ಗುಳೇಹೋದವರು

ಬಯಲುಸೀಮೆಯ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರು ಬರಗಾಲ ಬ೦ದಾಗ ಬೇರೇ ಸೀಮೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಗುಳೇಹೋಗುವುದು ಅನಿವಾರ್ಯಗಳಲ್ಲೊ೦ದು. ಆದರೆ ಅಷ್ಟೊ೦ದು ಅನಿವಾರ್ಯವಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದರೂ ಆರ್ಥಿಕ ಸಧೃಢತೆಯ ಬೆನ್ನತ್ತಿ ಪೇಟೆ ಪಟ್ಟಣಗಳಿಗೆ ಹೋಗುವುದು ಈಗಿನ ಪದ್ದತಿ. ಇನ್ನು ಕೆಲವೇವರ್ಷಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಶೇಕಡಾ ೩೦ರಷ್ಟುಜನ ಪೇಟೆಸೇರುವಸಾಧ್ಯತೆ ಇದೆಯ೦ತೆ ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿ.

ಹಳತನ್ನೆಲ್ಲ ಕಳೆದುಕೊ೦ಡ ಬೇಸರ, ಹೊಸತೇನೇನೋ ಬೇಕೆ೦ಬ ದುರಾಸೆ, ಯೇನೇನೋ ಸಾಧಿಸಿದ್ದೇವೆ೦ಬ ಜ೦ಬ. ಇವೆಲ್ಲರ ಮಿಶ್ರಣನಮ್ಮಬದುಕು: ಮಹತ್ವಾಕಾ೦ಕ್ಷೆಗೆಬಲಿಬಿದ್ದ ಬೆ೦ಕಿಹುಳಗಳು. ಸಾಧನೆ ಸಾಪೇಕ್ಷ ಸ್ವಾಮೀ! ಸಾಧ್ನೆಗೂ ಸಮಾಧಾನಕ್ಕೂ ಇರುವ ಸ೦ಭ೦ಧ ಕೆಸವಿನೆಲೆಗೂ ನೀರಹನಿಗೂ ಇರುವ ಸ೦ಭ೦ಧಕ್ಕಿ೦ತಲೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚೇನೂ ಅಲ್ಲ. ಸಾಧನೆಗಾಗಿ ಜೀವನವೇ ಜೀವನಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಸಾಧನೆಯೇ? ಇದು ನಮ್ಮ ಪುರ೦ದದಾಸರು, "ನೀ ಮಾಯೆಯೊಳಗೋ ನಿನ್ನೊಳು ಮಾಯೆಯೋ" ಅ೦ದಹಾಗಾಯ್ತು.

ಯಾವ ಜೀವನದ ಗುಣಮಟ್ಟ ಹೆಚ್ಚು? ಅಬ್ಬಿ ನೀರಿಗೆ ತಲೆಕೊಟ್ಟು ತಣ್ಣೀರ ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡಿ, ನೇರಳೆ ಮರವೇರಿ, ಬಣ್ಣತು೦ಬಿದ ಬಾಯ್ತೆಗೆದು, ಊರಪಕ್ಷಿನೋಟದ ಬೆಳಕುತುಳುಕುವ ಕಣ್ರೆಪ್ಪೆಯಾಟದ ಸೊಗಸುತು೦ಬಿದ ಜೀವನವೇ? ಹೆಸರರಿಯದಹಣ್ಣುಗಳ್ಹುಟ್ಟುವುದು ಮರದಲ್ಲೋ ಮಟ್ಟಿಯಲ್ಲೋ ಗೊತ್ತಿರದೇ ಮುಚ್ಚಿದ ಗೂಡಿನಡಿಕೂತು ಮ೦ಜುಮುಸಿಕಿಮಬ್ಬಾದ ಕಾಣದೂರ ಕತ್ತಲಾವರಿಸಿದ ಕಣ್ಣಿಗಾದ ಜ್ನಾನೋದಯದಲ್ಲೋ? ಓಹೋ, ಹಣ್ಣಿನಲ್ಲಲ್ಲಾ, ಸವಿಯಿರುವುದು ಸಡರಗದಲ್ಲಿ. ಜಿಮರು ಮಳೆ ತೂಕಡಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾಗ ಹುರಿದ ಹಲಸಿನ ಬೀಜ, ಅಜ್ಜಿ ಕಾಸಲು ಹಾಕಿದ ಹೊಡಚಲು, ಅಮ್ಮ ಮಾಡಿದ ಬೂದಬಾಳೆ ತುಪ್ಪದ ದೋಸೆ, ಅಪ್ಪ ಕುಡುಗಿಟ್ಟ ಕ೦ಬಳಿ ಕೊಪ್ಪೆ, ನಾಗರಪ೦ಚಮಿಯ ಗೌರಿದ೦ಟಿನ ಪಾಟೀ ಅಳಿಸುವ ಖುಷಿ, ಮಳೆಗಾಲದ ಯೆಳೆ ಹುಣಸೆ, ಸುರಿವಮಳೆ ಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬೇಲಿಗೆ ಬಿದಿರು ಕಡಿಯುವ ಮಜಾ, ಒ೦ದೇ ಎರಡೇ?

ಸ್ಪರ್ಧೆಯ ಅಮಲಿನಲ್ಲಿರುವನಾವು ಕಲಿಯಬೇಕಾದ್ದು ಧೈನ್ಯ, ತಿಳಿದಿದ್ದನ್ನ ತಿಳಿಸಿ ಗೊತ್ತಿರದ್ದನ್ನ ಕಲಿಯುವ ಕಳಕಳಿ, ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಗಳನ್ನ ಅವರೇನೆ೦ದು ಗಮನಿಸದೇ ಗೌರವಿಸುವ ಆದರ. ಈ ಜೀವನ ಓಟದ ಸ್ಪರ್ಧೆಯೆ೦ದರೂ ಹಲವರು ಹಲವಾರು ಯೋಜನ ಮು೦ದಿನಿಂದ ಓಡಲು ಆರ೦ಭಿಸಿದವರು, ಹಲವರು ಬಹಳ ಹಿ೦ದಿನಿಂದ ಓಡುತ್ತಿರುವವರು ಎ೦ಬ ತಿಳುವಳಿಕೆ.

ಊರಿಗೆ ಹೂದಾಗ ಯೆಲ್ಲರೂ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದು, "ಏಯ್ ಅಲ್ಲೇ ಯಿದ್ದುಬಿಡಡ್ದೋ, ಬಾರೋ ಮಾರಾಯಾ ವಾಪಾಸು!". ನಮಗೆ ನಾವು ಪ್ರಯೋಜಕರಾಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇವೆಯೋ ಇಲ್ಲವೋ ಗೊತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ, ಆದರೆ ಈಸ್ವಾರ್ಥ ಸಾಧನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬೇರೆಯವರಿಗೆ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪವಾದರು ಸಹಕಾರ ನಮ್ಮಿ೦ದಾಗಬಹುದೆ೦ಬ ಮಸುಕು ಆಶಯ! ಗುಳೇಹೋದವರಲ್ಲವೇ ನಾವು? ಯೆಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಸಲ್ಲದವರು ಇನ್ನೆಲ್ಲಿ ಸಲ್ಲುವರಯ್ಯಾ ಚನ್ನಮಲ್ಲಿಕಾರ್ಜುನಾ?

ರಾಗು ಕಟ್ಟಿನಕೆರೆ

ಪ್ರೇರಣೆ: ಕೇಶವ ಕುಲ್ಕರ್ಣಿಯವರು.

Shooting Dogs

Shooting Dogs is a movie about Rwandan Tutsi genocide of 1994. There is a video here about it if you want to know.

Recently a group from Amnesty international showed a documentary on Uganda spate of children in Uganda: Invisible Children. Here is another country in shambles: Haiti. A story of generosity of an US installed government. And here is some more info.

There are people out there who live by eating rain flies!

We the great proud Indians believe that there is no slavery. Watch the video here: girls are being enslaved and trafficked. The brothers of brothels. Watch the third part.

I thought my neighbouring villages were poor oh man. I am damn rich and safe. Well, so much for Christmas! Shall we say happy Christmas?

Oh I forgot to add something. We are the nation with highest number of HIV infected individuals and our penises are shorter compared to international standards, read here: we need smaller condoms! My guess is right then :). I will end by adding a hilarious comment by one of the men interviewed "It's not size, it's what you do with it that matters"

By the way do not forget Haiti, Rwanda, Uganda and Indian brothels. Search and read more about them.
~rAGU

Information Pollution

Power is a famous metaphor for information! Very nice metaphor indeed; nothing can suite better.
Unscheduled power cuts are not uncommon, so are spikes that kill electrical instruments. If you have not sensed already what follows the prelude, it is about the lack and the abundance of information, we are surounded with.

From Nyaya school of Indian philosophy to reviewers of scientific papers have worried about the source and soundness of knowledge(Epistemology). As more information becomes accesible it is getting harder and harder to distinguish between so called information and misinformation. Even when we neglect the realm of opinionated information, we are left with a huge pool to look for authentic information. I use the word "authentic" to mean "that which is the outcome of genuine scientific process".

There are claims that because information is easily accesible we see more misinformation. Unfortunately it seems that with more information msunderstanding also increases and result in more misinformation. What is the rate of increase in misinformation?

I is proportional to MI
where I is information and MI is misinformation. (The use is not in sense of information theory but as in popular use)
If MI is 10% of I and 2% is obivously recognised as MI, then we have 108 unit of I. If we assume a 50% inreases in I then we will endup with 162 units od I. of which 4 unit is new MI.
We can clearly see the compuonding of the MI.

We know the equation of compound interest:

Interest = P (1+ r/100n)^n -------> 1

by analogy

amount of MI = I (1+ X/100n)^Y -------> 2

We know

Thus,
amount of MI = I* e^z where z= X/100.

The slope of the exponential curve is determined by z. It is thus important that z remains bellow one so that MI does not go past I. Due to the fact that it has not, so far, we can assume that z<<1.

I know we are all smart enough to figure out that there is a flaw here! We have not concidered increasing I. Unlike P, I is not constant. It is om to have higher values of z!

Well that is a complicated way of saying we are fine the way we are!
~rAGU

P V Narasimha Rao

This man was an amazing arrow in the India's armoury. This prime minster of India is, probably, one of the few leaders to be admired by the opposition parties. He spoke French, Spanish, Persian, Arabic and 8 other Indic languages; totally 13 in all.

Some of his serious but hilarious quotes are:
"When I don't make a decision, it's not that I don't think about it. I think about it and make a decision not to make a decision.";
"Inaction is also an action.".

He made Manmohan Singh the Finance Minister; a person who had not even participated in a municipal election, but had extensive experience in administration and economics. Duo changed the destiny of a billion people. He took decisions that lifted millions of people from poverty; and gave hope to people who had lost hope.

It is told his service to the nation was insulted when the powerful denied him a place in Rajghat. His body was cremated in the absence of the leader of the party of which he was the defining part. Sad news of his half burnt body lying open for consumption by dogs, turned in to a shock. It appears he did not work enough for the party, but he certainly did for his country.

P V Narasimha Rao will be remembered by the people who reaped the benefits of his service.
He died on 23rd December 2004. Few drops of tears I had shed, when I heard the news four years ago, were tribute to his personality. I add few more drops of tears today; he deserves them.

~rAGU

Birds and Flies

We had a sparrow house at home: an opening in wooden planks that had some space for sparrows to live. They were fed everyday with rice grains. My grandfather used to give a fist ful of rice to me and asking me to throw them on the floor and watch the sparrows pick them up one by one, at about 4 oclock in the afternoon, before coffee, during winter when sunrays lit our katte.

We have blood in our heart now; no mercy flows in our veins. Sparrow houses were closed down. We are more modern, clean, and better people now aren't we?



We caught pIti. It seems they are called Dragonflies in English.



This bird is something! Humming like a chopper! I will have to find out a place to watch this thing in Saskatoon closely. Will see.

~rAGU

Communalism in Indian Polity

The official name of India is (in English) Socialistic Secular Sovereign Democratic Republic of India and is Union of States; states are represented at the centre by the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and people represented by a bunch Elected from Selected Criminals and/or extortionists and/or currupt individuals. Few honest women and men get no chance to represent their people.

India has about 17% molsems, 3% christians 1% Sikhs, less than 1% others and about 80% hindus. Other division known to politicians in India is there are around 16% Backward class, 3% Brahmins and something only Arjun Singh the Heinorouble HRD monster knows is that there are aroud 29% OtherBackwardClass people. Each of these religous groups have subdivisions. Lingayatas, Thakurs, Kammas, Vakkaligas, Vaishyas, Kshatriyas and so on. Can we call these communities? Oh I will as you shall soon see!

Media and Polity are unanimous in calling some parties communal: BJP (Peoples Party of India), Shivsena etc. Others call themselves secular: Indian Notional Congress, Communist Parties, Janata Dal etc. But actually "all of them" are communal parties. No exceptions.

Except for two occasions (once for BJP and then in Gujrath) in history Hindus have not favoured parties appeasing Hindus. They are concerned about their caste and the caste or the community of the MP/MLA. However others such as Christians and Muslims are satisfied to have some one from their community elected. Thus parties have no insentive to appease Hindus. Those tried this Hindu card have not been as successful. So what is the formula? Appease castes in Hindus and appease Muslims and Christians. Sikhs are a majority in Punjab. They have a different dynamics.

Thus it is appeasing communities based on caste or region or religion is the key policy of all the political parties in India. None is secular none is noncommunal. Why blame few parties? We have to blame all the parties.

Ok, let us fight on communal lines and let us go to hell together; shall we?
~rAGU

Class Sick Musick

My first experience with Indian Classical music was listening to MS Subbi cassettes. However I did not know it was classical music. Other experience with classical music was listening to Dasavani of Bhimsen Joshi. Again, I did not know what the hell classical music was.

As I grew up I understood classical music. It was a strange sounding shout which only very few liked and nodded as if it was a great music. I would ask myself, "what is wrong with these people, why do they shout and do all sorts of dance with hands and show screwed up faces". In fact my uncle said once "why do not these people sing something nice!".

I was as old as an ass when I liked a Bajan. This happened in the second year of engineering. There was a temple next to our hostel: Koranti Hanuman. Saturday it used to be full of boys coming to sight girls and girls coming to sight boys. Like those infamous wall bathing, and window shopping this was Sacred Sight Dating. My room mate was a devotee of Lord Hanumaan. He visited the temple everyday. I went to the temple along with him sometimes and especially on Saturdays! An exception to this was when Hanuman himself called me by cutting power to the hostel. I chose to visit the temple whenever there was power outrage! The temple poojari played a Bajan cassette sung by Bhimsen Joshi and Lata. Meera Bhai Bajans were so good that I eventually got addicted. I asked the poojari if he could lend the cassette so I can record it. He gave me the cassette without even asking who I was.

There was one Umesh from Orissa he had a double cassette player. I asked him to record meera Bajans on one side and the super hit pop song "I want it that way" and few others. I named the cassette "Ram Naam Dhoom Dham". My favorite Bajan that made me record the cassette was "Baajere muraliyaa baaaje......". Others were, sumati seetharaam aatmaraam, krupa saroovar kamalmanohar.... Yes there was a Hindi song too "Mere hivadame nache moore thaka thaiyya..".

"Bajere muraliyaa ": it is from this Bajan I became interested in Hindustani. I heard it so much that I gathered courage to sing it in the department. After few years my all time favourite is Aami Khans "aaj more ghar ayina balma...". Thanks to my neighbours they tolerated when I shouted along with Aamir khan. I heard Rashid khan recently 6 months ago I think.

I enjoy it when I can get to the mood of the song. Then I can think of my own variations, anticipate improvisation. I mess up the shruti (drone). It is very hard for me to sing a song in a different shruti. Simply I need training otherwise I suck.

I will start learning Hindustani some day when I get back to India. Why? There is no alternative way of experiencing that kind of bliss. I do not drink but We can get to an emotional state listening and more so while singing; I do not think it is possible to reach such a state doing something else.

Oh yes I returned the cassette to poojari promptly.

The burden of morals

Any conscious behaviour takes more energy than unconscious behaviour. I have seen many people, who worried less about morals, do very well. They save energy and reach higher levels (Whatever higher level means).

That is not bad at all. It is how we define ourselves i think. We can be happy with whatever we are or even better find reasons to justify whatever we are.

I have come to a conclusion that morals and its friends are important only when our decisions affect lot of people: such as in politics. Otherwise we are fine, I think.

Or some have the advantage of being what they think is right. There is no burden. Others have to struggle to be their ideal self.

Regards
~rAGU

Nuances of Sledding/Tobogganing

Sledding is also called Tobogganing. I stole a more brave looking image to show what I did with few kids on a small hill.

1) I went towards a bush and saved the life of few plants by using all head and tails I have. Poor bush.

2) Do not go on knees if you are a heavy type like me.

3) It hurts in an unusual place : your neck. Keeping head safe it appears is harder than keeping our balls safe.

4) When sleigh on your bum do not break with the feet. Snow can hit your face like missiles.

5) Go to a church immediately after, like I did. It will warm there and someone will invariably play piano and put you to sleep! Then you can sleigh again in dream :)

Thanks to Simon Widie and his kids Joe, Isaiah and little Elijah
I fell and ROSE, look at that, I ROSE, wary of laughing kids.
Sunday is gone.

~rAGU

Intercaste Marriage

There is a microbe in our heads called Individuolis Liberosis. Some have immunity against this microbe but many do not. This microbe not only makes us selfish but also gives a false impression of liberation; helps generate nice reasons for indulgence. We will talk about this later; now listen to this story.

I received a call on fine afternoon, 3 years ago. I picked up to discover that it was my primary school classmate. That made my day you know. I was able to get in touch with her after we completed 7th standard in 1993. That was after a gapp of 12 years. She was about to completing engineering degree after a diploma I think.

She had called with a purpose. She was getting ready for a campus interview. She wanted to know what to expect from a WIPRO interviewer. I was supposed to give some insider information. I consulted some of my colleagues and called her back. Told her whatever I could (and should). It really made my day. Isn’t it nice to get a call, out of the blue, from a classmate after that long? (Emotional fool!)

I think after two months I received another call. This time she wanted to get into a particular division. How could a fresher choose? Again I spoke to my colleagues and called her back, giving whatever the info I can. This call had come after she had forgotten to reply my email asking her if she got into WIPRO. I sent another email curious to know if she was in, if so where. I got no response.

Time teaches lessons. I said to myself be more reasonable do not read too much. Be positive, all that crap. I remember sending her an email just asking how she was and how was her work in WIPRO. I got no response.

I called from bother try to get my Tabla fixed. He told me that my classmate got married. She married a Christian boy from Kerala. I knew a little bit about her parents; middle class Havyaka Brahmin family around 10 kms from my village.

Brahmins are increasingly facing criticism. But they also lived a life that set examples to society for long years. They never ate before taking bath. They were vegetarians. They do not consume alcohol. They are trained in eating and talking. They Have kept the ancient philosophies alive by learning and teaching them. (Exceptions are becoming a rule...which is a different matter)

Intercaste marriage may be a good thing for those want to live MacLife. (You go to any MacDonald you get the same burgers) When the difference is gone, the excitement of encountering different ways and perspectives is lost.

Her parents might be sad. People who hurt their parents in return to the love are daemons. This is nothing but the outbreak of Individuolis Liberosis.

bisakallu-tabla-kolalu