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Showing posts with label Gross Domestic Happiness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gross Domestic Happiness. Show all posts

Saturday, September 7, 2013

An 'open' letter to Obama!


My dear Barrack Obama Jr.,

Hope this missive finds you amidst spending more time in the war-room of the Pentagon rather than in the playing grounds of the White house with Sasha and Malia, a situation you are drawn to as your infamous predecessors drew. I’m Ravi from Chennai, India, the cradle of human race. I wish to share something useful and hope it gets to your eyes->brain quickly! Allow me to get angry sometimes.

Wouldn’t the Soul of Mahatma Gandhi weep in his grave if you were to strike @ Syria now?

I’ll get to the point straight. You, personally, seemed to stand at the cusp of a historical blunder- That of planning to start airstrikes against Syria. Even the common man has already dubbed it as a possible start of World-War III. Mahatma Gandhi, the person you admire most would weep in his grave if you even think of an airstrike in Syria which if proceeded would probably spiral into a catastrophe not only in Syria/West Asia, but in America as well! The peace and fun-loving Americans don’t seem to approve of this either. Only the American Power Center (APC), as usual, thinks - “So what, Might is RIGHT? “

WHY, WHY, time and again, APC willfully generates so much -Ve energy to America & Americans?

My dear, may we ask you and the infamous Bush’s-a fundamental Question? Well, internal strife of various kinds was/is there somewhere in the world - Be it India or Indonesia, Srilanka or Syria, Burma or Bangladesh. Well, America never bothered to intervene when Lady Aung San Suu Kyi, a champion of democracy in Burma against the military junta was languishing in forced solitude for over a decade (or) when supposedly 100,000 Tamils were butchered during the last days of the war in the killing fields of Mullaithivu in Srilanka. On the contrary, didn’t America screw up BIG time in Afghanistan or Iraq or Libya, over and over? Can you FEEL the sufferings of the people there? Their cries of despair? Of lost limbs and lives? LIFE turning topsy-turvy overnight for millions? People forced to live in a tinder-box like situation! As I key-stroke this, I develop goose-bumps, dear Obama as I FEEL for every single Iraqi or a Syrian or a Libyan or a Pathani in despair like we feel for an Indian or an American friend. Can’t you FEEL the humongous -Ve energy generated notably against America in/from all parts of the world?

NLP must have taught you that there is only ENERGY which exists- Which is +Ve,-Ve and Neutral (Peace). Can EVER America, live in peace, NOW and in the future-When APC, by its violent thoughts and actions, time and again, wantonly generated/generates humongous -Ve Energy for Americans? Can you discuss on this with Sasha and friends? With Agassi and Steffi together? Or with Shakira? Or with any ‘pure’ spiritual guru from India? Or with any pure NLP coach?

Greed Vs NEED

“Mr.President, WHY so much of special American ‘interest’ in West Asia, everyone is asking?” Even the kid on the street says that it’s FOR your ‘life-line’ Oil nay Energy. And maybe, you want to sell arms to shore up your screwed-up economy based on “credit culture”- On “Greed than Need”? Even a layman could SEE the TRUTH in this.

To capture 1 in-human person, do you have to wage a war against a country?

What we fail to understand what you did in Iraq or now planning to in Syria is simply one thing - Do you have to destroy a country, make them suffer in your quest to eliminate or capture 1 person who are supposedly in-human like Saddam or Bashar? Is your Pentagon, CIA, FBI, Home State Dept. and your billions of dollars SO inept that they couldn’t go near Saddam THEN or Bashar, NOW? Meanwhile, can you check with the lunatic(Sic) Bush’s what they gained by waging a war in Afghanistan and Iraq? Are they able to sleep properly without tablets or alcohol? I suspect they won’t die so easily. I strongly suspect that for their crimes against humanity, notably in Afg/Iraq that they may lose BOTH their physical and mental equilibrium, the latter to start with, if not already. Do you want to follow their path? I/V love you, dear Obama. THINK.

You know, even Satvic’s are violently perturbed seeing American violent one-upmanship!

“Dear Obama, do you know what happened this morning?” After our usual rigorous badminton session, otherwise a calm-and-composed, an erudite scholar friend of mine turned violent in his words against America when the topic turned to Syria. I made him understand that ‘America’ is a great concept screwed up BIG time by those in power, time and again by the APC, much akin to the great land Bharath a.k.a India, as many opine, looted BIG time by one family and their coterie post-1947! I also made him understand that Americans by nature are very friendly and fun loving. But my Question is “HOW your single thought of attacking Syria provokes a Satvic scholar behave violently???” This is no fiction, this is real. That Ravi getting angry is like saying sugar is sweet, thy very name is anger-personified. However, NOT my friend who was kind of forced to use violent words which is not his usual self! So, shall we say a million Osama’s born/thousands re-born for every single violent actions of the Obama’s?

Rigorous Focus on developing Renewable Energy is the NEED of the hour, isn‘t it?

May I suggest something useful, which is real? What you want from Middle East is stocking oil for the future, right? My dear, according to our eminent scientist Abdul Kalam, Oil, being a non-renewable energy, will be extinct in a couple of decades! “WHAT will you/we do then? Suck our thumbs?” So, instead of spending more time in the war-room(Sic) at Pentagon or White house, suggest spend more time more with Sasha, Malia and friends and also rigorously following up what the heck your scientists are doing after gobbling so many billions of dollars on research on renewable energy sources? Why don’t America lead the world on this? The wonder plant family of ‘Jatropha Curcas L’ is a case in point. If in doubt, please check with Reinhard K. Henning, regarded as ‘The Father of Jatropha’. That’s the way forward. That’s visionary, isn’t it? Of course, while most people will be benefitted, the gun-lobby or military lobby won’t be. So be it.

Do you know WHY you were given the Nobel Peace Prize when you know that you didn’t deserve?

My dear President, do you know WHY the wise counsel of Nobel foundation gave ‘Nobel Prize for Peace’ for you immediately when you were elected first time, when you did nothing worthwhile to receive that much-coveted prize? It was given to ‘reform’ the thought process of the APC. It is to make the Captain of America work for peace. Not to become war-mongers like your predecessors for all the WRONG reasons. Not to make innocent women and children, the aged suffer for no rhyme or reason. To make you ‘walk-the-talk’ that America often makes, seldom practice.

In the lighter vein, I plan to sell my Telly! You know WHY?

Obama, I couldn’t sleep or eat watching the gory scenes of Telly in Afg/Iraq wars. In the lighter vein, if you strike at Syria or anywhere, I intend to sell my Telly as I can’t watch humans destructing another, seeing science becoming an enemy to mankind and still BE sane. Science and Technology must always remain a friend to mankind, for the benefit of mankind, not to destroy one another! The souls of Alfred Nobel and Albert Einstein would weep seeing APC’s actions in Afg/Iraq in the recent memory and Syria in the pipeline now, thoroughly misusing technology!

And finally, some words of wisdom – “What a rat-race, for what?”

I/V citizens of this lovely place called ‘Mother Earth’, tied to a common umbilical cord, earnestly hope that better sense would prevail in you in the Syrian situation. There are numerous non-violent ways of capturing  in-human person(s) anywhere in the world, in whatever place/position he/she is. All I personally request is, please, let’s all of us learn a single thought from the lovely mountainous country of Bhutan where they measure nation’s growth by Gross Domestic Happiness(GDH) and not GDP what we stupidly and blindly follow! “What a rat-race, for what?” - I mean at the individual, family, race, national and global level? And you, Obama, since you are captain of not only America but supposedly of Mother Earth as well (as APC thinks), I thought it’s prudent to leave these thoughts with you enable to make the world a better place to live. Especially in the troubled Middle East and Africa. What do you say?

I fervently hope that in your remaining tenure you would work for global peace and disarmament, on renewable energy, starting with your country first. That way, the soul of Mahatma Gandhi or Alfred Nobel or our beloved Steve Jobs would bless you! Else…

My regards to Madame Michelle Obama and hugs to Sasha and Malia.

Look forward to hearing from you. Apologies for my anger, albeit a functional one!

With Love and Cheers!

Yours Truly,

Ravi

Friday, October 15, 2010

Democracy is THE Freedom to USE one's Brains!

This ‘piece’ is dedicated to Gen Y and for  Gen Z, both for whom I am happy dedicating some of my TIME today)

My dear 'Many Playful  Brothers' and 'Many Matured' Sisters,(Read Younger to me, some exceptions either sides, I LOVE them All – As "Life is a Package" isn't it?)

Read and enjoy  the ’The Hindu’ column -  Conversations with the Self - Click the following link:


Re-read and 'Munch' the INFERENCES, AND then 'inhale' the learning RIGHT NOW, this magnificent 'nugget-of-wisdom' given to us by Shri.Dr.T.T.Srinath(TTS), an ‘institution’ by himself today. Comes across as a 'savvy-sage', a ‘doyen’, a rare 'gem', we HAVE amidst us -  WHO, in an 'Outstanding career'  wearing many ‘hats’ - Has ‘shared and  cared’ for many 'humans' - From CEO's to his car-driver and his family as well! Drink from the 'Ocean of Gyana' @   http://www.ttsrinath.com/articles.htm if YOU WANT, especially the one's on Self-Management, Organisation and  Entrepreneurship should you further WANT to quench your thirst of SEEKING ‘knowledge’ from PURE sources!


Let me share four ‘real-life’ SITUATIONs NOW, where people have USED / MISUSED Democracy! Read on…


1st Situation


The Scene: IPKF in Srilanka, Late 1980’s – TRUTH narrated by my ESSAR colleague Capt. Banerjee(Ban) who served as an Army Captain, fighting the LTTE. Well, the ‘real’ story is, when his soldiers captured a house, where, supposedly, the family of local LTTE head was staying. His friends(YOU MAY LIKE to call them ANIMAL-like later!) in IPKF were “eyeing lecherously” and “lusting" for the beautiful fiancée of the said LTTE leader, in the house. My friends in Srilanka had also earlier shared atrocitites commmitted by IPKF to the Tamil women in Srilanka when all they were supposed to do was peace-keeping! I FELT few perverted souls having tarnished our glorious armed forces. Folks, here goes the climax. Take a DEEP BREATH…! After some days, during a bitter fight, my wonderful friend Capt. Ban was SAVED from a “gory” DEATH by the same LTTE leader - As a favour of Capt Ban. being very stern to his men NOT to touch any women-folk! There were ‘landmines’ all over them and our friend was saved, his friends too were, thanks to Capt. Ban’s value systems and using his creative brain that instance! Shall we salute Capt. Banerjee NOW, wherever he is NOW. AM doing. RIGHT NOW. I haven’t met him after 1997.


2nd   SITUATION

 I wasn’t inclined in LEFT brain activities, I suppose. Always wanting to ‘Take the road less travelled’ The Destination was only sometimes sweet. The journey was beautiful, though, all the time! Can you do yourselves a favour  or after some time?- All of Gen Y and Gen Z MUST Watch the Tamil movie “Maaathi Yosi” – with friends. Available on the InterNET. ‘Google’ through!. I want to watch with you ALL in any class of theatre! – Lot of LIFE lessons!)


For our Final Year Engineering project work, ‘we took the road less travelled’. Being a production Engineer - Instead of doing the normal machine shop related Final Year Project, our TEAM did something NEW, in those early ‘computer’ times in 1988. We developed an inventory software in C/Dbase and applied in a REAL LIFE situation with REAL data from a Textile mill in Madurai. During the ‘Viva-Voce’, one of the highly “Left Brain” dominated “EQUATIONS” professor stopped us during mid-way (I haven’t entered the scene, then) and remarked “This is NOT what is required of a Production Engineer – You may REDO”!!! TRUST me, one of my studious mate almost “pissed in his pant(s)” and he was always in the top 5 in the class. The other ‘class topper’ friend of mine, who developed the marvelous software looked at me to take over.

REST is history, folks – ‘Yours Truly’ gave a quick summary  and THEN gave a punching BLOW, producing the ORIGINAL letter from the Textile Mill ‘MD’, which acknowledged that THE Software developed by these Students of REC, Calicut would save Rs.20Lacs/annum! Big amount those times,isn't it? We not only convinced ‘A doubting Thomas-like’ Dr. Prof. .X, but stood first in College – in Project assessment! Many did do back-breaking and ‘beautiful masterpieces’ as well  - in machine shops. But we were awarded FIRST!  (However, I shudder to think if we had to REDO after one year!  Out of 5 guys in our project batch 3 would have gone NUTS, for sure!)


3rd SITUATION


Recently a Church priest in the US,(US, they SAY, the “epitome” of EXTREME democracy and “epicenter” of ARROGANCE!), proclaimed that he’s going to organize burning ‘The Holy Quran’. Thank Almighty, President Obama intervened! Surely as  President Obama opined, there would be MORE joining the MOVEMENT against America had the priest DONE what he WANTED to do! Isn’t it? 


4th Situation


Hope you all remember recently, HOW, one of the top Naxal leaders ‘Col.Azad’ was murdered by THE “police” after being escorted for peace talks!!! (With Swami Agnivesh as mediator!) Do you think, by this “double-cross” and “stabbing at the back” method and tactics, adopted by the current Indian Cong led Govt, would BRING PEACE? This may not be relevant for you and me, for NOW. And do remember folks, Naxalism is spreading-wider in India across over 10 states, spreading FAR and wider, in many forms and shapes, thanks to decades of “Exclusive Growth” being followed and practiced in this wonderful ‘Mother India’, EVEN NOW. 


INFERENCES, FEELINGS and SHARINGS about all ABOVE SITUATION(s):


Capt. Banerjee in the 1st SITUATION, my awesome ‘project leader’ Shri. B.Viswanathan and ‘Yours Truly’ in the 2nd ,President  Obama in the 3rd, Agnivesh to an extent in the 4th have ALL used their benevolent and creative RIGHT brain to FLOURISH - to come out of the SITUATION, with gains on all FRONTS.  They have also used their ‘Analytical’ LEFT brain, though, only to a lesser extent! Capt. Ban COULD have allowed those animals and himself also to “prey”(Sic) on Thamizh women in Srilanka, I could have shouted at the professor or could have kept quiet like other mates of mine,  President Obama could have kept quiet (Token of acceptance!) and Swami Agnivesh would not have taken the risk, for human good! Am not sure if he would or other ‘Spiritual Statesman’ or ‘Living learned Sages’ would EVER mediate with the Naxals on behalf of the Govt? Who are the losers? You and ME. Of course. HOW? Will blog Later. Some may take the ’juice(s)’ in this blog and may not even read that one.

On the contrary, Dear, People like Capt. Ban’s army of “SOME Animals in Humans” – (Read SOME soldiers in IPKF) in the 1st Situation, that professor who nearly KILLED all of us ‘mentally’ with his “ONLY Analytical reasoning”, devoid of any creativity in the 2nd, the Church priest in the 3rd , the Indian Govt and the Police force responsible for “murdering” of Col. Azad in the 4th have ALL misused democracy. THEY NEVER used NOR were taught to use their CREATIVE and benevolent  RIGHT brains, I suppose – As MANY of us still have the colonial hangover! “Folks, the BRITS left us for GOOD, 63 years back!”
  
“WHAT is Democracy”, THEN, Ravi?         
  1.        Is it Freedom of Speech alone?
  2.   Is it freedom to flaunt/hurt with our newly found wealth or wisdom in this ‘Kaliyug’? (which according to me  started after World War II)
  3.   Is it the freedom to burden women-folk with many chores – from ‘Kitchen to Kaasu’ (Money)?
  4.   Is it the FREEDOM to STOP anyone achieve their WANT through “ubiquitous rules”(Sic) and “archaic regulations”, arrogance or ignorance?
  5.   Is it AVOIDING or IGNORING the ‘elderly’  and the ‘deserving’ NEEDY?
  6.   Is it parents or elders pampering young children’s minds, thrusting upon them TO DO without understanding WHAT their wards WANT?
  7.   Is it spending “mindlessly”- from ‘tech gizmos’ to tutorials?
  8.   Is it  dis-respectfully, in arrogance or ignorance ALWAYS “disagreeing-agree” OR WORST plainly (without thinking) ‘agreeing-agree’?
  9.   Last but not the least, Is it ONLY “Exclusive Growth” as we see in some parts of the world, including “shining” India (in parts though?)
 “Any thing more to ADD to the above LIST”, Ravi? I don’t know. One may fathom more.  SHARE them.

All I’m SHARING is  - READ and CHERISH the Topic and THE HEADLINE NOW.  ‘FEEL IT’, ‘DO IT’ and ‘LIVE IT’, if YOU WANT.


Before signing off, according to the learned, “Democracy is simply the Freedom to use one’s brains” - The CREATIVE Right brain in particular. Our “over-used” LEFT brains need to be ‘Quietened’ and THE ‘benevolent’ and ‘Creative’ RIGHT brain activated fullest. May I further add that “Democracy is all but ‘Inclusive Growth’ and that it allows people to gently ‘agree-disagree’ most of the time or sometime OR  sometimes ‘agree-agree’ on SOME or MANY things. NEVER ‘disagreeing-agree’ on ANYTHING.


Cheers to ALL who read AND SHARE this ‘piece’ with anyone relevant. NOW, Ravi is performing a ‘WAKA WAKA’, with ALL of YOU, ‘wonderful’ Gen Y and Gen Z. Love YOU ALL. Un-conditionally.  As YOU are. And, if am destined, ALL of us together will do a ‘WAKA WAKA’ one-day, technology helping us to do from wherever we are!!!

Note: Ravi is enjoying his democracy, and hence grateful to Almighty to be born in ‘Mother India’, this birth. In the Next one, also Don’t wish to be born anywhere - May be in BHUTAN, where they talk and ‘trying-to-walk-the-talk’ - Of ‘Gross Domestic Happiness (GDH) and NOT ‘Gross Domestic Product’(GDP), we all have mastered! More on that later…

A wonderful and HAPPY weekend to all you ‘wonderful’ SOULS. Like the I ones, I am fortunate to ‘witness’ last week, during the 4-day programme, at Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Chennai

Anbudan (With Unconditional Love)


Ravichander Venkatraman