Caste Sytem in India - Bhagawan Srikrishna is clearly against caste system
Mood:  chatty
Topic: As I think

When ever I do Q&A regarding Hinduism, I often get asked the question regarding the caste system within Hinduism.  I agree it used to be quite bad.  But Hinduism has nothing to do with Caste system.  Vedas do not talk about Caste as we understand it.

 

There are two distinctive words "Kula" and "Varna".  Kula means Caste, Varna means Quality.   In Bhagawad Gita, Holybook of Hindus, Arjuna uses the word "Kula" (Chapter 1 verse 40).  He says that the caste will get disturbed if women belong to a particular caste (as it is used today in India) become corrupt and do unwanted things leading to breaking of the caste system.  For this Lord Krishna's answer was very clear: Kutastvaa Kasmalam Idam = How did this dirty thinking came in to your mind?  Anaryam = This kind of thinking is not noble Asvargyam = This thinking can not offer you heaven Akeertikaram = This thinking is a cause to the infamy.  (Chapter 2 verse 2)  --- Please note that this is the first verse spoken by Lord Krishna.  So it is clear from this verse that Lord Krishna is totally against the word "Kula" which Arjuna has used.  Lord Krishna is very clearly saying that this kind of thinking is not noble.

 

So it is clear that Holy Gita is against caste system!!!  It is unfortunate that in India those who say they are Hindus are following what is denounced by Lord Krishna.  Even in Vedas you do not see the word "Caste" (Kula).  

When you approach someone you will never ask what is your Varna, but rather what is your caste...

 

This is where the difference lies! It is the dividing line between varna and caste. Varna is something one needs to contemplate within oneself. It has nothing to do with the Caste one is born in. Internally what one is capable of doing decides what ones Varna is...

Let us take the example of Military --- you have:-

a) Strategists - Thinkers who never fight the war
b) Warriors - Those who shoot to kill and defend the country
c) Economists / CEOs / Defense secretaries - Those who keep calculating which artillery costs how much and where they could do savings for the country by not compromising security.  They do this with out any selfish motive  -- e.g. modern day politicians and defence secretaries
d) Cleaners -- Those who keep the Army vehicle ready for combat; who cook food in the kitchen for the army; who pave the roads for Army; who does the laundry for Army; etc..;

Varna has to be understood in the above context:
(a) Strategists - Brahmins
(b) Warriors - Kshatriyas
(c) Economists - Vaisyas
(d) Cleaners - Sudras

They are classified as per their calibre. Their classification is entirely dependant on their personal likes and dislikes. For example a Strategist can not take up a combatant position because he doesn't like a physical combat.  But he is perfectly capable of preparing a war strategy.

Any modern day organization will have people fit in to this varna system. Now you may ask, where did the discrimination in the name of caste came in to picture?!

If you see around you would see discrimination rampant --- CEOs earn 30 times higher salary than those who do cleaning job. And CEOs often don't come in to contact with cleaners... It is just that their worlds don't match up! They keep to their circles. Isn't that discrimination?! It is in this context where caste system came in to picture.  

In old days people kept to their circles.  It is like attending social clubs.  In order to get entry in to a Bikers club you need to have some connection with bikers.   That is caste....

Hinduism is taking unnecessary bashing for something which they never created.  Hindu Theology can not be responsible for social evil...  

 

Alternative economic models
Mood:  chatty
Topic: As I think
 

I find this site very interesting. I think the concept is worth investing our time :-

 

 

 

 

http://www.communistrobot.com/ 

 

 

Both Capitalism and Communism are economic models based on scarcity, technological advancements generate efficiency which leads to an abundance of goods that is regulated economically by marking up prices around a minimum wage to generate a false sense of scarcity. As robots reach commercial viability and technology reaches a point of super efficiency the only actual scarcity left will be the natural scarcity of land, raw materials, and energy. Under these conditions an alternate economic model could be applied that focuses on preserving these resources and further maximizing our returns. ---

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

East or West Mahatma Gandhi's thoughts are the best
Mood:  chatty

Out of curiosity, I have been extensively reading about various economic models for the last 2 years. I still didn't find any model that comes close to Gandhian Economics which aims at restoring the human dignity. I think this is the way to go for the humanity. Exploitation stops when a human truly recognizes other human himself. Vedas of Hindus say that (know thyself and do not cheat others - Veda). We know great examples on how to restore human dignity. Buddha and Jesus Christ have shown how to restore human dignity by their acts of great compassion --- East or West Mahatma Gandhi's thoughts are the best :-)

 http://www.mkgandhi-sarvodaya.org/articles/trusteeship.htm 

Dalai Lama condemns capitalism | World | News | Toronto Sun

Dalai Lama condemns capitalism | World | News | Toronto Sun

 

 

The Dalai Lama on Thursday declared that he is still a Marxist in spirit who condemns capitalism as a system whose main goal is "how to make profit." 

I have very deep respect for Dalai Lama, he is a fantastic being. However academically speaking, how could he be a Marxist and the leader of Buddhism at the same time?! 

I am hoping he meant the above in a lighter note. Because the whole issue is very deep. Profit can only be made where there is demand. Demand is always exploited by the opportunists. 

In Buddhism, the term karma is used specifically for those actions which spring from the intention (Pali: cetana) of an unenlightened being. Being travels from birth to birth towards enlightenment towards that Buddha state. 

Each being is unique. Just like the waves in the ocean can not have same velocity and length; just like thumb prints of humans do not match with each other; the karma of beings does not match. The soul has a unique code. The soul is as unique as the thumb print of a human body. 

Marxism gives importance to matter over spirit. Matter can be organized; matter can be paraded; matter can be denied. For example, a Marxist aspires to create only one type of car in the entire world with out any variety. By doing so his intention is to deny giving raise to desire and envy. But just like we can't ask all the waves in the ocean to raise at the same length and velocity, we can't put a stop to desire. It is this desire that makes room for profit. 

We are humans and we have our frailties. Marxism is intolerant towards human frailties. Stalin is a great example, recently what happened in Tianmen Square (massacre of students)  is also a great example of Marxist intolerance towards human frailty. Glasnost of Gorbachev which gave raise to democracy in Russia is a fine example of spirit removing itself from the clutches of Marxist control!

Is Dalai Lama denying the importance of enlightenment by declaring he is a marxist?! This need clarification.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think some of the Asian political hearts have frozen in time

Very good informative article.

 

http://www.sathnam.com/Features/236/election-2010-wolverhampton 

 

It is my experience too in my ward during my campaign. I felt sad because some of the Asian voters made racist comments right on my face. 

I felt more homely with white voters. At least I was able to have political straight-forward dialogue with them, weather they are Labour, Lib-dem or Tory. But somehow I felt Asian political heart is frozen in time. They just don't know and they don't care to know about society and governance. 

For majority of Asian voters Labour means literal dictionary meaning. I agree majority of Asian voters are Labour immigrants but a party shouldn't be associated just with its dictionary meaning. Not knowing and not caring actually makes them more isolated.... 

I realized majority of Asian voters have major contribution in throwing out conservative council in Ealing that has done so much good! In my own ward Asians came out in scores and voted Labour councillors even though they have never done any good. Post election some of the white voters came to me and expressed their anger for the unnecessary discrimination by Asian voters. Asians not thinking for the sake of good governance, conveys their contempt. And it not a good sign, this attitude helps no one. :-(

Hindu funeral and what it really means for a Hindu
Mood:  chatty
Topic: As I think

I can die in peace, says Hindu, after judges back fight for open-air pyre

Personally I am delighted to learn that UK has a loving and accommodative law with a provision for Hindus to grieve in their own way.

As a Hindu priest, I attended many funerals but unfortunately I always left the crematoriums with a feeling that the whole process is too sanitized.  The mere 30 minutes that a Hindu family gets to grieve is not really enough. Also the funeral is not particularly following the instructions of Hindu scriptures.

For the followers of Hinduism death is a very important final step of soul's rights of passage called Samskaras.  For Hindus the soul makes a wonderful journey from womb to the tomb.  The soul gets embodied during the first right of passage called Garbhadana (conception) and the soul gets out of embodiment during the last and very important right of passage called "Antyesti" (funeral).

Hindu scriptures are very instructional in how this final rites have to be performed.  These are called as "Apara Karmas" in Sanskrit.  For Hindus funeral is not merely burning the body! It is a very important ritual.  

It is a wide-spread misunderstanding that Hindus just burn the bodies of their departed.  Traditional Hindus do not see it that way! They see the funeral as a place where they can finally meet and greet and offer their respects to one of the very important Gods called "Kravyadha" also known as "Dakshinagni".  (Rigveda 10:18:12)  As per Hindu scriptures this God acts like a courier between the earth and heavens.  When you want to post an article to someone, you make sure that there are correct stamps, and the address is properly written! Same way the funeral for Hindus is giving a proper send-off by invoking the right God.  

During the funeral  the Body is accompanied by the relatives (women and children below 18 years are not allowed or discouraged from attending).  

The Hindu scripture says it is two of those male elderly relatives get the good fortune of being with the body till it becomes ash.  During that time, as per scripture, they get rarely a once in life time opportunity to  pray to the God Kravyadha who is responsible for taking the souls to Heaven.  

In west the funeral tradition (eg. placing the body in coffin)  is geared towards preparing the body towards the day of resurrection.  Where as Hindus and other dharmic faiths (eg. Buddhists) prepare the dead body for reincarnation.  So for Hindus it is a faith based process. 

Bhagawad Gita, which is a core faith book for Hindus clearly states about reincarnation:

 

vasamsi jirnani yatha vihaya navani grhnati naro'parani

tatha sarirani vihaya jirnany anyani samyati navani dehi

Chapter 2, verse 22

Translation:

As a person gives up old and worn out garments and accepts new apparel, similarly the embodied soul giving up old and worn out bodies verily accepts new bodies.

So within the above context of "Preparing the soul for reincarnation by offering the departed into the hands of a proper God" is very important for Hindus.  Not performing such rites are tantamount to sending a package to wrong address.  It is advised in Hindu traditions, especially in a scripture called Garuda Purana which deals exclusively on the subject of Death,  that the Hindu souls --- that did not receive proper Hindu funeral --- will wander in nether worlds for a long time.  So I have often noticed that relatives of the departed, who have knowledge of the scripures, go through this huge amount of guilt!  So I very much understand what Mr. Ghai (who won the case) must be feeling like...

 

So for Hindus the funeral is a very serious matter. Therefore Hindus want to make sure the soul is offered in to the loving hands of God Kravyadha who makes it swift and allows the soul to travel peacefully towards reincarnation.  Unfortunately, so far it is understood that within UK law, there is no provision for such process to take place for Hindus.  But I am glad now we know that there is such a provision and that there a loving allowance with in UK law for the Hindu relatives can grieve properly.

Those who would like to read more of this case can click the following link:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article7021722.ece 

It is unfortunate that some of the Hindus --  who did not study Hinduism in depth,  can not appreciate the scriptural instruction that the soul is given in to the hands of God Kravyadha --- think that  it is mere burning of the dead body.  I agree when you do not look at the Hindu funeral from the Hindu reincarnation point of view, when you can't see the funeral from a Hindu perspective,  it appears as horrendous.  But it is all crystal clear for those who properly studied Hinduism and recognize the presence of a God at the funeral place.  Instead of keeping the Human death away from consciousness, by pushing  the red-button and closing the curtains at the crematorium, Hindu followers are encouraged to assimilate the fact what happens to their body after death.  Hindu funeral also has deep philosophical significance.

I must admit that I do not see the judgement as a clearance to have open funeral pyres wherever one wanted!!!  I see it rather a loving allowance where Hindus are allowed with in law to grive their way.   

One has to follow the Law of the land and must adhere to the regulations about health and safety.  It is only when permission is given by the regulatory bodies that a hindu cremation can take place.

Over all I am delighted to see the clarity in Law.  I am interviewed by BBC stations on this issue.  Please see given below the links to my comments.  

1) BBC Radio Solent: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p006bkxx/Tim_Daykin_14_02_2010/
For my comments please listen from 01:05

2) BBC Radio Leeds:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p006bm2m/Richard_Staples_14_02_2010/
listen from 01:20:00

3) BBC Radio Cornwall:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p006blp4/BBC_Cornwalls_Faith_Programme_14_02_2010/
Listen from 33:00:00

4) BBC Hereford & Worcester
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p006bkdn/Andrew_Easton_Sunday_Breakfast_14_02_2010/
Listen from 01:45:00

5) BBC Lancashire
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p006bl80/Joe_Wilson_14_02_2010/
Listen from: 2:15:50

5) BBC Coventry and Warwickshire
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p006bks5/Stuart_Linnell_14_02_2010/
Listen from 0:48:30

6) BBC WM WestMidlands
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p006bl23/Andrew_Peach_14_02_2010/
Please listen from: 1:49:10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purandareswari must be the CM of Andhra Pradesh
Mood:  chatty

It is very sad that Sri Rajasekhara Reddy passed away in such a tragic accident.  His sudden departure, for sure, has ensued a leadership battle. 

However, it is alarming to notice how quickly the MLAs of AP tried to throne YSR's son Jagan as CM.  Not that there is something wrong with Jagan.  But my question is --- what is the rush?!  There are quite a few reasons why they shouldnt rush in installing Jagan as CM.  Foremost of them is that Jagan is just 100 days old in politics, he never played an active role in politics.  He is the son of YSR is not a good enough reason for him to be throned as CM.  There have to be better reasons than this.  So I think Jagan should continue in the politics for some more time and show his strength and his committment to the nation before he becomes the CM.

The one leader who comes to my mind who fits the position to become CM of Andhara Pradesh is Smt. Purandareswari.  She is one of the finest lady politicians we have in India.  I personally attended her lectures in Birmingham, when she was chief guest at a function, and at Geneva in Switzerland.  Her lectures made me admire her leadership thinking, her statesmanship and her committment to the nation building.  She is more than just a politician. Irrespective of her political affiliation I have nothing but admiration for her, especially her passion for educating India is fascinating!  At any meeting she can stand as a fine example of how a woman with brains can lead India.  Purandareswari can be compared in her caliber to current president of India Mrs. Pratibha Patil and Late Prime minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi.

I strongly believe Mrs. Purandareswari, who is Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development must be made Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. I am sure under her able leadership AP will see great growth.  

 

 

 

 

 

Visiting Mahatma Gandhi's home in South Africa
Mood:  chatty
Topic: Travel

As you know I am fascinated by Mahatma Gandhi.  Recently I had a nice opportunity to visit Johannesburg in South Africa.  You may have rightly guessed I was so thrilled!  I was thrilled to visit the land where Mahatma Gandhi has practiced as as an young lawyer.  He lived in Jo'burg for almost 21 years. 

As you know Mahatma Gandhi arrived in South Africa in 1893 to handle a legal case in Pretoria. He moved to Johannesburg in 1903 and, in between return visits to India, stayed in the country for 21 years before going back to his homeland.

When Gandhi first came to Johannesburg he lived in rooms behind his law offices in Rissik Street. Henry Pollak was a partner in his law firm and Gandhi moved into Pollak's house in Orange Grove, at 34 Grove Road.   You can see the 34 Grove road home I am standing in front of it.

I am writing the following experience as a caution to those visiting Gandhians who venture to find 34 Grove Road. 

Actually finding 34 Grove road was nothing short of  finding a treasure.   In Jo'burg there is hardly any public transport.  You will have to use the private busses which are capable of carrying 12 people.  But often you will notice they carry a lot more people illegally crammed in to the space.  Anyway it is best to hire a private taxi, mind you it will cost you a lot of money. I found South Africa very expensive.

Anyway I wanted to visit 34 Grove  Road, asked my taxi to take me there.  Poor driver has no idea who Mahatma Gandhi was, but  I had to remind him during our journey who it was then he very enthusiastically joined my quest to find 34 Polak Road.  I have used Google Maps in my Blackberry to find where Grove Road is... unfortunately the Grove Road that it shows on the maps is wrong!  So we landed up in knocking doors of the wrong house.  The lady of the house was very reluctant to answer first.  But then when I told that I am searching for 34 Grove Road where Mahatma Gandhi once lived, she came opening the door.  She answered "I wish Gandhi lived here.  But this is not the Grove Road you are looking for there is another one in this vicinity"  and she told us how to reach there. 

Finally I was able to reach the right Grove Road however you will notice that House Number 34 is mysteriously missing!  You will see House 32 and 35 but not 34.  We have to go up and down the street and finally found House 34 standing on its own totally unrelated to the rest of the House Numbers. 

I ventured again to press the calling bell.  A lady has responded and she confirmed that Mahatma Gandhi lived there.  I was elated... Took a few pictures.  I stood there for some time imagining Mahatma Gandhi regularly going in and out of the home.  I had to take a deep breath to get out of my excitement.  

As a student I lived in Mahatma Gandhi's Sevagram Ashram some twenty years back.  Now that I live in London I went to all places where Gandhi lived and where he studied.  Those who have seen my TV documentary "Gandhi as an NRI (Non resident Indian :-))" may have noticed I presented Mahatma Gandhi's life in London, UK. 

Now by visiting Johannesburg in South Africa I finally completed tracing Mahatma Gandhi's major stopover in his life. 

 Me standing in front of 34 Grove Road:

Long view of 34 Grove Road

A beautiful Blyde River Canyon, Mpumalanga, South Africa

 

 

Grand Canyon
Mood:  chatty
Topic: Travel

 

Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA 

 

Sedona a serene stream

Hoover Dam

 

 

 

 

 

HAPPY UGADI (TELUGU NEW YEAR) 27th 2009

HAPPY GUDIPADVA TO ALL MY FRIENDS FROM MAHARASTHRA :)

What is happening in Srilanka is not good.. Governments should respect international law at all costs
Mood:  sad
Topic: As I think

Wise old wisdom says "even though the other person is terrible -- never look away from the good Godly quality of compassion within you, for when you do that you are writing your soul to devils"...

What is happening to Tamils in Srilanka is immensely painful.  War is always painful it brings immense misery for both winners and losers! War has to be the last resort.... and War has to follow the rules of engagement! 

I felt immesely pained watching the Sky news Sri Lanka's Defense Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapakse saying "No hospital should operate outside the Safety Zone...everything beyond the safety is a legitimate target,".  This statement of Mr. Rajapakse  is a direct disregard to the laws of Humanity. 

There is no such thing called "Safety Zone" for wounded.  They must get immediate treatment there and then!  Sometimes moving the terribly wounded would result in immediate death!  Is Mr. Rajapakse ignoring all this?  Isn't this accepting the culpability of Srilanka as a state disregarding Hospitals?!

Geneva convention clearly says that nobody should "Deliberately target hospitals or civilians".  Srilanka admitting that they do not regard a Hospital as such, because it doesn't fall in a saftey zone, does not hold ground!  It is definitely a war crime! 

If legitimate governements start disregarding Geneva Conventions then the day would not be far where we all descend in to chaos! 

I pray for the welbeing of the innocent hapless civilians wounded caught-up in this terrible war! 

Satyam's asatyam - The role played by the auditors
Mood:  irritated
Topic: Business

AGAIN ANOTHER GREED FILLED STORY:  Morally currupt and disgusting story of the Chairman of a Software company and Auditors who have equal part in it.   

It is so shocking that the company that is named as "Truth" (satyam) has now made its name synonym to "Asatyam" (lie)...

I am deeply shocked and felt angry to read the scandal involving the chairman of Satyam computer services of India.  www.satyam.com in his letter to the board Ramalinga Raju states that the books are not reflecting the true state of the company affairs.  I wonder then what is the role played by the auditors! 

 I think the Auditors who signed the reports should also be barred from doing any further business.  In fact, they must be all be held accountable for their irregularities and appropriate legal actions necessary must be taken against them, necessary punishment must be given to them so that any future accountants auditors would know that a lie will never take them anywhere.    The auditors, by signing the account books filled with lies as truth, have made millions of shareholders miserable.  Now what morale will last in the employees who are working for Satyam?! 

You can see the blatant lies the auditors have written from the following image.  They have over inflated the numbers to just gain share value!!!

I believe this is just the beginning.  There are many companies in India whose accounts are filled with lies.  There is no real corporate governance in India.  The government is equally weak in its enforcement of law.  This scandal is India's equallent to Enron scandal. 

Here are some other controversies in which PwC was named.

 

 

An interesting letter to the Indian Prime Minister Mr. Singh
Mood:  chatty
Topic: Democracy

This is an interesting letter that I received over e-mail. I thought it makes real sence.  I can see the anguish of the author so I thought sharing with you would be best.  I do not know who the original author of this letter is, but the subject line says: "Subject: FW: Editor Mumbai (Times of India)"

LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER

 

Dear Mr. Prime Minister

 

I am a typical mouse from Mumbai. In the local train compartment which has capacity of 100 persons, I travel with 500 more mouse. Mouse at least squeak but we don't even do that.

 

Today I heard your speech. In which you said 'NO BODY WOULD BE SPARED'. I would like to remind you that fourteen years has passed since serial bomb blast in Mumbai took place. Dawood was the main conspirator. Till today he is not caught. All our Bollywood Actors, our builders, our Gutka king meets him but your Government can not catch him. Reason is simple; all your ministers are hand in glove with him. If any attempt is made to catch him everybody will be exposed. Your statement 'NOBODY WOULD BE SPARED' is nothing but a cruel joke on this unfortunate people of India.

 

Enough is enough. As such after seeing terrorist attack carried out by about a dozen young boys I realize that if same thing continues days are not away when terrorist will attack by air, destroy our nuclear reactor and there will be one more Hiroshima .

We the people are left with only one mantra. Womb to Bomb to Tomb. You promisedMumbaikar Shanghai what you have given us is Jalianwala Baug.

Today only your home minister resigned. What took you so long to kick out this joker? Only reason was that he was loyal to Gandhi family. Loyalty to Gandhi family is more important than blood of innocent people, isn't it?

 

I am born and bought up in Mumbai for last fifty eight years. Believe me corruption inMaharashtra is worse than that in Bihar. Look at all the politician, Sharad Pawar, Chagan Bhujbal, Narayan Rane, Bal Thackray , Gopinath Munde, Raj Thackray, Vilasrao Deshmukh all are rolling in money. Vilasrao Deshmukh is one of the worst Chief minister I have seen. His only business is to increase the FSI every other day, make money and send it to Delhi so Congress can fight next election. Now the clown has found new way and will increase FSI for fisherman so they can build concrete house right on sea shore. Next time terrorist can comfortably live in those house , enjoy the beauty of sea and then attack the Mumbai at their will.

 

Recently I had to purchase house in Mumbai. I met about two dozen builders. Everybody wanted about 30% in black. A common person like me knows this and with all your intelligent agency & CBI you and your finance minister are not aware of it. Where all the black money goes? To the underworld isn't it? Our politicians take help of these goondas to vacate people by force. I myself was victim of it. If you have time please come to me, I will tell you everything.

 

If this has been land of fools, idiots then I would not have ever cared to write you this letter. Just see the tragedy, on one side we are reaching moon, people are so intelligent and on other side you politician has converted nectar into deadly poison. I am everything Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Schedule caste, OBC, Muslim OBC, Christian Schedule caste, Creamy Schedule caste only what I am not is INDIAN. You politician have raped every part of mother India by your policy of divide and rule.

Take example of former president Abdul Kalam. Such a intelligent person, such a fine human being. You politician didn't even spare him.  Your party along with opposition joined the hands, because politician feels they are supreme and there is no place for good person.

 

Dear Mr Prime minister you are one of the most intelligent person, most learned person. Just wake up, be a real SARDAR. First and foremost expose all selfish politician. Ask Swiss bank to give name of all Indian account holder. Give reins of CBI to independent agency. Let them find wolf among us. There will be political upheaval but that will better than dance of death which we are witnessing every day.  Just give us ambient where we can work honestly and without fear. Let there be rule of law. Everything else will be taken care of.

 

Choice is yours Mr. Prime Minister. Do you want to be lead by one person or you want to lead the nation of 100 Crore people?

 

Carnage in Mumbai
Mood:  don't ask

I am really shocked!  This appears to be really a well thought out plan. The terrorists clearly have four targets (1) Indians (2) ATS (3)  US and British Citizens (4) Jews

Target 1:  Hapless Indians :  They attacked CTS railway terminus where all poor people who would like to catch the early morning train congregate. The terrorists indiscriminantly opened fire on those innocent Indians to create Terror and carnage. Also they were making this as a step towards achieving their Target 2!

Target 2:  ATS -  ATS is mainly responsible for bringing down a lot of terrorist cells in India. Clearly ATS is the target of the terrorists.  They knew that ATS Chief officers will come over to Gama hospital to get any information possible from the wonded surviers of the initial attack.  The brave officers were ambushed and killed. I salute those brave officers.  May the flag of India offer eternal warmth and rest to their souls.

Target 3:   American and British nationals -- The terrorists clearly knew that both Taj and Obrai hotels are full of foreigners.  They went in to those hotels and started asking people to show their identifications.  They are particularly interestsed in finding out who are US and British nationals.  Some of the British nationals are seriously wounded, one of the British citizen lost his life!  My heartfelt sympathies to those families who lost their lovedones.  It is terrible this happened to them.

Target 4:  JEWs -  They have attacked a  peaceful Jewish centre in Noriman point.  They captured Isrealites and a Rabbai and held them hostage. 

Besides the above four targets the terrorists also have some other targets.  But this clearly shows their cowerdice.  They can not win a direct military combat with India as they tried and got defeated in Kargil.  They chose a soft target. 

Now it is important to findout where these terrorists came from!  They must have got trained in the terrorist training camps.  It is a full fledged military training that they have used on the innocent civilians causing carnage and mayhem!

My heartfelt condolances to everyone who lost their lovedones. 

Love & Light,

Madhava

 

Credit Crisis - search for a mythical toy that is - MADE IN USA
Mood:  down
Topic: As I think

Credit Crisis - search for a mythical toy that is - MADE IN USA

 

GREED  - is the only word that comes to my mind when I look at today's world markets.  The money that the big-people claim they lost is never existed in the first place.  It is only the common man who has sold his savings to play in the share markets; and the workers who kept their corporate pensions in the hands of funds that went bust. 

 

Coming to the issue of common-man, a person by definition works hard by honest means to make ends meet; a man who earns money by sweating on the factory floors; a man who does everything in his honest means to bring that daily bread to the family's dinner table!  Common-man is a man who can only trust his physical ability to work; uses his hands and legs.  You don't find common-man in the universities; neither at the top of the corporate chain -- just because he couldn't afford that great MBA degree to put him in the corporate hierarchies; or we could also understand a common-man is a man who doesn't have that kind of mental ability to think of great mathematics to do a white-color job.  I think it is this common-man who is blamed for this whole credit crunch.  Banks are blamed for giving mortgages to these common men because they couldn't pay back. 

 

Now hang on a minute... let us me think clearly... So you think it is a mistake to give mortgage to a common-man.  I know for a fact that banks are not donors; neither standing in streets giving away money!  Bankers do at least a descent amount of vetting before they go on giving mortgage to the common man.  They check if this common-man has a daily wage or any means of paying back the loan.  So those who are offered the loan in the last 15 years started failing to pay back their mortgage -- hence they called it as "Toxic Debt".

 

I would like to ask a few direct questions here:  Why has the common-man failed to pay back his mortgage?!  What has so significantly changed in his life that he can not afford a mortgage anymore?!  Has be became lazy and not working?!  The answer could be a BIG NO.  Let us accept that there is common decency in the common-man. 

Given a chance nobody would like to beg, borrow or live like parasites on the others.  At least this is the case with regards to Human race.  So something may be "a force beyond the control of this common-man" has pushed him in to a place where he can not afford the bills anymore, where he can not pay back the mortgage anymore!  What could be this force?!  Has the great thinkers, who are easily blaming the bankers for giving so-called toxic-credit to the common-man, ever bothered to find what has taken place in common-man's life.

 

 

I think I know the answer.  I am not an economist but I believe the capacity to earn a descent living is taken away from the common-man.  All the jobs that a common-man could do are exported.  If you offer mortgage to a common-man then taking away his job from him is the perfect way to make him default on his mortgage.  I believe this has happened in a massive scale.  Now you may say that the jobless index is quite low ... blah blah blah... but it is definitely effecting.  There has to be a logical reason for the common-man's failure to pay back his debt!

 

Recently I was in USA.  My wife has asked me a question that made me think of all this.  She asked me "why in USA we find everywhere made in China?”  I was there for 10 days visiting Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Los Angeles and Seaworld in San Diego.  By the way, I can't afford this kind of vacation but I happed to win a raffle ticket in one of the conferences I went so I went.  Anyway, I was constantly looking for any single item that I could find that is written the word "Made in USA" in all these places I went.  Please take a look, none of the shops where ever you go will have "made in usa" toys or cloths with them. 

 

I visited one of my friends in LA and I mentioned this to her that I couldn't find a single toy that has "Made in USA".  She remarked --- all those jobs are exported by the greedy number crunchers.  I can see how sad it feels to know that people are made to lose their jobs.  Their factory floors are shut down in the name of exporting all inferior jobs.  It is like pulling the rug under the feet of the common-man.  I also came to know of the stories where people were forced to learn entirely new-skills.  Those who failed have lost their jobs.  But isn't it "mental ability" that makes one learned?

 

Who is responsible for the common-man's failure to repay his mortgage?  I wouldn't blame the bankers for their indiscretion in giving loans.  They know what they are doing.  But the "GREED" that is up there somewhere in the thinking-chain in the great American Corporate has made the collapse happen. It really pains me to think of the plight of the people who lose their jobs not because of their inability to work, but because someone else sitting up-there thinks by exporting your job they would make a few extra bucks!  I feel sorry for you the common-man of America.

 

Love & Light,

Madhava

 

 

 

Global petrol rate came down to $48 - how so?!

If it could come down to $48 then what is the price that we were asked to pay in the month of January 2008?  It was almost $148.  What happend to that $100 hike?

So they could afford to sell the petrol to us at $48 but their greed made them hike the price to make them a profit of $100.  No wonder world is in such trouble today.  Can we ever arrive at a place where all humans think collectively keeping their GREED aside and think for the common good of the society?! What are those Hedgefund guys doing in those $20 Million mansions with 25 car private garages?!  Where has that money come from? Are they responsible for the $100 hike in the petrol or the hike and decline in the global stock market crash.

I think we need to clearly soul search now.  Staying away from GREED  based thinking is good for the whole humanity.  And staying away from GREED based thinkers is good for the corporations and Governments.

Love & Light,

Madhava

Barack Obama a symbol of hope
Mood:  party time!

This is a fantastic news to the whole world!  Barak Obama has proven to the world that democracy can heal the wounds, can break the barriars, can show that with a strong will --- one can!  Undoubtely this is a proud moment in American History. 

Mr Obama is inheriting a budget deficit running into hundreds of billions a year and a national debt which is about to go over the $11 trillion mark.  But I am sure he has a plan and he has all the blessings for he carries "Lord Hanuman" as one of his luckey charms. (Please see below the Time's photo)  Sri Hanumanji is a Hindu God who symbolises hope the "Yes we can" factor.  When everone is doubting wheather it is ever possible to find Sita, wife of Lord Rama abducted by Ravan, it is Sri Hanumanji who assured everyone that he will not only cross the impossible ocean but also find the Sita (the symbol of peace).  Hanumanji is known for making what seems to be impossible as possibility. 

Mr. Obama clearly blessed the Love of Madonna, the blessing of Jesus and the great strength of Hanumanji.  My congratulations and best wishes to Mr. Obama.

http://www.time.com/time/politics/whitehouse/photos/0,27424,1811278,00.html

 

Illegal immigrant who killed graduate will not be deported because of human rights
Mood:  irritated
Topic: Democracy

In England --- Illegal Immigration, Reckless Marriage, Murderer of an Innocent  --- all are protected by Human rights... (Tongue in cheek)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/3375923/Illegal-immigrant-who-killed-graduate-will-not-be-deported-because-of-human-rights.html 

I fail to understand this judgement. I believe this is blatant abuse of human rights. I have the following questions to ask with regards to the judgement.

1. Why did a British citizen marry an illegal immigrant?! knowing that he might be deported some day?.. (it seems this marriage took place 3 years back) what was going on in her head when she marrying an illegal immigrant? 

2. The illegal immigrant has openly defied all rules of the country.  Does he know that he has to obey the rules? He is driving without a license and without a proper insurance cover. He was driving at 60MPH when he killed an aspiring writer, it was clearly a murder. 

Does he know while he was driving illegally that he has a wife and a baby who are dependant on him? what was going on in his head? Clearly in the argument he pleaded for his wife and baby but what happend to that sence of purpose when he was driving illegally?!

3. Now when the government is ready to deport him, he went to seek Human Rights protection "The right to a family life".  The illegal immigrant claims that his deportation would cause a lot of harm to his wife and his baby...

Would anyone buy this argument! We clearly know,  when he was openly defying all the rules of the country, that he never respected his family.  Also, we can clearly see that he was not thinking of the welfare of his wife and baby when he defied all rules and murdered an innocent by reckless driving. 

Isn't this blatant abuse of Human Rights?!  Is this what the law givers wanted to happen when they created the Human Rights laws? A law that could be used by criminals to abuse it for their selfishgains, senseless purposes to harm everyone and to get away with criminal acts like murder!

I really fail to understand the judgement.  My heart cries out for the hapless victim and an innocent child.  One paid with her life and the other... who knows what the child has to pay to be with a father who forever has to live with a guilt of committing such a crime.

Attacks on Church is wrong - MUST STOP IMMEDIATLY!
Mood:  on fire

I fail to understand why any true Hindu would ever go and attack a Church.  It is wrong and we should all condemn it.  Any such act is deplorable and brings collective shame to the glorious Hindu Dharma that we all adhere to. 

If we think some Christian Organizations are doing everything wrong then think what Christ said during the time of his crufixion "Father! Forgive them for they know not what they are doing"...

I do understand the pain the ordinary Hindus may be going through when they read phamplets distributed by some organizations.  

Someone has forwarded me a copy of the book Satyadarsini published in Kannada by an organization.  I felt totally sad to read such a nasty attack on Hindu scriptures. The books publishing is attributed to http://www.newlifevoice.org However newlife organization vehemently denies that it has ever published such a book. http://www.newlifevoice.org/currentissues.asp  Who ever is responsible for printing it clearly caused a lot of rift between communties.

By the way, you must know this is one of the reasons why I believe Hindu scriptures are 90% falsified!  I believe Hindu scriptures were deliberately inserted with concocted texts to put the followers of Hinduism in Shame and guilt. There are inserted texts to deliberately derail Hinduism from its mainstream preaching -- Peace, Hormony and Higher Purpose of Life.

Except the three books (1) Brahma Sutras (2) Ten Major Upanishads (3) Bhagawad Gita -- nothing else should be considered as a serious Hindu text.  Let us accept the fact that all other Hindu texts except the above three (prasthana trayas) are deliberatly destroyed.  NO POINT IN DEFENDING THE FORT THAT HAS TOO MANY HOLES IN IT.  Hindus must abandon the forts of all other texts.  Remember Mahatma Gandhi's proud assertion towards Hinduism - "The first verse of Isa Upanishad alone stands as a truth of Hinduism". (Isa is a part of the above three books)

Acceptance of any other Hindu text as a serious book that reflects true Hindu religion would attract a nasty attack listed in books like Satyadarsini.

Honestly I feel I understand Hinduism in its true light.  But I felt immense pain when I read Satyadarsani book that is published by Some organization.  So I can empathise with the pain of fellow Hindus.  Even then, physical attack  on Church is not right!  We as Hindus are not meant for such violant behaviour.

What has pained me in Satyadarsini are the following points:  Satya Darshini book is widely distributed by its missionaries. Here below is the translation of some of the most abusive passages: “Urvashi — the daughter of Lord Vishnu — is a prostitute.
Vashistha is the son of this prostitute.
He in turn married his own Mother. Such a degraded person is the Guru of the Hindu God Rama. (page 48).
When Krishna himself is wallowing in darkness of hell, how can he enlighten others? Since Krishna himself is a shady character, there is a need for us to liberate his misled followers (page 50). It was Brahma himself who kidnapped Sita.
“Since Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva were themselves victims of lust, it is a sin to consider them as Gods. (page 39).
When the Trinity of Hinduism (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) are consumed by lust and anger, how can they liberate others? The projection of them as Gods is nothing but a joke. (page 39). God, please liberate the sinful people of India who are worshipping False Gods. (Page 39).”

The above points in Satyadarsani (pointer of truth) are really "asatya darsani" (pointers of non-truth).  They are truely an insult to Hindu Gods and  blasphemy brought against the most sacred Hindu Gods.

Christianity and Hinduism have a core message in common "Peace".  Prophet Christ is a true messenger of Peace because he never fought with his tormentors.  It was his utmost faith in the power of his father.  So I tend to see all Christians in the light of the actions of their Prophet.  Prophet Christ was never an aggressor.  So his followers can't be agressors.  If they did then they are not Christians. 

So in the name of prevailing peace I would suggest all Missionnaires, who are working in India to help poor Indians, to continue helping poor, but please do watch out if anyone is working against your goodwill.  All Hindus must continue their message of peace and follow the same old principles of "Live and Let Live"..

Love & Light,

Madhava