Showing posts with label 2007. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2007. Show all posts
Monday, February 16, 2009
Insane Me.
Day was great. I have been laughing like hell. I'm in college now. Actually its lab time. But yeah the work is finished and there are still two dragging hours. Our college imposes stupid rules. We are not supposed to walk in the corridors. We are not supposed to giggle. There is no leisure. And there is an insane rule to top this all.....you are not supposed play basket ball in the basket ball court.
We
On November 25th, many news papers carried a picture of a young man, an adivasi lying on the ground, being trampled by another. The look of hatred and fury says, “Stay there. That’s where you belong, under my feet.” There is a circle of young men watching this ugly inhuman scene. On their faces were looks of arrogant satisfaction. Not an arm is stretched to stop the violence.
Why do people feel such animosity towards certain groups of people? Where does this hate come from? These young men in their 20’s presumably couldn’t have seen enough life to hate so much. So obviously the hate has been passed on from a previous generation. A generation that held firm views regarding people, status and caste. How did they pass it on? By expressing their view openly, treating people callously and giving an example to their children. But this is a new century and a new generation.
We need people like you and me to help change views.And how do we change the old views? Now just by mouthing new ideas or shaking our heads when we see pictures as these or wondering what’s happening to our country, but by actually doing and being a different kind of person. Living a non-violent life style, being compassionate and just, goes a long way in setting an example for a new generation. For most people, the maid, the gardener, the driver and cook are lower beings who are there to serve. Today, we have to remember that they too have rights and we need to treat them with dignity, courtesy and respect.
How can so many people stand by and watch a violent scene and not do anything about it? Where was their sense of compassion? Who put it into their heads that they were so special that they could go out and beat others and trample them on the ground like insects?Today, we need to teach our children to be sensitive to those who may different from us. Their skins may be darker, they may be physically or emotionally challenged. They may be poor, sick or old, but they are still as human as you and I.
It is only when we begin to accept and behave in a way that others are also human and have the same rights that we have, and begin teaching our children the same, will we stop seeing pictures like this.
We may think that we are not like the men in the picture, but if we look carefully at ourselves, we will find that we are. We may not trample another person under our feet physically, but we may squash them emotionally, or verbally.We may not stand around with hard hearts and watch such a scene, but very often we are apathetic and insensitive to some one who is hurt. So in what ways are we better than the young men in the picture?(From The Hindu by Usha Jesudasan)
Why do people feel such animosity towards certain groups of people? Where does this hate come from? These young men in their 20’s presumably couldn’t have seen enough life to hate so much. So obviously the hate has been passed on from a previous generation. A generation that held firm views regarding people, status and caste. How did they pass it on? By expressing their view openly, treating people callously and giving an example to their children. But this is a new century and a new generation.
We need people like you and me to help change views.And how do we change the old views? Now just by mouthing new ideas or shaking our heads when we see pictures as these or wondering what’s happening to our country, but by actually doing and being a different kind of person. Living a non-violent life style, being compassionate and just, goes a long way in setting an example for a new generation. For most people, the maid, the gardener, the driver and cook are lower beings who are there to serve. Today, we have to remember that they too have rights and we need to treat them with dignity, courtesy and respect.
How can so many people stand by and watch a violent scene and not do anything about it? Where was their sense of compassion? Who put it into their heads that they were so special that they could go out and beat others and trample them on the ground like insects?Today, we need to teach our children to be sensitive to those who may different from us. Their skins may be darker, they may be physically or emotionally challenged. They may be poor, sick or old, but they are still as human as you and I.
It is only when we begin to accept and behave in a way that others are also human and have the same rights that we have, and begin teaching our children the same, will we stop seeing pictures like this.
We may think that we are not like the men in the picture, but if we look carefully at ourselves, we will find that we are. We may not trample another person under our feet physically, but we may squash them emotionally, or verbally.We may not stand around with hard hearts and watch such a scene, but very often we are apathetic and insensitive to some one who is hurt. So in what ways are we better than the young men in the picture?(From The Hindu by Usha Jesudasan)
Introspection
Of all the creatures that inhibit the earth, There is none other decrepit than humans.
We, Homo sapiens don't have the adaptability of insects. ( The first atomic test was detonated by US at Trinity site in July,1945. When the scientists went to inspect that site later , they found out that everything was destroyed except for ants and cockroaches, they were carrying on as though nothing had happened. ) We don't have extremely keen eye sight like eagles. We don't have the ability to produce ultrasonic sounds and spot objects in dark like bats. We don't have the excellence in detecting scents like dogs. We don't have the strategy of virus in destroying enemies. And we are the only species on this earth who are prone to back pain because of working on two legs.
Then how do we find ourselves in this position today? Because we have an unique ability, the ability to think, to communicate; for which our brain is responsible. That 12 pound mass on our shoulders is the reason for what we are today.
But yeah, I find our thinking more devastating than benignant. Science and technology is ameliorating, Environment and moral values are deteriorating. We have successfully made half of the plant and animal kingdom extinct and kept another half on the brink of extinction. We have enhanced natural calamities. Increased the earth's temperature. And what not?
We have created religion, whose definition is often misinterpreted by fools so that we can have never-ending altercations.
We forgot the ability to prioritize. I have seen a politician who tied ropes to the waists of children(8-9 year olds) so that they cant escape and made them do backbreaking works. There are people who never had any proper shelter. Poverty rate in India has been declining since independence. But still, 30% (approximately) of Indians are poor. Instead of pondering all these problems some people find going after religion very convenient. (The Ayodhya debate for instance). In some government hostel, girls were facing barbarous sexual harassment. But this is not at all anything important. What is important is, how the attire of a celebrity hurt the sensitive feelings of a certain community, what measures can be taken to avoid valentines day celebrations?
Don't get an idea that I'm a pessimist. No I'm not.
Some incidents simply leave me appalled. I would never be able to understand why people fight about religion. That's beyond me. I know sitting in front of a computer and typing all this is cozy. Eloquence is Easy. Action is difficult. Wish I could do something for my country. I'm not doing anything now. But I wont say that I'll do something someday. I wont make promises unless I've distinct ideas and plans. I knew this blog would be tentative. But couldn't help. Like I said time has all the answers.
We, Homo sapiens don't have the adaptability of insects. ( The first atomic test was detonated by US at Trinity site in July,1945. When the scientists went to inspect that site later , they found out that everything was destroyed except for ants and cockroaches, they were carrying on as though nothing had happened. ) We don't have extremely keen eye sight like eagles. We don't have the ability to produce ultrasonic sounds and spot objects in dark like bats. We don't have the excellence in detecting scents like dogs. We don't have the strategy of virus in destroying enemies. And we are the only species on this earth who are prone to back pain because of working on two legs.
Then how do we find ourselves in this position today? Because we have an unique ability, the ability to think, to communicate; for which our brain is responsible. That 12 pound mass on our shoulders is the reason for what we are today.
But yeah, I find our thinking more devastating than benignant. Science and technology is ameliorating, Environment and moral values are deteriorating. We have successfully made half of the plant and animal kingdom extinct and kept another half on the brink of extinction. We have enhanced natural calamities. Increased the earth's temperature. And what not?
We have created religion, whose definition is often misinterpreted by fools so that we can have never-ending altercations.
We forgot the ability to prioritize. I have seen a politician who tied ropes to the waists of children(8-9 year olds) so that they cant escape and made them do backbreaking works. There are people who never had any proper shelter. Poverty rate in India has been declining since independence. But still, 30% (approximately) of Indians are poor. Instead of pondering all these problems some people find going after religion very convenient. (The Ayodhya debate for instance). In some government hostel, girls were facing barbarous sexual harassment. But this is not at all anything important. What is important is, how the attire of a celebrity hurt the sensitive feelings of a certain community, what measures can be taken to avoid valentines day celebrations?
Don't get an idea that I'm a pessimist. No I'm not.
Some incidents simply leave me appalled. I would never be able to understand why people fight about religion. That's beyond me. I know sitting in front of a computer and typing all this is cozy. Eloquence is Easy. Action is difficult. Wish I could do something for my country. I'm not doing anything now. But I wont say that I'll do something someday. I wont make promises unless I've distinct ideas and plans. I knew this blog would be tentative. But couldn't help. Like I said time has all the answers.
If I were not an atheist, I would believe in a God who would choose to save people on the basis of the totality of their lives and not the pattern of their words. I think he would prefer an honest and righteous atheist to a TV preacher whose every word is God, God, God, and whose every deed is foul, foul, foul.
- Isaac Asimov.
- Isaac Asimov.
Me being me. Applied only for me.
Be yourself. Have an attitude even if "others" think of it as arrogance.
Life is not a bed of roses. You have to sacrifice a part of your enjoyment and indolence in order to achieve and enjoy something. Learn from past, live in the present. Plan for the future. Ponder the consequences before you act. Don’t jump to conclusions. Be calm and unruffled on the surface but paddle with great vigor underneath.
Don’t pay any attention to "others". Their opinion or anything they do is least important. If others dominate or intimidate you, remember that you are "allowing" them to dominate and intimidate you. It’s your problem, not theirs. Don’t choose a path because everyone else is going in it. Act according to your interests and instincts. Set a goal that suits you and work to achieve it. Don’t take any one's opinion about anything. Always be the decision-maker. Be independent. Dependency is abject.
No more role models, biographies and auto-biographies. No talking about great souls and stuff. Just become one yourself. Imagining yourself in the place of some illustrious person is going to get you nowhere. Don’t take up a task because some eminent person has done it and achieved fame. Think whether it interests you or not. Never loose your individuality. Always appreciate the great ones. But no more"follow the footsteps" saga.
Everyone has their own philosophy. Success means different to different people. Think what "success" exactly means to you. And success is what you achieve with what you get. Never complain about anything. Complaining is the prime quality of losers. If you are talented enough you can create your own way towards success. Once you define success in your lexicon understand that you are solely responsible for your success. The same goes for failures. Never blame others for anything.
Always be yourself with everyone. No chameleon stunts. It’s better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not. Never shout in anger. Just be silent. Silence always has an effect on people. If you hate or can’t tolerate someone, just remember that nobody is perfect. If you can love yourself in spite of all your faults, how can you hate someone for their minor defects? Never work with intentions to hurt others. Just be down-to-earth and mind your own business. If others underestimate you, don’t bother to correct them. It’s better to be underestimated than to be overestimated. Patience is a virtue which most people lack these days and it will make you unique if you have the right amount.
Never hate or argue with someone because their opinions clash with yours. Everyone has their own opinion. Learn to respect others beliefs and ideas. Listen to them even if you feel that they are wrong. There is something called "freedom of speech and expression"(which is myth these days) remember?Most people don’t understand the meaning of "religion".
No religion has taught to shed blood and hate other religions. There is only one religion and it’s called "HUMANITY".
Life is not a bed of roses. You have to sacrifice a part of your enjoyment and indolence in order to achieve and enjoy something. Learn from past, live in the present. Plan for the future. Ponder the consequences before you act. Don’t jump to conclusions. Be calm and unruffled on the surface but paddle with great vigor underneath.
Don’t pay any attention to "others". Their opinion or anything they do is least important. If others dominate or intimidate you, remember that you are "allowing" them to dominate and intimidate you. It’s your problem, not theirs. Don’t choose a path because everyone else is going in it. Act according to your interests and instincts. Set a goal that suits you and work to achieve it. Don’t take any one's opinion about anything. Always be the decision-maker. Be independent. Dependency is abject.
No more role models, biographies and auto-biographies. No talking about great souls and stuff. Just become one yourself. Imagining yourself in the place of some illustrious person is going to get you nowhere. Don’t take up a task because some eminent person has done it and achieved fame. Think whether it interests you or not. Never loose your individuality. Always appreciate the great ones. But no more"follow the footsteps" saga.
Everyone has their own philosophy. Success means different to different people. Think what "success" exactly means to you. And success is what you achieve with what you get. Never complain about anything. Complaining is the prime quality of losers. If you are talented enough you can create your own way towards success. Once you define success in your lexicon understand that you are solely responsible for your success. The same goes for failures. Never blame others for anything.
Always be yourself with everyone. No chameleon stunts. It’s better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not. Never shout in anger. Just be silent. Silence always has an effect on people. If you hate or can’t tolerate someone, just remember that nobody is perfect. If you can love yourself in spite of all your faults, how can you hate someone for their minor defects? Never work with intentions to hurt others. Just be down-to-earth and mind your own business. If others underestimate you, don’t bother to correct them. It’s better to be underestimated than to be overestimated. Patience is a virtue which most people lack these days and it will make you unique if you have the right amount.
Never hate or argue with someone because their opinions clash with yours. Everyone has their own opinion. Learn to respect others beliefs and ideas. Listen to them even if you feel that they are wrong. There is something called "freedom of speech and expression"(which is myth these days) remember?Most people don’t understand the meaning of "religion".
No religion has taught to shed blood and hate other religions. There is only one religion and it’s called "HUMANITY".
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