Mangalore Pub Attacks

I agree with Renuka Choudhury when she says that the Sri Ram Sene is the Taliban of India. Infact, I would like to go a step further and say that all the radical Hindu groups in this country qualify for that post. The worst part is, they are proud of what they do.

I was watching NDTV the other day and one of the Sene members said and these are not his exact words - 'In India we believe in the phrase Matru Devo Bhava. A woman who will or has attained that status has the responsibility to act in the "right" way'. This basically means that a woman should not drink, smoke, hang out with boys (friends or otherwise) or have any fun of her liking. Her place is in the kitchen and in her husband's/ father's territory. Whatever happened to the rest of the beautiful phrase - Pitru Devo Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava, Athithi Devo Bhava??

Does a man who is or will be a father not have the same responsibility then? Should he also not act in the "right" way and be a role model to his children?? What about the Acharyas or Gurus of modern times - are they right when they plant bombs in Muslim areas?? Is it ok to immolate guests in our country just because they are Christian and have come to do what they believe is their bidding???

I respect that everyone has a right to his/ her opinion. Many men and women in India frown upon the pub culture and especially upon women frequenting places like that. Is there not a better way of expressing that?

I fear for my children!

Handbook 2009

I just read this email from my friend Monica.
HANDBOOK 2009 Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2008.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes' walk every day. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:

25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least:

40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about


One of the few I ended up forwarding!