He's BACK..And his BAT will talk for HIM

I chose this snapshot because to me it almost speaks the entire story : his success and the not-so-memorable times. The Godfather of the 'lets-get-under-Aussies-skin' campaign in cricket, to me , he will always be the agggressor who made us believe that we can beat the best.

Hope to see many more gutsy knocks from you, Dada :-)

India's Moon Mission - Chandrayaan: Is it necessary ?

All the newspapers, TV news channels and web are filled with the news of India’s successful launch of the unmanned spacecraft to moon.Chandrayaan as it is popularly called, is India’s first moon mission. Great. I applaud for our intelligent Indian scientists who have worked very hard for this mission. But I have some other views on this achievement.

Do you know that about $80 mn have been invested in this project. And i frankly did not understand the need for such a mission. On one side, our government is facing the problem of poverty and on the other end they are spending millions for some sort of an experiment. And why? Just to register in a selected international club including the United States, Russia, the European Space Agency, Japan and China. Even this mission will give no direct benefits, only intangible benefits; that too, after over 2 years. If all goes well then the spacecraft will enter the moon’s orbit in 15 days, and spend the next two years studying the moon’s surface for evidence of water and precious metals. Why do we need to care for that? There are other countries who can do it.

I feel instead of spending so much money on such experiments, it would be better if the government could help those who were caught in the Bihar floods, or the bomb blasts all over the country. My advise to the government is please invest money in some direct benefiting plans as they are the need of the hour. If we do it, we will progress and then there would be other people/countries who would like to fund such experiments for India. And still if the government feels the need to experiment, then please do it in such an area which nobody has explored so far. That would have far reaching effects and establish our brand. I bet we have enough talent in this country; we just need to be innovative, patient and most importantly LET US STOP COPYING THE WEST.

Did you know, How did Durga Puja originate way back in the year 1757..?

The actual worship of the Goddess Durga as stipulated by the Hindu scriptures falls in the month of Chaitra, which roughly overlaps with March or April. This ceremony is however not observed by many and is restricted to a handful in the state of West Bengal.
The more popular form, which is also known as Sharadiya (Autumnal) Durga Puja, is celebrated later in the year with the dates falling either in September or October. Since the Goddess is invoked at the wrong time, it is called "Akaal Bodhon" in Bengali.
The first such Puja was organised by Raja Nabakrishna Deb of the Shobhabazar Rajbari of Calcutta in honour of Lord Clive in the year 1757. The puja was organised because Clive wished to pay thanks for his victory in the Battle of Plassey. He was unable to do so in a Church because the only church in Calcutta at that time was destroyed by Siraj-ud-Daulah. Indeed many wealthy mercantile and Zamindar families in Bengal made British Officers of the East India Company guests of honour in the Pujas. The hosts vied with one another in arranging the most sumptuous fares, decorations and entertainment for their guests. This was deemed necessary since the Company was in charge of a large part of India including Bengal after the Battles of Plassey and Buxar.

Evolution of the Community or Sarbajanin puja:

Initially the Puja was organised by affluent families since they had the money to organize the festival. During the late 19th and early 20th century, a burgeoning middle class, primarily in Calcutta, wished to observe the Puja. They created the community or Sarbojanin Pujas.
Despite the resources used to organise a Puja, entry of visitors into the Pandal is generally free. A few Puja conducted in Gurgaon by wealthy Bengalis charge a fee. Pujas in Calcutta and elsewhere experiment with innovative concepts every year. Communities have created prizes for Best Pandal, Best Puja, and other categories.when you do puja you get blessed.

Creation of the Idols:

The entire process of creation of the idols from the collection of clay to the ornamentation is a holy process, supervised by rites and other rituals. On the Hindu date of Akshaya Tritiya when the Ratha Yatra is held, clay for the idols is collected from the banks of a river, preferably theGanges. After the required rites, the clay is transported from which the idols are fashioned. An important event is 'Chakkhu Daan', literally donation of the eyes. Starting with Devi Durga, the eyes of the idols are painted on Mahalaya or the first day of the Pujas. Before painting on the eyes, the artisans fast for a day and eat only vegetarian food.

Quit Smoking - The ’Savior’ arrives, but will it work?

Did you light a cigarette at the usual smoking area of your favorite coffee joint yesterday? And then did the same guy, who used to keep an ashtray on your table with a smile, came and informed you about the change in the nomenclature of the sitting area? Did he tell you - Sir you are smoking in a no-smoking zone? And did you then realize that the ban on smoking was in effect?
Well friends, it’s finally here. Your liberty to burn and destroy the injurious cigarette has finally been quashed. One can’t smoke in a public place now. However, the doubt still remains. The basic purpose of the act remains under cloud of suspicion, as it is actually uncertain if this can deter the smokers from fagging.
And I am sure you agree with these arguments even if you don’t smoke.
Trust me, it is not that I am making attempts to defend the act of smoking. It is obviously a truth that smoking is injurious and measures are needed to put a check on it. But at the same time, the fact remains that the solutions mentioned in the act that bans smoking are ‘futile’ and not enough to help the cause.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! Say it again! Apart from the Gandhi Jayanti, October 2 now has yet another reason to be celebrated. The ban on smoking, of course! I am very happy; quite elated in fact! Speechless too. But there is hardly a lack of words passing through my mind faster than ever. The brain’s bubbling and the eyes are searching. There! I caught one - a thought, I mean.
Hmmm... why is my happiness not sounding happy though?

My questions to you, Mr Ramadoss are :
1) Currently smokers smoke in open and they are not offenders. And you are imposing a rule, which makes them smoke in private places.
2) Currently homosexuals are offenders, and they have sex (well if you call it sex) in private places. And you want this to be decriminalized.
Both pertain to psychological urges, and both don’t benefit either people other than that momentary feeling of satisfaction.
What is that you are achieving by decriminalizing one and criminalizing other. Do you believe in building a strong society by bringing a change in people by imposing rules or by empowering them?"
So, awareness is the key. I had said this too. Laws are good. But they need to be able to empower people; the difference is between understanding why to follow a certain rule and a rule being imposed and forcefully followed. Behind the public eye, there is no law - and thus, hardly the smokers are going to abide by the ban.