Parents: The Guilty Ones

I often put myself into their shoes and think whether I will do the same what they are doing. When it’s proved that their children were responsible for the crimes they have committed, still they choose to protect them and say their children are innocent and are been framed.

It’s hard to imagine on how they would have reacted if there kids were not the accused but the victims of such tragedies.

To come, think of it, are the parents doing the right thing in protecting their child when they are guilty and what kind of a message are they sending across?

It is such an irony that when a child growing up make mistakes, the parents reprimand them but when they commit bigger mistakes, they are shielded by the same parents who make sure that their child escape the punishment.

It makes me wonder on what goes through their minds when they are aware of their children’s misdeeds and still let them go scot-free. What compels them to take such a decision when they have all the evidence in front of them?

Guess, the parents too needs to be educated on how helping there children go scot-free of the crimes they committed make them the part of the crime too!!

Rahul's Resilience

I really admired the way he hit back at his detractors not with words but with his bat, who thought he is not good enough for the shorter version of the game.

The way Rahul's have been playing in the ongoing IPL league must have silenced his critics who keep writing him off as a "Test" player.

I was annoyed with Vijay Mallya for removing Dravid from the captaincy because his team fail to performed and was dubbed as a “Test Team” in the IPL I. I think Mallya should stick to only doing business and understand that sport is different from running a company.

One cannot expect to win even if it has the best players in the side. There are a lot of other factors that go into winning a match. No wonder Vijay Mallya is doing so poorly in his sporting adventure, his formula one team is yet to make a serious dent, his cricket team has again resided to be on the losing side (though I would like to see Dravid score no matter his team wins or losses).

Rahul Dravid truly is a class player who can play in all forms of the game. His statistics speaks for the same still he is been stereotyped as a test player. I liked the way he said during his MOM (Man of the Match) speeches that players like “me” are given a fair chance to perform in these conditions.

I thought that was an indirect hit on his critics who keep cribbing about his performance in the ODI and 20:20 matches.

I am happy to see Dravid perform and hope that he continues to do so…

Money: The Problem Without a Solution

“It's good to have money
and the things that money can buy,
but it's good, too, to check up once in a while
and make sure that
you haven't lost the things that money can't buy.”

— George Lorimer

One of the ironies of life is some people who have enough of it are still not satisfied, while there are a bunch of people who are praying to God so that they could be blessed with a windfall and get rid of their misery.

One cannot have less of it and more of it too. Money is something that we chase all our lives becomes the motto of some and causes sadness to some.

There are no answers why the rich people keep getting richer, while the poor getting poorer. When I meet people who have enough money and still show their hunger instead of helping others, I wonder if they are planning to take the money with them on their way to heaven/hell.

People keep hopping their jobs because the other company is offering two to five grand more than the company that they have recently joined. Having lots of money can bring a lot of people closer to you. Finding people with real feelings is a tough one. While those who don’t have too much of money often find themselves alone, with little help coming on their way.

The ones you played with grew up and fought, shared everything are turned into sworn enemies because they could not get enough of the money that was divided among them.

One wonders how people in miserable conditions still find happiness while loneliness looms in the corners of the palatial homes where they have no one to talk to.

Many are fooled into thinking that all that has happened was because of money. The truth is that it brings out the real colors of an individual and the importance they give to money and relationships.

Temple, Mosque & Church

One of my friends asked me, about places where one can go for sightseeing in Bombay. I told him about Gateway of India and then I moved on Siddhivinayak temple, Mahalaxmi temple, Haji Ali, Mount Mary, etc.

As I said that, I realized my friend is a Protestant and he would not visit the temple, mosque and the church I mentioned. Out of the blue I asked him a question, would he ever visit a temple or a mosque?

He said he would but he would not pray. I found it surprising considering the fact that we are taught that God is one, so why do we forget them when we grow up?

I am glad that at least he agreed that he won’t mind visiting one, unlike one of my colleagues who years back decided to stand outside a temple as he belonged to a different religion.

I think I am among the few lucky ones to be born in a family where there were no issues on religions. Our temple journey started with Siddhivinayak temple would be followed by Mahalaxmi and ended with Haji Ali. We even visited the Mount Mary Church during the novenas. I prayed in every one of them considered to be the holy places where God resides.

I am not sure what thoughts compelled them to think the way they do, but I guess it has a lot to do the way one has been brought up and how you accept certain things without questioning them. This happens to be one of them.

Waiting For An Invite

I wondered whether I was wrong in telling my friend that we will go only after he sends an invite. My friend said to me that friendship is above all that and does not need an invite. It made sense but still it did not.

Today the society has changed so much that without an invitation we hardly go anywhere even if the person is closer to us. If the person does not send out the invites to you, you hold it against them and make sure that even you do the same when you organize any events.

One of my friends was getting married and we were awaiting his invite which he said he will send or mail it. The day to his marriage was getting closer and there was no sign of the invitation.

My friend said that we need to gift him too; I agreed but said we will do that only after we received the invite. It was not like I wanted a formal invitation but he should communicate to us if he wants us to be there.

Let’s call him up and ask him when he is sending the invite (after all one cannot attend a wedding without the address of the venue) he said. I told him not to do such a foolish thing as we will be looking desperate. To come, think of it, I still did not know why my friends thought he won’t or how we got into this discussion.

My friend came out defending him saying he might be busy, there are so many things that one has to look after all, he was the only child and he was organizing everything. I agreed but if he can find time to invite his relatives, he will find time too invite us too I reasoned.

Surprisingly, that friend of mine called up and asked for certain details and then disconnected the line. I could understand his situation and still I was waiting to hear from him again.

My friends went ahead and called him up and even asked him when he was sending the invite. He said he will do it the next day (my guess). Two days passed and there was no sign of that invitation.

On an early Sunday morning, I (and others too) got an SMS which had the wedding venue address and he also said that he had mailed us the invite which was a relief. There were hardly a few days left and still we were undecided on the gift.

I downloaded the invite and opened it which brought a smile to my face. It read PRESENTS IN BLESSINGS ONLY :DD

Everything ended in a good note, but still I found myself thinking about it…

P.S.: We are still planning to gift him when we meet the next time. If you have any ideas what could be gifted, do let me know :)

I Hate

I hate when other people force you to take decisions which is against your will and when things go wrong, they blame it on your destiny.

Can Money Buy Love?

A girl who got a marriage proposal wherein the boy said “yes” to her even though he was aware of her not being normal like us.

She had developed a disability which could have been rectified but her family did very little to do anything about it even though they had the resources to fix it.

Today she has come of a marriageable age and her family is desperately trying to settle her. They won’t mind if the “groom” does not even belong to their status and are willing to settle down the boy if he agrees.

When the guy said yes, her family was happy but there was a question about his intentions. Did he agree because she was rich and he was not or that he will get a better place to live instead of the small chawl that he lives in with his family? What is the guarantee that the boy will look after her and not be ashamed of her disability? Will the girl be able to adjust as she has always been pampered and got everything what she wants?

Should the girl pay with her life for her family’s ignorance if things don’t work they should have? Should she succumb to the family pressure and say yes as it is difficult to find grooms for her? Will money buy the love that she was looking for…

Hangover

I tried getting up, but could not as the effect of it was still there. Lost in my own world, I found myself in my dreams and heard a voice that spoke in between.

In between I lost my conscious again. Again went through the same ordeal where the mind was awake but the body immovable. I tried again to get over its effect.

Finally I did got up; I knew that I should not have drunk too much. I was warned but when I sipped it a little, it brought the desire to have more of it. I ended up drinking too much, during the day and sometime in the middle of the night.

The summer is getting hotter, and drinking water is the only way to keep one healthy and hydrated :))

Freecycle

"Our mission is to build a worldwide gifting movement

that reduces waste, saves precious resources
and eases the burden on our landfills
while enabling our members to benefit
from the strength of a larger community."

— Mission Statement of Freecycle

Freecycle got my attention when I read an article on it in the Mid-day where people offer there stuff for free without expecting anything in return. I had heard about this group before which believes in giving out free gifts to others in order to reduce wastage, saving resources and a way to provide others that they could not afford.

One of the guys got a second hand Guitar which was put on offer and was ready to dole out music after a replacement of strings. I liked the idea of what they are doing so I too joined in though I am yet to put something on offer but I have short listed some books for which I made an offer to receive.

Lots of people have joined in, I guess after reading the article. Some of the stuff they want makes me wonder if they think they are going to get lucky :)

For instances people have posted their needs of getting a laptop, music keyboard, N72 mobile, used ipod and who can forget the musical instruments. Items that are on offer are a Washing Machine, books, audio cassettes, movies, games, etc.

I liked the idea behind the Freecycle, it’s like giving out items which has become useless to you but others might find useful/in need of them.

If you too want to join the group here is the site name www.freecycle.org and can search for Freecycle groups in your cities. Do read the general rules and guidelines.

In case if you are from Bombay here is the link to the Bombay yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mumbaifreecycle

Nar Mukti Morcha??

How would you react if someone suggested you that the men too need a support group that they are also been abused by women? Ministries need to be set up to look into their concerns. I came across two idiots who were hell bent on saying that it was men who were abused and oppressed by the female gender!!!

These idiots (especially one of them) from Bangalore started commenting on everyone 's comments and trying to make them aware about men’s oppression with regard to an article (Insensitivity of the Society) I posted on a citizen journalism site talking about the abuse that a women go through at men’s hand.

It kind of reminded me of a Shiv Sena/ Shri Ram Sena kind of vandalism but carried out online. These were the first kind of women haters I have seen who would go on such an extent which showcased their anger and hatred.

I am aware that there are instances where some women have taken advantage of the laws which were meant to protect the abused women from the torture of their husband and in-laws. Apart from that I am not aware of any other instances but if one compares them against the abuse against women, the number is relatively less.

There are always exceptions in both the genders who will try to take advantage of the loopholes in the system for personal gain but should that divert your mind for the real issues that genuine people face?

All they were talking was gibberish without stating any facts. One even went to the extent saying that I wrote the article so that I could impress women. How lame one could get? When asked to tell about the atrocities on men, the idiot went on to say that it was hidden and the media did not highlighted these issues as they were not saleable something that I don’t agree as I read about the law misuse by women in the papers.

I am pretty clear with one thing, that being educated does not make you better than those who are illiterates unless you follow your moral values and listen to your conscience. They proved that right!!

My take on the Nar Mukti Morcha: I don’t see any reason for creating one except to make changes in laws that treats women more than equal. Men support group are okay if they help you deal with issues and does not go on an offensive against women.

At first, I thought may be they have a point but the way they went in circles just made me sit back and laugh. They should be invited to be comedy clubs where they can rant about men’s oppression. I am sure people will find them entertaining.

One Day I Decided To Quit

One day I decided to quit...

I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit my life.

I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?" His answer surprised me. "Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?" "Yes", I replied.

When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor.

Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed.

But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.

"In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. "I would not quit." He said. "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.

Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant... But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots.

Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots."

"I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. " Don't compare yourself to others .." He said. " The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern ... Yet, they both make the forest beautiful."

Your time will come, " God said to me. " You will rise high! " How high should I rise?" I asked.

How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can? " I questioned.

" Yes. " He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can. "

I left the forest and bring back this story.

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.

He will never give up on you.

Never regret a day in your life.

Good days give you happiness

Bad days give you experiences;

Both are essential for life.

P.S.: Came across this forward e-mail and I guess this was meant for me!! if you remember about the God communicating with me post :)

Hmmm....

Spoke to one of my ex-team leader today after 3 years. She was one of those I looked up to but lost my respect in the end as things turned ugly.

I guess in the back of our minds we both knew about the past but on the surface we were nice to each other. She said that she will stay in touch but if I know her better, I will never hear from her again unless my friend decides to give her the phone which he did today!!