Hi,
Musing#12
Came across a shocking news item today that a woman in Kolkotta was murdered by her husband because she was dark in complexion. An immediate but not a rightful thought came to my mind-was he blind at the time of marrying her?
This fairness(complexion) fixation is all pervading in India. This has been well exploited by all the cosmetic manufacturers by coming out with creams which are supposed to transform the dark complexioned ,distressed females into fair complexioned sought after fairies. As part of their market expansion strategy they have included the male species also into this fairness trap by coming out with a separate fairness cream for men. What happened to the ilk of "tall,dark and lean"Mills and Boons heroes supposed to be sought after by the most beautiful females. The ad agencies further propagate this fairness fixation by coming out with commercials in which dark complexioned girls are rejected in marriage proposals and in job market.
The irony is that fair complexioned Caucasian(white) females are sick of their deathly white complexion and they go to a great extent to get their skin tanned by basking in the Sun for hours together, even ending up with sun burns. The cosmetic manufacturers market creams for these females which when applied gives a tanned look to their skin even without getting tanned in the Sun. Different folks- different strokes?
When will we overcome this fairness fixation and get the wisdom that colour of the skin is part of our genetic inheritance and that can not be changed. On the contrary let us cultivate -fairness fixation-in all our dealings with people ,by being fair to one and all. This will make our world a fair place to live in.
mentor mohan
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
The State of affairs
Hi,
Musing#11
One interesting observation I noticed from the licence plates of automobiles in the U.S.
The license plates were bearing slogan/tag line of their state of registration. Listing a few of them here.
State Tag line (Remarks)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Massachusetts Spirit of America (American independence movement started here )
New York Empire state (Empire state building is here )
Florida Sunshine state ( Throughout the year it is sunny here )
Rhode island Ocean state ( surrounded by ocean )
Michigan World's automobile capital (Ford, GM & Chrysler are here )
Washington Evergreen state (no idea)
Minnesota 10000 lakes ( may be there)
Connecticut Constitution state (constitution was drafted here)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the same lines if we have to come out with apt tag lines for our sates in India, how will that Be? As I can recollect only Kerala has a tag line which is "God's own country". This is used more for tourism promotion than signifying anything else. I've racked up my brain enough and have come out with some tag lines for some of our states. Some are serious, some are funny and some are whacky tag lines. I would welcome your comments and improved tag lines also.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Tag line (Remarks )
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jammu & Kashmir Guns & Roses state (Bullets sprayed in beautiful rose gardens )
Punjab The tandoor state (Tandoori roti and tandoori chicken )
Haryana The only Male state ( female infanticide galore )
H.P. The Honeymoon state (Becoz of Shimla )
Delhi The tomb state ( full of tombs )
U.P. The destiny of India ( Coz this state decides who will rule the
Indian govt.at centre )
West Bengal The Only Red state ( Coz only state ruled continuously by
the communists )
Rajasthan The Royal state ( Full of palaces & Royalty)
M.P. The heart of India (coz in the centre )
Gujarat The only Dry state ( Officially ofcourse)
Maharashtra The Misal state (coz combination of so many diverse cultures and difficult to describe like the famous and tasty Misal.)
Karnataka The capitation state (The first state to start capitation fees in professional colleges )
Tamil nadu The temple state (full of temples )
A.P. World's chilli capital ( Maximum chilli consumption)
Orissa The cyclone state (Cyclone prone state)
Goa The Rave state (Maximum rave parties here )
Pondicherry The French connection (Was a french colony earlier)
Bihar The hostage state (coz lot of kidnappings here)
Jharkand The steel state (coz of Tisco being here )
North eastern states They are such small seven states in the remote corner with an
already existing tag line of seven sisters, hence the same can continue.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expecting your comments and tag lines
mentor mohan
Expecting your comments and tag lines.
mentor mohan
Musing#11
One interesting observation I noticed from the licence plates of automobiles in the U.S.
The license plates were bearing slogan/tag line of their state of registration. Listing a few of them here.
State Tag line (Remarks)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Massachusetts Spirit of America (American independence movement started here )
New York Empire state (Empire state building is here )
Florida Sunshine state ( Throughout the year it is sunny here )
Rhode island Ocean state ( surrounded by ocean )
Michigan World's automobile capital (Ford, GM & Chrysler are here )
Washington Evergreen state (no idea)
Minnesota 10000 lakes ( may be there)
Connecticut Constitution state (constitution was drafted here)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the same lines if we have to come out with apt tag lines for our sates in India, how will that Be? As I can recollect only Kerala has a tag line which is "God's own country". This is used more for tourism promotion than signifying anything else. I've racked up my brain enough and have come out with some tag lines for some of our states. Some are serious, some are funny and some are whacky tag lines. I would welcome your comments and improved tag lines also.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Tag line (Remarks )
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jammu & Kashmir Guns & Roses state (Bullets sprayed in beautiful rose gardens )
Punjab The tandoor state (Tandoori roti and tandoori chicken )
Haryana The only Male state ( female infanticide galore )
H.P. The Honeymoon state (Becoz of Shimla )
Delhi The tomb state ( full of tombs )
U.P. The destiny of India ( Coz this state decides who will rule the
Indian govt.at centre )
West Bengal The Only Red state ( Coz only state ruled continuously by
the communists )
Rajasthan The Royal state ( Full of palaces & Royalty)
M.P. The heart of India (coz in the centre )
Gujarat The only Dry state ( Officially ofcourse)
Maharashtra The Misal state (coz combination of so many diverse cultures and difficult to describe like the famous and tasty Misal.)
Karnataka The capitation state (The first state to start capitation fees in professional colleges )
Tamil nadu The temple state (full of temples )
A.P. World's chilli capital ( Maximum chilli consumption)
Orissa The cyclone state (Cyclone prone state)
Goa The Rave state (Maximum rave parties here )
Pondicherry The French connection (Was a french colony earlier)
Bihar The hostage state (coz lot of kidnappings here)
Jharkand The steel state (coz of Tisco being here )
North eastern states They are such small seven states in the remote corner with an
already existing tag line of seven sisters, hence the same can continue.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expecting your comments and tag lines
mentor mohan
Expecting your comments and tag lines.
mentor mohan
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Carbon tracks
Hi,
Musing#10
The burning issue(pun intended) of today, affecting the economy of all the countries is the soaring price of crude oil which has shot through the stratosphere. This is the vicious cycle effect of demand-supply gap. On one hand the natural gas is getting depleted and on the other hand the demand is increasing in geometrical proportion to increased automobile population and increased mobility of people. This can not be avoided as it is part of economical growth.But what can be avoided is unnecessary burning of this scarce commodity like in motor rallies and motor racing.Has anyone bothered to calculate the amount of fuel burnt in practice for rallies and races and also in actual races and rallies. Enough is being written about carbon foot prints, but nothing is being either talked or written about these "carbon tracks". Will the global leaders give a serious thought to ban these rallies and races in the larger interest of capping the gas prices. This will benefit the automobile manufacturers also even though many of them are the sponsors of these events as the demand for vehicles which is affected due to escalating gas prices will be pegged.
Appeal to youths all over the globe who indulge in drag races for the thrill of it, is to stop it. This will be their contribution to lessen the carbon tracks and this may save more lives and limbs also.
Let us as responsible citizen of this planet earth ,also resolve to save every drop of oil by avoiding purposeless wandering in vehicles which will bring down not only the demand for the oil but also bring down the pollution to a great extent.
This is the least we can do for the future generation.
mentor mohan
Musing#10
The burning issue(pun intended) of today, affecting the economy of all the countries is the soaring price of crude oil which has shot through the stratosphere. This is the vicious cycle effect of demand-supply gap. On one hand the natural gas is getting depleted and on the other hand the demand is increasing in geometrical proportion to increased automobile population and increased mobility of people. This can not be avoided as it is part of economical growth.But what can be avoided is unnecessary burning of this scarce commodity like in motor rallies and motor racing.Has anyone bothered to calculate the amount of fuel burnt in practice for rallies and races and also in actual races and rallies. Enough is being written about carbon foot prints, but nothing is being either talked or written about these "carbon tracks". Will the global leaders give a serious thought to ban these rallies and races in the larger interest of capping the gas prices. This will benefit the automobile manufacturers also even though many of them are the sponsors of these events as the demand for vehicles which is affected due to escalating gas prices will be pegged.
Appeal to youths all over the globe who indulge in drag races for the thrill of it, is to stop it. This will be their contribution to lessen the carbon tracks and this may save more lives and limbs also.
Let us as responsible citizen of this planet earth ,also resolve to save every drop of oil by avoiding purposeless wandering in vehicles which will bring down not only the demand for the oil but also bring down the pollution to a great extent.
This is the least we can do for the future generation.
mentor mohan
Monday, June 30, 2008
The Love-hate paradox about the U.S.A.
Musing#9
Hi! I am back from a tour to New york & Washington.D.C.
I read an intriguing report of a survey published by the "European council on foreign relations." In this survey conducted in the year 2007--- 57000 people from 52 countries were asked about the country they love the most and the country they hate the most. According to this survey people from 28 countries out of the 52, opined U.S.A. as the country they hate the most.Prominent countries among these are South Korea,Hong kong,Malaysia,Italy,Japan,India,U.K.,Canada. It is really paradoxical that some of these countries depend so much on the U.S.A. with regards to their trade, economy and job oppurtunities and still this country figures in their hate list.
Is this because they are jealous or insecure and threatened by the might of this super power?
Or is this the love- hate relationship that is usually discussed at length by the psychologists?
Whatever may be the case the American people must be really intrigued like me about the finding of this survey.
The Indians as per the survey have put India as the country they love the most. Yes. "I love my India ". The other countries which have listed India as the country they love most are, Bolivia, Dominican Republic and the U.K.
Like the Indians the Americans also have put their own country in th love list and do you know which is the country figuring in their hate list, for obvious reasons it is Iran.
The clear winner in the most loved category is the European Union with 24 out of the 52 countries voting for them and again most of them are from the EU, which goes to prove the dictum that there is strength in number always.
mentor mohan.
Hi! I am back from a tour to New york & Washington.D.C.
I read an intriguing report of a survey published by the "European council on foreign relations." In this survey conducted in the year 2007--- 57000 people from 52 countries were asked about the country they love the most and the country they hate the most. According to this survey people from 28 countries out of the 52, opined U.S.A. as the country they hate the most.Prominent countries among these are South Korea,Hong kong,Malaysia,Italy,Japan,India,U.K.,Canada. It is really paradoxical that some of these countries depend so much on the U.S.A. with regards to their trade, economy and job oppurtunities and still this country figures in their hate list.
Is this because they are jealous or insecure and threatened by the might of this super power?
Or is this the love- hate relationship that is usually discussed at length by the psychologists?
Whatever may be the case the American people must be really intrigued like me about the finding of this survey.
The Indians as per the survey have put India as the country they love the most. Yes. "I love my India ". The other countries which have listed India as the country they love most are, Bolivia, Dominican Republic and the U.K.
Like the Indians the Americans also have put their own country in th love list and do you know which is the country figuring in their hate list, for obvious reasons it is Iran.
The clear winner in the most loved category is the European Union with 24 out of the 52 countries voting for them and again most of them are from the EU, which goes to prove the dictum that there is strength in number always.
mentor mohan.
Monday, June 23, 2008
The caloric imbalance
Musing#8
I just happenned to read a book with the title "Skinny bitch" written by two women Ms. Rory Freedman and Ms.Kim Barnouin. Before anyone gets any wrong ideas, let me clarify that this is not any sleazy book but it is a book recommending the Americans what to eat and what not ,to remain slim, trim and healthy. Obesity is plaguing the American population in a huge way and I could physically witness it wherever I went. These authors are advocating people to give up meat, diary products in any form and also avoid sugar like poison. On the other hand they are recommending lots of fresh vegetables, fruits that too the organically farmed ones. Being a vegetarian myself I can definitely vouch for the benefits of being a vegetarian.
Taking a leaf out of this book I am concerned about the changing food habits of Indian children especially in the metroes and 'A' class cities and the resultant obesity we are witnessing in this demography. They are getting addicted to the same junk foods on which the American population have grown up obese. Added to this they are burning less calories by becoming more and more of the couche potatoe types. As part of responsible parenting the Indian parents should take it upon themselves to correct this Caloric imbalance in their children by ensuring the right type of calories are fed to them and right type of caloric burning habits are cultivated in them so that they grow up as tomorrow's healthy Indian citizens.
The Americans are also concerned about the growing obesity in their children as per a recent article in the TIME magazine.
I just happenned to read a book with the title "Skinny bitch" written by two women Ms. Rory Freedman and Ms.Kim Barnouin. Before anyone gets any wrong ideas, let me clarify that this is not any sleazy book but it is a book recommending the Americans what to eat and what not ,to remain slim, trim and healthy. Obesity is plaguing the American population in a huge way and I could physically witness it wherever I went. These authors are advocating people to give up meat, diary products in any form and also avoid sugar like poison. On the other hand they are recommending lots of fresh vegetables, fruits that too the organically farmed ones. Being a vegetarian myself I can definitely vouch for the benefits of being a vegetarian.
Taking a leaf out of this book I am concerned about the changing food habits of Indian children especially in the metroes and 'A' class cities and the resultant obesity we are witnessing in this demography. They are getting addicted to the same junk foods on which the American population have grown up obese. Added to this they are burning less calories by becoming more and more of the couche potatoe types. As part of responsible parenting the Indian parents should take it upon themselves to correct this Caloric imbalance in their children by ensuring the right type of calories are fed to them and right type of caloric burning habits are cultivated in them so that they grow up as tomorrow's healthy Indian citizens.
The Americans are also concerned about the growing obesity in their children as per a recent article in the TIME magazine.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Dasavatharam Darshan in Boston
Musing#7
Hi Folks,
This is my experience of viewing the much awaited movie Dasavatharam of Kamalhasan on first day first show , that too at Boston. It costed $15 dollars to sit in a small rundown theatre at Belmont and the show was housefull. As soon as the titles started the crowd(representing nook and corner of TN) which was sober till then went bersek with hooting, whistling and shouting creating the atmosphere of watching the movie in TN heartland. This vouches for the often repeated cliche that you can take an Indian out of India but you just can not take the indianess out of him, wherever he is..... Now something about the movie,
Mr. Kamalhasan has been conferred the title of Universal hero in the movie titles, you have to give it to the people of Kollywood to come out with whacky titles for their heroes. Mr.Hasan dons ten roles which has never been done by any hero sofar in any "wood". He dons the roles of hero, comedian, villain, character artiste, plays cameo roles but mercifully spares the role of heroine which is played by the lissome Asin. Among all the roles played by Mr. Hasan the role 0f Balram naidu stands out. Nothing to gloat about story, which is like watching Indian version of a Bond movie with a cocktail of mythology, spirituality, microbiology, conspiracy, tsunami fully stirred not shaken like the martini of Mr. Bond.
Worth watching once...... but does not match the hype.
mentor mohan
Hi Folks,
This is my experience of viewing the much awaited movie Dasavatharam of Kamalhasan on first day first show , that too at Boston. It costed $15 dollars to sit in a small rundown theatre at Belmont and the show was housefull. As soon as the titles started the crowd(representing nook and corner of TN) which was sober till then went bersek with hooting, whistling and shouting creating the atmosphere of watching the movie in TN heartland. This vouches for the often repeated cliche that you can take an Indian out of India but you just can not take the indianess out of him, wherever he is..... Now something about the movie,
Mr. Kamalhasan has been conferred the title of Universal hero in the movie titles, you have to give it to the people of Kollywood to come out with whacky titles for their heroes. Mr.Hasan dons ten roles which has never been done by any hero sofar in any "wood". He dons the roles of hero, comedian, villain, character artiste, plays cameo roles but mercifully spares the role of heroine which is played by the lissome Asin. Among all the roles played by Mr. Hasan the role 0f Balram naidu stands out. Nothing to gloat about story, which is like watching Indian version of a Bond movie with a cocktail of mythology, spirituality, microbiology, conspiracy, tsunami fully stirred not shaken like the martini of Mr. Bond.
Worth watching once...... but does not match the hype.
mentor mohan
Thursday, June 12, 2008
How to quit smoking?
Musing#6
I've been a smoker for the past 36 years and I've been trying very seriouysly to quit this habit. I decided to quit my smoking when I boarded the flight to U.S. on 31st May08. This I found the most ideal way to quit because during the 18hrs flight I will be compelleed to refrain from smoking and this would be the right start. Another tempting factor for smoking is booze, as these two go hand in hand, literally speaking-on one hand you have the glass and on the other hand the stick.. hence I decided to go on the wagon also during my two month's stay in U.S. Now it is 12 days since I gave up smoking and also drinking and I am feling very nice and I am very confident that once and for all I will be quitting this dirty habit. One more factor which is facilitating this is my regular work out in the gym which is making me very health conscious and giving me positive reinforcement in my quitting programme........ One more thing is the support of my family ie. my wife, daughter and my son- in law in this quitting programme. Also I never felt the need for a substitute like a nicotine patch etc. to overcome the withdrawal symptoms.... what is important is the will power should be more stronger than the Wills power.... will keep u posted regularly on this....
mentor mohan
I've been a smoker for the past 36 years and I've been trying very seriouysly to quit this habit. I decided to quit my smoking when I boarded the flight to U.S. on 31st May08. This I found the most ideal way to quit because during the 18hrs flight I will be compelleed to refrain from smoking and this would be the right start. Another tempting factor for smoking is booze, as these two go hand in hand, literally speaking-on one hand you have the glass and on the other hand the stick.. hence I decided to go on the wagon also during my two month's stay in U.S. Now it is 12 days since I gave up smoking and also drinking and I am feling very nice and I am very confident that once and for all I will be quitting this dirty habit. One more factor which is facilitating this is my regular work out in the gym which is making me very health conscious and giving me positive reinforcement in my quitting programme........ One more thing is the support of my family ie. my wife, daughter and my son- in law in this quitting programme. Also I never felt the need for a substitute like a nicotine patch etc. to overcome the withdrawal symptoms.... what is important is the will power should be more stronger than the Wills power.... will keep u posted regularly on this....
mentor mohan
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