Ted Kennedy

The Kennedy family commands respect and love of most Americans. It is no mean thing to be cared so much about in this country where very few people can acheive this position. Americans are not much in to hero worship but more in to hero bashing. But the members of the Kennedy family are much liked by the public. May Ted Kennedy's soul rest in peace.

Censorship

Truth cannot be told about Jinnah in India nor Pakistan. Pakistanis put a stop to any hint of Jinnah being a secular politician and Indians do the same. Jinnah was an educated freedom fighter who fought along with Gandhi, Nehru, and others. If Jinnah is responsible for partition then so is Nehru because they all agreed to it. Sri Lanka happened but no one is angry with anyone though the tamils suffer. Pakistan happened and people were asked to move and that is the problem. If the division was geographical the hatred would not have lasted so long. This was the fault of Jinnah, Nehru, Gandhi, and all others involved in the decision.

Pakistan probably was inevitable. But if the geographical division was done first and people had migrated in an orderly fashion with passports and visas, the tragedy could have been averted. People could have sold their property for a fair price and moved to a place where they had something in store for them. What were the leaders thinking then? Free flow of people without any plans lead to the humanitarian disaster of loss of life and property. If the leaders had agreed to partition then they should have also planned how to go about it. Partition was not about who becomes prime minister, and where, which was all the leaders of India and Pakistan planned, for the greatest human migration of all human history. It was a pure administrative and political blunder and surely everyone cannot blame only Jinnah for it. Jinnah admitted that the partition was a mistake which is more than what a lot of leaders in India has done.

All memories of Indian independence is filled with the pain of partition of India and Pakistan. No one remembers Britain withdrawing. India ended making an enemy of a neighbor but remained great friends with Britain who exploited India beyond any invaders in Indian history.

Gender bender

The gender question in sports is getting murky. The sports authorities must test athletes before the competition not after they win. Its dirty tactics and reminds one of the Nazi era of denial. Goes to show that women while competing cannot only concentrate on the game but also prepare for mud slinging. Just because a female did awfully well raises questions about her being a woman is absurd.

School Attire

Controversies about what one can wear to school can be solved if everyone wears uniforms. If a college or school decides not to have uniforms then the institution must be mature enough to deal with surprises and variety. If there are no clear rules let us have no rules at all. Else the mean spirited find excuses to harass innocent students. The Indian constitution provides for practicing any religion in the country. But to expect schools to design uniforms that accomodates religious beliefs of all is too much. We just have too many hangups in India to make everyone happy. But a school must try to do that because a school is a place is where we must go to get educated and not just literate. A school showing respect and understanding cultural aspects of others is where kids must go to. Nevertheless, it is best people find schools where they are comfortable with the rules. Surprisingly the more stringent the rules the more popular the schools. Such is life.

Health care

It is good that people are debating public health care in America. It is sign that American democracy is getting vocal again and is working again. But unemployed people or disadvantaged people must get basic health care. That is the only morally right thing. Almost every nation in the world provides this option. They provide the care they can afford.

Clearly some people are arguing without thinking. Yes people can take individual responsibility if health care was affordable. Compare health care costs to all other costs an individual comes across in their life in America. The health care costs are quite unnatural and happens only in America. Remember, your trip to a dentist costs as much as your sofa set. If your insurance is not paying most of us could hardly afford to see a doctor.

Unrecognized

The airport authorities did not recognize Shahrukh Khan at the Newark airport. This is highly unlikely. Newark airport definitely has a lot of Indian employees and there might have been quite a buzz about Shahrukh Khan. To grill him for two hours because his name is Khan as a routine goes to show what other people with the name Khan must be facing. I sincerely doubt that Newark airport grills every Khan thus. It is time to find out who are the people behind trying to cut King Khan to size. Its quite childish.

The movies

The movies finally have no resemblance to real life. In the past movies were weird but there were a few sensible ones here and there. But now all of them have gone real fiction. Its almost like the movie makers are afraid of honest to good real life.

Obvious

Releasing Suu Kyi means the end of Junta. They will never do that. Suu Kyi has to set herself free. If she cannot do that she is not fit to lead. Such is life.

The spousal question

The wife of a successful man gets paraded around. In fact if someone asks about a man's wife he might be mighty pleased. Somehow women have a tougher situation about blending a husband with a job. Women like to disassociate the family from career perhaps fearing that they may appear unprofessional. More so because women in general are obsessed with family and relationships.

Health care

Almost every country in the world has health care provided by the govt. That is the sign of civilization. There will be public funded orphanages, old people's homes, and hospitals every time there is a civilized society. Private health care is usually better than Government hospitals but then they have to compete. And why not? After all they charge a whole lot of money. President Obama is on the right track. Choose what works best for you, a govt health care, or private care, or both as situation demands it. A robust private health care system with a minimal government one is what Americans should aim for. But right now private health care is quite minimalistic considering the money they charge for there are no alternatives. The only ones who will not like this plan should be the insurance companies. Health care is one of the primary reasons Americans work apart from housing. Removing this reason will encourage unemployment. Depending on free goods and services is never good.

Following your heart

The debate against discrimination against women is good. Women feel united in the experience. But discrimination never stopped people from achieving what they want and sometimes helped fire ambition. Following your heart and being passionate about things you do will see you through the rough times. And most often than not you leave people who bothered you so far behind that the rough times do not matter anymore. Discrimination is competition. Look carefully and what you think was discrimination is usually competition among women. And if you want the good jobs then you need to compete. Sometimes as a woman you are treated more than fairly and sometimes poorly. The dynamics between man and woman is complex and let it stay so. It is good to discriminate between man and woman else society will face real serious problems. Its best to follow your heart and do what you think you can do best. Everything falls in to place in the end.

Spreading out

People understand trade and do not like tirades. Trade and war are languages understood across cultures. It is good America is reaching out to many countries they did not care about before. All parties involved will benefit and that is quite clear. The pretenses are distracting. Diplomats must learn to stick to clear goals like mathematicians.

Creativity

The slogan these days is "Study, study, study". In America it is about getting better at math than chinese and Indians. In India and elsewhere it is about getting more people to do PhD. The jobs that did not require PhDs now are demanding it. This is true about most jobs. Apart from learning to read and write, education if it is not self driven, serves little purpose. There is no need to spend years learning to read and write. It is better to tap in to ones creativity and do what one likes best. Formal education system eliminated apprenticeship where one learned to be a carpenter, metal worker etc. and did nothing to replace it with a better system. Community colleges provide some sort of relief for this problem but is not enough. The mass is on a wild goose chase.

When in doubt

When in doubt its best to behave like you think is best. Bending over in all directions is not going to help. Some people say if you do this I am going to like you or not like you. But the loudest voices usually do not count at all. Such is life.

Sad hearts

Crime is never a good thing to hear about. But when a priest is murdered and you knew him personally it strikes you that how close criminals really are to you. A good man was murdered and we want answers and justice. For most of us criminals and police are to be kept away from but then comes one day that we feel the need for direct involvement.

The myth

The way people diet these days is astounding. Moreover they push you to do the same. The myth that skinny people are healthier is creating havoc and destructive tendencies. Watching the fish grow I realize the less you eat the lesser the chances of survival. In fact the very people who hesitate eating food are the ones who thrive on pills. I do not understand this recent tendency of the human race to annihilate themselves. Suicidal extremists, disappearing family life, chemical intake, starvation and other such trends are greatly disturbing.

Touchy

Some people are touchy that President Obama came out to defend Professor Gates. I am glad he did. He may be the president but he also is a citizen and has a right to free speech. In fact I do hope that it is not mere words but action that will stop or at least slow down such incidents. And there is not better time than now.

Much to be done

There are so many African American centers of study, but I doubt greatly that there really is a study of how many successful respectful African Americans have gone to jail for small offenses. It is time to ask what is the purpose or message behind such arrests. It is natural to loose cool if someone comes and asks you whether you are a burglar in your own house. There must be a marked difference in the conduct of a Harvard professor and a burglar. I am glad the professor is well and alive. God bless him.

India's new partners

Everyone has high expectations from India-US relationship in recent years. India after colonization from British is suspicious but is taking the risk. The British came as traders to become rulers. But nothing risked, nothing gained anyways. So this step is right for India. For America it sure is a win win situation. Make no mistake, Britain would have not gotten where it did if it had not discovered India.

Climate change

India does not like to be told to worry about pollution. But it is time India did. America has preserved areas and nature parks and India has very little of the same. A lot of land called forest land is really inhabited. In India people inhabit forest land and then the government tries to evacuate them. What were they doing for so many years when houses were built and communities formed in those lands? A lot more monitoring is mandatory and in a realistic way. Land which is not recorded does not make sense in this time and age. A lot of laws do not make sense and made to fuel corruption. Every country must take a serious look at pollution at every stage and there are no excuses to not do that. But you surely do not want big brother dictating terms to do that. Feels kind of childish. A green world is a better world though climate change, ozone depletion, and such terminology is distracting. They are slogans and perhaps people need slogans. Anyways the very standard of living is increased by cleaner air and sorroundings. Best things in the world are free or are they?

Women's groups in India

The groups for women in India like SriShakti and Seva are amazing. No, they are not women gathered to gossip or pray but to work and create cooperatives like milk society's that help everyone. These groups of mostly illiterate women do more than government committees and institutions for the nation. They are honest and hardworking and it is a pleasure to see them operate. They have had all my support for sometime now.

Exacting standards

Sonia Sotomayor faces heat for here "wise latino" speeches and that is a good thing. But the people who are holding her accountable to an innocent attitude are the very ones whose leaders call people across nations and cultures by names that cannot be mentioned in blogs. Double standards may be a better title for this post.

Enough is enough

Enough is enough. Any more smut about Michael Jackson is contempt of court.

Heal the world

Michael Jackson's song "Heal the world" is very contemporary. When he first sang this song the problem with the world was mainly poverty. Problems in the world has worsened since. Interestingly, abject poverty has diminished, with global financial crisis and all. Poverty has reduced because of years of focus by people like Michael. Other problems can be solved similarly by shedding light on it and getting involved.

The economy

Small is beautiful says Schumacher based on Gandhian model of economics. Gandhi believed that every village needs to be self sufficient and also in simplicity of living and equipment. There is nothing better than simplicity and even Christ has said “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Simplicity is a difficult thing to achieve. Imagine living in a self sufficient village. Everyone knows the tailor, the blacksmith, the baker, and so on and social life happens without effort. Its good but does not suit everybody including me. I for one love the big city and the grandeur that comes from living in one. A big city demands not imposing limits on capability. But eliminating villages completely is also not working. In America, for example, independent carpenters no longer exist. To earn a living as a carpenter they need to work for some big company leading to diminishing creativity and innovation. In small Indian cities carpenters and masons work for a contractor. And soon contractors will become so powerful that individual carpenters will not survive. There really are only two models in economics, the city and the village. The Gandhian model perhaps is a little far fetched for the modern society but completeness of purpose is not. A good conscience and work ethics will save the day in my opinion.

Unbridled

People place restrictions on others only when they feel threatened. No one likes restrictions on themselves but unbridled freedom for others is not good. Unfortunately the chains they put on others become laws and come back to haunt them. I quite like unbridled everything. Who will decide how much is too much? "Too much" changes for different people.

Listening

Too bad that we start listening to Michael Jackson seriously only after he is dead. But he did say a lot of things. MJ reached out to the world but the world also reached out to him is nice. His understanding of the world at large is amazing. The mourning of MJ seems to not end.

The future

The future is not oil. Oil is convenient. The future is space and nuclear energy. Space takes you to another dimension. If we conquer space we conquer nuclear energy because all nuclear experiments can be done in space. So really to my mind the energy problem is completely solvable in the most elegant manner.

Affairs of the heart

Over the years a definition of love forms in your head. Love like god is an abstract concept and people spend a lifetime finding it. Like religion people have strong ideas about love. Its not surprising that affairs of the heart is an important topic in religion. Finance never found room in religion like love hardly finds room in politics. Though law finds room in both. Love is about setting up a home and that is what nature teaches us. So if you have a nice home its best to not to ruin it by chasing a concept you do not understand. On the other hand if you do not have a reasonably pleasant home then love is not reason enough to hold on to it. Bringing up children and running a home is a lot more romantic and real compared to what romance is supposed to be in movies and books. I realize that scientists hardly comment on the matters of the heart and hence common sense is largely missing in this topic.

cyberbullying

A middle aged woman fought with a young girl on the internet with a false id leading the girl to commit suicide. I wonder whether this woman would behave similarly if she did not have access to a fake id on the internet. You behave on the internet in a way you do not behave in real life and one rarely thinks it can lead to serious consequences. But the internet is quite real. People are making friends, getting married, bullying, spreading malice and what not. Yet there are no laws and if there are its not that clear. I say it is time for an internet constitution. The Internet geography might elect their leaders and all and I wonder what the first country will be called.

Turn of events

One wonders how California which is considered one of the richest states in the united states is having a fiscal emergency now. Hollywood is still here and so is the Silicon Valley but what happened to the money Arnold?

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson is no more. It has been long since he came up with any new albums but his death is like losing something you grew up with. Everyone knows Michael Jackson all around the world. The young in the 80s knew him because they liked his music and the old because the young did. To become a household name across cultures is surely no mean thing. Though people talk about his music and his legal troubles very few have spoken about Michael as a charitable person. Michael came to India and he did not charge anything for the concert. The concert was a lot of money but he did it for charity. He truly was generous. We grew up with his pictures always in magazines and newspapers. And boy! Did he stand out in a crowd! Michael has entertained with music and antics for a long time now. He will be missed.

Now every bit of music from Michael is valuable because it is certain that there will be no more. Michael sure was an entertainer and his job as an entertainer transcended his life. What lives of a man after he is dead is all that really mattered to others but very little to him. It is sad that such a good looking person spend a lifetime improving his appearance. There was no need for it but all that adulation from the crowds still did not convince him of that simple truth because of some childhood hurt is truly sad. Michael Jackson more than anybody else proved that no matter how he looked or what he did his talent endures.

Michael Jackson will rest in peace only when justice is done to him. I am surprised at how much I am affected by his death. It feels like some kind of personal loss. Musicians touch your soul more than you know they did.

Math books

As I finish writing my first math textbook I suddenly realize that there are no math textbooks written by women. In all my math career I have not read a math textbook written by a woman. It is strange indeed! Considering the thousands of intelligent women getting a PhD in math around the world it is strange that hardly any woman writes math books. Something surely is wrong here.

NRIs

The non resident Indians are growing in numbers. Every time you are in India there are people after you asking to invest your hard earned money in all sorts of schemes and causes. But for many years a NRI cannot vote, can be deported, and has to work awfully hard to keep a job etc. But there is not much sympathy or concern because you are supposed to be loaded with money. Time to burst some myths. Also it is time that India that asks NRIs to invest in India also do something to protect these investments. There is a growing feeling that NRIs are asked to invest only so that Indians in India can enjoy NRI investments. Actually there is a lingo called "Fleece the NRI".

Progress

Holding back the progress of women is holding back the progress of society. To let go of the familiar is difficult but is the best course to adopt. Everyone wants to be part of the mass humanity be it a man or a woman.

Dressing up

President Sarkozy do not approve of burqas. Perhaps he will next assign fashion designers to dictate what muslim women in France will wear. Will he stop there or will he dictate what all French women will wear? I wonder what proper dressing is for the French president. Perhaps the first lady of France is his ideal and we shall say nothing more about it. Is he trying to make first class citizens of perceived second class citizens or make second class citizens of regular citizens is the big question. Strangely enough its easier to ban burqas in countries with a muslim majority than in others.

Useless buildings

Catholics are increasingly forgetting this teaching from the bible. The way the church extracts money from people (especially poor people) to build big church buildings is surely not pleasing to god.

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
—Matthew 18:20

Creating jobs

Government cannot create jobs, people do. But confidence in the country's leadership is what helps people do it. In other words conditions are right to prosper when there is a good government.

Questions of a democracy

An election result is challenged then there are processes in a democracy to prove fairness like a court judge or recounting. One cannot get worked up about protests unless there is reason to be. Otherwise countries should do away with elections all together and save some money.

No matter what happens in Iran Ahmedjan's leadership is undermined forever. Now when he talks in world forums people will wonder whether he is talking for the Iranian people or for the clergy. That is the power of protests in a democracy. If he desires credibility then he has to prove by some democratic means that the elections were indeed fair.

The leader

The world watches Suu Kyi in jail. But if she is meant to lead she will lead herself out of jail. It is not enough to protest but protesting to victory is the true sign of a leader. We all want to "learn to win" not just "learn to try to win".

Recession

Economic depressions is not only about pockets but about minds. People just lose their desire to go out and give it a shot. It is more like nothing is going to work and all effort is useless. Maybe people must just get out and get busy with something. That might lift up spirits and hopefully the economy.

Domestic help abuse

It is bad enough people are poor but they are starved of dignity. The treatment of maid servants in India is derogatory. I do not think there are any laws in India that protect their rights for they have none. Though they are equal to anyone else for they can vote in a democracy. Young maid servants are beaten and assaulted and they are afraid to speak out to the society that has ill served them. It is high time such things stopped. How human beings live in derogatory conditions and do nothing about it is a topic of its own and something I constantly wrestle with.

Peace

Israel finally agrees to a two state solution. That is good. Jerusalem is now going to be a problem. Perhaps Jerusalem must given away to the united nations. A holy land is creating a whole lot of unholy problems. But Jerusalem must stay secular because a lot of people all over the world like to visit there.

Spirit of the game

In a game people lose otherwise games make no sense to play. If the outcome is predetermined a game need not be played. But India losing in cricket is a tough one for people. Dhoni's playing out of turn is not working. Dhoni finds out now that with great love comes a lot of criticism. To be placed on a pedestal is heady but always ends in bitterness.

Not funny

Jokes that involve children even children of celebrities are not funny. It is in poor taste. Leave children out of media muck.

Kashmir

One cannot divide countries geographically on the basis of religion. The west who governed most of the world at one time happily divided the world along the most flimsy lines. They have not tasted their own medicine yet. Jewish people were exported off Europe when they sought land based on their religious beliefs. Kashmir is an integral part of India and if it breaks away from India because of religion, minorities in other parts of the country will face problems because of no fault of theirs. It is clear that a land belongs to a country and the army will defend it. If you do not like it then you need to move to other places.

But then the question is does the majority inflict suffering on people who follow minority religion in an area. If this is happening we need human rights watch dogs and United nation surveillance. No, minority abuse is not a matter of internal affairs just like domestic violence. It is a crime and must be dealt with as such.

Reservations for women

Indian men are up in arms against women reservations for job posts in India. I say women do not need any reservations and reservations are an insult. A Woman is a multi tasker and usually better than a man doing the same work. In fact jobs are reserved for women to provide eye candy for men. I say talented women need no reservation.

The internet

China is implementing screening software on the internet to save its youth and that is a good thing. Way to go China! In the name of freedom of speech a lot of muck is served to youngsters that is fast changing drawing room culture and relationships. It is time for law makers to really sit down and look at the effect internet has on people's lives both good and bad. China has reasons to worry after facing the opium war yesteryears they obviously do not want an internet war.

With freedom comes responsibility.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Respectful Memories

The Jewish people have memorials for their dead everywhere. And every big leader visits it. That is the powerful influence of the Jewish people. Now fellow muslims are dying everywhere for many causes. They have protested injustice in ways they understand best. Not always in the most elegant manner. But protests were and are absolutely necessary under the conditions. Time for them to get their memorials too. Speeches do not give one respect no matter who gives them. If muslims do not learn to respect themselves no one will.

Hardening of hearts

Sometimes you watch people's behavior and wonder how they are so heartless. And you look in to their history and see that their hearts have hardened over time. There is sound reason in the past to their irrational behavior today. And sometimes outsiders do not linger long enough to see who the real victims are. Victims alternate in the history of time again and again. The Israeli-Palestine conflict is an example. And so if your heart is soft and kind then be glad that you have not been victimized yet. Or if you have been a victim, its best to realize that a soft heart is a real treasure to own than not.

Beautiful speech

Beautiful speech by President Obama in Cairo. A beautiful place too for the beautiful speech. America now has an educated leadership and hopefully soon it will be safe for Americans to traverse the world like the good old days. Educated is not the same as literate and I am glad Obama is educated. With so much good sense it is hard for America to not do well.

The great divide

The world gets divided more and more each day. Australians would not travel to Pakistan to play cricket because they did not feel safe enough. And now Australia is not safe at all for people from that part of the world. I wonder how international games will be played if the world gets divided thus. And so all of us will look for a country where everyone can feel safe.

Education

Now some people in India want to have foreign institutions opening schools in India. Of course Indians for a long time have given importance to an education from overseas. This is because during the British rule most people went to London for further studies. But there is added value in a foreign degree because of the travel involved. It is travel that makes a person wiser than the one who did not. So a degree from a foreign university in India will never be as popular as the one from foreign shores. What might work and is quite desirable is collaborating universities that allow students to travel to many countries. Purchasing knowledge that really matters rather than learning a offbeat curriculum is a far better thing to do. And now if traveling to a different country makes one want to migrate then that is something one cannot help. People choose what works best for them.

Shameful

Attack on Indian students in Australia are really shameful. Scholars like athletes travel the word to match their wits and skills. There are unspoken rules of treating scholars fairly and when these rules are broken it is truly disgusting. Imagine a country inviting brilliant students to their universities to simply eliminate them. It sounds monstrous and that is how Australia appears to Indian scholars around the globe.

But like many firsts the Indian students have gathered together and peacefully demanded justice. I must say I am proud to have Indian origins when I see such things. That is all that is needed. No special treatment nor promises of additional security. But plain justice suffices plenty.

Technical

3-d printing and powder metallurgy is the future of manufacturing.

Apartheid

Two state solution to Israeli Palestine conflict will end apartheid in that region. Israel must stop depending on cheap labor that Palestinian people provide and learn to live by the sweat of the brow. Israel has denied development to these people for too long now. Now it is time to set them free. I am glad good sense is at last prevailing in the world at large.

Straw that broke the camel's back?

Its funny how the international community has now reacted so strongly to Aung san suu kyi's extension of detention. The entire detention was a sham in the first place. Something about extending the injustice just seemed like the straw that broke the camel's back. Big question when does injustice overspill that people no longer will stand for it? Or perhaps the charm of the leader still endures through all the political buffoonery.

Fundamental changes

California budget cuts imply an upheaval of lifestyle. Short term budget problems should not destroy age old inheritance of culture like state parks. Some smart people made some good choices and build a foundation of good values over hundreds of years. Money cannot be a reason of giving all that up. Money never is.

Costly Peace

Srilankan peace came with a high price with many killed. But there really was no other choice. It is time for the Sri Lankan Government to quickly recognize legitimate Tamil demands. And for Sri Lankan Tamils to make their demands in a more civilized way. If the tamils in Sri Lanka wanted war they got it and were defeated. So an independent Tamil nation is out of question because they cannot survive. Its a lesson for states with separatist tendencies like Maharashtra and Kashmir in India. That a state survives because it is part of a nation.

Lost causes

The Tamil Tigers are brave and intelligent but their cause was lost. People must recognize leaders who have lost their way by their actions. What was the point of the LTTE killing innocent people in Sri Lanka traveling by buses and trains? India has fought for her independence too and not all leaders were nonviolent like Gandhi. But Indian leaders did not harm innocent people ever. There was a purpose behind their actions and the goals were always clear. People, can you trust leaders that kill indiscriminately and in many cases their own people without justifying why they did it? Of course leaders who send their army to war is no different.

Embarassments

And now Pelosi is hounded that she knew about torture on war prisoners. Everyone knew about it because it was always in the news. Now maybe Pelosi does not read newspapers and only go by intelligence reports. But it is not important whether she knew then or not but that she wants to do something about it now is more pertinent. And if some people think they put one over her saying that she already knew something she says she did not, its not working because it really appears kind of childish.

The right thing.

And now will the pope visit Iraq? That will take some guts and I can truly respect him.

Global Shame

How come the world watches helplessly when Aung San Suu Kyi goes to jail for no real reason? I am a little ashamed that people cannot do much about such things except write and talk and hope somehow things will work out or someone else will do something. I guess the Burmese must do the right thing and free a leader who worked for their good and paid a big price for doing so.

Elections

I am glad the politics of hate is not winning in India yet and I hope it never will. Congress wins and so all is fine with India for the next five years. And we see more development. Yipee.

Free Aung San Suu Kyi.

Free Aung San Suu Kyi now.

Apology

The pope has to apologize for everything he said or anyone else said. If he said something he meant it. Saying sorry is not going to change how he feels about something. Some people will dictate what the pope must say. Come on pope give us your wisdom without censor. If the pope is so afraid to seek and speak the truth then how will the others survive?

Conservative

The catholic church has tolerated much more than a president who supports abortion rights. Ask the pope. I do not see why the Notre Dame university is creating controversies. If your faith is really strong you do not have to be so
sensitive to opinions that do not match yours. Do we see people with little faith here? I say President Obama should not visit universities that do not beg him to visit. Fair enough.

Abortion is not a good thing. Its a problematic situation but sometimes necessary. It is best society offers help to women in trouble rather than pushing them to quacks and criminals. The church should know more about that because it is their business to make people's lives better.

Role models

Beauty Pageants are entertainment and Miss this and that are no role models for young women. Women must look up to people with skills that endure a lifetime. Is there a Mr California or a Mr Universe? Not many men look up to male models as role models. Or do they? One never can tell as the world gets increasingly pansy.

Also how do gay judges judge female beauty contests?

Rebate debate

Intel should not give rebates EU says. China gave rebates and look where it is now. Everything from China was cheap for a very long time till there was no competition. I think Intel should manage to maintain their lead. EU has a trend: If they cannot compete they punish.

Honesty

People in the middle east now look towards the pope for statements supporting their cause. But it has been a long time now that the church and politics have separated ways. There is nothing new he can say because the ten commandments already declares loud and clear against murder and greed. The pope can only pray for causes that touches him. That is possibly all that he has to offer but no mean thing is prayer for what is impossible to man is not impossible for god. For a real christian suffering is no big deal. The ideal is Christ and we can bear our cross alright. But it is still good to pray for lessening the suffering of people around the world. And for that you do not have to be a pope.

Keeping issues alive

PM Manmohan Singh says one should not keep the Anti Sikh riots of 1984 issue alive. He has much to learn from the Jewish people who never let the holocaust be forgotten. It is the duty of the people who survive tragedies like riots to keep the issue alive in respect of those who did not so that such things never happen again. Also people who involve in such acts are looked down and disrespected as they well deserve to be treated.

Pope Benedict

The pope's visit to Israel is good. Israel is important to many religions and having easy access to historic sites for all must be achieved. If you watch Jewish people and their facial features, one is inclined to believe that the human race is largely derived from them. Either that or the jewish people are a melting pot of many races. That all human beings begin their roots from Africa is debatable.

Horror

The horror of war is fast disappearing from society. In the past people wrote about it so vividly (War and peace, Dr Zhivago, etc) that the word war would send a shudder down a person's spine. Unfortunately the warmongers do not read much. Also today gag orders are a lot more stringent on people experiencing the horror first hand.

Leaders who lead a nation to war must share some of the experience. Some people say that like Napolean, Alexander, Ashoka, etc leaders must actually be on the battleground. That is a little far fetched in today's scenario but at least every leader must be forced to watch news about war for an hour each day with all the graphic details. After the second world war Germans were forced to see what their fellow Germans did That I think is a pretty effective idea.

Freedom of press

Al jazeera is refreshingly free and relevant in these times of nonsense journalism. That so many articles I choose to read are from this source amazes me time and again.

Bread and butter jobs

When a majority of people resort to bread and butter jobs the country is doing poorly. A thriving economy is when people follow their interests and passion. Some people do no matter what the conditions are. But the more the merrier.

Struggles with no end

The Sri Lankan Tamil liberation fight is a fight that is going no where. It is time for the leaders of the resistance to negotiate so that there is no further wastage of human life. It makes no sense that so many people are ready to lay down their lives for a lost cause and leaders who care nothing about them. It is time to look towards Gandhi again to teach people to demand justice with dialogue.

To be told

Sometimes you are told and you have to listen. Conditions are not right to react. One reacts differently as time goes by. But the world at large will say "Oh but you did not feel like that before". That is true but to feel differently is also a truth. Simple.

Spiritual travels

Spiritual travels take you to unfriendly places and some friendly places. But spiritual quests always involve travel and nothing teaches humanity and spirituality better than travel. If you do not learn a new thing in every trip you take, you are awfully dumb.

Steps to liberation

I do not understand why the spouses of presidents give up their jobs and become housewives as first ladies. Either they are housewives or they have a state job as first lady. The role model for American women is either the first lady is a housewife or derives her job from her husband. Time for change I might say.

End of racism

Racism has ended not because the white man thinks others are equal to him but more so that it does not matter what he thinks.

Identity crisis

You see so many people with your name on the web. And you thought you were so unique, did you? Considering opinions are quickly formed by what you see of someone on the web, internet identity needs to be more robust. If you ever felt like telling someone "You can do what you like but you cannot be me" then think again. You can be anyone on the internet.

The economics of loans

Every well meaning Government today wants to give out loans. Forget governments all sorts of organizations want to give out loans. In fact there is invitation that go to and fro to join groups to raise money to give out as loans. Once upon a time high society organizations in India would go and dig borewells to feel good in remote villages and never bothered to check whether the wells served their purpose or not. It was a press event and a day out for well dressed rich women. Now that has all changed and it is about giving loans. I am at a loss at this trend. Like borewells it serves little purpose but is not even a press event. People are getting a lot more lazy I suppose.

Shut up

Shutting someone up will not change his/her opinion. Societies that silence people who they think will spread hatred with their words do not serve their purpose. It is best to have opinions out. For example, if a school has a hidden racist agenda then it is best that people know about it so that they do not send their kids there. In this time and age it has proved beyond doubt that diversity is a quality to cherish and it is best that people who love diversity do not end up in a place or among people who are racial but is forced by rules to claim that they are not.

If a person openly proclaims what he/she believes in then people are served better by it than not. So freedom of speech whether it be good speech or bad is the way to go.

India emerging

Now why does the world suddenly feel India is competition? Well the good grades of children at schools around the world is an indication of the intelligence of Indian people. But that is not the real reason. The reason that India can become a super power is that India is liberal and has always been for centuries. We might even say that Britain possibly inherited some ideas of liberty from India but never acknowledged. A liberal country attracts the best minds
and that is the promise of India with liberty vanishing from many countries that are self proclaimed as advanced.

India is tied with china every time she is mentioned but China is not tied with India quite that often. So the media refuses or is even scared to look at India in the eye and recognize it for what she is.

Cheers
Maya

Colonization

Colonization started and ended with India. Indian freedom movement was not anything less than a revolution because it was among the few times in those days that common man took matters in to his own hands. Over time with spread of democracy it is supposed to have become the norm but even today a regular person rarely protests unless pushed against a wall. Mass protests that comes from all corners are usually a result of many years of exploitation.

India was the first among colonies to protest British rule and the world followed. Of course America did too but it was a different scenario. America became independent because they did not want to pay tax and that is funny because they still pay quite a bit of tax. Indians never seem to have the time to appreciate the fine things they accomplish and so the Indian revolution never became something as big as the French revolution in terms of paper space.

Immigration

Most of the difficult jobs in US are done by illegal immigrants. And the very reason they are illegal is what keeps them cheap and affordable. It is a vicious cycle. No one competes for those jobs because no one wants to do them and if someone will not do them then everyone is in big trouble.

Wiser

Older women should be wise enough to not go through botox and treatments of that sort. No one is worth such trouble. One must learn to be proud of one's wrinkles for time has awarded you that. Anyways who ever started the myth that it was better to be young? More so in the case of women there always are impossible goals about beauty. A woman needs to feel bad about being old? It does not make sense. Society's that are biased towards women are sadistic. That is why we see women wearing very little clothes in many cold countries and too much in may hot ones.

Cheering a team

When the chips are down there are very few to cheer. Some people even state the obvious. Win so we may cheer. As though people do not try to win. Gee if you are winning you need no one to cheer you. So the audience cheers when the team cheers up and gets frustrated when the team does. And that is sports for you.

Security

If the maoists can walk over a BSF camp so in Bihar then it says a lot about India's security. Its a matter of shame for the armed forces and the news reports it as a daily occurrence. What can one say?

New world order

Racism is an outdated concept but hegemony is not. A majority or a stronger population inflicting harm on another group of people purely for economic reasons (under many disguises) is an evil that is hard to tackle. It is social thievery and a problem largely ignored unless one directly confronts it.

Opinions in the free world

How free are we? Opinions are created by the media. And no one not even the president should dare to say something that is not expected already. Why talk? Just read the media and conversations should now be about did you watch this TV show or did you read that newspaper. If someone did not read an important new opinion that has developed because of Britney Spears or Simon Cowell, one must update that person on the correct opinions he/she should hold according to the latest TV report. And all other words are unnecessary because the media has already spoken for you. I must say its an easy life.

Refuse to hear

Someone speaks and others walk out at a UN meeting. And yes they had gathered to discuss. Who is more at fault? The speaker or the listeners? I am surprised that in this time and age people are so sensitive to ideas or viewpoints different from theirs. And walking out on a speaker does not reflect too well on the audience. I wonder what happens when speakers walk out? A speaker walks in and looking at the audience decides "Nah, I dont want to speak to you!" That will be some meeting.

Westerm media

The western media always project India as awfully poor. They talk about Indian elections and they show some slum pictures. I would say India should issue visas to foreigners about visiting slums. Its like showing American elections and displaying pictures of a homeless shelter on the side. How much of affluence is carefully projected through images is interesting. On the other hand when a group of countries are very careful about projecting themselves as rich its time to take a good look at their pockets.

New law

I say Afghan men need to protest the new law their president has passed. He seem to think that Afghan men are less desireable than other men worldwide. I wonder why!

Nuclear Controversies

Countries cannot do much nuclear weapons. They would if people did not want to inhabit this world anymore. Using nuclear weapons is akin to having suicidal tendencies. But on the other hand nuclear energy is surely the energy of the future. And whether there will be use of nuclear weapons or not mankind needs to learn to preserve against nuclear accidents.

Indian Cricket

Never was Indian Cricket as good as it is now because no matter who does well the team appears to have done well. Thats the result of Dhoni's captaincy. He makes sure the team is the focus of the game.

Its come to my mind that in many other fields too India has the talent but lacks real leadership. We need more people like Dhoni to lead.

Cheers.

Harmful

Frankly an invading army is a lot more harmful to a society than people with extreme views about the very same society.

Peaceful protests

G20 protest outcomes are shameful. Its time people living in democracies be allowed to protest peacefully. In other words lay down rules for holding a peaceful protest. Politicians are more afraid of a mass peaceful gathering than elections because it states opinion of a group of people more clearly than any opinion polls.

How we differ

This blog is created so that I may voice my difference or similarity of opinions with the world in general. Enjoy!