Powerful words start with P

Just thought of putting down the words that define and shape one’s career and discovered so many words starting with ‘P’. Classified the words into few categories, and tried to sequence them within each category. Though some words may fit in more than one category, have tried to put in that category that requires it the most.

• Academics: Planning, Promptness, Practice, Pass

• Career: Priority, Potential, Peer, Pressure, Performance, Promotion

• Characteristics: Plain, Pleasing, Pleasant, Polite, Principle

• Economics: Principal, Protection, Proportionate

• Innovation: Passion, Persistence, Peculiar, Perseverance, Product, Precision, Pioneer

• Philosophy: Problem, Progress, Philosophy, Period

• Politics: Politics, Proximity, Popular, Power, Prime, President

God and his Merit System

The idea of penning down this post occurred, when there was a casual discussion with my friends and colleagues about the interesting values behind Ramayana and Mahabharata.

In my observations, I noted that believers of God, had always sought or resorted to God, during their tough times. Generally believers of Hinduism, not only put the onus of their tough situations on God, but also on their own fate. So what is fate or destiny or karma?

Fate (leaving aside the bookish definitions) can be considered as a meritorious system of effects for the deeds done by a person – which we either construe as rewards or punishments; rewards for good deeds and punishments for bad deeds; which in Hinduism, not only relates to what one does in his current birth but also had carried forward from his/her previous births (what else can explain about a child being born to poor parents, while at the same time and almost at the same place, another child being born to rich parents).

The role of God is to serve as an administrator or that of an implementer of the fate or meritorious system. God may give solace, reduce the impact, or effect of a bad fate, and even may help you to completely pass you through the tough times, but then wise men say that, it is how the fate has been defined for you – that you will be blessed and be guided by God.

Therefore, God as an administrator (though very much could be the creator) of this system, reserves the right to add/increase/decrease/remove the effects, therefore bringing in the flexibility to the otherwise rigid system of cause (deeds) & effect. However it should be noted that whatever the deeds and effects may be, they once again gets added up to one’s list, and will be evaluated again as the cycle (of birth and death) continues.

P.S: May be this merit system can be thought of a well-balanced zero-sum game, another example highlighting the art of delicate balancing.

Magician Vs Actor Vs Politican

After a long time, thought of publishing a post in Tamil. Though this was written by me, over 15+ years ago, and discovered recently, I thought this still sounds fresh and spicy in this election season!

வித்தைகாரரின் திறமை – நடந்ததை நடக்காதது போல் காட்டுவது
நடிகரின் திறமை – நடக்காததை நடந்தது போல் காட்டுவது
அரசியல்வாதியின் திறமை – இவ்விரண்டும் ஒரு சேர பெற்றிருப்பது

Quick Translation:
A magician’s talent is in acting that nothing has happened, while an actor’s talent is in acting as if something had happened. A politician’s talent is in mastering both the acts!

Madurai and Melbourne

Madurai, the temple town or city, was where I was born, and spent few years there.  Melbourne was the first place that I roamed around outside of India (forget the airports). So I was obviously, though unconsciously trying to find similarities between these two places. 

 

Though it’s like comparing apple to oranges, I want to share my perspective primarily with respect to the structure of the cities. So, here goes the list of similarities.

• River: Both (Madurai and Melbourne) have a river flowing through in the City. Madurai has Vaigai (though most part of it is without water, and poorly maintained) and its length is 258 KMs, Melbourne has Yarra river flowing through with a length of 242 KMs. (Yarra is beautiful and well maintained river supporting lot of recreational activities. ) 

• Street Layout: Both Madurai (old Madurai) and Melbourne (Old Melbourne) have streets designed in a rectangular/squarish way, and from an inner rectangle, you move to an outer rectangle and so on. In case of Madurai, the Meenakshi Amman temple is considered as the central point, surrounded by the 4 Tower streets (North, South, East and West), and as you move outer and outer you will reach the 4 Veli streets (North, South, East and West). In case of Melbourne it has Flinders Street, Collins Street all parallel to each other in the rectangular pattern.

• University: Madurai and Melbourne have a University starting with their name. – Madurai Kamaraj University and Melbourne University (Though Kamaraj refers to a person, atleast they are starting with the name of the place). 

• Market: Though it is quite common for every city to have it, the structure of markets were quite similar – noise, smell :), dedicated day of the week for markets, etc… 

 

P.S: Do not get misled by the above, if you had never visited these places. Both of them are great and unique places in this world, that I would recommend you to see for yourself. Madurai has a very long history (several thousands of years), and one of the oldest continually inhabited city in the World (along with Varanasi, India). Melbourne, founded in 1835 (though occupied by local hunter-gatherers for thousands of years) is rated as one of the best places to live.

The Human Evolution Story so far

After writing about Religion, and Passion & Success, and nearing the end of the year, I decided to return back to my older interests on evolution, especially the Human evolution.

Many of us would have heard about Neanderthals, our (Homo sapiens sapiens) closest relatives. Neanderthals (Homo sapiens neanderthalensis) have become extinct from this earth, 28,000 years ago. They were said to be ruling this earth  for more than 200,000 years, especially in regions of today’s Europe and Western Asia. They lived in regions around today’s Israel, Mongolia, Italy, Gibraltar, and Britain, but gradually moved from place to place. 

Research shows that modern humans (Homo sapiens sapiens) invaded Europe, starting a little more than 40,000 years ago which means that Neanderthals and our current species would have lived together in the same region or territory for a period of 12,000 – 15,000 years. This makes it interesting. The Neanderthals and modern humans probably lived most of their lives without seeing each other; or rather kept away from each other from the landscape. 

The last batch of Neanderthals are believed to have lived in the now British territory of Gibraltar, some 28,000 years ago. The prime reasons being cited for extinction of Neanderthals are Climate Change and subtle differences in their behavior and biology. It is known that Neanderthals were bigger in size than Homo sapiens sapiens, and therefore would have required 4034 Calories per day, while a modern human being required only 2200 calories per day, which might have caused the Neanderthals to hunt for bigger animals only (like horses, deer, bison and Wild cattle etc..),  though they ate vegetables and other plant food, they served only as supplementary food items for them. 

Humans on the other hand might have hunted for smaller animals, survived with plants and vegetables (latter activities were primarily carried out by women), during the extreme climatic conditions that were changing rapidly within a span of few decades. Therefore humans survived with diversified diet. Another theory is that, Neanderthals had different cognitive capabilities than modern humans; as they reproduced 4 years earlier than in modern humans and therefore matured earlier.

Now the developing story of our history is about the discovery of a new Denisovans – another sub-species of Homo sapiens, who seem to have coexisted in Asia with Neanderthals and early modern humans. To begin with, the common ancestor of modern humans, Neanderthals and Denisovans would be Homo heidelbergensis, (though some scientists consider it an European species ancestral to neanderthals alone) who existed 700,000 years ago and began to diverge into these two groups and so far. But now a discovery in the Caves of Siberia, called the Denisova Cave, a new human species – Denisovans seem to have existed 190,000 years ago. The surprising and interesting thing is that, this cave seems to have been home for both Neanderthals and Denisovans.

Denisovans are closer to Neanderthals in their DNA and reveals that both might have interbreed with each other. However it is highly likely that Denisovans might have interbreed with another species (yet-to-be identified) which would have created them.  The DNA analysis also tells that traces of Neanderthal DNA (approx 2.5%) in found all non-Africans today and of Denisovan DNA (5%) found in today’s Melanesians – the aboriginal Australasians.  This means that humans (Homo sapiens sapiens) interbreed with both Neanderthals and Denisovans and also provide strength to the argument that Neanderthals were with the West, and Denisovans with the East. 

Prior to this, the discovery of the remains of Homo sapiens idaltu, another extinct sub-species of us, was found in Ethiopia in 2003. This species is argued as the ancestors for us – Homo sapiens sapiens.   The discovery of yet another species – Homo floresiensis – known as Hobbit (as they were known to be very short) through the remains found in Indonesia  in 2004 tells about another human species that is considered to be from Homo erectus, another of our sibling that would have lived with the modern humans for a long time.   

Well, the story does not end here, and hopefully,  even more mysteries of our species will be unraveled in future. 

Sources of Info: 

• National Geographic , October, 2008
• Scientific American, August 2009 
• Scientific American, August 2012
• National Geographic, July 2013
• New Scientist, November 2013

My two cents worth of view on Hinduism

Fortunately I had umpteen opportunities to discuss about Hinduism with many diverse people; people who were orthodox, who were moderate and liberal, who were atheists, and also people who were either orthodox or liberal followers of other religions.

Well, first the disclaimers. I am neither a Pundit, nor a orthodox follower (hence the title – two cents).  My views given below are my own, and that I had realized or evolved over long periods of time.

To start with, Hinduism is a label attributed (probably by the Britishers) to the people who followed a certain culture and were living around the current Indian geographical regions. Over the years,  it became branded as a religion, though it is not an organized religion unlike   many others. Also, as mentioned in my earlier posts, a religion is only a path to spirituality, and many texts, like Ramayan or Gita, that are attributed to Hinduism, reinforce the same – in other words, an orthodox following of Hinduism (or any religion for that matter) may not necessarily make a person spiritual! 

If I had to share one most important facet or fundamental trait of the religion of Hinduism, then this would be the one.

Every thing you do or believe will have an effect.

Though this may be sound too simplistic, this forms the basis for many other concepts or philosophies in this religion. The point to be noted is that even an intangible thing or even as abstract thought or belief will have a resultant effect. Also, even if you claim to do nothing, or even think of nothing (Meditation!), it will have its own result / effect.  Belief (a strong thought with conviction, as I would like to put it) is emphasized very much in numerous ways through out Hinduism.  If you have a strong and unshakable belief or faith, you will get the results of your belief.

The implications of this simple concept are phenomenal and in-numerous. Add to this, the resultant effects get carried forward to your next re-birth, and that’s Karma in the most simplistic sense. In Hinduism, this concept of Karma, leads to the cycle of birth and death and therefore reincarnation of our soul.  This leads to the concept of destiny or fate, which is determined by your actions not only in this current birth, but also from the actions of your previous births or incarnations! 

The concepts of karma, destiny or fate has the potential to answer any question that one may encounter or realize for oneself, generally during the toughest times or during their peaks in life. To give an example, How two children born at same date and same time, and probably even the same place and the same environment get their lives shaped up differently ?

The Secret Success Sutra and Mantra

First the Disclaimer: This is an abstract model that I believe, defines success. Success can mean many things to many people, but I go with the view that Success is something that creates a positive impact on the humanity and meant for the long-term. It is not momentary and definitely not a short-cut. This formula must work 95% of the time, and the remaining 5% have to be resigned to fate, or ill luck or there may be something better waiting to happen.  Here the Sutra means Formula and Mantra refers to the activity done repetitively (as pronouncing a sound during meditation). 

With enough preludes, let me start it.

Passion, is the base or the pivot point or the binding force that stitches many things and gives a new meaning to what you do. Passion is the most critical element and I had already dealt with it in several of my previous posts – starting with similiarities among great achievers and then bringing out differences between Emotions and Passion and about the minute differences between Passion Vs Feelings.

To explain with a different perspective, people who may have in-born talent or a skill that they can master like a fish to water, will generally have difficult time in managing themselves, and without a passion that binds their talents and skills, they will not be able to shine and generally lose their focus. In the same vein Passion has the power to equalize even a novice or a person without any of the required skills or in-born talent and a person who has those skills.

Now let’s get into the the Success formula, which has been depicted through the below figure. Passion is the seed for Success. With passion, you practice, persist and then perfect a skill or a job to be a master. A key ingredient or a catalyst in all these activities is Patience. Patience is critical to understand and learn; and requires a lot of self-motivation. Practice and Patience are required for Persistence, and to attain Perfection, you need Practice, Persistence and the key binding element of Patience.  

If you have Patience and Persistence it is easy to develop a passion and if you practice it to perfection, success will be in your way.  Other parameters like your attitude will help you a lot, but only Practice and Persistence can take you to the path of success.  If you are already possessed by passion, then you will automatically have Patience, and with enough of practice and persistence, you can master it to Perfection! – indicated as the convergence point at top of the image.  

You may be wondering that I had missed out on Planning and Preparation. But they can only serve as tools to push oneself and help in sharpening the focus. However, without passion, planning and preparation will simply be monotonous activities, and unfortunately they are overemphasized and drilled into our minds. The most common example is that of the competitive examinations, where everyone is urged to plan and prepare, but largely without a passion for the subject, or we find the passion being misplaced – to emerge as the topper.  This may lead to success in the exams, but that will be a success without a soul in it.  

Now, you may be wondering why the outer circle or eclipse? It’s to indicate we keep running around or moving around circles, or in elliptical orbits doing things routinely. To go to the next level, either we need to revolve around at very high speed, or we need an external force that will displace us to a new orbit. Generally, we find ourselves comfortable and settled in a orbit, over a time period, which will lead to complacency, but we need to keep pushing ourselves till we go near Perfection. 

Passion Vs Feelings

You would have heard and used these two words often, sometimes even without really meaning it, and sometimes even interchangeably also. However there exists a difference between these two words and this post explores that. 

Though ‘Passion’ and ‘Feeling’ both represent an emotion, ‘Passion’ represents a stronger emotion, or a stronger desire than a ‘Feeling’. 

Feelings in general can fade fast, but Passion may not!  If you are watching your favorite comedy show, then you will have feelings of laughter and joy, but those feelings are likely to fade away quickly as moments pass by.  Feelings are instantaneous in nature and do not change easily.  For instance even if you watch the comedy show, years later,  your feelings of laughter may not change to that of crying.  

Passions are stronger emotions that sucks you in! and makes you feel restless when thoughts or activities concerning those passionate entities crops up. One’s passion may change over a long-time period. What you are passionate about today, you may not have the same passion on the same entity, years later. 

Feelings and Passion are both important. Feelings have the ability to shape your attitude! – the more positive feelings you develop and nurture, and keep away the negative feelings (like anger, greed etc…) you start developing a positive outlook and hence a better attitude. Similarly choosing the right positive passion is one of the most important steps to future success, and combined with the right attitude, and persistence, you are already there in the success path. 

India’s Telephone Service in 1970’s and 80’s

India’s 162 year old telegram service (1851-2013) had come to an end on July 14, 2013.  At this juncture, I wondered how many of us know how the telephone system worked, especially in the 1970’s or 1980’s, where telephones were not available in our residences. 

If you need need to make a long distance call, to your relative residing in a farther location, all you need to do was to walk up to your nearest Postal and Telegraph office, and the following process ensues. 

• At your nearest postal and telegraph office, you book a ‘trunk call’ by giving your relative’s name and full residential address (and your details too) to the operator or clerk there. You may also have to typically pay an advance amount of Rs.10/- (Remember this was during 1980’s).
• The operator then calls your relative’s corresponding postal and telegraph office and informs about your and your relative’s details to the operator and asks them to inform your relative. 
• A person from your relative’s postal and telegraph office then goes to the residence of your relative and informs him about your call, and requests the relative to come to the office to speak with you. 
• After your relative goes to his local postal and telegraph office, the operator informs your operator and then the call is initiated, generally by you (as the caller) and you communicate.  Billing is based on “caller pays”, though I am not sure of the rates, and had felt it was generally low – even in 80’s – and have felt that it in many occasions the operator will refund you the money you paid.  

In three decades, the voice communications have evolved drastically from the above scenario to landline telephones becoming affordable, telephone booths at every corner, and the arrival of mobile phones that have wiped out both of the above and converted it from a family device to a personal device and future looks bright for mobiles with 4G and LTE knocking at our doors .. oops … mobiles. 

The Fine Art of Delicate Balancing

Warning: This post might sound like a philosophical rambling, though it’s not. 

 

Balancing is a critical aspect, and required in all aspects of our life, especially for us – the so called evolved and intelligent species on earth!

Balancing, especially Delicate Balancing is required in all situations, and if everyone of us could master it,  there won’t be conflicts or war, despite difference of opinions and perceptions.   

Though this may sound odd, we try to perform this art (or exercise) many a times in our daily lives. Starting with learning to balance a bicycle, or driving a car, we do the act of balancing every day, and almost every moment. We require this quality to achieve any objective, and also to keep the wheels of our lives moving.  

Delicate Balancing is present abundantly in nature, as in case of Water – the most basic and essential element of life – we can find a delicately balanced perfect liquid – composed of water molecules that mingle in a perfect way that are neither tightly bonded (solid/ice) nor completely independent of each other (gas/vapor).   Few more examples derived from Nature, Mythology, Philosophy and from real life are given below:

• Planetary System and their orbits that make earth conducive for life 
• Even ‘Amruth’ – a drink that is supposed to give eternal life, as in Hindu Mythology, is advised only to be taken in the right quantum; excessive dosage will function as a poison – as per a Tamil proverb – (அளவுக்கு மீறினால் அமிர்தமும் நஞ்சு) . 
• The concept of Yin and Yang emphasizes the concept of delicate balancing – as balancing between two opposing forces; balancing between positive and negatives and so on …  
• Equilibrium between Supply and Demand in a (free) market, wherein both the producers and consumers will benefit (Consumers pay the minimum possible cost or the minimum sustainable profit in the producer’s perspective)
• If you are a typical Indian married male, you know that balancing the intellectual (!) arguments between your wife and mother, requires delicate balancing, and you know the results of failure 🙂 

 

Yin and Yang is all about Balancing

To put this in a general perspective, let us consider The Internet – a revolutionary tool created by the mankind – that could eventually allows us to connect with anybody in this world, breaking all borders and barriers (Wish this continues and grows for ever) and where all kinds of information can be found, and sometimes one might find information that is provocative or information that is false. 

The Father of Internet, Dr. Vinton Cerf advises on the issue of dealing with such emotional and sensitive information on Internet by applying the Critical Thinking Capability – to know and understand all aspects of an issue or an event or an argument, and this, essentially requires us to develop  a trait – the art of delicate balancing to enable us to move forward.  

We all know that everyone of us are unique and will serve a purpose in this big Universe. Hence there will be frictions and arguments due to difference of opinions and perceptions, but there will be some valid point in all sides of an argument. To gear up ourselves and to move forward, we need to equip ourselves with abilities to achieve the delicate balancing without which we shall remain stagnant and vanish. 

Delicate Balancing is like balancing a coin without taking sides – of the head or tail, but understanding them – and only such a delicately balanced coin will be able to move easily .

Though we are capable of practicing this art of delicate balancing, we tend to ignore it when we are under emotional stress or when we want to willingly disconnect from this quality of ours to achieve a emotional high. We often tend to loose this quality when we deal with situations that provoke us. 

It’s difficult, but not impossible, for us to practice this art at every small step that we take in our day-to-day lives, and like every art, this too requires persistence, patience, and practice.

P.S: Well, I understand preaching is easy, while practicing is difficult. I hope and wish I will master it one day and will be able to figure it out in every situation.