என் புத்திக்கும் மனதிற்கும்
நடக்கும் போராட்டத்தில்
என் புத்தியே வெற்றி பெறுகிறதென
மகிழ்ச்சி கொண்டிருந்தேன்....

ஆனால் சில நேரம்...
மொத்தமாக என்னை அசடு வழிய வைத்து
திருப்திப்பட்டு கொள்கிறது என் மனம்!!!

I'm confused

Don't make me think, I'm confused.
Enlighten me, I never refused.

I'm not seeking the holy grail.
At least get me some joyous thrill.

What am I doing on this earth?
Toggling between birth and death.

Would a warrior fight with bugs?
Daily doing the same old tricks.

Before the fate stops my breath,
Is there anything I would unearth?

Should I chase the glory and fame?
or would I stay dormant and tame?

Don't make me think, I'm confused.

Why is patriotism different from regionalism?

In these 60 years of Independence, India has come a long way, showing a lot of promise, to become one of the super powers of the world in the coming future. Though left wanting in some areas, India has done reasonably well in many, considering the short period of her freedom. Of course, 60 years is a very short period, when talking about a country with history of few thousand years. Few days before, Mother India celebrated her 60 years of motherhood. Her children adored her and celebrated her for all that she has bestowed on them. The streets were decorated with festoons of flags. The tricolor was symbolized everywhere. Songs of patriotism breezed into my heart and aroused the spirits within. With heart full of pride and zeal, I wished some of my fellow countrymen through phone, mail and in person. Few messages started their journey from my cell phone to reach a handful of destinations. Few more came forward to reach my mobile from different sources, resting and celebrating at several places on their way. I could see some children going to school in their usual uniforms but with that unusual happiness to hoist the flag and get those chocolates. Some children fancied themselves with the attire of Gandhi, Nehru, Bharathi and leaders of that golden era to enact and revive thoughts of those unforgettable moments of history. Some T.V. channels decided to show their way of devotion to country by interviewing cine stars and airing super hit commercial movies. Of course A.R. Rehman's remix of national anthem, which extended far beyond those 52 seconds, was telecasted every few minutes. The very first time when it was aired, my father stood still emotionally, at the place where he was standing. We all followed suit and showed our due respect to our beloved country. But then again it was aired too often, like any ordinary album, making me change the channel many times, not wanting to disrespect its sanctity by not offering to stand.
As the day passed by, I was high on patriotism, which itself has taken different meanings and forms, right from the era of pre-independence, where it meant fighting for liberation and rights, to the contemporary days, where it is found in the triumphs of our cricket gods (who require the blessings of rain gods at times for that triumph). Suddenly a thought flashed in my mind,“Why is patriotism respected, honored, and treated with high regard, while regionalism, casteism or any other –isms of that sort despised, scorned and disdained by many?” After all, all these are some way of identifying oneself with a group of fellow human beings. Inherently people find comfort in inheriting their identity from things around them, like the place where they come from, or the caste to which they belong to, or the religion they follow or other things which emulate some sort of similarity. Is it because of the fact that patriotism involves more people or area than regionalism or casteism? Then religion should have a upper hand in that case. May be it is the case why some countries provide assistance or hindrance to others, because they officially or unofficially, adhere or not adhere, completely or incompletely to one, many, all or no religion. Or is it because there is a governing body at national level and we directly get rewarded or punished by the decision of that central governing body? Or is it because the highest powerful form of governing body doesn't extend beyond the national level? On a lighter note, may be a day might come, when patriotism might be looked with disdain, when globalism(??)takes precedence under a global government, on an aeon of multiple worlds, where in people of different worlds unite under their own heads (if they have a head) to fight for their worlds. (Am I seeing too many Hollywood movies recently?). Coming back to the question of the discussion, I pondered over it for some time and yet I couldn't arrive at any decisive or definitive answer. But I felt that all isms are good when they promote peace, harmony and oneness and all isms are bad when they support conflict, distress or selfishness.

My New Year Bash 2006

I was bidding adieu to 2005, the year in which nature was at her ferocious best... But this time, she turned out to be the lovable Mother Nature, cuddling us with her delicate beauty. Joining me were my college mates and we ventured out to kodanad(kothagiri) first. We could see a panoramic view of adjoining forest extending across the western ghats, where once a jungle king(??!!!) was roaming just like a free bird.. then to dotta bedda (the highest peak of south India!!!.. yes Man- I saw a board there) and then to exquisite pykara falls (which looks even more exquisite in photos). The ROAD to pykara was a well mixed blend of nature and science(couldn't get what I say?? go for a ride in banerghatta road, b'lore once) so that for every few meters, we had a feeling of riding a horse. Neverthless pykara is worth a visit. Nilgiri, shining bright so far suddenly changed her color (weather) and started racing towards negatives... Before she could do that, we did some brave driving (we??obviously..the driver) negotiating the curves and racing Ferraris(many consider their vehicles so..) and reached the plains.
The next day, the first day of yet another year...Hopes fluttering as ever, we headed for a long journey towards cochin... God's own country was offering some bright sunshine... at times even brighter, forcing us to take a light shower of sweat (though not completely drenched by that).. God!!!! Are we on the right way??. Then suddenly I heard a voice"Yes Son!!! thou shall visit the athirampalli falls".. Since there goes a saying "God says, Harish does!!!"(who is that murmering something??..I couldn't hear anything), our jolly trip was now heading towards chalakudy/athirampalli falls (remember Nathiye... Nathiye...(Rhythm)??.If you are asking, whats that... God bless you). This road didn't offer the blend, which the road towards pykara offered. So we paced our trip and reached the waterfalls in minutes. Here we could see that the nature can be charming even when she is ferocious. The gigantic water falls was really awesome, call it Indian Niagara(I said Niagara!!!). Suddenly we turned out to be PC srirams and took some great snaps(!!!). We started falling in love with this new beauty (which was never in our road map). Since our conscience started reminding us of our old love, cochin, we left athirampalli, not wanting to leave (Like the heroin or hero who leaves the other due to some unexpected(???) situtaion(!!!) in some Indian movies.) It was late when we reached cochin.. Cochin traffic offered some assistance to make it even more late.. But we could still help ourselves with a small to and fro boat cruise in backwaters... The drive back to coimbatore required a braver ride than the previous return ride. Those ooty Ferraris can never match these kerala Renaults(particularly those lorries).. But again our driver rose to the occasion and met fire with fire(!!!???). Finally we reached safely (and lived happily everafter.)