Serendipitous

Corruption in India is a cultural aspect

2011-12-08T13:14:00.000+05:30

Corruption in India is a cultural aspect

Indians seem to think nothing peculiar about corruption. It is everywhere.

Indians tolerate corrupt individuals rather than correct them.

No race can be congenitally corrupt.
But can a race be corrupted by its culture?

To know why Indians are corrupt, look at their patterns and practices.

First:

Religion is transactional in India.
Indians give God cash and anticipate an out-of-turn reward. Such a plea acknowledges that favours are needed for the undeserving.

In the world outside the temple walls, such a transaction is named - 'bribe'.

A wealthy Indian gives not cash to temples, but gold crowns and such baubles. His gifts cannot feed the poor. His pay-off is for God. He thinks it will be wasted if it goes to a needy man. In June 2009, The Hindu published a report of Karnataka minister G. Janardhan Reddy gifting a crown of gold and diamonds worth Rs 45 crore to Tirupati. India's temples collect so much that they don't know what to do with it. Billions are gathering dust in temple vaults.

When Europeans came to India they built schools. When Indians go to Europe & USA, they build temples. Indians believe that if God accepts money for his favours, then nothing is wrong in doing the same thing. This is why Indians are so easily corruptible. Indian culture accommodates such transactions morally. There is no real stigma. An utterly corrupt Jaya Lalitha can make a comeback, just unthinkable in the West.

Second -

Indian moral ambiguity towards corruption is visible in its history. Indian history tells of the capture of cities and kingdoms after guards were paid off to open the gates, and commanders paid off to surrender.

This is unique to India.

Indians' corrupt nature has meant limited warfare on the subcontinent. It is striking how little Indians have actually fought compared to ancient Greece and modern Europe.

The Turks' battles with Nadir Shah were vicious and fought to the finish. In India fighting wasn't needed, bribing was enough to see off armies. Any invader willing to spend cash could brush aside India's kings, no matter how many tens of thousands soldiers were in their infantry. Little resistance was given by the Indians at the 'Battle of Plassey’. Clive paid off Mir Jaffar and all of Bengal folded to an army of 3,000.

There was always a financial exchange to taking Indian forts. Golconda was captured in 1687 after the secret back door was left open. Mughals vanquished Marathas and Rajputs with nothing but bribes. The Raja of Srinagar gave up Dara Shikoh's son Sulaiman to Aurangzeb after receiving a bribe.

There are many cases where Indians participated on a large scale in treason due to bribery.

Question is: Why Indians have a transactional culture while other 'civilized' nations don't?

Third -

Indians do not believe in the theory that they all can rise if each of them behaves morally, because that is not the message of their faith.

Their caste system separates them. They don't believe that all men are equal. This resulted in their division and migration to other religions. Many Hindus started their own faith like Sikh, Jain, Buddha and many converted to Christianity and Islam.

The result is that Indians don't trust one another. There are no Indians in India; there are Hindus, Christians, Muslims and what not.

Indians forget that 400 years ago they all belonged to one faith. This division evolved an unhealthy culture. The inequality has resulted in a corrupt society,

In India every one is thus against everyone else, except God and even he must be bribed.

Bike hazards..!!

2011-11-09T23:37:00.000+05:30

Different scenario..!!

1. A rich guy has allergy problem (Allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis). After taking proper history and examining him, I realised that his problem can be solved if he stops riding bike or two wheelers and start using car with AC because he can afford an AC car.

He told me that he has to move around in short distances and in smaller streets where taking a car or parking it would be a problem.

He has to take medicines to control his allergy problem.

2. A sweeper of our hospital (Obviously he earns very less) gets severe pain in legs, specially on his left leg. He goes to various orthopedic surgeons for check ups and treatment. He got all the possible investigations done but none of the them revealed anything specific problems. I used to observe him coming to my hospital for work and I realised that his bike was proportionately bigger than his height. When he stops his bike, his wife's, bike's and his own weight comes on his left leg and that's why he gets the pain. I advised him to stop using his bike for some days and use his brother's moped. His pain reduced in 2 days and vanished in just 5 days.

His compulsion was that he can't use his brother's moped for a long time, his bike's installments are still going on and he can't afford the new vehicle.

He has to take medicines to control his pain.

What would you suggest?

Just to say hello...!!

2011-04-11T11:56:00.000+05:30

Its been a very long time since I wrote something...!!

Just dropped by to say hello...!

Recently I have been trying to edit and upload my papa's articles on net. He is the senior most surgeon of Rajkot. He writes about his experiences or if he has committed some mistakes or something which is useful to his junior colleagues.

He is writing these articles in local Indian Medical Association journal, 'IMAX', since past 3 years. He names it as ST Stand. (His name is Dr S T Hemani and hence the name.)

Check out http://drhemani.wordpress.com

Rage of an angel

2010-09-23T13:13:00.000+05:30

I always thought that giving a death sentence is the worst thing I can do but yesterday when I entered the theater complex, I realized that there is something even worst then telling someone that you are going to die soon.

Around 15-20 people came to me before I entered the operation theater complex. I could see anger, frustration, quantum of grief and pursuance. Millions of questions were clearly seen in their eyes. The anger towards almighty, request for me and many more feelings...!!

"Will you please try to save my son's voice box? Please do something to save it. Please please at least try. If it reoccurs in some time, you go ahead and cut the whole thing. But for now, please save it. We can't see our son getting speechless forever." The father of patient told me.

I tried to console them and explained them again... this was my millionth futile try to explain that nothing more can be done except removing the voice box. The type of disease is bad. We can't afford to wait or do trials on him. There is a battle between the cancer and your son.

Two weeks back a very cute, 17 year old boy, 11th standard science student with the dream of becoming an IT engineer came in my clinic with a thick file of case papers and depressed parents. I thought that this boy might have cough, cold or something similar.

I started asking questions but in stead of answering anything I was given that big thick file. I usually ask the history properly, examine the patient thoroughly and then check the other papers and reports to avoid being influenced from previous doctor's diagnosis.

This boy had change in voice since a year and gets breathless frequently. There were no other symptoms. But when I asked him about the addiction, he reluctantly revealed that he used to smoke since he was 10. When I examined him I found that he had some growth below his vocal cords. I kept silent till I see the other reports.

He was being treated by some general physician as asthma for almost 8 to 9 months but then they went and showed to one of my senior colleague. He found out this problem around 3 months back and referred this patient to Mumbai for further treatment. And the story of unlimited futile exercise of going from pillar to post continued for another 2 months.

Finally when they gave up, they came back to Rajkot and started consulting whoever they think can solve this boy's problem. And finally they reached to my clinic.

After explaining them what is the situation, I convinced them to go for endoscopy and biopsy of the mass (tumour) I saw. The scopy was done, the extent of disease and the biopsy was taken from the site and sent it for histopathological examination.

The report came to be Adinocarcinoma of larynx. It was shocking. Shocking because Adencarcinoma is not at all common in Larynx and such tumours do not respond well to other modalities like radiotherapy or chemotherapy. So, the only option left was the surgery, removal of voice box (Laryngectomy). The removal means that the boy will never speak again and he will have a permanent tracheostomy, the hole made on the neck for breathing.

It was tough to break this news to the parents. and then the rounds of talks and explanations started. Almost every hour I get a call from someone asking about this poor kid. For me, it was like yet another case I deal day in and out. They went on to show this boy to almost all the cancer surgeons of Rajkot but everyone's opinion was the same... the surgery.

Finally the day was fixed, patient was in the operating table and the relatives were all around me and still asking, requesting and praying.

When I saw this cute boy on operating table I asked him if he is afraid of surgery? I ask this question to all my patients just to relieve their stress a bit. This boy gave a faint smile and did not speak a word as if he has already started practicing his speechless life. This was the time I realized how tough it would be for him to accept the truth.

I was miserably sad and devastated after the surgery. I soon actualized that to tell someone that you are going to die soon and we can't do anything about it is probably easier than to tell the young boy that you will be speechless forever. I could not see the him staring me. I could not see in the eyes of the parents.

I am still in the state of shock and devastated. Why was I selected for this work? When God has given the powers to heal, why didn't he give full powers? Why this small boy? What are we doing for such a harmful tobacco? Can't we even stop producing it? Can't we pressurize the government to do something? Can't we teach our children to stay away from tobacco? Can't we do something?

Reactions and Response

2010-08-24T13:13:00.001+05:30

Suddenly, a cockroach flew from somewhere and sat on a lady. I wondered if this was the cockroachs response to all the glory that was spoken about it!

She started screaming out of fear. With panic stricken face and trembling voice, she started jumping, with both her hands desperately trying to get rid of the cockroach. Her reaction was contagious, as everyone in her group got cranky to what was happening. The lady finally managed to push the cockroach to another lady in the group.

Now, it was the turn of the other lady in the group to continue the drama. The waiter rushed forward to their rescue. In the relay of throwing, the cockroach next fell upon the waiter. The waiter stood firm, composed himself and observed the behaviour of the cockroach on his shirt. When he was confident enough, he grabbed and threw it out with his fingers. Sipping my coffee and watching the amusement, the antenna of my mind picked up a few thoughts and started wondering!

Was the cockroach responsible for their histrionic behavior? If so, then why was the waiter not disturbed?

He handled it near to perfection, without any chaos. It is not the cockroach, but the inability of the ladies to handle the disturbance caused by the cockroach that disturbed the ladies. I realized even in my case then, it is not the shouting of my father or my boss that disturbs me ,But its my inability to handle the disturbances caused by their shouting that disturbs me.

Its not the traffic jams on the road that disturbs me, but my inability to handle the disturbance caused by the traffic jam that disturbs me.

More than the problem, its my reaction to the problem that hurts me.

The Take-Away :

The women reacted, whereas the waiter responded.

We should not react in life, we should always respond.

Reactions are always instinctive whereas responses are always intellectual

Humanity

2010-07-07T12:38:00.003+05:30

Today morning at 8.30 I got a call from my hospital that somebody wants to meet me. I asked if there was any emergency, but this person just wanted to meet me. I usually go to my hospital at 9 so I told them to wait and I should be there in another 30 minutes. But he is in such hurry that I reached my hospital soon and met him...

He thought I would remember him but I did not. I asked him who he is and he told me that I treated his son around one and a half year back and did some surgery on him. He said I saved his son's life. But I really did not remember it at all.

I checked my records and I found out that his son accidently inhaled a peanut and that obstructed his windpipe (Foreign-body Bronchus, for my medical friends). I did the procedure called Bronchoscopy and foreign-body removal in emergency.

While checking the records, I was asking what he is doing? And he was broken and told me his story.

He is a selling fruits on the streets of nearby village and he hardly earns 2000 Rupees a months and from these money, he has to run his household. He had his parents, his wife and two kids, and his brother who is handicapped. He was literally in tears while telling me his story. His son whom I treated got some kidney infection (Nephrotic Syndrome) before a year and now he is in treatment for the same under a very famous kidney specialist and my respected senior Dr Sanjay Pandya.

I asked him what the emergency was, to which he said that he wanted to give me my money which he could not pay when his son was discharged. And after this he had to rush to Dr Pandya's clinic for his son's follow up. I hardly ever keep records of that kind of credit money unless its a big amount. In fact, his credit was just Rs 1000 according to him. Obviously I didn't remember it.

He removed some crumpled Rs 10 and Rs 50 bills and gave it to me saying that he had a big tension of returning this money and again requested me if its okay if he gives only Rs 500 this time.

Now it was my turn to be emotional. I returned this money to him saying that the credit is debited and he has no debt now.

I told him not to worry and I called up Dr Pandya to treat him free or with nominal charges.

I am still thinking... Are people still so trustworthy?

Humanity and trust are still alive.

Are only Doctors responsible?

2010-04-14T21:14:00.005+05:30

In the discussion with my twitter friend about a recent death of a child due to money problems I thought of writing it.

I want to emphasize a few things here... All the doctors are not bad, the media plays too negative role for the doctors so as us, the common man.

Let me narrate some incidences...

Case 1: A patient comes to a very well know and very very efficient doctor who needed some surgery. He is very poor so the doctor decides to treat him free. During surgery, there was some complication.

The patient's relatives destructed this doctor's hospital, they had beaten up the doctor and sued him a huge sum.

The media supported the patient and did all the possible things to damage doctor's reputation. To the extent that the reporters asked the hefty sum of 5 lac (Rs. 500,000 from the doctor not to damage more).

The court of law found out the truth and gave the judgement that the doctor is right and he should not be sued.

The Doctor decides.....

Case 2: A complicated and serious patient comes to the hospital who needed the ICU care. Patient's relatives assured that they will pay everything. Patient became alright and they absconded. The doctor had to bare a huge sum himself.

The Doctor decides...

Case 3: Almost dead patient was brought to the hospital. The patient needed emergency surgery and there was only chance that the surgery might give him life but the chances were only a few percentages. Patient's father agreed for the surgery and given the informed consent.

Inspite of the successful surgery, the patient died on 2nd day of surgery. Patient's relatives had beaten up the doctor to death and threatened that they would kill doctor's son too. (an eye for an eye, a son for a son...!!)

Doctor paid Rs. 10 lac (Rs one million) to spare his son, for no fault of his own.

And the doctor decides...

These doctors finally decided not to serve free or on concession to the community as the society don't deserve it.

I have a number of such cases but I really am in no mood to write more.

Show me one place like multiplex or a restaurant where you go and bargain on humanitarian grounds that you should get free ticket or food because you are poor...??

Why general public hates doctors?

I am not saying that all the doctors are good. Some are bad, corrupt or inefficient. But show me one profession or business where people are not bad, corrupt or inefficient.

Inefficiency of some doctors is due to their mindset and attitude. There comes the issue of reservation but I don't want to touch it now.

Most of us do not have a health budget. So when suddenly one gets illness or ailment, the doctor's bill seems to be huge. We may go out for a movie or the restaurant and spend a lot but when it comes to our health, we don't have money allocated and that's why we hate doctors. (I know a lot of arguments will come on this point but if you really think from the mind and heart, you will support me.)

Someone will say that they have a mediclaim (Medical insurance, I mean) but do you know that majority of the mediclaim companies don't pay you when you really need the money unless you have cashless mediclaim. The money comes only after a few days to months after a millions of questions and hassles. You need to face it to know how tough it is to get your own money back from the insurance companies.

My final request today is not to be judgmental that all the doctors in this world are bad because media writes anything.

Oh God...!!

2009-11-25T11:20:00.002+05:30

When you feel that you know everything or you are a master, God gives some complication to let you know that you still need to learn a lot of thing.

Its quite humbling. Isn't it?

Why crib?

2009-08-29T17:37:00.002+05:30

Listening to aisi sazaa from gulal.

Which idiot did not promote it?

Then we crib today we don't make great songs.

I still can't understand, if "Mera naam chin chin choo" or "Ina mina Dika" etc were too famous then but what about lyrics?

Weekends

2009-08-23T18:55:00.002+05:30

I always wonder why weekends are for?

To rest and unwind

To meet friends and freak out?

Is it beautiful?

2009-08-17T22:00:00.001+05:30

The 1st question I ask myself when something doesn't seem to be beautiful is why do I think its not beautiful. And very shortly I discover that there is no reason.

I met with an accident

2009-08-05T11:43:00.006+05:30

On 10th July, I met with an accident.

Was going to a village called Virnagar, 45 km from Rajkot towards Bhavnagar. I go there for free consultation for poor villagers.

A truck, came on to my side and absolutely on my car. Fortunately, I could take a little turn but still I couldn't help saving my car's right side. Here are some pictures of my car.

I was fortunate enough that I did not even get a scratch. I was absolutely safe.

I came down of the car from the other side and assessed the situation. Then I called up my elder bro to guide me on what to do. He told me to wait there for his further instructions. I then called the Virnagar Hospital to tell them not to wait for me this time.

In next 10 minutes, Bro called me and told me that he is on his way to the accident site.

In another 20 minutes time, my elder Bro Paras, his friend and 2 of my cousins reached there. This was tough to believe that in just 30 minutes of accident, I have 4 people helping me out.

They made all the necessary arrangements and in another 1 hour he sent me back to our hospital to check patients who were waiting in my consulting room.

They organised the car toeing service, contacted the garage etc and finally moved back home, drenched in heavy rain.

The car is back now. Almost everybody forgot this incidence now that its 1 month to it.

But I still have a few questions...

1. Was it possible to get such a prompt help if I were in some other country? ( I mean the help I got from my near n dear ones)

2. Should I continue going to Virnagar or any other such places to serve the poor and needy? (My family members are really scared)

And many more questions...

Owning a new car?

2009-08-05T11:27:00.004+05:30

Read this article somewhere. Thought of sharing it with you all.

Owning a new car: that's a dream many of us have nurtured since childhood. With getting a car loan today becoming easier than ever before, this dream can easily come true for us.

However, finances aside, buying a new car can quickly turn from a beautiful dream to a horrible nightmare if you are not careful.

Let's take a look at some tips for you to use when you plan to buy your car.

Freeze on a budget

Before you even go around looking at different cars to buy, you have to ensure that you have fixed on the amount you are ready to spend for a car.

There are only a few people who would be able to buy a car outright. Most of us on the other hand would need to go in for a car loam. In such a situation, it is important to decide how much you are ready to pay for the down payment, monthly installment and other expenses.

Also, try to see that you come up with a sizable amount of down payment from the total budget. For example, if your budget is Rs 500, 000, then try to see whether you can come with a down payment of at least one-third of this amount.

This is help in terms of a lower finance requirement and also lesser amount of interest to be paid.

Evaluate your need

If you are a family of six and you can afford to buy only one car, going in for a BMW sports coupe is not going to serve your need. Instead, look at cars which fulfill your need and at the same time satisfy your desire.

Your choice of the car should be based on the purpose of you buying the car -- may it be family need or your personal love for cars.

Compare different brands

Once you have evaluated your need and know the class and kind of car you want to buy; look at different brands offering cars in your choice of class and kind.

Of course, you may have fixated on a particular brand, but looking at different brand helps. The reason this will help is because the difference in brands also affects the price and you may end up saving anything from Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000.

Compare car features

When you compare cars, check the mileage that they are offering, accessories and features offered, the insurance cost of the car, the maintenance cost of the car and the warranty offered with the car. Fuel efficient cars would make a smaller hole in your pocket and will do less harm to the environment too.

If you are not picky about the colour of the car, a colour which is not that fast moving may come with some good discounts. And if it needs to be recolour someday, it will be a cheaper affair.

Also, look at the different features that a car offers and choose the one which offers most of the features that you want and yet stays inside your budget.

Choose a good dealer

Once you have chosen the car to buy, scout around for a good dealer. You can visit the dealerships, ask around about their services, check their past history of service and more importantly, look at the discounts, offers or promotions that they have to offer.

The choice of a dealer should also be based on their willingness to help you buy the car of your choice in the budget that you have decided.

Choose a good finance company

Your choice of a finance company will bear an impact on your budget. Compare different offers from different companies and see which one can offer you the least interest rates and EMIs (equated monthly instalments).

Also, look for hidden charges and take that into consideration. Ensure that the company you choose is the one which helps you stay within your budget.

Buying a car is not as hard as it sounds. What it requires is a little bit of patient searching around and a strong will to resist the temptation of overshooting your budget.

Musical Tag

2009-04-09T09:41:00.004+05:30

I am tagged again.

How it goes:
a. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, IPOD etc. on shuffle.
b. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
c. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
d. Tag friends.

1. If someone asks you, "are you okay" you say:
O hasina zulfonwali jaane jahan... dhundhti hai kaafir aankhe kiska nishaan...

2. How would you describe yourself ?
Kahenaa hai... Kahenaa hai... aaj tumse ye paheli baar ho tum hi to laaye ho jivan me mere pyaar pyaar pyaar

3. What do you like in a guy/girl ?
Ye jo mohabbat hai... ye unka hai kaam..... (lol... am enjoying this Tag.)

4. How do you feel today ?
Yaadon ki baaraat nikli hai aa dil ke dwaare... sapno ki shahnaai bite dino ko pukaaare dil ke dwaare... (Yes, I am really nostalgic today.)

5. What is your life's purpose ?
Tum bin jaaun kahaa, ke dunia me aake, kuchna fir chaaha sanam... tum ko chaah ke.....!!

6. What's your motto ?
Hakuna matata, it means no worries... (From Lion king) lol

7. What do your friends think of you ?
Careless whispers....

8. What do your parents think of you ?
I'll be by your side

9. What do you think of often ?
Mr lonely (Yanni's track)

10. What is 2 + 2 ?
Memory...... (An original motion picture soundtrack)

11. What do you think of your best friend ?
Killing me softly..... lol (I am loving this Tag.)

12. What is your life story ?
Bridge on the River Kwai

13. What do you want to be when you grow up ?
Yanni - A love for life

14. What do you think when you see the person you like ?
Yanni - A night to remember... ha ha ha

15. What will you dance to at your wedding ?
Aankho me teri ajab si ajab si adaae hai

16. What will they play at your funeral ?
Yanni - Once upon a time (Can't stop laughing)

17. What is your hobby/interest ?
Behka mei behka... (Ghajini)

18. What is your biggest fear ?
Dance pe chance maar le (Rab ne bana di jodi)

19. What is your biggest secret ?
Desi Girl

20. What do you want right now ?
Kis taraf hai aasman - kis taraf zamin khabar nahi.... ho o hosh gul, sapno ke mai baandhu pool, aankh kab khuli khabar nai ho o...... (Dostana)

21. What do you think of your friends?
hum hai raahi pyaar ke phir milenge chalte chalte... lol (Rab ne bana di Jodi)

22. When you want to rush to the toilet, what do you think ?
Pichhle saat dino mai (Rock on)

23. The person you hate the most is in front of you, what will you tell the person ?
Dil kya kehta hai mera kya mai bataao, tum ye samjoge shaayad mai paagal hu..... Rock on hai ye waqt ka ishaara, Zindagi milegi naa dobaaraa.....

24. You have just won a lottery. What will you sing ?
Bagiya bagiyaa, baalak baalak, titli phir bhi haath naa laage..... is pagle ko kaun kaun bataaye...

25. What will you post this as?
Shut up & Bounce

Thanks Carpe Diem for writing this tag.
Enjoyed it thoroughly.

If some one Visit this blog then you are tagged ..

New year 30Q Tag..!!

2009-01-28T21:39:00.003+05:30

Saw this Tag in cm-chap's.

Let's start.

1) What is your occupation?
Healthcere professional. Precisely, am an ENT surgeon, dealing more with Head and Neck surgery.

2) What color are your socks now?
White.

3) What are you listening to now?
Songs of movie Luck by Chance

4) What was the last thing you ate?
Daal-rice. What can you expect a gujju to eat?

5) Can you drive a stick shift?
Of course I can. Do we get any other types in India?

6) Last person you spoke to on phone?
My friend.

7) Do you like the person who sent you this?
I picked it up from cm-chap's page... so technically, he didn't send me.

8) How old are you today?
I agree with the following answer. Sorry, you are not supposed to ask such privacy violation questions. That’s not accepted under the "US Law for Single Men" :)

9) What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
Cricket, Tennis, soccar

10) What are your favorite drinks?
Fresh Lime, coffee, fress Juices.

11) Have you ever dyed your hair?
Yes, once.

12) Favorite food?
I am a big time foodie. But am a proper "Ghas phoos" guy. (veg).

13) Last movie watched?
Luck by Chance (Halfway through)

14) Favorite day of the month?
All the days.

15) How do you vent out your anger?
Same as cm-chap. It depends on who is the receiving end. But to tell you that am a short tempered guy. I should remind you that as a Scorp... have got a good armory to crucify people.

16) Favorite toy as a child?

Cars.

17) Favorite season?
Winter

18) Do you want your friends to email you?
Personalized email from friends? Yes. Of course.

19) When was the last time you cried?
Don't even remember now.

20) What is on the floor of your closet?
Some letters by friends and some crap papers where I scribbled down while talking on phone etc.

21) Who is the friend you have had the longest?
My best friend, Dr Jayesh Vaghasia. We are friends since 1990. :)

22) What did you do last night?
Slept :)

23) What kind of people you want to avoid?
People who crib all the time & People who worry all the time.

24) Plain, cheese or spicy hamburger?
Cheese, but Hamburger without ham. (remember... I am a veg guy.)

25) Favorite dog breed?
What's that? :))

Like bulldog breed, but only in Tom & Jerry cartoons.

26) Favorite day of the week?
Saturday. As last working day of the week it gives a sense of freedom.

27) How many states have you lived in?
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Henan (China)

28) Diamond or pearl?
Pearl. Am a peace lover.

29) What is your wish for this New Year?
Hope this New Year showers its blessings on the lesser fortunate people for a better living starting from me.

30) New Year resolutions?
Not to be disclosed in public :)

SlumDog

2009-01-17T18:56:00.004+05:30

Today I saw Slum dog Millionaire.

Don't know what to say but am impressed.

A Must See.

Random thought

2009-01-17T12:37:00.002+05:30

Need a book where I can write my stored silence.

My Editorial for issue 4 of IMAX

2009-01-12T14:24:00.003+05:30

After five and a half years of my private practice, this morning, I decided to start so called “CUT PRACTICE”.

Life is full of unexpected events and we were blocked from doing it. But ETHICS is all about turning "problems" into wins and living our highest values in the hardest of conditions. I could have started Cut practice, but I DIDN’T. Though that's what I was encouraged by some to do. Why? People say that if you don’t get enough patients, give perks to others, cuts to practitioners, call them for dinner, ask pharmaceutical companies to sponsor your conferences and trips, give advertisements in news papers, keep yourself a very high profile and it works, even if you are not a good doctor.

Why are we encouraging this unethical practice? Are we that money hungry? Where is our own soul? Recently I saw a gujarati play, “3 crore, 24 kalak an eek sawaal” (3 crore, 24 hours & 1 question) and at the end the question raised was that all the doctors are corrupt, bad and inhumane. Apart from that wherever and whenever we meet somebody, they would say that the older generation of doctors are good and now all the doctors are too commercial. They work only and only for money. Overall, we are all counted as the most corrupt people of the society.

But I trusted my training, knowledge and skills. There was no possibility of me sharing my lead without an ethical practice with those who expected me to do, I thought. It was a big blow for many people. But these things happen.

Today I made one of the best decisions of my life. I DIDN’T START “CUT PRACTICE”. And at the risk of sounding self-indulgent, may I please add that today was one of the proudest days of my 6 year career.

A large number of friends and well wishers are looking at me. They were expecting something from me. They were expecting me to learn how ordinary human beings could show leadership and shine brilliantly and ethically. They were hoping that the newer generation of doctors will build a better and healthy practice. And I was determined to help them.

So I followed my heart. I made a decision. Turned out to be the right one. I asked myself if I am right or wrong.

And as for the day, I was questioning myself. Deeply so, because a medical student was there with me. My father, Dr S. T. Hemani was there. My own heart and soul were there. By making things better. By standing for excellence. By being radically ethical. By doing our parts to make our own medical world a little bit better.

I'm just following the call on my life. To help people let their gifts, passions, humanity pour out into their days. You can do the same thing. Just make a good decision. And start today. And let our noble profession remains a profession and we be considered as professional rather than commercial ones.

Made in China...!!

2008-11-13T17:38:00.002+05:30

A piece of infe...!!

The whole world is scared of China made "black hearted goods".

Can you differentiate which one is made in Taiwan or China?

Let me tell you ... The first 3 digits of the bar code 690 - 691 - 692 is Made in China & 471 is Made in Taiwan.

This is our right to know, but the government and related department never educate the public, therefore we have to rescue ourselves.Nowadays, Chinese businessmen know that consumers do not prefer products "Made in China", so they won't show us which is made from which country.

However, you may now refer to the bar code, if the first 3 digits is 690 - 691 - 692 then it is made in China.

00~09 - USA & CANADA
30~37 - FRANCE
40~44 - GERMANY
49 - JAPAN
50 - UK
471 - Taiwan
690~692 - China...

Keep an eye on it now.

My Editorial

2008-11-12T18:59:00.004+05:30

I am an Editor of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Rajkot Branch's monthly journal. I named it as IMAX. Thinking that it can be IMA Maximum or IMA Express.

The below pasted article is one of the editorials. I request you all to read it and give suggestions to improve my thoughts and writings.

We, all the doctors are busy, busy as usual - but one of us has been especially busy.

A new comer, our 11-month old, new private practitioner, has been really focusing on his practice! He will be completing 1 year in a few weeks (where has the last year gone?) and he decided about 6 weeks ago that practicing medicine in Rajkot looked like something he wanted to figure out! This is my 5th year of practice and so I've not been rushing him for building up the practice, but I have been intently watching his progress.

He's wobbly. He falls at times. He sometimes needs a hand to hold, sometimes just a finger for confidence. He prefers to work towards someone who is reaching out their arms for him. He's bumped and scraped from obstacles. When he hits his head it doesn't seem to hurt as much as normal because he's so focused on his destination. But, most importantly, he keeps getting up and trying again.

Things I've noticed about those of us around him. We clap when he takes steps (even if it's just one or two). We reach out to help him up when he topples. We praise him and cheer for him (yes, even if he falls flat...!). We hold our arms out for him so he knows where he can fall safely. We tell everyone about his successes. We dwell on the steps, not the tumbles. And most importantly, we encourage him to get up and try again.

Not ONCE have I heard anyone say, "well, you've fallen - this medical practice here might not be for you. You should stick to medical college or the village practice."

"I know someone that tried that and still can't practice, just save yourself the trouble."

"Wow, that sure is taking you a long time to figure out. Your colleague progressed a lot faster than you did."

"You know you're not supposed to be in practice yet. This is too early. Sit back down and let us carry you for awhile."

"Why would you want to bother with that when you're already so good at teaching at medical college?"

"Don't, Don't, Don't - you know you always make mistake when you do that!"

Interesting, isn't it?? Are you surrounding your family, friends, and other junior doctors with encouragement, praise, and positive words? Are you telling them why they CAN succeed instead of why they cannot?

And just as important - are you surrounding YOURSELF with others that encourage YOU in that same way? My junior knows he is in a safe place, surrounded by people who love him and want him to be the best doctor he can be! We want him to learn new things, to progress in his journey. I want to be one of those people for YOU!

And in the meantime, will you choose someone today that might need your arms reached out? They might need a finger to hold? Is there someone that needs you clapping for them? Find them today. Help them in their practice. Or we will just do the same old practice of discouraging juniors and don’t let them come up to their own expectations?

Respected seniors, would you hold our, juniors’, hands?

This Woman has guts...!!

2008-11-03T12:01:00.004+05:30

I loved this article...! Its worth reading.

Me, Marathi
written by Shoba De

Correct me if I am wrong, Raj... but I consider myself assal Marathi manoos. Born in Maharashtra to Maharashtrian parents etc. Proud to be Marathi (even though my language kills in my mother tongue are embarrassingly dodgy). I don't know how to make the perfect puran poli but I do love aamti..

This is clearly not enough anymore. Going by the checklist, I could be disqualified on several scores. I am married to a Bong, who has lived and worked in Mumbai for over 30 years (but alas, has not been appointed ambassador to the state of West Bengal yet!). He attends Durga Puja regularly and prefers maacher jhol to vangi bhaat.

Fortunately, we don't have a daughter-in-law to name a college after, either in Kolkata or Mumbai.... And our children (like yours) did not attend Marathi-medium schools.. We employ people based on their competence, not caste or region. And I have never asked the vegetable vendor, breadwalla, taxi driver, dhobi, sweeper, elevator attendant, security guard, pizza delivery boy or any of the other people who make my life easier, which part of India they come from.

This is Mumbai, meri jaan! Who cares where anyone comes from? Dhanda is all that matters.. Mumbai is India 's most powerful magnet. Once you get here, you never leave. Don't believe me? Ask those innocent bhajjiwallas and doodhwallas who were beaten up and stoned by your men last week. Even with blood-soaked bandages around their ads, and broken hearts, they are staying put. As they should.

Aaah, the natak of your dramatised 'arrest' was not lost on anybody. Had Rakhi Sawant's slapping stunt not grabbed those eyeballs on Valentine's Day, viewers would still be stuck with the image of a nattily dressed you (mmmm...loved the styling), mbering in and out of the police van. If Rakhi cleverly stage-managed the incident, what should one say about your brilliant coup? Overnight, Raj Thackeray was elevated from being the discarded Thackeray to a national figure.

In one well-orchestrated move, you went from being a neglected nephew of an ageing tiger, to a sharp-clawed, teeth-baring cub with an independent act of his own. The circus acquired a brand new star attraction - you! It was never easy being a Thackeray. Ask balasaheb. If he targeted south Indians in the '60s, you smartly headed north. Same agenda,diametrically different directions. By questioning the bona fides of those who have made Maharashtra their home, both of you tapped into the vulnerabilities of the average Marathi manoos. It is worth asking the very people whose interests you are protecting, whether they really want to do the dirty work currently being handled by the northies.

Will the Marathi manoos agree to put in 18 hours a day plying taxis, selling veggies, washing clothes and so on? Who's stopping them from turning into vendors of milk, food grains, and other commodities? Perhaps, the Marathi manoos considers such occupations demeaning? The truth is, these jobs have always gone abegging, and there have been any number of hungry, unemployed people from other states ready and willing to grab them. Kick the 'outsiders' out at your own peril, and see what happens...

Why do farmers commit suicide in such numbers only in Maharashtra ? The answer, dear Raj, may surprise you.

In your defence, let me say you received the worst press - biased at best, and shrill to boot. Most of the semi-hysterical reporters from prestigious news channels were embarrassingly ill-informed as they blabbered incoherently each time a leaf moved outside the magistrate's court!
Surely, you are not complaining? Everything seems to be going according to the master plan. You have 'made it' in one swift move.

And women are finding you kinda cute in that sleeveless baby blue pullover. Great copy, great photo ops. What more does a neta want? To keep Mayawati and Lalu out of Maharashtra ? Now, that's a tall order!

End of the day, Be Indian!!!

Don't follow blindly the 'divide and rule' policy of any selfish politician!!!

JAI HIND!!!

The Megapixel Myth: more is not better

2008-10-14T16:46:00.003+05:30

Today, I came across this blog from the link given. I found it interesting so thought of sharing it.

"One marketing ploy that most consumers have almost universally bought into is that the more megapixels a digital camera has, the better it is. This is one of the biggest misconceptions in the entire consumer electronics industry, possibly second only to the belief that a $140 Monster cable will make your audio signal sound better than a $12 cable (or a coat hanger). The first thing out of someone’s mouth when you show them a new camera is often “How many megapixels is it?” More megapixels not only don’t make for a better camera than one with less MP, but it may actually make it worse. Before anyone starts shopping for cameras this holiday season, I want to make sure everyone’s aware of the Megapixel Myth.

A huge factor in the quality of digital photos is the quality and size of the digital sensor inside the camera and how much light it is able to absorb. You’ve all seen grainy, noisy digital photos, especially in darker shots — that’s the sign of a sensor struggling to take in enough light to expose the photo. The sensor is a rectangular device that is divided into a pixel grid — if you have a 4 MP camera, then you’ve got about 4 million individual photo-sensitive cells on that sensor. If you then cram 8 MP onto that same sensor, with the same physical dimensions, then more of the surface is divisions, or “walls”, than light-gathering pixels. Think of it like an ice cube tray. If you have a tray that normally has 20 cubes, and then subdivide it so it can handle 40 smaller cubes, your total volume of water drops because of the extra space that the divider walls take up.

Sensors in the typical compact consumer camera can only get so big and still fit in the case. So all other things being equal — same physical sensor size, same sensitivity, etc — a lower megapixel camera will perform better in low-light situations where every possible photon of light must be absorbed. DSLR cameras have much larger sensor sizes, and so have much larger photo-sensitive cells. This is one reason why a DSLR will always outperform a point-and-shoot that has the same MP rating — the photo cells are bigger, they can absorb more light, which means less noise in low-light situations and faster shutter speeds across the board.

Now of course as technology improves, sensors get better and better at absorbing light from small photo cells, so a lower MP camera is not automatically better or more sensitive to light. But the important point here is that higher MP does not mean you’re going to get a better image."

8 Leadership Lessons

2008-07-19T20:00:00.000+05:30

Just Read the latest issue of TIME. It records the 8 leadership lessons of Nelson Mandela. Thought they may be of interest to you.

1. Courage is not the absence of fear - it's inspiring others to move beyond it.

2. Lead from the front but don't leave your base behind.

3. Lead from the back and let others believe they are in front.

4. Know your enemy and learn about his favorite sport.

5. Keep your friends close - and your rivals even closer.

6. Appearances matter - and remember to smile.

7. Nothing is black or white.

8. Quitting is leading too.

A doctor's perspective...!!

2008-07-18T19:00:00.000+05:30

Very often I get patients who ask for concession or discount for consultation charges and operative charges. And most of the times I give grant their wish too.

Here are some incidences...

1. A patient, came to my clinic in a brand new Santro car, having 3 gold rings with one had diamond on it, 2 mobiles of which one was iphone, asks for discount saying that he can't afford my fees...
My answer: No comments... I smile at them and repeat them that Rs xxx is my fees.
I don't argue to them as I consider them poor from mind. "मन से गरीब "

2. A lady patient bargains with me as if she is bargaining with some grocery store...
My answer: Have you ever bargained at a medical store or at a restaurant or for train/plain tickets? Do they reduce their charges?

3. A famous person comes, asks for concession and telling me that a doctor should not charge because they are here to do only and only service for the society...!!
My answer: How does a doctor pay the liabilities/ mortgage? Are all the doctors borne Billioners?

4. An industrialist having business worth a 50 million Rupees, calls me and instructs me to check his driver for free because the driver is very poor and he is serving this gentleman for last 20 years.
My answer: I will waive my 50% and you send rest of the 50% charges...!!

5. A Ex MP leaves my clinic without paying my fees...
I just hate politicians. I let them go away to get rid of their negative influence.

There are at least 100 similar examples...

What should I do? Any suggestions?

Emotions Revisited...!!

2008-07-17T23:00:00.000+05:30

Recently I felt someting odd...

Being a doctor, there are many instances where I need to tell patients that you are going to die because of the disease you are suffering from. It sounds horrible but I think its terrible feeling and I always feel that I am giving a death sentence to that person. It has become a routine and it doesn't affect me anymore.

The heart, mind and feelings of doctors dies and for such things. Death doesn't matter to us anymore, not at least to me.

When I was doing internship in October 1996, I remember the first instance of death happened in front of me... I was abominably depressed and I couldn't even eat anything for 3 days. I was depressed because a living being is dead now and more depressed because in spite of being a doctor, I could not do anything to prevent his death.

In just 6 month's time I saw some 15 people dying in front of me and by than I accepted 2 things... 1. I am just a doctor and not an almighty and 2. Whatevet happens to the patient is his/her own destiny. I just have to make atmost efforts to save him/her.

And my feelings died. The time came when I worked in ICCU and if some person dies, and if I am hungry, I used to go and have food after finishing all the paperwork.

It always amazed me that how can a person eat just after declaring someone dead...!!??

I got the insight in a short time...
1. For how long can you sustain without food?
2. I need to remain fit.
3. I became an emotionally numb person as far as death is concern.
4. Being a doctor, it is mandetory to face deaths and I can't escape.
5. I am just a person who helps God in treating patients and help them live healthy life till I can.
6. And the most important thing I learnt is... the difference between God and Doctor, that God doesn't think himself as Doctor.... :)

Gone are the days!!!

2008-06-24T11:20:00.004+05:30

I read it somewhere and I realised that our days are also gone... :(
I really became nostalgic and thought of sharing it here.

When The school reopened in June,
And we settled in our new desks and benches!

When we queued up in book depot,
And got our new books and notes!

When we wanted two Sundays and no Mondays,
yet managed to line up daily for the morning prayers.

We learnt writing with slates and pencils,
andProgressed To fountain pens and ball pens and then Micro tips!

When we began drawing with crayons and
evolved to Color pencils and finally sketch pens!
When we started calculating first with tables and
then with Clarke's tables and advanced to Calculators and computers!

When we chased one another in the corridors in Intervals,
and returned to the classrooms Drenched in sweat!

When we had lunch in classrooms, corridors, Playgrounds,
under the trees and even in cycle sheds!

When all the colors in the world, Decorated the campus on the Second Saturdays!
When a single P.T. period in the week's Time Table, Was awaited more eagerly than the monsoons!

When few played"kabaddi" and "Kho-Kho" in scorching sun,
While others simply played "book cricket" in the Confines of classroom!

Of fights but no conspiracies, Of Competitions but seldom jealousy!
When we used to watch Live Cricket telecast, In the opposite house in Intervals and Lunch breaks!

When few rushed at 3:45 to "Conquer" window seats in our School bus!
While few others had "Big Fun", "peppermint","kulfi", " milk ice !" and "sharbat !" at 4o Clock!

Gone are the days Of Sports Day, and the annual School Day ,
And the one-month long preparations for them.

Gone are the days Of the stressful Quarterly, Half Yearly and Annual Exams,
And the most enjoyed holidays after them!

Gone are the days Of tenth and twelfth standards,
whenWe Spent almost the whole year writing revision tests!

We learnt, We enjoyed, We played, We won, We lost, We laughed, We cried, We fought, We thought.
With so much fun in them, so many friends, So much experience, all this and more!

Gone are the days When we used to talk for hours with our friends!
Now we don't have time to say a `Hi'!

Gone are the days When we played games on the road!
Now we Code on the road with laptop!

Gone are the days When we saw stars Shining at Night!
Now we see stars when our code doesn't Work!

Gone are the days When we sat to chat with Friends on grounds!
Now we chat in chat rooms.....!

Gone are the days Where we studied just to pass!
Now we study to save our job!

Gone are the days Where we had no money in our pockets and still fun filled on ourhearts!!
Now we have the ATM as well as credit card but with an empty heart!!

Gone are the days Where we shouted on the road!
Now we don't shout even at home.

Gone are the days Where we got lectures from all!
Now we give lectures to all... like the one I'm doing now......!!

Gone are the days But not the memories,
which will be Lingering in our hearts for ever and ever and Ever and ever and ever .....

Gone are the Days…. But still there are lot more Days to come in ourLife!!
NO MATTER HOW BUSY YOU ARE, DONT FORGET TO LIVE THE LIFE THAT STILL EXISTS.....

Mirror

2008-06-20T12:26:00.000+05:30

The world is a great mirror. It reflects back to you what you are. If you are loving, if you are friendly, if you are helpful, the world will prove loving and friendly and helpful to you. The world is what you are.

Good one

2008-06-09T12:38:00.000+05:30

You are the only problem you will ever have and you are the only solution.
- Bob Proctor

Down is the place to be

2008-06-05T17:48:00.000+05:30

Down Is The Best Place To Be
By Bob Perks

"I've really hit bottom," the young woman said.

"You'll still find hope there," I told her.

"How could I? I'm down so low in life I can't see a thing."

"Down is really a great place to be. Everything is always looking up!" I told her and then went on to explain.

I had been so depressed at one point in my life that I prayed to God to take my life. Every morning when I woke up, I'd curse the day. I was unemployed and in great debt.

But it wasn't until I crashed, literally hitting the floor that my life would change.

My life became very predictable. I had been desperately looking for a job. Each morning I woke up I'd grab the local newspaper from my porch. Bypassing the news, which during that time was depressing enough, I immediately looked for the want ads. Running my finger slowly down the page, I'd carefully scan for something new. Anything that caught my attention would be circled. It was early in 1990. There was little to circle.

That day there was nothing at all.

By this point I had already sent out hundreds of resumes to every conceivable employer within a 100-mile radius of my home. Of course, because of the economy, so did thousands of other unemployed mid-lifers.

I remember that day as clearly as I can see today. Sadness and despair washed over me like sweat on a hot, humid day.

I stood up from the kitchen table and walked, no, dragged myself into the living room. The paper slipped from my hands as I lost all touch with reality. My heart, my mind, my soul, my spirit, suddenly just gave up on life.

I looked up at the ceiling and tears gushed from my eyes.

With every last bit of energy I screamed, "God help me!" and fell to the floor on my knees. I wept openly for a few minutes and rolled over on my side. I lay there crying still, now curled up in a fetal position.

I don't remember much of my time lying there on the floor, but I do remember waking up and finding my Old English Sheepdog next to me.

I, too, was as low as I could be.

You might think, "How sad!" or "How very depressing!"

It actually saved my life.

Jim Rohn, professional speaker and inspirational writer would call such an event, "The day that turned my life around."

Despair and anguish were like an infection running through my system.

Hopelessness and thoughts of being a failure were lies raging within my very soul.

That moment, my crashing to the floor was one of the greatest moments in my life.

I was down so low that "up" was the only option.

I believe, that my cry to God that day told Him that I was ready for Him to take over. Up until that very moment, although I may have prayed for help, I was never really willing to accept it at all.

There is a story about a man in search of an audience with a great Sage. The day they met the man began to tell his story, never ceasing, never yielding to the Sage's input.

Finally the Wise Man raised his hand to stop the conversation.

"Would you like a cup of tea?" he asked the man.

"Yes, that would be fine," the man replied and continued speaking.

The Wise Man placed the small tea cup in front of the man and began to pour from the tea pot. He continued pouring until the cup was filled beyond capacity and now overflowing onto the table.

"Stop!" the man shouted. "It is more than full!"

The Sage set the tea pot down on the table and said, "You came here for guidance but, like the cup before you, you are overflowing, unwilling and unable to add anything to your life."

Before I emptied myself by letting go of it all that day, I too, was much too full of myself to permit God to take over.

If you are struggling with life and find yourself face down on the floor, remember two things.

"Down is a great place to be, because everything is always looking up."

And..."You can't fall off the floor."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bob Perks is an author, storyteller, trainer, and motivational speaker whose specialty is human potential. His message --"I believe in you!"-- has resonated with thousands of people who are seeking to increase their self-esteem and communication skills.
Bob's signature story, "I Wish You Enough," has circled the globe via the Internet. His inspiring true stories are based on the people he meets in his travels. In the mall, the airport, the park, or sitting in a restaurant, a simple word or phrase will often catch his attention; hook onto his heart-and from it a story blooms. Bob's unique perspective on life makes him "the philosopher of everyday moments."

Love expressed

2008-05-26T19:29:00.007+05:30

દરીયાને ભેટી પડવું છે

મોજા બનીને રેતીનાં

કણ-કણમાં સમાય જવું છે.

પથ્થર પર પછડાઈને

અચાનક ખોવાઈ જવું છે

બસ તને દરીયો સમજી

જીવી જવું છે...

Could I Be Himalaya?

2008-05-26T19:29:00.006+05:30

As I flew above the Himalaya while going to China on my teaching assignment last year, I asked myself to reflect on what the Himalaya said to me. I felt the usual minuteness and the presence and love of God, but I also felt some similarities to my own life. I thought that maybe I could have another perspective. Could I be Himalaya?

One of the first few chapters in the life of the Himalaya was a volcano. I can compare the volcano to "world rocking" events in my own life. Could the lava be my reactions to those events that changed my world? Could the lava be symbolic to anger, bitterness, and lack of forgiveness?

As I remember, the ranger spoke of the river Ganga coming out from Lord Shiva. I see that river as God's love. The river continued to push against the rocks until it broke through. Do my rocks hold back love? Will I allow God's loving river to break through my rock's dam to flow freely?

The water eroded the rocks and made the beautiful crevices. Also within the water, there were many stones that caused the ridges in the rock. Could the stones be patience, integrity, honesty, and kindness? Will I allow those stones to permanently etch upon my own life?

Although the stones were small, I am sure it was somewhat "painful" to be etched upon. Will I allow uncomfortable circumstances to etch character into my life? The river brought beauty to the mountains and valleys of Himalaya and made it more interesting.

The next step was the meeting of the two earth plates. As I understand it, the two plates met, maybe the lower plate is my selfishness and the higher plate is God's love. The lower plate submitted to the will of the higher plate, which caused the elevation of the Himalaya. Again, I would imagine that the collision was painful and earth shattering but without the elevation, there would be no Himalaya.

The Himalaya is such an inspiration to everyone that comes into contact with it. Their lives are permanently changed having been there. Could I be an inspiration to others? The beauty of the Himalaya lies deep within. They are not mountains that you can readily see from the surface. You can only really appreciate the beauty, as you get closer to the "heart" of the Himalaya. Isn't it like that with us? Our beauty lies within but you have to be close to our heart to see it.

From the distance, I originally thought the river to be 6' wide. As we generally go closer to the river, we notice the enormity. The actual size may be closer to 300'. God is that way to me. He is always enormous, but the closer I get, I see it more clearly. When I distance myself, He only appears to be small.

The Himalaya changes continuously. When it rains, the weaker rocks or dirt fall off into the river. Do we allow the rain to continually help us to grow and change? Isn't it interesting that the weaker portions fall into the river at the bottom never to be seen again? This continually renews the Himalaya.

I hope I could explain the symbolism in the Himalaya and the creation of our lives. Can we be Himalaya if we allow God's love and purpose to rush through and withstand volcanoes of life and stone-life lessons? I pray that as I experience life's lessons that I can be an inspiration to others, and that other's lives will have been enriched by knowing me. I pray that I will continue to grow to be a "great" person formed with life by the hand of God.

Incapable

2008-05-26T19:29:00.005+05:30

ગહનતા ઘાવની માપી શકું, એવું ગજું ક્યાં છે?

વળી હર ઝખ્મ પંપાળી શકું, એવું ગજું ક્યાં છે?

સતત ઝરતી રહે છે લૂ, છતાં પણ ચાલવું તો છે,

ઘડીભર છાંયડો પામી શકું, એવું ગજું ક્યાં છે?

પડી છે વીજળી માળા ઉપર એની ખબર છે પણ,

તણખલાંઓ હવે લાવી શકું, એવું ગજું ક્યાં છે?

અમારી દુર્દશાની વાત હર મહફીલમાં ચર્ચાઇ,

જરા હું આયનો ઝાંખી શકું, એવું ગજું ક્યાં છે?

ઘણી લાંબી બની ગઇ છે હવે ઝખ્મો તણી યાદી,

બધાં નામો ભલા વાંચી શકું , એવું ગજું ક્યાં છે?

હવે એકાંતની ઝાલી જ લીધી આંગળીઓ ‘ ગુલ’,

ફરીથી ભીડમાં ચાલી શકું, એવું ગજું ક્યાં છે?

Tell them that you love them.

2008-05-26T19:29:00.003+05:30

Recently I came across the same forwarded mail again after some years. I loved reading it. Hope you will like it too.

One day a Maths teacher asked her students to list the names of theother students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name. Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say abouteach of their classmates and write it down.

It took the remainder of the class period to finish theirassignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in thepapers.

That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual.

On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. 'Really?' she heard whispers. 'I never knew thatI meant anything to anyone!' and, 'I didn't know others liked me so much, were most of the comments.

No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on.

Several years later, one of the students was killed in 'Kargil' war and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student. She had never attended Funeral of a service man before. He looked so handsome, so mature. The place was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk. The teacher was the last one to bless.

As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pall bearer came up to her. 'Were you Sanjay's math teacher?' he asked. She nodded: 'yes.'Then he said: 'Sanjay talked about you a lot.'

After the funeral, most of Sanjay's former classmates were there. Sanjay's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher.

'We want to show you something,' his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket 'They found this on Sanjay when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it.'

Opening the bill fold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Sanjay's classmates had said about him.

'Thank you so much for doing that,' Sanjay's mother said. ' As you can see, Sanjay treasured it.

All of Sanjay's former classmates started to gather around. Arjun smiled rather sheepishly and said, 'I still have my list.. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home.

Prithwiraj's wife said, ' Prithwiraj asked me to put his in ourwedding album.

'I have mine too,' Rashmi said. 'It's in my diary.'

Then Deepali, another classmate, reached into her pocket book, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. 'I carry this with me at all times,' Deepali said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: 'I think we all saved our lists'.

That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Sanjay and for all his friends who would never see him again.

The density of people in society is so thick that we forget thatlife will end one day. And we don't know when that one day will be.

So please, tell the people you care for, that they are special and important. Tell them, before it is too late.

To say or not to say

2008-05-26T19:29:00.001+05:30

Hey friends,
Its a gujarati post.

મને એનું નથી દુઃખ કે મુલાકાતો નથી થાતી !
બધે સળગે છે દીપક ને અહીં રાતો નથી થાતી.

જીવનની વેદનાનો એટલો રસ્તો નથી મળતો,
બધાની સાથ કંઇ દિલની બધી વાતો નથી થાતી.

30Q Tag

2008-05-16T11:54:00.005+05:30

This is but yet another tag from Chinmai & Cm-chap...

1) Last movie you saw in a theatre?
Race

2) What book are you reading?
Why we buy?

3) Favourite board game?
Scrabble

4) Favorite magazine?
Nat Geo and popular science

5) Favorite smells?
The fresh smell of the land just after the first rains of the season. And cologne

6) Favorite thing to do in weekend?
Would prefer to sleep

7) Worst feeling in the world?
Someone cries for help and you won’t be able to help... (It frequently happens to me. Dying patient’s relatives and the patients themselves urges us to help and do something so that the patient’s life can be saved.)

8)What is the first thing you think of when u wakeup?
How beautiful day it is... I am going to enjoy each and every moment of this day.

9) Favorite fast food place?
Mc donalds

10) Future child’s name?
Sashwat or Manthan

11) Finish this statement --- 'If I had a lot of money', I...
would have started a huge foundation which helps remove deadly diseases and spread awareness for those diseases.

12) Do you drive fast?
Usually yes.

13) Do you sleep with a stuffed animal?
NO.....

14) Storms -- Cool or Scary?
Scary

15) What was your first car?
Haven’t bought yet, am still using my papa’s car. :)

16) Favorite drink?
Fresh Lime with soda (Sweet) and fresh Orange Juice

17) Finish this statement --- If i had the time i would...
Write a novel or two

18) Do you eat the stems on broccoli?
Nope.

19) If you could dye your hair any other color, what would be your choice?
I have some grey hairs and I would prefer my hairs to be more and greyer. It adds grace to my personality. But if i had to colour them... I guess the same colour I have now, somewhere near dark brown.

20) Name all the different cities/towns you have lived in?
Karamsad (Near Anand)
Jamnagar
Mumbai
Xinxiang (Henan Province, China)
And my sweet home sweet... RAJKOT

21) Favorite sports to watch?
F1 and football

22) One information about the person who sent this to you?
She is a good photographer.

23) What’s under your bed?
Nothing

24) Would you like to be born as yourself again?
Yes, 100%.

25) Morning person or night owl?
Either way, I am fine.

26) Over easy or sunny side up?
Neither

27) Favorite place to relax?
Home Sweet Home

28) Favorite pie?
Apple Pie

29) Favorite ice cream flavor?
Vanilla
Chocolate

30) Of all the people you have tagged, who is the most likely to respond first?
I really doubt if someone would read my blog...!! Besides, cm-chap and chinmai has already published their tags..

Tagged...!!

2008-05-14T18:16:00.003+05:30

Tagged..!!

Chinmai has tagged me.

Instructions: Remove 1 question from below, and add in your personal question. Make it a total of 20 questions, and then tag 8 people in your list. List them out at the end of this post. Notify them in their chat box that he/she has been tagged.

1) Who are the most & most important persons you like to meet in your life?

Sushmita Sen: I am a great fan of hers. I like her simplicity, modesty and style apart from her telent.

A.P.J. Abdul Kalaam: for creating fervour of science amongst youth. He knows exactly whom to target to build the dream nation of tomorrow. Like targeted missiles.

Steven Spielberg: for his creativity, meticulousness and vision towards cinema.

:Would Have loved to meet:

Guru datt
Gandhiji
Swami Vivekanand

2) Name Three Most Valuable Assets?

Family, Friends & Knowledge – rightly said by CM chap and Chinmai, I wouldn’t modify this answer

3) If you have the chance, what would you probably say to your beloved one?

It entirely depends on the situation but it will be from the bottom of the heart, for sure.

4) What has been the happiest moment?

I would like to live in present and I always try to enjoy each and every moment of my life. I celebrate them, as it will never come back in my life. Therefore, my motto is “Live life King size” (Hey hey... I am not promoting any cigarette brands... ok???)

5) Where is the place that you want to go the most?

At a place where no one is around except the Mother Nature and I just can remain to my own self.

6) If you can have 1 dream to come true, what would it be?

I am a selfish person, If I get a dream and I want it to get real, I would like to see myself with trillions of rupees and I am in some village of India and help poor people of India. (I would like to give answer as most people give... “WORLD PEACE”, lol)

7) Till now, what is the moment that you regret the most?

Difficult question and I don’t want to answer this.

8) Two things which you always wanted to learn but never did till date?

1. Would love to learn some music instrument. I would love to learn Flute, Tabla, Violin, Sitar, Piano and Guitar.
2. Trying to fly an aircraft preferably F16 or Sukhoi 30

9) What would you do if you found a briefcase full of money?

Would try and find out the owner and give it back to him/her.

10) If you meet someone that you love, would you confess to him/her?

Yes, Sure. There is no harm in confessing the truth but it has to be told in a certain way so that nobody gets hurt.

11) List out 3 good points of the person who tagged you.

Chinmai tagged me. 3 best points for her are that 1. She is my sister, 2. She is very sensitive and 3. She is an adorable sis of mine.

12) What are the requirements that you wish from your other half?

A very good communication skill is the main thing, which enables the smooth life.

13) Which type of person do you like the most?

Cheerful, sensible, trustworthy, helpful and little intelligent (I know that I am demanding too much.)

14) What is your ambition?

To be the best in all that I would like to do.

15) What is the thing that will make you think someone is a bad person?

I don’t think anybody is bad in this world. But I don’t like hypocrites, generally. (I remember the Gazal sung by Pankaj Udhaas... “Niklo na benaquaab, zamaana kharaab hai...)

16) If you could do one thing different in life, what would it be?

I would have written some novels covering different issues.

17) Something that made u laugh today?

A silly SMS from a friend.

18) How do you deal with a friend who has wronged you?

I generally don’t comment on them and 1. Try to rectify if its my mistake and 2. If its not my mistake, I would keep a safe distance form that person.

19) Name one favorite song of yours.

There are actually too many of them but to name a few...
1. Vande Mataram
2. We are the world
3. Heal the world
4. Words
5. Chalte chalte (Kishor Kumar)
6. Circle of Life

20) Sometimes the love what we call, is nothing but necessity or adjustments. According to you what is the difference between love and adjustments/necessity?

Since its my question, I would not answer this and would love to hear comment or answers from you...!!

Life or Something Like it...!!

2008-01-28T10:18:00.000+05:30

The second one...!!

Life......!! It is like the dialogue from movie "Hum"... Is duniya me do taraha ke kide hote hai... :))

Life is bad or it is good. it depends on the perception of an individual. Everyone of us go through rough roads of life... Some days are good and some bad, but the trick is... how one takes it.

When I was in India before May 10th, 2007, I always thought that life for me is good and it will never change its pace. But on 11th May 2007, I was in China. Never imagined myself in this country and that too on a job for 3 long months......!!

I was excited, I was frightened and sad. I could not imagine my life without my family for such a long time even though I passed 13 long years in hostel pursuing my degrees and knowledge. And before I realise the loneliness, I got friends.

Friends from different places of India and Nepal. Some were students and some were teachers who came to teach. Innocent, naughty and young students and friendly teacher colleagues. Life started rocking and soon Xinxiang became my own home. Home away from home, where I had friends. Family was just a phone call away. A few good friends were constantly in touch through net. The life changed. I would lke to name some friends here... teachers like Dr Hina, Ansumali, Ajay etc and students like Ravinder, Anurag, Bhargav, Sunny, Avishek, Amit, Biju and all.

And as you know, everything in the world has an end... my china trip also came to an end. Had all mixed feelings... I wanted to come back and at the same time I did not.

I knew that I will not meet some of the friends I made in Xinxiang will not meet me in my entire life again... And that reminded me of the song "Aate jaate khubsurat aawara sadako pe, kabhi kabhi ittafaak se, kitne anjaan log mil jaate hai... inme se kuchh log bhul jaate hai, kuchh yaad rahe jaate hai..."

As I said, my perception of bad became good, better and probably the best in no time in China and life after coming back home was supposed to be good became normal. As it was...

Life got a great change. During my stay, I tried inventing my own self and I am happy that I could find out some part of me which was hidden. I remained myself. No hypocricy as a doctor or as anything else.

I am happy because I found some part of Vimal and I am not because that part of Vimal has to go back to shell again...!!

Its the life all about... And I call it "Life or something like it...!!"

First Post

2007-12-02T17:51:00.000+05:30

I always thought that I will never write blogs. But now I am into this trap.

An unknown friend provoked me to write it.

Let's see how far can I keep blogging.

Its an amazing feeling. Amazing because our own feelings are going to the space where anyone can read and you really do not care how anybody would react to your own, personal feelings. In a way it is good that we stop caring about this type of feeling but it is equally true that we are all hiding from the person who is in front of us.

I really have a question... how many of us actually are extrovert? Do we really talk much to our family and friends? Or we just keep writing our feelings here? I am sure, almost all of us will be introvert and avoiding to talk.

Well... enough for the first time. Will be back soon with the another blog. Though, I would be happy if someone guides me to improve my writing and my style. I really want to learn the art of writing.

Best regards.