Blogs

Ayodhya issue is once again in the limelight, thanks to Justice Liberhan. I’ll take up the entire issue from scratch because most youngsters of my generation don’t even know about it.

I really liked the idea of making voting compulsory for residents of Gujarat recent elections to a local self-governing body. It indeed is one of the bravest moves taken by a state government in a long long time. Even states Himanchal Pradesh are willing it implement it. But a few questions will be asked like voting is a right and not a duty. Compulsory voting is against Article 14 & 19 of the Indian Constitution. One good thing about the bill is that it allows negative voting if the voter does not wish to vote for any of the listed contestants.

It is 5 years since the giant sea waves hit the Indian coasts. A few minutes back I realized that it is also five years since the time a few engineering students gathered in front of the hostel mess at this hour of night. It was just around this time that on a cold winter night they decided that they will not wait with folded hands to see what will be announced next. It was just this time when resolves were made and decisions taken.

Though I'm not a hardcore cricket fan, I recently watched a few matches and lo! Sachin is just the same!! His simplicity, humbleness, adaptability, schoolboy-like enthusiasm is off comparision. He recently crossed 30,000 runs in international cricket. And I'm pretty sure, he'll soon hit a 100 centuries.

Well, Finally landed here! New in the 'arena', so Kindly bear with me.

I have been a part of Sankalp for more than two years now. I see my thoughts coming into action here. I see the youth of my motherland constantly working for the cause of 100% voluntary blood donation- the blood revolution. 30 odd people, who have given their blood, sweat, tears and lives to serve for the cause- their nation. People who are highly inspired by the great men and women who sacrificed their lives for "freedom", for "revolution". The future of India rests with the youth. They are the salt of the earth. WE are the salt of the earth.

An interesting anecdote which ideates a simple perspective that could probably change the way we think....

Non-violence parenting:

Dr. Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and founder of the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Non-violence, in his June 9 lecture at the University of Puerto Rico , shared the following story as an example of "non-violence in parenting":

Wo kya Zamana Hoga Jab Maa Ke Laal hanste Hanste phasi par chadhjate the
Aaj to Maa ka aanchal bechne se bhee hum nahee katratein hain

Hey Prabhu meri smriti ko itna bhee sankeen na banao
Ki unko bhool kar main apni zindagi main kho jaoun

Kaanp jaati hai aatman jab unki kurbaani yaad aati hai
Kash ki ye maans ka tukda bhee Aihle Watan ke Kaam Aaye

Extract of a speech given by Subhas Chandra Bose to soldiers in All India Forward Block

Buddhist Folktale

An old story speaks about a similar problem. A devoted meditator, after years concentrating on a particular mantra, had attained enough insight to begin teaching. The student's humility was far from perfect, but the teachers at the monastery were not worried.

A few years of successful teaching left the meditator with no thoughts about learning from anyone; but upon hearing about a famous hermit living nearby, the opportunity was too exciting to be passed up.

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighbourhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and drove the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown.

Auspiciousness (swasti) be unto all; peace (shanti) be unto all;
fullness (poornam) be unto all; prosperity (mangalam) be unto all.