This is the life story of Dr. Abdul Kalam in an interactive fashion. It features Shobana in a lead role, is in English and runs for an hour. It features montages of Kalam's speech in the European Union Parliament and other interviews from him. In addition, it also features interviews from folks who have criss crossed his life in his journey till date.
The sad truth about India is this: There are very few folks who are present to inspire people, and youth and children in particular. When I was studying college, I was still blissfully ignorant about Dr. Kalam. One day at Higginbothams, I chanced on the tamil version of "Wings of Fire". Titled "akkini chiragugal" (அக்கினிச் சிறகுகள்) - it captured me instantly. When I flipped the book to its back, it said "பதினெட்டு மணி நேரம் கண்விழித்து ஆய்வு செய்த போதும் கைகள் வீனை மீட்ட மறந்ததில்லை" (after working eighteen hours on research, the hands still don't forget to play the Veena). I did not waste much time after that buying the English version of the book. Indeed, his life has been a fascinating journey of courage and inspiration. He was made in a way that he could learn from any situation he was put in. Of course, we know he then went on to become the first citizen of India as well.
After he became president, I sent him an email wishing him on his birthday. Pat came the reply next day (or two!), "Thank you Deepak!". I can tie that back to his interview on this DVD where he says, "...email me with your questions, I will reply back promptly." You can see he did not say that for the TV. That time, I wasn't expecting it in the least!
Anyway, they say a great man is not recognized in his time. That is not 100% true in Kalam's case. But I can still say, the impact he leaves is yet to be fully measured. For in his tenure, he has met over 600,000 children and spent time with them in an attempt to inspire them. He still continues that.
His entire life work can be summed up in this quote of his: "An ignited mind or soul is a more potent resource than anything above the earth, on the earth or under the earth."
Tell me honestly, how many of the leaders, who are paid to do this work are truly doing this?
You can buy the DVD here:
His website is here.
The trailer of the docu-film is below.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Sadhguru's speech at PGH award felicitation
This was Sadhguru's speech during the felicitation ceremony for the recent award for PGH. It's a good video to watch if you're feeling a little smug about yourself!
The gap between what takes priority in people's minds (reflected in the form of what news papers, TV and magazines carry in majority) and what should is so vast currently - even when we are on the verge of a major disaster in the near future - that this talk is a wake up call.
It is over 30 minutes, but totally worth it.
The gap between what takes priority in people's minds (reflected in the form of what news papers, TV and magazines carry in majority) and what should is so vast currently - even when we are on the verge of a major disaster in the near future - that this talk is a wake up call.
It is over 30 minutes, but totally worth it.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Shaffi Mather talks about corruption in India
If we take out population (digress: you must listen to Sadhguru's scathing talk about this at the award function for PGH), India's biggest bane will have to be corruption. Mostly, every Indian would have been party to corruption in some little way. As Shaffi Mather points out here, the common man has to put up with corruption to just get on with his daily life. It is a necessity and that is the shame. I am excited when he talks about his for-profit company that aims to push-back on bribery opportunities*. I draw a blank on the thought process - but if he really knows what he is doing and he is able to generate a working model, the implications are exciting! I've been party to this diseased way of operating in many little ways - mostly because of that ONE REASON - to get on with my life. I remember one night when I pushed 50 rupees into a traffic constable's hands as I was rushing on a deadline to drop my friend at the railway station (no, I did not specifically break any rule - he was trying to get me on a technicality)
We have brought corruption to the point where it will not go away easily even if we try. Campaigning against it will work, but it will take patience and extensive effort, not to mention subtle and gross resistance. A system like the one Shaffi Mather is attempting, if it works, is by for the most powerful method. He says his pilot cases have worked - here is wishing him the best!
* - It is very important that it is "for profit" because it must be self sustaining. Any other good intentioned initiative will end up begging for donations to keep it alive.
We have brought corruption to the point where it will not go away easily even if we try. Campaigning against it will work, but it will take patience and extensive effort, not to mention subtle and gross resistance. A system like the one Shaffi Mather is attempting, if it works, is by for the most powerful method. He says his pilot cases have worked - here is wishing him the best!
* - It is very important that it is "for profit" because it must be self sustaining. Any other good intentioned initiative will end up begging for donations to keep it alive.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Consciousness
I am currently reading Autobiography of a Yogi (yet again). Here, I couldn't help wondering about how Paramahansa Yogananda keeps meeting one enlightened being after another - almost throughout his life. He writes about them matter-of-factedly as if it is a walk in the park. The truth is that to set your eyes on ONE is a great privilege. It doesn't happen to everyone. The rioters in Calcutta during the struggle for our independence met only one murderer after another in succession. Most folks meet only ambitious, self serving individuals. So, why the stark difference?
I think the answer lies in this quote by Sadhguru (I am quoting from memory): "Whatever you hold as the highest within you, naturally your energies get drawn towards it." Our consciousness is like a magnet - they way we are within attracts people and situations in alignment with it. I think most people's inner state is like a hodge-podge of variations - so the day-to-day situations get baselined at some median. That becomes our "general life" with spikes and troughs. The other property I think is that, as it reaches higher and higher levels, as in the case of Paramahansa Yogananda, the strength of it to manifest the outer situations increases exponentially.
That is why, when he sat in his attic resolving not to move until he received an answer on when he would be meeting his Guru - the eternal voice replied "Thy Master cometh today!". And come he did - in the form of one of the greatest men to have trodden this planet!
I think the answer lies in this quote by Sadhguru (I am quoting from memory): "Whatever you hold as the highest within you, naturally your energies get drawn towards it." Our consciousness is like a magnet - they way we are within attracts people and situations in alignment with it. I think most people's inner state is like a hodge-podge of variations - so the day-to-day situations get baselined at some median. That becomes our "general life" with spikes and troughs. The other property I think is that, as it reaches higher and higher levels, as in the case of Paramahansa Yogananda, the strength of it to manifest the outer situations increases exponentially.
That is why, when he sat in his attic resolving not to move until he received an answer on when he would be meeting his Guru - the eternal voice replied "Thy Master cometh today!". And come he did - in the form of one of the greatest men to have trodden this planet!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Gandhiji
I think he is an underrated leader (despite his popularity in India). I know the majority of Indians acknowledge his role in India being free by 1947, but there are also mixed/varying opinions about his role. David Hawkins credited him with bringing colonialism to an end all over the world – not just India. I think it is true – with India becoming free, it was just a matter of time.
But what did Gandhi do that left the British so stupefied? I recently saw Pazhassi Raja and was able to see how easily the British put him down (and posthumously acknowledging how great a warrior he was). The British were utterly helpless when it came to Gandhi because he never lifted a finger against them (in violence). All they needed was an excuse (remember the ridiculous “rules of engagement” excuse US uses in Iraq today?). He would not give it to them. But his greater success is inspiring an entire country to follow that. Where things went out of control, he put his life on the line (the death fast) and turned things around. While it is debatable about the long term effects of forcefully subduing such a violent atmosphere, the immediate efficacy cannot be disputed.
I think the fundamental strengths of him are:
1) His iron will. I think many likeminded souls would have given up at some point in the struggle.
2) His sincerity. He believed in what he was preaching and that made the difference. A façade-poster would not have worked at any time
He drove the British helplessness to such an extreme that they had to call him to London for a discussion about possible Indian independence. Why do I think he is underrated? In the entire history of revolutions, wars and bloodshed, I don’t think there has been anything of comparable result - an entire empire succumbing to non violence. Remember, this is the same empire that killed over one thousand unarmed civilians including women and children without qualms. This is the same empire that even imagined they could sit in another man’s house and decide if the man was fit enough to run the house.
While his contributions should be acknowledged, I think the other side also needs to be looked at. I am not fully qualified to comment – but my question is this? When someone treats you violently, and you take it in, only in a state of total acceptance can you really be at peace within. If every cell in your body longs to retaliate while you don’t – I think it is dual-damage – both outside and within. I suspect this happened to the populace at large when they tried to follow his ideals. I suspect it was done with genuine understanding. Otherwise, after the policemen were killed and Gandhi went on a fast, why where the Calcutta riots more fiery? In a sense, I think that was the time a deep chasm fell between the two religions in an inseparable way.
I think that this quote by Einstein about Gandhi sums up the miracle that the man is: "Generations to come, it may be, will scarce believe that such one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth".
Unfortunatly, in the current scenario of strife, there is no one comparable who can bring about such an implosive change to situations. We need enlightened leadership to change things!
But what did Gandhi do that left the British so stupefied? I recently saw Pazhassi Raja and was able to see how easily the British put him down (and posthumously acknowledging how great a warrior he was). The British were utterly helpless when it came to Gandhi because he never lifted a finger against them (in violence). All they needed was an excuse (remember the ridiculous “rules of engagement” excuse US uses in Iraq today?). He would not give it to them. But his greater success is inspiring an entire country to follow that. Where things went out of control, he put his life on the line (the death fast) and turned things around. While it is debatable about the long term effects of forcefully subduing such a violent atmosphere, the immediate efficacy cannot be disputed.
I think the fundamental strengths of him are:
1) His iron will. I think many likeminded souls would have given up at some point in the struggle.
2) His sincerity. He believed in what he was preaching and that made the difference. A façade-poster would not have worked at any time
He drove the British helplessness to such an extreme that they had to call him to London for a discussion about possible Indian independence. Why do I think he is underrated? In the entire history of revolutions, wars and bloodshed, I don’t think there has been anything of comparable result - an entire empire succumbing to non violence. Remember, this is the same empire that killed over one thousand unarmed civilians including women and children without qualms. This is the same empire that even imagined they could sit in another man’s house and decide if the man was fit enough to run the house.
While his contributions should be acknowledged, I think the other side also needs to be looked at. I am not fully qualified to comment – but my question is this? When someone treats you violently, and you take it in, only in a state of total acceptance can you really be at peace within. If every cell in your body longs to retaliate while you don’t – I think it is dual-damage – both outside and within. I suspect this happened to the populace at large when they tried to follow his ideals. I suspect it was done with genuine understanding. Otherwise, after the policemen were killed and Gandhi went on a fast, why where the Calcutta riots more fiery? In a sense, I think that was the time a deep chasm fell between the two religions in an inseparable way.
I think that this quote by Einstein about Gandhi sums up the miracle that the man is: "Generations to come, it may be, will scarce believe that such one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth".
Unfortunatly, in the current scenario of strife, there is no one comparable who can bring about such an implosive change to situations. We need enlightened leadership to change things!
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Happy Birthday!
as the years roll by
you grow younger
for in the realm that skips the
body, no time is in play
chronology does remind
you were born this day
and i take time to say
thank you for being in my life
thank you is limited a word
for what i drank out of you
measurements they defy
in all senses and the senseless
the straightness and the quirkiness
the effort inside the effortlessness
the confusion that masks the clarity
one tumultuous concoction you are!
you grow younger
for in the realm that skips the
body, no time is in play
chronology does remind
you were born this day
and i take time to say
thank you for being in my life
thank you is limited a word
for what i drank out of you
measurements they defy
in all senses and the senseless
the straightness and the quirkiness
the effort inside the effortlessness
the confusion that masks the clarity
one tumultuous concoction you are!
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
The coin by the roadside
I see a lot of negativity in situations around me daily. I propagate some myself and I am not proud of the fact. Many times I use them to remind myself not to be that way. Some times I look at people and decide - "I shouldn't end up like that!". I think its a dangerous tactic to play - because it gives a high seat of judgement. Anyway, this isn't a rant post - actually the opposite.
In a world ridden with negativity, there are also gems that one encounters - both in terms of situations and people. Some random events leading back to many years back to recent ones. Some are quotes I come across, mainly on vehicles.
1) Somewhere in north north India. I and Radha are having lunch with a group of people. A short distance away, an old man just finishes eating. When washing his hands, he goes near a plant-pot and washes there. Radha is very impressed - she points out to me and says "Look at the old man na. He is washing his hands on the plant!". I was just surprised she did not recognize the "old man".
2) When traveling in a car in Chennai many years back, I saw a quote on a billboard that said "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". I don't think anything will erase this quote for the life of me. This is from my darling Lao Tzu. Many significant moments, and seemingly not-so-significant moments have reminded me of this quote. I think I have written about this quote in this blog umpteen times as well!
3) Near Adyar, a van had this quote - "எங்களது திறமையே அல்ல - அவனது அளவற்ற கருணை" ("Not our doing - his boundless grace"). My eyes became wet instantly. Unfortunately I am not sure who said/wrote this. Later, a smarter version of this quote showed up in a different vehicle. ("எங்களது திறமையாலும் அவனது கருணையாலும்" - by our talent and his grace). I am sure person X read the original quote and found something missing and decided to correct it in his/her wisdom. Unfortunately, X missed the point of the original quote completely!
4) This quote had me gasping. I had to follow the vehicle to make sure I hadn't mis-read it. "With all things and all beings, we shall be as relatives". This was written by Sioux Indians (part of native American tribes). To say something that even means remotely to what was stated, how must they have been living! They also had the wizdom to put "all things". "All beings" covers every conscious life. But to say "all things"! Anyway, this is the culture the immigrants deemed fit to be driven to the point of annihilation!
5) When driving one day, an old woman (in her 50s, probably) asked me for a lift. She couldn't stop talking as we were driving and was talking about her work. Her work place was nearly five kms away and she either took the bus or walked all the way to her work place. She looked up at the sky and suddenly said, "It's going to rain!". I saw - it was overcast, but didn't think it would rain. I asked her "Are you sure?". She said "Yes!". She then turned back to the mountains and pointed there. "Its already raining there now!". Anyway, I didn't hang around to verify. I later dropped her at her house. She invited me for coffee but I couldn't stay.
6) A friend's IM message status - "Always 100%. Sometimes more!". I will never be able to say something like that! (my life till date!)
7) From the life of Bharathi - I think we're stepping from the day-to-day realm to prominent figures - but inspiration counts. Besides, this is not a well known incident. Bharathi and his wife are visiting a zoo. Of course, Bharathi being who he is, wants to play with the lions. He wants to pat them and ruffle his hands through the lions' mane. His wife is terrified and asks him if he is crazy (he is!). So Bharathi now talks to the lion - "Oh king of the jungle, please show this lady that you mean now harm to me by growling to her!". The lion growls, not once but thrice! Then Bharathi plays with the lion for nearly ten minutes before leaving.
(I am paraphrasing from what I read, so some details may be misstated. This incident was narrated by his wife after he passed away). St Francis of Assissi also was known to have been gifted with this art of talking with birds and animals (see here). In fact, Patanjali goes on to say "If you lose fear in your heart, all living beings lose their fear of you" (all non-humans attack only for food or self-defense don't they?)
In a world ridden with negativity, there are also gems that one encounters - both in terms of situations and people. Some random events leading back to many years back to recent ones. Some are quotes I come across, mainly on vehicles.
1) Somewhere in north north India. I and Radha are having lunch with a group of people. A short distance away, an old man just finishes eating. When washing his hands, he goes near a plant-pot and washes there. Radha is very impressed - she points out to me and says "Look at the old man na. He is washing his hands on the plant!". I was just surprised she did not recognize the "old man".
2) When traveling in a car in Chennai many years back, I saw a quote on a billboard that said "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". I don't think anything will erase this quote for the life of me. This is from my darling Lao Tzu. Many significant moments, and seemingly not-so-significant moments have reminded me of this quote. I think I have written about this quote in this blog umpteen times as well!
3) Near Adyar, a van had this quote - "எங்களது திறமையே அல்ல - அவனது அளவற்ற கருணை" ("Not our doing - his boundless grace"). My eyes became wet instantly. Unfortunately I am not sure who said/wrote this. Later, a smarter version of this quote showed up in a different vehicle. ("எங்களது திறமையாலும் அவனது கருணையாலும்" - by our talent and his grace). I am sure person X read the original quote and found something missing and decided to correct it in his/her wisdom. Unfortunately, X missed the point of the original quote completely!
4) This quote had me gasping. I had to follow the vehicle to make sure I hadn't mis-read it. "With all things and all beings, we shall be as relatives". This was written by Sioux Indians (part of native American tribes). To say something that even means remotely to what was stated, how must they have been living! They also had the wizdom to put "all things". "All beings" covers every conscious life. But to say "all things"! Anyway, this is the culture the immigrants deemed fit to be driven to the point of annihilation!
5) When driving one day, an old woman (in her 50s, probably) asked me for a lift. She couldn't stop talking as we were driving and was talking about her work. Her work place was nearly five kms away and she either took the bus or walked all the way to her work place. She looked up at the sky and suddenly said, "It's going to rain!". I saw - it was overcast, but didn't think it would rain. I asked her "Are you sure?". She said "Yes!". She then turned back to the mountains and pointed there. "Its already raining there now!". Anyway, I didn't hang around to verify. I later dropped her at her house. She invited me for coffee but I couldn't stay.
6) A friend's IM message status - "Always 100%. Sometimes more!". I will never be able to say something like that! (my life till date!)
7) From the life of Bharathi - I think we're stepping from the day-to-day realm to prominent figures - but inspiration counts. Besides, this is not a well known incident. Bharathi and his wife are visiting a zoo. Of course, Bharathi being who he is, wants to play with the lions. He wants to pat them and ruffle his hands through the lions' mane. His wife is terrified and asks him if he is crazy (he is!). So Bharathi now talks to the lion - "Oh king of the jungle, please show this lady that you mean now harm to me by growling to her!". The lion growls, not once but thrice! Then Bharathi plays with the lion for nearly ten minutes before leaving.
(I am paraphrasing from what I read, so some details may be misstated. This incident was narrated by his wife after he passed away). St Francis of Assissi also was known to have been gifted with this art of talking with birds and animals (see here). In fact, Patanjali goes on to say "If you lose fear in your heart, all living beings lose their fear of you" (all non-humans attack only for food or self-defense don't they?)
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