Folktales have always been enjoyed by everyone- children, parents, adults, everyone! Folktales have been an easy way to impart values or lessons to the younger generations. And one such folktale that I’ve always enjoyed as a child is that of 5 Brothers. According to this Chinese Folktale, there once lived, five Chinese brothers, all identical twins but having super natural powers different from each brother. One of them could gulp the whole ocean into his mouth; the other had an iron neck. The third could hold his breath for very long and the fourth could extend his legs to any length he desired. The last one could not be burnt.
Once, a small boy forced the eldest brother, who could gulp the whole ocean to take him to the ocean and help him collect rare shells. The eldest brother was adamant to not agree but the small boy managed to persuade him somehow. The brother agreed putting forth one condition. He directed the boy to keep a watch for his actions and do what is expected of him. The boy agreed and they set out towards the ocean. In one gulp, the brother devoured the whole ocean, leaving the ocean bed uncovered and his cheeks swollen. The boy ran towards it excitedly and started to collect the rarest of shells. After some time when the brother started feeling the pain in his cheeks, he frantically gave signals to the boy to come back so he could let the ocean out. But the boy was so fascinated by the site that lay infront of him that ignored those signals and continued to collect the shells. The brother continued to give signals, bearing the pain as long as he could. Finally when he could bare no longer, he let out the ocean, and the boy was gone.
When he returned to the village alone, he was accused of killing the boy. He was tried, and convicted and was given the capital punishment to be beheaded. The brother asked the judge to grant him permission to go and meet his mother once. The judge agreed and when the brother went back home, he swapped places with his second brother who had an iron neck. On the day of execution, the whole village gathered to witness the ceremony. When the executioner, tried to strike off the neck, the sword merely bounced back, doing no harm to the brother! The executioner tried it again, and again for the third time, as the villagers marveled at the sight. In vain, the executioner gave up. When this punishment could not kill the brother, the judge ordered to put the brother into a smokehouse. Once again, the brother requested the judge to allow him to meet his mother for her final blessings, and having the judge agreed went and swapped position for his third brother, who could hold his breath forever.
When the brother was put inside the smoke house, the villagers gathered around once again, convinced to see no miracle this time. But after almost 3hours when the chamber was opened in order to retrieve the offender’s body, the brother merely stepped out, stretching and yawning!! The villagers were shocked once again to see that the brother had survived this punishment as well. The judge, was furious and ordered to throw the brother in the middle of the ocean so that he would drown. But the brother pleaded to meet his mother once again, and was granted permission. (As expected), he went and swapped himself with the fourth brother who would extend his legs to any length he wanted. Then the brother was taken to the middle of the ocean in a boat and was thrown over board. For the first few minutes no one could see his face, and were satisfied that the brother was killed, but after about five minutes, his face reappeared! The brother had extended his legs and was standing easily on the ocean head making his head visible to the on lookers (though everyone thought he was still swimming). With the miracle for the third time now, most of the villagers were now convinced that the brother was not a criminal and it was god who was saving him.
So the judge, declared to try a last punishment and if the brother managed to survive this one as well, he shall be granted pardon. It was decided that the brother would be put on fire alive. The brother again pleaded for permission to meet his mother, and swapped places with his last brother who survived the fire as he couldn’t be burnt.
The judge finally granted him pardon, for he couldn’t be executed and declared that he was innocent.
It’s a simple tale, and definitely an enjoyable one. The story gives a simple value that all of us are different and unique in our own way. And that we can use our abilities to help not only ourselves but also people around us.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
must for dilli people
FOR FOOD FREAKS
Finger licking good might be the tagline for KFC, but it also suits well the yummy food one gets at a food joint in New friends colony (NFC) market, Concept. Often misunderstood as Al Beic, Concept is actually a food joint right next to Al Beic. Am a ‘Concept’ loyal and I feel its high time Concept got its true recognition.
Present at the NFC market, Concept is a small eating joint which can seat about 30-40 people. The market is situated near Escorts Hospital, on the Ashram Road, well accessible by cars or buses. This eating joint offers variety of dishes including snacks and heavy food. One can find the delicious Mughlai cuisine and the addicting Chinese cuisine here. The specialty of this place is in its ‘Shawarmas’ which are originally a delicacy from Hyderabad. Shawarmas defined simply are chicken rolls, ie chicken stuffing in a ‘maida’ roti, but paired with cheese instead of the regular chatnis.
This eating joint can be characterized by efficiency and hygiene. The food here is hygienic, and though the eating joint is more like a ‘dhaba’, care is defiantly taken towards maintaining the hygiene. Also the servers here are very efficient and one can be assured of quick service. Concept is affordable with not very high prices, and the place is quite packed on evenings, as families visit the place for a smacking dinner. During the days, the joint is occupied by students or people who have their offices in the nearby complex.
For the veges, there is the Mughlai delicacies of Dal makhni, shahee Paneer, and many more including rice and rotis. In Chinese the menu includes Manchurian, Sweet and Sour Paneer along with soups. For the Non Veges, Shawarmas are a must try!! Beverages, soups can also be ordered to go with the food. The set up here is very informal, and the joint is always a very happening and busy place. If one is looking for the sophisticated, calm and quiet treatment this place is not for you, but if one wants yummy food without much emphasis on the exotic nature, this place is a must try!
Visit with your friends or family, in day or evening, Concept is a safe eating joint and the crowd here is very much decent. The food here can be rated 4.5/5, and the cleanliness and hygiene can be rated 4/5. Concept remains as one of the few eating joints which provide value for money, providing yummy food in good quantity at affordable prices!
Finger licking good might be the tagline for KFC, but it also suits well the yummy food one gets at a food joint in New friends colony (NFC) market, Concept. Often misunderstood as Al Beic, Concept is actually a food joint right next to Al Beic. Am a ‘Concept’ loyal and I feel its high time Concept got its true recognition.
Present at the NFC market, Concept is a small eating joint which can seat about 30-40 people. The market is situated near Escorts Hospital, on the Ashram Road, well accessible by cars or buses. This eating joint offers variety of dishes including snacks and heavy food. One can find the delicious Mughlai cuisine and the addicting Chinese cuisine here. The specialty of this place is in its ‘Shawarmas’ which are originally a delicacy from Hyderabad. Shawarmas defined simply are chicken rolls, ie chicken stuffing in a ‘maida’ roti, but paired with cheese instead of the regular chatnis.
This eating joint can be characterized by efficiency and hygiene. The food here is hygienic, and though the eating joint is more like a ‘dhaba’, care is defiantly taken towards maintaining the hygiene. Also the servers here are very efficient and one can be assured of quick service. Concept is affordable with not very high prices, and the place is quite packed on evenings, as families visit the place for a smacking dinner. During the days, the joint is occupied by students or people who have their offices in the nearby complex.
For the veges, there is the Mughlai delicacies of Dal makhni, shahee Paneer, and many more including rice and rotis. In Chinese the menu includes Manchurian, Sweet and Sour Paneer along with soups. For the Non Veges, Shawarmas are a must try!! Beverages, soups can also be ordered to go with the food. The set up here is very informal, and the joint is always a very happening and busy place. If one is looking for the sophisticated, calm and quiet treatment this place is not for you, but if one wants yummy food without much emphasis on the exotic nature, this place is a must try!
Visit with your friends or family, in day or evening, Concept is a safe eating joint and the crowd here is very much decent. The food here can be rated 4.5/5, and the cleanliness and hygiene can be rated 4/5. Concept remains as one of the few eating joints which provide value for money, providing yummy food in good quantity at affordable prices!
Monday, June 22, 2009
food freaks!!!
Finger licking good might be the tagline for KFC, but it also suits well the yummy food one gets at a food joint in New friends colony (NFC) market, Concept. Often misunderstood as Al Beic, Concept is actually a food joint right next to Al Beic. Am a ‘Concept’ loyal and I feel its high time Concept got its true recognition.
Present at the NFC market, Concept is a small eating joint which can seat about 30-40 people. The market is situated near Escorts Hospital, on the Ashram Road, well accessible by cars or buses. This eating joint offers variety of dishes including snacks and heavy food. One can find the delicious Mughlai cuisine and the addicting Chinese cuisine here. The specialty of this place is in its ‘Shawarmas’ which are originally a delicacy from Hyderabad. Shawarmas defined simply are chicken rolls, ie chicken stuffing in a ‘maida’ roti, but paired with cheese instead of the regular chatnis.
This eating joint can be characterized by efficiency and hygiene. The food here is hygienic, and though the eating joint is more like a ‘dhaba’, care is defiantly taken towards maintaining the hygiene. Also the servers here are very efficient and one can be assured of quick service. Concept is affordable with not very high prices, and the place is quite packed on evenings, as families visit the place for a smacking dinner. During the days, the joint is occupied by students or people who have their offices in the nearby complex.
For the veges, there is the Mughlai delicacies of Dal makhni, shahee Paneer, and many more including rice and rotis. In Chinese the menu includes Manchurian, Sweet and Sour Paneer along with soups. For the Non Veges, Shawarmas are a must try!! Beverages, soups can also be ordered to go with the food. The set up here is very informal, and the joint is always a very happening and busy place. If one is looking for the sophisticated, calm and quiet treatment this place is not for you, but if one wants yummy food without much emphasis on the exotic nature, this place is a must try!
Visit with your friends or family, in day or evening, Concept is a safe eating joint and the crowd here is very much decent. The food here can be rated 4.5/5, and the cleanliness and hygiene can be rated 4/5. Concept remains as one of the few eating joints which provide value for money, providing yummy food in good quantity at affordable prices!
Present at the NFC market, Concept is a small eating joint which can seat about 30-40 people. The market is situated near Escorts Hospital, on the Ashram Road, well accessible by cars or buses. This eating joint offers variety of dishes including snacks and heavy food. One can find the delicious Mughlai cuisine and the addicting Chinese cuisine here. The specialty of this place is in its ‘Shawarmas’ which are originally a delicacy from Hyderabad. Shawarmas defined simply are chicken rolls, ie chicken stuffing in a ‘maida’ roti, but paired with cheese instead of the regular chatnis.
This eating joint can be characterized by efficiency and hygiene. The food here is hygienic, and though the eating joint is more like a ‘dhaba’, care is defiantly taken towards maintaining the hygiene. Also the servers here are very efficient and one can be assured of quick service. Concept is affordable with not very high prices, and the place is quite packed on evenings, as families visit the place for a smacking dinner. During the days, the joint is occupied by students or people who have their offices in the nearby complex.
For the veges, there is the Mughlai delicacies of Dal makhni, shahee Paneer, and many more including rice and rotis. In Chinese the menu includes Manchurian, Sweet and Sour Paneer along with soups. For the Non Veges, Shawarmas are a must try!! Beverages, soups can also be ordered to go with the food. The set up here is very informal, and the joint is always a very happening and busy place. If one is looking for the sophisticated, calm and quiet treatment this place is not for you, but if one wants yummy food without much emphasis on the exotic nature, this place is a must try!
Visit with your friends or family, in day or evening, Concept is a safe eating joint and the crowd here is very much decent. The food here can be rated 4.5/5, and the cleanliness and hygiene can be rated 4/5. Concept remains as one of the few eating joints which provide value for money, providing yummy food in good quantity at affordable prices!
land of llama
Leh: the Land of Llama
Located at an altitude of 3500m, Leh, capital of Ladak district of Jammu and Kashmir state, India, is a small town located in the Indus river valley at a crossroads of the old trading routes from Kashgar, Tibet, and Kashmir. The small town is compact in its settlement, with traditional mud houses and narrow lanes.
Since Leh is situated at such a high altitude, visitors do face the problem of acclimatization during the first few days. But the unique experience provided by Leh, should be a motivation enough for the travel freaks to make a visit to this place. Jammu And Kashmir is referred to as a paradise on earth, because ever y city of this state does justice to this appreciation, and Leh is no less. The city offers recreational activities, learning opportunities and delightful experiences.
Leh is well connected by roads from Manali (HP) and Kashmir. These roads start from lower altitude and gradually gain height hence helping the tourists get gradually accustomed to the change in altitude. These roads are generally open throughout the year but one recommends the time from June to October. Also, the town is well connected by rail and the nearest station is Udhampur (JnK). Also direct flights connect the town from Delhi. Kingfisher airlines, spice jet and Jet airways have one hour flights between these two cities.
In the city, most places could be visited on foot, but one could always take local taxis. The main attractions of the city include the Palace of the King of Ladakh which is the most noticeable building in Leh. The city is dominated by Buddhist religion and there are a few beautiful Buddhist temples, including Namgyal Tsemo Gompa which is right above the Palace, Soma Gompa and Karma Dupgyud Choeling which is a monastery in the Karma Kagyu tradition. There is also a Shanti Stupa, which was built by a group of Japanese monks.
The main market of Leh, offers a wide variety of local articles to buy from. There are shops famous for jewelry and precious stones, bags, pashmina shawls, and other items which could be gifted. The food joints of the town also serve a wide range of Chinese, and local cuisines, and it could be difficult to find pure vegetarian restaurants. No roaming networks work in this city except for Airtel Postpaid connections.
If one is going to Leh, it is recommended that the tour is planned for about 10 days and includes spots not only in Leh but also around the city. Local taxis need to be taken (private vehicles are not allowed) and Chang La (the third highest motorable pass) and Khardung La (the highest motorable pass) must be visited. These ‘peaks’ are designed well to welcome tourists and a special herb tea which is served here is worth mentioning. Another town is that of Hundur which is a cold desert. Here camel rides for about 20 minutes each are offered and are quite enjoyable. But perhaps the most interesting place that one must visit is the Pengong So, which is a lake shared by India and China. The lake can be visited again by taking a taxi, and the lake offers opportunity for boat rides. The most enjoyable element of all these places is that since the journey requires about 6-7 hours by road, one can stop anytime anywhere, amidst the gardens, between the roads, and marvel at the beauty and architectural sense of God.
All of the above mentioned spots have decent and budgeted housing accommodations, but one does need to plan it before hand. The town offers a beautiful getaway especially for those who enjoy scenic beauty, photography, trekking and travelling.
So just pack your back, travel light, and a camera is a must. Book your tickets and go enjoy the spectacular view of the town.
Located at an altitude of 3500m, Leh, capital of Ladak district of Jammu and Kashmir state, India, is a small town located in the Indus river valley at a crossroads of the old trading routes from Kashgar, Tibet, and Kashmir. The small town is compact in its settlement, with traditional mud houses and narrow lanes.
Since Leh is situated at such a high altitude, visitors do face the problem of acclimatization during the first few days. But the unique experience provided by Leh, should be a motivation enough for the travel freaks to make a visit to this place. Jammu And Kashmir is referred to as a paradise on earth, because ever y city of this state does justice to this appreciation, and Leh is no less. The city offers recreational activities, learning opportunities and delightful experiences.
Leh is well connected by roads from Manali (HP) and Kashmir. These roads start from lower altitude and gradually gain height hence helping the tourists get gradually accustomed to the change in altitude. These roads are generally open throughout the year but one recommends the time from June to October. Also, the town is well connected by rail and the nearest station is Udhampur (JnK). Also direct flights connect the town from Delhi. Kingfisher airlines, spice jet and Jet airways have one hour flights between these two cities.
In the city, most places could be visited on foot, but one could always take local taxis. The main attractions of the city include the Palace of the King of Ladakh which is the most noticeable building in Leh. The city is dominated by Buddhist religion and there are a few beautiful Buddhist temples, including Namgyal Tsemo Gompa which is right above the Palace, Soma Gompa and Karma Dupgyud Choeling which is a monastery in the Karma Kagyu tradition. There is also a Shanti Stupa, which was built by a group of Japanese monks.
The main market of Leh, offers a wide variety of local articles to buy from. There are shops famous for jewelry and precious stones, bags, pashmina shawls, and other items which could be gifted. The food joints of the town also serve a wide range of Chinese, and local cuisines, and it could be difficult to find pure vegetarian restaurants. No roaming networks work in this city except for Airtel Postpaid connections.
If one is going to Leh, it is recommended that the tour is planned for about 10 days and includes spots not only in Leh but also around the city. Local taxis need to be taken (private vehicles are not allowed) and Chang La (the third highest motorable pass) and Khardung La (the highest motorable pass) must be visited. These ‘peaks’ are designed well to welcome tourists and a special herb tea which is served here is worth mentioning. Another town is that of Hundur which is a cold desert. Here camel rides for about 20 minutes each are offered and are quite enjoyable. But perhaps the most interesting place that one must visit is the Pengong So, which is a lake shared by India and China. The lake can be visited again by taking a taxi, and the lake offers opportunity for boat rides. The most enjoyable element of all these places is that since the journey requires about 6-7 hours by road, one can stop anytime anywhere, amidst the gardens, between the roads, and marvel at the beauty and architectural sense of God.
All of the above mentioned spots have decent and budgeted housing accommodations, but one does need to plan it before hand. The town offers a beautiful getaway especially for those who enjoy scenic beauty, photography, trekking and travelling.
So just pack your back, travel light, and a camera is a must. Book your tickets and go enjoy the spectacular view of the town.
keep thinkin
RELIGION IS THE OPIUM OF MASSES- KARL MARX
The well-worn and well known cliché goes- religion is the opium of the masses. And how true it is!! Majority of the billions of inhabitants on this planet get their ultimate high from religion. They chant and pray, pray and chant. But I wonder for what? The ultimate goal lies in the fact that they want God to intercede on their behalf and somehow make their sorrows melt away and make their wildest yearnings come true. But despite all the chanting and praying, the sorrows still remain, yearnings still remain unfulfilled. So what do they do then? Of course, they chant some more, pray some more. And so on and so forth. Yet the wild dreams remain just that wild, desires still remain unfulfilled but the chanting and praying goes on and on, till one day they die, devolving the responsibility of appeasing that forgetful supreme authority called God on the next generation. It must be realized that the lynchpin of faith is the concept of miracle, that has been the driving force behind every religion. No religion would not be tempting enough to its practitioners unless it could dangle the carrot of a ‘miracle’ being conjured out of nowhere and improving the circumstance of every devotee.
Opium was an important medicine. It was used as a painkiller, and to cure a variety of ailments including cholera. Seen in this light, religion has been taken as a sedative too. People who have seen difficulties in their life, who have learnt to accept the challenges as a result of their ‘karma’ fall back on their religion, on their religious leaders and on their God for giving them the courage to live easy. I go for a chant session almost every week upon the insistence of my mother. I hear ever leader there, say there regularly revised line to every new devotee who is introduced to this chant. ‘oh is life too difficult for you to live? Just come into the fold of the religious leader, sureender your soul and your mind (and your wallet too because your payment is for the shortcut key) and feel the portals of a soothing new world where miracles are always round the corner. Even if the miracles don’t happen, the hope is always there, lingering in the background, like the soothing miasma of opium smoke.’ The most sordid aspect of this culture of prayers, however is that if miracles are what make a religion attractive, they do so only at the cost of making a scathing or an insulting attack on the very mortality of God. I say this not to discourage people from becoming religious. Religion, God, worship and faith have always been an important part of the Indian lifestyle. Much emphasis has been laid upon this and rightly so. One must not become an atheist. Belief in God is essential but that must not divert anyone from the course of action. It should not be a deterrent towards delivery of what is expected of you. The English proverb ‘God helps those who helps themselves’ fits well here.
God made the universe, And if God made the world he must also have made its laws. Not the laws. Not the laws of politics, but the laws of natural science, which control the physical properties of everything contained in this universe. Now a miracle, would be something against the laws of Natural Science. Men cannot walk on water, but if some sage or seer walks across the water it’s a miracle. If a disease gets cured through medical science it wont be a miracle but if it gets cured by the touch of a so called holy man it world surely be a miracle But if God as made the laws of nature why would he allow them to be broken? How can he let a seer walk on water, a holy man cure diseases by mere touch or by fulfilling dreams and desires of every devotee who chants a hym? The concept of miracles is by itself the worst insult heaped upon God,and this is a crime of which all religions are guilty of.
In another context, Opium was a keyword for widespread social conflict, particularly the Opium Wars. People are obsessive and possessive about their religion. There have been social conflicts where people have ended in the same with just a moment’s conversation. Religion has been a sensitive issue especially in a country like ours. It has been taken in as an important political agenda and vote bank politics. Like I wrote earlier- being religious is not bad, but being so sensitive about it helps no one. Religion was made to unite people, to get them closer to each other. To unite them with God, to help them understand Him better. But today religion makes one man stand against another. Brothers fight not for each other but fight each other.
It has always been emphasized that Indians have lived in peace and harmony, despite the different religions, and so has been the case. But it is undeniable that the potential of rising to conflicts is also immense. Pure incidences of these have been like the case of Babri Masjid, or the Gujarat Riots.
In today’s world, religions race against each other. It has been used to divide not to unite. One must understand the deeper meaning of every religion. It doesn’t matter which religion you pray. Which god u believe in. All religions are one, all God are one. What matters is your inner self. The religions are two. One that teaches love and one that teaches hate. Believe in the first. Be the worshipper of unity, love and understanding.
The well-worn and well known cliché goes- religion is the opium of the masses. And how true it is!! Majority of the billions of inhabitants on this planet get their ultimate high from religion. They chant and pray, pray and chant. But I wonder for what? The ultimate goal lies in the fact that they want God to intercede on their behalf and somehow make their sorrows melt away and make their wildest yearnings come true. But despite all the chanting and praying, the sorrows still remain, yearnings still remain unfulfilled. So what do they do then? Of course, they chant some more, pray some more. And so on and so forth. Yet the wild dreams remain just that wild, desires still remain unfulfilled but the chanting and praying goes on and on, till one day they die, devolving the responsibility of appeasing that forgetful supreme authority called God on the next generation. It must be realized that the lynchpin of faith is the concept of miracle, that has been the driving force behind every religion. No religion would not be tempting enough to its practitioners unless it could dangle the carrot of a ‘miracle’ being conjured out of nowhere and improving the circumstance of every devotee.
Opium was an important medicine. It was used as a painkiller, and to cure a variety of ailments including cholera. Seen in this light, religion has been taken as a sedative too. People who have seen difficulties in their life, who have learnt to accept the challenges as a result of their ‘karma’ fall back on their religion, on their religious leaders and on their God for giving them the courage to live easy. I go for a chant session almost every week upon the insistence of my mother. I hear ever leader there, say there regularly revised line to every new devotee who is introduced to this chant. ‘oh is life too difficult for you to live? Just come into the fold of the religious leader, sureender your soul and your mind (and your wallet too because your payment is for the shortcut key) and feel the portals of a soothing new world where miracles are always round the corner. Even if the miracles don’t happen, the hope is always there, lingering in the background, like the soothing miasma of opium smoke.’ The most sordid aspect of this culture of prayers, however is that if miracles are what make a religion attractive, they do so only at the cost of making a scathing or an insulting attack on the very mortality of God. I say this not to discourage people from becoming religious. Religion, God, worship and faith have always been an important part of the Indian lifestyle. Much emphasis has been laid upon this and rightly so. One must not become an atheist. Belief in God is essential but that must not divert anyone from the course of action. It should not be a deterrent towards delivery of what is expected of you. The English proverb ‘God helps those who helps themselves’ fits well here.
God made the universe, And if God made the world he must also have made its laws. Not the laws. Not the laws of politics, but the laws of natural science, which control the physical properties of everything contained in this universe. Now a miracle, would be something against the laws of Natural Science. Men cannot walk on water, but if some sage or seer walks across the water it’s a miracle. If a disease gets cured through medical science it wont be a miracle but if it gets cured by the touch of a so called holy man it world surely be a miracle But if God as made the laws of nature why would he allow them to be broken? How can he let a seer walk on water, a holy man cure diseases by mere touch or by fulfilling dreams and desires of every devotee who chants a hym? The concept of miracles is by itself the worst insult heaped upon God,and this is a crime of which all religions are guilty of.
In another context, Opium was a keyword for widespread social conflict, particularly the Opium Wars. People are obsessive and possessive about their religion. There have been social conflicts where people have ended in the same with just a moment’s conversation. Religion has been a sensitive issue especially in a country like ours. It has been taken in as an important political agenda and vote bank politics. Like I wrote earlier- being religious is not bad, but being so sensitive about it helps no one. Religion was made to unite people, to get them closer to each other. To unite them with God, to help them understand Him better. But today religion makes one man stand against another. Brothers fight not for each other but fight each other.
It has always been emphasized that Indians have lived in peace and harmony, despite the different religions, and so has been the case. But it is undeniable that the potential of rising to conflicts is also immense. Pure incidences of these have been like the case of Babri Masjid, or the Gujarat Riots.
In today’s world, religions race against each other. It has been used to divide not to unite. One must understand the deeper meaning of every religion. It doesn’t matter which religion you pray. Which god u believe in. All religions are one, all God are one. What matters is your inner self. The religions are two. One that teaches love and one that teaches hate. Believe in the first. Be the worshipper of unity, love and understanding.
btw..theres a game called hockey
THERES A GAME CALLED HOCKEY
Teacher: What is the national game of India?
Rohan: Cricket
this is a common mistake made by almost all 3rd standard students who mistake cricket for the national game, as they forget that there is a game called hockey- Hockey is our national game! So who should be blamed for this? The hockey players who failed to gather as much attention or failed to create as much hype as other sportsperson have? Or is it the media who failed to glorify the team and players as much as they glorified others? Or was it the authority and Government, who failed to give them an appropriate platform despite their performance? The responsibility cannot be fixed. Yet the fact remains that Indian hockey team and players have been denied much affection.
The game has brought much glory and respect to India on the map of world sports! This history of Indian hockey goes back to 1885 when the first hockey club came up in Calcutta and soon Bombay and Punjab followed suit. Making its Olympic debut at the 1928 Amsterdam Games, Indian hockey team cruised home to its first Olympic gold, without conceding a single goal. The hallmark of this ruthless domination was the wizardry of Indian hockey legend - Dhyan Chand, who mesmerized the Amsterdam crowd with his dazzling skills. From there on, India won six straight Olympic gold medals while winning 24 consecutive matches between 1924 and 1956, a record likely to stand through the ages. The Indians have won two more gold since then. The team continued to do brilliantly and made India proud every time they got an opportunity. Talking about some of the legendary and outstanding players of Indian hockey, Dhyan Chand, K.D. Singh, Dhanraj Pillay, Balbir Singh and Dilip Tirkey are some names that come to mind instantly. Thanks to their exceptional gaming technique and enduring enthusiasm, the position of India in the field of hockey achieved new heights.
However, it’s unfortunate for Indian hockey, that such legends whom the world revered, had to undergo pathetic treatment from the hockey federation. When the legend of legends Dhyan Chand was ailing in his last days, he was dumped in the general ward, and only after an article by a journalist, he was shifted to a special ward. Hockey has been overshadowed by other popular games who have received more media hype and fan attention.
Dhoni’s haircut, Yuvraj’s affairs, Sehwag’s injury, are to sight a few examples, the hot topics of any discussions. IPL tee shirts, IPL happy hours etc are the most popular advertisement gimmicks most companies indulge in during IPL season. But how many of us honestly know the captain of hockey team? Or how many of us honestly know that there is a premier hockey league as well?!! It’s true that the popularity of a sport depends upon the liking of the public, individual tastes etc. but its also true that if special efforts are made by media and authorities to at least get the game under spotlight and create awareness about it, the game would definitely receive the recognition in our nation that it truly deserves after getting all the glory to the nation!
During the recent times, when Indian sportspersons were swiftly asserting themselves on the global stage, India’s hockey fate was plunging to a chasm. Gradually things took a turn for the worse with the Indian team which was failing to keep pace with vastly improving European rivals. With success being far and few between, hockey was losing out to other popular sports that have brought India international success.
But when things changed, and hockey team emerged again, media was still not enthused to cover them more and bring them back to be the hero in the hearts of the Indian public. Surprisingly even the Government remembers the hockey team only during the time of World Cup, Olympics, and the Asiad.
Most people in India complain and crib about systems that don’t work. But unfortunately, they never make an effort to change it. Hockey, the national sport of India, is also in such a state. Cricket has taken over the position, though unofficially, and cricketers have become the gods of the masses. A loss in cricket is equated to a national loss and a matter of national shame. On the other hand, a win in hockey was treated as if a child had won a match at school.
However fortunately, for the past four years, opinions seem to have changed for the game with the launch of Premier Hockey League. The Premier Hockey League (PHL) is a domestic field hockey tournament conducted by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) with active support from sports news channel ESPN India. The tournament was initiated to revive interest in the sport, which was losing spectator interest. There were 7teams including Bangalore Hi-Fliers, Chennai Veerans, Hyderabad Sultans, Maratha Warriors, Sher-e-Jalandhar, Chandigarh Dynamos and Orissa Steelers. This effort was appreciated, and hockey was brought back to the main focus. Another attempt was made, in the form of ‘Chak De’, which was much appreciated. The movie tried to go away from the main stream cinema idea of cricket, and tried to show the potential and capacity of the Indian Hockey team.
Many in the Indian hockey circles are delighted to have hockey glamorized with the intention of reviving the flagging sport. Though experts do accuse the Indian Hockey Federation of being too lethargic and bureaucratic in popularizing the sport, the International Hockey Federation is keenly studying the format. We must not forget that hockey is the game the world learnt from us and we are now distancing ourselves from the game. It is high time we give the game and its players credit and fame. We could do our bit by emphasizing on it at school level, or college levels. I do not say that one steals the crown from cricket. It’s not a cricket vs hockey debate. But the issue here is that our game, our national game is loosing its sheen. We must remember that there’s a game called hockey- our national game!
Teacher: What is the national game of India?
Rohan: Cricket
this is a common mistake made by almost all 3rd standard students who mistake cricket for the national game, as they forget that there is a game called hockey- Hockey is our national game! So who should be blamed for this? The hockey players who failed to gather as much attention or failed to create as much hype as other sportsperson have? Or is it the media who failed to glorify the team and players as much as they glorified others? Or was it the authority and Government, who failed to give them an appropriate platform despite their performance? The responsibility cannot be fixed. Yet the fact remains that Indian hockey team and players have been denied much affection.
The game has brought much glory and respect to India on the map of world sports! This history of Indian hockey goes back to 1885 when the first hockey club came up in Calcutta and soon Bombay and Punjab followed suit. Making its Olympic debut at the 1928 Amsterdam Games, Indian hockey team cruised home to its first Olympic gold, without conceding a single goal. The hallmark of this ruthless domination was the wizardry of Indian hockey legend - Dhyan Chand, who mesmerized the Amsterdam crowd with his dazzling skills. From there on, India won six straight Olympic gold medals while winning 24 consecutive matches between 1924 and 1956, a record likely to stand through the ages. The Indians have won two more gold since then. The team continued to do brilliantly and made India proud every time they got an opportunity. Talking about some of the legendary and outstanding players of Indian hockey, Dhyan Chand, K.D. Singh, Dhanraj Pillay, Balbir Singh and Dilip Tirkey are some names that come to mind instantly. Thanks to their exceptional gaming technique and enduring enthusiasm, the position of India in the field of hockey achieved new heights.
However, it’s unfortunate for Indian hockey, that such legends whom the world revered, had to undergo pathetic treatment from the hockey federation. When the legend of legends Dhyan Chand was ailing in his last days, he was dumped in the general ward, and only after an article by a journalist, he was shifted to a special ward. Hockey has been overshadowed by other popular games who have received more media hype and fan attention.
Dhoni’s haircut, Yuvraj’s affairs, Sehwag’s injury, are to sight a few examples, the hot topics of any discussions. IPL tee shirts, IPL happy hours etc are the most popular advertisement gimmicks most companies indulge in during IPL season. But how many of us honestly know the captain of hockey team? Or how many of us honestly know that there is a premier hockey league as well?!! It’s true that the popularity of a sport depends upon the liking of the public, individual tastes etc. but its also true that if special efforts are made by media and authorities to at least get the game under spotlight and create awareness about it, the game would definitely receive the recognition in our nation that it truly deserves after getting all the glory to the nation!
During the recent times, when Indian sportspersons were swiftly asserting themselves on the global stage, India’s hockey fate was plunging to a chasm. Gradually things took a turn for the worse with the Indian team which was failing to keep pace with vastly improving European rivals. With success being far and few between, hockey was losing out to other popular sports that have brought India international success.
But when things changed, and hockey team emerged again, media was still not enthused to cover them more and bring them back to be the hero in the hearts of the Indian public. Surprisingly even the Government remembers the hockey team only during the time of World Cup, Olympics, and the Asiad.
Most people in India complain and crib about systems that don’t work. But unfortunately, they never make an effort to change it. Hockey, the national sport of India, is also in such a state. Cricket has taken over the position, though unofficially, and cricketers have become the gods of the masses. A loss in cricket is equated to a national loss and a matter of national shame. On the other hand, a win in hockey was treated as if a child had won a match at school.
However fortunately, for the past four years, opinions seem to have changed for the game with the launch of Premier Hockey League. The Premier Hockey League (PHL) is a domestic field hockey tournament conducted by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) with active support from sports news channel ESPN India. The tournament was initiated to revive interest in the sport, which was losing spectator interest. There were 7teams including Bangalore Hi-Fliers, Chennai Veerans, Hyderabad Sultans, Maratha Warriors, Sher-e-Jalandhar, Chandigarh Dynamos and Orissa Steelers. This effort was appreciated, and hockey was brought back to the main focus. Another attempt was made, in the form of ‘Chak De’, which was much appreciated. The movie tried to go away from the main stream cinema idea of cricket, and tried to show the potential and capacity of the Indian Hockey team.
Many in the Indian hockey circles are delighted to have hockey glamorized with the intention of reviving the flagging sport. Though experts do accuse the Indian Hockey Federation of being too lethargic and bureaucratic in popularizing the sport, the International Hockey Federation is keenly studying the format. We must not forget that hockey is the game the world learnt from us and we are now distancing ourselves from the game. It is high time we give the game and its players credit and fame. We could do our bit by emphasizing on it at school level, or college levels. I do not say that one steals the crown from cricket. It’s not a cricket vs hockey debate. But the issue here is that our game, our national game is loosing its sheen. We must remember that there’s a game called hockey- our national game!
australia- racism..really??
I woke up on a lazy Sunday morning and while I was flipping over the channels I happened to see breaking news over one of the known news channels, which read “Racist Australia”. I just watched on to see if Symonds was in any controversy again, but things proved to be quite different this time. A ghastly image of an Indian amidst medical facilities came up on TV. The reporter went on to say that this Indian was attacked by Australians. The reason was no theft, no rape. But ‘race difference’. The victim was identified to be Sravan Kumar Theerthala, a medical student who was studying in Australia and hailed from Andhra Pradesh. He was stabbed by a screw driver and was in a critical situation, fighting for his life in coma at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. The news went on to flash another similar incidence, fourth of its kind in three weeks, in which another student Baljinder Singh was robbed and stabbed outside a railway station.
I followed the news, as the channels, news papers, discussions were flogged by this issue only. Everyone had a different perception, most of them quite sympathizing with the Indian students, and most of them jumping to conclusions such as Australia not being a safe country anymore and that number of students going to Australia would dip immediately. I listened to all, forming my own views, changing them, arguing with some and agreeing with some. We all know Indian TV media and Indians are quixotic enough to jump to quick conclusions.
But I pretty much do not form rigid opinions about such issues and hence would try and put forth a very diplomatic analysis of this situation.
In Australia, Indian student community includes about 90,000 students. Indians have always preferred Australia as an education destination over UK or USA for various reasons. Australia has a stronger and more stable Government, the teaching environment there has always been appreciated and the tuition fees and cost of living is Australia is cheaper than other countries. One explanation for these attacks could be related to this. In Australia, tuition fees level for domestic student is limited but not for an international student. Universities lose money on every local student they enroll while international student becomes a bonus. Due to large enrollment of foreign students a number of resources are bagged by foreigners which otherwise would be available to local students. High competition to get an entry in good course at prestigious university may be a killing factor evolving among nationals. Further more, With an economic slowdown stretching around the globe, job scenarios are also worsening. Job crunch and insecurity may be another factor too. While Australians are getting fired, foreign students are capping opportunities. These include not just Indian students studying in Australia but also many IITs and IIMs progeny who get placed in Australian companies, so the youth of first world has started feeling insecure. They view it as a seizure of their rightful employment by their Indian counterpart and hence becomes quite intolerable for an Australian national. This insecurity and threat is in a way seeking an outlet and metamorphosing into racist attacks that have been witnessed in the recent times. This is also prevalent amongst students who accept mediocre jobs at restaurants and food joints to support their tuition fees. Something that again gets in insecurity as these are means of earning pocket money for many of the Australian teenagers.
So are these attacks really racist or a conspiracy which isn’t smelled yet? These attacks will lower down the enrollment by foreign students initially by Indian students later on followed by other nationals too. These lowering enrollments will free up resources grabbed by international students easing up competition for the locals. Also if such incidents happens in corporate world too in Australia which is still to be reported, locals will become a choice at the time of hiring thus creating more opportunities for them.
Another point to ponder upon is that with Chinese students in majority why only Indian students are being targeted? It could be because of the increasing influence of Indians around the globe. Recently India has been challenging Australian supremacy in many fields whether it is cricket or nuclear fuel availability model which may trigger a feeling of hatred amongst the common man. May be Chinese students were also victims of such attacks and their voices got suppressed by the louder outcry of Indians. The recent rally by Indian students in Australia to protest against these attacks was hugely joined by other international students, which proved that they were also victims of such incidents and this time they got a platform to raise their voices too.
However, a matter that must be scrutinized more closely is that, why are the Indians only attacked worldwide? These attacks are not particular to Australia and are not happening or the first time. Similar attacks happened in December, 2001. Students have faced racial discrimination in UK, USA etc. so is it really racism that drives this hatred or something else? Many of the reasons I stated above can also be generalized to other countries. Another reason could be that maybe Indians themselves take their manners for granted and do not behave as they are expected to. For eg in Germany if you do not address a person with respect during your conversation, they will simply walk away from you. You cannot call that racism; just that it’s their culture of giving respect and taking it back. Similarly, Indians who are not fluent in use of ‘excuse me’, ‘thankyou’ and ‘sorry’ do not get much appreciation from the Australians. Inappropriate use might be the reason they end up in bad books. And it must be understood that this is not exactly what one can call racism! Care has to be taken to behave like a Roman when you’re in Rome. This is something which we pretty much must learn in our life. Indians continue to interfere in other’s personal works not realizing that though it might be appreciated in their home country, the same is not liked in these countries where much emphasis is laid upon independence.
It must not be forgotten that these condemnable acts do not necessarily reflect the perception of the first world society as a whole. Reason and rationality are slumbering but not non-existent. Every country has its share of cantankerous, fanatic masses. This, however, does not imply that every Australian is against every Indian or vice-versa. However, it cannot be argued that the Australian government needs to try and find out a solution to this problem. Though it has tightened security, and is trying to create awareness among student, much this alone wouldn’t suffice. Such feelings mostly stem from fear and inability to accept a foreigner in one’s own land, but with the world turning into a global village, something must be done to remove this menace from its roots. The Government must link all the incidents together in order to find out the root cause of the problem, whether it’s a conspiracy or mere discrete incidents. Also they should try to find out what is causing these incidents. Is there any outrage growing in local students or the feel of insecurity is causing this? Or is just an after affect of the meltdown that has rendered the native Australians jobless only to find that the suitable jobs have been occupied by Indians?
I followed the news, as the channels, news papers, discussions were flogged by this issue only. Everyone had a different perception, most of them quite sympathizing with the Indian students, and most of them jumping to conclusions such as Australia not being a safe country anymore and that number of students going to Australia would dip immediately. I listened to all, forming my own views, changing them, arguing with some and agreeing with some. We all know Indian TV media and Indians are quixotic enough to jump to quick conclusions.
But I pretty much do not form rigid opinions about such issues and hence would try and put forth a very diplomatic analysis of this situation.
In Australia, Indian student community includes about 90,000 students. Indians have always preferred Australia as an education destination over UK or USA for various reasons. Australia has a stronger and more stable Government, the teaching environment there has always been appreciated and the tuition fees and cost of living is Australia is cheaper than other countries. One explanation for these attacks could be related to this. In Australia, tuition fees level for domestic student is limited but not for an international student. Universities lose money on every local student they enroll while international student becomes a bonus. Due to large enrollment of foreign students a number of resources are bagged by foreigners which otherwise would be available to local students. High competition to get an entry in good course at prestigious university may be a killing factor evolving among nationals. Further more, With an economic slowdown stretching around the globe, job scenarios are also worsening. Job crunch and insecurity may be another factor too. While Australians are getting fired, foreign students are capping opportunities. These include not just Indian students studying in Australia but also many IITs and IIMs progeny who get placed in Australian companies, so the youth of first world has started feeling insecure. They view it as a seizure of their rightful employment by their Indian counterpart and hence becomes quite intolerable for an Australian national. This insecurity and threat is in a way seeking an outlet and metamorphosing into racist attacks that have been witnessed in the recent times. This is also prevalent amongst students who accept mediocre jobs at restaurants and food joints to support their tuition fees. Something that again gets in insecurity as these are means of earning pocket money for many of the Australian teenagers.
So are these attacks really racist or a conspiracy which isn’t smelled yet? These attacks will lower down the enrollment by foreign students initially by Indian students later on followed by other nationals too. These lowering enrollments will free up resources grabbed by international students easing up competition for the locals. Also if such incidents happens in corporate world too in Australia which is still to be reported, locals will become a choice at the time of hiring thus creating more opportunities for them.
Another point to ponder upon is that with Chinese students in majority why only Indian students are being targeted? It could be because of the increasing influence of Indians around the globe. Recently India has been challenging Australian supremacy in many fields whether it is cricket or nuclear fuel availability model which may trigger a feeling of hatred amongst the common man. May be Chinese students were also victims of such attacks and their voices got suppressed by the louder outcry of Indians. The recent rally by Indian students in Australia to protest against these attacks was hugely joined by other international students, which proved that they were also victims of such incidents and this time they got a platform to raise their voices too.
However, a matter that must be scrutinized more closely is that, why are the Indians only attacked worldwide? These attacks are not particular to Australia and are not happening or the first time. Similar attacks happened in December, 2001. Students have faced racial discrimination in UK, USA etc. so is it really racism that drives this hatred or something else? Many of the reasons I stated above can also be generalized to other countries. Another reason could be that maybe Indians themselves take their manners for granted and do not behave as they are expected to. For eg in Germany if you do not address a person with respect during your conversation, they will simply walk away from you. You cannot call that racism; just that it’s their culture of giving respect and taking it back. Similarly, Indians who are not fluent in use of ‘excuse me’, ‘thankyou’ and ‘sorry’ do not get much appreciation from the Australians. Inappropriate use might be the reason they end up in bad books. And it must be understood that this is not exactly what one can call racism! Care has to be taken to behave like a Roman when you’re in Rome. This is something which we pretty much must learn in our life. Indians continue to interfere in other’s personal works not realizing that though it might be appreciated in their home country, the same is not liked in these countries where much emphasis is laid upon independence.
It must not be forgotten that these condemnable acts do not necessarily reflect the perception of the first world society as a whole. Reason and rationality are slumbering but not non-existent. Every country has its share of cantankerous, fanatic masses. This, however, does not imply that every Australian is against every Indian or vice-versa. However, it cannot be argued that the Australian government needs to try and find out a solution to this problem. Though it has tightened security, and is trying to create awareness among student, much this alone wouldn’t suffice. Such feelings mostly stem from fear and inability to accept a foreigner in one’s own land, but with the world turning into a global village, something must be done to remove this menace from its roots. The Government must link all the incidents together in order to find out the root cause of the problem, whether it’s a conspiracy or mere discrete incidents. Also they should try to find out what is causing these incidents. Is there any outrage growing in local students or the feel of insecurity is causing this? Or is just an after affect of the meltdown that has rendered the native Australians jobless only to find that the suitable jobs have been occupied by Indians?
love aint cost no thing??
How much does love cost??
Almost all of us have had a boyfriend or a girlfriend, and as a result almost all of us have learnt money management! When one falls in love, he must mentally be prepared to even shell out money. But in this who generally pays more? And how much does love cost? There are two views: The girlfriend view and the boyfriend view. So how much does love cost?? Ill write both the sides…in both monetary terms.
First comes the proposal.. generally guys try and take out the easiest and cheapest way out here. A rose generally solves the purpose well. So the guy buys the girl a rose which costs around 5bucks. Though there are times guys try and make it special by going beyond the general way. My college friend asked out a girl with a Mc Donald’s burger and another one with Nirulas ice cream. Sometimes to avoid even asking out on face, cell phones or emails are used. Long conversations on phone or even exchanging few smss have become quite a trend.
But expenses in love are recurring. Regular outings, movies, dates, dines, gifts, recharges, surprises, treats become quite a routine. Treats and dining could include anything from simple momos and icecreams to dining at Nirulas, KFC etc. though movie ticket rates for morning show have reduced, yet each outing of movie costs you lots including movie ticket, popcorn, pepsi and lunch. Not every guy has the liberty of having the car. So then there’s an extra expenditure on transport by auto. Not every girl is sporting enough to travel in buses and could be particular about autos or car. Guys have to generally bare with the tantrums in the form of eating at specific joints, meeting at specific places or going to particular markets. Not all girls willingly share the bill and the guy has to shell out from his pocket.
So are guys the financers in every relationship?? No! there are lots of girlfriends who willingly pay half the bill if not more.. they contribute in movie tickets and don’t get too demanding. But all this is of a very individual nature. It depends from a couple to another, circumstance to circumstance, and occasion to occasion. A year has several occasions for which the couples do have to keep extra budget!! Valentine ’s Day, anniversary, birthdays and some couples even celebrate the dates when they first help hands or kissed! So like I said it’s of a very individualistic nature.
But according to me there are different ways in which love can be expressed even when your tight on your budget. Small surprises like a bar of chocolate or favorite ice cream, a red rose or a card convey lot of feelings and generally lot of girls appreciate it. Girls look for emotional support and these small gifts are quite meaningful to them. So for guys tasks become easier, as they can easily indulge even with their boy friends while for girls it’s a little difficult. Girls do need to keep a tough budget for guys since they generally don’t like anything less than a woodland shirt or levis jeans. But girls could try cooking them cake or organizing them a candle light dinner.
Hence, love does cost much. Its quite expensive to have a girl friend or a boy friend in today’s time. And this is put forth so well by a joke. There was once a beggar who was begging for 10bucks for he wanted to have a coffee. But one person asked him why he wanted 10bucks when the tea costed only 5bucks. He replied because I’ve a girlfriend too. (though this joke is quite applicable to the guys also, who do get broke soon and then it’s the girl who pays more frequently!)
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