"I blame No One"

Forward from Shekar Kapur's post, I read the comment section, and the majority of the people say 'I blame no one' (Of course, there are some who stupidly go on saying I blame the Terrorists without understanding how a simple man is being turned into a terrorist!).

This is my reaction to them:

"I am surprised to see that people don't have an opinion. Saying something like 'I blame NO ONE' shows that one cares less -- is unaware -- thinks that he/she is living in the Utopian world.. If one has to be a responsible citizen, he or she should first be aware and develop an opinion -- a sound opinion. A majority of the comments here say 'I blame none'.. How is that possible?? If you hold no one accountable/responsible, how will you take steps to ensure it doesn't repeat? If the people of this nation say, 'I blame no one', then the future of the country is also as ambiguous as the the 'no-ones'. Truly sad -- especially in this era of information.. Like I think quite often, availability of information is doing no good.."

Will it be MP next?

There we had it again -- Bomb lasts in Ahmedabad --
I posted the following as a response to Shekar Kapur's post on Ahmedabad Blasts.

"It is such a shame that we are witnessing such inhuman random killings done by a bunch of frustrated, disoriented and probably fanatic bunch of hooligans. And if you ask me, who should be blamed -- it has to be the politicians topping the list. Followed by the state machinery, the terrorists themselves and us.
Yesterday I was discussing about the blast with a friend in UK, and during the talk, I actually said that there was no surety that the blasts were not supported or funded or masterminded by the state themselves. I for once cant completely trust my leaders -- most of our leaders are people with horrific histories -- with enormous unaccounted wealth, with numerous criminal records and no education. How can we be sure that Indian Mujahideen is not a brain child of a political plan? Maybe this time it is not (I totally believe Godhra was, for that matter even Babri Masjid Mess was to an extent..), but who can vouch that our government is for working for us? With a population like ours -- which has diverse belief systems, how can we be fair democratic nation?? When we pay heed to 51% vote (considering that to be a majority) and ignore the views of the rest 49%? We are pseudo democratic and also pseudo secular. You and I may not be discriminating on the basis of religion – but look at the majority and you will sadly see that you are wrong. Sometimes I feel, maybe India would have done better if it was under dictatorship of a learned and authoritative person. Anyway, looking at the trend, the blasts are being targeted in BJP states -- Jaipur, Bangalore, Ahmedabad .. So the next in line is MP. I hope it doesn’t happen .. But I would like everyone to be careful .. The least we can do is spread the message of love and peace -- of genuine love -- that can be the only savior."

.. paints her face like an Indian. Huh???

Last night I watched the film 'A good woman' -- it is based on the play 'Mrs. Windermere's fan' by Oscar Wilde. SO, ofcourse there are some fabulous dialogues, Hovever I found this one in bad taste..

"She's old for God's sake.
She dyes her hair.
She paints her face
like an Indian.
She's a cold,
selfish woman.
Not all attractive
once you know her."

Am wondering, if all Indians paint their faces!! Well, I guess Indians living abroad do.. Plus this film has a plot in late 1930's... the time when Indians could not think of anything but freedom -- access to makeup??? sounds tough..

Well, who knows?

Temporarily out of service

I am tied up with too much of both, work and play, so not getting enough time to blog..
Wanted to inform my blogger friends, that I will be back soon :)

Meaning of life

"meaning to life ?

you are the problem
and the solution too
and everything that lies between
is also you

and so goes on
the endless struggle
to find meaning to life
"


Read this in Shekar Kapurs blog.

My take on it:

"I don't think one should sit and try to figure out the meaning of life -- for, a meaning almost doesn't exist -- there is no definitive answer. Instead, one should invest time to make a difference -- even if it means making a difference to one person -- to someone who can not directly be of any benefit to you. Many of my extremely intelligent friends just spend too much time trying to find answers to such cryptic questions. The word 'life' has so many different meanings -- how can one possibly find a meaning of something which is so vague, unknown and transient? Instead, one should work -- contribute whatever he can offer -- write to enlighten others, teach to spread knowledge, share and love to give hope -- spread the smile and affection.
And if at all there is a meaning of life, then it shall come someday to you. Just thinking of it over mugs of coffee or beer does no good. The only thing to realize about life is that It is not limited to you and your happiness. It is far, far beyond that."

Unaviodable Industrialization??

.. "This year, the latest assessment of 2008 by
ICRA will show a growth rate of 4.5 to 4.7 percent
in agriculture. We are going to end up
with 227 to 230 million tonnes of food grains.
So agriculture in itself is doing well. Yet farmers
are poor because of the vast numbers dependent
on agriculture. If the numbers were
much smaller, let’s say half, you would say
agriculture is doing very well in India." ..
- P. Chidambaram says this in a recent interview

The answer which he proposes (getting farmers into the non-agricultural industries) is the most obvious solution. But we then see the repercussions of industrialization -- and how unwelcome it is to the poor people in rural India -- again, mainly because of the failure of proper implementation of the 'well-being' laws and policies. Given this fact, do we really not have any other way out than driving the poor people away from their own lands for a promise of a better India 50 years later -- which they might not even live to see.

Drumzz

I love the drums: It looks so stylish, powerful and sexy..
And watching Rahul Bose behind the Kit is nothing less than a treat for the eyes!!
I have a friend who works for 'The Foundation' -- Rahul Boses NGO -- and she gets to meet him very often .. Phew!! I am so jealous of her :( :(

Bandeya

Found the lyrics of this song from a website, thought of sharing it:

The song is in Saraiki language and it is written by Baba Bulley Shah.

Bulley nu samjhawan aayan behna te bharjaiaan,
Munlay bullehya sada kehna chad de pala rayaan
Aaale nabi Aulade Nabi nu tu kyon leeka laayaan
Jehra sanu Syed saday doozakh milan sazayaan

Raaeen Saaeen subhni Thaeee Rab diyan be parwa yan
Sohiyaan pare hataian te kojiah lay Gul layaan
Jay tu Loray Baagh baharan Chakar ho ja raai yan
Bulley shah di zaat ke puchni Shaakar ho Raziaaan

Bandeyaaa hoooo ,Bandeya

And the story behind it is written below: (picked it up from here)

Actually bulle shah is being asked by his relatives to leave his murshid or guru whom he call as ‘raaean’ or ‘raaniya”

probably that was the caste of his mursheed or peer - hazrat shah anayat which was lower then bulle shahs own caste. every one was after his life to leave his guru.

thats why he explains through this song, who ever calls him sayed( bulle shahs caste) will be punished in hell and who ever calls him raaniya will be showerd with blessings. because for him his mursheed is everything and his caste is now his gurus and in whatever guru orders and decides for him - shakar or raziaan

apne mursheed ki raza mein razi rehna, thats what love is. jo woh khuda deta hai usi mein khush rehna.

this songs itself answers questions of people above saying how can a muslim girl marry a non muslim.

if love is pure truthfull and selfless then its becomes form of god. jab woh khuda, allah kisi caste system ko nai manta , uske liye to sab uske bacche hai to bhai tum kyon mante ho ?

khuda ka saccha aashiq sirf khuda ko manta hai aur kisi ko nai, na kisi caste system ko, na kisi majhab ko.

khuda se saccha ishq karo, ishq hi khuda hai.

*End of explanation*

I loved the film 'Khuda Kay Liye' -- and this song is my current favorite!

1BHK

Today I spoke to an old friend, a friend from college and it was as usual wonderful speaking to her and getting connected.
There are some people who give positive vibes and she is one of them.

But this is not what I want to talk about in this post. Its about something else – its about staying independent – staying alone.
She said she had a good news to share with me – and the good news was really a very delightful one. She moved out of her parents house and has started staying by herself in a 1BHK house close to her workplace. I remember she wanted to do it for a long time and now she finally managed to convince her parents into accepting this and she was telling me that her parents took it wonderfully and really helped her out with setting up her new house. Now isn’t that lovely!

I think everyone should stay alone – by themselves – at least for sometime. It gives a different dimension to their personality. I agree that there are negatives of solitary existence, but I think there are far more goods than bads.

I was discussing this with another friend of mine, and he was telling me that when it comes to places like Delhi / Noida / Gurgaon, perhaps it is not all that easy for a single girl to take up a place of her own and be assured of her safety. And reading about all the dreadful things that are happening these days, I kind of agree with him. Apart from this, I also wonder if there is a concept of 1BHK apartments in Noida and how ready are land lords to rent it out to single people? It is sad to see how difficult it is for a person to live a life of his/her own choice.

My latest Canvas

Did this one on Sunday.

Ditches

I reported about this ditch which is at Sakinaka Junction to the local authories and also to a radio channel initiative of getting ditches in mumbai fixed before the monsoons. You can report a ditch by phoning 44104104 (mumbai number) or send an email to divya@fever.fm -- They promised to follow up and inform me about the progress.

All of us should try to make a difference instead of just complaining.. Hai naa..

Kahet Tagore ..

I did not really want to do an MBA, but got 8th rank in the entrance test for NM Part time MBA Program.
I really wanted to study Design, but failed in the NID's PG Entrance Test.

Dad came to Mumbai yesterday and after knowing about the results, quoted something that Rabi Thakur (Rabindranath Tagore) had said:

"Jaha chai, taha bhul kore chai. Jaha pai, taha chai naa."

Which mean, "What I want, I want by mistake. What I get, is something I dont want".

Now, you might wonder why Tagore said that what he wants is something he wants by mistake. Think..

Afzal Guru

I am dumb struck and I feel so shameful and helpless. I wish I could do something -- but I dont know what and how to do it. Maybe I can just try to spread the word around. I request each one of you to please read this article by Arundhati Roy on the Parliament Attack case and how evidences that were brought against the prime accused Afzal guru were mostly fake and doctored. Also, read the letter written by Afzal Guru's wife, Tabassum which was published in Kashmir Times.

PS: I FOUND THIS BLOG WHERE THE AUTHOR HAS SUGGESTED WHAT WE CAN DO ON OUR PART. FOR NOW, I HAVE SIGNED ON THE ONLINE PETITION AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY -- I DONT KNOW HOW USEFUL THIS IS, BUT I WOULD RATHER DO WHATEVER I CAN. I WOULD REQUEST YOU TO SIGN AS WELL BECAUSE IT WAS QUITE DISAPPOINTING TO SEE THAT I WAS THE 1561st PERSON TO SIGN THE PETITION. INDIA, HAVING A POPULATION OF BILLIONS, 1561 IS REALLY DISHEARTENING.

Because I know I'll never find another you ... A Wishful Search

Sometimes I wish I could see a result when I search for 'Deepanwita Baisya'.

This time in Delhi

A few pictures from my visit home this time::

My mum and my nani (granny):


Friends from my previous office:



Me giving Arch a bath:


Arch hung out to dry,


Then he being himself all over again:


Lunch with old school friends:

..

Met a few more friends and did many more things -- but could not take pictures of all of them .. :(

Free rides, anyone?

On my way to work today, I saw feeble hand waving out to the cars -- quietly hoping, that someone would stop.
And I did -- I opened the door and the man bent down to say 'I want to go till the end of the road to post this letter, will you be kind enough to drop me till whatever distance you can', and I let him in.
I was going the same way, and the distance was not too long actually -- but since it was sunny I am sure walking thru the crowded roads for a near 80yr old man would be really nasty.
We sat quietly for almost half the way, and then the man broke the silence saying 'The auto rickshaws are on strike today, and so I had to trouble you by...'. I was flushed with embarrassment.
I don’t know if this happens to any of you -- I feel ashamed when I am in a position where I feel I am enjoying a comfort that many people are deprived of -– and when I say ashamed, I really feel so guilty and embarrassed that I almost wish I could jump out of my own skin. In this case, the comfort was the comfort of an AC car. Flushed with guilt, I said 'Yeah, its crazy -- especially the reason of the strike is unfair.'.. I was so embarrassed and guilty conscious that I thought maybe I should wait till he finishes his work and drop him back, because I was not sure if he will find another person to drive him back. I was mentally behaving as if I had asked the auto’s to go on a strike – Anyway, eventually I did not offer him a ride back --thinking he might find it creepy.
By then we had reached the end of the road, where the man had to go and he gave me one of the most kind smiles I have recently seen, blessed me, thanked me with folded hands like I had done a super big favor to him – all this added to my discomfort,in my mind I was silently pleading him to stop -- It was almost getting suffocating to be where I was -- the point where I had to allow that person to go back into the scorching heat -- the fear of whether he will be able to find a transport back home – and then the uneasiness of my own comfort. I was numb for the rest of my travel.

We often see people on the roads asking for lifts (free rides), but most of us seldom stop – mainly because of all the mishaps which have managed to make us skeptical about the intentions of people you are trying to help. I know it is unsafe -- and maybe I was just lucky that nothing bad happened to me, and that old man was actually a nice and honest person who meant no harm.
But it is sad that because of a few scoundrels, a whole lot of goodness is getting lost.

I have had a bad experience with giving lifts some years back after which I have kind of become a little more careful -- but sometimes, I just leave it to chance and stop anyway.

I am sure many of you will think I over reacted -- or I am super sensitive -- but I am not really like that -- I am touchy feely only when it comes to coming face to face with the unfairness in the world. I feel very guilty. Maybe I should go see a shrink .. its abnormal naa?

Strokes

Yesterday, I painted a small canvas -- held the brush after a long time -- I had no picture in mind, so just made whatever came to me naturally..

Salsa

The good new is, I have started working out and eating healthy food.
My aunt in London had taught me how to make a Salsa salad - It is healthy, filling and very tasty. These days I eat 1 large serving of it for lunch and 1 small portion of it along with a small brown bread sandwich for dinner.
I would like to share the recipe of the salad for all the readers who would like to try it either as a meal to lose some pounds, or just as a snack:

1.Finely cut every juicy fruit and vegetable you can think of -- pineapples, apples, oranges, watermelon, cucumber, carrot, tomatoes (i put lots of them) and a few green chillies (Do not put Bananas - if you are thinking of losing weight -- you should avoid bananas -- it is actually a balanced fruiit but it is high in calories).
2.Put some lemon juice, salt and a little honey (I put some chaat masala as well - to give a little Indian feel to it).
3.Keep refrigerated and eat whenever you feel hungry.

The key is to cut the fruits and veggies as finely as you can. The more finely you cut, the better it tastes.



PS. I am hopeful about the mid May mission of mine ;)

I dont want to fight no war - I dont know what I am fighting for -- Divided, I dont want to be, and United I am not able to be.

When I say I want you, why does it scare you if you love me too?

The Egg or the Hen

.. No, I dont want to know about this. What I want to know is what comes first, Peace or Love? Does, peace comes out of love; or love comes out of peace?

A scene from London tube

Can Tantric power kill humans?

An interesting read on a weird incident that happened in my country.
I dont know if I should be angry on the news channel people as well..

Ad 2

Take a look at this one:

The first two words in last line reads, Benefit Fraud...

Ad 1

I had mentioned about an Ad stuck in the local buses of UK on joinng the Army?? Well, I managed to click a picture of it today.

What could it be..

I found an ironic picture on a fifty pence coin.
It had a picture of a soldier carrying an injured man.

Is this injured man a fellow britisher or could he be a harmless Iraqi civilian?

How do you feel..

.. when you gain weight without eating good food?? :( .. Okay, It is the golden brown water that I keep drinking.. Not my fault really, In this country, beer comes cheaper than water, plus it is a great thirst quencher ;)..

But now there is a mission: I will post another picture around mid May after I dedicate a month to regular workouts and a 'watch what I eat/DRINK' routine and then we can have a 'Before' and 'After' picture for all your laughs ;)

Shameless American Leaders

This one is on the Vietnam War..

Is everyone listening??

This is a very simple to understand video on Iraq war -- I think it is the responsibility of every person to know about this and do their bit to help the world.

You just CANT afford to miss this..

.. I am so proud and amazed to see what my people can do.