Its not quite often that the chief adjudicator comes down to give a record. But, on 17th Dec 2007 he came to India to give away not one but two records to the Akshardham Temple Complex in Delhi and to His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
To read the whole story.....
http://www.akshardham.com/news/2007/guinnessworldrecord/%20index.htm
And the official website of Guinness...
http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/adjudications/071220_largest_hindu_temple.aspx
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
The Spirit of Christmas
Today world over, many billions of people are getting ready to celebrate. As, it is preached this festival unites all people no matter to which country they belong (almost). The whole planet is gripped in “Spirit of Christmas”. This is the festivity that spreads ‘love’, ‘faith’, and GOD to all households (almost). It is the day when gifts are shared, love is shared. But, there is much that is shared besides these to Christmas and Christians in particular.
Out of many as this moment gives me the opportunity I would like to just talk about Christmas. It unites, unites countries, races, and also religions. Yes, religions. As any curious person would soon find out what Christianity is!
There is a human tendency ' I may be bad, but I will prove that you are worse '. And also another political tendency ' either you are on my side or my enemy '.
These two have been aptly used to contain power and wealth. There is nothing wrong in desiring wealth and power. But, the path that we choose should be of pure intentions. There is a word called “War” is both good and bad. If debated then there will be two answers. Good, if used to protect and bring stability for ones' own country. Bad, if it is to bring instability and capture other’s country.
In this world I would doubt any of the great wars’ were ‘Good’. In desire to occupy the whole world Alexander (the great!?) set out. But, he could not after reaching India. Every one knows that the wars’ he fought were ‘Bad’. He wanted self proclamation as the 'Ruler of World'. Had he been at least intelligent as skilled warrior he was he would have fought the war as (psuedo) ‘Good’. He used his name and confessed of his desire to capture the far off lands. Had he used a Divine Scheme to rule this world in Lords’ name may be he would have succeeded.
Firstly the Romans’, later the British used this and were successful. They unified different lands of different faiths and religions. At start, they did not do it by just saying that here is the religion that is "true" and others are "pagan". They took few things from every ‘pagan’ religion and packaged into a universally acceptable ‘product’.
There are many things to talk about this product but today only the “Christ’s Mass”.
Like any “product” this also needs to be marketed, distributed and sold. For all these you need a ‘sugar coated’ Ad. An Ad that is capable to portray the whole products versatility. But at least the Ad should be of something original rather than copy of other products Ad.
Here, the so called “pagan” celebrations are taken in and absorbed to give out a “true religion” celebration. As any other product ad says’ “Ours’ is the only product that satisfies your need’s”, but in reality this is also the same as others except for the marketing.
I searched for the celebrations’ origin and to my surprise (actually not) found out that it was like all other “features”, lifted/copied from various sources from time to time(can’t do at once!!).
Following are few local authentic festivals’ that were “absorbed” by this “True” religion.
Saturnalia, popular in Roman times, these days were meant for relaxation, feasting and gambling.
Natalis Solis Invicti was celebrated on December 25th as “the birthday of the unconquered sun”. The solar deities were worshipped on that day including “Mithras”, god of Persian origin and to whose story many historians believe was absorbed later to be called the story of Jesus’ birth.
Yule a Scandinavian festivity honoring Thor, the thunder god. Scandinavians still call Christmas JUL
Coming to the best part of Christmas is Santa Claus. It is also a character ‘fictiously’ developed to ‘cater’ to the people’s imagination of a person gifting presents. Another thing that the festivity highlights is the ‘Christmas Tree’. The oak was sacred to Greek God Zeus, as well as Druids. In ancient Rome evergreen trees were thought to have special powers. This tradition came into being just 200 years ago in England.
On the whole what ever be the sources all these are unified and is universally accepted by the people who lay slaves to the conquest of the King called “Jesus”.
Related Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas
Out of many as this moment gives me the opportunity I would like to just talk about Christmas. It unites, unites countries, races, and also religions. Yes, religions. As any curious person would soon find out what Christianity is!
There is a human tendency ' I may be bad, but I will prove that you are worse '. And also another political tendency ' either you are on my side or my enemy '.
These two have been aptly used to contain power and wealth. There is nothing wrong in desiring wealth and power. But, the path that we choose should be of pure intentions. There is a word called “War” is both good and bad. If debated then there will be two answers. Good, if used to protect and bring stability for ones' own country. Bad, if it is to bring instability and capture other’s country.
In this world I would doubt any of the great wars’ were ‘Good’. In desire to occupy the whole world Alexander (the great!?) set out. But, he could not after reaching India. Every one knows that the wars’ he fought were ‘Bad’. He wanted self proclamation as the 'Ruler of World'. Had he been at least intelligent as skilled warrior he was he would have fought the war as (psuedo) ‘Good’. He used his name and confessed of his desire to capture the far off lands. Had he used a Divine Scheme to rule this world in Lords’ name may be he would have succeeded.
Firstly the Romans’, later the British used this and were successful. They unified different lands of different faiths and religions. At start, they did not do it by just saying that here is the religion that is "true" and others are "pagan". They took few things from every ‘pagan’ religion and packaged into a universally acceptable ‘product’.
There are many things to talk about this product but today only the “Christ’s Mass”.
Like any “product” this also needs to be marketed, distributed and sold. For all these you need a ‘sugar coated’ Ad. An Ad that is capable to portray the whole products versatility. But at least the Ad should be of something original rather than copy of other products Ad.
Here, the so called “pagan” celebrations are taken in and absorbed to give out a “true religion” celebration. As any other product ad says’ “Ours’ is the only product that satisfies your need’s”, but in reality this is also the same as others except for the marketing.
I searched for the celebrations’ origin and to my surprise (actually not) found out that it was like all other “features”, lifted/copied from various sources from time to time(can’t do at once!!).
Following are few local authentic festivals’ that were “absorbed” by this “True” religion.
Saturnalia, popular in Roman times, these days were meant for relaxation, feasting and gambling.
Natalis Solis Invicti was celebrated on December 25th as “the birthday of the unconquered sun”. The solar deities were worshipped on that day including “Mithras”, god of Persian origin and to whose story many historians believe was absorbed later to be called the story of Jesus’ birth.
Yule a Scandinavian festivity honoring Thor, the thunder god. Scandinavians still call Christmas JUL
Coming to the best part of Christmas is Santa Claus. It is also a character ‘fictiously’ developed to ‘cater’ to the people’s imagination of a person gifting presents. Another thing that the festivity highlights is the ‘Christmas Tree’. The oak was sacred to Greek God Zeus, as well as Druids. In ancient Rome evergreen trees were thought to have special powers. This tradition came into being just 200 years ago in England.
On the whole what ever be the sources all these are unified and is universally accepted by the people who lay slaves to the conquest of the King called “Jesus”.
Related Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas
Monday, December 10, 2007
Are We Coconut's !?!?
I wanted to take up a topic that many people would rather not think much. By “People” I mean persons related to common stream of life. A Nation is made up of “People”.
“Nationalism” is a term that every citizen has to know by meaning but not just for “fashion”. Today corporate are selling this, they hold events on August 15Th, January 26Th.
Definitely they have film stars and models dancing for few filmy desh-bhakti songs that too half naked.
Today, here I am not pointing out mistakes of few “money making” people. Rather here I wanted to point out what the other 98% “People” are doing. A blog or a passage would not be sufficient to line up every mistake, so the recent thing that I have read and I have noticed are today’s topics.
The latest "craze" in India is English, anybody would agree with me on this. Today there are more institutes teaching English than anything else in India. Ok, so what’s the big deal if they are teaching the “universally” accepted language? It helps the domestic BPO’s, IT industry and also the abroad going students.
But, just by learning English would India grow up to be a “Super Power”?
In any science a theory should be proven until then it is not accepted. Here the politicians, the educationists and the common people have this theory of Learn English become an English man to succeed. The main reason for this is India was ruled by a country which had an n Empire that never had a sunset. So, for us they are our leaders, icons, role models. We have the constitution, rules, penal codes and most important Education that they have taught us.
Today, the world scenario has changed. The most advanced countries in the world of Science and Technology, Strategy and War fare are the countries which have the minimal education in English. If we observe the French, the Israelis', the Russians', the Chinese, the Japanese, the Koreans’ and Dubai have very less command over English.
These all countries were occupied or had influence of the British. I need not be a political analyst or a language analyst to just observe these things. All I need is a little bit of interest. I have never heard a scientist, a politician or a football fan or a traveler to India speaking fluent and understandable English from these and many more developed countries.
Contrary to this come to India, even a rickshaw puller can understand English today. He almost un-consciously speaks English in his sentences. Coming to the educated clan what should I say almost all, including me cannot speak a whole sentence without using a single English word. I did try to follow a rule that either I speak the whole sentence in my mother tongue or in English. But, these experiments last only for few hours. After that again the same pattern continues. The “pattern” that many urban Indians would agree with me, half English, and half mother tongue.
You can observe any T.V. programme, any speech, any lecture, any gathering of your cousins, every where you will find this “Pattern”. We “Indians*” are always half baked. One of my acquaintances who worked in U.K was ridiculed by a co-worker who happens to be an English that they nick name Indian’s as “Coconuts”. The reason, “we are ‘brown’ by appearance but ‘white’ inside”.
I have not deviated from the earlier point. “Nationalism” need not always be expressed by going to 10k runs, to charity shows with naked girls, wearing flags on shirts on Independence Day. Nor is it necessary to do harder things which we always could do after watching a desh-bhakti movie. We cannot go out bashing the corrupt like our hero does.
All we have to do is try hold on to our centuries old culture which gave this world wisdom, science and philosophy.
Note:* Proud to be born in Bharath, but alot to be done to make India - Bharath.
“Nationalism” is a term that every citizen has to know by meaning but not just for “fashion”. Today corporate are selling this, they hold events on August 15Th, January 26Th.
Definitely they have film stars and models dancing for few filmy desh-bhakti songs that too half naked.
Today, here I am not pointing out mistakes of few “money making” people. Rather here I wanted to point out what the other 98% “People” are doing. A blog or a passage would not be sufficient to line up every mistake, so the recent thing that I have read and I have noticed are today’s topics.
The latest "craze" in India is English, anybody would agree with me on this. Today there are more institutes teaching English than anything else in India. Ok, so what’s the big deal if they are teaching the “universally” accepted language? It helps the domestic BPO’s, IT industry and also the abroad going students.
But, just by learning English would India grow up to be a “Super Power”?
In any science a theory should be proven until then it is not accepted. Here the politicians, the educationists and the common people have this theory of Learn English become an English man to succeed. The main reason for this is India was ruled by a country which had an n Empire that never had a sunset. So, for us they are our leaders, icons, role models. We have the constitution, rules, penal codes and most important Education that they have taught us.
Today, the world scenario has changed. The most advanced countries in the world of Science and Technology, Strategy and War fare are the countries which have the minimal education in English. If we observe the French, the Israelis', the Russians', the Chinese, the Japanese, the Koreans’ and Dubai have very less command over English.
These all countries were occupied or had influence of the British. I need not be a political analyst or a language analyst to just observe these things. All I need is a little bit of interest. I have never heard a scientist, a politician or a football fan or a traveler to India speaking fluent and understandable English from these and many more developed countries.
Contrary to this come to India, even a rickshaw puller can understand English today. He almost un-consciously speaks English in his sentences. Coming to the educated clan what should I say almost all, including me cannot speak a whole sentence without using a single English word. I did try to follow a rule that either I speak the whole sentence in my mother tongue or in English. But, these experiments last only for few hours. After that again the same pattern continues. The “pattern” that many urban Indians would agree with me, half English, and half mother tongue.
You can observe any T.V. programme, any speech, any lecture, any gathering of your cousins, every where you will find this “Pattern”. We “Indians*” are always half baked. One of my acquaintances who worked in U.K was ridiculed by a co-worker who happens to be an English that they nick name Indian’s as “Coconuts”. The reason, “we are ‘brown’ by appearance but ‘white’ inside”.
I have not deviated from the earlier point. “Nationalism” need not always be expressed by going to 10k runs, to charity shows with naked girls, wearing flags on shirts on Independence Day. Nor is it necessary to do harder things which we always could do after watching a desh-bhakti movie. We cannot go out bashing the corrupt like our hero does.
All we have to do is try hold on to our centuries old culture which gave this world wisdom, science and philosophy.
Note:* Proud to be born in Bharath, but alot to be done to make India - Bharath.
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