Saloon stories

Glorious day, nice and bright sunshine providing the needed warmth in cold air. Changing fall colors all around provided the picture perfect background everywhere. Just the right kind of weather and you definitely would not want to be a couch potato, hooked to the TV sitting indoors. So, after thinking for days and days about whether I should get a haircut, I convince myself that i should and take a walk instead of peddling my way to enjoy the weather. So, as soon as i enter the saloon, there is this young lady, on the top of small ladder trying to fix something. She greets me nicely and asks me if I was there for a haircut. Then I go sit in front of the mirror and as soon as i settle, i'm encountered with this billion dollar question.." So, how would you like you to have your haircut today ?". I stumble and mumble .." like..like.." looking for the words that would aplty describe how i wanted and i wondered if at all i wanted!. I answer her, somehow explaining in dyslexiac tone. She nods the head as if she got the cue she was waiting for and gets back with all the paraphernalia needed. And as she is about to begin , she utters the magic words.." so you like having,growing long hair". And those were the most delightful words I heard from a stranger whom i've met before 5 minutes!. Once she said those words, I felt deeply connected to her and wondered if she had an insight into my mind just by placing her hands over my head! (ofcourse, i blissfully wanted to ignore the fact that i asked for such a haircut and all she had to do is interpret it,afterall she's a pro). Then she asks if i was a student here and what major i'm into, which i know, she is trying to pose it innocently to cover the her curiosity! ;)

So launching a conversation and already making big strides, I try to take it to the next level. I answer her questions and then ask her if she had been outside since morning. Then I tell how amazing the weather was outside. Then after a pause, she again inquires if it was that nice outside and i start describing to her how it felt outside. The sunshine, the zephyr, fall colors and recommended her to check it out by herself. Then she asks if I was working anywhere and i immediately catch her wanting to know about my credentials and how responsible i was. Then with some usual talk, my haircut is done and she makes sure if that was how i wanted and also suggests me some mousse that would help to keep the hair like i want and actually applies it by herself reflecting her interest in helping me ( ya.. ya.. i know she is a professional at hair saloon and it was part of her job but why only her...why did it not happen previously, for heaven's sake don't kill the buzz!). Also to follow up with she gets me a face towel from inside to clean myself up which again never happened! So, feeling great, we walk toward the counter and i daringly ask her what was her name making it sound as its for the reason that next time i could request for her (yes i do have some tricks up my sleeve ! :D). Then she smiles and again says the magic words "wait, let me give you a card" and she does something amazing i never expected it would happen. She flips the card and slowly starts writing something on the back and it was like that euphoric moment that a guy can expect of! ;). Immediately i have these highlights in front of me..'opening the door to find a young lady on some ladder working, smiling, greeting (filmy types) and then nice discussions,all the smiles, those warm delicate feminine hands gently over my chin and cheeks all the time during the haircut (:p).. her voice echoing time and again when she told that she would hand out me a card ..'. Now immediately imagine how a balloon freaks out if u let it go free after pumping air into it. That exactly was me when i took the card which said "Supercuts" on the front and on the back she marked my first haircut in the 8 spaces provided and she says " if you complete it , your ninth one is free, thank u , have a good day". And the worst is not yet over. I come out, plug in my head phones and push the play button only to hear "..Dil gira... daffatan [delhi 6].." ..*&^&%$*^&*@# :-x :-x

it is morals more than just a religion

My friends were sort of disappointed after USA probably played its best first half scoring twice but eventually lost 3-2 to Brazil in the finals of confederation cup. Then we went to the pool to cool off and suddenly I find some familiar words from my friend. Two of them, one from Atlanta and another new guy from Ohio, who go to school with me, were discussing about Lord Vishnu as the god of creation. Hearing it, I interrupt to make a correction that it is actually Lord Brahma who is the god of creation. Then they said, perhaps Vishnu was the god of destruction. I again correct them saying it is Lord Shiva who has that designation.

The reaction was as if they missed out one of the obvious things realizing it was Lord Shiva, the god of destruction and they both simultaneously ask me then what was the role of Lord Vishnu. I took a pause; try to think in my religious capacity before saying that he is the god to keep a balance between good and evil.Then out of curiosity I asked them how come they were familiar with all these names and roles of the gods. If they knew about Hinduism, I had a hunch perhaps they should have a fair knowledge or atleast outlook about other different religions. Then one of the guy says earlier in school he had taken a class on world religions and there they were introduced to Hinduism and the scripture of Ra-ma-yana, as he uttered in an accent!

It is a secondary point to have belief in a particular religion but for sure the knowledge expressed in all the religions, in the scriptures is very valuable and atleast there should be an opportunity as a child or student to get familiar about other religions apart from their own. Proximity of my home and school to a mosque made me have a unique experience. I have heard and uttered along the prayer “Allah uh Akbar (God is great)” during namaz atleast 2-3 times a day for about 20 years. This was a routine; where as my attendance at a temple was fairly limited to festivals. So, I guess I can well be considered a non-muslim who said namaz more than saying traditional prayers! (frankly, I neither understood Sanskrit nor Arabic to know exactly what I was chanting apart from one or two slokas).

I now wonder why was it we had to say prayers in Sanskrit at school which actually contradicts the function of being secular or neutral in religious matters, the way it should be. It probably would have been with an intention of establishing discipline rather than having any religious propagation but was it not in a way forcing non- hindu to say the prayers? In their defense, it can also be said, since there is only one god, we humans worship different forms; it doesn’t/shouldn’t matter if you say your prayer in sanskrit or Arabic etc! Though some students were obligated, I hope they took a positive message. It would not be fair on my part if I overlook the secular form of school in declaring holidays on all religious festivals!! ;).

Religions impart great tolerance and patience. If a child is exposed to the different religions early on, (s)he will be in a better position to avoid myths and write-off false and dangerous ideologies proposed by anti-social elements. These religious traditions and scriptures are the treasures which should be made accessible to everyone irrespective of their background. Schools are a good platform to provide suitable means of accessibility and hopefully, there would be a day when every child is well informed with teachings of as many religions as possible.

I have a suggestion for the people who are not comfortable facing the question “what are you or what is your religion?” I had been in that situation couple of times and always thought if there was any decent way of answering the question until I figured out to say “ my parents practice so and so”. Or more interesting answers would be ‘music’, ‘soccer’ or any other art form!!

Racism in india;living a legacy?

Presently it is tough times down under for the student community especially from those hailing from the sub-continent. Most of us wouldn’t deny it if we recall few instances in some games of cricket which heard some unpleasant comments. Though this example doesn’t generalize the attitude of entire nation as whole but exposes the fact that racism could be embraced in certain parts. It is an expected and obvious reaction from the administration there to deny the allegations and mask them with events of thefts and robbery. While the administration or people in India cry out loud about being victims of racism, may be it is a right time to also introspect to see if racism exists or embraced in india and by its people.

Racism as described in Oxford dictionary is “The belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races. Hence: prejudice and antagonism towards people of other races, esp. those felt to be a threat to one's cultural or racial integrity or economic well-being; the expression of such prejudice in words or actions. Also occas. in extended use, with reference to people of other nationalities.”

So, one could be racist (i) if one thinks they are better than other because of their race or (ii) if one not only thinks the above but goes a step ahead to inflict hatred towards others and treat with disrespect and offend based on race.

This could well earn me few frowns and cusses but I believe India of twentieth and twenty first century, in my view, lives on legacy but not reality in some cases of cultural aspects. Still there are numerous clashes between religious sections. The controversial election speech given by Varun Gandhi is one such example to encourage the factionist groups. It was really shocking and shameful to hear an educated person belonging to this generation commit such a thing. He was heard because he was on micro-phone. I’m sure there are many such people in every street who just dislike the other person because his/her traditions in praying, eating, speaking etc are different to theirs’. Is this not racism existing?

Popular version of racism in India is segregation based on colour. Generally speaking, one goes down the preference list if (s)he happens to be dark skinned in case of matrimonial issues. This may not be because of any personal rivalry towards that person but it is instinctive, may be because of societal awareness or anything else but it exists. If that emerges as one branch of the tree named racism planted in sub-continent, another branch would be segregation based on religion, caste, socio-economic status and even language! Probably thought in one’s mind would be how come this is relevant to racism? My argument would be how different is depriving one of an opportunity just because (s)he belong to or doesn’t belong to, as the case may be, and depriving the opportunity or showing prejudice because one hails from different nationality or race.

Forget about the issues between two nations, how about the divide or categorization of south and north India. If the name calling is in the spirit of fun, it is fine and healthy. Among the friends, if the people hailing from Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu are called Gulti or Thambi respectively, as they are popularly addressed, it is fine if the addressee is comfortable and has no issues. I’m sorry if it looks partial just to mention these two names because I am really unaware of other names for people elsewhere in India, may be because this is what I heard many times and was at receiving end on few occasions. This happens big time in educational institutions, hopefully in the spirit of friendship. It happens in India and it happens among Indian elsewhere. Man who was credited to earn the freedom through a peaceful revolution himself suffered a violent end by none other than a fellow citizen. Why? Every body has their own justification. We push aside that fact, in my view pretty important one, which reflects the tolerance of the society again for which the nation shared a good reputation. But I’d say that may be during the times of Moguls and before but not post-independence. Living on a legacy!

India, yet, hasn’t got an experience dealing with big numbers of foreign nationals who have to work sharing their work space with locals. Reality of such event would really expose the tolerance of people in this modern era and tell if it is racist or not. Why are foreign tourists subjected to exploitation? India is advertised as being rich for its ‘cultural diversity and heritage’, ‘unparalleled traditions’ to attract people all around the world. And when a person is there to explore, they are molested. I’m afraid, this incident would rather realistically reflect as ‘tradition’ to people in victim’s nation. If proper respect is lacking on the part of host, better stop saying guest is equivalent to god. Just sounds Hippocratic!

Probably, reading all this, someone would well argue that I have no right critiquing about a country that I’m no longer presently a part of, do not contribute in making things better or even attempting it. So, here, all I am saying is the strong hold of the country has become a legacy of past but aim is not to criticize. At least there should be realization that something happening else where to Indians has happened and is happening to Indians in India by fellow Indians. Just the way it is happening is different form. I acknowledge the fact that India is a place where religions like Islam was embraced and expanded though predominantly being populated by Hindus. That truly speaks of tolerance. It is a place where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment and started a new religion all together which speaks of peace. It has been a platform of many such wonderful events. But those have been too primitive now. It is a time when those principles are not just appreciated but adopted,… adopted, truly in every act of life.

lifidity

This part of the life is called Viscosity. But this summer, its behaviour has been unusual. Actually, there is an inverse relation between temperature and viscosity. More the temperature, lower the viscosity, better the movement of the fluid. Now, here, the viscosity of medium of living has rather been increasing as the temperatures are soaring. The flow in continuum of life is as slow as if frozen in time. Life is better off like a fluid. It provides ability to slowly pass through narrow walls of turmoil times and as well as gush across the expansions of series of past, present and potential benchmarks.

Fluid flows, condenses and evaporates. Life flows, flows though the chasms in time. Condenses in the moments of lull, disappointment and becomes volatile in anguish and anxiety. No matter how many stones you throw, the flow doesn’t stop. Just ripples are created only cease to exist for some time. Stones have gone down when flow has moved forward. Flow is full of waves and ofcourse waves are nothing but crest/troughs or ups and downs. Rougher the course of flow, greater the momentum it carries. If it flirts’ the shore with its waves, the waves even submerge the same shore sometimes. Never underestimate the strength of flow. Let yourself flow!

Do we need Venusian?

It is a saying that if men are from Mars and women are from Venus, better start learning venusian to get going. It would be hottest course in school to fill up within seconds and overwhelmingly but not surprisingly by ‘martians’. Ofcourse, who wouldn’t want to learn a foreign, oops infact, an alien language, which would help them tremendously in communicating to anyone at an advanced level.

So let’s take a wild guess on how this language look like and sound like. Definitely the script would be curvaceous! ;). Grammar would be difficult to master because sentances would be deceitful as in they might not mean exactly what they say! I guess venusian is all about exploring and understanding that lies hidden between the lines. But here comes the biggest hurdle. There could be so many dialects that you need to always match the one you are engaging with. In other words signal back the same frequency that your antenna is receiving. Labs would make you work on making eye contact and understanding and interpreting the eye movements. Concentrate on labs, guys!

Or do we require knowing this venusian when there exists a language which speaks in broader terms. Communicating in modest and straightforward terms, understanding in a way which is not just emotional but pragmatic too would seem too ideal for everyone. Just being one-self, able to put forth the opinions’, expectations’ and at the same time, being able to accept the opposite views and reciprocate in ‘gentlemanish’ manner, probably might be too much from a guy’s point citing the shadow of apprehension. But this is a feasible medium of communication if considered or atleast practical. Else I’m afraid things would be stale-mate until the wait ends for one to have fluency in venusian, goodluck with that! Flattery with sincerity, humour with humility, discerning with rationality, passion with spontanity and compassion with nobility would be the mantra!

Music and LYRICS

Watching Rangoli on Sunday mornings during early 90’s would have been part of most of our lives. To be frank I really wasn’t greatly interested in the program initially except if it was some song in east-man colour or some famous tune. It was a widely used cliché at my place that bollywood (from late 80s and later on) no more produces songs with class that their older counterparts were composed of. I used to think “obviously they grew listening to those songs, so the current songs would never be on their fav list”. Then gradually I got hang of hindi and urdu to an extent. Poems and shayari always captivated me and made me enjoy the language more than mother tongue telugu. Thanks to uncle upstairs for exposing me to some of these songs when he used to play for himself in kitchen and I could hear it downstairs and learn it!

Once you have that inclination of language and start appreciating the playfulness of language, truly, the lyricists of that 1940’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s are the one’s you want to adore. Ofcourse nothing to take away from the exceptional music directors whose tunes have eternally carried the golden words which provide blissful experience. The following are some of fantastic works.

Movie: Aap Ki Kasam,1974. lyricist: Anand Bhakshi, music: R.D.Burman

Singer: Kishore Kumar

Song: “Zindagi Ke Safar Mein Guzar Jaate Hain Jo Makaam

Vo Phir Nahin Aate, Vo Phir Nahin Aate
Phool Khilte Hain, Log Milte Hain, Phool Khilte Hain, Log Milte Hain Magar
Patjhad Mein Jo Phool Murjha Jaate Hain Vo Baharon Ke Aane Se Khilte Nahin
Kuchh Log ek Roz Jo Bichhad Jaate Hain Vo Hazaron Ke Aane Se Milte Nahin
Umra Bhar Chahe Koi Pukaara Kare Unka Naam
Vo Phir Nahin Aate, Vo Phir Nahin Aate”

Movie: Teesri Kasam, 1966. music: Shankar –Jaikishan, Lyrics: Shailendra ,

Singer: Mukesh

Song: “Sajan Re Jhooth Mat Bolo, Khuda Ke Paas Jaana Hai , Na Haathi Hai Na Ghoda Hai,, Wahan Paedal Hi Jana Hai

Tumhare Mehel Chaubaare , Yahin Reh Jayenge Saare, Akad Kis Baat Ki Pyaare, Yeh Sar Phir Bhi Jhukaana Hai, Sajan Re Jhooth...

Bhalaa Kije Bhalaa Hoga, Buraa Kije Buraa Hoga, Wahi Likh-Likh Ke Kya Hoga, Yahin Sab Kuch Chukana Hai, Sajan Re Jhooth...

Ladakpan Khel Mein Khoya, Jawaani Neend Bhar Soya, Budhaapa Dekhkar Roya, Wahi Kissa Purana Hai
Sajan Re Jhooth...

Ofcourse there are these two from Mera Naam Joker: “Jeena yahan marna yahan, iske siva jaana kahan” and “ Jaane kahan gaye wo din…”. I feel connected to a song if it’s the voice of Mukesh.

Movie: Pyaasa,1957, music: S.D Burman, Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi, singers: Hemanth Kumar and Mohammed rafi respectively.

Songs: “ Jaane Woh Kaise Log The Jinke Pyar Ko Pyar Mila, Humne To Jab Kaliyaan Maangi Kaaton Ka Haar Mila ..” and “ agar yeh duniya mil bhi jaaye tho kya hai”

Movie: Amar Prem 1971,music:R.D Burman, Lyrics: Anand Bhakshi, Singer: Kishore Kumar from song “kuch tho log kahenge..”

“…kuch reet jagat ki ayisi hai har ek subah ki shaam huyee, tu kaun hai tera naam hain kya sita bhi yahan badnaam huyee..” 

M ovie: Boond Jo Ban Gaye Moti,1967, music: Satish Bhatia, lyrics: Bharat Vyas,

Singer: Mukesh.

Song: “ Hari Hari vasundhara pe neela neela yeh gagan…yeh kisko baadalo ki paaliki udha rahan pawan, dishaayen dekho rangabharee, chamak rahi umang bharee

ye kis ne phool phool pe kiya singaar hai, ye kaun chitrakaar hai, ye kaun chitrakaar

ye kaun chitrakaar hai..”

Movie: Anaadi,1959. music: Shankar-Jaikishan, Lyrics: Shailendra,

Singer: Mukesh

Song: “kisi ki muskuraahaon pe ho nisaar, kisi ka dard mil sake to le udhaar, kisi ke vaaste ho tere dil men pyaar, jeena isi ka naam hai..

maana apani jeb se fakeer hain, phir bhi yaaron dil ke ham ameer hain, mite jo pyaar ke liye vo zindagi, jale bahaar ke liye vo zindagi, kisi ko ho na ho, hamen to aitabaar
jeena isi ka naam hai

rishta dil se dil ke aitabaar ka, zinda hai hamin se naam pyaar ka, ke mar ke bhi, kisi ko yaad aayenge, kisi ke aansuon men muskuraayenge, kahega phool har kali se baar baar
jeena isi ka naam hai”

This could go on for ever by digging up the songs. Absence of songs from 1990’s and later shouldn’t be treated as my lack of appreciation for songs during that time but I do not find them philosophically as rich as older ones’. Oflate, anytime I try to pick a song with very good style, the song which spontaneously comes to me is “ radha kaise na jale” from movie Lagaan written by Javed Akhtar. The finesse of the language (pronounciation of the words) used surprises me when I realise that it was penned by a man who comes from religiously and culturally different background. Perhaps this song which describes the conversation between Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha, written and composed by people who practice different religion is a fine example that music knows no boundaries! Apart from renowned Gulzar and Javed Akhtar; Prasoon Joshi looks promising in present times with “lukha chuppi..” from rang de basanti and poetic “dil gira dafatan” from Dilli 6. Though not being my initial impression, though not belonging to that generation, I can still be proud of placing myself in the category who believe (w.r.t music) that ‘Old is gold!’. Can anybody notice a common thing from the above songs which talks about my inclination to listening to...?

child prodigies or products of globalization

Can it be named as Age of child prodigies? That’s what it seems like after seeing all these singing and dancing competitions, where children as young as five year old display their versatility before the nation. Other day I was having the same discussion with dad. Do children get pushed too much sometimes to deliver more than their capability? I guess not only the participants end up as victims but it also extends into many households especially in country like India. Unfortunately, the children in Indian societies are subjected to constant comparison. It would work in favor but more often not only it dents the confidence of the child but also it creates a sort of aversion towards the fellow with whom (s)he is being compared. And sometimes I am afraid it could stay that way for lifetime.

Obviously competition between children pulls large audiences and the TV channels will milk every opportunity that comes their way. They do business to make profits and thus they can be justified. They can always argue that they are promoting young talent, giving necessary platforms without which best of India would never come to light. Fair enough. So now responsibility comes down to the parents or teachers. The maturity and discretion of the mentors comes into play in building the confidence of the children and provide them congenial and encouraging environment. Actually, that is the ideal time when they can make children realize that failure is a part of life, which every one has to go through at some point or other and help them in handling the failure in the way it should be. It could also be appreciable action on the part of celebrity judges if they just make sure to pass on the message which discourages any pressurising or comparing children. Now this was the shady side of the current phenomena.

Don’t these children leave us awestruck with amazing performances? We often remind ourselves of how ‘childish’ we used to be at that tender age. Or otherwise we can try and feel good by citing the lack of opportunity, encouragement or resources which actually might be true for most of us! Otherwise there are always priorities to be taken care of!! Anyways, we might well be witnessing the evolution of our species in the offspring in recent past decade or is it too amateur to reach to such conclusion. Well let’s dissect this hypothesis. Obviously, children in present world are exposed to so much audio and visual activity from very early age because it surrounds them. This was not exactly the case during the childhood of our parents or many of us. This is because of the varied socio-economic conditions that prevailed during those times. Also, globalization can also be one of the factors which brought few changes in cultural practices. MTV is now part of many lifestyles as against in past. Many 24/7 music channels did not even exist and now they are all over playing our favorite music and every time we hymn to the tunes, the little ones’ nearby are listening to it. And since the grasping power is so great for toddlers, I guess the music which we are listening to is becoming part of their involuntary learning. If they can start speaking just by seeing and listening us talk, is it a wonder if they can sing and dance if they have been listening and watching the songs? (Well nothing to take away from kids who have exceptional talent and kudos to their hard work).

This could be true for even their exclamatory computing skills and many other activities requiring higher cognitive abilities. Well this reasoning can be put to test just by comparing the musical skills of children who were exposed to music at very early age and other who were not. The results might seem quite evident and if they are good enough for children from same generation then they should hold good for children of one generation to the previous. May be the grasping ability of children of previous generation was equally good and comparable to that of today and there are no such evolutionary advantages as anticipated. If such improvement exist in children of present generation, wow, it’s great! Good for homosapiens!!

Roots and Wings

Wow what a way to kick off my blogging. Just while writing the last sentence of the first ever posting and pheww, the browser crashes and after a while I realise nothing actually got saved though it was auto saving! Reminds me of first ever assignment I tried doing in master’s, trying to be awake all the night just to realise you actually have to save documents at a particular allotted space on hard disk but not just on desktop because the computers would automatically restart at 2 or 3 a.m and everything on the desktop is vanished. Still living its legacy, I guess!

Well it was ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ on TV and I was excited for the reason it was commercial free! It was interesting to notice, the thing they say about the books, being true for movies too. You see the movie for ‘n+1’ time, you can still get away with a new take-home message. I wonder how I missed this particular piece that Jake (Josh Lucas) says to Mel (Reese Witherspoon) when they have the conversation in dog cemetery.

Mel: “I'm happy in New York, Jake. But then I come down here and... this fits, too.”

Jake: “Since when does it have to be one or the other? You can have roots and wings, Mel.”

I actually heard it as “ you can’t” and it was pretty convincing but later on looking at the transcript of the movie, I realized it actually says as above. Then the question spontaneously that came was ‘really, Can you have both roots and wings? (Yes, you can on a platter!).

I doubt if evolutionary biologists would agree with that. There is a reason why creatures had wings developed from their fins but do not have both. We know it’s the situation which dictates these changes and adaptations. So, is there a scenario which would require both roots and wings, apart from a potential description in Harry Potter. Scientifically, it is very unlikely because if you need to fly, wings would be of more help and similarly if you need to be firm, take the roots and leave out the wings. That’s the way nature has evolved. Culturally, yeah very much we can relate ourselves to having both roots and wings. It is the situation again, which brings out roots or wings when we are before family or friends.

But what if we were supposed to choose either roots or wings? I know it’s the damn ‘choice’, choice that Mr.Anderson (a.k.a Neo) had to make between red and blue pill, choice that Mel had to make between Jake and the guy from New York. It must be sounding too hypothetical but isn’t there any message if we dare to think beyond what is presented to us? I guess we would have accepted if Mel believed it was a right call to marry to the guy from New York. Apart from being a good person we cannot discount he is the son of the mayor of NY and a potential presidential material. Perhaps we would have bought either of the endings. What if I put the above sentence this way. I guess we would have accepted if Mel married the guy from NY and believed it was a right call. So we have two versions here. One is you believe in something and take a decision. Other is to take a decision and start believing in it. I am not sure how often the first one is successful but the second should have pretty good success.I am not attempting to advocate for any in particular but certainly would back off from telling if one is better than other.

I am sure atleast some of them would comment that the second scenario is rather conservative approach and would even go far enough to say it is for losers. May be but loser only in their dictionary; might be conservative when gauged relative to their approach. Similarly, whatever others think, it would not matter no more than if it was a ‘i’ or ‘y’ in one’s pursuit of happ(i/y)ness. “COGITO ERGO SUM – I THINK, THEREFORE I AM” – Descartes. If I believe I am happy no matter what, I am indeed. It is just matter of how long I can remember ‘I have to be happy’ or maintaining myself in the ‘state of happiness’ as long as possible to be happy. Have that focus always and though many things to worry about (we all know there will always be one), still I can be happy! I do not know what else Buddha would have realized!

If you are good at reading the situation and its potential demands, you know what to pick from roots and wings. You are clueless, pick one by your instincts or logic or passion because there is no ‘correct choice’ and it is not that you have a 0.5 probability of success (or happiness). Believing in their choice, one can prove that the choice was worthy.

I’ll pick the wings! And I bet Neo ( who picks the red one in movie) would still have had the same excitement, intensity and done wonders if he had swallowed the blue pill :-p, wouldn’t he? ;-)

Fact: On 18^th June’09, US senate has unanimously passed a resolution apologising for slavery and racial segregation. 19^th of June, also called as ‘Juneteenth’. In 1865, this day was commemorated as end of slavery.