Mindless musing

Dawn of a new (mis?)adventure ........ Poetic fury I am back……. After a self imposed exile of almost a decade……. I am back. Here is the reason why I suddenly resurrected my insatiable urge to write…. The other day I was in a discussion with an intelligent person about, …….well lot of things.  During the discussion, some of my arguments sounded familiar and I felt some one used them somewhere.  Suddenly, it dawned on me that those were the sentences from my blogs written several years ago.  So, I started reading my own blogs (don’t ask me for my reaction after reading them…).  Naturally, I was too eager to share and have the other participant read them, and hence sent the link to that person.  Again, don’t ask me for my reaction to the comments.  But, one quip made me write this and the ensuing blogs that you may have the misfortune of reading. The remark was about my old blog “Woman Smarter". Harry and I go a long way…I said.  I c...

Recently my father-in-law sent a document explaining about Hindu rituals (Aachaaraas) and why people follow them. It has good information. However, it would have been outstanding had it listed scientific reasons for things people do as part of their daily routine. All the Aachaaraas have scientific significance. Our elders are not only spiritual; but they are also scientifically well advanced. A couple of indicators of this are: Pushpaka vimaanaa – forget about the fact that it can accommodate infinite number of people (I am sure modern scientists will eventually figure this out); the mere fact that people can be carried in air for long distances is a phenomenal scientific achievement (given this was documented thousands of years ago) Nuclear/Atomic Bombs: Recently scientists found evidence of using nuclear/atomic bombs near Kurukshetra, a few thousand years ago Vaaradhi: Bridge was built few thousands of years ago by Raama dand...

Last month old friends from IIT Kanpur visited us, we affectionately call them aunt and uncle. We talked about old times, good times, bad times and just times. We discussed about everything on earth including and not limited to honesty, hard work, loyalty, traffic sense, sense in general, and eventually politics. As we had multiple stints in multiple countries, and she being a concerned citizen, aunt asked me on how we can improve situation in India and if we can ever see an India completely developed in all aspects. She wondered if it would help if all the “good” Indians all over the world returned to India (of course, after learning the best practices from other countries) and implanted those best practices in India . I may have offended her as I swiftly replied in negative. I did not stop at that. I offered my 2 cents (or 2 paise) free of cost as if I am an authority on this subject (of course, it is very easy to feel that one is an authority on any subject without actu...

Happiness is sweeter after deep sorrow The night falls only to give rise to a new tomorrow Leaves dry in fall only to reshape the tree in spring Going down is only to fly high, that’s the nature of swing The depression and tear drops are not permanent Like everything else, they are transient Loneliness is but a state of mind If you open your heart, friends everywhere you can find Like elders said, be a lotus leaf Be aware that grief is but brief Never let dejection stick Bounce back like a punch bag that was kick Everything doesn’t happen just because you thought it would Nothing stops because you did not expect Just think everything happens for your own good That’s happiness; it’s a secret - simple and best kept

Received this from a not-so old friend. Thought every one should see. Enjoy.

Yesterday we watched Angels and Demons.   Age old question resurfaced in my mind – about existence of Angels and Demons.   One thing led to the other and I started thinking about God and ghosts.   That reminded me of a real life incident that happened to me a few years ago.   I had just graduated and got a job close to my home town.   I left that job in a few months and went back to my alma mater (IIT Kanpur) to take up a Research Engineer job with my professor in the Image Processing lab, though it meant moving far away from my “loved ones” (may be because I was strongly influenced by my lecturer’s words that I am not cut out for corporate world and would do well in research).     Well here I am in North India again.   I hated the hostel and hostel food.   So, decided to take an SBRA (Single Bed Room Apt) and start cooking.   A close friend (and a fellow research engineer) also wanted to join me.   Unfortunately SBRA is allotted based on seniority and there are several people...

Majestic Snoquami Falls Breathtaking View Up close PS: This is my first attempt at loading pictures. Not bad, huh.

Life is a journey. Only a select handful of people know their destination, how to get there, why it is important to get there and are committed to do whatever necessary to get there. Very few people know their destination and the importance of getting there but may not know how to get there or are not fully committed to do whatever it takes. Lot of people know what their destination is but have no idea on how to get there.   But, majority of us have no clue what the destination is.   If ignorance is bliss, this majority should be blissful.   Unfortunately, that is not so.   These are the lost souls.   Some of us lost souls get off the train (or take an exit off the highway; if you prefer driving to riding a train) in search of a destination.   We are not sure if that is our destination.   However, at the beginning we are very excited and happy to see new scenery. This would be short lived if it is not our destination. In this process we would have wasted precious time.   At this j...

The other day I was a passive participant in a discussion on the existence of God. There are some people very passionate about this topic (either supporting the existence or opposing the existence).   I sat there listening to the arguments. I am not sure why we are so enamored by this subject.   Is it important to know whether God exists or not? Or is this discussion just a manifestation of the human need to have others fall in line with our way of thinking?   The people from where I come from believe that this world is a play, we are all actors and God is the script writer, director and producer.   According to them we just need to act the way God directs us to.   We should not question the purpose or anticipate the results.   If that is so, why is God giving us the knowledge to investigate and find out the truth about Him/Her?   Why is He/She giving us the resources to research and prove that He/She does not exist?   This draws similarity to robots and humans.   Humans, i...

Our company started a new initiative called EPIC - Employee Passion Indicator Count. I will not divulge the secret on how it is done, but would like to share the philosophy behind it (or what I think is the reason why they started it).     Why would a big, successful and reputed organization care about employee passion?   What is passion in the first place?   Dictionary defines it as “a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything” (for theology buffs, it also means suffering of a martyr). So what? Why is it so important for an organization?   In my opinion each and every person on this earth has passion - passionate about something or some one.   I think people can not exist without passion. At the minimum people are passionate about living.   Every day I see John getting into the bus to go to work.   First time I saw him almost six months ago, I wanted to ask him why he takes so much trouble to go to work every day.   A little bit of background about...

I am an ordinary man, like every one else Trying to tell truth from false I am an ordinary man Just a common man Trying to live for today Working hard to get the pay Somewhere, I need to draw the line If not, how can I enjoy what is mine? It is easy to say forget the past It’s hard to do what I think is best It’s not whether I am the first or the last What matters is what I leave to the rest Hungry to do every thing right Coz, need to sleep peacefully every night For future generations, need to show light Need to walk on the rope of truth that is tight Life is an unending journey Thank God for a great ally That held my hand through thick and thin That helped me take everything with a grin An ordinary man I am Sifting through useful and spam Musing on the purpose of life Trying to survive the marketplace strife I am an ordinary man, like every one else Trying to tell truth from false I am an ordinary man Just a common man

I pondered about purpose of life in my first blog. Couple of my friends shared their thoughts. They had similar questions. They expressed their doubts in a slightly different manner, though the fundamental question was the same. We are working hard to learn new things. We have made several technological advances. We have mastered the known science. Or is it the other way, has the science mastered us? My father used to say that during his childhood he used to go onto the street and read under the street lights. He used to remind us that the street lights were nothing but kerosene lanterns. Youth of his time never had any problems reading that way. Today we have progressed a lot and invented several things like Electricity, Air conditioner, and Refrigerator to name a few. Youth of today are handicapped if something happens to the electricity grid. They can’t continue living, leave alone reading, without electricity, even during day time. So, with all these inventions have we ma...

My father used to say "gatham gathaha". Translated to English, it reads “past is dead”. You can not bring back the old days. You can not relive yesterday (yeah, it is only possible for Bill Murray, in reality there is no “ground hog day”). You will ruin your today if you keep thinking about what happened yesterday and worrying about what will happen tomorrow. The other day I saw a nice quote on my friend’s facebook. I do not remember it verbatim, but the meaning is etched in my mind “Today is the same tomorrow that you were worried about yesterday” All of us waste precious now, worrying about non-dictatable tomorrow and non-repeatable yesterday. If you believe in fate and destiny, then you know that you can’t define it, you can’t change the course of it. You also know that it is just a manifestation of what you do now. So, there is no point in worrying about tomorrow. There is no point in worrying about tomorrow even if you do not believe in fate or destiny. Because, a...

While Indians all over the world are basking in the glory of the Oscars for Indians, there are pundits in India who are crying foul. Their argument is that Mr. Boyle knows only one side of India – the slums, the tricksters, the dogs etc. He has no clue about the other India, the country which is advanced, whose citizens have been to moon and back, and whose residents are spearheading lot of technological and scientific advances in the world (not just in India). They argue that Mr. Boyle and co. exploited one side of India with Oscars and foreigners in mind. They highlight one particular scene from the movie in their support. The scene in which Jamal takes American tourists to dhobi ghat to show real India while his mates steal the visitors’ car parts. When confronted he says “this is real India” to which the lady visitor says “I’ll show you real America”, and hands him couple of dollars. Is this real India? Really? Any Indian should be ashamed of posing this question, because every one...

“I hate love”, that’s what people say who have not been very judicious about whom they love. It reminds me of what our elders said “apaathra daanam” (charity to undeserving person). Love and hate are purely states of mind. If you hate love, that may be because you have a bitter experience. How did that happen? Did anyone force you to love? You chose to love some one stupid because you fell for their smile or a mere look. It is purely by your choice. Did you not enjoy the moments with your loved one while they lasted? So, what are you complaining about? Just believe in the fact that whatever happens, happens for your good. You enjoyed the moments you spent with that stupid person you were so in love with. The moment that person said, let us be just friends, you went into depression. Why don’t you think that you have the right person waiting for you and are to leave the current person so the right person can find you (or you can find the right person). In 1979, the great lyricist Acharya...

The other day I read veteran Indian actor Amitabh Bachan’s blog about celebrities and modesty. Specifically what goes through their minds when they are recognized and people form lines for their autographs or photographs or for just a close glimpse. This reminded me of a minor incidence I encountered. I was on the shores of river Krishna in my home town, Vijayawada, to perform some religious rites. I, along with my brother, was waiting for the priest to show up. I heard a familiar voice right behind me. I turned around and noticed a person busily performing some religious rites. Suddenly it dawned on me that this person is none other than famous comedian from Telugu film industry. I told my brother and continued staring towards the entrance for my priest (as if focused staring would bring the priest faster). At first my brother said it may not be him. After a while (my brother, being a practical and clever man he is, thought it is a good time pass to observe the actor rather than the e...

A friend sent me an email with a nice story. I will not repeat the story as it is already doing rounds on the net. The gist of the story is that people are like garbage trucks carrying lot of garbage (frustration, stress, anger etc) with a pathological need to dump it on anyone and everyone. Don’t ever fall for it and carry their garbage to your home, work, friends and strangers. How true. It reinforces the adage – “an eye for an eye makes whole world blind”. In summary, we should not react if others treat us bad, because, if we react, we propagate the malice. Instead we should treat those people with respect and give them all the support to overcome the misery they are in. This is what even Gita says. We should be like lotus leaves. All the worries are like water. We should not let the water (worries) stick to us. We should be equipiosed – should not be overjoyed if good happens and should not be saddened in adversity. One should treat every one equal. There are no evil peopl...

The other day I was watching the Oscars. I was amazed and ecstatic to see Slumdog Millionaire receive 8 awards out of 10 nominations (it won in 8 categories out of 9 categories nominated). I was overjoyed to see that a short documentary about a small Indian village girl with a cleft lip (Smile Pinky) also won an Oscar. I was amazed to learn that the only notable American to win an Oscar this year is Sean Penn. What a day for India. It is as if the world suddenly woke up and recognized that India has talent (or is it that the world suddenly recognized that UK directors make best Indian films?) What ever may be the case, suddenly India is in news all over the world for all the right reasons. And an Indian phrase (Jai Ho) found its way into most often used jargon in the world. I won’t be surprised if it crawls into Oxford dictionary pretty soon. Everything was hunky dory till I overheard a conversation about alleged statements by the two Indians who received the Oscars for their Ind...

I am a dreamer I am a dreamer I dream that we have no woes All are friends and no foes I dream that I can fly And I am neither flustered nor shy I dream that every one is happy There are no slackers and all are sappy I dream that there is no evil And every one live at freewill No terrorism, no persecution, no deceit Oh, it is sweet coz everyone is discreet Impossible is nothing If one pursues unwavering If you believe in yourself and do it It is yours – finish line and lime light One should never give up Whatever may come up I am a dreamer An optimistic dreamer ( Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work – Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam)

My wife complains that I am always in a hurry and do not stop to smell roses. She says that I am missing a lot in life. “If you never stop and smell the roses how do you know what you are missing”, she says. I am not sure of the origin of the phrase “stop and smell the roses”. When I asked around, some one took time to narrate the origin of this phrase to me. Here it goes. Long time ago a lady had a rose garden. She wanted the garden to be the best. She worked hard day and night, cultivating and beautifying it. One of her friends noticed that she is losing sleep over the garden and quipped “Mary, please stop and smell the roses”. The other day I read an article somewhere about an experiment conducted by Washington Post. It appears they made the world famous violinist Joshua Bell play his most intricate composition in a subway. After playing for 45 minutes, it was observed that no one paid any attention (leave alone paying money) except for a few kids. So, the composition which was play...