2015-challenges and opportunities

"Victory is to the most persevering!"The Mother
Terrorism,child and women trafficking,food security,population control,literacy and global warming will be the key issues of this year!
Due to the untiring efforts of sensitive individuals across the world,there is increased awareness about a global effort to tackle the serious problems facing humanity.The social media is playing an important role in shaping a global consensus.
The main resistance to progress and prosperity is from the forces of consumerism,organised religion,politicians,corporations and the armaments manufacturers who want to perpetuate their stranglehold on the collective consciousness.
@015 will be another chapter in the continuous conflict between the progressive forces and the forces of status quo.It will be a test of nerves,wits,patience and perseverance!

women solidarity

"United we stand,divided we fall!'

With gender issues occupying centre stage,it is imperative that women lift themselves from their boot straps.Instead of expecting charity and greater sensitivity from men,they should strive to build a consensus among themselves.
Over the ages,women have allowed themselves to be manipulated and exploited by powerful vested interests.They suffer from an 'inferiority complex' which shapes their outlook and actions.The need for security and family makes them dependent on men.
It is time for women to reinvent their collective psyche and look to one another for support and encouragement.

For too long have the women been passive spectators on the world scene.It is now time to change the balance!

the muse

Behind every exceptional achievement in life,there is the silent power of love!It is true love which drives individuals to exceed their normal capabilities.A mother's love for the child,a woman's love for her beloved and a teacher's love for the pupil are different facets of love.
Love has the power to inspire,encourage and strive for impossible dreams!
Today exceptional achievements are few and far between because of the disappearance of 'love'.
A relationship based on love knows no barriers of colour,religion,language or culture.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

laughter-the best medicine

an imaginary dialogue:-
Politician:-"The elections are round the corner.I need money to buy votes."
Businessman-"My business is in doldrums.Unless it picks up,I cannot give you money."
Politician-"I will make the laws to make your task easier."
Businessman-"Good! You must also convince the people that encouraging Big Business is in their intrest."
Politician-"People are fools! We have been taking them for a ride for centuries,yet thay have not learnt anything!."
Businessman-"Long live our friendship.To hell with the people!"

a monetary culture vs a cooperative culture

A monetary culture attaches more importance to accumulating material comforts while a cooperative culture is directed towards well-being of the community.
By its very nature, a monetary culture is divisive and wasteful whereas a cooperative spirit fosters growth and optimum utilisation of resources.
A monetary culture relies on 'Economics of scarcity' and a cooperative culture on 'Economics of plenty'.
Most of the social problems today are due to the monetary culture which has become second nature to every person.Every article including the human has become a commodity in the market place and arbitrary values have been attributed.The entire human effort is now focused on increasing the monetary value of the community regardless of social implications.
Unless there is a consensual shift in the world towards a well-being centred approach,the world will soon become one huge 'stock exchange' and people will be forced to consume paper and plastic instead of food!

loosen up

Today's mantra is loosen up! Our environment has become extremely adverse to physical and emotional well-being,it is all the more important to stay relaxed and cheerful.
By beginning the day with a few minutes of aerobics,jogging or any other relaxing physical activity gives a direction and focus to the rest of the day.
After a cup of tea,one should make an attempt to fix the priorities for the day and start acting on them.By combining a mix of personal and social responsibilities,broadens a person's perspective and makes him a valuable member of the community.

macro to micro

'Truth and knowledge are an idle gleam if it brings not power to change the world' Savitri
"Economics' is changing in the sense that local and grass root factors are becoming more important than national or global conditions.
There are many communities which are enjoying a decent standard of life despite adverse conditions.If a large number of individuals in any community are hard working,disciplined,polite and helpful,the community will surely prosper and grow!
If a few right minded individuals take the initiative and put in proper norms of behaviour in place,the majority will surely follow leading to a qualitative change in life style.
Top priority has to be given to ensure that the morale of the community remains high and no divisive or weakening influences are allowed to damage the social fabric.

this too will pass

"tough times never last,tough people do!"
No doubt times are hard! This is the time for fortitude,equanimity,faith and good cheer.Rather than expecting things to happen in a predictable way,one has to be prepared to try something different.
There are plenty of options for the brave and adventurous,if one is prepared to stop being 'One of the herd'.
For a person who is focused and sure of his priorities,no obstacle,howsoever hard is insurmountable.

So pull up your socks and get going!

gobar gas

Gobar gas is being increasingly used as a cooking medium in parts of rural India which has large number of livestock.Gobar gas is environment friendly as well as inexpensive.It requires construction of a brick enclosure,sunlight and water.

crash of A330-220

The crash of A330-220 plane killing 162 passengers raises serious questions about aircraft safety.The plane was flying from Surabaya in Indonesia to Singapore when it disappeared without a trace.This is the 10th air crash in one year.
It appears that aircraft manufacturers are neglecting the safety aspect in an attempt to increase passenger capacity and comforts.
With airline travel increasing it is extremely important that passenger aircraft comply with the highest safety standards.
Computer simulation has made it possible to imagine all possibilities and should be used while designing aircraft.

spreading the idea

The revolution of ideas has started! The success of any venture now depends on the uniqueness of the idea.If the 'idea' can capture the imagination of people,it will surely win!
The Internet has made it possible for the spread of ideas. Blogs,movies,photographs and melodies can be used to attract attention.However the use of social media has to be matched with a sustained campaign on the ground by continuous communication and interaction with the right people.The whole focus of the pioneer has to be on making the 'idea' a part of life.
As the 'idea' gains acceptance,it will benefit the pioneers too!Transparency,unity,decency,fitness creativity and uniqueness can be some of the themes.

cycling

Cycling is fast becoming popular in smaller cities and towns.Increasing health concerns are making people adopt a more active life style in an attempt to remain fit.
Cycling makes for a better mind-body coordination,improved muscle tone,body rhythm and breath control.
Town planners everywhere are providing for cycle tracks to ensure safety of cyclists.
If cycling can become a global movement,it can make for a healthier and greener planet!

2015-year of the spirit

''Ring out the old,bring in the new'
2014,though a water shed year in many ways,did not announce the rise of the individual! People,by and large,preferred to follow the beaten path rather than strike out own their own.Everywhere,one looked in vain for creativity,exuberance,delight and strength! The obsession with numbers,details,words,conventions and the gross still continues.
The story of this civilization has been the stifling of the individual! without the assertion by the individual of his birthright to grow,create and excel,this civilization too will end as a failure.
The revival of the spirit of rugged individualism is the need of the hour! The strength of a society will be determined not by the number of automobiles or guns but by the variety of new ideas it can generate.
Let us resolve to make 2015 the year of defiance!

winter season

'If winter be here,can spring be far behind!'
Winter is the time when all colours loose their lustre and everything appears dull.There is a chill in the air and the sun disappears.The lakes and rivers are frozen and there is ice everywhere.People prefer to stay indoors and become inert.
Winter is the time for quiet contemplation and a wait for spring!

recycling

'The greatest need of this century is to revive the sense of the sacred" Sri Aurobindo
Recycling is fast becoming popular  because people are realizing the need to conserve resources.Wood,steel,cloth,plastic,paper,rubber,aluminium and other materials are being recycled to make better and cheaper products to meet the growing demand.
Over the past centuries,people had become convinced about the human ability to overcome any situation but this myth has been totally shattered by the present state of affairs and humans are finding themselves adrift.They are realizing that modern science has created more problems instead of solutions.
Environmental concerns like global warming have made it imperative to change our life style to strike a balance between 'needs' and the 'earth' to avoid a catastrophe.

pyaasa(thirsty)

"Pyaasa' is an all time hindi classic movie starring Guru Dutt,Waheeda Rehman and Mala Sinha about  a struggling poet in search of love in a mercenary world.
Guru Dutt is a passionate and romantic poet who writes beautiful poems but fails in the market place.He falls in love with Mala Sinha a co-student who leaves him to marry a rich publisher.He is forced to leave home becaus e of his inability to compromise with the world.He finds solace in a red light district where Waheeda Rehman recognizes his immense talents and encourages him to pursue his calling.He becomes an alcoholic but continues to write poetry.

To get rid of him,society confines him to a mental asylum.After his escape from the asylum,he finds that he has become a celebrity and his poems have become very popular.He arrives at a function organized to celebrate his death anniversary and walks away totally disgusted.

gitanjali-mystic poetry

Tagore composed poetry when western materialism was triumphant everywhere and yet his poems were appreciated everywhere.He was inspired by mystics like Diogenes,Pythagorus,Heraclitus,Confucus,The Zen masters and the Vedic Rishis.
The history of the world is replete with instances when mysticism co-existed with materialism and even helped humans in refining their sensibilities.

The poetry of Tagore is contemporary and yet eternal! It expresses the deep felt desire in every person to transcend the day to day problems of existence and a seeking for the universal values.

musafir-the traveller

'jab dard na ho sine mein,kya maza hai jine mein'. 'without sorrow in the heart,life is meaningless'



A 'musafir' works for the cause,never for self-promotion'.Sacrifice,charity,compassion,devotion,discipline,detachment and hard work are the attributes of a musafir'.
During times of violent conflict,many people volunteer their services to help people in distress.The spirit of volunteering is much needed today to deal with the numerous problems in the world.There is so much misery and alienation in the world that unless people reach out to one another,it will only aggravate,violence and conflict in the world.
Simple things like wishing each other,smiling,patting a child on the head,offering a lift or a cup of tea to a stranger or helping a handicapped person cross the road can make life brighter for everyone.

To relieve others anxieties and pain is the greatest reward for the 'musafir'.Jesus,Mohammed,Krishna,Vivekananda,Lincoln,Lenin and Mandela were all 'musafirs'.

fear is the key

Since the dark forces are gaining in strength everywhere,it is vital to create small oasis where they cannot penetrate.The forces of light,miniscule as they may be,are surely more powerful!
Our sole objective must be to generate goodwill around us to ensure that people around us behave in a friendly and amicable manner.By being casual and cheerful,the enemy will be bewildered and run for cover.
The dark forces are scared when there is harmony,joy and peace.By remaining occupied and busy,we remain in a happy and cheerful frame of mind and generate positivity around us.
We are so purposeful and intense that we are intimately connected while the dark forces are scattered because of their aimlessness.They have themselves created so many distracting influences around them that they can never think straight.

Gradually,as our influence grows,people will break ranks and try to do the right thing!

the rishis

The decision to honour Vajpayee and Malviya with the prestigious Bharat Ratna signifies the importance of "Rishis' in policy making in India today.
The"Rishis" are essentially 'men of letters' and learning.Though scholarly,they are not armchair intellectuals but men of action.They strongly believe in applying universal valuesd to the reality and preserving the spirit of 'change with continuity'.
Vajpayee and Malviya are in the same tradition as Samarth Ramdas,Lincoln,Dayananda,Bankim,Lenin,Ambedkar,Dange and Narasimha Rao.Their very presence on the national scene is a tremendous source of inspiration to people.

the silk route

There is little doubt that China is an important player in the world today and it has enormous influence on world events.To its credit,it has been able to provide a reasonable standard of life to its citizens though at the cost of freedom and civil liberties.China's strength lies in its huge numbers,its technology and its command- control model of governance.Due to its pragmatic policies,China has been able to corner a large share of global trade.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union,China decided to assume the role of 'Opposition' to the western powers to ensure a multi-polar world.
Recent events like greater engagement in Asia,Africa and Latin America,bailing out Russia and easing of tensions with its neighbours indicates the emergence of China as a force for stability,growth and change in the world.

scoring brownie points

The ruling class in India today is busy scoring brownie points off one another.All matters of state have come to a grinding halt-agriculture,manufacturing and services sectors are in shambles.All the ministera are busy participating in different 'abhiyans' and nominating every day of the year.The opposition comprising of a motley crowd of pehlwans and buffoons is competing in entertaining people with its antics.
The real problems of India-poverty,illiteracy,corruption,unemployment,crime,hunger,disease and population growth are aggravating day by day.
Without a 'National Renewal Mission' by all stake-holders,there is little possibility of India emerging from the abyss!

gender-neutral terms

In this 'unisex' age,where the vocation defines the person,using gender-specific languager is an anachronism! Men can be as sensitive,psychic and poised like women and women are capable of strength,agression and slaughter.
It is now time to change our vocabulary and introduce as many gender-neutral words as possible.
Frequent use of words denotiong colours,emotions,fine arts,literature and nature can make our consciousness harmonious and relaxed!
Even within us there is a tiny space which is transcdental and beyond notions of anxiety,gender,creed,language,religion or culture.

walking bare feet

To be found walking bare-feet in the streets of London,New York or Paris is likely to invite arrest or detention in a mental home!The vast throb of life which sustains this world,despite our ridiculous attempts to civilize it, goes undressed.The entire flora,fauna and sea-life which is preventing the world from falling apart survives on necessities!
Walking bare feet,subject to the weather,is healthy and dynamic.The earth and sun are the source of all energy and by confining ourselves,we are depriving ourselves from life-giving impulses.
People who live close to nature are always more level headed and fearless than those living in urban areas.They are much closer to universal forces which sustain life!

women and progress

Women and children are the worst victims when society stops progressing and continues to observe traditions which are far removed from reality.Presently,child and women trafficking,gender violence,paedophilia,pornography,child labour and infant mortality have toched unprecented levels.The situation can only get worse from hereon unless the women can rise to the occasion!
Fortunately,today women in the affluent parts of the world have greater influence in decision making.If they decide to use this power judiciously and encourage pro-change movements,it could bring peace and prosperity in the world.
The key areas of progress are education,food security,environment and rise in employment levels.

Let the women decide-progress or extinction!

chaos

The principles of chaos are unpredictability,uncertainty,irregularity and uniqueness.To destroy the present culture of homogeneity and uniformity,these principles will come handy.
Those who are under the influence of dark forces are governed by a uniform set of rules framed by a central authority without which they cannot function..
The idea is to start a counter-culture movement led by uniqueness and chaos.Each member of the counter-culture movement evolves his own survival techniques without compromising on basic values.The sole objective of the movement will be to create a new set of values.
Our methods have to be non-repetitive,unpredictable,disruptive and varying from day to day.By refusing to collaborate with the dark forces in any way will add power to the new forces.
As the counter-culture spreads,the forces of status-quo and stagnation will automatically perish!

balance

Science for all its benefits to mankind has made pursuit of pleasure and comfort the over riding principle in life!Decisions of crucial importance regarding the present civilization are being made by persons who have never done a honest day's work in their lives.The vast struggling majority have to tamely abide by the whims and fancies of a small minority.Food,clothing,shelter,work and health have faded into the background and extraneous considerations are deciding the future of civilization.
The human being is not merely a thinking machine but also has emotional and bodily needs.Life is not to become a 'couch potato' relying on robots to do manual labour but also seeking for a balance between 'wants' and 'harmony'.It is extremely important for every person to do physical labour to lead a healthy and happy life!
The history of the world has been an evolution from the hunting and agricultural epochs to the present hedonistic period.Instead of evolving into a better species,mankind is gradually degenerating into dinosaurs and cannibals.
Therefore,it is imperetive that 'balance' be the guiding principle rather than pleasure.

organic farming

With an acute shortage of food grains imminent in the near future,it is extremely important to make a radical break from the past farming practices.
Organic farming  in its essence relies more on natural principles than on market factors,machinery or synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.The farmer has to adapt his methods to local conditions and resources to be able to maximise his output and returns.Biodiversity,water availability,soil fertility,climate and manpower availability are important factors in the choice of crops.By using home grown seeds and natural fertilisers,the farmer can reduce expenses,increase soil fertility and realise a wide variety of crops.Horticulture,floriculture,dairy farming,green house farming,drip irrigation and poultry are some of the other options available to the farmer.

be the change you want to see in the world

Pope Francis is trying hard to revolutionise the Vatican and break the stranglehold of the deeply entrenched bureacracy and make Christianity into a mass global movement.His attempt will be met by tremendous oppostion and the hardliners will go to any extent to stop him.This is the time  for progressive forces all over the world to support the Pope in his bold endeavour to democratise the Church.
Jesus was a man of the poor and the downtrodden.His message of compassion,charity,equality,individual dignity and truth is more relevent in the present times than ever before!The French and Russian Revolutions were inspired by the teachings of Jesus.
Christianity is not a 'bread and butter'religion with a rigid hierarchy but a way of life.A true Christian is humble,compassionate and a seeker of truth,decency and beauty.He is not interested in salvation but wants to change the social conditions to make the world harmonious.

anupam kher

For sheer versatality,Anupam Kher is perhaps the best actor in India.Cast in the mould of great actors like Robin Williams,Robert de Niro and Dustin Hoffman,Anupam has over the years evolved his own style.Playing the role of villian,comedian,father,teacher and politician with aplomb,he has mesmerized the audience with his histirionic ability.Never awed working with super stars,Anupam has played the assigned role with ease and comfort.
An alumunus of FTII,Anupam has created a niche for himself in Hindi films.

merry christmas

an international investigation agency

Since terrorism,narcotics,gun-running,money laundering,cyber crime and child and women trafficking knows no borders,it is extremely important to form an international investigation agency with the powers to search,interrogate or detain any individual suspected of criminal links.Such an agency would comprise proffessionals from diverse fields including cyber technology.It would be accountable to the International Court of Justice whose jurisdiction should be extended to include international crime.
Such an investigative agency would have branches all over the world  and its members the freedom to travel anywhere in the world without restrictions.
Sinse the crime syndicates do not operate under any constraints,it is only proper that the investigators also be given a free hand to thwart their nefarious designs.
S.Asia has become the head quarters of all crime syndicates and their tentacles have spread into every aspect of life and crime has become second nature of most people!

Unless the international community takes speedy steps to destroy organized crime,it wont be long before the mafis and terrorists take over the world!

dahi chaat

Ingredients:-
curds
tamarind,cucumber,onion,green chillies,tomatoes
sugar,namkeen

Recipe:-

Prepare tamarind chutney by soaking tamarind in water and squeezing juice.Add sugar to make it sour-sweet.Chop cucumber,onion,tomatoes,green chillies into small bits and soak in curds.Add namkeen and tamarind chutney

putting the cart before the horse

The main reason the West has prevailed in the past is because of its striving for excellence in all spheres of life.
India has failed in life because it has constantly been compromising on quality by cutting corners everywhere.Our approach has become so resource oriented that we have lost sight of the larger picture.
The world will take India seriously only when an Indian is able to show something worthwhile to the world!Consistency,discipline,team spirit,excellence,honesty and hard work are much needed qualities in our psyche to enable us to compete at the global level.

passion

In the prevailing atmosphere of elitism,superfluity,criticism,conformity and trash,it has become extremely difficult to be passionate in life.
Passion is what drives ordinary people to achieve extra-ordinary things! The media reports only the mundane and the ordinary to crush the spirit of enterprise,excellence and innovation.
many passionate people everywhere are silently pursuing their dreams without attracting notice-dancing,mountaineering,scuba diving,cooking,photography,writing or flying and achieving dizzy heights.Their zest and intensity enables them to overcome enormous hurdles.Their only reward is to be able to set high bench marks.
Passion brings out the best in a person and creates an atmosphere of bonhomie and cordiality.It allows the person to see the 'silver lining in every cloud'.It prevents a person from getting distracted by irrelevent things and keeps him focused on his objective.

photography

'A picture is worth a million words!'
Photography has become the most popular form of Art in the world today.Mobile cameras have brought photography within reach of the masses.It is now possible for every individual to picturise his view of the world.He can even 'shoot' a movie with a theme of his choice and upload it on You-tube for world-wide viewing.
Photography like any other form of Art has the power to refine sensibilities.Just by looking at the interior of a house,one can get an idea about the individuals lifestyle.
Billions of photographs are uploaded and shared on the Internet everyday.It is possible to make the Internet more universal and meaningful by sharing photographs and movies with good themes.
To be able to take a good picture,one requires knowledge of light conditions and an appreciation of colours.There is enough happening around us to stimulate the 'artist' in every person.

adopt a child

The affluent countries of the world are faced with an increasing aging population and a decline in child births,Due to job uncertainties,urban crime,family breakdown and other problems,many people across the world are moving to greener environs.On the other hand countries like China,India and other countries in S.Asia have a largely youthful population.This phenomenon has serious consequences for the western world since due to their large numbers,the Asian cultures will dominate the world!
To ensure a multi-cultural world,it is important that the western nations also increase their numbers-either by larger families or by adopting children from other countries.
It is not necessary to bring up the child personally but only providing the means for the upbringing of the child in similiar cultural surroundings.This can be easily done in any part of the  world.Child homes with necessary facilities for education,sports and cultural activities can be created in different parts of the world.The foster parents can maintain links with the adopted child by taking him/her to live with them during vacations.

the power of the powerless

Recent events across the world have proved that 'the idea is mightier than the dollar'.The Internet,FB,Google and Twitter have put enormous power in the hands of the common people to create or to destroy! Unknown individuals are influencing events world-wide to the dismay of the rich and powerful who felt that they were invincible.US-Cuba,Entente,the meltdown in the stock and bullion markets,the fall in the demand for oil,change of governments in India,Tunisia,Brazil and elswhere,cessation of hostilities between Israel and Palestine and change in American foreign policy are all the result of the efforts of committed individuals across the world!
Everywhere notions of conventional wisdom are being challenged and there is a mood of quite defiance in the people.People everywhere want peace,jobs,food,health and shelter and are not interested in the life-styles of The Bold and Beautiful'. There is a growing feeling of unity,strength,desire for harmony and to have a say in decision making everywhere.People are encouraging and inspiring one another in subtle ways to get on with the task!
Out of the box thinking will be required to ensure that the Dark Empire does not win!

an agrarian crisis

Food Banks in London,growing farmers suicides in India and elsewhere,crisis in Russia,enormous losses in livestock,crops and declining land yield due to abnormal weather conditions-a global agrarian crisis in the making!
The global population has crossed the 7 billion mark and is still growing at an alarming rate.In 2012,according to UN statatistics,there were approx. 500 million people suffering from malnutrition and starvation.In India 30 million people go to bed hungry every night.Nearly 5 million children below the age of 5 die every year due to hunger.Unless agricultural growth is put high on the global agenda,there could soon be food riots everywhere.
Instead of celebrating Yoga Day,the UN should show more concern for issues concerning common people by celebrating Food Security Day.If all our International organisations are going to become elitist,there will be little chance of serious matters being discussed anywhere.Only a catastrophe will wake the world from its stupour!

the essentials

'A ray of true light can dispel the deepest darkness' Sri Aurobindo

For some reason,people have lost sight of the essentials and get easily distracted by irrelevant things.People dont realize that the best things in life are free-a smile,a hug,sun rise,the climate,flowers,birds,animals,a cool breeze and to feel alive.
Just by being relaxed and cheerful,one can perform miracles! Good cheer and happiness are contagious and can dispel any amount of gloom or despair in the world.
Doubt and suspicion are the cause of much misery in the world and drive people over the edge.Maintaining a friendly and helpful attitude not only brightens up the land scape but also keeps one youthful and healthy.
An idle mind is the devils workshop! People who are struggling for survival have no time to create troubles for others because they are at the receiving end all the time.
People who known suffering and pain are always thinking about how to relieve others misery and never about personal gain or benefit.
By just sticking to the essentials,life can be made sublime!

thaw in US-Cuba relations

The US initiative to improve relations with Cuba could mean the beginning of a new chapter in international relations.Greater cooperation between the two countries could have wide-spread implications everywhere and lead to easing of tensions.
International efforts should be made to improve relations in S.Asia,Between China and its neighbours,between the two parts of Korea,between NATO countries and Russia and Israel and Palestine.
If restrictions can be lifted on travel across the world and more possibilities created for increased people to people friendship,it could lead to a win-win situation for everyone.
The alternative to co-existence is universal destruction!

the crisis in islam

The Paris attacks have revealed the hideous face of modern Islam.Islam and Judaism are today perhaps the most violent religions anywhere.Neither of them has any respect for human values and are only interested in power and domination.Both of them insist on rigidity and uniformity in matters of dress,diet,conduct and forms of worship.
Islam is  agreater threat today in terms of its following.Due to high oil prices,S.Arabia and other countries in the Gulf region are in aposition to spread Islam all over the world.The Western powers must accept their share of responsibility in the spread of Islam ,by encouraging the use of fossil fuels everywhere.
There seems to be little possibility of reforms in Islam from within and will have to be countered firmly by the rest of the world.A world wide consensus must be built to force the muslim community living in un-islamic nations to abandon their isolationist attitude and join the mainstream.Sanctions must be imposed against countries sponsoring the spread of Islam.
Act before it is too late!

aerobics

Aerobics is a form of exercises designed to keep the body supple,strong,graceful and conscious.It does not comprise of a set pattern of movements but can be suitably modified to meet the requirements of every individual.
The intention behind exercising to the beat opf music is to tune the body movements to the rhthm and symphony of the particular melody.The more varied is the tune,the more flexible will be the movements of the performer.
Aerobics to be meaningful should be able to fill the performer with delight,joy,energy and a sense of purpose.Initially it is advisable to seek guidance of a master but gradually the artiste can evolve his/her own style and form.The exercises should be a combination of deep breathing,mind and body coordination,thought control,building body tone and smooth functioning of the digestive system.
Ideally aerobics should be done bare-bodied and in privacy.The movements should be easy and effortless.A proper diet regimen has to be followed.

Aerobics has the power to keep a person healthy,cheerful,youthful,relaxed,alert and upright.Dance,Yoga,Gymnastics,tennis,swimmingand jogging are all different forms of aerobics.

gajar ka halwa

ingredients:-
carrots
milk
sugar,raisins,almonds,cashews
khoya(condensed milk)

recipe:-

Shred the carrots.Boil with milk and add sugar,raisins,almonds,cashews and khoya.Stir occasionally.Serve when thick and soft.

a love story

Krishna is the ruler of Dwarka and Radha is his beloved wife.When Krishna ascends to the throne,Dwarka is deeply divided and the people are fighting with one another on ground of religion,language and social status.The poor are the worst victims and are struggling for survival.
Krishna has a vision for a strong,united and prosperous Dwarka but is unable to execute it because of lack of honest and competent persons in Dwarka.
Radha,deeply loves Krishna and is constantly encouraging and inspiring him to stay committed to his dream,even if the circumstances are adverse,and does everything possible to prevent things from falling apart.
Krishna has many opponents who are constantly plotting his downfall but Radha is extremely vigilant and ensures that no harm befalls Krishna.
Krishna is constantly reaching out to the common people everywhere and sharing his thoughts and feelings with them and trying to understand their difficulties and aspirations.He is all the time trying to create an atmosphere of openness,caring and good will everywhere.Radha knows the ground realities better and in her own discreet way arranges matters so that Krishna has a free hand to translate his vision into reality.

learning

The ability to learn is what distinguishes one person from another.A person who is open,inquisitive and contemplative will always be cheerful and energetic while another who is repetitive and imititative will be lazy and troublesome.
In many parts of the world,people have stopped learning and are living a mechanical and purposeless life.Right from childhood,a person is being programmed to be numb and mechanical.The whole educational methodology has been devised to destroy creativity and originality.
Learning requires the ability to perceive phenomenon unhindered by any bias or pre-conceived notions.A learner is always checking on his premises before arriving at any conclusions.Temperamentally he is humble enough to admit that he does not have a monoply of wisdom and others may have a more appropriate understanding of events.
Nature intended every individual to be unique and provided him with the necessary means for fulfillment but could not give him the discriminative faculty nto decide how to proceed.As a consequence,the progress of the world has been one steady slide towards oblivion.
The main task today is to revive the spirit of learning in the interest of preserving all that is good and beautiful in life!

massacre in pakistan

The inhuman and cold blooded slaughter of 132 school children in the NWFP region by the taliban should make the head of every muslim hang in shame!
It is obvious that the hardliners are gaining an upper hand and the vast majority of muslims everywhere,by their silence,have given their tacit consent.
All responsible parents must strongly condemn the latest act of violence by fanatics and impose sanctions to ensure that such acts are not repeated anywhere in the world.

efficacy of laws-the big debate

"The letter killeth,the spirit saveth" The Gospels

Hundreds of laws are framed every day but social relations have only worsened resulting in family discord,increase in crime and violence,growing disparities in wealth and abuse of authority by the state.
Thre is ample evidence to indicate that societies having less laws have a higher quality of life.Scandinavia,Bhutan and several other small countries which enact few laws but rely more on social sanctions are far more stable and prosperous than over-regulted countries elsewhere.
In India,laws framed for women-empowerment and benefit of other marginalised groups have in fact aggravated tensions and violence.
Through proper dissemination of information,building a consensus and leading by example,a harmonious,transparent and progressive culture can be created everywhere.

jeeves

Jeeves is a 'butler' created by PG Wodehouse alias Plum.Plum was born in Victorian England and was extremely proud of his English roots.Like his contemporaries he had strong convictions about Right and Wrong.He firmly believed that without a sense of humour,the British would loose their unique cultural identity and would soon become clones of any expedient culture.
Jeeves is of the old school-intelligent,well-informed,disciplined and extremely loyal to his employer Bertie.Bertie is an innocent,well meaning and happy go lucky member of the landed gentry.Having an assured income and a large house with all amenities,he has nothing better to do except drink,party and engage in dalliances with pretty girls.Many girls try to hook Bertie for his money but Jeeves always manages to save his ward from trouble.
Plum was wrongly accused of being a nazi sympathiser during the war and had to suspend his writings for a while but emerged unscathed from the ordeal.

Jeeves has made PG Wodehouse immortal! 

the free thinker

The FT is a person without any pre-conceived notions about anything and is all the time open to new ideas and suggestions.He/she has no reservations on the grounds of colour,gender,region,language,religion or culture but insists on transparency and decency.The FT has a 'live and let live' attitude in life.
Totally disillusioned by the betrayals of the politicians,religious leaders,big business and media,many people all over the world are turning to free-thinking.
More power to FT!

flexi-pricing

When preferences,tastes,priorities and prices of inputs are changing everyday,keeping prices of day to day items of consumption static is an anachronism. A method has to be devised so that prices of goods can be linked to the changing conditions.
Food items,education,power and commuting costs are the largest component of any community's expenditure. With growing employment uncertainties,people are continuosly looking for better options.People are no longer brand loyal and switch preferences at the drop of a hat!
The present market environment is extremely favourable for small businesses who can easily adapt to changing consumer preferences.By adopting a balanced mix of technology and the human factor,quality products can be delivered to the consumer at a lower price while avoiding needless advertising and packaging expenditure.Door to door selling and the internet can be used to promote new and better products.
This will eventually create a consumer friendly and employment generating culture every where.

diffusing the middle east crisis

Iraq,Lebanon and Syria,parts of the ancient Mesopotamian civilization-one of the cradles of civilization-today lie in ruins.
The primary reason for continuing unease in the Middle East is rigidity in attitudes on grounds religion-Islam,Judaism and Christianity though with common origins,are jostling for supremacy.
Each of them is rigid and dogmatic and out of sync with the present day reality.
To expect lasting peace in the region without a change in attitudes will be like looking for a needle in the haystack!

pav bhaji

ingredients:-
boiled potatoes,chopped onions,tomatoes,green chillies,capsicum,green peas,cauliflower
chilly powder,salt,haldi,dhania powder,garam masala,ginger garlic paste,coriander,lime
butter
fresh buns or bread

recipe:-

Heat the butter in the pan.Add chopped onions,sliced tomatoes and green chillies,fry till soft.Add chilly powder,salt,haldi powder,dhania powder,garam masala and ginger garlic paste and heat the mixture.Add mashed potatoes,green peas,pieces of capsicum and cauliflower and water.Stir the mixture and let it boil on a low flame.Cover with lid for some time.Add coriander leaves and chopped onion and serve while hot.The buns or bread slices can be warmed or toasted.

form over substance

The packaging,advertising and cosmetic industry are laughing their way to the bank with the obsession about the form having reached absurd proportions.The world has become one huge tinsel town with monsters and witches ruling the roost!
Media creatures have become Presidents,PMs and elected representatives having scant knowledge of social and political issues.
Brest-modification,tummy jobs,hair implantation and facial surgery are the topic of the day among the elite!
P.G Wodehouse pales into insignificance in the face of the antics of our decision makers!

something different

Pondicherry is making waves-coming up with a new idea everyday.A photo exhibition on wheels has caught the imagination of every person.
A small group of avant garde photographers has started an initiative to display photos of different parts of India on auto rickshaws to create awareness in people about India as well as to bring 'art' to the masses.
The Hindu is the media-partner in this initiative!

osho

'Osho' aka Acharya Rajnish will be always remembered for his immense contribution to the Hindi language.An extremely versatile and gifted man,his best works are in his mother tongue.His mastery of the language was second to none and he spoke as well as  he wrote.
True to the spirit of India.his outlook was universal and no subject was beyond his genius.
As happens with all 'renels',he had to face persecution,humiliation and trauma but undaunted he would always rise to the occasion.
Posterity will remember 'Osho' as an idealist,humanist and an artist who helped  shape a better world!

sutradhar(the director)

The movie industry is witnessing a revolutionary shift from being actor-centred to director-centred.The runaway success of movies like 3 idiots,life of pi and slum dog millionaire are evidence of the power of the drector.
A good director can change the ordinary into the sublime!It requires years of hard work mastering all the nuances of film making before one can produce a master piece.The director has a crucial role in story selection,the actors,the screen play,the music and the locale.
The director has to be one of 'them' having experienced all the ups and downs to be able to present a good film to the audience.
The movie industry has enormous influence on events and hence the importance of the 'Sutradhar'.

the idealist

The age of labour and capital is over and the 'age of idea' has begun! The success of the internet,FB,Twitter and Google and the attempts by different powers to block it show the power and influence of the idea.
Societies and cultures which can generate new,bold and exciting ideas will lead the world while cultures which are bogged down by ideological baggage will stagnate and perish.
The age produces the person.If the financier,lawyer,scientist and politician dominated the past age,the present age will see the rise of the visionary and the idealist!

behavioural psychology

An entirely new branch of psychology is emerging in an attempt to study human decision making.Western science over the past centuries had succeeded in making the human being into an automaton governed by purely vital factors.As a result,uniformity and conforming to the norm became the pattern everywhere.For human progress,uniqueness and assertion of individuality are imperative.
Sociologists are gradually realizing that human decision making is based on several factors which are continuosly changing.Cultural and other non-tangible factors are slowly replacing the economic criteria and priorities are changing.The need to belong has to be balanced with individual freedom to grow.
Many individuals all over the world are trying to revive the spirit of individual fulfilment which has been completely suppressed due to the exaggerated emphasis on economic well-being.
Policy makers well be well-advised to make a more detailed study of global trends before making any decisions to avoid social upheavals.

turkey-a lesson for ukraine

Kemal Pasha,in the face of tremendous opposition from the Caliphate and the Ottoman Empire,had succeeded in making Turkey into a modern,democratic and progressive republic.Today,Turkey,though enjoying high levels of economic growth,is becoming an Islamic hard line state ruled by a megalomaniac.
In the present subjective age,every nation is in search of its cultural identity.This process is not easy and fraught with grave dangers.
Ukraine,facing economic difficulties like most constituents of the erstwhile Soviet Union,is looking for an easy way out by aligning closely with Western Europe and against Russia with which it has closer cultural ties.Western sactions,though painful,will eventually make Russia much more stronger and united.In the short run,Ukraine may benefit in economic terms,but it will be at the cost of its sovereignty and freedom.

indo-russia ties

Notwithstanding Russia's present difficulties,Indo-Russia ties will strengthen in the coming decades.Our friendship is based on shared values of democracy,progress,freedom,individual dignity and social justice.
Russia with its immense natural resources and huge land mass and India with its agro-base and huge manpower resources can work out a win-win partnership.
The present geo-political situation is strongly in favour of countries which are strategically in a position to change their polity.India,Russia,Brazil,S.Africa,Tunisia,Japan,Hong-kong,Malaysia,Iran,Cuba,Venezuala and others will be the leaders of the world.

it is war

The battle lines are drawn-at stake is freedom,dignity,democracy,compassion,beauty and pursuit of truth,everything that makes life worthwhile.
There is a hardening of positions all around.The forces of status quo have clearly indicated that they will fight to the end.The unholy nexus of organised religion,big business,governments,armed forces and the media are in a race to destroy the world.
Whatever the ultimate result,the forces of progress,freedom,fraternity,change and democracy will fight to the finish.

alliance francais pondiche'rry

AFP is doing an excellent job for protecting the unique heritage of Pondicherry which is a combination of Tamil and Napoleonic French culture.
It is based in a heritage building with a historic past,facing the sea.Neat and clean premises,courteous staff,cane furniture,art gallery,multimedia facilities,a manicured lawn and a cafe are the features of this premises.
It is anideal place to meditate,read,listen to music,draw or do some serious writing.
The staff know both Tamil nad French and are eager to assist the visitor in every possible way.
The membership fees are reasonable and suited for evry visitor.An idyllic getaway from the rough and tumble of daily life.

an attempt to put the clock back

Just when it appeared that better times were ahead,the pope has called on the faithful to boycott goods made by firms engaging persons from the unorganised sector.It is obvious that the pope is acting at the behest of powerful commercial interests who are facing a threat to their supremacy.This clearly establishes the nexus between organised religion and big business.Surely,it will be followed by greater immigration curbs,protectionism,crackdown on civil rights groups and increased military intervention in Africa and elsewhere by the western powers.
A coordinated strategy will have to be worked out by all progressive forces across the globe to counter this attempt to put the clock back.
Since the trend of events is in favour of transparency and freedom of expression and belief,the youth will have to show more daring,enterprise and innovation than before to ensure that democratic values are not supressed.
A greater engagement with the common people,use of social media and reaching out to the marginalised communities.

It is a 'make or break' situation,

chala musaddi office office

"Chala musaddi office office' is a poignant movie about life of the common man in India.Musaddi Lal is a retired school teacher who believes in honesty and decency. Due to the negligence of the Doctors his wife dies prematurely.Even for performing her lasr rites the pujaris extort a large amount from him.The Government stop his pension and refuses to restore it asking him to prove he is stll alive. At every step he has to pay bribes to the officials and other staff.Ultimately he decides to take on the system and with the help of the

Judiciary he brings the culprits to book.

mobile libraries

In this digital age,reading has become the biggest casualty.Children in urban areas,where education is largely concentrated,have become hooked to the computer and TV for satisfying their needs.The virtual has become the real!
Reading books not only strengthens the intellectual faculties but also improves communication skills.
With the rising cost of books,public and mobile libraries can spread the reading habit in children.Shared books also encourage fellow feeling in children because along with the content,the feelings and sensibilities of the readers are also shared with each other.
Fortunately in India,the print medium still dominates the reading space.It will be quite possible to popularise the works of contemporary and classic authors of children's books through mobile libraries.

cuisine

Food and nourishment is the most essential requirement of any human being.To a large extent,the diet of a person shapes the personality.Consumption of meat and alcohol makes a person more physical while a vegan and milk based diet reduces aggression and lust.Overeating makes a person obese and lazy while a frugal diet increases the energy levels.
Every region of the world has its own unique cuisine.The French and Mughlai cuisine is known for its elegance and finesse,the English and German for its strength and practicality,the Japanes for its aesthetic appeal and the Spanish for its warmth and taste.
Cooking is an art and requires a long training and practice.The essential qualities in any Chef are patience,creativity,aesthetic sense and gentleness.The cooking spot and the atmosphere can also affect the quality of cooking.A clean and hygienic place is absolutely essential for a healthy diet.