These are some of the realities today.....

India is going through a new phase of transformation - for better or worse. Media is owned by business and has become their mouthpiece. 

Sensationalism and TRP drive the media to extent that stories are invented, facts fabricated, ideologies spiced up to deliver delicious mouthwatering facts bordering on imagination, fiction and wishful thinking. 

Most business houses are aligned to one or the other political parties. The heady combo of politics and business has tightened its hold on the economy and policies are framed to suit the business interests of the business houses and stability of the political class. 

The reality which stares at the ordinary citizen of this country is far from the cacaphony of the media. Spiralling price rise across the economic spectrum, unprecedented cost of fuel, decline of the manufacturing sector, wipe out of the employment sector are some of the glaring realities today one is faced with. 

Youngsters face an uncertain future post their studies. Major political parties have failed to deliver their promises and have lost the trust of the people. 

Agriculture and agricultural land has been gobbled by the business houses. Farmers are left in the lurch with no support from any quarters. While the loans of the business houses are written off and waived off every five or six years, the plea of the farmer for loan waiver has fallen on deaf ears. 

Migration to cities from villages for employment opportunities has turned the cities into a nightmare while commuting. While a flight from Trivandrum to Delhi can be carried out in 3 hours, commuting from Bangalore airport to Koramangala  could take longer.  Traffic congestion gives rise to pollution. 

Unbridled construction of houses, apartment complexes, business centres have played havoc on the environment.  A realignment of priorities with regard to infrastructure, road planning, vehicle deployment, housing is the need of the hour. Today people have vehicles in cities while they prefer to travel by taxis. Driving in a city is no longer safe and comfortable. ....

   

Be happy.

Be happy. 
Try to be Remain happy no matter what the situations are - busy, easy, idle, hectic, pleasant, preoccupied, concerned, ill, sick etc... All these just keep you engaged to pull you into the illusion of feelings these bring but not the happy state that you deserve to be in.  
So try being in the business of happiness by not being imprisoned in the web of these feelings - Reflections on Being Happy

The Curious Case of PK........

The screening of the hindi movie PK is gathering debates and opinions for nothing. Some years back one of my neighbours in UP voiced a fear..about the fear of demolition of the Babri Masjid.What will happen if the demolition of your church takes place? I thought for a while and responded. 

No one can take God from one's  heart and one's beliefs. So does it really matter if one demolishes a place of worship? Belief is not mud deep or skin deep. It is far too real to be affected by such acts. No religion teaches violence or promotes  violence. One must not get carried away by those who instigate violence either.  

 History is remnant with religious conflicts and wars across the globe.Our own country is a witness to the onslaught of invasions, civilizations and religious and various ideologies.Yet our country retained its distinct trait of unity in diversity- togetherness in its diverse hues of climate, culture,cooperation, mutual religiosity and cultural integration imbibing the good from all around and rejecting the bad. What is good will survive and what is bad will not. The law of nature is just that.

The case of PK , the debate and furor it is creating will no doubt help the TRPs and the financial prospects of the film- a free advertisement campaign with no cost of investment.

In today's world of technology, the bulk of the world's population is turning to mobiles and internet for their solutions to daytoday living. It is technology that is fast turning out to be the modern gods.And here we are sitting debating about PK. Is there nothing else to debate? Are our religions so feeble to get displaced by a movie and its moronic dialogues? It shows just one thing - the so called protesters are exhibiting their own ignorance of their religion and its caliber while. It also shows that they are intolerant to diverging opinions thereby declaring the inherent reluctance to the democratic functioning of a society. In a democratic country, there are civilized means of protesting and voicing our opinions. There are institutions of law and order, judiciary and the constitution to address to all grieviances.

Religions has survived centuries in this country. Not even 1 % of our population has survived more than 100 years in this earth. Are we greater than our religion? Are we greater than our God. One whiff of breath gone..we cease to exist..Yet we brag as if we are gods.

Coming to PK. If the movie is good, it will run, people will watch no matter what happens. If the movie is bad, it will bomb what ever prop is given to it. The hype about PK will last till the next sensational event that takes place and all will be forgotten. So what is it that triggered this hype? An idle mind with no concern for betterment of the society.

I watched the movie with expectation of an asthetic, cinematic, visual treat of a world class cinema- I was stumped by stupidity of patchy direction, weak script, moronic acting display and childish dialogues fit for kindergartens kids with logic and arguments fit for that level. The Rajasthani dance with Sanjay Dutt, duet sequence of "Love is a waste of time" were comic relief to an otherwise below average movie- Aamir Khan and Hirani let down the expectations. I would not mind watching movies like 3 Idiots, Munnabai MBBS, Lagaan again. Not PK anyway.It lacks, sense, sensibility and cinematic flavour. 

   

Mathecken Musings...

 Today is a day of mixed feelings.... today 26th November 2014
Happy. Yes..to  read the blog of our daughter Tina. She writes from her heart with her head.It is such a pleasure to read her blogs. Her blogs have content, stuff, style,substance and purpose.It has elements of creativity and flair.It makes the reader happy...Thank you Tina
Lesson learnt from Tina - It is what is in you that matters - attitude, talents etc..that take you ahead and not what you chase after in life....

Sad. That cricketer Phillips Hughes succumbed to a bouncer while batting. A young life sacrificed at the alter of bouncer. Sad for his family. Sad for cricket- Phillips was being compared to the great Don Bradman.Sad for bouncers being allowed. May his soul rest in peace. Farewell Phillips Hughes
Lesson learnt- Safety first and foremost. Ensure safety at home, at work place and play.Ensure safety to oneself.  

Happy. To learn managing a a bit of the web from John Mahesh, Happy that  our family website www.matheckalfamily.org is functional and trendy. Thank you John. Happy to upload the print version on the site to benefit all.
Lesson learnt - there is no limit to learning and exploring life.....
Happy. To be able to listen to some nice greek songs from Akous Palko since yesterday.The song fills your heart with its mood and feelings though one doesnot understand the meaning of words sung.
Lesson learnt- Go beyond one's boundaries of likes and dislikes to explore and experience the beauty of this world.
Happiest of all - to get a mail from my old principal who is 81 yrs young and now in Canada. Joseph Pathiyil - Joe as he is known. A man of diverse interests and flair. A captivating personality. I had just mailed him our family history. He responded immediately with his which he wrote years ago. It was pleasure to receive his mail within 5 minutes. That he remembers his student even after 50 years...Thank you Joe.
Lesson learnt- Stay connected to be happy..