Why.Grow>Up?

So I want to write. Actually, I’ve always wanted to write. And I have a story. Wrong again, I’ve always had a story. The character? Doesn’t matter. Let’s just call him a boy.

What is the boy’s story? His story is very small- He is growing up. OK, that’s rather too small. So how long should it be? Should he grow up a few days or a few weeks or a few months in every story? Or should he just have a small story, rather than a future? Gross, right? We should all have a future, a bright one, so should our boy.

The boy. The boy is a reserved lad. Wait, “is”? Actually, that’s third person narrative in present tense. Why third person narrative? Because I want the boy’s story to be real. If I become the boy, I’ll be exaggerating- The good or the bad. Why present tense? Because I want our boy to be around us.

OK, the boy is a reserved lad. He hates studying, as most children his age do. His drawing book means the world to him. He likes painting colourful sketches of mountains & oceans & landscapes & trees for hours & hours. He wishes he was a migratory bird, flying from one place to another with turn of seasons.

How old is he? Well, he’s 9. Does he have a girlfriend. I think he’s a bit too young for that. We’ll get her one, when he’s, let’s say 13?

Now, the boy, what’s his story? One fine evening, the boy packs up his small school bag with a few of his favourite clothes, drawing book, colour pencils & sneak out of his house. Where? He doesn’t know. Why? Because he’s had enough-Enough of drawing & drawing & drawing. He wants to see, to experience the world out there.

What now?

                                                                                      To be continued…

You packed in the morning and I
Stared out the window and I
Struggled for something to say.
You left in the rain
Without closing the door
I didn’t stand in your way.

But I miss you more than I
Missed you before and now
Where I’ll find comfort, God knows.
‘Cause you left me
Just when I needed you most.

(Left me, just when I needed you most)

Now most every morning I
Stare out the window and I
Think about where you might be.
I’ve written you letters
That I’d like to send
If you would just send one to me.

‘Cause I need you more than I
Needed before and now
Where I’ll find comfort, God knows.
‘Cause you left me
Just when I needed you most.

(Left me, just when I needed you most)

You packed in the morning I
Stared out the window and I
Struggled for something to say.
You left in the rain
Without closing the door
I didn’t stand in your way.

Now I love you more than I
Loved you before and now
Where I’ll find comfort, God knows.
‘Cause you left me
Just when I needed you most.

Oh, yeah
You left me
Just when I needed you most

You left me
Just when I needed you most

Track -  Just When I Needed You Most
Album - Warmer
Released - 1979
Singer - Randy Vanwarmer
Lyrics - Randy Vanwarmer, Tony Wilson

If you’ve heard about Blog Action Day, you probably know that this year’s topic is Water. But hang on a second, WATER? Why water? I mean, yes, we all are concerned about the drinking water problems world around, but there certainly are more pressing and urgent problems our day-by-day shrinking world is facing. Absolutely right, there are wars, terrorism, education, population explosion, so on & so forth.

But think about it, a child dying of thirst? Or a child dying of disease caused by drinking contaminated water? Yes, destiny can be cruel sometimes and believe me, sometimes is an understatement.

What we take for granted instead of our constitutions stating so is the “Right to Clean Drinking Water.” It is something so basic that it wouldn’t even feature in our list of necessities, its there, by default, even if unsaid.

The face is that over one-third of the world’s population has no access to sanitation facilities and 1 out of every 4 deaths under the age of 5 worldwide is due to a water-related disease. Shocking? Well, sickening. But there is more - At any one time, half of the world’s hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from water-borne diseases.

In most sub-Saharan and in fact many developing countries, it is common for teenagers and house wives to walk for kilometers to fetch water, forget clean water. It is our duty to act and act responsibly.

What we can do:

charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. 100% of public donations directly fund water projects. Help by donating or raising money for those who are less fortunates. 

So yeah, I love music, that’s no secret. These are some of my favorite tracks:

• Losing My Religion by REM
• Reason for rainbows by Yanni
• Will you be there by Michael Jackson
• Chant of the magic flute by Rashni Punjaabi
• Heal the world by Michael Jackson
• operetta Rose Marie
• I feel love by Donna Summer
• In your eyes by Peter Gabriel
• Girl I’m gonna make you sweat by UB40
• Gangsta’s Paradise by Coolio
• The Theme from X-Files
• Mavis by Eden from Buddha Bar Volume 3
• Do that to me one more time by Captain & Tennille
• Self Control by Laura Branigan
• Chumbawamba by Tubthumping
• Blame it on the Boogie by Mick Jackson
• Expectation by Vales Nirvana Lounge
• With One Look by Sunset Boulevard
• One By One by Enya
• Say I by Christina Milian
• Rock your baby by George McCrae
• El Ninyo by Tata Young
• Melodious Goddess by Dadawa
• Prove Your Love by Taylor Dayne 
• The Venice Dreamer (Part 2) by George Winston
• How Gee Vs Funky Music by Black Machine
• Childhood by Michael Jackson
• Falling by Julee Cruise
• Sexy Eyes by Whigfield
• Grant Green by Bossa
• Sleep Baby Mine by George Winston 
• Tears In Heaven by Gregorian
• Spanish Eyes by Madonna
• London To Paris (Original Mix) by Mowgli 
• The Novel Sound by Rubén Torres Llorca from Buddha Bar Volume 4 
• In The Mirror by Yanni
• Morphine by Michael Jackson
• Let There Be Light by Mike Oldfield
• Autumn Leaves by Fairuz
• Oye Como Va by Tito Puente
• I’ve Been Thinking about You by London Beat 
• Love Is In The Air by John Paul Young 
• Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard

My first watch was a Timex kids edition rainbow watch. I still have it, safely stored in a small box in which I have some of my most precious belongings. Among others, it stores an 8th century Harshavardhana era coin, a postage stamp from Argentina along with a 10 centavos coin, a postcard from Brazil, 2 Feng shui charms, a 1972 Ray-Ban aviator and a hundred year old painting.

What’s special about this box or this stuff? Well, nothing, except that I got all of these as gift from my dad. And apart from these, many other things, specially my identity. What I am today is all because of him. Through the highs & lows, he has always been the invisible pillar of strength.

Dads have this uncanny ability of reading minds. They really do. He will always be the first person to come out & ask you what’s wrong, although not really in the best possible of manner. Trust me, you will do good telling him then or he finding out everything later on, once things are really messed up. Dads are possibly the best & most trusted advisors.

I have a lot to say & a lot to write… But today, I just want to wish him Happy 4th of October, Happy Birthday Dad.

A king enrolled his donkey in a race & won.

Next morning, the local newspaper read:

“KING’s ASS WON”

King was so upset with this publicity he gave the donkey to queen.

The local newspaper then read:

“QUEEN HAS THE BEST ASS IN TOWN”

King fainted. Queen sold donkey to a farmer for $10.

Next day newspaper read:

“QUEEN SELLS HER ASS FOR $10”

This was too much. King ordered the queen to buy back the donkey & leave it in the jungle.

The next day’s headlines:

“QUEEN ANNOUNCES HER ASS IS NOW WILD & FREE”

India- world’s most populous democracy, one of world’s fastest growing economy, world’s 4th largest country by GDP (PPP), world’s 4th largest military, regional super-power and a lot more. Some people have been single handedly responsible for moulding India’s future to where it stands today and where it will eventually lead. Some have influenced the entire nation more than anyone else.

Some of them are…

1. Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
2. Bharat Ratna Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel
3. Bharat Ratna Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata
4. Padma Bhushan Homi Jehangir Bhabha
5. Padma Vibhushan Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai
6. Bharat Ratna Chidambaram Subramaniam
7. Rameshwar Nath Kao
8. Bharat Ratna Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi
9. Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw
10. Dhirajlal Hirachand Ambani
11. Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao
12. Padma Vibhushan Dr. Manmohan Singh
13. Bharat Ratna Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam

Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar

Fondly called Babasaheb, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was the chief architect of Indian Constitution. But his biggest achievement was his work for the upliftment of the lowest caste in India called the dalits.

He was an outspoken critic of Gandhi was almost a godly figure in India at that time and yet those who supported him always stood behind him. His views still have a major influence on social scenario of India. 

Bharat Ratna Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel

Perhaps the best Prime Minister India never had. Also known as Sardar Patel and referred to as Iron Man of India, the person single handedly responsible for the unification of India post independence. Patel took charge of the task to forge a united India from the 565 semi-autonomous princely states and British-era colonial provinces. Using frank diplomacy backed with the option (and the use) of military action, Patel’s leadership enabled the accession of almost every princely state. Undoubdtedly the Integrator of Modern India.

Bharat Ratna Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata

Perhaps the stature of this person can be ascertained by the very fact that the Indian Parliament was adjourned in his memory-an honor not usually given to persons who are not Members of Parliament. The Aviator, The Industrialist, The Philanthropist, The Entrepeneur, the accolades would perhaps be unknown to many including me. Undoubtedly the leading Industrialist of Modern India. His legacy is what we call the Tata Sons in present times. He dreamt of flying and gave birth to India’s first airline and its present national carrier. With the Tata Group being one of the biggest conglomerate today, his vision remains unquestioned.

Padma Bhushan Homi Jehangir Bhabha

A reasonably short life but a growing and continuing legacy. The inspiration of an entire generation of intellectuals and scientists. The man who dreamt of a Nuclear India, the man entrusted with more than a constitutional post and a government job. The nuclear physicist came from a family of rich entrepuners and power-weilding politicians, but grew on to become the father of Indian Nuclear Program. Controversial demise in a plane crash.

Padma Vibhushan Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai

Again, a scientist, an intellectual, the father of Indian Space Program. Immediately after independence, India was in tatters, the economy was dwindling, the treasury was all but empty and the emotional wounds were far more deep. At such a time, many would have questioned the logic of a Space Program, if not the Nuclear Program. But its his legacy that has given many Indians, moments to held there head high, sitting in the far corner of distant world while watching the launch of Chandrayan-1. His contribution will have far more deep penetrating effect in the course of time, its just now that India is realising its full scientific potential.

Bharat Ratna Chidambaram Subramaniam

Probably the unsung hero of post-independent India. Bharat Ratna Chidambaram Subramaniam was the man responsible for ushering Indian into a position of self-sufficiency in food production. As the minister of Food & Agriculture he initiated a series of reforms in the agricultural sector leading to what came to be known as the Indian Green Revolution. Later on, He also handled important portfolios like Finance and Defense.

Rameshwar Nath Kao

The name would probably be called the odd-one in the entire list. Most of the current generation wouldn’t even have heard of the Spy-Master. R N Kao was the founder of Indian External Intelligence Agency - Research & Analysis Wing or RAW. The shrewd man was as able a strategist as an executioner. Formed after the Intelligence failure during the Indo-China war in 1969, Rao carved RAW into a formidible force by 1971 and was the mastermind of Bangladesh Liberation War, a sphere India has to interfere after the genocide of ethnic Bengalis and hindus.

Bharat Ratna Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi

The iron-woman of Indian. She had as much ardent followers as fierce critics. She was always groomed to take over the mantle of Party since her early days. Dealt with a terrible and spreading conflict on eastern and western fronts, her decision to interfere in the Genocide in the erstwhile East Bengal led to the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan. The iron-lady than pushed India into a very exclusive group of nuclear armed nations and showed extra-ordinary leadership during the time of international sanctions, all the while maintaining the clean record and proud record of nuclear non-proiliferation.

Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw

“Don’t you think I would be a worthy replacement for you, Madam Prime Minister? You have a long nose, So have I. But I don’t poke my nose into other people’s affairs.”- His now legendary words to Indira Gandhi, when confronted on rumours of him planning a coup to replace her.

The most celebrated of camouflage uniformed Indians. Sam lived like a lion. A flesh and bone example of the virtues of his Gorkha Regiment - “If anyone tells you he is never afraid, he is a liar or he is a Gurkha.” Be it spear-heading the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan to time and again protecting Indian soverignity from its rogue neighbour, the lion never blinked an eye. Honoured with the title of Field Marshal, one of only two Indians having ever recieved it.

Dhirajlal Hirachand Ambani

The true desi rags to riches story. A home grown billionaire. Dhirubhai, as he is popularly called, is the inspiration of a whole breed of entrepreneurs. Seen by some people as a cult figure, the man who founded Reliance Industries Limited is equally popular among the Indian business fraternity as he is among the common people.

Some questioned his ways, some his integrity but none his passion, his will to succeed, his desire to excel. He is unquestionably the idol of scores and score of people around the country.

Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao

India stood on the verge of bankruptcy in 1991 and the insurgency in Kashmir was growing. It was then that Rao made Dr. Manmohan Singh, a career bureaucrat, India’s Finance Minister, going against the notions of having politicians in top posts. What happened thereafter is history. Round after rounds of financial reforms put India on firm track and brought it to where it is today.

Apart from the financial reforms, even the nuclear test of 1998 which is attributed to Atal Bihari Vajpayee was actually planned and was ready during Rao’s tenure, which even Vajpayee later admitted.

Padma Vibhushan Dr. Manmohan Singh

When PV Narasimha Rao took office in 1991, the economic situation of country was such that he needed someone who can stir Indian out of trouble and make it’s liabilities it’s assets.

Rao made the correct choice. Dr. Manmohan Singh, who will later serve as the Prime Minister of Union of India, was appointed as the Finance Minister. Singh initiated a series of planned financial reforms which took India from the verge of bankruptcy to becoming the 4th largest country in terms of GDP (PPP).

Bharat Ratna Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam

If 1975 was a “peaceful nuclear explosion”, 1998 was show of India’s strength. And the main charged with this responsibility was the missile man of India - DR. Abdul Kalam.

The 1998 tests conclusively proved India’s nuclear capabilities and thus being accepted practically world over as a nuclear power, if not formally. Kalam was given his due credit for serving the country for his most of professional life when he was made the President of Union of India.

Though there have been many others who made impact on the society but what India is today is largely due to the collective efforts of many. There still exists evils in the society but nothing could have been achieved if these Indians never dreamt. They did and made what we are today.

Before I proceed, please be warned I am not a nationalist. I am patriotic, but definitely not a warm blooded blind nationalist.

India, the largest democracy, the most vocal advocate of people’s government around the world, gets away so easily playing dirty games in its own backyard.

Be it China or Pakistan or Sri Lanka, India have always lambasted, albeit in tones relative to the influence of nation, the abuse of human rights and have advocated a government of the people, by the people & for the people. Although the statements are typed and saved in almost the same format “India places highest respect for democracy and advocates the need for a stable government in <insert country here>”.

Yes, India is a democracy and largely, sparing the games at highest level among the mighty, citizens/residents does enjoy basic human rights without even fulfilling their responsibilities towards the nation. But India, alike others, being in a region where no two nations trust each other completely & using that as an excuse, takes hypocrisy to a completely new level.

While Sri Lanka was crushing the violent separatist organisation LTTE which had captured most of north Sri Lanka, India kept poking its nose saying human rights were not respected. Agreed they weren’t but at the same time, India is using a similar yet confused policy in its own Northern state Jammu and Kashmir.

Ever since the growth of insurgency in Kashmir, India has never tried to find a political or popular solution to the problem. Making its security forces ever stronger and abusive by highly controversial acts like AFSPA, India always ruled by the stick and without any policy. Scores of innocents are killed and the term used to describe such unauthorised assassinations is collateral damage. Innocent Civilians are hand-picked and shot at point blank on slight suspicion. The residents of valley live in deep fear and under inhuman restrictions. 

Arguably, South Asia is the most volatile region in the world, primarily because of nuclear armed neighbours. The geo-political situation of this region is entirely different from most other regions in world, reason being lack of mutual trust. Though it might sound naive, but most new age geo-politics expert totally disregard the term “trust” between two country’s relations, but there is a certain level of assurance between two nations that one will not be back-stabbed by another.

That level of assurance does not exist in South Asia because of the New Great Game - India vs. China. No country in South Asia yields more global influence than India and to stabilise its own neighbourhood, India have long wanted to establish cordial relationships with its bordering nations. Sadly, the equation changed since China stepped in its pursuit of accessing the Indian Ocean. Building ports in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, supplying arms and monetary aid to Myanmar and Nepal, China has established considerable influence in all these nations which, baring Pakistan, were traditional Indian allies.

Hence changed the Indian Foreign Policy. To balance growing Chinese influence, India started wooing its once neglected neighbourhood. Goodies like arms, monetary and civil help were distributed among Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

Myanmar, yes, why Myanmar again and again? Such a tiny nation which is not even visible on the Atlas. Why is it relevant? Among all the others, Myanmar is possibly the most resource rich country in India’s neighbourhood. While India kept crying “elections” in Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka, Myanmar was and has been ruled by its military called Junta since 1962. Baring the lip service and occasional goodwill statements during the visit of western dignitaries, India has largely supported the military regime by providing them everything from medical help to arms and ammunitions.

To balance Chinese influence, India has been going against its own principles of democracy and human rights to woo the Burmese. Thought to balance their geo-political aspirations, all nations compromise, but only those who hold on to their principles, moves forward to the next level, the great nations, not the rich nations.

A man and his ever-nagging wife went on vacation to Jerusalem.

While they were there, the wife passed away. The undertaker told the husband, “You can have her shipped home for $5,000, or you can bury her here, in the Holy Land, for $150.”

The man thought about it and told him he would just have her shipped home.

The undertaker asked, “Why would you spend $5,000 to ship your wife home, when it would be wonderful to be buried here and you would spend only $150?” The man replied, “Long ago a man called Jesus Christ died here, was buried here, and three days later he rose from the dead.
I just can’t take that chance.”