It was my usual look with a bit of hope on Nov. 20, 2008. When I stared at the signboard
for a new message I couldn't believe my eyes -- there it was. A new message after many months of disappointment.
I used to feel strongly about it -- so much that I would want to go to the church authorities and say that I wanted new messages every now and then, and even offer any help in this regard.
The new message read: "The God who holds the Universe is the God who is holding us."
It could not have come at a better time, I felt. When doubts were being raised about the very existence of the Earth in the tiny globe that is the Internet -- I am referring to the doomsayers' videos and blogs about the world coming to an end on December 21, 2012 -- this message came as a great relief and strongly reinforcing the faith in the world and the universe.
It is so easy to rattle the earth and humans these days with rumours, falsehood, half-baked ideas, and unconfirmed news -- thanks to the Internet and gadgets like the cell phone.
But almost everyone who you talk to you -- even in this digital era and make-believe world -- would say that he or she believed in something beyond science -- not necessarily god force for them -- something beyond their control is holding the earth and other planetary objects and making them to behave as disciplined soldiers for centuries together. And the faithful say this is the God whose mercy is needed to live our lives in this home.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Time turning cruel?
Is there time?
Is there time for anything in this crazy phoney world?
No one has time for anyone seems to be the creed.
With new gadgets like cellphone and iPhone the talkative and entertainment-mad
world gets new opportunities for happiness. At the cost of what?
No doubt life has become complicated and competitive. And to progress one has to
sacrifice so many things. But self-indulgence knows no boundaries in this mod-mad
globe. For all the connectivity and business options
that these offer, the one thing that could really be sadly
missing is the lack of feelings - personal and social --
that stands out.
Why are people indifferent to the feelings of others, even to those who
are around and who have made the world different for them?
Everyone is seen with a tinted glass.
Hatred, jealousy, anger, classism, groupism, and racism shadow the finer
aspects of humanity. These have to be replaced by affinity, love,
magnanimity, tolerance, and cooperation if the world is to be pleasant
and worthy place for all to live in and contribute their mite to society and
world and halt the collapse of values in all aspects of life.
Is there time for anything in this crazy phoney world?
No one has time for anyone seems to be the creed.
With new gadgets like cellphone and iPhone the talkative and entertainment-mad
world gets new opportunities for happiness. At the cost of what?
No doubt life has become complicated and competitive. And to progress one has to
sacrifice so many things. But self-indulgence knows no boundaries in this mod-mad
globe. For all the connectivity and business options
that these offer, the one thing that could really be sadly
missing is the lack of feelings - personal and social --
that stands out.
Why are people indifferent to the feelings of others, even to those who
are around and who have made the world different for them?
Everyone is seen with a tinted glass.
Hatred, jealousy, anger, classism, groupism, and racism shadow the finer
aspects of humanity. These have to be replaced by affinity, love,
magnanimity, tolerance, and cooperation if the world is to be pleasant
and worthy place for all to live in and contribute their mite to society and
world and halt the collapse of values in all aspects of life.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Ego -- Is it worth?
This cute little space is like a speck in the universe -- insignificant yet part and parcel of it.
Ego, humans think, are massive and fill the earth and universe. Yet they are not even worth
the speck in the universe. On the other hand, the anti-ego (i will find another term for it)
is spiritual in nature and works on a different plane that is totally invisible and inaccessible to egoists.
If only people are devoid of bloated egos, which the float aorund,
the world will be a better place -- it can accommodate more
minds, reveal new insights from people never heard of or
seen, promote a multi spectrum of views, ideas and thoughts.
Bloated egos occupy so much space!
What they don't realise is they will pass off as
dust into the space.
What worries me is that their so-called souls
will pollute even the outer space! Let these not form
part of even the cosmic dust!
Speaking of the cosmic dust, I was wonderstruck when
I saw the Image of the Day at the NASA website
(on Aug. 12) -- that of a nebula. Oh! God! what an image!
Ego, humans think, are massive and fill the earth and universe. Yet they are not even worth
the speck in the universe. On the other hand, the anti-ego (i will find another term for it)
is spiritual in nature and works on a different plane that is totally invisible and inaccessible to egoists.
If only people are devoid of bloated egos, which the float aorund,
the world will be a better place -- it can accommodate more
minds, reveal new insights from people never heard of or
seen, promote a multi spectrum of views, ideas and thoughts.
Bloated egos occupy so much space!
What they don't realise is they will pass off as
dust into the space.
What worries me is that their so-called souls
will pollute even the outer space! Let these not form
part of even the cosmic dust!
Speaking of the cosmic dust, I was wonderstruck when
I saw the Image of the Day at the NASA website
(on Aug. 12) -- that of a nebula. Oh! God! what an image!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
When things go dry
When something goes dry
When petropumps go dry
vehicles are stranded
machines grind to a halt
movement is curtailed
life is hit all around
When watertaps go dry
throats cry water
clothes pile up for wash
bathing chances lessen
streetbattles erupt
When feelings go dry
the heart hardens
humaneness goes
relationships snap
world becomes empty
When petropumps go dry
vehicles are stranded
machines grind to a halt
movement is curtailed
life is hit all around
When watertaps go dry
throats cry water
clothes pile up for wash
bathing chances lessen
streetbattles erupt
When feelings go dry
the heart hardens
humaneness goes
relationships snap
world becomes empty
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Thoughts on RD
Yet another travelling experience I had was not in a bus but in, what they call in Chennai and some other cities, a share auto -- on way to my office for night shift work.
As soon as I picked up and started glancing through a back issue of Reader's Digest, the elderly man sitting across had a sneak preview of an article on the health benefits arising from nuts which I wasn't exactly reading.
He told me he had a good stock of nuts at home but was afraid to eat them thinking it was not good for old people. Citing this, he wanted to read the article, and I gladly gave him the magazine.
After going through the best part of the article, he thankfully gave the issue back to me. I told him the RD is a treasure you can read anytime. He agreed and departed.
RD is also popular with a very old man, a relative of mine, to whom I had given some issues years ago. Though he is old he reads newspapers and some magazines.
I became an addict of RD after getting early exposure to it from my dear mother who used to bring it from her office. She used to enjoy Laughter the best medicine section and read out and share jokes with us.
I used to read mostly articles on self-development and get inspiration to do things.
Even now I buy back issues at cheaper rates on pavement side shops and read them while travelling or when free.
As soon as I picked up and started glancing through a back issue of Reader's Digest, the elderly man sitting across had a sneak preview of an article on the health benefits arising from nuts which I wasn't exactly reading.
He told me he had a good stock of nuts at home but was afraid to eat them thinking it was not good for old people. Citing this, he wanted to read the article, and I gladly gave him the magazine.
After going through the best part of the article, he thankfully gave the issue back to me. I told him the RD is a treasure you can read anytime. He agreed and departed.
RD is also popular with a very old man, a relative of mine, to whom I had given some issues years ago. Though he is old he reads newspapers and some magazines.
I became an addict of RD after getting early exposure to it from my dear mother who used to bring it from her office. She used to enjoy Laughter the best medicine section and read out and share jokes with us.
I used to read mostly articles on self-development and get inspiration to do things.
Even now I buy back issues at cheaper rates on pavement side shops and read them while travelling or when free.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
A Conversation
The first time I heard a mature discussion while travelling in a bus happened this Sunday (June 29, 2008). The conversation between two working men, seated behind me in the bus, engaged me and I sharpened my ears -- something I never do consciously.
The discussion centred around the need for improving one's general knowledge to be seen well educated by colleagues at the workplace. One person said that there is a need to know news in detail and reading a newspaper is the best way to do it. He said he was not allowed by his roommates to watch news on TV as the set is used by his juniors for watching movies and listening to songs for relaxing their minds. This has to be taken as a reality, he said. He jocularly said that the roommates also said that since he would be reading the newspaper there was no need to watch TV news. Good news for newspapers!
The other one said reading The Hindu newspaper's headlines alone would keep oneself abreast of news happenings. The paper also gave news in detail of important topics, he felt.
Then he switched to an article he read somewhere about how to deal with colleagues in the workplace and he listed them -- understanding the situation or issue, communicating with others, getting into grips over the subject,etc. He said he did not bother to wear dirty shirts -- probably he could not afford better clothes -- and he concentrated on the bob in hand. When the company introduced a dress code he gained in confidence.
The 10 or 12 minutes that I listened to them, without them realising it, was a valuable experience in the public transport in which usually one comes across heated arguments over silly matters.
The discussion centred around the need for improving one's general knowledge to be seen well educated by colleagues at the workplace. One person said that there is a need to know news in detail and reading a newspaper is the best way to do it. He said he was not allowed by his roommates to watch news on TV as the set is used by his juniors for watching movies and listening to songs for relaxing their minds. This has to be taken as a reality, he said. He jocularly said that the roommates also said that since he would be reading the newspaper there was no need to watch TV news. Good news for newspapers!
The other one said reading The Hindu newspaper's headlines alone would keep oneself abreast of news happenings. The paper also gave news in detail of important topics, he felt.
Then he switched to an article he read somewhere about how to deal with colleagues in the workplace and he listed them -- understanding the situation or issue, communicating with others, getting into grips over the subject,etc. He said he did not bother to wear dirty shirts -- probably he could not afford better clothes -- and he concentrated on the bob in hand. When the company introduced a dress code he gained in confidence.
The 10 or 12 minutes that I listened to them, without them realising it, was a valuable experience in the public transport in which usually one comes across heated arguments over silly matters.
The Green Cross
The New Post icon on the blogger.com site is itself rewarding. The Green Cross gives you the signal when you are at the crossroads. It's a positive indication that you will meet someone at the crossroads and your blog will be noticed by someone somewhere sometime.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Great India
What a Great Day it is (March 21, 2008) for India and the world. There is great
celebration, solemnity and remembrance among the followers of the major religions
-- Hinduism, Christianity and Islam.
It is a great coincidence that the Holi, Good Friday and Meelad-un-Nabi
fell on the day. For the Parsis it is 'Navroz' (New Year). The Turks also celebrated
the New Year 'Newroz.'
Down South India, it is an important day in the worship of Lord Murugan, called
the Pankuni Uthiram.
"Festive Friday for Amar, Akbar, and Antony," ran a creative heading on a leading
newspaper, reminding one of the title of a popular Hindi film of yester-year.
Scenes of multitudes offering prayers at churches and mosques and Hindus celebrating
the colourful festival of Holi makes one feel what a Great Nation is India, where
co-existence of major religions is a dominant feature.
Speaking of co-existence, my friend too opines that the crisis that China faces
over Tibet could be overcome if only co-existence is the order of the day.
The strength and vibrancy that India has offered me today, and obviously to multitudes,
is something that sustains one from the onslaught of forces inside and outside;
nourishes the mind; and enriches the soul.
Reading the Sermons from Calvary made me more attuned to the presence of the
Almighty. And thank God for giving me the time to reflect and write.
celebration, solemnity and remembrance among the followers of the major religions
-- Hinduism, Christianity and Islam.
It is a great coincidence that the Holi, Good Friday and Meelad-un-Nabi
fell on the day. For the Parsis it is 'Navroz' (New Year). The Turks also celebrated
the New Year 'Newroz.'
Down South India, it is an important day in the worship of Lord Murugan, called
the Pankuni Uthiram.
"Festive Friday for Amar, Akbar, and Antony," ran a creative heading on a leading
newspaper, reminding one of the title of a popular Hindi film of yester-year.
Scenes of multitudes offering prayers at churches and mosques and Hindus celebrating
the colourful festival of Holi makes one feel what a Great Nation is India, where
co-existence of major religions is a dominant feature.
Speaking of co-existence, my friend too opines that the crisis that China faces
over Tibet could be overcome if only co-existence is the order of the day.
The strength and vibrancy that India has offered me today, and obviously to multitudes,
is something that sustains one from the onslaught of forces inside and outside;
nourishes the mind; and enriches the soul.
Reading the Sermons from Calvary made me more attuned to the presence of the
Almighty. And thank God for giving me the time to reflect and write.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Racing against time
It dawns as usual
The clock ticks
Rough and tumble begins
Then the rush
It's maddening
To manoeuvre
cityscape
And the battle starts
Egos clash
Work tumbles
The cruise back
Is bumpy
Fraught with dangers
Home awaits
More work
Telly takes over
Crappy
sounds and
Gloomy stories
Sours the day
Occasional
Good tunes
Seem to soothe mind
Time to sleep
The battle continues
Even amidst sleep
The clock ticks
Rough and tumble begins
Then the rush
It's maddening
To manoeuvre
cityscape
And the battle starts
Egos clash
Work tumbles
The cruise back
Is bumpy
Fraught with dangers
Home awaits
More work
Telly takes over
Crappy
sounds and
Gloomy stories
Sours the day
Occasional
Good tunes
Seem to soothe mind
Time to sleep
The battle continues
Even amidst sleep
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Holding your own
They hold the court as well the fort
They do not hold a candle to you
They hold forth on a whale of things
They do not hold a candle to you
They hold forth on a whale of things
They do hold hands
Hold your breath
They don't hold thier horses
They don't hold thier horses
They hold sway ever
You've to hold the bag
Hold your
tongue or peace
To hold your own
You've to hold the bag
Hold your
tongue or peace
To hold your own
To hold the line
Hold water
And, hold on to your
God and all He's given
And, hold on to your
God and all He's given
Sunday, January 6, 2008
New Year horrors
New Year thoughts
When I start the diary of a New Year I will be scratching my head for some
useful topic -- often in the first few days into the New Year.
Usually, the focus will be on resolutions and non-resolutions.
This year though, there is some serious thinking. Where India
is heading for?
Ushering in the New Year has been gala time over the years.
I distinctly remember my childhood years when, during the cold nights of Dec. 31, all our
neighbours in the multi-storied building gather and amid enjoyable
banter write HAPPY NEW YEAR followed by the year in
colourful chalks on the quiet road and distribute sweets
as cheers echo at the stroke of 12 midnight. No new clothes were bought.
But it was the spirit that counted.
Now, things are quite different, especially in big cities. The revelry has turned into devilry as
one newspaper analyst put it. People have more money to spend and they celebrate the New Year as a festival like Deepavali. Dresses are bought, in fact, party wears. Drinking parties
are arranged and the mood swings from cheerfulness to romance and behaviour changes
from hip-hop dancing to downright indulgence in baser elements.
2008 broke with horrible happenings for the country: the molestation, by a lewd crowd of more than 50 vultures, of two NRI women in Mumbai and the gang-rape of a minor girl by four youth in Latur district of Maharashtra.
What has provoked public indignation is the casual attitude of the police and its defence of the accused as well as the crime. To say that the molestation of two women
by a big crowd is something normal and happens everywhere
in the country is the meanest of statements made by police. This will only encourage
more such crimes. What puzzles one is the presence of police
near the hotel and their apathetic attitude when
told about the incident.
It did come as a shock -- the equally callous attitude of
the judiciary in giving bail to them on flimsy grounds.
The incident portends bad times for the social life
of the people and dangers to women even in crowded
places.
To defend the women saying it is their right to go to
the beach at 1.45 a.m. and that too drunk is not
good either. They must realise that we are not living
in Vedic times. To provoke the already drunk men
and that too on a day when they are seized by mean behaviour
is just to invite trouble.
Women also ought to think where modernity is
taking them to? What is appropriate behavioiur
and the circumstances of their social
situations? Whether they are safe and protected?
Irrespective of who the perpetrators are the police must take severe action and
save the dignity of women all over the country.
When I start the diary of a New Year I will be scratching my head for some
useful topic -- often in the first few days into the New Year.
Usually, the focus will be on resolutions and non-resolutions.
This year though, there is some serious thinking. Where India
is heading for?
Ushering in the New Year has been gala time over the years.
I distinctly remember my childhood years when, during the cold nights of Dec. 31, all our
neighbours in the multi-storied building gather and amid enjoyable
banter write HAPPY NEW YEAR followed by the year in
colourful chalks on the quiet road and distribute sweets
as cheers echo at the stroke of 12 midnight. No new clothes were bought.
But it was the spirit that counted.
Now, things are quite different, especially in big cities. The revelry has turned into devilry as
one newspaper analyst put it. People have more money to spend and they celebrate the New Year as a festival like Deepavali. Dresses are bought, in fact, party wears. Drinking parties
are arranged and the mood swings from cheerfulness to romance and behaviour changes
from hip-hop dancing to downright indulgence in baser elements.
2008 broke with horrible happenings for the country: the molestation, by a lewd crowd of more than 50 vultures, of two NRI women in Mumbai and the gang-rape of a minor girl by four youth in Latur district of Maharashtra.
What has provoked public indignation is the casual attitude of the police and its defence of the accused as well as the crime. To say that the molestation of two women
by a big crowd is something normal and happens everywhere
in the country is the meanest of statements made by police. This will only encourage
more such crimes. What puzzles one is the presence of police
near the hotel and their apathetic attitude when
told about the incident.
It did come as a shock -- the equally callous attitude of
the judiciary in giving bail to them on flimsy grounds.
The incident portends bad times for the social life
of the people and dangers to women even in crowded
places.
To defend the women saying it is their right to go to
the beach at 1.45 a.m. and that too drunk is not
good either. They must realise that we are not living
in Vedic times. To provoke the already drunk men
and that too on a day when they are seized by mean behaviour
is just to invite trouble.
Women also ought to think where modernity is
taking them to? What is appropriate behavioiur
and the circumstances of their social
situations? Whether they are safe and protected?
Irrespective of who the perpetrators are the police must take severe action and
save the dignity of women all over the country.
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