Boon or Bane?

I was for a lunch at a restaurant one day, and as I was alone, I took a local journal to thumb through the pages. But as I went to the table, I was shown a small gadget placed on the table, that more looks like a point of sale system (POS) without a cash drawer :-), but instead has some cool apps built-in. Apart from ordering your menu, it has Games, Latest Movie Trailers, Music etc. Its a ziosk and it more looks like a mini-iPad hooked to a standing frame. I am going to come back to this restaurant..more often than I usally go, I thought. What's nice about the ziosk is, I didn't have to wait for the check. Swiped the card and got a receipt right there.. I thought these were replacements for the human cashier.

Well now, I am lured by not the delicious-looking food, but the cool-looking gadget. Aaha..this is where I enjoy watching the science take over values. The brilliant minds rule us, no doubt. we have indeed made a glorious leap into the 21st century that will make history in years to come. That said, there is more to be unveiled, I am sure. Science a boon or a bane? Whether its a curse or a blessing, life sometimes demands going at its pace.

Is WORLD CUP a measure of success to India?

The game of Cricket is dominant and it is by far the most entertaining and popular game in India. The one game we can really play well, the game that gets the most media coverage, and its the one that pays well. Its the game that is affordable and takes its roots to the streets of India; the game that brings fame and brand ambassadors to corporate India. All in all it is what drives the sporting news for Indians.

It is proven beyond a shadow of doubt that TEAM INDIA deserves the WORLD CUP. The Team or the Board has well positioned itself to be able to continue the strong performance and although not official, this game has been running as if it were a national game. But has the game of Cricket overshadowed other sports in India? Does the government not generate any revenue from this skillful game? Has the recent Common wealth games been a success? Sure, we did win over 100 medals, but are we not the second largest populated country? How about Olympics?

The government does nothing to groom the athletes in India, but we do more than necessary to over-hype the talent Sania Mirza has. Its this imbalance, its the lack of resources that pull us back and little does the government do to back the resources and talent that currently exists. The one sport we are good at, the big shots want to cash in on it :-) . The only like minded people are the people in business and the corrupt politicians. Way to go "Emerging India".

How hard is it choose between right and wrong?

The answer is, it is

as hard as it is to fight Selfishness
as hard as it is to consume Jealousy
as hard as it is to defeat Ego
as hard as it is to overcome False Superiority

Not being judgmental is being nice and if you are cheerfully irresponsible, you are totally fun to be with. It leaves you worry free, but puts others in a situation :)

Balancing Life

An impeccable balance at every stage and in every situation is highly impossible. Life brings umpteen challenges and the effort to take control of one's own self is what characterizes the individual. Whether its a day-to-day job or an emotional factor, there has to be an equilibrium carried to reflect a quality of life.

Let us unite for a good cause

I am proud to have Jaya Prakash Narayan as a true leader from Andhra Pradesh who is determined to bring the real administration into place. Since the time I showed interest in the current events in the government, all I have perceived is unethical and immoral governance by people who really don't deserve the office. Hardly did I get a chance to take a closer look at how the administrative system is working and what steps the government is taking for the welfare of its people. Starting at Gram Panchayats, I have seen money being distributed for votes. What I don't understand is, if there is nothing that the Election Commission can do with this respect. I guess the EC is corrupted as well.

The fact that JP is very well educated, an able administrator, a good orator and importantly a person of high moral values & ethics makes him fall apart from the so called politicians. Leaders today have changed the meaning of a 'Politician'. I prefer to call him an Administrator. Although, I believe LokSatta should more aggressively participate in airing voice to the lower class. Intiatives should be taken to educate people in the manner they understand on the frontline of the political situations we have, their rights and how their future is at stake.

Loksatta has a fabulous website http://www.loksatta.org/ that brings transparency to what they say and what they do.

Keep up the good work!

Escaping the realities

I landed in US with an intension to return to my home country in two years.Two years turned four and four turned seven and here I am still hoping to get back really soon. The moment I step out of my house to the time I am back, no matter how well I am being treated as a foreigner, there is a sense of estrangement that is carried with me.

I couldn't even name a state in US before I came here. In the first place I never bothered to distinguish a state and a city when I knew I was coming to St.Louis in early 2002. "Welcome to the world of paper" greeted one of my friend on my first week in the United States. I see the luxury built on the realities of an Indian and heck, I repeatedly hear how tough it is to not have any help with the day-to-day household chores.I strongly condemn but seldom did I express my opinion outright.

Agree there is a lonely spirit haunting every one of us here, but to those of us who manage to be in a group get freed up by the contemplating thoughts each bring to the gathering table. Even the most introvert becomes a social animal here. And despite what is characterized to be a sad atmosphere, we continue to live as an alien group creating so called 'Desi' communities for ourselves. It is strange that we do not realize at the time of taking that first flight, that we are leaving our kith & kin forever to settle in a foreign land.

As for me, I don't want to be dashed by the realities of a common man nor do I want to take my last breathe on a foreign soil. By the time I realize the realities of the my delicate world, I would be so entrenched in the bubble I created for myself that it is hard to escape. There should not be an argument as to which place is better. Certainly we all look out for one thing in common - to be happy. And its not 'the best' that makes one happy but it is what 'one prefers'; so I duly respect others opinion - for and against.