Warrier's blog

Book on my table: Rethinking Good Governance by Vinod Rai In an interaction with a media person, while concluding, Vinod Rai answered the question, "What next?" in two words: "Another book..." Daring and knowledgeable individuals who were not afraid of controversies while in active service, either move on to greener pastures in politics or vanish from public glare. Vinod Rai continues to contribute to the causes closer to his heart.  Books like this help immensely, individuals like me, who try to keep abreast of developments in financial and social sectors affecting common man. Vinod Rai has a skill to express views dispassionately and irreverently. The detached way in which he narrates events which changed the fates of individuals and institutions gives an elegance to the stories he tells. M G Warrier

Unable to just ‘be’: looking back on a lived life - Sakuntala Narasimhan https://www.thehindu.com/ opinion/open-page/unable-to- just-be-looking-back-on-a- lived-life/article27698371.ece I had missed this Open Page article. Today when I received a response to my brief comments on sakunara's article published in Mindspace, I searched for more by the same author. We need not become too curious about how much of a story could be real or which portion is fiction. Writers like Sakuntala Narasimhan catalyze your thoughts and I look forward to links provoking thoughts. M G Warrier

Charm of going to the cinemas in the past- Remembering the talkies http://www.newindianexpress. com/opinions/mindspace/2019/ sep/18/charm-of-going-to-the- cinemas-in-the-past-2035290. html The thrill of sitting on the floor spread with white sand and watching the movie in close proximity may not be back again. Today, my grandson is watching a movie on the mobile screen close to the pillow and before sleeping, may, involuntarily, switch off the mobile and throw it to a safe distance from his bed. M G Warrier

Watching gymnasts from my balcony- This may be a repeat, but you'll enjoy reading again! http://www.newindianexpress. com/opinions/mindspace/2019/ sep/11/watching-gymnasts-from- my-balcony-2031983.html We have to make choices for timepass from the available menu. There are a couple of easy options. One, allow your thoughts wander free. We do not need a passport, Visa or tickets to visit "ManoRajyam"... Unlimited freedom to travel for the mind! Two, the one selected by this auther, Sakuntala Narasimhan ( sakunara@gmail.com ). Watch what's going on around. You may not be lucky to find squirrels, birds and monkeys around. Adjust with whatever you find! I have been trying a combination of the two. I start thinking of what would be in the mind of people, insects, birds or animals I happen to see. Or, if I watch a plant or a tree, I think of its past and likely future. The "lifespan" of living things around me are not co-terminus with mine. They or somet...

On a mission to revisit the past- Old age is second childhood, they say... http://www.newindianexpress. com/opinions/mindspace/2019/ sep/17/on-a-mission-to- revisit-the-past-2034724.html This article is by a person in his 60's. As age advances, we start remembering more about life in younger days. Like this writer, each one of us will have one or more places, we always wanted to visit once more, but it didn't work out. Now don't delay. This is the right time to plan a trip.During the last one week, a classmate spoke to me and a childhood neighbor expressed a wish to meet me. I plan to meet both of them when I visit Kerala next time. M G Warrier

SB 6.1: The History of the Life of Ajamila Srimad-Bhagavata https://prabhupadabooks.com/ sb/6/1?d=1 This link opens to a long elucidation of a Chapter in Bhagavatham where Ajamila story comes. I've read the introduction and glanced through the rest. Will read. Though I had become lazy about nama japa or everyday recital of a few sanskrit stanzas, now I understand the rationale behind Sandhya Naama and Keerthanaas popularized among children and aged groups.  We will continue this discussion in the coming days. A Malayalam four-liner about "Narayana" may be of interest: "നാരായണായെന്നു സദാ ജപിച്ചാൽ പാപം കെടും പശി കെടും വൃസനങ്ങൾ തീരും നാവിന്നുണർച്ച വരുമെപ്പൊഴും അന്തൃകാലേ ഗോവിന്ദപാദകമലങ്ങൾ തെളിഞ്ഞു കാണാം" Naaraayanaayennu Sadaa Japicchaal Paapam Kedum Pasi Kedum Vyasanangal Theerum Naavinnunarcha Varumeppozhu- manthyakale  Govindapaadakamalangal Thelinju Kaanaam" (If one recites 'Naraayana' always, One will be free...

Subject: Trump, Modi to address 50,000 Indian-Americans at 'Howdy Modi' mega event in Houston - https://www.indiatoday.in/ india/story/trump-to-attend- howdy-modi-houston-rally- 1599490-2019-09-16