Friday, September 29, 2006

Thoughts in black & white

Something I read today has inspired me to write this...

Quite a few people in this age (and in ages before this) are constantly trying to understand and explore the reason for our existence. Debates run on religion, beliefs, rebirth, heaven, earth, life outside this planet and so on. Why do we do this? Is it that we are never satisfied with what we have or is it just a sense of adventure to explore?

I recently started this excercise of self-discovery where I told myself that whatever opinions I have formed about myself need to be left behind. Nothing philosophical about it, just a new feeling to explore the unknown. It was scary, exciting and lonely all at the same time. I started to write down random thoughts that went through my mind. Some warped theories, some just passing statements.

I realised that it was difficult to put these thoughts down because I was worried about what I'd find within my mind. But now, a couple of months down the line, it's not worrying anymore because as I started writing things down, I found that reading these thoughts at a later date was pretty interesting. Helped me figure out why I thought the way I did when I was in a particular frame of mind.

Why am I doing this? Honestly, it started as an idea due to situations and circumstances around me and it was more of a reaction. I might tire of it some day but now is not the time. It's still new and I am enjoying the moment...

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Half a day off!

Today I took off for half a day from work. Actually did this for the first time in the past 4 years where I took off pretty much not because of a pressing situation but because I wanted to take off. Vedha's (my lovable bratty 4.5 year old daughter) Dussehra holidays just began this week and I left her at my brother's (Avi) place so she could spend some time with her aunt (Rincy) and cousin (9 month old Dhira) for a couple of days. I went this morning to spend time with them and it was such a relaxing time!

It's amazing to see the bond that V & D share. They were having a whale of a time since other children in the neghbourhood are also at home because of the holidays. Vedha was supposed to head back home with me when I left but she decided that she wanted to stay back because "she hasn't used up all her change of clothes". In fact she wanted me to bring change of clothes for myself and stay with her.

The ride to Avi's place was fun for me, since I haven't been riding much these days. I put on my earphones and listened to a new radio channel on my phone all the way (Koramangala to Kasturi Nagar) so didn't realise the stress of the traffic around me and the distance.

Got to work after lunch and I actually don't really feel tired from the ride. It's a combination of the time I spent there as well as the music. Technology rocks mostly ;)

Poems

I just re-started writing poems about 3-4 days back. I used to write poems almost 18 years back. At one point I had a book in which I had written around 150-odd poems. Sometime when we were shifting houses (and I have lived in 35+ houses so far, hmm... i'm sure it would be sort of a world-record) I lost the book. I just completely gave up writing poems thereafter. Now it almost feels like a new-found interest. More than anything else for me it's a different way of putting my thoughts dowm. Pretty much a stress-buster...

I just realised that I could try writing a few poems for my daughter, what fun!

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Communication and debates

Recently, I spent time reading up on Communication Theories and found it quite interesting. In the days of Aristotle and Plato, public debating was a common thing and it seemed to have helped people realise what they stood for or against because they could listen to different perspectives on various issues and topics.

When I get together with friends (or even acquaintances), I realise that I usually enjoy conversations on diverse topics and most often than not land up on controversial topics such as say religion or nationalism for example.

When such topics start off and hit a crescendo there is always someone in the group who is worried that this could turn out to be a fight and will try to cut the topic short. There is an uncomfortable silence immediately after this because the conversation hardly ends with logical conclusions. The idea of such conversations for me is to listen to other people's perspective on a topic and add to my understanding of that topic. Is it learning? probably to some extent.

I miss having a platform to do this regularly especially because I enjoy this type of learning since it brings to light people's experiences and what they have taken away from their experiences. Now, I am not sure if others feel the same way or is it just me :)

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

The first step...

I have taken the first step. Blogging is like opening your thoughts to anyone who chooses to read. It's kind of scary and exciting at the same time. I have taken the plunge, now I've got to learn to swim!

For all those in India, something new that has been running on my mind of late has been the Section 49-O of the Indian Constitution. I know it has been doing the rounds on email but I want to do some research on it and see if we can all start off a movement to benefit the country in the long run. The time has long gone past when we just sat and complained about things not working. Time to stand up and take control over our lives.

This is what I have read so far on Section 49 (O).

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Did you know that there is a system in our constitution, as per the 1969 act, in section "49-O" that a person can go to the polling booth, confirm his identity, get his finger marked and convey the presiding election officer that he doesn't want to vote anyone! Yes such a feature is available, but obviously these seemingly notorious leaders have never disclosed it. This is called "49-O". Why should you go and say "I VOTE NOBODY"... because, in a ward, if a candidate wins, say by 123 votes, and that particular ward has received "49-O" votes more than 123, then that polling will be cancelled and will have to be re-polled. Not only that, but the candidature of the contestants will be removed and they cannot contest the re-polling, since people had already expressed their decision on them. This would bring fear into parties and hence look for genuine candidates for their parties for election. This would change the way, of our whole political system... it is seemingly surprising why the election commission has not revealed such a feature to the public...
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Now, I would like to spend some time doing my own research on how effective this would be, what are the legalities that might help the exiting political system make the whole plan backfire. If anyone reading this post has any comments, please share it along!