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Showing posts from October, 2023

Ahinsa: Unraveling Non-Violence and Duty"

Recently, I found myself explaining the concept of Ahinsa to my children. As I delved into the explanation, memories from my own childhood surfaced – the teachings we received, the lessons we learned. Among them, Mohandas Gandhi's cherished Sanskrit sloka " Ahinsa Paramo Dharma - Non-violence is the ultimate duty " stood out, as well as his depiction of the three monkeys: Bura Mat Dekho - See no Evil Bura Mat Suno -  Hear no Evil Bura Mat Kaho - Say no Evil During COVID-19, as I delved deeper into my understanding of the Bhagavad Gita, a question emerged – an inquiry about Ahinsa itself. I grappled with the apparent contradiction: If Ahinsa was truly the highest virtue, why did Lord Krishna, a central figure in the Gita, encourage Arjuna to engage in the Kurukshetra war when Arjuna himself was hesitant to do so? The very foundation of non-violence seemed to be shaken by this apparent encouragement towards conflict. As I dwelled deeper into this I realized, that all these ...

Neighbours envy, Owners pride

 "Neighbours envy, Owners pride", this was a tagline of one of the prominent television brands in the 80's and 90's. As a kid, I never understood the meaning of envy, though I looked up the dictionary, the meaning was not well understood. As I grew up, slowly realized envy is an emotion that occurs when we lack something — whether it be a specific personal attribute or an object — that someone else has. Basically, Envy is the desire for something possessed by another, accompanied by a feeling of discontent or resentment There is a subtle difference between Jealousy and Envy, and often these words are used interchangeably. Jealousy typically arises in situations involving perceived threats to a valued relationship or possession. It often involves a fear of losing something that is already possessed or enjoyed, such as a relationship, a status, or a possession. Until now I used to think that these emotions are very much limited to humans. Yesterday I realised even anima...

Wedding season is here

 Marriage season is starting off in India, 35 Lakh weddings are planned in 23 days between November 23 to December 15. The Confederation of All Indian Traders estimates a business of 4.25 lakh crores. A typical Indian wedding typically has expenses on Gold, Jewelry, clothing, food, gifts, and travel. I was shocked to hear that an average wedding hall in Hyderabad is charging rates of 1 lakh per hour as rentals. It's noteworthy that this cost does not even cover additional expenses like electricity, cleaning, decorations, and seating. What adds to the peculiarity of this scenario is that a significant portion of these transactions occurs in cash. The wedding industry's flourishing economic impact is indeed awe-inspiring, providing a glimpse into the extravagant and cash-intensive nature of these celebratory events.

Gaza in Stone Age - What next ?

 While in the middle of Israel-Palestine conflict, it's easy to become engrossed in the immediate challenges at hand and lose sight of the broader perspective. Much like in our personal lives, where intense focus on a singular issue can inadvertently lead to burning bridges leaving little or no scope for restoring the status quo, the current state of affairs in the region requires a thoughtful reexamination of long-term strategies.  The Danger of Short-Term Solutions: While military interventions and bombing Gaza back to the Stone Age may address immediate threats, a sustainable resolution requires some strategic thinking. It should transcend beyond the immediate response to provocations. Hopefully, Israel's leadership understands that - more bombing, more human suffering, more the number of videos, more jihadi literature, more crowdfunding, and more madrasas across the world use these to radicalize Muslims. Hope Israel has a plan for Hamas whose leadership is based in Qatar. ...

Memes Amidst Mayhem: Zelensky, Israel, and the Potential Prelude to World War 3

 When the war in Ukraine began, I shared my thoughts on LinkedIn quoting a Hindi saying “Paisa Phek Tamasha Dhek” – which translates to “Throw in the money and be entertained”. Predicting that countries would contribute financial support while remaining distantly engaged since the war wasn't occurring on their own soil.  Fast forward 1.5 years, and it seems my prediction may have held true. The weariness surrounding the Ukraine conflict seemed to settle, and the world quickly sought a new focal point. Enter the Israel-Palestine situation, providing a fresh distraction. It remains to be seen how enduring this shift in attention will be." While US has thrown its weight behind Israel, we need to understand how and what led to this intelligence failure. How could Israeli Intelligence Mosad not see this coming and get caught in surprise?  I think the world is on its way towards World War 3. The war zone is slowly spreading, From Russia and Ukraine, to Armenia and Azerbaijan, t...

The Timeless Legacy of Jagjit Singh

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On the 10th of October 2011, the world bid farewell to the legendary Jagjit Singh, a maestro whose voice transcended boundaries and left an indelible mark on the realm of music. Reflecting upon his musical journey, I am transported back to 1996, a time when my college days were graced by the introduction to the enchanting world of Jagjit Singh's songs, courtesy of my roommate. Evenings filled with his soul-stirring tunes soon became a ritual, though I confess that, initially, I found them too slow and perhaps even a bit "boring." However, it took me merely a year to unravel the depth of the deliberate pace of his ghazals. Each note, sung with a deliberate slowness, allowed the listener to savor every nuance, every emotion, and every lyrical gem. Like delicate threads woven into the fabric of our lives, his ghazals narrated stories of love, loss, and the profound beauty of the human experience. Jagjit Singh's contribution to the world of music extended far beyond the c...

Monopolies, Investors delight

As we traverse the landscape of consumption, the intriguing concept of monopolies commands our attention. Monopolies, characterized by their dual nature, wield the power to inconvenience consumers while offering distinct advantages to savvy investors who align with these monopolistic endeavors. A monopoly enterprise epitomizes an entity that commands unparalleled authority or control within a specific market or industry. In this scenario, the company emerges as the sole provider of a particular product or service, effectively quashing competition and wielding influence over pricing, supply, and market intricacies without significant rivalry. This dominance empowers the monopoly to profoundly impact market dynamics and consumer preferences. The path to dominance can be forged through various factors: Innovation Strong intellectual property Pioneering status in the field Harnessing network effects Forging strategic partnerships Embracing vertical and horizontal integration Capitalizing o...

Hamas

The conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, these visuals are horrific. The atrocities depicted in these images are beyond comprehension - acts that defy humanity and compassion. The deliberate targeting of vulnerable groups, including women and children, adds another layer of horror to an already devastating conflict. Hamas is worse than ISIS, Images and news of Women paraded naked, Kids burnt in front of parents, Pregnant women killed, body being disected and fetus pulled out are disturbing. The Israeli Prime Minister's assertion that "Hamas started this, we will end it and change the map of the Middle East" reflects the gravity of the conflict and the determination.  My prayers and sympathy with the families that are impacted.

Questioning

In the 80's and 90's, as children growing up in India, we were often instructed to withhold our questions and obediently follow directives. Occasionally, when we mustered the courage to inquire, we were unjustly branded as argumentative rebels. While my father would make an effort to explain his reasoning, my mother on the other hand would usually quell the conversation. As most of my generation completed our education and entered the professional realm, a common observation was that we lacked the habit of asking probing questions. Yet, as we progressed, we began to recognize that exceptional leaders and thinkers stand out for their ability to pose insightful questions, unearthing perspectives that lead to transformative solutions. It takes time to undo the conditioning we had received. During the period of Covid and its aftermath, I found myself delving into the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. This revered scripture unfolds on the eve of the Kurukshetra War, a monumental confl...

Cricket World Cup starts today

The Cricket World Cup starts today and will last until Nov 19th, during this period 10 teams will play 42 matches across 10 different cities. During my early years, I would not have missed a single match, but with age, I am more inclined toward the economic impacts of the World Cup on the fastest-growing economy in the world. The economic impacts of the Cricket World Cup in Bharath will be substantial. Cricket is not just a sport; it's a passion and a cultural phenomenon. Cricket World Cup has far-reaching effects on various sectors of the economy. Here are some of the key economic impacts: Tourism : Influx of Visitors: Major cricket events, such as the Cricket World Cup, attract a significant number of international and domestic tourists. Foreign cricket enthusiasts and fans from within the country travel to host cities to witness the matches live. Airfares are up by more than 50% compared to last year. Hospitality Industry Boost : Hotels, restaurants, transportation services, and...

Indri

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People raise the glass for various reasons - to remember, to forget, or simply for the exhilarating kick. However, for those who savor the experience, Indri, an Indian single malt whiskey that has earned its stripes as one of the world's finest. This whiskey has been rated one of the world's finest Whiskey. Piccadilly Agro Industries Ltd. producer of Indri has intrigued connoisseurs and investors alike. Since the announcement of its global recognition, the company's stock price has experienced a remarkable surge, boasting an impressive 40% increase. While I was never a fan of hard liquor and though I quit drinking many years ago, I find the design, color, and packaging impressive. As for the flavor and the smoothness, drinkers will have a point of view and I am sure there will be many reviews of this whiskey over the next few days. With the upcoming festive season, the allure of Indri is poised to take center stage, creating a ripple effect that will undoubtedly benefit Pic...

When September ends

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Time swiftly passes by; nine months of this year have already slipped away. This evening, as I strolled with Cookie, a song from years past, flashed into my mind.. Green Day - Wake Me Up When September Ends  Here comes the rain again Falling from the stars Drenched in my pain again Becoming who we are As my memory rests But never forgets what I lost Wake me up when September ends