Was watching Gulaal (once more) last weekend and there was this section where Piyush Mishra starts reciting what seems like a scene from Mahabharat. Krishna is in the court of the Kauravas in a last ditch effort to avoid war, but Duryodhana attacks him.....it seemed familiar.
...anyways those lines were taken from Rashmirathi - a superlative work from the Hindi poet, Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar'. And the section that seemed familiar was part of our curriculum - Krishna ki Chaitavini.
The poem journeys the life of Karna - the greatest warrior of the times, his dharma, his friendship, his generosity and the tragedies.
Why didn't we have a teacher who could help us appreciate the quality of our own literature?
Sample this - this is when Krishna asks Karna to change sides as defeat of Kauravas is certain...below are excerpts from Karna's reply who explains why he can never betray Duryodhana:
अपना विकास अवरुद्ध देख,
सारे समाज को क्रुद्ध देख
भीतर जब टूट चुका था मन,
आ गया अचानक दुर्योधन
निश्छल पवित्र अनुराग लिए,
मेरा समस्त सौभाग्य लिए
...
...
...
सिर लिए स्कंध पर चलता हूँ,
उस दिन के लिए मचलता हूँ,
यदि चले वज्र दुर्योधन पर,
ले लूँ बढ़कर अपने ऊपर.
कटवा दूँ उसके लिए गला,
चाहिए मुझे क्या और भला?
...
...
...
अच्छा अब चला प्रमाण आर्य,
हो सिद्ध समर के शीघ्र कार्य.
रण मे ही अब दर्शन होंगे,
शार से चरण:स्पर्शन होंगे.
जय हो दिनेश नभ में विहरें,
भूतल मे दिव्य प्रकाश भरें.
रथ से रधेय उतार आया,
And Krishna at the end responds...
हरि के मन मे विस्मय छाया,
बोले कि "वीर शत बार धन्य,
तुझसा न मित्र कोई अनन्य,
तू कुरूपति का ही नही प्राण,
नरता का है भूषण महान.
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Joke of the year - Nobel Peace Prize
...actually this is the biggest WTF moment of 2009. I can almost imagine a collective gasp across the globe on hearing this year's winner.
I wonder who nominated him? Did he/(his team) lobby for it?
Besides the fact that the period under review ended just 12 days after he became the president, I wonder what change he has ushered in? It has all been talk and more talk. or is it simply an award for his "Yes, we can"rhetoric (coz thats what it has become now)? Or is it simply because he is not George Bush? Umm, I am also not George Bush;)
Of course the NPP remains the most dubious category - it has gone to the likes of Yasser Arafat, Yitzhak Rabin, Henry Kissinger, Princess Diana in the past after all.
But I think this one is by far the most bewildering...belittles the genuine effort of others...sad...
...and to think Mahatma Gandhi was nominated 4 times (or was it 5?) and still wasn't suitable enough for the committee.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
MH 505
While driving today, I noticed I was following a MH registered swift and I thought to myself, does the person driving feel awkward or embarrassed about it.
Would he feel uncomfortable or even unsafe driving with that number in a more northern state - say around Delhi? Isn't it ridiculous that these thoughts actually came into my head...Delhi is as much theirs as any other inch of India, then why isn't Mumbai mine or for a guy from Patna?
This growing regional jingoism has really begun to irritate me.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Bottled Water
How much water does it take to fill a liter of bottled water?
Interesting question...haha I thought perhaps around 1.5-2L but it turns out it takes around 3.
Picking on the nitty-gritties - 1 liter goes inside the bottle and 2 liters are needed in the production process-according to a 2006 estimate by the California-based Pacific Institute.
They even calculated the amount of oil needed to fill the bottles with water, transport them, chill them, and dispose of or recycle them - 250 ml per bottle.
Read more at:Bottled Water and Energy
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Greenhouse Emissions
The debate rages on...but what is surprising is the heat (literally) that we are facing from the rest of the world over it. And I am unhappy with the way our government is trying to handle it - we keep trying to make everyone happy at the cost of our own genuine needs.
Sure global warming might be a problem and sure CO2 and other green house gas emissions need to be controlled, but why bully us?
And our strategy to tag with China doesn't make sense to me either? We are a lot better than them already - 4 times better almost.
Let us start with some facts, below is the share of CO2 emissions in %:
china - 21.5 %
United States - 20.2 %
European Union - 13.8 %
Russia - 5.5 %
India - 5.3 %
China and US together account for 40%. EU the most vocal when it comes to cutting emissions is not that far behind. We on the other hand are accounting for 5% (and rising of course).
Considering our 1.15 billion population (it should be around that by now), there is no way that we can reduce these levels.
What is needed is massive funding by the rich nations in alternate energy options - a) to developing nations like ours so that they can make an early shift and b) to develop these technologies to be affordable for other emerging countries.
Its really that simple...there is no way a government can justify spending billions to produce power at over 4 times the coal based plants when funds are needed for other sectors (health and education for example).
The country that can make the quickest impact on world CO2 (and the other more potent green house gases) levels is the US - the pressure should really be on them but they are already busy undermining the Copenhagen summit in December.
We should aim for:
a) maintaining the principles agreed during the Kyoto summit.
b) make US cut emissions
c) allow for another 5% increase for India - which is justified - 17% population should be allowed to make up for 10% global energy needs.
d) Increase the green cover across the globe...the impact may not be more than 10%, but it will be cost effective
and we need to come up with even more/better ideas.
Of course there are other aspects to it that go beyond basic energy needs...environment protection for example, where we are appalling and can not hide behind any excuses...we need to answer a lot for the state of our rivers, wild life and forest cover.
Similarly, there is no reason not to be more stringent with our emission norms...we should not only set the norms at par with European nations but also enforce it...who said its going to be easy :)
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
What a Bolt!
The 100 m sprint has always been the most enthralling atheletics event - I have always followed it...I think right from the times of the Seoul Olympics in '88.
I have seen the times tumble from 9.92 to now an outrageous 9.58.
Usain Bolt is simply sensational. How much faster can he go? 9.4?
I can almost bet that he will improve his 200 m records too in a few days and I thought it will be a long time before anyone came close to the Michael Johnson time of 19.32 set at the Atlanta Olympics ('96).
Monday, August 03, 2009
Kaminey
Meri aarzoo kamini,
Mere khwab bhi kaminey,
Mere khwab bhi kaminey,
How easy is it to admit that? This is a great composition. I like the way it flows - the way the connotations change. Lovable and then immediately devious. Never knew Vishal could sing so well...tip my imaginary hat to this massively talented guy...
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Remembering the times...
Surfing through the channels, I stopped at CNN where they were commenting on the memorial service that was about to start for Michael Jackson. Soon I found out that all the news services were covering it here...I was amazed to see the media shower glib tongued praises and relentless extolment with the same elan as when they used to mock him (when he was alive) - whats the point now?
Watching it, I was flooded with memories - I think I was about 4 when I first saw/heard him. It was at a family friend's place, where we kids used to sit together with the lights turned out to watch the video "Thriller". I think we did this countless times :)...and it was fun every time.
Uncle had brought the making of Thriller tape from the States. MJ is basically responsible for initiating me to music.
I also remember the time (this is before the Internet changed everything) when some friends and I used to share notes on the lyrics of his (and others) songs :) - playing the tape over and over in the Walkman and getting scolded by my folks for it :)
One more link to my childhood is gone now.
I watched the whole memorial service and it was really moving, especially the rousing sermon from the Rev. Al Sharpton. The saddest moment of course was watching Paris speak about him...it was probably the first time anyone has ever seen his kids and perhaps the first time people thought of him as more than just a performer.
Whatever might be the truth in all the allegations that constantly surrounded him, no one can deny his impact on the music scene - and for that reason alone he will remain a legend.
R.I.P. MJ
Watching it, I was flooded with memories - I think I was about 4 when I first saw/heard him. It was at a family friend's place, where we kids used to sit together with the lights turned out to watch the video "Thriller". I think we did this countless times :)...and it was fun every time.
Uncle had brought the making of Thriller tape from the States. MJ is basically responsible for initiating me to music.
I also remember the time (this is before the Internet changed everything) when some friends and I used to share notes on the lyrics of his (and others) songs :) - playing the tape over and over in the Walkman and getting scolded by my folks for it :)
One more link to my childhood is gone now.
I watched the whole memorial service and it was really moving, especially the rousing sermon from the Rev. Al Sharpton. The saddest moment of course was watching Paris speak about him...it was probably the first time anyone has ever seen his kids and perhaps the first time people thought of him as more than just a performer.
Whatever might be the truth in all the allegations that constantly surrounded him, no one can deny his impact on the music scene - and for that reason alone he will remain a legend.
R.I.P. MJ
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Election results
Long time no post...so a quick one here.
Election results will be out soon. Hope who ever comes in to power will help quicken our pace towards economic and social development. I suppose UPA is likely to return...time will tell.
I just get a feeling that Congress and BJP will increase their seats...which will be good as we need the national parties to be more powerful.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Been so long...
Too many unfinished posts has meant that this place hasnt been updated for some time now...
Hopefully, I will get back into the groove soon.
Hopefully, I will get back into the groove soon.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Democracy - Equality and Liberty
Central to the idea of democracy are the twin concepts of equality and individual liberty. Equality is often taken to mean that all citizens of a country are equal in some basic respect. When all individuals are taken to be equal then it is obvious that one person can not decide for the other. Therefore all need to be given the same rights and meted out the same treatment. Of course, a look at history suggests that the right to equal treatment has not been
given to all. It was initially based on sex, wealth, age. Today in a democracy the right to equal treatment is shared by all citizens of a country over a certain age. Equality becomes critical during decision making. Equality aims to guarantee participation and thus avoid a situation where one party decides to disobey the decision because they were not allowed to participate in the decision making process.
Liberty has just as many connotations as equality and they again affect expectations of democracy. Experts suggest three set of ideas for liberty - republican,liberal and idealist. The republican view measures liberty in terms of a free political community. The liberal view is more concerned with individual freedom to do as he/she pleases. In between these views is the idealist view where the individual has the freedom but also the sense to make the right choices or demands.
But obviously a nation is more than an individual. Therefore it is the manner in which individual freedom interacts with the group that ties liberty to democracy. As individuals don't live in isolation, it is important that an individual's freedom of action does not infringe the freedom of others. Some experts see this as the only role for the state. Anything more and they see it as a threat to liberty.
It is this mix of individual rights and being an equal participant in decision making collectively that causes the tension between equality and liberty. A classic example is the desire to bring about economic equality. This can lead to a collective/majority decision to tax the rich more than others, thus infringing the right of the rich to spend their money as they choose. In such a situation, self rule is cited as a way out...and how self rule is to be achieved marks the major division between various forms of democracy.
At one extreme is what is known as Participatory Democracy. At the other extreme is the idea that people are willing to be ruled by a set of people chosen by them periodically [Representative/liberal] which often is the layman's definition of democracy. In between lies various shades, an example for which is people voting on an issue of national importance[Referendum]. Also, in order to restrain unchecked majority rule, an upper chamber is often recommended which will consist of meritorious experts in different areas.
So clearly it is difficult for a society to define what their expectations from this philosophy is. This fine balancing act gets more difficult when you start adding riders to the two opposing yet required forces. These riders include reservations, different laws for different sections of the society, etc.
Is it surprising then that our in-competent members of the legislature have done away with these goals of democracy and reduced it to a power game.
given to all. It was initially based on sex, wealth, age. Today in a democracy the right to equal treatment is shared by all citizens of a country over a certain age. Equality becomes critical during decision making. Equality aims to guarantee participation and thus avoid a situation where one party decides to disobey the decision because they were not allowed to participate in the decision making process.
Liberty has just as many connotations as equality and they again affect expectations of democracy. Experts suggest three set of ideas for liberty - republican,liberal and idealist. The republican view measures liberty in terms of a free political community. The liberal view is more concerned with individual freedom to do as he/she pleases. In between these views is the idealist view where the individual has the freedom but also the sense to make the right choices or demands.
But obviously a nation is more than an individual. Therefore it is the manner in which individual freedom interacts with the group that ties liberty to democracy. As individuals don't live in isolation, it is important that an individual's freedom of action does not infringe the freedom of others. Some experts see this as the only role for the state. Anything more and they see it as a threat to liberty.
It is this mix of individual rights and being an equal participant in decision making collectively that causes the tension between equality and liberty. A classic example is the desire to bring about economic equality. This can lead to a collective/majority decision to tax the rich more than others, thus infringing the right of the rich to spend their money as they choose. In such a situation, self rule is cited as a way out...and how self rule is to be achieved marks the major division between various forms of democracy.
At one extreme is what is known as Participatory Democracy. At the other extreme is the idea that people are willing to be ruled by a set of people chosen by them periodically [Representative/liberal] which often is the layman's definition of democracy. In between lies various shades, an example for which is people voting on an issue of national importance[Referendum]. Also, in order to restrain unchecked majority rule, an upper chamber is often recommended which will consist of meritorious experts in different areas.
So clearly it is difficult for a society to define what their expectations from this philosophy is. This fine balancing act gets more difficult when you start adding riders to the two opposing yet required forces. These riders include reservations, different laws for different sections of the society, etc.
Is it surprising then that our in-competent members of the legislature have done away with these goals of democracy and reduced it to a power game.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Violated...
So Delhi bleeds again, whats new? We have already seen the same scenes in Ahmedabad and Jaipur and B'lore and Hyderabad and Bombay before...the list is getting longer...
In fact, there are more terror strikes in India than any other nation(except Iraq and that's not much of a nation right now)...and we have ambitions of being a World Player???? How??
Will resign when Sonia ji asks to leave: Patil
Mr. Patil our home minister...the lesser said of his work the better (http://blogmia.blogspot.com/2007/06/india-burning.html)...but resigning if Sonia ji asks? Wasn't the cabinet selected by the PM, hmmm?
A quick check of course tells us that this government is headed by some one who has not won an election...now i don't want to get into whether its people's loss that he is not a member of the Lok Sabha, for he is surely one of the cleanest leaders we have...but not having obtained mandate is unacceptable all the same. Sonia ji of course is just a member of the parliament - but as the convener of UPA she enjoys cabinet status....and therefore the right to select the cabinet?
And yes, Mr. Shivraj Patil lost his Latur seat in the elections...
In fact, there are more terror strikes in India than any other nation(except Iraq and that's not much of a nation right now)...and we have ambitions of being a World Player???? How??
Will resign when Sonia ji asks to leave: Patil
Mr. Patil our home minister...the lesser said of his work the better (http://blogmia.blogspot.com/2007/06/india-burning.html)...but resigning if Sonia ji asks? Wasn't the cabinet selected by the PM, hmmm?
A quick check of course tells us that this government is headed by some one who has not won an election...now i don't want to get into whether its people's loss that he is not a member of the Lok Sabha, for he is surely one of the cleanest leaders we have...but not having obtained mandate is unacceptable all the same. Sonia ji of course is just a member of the parliament - but as the convener of UPA she enjoys cabinet status....and therefore the right to select the cabinet?
And yes, Mr. Shivraj Patil lost his Latur seat in the elections...
Friday, September 05, 2008
5 David Gilmour guitar solos
Boring bus journey home...made better with Pink Floyd :)
- The closing solo in Comfortably Numb from the live album The Delicate Sound Of Thunder
- Time (right after "...you missed the starting gun") from the album The Dark Side of the Moon
- Closing solo in High Hopes from the live album P.U.L.S.E
- Shine on you Crazy Diamond from the album Wish you were here
- Money from the album The Dark Side of the Moon
Saturday, August 09, 2008
10 metre air rifle
India's first event.
Anjali Bhagwat and Avneet Kaur fail to qualify. Both did ok but not enough to get through the last 10.
Anjali Bhagwat - 99, 99, 97, 98 = 393 (finished 29th)
Avneet Kaur Sidhu - 98, 100, 96, 95 = 389 (finished 39th)
396 was the minimum required to go through...
In men's competition as well it was a less than satisfactory performance...with Samaresh Jung finishing 42nd out of 48 :(
Samaresh Jung - 92, 95, 96, 98, 96, 93 = 570
581 was the minimum score to qualify...
Anjali Bhagwat and Avneet Kaur fail to qualify. Both did ok but not enough to get through the last 10.
Anjali Bhagwat - 99, 99, 97, 98 = 393 (finished 29th)
Avneet Kaur Sidhu - 98, 100, 96, 95 = 389 (finished 39th)
396 was the minimum required to go through...
In men's competition as well it was a less than satisfactory performance...with Samaresh Jung finishing 42nd out of 48 :(
Samaresh Jung - 92, 95, 96, 98, 96, 93 = 570
581 was the minimum score to qualify...
Olympics - 2008
With a magnificent opening, the 2008 Olympics are under way. On the greatest sporting stage athletes from around the world try to earn glory for their nation, their people.
India of course have never been able to make a mark in this event. This time round there are 56 sportsmen taking part from India. Will anyone rise to the challenge? Since hockey team is watching the event from home, the other medal hopes are mainly in shooting and some experts feel boxing...Time will tell...
Friday, August 08, 2008
and it still continues to rain...
3 hours of torrential rain...
3 feet of standing water...
3 hrs to get home...
3 feet of standing water...
3 hrs to get home...
Thursday, July 24, 2008
WTF
Although I am sure plenty of ink and bytes have been wasted on the farcical trust vote that happened the other day, I couldn't stop myself from writing about it.
Our politicians sure have a habit of surpassing all expectations of the people and are the role models for today's generation. Just when we think that things can't go any worse, that surely we have hit the rock bottom of morality and ethics they snicker at us and prove us wrong.
And we all know the names that cross voted...so why isn’t there a IT raid at their homes and why arent their accounts being scrutinized for any shady transfers...wouldn't these be the best candidate to start the investigation on?
Now that the vote has been won, the government is being pressed to fulfil the promises made to get the support...so the government that talks about the nuclear deal as necessary for the advancement of technology also claims that Ram destroyed the setu on his return from Lanka...when I first read that, I was ready to puke...I mean who are they trying to kid here?....and I really want to know who has such fantastic imagination!!!
Seriously we are in desperate need of an over haul of our system...this is beyond crass;beyond repulsive.
Our politicians sure have a habit of surpassing all expectations of the people and are the role models for today's generation. Just when we think that things can't go any worse, that surely we have hit the rock bottom of morality and ethics they snicker at us and prove us wrong.
And we all know the names that cross voted...so why isn’t there a IT raid at their homes and why arent their accounts being scrutinized for any shady transfers...wouldn't these be the best candidate to start the investigation on?
Now that the vote has been won, the government is being pressed to fulfil the promises made to get the support...so the government that talks about the nuclear deal as necessary for the advancement of technology also claims that Ram destroyed the setu on his return from Lanka...when I first read that, I was ready to puke...I mean who are they trying to kid here?....and I really want to know who has such fantastic imagination!!!
Seriously we are in desperate need of an over haul of our system...this is beyond crass;beyond repulsive.
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