A Survey

A worldwide survey was conducted by the UN.
The only question asked was  :- 
                                                                
“Would you please give your honest opinion about solutions to the food shortage in the rest of the world?”
 
The survey was a huge failure .
 
Reason ???
 
1.  In Africa,  they didn’t know what ‘food’ meant.
2.  In India,  they didn’t know what ‘honest’ meant.
3.  In Europe,  they didn’t know what ’shortage’ meant.
4.  In China,  they didn’t know what ‘opinion’ meant.
5.  In the Middle East,  they didn’t know what ’solution’ meant.
6.  In South America,  they didn’t know what ‘please’ meant.
7.  And in the USA they didn’t know what ‘the rest of the world’ meant !!!!!

Naughty at Forty

Forty is such an age when the good ones become naughty and the naughty ones become good. Well, they have their fill in either of the phases of life! Maybe they are just tired of being what they were and wish to bring a change in their life. The good ones are, kind of bored in refraining themselves from all temptations and now wish to break free from the shackles of the so called 'forbidden' especially when it comes to the opposite sex. Those who have been naughty somehow become tired of all the pranks they played and overgrow their 'flirting around' attitude and mellow down to be more somber. Well, that's the way of life! At times, consistency sucks!!!!!!  

Ask the women, they feel more lovelorn than men at forty! It is said, the heat is strongest at 40, no matter whether male or female. Well, some of the women prefer men above forty because they find them more matured, wise, and settled, no- nonsense, and less- fussy, experienced and silver tongued. They find them smooth, as the smoothest of Vodka. Well well there are some who prefer the young dudes too! Although 90% women will flutter around but will still be a homing pigeon. Society, responsibility, family etc. the same blah' blah' blah' will not let them live (or should I say 'love') at peace!!! Heck! History and Holy Scriptures are replete with instances where Kunti, Draupadi, etc. etc. had more than one husband or lovers, then why all the rules imposed on the women of this generation???? Not fair'

Ask men, they would do anything to relive their youth once they turn forty! They have had enough, enough of running around, responsibilities, running crazily after career and accomplishment and also enough of wifey's nagging and parents rod on their head! For them forty means 'Rebirth'. They wish to be a boy at forty who would love to hopelessly fall in love once again!  Women suddenly appear to be more beautiful to them and if asked to start an affair then they wouldn't want to waste time gifting Roses etc. baaah! You think I am a fool? Who has the time to beat around the bush? Apparently, they finally seem to have gathered courage to talk straight and more candidly! Their range for loving a woman varies from 20-60 years of age, ideal range for a man at forty!!! Ask them about women at forty and they reply, hmm, 'A woman at forty doesn't yell, doesn't swell and is grateful as Hell!!!!!!' (Hey that's a pretty naughty answer! But boys will be boys!) Anyway, men have a good excuse for their changed persona, as they can easily blame it on their testosterones!!!!!!

 Mostly all men and women wish to fly freely but at the end of the day they find solace only in their nest! Believe it or not, that's the way of life. Be easy, live it, love it and enjoy the years left in life.

But what do we do at the age of sixty????? Well, well, Charge up your batteries then! How do you say!!!!!

 P.S. I still have few more years to reach forty but I hope I guessed it right …

Wish all my Ri-land friends a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Dazzle like a star and spread the fragrance of happiness like a flower.

God Bless you all and fulfill all your wishes!

Kissing under the Mistletoe

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Hi friends,

This blog is particularly for those who are curious to know about the Mistletoe plant and what makes kissing under the Mistletoe so special!

Firstly, I shall give you a brief description of the plant.

Mistletoe is a parasitic plant, which usually grows on the branches or trunk of a tree, from which it also absorbs its nutrition. Mistletoe can also grow independently but is usually found growing as a parasitic plant on an apple tree or at times on oak trees.

We may find two types of Mistletoes-

1.���� Phoradendron flavescens: It is used as a Christmas decoration and can easily be found in North America.

2.���� Viscum album: This breed of Mistletoe is native to Europe and is believed to be poisonous. This plant was considered auspicious by the Europeans and was used it in most of the occasions and ceremonies.

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(Yawn, yawn zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz)

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Now for those who haven�t gone off to sleep�

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�Many folklore customs have been associated with the Mistletoe. It is also said to possess mystical powers and medicinal properties.

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Here is an interesting legend associated with the plant:

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The legend

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This legend is associated with Goddess Frigga, the goddess of Love. Frigga possessed a sacred plant called the Mistletoe. Frigga had a son named Balder, the God of Summer Sun (Hey, this sounds strange, different Gods of Sun in winter, spring, autumn!!!!!!!).

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One day Balder had a dream of his own death. Frigga was extremely disturbed after hearing her son�s dream because if he died then all the life on Earth would end.

To avoid this from happening, Frigga went to air, water, earth, fire, all the plants and animals and sought a promise from them that no harm would ever come to her son. Now, Balder was totally safe from those on or under the earth.

Balder had one enemy, Loki, God of Evil. Loki knew that Frigga had overlooked one plant, which grew neither on the Earth nor under the Earth, but on apple and Oak trees (Darn it! Why are the enemies always so well informed and so intelligent???????). The plant was, the lowly Mistletoe (Obviously!!!!!).

(Now let�s see what cooked in Loki�s head…) Hmm, Loki made an arrow tip of the Mistletoe and gave it to the blind God of winter, Hoder, who unknowingly struck Balder dead! (Loki was smart eh! And how convenient, the evil brain worked neatly enough, putting the blame on Hoder).

With the death of Balder, the sky became sallow and everything on the Earth and heaven wept for the Sun God. For three days, each element kept trying to bring Balder back to life. Finally Balder�s life was restored by his own mother, Frigga.

It is said that the tears that Frigga shed for her son fell on the Mistletoe plant and they turned into pearly white berries on the plant. Overjoyed by seeing her son coming back to life, Frigga kissed and blessed everyone who passed beneath the tree, on which it grew. (So sweet!!!!)

The story ends stating a message that whosoever stands under the humble Mistletoe will never come across any evil or harm, will always be blessed by a �token of love, The Kiss.

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The End. (Hehehe, Finally!!!!!!!!!)

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At Christmas time (Well, can be on other occasions too), a young lady standing under the Mistletoe, cannot be refused to be kissed. A kiss under the Mistletoe could mean a deep romance or lasting friendship and goodwill. According to legend, a man had to kiss any young girl who, without realizing it, found herself accidentally under a sprig of mistletoe hanging from the ceiling. (Hey, that�s a boon to all men, provided they like the girl!)

So, on that note a good chance for all the male lovers and time for the young ladies to be more alert (Well, if there is someone you like, don�t� let go the chance of standing under the Mistletoe and do pretend to be unaware of standing beneath that plant !)

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Merry Christmas!

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Hello Friends,

Please read the article, • OSO composer takes on news channels on rediff homepage. It is an important issue which the government should take into account. The singers Vishal and Shekhar have filed a petition against the minute by minute, second by second detail aired by the media persons during the terrorist attack in Mumbai. Its repercurssions proved to be disastrous as the terrorists have the minutest detail of the plan of action, and every move of our commandos.

There must have been some check on airing the entire info, as the terrorist chief feasted on it through the satellite network. This should not be repeated in future. There must be some yardsticks to what the media airs and those yardsticks should be strictly adhered to… What do you say?

I am pasting the petition that Vishal Daldani and Shekhar have filed (to the High Court Mumbai) and hope you to support them by signing the petition. You can go to to the rediff home page , click on the article heading • OSO composer takes on news channels  , click the article, read it and sign in too. I did the same. If not much, we can atleast do this little task to bring about a change in the system.

Jai Hind

The Petition

December 1st, 2008

The Petition

TO THE HONOURABLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND OTHER PUISNE JUDGES OF THE HIGH COURT AT BOMBAY.

My name is Vishal Dadlani. I was born in Bombay in 1973, and have lived here my whole life. I’m a musician.

Just like the rest of the world, from the moment I learnt of the attacks, I stayed up watching television. I saw our local Police try to figure things out, I watched our valiant Officers Karkare, Salaskar and Kamte arrive, and almost immediately, lose their lives. I saw the NSG and Marcos arrive and started to watch each step of their operation, when suddenly, realization dawned! Over the next thirty or forty hours, I watched, helpless and frustrated, as our very own electronic media did things that seemed blatantly wrong to me.

What they were broadcasting in the name of the news, were in fact the exact operational procedures, locations, and actions of our anti-insurgency forces! Minute-by-minute!

I don’t know anything about how the Armed Forces work, and I understand nothing of terrorist-strikes and the correct media procedures involved. There are a few questions I would like to bring up, and have answered, though.

1. Is it acceptable to us that what should have been a classified operation, was in fact an open book? Are we fine with the fact that terrorists inside the besieged buildings could have had real-time access to the same news channels that we did, thus giving them complete and thorough information about the actions of our forces? Is it condonable, that some of our men may have been placed at a disadvantage (and even killed) due to the fact that the very terrorists they were trying to locate and subdue, probably knew every detail of their positions and plans?

The electronic media may defend their position with the “Freedom of the Press” slogan that has been so often invoked, but I beg to differ. I think that in the absence of responsible self-censorship, the media must be instructed to act in a particular manner, as required by on-ground reality.

The TV channels may try and say that their “live” feeds are slightly delayed, thus reducing their relevance to the terrorists. However, consider a terrorist inside a building, who has no information as to how and from which direction the forces are approaching. Then, consider the same terrorist, a few minutes later, with complete details as to where the forces have entered from, and obviously, the direction of their approach.

It was approximately forty hours after the attacks began, (and I’m told, on repeated requests from the I & B ministry) that some channels started to point their cameras away from the operations, and started to say things like “without giving away too much detail”! Too little, too late perhaps?

This was obviously a huge mistake. I think it’s crucial that this blunder not be repeated, and to that effect, a code of conduct be created for the electronic media in times of national crisis.

The electronic media must not be allowed to show a live anti-terrorist operation until it is safely concluded! They must obey when they are told to disperse, and they must respect cordons created by the operating force.

2. Another question I’d like to ask is whether it’s correct, both morally and legally, for a TV channel to broadcast to the Nation, an alleged live phone call, purportedly from one of the terrorists. The perpetrators of a colossal crime against our Nation, being allowed to air their vitriolic propaganda on one of our own news channels! Does this seem wrong to anyone else?

3. Some TV channels also had “live-and-direct” phone conversations with guests within the hotels, in which the said guests divulge their locations and room numbers. I can’t see the point, or the newsworthiness of this. Someone who has managed to get away to a relatively safe place, unknown to the terrorists, is made to give up his location. The guest, of course, assumes it will assist the rescue operation if he tells them where he is, but the TV channels broadcast this information, possibly even to the terrorists themselves. Is this OK by us? I sincerely hope not!

This a time of great anger for India. We feel violated and hurt, we feel helpless and lost. Without credible leadership anywhere, we are left to our own devices. I think it’s important, however, that we set aside our anger and our emotional responses, and with a calm and collected rationale, think of the things we can change to make our country safer for all of us to live in.

If we can all make or facilitate one change each, I think it will add up to making a huge difference! I ask all of you to join in and sign the following petition. Hopefully the Courts will take cognizance of our opinion, and help us to make this small change that will keep our Nation and the defenders of this Nation a little safer in any future eventuality of this nature.

PETITION TO THE HIGH COURT OF MUMBAI:

We, the undersigned, citizens of India, humbly pray for the following reliefs;

1. That this Hon’ble Court call for the complete and unedited footage from all TV News Channels broadcasting the attacks ‘live’, starting from 9:30pm on Wednesday 26th November 2008 and until the morning of Saturday the 29th November 2008 and examine the same by itself or through any appropriate agency as appointed by it, to investigate and determine the manner in which sensitive information pertaining to the movement of Counter-Insurgency Operations was broadcast ‘live’.

2. That this Hon’ble Court take cognizance of the broadcast of inflammatory propaganda (if any), on any such TV News Channels, and an appropriate Writ Order or Direction be passed by the Court against such TV News Channels as this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper.

3. That this Hon’ble Court make and issue such other Writ, Order and Direction as it may deem appropriate directing the Authorities to formulate a model Code-of-Conduct within a fixed time frame; that be made mandatory to the TV News Channels, to regulate the ‘Live’ broadcast of such and similar eventualities and operations.

4. That this Hon’ble Court make and issue such other Writ Order or Direction as it may deem appropriate in the matter.

Sincerely,

Vishal Dadlani

and

The Undersigned (scroll down below for complete list)

There is a hard felt anguish and anger which at the present moment should be channelized into something constructive by the impotent leaders of our country. Being an Indian, I would like to question the media who is hyping “Mumbaikar” (Is it just the concern of Mumbai or Mumbaikaars) —– Why are we talking about attack on Mumbai or just the Mumbaikar being affected? Isn’t it an attack on the sovereignity of India and all the Indians? Aren’t we people, living in other parts of India equally  disgusted with whatever is happening to our motherland? Don’t these ghastly and dastardly attacks repeatedly undermine the democratic value of our country as a whole?

It is a shame that we are considered to be such soft targets throughout the world. At this point, I would like all the people of the nation to stand united and reject all the political parties which are engaged in the slangwhang match be it Mulayam Singh, Raj Thackrey, Narendra Modi, Vilas Rao Deshmukh etc. Shouldn’t every body rise above the petty politics and religion, and think about the country as their prime responsibility? Instead of accumulating land acquisitions and money shouldn’t they pay more attention to the cost of a human life?

This anger should be reaped and its flame should keep burning in our heart and not snuffed out with the passage of time. Isn’t it high time that Pakistan should be asked to either take strict action against the perpetrators of this attack or else our armed forces will step in destroy them? We have no grudges against the citizens of Pakistan but we will not spare the terrorists or let them live anywhere in the world…

All the countries in the world consider India to be a joke, though having one of the largest armies in the world but lame politicial leadership with no guts at all!

Today we are talking about Mumbai, but what about Delhi, Jaipur, Guhawati, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad? Hasn’t the time come for the political leadership to be held accountable? Shouldn’t there be a process by which the a new referendum is taken and these politicians be voted out ?

We Indians are compelled to have captive power generation, captive water supply, private schools, costly healthcare, rampant bribery and now should we keep our private commandos for our security? Has our nation stooped to this level?

P.S. This blog holds angry statements of my husband, who is equally disturbed by the recent events.

The Ripples

A ripple in the still waters, the waters though calm runs deep. It's the ripples that animate the surface of the water with joy, sorrow, excitement or grief.

The ripples indicate the turmoil on earth; they also signify the victory of the kingfisher that dexterously dives to catch its prey.

It's an awesome sight when waters dance whenever someone tosses a stone in the river. An amateur may form just one ripple but a maestro may form several such ripples in a row that too with a single throw!

How wonderful are these ephemeral ripples, each ring forming a face happy, gloomy, angry, ugly, beautiful or smiling, the way the onlooker perceives!

The good and bad times in our life are just like these short lived ripples see how beautifully the water balances them both and maintains its tranquillity and when again the wind does softly blow, the water again enjoys the ballet of these small and big ripples.

What a lovely sight it is to see a dried leaf bid farewell to the tree and ultimately caress the river that flowed down its tree. Its undying romance for the water, which it always ogled at when on the tree Now is the time to finally find solace in the arms of the water, which humbly offers her the coffin (ripple) on which it will gently float its last journey

Education goes off bounds

Educating the children in the present times has become an expensive affair. The school reputation, facilities offered and high fees have become more of a status symbol! It is clearly evident that the education industry is reaping leapfrog profits but is it fair enough to extort profits from the parents who wish to provide good education to their children? On one hand government is devising strategies to increase the literacy rate in India but on the other hand it is planning to allow the private schools that are disturbed with the Sixth Pay Commission (which has ruled that the teachers should get a 60 per cent raise) to shell out the teachers salary from the parents pockets?

As it is, education is becoming expensive day by day from the very grass root level. The cost of education goes off bounds when the child reaches higher classes. It is dismal to note that at graduation level the reserved quota system too becomes an added problem and greatly affects the meritorious students. Talk about institutions like IIM, IIT, etc which quote a very high fee, we wonder whether money is more important for higher education or it is the merit that matters?

Schools earn voluminous profits all round the year through the various ongoing activities, national level exams (which start from class 3, each exam costs around Rs. 100 and every child gives more than twenty such exams in a year). We pay a huge sum in the name of development fees to the school every year. Frankly speaking, schools collect enough funds from parents, which can easily pay the teacher’s salary as recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission then why should the parents or their children be the target to this rule?

The moment of truth is that the recession or depression of the U.S. economy has adversely affected India too! India's economy seems to be jolted and soon it will show in all the sectors. The recent one was the aviation industry. We all have to face the momentary slum but whatever it is; we would not like to see the education of our children be affected by this phase. One positive aspect is that by the time our children grow up, the world will recuperate from the recession period. So, the government should not let the education be affected in any way as by then, it will be this generation that will rule the country and we need wise and skilful leaders, professionals and businessmen to flutter the flag of our country.

Let us stand united against the fee hike of the schools and face every crunch with  courage!

Vande Matram!

We all raise children but how many of us think of raising them as the leaders of tomorrow?
I did not know for what purpose I took birth, what is my mission in life, I had no aim other than enjoying life but I did have strong undercurrents of doing-something-for my-country and I had no idea what???? and the answer came with the news of my pregnancy. Yes, I am going to raise my child with extra effort so that s(he) does proud to India.
There were so many inexplicable things I experienced all my life, first, that God is around us in some form or the other and everything goes according to Him, second, my eyes would always be filled with the tears of joy whenever I saw the flag hoisting ceremony in my school, as if I was a witness to this whole process when it was actually hoisted for the first time and third was the trepidation I felt when I visited Jaliawala Bagh, I was shuddered to see the well, the bullet marks on the wall and the whole scene tormented my mind. Maybe it had something to do with my past life…
But the main thing I wish to convey is that it took several years of humiliation, suffering and sacrifices for the freedom fighters to give us this freedom, which we really don’t care to bother about. We are used to taking things for granted. If you really want to bring about a change then you have to think BIG. Spend extra time in teaching values and technology. Encourage them to read about great leaders. Educate them encompassing every aspect of life and most importantly love them, repect them and give them ‘time’.
If every mother of this earth understands this that she holds the power to bring a change to the world then this world would be a much better place and there would be no room for terrorism. Our children will safeguard the country and make it flourish to inconceivable heights.
God Bless the Parents and the children of this planet!

Hi friends

Don’t you feel it is digusting to watch all those stupid saas - bahu soaps? Sure many people are employed and making their mark in media but I wonder what goes into Ekta’s head after ten - twelve episodes? The serials go on and on for years, the story meanders vaguely, the dead ones are alive in the next episode, visitors become permanent residents, someone or the other is conniving or making strategies to degrade others, a man has many wives and a woman has many husbands, the old saas get older and older and surpringly they all healthily exist to see their fourth and fifth generation….baah!

I wonder what kind of an image, of our culture, might be perceived by those living overseas….No family values, no respect for elders, extra marital affairs, deceit, a vamp in every house, no faith amongst family members, rampant reincarnations… blah, blah, blah, blah…. Sick….isn’t it?

I’m thankful to God that I hardly get time to watch t.v. and when I do so, I prefer watching ndtv good times, jumbo movies on history channel, travel and living, laughter challenge, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai etc. etc. But what I like most is visiting iland and reading wonderful blogs and commenting on them. I find iland rejuvinating, its like visiting a spa!

What do you say?