Wanted to update the blog but without much effort. So, a tag this time.
Name three most valuable assets.
Laptop, debit-credit card, cellphone. These must be on everyone's list I assume with a plus or minus.
One truth in your life that haunts you every day?
It’s also the only “episode of regret” but over time, I have coached myself to suppress it with distractions, however less than suitable they might be.
Where is the place that you want to go the most?
Akbar’s court in Fatehpur Sikri while in session.
If you can have one dream to come true, what would it be?
Write a book.
What are you afraid to lose the most in yourself?
Stubbornness.
What would you do if you found a briefcase full of money?
Depends.
If you meet someone that you love, would you confess to him/her?
Ten years ago, yes. Today, no, I don’t have the balls anymore.
Which type of person do you dislike the most?
Whiney, self-pitying kinds.
What is your ambition?
This one’s easy...total and absolute world domination.
If you were given the chance to have one super power, what would it be and why?
The ability to read people’s minds.
For you life is?
An unpredictable bitch.
If you could do one thing different in life, what would it be?
Get a new name.
Are you a shopaholic?
Depends on the kind of shop.
One song that gives you goosebumps?
A well-rendered version of the national anthem, whether vocal or instrumental. (No, this is not some sentimental tosh I have developed.)
Do you have any plans for tomorrow?
Yes. I have to live this day, and go for sleep at night.
Questions, please. Add some of your own if you wish.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Verses
Two almost back-to-back posts! I must have rediscovered my blog!
Today's post is about two poems of Vikram Seth that I particularly like. This semester I had taken a poetry workshop, as a result, not only did I have to write twelve poems of my own, I had to read a similar number of poems of my classmates, plus nearly a hundred others.
These two have been particularly interesting, mostly because of their simplicity.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All You who Sleep Tonight
All you who sleep tonight
Far from the ones you love,
No hand to left or right
And emptiness above -
Know that you aren't alone
The whole world shares your tears,
Some for two nights or one,
And some for all their years.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How Rarely These Few Years
How rarely these few years, as work keeps us aloof,
Or fares, or one thing or another,
Have we had days to spend under our parents’ roof:
Myself, my sister, and my brother.
All five of us will die; to reckon from the past
This flesh and blood is unforgiving.
What’s hard is that just one of us will be the last
To bear it all and go on living.
Today's post is about two poems of Vikram Seth that I particularly like. This semester I had taken a poetry workshop, as a result, not only did I have to write twelve poems of my own, I had to read a similar number of poems of my classmates, plus nearly a hundred others.
These two have been particularly interesting, mostly because of their simplicity.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All You who Sleep Tonight
All you who sleep tonight
Far from the ones you love,
No hand to left or right
And emptiness above -
Know that you aren't alone
The whole world shares your tears,
Some for two nights or one,
And some for all their years.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How Rarely These Few Years
How rarely these few years, as work keeps us aloof,
Or fares, or one thing or another,
Have we had days to spend under our parents’ roof:
Myself, my sister, and my brother.
All five of us will die; to reckon from the past
This flesh and blood is unforgiving.
What’s hard is that just one of us will be the last
To bear it all and go on living.
To Mr. Alexander Graham Bell
This is one letter which i wanted to write to Mr.Alexander Graham Bell, on attaining my first cell
Dear Mr. Bell
Thank you for your contribution in my life. After a gap of one year, I have recently become the proud owner of one of your inventions. It’s serving me very well. Making plans, keeping commitments, and maintaining relationships is so much easier now. Thank you!
Hope afterlife is treating you well.
Best regards,
Jino..
Dear Mr. Bell
Thank you for your contribution in my life. After a gap of one year, I have recently become the proud owner of one of your inventions. It’s serving me very well. Making plans, keeping commitments, and maintaining relationships is so much easier now. Thank you!
Hope afterlife is treating you well.
Best regards,
Jino..
Killing Time
Time is a rare commodity you say? And I am supposed to believe you? Come on!
In spite of the following two items I read on Times of India.com from the previous links?
First, the council of ministers in Uttar Pradesh is going to run a probe on Orkut because some communities and individuals have been disrespectful towards the chief minister.
Second, the eight constables who shook hands with Sanjay Dutt outside the Yervada Jail in Pune are in big trouble. There will be an inquiry run on them. The ninth constable who hugged Dutt has already been suspended.
Now, here's your chance. Beat the examples I have given here. Tell me the most entertaining piece of news you have read recently. This free and fair contest is open to all and the winner will be announced a week from today.
In spite of the following two items I read on Times of India.com from the previous links?
First, the council of ministers in Uttar Pradesh is going to run a probe on Orkut because some communities and individuals have been disrespectful towards the chief minister.
Second, the eight constables who shook hands with Sanjay Dutt outside the Yervada Jail in Pune are in big trouble. There will be an inquiry run on them. The ninth constable who hugged Dutt has already been suspended.
Now, here's your chance. Beat the examples I have given here. Tell me the most entertaining piece of news you have read recently. This free and fair contest is open to all and the winner will be announced a week from today.
One, Two, Three, Four
There were twenty questions, I skipped five to bring it down to fifteen. As with tags I have done before, answer at least one question here too. All the best!
1.Pick out a scar you have, and explain how you got it?
A spot on my left cheek thanks to chicken pox at the age of nineteen.
2. What used to be on the walls in your room?
Posters of cars and cars..... and a couple of fancy writings.
3. What does your phone look like?
The same as it used to in Udaipur. Difference being that then it worked and now it overworks.
4. What music do you listen to?
Will listen to almost everything at least once. Currently, I am listening to a lot of South Indian Classical music.
5. What is your current desktop picture?
A National Geographic photograph of the Savannah.
6. What do you want more than anything right now?
A ticket to France, and the next Harry Potter movie.
7. What time were you born?
Around 4 am I am told.
8. What are you listening to right now?
Office sounds.
9. What’s something people may not know about you?
That I recover my temper faster than I lose it.
10. The last person to make you cry?
Someone who reads this blog.
11. What is your favorite perfume?
Anything lemony.
12. What is your favorite pizza topping?
Paneer and pineapple.
13. If you could eat anything right now, what would it be?
My mother’s aloo parantha..
14. Who was the last person you made mad?
My colleague, because I insisted this morning that Aishwarya Rai is beautiful and Abhishek Bachhan married right.
15. Is anyone in love with you right now?
That’s really not for me to answer, is it?
1.Pick out a scar you have, and explain how you got it?
A spot on my left cheek thanks to chicken pox at the age of nineteen.
2. What used to be on the walls in your room?
Posters of cars and cars..... and a couple of fancy writings.
3. What does your phone look like?
The same as it used to in Udaipur. Difference being that then it worked and now it overworks.
4. What music do you listen to?
Will listen to almost everything at least once. Currently, I am listening to a lot of South Indian Classical music.
5. What is your current desktop picture?
A National Geographic photograph of the Savannah.
6. What do you want more than anything right now?
A ticket to France, and the next Harry Potter movie.
7. What time were you born?
Around 4 am I am told.
8. What are you listening to right now?
Office sounds.
9. What’s something people may not know about you?
That I recover my temper faster than I lose it.
10. The last person to make you cry?
Someone who reads this blog.
11. What is your favorite perfume?
Anything lemony.
12. What is your favorite pizza topping?
Paneer and pineapple.
13. If you could eat anything right now, what would it be?
My mother’s aloo parantha..
14. Who was the last person you made mad?
My colleague, because I insisted this morning that Aishwarya Rai is beautiful and Abhishek Bachhan married right.
15. Is anyone in love with you right now?
That’s really not for me to answer, is it?
Tied to the Tricolor
There are days when my patriotism threatens to overwhelm me. I am just so proud of being an Indian that I want to scream from the rooftops. Case in point, today. When I woke up in the morning, made some coffee, sat down with a bunch of old newspapers just to sell them to the Raddiwala, I started going through an old article published an year and a half back and came across the detailed reporting in both Indian as well as international media about how the rich culture of the land has been offended by the fact that Richard Gere kissed Shilpa Shetty in an AIDS awareness function in NEW DELHI, the CAPITAL CITY of India. So much so that there had been protests from all over the country, including equally or more emancipated cities such as Mumbai. Americans were, thankfully enough and unlike most Indians, extremely demonstrative with their affection, as we learn everyday. But that was not the point. The point was that something as trivial as this made people sacrifice their time and energy over things such as burning effigies of both the people in question, of asking them to apologize, and telling the non Indian to leave India and go back to his home. Of course kissing is not part of Indian culture! It’s such a sexual activity! Any kiss any where means getting undressed and jumping into bed! And we of course don’t know anything about those things because in our country, the second most populated country in the world by the way, children are born just by men and women looking into each other’s eyes. There is really no other activity involved! And all this when the same day’s news also included the nexus between Dadua, the dreaded gangster from Uttar Pradesh, and Mulayam Singh Yadav, one of the most prominent politicians of the country. And the conversion of a thousand Hindus in Orissa to Buddhism because in spite of being Hindus they were denied access to temples in their own region owing to the fact that they were from lower castes.
Uff! My pride in my country knows no bounds today. I might as well tie the tricolor on my head and walk about anywhere.
But then again, given today's events in the US when criminals involved in the Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal in the 80's were bailed out by them, there are several things to be grateful for in India.
Uff! My pride in my country knows no bounds today. I might as well tie the tricolor on my head and walk about anywhere.
But then again, given today's events in the US when criminals involved in the Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal in the 80's were bailed out by them, there are several things to be grateful for in India.
Falsafa
Rabbi Shergill, one of my most favorite contemporary musicians has sung a song on my most favorite city in the world - Delhi .
Jaagegi raat bhar
Aur bhagegi saath parr
Kar dalegi belagam khayalon ko
Poochhegi yeh sawal
Aur mangegi yeh hisaab
Na sunegi tere jawabon ko
Yahan hain ek nadi
Aur wahan ek lal qila
Par kahan hain is shahar ka falsafa
I am keen to know who wrote the lyrics. Only someone who loves Delhi passionately could have described her as a tempestuous woman.
Jaagegi raat bhar
Aur bhagegi saath parr
Kar dalegi belagam khayalon ko
Poochhegi yeh sawal
Aur mangegi yeh hisaab
Na sunegi tere jawabon ko
Yahan hain ek nadi
Aur wahan ek lal qila
Par kahan hain is shahar ka falsafa
I am keen to know who wrote the lyrics. Only someone who loves Delhi passionately could have described her as a tempestuous woman.
Utopia
In my perfect world:
• Clothes would wash and dry themselves.
• The rupee would be the most powerful currency.
• The University of Idaho would be relocated to somewhere in India.
• There would be snow on the sidewalks all over India.
• Roads would be safe for women no matter what time of the day.
• There would be no bananas.
• Child molesters would get the death penalty.
• Chocolates, icecreams, vodka, rum and coke will be healthy food.
• I would have a movie theater sized screen in my house.
• Orkut would automatically ban people wanting “to do friendship” with anyone.
• Everyone would brush their teeth twice at least.
• Mandira Bedi would wear blouses.
• Daniel Craig would be my next door neighbor.
• Amitabh Bachhan would not have done that role in Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna.
• Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna would not have been made.
• International phone calls would be cheap.
• I would win the Pulitzer, Booker, and the Nobel.
• Everyone will be in the same time zone all over the world.
• Emran Hashmi would keep his mouth shut.
• Tweaking eyebrows would be the most painless act ever.
• Bon Jovi’s Its My Life would be the national anthem.
• My current favorite tracks – George Michael's Freedom and Salam E Ishq’s Dil Kya Kare would play themselves again and again.
• Ipods would grow on trees.
• There would be samosa/kachori/papri chaat/dahi bhalla/jalebi/gajar ka halwa/kulhar
wali chai ki dukaan and aloo paranthas in accessible corners of all cities of the
world.
• I would be able to just close my eyes and do my favorite road trip, from South to
the North, as often as possible.
• People would be imprisoned if they didn’t keep their word.
• Traveling across the world would be the easiest thing to plan.
• The people I love would never misunderstand me.
• The people who care about me would put up with my temper all the time.
• Fidelity and honesty would be the most aspired and sought after virtues.
• I would never have to give up a friend.
• Clothes would wash and dry themselves.
• The rupee would be the most powerful currency.
• The University of Idaho would be relocated to somewhere in India.
• There would be snow on the sidewalks all over India.
• Roads would be safe for women no matter what time of the day.
• There would be no bananas.
• Child molesters would get the death penalty.
• Chocolates, icecreams, vodka, rum and coke will be healthy food.
• I would have a movie theater sized screen in my house.
• Orkut would automatically ban people wanting “to do friendship” with anyone.
• Everyone would brush their teeth twice at least.
• Mandira Bedi would wear blouses.
• Daniel Craig would be my next door neighbor.
• Amitabh Bachhan would not have done that role in Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna.
• Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna would not have been made.
• International phone calls would be cheap.
• I would win the Pulitzer, Booker, and the Nobel.
• Everyone will be in the same time zone all over the world.
• Emran Hashmi would keep his mouth shut.
• Tweaking eyebrows would be the most painless act ever.
• Bon Jovi’s Its My Life would be the national anthem.
• My current favorite tracks – George Michael's Freedom and Salam E Ishq’s Dil Kya Kare would play themselves again and again.
• Ipods would grow on trees.
• There would be samosa/kachori/papri chaat/dahi bhalla/jalebi/gajar ka halwa/kulhar
wali chai ki dukaan and aloo paranthas in accessible corners of all cities of the
world.
• I would be able to just close my eyes and do my favorite road trip, from South to
the North, as often as possible.
• People would be imprisoned if they didn’t keep their word.
• Traveling across the world would be the easiest thing to plan.
• The people I love would never misunderstand me.
• The people who care about me would put up with my temper all the time.
• Fidelity and honesty would be the most aspired and sought after virtues.
• I would never have to give up a friend.
Book-ey !!
It was raining, it was green, it was slushy, and there were tons of great food outside on the streets to do justice to the awesome weather. Here are some book-ey facts from my end.
Number of books I own
About 10-15 is a reasonable estimate.
Number of books lent out to others that never came back
None. On principle, I do not lend books. And if I do, it will only be after I am convinced that you have the capacity to love my books as much as I love them.
Last book I read
Phire Dekha, a collection of Bengali short stories.
I'm currently reading
(For the nth time) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – J.K. Rowling
Authors I Love
The success of a book (provided it is fiction) in my mind is not so much in the brilliance of the author’s words, it is in the creation of his characters and events. Because at the end of the day, a character is bigger than the author. It is the test of an author’s brilliance that his characters are so immortal that he is remembered through them, and not the other way around. Which is why, I love the following.
Chaman Nahal
There are books on the Partition and there are books on the Partition. It’s a never ending long list. But Nahal’s book Azadi is one favorite. Because of its characters, of how they react in that tiny village when they learn that the country has been partitioned, and that they are suddenly something called Pakistanis, and those who are not, have to give up everything they own, and come to what is now called India. Their bewilderment at not being consulted at any stage of this life-changing decision, their anger and shock, and eventual journey...everything left an impact.
Arthur Conan Doyle
I love the supernatural...be it in movies or books. If ever I decide to give it all up and do a PhD, it will be in something spooky.
Doyle’s brilliance in my mind lies not only in the creation of the very bright and very eccentric, and at times deliciously sexy Sherlock Holmes, it also lies in his multi-layered imagination. In my opinion his true genius lies in his lesser known albeit far more dazzling horror stories.
Jules Verne
For being the most imaginative science fiction writer ever. His Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea was about a submarine called Nautilus which ran on electricity. Today this is a common enough phenomena but Verne explained its functioning in great detail at a time when scientists where producing mere sparks of electricity in their laboratories. The Leagues’ hero, Captain Nemo left a huge impact on my childhood mind, one that refuses to budge to this day. His other book I dig is A Journey to the Center of the Earth. EXCITING!
J.K. Rowling
A writer without a crazy imagination and an inbuilt sense of humor is no writer at all. Rowling rocks for the sheer brilliance of her mind, for her often sarcastic and often right-on-the-surface sense of humor. For the range of unforgettable characters, supremely imaginative places and situations, and for Quidditch. Last but not the least for her increasingly market-savvy mind that understands her reader perfectly. Whether or not mainstream authors admit it, Rowling’s commercial acumen is probably an inspiration for everyone who wishes to get published one day.
Roald Dahl
Be it his writings for children, for young people, or for adults...Dahl is god-like for his choice of words, his cynicism and his imagination which can transform even the most “harmless” grandmother into a vicious murderer. No two stories are alike, nor are two characters, and his words are cut-throat when it comes to their ability to make you forget other authors and read Dahl again and again.
Bill Bryson
I love travel writing, whether it’s me blogging about my trips and travels, or reading other people’s adventures. In this day and age, with a hundred distractions available to every individual, humor is probably the most powerful tool a writer can use to hold a reader’s attention. Bryson excels in that brilliantly. His sense of humor is such that in the midst of reading his words, I have actually had to put the book aside because my stomach and jaw hurt from laughing so much. He observes the tiniest detail, has the ability to laugh at himself, has a questioning probing mind, and most importantly comes across as a wonderful traveller. You read him and you ask yourself, would I have had the intelligence to observe such simple yet awesome details if I was the one travelling and not him?
Things written by P.G. Wodehouse
Have tried a couple of his books, yeah so he is supposed to be the god of humor, I didn’t think so. I didn’t find anything even capable of making me break into a smile, so shoot me.
My most treasured books
Every book I own. Even my family members touch my books with my permission. I assure you, I am pretty non-scary and generous otherwise.
People I Tag
Again, anyone who reads this post. Answer as many as you like, want to get to know your side of the story.
Disclaimer: Too many Internet images used. Apologies! Just that I love all these folks so much, wanted to put a face to my worship.
Number of books I own
About 10-15 is a reasonable estimate.
Number of books lent out to others that never came back
None. On principle, I do not lend books. And if I do, it will only be after I am convinced that you have the capacity to love my books as much as I love them.
Last book I read
Phire Dekha, a collection of Bengali short stories.
I'm currently reading
(For the nth time) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – J.K. Rowling
Authors I Love
The success of a book (provided it is fiction) in my mind is not so much in the brilliance of the author’s words, it is in the creation of his characters and events. Because at the end of the day, a character is bigger than the author. It is the test of an author’s brilliance that his characters are so immortal that he is remembered through them, and not the other way around. Which is why, I love the following.
Chaman Nahal
There are books on the Partition and there are books on the Partition. It’s a never ending long list. But Nahal’s book Azadi is one favorite. Because of its characters, of how they react in that tiny village when they learn that the country has been partitioned, and that they are suddenly something called Pakistanis, and those who are not, have to give up everything they own, and come to what is now called India. Their bewilderment at not being consulted at any stage of this life-changing decision, their anger and shock, and eventual journey...everything left an impact.
Arthur Conan Doyle
I love the supernatural...be it in movies or books. If ever I decide to give it all up and do a PhD, it will be in something spooky.
Doyle’s brilliance in my mind lies not only in the creation of the very bright and very eccentric, and at times deliciously sexy Sherlock Holmes, it also lies in his multi-layered imagination. In my opinion his true genius lies in his lesser known albeit far more dazzling horror stories.
Jules Verne
For being the most imaginative science fiction writer ever. His Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea was about a submarine called Nautilus which ran on electricity. Today this is a common enough phenomena but Verne explained its functioning in great detail at a time when scientists where producing mere sparks of electricity in their laboratories. The Leagues’ hero, Captain Nemo left a huge impact on my childhood mind, one that refuses to budge to this day. His other book I dig is A Journey to the Center of the Earth. EXCITING!
J.K. Rowling
A writer without a crazy imagination and an inbuilt sense of humor is no writer at all. Rowling rocks for the sheer brilliance of her mind, for her often sarcastic and often right-on-the-surface sense of humor. For the range of unforgettable characters, supremely imaginative places and situations, and for Quidditch. Last but not the least for her increasingly market-savvy mind that understands her reader perfectly. Whether or not mainstream authors admit it, Rowling’s commercial acumen is probably an inspiration for everyone who wishes to get published one day.
Roald Dahl
Be it his writings for children, for young people, or for adults...Dahl is god-like for his choice of words, his cynicism and his imagination which can transform even the most “harmless” grandmother into a vicious murderer. No two stories are alike, nor are two characters, and his words are cut-throat when it comes to their ability to make you forget other authors and read Dahl again and again.
Bill Bryson
I love travel writing, whether it’s me blogging about my trips and travels, or reading other people’s adventures. In this day and age, with a hundred distractions available to every individual, humor is probably the most powerful tool a writer can use to hold a reader’s attention. Bryson excels in that brilliantly. His sense of humor is such that in the midst of reading his words, I have actually had to put the book aside because my stomach and jaw hurt from laughing so much. He observes the tiniest detail, has the ability to laugh at himself, has a questioning probing mind, and most importantly comes across as a wonderful traveller. You read him and you ask yourself, would I have had the intelligence to observe such simple yet awesome details if I was the one travelling and not him?
Things written by P.G. Wodehouse
Have tried a couple of his books, yeah so he is supposed to be the god of humor, I didn’t think so. I didn’t find anything even capable of making me break into a smile, so shoot me.
My most treasured books
Every book I own. Even my family members touch my books with my permission. I assure you, I am pretty non-scary and generous otherwise.
People I Tag
Again, anyone who reads this post. Answer as many as you like, want to get to know your side of the story.
Disclaimer: Too many Internet images used. Apologies! Just that I love all these folks so much, wanted to put a face to my worship.
Why Cows Don’t Kiss
It all happened today in the morning, while coming to work. At one of the traffic junctions Rajiv Gandhi Square the traffic got stuck in a jam, primarily caused by the entire bovine population of Jatland crossing the road. One cow came and stood right next to me. Though, the cow calmly stared at me for a second or two, and then let out a mild, well-mannered burp. (Although I was not wearing anything green today, the sight of me must have reminded it of food in some strange, cow-like way.) But what made me reel back was the smell of the burp that the breeze brought in. It was unlike anything I have ever smelt in my life...smelly, nausea-inducing, and utterly revolting. Spare me the laugh! Your breath would stink too if you ate grass all your life and NEVER brushed your teeth! And then like divine revelation, I got enlightened...and thought to myself, ‘Ah! So that’s why cows don’t kiss!’ Poor things.
My first entry on blogger.
Let me start by penning (typing) my response to a question a friend asked today.
What does patriotism mean to me? And to others of this generation?
Can there be a straitjacketed uniform answer?
First of all, patriotism to me means being proud of the strangest or simplest things Indian. This could be the latest AirTel ad ("wow! we are creative geniuses"!) or a visit to one of the Cottage industries anywhere in India (our craftsmen produce such beautiful things) or a trip to any of the historic places (takes my breath away every time I go to one) or when I am greedily tucking in to gajar ka halwa or aloo parantha (and in the process saluting our culinary prowess). Alternately, it could mean being proud of the national anthem and how rich and sonorous it sounds when a huge gathering is singing it in one breath, or when I am reading some obscure event in history and marvelling at our "never-say-die" attitude. Patriotism, I think, can therefore mean every delightful, small and big thing we call Indian, things we can be proud of.
To me, however, it also means not being any of the following. Sadly, these are traits that I think are increasing at an alarming rate among us:
1. Not knowing what our national holidays are. I once met a young, beautiful, on-the-surface-smart twenty-something who laughingly said, "God! National holidays?! I have no idea which one is which. Probably just excuses for taking holidays and not working."
2. Littering. Again, smart, sophisticated men and women who have no qualms in driving snazzy cars and throwing things out of those snazzy windows.
3. Not respecting the national flag, not knowing the national anthem. I have actually met people who've insisted that saare jahan se achha is the anthem and there really is no point in standing up for the anthem. You can be lounging around in your bathrobe and humming jana gana mana. No!
4. Spitting on the road and specially if it is our famous Banarasi Paan or any sort of paan and gutkhas. Its really a pathetic sight to see people colouring India in Paan red.
What does patriotism mean to me? And to others of this generation?
Can there be a straitjacketed uniform answer?
First of all, patriotism to me means being proud of the strangest or simplest things Indian. This could be the latest AirTel ad ("wow! we are creative geniuses"!) or a visit to one of the Cottage industries anywhere in India (our craftsmen produce such beautiful things) or a trip to any of the historic places (takes my breath away every time I go to one) or when I am greedily tucking in to gajar ka halwa or aloo parantha (and in the process saluting our culinary prowess). Alternately, it could mean being proud of the national anthem and how rich and sonorous it sounds when a huge gathering is singing it in one breath, or when I am reading some obscure event in history and marvelling at our "never-say-die" attitude. Patriotism, I think, can therefore mean every delightful, small and big thing we call Indian, things we can be proud of.
To me, however, it also means not being any of the following. Sadly, these are traits that I think are increasing at an alarming rate among us:
1. Not knowing what our national holidays are. I once met a young, beautiful, on-the-surface-smart twenty-something who laughingly said, "God! National holidays?! I have no idea which one is which. Probably just excuses for taking holidays and not working."
2. Littering. Again, smart, sophisticated men and women who have no qualms in driving snazzy cars and throwing things out of those snazzy windows.
3. Not respecting the national flag, not knowing the national anthem. I have actually met people who've insisted that saare jahan se achha is the anthem and there really is no point in standing up for the anthem. You can be lounging around in your bathrobe and humming jana gana mana. No!
4. Spitting on the road and specially if it is our famous Banarasi Paan or any sort of paan and gutkhas. Its really a pathetic sight to see people colouring India in Paan red.
Tagged
Interesting questions all of them.
Readers, answer one of these questions at least.
1. When I look at stars...I want to believe in magic.
2. Rains...musical.
3. Happiness is...the voices of my loved ones.
4. Books...friend, employer, enemy, passion.
5. Men/Women(Whichever applicable)...both, for different reasons.
6. Love is...the best kind of intoxication.
7. God...my faith in myself.
8. Summer of 69?...Wish the song could be rechristened Summer of 78.
9. Pride...comes before the fall? Naah!
10. Life...is a bitch. Treat her right, and she'll serve you well.
Readers, answer one of these questions at least.
1. When I look at stars...I want to believe in magic.
2. Rains...musical.
3. Happiness is...the voices of my loved ones.
4. Books...friend, employer, enemy, passion.
5. Men/Women(Whichever applicable)...both, for different reasons.
6. Love is...the best kind of intoxication.
7. God...my faith in myself.
8. Summer of 69?...Wish the song could be rechristened Summer of 78.
9. Pride...comes before the fall? Naah!
10. Life...is a bitch. Treat her right, and she'll serve you well.
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