Shirking one's responsibility towards their elders

In India we are bound by a duty of care towards our parents and elders. Today the abandonment of the elderly is an unprecedented phenomenon. The current generation are busy hunting for better prospects in life and, in the process, forgetting about the parental love and support that underpins their success. Success in life and a responsibility towards one's parents and elders are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, they go hand in hand. 

We depend on our parents when we are young. Their care and sacrifices fostered us. And as our parents age they depend increasingly on us. 

We should not forget that the love and affection we bestow on our offsprings without expecting anything in return, the same we received when we were young. 

Paying a cursory visit once in a while and doling out few bucks as if they are beggars - is not what they expect. They deserve our respect, affection and gratitude. 

The true joy of experiencing magic

For the past few years living in Singapore, have been extremely fortunate to witness such spellbinding performances by renowned Indian artists from the classical world, be it Carnatic or Hindustani style of music- both vocal and instrumental and also various dance formats ranging from Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak etc.

The above photo was from a recent performance given by Johar Ali Khan, a famous exponent of the violin instrument in Hindustani style ably supported by the gurus of Sifas. 

The first linguistic state is no more

In no other Parliament of a major democracy could a Bill with so much at stake be passed without more than a perfunctory debate or without a single vote count on something like 110-plus amendments. A topic which has been debated in the public, required a commission, caused suicides and much damage to public property, and on which strong views were held by rival sides, would never have been passed with such ease if there had been a genuine legislative chamber.

Courtesy - Is Parliament necessary? | The Indian Express

Distraction in life too overwhelming

Short attention spans as a result of constant device distraction whether it is a smart phone or an ipad, sad superficiality and online exhibitionism on Facebook and life geared to 140 characters or less on Twitter - the myriad depredations the social media unfurls - how the screen has taken over our lives. We are slowly forgetting what genuine experience means, losing the communication and interaction mediums we are used to within such a short span of few years upon the advent of social media.

Screen addiction is disconcerting and adding a lot of distraction to the little ones in the family with everyone glued to their own devices and teenagers want to communicate only through Whatsapp, Facebook - wonder how we can keep our minds stimulated and keep them active. Need to see what these new forms of pleasure will bring in.. but sure they are adding a lot of distraction to our lives.