What is the best Christmas Gift, you gave it to someone?

We attended Children’s mass in our church this year on Christmas Eve. The entire service was designed just for children - Children’s choir, Bible readings were done by children and so on.

In the middle of the service, the priest asked for some volunteers from children for a brief game of quiz. One of the questions asked to the kids was –

“What is the best Christmas gift, you ever gave it to someone?”

I was thinking that kids would give all sorts of answers such as iPads, Wii, PS3, etc.,

But interestingly and surprisingly a small boy who may be just about 7or 8 years old answered “LOVE”.

On listening to this boy’s answer, there was a moment of silence inside the church. What a beautiful and powerful answer!

On several occasions, we share gift and greetings with family and friends. Are we doing them with real care and LOVE? Or, we do them just for the sake of doing it? Something that should be given a serious thought, I guess!

A few beautiful quotes on LOVE -

“A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; It makes no noise at all, But softly gives itself away; While quite unselfish, it grows small” – Eva K. Logue.

“Where there is LOVE, there is LIFE” – Mahatma Gandhi.

“There is more hunger in the world for LOVE and appreciation than for bread” – Mother Teresa.

LOVE one another, and make this world an awesome place to LIVE!!!

Who is Paralyzed – Parliament, Politicians or People?

“Spectrum issue paralyses Parliament …” – This is the news headline on most of the leading Indian media. There is a demand from oppositions for a JPC probe into the 2G spectrum scam and the demand is being rejected by the ruling Government, thus the gridlock. I guess our politicians need to be trained on “Time Management”, if not on “Ethics” alone.

“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” – William Penn.

“A man who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life.” – Charles Darwin.

 “Time is money” – Benjamin Franklin.

Those are just a few quotes that I managed to grab for our great politicians. Media says the Parliament is paralyzed. Is it just the Parliament? In my mind, these incapable and corrupt politicians make the people and nation as a whole paralyzed not by using the time in a fruitful manner.

2G Spectrum scam itself did cost the nation Rs. 1.76 lakh crore. Now on top of that, nation has lost in crores again because of our politicians’ inability to run the parliament. This is the hard earned money of every citizen of India, which is supposed to be used on various projects that would uplift the country.

India is not a regular nation anymore. We are being closely watched from every corner of the world for obvious reasons. We do not afford to lose any more credibility in the international political arena.

I am not sure, if our politicians get this! If not, they need to be educated at least!!!

Heavy Rain in TN – Will it help the Water scarcity in the summer?

If Dams in UAE have harvested more than 210 million gallons of rain water in 15 days, why can’t Tamilnadu?

It’s been continuously raining for the past two months or so, across the state, and we do not have enough space (Dams, lakes, reservoirs, etc) to save the treasure that nature is providing. When summer comes, it becomes a major issue asking for water from the neighboring states. Every summer, it becomes more of a political issue than an issue related to ‘livelihood’ of a common citizen.  Looks like to me – Politicians deliberately do not want to solve this issue so they have something to finger-point, mull-over, etc, as part of election campaigns.

No political party is daring enough to propose an optimal solution to this issue in their election manifesto. Rather, they come up with tactical promises and shrewd tactics that get them quick votes. Once get into the power, they only have time to deal with corruption issues. By the time they realize that they are in the power, it will be too late so they need to start recycling the tactics to win the upcoming election.

If we are aspiring to be World’s super power in 2020, and we want to be included in the permanent membership of United Nations, we need politicians who should in fact start thinking about common man’s ‘livelihood’ issues.

Let’s hope for the best!!

Politicians and their Education

I was watching a movie recently and there was this dialogue –

“Unlike to become a MLA of a state, at least a little Education is required to become a MP at the center. So let him go to School.” - A father who is a politician comments about his son.

Like it or not, that’s the reality in today’s political scene of India. We may be producing world’s top most scientists, doctors, software professionals, etc. But, why aren’t we able to produce great politicians who can really be “service” minded.

One can very well argue – To perform a public service, Education is not really a qualification, and can provide some examples of leaders and politicians who did not even attend school to get basic education or even dropped out of the schools. Those are just exceptions like any other field! But, I do not want that to be the majority of the case.

The point I am trying to make – As any other profession, we should also look at minimum Educational qualification on someone who wants to be a politician.

We are world’s largest democracy, and India is being currently watched by the world as an emerging power!

We are hoping to be world’s super power in 2020!

We have a vibrant and knowledgeable younger generation than any other country in the world!

So, why can’t we produce some literate politicians at the least, if not great scholars!!!??

Dr. Kalam, the “President”

Yes, I would whole heartedly say – he is the “President” that India ever had. A man with ‘simplicity’ and carries a wealth of knowledge.

He is the one who is asking Indian youth to dream about their future!

He is the one who gives Indians the hope of India becoming a ‘super power’ in 2020!

He is the one who always makes it a point to meet youngsters and children whenever get a chance, which I rarely witness in any Indian Leader or Politician.

These are the few qualities of Dr. Abdul Kalam, former Indian President that immensely amazed me. But, unfortunately it is surprising how this great leader is being treated by our politicians. Based on my reading from media, Dr. Kalam was not honored in the “World Tamil Conference 2010” that was hosted by Government of Tamilnadu recently in Coimbatore.  From my point of view, Tamilnadu had missed a great opportunity to honor a living legend. It is too embarrassing to me as a ‘Tamilian’. I can’t think of any other suitable occasion that can honor Dr. Kalam who is not just a missile scientist, not just a former president of India, but also a Tamil scholar in his own right as he had written hundreds of Tamil poems and essays.

But, what again amazed me about this great scholar is - he continues his duties as a true Indian citizen by meeting the younger generation, and serving the country in his own style.

A living legend! A “True” Leader!

Sibling Relationships

What a perfect timing! It is “Thanksgiving” weekend in the United States, which is also an occasion of family re-union.

It triggered my thoughts and emotions when I listened to this short perspective on “Sibling Relationships” on the radio this morning while driving to work.

Though it used to be so much of joy and fun-filled childhood days with our siblings, there is a point when it becomes a bit complex mostly when we become adults. That’s when we are actually put into a real test on how we would manage and preserve that so called “sibling relationship”.

Not sure how many people have experienced this – If you are the eldest in the family, of course you get that special recognition in terms of respect, admiration, etc. But, the younger ones always get more love and affection which I have witnessed in many families. Usually, the sacrifices that the eldest son or daughter has done will go unnoticed which in my opinion is very painful. On top of everything it becomes vital and more importantly, it is the responsibility of the eldest to preserve the ‘sibling relationships’, no matter what happens.

On this special day, being the eldest I wish and pray that I continue to be a responsible son to my parents, a caring ‘Big’ brother to my sibling, an affectionate dad to my children and finally a loving husband to my wife!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!