Rain

"സ്ഥലമെത്തിയെന്നു തോന്നുന്നു" - അതെ സ്ഥലമെത്തി. വിളിച്ചുണര്ത്തിയ സഹയാത്രികനോട് നന്ദി പറഞ്ഞു കൊണ്ട് ഞാന് എന്റെ ഗ്രാമത്തില് ഇറങ്ങി. നേര്ത്ത മഴ പൊടിഞ്ഞു കൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്നു. പുതുതായി കിട്ടിയ രണ്ടു മടക്കു കുട നിവര്ത്തി പതിയെ നടന്നു തുടങ്ങി. മഴ കനക്കുന്നതിനു മുമ്പ് വീട് പറ്റണം. സന്ധ്യ ആയിട്ടില്ലെങ്കിലും ഇരുണ്ട പ്രതീതി. എന്റെ ഗ്രാമത്തില് ഇങ്ങനെ ആണ്. മഴക്കാലം ആയാല് ചുറ്റുപാടും നോക്കി സമയം അറിയാന് പറ്റില്ല.

വഴിയരികിലെ വരളിയില് കൂടി വെള്ളം ഒഴുകുന്ന ശബ്ദം. കുറച്ചകലെയായി ഒന്ന് രണ്ടു സ്കൂള് കുട്ടികള് കളിവള്ളം ഒഴുക്കി കളിക്കുന്നു. ഇത്തിരിനേരം നോക്കി നിന്നു. മഴ കനത്തു തുടങ്ങിയിരിക്കുന്നു. കുട ശീലയില് മഴത്തുള്ളികളുടെ ദ്രുത താളം. കാറ്റിന്റെ കയ്യിലെത്തിയ ഈറന് എന്നെ നനച്ചു തുടങ്ങിയിരിക്കുന്നു. ഞാന് എന്റെ നടപ്പിന്റെ വേഗം കൂട്ടി. ചെരിപ്പില് നിന്നും തെറിക്കുന്ന വെള്ളത്തുള്ളികള് എന്റെ പിന്ഭാഗം നന്നേ നനച്ച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു.

ദൂരെയെങ്ങോ ഒരു വാഹനം മുരളുന്ന ശബ്ദം. ചീവീടും തവളയും മത്സരിച്ചു തുടങ്ങിയിരിക്കുന്നു. ഇരുട്ട് നന്നേ പടര്ന്നു തുടങ്ങിയിരിക്കുന്നു. അല്ലെങ്കിലും ഇടതൂര്ന്ന റബ്ബര് തോട്ടത്തില് പൊതുവേ ഇരുട്ട് ആണ്. പോക്കെറ്റില് നിന്നും തിരിയും തീപ്പെട്ടിയും എടുത്തു. നനഞ്ഞു തുടങ്ങിയ തീപ്പെട്ടിക്കൊള്ളി കത്തിക്കാന് കുറച്ചു പാട് പെട്ടു. കത്തിച്ച തിരി വിരലില് തിരുകി നടന്നു തുടങ്ങി. ഈ മഴയത്തും ഈ ചെറു തിരിയുടെ ഇത്തിരി ചൂടിലും നടക്കുവാന് നല്ല സുഖം.

കയറ്റം തുടങ്ങി. ഒരു ബൈക്ക് ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നെങ്കില് എന്ന് ആശിച്ചു പോയി. വീട് ഇത്തിരി ദൂരെയായി കണ്ടു തുടങ്ങി. നാശം! ഇന്നും കറന്റ് ഇല്ലെന്നു തോന്നുന്നു. അല്ലെങ്കിലും ഒരു കാരണം നോക്കിയിരിക്കും ഇവിടെ കറന്റ് പോകാന്.

"എഴുന്നെല്കുന്നില്ലേ" - കണ്ണ് തുറന്നപ്പോള് ഭാര്യയുടെ മുഖം. ലേറ്റ് ആയോ എന്നാ ചോദ്യത്തോടെ ഞാന് കണ്ണ് തിരുമ്മി അപ്പാര്ട്ട് മെന്റിന്റെ ജനാലയില് കൂടി നോക്കി. കാലത്ത് പെയ്ത മഴയുടെ തണുത്ത കാറ്റ് മെല്ലെ വീശുന്നു. എന്റെ കൊച്ചു ഗ്രാമത്തിലെ മഴക്കാലം ഓര്മയില് നിന്നും മാഞ്ഞു തുടങ്ങിയിരിക്കുന്നു.

“I think this is where you got to get down”. Yes Indeed. I quickly got down from the bus after thanking the guy in the next seat who woke me up. Its been drizzling. I opened my two fold umbrella and started walking unhurriedly. I’ve got to be home before the rain gets heavy. Its kinda dark around though its not dusk yet. But that’s how it is in my village; you can hardly make out what time it is once monsoon starts. The sound of gushing water from the road side stream hit my ear. I could see kids playing in this rain – making paper boats. I watched them for a moment. They seem lost in the fun.

It has started raining heavily. The feral cadence of rain drops hitting my umbrella is louder now. I feel cold as the wind makes me wet with tiny little droplets of rain. I started my hasty dash towards home. Now its my back which is getting wet by the water drops speckled from my slippers. Insects and frogs has started their wild harmony already. It is getting really dark – that’s how it is always when we walk through the thick rubber plantations.

I reached out for the matchbox and candle from my pocket. It took me some time to make the wet match sticks work. I started walking again-holding the lighted candle between my fingers. I wasn’t really worried – infact it felt nice walking in this rain and the little bit of warmth my hand was getting. I have to climb a small hill to reach home… wish I had a bike. Damn.. seems like there is no power today as well. In my village electricity is an unexpected visitor during rainy season.

“Hey wake up…” – I went completely blank staring at my wife’s face. “Am I late” – I asked my wife as I gathered my clothes and consciousness. Cold wind from the early morning rain hit my face as I gazed through my apartment window. My little precious dream of monsoon rain in my village has started fading away already.

രണ്ടാം കുടി !!

രംഗം ഒന്ന് - മലയാള സാഹിത്യത്തിനു അത്ര വല്യ സംഭാവന ഒന്നും തന്നിട്ടില്ലാത്ത, എന്നാല്‍ സാമാന്യം തരക്കേടില്ലാത്ത പൈങ്കിളി നോവലുകളിലൂടെ നല്ലൊരു ശതമാനം മലയാളികളുടെയും കരളും മനസും കീഴടക്കിയ ഒരു കഥാകാരി മരിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു - അല്ല നാടു നീങ്ങിയിരിക്കുന്നു. സംസ്കാരം ഉണ്ടെന്നു സ്വയം ധരിച്ചു വശായിരിക്കുന്ന ഒരു പറ്റം സാംസ്കാരിക നേതാക്കളും അസംബ്ലിയില്‍ ചൊറികൊത്തിയിരുന്നു മടുത്ത രാഷ്ട്രീയ അല്പന്മാരും ഐസ് വണ്ടിയിടെ ചുറ്റും നില്‍കുന്ന നഴ്സറി പിള്ളേരെപ്പോലെ അസംഖ്യം ക്യാമറകളുടെ മുമ്പില്‍ സ്വന്തം തന്ത ചത്ത ഭാവത്തോടെ തൂങ്ങി നില്‍കുന്നു. ഈപ്പറഞ്ഞ മലയാളത്തിന്‍റെ സ്വന്തം എഴുത്തുകാരി ഏതാനും വര്‍ഷങ്ങല്ക് മുമ്പ് കേരളത്തിലെ സകലമാന സഹോദരങ്ങളെയും കുലമടച്ചു തള്ളിപ്പറഞ്ഞു അന്യ നാട്ടിലേക്ക് ചേക്കേറിയ കാര്യം എല്ലാവരും മറന്നതാവണം. ഒരു പക്ഷെ ഐശ്വര്യമുള്ള മുണ്ടും നേര്യതും പറിച്ചുകളഞ്ഞു പര്‍ദയുടെ അടിമത്വത്തില്‍ ഒളിച്ചപ്പോള്‍ തന്നെ വിവരം ഉള്ള മലയാളികള്‍ ഇവരെ ഒരു "വട്ടി"യായി കണ്ടിരിക്കാം. വട്ടുള്ളവരോട് പൊതുവേ നമുക്ക് കൗതുകം തോന്നാറ് ഉണ്ടല്ലോ രംഗം രണ്ട് - അത്രയൊന്നും "ഫേമസ്" അല്ലാത്ത ഒരു വിമുക്ത ഭടന്റെ വീട്. അല്ല മരണ വീട്. നാളെയെന്ത് ചെയ്യും എന്നാലോചിച്ചും പ്രിയപ്പെട്ടവന്റെ വിയോഗത്തില്‍ മനം നൊന്തും കരഞ്ഞു നിലവിളിക്കുന്ന ഭാര്യയും മക്കളും "ബോഡി" ക്ക് ഇരു വശവും ഇരിക്കുന്നു. സ്ഥിരമായി "മിലിട്ടറി ക്വോട്ട" വാങ്ങിക്കാന്‍ ഹാജരായിരുന്ന ഭാവിയുടെ വാഗ്ദാനങ്ങളും ഈ മേഖലയില്‍ സ്വന്തമായി വ്യക്തി മുദ്ര (നാട്ടുകാരുടെ) പതിപ്പിച്ചിരുന്നവര്‍ വസന്ത പിടിച്ച കോഴികളെപ്പോലെ കൂട്ടം കൂടി നില്‍കുന്നു. കാശ് കൊടുക്കാന്‍ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്ന ലോക്കല്‍ ബാങ്ക് ഉടമകളും ഹാജര്‍. ഒടുക്കം ഏതെങ്കിലും പൊതു ശ്മശാനത്തിലൊ ആകെയുള്ള ഒരു സെന്റ് ഭൂമിയുടെ കോണിലോ ഇന്ത്യയുടെ ഈ കാവല്‍ ഭടന്‍ അന്തിയുറങ്ങുന്നു. നാണമില്ലേ കേരളമെന്ന ഭ്രാന്താലയമേ?

അമേന്‍!!

അവസാനം അത് സമ്മതിച്ചു - ബഹുമാനപ്പെട്ട വര്‍ക്കി വിതയത്തില്‍ തിരുമേനി ക്രിസ്തീയ സ്ഥാ‍പനങ്ങള്‍ തലവരിപ്പണം വാങ്ങുന്നതിനെ എതിര്‍ത്ത് പ്രസ്താവന ഇറക്കിയിരിക്കുന്നു. ഇക്കൂട്ടര്‍ പണം (Capitation Fee) വാങ്ങിക്കുന്നതില്‍ ഒട്ടും പുറകില്‍ അല്ലെന്നു മാത്രം അല്ല, സ്വല്പം ആക്രാന്തം കൂടുതല്‍ ഉണ്ടെങ്കിലേ ഉള്ളു. ഞാന്‍ ഉള്‍പടെ ഏകദേശം തൊണ്ണൂറു ശതമാനം വിശ്വാസികളും തങ്ങളുടെ വിദ്യാഭ്യാസ ജീവിതത്തില്‍ ഏതെങ്കിലും ക്രിസ്ത്യന്‍ മാനേജമെന്റിന്റെ കീഴില്‍ പ്രവര്‍ത്തിക്കുന്ന സ്ഥാപനത്തില്‍ പഠിച്ചിട്ടുള്ളവര്‍ ആണ്. എന്റെ കോളേജ് വിദ്യാഭ്യാസം പൂര്‍ത്തിയാക്കാന്‍ വേണ്ടി രക്ത സാക്ഷിത്വം വഹിച്ച ഒരുപിടി പ്ലാവുകളെയും മാവുകളെയും ഈ അവസരത്തില്‍ ഞാന്‍ സാദരം സ്മരിച്ചു കൊള്ളുന്നു.

ശരിക്കും പറഞ്ഞാല്‍ ഒരു അറവുമാടിനെ വെച്ച് വിലപേശുന്ന ലാഖവത്തോടെ വെള്ളക്കുപ്പായം ഇട്ട ദൈവത്തിന്റെ പ്രതിനിധികള്‍ എന്ന് അഹങ്കരിക്കുന്ന ഇവര്‍ സ്കൂള്‍ മുതല്‍ കോളേജ് അഡ്മിഷന്‍ വരെയുള്ള വേദികളില്‍ രക്ഷിതാക്കളെ പിഴിയുന്നത് കാണുമ്പോള്‍ അറപ്പ് തോന്നിപ്പോകാറുണ്ട്. പ്രാര്‍ധനാലയങ്ങള്‍ ആകേണ്ട ദേവാലയങ്ങള്‍ പണപ്പിരിവ് പ്രസംഗം (ഞായറാഴ്ച കുര്‍ബാനയുടെ ഇടയിലുള്ള പ്രസംഗം ) നടത്താനും ഏതാനും ആള്‍കാരുടെ ശരി പാവപ്പെട്ട അല്മായര്‍ ആകുന്ന പൊതുജനത്തില്‍ അടിച്ചേല്‍പിക്കാന്‍ ശ്രമിക്കുന്നത് കാണുമ്പോളും ഉണ്ടാവുന്ന ചേതോവികാരം മറ്റൊന്നും അല്ല.

പാവപ്പെട്ടവന്‍ അന്നന്നത്തെ ആഹാരത്തിനു വേണ്ടി പാടുപെടുമ്പോള്‍ നോമ്പുകാലത്തുപോലും കന്യാസ്ത്രീമടങ്ങളില്‍ നിന്നും വരുത്തുന്ന കോഴിക്കാലുകള്‍ കഴിച്ച് വിരലുമൂമ്പി നീട്ടിയോരേംബക്കവും വിട്ടു പള്ളിയുറക്കത്തിലേക്ക് വഴുതിവീഴുന്ന സുഖിമാന്മാര്‍ ആയിക്കഴിഞ്ഞിരിക്കുന്നു കേരളത്തിലെ നല്ലൊരു പങ്കു പുരോഹിത ശ്രേഷ്ടരും എന്നത് പിതാവ് മനപ്പൂര്‍വം മറന്നതല്ലെന്നു വിശ്വസിക്കാനാണ് എനിക്കിഷ്ടം.

"മാസപ്പടി" കൃത്യമായി അടക്കാത്തതിന്റെ പേരില്‍ കല്യാണക്കുറി തടഞ്ഞു വച്ച് ഭീക്ഷണിപ്പെടുത്തുന്ന ഗുണ്ടാതലവന്മാരുടെ തലത്തിലേക്ക് അധപ്പതിച്ചു പോയിരിക്കുന്നു ഈ അഭിനവ ആട്ടിടയന്മാര്‍. തലവരിപ്പണം വേണ്ടെന്നു പറയാനെങ്കിലും ചങ്കൂറ്റം കാണിച്ചതില്‍ സന്തോഷം ഉണ്ടെങ്കിലും, നല്ലൊരു വിഭാഗം ആളുകളെയും ബാധിക്കുന്ന ഈ കാര്യത്തില്‍ ഒരു ഇടയലേഖനം ഇറക്കുവാന്‍ കഴിഞ്ഞില്ലെങ്കില്‍ പിന്നെ മേലാല്‍ ഇത്തരം നനഞ്ഞ പടക്കങ്ങള്‍ പൊട്ടിക്കുന്നതിനു മുമ്പ് ഒന്നുകൂടി ആലോചിക്കാന്‍ അപേക്ഷ!

മോങ്ങാന്‍ ഇരുന്ന നായയും തേങ്ങയും

അങ്ങനെ വരട്ടെ ഇപ്പോള്‍ അല്ലെ കാര്യങ്ങളുടെ കിടപ്പ് വശം മനസിലായത്. ഈ അമേരിക്കക്കാരെ കൊണ്ടു മടുത്തെന്നു പറഞ്ഞാല്‍ മതിയല്ലോ. തലനാരിഴ (വി എസ് അച്ചുമ്മാമയുടെ ) കീറിയ ബൌധിക സംവാദങ്ങള്‍കും വിശകലനങ്ങള്‍കും ഒടുവില്‍ നമ്മുടെ ഇടതു പക്ഷ ബുദ്ധി ജീവികള്‍കു കാര്യം പിടികിട്ടി. അമേരിക്കന്‍ സാമ്രാജ്യത്ത കരിങ്കാലികള്‍ (കറുത്ത കാലുള്ളവര്‍ ദയവായി ക്ഷമിക്കാന്‍ അപേക്ഷ !) മത ന്യുന പക്ഷങ്ങളെ സ്വാധീനിച്ചതു കൊണ്ടാണ് വീര സഖാക്കള്‍ കെട്ടി വെച്ച കാശു കിട്ടാതെ ജീവിക്കുന്ന രക്ത സാക്ഷികള്‍ ആയത്. PDP - എല്‍ ഡി എഫിന്‍റെ പുതു മണവാട്ടി - മത ന്യുന പക്ഷ പാര്‍ടി ആണോ അതോ തീവ്രവാദ പാര്‍ടി ആണോ എന്നത് ഇപ്പോഴും തര്‍ക്ക വിഷയം ആയത് കൊണ്ടു രക്ഷ പെട്ടു. അല്ല എനിക്കറിയാന്‍ മേലാത്ത കൊണ്ടു ചോദിച്ചു പോകുവാ ... ആരാ ഈ യഥാര്‍ത്ഥ സോഷ്യലിസ്റ്റ്‌? മരുന്നിനു പോലും ഒരെണ്ണം ഈ ദുനിയാവില്‍ ഒണ്ടോ? ഒരാളെ എനിക്കറിയാം - പക്ഷെ പുള്ളിയെ ഒത്തിരി നാള് മുമ്പേ ഇപ്പഴത്തെ സഖാക്കളുടെ മുന്‍ തലമുറക്കാര്‍ പിടിച്ചു കുരിശേല്‍ തറച്ചു. ഇനിയും ആ ശിക്ഷ താങ്ങാന്‍ താല്പര്യം ഇല്ലാത്തതു കൊണ്ടും പുള്ളിക്കതിന്റെ ആവശ്യം ഇല്ലാത്തതു കൊണ്ടും (ഒന്ന് കാണിച്ചിട്ട് പഠിച്ചില്ലേല്‍ പിന്നെ പോകുന്ന വഴിയെ അടിക്കുക) കൊറച്ചു കഴിഞ്ഞു പുള്ളി ഹൈ കമാണ്ടിലോട്ടു തിരിച്ചു പോയി. ഇതിപ്പം പണ്ടാരാണ്ട് പറഞ്ഞ പോലെ മോങ്ങാന്‍ ഇരുന്ന നായയുടെ തലയില്‍ ജനവിധി ആകുന്ന തേങ്ങ വീണു. അതിനിപ്പം ചെയ്യാവുന്ന പ്രതിവിധി എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞാല്‍ വല്ല നല്ല കണിയാന്മാരുടെ അടുത്ത് ചെന്ന് അടുത്ത തേങ്ങ വീഴുന്ന സമയം കുറിച്ച് വക്കുക എന്നതേ ഒള്ളു.

അടിക്കുറുപ്പ് : പതിനെട്ടാമത്തെ അടവിന്റെ ഭാഗമായി വെള്ളയടിച്ച കുഴിമാടങ്ങളുമായി സന്ധി സംഭാഷണങ്ങളില്‍ ഏര്‍പെടാന്‍ നമ്മുടെ അഭിനവ ലെനിന്‍ ദൂത് വിട്ടിരിക്കുന്നു !

അങ്ങനെ പവനായി ശവമായി !!!!

ഒരു സര്‍ക്കാര്‍ ഒരു പദ്ധതി കൊണ്ടു വന്നാല്‍ അടുത്ത സര്‍ക്കാര്‍ അതിനു ഒപ്പീസ്‌ ചൊല്ലുന്ന പതിവ് ഇത്തവണയും മാറിയില്ല. വല്ല നാട്ടിലും കിടന്നു വിയര്‍പ്പൊഴുക്കി വല്ല സിധപ്പയുടെയോ കൂതറ റെഡിയുടെയൊ കീശ വീര്‍പിക്കാതെ നാണു ചേട്ടനോ - പരമു നായര്‍കോ (പതിവ് ഹോട്ടല്‍ ബൂര്‍ഷ്വാസികള്‍ ) പത്തു കാശു കൊടുക്കാം എന്ന് വിചാരിച്ചാല്‍ അതിനും സമ്മതിക്കുകെലെന്നു വച്ചാല്‍ എന്നാ ചെയ്യാനാ? പൊട്ടന് ലോട്ടറി അടിച്ച മാതിരി "ഇമ്മിണി" വല്യ ഒരു സംഭവം ആയി എല്ലാവരും ആറ്റു നോറ്റിരുന്ന "കസ്തുരി മാമ്പഴം" വല്ല വഴിക്കും പോകും എന്ന കാര്യത്തില്‍ ഏതാണ്ട് തീരുമാനം ആയി - ഇല്ലെങ്കില്‍ ആക്കും എന്ന കാര്യത്തില്‍ എങ്കിലും ഒരേ അഭിപ്രായക്കാര്‍ ആണ് തന്‍റെ പാര്‍ട്ടി ഒരു സഖാവ് കഴിഞ്ഞ ദിവസം അത്യാഹ്ലാദ പൂര്‍വ്വം എഴുന്നള്ളിക്കുകയുണ്ടായി - ദൈവത്തിനു സ്തോസ്ത്രം !!! ഒരു കണക്കിന് നോക്കിയാല്‍ ഇതിലും മോശമായി ഒന്നും സംഭവിക്കാന്‍ പറ്റില്ലെങ്കിലും "ഇതെങ്കിലും" നടന്നത് വല്യ കാര്യം. പശു കൂഴച്ചക്ക കണ്ട മാതിരി ആര്‍ത്തി പൂണ്ടു നിര്‍ദിഷ്ട പദ്ധതി പ്രദേശത്ത് വാങ്ങിച്ചു കൂട്ടിയ "പ്ലോട്ടുകള്‍" ഇനി പുഴുങ്ങി നാലു നേരം തിന്നാല്‍ എങ്കിലും തന്‍റെ EMI അടഞ്ഞു പോകുമായിരിക്കും എന്ന് കുണ്ടിതപ്പെടുന്ന ഒരു സുഹൃത്തിനെയും ഞാന്‍ കണ്ടു. എന്നാലെന്ത് ... അച്ചുമ്മാമക്കു ഇനി വെളുക്കെ ചിരിക്കാമല്ലോ ... കേരളത്തിന്റെ ഖജനാവ്‌ പോലെ !

Stop this non-sense!!!

Seems like the sad and barbaric era is back where people were ill-treated based on their skin color and race. Yes the ghost of racism is back. However its quite a shock that it happened in those countries which I thought was better civilized. Few of the Indian students were beaten up and one is in coma during a series of attacks happened in Australia. 11 passengers were ill-treated in Paris airport by their own airliner for which they already have sent an apology. What's happening to my sweet little world? Were they feeling threatened on their own existence that they had to let go their frustration on these Indian souls? I know its just a minority who would do such things, but still!

Now, I was thinking what if an Australian happened to visit the village of one of these victims? I am sure they would have few things to settle and I am sure things would be viewed from a different perspective and there will be much hype as "An Australian/French tourist was attacked in Indian soil". But whom to blame here?

What if !!

Was watching Maria play with young Kevin - couldn't take my eyes off them. It was so funny to see little Maria teaching Kevin some lessons and shouting at him whenever he messes up something. She is already a big sister :)

3 years just went like a flash and it feels like yesterday that I was carrying her in my hand and singing some lullabies trying to make her sleep

Couple of more years and she would be in schools and busy with her homeworks and new friends...

And then she gota go to collage, find a career ... pretty much the same way I did. I wouldn't like her to struggle like I did though!

Then she gota move on with a partner ... gota get married ... gota have kids and I've gota be baby sitting again :)

But then all of a sudden this came to my mind ... YOU FOOL... WHAT IF YOU JUST DON"T WAKE UP TOMORROW?

Doomed days!

As I watch thousands of Tamil people fleeing the war hit Srilankan shores – some wounded, some  barely able to walk out of starvation some even carrying the dead and wounded, kids who might not reach the other end. More like a scene from the Darfur carnage. Who brought this curse up on these innocent souls? Will God let them suffer like this for long because of few individual’s greed for power?

 

Its been more than two decades since this otherwise beautiful and lovely country Srilanka – being going through the menace of LTTE mercenaries and I only hope this comes to an end – sooner the better. It all started when the then government of Srilanka was accused of mistreating the Tamil population who migrated from the southern state of India – Tamilnadu. One may argue that the method of protest of Mr. Gandhi wouldn’t work out in modern times, but if one think that they could make the local government mend its ways by the use of force – it’s a calculation which is gone horribly wrong!

 

They started their rampage and suicide attacks on the innocents way back in late 1980’s and even the former prime minister of India Mr. Rajiv Gandhi was not spared. Ever since they’ve captured the northern part of Srilanka and were literally running a parallel government. Every now and then some of their mercenaries would infiltrate the guards and does a suicide attack.

 

It all took a pretty bad turn when the now Prime minister of Srilanka Mr. Rajapakshe wanted to eliminate this growing menace once and for all. There has been enough innocent life’s of common Srilankan taken and he wanted it no more. The empire of LTTE is now cordoned into a few miles radius land where they have captured and kept thousands of innocent Tamil civilians.

 

I with all my consciousness support the motive of the Srilankan PM. Any government by all means would only wish for the well being of its own people. Even Mr. Obama has suggested that US companies should not be given tax benefits if they outsource jobs to foreign countries so that more people in US gets jobs. LTTE is never a solution for the issues of Tamil migrants in Lanka and I believe there can be better ways to solve these differences than fighting the local government. Atleast, if you feel that the place you’ve migrated to isn’t treating you well… get the hell outa there. It would make the life’s of both better. 

Troubled neighborhood!

Its been not so long since the Pakistan funded terror attack on India happened. Its really interesting or rather ironical that they are being haunted by their own mercenaries now. Pakistan – once part of the liberated India – separated for good, is now in a complete mess and only they themselves have to blame for bringing this curse up on them. And looking at the history and the bleak future it has, this curse is on for the coming generations too. Innocent though, they would also be dragged to this whirlwind of hatred and religious ignorance and foolishness.

If we look at the amount of money both India and Pakistan has budgeted in the past and in the present for protecting their boundaries and dealing with internal jumble caused by terrorists – it would match any country that is in a full fledged war mode. This money is collected through tax which is meant to be used for the common man for his daily needs is gone without any gain, if not lost. And this is perhaps one of the reason why India remains a third world country where in Pakistan is yet to come up to even that level.

Army coup is nothing new to Pakistan and I won’t be surprised if I see one in the near future. The government is loosing its ground as Taliban gain control of more cities in Pakistan and their stupid unethical ruffian non-Islamic rules isn’t a good news for Pakistan – especially for woman. I wouldn’t want to yet again go to the subject of how the corrupted clerics of Islam have twisted its references to have less humanitarian rights for woman though.

Coming back to the issues in Pakistan – the current government under the leadership of Mr. Zardari is merely a puppet. For me, he himself is the prime suspect for the murder of his own wife who was meant to be the next president of Pakistan if she was let alive. Its illogical beyond any commonsense that an assassinated person’s body is cremated without a post mortem for whatever reason they might come up with. The fact that the much coveted Interpol themselves couldn’t get a lead into this case shows how planned and executed this day light murder was. How would we best explain the blunder of washing the crime scene with jet propelled water just after a few hours of the incident?

I can only pray for those in Pakistani brothers and sisters who believe that a solution can be found only with dialogues – not with suicide bombers. The core issue is never Kashmir, it’s the mindset of the rulers to accept a common ground which would’ve saved the life’s of over a million people in the last few decades.

Billion Slumdogs!

I may have never watched an Oscar with so much of anticipation and nervousness in my life. And it had the most beautiful ending it could ever have for me with Slum dog Millionaire winning the most of it. So now I am writing this blog, amidst the joy and celebration for our music maestro AR Rahman winning two of them. Yes it is indeed a moment of joy and pride of accomplishing something which is beyond.

Coming back to the film, it’s never a glamorous, action packed movie to have won so many hearts and accolades. It’s a simple movie, revealing the smelly underbelly of much hyped Indian super stardom. It’s a nation with great promises and great talents. But its also a nation where more than half of its people still struggling for their daily bread. It’s the story of such people and their struggle which made this film a great one!

Now, this makes me think something else as well. I know for sure there are other Indian movies out there which are as good as SDM or even better. Absolutely no clue why it has never made it to Oscar. Why has not our directors put in enough effort to bring the good movies to the limelight of world arena? I believe there was an entry for “Tare Zamin Par” by Amir Khan – but for the weirdest of reasons he pulled it back. Seems like our directors would only like to nominate something if they really think is going to win. Such a shame!

It’s this lack of confidence and commitment for a better society which has degraded the Indian movies to such a level where its trying portrait them as a good movies but still walking through the side line of any good adult material. Don’t get me wrong here, I am not against adult movies but don’t like covering a pure pun adult stuff with a family entertainer tag. Considering the fact that from its early days till the late nineties we used to have so many good movies by so many legends. Its big fall now… and it’s even a pity that only a foreign director could see the soul of India and one of the biggest issue it faces and could portrait it so beautifully.

So I just hope this would open the eyes of our directors that its also nice to have value films apart from the commercial soaps and wish one day… an India movie takes the oscar!

Muthalik - Suspected Terrorist?

Reports suggests that Muthalik- the master mind behind the molestation of girls in a pub in my state - may as well be connected with a Bomb blast funded and organized with the support of Bharatiya Janata Party in a Muslim dominant place in India. He has been interrogated by Anti Terror Squad now!

Time has gone where any bomb blast would only bring the Muslim fanatics to the picture. The so called morale brigands / protectors of Indian brothers and sisters has made a successful entry into the arena of terrorism. Its a pity that they don't realize they just killed a fellow Indian - whom they were pledged to protect. It doesn't matter whether they are of different religion - they were Indian who would probably bring no harm to them!

Coming back to the subject - Muthalik; against whom there are 48 cases charged (wonder why he was left scot-free till now - I can't take the fact that his parent organization is ruling the state at the moment as just a coincidence for his freedom!) are finally caught. But what did our beloved - still brain under developed chief minister of state said? "We can't let the pub culture grow". May be it would sound wiser if he had made this statement in a remote village where nobody really knows what’s pub culture is all about.

Bangalore an aspiring cosmopolitan city is well known for its pubs at least for about 20 years now. Still its a city where restaurants and pubs are supposed to close by 11:00 PM. Can you imagine a tourist destination - silicon valley of India where thousands of foreign delegates come and go every day - having no pubs or any means of unwinding yourself? Wake up morons - how about millions of rupees you receive through tax for these facilities? How about thousands of people who have jobs now. I mean I am some one who would suggest the government to legalize escort services in India... LOL

Really ... such a shame... if you can't keep up the pace, at least you shouldn't try running backwards!

Hindu Hooligans… the real slumdogs!!!

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ram-sena-chief-arrested-but-not-for-mangalore-pub-attack/83793-3.html

For all these years the great Indian philosophy of treating woman as a “Devtha” (Goddess) was showcased almost successfully infront of the world. All this make-ups are going to go off after an incident where girls were beaten up by a bunch of hooligans in a pub in Mangalore. But the most worrying fact for me is that the hooligan’s who is responsible for this incident doesn’t believe that its an act of cowardliness mixed with the male ego of superiority. But they allege those girls who were present in the pub of “defaming the image of Indian woman” and not following the “ethics”. Ram Sena – My ASS!!... Sorry, I couldn’t help my self there…. You morons… I have some questions here, if you have guts – eat it!

In which holy book is it written that a woman can not drink? In ancient days the wife’s of the great Godman’s used to have “Soma Rasam” which is nothing but alcohol

Now, if drinking alcohol is a dishonor to the Indian culture, would you dare going and beating up a bunch of men? If it’s a sin to support drinking, what do you morons do to stop people of your religion running liquor shops? The biggest liquor producer in the entire Asia region is a Hindu if you remember.

If you guys beat up those hapless girls for misconduct or dancing in an indecent manner, what did those ancient characters of Urvashi, Rambha and Thilothama use to do? One of them was even sent to seduce Godmen. If you were so high on morale, why do you have temples where ladies from very tender ages are deputed to do sex service to the Godmen visiting the temples? Pitty you!!!

In which book of Indian Culture is it written that a man can beat up a woman?

Afterthought – We can’t just blame these guys. After all, they are named after a Godman who even dared to doubt the faithfulness of his wife and even made her consumed by fire to prove she is still clean!

Slumdogs!

Finally, the much coveted, golden glob comes to India. Well done you little genius A. R Rahman!. For those who don't know him, YouTube will have plenty of his songs. He is unique, he is adaptive - not copying ;), he is smart and he is probably the best sound technician and music composer - thats a rare breed!

As always, the film Slumdog Millionaire for which he actually did the background score and the one which has few more golden globe's in the showcase and probably be looking for few Oscar entries - has indeed raised some controversies as well. Tell me about it - India and controversies - whats new, one might ask:)

When many saw this movie as a unique and nicely done art-work, many were circumspect and taken a back that a movie such as this would only defame India as a third world country because it highlights the life in our slums. Come on now people of India - aren't we really a third world country? I mean, I am a true Indian and I love my country as any true statesmen would. But fact remains fact. If a country has more than 70% of its people below poverty line, where people are deprived from those basic amenities such as food, water and shelter - it is not even a developing country!

Don't be deceived by the glorious pictures you might receive on your TV set top boxes on how good Indian metros are, if you just take a walk behind the doors its a different world out there. And if you happened to travel to Bombay - now re named as Mumbai for what ever silly reason it might be - just look at the side windows of your jet and you would see one of Asia’s biggest slum just near by.

Interestingly, the government with so many IAS and so many highly qualified task forces could never come up with a solution for it. Give me a break will ya? We landed a robot on moon - is this complex than that? Truth be told, politicians need the slums to support them as a bulk vote bank who can be purchased by money as thats something they don't have.
So for those who crib that Slumdog Millionaire was a disaster, got a question for you - what did you do today for your fellow Indian who just happened to live a different lifestyle than that of yours ?

Few Good Men - Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan !

The war is finally over - was the headlines of most of the news papers in India. The entire country is in trauma as people still can't believe a bunch of terrorists could hold the entire city in ransom. The blame game starts and it wouldn't take long before we humans would forget as some would call it a blessing and some call it’s a curse. So here, I try to leave an impression of those few good men who stood between the terrorists and the civilians as a shield and couldn't make it back alive.
Being in the forefront of the National Security Guards operations at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan not only waged a valiant battle against the terrorists but also did his best to save his injured colleagues and in the bargain lost his life. He showed the real warrior in him before laying down his life.
Thirty-one-year-old Major Sandeep is the only son of retired ISRO officer K. Unnikrishnan, who is settled in Bangalore.
His father told presspersons: "I lost my son in Mumbai on Friday. Though I do not like to call him a martyr, I can proudly say that he has done something for this country."
He was informed of the death of his son by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (National Security Guards).
According to information reaching the family, "Major Sandeep was leading a team and during the operations two of his colleagues sustained bullet injuries. In a bid to save them Sandeep turned back. The bullets fired by the terrorists pierced him. On November 26, he had called us and said that one of his childhood friends is getting married in the city on December 17. He had planned to attend that marriage," Mr. Unnikrishnan said.
Major Sandeep was ambitious, talented and a brave soul, said his friends and neighbors. He joined the National Defense Academy and was commissioned in the Bihar 7th Regiment in 1999.
He was drafted to the NSG after his gallantry was recognized," Kiran Srivasthav, a childhood friend of Major Sandeep told The Hindu.
According to Anirudh Uppal, Inspector-General (Headquarters) National Security Guards (NSG), Major Sandeep had exposure to counter insurgency operations after having served in Jammu and Kashmir for two terms.
He was deputed to the NSG on January 20, 2007 and participated in various operations conducted by the elite force.
The gallant officer of the team commander of 51 SAG was deployed to clear Hotel Taj Mahal of extremists on November 27.
He led the team from the front and engaged the terrorists in a fierce gunfight. When one of the NSG commandos was injured in the exchange of fire, he arranged for his evacuation and regardless of personal safety chased the terrorists who, meanwhile, escaped to another floor of the hotel, and while doing so Major Sandeep continuously engaged them. In the encounter that followed, he was seriously injured and succumbed to injuries.

Whom should I thank on this thanksgiving?

So it’s the thanks giving season here… and here goes a list of people you should thank
GOD: For letting u get into this world.
Mother: For helping GOD fulfill his wish. For carrying you in her womb, going through all those emotional stress, going through the labor and for those countless sleepless nights
Father: For helping GOD fulfill his wish. For being the person whom you would always look forward to. For keep moving the family forward. For protecting you, financially, mentally and physically.
Grand parents: For all those sweet memories, for letting you hide behind them when your parents are angry up on you. For consoling you, for all those beautiful bedtime stories…
Wife / Husband - For being the partner when I cry, when I smile, when I rejoice and when I repent... couldn't have walked all this way alone!
Teachers: For letting you help learn what this world is all about. Its not just the alphabets they taught you which counts, but the way they nurtured you as an individual.
Employer: For helping you move forward, for helping you achieve your targets, or simply for helping you survive
Your children – For carrying on your legacy and for all their support when you needed the most.
Your grand children – For all those wonderful moments, for letting you know that you are still important!
Friends – Perhaps the greatest gift of all, for being there when it mattered the most!
And finally, GOD again, for letting you meet all these wonderful people….and letting you survive yet another day… many couldn’t make it!

Ray of hope!!

The Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI)arrested two priests and a nun in the case relating to the murder of Sr. Abhaya. The two priests Fr. Thomas Kottoor and Fr. Jose Putrike and the nun Sr. Sephy will be produced before the Judicial First Class Magistrates court at 2 pm Wednesday afternoon. The CBI started investigating the unnatural death of Sister Abhaya on March 29, 1993. Sr. Abhaya(21) was found dead in a well in the compound of St. Pius X convent in Kottayam, India, on 27 March 1992. She was a member of St. Joseph's Congregation for women under the Catholic diocese of Kottayam and a second year pre-degree student in B.C.M. college at the time of her death.
It took about 14 yrs of investigation and almost same number of investing agencies to have the first arrest made. From the very first investigation report itself there were so much of uncertainty and scope for ambiguity floating around. Everybody in my state knew there is something fishy about the incidents since her family was so sure that she wouldn’t commit suicide for absolutely no reason. But somehow the local police wanted to finish off the investigation and make it look like a suicide. But the public outcry was so much that CBI (Indian version of FBI) took the case about a decade back.
But the political pressure was so much that during this period the teams were dismantled, directors were sacked and some couldn’t just handle the pressure and had to retire early. This also confirmed that if the real culprits were found, the much hyped image of Christian dignity would be lost for ever. It went to an extend where when one team was just about make an arrest the biggest political leader at that time prevented it from happening. Yeh, believe it or not, Catholics do have some serious hold J
But being a follower of Christianity (I would never call me a Christian coz I know what a real Christian means) I always wanted the truth to come out no matter how significant the impact would be. May be there are few exceptions where you can find a real good priest or nun who does what they are meant to do. But majority are just another guy/gal and I wouldn’t blame them either. Its human to fall into temptation but how you recover as a Christian is important.
Hope these arrests would be the beginning of the much pending cleansing process in Christian community. Hope all those noxious weeds would be hunt down… wish if Jesus was still around…most probably he would’ve dismantled the regime of church and re-instated peace!! Or even might have looked for an AK-47 instead of rope to slash the sick ones out of the divine temple!!!!

Incredible Iraq!!

So much has been talked and disccussed about Iraq for all wrong reasons by the media for an awful lot of time that one would never notice the good things like its history, culture and all the good things it had before we ourself ruined it! So this blog is just to see if I could see something positive about it.
Geography
Iraq, a triangle of mountains, desert, and fertile river valley, is bounded on the east by Iran, on the north by Turkey, on the west by Syria and Jordan, and on the south by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. It is twice the size of Idaho. The country has arid desert land west of the Euphrates, a broad central valley between the Euphrates and the Tigris, and mountains in the northeast.
Culture of Iraq
Iraq has one of the world's oldest cultural histories. Iraq is where the Mesopotamian civilization began, which went on to influence the European and Asian civilizations. So as far as culture is concerned, Iraq has a rich heritage. The country is known for its poets and its painters and sculptors are among the best in the Arab world, some of them being world-class. Besides this, Iraq is also known for producing fine handicrafts, including rugs and carpets. The architecture of Iraq is best seen in the sprawling metropolis of Baghdad, where the construction is almost entirely new, with some islands of exquisite old buildings and compounds.
Unlike many Arab countries, it embraces and celebrates the achievements of its past in pre-Islamic times. What is now Iraq was once part of the Cradle of Civilization in ancient Mesopotamia and the culture of Sumer, from which the first known wheel was recovered, flourished there. In the 8th century and 9th century the Islamic Abbasid Caliphs presided over what was then the world's leading civilization, rich in science, art and literature.
Heritage
Iraq is a country of a wide and varied heritage, home to Muslims, Christians, Jews, Assyrians and "Marsh Nomads", amongst countless others. As such, many have contributed to the wide spectrum of Iraqi Culture.
Traditional music consists of instruments such as ouds, flutes, violins, drums, and tambourines. Now however, there are many young artists generating pop, rap, and wider types of musical genres. Umm Kulthum and Fairouz are two woman singers renowned for their voices and especially cherished in Iraq. In fact, the common guitar, an American emblem, evolved from the guitar of ancient Iraq.
Tea houses are commonly scattered over Iraq, and in the afternoon it is a habit for shopkeepers to retreat into the back with a close circle of friends to sip tea over gossip, an Iraqi "siesta".
Rites of passage are mainly centered on children being schooled enough to correctly read the Quran, quite the challenging task. The Quran is perhaps one of the hardest texts to read, both because of depth of meaning and due to the difficult range of sounds Arabic demands from the human vocal cords. The child with least pronunciation errors is called the "hafiz" or "memorizer". There is usually a large celebration in the child's honor.
Marriages and births are enormous arts of Iraqi life. It is common to have hundreds of people attend weddings. Although there are some arranged marriages, a couple must agree before entering into it, and there are very low divorce rates in Iraq, though it is acceptable and fairly easy under Islamic doctrine.
Nonetheless, Arabs believe that wisdom comes with wrinkles in old age, and as such grandparents and parents are highly respected. It is seen as a huge disgrace and very embarrassing if a child publicly sasses or is rude to someone of the elder generation.
As in other Arab nations, the left hand is used for sanitary activities including the restroom, and the right hand is used for food and greeting; offering to shake with the left hand may be perceived as an insult, and eating with the left hand embarrassing. Iraqis are a very passionate people, and their conversations will often be adorned with many hand gestures.
Generosity is highly valued in Iraqi culture, and it is seen as rude to snub someone asking a favor. This is heightened especially during the month of Ramadan, when it is necessary to give zakat or donations to the poor. Many families, rich and poor alike, cook for the homeless, or even invite them to dinner. Some prepare plates of baklavah or a dish of kebob to take to them.
Something so-different than what u usually hear about Iraq isn't it? Infact there are so much more to write about this one of the most culture rich country where its roots reaching back up to 2000 BC!. But the human greed has got the best of it and looking at its current state, one can only pitty.... hope one day.. she would get back to her old glory!

Obamafication!

It’s been a festive season for all the media for last 48 hrs or so. I haven't seen such hype for any of the election conducted in any part of the world so far. So let me also join the herd and shout hail Obama J!!! But what exactly has made this election catch the eye of the world?
Religion: The biggest challenge I believe for Mr. Obama would be to change the image of Islam in the minds of the entire world. He should at least try to release the innocent souls from the clutches of corrupt and hatred filled Mullah’s and bring them to the mainstream. I know its not that easy for Islam being the most orthodox religion- that’s why I said he should “try”.Though a Christian, with Muslim roots, it should make things a bit uncomplicated for him. I hope he can try to bring this “Change”.
Race: I know many would disagree if I say the ghost of racism still persists in US. Infact this was the biggest fear Mr. Obama himself might have had in his mind for the last one year or so. I don’t find any reason why the media couldn’t just say Mr. Obama is USA’s President. Instead they just kept of saying …”the first black president of USA”. I just hope he brings some “Change” to it.
Timing: The timing couldn’t have been any better that people wished for a change. American economy is in troubled waters for sometime now and so does the worlds economy. Whether we like it or not, the vegetable price in India shoots up if the US stocks go for a toss! Kidding apart! Millions are jobless and many a thousand homeless. Infrastructure is ailing (we Indians are used to it u see J ) and so does the budget of an average family in US. The recovery will be slow, wish if he could bring some “Change” to it.
Relationships: In the last 8 years US has changed its image from the friendly neighborhood to the oil thirsty gangster. It has come to a state where even Maria – my 3 year old daughter would match Oil with USA in a mix and match competition. Kidding again J but yes, I don’t see any other reason why US “invaded” Iraq and “executed” their president. If it was for the sake of humanity and the worn off word “better world”, why not Zimbabwe? Why not Uganda? But hey, who cares a shit for Africa isn’t it? And how about its blind support for Israel? All this using the tax payer’s money! Get your home neat before u go try to clean up your neighbor’s laundry. I hope he would bring some “Change” to it.
Last but not the least, I wish if I could foresee a peaceful, war-free world where countries could co-exist sharing their culture, their values and of course love!

Love, as if its your last chance!

I've been getting lots of comments/messages on my blast of late... :) Sure it has got some serious attention ... LOL
Well, those who "know" me sure does know I mean it. Except for a very few "selected" ones, I have always loved my friends here - I still do and have tried to be very polite with each of them! And I have felt that most of them do have same feeling towards me as well.
So why me, a married man, father of two still do have fantasies and thoughts of some serious romance? it all depends on how me, as a single entity define love which is the root cause of all these emotions. Many have tried to define it, let me see if can do it.
I love my parents, I love my wife, I love my kids, I love my friends, I love trekking, I love photography, I love eating ice creams.... the list of what I love just goes on ! :)
But see, I would never dare to give up my wife for an ice cream...LOL so as you move on as an individual through different phases of your life, the precedence and the priorities on who and how u love changes but most of them remain unchanged!
Now comes my perception of romance. I am very sensitive and do love sensual things as well. I believe lust and romance co-exists which many may disagree with. Its a thin red line which separates a pervert and a sweet rascal...LOL. I prefer to be the later. Its when u cross that line when you start "using" your friends here than "meeting". It might still look hazy, the reason is... I just don't know why I am so romantic... guess that’s the way I was molded ...LOL
When you love some one, you never intend to cause them any harm - neither physically, nor mentally. And there are some, who would never express their love for what ever silly reason it may be. I find it so damn silly… I mean, what’s the use if the one you love never feel about it? It’s like you have the most powerful weapon in your hand you don’t know how to operate it. I like expressing myself and let the other person know how I feel – if it doesn’t hurt or annoy the other person. Love is one such emotion which never gets dried out, the more you give the more you get it back. That’s why I say love all, as if it’s your last chance!

Stop killing

Been a while, I know… was busy on weekdays and was traveling to my native to be with my loved ones on weekends. So many things happened in last two months… Kevin’s birth, Maria’s adventures with her new found brother, Kevin’s Baptism, my sister’s visit from US, mom going ill… damn it was hectic!
So many things happened across the Globe as well, the Olympic was a great success, Obama is the prime Presidential candidate, Global markets continues to nose dive sending shockwaves on all the sectors of employments with more and more job-cuts. More Hurricanes, more earthquakes, the great particle collision experiment so on….
The last time what I wrote was about a serial bomb blasts in the city where I live. Unfortunately, it was just a beginning of the desperate acts of Muslim fanatics to unsettle the calmness of a peace-loving country like India. There have been three more serial blasts across my country including the latest one in our capital killing people in hundreds and injuring many more.
The kids who gave their mom a good bye kiss to their mom on their way to school would never be home again…
The husband who went to office promising to buy chocolates for his kids on his way back home would never be home again…
The wife who went out to buy groceries to make a lovely meal for her family would never be home again…
The elderly couple who went for an evening walk to meet their friends will never even see each other…
For heaven sake, why is that only blood can solve the issues? Why GOD is gifted us with sense to think and act unlike just being animals who pounce on their innocent pray?
And yes, I would still say “Muslim Fanatics” … don’t you fools know 80% of your victims are your Muslim brothers and sisters themselves who used to wake up on early hours and pray to the same “Allah” you used to pray?. On the judgment day, whom would HE listen to? The killers or the victims?
The silence of the Mulla’s and the high clerics of Muslim religion send a shiver through my spine! High time they stand up and say enough is enough! Or soon, the day will come when people would turn their back on them and say “We don’t believe in a religion who doesn’t teach how to co-exist”.
I know there are many Muslim brothers who would agree with me… but they are either helpless or just outnumbered!

Faded reflections of differently abled!

Last week I was home, in Kerala to be with my angles. The new born is just doing fine and Maria is excited as well to see her new brother J Just that we have to watch her closely when she is playing with him coz she thinks the new born is just as fit as her and would start running any moment J
My sister and my nephew Maxwell is also home for their vacation. Maxwell is a kid with special needs. His brain was damaged during the birth and it’s a miracle that he is still around alive. Right now, he is undergoing Ayurvedic treatment and we could already see the improvements which allopathic medicines couldn’t do in years.
I just happened to visit one home for such kids – run by nuns where my sister was offering some help. We decided to give those little angels some treat one day and was to join them for lunch. This home also runs a settlement for the old. Just wonder how ever a son or daughter could abandon their parents and just go ahead with their life!!
The kids were mostly differently abled, somebody with down syndrome and some with permanent brain damage. But they were all happy – in their own ways. They enjoy every moment they live and are blessed to have people around them to support. This thought just came to my mind - How many more of such kids might be out there- not so lucky to have such facilities and what do we do for them?
There, while I was standing among them just happened to get a glimpse of my own reflection on a faded, murky glass pane. It just struck me how lucky me and my family is and realized how little we are doing for the needed. Their exteriors are same as mine, yet they are different… what a thin line!
Planning to visit another such facility – or say home of the angels next time I am in my native… to get the glimpse of me in the midst of the differently abled!

Shame on you USA, Shame on you Israel, pitty you UN !

The land variously called Israel and Palestine is a small, (10,000 square miles at present) land at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. Yet probabily this land might have seen more wars/killing than any other region in this entire world. The recognized borders of Israel constitute about 78% of the land. The remainder is divided between land occupied by Israel since the 1967 6-day war and the autonomous regions under the control of the Palestinian autonomy. The Gaza strip occupies an additional 141 square miles south of Israel, and is under the control of the Palestinian authority.

According to the Bible, Moses led the Israelites, or a portion of them, out of Egypt. Under Joshua, they conquered the tribes and city states of Canaan and formed the country of Israel much later. The assyrians and Babylonians conqured Israel and destroyed most of their properties including Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. At the time of the birth of Jesus, Israel was ruled by romans, who put down Jewish revolts in about A.D. 70 and A.D. 132. In A.D. 135, the Romans drove the Jews out of Jerusalem, following the failed Bar Kochba revolt.

During the seventh century (A.D. 600's), Muslim Arab armies moved north from Arabia to conquer most of the Middle East, including Palestine. Jerusalem was conquered about 638 by the Caliph Umar (Omar) who gave his protection to its inhabitants. Jerusalem (Al-Quds) became holy to Muslims as the site where, according to tradition, Muhammad ascended to heaven after a miraculous overnight ride from Mecca on his horse Al-Buraq. The Crusaders, invaded Palestine and they captured Jaffa and Jerusalem in 1099, slaughtered many Jewish and Muslim defenders and forbade Jews to live in Jerusalem. They held the city until 1187. In that year, the Muslim ruler Saladin conquered Jerusalem..... and ever since there have been enough wars including worldwars and so far this small piece of land has not seen peace – mainly because more than one religion has the same place as a holy one and want to gain control of it. More of a prestige issue than a "must have"

The evolution of man kind saw the formation of many countries and dissolution of many as well. If people try to gain control of their pre-historic or early century's land, it would just be the end of the world. So far Jews have been so adamant to regain the lost empire and instead of doing it with the mantra of co-existence and dialogues (if at all they have to do it) - they resort to mass murders of innocent people. It has come to a level that they have killed enough Palestinians to match the number of Jews killed by Hitler himself.

I pity US - for being so blind folded - just to ignore the cry of the innocent babies who lost their parents, parent who lost their child. Yet they try relentlessly to restore law and order in other parts of the world. Shame on you US for the double standards. Perhaps they don't want to loose the constant revenue which they get from Israel to buy US made weapons.

I pity Israel for ruthlessly killing people, by doing which they just create more enemies and just act as any other militant organizations. You are the real demons ruling a holy land.;

I pity UN - I've been doing this ever since US invaded Iraq - for oil. They are nothing but a bunch of puppets who can't take a decision for the betterment of man kind and yet they preach world peace. The only organization I believe is RED cross, but a definite NO NO for UN. Atleast if they dissolve this non-functioning machinery they could save some money. Hope - I just hope only the guilty gets punished - though that’s not the story these days!