Hi All
Almost everyone who read my earlier blog H1 had asked me to write a similar one at the end of the year. Well 2008 has ended and now is the right time to look back and understand what it meant while it lasted and also chronicle the events, which I believe will be remembered and discussed for years to come.
The events of first half have been captured in my earlier blog H1. (All those who have forgotten can re- read it). I had asked a question " Do we realise what we are witnessing? and as I look at the events that have occurred in second half all I can say is that was just an interval in the movie 2008. Here I present my highlights for second half of 2008:
- Wall street became Fall street. Lehman Brothers fell and actually US govt did not save it. There is no thoroughbred Investment bank in the world today. Citi survived while AIG and others are on a life saver
- Being a government owned financial institution was no longer a taboo. Gordon Brown showed the world how state could save economy and how proudly everyone wants to serve at the pleasure of Her Majesty's Government. US and others copied the same
- Inflation fell to below 7% in India when no one expected it to fall after it had touched 12% in H1
- Petrol prices kissed USD 150 dollars and then fell to USD 34 before we changed the calendar from 2008 to 2009
- Abhinav Bindra finally won a gold for India in an individual event. Truly 1 in a billion!
- F1 had a champion decided in a last 5 seconds of the final race and with luck playing an important role.
- US finally has a black President in Barack Obama. What he did unthinkable is even before being sworn in, has included Hillary ( fierce contender) and Robert Gates (serving republican) in his cabinet in 2 of most important roles. Way to go !!!
- Kingfisher & Jet came together to redefine the Indian Air industry and who better than the aviation minister to play cupid
- Australia are no more the Kings of Cricket ... crown is up for grabs and surprisingly India is a leading contender to take it. (anyone remember the last world cup)
- K serials ended ( after 8 yrs) and Thank god for small mercy. Adding on Ekta kapoor made a serial which did not begin with a K. Need I say more.
- Sheila Dixit won Delhi for a record 3rd time. She cannot thank BJP enough for ensuring her win.
- Taj & Trident opened in record 21 days after the Mumbai attacks. No one can break the spirit.
- Terrorism is no longer an election agenda and Democracy is alive and kicking. Thanks to Jammu & Kashmir and other states.
and finally
- Indian soldier emerged as the Indian of the year for 2008. A Nation Salutes!
2008. Thank you. You will be remembered.
Welcome 2009. Lets see what you bring.
Wishing all my readers a 2009 full of joy , happiness and above all togetherness.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
I am still angry...
As I look around me today I see a lot of anger. My neighbour is angry, my friends are angry, my father who is a retired Colonel is angry, whole country is angry, Indians all over the world are angry and yes I too am angry.
Ever since 26/11 all of us have been angry. I have questioned myself many a times regards my anger on Mumbai attacks. Each time I always find something different and new for me to be angry upon: be it intelligence failure, lack of political will to tackle terror, lack of preparation to handle such attacks whatever, but things which remain constant are feeling of being mutilated, violated, helplessness and abused. It is not only me but a lot of us who are feeling the same. Check with your friends on facebook, orkut or around you and each one has many a emotions but one thing common is anger.
I have been wanting to write about Mumbai for sometime but have not done so thinking what is new that i can contribute? What will you read here that in some form or manner you would not have heard or read elsewhere. Agree that what you read from here on may not be new but it is my feeling and I am writing this to help myself. In our country where it has become a fashion to put self interest above national interest, I should at least be allowed to put my interest ahead of yours on my own blog if no where else.
Everyone has been blaming Pakistan for the attacks. Sure they are to be blamed but not fully? Before we look outward it’s important to look inwards. Its time to introspect. Despite repeated warning about terror attacks and also despite blast happening on a regular basis across the country Mumbai happened and question is why? We need to ask is how come after 1993 blasts, IC- 814 hijacking, attack on the parliament, Mumbai train blast, blast in Delhi, Jaipur etc we as a nation are not prepared? How did we allow the jehadi's to come? Why does IB, RAW, Armed forces intelligence not talk to each other? Why has National Security adviser, RAW chief not been sacked?
I come from a family where people have served the nation in Armed Forces. My father has himself fought 71 war and has suffered many a bullet injuries. I salute the soldiers who laid down their lives but I ask why have Director General Coast Guard and Naval Chief not been held accountable? Are they not responsible for protecting the country from sea? Why have we not sacked the Defence secretary or the home secretary? Is it because they are elite class of IAS and are beyond being accountable to the state? Holding Shivraj Patil , R R Patil or a Vilasrao Deshmukh accountable is not enough Mr. Prime minister, for the malaise has spread far and deep within the bureaucracy of this nation. Today every new government appoints bureaucrats and policemen who are aligned to its political agenda or caste and never on merit.
When 9/11/ happened in US there was no democrat or a republican agenda to counter it. They were united in their action plan and response. When will BJP and Congress understand this? BJP could do nothing better then release advertisements in national media about how it is better in tackling terror. They seem to have forgotten IC-814. I am ashamed when I think about it. Congress made the right noises about federal agency and NSG hubs. We ask why wait for 26/11? Actually both of them can go to hell for all I care or many of us care. Our leaders have failed us yet again. Militarily am sure we are prepared to wage a war or hit out at terrorist camps in POK but question that we should ask PM or Mr. Advani is are we politically prepared to wage a war to protect our nation?
I don't think its about religion anymore. Have we not grieved for the 19 Muslims who were among the 59 shot dead at CST? Have Muslims of India not refused to bury the terrorist in Mumbai? It’s about being Indian. Jihadi's were firing into soul of India not that of a Hindu or a Muslim. On the morning of 27 Nov as we all watched the carnage on our TV sets there was no Hindu India, Muslim India, Sikh India etc but only a nation united in anger, in helplessness and above all patriotism.
Many of us have marched with candles across cities, protesting, showing our anger, sharing grief and giving strength to each other. Media is full of campaigns on charter of terror and terror pledges and in their own way they are wanting to make a difference and wanting to keep the issue alive.
Today our politicians, bureaucrats, intelligence agencies all are waiting for us to get over our anger, our rage. They know in our bid to move on we will forget. We have done it in the past and there is nothing that makes them believe otherwise this time. Let’s prove them wrong. Let’s show them we are in no mood to forgive. They have to realize that with 26/11 our tolerance has been broken. We will not give up in a hurry and that we are willing to wait their inaction out. We need to tell them that we have been angry since 26/11 and plan to remains so for a long time.
I was told by someone 'give up your anger' for nothing will happen in our nation which has no political will to defend us and I will only hurt myself little each time that I am angry. Sorry my friend I am not listening. This time I want the hurt to continue, I want the fire to burn inside me and I want to continue being angry because I have had enough.
We Indians need to send a message not only to Pakistan and the whole world but also to our Government that enough is enough guys!
Ever since 26/11 all of us have been angry. I have questioned myself many a times regards my anger on Mumbai attacks. Each time I always find something different and new for me to be angry upon: be it intelligence failure, lack of political will to tackle terror, lack of preparation to handle such attacks whatever, but things which remain constant are feeling of being mutilated, violated, helplessness and abused. It is not only me but a lot of us who are feeling the same. Check with your friends on facebook, orkut or around you and each one has many a emotions but one thing common is anger.
I have been wanting to write about Mumbai for sometime but have not done so thinking what is new that i can contribute? What will you read here that in some form or manner you would not have heard or read elsewhere. Agree that what you read from here on may not be new but it is my feeling and I am writing this to help myself. In our country where it has become a fashion to put self interest above national interest, I should at least be allowed to put my interest ahead of yours on my own blog if no where else.
Everyone has been blaming Pakistan for the attacks. Sure they are to be blamed but not fully? Before we look outward it’s important to look inwards. Its time to introspect. Despite repeated warning about terror attacks and also despite blast happening on a regular basis across the country Mumbai happened and question is why? We need to ask is how come after 1993 blasts, IC- 814 hijacking, attack on the parliament, Mumbai train blast, blast in Delhi, Jaipur etc we as a nation are not prepared? How did we allow the jehadi's to come? Why does IB, RAW, Armed forces intelligence not talk to each other? Why has National Security adviser, RAW chief not been sacked?
I come from a family where people have served the nation in Armed Forces. My father has himself fought 71 war and has suffered many a bullet injuries. I salute the soldiers who laid down their lives but I ask why have Director General Coast Guard and Naval Chief not been held accountable? Are they not responsible for protecting the country from sea? Why have we not sacked the Defence secretary or the home secretary? Is it because they are elite class of IAS and are beyond being accountable to the state? Holding Shivraj Patil , R R Patil or a Vilasrao Deshmukh accountable is not enough Mr. Prime minister, for the malaise has spread far and deep within the bureaucracy of this nation. Today every new government appoints bureaucrats and policemen who are aligned to its political agenda or caste and never on merit.
When 9/11/ happened in US there was no democrat or a republican agenda to counter it. They were united in their action plan and response. When will BJP and Congress understand this? BJP could do nothing better then release advertisements in national media about how it is better in tackling terror. They seem to have forgotten IC-814. I am ashamed when I think about it. Congress made the right noises about federal agency and NSG hubs. We ask why wait for 26/11? Actually both of them can go to hell for all I care or many of us care. Our leaders have failed us yet again. Militarily am sure we are prepared to wage a war or hit out at terrorist camps in POK but question that we should ask PM or Mr. Advani is are we politically prepared to wage a war to protect our nation?
I don't think its about religion anymore. Have we not grieved for the 19 Muslims who were among the 59 shot dead at CST? Have Muslims of India not refused to bury the terrorist in Mumbai? It’s about being Indian. Jihadi's were firing into soul of India not that of a Hindu or a Muslim. On the morning of 27 Nov as we all watched the carnage on our TV sets there was no Hindu India, Muslim India, Sikh India etc but only a nation united in anger, in helplessness and above all patriotism.
Many of us have marched with candles across cities, protesting, showing our anger, sharing grief and giving strength to each other. Media is full of campaigns on charter of terror and terror pledges and in their own way they are wanting to make a difference and wanting to keep the issue alive.
Today our politicians, bureaucrats, intelligence agencies all are waiting for us to get over our anger, our rage. They know in our bid to move on we will forget. We have done it in the past and there is nothing that makes them believe otherwise this time. Let’s prove them wrong. Let’s show them we are in no mood to forgive. They have to realize that with 26/11 our tolerance has been broken. We will not give up in a hurry and that we are willing to wait their inaction out. We need to tell them that we have been angry since 26/11 and plan to remains so for a long time.
I was told by someone 'give up your anger' for nothing will happen in our nation which has no political will to defend us and I will only hurt myself little each time that I am angry. Sorry my friend I am not listening. This time I want the hurt to continue, I want the fire to burn inside me and I want to continue being angry because I have had enough.
We Indians need to send a message not only to Pakistan and the whole world but also to our Government that enough is enough guys!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Thank You - Sourav Ganguly
India celebrates victory, they also celebrate Sourav Ganguly as he walks off the field one last time. Warm and sunny evening at Nagpur was a befitting setting for a man who wears his passion on his sleeve.
I am writing this because this is my way of saluting a hero I have liked, hated and liked again. Also as they say when it is farewell time a lot of people think ; if they were loved so much why did they have to go. I am sure at some point Ganguly too will feel the same way. But that’s for later, now is the time to celebrate a hero, so let me do it.
Disastrous debut as a 19 yr old in Australia only to be castigated in the bins of history with attitude smudged all over him; to anyone that should have signaled end of the road. 1996 England tour recall came with a lot of corridor talk about influence, money and contacts fructifying. 2 hundreds in first two matches silenced everything. “Prince of Kolkatta was anointed God of Offside.”
Ganguly as player and Ganguly as captain, both have got their share of love and hate. Circa 2000, when Tendulkar had refused captaincy and Indian cricket was in its abyss with a drubbing in Australia and a series shock loss at home to south Africa country looked towards Ganguly. ‘Cometh the moment cometh the man’. Ganguly not only grabbed the imagination of public he also reinforced the belief in the game and our ability to win. Many a great contest were held, innings played, wickets taken, catches held on and as team won and moved from one match to another , one series to another , one continent to another the captain held steadfast. He ensured the young guns were given opportunity to fire, believed in them and backed them. Ganguly marshaled his troops and would have given run for his money to any war time general.
Lords balcony and who would have thought India would have won that day and yet it did. He captured the imagination of the whole nation and world stopped to take notice. Twirling of the shirt was coming of age of the Indian youth and spirit of never giving up, never be cowed down, of giving it back and in full. It was just what Ganguly himself was defiant, confident, courageous and ability to back oneself. This was also reflected in 2003 world cup.
I along the way thought Ganguly was very tactical, very instinctive, today realize that hunches are not successful it’s the experience behind the thought to go with the hunch. Ganguly had tons of it. He was the master whose teammates believed no matter what captain does, he will do the right thing for the team and also for them. They trusted him and had faith because he was never afraid to make mistakes as a leader and acknowledge most of them.
Familiarity breeds contempt and who better to tell us about this than Ganguly himself. Down and then out, he came back when people were writing his epitaph. Today there is this big debate everywhere - did he have another year in him or not? It really does not matter, for Ganguly has never actually followed convention. He was in some ways reflecting the next obsession of Indian public ‘the sensex’. Up today down next week. Each one knows when time is up and Ganguly decided his own.
Let me admit that I have been involved in many a discussion when I have vociferously in 2004 - 2005 wanted him dropped and wanted him gone. Today I am thankful to him for coming back and doing it with passion, which is so very him. I have learnt.
He has a generation that will remember him for making us believe we can win, that too at terrains not familiar, that tigers are tigers be it any ground in any part of the world, that passion is not a bad word , that respect is earned, that if you back your team they ensure your success as a leader, that even if the whole world gives up on you, you cannot because you have yourself, that opposition respects an aggressive competitor and that its ok once in a lifetime to twirl your shirt and show it all that you have given: blood, sweat and tears. That is a lot to thank him for and rightly so.
Goodbye Prince! Offside will not be the same again for a long time. Fare Thee well!
I am writing this because this is my way of saluting a hero I have liked, hated and liked again. Also as they say when it is farewell time a lot of people think ; if they were loved so much why did they have to go. I am sure at some point Ganguly too will feel the same way. But that’s for later, now is the time to celebrate a hero, so let me do it.
Disastrous debut as a 19 yr old in Australia only to be castigated in the bins of history with attitude smudged all over him; to anyone that should have signaled end of the road. 1996 England tour recall came with a lot of corridor talk about influence, money and contacts fructifying. 2 hundreds in first two matches silenced everything. “Prince of Kolkatta was anointed God of Offside.”
Ganguly as player and Ganguly as captain, both have got their share of love and hate. Circa 2000, when Tendulkar had refused captaincy and Indian cricket was in its abyss with a drubbing in Australia and a series shock loss at home to south Africa country looked towards Ganguly. ‘Cometh the moment cometh the man’. Ganguly not only grabbed the imagination of public he also reinforced the belief in the game and our ability to win. Many a great contest were held, innings played, wickets taken, catches held on and as team won and moved from one match to another , one series to another , one continent to another the captain held steadfast. He ensured the young guns were given opportunity to fire, believed in them and backed them. Ganguly marshaled his troops and would have given run for his money to any war time general.
Lords balcony and who would have thought India would have won that day and yet it did. He captured the imagination of the whole nation and world stopped to take notice. Twirling of the shirt was coming of age of the Indian youth and spirit of never giving up, never be cowed down, of giving it back and in full. It was just what Ganguly himself was defiant, confident, courageous and ability to back oneself. This was also reflected in 2003 world cup.
I along the way thought Ganguly was very tactical, very instinctive, today realize that hunches are not successful it’s the experience behind the thought to go with the hunch. Ganguly had tons of it. He was the master whose teammates believed no matter what captain does, he will do the right thing for the team and also for them. They trusted him and had faith because he was never afraid to make mistakes as a leader and acknowledge most of them.
Familiarity breeds contempt and who better to tell us about this than Ganguly himself. Down and then out, he came back when people were writing his epitaph. Today there is this big debate everywhere - did he have another year in him or not? It really does not matter, for Ganguly has never actually followed convention. He was in some ways reflecting the next obsession of Indian public ‘the sensex’. Up today down next week. Each one knows when time is up and Ganguly decided his own.
Let me admit that I have been involved in many a discussion when I have vociferously in 2004 - 2005 wanted him dropped and wanted him gone. Today I am thankful to him for coming back and doing it with passion, which is so very him. I have learnt.
He has a generation that will remember him for making us believe we can win, that too at terrains not familiar, that tigers are tigers be it any ground in any part of the world, that passion is not a bad word , that respect is earned, that if you back your team they ensure your success as a leader, that even if the whole world gives up on you, you cannot because you have yourself, that opposition respects an aggressive competitor and that its ok once in a lifetime to twirl your shirt and show it all that you have given: blood, sweat and tears. That is a lot to thank him for and rightly so.
Goodbye Prince! Offside will not be the same again for a long time. Fare Thee well!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Thank You - Sourav Ganguly
India celebrates victory, they also celebrate Sourav Ganguly as he walks off the field one last time. Warm and sunny evening at Nagpur was a befitting setting for a man who wears his passion on his sleeve.
I am writing this because this is my way of saluting a hero I have liked, hated and liked again. Also as they say when it is farewell time a lot of people think ; if they were loved so much why did they have to go. I am sure at some point Ganguly too will feel the same way. But that’s for later, now is the time to celebrate a hero, so let me do it.
Disastrous debut as a 19 yr old in Australia only to be castigated in the bins of history with attitude smudged all over him; to anyone that should have signaled end of the road. 1996 England tour recall came with a lot of corridor talk about influence, money and contacts fructifying. 2 hundreds in first two matches silenced everything. “Prince of Kolkatta was anointed God of Offside.”
Ganguly as player and Ganguly as captain, both have got their share of love and hate. Circa 2000, when Tendulkar had refused captaincy and Indian cricket was in its abyss with a drubbing in Australia and a series shock loss at home to south Africa country looked towards Ganguly. ‘Cometh the moment cometh the man’. Ganguly not only grabbed the imagination of public he also reinforced the belief in the game and our ability to win. Many a great contest were held, innings played, wickets taken, catches held on and as team won and moved from one match to another , one series to another , one continent to another the captain held steadfast. He ensured the young guns were given opportunity to fire, believed in them and backed them. Ganguly marshaled his troops and would have given run for his money to any war time general.
Lords balcony and who would have thought India would have won that day and yet it did. He captured the imagination of the whole nation and world stopped to take notice. Twirling of the shirt was coming of age of the Indian youth and spirit of never giving up, never be cowed down, of giving it back and in full. It was just what Ganguly himself was defiant, confident, courageous and ability to back oneself. This was also reflected in 2003 world cup.
I along the way thought Ganguly was very tactical, very instinctive, today realize that hunches are not successful it’s the experience behind the thought to go with the hunch. Ganguly had tons of it. He was the master whose teammates believed no matter what captain does, he will do the right thing for the team and also for them. They trusted him and had faith because he was never afraid to make mistakes as a leader and acknowledge most of them.
Familiarity breeds contempt and who better to tell us about this than Ganguly himself. Down and then out, he came back when people were writing his epitaph. Today there is this big debate everywhere - did he have another year in him or not? It really does not matter, for Ganguly has never actually followed convention. He was in some ways reflecting the next obsession of Indian public ‘the sensex’. Up today down next week. Each one knows when time is up and Ganguly decided his own.
Let me admit that I have been involved in many a discussion when I have vociferously in 2004 - 2005 wanted him dropped and wanted him gone. Today I am thankful to him for coming back and doing it with passion, which is so very him. I have learnt.
He has a generation that will remember him for making us believe we can win, that too at terrains not familiar, that tigers are tigers be it any ground in any part of the world, that passion is not a bad word , that respect is earned, that if you back your team they ensure your success as a leader, that even if the whole world gives up on you, you cannot because you have yourself, that opposition respects an aggressive competitor and that its ok once in a lifetime to twirl your shirt and show it all that you have given: blood, sweat and tears. That is a lot to thank him for and rightly so.
Goodbye Prince! Offside will not be the same again for a long time. Fare Thee well!
I am writing this because this is my way of saluting a hero I have liked, hated and liked again. Also as they say when it is farewell time a lot of people think ; if they were loved so much why did they have to go. I am sure at some point Ganguly too will feel the same way. But that’s for later, now is the time to celebrate a hero, so let me do it.
Disastrous debut as a 19 yr old in Australia only to be castigated in the bins of history with attitude smudged all over him; to anyone that should have signaled end of the road. 1996 England tour recall came with a lot of corridor talk about influence, money and contacts fructifying. 2 hundreds in first two matches silenced everything. “Prince of Kolkatta was anointed God of Offside.”
Ganguly as player and Ganguly as captain, both have got their share of love and hate. Circa 2000, when Tendulkar had refused captaincy and Indian cricket was in its abyss with a drubbing in Australia and a series shock loss at home to south Africa country looked towards Ganguly. ‘Cometh the moment cometh the man’. Ganguly not only grabbed the imagination of public he also reinforced the belief in the game and our ability to win. Many a great contest were held, innings played, wickets taken, catches held on and as team won and moved from one match to another , one series to another , one continent to another the captain held steadfast. He ensured the young guns were given opportunity to fire, believed in them and backed them. Ganguly marshaled his troops and would have given run for his money to any war time general.
Lords balcony and who would have thought India would have won that day and yet it did. He captured the imagination of the whole nation and world stopped to take notice. Twirling of the shirt was coming of age of the Indian youth and spirit of never giving up, never be cowed down, of giving it back and in full. It was just what Ganguly himself was defiant, confident, courageous and ability to back oneself. This was also reflected in 2003 world cup.
I along the way thought Ganguly was very tactical, very instinctive, today realize that hunches are not successful it’s the experience behind the thought to go with the hunch. Ganguly had tons of it. He was the master whose teammates believed no matter what captain does, he will do the right thing for the team and also for them. They trusted him and had faith because he was never afraid to make mistakes as a leader and acknowledge most of them.
Familiarity breeds contempt and who better to tell us about this than Ganguly himself. Down and then out, he came back when people were writing his epitaph. Today there is this big debate everywhere - did he have another year in him or not? It really does not matter, for Ganguly has never actually followed convention. He was in some ways reflecting the next obsession of Indian public ‘the sensex’. Up today down next week. Each one knows when time is up and Ganguly decided his own.
Let me admit that I have been involved in many a discussion when I have vociferously in 2004 - 2005 wanted him dropped and wanted him gone. Today I am thankful to him for coming back and doing it with passion, which is so very him. I have learnt.
He has a generation that will remember him for making us believe we can win, that too at terrains not familiar, that tigers are tigers be it any ground in any part of the world, that passion is not a bad word , that respect is earned, that if you back your team they ensure your success as a leader, that even if the whole world gives up on you, you cannot because you have yourself, that opposition respects an aggressive competitor and that its ok once in a lifetime to twirl your shirt and show it all that you have given: blood, sweat and tears. That is a lot to thank him for and rightly so.
Goodbye Prince! Offside will not be the same again for a long time. Fare Thee well!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
H1: 2008
Hello
Look at all of the above and think , we still have H2 of year remaining.
2008 is saying folks "It ain't over yet!".
Will love to update this once we change the calendar post H2.
2008 is half done or as they say H1 is over. If you look at it , it has been a year full of surprise, shock and awe. At the beginning of the year, I don't think anyone could have predicted what a H1 2008 would turn out to be ( even LK Advani's astrologers). Let me share what I think have been the highlights:
- Nano got unveiled and took the world by storm ( making every Indian proud)
- Power changed hands in Russia and new president actually asserted himself and showed he was no more a puppet in Putin's hands
- Tata (again!!!) bought Jaguar & Land rover and The english pride as the saying goes
- Bear Sterns fell ... and it resonated all across
- Sub prime became the most known and lethal economic term of the year
- Citi got sleepless nights and while it remains awake has been selling off everything it can from assets to business and it isn't over yet. The day break for them is still far
- Gordon Brown who could do nothing wrong last year can do nothing right this year. "As you sow, so shall you reap " they say dear
- Inflation in India almost touched 12%
- Sensex fell from 21K to below 13K in 7 months
- Petrol prices almost kissed the 150 USD mark
- Barack Obama won( has almost) the democratic nomination for Presidential candidate. Anyone remember Hillary ?
- Iran did the unthinkable: tested nuclear and got away
- Manmohan Singh came on is own as PM. He pushed the nuclear agenda and finally for now 'Singh is king'
- Indian politics saw an economic / security issue uniting people across political affiliations
- F1 has 3 drivers almost tied for number one slot
- Fedrer got beaten by Nadal on grass at Wimbledon. Is it beginning of an end of Roger Fedrer era ?
- Its raining more in Delhi than in Mumbai (global warming effect) this monsoon
Well am sure if you start thinking the list could just go on. The idea is not to have as long a list as one can , but to think and ponder. Do we realise what we are witnessing? Economic re-organisation or should say realignment of vectors, climate changes, emergence of India, new heroes in sports etc These events are bound to have a significant effect on shaping our world going forward.
Look at all of the above and think , we still have H2 of year remaining.
2008 is saying folks "It ain't over yet!".
Will love to update this once we change the calendar post H2.
Friday, May 16, 2008
UK Dairy 1
13 May 08 8.40 am
Star bucks - Heathrow airport
As I sit to write i realise what a date ... to reach UK. my first time ever and hoping first time in a series of visits. I am optimist ... always .... I have always read and learnt about England / UK and also wanted to visit for some time now. Planned it in Aug 06 but Malaysia happened instead. Classic case of Man proposes God disposes.
Had a great flight. BA first class is quite good must say. wish i could travel first class always .... ( wishes were horses .....) Landed at 6.20 am and here is my first impression in last 2 hrs and 20 mins.
Like all airports heathrow is impersonal and not so friendly. Its a beautiful english summer day with lots of sunshine. I am looking around to watch english people as I sip my frapuccino - caramel coffee .... reminds me of Surbhi. She loves starbucks coffee... unfortunately not available in India. Surbhi & I have very fond memories of KL and starbucks. Amazing how small things remind you of people and dear ones.
The lady at immigration asked me lots of questions, first time questions : what are here for ? where do you work? designation? where will you stay?
As i think about it , was she profiling me ? maybe i did feel so ... and was thinking why? Maybe because of my family name .. for these people here very muslim .... god knows or the lady at the immigration. I am in and that what matters.
BA staff not very helpful. reminds me a lot of how Air India staff is. Old ladies ... lots of attitude, answering is like doing favour thus not very welcoming and helpful.
must tell you this .... lady at starbucks was taking orders as you queued up and shouting it out to the guy across --- reminded me so much of back home. have we indainised Britain??? too early to answer.
10.30 am
Just saw Amartya Sen . he was walking towards me and the we got to walking alongside. As close as one could get to him without entering his personal space. I wanted to stop him and say hi! it seemed so inadequate . He is a frail old man and was really having trouble pulling his heavy bag.
He was walking so nondescript . like any other traveller and it made me think - if he was in India would he travel like this or if he would have , police escorts , get VIP treatment, privileges at airports and then it occurred to me why should it be so? He may be an Indian but he has made his name here , he lives here, became a celebrity here and then when he is treated normally here why in India do we give him such a huge celebrity status ??? I never for once am saying that we should not admire him, or not celebrate his achievements, all i am saying is lets treat him as an equal. lets respect and not become sycophant. lets not go overboard. Something to thing about , what say.
Star bucks - Heathrow airport
As I sit to write i realise what a date ... to reach UK. my first time ever and hoping first time in a series of visits. I am optimist ... always .... I have always read and learnt about England / UK and also wanted to visit for some time now. Planned it in Aug 06 but Malaysia happened instead. Classic case of Man proposes God disposes.
Had a great flight. BA first class is quite good must say. wish i could travel first class always .... ( wishes were horses .....) Landed at 6.20 am and here is my first impression in last 2 hrs and 20 mins.
Like all airports heathrow is impersonal and not so friendly. Its a beautiful english summer day with lots of sunshine. I am looking around to watch english people as I sip my frapuccino - caramel coffee .... reminds me of Surbhi. She loves starbucks coffee... unfortunately not available in India. Surbhi & I have very fond memories of KL and starbucks. Amazing how small things remind you of people and dear ones.
The lady at immigration asked me lots of questions, first time questions : what are here for ? where do you work? designation? where will you stay?
As i think about it , was she profiling me ? maybe i did feel so ... and was thinking why? Maybe because of my family name .. for these people here very muslim .... god knows or the lady at the immigration. I am in and that what matters.
BA staff not very helpful. reminds me a lot of how Air India staff is. Old ladies ... lots of attitude, answering is like doing favour thus not very welcoming and helpful.
must tell you this .... lady at starbucks was taking orders as you queued up and shouting it out to the guy across --- reminded me so much of back home. have we indainised Britain??? too early to answer.
10.30 am
Just saw Amartya Sen . he was walking towards me and the we got to walking alongside. As close as one could get to him without entering his personal space. I wanted to stop him and say hi! it seemed so inadequate . He is a frail old man and was really having trouble pulling his heavy bag.
He was walking so nondescript . like any other traveller and it made me think - if he was in India would he travel like this or if he would have , police escorts , get VIP treatment, privileges at airports and then it occurred to me why should it be so? He may be an Indian but he has made his name here , he lives here, became a celebrity here and then when he is treated normally here why in India do we give him such a huge celebrity status ??? I never for once am saying that we should not admire him, or not celebrate his achievements, all i am saying is lets treat him as an equal. lets respect and not become sycophant. lets not go overboard. Something to thing about , what say.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Are you religious?
I have been asked this question quite often. A lot of times I really don’t know what or rather how to reply. I have also thought of this question many a times and every time I get to encounter different thoughts. I think answer to this lies in another a more basic and fundamental question that stares at me. What is religion?
- Is it something that I was born into – incidentally Hinduism?
- Is it worshipping gods and goddesses that my parents have made to believe since childhood?
- Is it following rituals and traditions?
- Is it going to temple every Tuesday and on all festivals?
I could go on but that does not help me and thus every time I asked ‘Are you religious?’ I have no answer.
Whenever I have asked my family and friends they all have come up with different thoughts and different view points. If you have seen a Hindi movie ‘Dharm’ directed by Bhavna Talwar, its protagonist Pandit Chaturvedi played admirably by Pankaj Kapur does try to define religion. It resonated with me to some extent but not fully and then I realized it is something that each one of us defines for ourselves as we go on.
Basis my values, beliefs, and experiences of till now 33 years I have formed an understanding of religion which is “A way of living”. This way can be illustrated by
- Treating all other human beings with respect and dignity no matter what
- Being kind to life whether it is in form of humans, animals or plants
- Being tolerant of other traditions, practices, forms irrespective of which faith they represent
- Being honest and true to ones feelings and views
- It is about giving: this could take form of love, money, things or time
- Finally it is about acknowledgement of a power irrespective of the manifestation that power may take
If I look at my own understanding mentioned above, I try to live them everyday and at every opportunity. When I say live I mean I try to make sure my actions confirm to them. Honestly not all my actions always confirm and when ever I do something that I regret, I resolve not to do it again.
Now I know if I am asked ‘Are you religious?’ next time, I can truly say ‘I am practicing to be religious’. What about you?
If you are thinking you already knew this, sure idea is not about giving a new perspective but it is about making you think and putting you on a path to find your own answers
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