Readers write….
I started writing my columns and blogs almost five years
ago. During this period, I have received numerous comments and views from the
readers of my columns. Some of them are brilliant, others full of pathos, many
outraged me for their obtuseness while others awed me with their insights. But
all encouraged me to continue writing. Here are a few of these gems from my
readers..
Wow! Congratulations !!! This incredible guy was in my
art class:-) on A Lifetime Achievement
Award
Ayanthi Gunasekera
on 2/1/14
Hey didnt know you had to go through a difficult period
again! glad you pulled through, Sorry I havent been regular in reading your
Blogs- which always have something to inspire or learn from. I have heard it
said or read it somewhere that God only gives troubles to those He loves! And
can bear the test! You can take little comfort from that though!I would much
rather he creates a nice island for me like He has done for some people
complete with boats , Airstrips, and a seaplane and all other basic needs! But
the true devotee , like Krishna's schoolmate , is most happy to be in his
perennial state of penury but remember Him.Something which your last line
reflects! Regards Venky Any way get well soon! on Gratitude
venky
on 12/8/13
Anil: A very nice expression of gratitude. Very true that
in addition to our contribution to making of ourselves, we owe to many of those
we came across during our lifetime for their advice and guidance to become what
we are. Here I wish to express my gratitude to those who contributed to keeping
you amongst us. Kesavan Nair. on Gratitude
Kesavan Nair
on 12/7/13
Hey Anil -Learnt from Perveen malarkar of your facing
some rough time now confirmed thru your writings.Chin up buddy ! it was nice
catching up with u guys in Delhi when u got caught up with the renovations in
your flat ! So happy to learn that Shibani and Akhil along with Ena are always
around to "massage" your spirits whenever needed..So, stay on top of
it all Tally Ho ole chap ! on Home at
last
vijay kaul
on 12/7/13
So sorry to hear of your travails, Anil, and glad you're
back to reasonable quality of life. Your experience reminded me of one of the
profound and simple pieces of advice dispensed to me by a Jewish woman whom my
parents had helped to migrate after escape from Czechoslovakia just before WW2:
"If you think you have a problem, wear tight shoes." You'll know
exactly what she meant. May your shoes be comfortable - a proxy for wishing
that all be well in your life! Best to you, Ena and the family from Ann and
Fergus on Going home
Anonymous
on 12/6/13
Very beautiful account of the thirty agonising days at
the hospital and rehab.I am happy that you are fully recovered and you realised
that there is nothing thicker than blood,who are the only ones to rally by your
side when the whole world looks bereft of humanity. For a good soul like you,
God has planned plenty of more years, so move on and keep at your blogs.They
are a great education and an avenue for enriching my wisdom. God bless you and
your fine family. on Home at last
varadarajan
on 11/21/13
Much of this is helpful information, although I would
recommend better citation of the material you have not written. It would be
useful for you to use quotation marks where appropriate and to explicitly give
credit to Elizabeth Scott, the author of the article you rightly provide a link
to, for most of the content in this blog post.
http://stress.about.com/od/positiveaffirmations/a/Why-Do-We-Complain-And-When-Should-We-Stop.htm
Thank you for sharing. I found your comments on meditation to be a nice coda to
the material from the about.com article. on Why
we complain
Anonymous
on 10/31/13
Very true. This is also a wake up call to younger people
to live it up and enjoy every day. on Old
age blues
Anonymous
on 10/18/13
Your blog forwarded to me by Kit Heredia. Very sorry to
learn you are in hospital. Wish you speedy recovery and God bless. Have lost
touch with you since we met in Bombay whilst you were with ONGC. I want to
share an almost similar experience where a doctor has prescribed something
without thinking. I developed UTI following a prostate surgery, but luckily it
was not a severe infection. However, antibiotics and other urinary
complications affected my kidney function. Next, a nephrologist prescribed a
test through which I contracted a severe strain of E. Coli – one which was
resistant to all antibiotics except one administered through IV. I was admitted
to hospital and took 6 hours of IV every day for 15 days. Finally, when my
urologist returned from a holiday abroad and learnt about how I got the
infection, he scolded me for taking the test prescribed by the nephrologist.
Apparently the test was known to give infection! I wish I had listened to my
daughter’s sound advice - on It was a day in my life........
Deepak M.
on 10/18/13
Well done ,Anil, you’ve snapped out of it on your own!
Look forward to pieces more joyous. However, if it is any consolation, all of
us are in ‘the zone’. I for one am also getting more and more concerned about
matters of life and death, perhaps also because every day there are reminders
when one or the other of our friends/ relatives passes on - all in the same age
group as we are. Someone said we are all waiting in the ‘Security hold Area’
before embarking. The strange thing is that the mind does not usually succumb
to mortality quite like the body does, which is why we are fearful of death
because we can rationalise our situation, unless one is afflicted with senile
dementia, or alzheimers or vascular dementia for then you are no longer in
touch with reality and you go down with the rest of your flesh with only your
loved ones seeing your descent into oblivion. I must say that the nicest part
of your sharing is the poetry you quote. It is not just apt, but when read with
the on Thoughts on a winter day
.
on 9/24/13
great lesson in lateral thinking! on Telling lies and the truth
.
on 6/16/13
india sounds so tame after the exciting gens of the west!
my ma told me more male babies were born after the war. almost as if it were
natures way of compensating for those who died. dont know how true it is but
sounds plausible... N on The various
generations in popular mind
.
on 6/16/13
Anil, I can’t agree more! I usually surf the net for as
much info as I can get on my affliction – and my doctor knows that. So he is
careful about what he recommends. Ciao, Kit on Dealing with doctors
.
on 6/16/13
Anil this is so incisive. But first hope all well with
your brother? I had high temperature just before traveling here and that is the
only reason i went to the doc. My own doc was away so tried someone else
recommended. When I began to question his line of therapy he just said- take it
or leave it! not in so many words perhaps...because i had no option i swallowed
the pill so to speak...many of them in fact which i never never do. Waiting to
see you soon. Stay well. Have started Buddhist chanting for Mala. Will chant
for you too from tonite..for your pain. xxx N on Dealing with doctors
.
on 6/16/13
php development ..Thanks for this plugin, it works great!
This is solution of a problem introducing old posts to new visitors. on What will really change the world
Charles Hopes
on 5/12/13
The Jesuits managed well to give the best to the best. A
new test awaits them, to give the best to the least on Jesuits and me
Godfrey DLima
on 4/1/13
David Corn writes Much of what happened during the Iraq
War flimflam is now known and recognized. But those who perpetrated and abetted
what Lawrence Wilkerson, Powell's chief of staff in those days, now calls a
"hoax," generally paid little, if any, price for their mistakes or
misdeeds. Bush and Cheney won reelection, after their political allies
swift-boated then-Sen. John Kerry. Powell has become a wise man courted by
politicians and the media. Rice retains a measure of star power and was the
only Bush-Cheney alum handed a major role at the GOP convention last summer.
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld was tossed overboard in 2006—someone had
to take a fall for the lousy prosecution of the post-invasion war—but his
memoir sold well, as did Bush's and Cheney's. None of the three expressed any
regrets. Paul Wolfowitz, the deputy defense secretary enthralled with the nutty
conspiracy theory that Saddam was the puppet master behind Al Qaeda, was
rewarded with a plum: the on The mea
culpas of the pundits
.
on 3/18/13
Thoughtful as ever!Just the same result sought in India
by a ploy of a different nature: Get more included in the voters list by hasty
enlistment of even illegal immigrants! on The
real dangers ahead
venky
on 3/1/13
I would have perhaps skipped this log, except that ,
after years of dithering my son Mani opted to become an American citizen
recently! He and his group of friends are normally aware oft things but this
should interest them! I thought this is the exact reverse of the political
trend in India! But for producing precisely the same result: reduce the voting
base for the saffronites! The net reult is not auguring well for the country in
both cases. on The real dangers ahead
venky
on 3/1/13
In short more Chris Mathews and less David Brooke
on Needed: a cure for the softness of the
democrats
.
on 11/13/12
Anil spot on, This is my experience to with our grandson.
regards, syngal on How to talk to babies
Anonymous
on 11/2/12
tuesdays with Morrie is so true. was just talking to Ritu
on how strong the will to live to live is in all of us. and she gave the
example of her father who had 1 leg amputated for gangrene. Doc suggested he
keep other leg so that his dependence on others is not there. But he chose
amputation. I think all of us would! on that morbid note, good morning! great
news on the shingles gone. im relieved on How
to die- random musings
niloufer
on 11/1/12
Anil, Enjoyed reading this blog. It's so true! Kit on How to die- random musings
kit
on 11/1/12
Been trying to reach you but no luck...perhaps something
is wrong w/ the home phone? And not sure what cell you're using these days.
Wanted to tell you how moved I was by your most recent blog. on How to die- random musings
Wendy
on 11/1/12
is now posted for all to see. And thanks for your
comments. I look forward to more of them in the future. Actually this piece was
inspired at least partly by a few deaths in my own family. Most of them did not
leave a "living will" and the onerous decisions at the end were left
to the children who were certainly not prepared for them. It is not easy to
authorize the turn off the life saving ventilator on your parents in the
hospital. These decisions need to be made by us well ahead of time so that the
last moments are peaceful for all. As for those left behind, we need to leave
them with good and happy memories that can comfort them throughout their lives.
on How to die- random musings
.
on 11/1/12
As a regular recipient but only a recent 'commentator' on
your monthly blogs, let me first commend you on the breadth of subject matter
on which you continue to reflect. ' How to die' is a frequent topic for an
ageing generation. But it also begs the question: what constitutes a 'dignified
death'? I am personally hesistant to advocate 'accelerated death' or 'assisted
suicide'. Making available this option legally, runs serious risks of abuses-
even in countries with strong judicial traditions. Families, friends, and
potential beneficiaries too often have mixed motives when a relative is at
death's door. Moreover, modern medicine can assuage the ravages of pain- in
most cases. I have witnessed hospice care given to terminally ill colleagues,
dying peacefully in the company of their families- a dignified death at the end
Dying alone is, of course, more problematic- and always sad to observe.
However, I feel it is more an indictment of society than an argument for on How to die- random musings
Eugene McCarthy
on 11/1/12
Heya¡my very first comment on your site. ,I have been
reading your blog for a while and thought I would completely pop in and drop a
friendly note. . It is great stuff indeed. I also wanted to ask..is there a way
to subscribe to your site via email? Homa - Vedic Folks on What's in a name
agathiyan
on 10/4/12
Unfortunately, tipping has been built into the wage scale
of restaurant waiters and many other pure service industries, where
"tips" are sometimes automatically added to the bill. It can, and
should be done to show appreciation for a job well done for those who see only
a miniscule portion of the payment received by the company, such massages in
health clubs and spas. on From tipping to
corruption
Anonymous
on 9/1/12
Anil, you and B.K.are more fortunate than I am !I adore
little children but don't know when /whether I will ever be able to see one of
my own !All three of us have daughters who have plans of their own about
marriage and starting a family. You two have the good fortune of having sons
who have fulfilled your dream of seeing the next generation during your life
time. Good for you !! Ashok R. on Light
at the end of the tunnel
Anonymous
on 8/2/12
Ah well, greeting cards are about the only product where
you do not even look at the price until you hit the cash counter. Wonderful
swizz! Outsourcing of emotions is about it.....or maybe it is easier than
personally exposing one's soft side - that's Hallmark being soppy, not me! on Greeting cards and greetings
Larry
on 7/20/12
Anil, Sorry to hear that you suffered so much! Shingles
have become avoidable in the last decade or so. There is a vaccine readily
available at Safeway, Giant and CVS pharmacies. For the longest time it was
very expensive, but now it is fully covered under our WB medical plan and under
Obamacare. Too late for you, I'm afraid, but I strongly recommend that all of
our older colleagues at risk get the vaccine ASAP! Once is enough for life.
Cheers, Bill on A virus from hell
on 7/3/12
I was complaining about the pain and the fact that for a
month or so I had to wear a catheter since my shingles had reached the nether
regions of the body, when my doctor turned around and told me that he had a
female patient whose shingles had entered her vagina and it was so painful that
she had not smiled for 3 months! So I guess we should count our blessings! on A virus from hell
Anil
on 6/3/12
Anil, Am sorry to learn that you have been down with an
attack of herpes zoster and are only now coming out of it. I have been told by
many of the pain of shingles and can well imagine the agony you must have been
through. And through it all you kept up your blog! Great going and get better
soon. Kit on A virus from hell
kit
on 6/3/12
Anil, how long have you had to put up with this? The only
consolation is they say once youve had it youre unlikely to get it again. I had
an attack some years ago but was fortunate not to have any pain. Bed rest was
my only cure cause i neglected it in the early stage. I was reluctant to do the
bed bit until the doc told me my attack was too close to the optic nerve and
could make me blind. You should have seen how fast i packed my bags and went
home! Niloufer on A virus from hell
.
on 6/3/12
An excellent column. I visited Burma/Myanmar in two
successive years in the early/mid 1990's, also staying at Inya Lake Hotel. We
were obliged the second time to change several hundred dollars into tourist
currency that was generally unacceptable in ordinary shops. During the first
visit (I was with two friends) we changed currency on the black market, getting
a somewhat better rate than the official exchange, but still considerably under
the real value. We were able to drive north a couple of hours, stopping at a
WWII British cemetary and visiting some temples in general disrepair. On the
second visit we flew to Mandalay (in receeding flood stage). While there we
drove into the hills close to the "West Point" of Burma. Young
officers to be would walk from their campus to the closest city in full dress
uniform, complete with white gloves and briefcases (in lieu of weapons). I
remember much of what you described. A vivid memory entailed the forced labor
of villagers, all ages and on Down memory
lane
.
on 5/31/12
I went to Burma (Myanmar) for a week in 1986 as a
tourist. I took time off in between missions to Nepal and Bangladesh. Also
stayed at the Inya Lake in Rangoon. Went up country to Mandalay and Pagan. The
latter was a surreal landscape full of stupas and pagodas. During the time I
was there the government demonetized 8 and 15 chat notes with no exchange
allowed. Just another sad chapter for really nice people - the common folk.
Maybe there's some real hope now? on Down
memory lane
Anonymous
on 5/30/12
Hi Anil, How true your observations are!! I had never
really sat down and thought about the things I want to do before I die, but
after having read your blog shall give the matter much more attention. Having
said that, I must confess that the observations are relevant to 'people like
us' for I think the consumerist preference for things depends on who you are
addressing and i think it comes from having been deprived of them earlier. So
to say that 'the pleasures of the body are nothing compared to those of the
soul' might not be true in every case. I am sure that somebody who has had to
struggle all his working life to provide for his family would have a wishlist
that is more consumerist in its perception than the other way around. Kit on Things to do before you die
kit
on 5/8/12
What about the loneliness of a person whose child
/children live in a different continent and he/she loses the life partner ? As
a person who has recently lost his wife when he is in his early 70's I can tell
you that it is indeed a lonely existence, more so when one is (temporarily, I
hope)handicapped, in my case by an accident at home which is responsible for my
fractured right leg. Close and solicitous friends,a caring child who keeps in
touch by E Mail / phone calls / SKYPE are not really adequate when one is alone
in bed at night and can't sleep. That is the worst time of day when NOTHING
will help in dealing with a lifetime of accumulated memories and shared
experiences. I guess one just has to learn to cope ! Ashok R. on The new loneliness
AshokR
on 5/5/12
"Corporate welfare bums" is how I would refer
to these profitable corporations that continue to make huge profits and pay
little or no tax and other super larger and super rich corporations that insist
on demanding subsidies at the expense of the little guys who are facing a dead
end. on Sitting of the fence
Anonymous
on 5/2/12
Interesting. I had sent a copy of the blog to my sole
surviving sister (I had fiveto begin with!) and she thoroughly enjoyed and
appreciated it! About the difference between North and South about the
"raksha Bandan"ceremony; yes, there is a somewhat cute custom in some
Southern families of the brother giving a"PongalPidi" during Pongal
festival.my mother insisted on my sending Rs6/= every Pongal when I started
earning and I defaulted straightaway from the year one!Not that my sisters
minded one way or the other. But it is certainly an unwritten family code that
the brother look after the sister,in their lifetime. on In praise of sisters
venkyjan
on 4/1/12
... and it don't stop there. The short afterlife on earth
is not much better. Jessica Mitford's expose of the funeral business, "The
American Way of Death", was a bestseller in the 60s; things are no better
now. The first non-fiction book I read, it remains high on lists of muckraking
books - I recommend it. I trust you have an iron-clad living will. on The ways of death
Anonymous
on 3/9/12
Based on my previous life of 24 years in (North) India, I
should point out that this ceremony is non-existent among South Indians. I'll
stand corrected if you have evidence otherwise. These days I balk at all
generalizations of Indian & Hindu, and history for that matter. Perhaps
Raksha might be more apt orthographically. on In praise of sisters
Anonymous
on 3/9/12
You forget one thing - people reading the blogs are not
doing Ph Ds so they do not have to be particular about who said it when they
pass it on. They read it on your blog and, like it or not, you become the
author. That apart, anything posted on the blog without comments indicates that
you agree with what is posted. I don't know RG and so don't know of his
religious leanings and I don't care - it's what he has written and how he has
written that matters. But this I can say that we Anglophiles from India are
always ready to bash Hindus - I am not saying that we are Doodh ka dhoola - but
credit/discredit should be given where due. I am not condoning what the Hindus
did in 1984 and in 2002 but to understand the situation, one must give the
immediately preceding action which caused the reaction. Not to do that is
blatantly dishonest. In 1984, there had been enough build-up with Sikhs
humiliating Hindus in Punjab and then fortifying the Golden Temple. The last
straw was when the Sikhs on A fresh view
on India's experiment in democracy
Anonymous
on 2/12/12
I do take issue with the section on Religious
Fundamentalism. There is no mention of the genocide of the Hindus by the
Muslims in Kashmir. There is no mention of the military buildup in the Sikh
temple in Amritsar and often torture/ humiliation of the Hindus in Punjab prior
to the 1984 massacre in Delhi. There is no mention of the Godhra train burning
that caused the retaliation against the Muslims in Gujarat. There is no mention
of the Vatican hand in Nagaland movement. An article should aim at being
impartial and not just give half-truths. This has been the typical reporting of
the press - they have an agenda and/or are controlled by manipulators. When an
article is included in the blog, it should also be accompanied by a commentary
on its merits and drawbacks. Pramod on A
fresh view on India's experiment in democracy
Anonymous
on 2/11/12
just read his article. good one. we had so many
expectations that it became hard to remember sometimes that like the rest of
us, he's human. why would anyone want this job? and thank god some do. of
course i want him to be reelected. one can get disillusioned, but he's achieved
a lot, and i wish he was the kind of chap who would take credit for those things
and remind us often. because: oh we, of little faith.........................
Ritu on Obama explained
Anonymous
on 2/11/12
The speech says it all. Not just because it is a democrat
who gave it, because it is the only sensible way forward for the US, if it
wants to remain a player in the world...Ed Butler on Obama's speech and why I still support him
ed butler
on 1/2/12
Anil Old age is relative with times. Nature has created
that relativity. Old are the Banyan trees of protection, do not we worship and
preserve them? We are the roots which grow around. Let nature make the call.
Any invasion on nature is unwelcome. The process has to be either natural or
consensual. BK Syngal on What should we
do with the old people?
Anonymous
on 12/3/11
Etizioni is man after my heart... Also agree with
palliative care and quality of life etc but will do everything it takes to keep
the old in my family going. N on What
should we do with the old people?
niloufer
on 11/11/11
There is no evidence to support claims that Eskimo
elderly were sent to sea on an ice-float, and this seems unlikely, as it would
be logistically difficult—imagine trying to pull an existent ice-float in to
shore, or to create a new icefloat by cracking it away from the ice on the
seaside…without accidentally cracking off the wrong section. This popular
conception probably originated with the popular work of literary fiction, Top
of the World (1950), or the 1959 film adaptation, The Savage Innocents. More
often than active senilicide, a practice of passive manslaughter was used. The
‘victim’ might be taken to the wilderness and abandoned, or the whole village
might pick up and move while during the night as they slept. This allowed the
abandoned person to find their way back to their group, thus proving their
continued productivity….though more often than not, they were unable to return.
If the group was unexpectedly restored to prosperity, they often returned for
their abandoned on What should we do with
the old people?
Anonymous
on 11/9/11
the goal bit is very interesting Anil. I believe
happiness is always my choice. So only I control my state of being. Or the way
I react to or perceive situations. N on The
recipe for happiness
Niloufer
on 11/8/11
Very interesting! My question is how easy is it to put
and keep in practice? Have tried to do this in each day and I know when I slip!
Rekha on The recipe for happiness
Rekha
on 11/8/11
India had the custom of Vanaprastha - when the elderly
retired to the 'forests' and tended for themselves by eating the wild fruits,
roots, etc. Similarly, in some African societies, once the elderly became
immobile, they were carried into the jungles and left there with some food and
drink. When the food finished, that was it or wild animals came in before that.
[maybe the indians in vanaprastha went the same way - in Mahabharata, pandavas
did not get the guilt complex of starving their elders because the elders got
consumed in a forest fire] Pramod on What
should we do with the old people?
Anonymous
on 11/5/11
Very wise comments. on A billionaires advises the Wall
Street protesters
Kesavan Nair
on 11/2/11
Hurrah! See also Naomi Wolf's Project Syndicate comment
that America's politicians seem to have had their fill of democracy, and are
bet on breaking up protest, sometimes with shocking and gratuitous violence. on
A message for the masses and for
financial elites
Anonymous
on 11/2/11
This article is a result of In-depth study on siblings
and their behaviors. on What brothers and
sisters can teach you
Mediation Experts
on 10/10/11
Anil, Wonderful piece! Absolutely true! Kit on The seven stages of fatherhood
Anonymous
on 9/21/11
Fascinating! Really like the keeping still part! And, I
guess our parents were the masters of self control and us control as well!
Rekha on Self control and a successful
life
Rekha
on 9/6/11
the way i see it is we collect friends at different
stages of our lives and then they just stay on the list, regardless of whether
we keep in touch or not. and if we look at active ones 150 is way too much....
N on How many friends can you have?
Anonymous
on 9/5/11
Many thanks. I have known 4 of the 5. Had nevr
encountered 'Sick" before. It is amusing rather than great poetry. But
then this is list of the most 'popular' rather than the 'best' [whatever that
may mean]. Lovers of Shelley and Keats will be dismayed. Am glad two of the
Frost's poems have made it. Were voters largely Americans? And where is 'The
Raven"? Vinod on Poems for the ages
.
on 8/12/11
Oy Vay! You are one angry dude! But as they say you are
entitled to your own opinions but not your own facts. And the facts are that
Manmohan singh was the finance minister whose strategies helped rescue the
country in 1991 and set it on course to a growth rate for five years of 6-7%.
Rao was the PM for a little period but if you think he knew anything about
finance or what to do about it, you are completely mistaken. And from 2004 to
now India has average annual growth rate of 8-9 % whereas it was rarely above 5
% for the past fifty years. The only point I was making was to say that you
need to balance your criticism with an appreciation of what they have achieved.
No one is saying that they have not made mistakes but reason demands a rational
evaluation of their work and not an emotional one. there Now chill out and read
the rest of my blogs as well. on In
defense of a few good men
Anonymous
on 8/7/11
I think we have been giving far too much credit to the
wimp MMS for the liberalization. It was the Prime Minister's idea and he
implemented it. He cannot think on his own. Now he hides under the skirts of a
foreigner and does all that she says. He inducted into his cabinet the
shameless CM of Maharashtra who thought it fit to take film producers on an
inspection tour of the burnt hotels in November 2008 before the media and other
strategy/security planners.. You are talking of an Ombudsman - MMS does not
want that office to oversee the PM. What does he want to hide? He is a typical
loyal servant who will do what he is told to do and conceal the evil deeds of
his master/mistress. I am very sorry but I have absolutely no respect for him.
And I think it is high time that people stop crediting him for the
liberalisation - wasn't Narasimha Rao the PM who asked for it? India's major
industry is the service industry which the foreign governments can move to
other countries at a moment's on In
defense of a few good men
Anonymous
on 8/7/11
Anil, I remember seeing graffitti in a London toilet that
read 'Death is the greatest kick of them all........that's why they save it for
the last! Kit on Facing life and death
.
on 7/17/11
Why blame Pakistan alone? Do you know how many madrassas
are being run in INDIA? All of them funded by Saudi Arabia. Because of Saudi
oil, no one wants to touch that country. US will bombard Iraq and Afghanistan
but kiss Saudi Arabia, the root cause of all the trouble. India is as bad. The
politicians there all seem to be on the payrolls of saudi arabia - that's why
madrassas are springing all over. on The
rot around us
Pramod
on 7/16/11
just read your blog re dying. wonderful! but how would
one do it? ritu on Facing life and death
aritu
on 7/16/11
Never question anything positive your wife says! Larry
Malarkar "Quinta Malarkar" San Matias Amboi Divar, Goa 403403 on Advice for the newly weds
Larry Malarkar
on 7/9/11
Any idea how this worked out? re trying it on Indian
corruption - the fact of the matter is that there is a corporate house/
business behind every scam. They either pay someone something in the
expectation of a much bigger ROI, or they are paying to buy cheap and then
selling high. The politicians/ bureaucrats are only paid a fraction of what the
final deal is worth. So how does one give the law teeth to prosecute the law
makers and evn more vigorously, the law breakers? Cheers Larry Malarkar
"Quinta Malarkar" San Matias Amboi Divar, Goa 403403 on A new kind of think tank
Larry
on 7/9/11
"To transform the emptiness of loneliness, to the
fullness of aloneness. Ah, that is the secret of life."--Sunita Khosla Roy
on Lonelieness and being alone
Roy
on 6/9/11
Amazing and inspiring, Thanks for sharing the info. Best
Regards =============================================== Punit Saurabh Research
Scholar ,Vinod Gupta School of Management (VGSOM) Project Officer , TePP-DSIR
Innovation funding program, Research Partner, Global Venture lab (GVL) Science
and Technology Entrepreneurs Park (STEP) Indian Institute of Technology,
Kharagpur West Bengal 721302 (India) Cell Phone: 09734425758 Email:
punit.saurabh@gmail.com: on The Mumbai
massacre- reverbrations
punit
on 5/25/11
You might at least confess how young you are? on Old age blues II
Rudi
on 5/19/11
Last sentence is ominous. Good Luck , Pal! on Breaking the circle of corruption
Anonymous
on 5/4/11
that is enviable courage; born out of conviction?faith ?
Inborn? Inspired? I salute both on My
father, the hero
Anonymous
on 5/4/11
Anil, thanks for this piece. Is it ok if i forward it to
others? To all the lonely eople who aren't alone? Paul Tillich makes a
distinction between being loneliness and solitude. We are all alone, but we can
make of our aloneness a solitude! Rudisj. on Lonelieness and being alone
Rudi
on 5/3/11
Great! I have heard a grandma story of how Krishna (the
Lord!) was explaining to Draupathy , while explaining to her about the
intricacies of warfare and army formations , the various 'vyuhas'-or formations
with the help of sticks pebbles. and Abhimanyu was listening from thewomb of
Draupathy. the Lord stoppedwhen he found Draupathy had fallen asleep etc.(I have
never questioned at the time or sice ) about the time span warp in that story!
But mentioning the incident to show that great teachers taught with the most
simple day to day objects. In Karnataka, during teachers' day, an elementary
school teacher was awarded during "Teacher's Day" for Maths. I read
in the citation that he was known as "matchstick Sir" because he
taught maths with the help of matchsticks! Your ablog put me immediately in
mind of Prof Sukumaran, who used to act out how AC works! Regards on Innovation from the bottom up
Anonymous
on 5/2/11
I love the sign off! -Niloufer on 10 EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES 2011
.
on 4/29/11
My plea to all the brilliant minds in the field: PLEEEEZ
find more effective solutions to making solar energy cheaper. Vinod on 10 EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES 2011
.
on 4/29/11
You may have seen the attached article by Prashant
Bhushan on the Jan Lokpal Bill carried by The Hindu.. While elections are an
important factor, the problem is much wider in its scope. I wonder whether I
ever mentioned my involvement at what may be regarded as the incubation period
of the [sorry: emphasis unintended] present fight against corruption. I was
member of a Citizens Forum against Corruption set up in 2004 of which Prashant
Bhushan and Arvind Kejriwal were leading members. Many of the relevant issues
were analysed and taken up : whistleblower protection, CVC independence, giving
away of public goods at throwaway prices,etc. Prashant had even filed a case
against Pramod Mahajan in the Supreme Court on what was the precursor to 2-G
scam. Before the case could make much headway, he was, as you recall, murdered
by his brother. For better , for worse, it took a Gandhian style mass movement
around fast-unto-death by somebody of the moral authority of Anna Hazare for
the on Breaking the circle of corruption
.
on 4/15/11
"One may have a blazing hearth in one's soul and yet
no one ever came to sit by it. Passers-by see only a wisp of smoke from the
chimney and continue on their way." — Vincent van Gogh on Lonelieness and being alone
.
on 4/12/11
Here is the full quote "Normal day, let me be aware
of the treasure you are. Let te learn from you, love you, bless you before you
depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let
me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day, I shall dig my
nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or
raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return."
Mary Irion on Lonelieness and being alone
.
on 4/12/11
Anil, Enjoyed the piece. Can relate to every observation
you have made. Am now waiting for the wheel to come full circle!! Ciao, Kit on Fathers and Sons
.
on 4/4/11
Hi Anil, A good list of rascals. In India although there
were many scams before like Krishna Menon's Jeep scandal, Pratap Singh Kairon's
swindle,Antulay's cement scam, the infamous Mundra deal etc, Bofors was of a
different genre and is the mother of all scams that followed it. It is not apt
to describe it as only "Rs64crores". The actual amount was about 4
times that value and the dollar value was quite high. That apart, it was the
first exposed scam where the PM and his family were involved. Yet the scamsters
were exposed. But the guilty were never punished and are walking free. We call
the muckrakers as "whistle blowers". There is one guy called Agarwal
who is still fighting in the courts against closure of the Bofors case by a
pliant CBI! Other maverick whistle blowers are Subramaniam Swamy and Prshant
Bhushan. The recent Right to Information Act in India is holding promise.But
the civil society led by the well heeled coffee room Chatterati is just not
active enough. Nattu on In the land of
scams
padmum
on 3/26/11
There speaks experience with great sensitivity.I can
empathise, having a daughter in the family. Heart break fortunately none but
heartaches on occasion.. on When
daughters break your heart...
Anonymous
on 3/26/11
useful ideas.Each one has to finally find his own-as with
any other problem-solution.I found a Doctor friend's advice helpful. a)Not to
fret too obsessively about sleep b)walk in the evening rather than in the
morning c)cut down your siesta time d)eat early and not too little. We -I
do-have a tendency when a certain age to eat very little at night for inability
to digest."Give it time ten!" says my friend. Reading at night helps.
But when all is said and done whatI actually do is----toss and turn and finally
drop off fretting! Regards V on Conquering
insomnia
Anonymous
on 3/26/11
Anil, Never a truer word was spoken!! Kit P.S. Grand
daughters even more so and we have provided for 5 of them!! K on When daughters break your heart...
Anonymous
on 3/16/11
Very touching Anil…and you have a gorgeous daughter who
keeps dad and mom in place! Niloufer on When
daughters break your heart...
Anonymous
on 3/16/11
Really very sensitive and complementary of daughters. I
do not know if "it is breaking your heart" or the fact that you feel
helpless. But I think you feel the same for sons. It is only that daughters
share their traumas with you but sons keep it to themselves. Which is again a
result of the way they are brought up - not to show emotions. avni on When daughters break your heart...
Anonymous
on 3/11/11
.... and they lived happily ever after! Oh Uncle - you
are a romantic! Anna on Dharma and love
Anonymous
on 3/2/11
Extremely interesting. The brain seems to work on all
available resources at hand when faced with a puzzle. Not necessarily a stated
puzzle but even a real life situation which is reduced by a disciplined mind to
a puzzle to be solved -detached from the emotional aspect. There have been some
interesting books somewhat along these concepts. I thought BLINK (Malcolm
Gladwell) is one such? And I came across an interesting book on language
learning in my daugher's library which indicates that comprehension of a
concept is an extremely subtle mental process. To give two rudimentary
examples. The first is an essay about a cricketer walking into the dressing
room to pad up for the days match.He could the author says ,as he starts
putting on the pads , "he gets the smell of 50 runs'!It evokes a whole
picture of his confidence level, the typical smells in a cricket dressing room
leather, sweaty guards etc.But you have to be familiar with the game. the other
example: I asked my daughter on The
Creative Spark
venky
on 1/4/11
The trouble with us Indians is that we prefer to waste
money, time and manpower on issues which, three score and ten years after they
happened are really of no consequence.The man could't be alive today, so why
not leave it at that. Those who think of him as a demi God and a saviour may do
so - it is after all a free country, but for heaven's sake don't appoint any
more commissions / fact finding missions on a long dead issue. Everyone knows
their true purpose - to provide a cushy post retirement 'occupation'to favoured
babus, bureaucrats and ex-politicians ! Ashok Rajadhyaksha. on The Mystery of Subash Chandra Bose
Anonymous
on 12/13/10
Interesting! How does only this reflection come?Is it
worthy of validation?If yes , I shall refer it to some expert,I may know. One
question that comes to my mind is that why we have to analyse every thing which
comes before us .This may also be true for PJ tellers, they want to share some
fun but can't reach the same level as that of the listener....S.K.Chawla on Telling poor jokes can be a disease
S K CHAWLA
on 12/3/10
Anil Most intresting. how can truth prevail in an
environment of Nehru/gandhi dynasty? what are they getting by suppressing
information? regards, syngal on The
Mystery of Subash Chandra Bose
Anonymous
on 12/3/10
What a superbly written article - it literally drags you
along with the melee! I wonder if you read these comments? I am returning for a
holiday in India with the kids. I will be there from 9 December to 5 January
2011. The imminent rupture that you foresaw one year ago, finally occurred -
the wounds are raw and will take time to heal, but heal they will! Wishing you
lots more living and loving. God bless you and Ena. Anna on A love affair like no other
Anonymous
on 11/30/10
What's the bottom line? Is 4' something OK? Love Ashok on
Caregiver for a day
Ashok Bhojwani
on 11/1/10
We learned as caregivers for my elderly father that the
best way to arrive at the ER is by ambulance. Much faster service. Carol Inside
Aging Parent Care on Caregiver for a day
Despr8caregiver
on 10/26/10
soo wonderfull all this phases I'm very sorprised.... this
text is going to be useful for me thanks lot :) on Mandela's Way: Fifteen
Lessons on Life, Love, and Courage
Anonymous
on 8/17/10
Hi Uncle Anil I find it's about being happy. It's a
choice one makes - to be happy or to be unhappy. If you decide to be happy, you
WILL think creatively. You cannot be happy and think destructively at the same
time. Therein lies the link with the shower - a warm shower will soothe and
make you happy - that's where most of the singing is done! Anna on One idea at a time
Anonymous
on 8/4/10
Interesting article but the conclusion on MSG, whether
bad or good was missing. If left for us to judge,I feel from the research done
that they are very bad for the Brain.Kills cell-causing Alzheimers,Parkinsons
and various brain related diseases by over stimulating the brain. They are
addictive.They are Sodium salts of non-Amino Acids glutimate.Avoid if one
can.Eat Natural Fresh Foods!!! on The MSG
mystery
kiran
on 8/3/10
From C. Rajagopalachari's talk on Bhaja Govindam -
"When intelligence matures and lodges securely in the mind, it becomes
wisdom. When wisdom is integrated with life and issues out in action, it
becomes devotion." on What is wisdom
?
Anonymous
on 8/1/10
The post was interesting, but it told me nothing about
how you felt regarding MSG. And your last few lines, so the mystery remains. Is
MSG bad for you or is it a simple food additive that does you no harm? No one
seems to know for sure! Those who suffer after eating foods laden with MSG know
for sure. We could do with out this so called taste enhancer. I'm one of those
who believe food should taste good if it's prepared with love and quality fresh
foods. When did we have to start enhancing flavors anyway, when we tried to
cover up the taste of dog meat? on The
MSG mystery
You are right. There are complex emotions involved on
both sides when adult children provide care for an elderly parent. My husband,
sister and I have been caregivers for our elderly parents for a decade. However
good the relationship between parent and child, old baggage and fear of death
can cloud the interaction creating greater stress on all sides. We have found
that reaching our through our blog Inside Aging Parent Care and in other ways
is helpful. Visit us at www.desperatecaregivers.com on When children become parents
Despr8caregiver
on 5/23/10
Dear Anil Congrats. It is amazing that you are able to
write so much. I have been reading all the blogs that Niloufer sends me. Keep
it up. The piece on the Vietnam Electrification will be interesting to me.
Unfortunately India is still in the same tangle and is not able to execute the
projects. Will read the book and revert. Rajgopal on The limits of multi tasking
Srinivas Rajgopal
on 5/11/10
Very interesting, Anil. Reminds me of Dipankar Gupta’s
edit page piece in TOI yesterday which I have just sent you. Your piece has
answered a lot of questions that his threw up, primarily on feeding the worlds
population. And I love this line: The point is clear: environmentalists have
yet to seize the opportunity offered by urbanisation. Two major campaigns
should be mounted: one to protect the newly-emptied countryside, the other to
green the hell out of the growing cities. Cause green cities is a cause after
my heart..I truly believe more FSI is the route to solving Bombays dilapidated
housing problems. On one condition only- build green. From water harvesting to
garbage recycling, composting, alternate energies, growing our own food,
walking in our own gardens. This hopefully takes care of some infrastructure
issues… Niloufer on How slums can save
the planet
.
on 3/11/10
Dear Anil I always read your reflections and marvel at
your capacity to write. But this one was a shocker. Am glad that things are
working out. Why should you permit low BS to catch you unawares. It always
gives a signal. Please write when you are better. Raj and Urmila on Near death experiences
Srinivas
on 3/8/10
Hi U. Anil - "The right merchant is one who has the
just average of faculties we call common sense; a man of a strong affinity for
facts, who makes up his decision on what he has seen. He is thoroughly
persuaded of the truths of arithmetic. There is always a reason, in the man,
for his good or bad fortune in making money. Men talk as if there were some
magic about this. He knows that all goes on the old road, pound for pound, cent
for cent -- for every effect a perfect cause -- and that good luck is another
name for tenacity of purpose. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson" Anna on “It's Not Fair”
Anonymous
on 3/4/10
We imagine the pains of late-life ailments but not the
joys of new pursuits; we recoil at the losses and loneliness and fail to
embrace the wisdom and meaning that only age can bring. Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow captured the sentiment well: Whatever poet, orator, or sage May say
of it, old age is still old age. It is the waning, not the crescent moon; The
dusk of evening, not the blaze of noon; It is not strength, but weakness; not
desire, But its surcease; not the fierce heat of fire, The burning and
consuming element, But that of ashes and of embers spent, In which some living
sparks we still discern, Enough to warm, but not enough to burn. What then?
Shall we sit idly down and say The night hath come; it is no longer day? The
night hath not yet come; we are not quite Cut off from labor by the failing
light; Something remains for us to do or dare; Even the oldest tree some fruit
may bear; Not Oedipus Coloneus, or Greek Ode, Or tales of pilgrims that one
morning on Raging old men....
.
on 3/3/10
Anil, this is both delightful and inspirational. Well
done. Sarwar post script: it reminded me a lot of my father in law, who stayed
angry and very much alive through failing eyesight...incensed by the inequities
of this world but clear as a bell through 92. Sarwar on Raging old men....
.
on 3/3/10
Luck, timing and serendipity play a huge role in outcomes
that may dwarf any discussion of "fairness". on “It's Not Fair”
Anonymous
on 3/2/10
Your solution makes sense. But its fun to crib! Piece
also reminds me of Arthur Ashe who, when stricken with Cancer said, I didn’t
ask ‘Why Me’ in my days of success. Why ask now? - Niloufer on “It's Not Fair”
Anonymous
on 3/2/10
When I was young I always wondered if Dylan was right.
Now Im nearing 70 I know he was! Niloufer on Raging old men....
Anonymous
on 3/2/10
Happiness in not having what you want, it is wanting what
you have. A large part of this is having a saisfactory answer to the question
"How much is enough?" on The
sins of the fathers…
Anonymous
on 3/1/10
Anil, Thank you for your messages dated February 1 and
16. I enjoyed reading several of your interesting columns ... that is why it
took me so much time to reply to you! I admire that you can devote some time
(almost every day!) for "meditation" and writing. Another excuse for
the delay is also that we had the crazy idea to spend one week vacation in
Florida from January 30 to February 6 (in theory)/8 (actually) ... just between
the two Washington snow storms! It took us 12 hours to fly from Washington to Fort
Myers ... and we came back 48 hours later than the original schedule, including
a 28 hours travel. This would likely be worth writing a column on
"Traveling in the 21st century" or ... on "Global warming?"
Anyway! Two short comments on two of your columns. In "Women who have
everything… ", you describe the situation of successful women, which seems
to be a world-wide phenomena. In some country there are now "working"
women than men! It could have been interesting to also on Women who have everything…
.
on 2/27/10
Anil, I think your blog on Raging Old Men fits those who
had either planned for their superannuation or those who had mentally accepted
it and on retirement did what they could or would do best. But the sad truth is
that most cannot adjust to their new state viz. becoming non-persons. All their
working lives they were the face of the organisations they worked for and from
which they derived their presence, status, and all manner of authority. On
retirement, they suddenly find themselves cut adrift with no lifebuoys or guide
rails to help them along. They find it difficult to earn the respect of others
without a business/ political/corporate/NGO status and this complicates the
adjustment resulting in their late life medical crises viz. senile dementia,
coronary disease, mental depression, cancer(brought on by trauma) etc. Those
who have faced the reality of aging, plan for their superannuated years and
then quite deliberately follow Dylan Thomas' advice...... Kit on Raging old men....
.
on 2/26/10
Simplicity: Something that I always admired. People who
could do complicated difficult things in a straight forward simple manner
without exhausting too many resources. To me it was equal to an art, with very
few people; few people who could understand it, fewer who could appreciate it
and even fewer who could execute it. In the run of life people seem to feel
that doing things in a complicated grand manner is the only way. Why? Is what I
always ask. I try to look for a straight simple way always. My dream of my
wedding was to have this otherwise complicated relationship recognised in the
simplest possible way. I am not a person who believes is customs and rituals,
to me they complicate things. People hide behind them. But my dream was not to
be realised. My ideas of simplicity came from a cousin who had done things as
simply as possible. She shared her experiences of simplicity with great pride.
For years I could not meet the eyes of this cousin and her family, as my wedding
had on Marching backwards
Anonymous
on 2/26/10
Interesting - but why rage against the dying of the
light? Did we rage against being born? It happended naturally (we assume) and
so, when this time is over, why rail against it? We will continue on our journey
naturally ... That is not to say that I would sit and wait for death to claim
me. No I will continue to do to the best of my ability what I enjoy doing ...
if I can make this space a trifle better because I was here, should suffice. on
Raging old men....
Anonymous
on 2/25/10
I've already found that 'discussions' with the kids can
sometimes be quite interesting when it's not exhausting! Guess I'll keep it up
to keep my brain cells moving. Anna on A
New Recipe for Aging Brains
Anonymous
on 1/25/10
Indeed it is a dilemma - sometimes becoming a vicious
power struggle. In the Bible, Jesus puts it very clearly stating that a man
must leave his family and cleave to his wife. Why then the problem? The
parent-child relationship is one where although coming forth from one's being,
the child must break free in order to grow and develop as an individual.
Respect for oneself and one's child should allow both the freedom to be
themselves without the manacle of guilt. However in many cases it is the one
who plays victim most sucessfully who becomes the 'victor' in a scenario where
no one wins. on Mothers and sons
Anonymous
on 1/3/10
Another super essay. You are a wise man and I wish that I
had more time to speak with you. This is a poem by Marianne Williamson which I
recalled after reading this piece. "Our deepest fear is not that we are
inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our
light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to
be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is
nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure
around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make
manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's
in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other
people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence
automatically liberates others.” Anna on The
Good Samaritans Gift
Anonymous
on 1/3/10
Kit Let us agree to disagree on some of your comments in
regard to the speech. Let me take some of the issues That there is evil in the
world is clear- from the Nazi holocaust, to the 68 million dead during the
cultural revolution in China, from the pogroms in the Balkans to the massacres
in Uganda, from the boy soldiers of Sierra Leone to the murder of women under
Shariat law.So evil exists. The issue is how do we deal with it as individuals,
nations or the world. Till now the favourite pose has been to talk about it and
ignore it. To say something must be done, but look for somebody else to do it.
And when someone does do something, it is always too little and too late and
not what should be done. We have ignored the massacres next door in Myanmar or
Sri Lanka but are willing to attack the US for intervening in Bosnia who
represented no threat to their country. Yes I do believe there are some wars
that need to be fought even if the fight is not ours and we gain no benefit
from it on Obama's Nobel Lecture
.
on 12/16/09
Hi Anil, I've always been a great admirer of Obama the
man - his honesty, integrity and sheer transparency. But now after hearing and
re-reading his speech I can't say that i admire him for those qualities
anymore. I think the Nobel Jury made a big mistake in nominating him, and
realised the enormity of their mistake only after the hue and cry in
international fora. And because it was too late to change, just decided to let
him justify the selection by making charismatic speeches and promises which
may/may not be fulfilled during the rest of his term. To read phrases such as
'just war' and 'a war fought as a last resort or in self-defense' where 'the
force used is proportional' etc. makes one marvel at the brilliance of the man,
the cleverness of his speech writer and the elan with which he carries it off.
The truth is that he was forced to do what he did as a carry-over of his predecessor's
stupidity and in doing so has not been able to fulfill his 'Yes we can"
campaign promise of on Obama's Nobel
Lecture
Anonymous
on 12/16/09
I have attended wedding in both India and the US. I
prefer the US ones where the priest gives a handout and then clearly explains
the significance and the details of the various rituals. In India, the
"Mandap" has the family members and everyone else is drinking on the
side. on A Very Indian Wedding ..in the
US
Anonymous
on 12/15/09
America is the reason why Pakistan is able to sustain its
anti India campaign. It is evident that for whatever reasons America needs
Pakistan's support, much more than it does India's. That is why despite
realising that Pakistan is just short of being a failed state America continues
to keep it supplied with money as well as arms and military hardware,
ostensibly to enable Pakistan to fight terrorism within their country as well
as in Afghanistan and Balochistan. Who monitors what the Pakistanis do with the
maney and military equipment which America so generously supplies them ? At the
end of the day India will have to take care of its interest on its own because
I believe we cannot count on America if we have even a localised confrontation
with Pakistan or China along our Northern border. This is a fact of life which
our great Netas will not see till it is too late . What more can one say except
that we are today not adequately equipped to safeguard even our western
coastline on Reflections on the terror in
Mumbai
Ashok
on 12/3/09
After I posted this piece on marmite, I found that the
ads on the side of my blogs all shifted to roofing and roofing services!! Is
there a connection between marmite and roofing? on The strangest of tastes
Anonymous
on 12/3/09
John Kelley's column got a lot of response. Here is a
hilarious sampling: "The District's Yoma Ullman is also English by origin.
"I spent the years until I was 9 in India," she wrote. "Food
went bad there very fast indeed. Marmite did not go bad." The obvious question:
How can you tell when Marmite does go bad? Yoma continued: "Marmite was on
my sandwiches for years and years. It is, in fact, the English equivalent of
peanut butter. I've been American since 1968 but I still can't eat peanut
butter. It sticks to the roof of my mouth and threatens to choke me."
ad_icon Yoma, you are obviously eating it upside down. Turn your sandwiches
over! She continued: "My father said that eating Marmite would deprive me
of tasting food, the last pleasure of life according to him. It hasn't so far,
and I am 73. So, lay off the Marmite. Some of us love it." Silver Spring's
John Rossi is among them. His mother is English, his father American. John
wrote: "In our family, it comes down to three of on The strangest of tastes
Anonymous
on 12/3/09
Dr.Shetty is an extremely good and compassioate Human
being. His Serene eyes tell all.He is doing commendable service to
Humanity.Most god fearing Doctor on Two
Indian stories
kiran
on 12/1/09
Yum! Reminds me I havent had the stuff in ages…great on
biscuits too. Niloufer on The strangest
of tastes
.
on 12/1/09
couldn't agree more. the time i tried it, it was like
someone pulling my toenails out one by one. WHOLE. then, thinking it must be an
acquired taste, one that i should try to acquire as an adult, i tried it again.
this time all the hair on my head fell off. who are the people who are weird
enough to have such weird taste buds? Ritu on The strangest of tastes
.
on 12/1/09
The best 'first' tasting story came from a woman who tried
it tentativly, then - before diving into it with relish - declared it 'great'.
Telling me this, as I prepared to sign her copy, she admitted she had no sense
of smell. And wondered if this had helped her get it down. I could hear the
'hate' camp roaring - 'yes'! on The
strangest of tastes
Anonymous
on 12/1/09
Anil, how wonderful that you picked-up on John Kelly's
fun piece in the Washington Post, about my book. And I'm going to take this
opportunity to tell your followers that for information about the book go to:
Mish-Mash-Marmite.blogspot.com Also search Marmite Maggie...and all sorts of
stuff pops up. Meanwhile I have to tell you that the book has several entries
referring to India. In 1928 Dr Lucy Wills went to Bombay - to research whether
diet was a factor in pernicious anaemia. It wasn't until she fed, in sheer
exasperation, an ailing monkey some Marmite that she unlocked the secret of
what we now know as folic acid. Also Phil Johnson who runs the Spurgeon website
(it pays homage to the British Victorian preacher) has pages on the site about
Marmite. It's usually the first first thing to come up on a 'Marmite' search.
His devotion to Marmite is not explained on the site, but it is in the book. It
all goes back to 1984 when he was studying in Bangalore and his hosts fed him
Marmite. on The strangest of tastes
Anonymous
on 12/1/09
Dear Anil, Thanks, we appreciate the mention. Regards,
ICICI Customer Service Team. on Two
Indian stories
ICICI Bank
on 11/30/09
I was fortunate enough to meet Dr. Shetty more than once
and spend some time with him. An incredible human being, with a vision that
goes far beyond what most people can imagine and a sensistivity to the poor
that is unique. It really was a blessing to have time from him. Rekha on Two Indian stories
Anonymous
on 11/22/09
A lifetime !! I have been married for over 38 years so I
know whereof I speak. And I have my wife's permission as well!! on Why women nag?
.
on 11/6/09
Another issue with self-publishing on Kindle is editing.
A truly good editor has in the past "birthed" great literature
through the scalpel of discerning eyes and ears for cadence, word choice, flow,
content, connection. As usual Anil, a thoughtful piece. I'm still debating on
whether to get a Kindle or not. Now you suggest Apple may get in the market,
and my pace slows to zero as I wait to see what they produce. on A new age of publishing
cak
on 11/6/09
Very interesting piece! I like it very much. You seem to
understand women a lot! Just a little question: How long does it take you to
come to this conclusion? on Why women nag?
Anonymous
on 11/5/09
Now that your book is on the Kindle, you should use
Google Ad Words to advertise it. on A new
age of publishing
Anonymous
on 11/3/09
Two points on this topic 1. Predicting the future
direction, acceptance and influence of any new technology is fraught with risk.
Almost everyone tries to predict the future by extrapolating past trends and
experiences - which is never accurate. 2. With this explosion of information -
there is a need for a radical new way to gather, analyze, present and inform
users. All current technologies ie Google etc are based on thinking that was
done in the 70's
(www.nytimes.com/2007/06/03/business/yourmoney/03google.html?_r=1) on Instruments of communication
Anonymous
on 9/30/09
Anil, I couldn't agree more with your observations. And i
do hope that Obama is able to get his healthcare proposals and economic
recovery on track. But talking about these vociferous groups, most of us tend
to dismiss them as being 'fundamentalist' or a part of the'lunatic fringe' and
therefore not to be taken seriously. But the fact is that it is groups like
these that finally spread their tentacles and end up assimilating the silent
majority e.g. the Nazis of Germany, the Wahabis of islam which now has the
whole of Afghanistan under its sweep and has forced the Americans, for the sake
of political expediency, to try and calibrate them into good and bad taliban!
Therefore to let them expend steam in the hope that they will fizzle out in the
long run doesn't seem to me to be the answer. A more deliberate sort of action
is called for,and in India at least it should come from a resolute Govt. that
demonstrates that it means business. All these fascist groups are usually the
biggest on The “lie” heard around the
world
Anonymous
on 9/16/09
I forgot to mention two extremely important points in the
above posting: one, that Ted Kennedy requested that this letter only be opened
after his death and two that from that time on, he continued to work on health
care reform right upto the moment of his death. He never gave up. on Profiles in courage
.
on 9/11/09
This is the link to the TR magazine that provides further
details on the innovators of the year http://www.technologyreview.com/tr35/ on Innovation and India
.
on 9/8/09
Nice post. It is always good to see people expressing
themselves in different ways. Since you seem to be associated with Management,
I would like to suggest you a new magazine - PEOPLE MATTERS started by an ISB
Alumni, which was suggested to me by a friend and which I have found very
useful. It deals with various important aspects of management, especially those
related to Leadership & People Management, which the mainstream business
publications often ignore. It's also relatively cheap. I guess its annual
subscription is about Rs. 400 (US$ 8 approx) which is even less than the cost
of a standard Pizza. Their last issue had an enlightening article by Robert
Kaplan (the co-founder of Balanced Scorecard method, if you remember) where he
talks about how organisations can create opportunities out of current economic
downturn. I got its subscription online through their website:
http://www.peoplematters.in If you like the magazine, kindly refer it to your
friends or colleagues on Innovation and
India
future mantra
on 9/5/09
Greetings Anil /Ena, Sounds very like our short (7 days /
7 nights)Mediterranean cruise on a U.S. based cruise company - The Royal
Caribbean - ship named Navigator Of The Seas. It had a capacity of 2000
passengers and about a thousand crew and support staff. Moyna was perforce
wheel chair bound because of her accident in Rome and I was the pusher! Going
ashore was, I found, a waste of time as one got at best some 6 hours on shore.
There was plenty to do on board although neither of us being a swimmer the
pools and allied services were not used by us. Food by and large was good
except that one longed to eat simple Daal Chawal at the end of 7 days of
assorted non vegetarian fare. Service was impeccable as were the administrative
arrangements.The ship's Infirmary had a good Tamilian Doctor who was easy to
deal with as he could recognise the (Indian) allopathic medicines that Moyna
was on.Our stay was very comfortable under the circumstances i.e. Moyna's being
wheel chair bound. Maybe on An Alaska
cruise
Ashok Rajadhyaksha
on 9/2/09
Thanks, Anil, for your appreciation of Ted Kennedy. As
you know I worked for him in the '60s -- was one of his aides/guides in
Viet-Nam, just before the Tet Offensive. I have been very moved all weekend
watching the send-off and, visiting Boston, being among the thousands to pay my
personal respects at the JFK Library. I had the good fortune of a brief reunion
with him in Boston just months before his illness. John Sommer on Remembering Teddy Kennedy
Anonymous
on 9/1/09
Having been remiss in not reading your earlier articles,
I could not resist your most recent 'posting' on Teddy Kennedy after spending
much of the weekend watching his moving funeral service and visiting his simple
but dignified gravesite at Arlington early this Sunday morning. I never had the
opportunity to meet the late Senator- but I have spoken with several who knew
him well. Your note captures very well the qualities of this great public
figure. Neither the 'right' nor the 'left has captured the essence of the late
Senator: the 'right' chastises him too readily for his personal failings and
for his liberal politics, frankly, an un-Christian response to this most
Christian of public figures; the 'left' does not understand the word
'redemption', perhaps in secular terms but certainly not in spiritual terms. So
very well done! Eugene on Remembering Teddy Kennedy
Anonymous
on 9/1/09
hi anil A good one. on Sex, anyone ?
kiran
on 8/10/09
I too like asking questions on this subject on
googles--Your blog has baffled me more!! The essence is do what you have to, in
this one life which you are experiencing.Whats in store no one still knows. I
read somewhere that before you die if you wish for something, your is granted,
Provided you are sane when bidding the last farewell and know that you are
going!!!HA!HA!HA! on The afterlife
kiran
on 8/10/09
hi Ravis comments: Both Yoga and pleasure can be pursued.
Both have their merits for the good of individual and society. Yoga can be
inculcated along with pleasure. Be Free to choose as long as you do no harm to
mankind and do not think negative. on The
joy of less and excess
kiran
on 8/10/09
Hi Anil, Pleasure reading your blog on Alaska cruise. The
description is so vivid that I could picture the whole episode and felt like it
happening to me again. I had also taken the same cruise from Seattle rest you
have said it all. Shore trips were well organized and worth every penny!!Early
walks on the deck was out of the world with breath taking beauty,adding to
longivity Wishing you more such trips. I am thinking of doing a Mediterranean
one this winter.!1 Love to ena kiran on An
Alaska cruise
kiran
on 8/10/09
Hi dear Read your blog on 'joy of Less and Excess'. According
to Gita,One has to get free of all emotions and think of community service and
self actualization, only after ones own desires are fullfilled.The level of
fullfillment depends on each individual.Therefore the level of joy of less and
excess is relative--True Happiness lies without its Pursuit. --One Should be
free to choose ones path.!! Just as Your Alaska trip seems to have invoked
another desire for another cruise!!!! (Your Happiness!) Nice to learn that you
made it. Its really an experience of a life time--The indescribable beauty!! I
believe The Mediterranian cruise is good with lots of History
attached.--Caribbean too should be good. cheers kiran on The joy of less and excess
kiran
on 8/10/09
Well done, Anil -- you've found the magic title to encourage
people to read your blogs! Not that, in a perfect world, and given the interest
of your commentaries, such a come-on should be required! Cheers, John (Not
clear how to fill in "comment as") on Sex, anyone ?
Anonymous
on 7/24/09
Hi Mama, Thank you for this - it brought back very very
fond memories of Nana - he truly was all you described and more. Another facet
of him that we saw was his deep love for his grandchildren - I remember going
home every weekend from AIIMS - for me, Nana's house was home during the years
I was in medical college - and seeing his face light up with his broad smile
when he saw me at the door. Even now whenever I visit, I always feel that he is
still there somewhere. love, Dipali on Fathers
Day thoughts
Dipali
on 7/13/09
For a recent story on some of these youngsers, go to
http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20090622&fname=FSuper+30+(F)&sid=1
on The will to succeed
.
on 6/16/09
very interesting on Pakistan
on the brink
kiran
on 6/13/09
Hi Uncle Anil my anonymous message worked! You are a wise
man and I am glad that you are living your life to the hilt! God bless Anna
(Bush) on The Caregivers journey
Anonymous
on 6/7/09
oxox on The
Caregivers journey
Anonymous
on 6/7/09
How come you did not mention the "Gates
Foundation" - they are attempting some bold goals - and have resources to
increase probability of success. on The
Power of One
Anonymous
on 5/9/09
Anil, I haven't read the book, but surely 10,000 hrs is a
hypothetical figure to indicate the relentless effort coupled with a continous
striving to succeed that is reqd. The number of hours is surely not
quantifiable. Does this mean that 20000 hours would bring double the success?
Kit on The ten thousand hour rule
kit
on 5/5/09
A Friend is who.......... (A)ccepts you as you are
(B)elieves in you (C)alls you just to say "HI" (D)oesn't give up on
you (E)nvisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts) (F)orgives your
mistakes (G)ives unconditionally (H)elps you (I)nvites you over (J)ust
"be" with you (K)eeps you close at heart (L)oves you for who you are
(M)akes a difference in your life (N)ever Judges (O)ffers support (P)icks you
up (Q)uiets your fears (R)aises your spirits (S)ays nice things about you
(T)ells you the truth when you need it (U)nderstands you (V)alues you (W)alks
beside you (X)-plains thing you don't understand (Y)ells when you won't listen
and (Z)aps you back to reality on Friends
and friendship
Anonymous
on 5/5/09
When you get those old age blues look up “The Ages of
Man” by Desmond Morris who also wrote The Naked Ape. on Old Age Blues
Larry
on 5/4/09
Re. Dealing with the financial crisis. This is how it is
done, told simply in a parable It is August. In a small town on the South Coast
of France, holiday season is in full swing, but it is raining so there is not
too much business happening. Everyone is heavily in debt. Luckily, a rich
Russian tourist arrives in the foyer of the small local hotel. He asks for a
room and puts a Euro100 note on the reception counter, takes a key and goes to
inspect the room located up the stairs on the third floor. The hotel owner
takes the banknote in hurry and rushes to his meat supplier to whom he owes
E100. The butcher takes the money and races to his supplier to pay his debt.
The wholesaler rushes to the farmer to pay E100 for pigs he purchased some time
ago. The farmer triumphantly gives the E100 note to a local prostitute who gave
him her services on credit. The prostitute goes quickly to the hotel, as she
owed the hotel for her hourly room use to entertain clients. At that moment, on
Understanding the economic crisis
Larry
on 5/4/09
The part about friends continuing later in life are the
ones that get along with the wife is so true. Though there are exceptions.I
have two three friends who I know since school and the others since college.
And we still meet often. I so admire the postings of Anil. Raj on Friends and friendship
raj
on 5/1/09
Anil, What a wonderful piece! I couldn't agree with you
more about the nature and the nurturing of friendship. I know that ours is a
friendship that has been watered and diligently tended over the years. Kit P.S.
There was a South American Statesman (Argentinian?) who said that he would
never make a friend from whom he couldn't walk away nor an enemy whom he
couldn't approach. In the long journey of life i wonder if that philosophy
shouldn't be given a chance as it gives due recognition to the balance that is
the secret of a well spent life. K on Friends
and friendship
kit
on 5/1/09
I went to the website and read the article. It was so
interesing, informative, inspirational and most importantly, it infused a sense
of confidence, hope, a sense of purpose and a renewed desire to do something
new and more rewarding. Many thanks. on Old
Age Blues
Lalit
on 5/1/09
Very clear Anil, thanks. Must check the musical version
too! on Understanding the economic crisis
Niloufer
on 5/1/09
Better late than never. Tho it already seems too late.
And India bears the brunt. Another threat to Taj hotel and hijack threats too…
headlines today on A ray of hope.... in
Pakistan
Niloufer
on 5/1/09
Anil, I particularly like this reflection. I now have
your blog site on my running bookmark (#1). Did you receive the copy of my book
yet? I am having a couple of book signings coming up, locally and in White
Plains this coming Saturday at our college reunion. on A Peace Corp in every country
Colleen
on 5/1/09
Wise beyond measure! on Old Age Blues
Colleen
on 5/1/09
Last line is so apt… on Old Age Blues
Niloufer
on 5/1/09
amen! can we please hurry up and fill all the positions
open out there. too much happening to be caught with our pants down. on Dealing with epidemics of the future
ritu
on 5/1/09
Anil, The question that your reflection raises is this:
if what you say is going to have such a beneficial effect on a country that
puts in place a Peace Corps of its own then why is it that not even one has
considered it? In India while the Govt. is busy trying to manipulate the IIT's
and the IIM's there is no plan to set-up a program such as what you have
suggested. To my mind unless our leaders have a vision for this country backed
by a mission ststement nothing like what you are suggesting can possibly
happen. If even the NREGS and the JNRM are not implemented (and they are
politically advantageous schemes) what hope is there for a long gestation
scheme like you are suggesting-and that too for middle-class people? Regards,
Kit on A Peace Corp in every country
kit
on 5/1/09
Extremely well said. Do you agree that a good strategy is
missing??? on Dealing with epidemics of
the future
Niloufer
on 5/1/09
Thanks fro the new blog postings I read friendship and
one on Pakistan Ares of interest to me .both very insightful .My friendships
move with interests .Each of us have so much to offer and so little time we
need to make use of every moment .I find hard to communicate with my high
schhol or college friends who have hardly grown . on Friends and friendship
Prakash
on 5/1/09
I continue to read, with much pleasure and profit,your
words of wisdom---and am awestruck not only by the facility of expression but
the depth and range of erudition." Given the high quality of these pieces,
any reaction which does justice to them would require much thought and
learning, so do not be surprised if you donot hear too frequesntly from me.
Here are some thoughts I put down after reading your blog on "Old age
Blues" (Forgive the inelegant English!): I have not read Cicero on old
age: 2000 years is too short a time for any basic change in the laws of biology
; but modern medicine has greatly enlarged the potentialities of old age;
---however ‘old age’ does adversely affect ability to be a national leader:
Manmohan Singh and Advani, alas are no exceptions. Prime Ministership in the
fast changing world of today demands more than just wisdom: it requires three
other qualities which do tend to wither with ageing: energy (compare the range
of domestic and on Old Age Blues
Vinod
on 5/1/09
Interesting indeed on Mining
the internet gems
Anonymous
on 4/30/09
For learning how to blog, go to blogger.com on Mining the internet gems
.
on 4/30/09
hi,just read your blog "Two Lifetimes in One"
This is the truth which is unavoidable, but sad. best not to think of it and
live till you can do things indepently.Its a very big social problem.Joint
family system was better i feel as old could mingle with young and there was
some value system.To live in oldage homes also is scarey as one tends to see
all oldies only and that too is depressing. Seeing young people and mixing with
them is energising.Do what you enjoy-as you are doing.!! on Two lifetimes in one
.
on 3/21/09
Anil, I thought I was fortunate with just 1 child, my
mum. But its taken a huge emotional toll now…Btw my friends all love your
blogs. So just keep it coming. And hopefully Ena will compile these some day.
Love Niloufer on Two lifetimes in one
.
on 3/18/09
How right you are- we are the generation who are neither
here nor there, the joint family system has all but disintegrated but nothing
has come in the place of this as far as care for the elderly is concerned. So
the children have a tough time but so do the parents. The strange thing is that
not many people are looking at the problem even as a business opportunity-
there are so many people who can afford to pay good money to be looked after in
a professionally run place instead of being at home at the mercy of their often
irritable chilren but these places are far too few . For the ones who are
financially dependent on their chidren- God help them!-----Ustad Vakil on Two lifetimes in one
.
on 3/18/09
You should name the cable channel. Or at least state how
many letters in its name and what they are and let people make their own
conclusions. How they got away with endangering lives is beyond me. This wasn't
journalistic freedom - this was recklessness that led to commandos being put in
danger and hostages being held for longer. The journalist should feel some
shame or regret for her actions. The fact that she doesn't shows her arrogance
and the only way to combat that is to name and shame. on The last refuge.....
shibmal
on 2/6/09
I for one am very glad that the doctors were wrong. on Ruminations on a death foretold
shibmal
on 2/6/09
hi anil :) shibani sent me the link to your blog and i've
started reading. couldn't agree with you more - the "placebo effect"
is more than half the battle...if you believe you are healthy than you are.
Diya on Heart failure and its lessons
Anonymous
on 2/5/09
Stories still emerging. Now that you are in Bombay, try
to meet with Vaz at the piano. on The
strange case of Bushlove in India
Anonymous
on 1/30/09
On the Indian scene, look for the followingswaminathan
aiyarGurcharan dasshekhar gupta on Pundits
to live by....
Reflections
on 1/25/09
An inspiring letter with truly beautiful sentiments!
Loved reading it.love,Dipali on A Letter
from a father to his daughters
Anonymous
on 1/21/09
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