tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11628132621472115982024-03-10T23:22:37.762+05:30MINDZPEAK“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts, we make the world.”Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-73491294070146962772016-11-29T17:57:00.001+05:302022-02-26T21:47:09.827+05:30 Flatmates... Of the Opposite Gender !<div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">When I enrolled for my Masters at the University of Glasgow, it was not tough to decide that I would be opting for the student accommodation provided by the university. The reason for my decision was based on both the pros of being in a university accommodation and the cons of a private one. </div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">It is not at all easy to search for a private accommodation in another country. Not only the location of a privately rented place is of importance, but it also comes with the hassles of a contract with the owner, various bills and the troubles of getting things repaired if something goes wrong.</div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">On the other hand, the university provided accommodations are usually very near to the campus and come bundled with other perks such as free access to the sports facilities of the university. Not to mention the timely maintenance and repairs together with rules and regulations in place which make life a lot easier.</div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">'Maclays Residences' considered to be the best option for post graduate students at the University of Glasgow was hence the logical choice for me. However, during the registration process I was expected to opt for either an all-male or a mixed gender flat. Though it would be expected for a student from the sub-continent to opt for a same-gender accommodation (with the experience of hostels), but I preferred a mixed gender accommodation. And the past two months have proved yet again that I made a wise decision.</div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">On my arrival to my flat at 6 Cooperage Place, I found that I would be sharing my flat with three girls. Lilian (Lily) from Canada, Jiaming from China and Sophie from England. Though Sophie has been around the least due to her frequent visits out of Glasgow, it has been mostly Lily and Jiaming around. The following are the benefits I personally experienced having all female flatmates living with me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">1. The kitchen and the common area is always spic and span. (no dirty dishes in the sink from overnight)</div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">2. No loud music at any time of the day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">3. Sincerity in the division of duties for the maintenance of the flat. (no one needs to be reminded when the dish-washing liquid runs out)</div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">4. No thefts of food from the common refrigerator. 😋</div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">5. No one banging on doors after midnight while being drunk.</div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">6. Sharing of inter-continental recipes in the kitchen. (I got introduced to dumplings...)</div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">7. Engrossing chats which extend way past midnight leading to the understanding of each other's perspective on a lot of things.</div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I guess the understanding we have between ourselves is probably a lot better than I could have managed with an all male group of flatmates. Below is the look of our kitchen on any given day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzOv-44BNz7egUZ58s3GBXCgqLMO1Ws6jKJbyuyIN-zZzuzz6Wk4zx8nYpzpMtbjZ2XC5yUuwvRR8Z5xBF2lw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>Having wonderful flatmates is a great fortune !<br /></p>Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-38075801277592189482016-10-30T17:56:00.001+05:302022-02-26T20:52:41.527+05:30 The Orientation Week !<div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">It is not often that a big decision that you have made gives you such immense pleasure that you start doubting whether it really is true. Arriving at the U of G gave me a similar feeling. Not only the people all around are absolutely fantastic and ever so helpful, the ease with which work gets done is simply unbelievable.</div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">Just for example, getting an account at the 'Bank of Scotland' took me somewhere around seven and a half minutes !</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicKAUQJiPOaYWw0gJ6D2lJ8_v-Kjw9ugAxCleazL9klAEyzVYDMbEE9tYPqz8G7qSDxDuXHWki9-j65PjASNuL9MgKpgs9T5BLaDgzWrlx7LxPn8wizT6mc9zX3U21fj0qBuRct6cK-BDk0Vzv6JNWq6tvIPPxXer_SZG38eLq_WomDBvZRFGvFubH=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1449" data-original-width="2048" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicKAUQJiPOaYWw0gJ6D2lJ8_v-Kjw9ugAxCleazL9klAEyzVYDMbEE9tYPqz8G7qSDxDuXHWki9-j65PjASNuL9MgKpgs9T5BLaDgzWrlx7LxPn8wizT6mc9zX3U21fj0qBuRct6cK-BDk0Vzv6JNWq6tvIPPxXer_SZG38eLq_WomDBvZRFGvFubH=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">But the highlight of this whole experience was the orientation week in the university campus. Not only were the new students provided with all the guidance to make their life a lot easier but also provided with on-hands experience of the countless clubs and societies flourishing at U of G.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The east and west quadrangles of the university were fully occupied by stalls dedicated to various clubs and societies which attracted the new students with some lively demonstrations of their activities. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxCgnaSrrrDw4rb619WeZpS0rDcwIM5rL1YpBHk9I4VM5iHyEGTES3g_yUN0qlEhfCeKSLKQD-93e9G03x1yw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">The visitors were simply spoilt for choices with the variety of clubs/societies ranging from Art & Music to Language & Culture and from Political & Activism to Food & Drink. I spent a fair bit of time observing two student members of the Scottish Sword Fighting Club go at each other.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyGG82ZiWlHxm0wKxvt2sbKM0mDLy7e-HcTQXs-5nyMEA32QT3Eg47lSHmLIjyOK9XKoedmwskTDL7vYhgTNQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">It was really interesting to find student societies dedicated to social issues like racism, feminism, LGBTQ+ and environment. Similarly, the 'Comic Creators Club', 'MedTech Society', 'Zoological Society' and the 'Anatomy Society' particularly caught my attention. The live demonstration by the members of the 'Pole Dancing Club' was the eye-catcher around the cloisters.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzeMaTQArSXF7l8nxcacm8jJTQXcY5Io4IsvslyE6kZUSlG_OEkWv-64TLiTGrukORFyAEl9nyvAVmUoX6_Og' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">The interesting thing to note was the sincerity and maturity with which the students handle some of the sensitive and queer societies like the 'Anti-racism Society', something which is so relevant with the vast variety of nationalities represented across the university. Similarly, the 'Glasgow University Applied Visual Arts (GUAVA) Society' conducting fortnightly life drawing sessions which are open to all students is something that is probably unthinkable in other countries.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I am yet to make up my mind on which clubs or societies to enroll for given the huge amount of options to choose from. The other things I got to take back from the orientation were the free goodies and free slices of Dominos pizza ! 😋<br /></p><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-87791174202216486622016-09-27T16:54:00.002+05:302022-02-26T20:11:39.542+05:30 Glasgow Ahoy !<div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The past ten days have probably been the fastest ten days that I have ever lived. Having waited for my IELTS scores for more than a month and a half, I had almost given up any hopes of starting my Masters course at the University of Glasgow. But the method of things just falling into place in a span of less than ten days has been nothing short of a miracle.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Right from receiving my 'Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies' (CAS) from the University of Glasgow, to managing a UK student visa on priority, sorting out all the financial formalities and squeezing out a flight ticket, everything just flew by so smoothly that I didn't even feel it to say the truth.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a way, things happening so quickly was actually an advantage as it didn't allow any time for anxiety. Before I could even realize it, I was walking across the alley of the Glasgow airport. It was then when it hit me that I was in a new place, a new country, all by myself. Although I had pre-booked being received by the UofG team at the airport itself which would take me to my allotted accommodation, but the booking was scheduled for 12:00 - 1:00 PM while it was already 3:30 PM when I reached the exit hall of Glasgow airport.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The first thing that I did at that moment was to buy a UK sim card so that I may contact home. No sooner had I switched on my phone with the new sim card that I saw a group of three girls in yellow t-shirts with 'University of Glasgow' inscribed on the back. They had me on their list and were happy to get me on the bus to Uni even though it was way past my scheduled arrival. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9kJlVTGaICLdwdVTejFEXLCSFzqZHLUhI7mWaNgpRXrRYkAlhSXL00o1j1LdCJ0rbivrpqekWc7pf5BQpUULFzkzC-aTNQqrPGDrrhIpmAUZiwJ-wYtlavv-ie7wZ1UgYAVA5zb8sfFNzyhoNO5LgqH-Aw-YEgOZPOqb6Ek_BI-itWg8eyed7linp=s3328" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1872" data-original-width="3328" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9kJlVTGaICLdwdVTejFEXLCSFzqZHLUhI7mWaNgpRXrRYkAlhSXL00o1j1LdCJ0rbivrpqekWc7pf5BQpUULFzkzC-aTNQqrPGDrrhIpmAUZiwJ-wYtlavv-ie7wZ1UgYAVA5zb8sfFNzyhoNO5LgqH-Aw-YEgOZPOqb6Ek_BI-itWg8eyed7linp=s320" width="320" /></a></div></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">The 35-minute bus ride was the time when the feeling of being in Glasgow actually started to sink in. I spent most of the journey chatting to Annie, the University student volunteer, who told me some of the basics of life in Glasgow. And before my anxiety could get the better of me, we had arrived at 'Maclay Residences', the university accommodation for post graduate students.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1lqesrx9Iq7vbTvpOR5Bcmd7DKM2YHd4RsHPtBSfPwOgo2IIkTZUPIq_WasN1lKARImuHE3sO1J618hOAfICTEXpQc_c89N2Lp6Bs6HN-Oj_0uoVb2ocSm3-87Dkaaoa84rVyd7Xr32C7YIH1HxeHqwvSq3vgj2p8AaEzwrFtjiKdGjn06NTS9ZQn=s3328" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1872" data-original-width="3328" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1lqesrx9Iq7vbTvpOR5Bcmd7DKM2YHd4RsHPtBSfPwOgo2IIkTZUPIq_WasN1lKARImuHE3sO1J618hOAfICTEXpQc_c89N2Lp6Bs6HN-Oj_0uoVb2ocSm3-87Dkaaoa84rVyd7Xr32C7YIH1HxeHqwvSq3vgj2p8AaEzwrFtjiKdGjn06NTS9ZQn=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;" trbidi="on">There was another 'accommodation team' waiting at a small desk outside the first block who handed me my keys, some essential info in a packet and directed me to my block 'Cooperage Place # 6'which was directly opposite.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9EHwJNvLsg0l6Mz__d8TfVdhgX2JTpKGj7cU1MfZt0pGnYjcj8kTVP5J09pR3rDnrzB4a1nB_oOKgc_XZ5CEdB3k5lhXPxEb3buHP6uC3OJntnmRteBfwYIpKvpeRjsDHH6ZJCSIZNFoNeD5NDHg785NQ8czzDh736Os10D-3ejMTDZoISTXVNR7Q=s3328" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3328" data-original-width="1872" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9EHwJNvLsg0l6Mz__d8TfVdhgX2JTpKGj7cU1MfZt0pGnYjcj8kTVP5J09pR3rDnrzB4a1nB_oOKgc_XZ5CEdB3k5lhXPxEb3buHP6uC3OJntnmRteBfwYIpKvpeRjsDHH6ZJCSIZNFoNeD5NDHg785NQ8czzDh736Os10D-3ejMTDZoISTXVNR7Q=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Hence begins my journey to an adventurous and exciting year at the world famous 'U of G' !<br /></div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-73653226373552406342015-03-31T22:49:00.001+05:302022-02-26T22:05:39.990+05:30 Youth Today: Attraction to the Immoral...
<div id="NRSNLJaS" title="U2FsdGVkX1+w8oq5ksyjHhh8rjGA72DPylDKqAcBusind/uBOff9rmr6TN/0UnkFmdqeOf4vrdQMJWjhvIoe1n1roWKFGZJmBLqTpwFDc6XoB1Qdbbitw4sbuVNBFFnN">
<a href="javascript:decryptText('NRSNLJaS')">Enter the password !</a>
</div>Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-36718396304453592602015-02-28T23:51:00.001+05:302015-03-01T00:37:03.538+05:30 Rivalry or Hatred... ?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Okay. It is a well known fact that India is a cricket-crazy country.
And at times the craziness bit seems to take on an unbelievable magnitude. But
even this craze takes a turn towards the ultimate levels of lunacy once the
Indian cricket team takes on the team from across the border.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAOlK11PDkSL2OK1QuJemHCsR63mv_aaj-IxJGMOQBc6P4RvmuPW9qCJFkLRkQc-v013xEGxySj_FUQ_niUuBPjcwyptIxoULn_KNUt3j8qqLqwLoW2Iko3WFXPk_hlCCK6jDNz-r1Lo/s1600/India-vs-Pakistan-Live-Cricket-Streaming-2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAOlK11PDkSL2OK1QuJemHCsR63mv_aaj-IxJGMOQBc6P4RvmuPW9qCJFkLRkQc-v013xEGxySj_FUQ_niUuBPjcwyptIxoULn_KNUt3j8qqLqwLoW2Iko3WFXPk_hlCCK6jDNz-r1Lo/s1600/India-vs-Pakistan-Live-Cricket-Streaming-2015.png" height="188" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
It is always good for any sport to have a fierce but healthy rivalry
between two teams. The English and Australian cricket teams have fought tooth
and nail over the historic ashes. Argentina and Brazil have had a history of
locking horns in Latin American football. Barcelona and Real Madrid have an
equally absorbing rivalry on the football field as was the rivalry between the
basketball teams of the USA and the erstwhile USSR.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
A healthy rivalry is supposed to bring out the best in the
participating teams. But instead, a cricket match between India and Pakistan
brings out utmost levels of lunacy from within the fans of the two countries. In
fact, those who do not even follow cricket turn into fanatics on the day of an
India-Pakistan cricket match. An example of this was seen when some morons
broke into a fight in an Australian pub right after the India-Pakistan match.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
It is good to support and cheer one’s own team. But pathetically, the
thing that people find more pleasure to indulge in is to ridicule the opponent.
And it is not just the players from the opposite team but its followers who are
targeted with all the insult and abuse. It is as if the supporters are happier
for the opponent’s loss rather than their own team’s victory.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuOKHyBZ4-upCPUxGSEsmPughdqaAHYnPgrChxKNPtVWyevnK1W8K93lM3v3B1oyHnIdW60Q0I1mSxDxyTQFRGxIMDYhqyHBv-BOP6Uy0dn67nj4bPTj4IXDGUSmcdOmpbKI1D5ohQdY/s1600/feature27-640x404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuOKHyBZ4-upCPUxGSEsmPughdqaAHYnPgrChxKNPtVWyevnK1W8K93lM3v3B1oyHnIdW60Q0I1mSxDxyTQFRGxIMDYhqyHBv-BOP6Uy0dn67nj4bPTj4IXDGUSmcdOmpbKI1D5ohQdY/s1600/feature27-640x404.jpg" height="202" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
India and Pakistan have been more than just uncomfortable neighbors.
They’ve been at war more than just once. But over the years, people on both
sides of the border have seemed to develop a strange abhorrence towards each
other. A sense of loathing that has been increasing with every generation. It
is almost reaching a point of complete intolerance towards each other.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
But when one tries to ascertain the reason and logic behind such hatred,
one is at a loss to find specific answers. There are certain issues that seem
to be valid and require serious thought from both the sides to reach a proper
solution. But the truth is that the majority of population in both the
countries leads a similar kind of life trying to cope with everyday problems.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
There is a genuine problem of terrorism that plagues both the
countries. But instead of accusing each other and going to war, people on both
sides need to come together to tackle the menace. For this to happen, there
needs to be a certain sense of trust to prevail between citizens from both
sides to be able to come together. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
But the extremely crazy reactions from fanatics from both sides to an
India-Pakistan cricket match destroy all hope of trust and understanding
between the citizens of both the countries. People today have actually never
given a thought to the reason for their hatred towards the neighbor country.
They simply follow what they see everywhere around themselves. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
It is not actually cricket. It is not also the joy of the team’s
victory. It is more about the loss of someone who is loathed. Bursting crackers
and going absolutely berserk on social media are just the obvious symptoms of
this deep seated lunacy. Because if it was the good cricket being played by one’s
own team, then every victory irrespective of the opponent would be celebrated
with equal joy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
An India-Pakistan match should be a source of a healthy sporting
rivalry, not a source of strengthening the already prevalent hatred between the
two countries. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcyQqFCgxdm0xhafJjqppXn_MuKPkIm-1d2lt2RjGSe_VrCtxem1K_UyJLJVOFXjqcsztUZXMMy-KEJLNugTlg2Rf0FQuv_DEzrNpIpzuaK7149ouqd33Tq977gYFglDzVKj7gy4uBhU/s1600/sachin-afridi-new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcyQqFCgxdm0xhafJjqppXn_MuKPkIm-1d2lt2RjGSe_VrCtxem1K_UyJLJVOFXjqcsztUZXMMy-KEJLNugTlg2Rf0FQuv_DEzrNpIpzuaK7149ouqd33Tq977gYFglDzVKj7gy4uBhU/s1600/sachin-afridi-new.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<i>(Image Courtesy : Google Images)</i></div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-81222804701922608632015-01-31T23:42:00.001+05:302015-03-25T20:25:48.587+05:30 Wish List : Animals...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
What if I was allowed to possess one quality of an animal of my choice... ??? I would surely love to acquire -<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
the flight of an Albatross.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKOB-1PsJDUkb1Heh_37C62Sd42BhT9MnkRjax4UajNVnDWsxhrw2hDaeCNRCdxrGtZUX18GqJQCgh0Qpcyh8PnC2dvV9f16foAvzZH8JriDnyPac6Y8UDjBV8imX1OKzRFuaHBJIc7k/s1600/albatross1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKOB-1PsJDUkb1Heh_37C62Sd42BhT9MnkRjax4UajNVnDWsxhrw2hDaeCNRCdxrGtZUX18GqJQCgh0Qpcyh8PnC2dvV9f16foAvzZH8JriDnyPac6Y8UDjBV8imX1OKzRFuaHBJIc7k/s1600/albatross1.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the power of a Boa.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the flexibility of a Cat.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the loyalty of a Dog.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the memory of an Elephant.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the cleverness of a Fox.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDiYRLhQiWoQYtXHe-y0slUZFXxVwyKBNaxLLGLSWB3dfojec7Z7O8SGrZ2rrkMF8UJGoNSmp3-jmFa90OruERknQJzbxM9R3B-9hr4XO2X1D9bVDgmno24OXFzvuHfBFTh3s_VnZgQI/s1600/fox4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDiYRLhQiWoQYtXHe-y0slUZFXxVwyKBNaxLLGLSWB3dfojec7Z7O8SGrZ2rrkMF8UJGoNSmp3-jmFa90OruERknQJzbxM9R3B-9hr4XO2X1D9bVDgmno24OXFzvuHfBFTh3s_VnZgQI/s1600/fox4.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the height of a Giraffe.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the sincerity of a Horse.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the grip of an Iguana.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the bite of a Jaguar.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7iMYIzmuyXvvvLnsc4Jk-56MWtn1A3AQNae2TTHis8vf8XdsYZcUIIqtwYE7LsUOQezvvgAutWiqE7S5eX1NPXZdxdwaPZyzZgijn3ivWOcEXU1EMSAnnqKp7fdKH4YZEfKjZQUEubaM/s1600/jaguar4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7iMYIzmuyXvvvLnsc4Jk-56MWtn1A3AQNae2TTHis8vf8XdsYZcUIIqtwYE7LsUOQezvvgAutWiqE7S5eX1NPXZdxdwaPZyzZgijn3ivWOcEXU1EMSAnnqKp7fdKH4YZEfKjZQUEubaM/s1600/jaguar4.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the jump of a Kangaroo.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the reputation of a Lion.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the temperament of a Mouse.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the voice of a Nightingale.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the camouflage of an Octopus.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the fearlessness of a Panther.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the colors of a Quetzal.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkd3sz33qLZsfIYooz-tFOT2nLJvigdVlPpp2jdOmm2D6IFO3ZUc-uJRJTCv6XaF5SkEj40I_JhD2_jV-UrAsNl9Q5mOa5s1UyA96GVpaGoRfcA6_pnatiIf1TRaFF0zBYMb7uIydkpdc/s1600/quetzal4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkd3sz33qLZsfIYooz-tFOT2nLJvigdVlPpp2jdOmm2D6IFO3ZUc-uJRJTCv6XaF5SkEj40I_JhD2_jV-UrAsNl9Q5mOa5s1UyA96GVpaGoRfcA6_pnatiIf1TRaFF0zBYMb7uIydkpdc/s1600/quetzal4.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the quietness of a Rabbit.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the simplicity of a Sponge.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the attractiveness of a Tiger.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the secretiveness of an Uguisu.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GogvTtEZ2gHAEhGpG7SAiUq9IM1m3hq7bH5DsUe6bpT1UGePBKis897Knm3qZj8ZjWLvQkyIhPIP6iSNjQVMqxoxdKNKnbc9TUr6BHsX5pY7UgEY7PJzJsUp4jTCy1wDLQtQvqscv0Q/s1600/uguisu3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GogvTtEZ2gHAEhGpG7SAiUq9IM1m3hq7bH5DsUe6bpT1UGePBKis897Knm3qZj8ZjWLvQkyIhPIP6iSNjQVMqxoxdKNKnbc9TUr6BHsX5pY7UgEY7PJzJsUp4jTCy1wDLQtQvqscv0Q/s1600/uguisu3.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the eyesight of a Vulture.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the smartness of a Wolf.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the tolerance of a X-ray Tetra.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmBW5A4i0IFiftsZNj1pUewSHhfy_-pa25-aDi26pp038Vxt0hBhYCKxby-hOmP-MHnTMKW_z3OAe2f4_wlfnsf35YWVzMfu424aG0W4GONn6ZMyLCxKUr9pSZIGjSJdmWM2HYsTuLTI/s1600/x-ray_tetra1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmBW5A4i0IFiftsZNj1pUewSHhfy_-pa25-aDi26pp038Vxt0hBhYCKxby-hOmP-MHnTMKW_z3OAe2f4_wlfnsf35YWVzMfu424aG0W4GONn6ZMyLCxKUr9pSZIGjSJdmWM2HYsTuLTI/s1600/x-ray_tetra1.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the resistance of a Yak.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the affection of a Zebra.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>(Image Courtesy : http://a-z-animals.com)</i></div>
</div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-77253805816758210622014-12-31T20:40:00.001+05:302014-12-31T21:08:08.284+05:30At Any Cost...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
So, MSD has finally
called it quits as far as the longer version of cricket is concerned. As has
happened countless times in the past, as soon as the team starts doing badly,
people start discovering villains. And more often than not, it is the captain who
is given all the blame.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsyZNyg8EROiu348tArs5qisGk-1CMdrnYR0KYTdJURzFYJM8vzBr3torQw1lq5oNoaFnf75sytjdJtBKbB1xqoRtapxs4k4k8clv3sj5kRNTlNjuujUlbDtxQVRH6NLHZ2T6nWcPRbg/s1600/30reax-dhoni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsyZNyg8EROiu348tArs5qisGk-1CMdrnYR0KYTdJURzFYJM8vzBr3torQw1lq5oNoaFnf75sytjdJtBKbB1xqoRtapxs4k4k8clv3sj5kRNTlNjuujUlbDtxQVRH6NLHZ2T6nWcPRbg/s1600/30reax-dhoni.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Actually, the crux
of the problem it seems is that people cannot accept a loss even if it occurs
in a sport. If it wasn’t about winning some AND losing some, sport wouldn’t
have been sport in the first place. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
For a lot many
years, it was taken for granted that if the Zimbabwe team was playing a cricket
match, it was certain to lose it. Not that the Zimbabwe players didn’t give
their best. It was just that the other teams were better than them. But still
they kept on trying until they started winning and people started taking them
seriously. The opposite was taken for granted for the once indomitable West
Indies team.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
In sport, people
and teams face defeats. But more than the result, it is the game itself that
provides all the joy and entertainment. Supremely talented sportspersons lose,
but they still provide moments of bliss to those who watch them play. The final
result of a game just adds to the excitement and just adds up in the record
books.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
But we, the people
of today are obsessed with the result. And that too a positive one. People are
happy as long as the team wins. Even if it wins on the basis of a stupid rule
after the game being interrupted by rain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
So it’s no wonder
that people want a person who provides them with wins. At any cost. And this
goes not just for sport but even about political leaders of the country.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Another thing which
is baffling is how we spontaneously equate talent with leadership. We take it
for granted that a player who is more talented in playing skills than others
will automatically be a better leader. We did this with Sachin Tendulkar. But
he was intelligent and insightful enough to understand the difference between
talent and leadership.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKBeKX33eJ7V7lo5banZ_2yEqmBECdxwTif_45FOTikbR4yb56VWncr5z-B9k5GEBzkpf3sIsBIljxEwI-d9_Flx4jcOPRED9FAjL6aefHuerEwKjLKxJsN9bMGfyVhbDwkNvolDPVAo/s1600/Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni-captain-L-with-teammate-Sachin-Tendulkar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKBeKX33eJ7V7lo5banZ_2yEqmBECdxwTif_45FOTikbR4yb56VWncr5z-B9k5GEBzkpf3sIsBIljxEwI-d9_Flx4jcOPRED9FAjL6aefHuerEwKjLKxJsN9bMGfyVhbDwkNvolDPVAo/s1600/Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni-captain-L-with-teammate-Sachin-Tendulkar.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
A leader in sport
is not always the best player of the team. He is someone who can bind the players
as a team and is able to extract the maximum out of them in terms of
performance. He is one who inspires the team in times of low confidence. And
above all, he should be someone who conducts himself as an ambassador of his
team and country in a respectful way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
MSD was is the
example of a leader in the true sense. Not losing his cool and maintaining a
level head even in tough situations were the qualities exemplified by him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
But I would
personally never like to have the leader of a group of players who represent my
country as a person who doesn’t even know the basic levels of decency while on
the playing field. Ricky Ponting was a very talented cricketer. And a highly
successful captain too. But was he a good ambassador for cricket or his country
? NO !</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
It is extremely sad
to see how people prefer a misbehaving <i>(though highly talented)</i> captain to lead
and represent the country. Maybe because they expect him to produce victories
for the team which eventually add up in the record books. For people today, a
victorious result brings a strange sense of satisfaction irrespective of how
the game was played. After all, people are obsessed with victories. At any
cost.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZKq5HGCJQ7NKTjff4w3DuHPub5HseMc4KC_6V0TAh6q0mA4pHabacqZxtwshMCj1_Tnqtztg_cKsA1lW8hHIXe5m-5wk9XB4WRc_BEpRym7rimGEQTVBlS0wtk9ZlnLuqVTKvFTYS40/s1600/OB-RO247_kohli0_E_20120127062348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZKq5HGCJQ7NKTjff4w3DuHPub5HseMc4KC_6V0TAh6q0mA4pHabacqZxtwshMCj1_Tnqtztg_cKsA1lW8hHIXe5m-5wk9XB4WRc_BEpRym7rimGEQTVBlS0wtk9ZlnLuqVTKvFTYS40/s1600/OB-RO247_kohli0_E_20120127062348.jpg" height="213" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>(Image Courtesy : Google Images)</i> </div>
</div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-53753179997760797182014-11-30T22:30:00.001+05:302015-03-18T20:42:25.972+05:30The Game of Hierarchy...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Under the influence of my very old habit of keenly observing the people
around me, I have often wondered… do people submit to oppression easily ? The
immediate response to this question comes as an obvious <i>‘NO’</i>. No they don’t.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Unless there is this issue of hierarchy involved.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Hierarchies… we are simply surrounded by the concept in our daily
lives. Be it the workplace or relationships, it is rare for a person to escape
the effects of hierarchy. Effects which are mostly <i>(if not always)</i> negative.
Negative though, for the one who is placed at a lower level in the ladder of
hierarchy. Whereas, the so called superior enjoys the benefits of this very
ladder of hierarchy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
A daughter-in-law quietly tolerates the whims of her mother-in-law. An
assistant lives by the commands of the boss at work. A <i>‘junior’</i> college student
is ruled by the <i>‘seniors’</i>. Hierarchy works almost everywhere.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
But what is it that drives those placed low in the hierarchy submit so
meekly to those placed higher up ? From the looks of it, the very obvious
answer would be the need for survival. To maintain a peaceful relationship with
the in-laws. Or the necessity to keep holding on to the job. Or the so called
benefits to be had from the ‘experienced’ seniors.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
All the above reasons seem very logical. But beneath this practice of
observing the protocols of hierarchy, there exists a sense of anticipation. The
anticipation to grab the powerful position one day and exercise it over one’s
future subordinates.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1HQyGnDVcoAiSGsrWDcJPUB4i_LbaSbGAIY0n55zbpomkGoTMwnUpHhKEjqgsewVgNvTrsYVtCP_GQMbV4qjhMfZ-RuwtcREd8dOkPa5ozPVtX85VTPLKVE01sYjA4InEw0UULSlLc4/s1600/superiority_vs__inferiority.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1HQyGnDVcoAiSGsrWDcJPUB4i_LbaSbGAIY0n55zbpomkGoTMwnUpHhKEjqgsewVgNvTrsYVtCP_GQMbV4qjhMfZ-RuwtcREd8dOkPa5ozPVtX85VTPLKVE01sYjA4InEw0UULSlLc4/s1600/superiority_vs__inferiority.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Very recently, I was witness to a cultural program at a government
medical college. The highlight of the show was a small skit by the first year
students who portrayed the life of a <i>‘fresher’</i> which also included the menace
of ragging by the seniors. And as the students acting as seniors abused and
threatened the ones acting as the <i>‘freshers’</i>, it extracted a big applause from
the entire audience including many professors watching the show who seemed to
enjoy it very much.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Maybe they remembered their own days of harassment at the hands of
their <i>‘superiors’</i> which eventually made way for the happy days when they were
able to harass their own subordinates. It appeared to be a sweet recall of the
pain and then the pleasure. And the bliss of revenge. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
I have always found it strange how someone can cozy up to the very
person who abused them physically, mentally or verbally. How people are able to
befriend and <i>‘respect’</i> those who harassed them just a few days back ? It never
did sum up as per my thinking abilities.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
But now, it is a lot clearer to me after understanding the ways of
hierarchy and the sadistic pleasure it brings once a person has been able to
tide over the rough and tough days of being a subordinate. The pleasure of
tormenting a subordinate is way too grand for anyone to remember the abuse
their abusers meted out to them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
The delusional sense of superiority is good enough to forget the real
pain and hurt of inferiority. The cycle continues from being real to being
delusional. But as long as it ends on a happy note, people just don’t care.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
After all, <i>‘kyunki saas bhi kabhi bahu thi’</i> !</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvL05C6hdsBD5jm1IDOjNBJZT_YGZ3YDwRvbzxEkZVu6AZorgHkKJ2YGAGK0GDpV4MW7TfPninfKxVKhjpbjWmPTJtDmzWNRtI0YBq-It7m2rwajY_HYPF_CQAD2N6voaIuduqrWyKwNM/s1600/superiority_complex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvL05C6hdsBD5jm1IDOjNBJZT_YGZ3YDwRvbzxEkZVu6AZorgHkKJ2YGAGK0GDpV4MW7TfPninfKxVKhjpbjWmPTJtDmzWNRtI0YBq-It7m2rwajY_HYPF_CQAD2N6voaIuduqrWyKwNM/s1600/superiority_complex.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i>(Image Courtesy : Google Images)</i>
</div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-62765433776614902002014-10-31T22:33:00.001+05:302014-10-31T22:54:55.149+05:30Face Off...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
Recently, on the way back from an
official trip for academic purposes, the colleagues and me made a stop-over at
Amritsar for a day. We visited the <i>'Golden Temple'</i> and the <i>'Jallianwalla Bagh'</i> as
is almost mandatory for any visitor to Amritsar. However, I was anticipating
our visit to a place called the <i>‘Wagah border’</i> which is known to be the point
of entry into India from Pakistan and vice versa.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
We actually didn’t plan to stroll in to
Pakistan territory, but were repeatedly advised to visit the <i>‘Wagah border’</i> by
people who had been there before. The reason for the interest in that place
seemed to emerge due to a daily exhibition of a <i>‘Beating retreat’</i> ceremony that
marks the lowering of flags of the two countries by their security forces on
each side of the border.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
After making utter gluttons of ourselves
over the famous <i>‘Amritsari thalis’</i> and <i>‘Kulchas’</i>, we set of for the border in
the heat of the afternoon with a jolly old Sardarji as our guide cum driver.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
But as soon as we were dropped off about
one kilometer from the actual site of the event, I could sense a strange
feeling one experiences on arriving at a cricket match. There were people with
boxes of colors in one hand and brushes in the other literally chasing and
harassing the visitors to get the national flag painted on their face. Others
were harassing the visitors into buying snacks and bottles of water. The scene
appeared no less than a picnic spot. We somehow managed to escape those
harassers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSDJ55FyJqW7CXd03VQV9iHk6nf0ZwDR8DxcduqOnVaDtdTAqIwiGngjLMCJWX205bvxmEabi79_zfWhX7sZvzvOmhnB9RsBliDH1NNFjcbtlAG6i6RXeD6wouxsyetnkLW2uift11jc/s1600/20141020_180839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSDJ55FyJqW7CXd03VQV9iHk6nf0ZwDR8DxcduqOnVaDtdTAqIwiGngjLMCJWX205bvxmEabi79_zfWhX7sZvzvOmhnB9RsBliDH1NNFjcbtlAG6i6RXeD6wouxsyetnkLW2uift11jc/s1600/20141020_180839.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After half an hour worth’s walk in the
sun <i>(which was a welcome option after all the over-eating)</i> and surviving long
queues on at least three security check points, we finally reached the site of
action. The venue consisted of public stands made on either side of the Grand
Trunk road on each side of the border with a couple of gates separating the two
sides in the middle of the road.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
We soon realized the futility of
reaching the stand comparatively early as all the over-excited spectators
decided to view the proceedings <i>(even if nothing had begun yet)</i> while standing.
We decided it better to move to the edge of the stand to be able to catch
glimpses by trying to stand on our toes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
Instantly, a tall man in a white sports
suit emerged with a mic in his hand and greeted all the spectators <i>(on the
Indian side, obviously)</i>. He then gave a brief introduction about the ceremony
and notified everyone about the slogans that would be shouted. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
It was then that we noticed rows of
chairs on each side of the road in front of the stands. And then we realized
that they were meant for VIP and VVIP visitors who wanted to have a ringside
view of the proceedings. We were still discussing whether those seats were paid
or not when suddenly movie songs suggestive of patriotism started playing on
the loudspeakers all around.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
On seeing the crowd in the stands
bursting into a resounding cheer, I stood on my toes to see what it was all
about. And there, in the middle of the road were large groups of females of
various ages having the time of their lives dancing on the beats of the songs. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQYHL9z-iVParWQR6LFkq26OlGdJUHWEmvASfhew-kdHfx4t8hloZMYx-LCFPHaZ0h4FOSVd0gk7xE5EKiZc7bdlInhgUd4SxyX31-j_vntM-8QDYcfIXNFxBitLHGwq4XSx52xaLNEw/s1600/20141020_164724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQYHL9z-iVParWQR6LFkq26OlGdJUHWEmvASfhew-kdHfx4t8hloZMYx-LCFPHaZ0h4FOSVd0gk7xE5EKiZc7bdlInhgUd4SxyX31-j_vntM-8QDYcfIXNFxBitLHGwq4XSx52xaLNEw/s1600/20141020_164724.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It looked rather like a typical <i>‘baraat’</i>,
the only addition being a few Indian flags being waved by some of the enthusiastic
dancers. How the entire crowd comprehended it as something highly patriotic was
beyond me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
Soon, I could make out something very
similar going on across the other side of the border. The dancing, waving and
shouting continued for almost half an hour during which I had several bouts of
reasoning whether or not it was a mistake to visit this place.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
Thankfully, this extravagant display of
patriotism ended and we saw a few of the troops marching out for what appeared
to be the serious part of the ceremony. But we soon realized that it was just
the formal part of the competition; a competition which the two countries
indulge in every day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
A competition about –</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
Whose troops are taller and smarter…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
Whose commanding personnel can shout
louder and longer…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
Whose soldiers are more aggressive in
the routine…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
The crowd on which side can over-shout
the other…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
And ultimately, who displays more
patriotism than the other.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
While the dedication of the security
forces is unparalleled, it was really disheartening to see the results of the
ceremony which the crowds on either side of the border took away with them. A
sense of patriotism in any form is always welcome but what each country can do
without, especially at this point of time, is the sense of aversion, hostility
and distrust. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
The mutual lowering of the national
flags should signify mutual trust and confidence between the two sides. The
flags are indeed lowered. But only after the crowd on each side is assured that
they are better than the other and the other side cannot be trusted.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
It is ironic that on each side of the
border, on the monumental gateways bearing the names and flags of India and
Pakistan, there appear the pictures of the fathers of both the nations. It
seems as if people on both the sides are ready to take on each other on behalf
of their ‘father of the nation’.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
But I’m sure that both M.K. Gandhi and
M.A. Jinnah wouldn’t have expected being forced to face off each other so many
years after independence. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUN_7LwVk3KJx88NMndcZpyO7ZUayck4YQnS1zRtnfZH0tMKC7EcSPeOXk-ddnrJeg5Oc0QfhhVjYvGPnkCzJdWue5gQgf2rwo9jdALmvO6oZeUULzPi91fjklBdpD6IyTgrLsIh_CbEs/s1600/20141020_165019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUN_7LwVk3KJx88NMndcZpyO7ZUayck4YQnS1zRtnfZH0tMKC7EcSPeOXk-ddnrJeg5Oc0QfhhVjYvGPnkCzJdWue5gQgf2rwo9jdALmvO6oZeUULzPi91fjklBdpD6IyTgrLsIh_CbEs/s1600/20141020_165019.jpg" height="135" width="480" /></a></div>
</div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-52132206446120405712014-09-30T23:26:00.000+05:302014-10-31T22:46:05.662+05:30Chance or Choice... ???<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
Just
the other day I was talking to my five year old nephew on the phone as he was
busy describing to me, his new adventures in school. Having heard enough, I tried
to change the topic of the conversation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><b>“What
did you have for lunch today?”</b></i> I asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><b>“Pasta…..”</b></i>
He replied.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><b>“Pasta…
??”</b></i> I checked again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<i><b>“Pastaaa…
Faastaa… Fast thaaa…”</b></i> I was on fast… he clarified in his kiddy voice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
On
further enquiry I came to know that the poor kid was fasting due to the ongoing
<i>‘Navratras’ (nine days of the Goddess)</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
To
say that I was exasperated on hearing this would be an understatement. I mean,
here was a little kid of five, who jumps for joy at the mere sight of the <i>‘M’</i>
of McDonalds. To have him kept hungry for a whole day just to please the
Goddess is laying it on a bit thick.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
Okay…
there are people who are very religious and hopefully they understand whatever
logic they seem to follow by observing rituals. But what sense does a five year
old kid have about religion, rituals and anything of that sort ? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
Or
are the <i>‘sensible’</i> adults promoting their religious devotion by forcing rituals
on little kids ?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
All
humans who follow a certain religion, do so because they happen to be born into
that religion <i>(except those who convert)</i>. So automatically, they learn <i>(are
taught)</i> that their faith is the only true faith. This learning eventually turns
into belief which quite often results in fanaticism.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKKRDqQePhdxx2-Et3_6_6kCDCsiuhbQ0c09UhE9LyCE1_qCik3Bo7_pw7Ty2jmep_xIszUdUohyphenhyphenQEqyeFbykJ7Vf1Y7GgeUQwJeuzrR03E22zm310pAOZ06i7dD81qUS7m67FtSH7qg/s1600/Religious_Freedom_FoundationforPlluralism_MikeGhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKKRDqQePhdxx2-Et3_6_6kCDCsiuhbQ0c09UhE9LyCE1_qCik3Bo7_pw7Ty2jmep_xIszUdUohyphenhyphenQEqyeFbykJ7Vf1Y7GgeUQwJeuzrR03E22zm310pAOZ06i7dD81qUS7m67FtSH7qg/s1600/Religious_Freedom_FoundationforPlluralism_MikeGhouse.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
We
identify a child by her or his religion right from the time of birth. But no
one cares to ascertain which religion does the child wants to follow.
Obviously, a new born cannot even decide upon the bladder/bowel functions, let
alone be able to choose his religion.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
Right
from the time of birth up to an age of maturity <i>(which is taken to be as 18)</i>,
it is obvious that a person cannot judge the pros and cons of a religion.
Hence, a person below the age of 18 is unable to make independent choices. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
So,
I wonder that why should any person below the age of 18 years <i>(or before
attaining mental maturity)</i> be known to be following a certain religion ? Once
he or she attains maturity, a person should be free to choose from the
available set of religions as per their own logic.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
In
other words, people below 18 years of age should NOT have any religion to
follow. Unless a person is mature and aware enough to make choices, how can he
or she know that his own religion is the best ?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
Abolishing
religious identity of all people below the age of maturity would help to
prevent religious fundamentalism and fanaticism to a certain extent. Hence, a
person should have a choice to choose his religion instead of being forced into
following one by mere chance by birth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
I
hope such a day becomes a reality in the future when people are able to choose
their religion.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
Though
I guess people will hardly bother to think about religion, let alone choose one
for themselves if they grow into sensible adults without being forced into
following a religion by birth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwkFPQNisF37TeLDrEHQfuaU37BFIlJv8GZtpy2vXzDvl7uEYDH6Malc64AztBA-iZL7Q3xD8UjxCFNgdJ7dX_FXc6xeOwpxfTC2uuQnaibJ4pjzJxh8OxkXLDnuRUDg-Mzlpi2YLcMY/s1600/m223363970-295x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwkFPQNisF37TeLDrEHQfuaU37BFIlJv8GZtpy2vXzDvl7uEYDH6Malc64AztBA-iZL7Q3xD8UjxCFNgdJ7dX_FXc6xeOwpxfTC2uuQnaibJ4pjzJxh8OxkXLDnuRUDg-Mzlpi2YLcMY/s1600/m223363970-295x300.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>
<br />
<br />
<i>(Image courtesy : Google Images)</i>
</span></span></div>
</div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-81182004454456381272014-08-31T22:05:00.006+05:302021-06-06T23:51:26.174+05:30 Living In !<div id="pfgTY5i5" title="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">
<a href="javascript:decryptText('pfgTY5i5')">Enter the password !</a>
</div>Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-85504779216736282442014-07-31T01:21:00.001+05:302014-07-31T02:39:21.325+05:30Mind Your Language...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Once again, the
debate on English versus the Indian languages <i>(specially Hindi)</i> is hitting the
national news. Some people seem to have a big problem with the UPSC testing the
Civil Services aspirants in basic English proficiency in its entrance test.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEehfFPGfImIULHo-2h7Oh_3Vtc6vO5x6KM3weG4AszPi-lG3uAAEyEFXu4fcjtlsJeH4gI-kKPlyU51_aM6X_QH0LSPQdHO3x5l6fuS5Pxd5gglF8xO2JGcTdSclgpIz4Z20o6PZhB8/s1600/upsc-aspirants-protest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEehfFPGfImIULHo-2h7Oh_3Vtc6vO5x6KM3weG4AszPi-lG3uAAEyEFXu4fcjtlsJeH4gI-kKPlyU51_aM6X_QH0LSPQdHO3x5l6fuS5Pxd5gglF8xO2JGcTdSclgpIz4Z20o6PZhB8/s1600/upsc-aspirants-protest.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Intellectual bankruptcy.... what else ??)</span></div>
<br />
Earlier, I had
written a post on the use of English as compared to the regional languages for
higher education in India, when a loonie baba suggested that all higher
education in India should be conducted in Hindi or the regional language.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Once all such
ridiculous ideas are demolished through logic, such people turn to the issue of
nationalism which they think is automatically associated with language.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
What such people
fail to understand is that a language is a means of communication. It is NOT
the parameter to assess one’s patriotism. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
A person may have a
particular mother tongue. But it is not necessary that his or her mother tongue
is understandable to most of the people that person wants to communicate with.
Thus, if that person uses another language to communicate with other people, it
does not automatically imply that he or she is being disrespectful to the
mother tongue.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
A person may be
living and working away from his hometown and his parents in another place. And
therefore, instead of his parents, he interacts with his colleagues and boss on
a regular basis rather than his parents. Will that mean he becomes
disrespectful to his parents simply because he is not interacting with them on
a daily basis ? Similar logic.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Most <i>‘patriots’</i> who
shout for the use of Hindi or other regional languages instead of English do so
because of their negative views for the British who once ruled India. But they
forget that English is not the Queen’s property. Yes, the British Empire once
ruled almost the entire world. But one good thing that resulted from it is that
it provided a common language of communication for people from various parts of
the world.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
My mother tongue is
Hindi, but I’m writing this post in English. That doesn’t turn my loyalties
towards the United Kingdom. Neither does it imply that I disregard Hindi or I’m
disrespectful towards Hindi. I’m writing in English in order to put across my
thoughts, whether good or bad or right or wrong, to people not just across
India but across the world.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Often, when I visit
a blog directory such as <i>‘Indiblogger’</i>, I come across some popular blogs by
people which are in their regional language. However much I would like to read
their views, I cannot do so since I do not understand that language. Similarly,
a person from another region of India would be unable to understand my blog if
I were to write it in Hindi. So, either I have to learn another person’s
language or he has to learn mine in order to communicate our views to each
other.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
English serves that
purpose easily and efficiently bringing people on an equal platform instead of
one learning the other’s language. The same goes for people from different
parts of the world.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
And when people
give the examples of Russia, China, Germany, etc. to suggest that they still
use their own language instead of resorting to English, they simply show their
ignorance about the fact that even these countries are turning to English in
order to reach out globally in every field. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
And yes, the above
countries are more or less homogeneous in the composition of their populations
regarding language. India, on the other hand, is not a homogenous country. It
is in fact, a Union of States with different cultures and languages. It’s
similar in comparison if we consider the European Union to be one country. No
wonder we don’t have a single national language and hence need to depend on
English as a common language of communication.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
So, instead of
hating a language just because it is associated with a certain population,
people should understand that a language is simply a mode of communication. One
should not compare and classify languages, let alone use it as a tool to
determine one’s patriotism.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
And, instead of
changing the education system according to one’s language proficiency, it is
much better and easier to be educated in a common language of communication
from the beginning along with one’s mother tongue and other regional languages.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<i>(Image courtesy : Google Images)</i></div>
</div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-65243468819864391642014-06-30T23:55:00.001+05:302014-07-31T02:35:43.687+05:30 It's It is not Its...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Of late, I’ve been quite distracted while spending my time reading on
the internet. Whether it is a news report or a random message by an old school
mate, my attention has continuously been drawn to the use of apostrophes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Ok, I’m no expert in the English language as such, but all along since
learning to read and write English, I have had a particular concept regarding
the use of apostrophes. Having come across at least a dozen instances in the
past week which contradicted my own concept of apostrophes, I was forced to
re-check whether I had been carrying a wrong concept all these years.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
To my relief, I found that I wasn’t wrong with my concept of using
apostrophes after all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
The very first thing that brought my attention to this issue was a
message by an old school mate on Facebook where he wrote <u><b>friend’s</b></u> to call out
to all his friends. I would thus like to clarify the correct usage of
apostrophes to avoid such mistakes while writing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVif6L5IBcncKuUHO9RRybU5OJpNz7tOVn6IiNSA_PlIWJu8ymOrWGZup5Qwjupti-t1G1fnBrmrDm41JdfqZ2p8wWJbN3z3I-gscZCBtiIdlE3iFg2d-zF9eGnn8XjZyv24Jd_DwLMB0/s1600/howtousetheapostrophe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVif6L5IBcncKuUHO9RRybU5OJpNz7tOVn6IiNSA_PlIWJu8ymOrWGZup5Qwjupti-t1G1fnBrmrDm41JdfqZ2p8wWJbN3z3I-gscZCBtiIdlE3iFg2d-zF9eGnn8XjZyv24Jd_DwLMB0/s1600/howtousetheapostrophe.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span>1. An
apostrophe is used <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">to indicate ownership by a proper noun.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> An apostrophe with an <b>"s"</b> after a proper noun indicates that the
person, place or thing owns whatever </span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> noun follows his or her name. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> Example : <b>John’s</b> apples; <b>India’s</b> flag; <b>car’s</b> tyre, etc.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">2. Don’t use an apostrophe to indicate a plural.</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> If you have more than one apple, then write <b><i>apples</i></b>, not <i>apple's</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> Many <b>friends</b> = correct; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>many <b>friend’s</b>
= wrong.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">3. Don't use an
apostrophe to indicate ownership when using <b>"it"</b>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> The reason for this is to avoid confusion between <b>"its"</b> used for
possession and <b>"it's"</b> used as a </span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> contraction of <b>"it is."</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">4. Use apostrophes
in contractions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> Sometimes, especially in informal
writing</span>, apostrophes are used to indicate one or more missing
letters.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> Examples : <b>"don't"</b> is short for <b>"do not"</b>; <b>“She’s”</b> is
short for <b>“She is”</b>; <b>“It’s”</b> is short for <b>“It is”</b>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
I hope this helps people to avoid small mistakes while using
apostrophes when they write.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXg_ppF_3GWJXCPgYnfr24qsjjFYgXSE1b_lyykl0hVuMuMQu9ZC39rw13h1F4is7sE7B4tbYbrRZ8xqrrVwikeatugbLIHX1c3CvDHqmWWGhTVVOV4okAIY-lTxW8lSLBNPgWgsLKNY/s1600/jff-apostrophe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXg_ppF_3GWJXCPgYnfr24qsjjFYgXSE1b_lyykl0hVuMuMQu9ZC39rw13h1F4is7sE7B4tbYbrRZ8xqrrVwikeatugbLIHX1c3CvDHqmWWGhTVVOV4okAIY-lTxW8lSLBNPgWgsLKNY/s1600/jff-apostrophe.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i>(Image courtesy : Google Images)</i><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-66223149783676982232014-05-26T02:25:00.000+05:302015-03-29T14:57:04.365+05:30The Impure Cycle...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KgU6kEC_DLhuzULqcarLFPDrPhAkAx2waRdtvQwVxb8?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDM2Cnvn-y5BOps3qpuEol5n7NZLhwWUPIoUP8UNpbj-n_LopUfBFDRIjqV-JlVqmdEZzWNsk4VYXCxUBJZ6QebhbboqiNN9B9RC_5TzBFMkuR7zpsNZChPrX0CYnfPui1uuKXD43NOxM/s800/period.jpg" width="620" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Since times immemorial, the lives of women <i>(especially in India)</i>
have been controlled by other people <i>(including other women)</i>. Somehow people
discover ways to dominate women by exploiting issues that make them feel
vulnerable.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But it is all the more shocking to know that women are
dominated/controlled/ridiculed for the very reasons that make them different
from men. And one such reason is the occurrence of cyclical physiologic events
that a woman experiences as a result of possessing a specialized reproductive
system. Yes, I’m talking about menstrual cycles.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But instead of acknowledging it as a normal and physiologic
activity, people go to the extent of attaching a sense of impurity with a
woman’s monthly cycles. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Just imagine a scenario where a newly wed woman is <strike>forced</strike>
expected to perform some rituals or prayers in order to provide her husband’s
family a male heir. But once it is known that she is in the middle of <i>‘those’</i>
days, she is immediately pronounced as untouchable and quarantined into a
remote corner of the house.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
How can a normal natural physiological process render a
person impure ? How can a Goddess/God distance herself/himself from one of
her/his own creation just because that creation was functioning normally ? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Do women really need to pray to such a Goddess/God ?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But it is all the more depressing when one finds women <i>(even
young in age)</i> themselves accepting the ridiculous idea of being impure. Someone
once told me that this impurity is actually logical as women in the process of
bleeding would contaminate things they come in contact with. Thus they are
prohibited to enter temples or touch objects <i>(including containers of food)</i>
during <i>‘those’</i> days.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I ask, what if the son of the house, having injured himself
falling off his cycle <i>(pun intended)</i> comes to the house bleeding from several
places. Would he be considered impure too ? Would he be prohibited from moving
about and touching things too ? But I guess we all know the answer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The discrimination mentioned above happens only when it is
known to others when a woman is menstruating. But the shame associated with it
is so much that more often than not, it remains taboo. Even if a female is
going through the worst possible effects <i>(symptoms which include severe cramps,
depression, fatigue, etc.)</i> she cannot disclose the reason for the fear of being
shamed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Ignorance and insensitivity towards a completely normal
physiological process makes life horrible for most females in a country like India. Having
read quite a bit about the experiences of many females it is evident that even in urban areas, it is not easy for
a female to tackle menarche.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Just spare a thought for the millions of girls in rural India who have
no access to even the help from a confidant and/or knowledgeable mother, or to
the knowledge of health education and health products, let alone have an access
or freedom to go to a pharmacy. Add to it the presence of uneducated and
insensitive people all around and one just shudders at the thought.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
No wonder most young girls in rural India are
forced to give up going to a school because of the above mentioned reasons. It
is one of the most serious reasons for the pathetic female literacy rate,
specially in rural India.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Our country needs awareness, sensitization and health measures for all such females in rural areas. Even better if the government can provide free hygiene products from the Primary Health Centres across the country. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Many schools in cities are known to conduct sessions to
educate young girls about the health issues they are expected to face. But more
often than not, the boys are kept out of such sessions. What people tend to
forget that boys need as much sensitization towards such issues as girls, if
not more. If young men are not educated about such gender-based issues, they
will grow up being insensitive towards their female counterparts and will end
up using such issues as a means of ridicule or jokes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Why should a girl be made to feel ashamed of a completely
natural process ? Why should she be denied a chance to explain the reason for
her sickness ? Our country needs serious awareness regarding normal female
physiology <i>(specially for males)</i> in order to tackle the inherent gender
discrimination in our society.</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/uzwQ29uNJrk" width="480"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
For all the males who think that a female’s periods are
something funny or ridiculous……. <b>Grow up !</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
For all the people <i>(including nosey MILs and grannys)</i> who
think that every girl becomes impure for some time every month……. <b>Get a life,
and let others live theirs !</b></div>
</div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-50780821763324389732014-04-30T23:42:00.001+05:302014-05-01T00:39:31.173+05:30 Respect...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Of late, I have been wondering about what is it that makes a
person respect another person. By this I don’t mean the respect every human
should have towards every living being <i>(or maybe even non-living objects)</i>. That
is a type of a passive respect that is expected from every human.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
My question about respect is directed towards the active
variety where a person respects another person for some reason which is more
than just for being alive.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We respect certain people for certain reasons. And mostly,
we don’t even realize whether or not we are offering our respect to the person
who actually deserves it. The following are some of the reasons for which we
tend to respect <i>(or at least pretend to respect)</i> certain people.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Age</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Experience</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Knowledge</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Wisdom</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Position</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Fear</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Age</b> – This is one of the most common reasons for someone to
show respect to another person. It is almost taken for granted that someone who
has seen more years in life automatically deserves to be respected. But at
times, even older people have certain flaws which make them undeserving to receive
respect. Can a person who mistreats his or her children or other younger family
members be deserving respect ? So, age cannot be the single criterion for
respect.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Experience</b> – This factor, though somewhat related to age, is
another reason why people are respected. People tend to learn from more
experienced persons, and hence, respect those who are more experienced. But can
mere experience make a person deserving enough to get respect ? Can a highly
experienced policeman who accepts bribes and drinks while on duty be respected
by a newly recruited policeman ?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Knowledge</b> – Another factor which determines whether or not a
person gets respect from others. A person may be highly qualified and educated
but may still not be deserving enough to receive respect. An abusive teacher or
a selfish scientist may both be highly educated, but they cannot be respected
only because of their academic achievements.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Wisdom</b> – This is one factor that is closest to being the
best reason for any person to be respected. It actually shows a person’s
ability to put both experience and knowledge to the best of use. But can a
person be respected who instead of using his wisdom for constructive activities
uses it for destructive purposes ? Some of our politicians are the best
examples.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Position</b> – Or hierarchy is another common reason why some
people respect others superior to them. It is mostly, if not always, the norm
to respect the boss or senior even if he or she is the most abusive person
around. Even gross incapabilities of being a civilized human being are overlooked while giving (or pretending to
give) respect to a superior. But is such a respect really deserved ?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Fear</b> – Finally, people tend to respect others out of fear.
It is usually money-power or muscle-power which scares people into respecting
those who possess it. It is very common to find students respecting their
seniors <i>(who ragged them)</i> out of fear. And don’t we see wealthy people being
given special respect in various situations ? Such type of respect is probably
the worst amongst the reasons for respecting someone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmM4wPt-AA9JcsKJgxLGnaWVCZlz8dLZMln1ycM_b00ASfY90NM3OV9sAo4CQk1TKlUSDkUzdIf38arvG2RsxY0lbQDhG2JqOniU9E0mEl9L5Fy04ob9tL51wYrFv_8f404CsboVYO3eE/s1600/show-respect-quotes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmM4wPt-AA9JcsKJgxLGnaWVCZlz8dLZMln1ycM_b00ASfY90NM3OV9sAo4CQk1TKlUSDkUzdIf38arvG2RsxY0lbQDhG2JqOniU9E0mEl9L5Fy04ob9tL51wYrFv_8f404CsboVYO3eE/s1600/show-respect-quotes.jpg" height="320" width="303" /></a></div>
<br />
But what people often forget is that it is the character of
an individual that enables him or her to command respect from others. A person
may not be wealthy, or highly educated, or elderly by age, or strong
physically. But it is his or her behavior with others and the power of his or
her character that truly makes a person really deserving of receiving respect
from others. A person with impeccable character and good behavior towards
others will always command respect irrespective of any other reason.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If only everyone could concentrate on these aspects before
respecting or pretending to respect others…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssuVBf5XfnVBDuSshyphenhyphenyzNwVppzGaNuFFF870fIZHdhyphenhyphenNwhO9J7x_qMCgUS_DQ7GS303XIyzOrG9XP_dfQS8irg0mLdxD02BUA72bxy4yJIbMu_ChhG_yDl4uR4dVsV20Vz_B1kJ2ZU1g/s1600/Quotes-about-respect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssuVBf5XfnVBDuSshyphenhyphenyzNwVppzGaNuFFF870fIZHdhyphenhyphenNwhO9J7x_qMCgUS_DQ7GS303XIyzOrG9XP_dfQS8irg0mLdxD02BUA72bxy4yJIbMu_ChhG_yDl4uR4dVsV20Vz_B1kJ2ZU1g/s1600/Quotes-about-respect.jpg" height="320" width="303" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">(Image Courtesy : <i>Google Images)</i></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]--></div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-13222000394762342282014-03-31T22:57:00.001+05:302014-04-01T07:04:11.807+05:30 When The Tables Turn...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Sometimes, it becomes really interesting to imagine what
life would be like on the other side of the fence. But at times, rather than
being interesting one can actually understand what life could be like if one is
on the wrong end of gender discrimination.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, what if –</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Female newborns were rejoiced while male fetuses were
aborted…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Little girls were given all the freedom to study, play and
enjoy life while the little boys were told to learn household work and do it
too…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Females could choose their careers and work to make
themselves financially independent, while males were married off to move to
their in-laws place to serve them and keep them happy…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Males would have to give up on their careers just for the
sake of the careers of their wife…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Husbands would stay at home and look after the kids while
the wife would go out for work…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All decisions for the household were made by the wife with
the husband having no say except for agreeing with his wife…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It would be the man’s responsibility to dress <i>‘appropriately’</i>
and carry the symbols of being married…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The men wouldn’t be allowed to go out of the house after
dark while the females would move around till late nights…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Men would be subjected to suggestive stares and comments by
groups of women at public places, and even probably be stalked around by them…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A man being all alone at a deserted place would run the risk
of <i>‘adam-teased’</i> and being molested or raped by women…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After being molested or raped, the man would actually be
held responsible for the incident for dressing inappropriately and stepping out
of the house at the wrong time…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The list is endless. But just a few examples go on to show
how our society is so heavily imbalanced regarding equality and freedom between
the two genders. If only the males could put themselves in a female’s shoes and
understand this inequality, it would help to make the society just a bit more
sensitive towards gender equality.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I came across a video which depicts exactly how the world
would be if the majority <i>(males)</i> would be the ones who are oppressed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Advisory * The video is NSFW <i>(Not Safe For Work)</i> viewing for
some crude language and unconventional visuals.*</div>
<br />
<div align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/V4UWxlVvT1A" width="459"></iframe></div>
</div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-4461812618335544172014-02-28T23:26:00.003+05:302022-02-26T22:14:40.224+05:30 Religious Control of Female Sexuality...<div id="FJVVgNOT" title="U2FsdGVkX18lD9zxTGgGJ5i2UgZo1sLgKWkHQShsTXwfD3GUvwNq2J0/SiVNN0V0sJLdLVp7ijHGvSawIb2u0G6aLVqpQ4wyzEkIuW6wV9MA5V//DXVtp/5rbwx4mEuWxQKpcqKOBXrDFXtGes2mWoYP1KLYAwdUEzgkGuAENcgpLRHZz33hKf8rDtpfJp2d">
<a href="javascript:decryptText('FJVVgNOT')">Enter the Password !</a>
</div>Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-33019897545658539432014-01-31T23:20:00.002+05:302014-02-01T07:13:16.901+05:30 Wait Till SHE Comes...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i>“I’m not eating this…”</i></b> I exclaimed to Mom while pointing to
the serving of a particular vegetable on my dinner plate with the spoon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In fact, my demeanor wouldn’t have been much different had I
been turning away a half decomposed dead lizard with a stick. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
With all due respects to all the vegetarians out there, but
there are more fingers in my right hand than the number of vegetables I find
palatable. And the present scenario was no exception.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I had barely made my point regarding my dislike towards the
sample of food when Mom declared – <b><i>“Just wait till she comes…”</i></b>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Hearing that sentence has always made me wince. And it made
me wince again. For those of my new readers who still haven’t understood what
that sentence means, well, it is actually a warning used on me with reference
to my better half who is still missing from the scheme of things in my life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Now, there are a lot of things that people dislike. Each one
of us has a lot of personal preferences regarding small things of everyday
life. And sometimes people expect us to change our habits or preferences
according to their liking.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But coming to the logic <i>(or the lack of it)</i> in the <i>‘threat’</i>
that I’m often subjected to, why in the world would I want to marry someone
whose sole purpose in life seems to be to make me do all the things I dislike.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Be it my finicky food habits, my preferences in clothes, my
love for sleep, the <i>(dis)</i>arrangement of stuff in my room, my dislike towards
shopping or even my resentment towards tea, I’m repeatedly warned to mend my
ways before ‘she’ arrives. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In other words I’m always in the process of being groomed to
make me suitable enough for marriage. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And then they expect me to show some interest in getting
married ! Really…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I mean you can’t just scare a kid by telling him ghost-stories
about a dark room and then push him to go and sleep in that very room. Doesn’t
work.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
What I really don’t get is that why would anyone want to be
with someone for life who wants to change their likes and dislikes to their own
liking. The other day I was reading <span style="color: #fff2cc;"><a href="http://anuglyhead.blogspot.in/2014/01/polishing-schools.html">Red Handed’s</a></span> post on how girls in India are
continuously under a grooming process for their life in the husband’s home
after marriage. As if a girl should have no personal identity of her own and
shouldn’t have any personal preferences in how she wants to lead her life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But it is not too different for unmarried males as well who
are under the continuous pressure to act, dress, eat, sleep <i>(and shop)</i> in
certain ways that would attract a prospective bride. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And then they are continuously warned that marriage is
actually the turning point in their lives after which all the <i>‘faults’</i> in their
personality will be checked and corrected by none other than their future wife.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Why would I ever want to change anything about my life
partner ? She may have her own preferences in food, clothing and lifestyle in
general. Sounds silly to change the qualities and hence the identity of the
very person you like. The same logic applies the other way round.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But still, I’m continuously subjected to those threatening
words – <i>“Wait till she comes…”</i> !</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If only they knew that she is not bothered about changing
any of those things about me… :-)</div>
</div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-7562602198659156822013-12-31T01:08:00.001+05:302014-07-18T01:16:32.648+05:30The Bus Stop...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It was a nice and cool day. He had been looking forward to
such a time for long. Pleasant weather on a day off from work was the best
combination for a trip around town.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Thus, with a strange but pleasant sense of expectation he
walked down the street to catch the afternoon bus that would take him to the
city centre.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugzyxD3qFVHp1ZOzz7k3omL0GUnSDqoBLm24vte3Xk8amnk0A-TpMhxm95jUTfFaM3LD9HH6DUVBBYAGDgbZlxF9apNHaEYd1C5O4Kb8EmyEToc4DTbrHvjx9SuYQ68W482jPij32Dps/s1600/DSC00066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugzyxD3qFVHp1ZOzz7k3omL0GUnSDqoBLm24vte3Xk8amnk0A-TpMhxm95jUTfFaM3LD9HH6DUVBBYAGDgbZlxF9apNHaEYd1C5O4Kb8EmyEToc4DTbrHvjx9SuYQ68W482jPij32Dps/s320/DSC00066.JPG" height="225" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He was still a few feet away from the bus stop when he
stopped still in his tracks. There amidst the deserted bus stop, right in the
center of the bench he saw her sitting. He could feel his heart skip a beat and
then speed off on to the third gear.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He was in a dilemma. Should he walk up to her ? But he was
unsure of her reaction towards his presence in an otherwise deserted
surrounding. He stood still trying not to breath fast to check if she had
already noticed him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He didn’t move for a couple of minutes. Time was running
out. A bus would soon come along. And then he would lose her. And he didn’t
want to be left with just a glimpse of her. Something that had become so common
over the past few days.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He moved towards her gingerly. He was sure she had noticed
his presence. He slowed down still more, but didn’t stop. Just as he was within
a few feet from her, she snapped her head to look at him. He froze on the spot,
trying to get a grip over his breathing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Their eyes met for a brief moment. Then she looked away.
Though she didn’t get up but he could sense she was nervous too. This gave him
loads of relief and a sense of courage he had never felt before.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He took one step towards her. She looked back at him again,
trying to judge his intentions. He tried to muster a smile, but failed
miserably. He stopped again, looking nonchalantly down the road as if expecting
the bus. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
She still didn’t react. Though she appeared a bit disturbed
by his presence. Maybe she was making up her mind. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He could feel her presence so near to him. With a swift wind
blowing across the road, sweeping the dead leaves along, he could see her
stiffen up a bit. It was the first time he had been so close to her. He felt
mesmerized by her fairness. She looked even more beautiful from up close.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He realized that it was now or never and took a deep but
quiet breath. He took two more soft steps and slowly sat down on the bench
right beside her. He could feel his heart thumping in his chest, and its sound
reverberating in his ears. He felt steam escape from his ears, while it felt
impossible to breathe in.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He looked at her from the corner of his eye. She was looking
away from him. He felt his throat go dry. He licked his lips and swallowed
twice. She was deliberately ignoring him. The last thing he wanted was to scare
her by anything he did.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But the next moment he decided to try his luck. He slowly
moved his hand and touched her on her back. He dared not breathe expecting a
reflex reaction from her. And not a pleasant one at that too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As soon as she felt his hand on her back, she snapped back
to look at him. He looked at her, into her eyes. Immediately, he saw a
questioning look in her eyes. Out of nowhere, he managed to bring a faint smile
to his face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
She was still looking at him without any hint of
acknowledging the friendliness in his touch. She expected him to remove his
hand and her intense stare gave the impression that she meant business.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He took off his hand, while expecting her to rise and walk
away. But all she did was to look back down the road. He couldn’t believe his
luck. Was she opening up to him ?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
With his heart racing at the speed of knots, he moved his
hand and kept it on hers. He had only imagined what touching her would feel
like. But this was real. And it was intensely amazing. She felt so soft.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He suddenly found her staring at him again. But this time he
didn’t let go of her. He smiled at her reassuringly. He noticed that her eyes
had gone wide. Maybe she was trying to judge his intentions ever so quickly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
She suddenly straightened up and he felt that she was going
to get up and walk away. But instead, she came closer to him and pushed herself
into his side. He couldn’t believe it. He looked at her, into her eyes. And he
saw that she trusted him. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He put his arm round her and felt her warmth on his skin. He
had never thought that he could ever be this close to her. He wished that time
would stand still for ever.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He was brought back to his senses by the sound of the bus
that had stopped right in front of them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i>“Hey mister… wanna board the bus ??!”</i></b> Shouted the driver
across the open door.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<b><i>
</i></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i>“Uhh.. no. Thanks !”</i></b> He replied back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><b>“Fine. No problem.”</b></i> Said the driver. <b><i>“And a nice cat you got
there…”</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And the bus sped off…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4m-odxjYcyGxEiKHJ7a-YBIx6ZJ7FsRIg4lf3oAZa_l7Hrnjr8r7Wnho6U-xl6fGVke3RRJveVjh6PEw5R7DLjwWtb6iw7TzFz2sI1V2J_GGJgsBvoQVKbGENiEN7eolp_k0RypZ2jA/s1600/Cat2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4m-odxjYcyGxEiKHJ7a-YBIx6ZJ7FsRIg4lf3oAZa_l7Hrnjr8r7Wnho6U-xl6fGVke3RRJveVjh6PEw5R7DLjwWtb6iw7TzFz2sI1V2J_GGJgsBvoQVKbGENiEN7eolp_k0RypZ2jA/s320/Cat2.JPG" height="320" width="236" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>(Picture Credits : Google Images)</i> </div>
</div>
</div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-24525886762496076852013-11-30T07:53:00.002+05:302022-02-26T22:17:44.277+05:30 Intimacy...<div id="ALo7E6xr" title="U2FsdGVkX198fov1NibM8PuhTfhffSy2XbSMNgdHMxf5FbZd9QN0ejIB32yr3jGLpxrJf2nYuR2zC5KvaPkYo7Qd6ebWZdKGb8USaX/dMujFFYaAUwhzLTomTc4qiSEzyMDJo+PXymzvk3rjQJ0u05IhuG+9qZwYWcX55j0LdQ4=">
<a href="javascript:decryptText('ALo7E6xr','Enter the password:')">Enter the password !</a>
</div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-9808958971424334532013-10-31T22:12:00.000+05:302013-12-26T23:41:09.721+05:30 Being Street Dumb...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the past I have written about my experiences while
traveling around the city and specially in the Delhi Metro. I had written about
how people have no civic sense or general decency to offer their seat to
someone who needs it more. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But of late, I have come to observe such behavior in an
entirely different light which appears beyond decency and civic sense. Although
it obviously appears to be about being street smart quite literally, but
there’s more to it than just being street smart. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Taking for example, the way people behave while traveling in
the Delhi Metro, one needs to keenly observe to realize why people behave the
way they do. Without fail, at various Metro stations <i>(specially at the change
points)</i> one can see how passengers boarding the train literally scamper to
occupy a vacant seat. Obviously not waiting to ascertain if it is labeled for a
particular category of passengers <i>(like senior citizens, ladies or the
differently abled)</i> they just make sure to get themselves seated first. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now, I have often wondered why people are so desperate to
sit while traveling <i>(which may be even for as short a journey as one minute)</i>.
And I don’t mean about frail or sick people but even completely fit and healthy
youngsters who can be seen scurrying to occupy seats marked for senior
citizens. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I used to think that maybe it was due to the intense
tiredness that one is carrying on themselves after a hard day’s work, or maybe
some strange sense of happiness that one experiences only after managing to get
a seat even if one is fresh and ready to go to work. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But I now realize that happiness it is. The happiness of the
achievement of managing to win a seat for oneself in such an intensely
competitive travel schedule. I have observed people taking it to be an
achievement however small it may be. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And maybe these are the types of small successes people have
started to aim for in this highly competitive world. On several occasions, I
have overheard people boasting of such a <i>‘success’</i> to colleagues at work. It
sort of makes one’s day if he or she manages to claim a seat for themselves
while traveling. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The same goes for people who rush through dense crowds in
order to stick in a foot between the closing doors of a lift marked only for
the elderly or the disabled. On first thought one may feel that people are
merely being street smart to make life easier for themselves. Obviously it
wouldn’t hurt a twenty five year old if he or she had to stand during a journey
that spans about fifteen minutes. Or for that matter, if he or she had to climb
up or down about thirty stairs. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But it is, in fact, the sense of achievement or success that
one experiences that makes people ignore any civic sense towards fellow
citizens. And maybe it is the street smartness which enables them to achieve
these successes. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi765ZPF_WDFAHqEPqmefORhfeEPY5Z9RE0MTXGsUMN3KwfqCiTHafzcQCkqJGS3jEU1rIwAGRuV7mEygkAvFl-U2h5v4DRGs9eVXjk91JI3W-qjqhyphenhyphen5_y8qI1vfaOwwR8gZ_u4aOX2UXc/s1600/METRO_CROWD_IN_DELHI_14828f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi765ZPF_WDFAHqEPqmefORhfeEPY5Z9RE0MTXGsUMN3KwfqCiTHafzcQCkqJGS3jEU1rIwAGRuV7mEygkAvFl-U2h5v4DRGs9eVXjk91JI3W-qjqhyphenhyphen5_y8qI1vfaOwwR8gZ_u4aOX2UXc/s320/METRO_CROWD_IN_DELHI_14828f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is nice to see people happy through a sense of
achievement. But it hurts to imagine how low people set their aims for success.
Or rather, everyday success. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As for me, I’m still street dumb ! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>(Picture Credit : Google Images)</i> </div>
</div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-53943743416239111502013-09-30T21:46:00.000+05:302013-12-19T23:22:36.591+05:30 Amazing Scotland...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Scotland.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
There are a few places in the world which can match this
part of the British Isles in terms of natural
beauty. And what better way to experience it than driving along the highways
that spread across the Scottish highlands.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We started off one sunny morning from Birmingham taking highway M6 to the north.
Driving past Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester and
Preston, we stopped mid way at Lake District
to take a look at the amazing set of lakes right between the mountains. The
view of the Bowness
Bay Lake
was stupendous even though the weather was a bit overcast.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIm5zYQAgoIUhUrKTFwRv6VVQogWbb-HMwufl2Dauaarh6Shm_cd18yerdcnmSzjLJZHddJjadC3AGrC4dC1zlu7SpLJQOctF2F3Qt8YEMzdC4fgNZ2mSQVOXs8fEMzgRP_05uSaPKFMQ/s1600/20130917_101218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIm5zYQAgoIUhUrKTFwRv6VVQogWbb-HMwufl2Dauaarh6Shm_cd18yerdcnmSzjLJZHddJjadC3AGrC4dC1zlu7SpLJQOctF2F3Qt8YEMzdC4fgNZ2mSQVOXs8fEMzgRP_05uSaPKFMQ/s320/20130917_101218.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We then carried on northwards passing Penrith and Carlisle
to reach the historic and captivating city of Edinburgh. The Edinburgh Castle
is a marvel in itself overlooking the entire city from the mountaintop. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCry2CrmmiFzcvHZpzHxsuUna76Cc94mmKpCjnFHMIN5NQwbnjQ4-etwXtmg800oIJpxU-1FNqcu38ebOdfaNvXqOqUxzqQtphQ8EcPffrwTg5J7CxR9p7RhcAryDpehGsra-NRwfZq9Q/s1600/20130917_145059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCry2CrmmiFzcvHZpzHxsuUna76Cc94mmKpCjnFHMIN5NQwbnjQ4-etwXtmg800oIJpxU-1FNqcu38ebOdfaNvXqOqUxzqQtphQ8EcPffrwTg5J7CxR9p7RhcAryDpehGsra-NRwfZq9Q/s320/20130917_145059.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Edinburgh certainly gives a
feeling of being in medieval Britain
but with the luxuries of the modern era. Still, the city retains its natural
attractions with huge lush green parks and lakes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQ1ScV1uJuAt8sGt3GIBAoVcEh_pL-Up69IH-t2N9nBndVg9YPbifHVqJ7HnLeG2O76sAYTozp2W3uq35deRBQFDKH1iHVKixcr7pDRaFeKeIMFHIB-u1kUo50NoUpIoG97PBhyM6adU/s1600/20130917_170957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQ1ScV1uJuAt8sGt3GIBAoVcEh_pL-Up69IH-t2N9nBndVg9YPbifHVqJ7HnLeG2O76sAYTozp2W3uq35deRBQFDKH1iHVKixcr7pDRaFeKeIMFHIB-u1kUo50NoUpIoG97PBhyM6adU/s320/20130917_170957.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We set off early next morning for Inverness
up north. The journey got even more exciting and a visual delight to the eyes
as we drove still higher up the mountains. The sun playing hide and seek with
the clouds provided at least half a dozen sightings of lovely rainbows.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6w_tDW-5o49Du9F7WbjAmaIViGWP5FeAbgWCIBpRMseGadQT9NdLPD5H6aXc_Q3WvmlYCKSgCNSu1Ra3RndvEwFkasdfVblg5trogamssN1b5nsIp7PHgMjrMPVlLwcQuqfNAyPNnyQ/s1600/20130918_122331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6w_tDW-5o49Du9F7WbjAmaIViGWP5FeAbgWCIBpRMseGadQT9NdLPD5H6aXc_Q3WvmlYCKSgCNSu1Ra3RndvEwFkasdfVblg5trogamssN1b5nsIp7PHgMjrMPVlLwcQuqfNAyPNnyQ/s320/20130918_122331.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Inverness was the starting
point of the journey along the long and beautiful but eerie Loch Ness; the
great lake famous for the sightings of the imaginary <i>(or maybe real)</i> Loch Ness
Monster. Contrary to the character of a lake, the water flows in turbulent
waves but looks serene blue from a distance. It was a pity that the <i>‘Monster’</i>
didn’t feel like giving us an appearance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-COVqCscAXtA8QhkYYV12Qr_iYgIKN91bGMHmqJY_xnJk978Xz_X7GZVZbUaBrDeuVjdymfjOgX_486LJkfy0F9nKTgWsJU5sNMwwazbNLdIwYCBmgTF5TVdQdbPVEeJ58nTkZch7pFY/s1600/20130918_153406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-COVqCscAXtA8QhkYYV12Qr_iYgIKN91bGMHmqJY_xnJk978Xz_X7GZVZbUaBrDeuVjdymfjOgX_486LJkfy0F9nKTgWsJU5sNMwwazbNLdIwYCBmgTF5TVdQdbPVEeJ58nTkZch7pFY/s320/20130918_153406.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We completed our journey for the day driving through the
evergreen mountains along the lake while passing the ancient town of Fort Williams
and reaching the small coastal town of Oban.
It was a lovely sight to see ships coming in and moving out of the docks right
across our hotel room window.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTJHGJPzk1MEqVrTvySr89xibT0Vgax5deBBYh5zfqzp7bTM_dOSfFBmUdyT2wIJd45fTOh4XYzSYg4qpsfJxN75tqqNd18fdJAzF5d43nHRbpTw25q0tIPChFAEgQM-xC9lKwBvmp8E/s1600/20130918_191539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTJHGJPzk1MEqVrTvySr89xibT0Vgax5deBBYh5zfqzp7bTM_dOSfFBmUdyT2wIJd45fTOh4XYzSYg4qpsfJxN75tqqNd18fdJAzF5d43nHRbpTw25q0tIPChFAEgQM-xC9lKwBvmp8E/s320/20130918_191539.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The next morning we left Oban for Glasgow
driving downhill and along another great lake called Loch
Lomond. Glasgow
bears the marks of a modern city what with the 2014 Common Wealth Games slated
to be hosted there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MpBvGThIUIqwz79VYllXnqGHbotxEjmaB6-pnhEP3H8oPVBdLn06K7GRH1GbtDePG5I59ZqLEezwyOACgGOSiEJC8BzG7ENCLkfJ70EAdTVzI-JdJmDnMGXmt4IMcYi28BZCWcS6Bno/s1600/20130919_142309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MpBvGThIUIqwz79VYllXnqGHbotxEjmaB6-pnhEP3H8oPVBdLn06K7GRH1GbtDePG5I59ZqLEezwyOACgGOSiEJC8BzG7ENCLkfJ70EAdTVzI-JdJmDnMGXmt4IMcYi28BZCWcS6Bno/s320/20130919_142309.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The drive back to Birmingham
was no less beautiful with lush green farms full of white sheep appearing as
small white dots and the occasional mountain cow with their long brown hair and
horns.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBDJLlTRNS2VHcouZhB7L35KvJLKf_bsp0qFXIKKf38atwXpNe7J7-d1JG4e6lDbc8s1FnWwuoPVLd-ELUfY0fXDTS37EiNj7Ab2aL3e2SrNFe2tIEq2TWc9fUNzaU9szDzAJN5yLoQI/s1600/20130919_152918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBDJLlTRNS2VHcouZhB7L35KvJLKf_bsp0qFXIKKf38atwXpNe7J7-d1JG4e6lDbc8s1FnWwuoPVLd-ELUfY0fXDTS37EiNj7Ab2aL3e2SrNFe2tIEq2TWc9fUNzaU9szDzAJN5yLoQI/s320/20130919_152918.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It was a rather satisfying little journey but anyone who is
looking to experience the wonders of the natural world must pay a visit to
Scotland.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
</div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-51972968737401302642013-08-31T23:13:00.001+05:302016-12-06T07:31:07.275+05:30 Laughter : The Best Medicine... (Part IV)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
:-)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LU4-9OTM_Ch2ClzKWw1lhvDrPhAkAx2waRdtvQwVxb8?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjharQArACgJSpDagNokWlQvr1L3JyRpddi4NoGm0pgdFVTvR7OKmmrLbzXC9NKcsjqVVHh1KMaIPzkRnyPue9p1SSB9MQJqbFkmIJEA0Rv55gig_VLplf4o3-C6xzY_99fL3dWI4dmOe8/s800/Travel.jpg" width="620" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-89987865853064797792013-07-31T23:14:00.001+05:302013-08-19T06:58:50.696+05:30 Ragging : Illogical & Illegal...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Just the other day I was involved in an animated discussion
about the practice of ragging in educational institutes in India. Though I
had written on this topic a long time back, the contents of the discussion
forced me to write about it again. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
What amazes me is the support to the menace called ragging
by those who themselves underwent the trauma while in college. During the above
mentioned discussion, there were several points put forward in the favor of
ragging. I will thus dissect each of them one by one.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><b>Ragging is a means to <i>‘break the ice’</i> between the new-comers
and their seniors.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Now, why does meeting someone new and getting friendly with
them requires one to perform certain acts <i>(even like singing and dancing)</i> ?
When you meet a stranger at a party, you don’t ask him or her to sing or dance
for you to get friendly. What it simply requires is a shake of hands and some
decent and nice talking to know one another. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And even if one accepts this theory of <i>‘introduction’</i> to be
true, why is it only the new-comer who has to perform for the senior ? Why not
the other way round ? The basic logic is that, to be friendly, all that is
needed is a decent conversation of introduction. And it is required both ways,
not just by any juniors.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><b>Ragging teaches the juniors to respect their seniors.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Respect ?!?! A human being should respect every other human
being and even animals and plants. And special respect towards someone comes
through admiration, not through fear. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
A person is respected not because of merely his or her
knowledge, intelligence or even experience but because of his or her wiseness.
And how can a so-called <i>‘senior’</i> by virtue of entering an institute before a
junior be entitled to respect ? Isn’t it absolutely absurd to expect respect
from someone just because you got admitted to an institute before them ?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><b>Ragging teaches the new-comers to be disciplined and get
accustomed to the rules of the institute.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Another absurdity ! How can something disgraceful and
illegal be a tool to inculcate discipline ? Moreover, if a person could not be
disciplined through twelve years of schooling, how can he or she be disciplined
by ragging ? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Also, if that were true, all those <i>‘seniors’</i> who harass
their <i>‘juniors’</i> should have themselves been disciplined after they themselves
were ragged as new-comers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrBDSsVNzl4dhyphenhyphen_Z6c7yRTpjhyXilb7YjvKVMnp-KqnpFmuJ605F_iAQv6z19nM7xrJUOeOCcLTlLT3FkKEgLjb-jaDNkDC5XhL3agfPDEv2PqZvA7BOWtdw3mVRKUll2HdIzL3jgjjc/s1600/RAGGING_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrBDSsVNzl4dhyphenhyphen_Z6c7yRTpjhyXilb7YjvKVMnp-KqnpFmuJ605F_iAQv6z19nM7xrJUOeOCcLTlLT3FkKEgLjb-jaDNkDC5XhL3agfPDEv2PqZvA7BOWtdw3mVRKUll2HdIzL3jgjjc/s1600/RAGGING_1.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><b>Ragging creates a bond between the <i>‘seniors’</i> and <i>‘juniors’</i>
after which, the <i>‘seniors’</i> help the <i>‘juniors’</i> with their studies and their life
in the institute.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I fail to understand how someone can bond with a person who
abuses and harasses him. As for the several benefits the <i>‘juniors’</i> keep in mind
while tolerating the harassment, isn’t it something ridiculous to think that a
person would harass someone in order to help them later ? A helpful person
would help others irrespective of their being ‘junior’ or ‘senior’ to them.
Doesn’t this signify that the <i>‘seniors’</i> need to be pleased in their pervert
acts in order to expect help from them ? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And how can any benefit be greater than one’s self respect.
Are people so vary of doing their own work or studies that they depend on some
pre-cooked benefits from their <i>‘seniors’</i> ? My batch at college didn’t have any
<i>‘seniors’ (as we were the first batch)</i> but still we got through with our
studies and life at college without any problems.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><b>Ragging helps to build confidence in new-comers to face a
tough professional life in the future.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
How abuse, degradation, humiliation, harassment and torture
can build someone’s confidence is something that is beyond my imagination. This
is one of the lousiest excuses put forth in favor of ragging. In fact, the
menace of ragging is an evidence of the perverseness and sick mindset prevalent
in our society. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As far as logic and psychology goes, ragging cannot be
anything as per the above arguments. My take on it can be summarized as
follows.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Ragging
presents itself as an opportunity to those individuals who never find
anything about them to be appreciated by others <i>(and hence, live in severe
inferiority complex)</i> to portray a false sense of superiority and an ego
boost.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Why
should a whole batch of new-comers be collectively afraid of a bunch of
so-called <i>‘seniors’</i> ? Yes, it is usually a handful of people from every
batch who indulge in ragging.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">If
one is confident of his or her own abilities, they don’t need to depend on
any sort of help from any <i>‘senior’</i> that too in exchange of their self
respect.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">No
<i>‘senior’</i> has any moral or legal right to exert their superiority on a
<i>‘junior’</i> in order to treat them as their personal slaves.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Why
can’t people be helpful and friendly irrespective of the other person
being a <i>‘junior’</i> or a <i>‘senior’</i> ?</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Ragging
is, in fact, an outlet of the hidden perverseness in certain people which
they take out on diffident and scared new-comers.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Instead
of any benefits, ragging corrupts fresh minds by forcing them to indulge
in activities which are not fit for any civilized society.</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I hope this menace is weeded out from the society as soon as
possible.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPc_G8PVUbqmPPGXVg97d-Lo_1Vs4Tfb8LXJKBN8U1JO8NshGk0t3sN2mOIsOPBzZgI6hN2L5BCpDdEzf_PWKrq_WWKXvEaG7HG7mcnJ77l_i5iiYsbfXqLLT4GAi7wjYYwgtXzkik7o/s1600/poster-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPc_G8PVUbqmPPGXVg97d-Lo_1Vs4Tfb8LXJKBN8U1JO8NshGk0t3sN2mOIsOPBzZgI6hN2L5BCpDdEzf_PWKrq_WWKXvEaG7HG7mcnJ77l_i5iiYsbfXqLLT4GAi7wjYYwgtXzkik7o/s320/poster-06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
You can read my earlier post on the menace of ragging <a href="http://mindzpeak.blogspot.com/2009/06/ragging.html">here</a>.</div>
<br />
<br />
<i>Image courtesy : Google Images</i>
</div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162813262147211598.post-15886491494489920932013-06-30T14:18:00.000+05:302013-07-29T17:37:25.412+05:30 High Spirits...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Just the other day, during a cordial discussion with some
colleagues, out of just plain curiosity I asked what it is that makes people
want to drink <i>(consume alcohol)</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I didn’t know that my pretty harmless question would evolve
into a considerably animated <i>(and occasionally heated)</i> argument. I had barely
completed my question when someone made a statement – <i>“A person who drinks has
no character”</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Obviously, the debate intensified several notches after that
comment as there were bound to be counter arguments for and against alcoholism,
but my original question got lost in the process.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As far as logic goes, terms like addiction, dependence, etc.
can be used to explain why a person tends to indulge in alcoholism on a regular
basis. But I wonder what exactly is it that causes him or her to get addicted
in the first place. What exactly does a person experience after consuming
alcohol ?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As far as I’ve heard and known from common knowledge,
alcohol gives a sense of being in an enhanced pleasurable state. Scientifically,
alcohol intake acutely increases dopamine levels in the brain. So it is logical
why some people turn towards alcohol when they are depressed. And it may also explain
why some normal people consume alcohol when they want to experience even more
pleasure, or maybe a state of euphoria.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAQup0syKBjCXWKxNA0sVyjFHs3pOZgidx7QtIKTWTMkxWqX0mQU_5PzbhsStNVDiyGUUYINV_9Cf6DdAu_ajXX-vzzOBzUSlCXqoO0e73pcMtYIslm7aHma02yvRhqPdnt-2Ve-LEyA/s1600/550px-Take-Care-of-a-Drunk-Person-Step-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAQup0syKBjCXWKxNA0sVyjFHs3pOZgidx7QtIKTWTMkxWqX0mQU_5PzbhsStNVDiyGUUYINV_9Cf6DdAu_ajXX-vzzOBzUSlCXqoO0e73pcMtYIslm7aHma02yvRhqPdnt-2Ve-LEyA/s320/550px-Take-Care-of-a-Drunk-Person-Step-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Also, I don’t think a person’s character has much to do with
what he or she consumes. Getting addicted to alcohol <i>(or for that matter, even
some other food or drink)</i> may be related to a person’s will power or the lack of
it. So, it is likely that a person gives in to the temptation to get on a high
after consuming alcohol.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But the difference between getting addicted to alcohol and
getting addicted to a McDonald’s burger is that one doesn’t lose his or her
senses after consuming a delicious burger even though he may experience a sense
of increased pleasure too. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
A person may get a <i>‘kick’</i> after consuming whatever he or she
likes. It may be a pizza, a chocolate, a coke, a dosa, a jalebi, a mango shake
or whatever. And many times, certain food stuffs have their own adverse effects
on the body. But what they don’t do is that they do not affect the person’s
mental state <i>(which alcohol notoriously does)</i>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So isn’t it actually that deranged cognitive state <i>(with
decreased inhibitions and increased sense of pleasure)</i> which people seek by
consuming alcohol ?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I have even heard people talk of wanting to <i>‘try it once’</i>
just for the sake of experiencing that strange cognitive state. Well, such a
wish may be quite harmless if a person wants to try it out just once. I don’t
think a single episode of alcohol intake will result in any serious medical
effect on one’s body.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But people tend to forget that even a single episode of
being <i>‘under the influence’</i> can have ever-lasting physical and social effects
if the person is drunk beyond being capable of controlling his or her actions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If people wish to indulge in alcohol just to be in a false
and pleasurable cognitive state, even if it destroys their body slowly, they
should be free to do so as long as they don’t bother others by their actions or
words.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But as far as I’m concerned, I have enough reasons to keep
myself in a state of euphoria than to resort to methods that create a false
sense of pleasure.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifM-YlOrdUCvxj2ffxtzk_e47V_oOMfXBWmHcd6Ymx7lhLQWimHjPPR_Yjbo7HL4in8YEFqQxXoTARiIKoy-7uJy43Uno4KYfrjVCLK9FMiRe4yK_yw5KZmC-aguzGkbdmNKuu_0uMppk/s1600/wine-cheers-e1283814670609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifM-YlOrdUCvxj2ffxtzk_e47V_oOMfXBWmHcd6Ymx7lhLQWimHjPPR_Yjbo7HL4in8YEFqQxXoTARiIKoy-7uJy43Uno4KYfrjVCLK9FMiRe4yK_yw5KZmC-aguzGkbdmNKuu_0uMppk/s320/wine-cheers-e1283814670609.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"We drink to each other's healths...</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And spoil our own !!!"</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Image courtesy : Google Images</i>
</div>
Shobhithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808758234754141383noreply@blogger.com0