I am looking at this trip to the UK as the new beginning, just like the Jews who returned from their diaspora. When they landed upon the shores of Palestine, they kissed the ground upon which they would be buried to go up and meet the creator. However, there were several people who looked at it as a new beginning. Similarly, in this time, i am going to look upon UK as the new beginning.
The first thing that i have to do is to understand my limitations and shu old prejudices. I have to go there with a fresh mind and a fresh heart, carrying no excessive baggage of the past years. If there is one thing that i have to realize is the fact, that challenges in so developed a country will be enourmous. It will be very important to not get overwhelmed. To be transparent as an individual, and knowing whatis right and what is wrong will be crucial, even more so that i am in a foreign land.
One thing that i have learned in this whole process is that this scenario is often like Catch 22, you are trapped between getting rid of prejudices, but at the same time you have to be prepared for the negative things that might happen there. Sometimes, i think it is better to go there with a blank mind, because in an
attempt to rationalize this would lead to confusion.
I will have to be flexible and perhaps controversially, a man without principles in personal life. If you have principles in personal life, and when adversity threatens, it is not worth having it. Now and then, it will be advisable to follow ethics in the Job arena, because our livelihood depends upon it.
All in all, the new beginning is just a few months away. But, it will be extremely important if this is executed, rather than just writing about it.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Of Understanding and growing up
People have this tendency to get confused. Perfectly all right in today's time. Things have gotten so blurred, and people do not know what to think, it makes this concept of understanding quiet interesting. Also, how an individual grows out of it is something which can be explored, although perhaps in a nutshell.
Do people live for themselves or do people live for the broader society in which they live in? What do you define as Reality and illusion? All these things are so vague that no definite outcome can come about. The concept of the self should be important, but it is observed that society determines the self. Very few individuals manage to achieve the vice versa of it. What are the factors which determine reality and illusion? This, in context of life, is really a tough one.
There are several factors which go into deciding the goals that individuals have to set. An individual with a clear mindset and with the proper focus can erase the bluriness of reality and illusion. However, for someone who wants to stand in the middle of the line, he will tend to suffer. The mind goes into a confused state, not knowing what to do and what not to do. It goes furthur as to individuals forgetting who they really want to be and letting others judge them.
This throws up the question of honesty and corruption. Do people really have to be corrupt to go higher up in life? Is honesty truly a done and dusted thing? The answer might lie in the variety of contexts. Contexts perhaps determines the individuality of man, but this is the major factor that blurs up Understanding altogether. The debate between outright honesty and perversion of it will rage on, because it benefits one person, while it proves the opposite to the other.
When people have reached the Adult stage, the simplicity around them is shattered. Why do people reminiscence over past times? I guess in everybody's youth, the simplicity of things around them are witnessed, and thus they can enjoy life. But, when in the adult stage, people try to balance their mind with rational thoughts, they plunge into furthur confusion. I sometimes wonder wether growing up is really worth it, because all i see is the constant battle with the self, and blurring of several things. To understand the life after Teenage is indeed a challenge, because like all of this, it is blurred.
Do people live for themselves or do people live for the broader society in which they live in? What do you define as Reality and illusion? All these things are so vague that no definite outcome can come about. The concept of the self should be important, but it is observed that society determines the self. Very few individuals manage to achieve the vice versa of it. What are the factors which determine reality and illusion? This, in context of life, is really a tough one.
There are several factors which go into deciding the goals that individuals have to set. An individual with a clear mindset and with the proper focus can erase the bluriness of reality and illusion. However, for someone who wants to stand in the middle of the line, he will tend to suffer. The mind goes into a confused state, not knowing what to do and what not to do. It goes furthur as to individuals forgetting who they really want to be and letting others judge them.
This throws up the question of honesty and corruption. Do people really have to be corrupt to go higher up in life? Is honesty truly a done and dusted thing? The answer might lie in the variety of contexts. Contexts perhaps determines the individuality of man, but this is the major factor that blurs up Understanding altogether. The debate between outright honesty and perversion of it will rage on, because it benefits one person, while it proves the opposite to the other.
When people have reached the Adult stage, the simplicity around them is shattered. Why do people reminiscence over past times? I guess in everybody's youth, the simplicity of things around them are witnessed, and thus they can enjoy life. But, when in the adult stage, people try to balance their mind with rational thoughts, they plunge into furthur confusion. I sometimes wonder wether growing up is really worth it, because all i see is the constant battle with the self, and blurring of several things. To understand the life after Teenage is indeed a challenge, because like all of this, it is blurred.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Arrival of the Rains
The summer left an undesirable impression all over the Country. People died of Heart Strokes, Fatigue, Thirst. People were made uncomfortable by the heat and the humidity. To add to all this, there were frequent warnings of Powercuts as well as Water cuts, to put the people in a state of Panic. Now, finally, half of the country can rejoice now, with the arrival of the monsoons. The heat will all be gone, and everything there will be the fresh smell of wet mud, to mingle with the smell of Fresh Trees and plants and flowers. This period brings cleanses the people and makes the surroundings pleasent. It gladdens many a children's heart to play and wash off the dust of the brutal summer.
However, i have to consider the other side of the coin as well. In all this joy of freshness and pleasure, it is indeed sad that this post happens to be a dampener. But, these issues are more pressing, and especially, if it concerns a city called Mumbai. For two years after the deluge of 26/7, the monsoon in Mumbai will always be compared to that horrendous day. The Infrastructure of the City was tested on that day, and it failed miserably. Two years on, and the infrastructure has not been revamped, and many people are fearing a repeat of the 26/7 disaster.
Citizens, who reside in the low lying areas, are taking no chances this time around. Some residents of colonies have taken their own measures to tackle an emergency flood. Some families have shifted to the upper levels of their home and some have moved out of the city altogether. The cleanup of the Mithi River, which was the top priority has not been completed. Many people fear that if a downpour of July 26th happens again, there will be a repitition of the flooding.
Even as i write this post, the roads, railways and garbage have not been cleared. The railways look equally vulnerable as always, so do the roads. Instead of focusing on the entire city, the municipal corporation has concentrated on certain pockets of the city only. The average Citizen knows that No area in the city is flood-proof, so hence the actions of the Citizens seems to be a very sensible thing.
Pot-Holed Roads, lack of cleaning the Sewer drains and absolute ignorance of revamping the drainage system of the city marks the preparedness of the city. These are vulnerable times in which Mumbai is standing on, and it won't be long before Mumbai, instead of becoming Shanghai becomes a Venice. The city hangs by the thread, and a slight excess could create flooding of disastrous proportions, like July 26th. I guess this is the result of unplanned development, and lack of caring for the environment. Our State Environment minister will advocate the clearance of trees under the guise of development, and nobody can do anything about it.
Mumbai will perhaps be a case study as to the environmental suicide that it has committed. It might perhaps show that excessive concretization and haphazard development can indeed ruin a city. If 26/7 happens again, then Mumbai has no right to be called the Cosmopolitan city of India. World Environment Day has come and gone with not much of awareness, but I guess if the monsoons are bad this season, then Mumbai will celebrate 26th July as "ANNUAL FLOODING DAY".
However, i have to consider the other side of the coin as well. In all this joy of freshness and pleasure, it is indeed sad that this post happens to be a dampener. But, these issues are more pressing, and especially, if it concerns a city called Mumbai. For two years after the deluge of 26/7, the monsoon in Mumbai will always be compared to that horrendous day. The Infrastructure of the City was tested on that day, and it failed miserably. Two years on, and the infrastructure has not been revamped, and many people are fearing a repeat of the 26/7 disaster.
Citizens, who reside in the low lying areas, are taking no chances this time around. Some residents of colonies have taken their own measures to tackle an emergency flood. Some families have shifted to the upper levels of their home and some have moved out of the city altogether. The cleanup of the Mithi River, which was the top priority has not been completed. Many people fear that if a downpour of July 26th happens again, there will be a repitition of the flooding.
Even as i write this post, the roads, railways and garbage have not been cleared. The railways look equally vulnerable as always, so do the roads. Instead of focusing on the entire city, the municipal corporation has concentrated on certain pockets of the city only. The average Citizen knows that No area in the city is flood-proof, so hence the actions of the Citizens seems to be a very sensible thing.
Pot-Holed Roads, lack of cleaning the Sewer drains and absolute ignorance of revamping the drainage system of the city marks the preparedness of the city. These are vulnerable times in which Mumbai is standing on, and it won't be long before Mumbai, instead of becoming Shanghai becomes a Venice. The city hangs by the thread, and a slight excess could create flooding of disastrous proportions, like July 26th. I guess this is the result of unplanned development, and lack of caring for the environment. Our State Environment minister will advocate the clearance of trees under the guise of development, and nobody can do anything about it.
Mumbai will perhaps be a case study as to the environmental suicide that it has committed. It might perhaps show that excessive concretization and haphazard development can indeed ruin a city. If 26/7 happens again, then Mumbai has no right to be called the Cosmopolitan city of India. World Environment Day has come and gone with not much of awareness, but I guess if the monsoons are bad this season, then Mumbai will celebrate 26th July as "ANNUAL FLOODING DAY".
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
The Racism challenge
In the modern world, Pluralism is the motto. Nations nowadays are shedding their nationalistic as well as their linguistic roots, and advocating a policy of Pluralism. No where is the pluralism more pronounced in the West, where people of diverse nations converge to become part of the socio-economic structure. The Prosperiety because of Pluralism is there for everyone to see, with economies growing at a rapid rate. But, along with this prosperiety comes the problem of Racism.
Why has the problem of Racism increased? In a pluralistic world, where Individualism dominates, there we see more racist incidents occur. The racism of today, however, has penetrated all the walks of life. In addition to the colour of the skin factor, there are economic, social, cultural and the very issue of Citizenship. In America, if one is not a natural born citizen, then he/she is subject to doses of racism and isolation.
In Britain, the problem goes deeper. The colonial supremacy still hangs over some sections of British society. As illustrated in some Television reality channels, as well as on some occasions on the football field, the factor of racism looms very largely indeed. At least, for Britain's sake, you can argue that they are a little tolerant, but the situation elsewhere in Europe is not so encouraging.
Even in India, Racism takes in the form of divisions within society. Here, Indian society tends to become Castocratic, due to the very nature of the structure of Indian society. Backward classes and several minority religious sections of society tend to be on the recieving end of the Marginalization in India. The irony being, that about 70% of India's total population are rural based. Strength in numbers in this case has turned out to be the marginalizing factor.
The Individualism which people preach in liberal countries all seems to be farcical. At the end of the day, it is all about who survives more in the Competitve economic sphere. The competition for better lives leave some people out in the lurch. The very nature of today's economics makes Racism dangerously legitimate.
One wonders as to why did Racism come about? Is this phenomena a natural manifestation of the mind? Are human beings naturally racist by nature? The answers are not going to be answered. Psychologically, it all boils down to the factor as to who or what the mind percienes as superior. The mind, which determines the powerful and subserviant, may indirectly linked to the dynamics of Jealousy. Jealousy, when masked by the real intenetion of inability to compete, can be the ideal formula for Racism.
Who made Racism as a tool? Why was such a thing propogated by which Man would forget fellow Man? It all boils down to the dynamics of Money centric economic development. The emphasis of linguistic barriers, lead into isolation and disagreement, are things upon which Racism breeds. The fact of the matter is, that in today's world, man has forgotten fellow man. Afterall, if rational individuals persist, a fool can also see that humans are all same. They have the same Two legs, Two hands, One nose, Two eyes, Two ears, One neck and every other essential part of the body. The beauty of nature is such that certain aspets of the body should be diferent. This thing should be celebrated, but it is easier said than done. Afterall, the world is a very irrational world to live in now.
Why has the problem of Racism increased? In a pluralistic world, where Individualism dominates, there we see more racist incidents occur. The racism of today, however, has penetrated all the walks of life. In addition to the colour of the skin factor, there are economic, social, cultural and the very issue of Citizenship. In America, if one is not a natural born citizen, then he/she is subject to doses of racism and isolation.
In Britain, the problem goes deeper. The colonial supremacy still hangs over some sections of British society. As illustrated in some Television reality channels, as well as on some occasions on the football field, the factor of racism looms very largely indeed. At least, for Britain's sake, you can argue that they are a little tolerant, but the situation elsewhere in Europe is not so encouraging.
Even in India, Racism takes in the form of divisions within society. Here, Indian society tends to become Castocratic, due to the very nature of the structure of Indian society. Backward classes and several minority religious sections of society tend to be on the recieving end of the Marginalization in India. The irony being, that about 70% of India's total population are rural based. Strength in numbers in this case has turned out to be the marginalizing factor.
The Individualism which people preach in liberal countries all seems to be farcical. At the end of the day, it is all about who survives more in the Competitve economic sphere. The competition for better lives leave some people out in the lurch. The very nature of today's economics makes Racism dangerously legitimate.
One wonders as to why did Racism come about? Is this phenomena a natural manifestation of the mind? Are human beings naturally racist by nature? The answers are not going to be answered. Psychologically, it all boils down to the factor as to who or what the mind percienes as superior. The mind, which determines the powerful and subserviant, may indirectly linked to the dynamics of Jealousy. Jealousy, when masked by the real intenetion of inability to compete, can be the ideal formula for Racism.
Who made Racism as a tool? Why was such a thing propogated by which Man would forget fellow Man? It all boils down to the dynamics of Money centric economic development. The emphasis of linguistic barriers, lead into isolation and disagreement, are things upon which Racism breeds. The fact of the matter is, that in today's world, man has forgotten fellow man. Afterall, if rational individuals persist, a fool can also see that humans are all same. They have the same Two legs, Two hands, One nose, Two eyes, Two ears, One neck and every other essential part of the body. The beauty of nature is such that certain aspets of the body should be diferent. This thing should be celebrated, but it is easier said than done. Afterall, the world is a very irrational world to live in now.
Monday, June 11, 2007
100th post of 2007
It has been delayed for a while, but it finally has been typed out. My 100th post of this year, and i am quiet glad that i have partially lived up to the commitment of updating my blog regualrly, now albeit periodically. In Mumbai, where i now reside, i dont have the time as well as the liberty to go online frequently. And my time here during the month of June has been very frustrating and one which has tested my patience.
Mother and Father are both miles away. And i cant be with any of them because of certain commitments which i have to undertake. The Education Loan, that i have taken for my UK trip, has been stalled because of the unavailability of my father. The system of getting Loans for education everywhere is so rotten, that i am starting to feel that there is no place for merit whatsoever, in todays world. Banks are only concerned with guarantees that they want their money back. Inspite of possessing grades worthy of Merit, i am still far away from getting the loan sanctioned.
My Dad is also miles away in the US, and because of this my Mom has not smiled naturally for sometime now. It is this constant seperation between my Mom and my Dad, as well me and my mom and dad that has made us very frustrated. We hardly get to spend time together, the maximum time that we have spent together has been for four months, when all of us lived in bhopal and could run a proper household.
It is this period of frustration that i wonder about the immediate future. My time here is very limited, so whatever time i have here in my home is precious. In a couple of months, when distances will be more pronounced, at that time, Positive thinking in the long term can sustain me. The New beginning is something which i am looking forward to, because then i can carry less flaws in a new land.
This 100th post of 2007 is a reflection of the times that i have undergone during these 11 days that i have not contributed on my blog. However, as many a person would say, Always Hope for the best in the future, and so i continue with my life full of hope. But, for the moment, in the corner of my mind, i will celebrate this 100th cntribution.
Mother and Father are both miles away. And i cant be with any of them because of certain commitments which i have to undertake. The Education Loan, that i have taken for my UK trip, has been stalled because of the unavailability of my father. The system of getting Loans for education everywhere is so rotten, that i am starting to feel that there is no place for merit whatsoever, in todays world. Banks are only concerned with guarantees that they want their money back. Inspite of possessing grades worthy of Merit, i am still far away from getting the loan sanctioned.
My Dad is also miles away in the US, and because of this my Mom has not smiled naturally for sometime now. It is this constant seperation between my Mom and my Dad, as well me and my mom and dad that has made us very frustrated. We hardly get to spend time together, the maximum time that we have spent together has been for four months, when all of us lived in bhopal and could run a proper household.
It is this period of frustration that i wonder about the immediate future. My time here is very limited, so whatever time i have here in my home is precious. In a couple of months, when distances will be more pronounced, at that time, Positive thinking in the long term can sustain me. The New beginning is something which i am looking forward to, because then i can carry less flaws in a new land.
This 100th post of 2007 is a reflection of the times that i have undergone during these 11 days that i have not contributed on my blog. However, as many a person would say, Always Hope for the best in the future, and so i continue with my life full of hope. But, for the moment, in the corner of my mind, i will celebrate this 100th cntribution.
World Environment Day
The environment is something around which human beings live on. The beauty and the security that the environment gives us is something which even the mightiest of missiles and guns cannot provide. The environment provides human beings with things by which they can survive and function. So, when world environment day was celebrated in the month of June, we should cherish it. But, rather, there are signs that the environment around is dying. Human beings are indulging in Wanton destruction, and yet are going about their lives as if nothing has happened. In the World Environment day this year, there is an SOS to save the earth, rather than celebration of the environment.
Everywhere I go, I see photographs of the dramatic change in our environment. In places where Glaciers stood, there remains nothing but Barren hill strew with Rocks. In areas of Lush green Forests, there is nothing but barrenness, all due to the marauding forces of developmental economics. Under the guise of Development and Industrialization, the environment is suffering a slow and painful death. The pain comes not from the way it has been destructed, but from the complete lack of awareness among humans.
Animals and the diversity of animal species is also being targetted. The tiger could be no more in the coming decade, and Forests will soon consist not of Trees but concrete and metallic structures resembling a jungle. Gone will be the natural and the pureness of the air, but in its place will be the soot-filled pollutant of the factories and industries. The trees give Oxygen and Protection from the heat, the Chimneys of the factory give us deadly Carbon dioxide and unpleasent conditions to live.
Nations and all do not want to curb pollution, because it will affect the dynamics of economics. A clean and pure environment doesnt give money, but a polluting factory gives a lot of money and Jobs. Who does care about the environment? Very few individuals and Media outlets will raise a hue and cry when a natural calamity strikes. Media outlets and environmental groups will go overboard in saying that Unplanned development and pollution are responsible for the change in climate.
Everywhere we see, places are getting hotter, while floods become more pronounced and deadly. Everywhere, nature is churning out its elements in extremes, and yet unfortunately human beings find the will power to evolve out of it. Humans are getting cornered by the extreme ferocities of nature, and yet they remain fatally oblivious to this. Their life will be oriented along Money and other hedonistic materials, but they wont realize that their living is centered around a healthy environment.
Now, a timeline has been set wherein, we, the people of the earth, have 8 years to save the earth. By 2015, we have to save the earth, otherwise the earth will be doomed. Is the time-frame practical? For me, even 80 years is too little, for the extent of the damage that we have caused to the environment.
The Politics of developmental economics and its dynamics are such that it will always overlook sustainability of the environmental resources. Trees will be cut to allow more development of businesses. Political heads will say that Global Warming is all propoganda politics, and conviniently sweep it under the rug. Ordinary people will have a lot of things that worry them in many walks of life. Very few will burden themselves with the worry of the environment. Who will take the initiative? Gone are those days where a Captain Planet can come and conviniently and expectedly clean up the Polluters. Is there a Captain Planet within our souls? I guess not.
The thing which shook me up on environmental day was this barrage of visuals depicting the destruction of the environment. The visuals included floods, drought, hurricanes, pollution and the helplessness of the people trapped. The background music and song was that of Michael Jackson's "Earth Song: What have we done?". It was this song which stirred something in me, that our environment is in big trouble.
We have not done anything, and unlike life in celluloid and on TV, no superhero or song can come to save the environment. For us human beings, when everything in this environment comes to an end, only then we shall realize, "What have we done?" But, till then, the earth will continue its slow death, for people live on the planet of Money and Pleasure in today's time, not on Planet Earth
Everywhere I go, I see photographs of the dramatic change in our environment. In places where Glaciers stood, there remains nothing but Barren hill strew with Rocks. In areas of Lush green Forests, there is nothing but barrenness, all due to the marauding forces of developmental economics. Under the guise of Development and Industrialization, the environment is suffering a slow and painful death. The pain comes not from the way it has been destructed, but from the complete lack of awareness among humans.
Animals and the diversity of animal species is also being targetted. The tiger could be no more in the coming decade, and Forests will soon consist not of Trees but concrete and metallic structures resembling a jungle. Gone will be the natural and the pureness of the air, but in its place will be the soot-filled pollutant of the factories and industries. The trees give Oxygen and Protection from the heat, the Chimneys of the factory give us deadly Carbon dioxide and unpleasent conditions to live.
Nations and all do not want to curb pollution, because it will affect the dynamics of economics. A clean and pure environment doesnt give money, but a polluting factory gives a lot of money and Jobs. Who does care about the environment? Very few individuals and Media outlets will raise a hue and cry when a natural calamity strikes. Media outlets and environmental groups will go overboard in saying that Unplanned development and pollution are responsible for the change in climate.
Everywhere we see, places are getting hotter, while floods become more pronounced and deadly. Everywhere, nature is churning out its elements in extremes, and yet unfortunately human beings find the will power to evolve out of it. Humans are getting cornered by the extreme ferocities of nature, and yet they remain fatally oblivious to this. Their life will be oriented along Money and other hedonistic materials, but they wont realize that their living is centered around a healthy environment.
Now, a timeline has been set wherein, we, the people of the earth, have 8 years to save the earth. By 2015, we have to save the earth, otherwise the earth will be doomed. Is the time-frame practical? For me, even 80 years is too little, for the extent of the damage that we have caused to the environment.
The Politics of developmental economics and its dynamics are such that it will always overlook sustainability of the environmental resources. Trees will be cut to allow more development of businesses. Political heads will say that Global Warming is all propoganda politics, and conviniently sweep it under the rug. Ordinary people will have a lot of things that worry them in many walks of life. Very few will burden themselves with the worry of the environment. Who will take the initiative? Gone are those days where a Captain Planet can come and conviniently and expectedly clean up the Polluters. Is there a Captain Planet within our souls? I guess not.
The thing which shook me up on environmental day was this barrage of visuals depicting the destruction of the environment. The visuals included floods, drought, hurricanes, pollution and the helplessness of the people trapped. The background music and song was that of Michael Jackson's "Earth Song: What have we done?". It was this song which stirred something in me, that our environment is in big trouble.
We have not done anything, and unlike life in celluloid and on TV, no superhero or song can come to save the environment. For us human beings, when everything in this environment comes to an end, only then we shall realize, "What have we done?" But, till then, the earth will continue its slow death, for people live on the planet of Money and Pleasure in today's time, not on Planet Earth
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