Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
If you are True Indian, than read this letter from Dr. Abdul Kalam with true dedication: http://ping.fm/CrpuC
Be a Proud Indian: Letter from Dr. Abdul Kalam
If you are a true Indian, than do read the following letter from Dr. Abdul Kalam:
Letter to Every Indian from Dr. Abdul Kalam
Why is the media here so negative?
Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements?
We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why?
We are the first in milk production.
We are number one in Remote sensing satellites.
We are the second largest producer of wheat.
We are the second largest producer of rice.
Look at Dr. Sudarshan , he has transferred the tribal village into a self-sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements but our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters.
I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the day after a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The Hamas had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert into an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the newspaper, buried among other news.
In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime.. Why are we so NEGATIVE? Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign T.Vs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology.
Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance? I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India. For her, you and I will have to build this developed India. You must proclaim. India is not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation.
Do you have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance.
Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice is yours..
YOU say that our government is inefficient.
YOU say that our laws are too old.
YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.
YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke. The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.
YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits.
YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it?
Take a person on his way to Singapore. Give him a name - 'YOURS'. Give him a face -'YOURS'. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International best. In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they are. You pay $5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity. In Singapore you don't say anything, DO YOU? YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai. YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah.
YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds (Rs.650) a month to, 'see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else. 'YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, 'Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so's son. Take your two bucks and get lost.' YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand ..
Why don't YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo ? Why don't YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston ??? We are still talking of the same YOU. YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India ?
In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan ..
Will the Indian citizen do that here?' He's right. We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility.
We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick a up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms.
We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity. This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to the public.
When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child! and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse? 'It's the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my sons' rights to a dowry.' So who's going to change the system?
What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away.
Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England . When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money.
Dear Indians, The article is highly thought inductive, calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too.. I am echoing J. F. Kennedy's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians...
'ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY'
Lets do what India needs from us.
Forward this mail to each Indian for a change instead of sending Jokes or junk mails.
Thank you,
Dr. Abdul Kalam
I hope every Indian would realize this soon and start praising our country, talk about positive points rather than focusing on negative ones and work towards making India a best place to live.
India is the most beautiful and the fastest developing country, so don't be ashamed, Be A Proud Indian :)
Letter to Every Indian from Dr. Abdul Kalam
Why is the media here so negative?
Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements?
We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why?
We are the first in milk production.
We are number one in Remote sensing satellites.
We are the second largest producer of wheat.
We are the second largest producer of rice.
Look at Dr. Sudarshan , he has transferred the tribal village into a self-sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements but our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters.
I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the day after a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The Hamas had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert into an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the newspaper, buried among other news.
In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime.. Why are we so NEGATIVE? Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign T.Vs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology.
Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance? I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India. For her, you and I will have to build this developed India. You must proclaim. India is not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation.
Do you have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance.
Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice is yours..
YOU say that our government is inefficient.
YOU say that our laws are too old.
YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.
YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke. The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.
YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits.
YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it?
Take a person on his way to Singapore. Give him a name - 'YOURS'. Give him a face -'YOURS'. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International best. In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they are. You pay $5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity. In Singapore you don't say anything, DO YOU? YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai. YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah.
YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds (Rs.650) a month to, 'see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else. 'YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, 'Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so's son. Take your two bucks and get lost.' YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand ..
Why don't YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo ? Why don't YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston ??? We are still talking of the same YOU. YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India ?
In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan ..
Will the Indian citizen do that here?' He's right. We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility.
We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick a up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms.
We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity. This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to the public.
When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child! and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse? 'It's the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my sons' rights to a dowry.' So who's going to change the system?
What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away.
Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England . When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money.
Dear Indians, The article is highly thought inductive, calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too.. I am echoing J. F. Kennedy's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians...
'ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY'
Lets do what India needs from us.
Forward this mail to each Indian for a change instead of sending Jokes or junk mails.
Thank you,
Dr. Abdul Kalam
I hope every Indian would realize this soon and start praising our country, talk about positive points rather than focusing on negative ones and work towards making India a best place to live.
India is the most beautiful and the fastest developing country, so don't be ashamed, Be A Proud Indian :)
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Ganesh Chaturthi: Birth of the lord of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the fourth day from the new moon in the lunar month of Bhadrapada as Lord Ganesh was born on that day.
Lord Ganesh was created by Parvati (wife of Lord Shiva). Parvati created Ganesh from sandalwood dough that she used to bath and breathed life into him. She wanted him to guard the door when she goes for bath. As Ganesh was fulfilling his duty, Lord Shiva decided to meet his wife after a long period of meditation on the mountain Kailash. Since Lord Shiva was not aware of his wife’s creation and had never seen Lord Ganesh, he became furious when Lord Ganesh stopped him at the door and did not let him meet Parvati. Lord Shiva cut off the head of Lord Ganesh and continued on his way to meet Parvati. Moments later, Lord Shiva discovered that he has actually killed none other than Parvati’s son. He immediately ordered his attendants to get him the head of the very first creature they could find. The very first living creature that they could find was an elephant. They cut off the head of the elephant and brought to Lord Shiva. He then placed it on Ganesh’ body and brought him to life. Since then the elephant headed God is known as Ganesh or Ganpati, which means the chief of ganas or attendants of Shiva.
Lord Ganesh is chosen to be a leader as he had once won a race with his brother through his intelligence. One day Lord Ganesh and his younger brother, Kartike decided to take three rounds of the earth. Whoever finishes all three rounds first, will be considered as a leader. Kartike sat on a peacock as a vehicle and started off, whereas, Lord Ganesh was given a rat, which moved very slowly. Lord Ganesh knew it was a hard race. He immediately bend to his parents, Lord Shiva and Parvati and went around them three times and as a result, he completed his race before Kartike. He said, “my parents pervade the whole universe and going around them, is more than going round the earth.” Hearing his intelligent logic, Lord Ganesh was thus considered as a Ganadhipati or leader.
The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi was started by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the great Maratha ruler whose aim was to promote culture and nationalism. The celebration was further re-energized by Lokmanya Tilak (a freedom fighter) spreading a message of freedom struggle and challenging British who had banned public assemblies. The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi brought the feeling of unity and restored the patriotic spirit and faith.
The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in many different states in India. The preparation begin months in advance. Statues of Lord Ganesh are hand made by artists who creates them in different ways and in different sizes. These statues are set up on the corners of the streets and at homes. The arrangements are elaborated with lightings, decorations such as mirrors, flowers, colorful cloths and much more. Prayers are performed daily during certain hours of the day.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for one, three, five, seven or ten days, depending on the devotee. On the last of the celebration, meaning either first, third, fifth, seventh or on tenth day the statue of Lord Ganesh is carried on the decorated floats to be submerged in the sea. Thousands of devotees parade to the beaches to immerse the holy idols/ statues in the sea. This parade is accompanied by drum beats, devotional songs and dance. Lord Ganesh is immersed in the sea with a very popular song “Ganpati Bapa Moriya, Agle Baras Tu Jaldi Aa,” which means, oh Lord Ganpati, come back soon the next year.
Since Lord Ganesh is considered as the mangal murti (auspicious God) in Hindu religion,even after his idol/ statues are immersed in the sea at the end of the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, he is worshipped throughout the year, during every festival and before people starts a journey or a new venture. Lord Ganesh is also found carefully guarding entrances to temples and homes, and happily blessing marriages and other such occasions.
May Lord Ganesh bless all with wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!
Lord Ganesh was created by Parvati (wife of Lord Shiva). Parvati created Ganesh from sandalwood dough that she used to bath and breathed life into him. She wanted him to guard the door when she goes for bath. As Ganesh was fulfilling his duty, Lord Shiva decided to meet his wife after a long period of meditation on the mountain Kailash. Since Lord Shiva was not aware of his wife’s creation and had never seen Lord Ganesh, he became furious when Lord Ganesh stopped him at the door and did not let him meet Parvati. Lord Shiva cut off the head of Lord Ganesh and continued on his way to meet Parvati. Moments later, Lord Shiva discovered that he has actually killed none other than Parvati’s son. He immediately ordered his attendants to get him the head of the very first creature they could find. The very first living creature that they could find was an elephant. They cut off the head of the elephant and brought to Lord Shiva. He then placed it on Ganesh’ body and brought him to life. Since then the elephant headed God is known as Ganesh or Ganpati, which means the chief of ganas or attendants of Shiva.
Lord Ganesh is chosen to be a leader as he had once won a race with his brother through his intelligence. One day Lord Ganesh and his younger brother, Kartike decided to take three rounds of the earth. Whoever finishes all three rounds first, will be considered as a leader. Kartike sat on a peacock as a vehicle and started off, whereas, Lord Ganesh was given a rat, which moved very slowly. Lord Ganesh knew it was a hard race. He immediately bend to his parents, Lord Shiva and Parvati and went around them three times and as a result, he completed his race before Kartike. He said, “my parents pervade the whole universe and going around them, is more than going round the earth.” Hearing his intelligent logic, Lord Ganesh was thus considered as a Ganadhipati or leader.The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi was started by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the great Maratha ruler whose aim was to promote culture and nationalism. The celebration was further re-energized by Lokmanya Tilak (a freedom fighter) spreading a message of freedom struggle and challenging British who had banned public assemblies. The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi brought the feeling of unity and restored the patriotic spirit and faith.
The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in many different states in India. The preparation begin months in advance. Statues of Lord Ganesh are hand made by artists who creates them in different ways and in different sizes. These statues are set up on the corners of the streets and at homes. The arrangements are elaborated with lightings, decorations such as mirrors, flowers, colorful cloths and much more. Prayers are performed daily during certain hours of the day.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for one, three, five, seven or ten days, depending on the devotee. On the last of the celebration, meaning either first, third, fifth, seventh or on tenth day the statue of Lord Ganesh is carried on the decorated floats to be submerged in the sea. Thousands of devotees parade to the beaches to immerse the holy idols/ statues in the sea. This parade is accompanied by drum beats, devotional songs and dance. Lord Ganesh is immersed in the sea with a very popular song “Ganpati Bapa Moriya, Agle Baras Tu Jaldi Aa,” which means, oh Lord Ganpati, come back soon the next year.
Since Lord Ganesh is considered as the mangal murti (auspicious God) in Hindu religion,even after his idol/ statues are immersed in the sea at the end of the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, he is worshipped throughout the year, during every festival and before people starts a journey or a new venture. Lord Ganesh is also found carefully guarding entrances to temples and homes, and happily blessing marriages and other such occasions.
May Lord Ganesh bless all with wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!
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