"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)
Friday, April 16, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
A star
Birth and death are the two extremes of life. Man comes unarmed to this world; makes his mark- some reach great heights, some normal, some never put efforts to raise and some rise negatively (no efforts necessary). His deeds and actions will solely be responsible to create the person he seems to be in the intellect of people around him. In the end, leaves the world leaving behind his everything.
“Woman’s Day” is a “cause to celebrate womanhood and their achievements in political, economic and social backgrounds and became simply an occasion for men to express their love for women in a way somewhat similar to a mixture of Mother's Day and St Valentine's Day”. O..h…h Yeah! One whole day in 365 days! (Unbearably too much of love showered on us!! :D) Anyway, this piece is not to take a stand on Woman’s day celebration. I am here to shower my whole-hearted appreciation on a Keralite woman who lives in my lane. Keralites are well-known for their humanitarian deeds and service to mankind. This woman in picture, married a widower 7 years ago. His profession is in another continent altogether and I have no idea how often he visits home. She lives here. The man has a physically challenged, beautiful (and I mean beautiful!) daughter from his first wife, who needs assistance in every other activity. What amazed me, is the pride that this step-mother shows about her daughter; the care with which she looks after her daughter. I have heard that it's hard to explain in words the feeling of motherhood. Hats-off to this mother who word-to-word has given her everything for the well-being of her daughter (I do not want to use the word ‘step’ anymore) I have always wanted to write about this wonderful young woman (who is almost of the same age as her daughter) from the day I met her. Such grace and simplicity; least expecting anything more from life. This is what should constitute stardom and celebration. And I know there are millions across the world who go unnoticed.
“Woman’s Day” is a “cause to celebrate womanhood and their achievements in political, economic and social backgrounds and became simply an occasion for men to express their love for women in a way somewhat similar to a mixture of Mother's Day and St Valentine's Day”. O..h…h Yeah! One whole day in 365 days! (Unbearably too much of love showered on us!! :D) Anyway, this piece is not to take a stand on Woman’s day celebration. I am here to shower my whole-hearted appreciation on a Keralite woman who lives in my lane. Keralites are well-known for their humanitarian deeds and service to mankind. This woman in picture, married a widower 7 years ago. His profession is in another continent altogether and I have no idea how often he visits home. She lives here. The man has a physically challenged, beautiful (and I mean beautiful!) daughter from his first wife, who needs assistance in every other activity. What amazed me, is the pride that this step-mother shows about her daughter; the care with which she looks after her daughter. I have heard that it's hard to explain in words the feeling of motherhood. Hats-off to this mother who word-to-word has given her everything for the well-being of her daughter (I do not want to use the word ‘step’ anymore) I have always wanted to write about this wonderful young woman (who is almost of the same age as her daughter) from the day I met her. Such grace and simplicity; least expecting anything more from life. This is what should constitute stardom and celebration. And I know there are millions across the world who go unnoticed.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Triviality of Life
A friend of mine who is currently in the internship stage of medicine shared with me and another friend of mine, the experiences she gets to witness in the government hospitals. Having pronounced 11 people dead in just a month, she drove all of us into the “triviality of life” mood on a Sunday evening, exclaiming “Why is Tendulkar running between wickets!? There is so much more to life than running on the field!” (I have always disliked biology in my life! Those terms I still find hard to register and remember. I looked back to find out the path and source of this dislike towards the subject; and bingo! It was Chloro-Fluoro-Carbons! Panicked to have not signed in a sheet every student was supposed to (in board exams), which I had not done, I had forgotten to answer a 2 mark question on CFCs! (Not an issue of marks. C’mon! After all CFC’s, How could I forget!! ) Blaming my fate for the day and my stupidity to have panicked; then and there - it started. To this day I feel like running out to my answer sheet and scribbling CFCs on the booklet!)
With the triviality of life in focus:
One kannada TV channel aired a program, with its host offering to resolve problems, family disputes (etc) and the rest of the channels followed with the same theme. Kathe alla…and some similar ones. According to me, it is one of the worst things the media has done or will ever do when it comes to broadcasting reality show category programs. Filming all the distress a family is going through and exploiting the plight of children of that family and airing it for commercial purposes is an awful motive. There are several organizations to serve the same purpose. If the genuine intention is to resolve the issue, people who seek their help can as well do so with such organizations. I end up feeling they approach these channels just to go on air. A difference between two people is natural. But, is it not in our hands to resolve it and move on for the better without letting it out to the public? Next one is - Art of living. Someone else has to equip me with an art to live my life? It scares me, the way today’s society approaches to make a living - both spiritual and worldly. Control over mind and actions cannot be taught by anyone. The very realization to gain control would suffice. With such rapid changes in lifestyles, I have lost hopes that the coming generation will do any better as it is a responsibility of these people (also) to make a tomorrow.
With the triviality of life in focus:
One kannada TV channel aired a program, with its host offering to resolve problems, family disputes (etc) and the rest of the channels followed with the same theme. Kathe alla…and some similar ones. According to me, it is one of the worst things the media has done or will ever do when it comes to broadcasting reality show category programs. Filming all the distress a family is going through and exploiting the plight of children of that family and airing it for commercial purposes is an awful motive. There are several organizations to serve the same purpose. If the genuine intention is to resolve the issue, people who seek their help can as well do so with such organizations. I end up feeling they approach these channels just to go on air. A difference between two people is natural. But, is it not in our hands to resolve it and move on for the better without letting it out to the public? Next one is - Art of living. Someone else has to equip me with an art to live my life? It scares me, the way today’s society approaches to make a living - both spiritual and worldly. Control over mind and actions cannot be taught by anyone. The very realization to gain control would suffice. With such rapid changes in lifestyles, I have lost hopes that the coming generation will do any better as it is a responsibility of these people (also) to make a tomorrow.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Medication
Improper medication and consequences/side effects of proper medication are the third major cause of death in the USA. Pharmaceutical industry is not a life-saver always, rather a steady step towards death (can be a rapid step as well) and detriment of health. The most recent example would be that of Michael Jackson and the farthest away in history I can recall is that of Marilyn Monroe. It is hard for a person like me to accept the fact that some people do not live on food and greens but on chemicals! A couple of years ago, I had read a book named “Death by prescription” by an American doctor, Ray D Strand where he clearly illustrates with instances the long-term effects of drugs(“medicines”) very much approved by the FDA(Food and Drug Administration-the US department for health and human services). Wiki states-The FDA is an agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services responsible for protecting and promoting the nation's public health. A drug which was released (approved by FDA) with short term experimentation resulted in severe side-effects eight years after its consumption. I would suggest everyone who resorts to allopathy (especially) for trivial illness to read the book. It is also important to realize that doctors and physicians themselves learn with time. For instance, they would experiment on the dosage of the medicine to be administered on the person. And a small miscalculation can take a U-turn in the way the body responds to these chemicals and end it all.
When a person consults a doctor, he is entrusting the functioning of his body henceforth into the doctor’s hands. One needs a prescription to undergo medication. As soon as people resort to the products of the pharmaceutical industry based on advertisements or even because of a word of mouth, they put their health and life in the fatal zone. Many tell-“Doctor is no more a noble profession” and is driven by the money factor. But, I do believe that some genuinely dedicated, service-minded ones still exist. My point is-Chemicals are always harmful. Be it from air/water/soil pollution or in the form of medication. Pollution in air? - Organizations go on rallies; create awareness; urge people to use lead-free petrol etc. Fine-to save earth and to hence save ourselves. What about the chemicals that are consumed with eyes wide open and all senses alert?
Everything from the west is the best is the Indian Philosophy. There is a saying in Kannada- Hiththala gida maddalla. That which can be cured with a cure available at arm’s length, is unnecessarily taken to unwanted consequences. But, I do not rule out the necessity of going to a doctor in case of extreme illness (I personally appreciate Ayurveda in this regard). Prevention is better than cure. I do not want to list the to-be-consumed-for-good-health and to-be-kept-at-bay eatables here. Everyone is aware of it. The only three significant parameters that can judge one’s health would be - Good sleep, Hunger and Digestion. As long as these three flourish in you and me, there should be no room for worries.
Here's the book overview I found:
Book overview
Did you know?|#xD; #xD; The leading drug problem in the U.S. today is not the use of illegal drugs-it is the use of legal drugs. #xD; The fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. is properly prescribed and administered medication. By adding improperly prescribed medication to that equation, it becomes the third leading cause of death. #xD; There are over 2 million hospital admissions and 180,000 deaths each and every year in the U.S. due solely to adverse drug reactions #xD; When the FDA approves a medication for use by the general public, less than half of the serious drug reactions are known. You-the patient-become the final clinical trial. #xD; #xD;If you aren't aware of these facts, and you don't have the tools and information to counter them, you are at risk. #xD;Experienced family doctor Ray Strand writes his patients prescriptions every week, but he also believes that prescribing drugs should be a last resort in most medical cases-not a first choice. In Death by Prescription he provides simple guidelines to help readers protect themselves and their families from suffering adverse reactions to prescription medication.
When a person consults a doctor, he is entrusting the functioning of his body henceforth into the doctor’s hands. One needs a prescription to undergo medication. As soon as people resort to the products of the pharmaceutical industry based on advertisements or even because of a word of mouth, they put their health and life in the fatal zone. Many tell-“Doctor is no more a noble profession” and is driven by the money factor. But, I do believe that some genuinely dedicated, service-minded ones still exist. My point is-Chemicals are always harmful. Be it from air/water/soil pollution or in the form of medication. Pollution in air? - Organizations go on rallies; create awareness; urge people to use lead-free petrol etc. Fine-to save earth and to hence save ourselves. What about the chemicals that are consumed with eyes wide open and all senses alert?
Everything from the west is the best is the Indian Philosophy. There is a saying in Kannada- Hiththala gida maddalla. That which can be cured with a cure available at arm’s length, is unnecessarily taken to unwanted consequences. But, I do not rule out the necessity of going to a doctor in case of extreme illness (I personally appreciate Ayurveda in this regard). Prevention is better than cure. I do not want to list the to-be-consumed-for-good-health and to-be-kept-at-bay eatables here. Everyone is aware of it. The only three significant parameters that can judge one’s health would be - Good sleep, Hunger and Digestion. As long as these three flourish in you and me, there should be no room for worries.
Here's the book overview I found:
Book overview
Did you know?|#xD; #xD; The leading drug problem in the U.S. today is not the use of illegal drugs-it is the use of legal drugs. #xD; The fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. is properly prescribed and administered medication. By adding improperly prescribed medication to that equation, it becomes the third leading cause of death. #xD; There are over 2 million hospital admissions and 180,000 deaths each and every year in the U.S. due solely to adverse drug reactions #xD; When the FDA approves a medication for use by the general public, less than half of the serious drug reactions are known. You-the patient-become the final clinical trial. #xD; #xD;If you aren't aware of these facts, and you don't have the tools and information to counter them, you are at risk. #xD;Experienced family doctor Ray Strand writes his patients prescriptions every week, but he also believes that prescribing drugs should be a last resort in most medical cases-not a first choice. In Death by Prescription he provides simple guidelines to help readers protect themselves and their families from suffering adverse reactions to prescription medication.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
What's in a name
Juliet:
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."
Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)
Beautifully put..
It sure does not matter what the name of the person is. In the end, it is only an addressing mode! However, when I witnessed a mother calling out her son (a small kid) as Loose Maada in a hospital(!!)(not a nick name either), I realised,(and taken aback!) these names do happen in real life. The impact that the off-late kannada movies are having on the 'easily-vulnerable and influenced by all class of movies; readily capable to adopt the WHATEVER depicted in the movie into our lives' is huge. Be it violence, eshtyle or saas-bahu soaps on TV. Probable reason-lack of self examination. In one of the episodes of Ravi Belegere's program yendu mareyada haadu, he remarked on the quality of movies the industry is producing (In his words(movies)-Long uu, Macch uu, Kencha etc)..an exponential fall from the quality that existed in the times of Puttanna Kanagal and his contemporaries (Bhutayyana maga ayyu, Manasa sarovara, Yedakallu Gudda.., Upaasane, Naagara haavu, Mane mane kathe and many more) It is with regret I admit that the current kananda film industry has absolute ZERO innovation and creativity when compared to the neighbouring tamil, telugu and malyalam movies..inspite of bearing the tag of giving out veterans and laureates in literature/theater such as Girish Karnad, Master Hiranniah, S L Bhairappa, Triveni.
So, what's in a name? It sure reflects on the quality of life the person is living. And it is also told that a person lives upto the meaning of his/her name..i.e., the meaning of the name fits well/describes the character of the person possessing that name. If Shakespeare (in 2010) were to know Kannada and were to hear to Loose Maada kind of names, he would probably consider revising his subsequent editions.
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."
Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)
Beautifully put..
It sure does not matter what the name of the person is. In the end, it is only an addressing mode! However, when I witnessed a mother calling out her son (a small kid) as Loose Maada in a hospital(!!)(not a nick name either), I realised,(and taken aback!) these names do happen in real life. The impact that the off-late kannada movies are having on the 'easily-vulnerable and influenced by all class of movies; readily capable to adopt the WHATEVER depicted in the movie into our lives' is huge. Be it violence, eshtyle or saas-bahu soaps on TV. Probable reason-lack of self examination. In one of the episodes of Ravi Belegere's program yendu mareyada haadu, he remarked on the quality of movies the industry is producing (In his words(movies)-Long uu, Macch uu, Kencha etc)..an exponential fall from the quality that existed in the times of Puttanna Kanagal and his contemporaries (Bhutayyana maga ayyu, Manasa sarovara, Yedakallu Gudda.., Upaasane, Naagara haavu, Mane mane kathe and many more) It is with regret I admit that the current kananda film industry has absolute ZERO innovation and creativity when compared to the neighbouring tamil, telugu and malyalam movies..inspite of bearing the tag of giving out veterans and laureates in literature/theater such as Girish Karnad, Master Hiranniah, S L Bhairappa, Triveni.
So, what's in a name? It sure reflects on the quality of life the person is living. And it is also told that a person lives upto the meaning of his/her name..i.e., the meaning of the name fits well/describes the character of the person possessing that name. If Shakespeare (in 2010) were to know Kannada and were to hear to Loose Maada kind of names, he would probably consider revising his subsequent editions.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Princess of Wales
Diana, alone the Princess of Wales had--has--will capture everyone. And I am no different from the rest of her admirers. One thing I repent even to this day is to have "donated" a wonderful stamp by the United Kingdom to a friend when I was 8 or 9 years old..that depicted the royal couple..which was released on account of their wedding..an '89 stamp as far as I can recollect. It clearly showed the simplicity that Diana was well-known for. I always fall short of adjectives when I make an attempt to describe her. The moment I think about her or her works, it fills my heart with joy-such should be a person's contribution to the society. I am yet to come across another human being who is more beautiful than her-in appearance, taste, class and insight.
She is the only royal-being I have known in the recent years who lived up to the meaning of serving people - not only her subjects, but whenever the needy cried out for help. She amazes me and I get a chill down my spine when I think about her life history. There are a number of videos (on you tube) which she secretly documented with a reporter in her last days with an intention to let know the public-the royal secrets and also her husband's betrayal. And almost half an year ago, History channel paid a tribute to her covering the same. A woman (most of them..I mean normal people) gives the best she has when it comes to relationships; she makes more sacrifices than the other half. I do not know why it is so. Probably one of the laws of nature. She will be ready to take in anything, accept all odds, just gulp it down when it comes to her loved ones. I have experienced it myself and it makes me feel good. She gives herself the least priority and everybody important to her would come first. You would want the best for them and not for yourself..and you would be all set to give your world away for their happiness. And Diana was no different. I learn that she suffered from Bulimia, for which the Prince would mock at her publicly. Quite obviously, it hurts when the person she loved the most did not live up to her expectations. Worst of it all-if he had his mind and heart on somebody else, why did he have to make a wrong choice! (May be that's why they tell..a woman should tie the knot with the one who chooses her and not the one she chooses) One of the deaths I have deeply mourned and have been deeply hurt by. How I wish the world could have her for a longer time! The proximity to people's heart she has achieved in such a short span of time shows how perfect a woman and a human-being she was.
She is the only royal-being I have known in the recent years who lived up to the meaning of serving people - not only her subjects, but whenever the needy cried out for help. She amazes me and I get a chill down my spine when I think about her life history. There are a number of videos (on you tube) which she secretly documented with a reporter in her last days with an intention to let know the public-the royal secrets and also her husband's betrayal. And almost half an year ago, History channel paid a tribute to her covering the same. A woman (most of them..I mean normal people) gives the best she has when it comes to relationships; she makes more sacrifices than the other half. I do not know why it is so. Probably one of the laws of nature. She will be ready to take in anything, accept all odds, just gulp it down when it comes to her loved ones. I have experienced it myself and it makes me feel good. She gives herself the least priority and everybody important to her would come first. You would want the best for them and not for yourself..and you would be all set to give your world away for their happiness. And Diana was no different. I learn that she suffered from Bulimia, for which the Prince would mock at her publicly. Quite obviously, it hurts when the person she loved the most did not live up to her expectations. Worst of it all-if he had his mind and heart on somebody else, why did he have to make a wrong choice! (May be that's why they tell..a woman should tie the knot with the one who chooses her and not the one she chooses) One of the deaths I have deeply mourned and have been deeply hurt by. How I wish the world could have her for a longer time! The proximity to people's heart she has achieved in such a short span of time shows how perfect a woman and a human-being she was.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
One man stood up (Continued)
Alright..After so so so much of feedback regarding this blog of mine..from almost all the people I have known..online and offline..I thought I will make some points clear from my side.
Gandhiji- was firstly a freedom fighter who fought for India's independence. He is also the one who held up humanity in South Africa. I agree that things would have been different and difficult had he not been born..or if he was not what he made out of himself..he was definitely one amongst those who shook the British rule and who robbed them of their peace. And I, as a 1987 born person, respect him wholeheartedly for playing a part in my life, for being a part of the freedom I am enjoying today, for upholding humanity across the world. Where I disagree is when it comes to exaggeration of his principles (then and now) and its implementation in history. It is just that as an individual, I do not find the things that happened inevitable. Some things could have been handled in a better way..along with driving away the British rule. There is a lot of difference between being humble and being the kind of person who accepts every other thing another person tells you. A humble and down to earth person is what he is because he respects others views and is empathetic. He has the ability to place himself in the other person's shoes and evaluate. And also is capable to judge between what is right and what is not; what could possibly be the consequences and takes a decision whats best for himself and the other person in picture. This does not mean he has to budge to every other demand another person puts in front of him just for -"uske dil rakhne ke liye" . He can as well subtly and politely disagree and do nothing about it. So, with all respect to Gandhiji and his ways, I consider some of his principles-not very appropriate to have been enforced on one nation (which later became two or more I do not know) :)
I thought I will not elaborate more on this the last time I wrote..because there are a lot of discrepancies associated when it comes to Gandhiji and Nathuram Godse. But yesterday my thought intensified when I read - "Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood" - Marie Curie (Thanks to the supplementary newspaper copy distributed in bus :D Sometimes things fall into place so well! Leaves me speechless!) Rather than interpreting it as lack of consideration to Gandhiji, I would like to interpret it as my admiration for Godse. And I am happy that just now my grandfather at least agreed absolutely with my views in this regard, admitting that he has been going through the same disagreement since ages!
Gandhiji- was firstly a freedom fighter who fought for India's independence. He is also the one who held up humanity in South Africa. I agree that things would have been different and difficult had he not been born..or if he was not what he made out of himself..he was definitely one amongst those who shook the British rule and who robbed them of their peace. And I, as a 1987 born person, respect him wholeheartedly for playing a part in my life, for being a part of the freedom I am enjoying today, for upholding humanity across the world. Where I disagree is when it comes to exaggeration of his principles (then and now) and its implementation in history. It is just that as an individual, I do not find the things that happened inevitable. Some things could have been handled in a better way..along with driving away the British rule. There is a lot of difference between being humble and being the kind of person who accepts every other thing another person tells you. A humble and down to earth person is what he is because he respects others views and is empathetic. He has the ability to place himself in the other person's shoes and evaluate. And also is capable to judge between what is right and what is not; what could possibly be the consequences and takes a decision whats best for himself and the other person in picture. This does not mean he has to budge to every other demand another person puts in front of him just for -"uske dil rakhne ke liye" . He can as well subtly and politely disagree and do nothing about it. So, with all respect to Gandhiji and his ways, I consider some of his principles-not very appropriate to have been enforced on one nation (which later became two or more I do not know) :)
I thought I will not elaborate more on this the last time I wrote..because there are a lot of discrepancies associated when it comes to Gandhiji and Nathuram Godse. But yesterday my thought intensified when I read - "Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood" - Marie Curie (Thanks to the supplementary newspaper copy distributed in bus :D Sometimes things fall into place so well! Leaves me speechless!) Rather than interpreting it as lack of consideration to Gandhiji, I would like to interpret it as my admiration for Godse. And I am happy that just now my grandfather at least agreed absolutely with my views in this regard, admitting that he has been going through the same disagreement since ages!
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