R@J aur Sweety ka Scribble Pad

As 2023 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on a year. While India made tremendous progress in various fields Unprecedented haul of 107 medals that included 28 gold, 38 silvers and 41 bronze medals in Asiad Games Heartbreak in Cricket World Cup finals India on the moon with Chandrayaan and taking a peak at the sun with ISROs Aditya L1  2000 Rupee notes withdrawn UPI goes global with integration in six countries Despite global headwinds of inflation and recessionary fears, India's economy stood strong, clocking in a steady 7% growth. This resilience was fueled by the government's focus on infrastructure, clean energy, and a thriving startup ecosystem. G20 on Center Stage: India's presidency of the G20 showcased its leadership on the global stage, tackling vital issues like climate change and promoting inclusive development. GST collections are touching record highs each month - Some key laws passed  Replacing the colonial penal code with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bi...

Life's essence lies in what tomorrow may bring, Don't dwell on what yesterday could have been, Let them go, let them follow, For, Yesterday's chapter is done, Tomorrow's sun shall rise and paint the sky with a radiant glow, But by evening, it too shall bow low, Whether we are present or lost in the endless night, In the grand scheme, our relevance is but transient.

Life is full of lessons, and often, the most profound ones emerge through self-reflection. Bhagwad Gita helps me introspect. One such introspection journey thoughts Life is not always fair Life cannot be fair for everyone all the time Envy is not going to change it You will attract what is due to you and you will always get what is yours, sooner or later No one will be able to deprive you of what is truly deserve Only when you relinquish your longing for the outcome Relinquishing longing does not mean you simply sit and wait for your time  You have to continue to make an effort and keep collecting Karma points In the stream of time, the results of our Karma will keep coming back to us

 This weekend, I rewatched the Clint Eastwood classic, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly for N th time. I have lost count of the number of times I have watched this movie. However, this time, as I watched the movie, I was reminded of NRN's comment about a 70-hour workweek. One of the memorable quotes from the iconic movie,  "If You Work For A Living, Why Do You Kill Yourself Working?" In the context of NRN's commentary, the dialogue gains contemporary relevance. The idea of a 70-hour work week, while perhaps necessary in certain professional landscapes, raises questions about the toll it takes on individuals. Are we, like the characters in the movie, caught in a relentless cycle of labor, sacrificing our well-being for the sake of survival? It serves as a timeless prompt to reevaluate the balance between work and living, urging us to find meaning in our pursuits and to navigate the challenges of a demanding world with a renewed perspective.

I was listening to an interview with Sadguru of the Isha Foundation, and a few points he made really resonated with me: 1. "Somebody else or something else will never determine how I am." In other words, our inner state should not be dependent on external factors or influences. This is very easy to say but difficult to practice.  2. "In Sanatan Dharma, our view is that this life is a preparation for the next life." This suggests that in the context of Sanatan Dharma, life is seen as a journey of spiritual growth and learning that spans multiple lifetimes. 3. "The soul continues to journey through various physical bodies." This highlights the belief in reincarnation and the idea that the soul evolves through different life experiences. 4. "We make a choice, to continue with the cycle of life and rebirth, or choose to break the cycle of reincarnation and merge with the divine."  This emphasizes the importance of individual choice in determining one...

 Achieving a state of zen entails being unattached and unfazed by what we experience each day Being unattached to the outcome removes Anxiety and Fear  Attachment to monthly salary can be more addictive than the drug heroin, often deterring us from taking risks Every decision has an element of risk The risks/decisions we take/make, shape our destiny Life's most challenging decision is determining which bridges to burn and which to retain

What a Sunday: This Sunday's election results have sent shockwaves through India's political landscape. While many exit polls had predicted a close fight, the BJP has emerged victorious in three states, including Madhya Pradesh, where Shivraj Singh Chauhan has secured a landslide victory with over 160 seats. This win is particularly surprising given Chauhan's 18 years as chief minister, and Pro Incumbency drives more votes and seats than ever before. The results in Madhya Pradesh, along with the BJP's gains in Rajasthan and Telangana, suggest that the party is on the rebound after a string of setbacks in recent years. This resurgence can be attributed to its charismatic leader, Narendra Modi. The BJP's performance in these state elections has important implications for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. If the current mood holds for the next four months, Modi ji could be on track for a third term as Prime Minister, potentially with a strengthened mandate of 350+...

it's ironic how easily we overlook the treasures that surround us daily.  As a parent navigating the challenges of raising kids amid the allure of gadgets and goodies, I've come to a profound realization: the sooner we learn to keep it simple and adhere to the basics, the sooner our kids—and even our pets—grasp the true value of what they have. Living in a consumerist culture, the perpetual quest for the next big thing becomes an intrinsic part of our lives. Children, in particular, are influenced by the world around them—be it through advertising or the desire for the latest gadgets that their friends may possess. In their pursuit of the latest trends and upgrades, we inadvertently diminish the significance of the possessions and experiences we already have. Simplicity is about figuring out what are the basics, and then ensuring the basics are met. For anything beyond the basics, kids need to work for it. Sticking to the basics isn't just a matter of frugality; it's a ...