Friday, December 11, 2009

The Maturing of a President

President Obama acceptance speech for 2009 Nobel Peace prize shows that he has finally taken ownership in being the President of United States. The award of Nobel Peace Prize to Obama was one of the most blatant inducements by the Left Wing to motivate the new and young President to follow their agenda. Obama’s eloquent speech supporting and defending the “just wars” has not only shattered their dream but was also a fitting reply to all the Chamberlains who have hijacked the media and academia in the West.

The hypocrisy of the Left is that they enjoy the benefits of living in secular democracies and lecture their leaders while they kiss up to the dictators. There are violent protests organized by Left Wingers to save dictators like Saddam Hussein while they are silent on the imprisonment of leaders like Aung San Suu Kyi. They want to read Miranda rights to the foreign terrorists while caring little about the victims and their families. In Oslo, Obama put his foot down and has finally become the President of United States. He deserves our congratulations and support.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

The Missing Peace Laureate

President Obama received the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize today. The awarding of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize to Obama has drawn considerable criticism. It was a big surprise for everyone, including Obama himself, as he has been President for only nine months and has yet to deliver meaningful results. Obama himself humbly admitted he does not deserve the honor. This year's decision gives further credence to past accusations that the Nobel Peace Prize has become a political award.

Mahatma (The Great Soul) Gandhi, the very apostle of peace, was not chosen for the Peace Prize despite being nominated five times, the last time in 1948 just before his assassination, presumably because Norway feared annoying the British Government. The Selection Committee was ashamed enough that they did not award the 1948 Peace Prize to anyone.

Gandhi not only mobilized India’s 330 million people to freedom from 200 years of British rule, he did it using solely non-violent means. Upon Gandhi’s death, Albert Einstein said, “Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.”
Gandhi’s example of non-violent resistance was subsequently emulated by many leaders in various parts of the world to fight oppression and injustice. Two followers of Gandhi’s path, America’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and South Africa’s Rev. Tutu, have been recognized with the honor of the Peace Prize; however Gandhi has not.

Interestingly, Gandhi’s popularity has grown with the passage of time. Statues and streets around the world are built and named for him. Whenever peaceful resistance against injustice and oppression is discussed, pundits speak of Gandhi’s way. It is clear Gandhi does not need the Peace Prize; rather, the Peace Prize needs Gandhi for its own credibility.

Denial of the Peace Prize to Gandhi was an unjust act of cowardice and stupidity. Recently, the Nobel Foundation expressed regret for its mistake. Though the Nobel Foundation needs to do a serious evaluation of the selection process for the Peace Prize and make the necessary amendments, the first step is to correct this historic wrong by awarding the 1948 Peace Prize posthumously to Gandhi. A one time exception to the Foundation’s living person rule is justified for this purpose. Otherwise the Nobel Peace Prize will remain tainted forever.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

The Climate Change Debate

The publication of the emails from a top Climate Research Center in Britain shows that there is a lot of politics behind the Climate Change debate. This also confirms that the ultra left is as guilty as the ultra right in pushing its agenda by any means.

An aggressive implementation of Climate Change Program being promoted by the ultra left environmentalists will result in loss of significant number of jobs which we and the World can not afford during this recession. It is time to take a breather on this issue and keep it as a long term goal.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Obama’s Afghan Strategy

President Obama, in a national address today announced that he is sending 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan by next summer on a limited mission. This decision is the right decision. However to talk about a time frame of limited period of 18 months only weakens America’s commitment and resolve. All Al Qaeda and Taliban have to do is to lie low for next 18 months and use this period to rebuild their forces and stockpile of arms and ammunition. Once Obama’s surge is over, they can go back on their old game of attacking and destabilizing the government. Instead of trying to please every one, it is time for Obama to be honest and say and do what he believes in.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

A for Attitude

What makes Kobe Bryant a great basket ball player? A recent article on Kobe soliciting help from another past great player Hakeem Olajuwon during summer this year shows Kobe’s mindset. It is Kobe’s willingness to be always learning and improving his game. Kobe does not control whether Los Angeles Lakers will ever win another championship. He does have control on improving his skills and the best he can be as an individual player and as a team player. If every one in Lakers does that there is a good likelyhood that they will win many more championships.

Kobe is already one of the best players in NBA. This article just shows that he is always striving to improve himself. That is why he gets an "A" for attitude.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Fort Hood & Beyond ......

The latest disturbing information regarding Major Hasan alleged web postings and his past contacts with a pro Al Qaeda Imam indicates that Hasan is more likely a Jihadist and the Fort Hood carnage was a terrorist act. Whether Hasan acted alone or is a part of wider conspiracy is yet to be established. It also looks like that many signs of Hasan’s past troubling behavior were more likely ignored for political correctness. The Fort Hood massacre is a wake up call for America and the secular world. If America does not get its act together it will be disastrous.

Regarding Islamic fundamentalism, most people seem to be missing what is involved here. So far we have only seen the tip of the iceberg of the challenges the secular world is facing. Taliban, Al Qaeda and the Islamic fundamentalists have same global agenda and want to establish their brand of Islamic Caliphate to rule the world. What is happening is not new. It is a continuation of the relentless execution of a plan which has been going on for over past one thousand years. Just look at the history of the Persian and Byzantine Empires. The Islamic fundamentalists know that the secular democracies are weak hearted and divided and will fall sooner and later. They will never give up unless they are totally eliminated. The secularists need to decide whether to face up this challenge now or meet the fate of Persian and Byzantine Empires.

As far as fighting the Islamic Fundamentalism in Afghanistan and rest of the world is concerned, it can be effectively done only by winning the hearts and minds of the majority of Muslims who are also the victims of these extremists. The continuing protests in Iran after 30 years of Mullahs’ autocratic rule and self initiated positive changes in a small enclave in Afghanistan are indications that the Muslims are ready to oppose the Islamic Fundamentalists. The secular world should help these progressive people in Muslim Countries to counter the Islamic extremists.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Civilian Trial of 9/11 Terrorists….

Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. has announced that the hardcore 9/11Attack terrorists will be tried in a Federal Court instead of in Military Courts as was planned by the previous Administration. No matter how you spin it, these terrorists are enemy combatants who attacked America. Why should they be granted the constitutional rights of American citizens? The more appropriate place to try them is in Military Courts. This decision therefore appears to be made just for political correctness.

Further the American Court system is not experienced to handle cases like these. There are no precedents for conducting these trials as indicated in the following New York Times Report and the risks of Defense Lawyers converting these trials into a circus and propaganda events are high.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/14/us/14legal.html?hp

If Obama Administration wishes to try these terrorists in American Courts, why start this process with the most dangerous terrorists like Khalid Shaikh Mohammed? Why not to gain some experience in prosecuting these case with lesser criminals? This decision shows the inexperience of the Obama Administration in general and this Attorney General in particular. While upholding the American Justice System is prudent, we also need to be fair to the victims and their families. They have rights too.

Doomsday 2012

The movie 2012 has just been released. I have not seen the movie yet, although the initial reviews do not look very good. People have worried about apocalypse for a long time and there have been predictions and panics during 2000 years as discussed in an interesting National Geographic article on 10 Failed Doomsday Prophecies.

The latest one, the 2012 end of the world prediction is, based on the theories of ancient Mayan prediction for the end of the world in year 2012 or December 21, 2012 to be exact is based on the end-date of the Mayan Long Count calendar as well as a Nostradamus prophecy. These are further fueled by the aggressive marketing of related websites, books and the movie 2012. This time, the built up of this upcoming disaster is even bigger than the Y2K panic.

Will 2012 be any different? I guess not. Another National Geographic article debunks the six myths associated with 2012 and is worth reading.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Wither GOP?

Despite recent election victories in gubernatorial contests in Virginia and New Jersey, the Republican Party must realize that its future lies in becoming inclusive for all Americans in general and the fast growing minorities in particular. The goal should be to build a long lasting coalition to meet the challenges the country and the world face. Instead of being a naysayer, the Party should focus on providing cost effective and fiscally responsible solutions for issues of importance to all Americans. For example the health care reform is not only a Democrats’ issue it is of importance to all Americans.

Lately the Republican Party seems to have been hijacked by the religious right and the ultra conservatives and has become out of touch with main stream America. It has an image of serving the special interests and the wealthy. It does not appear to be Mr. Lincoln’s Party any more. Unless it changes its course, it will continue to lose its base and may eventually be headed for demise like the Whig Party.

Is the Economy heading for a Double Dip?

The September unemployment report was a warning about a possible double dip in the economy. The October unemployment report just confirmed this trend. The broader measure of unemployment is now reported at 17.5% which is at its highest level in decades.

President Obama’s problem is that he is trying to do too many things at the same time and his administration’s lack of prioritizing. The economy and job creation should have been his first priority while the health care reforms and climate changes could have been handled next year. High unemployment also means higher health insurance costs as employer’s portion of funding ceases. However, Obama and the Democrats are too consumed in health care reforms which will create another trillion dollar deficit over the next decade.

Friday, November 6, 2009

The Fort Hood Massacre

The massacre at the Fort Hood Army base was a shocking and deplorable act. Thirteen unarmed soldiers were killed and 38 hurt at a secure army base by one of their own, a medical doctor and trained psychiatric who was supposed to heal them of war traumas. It appears that Major Nidal Malik Hasan himself needed a shrink. I pray for the peace of the departed souls; for strength and courage to their families and love ones to bear their irreplaceable loss and for the quick and full recovery of those who were hurt in this terrible carnage.

While Hasan’s horrific act of violence at Fort Hood should not be used to hold the Muslims and Islam responsible for his deplorable and terrible killing spree, this incident needs a thorough investigation. If the reports of Hassan’s alleged web postings, rationalizing and glorifying suicide bombers are correct, his may itself be such an act. Let the facts come out. Treating or spinning this incident as another crazy act for the sake of political correctness will be a blunder and very dangerous.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

There was a Reason behind the Punishment…

When I was in elementary school back in India, the school teachers used to have a number of simple techniques in their bag of tricks to control the hyper and naughty boys. We did not have co-education at that time. To us these were of course punishments.

One of the common punishments was “Kaan pakro aur utthak baithak karo” i.e. Catch your earlobes and squat down and up. Of course we hated to do it. However, doing 15 or 20 of these in a stretch used to calm down even the naughtiest kids. Recently a number of articles have been published on this exercise which is now known by its glamorous name “Super Brain Yoga”.

The following article in AARP Magazine gives a simple description of this exercise.

http://www.aarpmagazine.org/health/your_brain_on_exercise.html

For more details check out the links below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSwhpF9iJSs

http://www.superbrainyogatechnique.com/about%20super%20brain%20yoga.html

Decades later, as a grown up, I am voluntarily doing “Kaan pakro aur utthak baithak karo” or should I say the “The Super Brain Yoga” for three to five minutes a day to keep my brain stimulated and intact.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

The Afghanistan Challenge

The continuing Afghanistan Rethink seems to be causing more anxiety, than the war itself. The naysayers are either naive or they just like to be politically correct. I will suggest that that they see the movie “Charlie Wilson’s war”. If they have seen it before they need to have a refresher. After helping defeat the Soviets, Congressman Wilson, a Texas Democrat, wanted to rebuild Afghanistan but was denied the funding. The result was a takeover of Afghanistan by Taliban who provided the sanctuary to Al Qaeda and the finale of that act was 9/11. Do we really want to have a repeat of that act? Let us not forget that if America and the secular countries lose in Afghanistan then Taliban and the Islamic fundamentalists will also take over Pakistan, an unstable nuclear state, in the next few years. The next 9/11s will be lot bigger disasters and may involve nuclear bombs. This is not fear-mongering. This is a realization of what can happen.

Most people seem to be missing what is involved here. So far we have only seen the tip of the iceberg of the challenges the secular world is facing. Taliban, Al Qaeda and the Islamic fundamentalists have same global agenda and want to establish their brand of Islamic Caliphate to rule the world. What is happening is not new. It is a continuation of the relentless execution of a plan which has been going on for over past one thousand years. Just look at the history of the Persian and Byzantine Empires.

The Islamic fundamentalists know that the secular democracies are weak hearted and divided and will fall sooner and later. They will never give up unless they are totally eliminated. The secularists need to decide whether to face up this challenge now or meet the fate of Persian and Byzantine Empires.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Dealing with China

Communist China has pegged their currency to US dollar and as a result China is remains very competitive even when the dollar goes down. Despite all the suggestions Chinese have refused to allow their currency to trade freely. For details see the link below:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/opinion/23krugman.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

The problem is that the US and the Western Governments are wimps and can not stand up to Communist China. That is why China has been bullying the whole world and stealing other nation’s jobs. The solution is to close Free World’s markets to China until they fall in line and allow their currency to be freely traded.

It is time to stop worrying about what China will do with their US dollar hoardings. They also don’t have a lot of room to manipulate. If they don’t buy American bonds or sell their dollars in large amount, the dollar will go down hurting their dollar asset’s value and increasing US competitiveness.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Afghanistan Runoff Election…

The runoff election in Afghanistan is good news. Mr. Karzai should be given credit for agreeing to the runoff which is a rare occurrence in a Muslim country. Why worry about how much time, he took to agreeing to the runoff. Contrast this with what happened in Iran and we will consider this a positive event.

The focus should now be to have a free and fair election so that the Afghani people have a legimate government representing them.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Legalizing Marijuana….

Legalizing marijuana is being debated lately. A proposition to this effect will be put on ballot in California in 2010. The idea is that it will generate additional tax revenue for the State. In my opinion, America should legalize not only marijuana but all the drugs over a reasonable period of time for people 21 years and older. After all, the drugs were legal in America in early 20th century.

America should learn from the Prohibition days. Criminalizing the so called “sin” activities only drive them underground and bring in the mafia and criminals. The tax revenue generated by the sale of legalized drugs should be used to educate people about the harmful effects of the drugs. This approach is already being used successfully in fighting smoking.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

The 2009 Nobel Peace Prize - Dumb & Dumber

The 2009 Nobel Peace Prize controversy got additional fuel with the defense of their decision by the Nobel Peace Prize Selection Committee (See the link below).

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/13/AR2009101300788.html

They don’t give any solid reasons for Obama’s selection except they felt good about him. Committee Chairman Thorbjorn Jagland said "Alfred Nobel wrote that the prize should go to the person who has contributed most to the development of peace in the previous year," Obama only became President on January 20, 2009. Before that he was contesting the election so what was his contribution to peace the previous year?

Another Committee member, Inger-Marie Ytterhorn states that she watched Obama face on TV when he accepted the award and he did not look particularly happy. This member is too dumb to understand that Obama was embarrassed by this award as he knew that he did not deserve it.
It is not only the right wing opponents of Obama who are criticizing this award. The majority of the world is criticizing this award and smell politics in it. See the link below:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/09/AR2009100904381.html?hpid=topnews

http://www.economist.com/world/international/displayStory.cfm?story_id=14626903&source=most_commented

The sad part is that it is not Obama’s fault that he was given the award by these five incompetent juries. However, he is the one who is getting most of the flak for their dumb decision.

Selecting a candidate for a Nobel Prize is a sacred trust and must be above all politics and suspicion. These five Nobel Peace Prize Selection Committee members have politicized the Award. Instead of shamelessly defending their decision, they should resign and if they do not, then the only honorable course for the Norwegian Parliament is to remove them from the Selection Committee.

Monday, October 12, 2009

West’s Myopia regarding India

The New York Times editorial (see the link below) lecturing India to stop developing nuclear weapons and focus on economic growth is typical example of West’s myopic vision regarding India and what is happening in the world.

India unfortunately has tough neighborhood with an unstable nuclear armed and increasingly Jihadist Pakistan on her western frontiers and a belligerent Communist China on her east side. India needs to do whatever is necessary for her self defense and national interests.

The problem with the West is that it goes out of its way to placate Communist China and lectures Democratic India. The latest example is President Obama’s refusal to meet Dalai Lama because Obama is too concerned to offend Communist China. It is time for the West to realize that its interests and security lie with the democratic and secular India which shares common values and ideals with West and help India develop as a strong country.

http://community.nytimes.com/comments/www.nytimes.com/2009/10/12/opinion/12mon1.html

Friday, October 9, 2009

The 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

Congratulations to President Obama for winning the 2009 Nobel Prize.

Obama’s selection was of course a big surprise for every one including probably to Obama himself as he has been a President only for nine months and has not really have the opportunity to achieve any thing meaningful yet except talking about hope and giving nice speeches. In his humble comments he correctly stated “I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize, men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.”

Interestingly, Mahatma (The Great Soul) Gandhi, the apostle of Peace, was not chosen for the Peace award despite being nominated in 1937, 1938, and 1947 and just before his assassination in 1948 presumably because Norway was afraid to annoy the British Government. The 1948 Peace Prize was not awarded to any one after Gandhi’s assassination. Recently The Nobel Foundation did regret this mistake. However, they have not corrected their mistake by awarding the1948 Peace Prize posthumously to Gandhi.

President Obama deserves our best wishes and we hope that he will achieve true peace in the world by wiping out Islamic fundamentalists and Al Qaeda and he will stand up to rogue states like North Korea, Iran, Pakistan and China.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

A Cross on Public Land...

The US Supreme Court is currently hearing arguments on the legality of a Cross installed in the Mohave National Preserve in California in 1934 to honor the World War I dead. See the links below for details on this story.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/07/AR2009100703238.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-court-cross8-2009oct08,0,2065193.story


The Cross itself might not have been a problem to me as it was installed a long time ago. However, I am offended and appalled by the game played by the Congress to skirt the constitutional issue of Separation of Church and State.

The Cross should be moved to a Church where it really belongs or to a private land. A non religious War Memorial should be built at the site to honor the veterans who paid the highest price for America.

Monday, October 5, 2009

It is the Economy Stupid!

It is interesting to see the concerns about the economy being expressed by the Leftist columnists and Obama’s cheerleaders in the past. Check out the link below.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/06/opinion/06herbert.html?ref=opinion

Obama’s problem is trying to do too many things at the same time and his administration’s lack of prioritizing. The economy and job creation should have been his first priority while the health care reforms could have been handled next year. The September unemployment report is a warning about a possible double dip in the economy. However Obama and the Democrats are too consumed in health care reforms and trying to find the short cuts in Afghanistan. This may come back and haunt us next year.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Miracles do happen….

We often hear about the miracles and mostly ignore or dismiss them as gossip, fantasies or sheer con games. However, here is a real life story of man in Mumbai, India who dodged the bullet heading to his heart because of a five rupees coin in his wallet which he had in his shirt pocket. Check out the link below to read the details.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/mumbai/5-rupee-coin-stops-bullet-headed-for-mans-heart/articleshow/5085329.cms

It is well said that “If your time has not come no body can kill you and if it has come, then no body can save you”. So why should we worry unnecessarily?

Friday, October 2, 2009

The 2016 Olympics

Congratulations to Brazil for winning the 2016 Olympics. The United States recently had the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the 1984 LA Olympics. Spain and Japan also have had Olympics in the past. It was time to give the opportunity to other countries specially the developing ones. Brazil should have been the obvious choice.

President Obama’s direct involvement in pitching Chicago’s bid was overkill and raises concerns about the decision making process in White House. As a Senator, Obama had pursued this cause passionately. However, he is the President now. It is not prudent for the President of United States and the Leader of the “Free World” to spend his valuable time to get involved in tasks best suited for the Mayor of Chicago and the Governor of Illinois. Hopefully, Obama has learned a lesson here.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

How long are we likely to live?

It depends on our vital statistics, weight, life style, genealogy and most importantly, The GUY (or GAL) Upstairs. Here is a cool tool to figure this out based on what is within our control. How accurate it is? I have not idea. However, the exercise is interesting and worth going through. Try out and make your own determination.

Click on link below.
http://www.sonnyradio.com/realage3.swf

Sunday, September 27, 2009

The Afghanistan Rethink

Lately there have been lengthy discussions comparing Afghanistan with Vietnam without any meaningful conclusions or suggestions. The most recent one is an article (See the link below) by Frank Rich in New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/opinion/27rich.html?ref=opinion

What is forgotten in this comparison is that North Vietnam had not attacked America while Al Qaeda has. Also North Vietnam’s goal was to unify Vietnam albeit under their communist rule.

Taliban, Al Qaeda and the Islamic fundamentalists have same global agenda and want to establish their brand of Islamic Caliphate to rule the world. What is happening is not new. It is a continuation of the relentless execution of a plan which has been going on for over past one thousand years. Just look at the history of the Persian and Byzantine Empires. The Islamic fundamentalists know that the secular democracies are weak hearted and divided and will fall sooner and later. They will never give up unless they are totally eliminated.

Unfortunately Obama’s rethinking has so far has sent a message of confusion, hesitation and weakness to the world in general and Taliban and Al Qaeda in particular. No wonder Talban have increased their attacks in Afghanistan recently.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/24/world/asia/24military.html?hp

Let us not forget that if America loses in Afghanistan then Taliban and the Islamic fundamentalists will also take over Pakistan, an unstable nuclear state, in the next few years. This will create a very dangerous situation to United States and the secular world. The stakes in Afghanistan are much higher than they ever were in Vietnam. The secularists need to decide whether to face up this challenge now or meet the fate of Persian and Byzantine Empires.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Missile Defences in Europe

I agree with President Obama’s decision to cancel missile defence system plan related to Czech Republic and Poland (See the link below). In my opinion, Europe should take complete responsibilities for its own defense and America should even phase out all its troops from Europe in due course of time. Immediately after World War II there was a need to have a strong American troop’s presence in Europe for its defense. However after the end of cold war and the fact that Europe is affluent, American tax payers should not keep footing the bill for Europe’s security.

http://www.economist.com/world/international/displayStory.cfm?story_id=14515370&source=hptextfeature

A lot faster than Usain Bolt...

Usain Bolt was big news in August 2009 and showed the world that he was the fastest man on earth. However an 8 year old female Cheetah named Sarah bested Bolt’s world record of 9.58 seconds for 100 meter run by over 3 seconds. Sarah also broke the 2001 record of the fastest mammal. See the following link on this story and for Sarah’s incredible run.

http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92995?fp=1

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

It is hard to say Good Bye...

It has been over six weeks since my eldest sister’s husband, JijaJi, passed away due to cardiac arrest. His death was so sudden and unexpected that it was a real shock to all of us. I had spoken to him only a month earlier and he was cheerful and doing fine.

My eldest sister Jiji and I were very close and I have very fond memories of her from a very young age. When I was three year old, my father was at that time posted in a small city. Jiji used to go to school early in the morning and every afternoon I eagerly waited for her to come home. It was a joy to see her again. She used to laugh and hug me and we used to spend some quality time together. Our bond only grew stronger as we grew up and we had always been there for each other in time of our need.

JijaJi was a perfect life partner for Jiji and I know that she was very happy with him and they were happy together. He was an educator. He was highly respected by his peers and colleagues. He was one of the few people I have come across in my life, who did not expect anything from anyone and who would go out of his way to ensure that he is not a burden or problem to anyone. A saintly person, his love was for love sake. Our entire family loved him and we felt very fortunate that he was part of our family.

Unfortunately, Jiji passed away fifteen years ago. It was difficult to accept the fact that she was no more. However, Jija ji’s continued close relationship with us had acted as a cushion. After Jiji’s death, JijaJi immersed himself in his work at the Technical Institute he was associated with for a long time. After his retirement he continued working with his Institute as a consultant helping the Institute expand in other locations.

Now we have also lost JijaJi. It is difficult to reconcile with the fact that both Jiji and JijaJi are gone forever and it is so hard to say good bye.

I know that being a follower of Shri Krishna; I am not supposed to grieve. In Bhagvad Gita (BG), His sermon on the battlefield to His warrior friend and disciple Arjun approximately 5,000 years ago, Shri Krishna teaches us:

“The Blessed Lord said: While speaking learned words, you are mourning for what is not worthy of grief. Those who are wise lament neither for the living nor the dead.” BG 2.111

“As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A self-realized soul is not bewildered by such a change.” BG 2.131

“For the soul there is never birth nor death. Nor, having once been, does he ever cease to be. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, undying and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.
As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, similarly, the soul accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones.”
BG 2.201

However we are human and it is natural for us to feel both joy as well as sorrow. It is understandable to grieve and cry when we lose a loved one. What Shri Krishna is teaching us is that we should not let ourselves be overwhelmed by grief into inaction. We should also not let grief, death or fear of death cloud our judgment to stop us from performing our duties.

We should cherish the memories and the time the loved one spent with us enriching our life. Although we should realize that the departed soul is on his next journey and we should pray for his peace and for his peaceful journey to the next life. The departed soul has moved on and eventually so should we.
_________________________________________________________
1" 'Bhagavad Gita As It Is' text courtesy of The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc. www.krishna.com. Used with permission."

Saturday, August 1, 2009

How this Blog got started?

It happened approximately 4 weeks ago. My nephew and his family were visiting us for a few days and one morning we were brainstorming the current economic situation. During that discussion my nephew suggested that I should start a blog. His idea also had instant support from my family. The decision was therefore made to start a blog. A lot of things happened since then which kept me procrastinating and I was finally told by my family to eat my”frog”. If you are wondering about the “frog” just be patient there will be a post on that topic too. However I did promise my family that the blog will be started by August 1, 2009.

The next step of course was to set up the blog and the best way to do it for the novices like me is to set it up at http://www.blogger.com/. That part was of course easy. The difficult part was to decide the purpose of the blog and to select a blog address.

The idea about the blog was started because of a discussion regarding economy, however at least to start with I found it too restricting. After some thought, I decided to name my blog “Musings”. The word “Muse” is very interesting word. According to the Webster dictionary “Muse” means “to become absorbed in thought; esp: to turn something over in mind meditatively and often inconclusively”. This is exactly what I wanted to post in my blog.

Once I decided the title the next step was to find the suitable web address for the blog and that is where I went through a challenging and frustrating experience. Not only “Musings” was not available, all synonyms for “Musings” were taken. The same applied to titles such as “Thoughts”, “Random Thoughts” etc. Many of theses blog addresses were taken 3, 4 years ago. It was frustrating. Then approximately two weeks ago there was this incident about Harvard Professor Gates being arrested in his own house in Cambridge, MA. I and my wife were discussing this topic over the breakfast when suddenly the thoughts came that this incident could have been averted if cooler heads had prevailed on both sides and I told my wife that I think I got the web address for my blog. I ran up to my computer and hit “coolheads” on blogger.com and of course it was taken almost 5 years ago. However this time instead of being mad and frustrated, I did some cool thinking and decided to change the letter “c” in “coolheads” with letter “k” and searched for ‘koolheads”. Bingo! it was available. This is how this blog was setup. This blog is therefore about my musings without any serious attempt to reach conclusions. However an attempt will be made to look at these musings from a detached and calm view point.
Welcome to “Kool Heads” at http://www.thekoolheads.blogspot.com/