The Onus

"Stop staring at me."

"But...I am hungry!!!"

"And so am I, now go away and let me eat."

"Please, I've not eaten for 3 days..."

Just as I was going to sink my teeth in the parantha, this relentless cry from the girl stopped me. She looked pale, thin and anything if it could get thinner then thin.

I knew she was not lying, but I was hungry. So what if I didn't give her my meal, she could beg anyone...where would I get a new parantha from??? There was a long day ahead and I had loads of work to do.

But she had a long life ahead...long, endless life of penury. I tried to move on, she kept following me. I tried to escape, but my feet...they suddenly felt heavier. The integrity of my character had left me, and left behind was the onus. I was looking around for help, if only my savior could come and save me from this...

People looked at me, and continued on their trajectories. I wonder if the feeling in their eyes was of guilt, compassion or abhorrence...was it directed at me or the destitute girl?

The chauraha was near, I quickened my pace. For the last time I turned my head and looked at the girl. Her eyes were still pleading, and her torn clothes, bared her own story. I stepped on the road, turned back again (and then cursed myself for that all day).

Out of the blue, I stretched my hand, almost throwing my meal at her...and then just ran away. I didn't have the courage to look back at her anymore.

"I've given you my meal...its you who should be saying sorry for taking away what I already had, but then why am I feeling sorry for you???", the voice kept bellowing in my mind all the morning.

Law Enforcement and Us

We fear our own protectors(police) as they can misuse the law.
We think law enforcement will encourage the revenge attacks.
We think some laws can be used against some minorities (read minorities = muslim).
We fear politicians will reach a new level of law-misuse if laws get more power.
We, most Indians don’t like our own country. (<— I know this is a WRONG claim but wait, I have some explanation.)
We have lost and do not believe anything related to patriotism or something like that.
We say , ” Why should I bother” for any social issue which is not harming us.
And now I ask the same question again, “Are we ready? Really?”


Is that all? no, we have many good thoughts too.
I know this sounds pessimistic and negative but please note that I am NOT a pessimist nor I am negative. Its just summary of what I have been experiencing. I don’t deny that there are many people who do not fall in the category listed above. We have much population who thinks we are a powerful country which needs some tweaking. But still India has most of population in Rural areas.
Poor people and farmers feel feeding their family is more important than caring about so called ’social problems’. Middle-class think that they are better in current conditions. I don’t know about Higher class people.

Some people don’t like this country:
About my little off-head statement above, I owe some explanation. I said some people do not like our own country. Yes, that's the fact. There are MANY who really think that being born in India is their life’s biggest problem. They detest this country, they detest everything in here. Who are they? As I have met some, most of these haters are High-educated people. Some MBA, Engineers, IITians , Doctors, and more. They think their so called talent is being wasted here. They may not be the case with all of 'them', but is with a lot 'us'.
How we are supposed to be making progress of any kind if our Talented Brains are leaving us? Common people look at educated youngsters with pride. And this generation, our generation is not aware of it, may be just a sect of us is...

Back to the point again!
Do you remember the dialog in Movie “Swades” where ShahRukh Khan says, “….everyone in this country is talking about how our country is going down and not progressing, everyone says that Nothing can be done, no one can help this country………”
Well, I really agree with the dialog. This is what we are doing. We are morally discouraging our own country. We need to do some brainwash and cleaning of Indian minds before we start acting against terrorism. And unless and until we start believing that we CAN always DO something for India, we are not ready for anything!!!

The Dilemma

It was my 24th year on this planet. Life was seemingly...good - I had a bungalow, a car, a job with a reputed IT firm, a fat pay package and on top of that, a girlfriend!!!

But something was missing. I didn't know what it was, or even why I missed it. But there was this undeniable void. While everyone envied me for always having the best of things, deep in the abyss of my mind I was envious of them.

The feeling gripped me hard, didn't let me sleep for nights, let alone the nightmares. Sometimes, it was so overwhelming that I felt like committing suicide.

And then, one day God spared his/her time to glance through this of his/her creations. I wonder which of my qualities (or my quandry) drew him/her to me...But yes, he/she took pity and decided to alter my acuities.

Dressed as a modern Guru, came he/she down. His/Her thoughts swept me off my feet, or rather my brain. And then...and then there was light.

Now, I know that the greatest battles of one's life are fought within. The purpose of sending us incarnated as humans was not only to make 'our' life better only. This was meant to serve a higher purpose. 'We' are meant to serve a higher purpose. There's more to our life than just being us, we are meant to make the world a better place to live - for others and for ourselves. There remains a lot to do...

Religious Revolution...

As you probably know, I’m not much for organized religion. I have been convinced a supernatural being overseeing everything is extremely unlikely and natural selection is quite likely.

Don’t argue with me. You will either lose the debate on evidence or you will simply decide to ignore the evidence. Either way, you go on and live the way you want. I’m not into telling people their religious rituals are wastes of time. If they give you comfort, more power to you. Just don’t try and convince me it’s your way or the highway.

However, I have been thinking about how one should live their life. I don’t believe we get our morals from the Bible, the Qur’an or any other “holy” book. In fact, our religious indoctrination many times skews our perception of right and wrong i.e. murder the infidels, catholics, jews, etc.

The ten commandments are fine for Sunday School lessons or debating the difference between Thou Shall Not Kill and Thou Shall Not Commit Murder. It’s fine in a philosophy or religion class, but I’m not interested in having them in my public places or thrust at me like they are the “be all” of righteousness.

So, I wanted to create a new version. None of this “Thou Shalt Not...” crap. I want edicts on what you should do to live a good life, not what you can’t do. Here’s what I came up with: Sean’s Nine Tenants for Living A Good Life.

The first three are how we deal with one another.

Don’t do to others, what you don’t want done to you.

I prefer the Confucius version rather than “The Golden Rule” version. This is the greatest catch-all. It means be kind and decent to each other. Respect one another.

Love one another.

This is the central message of the New Testament. Take out the hocus pocus and mumbo jumbo and this is what Jesus is saying. I like this and it sounds a lot better than Bill and Ted’s similar “Be Excellent To Each Other...” It also means we can’t discriminate love in all its various shapes and forms.

Be tolerant of others who are different from you.

Most religious conflicts are based entirely on two groups who believe in something just a little bit different from the other and their “Good Books” tell them to kill the infidels (Never mind that Thou Shalt Not Kill commandment...). Hate crimes are especially heinous because the crime committed was specifically targeted toward someone different be it a minority, nationality, sexuality or gender. Tolerance is something the world could use in abundance.

The middle three focus on how we should deal with societal and cultural situations.

In all things, be fair-minded.

Everyone wants to be treated fairly. Too many people buy unfair advantages and too many people fall through the cracks of unfair practices and circumstances.

In all things, keep an open mind.

I hate people who are closed minded. Having a narrow view severely limits the potential for understanding. The ability to change your mind when new information is presented is one of the greatest capacities of the human brain. Far too many people have a narrow worldview and that’s sad.

In all things, administer appropriate justice and forgive wrongdoing honestly regretted.

I want justice for all and I want my justice to be blind to special interests, money or fame. I believe people make mistakes and should be given second chances. However, I’m not a big fan of third, fourth and fifth chances.

The last three are personal rules.

Do no intentional harm.

Taken straight from the Physician’s Creed. I’d like to think everyone could use it as a personal mantra.

Continue to learn.

I shudder when I think of the masses who don’t read books or newspapers. More people can name the last American Idol winner than the last five Presidents. I want a world where continuous learning is a virtue. Encouraging the bettering of one’s mind just seems like something everyone should strive to do.

Treat the environment with respect and take the long view of existence.

No, I’m not an environmental crazy. However, I do feel the environment needs to be protected today and for future generations. It is exceedingly difficult for people to think in thousands of years. I don’t have trouble thinking just a generation down the line. Maybe its because I like science fiction and extrapolating the future, but I wonder what life will be like for my grandkids.

Do you have something better to add???

Halla Bol

Ang Ang Jakhmi Hai Tera, Lamha Lamha Faryaadi Hai
Khol Jubaan Abb Khol Abb Bolane Ki Tujhko Aazaadi Hai
Jo Himaat Na Haare, Woh Jindagi Sawaare
Chal Dikhaade Saari Duniya Ko Tere Saanson Mein Bhi Hai Aandhi
Jab Tak Hai Dum Me Dum Dum Dum Me Dum, Aage Badhaalo Apane Kadam

Ik Jurm Hai Pyaare Julmon Ko Sehna Bhi
Aawaav Uthaao Laajim Hai Ladhana Bhi
Bujdil Insaan Ko Jinda Nahi Kehte
Paththar Banaata Hai Ghaamosh Rehna Bhi
Jo Himaat Na Haare, Woh Jindagi Sawaare
Chal Dikhaade Saari Duniya Ko Tere Saanson Mein Bhi Hai Aandhi
Jab Tak Hai Dum Me Dum, Dum Dum Mein Dum, Aage Badhaalo Apane Kadam

Ho Gayi Hai Pir Parwat Se Pighanani Chaahiye
Is Himaalay Se Koi Ganga Nikalani Chaahiye
Jab Tak Hai Dum Me Dum, Dum Dum Mein Dum, Aage Badhaalo Apane Kadam
Sirf Hungaama Khada Karna Mera Maqsad Nahi
Meri Koshish Hai Ke Yeh Surat Badalani Chaahiye
Jab Tak Hai Dum Me Dum, Dum Dum Mein Dum, Aage Badhaalo Apane Kadam
Mere Sine Mein Nahi Toh Tere Sine Mein Sahi
Ho Kahin Bhi Aag Lekin Aag Jalani Chaahiye

Jo Himaat Na Haare, Woh Jindagi Sawaare
Chal Dikhaade Saari Duniya Ko Tere Saanson Mein Bhi Hai Aandhi
Jab Tak Hai Dum Me Dum, Dum Dum Mein Dum, Aage Badhaalo Apane Kadam....



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Science or Religion

How are you doing today, people?

Bored?

What do you have to be bored about?

Hey, come on lets get our hands over this newspaper before anyone tries and steal it from my doorstep!!!

Thanks.

Hey! Look at what this letter to the editor says.

And then tell me what’s wrong with it.

“…intelligent design cannot be taught in our elementary schools because it is a religious concept. And religion is the opposite of science.”

Mmmm, no. It’s this part about religion being the opposite of science.

First of all, people don’t even know what the word means.

“Opposite” means two things that are contrary to each other. Why, there are few things so much alike as science and religion.

Science grew out of religion for heaven’s sake!

When the earliest civilization was still cradling and suckling on nature's breasts, Paganism and then Hinduism flagmarched towards the future, propagating the cause of Science and Humanity. Even in the “Dark Ages”, the Christian Faith, only a few generations old, was struggling to keep the peoples of Europe from slipping into complete anarchy and starvation.

This new religion had something really different going for it. It believed that all of reality was operating in accordance with a Natural Law set forth by a single, omnipotent God.

So what?

So this means that we could try to find out what that natural law was. In fact, it was a spiritually good thing to go try to do.

Crops could be better. We could keep time better. New machines could help people survive and thrive.

So at the very root of both science and religion lies a simple article of faith.

Yeah, OK. Here’s the comics section. Now be quite a minute while I read these other letters to the editor.

Teardrops

I walk alone in shadows
so dark, wet, and cold,
wrapped tight to hide my fears,
so no one else may know.

Long hard burdens I have heavily born
On wide shoulders broadly set,
Outer clam must firmly reign,
While serenity is tattered and shorn.

Then teardrops come like falling rain
And wash from face my resolve,
revealing pains once hidden unseen,
Internally twisted with stress and strain.

Oh how I wish for a perfect rain
With which to hide these tears,
To make me whole once more,
And wash away my lingering pain .

Fight your fears

It is a competitive world today, people are trying harder and harder to race ahead of their contemporaries. Still we come across some who are unable to work to their full potentials. One of the few factors for this issue is a sense of fear within them. Fear is a feeling, which is present in most, only the reason of fear varies from person to person. It can be fear of failure, ridicule, mistake etc.

Even those who are very thriving in their lives, suffer the sting of fear. Fear of losing that they have, their rivals getting ahead of them or it can be something else. Although over a period of time, such individuals learn how to handle these fears. However, there are many out there who live in fear day in and day out.

Fear is an emotion that is not always destructive. In some cases it works to a person’s advantage. It prevents us from getting overconfident and taking things for granted. Such fear is good for all of us, but what is not good is the fear that stops us from realizing our dreams. We tend to postpone our plans; try to pass on the responsibility onto others or simply try to break away from our duties. One might highly misjudge such a person to be lazy, who loves to sit idle. They may not understand the reason for such a behavior is the fear that resides within an individual.

Now the question arises is, how do we get rid of such an intense emotion out of our lives? Firstly we need to understand the reason for our fears. There could be various reasons like one’s upbringing, failures in the past or our egos. It’s not just difficult but impossible to let go of fear in one day. It does take some time to get the sprite of fear out of our system. To begin with, we need to get into the root of our fears. Once we understand the reason it will be easier to fight against it. To find out the reason is half skirmish won.

For instance, if you are not contented talking in front of a large crowd. You realize this is because once in the past you spoke something irrelevant and people laughed at you. To take this example further, this might have happened long back probably then your acquaintance about things was limited, unlike now. Go ahead and give yourself some more try. Even if you are not the champion of the day your fear of public speaking will be reduced to quite an extent. REPEAT DOING THINGS THAT YOU FEAR.

Fighting your fears is first recognizing and then eliminating it. It might not be as easy as it sounds here. However it only takes a stern and continuous attempt on your part. Always remember, “What differentiates audacious people from cowards is not the lack of fear but the will to continue even after being frightened”.