I'm done reading fiction. As much pleasure as reading Grisham, Archer, RK Narayan, Wodehouse gives me, I think it is time to move on. There is a treasure trove of autobiographies, biographies, World History, Political Science and religion literatures out there that is just waiting to be tapped.
So in line with this thinking, I've started with MK Gandhi's works. I finished reading his 'Indian Home Rule or Hind Swaraj' a few days back. I've started with his famous 'Experiments with Truth'. But I borrowed the book from the public library here in Charlotte and given that there is less than 3 weeks for me to leave the country for good, I'm not sure if i can finish it by then.
I don't know what suddenly made me realize that I need to start reading non-fiction, but I'm glad that something did.
But novels by authors like JHC, Wodehouse are addictive ! You can bet your last nickel that the temptation to go back to them will always be there ! And as the wag said, the best way to resist temptation is to give in to it ;)
But I'll be happy if, by and large, I can graduate to non-fiction.
It was Appa who was largely responsible for inculcating the reading habit in me. Thanks, Appa !
Friday, April 27, 2007
In support of vegetarianism
As far as I'm concerned, there are just two kinds of people - vegetarians and non vegetarians. The latter are an overwhelming majority in this world. But the few who are vegetarians, remain so because of various reasons - religion, health, fear of Judgement Day retribution etc. But I am a vegetarian because of the simple reason that I abhor the idea of inflicting pain upon another animal just to sate my hunger. Also, my Brahminism has got nothing to do with my vegetarianism.
In other words, I'm veggie because I choose to be veggie; not because of religious compulsions.
But having said that, it is easier for children who are born into vegetarian households (as in my case) to adopt vegetarianism as a way of life as they grow up, than children whose parents eat meat. So I admire people (for whatever reason) who turn vegetarians. By extension, i cannot tolerate people (again, for whatever reason) who turn non-vegetarians.
Children who see a leg of mutton on their plate cannot comprehend that their dinner died a violent death. But that is not the case with people who take up meat-eating later on in their life. They are aware that the chicken had its throat slit and/or skinned alive. They know that great pain and misery was inflicted upon it. They just choose to ignore it or just don't care.
Personally, there is no way I'm letting my stomach become a graveyard for dead animals.
In other words, I'm veggie because I choose to be veggie; not because of religious compulsions.
But having said that, it is easier for children who are born into vegetarian households (as in my case) to adopt vegetarianism as a way of life as they grow up, than children whose parents eat meat. So I admire people (for whatever reason) who turn vegetarians. By extension, i cannot tolerate people (again, for whatever reason) who turn non-vegetarians.
Children who see a leg of mutton on their plate cannot comprehend that their dinner died a violent death. But that is not the case with people who take up meat-eating later on in their life. They are aware that the chicken had its throat slit and/or skinned alive. They know that great pain and misery was inflicted upon it. They just choose to ignore it or just don't care.
Personally, there is no way I'm letting my stomach become a graveyard for dead animals.
OBC quota implementation prevented
It is heartening to note that the Supreme Court has prevented the implementation of the OBC quota in higher educational institutions this academic year. The judiciary has been the 'final frontier', to use Waugh's words, in corruption ridden, caste-infested India.
But then again, the Congress led Govt is hell-bent on getting the OBC quota implemented. In their own words, they will use 'every constitutional and legal' means to get it done. I fear it is only a matter of time before they become successful. If not this academic year, then it will be the next.
What scares me is that the Congress is not alone in its nefarious intent. Not wanting to be seen as anti-OBC, all parties have come together in trying to push for it.
And the people too, barring sporadic student protests, seem to be welcoming it.
As one judge rightly noted, nowhere else in the world is there a competition to become backward.
Whatever the intent of our forefathers was, the caste system has become an albatross for India's development.
It is a matter of elementary common sense that reservation, if at all has to exist, should be based on economic condition and not caste based. But since when has basic common sense been a feature of Indian politics ?
But then again, the Congress led Govt is hell-bent on getting the OBC quota implemented. In their own words, they will use 'every constitutional and legal' means to get it done. I fear it is only a matter of time before they become successful. If not this academic year, then it will be the next.
What scares me is that the Congress is not alone in its nefarious intent. Not wanting to be seen as anti-OBC, all parties have come together in trying to push for it.
And the people too, barring sporadic student protests, seem to be welcoming it.
As one judge rightly noted, nowhere else in the world is there a competition to become backward.
Whatever the intent of our forefathers was, the caste system has become an albatross for India's development.
It is a matter of elementary common sense that reservation, if at all has to exist, should be based on economic condition and not caste based. But since when has basic common sense been a feature of Indian politics ?
Tendulkar should retire
It will no longer be possible for Tendulkar to retire gracefully. Everybody from former greats to two-bit journalists have begun asking uncomfortable questions.
Of course, India's shameful exit from the World Cup made it all the more difficult for him. But Kumble did it. It must have been tough for him but he did it.
I used to be a major fan of Tendulkar. I still am; make no mistake. He's one of the greatest. But while earlier, I used to defend Tendulkar tooth and nail when people used to criticize him for his inability to perform on big occasions, I no longer do. Now, I know that there is a lot of truth in it. It's sad but true.
His batting average will not reflect it at all, though. He still averages 40+ or thereabouts in his last 25 games. But ask yourself this: when is the last time Tendulkar single handedly got India out of a hole and to victory ? Makes you think a while, right ? Well, it shouldn't be that way. It just means it's been a while now.
There used to be a time when Tendulkar could walk into any champion team in any era. But now, he doesn't even merit a place in this Indian side. Indian one day side. In my opinion, he's still got some test match cricket left in him.
Tough as it may seem to say it, Tendulkar is over the hill.
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar should announce his retirement. Now is as good a time as any.
Of course, India's shameful exit from the World Cup made it all the more difficult for him. But Kumble did it. It must have been tough for him but he did it.
I used to be a major fan of Tendulkar. I still am; make no mistake. He's one of the greatest. But while earlier, I used to defend Tendulkar tooth and nail when people used to criticize him for his inability to perform on big occasions, I no longer do. Now, I know that there is a lot of truth in it. It's sad but true.
His batting average will not reflect it at all, though. He still averages 40+ or thereabouts in his last 25 games. But ask yourself this: when is the last time Tendulkar single handedly got India out of a hole and to victory ? Makes you think a while, right ? Well, it shouldn't be that way. It just means it's been a while now.
There used to be a time when Tendulkar could walk into any champion team in any era. But now, he doesn't even merit a place in this Indian side. Indian one day side. In my opinion, he's still got some test match cricket left in him.
Tough as it may seem to say it, Tendulkar is over the hill.
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar should announce his retirement. Now is as good a time as any.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Caste based reservation in sports !
The Punjab Govt is thinking of introducing caste based reservation in sports. Well, why not, I say. When you can have caste based reservations for admissions into educational institutions and for getting selected for jobs, I guess this is a logical extension.
Curiously enough, it no longer upsets me. Now, I only have a morbid curiosity to see how much farther our politicians will take this game and how much longer it will take our people to realize they are in fact being pushed further and further into an abyss.
Actually, you know what; it may be a good idea to see reservation being enforced in sports, especially in our national cricket team. If that happens, given the visibility the cricket team has in this country, maybe the people will witness the sudden dip in quality and be jolted out of their stupor. If that's what it takes to make our people see light, so be it.
Heck, no, wait a second. Even without reservation, the performance of the Indian team has hit rock bottom; so reservation may actually help !!!
So much for that idea....!
Curiously enough, it no longer upsets me. Now, I only have a morbid curiosity to see how much farther our politicians will take this game and how much longer it will take our people to realize they are in fact being pushed further and further into an abyss.
Actually, you know what; it may be a good idea to see reservation being enforced in sports, especially in our national cricket team. If that happens, given the visibility the cricket team has in this country, maybe the people will witness the sudden dip in quality and be jolted out of their stupor. If that's what it takes to make our people see light, so be it.
Heck, no, wait a second. Even without reservation, the performance of the Indian team has hit rock bottom; so reservation may actually help !!!
So much for that idea....!
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Indian Home Rule or Hind Swaraj
I'm back to MK Gandhi. The earlier blog that I wrote on the great man made me think i should probably read more of his works. I finished reading his 'Indian Home Rule or Hind Swaraj'. The entire book is in the format of Questions and Answers.
I know that many Indians hold that the Mahatma was not all that great as he's made out to be. In fact many call him a villain. Personally, I hold the main in high esteem. So the idea was to read more of Gandhi's works so that I could arm myself with data when I wanted to counter such elements. But now I'm more confused that ever !
Check this out. The man was against doctors, he was against railways, he was against lawyers and hold your breath, against education as we know it !
Sample this:
"Railways, lawyers and doctors have impoverished the country, so much so that, if we do not wake up in time, we shall be ruined. It must be manifest to you that but for the railways, the English could not have such a hold on India as they have.....Railways have increased the frequency of famines, because, owing to the facility of means of locomotion, people sell out their grain, and it is sent to the dearest markets. People become careless, and so the pressure of famine increases....The holy places of India have become unholy. Formerly people went to these places with great difficulty. Generally, therefore, only the real devotees visited such places. Nowadays rogues visit them in order to practice their roguery"
I simply can't understand it. I mean, every new technology will have its pros and cons. Forget new technology; everything will have its pros and cons. How could he criticize the railways like this ? Even fire has destructive powers. So should we discontinue using it ?
Read his views on doctors. To say i was shocked is an understatement.
"Hospitals are institutions of propagating sin. Doctors have almost unhinged us. Sometimes i think quacks are better than highly qualified doctors. Let us consider the business of a doctor is to take care of the body....and to get rid of the diseases that afflict it. How do these diseases arise ? By our negligence or indulgence. I overeat, I have indigestion, I go to a doctor, he gives me medicine. I'm cured. I overeat again, I take his pills again. Had i not taken the pills in the first instance, I would have suffered the punishment deserved by me and I would not have overeaten again.....I have indulged in vice, I contract a disease, a doctor cures me, the odds are that I shall repeat the vice. Had the doctor not intervened, nature would have done its work (sic), and I would have acquired mastery over myself ...and would have become happy"
So is he saying we should live like cavemen ? I felt like laughing when i read his statement on vice. Many STDs can be transmitted by blood transfusions also. They can also be transmitted from mother to child in the womb. But for advances in medical science many innocent lives would have been lost. I fail to see how doctors and medical science can be bad for the society.
Then again, could it be that his words seem out of context now ? Could it be that India's progress in these past 75 years has made his ideas lose meaning ?
Now I'm more intrigued than ever. I simply have to read more of his works. My mouth is watering at the prospect.
I know that many Indians hold that the Mahatma was not all that great as he's made out to be. In fact many call him a villain. Personally, I hold the main in high esteem. So the idea was to read more of Gandhi's works so that I could arm myself with data when I wanted to counter such elements. But now I'm more confused that ever !
Check this out. The man was against doctors, he was against railways, he was against lawyers and hold your breath, against education as we know it !
Sample this:
"Railways, lawyers and doctors have impoverished the country, so much so that, if we do not wake up in time, we shall be ruined. It must be manifest to you that but for the railways, the English could not have such a hold on India as they have.....Railways have increased the frequency of famines, because, owing to the facility of means of locomotion, people sell out their grain, and it is sent to the dearest markets. People become careless, and so the pressure of famine increases....The holy places of India have become unholy. Formerly people went to these places with great difficulty. Generally, therefore, only the real devotees visited such places. Nowadays rogues visit them in order to practice their roguery"
I simply can't understand it. I mean, every new technology will have its pros and cons. Forget new technology; everything will have its pros and cons. How could he criticize the railways like this ? Even fire has destructive powers. So should we discontinue using it ?
Read his views on doctors. To say i was shocked is an understatement.
"Hospitals are institutions of propagating sin. Doctors have almost unhinged us. Sometimes i think quacks are better than highly qualified doctors. Let us consider the business of a doctor is to take care of the body....and to get rid of the diseases that afflict it. How do these diseases arise ? By our negligence or indulgence. I overeat, I have indigestion, I go to a doctor, he gives me medicine. I'm cured. I overeat again, I take his pills again. Had i not taken the pills in the first instance, I would have suffered the punishment deserved by me and I would not have overeaten again.....I have indulged in vice, I contract a disease, a doctor cures me, the odds are that I shall repeat the vice. Had the doctor not intervened, nature would have done its work (sic), and I would have acquired mastery over myself ...and would have become happy"
So is he saying we should live like cavemen ? I felt like laughing when i read his statement on vice. Many STDs can be transmitted by blood transfusions also. They can also be transmitted from mother to child in the womb. But for advances in medical science many innocent lives would have been lost. I fail to see how doctors and medical science can be bad for the society.
Then again, could it be that his words seem out of context now ? Could it be that India's progress in these past 75 years has made his ideas lose meaning ?
Now I'm more intrigued than ever. I simply have to read more of his works. My mouth is watering at the prospect.
The Bachan-Rai Wedding
Admittedly, celebrities command print space. Even in advanced countries like US, film stars evoke feelings of mass hysteria.
The Americans' obsession with stars like Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie has to be seen to be believed. But even by such standards, the Indian media coverage of the Bachan-Rai wedding was too much. Even otherwise stoic papers like Deccan Herald had the news on its headlines - not once but on successive days.
I know it is too much to expect of our hoi polloi to stay aloof from titillation and sensationalism. But what of our intelligentsia and our 'mature' press ? Didn't they know better than to splash the story on their front pages almost daily ?
I must say I'm disappointed.
The Americans' obsession with stars like Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie has to be seen to be believed. But even by such standards, the Indian media coverage of the Bachan-Rai wedding was too much. Even otherwise stoic papers like Deccan Herald had the news on its headlines - not once but on successive days.
I know it is too much to expect of our hoi polloi to stay aloof from titillation and sensationalism. But what of our intelligentsia and our 'mature' press ? Didn't they know better than to splash the story on their front pages almost daily ?
I must say I'm disappointed.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Narayan Murthy and the National Anthem issue
Clearly Narayan Murthy committed a faux paus when he tried to explain why the National Anthem was not sung when President Abdul Kalam visited the Infy campus. NRN's argument that he did not want to embarass non-Indians on the campus holds little water. In fact, I was shocked to read it.
But it is a glitch anyone could have made and we should forget it and move on. Also, to his credit, Murthy issued a public apology.
But the media anxious for eyeballs has predictably blown the issue out of proportion. And every politican worth his salt is playing the holier-than-thou game. And now an advocate has filed a FIR against NRN ! I'm convinced it is politically motivated.
When will the public realise that this is exactly what Indian politicans want. Some inconsequential issue to distract people away from real issues - poverty, lack of infrastructure, and lack of governance.
But it is a glitch anyone could have made and we should forget it and move on. Also, to his credit, Murthy issued a public apology.
But the media anxious for eyeballs has predictably blown the issue out of proportion. And every politican worth his salt is playing the holier-than-thou game. And now an advocate has filed a FIR against NRN ! I'm convinced it is politically motivated.
When will the public realise that this is exactly what Indian politicans want. Some inconsequential issue to distract people away from real issues - poverty, lack of infrastructure, and lack of governance.
Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott
For all its advances in science, technology and human rights, the USA, untill not very long back(till the middle of the previous century), was following the barbaric practice of discriminating humans based on the colour of their skin. Blacks and Whites were segregated virtually in every aspect of public life.There was simmering discontent among virtually the entire black populace. But the white man occupied every high position and there was pretty much nothing that the negroes could do about it.
That is, until Rosa Parks happened.
The first day of December in 1955 proved to be a turning point in the history of black America. Parks refused to relinquish her seat on the bus to a white man. She disobeyed the bus driver's repeated requests. The law of the day was that a black should vacate his/her seat to a white person. This led to her arrest and subsequent trial.
What followed was one of the most famous civil disobedience movements that the world has witnessed and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The organiser of this boycott was, of course, Martin Luther King, Jr.
Rosa Parks' actions earned her a very important position in the annals of America's history.
Take a look here for Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
The Mahatma
Godse's text of self defence
http://ngodse.tripod.com/defense.htm
MK Gandhi is definitely to be revered for his role in India's freedom movement. His leadership and his initiative are without doubt commendable and nonpareil. And his title of 'Mahatma' is justified.
However, I've read articles about the man which paint a totally different picture. The set of people who criticise Gandhi subscribe to a school of thought which says that his 'persistent policy of appeasement towards the Muslims' was at the cost of Hindus. The locus standi he adopted which opposed the Indian Govt's decision to withhold the Rs 55 crore due to Pakistan just after partition is a case in point.
Yes, the concept of turning the other cheek sounds good in lecture halls and in moral science classes. But in international politics then, as indeed now in contemporary foreign policies, it doesn't work.
Will all due respect to the great man, a few of his beliefs were definitely flawed.
http://ngodse.tripod.com/defense.htm
MK Gandhi is definitely to be revered for his role in India's freedom movement. His leadership and his initiative are without doubt commendable and nonpareil. And his title of 'Mahatma' is justified.
However, I've read articles about the man which paint a totally different picture. The set of people who criticise Gandhi subscribe to a school of thought which says that his 'persistent policy of appeasement towards the Muslims' was at the cost of Hindus. The locus standi he adopted which opposed the Indian Govt's decision to withhold the Rs 55 crore due to Pakistan just after partition is a case in point.
Yes, the concept of turning the other cheek sounds good in lecture halls and in moral science classes. But in international politics then, as indeed now in contemporary foreign policies, it doesn't work.
Will all due respect to the great man, a few of his beliefs were definitely flawed.
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