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Quotes About India

June 21, 2006 2 comments

Quotes about India.

We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made.
Albert Einstein.

India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend and the great grand mother of tradition.
Mark Twain.

If there is one place on the face of earth where all dreams of living men have found a home from the very earliest days when man began the dream of existence, it is India.

French scholar Romain Rolland.(In the picture)


India conquered and dominated China culturally for 20 centuries without ever having to send a single soldier across her border.

Hu Shih
(former Chinese ambassador to USA )

 

WORLD HISTORY FACTS ABOUT INDIA

June 21, 2006 1 comment

1. India never invaded any country in her last 1000 years of history.

2. India invented the Number system. Zero was invented by Aryabhatta.

3. The world’s first University was established in Takshila in 700BC. More than 10,500 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. The University of Nalanda built in the 4 th century BC was one of the greatest achievements of ancient India in the field of education.

4. According to the Forbes magazine, Sanskrit is the most suitable language for computer software.

5. Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to humans.

6. Although western media portray modern images of India as poverty stricken and underdeveloped through political corruption, India was once the richest empire on earth.

7. The art of navigation was born in the river Sindh 5000 years ago. The very word “Navigation” is derived from the Sanskrit word NAVGATIH.

8. The value of pi was first calculated by Budhayana, and he explained the concept of what is now k! known as the Pythagorean Theorem. British scholars have last year (1999) officially published that Budhayan’s works dates to the 6 th Century which is long before the European mathematicians.

9. Algebra, trigonometry and calculus came from India . Quadratic equations were by Sridharacharya in the 11 th Century; the largest numbers the Greeks and the Romans used were 106 whereas Indians used numbers as big as 10 53.

10. According to the Gemological Institute of America, up until 1896, India was the only source of diamonds to the world.

11. USA based IEEE has proved what has been a century-old suspicion amongst academics that the pioneer of wireless communication was Professor Jagdeesh Bose and not Marconi.
12. The earliest reservoir and dam for irrigation was built in Saurashtra.

13. Chess was invented in India.

14. Sushruta is the father of surgery. 2600 years ago he and health scientists of his time conducted surgeries like cesareans, cataract, fractures and urinary stones. Usage of anesthesia was well known in ancient India.

15. When many cultures in the world were only nomadic forest dwellers over 5000 years ago, Indians established Harappan culture in Sindhu Valley (Indus Valley Civilisation).

16. The place value system, the decimal system was developed in India in 100 BC.

The Picture in the Blog is Takshila

Facts that Would Make Every Indian Proud

June 21, 2006 Leave a comment

Facts that Would Make Every Indian Proud


Q. Who is the GM of Hewlett Packard (hp
)?
A. Rajiv Gupta


Q. Who is the creator of Pentium chip (needs no introduction as 90% of the today’s computers run on it)?
A. Vinod Dahm


Q. Who is the third richest man on the world?
A. According to the latest report on Fortune Magazine, it is Azim Premji, who is the CEO of Wipro Industries. The Sultan of Brunei is at 6 th position now.


Q. Who is the founder and creator of Hotmail (Hotmail is world’s No.1 web based email program)?

A. Sabeer Bhatia


Q. Who is the president of AT & T-Bell Labs (AT & T-Bell Labs is the creator of program languages such as C, C++, Unix to name a few)?
A. Arun Netravalli


Q. Who is the new MTD (Microsoft Testing Director) of Windows 2000, responsible to iron out all initial problems?

A. Sanjay Tejwrika

Q. Who are the Chief Executives of CitiBank, Mckensey & Stanchart?
A. Victor Menezes, Rajat Gupta, and Rana Talwar.

Society’s friend or foe: Tolerance

June 14, 2006 1 comment

The Impact of Moral Relativism and Tolerance on Society

 

 
    In recent decades, a significant cultural shift has given rise to diverse belief systems and values, sparking discussions around concepts such as “tolerance,” “freedom of choice,” “equality,” and “diversity.” These ideals often manifest in statements like “your truth may not be my truth,” emphasizing the subjectivity of morals and truths. While this may seem like a pragmatic approach to bridging gaps between people of different beliefs, it’s essential to scrutinize this philosophy, known as moral relativism and tolerance, as it harbors inherent flaws. Suppressing objective truth and branding it as intolerant can lead to the erosion of moral standards and the potential for societal chaos and destruction.
 
       Proponents of moral relativism and tolerance argue that one’s lifestyle is inseparable from their identity as a human being. They contend that true tolerance necessitates acceptance of both the person and their lifestyle. Dissent from this standpoint often results in being labeled an intolerant bigot. However, this perspective contradicts the traditional definition of tolerance, which is to “recognize and respect others’ beliefs and practices without sharing them.” This definition allows for respectful disagreement and disapproval without crossing legal boundaries. Unfortunately, the “Who I equal What I do” concept has fostered a culture in which individuals use cultural justifications to engage in outrageous behaviors, crying foul at the slightest objection to their freedom of expression.
 
        This deliberate disregard for reality has left today’s generation unaware of the boundaries that define mature, responsible behavior. Decades ago, societal norms held limits on decency, but today, behaviors such as promiscuity and recreational drug use are widely accepted. Relativism is no longer an abstract moral theory; it is an unquestioned assumption in most educational settings.
 
Consider a scenario in the context of modern society where moral relativism and tolerance have created a complex situation. Imagine a debate around a controversial art exhibition that features graphic and potentially offensive content. Advocates for the exhibition argue that it should be tolerated as a form of artistic expression, citing freedom of speech and artistic freedom as fundamental principles. They believe that those who oppose the exhibition are simply being intolerant and narrow-minded.
 
On the other side of the debate, there are concerned citizens who find the exhibition deeply offensive and contrary to their moral values. They argue that it promotes explicit content that is inappropriate for public display, especially in spaces accessible to children. They view the exhibition as a breach of societal standards and a challenge to traditional values.
 
In this scenario, we can see the clash between the principles of tolerance and moral relativism on one hand and traditional values and standards on the other. Those advocating for the exhibition argue that what is considered offensive or inappropriate is subjective and dependent on individual perspectives (moral relativism). They believe that society should tolerate diverse forms of artistic expression, even if it challenges conventional norms.
 
Conversely, those opposing the exhibition argue that there should be some universal standards of decency and morality (objective truth), which should not be compromised in the name of tolerance. They believe that certain boundaries should be maintained in society to uphold a sense of moral order and protect the well-being of individuals and families.
 
This demonstrates how the philosophical concepts of moral relativism and tolerance can manifest in a contentious societal debate, where different groups have contrasting views on what constitutes acceptable behavior and expression. It highlights the ongoing tension between individual freedoms and the preservation of societal values and standards.
 
       The impact of tolerance on society has been profound, with the disintegration of the family unit being one of the most alarming consequences. Many social commentators attribute this trend as the root cause of numerous societal problems. Let’s delve deeper into how tolerance, as it is understood today, has contributed to the erosion of the family unit and its implications for society.
  • Redefining Family Values: Tolerance, when taken to extremes, can lead to a redefinition of family values. In the past, family units were often characterized by certain shared beliefs, traditions, and moral standards that helped bind family members together. However, as society becomes more tolerant of diverse lifestyles and beliefs, there’s a tendency for these traditional family values to lose their prominence. This can result in family members feeling disconnected from one another and struggling to find common ground.
  • Impact on Parenting: Tolerance can also influence parenting styles. Parents who emphasize tolerance above all else may hesitate to instill strong moral or ethical values in their children, fearing that they may be seen as intolerant or imposing their beliefs. This can lead to a generation growing up with a lack of clear guidance and moral grounding, which can, in turn, affect their behavior and decision-making.

  • Divorce and Fragmentation: The high prevalence of divorce and family fragmentation can be linked to the culture of tolerance. While divorce may be necessary in some situations, an excessive emphasis on individual freedom and autonomy can lead to the breakdown of marriages and family bonds. People may be more inclined to pursue their own desires and goals, sometimes at the expense of their family’s stability.

  • Impact on Children: Children growing up in an environment where tolerance is prioritized without a strong foundation of shared values may struggle with a sense of identity and belonging. They may find it challenging to navigate a world where moral relativism prevails, making it harder for them to make informed ethical decisions.

  • Social Problems: The disintegration of the family unit is often cited as a root cause of various societal problems, including rising crime rates, substance abuse, and mental health issues among young people. When the family, which traditionally serves as a source of emotional support and guidance, weakens, individuals may seek alternative means of fulfillment and may be more susceptible to negative influences.

 
      In today’s context, the terms “moral relativism” and “tolerance” can be misleading, contributing to the redefinition of what constitutes good and bad behavior. History has shown that such cultural shifts can lead to the downfall of even the mightiest empires, as exemplified by the collapse of the Roman Empire due to corruption and moral decay tolerated by individuals and society at large.
 

Crabby Old Women

June 14, 2006 4 comments


 When an old lady died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital near Dundee, Scotland, it was believed that she had nothing left of any value

Later, when the nurses were going through her meagre possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One nurse took her copy to Ireland.

The old lady’s sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on her simple, but eloquent, poem.

And this little old Scottish lady, with nothing left to give to theworld, is now the author of this “anonymous” poem winging across the Internet:


 Crabby Old Woman

What do you see, nurses?
What do you see?
What are you thinking
When you’re looking at me?

A crabby old woman,
Not very wise,
Uncertain of habit,
With faraway eyes?

Who dribbles her food
And makes no reply
When you say in a loud voice,
“I do wish you’d try!”

Who seems not to notice
The things that you do,
And forever is losing
A stocking or shoe?

 Who, resisting or not,
 Lets you do as you will,
 With bathing and feeding,
 The long day to fill?

 Is that what you’re thinking?
 Is that what you see?
 Then open your eyes, nurse,
You’re not looking at me.

 I’ll tell you who I am
 As I sit here so still,
 As I do at your bidding,
 As I eat at your will.

I’m a small child of ten
With a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters,
Who love one another.
A young girl of sixteen
With wings on her feet
Dreaming that soon now
A lover she’ll meet.

A bride soon at twenty,
My heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows
 That I promised to keep.

At twenty-five now,
I have young of my own,
Who need me to guide
And a secure happy home

A woman of thirty,
My young now grown fast,
 Bound to each other
With ties that should last.

At forty, my young sons
Have grown and are gone,
 But my man’s beside me
To see I don’t mourn.

At fifty once more,
Babies play round my knee,
Again we know children,
My loved one and me.

 Dark days are upon me,
 My husband is dead,
I look at the future,
 I shudder with dread.

For my young are all rearing
Young of their own,
 And I think of the years
 And the love that I’ve known.

I’m now an old woman
And nature is cruel;
 ‘Tis jest to make old age
 Look like a fool.

 The body, it crumbles,
 Grace and vigor depart,
 There is now a stone
Where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass
A young girl still dwells,
And now and again,
My battered heart swells.

I remember the joys,
I remember the pain,
And I’m loving and living
Life over again.

 I think of the years
All too few, gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact
That nothing can last.

So open your eyes, people,
Open and see,
Not a crabby old woman;
 Look closer . . . see ME
!!


 (Well i really donot know if the story is true….it came as a forward to me. I am sure it is not going to cange my life but what i has done for sure is, a change in perspective when I see an elderly lady again.
Thinking about it aloud…I fell it has a lot to do with our Halo in life….we percive things in life rather than interpret the perceptions. The root cause of all hate and prejidice is because we react on what we see rather than interpret what we are seeing.
I imagin the the lady in her hospital bed waiting for the inevitable and pleading to interpret her for what she was rather than what she is……but i guess she is asking the wrong set of animals that we call humans,who have somewhere down the line lost the ability of interpretaion of reality.)

Source of the Photograph

Categories: Poetry