Spirit of Christmas

SHARED THOUGHTS – 25.12.2015

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"Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year" – Victor Borge

A year is drawing to a close. This is the month of Cakes & Candles, Snow & Songs, Carols & Joy, Laughter & Love, It's December. Merry Christmas! This greeting ring in our ears with the sound of jingle bells, conjuring an image of the coming of Santa. It’s amazing how kids take up the fable of Santa and savour the magic of Christmas night and the surprise gift under the Christmas tree.

I remember our son Lalit always wanted a shoe with a zipper, when he was about 3. “Santa” gave him a pair on a Christmas night and the magic of Santa was alive in him for years… he truly believed Santa had come and placed the gift. It is this magic of innocence coming alive which augments the aura of Christmas. This aura lives on through generations .. and now we see our little grand-daughters possessed with the spirit of Christmas. The tree lit up with all sorts of embellishments light up the mood.

Christmas, as with other religious celebrations – Eid, Diwali, Holi - breaks the barriers of religion and is a day of universal joy, only because the message is of love, joy, peace and universal brotherhood… while, it is also a time for reflection.  

"Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection." – Winston Churchill

This being so, today’s news item that Somalia & Sultanate of Brunei have banned Christmas altogether, with dire consequences for any celebrations, comes as an unwelcome development, especially when the entire world is on a war footing to mellow down the hard-line image of any particular belief stream in the larger interest of world peace. This is a huge regressive step especially when the Sultanate was all along showing a moderate image…. until now.

“But animosity towards Christmas festival is no new phenomenon. It was banned by the pilgrims when they first arrived in the New World and by the puritans under Oliver Cromwell in the UK. A number of socialist countries banned Christmas, some still do. And while there are still ten countries where Christmas are forbidden from celebrating the day, recent years have seen countries where restrictions have been lifted, including China, Cuba and Albania, while in Iraq and Pakistan the festival is being marked in both public and private despite violent radical insurgencies and other challenges.“

Let us hope the spirit of not only Christmas but all other religious festivals bring in a sense of equanimity to humanity.

"Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts." – Janice Maeditere

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A message every adult should read because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say).

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I  WASN'T LOOKING

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my 
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately 
wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed the
birds in winter, and I learned that it was good to be kind 
to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my
favourite cake for me, and I learned that the little 
things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a 
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I 
learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care 
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have 
to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you 
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't 
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be 
responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hold 
the door open for others and heard 'thank you' and
'you're welcome', and I learned respect for others.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come 
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things 
hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you 
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be..

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of 
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and 
productive person when I grow up.
-
When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and 
wanted to say, Thanks for all the things I saw when 
you thought I wasn't looking.'

 LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT ..

 Live simply. 
Love generously. 
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

(thank you Krishnakumar)

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Have a safe & peaceful week ahead.

MOHANDAS KIZHAKKE.

http://mohandas-sharedthoughts.blogspot.com/

Humanity & being Human

SHARED THOUGHTS – 18.12.2015

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Humanity & being Human. 

In recent weeks, we witnessed some catastrophes of mayhem, destruction and havoc – some man-made, while others being natural acts of God. The incidents will have long time impact not only in our lives, but also in the lives of future generations.

A group of young men and women, plan and execute an attack by random shooting .. with assault rifles, mowing down innocent people who just happened to be at the wrong spot at the wrong time, in the line of fire... There is no rhyme or reason to choose the targeted victims or for the attack itself; the only objective being to spread terror in the name of a religion, as if this act of wanton violence is sanctioned by the religious edicts ! In one moment, hundreds of families are dealt a blow from which to recover will be nearly impossible.

The objective is fulfilled. The perpetrators will now choose a new site for their next act and there will be new unwary victims waiting to be killed. The story goes on.

The next site has been chosen. The lead performers have finalised the script. This time it is a wedded couple with a child, whose ambition is not to bring up the child to be a worthy citizen of the land, but to render the child an orphan, in the greater cause of a faith. To this cause, they carry with them to death, several innocent young men and women whose only fault was to have trusted the killer to be a part of their Team.

Ironically, around this time, the world marked the first anniversary of a massacre of scores of school children elsewhere, in the name of the same faith. The murderers then, fired aimlessly into the class rooms, instantly snuffing out the dreams and ambitions of children who are no party to the proxies at play.

Not a day passes, without news of death & destruction claiming innocent lives at some place or other. Most of them being in the name of a faith.

Paradoxically, the victims of all this fanatic blood bath is the ‘faith’ itself in whose name this is done. It is therefore a challenge to those in the faith, to rise up and re-group to defeat the enemy within and restore the image and fairness of the faith, before being engulfed to a point of no return.

The ambitious hopefuls to lead the free world, have already pledged to isolate those within the ‘faith’ much to the discomfort of the rest of the world. Similar sentiment of coldness shared by a good segment, is not to going to help the cause and bring warmth among the fellow citizens of nations that must play a lead part to set right the aberrations within the ‘faith’.

The future world is now being united into one large homogeneous continent sans boundaries. The so called boundaries that existed to demarcate nations are irrelevant in the cyber world. Therefore, it is imperative that all man-made faiths strive to find humanity within and help the cause of peaceful life by being simply good humans.

Towards this aim, a serious introspection may be needed to mellow the rigid rules that govern the faith, to make it more moderate and accommodating. A good beginning has been made in this part of the world, with thinkers and writers joining officials to voice concern where there must be more visible yielding in the larger interest.  To insist that others have not understood the peaceful nature of the faith is one side of the coin; the other side being to understand why there is this perceived phobia against the faith. A midway that will pave the path for peaceful co-existence is now the only choice ; ignore this at your own peril, seems writ large on the wall. .

For the sake of humanity, we have to be good humans. “Imagine what seven billion humans could accomplish if we all loved and respected each other.” A.D.Williams.

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It takes a natural calamity to bring together humans to realise the presence of Humanity. Nature is a great leveller. Just as water finds its own level, no obstruction seemed strong enough for the surge of water to find its own level in a sprawling metro in recent days. The flood water taught many a great lesson to the teeming millions, who were caught unawares.

The bodies harbouring blown up self esteem, bloated ego and hoarded riches had no hesitation to bring their palms together to beg for mercy before the mighty nature. Rich and famous raised their hands for drinking water, as they would on other days, to acknowledge their fans. Fancy cars at the porch and hefty bank balance proved all too very irrelevant, before the priority to survive the deluge. Branded as poor but noble men and women with nothing to lose, rose as heroes and heroines not for fame but to define a culture. They proved by their simples acts of selfless service that, not all that’s needed to survive can be bought with money. Such acts opened the hearts of many, who threw open their gates to allow into their house, anyone who would want to, for any needs. Word spread and very soon, the city was one big cauldron where compassion and consideration overflowed, outwitting the flood waters.  

“Before becoming a Muslim, a Sikh, a Hindu or a Christian, lets become a Human first.” Guru Nanak. The individual’s faith and beliefs were set aside in the common cause for survival. It was not the story of survival of the fittest, but the fittest rising above the flood waters to bring to life the weakest. Stories abound of selfless acts of sacrifice and bravery, which give hope that the future of humanity within this culture, is bound to thrive, no matter how much faiths and beliefs try to divide.

We realise the futility of such man-made barriers, which nature chose to discard most callously. With the receding of water and normalcy being restored, it is hoped that the normalcy would not be restoring the man-made barriers. People of all faiths have amply demonstrated that a calamity can bring together all humans to share the spirit of good humanity. This spirit should survive just as the people of all faith survived to live another day casting aside social status, caste, wealth, gender and religion. .

In the end, only kindness matters.  Chennai, hats off to you.

“Now that we have learned to fly in the air like birds and dive in the sea like fish, only one thing remains – to learn o live on earth like humans.” George Bernard Shaw.

We cannot control natural disasters. We cannot control or put a stop to all of the hate and violence in the world. We, each of us, can only try to make a positive difference no matter how small, by keeping our capacity to love, strong and alive. Love empowers us to be a better person, kinder, more caring and … it is contagious.

These are the lessons that must find place in our outdated school curriculum, to open the minds of youngsters before they get enveloped by pride & prejudices as they become drivers of society.

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Have a safe & peaceful week ahead.

MOHANDAS KIZHAKKE.

http://mohandas-sharedthoughts.blogspot.com/

Welcome to Modern China

 

SHARED THOUGHTS – 06.12.2015

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A child is born. A second to the couple, inviting a huge fine beyond their means for breaking a tough law. That newborn must be sold to a couple who can afford to pay the fine. There were no takers. The child had to be abandoned. The parents carried the guilt and remorse over their future days and years. The destiny of this innocent new born was decided even without giving the baby a chance. Such was the untold miseries of couples living under the One Couple One Child policy of P.R.of China.

 

Welcome to the new modern China.  

 

“When I was growing up, my parents told me, “Finish your dinner. People in China and India are starving.”

Now, I tell my daughters, “Finish your home work. People in China and India are starving… for your job.”

Thomas Friedman.

 

We landed on the day the Chinese Govt declared the OCOC policy as no longer valid and relaxed to allow couples a second child. We heard stories of couples where they lost the only child due to various reasons at past the age to have another child…and had to live a life of loneliness and endless sorrow.

Generations for decades grew up as the only child to their parents, until recently, when this rule was relaxed to allow for a second child if one of the parents is an only child. Then it was relaxed further, that if the first child is a female, a couple can apply for permission to have a second child. It stops there, irrespective whether the second child is a female or a male.

 

Generations of children grew up into their adulthood to witness in gradual measure the fantastic transformation of a tightly controlled communist regime to an open liberated capitalistic oriented market economy yet under the watchful eyes of the regime; old wine in new bottle perhaps, but what a new bottle?!!!  

 

I recall an incident at a small place called Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, such a quaintly picturesque village which is a real charmer, during autumn of 2009. The main shopping street hasn’t changed since early 1800’s and this is the USP of this village that it can transport you back 200 years. Almost every shop had several items for a tourist.. albeit with the label “Made in China” writ large on each of them. I enquired if there was one item that I could buy Made in Canada or USA. I was directed to ONE shop that had a big hoarding “All items made in USA/Canada” .. !!! A shop in Canada, mind you. Now to the economics ; one cap which took my fancy was selling for $15.00 on the main street. I wanted a USA / Canada cap. A near equivalent in leather was $100.00 at this shop…. But the label was Made in Canada. ( b.t.w, I treasure that cap as a souvenir, but not to use and throw. Maybe my grandchild can auction a Made in Canada item for a cool $100k few years hence).

 

The success behind the Made in China label needs no further illustration. Conversely, no need to look further at the demise of manufacturing in the West. The opening up of China to “Socialist market economy” from early 1980s opened a new world of opportunities to the world market. What happened later on is a story that need not be retold. The world is experiencing it on a daily measure. There is no household in the world, including the White House, or 10 Downing Street or 7 Race Course Road, that do not have at least 10 items within its walls, with a Made in China label somewhere. China has conquered our daily lives. The world has accepted and adjusted to live by  Made in China… in many ways the world is being made in China.

 

From the mid 1980s to now, a mere 35 years journey, China has grown from a juvenile underdeveloped country in the world stage to a stature of a mature nation leading the world in economy, manufacturing, education, space program, defense et al. The latest recognition being Yuan (aka RenMinBi or RMB) being accepted by IMF as the fifth currency for world trading.

 

Within the top 100 top ranked world universities* are Peking Univ (37 rank), Zhejiang Univ (48), Tsinghua (67), Shanghai Jiao Tong Univ (70) as compared to the IIT Bombay at 563 to start the Indian count with. Trading of Commodities such as corn, wheat, copper, steel etc bring a total of trading volume of $300 trillion.

 

We visited 3 cities extensively covering through all modes of transport available in Beijing, Qingdao, Shanghai. While walking through the streets of these cities, what struck me as an Indian and an expat in Kuwait, are the openness of the society for a law abiding person with nothing to hide or fear…. No gagging or excess of police presence .. police to protect not to fear as in Kuwait.. there was no need to carry any id or passport anywhere unless changing money in bank or traveling; unlike in Kuwait where if one does not have civil id in hand at the time of checking, one is arrested and deported. Freedom in China is aplenty within a well understood & accepted boundary… for a normal person he / she is never ever even anywhere near that boundary. The lack of this well defined boundary has been the curse for all problems in democratic developing countries like the India.

 

Even though the male to female ratio in China is 1.17 for 15 plus age group, a visitor would be struck with the sight of females swarming everywhere and would wonder where all the males are hiding. In offices, shops, streets, malls there is a bevy of females in comparison to males. The sad proof of OCOC policy is evident everywhere. It is very rare to see more than one child to a couple. We could easily see there were very few kids within sight anywhere. No wonder the unpopular policy is reversed before being too late. There is a perceptible shortage of toddlers to our eyes that are used to see them in excess.

 

Perhaps this may explain in a small way how the streets and even crowded squares are spotless and clean. The efficiency and upkeep of the town must be a matter of pride for the people. The Railway stations resemble any modern airport in the system of check in security and passage through designated gates. The high speed trains are a delight to travel in; cozy comfortable and smooth at 300 kmph. Typical of scenes anywhere, mobile phones have replaced all other reading matter. Everyone is busy looking at the screen, chatting and communicating via QQ or Wechat apps instead of what we are familiar with – whatsapp & Facebook - both are banned.

Baidu.com is the search engine in place of google which is banned as also the gmails.

 

For us Indians with the experience of living in Indian Metros, we can only admire several features in the city planning, open parks in plenty, long pedestrian-only stretches on popular shopping districts, perfectly laid foot paths, well manicured greenery along roads, sufficiency of toilets in public places, efficient public transport system – subway metros, buses & trams – all of which can very easily match the quality in any western city. Cannot help, as this admiration slowly leads to a feeling of despondency   when we remember our cities and politics.

 

The streets of modern China is choker blocked with cars of all hues and sizes and brands. The luxury segment of cars do roaring business… a far cry of a photo of a typical Beijing street filled with bicycles with hardly any cars that we can remember from even up to late 1980s. The dress code for men and women were decided by the state strictly following the Mao suits tailored in bulk for all sizes. The choice was limited to 3 colors – maroon, blue or black. Just as the civil id we need to carry all the time in Kuwait, one needed to carry the Red Book that detailed Mao’s philosophy that guided the revolution to end the imperial Qing dynasty also known as Empire of the Great Qing or the Manchu Dynasty that ruled from 1644 until 1912. Today that Red Book is history and we never saw anyone make a mention of it or least of all carrying it. It now belongs to where it deserved – the dust bin in the scheme of things in modern China.

 

Modern China is still grappling with challenges like urban pollution, inadequate health care, corruption in the corridors of power etc, but then one must realize the country has emerged from the iron curtain only recently and being a (limited?) welfare state is still a long way off, if that be the aim at all.  

 

For a casual visitor, China leaves a lasting impression on all that can be achieved with a strong political will and how to implement development programs to benefit teeming millions in the long run. Yes, there have been violations of human rights in the process some of them magnified to suit a negative propaganda to decry the pace of development. It’s said no Administrator can be popular to all segments. So be it with the China regimes who shaped the country to deservingly occupy a seat of honor in the comity of nations by its strong will, dedication and clear focus even at the expense of discarding the principles of its founding fathers. To this vision and commitment my hats off to Deng Xiaoping, the Architect of Modern China and the worthy leaders who followed him.

 

“When our thousands of Chinese students abroad return home, you will see how China will transform itself.” Deng Xiaoping.

 

*Source.

http://www.webometrics.info/en/Asia/China%20

http://www.webometrics.info/en/Asia/India%20

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Have a safe & peaceful week ahead.

 

MOHANDAS KIZHAKKE.

http://mohandas-sharedthoughts.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

Golden Rules for Golden Age

 

SHARED THOUGHTS – 22.11.2015

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12 Rules For Seniors & to those not yet there…  !!

 

Nobody is young forever. From a “happy birthday” and “colour dress” days, a birthday in later years becomes just a number; a matter over mind. If you don’t mind, then it doesn’t matter. The young of today are the seniors to tomorrow, just as the Seniors of today had their youth and future on their side a while ago. Time seems to be on the fast track as years roll by and before one realises, the future has shrunk and the past has expanded to engulf one’s present.. thus a Senior involuntarily tends to live at times in the past, for which there must never be a feeling of guilt.. rather enjoy the reverse journey if you must. The more pleasant the past, the better…. as it is then a pleasure to ruminate over the happy moments and smile to ourselves. Even the odd sad moments must be overlapped by the many ecstatic moments that must be there. The only way one can have a pleasant past is to be pleasant now, every day.

 

So read on,  some golden rules for the golden age, which must be also known to those who are a bit distant from that landmark stage, so that when Seniors live by these rules, there is a perfect appreciation. .

 

“Some of us have reached our golden years, and some of us have not. But these suggestions should be read by everyone. They have been collected from many a senior, each with his or her own piece of advice. Some you know, some may surprise you, and some will remind you of what's important. So read well, share with your loved ones, and have a great day and a great life!

1. It's time to use the money you saved up. Use it and enjoy it. Don't just keep it for those who may have no notion of the sacrifices you made to get it. Remember there is nothing more dangerous than a son or daughter-in-law with big ideas for your hard earned capital. Warning: This is also a bad time for an investment, even if it seems wonderful or fool-proof. They only bring problems and worries and this is a time for you to enjoy some peace and quiet.

2. Stop worrying about the financial situation of your children and grandchildren, and don't feel bad spending your money on yourself. You've taken care of them for many years, and you've taught them what you could. You gave them an education, food, shelter and support. The responsibility is now theirs to earn their own money.

3. Keep a healthy life, without great physical effort. Do moderate exercise (like walking every day), eat well and get your sleep. It's easy to become sick, and it gets harder to remain healthy. That is why you need to keep yourself in good shape and be aware of your medical and physical needs. Keep in touch with your doctor, get tested even when you're feeling well. Stay informed.

4. Always buy the best, most beautiful items for your significant other. The key goal is to enjoy your money with your partner. One day one of you will miss the other, and the money will not provide any comfort then, enjoy it together.

5. Don't stress over the little things. You've already overcome so much in your life. You have good memories and bad ones, but the important thing is the present. Don't let the past drag you down and don't let the future frighten you. Feel good in the now. Small issues will soon be forgotten.

6. Regardless of age, always keep love alive. Love your partner, love life, love your family, love your neighbor and remember: "A man is not old as long as he has intelligence and affection."

7. Be proud, both inside and out. Don't stop going to your hair salon or barber, do your nails, go to the dermatologist and the dentist, keep your perfumes and creams well stocked. When you are well-maintained on the outside, it seeps in, making you feel proud and strong.

8. Don't lose sight of fashion trends for your age, but keep your own sense of style. There's nothing worse than an older person trying to wear the current fashion among youngsters. You've developed your own sense of what looks good on you - keep it and be proud of it. It's part of who you are.

9. ALWAYS stay up-to-date. Read newspapers, watch the news. Go online and read what people are saying. Make sure you have an active email account and try to use some of those social networks. You'll be surprised which old friends you'll meet. Keeping in touch with what is going on and with the people you know is important at any age.

10. Respect the younger generation and their opinions. They may not have the same ideals as you, but they are the future, and will take the world in their direction. Give advice, not criticism, and try to remind them of yesterday's wisdom that still applies today.

11. Never use the phrase: "In my time". Your time is now. As long as you're alive, you are part of this time. You may have been younger, but you are still you now, having fun and enjoying life.

12. Some people embrace their golden years, while others become bitter and surly. Life is too short to waste your days on the latter. Spend your time with positive, cheerful people, it'll rub off on you and your days will seem that much better. Spending your time with bitter people will make you old.................. 

 

Good Luck to all.”

 

I would like to add a No.13 to the above valid list of 12 Rules. 

 

13. - Be busy doing whatever you like doing not just to keep yourself active, but serious work, remunerative if possible or serious honorary work, as long as you possibly can. Having colleagues, being in the decision making circle, or being a decision maker...Never ‘Retire’ to have a blank day before you when you wake up... that will be the most depressing day. Have a list of To Do.. which should find new things to do each day. 

 

There is a village Attingal near Trivandrum Kerala where there was a small temple in a dilapidated state. The local residents with the help of many NRIs formed a committee to renovate the temple. The end result today is that many leading doctors and professionals from the West & Gulf have found it attractive to return to this village to fully immerse themselves in full time temple activity. Their generous contributions have made this small temple a glorious place of worship, I am told. 

 

My brother, a retired senior banker, found empty days to wake up to, on retirement. He decided to join the local temple committee and the result is astounding. Today th is small temple in a sleepy village is making news in the entire region doing yeomen service to the community and thereby the temple has grown in stature and glory. His untiring efforts have proved to be contagious; attracting volunteers of all ages to do multi-various social work benefiting orphans, destitutes, inculcating the nuances of rich Indian culture etc.

 

The bottom line to have a pleasant retired life is to be having good health on your side. This alone will prove to be the biggest wealth more than any other form for which one would have sacrificed the entire youth and precious years in a mad rat race. The goal of retirement must be to never get ‘tired’ ..instead enjoy life and be in a better health than before, even if there is no day off in the retired life and there is no pay. 

 

The work towards this goal must start decades before one retires.. hence the importance of this message to the youngsters of today.

 

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Have a safe & peaceful week ahead.

 

MOHANDAS KIZHAKKE.

http://mohandas-sharedthoughts.blogspot.com/