In crisis situations, one mostly connects with the few that one genuinely cares for.

We live on this Earth as the most evolved creatures, the most superior of all species who act as the lone inheritors of Earth’s bounty. Another silver lining from this catastrophe is how nature is reclaiming its spaces. Even though countries including India are committed to achieving 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including combating climate change and sustainable production, our sensitivity towards the environment needs to rise (UN Agenda 2030). At present, fewer vehicles ply on the roads and Air Quality Index (AQI) has markedly improved. In the seven years, I’ve lived in Delhi, the air has never been as pleasant. Birds and the wild are moving freely over long distances, sometimes venturing into new areas, thanks to less human interference.

We’ve seen that when most of us remain indoors, flora and fauna flourish in the outdoors. So, at least we must try to minimize pollution, of the air, soil, and water and not waste resources like fuel, electricity and water. As a country, we need to switch bigtime to hybrid renewable technologies soon. The Earth is the only home we’ve got and we cannot wait for an ecological catastrophe to strike us to get into mission mode. Carl Sagan captures it well in his book ‘Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space’

“Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.”

Sustainable production goes hand in hand with sustainable consumption. The lockdown has given many of us enough time to declutter and organize our almirahs and shelves. Whether it is unused garments from the wardrobe, expired condiments from the kitchen or piles of paperwork and untouched books, many of us will most likely clean up our homes. It is always a good idea to donate something that no longer serves any purpose to someone who may value from it.

Life seems much more peaceful with limited possessions wherein one can immediately find the specific item one is searching for at that moment without going crazy about locating it. Marie Kondo, an organizing consultant in one of her books writes on KonMari method which is a system of simplifying and organizing your home and workplace by getting rid of physical items that do not bring joy into your life. Beyond areas of work, hobbies, and passions, a minimalist approach is probably the right way to go although to each her own. I’m reminded of one of my teachers who would often use the adage “Less is more.”

The lockdown continues to have wide-ranging implications for all of us but something basic that will come out of it for many is a greater appreciation for the outdoors and life’s simpler pleasures. Soaking in the morning sun, the sweet afternoon nap, sipping one’s favourite tea or coffee in the balcony as the sun sets when the sky is a canvas of myriad hues and the joy of cosying up to fresh sheets are the little but precious pleasures.

Since most of us are saving on commuting time which is a significant chunk of the day especially in metropolitans, we mustn’t hide behind excuses to stay active. Whether it be housework, walking on the terrace or some Suryanamaskar, it can uplift our mood and enhance our immunity. If we live mindfully by engaging in what gives us true happiness, interspersed with moments of digital detox, anxiety won’t knock our doors.

We are in this together and hopefully, we will come out of this stronger, more sensitive and grateful. Perhaps, some of us get stirred up to function and live differently in months to come and cumulatively, the post-corona world feels a tad bit different.

Why I Write

2019-07-24T17:38:00.002+05:30

"The idea is to write it so that people hear it

and it slides through the brain and goes

straight to the heart."

- Maya Angelou

It is difficult for me to fathom since exactly how long I have been writing to express myself. This certainly doesn't include the quintessential writing one does while in school or college. Sometimes, it seems to me as a consequence of my intrinsic behaviour which is keeping things to myself. Growing up, I was not the one growing up with a bunch of kids - neighbours, cousins of my age and my early socialization was limited to my parents and elders for as long as I can remember. Being the elder sister with a considerable age difference, my childhood was solitary. Before class 2 when my family finally moved to Jaipur, my father had postings in different districts and I faintly remember changing schools as well as homes. In fact, even within Jaipur, I have been part of four different schools. This also meant that I never got attached to one particular area, home, school or set of friends.

Looking back, it is now that I realize that my love affair for writing began nearly a decade back and I am extremely grateful to my parents for their support. I've always been a voracious reader and certain books left imprints on my impressionable mind. Two of the ones that really inspired me to embrace the pen include 'The Diary of A Young Girl' by Anne Frank and 'The Story of my Life' by Helen Keller. Since the time I've gotten to know about their lives, they inspire me and will continue to be my heroes, no wonder they say that the pen is mightier than the sword.

I started writing my Diary though not on an everyday basis but when there was an urge to let out strong thoughts, feelings or emotional upheavals- brimming happiness, curiosity, longing, anger or pain, of the kind I did not know to express in ways other than writing. This was a time devoid of smartphones and social media and I am glad about that as our state of mind and feeling was not slave to notifications. One could effortlessly develop or hone one's hobbies and pursue fulfilling tasks with undivided attention back then. Anyway, I believe every decade comes with its own possibilities and pitfalls and we must become a little more mindful of the areas where we want to spend our energies and precious time. Our priorities must serve as a blueprint for the lifestyle we choose to live each day and things will eventually fall into place. Here, I am reminded of a beautiful quote I heard on a podcast by Hindu priest, entrepreneur and speaker Dandapani,

"Where awareness goes,

energy flows."

The intellectual trigger to this write-up was my diary I stumbled upon recently which I was writing back in 2009, exactly a decade back. In college, I discovered George Orwell, thanks to a friend sharing a similar appetite for reading. His iconic 1984 marked my initiation into the intelligently crafted Orwellian world and there was no stopping from thereon. In fact, this piece is inspired by one of his essays first published in 1946 titled "Why I Write", the link to which I will provide in the very end. Different people are driven by different motives and here I attempt to elucidate why I write:

I believe that the written word is a powerful medium of expression and will continue to be no matter what advancements in technology take place. People who crave new ideas and knowledge will continue to seek them and good writing brings with itself a kind of aesthetic enthusiasm for the author. Therefore, with the advancements in technology, on one hand, we find people addicted to video games, pornography and social media and on the other hand, the number of e-books, audiobooks and kindle being sold are also increasing. There seems to be hunger within me to write and disseminate what I've learnt from my 24-year-old journey round the sun.
Being a reflexive individual and a sociologist, I constantly engage with contemporary realities of the society, polity and economy. Certain questions pop up in my head every now and then to which I believe a lot of us seek answers to. I want my writing to urge people to put their thinking caps on and seek the truth, to take every comment or piece of media with a pinch of salt.
It has been forever since I've wanted to write a book and I know for sure that one day I will face the gargantuan task of streamlining my ideas into one coherent piece. So, I perceive writing at present as a primer or refresher course before I actually, embark the journey of writing my first book. It might seem crazy to many but the image of the Acknowledgments page is already embedded in my mind. For information on the theme, you will have to be patient.
I write to get rid of certain uncomfortable feelings and emotions as writing is a cathartic experience for me. Many of us don't realize that every day we are exposed to a rainbow of emotions and experiences, both pleasant and unpleasant. Once in a while, we need to press the reset button on our system so that we continue to move ahead in life, discarding the unpleasant and ugly moments of life. I believe journaling or writing are practical tools available to us to achieve better mental health.
I look forward to the sense of accomplishment, I feel when I finish writing an article or commentary. Writing is not easy and certainly not everyone's cup of tea. It is a test of patience as well as attention. I don't struggle with words but the "writer's block" is real and can often dampen the desire to express and this is why writing consistently is quite difficult. One needs to achieve a particular state of mind and have moments of solitude to get the pen flowing or keyboard typing.
It would not be just on my part if I don't acknowledge the egoistic drive towards writing - being discussed, respected for your originality and earning some recognition in the society. This trait is similar to those of scientists, artists, lawyers, politicians etc. ("the whole top crust of humanity" as Orwell puts it). I believe it is not the money per se, but the additional feather that you add to your cap, alongside the career you pursue.
Lastly, I write as an attempt to capture the creative juices flowing in my head to arrive at something concrete or tangible out of it. An influx of ideas and thoughts is a gift that I like to treasure by transforming it into an intellectual product before it fades away. It is up to you what value you would like to attribute to your train of thought or just rubbish it aside. In the coming decades, I wish to create more (valuable content) and consume less of digital media in the long run. If you don't value your independent thinking, who on Earth will?

I hope you found it interesting and it was worth your time.

I would appreciate if you can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

You can find Orwell's essay here -

http://orwell.ru/library/essays/wiw/english/e_wiw

A Leap of Faith

2019-05-29T20:08:00.000+05:30

© Shambhavi Pant

"With roots secured in the mud

A stem that grows through water

And a flower that lies pristinely above."

We've all heard and read that life ain't a bed of roses, yet deep inside our hearts, many of us aspire to a life that lacks hurdles. Life isn't meant to be a singular uphill journey but is one with crests and troughs. Numerous researches indicate that as human beings, we are innately wired to seek pleasure. And why should we be surprised when apes are traced to be our anthropological ancestors. Though I majored in Sociology, cognition and brain functioning have always been of interest to me. Under modern civilisation, we seek to fulfil higher order needs much beyond food, sex and shelter as the Psychologist Abraham Maslow contends. Therefore, we tend to chase "highs" through our work, activities and relationships. Those who do innovate, create or work upon things or ideas fight against the natural tendency to relax or just be. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of needs paradigm, their physiological, safety, love & belonging and ego/esteem needs stand fulfilled and they are somewhere near the apex of the pyramid in the quest to self-actualization.

In this roller coaster ride called life, we will inevitably face certain "lows" at some point in time. Failures, disappointments - being diagnosed with cancer or a chronic disease, losing a parent or loved one, failing to crack a competitive exam, crashing stock market, not landing a university of one's choice, not being promoted, a romantic rejection, being practically broke, not being able to attend one's favourite concert and the list is practically endless. In situations like these, we must make a conscious effort on our part to not break under trying circumstances and constantly seek inspiration from outside or within. Often the tough and challenging times carve the best out of us, not to forget that diamonds develop only when excessive heat and pressure fuse together in Earth's mantle. Also, rejections and disappointments must not become roadblocks to our dreams and aspirations. I fondly recall my childhood days in Jaipur where my mother used to pen a quote she liked once every few days, on a whiteboard facing my bed and one of them has managed to stay with me till date.

“Shoot for the moon.
Even if you miss,
you'll land among the stars."

Norman Vincent Peale

Some of us perceive failures as major bottlenecks and unnecessarily get bogged down by past mistakes. But, problems no matter how minuscule or gigantic will crop up in life some time or the other. As we sail through life, we commit mistakes and it is but normal as long as we are learning from them and gradually moving forward. Often, opportunities knock our door but can be perceived by us as problems as they often come with demands to break our current habits. In reality, what we may refer to as "challenges" today are perceived as opportunities by us in the near future. Trying circumstances bring out our true brilliance and polish our character. We must strive to accomplish at least one or two tasks each day that fill us with happiness no matter how busy we get. There are enough options for everyone - working out, swimming, cooking, curling up to a book, watering plants, yoga, meditation, listening to a podcast, taking up a new sport, a walk in the park, hair spa, manicure, poetry etc. It is fulfilling to follow your hobbies and cultivate a few if you have none.

"Every adversity carries with it the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit."
Napoleon Hill

Most trailblazers in different walks of life have their fair share of problems to grapple with, just like anyone else. Probably what sets the outliers apart from the mediocre is the ability to constantly fight their inner demons, without losing hope. They stay at the top of their game driven by their drive to excel and simultaneous efforts, undeterred by obstacles.

I believe nature is one of the greatest gifts of God to humankind, not just for the nourishment of our bodies but also of the soul. No matter how stressful a day you've had, a brief walk in the park undoes the damage that often we carry out on ourselves or is done to us at our workplace. The above photograph of blooming lotus flowers was captured by me on a morning stroll in Lodhi Gardens. Some of us are like lotus flowers in a pond, who choose to blossom even within the murky water. For this reason, the lotus flower is considered to be a symbol of purity and awakening in oriental spiritual traditions like Hinduism and Buddhism.

“Water surrounds the lotus flower,

but does not wet its petals."

Gautama Buddha

We, too have the power to rise above everything that goes against us, to radiate our energies into the world. It only requires us to change for the better, to embody a passion for our work and cultivate resilience to stay rooted in the accomplishment of our purpose. This is definitely not as easy as it sounds, but more like a relentless task, psychologically as well as in terms of action in the here and now. A relentless pursuit for self-mastery and trying to outshine oneself is certainly not everyone's cup of tea. I truly believe that we ultimately become sprouts out of thoughts and activities that we engage with for the most part of our days. Days add up to become weeks, weeks add up to become months and subsequently, years. I appreciate how Robin Sharma, a global leadership guru puts it as "All change is hard at first, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end. Everything you now find easy you first found difficult. When you feel like surrendering, continue. Triumph loves the relentless."

"Better keep yourself clean and bright;
you are the window through which you must see the world."

George Bernard Shaw

We, millennials, I believe, have set sky-high ambitions and aspire to be a cut above the rest. No matter how distant our goal may seem, if we dial in the correct behaviour and mindset, it eases the process. Working on our mindset is definitely important because our attitude shapes our reality, no wonder they say half battles are fought in the mind. If we cannot visualize ourselves where we want to reach then it only becomes difficult to reach the desired destination. Irrespective of where we might be presently situated in our life, we can enhance our life chances if we perceive a world of possibilities, rather than one of problems. At the same time, we must always keep a handful of people that truly care about our well-being and happiness in close proximity, especially in times of distress. Success and joy only multiply when shared with those who have stood by you through thick and thin - the unconditional love of parents, the accommodative spouse, the friend who would go out of her way for you.

In the age of two-minute noodles, one night stands and same-day deliveries, tenacity and diligence become all the more rewarding. In the end, whether we choose to swim or sink is a product of our own volition and not a plain outcome of circumstances alone. Life is a gift, celebrate it each day and embrace all challenges it throws with a leap of faith. A leap of faith is all it takes.

"Be an edifice and not the structure, the structure can fall, but the edifice remains."

Ayn Rand

Falling In Love With The Machine: Is This What The Future Looks Like?

2019-02-20T15:29:00.001+05:30

Released in 2014, the Academy Award-winning film by Spike Jonze, “Her”, starring Joaquin Phoenix.

“Her” is an atypical love story which brings to screen a technology driven futuristic take on human life and personal relationships. Released in 2014, the movie is definitely worth a watch and it is no wonder that it has won numerous accolades and has been widely screened at film festivals. The protagonist Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) is a professional who pens customized love letters for an online service. These letters are not in the usual computer font, but a distinct beautiful “handwriting” created digitally. On the personal front, he appears to be a lonely man after a recent separation from his wife and has somewhat of a monotonous life where he does his 9-5 office stint and gets back home.

At one plane, it reflects the increasing utility of tech artifacts, wherein Theodore is checking e-mails on the go and responding to them via his digital assistant on his Bluetooth earpiece. This and much more became possible when he purchased and installed an intuitive AI software on his computer after filling out essential details. Though the digital assistant does not have a form, the OS who names itself as “Samantha” (the voice of Scarlett Johansson), after Theodore opted for a female voice, fills the void in his life in the beginning. He begins to interact with Samantha quite a lot, initially for work related stuff like attending or cancelling phone calls, responding to e-mails and text messages.

Gradually, the OS creeps into his personal life as he allows access to his private information on his computer. Over time, their interactions become frequent and out of loneliness and desperation for attention, Theodore falls in love with Samantha. Though without a body, Samantha seems to be a convenient lover without expectations as a real woman would have. Therefore, even if Theodore fails to fulfil his sexual desires, Samantha provides emotional support and makes his life somewhat vivid. In one scene, Samantha wants to get physically intimate with him through an anonymous woman as surrogate, technologizing the very act of sex.

Since the very beginning, the quest for technology has been portrayed to be rooted in serving mankind. Technologists have commercialized and pushed new technologies into the market along with the claim of making life easier. This might not be a false claim so to say, but at best is only half-truth especially in a society which rarely ponders over ways to interact with different technologies. It is not wrong to the say that the vast majority of people who use different gadgets are negligent about the implications of the way they utilize technology.

There is also a consumerist pitch associated with technology, wherein people i.e. potential consumers are made to believe that their lives are incomplete without the touch of latest technologies. Several new gadgets are put into the market, as advertisers and marketing professionals work tirelessly to generate artificial needs. As a section of people hop into the consumerist bandwagon, the ripples of consumerism and marketing pitches translate into a fear of missing out (FOMO) for others. Andrew Przybylski and other discuss FOMO in the peer reviewed journal ‘Computers in Human Behavior’ as a form of social anxiety, "a pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent". This phenomenon only gets worse on social media which usually is a reflection of one’s best moments and experiences, a “highlight reel” as opposed to the reality.

The paradigm of social construction of technology sees technology as a product of human creativity and genius. It also justifies latest technologies as a celebration of human intellect, which are created with great effort and skill only to serve people as is portrayed in the film. By using more technologies and gadgets, it is believed that it would possibly create more leisure time for people which is highly contested. Leisure can allow people to unwind and rejuvenate after a tough day at work and is said to regenerate labour power. Yet, it is but a rosy view of technological artifacts and may not be a universal experience. Technology can eat up its user’s leisure time even without his/her awareness and prove detrimental to his/her productivity.

Sophia, an android developed by Hanson Robotics Ltd. speaking at the AI for GOOD Global Summit, ITU, Geneva, Switzerland June, 2017.

The relationship between Theodore and Samantha is unnatural if seen from a rational lens and ultimately impacts Theodore’s life negatively. He develops a digital addiction to his OS, due to which his personal relationships with real people suffer. Risk society thesis by Ulrich Beck draws attention to the possibility of risks that come with using any technology and is also true in case of AI in the protagonist’s life. “In advanced modernity, the social production of wealth is systematically accompanied by the social production of risks. Accordingly, the problems and conflicts relating to distribution in a society of scarcity overlap with the problems and conflicts that arise from the production, definition and distribution of techno-scientifically produced risks.” Beck holds that there are “unknown unknowns” with respect to any technological phenomenon like Globalization, and cited climate change and global warming as the unintended consequences. The intuitive OS posed a risk to Theodore’s social life and well-being and ultimately caused even more suffering than before.

Gary Chapman in the book “Shaping the Network Society- The new role of Civil Society in Cyberspace” discusses corporate capitalism and attempts at anti-globalization. He believes that mass production of uniform goods across the world with the aid of technology is responsible for shrinking diversity and degrading the status of local specialties. George Ritzer, a sociologist refers to this phenomenon of massive universalization of cultural products due to Globalization as “McDonaldisation of society”. Chapman creates a narrative which discusses technological imperative against the social imperative. The technological imperative is all about using technologies for the sake of its availability in the market, which has the capacity to homogenize economies, societies and even skills. He makes a point for need of greater availability for free open sourced software like Linux, which and is free of cost, as it should be. Also, it sharpens the computer skills of an average Windows user, and creates a special skill set as open softwares are not as simplified as Windows.

The social imperative can be seen as prioritizing the well-being of the larger society, over blindly adopting technological artifacts. Therefore, the social imperative gives importance to analyzing the real purpose of a technology and its impact on the collective, and not just on isolated individuals. Chapman cites several examples, like the Slow food movement in Italy, which has emerged as a counter-movement to the American fast food trend led by McDonalds’s and other international chains. Slow food involves cultivation of crops endemic to the geographical region and bringing local Italian cuisine back into the consumption baskets of people. It has emerged as an ecologically sensitive movement that upholds the values of sustainable development, which seeks to benefit the local economy, ecology and society. He is of the opinion that technological use must be adapted to one’s situation and requirements to lead what the Italians call “il buon vivere” i.e. the good life.

In the movie “Her”, the technological imperative takes lead over the social imperative. The latest intuitive AI software is marketed as a miracle addition to the fast paced lives of individuals. As it is used more and more, the artificially intelligent OS through data mining across its users for the particular demographic, gender and other specificities, is able to chalk out patterns. A vast pool of data and patterns of usage make the OS to function intuitively and very similar to an animate individual. It is marketed as a digital personal assistant with AI which is available to the user anytime and anywhere and gets the closest to human interaction as it possibly can, something attractive for techies.

The motion picture reflects the blurring of the man-machine boundary, as Theodore unconventionally falls in love with an OS, as opposed to a human. The OS is advanced and built in with intuitive features that become more efficient with more usage. Once the user allows his/her personal information to be accessed by an artificially intelligent OS, the OS in some sense becomes an extension of the user. The user’s daily routine, different kinds of preferences, peer group information etc. are gradually predicted by Samantha. In the movie, Samantha discusses about Theodore’s estranged relationship with his ex-wife and suggests potential dates. He is definitely not an extrovert yet tries to go on a date only after Samantha persuaded him to go as a means to battle his loneliness. In this way, technology can be seen as an intrusion into the personal sphere, although a voluntary one for the protagonist.

“Her” presents an interesting commentary on living in an increasingly connected hyper-technological world. The irony seems to be that though individuals across the globe are increasingly connected digitally, the connection between people in real time are dwindling. The social dynamics seem to coalesce with what Daniel Bell refers to as "post-industrial society", where in new forms of communication take centre-stage as prime infrastructure (as opposed to transportation in industrial society). It is knowledge along with 'high technology' that sparks innovation to create value and often, promises returns. Multiple technologies and machines have made a runway into our lives so deeply that one can confuse the virtual for the real, as happened in Theodore and his friend’s case. Technology is capable of altering the world and has potential unintended consequences. Artificial intelligence is capable of altering sense and perception of individuals and is marketed as technology with a human face.

Alvin Toffler suggested that the accelerating pace of technological change would soon make us all sick. He called the sickness “future shock,” which he discussed in his book with the same name, published in 1970. Future shock is outlined as a “dizzying disorientation brought on by the premature arrival of the future.” The very notion of a man falling in love with a machine or software can seem absurd in the present. Yet, the pace at which technology penetrates into our lives, such a scenario is quite plausible, though futuristic.

Development Decoded

2017-10-18T12:16:00.000+05:30

President Truman’s speech in 1949 inaugurated the era of development in the way Robert McNamara’s speech in1973 reflected the shift within its discursive field. The Nairobi speech was essentially an address to the board of governors of the World Bank by McNamara, the then President of the Bank. He contested the effectiveness of the accumulation-centric approach in eliminating poverty and discrimination and emphasized on the need for an alternative approach. There emerged a strong case for redefining the objective of development by bringing in the alleviation of absolute poverty as the goal of developmental interventions.

In the previous decades, the Bank’s lending policy focused on infrastructure building- e.g. Power plants, transport and communications mainly for modern industries in urban areas. Since these investments enhanced productivity in the modern sector, their economic returns were tangible and measurable providing an economic justification of the projects. The Bank moved away from the Social sector and was hesitant to fund health or educational programs because according to the Bank, they were only remotely linked to productivity and growth.

The 1970’s popularly referred to as the McNamara years saw significant changes in the Bank’s lending policy with funds being pumped into several anti-poverty programs. In fact, Bank lending for agriculture and rural development increased from 18% in fiscal 1968 to 31% in fiscal 1981. The composition of lending within agriculture dramatically switched from irrigation and infrastructure related investments to poverty-oriented rural development projects for benefit of the rural poor. Funds were also allocated to low-cost urban housing, slum rehabilitation and primary education. The World Bank, however, was not the only institution that envisioned the new perspective. Several UN forums, the Tinbergen Report and the Report of the Dag Hammarskjold Foundation firmly stressed the need to redefine the goals of development and proposed an agenda with basic need satisfaction as its top priority. The ILO launched its World Employment Program (WEP) to attempt research on urban poverty and reasoned in favour of treating employment as a separate goal of development. Now, the space of developmental planning brought to the fore the state’s welfarist role by involving a direct planned attack on poverty. Michel Foucault, a French social theorist, called this phenomenon ‘governmentalization’ of the developmental state.

Foucault’s analysis of power refers exclusively to the advanced modern society of the west, but the conceptual tools it offers can be productively used for an understanding of some of the power regime of third world countries. In exploring the nature of subjugation and control in contemporary western societies, he offers a diachronic account of power. The central point he makes is that power in the form of sovereignty has been supplanted in these societies by a new form he calls Governmentality: that there has been a governmentalization of the state. Sovereignty is premised on the concept of law and right, and when the sovereign is exercised on the social body, it works in terms of restriction, prohibition and denial. Governmentality, on the other hand, refers to the management of the social body in terms of interventions on the part of the state aimed at promoting the welfare of society. The purpose of these interventions is to activate and arouse the subjects rather than constrict and repress them.

The two paradigms of power, sovereignty and governmentality, are fundamentally different in their nature and modality. While the sovereign power is repressive, governmentality as a form of power is productive. The subjects of the sovereign power are the citizens with rights who participate in the sovereignty of the state but in its governmental law, the state views the social space as inhabited by a population. The population is constituted through enumeration, quantification and classification by a census and surveys conducted by the government. Population groups are identified as targets of policies, as objects on which Governmentality can be exercised. Thus, with the rise of the governmental function of the state as the dominant mode of power, the citizens who were subjects of the sovereign dissolve into the population and become objects of governance.

Power to Ideas

2017-10-06T19:47:00.001+05:30

The progress of a society is reflected among other things, in the way it embraces its diversity- of its people, their cultures and opinions. We, as self-actualized individuals of a modern society, must try to acknowledge and respect myriad ideas and their expression in all distinct forms.

To give undue importance to the personalities that disseminate them often neglects the very essence of the ideas they may wish to circulate. A pool of creative ideas floating in a particular stratum of society often fails to garner mass attention because they may not be voiced by individuals of high repute and status. This could imply a loss to our cultural capital, which must be constantly reshaped and remoulded by dynamic ideas and novel thought processes.

In the same light, I wish to quote an excerpt from Ayn Rand’s phenomenal book 'The Fountainhead' -

“When facing society, the man most concerned, the man who is to do the most and contribute the most, has the least to say. It's taken for granted that he has no voice and his reasons he could offer are rejected in advance as prejudiced--since no speech is ever considered, but only the speaker. It's so much easier to pass judgment on a man than an idea. ”

Let a thousand flowers bloom.

Musings of the Culturally Curious #1

2017-06-12T20:34:00.000+05:30

It is really interesting how a sight, sound or smell can trigger umpteen ideas in the mind.

I spotted these intricately beautiful door handles somewhere at Bharatpur, Rajasthan and they struck a chain of fleeting thoughts eventually...

As the initial charm wore off, it dawned on me of the way they stank of patriarchy. I would want to caption the above photograph as - Serving selflessly with folded hands. But, we, women are honoured with the badge of hospitality. We are supposed to serve everyone, the least our own selves. Such are the demands of our glorious cultural heritage.

A few years ago, when I wasn't really conscious of gendered realities, I always wondered why women's representation in artistic creations was servile, as opposed to men who were shown very differently. It is now that I can interpret to some extent, nuances of women's status with respect to art and culture. Coming across nude paintings of the West often sends me into a conundrum whether they try to celebrate womanhood or to objectify female form in line with what Sociologists refer to as the "male gaze".

Going by the alluring attire and adornments, a host of female figurines appear as "Devi" (Goddess) but in reality, are often reduced to "Dasi" (maid) when observed carefully. Whenever this "Devi-Dasi" dilemma surfaces, Max Weber's assertion of social reality as being vast, unorganized and dichotomous rings in the mind. In fact, this is true in social life where most women enjoy token respect and not the same social standing as their male counterparts.

In contemporary urban India, we find enough "Housewives" but hardly any "Househusbands". Even when women are breaking all barriers to educate, empower and fend for themselves, many married women are expected to manage domestic chores as well. This is often the scenario when the man and the woman have an equal number of working hours or, perhaps, the woman has a more hectic schedule than her spouse. Even if domestic help is employed, the lady shoulders the responsibility to guide and instruct him/her. The personal is genuinely political as Kate Millet opines in 'Sexual Politics'. It is high time we view 'breadwinner' as a gender-neutral term, freeing itself from its stereotypic correspondence with manhood.

Art is more often than not a mirror of society and existing social currents. As a society on the path of progress, let us consciously try to destroy Brass Ceiling, Glass Ceiling and all other hindrances that women face to come up in life. I genuinely feel that our blossoming minds and meritorious pursuits deserve far more attention than our transient physical "beauty" and sensuality. We need to debunk false ideas of womanhood so that women are depicted in a different light in visual art forms and media.

Let's try to liberate ourselves from the patriarchal baggage that most of us have grown up with...it's never too late to take baby steps, is it?

Auroville through my eyes

2016-09-09T14:26:00.000+05:30

Hello,

I present here few glimpses of my maiden visit to the "City of Dawn", Auroville (coined after Sri Aurobindo) in the format of a Photo Diary.

Exploring the areas that were open to visitors like the Visitors Centre, Matrimandir made me fall in love with the place.

For people who love to seek peace, shop local art and craft, who appreciate a confluence of cultures, a visit to Auroville and the Mandir far away from the hustle bustle can be therapeutic.

Beautiful Mandala Pottery

I still remember how enchanted I was while roaming around the Mandir. The geodesic dome made out of gold plates makes this temple one of its kind I believe. The entire physical structure with the symmetrical staircases, milky white marble floor, water running through little channels into a small space in the centre, and the beautiful crystal orb placed in the centre of a huge hall on which a ray of sunlight hits from the top of the dome is awe inspiring. This entirely white hall with the crystal orb at the centre is meant for silent meditation.

Leaving this place leaves one feeling so relaxed and tranquil for some reason but you need to experience to know so.

I really appreciate the philosophy behind Auroville envisioned as

...a place where the needs of the spirit and the care for progress would get precedence over the satisfaction of desires and passions, the seeking for pleasures and material enjoyments.

The Mother

Ideas behind this experimental township like the emphasis on its ownership by the whole of humanity, bridging the past and the future through attempts at eco-friendly sustainable development have been realized on the ground which makes it a unique destination. Auroville presents an altogether different people-centric development model somewhat close to what Schumacher writes about in his book 'Small is Beautiful'.

All in all, visit this place at least once and feel the bliss within!

Few snapshots now...

Entering Auroville Visitors Complex

Unique display in Matrimandir Complex

3-D model of the Mandir

The City Centre

En route to Matrimandir...

The magnificent mandir, Soul of the city

Chimes under the greens...

A beautiful artsy structure in the shopping arcade

Delicious thin crust wood fired pizzas in the making at Tanto.

Can one have enough of Pizzas?

Tanto Pizzeria must be on one's "To Visit" list for the mouthwatering pizzas clubbed with a simple yet charming overall experience. Farm fresh veggies and a wide-ranging choice are sure to recharge one's body batteries after a tiring day under the sun.

Just can't get enough of this place and its vibe...

Hope to re-explore.

Exploring Jodhpur, the Sun City: A Field Trip

2016-06-15T13:57:00.005+05:30

Hello,

Sharing glimpses from my field visit to Jodhpur, Rajasthan, as part of our Sociology Honours programme, where we explored the city’s cultural and social fabric alongside our professors and classmates. This journal brings together snapshots of our journey, interweaving reflections with visual narratives.

Day 1: 14^th December’15

After reaching Jodhpur on the morning of 14th December, we checked into Mangal Haveli Guest House, which offered a beautiful view of Mehrangarh Fort from its terrace and was in close proximity to the Clock Tower and the fort.

View from Guest house

This day was entirely dedicated to exploring Mehrangarh Fort and its vast museum complex. The fort, built by Rao Jodha, is flanked by seven gates or ‘pols.’ The grandeur and architecture of the place left many of us spellbound.

Luckily, we had a well-informed and patient guide who provided us with a historical overview of the fort, intriguing observations, and insights into the socio-cultural realities of that time. While entering through one of the massive gates, we were taken aback to see handprints of multiple women on a brick wall. Our collective interpretation was that the practice of Sati was prevalent at the time, and widows left their handprints on the wall just before immolating themselves, largely due to societal pressure.

Also, we observed with interest the sociological significance of the intricate Jharokha-style windows in the complex. They reflected the patriarchal structure of society, where women were not allowed to actively participate in certain ceremonies but remained merely mute spectators, sitting by the Jharokha. The view from these windows was unidirectional, women could look outside while remaining shielded from the public gaze. Inside the museum, we were visually drawn to a collection of palanquins, howdahs, royal cradles, miniatures, musical instruments, costumes, furniture, and Marwar paintings.

Day 2: 15^th December’15

We left our guest house in the morning and packed ourselves into jeeps near the Clock Tower for a village safari to Bishnoi Village. During our visit, we interacted with rural men and women of a local family and were impressed by their deep connection with nature, particularly their lifestyle modelled on sustainable living.

The Bishnois are known as protectors of biodiversity and have even sacrificed their lives to protect trees by hugging them. There was a clear division of labor between the roles performed by the husband and wife. While the man worked outside to earn a living (our host was a taxi driver), the woman managed the domestic sphere, taking care of the household, meals, and children.

Guda Bishnoi Lake offered a serene and breathtaking view of wildlife, khejri trees, and the shimmering water. We spotted exotic blackbucks with the naked eye and enjoyed an even more stunning view through binoculars, an experience we truly cherish. As we crossed the area where Salman Khan shot a blackbuck in 1998, now somewhat of a tourist spot, we couldn’t help but reflect on its historical significance.

We also interacted with a potter, a weaver at Salawas, and artisans involved in block printing fabrics. The potter was a cheerful, easygoing man who interestingly seemed deeply content with his craft and life, with no desire to migrate to a city for higher wages.

Meeting the weaver opened our eyes to the sheer effort behind his work.. Completing a single durry, a rug distinct from a carpet, could take around six months if woven by one person alone. Our respect for the elderly craftsman grew immensely when some of us attempted weaving ourselves and quickly realized how labor intensive and physically demanding the process was.

The block printing work, done using intricately carved handmade blocks on bed sheets and table covers, was truly exquisite. The artisan shared that while women played a crucial role in the long and complex process of block printing, their contributions remained within the household while only men stepped out to sell the finished goods

In the evening, some of us visited Jaswant Thada, a cenotaph built by Maharaja Sardar Singh in memory of his father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. This beautiful site, featuring Mughal-style gardens, now serves as a burial ground for the rulers of Marwar.

Jaswant Thada

Day 3: 16^th December’15

In the morning, we headed to Umaid Bhawan Palace, named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, the grandfather of Gaj Singh, the erstwhile Maharaja of Jodhpur. The palace is divided into three sections: the royal family's residence, a luxury Taj Palace Hotel, and a museum dedicated to the royal heritage.

View of the "Blue City" from right outside the Palace

With extra time on our hands, we also visited Mandore, located 9 km from Jodhpur. Once the capital of the erstwhile princely state of Marwar (Jodhpur State), Mandore is home to the Ravan Temple, believed to be the native place of Ravan's wife, Mandodari.

At Mandore Garden, we came across several fun rides and couldn’t resist reliving our childhood days. Last but not least, we visited the historic Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) during our stay in Jodhpur, which is a prominent landmark in old Jodhpur.

Day 4: 17^th December’15

As the Mandor Express pulled into Old Delhi Railway Station in the morning, our journey ended, but the social tapestry of Jodhpur remained with us. This visit offered us a deep dive into the social fabric, revealing the enduring influence of tradition and the evolving dynamics of community ties in the face of modernity.

Beyond its heritage, we witnessed how communities navigate change while holding onto tradition, how caste and kinship shape daily life, and how livelihoods endure through generations. And most significantly, we carried with us not just stories, but vivid memories shaped by these lived experiences.

Photographs by - Pritish Raj, Durga P. Reddy, Shambhavi Pant

Welcoming the thought of Gay rights

2015-06-29T04:58:00.000+05:30

We may not be staying in the US and the Supreme Court ruling may not affect us in any major or minor way. But, we as educated, aware and responsible citizens possess all rights to lend our support to a landmark decision, even though it may have sparked controversy. Embracing Rainbow flags on social media does not simply make us pro-US, or blind to our native cultures and lifestyles, or any less nationalistic. We endorse nothing, but a progressive and bold decision, that we believe is a step in the right direction.

Indian society is definitely plagued by an altogether different spectrum of evils like honour killings, domestic violence and female infanticide. Discrimination on the lines of gender and caste happens to be the root cause here. LGBT rights in the context of marriage is a far-fetched thought in our country, maybe because only in 2014 did the Supreme Court recognize transgenders as 'third gender'. But, now they are legally recognized and must have equal rights to education and jobs. Though this progressive ruling does not apply to gays, lesbians and bisexuals but only to eunuchs (hijras), it does reflect an attitudinal change, however small that may be. Recently, UPSC was also made to add the option of third gender in forms for Civil Service aspirants.

Change is the unchanging law of nature. If a society does not move towards cleansing itself of unjust institutions and practices over time, more and more elements would move to the fringe and challenge those at the centre. Undoubtedly, attitudes will take centuries to change and ultimately bring in legal reforms, but that must not make us any less optimistic. After all, Rome wasn't built in a day.

Don't Quit Poem Movie

2012-01-27T16:37:00.000+05:30

Heya!

If I had to guess, I would bet you are facing your fair share of challenges and obstacles in your life... I know I am. When things go wrong, and they sometimes will... how will you choose to respond? That is what this short movie is all about. Be inspired by these words of wisdom if you are thinking of quitting.

To boost your morale, watch Don't Quit Poem Movie

Poison of Comparison

2011-10-27T19:49:00.000+05:30

The coffee bean motivates me,

On boiling she transforms the water itself;

Unlike the egg which softens or the carrots that harden.

I gain inspiration from the pebbles traversing distance vast,

Through all kinds of terrains no matter challenging they still last!

Life is a journey not as smooth as most of us think,

Hell and heaven being stations one's transported in a blink.

Believe me, one of the deadliest poison is comparison, for it slowly kills, unlike those cruel pills.

We say Oh! He has died fighting a disease, exclaiming grief, mumbling Rest in Peace,

Not thinking of the guy mentally dying and trying to revive each day!

The world is such, my friends

No one cares for the others much.

We have become crazy cynics,

Glitzy celebs or bigwigs somewhere or the other we try to mimic.

What's the point of living a life tailor made for someone else I say?

Were u brought into this world for nothing but to witness this

Doom’s day!

It surely doesn't sound brave to be virtual slaves in this era of freedom and liberty.

Why not set an exemplary example for others being our awesome original selves,

For the betterment of our humanity, it for sure helps.

Each being on our planet is special then why we discriminate and compare,

Is that a good gesture?

21st century is what we live in now,

Situations terribly challenging we got to face somehow.

They say life is a game,

But how can it be the very same?

This must have been quoted by a person lame.

A game has outcomes specific-you win or you lose,

Which isn't in our lives as much you booze.

Every nanosecond is an experience to be cherished even if it turned out not so fruitful,

These little moments would only add up to form the time of our life we say.

The bitter and sour events are lessons that God preaches,

So that we carve a better niche for us.

If everybody has a deep insight into events and their outcomes,

Nobody would ever fuss.

Challenging situations are stepping stones,

Overcoming to which our skills hone.

Bon voyage pals! Dangers exist everywhere,

Stay strong and hope you are rewarded with your respective share.

Pride kills worse than pills

2011-10-27T10:40:00.000+05:30

Ever thought of your significance in this unbounded universe,

leave aside the distance each year you traverse.
An exceptional person shoots to fame,
feeling vain as all know his name.
Famous faces exist everywhere-towns, cities, states, nations, continents and the whole world altogether,
So why to the world claim what all you have gained?

Filmstars, business tycoons, ministers and socialites,
all craving for eternal endless heights,
to which their line of contentment never crossed.
Swaying hot heads basking in the glory of their fame,
if you analyze deeply-its nothing but a shame too lame.
Ruling and influencing other's minds is nothing but mere narrow-sightedness,
just step out and gaze at the blue-black sky-it'll surely tamper those wings with which you once seemed to fly high.

All talented people won't have their wax figures at Tussauds,
it can't be a yardstick with which the world can measure what they've got!
If all persons in a profession particular,
land on that pedestal spectacular,
then what'll be the game?
After all, not every person's the same.

To remain dug to the ground is the motto unfound.
But do not even push yourselves down, deep as the bedrock,
or your peers would ridicule at the same time mock!

Mystic music

2011-09-23T19:08:00.000+05:30

Rhythmic tunes have an impact on us profound and sedative,
if one ponders over one's state of mind one can definitely relate it.

Our mindset proportional to the genre of soundtracks we hear,
during times of sorrow, joyous songs become taxing to bear.

Situations empower one to play and pause certain tracks,

one isn't bored hearing the apt ones for hours and hours altogether.

Elation compels the mind to listen to some cheerful song,

and eventually, transiently feels nothing is wrong.

All woeful worries washed away,

we are transported in bliss to sway and remain gay.

During crisis, listening songs abject

would only intensify the degree of pain,

so why to tread on this lonesome lane?

Melodies are big determiners I feel,

they can even make us congeal.

For a person forlorn and dejected,

they blow an air of hope and glee

by the time the victim to another world flees.

Music in my life is a feature vital,

few songs tempt me to take up recital.

Desires decoded

2011-09-22T00:06:00.000+05:30

A Prada tote, a Burberry coat,

All what ladies and chicks today dote.

The latest models of Vertu and Blackberry won't guarantee sustained satisfaction,

Until and unless one mends his dirty deceptive actions.

What's the purpose of the brand new Nikon?

When you are unable to extract time for what all you want.

No one to chatter with,

No one to pump us up during moments of broken hearts,

How can anything destroy one's humanity with ruthless darts?

Man was a social animal,

Now a wild beast.

To fulfill his selfish motives,

Destroys other's existent peace.

Nobody to share the good old memories,

How can you expect such from the life less batteries?

There is no definite destination to the quest for materialism which is an endless winding path,

We are gaining transitory satisfaction but perhaps at the opportunity cost of our inner peace.

New hues, styles, sizes, patterns cropping up every hour,

my dear consumer-just keep in view your purchasing power,

An area of extensive tête-à-tête

Not with individuals but objects dead

Nice humane things are better accomplished than said.

Materialistic wants and not just needs,

On the path towards bliss are cruel weeds.

In the plan to preserve our harmed humanity,

Let’s take an oath to take into account the stark reality!

Everlasting euphoria

2011-09-20T12:34:00.000+05:30

Nani, of me, you're an integral part,

I feel crestfallen you're about to depart.

You come to me in Jaipur filling in euphoria and thrill,

I would just insist don't push yourself in a grill.

More than just a grandma you mean,

how I'm entangled at times you've seen.

This too shall pass you persistently believe

baffles me with what to and what not to perceive.

For me, you're a tranquilizer,

making me each day wiser and nicer.

I'm not yet ready to bid adieu,

there's no assurance of when I'll see you.

As it goes, if winter comes can spring be far behind?

These petty things are not to mind.

Happy-go-lucky as our motto,

will surely bring us a lot more..:)

Eternal existence

2011-09-19T14:17:00.000+05:30

Dejected, rejected whatever you call

never ever thought for a guy I would fall.

Temperament and mindset was varied then

aware about events sweet and sour but forgotten ''when''?

Not interested in interaction and rest stupid actions which I devoured once upon a time,

there's no sense narrating you this ridiculous rime.

Let all guys be amazingly super hot dudes

where is the genuineness and passion that exudes?

A significant spice of my life is Shane

now what encompasses is just pain and rain.

Rain not the literal one emerging from the skies,

but the sinful showers emerging from my eager eyes.

Love is eternal and shall continue,

till both acquire their due.

A tribute to your poetic affection and sexy ''awaaz''

to which I still don't know the ''raaz''.

Learnt from you not all have a dutiful dad with circumstances even bad,

won't have encountered had it not been penned in my heavenly pad.

Miss the dragon on your nape,

to which I was left to gape and gape.,

wild and intent as I could rape.

Your arousing voice and humor,

shit!For me its a natural bloomer.

Those silent gazes stuck betwixt endless mental mazes..

Those lips shy and thirsty,

could make any serene saint lusty.

That hand always up for a warm handshake,

transformed into a sensuous hug beside the lyrical lake

Those places of romance and adventure,

one couldn't guess what could next venture.

Slopes and pathways silent and steep,

walk a mile and the destination reached.

The compassionate air,

what else shall I share?

Appropriate atmosphere with just your beloved near,

moments so intensive not simple to bear,

what the fuck it's a yester year!

A heart's desire

2011-07-26T22:24:00.000+05:30

I miss that environment encouraging and conducive

Now, everything seems queer and elusive.

I try to introspect with a sunken heart,

Where was I wrong on my part?

Life is a rainbow with shades of black,

one opportunity escapes but the other is back.

I have God and parents beside,

my mind still wanders where to reside.

I certainly won't let down my angelic mother,

She makes me complete and prosper..

Just be with me,

just be with me,

always with me...

Chanakya's wisdom

2011-07-09T16:14:00.000+05:30

Eat from the side of the plate where it is bound to be cooler rather than plunging fingers straight into the middle.

There is no disease as destructive as lust,no enemy as infatuation,no fire as wrath,and no happiness as spiritual knowledge.