Warrier's Collage April 7, 2021
Welcome to Warrier's
Daily COLLAGE
On Wednesday
April 7, 2021
1) Bhaja Govindam : Shankaracharya
https://youtu.be/xb-Go2fLdPY
2) Watch a Victory Song
https://youtu.be/YNd-PbVhnvA
(Link Selection: M G Warrier)
Good Morning
Elections on April 6, 2021: H Dance of Democracy (Content Courtesy: V R Chittanandam Cheñnai)
Nice Day
M G Warrier
Hiranmayena Pathrena Satyasyaapihitam Mukham*...
Patient : "After vaccination, can I be 100% safe?"
Doctor : "People wish you a happy married life at the time of marriage.
It is similar."
(Forward received from Sudha Warrier Mumbai 🙏-Warrier)
* https://indusscrolls.com/hiranmayena-patrena-satyasya-apihitam-mukham-a-gold-vase-closes-the-mouth-of-truth/
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1) Spirituality/Faith : V T Panchapagesan Chennai
Aadi Sankarar, 1st Century revitalized completely that it is not Two but ONE, BY HIS NON DUAL PHILOSOPHY THROUGH BUDDHI, INTELLECT..
Then Ramanujar ( 1017-1137 ) He qualified Monism through Manas controlling
Feelings and Emotions by Devotion.
Finally,Madhwar ( 1238-1317 ) stressed the need for Dualism as the real work
Is doing service to others, which is basic structure / foundation to go up the ladder..
Thus all are great three Acharyas paved way for us all towards Realization of oneness.
But today we are all without proper understanding them living in isolation without learning
the true spirit of oneness which is retarding vital knowledge leading to disunity..
For humans, the realization of the Supreme Brahman is the path of deliverance..
Of liberation called Moksham, of Union with God and of end to the cycle of
Life and Death.. The knowledge of the Supreme Brahman, the understanding and
The realization all work towards ridding the human of all attachments——-
Be they of relatives, of Knowledge, of Work, of Results, of Riches or of Life itself..
When the mind is in control consciousness and has perceived the illusory
Character of the world, the human is on the path of God..
The understanding of the Brahman is not obtained by thinking about it, it has to be
Meditated upon and it is this person who will perceive it in reality...Upanishad..
The Kena Upanishad describes how the Devas and the early Rig Vedic Gods
Understood the nature of the Supreme Brahman.
The Devas are described as boasting about a victory that in Reality was won
By the Supreme Brahman. Agni, then Vayu and Indra fail the test..
It is only after Devi, the manifestation of Sakthi , tells the Devas
That the realization dawns and all of them bow to the greatness of the
The Supreme Brahman...
Matter and Energy combined which we call Aadi Sakthi , is the primordial force.
When it manifests, it is feminine in form which we call PARASAKTHI...
V. T. Panchapagesan..
2) C V Subbaraman Mysuru
I wonder whether Balasubramanian is correct in saying that throbbing of any organ on the left side is bad for women; on the contrary,
throbbing on the left side is good for women and bad for men. It is mentioned in Ramayana that when Rama and
Sugriva entered into a treaty, the left eyes of both Sitha and Ravana throbbed!
(Collage did a Google Search. Sharing only one link today:
https://www.lasikplus.com/lasik-resources/eye-care/twitching-eye-meaning/
Excerpt:
"Superstitions tell us that the left eye twitching means something bad is going to happen in our lives, while the right eye twitching means something good is about to happen. Science, however, provides us with far more grounded answers."
3) R Jayakumar Mumbai
Drama in Real Life....
The two articles appearing in today's Collage, one 'The Papal Encounter' by B S Raghavan and the other 'Autocorrect Woes' by Ramakrishna Desiraju have been well presented by the writers as true incidents happened in their life. They are like two wrong persons caught in two wrong situations.
Raghavan's description of the situation surrounding the Papal Public Appearance in Vatican, Rome is with right choice of words for the occasion. Though he looks an impersonator in a foreign crowd his position is also very innocent.
Desiraju was quizzed by interpol in Egypt for innocently using misleading words in his messages to relatives. But he handled the situation cleverly like an old wise man.
While reading the two articles one can feel the suspense building up but the ending is 'all is well that ends well'.
Thanks to Mr Chittanandam and the Editor for inclusion of the two articles.
R Jayakumar
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Collage on Research & Higher Education
https://www.findaphd.com/study-abroad/asia/phd-study-in-india.aspx
Collage has a cross section from students as its readers. This link is for them.
Excerpts:
"PhD Study in India – A Guide for 2021
The Indian higher education system has expanded at a simply phenomenal rate during the 21st Century - and it shows no sign of stopping. This rapid growth in the number of individual universities is also producing a range of PhD research opportunities, ranging from cutting-edge Science and Engineering projects to unique programmes exploring the country's own diverse history and culture.
This page provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to PhD study in India, with information on universities, fees, funding opportunities and application requirements."
Do share with students.
C
1) Book Review: The Environmentalismof The Poor
https://www.thebookreviewindia.org/in-the-frontline-of-planetary-battles/
Excerpt:
"This book is aimed at the very heart of belief in the modern world: the ineluctable faith in economic growth.
The idea of progress tied to inexhaustible desire and the unrelenting quest for want driven development have,
in concert, become elements central to the globalising economy. In the media generated imagination,
a rising stock market, increasing exports, consumer confidence and growing markets are loudly claimed
to be the ‘objective’ indicators of universal salvation and by implication approximations to the virtuous and
good life. But many justifiably ask, are these false gods or empty idols or a cult finally gone awry?
Some discontents have gone so far as to argue that the neo liberal project, at this momentous
apex of its fervour and triumph, has actually begun to come apart, most dramatically upon the very
earthly roots of its existence. Economic growth is exposed for what it is: wealth essentially as a fatal
accounting fiction made possible at a huge ecological loss. Put differently, the economy is not a miracle;
it cannot conjure loaves and fish out of thin air or walk on water, it has real and evident environmental consequences."
2) Books By M G Warrier
https://www.amazon.in/dp/1636335896/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glc_fabc_GFFQRMR8SPGKGSMXJTFT
Restoring TRUST in Governance
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Readers' Contribution
Karmic Theory: Nallasivan Hyderabad
Vathsala Jayaraman has captured the theme how a charity of two anna saved one from certain death,
a 50 year old short story written by D.Jeyakanthan, தர்க்கத்துக்கு அப்பால், BEYOND ARGUMENT,
has brilliantly linked it to how fate had invited a young married man enjoying a
Sunday evening show sent packing to his death, by the quirk fate of a wrong telegram.
Does one's Karma really have its hand in one's death, the when, where and how it is handed over?
The Ariyalur train accident is an unending mine that gave rise to innumerable stories and a couple of films.
I would like to add another dimension of death and saved life in one single stroke.
Half a dozen ticketless beggars were forcefully thrown out by a duty conscious Ticket Checking Inspector
from the ill fated train just a few minutes from its going off the rails.
How are we to reconcile that humans who were ill fated to be born to beg owed to their not so favourable
Karmic Account had been saved to live in the hell of begging for some more time
saved by the intervention of a duty conscious Inspector who had a better Karmic Account?
Some time back Vathsala Jayaraman had narrated a fable how the Kanchi Maha Periyavar had driven home
the hand of Karma to a non believer Westerner how Karma had its hand in the birth of infants into families
of affluence, poverty, healthy and sick when the children carried as such no
backlog on arrival.
But if one were to believe the 'Appointment at Samarra" folklore posted in the Collage recently,
the victims of death make themselves ready at the appointed venue at the appropriate time.
Then one has a serious question, how in a similar accidents like Ariyalur, or Natural calamities like
Earthquakes, Floods, Fire or Tsunami etc bring all, running into 1000s to the same area to bring the
curtain down on their life at the same time and exactly in a similar same way.
Then how is one to reckon the fate of some miraculous and very unique survival of handful among the
victims from the same calamity and their altogether different Karmic Account.
I would like to add some interest to the discussion by narrating known cases and strange circumstances
and how death is brought about.
X, my room mate was a handsome man, with vanity on his good looks, has brought his father to
Chennai suffering from fatal Kidney-related ailment for treatment. But when his father
was still under treatment, he fell a victim to Cerebral Hemorrhage and his father had to have a forceful
discharge from the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital for doing the last rites for his son.
X had no record of any serious health issues and he had seen his father off to
Bombay and while his father was still traveling had to be brought back to undertake the unfortunate
duty of doing last rites to his son.
Now a case a very sensitive one, of a Senior Colleague, which has been agitating my mind for long.
Though intimate and personal but still in the public domain posted by the
friend himself in the Group Mail, not once but on more occasions.
Yes, I am talking about two incidents both associated with death, one a close friend and another
his own spouse. Y did an exemplary act of kindness and compassion to the mortal remains of his
friend Z when the immediate and intimate family were not forthcoming and reluctant to carry
the sacred duty of carrying the last rites. We are aware how Y, saved the situation from
becoming more awkward and murkier, took it upon himself to honour his friend one last time by doing the last rites.
The second situation as recalled by Y himself involved his Official Duty demanding his
physical presence continuously for days together day and night.
At home Y's spouse was ill and as per his own information it was not a fatal disease
and easily curable one with extreme personal care and attention.
It was palpable from his mails, a sense of haplessness, had he chosen to sit by his wife
she could have been saved and still be alive.
Y, as an erudite man, with longest experience in the way of the world, a deeply and highly
religious man, a Philosopher, an authority with understanding of Vedas and Scriptures knows t
he cause and effect in this tragic situation.
I am conscious that personal and intimate issues are never shared or discussed among friends
possibly except by a handful and if my mail is allowed to be posted* some amplifications could
emerge and make us a lot more wiser in understanding how Karma decides the end of human
life in a manner better to understand and appreciate.
S Nallasivan
(*Your apprehension is real. The names have been withheld by Collage. As far as possible,
Collage doesn't encourage revealing sensitive personal details of others by contributors.
Needless to say, exception is for encouraging positive observations. This norm applies
to M G Warrier also. Without elaborating, a link to a blog post where identities are protected** is shared below: 🙏-Warrier)
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/warriersviews/paranoid-delusions-29460/
**Names are given as A, B and C.
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Blogs & Links
1) Challenges of Corruption
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/pracin-jain-academy/challenges-of-corruption-30859/
Posted online comments:
"corruption is a much larger subject. can\'t \"do justice\" through a blog post or online comments. still creating awareness about the subject helps. few lines copied at random from a media report is reproduced:
'it is necessary to reduce the immense powers available to ministers to allocate public resources (such as mines, spectrum, oil and land), control public enterprises, and grant case-by-case permissions and approvals to commercial enterprises. if an autonomous election commission, appointed by the government, can organise fair elections in the worldâ s largest democracy, similar autonomous agencies can be established to allocate public resources under policy approved by the cabinet.\'"
i titled my first book published in 2014 \"banking reforms and corruption (now brought out as chasing inclusive growth in ebook format')"
2) Shared Social Identity
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/pre-suasion/202104/should-be-labeled-universal-principle-influence
Excerpt:
Unity is the seventh universal principle of social influence.
People favor members of their political parties and believe them more;
they also root for their sports team no matter what.
The power of the principle of unity flows from shared social identities."
3) A fouzi kid shares her thoughts
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/bliss/nomadic-life-as-fauzi-kids-22516/
Posted online comments:
very rarely you get to read real life stories written with positivity like this. i started following
your articles recently only. keep writing'
3) Amazing Kerala
Vagamon, Thattekad, Wayanad...Keralites are holidaying in destinations within Kerala:
https://thg.page.link/pZGbzCzQmKTBPiiJ7
Excerpts:
"For a change, Kochi-based designer Diya John has been checking out holiday locations right under her nose.
Her travel plans usually involve either exploring other parts of the country or trips overseas. This year, with COVID-19, holidaying has been different. “My friends and I have been exploring Kerala, making impromptu, short trips and what a revelation it has been!” she says. She has crossed off Thattekad (Kochi) and Vagamon (Idukki). Next on her list is Kulamavu in Idukki.
Malayalis are rediscovering Kerala this year: travelling locally, taking staycations, hiking, ziplining, cycling and camping. Tired of being at home, unable to meet friends or socialise, they are resorting to trips ‘away from the pandemic’."
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Leisure
1) Think, before you speak!*
Touching story from Readers Digest.
Last night I was sitting in the living room, talking 2 my wife about life.. In-between, we talked about the idea of living or dying. I told her : 'Never let me live in a vegetative state, totally dependent on machines and liquids from a bottle. If you see me in that state I want you to disconnect all the connections that are keeping me alive, I'd much rather die.'
My wife got up from her seat with the look of admiration towards me proceeded to disconnect the Android box, Cable tv, the laptop, the Cell Phone, the tablet, and the Sony Play station, and went to the bar and threw away all my whisky, Gin, Vodka the Beer from the fridge...
I ALMOST DIED!!
Think before you speak. The other person's brain works on a different wavelength!
-Reader's Digest
*Forward received from K Balasubramanian Coimbatore
2) Money Grows Underground*: M G Warrier
https://www.moneylife.in/article/money-grows-underground/28622.html
Excerpts:
"White money really grows on trees. Most of the money underground in the form of oil, minerals and coal now being over-exploited and converted into black money gets depleted, whereas the money that grows on trees is available for ‘plucking’ perennially. To understand this, the PM may have to refresh some of his old school lessons on geography and economics. Trees like apple, palm, coconut, rubber and so on give money. Some roots like potato, tapioca, carrot, onion and so on also can be converted into money. In addition to this, a huge amount of black money also grows underground. But, for ensuring smooth conduct of the next session of parliament and pushing through all the pending bills and reforms, I would suggest a suo moto withdrawal of the controversial statement about growth of money on trees by PM himself, lest the opposition disrupts the parliament on that issue!"
(*Friends, this is a 2012 article. Much water has flown under the bridge and some bridges have also been washed away since then. 🙏-Warrier)
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Quotes about Sense Organs
https://www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/five-senses.html
"It's about human imagination and curiosity. What's out there? What's in the great beyond?
What exists at levels we can't see with our five senses?"
-James Cameron
( James Francis Cameron CC is a Canadian film director, producer, screenwriter, editor, and environmentalist.
He is best known for making science fiction and epic films. Cameron first gained recognition for directing The Terminator)
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Dance of Democracy
Tamilnadu's Fame and Shame
Article written by
Narasimhan Vijayaraghavan on the merits of our electoral process. He also gives interesting historic facts.
****************
It is 07.00 am. Tuesday. 6th April,2021. The little man with the little finger is standing outside the little booth to exercise his franchise. It is so calm, so silent and so peaceful. The names and numbers of voters, are called out in the Brinda Primary School, attached to Gopalapuram Boys’ Higher Secondary School, Chennai-600 086, where I did my schooling, in a quiet and friendly voice, among the party representatives. No raised voice. No raised fist. Nothing. Just the logistics gone through, for a peaceful polling process. Just recall the voting in Booth No. 7, a Nandigram School building, on April 1, 2021. What a soothing contrast and welcome difference. TN can feel proud for itself and its citizens.
Adlai Stevenson said, “It is not enough to have every intelligent person in the country voting for me-I need a majority”. Elections are when people find out what politicians stand for and politicians find out what people will fall for. W C Fields put it crisper,“ Hell, I never vote for anybody. I always vote against”.
This election in Tamil Nadu is no different? It is TN’s hour of Fame that elections are slated just for a day and one Phase only, unlike in other States. But it is then, its hour of crying Shame time too with Rs.428,46,00,000/- (crores) being seized in cash. That was only the tip of the iceberg and only suggests what slipped through or was allowed to, as a wag put it.
We celebrate democracy. And Adult suffrage. Elections in India is a festival. And the din and dust has a religious fervour to it. We talk, talk and talk. And the ideological food fights are inane and insane. Clement Attlee said, “Democracy means government by discussion, but it is only effective if you can stop people talking”. Winston Churchill impishly added, “The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter like you and me”. But, is there a better alternative? None whatsoever-we surely do not have one. We do not want the Russian democracy variant when, after a break in, the results of Vladimir Putin victory, after 2025 elections,were found.
My cursory research on India’s elections took me to 231/232, Lloyds Road, Gopalapuram (where else) and to Mr. K B Madhava, Professor of Mathematical Economics and Statistics of Mysore University, who went on to occupy the pulpit at Indian Statistical Institute, then Calcutta.
Well, KBM was the erudite grandfather of my best friend late S K Giridhar, and the house they resided in, is right behind my present abode.
(Incidentally, it was the first property - KBM’s son Mr. Srikrishna was the owner then- to go under the scanner of now defunct Chapter XXC of IT Act,1961 suspecting Rs.36 lakhs for 9 grounds, was too low and taken over and sold to now occupied Indian Oil employees’ residential flats, for Rs.54 lakhs- all records now in public domain).
I loved to scale our rear wall, to their residence and share the multiple delights of custard apple, from the hands
of Ms. Radha Srikrishna, KBM’s daughter in law, herself a skilled writer and artist, besides a tasty chef. It was the pro active member of the Constituent Assembly, the ‘rebel’ as he was called, Mr. K T Shah, who mooted the ‘colossal project of the preparation of the draft electoral roll on the basis of adult franchise’ by a letter dt. 27th Aug,1947, addressed to President Bapu Rajendra Prasad. K T Shah opined, “ I, therefore, suggest that the occasion may be utilised to take a complete Census of the country about the same time”.
It was this ‘suggestion’ that was referred to KBM, who advised “ not to combine the preparation of electoral rolls with the census. For, an electoral roll is a statutory document, while a census is a ‘useful inventory’ and the implications of the two tasks are very different. The former is done on the basis of particular qualifications and enfranchisement and requires a complete enumeration, while the latter covers demographic, sociological and economic characteristics and can be done on the basis of sampling”.
That was the start of the logistics involved in the enumeration of both. The TN and Gopalapuram connect-vis a vis Constituent Assembly - N Gopalswamy Ayyangar, India’s first Defence Minister, father in law of V K T Chari, 228, Lloyds Road, Gopalapuram who as then Madras State Advocate General was the author of Ninth Schedule to Constitution and First Amendment, in his legal advice to K Kamaraj and Jawaharlal Nehru, is stimulating to this day. Mind you, N Gopalaswamy Ayyangar was the author of Art.370, according special status to Jammu & Kashmir. And that I am sitting in the midst of these souls, in North Gopalapuram, with such a rich legacy and heritage and umbilical nexus with the nation, as a democratic republic, after casting my vote today, makes me a proud Indian.
No matter what the result of the TN elections, that we are a functioning democracy, even if cacophonously chaotic, if not an anarchy, we can all feel proud to be part of this heritage. And to think that voting would be close to 70% in a peaceful expression, despite the heat, humidity and Pandemic, lends credence to Tamil pride in We The People. Politicians be damned. They are highly incidental to me, in the ultimate scheme of things. This is, ironically,TN’s Hour of Fame and Crying Shame, all at once.
(Author is practising advocate in the Madras High Court)
*************************
Forward received from V R Chittanandam Cheñnai
with his own response to Shri Vijayaraghavan :
Vanakkam!
Your article today is well written as usual with liberal sprinkling of interesting information.
I too exercised my vote today this morning with adult members of my family at a local school.
The election commission has done excellent arrangements for voters to cast their votes.
The atmosphere was as you rightly said very peaceful and the polling booth officials
including the security personnel were polite and helpful.
Three cheers to our Democracy!
Regards,
Chittanandam
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