It must be many years ago, may be 6-7 years ago. There was a property dispute and under orders of the court we had to visit the residence of a litigating party alongwith two officers appointed by the court and the lawyers of that party.
We reached as per plan. It was a palatial Banglow in one of the most posh localities. The dispute was also about billions. We were seated in a dining room with about 16 seat table and a lot of murals, statutes and artifacts collected in the room. It looked more like a small store house with a lot of empty space in between, to keep the table. An apparent display of wealth in clumsiness. Continue reading »
Human vermin is a person who serves him/herself. Neither capable of honest relationship, not domestication nor capable of engaging in any trade consistently. They thrive upon other’s resources which they easily appropriate to themselves. This has nothing to do with inheritance, which gives a natural choice of living without work. Above all vermin think that they are smart. They are but street smart, like rats. Continue reading »
Humanity, referring to entire human race on this planet, at all times used the terms like civilized and barbarians. Who are they? Are these real labels or imaginary. Two nights ago, during a discussion, I had quipped ‘we are all barbarians.’ Ever since a thought was lingering in my mind, if I was right?
But it is always easy to start from the other end. Who is civilized? Continue reading »
Yesterday was Diwali. It also marks beginning of new Calender Year Samvat 2069. An annual celebration interpreted differently, by different sections of people. Mythological stories have become irrelevant with passage of time and therefore need no mention. However the fact remains that it is economically the single largest event in India which is awaited by all businesses alike. Professionals are not much affected except Chartered Accountants and Doctors.
What it means to be Diwali
To begin with Diwali is a celebration of cleanliness, decoration and shopping. It coincides with harvesting of crop which brings purchasing power to farmers. The preparation starts months in advance with re-painting of house, redecoration of house, new curtains or furniture or even utensils, depending upon the availability of time and befall of prosperity. With deep pockets it is nothing less than the famous Indian Wedding. Apart from shopping spree it also have many more activities. Continue reading »
So we are not feeling happy today. Sorry I got it wrong. We are unhappy today, Oh it is worse we are depressed over this pathetic life, selfish & thankless people, cruel boss, nagging or ignorant spouse or what not. We have ample to choose from the menu to be unhappy on any single day. If we want to get any better let us understand the world around us.
Recognize 10 Truths of life:
Every human on this planet and elsewhere is like us. The only difference is our/his experiences and its interpretation.
We can not control the future. It is evolving in its own mysterious ways.
Humans are inherently selfish. In fact this selfishness is built-in to save us from destroying ourselves and to take good care of ourselves like animals. But we have a problem of greed. We want to accumulate anything or everything for some future use.
We are like apes i.e. monkey. We must visit Zoo once in a while to observe monkeys. Like them we can not resist to copy others. In fact this behaviour is an industry called Fashion. We wear things, eat and drink things that hurt, just because it is in fashion. Continue reading »
Sleep is a big healer but physical exercise is a precondition for good sleep as also for proper movement of limbs. Working 14x7x350 is the worse than slavery. It is unfortunate that we have accepted that routine health problems should be treated with medicine which does nothing but to hide or postpone real problem. Medicine is no healer. It can not accelerate growth in tired tissues/cells. Only right sleep has ability to regenerate tired tissues or cells in the body.
Entertaining distant relative
We recently had a distant relative as visiting guest. Though the visitor was healthy, there were many things which were being ignored. While money is important but how can we justify it at the cost of health? This another short story is, another example of not having time for ourselves i.e. health.
About the visitor
Martian visitor is a hard-working person and very proud of working so hard. Continue reading »
Blog is understandably short name (portmanteau) for weblog. In other words it is a daily journal or diary. Few weeks back a blogger compared his blogging to ‘defecating in public.’ It must be very simple and automatic affair for him. To me, as I said earlier, it is a diary of my synthesised thoughts. It is a store house of useful links, pictures, ideas, knowledge and people. It is not constant. It keeps changing.
Since my perception about various things can be wrong, these posts are an invitation to correction. Knowledge is another name for information and it gets obsolete every moment. Why blog? Why follow blogging tips and Blog Guru? Continue reading »
Losing health to gain wealth and trying to regain health by spending wealth.
Wealth has become so important that we are ready to sacrifice ourselves on its altar. In respect of previous post on ‘Money, How much to earn? Why earn at all?‘, I had made some research which is narrated here under as short stories. The ambition is blind. It is aiming and shooting. We can see nothing except the target.
Story 1: “How Much Is Enough?”
Since I was yet not very clear I decided to delve into the matter a little further. I asked a rich man. He had very large inheritance. A reasonable business. Little or moderate education. Of course like most businessmen, always economical with truth. Any way, I asked him the same question ‘How much is enough?’
His answer was that shoot an arrow in the air with best bow, and if all the land from our standing point, right upto the place where arrow has landed, is littered with Gold, even that would not be enough. Simply put this is never-ending greed. Of course greed is without logic.
Story 2: “Was it worth it?”
A friend is known for nearly two decades. He was leading a simple life in a 9-5 desk job after an ordinary graduation. He had a pleasing personality and warm manners. He got acquainted with some rich people who needed such educated person at front desk of a business. Behind the desk were some activities which protruded beyond the permissibility of law. He was bailed out in a few days and matter was finally over in about a decade. He again played the same game and this time had to spend a few more days in prison but ultimately got out on Bail. This matter is also languishing in courts. Now he is at an advance age in seventies. Children some time visit the elderly couple. Anybody who is acquainted for over a decade starts to resemble a friend. I asked him this question: Was it worth it?. He paused and looked away and said ‘Yes’ and then looked in my eyes and said ‘No’. And added “but my reasons are different.” I asked him how? This is his answer:
I had seen movies. I had seen expensively dresses people travelling in very expensive cars, in and out of clubs and five-star hotels, where I could never go. Parties I heard about or read in newspapers. I wanted to experience it all. That is the reason for my ‘Yes’. Now I have seen it all and novelty of it is long past, I find it really did not matter. Then we were showing off our possessions in our limited low earning people now we are doing same in a rich circle of people. It is really all the same. And that’s why I say ‘No’
This story also does not help much. It is inspiring but does not help at all to decide as to what to do?
Story 3 “Surviving Success”
He was from a downtrodden family. He had a melodious voice. He used to sing in a religious place whenever it was possible. He was picked up by someone from music industry and he was a star over night. He suddenly had everything he had never dreamed of. With success come relatives, friends and acquaintances we never knew they existed. Album was sold and resold. There were shows and shows all over country and a few abroad. He was truly rich and famous. But he forgot something. He had a good voice but he never was a musician. He misunderstood the success. Unable to make another album, music sponsors, offered help. In his false vanity, which he perceived as honesty, he refused. New friends brought new escapes and new vices. He could not know when he became alcoholic. It was several years down the lane when I met him in regard to his brother who had some legal problem. After a brief meeting on the subject I had sufficient reason to console him about his brother’s problem. Then we discussed his famous song and asked him if he could sing it. He did. Few lines. It was even better than original especially without music. I asked him why there is no second album? He said he could not make another. I asked him ‘Was it because you were not sure of next one’s success or you did not like it?’ He just smiled and left. It is so hard to survive the success! Failure brings promise of success. But success brings misery. The fear of failure prevents creativity & experimentation. Further he had a stature which had to be maintained. He could not restart singing in temples or marriages. He was now a prisoner of success.
Story 4 “The Tycoon”
I have not met this person but media loved him. He rose from a very humble family to become one of the few richest businessman. But when he was at the peak and started to enjoy his position, he suffered a stroke which rendered half of his body paralysed. The overworked brain could not take it any more. The best treatment around the globe could save him but could not reverse the damage. The twitch in lips. Slurry speech and crippled left hand. He died rich but crippled old man. My left hand was crippled for two months. (Read that experience) I wonder how the rich man would have been feeling. Must be saying that at least he saved enough for family. Was it enough? After his death, within a year, his both sons separated and locked in furious litigation which was some how settled. Now these sons are not even on speaking terms. Was this the family, the dead rich man was looking forward? What about the sons of sons. There can be no serious accumulation without greed and greed only divides.
Today 2nd August 2012 is the auspicious day for Rakhsha Bandhan or Rakhi. This day is chosen on the basis of Indian Calender therefore its date as per Gregorian Calender differs. It falls on full moon day (Purnmasi) in the month of ‘Shravan’ as per Indian Calender.
Meaning of Rakhsha Bandhan & Rakhi:
Raksha means ‘Protection’ and Bandhan means ‘Bond’. It is a vow but not a bipartite contract. It is a sentimental bond not a legally enforceable act or duty.
Rakhi is a thread which can be of silk or decorative or rather simple thread.
On this day a sister ties this thread called Rakhi on the wrist-arm of brother. (Generally right arm)
Object:
There are many tales. One is that tying the knot of Rakhi enforces the duty of brother who as a male is presumed to be superior in strength to protect the sister. It is also considered a symbol of affection of the sister for the brother, as both share sweets after tying the Rakhi.
Very often unrelated females also tie the rakhi on the wrist of male and thus proclaim him as brother. It is the only symbolic gesture in the world in which male and female can proclaim platonic, non-sexual emotional relationship. Very often this relationship crosses the religious boundaries. Though it is not so common in the cities where everyone has no time. But any where in the country if a male who is acquainted to the female and her family and he asks a female to tie him Rakhi, she will not refuse, irrespective of religion. A gesture of which no offence is taken. But like corruption elsewhere, rakhi brothers are no exception and incidents do occur.
Lost Meaning:
In childhood everything is a play. A joy. So is Rakhi. In adolescence every ritual looks strange and performance is with indifference. The real test of this bond takes place when siblings are settled in own house-hold respectively. It is further put to test when the distances are wider. Different town or even different countries. Actual test is that: Do they keep track of each other? Sending Rakhi by post by sister and brother sending money by wire or cheque even along-with gifts is not within the spirit of the bond.
Life has become a never ending chase in which time is getting rare. No time to eat, relax or even to rest or sleep. Who has time for mundane relationships. Rakhi was a good way to keep the siblings to meet and share their life, problems, joys and what not. It was a reason to get together once in every year. It also gave the female a chance to visit her parents else the brother will visit the sister and inquire the welfare of married sister and her house-hold.
Now it is just a ritual. Unless the sister is newly married, rarely a sibling would travel to another city for Raksha Bandhan. Within city it is ritual which is a rigmarole of visits. Husband and wife would be keen to get over with it. A quick visit here to wife’s sibling, may be over lunch. A quick visit there, to husbands sibling, may be over a cup of tea. And may be more visits to cousins, so just sweets. See you next time. Be well. Keep alive. Ritual is over and We are too tired and exhausted. Thank God He or She did not keep me waiting from morning to evening like last year. I would not do this next year. I would do something different on type of rakhi or sweets or lunch or something else mundane. I have no time to look at the face of my sibling silently or ask him/her if he/she has any trouble. I have too many problems of my own. I will take care of my problems. For others there is God.
When it comes to setting target to earn, mind recalls all those expenses we had been postponing and the amount, which could cover all that, looks reasonable. However imagining an exact monthly income or a corpus amount is not feasible. Actually it is feasible but no one stops at that target even if it brings discomfort.
So what is this contraption called Money?
Money, indisputably is an important factor in life. Money not only affects the choices we make but also shapes the habits which define our character rather ourselves. Money defines our frequent social circle, in long run and relationships at any given time.
Of course there are exceptions. Few people remain as tasteless as ever notwithstanding the accumulated wealth. They continue to live in same dinghy ranch, day in and day out, without even thinking to move to more comfortable premises. They would ride same 30 years old vehicle and wear same clothes. These are people who live in extreme insecurity and can only spend in hospitals. This talk is not for those misers. Their children will love them when they are dead.
There is another type according to whom, why make effort to earn more when one can survive with less. They earn for the need of body and not for mind. This post is not about those people either.
Here I am concerned with normal people.
What is normal?
At the beginning of career, what a person need, is a job in the same field as expected. Just a job. But the problem is that every person is always on a lookout for job. There is a person whom I know for last four years. He happens to be in finance industry especially in share/commodity/currency trading. He has already handed me eight different visiting cards in last four years.
The truth is we are all running and chasing every opportunity to make money. Knocking at every door, closed or open, if there is a prospect of money.
Why this chase?
One stupid answer is that with more money there is security against disease. Normal illnesses can be taken care with regular insurance. Some chronic illnesses are better taken care with healthy lifestyle. Critical and life threatening or physical challenging health problems do require lot of financial support. But should I start planning for that? This is the most hopeless way to approach life.
But chasing targets is what we have been taught (see Military Kinder Garden) and this is what we know. Hence this is what we do. So what is the problem? Nothing as long it keeps a person happy.
Happiness
Now here lies the crux of problem. Every person whom I ask ‘Are you happy?’ answers that he is happy but soon he would be more happy!
This appears to be a riddle. How something which can not be measured or weighed, can be more or less?
Some persons whom I asked the above question answered that they never thought about it. They are so busy that they have no time to think about anything, but their work.
Actually happiness is like health. There is no definition of being healthy. If we have no illness, we are healthy. Similarly absence of pain or hurt or unhappiness is the happiness. But the more we chase, more we try to accumulate money, we end up accumulating more hurt and pain along with money.
More Research
Money can provide ample comfort to the body and it should be that way only. But it must not become a burden of indulgence or sedentary lifestyle. Earning money at the cost of health is plain stupidity. Straining for 12-14 hours everyday having no time for ourselves? One can certainly lose health and gain money but money can not bring back the health. The comfort provided by Money must not make life sedentary for that is the single most cause for most of the diseases.
Ambiguity and Uncertainty is the only truth. accumulation of Money brings no security and no certainty. So what is this chase. Attempt to control future? Attempt to run away from ourselves, our miseries, our pains and hurts which we give to each other? Hide ourselves in shopping of numerous things, we are going to use for few times then forget? Why is this chase? Or is it that once we enter into this rat race, we simply can not step away from it? Choose the reason. Result is same.
There was a time when air travel was a nostalgia. Air Hostesses were made to look like a celestial representative sent to earth by Aer or Aether (the God of Air). Their costumes were not like house maid but at worst looked like a women army official. They used to hail from educated upper class society. She would speak with smile act with courtesy and move with dignity. Air Hostesses had fewer duties and many other staff to assist in menial duties.
Security
It was more of a formality than anything. Policemen carrying heavy guns was a scare enough. X-ray was all that was needed. Frisking was a matter of apology for the policeman, which he would carry on his face while frisking us. Fewer people and fewer questions. Face reading was all to do for security. Any one who looked out-of-place was subjected to more severe scan.
food
The snacks or the food, which was prepared had no consideration like economy. Consideration was packing and to serve it hot. It was invariably fresh and not only from a 5 star hotel but was actually 5 star i.e. with the recipe endorsed by reputed chef. The purpose of serving the food was to provide an on board experience for taste buds, often a culinary delight. A Journey on the clouds duly pampered by the on board hospitality.
Air travel now!
It is an unavoidable nightmare. Rising fuel cost, too much competition, greed and above all insecurity on account of threat or terrorism has made air travel, a physical and mental torture at worst and an undesirable drill at best. Continue reading »
