There is a saying that history repeats itself. I have always believed this to be true. How true, is something I experienced for myself today. So here I am, at 9:11 PM ready to go to bed, but just thought I should put my thoughts on positive thinking on blogosphere before I hit the sack.
Modernism, as defined earlier means progress, progress and progress. It does not, however, mean innovation led progress. All progress need not arise from the new. It can be a respect for the old as well. That is why modernism is fantastic. It accommodates all, in all times and in all spheres.
One such beautiful technique is meditation. Though not religious, meditation helps one connect to the inner self, and this quintessential ode to spiritualism makes it an integral part of just about any religion.
I learnt to meditate today, and believe that is the best thing that can happen to anyone. For the benefit of anyone who happens to read my writings on this blog, let me just share my knowledge of meditation :
STEP 1 : Find a clean place
STEP 2 : Relax. In whatever pose you wish. If you want to stand, stand. If you want to sit, sit. If you want to stretch, stretch. If you want to itch, itch ! The whole objective is "to calm down".
STEP 3 : Close your eyes. Concentrate. Focus. Enjoy the darkness you behold.
STEP 4 : Breathe Deeply. This isn't something specifically mentioned anywhere, but I find it extremely useful in the "calming down" exercise.
STEP 5 : Let your thoughts drift. Do not and I mean do not stem your thoughts. The trick is to lose all your stress. It is like removing excess baggage from your shoulders. If for any reason, you feel that the exercise is not working well, open your eyes. Drink water and continue once again when you feel like it.
STEP 6 : Slowly open your eyes after 10 minutes. Enjoy the beautiful day that lies ahead. Enjoy the new you.
I have tried this and it really works. This is one of the simplest things we learnt long, long ago in the past, yet its relevance in modernism cannot be questioned. Meditation existed 500 years ago. It exists even today. It is one of the few bounties of the past that have been expertly woven into modernism.
Modernism is enlightenment. Enlightenment is modernism.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The First Singh of India
So India has finally broken the jinx of traditional votebank politics that almost always decide who comes to power. The mandate, unlike 2004 was emphatic. The fractured mandate of 2004 meant that the UPA had to come to power with the support of the left. But the mandate of 2009 was a clear majority for the incumbent government. Very good. Stability ensured. Appreciated.
Personally, I have mixed feelings about the mandate. I am both happy and sad. I am happy because the people voted in huge numbers, especially in J&K. And there was only one major issue that built this emphatic mandate - Economic Recession. The world suddenly seems to have only one priority - and that is to rid itself of this recession. People from all walks of life have jumped into the process, and are trying to correct systemic flaws and usher in new changes. So thankfully, we will not debate religion a lot over the next five years. This Government is led by a brilliant economist, and has a great team with him. So a lot is expected from this government - they have no other option but to perform and to perform well.
I feel sad too, because I am right wing. Enough Said.
If the last king of Scotland was a dictator par tolerance, the First Singh of India is a man who will be very keenly watched by the world over the next 5 years. Come to think of it, this may just work. In modernism, leadership knows no political affiliation too. Leadership is respected, irrespective of political dogma and view.
I am taking my second group exams for the CA course on the 8th, 10th and 12th of June and hope to resume writing full time from then....
Modernism is Success. Success is Modernism.
Personally, I have mixed feelings about the mandate. I am both happy and sad. I am happy because the people voted in huge numbers, especially in J&K. And there was only one major issue that built this emphatic mandate - Economic Recession. The world suddenly seems to have only one priority - and that is to rid itself of this recession. People from all walks of life have jumped into the process, and are trying to correct systemic flaws and usher in new changes. So thankfully, we will not debate religion a lot over the next five years. This Government is led by a brilliant economist, and has a great team with him. So a lot is expected from this government - they have no other option but to perform and to perform well.
I feel sad too, because I am right wing. Enough Said.
If the last king of Scotland was a dictator par tolerance, the First Singh of India is a man who will be very keenly watched by the world over the next 5 years. Come to think of it, this may just work. In modernism, leadership knows no political affiliation too. Leadership is respected, irrespective of political dogma and view.
I am taking my second group exams for the CA course on the 8th, 10th and 12th of June and hope to resume writing full time from then....
Modernism is Success. Success is Modernism.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
India decides...
With a passion for modernism, I cannot help writing about the manner in which Indian democracy has beautifully grown over the years. I was not fortunate enough to be born in the 50s or 60s or 70s, but from what I have heard, and from what I have experienced, and from what I see today....I can see the impact of modernism on Indian democracy. It's almost "in-your-face". The very vitality of the Indian electorate is a testimonial to modernism. I am not sure how many of us here in India are passionate about voting, or even about the general political scenario (be apolitical, but do you even know what being political means?), but the one thing that is above all opinion and theory, is the presence of a strong, heartfelt desire - the desire for change. In India, we want to take the next level.
Because we are tired of being called part of the third world. We are tired of being known as a developing nation. We would like to transcend all boundaries, and evolve into a developed nation. A nation that can compete with the best in the world. A nation that can set the right precedents, and lead by example. A nation, which can, by its success, prove to the world that resilience can indeed lead to fame and glory. Yes, there can be no better example of resilience than the Indian success story. Someday, it will materialize into the great Indian dream.
I closely watched the previous general elections in 2004. The India shining campaign led by the BJP, the then incumbent government, was not successful against the Congress' traditional "Aam Admi (Common Man)" campaign. The biggest issue for the BJP was development. Their campaign focused solely on how much India had grown over the past 5 years of their governance. India Shining was indeed a very impressive and a very glamorous campaign that was well worth its money. The rebuttal for this campaign was, of course, the accusation of non performance, the supposedly "stale" and "unwarranted" idiosyncrasies of the incumbent government, and the manner the Congress wanted to make India Shine. And of course, the eternal weapon (something I have never understood, by the way!) - Communalism Vs. Secularism. I refuse to write anything further on that issue because I am just too tired of writing something I do not believe in fundamentally! That debate is for the religious. I am not religious (though I am not Godless).
This campaign is focusing on two major issues : First, the issue of national security. We have been victims of terror strikes from our neighbour and other anti national forces for quite some time now. And our response, I must say here, has not been great enough to merit a strong support from the international community. We need to rise out of our shells, shed our timid nature and come out strongly. The BJP's manifesto is just that : Mazboot Neta, Nirnayak Sarkar (Strong leader, decisive Government). The 'strong' tag is for Mr. Advani, the PM-in-waiting. The 'decisive' tag, is for the fact that the incumbent Congress led government has not been able to take some of the tough decisions the BJP thinks it would have made, had it been in power. Hence the logo. But it goes beyond that, please! The BJP has made a lot of well researched promises that look very appealing to the average voter like me. Because, like it or not, we in India are put off by the slightest act of terrorism that puts development on the back burner. We hate that ! I think I wrote some time ago that we want to take the next level. So if there is one thing I really know about my fellow voters, it is the fact that all of us need a promise.....that no matter what happens, the next level will be taken.
So then again you have the mad rush of people at election rallies, the festive atmosphere that makes one feel that the kaleidoscope of the Golden bird has been condensed to a meeting, the frivolous acts of the ground level political neta who never ceases to violate the model code of conduct issued by the EC but doesn't care nonetheless, the promises, the cars, the "raths" (that reminds me, Mr. Advani has not undertaken a rath yatra during this election campaign) and the media. This mixture has such sheer proportions, that it vitiates any and every feeling of abjection the average voter might carry on his shoulders. The feeling automatically changes to that of hope and expectation. This is something so typical about Indian elections, that no other country can ever dream of replicating.
I understand that the BBC is travelling across our country to cover the Indian elections this year. We borrowed their system of governance, but we have added our own flavours to it that makes it look unique. Remember, we are atleast 10 times the size of Britain. If democracy can survive with such vitality here, it can survive with vitality in any corner of the world. Hats off to you India...you are a jewel!
Modernism is leadership. Leadership is modernism.
Because we are tired of being called part of the third world. We are tired of being known as a developing nation. We would like to transcend all boundaries, and evolve into a developed nation. A nation that can compete with the best in the world. A nation that can set the right precedents, and lead by example. A nation, which can, by its success, prove to the world that resilience can indeed lead to fame and glory. Yes, there can be no better example of resilience than the Indian success story. Someday, it will materialize into the great Indian dream.
I closely watched the previous general elections in 2004. The India shining campaign led by the BJP, the then incumbent government, was not successful against the Congress' traditional "Aam Admi (Common Man)" campaign. The biggest issue for the BJP was development. Their campaign focused solely on how much India had grown over the past 5 years of their governance. India Shining was indeed a very impressive and a very glamorous campaign that was well worth its money. The rebuttal for this campaign was, of course, the accusation of non performance, the supposedly "stale" and "unwarranted" idiosyncrasies of the incumbent government, and the manner the Congress wanted to make India Shine. And of course, the eternal weapon (something I have never understood, by the way!) - Communalism Vs. Secularism. I refuse to write anything further on that issue because I am just too tired of writing something I do not believe in fundamentally! That debate is for the religious. I am not religious (though I am not Godless).
This campaign is focusing on two major issues : First, the issue of national security. We have been victims of terror strikes from our neighbour and other anti national forces for quite some time now. And our response, I must say here, has not been great enough to merit a strong support from the international community. We need to rise out of our shells, shed our timid nature and come out strongly. The BJP's manifesto is just that : Mazboot Neta, Nirnayak Sarkar (Strong leader, decisive Government). The 'strong' tag is for Mr. Advani, the PM-in-waiting. The 'decisive' tag, is for the fact that the incumbent Congress led government has not been able to take some of the tough decisions the BJP thinks it would have made, had it been in power. Hence the logo. But it goes beyond that, please! The BJP has made a lot of well researched promises that look very appealing to the average voter like me. Because, like it or not, we in India are put off by the slightest act of terrorism that puts development on the back burner. We hate that ! I think I wrote some time ago that we want to take the next level. So if there is one thing I really know about my fellow voters, it is the fact that all of us need a promise.....that no matter what happens, the next level will be taken.
So then again you have the mad rush of people at election rallies, the festive atmosphere that makes one feel that the kaleidoscope of the Golden bird has been condensed to a meeting, the frivolous acts of the ground level political neta who never ceases to violate the model code of conduct issued by the EC but doesn't care nonetheless, the promises, the cars, the "raths" (that reminds me, Mr. Advani has not undertaken a rath yatra during this election campaign) and the media. This mixture has such sheer proportions, that it vitiates any and every feeling of abjection the average voter might carry on his shoulders. The feeling automatically changes to that of hope and expectation. This is something so typical about Indian elections, that no other country can ever dream of replicating.
I understand that the BBC is travelling across our country to cover the Indian elections this year. We borrowed their system of governance, but we have added our own flavours to it that makes it look unique. Remember, we are atleast 10 times the size of Britain. If democracy can survive with such vitality here, it can survive with vitality in any corner of the world. Hats off to you India...you are a jewel!
Modernism is leadership. Leadership is modernism.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
When the mind is willing but the flesh is weak...
Most of us interpret the phrase - The mind is willing but the flesh is weak - as an expression of innocuous weakness - something that is purely temporary, something like writer's block, or the loss of appetite. I disagree. As a disciple of modernism, I feel that the phrase is an expression of an evil rusting....oh yes, an evil decay that cannot be reversed. Why? Because lost time does not come back.
If your mind is willing, but the flesh is weak, you have lost focus my friend !
And focus once lost is lost for good. Even if it means the loss of that one moment, a moment that you could have channelized better and achieved something, miniscule nonetheless. That one moment, is a moment of great triumph for someone across the world. That one moment, is surely going to go down in history as a moment to be remembered...by someone across the world. No moment is worthless, and yes, conversely, every moment is priceless. Modernism's little lesson.
The world is yours, to you belongs this vast and boundless sky...only if you respect every moment of your life for the sheer pricelessness it carries with it, and only if you use that priceless nature to do something better for yourself. Live for the moment? No way! I say, live the moment!
May every moment of your life be a defining one, a revolutionary one.....a modern one.
If your mind is willing, but the flesh is weak, you have lost focus my friend !
And focus once lost is lost for good. Even if it means the loss of that one moment, a moment that you could have channelized better and achieved something, miniscule nonetheless. That one moment, is a moment of great triumph for someone across the world. That one moment, is surely going to go down in history as a moment to be remembered...by someone across the world. No moment is worthless, and yes, conversely, every moment is priceless. Modernism's little lesson.
The world is yours, to you belongs this vast and boundless sky...only if you respect every moment of your life for the sheer pricelessness it carries with it, and only if you use that priceless nature to do something better for yourself. Live for the moment? No way! I say, live the moment!
May every moment of your life be a defining one, a revolutionary one.....a modern one.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Leadership
I am writing this while watching NDTV's Indian of the Year awards ceremony and have just heard Omar Abdullah make an acceptance speech for the GenNext Politician of the Year. And for the very, very first time in my life, I heard someone talk about Jammu & Kashmir with hope. That is a very important word in my dictionary. Hope. The word epitomizes the future, and bespeaks the arrival of opportunity and achievement.
Why should businessmen go to Davos for networking ? Why can't we have a Davos in India, right here in Gulmarg? The generation of my parents used to come to Kashmir to honeymoon and spent months in Houseboats on the Dal lake or in a hut in Pehelgaum. I want to see that back in Kashmir.
Be it honest desire or vain talk, it made me happy. Hope.
And it made me write on leadership. Omar Abdullah, atleast for that moment in time, was the perfect leader. Another "perfect" leader I have great regard for in India is the Chief Minister of Gujarat - Narendra Modi.
Leadership knows no age, nor is it limited by Rank.
Hal Krause wrote this timeless poem on leadership which shaped my respect for leadership as an Institution. When I look at Abdullah, I see a real life example of ageless leadership.
Leadership is an institution that transcends all worldly barriers, which is single most inspirational aspect.
As a nation that is supposed to grow phenomenally, we need equally phenomenal leadership. Most of us refuse to lead. I wouldn't be too upset with that if it were not for the fact that we refuse to be led as well. It's just that in India we refuse to be led. We choose to be individualistic for all the wrong reasons. I do not see why we should behave that way. Being led, according to me, is far more honourable than being bull headed.
How many of us think of politics as a career option today ? Maybe that is an esoteric question. It has been asked several times, without much success though. But I am tempted to ask it once again. I would definitely like to lead my country if I get a chance.
Modernism is Exodus. Exodus is Modernism.
Why should businessmen go to Davos for networking ? Why can't we have a Davos in India, right here in Gulmarg? The generation of my parents used to come to Kashmir to honeymoon and spent months in Houseboats on the Dal lake or in a hut in Pehelgaum. I want to see that back in Kashmir.
Be it honest desire or vain talk, it made me happy. Hope.
And it made me write on leadership. Omar Abdullah, atleast for that moment in time, was the perfect leader. Another "perfect" leader I have great regard for in India is the Chief Minister of Gujarat - Narendra Modi.
Leadership knows no age, nor is it limited by Rank.
Hal Krause wrote this timeless poem on leadership which shaped my respect for leadership as an Institution. When I look at Abdullah, I see a real life example of ageless leadership.
Leadership is an institution that transcends all worldly barriers, which is single most inspirational aspect.
As a nation that is supposed to grow phenomenally, we need equally phenomenal leadership. Most of us refuse to lead. I wouldn't be too upset with that if it were not for the fact that we refuse to be led as well. It's just that in India we refuse to be led. We choose to be individualistic for all the wrong reasons. I do not see why we should behave that way. Being led, according to me, is far more honourable than being bull headed.
How many of us think of politics as a career option today ? Maybe that is an esoteric question. It has been asked several times, without much success though. But I am tempted to ask it once again. I would definitely like to lead my country if I get a chance.
Modernism is Exodus. Exodus is Modernism.
Friday, December 26, 2008
The Global Economic Crisis and Attitude
The modern world has, along with a host of positive developments, thrown us into a sea of challenges. We sometimes find ourselves with no reprive. The Global Economic Crisis is one such challenge we face today about which I would like to write today.
A very natural question everyone is asking today is : How ? Simple answer though. A big snowball of past mistakes can be difficult to fight against! A lot of mistakes have been committed by investors, regulators, the Government, the watchdogs (read investigators, auditors) and even irresponsible public attitude is to blame for this crisis that threatens us today. How are we going to prevent this from ruining our future.
Our future will shape itself in the way we want it to materialize. The last 10 years have been one of struggle and pain. The best thing one could ever do was to study hard, get good grades and find a safe, secure job or career and settle down for good after a few decades of service in an organization. More often than not, the journey ends up being monotonous and very rarely do people get to explore what they are really good at. Today, the demands have changed. That attitude will NOT see us through in the future, and especially so in the light of this insane crisis. The future belongs to inventive, innovative and inspiring thinking.
The next few years will be different for us. We will need to move beyond the obvious and try and create a workforce or a job. It is certainly not enough if we sit back and let our Universities arrange placements. The economic crisis owes its existence to an attitude of callousness. We have always been reckless and light hearted about our long term objectives. Our regulators weren't seeing the storm until it finally came and hit us. Everyone points fingers at the watchdogs when they fail to realize that the tone at the top of the failed organizations is really the only thing to blame !
Modernism is innovation. Innovation is modernism.
A very natural question everyone is asking today is : How ? Simple answer though. A big snowball of past mistakes can be difficult to fight against! A lot of mistakes have been committed by investors, regulators, the Government, the watchdogs (read investigators, auditors) and even irresponsible public attitude is to blame for this crisis that threatens us today. How are we going to prevent this from ruining our future.
Our future will shape itself in the way we want it to materialize. The last 10 years have been one of struggle and pain. The best thing one could ever do was to study hard, get good grades and find a safe, secure job or career and settle down for good after a few decades of service in an organization. More often than not, the journey ends up being monotonous and very rarely do people get to explore what they are really good at. Today, the demands have changed. That attitude will NOT see us through in the future, and especially so in the light of this insane crisis. The future belongs to inventive, innovative and inspiring thinking.
The next few years will be different for us. We will need to move beyond the obvious and try and create a workforce or a job. It is certainly not enough if we sit back and let our Universities arrange placements. The economic crisis owes its existence to an attitude of callousness. We have always been reckless and light hearted about our long term objectives. Our regulators weren't seeing the storm until it finally came and hit us. Everyone points fingers at the watchdogs when they fail to realize that the tone at the top of the failed organizations is really the only thing to blame !
Modernism is innovation. Innovation is modernism.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Religion in the modern world
The recent attacks on 26/11 have left me shaken.
More than the number of people killed, more than the manner in which they were killed, more than even the number of hours the country was held hostage, what bothered me the most was the REASON why so many were killed....Religion.
Why does it have to be religion all the time ? "My God is better than your God". Big Deal ! What gibberish....there is only one God.
In modernism, there cannot be any room for religious discord. Redunant questions on religion have put us on the backfoot in the past. They will continue to do so in the future. In fact, take any war or skirmish in WORLD history....you can trace its roots to religion. The Crusades, The World Wars, The Partition of India, The HORRIBLY HORRIBLY mismanaged war on terror and of course 26/11....OWE their origin to religion alone.
I cannot emphasize enough here that we BADLY need religious reform. BADLY. The rigidities, the flaws, the corruption....must be weeded out. I agree that religion has a message of benevolence, but that message is hidden in the rubble of punditry, corruption, sleaze and politics.
In order to find that message, we must, as citizens of the world, pledge our support to world peace. It is still, unfortunately, restricted to a term. World peace exists on paper. We need to bring the idea to life.
Is it so hard to accept our God as a force that loves us, governs us all ? Why must he necessarily be a subject of discord everytime ?
I believe that God is a force that inspires me to better deeds, an honourable life, success, service and love. I do not view God as a "white haired caucasian male" who rewards good and punishes evil.
Modernism calls for thought beyond the petty rigidities religion has confined us to, all these years. Modernism is light. Light is modernism.
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