Today I noticed a foreigner sitting in the passenger seat of a car, wearing a seat belt; I've seen it before, but today, I felt pathetic. It's thought provoking, really, the world of double standards, that we live in! Foreigners who come to India follow rules viz., wearing seat belts, not littering roads and using them as public urinals, not cutting through the lanes while driving, and actually following the Red means Stop, Amber means Rest and Green means Go!! They follow them in their own country, and they come to India and follow them too...Pathetic, that is what we are.

When we go abroad, we very very meticulously follow rules. No driving above the speed limit, no spitting 'pan' on the roadside, following signal signs to name just a few. Also, we not only manage to control our bladders until we find a toilet, but we also control the urge to throw things on the road and actually strain ourselves to look for dustbins!!!!

....Is it me or is it just following the When in Rome, be a Roman policy?

What's worse is that we follow these double standards in other spheres of our lives too. As long as you are dumping garbage in front of someone else's house, its OK. The minute some one does the same to you, how long does it take for you to call up the municipality??

As long as I'm the one watering my plants even after it's rained that evening, its OK, what urges me to call and complain is when my neighbor decided to wash his balcony which is dirty.

Anyone who drives faster than me, is rash, and anyone who drives slower doesn't know how to drive.

Why does the question of "why should I?" arise every time there is a NEED and requirement for people to raise their voice and be heard. You see, as long as I can sit here and complain about how wrong things are with the working of the judicial system and police, I'm happy. Everyone is happy. Something is been questioned, after all. The problem arises when I have to take steps to eradicate the problem. Why should I,eh? Until one of my kin has been taking into custody by mistake, beaten up by rogues.. Why should I actually make an effort?

Since most of our actions are motivated by self-interest...Think of it this way,if you actually take steps to solve the problem, there won't be a situation where you'll have to cry about injustice in the world to the people around you when you find yourself in a pit..

You can question my creditability for having the guts to point out such things. On my behalf, I can say that I made my share of the effort. It's not 100% and I'm still trying. But, I wear my seat belt, correct my dad when he parks wrong no matter how convenient, and don't spit and throw stuff on the roads... And I would bet anything, and win, to convince you that once YOU start making an effort, people will follow.. 'cuz you see what people are looking for is an example. 'Cuz when you make a effort to change, you stand out, and people notice it. And they are forced to follow it, 'cuz even they know deep down, that that is the right way to go.

Don't do it for me or for someone else. Do it for yourself. You see Gandhiji always said, " You have to be the change you want to see in the world."

Recent weeks have brought a lot of death.. and the required 'lightening' required to shake ourselves out of the pretence that everything is alright.

1. London bombings taking a huge toll of deaths.

2. A little before that was the Tsunami taking numerous people to the ocean floor.

3. ONGC platform goes into flames.

4. Mumbai floods.

5. Guragaon, Delhi: People are fighting.

6. Karnataka floods.

.....What more do we need to convince us that shifting blame isn't the way to solve a problem? And that WE DO have a problem. In fact we're on the threshold of a full blown disaster... it's like sitting on top of a volcano, waiting for it to burst. And instead of trying to get ourselves down from the top, we're squating and enjoying the tea-party.

Newton's third law : Each and every action has an equal and opposite reaction. We all know it. Learn it. See it. But when it comes to such disasters we spend our time blaming governments for not doing enough to provide relief. Why don't we question them as to WHY these things are happening in the first place?

I know it is ill-logical to think that we can control such things, but only to so much extent. We've spent the last few decades spiriting away to new planets and building machinary that will one day render us useless. We've spent years battling about pollution and using oceans, etc. as dumping grounds, and not actually doing anything about it. We go around talking about 'small families' and population control... but each day the number of orphanages increases...'Cuz oceans have been dumped with. Forests have been cut. And the air is/has been polluted. How much did we think Mother nature would tolerate until she gave it back to us??

The past is proof enough for the extent of her wrath. Maybe not in full force, but at every step when we've over stepped the mark there's been a warning.

Oh! And now she is giving it back to us. If we multiply at such an alarming rate, nature will start, and has started to cut down this population at an alarming rate. Dirty waters and no respect for the oceans resulted us with Tsunami's. Earthquakes defy the gravity-defying sky scrapers. Diseases we ourselves create to kill us. There's too much rain in some areas while other's are turning into deserts, as an after-effect of global warming. Tit for tat. A brick for a stone.
P.S. You can refer to Kaushik's post for details on our stupidness.

There are people who are taking steps to again start building harmony with nature. But it's not being done on the large scale that is required.

Me thinks... the only solution, if we mortals don't realise the error in our ways soon, is a complete wipe out.. and then a re-birth. I know it won't be in my life-time. But that doesn't stop me from thinking there may still be a small chance of salvaging the situation.

A person can see the signs in front of his/her face, IF he or she wishes to look. There's a neon sign blinking, that says " Gone overboard. Can take no more. Retreat or pay." And until we surrender our weapons and bough down... we're gonna pay big time..!!!

For all those learned people out there, I'd like to ask you... "What is the charm in drinking, doing drugs, fagging,etc?"

Me, as dumb as I am, think it's an absolute waste of life and money. No amount of reasons, justifications or "peer pressure" can be an excuse enough for a person to go down this particular road.

Nosirr. This is one place where I know what to think and what not to. You can tell me it gives you a high and makes you feel like your flying... well i'll tell you... If you wanna fly, stick a parachute bag on your back and jump from a chopper and flap your hands... THAT is called flying. The only high this drug-booze-thing helps you reach is the highest high a person can reach... You know that place above the clouds, where harps play music, you see birds twittering around your head.. and you find yourself with a set of wings and in a white gown....!!! You take your family along too... not to mention all the dear people who happen to be on the road while your drive... it's a free for all thing,eh?

You can tell me it's the "cool" thing...Mister, this will only end you up in a morgue so chilled up that no amount of heat can de-freeze you, yeah??

It's an escape to some people from the realities of this big bad world. You're what they call a poltroon then. If you have problems then deal with them damnit. You've got clothes on you, money in your pocket, a family, enough to fill your stomach and a roof over your head... what more can a person ask for?? What do you crib about when there are people without limbs, eyesight, money and in a million other more horrible situations that you are... fighting and facing what's in front of them... But, you? Nah...You stick your tail in between your legs and take the easy way out... Coward.

The first thing I noticed when I came to Chennai was that every road leads to a temple. And every road had at least two shops that sold liquor... What's more amusing is that each of these shops have names of God's and Goddesses on them. Does that imply it's the bestest thing to do when your in trouble?? It implies TROUBLE. People first drink and kill and then go to these temples, catch their ears and ask for forgiveness..!!

This whole living in boozeland thing only ends up creating hell for you and your family. It's OK to enjoy a good maritini or champagne or whatever at a party or something... Why turn it into an obsession or a hobby?

Waiter, one fresh orange juice please!

We all wear shoes. Even if we think the black shiny formal shoes are stuffy and meant for the "big guys".. We have to wear them one day or the other, unless it's Ok to be Ok with wearing chappals , where ever it is that we are going. You can't end up at a formal function wearing Bata bathroom slippers unless of course you're making ( or trying to make ) a fashion statement...!

Point is that though the main purpose of wearing them is mainly for comfort and to provide a barrier from our feet touching the ground.... They serve a larger purpose too....They help to judge a person's character. One of the first things another person notices about you, is what you wear on your feet.

It doesn't always help make a correct assessment, like in the case of Ruskin Bond's stories... But most of the times it helps make a fair decision. For example, if you turn up wearing some sort of fluorescent, rubber chappals, its obvious to another person that you're a beach bum. Or just one helluva guy. They stand as a symbol of how serious, sensible, not serious and not sensible, tidy, untidy or how smart you are.

One can easily spot a pauper from a king. Suppose you enter an office and you see the Manager there wearing some cheap footwear that shows off his dirty nails with muck stuck in them.. I don't think I could trust him with my consignment (or whatever).. 'cuz the man can't even take care of himself! You could be dressed in the best suits or dresses and give the show away by wearing highly inappropriate footwear.

It's said, that while eyes are the windows to a person's soul...me says, your feet are the index to YOU.(P.S. windows sounded stupid here!)

There's also the more scientific reasons, you should consider. The thing is the kind of support you provide your feet with affects your back, spine and your neck. A wrong choice of footwear could screw up your neck and spinal cord real bad and end you up with a bad case of spondylitis. In minor cases you could end up with shoe- bites or just aching feet.

So, while you go and polish your shoes, or get someone to do them for you... I'm gonna shooooooo away... Have a good day!

..when the rain starts to fall..I find myself humming this song,by The Rembrandts, more commonly,known as the title song of the serial F.R.I.E.N.D.S., very very often. If not for the good music, but for the sense of relief and comfort it brings. It's funny how a few words are what it takes...

I looked up the dictionary one day, to find out what exactly the word FRIEND stands for. Because each day brought about a new feeling I had towards these 'friends' of mine... I found myself thanking the Lord for having blessed me with them and cursing my luck the very same day for having ended up with such people...The dictionary did nothing to clear my head and offered me a number of meanings...

So, I decided that I had to find out for myself, what the word really meant. Oh! And I did. First I found there were 'friends' who came up to you and sweet talked you when they wanted something done from you. What I also found was that over a period of time and such encounters, even when you became intelligent enough to spot such people, you ended up doing these small favors for them... Out of pity. And that was the time I vowed never to be such a friend, no matter what. I hope I have succeeded.

Then I came across the 'friends' who helped other people out, because, they were gifted with things the others didn't have. It could be anything.. Being a friend to the blind, since you were gifted with eyesight... Or just being there to lend an ear to some old person who was troubled, since you were gifted and had people who listened to you ( even if they only pretended to listen.. Yeah thanx guys! :D) .

And then come the people whose friendship...Is most confusing. And most needed. And most wanted. This was the friend who let you dot his/her i's and cross his t's. This was a friend to whom I could tell my worst fears to and count on to drive them away. I could actually sit with this friend and build castles in the air, and believe that one day they would turn real.

This friendship provided you with shelter when you didn't want to face worldly lies and when you were tired of loving and caring. Here, was somewhere you could hide from pain and gather up the courage to face it. Because even though this friend had warned you of the pain, instead of a " I told you so" you found him ready to stand by you while you fought your wars. THIS was one place where you were sure to be heard...

...And slowly it taught you that it was OK to screw up, and OK to complain all day long... And you learned that it was OK to love, and not be loved back.. that it was OK to feel like crap... where you also learnt that when you thought things couldn't get worse.. They did!!

You also found that this one person had all the patience and faith in you.

I found trust. And I found love. Here was someone who could and always did manage to help me find back my faith in this human race.

This friend, much to my despair at that time, also brought with him/her the sternest voice that made you do things that you were supposed to do no matter what, 'cuz they were good for you. Hmph. I also found loads of fights and arguments, until we decided that whoever won the toss was correct. Not to forget the times when I had to be the 'noble' one and take on the blame for pulling out flowers from the garden, for being the one to dare another friend to kiss Ms. Prissy, and leaving a small amount of lunch on the teacher's chair ( of course it was a mistake! a deliberate one though..! hehe..),to count a few.

The endless consoling over lost boy-friend's and later listening to constant jabbber about the then latest hunk... Smiling and always being there to tell people that whatever happenened, happenened for a reason...was, i'm begining to realise, a small price to pay.

So, though it might look like I couldn't possibly have reached a conclusion as to what the word really means... I DID!!!

It means the world.

It stand for what you are, who you are and what makes you. It has the power to make you and break you. And that this was one thing that lasted forever. Yep, it DID. No circumstance and no amount of time, not even the 7 oceans can cause it to weaken.

And, here's thanking each and everyone of you.. yeah Kaushik EVEN you :D... for being there for me always,and for giving me the most...lemme say..most unforgettable days of my life... More than that I hope I have never let any of you down.. Ever.. So, here' wishing all friends, old and new,with loads of love, a VERY VERY HAPPY FRIENDSHIP's DAY (7th Aug).

Before we judge the outcome of the Prime Minister's recent visit to the US on the basis of the past interactions between the nations... We have to realize that that basis for judging no longer exists. For we are different people with different views, today.

With the end of the Cold War, and on account of the international situation today,it brings the opportunity for India to break through a 31-year isolation caused due to Ms. Gandhi in '74 and the Jaswant Singh- Strobe Tallbot conspiracy....

The US President, described India as "a responsible state with advanced nuclear technology," thereby un- officially crediting India with the status of being a nuclear power and a part of the Nuclear Club. Not only has Mr. Bush, the President of the US, said that India "should acquire the same benefits and advantaged as other officially-decreed- nuclear states" according to the Joint Statement, he said he would "seek agreement from the Congress to amend it's laws and policies" and "workd with allies and friends to adjust international regimes to enable full civil nuclear energy cooperation and trade with India."

The US has conceded to amend the domestic law ( the Non- Proliferation Act of 1978) and securing the consent of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to offer India assistance with its nuclear energy programme.

In return, India has promised four things. One, India will continue its policy of not proliferating nuclear technology or capability; two, India will continue with its voluntary moratorium on testing; three, work with th eUS to conclude a fissile material cut-off treaty and, four, voluntarily serperate its civilian and military nuclear facilities and programmes and place the civilian part under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards... And allow international inspection of these civilian sites.

The progress will be reviewed when the President visits India in 2006. The US has also promised to help India join the International Thermonuclear Experimental reactor (ITER) and also help India participate in the international effort to develop 4th generation nuclear reactors.

On the whole the deal looks like a win-win situation for India. What troubles people is what may/ may not have been written in fine print. The Pentagon not only expects India to say thank you for the deal with arms order worth $5 billion but also hopes for more billions by persuading India to buy 126 US fighter jets.

Concerns are also being raised against the segregation of the civilian and military units. Mr.B.Chellaney, calls the relation between the two as symboitically linked. He says, " The deal will strike the weak spot in India's nascent nuclear military capability- its umbical ties with the civilian programme." In layman's language India followed a dual system, according to which, nuclear stations first addresses civilian needs and then caters to our military requirements.

Going back to reading the legible print, this deal does not extend Indo- US cooperation to the WTO negotiations or to support from Washington for the Iran-Pakistan- India gas pipeline project. People have their own doubts after the Prime Minister, just after his visit, said the Pipeline project was risky. However, the Minister of Petroleum,Mr.Mani Shankar Iyer, said that the project would go ahead and all security issues will the addressed accordingly.

The Prime Minister has ducked all such troubling questions. What was easier to clear out was the worry that while the US has only made a promise which it may or may not fulfill, the deal sets out a clear road map for India to transverse under US supervision. "This is a misconception," says Mr.B. Abhishek, Spokesperson, Congress. "The deal clearly states that India will only take the necessary steps, in reciprocation to positive steps taken by the US to close its part of the agreement," clarifies the Spokesperson. The need to stress on 'reciprocation' this time, is in regard to the US reneging its legal duties at the Tarapur Plant.

What is funny,is that after denying necessary funds for expansion of the domestic nuclear power industry, we are now agreeing to import high- priced reactors that will leave it vulnerable to outside pressures over fuel and spare parts.

So, can New Delhi, overcome the obstacles in its path on such issues discreetly? Can we do a good job of doing what's best for the country and not plundering an issue as important as this with politics? Is there really a fine print? Most of all, are we really conceding more that necessary to join the "nuclear club"?

DO NOT READ THIS if you haven't read
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince... You'll be sorry..!!


... It feels as though I've just gotten off the Hogwarts Express and am already at the Drusleys! Yeah, it's that bad to see the journey end. Another year end. And now I have to get back to reality. Yuck. It's a depressing thought... I'm comparing it to staying at Privet Drive, aren't I?? Why does there have to be a last page??

It's depressing to think that you can no longer roam the halls of Hogwarts.. That you can't sit with Harry, Ron and Hermoine in the common room.,.. Or watch Ginny shout at Ron on the subject of snogging :D....or..or ... Just watch.. Magic unfurl around you...YEAH!! 'cuz that's what it feels like... MAGIC... ugggghhh!! I wish the book would never end....

J.K Rowling has once again outdone herself... And kept the reader glued till he's reached the last page..And wanting for more after that!! It's amazing how each character slowly develops, grows, and moves on, along with the story.. What's more amazing is that while the reader enjoys reading about the usual people, he doesn't feel lost with the entry of new characters. One very successfully manages to recollect a page or a conversation from one the previous books where the names have appeared. It's so easy to feel that your a part of the whole thing...

The book has answered a lot of questions... The pensive had a lot of to do work this time..And adds a few more too, much to one's distress!!...The book's full of good news and bad news... And werewolves and deaths, and the horrrrrible death eaters.. You don't know what to expect next..! It was saddening that Dumbledore had to die... He was my favorite... Loved his glasses and robe and voice! It's impossible to think of him, as only some character from a book...Damn Snape!!

It is no wonder that while some people DO deserve a second chance.. There are others who just DO NOT...Yeah, I'm talking about Snape...! He's evil through and through and I reckon he's going to get his worth once Harry lays his hands on the creep...Because like Dumbledore wisely put ( the man's unbelievable, almost like he's a wizard..hehhe!!!) Harry has the most deadly weapon of all, Love.

Loads of people go missing and a revolting number seem to be under some sort of curse or the other. None of it diminishes the need to cheer at the Quidditch matches which become more interesting 'cuz now Harry's captain...And it doesn't decrease the studying workload, specially since Harry and gang are now in their 6th year.. Oh! Did I mention it? They all did superbly in their O.W.L.S.!!! Mr. Weasley and Mr. Weasely, as Fred and George , now like to be referred to as are doing superbly well with their own shop on Diagon Alley...! Percy's a brat and hasn't come back to the family.

Not to forget some superb new spells... I particularly like the one that hangs you in the air, upside down... Then there's the Felix- lucky-potion, which is too good to be true...!! Kaushik, you think we could make some of it, if we got hold of the half-blood-prince's book? As much as I'd hate to even touch anything that was Snape's the potion would come handy to Harry..

What's more is that there's a love-is-in-the-air atmosphere in the magical world this year... Ron and Hermoine, Ginny and Harry, Tonks and Lupin, Bill and Fleur...!!! It's very very...umm...Harry-like of him to give up Ginny, since he knows the danger she'll be in if they continued as a couple... I hope they're together at the end of the next book... Harry deserves some happiness...!!!

There's going to be a lot for J.K.Rowling to do in the next book, Harry has to hunt down all the Horcruxes and face Lord Voldemort... it's revolting that you have to call him "lord"... Rowling has kept track of all details mentioned in her other books with remarkable precision... And it's almost, if I may say, magical.... 'cuz it must have taken helluva lot of work.. It would be easier if she had a house elf... You reckon they can read, can't they?? I hope the next book comes out soooooonnnnnn.......!!!! Until then... I'm going get back on the Hogwarts Express.... Who would want to stay with the Drusley's!!!