tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885242426898361252024-02-19T10:51:31.444+05:30SOUL CREEPER...|| Na Tasya Pratima Asti ||Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-78758232870785328602013-02-28T20:41:00.000+05:302013-02-28T20:41:13.084+05:30My Buddy - Stress Yo! :D <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Stress is a funny concept altogether. In my understanding it
is nothing but a mental condition that is always associated with negativity.
More than often, we fail to realize that at times, stress can be fun too. As
young students, stress or constant worry is something we constantly face. But
the underlying question by the end of the day is, “Is it really that bad?” The
answer unfortunately is a blunt “No!”</div>
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The stress that each one of us are going through, although
subjective, should never be considered to be the worst in its league. However,
since all of us have a particular threshold beyond which it becomes difficult
for us to carry more burdens on our shoulders, a few simple techniques may be
utilized to always bear in mind that life is not that difficult after all.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVxCK4WQquYvlnR-_zs79ci-yyGZGywa6g_CWHReJf-A8agIJr1ul73dU8dDJpyHQb2OIkKioLTkXz67ogS5-LqUvSK6p6Sb8rdnfgjku7z8HpamvGEzqrZzU-1aoud7c3GgxPfTB12kO/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVxCK4WQquYvlnR-_zs79ci-yyGZGywa6g_CWHReJf-A8agIJr1ul73dU8dDJpyHQb2OIkKioLTkXz67ogS5-LqUvSK6p6Sb8rdnfgjku7z8HpamvGEzqrZzU-1aoud7c3GgxPfTB12kO/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
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At an age that is young, relationships play a pivotal role
in defining one’s state of mind. It is not just important, but mandatory after
a certain point to choose who you want to associate yourself with and who, YOU
give the power to influence the way you think. We spend a lot of time worrying
about our relationships and this in reality is unnecessary. Just think of it
this way, after a few years, you will be laughing about the failed
relationships you “thought” that hurt you right now. Most of our emotions are
momentary and impulsive. Hence, ending worthless relationships that give you a
shoddy perspective is something you must do! Trust me, it will help you feel
way better. </div>
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And trust me AGAIN, this will help you a great deal in life!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG__xdHPjR83mCSfg9SQUrR2Kyl7NjoWkb3iFBzLsrMM7pzaHDmnho-NRAh0c4XS2mqcbP1ez2jF3ZUG7PAHNsIuHR_YTle7GuK4Ow7VZtoWrbyP_sc0696wIkfPg68uVXA-D9BdmHhq-a/s1600/fish-bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG__xdHPjR83mCSfg9SQUrR2Kyl7NjoWkb3iFBzLsrMM7pzaHDmnho-NRAh0c4XS2mqcbP1ez2jF3ZUG7PAHNsIuHR_YTle7GuK4Ow7VZtoWrbyP_sc0696wIkfPg68uVXA-D9BdmHhq-a/s320/fish-bowl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Additionally, learn to respect yourself and never undermine
your qualities and your worth. A lot of pressure these days is also associated
with low self-esteem. There is nothing that you have which I don’t and there is
nothing that I have which you don’t. Strangely enough, this reminds me of a chart-buster Pink Floyd track, “Wish you were here”, which says, “<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a>We’re just two souls swimming in a fish bowl.” To think of
it, it all comes down to this notion. How different are we, really? Start
respecting yourself, start admiring yourself and appreciating the little things
you do. Will help you counter stress and trust me, this will help you a great
deal in life!</div>
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Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-91436218854551620192012-03-18T12:07:00.004+05:302012-03-18T17:24:33.236+05:30Of Life & Impermanence :-)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Recently, I had a conversation with a <i>good </i>friend when I told her that she treated people like projects. After the conversation and a little introspection, I came to realize, who doesn’t treat people like their own projects. Every relationship has a start, a beginning, an intermediate and an end. When I was really small, I knew this one person until I was about four years old. This person I’m speaking about has a great deal to do with whatever I am today, till date. But then when time came, this person was gone, gone in thin air, *poof*. Today, 18 years later, I wonder, why people make an entry into your life if they only have to leave by the end of it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The truth is, impermanence is the law of nature. Nothing is here to last and everything must come to an end. I know, right now I’m rattling about things we all know about already. Dependence is another weird factor. In life we come across people who promise more than they can ever deliver. Individuals who swear to life that they will always be there and that they will never let go. I’ve made such promises myself, but the fact that nothing can be ascertained about the mysterious tomorrow is what makes such promises obscure. Impracticability is the word for every day. I’ve never met a single person till date who truly is selfless or can love another person without conditions. Promises which include selflessness, unconditional love, and friendship for eternity are just gibberish talk. I would say, people who bluntly say that they can be selfish at times and those who don’t promise much can be most trusted. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today, I miss that person I knew 18 years ago. I don’t miss THE person exactly but I miss the person’s PRESENCE. Knowing the fact that if a person existed, things would have definitely been a lot more different (good or bad) is consoling in its own way. There's this particular scene in the movie Lion King (which happens to be my favorite all time part) when Mufasa dies and Simba looks at him in pain and sorrow. Moments later, he chooses to run away and make the best of his life. That's the point - Your life is too precious to loose it for someone else. Make the best of it, NOW.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">But yes, I want to try and be as practical as possible. I have been among those who have made promises of selflessness, unconditional love and friendship for eternity. But today, I want to stand up on my own and fight this battle called life by myself. I want to make terms with impermanence and start believing in my existence more than the existence of anybody I’d possibly depend on. The ONLY thing that lasts with you forever is you, yourself. :-) </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> Don’t know if anyone can make sense out of this post. But its just a flow of thoughts in my mind and I did not want to stop it.<br />
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Have a nice life, everyone. :-) </div></div>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-40394282335354692292011-06-21T20:40:00.000+05:302011-06-21T20:40:18.760+05:30Why India is a great country?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Over 5,000 years ago, when the world was filled with nomads, India was home to one of the first civilizations, the Indus Valley, where people appreciated civic sense and preferred living in clustered societies. <b><i>Au Contraire</i>,</b> today, the concept of civic society is long forgotten. A dalit girl gets raped by two men and gets punched in the eye for resisting their attempts. Truly civilized behavior like nomads.</li>
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<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The world’s first university was established in Takshila in 700 BC; more than 10,500 students <i>from all over the world </i>studied more than 60 subjects here. <b><i>Au Contraire</i>, </b>today, in the name of a million quotas of reservation, the most meritorious and deserving students are denied the opportunity of good education. Poverty and other such plagues completely debar millions of toddlers from even receiving basic education.</li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>India invented the number system, Aryabhatta’s profound interest for mathematics also introduced the number 0, which the whole world eventually adopted. Complex subjects like algebra, calculus and trigonometry, all came from India. <b><i>Au Contraire</i>, </b>today, the only numbers a majority of this country knows is that which is found on notes. Bribes, Black Money, Money Laundering and everything that revolves around the word “money” is the only mathematics people know of.</li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><i>Ayurveda </i>is the earliest concept of medicine known to man. Susruta, the father of surgery conducted complex surgeries including cataracts, caesareans and cosmetic implants. Anesthesia was used way back in ancient India. <b><i>Au Contraire</i>,</b> today, government hospitals are thriving with rodents and dirt. New born babies are burnt to death in incubators or their mothers poisoned with wrong drugs. Pizzas reach faster than ambulances. Oh and yeah, 38% of the doctors in the United States are Indians! Definitely something to pride ourselves about.</li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>India is the birthplace of four of the worlds major religious traditions including, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. It is known all across the world as a hub for religious tolerance, unity in diversity and all that. <b><i>Au Contraire</i>, </b>Yesudas, a strong devotee of Lord Krishna who has sung numerous songs in his praise is prevented from entering a temple simply on the basis of him being born a Christian. The fact that the Karnataka government is shortly going to use a temple in Dharmasthala as a playground to solve their cheap and petty political cat fights is as sacred as it can get!</li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">The truth is, we all dwell pacifying ourselves of an illustrious past completely oblivious and pretentiously overlooking a painful future. Statistically, 65% of the illiterate and 75% of slum-dwellers cast their votes during every election. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">Now consider this:</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 56.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span>Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->We have reached the moon (unfortunately with a black and white camera).</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 56.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span>Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->We have the world’s largest working population. (Imagine the manpower!)</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 56.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span>Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->We form a <i>substantial</i> part of the world’s economy. (The rest is in someone’s pocket.)</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 56.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span>Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->We have one of THE best defense systems in the world. (Yes. They are the best.)</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 56.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span>Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->We are a nuclear power, one among five others in the world. (Or so we think.)</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 56.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 38.4pt;">It’s high time we stopped priding ourselves about things of the past. We’ve been doing that for a long time now. The future isn’t amazing for all of us. It’s high time we took that option seriously and did some major revamping for a better tomorrow. It’s now, or never. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 38.4pt;">Someone rightly one said, India is a country where the rich will get richer, the poor, poorer and the middle class will forever remain middle class. Its time for change and the best time for it is NOW. </div></div>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-72243028973567779352010-11-16T19:28:00.002+05:302010-12-12T01:21:46.050+05:30Agra - A predicament to India's tourism?<m:smallfrac m:val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin m:val="0"> <m:rmargin m:val="0"> <m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"> <m:intlim m:val="subSup"> <m:narylim m:val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent> </m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">I have often been told that the Taj Mahal is the glory of India and when I knew my folks were planning a visit in between my semester exams, I did not think twice when it came to making a decision. All I wanted to do was to see that one marvelous architectural wonder and satisfy my eyes and senses. I’ve been planning a trip to the Taj for sometime now and finally, I got an opportunity to make it happen. Speaking frankly, I’m someone who doesn’t complaint much and would just make-do with whatever is being provided to me. But a visit to Agra just gave me a blunt shock and a reality check of where exactly our country is in terms of concrete development and where we’re heading towards. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our train to Agra, the Bhopal Shatabdi Express reached Agra from Delhi at 08:30 A.M., as soon I walked out the station a pungent odour gave me an instant headache. Apparently, Agra does not have a sewage treatment plant which in simple words means that water from toilet drains flow through the open gutters on roads which gives the whole city an unbearable stink. Outside the station, you are not-so-happily greeted by a bunch of taxi drivers and guides who start charging you an exuberant Rs. 4,000/- a day for just renting an Omni and touring around Agra. Thankfully, the pre-paid taxi stand came as a blessing in disguise where I managed to get ourselves taxi service for one full day i.e., till our train back to Delhi at 08:30 P.M for about Rs. 2,000/-.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our first stop was Fatehpur Sikri where we hired a guide licensed under the Archaeological Survey of India for about Rs. 350/-, the guide made it look like he was doing us a favor free of cost by coming with us and showing us around with his major attitude problem and a bloated ego about how he knows the place in and out. Fatehpur, Akbar’s palace for his three queens was a delightful experience since it let people inside only with tickets and hence it wasn’t too crowded and was quite peaceful. Sikri on the other hand was a dreadful suffering! The place is a Durgah built to glorify Chisti Salim’s legacy and does not live up to holiness it seeks to portray. Entry into Sikri is free of cost and hence you find a range of street hawkers (mostly little kids) who chase you into buying things from them to sweepers and beggars who end up emotionally blackmailing you until you give them some money. The guide informed us that once in the Durgah people make wishes by buying a shawl; some flowers and a sacred thread and place the same on Chisti Salim’s crypt, at that moment I knew this dude was spinning a tale and would definitely take us to one such dealer from whom he would without a doubt collect a commission from later. My intuition came to be true when he actually did the same. The dealer showed us shawls ranging from Rs. 1,000/- to Rs. 8,000/- reminding me of my moral obligation of pleasing god and the consequences if I failed to do so. I was however not satisfied with his offer and told my family that we should just skip buying things from this guy and walk away. On seeing us do that, he came behind us and brought the price of the shawl down to Rs. 300/- and asked me if I wanted one for myself. When I refused, he said that Chisti Salim is going to be very disappointed with me and I am going to be cursed with a life of sorrowfulness; I was amused to say the least! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">After spending about 3 hours in Fatehpur Sikri we headed back to Agra which is about 40 kilo-meters away. On reaching the Taj Mahal complex, we were told by our taxi driver to get off the cab and take a cycle rickshaw. The rickshaw took us through the south gate and I’m more than sure that memories of that disgusting hell hole will haunt me for the rest of my life. The road was extremely narrow filled with tiny shops on both sides. There were about three mutton shops right outside the Taj infested with flies and the other shops basically included handicrafts and souvenirs all overpriced. The road was filled with people, few tourists and several vendors and beggars. The Agra stench I mentioned earlier, lets multiply that by five; this road did not have gutters and the sewage water was seeping past the stores on the road. As we reached the end of the road we saw a really huge queue, that wasn’t really an issue considering it was a Sunday. I was looking for the ticket counter but couldn’t locate it. Finally, after asking someone I was asked to walk towards a dark dingy office and I managed to get the tickets. Tickets for us Indians was priced at Rs. 20/- and tickets for foreigners (wait for it) Rs. 750/-!! I don’t get how the price varies that much. After we got into the Taj Mahal, again the sea of mankind brought itself together and it ended up giving me one bad headache. Quite ironic isn’t it, once at the beginning of my trip and once at the end of it! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After we were done with the Taj Mahal, we were taken to the Government Shopping Center; the prices here were way more expensive than the pricing we saw at the tiny little shops outside the Taj. The reason for the exuberant price – “Sir, original, aatenttic dejign sir!”. Since we had come all the way, it was only practical to take back something which would remind us of a few happy moments spent in Agra.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our train back to Delhi left at 08:30 P.M. sharp (thankfully), I’m not going to get started on the condition of the railway station. While in the train, I thought to myself about how many people are probably employed in and around India in the name of the Taj Mahal. A minor approximation in my mind gave me the figures of somewhere around 10 million people who are directly or indirectly (travel agents et al) employed gainfully because of the Taj Mahal. It definitely is one among the primary sources of income for the tourism department and the condition of the Taj Mahal is far from being clean, hygienic and well maintained. India sells itself in the name of the Taj Mahal at an international platform and all that Madam Mayawati does is construct elephants of her own size. Cholera, Dengue and other water borne diseases was ubiquitous around Agra while we were touring the place and we talk about meeting international standards. <i>“Athithi Devo Bhava”</i> and all that, Give me a break! The only memories the international tourists went back with in my opinion is the stench, the pathetic lax of infrastructural development around the Taj Mahal and finally, a testimony to the truth and authenticity of how India truly is as shown in the movie, <i>Slumdog Millionaire.</i></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFHoQxBqlDF_vg4rYP_M5spXMUoIERC6_7T72-RggSRsMd3qs12OU5xeTZaTelefjQ4DJ1iYQ8X7kHMX526r1FSrvfi4eDDOXCJP2mOkNY0oOebEwU1i4q5Wr5q7QyHzDxYjrWlP3krrb/s1600/IndiaJaipurDirtyStreets_071010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFHoQxBqlDF_vg4rYP_M5spXMUoIERC6_7T72-RggSRsMd3qs12OU5xeTZaTelefjQ4DJ1iYQ8X7kHMX526r1FSrvfi4eDDOXCJP2mOkNY0oOebEwU1i4q5Wr5q7QyHzDxYjrWlP3krrb/s320/IndiaJaipurDirtyStreets_071010.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Overall, my trip to Agra was a plain reality check on where India is right now and what lies ahead. Our country is in dire need of some change. We are trying too hard to place ourselves on international platforms and meeting global standards without addressing key issues like public health, hygiene and infrastructural development. By keeping in mind the development of only metropolitan and cosmopolitan cities we are overlooking the presence and importance of smaller cities and towns like Agra. Its time for some rapid change; how and when that will happen, only time can tell. </div>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-1375496009594131532010-11-07T23:16:00.001+05:302010-11-07T23:17:27.797+05:30The Wannabe Files =)<m:smallfrac m:val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin m:val="0"> <m:rmargin m:val="0"> <m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"> <m:intlim m:val="subSup"> <m:narylim m:val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent> </m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><i>Just like all other exam holidays, I thought this is perhaps the best time to put my ideas together and come up with a blog post or two. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Off late, I’ve been rather intrigued by the language used by the younger generation in their day-to-day vocabulary. One such word which drew my attention instantly was the word “Wannabe”. Just the other day, after I heard a friend of mine use it on another apparent “Wannabe” friend I came to think of one big wannabe I personally know of – ME! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Lets go back in time, perhaps back to the year 1997 when I was all of 8 years old. The thing that used to fascinate me the most back then was the limelight cine-stars happily enjoyed. I would often be so fascinated with every single thing they did and how the television in total would give them so much of popularity that I would really hope I made my debut on TV one day. A big ten years later, thanks to Daiji Global Panvision ;-) That dream to a certain extent was realized.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I remember my sister always enjoying the thunder wherever she went. I always looked at her in awe with a lot of admiration and respect hoping someday that I could enjoy the same position. My sister got the popularity because she had the smartness and intelligence to make it big in life. To my dismay, intelligence was something I lacked when I was in school. To me intelligence meant excelling in language or public speaking which my lecturers and parents whole heartedly disagreed with back then. Science and math wouldn’t even dare go above my head considering how horribly convulsed with a lackadaisical attitude my mind was. I wouldn’t however EVER miss an opportunity to be something or do something which would earn me some credit, even in pittance. My mother still tells me of instances where I would sweep the school on special occasions such as sports day or school day to simply impress my teachers and hear a few words of praise. It was somewhere around this time that I with such earnestness managed to earn the title of being an attention seeker. A few people still think I’m an attention seeker, but in my defense, when a person seeks attention by deeds of goodness or by doing something that is worth it then to hell with the world and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)! :P </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1X7nIaiuSVA0ynCwRdCxxwQUgJfhqAC0CmAN_Dxn9m1eusn7EzngqfMI8EheGIAE0wQavUxHKYW3HgG0xY0vienhew2K9vAbScv0nusdCJqmxJCa3vjxgquBw3MU7SJbWqT2LbHbxd10/s1600/Image0607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1X7nIaiuSVA0ynCwRdCxxwQUgJfhqAC0CmAN_Dxn9m1eusn7EzngqfMI8EheGIAE0wQavUxHKYW3HgG0xY0vienhew2K9vAbScv0nusdCJqmxJCa3vjxgquBw3MU7SJbWqT2LbHbxd10/s320/Image0607.jpg" width="240" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m 21 now and I’m 6 months short of being 22. I’ve lived forever in a world of fascination and enthrallment with a great spirit of ambition and enthusiasm. I had often wished to accomplish a few things in life, small and big. To a certain extent, with gods grace, I’ve managed to achieve a wee bit so far and I still see the journey isn’t even quarter complete! The matter of the fact now is that I proudly declare myself to be a "pukka" Wannabe and every day, every moment I want to be someone that I am not so that I can be better and do better and achieve something that has not been achievable so far. If having a burning desire to constantly be someone better than who you are is called being a wannabe then I'd take all the pleasure in calling myself one. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So to all the wannabe’s in the world like me – L’Chaim, Salut, Cheers! :-) Together, lets paint the world Red! </div>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-79911611502964388532010-04-29T22:05:00.002+05:302010-04-30T23:05:05.848+05:30Paramahamsa, Really!?Dearest Adi Shankaracharya, <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">First and foremost, I would like to offer my most respectful salutations and obeisance to you, the greatest of saints who attained the peak of salvation at quite a young age. You were the very epitome of the Bhakti Movement and through you, Hindus all around the world were made acquainted with the Advaita Vedanta. In your short life of 32 years, you managed to survive temperatures ranging from less than zero degrees, while scaling practically the whole of India with nothing but a staff and your two trusted feet. Your aim was clear, and your vision was true, all you wanted to achieve was a clear understanding of the human soul. You said, “Brahma satyam jagat mithyā, jīvo brahmaiva nāparah”, the soul is the only truth, the world is an illusion, and there is ultimately no difference between the soul and individual self. You were very successful in maintaining your prominence which very much differs from the saints of our time and also, you were successful in coming up with wonderful and expert commentaries on all the sacred texts that can be found in Hinduism. Your soul left your body paving way to the revival of the highly gruesome social practices which were followed back then in the name of Hinduism. You brought about a radical change, you lived the life of a saint, and you lived the life of a true swami.</div><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Today a complete thousand years after your very sad demise, the entire concept of a guru, has been absolutely tainted by the so called god men of recent times. Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, has said that if any person wants to live life and grasp its essence it is quintessential for him to accept for himself a guru, but my question to you is, is there any single person who lives the life of a guru in its truest quintessence for us to accept? The world today is in a severe state of confusion where people have no time for themselves and their personal lives; they choose to adopt a course of spirituality in order to de-stress themselves. The authority which holds a supreme position in the Guru-Sishya relationship, The Upanishads, clearly states that a Guru must strictly follow what he preaches. You often stated that life is but an illusion and that, the human body is prone to give away to certain desires and in order to fulfill your desires you were married once, but today, the supposed guru’s very sadly advertise their celibacy while on the other hand constantly involve themselves in under the table businesses quite literally.</div><br />
I would like to bring to your knowledge the issue of the Kanchi Paramakoti case which today is long forgotten although it involved the brutal murder of an honest temple accountant, Sankararaman in broad day light within the temple premises for pointing out to the concerned authorities the amount of misappropriation of funds that is being shamelessly carried out by the seers of a temple which was initially established by you. What followed was a series of investigations which led to a woman openly claiming to be sexually involved with the head seer besides unearthing over a dozen of compact discs containing pornographic material. The seers who have today inherited your great religious empire have completely forgotten your basic principle of austerity. You would be surprised to know that the High Seer of the Shringeri Mutt sits on a tiger skin which has been neatly pasted over a Mercedes Benz during his public processions, the car seats also, have been furnished using only tiger skins and today, quite ironically we hear people venting tears for the less than 1411 tigers that we have in our country. You on the other hand had no option but to walk across all four corners of this beautiful nation called India. Coming to the killing of tigers, you also preached that the so called Guru’s must practice the theory of Ahimsa and refrain from causing any sort of a pain to another living creature, right? Funny that they don’t seem to understand what you laid down in such simple words.<br />
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It will completely sadden you if I told you about the type of atrocities that are present in the Shabari Malai temple of Kerala. I still remember the day when I embraced the sacred necklace and chose to maintain cleanliness of body and mind for forty one days, I expected a Shabari Malai of utmost religious fervor and sacredness. On entering the temple premises and asking if I could render services to the deity by performing any pooja, the temple priests who have been ordained through the lineage of pure blood to maintain the supreme most purity began to act like selfish, greedy individuals bargaining with us the rates of the Pooja we chose to perform. Thanks to the lords presence, we managed to bring the rate down from a whooping Rs. 10,000/- to a quite lump some Rs. 5,000/- when it is in fact worth less than Rs. 500/-. In actuality, such is the spotlessness and purity we find in our temples and holy shrines today. <br />
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The most recent episode of “Paramahamsa” Nithyananda is however the icebreaker, the magnum opus of all forms of atrocities that I have mentioned so far. A man who in the eyes of the public has chosen to be a celibate and to refrain himself from any “impure” act choosing the same for himself without an pressure in all his competency, was caught through hidden cameras engaging himself in sexual activities with a woman. What is shocking is that, reportedly, several storage devices containing videos of him engaging in sexual activities with various women was recovered along with copies of contracts, binding a woman or any devotee for that matter to him, with a disclaimer that no alarm shall be raised when any form of a sexual act is performed. The “Paramahamsa” also has an astonishing Rs. Thirty Two Crores to his name while I write this letter to you. When questioned about his acts with the woman on the video he claimed to be in a trance of extreme bliss, and apparently was performing a type of an experiment. An experiment it sure wasn’t, but the extreme bliss was very evident. The word “Paramahamsa” which in Sanskrit refers to the “Supreme form of bliss” that which can be attained only through spiritual enlightenment has been completely ridiculed through this shameless man! Today, he has claimed that he is impotent and that he must go through a potency taste to uphold his innocence, more so, he also claims to be transgender, isn't it rather traumatizing and disturbing that he is ready to stoop to such levels to prove his "supposed" innocence? Ultimately, a person once stained is stained for ever, and this person seems to have left no stone unturned in disgracing himself and the very essence of Hinduism. It was Oscar Wilde who aptly quoted, “Every saint has a past and every sinner, a future.” But in cases where a supposed saint is busy engaging in sinful activities, where is this distant, isolated future that is being spoken about?<br />
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This day, my heart goes out to you and to your greatness. In a time when there was no simplified medium through which a subject as vast as Hinduism could be propagated, you did with so much ease in the course of your small life. Today, when there is such a vast technological growth, when the true spirit of yoga and faithfulness can easily be spread all across barriers, these self-styled guru’s have just done every possible thing, to ruin it all. I wouldn’t think twice in saying that the Americans weren’t wrong in taking away the patents for yoga, at least, in all their gullibility and lack of actual knowledge, they are doing their best to preserve something as ancient, as pure as it. My apologies to you for this obnoxious state our religion is in and I really hope you aren’t crying blood tears looking at this ghastly, atrocious impression these foul souls have created of the Guru-shishya (Teacher-student) relationship and most importantly of something that is most dear to you, Hinduism – The way of leading life.<br />
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With Lots of Love and Respects,<br />
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Your Humble Student.Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-32356393397899934872010-04-27T12:35:00.001+05:302010-04-27T12:41:13.190+05:30Crime & Psychology<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>“We are what circumstances make of us…”</em></strong></div><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Once upon a time there lived a small boy whose name was David. He had a very normal delivery, just how any other normal child would be born to normal parents. His life however, changed the moment he began to grow up. His parents, John and Catherine constantly engaged themselves in quarrels and fights. While he was a student in school, he was very frequently bullied over his appearance and his personality and as he grew up, the people around him only grew hostile to his very presence. It was David’s 16th birthday and the least he expected was for a wish, an acknowledgment by his parents. But what turned out was, a day filled with a very gory experience, with his parents drunk and beating themselves up while cursing David for his birth and existence. This is David’s life till he turned 16. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On the evening of his 16th birthday, when David could not endure anymore and in order to vent out the frustration that had been growing within him for the past sixteen years, David ended up murdering a child he saw playing outside on the street. David, is a monster, is what we may all come to think. But the question that comes to my mind through this small story is, whether or not a person’s psychology, a person’s growth or his mental element should be considered in cases of crimes especially while delivering justice? Well, the answer to this question is extremely critical and I strongly feel that it is of grave importance that the law be revamped in this regard.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1p7zaWq_oZAtTj2fEFwNwkqhO1BWTgFag-KR5jMZhGUq3SYcKECX5RDZ7yFnA_OBFBY0gIr0bLTM8523-x0hnnh98DjnO_6FP4wdSkf17KFlz7wNqWdeKGG-aWHa_VZE2hDJZMCtHrfo/s1600/DCohen_psychology.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1p7zaWq_oZAtTj2fEFwNwkqhO1BWTgFag-KR5jMZhGUq3SYcKECX5RDZ7yFnA_OBFBY0gIr0bLTM8523-x0hnnh98DjnO_6FP4wdSkf17KFlz7wNqWdeKGG-aWHa_VZE2hDJZMCtHrfo/s320/DCohen_psychology.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In cases of crimes, there are two vital and very essential elements that are needed to prove a person’s guilt. The Latin maxim, “Et Actus Reus, Non Facit Nisi Men Sit Rea”, is the guiding principle on which the foundation for the understanding of crime is built upon. The maxim basically means that, two elements namely, Actus Reus, a physical element and Mens Rea, a mental element are essentially required in order to constitute a crime. Although this maxim has been a binding force for thousands of years, I have often felt that this maxim has not been construed in a right sense. The physical element in a crime basically includes the preparation for a crime and the actual commission. The mental element includes the motive, the planning and finally the execution. What the maxim absolutely ignores is the circumstances which drive a person into committing a crime. Let us look into the story that I mentioned above, David’s life hasn’t really been a bed of roses. He has often been ignored and has been subjected to a constant presence of violence and hatred which has etched very deep psychological scars on his mind. Psychology is precisely what is missing in the understanding of a crime. In my opinion the two elements mental and physical involves only the present situation in it completely overlooking the past and the importance of circumstances in a person’s growth. Personally, I do not opine that a person who has suffered from severe psychological pain be given an opportunity to evade punishment, but I strongly believe that, such a person must initially be given a thorough rehabilitation for psychological reformation.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The courts of law in the country more than often fail to analyze, how the growth of a person may in fact assist them in making an attempt to bring an end to large evils. Various members of terrorists groups have often stated in their accounts that it is the way they were brought in utmost poverty that led them to accept terrorism as an option to earn an income for their families, also the lack of educational facilities in a few instances. Although terrorism brings with it widespread violence and brutality, I tend to feel that it is in fact a very active eye opener to the passive citizens of this country. Through the whole Ajmal Kasab fiasco that has been taking the limelight for the past one and a half years, what I come to understand is that, if the Government chose to spend the money that which is being spent in looking after Kasab on the people from Jammu and Kashmir, we would have seen a change in the society and the rising of fewer militants. If the same had been spent in having talks with the Naxals and Maoists we would have saved ourselves from the carnage which ended up killing all those soldiers. The fact that the courts of law fail to thoroughly analyze a situation and go in to the grips of it by comprehensively grasping every minute detail is in fact slowing the entire process of judiciary and governance. A judge from the Andhra Pradesh High Court recently stated, that if, the Courts in India declined to accept anymore cases and if they chose to work and deliver justice to the cases that are already pending before them, it would take a excruciating 330 years to do so. Such is the case of our judicial system.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOS_BLLcKbd9JWm3fpdi-78qX_WuPwTyhAFHde9_g6o7oarbV_zpEkugkWoozU7Gw3xPV-DIJIkVuswI7gnyI9CLTUnBWZKYTmFMAhPE0TFW2CpXwNw9VfS_z6boFfVJ3ofRWZg0iMTww/s1600/psychology.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOS_BLLcKbd9JWm3fpdi-78qX_WuPwTyhAFHde9_g6o7oarbV_zpEkugkWoozU7Gw3xPV-DIJIkVuswI7gnyI9CLTUnBWZKYTmFMAhPE0TFW2CpXwNw9VfS_z6boFfVJ3ofRWZg0iMTww/s320/psychology.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In a particular case, a woman who was ailing from a severely chronic disease attempted suicide by jumping into a well with her nine year old daughter. The daughter ended up dying but the woman survived. On being brought to court on the grounds of homicide, the court acquitted the woman without even considering to offer her a session of rehabilitation or certain health benefits. A similar case occurred when a man who was happily married to his wife murdered her with an axe while they were collecting wood in the forest merely because she threw her “mangal sutra” at him. The court again, acquitted the man because he supposedly acted at the spur of the moment in a fit of rage. The court absolutely fails to apply its mind and to look back into the history and circumstantial growths of such situations while delivering justice. </div><br />
Therefore, if psychology per se was given higher importance in the delivery of justice, the judiciary in India would improve to a very large extent. A person is more than often cured only through a process of reformation. Besides, various predicaments can be sorted out in a very amicable manner if the root cause of the evil was discovered. In a way, a prevention of the same from happening may be achieved and on the other hand, awareness and change can be brought about.Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-41141028269278080492010-03-16T19:36:00.002+05:302010-03-16T19:45:00.066+05:30Preamble GambleThe Constitution of India proudly declares through its preamble that India is a “Sovereign”, “Socialist”, “Secular” and a “Democratic” republic. 62 years have gone past and today all that India has done is au contraire with the objectives of the preamble and is nothing but a sham and a farce. Sovereignty for every Indian seemed so dear when we were bound by the clutches of the British. 200 years of constant internal and external disturbances coupled with a divide and rule policy was the price we had to pay. The question today is, has the independence which we sought after so much of hardships and undertaking truly worth it? And are we doing any justice at all to the law of our land, The Constitution? Well, the answer is a reluctant ‘no’! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7R2FrHU3vekBw7u9hEDnmltrh_6pu90n3X4vL0-EJHAMJgKWg2z6PqOHqjdJqmZJqn9JNFxHaazPK26TgWgQHzEzecYVC6zL2Pr0M3W84FqJjtdCXvO9a6bx61ZzGSSjOn19lk386oJsn/s1600-h/Constitution_of_India.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7R2FrHU3vekBw7u9hEDnmltrh_6pu90n3X4vL0-EJHAMJgKWg2z6PqOHqjdJqmZJqn9JNFxHaazPK26TgWgQHzEzecYVC6zL2Pr0M3W84FqJjtdCXvO9a6bx61ZzGSSjOn19lk386oJsn/s320/Constitution_of_India.jpg" vt="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Maneka Gandhi had quoted in beautiful words, the India of her dreams where the poorest shall feel that it is their country in whose making they have an effective voice; …an India in which all communities shall live with perfect harmony. Where there can be no room in for the curse of un-touchability or the curse of Intoxicating drinks and drugs and where a woman will enjoy as the same rights as man." If seen through a perspective, these words spoken by her can in fact bring us back to the very provisions of the Preamble of the constitution which serves as a cleanser and a key to all of those who chose to interpret it. Today it is with great disappointment that we come to observe that nothing in the country is the way it is actually meant to be. The basic features of the Constitution have been manipulated shamelessly for the enjoyment and pleasures of a few thousands of people completely overlooking the majority of our population. The basic objective of our Constitution to portray to the rest of the world a “Sovereign”, “Socialist” and “Democratic” image is being made a mockery. </div><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">SOVEREIGNITY IN TODAY’S INDIA: Sovereignty if defined keeping in mind the words of Thomas Hobbes in his master piece, “Leviathan”, “Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a territory. It can be found in a power to rule and make law that rests on a political fact for which no purely legal explanation can be provided.” In simpler words, it was expressed by R.P. Wolff, “Sovereignty is the right to command and correlatively obey.” When I came across such definitions it took a few moments for me to find a bridge to connect the same with the Indian scenario and then it struck to me that India’s sovereignty is about upholding the latter from R.P. Wolff’s definition of merely obeying the words of country’s it feels is stronger than herself inter alia. When India agrees to offer refuge to the Tibetan’s its sovereignty is automatically brought under the scanner by the Chinese. Constant border territory infringements along with various war threats have always been laid across to India by the Chinese as a result of India’s decision to grant refuge to the Tibetan’s. Again, India’s sovereignty is jeopardized with the fear of being subjugated to war by the Chinese. On the other hand, India has constantly been putting up with various cross border violations being caused to her by Pakistan. Besides the infringement of India’s border territories the amount of violence she has been subjected to due to terrorism which finds its roots in Pakistan is extremely disheartening. Again, India’s sovereignty is being taken away from being exercised because of the involvement of the United States of America. Such is the mockery that is being made of our so called “Sovereign” status. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Internally speaking, India has never been a sovereign country. Sovereignty as a concept refers to a single pervasive authority. In the Indian scenario, every day, this concept of sovereignty is becoming brittle because of the number of people and entities claiming to be authoritative and sovereign. India is a country which is federal in nature with a very strong centralizing tendency; this feature completely fails to work in the Indian system of governance. Every single day minority rights are being spoken about and the majority is being ignored. People who have dire financial constraints are not even being looked upon whereas classifications on the grounds of caste and religion are being made every single day. India is getting further divided on the basis of language and every single day we have people crying out loud for their own SOVEREIGNITY. Therefore, when we speak of sovereignty in the Indian Constitution, we are in fact speaking about an allegiance of loyalty we make completely endangering or rather scorning the essence of what sovereignty actually implies. </div><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">SOCIALISM IN TODAY’S INDIA: The Socialism which Karl Marx viewed as a way to eradicate the capitalism which existed at a large scale in the society where wealth was available only to a certain section is precisely what Indian’s have interpreted of the Preamble. Mayavati’s grand 5 Crore garland along with a 200 crore “celebration” itself speaks volumes in this regard. Uttar Pradesh has statistically been viewed to be one among the poorest of the states in India and when the premier of the state itself chooses to hurt the wound of poverty further by rubbing salt against it by holding such extravagant ceremonies, where is the socialism, where is the dictatorship of the proletariat, where is the classless society, all essential components of socialism found? Marble statues of elephants are given paramount important with absolutely no concern shown towards the “aam aadmi”. The government in India instead of upholding the Constitution in fact seems to be playing the roles of Capitalists. The austerity drive apparently saved the Government a whopping 2000 Crores and the day the government declared that the economy has improved the ministers gave up this drive to remain austere and chose to go back to super luxury hotels and business class aircrafts. When the members of any governmental body are in fact, the people’s representatives why are they treated differently? The definition of socialism does not mean taking people and the taxes we pay for granted. Would continuing to remain austere and travel economy class cause any damage to their ego? And then again, if that is the answer, it is pretty obvious at the face of it that these “People’s Representatives” consider themselves superior in some way or the other and hence, they are nothing but capitalists. Thus, yet again, Socialism as portrayed in India is completely in contradiction with its very essence.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">DEMOCRACY IN TODAY’S INDIA: The infamous words of Abraham Lincoln when he said “Democracy is the government, of the people, by the people, for the people” is perhaps always been laid down as the foundation for any state before it chooses to accept democracy as a form of governance. Perhaps, the framers of our Constitution also chose to tread in the path of the Americans while choosing a democratic system of representation for the Indian Citizens. The Indian system of democracy in today’s scenario is in a total state of confusion. Where on one hand we have various political parties claiming to be true representatives of the Indian citizens, the very concept of democracy doesn’t seem to have been well understood. Democracy involves a direct representation of the people however, in India when we vote during elections, we do not vote for a person, but we vote for a “party”. The idea of voting for a party lacks sensibility because, it is hard to judge a persons capability by looking at the party he comes from. This in a way leads to a tainted vision before exercising our fundamental right of choosing a representative, WE WANT.</div><br />
Therefore, in conclusion, what can be drawn from the entire situation in the country today is that, India is being very ignorant about something as important as the Constitution. People are not aware of their rights, of their laws. The Constitution seems to be made so that people can follow everything, but the principles laid down there under. A solution needs to be implemented as soon as possible and the Constitution requires more understanding by every citizen. When we do not pay much attention to the very fundamental law of the land, we are in a way coming close to days of severe anarchy and public unrest.<br />
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</div>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-35677891549625982272009-12-17T11:02:00.001+05:302010-06-09T15:41:27.328+05:30The Stages<span style="color: black;">A drunken man, against me passed, </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">his head dizzy, his body aghast!</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I gave him a stern glance, </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">but his happiness seemed to forever last.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">His hands were covered with gloves,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">while his face pale as a grey dove.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">His ego wasn’t flaunting high above,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">and peace to himself he had in bout.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">No force could seem to denude,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">his hallucination, unlike common mood.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Then to me it struck,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">tranquility he had amidst all the muck;</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Fighting from his fears he stood strong,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">intoxication, that wouldn’t hold him long!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">A saintly man, against me passed,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">his head calm, his pace unsurpassed,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I gave him a convivial glance,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">knowing his happiness sure would forever last.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">His hands were adorned with holy beads,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">his face, bright, a sign accomplishing great deeds,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">and serenity to himself he had indeed.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">No force could seem to denude,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">his exhilaration, unlike common mood.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Then to me it struck,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">tranquility he gained, not by luck;</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Fighting against his fears and all the worldly muck,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">salvation, that held him strong,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">without a doubt very, very long.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">A common man, against me passed,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">his head perplexed, his body harassed,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I gave him a concerned glance,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">hoping his happiness would return from the lost.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">His hand held a bag very tight,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">his face displayed anxiousness full of might,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">portraying that,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">peace to himself he has to receive as a right.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">No force could seem to denude,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">his anticipation, unlike common mood.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Then to me it struck,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">tranquility he might gain, if he tried his luck;</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Fighting for glory amidst all this worldly muck,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">his life seemed to be hunting for success but somewhere stuck.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Peace within him he would someday find,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">the day he left his materialistic instincts right behind.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"></span>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-683798222630063312009-12-16T18:28:00.004+05:302010-06-09T15:40:01.275+05:30A Christmas Story<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">So, I woke up this morning, the 24th of December and was rather dazed to see Anita, my little sister all dressed up, her little bed neatly tucked and her sitting with a very warm smile on that cute bed completely occupied by lifeless stuffed animals which she adored more than herself. She was sparkling clean, dressed in a beautiful pink frock and had such an affectionate aura which made me wish I could see her angelic self every single day I woke up. While appreciating her with a very groggy voice and assuring her of how admiring and happy Santa Claus is going to be I figured how I went through a similar routine when I was her age. When I was seven, I would make sure, every 24th of December, to hang a sock on the mantelpiece with my name beautifully stitched on it and would wait desperately for midnight to arrive so that I could be blessed with Santa’s love which of course was felt mostly through the wonderful presents he got me. “Aah, those were the days, days when I so looked forward for Christmas, the happiest time of the year.” I said to myself. </span><br />
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</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black;">I finally got out of bed at around noon and hit the streets to go fetch some groceries from the store for the very merry Christmas my huge Roman Catholic family was planning on having tonight. As I entered the store, I could see Rohan walk past me right inside and scream out, “Feliz Navidad”, loud enough for the entire store to turn around and give us an approving glance. “Merry Christmas man”, I said in response. Rohan, had been my best friend ever since I remember. I recollected an incident back when we were in the 7th grade, when I got into quite a gory fight with another classmate of mine; and just at the moment when there was a slight possibility of me having a fractured nose, Rohan bumped in and received, that one excruciating injury on my behalf, which in fact had eventually damaged a his nose and had made it grow into an angle completely against how god had perhaps wanted it to have been. “Aah”, I said again, “those were the days, when I so looked forward for Christmas, the happiest time of the year.” Rohan and I decided we’d go pick the cake up together; we walked down to the “Cheeseria”, the bakery which gave humanity the most heavenly cheese cakes, and also were very apt for the divine occasion. “Silver bells… Silver bells… It’s Christmas time in the city” Jim Reeves was crooning in the background. </span></div><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black;">While we were making sure we picked the perfect flavored cake for tonight’s grand gala, I felt someone pat me on my back. I cannot describe how beautiful she looked, still as charming as she did 5 years back when we finished school. Her eyes seemed to still hold a melody to it, the fluttering of her eyelashes and the beautiful smile that lit up her face all summed up to it being a celestial sight. “Hey.. Anisha, Merry Christmas.” I said, “Seasons greetings!”, she replied with the usual sparkle of naughtiness in her speech. “So, all set for the party?” she asked. Again I got thrown into a day, back when I had just finished school. “Are the results out yet?”, I enquired. Anisha and I were at her place, on her Computer checking if our board exam results were out. “Yes! She said” with a sudden high pitched shriek. “Have I passed?, Sweetheart, I’m worried!”, I said. Anisha and I were dating back then. “I passed!!” she said in a higher tone which nearly deafened me, “and me?”, I asked again, she entered my roll number and hit the search button and as expected, I failed math. I looked stunned, rather constipated for a minute, and the next minute, my eyes were filled with tears. She held on to my hand, and assured me everything would be fine. Well, it wasn’t, even after reevaluation, I hadn’t passed and then began the actual trials of life. My parents had me grounded for a whole year and all I could here was the word “STUDIES!”. Anisha had joined college and had taken up science, PCMB, to be more specific since she always wanted to be a doctor. In spite of all the difficulty she had in college with all the assignments, the truckload of studies to do, and the torture called tuitions to which her parents used to subject her, every single day, without fail, she would come home and make sure she taught me math for at least 2 hours. And she would be so serious at it, that all the love she had for me deep down her heart reflected on every sum we did together. In a few months, I had mastered Hyperbola’s and Eclipse’s besides beginning to find integration and algebra rather easy. I cleared my math paper when I reappeared for it and was back in college. The environment was all I dreamt of with friends and parties all coming throbbing into my life, and yes, I slowly began to ignore Anisha. And then came the day, when we completely stopped speaking, I hadn’t even heard from her for the rest of her time at Pre-University College. One fine day, I received a call, “Bye Neil, I’m leaving for Delhi. I’ve got a seat in AIIMS.”, she said. And that is when, I remembered, how she truly mattered to me. After I got into college, I forgot the sacrifices Anisha had made for me, and now I remembered for a second, how much I loved her and how I did not wish to lose her. “Don’t go..” I said in an upset tone. “I am.” She said and that’s the last I heard from her until today “Aah”, I said yet again, “those were the days, when I so looked forward for Christmas, the happiest time of the year.” “Neil!” she said, flashing her hand in front of my eyes. “All set for the party” she asked again, “I’m sorry Anisha.”, I said, “You should come, I am looking forward to your entire family.” “We are coming! So I’ll see you then?” “Yeah sure, bye Anisha.” I said, Anyways, we had zeroed down on Blueberry, and headed back home.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black;">“Dad, anything else I need to buy for this evening?”, I asked. “Have you ordered the cake already?”, “Yes dad.”, I said. “Son, this Christmas is going to be special, it’s the last Christmas you will be spending here, before you set out on your voyage, sailor.”, my dad said, with an expression of pride on his face. I had gotten into the Merchant Navy, and when those two words appeared in my mind, I ventured back on my tour of the past. “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas”, was the subtle song being played in a very low volune on the background. Well, it truly was a white Christmas, or rather grey, I had my Marine Services entrance exams in three days which happened to be the 26th of December, and for the first time in all my life, with such a close proximity to Christmas, I was actually studying. I still remember the conversations I used to have with my father during those days when I used to decide on what I wished to be in life. I came to realize how supportive my father was, he would always tell me to decide what I wanted to do with my life. Even during days when I would spend nights with my friends, my father would only be supportive, the trust he had on me, his son, was phenomenal. My dad has always been a friend and even when I was preparing for my exams, the Christmas celebrations at home were completely restricted, all so that, I could prepare for my tests peacefully. He even ensured that if I decided not to get into the Marine Services five minutes before my exam, I could come back home to them, my beloved parents. Those were the times, when I had guilt in my mind not because I wasn’t a good son, only because, I wasn’t good enough for such wonderful parents and then again my mind said to itself. “Aah, those were the days, when I so looked forward for Christmas, the happiest time of the year.”</span></div><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<span style="color: black;">The night arrived, “Silent night, holy night”, my mother and the rest of the family sang with the men folk strumming their guitars all with a glass of home-made wine in their hands. Everyone who mattered to me were there. Anita, was dressed in a white gagra choli and looked like Gloria the angel. I could see Anisha, she looked prettier than ever in a scarlet red gown which she had worn for the prayer service at church prior to the party at my place. Today, I celebrated my very own insightful welcome to a very merry Christmas. And tomorrow, I was leaving for a long time, away from family, away from friends, so I thought to myself, why not speak and make everyone know why this Christmas has been so special to me. I went towards the mantelpiece where Anita’s red sock hung and began to speak, “Merry Christmas everyone! Today, I saw Santa Claus, and trust me he is as true as I expected him to be 15 years back.” I saw my maid slowly lead Anita outside the room into the garden noticing the doubtful frown appearing on her face. “So”, I said, “the day I realized Santa Claus was in fact my dad, I was bewildered, I was angry and was very annoyed by the fact that I was being made a fool ever since I was a kid about Santa Claus’s very existence. But today, I realized how Santa Claus truly looked. Santa Claus, looks like my parents, for every time I dreamt, they gave me their palms to build my dreams on, they trusted me more than I can ever trust myself, they gave my life the very meaning to it, the love my parents give me is Santa Claus, the truest gift given to me by God above. I also discovered the Santa Claus within Rohan, who never allowed life to mess with me, his best friend. For being there all the time, for giving me strength when I had lost mine, for being my best friend and sticking through all the turmoil’s I have got myself through, giving me the purest form of a gift called friendship from my God above. I found the gift of innocence in my little sister Anita, the way she dressed up this morning, awaiting the arrival of Christmas with such genuine enthusiasm in her eyes. I found the gift of love, through all of you, my family, my friends for making life what it is, for making my family strong by bringing to us so much peace and contentment. And finally, I found the gifts of adoration, affection, friendship and sacrifice, in you my lovely Anisha, the most beautiful Santa Claus I’ve ever seen. You gave me your friendship when I needed it, your affection when I lacked it and your Sacrifice when I lost myself. I love you as much and more than what I did when you left for Delhi, and I wish I can have you, my beautiful Santa Claus forever in my life. Who said Santa Claus doesn’t exist? All of you are my Santa Claus’s. The greatest of happiness lies in our own perception and my perception today for once showed me where God had placed the most magnificent of gifts specially for me, he had placed them within all of you and today I do not look forward to Christmas anymore, for I have finally realized that with all of your presence, everyday is but a Christmas for me. So yeah, </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<strong><span style="color: black;">They know that Santa's on his way; </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: black;">He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: black;">And every mother's child is going to spy, </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: black;">To see if reindeer really know how to fly. </span></strong><br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: black;">And so I'm offering this simple phrase, </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: black;">To kids from one to ninety-two, </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: black;">Although its been said many times, many ways, </span></strong><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong>A very Merry Christmas to you and to me!”</strong> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQlzIeBKu6nBq33pT84AyRHm-88jwk8p3AdL8zNhR0IZIWucPSJMMd2Gfq0Cms1FxVs90Ko44jpFCXSArnCwerH9tzYMwPBmoxwXOYfxJpfWxLEqFn9HfKpRJ7yEYfxeisRfg-Kt0nWKK/s1600-h/merry_christmas-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQlzIeBKu6nBq33pT84AyRHm-88jwk8p3AdL8zNhR0IZIWucPSJMMd2Gfq0Cms1FxVs90Ko44jpFCXSArnCwerH9tzYMwPBmoxwXOYfxJpfWxLEqFn9HfKpRJ7yEYfxeisRfg-Kt0nWKK/s320/merry_christmas-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">And voila! What you just read is my Christmas story and my encounter with the true Santa Claus who does as a matter of fact live among us. So look around, for all you know, you might just find your Santa, sitting right next to you. Tomorrow starts a new day, a new life, a new adventure! Adios for now, and see you next Christmas! </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-20634818884385854192009-12-10T13:43:00.013+05:302010-06-09T15:41:02.774+05:30True Perception...<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">I perceive at this moment,</div><div style="text-align: center;">a sensation eloquent and grand;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">I am trying hard to accentuate</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">and relate to the present, hoping I can reach a stand. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">I see it, a sight, which is magnificent and beautiful;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">the sea ahead of me so wide and huge;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">with waves, enormous yet calm,</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">a soothing breeze flows onto my face</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">bringing with it an aromatic scent of floral balm.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">I stand on a cliff, with waves ceding their horrendous anger, </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">delivering salty drops of sprinkled water on my face.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The night is starry, the moon is bright,</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">the ambiance is everything that is nice.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I walk deeper, venturing into the dense cluster of Casuarinas;</div><div style="text-align: center;">the soft sand alleviating my heels,</div><div style="text-align: center;">as I walk further the moon light brings me more peace.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hand in hand, my beloved’s warmth I can feel;</div><div style="text-align: center;">draped in white and aglow is she,</div><div style="text-align: center;">her rosy cheeks radiant and warm,</div><div style="text-align: center;">she nudges my arms with a glint in her eye,</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">assuring me this that she’d stay all through this night.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXxSt8y2dtgak3X9L45_ZLOGvlRbfdbzHJi43_WOsOEyQhdckzlnrgOlUDYxFoc1andzR9zRkrogMvht8lxJhen0-dXcYMt_vbFIXNe8Qxf2RA8qz3tfgKoayT5rjcG1ueUsYdYE8nfsy/s1600-h/Young-Love-at-Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXxSt8y2dtgak3X9L45_ZLOGvlRbfdbzHJi43_WOsOEyQhdckzlnrgOlUDYxFoc1andzR9zRkrogMvht8lxJhen0-dXcYMt_vbFIXNe8Qxf2RA8qz3tfgKoayT5rjcG1ueUsYdYE8nfsy/s320/Young-Love-at-Beach.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">The doors of heaven must have opened galore,</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">For true love here blossoms by the shore.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Her adorable words make me wonder;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">day never came and this night stayed longer.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Glimpses of our past I now can see,<br />
marriage then children all happy and glee.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">our love is still growing stronger,</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">although my beloved is now 69 and I, 70.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">This day, is the day I shall hold on to forever;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A day of love, a day for me to remember.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">The night persists, and our souls meet,</div><div style="text-align: center;">togetherness in complete is what we seek,</div><div style="text-align: center;">life has almost reached its very end,</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">and all we want is to be jubilant.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Love to me is her;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">And that’s the love I have always seen,</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">and today, her arms entwined in mine,</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">is all that I could forever seek.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">My love for you baby, shall never be weak;<br />
It shall be like my soul an everlasting and eterna sign.</div>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-19978640589682379642009-11-26T11:55:00.020+05:302010-11-09T12:01:22.800+05:30Love through his reminiscence…<div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><i>"The human heart cries out for help; the human soul implores us for deliverance; but we do not heed their cries, for we neither hear nor understand. But the man who hears and understands we call mad, and flee from him."</i></b></span></div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqCk5zYdOGMzmGF3Ofi7j9yhlarzu6Zcm_x7ScnBhFcMTYrfNR1ZRaYAwwh-Q_lF35Wh29aE-IXiKXh7NvlCvj3Ml5RtaHrHG5QxGuCblxIfjXYaWgk48T4qxecO2qtDsSdTucYUh-5iy/s1600/PIC_Kahlil_Gibran_Law2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqCk5zYdOGMzmGF3Ofi7j9yhlarzu6Zcm_x7ScnBhFcMTYrfNR1ZRaYAwwh-Q_lF35Wh29aE-IXiKXh7NvlCvj3Ml5RtaHrHG5QxGuCblxIfjXYaWgk48T4qxecO2qtDsSdTucYUh-5iy/s320/PIC_Kahlil_Gibran_Law2.jpg" yr="true" /></a></div><div style="border: medium none; color: black;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Several years ago, in a beautiful land far away, a young girl names Selma had won the heart of a young man who had just stepped into his adolescence. Love can either be an indescribable catastrophe or an overwhelming spectacle. What is however evident is that by the end of it, love gives to man a lesson, good or bad, a lesson well learnt. So as I was saying, Selma had bounded our dear man with her irresistible beauty, her youthfulness and most importantly, her love. The man, who had already seen life through various perspectives, was beginning to analyze Selma through a way which he had done never before. He was falling in love with her in uncontrollable pace and before he knew it Selma had carved for herself a deep niche in his heart.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As their love grew with the progress of time, the highly repressive and despotic mentality of the Eastern Nations prevented their togetherness. The love they had for each other was completely looked over and differences of caste and creed were given paramount importance. Selma was married off to another man and the love which blossomed to be pure and unblemished with the hearts and minds of two souls was tainted and fouled by the minds of the evil society. The man, learnt his first lesson through this ignominy being caused to what was most dear to him – His love for Selma. The lesson he learnt was that attachment is perhaps the most hurtful of emotions man could adopt. Living in loneliness is a good thing, for when it is lost, man tends to gain everything. Howeve</span></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">r, living in attachment is bad, for when it is lost, man loses everything.</span></div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8sVXp7HlYNtswhBTOv0Ji1ZeIqWjV3wB48wBjIwDUf4TcSnEXERas3lDEsTTwKndHoW1iZWq0Xa8qE7hC5e5DM1Vu6_J8NzGsXwF9ERr6eBDkimCPW9LlTGXpcpPY4UI0pUwjgLpmC2o/s1600/marianna375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8sVXp7HlYNtswhBTOv0Ji1ZeIqWjV3wB48wBjIwDUf4TcSnEXERas3lDEsTTwKndHoW1iZWq0Xa8qE7hC5e5DM1Vu6_J8NzGsXwF9ERr6eBDkimCPW9LlTGXpcpPY4UI0pUwjgLpmC2o/s320/marianna375.jpg" yr="true" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">With this loss began the unfortunate story of a man who lived hoping that his death would sooner or later come and caress him. Now, the failure of his love, and the disaster that followed in his own life because of this very reason ruined the entire spirit of his existence. However, this failure is what led him to declare to the world certain messages which have always helped in giving people answers, whenever they arrive into a position which left our man broken and emptied. He mentioned once, that love gives not from itself and takes not for itself. His entire life was a quest, a search to find an answer to all those questions which were left unanswered when his love, Selma was married off to another man. Although he lived his life in deep sorrow and pain, he made sure, he would give to all his fellow beings an answer to questions he always had in his mind. Knowing, that one day everyone would fall in a similar position like his.</span></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; color: black; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53Hb2g_S68Szb4YnLvHsFiTCfxHDlqjUym2NxfFo6hyphenhyphenfds0EfyIMJsoFFWFq9kgLGMm_GtjonEqb5E0mePqmNaXO6VnkWGLM5i-vZN24yDnVB0AqDM0gMLw7_fxHHLgkcEp7Z7YaXbwU2/s1600/kahlil-gibran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53Hb2g_S68Szb4YnLvHsFiTCfxHDlqjUym2NxfFo6hyphenhyphenfds0EfyIMJsoFFWFq9kgLGMm_GtjonEqb5E0mePqmNaXO6VnkWGLM5i-vZN24yDnVB0AqDM0gMLw7_fxHHLgkcEp7Z7YaXbwU2/s320/kahlil-gibran.jpg" yr="true" /></a></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Kahlil Gibran, The multi faceted Lebanese Writer and Poet is the man being referred to in the above story. His life was no less than a very damaging catastrophe. A small incident which involved love, changed his life into an eternal search for answers to his incessant queries. His writings are today the most popular and widely read pieces of philosophical literature. Nonetheless, whatever he wrote, never brought peace and tranquility to his own mind. Kahlil Gibran died because of severe liver damage caused due to his alcoholism. One incident changed his life completely and this clearly shows, that human existence is nothing but a very mystifying maze. The world has been trying to seek answers and happiness through the sorrows of this one man, that is how funny human life is. And what was the ultimate benefit Kahlil received by the end of it? a life being lead with <i><b>Broken Wings</b></i>.</span></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></div>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-11092232757529358212009-11-24T13:37:00.005+05:302009-12-11T11:27:58.186+05:30God, Biochemistry and my Brain<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">GOD KNOWS NO RELIGION</span></strong><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When I was a child, about five years old, my grand mother would always tell me stories which were related to God in some way or the other. Sometimes, the stories used to be straight out from any of the religious texts; other times, it used to be stories about various people, villages or the whole universe, where God’s intervention was most evident. I also couldn’t help but notice that these beautiful narrations by my Grand ma were most often just before I went to bed. Well, at five, I never chose to question my own self and seek to learn why she was so very keen on reciting these stories to me before bed time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0ZJRVvw4TkGHhlF1C7YPb5N-rUaJ7UmU6JApQ2yZZ9ZiI7_EBvnKpwnYZQzeSFLAry44vfXo2JfKaM7pItq7sdGb1tFz3dYVTWwWWOUuwCFzA5_j6l2LP-cXhPtAmVbQKpyvfFy7CGTu/s1600/midnight_dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0ZJRVvw4TkGHhlF1C7YPb5N-rUaJ7UmU6JApQ2yZZ9ZiI7_EBvnKpwnYZQzeSFLAry44vfXo2JfKaM7pItq7sdGb1tFz3dYVTWwWWOUuwCFzA5_j6l2LP-cXhPtAmVbQKpyvfFy7CGTu/s320/midnight_dreams.jpg" yr="true" /></span></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today, fifteen years later, I woke up all alone at home, and for the first time, I was missing my grand mothers beautiful bed time stories; as always, when I miss people, this time too, I let myself embark on a journey of nostalgia. I went back in time and tried recollecting as many incidents as I could which involved three elements – Sleep, God and Stories. The first word which appeared in my mind thereafter was the word ‘Dream’. Every single time my grand ma would narrate these stories, I would have the deepest sleep with the sweetest of Dreams; I still remember how ecstatic I would feel by the end of my sleep when I used to be showered with these tales of magic. Eventually, as I grew up, I adopted one habit, reading a book before I slept, and the book I read again always had an element of God to it; to this day, I still feel I have been blessed with a wonderful piece of good fortune in the form of my sleep.</span><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The love for God has always been a part of my family in fact, I hail from a very God fearing family where each day begins and ends with a prayer. My mother ever since I was a young child constantly messed about with me saying that one day I would become a very austere person; I see today where her words have led me. When I was a ninth grader, I was deeply impressed with Christianity and Jesus Christ; in fact, being a Hindu, I even refused to attend on my religious functions. I used to be prompt and punctual for Sunday Mass and would never miss out on any of the Jesus Youth Manipal Retreats. I had wonderful friends from the prayer group and had also developed a liking towards the preaching of the Bible. I completely lost myself in the ecstasy it provided me and was ready to convert myself the day I turned a major. My mother was surprisingly very supportive and always mentioned to me that God is what each of us assumes. God is not bound by the limit of any religion; she also mentioned that God is not how religion defines it; but, it is how we take it to be. Eventually, I began reading the Bhagavad Gita, and from it I learnt everything I learnt through the Gospels of the New Testament. When lord Krishna mentioned in the Gita, “Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana Ma Karma Phala Hetur Bhurmatey Sangostva Akarmani", urging us to do our duty without worrying about its fruit; Jesus Christ has mentioned in the Gospel of the Psalm that work is the inevitable component of our lives and that it is unavoidable. Therefore, at this point I came to terms with the biochemistry of MY average human brain. Religion was merely a cue, an indication towards what my brain wants to hear. I turned to Christianity, when I needed answers about the reasons for my low grades and how God could perhaps reveal to me an answer to improve the same. The Bhagavad Gita through Hinduism was again an indication, a cue to which I turned to when I needed an answer for my double mindedness. As I mentioned earlier, my family is a very God fearing family where each day began and ended with a prayer. God and faith has and will always be a part of my genetics. Our DNA doesn’t just carry forward our physical features but also brings along with it from generation to generation all mental components. The whole concept of God, and my linking towards him has been brought down to me by my ancestors. My genetics are the ones which have given me love for GOD and not love for RELIGION. That is precisely what made my thoughts deviate from time to time and there on from religion to religion. Religion is just a medium to crystallize human thoughts. God is one; and will always continue to be one; perpetual, everlasting and eternal. </span><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">P.S.: Thank You Trishma for posting that Status Update on Facebook today. Made me want to complete this finally. </span><br />
</div>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-51581837293400963292009-08-14T03:19:00.008+05:302009-12-11T11:28:49.213+05:30PRESIDENTIAL PARDON – CAN IT BE SUBJECTED TO JUDICIAL SCRUTINY<strong><em><span style="color: red;">This is a paper I wrote which is based on The Presidential Pardon for Capital Punishment. </span></em></strong><br />
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</div><div><strong><em><span style="color: #000066;">Let the will of the people prevail</span></em></strong><br />
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The Constitution of India is the supreme law of the land and it enshrines the will, the aims and the aspirations of her 300 millions of people (at the time of the enactment of the Constitution in 1950), who “give to ourselves this Constitution”. The Constitution evolves a doctrine of three organs, namely the Executive, represented by the will of the people exercised through an electoral mandate of the people, the Legislative and the Judiciary for the governance of the Nation, though a separation of powers, in its absolute and rigid form between these organs of governance has not been defined in the constitution by the Founding Fathers of the Constitution. However, “the concept of reasonableness and non-arbitrariness pervades the entire Constitutional scheme and is a golden thread which runs through the whole of the fabric of the Constitution”<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=788524242689836125#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title="">[1]</a>. Under this Supreme Court decree, the doctrine of Separation of Powers somewhat gets defined to a limited extent that there should be no overlapping of either functions or persons from amongst the above three organs of governance. <br />
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</div><div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369569213521412818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-31P6PUhAuDXCaILRQ4PxONcIQwPKA4wqfXS5CyyXnIDyypfley7UQFga9Za2u9vdU1GfBJiWPEuh06BaPifIbf9GLoaaMjqBEMRgLfeWHWVco4o8AyqM7iC81PKtixcQ6Ar2B9faNzy5/s320/97327-main_Full.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 283px;" /><br />
The will of the people is the corner stone of any democracy. The constitutional principle that the Executive organ shall exercise the will of the People places an obligation upon the Executive to be accountable to the People for managing the affairs of governance. This accountability differentiates democracy from any other system of governance. Under this principle, it can be reasonably concluded that the Constitution does not contemplate an exercise of an overriding authority nor the power to superintend the exercise of the powers and functions of mandated accountability vested upon the Executive by the Constitution, to some extent over the Executive by the two organs, namely the Legislative and the Judiciary, primarily since the Constitution has not bestowed upon the Legislative nor the Judiciary a mandate to be accountable to the Will of the People. In other words, it would be reasonable to conclude that by this Constitutional principle, the Judiciary does not possess an amorphous supervisory power to supervise the functions and powers vested to the Executive organ in so fat as much that the exercise of the Executive power and functions conform to the Constitutional principles mandated upon the Executive for governance. The constitution, however, as a measure of abundant caution provides for the Judiciary to exercise a power of a watch dog to shape the governance of the Executive to ensure the Rule of Law in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.<br />
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Capital punishment in India or the death penalty (Death by hanging) has been on the statute books since 1860. The death penalty has been imposed on conviction of such offences as murder, instigating a child’s suicide, treason and mutiny, acts of terrorism etc. The Supreme Court has laid down that this punishment is to be imposed in the “rarest of rare cases”, albeit, the meaning of the law declared by Supreme Court has not been clearly defined by the Apex Court. In the absence of clear guidelines for applying the sentence of death penalty, judges have a great deal of discretion in deciding capital punishment. As a result, whether an accused is hanged for a particular crime largely depends upon the views and discretion of the individual judge at the trial stage, given the facts and extenuating circumstances of the case.<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369569470616006802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUXZbhKyjhWG8WwXqcLPA3mtJ39J4uV5p10WI4mr0YnPDMenRFIJzdXqf524k5H4AzKKWOVtkufdsHLm1JgbE8rYJMNBX8TEWD5skU3HmuNXQWdwLvfRzlDUcT-pvgpKRuRzRiv_-bURr/s320/hsc4079l.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 270px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><br />
The death penalty is the ultimate, inhuman and degrading punishment. The death penalty violates the fundamental human right, that is, the right to life as enshrined and guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution and the right to life guaranteed under Article 2 and 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It follows that the sentence of death penalty needs to be viewed in the critical light consistent with a country’s commitment to democracy and Human Rights obligations. It needs to be said with some hesitancy that the beacon of human rights fall short of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights even in many established democracies including India. In principle, therefore, trials should be extremely fair and the question whether the accused has been found guilty to be visited with the death sentence should confirm to a standard of fairness regarded by a civilized judicial system in conformity with Human Rights. In the event the answer to this principle is “No”, then it cannot be said that there is a case to award death penalty, even “in the rarest of rare” cases. In the Indian Legal System, it is clear that not all the accused who are visited with the death penalty had access to a fair trial and/nor legal representation at various stages of judicial process for a variety of reasons. Therefore when a legal process, which falls considerably short of international fair trial standards, has made an imposition of a death sentence then clearly the danger of the death penalty will be a clear miscarriage of justice and therefore justice under such conditions can never be guaranteed. Without casting aspersions on the road map of judicial access to a fair trial which may be made available to an accused of common stature in India, who has been visited with a death sentence under the above conditions, then it is a clear case that the execution of death sentence in such a case will be irrevocable and can be inflicted upon an innocent. Therefore the application of death sentence is subject to human fallibilities and failure and/or denial of access to a fair trial in a judicial process. This unfortunate position, if reached in the judicial process, is best summed up in the words of Justice PN Bhagwati of the Supreme Court in the Kehar Singh case of assassination of smt Indira Gandhi – “The possibility of error in judgment cannot therefore be ruled out on any theoretical considerations. It is indeed a very light possibility and it is not at all unlikely that so long as a death penalty remains a constitutionally valid alternative, the Court or the State acting through the instrumentality of the Court may have on its conscience the blood of an innocent man”.<br />
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In a civilized world “the whole goal of punishment is curative. Accent must be more on rehabilitation rather than retributive punitivity inside the prison<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=788524242689836125#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title="">[2]</a>.” Statistically, in India since the time of independence, 55 cases of death sentence has been executed, the last execution by hanging being 14th August 2004, that of Dhananjoy Chaterjee, and an estimated 20 cases of death sentence détentes is now under the consideration for Presidential Pardon, after exhausting all other legal avenues for the remission of the death sentence. A case for the abolition of the death penalty from the judicial system has gained momentum and credence, for the simple reason that the award of the death sentence has not known to produce a deterrent factor in the commission of offences and is a violation of the fundamental right to life as guaranteed under the Constitution. In the words of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi “I cannot in all conscience agree to anyone being sent to the gallows. God alone can take life because he gives it”. Dr Abdul Kalam who recently laid down the high office of President has also expressed this philosophy “I cannot give life to anyone, I don’t see why I should give death” and eposes that convicts under death sentence need to be treated with compassion, counseling and spiritual guidance instead if condemning to the gallows, whilst pleading for Presidential pardon to be granted in the above estimated 20 cases of death sentence awaiting Presidential pardon during his Presidential tenure. As a matter of record, Dr Abdul Kalam inherited 12 cases of feath sentence for presidential pardon from his predecessor namely Shri K R Narayanan and has now left to his successor, Smt Pratiba Patil the sensitive and controversial dossier of Presidential pardon in the estimated 20 cases of death sentence détentes awaiting the execution of death. <br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369570455918669282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLTnsaafWv_kSn9jsE7qkwhG4gED9zMgA7joBFe7XHLnp1l-BgQRLgw6qcveU-yD_ChdSi53rwaEodsdQh97OuJi8vcOwnDHDiKmFT3VpvFF9_8Kzj65Z1tPmL_yKP9ewkwJpaF6HqgRm/s320/untitled.bmp" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 285px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 289px;" /><br />
Article 72 and Article 161 of the Constitution enshrines the power of the President and that of the Governor respectively to grant pardons etc. and to suspent, remit or commute sentence in certain cases. In the exercise of this power under Article 161, the Governor of Andhra Pradesh in 2006 granted pardon to Gowru Venkata Reddy, an individual with political leanings who was convicted 10 years imprisonment in a murder case. The grant of this pardon was challenged by the Supreme Court and the Bench of the Supreme Court comprising of Justice Arijit Passayat and Justice S H Kapadia in August 2006, proceeded to examine and review the constitutional provisions of the Presidential power to grant pardon. This decision of the Supreme Court has sparked off a debate and case as to whether the Apex Court is constitutionally empowered to review the inherent power of the president as vested in Article 71 on the Constitution to grant pardon. The case of Mohammad Afzal Guru, a Kashmiri militant awarded the death sentence for the attack on parliament in 2001 has also appealed for Presidential pardon and the decision of Supreme Court to review the power of the President to grant pardon under Article 72 has ignited the above debate, leading to questions of judicial activism or judicial interference in the governance of the state by the Executive organ of the Constitution.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369569798583953682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIN3KCMhBrEl6xfyiQavt5Y-pMKgZv30plfu5ix3v2stWWXzPIpWXUbDOhnAZlqHEjRZM0dxpis0i7ClCKvi1W4z1kycO8615FKRd-q4s0iIqYLgULUyXfbt1Dnt4aOekmIqY4BfyGakK/s320/pardon-requests-sac0723cd.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 248px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><br />
Article 53 of the Constitution enshrines the Executive Power of the Union “the Executive Power of the Union shall be vested in the president and shall be exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with this constitution”. The President is therefore the head of the Executive organ of the Constitution, which enjoys the mandate and will of the people. The expression “executive power” is not defined anywhere in the Constitution, but it is now a well established principle of law that the Executive exercises the powers of the subordinate legislation and administrative justice. For the reasoning made out above with regard to the mandate of accountability enjoyed by the Executive it may be said that the Executive function overrides the claims of the other two organs namely that of the Legislative and the Judiciary.<br />
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Article 72 of the Constitution enshrines that “the President shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence” and more specifically under Article 72(c) “in all cases where the sentence is a sentence of death”. It is clear that the power vested in the President under Article 72 is a prerogative and discretion of the President. The dictionary<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=788524242689836125#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title="">[3]</a> meaning of prerogative is “a right or privilege that nobody else has,”, “a special superiority of right of privilege”, “having or exercising a prerogative.”<br />
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A pardon is an act of grace, which may be absolute or conditional. The act of pardon and the power to grant pardon is best summed up in Balmukund Vs King Emperor, where the Judicial Committee said “the tendering of advice to His Majesty as to the exercise of the prerogative of pardon is a matter for the executive Government, and is outside their lordships province”. The reason why the Executive, represented by “the lordships province”, is given the power to grant pardons and reprise etc., is explained by Chief Justice Taft in an American case<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=788524242689836125#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title="">[4]</a> “Executive clemency exists to afford relied from undue harshness or evident mistake in the operation or enforcement of the criminal law. The administration of justice by the court is not necessarily always wise or certainly considerate of circumstance, which may properly mitigate guilt. To afford a remedy, it has always been thought essential in popular governments, as well as in monarchies, to vest in some other authority than the courts power to ameliorate or avoid particular criminal judgments. It is a check entrusted to the executive for special cases. Our Constitution confers this discretion on the highest officer in the nation in confidence that he will not abuse it.”<br />
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The Apex Court in the past, in Kehar Singh Vs Union of India declined to lay down any guidelines for the exercise of the President’s power under Article 72 of the Constitution and unanimously held “it seems to us that there is sufficient indication in the terms of Article 72 and in the history of the power enshrined in that provision as well as exiting case-law, and specific guidelines need not be spelled out. Indeed, it may not be possible to lay down any precise, clearly define and sufficiently channelised guidelines, for we remember that the power under Article 72 is of the widest amplitude, can contemplate myriad kinds and categories of cases with facts and situations varying from case to case, in which the merits and reasons of state may be profoundly assisted by prevailing occasion and passing time”. There is a fit case now for the Supreme Court to lay down the broad guidelines to aid and advice the President in exercise of the power under Article 72 in the event should the President receive aid and advice from the Council of Ministers which may appear to be blatantly violate the broad guidelines laid sown by the Supreme Court.<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=788524242689836125#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title="">[1]</a> Ajay Hasia v. Khalid Mujib (1981) 1 SCC 722, 741, Also Kasturi Lal v. State of J & K. (1980) 4 SCC 1.<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=788524242689836125#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title="">[2]</a> Nadella Venkata Krishna Rao vs. State of AP – AIR 1978 SC 480: 1978 Cr LJ 641: 1978 SCC 208: 1978 SCC (Cr) 799<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=788524242689836125#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title="">[3]</a> World Book Dictionary – prepared and published by the World Book Incorporated, Publishers of World Book Encyclopedia<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=788524242689836125#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title="">[4]</a> Ex parte Grossman, 267 US 87:69 L Ed 527<br />
</div></div>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-48058051729603034022009-08-13T15:45:00.003+05:302009-12-11T11:29:04.511+05:30India - A Free Country !<em><span style="color: red;"><strong>A speech I wrote for a Debate Competition, favouring the Motion that India is indeed a Free Country.</strong></span></em><br />
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“Agar Firdaus-e-rooh-e-Zameen Ast, Hami Ast ho, Hami Ast ho, Hami ast”<br />
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A very good morning esteemed panel of judges and my dear friends, I stand here, proud, I stand here with a valiant sense of conviction, I stand here as one though many, I stand here, as an Indian.<br />
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India is indeed a free country, with 60 years gone by as independence and over 2000 years of an enriched legacy to learn from, Amir Khusrau’s words, that when he stepped on the Indian soil, he saw heaven still persists verbatim. Freedom, is an expression where we are probably aware of our rights and duties, the Indian Constitution one of the longest and most well designed Constitutions in the world supports and justifies this word – Freedom.<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369390588915057634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2v0VuHsxNzln6X5IxAGk_jW_HHtllLkImcopsQhB85jE1x6okPfiJxuofrAoIuWBMzAI_V12e29jMh-nSWIXPZ7JhYsQi52ZrUkB5QnnopTsuRI9RNKI9pxMsamSd7BxoEP6iOZUD2IEL/s320/the-proud-indian-flag-1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 262px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><br />
In 60 years of Independence, India has reached new milestones in establishing individual freedom and liberty. The judiciary along with the executive as well as the legislature have tried level best to establish individualism within the citizens of our country while ascertaining a lot of freedom and liberty. If we question, India’s progress as an independent country through the sixty years that have gone by, I would possibly say, that the progress is highly commendable. Looking back into the history of America, sixty years through their independence, the nation’s freedom was least available owing to the drudgery the slaves had to go through, thus leading it all to a civil outcry.<br />
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India, on the other hand, being a secular country has guaranteed so much of freedom to her citizens that in spite of various presence of diversities based on Religion, Caste, language and what not, we have still held ourselves united and together. The Indian law particularly has forever kept in mind all the religious sentiments of various religions which exist in the Indian society. We often question the presence of various laws, however, if not for the flexibility of the Indian Judiciary, we would have possibly been driven to live under a strict presence of dictatorial leaders. The Indian system of freedom, is like that of a mother to her children, when Keshavananda Bharathi felt that the Constitution should bring about strict rules on amendments, he appealed to the Judiciary for which his word was taken and the decision ruled in his favour. It seems to me, that the current system prevailing in India is more like a relationship as shared between a mother and her child.<br />
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When India, is known to be the great grand mother of tradition, she has also welcomed change towards modernism with open hands. When India, was known as the Grandmother of legend, she has welcomed westernization with a lot of love. If today, people feel, that India is not in pace with the developments of the world at large, I would urge them to think again, we develop unlike China, where the Constitution though quite lenient completely restricts fundamental rights in most situations; we develop unlike Japan, where each man day wasted means a weeks cut in your salary; we develop unlike the United States, where recession has led Ph.d Scholars to find jobs in super markets, We develop as Indians, where we believe greatly in the values of traditions whilst giving great impetus to futuristic developments. We develop as Indians, where we give our respects to the Individual freedom looking not at them, but at that god which lives in them. With this I would I would like to conclude.<br />
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Namaste and Assalam Walaikum to that God that lives within each one of you. Long live Free India.Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-30154983407832178522009-05-12T10:57:00.002+05:302009-05-12T11:10:56.871+05:30Quotable Quotes - Part 2<span style="color:#ff0000;">These are a few quotes, mentioned down below, which make me weak on my knees <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">every time</span> I read them. Maybe its because I connect to them or because I am trying to. But the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bottom line</span> is that, it gives me a kind of a tingle and I love it. Just sharing them with you. :) </span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><ul><li><span style="color:#ff0000;">Jan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">zatan</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">burdi</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">wa</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">darjani</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">hunooz</span>;<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Dard</span>-ha <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">daadi</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">wa</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">darmani</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">hunooz</span>.<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Aashkara</span> seen-e am <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">bashugaafti</span>;<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Hamchunan</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">dar</span> seen-e <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">pinhani</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">hunooz</span>.Ma <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">za</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">girya</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">chun</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">namak</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">bagudakhtim</span>;Tu <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">bakhunda</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">shukr</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">afshani</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">hunooz</span>.<br />You carried the soul from (my) body – and yet, You are still in the soul;You have given pains – and are still the remedy;Openly you split my chest –Yet, you are still hidden in my heart.You have destroyed the kingdom of my heart With the sword of coquetry, And are still a ruler in that place…. - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Amir</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Khusrau</span></span></li><li><span style="color:#ff0000;">I have now understood that though it seems to men that they live by care for themselves, in truth it is love alone by which they live. He who has love, is in God, and God is in him, for God is love. - Leo Tolstoy</span></li><li><span style="color:#ff0000;">Progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be. - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Gibran</span> Kahlil <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Gibran</span></span></li><li><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Khaana</span>-e <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">darvesh</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">ra</span> sham’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">ee</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">ba</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">az</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">mehtaab</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">neest</span>. To light the beggar’s hut no candle is better than moonlight. - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Amir</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Khusrau</span></span></li></ul><p><span style="color:#ff0000;">More to be updated soon! :)</span> </p>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-64251640541044062052009-04-17T12:19:00.007+05:302009-04-17T12:33:27.739+05:30Making a Difference<span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#990000;"><span style="color:#000099;">We all live in a world which is changing in many ways with every single day that passes. Today, we have all reached a point where movements like “Zeitgeist” are gaining phenomenal popularity. The entire intention behind the formation of such a movement according to me is very much bona fide in nature, and why not? How many of us are ready to do one bit for the ones who are not as fortunate as we are? How many of us, are ready to share that knowledge which are parents thought we deserve? And then, at the end of it all, we all question the very presence of God almighty. It’s high time we woke up from our deep slumber and gave it a thought, god made us for a reason; we are here with an obligation not just to sustain ourselves but in fact, to do our bit and help sustain others.</span> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#990000;"><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#990000;"></span></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325551195938783602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 138px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsEPW7_vD8FziXWXX63z2zQ4pGBpNBCXIgIFOn4hk3weObQKjvHgWZOtScc_cC23kggd9OoGrEfuqxPgVcVS6sKHtsUQPY32JiK2pxs4MBrNNFGz5olOJiq3rr_lwkNReHj-5ju5kUTxq/s320/MAD_logo.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">If you think you have all it takes to help others, or if you have been looking for ways, through which you can make a difference to mankind, join us at, Make a Difference (MAD) and help us, help them. Yes, it’s high time you go MAD! </span><br /><br /><em>So if you want to be a part of this, mail me:</em> <a href="mailto:kirti.blaze@gmail.com">kirti.blaze@gmail.com</a>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-34609401159775530842009-04-16T13:24:00.003+05:302009-12-11T11:29:21.194+05:30Woman - Eternal<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMR0WksInyvVVMWjm0W2x0Xq3rh0336wlf1b9MESOddLy6E3iSztYUOHmqHCymzqNYpuBc5Wlw0vIJfEFBpRDuZGMaCBZtzR0NlsI4v7LuQ577bZ8j1prNUQY7hd1luVecNThAKne3oMMP/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325271674897217858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMR0WksInyvVVMWjm0W2x0Xq3rh0336wlf1b9MESOddLy6E3iSztYUOHmqHCymzqNYpuBc5Wlw0vIJfEFBpRDuZGMaCBZtzR0NlsI4v7LuQ577bZ8j1prNUQY7hd1luVecNThAKne3oMMP/s320/untitled.bmp" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 224px;" /></a><br />
<div><span style="color: red;">From the time you were born, newly innocent without scorn,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">with the first air that touched your skin,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">fickle</span> fortune came to begin.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Cradled as the fairer sex, </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">So Gentle and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Uncomplex</span>,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Societies <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">labels</span> against you pressed, </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">on your psyches, like a crest.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Choices you've made, battles you've fought,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">your true instincts, never distort,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">The world did keep on an even keel,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">while you were <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">strotting</span> around on your stiletto heels.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Education, Sports, Politics,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Your babies bottles would never conflict,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">You took everything to your heart,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Making for yourself, each day,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">A brand new start.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">You are the Women, We Hear you Roar,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Soft as petals, yet Hard Core!</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">You are the Earth,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">your tears are the rain,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">And most <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">importantly</span>, your Love, is the greatest Gift,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Any Man Can Gain.</span><br />
</div>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-5345691302398733742009-04-15T14:31:00.001+05:302009-12-11T11:29:35.405+05:30<span style="color: red;">Like the petals of a flower ready to shrivel,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">at the touch of anything but not of its own<br />
but the flower has to bloom<br />
the other will reach beauty and wither away with duty<br />
And the budding tendril waiting to untwine from the shrivel of umbiliciwill<br />
live each chapter blossoming and knowing its fate to<br />
surrender to incarnation of part and parcel such is<br />
the mother of a son,as is she to her own.</span>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-83583739618398338852008-11-23T16:31:00.001+05:302009-12-11T11:29:49.362+05:30THE GLUM ODE...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje850r8c-c4T_WRUhkGMoinowoSQr_uX8bVKvWvalkCMbb4sc3_rftsOnXLUBWRdX7YjDwLu5usUkJkrDhSFXma7BoHLp6O7T38ekyyA6eBBmSV4SqS5Pv2Kr3L2WCepStaCoQGqojRF3n/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271807110518380818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje850r8c-c4T_WRUhkGMoinowoSQr_uX8bVKvWvalkCMbb4sc3_rftsOnXLUBWRdX7YjDwLu5usUkJkrDhSFXma7BoHLp6O7T38ekyyA6eBBmSV4SqS5Pv2Kr3L2WCepStaCoQGqojRF3n/s320/untitled.bmp" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 256px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<div><span style="color: red;"><br />
My heart sings a glum ode,<br />
confining to itself all the sadness in load.<br />
I wish to look around and seek happiness,<br />
but something down there stops me from doing so.<br />
Life for some has been a bed of roses,<br />
for others a reckless adventure;<br />
I wish mine was somewhere in between,<br />
so that I could taste both the wonders.<br />
The glum ode soars through the air,<br />
and peaks itself into nooks and corners.<br />
I then realize that happiness is the least untaken element obtainable.<br />
I then reach the acme of hope,<br />
and wish to wake up a fresh way and walk out of sadness .<br />
Love, I try now, to spread abundantly,<br />
but the person that I am,<br />
I find it hard to wriggle out of where I belonged.<br />
yes, singing that glum ode, singing that glum ode constantly believing that everything is wrong.</span><br />
</div>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-22239462255144540382008-11-23T16:18:00.002+05:302009-12-11T11:30:25.645+05:30THE CURSED UNEMPLOYMENT<div><span style="color: black;">It was one of those Mumbai mornings. The city was already at work and the clock hadn’t striked 6. Sahen was trying hard to catch some sleep in that little bunker like room he took for rent. He kept tossing and turning and was finding it hard to sleep all due to the extremely loud traffic noise which came in from outside his room. He woke up in a few minutes after six and got some water to clean his eyes. He then peeped out of the window to take a look at the Mumbai city, his not so beloved home for the past one year. People say, Mumbai is India’s big apple, Mumbai, India’s city of dreams; however I’m sure people who read Sahen’s story would beg to differ sooner or later. Sahen then took a quick bath and picked up a paper from his bag, it looked like an official letter. The paper read:<br />
<br />
“Richardson & Co”<br />
Invites you for a personal interview based on your qualification for the post of “Electrical Saw Engineer” kindly be present at the following address at 09:30 A.M. for the interview. </span><br />
</div><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325192399053752210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtVjEO5BPenZER_wylB9p1Yb4bK7J0ksMneReyJPXj37IFSNDGcXjzeZF2DYMJkgjtw_fsqFDoA40rZVOOFJCSdB4pCDl9_g9oZkj-LaS-n6pFz0xPhlTNWNNrnTny3eqMtRLJj7isGdO/s320/Unemployment-LR2_preview.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 238px;" />As always Sahen had a little smirk on his face after reading this letter, this had been the 12th time he had applied for a job in Mumbai since the past one year. Rampur, a name which most of us Indians have probably never heard was from where Sahen hailed. He was the only brother among 5 sisters all younger to him. Rampur was a village famous for its sun-flower and sugar-cane farms. Sahen’s dad, Bodha Singh, was once the most famous farmer at Rampur who probably made the maximum income amounting to the amount of land their family owned. However, as the old saying goes, “none will know when fate will strike” and so did it happen in their case as well. Bodha Singh purchased a huge land and borrowed a large sum of money from one of the financiers in the village. The villagers were so sure that Bodha Singh would never make a mistake when it came to business that they would give him a loan even without an interest rate. One night soon after the purchase of the land Bodha Singh caught hold of his chest all of a sudden, as expected he died of a massive heart-attack. And since, his wife was deserted with 5 daughters and one son she was stranded. She had to sell off most of Bodha Singh’s lands to clear the loan he had borrowed from the financier. The financier taking advantage of the lady’s helplessness charged a huge interest rate and this led to her selling of most other lands which they once owned. And thus ultimately ended up in being the pauper, from once being a prince. She now had 5 daughters to wed and absolutely no money to spend for the same. Her only hope now was her son Sahen, whom she had very well educated when compared to the amount of education other village boys had received. Sahen has studied up to pre-university and after that had done a diploma in electrical engineering. All she could do now was to send Sahen to Mumbai, “the city of dreams” so that he could earn enough money in order to get all his seven sisters married. Sahen’s mother was of the impression that, anyone who went to Mumbai with education would become a millionaire.<br />
</span><br />
<div><span style="color: black;">It was already 8 ‘o’ clock and Sahen just finished eating his break-fast which consisted of half a slice of old bread. He could not afford anything since he had absolutely no money. He would generally end up walking miles because he could not even afford to take a bus. He was near broke. He just had about two hundred rupees which he had saved in order to make sure he can get back home if he could not find himself a job back here. Sahen decided that if he failed to get through this appointment, he would return to Rampur the next moment. He had nearly given up. He then wore his yellow shirt, which now was brown, thanks to the pollution and dust Mumbai city gives free of cost and combed his rough hair neatly. He held his file consisting of his few certificates and hit the streets.<br />
</span><br />
</div><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<div><span style="color: black;">Before he realized, he was standing right in front of Richardson and co, the company in which he had applied for his job, It looked fancy and beautiful from outside. Sahen’s interview was scheduled for 9.30 A.M and he was early by half an hour, so he thought he could take a stroll around the famous dalal street which was round the corner. He walked a few steps ahead and froze at once when he saw the Mumbai Stock exchange. He lost his breath looking at the enormous structure and the number of people surrounding it. As he walked further he heard the cries of people, now this is what he least expected from them. Before he could even realize a huge fight broke out in the crowd. He could hear people scream and cry loudly. He heard an old man crying and shouting obstinately that he has lost everything in life. The stock market had crashed and this is what resulted in infuriating the crowd. Before Sahen could realize, he could see slippers and stones being thrown in the air. He had to do a lot of zig-zag running to save himself from being bruised. Suddenly when a stone hit him on his head, he could not help but retaliate, “What on earth is wrong with you people? have you gone mad?” and the next second there were people who were ten times his size surrounding him and asking him what he said. He tried to run, but the angry mob did not spare him. At once, they started hitting him black and blue. Sahen also got completely involved in the fight and began to hit them back. The scuffle they were having was very dreadful and horrific. Somehow Sahen tried defending himself. He could fight about fifteen men, ten times his size and defend himself without getting injured for a long period. Everyone have a saturation point of their own and Sahen had reached his. He got on his feet and began running into a dark alley. He was hurt on his head and as he ran he could hear other people running behind him. He ran as far as he could and then he definitely couldn’t run further. At this point quite obviously, he fainted and fell right on his nose.<br />
When he gained his senses, Sahen was shaken at once. He got to his feet immediately not being able to realize where exactly he was. He was in a nice cozy room and was surrounded by about four people all staring at him with a small smile on their face. “What, who?” was the first thing Sahen said looking dazed and confused. “We rescued you.” the man standing closest to Sahen said, winking at him the next second. “Oh! Thank you, I need to rush for an interview now.” he said. “We rescued you and all you can do to show us your gratitude is say a thank you?” A huge man with about ten gold chains hanging on his neck said with a grin. “Well…” Sahen said dragging the word a little too much. “What do you want me to do?” he said shrugging. “We saw you fight.” said the third man. “Ok… So?” Sahen has interrogatively. “We want you to fight for us.” “WHAT?” Sahen asked completely surprised. “Look, we belong to a community which kills for money.” replied the same man. Raju Bhai was that man’s name. He led a community of ruffians and gangsters. Their job was to kidnap, murder, bribe etc all in the name of money. Sahen was awestruck. He did not know what to say. “We saw the way you fought that furious mob at Dalal Street. We liked your enthusiasm and level of anger.” He continued. “What exactly do you want me to do?” enquired Sahen totally confused. “We want you to join our gang, we will pay you well. You have absolutely no idea as to how much money you can make being a part of us.” Said Raju bhai. “At the cost of my life? Never!” said Sahen, his voice angered. “Ok, then be prepared to die!” said Raju bhai holding a revolver in his hand pointed towards Sahen. “Let me think. Wait!” said Sahen. He then had an image of his mother, crying, in his mind. He thought of his sisters, whom he loved so much, he thought about the amount of money he needed to get them married. He then thought about how he suffered for one whole year in Mumbai city moving from pillar to post in search of a job. He realized that he lost his last option of getting a job in “Richardson & co” as well. And now, if he went back home this way, his entire family would be devastated. He had no options left. “Well, what is my task?” “Good!” said Raju bhai with that signature grin of his again. “You will be a part of our kid-napping team. We kidnap people for ransom. I’ll make sure you don’t have to kill anyone, you’re subtle and naïve, I promise you that.” said Raju bhai assuring. “well, ok.” Sahen said. “We have to leave now, be ready by 5 tomorrow morning. Your kit and clothes are in that cupboard. No delay. And make sure you take everything you need. We are kidnapping Ahuja’s daughter tomorrow.” Raju bhai said. “Can you give me some money as an advance? I need to send some to my mother.” Sahen said with a soft tone in his voice. Raju bhai pulled out about four Rs. Fifty thousand bundles and threw them on my bed. Sahen was happy, he could finally send some money home actually a lot of money. The man with the several chains on his neck then spoke, “You betray us, your entire family…” he said giving a long pause. Sahen knew what he meant, “I get it, don’t worry, you can trust me.” Sahen said guaranteeing them.<br />
</span><br />
</div><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<div><span style="color: black;">The next morning, he woke up at 3 A.M. He was both happy as well as nervous. He could finally send home some money. This gave him a huge feeling of pride and honour and at the same time, he had to kid-nap a young girl. This stirred fear in his stomach. At 5 A.M. sharp he waited at the end of the street. A car drove past him and stopped a few yards ahead. He recognized Raju bhai signaling to him from the car. He went and sat in the car and the car sped off. The evening news-papers read, “Top industrialist Ram Ahuja’s daughter kidnapped.” They had successfully managed to abduct Ahuja’s daughter, the gangsters had a party that night, when Raju bhai formally introduced Sahen to the rest of the gangsters. “This is our new member, Sahen Singh from Rampur, He proved his worth today by helping us abduct Ahuja’s daughter. I must say, this boy has a long way to go in our company.” Raju bhai said as he raised his glass for a toast. Sahen did not know whether he had to smile or just keep a plain face. After a few moments, Raju bhai came forward and told Sahen that Ahuja has agreed to pay the ransom amount of Rs ten crores. He then told him that he had a 25% share over this money. When Sahen heard this, he burst out into tears. His dreams were finally coming to life. He found his way to earn money. What started as a helpless need for money was turning out to be a lot of money now. He could get all his sisters married into big families and yet have enough money to keep himself and his mother happy.<br />
</span><br />
</div><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<div><span style="color: black;">Everytime he got himself some money, he would send a major portion of it to his mother. His mother definitely was right, Mumbai, definitely could make people millionaire’s. Little did Sahen know that what started out as a small time affair would one day make him one of the most wanted gangsters in the world. From kidnapping Sahen began murdering people, vulnerable children were tortured. All for the love of money. Sahen had his mother’s face in his mind every time he did something. He felt the pain he saw in her eyes when he lost his father and did not mind going up to any extent to make more and more money. In a few years, Sahen was black-listed and was put in the most-wanted category by the C.B.I and the police force. Sahen’s life was in danger. Though he got himself so much of money, he lost nearly everything else in life. After a few years, after committing endless murders, Sahen was caught and given a life-term sentence. The poor innocent boy, who moved from Rampur to Mumbai to get himself a job just to support his family, had lost it all, this was the end to his story.<br />
Unemployment is one such outrageous disease which can ruin a person’s life. The above story might be fiction, but there are possibilities for such instances to occur. When a person strives so much for a job and he is helpless, he cannot do much but opt for jobs like what Sahen chose for himself. India has the maximum number of employment opportunities, but the qualification it requires is over the top. People with a basic qualification find it so hard to get themselves a job. It’s high time, we start having more employment opportunities for people with varied qualifications. If not, all we can expect is probably another Sahen. This would definitely leed to dooms-day for most individuals. Unemployment should be wiped out from the very soil of this planet. People should be given opportunities to help them survive themselves and their families if not, we can surely look forward to more stories like this in real life.<br />
</span><br />
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</span><br />
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</span><br />
</div>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-13437772620598406452008-08-01T20:13:00.001+05:302009-12-11T11:30:39.160+05:30THE AWAKENING....<span style="color: red;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdyIU9fElFdXH97zvquW4AzPTfV44WXCkc5GV5Qv0bjNV7yGRgnpT1OWR0A4f1Y_elfOBi6T7hLJQp_xaMJ1rOt3oo_rjIkGiqrEsA76HJbiZ5PqWg_-X0kDxDPxaes5lxT2OxT9RMkvm/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325193750579816050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdyIU9fElFdXH97zvquW4AzPTfV44WXCkc5GV5Qv0bjNV7yGRgnpT1OWR0A4f1Y_elfOBi6T7hLJQp_xaMJ1rOt3oo_rjIkGiqrEsA76HJbiZ5PqWg_-X0kDxDPxaes5lxT2OxT9RMkvm/s320/untitled.bmp" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 351px;" /></a><br />
<div align="center"><span style="color: red;">“Never thought you’d be gone,<br />
To a world far beyond.<br />
You shall be remembered forever;<br />
In the depths of our hearts which<br />
Shall be happy never.<br />
Because , you’re gone!<br />
To a world far beyond!”<br />
</span><br />
</div><br />
<div align="left"><span style="color: red;"></span><br />
</div><br />
<div align="left"><span style="color: red;">Alisha was sitting by the tombstone of someone whom she loved far more than herself. Tears dripping uncontrollably from her eyes, she was trying hard to stop crying. Each drop was a memory, a memory of someone who was very dear to her. </span><br />
</div><br />
<div align="left"><span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"></span><span style="color: red;">“ Ma, can you please stop it!” “ Enough is enough! How much of dirty laundry will dad and you air in public? There is a limit for everything!” Yelled Akhil with a tearful voice. “Don’t you tell me what I should do. Don’t be another Arnav in my life. I cannot live with your father any longer! And this time, I shall adhere to my decision and I will not hear out anyone regarding this matter.” Berated avanthika. “But ma!” “End of argument Akhil.” Akhil just walked out of the room slamming the door behind him.<br />
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Akhil got into his car and drove to his girlfriend Alisha’s place. Alisha heard his complaints about his parents completely. Akhil was a seventeen year old sanguine boy and all that was bothering him at this very minute was the fact that his parents, whom he loved and adored were on the verge of getting divorced. Both Arnav and Avanthika, Akhil’s parents are engineers working in India’s leading company, “Richardson & co”. Both of them were a very lovable couple. Most of their colleagues often envied their love and compatibility. However, as always said “all good things come to an end” and so did it happen in their case. Their love was on a constant growth just until their ego peeked into their marriage. They were both working as principal consultants and the trouble began just after Mr. Ramdas Naidu, the director of the company took his retirement. Now, it was for them to choose as to who will take over as the director. Both were highly qualified and experienced professionals. Thus began a war, a war between two people, a war between two sexes, a war between a husband and his wife.<br />
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">“Papa, don’t you want to give your marriage another try?” whispered Akhil to his dad. They were both sitting at the café near Arnav’s office. “Son, marriage is something which requires a man to head the house. You are young now and you won’t understand.” “How can your mother expect me to live, with her taking over as the director? I cannot face the embarrassment Akhil.” “But papa, why do you want to end your marriage? Isn’t it possible for both of you to let go of this option for the sake of your marriage?” enquired Akhil innocently. “Are you crazy? Don’t be so gullible. I’ve been waiting all my life for this day and you ask me to forget it? Not over my dead body Akhil!” yelled Arnav rudely. “What about me dad?” asked Akhil. “You have a choice, and you better make it before it’s too late. Either Avanthika or me. We cannot live as husband and wife anymore!” Akhil kept staring at his father. He was lost. “Waiter check please!” called out Arnav. “I need to get back to work. See you later.”<br />
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">It was about six in the evening on the same day. Akhil was sitting in the verandah at his house and was playing with his dog. All of a sudden he heard his mother howl in pain. He stood up startled, and rushed to his parents bedroom. He saw his mother lying on the floor and abusing Arnav with very vulgar language. Apparently, Arnav had slapped her on her face because she called him a spineless man who respects no woman other than his mother, this led to an exchange of words and ultimately resulted in the assault. Akhil moved to his mother and helped her get back to her feet. Avanthika, was highly furious and her face was red in colour and was evidently filled with rage and anger. “I get slapped by this man just because I want to become the director of the company. How dare he raise his hand on me? I will sue you in court for this!” Screamed Avanthika. “Oh just shut up and get out of this house before I give you another slap across your face.” Replied Arnav with a nasty tone. “Ma… calm down… Lets go to Naani’s place” said Akhil trying hard to stop the both from fighting. He somehow managed to pull the rather devastated Avanthika trying to ignore all of Avanthika’s demonizing comments about his father, Arnav. This was not their first fight. However, it was the worst and the last.<br />
“Cut my life into pieces, this is my last resort.” Papa Roach’s very famous song was being played at E-11; Akhil’s favourite club. He was on the dance floor with Alisha trying hard to bury his sorrows. After seven shots of dry vodka and two packs of cigarette; it was a clear fact that Akhil was nowhere to being in his senses. “Alisha! Sweetheart, you’re all I have. You will never leave me the way my parents did right?” asked Akhil in an incoherent tone. “Not until my death and if possible even more” replied Alisha. “I need to go to the rest-room” said Akhil and rushed. He bolted the door and began crying. He was in a very bad state and could not even walk straight. All his fears at once appeared right in front of his eyes. He quickly put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a packet of cocaine, rolled a currency note and took into himself as much as he could and finally got himself completely out of this world and into a land; most drug-addicts refer to as heaven. Akhil was a six footer, fair, well built and a handsome looking boy. But the way he looked now, was near scary. His eyes, as red as wine and his face completely drained.<br />
“Akhil…! Akhil you got to wake up dude! Your parents have called thrice already! You have to go to court today for the interrogations of their divorce case remember?” “Akhil.. Wake up you lazy bug!” howled Sidharth, Akhil’s best friend. Akhil woke up sat upright on the bed and began screaming out, “I HATE MY PARENTS! THEY’RE THE MOST SELFISH PEOPLE EVER!”. Akhil’s mental condition was nowhere from being normal. The disgusting ambiance at home and his drug-addiction had caused a severe psychological scar on his mind. Sidharth held on to Akhil as he was in a hysteric state. Meanwhile, Sidharth’s mother came rushing into the room fearing if something had happened to one of the boys. “Akhil.. Akhil, my child calm down. What is it?” “I know what you’re going through, but don’t cry. It’s best for Arnav and Avanthika to have a divorce. You need to live a peaceful life son.” Said Sidharth’s mother consoling Akhil. “Aunty they are my parents! I cannot love them individually.” Replied Akhil with an angered voice. “This is life! You have to take it the way it comes.”<br />
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">He was now standing strong in the witness box. “Akhil! By your choice do you want to live with your father or your mother?” Asked the judge. Akhil looked very nervous. He turned and looked searchingly, with a glint of innocence in his eyes for his parents. Both of them were standing at two corners like stones with absolutely no sign of any kind of emotion on their face. “Akhil” yelled the judge “You’ve made us wait enough now choose, your father or your mother?” Akhil stood dumb-struck. The judge’s words kept echoing in his mind. His head was now aching terribly. He immediately closed his eyes and wished he wasn’t there. He could neither think, nor feel anything. His body was absolutely numb. Akhil was now on the floor. Everyone including his parents ran towards him. He had fainted. A thick white fluid was oozing out from his mouth.<br />
As the ambulance arrived Akhil was immediately carried and put into it.<br />
Arnav and Avanthika got into the ambulance along with Akhil’s feeble body which she held tightly to her bosom. Akhil’s mouth was swollen and his eyes were closed. He was trying hard to see and speak to his parents. Avanthika had Akhil to lie on her lap and wept loudly telling him that she loved him constantly. Akhil somehow managed to speak a few words. “Ma….papa… please...please promise me that you both will get back together. I love you both so much.. And I’m sure you love me as much too. I’m sorry I got a day like this for you to see. But every time you both fought…” Akhil found it very hard to speak as his entire face was now numb. But some how he managed to speak a little more. “I.. I made drugs my friend. I lived in illusion.” “I’m sorry ma.. I’m sorry papa.. But I love you both.” Arnav was in tears too. Arnav and Avanthika hugged Akhil and all three were in tears. Arnav held Avanthika’s hand tightly and they dreaded every single second as much as they cherished it.<br />
</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Avanthika stood next to Akhil his face, glowing with brilliance and his body, lifeless. Akhil was dead. As per the post-mortem reports, Akhil had died of brain hemorrhage caused because of high mental instability and large consumptions of alcohol and drugs. Arnav came and stood next to Avanthika and both were crying relentlessly. If they had chosen to live happily considering the need of their son, they would have never had to see this day. Their ego, their happiness ultimately resulted in the death of their only child Akhil. Akhil was cremated in the presence of all his friends and their parents. His most unexpected death caused a lot of pain and anguish in everyone’s heart. Akhil silently walked towards heaven and as he passed he infused in the hearts of all the parents a thought. A thought which made them slowly realize that they ought to hold their children to their hearts and give them the life they truly deserve. Arnav and Avanthika realized how foolish they were and chose to live as husband and wife and spend the rest of their life in the memory of their lost life – Akhil.<br />
Alisha had now realized the blunder she had committed. She realized that she never was a true friend. The love of her life was now dead. As she sat by his grave, crying, flashes of her memory with him came out really bright . She remembered times when Akhil took drugs right in front of her. She remembered the times when she saw him drinking and smoking right in front of her eyes but never actually told him to change his habits. She thought of one day in particular when, Akhil told her that he wished to open a hospital which had a charitable pediatrics unit. “Akhil was such a great person” she said to herself. “I miss you so much!” She some how held herself responsible for his death. She decided to go abroad and complete her studies for she feared that if she stayed there Akhil’s memory would haunt her forever.<br />
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">10 years had passed since Akhil’s death. Alisha was sitting by Akhil’s memorial and was lost in his memory. As she stood to leave the cemetery she received a phone-call. “Hello Alisha here” she said. “Ma’am we have a meeting with the principal of St. George’s high school tomorrow. Akhil Memorial Rehabilitation centre has gained a name.” said the caller. “Since Akhil’s death, I vowed to help those troubled youngsters who are addicts” said Alisha. “For I know, that behind every youngster’s story of drug/alcohol addiction there is a story of pain and mental depression and an insatiable want for love and affection.” As she walked she left a red rose on Akhil’s memorial which read:<br />
</span><span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><span style="color: red;">Akhil Arnav Pillai<br />
05 February 1979 – 12 June 1996<br />
“Never thought you’d be gone,<br />
To a world far beyond.<br />
You shall be remembered forever<br />
In the depths of our hearts, which<br />
Shall be happy never.<br />
Because, you’re gone!<br />
To a world far beyond!”<br />
<br />
WE MISS YOU AKHIL!<br />
--R.I.P--</span><br />
</div><br />
<div align="center"><br />
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</div>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-49847949566211230232008-07-26T13:16:00.001+05:302009-04-17T12:32:07.474+05:30Places I wish to visit before the end of me..<ul><li><blockquote></blockquote><span style="color:#ff6666;">INDIA in complete: India, without a doubt is one of the most diverse countries ever. The rich culture and diversity stands out. The Himalayan range towards the north, the cool valleys of the east, the warm desserts of the westand the beautiful plateaus of the south coupled with extremely rich and vibrant culture and heritage are truly worth savouring. I seriously hope travelling far and wide through out this vast country and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">experiencing</span> divine pleasure. </span></li><li><span style="color:#ff6666;">PARIS: The premiere of France located on the River Seine has always been on my wish-list. This city is a perfect combination of style, class, glamour, culture and most importantly architectural beauty. The city has an evidently romantic feel to it and is also coated with soberness. The history of the city has an elegant glow to it. The Eiffel tower is one place I would like to spend a lot of time at and relishing every second there would be worth it all!</span></li><li><span style="color:#ff6666;">VENICE: Heard of the Merchant of Venice? which literature buff wouldn't want to go and spend quality time at a place where William Shakespere composed most of his plays? Venice a compostition of 118 islands (!) put together is without a doubt, a place to be. I so wish I could go there especially during the Venice Carnival with all the fancy masks. The place has a huge historic timeline and still maintains its classical status. Venice is also known for its colourful culture, colourful meant literally. The pristine seas and the beautiful monuments simply brings Venice on my wishlist.</span></li><li><span style="color:#ff6666;">ATHENS: Athens, the capital and the largest city of the country Greece. The name of this beautiful place has been derieved from the Greek godess Athena, who happens to be the Greek symbol representing love. Athens is one of the oldest cities in history and is known to have been older than 5000 years. One of world's first civilizations grew in this very city along with the greatest philosophers of time Aristotle, Plato and Socrates. Athens is home to Parthenon on Acropolis a land mark to the early western civilization. The city, again being a coastal one has a very vibrant and blue coast line which has been a hot tourist hub for over centuries. </span></li></ul><p><span style="color:#ff6666;">Well, as of now, I don't have many more cities on my wishlist, but definitely, I would update this column soon. Travel is without a doubt, the yummiest spice of life!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffffff;"></span></p>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-30184811583157774562008-05-03T20:49:00.001+05:302009-12-11T11:30:54.818+05:30The Night Sky Princess<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLISIU8F8GpkFE6xHZu5G6vKZlyQ_51LXCBnyOoytsSIjCK2LgyRVxfborkGgrt8trbX86YVqcVLo3bSfOqQEe3p1nvEKf1rHwx91tcHPvA7AWpdl-dXakrJcjGS2BUgeYNZwT4N9El3HV/s1600-h/Moon_Stars.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196173333557915170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLISIU8F8GpkFE6xHZu5G6vKZlyQ_51LXCBnyOoytsSIjCK2LgyRVxfborkGgrt8trbX86YVqcVLo3bSfOqQEe3p1nvEKf1rHwx91tcHPvA7AWpdl-dXakrJcjGS2BUgeYNZwT4N9El3HV/s320/Moon_Stars.jpg" style="cursor: hand;" /></a><br />
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<div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: white;"></span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: red;">A poem I wrote, Called "night sky princess" describing the very beautiful moon.. Atleast trying to :-)</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;"></span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;"></span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;"></span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">Oh shy princess!</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">Princess of the night skies...</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">your face hidden beneath dark clouds...</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">beautiful moon,</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">your beauty shines out in the dark</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">reminding me of jades stones so black..</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">your shyness has the astrals ammused </span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">when I see you, I feel happiness in total.</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">Even amidst the blackness</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">you shine out like an angel in wonderness.</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">I look at you in astonishment;</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">unable to understand whats in your beauty</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">is it the darkness or your smile so smirky...</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">oh princess of the night skies..</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">I look at you for a hope of a new life</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">the stars revolve around you</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">and I'm so enchanted I cannot even count a few</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">I must tell you, your beauty is memerising</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">and now, I'm falling...</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">falling into a sleep so deep</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">with dreams of happiness and joys </span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">all under the eyes of a princess..</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">The princess of the night skies.</span></em></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff6666;">moon! its you i'm talking of, the beautiful moon!</span></em></strong><br />
</div>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-788524242689836125.post-24674612796043588892008-05-03T20:41:00.000+05:302008-05-03T20:48:46.403+05:30<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbhMbz9GyB59nlcdoUuLX_LAEbpOE-cmsLG3AtZHHfivuj8OggN-sQrLUGPdEIc8VvZIKzcHCzS1UfzJkzXtOi4Pd5QQHFq2WPTNGKDONdfS6nS60sl-KbXCPVjdsEr62Ep_7i6kjLXD-/s1600-h/03052008554.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196171280563547666" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbhMbz9GyB59nlcdoUuLX_LAEbpOE-cmsLG3AtZHHfivuj8OggN-sQrLUGPdEIc8VvZIKzcHCzS1UfzJkzXtOi4Pd5QQHFq2WPTNGKDONdfS6nS60sl-KbXCPVjdsEr62Ep_7i6kjLXD-/s320/03052008554.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">QUOTABLE QUOTES</span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ffff;">"What if we had eyes to see the true beauty - the divine beauty. I mean pure, clear and unalloyed, not clogged with the pollutions of morality and the colours and vanities of human life - thither looking, and holding converse with the true beauty with the eye of the mind, he will be enabled to bring forth, not imagines of beauty but reality, and bringing forth and nourishing true virtue to become the friend of God and be immortal, if mortal man may, would that be an ignoble life?"</span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="right"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ffff;">~ Plato</span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="right"></div>Kirti Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954170145891038835noreply@blogger.com0