Why then divide?

Today I went to this brilliant church situated in Einsiedel about 30 minutes from Zurich. Europe has various such cathedrals but what was different this time was that I was not with fellow tourits but with my German host family. This meant that I could ask them about the place, about the religion in general. Unfortunately, they could not provide answers to my questions. For instance – If you take Hindu temples, there is one main diety and there are a lot of other smaller shrines in the same temple. But if you enter a cathedral, there is one major cross/christ but there are also a lot of side shrines again with the cross/christ. Is there any specific reason for the same?

I promised myself that Id come back home and read up the Christianity tab on Wiki. Boy am happy I did. I never knew that Christ is also considred an incranation of god. Well, if they can then worship god in stone form – why isnt that Idol worship. Moreover, they also have a holy tirnity – The father, The Son and the Spirit. It aint too differnet from the concept of – Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.

There are hazaar such instances. The “Bible” was written by humans and so was Gita,Ramayana et al.  How then one becomes God’s word and the other a mythology?

Driven by curiosity, I went ahead and read the Islam tab on Wiki. Even though Islam closely resembles Christianity in the fact that both of them are Abrahamic religions, it does not give credit to Christianity because it considers Jesus as God and because of the concept of Trinity. Islam believes in there being only one God and hence the holy Trinity violates this principle.

Quran is believed to have been revealed to Muhammad by God through the angel Gabriel on many occasions between 610 and his death on June 8, 632. Qur’an was reportedly written down by Muhammad’s companions while he was alive, although the prime method of transmission was orally.  Now, I moved on to read what exactly the Quaran contains and hence searched for an english version. To my surprise this is what is said on the website – we are told that only God’s revelations are free from error. The reader is thus warned against labelling any translation as being perfect or free of error.The moment he/she does that they would have fallen into Idol worship.!!! Now, Mohammad orally says what he heared from God for 32 years and was written down by his companions. All 32 years of verses word to word? I somehow cant accept this.

The whole point of this exercise was not to convince myself or you the reader that either of these religions is false or whatever. Its just that, I find it funny that when each of it has its own shortcomings, how is it then right to claim absolute status?

The question I ask myself is – why then create these artificial differences amongst us? Whom does it benefit. Agreed, in those days of divide and rule and what not, it made sense to break down huge masses and religion or faith and yes not to forget Caste were some of the easier ways to do it. But now, in this age does it actually make sense to highlight these differences?

Its one of those times am left pondering – what exactly is this thing called Life? What are we? and this is when I know that I need a good night’s sleep.

Ganguly – Dada in true Spirit

I have spent the past 4 hours reading various articles on cric-info and watching videos about the man of the moment – Ganguly. The more I read the more am convinced that he was one of the best things that have happened to Indian cricket. At this point I would like to make it clear that I was never a great fan of Ganguly the batsman. But, Ganguly the captain – Im floored. He is somebody who has brought in life to the mundane Indian cricket. Just take a look at the Indian team when he came in – Sachin, Dravid, Laxman and Kumble – the 4 most experienced people in the team and also influential. But none of the above had that aggression in him. They were a class apart and were followers of the saying – “Cricket – A gentleman’s game”.

Times were changing and India needed somebody to wake up to the present and take the bull by its horns. Its widely discussed that the agression shown on and off the field by – harbhajan, Yuvraj and Sreeshant were possible cos Ganguly as their captain did not care to curb them.  Apparently, the current heir – MS Dhoni was first spotted by Ganguly and he made sure that he was brought into the team. In fact, the current chairman of Selectors Srikanth claims that M.Vijay – the latest opener was picked with Ganguly’s recommendation. Ganguly has all the qualities of a good leader – Sticking his neck out, taking risks, backing up his men/decision and the gift of spotting talent.

To sum it up – Ganguly provided the much needed spirit to the sagging Indian team and has got them on the move. Now its upto the GenX to take this forward and realize the dreams of one billion people.

Mokka Master Quotes

I wonder how I have never thought of writing about this before, but then here it is.. A compilation of our best mokkais, starting from college till today..

Disclaimer – Only Tams would understand the gravity of this post

There are a few characters I must introduce -

1. Hero – Prem Krishanan aka Sam Anderson

2. Co – Starring – Vivek aka Vetti and Hari aka Nalla Payyann

3. And test subjects like – Kili, g3, Dubbukku, Srini et al

To start with Sam is a talented mokka master (not to be confused with tea master or head master). His USP is his ability to connect unconnected things in a fashion which makes you smile and not laugh. For instance,

Colgate once said – oru kudumba isthri ya eppadi kalaikuringale..paavam le..

She was referring to a poor kili which was being subject to max mokkai. To this heart rendering statement of pity, one of our co starrers says – ” I have heard of family doctos but family iron boxes?? ” and then the camera pans to focus on our hero (which is a difficult job considering his dimensions) and the punch dialagoue is – “Dei.. Tehcnology has improved soo much.. Ippo irrukaan da family iron man aana avan ille sardhar vallabhai patel”

Silence! Thats the power our hero commands.

Once, Srini, Sam and Co were walking towards the bus stop and suddenly our hero stops!! He Turns around an walks towards an ambassador car which was till now totally out of foucs. Sam walks towards the car and has Raghuman’s background music in his back (litreally) and he touches the window and starts putting pressure. If this was some Vijayakanth movie, the car would have blown itself or he would have got into the car.. but this was Sam.. Sam Anderson in the frame. With the audience stunned and waiting with bated breath – Srini walks up to him and asks him – ” machi enna da.. what matter?” Our hero moves aside, taking his hand off and motions Srini to read what was written on the glass – ” PRESS”.

Scene shifts to the college ground. After buking the religion classes, students are busy talking about yesterday;s midnight masala. Enter Sam.. ” Friends, neenga pandradhu thappu.. God is great.. Ippadi shakeela pinnadi sutthadheenge.. appuram tequila dhan ungalakku mudivu..” An ardent shakeela fan cannot stand the insult on his goddess – ” Dei Sam, nee romba persure da.. Nee oru dhairiyaman ambalaya irundha, nerukku ner vaada, appo ennuren un mudhugu elembe”. With a smile that signifies the impending mokkai Sam says – ” Kanna, Sorry. Nehru sethu romba naal aachu. Better luck next time”

Kili got married and hence in accordance with madrasi customs she became aunty. But then by the looks of it she is not one. In this background -

In a state of depression and dejection kili says – “aunty-nu ellam solli damage pannadheengappa, Please.”

Sam Says – “Uncle nu sonna romba kevalama irukkum so aunty is better”

With her spirts clobbered with such mokkai’s, she says – “naan paattukku amaidhiya irundha kooda summa vida maateenga da neenga”

Sam replies – ” Nee danceukku amaithiya irukka maatiya??”

Thats it. Kili cant take it anymore.

Kili – “mokka mokka… some one save me!!!”

Sam Says - “Ctrl + S (Kili). But, save as what??”

Kili blackout!! Fade..

Thats the story of Sam Anderson the mokka Master..

Coming soon at a computer near your screen

Keep watching this space for updates..

The poem thats not mine

This has to be there on my blog.. as a memory of my days back in Vivekananda college

Under the same tree

By R Prasanna Venkatesh

It was under the same tree
The days of youth, carefree
Hours of fun, right under the scorching sun
What was there to fear, with many near and dear
A craze inflicting aura, dangerously contagious,
All books lay forgotten, the fun voracious.
It was under the same tree
The bond developed, defying differences
It was under the same tree
Egos clashed, then dissolved
It was under the same tree
dreams became reality, lived through words…..
Rain or storm, it stood, just like us
Rooted from deep within, togetherness
like birds we were, seeking shelter
And the day came, when we needed to part
flew we did, fortunes sought
Under the same tree
I sit now, thinking deep
Would we all flock again, under the same tree……

Heights of Randomness

Tears – Small and almost weightless drops of water and still they carry within my burdens..

Life is a train which runs on the tracks of belief

To love and not be true is bright enough to keep your sleep away

Pain, Joy and love.. The secret portion for successful philosophers

Travel – makes you realize the importance of home!

Advertisements – Looks nice..sounds nice.. Works never

Friends – Are what dreams are made of

Ipod – A balm for the weary traveller

Winter – Makes a man out of you!

Sun – So near, yet so far

Computer – Unplugged!