Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Check out these 2 links:
In Kanchi mutt, muezzin's call coincides with morning puja.
Shah Rukh Khan a symbol of religious unity: Vienna University to debate
I particularly found the sentence - "The actor is lauded for playing both Hindu and Muslim characters on screen." - in the 2nd article very hilarious. This is the same actor who once commented that he will dance in the marriage ceremonies if that will rake in money. You get the picture.
If a Muslim actor playing Hindu characters in Bollywood movies is any criteria, then Aamir Khan measures up to that standard. So does Salman. Perhaps, marrying a Hindu is another criteria. ;-) Aamir Khan has done it twice in his life. Jokes apart, Aamir has also helped people in villages where he has shot his movies - irrespective of their caste, creed or religion. Why not study him instead?
I can understand Shahrukh's fans studying him. But why are 40 speakers from universities around the world wasting their time talking about one person? Why not instead use that time to research and publicize examples of communal harmony among common people in different countries? Why not try to bring these common people together to spread peace?
If this world is destined to see peace, it will not be through likes of Shahrukh, it will only be through efforts and will of common people in all countries. The sooner we realize and encourage it, the better it is for all of us.
In Kanchi mutt, muezzin's call coincides with morning puja.
Shah Rukh Khan a symbol of religious unity: Vienna University to debate
I particularly found the sentence - "The actor is lauded for playing both Hindu and Muslim characters on screen." - in the 2nd article very hilarious. This is the same actor who once commented that he will dance in the marriage ceremonies if that will rake in money. You get the picture.
If a Muslim actor playing Hindu characters in Bollywood movies is any criteria, then Aamir Khan measures up to that standard. So does Salman. Perhaps, marrying a Hindu is another criteria. ;-) Aamir Khan has done it twice in his life. Jokes apart, Aamir has also helped people in villages where he has shot his movies - irrespective of their caste, creed or religion. Why not study him instead?
I can understand Shahrukh's fans studying him. But why are 40 speakers from universities around the world wasting their time talking about one person? Why not instead use that time to research and publicize examples of communal harmony among common people in different countries? Why not try to bring these common people together to spread peace?
If this world is destined to see peace, it will not be through likes of Shahrukh, it will only be through efforts and will of common people in all countries. The sooner we realize and encourage it, the better it is for all of us.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Here's what I heard on one of the FM channels yesterday:
Japanese proverb:
If someone can do a task, you should be able to do it as well.
If no one has managed to do a task, you should try to be the first one to do it.
Indian version:
If someone can do a task, let him/her do it.
If no one has managed to do a task, it's probably not worth doing it.
Do you think that's what has happened during CWG arrangements?
Japanese proverb:
If someone can do a task, you should be able to do it as well.
If no one has managed to do a task, you should try to be the first one to do it.
Indian version:
If someone can do a task, let him/her do it.
If no one has managed to do a task, it's probably not worth doing it.
Do you think that's what has happened during CWG arrangements?
Trust the customer service people to call you during your busiest moments. I got such a call from my mobile company yesterday morning. Not wanting to commit to anything which would later add digits on my monthly bill I asked the person to call me in the evening.
I had just stepped out of the office when he dutifully called. Once I confirmed my number, he asked me my name. In my dictionary, this is as severe a crime as committed by those who call you and then demand to know who is speaking without first identifying themselves. So I told him that if he knew my number and was from the company he claimed to be from, he would have my name in the database. Thereupon he gave my name and asked me to confirm it - which I happily did.
He then proceeded to inform me that the net browsing facility had been turned on my phone. I got immediately alarmed and asked him if I was being billed for this. He said no. He said that I will also not be billed if I browsed any free sites - though download charges would apply. I would be, of course, billed for any non-free sites. By this time, I was beginning to show symptoms of attention-deficit-syndrome. So I reconfirmed what is going to cost me and what is free - once again. This must have given him an impression that he is speaking with someone with a pea-sized brain. I am pretty sure he went through the list just to be sure I got it all right. I admired his patience but was getting sort of bored with the whole conversation. However, my "he-is-just-doing-his-job" feeling was too strong to let me disconnect. Where in India do you find such hardworking people?
I was rescued however by his next question. As he needed to instruct me on how to set things up on my cell phone, he asked me if there was any other phone in sight. Jumping at the chance, I informed him that I was on my way home and would call their department later. Now, in my heart of hearts, I knew that I would never make that call because I hate the very concept of accessing my mails on cellphone. In fact, years ago, during one of my 'misanthropic' bouts I had remarked to one of my colleagues that the mobile phones should not have any incoming call facility. He had almost fell off the chair laughing!
So, the sum total of this long winding post is that I spent a good 10 minutes of my evening time politely listening to a customer service rep about a service that I am unlikely to use. Now that my weekly quota of patience and politeness is almost over, let this post be a warning to any such people thinking of calling me. Thank your stars that I cannot bite your head off remotely :-)
I had just stepped out of the office when he dutifully called. Once I confirmed my number, he asked me my name. In my dictionary, this is as severe a crime as committed by those who call you and then demand to know who is speaking without first identifying themselves. So I told him that if he knew my number and was from the company he claimed to be from, he would have my name in the database. Thereupon he gave my name and asked me to confirm it - which I happily did.
He then proceeded to inform me that the net browsing facility had been turned on my phone. I got immediately alarmed and asked him if I was being billed for this. He said no. He said that I will also not be billed if I browsed any free sites - though download charges would apply. I would be, of course, billed for any non-free sites. By this time, I was beginning to show symptoms of attention-deficit-syndrome. So I reconfirmed what is going to cost me and what is free - once again. This must have given him an impression that he is speaking with someone with a pea-sized brain. I am pretty sure he went through the list just to be sure I got it all right. I admired his patience but was getting sort of bored with the whole conversation. However, my "he-is-just-doing-his-job" feeling was too strong to let me disconnect. Where in India do you find such hardworking people?
I was rescued however by his next question. As he needed to instruct me on how to set things up on my cell phone, he asked me if there was any other phone in sight. Jumping at the chance, I informed him that I was on my way home and would call their department later. Now, in my heart of hearts, I knew that I would never make that call because I hate the very concept of accessing my mails on cellphone. In fact, years ago, during one of my 'misanthropic' bouts I had remarked to one of my colleagues that the mobile phones should not have any incoming call facility. He had almost fell off the chair laughing!
So, the sum total of this long winding post is that I spent a good 10 minutes of my evening time politely listening to a customer service rep about a service that I am unlikely to use. Now that my weekly quota of patience and politeness is almost over, let this post be a warning to any such people thinking of calling me. Thank your stars that I cannot bite your head off remotely :-)
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