facebook discussion: Facebook 'friends'.

We generally misinterpret many relationships to be friendships when they should actually be classified as acquaintances or may be relatives. I think the problem is with limitation of options in fb. These 5,6,7 odd hundreds have been categorized as 'friends' by facebook otherwise they all are not 'friends' in the true sense of the word.
Most of them are:
acquaintances, associates, classmates, colleagues, companions, compatriots, just familiar, partners, playmates, roommates, schoolmates, well-wishers, friends of friends, neighbors, sympathizers, ally, or merely fellow countryman who are not 'enemy' and with whom we share something, may be just even a thought.
There could be various reasons why we have or do not have someone on the list. Otherwise someone has said 'two is a company, three is a crowd'.
27 August 2011

facebook discussion: भाग्य, तक़दीर, लक का हमारी सफलता और असफलता मे क्या रोल होता है?

अधिष्ठानं तथा कर्ता करणं च प्रथग्विद्हम l
विविधाश्च पृथक चेष्टा दैवंचैवात्र पंचमं ll"

Srimad Bhagwat Gita, Ch 18:14

One of my favorite shlokas from the 'song celestial'.
As per this shloka there are five factors determining success of any project or person. These are:
1. Adhishthanam or Infrastructure
2. Karta or The Individual, The Agent
3. Karana or the Means, the Equipment
4. Chesta or the Efforts
5. Daiva or God's Grace or Fate

Thus, as I see it, and as I have understood from Srimad Bhagwat Gita, भाग्य, तकदीर, लक्, किस्मत, fate... whatever we name it, is only ONE of the FIVE factors. Sometimes, rather most of the times, other four are not perfect and we blame or credit 'fate' for the success or failure. We must perfect the means, equip ourselves best and exert ourselves to the most- then success is bound to come.

My Idol Swami Vivekanand once said, 'Let us perfect the means; the end will take care of itself.'
12 August 2011


Vidhna let's try to understand the ‘mechanics’ of vidhna as brought out in following story in brief :

“In a village two boys were born at the same time in two different families. One grew to be the most obedient and hardworking always lending a helping hand to others while other became the most crooked bully hitting others and snatching their belongings. Once there was flood and all villagers had to move to a different village. En-route the pious young man slipped and fell on a wild bush and a very long thick thorn pierced through his foot. He could not take out the thorn and was injured badly. He was in severe pain and could not move properly.

The other guy, the bad one, also slipped and fell in a small ditch. As he was trying to get out of that ditch he unearthed a box full of coins and jewels. He took it all and was happy. Perplexed by the events the villagers took both the boys to a learned man and asked him to solve the mystry as they could see themselves that the righteous man had suffered discomfort while that devil got rewarded with that box full of khazana.

The sage then told them that the man who got pierced by the thorn would have got hanged on sooli in his youth as per his vidhna. But his conduct and karma over these years since his birth have reduced that punishment of sooli to ‘shool’ ie thorn. And as per his vidhna this other boy would have grown to be the king of this kingdom with all the jewels and treausury at his disposal but his bad deeds of this life since his birth have reduced it to just a box full of discarded jewels…….”

Yes it is not difficult to discard it as a piece of fiction but then we have to understand that even kismet is not something abstract. It is very systematic thing. That we can’t always understand it is a different issue.
Vidhna after all is not an illogical, arbitrary, dictators.... kah diya bas... type.... it has to follow some principles.

16 August 2011


As highlighted in the story above, Kismat is written by us only through our deeds and intentions. It is very much according to our 'बल बूता'. Vidhaata has only reduced it in writing with a provision of regular updates based on our actions during this period.
Your subsequent reiteration is totally uncalled for. In the story above we just saw that the person destined to be the 'king' ended up with only a 'box of jewels' just because of his deeds in this life. Though, as I said earlier also it can be easily dismissed as a piece of fiction, still it explains the concept in a manner I have not seen elsewhere. It tries to explain the mechanism of kismat instead of imposing an abstract thought. One can never quantify how much of an effort and how much other four factors including infrastructure, means and 'kismat' have worked in an individual's success.
17 August 2011


इस कहानी में दो extremes हैं. बहुत ही अच्छे भाग्य से बुरा भाग्य बदलना और बहुत ही बुरे भाग्य से अच्छा भाग्य बदलना.

इन दोनों में से मैं किस ओर हूँ मुझे नहीं पता. लेकिन ये है कि पिछले ४५ सालों में मैंने जो कुछ किया है उस से मैं आज जो हूँ वो जरूर प्रभावित हुआ है..........

मैं आज कहाँ हूँ ये मुझे पता है. लेकिन ये मेरे जन्म के समय की मेरी 'विधना' द्वारा लिखी गयी नियति से कम है या ज्यादा इसका तो हम सिर्फ अंदाजा ही लगा सकते हैं.
17 August 2011

facebook discussion: Is Anshan another way of blackmailing?

If this is accepted as a means to get your bidding, then wouldn’t some one come tomorrow saying ‘throw away democracy bring in martial law’, or say ‘remove Hindi from India and introduce Swahili’… etc etc… If something like it happens and someone sits on an Anshan demanding anything like this or even more weird then what do we do?

Then the issue would be:
Is that demand ‘Constitutional’?
Is the method ‘Constitutional’?
Is that in National interest?
Is that the last resort? 

And if the answer to any of these queries is ‘No’ then we can take all legal police and political action against that anshan. But if the answer to these questions is in the affirmative then you, me or anyone else has no ‘Constitutional’ right to oppose that anshan. It is as simple as that.

And believe me this type of a 'Constitutional' act would only strengthen the democracy by strengthening its Institutions.

As far as blackmailing is concerned, the motive is important.
‘A’ asks ‘B’ to leave his bag aside otherwise he will shoot at 'B' with his gun.
What would you call it?
Reconsider your response in light of further inputs viz:
(1) ‘A’ is a roadside mugger and ‘B’ is someone who has just got out of the Bank after withdrawing his own legitimate money.
(2) ‘A’ is a Gate-keeper and ‘B’ is a thief coming out of the Bank after looting the bank.

We have to look at it with this perspective.
To me,
(1) Yes Anna’s demand to have an ‘effective’ Lokpal is ‘Constitutional’.
(2) Yes his method of going on anshan is ‘Constitutional’.
(3) Yes this move is in National Interest, and
(4) Well here I would say NO this is not yet ‘the’ last resort. It is still only intermediate stage. The last resort would be too risky and too painful.15 August 2011


It is a matter of personal experiences. With an experience of 74 years behind him and with a history of his efforts, Anna has felt the need of this agitation. Like millions other in India he feels that this 'system' is breeding corruption and there is no check. The ones indulged in corruption are the ones expected to check it. At least I don't doubt his credentials.
15 August 2011


Anna is not making a 'kanoon'. He is proposing a draft which can be made a 'kanoon' if approved by law. And not only Anna every Indian has a right to 'propose'. For more than four decades the need has been felt but the proper 'kanoon' was neither drafted nor passed.
So I request to correct the impression that Anna is trying to pass a bill by by-passing the Parliament.
15 August 2011

"We can make a suggestion but can not force the parliament to do so". Fine let the Parliament turn down the suggestion. But you are not allowing us to put up a suggestion before the parliament.
Further there are n number of instances when suggestions have been invited from the public through press on particular bills. Govt had published an advfacebook discussion: ertisement in the English Daily "The Hindu" dated 24.06.2010, inviting written comments/suggestions either in English or in Hindi on the 'Civil Liabilities for Nuclear Damage Bill 2010'. In the terms of the notification those, who are willing to appear before the committee for oral evidence, besides submitting the memoranda were also asked to indicate so. It is a well known procedure. And very very constitutional at that.
The question of encroaching upon the judiciary to deliver the judgement by making such suggestions as that of Anna Hazare, just does not arise.
15 August 2011

Someone has suggested that "anna hazare ji is not only proposing the lokpal bill now they are trying to force the government to implement as they want ....."
First thing the fight is for a draft first its implementation will
come much later. Let there be the draft first.
Secondly if any draft is accepted then it has to be implemented through due process of law making. It is no use making a draft and then not putting it through the process.
16 August 2011

Secondly someone has said that people do not know about Lokpal Bill but they are supporting Anna on it.
May be an ordinary citizen of India really does not understand what this bill is all about. But when they see people like "Justice D S Tewatia, Kiran Bedi, Mallika Sarabhai, Swami Agnivesh, Sri Sri Ravishankar, Arcbishop Vincent M Concessao, B R Lalla" etc etc supporting some issue, it gives them confidence that it might be something good. This confidence, this belief is sufficient for them to lend their support.
16 August 2011

Agar ye sab bhi corruption mein lipt hain to ye aur bhi badi wajah hai ki hamen ek aisa system devise karna chahiye jo aise corruption ko failne se roke. Hamen ye kah kar inke suggestion ko ignore nahin karna chahiye ki kyonki aap bhi corrupt the to ab corruption ko rokne ki koi koshish aap ko nahin karne denge.
16 August 2011

Yes it is very difficult to eradicate corruption. Baba Ramdev's, Anna's are a few small attempts it will take much more than this. There is very stiff opposition from those who are enjoying the benefits of corruption. We all have to come forward and do our bit.
16 August 2011

Agar wo sab corrupt hain Ramdev 'fully corrupt' hai to kya majboori hai sarkar kii ki unhe giraftaar nahin kar rahi? itni badi personalities par unsubstantiated allegations laga kar ham sirg bhrashtachaariyon ke haath hi majboot karte hain.
16 August 2011

Hame ek logical approach lekar chalna hai. kisi bhi muhim ke liye ek leader kii jaroorat hoti hai. Anna ya Ramdev se jyada suitable ya willing leader agar koi aata hai to sab unhe bhi support karenge. koi aaye to.
16 August 2011

Main manta hun ki wo bhi corrupt rahe hon. lekin agar aap specifically mera jawab chaahte hain to jab tak koi baat unke khilaaf saabit nahin ho rahi mein bilkul nahin kah sakta ki wo corrupt hain. Ek vyakti ki puri reputation ko main sirf shak ke binah par hi khatam nahin kar sakta.
16 August 2011

Secondly someone asked "kya aap poore vishvaas kai sath kah sakte hai", to bhai poore vishwaas se to main kisi ko bhi, even Raja aur Kalmaadi ko bhi nahin kah raha fir jinke khilaaf koi mukadma nahin hai aap wahan mere poore vishwas ko kyon question kar rahe hain?
16 August 2011

facebook discussion: अन्ना जी क्या कर रहे है

"-मेरे प्यारे दोस्तों आप सभी को पता है अन्ना जी क्या कर रहे है?

-क्या आपको लगता है जो अन्ना जी कर रहे है वो सही है?

-और इसको करने का यही सही तरीका है?

-क्या अन्ना जी भारत की संवेधानिक व्यवस्था को धमका नहीं रहे?

-या हमारे देश की जनता सही candidates को नहीं चुनती है?

-इसलिए अब अन्ना जी सीधे संसद को घेरने की तयारी में है?

-क्या अन्ना वास्तव में ११० करोड़ लोगो का प्रतिनिधित्व करते है?"



आइये सवालों को एक एक कर लेते हैं.

Q1: “मेरे प्यारे दोस्तों आप सभी को पता है अन्ना जी क्या कर रहे है?”
A: सवाल थोडा मुशकिल है मगर फिर भी ये कहा जा सकता है कि वो देश के उज्जवल भविष्य का सपना देख रहे हैं.

Q2: “क्या आपको लगता है जो अन्ना जी कर रहे है वो सही है?”
A: Justice D S Tewatia, Kiran Bedi, Mallika Sarabhai, Swami Agnivesh, Sri Sri Ravishankar, Arcbishop Vincent M Concessao, B R Lalla इत्यादि की मैं कदर करता हूँ और उन्ही की तरह मुझे भी यही लगता है कि अन्ना हजारे शायद सही कर रहे हैं और इससे भ्रष्टाचारी मुश्किल में पड़ जायेंगे.
वैसे Sharad Pawar, Kapil Sibbal, P Chidambaram, Digvijay Singh इत्यादि सोचते हैं कि अन्ना हजारे गलत कर रहे हैं क्योंकि वो ‘जानते हैं’ कि इससे भ्रष्टाचारी मुश्किल में पड़ जायेंगे.

Q3: “और इसको करने का यही सही तरीका है?”
A: यह भी एक तरीका है. सही और गलत सिर्फ comparative है. और बहुत से तरीके हैं और उन पर भी कोशिशें जारी हैं. मगर भाई ये बात इतनी आसान नहीं है कि कोई एक तरीका अपनाएँ और मिनटों में भ्रष्टाचार से छुटकारा पाएं. ये एक छोटा सा कदम है.

Q4: “क्या अन्ना जी भारत की संवेधानिक व्यवस्था को धमका नहीं रहे?”
A: थोडा कानूनी पक्ष “the opening word of the Constitution of India is ‘WE THE PEOPLE’ it means the constitution is framed by the people”.

और आप पूछ रहे हैं कि क्या people, यानी अन्ना जी इत्यादि भारत की संवेधानिक व्यवस्था को धमका नहीं रहे. अगर आप असली मायने में देखें तो क़ानून के जानकारों के साथ मिलकर अन्ना जी द्वारा उठाया गया ये कदम भारत की संवेधानिक व्यवस्था को और मजबूती प्रदान करेगा.

Q5: “या हमारे देश की जनता सही candidates को नहीं चुनती है?”
A: अफ़सोस भारत कि electorate अभी उतनी परिपक्व नहीं है. अभी भी वह भावनाओं में बह जाती है. और बाकी चारों ओर वही ‘व्यवस्था’ है जिसके खिलाफ आज समाज के बुद्धिजीवी वर्ग को उठ कर सामने आना पड़ रहा है. फिलहाल गलती दोनों ओर से ही हो रही है. चुनने वालों से भी और चुने जाने वालों से भी.

Q6: “इसलिए अब अन्ना जी सीधे संसद को घेरने की तयारी में है?”
A: संसद को घेरने का idea आपको पता नहीं कैसे आया. लेकिन अगर आपका ये कथन ‘symbolic’ है तो मैं यही कहूँगा कि अन्ना जी अकेले तो शायद संसद को न घेर पायें. लेकिन अगर ऐसी सोच रखने वाले, कानून की ऐसी समझ रखने वाले और देशभक्ति का ऐसा माद्दा रखने वाले अन्य लोग साथ हैं तो अन्ना जी जरूर संसद के दरवाजे पर दस्तक तो दे ही देंगे.

Q7: “क्या अन्ना वास्तव में ११० करोड़ लोगो का प्रतिनिधित्व करते है?”
A: भाई आपके ७ सवालों में ये अकेला सवाल है जिसका में तात्पर्य नहीं समझ पाया. फिर भी क्योंकि आपने आंकड़े रखे हैं तो मैं कुछ और आंकड़े जोड़ दूँ... ECI की रिपोर्ट के अनुसार २००९ के जनरल इलेक्शन में कांग्रेस को कुल 119111019 यानी कुल १२ करोड से कम वोट मिलीं. और आप कोई सवाल नहीं उठा रहे. अन्ना से पूछ रहे हैं कि क्या आप ११० करोड लोगों का प्रतिनिधित्व करते हैं. क्या कोई कर सकता है ११० करोड लोगों का प्रतिनिधित्व? क्या ये जरूरी है? अगर इससे कम हो तो क्या वो भ्रश्टाचार के खिलाफ आवाज नहीं उठा सकता?
1 August 2011

facebook discussion: क्या बच्चों को शिक्षित करने के लिए हमें उन पर डंडे का प्रयोग करना चाहिए..??

There are two extremes here. Not saying anything at all or saying it with a danda. To control and guide the child a certain level of firmness is required along with love and affection. A pat and a spat is fine... but 'danda'... baap re baap...
30 July 2011


मैं सोचता हूँ कि मार की शायद तब जरूरत पड़ती है जब हम प्यार से कण्ट्रोल नहीं कर पा रहे. लेकिन किस वज़ह से नहीं कर पा रहे? हमें सोचना व देखना होगा. कहीं हमारी खुद की कमी या गलत तरीके कि वज़ह से तो नहीं? और कहीं अब उन कमियों को छिपाने के लिए तो हम डंडा प्रयोग नहीं कर रहे?
30 July 2011