Why is it that we are born as of some particular religion? I mean, does one come into existence knowing all about the Bible, or the Bhagwad Gita or the Guru Granth Sahib? Just because my parents are of one particular religion, makes me a member of it too. Isn't that ridiculous? Shouldn't I have the right to make an informed choice of what religion I do want to follow?
(Maybe religion and informed choice are paradoxical in the same sentence ;) )
Given this, we should all be born of no religion, and be allowed to make a decision later in life. That way atleast, we'll know how many members actually support Christianity, or Hinduism or blah... Lots of those people might want to make a choice of not choosing any one particular religion, or even becoming a practicing atheist. Is that even allowed? Can I be a registered atheist? Is that so illogical?
Apparently, even in the US of A, I cannot hold public office if I am a declared atheist. Is that fair? Shouldn't I be declared worthy or unworthy of any post based on my morals, my past behavior etc. rather than whether I believe in some doctrines first preached centuries ago?
Recently, there was a case where someone sued God. It was dismissed saying that he has no 'registered residence'. Although this lawsuit may sound frivolous, it is highly symbolic. All through our childhood, we are influenced by teachings in the name of 'God', our Nanny says, "He is watching everything from above", or "the final redemption is in His court". As a child, its not in my control to make people stop throwing random ideas at me in His name. Shouldn't someone be answerable?
The bottom-line, I feel is, if people are brought us as believers of reason, I doubt many of them would turn to organized religion in the hope of comfort or happiness. An idea is: we should all be atheists by default.
Till now, atheism has been under the wraps more or less. Never in history has the spread of information been so fast as now. Now, more and more people are being exposed to atheistic ideas through sitcoms (eg. House MD, Boston Legal), through the internet, through books etc. Atheists are portrayed as reasonable people, who bear no evil in heart and have an excellent set of morals, more so even when compared to religious folk.
This makes me think atheism has a lot of hope in the future. With more and more people 'thinking', religious fanaticism (or even subscription) should ebb. Maybe the world would end up being a safer, more peaceful place...
Saturday, 18 October 2008
Monday, 29 September 2008
CASH in Goa!
This weekend I had Chinmay, San and Hrushya over in Goa. It promised to be a whale of a time, and it ended up belittling all expectation! Colva, Palolem and Panjim, OMG!
Here is the picassa link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/aniketponkshe/CASHInGoa#
Might put in the details of the journey some other time...
For the sake of general public, the pics are all nice n clean :P
Goa Rocks!
Here is the picassa link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/aniketponkshe/CASHInGoa#
Might put in the details of the journey some other time...
For the sake of general public, the pics are all nice n clean :P
Goa Rocks!
Monday, 8 September 2008
Melancholi(ty/ness)
Its been ages since I posted. Haven't found a topic interesting enough recently, I guess. It seems getting into a retrospective/self effacing mode is when I feel like posting the most!
I have had a vague sense of longing for the past 3-4 days. Finally, was able to pinpoint it to being homesick! Its just been 4 days since I got back to Goa, but I already miss Pune. It is the most awesome place to grow up, changing with the times, from the rustic pensioner's paradise, to the busting IT hub of today, a place which makes you think twice about going out at the peak traffic hours.
It has given me the most awesome friends that one could possibly asked for - never will I again find a set of people whose thoughts are so compatible with mine. With whom I have grown up with, shared teenage pangs ( and an infinite number of coffees!).
Last time I was home, I had a walk around my apartment building. It gave me an awesome high. Reminded me of the wonderful childhood that it provided me. The cricket, the hide-n-seek, the evening discussions with people who were so close to me then, but who just drifted away with time, to an extent that now we have nothing to talk when we meet. The well on the backside, through the railings of which I peered in as a kid, throwing stones into it, to see the fish swim up to them, the N number of cricket balls we rescued from it. The water tank, which acted as a makeshift pavillion. I haven't been there for the Ganesh festival for the past four years, and wont be for the next few too. I could go on!
It reminds me of the Jagjit Singh ghazal:
Life will never again be so simple. So much fun! Now half the people have moved out of Pune, its all changed...
Still miss the place... :)
I have had a vague sense of longing for the past 3-4 days. Finally, was able to pinpoint it to being homesick! Its just been 4 days since I got back to Goa, but I already miss Pune. It is the most awesome place to grow up, changing with the times, from the rustic pensioner's paradise, to the busting IT hub of today, a place which makes you think twice about going out at the peak traffic hours.
It has given me the most awesome friends that one could possibly asked for - never will I again find a set of people whose thoughts are so compatible with mine. With whom I have grown up with, shared teenage pangs ( and an infinite number of coffees!).
Last time I was home, I had a walk around my apartment building. It gave me an awesome high. Reminded me of the wonderful childhood that it provided me. The cricket, the hide-n-seek, the evening discussions with people who were so close to me then, but who just drifted away with time, to an extent that now we have nothing to talk when we meet. The well on the backside, through the railings of which I peered in as a kid, throwing stones into it, to see the fish swim up to them, the N number of cricket balls we rescued from it. The water tank, which acted as a makeshift pavillion. I haven't been there for the Ganesh festival for the past four years, and wont be for the next few too. I could go on!
It reminds me of the Jagjit Singh ghazal:
Ye Daulat bhi lelo
Ye Shaurat bhi lelo
Bhale chin lo Mujhse ye meri Jawani
Magar lauta do Mujkho Wjo Bachpan ka Sawn
Who Kagaz ki Khashti Who Baris Ka paani
Life will never again be so simple. So much fun! Now half the people have moved out of Pune, its all changed...
Still miss the place... :)
Saturday, 12 July 2008
The zoo behind my room
Outside my window, there stands a great, big mango tree. It plays home to many birds and chipmunks. Ever since I was a kid I have been fascinated by the menagerie that sits on my window sill, fleeing as soon as I so as much look at them. Sometimes there is even a mongoose couple out there!
Mom puts out chapatis every morning since I remember, and I think the animals have got used to finding free food here. Bit like a tree which bears regular fruit! The chipmunks have grown quite plump I must say, and they must be feeling a bit disappointed if they do not find their breakfast out on the sill!
Today I did a bit of dilettante research. I managed to google the red-crested bulbul, the five-striped Indian squirrel, the bharadwaj (besides the house sparrow, and the common crow. :P)
Mom puts out chapatis every morning since I remember, and I think the animals have got used to finding free food here. Bit like a tree which bears regular fruit! The chipmunks have grown quite plump I must say, and they must be feeling a bit disappointed if they do not find their breakfast out on the sill!
Today I did a bit of dilettante research. I managed to google the red-crested bulbul, the five-striped Indian squirrel, the bharadwaj (besides the house sparrow, and the common crow. :P)
This one is the red-crested bulbul. Very beautiful!
The five-striped Indian squirrel. Not very uncommon, but I just love the way he nibbles with his tiny hands! Cute, ain't it? Mind you, I consider it to be the most agressive of the animals that come to my sill. Very timid against humans, but makes the poor birds run away. Legend has it that this small creature help Lord Rama help build the Sagar Setu (sea bridge) to Sri Lanka in its own tiny way. It used to roll-over in the beach sand, and go shake all of it onto the bridge! Lord Rama stroked it on the back in appreciation and ever since then it has had the stripes!
The bharadwaj (crow pheasant). Biggest of all birds here. To spot this bird is considered to be good luck in India. Ahem! It stays right in front of my window. Imagine all the luck I must have had over the years! Why doesn't someone show this to Harry Potter instead of making him drink Felix Felicis!
The five-striped Indian squirrel. Not very uncommon, but I just love the way he nibbles with his tiny hands! Cute, ain't it? Mind you, I consider it to be the most agressive of the animals that come to my sill. Very timid against humans, but makes the poor birds run away. Legend has it that this small creature help Lord Rama help build the Sagar Setu (sea bridge) to Sri Lanka in its own tiny way. It used to roll-over in the beach sand, and go shake all of it onto the bridge! Lord Rama stroked it on the back in appreciation and ever since then it has had the stripes!
The bharadwaj (crow pheasant). Biggest of all birds here. To spot this bird is considered to be good luck in India. Ahem! It stays right in front of my window. Imagine all the luck I must have had over the years! Why doesn't someone show this to Harry Potter instead of making him drink Felix Felicis!
"The bird is quite large around 48 cm. Its head and body are purple black, the wings are chestnut above and black below, and the long tail is dark green. The bird feeds on wide range of insects, caterpillars and small vertebrates. It occasionally eats other food items.The pictures here aren't mine. I will one day buy a very excellent camera. Till then, Google zindabad!
The call is that of most cuckoos is a simple repetition, in this case of a deep booming note."
Thursday, 10 July 2008
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Disconnect & Darkness :-(
Last few days I feel a huge disconnect - between me and the world. I no longer relate to lots of things that I am supposed to- to things that would have hurt me, pained me, made me care about, made me think- even a year ago. I scoff at almost anything I see. TV shows, newspaper columns, advertisements... I can't relate to any of the stuff shown there. Agreed, most of it is junk, but still.
If that is not such a big deal then I can't relate to my friends either, it seems, they don't understand me either. Why blame them, things they discuss seem so trivial to me. Surely we shouldn't be wasting so much of our time on these topics. Discussions about relationships being an apt example.
In the past year, there have been only a handful of intellectually stimulating discussions with anyone at all. Although they have been fun, I seem to not want to argue with people most of the time. Everyone should form his or her opinions on their own. Arguing, discussing with others is a crutch that you need when you are unsure about yourself, when you need the approval of someone else to know that you are right.
As Ayn Rand put it, privacy and seclusion is a sign of human development. Since the world began, we have been moving from a herd mentality to living alone. So is this mental isolation yet another sign of progress?
I view most of the world in a disconnected way. Like I am removed from it, and that it cannot affect me. And even if it does, I don't care. I shall live through the pain.
Living up to my name I guess - 'Aniket' - it means unaffected, or one who is above worldly matters. :-)
Or maybe then again, I am just losing touch with reality. Going crazy...
If that is not such a big deal then I can't relate to my friends either, it seems, they don't understand me either. Why blame them, things they discuss seem so trivial to me. Surely we shouldn't be wasting so much of our time on these topics. Discussions about relationships being an apt example.
In the past year, there have been only a handful of intellectually stimulating discussions with anyone at all. Although they have been fun, I seem to not want to argue with people most of the time. Everyone should form his or her opinions on their own. Arguing, discussing with others is a crutch that you need when you are unsure about yourself, when you need the approval of someone else to know that you are right.
As Ayn Rand put it, privacy and seclusion is a sign of human development. Since the world began, we have been moving from a herd mentality to living alone. So is this mental isolation yet another sign of progress?
I view most of the world in a disconnected way. Like I am removed from it, and that it cannot affect me. And even if it does, I don't care. I shall live through the pain.
Living up to my name I guess - 'Aniket' - it means unaffected, or one who is above worldly matters. :-)
Or maybe then again, I am just losing touch with reality. Going crazy...
Monday, 2 June 2008
Beckham!
A tribute to his genius. Not only as a wonderful footballer, but also as an awesome marketing guy :D
This was supposed to be posted long back. Somewhere in March. Wanted to edit somethngs, but that is not likely to happen. So decided to post as it is.
David Beckham is awesome. He is a fighter and coming back into the English squad and complete his 100th match is what showcases his fighting spirit. Just a year back he was down in the dumps, McLaren not picking him, not even playing for Madrid. From there he has really taken it upon himself to do things. Leading Madrid to the title, after all his coach put him through is a glimpse of his brilliance. And its not the first time either. It was like this when he was not picked by Sir Alex in that fateful Champion’s League match against Madrid, when he had it in him to come off the bench and score two. Though that didn’t keep him at Man U, it certainly proves that the guy loves a fight and will give his all when cornered.
This was supposed to be posted long back. Somewhere in March. Wanted to edit somethngs, but that is not likely to happen. So decided to post as it is.
David Beckham is awesome. He is a fighter and coming back into the English squad and complete his 100th match is what showcases his fighting spirit. Just a year back he was down in the dumps, McLaren not picking him, not even playing for Madrid. From there he has really taken it upon himself to do things. Leading Madrid to the title, after all his coach put him through is a glimpse of his brilliance. And its not the first time either. It was like this when he was not picked by Sir Alex in that fateful Champion’s League match against Madrid, when he had it in him to come off the bench and score two. Though that didn’t keep him at Man U, it certainly proves that the guy loves a fight and will give his all when cornered.
Maybe I should put up a poster of his!
Of Street Urchins and Humaneness
Today I happened to see a slew of these young street-urchins all over the place. Maybe, beggar-kids even.
On my getting in the car, I have no idea why (or how) he did this, a kid of 8 years, he opened the other door and tried to come and sit in! My natural reaction was to stoccatedly scream at him. The poor thing shrunk away like a puppy would have done. On second thoughts, maybe I should have granted him a joyride. He took pleasure in forcefully slamming the car-door at my face. Then he went on to beg for another rupee…
Thursday, 24 April 2008
Big Eyed Fish
Story of a man,
Who decided not to breathe.
Turned red, purple, then blue.
Colorful indeed.
No matter how his friends begged,
Well, he would not concede,
And now hes dead.
You see, cause everybody knows,
You got to breathe.
But, oh god,
Under the weight of life,
Things seem brighter on the other side...
Lighter on the other side...
Another one: see this monkey sitting on a tree,
One day, decided to climb down,
And run off to the city.
Look at him now, tired and drunk
And living on the street.
As good as dead.
You see, a monkey should know,
Stay up your tree.
But, oh god,
Under the weight of life,
Things seem brighter on the other side.
Oh, god,
But under the weight of life,
Things seem much brighter on the other side.
No way, no way, no way.... out... of here...
Another one: a big eyed fish,
Yeah, swimming in the sea,
Oh, how he dreamed.
He wants to be a bird,
Swooping, diving through the breeze.
One day, he caught a big blue wave,
Up onto the beach,
And now hes dead.
You see, a fishs dream,
Should stay in the sea.
But, oh god,
Under the weight of life,
Things seem brighter on the other side.
No way... no way...no way...out... of here...
No way out of life.
Who decided not to breathe.
Turned red, purple, then blue.
Colorful indeed.
No matter how his friends begged,
Well, he would not concede,
And now hes dead.
You see, cause everybody knows,
You got to breathe.
But, oh god,
Under the weight of life,
Things seem brighter on the other side...
Lighter on the other side...
Another one: see this monkey sitting on a tree,
One day, decided to climb down,
And run off to the city.
Look at him now, tired and drunk
And living on the street.
As good as dead.
You see, a monkey should know,
Stay up your tree.
But, oh god,
Under the weight of life,
Things seem brighter on the other side.
Oh, god,
But under the weight of life,
Things seem much brighter on the other side.
No way, no way, no way.... out... of here...
Another one: a big eyed fish,
Yeah, swimming in the sea,
Oh, how he dreamed.
He wants to be a bird,
Swooping, diving through the breeze.
One day, he caught a big blue wave,
Up onto the beach,
And now hes dead.
You see, a fishs dream,
Should stay in the sea.
But, oh god,
Under the weight of life,
Things seem brighter on the other side.
No way... no way...no way...out... of here...
No way out of life.
Saturday, 19 April 2008
Friends and Perception
Times change..
Priorities change..
People come into your life and drift away. Some just drift away, others move away as if on purpose. Sometimes it hurts though... Other times you don't give a dime... And thats in relation to the same person!
You change opinions about people, in fact you even question your right to have an opinion about others. Does it really matter?
Priorities change..
People come into your life and drift away. Some just drift away, others move away as if on purpose. Sometimes it hurts though... Other times you don't give a dime... And thats in relation to the same person!
You change opinions about people, in fact you even question your right to have an opinion about others. Does it really matter?
Monday, 31 March 2008
About 'second winds' and public urinals...
Have you ever noticed how we generally feel sleepy after dinner. Say around 10 30. Then once you get thru that drowsiness, you can stay awake till 2am effortlessly.
If you feel hungry and not eat, the hunger dies down. Then you feel hungry for a second time. This time its for real. This is when even Atish food is lovely!
Marathon runners are supposed to get a high while running. This is what pulls them through the whole race. This is the ‘runner’s high’
I wonder whether, when you are working, and feel very tired and still continue, do you get a second wind? I think so…
Why do we have this? Why aren't we biologically programmed to do whatever we are till it is no longer REALLY possible?
On a random note, is it totally pointless to wonder whether the distribution of people at public urinals is spatially Gaussian? :P
Wednesday, 27 February 2008
Indian Railways
I fail to understand how the man who fell on the tracks had such a bad experience. Right in the middle of the cuty, you fall and it takes you 1 hour to get treatment for a severed leg, its just too disturbing.
If Mumbai aims to be a global city, basic amenties like an ambulance at railway stations is a must.
Laloo, are you listening? Or just busy dolling out sops with the elections at hand...
If Mumbai aims to be a global city, basic amenties like an ambulance at railway stations is a must.
Laloo, are you listening? Or just busy dolling out sops with the elections at hand...
Whats wrong with Maharashtra?
This post comes more out of worry than anything else.
What is with Maharashtra? We are supposed to be one of the more forward states in the country, one of the more industrialized places, somewhere for the rest of India to look up to. Maharashtra has a very rich culture, the people a very strong sense of identity and are very tolerant traditionally.
My watchman left for Bihar frightened by the MNS voilence. Thats when I decided to write this post. He was a nice guy. What is he was from Bihar? What gives anyone the right to generalize rowdyness with Biharis? And so what if they are? Pushing them out of Maharashtra is no way to get back. Its more logical to try and make them more civilized. Improve implementation of law and order so that only the ones not follwing it are punished.
25,000 migrant workers leaving Pune isn't good for the economy. You simply can't let one person hold the state to ransom.
Think about Maharashtrians outside the state. What if Deve Gowda says something similar and pushes all the IT people out of Bangalore?
Its important for Maharashtrians to understand that the so called 'Bhaiyyas' who flock to Bombay, Pune, Nashik come here only because of the opportunities that exist here. They are mostly doing jobs which localities find to be too low-statured. Instead of killing them, its more important that the government makes it mandatory for their employers to better living conditions for them.
The youth of Maharashtra had such great expectations from Raj. Turns out that all politicians are as stupid as the other...
I still believe that the Marathis are a very tolerant breed of people, and the MNS behavior is nothing but a blip on the radar.
What is with Maharashtra? We are supposed to be one of the more forward states in the country, one of the more industrialized places, somewhere for the rest of India to look up to. Maharashtra has a very rich culture, the people a very strong sense of identity and are very tolerant traditionally.
My watchman left for Bihar frightened by the MNS voilence. Thats when I decided to write this post. He was a nice guy. What is he was from Bihar? What gives anyone the right to generalize rowdyness with Biharis? And so what if they are? Pushing them out of Maharashtra is no way to get back. Its more logical to try and make them more civilized. Improve implementation of law and order so that only the ones not follwing it are punished.
25,000 migrant workers leaving Pune isn't good for the economy. You simply can't let one person hold the state to ransom.
Think about Maharashtrians outside the state. What if Deve Gowda says something similar and pushes all the IT people out of Bangalore?
Its important for Maharashtrians to understand that the so called 'Bhaiyyas' who flock to Bombay, Pune, Nashik come here only because of the opportunities that exist here. They are mostly doing jobs which localities find to be too low-statured. Instead of killing them, its more important that the government makes it mandatory for their employers to better living conditions for them.
The youth of Maharashtra had such great expectations from Raj. Turns out that all politicians are as stupid as the other...
I still believe that the Marathis are a very tolerant breed of people, and the MNS behavior is nothing but a blip on the radar.
Saturday, 9 February 2008
Baba Amte
Since decades, people have just been bent and exploited. We have been given hands to lift them up, not to strangle them.
These were the words of the noted social reformer Baba Amte, a man also known as the Messiah of the poor.
Born Murlidhar Devidas Amte, on December 24, 1914, Baba Amte, hailing from a family of Brahmin jagirdars defied rigid caste hierarchy and often shared meals with servants and played with children of lower castes.
A qualified lawyer, Amte's tryst with social activism began early in life. While a lucrative practice at Wardha was ready for him, his heart beat for the poor and the destitute.
His motto "Charity destroys, work builds" finally culminated in the building of Anandwan, a sprawling rehabilitation centre for leprosy patients in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra.
Even in his last days, Baba's thoughts were thought-provoking and challenging.
"One 's hands should be used for help and for reforms. Not for killing others. This is the only message to the present generation," he said.
Although he won several awards - the Padma Shri in 1971, the Padma Vibhushan in 1986 and the Magsaysay Award in 1988 - he continued to rendered service diligently and selflessly.
It is no wonder that even the Prime Minister was touched by this immense loss.
"An era in India comes to an end. He was a great son of our country who devoted all his life to Gandhian values and the service of the poor and the down- trodden," PM Manmohan Singh said.
Baba was also a strong supporter of the Narmada Bachao andolan and fought relentlessly against displacement of the tribals. His constant refrain was that compassion has no party or ideology. His message of love for the poorest of the poor will be forever remembered and worthy to be emulated.
My tribute to the great man. May his tribe increase...
Saturday, 12 January 2008
God...
Recently had some thoughts about God (again!), and now I am wondering whether I am an atheist or not… The thought of someone being up there, willing to take the burden of your shoulders, is so comforting. That the weight of the world isn’t on your shoulders. Maybe that someone is luck, chance, probability, but it is still there. And putting your trust in that leaves you free to work carefree. Isn’t that the most important thing?
It isn't a conventional god, its my own, for my happiness!
It isn't a conventional god, its my own, for my happiness!
Saturday, 5 January 2008
Book Review: Old Man and his God
Last week was just amazing. With coffee plantations, elephants, deer and what not. I had been to Coorg... Club Mahindra just rocks. Am even considering joining M&M for the free employee membership! Awesome food! Ate twice of what I usually do...
As I happened to have some spare time on my hands, I was wandering around in their library. Spotted 'Old Man and his God'. Read it based on the loads of 'must read' recos I have received for it. :D First ever book my Mrs. Infosys that I read. Hopefully, first of many.
The forst thing you notice is the simple English. Simple, almost to the point of irritation. And although its so simple, lucid, it still conveys all the emotion behind it so well! The book is a collection of small anecdotes from her life. Some of the stories are really touching. As usual, won't go into any details..
Thats for you to read up!
As I happened to have some spare time on my hands, I was wandering around in their library. Spotted 'Old Man and his God'. Read it based on the loads of 'must read' recos I have received for it. :D First ever book my Mrs. Infosys that I read. Hopefully, first of many.
The forst thing you notice is the simple English. Simple, almost to the point of irritation. And although its so simple, lucid, it still conveys all the emotion behind it so well! The book is a collection of small anecdotes from her life. Some of the stories are really touching. As usual, won't go into any details..
Thats for you to read up!
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