Transition & Culture Shock

So after a handful of years living away from parents, life's choice took me back to India (where my roots are) to visit with parents, family, etc. This happened after many conversations, IMs, e-mails, talks, negotiations, consultations, 'verbal-fencing', etc with near and dear.

I was dreading this visit also wanting to visit at the same time. With all these extreme opposites dragging me, I'm finally here. The culture has changed a lot, from things we do in every day life, to rituals in ceremonies, government offices (Good ole 'formalities'!!!) and also the infamous media with its effect on public.

The two cultures I have spent most of my time have got pros and cons on all aspects. Yet for some reason it is very hard to accept the fact the place once you called it your home is not that place anymore. The childhood you experienced with kids playing outside in sand, with a broken glass under sunny day with a piece of paper, with grand parents in the farm, and visiting relatives are not the same as it was before. It has morphed so much in the name of modernization, which is westernization wearing a mask of 'comfortable living' where in reality it is the exact opposite of comfortable living.

So it is either road trips, vacations with cousins or hanging out with elders which is calming my nerves. Definitely home cooked meal does wonder for short time. But the definite wonder for culture shock daily is 'Mosquito Bat'. This seems to be a good stress reliever and a good workout on daily evenings or before sleep activity. Also a healthy alternative to diffuser which fills the entire room or house with synthetic odor to kill or chase the mosquitoes away. Not sure, if it is effective.

Note: Also found out reading out blogs (in alphabetic order) such as Diary of White Indian House Wife, Indian Express (English and local version),National Geographic, The Real News and a social networking site gives me feeling of belonging instead of 'a lost island.' If the infrastructure permits I enjoy listening to some good old funk, Jazz, Blues, pop or Indian (OST) from Raaga or Youtube.

Blog Action Day!!!

Today October 15, 2009 is Blog action day as all technocrats are asked to use their time, gadgets to share something very important but least spoken of to brought to attention. Weather and most of all environment is a very sensitive subject for me. Forgive my outbursts or edit(re-edit) happening to this note as we go.

Born in a family which believed in ten avatars of Vishnu and third one being the Varaha (Wild Boar) which preserved the Mother Earth from evil forces. Growing up elders made aware of the nature and origin of resources for everyone's livelihood(including the metropolitan living). This happened at least two to three months during summer vacations in my childhood. This instilled environmental awareness in me. At one phase of my adolescence we were a part of World Wildlife Fund, then WWF trying to protect Temperate evergreen forests in South India. Yes, there are temperate evergreen forests all over the world, it is just that the capitalism, industrial revolution has turned their blind eye towards Mother Earth.

During a hiking and nature expedition as it was called, we saw a poor worker who was employed by a conglomerate, felling trees in the fringes of Temperate Evergreen forests. Now this was a personal dilemma, should we protect the trees or help the poor worker(who probably is feeding his family with a meager ration from his daily wage.


During the Climate change talk in Bangkok in September 2009, a participant shares her feedback in here.

They are:

1) Emission reduction
2) Financial support for developing countries from developed world (Technological transfer included)
3) Adaptation !!!

I am busy and sometimes forget in the fast pace of life, but I request everyone who reads to do the following if possible. Thanking you for your co-operation.

1) Do something, whatever in your discretion and fair judgement a small act towards saving our precious environment. (use metal containers, use re-usable bags when shopping, use car-pooling as much as possible, turn of lights, power off power strips instead of only computers, etc)
2) Go to Take action and participate in them.
3) Share this information with family, friends as much as possible.

As writing this quote, I am reminded of two quotes which are fresh in my mind.
Be the change you want to see in the world. - Mohandas K. Gandhi
Arise, Awake and stop not till the goal is reached. - Swami Vivekananda

Iran: Another professional's take.

Last week I visited Pilsen, a neighborhood in Chicago for their famous Second Fridays (Yelp) . It is a part of the Lower west side and it reminds us of a typical example of renovation, change for better. The towers and old structures in the neighborhood brings a nostalgic feeling of beginning of this century dipped in a high-speed catalyst to undergo transformation for latest trend. The artists are spread out in few block radius of 18th street, which with help of two friends I was able to locate it with ease. Among all the noteworthy art works of various artists were this collage of 12 collage arranged in matrix of four by three format. It had lots of pictures which mentioned Iran and was done by Avisheh Mohsenin. The presentation had a real approach to the situation in Iran, as the artist had combined news articles, her diary notes, pictures of people protesting the Human Rights violation in Iran ( Amnesty International USA ), which was a part of this year's election in June 2009.

Another noted professional Hamid Dabashi, well known professor of Columbia University has written an article in CNN about Commentary: When Baha'is are free, then all Iranians will be. This is a beautiful article written by a native Iranian born in southern part of iran, who has witnessed the hegemonical evolution of the present Islamic government since the Iranian revolution.

Also for updates on Baha'is visit the following sites CNN, Iran Press Watch and Iran please visit the following sites CNN, BBC.

I would like to end this note with a quotation which I recieve from a list serve daily named Renaissance Unity. Today's quote was titled Receptive "To find truth you must experience it in your soul. You can read hundreds of books, or study the religions of all time, and find that all of them have one common point, one common denominator: and this is love-which is another word for light or soul illumination. To realize this soul illumination you have to shut away the clamor of the lower mind, to become humble, very simple." ~White Eagle

Trial of 7 Baha'is in Iran (July 11, 2009)

Dear Friends,

If you have time please ponder why an individual would be persecuted for their religious belief which works towards uniting mankind, believing in One God and One religion. Iranian Government since the Islamic revolution in 1979 there has been numerous acts of genocide, abduction, abuse against Iranian citizens who believe in Baha'i faith. This has been recorded, illustrated in alot of ways. Such an act is happening to the Baha'is in the land of its birth in Iran again. Please pray for the seven Baha'is who are summoned in Iran before the religious court who does not have access to their attorney, Noble laureate Shiren Ebadi since their imprisonment. Hopefully all seven Baha'is and Ms. Ebadi get to meet and justice is served finally. Pray for their safe return to their families and a stop to the persecution of Baha’is in Iran.


Standing(L-R) Fariba Kamalabadi, Vahid Tizfahm,Jamaloddin Khanjani,Afif Naemi, Mahvash Sabet.
Sitting(L-R)Behrouz Tavakkoli, Saeid Rezaie


This story is covered in major media/News sites such as CNN, CNN Wire, Associate Press(AP) and National Review Online and information is also available in United States Commision on International Religious Freedom.

There is a beautiful Youtube presentation for prayers and message to their sacrifice. Please say a prayer of your choice or a Baha'i Prayer. Thank you. Let there be Peace and Unity in the world.

Courtesy for layout idea & concept from Sholeh

Time and Work! (Oh yeah!! being Micro-managed)

Have you ever felt the crunch of Special projects at work(I mean high priority, time sensitive projects and add TONS of Micro-managing situations day in and day out) and time catching upto you quickly before you could even prepare yourself? This happened alot to me lately and I did my best. How do you handle this from over powering your emotional preparedness?

How do you deal with micro-management? Advance thanks to all contributors.

Karma and its Relation to Science!

Growing up learned this word Karma, even before what it meant, and its relevance to every human's life. Not believing in a finite, conceivable, God in a culture full of demi-gods(Polytheism, which came out of Mono-theism) it was very interesting journey which required sincere independent investigation of truth(Which according Indian tradition will lead you to Victory, as it is the National motto and emblem of India in Sanskrit as "Satyameva Jayate").



Exploring different kinds of meditation from Pranayama during off school hours, TM or Transcendental Meditation as mandatory High school practice, Sahaja Sthithi Yoga by Sathguru Jaggi Vasudev (then Mr. Jagadish Vasudev), and few other yogas on Independent investigation of Truth, I landed on Vethathiri Maharishi who has taught generations in my family about Simpilified Kundalini Yoga(SKY Meditation). If Pranayama, and TM are long ways of guiding your Kundalini to be awakened. Kundalini force was awakened by Guru who guidedly trains you in raising your force between your third eye(like Shiva's third eye) and helps you practice untill you reach the next stage of Shanthi Yoga. Later it proceeds into various aspects of personal development such as introspection, moralisation of desire, neutralisation of anger, etc.



He used the three different Karma or sometimes four kinds of Karma. After personal research it feels like Vethathiri Maharishi's interpretation is simple and explains the three Karmas Praraptha Karma(accumulate works including your past and past generations works), Agamiya Karma(current works) and Sanchita Karma(the final product of Sanchita and Praraptha karma in your body and soul). The word Karma is nothing but recording of an event or observation of a life event from a subtle event of observing an animal or pet to doing a daily act. So given such a mighty responsibility of being human, everyone knowingly or unknowingly stores Karma. At the sametime has recieved Karma from your elders as Genes. Tadaa!! now everything made sense for me, that science and spirituality are nothing but intertwined, related, harmoniously balanced study of life.



Vethathiri Maharishi, had a clear understanding of scientific, ideas, theories like Gravity, Cosmos, consciousness, etc. I have to delve back into the writings as Shoghi Effendi suggested every human should have few books memorized and should stand by, abide by, hope including Kitab-i-iqan, I can include some Maharishi's books as well.

More musings to come . . . . !!

Things I wonder how its done by others Blogging! Podcasts!

Always been wondering how things are done by folks at the advent of technology. Podcasts, Blogs, Twitter-ing(Updating others of what your'e doing), Texting messaging(SMS-ing in Europe, Asia, etc)

Podcasts : What is the reason for you to Podcast? (Work related, study related, or book reader, etc). What is the specific instrument you use for podcasts (Computer, mobile media[zen, ipod, etc], etc)? Right now I am listening to this awesome podcast on awareness on Consumers and Credit.

Blogs: How often do you blog? What do you blog about? What is that drives you to blog?
There was a symposium in Chicago History Museum on blogging which is a part of series called K/Now. Does anyone know any etiquettes, ethics and habits to assist you with blogging? (Love History, Nature, Music, Food and people by the way). Lately this online addiction is getting close to be a member in my list.

Thank you.