The recent outburst of scandals on 3 or more Swami's including Swami Nitaynanda and Kalki Bhagawan is a shame.
The timing of the scandals and the way in which these scandals were published leaves no doubt that it is a planned attack on these institutions. Being a staunch Hindu and a person who visits Swami's for preachings, this was a big blow to my confidence in them.
Particularly about Swami Nityananda, after the sex video, as series of allegations including murder and land occupation were seen on the TV. Swami has later on (after 10 days!) cleared the air about murder mystery and land occupation, both of them which seem like fabrication and not facts.
The thing that disappointed/impressed me the most was his answer on the video that he hasn't done anything illegal and that he was served/taken care by that woman and may be parts of it were fabricated.. I was impressed because he used the right words of "illegal".. implying that even he was physically involved with the woman, it is nothing illegal and there was No force used in the process.
I am utterly dis-appointed that it looks like parts of the video is true and I fully believe that No force would have been used on this woman or any woman. Everything must be on "free will". Swami's , particularly the ones wearing orange (Kaashayam) are supposed to have renounced all material pleasures including sex. The general perception/belief is that they have mastered all indriyas and can help others (normal people like us) detach ourselves from these attractions and seek path to renouncement. Each swami shows different paths and tools like meditation, yoga, etc.
Though I agree that it is a gross invasion on Swami's privacy in the name of media, the fact that all these things are very much part of his life and in a secretive manner (not that other people have sex publicly..) is a shock and dis-appointment. Masters need not behave as if they have renounced everything... Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa is a best example of being a master and who lived with his wife who served him and followed him and lead him in his journey.. His organizations are still thriving without any scandals decades after him..
There are lot of GURU's that wear white or any other colors and imply that they may not have renounced everything... sets a better expectation..
The interviews that followed the event and his explanation that abstinence is what he thinks that suit him and the same video confessing that he may be present in parts of the act...are disgusting to the least..
I hope the Swami's come up with better expectations with people seeking knowledge and live up to the rules set forth by them..the concept of GURU becomes an illusion/disappointment otherwise.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
News Channels - A drawing room watch or not!!
The recent stories rather videos of Swamy Nityananda and the other two Swamy's is quite disturbing to parents who watch news channels with children. AndhraJyothi and a few other channels kept telecasting the videos of so called Swamy Nityananda's sexual involvement with an actress along with liquor and drugs (may be)!!
One, I am irritated to see the same video again and agin repeated untill it lost its meaning. For this discussion, I want to keep away - if this video is true..how safe are our ashram's and swamy's? Where does it begin and end? lets just leave that aside for now..
Seriously, it feels that the channels donot do any research before they telecast any such videos'? Is media accountable for transmitting any wrong videos? (If it is a fabricated video). Even if it were true, can the news channels invade any popular person's privacy by giving anyone a video camera and paying a sex worker to seduce the popular one. As long as somebody is not cheating anyone or committing anything illegal, do they have the right to protect their privacy?
The ability to look into anyone's personal lives in the name of "media" without proper regulations and legislation definitions becomes a dangerous proposition. They can blackmail literally anyone.
Media on the other hand should figure out a better of brining these things to light without loosing the sanctity of such news and making it acceptable to watch in everyone's drawing room!!
The world is entangled in so many serious problems like global warming, food crisis, culture crisis and severe corruption at every level. Media can cover wonderfull stories and enlighten everyone of their viewers rather than repeating sex scandals for 24 hours again and again...
One, I am irritated to see the same video again and agin repeated untill it lost its meaning. For this discussion, I want to keep away - if this video is true..how safe are our ashram's and swamy's? Where does it begin and end? lets just leave that aside for now..
Seriously, it feels that the channels donot do any research before they telecast any such videos'? Is media accountable for transmitting any wrong videos? (If it is a fabricated video). Even if it were true, can the news channels invade any popular person's privacy by giving anyone a video camera and paying a sex worker to seduce the popular one. As long as somebody is not cheating anyone or committing anything illegal, do they have the right to protect their privacy?
The ability to look into anyone's personal lives in the name of "media" without proper regulations and legislation definitions becomes a dangerous proposition. They can blackmail literally anyone.
Media on the other hand should figure out a better of brining these things to light without loosing the sanctity of such news and making it acceptable to watch in everyone's drawing room!!
The world is entangled in so many serious problems like global warming, food crisis, culture crisis and severe corruption at every level. Media can cover wonderfull stories and enlighten everyone of their viewers rather than repeating sex scandals for 24 hours again and again...
Saturday, February 20, 2010
India - 1835
A country envious to the rest of the world..education system better than any other country...values that everyone wanted to emulate..How many years will it take current India to go back to 1835...???
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Political School
Anne Anjayya political School
o A place for aspiring politicians
o Increasing the ‘mind-share’ of politicians.
o ‘Democratization’ of political parties.
o Ideology/Issues based politicians.
Vision:
• To infuse massive influx of educated, dedicated politicians into all political parties.
• To increase knowledge, professionalism, dedication in politicians.
• A place where aspiring politicians can learn about the needs of the hour and the mechanisms.
• To create centres of excellence in various people issues like irrigation, public health, education, health, urban infrastructure, jobs, etc
• Training in political conduct and speaking mechanisms and better way of presenting themselves in the political dias.
Today, educated and sensible people are moving away from politics as a career and choosing other lucrative careers like IT, advertising, media, etc. They feel dejected about our political system and are not willing to take a chance. Political parties are open to their own kit and kin and influential film stars or moneyed local players to face the challenge. An average dedicated person has no chance in any party. They seldom get to meet the senior leaders and get inspired by them.
It is not enough to have one or two great leaders ( if we do)! They also change due to the election pressures and seat pressures. Our society at large should change; we need leaders and dedicated people at every place. We need great thinkers and leaders who can do it in every party!! Not just one or two parties. The level of discussions should change for the better. Our accountabilities should change drastically. Our ability to have a decent intellectual and responsible conversation should change. Our leaders need to have the guts to accept truth and take flak from people, if needed. They need to make them think in the true leadership manner. We do not need leaders who crave for popularity or the power. We need leaders who can lead us and tell us what is right and wrong!!
Anne Anjayya political School named after a dedicated freedom fighter - Anne Anjayya, just aims at that. We will be open for anyone who wants to join politics. We teach process. A process to understand what is what in each constituency. What are the local issues, how are they tied to the state level issues and centre issues? How do we have any discussion with other political party leaders. Lets demand principles from leaders of political parties. What they stand for and how they are planning to achieve it? Discussion of shorter term effects to longer term effects?
‘
o A place for aspiring politicians
o Increasing the ‘mind-share’ of politicians.
o ‘Democratization’ of political parties.
o Ideology/Issues based politicians.
Vision:
• To infuse massive influx of educated, dedicated politicians into all political parties.
• To increase knowledge, professionalism, dedication in politicians.
• A place where aspiring politicians can learn about the needs of the hour and the mechanisms.
• To create centres of excellence in various people issues like irrigation, public health, education, health, urban infrastructure, jobs, etc
• Training in political conduct and speaking mechanisms and better way of presenting themselves in the political dias.
Today, educated and sensible people are moving away from politics as a career and choosing other lucrative careers like IT, advertising, media, etc. They feel dejected about our political system and are not willing to take a chance. Political parties are open to their own kit and kin and influential film stars or moneyed local players to face the challenge. An average dedicated person has no chance in any party. They seldom get to meet the senior leaders and get inspired by them.
It is not enough to have one or two great leaders ( if we do)! They also change due to the election pressures and seat pressures. Our society at large should change; we need leaders and dedicated people at every place. We need great thinkers and leaders who can do it in every party!! Not just one or two parties. The level of discussions should change for the better. Our accountabilities should change drastically. Our ability to have a decent intellectual and responsible conversation should change. Our leaders need to have the guts to accept truth and take flak from people, if needed. They need to make them think in the true leadership manner. We do not need leaders who crave for popularity or the power. We need leaders who can lead us and tell us what is right and wrong!!
Anne Anjayya political School named after a dedicated freedom fighter - Anne Anjayya, just aims at that. We will be open for anyone who wants to join politics. We teach process. A process to understand what is what in each constituency. What are the local issues, how are they tied to the state level issues and centre issues? How do we have any discussion with other political party leaders. Lets demand principles from leaders of political parties. What they stand for and how they are planning to achieve it? Discussion of shorter term effects to longer term effects?
‘
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Janaganamana
We sing “Janaganamana’.on all republic days and independence days.. What does it mean to all of us… a lot of us may have forgotten this National anthem after we have graduated from schools and colleges..
‘Janaganamana’ used to be sung on every occasion including every movie theatre for every show when people raised to attention and sung the song..
Today, we have a lot of citizens who do not know the National Anthem completely..
This great poem was written by Rabindranath Tagore, one of the greatest sons of mother India in 1916. The song that is adapted as national anthem is a part of a big song written in a combination of Bengali and Sanskrit.
What does it mean?
It means “praise to mother India” praise to “the spirit that guides our country”.
Praise to this country that spans Punjab, Sindh, Gujarath, Maratha, Dravida(all southern states today), Utkal, Bengal and the holy mountains of Vindhyas, Himalayas and the holy rivers of Yamuna and Ganga that join the ocean and its waves.!! Our country is higher than any one region and our may our tri-colour flag raise above all regions…
We need the spirit of national integration today more than anytime in history… we are enjoying independence and not taking responsibility ….we need to think as one nation while respecting our individual culture.
This song has a profound psychological affect on every Indian if we respectfully sing it every day.
There are a lot of controversies around the song that it was written by Shri Tagore in praise of King George when he was visiting India. People like me who have read about Tagore and his patriotism and his life dedicated to Indian independence will refuse to beleive the allegation..I cannot even imagine Shri Tagore writing such a great song in praise of King George at a meeting of Indian National Congress??Stories of Indian national Congress and its leaders...and their sacrificial lives are a great inspiration to all of us. Lets not look at the controversies but, understand the true meaning of this song and see in what little ways we can be true children of this great country....
‘Janaganamana’ used to be sung on every occasion including every movie theatre for every show when people raised to attention and sung the song..
Today, we have a lot of citizens who do not know the National Anthem completely..
This great poem was written by Rabindranath Tagore, one of the greatest sons of mother India in 1916. The song that is adapted as national anthem is a part of a big song written in a combination of Bengali and Sanskrit.
What does it mean?
It means “praise to mother India” praise to “the spirit that guides our country”.
Praise to this country that spans Punjab, Sindh, Gujarath, Maratha, Dravida(all southern states today), Utkal, Bengal and the holy mountains of Vindhyas, Himalayas and the holy rivers of Yamuna and Ganga that join the ocean and its waves.!! Our country is higher than any one region and our may our tri-colour flag raise above all regions…
We need the spirit of national integration today more than anytime in history… we are enjoying independence and not taking responsibility ….we need to think as one nation while respecting our individual culture.
This song has a profound psychological affect on every Indian if we respectfully sing it every day.
There are a lot of controversies around the song that it was written by Shri Tagore in praise of King George when he was visiting India. People like me who have read about Tagore and his patriotism and his life dedicated to Indian independence will refuse to beleive the allegation..I cannot even imagine Shri Tagore writing such a great song in praise of King George at a meeting of Indian National Congress??Stories of Indian national Congress and its leaders...and their sacrificial lives are a great inspiration to all of us. Lets not look at the controversies but, understand the true meaning of this song and see in what little ways we can be true children of this great country....
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Proposed changes to school education system
Indian education system has moved from traditional ‘Gurukulas’ to missionary schools to Government schools and private schools to numerous International schools.
What seems to have worked for India is our strength and capabilities in Mathematics, Sciences and Logical reasoning primarily dominated by rote and memory. This ability has helped us do well internationally in pure sciences and our famous IT field. However, last 60 years, we didn’t have any milestones for cutting edge research. Our education system has given us strength to remember, relate things, and develop logical thinking to compete in the world markets.
Mr.Sibal, a post graduate from Harvard, whose children are Cambridge graduates and post graduates from Stanford and Harvard, is proposing to over night banish existing systems and bring in a new system. His plan is to scrap Xth class board exam and replace it internal assessments.I appreciate his will to change things for better in his opinion. My suggestions are as follows:
1. Do not change what is working. Please consider research done by Malcom Coldwell and others on this subject as to why Indians are doing so well in Science and Mathematics. Do not change anything that has traditionally been working for us for centuries. Competition is good. Competition breeds competency. However, if there are a minor few, who are feeling stressed because of marks, they should have separate schools that do not give out ranks but, just give out grades. Changing it for the entire country damages existing system. We cannot implement strict and consistant assessment systems for schools over night. We have schools that donot have basic infrastructure for attending classes. It will not be a fair assessment for students wanting to change locations and goto better schools for XI and XII.
2. Children can accomplish a lot more today. We have to supplement them with more learning activities before we take away what is working. Kids of the west are tremendously stressed due to their social circumstances and hence the addition of marks stress may derail them. Their system is based on different needs and skills. Our social/economic situations are different. It is foolish to imitate the west and focus on communication skills, presentation skills, etc while loosing our fundamental sciences and mathematics. Let’s not trade one for the other.
3. We are loosing quality in our education system. Children know less of any language now than previous generations, their strength in sciences is reducing, etc and the list goes on. Lets look at what is working, retain it and add some more for improving on other thingslike communication skills, etc.
4. One system doesn’t suit or is not enough for entire Indian school system. We have different sections of students coming from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Based on the capacities and background of students, we need a tiered (levelled) learning system. Students who can accomplish more should have advanced and gifted programs by various boards. This is what we should ape from the west. Right now, our education system is reduced to the level of ‘passing’ everyone possible to encourage enrolment. This should change.
What seems to have worked for India is our strength and capabilities in Mathematics, Sciences and Logical reasoning primarily dominated by rote and memory. This ability has helped us do well internationally in pure sciences and our famous IT field. However, last 60 years, we didn’t have any milestones for cutting edge research. Our education system has given us strength to remember, relate things, and develop logical thinking to compete in the world markets.
Mr.Sibal, a post graduate from Harvard, whose children are Cambridge graduates and post graduates from Stanford and Harvard, is proposing to over night banish existing systems and bring in a new system. His plan is to scrap Xth class board exam and replace it internal assessments.I appreciate his will to change things for better in his opinion. My suggestions are as follows:
1. Do not change what is working. Please consider research done by Malcom Coldwell and others on this subject as to why Indians are doing so well in Science and Mathematics. Do not change anything that has traditionally been working for us for centuries. Competition is good. Competition breeds competency. However, if there are a minor few, who are feeling stressed because of marks, they should have separate schools that do not give out ranks but, just give out grades. Changing it for the entire country damages existing system. We cannot implement strict and consistant assessment systems for schools over night. We have schools that donot have basic infrastructure for attending classes. It will not be a fair assessment for students wanting to change locations and goto better schools for XI and XII.
2. Children can accomplish a lot more today. We have to supplement them with more learning activities before we take away what is working. Kids of the west are tremendously stressed due to their social circumstances and hence the addition of marks stress may derail them. Their system is based on different needs and skills. Our social/economic situations are different. It is foolish to imitate the west and focus on communication skills, presentation skills, etc while loosing our fundamental sciences and mathematics. Let’s not trade one for the other.
3. We are loosing quality in our education system. Children know less of any language now than previous generations, their strength in sciences is reducing, etc and the list goes on. Lets look at what is working, retain it and add some more for improving on other thingslike communication skills, etc.
4. One system doesn’t suit or is not enough for entire Indian school system. We have different sections of students coming from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Based on the capacities and background of students, we need a tiered (levelled) learning system. Students who can accomplish more should have advanced and gifted programs by various boards. This is what we should ape from the west. Right now, our education system is reduced to the level of ‘passing’ everyone possible to encourage enrolment. This should change.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Relationship Series Tip1
My best friend from college never agreed with my relationship style..she and I used to have a difference of opinion from school days...both of us grew into separate individuals over this period of time and right when we were hitting the BIG 4, she said that i should document my thoughts about relationships..she went ahead and said that I should write a book on this topic. I took it as a compliment although I am not sure if she meant it as a compliment?? You know how best friends are???!!
We all have mental list of people that are very important in our lives..like parents, spouse, children, sibling, friends and business associates.. I apply the 80-20 rule. Spend effort and time on 20% of most important relationships in life..make no quams about it and do not cheat yourself about important people..spend a lot of quality time with spouce and kids, they need to feel very important and nurtured in life. If you are spending to much time in a relationship that may not last or not so important, think about it..
Do not let ego ruin a relationship. da!!!I know that's what all books say...how do you truly apply it? For me it is very simple- I always try and look at the reason for conflict in a relationship. Go deeper and deeper and keep asking why??? You will always get an answer that you could have done something better and not let ego come in. Give up yourselves truly in a relationship. There should be No room for ego. The benefits are truly amazing... the other person also gives in...Don't beat yourself for any mistakes committed. Apologize to yourself and the other person and let it go... and take it forward as it goes beautifully like a paint brush....
There are also some tactical stuff that are very tough with aging parents and growing children...I live with my parents and children together in the same house..The relationship is complex... parents need to be taken care and disciplined like young children. However, if kids watch you do that... they will do the same thing to you..Therefore, we need to adopt different tactics with aging parents. One thing i have learnt is that they are always protective about us and will interfere in our decisions to "protect us". Listen to their suggestions and 'truly listen". Need not follow them. No matter how they irritate you and have conflicting opinions from you, find ways to treat them. Shower them with compliments and remember that our children are most likely to treat us the same way that we treat our parents No matter how better we think we are from our parents.
We all have mental list of people that are very important in our lives..like parents, spouse, children, sibling, friends and business associates.. I apply the 80-20 rule. Spend effort and time on 20% of most important relationships in life..make no quams about it and do not cheat yourself about important people..spend a lot of quality time with spouce and kids, they need to feel very important and nurtured in life. If you are spending to much time in a relationship that may not last or not so important, think about it..
Do not let ego ruin a relationship. da!!!I know that's what all books say...how do you truly apply it? For me it is very simple- I always try and look at the reason for conflict in a relationship. Go deeper and deeper and keep asking why??? You will always get an answer that you could have done something better and not let ego come in. Give up yourselves truly in a relationship. There should be No room for ego. The benefits are truly amazing... the other person also gives in...Don't beat yourself for any mistakes committed. Apologize to yourself and the other person and let it go... and take it forward as it goes beautifully like a paint brush....
There are also some tactical stuff that are very tough with aging parents and growing children...I live with my parents and children together in the same house..The relationship is complex... parents need to be taken care and disciplined like young children. However, if kids watch you do that... they will do the same thing to you..Therefore, we need to adopt different tactics with aging parents. One thing i have learnt is that they are always protective about us and will interfere in our decisions to "protect us". Listen to their suggestions and 'truly listen". Need not follow them. No matter how they irritate you and have conflicting opinions from you, find ways to treat them. Shower them with compliments and remember that our children are most likely to treat us the same way that we treat our parents No matter how better we think we are from our parents.
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