This is an article published on rediff.com on the 15th of June, 2006.
The first article published by rediff on Brahmins as an underprivileged community, brought a flurry of reactions, mostly of surprise: "What, Brahmins as toilet cleaners, coolies, rickshaw pullers, priests earning less than Rs 150 a month... How is it possible, we always thought that Brahmins were a rich, fat, arrogant community?"
Many Brahmins and other upper castes expressed online their relief that someone was speaking about their plight, that for once they were not attacked, made fun of, ridiculed. Of course there were also a few hostile e-mails, accusing the author of upper casteism, of anti-Dalits bias.
One would have thought however, that at a time when reservation was the hottest journalistic topic, the media would have seized this story and made it its own. After all, isn't impartial journalism to show both sides of the story?
Don't you think, for instance, that the discovery that all 50 Sulabh Shauchalayas (public toilets) in Delhi are cleaned and looked after by Brahmins -- traditionally the task of the lowest of the lowest caste -- and that this noble institution was started by a Brahmin, Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, makes a wonderful story, both for the print and electronic media?
That is what I believed, at any rate. So when I discovered that the Art of Living Foundation was conducting workshops for all coolies, irrespective of their religion and caste of the Delhi railway station -- and that quite a few of them were Brahmins -- I thought I could share this story and the Sulabh Shauchalayas scoop, with a few journalistic acquaintances, who would jump on it with glee. Unfortunately I was very wrong.
Initially, some young journalists were enthusiastic and joined us in our investigation. We expected the story to hit the headlines soon and be taken up by the entire press, hungry for something different than the strike of the medicos, or Arjun Singh's adamant attitude. But nothing happened.
We called them day after day, proposed some more data, but still no story came out. Then one of the young journalists, working for one of the largest media outfits in India told us off the record that the sub-editor, backed by the editor, had killed the story in true journalistic freedom.
The second scenario we encountered was stone silence: the star anchors, bureau chiefs, editors of national English newspapers whom I personally contacted, either did not return my calls or were evasive.
Third scenario: Downright hostility: "You're a right winger, a pro-BJP-RSS journalist" etc. What does truth and investigative journalism have to do with the BJP (who by the way did no more than the Congress for the Kashmiri Brahmins, for instance, when it was in power)? I don't know.
Some journalists, initially willing to do a story, backed out after some time under the pretext that the data was not solid enough. Not solid enough? Does flimsy and unchecked data ever stop the Indian media to publish slanderous stories in the recent past?
Then, I came to the conclusion that more than fifty years later, the Nehruvian culture which directly brainwashed two generations of Indians in certain thinking patterns, has survived today. Actually, you have to go farther back than Nehru. For Jawaharlal was a true end product of Macaulay's policy of creating Indians who would be Indians by the colour of their skins, but British in their thinking. Thus, the English outlook on India survives today in India's intellectual class, particularly the journalists, who often cast a Westernised, anti-spiritual, pro-minority, anti-majority, un-Indian, anti-Brahmins and other upper castes -- look on their own country.
It is true that Nehru started from a positive volition: How to solve India's huge class and caste disparity? How to appease a Muslim minority which ruled India ruthlessly for ten centuries and was not ready to be ruled by those who were for a long time Islam's pliant subjects?
But Nehru went overboard. He made the paupers of yesteryear the saints of modern India, allowing some states to literally hound out Brahmins and other upper castes. He twisted history and thanks to docile historians, made of cruel Muslim invaders and rulers, the benefactors of medieval India.
He went to the extent of excusing the razing and sacking of thousands of exquisite temples all over India, by saying that Muslim invaders such as Babar did it because these temples were full of hidden gold and jewels, damning again indirectly the poor hapless Brahmins, who were beheaded by Muslim invaders, crucified in Goa by the Portuguese Inquisition, vilified by British missionaries, and morally crucified today by their own brothers and sisters.
It is true that Brahmins may be paying today for the excesses of yesterday. In ancient times, as Sri Aurobindo wrote: 'A Brahmin was a Brahmin only if he cultivated the spiritual temperament and acquired the spiritual training which alone would qualify him for the task.'
But once Brahmanism became hereditary, arrogance, complacency and casteism became rampant, ultimately bringing the downfall of Brahmins, a downfall which the Dalai Lama defines (for his own people) as Black Karma.
Thus, thanks to the lingering influence of Nehruvianism, 'Brahmins' remain today a dirty word, even in the face of reality: that Dalits have considerably come up since 1947 in Indian society, that no nation in the world has done so much for its underprivileged (India had a Dalit President -- did the US ever have a Black President?). But the intellectual elite of India, which never mentions these facts, continues to hide its face in the sand like an ostrich, refusing to see the reality.
And rampant anti-Brahmanism and upper castes, first used by the Muslim invaders, then by the British colonialists and missionaries, is still in vogue at the hands of Nehruvians, Marxists, Indian Christians and politicians in search of the votes of Dalits and Muslims, which combined together make and unmake prime ministers.
Yet, Brahmins and other upper castes have played an invaluable role in Indian history, as Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, the founder of the Sulabh Shauchalaya Movement remarks: 'Society sustained the Brahmins and other upper castes earlier, who upheld the Hindu scriptures and Hindu culture. Today Hinduism is on the decline day-by-day. There is a lack of ancient knowledge. No political party has objected to reservation thanks to vote-bank politics. People have a very short memory. They have forgotten the contribution made by Brahmins to our society.'
And who says that Brahmins and other upper castes are anti-Dalits. Some of India's top avatars, saints and gurus were of low caste and are still worshipped today by all upper castes. Valmiki, the composer of the Ramayana, was a fisherman; Ved Vyasa, the epic poet of the Mahabharata, which also contains the Bhagavad Gita, the Bible of Future Humanity, was the son of a fisherwoman; Krishna was from the shepherd's caste. And are not today's Amritanandamayi or Satya Sai Baba of low caste birth? Don't they have millions of Indians, many of them from upper castes, bowing down to them?
Anti-Brahmanism has to be stopped!
This inter-caste war, triggered by the politicians' greed for votes, has to be defused.
FACT, my Foundation, which conducts exhibitions on persecuted minorities, whether the Kashmiri Pandits, the Christians, Buddhist Chakmas and Hindus suffering in Bangladesh at the hands of fundamentalists in Bangladesh, or the Tibetans facing a cultural and spiritual genocide in Tibet, decided to take things in hand.
We started, with the help of a few dedicated friends, a film on Brahmins and other upper castes as an underprivileged community. This film will lead to a photoexhibition and hopefully to a book. All testimonies and documents are welcome.
The future of this country lies in a unified India, where all castes will find their just place, where all will feel Indians first and belonging to this caste or that one, after.
- Francois Gautier
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Monday, July 10, 2006
Why, Zidane Why????
STUMPED !!! is what my reaction is to the finals of the world cup. I cannot believe France lost.
In my post match misery, I was left with a bitter after taste.
Everything was ok till the extra time when Zidane, the French captain who was playing his final match at 34, opened the scoring but lost his cool in extra time and butted Marco Materazzi and was sent off with the score at 1-1 with around 10 minutes to play.
The loss of their talisman and playmaker cost the French dearly as they lost momentum and their best penalty-taker. They lost the shootout 5-3, giving Italy their fourth title.
Well my French friends were melancholic to the point of distraction.
Thanks to Pierre's depressive eloquence, I picked up quite a few juicy phrases in French. Well atleast the evening was educational.
In my post match misery, I was left with a bitter after taste.
Everything was ok till the extra time when Zidane, the French captain who was playing his final match at 34, opened the scoring but lost his cool in extra time and butted Marco Materazzi and was sent off with the score at 1-1 with around 10 minutes to play.
The loss of their talisman and playmaker cost the French dearly as they lost momentum and their best penalty-taker. They lost the shootout 5-3, giving Italy their fourth title.
Well my French friends were melancholic to the point of distraction.
Thanks to Pierre's depressive eloquence, I picked up quite a few juicy phrases in French. Well atleast the evening was educational.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
xxx
I cannot believe i havent posted in over a month. well i have a valid reason - EXAMS- well what can i say they suck big time ! xxx
Hindsight's a killer as i realised this past month. what i woudnt give to turn back time to make up lost time. but then i realised that even if i got xtra time i would just goof it away.
life's absolutey humbug at the moment. just finished economic diplomacy written exam. oh my god.......... it was excrutiating . so bad that matt, nicole, dave, wei, and I rushed to the bar right after the exam to drink our sorrows away.
so now im home and is my torcher over ......... well, of course not still have a monstrocity called politics of money in world economics come tuesday xxx
Hindsight's a killer as i realised this past month. what i woudnt give to turn back time to make up lost time. but then i realised that even if i got xtra time i would just goof it away.
life's absolutey humbug at the moment. just finished economic diplomacy written exam. oh my god.......... it was excrutiating . so bad that matt, nicole, dave, wei, and I rushed to the bar right after the exam to drink our sorrows away.
so now im home and is my torcher over ......... well, of course not still have a monstrocity called politics of money in world economics come tuesday xxx
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Monday, May 08, 2006
I coudnt have said it better myself. ha ha ha
10 misconceptions about women
By Susan Hayden
As smart and capable as men can be, it's a wonder that most have yet to figure out women. To help, we approached a variety of women with some of the more common male perceptions of them and found out what they are really thinking. Though a highly subjective survey, here are some of the more interesting truths revealed from woman to man:
10. Man: Today's woman wants to be independent.
Woman: Yes, I may want my own job and my own life, but you should be aware that I also want the security of knowing that if I decide to stop working or get fired, you will take care of me for the rest of my life.
9. Man: Women dress provocatively so men will hit on them.
Woman: No, I dress this way to look good — to everyone. I don't necessarily want you to lust after me or even talk to me. Admire me, maybe — just don't come introduce yourself and expect me to hop in bed with you.
8. Man: Women always want to know what I'm "thinking."
Woman: I don't necessarily want to know your innermost feelings — I'm just curious about what goes on in that thick skull during downtime.
7. Man: Women are high-maintenance.Woman:
No, women just have more things to maintain — face, legs, etc.
6. Man: Along those same lines, women spend a lot of time in the bathroom.
Woman: I think men think we do this for them, when in reality, we do it for ourselves. The sexiest thing in the world is confidence, and I've learned as I grow older that it's not the style of my hair or my clothes, but how I feel in them and whether or not I feel at my best and most powerful. When I'm feeling hot is when I get the most head turns.
5. Man: She's after me for my money.
Woman: Women marry for love first, money second.
4. Man: Women blame everything on PMT.
Woman: If you had piercing bolts of pain down your back and felt like a keg was strapped to your belly two weeks out of every month, you would give blame where it's due, too. At least we let you know the cause of our whining and tantrums, and if we don't, you should already have it marked in your calendar with a note to bring us chocolate ice cream.
3. Man: Once married, or even in a long-term relationship, women are not interested in physical intimacy.
Woman: I'm just tired from taking care of you and your offspring.
2. Man: Women are too emotional.
Woman: Re-read #8, and get over it.
1. Man: Women are hard to read.
Woman: Pay attention. You'll get it eventually.
By Susan Hayden
As smart and capable as men can be, it's a wonder that most have yet to figure out women. To help, we approached a variety of women with some of the more common male perceptions of them and found out what they are really thinking. Though a highly subjective survey, here are some of the more interesting truths revealed from woman to man:
10. Man: Today's woman wants to be independent.
Woman: Yes, I may want my own job and my own life, but you should be aware that I also want the security of knowing that if I decide to stop working or get fired, you will take care of me for the rest of my life.
9. Man: Women dress provocatively so men will hit on them.
Woman: No, I dress this way to look good — to everyone. I don't necessarily want you to lust after me or even talk to me. Admire me, maybe — just don't come introduce yourself and expect me to hop in bed with you.
8. Man: Women always want to know what I'm "thinking."
Woman: I don't necessarily want to know your innermost feelings — I'm just curious about what goes on in that thick skull during downtime.
7. Man: Women are high-maintenance.Woman:
No, women just have more things to maintain — face, legs, etc.
6. Man: Along those same lines, women spend a lot of time in the bathroom.
Woman: I think men think we do this for them, when in reality, we do it for ourselves. The sexiest thing in the world is confidence, and I've learned as I grow older that it's not the style of my hair or my clothes, but how I feel in them and whether or not I feel at my best and most powerful. When I'm feeling hot is when I get the most head turns.
5. Man: She's after me for my money.
Woman: Women marry for love first, money second.
4. Man: Women blame everything on PMT.
Woman: If you had piercing bolts of pain down your back and felt like a keg was strapped to your belly two weeks out of every month, you would give blame where it's due, too. At least we let you know the cause of our whining and tantrums, and if we don't, you should already have it marked in your calendar with a note to bring us chocolate ice cream.
3. Man: Once married, or even in a long-term relationship, women are not interested in physical intimacy.
Woman: I'm just tired from taking care of you and your offspring.
2. Man: Women are too emotional.
Woman: Re-read #8, and get over it.
1. Man: Women are hard to read.
Woman: Pay attention. You'll get it eventually.
For I have none to lament me,
the world no injury, for in it I have nothing;
only in the world I fill up a place,
which may be better supplied when I have made it empty.
I would like to begin with saying that these arent my words. I have no idea who uttered them but the sheer despondency in them cut through me.
The tide of forebooding depicted is the subtle cry of a pained soul trapped in the viscious cycle which does nothing to alleviate the suffering of a being who had given up hope and alienated oneself from happiness.
the world no injury, for in it I have nothing;
only in the world I fill up a place,
which may be better supplied when I have made it empty.
I would like to begin with saying that these arent my words. I have no idea who uttered them but the sheer despondency in them cut through me.
The tide of forebooding depicted is the subtle cry of a pained soul trapped in the viscious cycle which does nothing to alleviate the suffering of a being who had given up hope and alienated oneself from happiness.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
C'est l'amour !
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments; love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
bends with the remover to remove:
O, no, it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wand'ring bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his heighth be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.
Perhaps it was worth a try to open up to the special woman residing secretly in his heart.
This is the 116th Sonnet written by Shakespere.
A beautiful description of what many crave for but few are blessed with. He/she who has found this love is truly blessed with the rarest of gifts. He /she who understands its value and cherishes it will attain the truest level of bliss!
Admit impediments; love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
bends with the remover to remove:
O, no, it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wand'ring bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his heighth be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.
Perhaps it was worth a try to open up to the special woman residing secretly in his heart.
This is the 116th Sonnet written by Shakespere.
A beautiful description of what many crave for but few are blessed with. He/she who has found this love is truly blessed with the rarest of gifts. He /she who understands its value and cherishes it will attain the truest level of bliss!
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul
You learn that love doesn’t mean leaning and company doesn’t mean security
You begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises
You begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes open,
with the grace of an adult, not the grief of a child.
You learn to build all your roads on todaybecause tomorrows ground is too uncertain for plans.
And after awhile, you learn that you really are strong and you really do have worth.
- Author unknown
You learn that love doesn’t mean leaning and company doesn’t mean security
You begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises
You begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes open,
with the grace of an adult, not the grief of a child.
You learn to build all your roads on todaybecause tomorrows ground is too uncertain for plans.
And after awhile, you learn that you really are strong and you really do have worth.
- Author unknown
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Perfection
‘Perfection, the state of excellence without fault or defect, the perfect embodiment of a concept'.
Perfection, as beauty, lies in the eye of the beholder. To me , perfection is the ability to overlook flaws and search for the merits that are innate or emulated through the conscious act of learning. Perfection then is a consequence of well thought out actions and words. Perfection is the ability to strive for a better tomorrow. Perfection is the ability to understand the difference between real self and ideal self and accept that there is perefection in ones imperfections.
On a lighter note as Samuel McChord Crothers said " Try as hard as we may for perfection, the net result of our labors is an amazing variety of imperfectness. We are surprised at our own versatility in being able to fail in so many different ways"
Perfection, as beauty, lies in the eye of the beholder. To me , perfection is the ability to overlook flaws and search for the merits that are innate or emulated through the conscious act of learning. Perfection then is a consequence of well thought out actions and words. Perfection is the ability to strive for a better tomorrow. Perfection is the ability to understand the difference between real self and ideal self and accept that there is perefection in ones imperfections.
On a lighter note as Samuel McChord Crothers said " Try as hard as we may for perfection, the net result of our labors is an amazing variety of imperfectness. We are surprised at our own versatility in being able to fail in so many different ways"
Monday, January 30, 2006
How do i love thee? - Elizabeth Barrett Browning
How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
Journey of Life
We are responsible for what we are, and whatever we wish ourselves to be, we have the power to make ourselves. If what we are now has been the result of our own past actions, it certainly follows that whatever we wish to be in future can be produced by our present actions; so we have to know how to act. Swami Vivekananda
These words are profoundly deep. Being away from my own sometimes is devastatingly overwhelming. Every thought , every action can easily swerve my psyche towards any end of the continuiim where the two ends represent failure and success. but how do i measure this , what defines my failures or my success? Is it my sense of satisfaction or is it what others percieve about my actions at the end of the day? If my present has the power to determine my future then this makes me tread even more cautiously. Is life about stepping on the right steps or is it about experiencing the journey? Does the journey count or is it the end result that decides whather a life has been wasted or whether it has been fruitful?
Questions, Dilemmas, Decisions, Choices ..................................................... A recipie for success or a disaster waiting to happen.
These words are profoundly deep. Being away from my own sometimes is devastatingly overwhelming. Every thought , every action can easily swerve my psyche towards any end of the continuiim where the two ends represent failure and success. but how do i measure this , what defines my failures or my success? Is it my sense of satisfaction or is it what others percieve about my actions at the end of the day? If my present has the power to determine my future then this makes me tread even more cautiously. Is life about stepping on the right steps or is it about experiencing the journey? Does the journey count or is it the end result that decides whather a life has been wasted or whether it has been fruitful?
Questions, Dilemmas, Decisions, Choices ..................................................... A recipie for success or a disaster waiting to happen.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Monday, November 28, 2005
Retrospection
Film Name: Parasmani Year: 1963
Singer(s): Mohd. Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar
Lyricist: Asad Bhopali Musician(s): Laxmikant Pyarelal
Woh jab yaad aaye bahut yaad aaye
gham-e-zindagi ke andhere mein humne
charaag-e-mohabbat jalaaye bujhaaye
woh jab yaad aaye bahut yaad aaye
Aahaten jaag uthi raaste hans diye
thaamkar dil uthe hum kissi ke liye
kayi baar aisa bhi dhokha hua hai
chale aa rahe hai woh nazaren jhukaaye
Woh jab yaad aaye bahut yaad aaye
dil sulagne lagaa ashq behne lage
jaane kya kya humey log kehne lage
magar rotey-rotey hansee aa gayi hai
khayaalon mein aakey woh jab muskuraaye
Woh jab yaad aaye bahut yaad aaye
Woh juudaa kya hue zindagi kho gayi
shamma jalti rahi roshni kho gayi
bahut koshishey kee magar dil na behlaa
kayi saaz chhede kayi geet gaaye
Woh jab yaad aaye bahut yaad aaye
Singer(s): Mohd. Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar
Lyricist: Asad Bhopali Musician(s): Laxmikant Pyarelal
Woh jab yaad aaye bahut yaad aaye
gham-e-zindagi ke andhere mein humne
charaag-e-mohabbat jalaaye bujhaaye
woh jab yaad aaye bahut yaad aaye
Aahaten jaag uthi raaste hans diye
thaamkar dil uthe hum kissi ke liye
kayi baar aisa bhi dhokha hua hai
chale aa rahe hai woh nazaren jhukaaye
Woh jab yaad aaye bahut yaad aaye
dil sulagne lagaa ashq behne lage
jaane kya kya humey log kehne lage
magar rotey-rotey hansee aa gayi hai
khayaalon mein aakey woh jab muskuraaye
Woh jab yaad aaye bahut yaad aaye
Woh juudaa kya hue zindagi kho gayi
shamma jalti rahi roshni kho gayi
bahut koshishey kee magar dil na behlaa
kayi saaz chhede kayi geet gaaye
Woh jab yaad aaye bahut yaad aaye
ek gazhal
Tumako dekhaa to ye khayaal aayaa
Javed Akhtar
Tumako dekhaa to ye Khayaal aayaa
zindagii dhuup tum ghanaa saayaa
Aaj phir dil ne ek tamannaa kii
aaj phir dil ko hamane samajhaayaa
Tum chale jaaoge to sochenge
hamane kyaa khoyaa, hamane kyaa paayaa
Hum jise gunagunaa nahin sakate
Vaqt ne aisaa geet kyun gaayaa
Javed Akhtar
Tumako dekhaa to ye Khayaal aayaa
zindagii dhuup tum ghanaa saayaa
Aaj phir dil ne ek tamannaa kii
aaj phir dil ko hamane samajhaayaa
Tum chale jaaoge to sochenge
hamane kyaa khoyaa, hamane kyaa paayaa
Hum jise gunagunaa nahin sakate
Vaqt ne aisaa geet kyun gaayaa
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
words of wisdom
DON’T SHORT CHANGE YOURSELF
Most of us underestimate ourselves or shortchange ourselves. We think we are not smart enough, or we will not make it or the competition is overwhelming. This is natural because we focus on the circumstances around us and react to what we see or perceive. We allow fear or darkness to dim the light (our dreams) God has placed in our hearts. Know that you are an eagle and you are among eagles. Therefore, learn to soar like an eagle and do not come down and peck among chickens.
God has placed you where you are with all the resources at your disposal for a reason.
God has more in store for you – and his plans for you are greater than the plans you have for yourself. God is progressive, wants you to expand and grow for his higher purpose. Therefore, focus on God and not on your circumstances.
Most of us underestimate ourselves or shortchange ourselves. We think we are not smart enough, or we will not make it or the competition is overwhelming. This is natural because we focus on the circumstances around us and react to what we see or perceive. We allow fear or darkness to dim the light (our dreams) God has placed in our hearts. Know that you are an eagle and you are among eagles. Therefore, learn to soar like an eagle and do not come down and peck among chickens.
God has placed you where you are with all the resources at your disposal for a reason.
God has more in store for you – and his plans for you are greater than the plans you have for yourself. God is progressive, wants you to expand and grow for his higher purpose. Therefore, focus on God and not on your circumstances.
FIRE !
I was flying away ............. peeking behind clouds playing catch with birds and having the time of my life. Suddenly there was a rude noise........... a piercing one that woudnt go away........... groggily I opened my eyes to have my room-mate scream " FIRE". How can there be a fire I am flying, I thought. "No, wake up wake up" , the banshee who I thought was my room mate screeched. I pulled myself out of bed and looked at my wrist watch. It was 2 : 00 a.m. Just great. Then I looked out of the window it was raining. Even better, I thought. What would be better than evacuating in the middle of the night when it was pouring in central London. We walked down 8 stories and ambled out at our own sweet pace. People were in a horrid state. Some were barefoot, some in the most ridiculous of clothes and a few indecently clad. Well I thought One cannot expect a fashion parade when forced to get out of bed and evacuate the building in the middle of the night.
Then to add fuel to the fire, our sweet and gallant warden picked up the megaphone to murmur these words of consolation. He lovingly said, " Move you idiots Move. 50 steps to the East. Dont make me haul you there." I stood there wondering which direction was east ........ well I didnt know.. Then my friend dragged me in a particular direction. Looks like that is east was all I could think. We were completely drenched and freezing to the bone. Suddenly I remembered why I loved Indian Summers. London officially sucked at that very moment.
After what seemed a lifetime 2 fire engines came. Those monstorous firemen entered the building and then exited within 5 mins flat. I was so worked up by then that I wanted to see smoke. I didnt want to be dragged from my bed because some idiot burned toast and set of the fire alarm. And guess what thta was exactly the reason why the alarm went off in the first place.
Some one had indeed burnt toast. I WAS FURIOUS. That person ought to be shot, was all I could think.
As slowly as we had come down we proceeded to go back to our rooms.
I coudnt believe that I was soaked , freezing and in all probability suffering the initial signs of hypothermia because some one burnt their toast !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well life goes on . The culprit was never found which was well, otherwise there would have been a murder that night.
I have never seen people agree so quickly to terminate some one's existence. The motion was passed in record time. And all the guys who played football for my university live in my residence so I guess a murder could have been a reality.
Then to add fuel to the fire, our sweet and gallant warden picked up the megaphone to murmur these words of consolation. He lovingly said, " Move you idiots Move. 50 steps to the East. Dont make me haul you there." I stood there wondering which direction was east ........ well I didnt know.. Then my friend dragged me in a particular direction. Looks like that is east was all I could think. We were completely drenched and freezing to the bone. Suddenly I remembered why I loved Indian Summers. London officially sucked at that very moment.
After what seemed a lifetime 2 fire engines came. Those monstorous firemen entered the building and then exited within 5 mins flat. I was so worked up by then that I wanted to see smoke. I didnt want to be dragged from my bed because some idiot burned toast and set of the fire alarm. And guess what thta was exactly the reason why the alarm went off in the first place.
Some one had indeed burnt toast. I WAS FURIOUS. That person ought to be shot, was all I could think.
As slowly as we had come down we proceeded to go back to our rooms.
I coudnt believe that I was soaked , freezing and in all probability suffering the initial signs of hypothermia because some one burnt their toast !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well life goes on . The culprit was never found which was well, otherwise there would have been a murder that night.
I have never seen people agree so quickly to terminate some one's existence. The motion was passed in record time. And all the guys who played football for my university live in my residence so I guess a murder could have been a reality.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
A day that changed the way I shall look at this world
Yesterday afternoon I took the tube from holborn station(central line) to lamberth north (bakerloo line). My friend Nicole and I were going to the war museum. Lamberth north was a beautiful area , quite laid back and at ease. We entered the war museum , a truly magnificient architectural building. We went into the holocaust museum which is located in the same building. As i walked through thr halls, I realized the magnitude of what had happened over 70 years ago.
I had read about it and talked about it, but seeing the pictures and hearing people talk about their experiences as children during the holocaust overwhelmed me. The jews of germany were treated worse than low lying worms. They were humiliated, disgraced , torchered and massacered simply because they were followers of Judaism.
I thought what is it that perpetuates such hate and despise in human beings. Why did the nazis deplore the jews with such a vehemance that they took upon the horrendous task of trying to wipe them off the face of this earth.
I saw a documentary where hitler and others talked about the purity of the aryan race and that any contact with the jews was defiling the blood of their noble ancestery.
what kind of nobility is this? And it wasnt just the men , nazi women also relished at the chance of ordering death sentences and torcher.
That shook me. I could not believe the pictures I saw in front of me , where bodies were piled in mass burial grounds and were being checked for hidden valuables before they would be plowed with mud to cover them up.
The inhumanity of the entire period made me stop and think.
I was here now , I was lucky to be born in a particular family , in a particular country , in a perticular time.
I could not begin to digest what those people must have felt.
So many pictures , so many lives, so many unfulfilled desires and wishes.........
Every photograph had a story of human suffering. Every photograph was a testament to the fact that a family had suffered , that a child had lost his / her innocence in that cruel time.
My heart broke for those innocent children who suffered.
What had they done to deserve this? I heard a story where jewish people were supposed to step out of the way of nazi soldiers. One child of 6 didnt move away fast enough. The nazi soldier pulled out his gun and shot her through her head...........................................
Was her crime so huge? Then WHY?
I had always blistered over the fact that the Hindu symbol of swastika was banned through out Europe. I still dont accept it but now I understand why.......
It was a symbol of nazi cruelty, of death and destruction, of a malaise in the society that took the lives of over 6 million innocent people.
By the time I stepped out of the holocaust musuem , I was shaken and wished to the almighty that those poor souls had found some peace in their passing..................
I had read about it and talked about it, but seeing the pictures and hearing people talk about their experiences as children during the holocaust overwhelmed me. The jews of germany were treated worse than low lying worms. They were humiliated, disgraced , torchered and massacered simply because they were followers of Judaism.
I thought what is it that perpetuates such hate and despise in human beings. Why did the nazis deplore the jews with such a vehemance that they took upon the horrendous task of trying to wipe them off the face of this earth.
I saw a documentary where hitler and others talked about the purity of the aryan race and that any contact with the jews was defiling the blood of their noble ancestery.
what kind of nobility is this? And it wasnt just the men , nazi women also relished at the chance of ordering death sentences and torcher.
That shook me. I could not believe the pictures I saw in front of me , where bodies were piled in mass burial grounds and were being checked for hidden valuables before they would be plowed with mud to cover them up.
The inhumanity of the entire period made me stop and think.
I was here now , I was lucky to be born in a particular family , in a particular country , in a perticular time.
I could not begin to digest what those people must have felt.
So many pictures , so many lives, so many unfulfilled desires and wishes.........
Every photograph had a story of human suffering. Every photograph was a testament to the fact that a family had suffered , that a child had lost his / her innocence in that cruel time.
My heart broke for those innocent children who suffered.
What had they done to deserve this? I heard a story where jewish people were supposed to step out of the way of nazi soldiers. One child of 6 didnt move away fast enough. The nazi soldier pulled out his gun and shot her through her head...........................................
Was her crime so huge? Then WHY?
I had always blistered over the fact that the Hindu symbol of swastika was banned through out Europe. I still dont accept it but now I understand why.......
It was a symbol of nazi cruelty, of death and destruction, of a malaise in the society that took the lives of over 6 million innocent people.
By the time I stepped out of the holocaust musuem , I was shaken and wished to the almighty that those poor souls had found some peace in their passing..................
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Friday, October 07, 2005
first experience of a british pub - shakespere's pub. I thought it would be appropriate to start from this pub because i love shakespere.
it wasnt as fancy as i thought it would be. was actually quite laid back and fun. not pricey either and in central london quite a find!It is located on kingsway which goes from holborn tube station to aldwych in the camden borough of central london.
This place was packed to the hilt with people and to my annoyance SMOKE.
I have noticed one thing about Europeans in generalis that they smoke cigarette which is like in tons. I think the people here pollute the air more than the vehicles do. I sincerely felt that the congestion tax levied on the vehicles should have been renamed as pollution tax and should have been instead levied on people. So more revenue or less smoke. Either way a win win situation.
People here are really like chimneys. I completely fail to see tha appeal in smoking away your hard earned money as well as your health.
The British people are also very wierd.It is a normal custom in India and also USA ( American friends confirrmed this ) that if you see some one on the road you recognize by face you give them a smile/ nod of acknowledgement. here if you do that, people look at you as if you are deranged. My My My these brits are a funny stock.
okay back on the subject of pubs......... veggies beware.........double check everything before you dig in . the selection of veg dishes is normally measly. but still choosing from 3 dishes took me so long. It was ridiculous................
In the end , i ordered a dish called the panini- which is a baguette sandwichwith tomatoes, mozarella cheese and pesto sauce. It wsa super duper fantabulously delicious. I even tried the treacle tart. It was a drop of heaven. Pure unimagined delight.
we must have been the first customers of the club since its opening to walk upto the bar and order water. We received many a funny stares.
The meal cost us 3:25 sterling pounds which is pretty decent in central london.
later we walked down to the tate museum on the bankside. went a little crazy doing the touristy things. My room-mate shashi and I must have clicked a zillion snaps of anything right from the light bulbs which were hung from the trees to the promenade that along the thames.
In the tate museum, I had my first glimpse of a Monet original. Was so awed by it that for the first time during the length of the entire evening I was speechless.
"The waterlilies" - my favourite painting was in front of my eyes. I must have gazed at it with adoration for 30 minutes before the guard asked us to leaveas it was the closing time.
with a last glance and a promise that I would return all of us resumed the freezing journey back home.........................................................
it wasnt as fancy as i thought it would be. was actually quite laid back and fun. not pricey either and in central london quite a find!It is located on kingsway which goes from holborn tube station to aldwych in the camden borough of central london.
This place was packed to the hilt with people and to my annoyance SMOKE.
I have noticed one thing about Europeans in generalis that they smoke cigarette which is like in tons. I think the people here pollute the air more than the vehicles do. I sincerely felt that the congestion tax levied on the vehicles should have been renamed as pollution tax and should have been instead levied on people. So more revenue or less smoke. Either way a win win situation.
People here are really like chimneys. I completely fail to see tha appeal in smoking away your hard earned money as well as your health.
The British people are also very wierd.It is a normal custom in India and also USA ( American friends confirrmed this ) that if you see some one on the road you recognize by face you give them a smile/ nod of acknowledgement. here if you do that, people look at you as if you are deranged. My My My these brits are a funny stock.
okay back on the subject of pubs......... veggies beware.........double check everything before you dig in . the selection of veg dishes is normally measly. but still choosing from 3 dishes took me so long. It was ridiculous................
In the end , i ordered a dish called the panini- which is a baguette sandwichwith tomatoes, mozarella cheese and pesto sauce. It wsa super duper fantabulously delicious. I even tried the treacle tart. It was a drop of heaven. Pure unimagined delight.
we must have been the first customers of the club since its opening to walk upto the bar and order water. We received many a funny stares.
The meal cost us 3:25 sterling pounds which is pretty decent in central london.
later we walked down to the tate museum on the bankside. went a little crazy doing the touristy things. My room-mate shashi and I must have clicked a zillion snaps of anything right from the light bulbs which were hung from the trees to the promenade that along the thames.
In the tate museum, I had my first glimpse of a Monet original. Was so awed by it that for the first time during the length of the entire evening I was speechless.
"The waterlilies" - my favourite painting was in front of my eyes. I must have gazed at it with adoration for 30 minutes before the guard asked us to leaveas it was the closing time.
with a last glance and a promise that I would return all of us resumed the freezing journey back home.........................................................
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