Life in Perspective

What do we achieve by doing what we do? Ultimately nothing. I think there is no achievement in reality. It is all abstract. We set some goals in life and when we reach those goals, we feel we have dome something and it gives us the satisfaction. What happens to people who do not have set goals or simply do not want to achieve anything? Is their life wasted simply because they do not have any goals.

If we literally take a game of soccer there are only 3 or 4 players who make the most of the goals and yet there are so many players who contribute to the game. But the credit is given mostly to the goal makers.

Likewise the people who do not have set goals in life also live their lives as they want to. They do not live up to others or their own expectations or perhaps they do not have any expectations at all! I think life just happens and we live on. We do not need to have any goals, expectations to live. But to make it more meaningful, our smarter Ancestors must have defined Success, Money, Fame, Love, Sport, Music etc,.

2000 year old Ajanta Caves in India.

I have been out of India since 1998 and living in US ever since. Just before coming to this land of opportunity, I went to the "God's own Country" Kerala. I was amazed at the greenery in that State and thought I should come back sometime, though I could never do that again. When I was reading about this article in Nytimes.com "In the Holy Caves of India" today, I felt that there are so many places I missed out in my country of birth while I was there. Hopefully I will see at least some of them in the remainder of my life!

One door closes while another door opens, but for different people.

One of my friends started working from today, whereas another friend of mine stopped working from today. While one started working after a gap of about 6 years, the other stopped working after a gap of about 6 years. While one was looking to break into work, the other was looking for a break from work. Both had their reasons for doing or not doing what they wanted to or did not want to. I am happy that both of them could do, what they wanted to. I wish both of them the very best in life. Ultimately we all want to be happy in our life and that is what we wish for our friends.

The importance of Elementary Education in USA

I am sure everyone agrees with me when I say that the most important resource of any Nation is its People. Children are our hope for tomorrow. We try to get the best for our Kids. But when it comes to school education we take what we have. Why do Policy Makers and Law Makers here in US, do not look at the quality of education for Elementary schools. Why does the Elementary School Teacher as a Profession not attract the brightest talent? Because there is not much incentive for anyone to do it like some of the glamorous professions like Software, Medicine and Sports. What is Government doing to correct this? What is the Society doing to make the Law Makers understand the importance to attract some of the best talent into Education? At present there is no attraction to be a School teacher and this should change. For starters, Why can't the Salaries bumped up for the School Teachers so that there is an immediate incentive to go into that Profession, when we can spend billions of dollars on democratizing Countries like Iraq. How much would it cost to do this? I do not know. But I am sure it will not cost even half of what is being spent now on charities for other countries. Probably there should be some movement towards this and only then the Politicians try to do something. There may be someone already working towards this goal. At least it does not make it to the front pages of Newspapers as of now. This is not something which can be glamorized and sensationalized. Leaders from Business like Bill Gates and Warren Buffet who have the money to spend should take lead in this and Political Leaders like George Bush(Sr) and Bill Clinton can mobilize people and money into this cause.

Is India the new land of Opportunity?

I know India is still a developing country and may be 25-50 years to go before it can be called a Developed nation. But is this the beginning? May be it is. This "In a Twist, Americans Appear in Ranks of Indian Firms" news item in NYtimes.com is newsworthy because, the fact all these years has been, Indians standing in long lines for visas in US embassies and Consulates. I am sure US will continue to be a land of opportunity for Indians and People from all over the world for many years to come.

Once a Politician. Always a Politician.

It is revolting to read news items like this when Politicians say whatever they like. A former Chief Minister of Kashmir says India will burn if a Terrorist is hanged. What an irresponsible statement? I always thought that Dr.Farooq Abdullah was one of the few saner, moderate modern faces of Indian Politicians. Just because he is no longer ruling, he should not be shooting his mouth off like this. I am appalled at the sad state of affairs where an important leader in India feels that India will be up in flames if a Terrorist is hanged. Why can't our Politicians forget that they are Politicians for a moment and think like Statesmen about the Country? Perhaps it is too much to ask for from them.

India has been slowly burning any way for a long time because of the short sighted approach by our Politicians and Society alike to our longstanding problems. There are fires all over India waiting to be put out. But for our Politicians, Media and Society at large, a small problem is always relegated to the back burner till it becomes a major fire.

Money grows on Tree of Ideas!

It has been proven yet again that it is the idea that makes money but not money itself! There is this good story in Nytimes.com about the latest money spinner in the news "YouTube" and one of it's founders. Check it out.

Great Expections or Least Expectations?

When we expect something and it does not happen, we feel bad. But we want to feel good. So, is it good personally, to have expectations? May not be. If we want to feel good, we should not have any expectations. It is like going to a Movie with no expectations. Even if the Movie is average, you feel as if you have watched a good movie. If you have great expectations about a Movie, even if it is good, it may not survive the expectations. I am struggling with this thought as to what is good for an Individual. To have expectations, fail to meet those expectations, feel bad, try to come out of that phase, try that cycle again and again till success is achieved. The other choice is to simply not have any expectations, do what you need to do and let the destiny be the Master. I don't know. I am sure many of us don't know. I am not sure that everyone does not know. At least I am not one of those who knows. I know that is something not to be proud of. Can someone enlighten me on my ignorance? I really feel that ignorance is bliss as of now.

It is all in our habits.

I have been thinking about this for some time. Why is it so difficult for some of us to do things which are, for others, very easy to do. We are all prisoners of habits and I guess it is very difficult for some of us to change these habits. It starts with when we wake up in the morning and ends with the time we hit the bed. What we do in the interregnum is what we are used to doing all along. We try to resist any changes in the patterns we built in leading our daily life. Even the way we think is also the result of the old habits. They say "Old habits die hard". We all die one day but the habits that we build up in our lives never die on their own till we are gone. We have to kill them and it is never easy for us to do so. We all want to be good, look good, feel good, eat good, live good, yet when it comes to the supposedly good habits it is always very difficult for us to cultivate and replace the bad habits. Does that mean "New habits die easy"? I believe it is very easy kick off new habits, because they are not habits till they are old. There is an article on Old habits at www.PhysOrg.com, for which I have given a link in this post.


My Father used to tell me that I have to be disciplined in order to succeed in life and once your habit patterns are formed in the early part of life, it will not be easy for me to change and unless I made changes, I will have to suffer later. I realize now, that, not only is discipline very important early on in life, it helps us in dealing with the situations more confidently. Self Confidence is also the way we perceive about ourselves and I think that too is a habit. May be this can go on and on, but I need to stop it somewhere, lest this becomes my habit. I don't want to add to my repertoire of habits! But I am not sure if I am succeeding in that goal, because not doing something is also a habit!!!

Positive Fuel for thought and action!

It has been sometime since I added any content on this blog. I have always been thinking why can't Politicians be practical and look at what is possible in the immediate near future rather than talk about something which can happen in the next 50-100 years. Probably it is all public posturing. That is the reason I guess Bush talks about Hydrogen fuel cells and going to Mars. I am of the belief that if someone can do it others can too. If Brazil can do it and do it with success in about 15-25 years why can't countries like India, US and China do it too??? Their current insatiable needs for oil is now being met by imports saddling the people with big deficits in their budgets. I think People have to wake them (Politicians) up to the ground realities and make sure their voice is heard. I was listening to the KGO talk show the other day and Karel was saying that if the Speeds on the Roads in US are reduced by 5 Miles (Just 5 Miles, Can you believe it!?) the there will 30% reduction in US consumption of Oil. Imagine what would happen to the World oil Market if US reduces its oil import by that percentage. But common sense is not so common and it is all about posturing in public life.

It is commendable that someone like Vinod Khosla, who has been advocating about the ethanol as an alternative to the fossil fuels. I watched his speech on a recent visit to the google at Mountain View, California and has a link to the on the google website. I am sure that very soon the pain becomes so unbearable that we have to do something. I request everyone who happens to read my blog, to please take time and listen to his speech (I have provided the link above). If we can contribute to this change in the attitude for alternative fuels, even in a small way, will be a big right step. The possibilities of ethanol made out of Corn or Sugar Cane are enormous. The environment will be cleaner and greener.

Automotive Companies like Toyota and GM are beginning to understand the seriousness of this, by introducing Hybrid and Flex Fuel cars. I am sure all the other companies would follow suit, plainly because of Hobson's choice. I have always believed everything happens for a reason and for our good. Even the recent record prices at the Gas stations all over the US and other countries would prompt people to take action and do something about this alternative fuel to the fossil fuels. If the prices were low nobody would want to do anything. I am positive that this will be an awakening for everyone to take action.

I laughed at this joke and I am sure anyone would!!!

I was reading this Joke of the day and I liked it. I am sure others will find it good too!

The Train!
June 13th, 2006
AskMen.com Rates
This Joke: 8/10
A man and his wife check into a hotel. The husband wants to have a drink at the bar, but his wife is extremely tired so she decides to go on up to their room to rest.She lies down on the bed... just then, an elevated train passes by very close to the window and shakes the room so hard she's thrown out of the bed.Thinking this must be a freak occurrence, she lies down once more.Again a train shakes the room so violently, she's pitched to the floor.Exasperated, she calls the front desk and asks for the manager. The manager says he'll be right up.The manager is skeptical, but the wife insists the story is true."Look... lie here on the bed -- you'll be thrown right to the floor!"So he lies down next to the wife.Just then the husband walks in and says, "What are you doing here!?!"The manager calmly replies, "Would you believe I'm waiting for a train?"

No Pain No Gain

The gas prices are now around $3.25/gallon in US. People slowly seem to realize that this is not something that can go down anytime soon. Even the President has acknowledged that he is helpless in this. People always haggle whether the oil companies are making money or not. But no one seems to understand that they are in the business of making money. They are not in charitable business. They will try to make money when they can. Did anyone complain when the gas prices had gone down to almost a Dollar/gallon about 4 years back? It is market economics which comes into play. Demand and supply which decides the price of oil.

CNN has been broadcasting a show " We have been warned" for the last 2 months over the weekends. In the show we are told of Brazil's success in attaining self-sufficiency for its fuel needs with 40% of their needs met by Ethanol made out of Sugarcane. Brazil is the number one producer of Sugarcane in the world. When Brazil can do this why can't it be done in USA or India which are so dependent on imported oil. There can be no miracles overnight. But if we plan now may be USA and India can become self-sufficient for their energy needs in about 25-30 years, which is good enough. People always look for something which is romantic and unachievable in a decent period. Hydrogen fuel cell technology is one example of that. Why can't the Governments encourage businesses to invest in the manufacture of Ethanol so that we need not be dependent on imported oil. They say common sense is not so common.

Hopefully now that Gas prices have become prohibitively expensive people will wake up now and think of alternatives to the traditional fuels. If the prices were low people would go about their business as usual without worrying as to what might happen tomorrow. I sincerely hope this is a true wakeup call and people will wake up. As someone said " No pain No gain."

Americans in New Orleans in need of help!!!

I can not imagine that what is happening now in New Orleans could have happened that too in the Worlds most richest,powerful and best country. It was not as if no body knew that this was going to happen. The Cable TV was covering the Katrina from the begining and they all said it was going to be a category 5 storm to hit New Orleans. They all said it was going to be the worst. The officials gave the people enough time to get out. Now after 5-6 days we hear from the officials that they did not expect this. Are they trying to save their jobs? Whose job is at peril now? Is there is any accountability in this country? The President says that the Relief efforts are unacceptable. The Mayor blames the Washington for the poor response. The blame game has already begun.

This was a natural disaster made worse by Man's inadequate response. We have the best army in the world and we help every other country at their moment of need. Why are we not able to help. FEMA is supposed to be spearheading relief efforts. I request everyone who reads this blog to contribute either to any of the Charitable Organizations in whatever way they could. Probably no one at the helm understood the magnitude of this crisis and that is the saddest part. I think it is the human way of waking up after the event. For some of the people the relief might have been too late in the day but for at least the remaining people who are still alive it may just be in time! We always have to make new mistakes and learn from them. Some of those mistakes might just be too expensive in terms of lives lost.

Mera Mumbai mahan!

We were always told that Mumbai or Bombay is the place which was the show piece of India to the rest of the world. The necklace of India which is the Financial capital of India was in a helpless state the other day last week. We can always blame it on someone. God for instance is an easy way out. But for those more than 800 innocent lives lost that day, and for millions of Mumbaikars who had to brave the rains and the consequent flooding, it must have been traumatic, to say the least.

If similar rains had happened elsewhere in any other city in India, I am sure the result would have been just the same. The infrastructure in almost all the metros in India is woefully lacking in every conceivable way. We have the best cars in the world but do not have the roads for them to drive in. We have the best hotels but do not still have the uninterrupted drinking water supply for most residential areas in the cities. People still store water in containers waiting for the next time rationed supply by the Municipal corporations. As long as we do not have the basics sorted, all this rhetoric being the 10th largest economy in the world, will not do anything to alleviate the suffering People living in the Metros and elsewhere in India, have to go through every day.

The first hand account of Vir Sanghvi in Hindustan Times is worth reading. We always have to have some disaster in which hundreds of people lose lives, before people decide to act. There has to be a Tsunami in which more that 2 lacs of people perish, before we decide to have a Tsunami warning system in place. Hopefully the Powers that be take note of what happened in Mumbai and try to improve the infrastructure in Mumbai and elsewhere in the country before God decides to act!

Taj Mahal, the Crown of India. No more?

According to the UP Waqf board this is the property of the Waqf board and not ASI(Archeological Survey of India), which has been managing this one of the wonders of modern world since 1920s. I was shocked and many more must have been equally so, to hear this. I hope this is settled in the High Court as soon as possible by giving it the prominence this case needs.

I feel that Muslim League of India must be commended for what they said. They said that "Taj Mahal is National property" and rightly so. It is a pity that people stoop to any levels for the sake of money and litigate anything. If this is allowed to continue, tomorrow someone mightl claim the Red Fort and Rashtrapathi Bhavan. The Government should bring out legislation such that at least national monuments can not be touched by any litigants.

Will someone read this???

There are very few people like Salman Rushdie, the Indian born British Author, who has the courage of his convictions. Inspite of the fatwas to kill him, has been a modern and moderate face of Islam. The article on the state of affairs in India and Pakistan is well written. But the problem is will someone higher up at the helm in India read and take action. I doubt. The political compulsions are much more important than these minor irritants. In India there is an outcry, only when there are hundreds of people that are affected. This is the sad state of affairs in the World's supposedly largest democracy.

Breeding grounds for terror

Another interesting article by Tavleen Singh about the terrorism.

The Politicians need to be thinking more about the humanity at large, rather than thinking about being politically correct. The impediments in the development of India is controlling the ever growing population and lack of better education in rural areas, apart from lack of basics like drinking water in rural places. They can not talk about population because we are a democracy and do not want to antagonize the vote banks. They do not want to provide education because they do not gain by educating the voters. Not one of these politicians talk about this. It is all about religious and regional politics. They either want to further divide the states in the name of injustice or divide the public on the basis of religion and caste. Their interest is to win the votes and thereby capture power and who has the time to look into the real problems.

Solution to a problem

Thomas Friedman has written an interesting article in NY Times. I think there can be solutions to this problem of terrorism if we want it. There can never be a world without problems, like there can never be a Human being without worries. But at least there can be some sanity in the society.

"When I do good, I feel good and when I do bad, I feel bad."

The terrorists have struck again, this time in London. There are reports that as of now at least 40 people are dead and 700 injured with the count likely to go up. This is shows how helpless and ineffective we are in curbing these attacks. We might have the best of security and intelligence but they can bring everything to a standstill with a couple of serial attacks. Indira Gandhi was supposed be one of the best protected Leaders of her times. Yet she was assassinated by her own body guards. Ronald Reagan, while he was the President of USA, with all the best security, was attacked and almost killed by a crazy guy so that he could catch the attention of the Film Star he loved. All the Counter Terrorism experts have been saying time and again that it is when and where the next strike will be but not whether there will be. Day before yesterday, it was Madrid. Yesterday, it was in Ayodhya. Today it was London. Tomorrow, we do not know, where. But probably the Terrorists know where. They have all the World to hide and attack. The Society does not know how to prevent this. It is like searching for a needle in a haystack.

All this mayhem in the name of Religion. Religion has always evoked stronger and baser instincts in human beings. The vested interests all over the world exploit this to the maximum. These Terrorists will go to any extent to prove that they are right. This is amply demonstrated by the suicide bombings that go on everyday in Iraq and Palestine. They think and believe that they are making the extreme sacrifice of their lives for the sake of their religion. Basically this shows an intolerance for others' point of view. My way is the right way and what others do is wrong. Can this change? I doubt whether this ever will happen. There are so many laws made by our society, yet there are so many willing to break them. The hope for an egalitarian society where everyone can live in peace is just a myth. This terrorism has been happening since ages in one form or another throughout history and will continue to be a thorn in our future & beyond.

If only they read and believed what Abraham Lincoln thought "When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad, and that is my religion." We can only hope and in hope alone lies our future for a better tomorrow.

Happiness is a state of mind.

We all want to be happy. We want to be successful. We want to make lots of money. We want to become famous. We want to be powerful. We want to achieve. All this and more, so that we can ultimately be happy.

So when someone achieves a record of sorts, the natural inclination for ordinary mortals is to be happy. But not Takeru Kobayashi, the new Hot Dog champion, by eating 49 hot dogs in 12 minutes. He was not happy because he fell short of his personal best of 53.5 hot dogs and buns achieved last year.

Humans always crave for what we do not have and forget about that we already have. Perhaps that is what spurs all this growth. We can not be content with what we have. In this case he is the current Champion. He holds the record for most number of hot dogs. It is just that he missed his personal best this time. Can he ever be happy? I don't know. Even if he is able to eat 55 next time, he might still be unhappy because his target was 60 hot dogs. May be. May be not.