Apparently, a very good time to buy stocks or to invest is when, in the words of an eminent worthy, there is "blood in the streets."

The way the stock markets are falling over the past few months and are continuing to fall even today, one is convinced that there is absolute blood letting on the financial streets.

In such a scenario, all the red running from negative returns on one's portfolio over the past few months has been enough to make one go pale. Yet, one held on with steely resolve, investing in this and that, determined to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Alas, the blood letting has now turned into a gushing stream now and forget me, even the most hardened investor is feeling faint. Is it now necessary to even mention that the portfolio was built assiduously over time with a lot of sweat, tears (as in sacrifice) and hope for future needs?

And, though there is a corollary to the above mentioned worthy's quote "Buy when there's blood in the streets, even if the blood is your own", forgive me as I jump ship.

I'm no bloody fool!

;(

Okay, no more chestbeating along the lines of my earlier post(s) about Obama being the inevitable winner. Let me focus on his victory acceptance speech in this post. But first, reading the newspapers today and comprehending the scale of the victory was eye-opening. 95% of African Americans voted for him as did 43% of their white brethren. 50% of all US male voters gave him their vote as against 56% of women! That number '66' really ruled. 66% of all Hispanics voted for Obama while 66% of mid-westerners voted against. This was truly astounding: 71% of 'first time voters' gave him the trump card as did 66% of the 'under 30' group. I mean, does this tell something or not to all governments everywhere about youth power? You better change, baby, is what they are saying. Anyway, I'm digressing.

I wasn't lucky enough to take a day off yesterday to watch the US election results unfold on television followed by the victory acceptance speech of Mr. Obama. Thank God for the internet though. Completely distracted at work and  almost immediately, I was able to read the text of the President elect's speech online as soon as he delivered it. 

Later, in the comfort of home and family, I saw his equanimity, poise and the unforgettable speech that followed. Inured as we are to mind-numbing images of war, violence and excess on TV, having turned blase was natural. Not so yesterday night. This was one event which turned one's eyes moist and threatened to make tears roll. And so, its not hard to step into the shoes of those who have carried the injustice of history and see why this event has affected them so truly.

(Images source: The New York Times)

Mr. Obama's speech contained elements of every kind of emotion of the historic moment. Credit to the vanquished. Gratitude - to his family, his team, to volunteers,  donors, voters and finally to all Americans. Acknowledging the support of well-wishers beyond their borders. The promise of hope. Of strength in unity & patriotism. The need for co-operation & sacrifices. Of burying cynicism forever. Acknowledging that anything is possible today, if you dream and work hard enough. Stoic acceptance that not everybody may / can be pleased with his style of functioning. Yet asking for help. Promising to listen and provide opportunities that will bring about change. Lastly, epitomising grace in victory.

And it was delivered oh-so-flawlessly in near extempore(I think my eldest will now never forget what extempore means; associating that word with Obama's speech, perhaps!) and with just the right amount of oratorical flourish, brilliance and feeling.

Truly, it was stirring to listen and compelling in its promise; perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime moment truly enjoyed with in the company of the torch bearers of tomorrow: children!

:)

PS: Could a Barack Obama from India step up, please!

About 5 months ago, I went out on a limb and publicly proclaimed here on my blog that Mr. Barack Obama would be the next President of the United States. It did not matter to me that he was black. It did not matter to me that his middle name was distinctly Muslim. All it mattered was that he inspired change, something very difficult for many of us, and showed us the promise of leadership, something totally missing here in India.

Today, that instinctive feeling that he would emerge victorious, riding on the cusp of something transformational has come true.

Barack Obama will indeed be declared the 44th President of the United States. Congratulations, Mr. Obama!

It was time for voters in the US to wipe the slate clean and not feel themselves being fooled once again, like they felt when John Kerry lost in 2004. That too was a moment for change. This time, they have shown convincingly what they have wanted. 

Outgoing US President is reported to have said "May God bless whoever wins tonight," at a dinner yesterday at the White House. Unfortunately for him, he will take with him, not blessing but curses by a large number of people - in and outside the United States - for his debacle of a presidency.

The wounds of his misrule will take some time to heal but with this result, the tarnished image of the US is already showing the first signs of redemption.

And the world feels - after a long time - to be a good place to be in. There is hope indeed for all of us! 

:)

Gowribidenur, a small town, about 100 km. from Bangalore, past Doddballapur, is well known on two counts. One for being a place where the 'Second Jallianwallah Bagh' type shooting took place. Two, for a temple that is steeped in mythology.

On April 25, 1939 or thereabouts, about 9  - 10 people - including innocents - were fired upon and killed during a peaceful Jathre ( village fair ). Apparently, there was a demonstration by Satyagrahis demanding lowering the British flag and hoisting one of Bharat Mata. Furious that such an event could even be contemplated, officers from a police station nearby opened fire killing 9 people. Check out the photos for a memorial honouring the martyrs.

Mythology, as the temple here - Vidhura Aswathnarayana temple - was consecrated and blessed by none other than Krishna after the Mahabharat war. Apparently, the court advisor, Vidhura, apprehending the terrible consequences of a war between the Pandavas and their cousins the Kauravas, was advised to leave the kingdom by Krishna. The latter was of the opinion that it was Dharmic war and hence its necessity. Vidhura, dejected, leaves the kingdom and comes to South India for solace and meditation. Finding himself at the ashram of Maitreyi Maharishi on the banks of the Pinakini River, he resides there. Later, after the war, Krishna in disguise appears at the Ashram and advises Sage Maitreyi to plant a tree in honour of Vidhura. This tree, now gnarled, bent, withered and supported by a wall is supposed to be life giving. Hence, childless couples or those facing difficulties finding a lifepartner, come to worship the Aswathnarayana temple sorrounding the tree. On having their wishes fulfilled, they leave behind a set of three Nagakals for having their 'naga dosha' removed. So goes the story that was told to me by a teacher at the Satyagraha High School.

Check out the pictures here. Enjoy and let me know your thoughts.

More on Vidhura here http://www.mypurohith.com/Epics/Dharma1.asp 

:)

After a long time, got to travel. Finally, you say? Like they say, good things come to those who wait. Now, if you are one of those with an interest in temple art and architecture, you cannot get anything more sublime that in Belur & Halebid. One can go on and on about the work showcased there and words will still not do much justice. So, rather than get verbose and all that, all I would like to say is this: If you like listening to stories & the art of storytelling, just drop into Belur & Halebid, hire a good guide and be captivated by the hundred's of stories that the sculptures will convey, captivate and mesmerise you!  Here are a couple of pictures that will give you a clue of the treasure that abounds over there in those 2 temples. I'm very grateful to fellow blogger and friend Shiv who made these pictures possible, in a manner of speaking!

Update: So many images to upload ...... so little time!!! *sigh* Will do so soon..have been travelling this month like crazy. Take a look at my recent trip on my new online album. *Yay*

'The phone you've were waiting for'  screamed the ads about the launch of the Apple Iphone.

Well, now that prices have been announced for the 2 models - Rs 31,000/- and Rs 36,000 respectively - many are thinking to themselves, you guys certainly ain't gonna get 'the money that we've been slaving for.'

At those prices, no phone is worth it, methinks, for whatever it offers. Yeah, yeah, a couple of egoists intent on showing off will buy.

Somebody ought to tell Apple/Airtel that being India specific in their pricing would have got the hordes thronging to buy. Now, their pitch has been queered, so to speak, and in fact, may put people off from owning something so blatantly overpriced. 'The moment you have been waiting for' as per the ads appears like a movement away from the iconic thingy.

Yes, I know the bundling bit in the US by Apple with AT&T kept the phone prices low. Perhaps that couldn't be done here. Yet, at these prices and with an intent to attract the classes, they have missed the masses. This is India and that's where the bucks are, baby!

Someone get Mr. C K Prahlad to talk to them, please.

;)

Twin blasts rock Pak cantonment, 20 killed read the breaking news on Rediff.

Don't know why but the news eyes registered the same (along with a gasp!) as " Twin blasts rock Parliament!"

Moments later, I have to acknowledge that, following the bombings/explosions here and in other cities recently, some of us - me, definitely - are still living with a seige mentality.

:(

15 days in the hospital. 3 visits to the ICU. Innumerable injections. Umpteen blood transfusions. Sleepless nights. Countless anxieties. A ravaged body, a numb soul. Culminating in gasping for very life, perhaps wishing for an end to the prolonged suffering and finally, release.

Ambulance, freezer box, tears & wails, cemetery, cremation, ceremonies...a blur of moments. 

An ordinary life. An extraordinary, painful end.

Death will never be pretty--its sights and smells too close and crude. And it will never come under our control: it gallops where we tiptoe, rips up our routines, burns our very breath with its heat and sting.

From here.

I carry this label of a 'party-pooper' that folks - some friends & relatives - have stuck on me since a long time. I'm considered a maverick of sorts, a guy who just cannot be persuaded to have a 'drink', puff a smoke, loosen up and in general, let his hair down. Not that I have too much of the latter, though.

Anyway, I have never felt it necessary to explain why I don't smoke, don't drink and at the extreme, have never done drugs. With the exception of paracetamol occasionally.

Actually, the reasons are not far to seek. Anyone can see that people 'loosen up' far too much when they drink. Starting with their tongue, their manners, their personality, heck, even their trousers, enroute to innumerable trips to the bathroom. As for not smoking, who wants to be a living chimney stack? The smell that it leaves on a person who puffs away, seemingly macho-like and ignorant of the consequences, cannot be bathed, perfumed, deo'd or shrugged off. Smokers may not buy my reasons. Some might even offer the justification that nothing in moderation has ever hurt people. Perhaps they are right.

But the cautious approach that I have taken seems vindicated when I watch helplessly a close family person slowly, painfully loose out to stomach cancer. Let's just say that he was a smoker and a person who imbibed a peg or two, after a hard days work. Unfortunately, it has proved to be a deadly cocktail of sorts, over the long run. A tall and sturdy frame has now been reduced to a emaciated being. What was flesh & muscle earlier seems to have vanished. In its place are folds of skin seemingly draped over spindly bones that threaten to pierce the skin. The eyes convey what words do not - a pain, perhaps, that's eating away at the core of one's being and existence. What was a face that would break out into a smile ever so often now appears pale, devoid of cheer and conveys pain at the slightest physical movement. People who watch the transformation are stunned and stupefied. Eating even the lightest of food appears impossible. Two tubes - one of which is connected to a artery/vein in the neck and one threaded through the nostrils that brings up blood & other fluids leaking from the stomach wall. The right to dignity seems to have been robbed; one is dependent on so many people for even the barest necessities.

Only aware of cancer and its effects through reading, I am seeing how, in its irretractable claws, one just cannot escape. Days appear to be numbered, morbid thoughts & hallucinations appear around every waking moment. Sleep is a luxury that one could give all of one's riches. Hope is slender; a spider's web strand would perhaps be stronger.

My point is this: If death is inevitable to all of us, why choose to flirt dangerously with life, precious life? Who wants to live a life of protracted illnesses through habits, that over a period of time, will certainly take their pound of flesh and torture one's soul? If we are mere players in the game of life, why let ourselves be yanked off the stage rudely, without warning and with nary a chance?

The irony of the situation cannot be escaped. The industry that claims to be 'No 1' with its brand has claimed one more victim. The other industry that traps people into becoming smokers also exhorts them to live life 'king-size'!!! .

Unfortunately, when death shows up at the door for the hapless victims, dying a pauper in penury would be preferable to dying in ignominy and pain!

:(

All over the world, we're seeing things that are 'transformational' in their invention and happening.  Fuel cell cars, for instance. The Iphone, for another. Closer home, the Nano car.

After the bungle that has been the current presidency at the world's most 'powerful' nation, its time a new person came on board who can bring about a virtual transformation with the way that nation is perceived and governed.

I sincerely believe that Senator Barack Obama is such a person.

I do wish we could vote in their elections not by birth or right but say, as global citizens?

Closer home, could someone tell me how we could make the 'Lefties' take a right turn into oblivion?

*sigh*