Taking A Stand In Life

To Kill a Mockingbird is a heart warming story told by a child, showing the innocence of children. It carries a message towards the society, to shun all the prejudices. Along with this, the book is a journey of the characters coming of age. The best part is the feelings of a child being shown. One connects with the childhood instantly and a fresh perspective evolves towards the evils in society. The concept of justice has been exemplified. Most of all, To Kill a Mockingbird is a morality tale of how injustice must be fought —a story which should awaken the society from its deep slumber.

The story is set in an old tired town of Maycomb, Alabama, where Scout Finch (6 years old, The Narrator) lives with her father, a lawyer and widower named Atticus and her elder brother Jem. Scout and Jem meet Dill who visits Maycomb to stay with his aunt for the summer. The first part of the story revolves around the fascination that these children have with a scary character "Boo Radley”, a man in his thirties who has not been seen outside of his home in years. They think of Mr. Radley as being a charlatan.

Then comes the part where a black man, Tim Robinson is wrongly accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman, daughter of Bob Ewell. Atticus sets an example by fighting for the justice despite being ridiculed for helping a man not of his race. That is when Scout realizes the prejudices of the society and says “It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived”. Atticus on his part tells the children “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”

The theme of the story is explained in a line “Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy... but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird”, which depicts how gruesome is it to hurt someone who is innocent. The coming to reality from a dream world of the children is another aspect shown. A world with sin like rapes and racism. That the society is not perfect and they would have to face the challenges. There are lessons learnt by Scout from Tim Robinson’s tale and through the demystifying of Boo Radly’s character at the end.
The story ends with Bob Ewell looking for revenge for the shame he had to face due to Atticus, and how the scary Boo Radly does something special and unexpected. The serendipity of the gifts coming from unexpected quarters summarise the ironies present in life.

Finally, Atticus is a character who would remain an inspiration for the generations. The manner of portraying the concept of injustice is marvellous. The innocence of children oozes out and the dawning of the reality on them is just right. The beauty of this narrative, To Kill a Mockingbird, is that each character has flaws, just as in real-life. This helps the readers connect with the characters. To Kill a Mockingbird is enormously touching and powerful in its being a simple story. The book in my view is a must read to appreciate the essence of being a human being.

Ambush Ambush Ambush - Why Why Why !

What’s wrong with these people? What is all this insecurity about? Don’t they trust themselves and have faith in their product? Did they not have an option to showcase themselves in a better way? Is creativity in bed with hungry corporate honchos? Is it all justified? Too many questions!

Well, these questions come swarming into my mind when I see, what I would call a mudslinging fest being played on our TV channels intermittently. Are they funny? – Yes they might be, but it does leave a bad taste when brands try to run each other down in such a blatant manner. You might get a increase in your sales, yes the graph is exponential, but is it something you have earned or is it just Ambush Ambush Ambush !! O Lord is this the way of life.

Where is the Love …Where is the Love …Hold your breaths…Wait for it…This is Brand Wars!!!

The examples have been too many to count. “Have I made it large” – I bet no one would ask that question to his/her self now ……”Pepsi, Nothing Official about it” got etched in the history though. We have seen some serious confrontations like Complan vs. Horlicks, Rin vs. Tide, Sprite vs. Mountain Dew etc. The latest one to join the ranks is The Hindu vs. The TOI with The Hindu saying that “Stay ahead of The Times”, rather too pugnaciously. So, did they mean to say that everyone who reads the TOI (Beeped in the Ad) does not know the name of the Vice President of India??

Not that I have my loyalties with either of them, but this again brings me back to the same question. Why do you have to fight it like this? When I think more, I relate this to the how things work in the corporate world and human nature in general. Now, here we see people putting each other down to bring themselves up. It seems to be the mantra of a few to speak about the flaws of others all the time. The unforgiving corporate world runs on perceptions. So you ruin someone else to rise above.

Someone had told me once that if people are talking about a person, then that person has left an impact on their lives. Thus, the people/companies who have to talk about others to gain, who ambush others to rise, must realize that they are in some way or the other lending credibility to the other person/brand.
There have been innumerable brilliant advertising campaigns which have left their indelible mark on our psyches, touched our hearts, tickled our funny bones, inspired us and all this without deriding the competition. Few of them would include: Fevicol’s campaign , “Har ek friend zaroori hota hai” by Airtel, “Hamara Bajaj, Hamara Bajaj !!” by Bajaj Autos, The 2 minute Maggi Noodles campaign, “Doobara Mat Poochna” by Chloromint and so on…..In this light, the companies should keep faith in their products, have an honest creative Ad strategy and success should be in their hands.

All this reminds me of the famous Metallica lines:
So close no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trust in who we are
And nothing else matters

Going into the realm of ethics and morality would again border on subjectivity, but till there is Ambush Ambush Ambush…there would be Why Why Why !!!

The Big Oil Game

“Oh Indians, Wake Up….Wake Up and Conserve the OIL
Or You would find it difficult to live on this soil
So, Toil Toil and Toil
To Conserve the OIL!”

The above is a quotation I had written to start my speech while participating in a declamation in an Oil Conservation Week in the school.
It got refreshed in my mind with the recent news regarding how an embargo by US on Iran can disturb India with regards to its oil import. Also, I have had a few discussions with my friends on the same.

India is one of the main importers of Oil and our over-dependence on the same is a problem for our economy. With tensions rising between America and Iran, it does not bode well for us. Iran has said that they would block the Strait of Hormuz in case the USA continues with its sanctions. EU has already said that they would put a ban to oil import on Iran. The interesting point is that one fifth of world’s oil flows through this passage of which India is a major part.
This brings to fore a big game that US is construed to be playing with regards to its policy for countries like Iraq and Libya. This meddling in affairs of other countries some times on the pretext of biological weapons or human rights violations or dictatorships, has led to many unanswered questions and intentions of west comes under the scrutiny. Although we cannot change their policy, but we can definitely try to strategize and be prepared for any drastic situations.

In India, we have faced around 11 Oil price hikes since June 2010. For how long can we hide behind the excuse that “global forces play a big role in this”. Maybe we need a more aggressive approach to finding new sources of oil in our country or pursue good relationships with more and more countries.Energy is a big need and our move towards Nuclear energy is a step in the right direction.

We need to keep on looking for alternatives as in one way of the other we might get affected by the world politics.

Also, it becomes incumbent on each one of us to save each drop that we can. Each drop matters then !

Is Money so important?

These days a lot of thoughts frequent my mind regarding the realities of life.

One of the most curious one’s is regarding the value of money in one’s life. If seen from the perspective through which I am seeing at present, everything in life is linked to money. In fact the whole life seems to be based on running after it.

I mean, from the start we are incorporated with the importance of success in our lives. A rat race is on.

Why do people live away from their loved ones for long? Being an engineer, an MBA, an IT professional onsite or having a successful spouse …everything for what?

There is a struggle everyday.

There is something you run after, sometimes you even don’t know why, but you are running. Would you go to office if you get a million dollars a month by just sitting at home?

Once in an interview I was asked, what would I do if I get a hell lot of money and there would be flow of it as and when I need? I think it is one of the most pertinent questions of our life.

Isn’t there a harsh difference between being born super rich and born poor? (Although there are examples of people doing superbly well in adverse circumstances)

People talk about how important it is to be happy. But isn’t happiness linked to money as well? Money can buy you a lot of things which will make you happy!

May be I am missing the point altogether, hopefully I will get the answers, but still there are sayings which will live forever, like…Money hai toh Honey hai !!!

Indian Political League

Its Election time.Clearly the Indian political league has taken over the Indian Premier League as Cricket has to move to South Africa now.Though it’s a bit disappointing but better safe than sorry.(The concerns are genuine when we don’t even have enough security forces to guard elections with looming threat of terrorism)

Now talking about the Elections,as a voter we have three choices broadly in front of us,namely :
United Progressive Alliance(UPA,Congress the leader)
National Democratic Alliance(NDA,BJP the leader)
Third Front(Left parties are the mainstay)

The following factors can influence voters when they cast their votes for the 543 seats of the 15th Lok Sabha,from 16 April to 13 May:

1.The win on the Diplomacy front of the UPA(Pak accepting its soil used for terror).When NDA was in power and attack on parliament happened,all it did was to mobilise forces in operation Parakaram,which resulted in nothing but waste of money.

2.The strong will of Congress led to Indo-US Nuclear Deal coming into effect.Though the foundation of this deal was laid by the NDA.

3.The unemployment is an issue with 5 Lakh jobs lost in India.Mostly it can be blamed on world recession,but people need solutions from our leaders.

4.The prices of food commodities have remained high for most part of the rule of UPA and they are still high though we are staring at Deflation.(Some say its just Disinflation).My mother says price rise was mostly never an issue when NDA ruled.

5.The BJP has raised its communal head again with Varun Gandhi's hate speech and Hindutva being an issue.Now,it may work in their favour but on the moral grounds BJP has lost already in my point of view.On the other hand Congress works all out to introduce caste base quotas and minority appeasement!

6.Everyday the semantics of politics is changing in India.BJD has left NDA.Laloo and Ram Vilas Paswan are virtually fighting against congress in Bihar.So,is Samajwadi Party in UP.PMK has also left UPA.The old partners of NDA like Jayalalita and TDP are moving towards the Third Front!!!!

7.There are too many candidates for the post of Prime Minister.Advani and Manmohan Singh are the front runners.But you never know with Mayawati,Sharad Pawar,Prakash Karat and even Deve Gowda lining up for the post.Now the voters have to keep in mind that who is most trust worthy and able among them.

8.Development is a key issue as we have already seen how Sheila dixit came to power in Delhi and Shiv Raj Chauhan in MP purely on the development plank.The voters are waking up to the performance of the government.

9.Lastly,a stable Govt at the centre is a must.Because if it’s a khichdi Govt then no one can take a stand.The regional aspirations should not over rule the National agenda.This is the key.So,even if a regional party candidate has done well,you may want to vote for a national party x because you want to see it in power and making national policies.

Above were the issues that randomly came to my mind.If you have some more then do tell me as I may cast my precious vote this time.I hope you do the same :)

Is Baar Nahin....

Is baar nahin

Is baar jab woh choti si bachchi mere paas apni kharonch le kar aayegi
Main usey phoo phoo kar nahin behlaoonga
Panapney doonga uski tees ko
Is baar nahin

Is baar jab main chehron par dard likha dekhoonga
Nahin gaoonga geet peeda bhula dene wale
Dard ko risney doonga,utarney doonga andar gehrey
Is baar nahin

Is baar main na marham lagaoonga
Na hi uthaoonga rui ke phahey
Aur na hi kahoonga ki tum aankein band karlo,gardan udhar kar lo main dawa lagata hoon
Dekhney doonga sabko hum sabko khuley nangey ghaav
Is baar nahin

Is baar jab uljhaney dekhoonga,chatpatahat dekhoonga
Nahin daudoonga uljhee door lapetney
Uljhaney doonga jab tak ulajh sake
Is baar nahin

Is baar karm ka hawala de kar nahin uthaoonga auzaar
Nahin karoonga phir se ek nayee shuruaat
Nahin banoonga misaal ek karmyogi ki
Nahin aaney doonga zindagi ko aasani se patri par
Utarney doonga usey keechad main,tedhey medhey raston pe
Nahin sookhney doonga deewaron par laga khoon
Halka nahin padney doonga uska rang
Is baar nahin banney doonga usey itna laachaar
Ki paan ki peek aur khoon ka fark hi khatm ho jaye
Is baar nahin

Is baar ghawon ko dekhna hai
Gaur se
Thoda lambe wakt tak
Kuch faisley
Aur uskey baad hausley
Kahin toh shuruat karni hi hogi
Is baar yahi tay kiya hai

… Prasoon Joshi
(Source-Rediff.com)

The Saint The Surfer And The CEO

This Book is truly Inspirational and the one from which every person can learn something.

I have gathered some of the Thoughts which I liked....

• The top of one mountain is the start of the next.

• No matter how insignificant the thing you have to do,do it as well as you can,give it as much of the care and attention as you would give to a thing you regard as most important.For it will be by those small things that you shall be judged.

• Just start writing and keep writing without lifting the pen from the page.And then stop when you are clear and feel liberated.This exercise will work wonders for your peace of mind,for your inner power and for the best life that you are reclaiming. Write about all your irritations,the greatest desires of your heart.Write about the person you are and whom you would love to be.Just write freely-as days go by,you will go deeper and deeper.

• Morning Questions

1. How would I live out this day if I knew it was my last?
2. What do I have to be grateful for in my life?
3. What one thing could I do today to make my life extraordinary?
4. What can I do to make today incredibly fun?
5. How can I help someone today?

• All of us ,whether or not we are warriors,have a cubic centimeter of chance that pops out in front of our eyes from time to time.The difference between the average person and a warrior is that the warrior is aware of this and stays alert,deliberately waiting,so that when this cubic centimeter of chance pops out,it is picked up.

• There’s a place deep inside every single one of our hearts that knows answers to our biggest questions.Each one of us knows our truth and what needs to be done to create extraordinary lives of ourselves.

• Make thy books thy companions.Let thy cases and shelves be thy pleasure grounds and gardens.

• The real trick in life is to turn hindsight into foresight that reveals insight.

• Let your past serve you.

• Stop blaming others for everything you dislike about your life.Look in the mirror and regain some accountability over your life.That’s how personal change and leadership begins.

• Breakdowns always lead to Breakthroughs.

• Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.

• The place where your greatest fears lives is also the place where your greatest growth lies.

• In about the same degree as you are helpful,you will be happy.

• Who looks outside dreams.Who looks inside awakens.

• Meditation is nothing more than using your mind and its imagination to create a better inner life.It’s all about envisioning the way you would like to be in certain circumstances.Meditation is glorified visualization-mental concentration with a personal development twist to it.

• Pain deepens you and reveals you to yourself.

• Whats the point of living a long life if you cant enjoy it by feeling good,strong and healthy-----stay fit as those who don’t make time to exercise must eventually make time for illness.

• Now is the time to raise your standards about what it means to be a person,to show the world who you really are.And if not now then when?

• The wise man always does it at once what a fool does at finally.

• There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.

• Leave a Legacy.

• I wept because I had no shoes on my feet until I saw the man without any feet.

• Reflection is the mother of wisdom.

Thoughts Forever.....