PRACTICABILITY Vs DETERMINATION

Have you ever felt two voices fighting within you? Have you ever been in a dilemma inside you? Have you ever been in a condition when your heart and mind fail to answer you?

I have been in such conditions lately, and so much puzzled, that I kept thinking about those things for day and night. My practicability is challenging my determination. To be very true, I don't know what I am writing, but to throw some more light on what I am trying to say is one has to be practical to live a happy and feasible life; and also determination is the most important ingredient to achieve success in life. But what happens, when these two crosses one others way, and you are forced to select one of them. Which one do you select, and why? What is more important of the two, practicability without which one would not be able to survive in this fast moving world, or determination without which even an easiest task can not be completed. I think that I am looking confused, but thats what I am, confused, puzzled, nonplussed. I believe that these situations might have come earlier in my life, and I have chosen one of the two and moved on, but then should I continue doing this, isn't their a way out????? One would say to it, that it could be decided on conditions, but whether that would be called a right decision or an adjustment with life. I have been thinking about this from quite a long time, but I didn't reach any conclusion, and so I don't have much to write on this one. I hope that I have not puzzled you, or have not wasted your time, but if you can get me, your suggestions are welcome.

Angela's Ashes

Book Review: Angela's Ashes Authored by- Frank McCourt

Angela's Ashes, a Pulitzer prize winner, is a book about Frank McCourt's childhood in Limerick. It is about the hardships that he himself, his mother and his siblings had faced there, and how there American accent had affected their lives in Ireland. He started the story of his life, with his father and mother getting married in America,and then how they were forced to move to Limerick, where he, Frank had spent his childhood. He had aptly described the problems that his mother Angela and he had faced because of his father, a drunk, and how they had led their lives in those trouble times. The book is good, but the most surprising thing to me in it was the mention of India, or rather using India as a benchmark for comparing any lowly thing. Let us look at the following lines, where a character is talking about fleas - "I have to be careful standing here for if one of them gets on my clothes I might as well invite his (fleas) whole family home. They multiply faster than Hindus" But, I may only say that author must have also considered the multiplication rate of his family, for he himself has 6 brothers; and this in fact is not the only case but , there were five or six similar instances where comparison is made to India or Indian people I am a bit choosy about reading books, and to be very frank I chose this book only because of the following comment- "Ever once in a while, a lucky reader comes across a book, that makes an indelible impression, a book you immediately want to share with everyone, around you.....Frank McCourt's life, and his searing telling of it, reveals all we need to know about being human" But, frankly speaking, I didn't feel anything like that, the reason for that may be his style of writing, the language is weird, not actually weird but one must also say great, as author has tried to do justice with the Irish accent of English. Moreover, a little part of the book was all about church, communion..., and that had really bored me. On the whole I would say that, if you have patience you can read this book, or else don't pick this up.

MY BOARD-6.5 Grands My Board is a rating, out of 10 Grands,given solely by me- 1to 3 Grand- don't even think of touching the book. 4 to 5 Grand- Boring, and unnecessarily stretched book 6 to 7 Grand- If you have patience, you can read the book 7 to 8 Grand- You will like the book 8 to 9 Grand- You will love it. 9 to 10 Grand- You will love reading it's every single line, para, page.

Diversity

Well, diversity amongst many of is boringly known as different caste, different religion, different cultures, different people, different language, different food, and the list goes on...and that too especially in India, the most diversified nation in the world; but the point is we do not think more than this about diversity. In my opinion, diversity has much greater meaning and importance in our lives, and it is also evident in all our cultural textbooks, that keep shouting and prouding about India being the most diversified nation. Diversity brings naturality, or heterogenity in the place, and that is very important, as this environment, this nature is in itself a much bigger heterogenous system; and that existence of diversity in our lives help us to be in resonance with the nature. I feel that the following two 'Potato Stories', would help you understand the importance of diversity in a new light- Ist story- Some hundred years back in Peru, farmers started habituating near a lake; and for their livlihood they started growing potatoes; potatoes in very large numbers, but they grew potatoes only of the same kind. At the initial years, they were very happy with large production of potatoes, but then as time passes by, the soil slowly started becoming devoid of minerals and nutrients needed for the proper growth of potato. Moreover, they also grew the same potato round the year, irrespective of the favoarable climatic conditions for potato. With time, that soil became completely infertile, and so much so that it resulted the greatest famine of the nearby area. The other story goes like this- In USA, in a region like that in Peru, people started growing potatoes, but the difference was, they grown hundereds of varieties of potatoes, and that every time maintained the fertility of soil for one kind of potato or the other, so soil never become depleted of the minerals, and there never came a famine, and the land was able to grow much nutritional food for the proper nourishment of the people. What happened, is that the most unfavorable climatic condition for one type of potato is actually the most favorable climatic conditions for other type of potato, so in this way that land had always produced potato of different varieties and of the best quality. The above two stories are in itself capable of indicating the importance of diversity, not only for one community or region, but for everything that exists on this planet and universe; as this planet is in itself a part of a much much bigger diversified universe. In similar manner, diversity should be there in each and every part of our life,whether it be in our friend circle, in our organization, in our cuisines, in our passions, hobbies, in our living style, in our language, in our accoutrements, in our family, in our blog, for it may knowingly and unknowingly help in achieving the happiness and goals of our life.

All in a Day's Work..

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 5; the fifth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

I wake up early in the morning with glistening, comforting and brightening sun, and also a new hope wakes up with me. Morning rays bring kudukku hen,chirping birds, fresh newspaper and in altogether a new energy and enthusiasm in me to do work, to live another life.

I get up from my bed yawning, and mind racing to make plans for the day, to reach office on time. The sun moves up slowly in the sky, the intensity of rays keeps on increasing with increasing challenges of the day. The targets to be achieved within time limits are set,and not only to be achieved but also with efficiency and optimum results, and even sometimes I get myself loaded with extra work.

There are the most toughest times of the day, like the sun at noon, when my brain burns like anything, and sometimes I even falter in my task, but then slowly and steadily as the sun moves towards west, I took control of the things.

That instantaneous moment of happiness of completing the onhand job, brings some light moments and jokes of the day.

At the end of the day, when the sun sets, having achieved the targets and goals of the day, is just like the comforting, unique and beautiful rays of setting sun.

I return to my home, with inner satisfaction under the sparkling and shining stars, and I finallly rest my body to live another life, another day.

Actually, I feel that each day is a new life, in a way that we all have certain goals in life, and to achieve them we work hard, for happiness, for inner satisfaction, similarly each day has its own challenges and goals, and I does all, I live my each life in a day.

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SACH is the personality

Sometimes it happens that you were awed by personality of some people, that you just became clueless, and couldn't guess how a person can be like this. Let's be more direct and not bore you more with all this gentleman's talk; I am talking about one of the most influential person of India and the world, SACHIN TENDULKAR.

You all might be aware of the just finished India-Australia one day cricket series, which India has already lost; actually that is not the point and time to discuss , but the 5th one day match of the series, which made us saw some magnificent cricket from the most entertaining cricketers of the world ..(only on field...lol)

Let us first take a fast look at the Australian innings, in which she scored 350/4, with some crackling and mind blowing shots from Shane Watson and Shaun Marsh. When any team batting first made such a huge score, people lose all interest in the match, as it has always been inevitable that the 2nd team would easily surrender, and so I also left watching it.

I was as usual searching something or the other on net, and I came across Indian batting score card with 50/1 at the run rate of more than 6, and the most surprising thing of this series, Sachin ( as he was a low scorer in previous matches) was still not out, and was really playing very well. I switched on the T.V. with the fear that, Sachin will get out, within few seconds of me watching match, but it just happened reverse, and he using his feet hit 2 consecutive sixes to an Australian spinner, and instantly I know that today is something different as we rarely get to see Sachin hitting sixes with feet movement.

Shane Watson, next over and another rocketing six, and I was like hip hip hurrah. But as usual for an Indian team, she was once again after so many years on the verge to prove that India is a ONE MAN ARMY, but thanks to Suresh Raina who kept his cool in such tough conditions, and played some of his finest shots.

Actually, I am not writing all this to discuss match, but the way Sachin played in this match, was once in a lifetime event, and I was so happy that I have been able to see him play at the best of his best.

I think that it is not only about budding cricketers who can learn from him, but we all as human beings can learn something or the other from him. The way he played his innings inspired me to move on with self confidence, however tough the conditions may be. It was reflected in his cool temperament that he was only thinking about the present, neither is upset of the past, nor is feared of the future. We all must be like him, for it is only through this approach that we can achieve whatever we wish in our lives.

He set an example that age is not a barrier for anything, but one's passion, devotion and self-confidence are more important; and I think that the shots that he played in his blasting innings of 175, is impossible for any youngster to play in such tough conditions.

His passion, his devotion, his nature, his optimism, his selection of shots, his cool temperament, his smiling face that inspires not only other cricketers but each and every person of this world. We, therefore should not watch him playing cricket for fun, but also to learn something from him, for his each act, his each shot is a symbol of positivity.

I shall not hear the nightingale

BOOK REVIEW I shall not hear the nightingle

Authored by- Khushwant Singh

I shall not hear the nightingale' is the story about love, pride, passion, religion, culture and all the things that represent indianness. It is set in the pre-war conditions in 1942-43, when the British government was thinking to free India, from its 1000 years old rule.

The story starts with Sher Singh and his revolutionary friends, preparing themselves to start a war against British rule in their province. On the other hand, his father Buta Singh was one of the megistrate; and has inborne loyalty towards British government and people. The story moves on with this entirely different thinking pattern of father and son, each busy to attain their own pride in their group of people.

On the other hand, Madan a family friend of Sher Singh was involved in his drama with Champak and Bina, wife and sister of Sher Singh.

The turning point of the story was when Sher Singh was caught by police in his revolutionary activities, and was faced with a dilemma to save him and his father's hard earned reputation, or to save his revolutionary friends.

Sabhrai, mother of Sher Singh was a godly figure in the story, always involved in religious practice, and I think that makes her the most powerful character in the story; for it was this Sabhrai, that brought the good ending to the story.

Khushwant Singh, in this novel has proved that he is truly an Indian, with his description of Indian culture, religion practices, superstitious of a common man, and most important life of indian men and women.

But talking about the story, I feel that he didn't provide the satisfying ending to the parallel drama of Madan and the two girls.

On the whole, story was good, and I didn't regret reading this book, but one thing I regret is choosing this book as my 75th book; and I must say that this was not one of the finest works of Khushwant SIngh, and probably it has got no stand against his other novel 'Train to Pakistan'.

If I were a baby again.

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 4; the fourth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

Hello, how are you??

Where were you, don't you know that I miss you so much, and nobody tells me where did you go.

Do you know, today also Mamma forcefully injected milk into my mouth, and nobody came to save me, not even you? Grand Ma standing over Mamma watched all this with watery eyes, but didn't interrupt, I don't know why.

You know, I like cow very much, she looks so simple and caring; but I don't understand why doesn't she speaks like my Mamma, Papa, Grand Ma. Whenever she comes at our home, and bang the gate with her horns (my God, so painful), Mamma would leave her work and run outside to give her chapati, and would touch her head and then to her and mine chest. I feel so good and protected whenever Mamma touches me, hugs me, kiss me. She loves me very much, more than anybody, even Papa, and I also love her. Papa would always bring different toys for me; he plays with me and becomes overprotected when I hurt myself in some mischief. I love him.

You don't know how sad I become, whenever I didn't see you, and you sometimes go absent for many days. Do you know Grand Ma relates it to my health problems on looking at my sad face? Can't you just come daily for my Grand Ma and me? I become so happy whenever I see you.

Please come daily Chanda Mama (Moon Uncle)

Promise me, otherwise I would tell BABAAAA to bite you.

Good Night

Sweet Dreams.

If I were a baby again, I would like to have this conversation with my Chanda Mama. Actually, I didn't remember anything of my childhood, and I think so nobody can; I was a bit puzzled as what would I do if I ever become a baby again, I then decided to watch daily activities of my one and a half year old niece Mauli, my sweetie, and then I found that she shares a special relationship with her Chanda Mama; whenever she cries, we take her to Chanda Mama, and she would stop crying, and would just stare at the Moon. I don't know what she looks at, but she instantly becomes happy and smiling.

I don't remember any such thing of my childhood that relates to my Chanda Mama, so I thought to have an opportunity to talk to Chanda Mama, and experience this beautiful relationship of a Baby and a Moon

I dedicate this post to my beautiful niece Mauli.

May you always smile in your life,

May you have your Chanda Mama, forever in your life.

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A CUP OF TEA

Oh, the wonders of magical tea,

Bright sunlight

Chirping birds,

Fresh newspaper

and a cup of tea

Morning pressure

Daily breakfast,

Family Gossip

and a cup of tea

College assignments

Fun in canteen,

Jokes, laughing pots

and a cup of tea

Fight with a best friend

Double cross in love,

Bunking classes

and a cup of tea

Night brain storming for tomorrow exam

Good Results,

First Job

Shortage of money to party

and a cup of tea

First presentation

First love,

First romantic night

and a cup of tea

Fight with your wife

Child's illness,

Limited money

and a cup of tea

Loss in business

Son leaving home for a job,

Lonely life

and a cup of tea

Chats with grandchildren

Meeting with old pals,

Sun, moon, stars

and a cup of tea

Oh! the wonders of magical tea

P.S. I Love You

P.S. I love you is a book that will make you experience the unfathomable love of Holly and Gerry. You will cry with Holly, enjoy with Holly, live a life with Holly.

I was just waiting for the right book to start reviewing about them in the blog, and I was unable to hold my pen, when I completed this one authored by Cecelia Ahern.

Holly and Gerry are childhood sweethearts and are happily married, but sudden death of Gerry fused their lamp of love, leaving Holly to live alone in this world. She started believing that, there is no reason left for her to live, as it was only Gerry that completes her. But as they say true love is eternal, and does not end with death, and so was their love.

Gerry left 10 envelopes for Holly, signed with 'P.S.I Love You', and only to be opened at the end of each month. Holly actually started living just to open those envelopes at the end of the month, to once again talk with Gerry, but she didn't realize that with each envelope, with each month she is energizing her life, rejuvenating her life, which has left her alone in this not-so-caring-world.

The author has written the book so beautifully, that while reading you would just enter into Holly's life and would live her pains, her joy, her cries, and her happiness. This book also made me realize the importance of tea in ones life.

"Oh, the wonders of magical tea, the answer to all of life's little problems. You have a gossip and you make a cup of tea, you get fired from your job and you have a cup of tea, your husband tells you he has a brain tumor and you have a cup of tea"

Chris Feeney was the character that I liked the most in the book, for he was just like one of us, and also a movie based on this book directed by Richard LaGravenese, starring Hillary Swank and Gerard Butler was a big hit.

The book is undisputedly an International Bestseller; a perfect mélange of all emotions, a ride to experience love and happiness in a way that would force you to be happy in your own life.

Life...

Life... This has always puzzled me more, whenever I tried to understand it. When I think that I am into some sort of epiphany, or some kind of realization, then suddenly something unique would happen, and it would leave me like a lost child.

I have been reading quite a few philosophical books and articles these days, or I should say books with certain message, and I was happy to be able to relate them to my real life. There is one thing common in all the articles and books I read, is that all the living beings are connected through some force called Universe, and one should always be happy and smile whatever the case may be. But, again something unusual happened in my life, or in life around me, that sometimes made me think that the above condition is a paradox in itself. My mom being a very religious person has been to Mathura, for some religious ceremony. It has been decided that me, my grand maa, my brother and my sister in law would join her after some days, and will return back. But, me not interested in attending religious ceremonies, refused to accompany them, and preferred staying at home with dad. Everything was going good, up till two days before the day of their journey to Mathura, when sudden and unexpected death news of my sister in law's aunt arrived, and which prevented her from going. So, finally my brother and grand maa left. The day when they were about to return, floods took a massive shape in Karnataka, and all the trains of that route were cancelled from Mathura. My brother, mother and grand maa got stuck in Mathura railway station, not knowing what to do, and also it was Sharad Poornima that night, which attracted thousands of visitors to Mathura, and with all the luggage they have, they could not catch another train without reservation. On hearing the train cancellation news at home, we also got tensed, that how they will manage with so many luggages, as it was impossible for them to get reservation. But after some time, they found a way out, and hired a taxi. When this was all over, this incident gave me and my father good laughs, and we spent good time laughing on them and teasing them on phone. They all returned home safely, and we all together shared some laughing moments at their condition on railway station, with thousands of people around them, and they were standing there like a fool carrying luggage, with nowhere to go. Next morning, I came to know that floods in Karnataka had taken lives on 150 innocent people. At first I was normal, as the natural calamities have now days become a common thing, but when I related with the happenings of my life, I ended up puzzled. All the incidents proved, we all are connected through some force, as the floods in Karnataka, cancelled the train, which gave my family some laughing moments; but on the other hand there were lives of 150 innocent people, who have somehow became the reason for the happy moments of my family. But, should I be happy or sad for the floods?? This has raised a new question in my mind; this is one incident which I correlated, I don't know how many more similar incidents were responsible for my good times.

INDIA and Millennium Development Goals

Let me first tell you something about 'Millennium Development Goals', they are 8 targets or goals to be achieved by 2015, not only by INDIA, but 192 United Nations Member States and around 23 International Organizations agreed to achieve it by 2015. The MDGs are- 1.Eradicate extreme powerty and hunger 2.Achieve Universal Primary Education 3.Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women 4.Reduce Child Mortality 5.Improve Maternal Health 6.Combat HIV/AIDS Malaria and other diseases 7.Ensure Environmetal sustainability 8.Global Partnership for development

It didn't surprise me to find out that India is not on the track of achieving these goals by 2015, for as per the report that tracks the progress made by 68 priority countries, which account for 97% of maternal and child deaths worldwide, only 16 (24%) were on track to meet the MDG compared to 7 of 60 (12%) in 2005. India, however, is not one of them.

India's target under the MDG for mortality of children under age 5 is 38 per 1,000 live births, the number of children who die before their fifth birthday stands at 76 at present, and this is not all but India is lagging behind in all the set goals, as per the article in Times of India.

One of the main reasons I think for this is unawareness of these goals amongst the people. People should be made to aware that something like Millenniium Development Goals exists and India is also the part of it, that means all Indians are part of it. To my surprise I was also one of those sleeping nerds, who was oblivious to MDG, but thanks to Mera India Bridge the gap contest, that made me aware of it.

I wrote this post just to popularize MDG's, and to share my views on how India could hope to achieve it. Let us first look at the developments of India post Independence-

In 62 years, she has seen tremendous growth in various spheres; in spheres that have changed her shape entirely. Five year development plans, initiated by Pandit Nehru, in 1951, was the first step post independence aiming at agriculture growth, and then moving slowly and getting up from its internal conflicts, she started making its marks globally, along with developing herself in areas of education, farming methods, industrialization, transportation, communication. Green Revolution in 1965 had transformed India to a food surplus economy from a food deficit economy, and Economic reforms of 1991 opened up the tracks of our companies to global market.

The first Nuclear Test explosion of India in 1974, executed with no foreign help or assistance was the example of the increasing strength of the country; setting up of educational institutes like I.I.T's and I.I.M's have supported in technological and corporate growth of the country; agricultural growth has made India the second largest wheat producer in the world, producing around 70 million tonnes per year, and more to the developments, privatization has brought a revolution in the field of infrastructure, automobile, airways, telecom, and it is evident with the launch of a unique car 'Tata Nano', that how it is changing the shape of the country.

This list will go on and on with time,but is it true that India is going on the right track of development; isn't it possible that, in this blind path of development, we are also heading to the wrong parallel misleading path in disguise. We feel very proud at our infrastructure, industrial and automotive developments, but the fact is, it is slowly destroying the environment and nature. This is evident by the prevailing problem of Ozone depletion layer in the recent years, and its would-be effect on the coming future generations. More to that, forests are getting destroyed for human growth, mountains are getting cut and converted into roads for human ease, animals and plants are getting used for the human good and luxury, but are humans the only ones living here?

There are various forms of life existing, and yes it is true that only human can use the brain; but this has to be kept in mind, that no one can change nature's laws, for it is the nature that governs each life here and not humans. We, humans, can only make it sustainable for ourselves, by accomplishing our Millennium Development Goals; and if that is not achieved with time, life will again take a dangerously, deadly steep turn destroying humans, and will bring the end of human life like the dinosaur's, millions of years back

We have to maintain environment sustainability, and we have to stop the gradual changes in the temperature of the earth. Automobiles and industries are the main source of poisonous gases in the atmosphere, although certain pollution norms are there, but there have to be certain limit to the number of vehicles for each family, and in the process a limit for number of vehicles in the city. Everybody is happy that economic cars are now available, but industrialists should also consider that a person who could only afford a two wheeler, can now purchase a four wheel by an extra effort, and this increases the number of vehicles in the city, and thus the pollution. Moreover, there should be rules for each industry releasing harmful chemicals, to adopt certain techniques to make it less harmful before dumping them into atmosphere.

Besides, irregular , untimely, and less rainfall is disturbing the farming in the country,and thus all the parameters get affected as 60 % population of the country is farmer, and also it has great contribution in our GDP. But all these things can be controlled if we take care of the surroundings. Common man should be advised through media to be in harmony with the nature, because if we are in harmony in the nature, then all our problems will be solved, and media can play the biggest role in this process, as it is proved scientifically that what one sees can perceive faster, rather than what one reads or listens, and also there is nobody in the country untouched from the media, and therefore it can surely make the difference. There should be programs inspiring people to be in harmony with the nature, to follow nature's laws, that it is only nature that governs one's life and not any other thing.

How we are inharmonious to the nature right now, can be understood in a better way by considering the gender inequality in the country, the preference to boy child, but one does not think that a girl child who was not given birth, would one day have been the mother, had created a new life, and this is what is to be in harmony with the nature; so by killing girl child we defy nature's laws. As per Times of India, country is failing to curb infant deaths, and is not on the track of achieving its set target of the same. This is not possible only with the efforts of Health Personnel, but our country as a whole should understand the importance of giving birth to girl, importance of women in our life, importance of a child for this earth; for it is the child that makes one smile and that is what is being harmonious in nature.

Indian people are overwhelmed by the celebrities of the country, and why not to use this to every possible extent, there should be programs of celebrities explaining importance of women for earth, for India. Youth should be made to understand it in their early ages, that respecting women is a great way to be in harmony with the nature, as she is the creator of life.

But, this has to be made sure that each person should understand nature's laws, and the first step for this should be to add the philosophical touch in the school courses, so as to direct the thinking of a child in the right direction, but the alarming fact of the country is with the literacy rate of 65 %, India has 296 million illiterates, age 7 years and above, as per the 2001 census.

To achieve universal primary education, free camps should be organized by the corporate leaders, bolly-wood actors, and in fact, there should be the fixed income, and if a person earning more than that, then he has to organise such an educational camp once or twice in the year. Now, it is also true that India has more than one lac millionaires in the country, and if that rule is made then there would be 2 lac such campaigns per years, and that could really help in achieving the aim of universal education.

On the whole, the best way to worship nature is to smile, but in the country of 233 million hungry people, how can one afford to smile, and those who are not hungry are smiling with diseases like HIV/AIDS, Malaria or other ones. There should be more NGOs working in the country for the same, and more medical camps should be organized; infact, there is a win-win situation out there, if a person campaigning for election, arrange for a medical camp for those suffering, instead of distributing liquor and food, then he would surely get the vote of the sufferer.

Lastly, the Millennium Development Goals can not be achieved by only youth, or old, or one state or nation, but can only be accomplished with the planned effort of all the living beings on this planet. Although, such planning of all the nations doesn't seem feasible, but each nation can do it's bit, and talking about India populating to more than billion people, can only achieve its set targets if people were made aware of such set targets of the country, for as per my estimation around 50 % of the country's population is unaware of anything like Millennium Development Goals, for it is not only the task of government, or any single organization but of the nation as a whole, and India can only hope to achieve its target before 2015, if people of all ages contribute their bit for the accomplishment of the same.

'JAI HIND'