People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;This poem is used by Missionaries of Charity. It is a version of the original written by Dr. Kent M Keith. It is believed by many that the modification was done my Mother Teresa.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you have anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, It is between you and God;
It never was between you and them anyway.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Anyway
Monday, May 23, 2011
Censorship in Pakistani media
In my school, we were taught in 'civics' that it is duty of 'responsible citizens' to form conclusions only after listening to each side of the story.
The newspapers I read are The Hindu and Times Of India. The Hindu is a mature newspaper while Times of India is sensationalist. My favorite magazine is Tehelka. I regularly purchase a copy after reading it on the website! I think that every Indian should read it. But I am digressing...
A few months ago I decided that to get a balanced view, I need to read a Pakistani newspaper. I did a quick Google search for 'newspaper in Pakistan' and the Dawn came up on top.
I liked the website. Clean, simple look. Lots of in depth analysis. Serious comments sections. Specially if you compare it to filth and venom which overflows in ToI comments section.
But soon I began to see a pattern.
Imran Khan is a enigmatic figure in India. He was a cricketer before he became a politician. Instinctively, most Indians do not like him. He was the one who managed to steal an unlikely cricket world cup for Pakistan in 1992. He is not going to be forgiven easily. And yet, in spite of everything, we are impressed by his charisma and leadership skill.
I found his opinions to be reasonable. He looked like one person who could unite Pakistan across class and faith. He is also an honest person. India can deal with him - if he comes to power - without fear of back-stabbing. Agreed he is a green horn. He might not know much about how to run a government. But he does know how to inspire a team. As long as he remembers that he is not an expert in administration and does not become overconfident, I think he will manage.
And yet I realized that the Dawn newspaper is quite against him. Posts after posts criticized him, in my opinion quite unfairly. But everyone is entitled to his own opinion.
Finally yesterday I saw a blog about Imran Khan that actually praised him. The blog was written by Farah Zahidi Moazzam. I liked it. It was one of the few news full of hope coming out of Pakistan.
The blog was posted at 4:30 pm yesterday (23rd May). I posted a comment on it at around 5:30. At 6 I went back to check whether my comment was up. And the blog had disappeared from the front page!
But that might be OK. At the same time, news about attack at PNS Mehran was coming in. So it was quite likely that the blog was removed to accommodate more important news. I went into the dawn blog page, and the it had disappeared from there also!
I gave it up at that time. This morning I decided to investigate a bit more. All the links to the blog had disappeared. Even Farah Zahidi's author page did not list this blog. The blog is still on the server though. I was able to finally search it up with help of Google.
What I am wondering is, is the censorship in Pakistani media self-imposed. Or is it being done by the government.
Or maybe, I am just getting paranoid.
The newspapers I read are The Hindu and Times Of India. The Hindu is a mature newspaper while Times of India is sensationalist. My favorite magazine is Tehelka. I regularly purchase a copy after reading it on the website! I think that every Indian should read it. But I am digressing...
A few months ago I decided that to get a balanced view, I need to read a Pakistani newspaper. I did a quick Google search for 'newspaper in Pakistan' and the Dawn came up on top.
I liked the website. Clean, simple look. Lots of in depth analysis. Serious comments sections. Specially if you compare it to filth and venom which overflows in ToI comments section.
But soon I began to see a pattern.
Imran Khan is a enigmatic figure in India. He was a cricketer before he became a politician. Instinctively, most Indians do not like him. He was the one who managed to steal an unlikely cricket world cup for Pakistan in 1992. He is not going to be forgiven easily. And yet, in spite of everything, we are impressed by his charisma and leadership skill.
I found his opinions to be reasonable. He looked like one person who could unite Pakistan across class and faith. He is also an honest person. India can deal with him - if he comes to power - without fear of back-stabbing. Agreed he is a green horn. He might not know much about how to run a government. But he does know how to inspire a team. As long as he remembers that he is not an expert in administration and does not become overconfident, I think he will manage.
And yet I realized that the Dawn newspaper is quite against him. Posts after posts criticized him, in my opinion quite unfairly. But everyone is entitled to his own opinion.
Finally yesterday I saw a blog about Imran Khan that actually praised him. The blog was written by Farah Zahidi Moazzam. I liked it. It was one of the few news full of hope coming out of Pakistan.
The blog was posted at 4:30 pm yesterday (23rd May). I posted a comment on it at around 5:30. At 6 I went back to check whether my comment was up. And the blog had disappeared from the front page!
But that might be OK. At the same time, news about attack at PNS Mehran was coming in. So it was quite likely that the blog was removed to accommodate more important news. I went into the dawn blog page, and the it had disappeared from there also!
I gave it up at that time. This morning I decided to investigate a bit more. All the links to the blog had disappeared. Even Farah Zahidi's author page did not list this blog. The blog is still on the server though. I was able to finally search it up with help of Google.
What I am wondering is, is the censorship in Pakistani media self-imposed. Or is it being done by the government.
Or maybe, I am just getting paranoid.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The Judgement of Mullah Nasruddin
While discussing the policies of Congress Party with a colleague, I was reminded of a Mullah Nasruddin story I had heard long ago... I am not sure if it is authentic one - but I am quoting it as I remember it.
Once, Mullah Nasruddin was appointed as Qazi (judge) so as to decide a case. Everybody assembled and the case started.
First the plaintiff presented his case. He showed that he had been wronged. He used logic and law. He organized his cases in several points - and beautifully elaborated each point.
Mullah Nasruddin listened attentively. He made his own notes. After going through all the evidence he said,
People were astonished. One person from the audience dared to ask
Mullah Nasruddin immediately admitted...
The defendant addressed each point to show how raised against him. He also gave a very emotional speech in which he said that he was a simple, honest and poor person who had been trapped and was being victimized by his more educated opponent.
Tears welled up in the eyes of Mullah Nasruddin. He managed to say,
Unfortunately everyone was confused. An elderly person objected.
Mullah Nasruddin scratched his beard as he thought about it. And then he said...
Incidentally, I am a Congress supported. There are times when indecision is the best decision.
Once, Mullah Nasruddin was appointed as Qazi (judge) so as to decide a case. Everybody assembled and the case started.
First the plaintiff presented his case. He showed that he had been wronged. He used logic and law. He organized his cases in several points - and beautifully elaborated each point.
Mullah Nasruddin listened attentively. He made his own notes. After going through all the evidence he said,
Yes, you are correct.
People were astonished. One person from the audience dared to ask
But sir, you are supposed to listen to both sides before you pronounce judgement.
Mullah Nasruddin immediately admitted...
Of course. You are correct. Let the defendant plead his case.
The defendant addressed each point to show how raised against him. He also gave a very emotional speech in which he said that he was a simple, honest and poor person who had been trapped and was being victimized by his more educated opponent.
Tears welled up in the eyes of Mullah Nasruddin. He managed to say,
You are speaking the truth. I agree completely with you.
Unfortunately everyone was confused. An elderly person objected.
Mullah Nasruddin, first you said that the plaintiff is correct. Then you said that the defendant was correct. However both of them are contradicting each other. So only one of them can be correct at a time. Both of them cannot be simultaneously correct.
Mullah Nasruddin scratched his beard as he thought about it. And then he said...
Yes, you are correct.
Incidentally, I am a Congress supported. There are times when indecision is the best decision.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Geronimo - The last free Apache
When Navy seals assassinated Osama bin Laden, they sent a coded message back to their American handlers.
Geronimo
Apache used to live in a America long ago. They were the original citizens.
When 'white man' set foot in America - Apache became a hunted community. Mexicans set 'scalps' on their head of their leaders. The Americans enclosed them in 'reservations'. Slowly but surely, this proud civilization began to die out.
Goyahkla aka Geronimo was born in 1829.
When he surrendered, his group consisted of 16 men, 12 women and 6 children.
The final hunt to capture Geronimo required around 5000 US and 3000 Mexican army-men apart from roughly 500 scouts.
Geronimo EKIAEKIA stands for enemy killed in action. But who was Geronimo?
Geronimo
Apache used to live in a America long ago. They were the original citizens.
When 'white man' set foot in America - Apache became a hunted community. Mexicans set 'scalps' on their head of their leaders. The Americans enclosed them in 'reservations'. Slowly but surely, this proud civilization began to die out.
Goyahkla aka Geronimo was born in 1829.
I was born on the prairies where the wind blew free and there was nothing to break the light of the sun. I was born where there were no enclosuresHis mother, his wife and three little children and other member of the tribe were slaughtered by Spanish troops in 1857.
Late one afternoon when returning from town we were met by a few women and children who told us that Mexican troops from some other town had attacked our camp, killed all the warriors of the guard, captured all our ponies, secured our arms, destroyed our supplies, and killed many of our women and children. Quickly we separated, concealing ourselves as best we could until nightfall, when we assembled at our appointed place of rendezvous--a thicket by the river. Silently we stole in one by one: sentinels were placed, and, when all were counted, I found that my aged mother, my young wife, and my three small children were among the slain. There were no lights in camp, so without being noticed I silently turned away and stood by the river. How long I stood there I do not know, but when I saw the warriors arranging for a council I took my place.He decided to take revenge. He conducted vicious raids against Mexicans and United Stated. With a small band, he evaded and terrorized the foreign settlers for more than 25 years. He surrendered in 1886.
When he surrendered, his group consisted of 16 men, 12 women and 6 children.
The final hunt to capture Geronimo required around 5000 US and 3000 Mexican army-men apart from roughly 500 scouts.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
The next railway minister???
Governments have changed. The prime ministers have changed. But one this has remained constant in India. Since 1996, railway ministry has always been occupied by someone from Bihar or Bengal.
Ram Vilas Paswan was the railway minister under United Front government (96-98). NDA, which ruled from 1998 to 2004, alternated between Mamata Banerjee and Nitish Kumar. UPA government choose the colorful personality of Lalu Prasad Yadav for first term (2004-2009). For the second term it choose an even more temperamental Mamata Banerjee for the post (who earlier occupied the same post under NDA rule).
But reign of Mamata Didi is also over. She has attained the life long dream of dislodging left from Bengal and will be leaving the ministry soon to become chief minister.
So who is it going to be next?
Ram Vilas Paswan was the railway minister under United Front government (96-98). NDA, which ruled from 1998 to 2004, alternated between Mamata Banerjee and Nitish Kumar. UPA government choose the colorful personality of Lalu Prasad Yadav for first term (2004-2009). For the second term it choose an even more temperamental Mamata Banerjee for the post (who earlier occupied the same post under NDA rule).
But reign of Mamata Didi is also over. She has attained the life long dream of dislodging left from Bengal and will be leaving the ministry soon to become chief minister.
So who is it going to be next?
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Statistically Important
Nitin Kumar Reddy, 22, student of IIT Madras, committed suicide. He decided to take the extreme step after he came to know that he had failed. (Read details)
As usual the blame game started. The family protested. Staged a dharna. A police case was registered. Life moves on...
What was interesting was the statement by the dean of students. Govardhan M said:
Several people protested the insensitive comments. Blogs were written...
Incidentally, Mr. Govardhan was lying. 3 out of 5,000 means 60 out of 100,000. India's overall suicide rate is 10.3 out of 100,000.
This is statistically important.
And speaking of patents, CII awarded IIT Madras for highest number of patents in last five year for any Indian University. The number of patents being 78. There are around 1500 faculties at IIT-Madras.
In contrast, BHEL got 240 patents. TATA steel 103 patents. An individual, Lalit Mahajan notched 23 patents all alone. (To be fair - he was an IIT-M alumnus).
Internationally IBM got 5000 patents in 2010 alone!
The patent claim is statistically insignificant.
As usual the blame game started. The family protested. Staged a dharna. A police case was registered. Life moves on...
What was interesting was the statement by the dean of students. Govardhan M said:
Why are you always reporting negative news about IIT Madras? We also have the maximum number of patents but you didn't report that. But you would want to report the death of 3 out of 5000 students which is statistically not important. Why don't you go to other engineering institutes and find out how many died there. Why only IIT?
Several people protested the insensitive comments. Blogs were written...
Incidentally, Mr. Govardhan was lying. 3 out of 5,000 means 60 out of 100,000. India's overall suicide rate is 10.3 out of 100,000.
This is statistically important.
And speaking of patents, CII awarded IIT Madras for highest number of patents in last five year for any Indian University. The number of patents being 78. There are around 1500 faculties at IIT-Madras.
In contrast, BHEL got 240 patents. TATA steel 103 patents. An individual, Lalit Mahajan notched 23 patents all alone. (To be fair - he was an IIT-M alumnus).
Internationally IBM got 5000 patents in 2010 alone!
The patent claim is statistically insignificant.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Jab Hamein Police Maar Rahi Hai...
In few thing, no one can beat our dear neighbor - Pakistan. Watch this amazing speech by one Imran Khan supporter. The lines I like best are:
Try to say it with the most innocent and child like face - and you will get the picture...
Jab Hamein Police Maar Rahi Hai
To Hum Inqilab kaise lainge
To Hum Inqilab kaise lainge
(When the police is beating us - How can we bring about a revolution)
Try to say it with the most innocent and child like face - and you will get the picture...
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tamil or Tamizh!
One of most fascinating Indian politician, Kanimozhi has been arrested in the 2G scam. And that leads to the big question. How due you pronounce 'zh' in her name? No - it is unlikely that you will get it right on your own... (unless you happen to be Tamil)
I faced this problem originally few years ago while working in Mumbai. I had good friendship with a person from Coimbatore - whose name had this 'zh'. I could not get it right after several attempts. Finally - he told me to pronounce it as 'L'
I have seen people pronounce it as 'R', 'L', a deep 'Z', a quick 'YRA' or even 'S'. Here is what I got in a quick Google search!
I got to work in Chennai recently for few months - and I managed to do it finally!
So here is a quick guide to pronouncing 'zh' ... (It is the way I figured it out! Spare me if I have got this wrong)
1. Say 'LA'.
2. Notice the way your tongue moves.
3. Your tongue touches upper part of your mouth. Then you move the tongue forward while maintaining contact.
4. Here is the tough part - touch your tongue to the upper part of mouth and try to say 'LA'. However this time you have to move your tongue backwards instead of forward.
5. I bet you will not be able to do it first time. Try it few times. Try it fast.
6. You will not get the 'LA' sound. You will manage some weird utterance.
7. Congratulation. That sound happens to be 'zh'
Exercises
1. Tamil is actually 'TamiZH'
2. Repeat 'KanimoZHi' five times.
3. And now try saying Anaithinthiya ThamiZHaga Munnetra KaZHagam. And hey you have to do it fast!
I faced this problem originally few years ago while working in Mumbai. I had good friendship with a person from Coimbatore - whose name had this 'zh'. I could not get it right after several attempts. Finally - he told me to pronounce it as 'L'
I have seen people pronounce it as 'R', 'L', a deep 'Z', a quick 'YRA' or even 'S'. Here is what I got in a quick Google search!
I got to work in Chennai recently for few months - and I managed to do it finally!
So here is a quick guide to pronouncing 'zh' ... (It is the way I figured it out! Spare me if I have got this wrong)
1. Say 'LA'.
2. Notice the way your tongue moves.
3. Your tongue touches upper part of your mouth. Then you move the tongue forward while maintaining contact.
4. Here is the tough part - touch your tongue to the upper part of mouth and try to say 'LA'. However this time you have to move your tongue backwards instead of forward.
5. I bet you will not be able to do it first time. Try it few times. Try it fast.
6. You will not get the 'LA' sound. You will manage some weird utterance.
7. Congratulation. That sound happens to be 'zh'
Exercises
1. Tamil is actually 'TamiZH'
2. Repeat 'KanimoZHi' five times.
3. And now try saying Anaithinthiya ThamiZHaga Munnetra KaZHagam. And hey you have to do it fast!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Dhoni - The best captain ever ???
Sachin Tendulkar, our most accomplished player for over two decades has averred that Dhoni is the best Indian Captain he has played with. Sachin has played under captaincy of Azharuddin, Ganguly, Dravid and Kumble apart from Dhoni. He himself has captained for a brief time.
So is Dhoni the best captain? Or is he just an average one who has a good record because of extremely talented teammates and lots of luck! After the world cup victory many people who earlier did not believe in Dhoni have began to change stance. There are very few people who now say that Dhoni is a bad captain. And yet, many do still believe that Dhoni can never do what Ganguly did for the Indian team.
Let us take a quick look at statistics. In ODIs, Dhoni has a success rate of 56% while Ganguly has a rate of 54%. The difference is not much. Infact all the other captains are also somewhere in this range only. The tests record though is revealing. Dhoni has a WIN : LOSS : DRAW record of 14:3:7 - which is best among all captains in history. Ganguly is a clear second at 21:13:15. The next best is Azhar - who has a record of 14:14:19. That should clearly establish the order of captain's excellence.
However statistics rarely reveal the whole truth. Ganguly brought a whole new way of thinking into the Indian team. Before Ganguly, Indian team player's used to be gentlemen. If it was a tight game, you could rest assured that India will lose. If India was winning, we were quite capable of snatching loss from jaws of victory. Ganguly brought an element of street cricket to dressing room. I hope every one remembers his London dance show. We were known as lions at home. The tiger of Bengal sledged and harassed Australians at Australia! Ganguly is credited with identifying and nurturing several youngster's who form the core of Indian attack now. Moreover when we look at record of Ganguly - we have to remember that he was forced to play a part of his career with Chappel on his head.
Dhoni inherited an already well formed team. But he carried the process forward. Under Dhoni also, we have shown that capacity to win from tight situations and defeating opponents in their own backyard. Most players have managed to give their best under him. He makes maverick decisions - but is trusted by his players. As a captain he is considered to be fair. And of course he got the world cup for India - a thing Ganguly missed by a whisker in 2003.
We can safely say that India has benefited by both these sporting greats. Dhoni is going to face many more challenges in future. One of them will be the to win back the T20 world cup again. Also he has to lead the team as anchors of Team India like Tendulkar walk into retirement.
Perhaps the last word is provided by Ganguly only. Ganguly announced, "There can't be any doubt about it. Dhoni is the greatest captain of our country."
But I think it is just humility!
So is Dhoni the best captain? Or is he just an average one who has a good record because of extremely talented teammates and lots of luck! After the world cup victory many people who earlier did not believe in Dhoni have began to change stance. There are very few people who now say that Dhoni is a bad captain. And yet, many do still believe that Dhoni can never do what Ganguly did for the Indian team.
Let us take a quick look at statistics. In ODIs, Dhoni has a success rate of 56% while Ganguly has a rate of 54%. The difference is not much. Infact all the other captains are also somewhere in this range only. The tests record though is revealing. Dhoni has a WIN : LOSS : DRAW record of 14:3:7 - which is best among all captains in history. Ganguly is a clear second at 21:13:15. The next best is Azhar - who has a record of 14:14:19. That should clearly establish the order of captain's excellence.
However statistics rarely reveal the whole truth. Ganguly brought a whole new way of thinking into the Indian team. Before Ganguly, Indian team player's used to be gentlemen. If it was a tight game, you could rest assured that India will lose. If India was winning, we were quite capable of snatching loss from jaws of victory. Ganguly brought an element of street cricket to dressing room. I hope every one remembers his London dance show. We were known as lions at home. The tiger of Bengal sledged and harassed Australians at Australia! Ganguly is credited with identifying and nurturing several youngster's who form the core of Indian attack now. Moreover when we look at record of Ganguly - we have to remember that he was forced to play a part of his career with Chappel on his head.
Dhoni inherited an already well formed team. But he carried the process forward. Under Dhoni also, we have shown that capacity to win from tight situations and defeating opponents in their own backyard. Most players have managed to give their best under him. He makes maverick decisions - but is trusted by his players. As a captain he is considered to be fair. And of course he got the world cup for India - a thing Ganguly missed by a whisker in 2003.
We can safely say that India has benefited by both these sporting greats. Dhoni is going to face many more challenges in future. One of them will be the to win back the T20 world cup again. Also he has to lead the team as anchors of Team India like Tendulkar walk into retirement.
Perhaps the last word is provided by Ganguly only. Ganguly announced, "There can't be any doubt about it. Dhoni is the greatest captain of our country."
But I think it is just humility!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
The Mohali 'Spirit'
India met Pakistan in the semi-final of the world cup yesterday at Mohali. Emotions were running high in both the countries during the clash between the two troubled siblings of the subcontinent!
Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh invited Yousuf Raza Gilani, Prime minister of Pakistan to watch the match. The two had discussions on several bilateral issues on the sidelines of the match. This also marked an informal resumption of ties that had been in doldrums since the Mumbai terror attack of 2008. Foreign secretary, Nirupama Rao described the meeting as having taken place in 'Mohali Spirit'.
How will this 'spirit' last? Or will it turn and haunt the subcontinent?
In spite of all the jingoism, there are large number of people who are simply irritated with the continuous bickering with Pakistan. If the two Prime Ministers have any permanent solutions to the mutual issues - it will be welcomed by almost everybody. However the requirement is that the solution must be permanent with changing government on either side. There are no lack of talks in Indo-Pak history.
The credit for initiative for this round solely goes to Manmohan Singh. Interestingly this time around the American pressure on either side is absent! Thanks to Wikileaks publishing of American cables and subsequent coverage by The Hindu- everyone in India is quite suspicious of any kind of American interference. Pak-US relations are also down due to Davis issue and drone attacks. The true bilateral nature of the talks does give us some hope!
Perhaps the one thing which can kill the talks completely is another terror attack. However if the Pakistani authorities can crack on the terrorists the relations can also become stronger! The Pakistan has to make sure that as far as terrorism against civilians is concerned, India and Pakistan are same country! The Davis case has anyway shown that Pakistani authorities are quite willing to behave like a slave to American interest. Indians are not asking for slavery, we are just asking for friendship!
By the way, the important news was not resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue. The important news is that India has won the match! Hurray...
Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh invited Yousuf Raza Gilani, Prime minister of Pakistan to watch the match. The two had discussions on several bilateral issues on the sidelines of the match. This also marked an informal resumption of ties that had been in doldrums since the Mumbai terror attack of 2008. Foreign secretary, Nirupama Rao described the meeting as having taken place in 'Mohali Spirit'.
How will this 'spirit' last? Or will it turn and haunt the subcontinent?
In spite of all the jingoism, there are large number of people who are simply irritated with the continuous bickering with Pakistan. If the two Prime Ministers have any permanent solutions to the mutual issues - it will be welcomed by almost everybody. However the requirement is that the solution must be permanent with changing government on either side. There are no lack of talks in Indo-Pak history.
The credit for initiative for this round solely goes to Manmohan Singh. Interestingly this time around the American pressure on either side is absent! Thanks to Wikileaks publishing of American cables and subsequent coverage by The Hindu- everyone in India is quite suspicious of any kind of American interference. Pak-US relations are also down due to Davis issue and drone attacks. The true bilateral nature of the talks does give us some hope!
Perhaps the one thing which can kill the talks completely is another terror attack. However if the Pakistani authorities can crack on the terrorists the relations can also become stronger! The Pakistan has to make sure that as far as terrorism against civilians is concerned, India and Pakistan are same country! The Davis case has anyway shown that Pakistani authorities are quite willing to behave like a slave to American interest. Indians are not asking for slavery, we are just asking for friendship!
By the way, the important news was not resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue. The important news is that India has won the match! Hurray...
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