War of WORDS

Language Tree

There is a famous quote: "Language is the archives of history". Yes, it is. Language is preserved in many ways, in the form of ancient scripts, sculptures, books and through the way we speak. It is not suffice, if language is just preserved(like in museum), it should exist also. The preservation of a language is not that difficult, but the existence is. For a language to exist and to be used in this world, it has to be spoken,nurtured and most importantly relished by the people for whom it is their mother tongue. It is each person's responsibility to preserve their mother tongue and make sure it exists in this world even after their demise.

In this context, let us analyse the TAMIL language.  People in tamil nadu(mostly urban areas) are slowly and steadily boycotting tamil language without their knowledge and are at ease embracing english. When a tamil person communicates a few lines, english keeps dominating tamil. It hurts a lot, whenever any person(be it a reporter, a common man, a celebrity or any person) is in front of a mic in a tamil channel. Because, they speak only thanglish(a mixture of majority of english and a little bit of tamil). It looks as if their mother tongue is english.

The moment someone questions about this behaviour, the obvious questions posted back are : What is wrong in speaking english? Our IT industry is flourishing only because of our english communication. Do you know how much job opportunities have been created? Don't you see that India is aspiring to become a developed country? English communication is one of the important factor, for all these.  My reply to these questions and to any questions that defend english communication is: "Speak english where it is necessary.   Period." I agree with all the questions above, except "What is wrong in speaking english?". This question is subjective. The answer to this, depends on where and to whom you are speaking. When you are being interviewed by a tamil person, for a tamil channel in tamil nadu, for the audience of tamilnadu, I don't understand why english is being spoken.

Some people ask, if i speak english, will tamil language die?  Instead of asking such silly questions, one should realize what is wrong in speaking our own native language when the audience is also of the same language. Another thing to be noted is, by neglecting tamil, slowly we are losing our identity and suddenly one day our grand children will ask why is our state named Tamilnadu? What does that mean grandpa?

The most important part of communication is to whom you are communicating. Who are the audience? Why do people in interviews always communicate with a penchant for english?  It looks, as if the program should have been aired in UK or USA. Digging deep into the issue, it can be understood that the problem is not entirely with the person who speaks english, but a part of the problem is also with our education system, media, personalities and celebrities.

Schools and colleges should encourage people to communicate in tamil. English need not be neglected. English can be used at appropriate places. Media's responsibility is huge. Media personalities should realize their role and communicate in tamil. The reporters, anchors, RJs, all must realize this. I am not saying, do exclusive programmes on tamil, I am saying whatever may be the program, communicate in tamil. And finally the celebrities & personalities. Well, what can I say about them. They speak, as if they have landed directly from hollywood. They show off themselves. Only when these things change, it can really have an impact. Otherwise, tamil will not die, but people speaking tamil will become minority, in tamilnadu itself.

There is nothing against English. Each language has its own flavour and importance. Speak english and only english wherever necessary. Similarly speak tamil and only tamil wherever required. Both can co-exist.

Tamil language is quoted just as an example.  This article applies to all people who neglect their mother tongue. The audience for this article is entire India and that is the reason for this post(and all other posts in my blog) being published in english.  If I had to communicate the same verbally to any of my tamil colleague, I would do that only in pure tamil.

Are you ready for a change ?

Have you ever felt like LIFE is not moving ? Have you ever felt like whatever you do, things doesn't end up good ? Have you ever felt like there is only sorrowness around you and no happiness ? If yes, then you are in urgent need of Change of Mind.

Change of mind is necessary. Having a constant way of thinking, rigid decision makings(going by our values), may not yield the best results always. It may prove us wrong, sometimes. But, we human beings never accept that we are erroneous. We commit the same blunder repeatedly, ignoring the fact that we are actually ruining ourselves. We seldom think about change.  If something goes wrong, there is always GOD to blame it on.  We happily blame GOD and move on.

Why does traveling to our dream vacation or to any natural hill station brings such a joy ? Its because, our mind is excited about thinking something new, something so different from your usual day to day activities. Change of place, brings you change of mind and change of mind, brings you the happiness.

Nobody can enjoy freedom like a person who has an open mind, ready to accept changes. The moment you don't have an open mind, you are already inside a cell of four walls. It is all the more obvious that LIFE doesn't seem moving and there is only grief surrounding you. 

Take a different route(even though your usual route is the best) to office ocassionally, or even a different transport, show your tounge a different taste, come on switch off the idiot box for 1 day, have a chat with your newspaper guy, sometimes, don't be yourself, try things you haven't tried so far. 

Be flexible, accept changes and feel the freedom.

Cracks and Flaws

A water bearer had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.


At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you. I have been able to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house. Because of my flaws, you have to do a lot of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you've watered them.

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."


Moral:
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are, and look for the good in them. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape. Remember to appreciate all the different people in your life!

Saina does a hat-trick !

Triumphant Saina Nehwal

Congratulations Saina, on winning the Indonesian Open, Indian open grand prix and Singapore Open badminton championships.

Keep rocking...

Wait is over...

An old fanatic and a great sportsman

Recently, Sachin met one his oldest fan in chennai.  Those who are unaware of this, first read Batting for sachin and then, read this article Sachin meets his oldest fan.

It was really very sweet to read this news.  I was caught up in between which to admire, the humbleness of this great sportsman or the zeal this old lady has for sachin.  I was amazed at the old woman being able to recollect sachin's statistics from her finger tips.  That's when I realized, if you are craze and gripped with any thing, there is little to be surprised in this. 

I also got an answer on why I keep forgetting many little things, often.  Because, I have little or no interest in such things.  Nice lesson learnt. 

Our memories keep stuffs that are close to our heart for a long long time.   At the same time, it erases the things which our heart doesn't like or has little interest in it.

Wake up, People !

To the people, who are blindly obsessed with the so called spiritual leaders:
Honestly, I am writing this blog unwillingly.  The recent nithyananda events were just maddening me.  It is annoying when common people, who go behind such nonsense and when such incidents get revealed, all of a sudden they get awakened and show their emotions by damaging the fraud's property, beating his acquaintances etc.  Instead, it would have been fitting, if the non-followers(like many of us) were allowed to blast these never learning followers. I guess, many of us will agree to this.

This is another typical example of people's ignorance.  You are born into this world knowing nothing(literally nothing), as a baby.  Early stages, we depend on others for little things like crawling, sitting, walking etc.  Eventually, when we grow, our mind also grows, acquiring many skills and we start to live on our own without relying on anyone. The mind grasps many things, becomes skillful to differentiate good and bad.

We never depend on anyone for food, clothes, money etc.   From a baby knowing nothing, we have matured tremendously, to know how to survive in LIFE.  We want to live on our own and we get a true satisfaction out of that.  To reach or to understand God alone, we are looking for messengers.  Isn't something basically wrong here?

All things have to be approached by ourselves.  You need guidance, no denying that.  You need motivation, accepted.  But, there is a LIMIT for everything.   Never, one should start to worship the so called spiritual leaders as gods.  Over the years, our minds have developed enormously to understand infinite things in this world.   Won't our own mind and brain aid us to feel our souls and touch our spiritual senses?   If you cannot do it, nobody can make you do it. 

Funny fact is that people go behind nithyananda for his enlightenment.  You cannot even distinguish between honest and fraud spiritualists with your average brain.  What's the point in going behind one for enlightenment ?  Come on people,  when are you all going to grow up ?????  The most untolerable fact is, we have already had few other episodes of such swamijis and people haven't learned the lessons yet.  They keep saying "Bring it on".  hmmm....

First, wake up, people, then look for enlightenment.

Congratulations !

Sachin, you are a prodigy.  Your double hundred in ODI is a real inspiration.  This record is a proof for anyone that age doesn't count.  All it counts is the hardwork, talent, and above all the passion for the game.  You are passionate about cricket, and we are passionate of you.

Congratulations and keep going.

Sports in India and Spotlight on media

Startled Fact:

I was bowled over by the US media coverage, while watching the Vancouver winter olympics.  The TV channel broadcasting the olympics was constantly boasting its US athletes along with the show.  Whether the player was a star or not, didn't matter.  The channel was obsessed with each and every US athlete who was competing.  Small interviews of those players, their background, about their families, their hardwork and everything was presented in a capsule at regular intervals during the entire telecast of the olympics.

Disgusting Fact:
I am unable to refrain from comparing this, with the Indian media.  Cricket is the only sport that gets the attention of the media.  Other sports doesn't get the due consideration, they deserve.  In US too, baseball and american football outshine games like soccer.  But, that doesn't mean soccer is left out.  Still, soccer is being given the importance.  But, in India, situation is poles apart.  Each sportsman or sport, instead of competing among themselves, first should compete against Cricket to gain identity.  Competition must be within a sport, not between two different sports.  Such is the Cricket's media coverage.  It's pathetic, to say the least.

Whose Responsibility ?

Let Cricket be the richest sport in India.  Let sachin be worshipped as God.  At the same time, other sports also should be respected.  Otherwise, no point in crying "India is not winning much medals in the olympics".  Though it is everybody's responsibility for recognizing other sports.  Media is the first to be blamed.   Nobody needs enlightenment about the power of media.  Questions that a common man is afraid to put to the government, can be effortlessly raised by the media.  The command and power of media is vast.  Alas, it is not being used for virtuous matters.

There is a unwritten rule, that only the news channels like NDTV, IBN, Aaj Tak etc. should be focussed on such things.  The other regional channels are pretty content with their ever crying serials and admiring the filmdom and filmstars.  Its very shameful.  What's wrong in advertising a show like "For the first time in Indian telecast show, an interview with Saina Nehwal, the new badminton sensation" and captioning the interview with the regional language.   Only when you sow, you can reep.  Likewise, only when the channels telecast such shows, people will be attracted towards the sport and patronage for that sport will boost.  

Advantage India:
When such shows are telecasted, things can only be positive.  Saina Nehwal could become an inspiration for a local girl in Madurai.  It is simple.  If you keep worshipping film stars for 24x7 in the local channels, it is very likely that the local lads will only aspire to be film stars.  Day in and day out, they will be dreaming only about films. What a crime?  Instead, if the TV channels, broadcast programs on all sports, it will certainly kindle the sportsman inside them.
Such programs can reinforce the unity in diversity amongst us.

Disheartening Fact:
Our Indian media has a long way to go, to really do meaningful feats that can serve in the development of our country.  Current TV channels only motto is to gross money and improve their TRP ratings.  Few channels motto is to promote their political party. This should change.

Inspiring Facts:
Last but definitely not the least, congratulations to the following sportsmen on their recent triumph in the year 2009. 

Yuki Bhambri wins junior Australian Open

• Gutta and Diju win at Chinese Taipei:

• Saina Nehwal:First Indian to win BWF Super Series

• India won the Nehru Cup football for the second time in a row

• Bronze at World Boxing Championships

• Devvarman became the first Indian to be in the main draw of a Grand Slam singles tournament since Prakash Amritraj in 2002

To summarize, I had to do an internet search to come up with the above list. It's a pity.

3 Idiots: Review

Can't remember, when was the last time, I watched such a good movie.   This movie is a refresher amongst the usual sterotype movies.   The crux of the movie is about the education system in India and its effects on the students.  It focuses on the things that has to be improved or reconsidered in our education system.

The entire movie has nuggets of good ideas, advices, good thoughts spread throughout. My favourites of them: 

All izzzz well:
    The movie preaches to follow the attitude of staying positive in tough times.  No matter, whatever happens, don't take it too much to the heart.  Tell the heart that "All izzzz well".  

Flaws in Indian Education System:
     The movie very funnily brings out a few flaws in our education system.  All these flaws were pointed out in a lighter sense, but has to be looked at in a serious sense.

• The side effects of the habit of memorizing, without understanding.
• The ugly policy of degrading the students based on marks. 
• The ill effects of the stress created on the students to score good marks.
• Publishing the marks in a notice board.  It may be a proud moment for the bright student, but what about the one who got low marks ?  How would his emotions be, on seeing the low marks ?  Do we ever care about such students ?  Spare a thought for them also.

Marks is not everything:
     There is a character by name Silencer(nickname).  His whole character in this movie is to stress that marks is not everything in life.  See the movie, to understand further.

Do, what you want to do:
     The movie sheds light on the common problem that exists in India.  Typical Indian parents, override the ambitions of their young ones, when choosing their career path.  The movie, subtly explains the parents about this mistake and corrects them to let their young ones choose their own career.

 Putting into practice:
     Anything that is learnt, is of no use, until it is of use to someone or put into practice.  Being conceited of having earned  many degrees and many medals, makes no sense.  Apply the lessons learnt, put them into practice, as there is a no better way of appreciating what you have learnt.  This is best explained in the crucial scenes of heroine's sister giving birth to a kid.

All in all, a humorous and a thought provoking welcome movie.

Customer satisfaction: Does everybody get it ?

A colleague of mine had bought a 40" LCD Television in the year 2006.  He had a warranty of 2 years, which expired in 2008.  Six months earlier, the television screen had a vertical line popping up and it was very distracting to watch the TV.   As the warranty was also expired, he could do nothing about it.  But then, he gave a try and called the seller and explained the problem with the TV.  First, they directed him to a repair company.  But, the guys in the repair company gave up, describing that the problem is too complicated and that he has to replace his TV.  He called the seller again and conveyed this.  The seller immediately asked him to bring his TV back and get the cash back. 

The highlight of this entire episode was, he was treated, just like any other customer, when he was returning his TV, which was bought almost 3 years back and got the entire cash back.  This is "Customer Satisfaction".  The fact that the customer has spent around $1000 and the product has a defect after 3 years, implies that the customer is unsatisfied.  Hence, the seller recalled the product and returned his money back.    Had the TV had this defect after, say 5 or 6 years, it may be a different case.  But, considering his scenario, this is a perfect example of customer satisfaction.   This has to be appreciated.

On the other side, there are instances, where a customer will get different treatment, in a similar scenario.  The seller will just blame it on the customer for the defect and would seldom heed to customer's voice.  Customer satisfaction is just being uttered by the sellers, but not truly practiced.  In certain places, the term Customer Satisfaction will expire, the moment you buy that product.  Until then, the marketing/sales person will answer all your questions patiently, will wait for your decision to buy, even if it takes days or weeks.  Once you have bought the product, you are not even a customer, forget about customer satisfaction.

I can only wish, such customer satisfaction enjoyed by my colleague, be practiced by each and every seller.  Be it a small petty shop or a huge electronic store.

Defining factor in childhood

   If I was given a boon, to get back something that has already passed, I would ask for my childhood.  Those care-free, joyous days with millions of sweet little things, will always be cherished in our hearts, no matter how old we grow.  Childhood, indeed is a pleasant phase in everybody's life.  However, TIME makes everything into past tense.

   Though childhood is very playful, it lays the foundation for our adulthood.  Childhood defines

• who we grow up as,
• how you approach life, 
• in developing your own strengths and weaknesses 

   Education is provided to children, so that they become civilized human beings and to learn various skills.  But, as years rolled by, education has become a business for the schools and a matter of pride for the parents. Education is being seen as a tool to get ourselves employed and earn money and thereby lead a luxurious life.  Somewhere, down the line, the purpose of education was ignored.

   Today's parents burden their children with their desire to acquire good grades in all the subjects.  That subject list would exclude "MORAL".   In fact, I doubt if Moral is a subject at all in today's schools.  Idealy, moral development begins in the home.  But, the current fast paced life style, doesn't allow the parents to spend much time with their kids.  So, the schools and our education system have to step up and take up the responsibility of imparting good moral values into the kid's minds, which is not happening.

    From simple little things like, saying a "Thank You", "greeting anyone with a smile" to "helping someone in need", "taking up responsibilities", "respecting others" etc. can be taught in school. It is not enough, if Moral is just being taught to the children.  The children, should infact be graded in Moral subject and it has to be treated the same like any other subject.

    Teach them the Basics, first.  Basics, I mean here is about all the good things that a child needs to know.  As we are born as human beings, first and foremost emphasis should be to learn about love, humanity, gratitude, good will, sharing, sacrifice, friendship etc.  Learning good Moral values is first.  Rest are next.

   When a child is imparted with good morality, the child can do wonders when it matures.  Good marks in all the other subjects can only yield a better job, more money, more luxury for the kid.  But, that does not guarantee everything in LIFE.  It will only aid us to lead a materialistic life.  Good morality will yield the love of everybody and your life will be filled with festivities around you.  Good morality can guarantee happiness.

    Impart good moral thoughts in your child and let them grow as a good human being and not just grow as a being.

AVATAR: Review

Review:

Finally, I got the time to express my comments about AVATAR.  Avatar, the most awaited film of 2009 might have come at the end of 2009, but, it is the latest and, oh boy it came with a BANG !  Here are my experiences on watching this movie.

AVATAR, is released in 3 formats, if I am not wrong.  Regular 2D version, IMAX 3D and there is a new technology evolving, known as digital 3D or RealD.  Upon learning that RealD is truly astonishing, I decided to give it a try.  Unlike our usual 3D glasses which is red in one side and blue on other side, Real D glasses, look just like plain glasses. 

The moment, the first 3D visual was seen on screen, almost everyone on the theater turned their head towards their left or right.  Guess why ???    :-)   They were unable to resist sharing their amazement and astonishment with their closed ones sitting next to them.  Everybody were posing for a toothpaste ad.  There was that, huge big smile on each one's face and all of them were trying to convey "Wow, Isn't it so beautiful ?".  I was not an exception to this.  RealD is revolutionary.

Before even, getting into the actual film, we were already amazed.  That's the first credit to this movie.  The story setting for Avatar is a planet called Pandora.  James Cameroon has spent almost 5 years into visualizing and bringing this Pandora into the screen.  Excellent work by the director.  Pandora is filled with new creatures, plant varieties, the navi people, that will all leave you dumbstruck.  Each and everything you see in this movie is new and you will be attracted like a magnet.  Like a child, that explores our earth, during its growing phase, we too explore this Pandora as the movie develops.  The Visual special effects and animation are top notch and just brilliant. 

The plot and storyline of avatar could not be said, perfect.  It has its own flaws.  But, in films like Avatar, you put all those things behind you and just get immersed into the planet Pandora.  Honestly, those flaws didn't matter at all.  The movie has a good message, too.  "Embrace nature".

How many of us are not eager to see, how a new planet would look like. Though, we cannot go for real, James Cameroon has taken us there with a small price of a movie ticket.  That summarizes my whole movie experience of AVATAR.

Verdict: Yes, it is a new AVATAR of movie experience.