Rahul Writes

(On Rediff iLand, the previous version of Rediff Blogs, we used to have a very popular writer-blogger amongst us who wrote in the name of Kim Agrawal. He wrote his blogs in beautiful Hindi and all his posts carried the fragrance of our earth and colors of Mother Nature. After Rediff iLand migrated to Rediff Blogs, unfortunately his blog http://rypcg.rediffiland.com/ was lost due to some technical error. I happened to find some of his posts saved on my computer and I am posting these 10 posts on my blog, with my love and regards to Kim and waiting for his return to blogging.)

(On Rediff iLand, the previous version of Rediff Blogs, we used to have a very popular writer-blogger amongst us who wrote in the name of Kim Agrawal. He wrote his blogs in beautiful Hindi and all his posts carried the fragrance of our earth and colors of Mother Nature. After Rediff iLand migrated to Rediff Blogs, unfortunately his blog http://rypcg.rediffiland.com/ was lost due to some technical error. I happened to find some of his posts saved on my computer and I am posting these 10 posts on my blog, with my love and regards to Kim and waiting for his return to blogging.)



घंटियों की निनाद और जयघोष की मधुर अनुगूँज के बीच, हम खड़े थे अरदास लिए, माँ काली के मंदिर में. भावविभोर और निश्छल मन से समवेत रूप से जय-जय घोष हो रही थी–विश्व का कल्याण हो, प्राणियों में सदभावना हो, धर्म की जय हो. आज ही नहीं अक्सर हम इस मंदिर में धोक् मारने आते हैं, पत्नी के साथ और यही अनुगूँज होती है,सदैव. लेकिन, आज जब मंदिर से घर पहुँचे, तो ड्योढ़ी पर खड़ा पाया, चुनावी रंगदारों को { छत्तीसगढ़ मे 14 & 20 नवंबर 2008 को विधानसभा के चुनाव होने हैं}. घर के अंदर जाते उसके पहले ही, हमें घेर कर समझाया जाने लगा, कैसे और किसे मतदान करना है और क्यों ? इस क्यों में था, प्रदेश में धर्म निरपेक्ष सरकार बनाया जाना भी. मेरी पत्नी को यह सब असहज लग रहा था, क्योंकि वह मंदिर में मिले फूल और प्रसाद को,  जब तक, एक बार घर के पूजा स्थल पर अर्पित न करदे, तब-तक घर वालों से भी बात-चित करना, उसकी आदत में शुमार नहीं है. वह अपने को अधिक देर तक रोक नही पायी उसने चुनावी टोली के मुखिया को तल्ख़ लहजे में फटकार लगाते हुए कहा, आप शायद कभी मंदिर नहीं गये हैं, और गये हैं तो उन जय-जय घोषों को ध्यान से नहीं सुना है, जो पूजा के बाद भक्त अंतर्मन से उदघोषित करते हैं. वो हैं हमारी धर्म-निरपेक्षता की जड़े, जहाँ मानव, मानव ही नहीं सभी प्राणियों में सदभावना क़ी बात होती है, विश्व के कल्याण क़ी अनुगूँज होती है और हिन्दू शब्द का प्रयोग किए बिना धर्म मात्र क़ी जय-जय कार् करायी जाती है और आप कह रहे हैं, धर्म निरपेक्ष सरकार लाना है, धर्म निरपेक्षता हमारी संस्कृति क़ी जड़ों में है आप जिस धर्म निरपेक्षता क़ी बात कर रहे हैं, वो तो हमें शर्मिंदा कर रहीं हैं, भारत में धर्म-निरपेक्षता क़ी बात करने वाले लोग कभी मंदिर नहीं जाते, अगर जाते तो उन्हे इस शब्द का प्रयोग करते हुए शर्म आती. पत्नी ने सारी बातें एक सांस में कह दीं और सॅट-पट घर के अंदर चल दी. चुनावी टोली को तो मानो “सांप सूंघ गया था”, मैने वातावरण को सहज बनाने के लिए पूछा कि आप लोग पानी लेँगे क्या ?
             पत्नी को मैने कभी भी राजनीति पर रुचि लेते हुए, इसके पहले नहीं देखा था, यहाँ तक क़ी वो राजनीति के समाचार पढ़ने से भी गुरेज करती है, यद्दपि वह स्वयं राजनीति में एम.ए. है. घर के अंदर जा-कर मैने उसे कह डाला कि अब, तुम राजनीति में भाग ले सकती हो, तुम में भाषण देने का दम है. पर वह अभी भी गंभीर थी, उसकी नाराज़गी अभी-भी दूर नहीं हुई थी. वह फिर कहने लगी कि तुम बताओ, मैं काली की अनन्य उपासक हूँ, तुम साई-बाबा के, हमने एकदूसरे को ये कभी नही कहा कि  हमें किस इष्ट को मानना है. मैं काली मंदिर जाती हूँ, आपने ये कभी नहीं कहा कि मैं नहीं जा-उंगा, ठीक उसी तरह जब आप साई-बाबा के मंदिर जाते हैं, मैं बिना बोले तैयार हो जाती हूँ. मेरे माँ-बाप, भाई-बहन, दादा-दादी ने भी मुझे ये कभी नहीं कहा कि किस मंदिर में जाना है और किसमें नहीं. यहाँ तक कि मैं काली माँ की उपासक अपनी मर्जी से हूँ, और तुम, तुम्हारे परिवार में तो, तुम को छोड़ कर कोई साई-बाबा का न तो पहले भक्त था न अब. हमने अपने इच्छा से इष्ट चुने हैं. मुझे बताओ, तुम लोग बहुत सेमिनार और गोष्ठियाँ करते हो, क्या इससे अधिक धर्म को मानने और न मानने की आजादी किसी धर्म में हैं. हमारे संस्कारों में एक बच्चे को माँ रोज मंदिर लेकर भलेही जाए, पर बड़ा होकर, वो बालक रोज माता द्वारा बताए गये देव के मंदिर ही जाए ये जरूरी नहीं, वह अपनी मर्जी से इष्ट का चुनाव कर लेता है, जैसे तुमने किया, मैने किया. फिर इस देश में क्यों होती है धर्म-निरपेक्षता की बाते? धर्म हमारे संस्कारों का वाहक है जो हमारी रगो में रचा-बसा है. जो लोग इसे नहीं जानते वो मंदिरों में जाकर सीखले जहाँ प्राणी मात्र में सदभावना की जय-जय कार होती है. 

(On Rediff iLand, the previous version of Rediff Blogs, we used to have a very popular writer-blogger amongst us who wrote in the name of Kim Agrawal. He wrote his blogs in beautiful Hindi and all his posts carried the fragrance of our earth and colors of Mother Nature. After Rediff iLand migrated to Rediff Blogs, unfortunately his blog http://rypcg.rediffiland.com/ was lost due to some technical error. I happened to find some of his posts saved on my computer and I am posting these 10 posts on my blog, with my love and regards to Kim and waiting for his return to blogging.)

(On Rediff iLand, the previous version of Rediff Blogs, we used to have a very popular writer-blogger amongst us who wrote in the name of Kim Agrawal. He wrote his blogs in beautiful Hindi and all his posts carried the fragrance of our earth and colors of Mother Nature. After Rediff iLand migrated to Rediff Blogs, unfortunately his blog http://rypcg.rediffiland.com/ was lost due to some technical error. I happened to find some of his posts saved on my computer and I am posting these 10 posts on my blog, with my love and regards to Kim and waiting for his return to blogging.)

              ये उस गाँव की बानगी है, जो छत्तीसगड के कवर्धा जिले की पंडरिया तहसील का धुर जंगलो के बीच पहाड़ी पर बसा है. तेलियापानी-लेदरा है इस गाँव का नाम. जहाँ पूरी आबादी आदिवासियों की है. हम जब इस गाँव में पहुँचे तो वे अनुभव भी किसी बड़े रोमांच से क़म नहीं हैं. गहरी घाटियों और एक चूक से प्राण गवां देने वाले रास्तों को पार कर जब हम इस गाँव पहुँचे तो मानो हमें देखने सारा गाँव ही इकट्ठा हो गया. गाँव के जिस टोले {आदिवासी गाँव के छोटे-छोटे मोहल्ले जो पहाड़ियों पर बसे होते हैं}  में भी हम गये देखा, किसी घर भी घर में दरवाज़ों पर पल्ले नही, कोई खाट नहीं, ओढ़ने बिछाने की बात तो दूर, तन ढकने के लिए भी ठीक से कपड़े नहीं है. जीविका में सुवर पालन, शिकार, लकड़ी बेचना और कंद-मूल ही साधन हैं. लेकिन लोग एकदम साफ दिल के मानो ईश्वर के अवतार हों. इसी बात से समझा जा सकता है कि आज इस गाँव में पटवारी उनके खेतों को चिन्हकित करने आया था, हमने देखा कि वो एक खेत पर खड़ा होता और मजाक में वह बड़े भू-भाग को कहता कि तुम्हारा खेत दोएकड़ लिख दूँ, वे कहते आप जाने, आप गलत थोड़े करेंगे. हमने पटवारी से पूछा कि आप कितना लिखते हैं, उसने कहा गाँव में 10 एकड़ से क़म किसी परिवार के पास जमीन  नही है, हमने पूछा जब आपके पास इसका रिकार्ड है तो फिर ये क्या कर रहे हैं ?  उसने बताया कि इनके गाँव अन-सरवेद है, हर साल लिख कर ले जाना पड़ता है, इनका रिकार्ड.  जहाँ जमीन के  एक-एक कतरे पर लोगो के कत्ल हो रहे हैं वहीं इन्हे तो मानो वीतराग सा है. हमने उनसे बातचीत में जो सच्चाई पायी उसे शब्दो में पिरोना मुश्किल है. सहजता, बनावटीपन से कोसों दूर, गाँव का आपसी भाईचारा इतना मजबूत कि आजतक वहाँ पुलिस नहीं पहुँची है, प्रकृति के इतने नज़दीक कि मानो वो उनमें साक्षात समाई हुई-सी है. शिकार के साधन दिखाने के हमारे आग्रह पर जरूर वे सकुचाए. पर बाद में हमसे अपनत्व समझकर धनुष और तीर को लेकर हमें उसकी एक-एक बारीकी समझने लगे. जब हम तीर के नुकीले भाग को छूने लगे तो उन्होने तत्काल हमारा हाथ पकड़ लिया. उन्होने कहा कि यह जहर है और ऐसा करने से आपकी मौत हो सकती है. हमने पूछा कि ये क्या चीज है तो बस उन्हे यही ग्यान है कि वे इसे शहर से लाते हैं. जब नमक लेने जाते हैं, यानी बहुत क़म जाना होता है उनका शहर.
                     हमे यह जानकार आश्चर्य हुआ कि बैगा बाहुल्य वाले इस गाँव में एक दंपत्ति को एक से अधिक संतान नही है. कारण पूछा तो उन्हे नही मालूम (मुझे भी नही मालूम क्यों ?). पूछने पर पता चला कि आसपास के बैगा परिवारों के गावों में भी यही स्थिति है. एक रोचक तथ्य जानकार हम अत्यधिक रोमांचित हुए कि जब घर का पुरुष लकड़ी काटने या बीनने जाएगा तो दूसरे दिन उस घर की महिला लकड़ी काटने या बीनने जाएगी. तब घर का खाना और बच्चे को खिलाने का काम पुरुष के ज़िम्मे रहता है (शायद आप इसे पिछड़ापन तो नही कहेंगे ना ?).  इसी तरह गावों में \महिलाओं का गोदना भी एक अद्भुत अनुभूति थी. ढेर सारी बातों के बीच सबकुछ इस आलेख में समेत पाना मुश्किल जान पड़ रहा है. फिर भी हमारे मन में एक प्रश्न बार-बार खड़ा हो रहा था कि प्रभु के ये लोग सभ्य हैं या इस सभ्य दुनिया के चमचमाती विकास की धारा में शामिल हम लोग ? वास्तव में पर्यटन की इस यात्रा में जो सुकून और अनुभव इस आदिवासी गाँव की विरासत से मिला उसे स्मृति के पन्नो से भुला पाना नामुमकिन रहेगा.

(On Rediff iLand, the previous version of Rediff Blogs, we used to have a very popular writer-blogger amongst us who wrote in the name of Kim Agrawal. He wrote his blogs in beautiful Hindi and all his posts carried the fragrance of our earth and colors of Mother Nature. After Rediff iLand migrated to Rediff Blogs, unfortunately his blog http://rypcg.rediffiland.com/ was lost due to some technical error. I happened to find some of his posts saved on my computer and I am posting these 10 posts on my blog, with my love and regards to Kim and waiting for his return to blogging.)

                  माई की बगिया नर्मदा नदी के उदगम के पास कोई 1 कि.मी. दूर् है. ऐसा माना जाता है कि यहाँ “नर्मदा” का बाल्यकाल गुजरा था. यहीं “गुलबकावली” जो एक औषधीय पौधा का जन्म स्थल भी है. आँखों के लिए इसका अर्क रामबाण माना जाता है. हर दुकान में आपको ये रखा नजर जाएगा. इसी स्थल से कोई 2 कि.मी.आगे एक ओर मनोरम स्थल है, सोन नदी का उदगम स्थल. यहाँ जाते वक्त बीच में शंकराचार्य का आश्रम पुराने अवशेषों में, बरबस ध्यानाकृष्ट करता है. आदि शंकराचार्य के इसी स्थल पर अपने गुरु का सामीप्य मिला था. यों कहलें हमारी संस्कृति के महान पुरोधा आदि शंकराचार्य को, यहीं मिली थी गुरुवाणी, भारत की एकता के लिए चार दिशाओं में चार मठ (बद्रीनाथ, पुरी, द्वारिका और श्रिन्गेरि पीठ) की स्थापना. नर्मदा उदगम से, उसके प्रवाह की दिशा में, ठीक 6 कि.मी.दूर् है, कपिल धारा. नर्मदा नदी का पहला और सुंदर जलप्रपात. नीचे जाकर निहारेंगे तो लगेगा मानो श्वेत रूई कई टुकड़ों में बिखर रही है. यहीं पर है कपिल आश्रम.        
           कपिल आश्रम एक छोटा सा स्थल. जहाँ कपिल मुनि ध्यानस्थ रहा करते थे और उनकी इस साधना ने “सांख्य योग” के रूप में मूर्त रूप लिया. षटदर्शनों में एक है सांख्य दर्शन. जो हमारी संस्कृति की एक बड़ी पूंजी है. जीवन के गूढ सूत्रों की व्याख्या, इस अरण्य क्षेत्र में हज़ारों साल पहले हुई. पर ऐसी ही हमारी ये पूंजियों का हमें कोई ज्ञान आज की पीढ़ी को नही. ये पूंजियाँ धर्मनिरपेक्षता के संकीर्ण आईने की भेंट चढ़ गई. अमेरिका के एक विश्व-विद्यालय में गीता को एक अनिवार्य विषय बना दिया गया.  आज क्या ऐसी बात हम इस देश में सोच सकते हैं ?  अमेरिका ने एक राह दिखाई है कि हमारा पुराना साहित्य जो प्रकृति की कोख में बैठकर रचा गया है, वह मानवता की असली सीढ़ी है, वह मानव मात्र की पूंजी है. उसके पढ़ने से कोई धर्म भ्रष्ट नहीं होगा. किसी धर्म-निरपेक्षता पर खतरा नहीं आएगा. प्रकृति के पेड़-पौधे, जल, पहाड़, हवा आदि सब एक समान सबके लिए उपयोगी है. इनके सानिध्य में लिखा भारत का पुरातन ज्ञान भंडार भी सबके लिए समान रूप से उपयोगी है. पर भारत में ही ये अब मात्र पुस्तकालयों का हिस्सा बनकर रह गया है.
                 कपिल धारा के पास ही है दुर्वासा ऋषि का तपस्या स्थल, जालेश्वर महादेव आदि-आदि कई पौराणिक एवं प्राकृतिक मनोरम दृश्य है अमरकंटक में. यहाँ पर जाकर लगा कि चर्म चक्षुओं से नही, यहाँ का सौंदर्य मन की आँखों से आत्मानुभूति को अधिक आनंद विभोर करने वाला है. योग की हमारी अनोखी विद्या और कई ऋषियों का ये तपस्या स्थल हमारे संस्कारों का पालना सा लगता है. जितना झूलेंगे उतना आनंद आएगा…. 
                अमरकंटक बिल्कुल छत्तीसगड़ की सीमा से सटा हुआ है. छत्तीसगड़ के एक बड़े शहर, बिलासपुर से सड़क मार्ग से कोई 115 कि.मी. दूर पड़ता है. बीच का रास्ता अद्भुत रमणीय है. साल घाटी के नाम से जाना जाता है. बिलासपुर से निकलकर हमने एक रात अचानकमार अभयारण्य में गुजारी. यहाँ 17 शेर हैं ऐसा माना जाता है. इसी लालच में हम जंगल के बीच स्थित एक रेस्ट हाउस, “लमनी” में रुके. एकदम भोर में उठे. जंगल में घनघोर सन्नाटे के बीच चाँद की, चाँदनी की मादकता से मानो पूरा वातावरण मदमस्त सा लग रहा था. बीच-बीच में किसी किसी जानवर की आवाज़ इस सन्नाटे को विदीर्ण करती हुई सी जान पड़ रही थी. सुबह 5.30 बजे हम घने वनों के बीच जंगल में वन्यप्राणियों की छटा देखने निकल पड़े गाड़ी से. बीच- बीच में हिरण, चिंकारा, खरगोस, मोर, तितर नाना प्रकार के वन्यप्राणियों को प्रकृति की गोद में कुलाचें भरते देखा. वो हमें देखते और फिर सहम कर भाग जाते. शेर नही दिखा. मायूसी जरूर हुई, पर प्रकृति का इतना सुंदर सामीप्य, एक यादगार ताज़गी, स्मृति के पन्नों में हमेशा के लिए दर्ज कर गया. 
                   हमारे गाइड कन्हैया ने बताया कि पहले वन्यप्राणी गावों के नजदीक ही दिख जाया करते थे. अब वो बात नही रही. गावों में रेडियो, माइक, टी.व्ही. आदि की आवाजों से वे डरते हैं. सैलानियों की आवाजाही भी अधिक हो गई है. हम कन्हैया के मन को पढ़ रहे थे. वह इससे खुश नही था. एक गाइड होते हुए भी, वह जंगल की खूबसूरती को अधिक तवज्जो दे रहा था, न कि अधिक से अधिक सैलानी यहाँ आएँ. हमने भी इस चीज को महसूस किया कि आसपास के गावों में सुबह से ही माइक जोर-जोर से बज रहा था. फिर हमें वन्यप्राणी देखकर जिस तरह बिदक रहे थे, उससे साफ है कि वे हमे (इंसानो) अपने इलाक़े में पसंद नही करते. फिर, इस दिशा में सोचा जाना चाहिए कि क्या वनों, अभयारण्यों एवं नेशनल पार्कों में सैलानियों की संख्या बढ़ाना जरूरी है ? जबकि वे (वन्यप्राणी) हमें पसंद नही करते. फिर भी क्या सिलसिला बदस्तूर जारी रहेगा ?  कहीं खो न जाएँ ये …

(On Rediff iLand, the previous version of Rediff Blogs, we used to have a very popular writer-blogger amongst us who wrote in the name of Kim Agrawal. He wrote his blogs in beautiful Hindi and all his posts carried the fragrance of our earth and colors of Mother Nature. After Rediff iLand migrated to Rediff Blogs, unfortunately his blog http://rypcg.rediffiland.com/ was lost due to some technical error. I happened to find some of his posts saved on my computer and I am posting these 10 posts on my blog, with my love and regards to Kim and waiting for his return to blogging.)



सबेरा हुआ ही था, एक साथ बच्चों का एक बड़ा झुंड, दरवाजे पर एक स्वर से “छेर-छेरा, माई कोठी के धान ला हेर हेरा….” की राग छेड़ रहे थे. मेरे घर पधारे मेहमानों ने मुझे आवाज़ दी, उन्हें ताज़्ज़ूब हो रहा था, एक साथ इतने बच्चे माँगने निकले हैं. मैंने मेहमानो को मुस्कराते हुए समझाया, उनका अनुमान गलत है, ये माँगने वाले बच्चे नही हैं, ये बच्चे तो छत्तीसगढ़ की उस सांस्कृतिक परंपरा के अगुआ हैं, जो इन्हें पुरखों से विरासत में मिली है. ये बच्चे खुशियाँ बांटने निकले हैं. आज पौष पूर्णिमा (11 जनवरी 2009) है, जिसे छत्तीसगढ़ में ‘छेर-छेरा’ पर्व के नाम से मनाया जाता है. छत्तीसगढ़ के किसान धान की कटाई एवं मिसाई के बाद जब धान को घर की कोठी (माई कोठी) में सुरक्षित रख देते हैं, तो गाँव की गलियों में नई फसल का जश्न मस्ती और उल्लास के साथ मनाया जाता है. गाँव के बच्चे-बच्चियाँ हर घर के दरवाजे पर टोलियाँ बनाकर धान माँगने पहुँचते हैं. किसान उन्हें श्रद्धा से अतिशुभ का आगमन मानकर धान भेंट करते हैं. हर किसान आतुर होता है कि उसे आज छेर-छेरा का धान देना है.

(On Rediff iLand, the previous version of Rediff Blogs, we used to have a very popular writer-blogger amongst us who wrote in the name of Kim Agrawal. He wrote his blogs in beautiful Hindi and all his posts carried the fragrance of our earth and colors of Mother Nature. After Rediff iLand migrated to Rediff Blogs, unfortunately his blog http://rypcg.rediffiland.com/ was lost due to some technical error. I happened to find some of his posts saved on my computer and I am posting these 10 posts on my blog, with my love and regards to Kim and waiting for his return to blogging.)

मुंडेर पर, कलरव चिड़ियों का,

है प्रतीक, उषा काल का,
जागृत रोज, मुझे वो करतीं
उठो, लाओ दाना हमारा
सुवासित मंद समीर, छत पर
अर्घ रवि को अर्पित कर
तुलसी को शीश नवाओ.
      
                                          क्यों रोज चुगाता, इनको दाना
                                          पहले माता चुगाती थी, इन्हे
                                          बताती, तेरे दादा, परदादाओ
                                          की है, ये पुरातन परम्परा
                                          पर तूँ भी करना ऐसा ही
                                          कभी तो कहा नहीं उसने
                                          बस देखा, सीखा और
                                          ये अविरल  सिलसिला बन गया

अब रोज मुंडेर पर दाना बिखेरता
चिड़िया हक जतातीं हैं इनपर,
कुछ को चुगती, कुछ बिखराती
चहक-चहक कर,बिखरे दानो को
फिर-फिर चुगती, ऐसे इठलाती
मानो सबकुछ है, इनका
                                               ये दाने, छत, आसमां.. कहाँ से आये
                                               कौन बनाता दाना, कौन है लाता
                                               क्यों जानें ये, क्या मैने ऐसा जाना
                                               जब मैं ये कहता, ये घर है मेरा
                                               क्या मिट्टी, गारा, पानी…….
                                               मेरे हैं? बनाया है, मैने..?
                                               तो ये सच है,ये छत,
                                               आसमां, दाना ,सबकुछ है इनका….

{रोज की इस दिन-चर्या में आज ये भाव बरबस ही मन में आये और सोचा कुछ कविता सी कर ली जाय. ये कविता-सी रचना मेरे उस दोस्त को समर्पित है, जो दिल से बच्चों सा है और समझ में नीर-क्षीर-सा विवेकी. वो जीवन के 16 पवित्र संस्कारों में सबसे महत्वपूर्ण परिणय संस्कार से पोषित हुआ है. उसके सुखद और मंगल भविष्य की कामना के साथ…}

I and my wife visited ISKCON Temple, New Delhi some time back. While in Mumbai, we used to visit ISKCON Temple at Juhu many times and it was nice to visit one in Delhi too. ISKCON Temple in South Delhi is situated in East of Kailash.  

The Temple structure is grand and we need to walk up the stairs to reach the main temple (the height is because the temple is situated on a hill called Hare Krishna Hill). The prime deities Radha and Krishna are so wonderful to visit. The Krishna’s idol here is made of black colored stone. On one side of the main deity are the idols of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai along with Srila Prabhupada and his spiritual master Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati. And on the other side very beautiful deities in the form of Ram Parivaar are installed. The main prayer hall in front of the deities has a very peaceful energy and environment and the devotees sit for some time and soak themselves into the positive energy of the temple.  

One door from the main prayer hall takes us towards a gallery which has beautiful and large portraits showing different leelas and life events of Lord Krishna. It also has a series of portraits of Radha and Krishna from many ISKCON Temples from all across the world. It is a matter of pride for us to see such beautiful temples made by ISKCON all across the world.  

When we come out of the main temple, we find some restaurants and also a beautiful shop selling religious literature and music CDs. There is also a museum gallery. We also got to know that the temple conducts Multimedia Shows for the visitors.  

Some other useful information:  

Name of the temple: Sri Sri Radha Partha-Sarathi ISKCON temple 

Address: Iskcon Temple, Hare Krishna Hill, Sant Nagar Main Road, New Delhi, Delhi 110065, India +91 11 2332 0005 

Timing: Open on all days. Morning Prayer Time: 4.30 am, 7.15 am, 7.45 am. Evening Prayer Time - 12.30 pm, 7.00 pm, 7.45 pm (Prayer Hall Remains Closed from 12 pm to 4 pm) 

Website: http://www.iskcondelhi.com/  

Recommended webpage for a very good review: http://www.shubhyatra.com/delhi/isckon-temple.html 

Here I have posted some of the temple pictures we took during the visit: [Link]

I am a big fan of Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik and I wait for his column “Management Mythos” in the Economic Times every Friday. Dr. Pattanaik, a medical doctor by education (MBBS from Grant Medical College, Mumbai) turned to become a renowned mythologist. He works as a leadership consultant and holds the innovative position of Chief Belief Officer at the Future Group. You can check his website at: http://devdutt.com/  

I am reproducing his today’s article from ET:  

Management mythos: Read situations in all the perspectives 

30 Sep, 2011, 05.49AM IST, ET Bureau 

The sage Narada wanted to marry a young princess. But she said she wanted to marry only Hari. Hari is the name of Vishnu , who is God and the guardian of earth. Narada went to Vishnu and began singing his praises. So Vishnu offered him a boon. 

“Give me the face of Hari,” said Narada. Vishnu granted that wish. Narada went to the princess but instead of garlanding him, she turned around in disgust. There behind her stood Vishnu. The overjoyed princess garlanded Vishnu. Narada wondered what was wrong. Then he saw his face reflected on a mirror. 

It was that of a monkey! He accused Vishnu of cheating him. Vishnu smiled and replied, “I gave you the face of Hari, which literally means monkey, though it happens to be my name.” 

Narad can be read the situation in two ways: a strategic narrative or a sincere narrative. In a strategic narrative, Narad can see Vishnu behaving like a lawyer, playing with words to make him feel like a fool. In a sincere narrative, Narada can see Vishnu behave like God, using a play of words to enlighten him not to trick a young girl simply because he can. 

In a strategic narrative, Vishnu is the wily trickster who wants the princess for himself. In a sincere narrative, Vishnu stops Narada from being a trickster and grants the princess her wish. In a strategic narrative, Narada feels like a fool. In a sincere narrative, Narada is enlightened. 

Every situation can be read strategically or sincerely. When we read a situation strategically, we feel manipulated; we feel we have been reduced to a performing monkey. When we read a situation sincerely , we learn from it; we feel someone cares for us enough to demonstrate to us our shortcomings rather than simply pointing it out. 

After completing his course in Australia, Jason returned to India with plans to start a fast food joint. His father, Paul, was a renowned restaurateur, with many small boutique hotels in East and South India , saw the business plan and knew that it would not work. But he gave his son the seeding capital he needed. 

The hotel started with much fanfare but was in the red in less than six months. That is why Paul sent his team to help out the son. They made two key changes, in the menu and in the advertising. The same place, which was empty for six months, was now full of customers. 

Now Jason has two options, just like Narada. Read his father’s actions strategically or sincerely. He can see Paul as a manipulator, a dominant father, who wanted to put him in his place. Or he can see Paul as a teacher, a caring father, who wanted to show him what actually works in the restaurant business. Jason can feel like Hari, the monkey, or thank Hari, the teacher. The choice is very much his. 

The author is the Chief Belief Officer of the Future Group. He can be reached at devdutt@devdutt .com 

Ref: [ET Article] 

‘Vidur Neeti’ (in Hindi)

(Taken from the Mahabharata; explanations by Sri Hanuman Prasad Poddar)

Gita Press

ISBN: 81-293-0216-0 

‘Vidur Neeti’ is part of the great epic Mahabharata in which the wise counsel Vidur explains many concepts and facts of great wisdom to King Dhritirashtra of Hastinapur. References are in eight chapters, 33rd to 40th, of Mahabharata. This book presents the Sanskrit shlokas with their concise translations in Hindi. The language is simple and it can be read and understood by the masses.  

I am noting down some of the shlokas with their meanings: 

==  

Ijyaaddhayanadaanani tapah satyam kshamaa ghrina |

Alobh iti margoyam dharmsyashtavidhah smritah ||56|| (adhyay-3) 

Yagya, addhyayan, daan, tap, satya, kshamaa, dayaa, aur alobh - ye dharm ke aath prakar ke marg bataye gaye hain. ||56|| (adhyay. 3) 

Yagya, learning/study, alms-giving, tapa (penance), truthfullness, forgiveness, compassion and non-greediness - these are said to be eight types of path towards Dharma. ||56|| (Chapter 3) 

==  

Tatra purvachaturvargo dambharthmapi sevyate |

Uttarascha chaturvargo namahatmsu tishthati ||57|| (adhyay-3) 

Inme se pahle charon ka to dambh ke liye bhi sevan kiya ja sakta hai, parantu antim char to jo mahatma nahi hain unme rah hi nahi sakte ||57|| (adhyay. 3) 

Of these, the first four can even by practiced for ego or pride, but the later four can never be present in those who are not good souls. ||57|| (Chapter. 3) 

==  

Avyahritam vyahritachchhreya ahuh,

Satyam vadet vyahritam tad dviteeyam |

Priyam vaded vyahritam tat tritiyam,

Dharmam vadet vyahritam tachchaturtham ||12|| (adhyay-4) 

Bolne se na bolna achchha bataya gaya hai; kintu satya bolna vaani ki dusri visheshta hai, yani maun ki apeksha bhi duna labhprad hai. Satya bhi yadi priya bola jaye to teesri visheshta hai aur wah yadi dharm-sammat kaha jaye to wah vachan ki chauthi visheshta hai ||12|| (adhyay. 4) 

It is said that not speaking is better than speaking, but speaking the truth is said to be second quality of speech meaning it is better than non-speech. If the truth is even nice/lovely, it becomes third quality of speech (better than only truthful speech), and if that (lovely and truthful) speech is also consistent with Dharma (it is righteous), then it becomes fourth quality of speech (it is even better than the previous three). ||12|| (ch. 4) 

==  

Aakrushyamano nakroshenmanyurev titikshatah |

Akroshtaram nirdahati sukritam chasya vindati ||5|| (adhyay-4) 

Dusron se gaali sun kar bhi swayam unhen gaali na den. Kshama karne wale ka roka hua krodh hi gaali dene wae ko jala deta hai aur uske punya ko bhi le lea hai. ||5|| (adhyay. 4) 

Even after hearing abuses from others, don’t say abuses to them. The restrained anger of those who pardon others itself burns/destroys the abusers and also destroys their punya. ||5|| (ch. 4) 

==  

Krityani purvam parisankhyay sarvanyayvyaye chanurupaam cha vrittim |

Sangrahneeyaadnurupaan sahaayaan sahaayasaadhyaani hi dushkaraani ||24|| (adhyay 5) 

Pahle kartavya, aay-vyay aur uchit vetan ka nishchay karke fir suyogya sahaayakon ka sangrah karen, kyonki kathin se kathin karya bhi sahayakon dwara sadhya hote hain ||24|| (adhyay 5) 

One should first decide on the appropriate duties, income & expenses, and wages and then should collect right associates. Because even the most difficult jobs can be done with the help of associates. ||24|| (Ch. 5) 

==  

Aarjaven naram yuktamaarjavaat savyapatram |

Ashaktam manyamaanaastu dharshayanti kubudhyah ||62|| (adhyay 7) 

Dushta buddhi wale log saralta se yukt aur saralta ke hi karan lajjasheel manushya ko ashakta maankar uska tiraskaar karte hain. ||62|| (adhyay 7) 

People with evil minds consider the simple and sober (because of simplicity) men as weak and they insult them. ||62|| (Ch. 7) 

==  

PS: My apologies for any errors in typing or translation.  

One can see the great intelligence reflected in the first two verses, where Vidhur clearly demarcates the gestures of Dharma which can be fabricated Vs which come to us naturally. Third and fourth contain great practical wisdom. I think the second last verse on selection of associates is a fitting one to be considered by people with interest in business. And the last one is such a timeless wisdom.  

These are only a few of the very interesting and enlightening verses presented in this book. I recommend this to all. 

- Rahul  

Also posted at [Link]

(On Rediff iLand, the previous version of Rediff Blogs, we used to have a very popular writer-blogger amongst us who wrote in the name of Kim Agrawal. He wrote his blogs in beautiful Hindi and all his posts carried the fragrance of our earth and colors of Mother Nature. After Rediff iLand migrated to Rediff Blogs, unfortunately his blog http://rypcg.rediffiland.com/ was lost due to some technical error. I happened to find some of his posts saved on my computer and I am posting these 10 posts on my blog, with my love and regards to Kim and waiting for his return to blogging.)



कितना कड़वा सच है,  दुनिया के सबसे बड़े लोकतंत्र पर, चंद मुठ्ठी भर लोग, जब चाहें बता-बता कर उसकी मर्यादा का मानमर्दन करें, लोगो के खून से होली खेले और ऐसे खूनी भेड़ियों की गर्दन सिर्फ हम इसलिए बचाएं क्योंकि जम्मू-कश्मीर में सत्ता को नुकसान हो जाएगा, कुछ को बिहार में, कुछ को यू.पी. में और कुछ को लोकसभा के चुनावों में. इसलिए अफज़ल जैसे मौत के सौदागर को फांसी नहीं देना है, बाटला हाउस के लिए सुरक्षा बलों को चीख-चीख कर बदनाम करना है, सिम्मी की वकालत करना है और सेना के कर्तव्यनिष्ठ अफसरों को एक नार्को टेस्ट की आड़ में पूरी सेना को कटघरे में खड़ा करना आदि-आदि की परिणिती क्या है?  कराहती मुंबई है, इसका जवाब. कहाँ है मुलायम?  कहाँ हैं लालू?  मुंबई वाले आज पूछ रहें हैं?  ये मौत के सौदागर क्या सिर्फ 26 नवंबर 2008 को मुंबई आए और उन्हे पूरी मुंबई की पहचान हो गयी ?  इस पहचान में मदद करता है, सिम्मी, ये बात देश की ख़ुफ़िया एजेन्सी के प्रमुख कहते हैं. जब इनकी बात पर गौर नही करोगे तो देश को, गृह मंत्री ये बताकर क्या साबित करना चाहते हैं कि आतंकवादियों के पास जैविक और रासायनिक हथियार भी हैं. जनाब,  आप देश को ये बताएँ कि इस देश में कबसे आतंकवादी हमले में अब और कोई बेगुनाह की जान नहीं जाएगी .क्या आपमें वो हिम्मत जब अमेरिका के राष्ट्रपति ने अपने देश के लोगो को 11 सितंबर के हमले के बाद आश्वस्त किया था कि वो अब अमेरिका पर और कोई आतंकवादी हमला नहीं होने देंगे. उन्होने जो कहा वो कर के दिखाया. क्या आप ऐसा कर पाएंगे?  एक रेल दुर्घटना पर मंत्री पद से इस्तीफ़ा देने वाले लालबहादुर शास्त्री क्या अब सत्ता के आदर्श प्रतिबिंब नही रहे ?
           जयपुर, अहमदाबाद, बंगलोर, दिल्ली और अब मुंबई. वो मुंबई जिस पर पिछले एक साल से हमले की बात आतंकवादी कर रहे थे, आखिरकार वो इस पर अमल करने में कैसे कामयाब रहे?  मुंबई ही नहीं पूरा देश इसको जानना चाहता है.  देश जानना चाहता है कि आतंकवादियों के इतने हमलों के बाद भी क्या हम हमलों को अंजाम देने वालों को नही पहचान पाए?  इन हमलों में देश के भीतर और बाहर किन-किन का हाथ है ?  इन हाथो पर अब तक प्रहार नही किया गया है तो कब तक किया जाएगा ?  ये नही कर पाए हो तो लोगो क़ी सुरक्षा क़ी गारंटी कौन देगा?  देश क़ी इज्जत मट्टी पलित हो रही है पूरी दुनिया में. यहाँ तक कि इंग्लेंड की क्रिकेट टीम भारत का दौरा रद्द कर स्वदेश लौटना चाहती है, क्या अब भी कोई शर्मशार होने वाली घटना का इंतजार किया जा रहा है ? आतंकवाद रोकने वाले कानून पोटा को धर्म विशेष के लोगो से जोड़ कर, क्या देश को गर्त में धकेलना ठीक है ?  कठोर कानून आतंकवादियों के लिए है तो फिर ये किसी धर्म विशेष \के खिलाफ कैसे हो गया? मान लिया जाय है भी, तो क्या देश से बड़ा धर्म है?  देश की रक्षा के लिए तो हमारे देवी- देवताओं ने भी अस्त्र-शस्त्र उठाए हैं,  और दुष्टों का दमन किया है.  आज के इन दुष्टों पर आप काबू नही पा सकते तो फिर आम आदमी जानना चाहता है कि आप सत्ता में क्यों रहे?  आखिर आम आदमी ने ही तो अपनी सरकार बनाकर आपको देश की और अपनी सुरक्षा की ज़िम्मेदारी सौंपी है?   जब ये दोनो आपके हाथों सुरक्षित नही तो आप उसकी {आम आदमी} सत्ता पर काबिज नही रह सकते. मुंबई का दर्द बड़ा पीड़ा दायक है. आप बैठके न करे,  जनता समाधान चाहती है.  सता के लिए आतंकवाद पर नर्म नहीं आरपार की इच्छा शक्ति शब्दों में नहीं धरातल पर नजर आनी चाहिए.  अब तुष्टिकरण नहीं जनता की सुरक्षा की पुष्टि कीजिए, वरना जनता की सत्ता छोड़ दीजिए.
            मानवता के दरिंदों के हमलों में मुंबई में हताहत हुतात्माओं को विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि  …………………………….

‘A Sense of Urgency’

By: John. P. Kotter

Harvard Business Press

ISBN: 978-1-4221-5230-0 (India Edition) 

John. P. Kotter is counted amongst one of the world’s best leadership-gurus. He teaches at Harvard Business School and has written more than 16 books including bestsellers Leading Change and Our Iceberg is Melting. In this book, he presents a strong case and strategy for making changes in organisations most effective.  

The first chapter is aptly titled “It all starts with a sense of urgency”. In the beginning of the book itself, the author makes a very important distinction amongst three things: a true sense of urgency, a “false sense of urgency” and “complacency”. He says, “We are much too complacent. And we don’t even know it”. (The dictionary says complacency is “a feeling of contentment or self satisfaction, especially when coupled with an unawareness of danger or trouble.”) Roots of complacency are successes: real or perceived, usually over a period of time, while roots of a false sense of urgency are failures.  

The book is full of very helpful concepts and ideas. I am copying some of the topics and headlines, for my own reference: 

• Be clear about what is false sense of urgency.


• Help others (including bosses) to see the problem


• How and why a business case fails


• Aim for the heart


• Increasing a true sense of urgency: the strategy:

1.   Bring the outside in

a.    Reorganise the pervasive problem of internal focus

b.    Listen to customer facing employees

c.    Use the power of video

d.   Don’t always shield people from troubling data

e.    Redecorate

f.     Send people out

g.   Bring people in

h.   Bring data in, but in the right way

i.     Watch out that you don’t create a false sense of urgency

2.   Behave with urgency every day

a.    Respond fast, move now

b.    The norm: un-urgent behaviour

c.    Be visibly urgent

d.   Urgency begets urgency

e.    Urgent patience

3.   Find opportunities in crises

a.    Avoid and control crisis, but watch out…

b.    Use a crisis to create urgency, but watch out…

4.   Deal with the NoNos

a.    Don’t waste time trying to co-opt a NoNo

b.    Never ignore the NoNos

c.    Distract the NoNos

d.   Get rid of them

e.    Immobilize them with social pressures

• Keeping urgency up




• Urgency up: success; urgency down: a mess


• The problem with short term successes


• Anticipate the problem, use the strategy, and choose the right tactics


• Drive it into the culture


• Start today.

- Rahul

Also posted at [Link]

(On Rediff iLand, the previous version of Rediff Blogs, we used to have a very popular writer-blogger amongst us who wrote in the name of Kim Agrawal. He wrote his blogs in beautiful Hindi and all his posts carried the fragrance of our earth and colors of Mother Nature. After Rediff iLand migrated to Rediff Blogs, unfortunately his blog http://rypcg.rediffiland.com/ was lost due to some technical error. I happened to find some of his posts saved on my computer and I am posting these 10 posts on my blog, with my love and regards to Kim and waiting for his return to blogging.)



हाँ, ये एक जलजला है, जो हरेक के ज़हन से उठ रहा है, राष्ट्रीयता का. ये हिलोरें ले रहा है, देश के हर एक चौक-चौराहे पर. कुछ-कुछ वैसा ही है, जब फ्रांस में व्यवस्था के खिलाफ लोगों के जज़्बे ने बास्तिल दुर्ग को ध्वस्त कर 14 जुलाई 1789 को अपने अधीन कर लिया. घोषित किया, एक नया फ्रांस, एक लोकतांत्रिक फ्रांस और एक मजबूत फ्रांस. पुरानी राजव्यवस्था का नामोनिशान मिट गया. ये बात दीगर है कि उनके सपनों पर कुछ समय के लिए नेपोलियन का निरंकुश तंत्र स्थापित हुआ. पर, उसमे भी एक मजबूत फ्रांस ने जन्म लिया. जो आज सीना ताने खड़ा है, दुनिया के सामने— अपनी सभ्यता पर नाज़ करता है और विकास की आसमानी बुलंदियों पर है एक विकसित राष्ट्र के रूप में जाना जाता है.                   मुंबई की घटना, 26 नवंबर 2008, बुधवार की काली रात, किसी भी भारतीय को भूले नही भुला रही है. 3 दिसंबर 2008 की शाम देर रात मुंबई के गेटवे ऑफ इंडिया पर लाखों की संख्या में उपस्थित नागरिकों के साथ, मानो पूरा देश शामिल था. सब ओर एक ही आवाज़, बस अब बहुत हुआ. अब व्यवस्था का ये ढर्रा नही चाहिए, नही चाहिए तामझाम करती अफसरशाही और इन नेताओं की सूरत और शीरत तो नक़वी और केरल के मुख्यमंत्री अच्युतानंद के चेहरों से समझी जा सकती हैं. इन नेताओं को मालूम है कि इस देश में हमेशा से ये होते आया है, जब-जब जनता लामबंद हुई, उसका दावानल हमेशा समय की राख में दफ़न हो गया. अब भी होगा. तभी तो वो ये बातें कर लेते हैं.

‘Rukmini Haran’ (Krishnavatar-2) (Hindi)

By: Dr. K. M. Munshi

Translated in Hindi by: Omkarnath Sharma

Rajkamal Prakashan

© Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

ISBN: 978-81-267-0060-8 

‘Rukmini Haran’ is the second part of 7 volumes Krishnavatar written by Dr. Kanhaiyalal Maniklal Munshi. I had written about the first book ‘Bansi Ki Dhun’ here [Link], which told the life story of Krishna from birth till the time of Kansa vadh. This volume covers the story from there till when Krishna weds Rukmini after rescuing her.  

Since not all of us get to read the original Hindu scriptures (in fact a lot of us have relied on television serials to know about our mythology), reading from learned secondary sources is important. Sometimes lack of clear knowledge of facts and events result in embarrassing situations for us when confronted by others. Though Krishnavatar is a novel and the author has done some characterization and written it in the form of a tale, it is nonetheless very well researched. I recommend everyone to read the whole enlightening Krishnavatar series. 

Reading this volume cleared many doubts for me and touched upon the following events: 

1.     How and why Krishna didn’t accept to become King of Mathura after Kansa’s assassination.

2.     How princess Rukmini fell in love with Krishna and how her brother became his enemy.

3.     How the Pandavas had early interaction with Krishna (Kunti was Vasudev’s sister, so the Pandavas were Krishna’s cousins; Bhim learnt gada-ruddha from Balram)

4.     A very adventurous episode with Panchjan and Punyajan Rakshasas (portion is based on traditions) based in Kushasthali (From here Krishna got his Panchjanya shankh)

5.     Why Krishna decided not to go back to

6.     Why Krishna and Balrama left Mathura when Jarasandh came attacking. (this whole episode is an eye-opener which clears all doubts and establishes how their fleeing the city was in fact an act of great intelligence and compassion)

7.     A very interesting episode of adventures on Gomantak hills and how Krishna and Balrama defeated Jarasandh but gave him jeevandaan.

8.     A very interesting and daring episode of elimination of Sringalav Vasudev, and rescuing Shwetketu and Shaivya.

9.     How Krishna leads Mathura’s people to migrate to Kushasthali or Dwaraka (in Saurashtra region of present day Gujarat)

10.  The realisation that where there is shraddha, Krishna will protect us and do miracles, but if there is no shraddha, we shall be weak and vulnerable.

11.  How Rukmini tried to revolt against the pseudo-swayamvar created for her and had to suffer. How Krishna called this psudo-swayamvar as adharma and foiled it. Still, he declared that he had gone there to rescue Dharma and not to acquire a wife for him.  

The later part of the book describes Rukmini’s love for Krishna very well, which was full of womanly pride, envy, possessiveness and deep love in all its elements. Rukmini’s revolt against her chauvinist and political brother Rukmi is also well developed. I think Rukmini had all the elements of a ‘feminist’ by the term and deserves more exploration.  

‘Rukmini Haran’ has been a deeply touching read for me and I feel very lucky to read it.  

Highly recommended to all. 

- Rahul

Also posted at [Link]

Most of us would have come across someone in our life whom we consider “perfect”. For me, one of our professors was one such with his exceptional academic brilliance, amazing sense of humor and a great strength of character. I will always remember Dr. Narayanan as a “perfectionist”. It is natural for us to strive towards becoming a perfectionist too. Though I am not saying that we would become “perfect” one day because perfection is not a destination but a manner of doing things.  

Some days back I read the following paragraphs, which made me think about the same issue again with a different angle.  

“Neurologists say that our brains are programmed much more for stories than for PowerPoint slides and abstract data. Stories with a little drama seem to be enjoyed by our feelings and, more importantly, are remembered far longer than any dry slide filled with analytics. Personal stories also create a more intimate atmosphere. Intimacy suggests friends. Friends suggest people who are not trying to take advantage of one another.  

Our logical minds worry about awkwardness in a presentation. But up to a point, most people seem to feel more comfortable with less-than-superman speaking qualities. It makes the speaker more human. It makes the speaker look more vulnerable. Vulnerable means he is less likely to aggressively attach our decisions or beliefs, and that makes us more comfortable. A little awkwardness also feels real, not slick or phony. When we feel someone is being slick and phony, we are much more likely to reject the message.” 

Ref: P54, John. O. Kotter, A sense of Urgency.  

The first paragraph would still sound doable to a student of perfectionism as it tells that at places using the right brain would be more appropriate than the logical left brain. It tells about the learning pattern, which each perfectionist would also understand. Not everyone is blessed with very accurate memory and engagement activities in the form of stories etc. are very effective in achieving higher retention by our brain. But how should we take the second paragraph?  

Should we then purposefully make some mistakes in our PPTs or make some fonts appear bad in contrast? Or should we fumble during our delivery or at times fake losses of memory or slips of tongue? If such things happen by mistakes, should we grin and smile? Should we borrow some words from the kids or street children or should we also drop some tea over our neckties? I hope I am making my point clear, though I am a bit exaggerating.  

What do you say? While I don’t doubt the second paragraph, I am more worried about the implications. Should we keep it as “comforting” words for those who don’t achieve the “perfect” result, or should we actually look forward to practice it? If we agree with the later, are not we planning to make a mediocre world?  

- Rahul

Also posted here [Link]

Some time back, the present J&K Chief Minister and son of Farooq Abdullah (I think this is the introduction), Omar Abdullah joined the micro-blogging site Twitter. I am not sure if he took blessings of Shashi Tharoor, the former UPA minister of state (I think this is not his introduction though) who lost his ministry due to his Tweets (his famous ‘holy cow’ address to the reigning dynasty of India). But Omar seems to have made a quick progress. He has now divorced (I am neither saying Twitter-wallas get divorced, nor that divorcing is any progress) and he is making use of Twitter. I don’t say whether he is using right use of it or wrong, because by the time you understand if it was right or wrong you are either sent packing or forgotten, but I am just saying that he is “using” Twitter. That may sound like a useless usage of use, but I hope you would conclude something only funny after following his adventures with the tweeting:  

“J&K CM Omar Abdullah and his wife Payal Nath have separated after 17 years of marriage. This was confirmed by the chief minister on Twitter on Thursday. 

Reacting to the report, Omar tweeted: “While it’s true my wife and I have separated, speculation about the motives and my future actions are unfounded, untrue, I appeal to the media to please allow me and my family privacy. Am sure you will appreciate that I have not let this affect my work.” 

“Stories about my remarriage are completely false, concocted. It’s a pity, while repeating these lies, no effort was made to ask me the truth,” Omar tweeted. 

He further added: “My family and I will not be issuing any more statements or taking any further questions about any of this.”” 

Source: TNN, Sep 15 [Link] 

There are many inherent issues here.  

First of all, he is speaking all this on such a public platform like Twitter and he is speaking all this on indeed a private matter (divorce). Yet he desires to be granted “privacy”. Even people with no interest in his family life would have got to know about his marital affair (not used in conventional sense) due to his own Tweets. Secondly he claims to have kept his work life unaffected by this separation. What kind of a husband would remain immune to such a tragic happening like a divorce with a wife of 17 years? Thirdly, while he is complaining that “no effort was made to ask me the truth”, he adds in the end that he and his family (excluding his now divorced ex-wife I guess) will not be making any more statements. Forget about making statements, they will not even be “taking any further questions about any of this”! Yet, his complaints persist that the media didn’t ask him “the truth”! Well, for any such matter people are not expected to tell the “truth” and would rather be making political statements. And on the top of that, people of India (of which his home-state J&K is a part of) have given up believing on politicians’ words (I hope he remembers that he is one politician) a long time ago! 

I don’t really think his statements and Tweets needed such a serious dissection. But blame Twitter, as even I hang out there some times.  

- Rahul

This is a shocking piece of news one friend posted in our Alumni group. These are exact words with names removed for privacy:  

(…) (2000-2004) beaten and injured by some Pakistanis in Edison, NJ 

Hi Friends, 

I heard a shocking news yesterday and thought would share the same with you. 

Our beloved mate of NIT Durgapur Alumni ‘(…)’ was in trouble yesterday with some of the Pakistanis in Edison, New Jersey. 

While he was returning from a Pakistani shop after office in Edison a Pakistani crook punched in his leg on his way. 

He fell down with the heavy baggage he was carrying and got a fracture in one of the hand. He did not indulge himself with any confrontation with them. 

Somehow he managed to get admission in hospital and got released in late night. 

Today his health condition is good. 

Also posted at [Link]

‘What the dog saw and other adventures’

By: Malcolm Gladwell

Allen Lane (an imprint of Penguin Books)

ISBN: 978-1-846-14294-9 

This has been one of the most revealing books I have ever read. In this book, the author goes so deep researching into things so diverse, that one can only feel awestruck at his intellectual capability. Reading this, and slightly starting to look beyond the obvious, as the author does, we would see a whole new world in front of us. The theme of this book is to find answers to all small and big questions in our minds. Getting into the mold, we develop amazing new ways to look at things.  

I simply can’t afford to write a full review of this book of over 400 pages with content as wide and diverse and researched as deep into. I would simply list the “contents” summary, for my own reference and in case you feel curious enough, just reach out to Malcolm Gladwell.  

Part-I: Obsessives, pioneers and other varieties of minor genius 

1.   The Pitchman: Ron Popeil and the Conquest of the American Kitchen

2.   The Ketchup conundrum: Mustard now comes in dozens of varieties. Why has ketchup stayed the same?

3.   Blowing up: How Nassim Taleb turned the inevitability of disaster into an investment strategy

4.   True colors: Hair dye and the hidden history of postwar America

5.   John Rock’s error: What the inventor of the Birth Control Pill didn’t know about women’s health

6.   What the dog saw: Cesar Millan and the movements of mastery 

Part-II: Theories, predictions and diagnoses 

1.   Open secrets: Enron, intelligence, and the perils of too much information.

2.   Millian dollar Murray: Why problems like homelessness may be easier to solve than to manage.

3.   The picture problem: Mammography, air power and the limits of looking.

4.   Something borrowed: Should a charge of plagiarism ruin your life?

5.   Connecting the dots: The paradoxes of intelligence reform

6.   The art of failure: Why some people choke and others panic

7.   Blowup: Who can be blamed for a disaster like the Challenger explosion? No one, and we would better get used to it 

Part-III: Personality, character and intelligence 

1.   Late bloomers: Why do we equate genius with precocity?

2.   Most likely to succeed: How do we hire when we can’t tell why is right for the job?

3.   Dangerous minds: Criminal profiling made easy

4.   The talent myth: Are smart people overrated?

5.   The new-boy network: What do job interviews really tell us?

6.   Troublemakers: What pit bulls can teach us about crime? 

- Rahul

Also posted at [Link]

‘The Undercover Economist’

By Tim Harford

Abacus

ISBN: 978-0-349-11985-4 

I have read Freakonomics and when I read its author’s praise for this book (Steven Levitt: “Required reading… It brings the power of economics to life”, I couldn’t remain but excited about it. And what a read it has been.  

Tim Harford is an economist and a member of the Financial Times editorial board. He is now a writer, but before this he worked for Shell, the World Bank and then taught at Oxford University. Through this book, Tim wants to tell us that economics is not pure theory, but it is at its best when applied to solve day to day problems and to answer simple questions in our day to day life. He starts with giving a description of how complex the “economics” is when we think about the various works needed to bring one cup of coffee for us to enjoy. Often, we don’t think much behind the apparent and hence don’t appreciate the big picture. Throughout the book, the author touches one interesting point after the other, providing us with insights which we never got before. He explains how open markets leads to most efficient economy, how “scarcity power” guides the high rents and premium, how ‘marginal’ land is of central importance, how unskilled workers oppose immigration of unskilled workers for their own selfish reasons, how our laziness to go some more steps results in shops at strategic locations ripping us off, and how supermarkets charge more for trivial features and we don’t even know.  

He explains how “price targeting” is best for the companies (but it is not so for customers and hence is controversial) and how IBM’s low-end laser printers were actually costlier to make than high end printers. The portion on “efficiency versus fairness: can we handle the truth” is also amazing (case on pharmaceutical companies and pricing methods). He thinks ways to control traffic (concept of marginal cost), evaluates if “green campaigns” are any good at all, and explains the impact of “imperfect information”. The last chapter is on how China is on fast track to richness and why. But it presents a balanced picture, the authors also shows the dark sides of China’s growth.  

It is an amazing read on practical economics and I am sure you won’t be disappointed by reading it.  

© Rahul

Also posted at [Link]

‘Bansi Ki Dhun’ (in Hindi) / ‘The Magic Flute’ (Krishnavatar Part-1)

By Dr. KM Munshi

Hindi Translation by: Omkarnath Sharma

Rajkamal Paperbacks

[ISBN: 978-81-7178-817-0] 

One of my very kind friends gave me a set of books called ‘Krishnavatar’ written by Dr. KM Munshi as a wedding gift. I had heard Dr. Munshi’s name many a time, starting from my childhood when we remembered “books and their authors”. Jai Somnath is a very famous account from Dr. KM Munshi’s pen.  

“Bansi Ki Dhun” is the first volume of the “Krishnavatar” series. Dr. Munshi has also written many other books on mythology, like a novel called “Bhagwan Parshuram”. The author has researched whole lot of scriptures to find facts and stories around Lord Krishna, whom many including the author accept as an incarnation of God. The scriptures included Srimad Bhagavat, Mahabharat, Harivansh Puran, Vishnu Puran, Bhagavat Puran, Padma Puran, Brahmavaivart Puran, Geet Govind, and Garg Samhita. In author’s words, all these scriptures not only present different accounts of the events happening during Lord Krishna’s life, but at places are even opposite to each other. He says that Srimad Bhagavat and Mahabharata are two scriptures which are source for all subsequent scriptures written on Lord Krishna, but even these two books contain very opposite traditions.  

“Visheshkar pratham do granthon me (Srimadbhagavat and Mahabharat) jo anya sabhi granthon ke aadhar hain, bilkul hi vipreet paramparaon ka samavesh hai. Baad ke sabhi granthon me apne-apne rachna kaal me lok-manas par Sri Krishna ke prabhav ke saath-saath us kaal ki adhyatmik avasyaktaon ka bhi varnan milta hai.” (P vii) 

“Banshi ki dhun” has been written in the form of a novel. It is essentially a story, which starts with giving a learned historical account of the Yadavas and the ancestors of Sri Krishna, describing the background to Sri Krishna’s birth and up to the assassination the evil king Kansa. It tells about the atrocities of Kansa and how the people awaited for the birth of their rescuer (taranhaar) and also how Devki and Vasudev had to part with their eighth son so as it can live and one day it will kill the evil king Kansa. At times if we don’t read the “whole” of the story and think about only one or two events in particular, we may get confused. This book provides the stream of history and mythology, without any forced artificialness. In fact the author has written this book in a very scientific manner; he doesn’t see Sri Krishna as Lord Krishna with a hallow behind his head but describes him as a human, and tries to explain how a small cowboy “gwala” did so many acts of courage (which people called miracles) that people started worshipping him as “Lord” and an avatar of God. This is why almost anyone can read this book, even the atheists would be very happy to read it and I believe they would appreciate this amazing story from the life of Sri Krishna.  

The portion of the book where the author describes the games and tricks of baby Krishna (Kanhaiya or Kanha as he was called with love); where he troubles Ma Yashoda and Nand Baba; when local girls in the villages just become infatuated with the charm of this young boy who is only 7 years old, such portions have become so wonderful that while reading my eyes often flooded with tears. There is not much of religion in the pages neither is there any blind faith or miracles described as if coming from some other world. Krishna’s story is as if it is our very own. We can see Baby Krishna in our younger children around us and his playfulness in their naughtiness. Perhaps it is the result of such soul-touching stories about young Krishna, that I think every Indian mother would must have called her son as Krishna or Kaanha with love at some point or the other.  

The portion about Devki and Vasudev’s sacrifice is heart touching and readers can feel a part of their intense pain. The stories of Kansa’s atrocities would make readers enraged too. But the joyous and lovely games played by Krishna would make the readers feel a kind of love, which can only be described as “divine”. 

This book is essentially a novel, with some portions coming out perhaps better than any work of fiction. The author has been fair enough to accept that the stories about Radha are not from credible sources and are even unreliable. As the author writes in a note on page-95: 

“Radha hamari lok kalpana dwara srijit raswanti gopi hai. Uska udbhav kahan aur kis prakar hua, yah theek se nahi kaha ja sakta. ‘Mahabharat’, ‘Harivansh’, aur sambhavtah 8vi shatabdi me rachit ‘Bhagvat’ me uska ullekh kahin nahi milta. Dusri or, ‘Silappadikaram’ namak prachin Tamil granth me Nappinai naam ki Krishna-patni ke roop me uska ullekh kiya gaya hai. Isi prakaar lagbhag dusri sadi me rachit “Radha Saptshati” namak granth me uska ullekh hai. 8vi sadi ke baad kai Prakrit bhasha ke kaviyon ne, adhikanshtah Shringar Rask e kavyon me, Radha ka ullekh kiya hai.  

Sanskrit sahitya me Radha ka pratham ullekh Malav ke Parmarvanshi maharaj Vakpati Munj (974-994 AD) ke teen shilalekhon me aye ek ashirvadatmak shlok me milta hai. Parantu Raja Lakshmansen (1179-1203) ke Rajkavi Jaidev ne jab apne “Geet Govind” ki nayika unhe banaya, tabhi raasleela ki adhisthatri devi, Raseshwari ke roop me samast Bharatvarsh me unki kirti faili. 

Chaitanya ne unhe Devi roop me mana aur isi prakar Radhapanthiyon, Vishnuswamiyon aur Nimbark ke anuyayiyon ne unhe Devi ke pad par sthapit kiya. Prachlit manyata ke anusar wah Sri Krishna ki Divyapatni hain aur is manyata ko Nimbark ne bhi swikar kiya hai.Parkeeya prem ko atyant mahatva deti Purv Bharat ki dharmik pranali ke anusar Sri Krishna ne Radha ko apni priyatama ke roop me sweekar avashya kiya hai parantu wah patni to kisi anya ki hi hain. Jo bhi ho, Radha ke bina Krishna-katha ka vichaar karna hi kathin jaan padta hai aur samanya lok-pranalika ke anusaar jo manyata prachlit hai, wahi mujhe yogya lagti hai” (P95-96) 

This portion is slightly controversial in the sense that it has become a passionate “love story”. Krishna declares that he will marry Radha, but Yashoda, Nandbaba and even Guru Sandeepani are not in agreement with this decision. Krishna had taken birth to do great work, to relieve this world from the atrocities of kings like Kansa, and if he marries at such a young age and has a family to keep, it would be a big distraction and hindrance. Besides, this, Radha’s family were considered slightly inferior than Krishna’s. But before Krishna had to leave Radha, the book indicates that he marries Radha. Krishna says, “Chal, apne Sandeepni Guru ke paas chalen. Pavitra agni ki Sakshi dekar hamara vivaah hoga,” Krishna ne kaha. And next morning, when Krishna has to part from Gukul, he sees: “Paas me hi Radha nav-vadhu ke paridhan dharan kiye aur lajjasheel navodha ke upyukt ghunghat nikale khadi thi.” 

This book is written in such a beautiful language that when one starts reading it, one doesn’t feel like keeping it down. What a wonderful read it has been. And now I am reading its second part.  

Highly recommended to all.  

- Rahul

Also posted at [Link]