Right to have own opinion...

Why we fight over or can have endless arguments over ‘god’ whether it exists or not (cant use he/she right?)

And another is ‘reservation’  - as its known in India – i.e. caste based quota for resources, usually education, job, age limit etc.

Equal rights for women is not as hotly debated – openly, as it seem to have become politically correct – not to discriminate against women.

So, back to god and reservations areguements in india…

The god argument – continues – because, the definition of god is different for everyone.

For example – it will be like arguing whether

Football or cricket is the better sport (for non-indians, volleyball v/s basketball etc can be taken up)

Actually, how is “better” defined is the key – without having objective standards as what makes either sport ‘better’ – it can become an enver-ending discussion.

Similarly, the question, whether reservation (caste based quota) should exist or not – becomes endless argument – because – it fails to addrss its end result…

What is reservation aiming to do? – that I the real question  -what is the goal of this policy?

To bring equality? To give everyone fair chance?

-          Everyone, as in – impact on this generation or future generations as well?

Let me digress here a bit –

If I remember correctly, in the book, “a Connecticut Yankee in king arthur’s court”, the hero gets into an argument with some people – when they discuss – whether increasing the salary and increasing the cost of products they consume at the same time is useful or not.  People / general public feel – increasing salary is good (regardless of cost increase).  Because they have a narrow vision and don’t look beyond.

Similarly, people are obsessed with policy / rules..  if its not being implemented by the machinery / system – which is supposed to do so, then there is no point in having that rule.

For example, banning sale of alcohol (prohibition) wouldn’t make sense, if illegally sale of alcohol is left completely unchecked. 

But, in india, and many other countries as well – there is huge amount of corruption existing in govt. machinery – so, rather than focusing efforts to get that machinery to work properly, newer rules / policies are made.. 

The politicians know, its basically it’s a good technique to fool the public.  So, it wouldn’t be wrong at times to question, whether is it enough to have -  “you can’t fool all the people all the time”..  even if there is a small % of honest people, its enough – mentality should change..  unless the majority practices it, active activism is needed to clean the govt. machinery and work on keeping it clean..  

2 favourite activities

Running and being barefeet are 2 of my favourites...

And since the 2^nd anniversary of my barefoot life is nearing (3 week ahead), I decided to combine these 2 activities, even though its raining regularly.  Of course, an added bonus was, a 7 month old Doberman dog, which is happy to accompany me on this run.  I will write about it later. 

I took a path, through the forest area nearby for this run and its about 2km long.  It’s a mud path, and there are streams of water running through various parts of this path.  Due to my barefeet, I could feel, soft mud, slippery mud, hard mud, grassy mud, watery mud and so on, as I run through them. 

This path, through which I run at a moderate speed, would be impossible to go through with almost any kind of footwear.  There are areas where water levels are ankle deep, and sticky mud filled areas and so on.  I won’t recommend this jogging path to a newbie barefooter, but then I have been almost barefoot 24/7 for last 2 years and toughened up considerably. 

During this run, there are so many unique experiences.  I haven’t met any person in ths forest path stretch so far.  But I never felt lonely… rather, these runs almost feel meditative.  Though I am not running blindly or without care, but with atmost observation of my jogging path and caution.  The dog takes its own route and goes away to explore but makes sure it doesn’t lose me at all… and helping me understand the phrase ‘follows like a dog’ in totality. 

While running barefoot, the forefoot strikes the ground first.  The outer edges of the forefoot (the area just below your 3 small toes) hits the ground and then cushions the fall of the rest of the foot.  When you run through muddy areas, your foot will sink in, and if the ground is wet and soft enough, then mud will push through your toes up… this is a wonderful feeling, which has to be experienced and cannot be described in mere words.  

There is a reason too – as our toes are curved, one part of them do not generally come in contact with any surface, unless our feet sinks in.  thus the bottom part of our toes which are connected to our feet is like a virgin and this mud stimulates that area (now I hope you can imagine the sensation).  

Anyway, even though I run through all kinds of surfaces, I have not gotten hurt so far.  Not surprising to me now, but if someone had told so couple of years ago, I wouldn’t have believed and would have totally argued against it just like you want to…  (and now, see ya later, barefooter).    

And the music never stopped...

A really great movie, ‘the music never stopped’ came out in 2011... i am totally surprised why no one insisted that i must see this movie.. 

The story is based on a neurologist’s case study of a patient with brain tumor.  It’s heavily into American culture of 1950’s and 1960’s... and music bands of that time – ‘grateful dead’ genre...  but even a person with no idea about it will be able to appreciate the emotions this movie generates...

Its basically about a family of 3, parents and a son... there is generation gap, patriotism v/s peace, husband and wife, father and son, and what all it takes to bring about change from a rigidity.  The role of the son is done by ‘Lou Taylor Pucci’, and is outstanding, even though all the actors have done a great job.  On rotten tomatoe reviews, as i suspected, there was accusation of overindulging in sentimentality, but one has to take in the time of that setting, almost 60 years ago... and one of the perspectives is through the emotions of a teenager, who also happens to be sensitive character as well. 

Generally i don’t feel this way, but this movie should be watched by all.  I am surprised why it isn’t a cult already. 

**spoiler alert**  from now on, I am going to write about the story of the movie, so, do not read ahead unless you’ve seen the movie already or don’t mind it. 

Since the story was so un-usual, and the base material was prominently shown as an essay by oliver sacks ‘last hippie’, I googled and read that essay.  It’s a case report by a neurologist, of ‘greg f’, who had a huge brain tumor and which got operated, but resulted in loss of many brain functions.  But when this patient is discussed about music from a certain period (his passionate interest as a youngster), he becomes animated and connected.  (I have observed this on self and in others – when they get into a topic they are passionate about – the person’s communication style changes, they just flow… our brain might be getting into a ‘zone’ as in athletics).

The case study of patient ‘Greg F’ is a dry report in comparison to the movie script. In the case study, the neurologist goes to a music concert with the patient, but in movie, it’s the father of the patient. It would be a good idea to read the case study ‘the last hippie’ and see the movie as well – to realize the vast difference in emotional screen play and academic report.  But many things are studiously taken up from the case study – and the lead actor wonderfully portrays them.  It makes more sense to remember the lead actor suffers from a neurological condition, thus his reactions and expressions would be different from a normal person.  The schism in relationships and how an unusual condition/situation brings out a different perspective of the son, in a father-son relationship of the late 1950’s in USA is brilliantly portrayed.

The mother and changes in her life, empowerment, the doctor’s technical focus, the canteen girl cilia and the lead character’s earlier girlfriend – all are wonderfully shown in detail.  The loss of permanent memory, and how it can lead to the shock of hearing a sad news again and again is another thing to watch out.  This movie, thus, is emotional drama, medial case study, about music, generation gap, peace, and so many things… the title is taken from a ‘greatful dead’ (music band) song, the music never stopped, but probably, the movie ‘magic never stops’ would be appropriate way to describe this movie experience… 

floating ideas...

Few ideas have been floating inside my head... what is the base cause of corruption and inequality in today’s world? Is it marriage? I.e. the institution of marriage...  illegalize it and everything changes.  Individual property would be fine, but there wont be a point in acquiring wealth for 7 genetations of your family...  or your own kid, as there will be now Own kid.. but is it possible? Isn’t it impossible to take out the idea of pair bonding for life from human mind?

Let’s say – make it a legal requirement to get friendship registration... like marriage registration...  How would it pan out? In a society where it happens, maybe it wouldn’t be seen as ridiculous to you as now.

Similarly, there is a story idea lurking here – a sci-fi culture, where every citizen is supposed to get married to an organization / work team / company ...  it wont be just till retirement, it will be life long..  There will be 100’s of movies about people who are absolutely blissful and ecstatic about being with an organization for life...  Hell, you can even add rituals where people tie thread to a special tree to be with that organization for 7 life times...  

(You can extend it by modernizing the new movies by youngsters going thru hell before they can decide which company to be married with..  Till like love, it just strikes them, and they find the PERFECT company... then its all hunky dory for the rest of your life)...

And in between writing all this, i was reading... and wanted to put a quote down here, for no reason... at first.

running was mankind’s first fine art... (chris mcdougall, in ‘born to run’)

After i put the above quote, i started worndering why i did that... it had absolutely no place in whatever i am trying to express... but, as i maybe was trying to connect both these streams of thoughts (trying to figure out the root cause of evil – or insecurity and hoarding and human inequality, along with ultra-long-distance running, i found a connection... just as much fun as you find a way while trekking..  anyways let me not digress.

The point is, is our life a fine art too, or is it a project? Of course, rabindranath tagore’s short story, ‘wrong man in the workers paradise’ kind of sums it up, but i don’t remember it providing any answers/solutions..  how should we live? Free and without measurements or based on rules of the president of obsessessive-compulsive society?

Putting it in such extremes as black & white creates a skewed vision, and the obvious answer would be ‘it should be a golden mean’... but i guess everyone will have a dominating side... control freak v/s liberal artist – just as the old personality divide between introvert v/s extrovert...  with a third dimension of ‘ambivert’ adding up along with it. So there could be a “control artist” as a fuzzy intelligence... 

(i see myself swinging between the 2 extremes without really figuring out how to find the middle path... as i see the precise documentation as useful and at the same time hippie way of no measurements as liberating too... and at times running through the middle path, but every new day it disappears and i have to runn all over to find that path each new day)... maybe i will find an equation or maybe there are no equations..  the argument continues!

Rigid constitutions to unwritten norms...

Why is no one talking about ‘india shining’or india equalling developed countries nowadays? Why does corruption seem to be an everyday normal occurance in the country with the biggest constitution in the world? How can basic human rights be provided to 1.2 billion people of the world? Are we working in a negative way – i.e. focusing on addressing our insecurities and not on developmental pathways ahead?

Ever since independence, formation of policies doesn’t seem to work – but Indians seem hell bent on this as the method to all problems... how will a policy will be implemented seem to be the last thought.  How can India as well as other countries of the world benefit from an analysis on the above?

A rigidly written constitution to unwritten constitutions, or norms – It’s all to run systems smoothly.  Basically, to encourage what should be done and to stop what shouldn’t be done, that is the key to any system. 

What we want to do – v/s what we don’t want – these 2 polar opposites...  often an individual might have such a policy for themselves.  Sometimes families, small groups, (or big groups based on religion), and a whole country, create such systems to make them function at their best.

In india, sonography to determine sex of a child is illegal.  Female foeticide is also illegal and second step to sex determination test. Abortion is illegal in some countries. The war against drugs all over the world (drugs like cocaine, meth) is ongoing since many years.  Lying, stealing, killing, and a huge list of things which are un-wanted / to be stopped behaviour.  But despite a ton of rules & regulations nothing really seem to stop these things.

Cooperation, ethical behaviour, honesty in financial transactions, respect for each other and so on are expected / wanted behaviour.  And with or without rules, these desired behaviours don’t seem to increase. 

So, is there any point in trying to improve the world through any kind of regulations? Or should there be different types of regulations in place? Will a rule which cannot be implemented will be a blade of grass in heavy wind? Or is that the first step anyway? But then, if a rule fails to be implemented – should it be discarded or removed as s rule? What should be the time frame for evaluating whether a rule is democratic or not?

Law of a court, an appealing advertisement, traditional culture, religious ritual, instincts...  so many ways to modify human behaviour... but not 1 perfect way for it.  Maybe that’s the fun of being a human, being a thinking entity!

Health care as a human right?

 – Most advanced health care should be a human right – along with food & shelter, health care is a basic need of every human being.  I don’t think there will be a problem in reaching a consensus about such a right. 

of course, any discussion about ‘human rights’ will take us to ‘inequality’ among human beings, and whether all of us believe in some sort of equality for all of us.  Logically human beings should feel some sort of franternity as we all are one species and also should agree on need to look after each other to some extent.  It’s also insurance, i.e. saving for a rainy day – such as, when we will become ill and require help / health services to survive.       

Now let me narrow down breadth of this blog to current scenario in an undeveloped part of the world, where lots of poor people do not get best health care possible.  To figure out multitudes of problems of this right.

Just any health care wouldn’t be enough for a person suffering from temperory or chronic ill-health.  The best methods (evidence based) should be available.  But, for that, we have to reach a consensus on what is ‘best health care’ standard.  Some would vouch by a faith healer, or even a religious ritual.  What to do about that? One man’s faith is another’s blind faith.

Is the current modern medical care evidence based? Most educated people might agree that allopathy gives logical explanation and concrete information about physiology.  Maybe not ‘most’, but ‘many’ educated people.  There are many systems of healthcare and faith healing methods as well.  A poor / un-educated person might never had exposure to modern science, thus he/she will be forced to have faith even in modern medical care based on logic. Then i read about 2 way stethoscopes – which has 2 earphones, instead of just 1 pair for the doctor.   

Imagine, a doctor checking a patient who never had exposure to human anatomy and how stethoscope works... now, imagine he/she getting to listen along with doctor while their chest is being examine by this 2-ear phone stetho... the doctor can explain as they check, and thus give a short health awareness communication while check-up.  In such a case, the patient will have more information about his/her body and increases chances of accepting modern medical methods with understanding, rather than just develop faith in it.

It will be very many years, by the time, the world will be able to agree on standard health care treatments – currently multiple schools of medical care exist – allopathy, ayurved, Chinese, homeopathy and so on.

There are also faith healers, astrologers, and religious rituals etc – which provide proxy health care – through innumerable ways.  They often are using what’s known as ‘placebo effect’ as well.  But one thing is certain – they do provide one necessary requirement, and that is, psychological aspects (comfort, hope, assurance etc).  These psychological requirements needs to be addressed and should be part of standard health care.  Till then, divisions and incompatibility will exist to make us ever more miserable than the health problems themselves.

Along with these health care related thoughts, another related one rolls in.  Suppose in India, where there is such a mad rush to get admission in medical school (MBBS), a new policy is formulated.  That is, after 12^th standard, every MBBS applicant will have to first serve for 1 year in a health center as an apprentice/ doctors assistant? Right now, there is 1 year bond period which the medical graduates have to serve in govt. Hospitals, but that doesn’t always happen... so, putting it before admission – will it be more applicable and effective? 

Protests...

The wave of protests all over the world... the Arab springs, and now the second wave from Egypt, and new ones in turkey, Brazil and of course, the occupy moments, what do they indicate?

One way to understand is through analogies.  Centuries ago, the medical science struggled with diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The treatment was focused on symptomatic relief – because we as human beings had little knowledge about the complex physiological system.

Similarly, we are struggling with problems which can be termed as social diseases.  To work together, we need systems that ensure fair and equal treatment of all the group members.  Democracy, socialism and such political systems try to bring solutions to these group level functions. 

Along with that, economic systems too try to keep the majority satisfied with efforts and benefits distribution.  How much effort /input each human has to make and how much resources will they be awarded is decided through a combination of economic-political systems. 

We try to push our body too, to find out what all excesses it can survive, alcohol, tobacco, overeating, under-exercise, and so on..  just like that, we try to push our eco-political systems too, and try to figure, how much can injustice and inequality can the majority suffer without exploding.  And when such a social disease occurs (the protests can be seen as an allergic reaction or skin disease), some treatment is given. 

If you were a governing body member, or ruling political party leader, how would you view these protests? As a first step, every ruling party would try to see no major cause for huge gathering should happen in the media. And even if such an outburst does occur then, try to see how it can be dissipated and some sacrificial lambs could be thrown away.  Thus treating the symptoms, just as the earlier medical science did. 

The body is the media (now internet being an addition), and the eco-politicians try to harness media, or focus on symptoms.  The belief is that, if the symptoms are not seen (in the media), then it doesn't matter.  Or another media campaign is used to counter the current (media) symptom outrage, without realizing the focus needs to be on the root cause of disease.  Thus such protests will keep re-occuring without any major change, because the current system doesn't have mechanisms to detect public discontent change eco-politico policies, until there is coup.

And one of the major root causes is inequality.  Something like 40% of the resources/wealth is cornered by 1%, to put it in a very rough manner, and some 40% of the population less than 1% of the resources/wealth.  How do we address this? How come the current system still has no answer to dealing with such blatant human rights violations?

If any other system/science than economics or eco-politics performed at current level, the leaders of that system would have been fired long ago.  The current eco-political administers or CEO’s have failed very badly... performed worse than the recently bankrupted financial behemoths or even Municipalities... (But then they are part of eco-political system).  So, basically there is no scale to measure their level of failure.  Compared to medical science, it would be like saving 1% of the patients they treat... but, we, humans fear ‘change’ more...  

Maybe we should start anew from scratch.  There are too many maybes, but one thing is clear.  The current eco-political system needs major overhauling.  We need very good doctors to treat the rampant social diseases, before it’s too late. 

Another lecture

Another lecture

Why do amusement dance in your eyes always

And there’s a shade of fierceness that glints

Reflecting cautionary protective spirit,

Along with it confounding curves appear too,

At where cheeks meet those lips,

Leaving even anticipation holding its breath

Is this beginning of a smile now?

Often somber clouds just cover it up,

And sometimes they don’t; to enlighten

What’s to feel like a feather and float…

But it’s always a flash & control reigns,

And the mystery remains unraveled as always;

And me to copy another lecture notes

From one of those rock solid classmates.

attachments

these days, most emails are allowing bigger attachment file size..  there was a time, when it couldn't be bigger than 1 mb..

anyway, this blog is not about that, and you might have guessed.  its about the real attachments in life we have with each other.  some people can be obsessed with them and some people are detached with everyone to the core.

there can be 2 poles.  the general eastern culture, or Indian culture is a collective one, where relatives, friends, teachers, co-workers, by-standers, total strangers have a say about what you should do in your life...   and other / another culture, where its very individualistic.  though changes are happening; cultural stereotypes are harder to predict.

but, even in these collective cultural melting pot, there are people who have very different life experiences.  who live alone, on their own, dont have to plead with half a dozen others to get permission to see a movie, and dont have to worry about 'what will people say'...   how will such a person with a decade of this kind of experience interact with a co-worker, who live like extension of their family, friends, neighbors and their dog?  both will feel the other is an alien.

that leads to another flash..   about people who use excessive amount of adjectives and superlatives to describe experiences.  how would you deal with someone, who will describe their mundane morning tea, as the most amazing experience in entire life, it was incredulous and changed me forever!!  i mean, that's their low rating..  kind of like the 1 out of 10.  i dont even want to imagine how he/she will describe their 10 level experience.   there is another question, "why do some people exaggerate so much - i.e. through superlative adjectives"?  are they trying to live a bigger life or cant deal with un-exaggerated life experiences? ...

well, is there an ideal life? or are we all simply chasing dreams??

 

SK25 May 2013 (Saurkundi pass trek)

Saurkundi pass trek, organized by YHAI - notes of our group 'sk25' journey in May 19th to 29th (2013):

19-5-2013 - Day1 : Reporting at base camp Youth Hostel Association of India (YHAI) at "15 Miles" -its the name of the place, its about 17km before Manali, and 23km after Kullu) –

as you enter the YHAI (Youth hostel association of India) camp site – about 10 tents on each side, left side mostly for women and right side tents for men – with a reception desk tent in the front gate, and kitchen nearby that.  There are separate bathrooms at the end of the camp for men & women.  A peaceful site overall. 

Nothing much to do on the first day, other than meeting other trek group members, and walking around the base camp to buy things you had missed out, such as torch, toilet paper etc.

20-5-2013 - Day2: Acclimatization and Orientation -

You get bed tea (generally not in your tent, but near camp mess/kitchen, and then At 6.30am, everyone is lined up for a run and exercise / stretching routine – this is a tough routine, but very very helpful in the coming days and the trek up is very demanding on your body.  The best exercise routine comes in the end, which is,

“Making a melody in my life, king of kings, thumps up, thumps up, thumps down,

Elbow bent, elbow up, Knee bent, back bent, neck bent, tongue out…  and turn around… ;)

Acclimatization, basically is, a walk up the mountains for a hour or so, while carrying a heavy (back pack) rack-sack, (or called as ‘Rakshak” by many ;) – this is very imp. As it helps you to realize how heavy should your back pack be, while you go up for the trek.  The necessities should be there, but it shouldn’t be too heavy, which is not easy, but you gotta do it.

In the early evening, general information, and directions and tips are given by the camp leaders to the group, and even though it might seem like ‘lecture’, it’s a useful session. 

And, yeah, shorts are not allowed in YHAI camps.. there is no reason as such, but its better to obey the rules of YHAI, like its some tradition, and overall, YHAI traditions are fun 90% of the time, so, just accept the rest of the 10% with a smile.

Its not easy like day 1 to go out of the camp, but think of it as the last chance to buy whatever items you gotta buy.

Today night, our group had to perform the cultural program at night, and the whole group did very well, and it’s a great opportunity to bond and laugh too. Don’t forget to boo at lousy performances as well, at your own group and other groups too ;)

21-5-2013 - Day3: Rock Climbing and Rappelling -

Up at 5.30am, as there was nothing to do at night, and the lights go off at 9pm, inside a tent with about 11 other people, it was easy to sleep early and wake up too.  In the cold morning, a hot morning tea is very inviting and without waiting to see whether it will reach the tent (its supposed to be bed-tea), walked over to kitchen area, where tea kettle is kept for it. 

Then at 6.30am, usual jogging and exercise – in a nearby area, which is about half a km away.  Then breakfast by 8am or so, and at 8.45am, gathered together to send off group no. 23, who will be going up to Saurkundi trek, and they walked away with lots of pride… 

Our group too walked few minutes later for rappelling about couple of km away rocky area – there were lots of people – 52 to be exact, so it took a long time of waiting, but also a time to observe how others are climbing down the rock with help of a rope tied on their waist – the secret is to let go, and allow yourself to hang by your waist – which is not easy when you are on steep incline… anyway, many people were able to rappel down well. 

There was no rock climbing lessons in the noon, and many spent packing their bags for the trek, and packing another bag to keep at the cloak room at base camp – its tricky, but the back-pack for trek should be light, yet contain all essentials.  There is a long list, but couple of things to do is –

Use lunch box as your plate for breakfast and dinner – so you can reduce couple of things.  Instead of rain jacket, use a poncho/ rain sheet, which can be used as a sheet to sit on as well.  Dry fruits are not required, as YHAI provides enough food – I experimented and avoided outside food totally (except once) and it was totally ok.  

You can avoid taking inner cloth cover for sleeping bag – it’s a heavy item. 

22-5-2013 - Day4: Trek to Youth Hostel Segli 8kms – (7100ft) 5hrs

No morning jog today for our group.  We did stretching exercises in mini groups anyway.  At 8.45am, we were all eager to begin the trek and the other new groups gave us a rousing send off.  It really feels great to walk off from the camp, with pride bursting our chest… though soon, the steep incline leads to breathlessness, and regret at not making yourself fit for this trek.

YHAI gives a pack lunch – generally of chapatti and bhendi (little finger) vegetable, but the altitude and tough walk upwards can get to your appetite. 

There were plenty of resting points and at lunch point, we got more than an hour of rest among beautiful hillside, with lots of tree cover.  Our group pushed themselves to reach the next camp by around 4 pm and we got a welcome drink and after an hour time, tomato soup (ideal as the evening was getting cold) and early dinner, and then a camp fire – cultural program by our group for our own group, which ends with hot chocolate drink and ends around 930pm – most people go to bed after that.  Oh yes, there is a shock when we discover that for the whole group, there are only 2 toilets each for men and women – and we learn to live with less facilities as we keep going up. 

23-5-2013 - Day5 : Trek to Youth hostel Hora Thatch (9000ft) 10km – 7hrs

We had bed-tea at 5.30am, tea at 630am, breakfast at 730am and pack-lunch at 830am, and left the camp at 8-45am.  The camp leader was a no-nonsense person and made sure discipline and punctuality were kept – it was a cold morning, but everyone of us cooperated with the schedule, as we were eager to go up. 

The climb was less tough than yesterday, but by a fraction.  It was the same routine as yesterday for noon and evening. Only difference was there was no camp leader, so our group leader and co-leader managed those duties. The camp fire (cultural program) is fast degenerating into Antakshari style singing, but its all fun, when the views around you are amazing like this.   

The nights are cold, and woolen gloves, socks, monkey cap etc become a must, when you crawl into the sleeping bag provided at each camp.  The hot drinks and food are great too, and provided on time even these difficult terrains.

24-5-2013 - Day6 : Trek to Youth hostel Maylee Thatch (10500ft) 9kms – 7hrs

Bed tea, tea, breakfast, pack lunch and going off to next camp…  usual routine now.  Left maylee thatch (maylee meadows) and went up to daura thatch – the highest camp of our entire trek.

The morning was usual thing, thought the climb was tougher, and one steep hill after another lead the way up.  Later our co-leader told us, its called ‘tel ki chadai’ (oil climb), as it takes out the oil from the best of the climbers… persistence, where you keep pushing yourself to take the next step was the only way to complete this difficult climb and the whole group did it together.

Post lunch, on way we found patches of snow, which lead to snow ball fighting immediately.  But before the next camp was reached, it started to rain, and suddenly the temperature dipped and we had a changed format of weather.  Usually at the end of the camp, it was sunny enough to get your sweat covered socks and clothes dry by hanging them out of your tent, but today it was not possible.

Though soon the sun came back and the rain stopped.  The camp leader here was tough and focused on punctuality, but, the sun cheered up everyone. There were lots of green meadows (went barefoot running and explored around and found ‘Llangoors’ or black faced monkeys, which were scared of humans).  Then the guides – who take us through the mud paths to next camp, got a cricket bat and twain ball, and we had a great game of cricket at 11000 ft. 

The camp fire was chaotic but energetic with 2 groups fighting it out fully with antakshari… 

25-5-2013 - Day7 : Trek to Youth Hostel Daura Thatch (11300ft) 10kms - 7hrs

It was a sunny morning and best day to go across the main part of our trek – the saurkundi pass… we started early, and found enough snow to practice sliding and making snow man (my first in life) and snow ball fight etc.  then we reached the saurkundi pass (and beyond a hill was a frozen lake of saur).

After passing it, we found a big pile of snow, which lead to a long snow slide for everyone.  It was one of the bestest experiences of the whole trek, where you can slide through snow at thrilling speeds. 

Then, it was steep climb down, but everyone was thrilled to bits and filled with energy.  We reached the next camp Longa thatch, and were kind of realizing the ascent of trek is over.  Clouds started filling up the sky towards late evening and everything cooled down by night. I got into a new tent – or a new mini group and started playing ‘wolf’ which is just like ‘mafia’, and it’s a great game for such treks.

26-5-2013 - Day8 : Trek to Youth Hostel Longa Thatch (10800ft) via Saurkundi Pass (12900ft) 12kms – 8hrs

Around middle of night, it started to rain.  Most people didn’t want to get out in the rain to keep their clothes / shoes in dry places. 

The morning saw more rain and bed-tea in the tent was greatly welcomed.  Getting next tea and breakfast and pack-lunch were a chore in the rain drenched morning.  The rain was very cold too, and people were already slipping in the wet mud inside the camp.  The dark clouds seemed to cover up the entire sky and it seemed it will rain for couple of days at least.

This could be one of the lowest points, as we had a very steep descent, and a wet muddy path to go through.  Irritation and chaos prevailed, but a new challenge of dealing with rain and taking up the descent also arouse, and we pushed ourselves to climb down in the pouring rain.  It was tough, with many slipping down, but without any real harm or danger.  After couple of hours (or less than that), rain stopped and sun came out.  The path down was still wet, but it was a great relief.  The sun remained and soon the path dried out enough for a decent climb down.

Reached the Lekhni camp, which was a wooden house, and after many days of tent living, we got into a permanent structure.

27-5-2013 - Day9 : Trek to Youth Hostel Lekhni (8100ft) 10kms – 4hrs

Most of the trek was now over, and everyone was in relaxed mode.  There were strawberry farms here and everyone had freshly picked strawberries to their fill.  Schedules were more relaxed and small group chatting increased and emails and phone numbers exchanged.  It was a relaxed night; with more wolf game for some, and just relaxing sleep for many others.

28-5-2013 - Day10 : Trek to Alu Ground (Manali) Road head, transfer by bus to 15 Miles Base camp, Valedictory function.

Around 9am, we started the walk down.  It was a fast walk as sun was shining and the conditions were nice.  Reached the aloo ground, from where you can take bus to base-camp.  I got a shave (3 months of long beard to clean shave) and at base camp, got certificate, returned ruck-sack and inner cloth of sleeping bag, and got back my YHAI id card.

Many left around afternoon for further exploration before going home, and some stayed back till tomorrow!

29-5-2013 - Day11: Group departs after Breakfast.

hot summer, yet raining insights

every now and then, a time comes, when i feel i get many insights and thus grow mentally.  this happens usually once a year or once in 2-3 year or so.  its rare and happens on its own.

i remember such happenings during my college years, and sometimes friends getting alienated due to these changes. of course, new people become friends as well, probably all this is just a figment of imagination.

anyways, recently i saw a documentary, children of pyre, and even though it showed the weird and crazy world of child laborers who are condemned to work in funeral pyre area of Manikarnika ghat, it seemed to reflect human life in general - we all seem to go through more or less similar experiences - whether we have money or not.

then came, kai po che, a hindi movie based on chetan bhagat's novel '3 mistakes of my life' - which reflects the chaotic india and again the human life.  which seem to fascinate as well as disgusted me (more fascination though ;)

then i saw this photo feature, protest against Tunisian govt embassy's in many parts of Europe by topless women activists and while watching those photos, i felt, we unnecessarily add so much moral and cultural values into nudity and human body.  the more we will cover it up, the more human rights violations will be there.  of course, there was amina tyler of tunisia and the group called 'femen' as well... fascinating again.

then another feature, on masks (by atlantic magazine), which was basically photos of people with various types of masks - religious, protest rally, party, festival, games, sports (protection), political, army, violence, religious (hijab or burkha), fun masks etc. etc.  what all these show? - human beings create so much drama around themselves and they keep hiding and uncovering.

maybe the whole human society is playing a complex and huge hide-n-seek game ;)

of course, i should end here, with that punch line, but wait... there is another insight.  why do all these marriage related web sites have bride and groom in such fancy looking clothes, and celebrations? in india especially - why do parents spend so much on their kid's marriage/wedding?
why is there such a big scale propoganda to make youngsters feel that getting married is the biggest fun and a day on which they will be totally in spot light and in bestest finery?

isn't such marketing techniques used - when the product itself isn't easy to sell? i mean, the marriage commercials - they beat all other adverts...  when a bride and groom is smiling away in their shining clothes and turbans and jewelry, the viewers of those adverts would seem themselves doing that.  i mean in this situation, you can rip off the face of the models and can literally put your own.  in other ads, (most of them) the viewer will imagine that product (TV, Watch, mobile or whatever) with them...

so, what's the catch here? will the future be any different? gender neutral, open relationship, no value enforcement libertarian life? some might call this heaven as hell ;)

And its indescribable

And its indescribable

Seems like the end itself

Became the startling line

At least for me, it is.

I’ve been unapologetic before,

But this time am forced to,

Or it’d be nothing,

At such an intesity, pretention vaporates.

“Didn’t know being blamed

Can feel so nice“, I read,

And it could’ve been

The end of the world,

Or it could go on forever,

I’ve had enough in those lines…

Someone had quit watching

In the middle of a movie, after the scene

From ‘an officer and a gentleman’,

Debra Winger’s forlorn look,

With her hands on the pockets

Of an old housecoat,…

As I closed the outer world with a blanket, 

Told the surprised room partner

A Ghazhal singer on the next bed,

That one look is enough,

Even from a motel TV set…

That singer made it into an anecdote

To share with friends the next day;

I was that someone with

A proud smile despite labeled romantic

As I stood in that cheery group;

But now detect derision

In that sepia printed nostalgia

Embedded in my memory

I have the real thing now,

And quit in the middle

To sleep off again…

And a selected

And a selected melody explodes

Anticipation reveals, ‘It’s her I know’

And the glow spreads along

With peels of sound and light

In that darkened room

Its another innocuous saying,

And a very huggable question,

With a g.n to end it.

An unknown concept floats

It’s thinner than a bubble

Translucent yet incomprehensible

And jumps out of reach

When probing fingers fly

To bring it near, grasp it.

The attempts cease, leaving it

In the hands of fate

And it slowly descends, sways

At breaths length, gently

But teasingly enough…

Sleep returns, the equalizer,

Before questions and morning arise,

The dream part begins to play

Not without a few pop-ups,

And goalless freedom reigns.

Hope, leaves the dreamer,

Without guilt or a backward glance

But with a mental promise

To be there to care during

The next long, realistic day.

To every woman I know

Rivers of self hatred

Blackens the mud,

And flow without aim.

Emotionless clouds

With suffocating stillness,

Hang heavily.

Loveless trees

Keep spreading scorched

Branches, sans leaves.

Winds seem to have become

Introverts, scared,

Rage within self.

You don’t stand a chance,

It not human,

The one you are connecting to.

Let him go,

Here greenery stands no chance,

The desert dies, always.

welfare groups

during a chat with a friend this topic came up (so many insights explode during informal chats with curious friends, but never seem to have time enough for them)...

there are lots of welfare groups (WG), who try to contribute to the society, to bring about equality, care to poor people.  but they follow different isms/ideologies

these people follow different ideologies, but want to achieve similar things, want similar end results...

they may be part of an institution, a religion, political group, fan club, CSR dept, a philosopher, a leader, cult, or any such thing /person who are trying to achieve some social cause...

but, getting them (wg's) to work together can be very difficult.  would a leftist (marxism) and a christian charity group member work together (to provide medical care for underprivileged?) - maybe mother theresa and a Marxism follower did work together in kolkatta/west bengal...  but people belonging to different groups/isms would prefer to work away from each other..

are these wg's similar to religious groups? (religious groups also would be part of wg's, but not vice versa).

different religious groups also want similar end results, but fanatically oppose each other (most of them do).
they are based on myths, figure heads (divine person), blind faith, faith, superstition, and at times plain ridicule.  the wg's also are based on such things...

all they have to do is, go a step beyond...  basic logic will show, why equality and world peace etc are good for us all.  good in the long term, better for the ecology, and so on.  so why not base the need to have such activities / goals on that logic alone?  then wouldn't these ideological chasms be bridged?

look at the human beings as one of the species inhabiting the earth, and thus accept our eccentricities and non-divinity in a realistic way, than trying to make ourselves feel holier and special... might be more useful, practical than following fanatically an ism, person, founder, or ideology might be better.  of course, shifting the source of inspiration (prerana stroth in hindi i guess), to such a logic, realism would be very difficult for most people.  but wouldn't it be worth trying?

psychology of economics ;)

why do we have so many conflicting financial ideologies?
what does economics study? is it how resources/materials are interchanged? or is it all a reflection of human motivation? - and is it the reason for such diverse ideas such as capitalism, communism, socialism and other multiple combos and permus...

basically they reflect the complex mental states of humans and we haven't been able to understand it well to develop a system to manage the motivators and needs etc.

are humans basically individualistic? or social or altruistic or selfish or family or clique based or universal/global? the problem is such a black or white labeling is not enough and each one of us is all of these and change from one state to another...  just one person finds at times agreeing & disagreeing with just one philosophy...

an individual cannot survive alone in this world... but the individual ego or need for self control (self drive/free will) is also huge - thus the system or ideology should be able to incorporate both the sides - need for individual control and cooperation/coexistence with others and put efforts as a team/community/group.

such a system hasn't been developed, as these systems are not been viewed & designed with human being (or their mental processes) in focus.  the economic behavior (or any other specific system's analysis such as government, sports, media etc) are but reflections of the human mental states, rather than separate entities.

what we do is a reflection of our internal processes - but rather than focusing on this internal process, we tend to analyze external behavior - and get obsessed with it, and start seeing it as a separate entity.  of course, i do try to check whether my opinions are self-propagating...  a capitalist would vehemently encourage capitalism, a religious person can be fanatic and for a student of psychology, mental state becomes the one & only center of the world or universe..  so should you, so should we all.

but let me not end with a question hanging.  let me try to explore a bit about solutions as well.  the group, community should be strong for all of us to survive.  individuals should contribute to the larger group, put efforts to cooperate and coexist and be equal...  but these efforts should not stem from force or pressure.   it should happen through individual decision - individual freedom to decide, direct their own energies should not be suppressed.

but the larger picture of being together has to be part of cultural exposure - exceptions be tolerated; and each individual like a child be exposed to the consequences of their decisions and actions.

it is more difficult, but long term.  its not self indulgence - the short cuts and instant gratification.  it changes when insecurity is reduced, which is a part of our mental state. its a tall aim, but worth climbing towards...

White shirt

a white shirt is one of the most simplest ways to beat any fashion trends. i mean, for a guy at least. i recently took out an old white shirt of mine (part of spring cleaning, or seasonal filtering, through which i try to keep my possessions to a minimum, which i can carry in just 2 bags... an eccentric way to be minimalist)..

so, this white shirt, came up, i tried it on...  there was a brown spot near pocket.  i rubbed it, but it seemed like a permanent one.  i was like, oh hell, looks like this shirt seemed to have lived its life of usefulness, wont be able to wear this for formal occasions etc.

then it hit me... why am i declaring this shirt dead? where did this idea that one spot is enough to ruin a cloth came up? and how white is my white shirt? has it lost its sheen? ... and did all these ideas (appearing to be facts) intruded through advertisements?  yes, i could remember repeated ads of washing powders telling me how even a cloth considered as 'white' can be more white and thus better status statement, if i used their powder.

but, wait... they did not come through just ads.  lots of my friends (peer influence) keep telling me so as well. wear this, wear that, and dont wear those... (i can't imagine how much more intrusive family members can be, as even friends can be pushy when it comes to fashion).

actually, it can't be called just as fashion anymore.  it almost seems to be a moral code.  wearing something out of trend can be, 'stupid', 'gross', insensitive', 'shocking', 'vulgar'.. and of course, 'anti-religion'.

why do we judge self and others, so much on the basis of the clothes they wear, the way its stitched, the spots or level of its cleanliness, and so on and on....  i guess 90% of the time, we feel we are not in fashion and only on those occasions, when we have splurged on new clothes, we feel good about our clothes.

the most pathetic thing is, we spread this degrading negativity through our family and friends, without thinking twice.  actually, the problem could be just that... we dont even think twice... just accept whatever we are spoon fed... like this blog ;)

emotional fusion

last Sunday got some free time to view some Hindi movies, and a friend's 500GB hard disk, with both GOW or 'Gangs of Wasseypur 1 & 2', and kya super cool hai hum.  Intuitively felt these days, movies are about making many short  pieces of inspired visuals, and then joining them together as a feature film. but anyways, some of these short clips are brilliant in themselves.

kind of like a joke book, where out of the 100 odd jokes, out of which some you like, hate, enjoy, get confused and if lucky, then may laugh out loud too.

so, can't write the off totally, though the amount of self promotion happening in movies these days beats even TV adverts about their own products such as soaps.  Every movie pays homage to couple of scores of other movies, and they all seem to stand up on each other; somewhat like action comic genre & super powered hero story chains.

anyway, few scenes which i reflected back on.  (the examples given below are from just few scenes, from couple of movies, but it seem to indicate a trend... or something like that ;)

first, from a tamil movie, called Angaditheru.  a critically acclaimed real life film, but as mentioned above, short clips joined together. there is a standout scene - a down and out guy, goes around asking roadside shopkeepers for a job, but is rejected repeatedly.  on his way out, he goes to answer nature's call to nearby urinal and comes out in a hurry holding his nose... its very unclean and smelly... then an idea strikes him, he borrows some basic cleaning equipment and cleans up the urinal (which is a govt. built free for all one).. and then sits outside that urinal and asks for a small fee from anyone who wants to use the urinal.  (of course, its illegal, but no one realize that, and i guess people also would be happy to pay a little to have a clean place). - but this scene is not much connected to the movie plot as such.

in movie, GOW-1 & 2 (gangs of wasseypur), 2 youngsters (named perpendicular and tangent) go to rob a store keeper with guns.... but before going in to the shop, they take off their slippers (footwear), as per the custom.  my mind did a somersault when i saw them taking off their footwear, even though they are going into rob that shop; and i asked myself, 'did they just take off their slippers now?' - maybe the director realized such a fleeting glimpse of taking footwear off wouldn't be enough to hammer that point, so after threatening and robbing up the shopkeeper, the 2 youngsters shout at each other as one of them goes to wear the other's slippers.

- they are willing to break such crucial laws/rules and rob another person, but obey a mere norm of taking off their footwear before going into a shop! (i felt its an apt reflection of Bihar, or India or even the whole of human beings... where oxymorons and contradictions rule, but guess we are like this only!

there are other scenes as well, where, at a shotgun marriage, guys carrying guns stand behind a terrified groom, who when asked by priest, whether he agrees for that marriage, is unable to speak.  the gun-man behind him, says 'yes' (on the grooms behalf), but the priest innocuously insists, "he (the groom) should say that"...
-when its so obvious that rules are broken and the groom is forced at gun point to marry, why insist of minor a technicality that, the groom should say it in his own voice? !!  wonders never cease.

of course, a trade mark of the GOW director, anurag kashyap reflects in many scenes, i.e. emotional fusion. after a shocking shootout, which ends in a funeral scene, a singer belts out 'yaad teri aayegi', a song from the 1970/80's, which is a song about heartbreak/lost love.  it somehow makes sense in a weird way in that funeral scene, but adds tinge of black humor to the grief, shock and sadness of that scene..  an involved viewer would be left to wonder what emotions are he/she is feeling at that moment...

hence the title.... just like mixing of music genre's... whadya think?

gate crasher, woman in red

Everyone seems to be talking about the gate crasher, or the ‘woman in red’ who spoilt Indian teams march in Olympics 2012 opening ceremony (on web).   Olympics have become ultimate media sport… Radio had its limitations to milk tabloid value of happenings; TV did and is improving, but internet & social media really know how to squeeze it. 

Aint the same thing happening in this blog too?  Well, I decided to write about it, only after the 2^nd part occurred… the apology.

Here are 2 links for reference: which gives information on the part 1

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/9437157/Olympic-ceremony-gatecrasher-was-an-Indian-student-who-claims-she-was-told-to-lead-out-her-nation.html

and part 2.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/news/9449492/Mathura-Nagendra-opening-ceremony-gatecrasher-sorry-for-error-of-judgment.html

Try to see, how people from viewed these events…

Of course, many Indians cried foul, some Britishers trivialized the whole news, the father of that girl said, its all a misunderstanding, the girl posted it on her facebook (till she later realized how shameful it all is)…

She initially claimed to have been following orders! And later gave a defensive apology… "It was chaos. A lot of people were around. It was a huge event as we all know."  - Then what about other nations marches? Why weren’t lots of people wandering around with each team?

After giving such statements, she adds.  "I hope this will be forgiven."

What are the chances of that?

Why were so many people upset at this ‘woman in red’, even before this apology?

Some sites pointed out, that because she “Hogged all the attention in the 10 seconds when Indian team were shown on opening ceremony”.   – easily understandable, since this would be the only time most of the 81 person team from India will get any media attention.  But other than that?

Would it be because, it shows utter disregard for the coordination work that she was given, and utilizing it to have fun, even though it was a very selfish thing to do? – could be for lots of people.

Any other reasons? – jealousy could be another; How many people who cried shame would love to do the same thing, given the opportunity?  How many can say NO, and stand their ground, when given keys to a cookie jar?

Maybe lack of color coordination and looking lousy as an eye sore? – What would have happened if this gate crasher was a super model look alike?  - hmm… just trying to guess as many reasons as possible… comment if you think of something..

Whew! Let’s get back to our real words… Oh, it’s still raining out here ;)