An ode to RSS

I do not know what your experience of the RSS is, but to the best of my experience, they are wholly dedicated to inculcating nationalism in the hearts of the populace at large. That they choose to call this nationalism Hindu nationalism does not reduce their nationalism to just those who believe in Hinduism. For the RSS the word Hindu is akin to Bharath, as in Bharath Mata ki Jai. However, I must concede that the BJP has not been successful enough in upholding the national vision of the RSS in the field of politics - they often find it difficult to transcend electoral compulsions. Nevertheless, due to the unfading light of nationalism emanating from the RSS, we shall pass through the present darkness and live to see resurgent India as the pride of humanity.

The new 7 wonders of the world

[This is in response to a blogger who wondered who authorised the organisers of the 'new 7 wonders of the world'.]

The organizers have authorized and empowered themselves. In a democracy we are allowed that and we cannot grudge them on being original about the idea. However, what is not democratic is that it is not a one-person-one-vote affair. Apart from being able to vote again and again using different e-mail ids, you can also pay and buy the right to vote. So the whole exercise is a sham. Nevertheless, as the 7 ‘winners’ would have a lot to gain by way of tourist publicity, we might want to vote because we do not want to miss the propaganda benefits that the monuments we like would gain. It is a shame that the channels in India, while naturally calling for a vote for Taj Mahal, is not mentioning the Angkor Wat, a great edifice in honour of the Indian culture.

Imageless

[When I was asked to described myself in a form.]

Descriptions, particularly of one's own self, create images. We are beyond images. So why descriptions?

Dr. Pranoy Roy for President

[This is in response to a blog that suggested Dr. Pranoy Roy for President. I couldn't paste my response. Thus I post it here.]

Pranoy Roy is an exceptionally talented person and he must be a rare manager to have nurtured so many more talents of superlative quality. However, he does come through as a wee-bit more business minded that I would be comfortable with. Observe his glee whenever he announces a commercial break - it is a dead giveaway.

Either an Indian or an American - no divided loyalties

When people like Sanjay Puri, Chairman of the US-India Political Action Committee, say they are PROUD to be Americans, they sound rather traitorous. When called upon to be just law-abiding citizens of America, they want to prove themselves more loyal than the king. It would do them more credit if they consider themselves simply as Indian Residents of America, with all their pride being reserved for India.

Should we provide in advance for food and medicine?

Nisargadatta Maharaj, when asked if we should not provide in advance for food and medicine, said, hunger would bring the food and illness the medicine.

Mukesh Ambani's 27 storey private residence?

A 27 storey private residence? Mukesh Ambani being a practical businessman, the truth might not be quite like that. He might be building this so-called 'private residence' as also a place where his many business associates around the world might stay while in Mumbai on business with him. It will add up to being more economical than putting them up in 5-star hotels. Not just that, some portion of the skyscraper might even be reserved as alternate 5-star (or 7 star) residence for international celebrity tycoons on par with the Ambanis. That would explain the 'staff of 500' he might have in the building. Such tycoons (Bill Gates, for example) might feel more comfortable being Ambani's personal guests (though a paying one) than being put up in a 5 star hotel without a personal tycoon touch.

Anyway, we need not bother what the rich do with their money. So long as their money is put in circulation (not for evil purposes, of course), it would benefit all.