[India] Modi Govt’s LED Bulbs

Collected 10 LED bulbs @ Rs 100 each from electricity office in Pune, which Govt is distributing for all. Sometime back I had bought some LED bulbs at a higher market price. Those were from Eveready which is an Indian company; but to my surprise the bulbs were "Made in China". So I looked for the make of government's LED bulbs and to my relief those are manufactured at Noida in UP. The contract manufacturer which makes them is a JV between an Indian company and a foreign firm.

Btw, below is a news item which tells about the benefit Modi Govt’s focus on LED bulbs is doing to our nation:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/led-plan-cuts-peak-load-by-145mw-saves-rs-61-lakh-daily/articleshow/50230555.cms

- Rahul 

[Smiley] Respect!

Today as soon as I took a turn in our lane on my bike, I found a small boy on his small bicycle talking to two little girls in their little frocks at the middle of the road. Now, as the small boy saw me approaching, he immediately paused his conversation, got off his bicycle, dragged it to the side of the lane and then raised his face to look at me so sincerely, as if expecting some reaction on my face.

I don't know if he did so because of good education given by his parents, or if he had learnt its importance after having a bad experience with some dare-devil speeding bikers. Whatever be the reason behind his gesture, it was so heart-warming!

I mean, honestly I have not received such kind of 'respect' in ages!

- Rahul 

Peshwa Bajirao I and the Movie 'Bajirao Mastani'

Full name of Peshwa Bajirao I is - Bajirao Ballal (Balaji) Bhat. He is also known as Thorale (Marathi for 'elder') Bajirao and with the nickname 'Rau' in Marathi. He lived from 18 August 1700 to 28 April 1740 and changed India's history forever. 

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's movie 'Bajirao Mastani' is based on a Marathi Novel "Rau" authored by N.S. Inamdar which is a fictional story of love and relationship between Bajirao and his second wife Mastani. I shall watch this movie in a few days but in general I don't like fictitious stories written about historical figures.

Writers would pick a historical character for their fictitious novels because of many reasons. E.g. because of laziness (re-using historical setting saves lot of time), lack of courage (why take risk to create a new character when you can pick a popular one from the past), due to ego (writers feel like Lord Brahma, the Creator, when they write a book), or due to personal and mischievous reasons (we all have personal likes, dislikes and infatuations with historical figures). Above all, writing about a historical figure gives a bright chance to become part of history too. Any article written about the figure would include at least one line about the writer or filmmaker - "XYZ is a Hindi Bollywood film based on...". I think this must be most tempting to the seekers of fame.

On the other hand, even if they distort history (a fact every viewer knows these days except kids perhaps) they bring back historical figures into 'relevance'. Otherwise I or you won't be remembering Bajirao Peshwa these days. Due to this fact alone, I support even fictitious adaptations of historical figures or events. But as a society, we should care for real facts too. E.g. if one does not try to read anything from recorded history about a historical figure but only watches a fictitious epic movie, one is going to be misled.

When you read the real life story of Bajiwao and Mastani, you would realize that it is an epic in itself. I am not going to reveal it here but at the click of a button you can read about it on the net.

Btw, do you know that Peshwa Bajirao I - who is subject of soon-to-launch movie Bajirao Mastani, lived only for less than 40 years?

Young Bajirao was very popular among soldiers and his name was always taken with great honor. Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj (grandson of Chhatrapati Shivaji) appointed him as a Peshwa at a young age of only 20 years! Bajirwao fought over 41 major battles in his life and lost none! When Bajirao plundered Mughal controlled Delhi, the Mughal emperor had to hide to save himself.

Bajirao Peshwa was en route to Delhi with one lakh troops under his command near the city of Indore when he suffered from a sudden very high fever. I think in those days there were limited medical facilities. Bajirao Peshwa died on 28 April 1740, at an age of only 39. Still, for his immense contribution he is considered one of the chief architects of the great Maratha Empire!

One of the signature landmarks of Pune is Shaniwar Wada. Pune was the Capital City of the great Maratha Empire which ruled most of India for long. This fort was the seat of the Peshwa rulers. It was built by Peshwa Bajirao I. Most people visiting Pune for first time do make it a point to visit it. Today mainly the walls of the fort are remaining and the foundation of the palace inside it. The main palace and several buildings inside it were made of teak wood and got destroyed by a massive fire in year 1828 (legends tell that the British burned it).

Just in front of Shaniwar Wada stands a statue of Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa. It seems as if the Great Peshwa is still protecting his fort!

Also read: Why Bajirao is India's greatest cavalry general: http://www.rediff.com/news/column/why-bajirao-is-indias-greatest-cavalry-general/20151223.htm 

- Rahul 

Dear Brother's Wedding!

In the beginning of my childhood we lived as a joint family and hence bonding between members was too strong. We cousins, brothers and sisters grew up together. There is one special cousin about whom I want to write today.

I was one year older than him but we were always good 'friends' rather than elder brother and younger brother. Even our pet-names 'rhymed' together. People often took our names in one breath. We were so much together than once in childhood when I dreamed and saw myself as 'Prince Rama', I naturally saw him as 'Lakshmana' in my dream. Our natures complemented each other. I was shy and reserved while he was outgoing and bold. Therefore I cherish so many memories which may sound childish to you but are so special to me. I recollect two of these below.

Once in childhood I had been to a relative's place for the first time where he had been before. We were playing and I felt the need to pee. Being a shy boy I tried to control the urge until possible. But in the end it felt uncontrollable. I could not find courage to tell any other boy and ask where the toilet was. So I asked him and you know what he did? He quit the game then and there, and took me to a long way to the toilet. This may sound a small incident to you but I knew it mattered a lot to me. I still have very clear picture of walking with him in my mind. In the house celebrating a marriage, once he took me to a secret room where sweets were stored and we had big-big rosogullas! I can never forget it.

He was a very naughty child and always so bold, unlike me. One scene is frozen in my mind. Till UKG, I used to go to a school near to our home. One afternoon as the school ended, I saw him having arrived at my school riding our small kid's tricycle! The tricycle had a rider's seat and a pillion seat and he had brought the small tricycle so as to bring me back from school! I could never have dreamed to be able to do something so cute. Having done this, my dear brother was my 'hero'! I still have very clear picture of this special day.

Today, my this younger brother is going to get married! I wish you all the very best! You have been special to me, and you are still so very dear and wonderful like you were in childhood. My best wishes and love! May your new phase of life be filled with happiness and great joy always!

- Rahul

Do’s and Don’ts for the Mother of the Bride

Countless research articles have been written about the epic relationship between a bride and her mother-in-law. ‘Saas-Bahu’ relationship has been the subject of thousands of stories, movies, plays and folklores. In all these, saas, or the mother of the groom, has been especially painted all black with little shades of white, if any. Daughter-in-law is the ultimate tormented soul and mother-in-law is the ultimate villain or vamp. This notion has been fixed in our collective conscience for generations. A lot of help or self-help literature is available for the new bride. Do’s and don’ts on how to survive the ‘new life’ has been written by one and all. In all this clutter, there is one character which has remained in the shadows but still commands position of great power. In fact her power is hundred times more effective because of remaining away from the public attention. That, my dear friend, is the topic of my article - Mother of the Bride.

If you happen to be in the shoes of mother of the bride, it is important that you follow a few do’s and don’ts. Following these will not only help you but also your daughter who is so dear to your heart.

1. Realize Your Special Place in the Relationship Matrix

First of all, you must realize that your position is not to be taken casually. You hold a very special place in the heart of your child, your daughter, and you must tread carefully. Just like you have protected your child from the time she was a baby till the point of time when she is now married, you are going to keep playing a very important role till a very long time to come. Realizing this will not only give you comfort but also strength and stability which are going to prove all very important to you and your child.

2. Do Not get Insecure; Do Not Think You are Irrelevant

If you think that after your daughter has got married you are about to become irrelevant to her is only going to make you insecure and will harm both of you. If you allow such an insecurity to seep into your psyche, you are going to act in a variety of manners like being possessive, over-protective and intruding – all these can be harmful for the success of your daughter’s happy married life, as described in more detail below.

3. Give Your Daughter Time to Adjust to the New Environment

After marriage most probably your daughter is going to move to a new place either at her in-laws’ place or at her husband’s separate place of residence. She will take time to adjust to the new family members, to the new ‘parents’-in-law, and most importantly to the groom who is going to be her life-partner. Brides undergo a variety of emotions due to this change which may appear ‘abrupt’ or ‘forced’ to her. She will show an inclination to long for her old life and may crave to find pretext to go back to you. At this stage, you must realize that just like a sapling needs to remain rooted enough in the soil for it to grow, your daughter must spend enough time with her husband and in-laws in order for their mutual relationships to grow. Therefore, control your emotional urge to bring your daughter back to you as soon and as frequently as possible due to pretexts and excuses which may appear ‘important’ enough to your heart.

4. Do Not Criticize the Son-in-Law or His Parents

Especially in case of marriages where bride and grooms did not know each other for long enough before marriage, they are still in an exploration phase. They would continue to know and discover new things about each other. So would you most probably. In this phase, it is natural for your daughter to worry or be critical about a few things about her husband or her in-laws. When she shares her concerns with you, it is important that you maintain a fine balance while sharing your opinion. Control and stop your urge to speak your mind without thinking the impact your words would have on your daughter’s mind. My suggestion is that you should never be openly critical about your son-in-law or his parents. Because very often daughters look for a guidance and inspiration from mothers when they share their concerns and your criticism may compound your daughter’s negativity. All such negative emotions can only attract more negativity and make matters worse.

5. Do Not Intrude into your Daughter’s Life

At times you will have to control your urge to spoon-feed your daughter with advices and guidance which you might have gotten into habit to deliver to her. Realize that your daughter is now a grown-up woman and she needs to learn to stand tall by herself. She is not going to become all wise and strong merely by your advices. Let her try things out and learn from her mistakes. In the new environment she will sometimes need to make mistakes, take a step back and adjust. Your suggestions and daily doses of guidance may appear noble to you but those will harm your daughter’s prospects in the long term. I have used a harsh word ‘intrude’ to describe it for a purpose. Stop a temptation to pre-calibrate your daughter. It is much better to let her ask for help and then offer suggestions in an impartial manner which would be good both for your daughter and her new family.

6. Be Watchful But Maintain a Healthy Distance

While your daughter has been an inseparable part of you for her whole life and you feel the urge to keep watching out for her and protecting her, it is much better to control this urge a little after your daughter gets married. Maintain a healthy distance, a kind of ‘detached’ association in which you are watching your daughter but never crossing the line. Your over-protection would make your daughter come back to you on smallest pretexts and it won’t allow a strong ‘bond’ to develop between her and her in-laws. It is like if you keep feeding a baby with milk, the baby won’t ask for milk from anyone else. Similarly, if you keep filling whole of the emotional needs of your daughter, she is going to feel ‘filled’ always and she would never need to quench some of her emotional thirst by bonding with her husband or in-laws.

7. Let Her Cope Up With Difficult Times As Well

Like the way life is designed, there is going to be ‘good times’ and ‘bad times’. After her marriage, there will be a phase when your daughter will face some serious challenges. During such a phase it is important that she should ‘grow’ and rise up to the occasion. Therefore you must control your urge to be over-protective. Allow your daughter to face the tough times alongside her husband and her in-laws. The mutual love and respect they will develop while coping up with the tough times together are going to be ‘assets’ for her whole life.

8. Self Analyze Your Behavior and Keep Correcting

Life is such that at times we get overboard. Therefore it is important for you to do self-analysis every once in a while and answer for yourself if you are doing it well or not. You can have your own methods to know when to do this. For example, after every call your daughter makes to you to share some problem or concern, just pause and think in a detached manner. Due to what you have said to her, is she going to develop better relationship with her husband and her in-laws? If the answer is yes, you are a fabulous mother. If the answer is no and you think you have worsened your daughter’s problems, take corrective actions immediately. After a while this will come naturally to you.

***

Being a mother is perhaps the world’s greatest gift. But giving your child a healthy development is even greater in many aspects. When you realize that your behavior is going to impact rest of your daughter’s life, you are bound to be more careful. Remember that your daughter is going to spend more years with her husband than she has spent with you. But she is not going to learn ‘life-lessons’ again – she is going to act in the manner you have taught her. Therefore being a responsible mother, you must control yourself more than you try to control your daughter. A healthy and positive relationship between you and your daughter is very important for success of your daughter’s marriage.

***

[Disclaimer: This piece is written by Rahul Tiwary who is Not a Relationship Expert. Views expressed are his personal and do not reflect views of the organization he is professionally associated with.]

Gods Playing Badminton

In our neighborhood park this evening, a father and a mother were seen playing Badminton. Mother was wearing a Saree which did not appear to be a hindrance to her movements. The most amusing part was their 'net'. Their little son was standing between them, serving as Badminton net. The kid was wearing full sweater which was complemented by a woolen cap of the same color; the kind of cap which gives babies appearance of a 'rabbit' or a 'kitten'.

The kid was definitely not happy with the arrangement. He alternately turned and looked at his father and then mother, and after finding both so engrossed in the 'game', it felt ignored. After a while, the kid just gave up and sat down on the ground. Still feeling ignored, it started playing with the grass by snatching it here and there.

In a way, the kid must be thinking that his parents were oblivious of him. If you looked at the scene, it would appear the same to you too. But obviously the parents were watching and being watchful. They were just not interfering with the kid.

I think that is how God treats us. Sometimes it would seem to us that God is not watching us and unaware of us. But God, like parents, does watch us. It is just that God does not always interfere.

- Rahul

What If Salman Becomes A Frog?

Colleagues were discussing Salman Khan Hit-and-run case over afternoon tea in the office. Everyone was unanimous in saying that nothing bad will happen to Salman and he will be saved despite being guilty. Then I remarked that may be he would get punishment after he goes to meet God - may be he will become a frog in next life as a punishment. This is the way I understand it. Then one colleague gave a revolutionary answer which shattered my theory.

She said, "Even if Salman is reborn as a frog - he won't remember that he became a frog because of his bad work in last life. So he will once again enjoy life. In fact being a frog is good because he does not have to worry and take tensions like us."

This is very logical. A frog won't know if it got 'demoted' or 'promoted' by becoming a frog. Although even if this is true, I won't risk it fir myself. But I think being a 'bad guy' is always advantageous rather than being a 'good guy'. You won't have to play by the rules and your conscience does not trouble you so often. But what stops so many of us from becoming bad? Is it only 'inertia'; or do we really take a call in full awareness? 

What do you think?

- Rahul 

Political Artists as Conscience Keepers

Recently Oscar winner AR Rahman performed at a concert* organized on the occasion of Mulayam Singh's birthday. I am sure he would go even if Lalu invites him. Or if Lalit Modi or Rahul Gandhi invites him. And no one would raise an eyebrow. Why? Because apparently Rahman being an artist would be doing all these shows to "earn his bread". The fact that he would already be a millionaire and hence performing at each function where host is ready to pay should not really be counted as "earning bread" but can be seen as an attempt to keep the "rich and powerful on one's sides", could be ignored.

I think being an artist gives him the privilege of not being conscientious when it comes to grab money making opportunities. There can be some more professions like this. Doctors would treat any sick person no matter his/her background; lawyers can defend any accused if one pleads not guilty. Others are not so lucky. If you work in a firm which is considered doing unethical business or corrupt - it is often taken as a blemish on your character too.

Now, after becoming rich and powerful helped by keeping conscience locked in a closet for best part of life when one is young and energetic, if these artists or professionals suddenly start pretending to have a more genuine conscience than yours and mine, and being holier than the common man, what do we do? I discard such individuals and their claims as trash.

---

* The Concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1f2WepFA4Y

- Rahul

Why Facebook DP Change Only For France?

After terror attacks on France, Facebook gave an option to change our profile pictures in a way to show our support to France. If you noticed the pattern, initially people felt "good" when they were changing their profile pictures. Gradually I saw a trend - people were seen criticizing Facebook for being "selective" in its initiatives.

In order to prove their point, some people, pages, journalists etc started posting ghastly images of mass violence from African or Islamic countries and started asking - Why did not FB give an option to display support to "these" countries?

If you think about their reasoning, it appears "correct". Why did not Facebook do it right "every time"? Why "only now"? I think this is a classic case of seeing a glass as "half empty" instead of "half filled".

I think through the profile picture change option, Facebook was giving a harmless means to express grief and solidarity towards a victim nation. If it worked well, it would make sense for FB to do the same next time for other countries also. After all, such activities keep users engaged and it is good for business. But if FB gets mostly criticism and faces a negative campaign against it after this episode; it will not be encouraged to give such options in future all together!

In the event of a humanitarian crisis, if by changing display picture a user feels less burdened; it helps in 'healing'. It does something 'good' even if small or inconsequential in total impact. So I think our criticism for FB does more harm than benefit to this world. Instead of asking "Why only towards France" and in a way insulting French people, or "Why not towards Iraq" and in a way insulting Iraqi people, and spreading negativity at the time of a humanitarian crisis, we should choose constructive feedback like, "I like this feature and hope they give this option even in future."

- Rahul

Swachh Bharat Cess

Recently Central Govt imposed a "Swachh Bharat cess". I read about it first in the newspaper-headlines as "Eating out, travelling and phone calls to get costlier from today". Naturally I got worried. The next day they wrote articles all over saying "Swachh Bharat Cess Is A Terrible Idea" etc. I got more worried. Then today after taking a taxi ride, I saw that I had to pay 38 paisa as "Swachh Bharat cess". 

I felt like "cheated"! After all, I was expecting this tax to really 'tax' me! Why should I be first made to believe that some grand injustice has been done in the name of Swachh Bharat and then in the end it should turn out to be just some coins?

I read that the funds collected through this cess will be used for construction of "toilets". Though the cess is only 0.5% of taxable services, Govt will get Rs 3700 crore through it this fiscal and around Rs 10000 crore in FY 2016-17. So it seems to be a very good idea. 

I can live without a few coins every once in a while in order to help make toilets in our country.

- Rahul

Attack On Paris!

God could eliminate all the demons and terrorists merely by His wish. 

But He wants "us" to do it. 

Can we do it by guns and bombs? 

France and USA failed in that so far. 

Then how can we do it? 

We can do it by Courage and Faith.

- Rahul

Happy Diwali!

Saw a man painting his house on Diwali. His was a humble one, if compared with his neighborhood. In fact only the front wall was in proper shape with a plaster on it. The man was painting the wall in blue - that blue which is used to give a shade different than regular whitewash. The man had climbed a ladder and his wife and son were holding the ladder and looking up at him with a concerned feeling.

The scene touched some cord. In one snapshot it told what a house means to a man; what a man means to his family and what a festival like Diwali means to people. Also I remembered something which a friend had said once - the kind of bonding you see in people with humble means can never be found in the rich families.

Wishing you all a very happy, prosperous and auspicious Diwali!

- Rahul

The Little Goat and A Little Girl

I want to tell you a story - or some little stories woven into one.

Our locality has a few shops selling meat. One goat is always tied to a tree trunk near the shop - perhaps it serves as 'safety stock'. One day a little girl was passing by - holding her grandmother by one finger. I could see that she had turned back and was making gestures with her other hand at the goat - as if trying to entertain it and gain its attention. She also spoke some cute words to the goat. The goat just stared at her.

Then outside a nearby chicken shop, that day only one white hen was seen in the cage. Perhaps the shop was soon to witness a stock-out situation - blame poor forecasting. Now a red cock was seen wandering on the ground. Perhaps it was a pet of someone and hence free. This big red cock looked at the solitary white hen in the cage - a damsel in distress - and made some sounds. The hen actually responded looking at the cock and spoke a few words. I think my heart skipped a few beats at the sight.

What to speak of dogs. With roads getting wider day by day and some dogs not learning how to cross roads safely - especially the newly recruited pups which popup in bunches some fine day - the situation is alarming. The only good thing is that perhaps the municipality is cleaning the roads soon enough for us. Or who knows, may be the fast vehicles do all the surface cleaning.

I had written about the fat cat in our neighborhood before - if you remember. A neighbor decided to steal one of her kittens to be raised as a pet and she religiously went to his house every evening and cried aloud. I can only update that this ritual went on for not less than a month after which either she got her baby back or else made some new ones to cope up with the situation.

On the way to morning walk, I find an unfamiliar noise coming out of a house whose doors and windows were still sleeping. Almost certain, it was a parrot making squeaky noises. Was it trying to wake up its owners? Oh, how I forget - it was responding to the call of nature. While we may find mornings lazy and uninvited, especially on working days of the week - birds find every morning worth celebrating. That parrot was acting like a bird - which I had to take time to come into terms with. So human like.

I think with cities growing high and wide, our earth is increasingly becoming unnatural for living beings which God designed to remain free and happy always. I don't count humans with these free-and-happy beings because I think we are too human to be these.

- Rahul [Views expressed are personal]

Not Tolerating Intolerance

If you follow any mass media, you would be aware that India has become 'intolerant' very recently. Specifically Hindu groups and individuals have turned intolerant. The commotion that has been created around this 'news' is pervasive; to the extent that if you even dream of being an 'intellectual', you have no choice but to 'condemn' it in the most outrageous manner possible for your profession (is that why I am also writing about it?). What to tell of small time thugs and petty politicians; positions of real power and influence like the President himself have ranted about 'intolerance' in most serious expressions. Yesterday, a political party brought out a 'protest march' to condemn 'silence' of PM on rising intolerance. Till day before yesterday, in a way a protest march was symbol of 'intolerance' and silence was symbol of 'tolerance' - but not any longer. We can't tolerate intolerance - that is the bottom line.

So how did the transformation start? It was a man beaten up to death in a UP village which started all this. Such crimes happen daily. But this one started like a wild fire. First news media started reporting it; then politicians made that village a pilgrimage, then a chain of attention-seekers took it off: writers, sorry, award winning writers, then President, then filmmakers, historians, showmen, businessmen and ultimately none other than Moody's Corporation. Is this what is called Butterfly effect?

Since President has given lecture about pluralism and tolerance two times in October 2015, it is apparent that India has suddenly transformed into an intolerant nation; it has not been a gradual process. Since this change has happened very recently - around last 2 months - logically something should have happened during these two months which was not present earlier - and hence the change. So what is it? If you even start to think on these lines, you would remember the big event - Bihar Assembly Elections!

This whole crooked episode which so called intellectuals call 'rising intolerance' is just a natural rising of pitch during elections. And it happens everywhere. If Donand Trump makes a racist comment on the blacks; or if Obama appeases a communal group and so on - in the run up to US Presidential elections - is it because America has suddenly become racist/communal? Of course not. Then why Indian intellectuals are so foolish that they can't see the plot? May be, they were not really 'intellectuals' all along!

[Views expressed are personal]

Cr.

I looked at my savings bank account statement and it so happened that I saw a lot of figures which ended with "Cr.". Now for a moment it appeared like "Crores"! Certainly some "Credit" to such an imagination :)

Selected Sanskrit Shlokas With Meanings

*** 

एकं सद् विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति।

- ऋग्वेद [१.१६४.४६]

सत्य तो एक ही है लेकिन विद्वतजन उसे बहुविध प्रकार से समझते हैं। / एक ही ब्रह्म है, जो विविध नामों से विख्यात है।

(There is a single Truth, which wise people describe differently.)

*** 

आयुर्नश्यति पश्यतां प्रतिदिनं याति क्षयं यौवनं

प्रत्यायान्ति गताः पुनर्न दिवसाः कालो जगद्भक्षकः।

लक्ष्मीस्तोयतरङ्गभङ्गचपला विद्युच्चलं जीवितं

तस्मान्मां शरणागतं शरणद त्वं रक्ष रक्षाधुना।।

- शिवापराधक्षमापनस्तोत्रम् [१३]

प्रतिदिन आयु नष्ट हो रही है, यौवन का क्षय हो रहा है।

बीता हुआ दिन फिर वापस नहीं आता, काल संसार का भक्षक है।

लक्ष्मी (धन-संपत्ति) जल की तरंग-भंग की भांति चपला है, जीवन विद्युत के समान क्षणभंगुर है।

इसलिए, आप जो सभी को शरण देते हैं, अब इस शरणागत की रक्षा कीजिए।

(Every day life is seen reducing and youthfulness decaying. Days that are gone never come back. Time is devourer of the world. Wealth is as fickle as the breaking of the waves of water, and life as transient as lightning. Therefore, you who gives refuge to all, protect me now who has come to you for refuge.)

*** 

ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविः ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम्।

ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना ॥

- भागवत गीता [४.२४]

- जिस चम्मच से अग्नि में आहुति दी जाती है, वह ब्रह्म है। जिन (घी आदि) पदार्थों की आहुति दी जाती है, वे भी ब्रह्म हैं। जिस अग्नि में आहुति दी जाती है, वह भी ब्रह्म है। आहुति देने वाला भी ब्रह्म है। उस ब्रह्मरूपी कर्म में समाधि को प्राप्त योगी को मिलने वाला फल भी ब्रह्म ही है।

Human Side of Shopping Should Not Be Ignored

Bought a cellphone from a small shop in our neighborhood market. Online shopping portals have made their life so miserable (they have to work longer hours to make the same revenue, which is only to reduce with time) that it felt like a social service to buy from them. The human side of shopping can also not be ignored.

In our childhood in our small town, shopkeepers were important part of our society. People depended on them and they depended on customers. There was a mutual respect. Society functions when people bond together and no one is isolated. Today, since I was not getting the cellphone model I was looking for, I had to do a survey of 6-8 shops. I visited all these shops for the first time ever. I talked to all these shopkeepers for the first time - person to person. Despite living in the same locality for so many years I had not "needed" these guys till yesterday - for me they had not existed or if they did, fulfilled some purpose alien to me - all due to shopping from online portals.

When I visited these shops, I saw so many new things; got to know a bit about my fellow neighbors (shopkeepers), and their places. For me as a part of society, this is important.

I also negotiated with them a bit and when we made the deal - I could see a sense of satisfaction in the eyes of the shopkeeper. I was happy too as a customer. I saw how respectfully he treated me. I saw him writing my 'name' on the receipt with his hands. Online portals don't care about my name - they even don't care if I am a man or a robot - until they are getting orders which are getting paid for.

I can go on but I think you have understood the message. I think it is a good idea to buy from our neighborhood shops every once in a while. The smaller the shops - more humane would be our experience. Even if they are not as good, not as polite as we want them to be, but remember - they are "us". And we should take care of each other.

- Rahul

Disclaimer: Written by Rahul Tiwary on 18 Oct 2015. Views expressed are personal.

Durga Puja and Nav Ratri

या श्रीः स्वयं सुकृतिनां भवनेष्वलक्ष्मीः 

पापात्मनां कृतधियां हृदयेषु बुद्धिः। 

श्रद्धा सतां कुलजनप्रभवस्य लज्जा

तां त्वां नताः स्म परिपालय देवि विश्वम्।।

- जो पुण्यात्माओं के भवनों में स्वयं ही लक्ष्मी के रूप में, पापियों के यहाँ दरिद्रता के रूप में और शुद्धचित्त वाले व्यक्ति के ह्रदय में बुद्धि के रूप में, सत्पुरुषों में श्रद्धा के रूप में तथा कुलीनों में लज्जा के रूप में निवास करती हैं, उन देवी को हम प्रणाम करते हैं, हे देवि! आप समस्त जगत का पालन कीजिए!

Sustainability of Loss Making Online Companies

How do you swallow this: Flipkart which was established in year 2007 has never earned profit till date. It has accumulated losses in hundreds of crores till now (e.g. it reported Rs 281 Crores in losses in FY 2013). But this year Flipkart founders Sachin and Binny Bansal have become India's 86th richest persons with wealth of $1.3 Billion each.

Compare this case with Kingfisher and Vijay Mallya. The company was making losses while Vijay Mallya was India's 84th richest man till year 2013. Perhaps not many would have raised brow even at him if he kept finding investors to keep his loss making company running. But ultimately his company went bankrupt and he also came out of India's 100 richest persons list. It was not only a personal loss for him but it meant disaster for thousands of his employees.

Can the story repeat itself with Flipkart? Most likely no - but it is only a guess. Flipkart has some 33,000 employees. What if the company fails? It would surely be tough for its employees and their family members. Same case with so many other online retail companies.

My point or concern is simple: what are our regulators doing about it? Is not some government regulator meant to keep track of such risky businesses - losses for 8 years straight with owners rising high on the Billionaires list? Of course I am not saying ban them; but owners should be held more responsible by regulators if their employees count goes > a threshold.

I think there is a strong case to bring out some sort of mechanism to protect workers and other stakeholders in case of such companies.

- Rahul

[Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal]

Recent Reading List

Book: ‘The Business School’ by Robert Kiyosaki

‘The Business School’ by Robert Kiyosaki is a book written to promote and sell network marketing business - pyramid scheme businesses where you acquire another customer who acquires another and the chain goes on, each member in the chain earning a little commission while trying to make some ROI on the initial investment done. I am not much of a fan of the network marketing business. Although the book started by trying to address the concerns of people like me, at the end of it I was still unconvinced. So I shall leave it at that.

Book: ‘Fools Die’ by Mario Puzo

‘Fools Die’ is a novel by legendary Mario Puzo revolving around the business of casinos and gambling. The story is by and large set a Las Vegas in USA. Apart from gambling this novel also touches publishing and the film industry. 

After reading many of his novels I have observed that each of his novels is a commentary on some business area or the other. In this respect Mario Puzo has created a niche for himself. 

I loved the way the story started – by introducing four friends each a different than the others. But afterwards the story moved into a lot of things and connection was broken. 

Main characters in the novel are John Merlyn, Cully Cross, and Jordan Hamley and the initial portion tells their gambling plays at the legendary Hotel Xanadu. One night Jordan kills himself in his room and then the story takes a turn. 

In the later parts of the book several other characters die in different fashion. 

This book is relatively new as it was published in 1978. 

After reading most of his books I can say that this is the weakest of all others. I had to turn pages in ‘fast forward’ mode later on in the book. 

The author has tried to get into too much of technicalities of the business of gambling as well as of show business in later sections; forgetting that not all may be equally interested. 

But like all other classics, this one is also a Mario Puzo classic and hence I recommend it to all of his fans.

Book: ‘The Last Don’ by Mario Puzo

'The Last Don' is one of the masterpieces from the brilliant novelist Mario Puzo. I found this one equally chilling like The Godfather. 

After reading almost all of Mario Puzo novels I have observed that each of his novels is in the backdrop of some profession or the other. In this novel the author brings to us the background of movie industry. Along with that it also touches casinos (in Las Vegas) and of course the mafia. 

The story starts with Don Domenico Clericuzio who is a mafia boss now in old age planning legitimacy for his family. Then story gets into life story of his grandnephew Cross or full name Croccifixio. 

There are several parallel side-stories going on, a lot of which I did not find too interesting, but the central story is amazing one and really brilliant. 

A warning: the novel, like other mafia stories from Puzo involves violence. Chilling ones to be specific and hence you should read it only if you like reading crime or mafia stories. 

This novel is also the basis of Mini-series on Television. 

Book: ‘Omerta’ by Mario Puzo

This is a mafia story and competes with The Godfather in brilliance as per my opinion. 

Book: ‘The Forth K’ by Mario Puzo

"K" stands for Kennedy and this is a story based on presidency race of a Kennedy and the tragedies involved. A very different line of story from other books of Mario Puzo, but as brilliant as it could get. 


- Rahul

Recent Reading List

Tuki's Grand Salon Chase

‘Tuki's Grand Salon Chase’ (Flipkart Link) by Parul Sharma is a wonderful story of a young girl’s struggles with professional and personal challenges in a city like Mumbai. Tuki works at a high end salon and a large part of specially the initial portion of the book talks about that. Later the story gets into her flings with boys who chased her and one whom she chased in a way. The story is never boring and extremely well written. Highly recommended for light pleasant reading.

A Hundred Lamps

‘A Hundred Lamps’ (Flipkart Link) is a compilation of short stories about doctors. Stories come from a few legendary writers like Premchand, Renu, (all translated into English) as well from several other authors. I liked the story ‘Alloveda’ by Ramesh Upadhyay most which deals with how relative fates of Allopathy and Ayurveda changed in our country as well as the mindset of recent generation of doctors in India. It is written wonderfully. ‘Mantra’ by another gem which deals with how doctors being emotionless and only commercial minded can take toll on common masses. There are some other stories which I did not like as much but nonetheless the book is a selection of stories throwing light on different aspects related to life of doctors.

The Family

‘The Family’ (I bought from Flipkart) is Mario Puzo’s last book and tells the story of Borgia family of Italy and how scandal and crime ridden persons can even hold posts like Pope of Vatican. 

It is a chilling story filled with violence, suspense and crime all along. 

But it also tells the humane story of Rodrigo Borgia (became Pope Alexander VI) who tries hard to protect and strengthen his family. 

It is a dark and chilling story of how his plans for his sons and daughters are rather shaped by the events of chance and fate and the end is quite different from the one he meticulously planned. 

There are so many different characters all developed very well. Minute events and sentiments are captured so well by the brilliant author. When I reflect on it; this is hell of a story. Mario Puzo is mainly known for writing mafia stories; but this is very different yet as intense one as it could get. 

This is a story which you won’t forget ever. Highly recommended only if you like Mafia stories or other books from Mario Puzo.

The Dark Arena

The Dark Arena (I bought it from Flipkart) was Mario Puzo’s first novel, published in 1952, years before The Godfather. Set in Germany during World War-II, it is the story of a young American soldier called Walter Mosca and his love with a native German girl called Hella. Apart from being an intense story of a young American soldier and his sad love story with a German girl, it also tells about the life and the times. I loved the historical account the novel presents to us. Nazi Germans tortured Jews but after reading this book I realized that Germans in general suffered not less at the hands of the "victors". American soldiers could pick any girls from the streets; children begged for food all around; and people paid anything to get essentials like food (and 'American cigarettes') (only the army was stocked with plenty while common people struggled every day for everything). Whole society was corrupted due to the instability. But this is only in the background of this brilliant book which deals with stories of multiple characters, primarily of Walter Mosca. It is the story of teen revolt and pains of growing up. It is a touchy sad love story of Hella, a German helpless girl, and Mosca, a strong American officer. Another character is Leo, a Jew, whose father was German and mother Jew and he lost his childhood to the concentration camp. There are so many different characters all developed very well. Minute events and sentiments are captured so well by the brilliant author. When I reflect on it; this is hell of a story. Mario Puzo is mainly known for writing mafia stories; but this is very different yet as intense one as it could get. 

The Fortunate Pilgrim

‘The Fortunate Pilgrim’ (I bought it from Flipkart) is Mario Puzo’s second book – and importantly before he became famous and all after publication of ‘the Godfather’. Away from his previous book, the protagonist of this book is a woman. Lucia Santa is an Italian migrant who came to the United States of America to live forever. Her life journey is truly filled with struggles and difficult decisions. It is truly an amazing one. The little stories within the stories have come up so well. At so many places I broke out laughing and at many places my heart sank. The way it ended felt like a relief of a lifetime and a personal achievement. Truly a masterpiece...

Disclaimer: Written by Kumar Rahul Tiwary. Views expressed are personal and do not reflect views of organization author is associated with.