This time on my hometown visit I got the opportunity to revisit my school. The place where I spent a good deal of my formative years. I cannot call it the best days of my life, but it surely paved way for my best days, gave me that integrity and morality of a young man!
My school:
It is a name which makes many a parent proud…
A name which makes many a student the best and the worthiest in town…
A name which gives many a quizzers and debaters a chill down the spine…
A name which gives many a sports enthusiasts a shudder…
A name which we have always shouted and chanted with the head held high and chest undaunted…
And beyond all that, it is a culture that its bearers kindled with utmost care and perfection...
Loyola School…mine and many others formative grounds…
I cannot write anything more about that place. Because no words or aphorisms or adjectives can describe the charm of that place. Nothing can do justice to the valor and the undying spirit which it has instilled in all of us.
This post is dedicated to all my people who have been there and who are still there, felt the place, saw the people, argued, played, fought, debated, sang, danced, abused, studied, had fun, loved and lived together for a given period…blessed are those!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Let it go...
If u feel something is not worth holding on to...you have to let it go.
Why spoil your mood and deny the freedom of the other. If something is not meant to be with you, it never is, however hard you try. So the best thing to do is just to let it go and be happy rather than having to let go of it in a very awkward circumstance.
I seriously don't understand the need for people to keep with them what is not meant to be there with them. If something is meant to be yours leave it and see, it'll come back. Never be the dictator who chains the freedom or anything or anybody.
Why can't people accept the importance of a fart? Its a perfectly natural human process where you let something free. What goes in has to go out and there is no point holding on to it. In fact its better to let go if it at the apt time rather than wait and make a fool of yourself at not so apt a time.
But of course there are farting etiquettes:
Unless its a silent fart never fart in public.
Even if its a silent fart, if you think its a smelly one don't fart when its just two of you. It leaves you with lesser space for speculation.
Take ample fart breaks. The washroom or the balcony in the best place to let it go.
If you know that the other person has relieved himself/herself, don't look at him/her as if they did a big crime. You never when its a bad fart day for you...
And last but not the least...
If the fart was unintentional do not hesitate to take up ownership. If one man can make a difference to the society's outlook on people who fart, so be it...
So...LET IT GO...
Why spoil your mood and deny the freedom of the other. If something is not meant to be with you, it never is, however hard you try. So the best thing to do is just to let it go and be happy rather than having to let go of it in a very awkward circumstance.
I seriously don't understand the need for people to keep with them what is not meant to be there with them. If something is meant to be yours leave it and see, it'll come back. Never be the dictator who chains the freedom or anything or anybody.
Why can't people accept the importance of a fart? Its a perfectly natural human process where you let something free. What goes in has to go out and there is no point holding on to it. In fact its better to let go if it at the apt time rather than wait and make a fool of yourself at not so apt a time.
But of course there are farting etiquettes:
Unless its a silent fart never fart in public.
Even if its a silent fart, if you think its a smelly one don't fart when its just two of you. It leaves you with lesser space for speculation.
Take ample fart breaks. The washroom or the balcony in the best place to let it go.
If you know that the other person has relieved himself/herself, don't look at him/her as if they did a big crime. You never when its a bad fart day for you...
And last but not the least...
If the fart was unintentional do not hesitate to take up ownership. If one man can make a difference to the society's outlook on people who fart, so be it...
So...LET IT GO...
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
A passion...
A couple of days back when my brother asked me to suggest a topic for his yet to launch blog, I felt a deja vu or I would rather say revisiting.
What do I write?
What could make a good read?
What topic would appeal to the people?
These are some questions I have encountered long back when I used to write for the Hindu in Trivandrum and as a new blogger about 6 years back. My perceptions about writing have changed and so has my writing.
If 6 years ago when I was started writing for a daily, my intention was a name, decorating my CV for the pursuit of journalism and not to rule out money.I would look into minute detail for a topic.I would try to find a topic in everything I saw and heard. Then finally it would dawn upon me, a topic which pleases me. Would take up the phone and call my boss and ask if the topic is good enough. Sometimes the go ahead sign was spontaneous, sometimes I had to wait for a while. But in the end, the icing lay in the comments I got on the day the article was published. I would be excited if it was a front page one and how long it was and where my name is placed.
Time just rushed by, before I knew what was happening University was over, Delhi was over and I started my new blog after my old one was hacked. Now I see writing in a new light. Writing for me as much as anything else is a form of expression. I no longer search for topics, they just happen.The chicken vendor in front of my residential colony, a kid who held my hands to alight from a bus, a friend who once I had who later turned a fiend, the various expressions people throw at me in office, a bottle of beer, pink floyd and doors, a taxi driver who showed me what job satisfaction was, a hotel owner in Rishkesh, the priest at a temple near my office...all of them formed my topics rather unknowingly.I no longer think about what topic would interest others, I write what I feel about. I don't write to please anybody now or to get good comments. Writing is a passion as much as my many other passions. I don't like to write for anybody or for anything. The blog gives me my freedom to exploit multiple topics and I have the writer's license to write what I like. This is what writing now means to me. One of my friends once said...”You sound more genuine when I read you than listen to you”
At the end of the day when I go to sleep, when I see a small bit of my own writing, how much ever big or small it is, how much ever polished or raw it is... When I see that small bit of myself in it, I feel elated. Its all mine, the words used, the style, the perception and the quality...there are very few things in this world which I can call mine. But the piece of writing...Its entirely mine.
What do I write?
What could make a good read?
What topic would appeal to the people?
These are some questions I have encountered long back when I used to write for the Hindu in Trivandrum and as a new blogger about 6 years back. My perceptions about writing have changed and so has my writing.
If 6 years ago when I was started writing for a daily, my intention was a name, decorating my CV for the pursuit of journalism and not to rule out money.I would look into minute detail for a topic.I would try to find a topic in everything I saw and heard. Then finally it would dawn upon me, a topic which pleases me. Would take up the phone and call my boss and ask if the topic is good enough. Sometimes the go ahead sign was spontaneous, sometimes I had to wait for a while. But in the end, the icing lay in the comments I got on the day the article was published. I would be excited if it was a front page one and how long it was and where my name is placed.
Time just rushed by, before I knew what was happening University was over, Delhi was over and I started my new blog after my old one was hacked. Now I see writing in a new light. Writing for me as much as anything else is a form of expression. I no longer search for topics, they just happen.The chicken vendor in front of my residential colony, a kid who held my hands to alight from a bus, a friend who once I had who later turned a fiend, the various expressions people throw at me in office, a bottle of beer, pink floyd and doors, a taxi driver who showed me what job satisfaction was, a hotel owner in Rishkesh, the priest at a temple near my office...all of them formed my topics rather unknowingly.I no longer think about what topic would interest others, I write what I feel about. I don't write to please anybody now or to get good comments. Writing is a passion as much as my many other passions. I don't like to write for anybody or for anything. The blog gives me my freedom to exploit multiple topics and I have the writer's license to write what I like. This is what writing now means to me. One of my friends once said...”You sound more genuine when I read you than listen to you”
At the end of the day when I go to sleep, when I see a small bit of my own writing, how much ever big or small it is, how much ever polished or raw it is... When I see that small bit of myself in it, I feel elated. Its all mine, the words used, the style, the perception and the quality...there are very few things in this world which I can call mine. But the piece of writing...Its entirely mine.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
We all live in a bad wild world
Oh! I had a friend...
Who used to sing and say
Its no good, if you can't pay!
So one day, when the time came
He told his girl, “so honey...
its time to throw some money”
All in all love is divine
But in the end together we wine
A crime it is, enough to whine
We all live in a bad bad world
We try to keep a cool cool head
A cool cool head without a brain
Now it wouldn't be much of an issue
If thinking n talking, went hand in hand
But now, Ranting n raving, goes side by side
We all live in a bad bad world
We all live in a wild wild world
We all live in a bad wild world
Who used to sing and say
Its no good, if you can't pay!
So one day, when the time came
He told his girl, “so honey...
its time to throw some money”
All in all love is divine
But in the end together we wine
A crime it is, enough to whine
We all live in a bad bad world
We try to keep a cool cool head
A cool cool head without a brain
Now it wouldn't be much of an issue
If thinking n talking, went hand in hand
But now, Ranting n raving, goes side by side
We all live in a bad bad world
We all live in a wild wild world
We all live in a bad wild world
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Life goes on...
Its been almost a year since I started my blog, and I have about 25 posts to name and by god's grace 20 followers...I am exhilarated at this. I used to and still write for myself. Writing for me is passion, a vent of emotion, an expression of a different kind. And I also believe its experience which gives the word its power. I don't write just for my blog. The blog for me is a forum which I contribute with sincerity and love of writing. Each of these blog posts have a history and an emotion behind it. I have drawn my topics from various avenues and people which I will speak about in a different post.
Fortunately, in my life till now I've had the grace of meeting, being with, spending time and sticking with a bunch of amazing people. This blog is dedicated to all my people who have a role in what I am today.
My dad taught me the fine art of modesty. He taught me what constitutes character. My affinity towards the media and books and writing was a result of watching him study. He taught me the fine art of executing something meticulously. There is this line he told me way too long back which stays in my mind. He said “Son, be true to yourself. Give in 100 % to whatever you do, be it your sports, your studies, your music, your movies...whatever. Love your parents, your friends, your cousins, your family, your girlfriend...”
Being just to the word motherhood, my mom has been there and still is..rock solid; as a friend, a confidant, a treasurer and a mother...I believe that single word is all encompassing of a zillion positive qualities. In my school days when I was notorious for all the wrong reasons, once when I was doubtful of passing my 7th standard I asked my mom “what will you do if I fail this year” All she said was “you're my son whatever happens” and thats the flame that has given me the guts of a teenager, the adventure spirit of a 22 year old and the integrity of a good guy. Both of them taught me the words dignity, pride, honor, integrity, commitment etc...
My younger Brother, looking at the way he is coming up in life, a sense of brotherly responsibility grips me. I see a lot of myself in him.
There are a couple of friend who journeyed with me, saw the country with me, drank with me...but taught me, inspired me. They've just been there...
Vishnu Menon, I have not known another person who had to carry so many responsibilities at such a young age. He once told me “Sadness is a good thing, it propels you forward”. Only a person with an amazing will power and an amazing confidence in himself can say that. Hats off to you man! You have been my morale booster for long now
Rakesh Venugopal, Hats off to you too mate, just for giving me the confidence that courage is
something cultivated and caressed. Leaders are made, and you are a fine make I tell you.
Divya, for just being around...For being the little but big thing in my life. For helping me realize relationships are made in heaven...Its only rarely people get to be in something so pure.
Shruthi...Understanding begins where love ends. Thanks for the faith, the trust and the confidence you have in me. The Understanding which we share has helped me move on...
Aparna, for the never dying spirit she shows in everything she does. For all the debates we went, the quizzes and the many lunches and dinners. You're such a fine girl!
Till now I haven't been proved wrong in the choice of my people.
“Life goes on...”
Fortunately, in my life till now I've had the grace of meeting, being with, spending time and sticking with a bunch of amazing people. This blog is dedicated to all my people who have a role in what I am today.
My dad taught me the fine art of modesty. He taught me what constitutes character. My affinity towards the media and books and writing was a result of watching him study. He taught me the fine art of executing something meticulously. There is this line he told me way too long back which stays in my mind. He said “Son, be true to yourself. Give in 100 % to whatever you do, be it your sports, your studies, your music, your movies...whatever. Love your parents, your friends, your cousins, your family, your girlfriend...”
Being just to the word motherhood, my mom has been there and still is..rock solid; as a friend, a confidant, a treasurer and a mother...I believe that single word is all encompassing of a zillion positive qualities. In my school days when I was notorious for all the wrong reasons, once when I was doubtful of passing my 7th standard I asked my mom “what will you do if I fail this year” All she said was “you're my son whatever happens” and thats the flame that has given me the guts of a teenager, the adventure spirit of a 22 year old and the integrity of a good guy. Both of them taught me the words dignity, pride, honor, integrity, commitment etc...
My younger Brother, looking at the way he is coming up in life, a sense of brotherly responsibility grips me. I see a lot of myself in him.
There are a couple of friend who journeyed with me, saw the country with me, drank with me...but taught me, inspired me. They've just been there...
Vishnu Menon, I have not known another person who had to carry so many responsibilities at such a young age. He once told me “Sadness is a good thing, it propels you forward”. Only a person with an amazing will power and an amazing confidence in himself can say that. Hats off to you man! You have been my morale booster for long now
Rakesh Venugopal, Hats off to you too mate, just for giving me the confidence that courage is
something cultivated and caressed. Leaders are made, and you are a fine make I tell you.
Divya, for just being around...For being the little but big thing in my life. For helping me realize relationships are made in heaven...Its only rarely people get to be in something so pure.
Shruthi...Understanding begins where love ends. Thanks for the faith, the trust and the confidence you have in me. The Understanding which we share has helped me move on...
Aparna, for the never dying spirit she shows in everything she does. For all the debates we went, the quizzes and the many lunches and dinners. You're such a fine girl!
Till now I haven't been proved wrong in the choice of my people.
“Life goes on...”
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
WHEN I WISHED ME ON MY BIRTHDAY
I: So whats the big deal man? Its just another day!
ME: How can you have such a lackadaisical attitude towards it. Its not just another day, Its your Birthday!
I: So? I am Arun John, for record sake born on 17-10-1986. Would you have loved me better if it was 19-10-1986? No right? Then what are birthdays for. Getting drunk? Spending money on insane treats? Its just for legitimizing your existence. Just so that you know when you should go to school, college, university, get married...and so and so forth.
ME: But doesn't it feel good when your family wishes you a Happy Birthday without a fail first thing in the morning. When your close friends call you at 12 at the night to wish you. When your mom gives you the most genuine hug in the world. When your friends come and pound with pats and hugs and all of them the best you could ever have?
I: Well...except the birthday wishing part, do you mean to say that you don't get the hug or a friendly pat any other day? Then I am sorry to tell you my friend, you better get a couple of really good friends! If possible a good girl friend too...
ME: Come on..to me, a birthday is an important day. I mean, its only once that you are born, and even if I believe in multiple lives, I might have to wait till my next birth and for that this life has to get over and there is no guarantee that I will be born a human in my next birth! So for me, Birthday, the day you entered this world is a huge thing. And celebrating a Birthday is a kind of salutation to the whole beautiful biological process that worked behind you and to the fact that you are here, to make a change or to live your life or to love no purpose or what not...
I: True, I also salute the beautiful and wonderful process behind it. But it doesn't make a difference having a day dedicated to it. I would rather worship the time I was born if anything, the moment. Not a day dedicated for it anyway...and hello! Should I be glad I am getting older? To be reminded of my responsibilities and duties on a yearly basis as I grow in age!!!
ME: Responsibilities are there no matter which month or day or year you are born. As a child, a different set of responsibilities, as an adolescent a different set, as a father or a grown up middle aged man, again different responsibilities. So in that sense, you are right. You don't need a birthday to be reminded of your growing age and inevitable responsibilities and roles which come with it.
I: See...I understand your argument dude. It does feel nice to have a good hug, a good meal with your people, a good drink to celebrate your place in this world and all the emotions tied with it. But again, wouldn't you enjoy all those every other day? When would you say no to a good hug, a good meal, a good drink?
So Birthdays to me are nothing of great significance. And to be very honest with you, I am secretly glad that these sites like Facebook and Orkut prompt the Birthdays because people do take offense if you don't wish them on their special days! And these sites are very prompt in letting you know when those days are!
ME: Thats true, even I secretly admit it. But again, is logic a good solution to everything. Even for this logic to stand, you need an emotional base right! We as humans are primarily build on such emotions of love or hate or relationships and friends or dates or what not...
I: I agree with that. So I make myself malleable. I don't say I won't wish anybody on their birthdays. I don't say all this is crap. I give what people want. I have friends of whom I don't even know when their birthday is. But I have a group of friends whom I wish on a regular basis, give a gift, pep him up and make him feel special. Thats how I see things..
ME: To each his own man. You cannot just brush aside something saying I don't approve and it doesn't appeal to me, so I won't do it. It if requires, you have to do it.
I: Ya. Thats all it is, Catering to requirements...
ME: How can you have such a lackadaisical attitude towards it. Its not just another day, Its your Birthday!
I: So? I am Arun John, for record sake born on 17-10-1986. Would you have loved me better if it was 19-10-1986? No right? Then what are birthdays for. Getting drunk? Spending money on insane treats? Its just for legitimizing your existence. Just so that you know when you should go to school, college, university, get married...and so and so forth.
ME: But doesn't it feel good when your family wishes you a Happy Birthday without a fail first thing in the morning. When your close friends call you at 12 at the night to wish you. When your mom gives you the most genuine hug in the world. When your friends come and pound with pats and hugs and all of them the best you could ever have?
I: Well...except the birthday wishing part, do you mean to say that you don't get the hug or a friendly pat any other day? Then I am sorry to tell you my friend, you better get a couple of really good friends! If possible a good girl friend too...
ME: Come on..to me, a birthday is an important day. I mean, its only once that you are born, and even if I believe in multiple lives, I might have to wait till my next birth and for that this life has to get over and there is no guarantee that I will be born a human in my next birth! So for me, Birthday, the day you entered this world is a huge thing. And celebrating a Birthday is a kind of salutation to the whole beautiful biological process that worked behind you and to the fact that you are here, to make a change or to live your life or to love no purpose or what not...
I: True, I also salute the beautiful and wonderful process behind it. But it doesn't make a difference having a day dedicated to it. I would rather worship the time I was born if anything, the moment. Not a day dedicated for it anyway...and hello! Should I be glad I am getting older? To be reminded of my responsibilities and duties on a yearly basis as I grow in age!!!
ME: Responsibilities are there no matter which month or day or year you are born. As a child, a different set of responsibilities, as an adolescent a different set, as a father or a grown up middle aged man, again different responsibilities. So in that sense, you are right. You don't need a birthday to be reminded of your growing age and inevitable responsibilities and roles which come with it.
I: See...I understand your argument dude. It does feel nice to have a good hug, a good meal with your people, a good drink to celebrate your place in this world and all the emotions tied with it. But again, wouldn't you enjoy all those every other day? When would you say no to a good hug, a good meal, a good drink?
So Birthdays to me are nothing of great significance. And to be very honest with you, I am secretly glad that these sites like Facebook and Orkut prompt the Birthdays because people do take offense if you don't wish them on their special days! And these sites are very prompt in letting you know when those days are!
ME: Thats true, even I secretly admit it. But again, is logic a good solution to everything. Even for this logic to stand, you need an emotional base right! We as humans are primarily build on such emotions of love or hate or relationships and friends or dates or what not...
I: I agree with that. So I make myself malleable. I don't say I won't wish anybody on their birthdays. I don't say all this is crap. I give what people want. I have friends of whom I don't even know when their birthday is. But I have a group of friends whom I wish on a regular basis, give a gift, pep him up and make him feel special. Thats how I see things..
ME: To each his own man. You cannot just brush aside something saying I don't approve and it doesn't appeal to me, so I won't do it. It if requires, you have to do it.
I: Ya. Thats all it is, Catering to requirements...
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Chocolate, Mama and Kids...
Let me tell you a story of chocolates and mama and kids…
Mummy mummy can I have that chocolate? “Please mama…please”. The clever mom who knew it would create cavities said “No, there is no way, you can’t have it.” Now little did she know the child was inspired by Gandhi or at least couple of his principles…like fast unto death and non-alignment.
When Chandrasekhar Rao said he wanted Telangana, big mama Congress told “Beta, calm down when time comes and when you are grown up, we will think about it” so our beta kept quiet for a while, but threatened to take away the chocolates from the fridge…all of them.
And so one day the time came…our beta again demanded the chocolates…mama said “time not up!!!” Gandhian follower beta stated fasting unto death, “no chocolate-no other food” was his motto. Mama got worried…what if beta falls sick and loses health while she is still in charge of the house? And more than that what if his friends blame her, what if the neighbors blamed her??? What is the friends withdrew their support and admiration for Mama dear!!! “God…to hell with the chocolate, my son’s friends and family goodwill is more important to me than some chocolate. So here is the chocolate, go and enjoy…”
But mama didn’t know that it would still create cavities…left and right her sons and daughters started fasting for more and more chocolates…but poor mama was not willing to make more chocolates nor buy news ones for the sake of distributing…
Now the beta is unhappy that mama gave the chocolate not because she liked him, but because she liked his friends better and the other kids are unhappy that mama is partial, that she doesn’t like everyone equally…
My heart weeps out for poor mama...
My heart weeps put for the beta who was reaffirmed a fool…
My heart weeps out for the other kids who also like the taste of the chocolate…
My heart weeps out for myself…in the race for the chocolate I am in an identity crisis, did I study in Hyderabad or Telangana? Will the Biriyani be called Telangana Biriyani from now? Will the price of booze come down? Alas…mama I at least want the chocolate wrappers…
Mummy mummy can I have that chocolate? “Please mama…please”. The clever mom who knew it would create cavities said “No, there is no way, you can’t have it.” Now little did she know the child was inspired by Gandhi or at least couple of his principles…like fast unto death and non-alignment.
When Chandrasekhar Rao said he wanted Telangana, big mama Congress told “Beta, calm down when time comes and when you are grown up, we will think about it” so our beta kept quiet for a while, but threatened to take away the chocolates from the fridge…all of them.
And so one day the time came…our beta again demanded the chocolates…mama said “time not up!!!” Gandhian follower beta stated fasting unto death, “no chocolate-no other food” was his motto. Mama got worried…what if beta falls sick and loses health while she is still in charge of the house? And more than that what if his friends blame her, what if the neighbors blamed her??? What is the friends withdrew their support and admiration for Mama dear!!! “God…to hell with the chocolate, my son’s friends and family goodwill is more important to me than some chocolate. So here is the chocolate, go and enjoy…”
But mama didn’t know that it would still create cavities…left and right her sons and daughters started fasting for more and more chocolates…but poor mama was not willing to make more chocolates nor buy news ones for the sake of distributing…
Now the beta is unhappy that mama gave the chocolate not because she liked him, but because she liked his friends better and the other kids are unhappy that mama is partial, that she doesn’t like everyone equally…
My heart weeps out for poor mama...
My heart weeps put for the beta who was reaffirmed a fool…
My heart weeps out for the other kids who also like the taste of the chocolate…
My heart weeps out for myself…in the race for the chocolate I am in an identity crisis, did I study in Hyderabad or Telangana? Will the Biriyani be called Telangana Biriyani from now? Will the price of booze come down? Alas…mama I at least want the chocolate wrappers…
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Do I look the part!
I have never felt the need for looking the part of something. I always believed what is inside you is what matters. Be it in the office, apart the fact that you've to look decent and in a work place I have never felt the need to look 'corporate'. I haven't felt the need to look like a professional or a anything for that matter. But all these are so negotiable. The maximum that can happen to me if I don't dress corporate for my office is a pink slip. Thats the worst case.
But have you ever felt the need to look a Hindu? Look a Muslim? Look a Christian?
For the first time in my life I felt the need. I am born to a Hindu Brahmin mother and a Latin Catholic Father. I have been baptized, Arun John, very much a Christian but brought up learning to accept all religions and cultures. I have gone to Temples, The Kumbh Mela, Churches, Gurudwaras and quite many places of worship in my so many years. But I've never felt the need to look a Hindu to enter a temple, a Christian to enter a Church. I don't know if there is something called the Hindu look.
Yesterday I went to a temple in Hyderabad, near my office to pray and see the Dussera festive nip in the air. I admit, by regular Indian standards I look more a Muslim than Human. I sport a goatee which is influenced by the rock culture. But this also in branding terms make me look a 'Muslim'. I have never felt a thousand eyes upon me scanning me top to bottom as if I am misfit, an intruder, an outsider. But yesterday when I went to the temple I felt that. I felt each and every one right from the security at the temple entrance to the priest performing the pooja inside the deity room looking at me with scanning eyes placing my religion. I am not a person who frequents a temple or church or any place of worship for that matter; but once in a while when I do I would like to pray properly, have a silent conversation with myself without the fear of being scrutinized.
Is Religion no longer a matter of faith?
Even if I am a terrorist who wants to blow up the entire place if my face is neatly shaved and I look Hindu enough I can go into the temple without the fear of frisking and scanning?
Is there a need for this generalization or branding of Religions?
Is Religion a matter of faith or of identity?
There are many more questions in my mind which isn't so refined to be put down on a blog. But the incident freaked me out. It depressed me to know that I don't have the freedom to look what I want and follow the faith I want. I am more a patriot or nationalist than them I believe. I am a more mature and accommodative person than the octogenarians of middle aged ladies and gentlemen I saw there I believe.
I hope that people someday go back to being accommodative. We Indians have had a very accommodative culture. Religion is a matter of faith and its an extremely personal choice. If not accepting everything, the least we can do it respect it and treat the person as a fellow being rather then branding the person this or that! I am now overcome with a terrible pathos and a feeling of despair around me seeing face to face certain facts I never thought would affect me....
But have you ever felt the need to look a Hindu? Look a Muslim? Look a Christian?
For the first time in my life I felt the need. I am born to a Hindu Brahmin mother and a Latin Catholic Father. I have been baptized, Arun John, very much a Christian but brought up learning to accept all religions and cultures. I have gone to Temples, The Kumbh Mela, Churches, Gurudwaras and quite many places of worship in my so many years. But I've never felt the need to look a Hindu to enter a temple, a Christian to enter a Church. I don't know if there is something called the Hindu look.
Yesterday I went to a temple in Hyderabad, near my office to pray and see the Dussera festive nip in the air. I admit, by regular Indian standards I look more a Muslim than Human. I sport a goatee which is influenced by the rock culture. But this also in branding terms make me look a 'Muslim'. I have never felt a thousand eyes upon me scanning me top to bottom as if I am misfit, an intruder, an outsider. But yesterday when I went to the temple I felt that. I felt each and every one right from the security at the temple entrance to the priest performing the pooja inside the deity room looking at me with scanning eyes placing my religion. I am not a person who frequents a temple or church or any place of worship for that matter; but once in a while when I do I would like to pray properly, have a silent conversation with myself without the fear of being scrutinized.
Is Religion no longer a matter of faith?
Even if I am a terrorist who wants to blow up the entire place if my face is neatly shaved and I look Hindu enough I can go into the temple without the fear of frisking and scanning?
Is there a need for this generalization or branding of Religions?
Is Religion a matter of faith or of identity?
There are many more questions in my mind which isn't so refined to be put down on a blog. But the incident freaked me out. It depressed me to know that I don't have the freedom to look what I want and follow the faith I want. I am more a patriot or nationalist than them I believe. I am a more mature and accommodative person than the octogenarians of middle aged ladies and gentlemen I saw there I believe.
I hope that people someday go back to being accommodative. We Indians have had a very accommodative culture. Religion is a matter of faith and its an extremely personal choice. If not accepting everything, the least we can do it respect it and treat the person as a fellow being rather then branding the person this or that! I am now overcome with a terrible pathos and a feeling of despair around me seeing face to face certain facts I never thought would affect me....
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Oh..its a mistake!!!
People excite me. In my 24 years of life, I had the fortune of meeting and talking and spending time with many a kind of people. From the many experiences I have had and still have on a daily basis, I have come to a conclusion of my own, people are most interested in pointing out others mistakes! Now, pointing out mistakes is good, but isn't accepting it dignity? Just like you would like to point out, shouldn't you also be ready to accept it, rather than being defensive?
An incident which happened yesterday is what gave me the extra jive to write this post. One of my friends who is also a blogger, received a comment on her latest post saying it is 'substandard' from an anonymous person. Now, receiving such a comment even from a known person is quite unusual, leave alone an unknown person. The anonymous person who said its substandard later clarified that s/he is an avid reader of my friend's blog and that her writing is 'precious' and enjoys reading her posts. This just opened a can of worms in my mind:
Is it so typical for human being to always find mistakes with somebody? How come the anonymous person never commented anything good on the blog I mentioned, in none of them? But unfailing commented 'substandard' in the one which s/he found not so interesting? Is this then criticism or plain beating around the bush to sound important? When do you pretend and in front of whom?What can you term by mistake? Is there actually something called right and wrong? If one person is right, does it mean the other person in wrong?
I personally don't believe in a phenomenon called right or wrong. Just because I am right doesn't mean the other person is wrong nor vice versa. I believe in respecting. I might not be able to accept certain things because I am an individual and I am unique in terms of my mental make up. But I have to respect and that I believe is what makes a man better. Whatever the action is the other person did, s/he has a reason behind it and I respect the reason...
Ego is the word! Everybody has one and he or she thinks the other one's is bigger!!!
An incident which happened yesterday is what gave me the extra jive to write this post. One of my friends who is also a blogger, received a comment on her latest post saying it is 'substandard' from an anonymous person. Now, receiving such a comment even from a known person is quite unusual, leave alone an unknown person. The anonymous person who said its substandard later clarified that s/he is an avid reader of my friend's blog and that her writing is 'precious' and enjoys reading her posts. This just opened a can of worms in my mind:
Is it so typical for human being to always find mistakes with somebody? How come the anonymous person never commented anything good on the blog I mentioned, in none of them? But unfailing commented 'substandard' in the one which s/he found not so interesting? Is this then criticism or plain beating around the bush to sound important? When do you pretend and in front of whom?What can you term by mistake? Is there actually something called right and wrong? If one person is right, does it mean the other person in wrong?
I personally don't believe in a phenomenon called right or wrong. Just because I am right doesn't mean the other person is wrong nor vice versa. I believe in respecting. I might not be able to accept certain things because I am an individual and I am unique in terms of my mental make up. But I have to respect and that I believe is what makes a man better. Whatever the action is the other person did, s/he has a reason behind it and I respect the reason...
Ego is the word! Everybody has one and he or she thinks the other one's is bigger!!!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
My love, my everybody's love...
Every night I waited for you
My door never closed before you
But alas...for a week where have you been
Where did thou disappear...
Its the same blood that runs in our bodies
Its the same place we both liked
My arms miss your kisses...
Oh my dearest...
Is it the weed?
Is it the people around?
Is it the rains?
What prolongs your visit?
Upon the hills I searched
Down in the valleys I wailed
Like a bee looking for a flower
I searched for you night after night
Now I am not so much of a bitch
To let others upon me
Like a lover waiting his beloved
I shall wait for your itchy kiss...
Oh my dear mosquito...
My door never closed before you
But alas...for a week where have you been
Where did thou disappear...
Its the same blood that runs in our bodies
Its the same place we both liked
My arms miss your kisses...
Oh my dearest...
Is it the weed?
Is it the people around?
Is it the rains?
What prolongs your visit?
Upon the hills I searched
Down in the valleys I wailed
Like a bee looking for a flower
I searched for you night after night
Now I am not so much of a bitch
To let others upon me
Like a lover waiting his beloved
I shall wait for your itchy kiss...
Oh my dear mosquito...
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