Thank God, It's Over!

"Thank God, it's over," began Prannoy Roy of NDTV this morning. Thank God, indeed! It takes a situation like this to finally understand how feeble everything around is and how much we take life for granted.

I still can't get over the events of the past three days. My sentiments echoes the sentiments of the nation. How many innocent lives have to be snuffed out before the politicians will leave petty politics alone and unite to make a positive difference? How can the politicians even look at themselves in the mirror? How can politicians who are responsible for corruption and "games of power" live with themselves knowing that their actions have been responsible for the death of so many lives? How can politicians sing the National Anthem?

Enough is enough! Everything that we know about politics is irrelevant today. I don't care. I want answers.

The news channel said, "If ever there was a watershed, its now." The common man cannot be taken for granted for too long. Politics which should have been synonymous with good governance is now a curse word. Corruption amongst politicians and government officials is a way of life. Security almost non-existent. "Value for life" is a term that is a joke.

How much blood has to be spilt before man becomes man again? The blood of the innocents have reddened the palms of every politician in India afresh. The blood cries for justice.

NO, it's not over yet...

Leave The Terrorists' Alone!

Now before you get the NSG, ATS, and the Army after me, just let me explain...

What I mean is lets just get these terrorists a one-way ticket to a God-forsaken place (the planet Mercury would be best) and let them be. Considering that they will never be content with peace and indeed the very notion of peace may be an anathema for them, at least they will rid the Earth of the hate and malice by gunning down one or the other faction.
India's own equivalent of 9/11 is being played out even as I write this blog. My heart goes out to the hundred plus families that will have to deal with the death of their beloved ones. Such bloodshed and hatred can only come from a deep sense of malice and ill-will from people who have slipped over the horizon of human feelings and emotions, and have transformed into demons.
In the face of such adversaries - who care nothing to wield lethal weapons and care even less at pointing these deadly weapons and snuffing our lives wholesale - how can peace survive?
The Mumbai attack is different than earlier attacks. Never before has India come face-to-face with terrorism of this nature. Well planned and co-ordinated, it seems that even the Army is "stopped in its tracks" handling this one. What is required for India to give a fitting reply to the terrorists and their handlers is a bullet in the center of their respective heads. I admire Israel for their stance on terrorism and I wish India would take a leaf out of their (Israel's) handbook on replying to terrorism.
My advice to the politicians would be to leave their chess-game of politics aside and show the nation they care by being out there at the site of trouble. The Israeli's offered help and we should take it. They are the best in the world at managing and thwarting such attacks. We should take their expertise and send the terrorists a fitting reply.
For thousands of years, India has never invaded another country and we Indians are proud of that fact. But honestly, times are changing and now India must flex its muscle and show the perpetrators of such dastardly acts that "ahimsa" will only go so far. There is a time for talks and then there is a time to go to war.
Look around you! The very air we breathe screams war in our faces. So be it. Let's take the war to the enemy's camp. At least we will have relative peace back home if the enemy is engaged on their turf. Peace is a distant dream for the world. If we cannot have peace in spite of our "peaceful" demeanor, it means that the time has come to give the enemy sleepless nights.
Take up arms! Beat all available ploughshares into swords and let's weed out the terrorists of this world. The fact is that the world is not big enough for the terrorists and us. Before the terrorists shoot us in cold blood, let us unite and kick their a***es off the planet...
Will someone please tell me how I can get a gun? If our politicians can't see the writing on the wall, at least, I want insurance for me and my family if we are ever faced with such situations which, as of today, is no longer a distant possibility.
I will not hesitate to shoot a terrorist if one crosses my way... To arms me hearties!

Why Is The Rum Gone?

More profound words were not conceived for Captain Jack Sparrow. And, indeed, for a lot of folks today... Substitute "rum" for the drink of your choice and there you have it.

Why indeed?

There was a time when you would like to have a drink or two of sherry or brandy at dinner time. But these days it's become more of a necessity for many. If an acquaintance of mine is correct there is one sure shot way to treat insomnia - get drunk!

Never mind the social obligations such as never drink and drive. Instead, cheer up your buddy and head for the nearest watering hole. Obligations be damned! The almighty self is too important than anything else in this world. No wonder the government has spent lakhs of rupees in buying breath analyzers to curb this new fad.

What most people must realize is that not everyone who meets with an accident are fortunate enough to die. Some are crippled for life and they have to live with it for years in an unforgiving society. Unforgiving for the victim not the perpetrator!

Charles P. Chiniquy who lived in the 19th Century was one man who was so against alcoholism that he spent a life time fighting it. He is credited for temperance in Canada. History has it that men and women after hearing Chiniquy vowed never to touch alcohol ever again. Saloons closed down and people realized the folly that comes with an intimate realtionship with the "bottle." In four years, over 200,000 people promised to stop drinking. What could have driven Chiniquy to take up this task? Mind you, Chiniquy himself was fond of the occasional brandy!

The answer to that question is a singular incident that happened in his life while he was a priest (First Chaplain of the Quebec Marine Hospital). The year was 1834.

One day, Chiniquy was called to the home of a parishioner. When he reached there he found the young lady of the house tearing her robes to shreds... tearing out her hair and cutting her face with her fingernails. She repeatedly asked for a knife so she could cut her throat and kept saying that she was a murderer and that her hands were stained with the blood of her only child.

The (true) story goes that she had learnt to drink socially at her father's table. The social drinking led to a dependence on alcohol. One day, as she was holding her precious daughter (Lucy) she slipped, being drunk, and her daughter's head struck a sharp corner of her stove and Lucy's brains and blood spread over the floor of her kitchen. Chiniquy and the young lady's husband did all they could to contain her but in vain. For hours she screamed and ranted and went from room to room like a wraith. It took four men to hold her. Late in the night, she overpowered the men and rushed into the room where her beloved child lay. She ripped the bandages off her head and kissed the wound. She held Lucy to her bosom and ran around the room like a phantom.

After some time, she commanded Chiniquy to go all over Canada and tell the story of an unfortunate mother who murdered her only child by being drunk. She said, "Take the blood of my child and go redden with it the top of the doors of every house in Canada. And say to all those who dwell in those houses that the blood was shed by the hand of a murderess mother when she was drunk. With that blood write on the walls of every house in Canada that 'wine is a mocker.' Tell the French Canadian how on the dead body of my child I have cursed the wine which has made me so wretchedly miserable and guilty."

In a few moments, she fell to the floor, a corpse. Torrents of blood were flowing from her mouth on her dead child which she held to her breast.

The coroner's verdict was: The child's death was accidental. The distressed mother died six hours later with a broken heart.

*Delirium tremens - hallucinations with tremors, caused by prolonged use of alcoholic liquors.

I should know. My family has a history of males who are partial to the bottle. While none have had a harrowing and sobering experience like the young woman there still exists the possibility that not knowing (unwillingly) there could be a disaster in the waiting.

Why is the rum gone, indeed? It's gone so you can have your life back...

Your Beautiful Eyes

Your eyes will not let me see

Beyond what my love declares to be

It beckons me like twinkling stars

Searing rays into my heart

Oh, whither do your eyes get their light

It overwhelms and controls my sight

With pain masked with pleasure in heart

I ask... can we have a whole new start?

Memories of you keep reminding me

Of the love that I felt for thee

And pierced in my soul is this thought

Should I let go or should I have fought?

Your eyes they bewitch my night

In sleep I see through your light

In dreams a story is often told

Should I weep for you or be bold?

The light may not last very long now

The sunflowers will soon bow their heads

But in the inky darkness black

I hope to keep watch without slack

Your eyes they say to me

Whispers tales of wonder and glee

Oh, if only you could see

What I see thru your eyes of me

The Death Of Conscience

Dictionary definition: The sense or consciousness of the moral goodness or blameworthiness of one's own conduct, intentions, or character together with a feeling of obligation to do right or be good.

I wish I could travel back in time. I would like to go back a hundred years in the past and look at society at the time. The more I read about the old times the more I am convinced that the society per se had something going for them. I bet I would meet someone there who would echo my sentiments and would like to go back in time a hundred years. I also bet that he or she would say that the earlier society was better inspite of all the technological marvels that we seem to have today. Honestly, that too stumps me at times.
How could the Egyptians build the Pyramids, Sphinx and other great wonders? Inspite of being so progressive today, we cannot build a pyramid or a city like the ancient Sumerians with the best of machinery and technology.
History has it that Solomon the Jew was the wisest man that ever lived. Nebuchadnezzar was the finest king of all times. Semiramis was amongst the most beautiful woman that ever lived and is credited with stopping a civil war only by her presence. Legend has it that she was so beautiful that when she walked the streets of ancient Babylon, the people fighting on the streets all stopped to behold her beauty.
Even before that time and long before the great flood the society was even more different. Men and women of character grace the pages of history. Legends abound about the civilization and the achievements of man. Literature, music, and arts flourished like never since. The society then had something far more important and lasting going for them than what can be claimed today.
In one word its called - conscience. The desire to do the right thing always!
An old adage says there is no honor among thieves and in today's society thievery is the name of the game. Look around you and you will see ample proof of a reprobate society that has replaced morals and the sense of good and bad with an emotion -- please the self and hang the rest. I have often wondered what made man (and woman) different from animals and I think one of the distinctions is that man has a conscience and can decide the course of his actions whereas an animal will follow instinct.
There is this bit about spirit and soul but I will save that for a later blog. If this distinction is indeed true and if you believe that man can choose to act in a particular way then it stands to reason that conscience has a role to play. It is the inbuilt security system that helps you to make the right choices. The choice to choose between right and wrong.
However, when faced with a choice most people would look at "profit mongering" than to stick with the truth. I have often heard the phrase that truth is relative. It amazes me that today in the so-called era of higher consciousness we have lost the essence of what it means. Or perhaps the dictionary is all wrong and antiquated now because there is a new definition - "Do what thou wilt the whole sum of the law," as Anton LaVey put it.
The Self has replaced God and since some believe they have the ability of becoming one with God they need not pay attention to anything more that their own self. As Rajneesh said, "The alpha and the omega unite in me." Little wonder that though he came, he preached, he died -- nothing changed except for chaos as to his successor.
It seems to me that to make the choices most people make these days you have to die a little every time you compromise the truth. The little voice inside of you tells you to behave a certain way and to quell that voice you have to strangle it. No wonder one needs to find peace with oneself after the ordeal. In time, the voice dies on its own or perhaps you become deaf and can't hear it anymore.
What a terrible price to pay for the sake of instant gratification of self. It is very difficult indeed. The truth comes with a terrible price. And subduing the little voice may have become second nature. But a part of you dies every time you silence the voice of conscience.
Man in his wisdom has become nothing more than wild beasts and the writing is on the wall. To those who can keep a really old tradition alive, please keep the faith and listen deep down inside. There is a voice crying out to you. Pull the ear plugs out of your ears. Listen!
The voice is calling out... Can you hear it whisper?
You may have to endure just a little longer for as Luke the doctor said, "when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh."

Poetry In Motion

I was most pleasantly surprised when I happened to chance upon a webpage titled, Poetry In Motion. Backed by the Poetry Society, the PIM organization places poems in trains and buses so that they can please and enlighten commuters. I haven't seen one of the so-called placards during my jaunts abroad but I have often wondered how commuters might be impacted with a beautiful poem.
I have written some poems myself. Friends have appreciated them but I am always critical of my work and until now have refrained from publishing them anywhere.
Poetry, to me, is like a fleeting fancy. There are times when you want to say something and all you can think of is mouthing rhymes that reflect your emotions or the message you want to convey. And then there are times when you just cant think of a single rhyme no matter how hard you tried. I am like that. I once tried to write a poem just like that and ended up nursing a headache. And then at times I have come up with a few verses of poem for no apparent reason.

I really do admire real poets who can weave beautiful thoughts into poems. Much like a jeweller who sorts through the most perfect of pearls and puts together a string of little moons.
No infallable advice can be imparted to poet wannabes on how to write a poem. I guess all it takes is for the muse to hit you. Use your imagination to enhance the feeling inside you and with a little bit of practise you can write a poem too. Once you have written something make a few copies and give them away. Or you could choose to leave them in public places to brighten or encourage someone, and in the process you would have done your good deed for the day.

The Time Of The Rising Sun

What is it about the sun rising over the horizon that made poets wax eloquent on the perfectly natural phenomenon? Any average kid would know that the sun is stationary and the Earth goes around it while spinning around its axis. And yet, some people like to romanticize it and make much ado about nothing.
Me? I would love nothing more than to remain curled up in bed than watch the sun rise over the horizon. What would please me even more is if the sun rose a few hours late every weekend and I didn't have folks come over in the mornings.
I bet some people would disagree and I agree to disagree with them amicably. I once heard the clichéd, "The early bird gets the worm." I would, however, like to point out that I am not a bird. Some people are bird-brained, I agree, but I am not one of them. And then again, I don't like worms. I bet they would wiggle all the way down to your stomach and wiggle some more. I already have a squeamish tummy and would not like to add more wiggle to it. No sir, no more than is necessary. The only worm I used to be interested in was the one that got on my tackle and landed me a big fish. But then it has been a while since I went fishing and right now I do not think I have what it takes to fish in lakes that are nothing more than large pools of brackish water.
So give me a nice evening followed by a nice night. All I want from the sun is to make my day by not showing up on weekends. Some people call themselves an owl. Me? I am just plain 'ol lazy on the weekends and would like nothing more than to sleep, eat, drink, and shoot in no particular order. Speaking of owl's, they like mice. I don't. Unless, of course, they are white and have adorable red eyes. Hmm, maybe I am thinking of rabbits.
So here I am. Its Saturday and I am writing this blog at 7.00 a.m. and totally outta my head. I got the sun in my eyes and right now you don't want to know what I think about anything. I can't sleep now that I am awake and I can't say I am awake either. I guess I know how a zombie feels or should I say unfeels.
Go crawl under your rock and leave mine alone...

Life Comes Full Circle

Even a casual look at history will convince the skeptics that "what goes up must eventually come down." Ancient Egypt was supposed to be a fine example of what determined humans could achieve. One needs only look at images of the Pyramids, the Sphinx, and other monoliths that the Egyptians built to worship their pantheon of gods and goddesses. Trade and commerce spread out all over the land and the Pharaohs built great cities and roads. Writing was invented in Egypt and art and architecture began there. Shipping and navigation also got a fillip as the Egyptians tried to sail the Nile in pursuit of trade and commerce.
In Western Asia, the Sumerians and the Semite struggled over Babylon (the golden era). During this time Cuneiform writing was developed and taught. Speaking of Babylon one can never forget the famous King Nebuchadnezzar who was arguably the finest kings of all times. This period was marked by the Assyrian and Chaldean empires.
The Babylonian period was followed by the next great era - the Medes and the Persians. Generally known as the Medo-Persian reign and referred to as the "silver era." For the Oriental people it meant a peaceful existence for about 200 years. Cyrus and Darius the great are best remembered for their rule during this period. Darius was a follower of Zoroaster's teachings and carried the influence far and wide.
In matters of religion, the Persian empire broke the national boundaries and began the period where the religions of the East were called upon to compete in a great conquest for mastery. It would later threaten the religion of the Hebrews. The Hebrews has been brought out of slavery from Egypt by the great leader Moses. Led across the desert they founded what we today know as Israel.
History tells us that the Assyrians and Chaldeans almost wiped out the Hebrews. Deliverance came by being exiled and at the mercy of the Persians. This age is also credited for the spread of Phoenician commerce who also brought the first alphabet to Europe. This was the age of the Nobles and Greek expansion in the Mediterranean. The growing rivalry between Athens and Sparta resulted in the rise of the Athenian empire and is the backdrop for the well-known classic - Homer's Iliad. Democracy ruled during this time but with the fall of Sparta and the leadership of Thebes democracy soon went under.
However, this period gave spurt to the pursuit of architecture, sculpture, painting, religion, literature, and thought (philosophy).
The next great era was marked by the rise of Macedonia - the "Bronze age" and one which you will instantly recognize as the age when Alexander the great swept over the world in his conquest to be a world ruler. In his early thirties, he had already conquered the known world and wept because he had run out of new worlds to conquer. With the death of Alexander soon Greece too slid into the history books. This era promoted the building of cities, architecture, art, inventions, science, libraries, literature, education, philosophy and religion. On the other hand, it also marked the decline of citizenship by provoking an idea that an individual belonged to an international world, a larger world than the city or nation he lived in. This thought brought home no sense of citizenship.
This era was followed by the iron rule - the Roman conquest marked by the formation of a Republic and the rule of the Caesars. The Senate played a vital role and perhaps coined the famous quote - "All roads lead to Rome." This era too had its ups and downs and is generally known as the Age of Conquest. Soon there would arise the struggle between the Senate and the people resulting in the overthrow of the Republic. Later, Augustus would come on the scene and end the Civil war. A couple of centuries later the empire would be divided and lead to a century of revolutions. It would also mark the end of the ancient world.

Fast forward to present day!

The 20th Century has been the bloodiest century of all time and in the 21st Century it seems like things can only get worse. Looking at the inheritance that we have received over the ages it seems like the whole world has gone into some kind of cataclysmic spin that started millennia ago but over the ages has gained momentum.
The signs of the time is change.
The American people know what that change is - electing a "Black Knight for the White House" and the people have spoken. The white man heaves a sign of relief for now no one can point a finger at him and say that he is biased. The black man is way too happy and thinks that he can finally be rid of the past demons related to "slavery."
Obama during his campaign said, "We have a righteous wind behind our backs." Watching politics for the first time in my life I was surprised, and angry at times, at the things that were said and done.
The United States of America has been know as the land of opportunity. Opportunity abounds for the enterprising peoples of the world. And, indeed, for many decades the U.S. has attracted and retained many bright minds in pursuit of happiness.
Is it only me or can you too hear the bells tolling in the distance. I hear them tell me something but the winds of change keeps blotting it out. I can hear in bits and pieces and I think I know what they are saying...
(laughter)
"The land of the bound and the home of the coward."

Life has its way of coming full circle...

On Music

I love music. Almost every kind that has rhythm. Unfortunately, these days you have various kinds of music which can be most probably called noise. It has no rhythm. Just pounding tempo from a drum machine and it makes me wonder why would anyone torture himself/herself by listening to the ear shattering cacophony that goes for music these days.
Give me a guitar and some chord sheets and I think I would be happy to make music that way I see fit and one that is guaranteed to make you sway and close your eyes as you let the sultry notes made by the strings soothe you and make you feel all happy and warm at the same time.
Add to that a gaggle of like-minded friends and you have the perfect recipe for a good evening of unwinding and relaxation.
Coming from a live music culture prevalent in my social circle, I miss it somewhat but thank goodness to my guitar and some canned music I can survive. Now if only some good ol' folks would appreciate music for what it is and join up we could start a music revolution in this old world town. In fact it would be perfect. It would mean that this old city has finally caught up with its heritage.
Music is the language of the heart. You don't need to understand what is being played. Who cares if the chords are in C minor or D Major. What matters is letting the music get into your bloodstream and the words wash over you. The words too better make sense else the whole experience is lost. Profanity in music is sacrilegious as far as I am concerned and indeed also in everyday conversation. Dirty mouths are a result of dirty minds!
When you consider the arts I can't think of anything better than music. Every mood, thought, feeling, and wonderment has been captured by musicians and shared with the world. The elixir of living, the balm of human suffering, the message you couldn't put into words, the thought you couldn't share, and the unsaid word can all be conveyed through music. That is the beauty of it.
Make music and you can paint a canvas similar to an artist. Music is like an abstract painting that is filled with something more than colors and imagination.
That something is you. It is part of your being.
From the earliest civilization to the present day music has been a gift to those who have ears and will listen. Can you hear the music? If you listen hard enough you will hear the beat in your heart and the rhythm in your soul. Go make your music... cheers!