A month back, my brother and myself, along with our family went on a holiday to Coorg (Kodagu in Kannada) in Karnataka and stayed in Mercara (Medikere). On the top of a hill, the city still has the old world charm around it, with modernity creeping in slowly. Unlike the fast upcoming Munnar hill station in Kerala, one didn’t see the mushrooming of resorts and holiday homes here. Old buses, the Ambassador cars and the old shops are still there. Other than honey, coffee and spices, there isn’t much to shop here either.
We took time to travel to ‘Tala Cauvery’ where the river Cauvery originates. Cauvery has always been in news. It is the life line of people of two major southern states, Tamil Nadu & Karnataka. There had been many agitations, politicking and incidents about the sharing of waters of river Cauvery. Still, it is an unfinished story with a potential to explode anytime, particularly when there is water scarcity in these two States.
There is this other side to river Cauvery, that of the divinity. Cauvery is the Goddess to people of Tamil Nadu & Karnataka, particularly to Kannadigas. Every third girl in Karnataka is named Cauvery and the best name given for anything, be it commercial, technical or educational; is Cauvery. The reverence to Cauvery, even today, is phenomenal.
Tala Cauvery is located in Brahmagiri hills which is about fifty kilometers from Medikere. Before reaching Tala cauvery, one has to pass through Bhagamandala which is where one first sees the river Cauvery. There is a temple here with Lord Shiva as the main deity. The temple is good and kept neat. One could feel some good vibrations being inside. At Bhagamandala joins two rivers, Cauvery and Kannike. The legend has it that there is a third unseen river too, called Sujyoti, joining the the sangam (a la Allahabad, where Ganaga, Jamuna and the mythical Saraswathi come together). At its beginning, the river looks so small and insipid. One has to psyche himself to believe that here begins the most reverential ‘Ganges of South India’. However the place around has the feel of serenity and calmness. It is said that all storms begins calmly, may be river Cauvery too!
From Bhagamandala it is good climb to Tala Cauvery. The Karanataka government had taken good care to keep the place neat and serene. In fact what hits you there first is a notice board which alerts you that you are now at a sacred place and not a picnic spot (Good idea, it prepares one well). As you climb up the broad steps you reach a small man constructed pond and above it, a small temple with priests around it. All of us went with the thought that at Tala Cauvery, we could see a spring from the hills pouring out to form the stream called Cauvery. We saw nothing like that and we were initially disappointed. At the foot of the Brahmagiri hills, it is this spot (the man made pond)where Cauvery germinates and people reveres the spot with pooja and prayers. One could see the priest making good money as dakshina. From this place, one could climb up the hill through the neatly laid up steps which amounts to about 400 in number. The climb is steep and one may need to take breaks in between. At the top of the Brahmagiri hills, it is indeed a fabulous view of the Coorg district and the Western Ghats.
The myth about river Cauvery is that Brahmagiri was the dwelling place of the sage Agastya and Cauvery was his wife. She wanted to water the people of the place but it was not allowed by sage Agastya. She was kept imprisoned on the kamandalu (water carrying vessel) of the sage. Once she got a chance and jumped out of the kamandalu, and went underground to escape the sage’s attention and manifested in Bhagamandala. She flows as ‘gupt gamini’ (unseen river) between Brahmagiri and Bhagamandala.
Though there was this disappointment of not seeing Cuvery springing out of the Brahmagiri hills, the visit, the climb and the serenity of the hills gave all of us a wonderful feeling of rejuvenation.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
LOHITADAS'S PREMATURE DEATH - WHAT A PITY
A news item that had appeared in the paper today about film director Lohitadas who passed away day before yesterday, made me feel very sad indeed. This gifted movie maker had died a pauper. The last movie made by him bombed and he owed money to lots of people. The story goes to the extent that there is no money to take care of the education of his college going children. Some prominent movie personalities had come forward to help.
Just look at this, the plight of the children of the most successful, respected and gifted story teller and director! They have to live the rest of their life on the gratis from others! What a pitiable state of affair is this!
Lohitadas had always commanded great respect from all sections of movie people. His was the lone voice that every one listened. Whether it was Manju Varrrier’s domestic problems or Meera Jasmin’s love affair, the final judgment made by him was always accepted by both parties. But how come such a soul died bankrupt? Was it his overconfidence to bet everything he had on the movies he made? Was he not practical to understand that there are ups and downs in life and saving for the rainy day makes sense?
Being young (54 years is not a old age, considering that at an average, a Malayali male lives up to 73 years) and with lots of dreams in front of him, he must have been looking long terms with regard to his life and career. It could also be that he never thought that the end would come this fast (who thinks so!) lest he would have had something done for his family. There were hundred of people who could have helped him on the simple fact that it was Lohitadas who made their life and career. It could also be that no one knew his story. When everything looks hunky dory, they would never have thought of a state of affair like this.
One had always seen such a plight for great artists. So many people benefit out of them. The money sharks hover around them only to multiply their wealth using the talents of these gifted ones. See the case of Michael Jackson, which too is not different.
Memory is a short thing. Soon everyone will forget this gifted person, including his pal bearers. Even the benevolent persons who had offered the help will forget their promises. For his family it is ground zero now. For the children of Lohitadas, who launched many lives and career, life have to start from the bottom. They have to undergo all the hardships to come up in life. They have to live like nobody. Only time will tell whether they had made it.
Carelessness, lack of farsightedness, cocksureness and being impractical (a trait always associated with gifted, maverick artists) etc could have led Lohitadas not to save for his family. And when he left them all of a sudden, they find themselves in pits.
What a way to die! What a pity!
Just look at this, the plight of the children of the most successful, respected and gifted story teller and director! They have to live the rest of their life on the gratis from others! What a pitiable state of affair is this!
Lohitadas had always commanded great respect from all sections of movie people. His was the lone voice that every one listened. Whether it was Manju Varrrier’s domestic problems or Meera Jasmin’s love affair, the final judgment made by him was always accepted by both parties. But how come such a soul died bankrupt? Was it his overconfidence to bet everything he had on the movies he made? Was he not practical to understand that there are ups and downs in life and saving for the rainy day makes sense?
Being young (54 years is not a old age, considering that at an average, a Malayali male lives up to 73 years) and with lots of dreams in front of him, he must have been looking long terms with regard to his life and career. It could also be that he never thought that the end would come this fast (who thinks so!) lest he would have had something done for his family. There were hundred of people who could have helped him on the simple fact that it was Lohitadas who made their life and career. It could also be that no one knew his story. When everything looks hunky dory, they would never have thought of a state of affair like this.
One had always seen such a plight for great artists. So many people benefit out of them. The money sharks hover around them only to multiply their wealth using the talents of these gifted ones. See the case of Michael Jackson, which too is not different.
Memory is a short thing. Soon everyone will forget this gifted person, including his pal bearers. Even the benevolent persons who had offered the help will forget their promises. For his family it is ground zero now. For the children of Lohitadas, who launched many lives and career, life have to start from the bottom. They have to undergo all the hardships to come up in life. They have to live like nobody. Only time will tell whether they had made it.
Carelessness, lack of farsightedness, cocksureness and being impractical (a trait always associated with gifted, maverick artists) etc could have led Lohitadas not to save for his family. And when he left them all of a sudden, they find themselves in pits.
What a way to die! What a pity!
Monday, June 15, 2009
BIRTHDAY MUSING
Today (15th June ‘09) is my fiftieth Birthday.
I am not truly into birthday celebrations. This has not been part of the value system that I had grown up with. Birthday was felt like any other day. However after my marriage and after being part of social groups such as Rotary etc, there had occurred some conscious mention of my birthday and of course, a dutiful acknowledgement of the wishes from the friends, from my side.
Generally, a purushayus (life of a human being) is considered to be hundred years by our scriptures and puranas. From that perspective, today I had crossed the mid mark. To some of my friends who called me to wish me, I said that I have become UDF (Since LDF stands for LEFT democratic front in Kerala politics, UDF, the opposing front is the RIGHT one. And since I have come to the RIGHT side of the scale of my life, I jokingly called myself a UDF person)
In our Hindu culture, sixtieth birthday (shastiabdapurthi) is celebrated with prayers, feast and get-together. In the olden days, people did not live for more number of years. Reaching sixty, therefore would have been a major achievement and that landmark would have called for celebrations, I presume. Today the case is different. Statistically, in Kerala, a man lives up to 74 years (and a woman, up to 78) and reflecting that, statistically, I still have a one third of my living time left. Good, let me feel happy!
Man is like wine. Maturity increases the strength and substance. I am thinking whether I can put up a different look of me from today so that people can consider me matured, peaceful and considerate, rather than my hitherto original self of emotional, child like, spontaneous, and sort of, ‘on face’ in my dealings. Probably if I tell them my age, people should give some considerations at least, I hope.
Truthfully speaking, I had some calculations about me reaching fifty years. I thought when I reached fifty; I could give way the operations of my enterprise to the second line and indulge more in mentoring, reading, writing and propagating managerial and entrepreneurial thoughts. The current times are not conducive for that to happen. I am required to continue my present profile for more period of time than I had anticipated, I think. This being the reality, I must accept it, with a pinch of salt or otherwise.
However, is there a better way? I am forcing myself to think that there is. What could that be? Continue whatever I am doing with the required level of focus and add more to it such as mentoring, writing etc. This calls for spending more time at work front and getting lesser rest, that is. Will it work? One has to test and see!
That brings me to the story of the Lion and Gazelle in the African hinterland. Every morning the gazelle wakes up with the thought that it has to outrun the fastest running Lion to survive and every morning the lion wakes up and thinks that t has to run faster than the slowest running Gazelle to make food and survive. The bottom line is, it does not matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle. Whatever you be, what matters is that you have to on the run to survive!
So what do I do? Ok I will run. Since the load is bigger, the efforts needs to better. But probably, rather than short distance dashes, I think I could be looking at doing marathons now.
Steady, consistent and on the run that is ……………………
I am not truly into birthday celebrations. This has not been part of the value system that I had grown up with. Birthday was felt like any other day. However after my marriage and after being part of social groups such as Rotary etc, there had occurred some conscious mention of my birthday and of course, a dutiful acknowledgement of the wishes from the friends, from my side.
Generally, a purushayus (life of a human being) is considered to be hundred years by our scriptures and puranas. From that perspective, today I had crossed the mid mark. To some of my friends who called me to wish me, I said that I have become UDF (Since LDF stands for LEFT democratic front in Kerala politics, UDF, the opposing front is the RIGHT one. And since I have come to the RIGHT side of the scale of my life, I jokingly called myself a UDF person)
In our Hindu culture, sixtieth birthday (shastiabdapurthi) is celebrated with prayers, feast and get-together. In the olden days, people did not live for more number of years. Reaching sixty, therefore would have been a major achievement and that landmark would have called for celebrations, I presume. Today the case is different. Statistically, in Kerala, a man lives up to 74 years (and a woman, up to 78) and reflecting that, statistically, I still have a one third of my living time left. Good, let me feel happy!
Man is like wine. Maturity increases the strength and substance. I am thinking whether I can put up a different look of me from today so that people can consider me matured, peaceful and considerate, rather than my hitherto original self of emotional, child like, spontaneous, and sort of, ‘on face’ in my dealings. Probably if I tell them my age, people should give some considerations at least, I hope.
Truthfully speaking, I had some calculations about me reaching fifty years. I thought when I reached fifty; I could give way the operations of my enterprise to the second line and indulge more in mentoring, reading, writing and propagating managerial and entrepreneurial thoughts. The current times are not conducive for that to happen. I am required to continue my present profile for more period of time than I had anticipated, I think. This being the reality, I must accept it, with a pinch of salt or otherwise.
However, is there a better way? I am forcing myself to think that there is. What could that be? Continue whatever I am doing with the required level of focus and add more to it such as mentoring, writing etc. This calls for spending more time at work front and getting lesser rest, that is. Will it work? One has to test and see!
That brings me to the story of the Lion and Gazelle in the African hinterland. Every morning the gazelle wakes up with the thought that it has to outrun the fastest running Lion to survive and every morning the lion wakes up and thinks that t has to run faster than the slowest running Gazelle to make food and survive. The bottom line is, it does not matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle. Whatever you be, what matters is that you have to on the run to survive!
So what do I do? Ok I will run. Since the load is bigger, the efforts needs to better. But probably, rather than short distance dashes, I think I could be looking at doing marathons now.
Steady, consistent and on the run that is ……………………
A ROLE MODEL LEADER
Really I do not know him that well personally.
But whatever I know of him itself is sufficient to make this blog. I sincerely feel that people like him needs to be projected, for the sheer reason for positivity to prevail.
Today he is a well known entrepreneur in the field of agriculture but he is not into agriculture. Can we say that he helps agriculture, floriculture and horticulture? His organization has developed the technology and know-how that allows highest yield on lowest land area, cultivation in uncultivable places and provides treated organic materials (coconut pith etc) on which plants can grow well. He runs one of the best testing labs in the State and he provides the best consulting for controlled cultivation thru green house technology. Let us call him an Agriculture Technocrat (he calls himself a humble farmer’s friend!). Most of his endeavors are pioneering efforts and therefore he is a true leader in the chosen field. No wonder he is a highly decorated person, winning awards from the President of the country etc. He advises many state governments and organizations in and out of the country on the subject. He has linkages with institutions based out of Europe, Africa and Middle East and he often travels to these places.
He is also very active professionally. CII Kerala and TiE Kerala, both he had chaired, had immensely benefited from him leadership. He continues to contribute to both associations by his presence, efforts and advices. He is the only leader in both the associations to have taken business delegations to outside the country. I had the privilege of being part of one such delegation and had immensely enjoyed his company and leadership.
By education he is an Agricultural Engineer, having studied the same in Gujarat. He made his career in a leading MNC of those days, concentrating on products and services meant for horticulture & plantations. The call of entrepreneurship came at mid age and he left the job to start own venture with a friend. He did well initially, went belly down later and had a painful split with his partner. All through, it was good learning for him.
Then he went alone. He started treading the path taken by the least. All he had was knowledge, courage and sheer determination all of which was bound by the thread of poistivity. Where will such a man go? Yes, only to the TOP! That is exactly what happened to him. He took innovation as his guiding spirit. And innovation led him to much recognition.
When you talk to him and deal with him, he comes thru as very sincere and concerned. From the conversations with him I am amply convinced that he genuinely wants people to progress, do well and live well. He is willing to contribute in any which way for that to happen. He has been doing many services and charity to this cause.
He has kept all his connections and relationship intact. And that had led him to have friends at all places, be it senior bureaucrats, head of Institutions, leading academicians or leaders of industry and commerce. His sophistication, behavior, refined culture (the true palakkad trait, which he is one) and language leave a deep impact on everyone. I haven’t seen him behaving badly to anyone, even if he is under pressure, even to his employees and subordinates. His is the way of conciliatory and democratic approach. He is amenable to advices & suggestions. He always looks at what we can do together and therefore the approach is that of inclusivity. No wonder he has so many dependable friends all over the world.
His wife is full of charm. Combinedly, they make a graceful pair. It is not said without reason that behind every successful man, there is a woman! His children (son and daughter) are employed and settled abroad and they are doing well. His laments that his children are not interested in taking over the successful business that he is running. However, that does not in any way dampen his spirit of entrepreneurship. He continues to slog without much rest, though he had crossed the normal retirement age.
Whom am I speaking about? The suspense is about to end…….
Here is presenting an entrepreneur par excellence, an innovator to the core, an extraordinary decent good human being, a considerate leader, a towering positive personality, Mr. SHIVDAS B MENON, Chairman & Managing Director, Sterling Farm Research & Services Ltd. Cochin.
A person worthy to be a true role model!
But whatever I know of him itself is sufficient to make this blog. I sincerely feel that people like him needs to be projected, for the sheer reason for positivity to prevail.
Today he is a well known entrepreneur in the field of agriculture but he is not into agriculture. Can we say that he helps agriculture, floriculture and horticulture? His organization has developed the technology and know-how that allows highest yield on lowest land area, cultivation in uncultivable places and provides treated organic materials (coconut pith etc) on which plants can grow well. He runs one of the best testing labs in the State and he provides the best consulting for controlled cultivation thru green house technology. Let us call him an Agriculture Technocrat (he calls himself a humble farmer’s friend!). Most of his endeavors are pioneering efforts and therefore he is a true leader in the chosen field. No wonder he is a highly decorated person, winning awards from the President of the country etc. He advises many state governments and organizations in and out of the country on the subject. He has linkages with institutions based out of Europe, Africa and Middle East and he often travels to these places.
He is also very active professionally. CII Kerala and TiE Kerala, both he had chaired, had immensely benefited from him leadership. He continues to contribute to both associations by his presence, efforts and advices. He is the only leader in both the associations to have taken business delegations to outside the country. I had the privilege of being part of one such delegation and had immensely enjoyed his company and leadership.
By education he is an Agricultural Engineer, having studied the same in Gujarat. He made his career in a leading MNC of those days, concentrating on products and services meant for horticulture & plantations. The call of entrepreneurship came at mid age and he left the job to start own venture with a friend. He did well initially, went belly down later and had a painful split with his partner. All through, it was good learning for him.
Then he went alone. He started treading the path taken by the least. All he had was knowledge, courage and sheer determination all of which was bound by the thread of poistivity. Where will such a man go? Yes, only to the TOP! That is exactly what happened to him. He took innovation as his guiding spirit. And innovation led him to much recognition.
When you talk to him and deal with him, he comes thru as very sincere and concerned. From the conversations with him I am amply convinced that he genuinely wants people to progress, do well and live well. He is willing to contribute in any which way for that to happen. He has been doing many services and charity to this cause.
He has kept all his connections and relationship intact. And that had led him to have friends at all places, be it senior bureaucrats, head of Institutions, leading academicians or leaders of industry and commerce. His sophistication, behavior, refined culture (the true palakkad trait, which he is one) and language leave a deep impact on everyone. I haven’t seen him behaving badly to anyone, even if he is under pressure, even to his employees and subordinates. His is the way of conciliatory and democratic approach. He is amenable to advices & suggestions. He always looks at what we can do together and therefore the approach is that of inclusivity. No wonder he has so many dependable friends all over the world.
His wife is full of charm. Combinedly, they make a graceful pair. It is not said without reason that behind every successful man, there is a woman! His children (son and daughter) are employed and settled abroad and they are doing well. His laments that his children are not interested in taking over the successful business that he is running. However, that does not in any way dampen his spirit of entrepreneurship. He continues to slog without much rest, though he had crossed the normal retirement age.
Whom am I speaking about? The suspense is about to end…….
Here is presenting an entrepreneur par excellence, an innovator to the core, an extraordinary decent good human being, a considerate leader, a towering positive personality, Mr. SHIVDAS B MENON, Chairman & Managing Director, Sterling Farm Research & Services Ltd. Cochin.
A person worthy to be a true role model!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
BEING ROGER FEDERER - THE ALL TIME GREAT OF MODERN TENNIS
It is more than a week that the curtain fell at Rolland Gorros where French Open 09 was held. And what a feast it was for Roger Federer. Among his many achievements, he become the second player (after Andre Agassi) in modern tennis history to be a winner of all Grand Slams titles viz: Wimbeldon (grass), US Open (hard) , Australian Open (hard) & of course now, the French Open (clay). Secondly, he has matched up with Pete Sampras in achieving fourteen Grand Slam Singles titles.
French open & clay court had eluded Roger Federer so far. This is the fourth consecutive year that he is coming to the finals of French open. This year he had a respite, for Rafael Nadal was not there in the Final to play against him. Instead, he played the giant killer Robin Soderling and humbled him to win the title.
It is very rare to see a player like Federer in Tennis. In these days of serve and volley power games, almost all players are very aggressive and they make it a point to show it off both on and off the ground. Here is a perfect gentleman of the game of Tennis. And a very disciplined one at that! Even outside court, he is a treat to watch. He emanates a personality full of positivity. However, at every winning, he had shown that he is human too. His emotions were very clear there for all to see. Why not, it is not every year that we see an all surface Grand Slam champ!
Another very important aspect of his personality is his knowledge of the game and its history. I had read reports of him choking up when receiving trophy from Rod Laver, one of the all time greats of the game. The same thing happened at this years French Open too, for he received the trophy from Andre Agassi, the only other player in modern history of the tennis to win all Grand Slam. His emotion packed acceptance speech showed his gratitude of receiving the award from Andre, another of the Tennis all time greats.
From Last year onwards I started seeing reports of the downslide of Federer. Going down to Nadal in both French open & Wimbledon last year started the tongues to wag, suspecting his invincibility. Again, this year he lost to Nadal at the Australian Open final. But Federer did not let his body and mind to get depressed. He kept at his dream, the dream of winning the French Open and matching the Grand Slam titles of Pete Sampras. This completely corroborates my belief that if you have a dream and you are putting your best efforts to achieve that, the whole world will conspire to let it happen. See, in French Open 09, there came a player called Soderling to defeat Nadal and remove the impediment for Federer to reach his dream.
It is people like Federer who runs and keep the real essence and beauty of the game of Tennis. Before him we had Pete Sampras. What a pleasure it was to watch him play and winning. He too was a true gentlemanly player. Players such as Federer and Sampras are the gems of the game.
Speaking of Pete Sampras, he was very thoughtful and decent to accept that it is Roger Federer who is the greatest player of modern Tennis. Sampras said that whether Federer wins French Open or not, having reached the final four times, he had proven that he is cut above the rest. While we acknowledge the greatness of Pete Sampras in accepting the Numero Uno position of Roger Federer, here is three cheers to the champ, ROGER FEDERER, who I think will go on to annex at least 2 more Grand Slam title that would enable to him reach and consolidate the unassailable position of the ALL TIME GREAT of TENNIS.
French open & clay court had eluded Roger Federer so far. This is the fourth consecutive year that he is coming to the finals of French open. This year he had a respite, for Rafael Nadal was not there in the Final to play against him. Instead, he played the giant killer Robin Soderling and humbled him to win the title.
It is very rare to see a player like Federer in Tennis. In these days of serve and volley power games, almost all players are very aggressive and they make it a point to show it off both on and off the ground. Here is a perfect gentleman of the game of Tennis. And a very disciplined one at that! Even outside court, he is a treat to watch. He emanates a personality full of positivity. However, at every winning, he had shown that he is human too. His emotions were very clear there for all to see. Why not, it is not every year that we see an all surface Grand Slam champ!
Another very important aspect of his personality is his knowledge of the game and its history. I had read reports of him choking up when receiving trophy from Rod Laver, one of the all time greats of the game. The same thing happened at this years French Open too, for he received the trophy from Andre Agassi, the only other player in modern history of the tennis to win all Grand Slam. His emotion packed acceptance speech showed his gratitude of receiving the award from Andre, another of the Tennis all time greats.
From Last year onwards I started seeing reports of the downslide of Federer. Going down to Nadal in both French open & Wimbledon last year started the tongues to wag, suspecting his invincibility. Again, this year he lost to Nadal at the Australian Open final. But Federer did not let his body and mind to get depressed. He kept at his dream, the dream of winning the French Open and matching the Grand Slam titles of Pete Sampras. This completely corroborates my belief that if you have a dream and you are putting your best efforts to achieve that, the whole world will conspire to let it happen. See, in French Open 09, there came a player called Soderling to defeat Nadal and remove the impediment for Federer to reach his dream.
It is people like Federer who runs and keep the real essence and beauty of the game of Tennis. Before him we had Pete Sampras. What a pleasure it was to watch him play and winning. He too was a true gentlemanly player. Players such as Federer and Sampras are the gems of the game.
Speaking of Pete Sampras, he was very thoughtful and decent to accept that it is Roger Federer who is the greatest player of modern Tennis. Sampras said that whether Federer wins French Open or not, having reached the final four times, he had proven that he is cut above the rest. While we acknowledge the greatness of Pete Sampras in accepting the Numero Uno position of Roger Federer, here is three cheers to the champ, ROGER FEDERER, who I think will go on to annex at least 2 more Grand Slam title that would enable to him reach and consolidate the unassailable position of the ALL TIME GREAT of TENNIS.
Monday, June 8, 2009
PERSPECTIVES
Lots of my friends had forwarded me a reader comment written by one V. Mitchell that was supposed to have appeared in New York Times sometime in May 2009 on the Indian elections held in that month. As a proud Indian, I felt it necessary to put the comment in my blog, for others to read and understand an outside perspective on India which was till very recently counted as a good for nothing land of snake charmers and elephants.
I quote:-
It is truly the greatest show on Earth, an ode to a diverse and democratic ethos, where 700 million + of humanity vote, providing their small part in directing their ancient civilization into the future. It is no less impressive when done in a neighborhood which includes de-stabilizing and violent Pakistan, China, and Burma.
Its challenges are immense, more so probably than anywhere else, particularly in development and fending off terrorism -- but considering these challenges and its neighbors, it is even more astounding that the most diverse nation on Earth, with hundreds of languages, all religions and cultures, is not only surviving, but thriving.The nation where Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism were born, which is the second largest Muslim nation on Earth; where Christianity has existed for 2000 years; where the oldest Jewish synagogues and Jewish communities have resided since the Romans burnt their 2nd temple; where the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile reside; where the Zoroastrians from Persia have thrived since being thrown out of their ancient homeland; where Armenians and Syrians and many others have to come live; which the Paris-based OECD said was the largest economy on Earth for 1500 of the last 2000 years, including the 2nd largest, only 200 years ago; where 3 Muslim Presidents have been elected, where a Sikh is Prime Minister and the head of the ruling party a Catholic Italian woman, where the President is also a woman, succeeding a Muslim President who as a rocket scientist is a hero of the nation; where a booming economy is lifting 40 million out of poverty each year and is expected to have the majority of its population in the middle class already, equal to the entire US population, by 2025; where its optimism and vibrancy is manifested in its movies, arts, economic growth, and voting, despite all the incredible challenges and hardships; where all the great powers are vying for influence, as it itself finds its place in the world.
Where all of this is happening, is India, and as greater than 1/10th of humanity gets ready to vote, it is an inspiration to the entire World.
Unquote
The comment in NYT is brisk and straight but it says everything about a civilization that had accepted and tolerated every culture of the world, welcomed warmly every guest (with or without good intention) to its fold, allowed new though processes to germinate and thrive without any fear and was truly rich, both materially and spiritually. To top it, it is a true democracy with the second largest population of the world. India is big, huge, clumsy, complex, contrasting….. you name it, it is all rolled into it. For such a country to exist for eons, with hundreds of its languages, culture, caste and creed, most of which are juxtaposing in nature, is indeed an unfathomable wonder.
Close to this comment is another forward that I had received from a friend. This is an anecdote on how one views things. I reproduce the same as below:
Quote:-
One day a rich businessman took his son to a trip to the country home of a peasant with the firm purpose to show him how poor people can be. They spent a dayand a night in the farm.
When they got back from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"
"Very good Dad!" replied his son.
"Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked.
"Yeah!" said the son.
"And what did you learn?"
The son answered, "I saw that we have a dog at home, and they have four. Wehave a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden; they have a creek thathas no end. We have imported lamps in the garden; they have the stars.Our patio reaches to the front yard, they have a whole horizon. And Thanks Dad, for showing me how poor we are!"
When the little boy finished, his father was speechless.
Unquote
As in the first case, it is also a perspective. One likes it because one feels that it was put forward so very well, with a tangential but empethetical understanding.
Aren’t we all poor in spite of the material richness around us and aren’t we all rich in spite of material poorness that we suffer?
Yes, it is all about the outlook. On how we view things!
However, the bottom line is not about being poor or rich. It is all about being happy, being peaceful and living in harmony with whatever we possess.
Strive for it, people………..
I quote:-
It is truly the greatest show on Earth, an ode to a diverse and democratic ethos, where 700 million + of humanity vote, providing their small part in directing their ancient civilization into the future. It is no less impressive when done in a neighborhood which includes de-stabilizing and violent Pakistan, China, and Burma.
Its challenges are immense, more so probably than anywhere else, particularly in development and fending off terrorism -- but considering these challenges and its neighbors, it is even more astounding that the most diverse nation on Earth, with hundreds of languages, all religions and cultures, is not only surviving, but thriving.The nation where Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism were born, which is the second largest Muslim nation on Earth; where Christianity has existed for 2000 years; where the oldest Jewish synagogues and Jewish communities have resided since the Romans burnt their 2nd temple; where the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile reside; where the Zoroastrians from Persia have thrived since being thrown out of their ancient homeland; where Armenians and Syrians and many others have to come live; which the Paris-based OECD said was the largest economy on Earth for 1500 of the last 2000 years, including the 2nd largest, only 200 years ago; where 3 Muslim Presidents have been elected, where a Sikh is Prime Minister and the head of the ruling party a Catholic Italian woman, where the President is also a woman, succeeding a Muslim President who as a rocket scientist is a hero of the nation; where a booming economy is lifting 40 million out of poverty each year and is expected to have the majority of its population in the middle class already, equal to the entire US population, by 2025; where its optimism and vibrancy is manifested in its movies, arts, economic growth, and voting, despite all the incredible challenges and hardships; where all the great powers are vying for influence, as it itself finds its place in the world.
Where all of this is happening, is India, and as greater than 1/10th of humanity gets ready to vote, it is an inspiration to the entire World.
Unquote
The comment in NYT is brisk and straight but it says everything about a civilization that had accepted and tolerated every culture of the world, welcomed warmly every guest (with or without good intention) to its fold, allowed new though processes to germinate and thrive without any fear and was truly rich, both materially and spiritually. To top it, it is a true democracy with the second largest population of the world. India is big, huge, clumsy, complex, contrasting….. you name it, it is all rolled into it. For such a country to exist for eons, with hundreds of its languages, culture, caste and creed, most of which are juxtaposing in nature, is indeed an unfathomable wonder.
Close to this comment is another forward that I had received from a friend. This is an anecdote on how one views things. I reproduce the same as below:
Quote:-
One day a rich businessman took his son to a trip to the country home of a peasant with the firm purpose to show him how poor people can be. They spent a dayand a night in the farm.
When they got back from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"
"Very good Dad!" replied his son.
"Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked.
"Yeah!" said the son.
"And what did you learn?"
The son answered, "I saw that we have a dog at home, and they have four. Wehave a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden; they have a creek thathas no end. We have imported lamps in the garden; they have the stars.Our patio reaches to the front yard, they have a whole horizon. And Thanks Dad, for showing me how poor we are!"
When the little boy finished, his father was speechless.
Unquote
As in the first case, it is also a perspective. One likes it because one feels that it was put forward so very well, with a tangential but empethetical understanding.
Aren’t we all poor in spite of the material richness around us and aren’t we all rich in spite of material poorness that we suffer?
Yes, it is all about the outlook. On how we view things!
However, the bottom line is not about being poor or rich. It is all about being happy, being peaceful and living in harmony with whatever we possess.
Strive for it, people………..
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