tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20114848273311868772024-02-21T09:20:08.529+05:30Athoi Sevan'sDream as if you have forever. Live as if you only have today.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-47180660062793945662016-05-22T20:04:00.000+05:302016-05-23T07:44:55.194+05:30"Excerpt 1.4"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.38;">It is easy not to be inspired albeit rather head for the shadow. Eventually, the shadow will fade away. The lights will remain as it is. The day before yesterday, the JCILP committee called for the 38 hours statewide bandh in Manipur. That day, we were suppose to be in Imphal to meet our local MLA Manga Vaiphei (Henglep constituency). By ‘we’, I meant our local youth club leaders. In spite of the bandh, we went ahead with our plan as the appointment was arranged earlier than the bandh that was planned later by the JCILP committee. We already knew that people who supports the bandh will stop us on the road and will tell us to return back or even worse. In fact, we were stopped more than 10 times but we reached on time for our appointment and back safely. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.38;">Ever wondered, how did we overcome the stringent bandh that day when we could have cancel the appointment? A boy stopped us for a lift before we hit the main road at Ningthoukong gate or popularly known as Loktak gate. We decided to give the boy a ride. Fortunately, the boy turns out be a college student who have an examination at Imphal that particular day. I’d say it was a blessing in disguise for us. Whenever we come across the bandh supporters, we told them we were dropping the boy for his college examination. In fact, we dropped the boy right at his college examination centre. Also, we had a successful meeting with our local MLA as per the appointment. On our way back, I put up a sticker written as ‘EXAM’ on my car front mirror and we managed to escape the bandh. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.38;">I guess ‘karma’ has it own wonderful work ethos. Moving on to the title Excerpt 1.4, “Citizens live with heroic spirit”. Excerpts from Inaugral address (April 27, 1980) by Swami Ranganathananda. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.38;">It is the heroic spirit that came to the Western people and made them great. England sent its best people to die in the oceans, in the forests and mountains, and far-away islands; and they went fearlessly and cheerfully, for the love of their country, and for the sheer love of adventure. It was that that made that country great. I shall live in ease, I shall save myself, and yet my nation will be great--that can never happen. But we have been doing that very thing. We try to avoid all difficult assignments to hilly, forest, or rural areas, we circumvent all postings to situae offering challenges to our courage and daring, and seek the maximum advantages to oneself and one’s family. In all these, we see the good grihastha, no doubt, but fail to see the quiet heroism and patriotic spirit of the enlightened citizen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.38;">It is the minimum of spiritual growth that enables the citizen to take care of the national interest while protecting his own personal interest. And even that personal interest is not just money and more money only, which is all what most people understand by that expression, but also honour, dignity, creative life, and heroic adventure. And these come only from the spiritual growth involved in enlightened citizen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.38;">When this growth comes to a person, public spirit and human concern manifest spontaneously; he or she has not to struggle for it; seeing somebody in distress on the road, the impulse comes : I will go and ask the person in distress: What is the trouble with you? In what way can I help you? If, in all situations, I move far away, thinking, I don't want to be involved, I don't want to be caught, then there is the complete absence of citizenship-awareness. Yes, I am prepared to be involved and to face the consequences in the service of my fellow-men. That is how the humanistic impulse operates in a citizen. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-59497918437649597542016-05-08T22:16:00.000+05:302016-05-08T22:35:43.664+05:30"Excerpt 1.3"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.38;">Then two women who were harlots came to the king and stood before him. The one woman said, “Oh, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house; and I gave birth to a child while she was in the house. It happened on the third day after I gave birth, that this woman also gave birth to a child, and we were together. There was no stranger with us in the house, only the two of us in the house. This woman’s son died in the night, because she lay on it. So she arose in the middle of the night and took my son from beside me while your maidservant slept, and laid him in her bosom, and laid her dead son in my bosom. When I rose in the morning to nurse my son, behold, he was dead; but when I looked at him carefully in the morning, behold, he was not my son, whom I had borne.” Then the other woman said, “No! For the living one is my son, and the dead one is your son.” But the first woman said, “No! For the dead one is your son, and the living one is my son.” Thus they spoke before the king.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.38;">Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one’; and the other says, ‘No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’” The king said, “Get me a sword.” So they brought a sword before the king. The king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” Then the woman whose child was the living one spoke to the king, for she was deeply stirred over her son and said, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him!” Then the king said, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him. She is his mother.” When all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had handed down, they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The story is from the old testament 1 Kings 3:16-28(New American Standard Bible). The king is praised and feared for the wise judgement he administered but the real mother offering her son to the other woman in order to save him is the undying love, and I received that love everyday from my mom.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-91540839446320254442016-05-01T09:45:00.003+05:302016-05-01T09:59:07.517+05:30"Excerpt 1.2"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;">The campaign to save our planet earth we usually see on social media. I am not against the campaign to save our planet rather very intrigue to know how many of us really got the message? By the way, the campaign messages we received on WhatsApp and on Facebook account are without doubts beautifully structured with facts and figures.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.38;">I wonder if our solution to the message is just to forward it again to another friend. If that's the goal of the message, then we are just trying to save our planet by words not by deed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Awareness is good. There are 1.65 billion monthly active users on Facebook and WhatsApp has a user base of 1 billion. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the scale of the figures and to think, can we really make a difference? Is there anything we can do as individuals?</span></span><br />
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This spring season I have planted few trees. Hopefully by next year, all the trees will grow up another feet and so on. Nelson Mandela said, ‘It's not the kings and the generals who make history but the masses of the people.’</span></span><br />
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Moving on to the title Excerpt 1.2, “Citizens live through positive contribution”. Excerpts from the prologue by Swami Budhananda.</span></span><br />
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The first point to remember is the glory of man. That was one that Swami Vivekananda, time and again, taught us: ‘Never forget the glory of man’. When we all live for ourselves, think that the whole universe is accountable to us and we are not accountable to the universe, we are at the wrong end.</span></span><br />
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Therefore, two things must go hand in hand. They are:</span></span><br />
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We must also believe that all of us can be looked after well. Our sorrows and sufferings can be minimised and there can be ever so much more happiness for all, of all, if only we own all of us our own.</span></span><br />
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The important point to remember is that to help manifest everyone's great potential is the business of every advanced civilisation. Our ancient teachers taught us to set in motion within oneself a self-chastening process to go together with keen ‘other-regarding’ process. In other words, self-development and the development of everybody else should go on simultaneously. It is not enough if we have a vast land, rich natural resources, mighty rivers, highly talented people and other endowments. What is important is to learn the art and science of turning these things to good account, in the service of man. To learn to do this and to teach to do is the business of enlightened citizenship which is of supreme importance for every nation in this world, particularly, India. As the Buddha says, that which is most needed is a loving heart.</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-29249435610936215162016-04-29T08:00:00.002+05:302016-04-29T08:00:52.815+05:30"Excerpt 1.1"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Most people say love is the most beautiful thing in this world. Although I'm not a love guru but maybe in hindsight I appreciate the greatness of love which compelled me to blog about it. The truth is that I write for those who do not speak, for those who do not have a voice because they are so terrified, for those who are afraid to fall in love because we are taught to respect fear more than ourselves. </span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We've been taught that silence would save us, but it won't. Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with ACTIONS and in truth. I John 3:18</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway let’s come back to the topic. In my last blog, I posted an excerpt from the book “Journey to enlightened citizenship”. Today as well, it is another thoughtful excerpt from the book. Afterall I plan to post all the excerpts from the book here on my blog periodically. I hope you will like it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Citizenship is every individual’s responsibility. Excerpts from prologue by Swami Budhananda.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When we light a small earthern lamp, without a question and with least hesitation it sheds its humble light. It does not look around to watch if any other lamp is shielding its lustre. It is not dismayed also if no other light is burning in the vicinity.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is content to be given to shed it's own little light. It is not worried how much more darkness needs to be removed from the world. Is it a small privilege to be given to remove even a jot of darkness?</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The small is beautiful. Have you not seen a tiny grass flower? Nature needed to exercise all its talents to create that tiny flower, complete in its own size of glory. If little things had no meaning they would not be there. Scientists have by now told us how much power, mystery and glory are there in the tiny atom.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let us not be nervous about our smallness. For, without grains of sand even the loftiest monuments could not be built. In fact, the ultimate brick of the greatest monuments is the sand particle.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are people who think too highly of themselves. They have what is called a superiority complex. That abominable thing is too bad for themselves, and not good for others.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are, again, those who think too lowly of themselves. They have an inferiority complex. This is worse than the superiority complex. They think that they are good for nothing. By continuously thinking that way they really become so.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Such people can never become good citizens. When we discuss momentous issues concerning mankind, and the responsibility of doing our mite, they throw up their hands and dogmatically declare that small persons like them can do nothing about these great problems.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So they shy away even from discussing these problems. Taking shelter behind their so-called or supposed smallness, they take an inverse pride in declaring that they have nothing to do with the ambitious scheme of solving world problems.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We should clearly understand that even a small lamp has the capacity and the privilege to give light. Enlightened citizenship is every individual’s responsibility. That is the spirit of the times.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-79103287894306263302016-04-26T20:54:00.001+05:302016-04-27T05:52:07.848+05:30"Excerpt 1.0"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Precisely a week ago, while I was smoking a cigarette in the storeroom, I found this old book ‘Journey to enlightened citizenship’ laying on the floor, perhaps misplaced. The rats had their own some share of the book cover but the main pages stays intake.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.38;">The book has exceprts from the speeches given by some of these thoughtful individuals. I believed the book aims at helping the reader gain yet one more perspective of the multi-faceted ideal of citizenship. In fact, it is an interesting book and it yearns me to blog about it.</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And here, I feel I'm obliged to share one of the excerpts ‘Paraspara Bhava’ or mutual concern by Swami Budhananda from the book. </span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The very concept of citizenship presupposes that we are aware of the fact that we live in a society. In this society others also live, besides oneself. And everyone is intrinsically important. These are the basic facts.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Remember, man, by and large, has not yet proved by his conduct that considers everyone as intrinsically important as himself. In India at least we have not proved it!</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is in this context that some Vedic concepts would appear to be simply amazing. Take, for example, the Vedic idea of Paraspara Bhava or mutually of concern. This idea has its root in a highly developed social consciousness, which is not so much in evidence in our times, as it should have been good for us to have.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cultivation of purposive mutuality of concern is entirely possible and most urgently needed in a modern state and society. Only when honestly and wholeheartedly we respect the fundamental rights of one and all, can we be enlightened citizens. </span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But psychologically, the best guarantee of everyone's fundamental rights is in the discharge of everyone's fundamental duties to others, taking into account the fact that we all live in a world of rising aspirations and dimishing natural resources.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Therefore, control of appetites is one of the individual important disciplines for the enlightened citizen. You take from the world what you barely need and give to the world as much as you can.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you feel disquiet when you find so many high-power lights burning in the open railway yard, and go to the person concerned to request to put the lights off, you are an enlightened citizen.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you stop to close a wayside municipal tap from which water has been flowing to no purpose, you are an enlightened citizen.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-5e9d86c8-531e-63a7-516f-3ec41ea69f35" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is being great in little things, without being watched. The enlightened citizen is a concerned citizen. Wastage anywhere hurts his sense of economy. A saving anywhere improves the credit balance of all.</span></span></span></div>
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FYI: Excerpt 1.1, coming soon.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-68752404955148964542016-03-19T10:40:00.001+05:302016-03-19T10:44:13.212+05:30"Continuation"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In my last blog, I wrote about hope and love. Strangely, I’m doubting myself if it was really me who posted the blog. I thought I knew what I was writing about although it was not wrong. However reality is stubborn and unforgiving. Or, maybe I'm forgetting ‘patience’. Damn right, patience is the need the hour.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Recently I came across a beautiful verse about love from the Bible. It says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” —I Corinthians 13:4-8</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By the way, I’m no evangelist or a hardcore Christian but just a guy trying to understand what I'm feeling, no matter what it takes. In fact, who want to be the person wandering about in a library not knowing which book to read or even without touching the books?</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The general consensus with trying to “find” love in our dating lives, is that too often we look at physical appearance, popularity, or wealth. And too often we, unfortunately, negotiate love when it has nothing to do with the surreal things. I believe love is best seen as devotion, patience and action, not exclusively based on how we feel. </span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Obviously our emotions are involved, but they cannot be our only criteria for love. And sometime our emotions can become too impatience. Like the maxim from the Bible verse, love is patient, and so on. </span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Food for thought: It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience. Julius Caesar.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-83156181737197924322016-02-27T18:26:00.000+05:302016-02-27T18:29:40.959+05:30"Hope"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. Desmond Tutu.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">To some extend or even more,hope seems to the engine in our life after we have come of age. I believe ‘hope’ keep us away from committing suicide when the chips are down. And no offence to people who think of committing suicide today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">I recently met a girl whom I really want to share the rest of my life with. There and then, I felt she is the one. HOPE….. without love is hopeless.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">I wish the romantic movie we see today are true wherein a guy fall in love with a girl and then, a happy ending. Reality is strange though it is worth it. We pray to God for strength and He gave us mountain to climb. I guess the mountain is the strength. In the same manner, I pray to God for love and He gave me one but I got to earn it.</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">Food for thought: You can't blame gravity for falling in love. Albert Einstein.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-43440263383475912652015-08-06T10:44:00.001+05:302015-08-06T10:47:59.111+05:30"Cattle Class"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I remember very well the <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tharoors-cattle-class-tweet-annoys-congress/article21179.ece" target="_blank">“Cattle class”</a> 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. </div>
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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...:)</div>
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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.</div>
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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.</div>
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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</div>
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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</div>
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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/-</div>
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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.</div>
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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.</div>
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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!</div>
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Food for Thought: "The scab is a traitor to his God, his mother, and his class." Jack London.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-65675011409715521272015-07-05T20:28:00.001+05:302015-07-05T20:29:27.349+05:30"Selfies"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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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 <a href="http://adobochronicles.com/2014/03/31/american-psychiatric-association-makes-it-official-selfie-a-mental-disorder/" target="_blank">'Selfies' as a mental disorder</a> on March 2014.<br />
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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. </div>
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Thank God! The news turned out to be a hoax as per the article <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidsturt/2014/04/29/the-selfie-mental-disorder-or-insight-to-getting-better-results/" target="_blank">"The 'Selfie': Mental Disorder Or Insight To Getting Better Results?"</a> 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...:(<br />
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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.<br />
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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? <br />
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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.<br />
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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"!...:) </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'The last click in another room', not bad!</td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 17.6000003814697px;">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." </span><span style="line-height: 17.6000003814697px;">John Gardner.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-14743607528354524612015-07-04T22:01:00.000+05:302015-07-05T00:13:24.745+05:30"A cup of Tea"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It might be crazy to be alone</div>
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It might might be selfish to be alone</div>
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It might seem, an act of coward</div>
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Make no mistake, for you're not responsible</div>
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I made the choice not hungover</div>
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I'm grateful to you but glad it's over</div>
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It gave me time to dig the world.</div>
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Alone I swim, across the river</div>
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The pain and cold I have to endure</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's worth the fight for what awaits</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To find the place, where I belong</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Without you there, to hold me back</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To tell me that the world is black.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Alone I walk into the dark</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And hope alone, becomes my light</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll walk and wait for time will come</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Along with music my heart will beat</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then I will kneel and say the word</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But hope is all I have for now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By Lawrence Sevan.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you like the poem, follow him on twitter at: <a href="https://twitter.com/sevanlawrence">https://twitter.com/sevanlawrence</a>. You may also like his first book "Break Free: The reflection you have always dreaded" already released on Amazon.in at: <a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/B00QDTZLHO">http://www.amazon.in/dp/B00QDTZLHO</a> .</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Food for Thought: “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” Confucius.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-26110885937545776352015-07-03T23:43:00.000+05:302015-07-03T23:51:35.794+05:30Platform<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;">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: </span><a href="http://www.gatesnotes.com/" style="text-align: justify;">http://www.gatesnotes.com/</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> so you can experience the way he used his platform in order to change the lives of millions
people around the world for better.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Food for Thought: “A pessimist sees the
difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
Winston S. Churchill.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-16034510764170134692015-07-02T20:40:00.001+05:302015-07-02T21:26:34.490+05:30The road with the street lights!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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…:)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-75612616484528482272015-06-30T14:49:00.000+05:302015-06-30T14:49:43.440+05:30The Headlines!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">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 <span style="line-height: 115%;">I
guessed He is feeling the heat going by the wrath of capitalisms and
killings in present world today… :) </span>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.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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.<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Food for Thought: “Where
there is love there is life.” Mahatma Gandhi.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-70852809679740411112015-06-28T15:24:00.000+05:302015-06-28T16:02:21.828+05:30Spine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“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 <span style="font-family: inherit;">endorsing it to people seeking guidance who are confusedly in
love or in dilemma with their relationships...:)</span> 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?<br />
<br />
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.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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: </div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A strong feeling of affection.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A great interest and pleasure in something.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A person or thing that one loves.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Feel deep affection or sexual love for (someone).</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Like or enjoy very much.</span></li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Antonyms of love: hate,
loathe and detest.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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. </div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-41572790653084919262015-06-25T18:57:00.000+05:302015-06-26T00:08:38.795+05:30#Widows<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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 <a href="http://roadsandkingdoms.com/2015/the-widows-of-manipur/">“The Widows of
Manipur”</a> by Shaswat Malik posted on Roads & Kingdoms.com website, <span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">an
independent journal of food, politics, travel and culture</span></span>. 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.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Sati_(practice)" target="_blank">Sati</a> 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.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Remember the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nupi_lan" target="_blank">Nupi-lan</a>, when our Manipuri women folk waged
two historic wars in 1904 and 1939 against mass exploitation and artificial
famine triggered by the British imperialists. <a href="http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main39.asp?filename=Ne310508rape_us_our_flesh.asp">Remember
the 12 women who stripped their clothes at Kangla</a> fort screaming their <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">outrage at the rape and alleged custodial murder of Thangjam Manorama, a 32-year-old<span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">by Assam Rifles, and thereby</span></span></span> to safeguard the chastity
of our state from sex predators in future. Remember our Iron Lady in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irom_Chanu_Sharmila" target="_blank">Irom Sharmila</a>, who is still fighting
for us so we can have better future free from the draconian law ‘<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armed_Forces_(Special_Powers)_Act,_1958" target="_blank">Armed Forced (Special Powers) Act, 1958</a>’. Remember our <a href="http://www.mainstreamweekly.net/article2533.html" target="_blank">Meira Paibi</a>,
our torch bearers. <a href="http://mcmarykom.com/">Mary Kom</a>, 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!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The widows of Manipur deserve nothing but our love, respect and support. Same goes for all the widows around the world.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Food for Thought: “A girl should be two things: who and what
she wants.” Coco Chanel.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-56006003559453700882015-06-23T14:51:00.000+05:302015-06-23T14:57:45.376+05:30"The Conductor"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And we have given our power, and it’s up to us to nurture
that power on how we want to shape our future.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Food for Thought: “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet
come. We have only today. Let us begin.” Mother Teresa.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Thank you.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-70174172792194396372015-06-21T04:52:00.000+05:302015-06-21T04:53:25.063+05:30#Anti-Spitting law<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saliva">The enzymes found in saliva are
essential in beginning the process of digestion of dietary starches and fats.</a>
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.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
However, some people are not so and <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Caught-spitting-Pay-Rs-1000-do-social-work/articleshow/47698216.cms?">the
anti-spitting innovative law that combines monetary punishment with mandatory
community service initiated by the Maharashtra state government</a> 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.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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 (<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rs.
95,180.00</span></span> 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. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Food for thought: "<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To
be or not to be that is the question." William Shakespeare.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Happy Father's Day!</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-85148074280867433422015-06-19T04:15:00.001+05:302015-06-19T04:28:03.090+05:30"Homo sapiens World"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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. </div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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 <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-33178035">‘the world is a
mess'</a>. 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.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.'</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cretaceous%E2%80%93Paleogene_extinction_event" target="_blank">Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event</a></span></span>. 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.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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. </div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Food for Thought: “If we didn't know better we would love
one another.” Aaron B. Powell.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you.</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-23268429056016505862015-06-17T20:16:00.002+05:302015-06-17T22:54:15.136+05:30"......., where are you?"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Thank you. </div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-42224648605365090362015-06-15T23:26:00.000+05:302015-06-15T23:27:08.384+05:30"Why Mahatma Gandhi?"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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 <a href="http://www.polity.org.za/article/mbeki-mahatma-gandhi-satyagraha-100th-anniversary-01102006-2006-10-01" target="_blank">blacks gained the right to vote</a>, came back to
India and the rest is history.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
1. Mahatma Gandhi sounds too ancient/old and seemed very conservative
to be a role model.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
2. Gandhism is totally in contrast with our present day
popular culture.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
3. How can I consider Mahatma Gandhi as role model when I'd
never offer my other cheek if anyone has slapped me?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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... :)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
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."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Food for Though: "Nobody can hurt me without my permission." Mahatma Gandhi.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thank you.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-74090036389371433612015-06-14T16:38:00.000+05:302015-06-14T16:43:39.649+05:30"Hope for fools"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5lO_L7GFp0o9uor8myTb26Y3ahNuhe4pOdFZ65HFxcXq2EQ_rwZcgPPpMYMQZPHTKm521_gUSXaoxgw22zovzha8ACqO3D8FG_FDW-7eZOa0YtKzxskDyilMdqK3kWPsrn-TVrlcQtb7/s1600/17706_860634684023392_1269542595965627319_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5lO_L7GFp0o9uor8myTb26Y3ahNuhe4pOdFZ65HFxcXq2EQ_rwZcgPPpMYMQZPHTKm521_gUSXaoxgw22zovzha8ACqO3D8FG_FDW-7eZOa0YtKzxskDyilMdqK3kWPsrn-TVrlcQtb7/s400/17706_860634684023392_1269542595965627319_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Image Courtesy: AtheistRepublic.com<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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?<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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."<br />
<br />
Food for Thought: In reality, hope is the worst of all evils, because it prolongs the torments of man. Friedrich Nietzsche<br />
<br />
Thank you. </div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-39639083895949152962015-06-12T17:39:00.000+05:302015-06-12T17:39:19.936+05:30"The road to Transition"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"You can't hold a man down without staying down with him." Booker T. Washington.</div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I read an article "<a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-roots-of-manipur-insurgency-2094038" target="_blank">Roots of Manipur insurgency</a>" 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.</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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... :) </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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? </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thank you.</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-2199141592382769212015-06-11T14:50:00.000+05:302015-06-12T20:12:51.286+05:30"Shooting stars fulfilled a wish!"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Love is blind; but it makes you see the blind man; teetering on the roadside..." Martin Amis.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JMUw4Ndpbdw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JMUw4Ndpbdw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Courtesy: YouTube</div>
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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.</div>
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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: <a href="http://www.thelancet.com/series/maternal-and-child-nutrition" target="_blank">The Lancet, Series on Maternal and Child Nutrition, 2013</a>. Forget about those 66 million primary school-age children who attend classes hungry across the developing world, with 23 million in Africa alone. Source: <a href="http://www.wfp.org/hunger/stats" target="_blank">World Food Programme Statistics</a>.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Thank you.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-47497346207600766022015-06-09T05:42:00.000+05:302015-06-09T05:44:21.455+05:30"The Blind side of News media in India"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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"Whoever controls the media, controls the mind." Jim Morrison.</div>
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Good Morning!</div>
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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.</div>
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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? </div>
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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?</div>
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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. </div>
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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. <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/budget-2015/union-budget-2015/Budget-2015-Govt-to-allocate-Rs-246727-crore-to-defence-sector/articleshow/46408202.cms" target="_blank">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</a> 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 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_in_India" target="_blank">179.6 million people in India are starving</a> as per the revised methodology and the poverty rate of Manipur is 36.89 percent?</div>
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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.</div>
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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? </div>
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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.</div>
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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.</div>
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Thank you. Have a good day!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011484827331186877.post-73218982911654564192015-06-08T16:14:00.000+05:302015-06-08T16:16:01.385+05:30"The Victors"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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"Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records." William Arthur Ward.</div>
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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. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGD8_cQsRlGNOvYFAtSPQkecQ91Irph0LpYzsZV1hK39BPVZXBrhv9r8dBDK92oZQhT3_OO6-hkwx0cr_B1MoMAecrgedGeRVMpBk83NRMiv7r9Fgjsma35TOISpMZYnIagvQuZjmZx99/s1600/Stan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGD8_cQsRlGNOvYFAtSPQkecQ91Irph0LpYzsZV1hK39BPVZXBrhv9r8dBDK92oZQhT3_OO6-hkwx0cr_B1MoMAecrgedGeRVMpBk83NRMiv7r9Fgjsma35TOISpMZYnIagvQuZjmZx99/s640/Stan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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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. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgapzzYonnhyphenhyphen7gi8g8o4hEru_lUsxjvmbk_vzTbN565x2nnI14b1Skt9eRGYrYUj43kcimm-XMSdlzmiHZKqkjiUP_jpPJHraBsMww9igYwA7NfB18z6sPiZhbGTIfoayJO0jOVDvFeDH/s1600/Barcelona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgapzzYonnhyphenhyphen7gi8g8o4hEru_lUsxjvmbk_vzTbN565x2nnI14b1Skt9eRGYrYUj43kcimm-XMSdlzmiHZKqkjiUP_jpPJHraBsMww9igYwA7NfB18z6sPiZhbGTIfoayJO0jOVDvFeDH/s640/Barcelona.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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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! <a href="http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/report-lewis-hamilton-s-new-deal-worth-staggering-140-million-052115" target="_blank">Hamilton have recently signed the new deal</a> with his current team Mercedes worth a staggering $140 million over the three-year span.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMC7FlpHxC-kvQ4xHRp47xVQrgWPXo4G_VwUB3GD_JyfoJlsPmpMjnkgRKETsUeXXJKqZC-zgyPRO5xbYkg1zjS07zNdElMcyPfrM6jpXo9jtlknhqKC3FwDFO0jZIERCJpV3fJ4amFnh/s1600/Lewis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMC7FlpHxC-kvQ4xHRp47xVQrgWPXo4G_VwUB3GD_JyfoJlsPmpMjnkgRKETsUeXXJKqZC-zgyPRO5xbYkg1zjS07zNdElMcyPfrM6jpXo9jtlknhqKC3FwDFO0jZIERCJpV3fJ4amFnh/s640/Lewis.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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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. </div>
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Food for thought: "I've never lost a game; I just ran out of time." Michael Jordan.<br />
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Thank you. Have a great week ahead!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02280948709926435662noreply@blogger.com0