The Moonstruck Mystique...

For the past four days the main social issue that the average man in India (and Indians abroad) has been talking about is Anna Hazare and his fast unto death towards seeing the Lok Pal bill come into effect. It might also be the most googled keywords in the past week. All of a sudden, the whole nation seems to have taken notice. Yes, by far corruption is one of the most pressing issues facing the nation today. People seem to be frantically raising their voices in support of the bill and calling for meetings and candle light vigils to express solidarity. But I am really not sure what exactly we are supporting. I mean yes, everyone wants corruption out of the system. But what is lacking is clarity of thought. We need not follow the crowd. I truly appreciate people who are against it and don't worry about expressing themselves. They are only bringing out a standpoint we might not have realized. Of course, it is a fancy thing that in a matter of hours we have realized our duties and r...

It is Independence day tomorrow and one of the two days of the year ( cricket matches not withstanding) when the Indian feels patriotic. We will have the tricolour flying all over and people greeting each other ( if at all ); the goosebumps and the blood rush while hearing 'Vande mataram'. But to be very honest I don't think most of us, including myself, are patriotic in the true sense of the word. Pinning a flag on your shirt or singing the national anthem out loud does not prove our love for the nation. First, let us learn to value a human life. Let us learn to respect an individual for the choices he makes. Let him have his right to make them; infact give him a choice to make in the first place. Two days back I read a news item in the newspaper that a tribal girl was paraded naked through the village and it was even videographed and circulated as an MMS clip. And all this for having liked a boy outside the community. The girl and the father are under police protectio...

Some people have them some people don't. I am the former. Well, which is right? Now this is another of those questions that don't have an answer. There have been plenty of instances where I have been severely criticized for having one. I know of friends who are forbidden from having opinions let alone voicing them only because they are girl children while their male siblings have a say in matters. There was a friendly neighbour back home in Kerala who came home on a Sunday morning and was talking to dad and me. As my dad was on the look out for a groom for my sister, he turned towards me and asked what kind of a guy we were looking out for. Since he had majorly aimed the question at me and my dad was waiting for my answer too; also for the fact that I was clear about it, I told him what I thought... not from dad's point of view but mine... that my sister had spent enough time outside India that she wouldn't want to find a guy who lives abroad especially in places like...

Wondering what the title's all about? Just look at the number of people around you who say that Life sucks. Oh well, it might be easier to count people who don't say or think so. We have so much negativity around us that keep a positive attitude is rather difficult these days. Everyone seems to be having a lot of problems and the worst part is many of them say they face only problems in whatever they do. There are some people who keep finding faults with everything around. Aren't we responsible for most things that happen to us? Look at children themselves. Say a decade back we had the spirit of competition and yet we were happy that our fellow mates won a prize over us. But today children begin to despise their friends for the very same reason. The spirit of healthy competition has metamorphosed into a feeling of selfishness, an anger. Then there are the ambitious young people. They aim high in life. There are tough times and they struggle to achieve their aims. At ...

I just don't get it. Yesterday the newspaper carried an article which said that the entire sanctum sanctorum of the Tirupati Balaji temple is to be gold plated. This is a huge scheme estimated to cost around Rs.1000 crores. The article claims that this amount of money is to be generated by the temple's internal revenue and gold donations. It goes on to say that since the project was inaugurated a few weeks back there has been a steep rise in gold donations not only by business tycoons, charitable trusts etc but also by ordinary devotees who offer their gold ornaments. I am too a religious (or must I call myself spiritual) person. I visit temples though not every other day and do like it too. I strongly believe that religious sentiments are purely personal. I can accept the fact that temples spend a considerable amount in renovation work in trying to reduce chaos and confusion within the temple premises and so as to ensure a safe and fulfilling pilgrimage. But I don't see ...

The media is no doubt trying to fight stiff competition and come up with innovative news stories adding to being the first to report the news of happenings the world over. The reason I write this is last week the media had focussed considerable attention on the Finance Minister publicly reprimanding the External affairs minister and his deputy for staying in Five star hotels. This was followed by news that all politicians would be required to curb a lavish lifestyle and take to austere living. Next, newspapers and channels gave extensive coverage to Pranab Mukherjee's flight to Kolkata in the economy class of SpiceJet, a low cost carrier. So much importance was given to this piece of information that it was the day's 'Breaking News' in many News channels. And then the news of many politicians welcoming this austerity drive. Now what caught my attention is that one of the Indian websites in their news section has introduced a new segment which says 'Shoot a photogr...

Its Friendship Day today and loads for wishes coming in. All friends old and new wishing each other. Some say that every day of the year is friendship day. Others say that in this busy world it feels good to set aside a day when we'd make it a point to wish all our mates. Friends... well aren't they the most integral part of one's being? Be it as a father, a mother, a sibling, a spouse, a child, a teacher, a colleague... friendship exists within any relationship.. Thinking of friends always brings a smile on everyone's face. You can just be yourself without any qualms and if they don't like what they see they will let you know (like it or not, thats how true friends are). All of us have so many friends. And each one is so different.. so adorable. It is so nice the way we meet and slowly grow on the other. There are times when I wonder how different a person I would've been had I not been friends with any one of them. Well, I have had a few (but thankfully very ...