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Showing posts from 2026

Random Reading : The Dispossessed

Friends Reader's Digest, September 2025 issue introduced some good books. One of them was "The Dispossessed", a novel by Ursula K LE Guin. I'm not a reader of novels. But somehow the 10 line intro in the Digest pierced through my thoughts. So sharing the Amazon link and description. M G Warrier A Books The Dispossessed https://amzn.in/d/0bjrnnlT The Dispossessed The novel features the development of the mathematical theory underlying a fictional ansible, a device capable of faster-than-light communication, which can send messages without delay, even between star systems. This device plays a critical role in the Hainish Cycle. The invention of the ansible places the novel first in the internal chronology of the Hainish Cycle, although it was the sixth to be published. Amazon description One of the very best must-read novels of all time - with a new introduction by Roddy Doyle 'A well told tale signifying a good deal; one to be read again and again...

Warriers' Friends' Collage, September, 2026 Part V

Welcome To Warrier's Friends' COLLAGE, September, 2026 Part V Friends Recently I purchased a copy of "The Bhagavadgita" by S Radhakrishnan. Published by Harper, the book has 473 pages and is reasonably priced at 499. Reference to the content of the 86 page introductory essay by the author in one of the articles in a mainstream newspaper made me curious. The author gives well researched views about the content and context of BG. I found the introductory essay informative, secular and of universal relevance. First published in 1948, the Harper Collins edition came out in 2010. We will occasionally revisit Gita picking up one or two stanzas at a time, from the total 700 distributed in 18 chapters. Today I've copied the meaning of last stanza of the last chapter. M G Warrier A Current Affairs When Science & Technology are trying to break open the limits of the skye, at ground level, relationships are breaking : From families to nations, nations to world ...

Random Reading : Forwarded As Received

Friends For a long time now, I have been responding in WhatsApp groups about the damage being done to the society by "Forwarded As Received" messages. Here's a book seriously discussing the issue. I've ordered my copy. Will come back to you on the subject ASAP after receiving it (expected by weekend). M G Warrier Random Reading : Forwarded As Received Review : "Forwarded as Received" by Saadia Azim - https://share.google/EwR5XWGnBpCU3JIfT https://amzn.in/d/0dnUBt3d Book Description WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE MUCH OF WHAT WE KNOW MAY NOT BE TRUE?>/B> Misinformation has never felt truer than it does today. Claims that once invited examination and debate now float freely and settle into everyday conversation as facts. Repetition lends them authority; famil-iarity gives them legitimacy. In this quiet transformation, falsehood does not announce itself. It embeds, circulates, and endures. This book examines how the seemingly ha...

Warrier's Friends' Collage, September 2026, Part IV

Welcome To Warrier's Friends' COLLAGE, September, 2026 Part IV Recently, a friend asked me "Why you are wasting time, daily, preparing your own messages for sharing with friends?" Obviously s/he is not a regular reader of my daily messages. I once again explained : "Writing is my pastime and part of my regular exercise. Sharing is incidental." Thought of repeating this after reading the concluding sentence in yesterday's Speaking Tree article (ET). I quote : "To remain without action and merely await the turning of fortune could be detrimental to our well-being." Remaining active is dependent on several activities around. Long ago, I tried to give the example of morning tea : Holding a cup of tea in my hand in the morning is dependent on : My getting up in the morning. Someone else or myself making tea. Availability of gas, stove, gas-lighter, water, tea powder, milk, sugar, cup, spoon, vessel etc Description is illustrative, not exhaustive...

Random Reading : Kautilya's Arthasastra

Kautilya's Arthasastra The 3 volumes of Kautilya's Arthasastra by R P Kangle were salvaged for future reference, when I disposed of 90 percent of my personal library few years ago. Yesterday I picked up Part 3 which is, kind of, a research paper on Arthasastra. Though the hierarchy responsible for governance has changed, students of public administration, social security and good governance will find some interesting lessons in Arthasastra. M G Warrier Random Reading : The Kautilya Arthasastra By R P Kangle Kautilya's Arthashastra Overview of the Text What it is : An ancient Indian Sanskrit treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy. Author : Written by Kautilya (also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta), royal advisor to Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. Structure : Divided into 15 books (adhikaranas) and 150 chapters (prakaranas). Discovery : Lost for centuries, it was rediscovered in 1904 and first translated into English by R. Shamasastry in 1915. Cor...

Trump's asking for the Moon!

Trump's 'lunacy' and ownership lessons - The Economic Times https://share.google/BnPRTLzI7P06n89UI Synopsis Donald Trump recently announced on Truth Social that the Moon is American property. This bold proclamation disregards the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which explicitly prohibits national ownership of celestial bodies. The piece emphasizes that rather than owning land, it is more essential to inhabit and care for these spaces. Ultimately, nations should reflect the collective commitment and investment of their people. My response : The Editor The Economic Times September 9, 2026 Chat Room Trump's asking for the Moon!* Apropos your editorial "Trump's 'Lunacy' and Ownership Lessons" (September 9), his interest in ownership rights is no surprise, given his real estate business/builder background. Following the Mughal Rajas of earlier centuries, he is trying to trespass, occupy and own geographies. What differentiates him from erstwh...

Spiritual consciousness among the youth

The book on my table today is the current issue of Prabuddha Bharatha* I found the Academic Research Paper on "Spiritual consciousness among the youth" published in the magazine interesting. Today's thoughts are inspired by the research paper. M G Warrier Spiritual consciousness among the youth Spiritual consciousness among the youth is rapidly transforming from a traditional, ascetic ideal into a modern blueprint for a fulfilling life. In an era dominated by hyper-connectivity, intense academic or career competition, and rising mental health challenges, spirituality offers young people an internal anchor. The title "Prabuddha Bharata" (Awakened India), originally manifested as the journal started by Swami Vivekananda in 1896, encapsulates this exact movement—the awakening of the nation's collective consciousness, spearheaded by its youth. The Modern Shift : Religion vs. Spirituality Modern youth are shifting away from rigid, dogmatic religious ritu...

Warrier's Friends' Collage, September 2026, Part III

Welcome To Warrier's Friends' COLLAGE, September, 2026 Part III Interesting responses : Yesterday, after reading my routine daily message, Shri A P Ramadurai from Chennai wondered : "I am always wondering how you manage such intricate articles !" My response was : "All I can say is, this is part of an exercise I'm regular with no expectations about results🙏" Another response from R Jayakumar reads : "I am greatly impressed that you never gave up the practice of responding to chosen News articles from your youth days to till date. It needs a tremendous will power. Many times you say, 'this is my response, but the editor did not publish '. Such occasions may have an discouraging effect, but you never give up your daily routine. That is great. With regards R Jayakumar" I tried to repeat : "As I said, for those who can enjoy, it is an interesting pastime, everyday digging out one or two topics to share one's views ...

Random Reading

It is an interesting pastime everyday digging out one or two topics to share one's views with friends. If you are lucky to get some feedback, that would be great and will refuel you for keeping the game going. I've been practising this joke of an activity for more than two decades now. My blogs, media responses, articles and books are all byproducts of this activity. Nice Day M G Warrier A Current Affairs BRICS Summit 2026 India set to pitch tech synergy for cementing BRICS - The Economic Times https://share.google/EyhZ3RhJRmfvC3uAr Excerpts : "India will push for closer research ties and greater government-to-government partnership across artificial intelligence, advanced computing, quantum technologies and semiconductor materials at the upcoming BRICS summit, officials said. The focus on these frontier technologies comes at a time when nations seek to counter growing AI monopolies and de-risk global semiconductor supply chains." I responded to this report...

Completing Vyasa's Mahabharata

"Completing Vyasa's Mahabharata" By Abhinav Agarwal https://amzn.in/d/08pztTZW Amazon Description : "Embedded within the primary narrative of the Mahabharata lie numerous sub-tales known as upakhyaanas or upakathas. These lesser- known stories play a vital role in completing the grand tapestry of the Mahabharata, thus giving this book its apt title. Unlike verse translations found in unabridged versions, the 67 upakathas presented here serve a different purpose. While they may appear as diversions, these narratives serve as vital threads, connecting the text and offering answers to lingering questions that readers may have. For instance, why did Ambaa, the princess of Kaashi, become the catalyst for Bheeshmas demise in a later life? The Ambaa upakhyaana holds the answers. Similarly, the stories of Sage Parashuraama reveal why a brahmana like him possessed warrior-like qualities. Two upakhyaanas shed light on this enigma. Additionally, the Yayaati upakhyaana elucid...

Krishna & Bhagavad Gita

Good Morning Krishna & Bhagavad Gita Yesterday, in the context of Janmashtami, I had shared a WhatsApp forward giving some events in Krishna's life, saying Krishna lived for 125 plus years, some 5000 plus years ago. Stories are stories and dissecting and examining them for factual accuracy will be like peeling onion to locate seeds. A friend pointed out that the profile shared did not focus on Bhagavad Gita which made Krishna famous in recent centuries. Anshul Chaturvedi's* Teachers' Day message (Speaking Tree) came handy for responding : Lessons from S Radhakrishnan's Gita commentary - The Times of India https://share.google/PxM9LcuYWYudago6M M G Warrier *Anshul Chaturvedi Anshul Chaturvedi began his journalism career as a hard news journalist, in 1996, and shortly thereafter became the editor of local English dailies based in Jammu, specialising in topics such as the Kashmir militancy and the ISI, an unlikely starting point for someone currently managing...

Teachers' Day : Krishna As Jagat Guru

Welcome To Warrier's Friends' COLLAGE, September, 2026 Part II Teachers' Day, 2026 Good Morning Happy Teacher's Day I've been enjoying student life, post-retirement (I retired on September 30, 2003 after serving different organisations for 40 years from age 19). I have found Krishna universally recognised as Jagad Guru : Lord Krishna is revered in Hindu tradition as Jagatguru or the ultimate teacher of the universe, and the title "Vishwa Guru" has also been prominently associated with ISKCON founder A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as an extension of Krishna's divine will. Lord Krishna as Jagatguru Teacher of All Teachers: Lord Krishna is traditionally viewed as the supreme guru who delivered the eternal wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Universal Guide: His teachings transcend a single era or region, offering guidance on duty (dharma), devotion (bhakti), and liberation (moksha) for all of humanity. S...

Ashtami Rohini : 2026

Welcome To Warrier's Friends' COLLAGE, September, 2026 Part I Ashtami Rohini Good Morning https://youtu.be/4PlwOkBSjMQ?si=_X3vmQUknxk6LyXd The phrase "Krishn's skin tone and virtues of darkness" directly references a prominent theme published by The Times of India's Speaking Tree. The philosophy uses the literal meaning of Krishna's name and physical description to explore why humanity shuns darkness while cosmic, spiritual, and scientific laws actually celebrate it. 1. Krishna's True Skin Tone The Literal Meaning: In Sanskrit, the word Krishna translates directly to "black," "dark," or "dark blue." The Scriptural Imagery: Sacred texts like the Srimad Bhagavatam describe his complexion as Shyama-sundara—the "beautiful dark one". His skin is frequently compared to a fresh, water-laden monsoon cloud (Nava-megha) or the dark bark of the Tamal tree. The Artistic Shift: While traditional temple idols (like Ban...

Where To Stop

https://youtu.be/xcG8DEbDBNA?si=GpXIi7ftddcfLR6F Where to Stop : (Author unknown)* “Kaun Banega Crorepati"- In a recent episode, Neeraj Saxena was the fastest to answer in the "Fastest Finger" round and took the hot seat. He sat very calmly, without shouting, dancing, crying, raising his hands, or hugging Amitabh. Neeraj is a scientist, a Ph.D., and a Vice Chancellor of an University in Kolkata. He has a pleasant and simple personality. He considers himself fortunate to have worked with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and mentioned that initially, he thought only about himself, but under Kalam's influence, he began thinking about others and the nation as well. Neeraj started playing. He used the audience poll once, but since he had the "Double Dip" lifeline, he got the chance to use it again. He answered all the questions with ease, and his intelligence was impressive. He won ₹3,20,000 and an equivalent bonus amount, and then there was a break. After the b...

Three Cheers For RBI

Good Morning Three Cheers For RBI https://share.google/B8wFxWV9JD0kjlS3V India's Financial Health Checkup report is available. Media and analysts, for obvious reasons, are downplaying the central bank's role in the whole affair for obvious reasons. Figures speak : 📊 India's Forex & Gold Reserves India's total foreign exchange (forex) reserves reached an all-time record high of $729.33 billion for the week ended August 21, 2026. 📈 Breakdown of Reserves Total Forex Reserves: $729.33 billion Foreign Currency Assets (FCA): ~$591.3 billion Gold Reserves Value: ~$114.2 billion Physical Gold Stock: 880.52 tonnes Special Drawing Rights (SDRs): ~$18.85 billion Reserve Position in the IMF: ~$4.87 billion 💡 Key Drivers Surge in Inflows: Weekly jump of $12.42 billion driven by strong institutional flows and non-resident deposits. Economic Buffers: Robust external position bolstered by solid GDP growth (7.8% in Q1 of current FY) M G Warrier

Fragility Of Life

Good Morning Only very recently I realised that Speaking Tree is not about spirituality or mythology or philosophy. Those who write the columns there are ordinary human beings like you and me. They may have more knowledge or a better way of expressing themselves more convincingly. But the subjects they handle are of consequence to all of us. We can easily relate the experiences they share and the stories they tell with our day to day real life experiences. These thoughts came to mind while reading this piece by a senior media professional, Sivakumar Sundaram : When a master weeps, a seeker learns - The Times of India https://share.google/u0RWgHqxYL0ATxz3s Excerpts : "I am a seeker. Like every seeker, i walk into temples of faith with folded palms and unspoken questions. We go to seek blessings, to seek protection, to offer gratitude and to seek answers to questions no human being can answer. Kailash Manasarovar is where seekers have always taken such questions. That mountain d...

Freeze The Moment & Help

Freeze The Moment & Help Manisha Koirala Appeals To India And China Amid Nepal Flash Floods: ‘We Are Facing The Brunt...’ | Bollywood News - News18 https://share.google/8Jpd2DUTsP8N7V61f Excerpts from the report : "Manisha Koirala has appealed for India, China and Nepal to work together as Nepal reels from devastating flash floods that have killed hundreds and left thousands missing. The actress, who was born in Kathmandu, also urged the international community to continue supporting the Himalayan nation while stressing that tourism must not come to a halt because of the disaster. Manisha spoke about the crisis at ‘In Solidarity with Nepal’, a special event led by spiritual leader Sadhguru on Sunday, August 30." Blame game and research can wait. The call, from whatever corner, to support the victims of the calamity, all of us need to listen. The appeal is to the responsible world leaders and their irresponsible followers who placed many of them, who are suffering fro...

Universal Oneness

When nature speaks, humanity must listen because trees and ecosystems communicate through quiet wisdom, biological signals, and interconnected roots that sustain all life on Earth. The Voice of the Speaking Tree Silent Wisdom: Trees stand through changing seasons, offering shelter, stability, and quiet lessons in resilience. Underground Networks: Forests communicate through hidden fungal networks (mycorrhizal networks) that transfer nutrients, water, and warning signals between trees. Environmental Signals: Trees register stress, drought, and damage through changes in their leaves, growth rings, and chemistry. Why Humanity Must Listen Ecosystem Balance: Ignoring the distress signals of forests leads to severe climate shifts, habitat loss, and resource depletion. Mindful Connection: Slowing down to observe nature restores human well-being and grounds us in a shared planetary community. Friends Last week I tried to draw the attention of the literate audience about the global responsi...

Warrier's Friends' Collage, August 2026 : Part IV

Welcome To Warrier's Friends' COLLAGE, August, 2026 Part IV Introducing Wayne Walter Dyer Wayne Walter Dyer (May 10, 1940 – August 29, 2015) was an American self-help author and a motivational speaker. Dyer earned a bachelor's degree in History and Philosophy, a master's degree in psychology and an Ed. D. in Guidance and Counseling at Wayne State University in 1970. Early in his career, he worked as a high school guidance counselor, and went on to run a successful private therapy practice. He became a popular professor of counselor education at St. John's University, where he was approached by a literary agent to put his ideas into book form. The result was his first book, Your Erroneous Zones (1976). This launched Dyer's career as a motivational speaker and self-help author, during which he published 20 more best-selling books and produced a number of popular specials for PBS. Influenced by thinkers such as Abraham Maslow and Albert Ellis, Dyer's ...

5 Traits Of Good Leaders

5 traits of good leaders - The Economic Times https://share.google/JYz0RZ5SghukheZzi Synopsis "Successful individuals demonstrate unwavering focus and genuine enjoyment in their endeavors. They possess strong emotional intelligence, showing kindness and empathy towards others. These people accept outcomes gracefully, learning from failures and making adjustments. They readily share credit and acknowledge contributions from their colleagues. Generosity defines them as they help others without seeking recognition." The author Hasmukh Adhia (born 3 November 1958) is a retired 1981 batch IAS of Gujarat cadre who served as the Finance Secretary and Revenue Secretary of India. He is considered as one of the key persons behind the architecture and roll-out of the Goods and Services Tax & Demonetization in India announced in 2016. He is the present Chairman of the boards of State public sector undertakings Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (GACL) and Gujarat Mineral Dev...

Live Life As It Evolves

Living life as it evolves Elbert Hubbard - https://share.google/CFbZ7e46iFCWehJVU Elbert Green Hubbard (June 19, 1856 – May 7, 1915) was an American writer, publisher, artist, and philosopher. Raised in Hudson, Illinois, he had early success as a traveling salesman for the Larkin Soap Company. Hubbard is known best as the founder of the Roycroft artisan community in East Aurora, New York, an influential exponent of the Arts and Crafts movement. Among Hubbard's many publications were the fourteen-volume work Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great and the short publication A Message to Gracia. He and his second wife, Alice Moore Hubbard, died aboard the RMS Lusitania when it was torpedoed and sunk by German submarine SM U-20 off the coast of Ireland on May 7, 1915. "Do not take life seriously. You will never get out of it alive." is a lesson easily preached, but never accepted by the listener. Uncertainties of life and death may one single factory that sustains life...

Welcome To Warrier's Friends' Collage, August 2026 Part III

Welcome To Warrier's Friends' COLLAGE, August, 2026 Part III A Visited my elder sister in Vatakara on August 21, 2026 and attended a family get-together(August 21-23) held in a resort near Kozhikode and we are back in Mumbai. The four-days break from the routine was gainfully invested. Today is Onam, being celebrated world over by Malayalees and their well-wishers. In 21st century, festivals and rituals have a greater significance beyond their original purports. They bring like-minded people together. They cause family reunions. They promote local celebrations expanding opportunities for talented people. Onam may be a harvest festival for some, for others it is an occasion to remember the story of Asura Raja Mahabali and his departure when Vamanavatara happened. Bali sought and obtained permission to visit his Prajas once a year. Vamana gladly agreed and offered to accompany him and ensure safe and comfortable trip every year. Happy Onam to you all. B https://share.goo...

The Sound Of Silence

The Sound Of Silence "The Sound of Silence" is a famous 1964 song and lyrical poem written by Paul Simon of Simon & Garfunkel. It explores human isolation, the failure of people to truly communicate, and the quiet loneliness of a modern, neon-lit society. Key Themes of the Lyrical Poem Isolation: People living side-by-side yet remaining completely disconnected. Empty Communication: People "talk without speaking" and "hear without listening". Commercialization: Modern society bowing down to a superficial "neon god" rather than deeper truths. Opening Stanza Hello darkness, my old friend, I've come to talk with you again, Because a vision softly creeping, Left its seeds while I was sleeping, And the vision that was planted in my brain Still remains Within the sound of silence. Bonus : Speaking Tree, August 18, 2026 Silent attentiveness reveals sweet, unheard sounds - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toi-blogs/from-toi-print/silent-...

Cry, The Beloved Country

Taking a short break from routine. Will resume regular messages/responses from August 25, 2026. Regards M G Warrier A Cry, The Beloved Country https://amzn.in/d/0fWakVc8 Cry The Beloved Country is the deeply moving story of the Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son Absalom, set against the background of a land and a people riven by racial injustice. Remarkable for its contemporaneity, unforgettable for character and incident, Cry the Beloved Country is a classic work of love and hope, courage and endurance, born of the dignity of man. Summary Alan Paton's 1948 novel Cry, the Beloved Country follows Reverend Stephen Kumalo, a Zulu priest who travels to Johannesburg to find his family. He discovers his sister is a sex worker and his son, Absalom, has murdered a white civil rights activist, Arthur Jarvis. The victim's father, James Jarvis, overcomes his prejudices, leading to a poignant reconciliation between the two grieving fathers. The Journey to Johannesburg The Lett...

Independence Day Musings

Independence Day Musings This year also Print Media Houses rolled out rolls of newsprint with advertisements, photo features, stories and news in the ratio 60 : 20 : 10 : 10 as part of Independence Day Celebrations for a week. Some 60 percent of the newsprint consumed will return for recycling through 'Ruddeewallahs". About 100 pages of printed matter was delivered to me also on August 15 & 16. This story is about one page that attracted my attention. The Hindu Sunday Magazine on August 16, 2026 carries a feature titled "The Geography Of Trust" by Navin Paul. Navin has been pedalling on his bicycle which he named Trooper 21000 km with his Nikon D850 camera, tent and clothes, across India. Besides his savings till mid-twenties, he part-financed sustenance during his 5 year adventure with sale proceeds of photo prints (edited on Photoshop and Lightroom) : Navin plans to publish the travelogue as a photobook. Navin's journey (which at some stage became a pr...

Warrier's Friends' Collage, August 2026, Part III

Welcome To Warrier's Friends' COLLAGE, August, 2026 Part III While listening to Prime Minister's Independence Day speech, I remembered how we celebrated Independence Day in school long ago. Reproducing an old blog post. Happy Independence Day M G Warrier A Current Affairs Nostalgia Independence Day 1957 at KRHS, Purameri https://share.google/lztHlYqTKlVnZcRg6 Independence Day, 2026 https://youtu.be/Gg8F8cU50n0?si=jdZvMR0Me5rYhHbq B Book https://amzn.in/d/03Oh7JUs Man's Search For Meaning By Viktor E. Frankl Book Description : In 1942, just months after marrying his wife, Viktor Frankl and his family were sent, first to the Theresienstadt concentration camp, and then to Auschwitz. A prominent Viennese psychiatrist before the war, Frankl was uniquely able to observe the way that he and other inmates coped with the experience of being in in the notorious concentration camp. During his time in the camps, he noticed that those who comforted others a...

Debates should get priority over disruptions

The Editor The Economic Times August 12, 2026 Chat Room* Debates should get priority over disruptions This refers to the report "LS Passes Two More Bills Without Debate" (August 12). While protests in a democracy are part of the process of expressing concerns, in legislative houses down to Municipal Councils, regular business including legislation should get priority over protests. The stakeholders need to jointly arrive at some procedural arrangement to ensure this. Making In-house attendance of some threshold level mandatory for all members, conducting regular business in the first half of the day and fixing accountability for disruptions are some options which can be considered. Treasury bench need to accept the role of opposition in conduct of business and from their side opposition need to co-operate to ensure meaningful debates. M G Warrier Mumbai *A slightly edited version was published on August 13, 2026

Random Reading : August 12, 2026

Random Reading : August 12, 2026 Quote of the day : Adi Shankaracharya : Quote of the day by Adi Shankaracharya: “As gold purified in a furnace loses its impurities and achieves its own true nature, the mind gets rid of the impurities of the attributes of delusion, attachment, and purity through meditation and attains reality.”; What the monk and saint advises on purifying the mind through mindfulness - The Times of India https://share.google/ndzY2qiAesSpJnkgk A Universe is evolving https://share.google/QpXstrhWfPfnFi3lF Synopsis Human life reflects the larger order of the universe, moving through confusion towards balance and growth. By developing self-awareness, regulating the mind, overcoming ego and choosing compassion and wisdom, individuals can consciously participate in their own inner evolution. B Bonus : A very meaningful piece on Dementia* A Neurologist's Letter to His Family : ‘If I Get Dementia One Day’ ​Dr. Sung Shen-chu is a veteran neurologist from Chiayi...

Random Reading : August 11, 2026

Random reading : Tuesday, August 11, 2026 Henry "Henny" Youngman (March 16, 1906 – February 24, 1998) was an American comedian and musician famous for his mastery of the "one liner", his best known being "Take my wife... please". No, I didn't say this. I've copied from website. I was curious to know who thought it was a joke for doctors to give fee-based extension of life every six months to patients. Long ago, one of my colleague took his wife to a renowned specialist for consultation. During first two visits several tests were prescribed and third visit was mainly for collecting prescriptions for medicines and ascertaining future course of treatment. When final discussions were progressing, my colleague received an urgent phone call and with doctor's permission he went out of the consultation room. By the time he returned, his wife was crying and doctor was trying to console her. It turned out that in my colleague's absence, she asked th...

An Inspiring Speech

Responding to a message about cockroaches and Gen Z, today I allowed my thoughts to wander. Sharing unedited : "World doesn't stand still. Opinions and perceptions differ depending on what one is experiencing at the moment. Many of us get newspapers. Our selective reading habit black out 90 percent of world news. On TV several channels are available. But we have our own 'favourite' channels and select timing for watching the favourite content. Exceptions may be there.( I touch the TV remote only when it stops working or for changing cells.) In email and WhatsApp groups, we select our areas of comfort. We, some of us, decide about poverty based on the living standards of casual labourers we engage or the saree our maid wears. Exceptions are there. Many will depend on solid data. If possible, from international bodies. I have reached far away from cockroaches and Gen Z. Cockroaches will return to their original hideous. I believe Gen Z is doing well and will conti...

Warrier's Friends' Collage August 2026 Part II

Welcome To Warrier's Friends' COLLAGE, August, 2026 Part II Good Morning Current Affairs CD Deshmukh Memorial Lecture 2026 at the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) https://share.google/93d6Wts61twFdrguI Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday urged both the Centre and states to play a key role in a right direction for attracting investments, framing the right policies and ensuring that parts of this country which have remained underdeveloped for a long time are brought on board to catch up with the rest of the country. "So, there is a role for the Centre and that role cannot be played by one or two states - never. But unless the states, and I mean each one of them, are empowered, given the resources and also provided with the means to build capacity, the aspirations of India cannot be met," Sitharaman said while delivering the CD Deshmukh Memorial Lecture 2026 at the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) here...

Kottakkal Aryavaidyasala

Good Morning The Video on AVS shared here is comprehensive and covers minute details about the premises, environment, costs and benefits. M G Warrier A Aryavaidyasyla, Kottakkal https://youtu.be/YS7j6VvRbSo?si=4pQf8yTix24dCq6p Excellent Video Picturization and narration. I understand the effort taken by this family and support from the Team AVS. We were at AVS for 14 days few months ago. So we could visualise the whole story. Hope this message reaches out to more and more people across the world and AVS becomes a model for knowledge and resources being converted as "Service to Humanity" We were at AVS during November-December, 2025. Excerpts from my. Blog Post on November 30, 2025 : Welcome To Warrier's COLLAGE On Sunday November 30, 2025 Friends We are enjoying the hospitality of Kottakkal Aryavaidyasala from November 20, 2025. The hospital is well maintained and environment is serene in all respects. Read on Regards M G Warrier A The Spirit of AVS I'm...

Present Moment

Good Morning Importance of 'living in the present' is an age-old subject. From motivation speakers to psychiatrists and from KG teachers to great celebrities, all talk about the importance of this moment and finally time management. Present Moment Let's first read a short piece on "Present Moment" to pick up a couple of things over which we can do something to cultivate the habit of Time Management : https://share.google/oWvIwy7nevnwQq0Wb Synopsis : Prominent figures like poet Horace and mystic Kabir advocate for living in the present. Existentialists also point out that today is the sole certainty we have. Resisting procrastination is essential to reclaiming lost time. Rumi's insights remind us of the unpredictability of tomorrow. Meanwhile, Eckhart Tolle emphasizes the importance of cherishing the now, which is all we truly own. **** **** Time is understood and interpreted in different contexts in different ways. In Bhagavad Gita when Krishna says ...

The Alchemist

Good Morning Some thoughts become universal quotes and some books become best sellers and sometimes classics. Most of the time, accidentally. Today's subject is one such book. A 177 page story, narrating a boy's journey, less adventurous than his thoughts! I'm writing about the book before completing reading it. M G Warrier The Alchemist I'm yet to read "The Alchemist"(1988) by Paulo Coelho. I have a copy of the English edition (Harper Collins Publishers, 1998 : Twelfth impression 2001) now on my table. The book is available @Amazon.in : https://amzn.in/d/0ePnKMMC Book description : "An international bestseller Over 80 million copies sold worldwideA PBS Great American Read Top 100 pickA special 25th anniversary edition of the extraordinary international bestseller, including a new Foreword by Paulo Coelho.Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom and wonder into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millio...

Duryodhan Syndrome

Good Morning Many skip columns like Speaking Tree in Times and Faith in The Hindu (hope the column is still there!), sometimes thinking that spirituality and philosophy can wait. Current Affairs, politics, economics and finance should get priority over subjects relevant, may be post-retirement. Depends on personal priorities. Though l'm recording and sharing my random thoughts as and when they happen, I don't expect all the recipients of my messages to read them same day. But the available facilities allow me to preserve my notes in various ways to be available for future reference. Blogs, books, websites are all storehouses of thoughts. Once you upload writings on public domain, anyone including the author can access them on a future date. Of late, I have started accessing my own old blog posts to refresh my memory. M G Warrier Duryodhan Syndrome Duryodhan Syndrome: Know Right Yet Choose Wrong! https://share.google/pjNg94J6Y7c3kxis9 By Bhoosreddy (Chairman, UP-Rera)...

Remembering Mario de Miranda

Remembering Mario de Miranda For Mario, cartoons were much more than jokes. Read on : Mário de Miranda: The Genius Who Drew a World https://share.google/XpEbnz3hF44hMCCG9 Excerpts : "Born in Daman in 1926, where his father Constâncio served as taluka administrator, Mário grew up in the Miranda manor in Loutulim, south Goa, amid old-world gentility, family lore, and a landscape that would nourish his imagination forever. He delighted in books, music, and sports, but most of all in drawing. He doodled village characters, celebrities, and family pets on walls, once joking, “In those days, I saw myself as another Michelangelo ... but it didn’t work out that way.” He attended Mumbai’s JJ School for a day, but felt trapped rather than freed by formal art education, and so joined St. Xavier’s instead. In 1949, he graduated with a degree in English Literature and considered joining the civil service. It is amusing now to imagine Mário as a bureaucrat! ***. ***. *** Oscar De Nor...

Transition from Introvert to Extrovert

Good Morning Psychology Today They say, "little knowledge is a dangerous thing" May be true from their perspective. But your life's journey takes you to unknown territories and make you stumble upon subjects in which you get interested. Ever since a guest speaker introduced "I'm OK, You're OK" in a lecture during a training session(1969), I started observing human behaviour with a different curiosity. I started accepting the possibility of there being valid reasons for behaviour we consider abnormal. Each individual is unique. With unique challenges, unique opportunities, unique strengths, unique perceptions about threats and so on. Over to Steve Pavlina for a brief introduction to the subject "Transition from introvert to extrovert" : M G Warrier How to Go From Introvert to Extrovert – Steve Pavlina https://share.google/8mtzl9sIQsv6tjF3L "As a child I was very introverted, often spending my time on the computer, reading, playing...

Warrier's Friends' Collage, August 2026 Part I

Welcome To Warrier's Friends' COLLAGE, August, 2026 Part I Good Morning Long long ago, I used to pick up old copies of Psychology Today magzine from a footpath bookseller in Thiruvananthapuram. Later, I have read some Psychology and Psychiatry books to know more about the activities of human mind. Didn't learn or understand much. But the revelation that normal individuals cannot understand or comprehend the mind of an insane person itself made me interact with abnormal behaviour differently. I have mentioned in my book "Open Book Of Happy Memories" (2023) about three cases of insane behaviour which I had observed in close proximity : https://share.google/hSaTmg4m3RvN5LhQe M G Warrier A Restoring Self-confidence : Psychology Today Restoring self-confidence is built through action and reality-based competence rather than empty positive affirmations. Core strategies include taking concrete steps, challenging your inner critic, and adjusting how you compa...