Open Mind

Latest news about my son, Ashwin Hebbar

2011-11-29T08:30:00.003+05:30

http://www.thatscricket.com/news/2011/11/25/andhra-pradesh-announces-u-16-squad-for-2011-12.html

http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/article2669068.ece

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Haiku 182 – Optimism

2011-10-08T11:54:00.002+05:30

Photo Credit

around every corner

coming fast at you-

a perfect miracle

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An All-Weather Friend

2011-10-05T12:37:00.000+05:30

The progress of the mind can be gauged by the phases it goes through trying to find answers to the 'why' of life. For some, life remains a blame-game. For the lucky few, who refuse to accept life as just a string of mundane activities, the mind looks inward for answers. Finding them needs patience and perseverance. Control of the thought process is, according to me, the key. Finding truth within oneself and being true to the discovered self is nirvana. Life is a joyful journey, and it you will find is a true friend.

Photo Credit

When questions find no answers,

And no rationale breaks the ground,

Hurt beyond hurt

You pirouette to blame

The first thing you chance upon-

A person, the place,

A biased unseen force

A destiny so cursed.

Beyond the hurt, behind the twilight,

Darkness holds with tendrils tight,

And as they grow into knobby fingers,

Ask the honest question rarely posed,

“Am I the real problem?”

Do I choose to feel the feel I feel?

Can I choose to feel another feel?

That critique inside now sharply slams,

Criticizes ‘ME’! Not the people outside!

Not the times! Nor the forces!

Not even fate!

What has changed, I ask myself?

How now have these fingers changed direction?

I am the owner of my thoughts,

And so am I of my feelings,

My warts and moles there for you see,

For now trashed is my concealer cream,

Laugh if that’s the way you are,

For I have made peace with the self.

No storeys of sorry stories,

No promotions or demotions

No notions of grandeur,

No ego to flatter or coerce

No fetters of hate or expectation

This living ship sails the unknown,

The water, the sun and the wind

The only truths that sail along.

Weather, season, high tide and low,

Life and I no shadows cast,

In life I found a dearest friend

And only in death shall we part.

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Support pours for Anna from across the country .

2011-08-19T11:14:00.000+05:30

Note: Anna’s health is fine. However Anna and his team is not being given access to TV and Anna his mobile phone. Even though the police claim he is free now.

Anna continues his indefinite fast in Tihar jail for the introduction of Jan Lokpal Bill in parliament. Let this be reiterated that the demand for holding fast at JP park or Ramlila Maidan is not the central issue, as the indefinite fast is just a means to an end. The end objective, which thousands of people on the streets also demand is a strong anti-corruption law – the Jan Lokpal Bill. We request Jan Lokpal Bill to be tabled in the parliament as we realise that Standing Committee cannot alter the scope of presently tabled government’s Lokpal Bill much. Besides, the recommendations of standing committee are not binding on the government. Therefore even through the present parliamentary course of action, it does not seem that a fair discussion on the Lokpal Bill issue will be possible. Thus Anna’s demand for indefinite fast stands, that the Jan Lokpal Bill should also be tabled in the parliament.

We condemn statements repeated often that we want the ‘my way or the high way’, or that we are stubborn. Rather we feel that the reverse is true. It is the government which is insisting on ‘my way or the highway’, completely ignoring the opinion of the public which has descended the streets in support of Shri Anna Hazare and the Jan Lokpal Bill.

We have tried to compile the events which have been pouring from across the country:

We would like to re-affirm that though the media coverage is mainly of the capital city and Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore etc, but this movement is rooted in villages as well.

· Rakesh Tikait, son of Mahendra Singh Tikait musters support for Anna in his villages. Rakesh Tikait: 92196 66799, Ravinder: 9212396525. Panchayats of Haryana, Balyan Khap, Sindoliya, Sheoran Khap, Amran Khap are supporting, the press notes from these forwarded by Sanjeev Balothia: 9992059319. Sanjay Swami, a sarpanch in Mahendragarh is working in their village. Vikas Sharma – 9992999926

· Indian Medical Association expresses support of its 2.25 lakh doctors. More than 100 doctors visited Azad Maidan. Various rallies in and across Mumbai besides Azad Maidan –please call for media enquiries of Mumbai: Piyush – 9820687670

· Farmers from nearing villages of Bhatta Parsaul assembled at Pari Chowk in Greater Noida to express support

· Panipat district Bar Association had strike from courts, Panipat markets association held strike. Contact for more information: Arvind Kumar – 98124 66488,

· People in Ambedkar nagar, UP held rallies and were fasting, but removed by Police – Rajiv Yadav: 9450881584

· IIT Roorkee, students agitating and Proffessor sitting on fast – Sahil Jain: 8800649194, 9557108385

· Extensive protest in Assam, across district library of Guwahati, more than hundreds of people are in arrest. Gautam – 9435548496

· Marches in Port Blair, from cellular jail to Gandhi statue – Contact: 9830789327

· Thousands of people gathered at all the gates of Tihar Jail in Delhi. People are pouring in outside the Jail chanting slogans and waving the Tricolour. Around 10,000 people have surrounded the prison area and have gathered near all the gates.

· An overwhelming crowd participated in the rally from India Gate to Jantar Mantar which was led by Kiran Bedi, Swami Agnivesh and Manish Sisodia. Rough estimates suggest around a 70,000 people took the protest march.

· At Chhatrasaal Stadium, around 1200 people are still inside the premises, as they refused to leave till Anna is released, while about 2500 people are protesting outside. Around 60 people who courted arrest were taken yesterday to Shivaji Stadium. They faced difficulties today as the gates were sealed and there were no facilities for them. Around 24 people protested today at JP Park and courted arrested as section 144 has been imposed there. These people were taken to Rajendra Nagar Police station and were released at 6 pm.

· In Mumbai, people from all walks of life came out in support of Anna Hazare, about 40,000 people gathered for the Azad Maidan rally.

· Indian Medical Association, Mumbai branch which has over 2.5 lakh members has expressed full support to Anna’s movement. Around 100 senior doctors today came to Azad Maidan. Around 2000 lawyers also took part in the rally.

· In Bangalore’s Freedom Park, an overwhelming crowd of 60,000 people gathered in support of the anti-corruption movement. Around 10, 000 students took out a Peace March for 6 kms from Jaynagar to Freedom Park. A candle March also took place in the evening.

· In Uttar Pradesh, thousands of college students in Sultanpur boycotted classes and came out on the streets to protest. Teachers also took leave from colleges. In Lucknow people assembled at Jhulelal Park and took out marches.

SUPPORT ANNA HAZARE TO FIGHT AGAINST THE CORRUPT GOVERNMENT IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY. THIS IS THE TIME TO BRING THE CHANGE.

INVITE MORE PEOPLE. JOIN PROTEST IN YOUR CITY.

Interactive Voice Responce:
0-92-12-12-32-12

Give Missed Calls At:
022-61550489

Web:
www.indiaagainstcorruption.org
www.corruptioninindia.org
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Anna’s message to countrymen.

2011-08-17T08:18:00.002+05:30

On the eve of Anna’s proposed indefinite fast he called upon the people of the country to come and join him in the fight against corruption. He questioned the relevance of the Independence that our freedom fighters achieved after several sacrifices, when millions in this country are still dying of starvation. He assured that if the Jan lokpal comes then 60-65 percent of corruption will be eradicated.

He said the purpose of the protest is not to bring down any govt, the system needs to be changed not the govt. He said if he is not allowed to protest and is arrested, the countrymen should be ready for ‘Jail Bharo’. He appealed the people to come out on the streets and protest peacefully and not to resort to any sort of violence, not cause inconvenience to public or damage public or private property.
He said the common man is suffering from rising food prices because of black marketing and hoarding and the government is still not listening to common man’s voice. He said national natural resources are being exploited and the money is going to capitalists. Farmers’ lands are being snatched from and is going to brokers and builders, isn’t it corruption? Anna said lot of students are coming out in support of Jan Lokpal because they are also suffering because of corruption. People with money manage to secure seats in collges while deserving students do not get admission. He said it is the young generation’s support that gives him hope that the corrupt system will change. He expressed confidence that Jan Lokpal will be a reality and he is ready to forsake his life for the country.
Meanwhile, in a clear violation of our constitutional right to peacefully protest, the government has denied Anna Hazare the permission to hold indefinite fast at JP Park, which initially was proposed by Delhi Police itself. The reason which the Delhi Police has cited to allow us to protest at Jay Prakash Narayan Park is not accepting 6 unconstitutional conditions they have put in the 22 point undertaking. Delhi police was given an undertaking on all the lawful provisions they had sought. Out of the 22, undertaking was given on 16 provisions. We mention below the 6 provisions which we refused to accept and why:
- a guarantee that not more than 50 vehicles will be parked. while parking area can accommodate many more vehicles.
- that not more than 5000 people will gather although the capacity of the park is in excess of 20,000.
- the protest will be for only three days, while we have sought indefinite.
- there will be no tent or protection for the assembly of people, this will make it extremely uncomfortable for the public, should there be rainfall or other severe weather conditions, that wish to join the protest
- that a government doctor will examine Anna to decide whether he is in danger and needs to be taken away. We want an independent doctor to continuously examine Anna, as was done during the fast in April.
- That there will be no loudspeaker or amplified audio facilities. This would put a large crowd in danger, as no instructions can be given to maintain order in case too many people gather.
We reject these conditions as they are a clear violation of our fundamental rights.
One more reason they cited was that we do not have the permission from the land owning agency, while when they agreed upon the venue the Police itself had assured us that they will help us getting the permission from CPWD.
Anna said the fast will go on as planned and that if he is stopped from holding a peaceful protest at the venue he will court arrest.

SUPPORT ANNA HAZARE TO FIGHT AGAINST THE CORRUPT GOVERNMENT IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY.

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Time for Change is here

2011-08-11T20:26:00.001+05:30

Everyone strives to live life on his own terms but is forced by circumstances to pick an opinion that is least detrimental to his comfort. Upheavals in life are as uncomfortable as is a daily ride on a bumpy road! One would choose a hovercraft instead of a car and wouldn’t be blamed for it.

People work more towards maintaining the status quo of ‘harmony’ and less towards trying to get to the bottom of the problem that makes them miserable. More often than not our priorities at any given moment define our reaction to an event. Does that make us a hypocrite? Oh no, not the least. We cannot practice everything we preach every single time. We humans do let prudence rule over emotions most of the time. We may believe in many things that are right but self preservation makes us do just the opposite when our interests are at stake.

It is not easy to stand up and protest against injustice, and if you do, chances are that you become the person who is accused of disturbing the harmony of the family/society.

To stand up and protest needs character. It needs a firm conviction that tells you that you will settle for nothing less. It needs tremendous belief to work towards an end seen only by you. It could lead to an upheaval in the routine of life that we wrap around ourselves like a security blanket. Are you up to it? Most aren’t, I guess!

“We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history.” said Sonia Johnson, an American feminist activist. We have a great movement going on in India. A small group of activists, who have a vision of a corruption free India, are fighting a battle that has been aptly called ‘The Second Freedom Struggle’.

“Change means movement. Movement means friction. Only in the frictionless vacuum of a nonexistent abstract world can movement or change occur without that abrasive friction of conflict” says Saul Alinsky. This movement promises upheaval of giant proportions in lives of all Indians for we have got used to paying bribes and taking them too. A kickback to us Indians is just a kickback; we don’t care unless it’s our back that is being kicked! All this has to change. Old habits are hard to break but broken they must be. The giver of bribes is as much to be blamed as the taker. A giver prefers to go on with his life as if nothing else matters but his smooth movement through shark infected waters where feeding the sharks is the only way he moves on unhindered. It has become a game, and one-upmanship the only means up the social ladder. Where have all the morals gone? Has success and money become the only goal?

In my interactions with those around me, it has dawned on me that people perceive those who are not world-wise in the art of ‘give ‘n’ take’ as simpletons; and those who do, savvy role-models. The hype around politicians, businessmen, God-men and government employees, even though everyone knows them to be dishonest, is downright shameful. Have we become a nation that has forgotten to speak up against evil? This has to change for sure.

The change has to begin at home, in classrooms, on the streets and in the marketplace. The patriarchal hierarchy and the boss-chaila pseudo-mannerisms have eaten into our cultural behaviour so much so that people are wary of speaking their minds.

Children should be taught to stand up for what they believe, to speak-out without fear in front of people. Indian culture, with its emphasis on respect for those older, stronger or richer, has ingrained in most of us the etiquettes of a ‘nodding yes minister’. We appreciate a smart talking toddler but fall short of acknowledging a teenager with a mind of her/his own. We fail to see that a creative mind has a need to break free from the ‘rules for harmony’ society has set for itself.

We adults need to grow up. We need to grow with the times. We need to grow up for our children so that India of the future is full of dynamic freethinking assertive sensitive humane Indians, and not merely a collection of citizen who know how to follow instructions.

Time for Change is here whether you like it or not.

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The Greatest Marriage

2011-02-08T11:00:00.007+05:30

This poem is about a woman who has a suspicious husband. Her life with him needs to end but can she take that leap away from the complacency that sets into every marriage? She needs to do what is right for her. She owes it to herself. Here's what I think of marriage.

What is it that will make a marriage a happy one? This question has remained unanswered in my mind as my boat of matrimony travels through sunny calm seas and choppy stormy oceans. But one thing is for certain, a marriage is about 2 well groomed sets of wings and not about a pair of handcuffs.

For a marriage to be a happy one, you have to be happy with yourself. Marry yourself and love yourself more that you love anything or anybody else, and when you do that your actions will speak for themselves. Fight for what you think is right. You owe yourself that.

The concept of two people living together for 25 years without a serious dispute suggests a lack of spirit only to be admired in sheep.

A. P. Herbert

Marriages are not made in heaven but are lived in hell on earth. So are some marriages. Or are most so?

Most people enter the institution called marriage unable to fathom the depth of the narrow well they just jumped into, for love sings in their souls and sex growls in their groins. As they wake up from the cozy dream, the rigmarole of the breakfast roll and tired nightly hit-the-roll can be so taxing and unnerving that love, and then sex, flies out of the window.

They dream in courtship, but in wedlock wake.

Alexander Pope

The so called 'division of labour' was designed to keep this institution in good working order, well oiled and organized. But with changing times, the unequal equation became unbalancingly unequal. That's when the blame game takes over, a horrible game that takes its toll on the health and the well being of the members of the sacred institution called marriage, which includes the children.

Marriage is a bribe to make the housekeeper think she's a householder.

Thornton Wilder

Are women of today happy 'tending only to hearth and birth' as a career option? Is self worth and expression in the market place taking precedence over an ordinary existence? As more and more women are seen out there looking successful and beautiful, the drudgery of domesticity is something a woman is forced to do. and surely not something she would opt to do!

In olden times sacrifices were made at the altar - a practice which is still continued.

Helen Rowland

Anger and regret swim about

Chasing each other in the sea of confusion,

She cursed the day she set her eyes upon

The man she felt she could live with forever.

What was it she liked in him

That she her life joined with him.

Was it the silence she thought attractive?

But Alas! Each silence, an untold secret!

Sparks did fly for the chemistry was there,

Unanalyzed chemistry that shocked and awed.

Out-awed but in shock, for years of wedlock

Had drained her of both self worth and health.

Every argument ended in a spray of venom

About her character and her sexuality,

Suspicions and allegations spoken of,

A device wielded to scissor dissent!

Why does a man use loose phrases with

Mouthfulls of them in gratis fashion,

Every time the woman dares speak up

About the way she feel things should run?

On a privileged pedestal he thus elevated,

In his closed mind and in his soaring soul,

All voices that reach out to him loud

Are voices he wishes fatal silence on!

Built is the male psyche with bricks so peculiar,

Unmovable blocks reinforced with lies,

Taught, molded and cast since birth,

Lovingly cured by men and women alike.

End of a marriage is not the end of a life,

Fortunately, life is more than just a marriage!

The greatest marriage is the one with oneself,

A bond that no loose words can ever break.

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Please Vote For Me

2011-01-22T15:18:00.003+05:30

My blog http://nalinihebbar-poetry.blogspot.com/ has been selected for the final round of Best of Indian Blogosphere (BoIB) 2010 polls under the category Poetry.

Please go to this Facebook link to vote for me

Facebook link

Details of the Contest

1) The polling will be active till 13th February 2011.
2) Polling to be active till 30th January. A post on these guidelines will be up on our site shortly.
3) Final results to be announced by 16th February 2011.
4) In categories with less than 10 entries, top 5 entries will be considered for final results. In all others top 10 entries will be considered for final results
5) For categories having more than 20 entries, the results from various polling sets will be collated and top 10 will be considered for final results.
6) The results to be published as a part of the first issue of the bloggers e-magazine (PDF Format).
7) We will continue featuring the blogs from BoIB 2010 nominations in Editor’s choice. Be glued to that space for your blog may be featured next.

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An Award to Cherish

2011-01-03T22:24:00.002+05:30

Top 25 Blog post of 2010 by BlogAdda

It says

"Did you check out the best humour tweets of 2010 at Perky Tweets Collection, 2010? Since we are winding up the year to collate the awesome things that happened at BlogAdda this year, how can we forget our Tangy Tuesdays and Spicy Saturdays. The Indian Blogosphere is filled to the brim with extreme creativity, new talent and brilliant writers! Twice every week we bring to you the best blog posts from the Indian Blogosphere.

So now that we are wrapping up the year, we bring to you the 25 Top Editors Pick of the year! If you liked our Tangy Picks then you will love this collection. This collection includes the posts which were the double-must reads from the Tangy Tuesday Picks of the year. What more us blog addicts could wish for this new year?!"

They said

Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you that your wonderful post has been selected by BlogAdda at http://adda.at/TopSpicy as one of the 'Top 25 Spicy Saturday Picks' of the year 2010. It is the testimony that your post is best amongst the best and was read by thousands of Indian Bloggers. :) Keep writing and keep the wonderful posts coming in and we are here to do the rest.

Wow! Thanks and congrats to all the other 24.

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Dance – Haiku 180

2010-12-29T10:49:00.003+05:30

Back after a holiday from the computer...a holiday filled with doctors and physiotherapy and a painkillers that gave me a rash and 4 days of facial edema...and now I faithfully sit in front of my dear comp with a collar around my neck..Woof! Woof!

Photo Credit

full moon night-

the leaves dance

behind a silver drape

How to write a Haiku

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I apotheosize her

2010-12-17T14:21:00.004+05:30

Kiran Bedi was one of India's top cops -- tough, innovative and committed to social change. Now retired from the national police force, Bedi runs two NGOs that benefit rural and urban poor.

Click to Listen

Why you should listen to her:

Before she retired in 2007, Kiran Bedi was one of India’s top cops. As the first and highest-ranking female officer in the national police force, she earned a reputation for being tough yet innovative on the job. Her efforts to prevent crime, reform prisons, end drug abuse, and support women’s causes earned her a Roman Magsaysay Award, the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize. Bedi also served as a police adviser to the UN Secretary General.

In retirement, Bedi has become one of the most trusted and admired community leaders in India. She advocates for social change and civic responsibility through her books, columns, and a popular reality-TV show. She reaches out to more than 10,000 people daily through her two NGOs, Navjyoti and India Vision Foundation, which provide education, training, counseling and health care to the urban and rural poor. Her latest initiative, Mission Safer India, aims to ensure that police log and address citizen complaints. Her life is the subject of the 2008 documentary Yes, Madam Sir, narrated by Helen Mirren.

"What makes Bedi ... one of the most admired Indians is the way she reaches out to people as a police officer and person behind two NGOs founded for causes close to her heart -- women's emancipation and education for independence. "

The Week

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Learning to hunt - Haiku169

2010-12-11T12:13:00.002+05:30

I found this photo and felt it conveyed a lot more than what it seems...here's my take.

Feel free to pen a photo inspired haiku as a comment...:)

Photo Credit

high headed sniff

studied eyes steady-

wildebeest at the river

as grasshoppers dance

in the tall alert grass-

cubs smell the fear

How to write a Haiku

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Sea cliff – Haiku 177

2010-12-09T07:15:00.001+05:30

Akin to a tired mother waiting for her children to fall asleep

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jaded sea cliff -

boisterous waves

calm down just twice a day

Photo Credit

watchful eyes wait
to droop and rest-
tomorrow too a high-tide day

How to write a Haiku

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Warm Nest - Haiku 165

2010-12-06T10:02:00.001+05:30

Photo Credit

wings on first flight-

warm nest

for falling leaves

How to write a Haiku

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Goodbye - Haiku 176

2010-12-02T08:16:00.003+05:30

Photo Credit

falling leaves surf the wind

twirl around often

to wave goodbye

How to write a Haiku

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Morning - Haiku 172

2010-11-29T09:03:00.000+05:30

Good morning to all of you!...am back after a short intentional hiatus away from blogging...the reason?...Nothing.

Sometimes even blogging can get monotonous...a rat race for eyeballs and comments!

Photo Credit

bull’s eye on toast-

the sun climbs up

the orange juice

How to write a Haiku

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Am I this?

2010-11-24T10:20:00.007+05:30

‘He who has a ‘why’ to live for can bear with almost any ‘how’
- Friedrich Nietzsche

So before we ask why it is important to ask how. Value systems and social ethics prescribe the accepted method. But what if those don’t satisfy your individual quest? What if at some stage in life, the monotony of it all just renders you incapable of enjoying life beyond an avatar of biological needs and social role player? Chronic meaninglessness, apathy, and aimlessness and an acute awareness of the superficiality of life plague many a lives to a point of no return.

What defines a human being? What is it that makes us unique in this world of over a zillion creatures? I think we are unique because we ask questions. And the biggest and the toughest question we have ever asked is ‘Why have I been born?’ The saddest element of any search is that we forget to enjoy the journey, concentrating hard only on the destination.

We search for the meaning in life and during this search, evolves a story unique to each individual. As life unfolds before us, we discover aspects of ourselves we never thought existed. It is this wonder, about an amazing individual that resides within you, that is the real meaning of life.

‘Am I this?’ takes a look at the different ways in which we look at ourselves in wonder.

· Firstly, a body that physically feels and responds to stimuli from the environment - a ‘living’ thing in the true sense of the word.
· Then, a thinking conscience that reacts to the offered stimuli in unusual ways. So different from individual to individual that you wonder is the stimulus offered in the first place was really the same!
· Thirdly, a wonderfully evolved mechanism that works in a magically complex way - the human body and brain – the wonder machine!
· And lastly, the insignificance of human life. The human body is just a item in the pathway of energy in the universe.

I am just a minute fragment floating in a gigantic system far, far beyond my comprehension. I should let my universe shrink to a few meters around me. This would give me a better perspective of what life expects from me and what I should expect from life. Continued ripples of change rip and reshape the complex universe that surrounds me, in much the same way as it does the larger universe.

Evolving in this system of a zillion changes is this little life of mine. I am a complex molecule getting more complex by the day. And older and wiser too! What do I have to offer to this universe in flux? Well, nothing much. Just a little more changes, maybe! And a promise to keep the fires of quest burning and the arrows of questions flying in all possible directions !

Photo Credit

I! Am I this body

that feels the heat and cold?

that in indignity hackles raise?

that in triumph or defeat sheepishly grins?

I! Am I this dream

that showcased my might?

that took away the bashfulness?

that lets me speak out my true mind?

I! Am I this magic

that makes my body work?

that in impulse and reflex reacts unprompted?

that deduces answers to hundreds of questions I pose?

I! Am I this unknown entity

that is just an insignificant particle?

that is but a living vessel of transient energy?

that transcends the universe to the space beyond?

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The Charm of Indian Culture

2010-11-20T07:50:00.002+05:30

Life in India is never boring. Little charming customs dot our rich and colourful tapestry of tradition. Some are hilariously outrageous but some make us want to pull our hair in rage. We need to preserve those harmless customs that entertain while bringing togetherness in the community.
The Khap panchayat, a 14th century custom started by upper caste Jats to consolidate their power and position that says that all boys and girls within a khap are siblings, is a custom in urgent need of some stringent action to be taken against it.
Chhindwara, 300 km from Bhopal, has a unique custom. The villagers believe that for rain to fall they need to ‘please’ the frogs. An amphibian marriage and a subsequent ‘honeymoon’ in the nearest pond is celebrated with great fervor.
This is an old post but today as the rain lashes at my window ceaselessly, I wonder if frogs need to be married in some other not as fortunate place. Global warming has flipped many a fortunes - snow in the desert and rain in dry places. I don't pray for snow - I want my electricity bills to freeze at the amount they are on now!

Do read this poem and celebrate India!

For Rain to Fall

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2010-11-19T05:49:00.000+05:30

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Elephant - Haiku 168

2010-11-16T09:09:00.000+05:30

Photo Credit

serenity sea shone on-

till the elephant slurped in

the high moon

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The God of Silly Things

2010-11-09T08:09:00.005+05:30

“If we say that God has always been, why not save a step and conclude that the universe has always been?” (Carl Sagan, Cosmos, [New York: Random House, Inc., 1980], p. 257).

Is God for real or is it a fabrication of a mind overawed by and grappling with the unexplainable magic of the universe?

The topic, for all I care, can be dropped like a hot potato into the sea of hot questions that plague us as we search for the meaning of life. What bothers me is what we are doing in God's name, a creation- of a tool, of a caring figured- designed to help people live a peaceful life cocooned in its warmth, safe as a baby, shielded from the unfathomable mystical vagaries of nature and life. If not shielded, at least unjust happenings are justified with, "Everything happens for a purpose!" "What God takes away, he provides in another way."

But what are we doing in the name of God?

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Imagine the time when all these things

The newspaper, the TV and the blogs,

Not around to spread hottest information

Delivered in the instant of its creation.

We do know of gossip mongering,

For how many times do we end up saying,

“That’s not what I heard, that’s not true!”

“I never did that, how’re you so sure?”

Why are fewer heroes made now days?

Of types that graced Earth of those days?

Like Rama, Ravana, Arjuna, Pandavas

Like Hercules, Atlas, Ulysses, the Titans?

A great man is one above most men,

Attributes not found in folks common,

Making him seem larger than human,

Possessing an aura of the unknown

Word of mouth was the order of the day,

Changed and added-on from faint hearsay

With nodding heads and wagging tongues,

A short man Tom Thumb and a big, Hercules

This is how through stories Man made God,

Far from the original when told and retold,

With miracles, heals, powers, strengths, flights,

Walks on water, time travel & transmutations.

Blown beyond proportion but lovely stories,

To learn morals, to dream as pictures,

To read, and read to others, heard and enjoyed,

Not to think they are Gods to be idolized!

Stats say we are digging deeper trenches

Between regions and between religions

Continents drift as these volcanoes erupt

For small lapses we wait, defenses upped.

In small closed spaces dissent is louder

Flashing swords to words of dishonor,

In God’s name we justifiably butcher,

Another God’s children ours slaughter.

Did we make God for human good?

Will goodness be sacrificed for God’s sake?

Will we be wiped out in a fight over God?

Or will God terminate us for fighting silly?

Outcome disquieting for this big a creation

For selfishness plagues a selfless intention.

God just a façade for money and control.

Sillier we get, smarter God’s men stroll.

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Umbrella – Haiku 181

2010-11-04T12:22:00.000+05:30

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under grandpa’s umbrella

papa takes baby steps

into the rain

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Pen and Paper - Haiku 176

2010-11-02T06:59:00.001+05:30

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tears and thunder

as pen touches paper-

monsoon storm

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Cicada - Haiku 174

2010-10-29T09:59:00.001+05:30

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cicada cries all night-

maybe she heard

her forests’ story

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Nightmares - Haiku 173

2010-10-25T08:03:00.000+05:30

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wait open-eyed

in the shower

for nightmares to soften

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