Warrier's Collage on Sunday January 14, 2024

Welcome To Warrier's COLLAGE On Sunday, January 14, 2024 Collage Tips : 1) Learn from a crow https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzOztKAyTfn/?igsh=MWp2b2d0ZDc5dW5idQ== When water level goes down... 2) Calm under pressure https://m.economictimes.com/opinion/speaking-tree/calm-under-pressure/articleshow/106781895.cms I was trying to connect this with the crow story above. The prisoner in this piece and the crow didn't give up in near impossible situations. Friends After working for a year with Employees Provident Fund Organisation for one year and with AG's Officee Thiruvananthapuram for forty months I joined RBI in the same city on January 15, 1968. RBI was housed in Belhaven premises, then. Nothing much has changed in that heritage property which is being excellently maintained by RBI. There are other locations like Padmanabhaswamy Temple and the Museum and Zoo premises which retain the same appearance and traditions prevailing then. I have changed, growing old during the 56 years, from the teenager of 1963 confusing the Museum building for the Padmanabhaswamy Temple on the second day of arrival, to one praying to Lord Padmanabha to productively deploy a portion of Lord's possessions to improve the living conditions of his dependents. The long shadow is fading away into the darkening twilight zone. Purpose is not to dampen the New Year mood. We keep moving forward, step by step. Sunrise and Sunset are in our mind only. Sharing bits and pieces from what I heard, spoke and wrote recently. Nice Day M G Warrier A Media Response Economic Times Chat Room Arts is the New STEAM Engine* The essay "India Must Go Fox-Hunting" (Economic Times, January 11) can easily double up as an introduction for a background note to initiate a debate on an overhaul of the approach to higher education in IIMs and IITs in India. During my teenage years, sixty years ago, I have heard about the harmonious relationship among Mathematics, Music and Philosophy. If he was in India, even without dropping out, Jobs would have had opportunity to migrate to the stream of his choice. Indian IITs have produced renowned economists, politicians and spiritual leaders of repute. The appeal in the article to take a diversion from STEM to STEAM in the focus of higher education should be taken in the right spirit by the policy makers. M G WARRIER Mumbai *Published on January 12, 2024 2) Wild animals scare in Kerala* Of late wild animals scare in thickly populated residential areas and farms in Kerala is on the rise. As the issue is multi-dimensional, by the time help arrives, damages like attack on children and farmers or destruction of standing crops would have already happened. The wild animals coming out of their natural habitats (read forest) include elephants, tigers and wild swines. Perhaps time is opportune for considering relocation of animals to forests in less populated areas in the country. This will require a nation-wide mapping of forests and the wild animals population and consent and consensus among states after consultations at appropriate level. Needless to say, the initiative has to come from the Centre. M G WARRIER Mumbai *Not published (Submitted on January 7) 3) Redefining National Pension System* Twenty years have passed since the abrupt discontinuance of old pension system for central government employees other than defence personnel. During 2004-24, Centre and state governments have learnt from first principles the need to integrate post-retirement social security of work force in the wage structure. Let us hope that the present exercise will bring method in madness and the principle that the cost of post-retirement life should be an integral ingredient of remuneration packages without differentiating between public and private sector will be recognised at the highest level. M G WARRIER Mumbai *Not published(Submitted on January 10) 4) From the Archives : A 2016 Article* https://www.moneylife.in/article/rbi-time-to-initiate-changes-from-within/47247.html *My article published in Moneylife in June 2016 starts with a reference to Raghuram Rajan's decision to return to Booth in September 2016-M G Warrier B Thought of the week Ethics and Morality : Narayani Ganesh in Speaking Tree https://m.economictimes.com/opinion/speaking-tree/ethics-and-morality/articleshow/106617403.cms If the link opens, please read. You may not agree. But you will be prompted to think, before you disagree on wider issues. Collage Extra : https://youtu.be/iMNI2iLHB3U?feature=shared Narayani Ganesh is daughter of Gemini Ganesan. She edits Speaking Tree. This video uploaded a year ago had 220 views till Monday (January 8, 2024) morning. C Cover Story Copied below is a WhatsApp message received from my friend, P V Mohana Krishnan, Thiruvananthapuram. I've not checked facts. But the text is interesting. So sharing : Jagadguru Rambhadracharya who testified in favor of Ram’s birthplace in the Supreme Court with the quotation from the Ved Purana decided the verdict in favor of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. The judge chair asked with a stinging question, "You guys ask for proof from the Vedas in everything ... So can you give evidence from the Vedas that Shri Ram was born at that place in Ayodhya?" Jagadguru Rambhadracharya ji without missing a single moment, said, "I can give sir", ... and he started quoting from the Rigveda's Gaiminiya Samhita in which the direction and distance from the particular place of the Saryu River is given exactly to reach Shri Ram Janmabhoomi. The court’s order called for the Gaiminiya Samhita and in it the number specified by Jagadguru was opened and all the details were found to be correct. The place where the position of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi is given is exactly the disputed site. And Jagadguru's statement turned the verdict towards Ram’s birthplace in Ayodhya. The judge admitted, "Today I saw the miracle of Indian wisdom. A person who is devoid of physical eyes, how is he giving the quotation from the huge volume of Vedas and scriptures? What else is this than divine power?" At the age of just two months, his eyesight had gone and today he knows 22 languages and 80 texts have been written by him. Sanatana Dharma is said to be the oldest religion in the world. According to Vedas and Puranas, Sanatana Dharma is from when God created this universe. Later, the saints and ascetics took forward. In the eighth century, Shankaracharya came, who helped to advance the Sanatan Dharma. Rambhadracharyaji, a monk who defeats his disability and becomes Jagadguru. 1. Jagadguru Rambhadracharya lives in Chitrakoot. His real name is Girdhar Mishra, he was born in Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh. 2. Ramabhadracharya is an eminent scholar, educationist, polyglot, preacher, philosopher, and Hindu religious teacher. 3. He is one of the current four Jagadguru Ramanandacharyas of the Ramanand Sampradaya and has held this position since 1988. 4. Ramabhadracharya is the founder of Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University and a lifelong chancellor of Tulsi Peeth, established in the name of Saint Tulsidas, located in Chitrakoot. 5. Jagadguru Rambhadracharya lost his eyesight when he was just two months old. 6. He is a polyglot and is a poet and knows 22 languages including Sanskrit, Hindi, Awadhi, Maithili. 7. He has authored more than 80 books and texts, including four epics (two in Sanskrit and two in Hindi). He is counted among the best experts of India on Tulsidas. 8. He can neither read nor write nor use Braille script. He learns only by listening and writing his compositions by speaking. 9. In 2015, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Vibhushan. Know More : https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rambhadracharya While on the subject, it's interesting to know that Rama has a presence in the Mythology across the world in different ways. S Thyagarajan takes a look... See H1 D Collage Books 1) Open Book of Happy Memories By M G Warrier The book (both Print and eBook versions) is now available : Open Book of Happy Memories (And Other Stories ) https://amzn.eu/d/bzDJUTO 1) Uncomfortable Rich in the West As Gods Among Men: A History of the Rich in the West https://amzn.eu/d/3obRbzD See H2 for Amazon Review 2) The Remains of the Day https://amzn.eu/d/5f12LO1 WINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZE A contemporary classic, The Remains of the Day is Kazuo Ishiguro's beautiful and haunting evocation of life between the wars in a Great English House. In the summer of 1956, Stevens, the ageing butler of Darlington Hall, embarks on a leisurely holiday that will take him deep into the countryside and into his past. 'A triumph . . . This wholly convincing portrait of a human life unweaving before your eyes is inventive and absorbing, by turns funny, absurd and ultimately very moving.' Sunday Times 'A dream of a book: a beguiling comedy of manners that evolves almost magically into a profound and heart-rending study of personality, class and culture.' New York TImes Book Review E Collage Interview* : Kazuo Ishiguro Age As Advantage https://blockbuster.thoughtleader.school/p/nobel-laureate-writer-kazuo-ishiguro-aging *Link shared by TNC Rangarajan F Collage Fun Not My Story* "During my School Days, I came home with the Mark Sheet showing 90 marks scored by me in an exam, hoping to get compliments from my Dad. However, once my Dad took a glance of it, he said I added the 0 on the Mark Sheet to make it 90 and beat me a lot. I told him honestly that I didn't add the 0 but he wouldn't believe me. I felt so depressed that my Dad did not believe me that I did not add the 0 .... and till date don't know why my Dad kept saying I added the 0. Actually I added the 9!" *My story is more interesting. Will try to tell later. G Obituary : T K Thankachan Message from AIRBEA "Regret to inform that Com. TK Thankachan former Vice President and Advisor, AIRBEA expired tonight at St. Gregorious Medical Mission Hospital Parumala (10.01.2024). He was undergoing treatment for kidney related illnesses. He was a stalwart of Trade Union movement in and outside RBI. A labour law expert, writer and great negotiator who played a vital role in the bipartite talks with the Bank. Condolences to the bereaved family. Red Salute, Com. T K Thankachan. His life will always be a lesson for the trade union activists. Prasanth SBS Secretary Al India Reserve Bank Employees Association Heartfelt Condolences to Thankachan's bereaved family and Prayers 🙏 Till sometime back Thankachan and I were in regular contact. He had health issues since few years, but was remaining bold and active all through. Prayers 🙏-M G Warrier H 1) Ramayana across the world By S Thyagarajan The Legend of Shri Ram outside India The legend of Shri Rama, the Ramayana has been the greatest cultural contribution towards this world, which has completely transcended all cultural and religious boundaries across the world. Ramayana spread worldwide and became popular and influenced various cultures and civilizations across the world. It has been the fountain source of a great tradition of literature, culture, religion; not only in India, but also in many other countries and regions of the world. The story of the Ramayana had been told innumerable times in different parts of the world, which led to the emergence of various versions of local Ramayanas outside India in different countries such as in Thailand, Tibet, Burma, Cylone, Cambodia, Phillipines, Japan, China, Mongolia, and many other countries with varied episodes, events and names. Though the episodes and events differ from the original Ramayana composed by Valmiki, still the hero of the epic 'Rama' remains everywhere the best among men, the most shining and the virtuous character in the epic. Ramayana in Thailand is called Ramakien which is also the national book of Thailand. The capital of early Thailand was called Ayutthaya, named after Shri Rama's capital of Ayodhya. The Kings of Thailand considered themselves as the descendants of Shri Rama. The last ruling dynasty of Thailand is called Rama (Ram). And Shyam's country was the old name of Thailand, which was changed in 1939 with new name Thailand which means free country. In Ramayana, Shri Ram's humanly complexion is mentioned Shyam /swarthy. The story of Ramayana is very popular in Thailand. In early centuries after Christ, many kings had the name 'Rama' as either prefix or suffix in their name ruled this country. Various dramatic versions of Ramayana and dance based upon Ramayana are oraganised and performed in Thailand and in various south east asian countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Combodia etc. Ramayana in Burma is called 'Yamayana' which is unofficially the national epic of Burma, It is also called Yama (Rama) Zatdaw (Jataka). In Burma, Rama is pronounced as 'Yama', and Sita is called 'Me Thida'. Ramayana in Cambodia; Reamker also called Ramakerti - Rama (Rama's) + Kirti (Glory) is the Cambodian epic poem, based on the Sanskrit's Ramayana epic. The name means "Glory of Rama". It adapts the Hindu ideas to Buddhist themes and shows the balance of good and evil in the world. Ramayana in Malaysia; Hikayat Seri Rama is the Malay version of the Hindu epic 'Ramayana', The main story of Hikayat Seri Rama remains the same as the original Sanskrit version, but some aspects of it were slightly modified to a local context such as the spelling and pronunciation of names. Ramayana in Java, Indonesia is called 'Kakawin Ramayaṇa', the Javanese form of kāyvya, a master-piece modeled on traditional Sanskrit meters. Ramayana in Japan; There are two versions of Ramayana in Japan, one is called 'Hobutsushu', and the other one is called 'Sambo-Ekotoba'. Ramayana in Philippines is called Maharadia Lawana. The famous dance of Singkil from the Philippines is inspired from the Ramayana of the Philippines. Ramayana in China; Various Jataka stories of Rama was popular in china, the earliest known telling of Ramayana was found in a Buddhist text, Liudu ji jing. The impact of Ramayana on chinese society is evident from the the popular folklore of Sun Wukong, a Monkey king who is similar to Hanuman from Ramayana. Ramayana in Laos; Laos is the city of Lava, the son of Rama, as per the belief of people in Laos. Phra Lak Phra Ram is the national epic of the Lao people, and is adapted from Valmiki's Ramayana. There are still temples in Laos which depict the scenes of Ramayana. Ramayana in Russia and Mangolia; Legends of Ramayana had been popular among Kalmyk people of Russia. They trace their roots to Mongolia, Mangolians had an epic that closely resembles the Ramayana. Ramayana in Europe; In archaeological excavations in Italy, Various paintings on the walls of ancient Italian houses were discovered, which are based upon the scenes of Ramayana. Some of the paintings shows persons having tails along with two men bearing bows and arrow on their shoulders, while a lady is standing besides them. These paintings are of 7 BC. Rama was known to people and worshipped and celebrated as The Supreme God from south America to Europe to the Middle-East Asia to the farthest point of south-east Asia. Apart from India Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan, Indonesia, Korea all most all of the of the south and south east Asian countries, most people in these countries consider Rama as a legendary King and they descended from either Rama or from Ayodhya. People of Korea believe that their legendary Queen Heo Hwang-ok is either daughter or granddaughter of Rama. People of Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia believe that they are descended from brothers of Rama and Hanuman. Even Malaysia has Ramayan in their course in colleges. S Thyagarajan 2) The Uncomfortable Rich in the West How the rich and the super-rich throughout Western history accumulated their wealth, behaved (or misbehaved) and helped (or didn’t help) their communities in times of crisis The rich have always fascinated, sometimes in problematic ways. Medieval thinkers feared that the super-rich would act 'as gods among men’; much more recently Thomas Piketty made wealth central to discussions of inequality. In this book, Guido Alfani offers a history of the rich and super-rich in the West, examining who they were, how they accumulated their wealth and what role they played in society. Covering the last thousand years, with frequent incursions into antiquity, and integrating recent research on economic inequality, Alfani finds―despite the different paths to wealth in different eras―fundamental continuities in the behaviour of the rich and public attitudes towards wealth across Western history. His account offers a novel perspective on current debates about wealth and income disparity. Alfani argues that the position of the rich and super-rich in Western society has always been intrinsically fragile; their very presence has inspired social unease. In the Middle Ages, an excessive accumulation of wealth was considered sinful; the rich were expected not to appear to be wealthy. Eventually, the rich were deemed useful when they used their wealth to help their communities in times of crisis. Yet in the twenty-first century, Alfani points out, the rich and the super-rich―their wealth largely preserved through the Great Recession and COVID-19―have been exceptionally reluctant to contribute to the common good in times of crisis, rejecting even such stopgap measures as temporary tax increases. History suggests that this is a troubling development―for the rich, and for everyone else.