Isn't natural selection enough?

I may be seen as someone much influenced by the theory of evolution and natural selection. I posted an aspect of this theory long ago when I started blogging. As the evolution continues decades after decades, centenary after centenary and millennium after millennium, there is one thing that just does not seem to evolve.

In order to maintain its supremacy, the human race has developed a tendency to take the power in its own hand - partially because of self-protection against natural hazards and inherent risk of existence of life on this planet but mostly because of greed, ego, anger and jealousy. The world has witnessed the annihilation caused due to terrorism which is responsible for mainly killing innocent people basis foolish myth. We know, that is one of the most unpardonable sins and therefore, needs collective and complete intolerance. Here comes my question on the subject. Is that it? No. Just not.

I do not intend to draw any parallel to terrorism but feel helpless to pause for a moment. I feel helpless when I read the stories of somebody killing their own kin, friends or partners. I feel helpless when someone shoots a toll-tax employee for a mere 27 rupees. It drives me crazy when somebody kills a man for having an affair with his partner. Indeed, I go nuts when someone kills a bar-tender when she refuses to offer the drinks when she is actually not allowed to do so.

Without going into the reasons of all these events, I feel that these acts are no less detestable than those of terrorism. The impact may be sparse and voices may not be collective against individual culprits but does not meet the core value of the existence. Come and think of it where is all the humanity when one is not ready to forgive someone else’s mistake even though it is not so at times. How can someone shoot somebody as if a toddler is playing with a toy? Ages have come and gone but there is this very stuff that boggles me completely. We have been killing each other since the inception of Stone Age and it has only grown with the expansion of world.

Alas, there is no one to direct those being naturally selected that they need to survive not only to survive and that they need to modify themselves not only according to changing laws of nature. There is a need to bridge the gap between Godliness and survival. It is a process of natural selection and no one is empowered to select or deselect someone else on their whims and fancies.

Midnight thoughts

Be glad that you are alive and safe. You may tread along your own path nicely but remember life is a junction of numerous interjecting paths. Someone else’s miss can hit you too. Therefore, be polite and gentle. Offer your self and your services with altruism.

Be glad that you are better off. Most of the times, problem is in the mind. Life seems more miserable when comparisons drive the contentment. Don’t think that your story is not so great and others stories were written in wonderland. Everyone has fought their way to where they are and are responsible for inner peace at the same time. Enjoy with what you have. Life will keep on changing before taking your breaths away.

Be glad that you have a magical smile. Expanded lips symbolize joy and alleviate pain of any form. Words can be good or bad and may carry different connotations, but smile is a cynosure. It transmits a feeling of all is well or all is going to be well.

Be glad that you have wonderful people around you. Try living alone for a day and there is a feeling of being neglected or disowned. Don’t fall in the trap of altercations with those wonderful people. Realize your mistake and move on with utmost humility. If you realize your mistake, they will realize theirs too, sooner or later, for they are wonderful after all.

Be glad that you are assigned to play a role. A role of perpetuating life to the next level. Your presence may not seem important to you at times but hang on for few more decades. Your experience and your uniqueness do matter and will be equally helpful in uplifting the humanity itself. Life is abundant.

Be glad that you are being loved. Be glad that someone kisses you to express that immortal love. Someone hugs you tight to help you sustain your emotions. Understand the love and be even more generous in giving it back. Business will survive somehow; your loved ones may not. Love can only refill love - there is no subtitute top-up.

A week with so many positives

It was a festival week and along with festivals, an eventful week too. After all, much talked topic ‘corruption’ took a sideline for few moments off the news channels and paper media. In a TV program, PCI (Press Council of India) chief spoke about the media being irresponsible and wayward in what they cover and what they report. This post is not about how should media act in uniting the country and not look for opportunities to gain just TRPs. Instead, I would look back in the week’s events and take significant heart in where we are heading in terms of movies, music and sports.

Though I haven't yet watched the much awaited sci-fi bollywood movie 'Ra.One', I have heard people telling that these kind of efforts itself is laudable considering the commercial nature of movie viewership in India. Money pumping and money generation is not a problem for producers these days as they find enough avenues to break even quite easily – nationally or internationally. The point is that we leave with absolute awe and a feeling of wow from a cinema hall after watching an Avatar or a Titatic and wonder if bollywood can match that level of cinema-making. I am glad for the simple reason that at least these flicks are being tried in mainstream commercial cinema. Who knows someday sci-fi will become order of the day?

Today, Metallica rocked Bangalore and thrilled the audience from what I hear in the media. I am not a keen follower of rock band but pleasantly excited to see the fan following of this kind of music in India. Let us safely avoid discussing what happened in Gurgaon on Friday. It was amazing to see the craziness of fans even though the show was cancelled. They could really do anything to experience the spirit of rebellion and doubtless expression for which Metallica is widely known. With the increasing popularity of international artists such as Akon, Lady Gaga, Shakira etc., the real fusion is very much on its way. After all, international music has its own niche with India music lovers.

Last but not the least, the talk of the town is Indian Grand Prix. The organizers pulled it off beautifully. No body complained about the facilities, newly built circuit and the world known Indian hospitality. Yes, the dog was found searching for some heat on the race course – thanks to setting winters in Delhi. On a separate note, the entire event was a huge success and the following was so pleasant to the eyes. I wish that the event continues and explores (rather explodes) the unleashed potential that India has to offer in the coming years.

कागज़ की कश्ती, वो बहता पानी

बारिश के पानी की तरह पाक तुम्हारे वो साज़,
चिलचिलाती धुप में एक साया तुम्हारी आवाज़,
छिपे हुए गमो में मद्धम मुस्कान का पैगाम देती,
शुकून का एहसास तुम्हारी वो अमर आवाज़,

होश वालो को बेखुदी का मतलब समझाते ग़ज़ल,
झुकी नज़रो की खामोशिया बयां करते वो हसीं नगमे,
दिल की दवा करू तो करू कैसे, ज़हन में घुलते तेरे वो बोल,
ना चिट्ठी ना सन्देश, फासलों को मिटाते तेरे गीत अनमोल!

Stay hungry, stay foolish!

He followed his instincts. He did what he loved doing. He overcame the obstacles of life in the most phenomenal manner. While living, he was an inspiration for millions and while resting in peace, he will continue to inspire millions. He commanded tremendous amount of respect globally which to the least sound incredible. So much that he gave to the world – with passion and with humility. So much that he battled in life – with courage and with focus. He gave the apple a new meaning. And the affairs of the world continue, of all "Apple" will owe almost everything to this great man – Steven Paul “Steve” Jobs.

This video is just one example that convinces beyond doubt why He is so Great. Great Indeed, Steve! I would pay him a tribute by reproducing few of his famous quotes:

“That’s been one of my mantras–focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.”

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me…Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful–that’s what matters.”

“Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations.”

“I want to put a ding in the universe.”

“You can’t just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they’ll want something new.”

“We don’t get a chance to do that many things, and every one should be really excellent. Because this is our life. Life is brief, and then you die, you know? And we’ve all chosen to do this with our lives. So it better be damn good. It better be worth it.”

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

“Stay hungry, stay foolish.”

We need you, Today and Ever!

About him, what can one say,
His teachings shall forever stay;
True in life, true in mind, body and soul,
one that we could blindly obey!

He lived once and he died once,
All his efforts made deep sense;
for ‘the India of his dreams’
needed and needs the perseverance.

For the India of his and our dreams,
An India of unforeseen independence!

"You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty" - Mahatma Gandhi.