I think time is a great leveller.

Not only the fact that it remains the same for everyone - a second is a second, a minute is 60 seconds, an hour is sixty minutes and a day is 24 hours and so on. This has no biases - caste, creed, gender, geography, economics, society, history - everything bends before the rule of time. No difference for anyone. At best, you can buy others’ time to get most of your work done. But your time keeps clicking away at the same pace. You keep nearing death at an equal pace always. And there will always be certain things, that you can’t delegate.

Time also levels a lot of things - there is a proverb in Tamil: “The King kills then, the god kills when it is time.” Which means everything done can be undone, essentially that nothing is irreversible. Both the subject and the object, the action and the actor can be reversed.

Now understand why you are always supposed to think, talk & act good?

I am yet to see a person who has not been humbled by time - I am not talking about the battle with death, I am going beyond. I believe everyone concedes defeat to time at least once in a lifetime.

Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw was always more Sam Bahadur than Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw who won hearts more than wars and whose weapons were a rakish charm as well as valour; the twinkling look and the straight baton.

In a fitting tribute here, the ToI has glorious things to say about Sam Bahadur. For me, I have never met the man but only heard of a story about his audacity and commitment that came to fore during an important meeting with the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1971.

Someone who can inspire a nation, revel in its adoration, love and respect without extravagance is definitely a great man and has to be respected. That he was a war hero is uncontested; that he was a human war hero, with a natural and admirable side is what puts him in a league of extraordinary heroes.

That he fought medical complications silently and bravely, that he never stopped the doctors from doing their duty, that he endured every pain in his last few days talk for the man. The presence of locals and many retired servicemen during his last journey reflects the fact that he was certainly loved and respected.

And finally, if the MoD or GoI was not represented well in his last journey, it is fine - in fact, it is good because they represent everything he would have resented in his lifetime.

So here goes a final salute to the gallant soldier - may his new journey be better than before.

May the brave soul rest in peace.

Found this in ToI today and was pleasantly surprised - is there no limit to hypocracy?

The Thackerays came to Mumbai two generations ago for jobs and as such have no right to assault those coming to the financial capital in search of livelihood. This claim has been made in an article published in this month’s issue of Nationalist Congress Party’s mouthpiece Rashtravadi , whose chief Sharad Pawar is an old friend of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray. Hari Narke, professor at Mahatma Phule chair in Pune University and a renowned scholar on Ambedkar, has written the strong-worded article.

Narke has flayed Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray, who is Bal Thackeray’s nephew, over attacks on migrants in Mumbai. “Raj should read the autobiography of his grandfather Prabodhankar Thackeray (Bal Thackeray’s father). Prabodhankar, who studied in Madhya Pradesh, has written how he travelled in other states for livelihood”, Narke says. “This proves that the Thackerays, who are not original inhabitants of Mumbai, came to this city in search of livelihood”, the scholar says. Incidentally, Prabodhankar’s literature was published in 1995 by Maharashtra Government at the behest of Narke, the article says. “Who gave those, who came to Mumbai two generations ago to earn their livelihood, the right to beat up others who also come here in search of jobs?”, Narke has questioned. “It does not behove people who live 24 hours a day seeped in history to forget the history of just over two generations”, Narke said. 

I thought the Los Angeles Lakers would win the NBA Title this year. I thought Portugal (though I support Germany), Croatia and Netherlands would surely be in the semifinals and Netherlands would face Croatia in the finals and the Dutch would eventually lifet the Euro 2008 - all gone into the dust.

I thought Kimi Raikkonen would win the Canadian GP and Felipe Massa would win the Monaco GP - I am a tifosi of Ferrari, but these conclusions were fact and logic based!

I thought the Chennai Superkings would face the Deccan Chargers in the IPL finals before the series began and then thought it will be Delhi Daredevils against the Superkings. I hadn’t counted on Rajasthan clearing the league, leave alone reaching the finals and winning the trophy.

I thought Novak Djokovic had a fiar chance at French Open this year - he made a very early exit. I thought Sharapova would win the Women’s Title - Ivanovic surprised me.

India lost to Pakistan in the finals of Asia Cup Tri-Series!

And many more. Sports has become really really unpredicatable.

During one of my discussions with my grandfather, he was telling me about his relationship with my grandmother. Even though they got married at an early age, apparently he could never completely undertsand her at certain situations - she might be very calm with one naughty child and chid another, for example.

His point actually had very less to do with his companion of 50+ years. What he really wanted to say was about people skills. If we can’t predict or understand someone with whom you spend a major part of your life, your people skills are not the best and therefore you have no right being judgemental about others!

How many decisions we make in such a small time of 60 years that is negligible considering so many things that have existed for centuries or milleniums! How we condemn some, how we praise some, how we hold someone within the walls of our heart and how we throw someone out of even eyesight! While decisions or judgements may appear true at that point in time, they may change! After all, which one of us could claim to have seen every angle in every situation.

It is so easy to say - he is a cold-blooded murderer, he is a fraud, she is bitchy, she is this, he is that and so on. What right do we have to judge anyone, leave alone someone. We pass on rulings! These things actually freak me out. That we do so much in the 60 odd years that we walk on this earth.

Interesting article copied from the ToI dated 18th June.

High heels & laptop spell death for executive:  Wearing high heels in a packed local train probably cost Swati Nage her life. The 29-year-old assistant manager with Kingfisher Airlines fell to her death from the footboard of a suburban train compartment between Malad and Goregaon stations on Monday morning. Police officials said she was wearing high heels and clutching a heavy laptop, which probably resulted in her losing her balance.

Eight persons on an average die on Mumbai’s tracks every day. Although most of them are run over while crossing the tracks, a sizeable number die after falling off the train or being hit by poles. More than 20,700 people have died on the railway tracks in Mumbai in the last five years. On average, this works out to over 4,000 fatalities a year or a staggering 11 deaths per day. As many as 2,784 commuters have died after falling off moving trains. Western Railway has accounted for 3,153 deaths between March 2003 and Feb 2008.

Plagiarism has come to the centre stage off late - intellectual capabilities running out of steam, people are laying their hands on anything that they get. Dan Brown and JK Rowling being some celebrities involved in Plaigiarism cases, on the blogging circuit that I am on, a photo taken by a blogger has been snapped up by Hindustan Times. While you can read about that here (1, 2), I personally felt the issue was a bit stretched.

It is extremely shameful that an institution of the nature of Hindustan Times has indulged in such an abominous act - giving credit doesn’t take a lot and they could have done that. By what they have done, they have only managed to gain the hatred of innumerable people. Hope they get some sense.

Meanwhile, I was going through the reactions for the same - they range from “I am sorry this happened to you” to “Let’s declare war!” which surprised me. I thought the fact that a work has been noticed is good and therefore, instead of focussing on why did you do it, we must ensure that the rightful owner gets the credit. Anyways, I felt I am not entitled to a say - I am not even the thrid party!

But I remember Krishna in the Bhagavad Geeta: “What are you crying about? What have you lost that was yours? What did you bring when you entered this world? What did you produce out of nothing? Whatever you have was taken from here and you have left it here.

Copied from ToI today; thought I’ll share this because so many of use such sites today:

Should you reject a friend on My-Space? How do you ward off an old lover on Facebook? Have no fear. Britain’s etiquette bible has come to the rescue for social networkers who are at a loss about how to behave with online decorum.

Debrett’s have helped to compile a new set of “golden rules” for devotees of sites like Facebook and Bebo. The rules were put together after research by the telecoms company Orange showed that almost two thirds of social networkers are frustrated and confused by online etiquette. It discovered that more than a quarter were uncertain about how to respond to unwelcome ‘pokes’ or messages. Eighteen per cent confessed to being confused on “how to respond to my ex when in a relationship with someone else.”

Debrett’s etiquette adviser Jo Bryant tried to guide the confused through what can be a social minefield. Acknowledging that social networking has made new demands on traditional etiquette, she said “My advice is to play it safe and always employ your usual good manners when online, treating others with kindness and respect.” And you should never throw caution to the wind.

Mark Watt-Jones, head of development and innovation at Orange, said, “Whether you are checking your Facebook profile or posting photos of friends on MySpace at work, these guidelines will ensure you never lose old friends or make unwanted new ones.”

GOLDEN RULES FOR NETWORKING:

1) You don’t have to make friends with people you don’t know. Think before you poke

2) Wait 24 hours before accepting or removing someone as a friend. The delay will help you gather your thoughts

3) Birthdays, engagements and weddings are not ‘virtual’ events. Always send cards or phone friends when there is an important event

4) Think before posting a friend’s photo what you would feel like if it was you

5) Think carefully about your profile picture. Would you want it to be appearing in your local newspaper?

There are some songs that just keep you going. As the first few pages say in “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance“, journeys are much better on a motorcycle than in a car. The wind beating on you, the occasional insect whirring past your head, the heady drown of your bike’s pistons and the pungent smell of the countryside: all add to the experience.

I had the habit of listening to music as I rode. And as I rode more, I found that there are some tricks in putting up the right music for your journey. For example, I listen to fast paced Emraan Hashmi remixes when I have to reach somewhere within a time limit. Of course, if the limit is improbable, I don’t go, but given a chance that the limit is within 5 minutes of what I can do, I go.

Alternatively, when I want to drive/ride (drive is included because these ideas seem to work for cars too) at the usual pace, it is All India Radio’s Akashvani that does the trick - the old time announcers who talk clearly, make sense and keep you cool help a lot in the city traffic.

It is the songs for the highway that I want to write about here. “Aa dekhen zara” from the movie Rocky sung by RD Burman, Kishoreda & Asha Bhosle is a good starter. The song gives you an invincible feeling and sets the tone for the rest of the ride. This would be typically what I would start with when I am starting from Chembur, Mumbai where a bit of city traffic is left. As I cross Trombay, the road opens up, traffic reduces and the speed can touch a sedate 80 KMPH. The song here gets more naughty: “Jawaan Janeman” from Namak Halaal is a peppy track sung by Asha Bhosle. Once you cross Vashi and catch up the highway, “Dil Kya Kare” from Julie sung by Kishoreda fills your ears and the world seems perfect. “Khaike Paan Banaraswaala” from Don prepares you for the smaller city called Panvel ahead and “Sara Zamaana” from the movie Yaraana and “Ae Deewano” from Don puts on top of this world.

Once again you are on the highway and it’s time for pep: “Saamne Yeh Kaun Aaya” from Jawaani Diwaani, “Ek Chaturnaar” and “Bindu” from Padosan, “Jaanu Meri Jaan” from Shaan, “Pyaar Humein” from Satte Pe Satta, “Yeh Jawaani” frpm Jawaani Diwani capped by “Mere Sapnon Ki Raani” from Aradhana and you are ready for your first pit stop. A few Chai & Samosas/Wada Pavs later, you are ready to go. In a more mellow mood, you are looking for a trans-world experience. You start with “Meet Na Mila” from Abhimaan followed by “Musafir Hoon Yaaron” from Parichay and “Jaane Jaan” from Jawani Diwani to enter a stream of songs like “Khoya Khoya Chand”, “Main Zindagi Ka Saath”, “Khilte Hai Gul Yahaan”, “O Mere Dil Ke Chain” and so on.

Listing every song here is impractical, but I guess you got the idea. For the more experienced, include “Punjab” by Karunesh, “Kandisa” and “Bande” by Indian Ocean, “Sayonee” by Junoon, “Piya Re” by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, “Mera Laung”, “Gore Naal” and “Noorie” by Bally Sagoo, “The Way You Make Me Feel”, “Beat It”, “Black or White”, “Billie Jean”, “Jam” and “Dangerous” by Micheal Jackson, “Desert Rose” by Sting and many such more.

I realise, I am far too lazy to find links for all these songs so please google them.

Do you know the perfect human? Have you met him or her? Do you know someone who you think should be imitated by everyone else in the world? Can Mahatma Gandhi/Albert Einsten/Luther King/Mother Teresa/Princess Diana/Micheal Jackson/Nelson Mandela/Harrison Ford or even Lance Armstrong be a benchmark for all humans to emulate? 

The problem lies here: it is not just limited to naive parents expecting their child to score the maximum every time and when the child fails to accomplish, rap it by comparing with the 1st ranker. The problem exceeds by a large margin - there is comparison with someone at every point of your life; except when you are less than 4 years old probably.

Kids appreciate better/more toys - as a result parents are measured against others who can afford better/more toys. As they grow, they go through physiological & monetary changes resulting in comparison everytime. What starts at such an early age, never really stops!

The benchmarks are pretty clear: Boyfriends & Girlfriends have to look a certain way, certain restaurants/”happening” spots must be visited, exact brands must be purchased & displayed, automobiles to be driven, shoes to be worn, people to be met, how the tea should taste, how much salt is required in the stew - everything has a benchmark.

Benchmarks are at times, necessary. Without scale, there is no measure and without measure, we are dissatisfied. It is human nature to measure - it is fine if it is negative, but it has to be measured.

At the same time, benchmarks irritate us immensely - often we think we can use benchmarks whereas everyone should take us on face value. Double standards surely.