A New Way or just a Weird Idea ?

Religion has long been touted as the "opiate of the masses". Events of recent past and until date around the world makes one wonder if that is an understatement and the real religious scenario is more close to addiction than alleviation.

One interesting event unfolding in that regard in the post 9/11 era is the proposed construction of a mosque at or near the ground zero site. There has been support and vehement opposition to the idea with the supporters calling for peace and religious tolerance (should be religious "appreciation") and opponents going to the extent of equating it to a "hitler memorial at auschwitz". Whatever the outcome is going to be, the idea sure is a novel one, not sure if we have precedence in history. If one were to put on a Gandhian hat, its actually a masterstroke and a humbling reponse to the religious extremists from the victims and their survivors - the type even Christianity espouses.

Of course, I being neither a muslim nor an american, can pass any arm-chair criticism or comment. Will my opinion be the same had I been in either's shoes, I don't know.

In the course of this discussion between my wife and I, she commented, albeit on a lighter vein though, that if one were to build a small mosque near all important sites targeted by such religious terrorists would it deter them from committing such heinous acts - after all its a place of worship and all religion mean good its just the true meaning gets lost in translation sometimes. Well, her statement struck to me as a seemingly innocuous but definitely one that has a deeper meaning and one that merits a great deal of thought from every one of us. After all religion is man's creation intended for our own good.

Today's pic is a famous tourist spot - downtown SFO - taken by me from a tourist chopper flying low on the SFO skyline - where such a mosque could add to its safety. Okay, if you havent got it till now - it was just the San Diego Legoland's mini replica of the SFO downtown.

A Bet on Obama

Today I came across the most interesting news in recent times. Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009. While I admire Obama for various reasons I mentioned in my earlier posts - (closing of Gitmo, Healthcare Public Option to mention a recent few), his choice for the prize did come to me as a surprise as it did to most of us. Given his policies, while he may be a promising candidate for the accolade sometime in the future for sure, bestowing upon him the honour now (barely 5yrs at National scene and barely a year at International Level) seems bit premature. However, as one new article put it, this news is seen as a "daring bet on the future" by the Prize committee. I surely concur. I only wish they succeed in their bet as Obama lives up to their (our) expectation.
Interesting angle is - the nobel peace prize committee seem to be showering praise upon people inspired by Mahatma, perhaps as a way of compensating the Mahatma for not bestowing the accolade on him while he was alive. I was surprised to learn today that when Mahatma was assassinated in early 1948, he was apparently the forerunner for that year's Peace Nobel and hence the committee declined to give that to another person citing "there is no one alive that deserved that award that year". Very touching. Since then, the "Mahatma Club among Nobel Peace Laureates", as one media calls it, has grown strongly - MLK Jr, Dalai Lama, Aung San Syu Kyi, Nelson Mandela and today, Obama. It would only have been more fitting had they announced this a few days ago on Oct 2, the birthday of the Great Soul. While the rest of the Mahatma Club had strong "resumes" by the time they were hounoured, Obama is starting to build one at international level.

Oddly enough, a line from Harry Potter comes to mind - In his first year, when Harry visits Olivander to purchase his first wand, interestingly, the wand that chose Harry happens to have a feather of a Phoenix while the only other feather given by that same Phoenix found its way into Voldemort's wand. At this, Olivander comments, "I am sure we can expect great things from you, Harry, after all He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things, terrible..but great". Obama is like a first-year Harry expected to do great things in coming years and his Voldemort (Mahatma) is not his nemesis and has achieved greatness in a benign way.
Attached pic for today's post was taken by my cell phone camera at office. Had kept a cup of hot water closed and when I opened it a while later, I saw this nice condensation of the vapor along the sides in an orderly fashion (row/column) and looked beautiful.

In Memoriam...

While the term "Festival of Lights" is reserved for "Deepavali", I have always felt that its immediate successor festival - Karthigai Deepam - has more merit to be called so. Atleast my experience has been thus so far. I do like both and infact, after many years living outside of not only my family but even my country, finally I got a chance to be at home with parents for 2008 Karthigai Deepam festival. Mom has not changed bit in her routines other than what aging process brings in. This time we also had my family - wife and son - at our place. Though not that common, I lit up fire crackers for my kid to see for the first time in his life. New clothes to wear - was like a Deepavali-Karthigai combo.

When the whole world lights up these tiny earthern light pots, its a feast not only to my eyes this time but also my camera's sensor :-) Attached is a photo that I liked most out of the bunch. The arkness and bokeh adds to the luminousity of the lamp. Was windy so couldnt get the flame sharper.

Today - Jan 30th - is Martyr's Day - the day when Gandhi was assassinated in 1948. Gandhi has been inspirational to me in more ways than one since childhood days and as I grow up, I only get painfully aware of how miniscule I am in my ways of life compared to what he achieved. I dont know when I can do something worthy of being from the same nation that gave the world this great soul. I have had my share of time with friends who ridicule Gandhi to this day for his deeds - bless their souls, ignorance is there everywhere still prevalent even among the educated lot. It takes only spur of a moment to life a weapon but lot of courage and strength to put it down. In today's world of brute force capitalism, it seems virtue if a person is able take care of his needs without harming anyone, let alone caring for others and society without selfish interests. Here's a favorite line from "Gandhi" movie - a magnum opus on the great soul -

BOURKE-WHITE:

But do you really believe you could
usenon-violence against someone like Hitler?

GANDHI (a thoughtful pause):

Not without defeats– and great pain. (He looks at her.) But are there no defeats in this war– no pain? (For a moment the thought hangs, and then Gandhi takes their handsback to the spinning.) What you cannot do is accept injustice. From Hitler – oranyone. You must make the injustice visible – be prepared to die like a soldier to do so.

-- and Gandhi went on to live and die like one - a true soldier in all sense of the term. Today's photo pick symbolises the great soul - shining solely among darkness.