I was reading this enjoyable article from Ricky Gervais, and was thought-provoked.
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/12/19/a-holiday-message-from-ricky-gervais-why-im-an-atheist/#
I wonder if people like Ricky Gervais themselves are thinking correctly or scientifically.
I used to debate with friends and relatives that Science is great and it proves that God doesn't exist.
That God, as portrayed in the holy books doesn't exist and Science (or logic) can prove that. That its impossible that there is one almighty - who oversees the world... who vanquishes all evil in the world... who can make miracles happen... who washes away people's sins at the instance of touching holy water or offering a prayer... etc etc.
Over years, I realized that there's something else, which is far more profound than debating the form or shape of God. It is also related to spirituality and can not be explained by my current understanding of science.
What do you call the fire inside a man, which drives him/her to overcome all hostilities and emerge a winner? What do you call that psychological condition that lets a batsman thwack a ball for a six in one match and lose form in another match? What is it that makes a person's heart swell when he/she sees the beauty of nature? What is it that makes a person make the right choice?
I'm not sure how to term it. People term it consciousness, determination, form, enthusiasm, realization, confidence, control, love, passion, etc etc etc.
I see a lot of spiritual gurus in India explain this consciousness. That understanding does help the average person overcome his/her own limitation. I believe in that. But often, the same gurus rely on a deity to get their message across. I'm not clear why. Chanting a mantra most definitely won't bring your favourite deity in front of you. But I acknowledge that sometimes, it helps slipping in to meditation.
The confusion or the argument continues in my mind. And I don't have the clarity yet.
A doctor can inspect a brain and declare if its working fine. But he/she can't say if its feeling fine.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Friday, October 09, 2009
Nobel for Obama?!
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/09/nobel.peace.prize/index.html
On what basis did Obama deserve a Nobel prize?!
He's barely nine months into the presidency and did he already achieve world peace?
He did speak pro-arabs in Egypt (not saying its wrong) and did ask the world to renounce nuclear weapons.
How will it help in spreading peace? Bill Clinton hosted a few meetings between arabs and israelis. And even came closer to peace. Why didn't he get the Nobel prize?
I've heard several world leaders asking the world to renounce nuclear weapons, including Vajpayee.
Seems crazy. I can't believe that they could compare what Obama has done in the last nine months to what Dalai Lama has done in a life time. Or even to Al Gore's :(
Coming to Obama's argument on nuclear weapons.
Will US zero out its own nuclear arsenal? Totally? Can it convince China to do so? Nuclear arms taken out, China will be left with enough muscle to claim an edge only over India, not even Russia. It will be reduced from a soon-to-be super power to a regional power. Hopefully the self righteous person he is, Obama won't empty out US arsenal before China does!
Leave alone China, can even India accept it? With China claiming chunks of Indian territory as its own and dragging its feet to resolve the issues as per old records, can you trust that it will not occupy those parts when assured that India has no nuclear weapons to defend itself?
Nuclear weapons is indeed a scourge but I don't think we can ever get rid of them. (Unless they come up with more potent WMDs)
Every country would want such weapons to either project power or to defend itself against such aggressive countries.
Anyway I would have appreciated if they had waited until Obama completed his term and awarded the same prize after he actually achieved peace in Middle east by reining in Israel and disarming Iran.. apart from achieving a stable Iraq and Afghanistan.
Further.. awarding peace prize to Obama, when he is engaged in a war with Al Qaida in Af-Pak, is ironic.
On what basis did Obama deserve a Nobel prize?!
He's barely nine months into the presidency and did he already achieve world peace?
He did speak pro-arabs in Egypt (not saying its wrong) and did ask the world to renounce nuclear weapons.
How will it help in spreading peace? Bill Clinton hosted a few meetings between arabs and israelis. And even came closer to peace. Why didn't he get the Nobel prize?
I've heard several world leaders asking the world to renounce nuclear weapons, including Vajpayee.
Seems crazy. I can't believe that they could compare what Obama has done in the last nine months to what Dalai Lama has done in a life time. Or even to Al Gore's :(
Coming to Obama's argument on nuclear weapons.
Will US zero out its own nuclear arsenal? Totally? Can it convince China to do so? Nuclear arms taken out, China will be left with enough muscle to claim an edge only over India, not even Russia. It will be reduced from a soon-to-be super power to a regional power. Hopefully the self righteous person he is, Obama won't empty out US arsenal before China does!
Leave alone China, can even India accept it? With China claiming chunks of Indian territory as its own and dragging its feet to resolve the issues as per old records, can you trust that it will not occupy those parts when assured that India has no nuclear weapons to defend itself?
Nuclear weapons is indeed a scourge but I don't think we can ever get rid of them. (Unless they come up with more potent WMDs)
Every country would want such weapons to either project power or to defend itself against such aggressive countries.
Anyway I would have appreciated if they had waited until Obama completed his term and awarded the same prize after he actually achieved peace in Middle east by reining in Israel and disarming Iran.. apart from achieving a stable Iraq and Afghanistan.
Further.. awarding peace prize to Obama, when he is engaged in a war with Al Qaida in Af-Pak, is ironic.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Chandrayaan - 1 Ends - Congratulations to ISRO
Read BBC's article
summarizing Chandrayaan-1 project and trying to clarify whether its a success or a failure.
Despite the project ending prematurely, it has achieved significant results. Great never-seen-before images of the moon, placing Indian flag over the moon, etc.. and achieving a 100% successful launch to the moon. Imagine how it would have been if our launch itself had failed! ISRO did it perfectly at the first attempt itself and as the article points, it launched it with the "un-Indian trait" of "no cost or time overrun"!!
Its saddening to read in some sites that this project is a waste of money and that the government should stop ISRO from spending on such fantasies and invest it to resolve starvation. How narrow could people think :(
Does anybody spare a thought for our LCA, Dhruv copter, Arjun MBT, Trishul missile project, Gorshkov carrier, etc?
All of these have been dogged by perennial delays and cost overruns.
The government has been spending millions and millions on some of them for decades with nearly no results.
LCA is still under trial. Dhruv has complaints from the armed forces. We've not reached a stage where we can say HAL will take care of at least most of our helicopter needs. The main battle tank Arjun is a fiasco. The army has to get back to Russia for its proven T90 tanks. Trishul was scrapped after it was found outdated. That they found after 2 decades. Gorshkov is still in the pipeline. No one knows how long the russians will take to deliver or the cost of it.
Compared to any government company or department, ISRO is doing a far superior and stupendous job. Its fetching us foreign exchange by launching satellites for other countries. What should stop it from investing its hard earned money for its own future research?
Whatever be it, Congratulations to ISRO's scientists and the visionaries.
All the best for their Mars mission, manned space mission and other future projects.
They surely will keep our flag flying, literally, sky high.
summarizing Chandrayaan-1 project and trying to clarify whether its a success or a failure.
Despite the project ending prematurely, it has achieved significant results. Great never-seen-before images of the moon, placing Indian flag over the moon, etc.. and achieving a 100% successful launch to the moon. Imagine how it would have been if our launch itself had failed! ISRO did it perfectly at the first attempt itself and as the article points, it launched it with the "un-Indian trait" of "no cost or time overrun"!!
Its saddening to read in some sites that this project is a waste of money and that the government should stop ISRO from spending on such fantasies and invest it to resolve starvation. How narrow could people think :(
Does anybody spare a thought for our LCA, Dhruv copter, Arjun MBT, Trishul missile project, Gorshkov carrier, etc?
All of these have been dogged by perennial delays and cost overruns.
The government has been spending millions and millions on some of them for decades with nearly no results.
LCA is still under trial. Dhruv has complaints from the armed forces. We've not reached a stage where we can say HAL will take care of at least most of our helicopter needs. The main battle tank Arjun is a fiasco. The army has to get back to Russia for its proven T90 tanks. Trishul was scrapped after it was found outdated. That they found after 2 decades. Gorshkov is still in the pipeline. No one knows how long the russians will take to deliver or the cost of it.
Compared to any government company or department, ISRO is doing a far superior and stupendous job. Its fetching us foreign exchange by launching satellites for other countries. What should stop it from investing its hard earned money for its own future research?
Whatever be it, Congratulations to ISRO's scientists and the visionaries.
All the best for their Mars mission, manned space mission and other future projects.
They surely will keep our flag flying, literally, sky high.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Coorg-Kabini
Last weekend, Manju and I took time off from our hectic schedule and went to visit Coorg. While returning we stayed for a day in the Kabini Jungle lodge.
In Coorg, we stayed in a homestay by name 'The Nest'. Our room overlooked the scenic paddy fields and coffee plantations. The hosts (Asha and Sagar) are very hospitable and serve great food!
And they have 5 wonderful dogs. Each of a different breed and absolutely friendly. Asha's stories about them are totally entertaining. :)
Sagar helped us plan our sight seeing. He would draw a map of all the places we can visit on that day and tell us how much time we can spend in each place.
Over the next two days in Coorg, we visited the Namdroling Monastery, Talacauvery, Bhagamandala, Abbi falls and Raja seat.
While returning from the monastery, it was late in the night and we had to drive through the forest. It was pitch dark and there were no vehicles on either side. Suddenly ahead we saw and screeched halt to a giant tusker grazing in the middle of the road. It was barely 50 feet ahead of us. We switched off the engine and kept the lights on.. and patiently waited for his majesty to pass across the path. Wild elephants can get crazy and getting so close can be dangerous.
Soon after it crossed, we sped. We saw two more herds after that on our way.. but they weren't in the middle of the road and we didn't stop again. :)
Talacauvery is on a high hill and it was raining as we started driving up. The top half of the hill was covered by the clouds. Visibility was very poor. Barely 10-20 feet.
It being a week day, there wasn't a big crowd at the temple and we could enjoy the calm.
On the third day we left for Kabini. We had booked a tent in the govt run Jungle lodges and resorts. For a govt run place, its very clean, green and its people are friendly and on time.
The resort itself is on the banks of the Kabini. For the safari, they take you in jeeps deep into the Nagarhole jungles. We spotted a leopard from far, a pack of wild dogs, a serpent eagle, racket tailed drongos, gaurs, elephants, chitals, sambhars, a crocodile, langurs, wild boars, peacocks and jungle fowl. Except for the deer and the elephants, it was difficult to spot the animals.
We couldn't spot a tiger. Though the rangers said there are about 50 tigers in Nagarhole, they themselves spot tigers rarely. Its very disturbing. Are there really 50 tigers out there? :(
Also just 50 tigers in 640 sq km of forest?! The jungle can easily accommodate a hundred more tigers. Looks like there are enough deer too. If only poachers are caught and punished. The ranger informed that each tiger can fetch Rs 10,00,000.00 for the poachers. Everything goes to China.
Left Kabini the next day and reached home in the evening on June 10. End of a wonderful vacation. It was one of the best trips we've had. Comparable to the trip to Mount Shashta in Northern California with Soumi and Prasenjit.
Some photos here.
In Coorg, we stayed in a homestay by name 'The Nest'. Our room overlooked the scenic paddy fields and coffee plantations. The hosts (Asha and Sagar) are very hospitable and serve great food!
And they have 5 wonderful dogs. Each of a different breed and absolutely friendly. Asha's stories about them are totally entertaining. :)
Sagar helped us plan our sight seeing. He would draw a map of all the places we can visit on that day and tell us how much time we can spend in each place.
Over the next two days in Coorg, we visited the Namdroling Monastery, Talacauvery, Bhagamandala, Abbi falls and Raja seat.
While returning from the monastery, it was late in the night and we had to drive through the forest. It was pitch dark and there were no vehicles on either side. Suddenly ahead we saw and screeched halt to a giant tusker grazing in the middle of the road. It was barely 50 feet ahead of us. We switched off the engine and kept the lights on.. and patiently waited for his majesty to pass across the path. Wild elephants can get crazy and getting so close can be dangerous.
Soon after it crossed, we sped. We saw two more herds after that on our way.. but they weren't in the middle of the road and we didn't stop again. :)
Talacauvery is on a high hill and it was raining as we started driving up. The top half of the hill was covered by the clouds. Visibility was very poor. Barely 10-20 feet.
It being a week day, there wasn't a big crowd at the temple and we could enjoy the calm.
On the third day we left for Kabini. We had booked a tent in the govt run Jungle lodges and resorts. For a govt run place, its very clean, green and its people are friendly and on time.
The resort itself is on the banks of the Kabini. For the safari, they take you in jeeps deep into the Nagarhole jungles. We spotted a leopard from far, a pack of wild dogs, a serpent eagle, racket tailed drongos, gaurs, elephants, chitals, sambhars, a crocodile, langurs, wild boars, peacocks and jungle fowl. Except for the deer and the elephants, it was difficult to spot the animals.
We couldn't spot a tiger. Though the rangers said there are about 50 tigers in Nagarhole, they themselves spot tigers rarely. Its very disturbing. Are there really 50 tigers out there? :(
Also just 50 tigers in 640 sq km of forest?! The jungle can easily accommodate a hundred more tigers. Looks like there are enough deer too. If only poachers are caught and punished. The ranger informed that each tiger can fetch Rs 10,00,000.00 for the poachers. Everything goes to China.
Left Kabini the next day and reached home in the evening on June 10. End of a wonderful vacation. It was one of the best trips we've had. Comparable to the trip to Mount Shashta in Northern California with Soumi and Prasenjit.
Some photos here.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sunfeast 10K run
Participated in the Sunfeast 10K run. Took about 1 hr 40 minutes to complete.
I was faster last time. Check here.
Still I'm happy for even completing the distance. What more can you expect with rock bottom fitness levels.
Prasad and I participated together. Long time since we spent some good time together.
The event was nicely organized. Some 45000 people had registered, I heard. Wonder how many turned up actually. Still you could see thousands. It was pretty crowded.
The running circuit was clearly marked. Didn't confuse the runners. Water, glucose were provided at several places. Some stalls had ice too. Some high calorie snacks were provided upon completing the race. Took care of participants well. Ah, they even provided a bag of goodies full of complimentary biscuits, shampoo, medicines, etc.
There wasn't much info available on boards though. I had a parking pass in UB city. But there was no way I could locate the building, with most roads closed for this event.
There were not enough restrooms. There were long queues in front of the very few that existed. If one stood in the queue, he/she could easily lose 15 minutes. :)
Overall its a nice feeling attending the event. Wish to regain fitness and finish faster next time.
Link to photos here.
I was faster last time. Check here.
Still I'm happy for even completing the distance. What more can you expect with rock bottom fitness levels.
Prasad and I participated together. Long time since we spent some good time together.
The event was nicely organized. Some 45000 people had registered, I heard. Wonder how many turned up actually. Still you could see thousands. It was pretty crowded.
The running circuit was clearly marked. Didn't confuse the runners. Water, glucose were provided at several places. Some stalls had ice too. Some high calorie snacks were provided upon completing the race. Took care of participants well. Ah, they even provided a bag of goodies full of complimentary biscuits, shampoo, medicines, etc.
There wasn't much info available on boards though. I had a parking pass in UB city. But there was no way I could locate the building, with most roads closed for this event.
There were not enough restrooms. There were long queues in front of the very few that existed. If one stood in the queue, he/she could easily lose 15 minutes. :)
Overall its a nice feeling attending the event. Wish to regain fitness and finish faster next time.
Link to photos here.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Prachanda or Prabhakaran?
TOI gaffe.. Mentioning Prachanda in place of Prabhakaran..
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/South-Asia/Sri-Lanka-says-no-sign-of-Prachandas-body/articleshow/4543175.cms
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