Warrier's Collage on Wednesday August 23, 2023

Welcome To Warrier's COLLAGE On Wednesday August 23, 2023 What they teach in KG Classes in Kerala? https://youtu.be/BOEEf-X7y_4 Good Morning This is a midweek edition of Collage covering some contributions from readers, responses etc. M G Warrier Thoughts shared by V T Panchapagesan, Chennai : There are times when we speak lightly, not caring for the consequences. Sometimes, our thoughtless words come back on our own heads like a boomerang. This happened to the thin man who resented the lateral pressure of a fat man on the same seat in the bus. He spoke aloud to a companion in front : "They ought to charge by weight in these buses." Retorted the other man : "If they did, you would have to walk. They could not afford to stop and take striplings like you" Then there was the conductor who helped a stout lady into the bus but ruined his courteous action by the foolish remark : "You should take yeast, mother, it will help you to rise better" The old lady was a match for him as she replied : "You should take some yourself, young man, then you would be better bred…" You have your right to live, but live rightly Be Well, V T Panchapagesan Collage Tips : Link shared by TNC Rangarajan Things to do on your phone https://camillestyles.com/wellness/things-to-do-on-your-phone/ A Messages/Responses C V Subbaraman Referring to Sunday Collage : What Is Happiness and How Can You Become Happier? Happiness is a state of emotion, momentary, and is replaced by other emotions of the mind much soon. It is a state of contentment, fulfillment, joy and peace. Happiness can be "enjoyed" unless it is preceded by a state of lack of happiness if not unhappiness. It is just like enjoying the effect of shade of a tree by a traveller in the hot sun. One may be happy by an event, but it is pregnant with the maybe unhappiness of many others. One is happy to find one's son or grandson getting the 1st position in a competitive entrance examination, but it also involves the unhappiness of many others who missed this mark or even a pass mark. On hearing the news one is happy, but it vanishes in a few moments. It is immediately followed by anxieties (moments of unhappiness) that the boy should get admission in a desired centre, in a desired hostel, he should not fall prey to temptations, that he should study well, should not face ragging, etc. This is just an example. Happiness and shades of anxiety and unhappiness constantly chase each other in life. This is the order of Nature. No one is permanently happy or permanently unhappy. Subbaraman Dear Shri Warrier, If every one felt like this, would there have been less writers from the day writing began an art? Writers from Aristotle, Cicero and others to modern writers snatching Bookers price of the present days would still have flourished. For many of the writers write not to be read and admired or admonished by others but for satisfying their urge. Here is a poem which I wrote in June 2022 on why people write : Why The Hell Do writers Write Why the Hell do writers write? I do write, by day or night, For my own joy and merriment Not for others’ sentiment. Why the Hell do writers write? I do write for my delight, For my wounded mind to heal, Not to care for what you feel. Why the Hell do writers write? Not for a Heaven ward flight, But for my own peace on Earth Which eludes me from my birth. Why the Hell do writers write? To expose lies, what is right, And always The Truth to tell Even if it gets me hell. Why the Hell do writers write? Not to praise or show my might, But to serve a divine call And spread Human love to all. Why the Hell do writers write? I do write to reach the height Of my inner joy and bliss, Which or else I sorely miss. C V Subbaraman 05.06.2022 Nallasivan's Happiness When Nallasivan claims he is happy He makes it long, and not short and snappy, He is doubly joyous. If happiness is for him an emotion Lasting long in peace, without commotion, We shall all salute him for this fortune, Which visits many once in a blue moon. If he could be happy in neighbour's woe Even if such a woe afflicts him too, He is not alone in this state of mind As many a man is of the same kind! We are all certainly friends in distress But turn joyful finding others depress! Nallasivan should not claim for ever That he was unhappy in life never: He told us all, not very long ago How from pillar to post he had to go In changing his precious currency notes That lost value, and gave rise to scapegoats. Whether momentary or lasting long, Happiness is welcome, make it prolong! Life in happiness is a divine gift Never rock the boat or make it adrift. Best wishes. Subbaraman Dear Friends, Indeed it is a privilege, pleasure and honour to get words of appreciation from Shri Subbaraman Sir. It is possibly the second time I am blessed with the fortune and continue to remaining and enjoying the special affection and favour from him. Rarely we get and have Seniors who write poetry, excellant and on subjects unrestrained. Thanks and regards, S Nallasivan Aviyal sans pieces of vegetables does not look like it. Where is naarangakkari? Where is ' my dear' sarkarapuratti? The broken pappadam has spoiled part of the grace of the leaf. But when the' pradhaman' comes, all these will go to a corner leaving room for it. The poet says: "Vamperum pradhamante yaathrayil narum chor appam upperiassaambaar enniva attumaari vazhi nalkeedunnu roottaadaram." Regards Babusenan (Looks like a paragraph from an inspection/audit report. Still, thanks 🙏-Warrier) V T Panchapagesan says : Happy is the man who has wealth much more than the limit! Rockfeller at the age of 51, had immense wealth, unthinkable Fell sick which was incurable….. He prayed sincerely that he would give all his wealth if his ailment was cured… He was cured and he lived a centurion giving his entire wealth creating Rockfeller foundation in Newyork…… However how it is viewed by others, an analysis! If a man runs after money, he is money mad.. If he keeps it, he is a Capitalist, If he spends it, he is a playboy, If he does not get it, he lacks ambition, If he gets it without working for it, he is a parasite, And if he accumulates it after a lifetime of hard work, People call him a fool who. Who never got anything out of life… The cure? Make sure which is the right course , then follow it, Without bothering about what others may say.. If you are in the right , their criticism should only be a Further incentive……….. Be Well, V. T. Panchapagesan Kalluri Sastry Why People are unhappy because of money and lack of contentment. To summrise briefly. 1) No Point using Limited life to chase Unlimited Money. 2) No Point earning so much you cannot live to spend it. 3) Money is not yours until you spend it. 4) When you are young you use your health to chase money ,When you are old(Ex-Rbites) you use your money to buy back your health. Difference is that it is too late. 5) Wow happy a man is not how much he has but how little he needs. 6) There is no Point working so hard to provide for the people you have no time spend with. The weakness of human beings is knowing all these they chase money and falter at the end. KPSASTRY Excellent, Sastry Sir! Money is important in life. But there are more important things in life. Regards, Chittanandam The context : Friends Good Morning 🌄 Your personal happiness is your business 🙏 I have no right to ask you this question. It becomes a public interest issue when you express your happiness in public when others are sad. You may not agree with this and you don't have to explain why. I don't consider Bertrand Russell a happy philosopher or happy mathematician or even a good motivator. He comes here because he has written a book on "Conquest of Happiness" and has wasted my precious time when I was young, reading his books. From"Why I am not a Christian " to "Conquest of Happiness ". I started hating authors and books after reading him. I don't think he would have read any of his books after writing them. Where's the time? To take revenge, I started writing and publishing articles and books. The only habit I imbibed from him is, I never read what I wrote, a second time. I wish I could become as sadistic, sarcastic and be happy at the same time like some of my friends. I envy them. If you are still reading this, hats off to you. You can remain happy in worst of situations. Nice Day Regards 🙏 M G Warrier Vathsala Jayaraman's take : Satguru says:- What is joy about? Joy is definitively not about anything because joy is not something that you do, joy is something that you become; If you do not disturb the basic process of life within you, joy is a natural outcome. Joy is not an achievement; joy is your original instinct. The whole science and wisdom of what we refer to as inner sciences is about seeing joy as the very basis of our lives, not as something that you could achieve in your life. Subbaraman Sir's remarks : Some thought-provoking ideas. Let me hasten to say that happiness does not involve in others' unhappiness alone; it also involves in what one considers to be one's own getting something expected and more happiness if one gets the unexpected. If my window doors go right and do not get jammed, I am taking it normal, neither happy nor unhappy. But when they in the neighbourhood get jammed, I am "happy" that mine are ok still! But when they get jammed in more than half a dozen apartments in the neighbourhood, do I become happier still? It depends. Maybe I am happy, but may also get to become worrying (therefore unhappy) that such a state may soon befall me too. In this happiness therefore is hidden an unhappiness. Do and can happiness and unhappiness live together? May not be together but tagged on to each other surely. Like the state of mind of Dasaratha King who, on getting the curse from Sravanakumar's father that the King would die with his sons not by his side. This gave the king the happiness that he would after all be blessed with some sons (his long yearning) tho he felt at the same time (?) that he would die with none by his side. One cannot enjoy happiness unless one gets into the stage of unhappiness or lack of happiness. Like taking water when one is thirsty. The satisfaction is more then than taking water when one is not (or when one is not really thirsty but still ok taking it). Subbaraman S Nallasivan Yes Sir, Agreed, Happiness is a state of mind. Is it then, a mere passing emotion and momentary? Certain happenings in our life are etched for ever and the Happy feelings, lingers on, never getting diminished and never stand reduced. Leave the jokes apart on marriage, that it is not a word, but a "Sentence", Every one, almost without exception relish with happiness their taking the hand of a damsel as a soulmate. Equally you never get tired of enjoying every single occasion your Children have arrived, notwithstanding, how many. In the case of grand parents it is only bliss and pleasure and unending pride about their grand children. Unlike in the case of parents who even during their happy moments, in the back of their mind saddled with accompanying and associated challenges, Grand parents carry only Happiness. As both Shri Subbaraman has narrated and Smt. Vathsala Jayaraman had in her long mail discussed, life is full of challenges and it is never ending cycle of good and not so good incidents unfolding unexpectedly, unforeseen and many a time beyond one's strength and capacity to tackle them and overcome it. For me, I am happy when there is uninterrupted power in my house. My happiness looked a shade lot brighter when my neighbour suffered power outage. For some when power goes out in their house, first check the status at their neighbours and when they too suffered the same fate they are not too unhappy. You can enlarge and extend the same analogy on happiness on things both big and small. On writing, yes the urge to write, why Shri Warrier associate it with happiness. He goes to the extent of attributing it as a revenge. Only those who enjoyed reading others for long get it and master the art of the pen. When you are at it it becomes an urge to share, and in the long run become an incurable addiction. Yes to start with for the pleasure, and as Shri Warrier has been attempting to confess that he writes it and forgets what he has written and it remains, never a nagging botheration, later, never. No Sir, as one who has been writing something, so what, insignificant and irrelevant mostly what life has taught me and experience suffered/gained too, I always crave that some one or other tracked it with follow up link. And a pat on the back, a word of appreciation and acknowledgement tend to elevate you from a LTTE (Letters to the Editor) to a detailed response to some worthwhile you have read in the columns, promotion to get your article appeared in the most followed Centre page, your name and e-mail Id Displayed prominently. You have arrived. One does not rest until his/her name appeared in the spine of a hard cover Book. These are the days people come to think that the more the "Likes" more the merrier and make them heady as if drank an elixir. Do you think Shri Warrier earned the distinction of Editing multiple Editions of his own Collage for years in a row and want us to believe that he never bothered to read and forget about his Collage forth with . Don't we all admire and appreciate and cheer and celebrate about Shri Subbaraman who writes mesmerising poetry like a natural flowing brook, on any and every subject, both mundane and high caliber philosophy. I have ventured to discuss about Happiness as almost nearly after two decades of anxiety, anguish and suffering I am HAPPY today. S Nallasivan V Sundaresan Dear Shri Warrier You started off this undernoted mail with "Good Morning". As usual I am late and therefore responding to it with "Good Evening". I have gone through the contents of the related responses of CVS sir and Babusenan sir. Their replies are convincing but I could not comprehend the circumstances that made you to write something out of the ordinary. I am also one in the group indulging in irrelevant write-ups not with an urge to scribble but to while away some of the 24 hours at my disposal. My understanding of you so far is "ok, I will write what I feel like; I neither expect nor have concern for your views; if it is so, let it be so". Regards, Sundaresan.V R Jayakumar The lengthy analyses of the question 'When are you happy?' made by distinguished members seems to be waste of time. The simple answer is you are happy when you receive what you desire. Happiness can come out of a positive desire if what I received is for the good of self / others. Happiness can come out of a negative desire if what I received will harm self / others. So is the case with self-satisfaction. Waiting for missiles to attack... Regards R Jayakumar Vathsala Jayaraman Shared a memory after reading PP Ramachandran's review of a 2011 book on C V Raman : Very happy to read interesting details of Raman. My father and Shri C V Raman were of same age and were good friends as they lived in Thiruvanaikoil our native place in Trichy. They lived in a house in a street called BRAHMA THEERTHEERTHAKARAI around a small tank called Brahma தீர்த்தம்(Brahma Theertham). That narrow street produced many university rankholders. Many parents longed to live in that street at least for sometime to have their children excel in studies. Appa used to narrate with pride his association with Raman as a young boy. vAthsala Jayaraman Excellent, Sastry Sir! Money is important in life. But there are more important things in life. Regards, Chittananam B Collage Essay : Shared by Rangarajan TNC Money Minds Three money minds at work; Most people’s saving and spending habits are governed by their ability to earn Getty Images Last week was the birth anniversary of Kannadasan, a highly appreciated modern day Tamizh poet and author. Many of us grew up hearing his beautiful lyrics in popular Tamizh film music. I shall remain an ardent fan, I admit. In an interview that was livecast last week, his son was asked about his childhood and whether he knew that his father had touched the brink of bankruptcy a few times. He remained oblivious as a child and when he grew up, his father shared his thoughts on money. He said that according to his father, there are three kinds of minds at work when it comes to money. The one that earns, the one that spends, and the one that saves. Kannadasan knew that he had a mind that could earn. He was paid top money for his writing skills and knew he could write as long as he was alive, which he did. However, he told his children that he did not possess the same sharp mind when it came to spending. Or saving. He spent at will. He was never scared of the future to care about savings. That answer struck me. Some inter-generational stories suddenly began to make sense to me. The generation that worked hard to earn wealth rose from simple means. Having seen that the household could run out of money and fall into troubled times, they pushed themselves to earn wealth. Spending habits were frugal and saving was paramount. The generation that inherited it took to spending easily as they could never visualise shortage. They held no fear of the money running out and defined themselves by how they spent it. If they suffered from the inability to grow or add to this wealth, they turned secretive, suspicious and stingy. Uncle Stooge was unwilling to give, for he feared he couldn’t earn back what he might spend or give away. We still live among painfully frugal parents, who can’t spend on themselves, but want to leave everything for their children. To see their wealth diminish, even if it is by spending on themselves, hurts them. The much maligned younger generations’ spending habits arise primarily from the confidence about their ability to earn. They live in a world of opportunities, unlike the earlier generations that struggled to find a job for years. They enjoy the power of their earnings when they are able to spend as they wish. Saving is not on their minds until they realise that their earnings are not enough for their needs, or that their jobs are at risk. Our three money minds—shaped as they are by our experiences and expectations, and honed by our confidence and attitude towards money—might be driven by their leader, the ability to earn. The other two minds are subservient to how the leader thinks and works. Much like a risk preference questionnaire, we might want to formally document what our thoughts, attitudes, preferences and habits are with respect to earning, spending and saving. Our optimism about earning would be a farce if all that mattered to us was how our spending was noticed and appreciated. Our inability to spend might just be the flip side of our unwillingness to do what it takes to earn. We may suffer pockets of personal dishonesty with respect to our three minds and, maybe, denial is just a manifestation of that. I was wondering about how gifted Kannadasan was. An entire film industry waited outside his gates to sign him up and pay him. Could anyone have similar confidence in today’s competitive world? I remember my stock market trader friend in the 1990s. A bull market meant he would live at the Oberoi Towers; a bear market meant we would be sitting on the ledge across the road, facing the seas and chatting as we ate peanuts. The markets won’t lie low for long, he would say. He burnt himself out in the technology scam, but refused to stop speculating. That is all I know, he confessed. We are all out in the world with our bags of talent and attitudes. We think we will find a place that pays for who we are and fund us to grow into who we want to become. Those who find employment have the large canvas of an organisation, with its many branches, pigeonholes and flight paths. Some climb, some don’t; some progress, some fail; and everyone finds their pace and space, in one organisation or another. Those of us with the classic low-risk earning mind have to keep the other two minds in control. Our mainstream personal finance markets are asking this group to spend within means and save for the long term. If someone becomes rich when their firm goes public, we treat it more as an exception. Worse, we think it was a lucky outcome. Confidence and optimism about earning just means holding on to a job and finding another soon enough, when needed. I recall meeting the scion of a failed business empire. He had lost a good portion of what he had inherited in several failed ventures, but there was enough remaining. I was shocked to see how suspicious he was about everybody. He imagined that the world was out to get his money. Our conversation made it clear to me that the fear of losing what he had, and the shame about his own inability to build a business like his father, had made him a very negative man. On the other extreme, I recall conversations with an extremely talented embroidery artist, who was skilfully working on an intricate pattern, making it look effortless. He told me that he could never earn enough to send his daughter to school. He was only one of the thousands whom the city engaged for work. No one really cared how good his work was; just finishing what was assigned was important. His owner sold the end product at steep prices. He had no money to buy or hold stocks or access the markets as his owner did. His desperation was hidden in his resignation to his situation. Do we live in a world where we are the masters of our scripts as to where our incomes come from? Are we truly in charge as a market model would make us believe? How much of it is luck, opportunity, inheritance? How does gaping and persistent income inequality come about? How much are we truly in charge? (The author is CHAIRPERSON, CENTRE FOR INVESTMENT EDUCATION AND LEARNING.) C Collage Poetry: Franklin Misquith Resting in the midst of a Garden All around there is a lovely garden, Whether it rains or not the ground does not harden. But if by chance I step on an insect, I feel afraid as it may with some illness infect. If it is badly hurt, on it I spray some pain balm, It becomes calm, And safe from further harm. In front of me is a creeper full of string beans, On a steel framework the plant twists, turns and leans. Daily I stroll around the garden which looks more like a park, On the plants about I spot many birds and if I am lucky also a lark Roses, Roses, Roses All the while we say, say and say, That life be it marriage, work and so on is not a bed of Roses. We have to keep going all the while, Daily brush our teeth and smile, smile, smile, If we are fit and able run a mile, This will keep us fit and agile, We may also be able to run a mile. In due course with ease we can turnstile, This will keep us going and very agile. Try all the while, To live in style. D Collage Books Memoirs of a Maverick : Mani Shankar Aiyar Memoirs of A Maverick : The First Fifty Years (1941–1991) https://amzn.eu/d/b5BKA3n Book Description @Amazon Of India’s civil servants, Mani Shankar Aiyar may have arguably had one of the most colourful careers. Known for his lacerating wit and many indiscretions, with a career that has seen great highs and lows, he has been a true maverick. In this extraordinarily honest memoir, he tells the story of his first fifty years – from his childhood at Dehradun where he was raised by his feisty widowed mother to nearly becoming the president of the Cambridge Union, to working as a young diplomat who strengthened Indo–Pak ties by brilliantly managing India’s first consulate general in Karachi and then going on to work intimately with Rajiv Gandhi in the PMO. Candid, funny and thoughtful, Aiyar writes sparklingly about his childhood and college days, of his parents’ troubled marriage and his beloved youngest brother’s suicide, and insightfully about the countries he served in – observing that the net level of freedom in both India and Pakistan were about the same because Zia’s dictatorship was as inefficient as India’s democracy, and that Saddam Hussein’s government was unusually feminist with a large number of female public servants. And he draws, too, a revelatory and moving picture of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Above all, he doesn’t spare himself. This is a rare memoir – rich in detail, full of self-deprecatory humour and, above all, frank. It will be a classic of its genre. F Collage Poetry Forward received from Dr T V Gopalakrishnan Poem on Mumbai : Worth reading last three lines, are mind blowing. (You will enjoy this. Don't miss the end...) Mumbai is rich, Mumbai is poor. Mumbai is fast, Mumbai is slow. Little bit sweet, and little bit sour. Sometimes it's hot but not too cold. Mornings r energetic & evenings r electric. Noons r lazy but Nights r crazy.. And any one U ask, he always say "M busy" Dude, life n Mumbai '' Is not so easy...! There is lot of Masti with little bit of Maska... Welcome to the city that can't live, w/out Bollywood Chaska! Sev puri, Vada Pav and bhel puri are all Mumbai chaat.. Relishing it with spicy chutney is no easy art.. From popcorn to ice-cream, all sold on cart, Mumbai o Mumbai you're always close to my heart.! Where local trains usually run on time, And violently rushing for a seat is not a crime. Here 3 PM for lunch and 12 AM to dine, People face hardships, but still say "it's fine".! From Siddhivinayak in Dadar to Woodhouse Cathedral in Town, And ISKCON in Juhu to Haji Ali in Mumbai's Crown. Marathi, Malayalee, Christian to Gujarati Everyone together celebrate Christmas and Diwali, Holi is colorful and Diwali is cheerful, Spend some time here and your life will be unforgetful.! Billionaire to beggars, all found in this city, Be careful dude, this place is a bit witty.., Overall this dream world is huge but pretty, Mumbai Mumbai, you're wonderful city. Because... she is like mother to millions. After all a mother is called - MUM in English, BA in Gujarati & Ai in Marathi, That's My Mumbai Dedicated to all Mumbaikars ! 🙏🙏 G Collage Books : Memoirs of A Maverick : The First Fifty Years (1941–1991) https://amzn.eu/d/1LWzicp Book Description @Amazon : "Of India's civil servants, Mani Shankar Aiyar may have arguably had one of the most colourful careers. Known for his lacerating wit and many indiscretions, with a career that has seen great highs and lows, he has been a true maverick. In this extraordinarily honest memoir, he tells the story of his first fifty years – from his childhood at Dehradun where he was raised by his feisty widowed mother to nearly becoming the president of the Cambridge Union, to working as a young diplomat who strengthened Indo–Pak ties by brilliantly managing India’s first consulate general in Karachi and then going on to work intimately with Rajiv Gandhi in the PMO. Candid, funny and thoughtful, Aiyar writes sparklingly about his childhood and college days, of his parents’ troubled marriage and his beloved youngest brother’s suicide, and insightfully about the countries he served in – observing that the net level of freedom in both India and Pakistan were about the same because Zia’s dictatorship was as inefficient as India’s democracy, and that Saddam Hussein’s government was unusually feminist with a large number of female public servants. And he draws, too, a revelatory and moving picture of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Above all, he doesn’t spare himself. This is a rare memoir – rich in detail, full of self-deprecatory humour and, above all, frank. It will be a classic of its genre." Bonus Media Response : M G Warrier August 21, 2023 Honest memoirs! This refers to the Cover Story "Why do Indian politicians hide the truth (In their memoirs)?" (The Hindu, Sunday Magazine, August 20), which, in reality is Mani Shankar Aiyar's own appraisal of Part One of his book "Memoirs of a Maverick", is interesting reading. The write-up also doubles up as a primer for those who are not sure about what they should be disclosing and what to hide, if and when they write their own memoirs. Aiyar gives an impression that he has done his homework before trying to pen the first half of the book, which also covers a period in his career which had something to do in moulding the course of the second half of his life which is progressing. We can believe his words that Aiyar remembers the wisdom passed on by his English teacher Holdy who explained the difference between 'wit' and 'a sense of humour'. Good lesson for all of us! M G Warrier Mumbai