Mental Excursions

  God bless the turkey! You know I am no expert on any subject, and least of all, matters of the US of A, so when questions on the US president's decisions pop up in my mind, I do not have the answers. Maybe one of you can help me. One such thing which stoked my curiosity this week, I am sharing with you. US President Donald J Trump came out of his silent existence of the past some days to perform a non-political, non-official duty. I do have a couple of issues which I could have clarified with Mr. Trump i.e., if he was approachable and had the patience to lend an ear, but that is not my immediate concern right now. In fact, this Thanksgiving I am thankful that he was in that position so that for four years every morning when I woke up, I heard and watched how the most powerful person in the world had chosen to show his might (the whole of USA is half a day behind us in time), and wondered - What/Is that possible/How can he do that? This convinced me that there has to be some pow...

  Let us only watch TV today! Now why in my right mind am I suggesting that? You have to trust me. Today is World Television Day . That means, you can officially sink into your lazy chair, prop up your feet, put the snack bowl in your lap and play with the remote, your eyes glued to the screen in front. No, I did not make it up. The UN General Assembly on the 17 th of December 1996, ‘proclaimed’ that November 21 would be observed as World Television Day ‘ to commemorate the date on which the first World Television Forum was held earlier that year.’ Recognising the role television has played in putting forth various issues before people, the world organization also suggested what to do today: encourage exchanges about television programmes focussing on global issues such as peace and security, economic development and facilitation of cultural changes. The idea is to celebrate the philosophy and not the anatomy or physiology of the appliance. It is all thanks to Philo Taylor...

  Diwali reflections! Diwali or Deepawali , the night of lamps, is finally here today. As is the ritual, people have cleaned and decorated their houses, bought mithai (sweets) and gifts, placed the small idols of Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) and Ganesh (god who removes obstacles) and will light lamps tonight so that these gods can see their way around the house and decide where to park themselves for the year. Ignoring all these activities, I sit on my keyboard here wondering what I could wish for myself and for the others this day today. I do not get greetings cards on Diwali now. The few cards I used to get cost money, time and effort to the senders. They have been replaced by dozens of free of cost, effortless and time-saver Whatsapp messages from people well-known or little known to me. Since it is easy to straightaway forward them, I have already been lucky to receive a couple of messages with the senders’ names at the bottom, whom I do not know but those who forwarded the...

  Festival of doubts for you too? Are you ready for the festival of lamps, Deepawali (or simply Diwali), exactly a week from today? For those who have forgotten the reasons behind celebrating the festival: Remember, two weeks ago we had celebrated Dussehra when Lord Rama is said to have defeated and killed demon king Ravana for kidnapping his wife Sita , keeping her as a hostage and pressurizing her to marry him. The Ramayana says on Diwali the Lord returned home to Ayodhya with Sita and younger brother Lakshmana after 14 years of exile in forest. Lord Ganesh (the remover of obstacles) and Lakshmi (goddess of prosperity and wealth) are also worshipped on Diwali. In old times, the traders and businessmen would start their financial year this day. Roughly comparing, in importance, Diwali is to Hindus what Christmas is to Christians. Lights, merriment, great food, card parties, celebrations with family and friends, exchange of gifts and of course a little puja to pleas...