Thursday, August 06, 2015

"Cattle Class"


I remember very well the “Cattle class” tweet by Shashi Tharoor when I was on my flight from New Delhi to Imphal more than a month ago. And I realized the controversial statement tweeted by Tharoor was not very offensive rather very humorous. No offence but I thought an AC coach ride will be more enjoyable than travelling in a low cost air carrier. 

Obviously, low cost means I don’t need to set my expectation very high and I were well prepared for the plastic services and the smile. By the way, this is no way a complaint or dissatisfaction about low cost carrier like Indigo rather my pleasant thoughts...:)

The ticket price was so enticing I had to book the ticket immediately like a mindset of deadline submission of examination forms; so I don’t miss the lucrative price at the final check out from my web browser. Well, that was quite a task because you never know the price changes just in a flash.

After I've booked my ticket with Indigo and was confirmed, the journey starts from the terminal 1D (New Delhi International Airport). Recently, I came to know Terminal 1D is the designated spot for Low Cost carrier. Anyway I enjoyed every moment starting from boarding until I sat on my seat on the plane. There were 4 air hostess, I think, and obviously the attractive ones. But then I didn't quite understand any of the announcements they made as it was quite fast unlike the machine voice. Thank God for the written instructions lying just in front of my seat.

There were three seats in one row and I was thinking if one of the single seats will relax an obesity guy with the height of 6 feet 11 inches during the course of the flight or the journey. That was just a
devilish thought! Anyway I’m a 5 feet 5 inches tall but still my knee can easily touch every now and then the back of the seat in front of me. I always thought a low carrier flights should mean affordable
prices of the snacks and lunch sold inside but that’s not the case. Believe it or not, a cup of masala tea alone cost Rs. 150/- which is quite three stars. And a bowl of Chana Dal alone cost Rs. 250/-

Don’t even think about joining the Miles High Club when travelling in Low Cost carrier. The loo is too small for two people to be in .. whatever it is…. Of course! Anyone can try but I believed it will be a desperate attempt to be a member of Miles High club.

A teeny-tiny edition of Business Standard was all I got to kill my time. Next time, if I travel again, I promised myself to load a good movie or music on my phone or laptop. Believe me! I do enjoy the dull humane announcement from the pilot before the take off and before landing rather the announcement from Air-hostess. I have nothing against air hostess and I can understand their job description but I’d like to hear from and speak with HUMAN.

The question is shall I travel again with a low cost carrier like Indigo? Indeed, I shall travel again if I need to. After all, this is one of the airlines in India offering ticket price at reasonable rate for a cattle class like me. And it quite efficient as it saves time too!

Food for Thought: "The scab is a traitor to his God, his mother, and his class." Jack London.

Sunday, July 05, 2015

"Selfies"


The age of selfie or selfish-ism! You may choose one of the two words and it will still make a perfect sense by the end of the day. Of course, a selfie is a self-photograph, a style of portraiture that became popular in the 2000s till date. And I'm also a fan of selfies portrait. However, it came to me as a shock when the American Psychiatric Association(APA) officially classified taking 'Selfies' as a mental disorder on March 2014.

Can you believe it? I thought I might also be suffering from mental disorder because I took few selfies although I hardly upload and share it on my Facebook. 

Thank God! The news turned out to be a hoax as per the article "The 'Selfie': Mental Disorder Or Insight To Getting Better Results?" written by David Sturt and Todd Nordstrom which was published on Forbes news online. Obviously, the article is more than a year old... :) But then I was still in the notion that taking Selfies is still a mental disorder until I read the article yesterday. The moment I realized taking 'Selfies' is not mental disorder, I'm sharing with you all that 'we are not mental' although I'm pretty sure I'm the last one to know about it...:(

Despite the fact, it seemed to me 'selfish-ism' might be the origin of 'Selfies' which actually gives the perfect example of giving importance to ourselves. Do I sound negative? Well, I thought so but I hope I will get you to my point later on. After all, we are living in the age of Internet where there is no secrets about positive or negative except the government...:) Like I said, I'm also a fan of 'Selfies'. And having said that, have anyone of you posted a 'selfie' portrait without thinking for a second or without looking at it after clicking on your Facebook or Twitter account? I meant just like that.....you know.

I guessed most of us will obviously check the selfie or do some touch up before sharing it with the world. Of course! There's nothing wrong with self consciousness about how we look. Am I right?

However what it really scares me is, are we taking our self consciousness to the height of self-pitying just because we have to look good every time to everyone or get all the 'like' from our friends and others? And do we have to be too conscious to be in the league like the celebs 'Selfies'? I'm afraid if this is the case, I guessed "Selfies" might be just the case of disordering our mind to the point of mental state.

To be sure that I'm not that mental but I'm OK with myself, I need to post a random selfies of mine just to say "This is me"!...:) 


'The first click'

'The last click in another room', not bad!

Food for Thought: "Self pity is easily the most destructive of the non-pharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure and separates the victim from reality." John Gardner.

Saturday, July 04, 2015

"A cup of Tea"


"Hope"

It might be crazy to be alone
It might might be selfish to be alone
It might seem, an act of coward
Make no mistake, for you're not responsible
I made the choice not hungover
I'm grateful to you but glad it's over
It gave me time to dig the world.

Alone I swim, across the river
The pain and cold I have to endure
It's worth the fight for what awaits
To find the place, where I belong
Without you there, to hold me back
To tell me that the world is black.

Alone I walk into the dark
And hope alone, becomes my light
I'll walk and wait for time will come
Along with music my heart will beat
Then I will kneel and say the word
But hope is all I have for now.

By Lawrence Sevan.

Few weeks ago, I asked my brother to contribute an article for my blog. Obviously, he is busy with his work life and I cannot keep on pressing him for the article. But fortunately, I came across the above poem in his phone note he wrote from his office. And I really like the poem for it simplicity. A big "THANK YOU" to him for allowing me to post it here. I hope you will love it.

If you like the poem, follow him on twitter at: https://twitter.com/sevanlawrence. You may also like his first book "Break Free: The reflection you have always dreaded" already released on Amazon.in at: http://www.amazon.in/dp/B00QDTZLHO .

Food for Thought: “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” Confucius.


Friday, July 03, 2015

Platform


Probably, everyone knows who Bill Gates is! According to Forbes magazine, he is the richest man in the world and the founder of Microsoft. Few weeks ago, I started reading his blog on daily basis and it gave me new perspective on how I can contribute for the welfare of our present society. And I can assure you this, reading his blog is a way to know more about him as a philanthropist rather than the billionaire or the founder of Microsoft who revolutionized technology.

When I was in junior high school, I was provided the platform to learn computer science in theory as well as practically for the first time. Frankly, before I was introduced to computer science subject, I didn't have any clue about computer and Internet except for the typewriter machine..:) Those days, around 3-4 students would share one computer for practical, and that too, once in a week. But now, everything has changed for the better. I bet the visit to cyber cafe in regular basis has drastically reduced which has been impacted by the revolution of smart phones and the easy access to Internet. Of course! I'm also enjoying it.

But I don't understand why some of us can't use this platform to better use. In my opinion, negativity is all we see and spread rather than come up with a better solution. May be one opinion matters more than the other; but is it worth the time to move forward? I believed that's the only analysis needed whereas individual efforts is a choice. After all, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.

My blog post doesn't matter at all because it is more or less about awareness. However, if you have a time to spare, please visit and read Bill Gates blog at: http://www.gatesnotes.com/ so you can experience the way he used his platform in order to change the lives of millions people around the world for better.

Food for Thought: “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Winston S. Churchill.


Thursday, July 02, 2015

The road with the street lights!


Yesterday, I spent an entire afternoon trying hard to sort out my Wi-Fi internet connection but without any success. In spite of giving my best, I made the situation even more worse as I disabled the Wi-Fi configuration without any idea how it happened…:) I were like a monkey holding on to coconut dearly until a friend of mine reconfigured the Wi-Fi connection for me. For a moment, I really thought my friend was a genius even though he was humble enough to admit the issue was not complex. My initial reaction was like, ‘really!’ and 'what was the issue?' He told me, I kept on rebooting the router when I should have log in the routerlogin.net on my PC to reinitiate the internet connection.

Obviously, what a generic fool I made out from my selves not knowing what I have done! Anyway, that was quite a lesson for me about Wi-Fi router connection. The important thing is that everything is fine and here am I sharing the experience with you…:)

Sometimes I believed we push ourselves too hard, although with determination, in the wrong direction thinking it will somehow work at the end. Like for example, a student who is really good in arts subjects opting to pursue subjects opposite to arts in higher secondary or college or a person with mediocre singing talent wanting to be a rock star. Of course, there is no doubt one can achieve anything in life with determination and perseverance. However, I felt it is also important to know the real quality within because knowing oneself is one of the key to happiness. I meant if a standup comedian doesn’t understand one of the acts written by the comedy writer, I don’t think the comedian would play that act because it will be nearly impossible for the comedian to relate the act to the audience and make them laugh.

After all, will you go for a standup comedy show starring a comedian who quite doesn’t know how to make the audience laugh? I understand the case I’m assuming is hypothetical but not invalid because it is no rocket science in order to know the things we are good at and very happy to pursue. Think about it!

Food for Thought: “We are unknown to ourselves, we men of knowledge - and with good reason. We have never sought ourselves - how could it happen that we should ever find ourselves? It has rightly been said: "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also"; our treasure is where the beehives of our knowledge are.” Friedrich Nietzsche.


Tuesday, June 30, 2015

The Headlines!


I wonder how God is going to feel if some of His people are preaching hate message when He clearly told us to love one another. How is He going feel if there are institutions that writes rules and regualtions on how to love, hate and judge people based on color, appearance, origin, etc.? And I guessed He is feeling the heat going by the wrath of capitalisms and killings in present world today… :) But what if God doesn't exist and we made a fool of ourselves when we can be better human beings? However I believed in God and I can be a better human being because I’m aware enough to know what’s right and what’s wrong for me. Hate is strong word and equally powerful like its counterpart 'love'. The difference between the two words is love builds bridges while hate only brings down the bridges to ashes.

The world is not short of religious fanatics and its followers. I’m a Christian and it appalled me to see some of the leader’s not interpreting Jesus Christ message for the spiritual enlightenment of individuals. He died for cause but His message to love one another is used to designate meaning perhaps not in the manner in which He intended. Though I’m not a theologian or an expert but I’m intelligent enough to know God is loving kind. I feel the Church as it stands is for the glorification of its achievement at the cost of people’s faith in it rather than the invisible God who sees all. What we can do well for the people from our individual end is no different than the church does. And I don’t agree with the compartmentalization of what the Church can do and cannot involve or stay as neutral.

The Westboro Baptist Church is one Church which does not represent the message of Jesus Christ intended for all. How could a placard with the message like “GOD HATE FAGS” or “GOD HATE YOU” is the result of interpretation from the Bible verse when the Bible itself is a Book of loving one another? I meant one cannot leave the entire verses of Bible but pick one out saying “Vengeance is Mine says the Lord” from the New Testament Roman Chapter 12 verse 19 to propagate hate when the context of the verse is about forgiveness. But the complete line from the verse actually is, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. In my opinion, the message is to accept and love one another whereas the room of revenge (I believed Judgment) is for God.

Religion is not supposed to be purported in a way short headlines are written in the front pages of every day newspaper. Do you not agree? And we are better people if we think just right. Ultimately, love always wins no matter what.

Food for Thought: “Where there is love there is life.” Mahatma Gandhi.

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Spine


 “Be sure of what one wants in a partner.” The overrated statement used by most relationship experts and endorsed in popular trending magazines. Damn it! And they are getting paid for the statement by endorsing it to people seeking guidance who are confusedly in love or in dilemma with their relationships...:) Of course! Love has become more or less relative in relationships although it is still the spine binding the pieces together. But when it is not, blame the heart and avoid the craps from the relationship expert who can let one to become a narcissistic rather than spilling out the bitter truth to move on constructively. Why would they tell the truth when it is not a free counseling session?

As a matter of, it is lucrative business in our world of materialism.The context of counseling is no different from the edible goods with good packaging. I believed the words written on the packaging do not entirely represent what it is inside the package. For example, the recent controversy of Maggi noodles when it failed to meet the food safety standard. Before then, we already knew how could a Maggi noodles cooked for 2 minutes would be good for our health. Frankly, I liked Maggi. Despite the fact, many of us still like it because of the stupendous packaging wherein it did not exactly mention the level of quite harmful permissible ingredient in the noodle whereas it is killing our body slowly.

Most counselors as well as the relationship experts are the master in Etymology and they will beat around the bush for hours with sweet words everyone wants to hear. I meant it is nonsensical for a person to say ‘I love him/her but I can’t stand the sight of him/her and we have different personalities in conflict’ and yet still trying to work it out with the help of experts. Guess what! An Oxford dictionary is the best advice so that the person can check out the meaning of love before proceeding further. Anyway, I will paste the meaning of love copied exactly from the dictionary and it’s free of cost:
  1. A strong feeling of affection.
  2. A great interest and pleasure in something.
  3. A person or thing that one loves.
  4. Feel deep affection or sexual love for (someone).
  5. Like or enjoy very much.
Antonyms of love: hate, loathe and detest.

I want to replace the statement “be sure of what one wants in a partner” to “be sure of what you can offer to your partner unconditionally”. It is because love is giving and if one cannot give from the heart, it is no love. There has never been a parameter set for love as it is eternal. And the environment of love is not like the Wall Street. Without love, no relationship can survive. Do you agree or not? No doubt, anyone can masquerade to be in love. But the heart is very strong and knows how it feels to be in love and be love.

Food for thought: “You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” Dr. Seuss.

Thursday, June 25, 2015

#Widows


In life, we believed there is always a second chance. And I believed everyone deserve that second chance especially for the very deserving without any conditions. I recently read a very well written article “The Widows of Manipur” by Shaswat Malik posted on Roads & Kingdoms.com website, an independent journal of food, politics, travel and culture. The article breaks my heart after knowing the present social circumstances of the widows of Manipur who have lost their husbands to the regions insurgency related conflicts, and per se the ultimate victims of the draconian Armed Forced (Special Powers) Act. It is very sad to know that the widows have not only lost their husbands but the worst is the society lack of empathy and respect to the widows going by the article.

In our society where we have always held high regards and respect for women; and who have always taken an active role in shaping the history of Manipur but how unfortunate is for the widows who deserve to start anew notwithstanding their lost which could have been prevented otherwise! It is very presumptuous of us to question a widow character when ours can be more or less questionable. Alright, I’m a bit harsh with my statement but why not? It is because we can accept a widower coming home at night after work whereas it is questionable for a widow. And here we are finding ourselves at the aisle of gender discrimination once again.

Rather than accepting the core principle under the ground of humanity and equality about a person who's working on her fair share of very deserving second chance to start anew but instead we let our egoistic and sadistic minds to feed on the victims just because they are widows. Tell me, is this not gender discrimination? If the general consensus is, a Sati would be more honorable for the widows; look into the eyes of your grandmother or your mother or aunt or sister or wife or daughter or niece and make your stand, once and for all. Otherwise we are no saintlier than the sexual offenders languishing in jail. However, don’t forget the fact that we come from a society where our women contribution to our society is larger than life.

Remember the Nupi-lan, when our Manipuri women folk waged two historic wars in 1904 and 1939 against mass exploitation and artificial famine triggered by the British imperialists. Remember the 12 women who stripped their clothes at Kangla fort screaming their outrage at the rape and alleged custodial murder of Thangjam Manorama, a 32-year-old, by Assam Rifles, and thereby to safeguard the chastity of our state from sex predators in future. Remember our Iron Lady in Irom Sharmila, who is still fighting for us so we can have better future free from the draconian law ‘Armed Forced (Special Powers) Act, 1958’. Remember our Meira Paibi, our torch bearers. Mary Kom, the face of Manipur who have brought nothing but triumphs and laurels for our country! Please note that these people have something in common, i.e., they are all WOMEN!

The widows of Manipur deserve nothing but our love, respect and support. Same goes for all the widows around the world.

Food for Thought: “A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.” Coco Chanel.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

"The Conductor"


Ladies and gentlemen, history is more than the path left by the past. It influences the present and can shape the future. We meet today here on my blog which began nearly 3 months ago when I finally found one of my passions what would become the Athoi Sevan’s. Even if it is Blogger.com providing me the platform, it is me who will subsequently demonstrate the blogger art of posting blog anytime or anywhere without the trauma of deadline but claiming all the credit in the end. This blog has witnessed the socialism, idealism, AFSPA, my worthless ideas…:), the Manchester United games, and most of all the passion I have for blogging.

Few places reach so far into the heart and soul of people. Yet nearly 3 months since, I’m damn sure, some part of me belongs here. It is my honor to write here rather like a statesman on newspaper....:) Well, statesmanship is the cement which seals our shared idealism. It makes meaningful the unity of ambition, passion for freedom, and abhorrence of injustices which is call of our conscience. It is fallen to you and me to tackle any injustice in our country, to protect the health of those without wealth, and human rights which are too often denied to us. Abraham Lincoln once observed that nearly all men can stand adversity. But if you want to test a man’s character, give him the power.

And we have given our power, and it’s up to us to nurture that power on how we want to shape our future.

History is not the burden of any one man or woman alone. But some are called to meet a special share of its challenges. By “some” I mean we the people. It is our duty that discharges with the dignity, determination, and distinction that are widely admired throughout history. That’s what set mankind apart from the wild animals. Knowing that the hood of mankind in us, it is also rather important to know what set us apart from the 'being'. Tell me if I’m wrong; we are not here just to exist for 70 to 90 years and take something away from this world but rather give something for the continuity and the sustainability of future.

Food for Thought: “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” Mother Teresa.

Thank you.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

#Anti-Spitting law


Why would anyone spit out their saliva in public places and on walls? Well, spitting is the act of forcibly ejecting saliva or other substances from the mouth...:) For your information, the saliva from your mouth is an important essential substance for your health. The enzymes found in saliva are essential in beginning the process of digestion of dietary starches and fats. These enzymes also play a role in breaking down food particles entrapped within dental crevices, protecting teeth from bacterial decay. Furthermore, saliva serves a lubricative function, wetting food and permitting the initiation of swallowing, and protecting the mucosal surfaces of the oral cavity from desiccation.

I also thought what the hell, and I used to treat my saliva like an excreta from my mouth which I should spit it out for my own convenience. Oh well! What a rookie ignorant I used to be until my hostel Warden Father P.O. Sebastian made us aware of the importance of our saliva and how spitting is considered rude and a social taboo in many parts of the world especially in European countries where he have visited and studied there, and including Western countries where it is frequently forbidden by local laws. That was the goodnight talk from my warden in 2006 when I still in higher secondary but a lifetime lesson for me everywhere I go. 

The reason why we Indian spit a lot in walls and public places is mostly because of the consumption of pan and gutkha. Anyone eating pan or gutkha is ought to spit out the stains of it one way or the other way. I guessed this is one reason for spitting in India which kind of stained India in the eyes of outsiders or even many of us. Beside there are other reasons of spitting but that’s just the rude nature or the doing of an ignorance. In my opinion, the hindsight of spitting problem in India is asocial. It is like ‘why is that a crime for spitting’ and ‘is it anyone concern whether I spit or not?’ but the spitting in public places and on walls are after all affecting the image of India in large when we could have been more sensible.

However, some people are not so and the anti-spitting innovative law that combines monetary punishment with mandatory community service initiated by the Maharashtra state government is a groundbreaking move to combat spitting in public places and on walls in Maharashtra.  It is said the law will be in place within the next six months. The anti-spitting bill will now have to clear in both the state legislature houses. The first time an offender is caught spitting, he or she will have to shell out Rs 1,000 as fine and take a day out to do social work at a public hospital or a government office. Second-time offenders will have to pay Rs 3,000 plus three-day community service, and repeat offenders Rs 5,000 plus five-day service, respectively. The amount collected in fines will be used only for healthcare services. This is great news for Maharashtra.

As a concern citizen, I’d recommend the anti-spitting law also be initiated at a national level. This would not only improve our country image but also our culture as well. In Singapore, the fine for spitting may be as high as S$2,000 (Rs. 95,180.00 approximately) for multiple offenses, and one can even be arrested. It’s no wonder Singapore is one of the cleanest cities around the world. In some other parts of the world, expectoration is more socially acceptable even if it is officially disapproved of or illegal and spittoons are still a common appearance in some cultures.

Do you think the anti-spitting law be initiated at a National level? If you think so, please share this with your friends and family in Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, etc. 

Food for thought: "To be or not to be that is the question." William Shakespeare.

Happy Father's Day!

Friday, June 19, 2015

"Homo sapiens World"


The day before yesterday, I went out with my brothers and we saw the movie Jurassic World in 3D. I don’t have any better words to praise the movie because it was simply outstanding and entertaining. The dinosaurs which have been extinct for millions of years came alive just in front of my eyes and so are the intelligence of human beings making it possible in film reel. I’d recommend anyone to watch the movie with your friends or family for the sheer joy of amazement and entertainment. Enough said about the movie.

Alright, let's come back to our present human world; how are we doing? Oh uh! Recently, Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said ‘the world is a mess'. He told the BBC:  'The drama is that if people think that humanitarians can clean up the mess. It's no longer possible. We have no capacities to pick up the pieces. 'More and more people are suffering and unfortunately for many of them there is no chance to support them.' In fact, the number of people displaced by war, conflict or persecution reached a record high of nearly 60 million around the world in 2014 as per the UN report.

In separate comments, he added: 'We are witnessing a paradigm change, an unchecked slide into an era in which the scale of global forced displacement as well as the response required is now clearly dwarfing anything seen before. 'It is terrifying that on the one hand there is more and more impunity for those starting conflicts and on the other there is seeming utter inability of the international community to work together to stop wars and build and preserve peace.'

I don’t know who are responsible and who are to be blamed for all the conflicts and wars in different places all over the world. Thank God! The mass extinction of Dinosaurs millions years ago is scientifically known as the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event. However, if we as human do become extinct tomorrow or anytime in future, I guessed that’d be ourselves to blame. And I'm not sure how we can help ourselves when we all do is bringing out differences in every ways rather than accepting one another as human. It is very childish of us to say my race is better than yours or my religion is truer than your religion.

The only good thing that comes out from our differences benefits only the weapon industries. All they need is our differences to create conflicts so they can sell their weapons and we kill one another. Obviously, my assumption of origin of conflicts is easy and simple but it is for real. And sometimes I get frustrated with the idea of government around the world because what it stands for is not exactly what the government does for the good of people. It is more or less the institution of power mongers who takes only lives rather than saving.

But as a human, do we deserve every bricks thrown upon us? We don’t deserve at all only if we learn to accept we are all together the master of this world and deposed the power mongers. After all, no one will dare to be beneath rather all will dare to be above one another though we are all equals in the eyes of the master of the universe. But honestly, do you want the history to blame you and me for our own extinction? Hell ‘NO’ for me, I don’t want to be blamed for my own extinction rather let the nature take its course of action when the time comes. 

Food for Thought: “If we didn't know better we would love one another.” Aaron B. Powell.

Thank you.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

"......., where are you?"


How fortunate are the couples to have fallen for each other since high school or college! The last thing you do not want to be reminded by your parents is your age and marriage. I got to admit, I’m not sure why am I writing my personal life here on my blog, or is this the sign of desperation? Every time I speak with my parents, marriage is the only topic I want avoid. Yeah! I’m 27 and I thought I have passed over only 26 which obviously is still a small number… :) Age are kind of tricky and that's it. Don’t you think so? However when I see some of my friends in Facebook uploading their marriage pictures, the nonsensical emotion creep in like I need to see a Shrink.

The popular idiom “single and ready to mingle” doesn’t necessarily anoint me as the finest “Vodka” for cocktail but rather the ingredients in the form of lemon, gin, pimento-stuffed green olives, etc. Confidence is not the issue but it the urgency to come along with the perfect Vodka and produce a fine cocktail. Definitely, I believed in the universal law that there is someone out there for me and we haven’t just met yet. It does make me feel better but I’m just afraid if I will be able to identify her knowing our mind having its own set of judgment unlike our soul.

Here comes the weighing in between arranged marriage and love marriage. Both have their own pros and cons. And I’m not surprise with the fact why most of the families from the rich and the middle class in metropolitan cities going in for the arrange marriage with another family of same social strata. I had an interaction with a friend of mine who recently got married to a guy arranged by her family. I enquired about her experience with her in-laws family during her first week of marriage.  She told me, “I was already considered as their daughter since the day my marriage was arranged” which certainly implies her understanding of Indian culture and honoring it rather than the teeny tiny feelings of doubt I anticipated. 

Please note that my question was purely for understanding arrange marriage with no intent of infringement in her personal life. Anyway, she is happy and very much in love with her husband. Even if her answer to my question was rather diplomatic, it doesn’t mean that she is unhappy with her marriage. The irony of her marriage is more or less accepting her fate conclusively with her mind in terms with her soul. And I strongly believed her attitude is one of the main attributes of strong woman. If this is the standard of present day's woman, and if I'm not wrong, I have to be the right guy for one of them and fall in love rather than looking for the perfect woman I invented for myself.

Food for thought: “A woman is like a tea bag – you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.” Eleanor Roosevelt.

Thank you. 

Monday, June 15, 2015

"Why Mahatma Gandhi?"


I'm still amaze on how Mahatma Gandhi discovers himself as a person and freeing India from the British rule. To summed up Mahatma Gandhi life's, he was born in 2 October 1869, he got married when he was only 13 years (a fate decided by his family), matriculated in the year 1887, studied law in England and became a barrister, moved to South Africa to practice law but was discriminated because of his skin color yet he was defiance and he played an important role in helping the blacks gained the right to vote, came back to India and the rest is history.

Boring? I can understand however I can assure you that Mahatma Gandhi is a very interesting character and personality. I have let you know in advance that this blog is not about his biography or about the politics during those days. Maybe, it will only take 3-4 minutes of your time to read this blog but I'll ensure that it is worth your time.

I find it very incomprehensible to see that our today's generation hardly considers Mahatma Gandhi as role model. Try asking anyone starting from senior high school students to university students. If I'm not wrong, most of the students will consider, the Ambanis brother, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, etc., as their role models. It's not that these people are bad role models, and in fact, I don't have a say with anyone choice. However, if the reasons for not considering Mahatma Gandhi as role model are the following 3 pointers below then I'll explain why it is worth reconsidering.

1. Mahatma Gandhi sounds too ancient/old and seemed very conservative to be a role model.
2. Gandhism is totally in contrast with our present day popular culture.
3. How can I consider Mahatma Gandhi as role model when I'd never offer my other cheek if anyone has slapped me?

In my opinion, Mahatma Gandhi stands above all the other renowned leaders when it comes to progressiveness and future. In fact, in the year 1921, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for expanding women's rights, building religious and ethnic amity and ending untouchability. Campaigning for women's right in 1921 in India! Can you believe it? His campaigns during those days defied all logic and our conservative culture. Mahatma Gandhi generation may be old but "India" as we see and live today is the result of what he envisioned for us at that time. Literally, Mahatma Gandhi was very futuristic and progressive minus iDevices, Twitter, Facebook, etc... :)

Well, you got to look in two ways, i.e., Gandhism and his personality differently. If you consider Gandhism as role model, obviously, it is tough and undoubtedly clash with our present day's popular culture. And of course, nobody would want to be the odd one (though I'd still prefer Gandhism). Anyway, Mahatma Gandhi personality is the role model. In short, Mahatma Gandhi was simple, remains true to himself, grounded, and many other good qualities which will take years for me to complete this blog... :) It is either the Gandhism or the personality of Mahatma Gandhi for role model.

This is the hardest part; and frankly, I even don't know how I will react if anyone slap me. But I willing to risk myself and find it out for myself. The truth is "if there is no risk, there is no reward."

Food for Though: "Nobody can hurt me without my permission." Mahatma Gandhi.

Thank you.

Sunday, June 14, 2015

"Hope for fools"



Image Courtesy: AtheistRepublic.com

Imagine if we've been giving our support to a government even though there is hardly any proof to show that the government is working for the people.

I'm starting to beleive the word "hope" is overrated when "we" are the answer to make things right anytime. It's just my opinion, hope is for afterlife and not when you are living the present. We hope the state of Manipur will get better when everyone of us are living in the present chaos. And I don't get it because not long ago, an old man told me, "Nakhoi naharol na eikhoi Sanaleipak chaokhat hanlo"(Translation: Youths can bring progress and development to our beloved state of Manipur). But how do I contribute because the old man convincingly told me, you can.

When I started looking for the answer, I found that our state government and its subsidiaries are not working for us rather working for their own interests. Maybe, it sting and hurts like any poisonous desert scorpion but it's true. Say for example, if you want to get any paper work done, what is the first thing that you do? Checking your wallet or call in a favor from a friend who knows the authority! Of course, we both know the answer and we don't need to brag about it. But have we not realize our misfortune is the result of our own makings?

We do not need to say we don't have good leaders or the political parties as infuential as the Indian Congress party and the BJP. If you still think so, I'm sorry but you are naive because we live in the state of democracy not an anarchy or dictatorship. Are you not in awe with the results of recent Delhi legislative assembly election held on 7 February 2015? I'm not here endorsing one political party rather to let you know that we are the elements to change.

The truth is we don't need to say to the government we elected for ourselves, 'I hope you'll work for the interest of the people' but rather 'you have to work for the people and their interest'. The 2017 Manipur state legislative assembly is not far away and we got to be prepared. Remember the line from the book "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu, "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle."

Food for Thought: In reality, hope is the worst of all evils, because it prolongs the torments of man. Friedrich Nietzsche

Thank you. 

Friday, June 12, 2015

"The road to Transition"

"You can't hold a man down without staying down with him." Booker T. Washington.

I read an article "Roots of Manipur insurgency" by Binalakshmi Nepram. The article gave me a good insight on how insurgency was born in Manipur. And it is rather interesting circumstances leading Manipur to become a part of India on October 1949 reluctantly. The rest is history however, I cannot deny the fact the underground organizations in Manipur came into existence out of resentment to Indian rule since then. Hence, labeling the state of Manipur as Disturbed Area before the revolution can turn into shape and made an impact.

In my opinion, the present problem with the many underground organization in Manipur is the lack of direction and goals despite the history of Manipur as their reliable alibi. Based on their timeline, it is clear they are not interested with the political solutions or negotiation but rather independence from India. In retrospect, it doesn't mean that the central government should ignore the history of Manipur and conceal every facts regarding the root cause of insurgency. I stil believed 'now' is the right time for all the underground organizations in Manipur to come under one roof and change their ideology for political solutions rather than armed struggle. They really need to make sense of their existence with principles rather than extorting and moral policing with threats.

The choice is there on the table; and they got to decide sooner than later because the present Indian Army onslaught of insurgency groups in Manipur and around the international border in co-operation with Myanmar can annihilate their existence. For the love of Manipur and for better future, lay down the arms and manned up for political solutions. Follow the Mizoram model of insurgency to electoral democracy because holding guns against the Indian Army or the Police won't bring peace and solution but only bloodshed. 

Whereas on the other hand, 'we' as the people Manipur also comes with the responsibility to make our state a better place for today and the future. Unfortunately, we've been electing and supporting the wrong politicians to represent us in the state assembly, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha for too many years. Just look at our current chief minister, cabinet ministers, MLAs, two MPs in Lok Sabha and one member in Rajya Sabha. Do you really believe they are the right people working for us and for the state? I don't think they got the balls to stand up for the people and lead us to right direction. But how did they become our elected representative? You gotta be honest with your answer... :)  

We are very aware that Manipur is one of the most corrupt states in India. As long as we continue to elect the corrupt politicians and until the underground organizations make sense, don't ever think the central government is going to revoke the AFSPA and withdraw the army. It has to be joint efforts in order to successfully clean up Manipur for responsible governance and better future. Our individual responsibility is to choose our representatives wisely not influence by coercion of the Rs. 500 note. We are better than this. Do you not agree? 

The Indian army doing their job with command from the central government but the system got to change. I just cannot fathom the fact that they are not accountable to civilian court as per the AFSPA although they are working under the directives of our constitution. Assuming, if we can persecute the President or PM of our country for any wrongdoing or against national interest, why is it not possible in army? It is about the accountability as a citizen of this country but not as army. After all, defence services are very much part of public services as envisaged under the constitution. Think about it!

Food for Thought: "When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw." Nelson Mandela.

Thank you.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

"Shooting stars fulfilled a wish!"

"Love is blind; but it makes you see the blind man; teetering on the roadside..." Martin Amis.

I've never ever shed a tear after watching movie trailers. However, the other night, I came across a documentary movie trailer which simply melt my heart and flooded my eyes with tears of happiness. I was really overwhelmed by the substance of the trailer. And whether you like it or not, Hollywood always have managed to capture the best of people in reel for screening in movie theaters. I really want to write more about the movie trailer of around two and half minutes in length. But I don't want to be your spoiler-alert so you can also enjoy the movie trailer. You can click on the trailer below to start watching: 


Courtesy: YouTube

Now, answer me honestly, does the movie trailer had an impact in your heart and also had you shed your tears of joy? And correct me if I'm wrong, I'm sure you are truly amazed with the resounding response from people all over the world in helping a kid wish of portraying batman in the city of Gotham comes true. And probably you are still wondering, "how is that possible?" I thought we are not bad people when we do anything from our heart selflessly. But seldom we listen to the impulse of our heart rather letting our mind to takeover. Of course, we can't help it because we adopted the barter system in every aspect of our life.

Even the easiest task of supporting our loved ones is lately turning into vain. 'But who cares as long as I'm happy' which is rather unfortunately is the mentality of present days righteousness. Who cares about the fact that poor nutrition causes nearly half (45%) of deaths in children under five – 3.1 million children each year. Source: The Lancet, Series on Maternal and Child Nutrition, 2013. Forget about those 66 million primary school-age children who attend classes hungry across the developing world, with 23 million in Africa alone. Source: World Food Programme Statistics.

Even though the World Food Programme calculates that US$3.2 billion is needed per year to reach all 66 million hungry school-age children, why should we worry about it when we are also fighting for our own fair share of survival? You tell me, am I right or not? But I hope I'm wrong based on the above documentary movie trailer "Batkid Begins" wherein people all over the world joined their hands together for the right reason. Literally, the people who helped the kid in fulfilling his wish are the "shooting stars" among us.

Food for Thought: "It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others." Dalai Lama XIV.

Thank you.

Tuesday, June 09, 2015

"The Blind side of News media in India"

"Whoever controls the media, controls the mind." Jim Morrison.

Good Morning!

Do you think the news media in India is fair and just with the reporting of domestic current news and affairs? Generically, I believed the news media is not doing enough when it comes to domestic news reporting except around the time of general election. To prove my point, are you aware of the current situation concerning the north east states of India excluding the recent attack on Army convoy in Manipur killing 18 soldiers by an underground organization? Or, you are only aware of the fact that Mary Kom is from Manipur after watching the movie "Mary Kom" starring Priyanka Chopra. Then, believe me, the media has done nothing when it is concerning about the plights and the hardships of people living in the north east states of India.

However, when it comes to mainland India or the metropolitan cities, they'd even go to the length of reporting a dog killed by speeding car or a high affluent family car stolen away by thief because the driver left the car key behind. Well well, my friend, there are more important news to report like the violation of human rights by our own law approved by the Government of India which is still enforced in most part of north east India wherein the most victims of the law comes from the state of Manipur. I'm left pondering; why don't they highlights the Draconian law which is in the form of Armed Forced Special Power Act and its consequence rather than blaming the people as not co-operative? Why don't thay report about the staged encounter killings by the police and the Indian army? What is about Irom Sharmila fights? 

And why don't they expose the corrupted politicians and bureaucrats from north east India, and above all, the higher authority betrayal to people living out there? In Manipur, corruptions and its related money operates in parallel to normal business transaction. The fact is that you can literally buy a job post in state government sector. Try asking anyone from Manipur about the price tag for the post of Sub-inspector rank working for the Police department. Some will say Rs. 20 lakhs and some other will say Rs. 25 lakhs; and if you can afford the said amount, you'll get the job easily without any fuss. You can termed the corruption in Manipur as "The Wall street of Corruptions" wherein the market is always open for the rich people investing their money in government jobs and the return on investment is guaranteed. Unfortunately, the corruptions in Manipur is a topic ignored by the news media in India. It is like cutting us off from the rest of  India. But why?

Instead they'd rather stage a platform for a hot debate and telecast live on prime-time news hour slot wherein the participants and the speaker(usually the editor-in-chief) starts bullshitting each other inside the studio in order to increase TRP ratings rather than reporting the real news needing the attention of the people all over India. It means the news media in our country has its own agenda and priority which is an extreme violation of journalism and news reporting ethics. And sadly, when they do report any news concerning north east India, the news is all about music loving people, dog meat eaters, the short skirts and vice versa. The news media in India have to know that the real news of north east India doesn't originate from major metropolitan cities wherein the news source are the students and employees from north east India. 

But the real news is still out there in the region; and they need to investigate starting with the ground reality from the perspective of people living out there and identifying the root cause of corruption as well as insurgency related issue. And when the truth is exposed, only then, people all over India will realize the central government 'divide and rule policy' and also for wasting a hell lot of taxpayers money on defense budget every year. According to Union Budget for fiscal 2015-16, the central government led by Narendra Modi will allocate Rs 2,46,727 crore to defence sector even though we are officially not at war with any country. Alright, Pakistan is the only threat to our country. However is the allocated amount of Rs 2,46,727 crore justified when 179.6 million people in India are starving as per the revised methodology and the poverty rate of Manipur is 36.89 percent?

The truth is we don't deserve the cold treatment from the news media in India even though our culture and appearance are somewhat different from the mainland India. We are all humans and foremost the rightful citizens of this country. We can feel the same pain like the families of the brave 18 soldiers killed in an ambush attack in Chandel District (located in Manipur) because we too have lost our brothers and sisters to gross injustice and custodial killings. Yet the government will always stay without any remorse because the Draconian law like Armed Forced Special Power Act is valid for them and our justice system will continue to protect the government interest by hook or crook if the news media continue to watch from behind silently like an agency of the government.

My only expectation from the news media in our country is do their job honestly irrespective of people origins and regions. Only then, India can move forward as one in the right direction for progress and development. And I bet, no one will say India is a developed country whereas the north east states of India is neglected. Don't you agree? 

For your information, on 23 March, 2009, the United Nations asked India to repeal Armed Forced Special Power Act, an act that they considered to be contrary to the Article 4 of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations Commissioner on Human Rights at that time, Navanethem Pillay termed the law as "dated and colonial-era law" breaching the contemporary international human rights standards." The United Nations also questioned the constitutionality of the Armed Forced Special Power Act under Indian law.

Food for Thought: "We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people." John F. Kennedy.

Thank you. Have a good day!

Monday, June 08, 2015

"The Victors"

"Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records." William Arthur Ward.

The last weekend has been an absolute resounding celebration of sporting competitions! Let me start with the underdog, Stanislas Wawrinka. I can bet, you must be wondering 'who is this guy?' if you are not a tennis fan. Wawrinka stunned Novak Djokovic and wins the French Open title for the first time in his tennis career. After all, it is not very easy living under the shadow of his Swiss compatriot Roger Federer and as Swiss no. 2 player for years. Of course, this is Wawrinka second grand slam but the win against Novak, who is undoubtedly the best tennis player at the moment, is a testimony for all the underdog players. 



The day before Wawrinka defeats Djokovic, on Saturday, Barcelona won their fifth European title after defeating the resolute Juventus by 3-1 in the final match played in Berlin. Barcelona, written off by many football critics and pundits in the mid-season rather because of their manager, Luis Enrique, turmoil relationship with the management and some few players. But in the end, a game of football will never be defined by the people who runs football. And the Barcelona players proved it in the end of the season by winning the La Liga, Copa Del Rey and the ultimate European title. It's a treble win in a single season which is no doubt 'a cup of tea' for footballers. 



Finally, on Sunday evening, the Formula 1 poster boy Lewis Hamilton won the Canadian Grand Prix bouncing back from the controversy in Monaco GP when his teammate Nico Rosberg pipped him in the last moment due to Mercedes team strategic fault. The win of Canadian Grand Prix shows the grit, the class, the perseverance and the determination of Lewis Hamilton in spite of the rumors of unrest within the Mercedes F1 team. And he proves to himself and everyone why he is the better driver than Rosberg eventhough they both have the same winning car. No wonder! Hamilton have recently signed the new deal with his current team Mercedes worth a staggering $140 million over the three-year span.



Well, it has been indeed a remarkable week for sporting competitions. And salute to all the players, Djokovic, the Juventus team, Rosberg, Bottas, etc., on the losing side for they put up a great fight and above all for their sportsmanship. 

Food for thought: "I've never lost a game; I just ran out of time." Michael Jordan.

Thank you. Have a great week ahead!

Sunday, June 07, 2015

"10/10"


The first time I heard about the title "Rockefeller" was from the movie, "Who Is Clark Rockefeller?". Since then, I found out the "Rockefeller" is a surname/title which is usually associated with the Rockefeller family residing in United States. The Rockefeller family are considered to be the most powerful families in the history of United States. And they are one among the richest families in the United States according to the 2014 Forbes America's Richest Families with a net worth of $10 Billion although they never had their financial records revealed publicly. 

Nevertheless, this blog is not about figuring out the wealth of the family rather a glimpse of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. legacy son of John Davison Rockefeller Sr. In the year 1962, the Rockefeller Center complex (located on Midtown Manhattan, New York City) management placed a plaque at the Center plaza with a list of principles in which John D. Rockefeller, Jr. believed, and first expressed in 1941.

It reads:
  1. I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
  2. I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.
  3. I believe that the law was made for man and not man for the law; that government is the servant of the people and not their master.
  4. I believe in the Dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.
  5. I believe that thrift is essential to well ordered living and that economy is a prime requisite of a sound financial structure, whether in government, business or personal affairs.
  6. I believe that truth and justice are fundamental to an enduring social order.
  7. I believe in the sacredness of a promise, that a man's word should be as good as his bond; that character not wealth or power or position – is of supreme worth.
  8. I believe that the rendering of useful service is the common duty of mankind and that only in the purifying fire of sacrifice is the dross of selfishness consumed and the greatness of the human soul set free.
  9. I believe in an all-wise and all-loving God, named by whatever name, and that the individuals highest fulfilment, greatest happiness, and widest usefulness are to be found in living in harmony with His Will.
  10. I believe that love is the greatest thing in the world; that it alone can overcome hate; that right can and will triumph over might.
Well, it's an undeniable perfect score of 10 out of 10. In my opinion, the principles should be our modern day ten commandment because it just and simple. You know, it just a thought swirling in my mind... :) By the way, what do you say? ..... anyway, this is all I have for today. 

Food for thought: “The only thing we have in this world that is utterly and intrinsically ours is our integrity.” Mira Grant.

Thank you.

Saturday, June 06, 2015

"Liability or Human shield?"

Good Morning!

First of all, my condolences to the 20 army jawans who were ambushed and killed in Manipur by the so called underground outfit NSCN-K on 4 June 2015. The ambush itself is a cowardly act and showing us the true nature of the banned underground organization who do not believe in peace. I cannot fathom the fact that this very organization used to be in peace talk with our central government under the ceasefire agreement for 14 years until March 2015 after their leader SS Khaplang decided to go for the arms struggle instead of negotiation. How is the arms struggle helping their cause? Killing more innocent people and the Army is never going to resolve the region issue.

Now that the Central government has given the green light to the Army to go all out against the outfit, NSCN-K, I truly fear many innocents may have to be victims as collateral damage. The people of Manipur will have to bear the burnt of conflict arising between the NSCN-K and the Central government wherein their issue has nothing to do with Manipur. I'm really fed up of the leaders of Naga telling the Nagas of Manipur that their fight is for all of us. But it necessarily doesn't gives them the right to cowardly killed the 20 jawans in Manipur in order to grab the attention of our Central government in Delhi. 

The fact is that I DO NOT WANT TO BE A VICTIM. Why can't the NSCN-K follow the example of Mizoram? They must know that India ranks third among the top ten countries with the largest armies. You know that the central government has given the green light to go all against the Naga Insurgent in Manipur. And Manipur is not a war zone wherein many civilians are living out there. You also know that the Indian army is armed with the Armed Forced Special Power Act. So, in the end, the civilians are going to end up as victims because NSCN-K is not going come out in the open rather hiding behind the hills. 

In 1977, Protocol I was adopted as an amendment to the Geneva Conventions, prohibiting the deliberate or indiscriminate attack of civilians and civilian objects in the war-zone and the attacking force must take precautions and steps to spare the lives of civilians and civilian objects as possible. Although ratified by 173 countries, the only countries that are currently not signatories to Protocol I are the United States, Israel, Iran, Pakistan, India, and Turkey. It means our central government is not accountable for any civilians killed in their fistfight against the Naga insurgents in Manipur. 

Technically, we are a liability to the central government and a human shield to the insurgents in Manipur. God help us. 

Food for thought: “Listen up - there's no war that will end all wars.” Haruki Murakami.

Thursday, June 04, 2015

"Why Mats Hummels can be a good signing for Manchester United"


During the early stage of our 2014-15 English Premier League season, we managed to secure only 13 points from 10 matches. And it was our worst start to a season since 1986. 3 defeats, 4 draws and only 3 wins. Well, the 3 defeats were not that easy win for our opponents rather we threw away the games we should have won, and especially the game against Leicester City. We were leading 3-1 and suddenly we got defeated with the scoreline 3-5 as we let in some easy goals. Not only this game, throughout the season, we were not very strong and organized with our defending. 

Anyway, I guessed it is not that bad by the end of the season as we secured the champions league spot by virtue of finishing 4th in the table points position. This summer transfer window, I believed Mats Hummels should be our priority transfer target as we need an experience and a proven center-back. Although it has been reported in the news that Borussia Dortmund will not accept any offer for Mats Hummels. However, I still believed if our club management can offer a substantial amount to Dortmund, they may be compelled to accept the offer. After all Hummels has only two years left on his current contract. 

Guys, do you think the move will materialise? For me, I'm very optimistic and it is a 'yes'. And if the transfer materialized, the three following points can be probable advantage for our team benefits:

1. We know that Van Gaal prefer playing with 3 defenders in the formation of 3-5-2. I'm don't think he will just abandon the formation he wanted for the team to play and find success. You know, it is kind of a philosophy for him and he was unable to impart the philosophy with our present defenders.

Therefore, signing Hummels will bring in the much needed experience, the tactical awareness and the leadership to organized defense as one. The ideal backline can be Smalling, Hummels and Rojos. Do you think the three of them will gel and form a strong back-line?

2. Ashley Young and Luke Shaw can be utilize as attacking full-backs. Both of them are very good with their pace and they can also track back easily for defending. It will give us the edge on the counter attack as well as from the width play.

3. Blind can play as the central midfield role shielding the three defenders. Angel Di Maria and Herrera as left and right midfielders respectively and they can easily interchange their role when needed. And don't forget Fellaini, he can play behind our main striker Wayne Rooney or in defensive midfield role whenever it is required. 

Although Michael Carrick is one of our very important player, and I'd easily swap Daley Blind for him but his injury is still a concern for me. Beside, he is over 30 and I rather prefer Van Gaal to start Blind and Carrick coming on as substitute for balance and experience. The next season is going to be very hectic as we are going to be challenging for every competitions, the EPL, the Champions League, the Capital One cup and the FA cup. So, I'm sure Carrick as well as the other players will get the fair amount of game time. 

My opinion in this blog is just a fair assumption after analysing our 2014-15 season. And my ideal starting eleven for our 2015-16 season will be De Gea(if he stays) or Valdes, Rojo, Hummels, Smalling, Shaw, Young, Blind, Herrera, Di Maria, Fellaini, and Wayne Rooney. The substitutes are Valdes (if De Gea stays), Carrick, Januzaj, van Persie, Jones, McNair, Mata, Wilson. What do you think of the starting eleven? And do you think our club management go for Hummels at any cost? 

Please write your opinion and suggestion in the comment section below. Thank you.

Wednesday, June 03, 2015

"How to let it(David De Gea) GO"

Good morning!

Every day, I typed in the name "David De Gea" on my laptop web browser hoping for a news he has signed the contract extension offer. Well, I'm also no different from the other fanatic fans of Manchester United and we always want our best player to stay. After all, this football club matters a lot to me and to all the fans of Manchester United world wide; and I wish David had reciprocate the same in January by signing the contract extension offer. But now, I have to let go of this fear as well as the melancholy feeling of losing him, and probably give up the hope of him signing the contract extension offer. I guess he is definitely leaving and Real Madrid is waiting for the right time to announce the signing.

Now that I'm convinced David De Gea leaving us, I've nothing bad or ill feelings about him exccept I wish him the best for his future. He has given us a solid performance for two years although the legend title is still beyond the reach. Like we have always done, we will keep on moving forward and we can certainly replace him with another world class goalkeeper. In fact, we already have Victor Valdes who is 32 years old. Don't forget that Edwin van der Sar was 34 years old when he was signed on 2005 summer transfer window. I meant the age factor is not an issue for Victor Valdes and he is also a very experienced goalkeeper who has won many trophies with Barcelona and Spain. Probably, he can still play for another 3-4 seasons or even more. In the meantime, the scouting team can definitely have the headstart looking for the long term replacement for Victor Valdes.

The club management need to make sure De Gea market value is met by Real Madrid. Although it is quiet tricky as De Gea current deal will expire after 12 months. Let us try considering this scenario, do you thing Real Madrid really want to sign De Gea this summer? For me, it is a yes. They really want to sign him because they have recently sacked their manager Carlo Ancelotti and they will to put up a very good 'show' like a circus to appease their insatiable fans. Therefore, they will need to sign and parade a world class player in De Gea including a new manager in front of major news media globally. Obviously, it will be a good news for the Real Madrid fans who are always jeering Casillas, their own hero! For Fiorentino Perez, it's all business and signing De Gea is a good deal to maintain the club revenue as they did not win any trophy in the recently concluded season. Considering this scenario, our club management can have a small advantage over Real Madrid in negotiation of transfer.

Leaving aside David De Gea transfer speculation, the football news section in most of the major news online have been unfortunately more about the FIFA bribing controversy and the arrest of 9 FIFA officials including 5 corporate executives. This is an absolute disgrace from FIFA and for bringing disrepute to the most popular sport on Earth. The subsequent resignation of Sepp Blatter is blessing in disguise for FIFA. In my opinion, he is a disgrace to football and he should have resign long ago. I'm sure the pressure from the UEFA played a role in Blatter resignation. I just hope FIFA clean up their messes as soon as possible before bringing the sport to more disrepute.

Food for Thought: “The only reason to delay at this point was because the immediate prospect was so deeply uninviting.” J.K. Rowling.

Thank you. Have a good day!

Monday, June 01, 2015

"Cynicism"

“A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing.” Oscar Wilde.

Good Evening!

It's Monday evening, and it has been indeed a long summer day. But anyway, I've tried to be keep myself busy the whole day. The first thing I did in the morning was going through the news on Times of India online. It's the daily so and so news except I found one interesting piece of article about a Delhi born billionaire becoming a monk. Kudos to him for choosing to dedicate his life for the service of God and mankind. Beside being a billionaire, he is also a father to two sons and a daughter, so it must be really tough for him when he decided to become a monk. I guess this kind of decisions are the one very difficult to decide. Of course, many people are very cynical of his decision and especially the extravagant coronation of him becoming a monk going by the comments section in the article. But it is his own individual decision so it is worth respecting his privacy.

The fact is that it is very easy to question one's motive but it is very difficult to swallow the truth. I have a nephew who is nearly 4 years old. And to be frank, I don't know what is his motive when he plays around with his toys. All I know is that the playing really makes him happy. Today at around afternoon, I decided to take him out for a walk and also knowing that I have to buy a medicine for my youngest brother. Before we went out, I was kind of prepared as I already knew my nephew was going to ask me a lot of questions when we will be walking together on the road. I really don't mind being questioned by my nephew because the questions are all valid and it has nothing to do with my ulterior motive on why I took him out for a walk. Truth be told, it is just a sheer happiness of walking with an innocent.

When we were walking back home after I've bought the medicine as well as some sweets, I couldn't believed what he did just right in front of me. As we walked past a temple nearby the road, he asked me stop for a while. I just stood there and I watched him walking towards the temple doorstep and he folded his hand indicating he is praying to God. I really don't have a clue what he had prayed to God but that was something amazing. Tell me, is it right if I have to ask him, what did you prayed to God about and what was your motive praying to God? Trust me, I don't have an inkling idea if he already understand the concept of praying and religions. The one thing I'm sure about is, I don't have the right to ask what he had prayed or his ulterior motive.

Of course! Asking question regarding a person or any institution ulterior motive is good in some way. However, one has be sensible enough before coming up with a stupid question or being too cynical at that moment. I meant if a person is doing something good which can benefits the society at large and for his/her happiness, who are we to question his/her ulterior motive? But a billionaire becoming a monk is huge so there must be something going on inside. Wow! It is debatable news! And if a poor guy becomes a monk, well the general assumption is that 'poverty' is the reason for the guy becoming a monk. Probably, the general mindset is whenever a person do something good out of extraordinary circumstances or simply ordinary, the person is always questioned for his or her good deed. Forgive me! But we've become so cynical of people who are doing something good for the betterment of society.

Well, my point is rather than being too cynical, encouragement to good doers is the need of the time. Or, even if we can't acknowledge or encourage but before questioning the good doer, remember the following lines from Matthew 7:5, "You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

Food for Thought: “He found that it was easy to make a heroic gesture, but hard to abide by its results.” W. Somerset Maugham.

Thank you and have a good evening!