PATHETIC

Let me also write my 2 bit about the Mangalore incident.

Watching it on TV was horrible. So many marauding boys pouncing upon helpless girls and there was none to shield them. They call it mob terror. A word I am tired of hearing. We heard it for the Sikh riots and also during the Gujarat riots. We also continue to hear it during many other incidents. It makes us Indians sound so pathetic. Forget the so called reason that we have a law enforcement agency that is “afraid” of the “mob” but more than that is the fact that some of us don’t have a mind of our own. Some minds can be turned on or off by any Tom, Dick or Harry and for any pathetic reason. They suddenly forget that they are human while imagining that they are the only ones worthy to live. But unfortunately it is not easy to mobilize them for the good reasons; and there are plenty of them in our country and one especially that the whole world is now forced to watch since it has an award tag on it along with a “dog” tag. This mob was also not useful during the “Mumbai” carnage. How ironic.

I also read that this said Sena has not apologized for its behavior and has vowed to continue its act. I am sure India is listening especially since we can see the aftermaths for ignoring it happening very close to us in Pakistan and Afganisthan (let us not go farther). Even they started slowly but steadily and are now almost in total control. We in India continue to use the same word- pathetic to describe it.

An excerpt from an interview with Bajrang Dal on rediff.com.

You too have been vocal about the manner in which girls conduct themselves. Do you have similar plans like the Sena?

No. We will never resort to violence. We are conducting awareness camps in colleges and telling girls about the importance of preserving our culture. Some girls who were found to be misbehaving have been warned. That is the extent we will go up to. Violence against women is a complete no for us.

Wow! Yet again the whole onus of cultural preservation lies singularly upon the mighty shoulders of the “fairer” sex. Now that they have been warned, I am sure they will be marauded/molested the next time. After all these girls are spoiling the weak boys who for some reasons cannot stand on their own. It is just like how I recently read one fine Gentleman write that only Eve is to be blamed for all the sins that Adam committed and continues to be commit. They all do have a common line and we do not have to break our heads analysing them.

But there is one factor which is encouraging. Majority of the Indians, and the political parties has rejected it. BJP too has rejected it. I hope now BJP understands why some of us still hold reservations on “Hinduvata”, how much ever good it is made to sound. But then I do hope it not just for the upcoming elections.

I did listen to discussions on TV where a woman went completely off track and said that drinking is to be blamed and girls and boys should have never been in that pub drinking. While one cannot ignore those women whose lives and homes have been destroyed by “liquor”, this incident is not about drinking or about morality. If it is a licensed pub frequented by men and women and then they have their rights to do so. Maybe it is time these Sena activists stopped drinking themselves into oblivion. Even if anyone has any problems it should only be their immediate family members and not any Tom, Dick or Harry. My son did point it out when he stood watching it with a very shocked expression on his face while we tried to explain the reason. He said none other than their parents have the right to touch them. It is pathetic that these senseless idiots do not have even the reasoning power of a child.

An award

The Proximity Award



These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

While I thank Smitha who has bestowed upon me this reward, with a note to give it to 8 others, I would like to take the route that another great blogger RM has taken. Have to admit that I am not as eloquent as Smitha and it is only when the “muse” visits me occasionally that I am able to pen something. Besides, Smitha herself has given the award to many of those bloggers who deserve this award more than me and since there are many more that I love to read, let me give this award to every reader of this blog who patiently hears me out, including Smitha.

P.S. Smitha I am sure you are enjoying your vacation and is too busy to track the awards but needless to say that I truly appreciate your gesture.

Gender Equality and Marriage

I have always favored gender equality when there are many closely associated with me who believes that men are superior to women. It must be my upbringing or maybe the Indian/Hindu culture. I have realized over the years that men and women are equally vulnerable and each deserves no special treatment. A woman can be strong on her own without feigning weakness. When one talks about the empowerment of women, it should never be by making a man weak. Every society needs strong men and women. When men/women are made to be strong they are naturally inclined to help the weaker in the society. So I believe empowerment of women is not the only change we want in our society, we want the men and the women to be equally empowered so that they support each other.

The other day I stumbled upon a blog and Uma Challa who has taken this fight seriously. In addition to fighting for women she fights for the numerous men who are now abused under the various laws brought in the name of women. There are many causes that this organization is fighting to uphold the sanctity of marriage. It may not have been noticed by many regarding NCW’s (NATIONAL COMMISSION of WOMEN) recent proposal to amend Section 125 of Code of Criminal procedure (CrPC) to include women involved in live in relationships to be eligible for alimony. Now I do not have anything against men or women who do not want a marriage certificate but prefer to live-in, but I do believe that this right should not encroach upon those who have taken the marriage vows seriously.

Now coming to the religious text that I should be following as a Christian, and that I am sure many like quoting to make the woman shut her mouth, let me quote the following that I prefer to see.

Gal. 3:28: "There is neither Jew or Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

But for the present, let me be an opportunist and hold onto the Indian/ Hindu culture that I so love rather than my religion to emphasize gender equality.

This has been done beautifully by Uma Challa in her blog:

The inseparability of the male and female entities in the Universe was recognized by Indians as early as the Vedic times. This beautiful sentiment is manifested through the representation of Goddess Parvathi (Uma) and Lord Siva (Maheswara), known as “the parents of the Universe”, as UmaMaheswara or Ardhanareeswara (half-man, half-woman). This representation indicates that while both the female and male forms have their own individual identities and strengths, they are still interdependent. They complement each other and, it is only by combining their individual strengths that they are able to create and nurture life in the Universe. This divine couple is considered by Indians as an example to be emulated by all human beings.

Now I do not care if there are some Indian texts that say otherwise. But how absurd it is when everyone knows that there are certain things the man cannot do and vice verse. So I just cannot understand why it is difficult to accept that they are created in such a way that they are complementary to each other.

Now let me look at the meaning of complementing:

1- Completing part (something that completes or perfects something else)
2- One of two (either of two things that form a unit

Is it not beautiful and right? Something that completes or perfects something else and none is higher or lesser. Both entities are equally important to complete the relationship. And this is what I believe the institution of marriage, which ought to be the pillar of every society is all about.


Let me end this with a poem from Khalil Ghibran on marriage: Khalil has compared the man and woman to the oak and cypress trees or to the pillars of a temple. Now can anyone say which tree or pillar is superior?

You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.


Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.


Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

Yanni

Sadly a few things came late into my life; like Yanni and his wonderful team of musicians.

I have heard bits and pieces of him and vaguely remember reading about his live concert at the Taj Mahal, but it was during those years that I was too busy even for music. I have also heard him at the Shopping malls in the electronic section where Hubby normally ends after rushing us through the rest of the aisles. But I clearly remember the last time that I was at the electronic section, when I left hubby and son totally immersed in some item that I had the least interest. That is when I found that all the TV screens had the Yanni Live! The Concert Event.

I stood mesmerized and for the first time wished that Hubby would stay longer in the e-section. Daughter also joined me and we stood there quietly enjoying the blissful moments. Then it was time to forget and so I did until we went to a friend’s place. He is an electronic freak and more so because he works for Sony. His house is filled with the latest gadgets and he would have had more, if only his wife wasn’t there to squash his temptations. (We wives need to be thanked for at least this nature in us!)

Anyway, Hubby wanted to test the Bose speakers (I am sure you know it is invented by an Indian)and our friend said he has the best music to test the speakers. And then came Yanni and his team! It was heavenly music played by a team of musicians from all over the world. From every person one could sense the passion and the love for music. Each one of them seemed perfect in their chosen field and all one can do is thank God for giving us ears to enjoy them. I think Yanni’s music appealed to me even more because of the oriental touch that has gone into some of the creations.

Thanks to our friend, we brought "Yanni" home and the music continues to fill our senses.




Yanni (born Yiannis Hrysomallis (Greek: Γιάννης Χρυσομάλλης, classical transcription Giannis Chrysomallis), on November 14, 1954 in Kalamata, Greece) is a self-taught pianist, keyboardist, and composer.

Band
• Charlie Adams – drums
• Victor Espinola – harp, vocals
• Pedro Eustache – flute, saxophone, world reeds
• Ramon Flores – trumpet
• Ming Freeman – keyboards
• David Hudson – didgeridoo
• Hussain Jiffry – bass guitar
• Sayaka Katsuki – violin
• Dan Landrum – hammered dulcimer
• Armen Movsessian – violin
• Walter Rodriguez – percussion
• Samvel Yervinyan – violin

Vocalists:
* Alfreda Gerald
* Michelle Amato

Orchestra

* Kristen Autry – violin
* April Cap – oboe
* Zachary Carrettin – violin
* Ilona Geller – viola
* Kerry Hughes – trumpet
* Jim Mattos – French horn
* Eugene Mechtovich – viola
* Kristin Morrison – French horn
* Sarah O'Brien – cello
* Dana Teboe – trombone
* Erika Walczak – violin
* Alexander Zhiroff – cello


Courtesy Wikipedia as usual!

and finally after searching for a long time, I found one article which gives a good idea about the team and it is from rediff...

For heaven's sake...

Prince Harry has apologised for using offensive language to describe a Pakistani member of his army platoon.


The News of the World has published a video diary in which the prince calls one of his then Sandhurst colleagues a "Paki" in his commentary.

We have for conversation sake shortened many countries; ‘Paki’, ‘Brit’, “US” etc. Even otherwise, what is wrong in someone acknowledging your nationality? If someone calls me an Indian why should I take offense? I guess it all depends how comfortable one is with one’s nationality.

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Mistakes, I’ve Made a Few, Bush Says at Final News Conference

The one regret Bush has is that he couldn’t find the WMD’s in Iraq! I wish him all luck in finding them since he has now all the time in his hands. He can start digging Texas first.

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Man accused of selling daughter for cash, beer

GREENFIELD, Calif. - Police have arrested a Greenfield man they say arranging to sell his 14-year-old daughter into marriage in exchange for $16,000, 100 cases of beer and several cases of meat.

Putting this in the Indian context, don’t’ we have a word for this act? And many still think it is perfectly normal and right for our culture. The only difference being, you are selling your son.

Which is the best example to follow

Came across the book, “Stories for Parents: by the Author Paulo Coelho. Couldn’t’ resist posting a story:

Which is the best example to follow:

Dov Beer of Mezeritch was asked:

“Which is the best example to follow? That of the pious man who dedicates his life to God without ever asking why, or that of the erudite man, who tries to understand the will of the Almighty?

“The best example to follow is that of the child” replied Dov Beer.

“ But a child knows nothing. It does not even understand what reality is!’ was the general response.


“There you are much mistaken, because the child has four qualities that we should never forget. A child is always happy for no reason. A child is always busy. When a child wants something, he or she shows great persistence and determination in demanding that thing. Lastly, a child is always very quick to stop crying.


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I guess I have come across such people in my life and they are happy as a child is!

Gaza still burns..

As an Indian who recently suffered pain and anguish due to the cowardly and heinous act done by a few Islamic militants in my own country, it is would be easy for me to turn a blind eye to Ghaza where the same kind of militants are playing their roles. We in India are still seeking justice while the International Community continues with their own agendas. But the same Indian in me refuses to ignore the cries of the innocent civilians in Ghaza who are being given and were given a very unfair deal by the world. This madness needs to end. Only God can help them since there are many in this world of ours who are acting as God himself or as the special appointees of God. So I pray to the mighty one who I believe created every human being equal.

Sr. Abhaya

Even if justice has not been meted out to Sr. Abhaya after 16 long years of investigation, we in Kerala should be satisfied to note that this case has proved yet again that that two (for the time being) Government agencies are in dire need of termination. We should ask the “lying” media to keep aside their clamor for Sr. Abhaya and instead ask the court to start the relevant procedures to scrap these agencies, that seems to have nothing to show in their achievements over the years they have been in service.


The first one being CBI.

I checked to see how they have gone one about with their recruitment so as to have selected such “incompetent” candidates. This is what I have copied from their official site.

2.1 Executive Ranks :
(i) The Director, Special Directors and Addl. Director are recruited exclusively by
deputation of the officers of Indian Police Services, who have been approved for
appointment as Director General of Police/and Additional Director General of Police
under the Government of India respectively. Recommendations for appointments are
made by a CBI Selection Board headed by Central Vigilance Commissioner and Home
Secretary, Secretary (Co-ordn & PG), Cabinet Secretariat as Members. The views of the
incumbent Director are considered by the Board for making the best choice. Final
selection to these posts of CBI is made by the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet
from the panel recommended by the aforesaid CBI Selection Board. The Director, CBI
shall have a minimum tenure of 2 years regardless of the date of his superannuation.

This also brings another fact to light; the Indian Police Services also needs to be scrapped since they are the ones who have given birth to these candidates.

The next in line should be the Directorate of Forensic Science under which comes the STATE FORENSIC SCIENCE LABORATORIES.

And after all these has been done, the innocent believers can rest in peace; in assurance that the Church (any) cannot be anything else but pure and holy as Jesus Christ himself.