Gov-err-nor

His excellency, Mr. Hans Raj Bharadwaj has threatened the center that he would resign to his post, if his recently dispatched report on the claimed "political instability" in Karnataka government is not considered. It is quite obvious that the center will dispose the report, it already has - by Chidambaram, Sibal and the likes(it is only Moily that is insisting). The Supreme court in its verdict in SR Bommai vs Union of India has put a check on misuse of Article 356 by governors. If BJP goes to court (if and after imposition of 356), the verdict will be nothing but a revival of its previous stance. Even otherwise, if elections are to happen again, people are right now in favor of BJP.

Art.356 cannot be imposed based on political instability - as BJP has majority at the moment; if the report was intended to be sent, the governor had to send it immediately after SC verdict and not on the day the party(BJP) came to ask for a session to prove majority on the floor!)nor are there any administrative malfunctions. It is quite clear that the governor has based his report on corruption charges and personal whims alone! And the GOI very well knows who is facing better corruption charges!

Recent developments evidently show petty politics played by HRB(as if those played by Siddaramaiah and father-son duo of JDS was not enough!). He dismissed meeting BJP supporting MLAs in Raj Bhavan on Sunday citing the reason that it was not a working day. While, he sent the report on the same non-working day! He also was generous enough to meet Congress 'delegates' on the same day! HBR is nothing but a Congress agent instilled in Karnataka to put a check on the state's as well as BJP's progress.

Congress's age-old strategy - start barking more on opposition's unnoticeable errors, uphold the errors, glorify it all the more to bring it on par with its own errors! As they say, Never argue with an idiot - first they bring you down to their level and then beat you with their experience!

So, what is the procedure to change the governor please? or may be His Excellency prefers to keep his promise if report is not considered?

Wrongs of history : Who were Aryans?

This is probably the most widely disputed topics amongst historians in Indian and the European history. The origin of the word traces back to the Rigveda.

ಮಹಾಕುಲ ಕುಲೀನಾರ್ಯ ಸಭ್ಯ ಸಜ್ಜನ ಸಾಧವಃ (ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಕುಟುಂಬದಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಲೀನ, ಸಭ್ಯ, ಸಜ್ಜನ ಹಾಗು ಸಾಧು - ಎಂಬುದು ಇದರರ್ಥ)

It is a mode of addressing used towards revered persona, similar to "sir" etc.
When Max Muller translated the Vedas as described in my previous post, for the first 20 years he theorized for a vantage point to East India Company and Christianity as : "Aryan" to be a race and supreme tradition, which invaded India and pushed its original inhabitants-Dravidians to the South & composed the Vedas in 1200 BC. His estimate of the year of composition was accurate he claimed (God knows how he deduced it!) Now remember: Max Muller was a German. Using this theory that he propounded in the 1800s, the Germans who were originally devastated by lack of identity by then, proclaimed themselves to belong to the Aryan race & as heroes of Sanskrit language. This aroused nationalism and they waged a war against the French in 1871, after which they aroused as a supreme power. We can also correlate here, how Hitler hypnotized Germans into his Aryans theory and proposed to eliminate the Jews. This loss of the French to the Germans, aroused the British(who allied with French). Now, Max Muller grew guilty, as he worked for the East India Company(he had to now prove his loyalty to British, and that he was not a German nationalist), as a result of which, for the next 30 years Max Muller propagated with much greater strength that : "Aryan" is not a race, but a language!!
"I have declared again and again that if I say Aryan, I mean neither blood nor bones, nor skull, nor hair; I mean simply those who speak the Aryan language"

This is the fate of Indian history and beliefs that string along. People have to let go the wrong interpretations and learn to accept the truth! We, Indians, somehow, never believed the latter 30 years theory of MaxMuller!! And are still regionally divided and prejudiced - with the wrong belief that Aryans(North Indians) invaded Dravidians(South Indians). Lets let it go and stand united. "Aryan" is only a respectable addressing mode. Read another article here.

Wrongs of history : Max Muller - an opportunist

Max Muller - Philosopher; Champion of Orientalism and Indology studies during the Imperial rule in India. Mostly in the 1800's. A German philosopher, who studied Sanskrit under Institute for Indian studies in Europe who eventually started the translation of the Vedas into English as early as at the age of 25 years (Note that both English and Sanskrit are foreign to him) - resulted in "Sacred Books of the East", a massive 50-volume series. He is often claimed to be one of the founding figures who established Indology studies. He is also probably revered back in India even today by "secularists".

Now, for some truth. Before going into that : Why did the East India company really want to translate the sacred texts of Vedas(which we Indians ourselves have hardly understood, except some of us who by-heart them and recite intact) into English? What was in it for them? It was for Christianity. Christian missionaries failed miserably to provoke Christ interests in Kolkata(Calcutta back then, where they arrived. It was also made capital for East India Company's commerce) Despite undertaking desperate measures to spread their religion, they failed. Credits to - Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Mohan Roy upheld the theory of Arya Samaj and Ekeshwara-existence of one Lord(he was working towards uniting Indians by abolishing caste system) as against the concept of "Trinity" or Christ Trinity. The East India Company had to now devise a method to take Indians into confidence, prove their religion wrong and glorify Christianity; by which I mean, carve out a way which would prove that Sanaatana Dharma preached wrong; uphold conflict in ideas and interests(between Vedas and Ram Mohan's preachings). The Vedas which forms the essence of Sanataana Dharma preached the existence of crores of gods (mukkoti devaas). The translation of the Vedas would hence mean that Raja Ram Mohan Roy would be wronged and conversion of Hindus(predominantly) would be easier. With this motive, the East India Company launched a search in find of a man who could work for them as a labor to translate, who would be paid handsomely.

Max Muller was a person who wandered places in need of a job to make a living. Before falling into the "job" with East India Company, he used to translate letters to people. In the book "The life and letters of Max Muller" written by none other than his better half Georgina Max Muller, he discloses his intention behind translating the ancient scripts as follows:
"I feel convinced, though I shall not live to see it, that this edition of mine and the transalation of the Veda will hereafter tell to a great extent on the fate of India...It is the root of their religion, and to show them what that root is, I feel sure, is the only way of uprooting all that has sprung up from it during the last 3000 years"

I am too lazy to include here many other excerpts which clearly indicate that his step by step objective was to - uproot ancient Sanaatana Dharma tradition and the way of living preached by the Vedas; glorify the christian missionaries and finally install Christianity.
He failed and so did the East India Company and its missionaries. Christian missionaries didn't much effect the Indian way as a result of this translation and subsequent attempt to smear the Vedic dharma black. But, the translated English series reached far and wide. Essence of Sanaatana Dharma was eventually upheld across the world. Fragrance of the way of living practiced in the Vedas spread throughout.

What hurts me : We have Max Muller roads and bhavans across India today and not even a single road(marg or bhavan) named after.. I dont want to name those people here who deserve much more than an alien Max Muller to be compared with!

Start of an end?

Looks like the start of an end to an era. 2012 - The year that has been much on the tongues of many since the last couple of years, seems to be proving its reality. That's why probably it is told - "I believe in God because Google doesn't have answers to everything". Well, personally, I started believing in God after reading "Flying Saucers" by Tejaswi. Anyway, doesn't matter here.

Floods in Australia, Haiti earthquake, Floods in Pakistan & Ladakh region, New Zealand earthquake, all point out to the realm that the ultimate power has had it enough. The Yellow Stone National Park in The United States is said to be holding humongous amount of energy in its belly - and once it gives in, has the capacity to engulf most of the North American continent. Japan's 8.9 magnitude earthquake, nuclear leak scare and Tsunami (I feel) has insinuated and ignited a grand start towards the "End of the World" theory(It is probably the worst of times for Japan since WW2; their energy and zeal in re-building their nation through sheer commitment and hard work is worth appreciating. While in India and most of the other countries, during national holidays like Independence day the citizens get a day off, the Japanese work twice the working hours on such occasions! More satellite shots here). Revolutions in the Middle east, Civil movements in Ivory Coast - are all events creating history. It is good that all this is taking place(Hmm, apart from people loosing their lives and rendered homeless part of it) I only hope nothing worth historical significance is lost in the natural disasters - so that future has a considerable account of the past. And I also hope all nations come together to make world a better place to live in.

Give me blood and I will give you freedom

Once you've tasted the truth, you won't ever want to go back to being ignorant
-Socrates

The death of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Charismatic leader who had such charm as to even appease Japan into bringing land acquired by Japan's army (in association with INA) during WW2 into INA's regime(Andaman, Nicobar, Imphal, etc). He even declared a governor general, a head for finance; defense and formed administrative units to run an Indian government in exile, something similar to Tibet's government in exile. It is only a matter of regret that he couldn't march his army to reach Delhi and overthrow British - because of the nuclear attack and subsequent submission of Japan to the allies. It amazes me how a single man had such courage, strategy (to escape from Britisher's house arrest) travel to Manchuria, Russia, Germany, Japan and where not!

The mysterious plane accident is said to have never taken place- Taipei goverment even rules out any flight taken off from that runway of theirs on the day, August 18th, 1945. There are confusing and contradictory statements given by Netaji's associate Habibur Rehman (probably with the intention of keeping a promise made to Netaji)- the only claimed eye witness during the death of Bose. Author ShivaPrasad's kannada book on this gives well compiled details.

The point is, in-spite of the government forming Shah Nawaz Comission; Mukherjee commission etc, why is the truth concealed? Why were the reports of these commissions hastily concluded by the Congress governments in the past? Nehru and Gandhi had even corresponded with Netaji after 1945! - why did they hide the facts - what and where is the truth and non-violence within himself that Gandhiji was fighting for? Gandhiji could even save Bhagat Singh, RajGuru from being executed. He didnt.

There are even records in Russian archives that illustrate Netaji's attempts to form pacts and agreements with Russian government. There is even an eye witness immediately after 1945 accident that has seen Bose in Russia(apart from the Gumnami Baba mystery). The British government says it cannot reveal some details until 2022 for good-will relationship between the nations. Understandable. But, as the citizens of India, we, who are first of all deprived of our own history (because of the malnourished and wrongly interpreted history) have no rights to know the truth? Forget Indian citizens. Does not a roaring freedom fighter, who achieved unreachable heights (globally back then itself) for freedom struggle deserve an iota of respect that the government does a face off to express serious concern to find out his whereabouts and events that followed? This has only shown the government's lack of interest matters of historical significance.

We see no detailed illustrations of Bose in school text books! Gandhi - Nehru -Gandhi! Congress-ians are the ones who literally used to beg freedom with compromises, not demand it as their birth right! Is this all that comprises the Indian freedom struggle? Or are they scared that it might bring the saffron color to life? Or lose the minority votes if Indian National Congress is wronged in its history? British army who fought Japanese in Singapore express shock that Indians have not realized the contribution of Bose in bringing independence.

I hope Bose lived. I hope he lived to see his efforts giving fruits in 1947. Probably if he had taken front stage in freedom movement, the whole course of Indian system would have changed.

State budget

The Karnataka state budget must have come as a breather to the farmers and agriculturists - in totality the rural areas. It is surprising that it is the first time such an attempt has been made to have an agricultural budget - given the fact that India is an agricultural economy. Kudos to Yeddiyurappa for that! Even as he presented the budget, a farmer in North Karnataka committed suicide. That gives a valid enough reason to the opposition's claim that the budget is "bland"! Agriculture accounts to approximately 17% of the GDP.

These days the rise of malls, hi-tech-look-sporting MNCs, and some architectural marvels forms a presumption in people's mind of having the region "developed"; it seems like the maladies faced by rural areas are not taken into consideration at all! The villages' development is as important as that of a cities' - this is where the left wing's ideals come into picture. There are several parameters to be taken into consideration to evaluate a state's development.

Good job by BSY (his 6th budget session I suppose). My thanks to him. At least he is not concentrating only on IT-BT, development of Bangalore and other cities (like SM Krishna did by adding fly-overs everywhere in silicon city years ago and created an illusion of "development") India has all the monetary requirements and resplendent intellectual property/human resources. Only channeling and application of these resources in the stage of execution is to be concentrated on. I hope each of the departments make full use of the presented budget plan and channel the money to its destination. It is also great that expenditure on Basavanna statue to be erected in London is being included(Basavanna is going global to spread his word! :) little did he imagine this in 12th century!) The commencement of a Basaveshwara institute and expenditure for studies on Kannada language in a couple of foreign universities has also been done - good! As tax-payers, it must make us happy - as long as the plan is executed with same interest and rigorousness. Farmer is the backbone of each of our lives. Support him.

Another open letter

"2G scams - result of coalition, I had "warned" A Raja
ISRO - is internal to the department, PM not responsible;
Inflation - Mr.Pawar and state government's mismanagement of food resources
Corruption - because of coalition government and not Congress and me"
- What on earth are you holding office there for?

"Prime" minister! Supposed to have an authority on all of your cabinet ministers! Are you not aware that you will be held responsible for all the wrongdoings that happen during the term? It takes (1.76lakhs+2lakhs) crores worth of scam to break your silence(CWG only instigated the thought of breaking your silence I suppose). Mind you, only to break silence! To get answers to the questions that common man is asking, it would probably take dozen more scams to be brought out. Aaap tho bahut mehenge hai PM sir! And please do not put the blame on media for creating a negative image of India with all this. If there is anything decaying/rotting, it is in your system of governance; in your government; in your leadership! Media is only showing the decay to the world. And if they do not follow it up, the government and eventually the public is bound to forget the loot happening around. So kindly do not blame the media in this regard.

On a personal level, you may be a good human being and honest person. But, what is the use? How is the system benefited by your strengths? In the end, only the end results matter. Remember sir : When a crime is committed, 1/4th of the accountability is held by the prime doer of crime, 1/4th by his associates and 1/2 of it by the one watching silently - which is you in this case! Please do not distance yourself from the "Prime Minister".

At the end of your address to the media, nobody got any answers to the questions. It more was a summary of the news we have watched on channels in the last couple of months! Please show some leadership by not being a puppet of your home party. We want better action. It only sounded like you defended yourself to save your seat, not the government's failure.

Smitten by ಕನ್ನಡ

Having been the first Kannada Sahithya Sammelana I got to witness, the words I am left with is - I am proud to belong here! An absolute brilliant show by Mr.Nallur Prasad(driven by sheer will to work towards kannada) and BJP members to some extent. Grand old man of Kannada lexicography,ಜಿ ವೆಂಕಟಸುಬ್ಬಯ್ಯ of ಇಗೋ ಕನ್ನಡ fame deserved every bit of respect, honor and more. A mobile dictionary himself, it might be his enthusiasm that has kept him like a mercury at 98! So much for them to pass on to our generation! & that means a rise in the bar of responsibilities and expectations to be met by us!

I read some articles where the authors and intellects are skeptical on spending crores of rupees on such occasions, that the modest ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನ of the 1920s and 30s do not exist any more. C'mon - ದಿವಸ ಗಣೇಶನ ಪೂಜೆ ಮಾಡ್ತಿವಿ ಅಂತ ಗಣೇಶನ ಹಬ್ಬ ಮಾಡೋದು ಬಿಡೋದಕ್ಕೆ ಆಗುತ್ಯೇ? A celebration is a celebration! Each of us play important role in preserving our language and all of it is hidden in small things like - teaching children ಚೈತ್ರ, ಆಷಾಡ, ಜೆಷ್ಠ or at the national level where Anantha Kumar (and many others at center) takes oath in Kannada and signs in Kannada. Such small gestures make huge impact.

And ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನ ನಡೆಯುವ ಸ್ಥಳವನ್ನ ಗೊತ್ತು ಮಾಡುವ ಬದಲು, ಆ ಮೂರೂ ದಿನಗಳನ್ನ ರಾಜ್ಯದಾದ್ಯಂತ ಆ-ಆ ಪ್ರದೇಶದ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಗಳನ್ನ ಹೊಮ್ಮಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಹಾಗೆ ಆಯೋಜಿಸಿದರೆ, ನಮ್ಮ ದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಇರುವ ಸಾವಿರಾರು ಪ್ರಾದೇಶಿಕ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಪ್ರೋತ್ಸಾಹ ನೀಡಿದಂತಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಉದಾಹರಣೆಗೆ, ಗದಗ, ಬಾಗಲಕೋಟೆ, ಬಿಜಾಪುರ - ಈ ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿನ ಕನ್ನಡ ಭಾಷೆ ಮತ್ತು ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ, ಕೊಡಗು ಅಥವಾ ಮಂಗಳೂರು, ಬೀದರಿನ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಗಿಂತ ವಿಭಿನ್ನವಾದುದು. ಗದಗ-ಬಿಜಾಪುರ, ಬಸವ ಮತ್ತು ವಚನ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯವನ್ನು ಎತ್ತಿ ಹಿಡಿದರೆ, ಶಿವಮೊಗ್ಗ ತಾನು ಬೆಳೆಸಿರುವ ನೂರಾರು ತೀರ್ಥಹಳ್ಳಿ ಕಲಾವಿದರನ್ನು ಬಿಂಬಿಸಬಹುದು. ಮೈಸೂರು ದಸರಾವನ್ನ ನಾಡ ಹಬ್ಬದಂತೆ ಆಚರಿಸುವ ಹಾಗೆ, ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನವೂ ಒಂದು ಊರಿಗೆ ಸೀಮಿತವಾಗದಂತೆ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಪ್ರತಿ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಆಚರಿಸಬೇಕು. I think this will also help to make the event more intricate and detailed.

The governor of the state has become a pain - no doubt. He is digging his own grave by throwing his never ending tantrums. Not granting doctrate to a well-renowned legend Chidananda Murthy based on political interests is just ridiculous and unpardonable. Personally felt that it was a disgrace to have Mr.Siddaramayya who pursued his political interests on-stage, in-spite of having been warned not to do so! Yes, all the politicians of Karnataka looked like dirt smeared on a neat shimmering white coat amidst the resplendent cultural cauldron! Anyway, he(and the whole government) got a virtual slap from ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ ಚಂದ್ರು the very next minute in his speech(which was superb!). Memorable speeches - Bhuvaneshwari Hegde, Mukhyamanthri Chandru, Nallur Prasad. In the end, that has taken my respect for these people to a new strata.

Last but not least, one trivia - Karnataka has bagged 4th place in must-visit-places along with Orissa from India in an international travel organization. Again, proud to belong here. I hope more kannadigas realize the importance to work towards conservation of the same.ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರಿಂದ ಕನ್ನಡ ಭಾಷೆಗೆ ಆದ್ಯತೆ ಇರಲಿ.

No strings attached

Scandinavian countries are top ranked for the liberty of women, not the US. India occupies a place somewhere in the end.
Despite being poorest of the poor, Cuba still fights the USA(not technically). It raises its voice against the USA. Cuba has consistently achieved 90+ percent education since its revolution. The medals it has won per Cuban exceeds that of the USA. One family gets only one soap per month for usage in Cuba. Fidel Castro has escaped death waged by the CIA for as many as 60 odd times, which includes poisoning his cigar, incorporating machine guns in the cameras, and also through Castro's shoes! During the much celebrated Cuban carnival, food crops in fields were poisoned. Children above 7 years do not get milk because of lack of money in treasury. People do not use vehicles because the country cannot afford fuel. It is amazing, that every citizen in this nation has contributed for the revolution. Cuban sports persons are discouraged by the US by denying them visa for participation in events. Clinton rubs off Castro during an International meet's dinner, during his reign. When the Vajpeyee government sent a ship filled with wheat, Fidel Castro received it at the harbor with "Thanks to India, I will feed my people with good quality bread for a week". The US awaits the death of Castro, like China awaits death of The Dalai Lama. Inspite of being such a small country and a struggling one, it fights sternly with dignity against the odds of its neighboring country just 90 miles away. And we, inspite of having the second largest army and rich human resource, nod for others' puppet hands. (I am not favoring a war here)

Daniel Ellsberg, after witnessing the horror during his Vietnam deployment brought out the "Pentagon papers" back in the 1969 which shocked the world and US citizens for the language used by the then President Richard Nixon regarding the Vietnam war. Nixon stepped down soon after, fearing his dismissal from office. In a conversation with an unrelenting army official, he states "You have to think big!" for dropping nuclear bombs during the Vietnam War, which thankfully didn't happen. 2 million Vietnamese and 58,000 American soldiers were killed. Hiroshima, Nagasaaki were devastated by US during World War. How could a decision of dropping a "Fat man" seeing the aftermath of the "Little boy" be made by a "Human Welfare and rights - fighting nation"?!

Newspapers and Media find it hard to cope with the increasing expenses they have to spare for the correspondents to be posted at various locations. They get the news for one-third the prices they have to otherwise shell-out directly from the sources- yeah, mostly manipulated ones. So, the news around the world are far from the facts. In fact, the top newspapers in the USA are claimed to work based on the governmental instructions (it doesn't happen in India alone!) This incident happened back when Hillary Clinton was the first lady. At some women rights meet held in China, Mrs. Clinton faced protests and despise in the form of Human chains from the audience after her arrival. The newspapers around the world described her arrival as a glorifying moment for the program! The Indian lady delegate present at the same program records what she factually witnessed on the day. This is the fate of authenticity of the media.

And the latest - Afghan war Wikileaks.

I have no disrespect for the American citizens. I have much heard that they are peace-loving. It is the government. And without scrupulous inspection of all the atrocities one nation forces over every other affair of the world, (for example, what was the necessity for Mrs.Clinton to be present when Pakistan and Afghanistan signed an agreement?! Was she bearing a witness? It is their job, why not just leave them alone!) we, Indians, have lost the war of finding our true selves. There are umpteen number of things to be learnt from so many nations! Like the Latin American ones, who fight and not show cowardice! I only hope more number of people deviate their attention from an attention-seeking nation and "LOOK" and introspect and give importance to what actually needs importance.

After learning more about Cuba, I think it stands as a role model for the rest of the third-world countries. There is a saying in kannada that the thoughts of philanthropic deeds you do from right hand, shouldn't even reach the left hand. That is called selfless service, which the Cuban citizens do for their motherland. No strings attached.

For all the followers of the West; and the casual followers of anything under the sun without close examination, below is a "Monkey see, Monkey do, Monkey remember" article :

There’s an experiment attributed to Harry Harlow. Five monkeys are placed in a cage, with a ladder and a banana hanging from the ceiling. Whenever a monkey climbs the ladder to grab the banana, all monkeys are sprayed with ice cold water. After a few times, monkeys know better and nobody tries climbing the ladder.

Then, one monkey is replaced. The new arrival wants to get the banana, but as soon as he climbs the ladder, the other four start beating him – they want to stay warm and dry. After a few attempts, the new monkey conforms to the group and stays down. Then, another monkey is replaced and the story repeats itself – when the monkey that was never sprayed with cold water joins the other three. And so on until there is no monkey left who was sprayed with cold water, but still the new arrival gets beaten when he tries to climb the ladder.

Now, the decision was made by team members long gone. There’s nobody on the current team who made the decision, and nobody knows why the decision was made. It just gets passed to the new team members, with no questions asked. It may have been a good decision when it was made, and it may still be a good decision now.

But if you ask “why are we doing this” and the only answer is “the decision was made before we got here”, form your own opinion and don’t be afraid to question the status quo.

Chinese Drag-on

2500 years ago, little did Gautama Buddha realize that his preaching would be a topic of ridicule by a power craving nation. That his high-held prayer abode would be a dump-yard of nuclear waste. The “Roof of the world”, whose main principles stood on non-violence, peaceful co-existence not only amongst human beings, but with all living entities, would be a super-power’s military base. Out of billions of people who exist in this world, when a several lakhs of people beg for help and dignity, was it not the moral responsibility of every religion, humanity or nation who boast of their invincible strength to pay atleast a listener’s ears? It is a shame that Tibet had to go through all the suffering it has gone through – probably the worst genocide in Asia – EVER! China – I was wrong about communism. With some superficial knowledge on the way it developed into what it is today in economic, military and industrial fields, I let go its social and civic ethics. No doubt with its Communism it is its own king. But in the end, for what joy? Are the Chinese citizens at peace? In the name of “People’s Liberation”, the crime it has committed is immense - be it Tibet or Tiananmen Square. Moreover, its shameless attempts to blame the suffering party for all of its atrocities, on baseless grounds, with an obvious fact that it is itself that is the culprit, makes it all the more eviler. What does any nation in the end achieve by this? Generations come. Generations go. Government comes. Government goes. The purpose behind the existence of the whole system called government is to have a good infrastructure, provide necessary way to have an organized social life. Development – what are we developing for? -To reach an ideal state. What is its end result? - Human comfort. From micro-technology, we have reached nanotechnology. But there definitely has to be an end to this somewhere! All the development - it is to bring the necessary changes that benefit the society. Like what Emperor Ashoka or King Krishnadevaraya did and nearly attained a Ramaraajya.

China’s crooked ways have been unbound! May be it’s a readers’ and writers’ perspective. But, the injustice it has done (and continues to do) with Tibet (and its own people) is much beyond brutality. The holy Potala palace holds no natural colors it had at the start of this century. It is surrounded by Chinese night-clubs and prostitute homes! Atleast 12 lakh Tibetans have been murdered in the name of Cultural Revolution. Millions of trees have been uprooted causing a great deal of ecological imbalance. A lot of questions flood within me as I learned more about the cultural and moral exploitation of the Tibetan Civilization. Is there no judicial system in the world to inspect such genocides? Why is still China let to be a member of the UN, when it does not serve the guidelines of the UN? Why is the UN itself not taking a firm stand on resolving this issue even after China has been proven guilty in the human rights strand? Tibet was the buffer nation that held three Asian giants – India, China and Russia within their boundaries. India should have realized the threat it was bound to face when a country whose main purpose is land-expansion gulped up a subtle, unarmed friend.

There is an inspirational anecdote from the life of Swami Vivekananda. Once, Swami Vivekananda was coming from a temple in Varanasi, when a chattering group of monkeys surrounded him with a menacing tone and threatening look. Panic stricken, he began to run, the monkeys chased him. A sage who was watching all this, asked him to stop and face the monkeys sternly. He did so. It was now the monkeys’ turn to panic. They fled. “If you ever feel afraid of anything, always turn round and face it. Never think of running away” – Vivekananda. India used the term “LoC” instead of “McMohan Line” in every public gathering and talks with Chinese envoy – definitely what the Chinese wanted. When miles and miles of Indian land were acquired by it, Indian PM described it to be “just a piece of barren land, filled with pebbles and stones!!” and that “It would have not done any good to India!” These words will fill any patriotic Indian with wrath! Motherland can’t be prioritized to be barren land or fertile land and let another person acquire the barren land! When China included Arunachal Pradesh to be its possession in its maps in 1980s, no explanation was demanded! When it republished its maps in 2004, with Arunachal Pradesh to be a state of India, it “thanked” China for giving it back!! Yes, there is no harm in extending a warm and friendly gesture, which India did. In spite of doing it repeatedly, when a hostile response is got, it should stand for its honor and dignity. It should have foresightedness that, it will be under attack too, sooner or later.

By offering generous warmth to The Dalai Lama, Tibetan government in exile and thousands of followers, India has proved that it looks up to humanity and morale. It still holds dharma to be the blood running in its veins of valleys and basins across its land. Athiti devo Bhava! It has time and again proved that the guests are given all amenities and are put at comfort first. Probably an end to all this can be put only with a revolution for free-will within China ignited by Chinese themselves. I hope the Tibetan culture holds on to the dismantling string till that D-day. Else, another rich heritage will disappear into the thin air by merging with other cultures.

Twisted forever

A politician's profession is just another profession. In any profession, when it comes to handling one's duty, the best is delivered and justice done to the job if no emotions come attached as strings to the post one holds. When he/she emotes in profession, it leads to personal prejudices, especially in politics. Evidently, we have all seen on television the maaramaari happening in the parliament sessions. When do we behave in a similar way? Sometimes within our family, within the four walls and with our dear ones; also, one takes to violence (say something like throwing the central government's chairs at opposition parties)when one is extremely angry, seething to revolt and take revenge etc. - which is as good as an animal's behavior. Outrageous! A few months back there was an article by Pratap Simha in a kannada paper on the language used by our politicians (Indians to be specific). A brilliant article! It would have been nice if a copy of that column was posted to every politician in state - Just as a reminder. (But yeah! like it would make a difference to them!)

The most frequently appearing space in kannada news is on "Opposition demands the resignation of the Chief Minister". Why? Because he stumbled on a stone?! Lets go to basic rule of resistance. Why opposition and criticism? - Results when what we think is right is not being done by the one who is actually supposed to be doing it(one with the POWER in hands). And it is not supposed to result in public and press meets just for the sake of doing it and with an intention to snatch the POWER! (Our politicians never give up on this! Every opportunity is well used). As Winston Churchill quoted “Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.” Criticism should always be healthy in nature and a thoughtful one; a step towards rejuvenating the system by pulling out the drawbacks. It should be such that the one facing criticism provokes within him the same thoughts and inspires himself to turn those thoughts into actions. What we see in the Karnataka government is nowhere close to these simple rules of criticism. Criticism for them is mere opposition. Opposition offered to root out the rulers. Verbally, it is called abusing. Abusing too is not the word. Vulgarity? Nope! I do not know what it can be called. In democracy, the role of the opposition party should be as a supporting entity; joining hands with the ruling government to attain the set goals in a stipulated period of time. Showing them and reminding them of their promises if they deflect from the actual path to be followed. Providing feedback, alternate solutions, plans, policies. Utilize the time for the betterment of their own party, so that they can achieve better than the present government in future. It plays a significant role in democracy and in many ways. What we see instead is a 24X7 attempt by the opposition to crush the ruling party; spy on their moves; create havoc in sensitive situations through the party workers to degenerate the ruling party's thoda bahut bacha hua reputation(remember when Dr. Raj Kumar was kidnapped or similar situation?). But, all of the available time is spent to bring out mistakes in every other move of the ruling party. Sheer waste of time!

With the instance of BSY shedding tears at every criticism he faces in picture -
It would be great if he takes it as a challenge and proves the critics wrong. Nobody is here to sympathize him or get carried away by sentiments. Because almost none of his subjects share a personal relationship with him. Do your duty, gain trust. Deliver your promises, get respect. Anyway, with the suo motto powers debate and the resignation of the Lokayuktha officer(to the exact point of 2 years "celebration" - it simply shows), I think it all reduces to "politics". Be it BJP or Congress or JDS! They all belong to the same class. The class of politicians, until death parts them. All these days I used to repent not casting my vote. It is the duty of every responsible citizen to cast his/her vote. And I was kind of ashamed that I had not. But, for the first time I did not feel bad for holding back my vote.

The city of Pondicherry

The year was 2008. And it was our(4 friends') first cross-border (state) venture. And it was Tamil Nadu. With our base station as Chennai, we had one day to discover Pondicherry. I was more keen on looking at it as a former french colony, and kept my eyes open to look for the influence they had left back.
In front of one such building:

Driven by these intentions and concluding that the best way to accomplish them would be to wander on its streets, we hired bicycles from a local cycle shop. And I was right! There was no better way it could have been done, with the time-factor ticking away. The good old buildings and amazing architecture urged us to lock the images within us - eternally.

Pondicherry - with a perfect blend of Old Tamil traditions, disciplined city structure and a spicy French touch provided a good day off. If you are the kind who likes French cuisines, you can probably relax and spend time at one of the French cafes there. And not to forget the famous Aurobindo ashram, which was founded by Sir Aurobindo Ghosh. The ashram has a good collection of books as well.

The best part of the times I'd spent here would definitely be
> cycling on the streets - with aged architectural splendors surrounding our ride; old governmental buildings, specifically French ones.
> admiring the immensity of the ocean, which by the way appears all of a sudden, out of nowhere in the city of Pondicherry.. like a door opening to salvation!

2 purposes - caught!

"I shed my inhi­bi­tions, my fears, I trav­eled light. I traded my stock options for a lonely planet, my cell phone for a com­pass. My brief­case for a back­pack. I took off. I wan­dered in the com­pany of tourists, rev­el­ers & a gui­tar as old as me. I learned that peo­ple are good. Strangers are fas­ci­nat­ing. And that every jour­ney reveals another. I’ve lost track of time. And per­haps my job, my apart­ment & my fiance. But I have my com­pass & I know its point­ing me in the right direction "
- Found this quote on one of my favorite sites by Anita Bora.

Khuda ka raasta khula hai! May be this is what it means to just hit the road. And MOVE. Simply MOVE, meet new culture, be one amongst them, learn and explore. Appreciate and admire at creation and the manipulation of these creations. Take an unknown road, a bus or a rail whose destination is strange. Stop, drop and mingle. For, the best is felt and learnt when one mingles; living fully and by becoming one with his/her environment.. like the inseparable fragrance in the flower; the colors in paint. Ultimately, colors bloom in nature. So, does a human being. This alone gives the best experiences in life and once into the world, nothing is to be left unexplored. Because you wouldn't want to repent when you reach 60 years' milestone. "Into the wild" as Christopher McCandless in the name of Alexander Supertramp experimented with the Alaskan wilderness. Everything else is hottegaagi, genu battegaagi (which of course is important). But, the ultimate purpose of life would be to never stop exploring what it holds in it's navel. Desha sutthu, kosha oodhu. In my experience gained in years, I have found these two alone to be the prime purpose of life. The rest can rest! - i.e., On a broader perspective!

Another travel account

Bylakuppe

It’s a mini Tibet out there. Monks of age as small as 6-7 years can be found. The monastery is also a home for aged monks. This is one of the regions provided as shelter to the fleeing Tibetans. The Namdroling Monastery. Neatly maintained, you feel like you are in Tibet (minus the Himalayan ranges). When we arrived at the place, pleasant sounding prayers were in full swing, with monks chanting. Also, all of them equally astonished to look at us (– the visitors) as we were to look at them!

Many parts of the temple is built by gold, for which it is known as The Golden Temple – includes a massive statue of The Buddha and 6 other monks. The walls of the monastery are filled with beautiful and colorful paintings mostly depicting the life and stories of The Buddha. I tried to look around to find someone to get an explanation. But could not. Their dedication is worth an appreciation when it comes to preserving and propagating the teachings of Buddha to followers.

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta

It was surprising to feel a sudden decline in temperature as we moved up the Gopalaswamy hill, which is located near Gundlipete in Chamarajanagar district. It is the home of Lord Gopalaswamy (do observe the idol - is very divine and different, full of life). Water trickles down at the entrance of the garbha gudi for which it is prefixed “Himavad”, it is worshiped as the holy water. On one side of the hill, you find plain land and villages and the other side with mountains resembling the tea plantations of Munnar, with sun rays piercing the clouds onto the hills.

Talacauvery
Located in Brahmagiri, it is the place where River Cauvery (worshipped as a goddess - Lopamudre) takes birth. Talacauvery is a neatly maintained religious and tourist spot.

With the bit of gyan obtained from the pujaari – “Lopamudre was the wife of Agasthya muni. Like all sages, he set out on journeys for Loka-kalyana, with a nirbandhana on Lopamudre that she should stay at Brahmagiri. And somehow, with time, she decides to move forward and does. People around in Brahmagiri plead her to stop. So, during this time between her start of flow and stop by the local people, it is not known where she flows or how she flows – and is thus known to flow as Guptagaamini. After a distance, Cauvery reappears in Bhagamandala”. There is a small temple of Agasthya muni within the premises of River Cauvery’s origin.
Brahmagiri amidst the clouds holds with it, a breath-taking scenic view and it gave me a second chance to be a part of the clouds! Bhagamandala has a temple of Lord Bhagamandaleshwara. Temple's architecture is influenced by Tibetan style. “Triveni Sanagama” – the sangama of rivers Cauvery, Kannika and Sujothi can also be seen here. It was all dried up with very less water.

Kodagu

Well, what can I say about this part of the world! Words can’t describe and colors can’t paint! The smallest district in Karnataka, but tremendously huge in beauty - with misty mornings and drizzles at least once per day! There is no particular place that I can describe, but the city of Madikeri was not very impressive. It is the surrounding towns that catch you. One aspect to look out for – the towns and its people close the day as early as 8 – 9 pm (you will not find a single shop open, nor a house that has burning lights). Each patch of land is beautiful and green with coffee estates. Those who are passionate about driving (and don’t mind the road curves) will have a great time here. Just start your engine and move – anywhere! Reward – Fresh air and nature’s best looks!
If you get a chance, you can visit the neatly maintained estates. The place gives a hard time for school-going children who live here. They commute everyday on foot to attend schools and colleges.
A great break from the city’s buzzing life; I missed it for almost a week. Coorg holds my hometown (though this was only my second visit in life till date) and that makes me a proud Coorgi! (not those native Kodavas)

One Love

China (also the rest of the eastern countries) amazes me. I have literally fallen in love with this nation and its ways. The name “China” has Indian origin (from Sanskrit Cheena). I wholeheartedly wish India and China get together and form what has been known as Chindia lately. It will be the dawn of a super power. Both nations show tremendous growth in economy (though India is way behind China) and the recent President’s visit seems to have set a new start in the bilateral relations. May be things could have been sorted out with much care immediately after Independence. Nehru’s lack of introspection when it came to political diplomacy, appointment of his kin Krishna Menon, who triumphed at the same, ruined a possible chance to avoid enmity. Tibet and Dalai Lama only formed one of the inevitable causes for deteriorating the relations further. It will forever hurt that the then President, Nehru was so complacent when it came to handling a frenzied situation, put a regiment at stake with a neighboring country, with his mind lost in visiting (rather touring) countries across the world (while his own lay burning). He paid no heed to the compromising conditions (which was supposed to be a reasonable deal) put forth by the Chinese (in an attempt from their side to save further destruction caused by war), and he openly declared to “teach China a lesson” (Haha!) with seldom knowledge of the inadequacies faced by his own army! I can’t recall the numbers accurately; in the final encounter, each Indian soldier (with tattered clothes, famished because of lack of appetite, eye sight blurred because of a false promise from the government to provide them with sunglasses for protection against the harsh sunlight reflections in ice-capped mountains) had to fight several (5 I think, not sure) fresh, energetic, well-equipped, brisk Chinese soldiers. The end of a once glorious troop with its brigadier captured and taken to China. I would suggest the book Himalayan Blunder. The author (brigadier) describes that there is no humiliation for a soldier greater than being captured alive, set free in his home country after term served, and then being a target for the doubts and questions raised on his patriotism by his own country – which he had to go through. The book awakens and provokes every emotion present in you. The plight of Indian soldiers – no matter how much I describe here, I’ll hugely fall short from conveying its intensity.

“Not everything from the west is good” - was the remark that my Chinese born-brought up in Canada-USA citizen-visiting India boss put in front of our team when we were discussing some social issue. I’d say, nothing from the west is good! (not referring to South America) One of the worst feelings (or the best - depends) for a person is when he does not want to be himself anymore - which is the driving factor for him to change. Change is the rule of life - change in persona, an individual human being or the change/evolution seen in a set of people-forming a civilization - as I have elaborated in my previous post. We do live in a civilized society. But present Indian way of living – I do not understand. Is it some kind of a hybrid model of the Eastern world meeting the western world leading to a renewal and replacement of our good old traditions and customs? If yes, why the change? Or, is it that the customs and our way of life have been forgotten because we do not have enough time to ponder over it? Why do we think the west is good? (When I say “we”, I mean the changing lot of us, the changing aspects and who think the west is the best) I am referring it to be thought of as being “good” by us, because, you wouldn’t change or favor it, had it not been good. Or, is it because our way of living was “not so good”? (Phew! I am complicating it!)

The North American continent (which forms the prominent part of the” West”) - have we noticed has no age-old civilization of their own? A bunch of European people followed Christopher Columbus’s discovery –English, Dutch, French, Spanish and so on formed colonies and it is their descendants that form “The West” now. The very first line in wiki on American History -“The first residents of what is now the United States emigrated from Asia over 15,000 years ago by crossing Beringia into Alaska. Archaeological evidence of these peoples, the ancestors of the Native Americans, dates to 14,000 years ago”. The natives of that land are the Indians or the Red Indians. Even if you browse, its history starts with Columbus (1493 AD)! The so called “western civilization” formed because they got a vast, never-inhabited land (almost a continent), started from the scratch, applied and implemented all the success of Industrial revolution and the boon of newly emerging technology and made it what it looks today. Yelli namma centuries old traditions and civilization, and where the recently emerged set of burger-eating civilization! (Pizza is again Italian) No match whatsoever! Australia also comes under “The west”. The British sent prisoners to Australia (mainly Irish) and the formation of colonies again. The Aborigines of Australia are the native Australians.

So, with all these in mind, why is it that we do not want to be us anymore? What is it that the west has that entices the “changing us” so much!?! Are we so vulnerable to change that we are putting no efforts at all to resist the change? Or let me put it as - changing in the streams one necessarily has to, to keep in pace with the world is acceptable. But, it does not mean one has to give up what forms his roots’ identity. To give up our culture, heritage, (worst – some of them even despise it) is not agreeable. If this continues, there will be nothing of our Indian Civilization left for the future generations to dwell on. It will probably settle down to Graduate course on "Studies of Indian Culture and Heritage" by the Universities that exist in the West.

The Indian peninsula and the South-East Asia are rich with culture and heritage that the West cannot attain even after billions of years. Every custom Hinduism – Sanatana Dharma (includes Hindus, Buddhists, Chinese, Jains, Sikhs etc), Islam follow has a reason behind it (superstitions exempted). We have had great mathematicians like Aryabhata and Bhaskaracharya. Aryabhata – inventor of zero. To imagine the mathematical world without zero is itself scary (at least to me!) What would the poor infinity (1/0) do!! How would the metric system take birth! Bhaskaracharya’s renowned mathematics treatise “Leelavathi” – is the name chosen for a prestigious International math award. Chanakya – a great administrator and politician, a shrewd observer. I happened to flip pages of the Arthashastra at a book store and I directly landed on the page which gave “Ways of torture” (The description itself sounded torturous!) What a keen observer! The Buddha and his principles. Epics of Ramayana and Mahabharatha define Dharma, inculcate morals and values. We gave the world Nalanda University – where the affluent from across the world came to study. What happened to our way of living?! At least it deserves reminiscence, recognition and respect - and today’s generation aren’t even aware of how great a civilization they are born in! Swami Vivekananda - with his speech in Chicago caught the world mass back in 1893. Every other aspect is changing, ranging from no Akbar – Birbal stories, no Tenali Rama, no gilli danda and kuntepille for children to HARIKATHE, YAKSHAGANA – which might vanish within 5-6 decades. Vedas – I myself don’t know wholly what it is actually about. Yes, we have to change with time. But, not to the extent of letting go all that should be held on to.

Back to relations with China, if media leaves the two countries’ diplomats alone (stop forecasting China war 2012!), they would settle down to form a close relationship. http://www.hindu.com/2010/06/10/stories/2010061062390800.htm I loved the last line in the article - A top member of the Indian official delegation summed up India-China relations in terms of “pengyou” and “zhengyou.” “Pengyou” is a superficial friend. “Zhengyou” is a serious, real friend who will frankly admit to problems and work at overcoming them: “We have a zhengyou relationship with China.” Great!

M - factor

How is it that practices change over years in a civilization? Indus, Incas, Mesopotamia, Egyptian and the rest no longer exist. It is the traces of their practices that remain in today’s era of globalization. Change is the rule of life. And it is the same rule everywhere, in every country. Diversity in ways of living that once existed across the globe is fast disappearing; it is as well converging towards a common “way of living” and lifestyle. Evolution - Biological evolution, ecological evolution and the evolution experienced by a civilization. Biological evolution is driven by the necessity for creatures to adapt themselves to the environment. Early human hand was long enough to reach his knees when he stood erect. It is getting shorter with years as a result of evolution. (I am however not very sure of this as I vaguely remember coming across it several years ago) Ecological evolution is how the ecology along with its contents (living and non-living) change, as it gets old. Global warming must be a by-product of forced evolution. It is the evolution in civilization that has kept me preoccupied lately. Changes in individuals cumulatively result in the change of that civilization over the years. Symptoms can be as minute as how you dress-up your child or eating etiquette or even the kind of music a generation listens to.

Indians are evidently not the same they were in early 1900’s or centuries ago. Things have changed. Yes, and they should change. I have always believed that there will be something or the other to be learnt from every individual or even a nation! One has to take the best and leave the rest. MNCs came as a boon to India which held (and still holds) a “developing” tag. One of the results of globalization is the growth of MNCs in India. And one of the consequences of this growth of MNCs is the heavy financial package they offer (not post-recession). This has in a way brought-up the standard of living of people. After all, Dollars' and Euros’ worth are much more than rupees. These companies get a fair trade to use human resource from this part of the world. One such Indian couple worked for MNCs. The man earned around 80k-90k and the wife 60k-70k (approximate figures). After 2-3 years of marriage they got a child. After child-birth, its mother was not to be found in the hospital while the infant was very much there. Two pair of happy, welcoming (for the grandchild) grandparents panicked and looked for the mother. I don’t know what happened after this..until after 2-3 months from the child’s birth, grandparents insisted they will not hand over the child to the parents. The parents moved the court and the grandparents’ justification was that the infant’s parents planned to sell the baby. The court’s decision favored the young couple and a couple of months after the verdict, the infant was sold by its parents for 20 lakhs! This was an article in a local newspaper. And it shocked the hell out of me! When asked why they sold the infant – They did not have enough money to buy a house and that they planned to have another baby for the real “baby-purpose”! I thought the under-developed, uneducated, born in rags India did all this business and the reason is - to make a living. But, this is just so unethical! Can this be termed human trafficking as well? Looks like giving birth to off springs and putting them for sale will be the booming industry in the coming days! Simple rule (if emotions deducted) Get-together, Generate, Sell!! What about that woman? How could she even think of committing such an act! There is an old saying - There can be a bad son in this world, but never a bad mother. I need not elaborate more on this. Money is prioritized more than human relations in these days. It is better to revise the adages for this “modern civilized society”.

“Experience is almost always a greater determinant of happiness than things are. We want the new car and believe it will bring us happiness. Meanwhile, the vacation seems like a splurge. But if you’re going on vacation, odds are somebody’s going with you. And when we’re connected well to others, we feel most happy. A vacation also creates lasting memories. A car? It sits in the driveway, gets old and rusts, looks worse than the neighbors, and starts causing you dissatisfaction rather than satisfaction”— David Hochman.
I do agree that money plays a significant role and the world runs on this M-factor. But, obsession to it leads to madness and the insanity will leave us with an immoral civilization. In the end, none will be benefitted - not even the one who craves for money and earns it.

His-story

It sure is a time for celebrating Kasab’s death sentence, though the implementation looks to be way ahead in the time machine. It also definitely is a verdict any judicial body of a sane civilization that respects humanity would give. But, who knows! With the mercy petitions, may be by the time he gets executed (will he?), the world might end as well! Yes. It is a crime to kill other human beings. Killing of the innocent – History has mega-tons of stories on this. The twin nuclear bombings on Hiroshima & Nagasaki during World War ll, where people were literally burnt on a clear morning with the heat radiations ripping their skin and flesh off, within a fraction of a second, miles away from the epicenter. Jallianwallah Bagh massacre – innocent Indians fighting non-violently for a cause were fired at by General Dyre (that too by sealing the area without leaving anyone, not even women and children to escape). Africans, were made slaves and brought to work in plantations in South America and were similarly shipped across to other continents, mainly Europe. As I read somewhere, they were chained to form a line, made to walk miles (killed then and there if one of them got tired or fainted under the scorching sun) and transported in what were designated to be slave ships. They were put in a particular enclosure in the ship – naked - men and women alike, with no escape from all the remnants a human being leaves at the end of the day (within the same enclosure in the ship) – This lead to epidemic and killed several. On reaching the destination, they would parade naked and the lords would buy the ones that interested them. The Lords’ rank in the society would be set based on the number of slaves they owned. Only after the slaves fought back in unison were some reformations brought in locally. The Inca king was murdered in the capitol square by the Spanish explorer Pizzaro in 1533 AD. Spain, back then, was shattered by drought, natural calamities and was also deprived of riches, as a result of which a born-in-poor-family, hungry-for-power Francisco Pizzaro sought after the much heard riches in the land of the Incas. Incas’ riches and innocence were exploited and was shipped to their home country for the first time by Pizzaro (similar to Vasco DaGama’s ’discovery’ of India). The Incas never for centuries knew the existence of wheel. They built their civilization site as we it see today by commuting to places on foot, even built the renowned Machu Pichu by travelling tough paths and steep ranges on foot! Their Engineering skills were simply amazing to exist in that era! How brilliant! How innovative to cultivate with Terrace farming! And sheer hard-work to do so even without iron/alloyed tools for digging up the steps to form terraces, without any contact with the outside world! (They mostly used sharpened wooden ends). Added to that, no wheels to transport themselves or materials! Wheel is the best invention and fire - the best discovery in the history of mankind till date if you ask me. Gold was the main material in use – for ornamental purpose; the mummies were fitted with gold sheets molded to form Masks. The Spanish described the land to be a land of riches, which was the sole motivation for the conquest of the Incas. The Spanish invasion and the capture of the Inca King, Atahualpa (who was considered to be a descendent of the Sun – their god, by its subjects (Inca civilians)) led to the civilians’ and the administration’s exploitation, who were not well–advanced in war technology when compared to the Spanish. Thousands who rebelled against Spanish’s forced conversion to Christianity were killed. All this in turn led to the destruction of a great civilization. The killings go on either in the name of religion or for land. The Kalinga war by Ashoka and the Mughals‘ exploitation are more examples for land. Europe’s domination and formation of colonies is another. Each era has had its set of sources and elements which caused evitable killings. Ours is terrorism.

Back to Kasab’s deeds - It is a sin which can gain no redemption ever - yes. Barging into the political boundary of another country and showering bullets on the unaware, innocent and its least expecting natives is no doubt brutal. We all live in tomorrow’s History. What we witness today will be probably read, analyzed and even blogged by the next generation (like I am doing now) to be history. All these have been happening since the time civilizations across the world took birth – only called by different names. A couple of months ago, there was a cover page article on the miseries and the circumstances that people who form terrorists and their family are surrounded in. As a friend of mine always says – Everyone is a product of his environment. Kasab would definitely not be the same had he been brought up in a conservative South Indian family of the same caste as his or a nomad in the Austrian ranges! The environment and inculcation of values, urge to earn money to look after an over-flowing family, poverty, resilience to other’s ideas and fickle-minded approach all could possibly be the reasons. . If you had asked me a couple of days after 26/11, I would be fuming and probably said he deserves to be shot in the head - immediately! But now, I actually feel a little sad for the guy. He is a person with no formal education. No knowledge of the outside world during his upbringing. Somewhere in his hometown, his mother may be awaiting his return, like a Kashmiri mother awaits her son, with no clue on his terrorist links and whereabouts (not even if he is dead or alive). A terrorist’s wife will not even know if her husband is alive or dead. The article mentioned a woman who married for the second time after her husband (alleged terrorist) did not return, with much opposition from her first in-law’s family. It also illustrated a dozen more women who are still awaiting the return of their better-half and that their husband’s memories are enough to emotionally spend this life. Small children are given heavy guns, forced into terrorism and trained. How well is a small child of 10 or 11 years old, without (or even with) schooling, supposed to judge what is right and what is not! The root cause is elsewhere. The master-minds behind all these are elsewhere – those people have all the education necessary and beyond. They may be the known terrorist associations or the governments themselves! (The 9/11 was claimed to be a conspiracy by the US government itself). Matters and people to be revealed will not be revealed, because of the power vested in their hands. Kasab and his associates formed only a tool and means of achieving what was to be achieved by a much elated terrorist or terror-supporting body’s conspiracy. Like Morgan Freeman tells in The Shawshank Redemption – “The guy who committed the crime then, was a stupid boy, who didn’t know what the outside world was..But, there is no way this old man can go explain that boy..the ways of the world”. May be Kasab is feeling the same or would probably feel the same if left to grow old. But, in vain. What has been done, cannot be undone.

A link between Indian tigers and Indian female infants

Number of talks over saving Indian tigers around. Only "talks" and "extended heart-felt support". Does it really matter? Everyone sure does "feel" for the soon-to-perish specie. I'd say, stop sympathizing! Those poor creatures don't even have a developed brain (like we do!) to understand that their Cat family is awaiting a full stop in the near future. And our "warmth" will not save tigers in anyway. It all finally rests in the hands of Forest department officials, Zoo authorities and poachers. Even as I express my concern over the matter here, nothing is going to change. So, stop sympathizing. Deforestation and taking away their natural habitat from them will definitely not leave them with an ideal environment and home to flourish!! It's a fact that everyone was aware of and will be - eternally. Also, it is an obvious and expected outcome and are only the consequences of what all of us have done together - knowingly or unknowingly. "Haavu saaybeku, koolu muribaardu" is impossible to be reached. It is like pinching a baby hard and asking it to shut it's mouth from crying. Necessary steps to preserve sufficient part of the land as reserved forest and natural habitat for these animals should have been strictly enforced - which has not been done and will not be done!

Future? No big difference.
We studied in our school days - "Dodo was a beautiful flightless bird that existed in the Andaman and Nicobar, Mauritius and around the Indian Ocean islands."
Our children will study (or rather, we will teach them) - "Tiger W...A...S the national animal of India with majestic appearance and wonderful stripes! You know kid..I had seen it at the circus when I was in kindergarten! You gotta have a look at it's picture! Affsooos! You are not lucky enough to see it alive!" Circus - That reminds me of animals exploited for entertainment (which in turn reminds me of Maneka Gandhi and that movie Kaal - which had neatly gained itself a red-eye from animal activists and the illegal department for tiger - torture) Now, wait..I am reminded of a lot of things - some Hollywood actress who draped herself with fur ; Salman Khan who was behind bars for hunting Chinkara (endangered again) and many more.
What a pity! Ahaan! But, don't sympathize! As long as we continue to consume their natural habitat and continue to hunt them for pleasure, skin, fur, tusk or whatever! - There is no way that they will increase their population numbers.

Time for some gags. I read this somewhere (funny but a hard-core fact) which caused me to write this post :
"Save girls!...

Only 824 per 1000 men left
........

Just saving Tigers will not help!!
........

We can't take a tigress on a date!"

Yep..Female infanticide. Personally, I think, the whole process of reproduction in all animals is the most magically spectacular thing in the history of biological evolution! It's simply a masterpiece created by whoever it is...sheer beauty! Giving life - Sounds as good as the concept of Sanjeevini to me. But, tigers and wild animals are not the only ones who get into the hands of poachers. Human beings themselves hunt human beings, moreover their own offsprings (especially female ones - as good as killing the essence and origin of life. Forget humanitarian grounds, such "poachers" don't even realise that they are in this world only because of another female!). India and China are well-known for female infanticide and the practice still exists. And I'm not left with any words (to express concern on this murderous deed), but sympathy. Sympathy not only for those infants, but at the ignorance and lack of moral maturity in these "poachers". And like I said, nothing is going to change at the end of this post.

Kasturi

A sweet frangrance in musk deer is Kasturi. Kasturi - kannada magazine has served it's kannada readers since ages spreading the fragrance it desires to. While I picked up the latest copy lying on the table in my house to flip pages, something caught my interest. An article on the death of Chandrashekar Azad. An unbudging man to the British, a martyr at the age of 25 - with such an impact on the British that they feared and thought twice before even nearing his dead body! It is said that the then officer NatBauer fired Azad's feet under the tree where his body laid motionless, fearing he might come to life to wage an attack anytime. Years later, the same officer shows his bullet wound marks caused by Azad with pride to a journalist.

His ashes (the chita bhasma) preserved (more than his life - through deep illness and solitude in personal life) by a relative of Azad was taken on freedom marches and anniversaries at the Alfred park, Allahabad, after his death to invoke a sense of need for freedom. A part of it was used for the Brahman rituals and another part was put in the Allahabad Museum along with all the memorials of Azad. And now, the catch - it went missing! - says the article. Gone are the days when youngsters like Azad and Bhagat Singh offered to offer and also offered their lives for the nation's struggle. Yes, there is no need for a revolution now, because we live in the post-independence period. Everyone is happy and gay with his life and enjoying his freedom of speech, expression, equality and corruption..and the presence of hedonistic political system!! Now are the days where youngsters offer their lives for a love failure and exam failure! In fact, my very own classmate committed suicide after PU exams by setting herself on fire..even after securing a first class. Rabindranath Tagore's Nobel medal and important citations got stolen! Where? How? In a bank burglary? From a bank locker? Ah..let me think..from a University Museum! (reminds me of Dhoom-2) Yes, it happens only in the Indian system. Anybody else would have preserved it like he preserves a gem in his life. He would have loved it like he loves his family. But, on the other hand, there are businessmen like Vijay Mallya who, though out of a flair for flamboyance, (but still) patriotic and a proud Kannadiga does appreciable work (apart from breweries) and brings back - specifically to Karnataka, the sword of Tippu Sultan from London and to India, Gandhiji's belongings from New York.

The same experience with historical monuments - several parts of carvings at Belur, Halebidu being severely damaged..most of it out of intended harm and experiments. And nowadays, many historical monuments depicting sagas of local love stories..I mean, 'carvings' like Nanda loves Nandita (Sorry, bad example). Individually, it does not take much to respect what is our own and in maintaining our belongings to keep them in good shape. Not littering - that's a different issue altogether. I am referring to preserving what we have, what has been passed on and holds great significance of our culture and heritage; places and things of National significance. We definitely cannot protect it from natural erosion, but let's not harm them from our side. Kasturi, the fragrance resides in our ways, like it resides in the musk deer. Hope everyone identifies his/her share present within him/her.

Towards better

"Thousands of years ago, the first man discovered how to make fire. He was probably burned at the stake he had taught his brothers to light. He was considered an evildoer who had dealt with a demon mankind dreaded. But thereafter men had fire to keep them warm, to cook their food, to light their caves. He had left them a gift they had not conceived and he had lifted darkness off the earth. Centuries later, the first man invented the wheel. He was probably torn on the rack he had taught his brothers to build. He was considered a transgressor who ventured into forbidden territory. But thereafter, men could travel past any horizon. He had left them a gift they had not conceived and he had opened the roads of the world.

That man, the unsubmissive and first, stands in the opening chapter of every legend mankind has recorded about its beginning. Prometheus was chained to a rock and torn by vultures--because he had stolen the fire of the gods. Adam was condemned to suffer--because he had eaten the fruit of the tree of knowledge. Whatever the legend, somewhere in the shadows of its memory mankind knew that its glory began with one and that that one paid for his courage.

Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own vision. Their goals differed, but they all had this in common: that the step was first, the road new, the vision unborrowed, and the response they received--hatred. The great creators--the thinkers, the artists, the scientists, the inventors--stood alone against the men of their time. Every great new thought was opposed. Every great new invention was denounced. The first motor was considered foolish. The first airplane was considered impossible. The power loom was considered vicious. Anesthesia was considered sinful. But the men of unborrowed vision went ahead. They fought, they suffered and they paid. But they won."

-Howard Roark (borrowed from Fountainhead - Ayn Rand)