May 2009 bring peace and happiness to you all!
31 December 2008
06 December 2008
Lingering Aftermath
After 26/11, I have read various posts, several e-mails forwarded, watched quite a few TV programs and read the news. I feel compelled to add my own POVs to the babel out there, partly to clarify my own thoughts and partly to see if anyone out there agrees with some of these POVs.
1. In a democracy, there ought not to be any 'us and them' between government and the people. A poster I saw on TV said it aptly--politician, you are our (the people's) servant'.
2. Therefore from point 1 above, we have to vote to get the government we want (to some extent).
3. The politician is just another citizen of our country like you or me. If he is corrupt/is interested only in himself and family, that obviously shows that the vast majority of us are like that. Now if somebody says that only the worst kind go into politics, what's to stop somebody with better morals from going into it?
4. In one of those TV discussions in the aftermath, somebody suggested that we should not pay taxes. I don't see how not paying taxes punishes our politicians. We punish ourselves. If we want the policeman to have a decent salary and for him to be trained and armed properly, that money has to come from taxes, or is anybody planning to sponsor the upgrading of our policemen? Why is there so much tax evasion in the country?
I feel when we criticize our politicians, we should also think about changing ourselves. Let's not decry someone's outlook based on their caste/religion. Let's all turn out to vote at every election. Let's not use influence/money to get us out of a queue or out of a tight spot. Let's teach our children to follow the laws of our country, not implying that those who follow rules are wimps. Let's each of us work together in our work places, without using office politics to put someone else down. Let's realise that sometimes for the good of all, we have to give up a bit of ourselves.
That's my POV. Feel free to add what you feel.
1. In a democracy, there ought not to be any 'us and them' between government and the people. A poster I saw on TV said it aptly--politician, you are our (the people's) servant'.
2. Therefore from point 1 above, we have to vote to get the government we want (to some extent).
3. The politician is just another citizen of our country like you or me. If he is corrupt/is interested only in himself and family, that obviously shows that the vast majority of us are like that. Now if somebody says that only the worst kind go into politics, what's to stop somebody with better morals from going into it?
4. In one of those TV discussions in the aftermath, somebody suggested that we should not pay taxes. I don't see how not paying taxes punishes our politicians. We punish ourselves. If we want the policeman to have a decent salary and for him to be trained and armed properly, that money has to come from taxes, or is anybody planning to sponsor the upgrading of our policemen? Why is there so much tax evasion in the country?
I feel when we criticize our politicians, we should also think about changing ourselves. Let's not decry someone's outlook based on their caste/religion. Let's all turn out to vote at every election. Let's not use influence/money to get us out of a queue or out of a tight spot. Let's teach our children to follow the laws of our country, not implying that those who follow rules are wimps. Let's each of us work together in our work places, without using office politics to put someone else down. Let's realise that sometimes for the good of all, we have to give up a bit of ourselves.
That's my POV. Feel free to add what you feel.
02 December 2008
Smiley in the sky
On a lighter note, I was able to get this photograph of this event (thanks Esbee).
Not too good, being a phonophoto. But it really made me smile! I didn't know about this event then. Just saw this happy smiley face in the sky and loved it. Made me feel Mother Nature was telling me she's still around--whatever else we human beings were doing to each other.
Not too good, being a phonophoto. But it really made me smile! I didn't know about this event then. Just saw this happy smiley face in the sky and loved it. Made me feel Mother Nature was telling me she's still around--whatever else we human beings were doing to each other.
29 November 2008
The fighting in the Taj Hotel--the last point of terrorist resistance--is now officially over they say. But the horror of it will take a long long time to be dimmed and for Time to apply it's healing balm.
For all of us who have had contact with Mumbai, Mumbai is a living, breathing entity. I was born there and most of my family have lived there at some point of time. What has occurred in the last 2 and a half days has saddened me so deeply.
The modern face of terror is very frightening, because reason truly seems to have taken a back seat. Is this the kind of situation we are going to see more of, as life on our planet gets more difficult to live in(due to our consumerism and conspicuous consumption),and we get to be more like rats in an overcrowded cage, running through an endless maze? I truly hope not.
For all of us who have had contact with Mumbai, Mumbai is a living, breathing entity. I was born there and most of my family have lived there at some point of time. What has occurred in the last 2 and a half days has saddened me so deeply.
The modern face of terror is very frightening, because reason truly seems to have taken a back seat. Is this the kind of situation we are going to see more of, as life on our planet gets more difficult to live in(due to our consumerism and conspicuous consumption),and we get to be more like rats in an overcrowded cage, running through an endless maze? I truly hope not.
27 November 2008
A nightmare.
What is happening in Mumbai is a nightmare. We have been following the news from 10.30 p.m last night. you kept hoping that it would end soon. When we went to bed at 4 a.m, it was with the hope that when we woke up it would be over. Vain hope! Even now, at 6.15 in the evening, the firing and explosions are going on. I pray it ends soon.
I do not feel anger, but only deep sorrow, that young men--almost boys- of 21 or so, should perpetrate these kind of acts, when they should be spending time on growing up.
My prayers go out to the brave Mumbaikars. May the nightmare end soon.
Peace.
I do not feel anger, but only deep sorrow, that young men--almost boys- of 21 or so, should perpetrate these kind of acts, when they should be spending time on growing up.
My prayers go out to the brave Mumbaikars. May the nightmare end soon.
Peace.
23 November 2008
Tagged yet again.
This is another tag that 3inone tagged me with.
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes. My paternal grandmother.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Today, after reading someone’s blog.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Sort of.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LUNCH MEAT? Meat, fish, eggs--not fussy.
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes, 3.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Maybe
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Sometimes
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No—not now.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL? Breads-made of any cereal.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Hmmm. Yes.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM? Anything but Vanilla.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their expression.
15. RED OR PINK? Red.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVOURITE THING YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF? Lots of things.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST ? My children when they aren’t around, my mother and my mum-in-law.
18. WHAT COLOUR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Violet sarong and black slippers.
19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Bread
22. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Gordon Lightfoot—‘If you could read my mind now’ on Youtube.
23. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE? Sea -green.
24. FAVOURITE SMELLS? Morning coffee, powdered cinnamon, jasmine or mahogany flowers on the night air and freshly grated lemon rind.
25. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? A niece
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yes.
27. FAVOURITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Nothing really, but will watch anything just to keep company.
28. HAIR COLOUR? Pepper dusted with salt.
29. EYE COLOUR? Almost black.
30. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No.
31. FAVOURITE FOOD? Breads and Bengali sweet curd (mishti doi).
32. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings.
33. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? At the theatre? Quantum of Solace.
34. WHAT COLOUR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Light blue.
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Cool weather.
36. FAVOURITE DESSERT? Fruity desserts of any kind, chocolatey desserts and Bengali sweets.
37. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND ? Respond to what?
38. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Just finished Inheritance of Loss.
39. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? No mouse pad..
40. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? ‘The Proof’ a sweet movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Anthony Hopkins. (this was done on 23rd)
41. FAVOURITE SOUND? A baby’s gurgling laugh.
42. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles.
43. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? California, USA
44. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Well…..maybe singing
45. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Bombay(was still Bombay then), Maharashtra, India.
Would anyone like to do this tag?
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes. My paternal grandmother.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Today, after reading someone’s blog.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Sort of.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LUNCH MEAT? Meat, fish, eggs--not fussy.
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes, 3.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Maybe
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Sometimes
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No—not now.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL? Breads-made of any cereal.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Hmmm. Yes.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM? Anything but Vanilla.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their expression.
15. RED OR PINK? Red.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVOURITE THING YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF? Lots of things.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST ? My children when they aren’t around, my mother and my mum-in-law.
18. WHAT COLOUR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Violet sarong and black slippers.
19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Bread
22. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Gordon Lightfoot—‘If you could read my mind now’ on Youtube.
23. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE? Sea -green.
24. FAVOURITE SMELLS? Morning coffee, powdered cinnamon, jasmine or mahogany flowers on the night air and freshly grated lemon rind.
25. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? A niece
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yes.
27. FAVOURITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Nothing really, but will watch anything just to keep company.
28. HAIR COLOUR? Pepper dusted with salt.
29. EYE COLOUR? Almost black.
30. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No.
31. FAVOURITE FOOD? Breads and Bengali sweet curd (mishti doi).
32. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings.
33. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? At the theatre? Quantum of Solace.
34. WHAT COLOUR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Light blue.
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Cool weather.
36. FAVOURITE DESSERT? Fruity desserts of any kind, chocolatey desserts and Bengali sweets.
37. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND ? Respond to what?
38. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Just finished Inheritance of Loss.
39. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? No mouse pad..
40. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? ‘The Proof’ a sweet movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Anthony Hopkins. (this was done on 23rd)
41. FAVOURITE SOUND? A baby’s gurgling laugh.
42. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles.
43. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? California, USA
44. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Well…..maybe singing
45. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Bombay(was still Bombay then), Maharashtra, India.
Would anyone like to do this tag?
Hiphop Grandmom's tag
Hiphop Grandmom tagged me.
My oldest memory:
Going to nursery school in Bombay; being taken after school to an older cousin’s house, where I drew on their wall and was scolded for it.
Ten years ago:
My husband’s 50th birthday and when I told my husband that our now son-in-law wanted to marry our daughter.
My first thought this morning:
It’s a holiday and so I have more than an hour to spend online.
If you built a time capsule, what would it contain:
An 33rpm LP record—to show what that looked like, a newspaper (Nov. 5th 2008), an old book, a picture of our present picture tube PC and a couple of magazines—one news mag, one showing gadgets of today and one woman’s mag.
This year:
Has been full of events and has gone by at a crazy pace. The financial meltdown has been a big topic of discussion, as also the election. It’s an ok year.
14 years from now:
I hope that I am as ambulatory and healthy—mentally and physically—as I am today.
Now to tag 3 people--Mrs. T, Mallika and Dot?
My oldest memory:
Going to nursery school in Bombay; being taken after school to an older cousin’s house, where I drew on their wall and was scolded for it.
Ten years ago:
My husband’s 50th birthday and when I told my husband that our now son-in-law wanted to marry our daughter.
My first thought this morning:
It’s a holiday and so I have more than an hour to spend online.
If you built a time capsule, what would it contain:
An 33rpm LP record—to show what that looked like, a newspaper (Nov. 5th 2008), an old book, a picture of our present picture tube PC and a couple of magazines—one news mag, one showing gadgets of today and one woman’s mag.
This year:
Has been full of events and has gone by at a crazy pace. The financial meltdown has been a big topic of discussion, as also the election. It’s an ok year.
14 years from now:
I hope that I am as ambulatory and healthy—mentally and physically—as I am today.
Now to tag 3 people--Mrs. T, Mallika and Dot?
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