Happy New Year 2008

Another year has passed, leaving a lot of memories to my life. I can’t mark them as good and bad. When there are many colors, it’s foolish to see them as black & white. Some are sweet, some are sour and some others are spicy. The time has come to welcome another new year. I gladly welcome it into all of our lives.

Hope Year 2008 brings us another tasty dish with all the colors.

Gandhi - Truth & Non-violence

I am an ardent fan of Gandhi. He proved the power of two great universal principles "Truth" & "Non-Violence". Though I heard a lot about Gandhi from my childhood, I hardly know about his personal life. So, I bought his autobiography "The Story of My Experiments with Truth".

He is neither genious nor rich. He is just an ordinary guy like anybody. In his book, with out any shy, he reveals(confesses to) all his mistakes and warns us not to take untruthful path either by ignorance or for the sake of comforts. But his commitment to his principles and faith in God made him a legend.

Some of my friends don't like Gandhi for different reasons. But I always used to argue against them but I never used to have solid knowledge about Gandhi's life to disprove them. But after reading this book, I am happy that I am right. He did many mistakes just like any other nomal humans, but confessed his sins and refomed himself into a great man (leader). I have many friends who also criticized Gandhi for making millions of people to follow him. For their kind information, Gandhi never insisted to follow him, but to follow one's own inner voice. He knows that our inner voice supports only truth and non-violence.

Some of his views -

Truth - "Rather to say God is Truth", I say, "Truth is God"

Non-violence & Vegetarianism - "Man has got power over all the animals not to feed on them but to protect them."

Confusion about "My Favorite Pet name"

In a suvery there were some questions about our personal tastes. One among them is to specify "My Favorite Flower". At that time I forgot all the names of flowers except Rose. After thinking for a while, only Cauliflower and Andy flower(Zimbabwe cricketer) came in my mind. Later I remembered Jasmine and Lilly. But I got confused between them and at last I wrote Rose as the answer. Next question was about "My Favorite Pet name". It's very easy to answer. With out any second thought, I filled my favorite pet as "It's dog, and if I have a dog in future, then I would think about what to name my dog. Answering similar questions I submitted my report.

After a few minutes one of my teammates asked a doubt - "Is it favorite pet name or the favorite pet". The girl who was taking that survey answered, "It is your favorite pet name". Immediately I got surprised and said, "I think it's about name of the pet and not our pet name". With a smile, she reponded, "Both are same", and left from my desk.

How can it be? My pet name is not "Dog" and even if it is, it can't be my favorite.

Do you need to know anyone to attend a marriage? (Part-II)

I stepped inside the wedding hall. I have never seen anyone of them before, even in my dreams. I just know a name (not sure whether it is of bride's father or bridegroom's father). I asked one of the visitors - who is Raghupati? "That tall person standing on the right side of the stage," he replied, pointing towards Raghupati.

I approached him and said loudly, "Hello, My name is Varun, I am my Dad's son. Sorry, I am Krishna's son." I am not sure, how much the songs from the loud speaker entertaining the visitors but it's definitely making my voice inaudible to Raghupati. After presenting my gift with usual wishes, I bid bye to Raghupati.

I expected that he would show me the way to dinner hall, but he didn't. Though I thought to leave the place, the hunger in me forced to search for the dinner hall. I was so much hungry that I couldn't even recognize the food items even though they are familar to me. While swallowing my favourite dosas, I saw the wedding couple having their dinner. They seemed like made for each other.

As it was already late, I started to return from there (with a hope that this would be a smooth journey). While I was passing through the stage where Raghupati was standing, to my surprise I saw the wedding couple at the stage. I am totally confused now. How is it possible for the wedding couple to be present at both the places. Whom did I see at the dinner hall? Is it teleporting or just my illusion? Had I gone to the right place? Anyway I hope my gift has reached the right destination.

Do you need to know anyone to attend a marriage?

Dad said that this occasion would be an opportunity to know and get along with the relatives. As I don't know anyone among them, I too felt the same. It was my grandmother's brother's granddaughter's marriage (don't take any trouble to find the exact relationship, I too don't know). So, I have to go to cousin's marriage who I have never seen before. Seems interesting!
Though the reception starts at 6:30 PM,Dad told me to start at 4:30 PM so that I can reach early and talk with as many relatives as possible. But I started from my flat at 6:20 PM to buy a gift for the couple. I am very poor in buying gifts but I know some standard gift items - Pens, Novels, Alarm clocks (giving chance to curse me whenever they hear the alarm, ha ha). Last item seemed relevant to the occasion. I saw a piece which looked nice. But when I watched it closely, it was like a used one. I asked the salesgirl about it. To my surprise, she said that they are damaged pieces. Why on earth, the damaged items are displayed for sales? Finally, I bought a wall clock(hope it works well).
I hoped to get a bus as early as possible. But there was no bus available for half an hour. And when I got into a bus, it stopped after moving few yards. The traffic jam halted all the vehicles. Wow! This is going to be very interesting! By the time I got down at a bus stop, it was 10 minutes past 9. Thanks to my enthusiastic co-passenger for guiding me to get down at the wrong destination. After arguing with a auto riskshaw driver who tried to exploit me, I continued my journey on foot. Later, by taking lift from two bikers(nice helping bangloreans), I reached the function hall at 9:45 PM. My only hope - at least the wedding couple should be present at the place to take my gift.

(To be continued ...)

Please your computer

When I sent a mail request to increase my mailbox size, I got a positive reply from IT helpdesk. Unfortunately it didn't reflect on my mailbox statistics. So, I again mailed to look into the problem. Then I got this mail from Vinutha, my contact point to helpdesk.

Hi Naveen,
Please your computer and you can see the changes in the statistics.
Vinutha

Wow! I got a chance to give a humorous reply.

Hi Vinutha,
How can I please my computer? :)
Naveen

Ha Ha! You too guys please your computer. :)

Rupa - My sister

'Rakhi' - The festival of brothers and sisters. There would be no crackers and no playing with the colors. There won't be even delicious cuisines on this day. Even then, this day used to be special for me.

On this auspicious day, sisters tie sacred Rakhi to their brothers' hands. It is believed that when a sister ties Rakhi to her brother's hand it brings success to her brother and the brother would protect her at all times. From my childhood, I always wished to have a vibrant Rakhi on my hand. Since I had no sisters, no one used to be there to tie Rakhi to my hand.

May be, my mother might have known about my wish. She used to arrange our servant’s daughter (Rupa) to tie Rakhi to my hand. As a kid, I was more interested in Rakhi than the sister (Rupa) who had tied it. But unknowingly I learned that it was an occasion to show our affection towards our servants, by treating them as a part of our family. Later when my family has to shift to a new place, our maid Sakhubai felt very sad to lose us. As I was a kid, I don’t know how painful it was when we left her. Sometimes, when my mom tells us about how well Sakhubai used to take care of us, I can feel the bond shared by us. Though its very much normal for my parents, it is simply great for our generation since it is very rare to have such relationships.

I still like to see Rakhi on my hand, but I miss Rupa who can fulfill my wish.

My Girl?

Recently when I was chatting with my friend, the topic of marriage sprung between us. Since he knows me pretty well, he was just telling me what I wish in a girl. I was struck by one of his statements -"I know, you just want to have a nice girl. You won't give more importance for physical beauty. Will you?" At that moment, I evaded to give any answer. But I can't escape answering me. My conscience says 'No' but my senses say 'Yes'. I think I should follow the first one though my mind is resisting.

Many more questions came to me about the GIRL I like to have as ...?

• Pretty, Beautiful (I came to know from my cousin that pretty and beautiful are different) Or okay?
• Innocent, childlike country girl Or Polished, metropolitan girl?
• Traditional Or Modern?
• Intelligent Or Dumb?
• Highly educated Or moderately?
• Self-dependent or Dependent on me?

I won't answer the above questions because I myself don't know exactly. Whoever she may be, Whatever she is, I have to just accept her as my fate [:)] . But one thing is sure - after she enters into my life, day by day the hole in my pocket becomes larger.[:)] I hope, I will always have a big purse.

Pigeon's Plight

As I can’t fly
I can do nothing but cry
So, I wished to die
Why can’t a cat have my fry?

I was about to bid bye
All my Friends cooed “Hi”
With pity asked me “why”?
And said, "You can give a try”

Still I can’t fly
Watching my friends in the sky
I feel I am high
Ah! The cat came and had my fry

Battle of Heart and Mind

My heart (may be my conscience) tells me that I am wishing for it and just go for it. And my mind says ‘No’, argues that I don’t wish for it and some other is more apt for me.” I agree that "Heart" never lies. But what if 'it' is completely unknown? "Heart" remains silent? Will it be always silent in such circumstances? If the answer is no -

Though both the heart and the mind don’t know which choice is the better, they just fight with each other to win the argument. Perhaps, it is not always easy to give rational explanations, particularly in the case of likes and dislikes.

For a long time my mind is almost winning, sometimes by convincing the heart and most of times ignoring it. Well, at the same time, heart has also never given up the battle. Whenever possible it’s arguing with my mind again and again. May be by ignoring the heart forever makes it to forget about its wish. Is this right or wrong still a big question mark?

There is also a possibility that some day my mind may succumb to my heart. Even then I may not have any rational justification of the winner. Sounds strange!

I wonder why we need both the heart and the mind. Why this dual and duel? May be the answer lies by making both of them as one. I have to figure it out.

'C' Hello World Program

Sometimes when I am in philosophical mood, I confront with a simple question -Is everything in our life preprogrammed by God? Are the decisions which we make in our life just sensory delusions?

If it is the case then whatever we do is just execution of the algorithm/program. All the variables in the program are clearly declared, defined. As the next state of any variable is known if the current state is known, all the variables are deterministic.

Is it just a Deterministic algorithm? Is there no randomness and probability in God's world?

Okay, first let me accept it as the God's program. Then, once main() function is started there can be many functions (lives) to pass through. Some functions with humongous calculations are hard to execute and some other very easy. We may call the functions recursively, and some times end up in infinite recursive function calls, never return back to main. There can be "if(condition) then.. else.." statements in the program. And the satisfiability of the condition can be dependent on the random variables whose values are the results of the person's decisions and actions. These variables can be any of these types - auto, static, volatile and global. Regardless of the type of the variables, the basic question remains as it is - 'Randomness of the variables'. Does God rolls dice to determine the variables or are they deterministic?

I have arrived to this question, unknowingly, to which Einstein once answered "God does not rolls dice." I don't know whether it is true or not but I wish just to know the difference when I am in main and out of main.

A memorable birthday

Tring! Tring! Tring! Tring!

“Hello!” I answered the call drowsily.

“Happy Birthday to you, dear brother,” wished my brother.

“Thank you,” I said with a smile.

And then my mother wished me to have a great birthday. After that I heard brothers and sisters singing the birthday song. It is honey to ears! What else can be better than that?

It’s a fantastic morning, which I began the day with a smile. The smile in my face is present through out the day.

Late in the evening, while browsing the internet, I found an interesting concept. According to Vedas, life is divided into four ashrams (stages), each of 25 years. The first one is Brahmacharya (Childhood and Bachelor) which involves seeking the knowledge and being away from sexual pleasures. The second one is called Grihastaashram , a colorful stage of life with sex, relationships and money. And the third stage is Vaanaprastaashram. It is all about liberation from all the family affairs. Sanyasa is the last stage and is again about the search of true knowledge.

So, according to it I have still two more years to get into colorful life. Until then, I will have no spouse and no spice in my life. [ :-( ]

But one good thing, I can live my peacefully according to my wish for two more years before getting into slavery of 25 years. [ :-) ]

Mara to Rama

When the hunter Valmiki was unable to utter the sacred mantra “Rama” (One of the meanings of “Rama” is “Sat-Chit-Ananda” which means “Truthful eternal bliss”, Sage Narada advices him to repeat the word “Mara” (Meaning of Mara = Dead) which was quite easy to say for a hunter like him. When he repeated "Mara" many times, it sounded like chanting “Rama”. And it completely transformed the life of Valmiki from a hunter to a sage.

Two morals can be observed from the above story. The first one - When we don’t know how to do, following the advice of experts will help to accomplish the task. And my favourite lesson – Just do the karma, no one knows what comes out as the result. So, I will just blog, who knows one day my writings may become scriptures, Ha Ha. Just Kidding. It will become at least ruminating stuff for me.

If it's my F-Day

Five things I do if today is my last day! What! Final Day?

1. Watch some of my favourite comedy movies and documentaries on animals.
2. Crack jokes with my family.
3. Say 143 to Shruthi loudly. (shh! Its my secret)
4. Call friends and bid them bye. Of course, saying Good bye to "My Life".
5. Dial hospital to collect my kidneys and eyes after I leave this world.

Hey! I think there are many days left for that F-day. On the lighter side - Until then we all have to take pain to read my blog. [:)]

The lighter side - I read somewhere "Live your life as it's your final day". If I call hospital everyday, someday mental hospital ambulance will come for me. [:)]

Cracking Stone's Paradox

Note: Read my last post World is a Paradox before continuing further.

An interesting way, G.B. Keene dissolved the Paradox of Philosopher’s stone is by the formulation of the question - "Can God create a stone so heavy that can't lift it." The answer has to be "No" to prove the omnipotence inconsistency. So, the obvious negative answer: "God can not create such a stone or He can't lift it" or "There is no rock God can create so heavy that he can't lift."

But the inconsistency is arising due to the negative approach (grammatical form) -"God cannot ...". But if the answer to the question is framed in positive approach - "Any rock God can create, He can lift it", it further proves theist's view of His omnipotence.

Finally, it turns out to be the choice - Positive or Negative.

World is a Paradox

I believe in God. And I feel God is omnipotent – all powerful and can do anything. But recently I happened to see the argument disproving “God is omnipotent”. The argument goes like this – “If God can create a stone so heavy that He can’t lift it then He is omnipotent. Strange, don’t you think so? It’s obvious from the argument that if God can’t create such a stone he is not omnipotent. And if he can create such a stone still he is omnipotent as he can’t lift it. Yeah, this is a paradox and is called Paradox of Philosopher’s stone. Isn’t this interesting?

Of course, not just the stone, it will do with any simple contradictory statements like “If God can prove He is not omnipotent, He is omnipotent.” This is not just about proving God is not omnipotent. This proves that no one can be omnipotent.

Okay, let’s get into the field of Mathematics. Like many I am too not comfortable with it. My friend asked me, “Is 1000000 a big positive integer?” I may be not that good at Mathematics but I can answer this simple question. I answered “Yes”. Then he continued, “Is 1 a small positive integer?” I replied, “It is the smallest “. “ If n is a small positive integer, then n+1 is also small integer. What do you say?” Of course it is correct. He ended, “Then every integer is a small integer. And 100000 is also a small integer”. ”Yes, but no,” I am confused. I thought mathematicians like magicians they work for hours and hours on imaginary things (variables). Today I can say, these mathematicians are also crazy, they can prove anything, even 1 = 0.

I will end this post with a famous Liar’s paradox. - A man says that he is lying; is what he says true or false?

Bird's Language

A parrot entered inside into Ashwin’s flat through windows. His family members were delighted viewing it so close. It is beautiful and colorful. When he extended his hand it simply holds his fingers with its legs and watches others with out any fear. Ashwin is thrilled to have a parrot in his hands for the first time in his life.

After some time the parrot seemed restless. Ashwin thought that it might be hungry. So he got some pea nuts and offered to it. When it didn’t eat they placed a glass of water in front of it. It drank and started flying inside the room. Ashwin’s elder brother said, “Now it’s already 6 P.M and getting late for it. If it becomes too dark, it can’t return to its nest. So leave it outside the window and that is what it might be looking for." Though Ashwin doesn’t want to send it back, he opened a window and kept the parrot on the window pane. It returned again into the room and so this time he kept on a protruding slab outside the window and closed the doors. The parrot while trying to enter the room hit itself against the window glass and started falling on the ground. It disappeared into a tree and no one was able to find whether it is hurt or not.

Now Ashwin is sad and said to God angrily, “You made us really stupid. Why didn’t you give us the ability to understand a bird’s language? If you had given the power at least to me, the parrot would have been safe.”

When Ashwin’s brother heard these words he too felt depressed for his misinterpretation of the bird’s deeds. Suddenly his mother shouted from the kitchen, “The baby is crying, some one give the milk bottle to the baby.” Answin’s brother got surprised how his mother is able to understand that the baby is hungry just listening to its cry.

True friendship is love

Haven’t you read or heard anywhere that love is sweet, sometimes sour and bitter? Actually I don’t know how love tastes. I can’t try it today and write a review on it. Come on, how can I if it is not available in my country restaurant. Ha-Ha.

‘Love’ is an indescribable creation of God, experienced by those who created God. It is the secret of the universe which is known to all. The conscious always leads to it. Those who follow one’s own conscious are lucky as they know that are in love and all others are just ignorant of it.

An interesting and exciting love is the one between the man and the woman. I believe love is a deep friendship. Yeah, just a friendship where there is only affection for the person and his/her welfare. The one who loves gives the level best to keep the other person in joy even in hardships. As there can be many friends to a person so as lovers.

Getting love in return is immaterial for the love. Love makes the person independent and powerful. Craving for the companion to be part of his/her physical world is just desire. It is not necessary for love. Being dependent for the sake of love is weakening the love. If his/her happiness depends on others what can he/she be of any help in troubled times? Marriage and sex are just only a few expressions of love. There are infinite others if one wants to explore.

A word of caution! Welfare of the person will always accompany righteousness. It’s possible just by following the inner conscious. Emotion/Feeling guide to what is wished at that moment where as inner conscious leads to what is actually intended.

Countless stories/films and events in my life made me to opine about the love like this. My opinions may change though facts don’t.

Discount offer

"Hurry up! 50% discount is there in the super mall. And today is the last day to avail this End of Season Sales discount", I urged everyone.

Naveen replied, "These discounts would be present through out the year. Businessmen just raise the prices and give discounts. See, an item worth Rs.100/- will be priced 150 rupees and 30 percent discount(means Rs. 45) will be given on it. We stupid guys feel happy to gain 45 rupees as the discount but end up paying more."

"I don't agree with you completely. Promotions like discounts and prizes are useful for the business to improve sales and discharge old stock. During promotions if they make us to pay more then who would buy from them? Certainly they should be less than or at least equal to the normal price," I started arguing with Naveen.

"Do you think these promotional advertisements come for free? And businessmen forgo their profits for no advantage. And ... "

"Okay, now its not time for discussion, first go and get ready. We are already late."

In an hour we reached the super mall packed with Sunday customers. We all were excited to see 50% discount posters all around the place. But it remained only for a while until we noticed that it's 'Up to 50%' but not '50%'.

I liked a blue T-Shirt. But its price is Rs.800 with just 15% discount and so the amount required to buy it is around seven hundred. It's absurd, genuine price should be between five and six hundreds. But here all the prices are very very high. So, I left that shop and got into another store.

There I picked up a brown T-Shirt worth Rs. 200/- where "Up to 30% discount" was written on its tag. I asked a salesperson about the exact discount. He entered the code written on the tag of the T-shirt into a computer and answered "No Discount Sir". I am taken aback at his answer - "No Discount Sir". It's very bad if they don't have discount then why is there discount tag. As it was nice and not too expensive, I bought it. And from there we went to another apparel store.

"Buy three, Get 1 free" or Buy two and get 50% off on the third one", were the offers there. Rakesh selected a shirt and a trouser for himself. To utilize the offer I bought a trouser and took one more trouser for free of cost. We were not completely satisfied with them and we thought to postpone purchasing them. But the salesperson's words - "Tomorrow there may not be offer, Sir", made us to buy immediately.

Three days later, to accompany another friend in shopping, we went to the same store. But this time that offer is not there. Ha Ha, Naveen and I made a wise decision to utilize the offer.

With in ten minutes we heard an announcement saying that only for an hour "Buy 2, Get 1 free" offers on the same apparel that we had bought three days earlier. After an hour and a half we heard the announcement stating that the offer will close with in 20 minutes.

Arrogant Man

The people who were present in the parking area outside the temple startled by the car which was rushing towards them. Every one is irritated by the rash driving. He got down from the car and gave a glance. His servant too got down very fast and locked the car.

The man shouted the servant, “Come here unlace my shoes and remove them”. The servant removed the man's shoes. Immediately the man shouted the servant, “You idiot, Who will take my socks off? ah.” Immediately the servant took the socks off from the master's legs and kept inside the shoes. The man entered the temple and the servant was standing beside the car sadly.

All the people watching the incident felt very bad about his excessive pride and inhumanity in treating his servant like that. Arun who was one among them, exclaimed, “How arrogant the man is!” The priest who was present there said to Arun, “Money makes Man Monkey”.

Though Arun was listening to the priest's words he was actually thinking, “When will the man understands that pleasing God is done by pleasing the people(world) around him. If we cuss others while praying its no more a prayer.”

Query to find single girl

Though a better half is bitter pill, one needs to swallow the truth. Just Kidding!

Many of my friends, relatives are getting married this year. I should also search a girl, obviously she has to be from moon. But at first, I need to have a job.

Query> Select CompanyName, Designation, Annual_Salary, FemaleSingleEmployeeCount, SingleEmployeeCount
From VacancyJobs
where Annual_Salary >= 1000000 AND
(Select count( Emp1.Name) FemaleSingleEmployeeCount
From Employee EMP1
Where Employee.Sex is “Female” AND
Emplyee.Relationship_Status = “Single” AND
Employee.CompanyName = VacancyJobs.CompanyName)
> 0.6 * (Select count(Emp2.Name) SingleEmployeeCount
From Employee EMP2
Where Emp2.Relationship_Status = “Single” AND
Emp2.CompanyName = EMP1.CompanyName)
Order by VacancyJobs.Annual_Salary DESC, FemaleSingleEmployeeCount ASC;

Query Executed!

Result> 0 Rows displayed.

You may be considering you as unlucky but it seems you are lucky guy.