tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62571287754272797622024-02-08T00:04:11.228+05:30Perception Of An Oxymoronnonsense from a skeptic mindravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-11984010575162264212020-11-21T01:02:00.005+05:302020-11-21T01:02:48.270+05:30What is Peace?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pxfuel.com/en/free-photo-joyaw" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.pxfuel.com/en/free-photo-joyaw" border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2rAGpU6SIPDRnm4Ef_EaozQNg0Rs_XzMzXF-FWcuBA8jh4QVlYEXFJVaYV0W46a28d8rPfd4yWZI07nw67MSRSDb4kxKyzqvhIgs4HWzwj1YH9T57cYLDYp1uWr5HS2YQv0Mq-o-BKGH/w320-h180/peace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A melancholic “minor key piano” music playing in the television, in distant hall room, right across the wall.</div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Sitting in the swing in the veranda.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">That slow lazy motion of the swing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The mild fluttering of the breeze, touching the skin and passing by.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The bustling of the leaves, the neem tree in front of me, the coconut trees and the rest of it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The leaves, the walls washed in the yellow street light.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The rickety noise of the broken swing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">No human sound at the dead of the night, 2 am of April 20.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">That eminence of the swing and my leg hitting the adjacent walls.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The nudge of pain on the knees.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">That minor irritation of mosquitoes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The realization that all of this is accepted as is.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">All the pains to be endured, all the joys to relished, as is.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The realization that this is all that I want from life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">To sit in a swing, the melancholy, the breeze.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was peace.</div>ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-82446346225937390312020-11-17T23:35:00.002+05:302020-11-17T23:35:46.455+05:30 Value of Money<p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rai_stones" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvhyYbu-8n09y48K7P4yJxwnR2xG3ORIrw6emMQK79ttpplPeuPkZoHginMMcIPlemB0fyi6ReGyWo0D32HynlfnbDCvKdkfo1lYa_Sg4RWwuxMZ7G6TXF326FAbpy9yHE339VM6xwQRD/s320/Rai_stone_from_Yap_currency.jpg" /></a></div>We value money just because it is perceived to have value by everybody else. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Money in itself has no intrinsic value, it is just a piece of paper or a number in your digital bank balance. The very allure of having more and more of this commodity without the need of utilizing it for anything is rather strange. People want to have billions and billions of dollars in their bank but have no need or intention to spend them in any way. It is like the tulip mania of the 17th century. People wanted to get more tulips because the value of tulips was perceived as going up, not that they had any need of tulips or they were trading tulips for their needs/luxuries.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rai_stones" style="font-size: x-small;" target="_blank">Rai stones from Island of Yap</a> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What if money comes with an expiry date?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If money had an expiry date, say the death of the person who earned it or 100 years, people will be forced to spend it instead of stock it. The fundamental property of money/wealth that it can be stored will be destroyed. It can have earth-shattering ramifications on the way we humans exists.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. No stocking of money: Money will stop being stocked in the bank accounts. There would be a pressing need to spend it within its lifespan.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. Fulfilling lives: People will be enjoying more fulfilling lives as the very need to store money would be gone and people would be spending generously.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. More Charity: People would tend to donate any unspent and going to expire money and/or would be more included towards charity.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">4. Less Tax Evasion / Black Economy: Tax is evaded for the sole purpose of stocking more money. With no more need of that extra money, the population would tend to be more honest and find it less useful to evade tax.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">5. Having a rich dad or mom would mean much less now.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What if the same concept of expiry is applied to other forms of wealth (real estate, precious metals, etc.)? Say all the properties owned by you will be returned to the society once you are dead.</div>ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-80558361765004954112018-03-14T02:16:00.001+05:302020-11-17T23:23:01.071+05:30Flames of the Forest<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFM_dyr_m1fnzkBErX1Uoh2I701Cvzl-IsehKGNySTNRkhNSW74iZ4dfr5Z24FG1lK8kk7wNhmypkilEZ0M0_dZyuHmMAHOeGC9-jiOycz8szLyEZkVRoN1xhiKConS53YElYXDmNz2Pu/s1600/8277398767_936c09e040_z.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="640" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFM_dyr_m1fnzkBErX1Uoh2I701Cvzl-IsehKGNySTNRkhNSW74iZ4dfr5Z24FG1lK8kk7wNhmypkilEZ0M0_dZyuHmMAHOeGC9-jiOycz8szLyEZkVRoN1xhiKConS53YElYXDmNz2Pu/s320/8277398767_936c09e040_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Credit - <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/huffstutterrobertl/8277398767" target="_blank">Robert Huffstutter</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We see condolences. We see prayers for peace. Does it matter? All of these meaningless words, to those who are no longer with us.<br />
<br />
We all die, either doing something we love, being where we belong or on the hospital bed, with normal saline hooked up. Sometimes people wish you were not gone, sometimes people wish you to leave. Either way, death is painful.<br />
<br />
I wonder if anybody would have ever thought how painful it would be to burn with the grasses around you, with the insects, with other animals and birds. The smell of fire and burning wood and flesh, the intense sensation of burning skin, the deep desire to save the strangers you met a day before just because they had put their trust in you, the want to keep the black smoke and soot out of your eyes, mouth, and lungs, the desperation to gasp some oxygen. I cannot imagine whether the end was momentary or whether it was a prolonged agony, can you?<br />
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I had not had an opportunity to trek with Arun, Vibin, Divya, Nisha, or others who met with the accident in Theni forest fire. Nonetheless, I can say with strong conviction that they all would have shared a dream to be one with nature at the end of their lives. If you look back at your own life, I am sure you too would have dreamed and felt the same intense pleasure of turning into ash, soil, and blooming into the translucent leaves of a tree in a place where you belong. I am sure you would have weighed it many times more than lying dead on a soiled white hospital sheet; in a cold morgue, frozen.<br />
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This feeling is hard to define; however, I know many reading this paragraph would have experienced it at some point in their lives. This feeling of being smolten with the rocks, being dissolved with the water, being blown away with the wind. This dream of being assimilated with the universe, where you came from, with "god" if you wish to say so.<br />
<br />
All those lives that breathed the last breath in the flames of the forest would have had plans for years to come, with family and friends, plans of beautiful moments to cherish, plans of comforts in the cities, plans of peace in the forest. Alas, not all the plans could be realized, but their dream had come true though with immense pain.<br />
<br />
Though it was a condolence for those whom they left behind, their family, their kin, ones close to their heart, perhaps it was a celebration for them to have their dream come true. Perhaps they smiled at that last moment of their lives, that last split second of inner peace.<br />
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<b>Related Post:</b> <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2011/12/about-139486-n-791447-e.html">About 13.9486 N 79.1447 E</a>ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-35564553828132843272014-10-08T02:13:00.000+05:302018-03-14T16:05:12.483+05:30Durga Puja 2014 - Bangla Cultural Programs In Bangalore<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHj_JFe3BkJN1p51PCC1kkmEpmu7i8u7hzMHD0anHXuXXfz3tSXQUT0k9Zktv4YNgc4B-g0PxEysUWrj7mFz0wal14CAnr1nAAOg8tlBjK1BYVAjbgiouZyJEIV4ymEs5QvlkYQspYqijz/s1600/A_jatra_actor_prepares_before_the_performance,_Sunderbans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHj_JFe3BkJN1p51PCC1kkmEpmu7i8u7hzMHD0anHXuXXfz3tSXQUT0k9Zktv4YNgc4B-g0PxEysUWrj7mFz0wal14CAnr1nAAOg8tlBjK1BYVAjbgiouZyJEIV4ymEs5QvlkYQspYqijz/s320/A_jatra_actor_prepares_before_the_performance,_Sunderbans.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Courtesy - </span><a class="external text" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A_jatra_actor_prepares_before_the_performance,_Sunderbans.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sayamindu Dasgupt<span style="font-family: inherit;">a</span></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Durga Puja 2014 and here is another attempt to compile </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: justify;">a list (sorted by location) of Bengali cultural programs happening across Bangalore. I will keep this post updating as and when more information becomes available.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><b>Please comment if you know about other programs with details of program, location, date, and time.</b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">Pandal Locations: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">For address of pandal locations, please see </span><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/10/DurgaPuja2012.html" style="font-family: inherit;">Durgotsav 2012</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> post. I have updated some of the addresses. If you know the changed location/address or if the event is not happening, please comment.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><u><br /></u></b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>Monday, September 29, 2014 - Panchami</u></b></span><br />
<ol>
<li>Commercial Street - Bengali Association</li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>(a) Children’s talent Show - 1900 hours.</b></span></li>
<li><a href="http://scaindiranagar.com/index.php/durga-puja-2014">Indira Nagar - Socio Cultural Association</a></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>(a) (b) Dandia & Garba - 1900 hours.</b></span></li>
<li>Koramangala - Sarathi Socio-Cultural Association</li>
<li>(a) Anandomela - 1900 hours<br />(b) Karaoke - Rishi - 2100 hours</li>
</ol>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u>Tuesday</u></b><span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>, September 30, 2014 - Shashti</b></u></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://bengaliinbangalore.org/durga-puja-2014">BTM - Bengali in Bangalore</a><br /><b>(b) </b></span><b>Agomoni & Mahisasur Mordini -1930 hours.</b></li>
<li>Commercial Street - Bengali Association</li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>(a) Aagomoni, Songs and Dances - 1930 hours.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Indira Nagar - Socio-Cultural Association<br /><b>(a) </b></span><b>"Anondo Dhara" - A cultural initiative by "SCA Ladies Wings" - 1900 hours.<br />(b) "Nrityer Geeti Alekhye Manna Dey" - Presented by "Aangik" ( Sathi Chakraborty and Team) - 2030 hours.</b></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">J P Nagar - Utsav<br />(a) Bajlo Chutir Ghonta - Kids performance - 1900 hours<br />(b) Vandana - Musical program - 1945 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Marathalli - Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association<br />(a) Udbodhoni Sangeet by Aditya Vittal - 1830 hours<br />(b) Dancing Little Champs - 1930 hours<br />(c) Rocking Gen-Y by PBCA Junior - 1945 hours<br />(d) Songs by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indrani_Sen" target="_blank">Indrani Sen</a> - 2030 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Rajarajeshwari Nagar - Aikatan<br />(a) Anandomela – 1930 hours<br />(b) Dandia – 2100 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Sarjapura Road - SORRBA Durga Puja<br />(a) Songs by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srikanto_Acharya" target="_blank">Srikanto Acharya</a> - Evening</span></li>
<li>J P Nagar - South Bangalore Cultural Association</li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">(a) "Janani Eseche Dware" - Musical programme by SBCA members - 2030 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://jayamahalsamiti.org/cultural.html">Jayamahal - Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja</a><br /><b>(a) Bouquet of dance by Arpita Banjerjee - 2100 hours</b></span></li>
<li>Koramangala - Sarathi Socio-Cultural Association<br />(a) Dance and poetry - 1900 hours<br />(b) Drama - 2100 hours</li>
</ol>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Wesnesday, October 1, 2014 - Saptami</u></b></span></div>
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<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">BTM - Bengali in Bangalore<br /><b>(a) Dhunichi Nach competition - 1900 hours.<br />(b) BinB theatre & other cultural programmes - 1930 hours.</b></span><b>(b) Anonymous - Bangla Band - 2030 hours.</b></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Commercial Street - Bengali Association</span></li>
<li><b>(a) Songs of Priyanka Mitra - 1930 hours.</b></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Indira Nagar - Socio-Cultural Association<br /><b>(a) Songs and music by Sameer Punekar of Bishop Cotton boys School - 1930 hours.</b><br /><b>(b) RJ Snigdha Kemkar presents "BENGALIS N BOLLYWOOD" with Bollywood Playback singer Sinchan Dixit and Bangalore talents Rishi & Sutirtho - 2000 hours.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">J P Nagar - Utsav<br />(a) Sur-e Taal-e Adday - Evening<br />(b) <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badal_Sarkar" target="_blank">Badal Sarkar</a>-er Anoboddo Ranganatto - "Solution X" Directed by Amitabha Bakshi</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Marathalli - Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association<br />(a) Abritir Anginay - Bratati - 1830 hours<br />(b) Songs by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srikanto_Acharya" target="_blank">Srikanto Acharya</a> - 2030 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Munnekolala - Bangla Cultural Association<br />(a) Songs by Ms Tanushree</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Rajarajeshwari Nagar - Aikatan<br />(a) Mixed bag – Song & instrumental – 1930 hours<br />(b) Amader Duniya Sopnopuri - Dance Ensemble – 2000 hours<br />(c) Chetonate <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazrul" target="_blank">Nazrul</a> – Song, Dance & Recitation – 2045 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">RT Nagar - R.T. Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti<br />(a) Songs by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lopamudra_Mitra" target="_blank">Lopamudra Mitra</a> - 1945 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Sarjapura Road - SORRBA Durga Puja<br />(a) Songs by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anindya_Bose" target="_blank">Anindya Bose</a> (Shohor band) - Evening</span></li>
<li>J P Nagar - South Bangalore Cultural Association</li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">(a) Magic Show - 1900 hours<br />(b) GARBA Dance by SBCA members - 1940 hours<br />(c) Odissi Dance - 2000 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Jayamahal - Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja<br /><b>(a) Dance recital "Pujor Chutti" by Balmiki and Odissi Dance Center - 1930 hours.<br />(b) Amaader Gaan by BackBenchers - 2015 hours.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Kanakapura Road - KARBA<br />(a) Rock concert - Evening.</span></li>
<li>Koramangala - Sarathi Socio-Cultural Association<br />(a) Sarathi Choir - 1900 hours<br />(b) Gunjan - 2115 hours</li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Thursday, October 2, 2014 - Ashtami</u></b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">BTM - Bengalis in Bangalore</span><b>(a) Rabindra Sangeet, Indradhanush Theater, Bharatnatyam, Rabindranath Story based dance Drama - 1900 hours.<br />(b) Oxygen - Bengali & Sufi Fusion Band - 2030 hours.</b></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Commercial Street - Bengali Association</span><br /><b>(a) Songs and dance by members of bengali association - 1930 hours.<br />(b) Songs by Shilpi Chatterjee.<br />(c) Aaroti Competition.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;">Indira Nagar - Socio-Cultural Association<br /><b>(a) Dance Program - 1930 hours.<br />(b) Musical programme by local band from Karnataka - 2000 hours.</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">J P Nagar - Utsav<br />(a) Bandishe Band - Evening<br />(b) HORIKHELA - dance drama based on a poem by Tagore - 1945 hours</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Marathalli - Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association<br />(a) Dance by PBCA Next Gen - 1945 hours<br />(b) Rockers Eve - Sparkplugs - 2000 hours<br />(c) Bolly/Tolly Wood - Tanushree & Atanu - 2030 hours</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Munnekolala - Bangla Cultural Association<br />(a) Songs by Ratna Mitra, Sampriti Dutta, Mousumi Pal, and Bhaskar Choudhuri</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rajarajeshwari Nagar - Aikatan<br />(a) Mixed bag – Song & instrumental – 1930 hours<br />(b) Honeymoon – Drama – 2000 hours</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">RT Nagar - R.T. Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti<br />(a) Songs by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somlata_Acharyya_Chowdhury" target="_blank">Somlata Acharya</a> - 1930 hours</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">J P Nagar - South Bangalore Cultural Association</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">(a) "Brishti Bheja Jeebon O Nari" Programme by SBCA Kids - 1930 hours<br />(b) Musical programme by young artists - 2015 hours<br />(c) Instrumental programme by RAINBOW - 2030 hours</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jayamahal - Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja<br /><b>(a) </b></span><b>Sarbokaaler Gaan by Miss Oliva & Group - 1930 hours.</b></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kanakapura Road - KARBA<br />(a) Baul songs - Morning.<br />(c) Melodious evening by Kolkata artists - Evening.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Koramangala - Sarathi Socio-Cultural Association<br />(a) Kohal - 1900 hours<br />(b) Songs by Srikanta Acharya - 2000 hours</li>
</ol>
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<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Friday, October 3, 2014 - Nabami</u></b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">BTM - Bengalis in Bangalore</span><b>(a) Dance, Fashion show & other cultural programmes - 1900 hours.<br />(b) Pandora's Band - 2030 hours.</b></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Commercial Street - Bengali Association</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">(a) </span><a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/fakira">Fakira</a>, bangla folk band - 1930<br />(b) Dandia dance.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Indira Nagar - Socio-Cultural Association<br /><b>(a) Benbali musical program by Monomay Bhattacharya - 2000 hours.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">J P Nagar - Utsav<br />(a) Songs by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lopamudra_Mitra" target="_blank">Lopamudra Mitra</a> - 1930 hours.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Marathalli - Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association<br />(a) Bollywood Masti - Asit - 1830 hours<br />(b) Rock band <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prithibi" target="_blank">Prithibi</a> - 2030 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Munnekolala - Bangla Cultural Association<br />(a) Hi Spirits Band - Manjunath and Party</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Rajarajeshwari Nagar - Aikatan<br />(a) Mixed bag – Song & recitation – 1930 hours<br />(b) Chandalika – Dance Drama – 2000 hours<br />(c) Disco Express – A musical journey – 2045 hours </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">RT Nagar - R.T. Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti<br />(a) Songs by <a href="http://www.aurko.com/" target="_blank">Aurko band</a> & <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zubeen_Garg" target="_blank">Zubeen Garg</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Sarjapura Road - SORRBA Durga Puja<br />(a) Songs by <a href="http://www.subhamita.com/" target="_blank">Subhamita Banerjee</a> - Evening</span></li>
<li>J P Nagar - South Bangalore Cultural Association<br />(a) Musical programme by young artists - 1930 hours</li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">(b) Recitation - 2000 hours<br />(c) Musical Nite by Ashirvaad Musical Event Management Group - 2015 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Jayamahal - Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja<br /><b>(a) </b></span><b>Musical Bonanza by Archana Udupa & Group - 1930 hours.</b></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Kanakapura Road - KARBA<br />(a) Melodious evening by Zee Saregama artists - Evening.</span></li>
<li>Koramangala - Sarathi Socio-Cultural Association<br />(a) Jhankar Beats - 1900 hours<br />(b) Songs by <i>Somlata Acharya</i> - 2000 hours</li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Saturday, October 4, 2014 - Dashami</b></u></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;">Indira Nagar - Socio-Cultural Association<br /><div>
<b>(a) Musical evening by Miss Jojo - 2000 hours</b></div>
</span></li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span><span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>Saturday, November 2, 2013 - Kali Puja</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><br /></u></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><br /></u></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Of note, a creature know as <a href="http://www.facebook.com/tathagatmaiti">Tathagata Maiti</a> has been instrumental in inspiring and in the making of this list.</span></div>
ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-38838893406757008422014-08-08T09:07:00.000+05:302014-08-08T09:07:06.761+05:30Responsibility to Protect<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qGcPXMXXCRZ3Tl_FhjO4v5eKpMRL0siUtgjkXrR1a_eOPzRRUEX38fp050N1vixddlW7UGkQxHjyHg0AYt_PmUtGjN3fpVXJGWbIMmWmsO-0exTjjEkpvuQCHi9zDjtOPcUZYK81RJZQ/s1600/israeli-palestine-peace-initiative-dove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qGcPXMXXCRZ3Tl_FhjO4v5eKpMRL0siUtgjkXrR1a_eOPzRRUEX38fp050N1vixddlW7UGkQxHjyHg0AYt_PmUtGjN3fpVXJGWbIMmWmsO-0exTjjEkpvuQCHi9zDjtOPcUZYK81RJZQ/s1600/israeli-palestine-peace-initiative-dove.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy: <a href="http://asnycnowradio.wordpress.com/2010/10/20/do-you-know-about-the-the-israeli-palestinian-confederation-a-path-to-peace/">asnycnowradio.wordpress.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: 'Roboto Slab', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Man biting dog is news, not dog biting man.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: 'Roboto Slab', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: 'Roboto Slab', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel" target="_blank">Israel</a> is a recognized state and by virtue of its statehood and international recognition, it is its responsibility to protect human rights and act according to international laws. Alas, it isn't being forced to do so by international community and has been getting on with its high handedness on Palestine, thanks to the complex international relationships of interests and benefits.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: 'Roboto Slab', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: 'Roboto Slab', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: 'Roboto Slab', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the other hand, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamas">Hamas</a> is a recognized (by international community) terrorist organization which is not bound by international laws of human rights. They can commit crime against humanity (whether they actually do so or not is another matter for another discussion) because what they do is itself defined as crime. They are not morally obliged to stay clean of human right violation unless they are no more recognized as terrorist organization, recognized as valid representative of Palestine and its people, and hence are morally obliged to uphold common international human rights.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: 'Roboto Slab', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: 'Roboto Slab', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: 'Roboto Slab', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is something like this. It's not a moral duty of a criminal to uphold laws because by virtue of its definition, it is a violator at the first place.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: 'Roboto Slab', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: 'Roboto Slab', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: 'Roboto Slab', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Similarly, it is not morally justifiable for police to violate laws, even against the violators, because by virtue of its definition, it is the protector of the laws.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: 'Roboto Slab', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: 'Roboto Slab', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: 'Roboto Slab', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Again on the same ground, it is morally indignant to kill a perceived terrorist without proper evidence and trial (exclusive of the instances where it is a question of life for their security forces). That would mean genocide of the very values forming the base of the state, especially if it is a democratic one.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: 'Roboto Slab', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: 'Roboto Slab', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: 'Roboto Slab', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In nutshell, all those movies you saw where the honest policeman takes the law in hand (I don't know how they do it as it ain't a physical object small enough to be held in human hands) and terminates the villain, foreign terrorist, and corrupt politicians with all blood and gory are simply morally unjustified.</span>ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-16874727865303816562013-11-02T19:37:00.001+05:302013-11-02T19:37:45.947+05:30Evil Celebration<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lhA18sSgRZQMz84-i8N4F4eO21SjWUo89c1GnC1li99p-LRHZSwQx6yVup1GoaQ5qzl02bt5y3vY-yIYfFm_FGMu6hPNRKtCFuew-x8-eNlpy_qD9Hbkm34NKK8QKLnhzUnq33avPtkz/s1600/who_cares_by_famenxt-d5q8r39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lhA18sSgRZQMz84-i8N4F4eO21SjWUo89c1GnC1li99p-LRHZSwQx6yVup1GoaQ5qzl02bt5y3vY-yIYfFm_FGMu6hPNRKtCFuew-x8-eNlpy_qD9Hbkm34NKK8QKLnhzUnq33avPtkz/s320/who_cares_by_famenxt-d5q8r39.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Courtesy - <a href="http://famenxt.deviantart.com/art/Who-Cares-346409253" target="_blank">fAmEnXt</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dear All,<br />
<br />
On the moonless holy eve of Diwali, I have this gloomy feeling within my heart being unable to wish you a happy Diwali. Do you realize that all your celebrations lead to misery for others and all that you do to celebrate are nothing but acts of evil?<br />
<br />
The crackers you burst are the cause for panic among dogs, birds, other animals and causes pain in the heart of animal-loving humans.<br />
<br />
Often, children are employed and exploited in cracker manufacturing units and scores of such innocent children die before experiencing puberty in deadly accidents in the ill-equipped factories.<br />
<br />
The sweet that you devour to add sweetness in your life are made of milk and sugar, both bitter causes of pain to cattles and humans alike. Production of milk is at the heart of all inhuman treatment of cattles, who are made to produce calves each year like machines, injected with chemicals to produce more and more milk, and finally butchered when no longer productive.<br />
<br />
The sugar mills are famous for exploitation of sugar cane farmers paying them less and less for sugarcane and mill workers as well who work in near slavery conditions.<br />
<br />
The fine new outfit you wear on festivals is made of cotton. The same cotton in pursuit of which thousands of farmers take loan each year dreaming of a bumper crop and finally end their lives drinking pesticides when they find themselves unable to pay back the loan.<br />
<br />
And your fine new outfit is made in the sweat shops of Southern India or Bangladesh where men, women, and children work 16-hour shifts in congested textile mills in inhuman conditions, leading a life of slave.<br />
<br />
The lights that you decorate your house with requires power. Power that is produced from hydroelectric projects by building dam on a river, submerging the whole forest, and destroying the ecology of the river or by burning fossil fuels injecting enormous amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.<br />
<br />
Your need for more power, more food, more clothes is leading to destruction of the environment, in turn causing catastrophic climate change endangering lives of billions of people living in the coastal area.<br />
<br />
Do you understand now that your mere act of celebration is causing misery and death throughout the world. Would you please your celebrations for the sake of innocent childrens, poor farmers, animals, and to prevent the earth from doom's day.<br />
<br />
<b>Moral Lesson:</b> Show middle finger to all those who preach their brand of cheap morality with only superficial if any understanding of the world. Tell them to fuck themselves who come and advise you on the righteous way of leading life.ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-50621312762370664092013-10-12T02:46:00.000+05:302013-10-12T02:46:00.620+05:30Unsocial Networks<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSHcFODJo0JqK7jr4tCpqvmhlg9SHQsfCmQVREH0Q1TnkvoiVwknZV_gEPFejSDgPZaT0BQ-J5yAZJFS3WkgC4lAJvADaTj7ysgI-Om_2Ydd_xfQQzQwzTpikZYAs2j-nYSi48Ib7hewC/s1600/Social+Network.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSHcFODJo0JqK7jr4tCpqvmhlg9SHQsfCmQVREH0Q1TnkvoiVwknZV_gEPFejSDgPZaT0BQ-J5yAZJFS3WkgC4lAJvADaTj7ysgI-Om_2Ydd_xfQQzQwzTpikZYAs2j-nYSi48Ib7hewC/s200/Social+Network.jpg" width="168" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Courtesy - <a href="http://effbomb.deviantart.com/art/Flip-Flop-Social-Media-Icons-150444713" target="_blank">Effbomb</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;">Taking turn on the bed, searching for the elusive sleep, I picked up the mobile and reached for my ex-girlfriend (presently my wife). As I dialed her number, I was presented with a pleasant female voice, much sweeter than my sweetheart's although mechanical, stating it wouldn't be possible to connect to my beloved as she was on a different mobile network!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Since marriage, we never gave a thought to being on the same mobile network to reduce call cost. It wasn't necessary, after all one doesn't talk much post marriage and in fact, the focus is on how to avoid conversions.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I called the customer care and expressed my frustration at not being able to connect to someone on a different network. The 20-something, I imagined, with image of Pamela Anderson in mind, executive, with an aura of dumbness, was patiently reading me the same paragraph from their trouble-shooting guide, albeit with change of tone, traversing from unconcerned to bored to irritated.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Sir, it is the new policy of Supreme Mobile, she explained, to stop all off-net calls, incoming as well as outgoing, keeping the interest of customers in mind. Interest of the customers, I baffled, but how? I mean, what interest are you talking about? Sir, even though technically feasible, off-net calls cost more to the company compared to the on-net calls. With profits margins improving, the company would be in a position to reduce on-net call rates further and offer exciting games completely free! Hence, it was done in the best interest of the customers, she added exuberantly. In fact, given that our network is the biggest one in the nation, one should not be complaining about not being able to call one particular number, she added. We've got 750 mn users, sir, which gives you 750 mn numbers to call. Isn't that exciting! Why would one even think of calling someone on a different network? Besides, you can always invite your family and friends to switch to Supreme Mobile and enjoy the low call rates and amazing games. Inviting your friends to Supreme Mobile is as easy as sending an SMS! Just type...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">It was unbearable by now and I had to disconnect abruptly, without the polity of thanking her. Dumbstruck, I wondered whether my judgment of the world was impaired due to overdose of homeopathic candies last week or the business community of the nation was under terrorist attack by biological weapons which left them incapable of sane thinking resulting in such policies.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">You must be wondering where on earth this Supreme Mobile operates, why no action is initiated against its monopolistic policies, how can it be called a communication firm when its chief function is to limit communication. Certainly, there should be wide-spread condemnation of such policies in the media and people would leave such a mobile network. Well, that is not reality. In fact, people are pouring in day in and day out to get a subscription of Supreme Mobile because it gives you free games to play and you can call an astonishing 750 mn numbers. Damn those who are not on Supreme Mobile. They would eventually be forced to sign in because they too can't communicate with those 750 mn individuals. Soon, you would have none but Supreme Mobile as the only mobile company left in the nation.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Now, it isn't a made up story, it's reality, it's happening now and probably you are reading this shit on such a monopolistic platform. It may not be your voice calls that are being limited, but you don't share your thoughts just through you voice, you type text, you click photos as well. Do you realize that!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Cares who, we just fucking love Supreme Mobile and its policies. Monopolistic, huh...</span>ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-83689652322470499992013-10-05T06:31:00.001+05:302013-10-11T17:42:35.894+05:30Durga Puja 2013 - Bangla Cultural Programs In Bangalore<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHj_JFe3BkJN1p51PCC1kkmEpmu7i8u7hzMHD0anHXuXXfz3tSXQUT0k9Zktv4YNgc4B-g0PxEysUWrj7mFz0wal14CAnr1nAAOg8tlBjK1BYVAjbgiouZyJEIV4ymEs5QvlkYQspYqijz/s1600/A_jatra_actor_prepares_before_the_performance,_Sunderbans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHj_JFe3BkJN1p51PCC1kkmEpmu7i8u7hzMHD0anHXuXXfz3tSXQUT0k9Zktv4YNgc4B-g0PxEysUWrj7mFz0wal14CAnr1nAAOg8tlBjK1BYVAjbgiouZyJEIV4ymEs5QvlkYQspYqijz/s320/A_jatra_actor_prepares_before_the_performance,_Sunderbans.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Courtesy - </span><a class="external text" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A_jatra_actor_prepares_before_the_performance,_Sunderbans.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sayamindu Dasgupt<span style="font-family: inherit;">a</span></a></span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Durga Puja 2013 and here is another attempt to compile </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: justify;">a list (sorted by location) of Bengali cultural programs happening across Bangalore. I will keep this post updating as and when more information becomes available.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><b>Please comment if you know about other programs with details of program, location, date, and time.</b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span>
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">Pandal Locations: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">For address of pandal locations, please see </span><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/10/DurgaPuja2012.html" style="font-family: inherit;">Durgotsav 2012</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> post. I have updated some of the addresses. If you know the changed location/address or if the event is not happening, please comment.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><u><br /></u></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>Wednesday, October 9, 2013 - Panchami</u></b></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Commercial Street - Bengali Association<br />(a) Ananda Mela and Children’s talent Show - 1900 hours.</span></li>
<li>Koramangala - Sarathi Socio-Cultural Association<br />(a) Anandomela - 1900 hours<br />(b) Karaoke - Rishi - 2100 hours</li>
</ol>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>Thursday, October 10, 2013 - Shashti</b></u></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Commercial Street - Bengali Association<br />(a) Aagomoni – Stotrya , Songs and Dances - 1930 hours.<br />(b) Melodious Songs rendered by ’Bhavna Dutta & Troupe’ from Kolkata - 2030 hours.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Indira Nagar - Socio-Cultural Association<br />(a) Bengali Songs by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lopamudra_Mitra" target="_blank">Lopamudra Mitra</a> - 2000 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">J P Nagar - Utsav<br />(a) Bajlo Chutir Ghonta - Kids performance - 1900 hours<br />(b) Vandana - Musical program - 1945 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Marathalli - Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association<br />(a) Udbodhoni Sangeet by Aditya Vittal - 1830 hours<br />(b) Dancing Little Champs - 1930 hours<br />(c) Rocking Gen-Y by PBCA Junior - 1945 hours<br />(d) Songs by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indrani_Sen" target="_blank">Indrani Sen</a> - 2030 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Rajarajeshwari Nagar - Aikatan<br />(a) Anandomela – 1930 hours<br />(b) Dandia – 2100 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Sarjapura Road - SORRBA Durga Puja<br />(a) Songs by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srikanto_Acharya" target="_blank">Srikanto Acharya</a> - Evening</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">BTM - Bengalis in Bangalore<br />(a) Fusion Band performance by "Anonymous" - 2030 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">J P Nagar - South Bangalore Cultural Association<br />(a) "Janani Eseche Dware" - Musical programme by SBCA members - 2030 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Jayamahal - Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja<br />(a) Variety Entertainment - Youth from Jayamahal - 2015 hours</span></li>
<li>Koramangala - Sarathi Socio-Cultural Association<br />(a) Dance and poetry - 1900 hours<br />(b) Drama - 2100 hours</li>
</ol>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Friday, October 11, 2013 - Saptami</u></b></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Commercial Street - Bengali Association</span><span style="font-size: small;">(a) Dance Program by The Children of Aswini Charitable Trust - 1930 hours.<br />(b) Classical Dance Programme By Meghna & troupe - 2000 hours.<br />(c) Musical night by Snigdha & Troupe - 2030 hours.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Indira Nagar - Socio-Cultural Association<br />(a) Bengali Dance Program from Swati and Troupe - 1930 hours<br />(b) Navaratri Special – Garba and Dandiya - 2100 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">J P Nagar - Utsav<br />(a) Sur-e Taal-e Adday - Evening<br />(b) <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badal_Sarkar" target="_blank">Badal Sarkar</a>-er Anoboddo Ranganatto - "Solution X" Directed by Amitabha Bakshi</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Marathalli - Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association<br />(a) Abritir Anginay - Bratati - 1830 hours<br />(b) Songs by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srikanto_Acharya" target="_blank">Srikanto Acharya</a> - 2030 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Munnekolala - Bangla Cultural Association<br />(a) Songs by Ms Tanushree</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Rajarajeshwari Nagar - Aikatan<br />(a) Mixed bag – Song & instrumental – 1930 hours<br />(b) Amader Duniya Sopnopuri - Dance Ensemble – 2000 hours<br />(c) Chetonate <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazrul" target="_blank">Nazrul</a> – Song, Dance & Recitation – 2045 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">RT Nagar - R.T. Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti<br />(a) Songs by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lopamudra_Mitra" target="_blank">Lopamudra Mitra</a> - 1945 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Sarjapura Road - SORRBA Durga Puja<br />(a) Songs by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anindya_Bose" target="_blank">Anindya Bose</a> (Shohor band) - Evening</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">BTM - Bengalis in Bangalore<br />(a) Dance Drama based on Rabindranath Tagore's Samanno Khoti - 1900 hours<br />(b) Bangla Band performance by "Tathasthu" - 2000 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">J P Nagar - South Bangalore Cultural Association<br />(a) Magic Show - 1900 hours<br />(b) GARBA Dance by SBCA members - 1940 hours<br />(c) Odissi Dance - 2000 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Jayamahal - Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja<br />(a) Songs & Dance - Sure-O-Chhondey Graam Bangla by Nakshtra Group - 1930 hours<br />(b) Bangla songs over ages - Sekal Theke Ekaal by Bhavna Dutta - 2030 hours<br />(c) Muktaangan - 2230 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Kanakapura Road - KARBA<br />(a) Rock concert - Evening.</span></li>
<li>Koramangala - Sarathi Socio-Cultural Association<br />(a) Sarathi Choir - 1900 hours<br />(b) Gunjan - 2115 hours</li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Saturday, October 12, 2013 - Ashtami</u></b></span></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Commercial Street - Bengali Association</span><br />(a) Songs by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lopamudra_Mitra" target="_blank">Lopamudra Mitra</a> - 1930 hours.<br />(b) Aaroti Nritya & Competition</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;">Indira Nagar - Socio-Cultural Association<br />(a) Songs by </span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anindya_Bose" target="_blank">Anindya Bose</a> with Sahar Band - 2000 hours</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">J P Nagar - Utsav<br />(a) Bandishe Band - Evening<br />(b) HORIKHELA - dance drama based on a poem by Tagore - 1945 hours</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Marathalli - Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association<br />(a) Dance by PBCA Next Gen - 1945 hours<br />(b) Rockers Eve - Sparkplugs - 2000 hours<br />(c) Bolly/Tolly Wood - Tanushree & Atanu - 2030 hours</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Munnekolala - Bangla Cultural Association<br />(a) Songs by Ratna Mitra, Sampriti Dutta, Mousumi Pal, and Bhaskar Choudhuri</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rajarajeshwari Nagar - Aikatan<br />(a) Mixed bag – Song & instrumental – 1930 hours<br />(b) Honeymoon – Drama – 2000 hours</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">RT Nagar - R.T. Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti<br />(a) Songs by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somlata_Acharyya_Chowdhury" target="_blank">Somlata Acharya</a> - 1930 hours</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">BTM - Bengalis in Bangalore<br />(a) Sankha Competetion and Dhunuchi Nach - 1830 hours<br />(b) Band performance by "Friends of BinB" - 2030 hours</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">J P Nagar - South Bangalore Cultural Association<br />(a) "Brishti Bheja Jeebon O Nari" Programme by SBCA Kids - 1930 hours<br />(b) Musical programme by young artists - 2015 hours<br />(c) Instrumental programme by RAINBOW - 2030 hours</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jayamahal - Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja<br />(a) Contemporary Dance by Natya Group 1930 hours<br />(b) Harmony on Keyboard by Sutapa Das - 2000 hours<br />(c) Gotipua dance from Odisha by Brahmagiri Group - 2030 hours<br />(d) Muktaangan - 2230 hours</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kanakapura Road - KARBA<br />(a) Baul songs - Morning.<br />(c) Melodious evening by Kolkata artists - Evening.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Koramangala - Sarathi Socio-Cultural Association<br />(a) Kohal - 1900 hours<br />(b) Songs by Srikanta Acharya - 2000 hours</li>
</ol>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Sunday, October 13, 2013 - Nabami</u></b></span></div>
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<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Commercial Street - Bengali Association</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">(a) </span>Collage -3 - A portrait of life through drama, Music and Dance, glimpses of life & works commemorating 150 years of Swami Vivekananda and Sri D.L.Roy.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Indira Nagar - Socio-Cultural Association<br />(a) Musical Evening by <a href="http://www.raaga.com/channels/kannada/singers/Divya_Raghavan.html" target="_blank">Divya Raghavan</a> - 2000 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">J P Nagar - Utsav<br />(a) Songs by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lopamudra_Mitra" target="_blank">Lopamudra Mitra</a> - 1930 hours.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Marathalli - Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association<br />(a) Bollywood Masti - Asit - 1830 hours<br />(b) Rock band <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prithibi" target="_blank">Prithibi</a> - 2030 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Munnekolala - Bangla Cultural Association<br />(a) Hi Spirits Band - Manjunath and Party</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Rajarajeshwari Nagar - Aikatan<br />(a) Mixed bag – Song & recitation – 1930 hours<br />(b) Chandalika – Dance Drama – 2000 hours<br />(c) Disco Express – A musical journey – 2045 hours </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">RT Nagar - R.T. Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti<br />(a) Songs by <a href="http://www.aurko.com/" target="_blank">Aurko band</a> & <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zubeen_Garg" target="_blank">Zubeen Garg</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Sarjapura Road - SORRBA Durga Puja<br />(a) Songs by <a href="http://www.subhamita.com/" target="_blank">Subhamita Banerjee</a> - Evening</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">BTM - Bengalis in Bangalore<br />(a) Kids Drama - 1830 hours<br />(b) Special attraction - "Tollywood Through ages" - 1930 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">J P Nagar - South Bangalore Cultural Association<br />(a) Musical programme by young artists - 1930 hours<br />(b) Recitation - 2000 hours<br />(c) Musical Nite by Ashirvaad Musical Event Management Group - 2015 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Jayamahal - Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja<br />(a) Variety Entertainment - Air Force Band - 1930 hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Kanakapura Road - KARBA<br />(a) Melodious evening by Zee Saregama artists - Evening.</span></li>
<li>Koramangala - Sarathi Socio-Cultural Association<br />(a) Jhankar Beats - 1900 hours<br />(b) Songs by <i>Somlata Acharya</i> - 2000 hours</li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><u style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Monday, October 14, 2013 - Dashami</b></u></span></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;">Indira Nagar - Socio-Cultural Association<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
(a) Musical Nite by playback singer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monali_Thakur" target="_blank">Monali Thakur</a> - 2000 hours</div>
</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>Saturday, November 2, 2013 - Kali Puja</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><br /></u></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><u><br /></u></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Of note, a creature know as <a href="http://www.facebook.com/tathagatmaiti">Tathagata Maiti</a> has been instrumental in inspiring and in the making of this list.</span></div>
ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-51374697373679299332013-10-05T04:16:00.000+05:302013-10-05T04:16:54.400+05:30HangoverA cold and cloudy evening, by the side of a blue pool, along the shallow stony stream. Rain had just past by, probably an hour past or probably more, probably several uncounted hours had passed, who keeps track of them here afterall. Rain had just past by, the feel of it still in the air, filling the streams with more noise. A streak of grayish smoke rising through the tinder, making way for logs, somewhere in the background, a couple yards away. That feeling of warmth in dry clothes after being drenched by the relentless evening shower, after being soaked in the chilliness of the blue, silent pool. Someone in the foreground combing her wet hairs, minuscule sprinklets of water vanishing in the mist.ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-88955540844185885342013-08-06T11:08:00.000+05:302013-08-06T11:08:00.742+05:30Telengana and Independence<span style="font-family: inherit;">Those who oppose Telangana's right for self determination are the same who opposed India's right for self determination at the turn of previous century. They are the same who forced treaties of accession on umpteen numbers of independent states. Those who take pride in externalities of society, in being associated with mighty and rich, in richness of language and culture, in the grand unified country, often support oppression of people and their democratic rights in the name of cultural superiority and pride of a being in a unified nation. Why independence at the first place if it doesn't get you the right to decide your life, your political road ahead. If people of the land do not possess the independence to decide whether they wish to be associated with the rulers or not, when the association is forced, then they are not independent in true sense.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sikeaux.deviantart.com/art/Freedom-is-a-State-of-Mind-315534311" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvUA58de8_C8U5M6-jHfGjBDwrvACHC5ruHQWw3Y0bI9_xDaiK34IKa6GpRmFo0PHv_wW5tOAJtfbLmiwR0Prr3E77GatFxrwxcri4lfch-sp2f-4mfiZrTgM9giSDDuQUBGimUYp9mhe/s320/freedom_is_a_state_of_mind_by_sikeaux-d57uztz.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy: <a href="http://sikeaux.deviantart.com/art/Freedom-is-a-State-of-Mind-315534311">Sikeaux</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The basic social structure of a slave society still remains in India though we keep hearing the ego-inflating slogans of the biggest democracy. Our infatuation with riches and power of kingdom is tell tale. I wonder whether it's hereditary to be enslaved, to be proud of the master's greatness (to enslave us). You can see an overflow of pride on a face whose great great grandfather once had a chance to wipe some kings' ass, especially when he explains it to you. You cannot match that sense of pride even if you had written a bestseller or discovered a neutron star.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In a country half the world away, an Indian origin doctor happens to be involved with delivery of a so-called royal baby. The entire media body in India is delighted, almost like being blessed by the lord himself. We just fell short of calling it a national holiday. And this is when not a single doctor is ready to treat runny nose in rural India. I wonder whether India even deserves to gain sovereignty from Britain. Had we been proud of our independence, an Indian doctor serving those who once enslaved us would have made us ashamed, not proud. But alas we love liking white asses and belonging to the family of those who had done this during the Raj.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">With our propensity towards kings and kingdoms, we cannot call ourselves democracy. Independence from Britain had merely given us a method to elect the knights and kings, to hold complete command over our lives and liberties. When we leave the decisions of what happens with people of Telangana, Kashmir, Manipur, Chhattisgarh on the elected knights and their collective decisions with complete disregard to what the people actually want, then we know where we belong.</span>ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-41752785331401168492013-01-02T10:30:00.000+05:302013-01-02T10:30:03.737+05:30Absence of DarknessIn wake of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Delhi_gang_rape_case">brutal gang rape in Delhi</a> and the consequent protests, the social media too flared up and we expressed our views on the matter and on all related matters. Once such <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meme">meme </a>circulating in the social media is:<br />
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<i>"The problem is men... Men shouldn't be allowed to step out of the house after 9pm unless accompanied by his mother, sister or wife !!!"</i> - henceforth to be referred as original phrase.<br />
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Many shared the post, some shared the thought as well though seemingly unlikely to be true. Some thought it's funny, some shared it out of concern for women, some seriously believed in it. I have something to say to those who considered this post worthy to any extent.<br />
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How would you react if I say "always satisfy your wife's jewellery needs, else she might fuck other men to get those", i.e., ALL WOMEN are potential whores. That's gross, disgusting, and would make no sense to anybody whatsoever. One might say that these words can come only from the minds of a psychopath.<br />
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Now, consider the original phrase. Doesn't that mean "ALL MEN are potential sex offenders." This too is equally gross, disgusting, in the same manner. And yet, I see morons liking and sharing this meme all over the social media. It is a proof that most people don't scratch beyond the surface when it comes to thinking and reasoning.<br />
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Both the sentences are absurd. The first one may sound funny but is equally sexist and gross as the second one. It is an irony that the same people who think this way also shout that racism is bad. What it is if not racism?<br />
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Opposite of darkness is not absence of darkness, but presence of light. There is no such thing as absence of darkness. We often fail to understand this fallacy in our logic. The irony of liberalism is that those who think they are liberal, go to such extent to oppose conservatism that they themselves become conservative of opposite color. Those who oppose superstition with blind faith in science are superstitious as well. Freedom to women doesn't mean curtailment of freedom of men.<br />
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Women who hate men are considered feminists and the society projects an image of feminists as anti-men, men hater who vow to keep distance from men. That's an illogical perception. A women who hates men might not be interested in welfare of women (except self welfare) at all and a women interested in women's welfare might be in deep love with a man as well.<br />
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Our prejudiced society gives us molds and we try to put everybody around in one or other mold, and often end up putting ourselves in one such mold.<br />
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One can either go with those predefined molds, think, talk, and do what everybody else is doing or think for herself/himself and decide. Those who liked, shared, and loved the original post had given no thought to what it actually means.<br />
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We love outsourcing, but don't do it with "thinking."ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-42464655652609551402012-11-13T04:03:00.001+05:302012-11-13T04:12:45.597+05:30Have Faith In Science<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Courtesy - www.lifestylekick.com" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZa9hMgCO0KqfOpQ1YiOm_C-XcVLCDaa5LLqq8A4Pcar36JsI7JNVpfVF9KrtLG_sZyHwPHhnG__rYHrBDA-z7SCLPPSwgFGIrtJ8Ha1wO3mJE5tCA-9XpHZ_Ur4kfiWq4C_TxIJjcRrjL/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="258" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Courtesy: <a href="http://lifestylekick.com/">lifestylekick.com</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now, that title is an oxymoron. Science is <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;">understanding the world through observation and emperically evidence</span> and faith is "c<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;">omplete trust or confidence in someone or something disregarding contra-evidence.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;">The origins of this post is a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/tathagatmaiti/posts/4424591687347" target="_blank">facebook discussion</a> initiated by an intellectual friend, Tathagata, the enlightened one. The question he raised is as follows:</span></div>
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<em>"The earth revolves round the sun and the sun does not revolve round the earth" </em><em>This I learnt in my school days. heard that science has also proved it. Such proof is valid only for them who can understand such proof. I do not have enough knowledge of Mathematics or Physics to understand the proof. I have never been to the outer space to see such phenomenon with my eyes. Never seen any video sent by satellites. </em><em>Now, is it fine that I believe in such phenomenon?</em></div>
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To rephrase his question:</div>
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<em>"Is it okay to believe science since science itself advocates in evedentialism especially given that it is beyond the capacity of an individual to prove all the so-called scientific facts?" To re-rephrase the question, "is believing in scientific fact same as believing in religious fallacies?"</em><br />
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I tried to answer this question in this post.<br />
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<strong>Footnote (in the header</strong>): I am not a philosopher and do not have the mental capacity to logically connect all the dots of knowledge correctly to reach an answer which would be devoid of any fallacies. Nonetheless, I would try my best to put across all the sense that I can make of all the nonsense collected over decades.</div>
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<strong>My Answer: </strong>To start with, I must tell you that your premise is wrong. The earth doesn't revolve around the sun neither the sun revolves around earth. Basically, sun pops out of my ass when I fart early in the morning. And sunset is when I dip sun in my cup to boil water for my evening coffee.<br />
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You would do perfectly fine believing in this theory of sunset/sunrise if sun's schedule doesn't hurt/affect you in any way. For example, you never go out of your sealed house where you download all your food and other needs from internet. However, if it does affect, then knowing the truth about the theory is paramount to your well being. For example, if you are a potato farmer and more sunlight (longer day time) results in a better crop, then it would be in your interest to please me to fart a little earlier and have tea little late. So, you might like to offer me a bribe of puri-aaloo dam. Alternatively, if you are a thief, you might like to have longer night hours and bribe me for the same.</div>
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Now, suppose that another person, say Bibhas, claims that it is he from whose ass the sun pops out and in whose tea cup the sun drowns. In support of his claim, he says that he is more handsome than me, taller than me, has longer hands, longer legs, and longer everything else, and consequently has better gastronomical system than mine to house the sun. Also, the sun sets in his tea cup because tea requires higher temperature and long boiling duration than coffee.</div>
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Now, you are in trouble as you don't know who is saying the truth and knowing it is important to avoid wastefully bribing a person from whose ass the sun doesn't emerge.</div>
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Since you are either a potato farmer or a thief, you have little knowledge about human anatomy and have no instruments to inspect human body. So, now you hire a veterinary doctor to examine both asses and find out whose claim is right. Since the doctor can be bribed by me or Bibhas to give a false finding, you would want the test to be double blind, that is me/Bibhas would not know who is examining us and the doctor would not know whom s/he is examining, etc.</div>
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In today's hi-tech world, it still leaves some chance of corruption. So, you hire another vet doc to independently examine both of us to be doubly sure of the results.</div>
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Basically, you hired the expertise and services of vet docs to give you an understanding on anatomical truth as you lack understanding in that field. You "BELIEVED" the docs because you lacked knowledge in that field. We need to believe a lot of people because it is not possible to acquire all the knowledge in this universe. However, we still utilized our common sense and make sure the study was double blind and repeatable by different persons at different places. </div>
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Once you are confirmed about who is the person in whose intestine the sun resides, you cut the deal with him. However, from time to time, you hire a vet doc and repeat the examinations in light of the current knowledge/understanding of the time to be sure you are not unnecessarily bribing someone.</div>
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This is how exactly human knowledge works.</div>
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<strong>CONCLUSIONS:</strong></div>
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<ol>
<li>Science is about seeking knowledge with empirical evidence which can be independently verified.</li>
<li>Believing is a shortcut to knowledge because our mind would do a lot of processing and generate a lot of heat if we have to process entire knowledge tree to come to a conclusion. For example, when someone asks you what is 5 x 5, you jump to say 25 not because your brain gives empirical proof, but because your brain just "believes" it. To give an empirical proof, you would first need to calculate 5, i.e., 1+1+1+1+1, calculate 5 again, add these two 5's, calculate another 5, add this 5 to the previous sum and so on. In nutshell, empirically calculating 5 x 5 would be something like this - (1+1+1+1+1)+(1+1+1+1+1)+(1+1+1+1+1)+(1+1+1+1+1)+(1+1+1+1+1) and this is what dumb computers do. We humans take the shortcut, we just believe.</li>
<li>We depend on knowledge base created by generations and generations of human beings that existed on this earth. Newton could discover his laws only because some unnamed human, living thousands of years in the past, had figured out that apple could be eaten. Otherwise, no one would have planted an apple tree for Newton to sit under.</li>
<li>So, we do "believe scientific knowledge" apparently in contradiction to the very condition science puts in front of us, i.e., to go only by emperical evidence. However, this belief is only a shortcut as mentioned under #2 and because of reasons as mentioned under #3.</li>
<li>Scientific facts are put to test from time to time and we continuously try to falsify them so as to unearth newer avenues of knowledge. This is what differentiates science from non-science, science takes pride in self falsification.</li>
<li>Under no conditions, this belief can be held true if emperical evidence advises otherwise. Also, this belief/shortcut needs to change if evidence to falsify the underlying fact is found. Again, this is not the case of other types of beliefs, i.e., religious beliefs.</li>
</ol>
</div>
ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-4322701515812314802012-10-25T15:59:00.000+05:302018-03-14T16:06:00.363+05:30Confessions of a True Trekker - VII<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>The Conquest - </strong><em>Continuation of <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-vi.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - The Conquest</a></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Atheist, rationalist, and communists all belong outside of our beautiful planet, crafted to perfection by the lord, gifted ..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Can you think of a reason why would the almighty god create such creatures at the first place? From a theist perspective, certainly god would have not created a thing which would oppose it (not using "him" as it might hurt the esteem of female readers). From a logical standpoint, there was no such thing as atheism before eighteenth century. The concept is merely couple centuries old. How can god create the most intelligent creature on earth, like atheists, after having created everything 6000 years back and gone into a drunken stupor in celebration after it created us, the humans, only creature which knows about the existence of god. Certainly, it would have lost touch in its craft having been out of practice for over 6000 years. We can't even make right of our login password when we return to work on Monday after 2 days of stupor. How can we expect god to create the most intelligent creature on earth after 6000 years on bench. Thus, the concept of god creating such rational creatures itself is irrational.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, if you don't believe in god and believe in evolution instead, tell me how can a creature suddenly appear on the face of the earth without being evolved over thousands of years? There is no trace of atheist beyond couple centuries. Even if a few existed in dark ages of humanity, they would have been exterminated by the god-fearing humans for their irrational anti-god views. Certainly, their genes would have had no chance to propagate and no evolution happens without gene propagation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hence, both from theistic as well as scientific points of view, it can be safely asserted that the communists, the atheists, the rationalists are anything but earthly creatures. So, the only option left for them is to be alien creatures with a propaganda to invade our earth, god's most beautiful creation by means of evolution.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What would happen to the 330 billion god who would need to seek ashylam in other countries, making it a huge immigration crisis.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The threat to our nation doesn't end in this world alone, but carries over to heaven as well. It is a known fact that homosexuals are barred from entering into heaven. With increasing number of people dying as gays, representation of our nation in the afterworld would reduce drastically. These nonvegetarian Pakisthanis and Bangladesis and the cockroach-eating Chinis would be in majority. We cannot let this happen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Homosexuality, and trekking as the root cause, has to be eradicated from the face of this nation. We have to be united and fight these infidels. We will have to form party to fight this evils, a men's forum and a women's forum.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">To Be Continued...</span></em><br />
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<em><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Previous Parts:</span></strong></em><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>1. </em><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her.html"><em>Confessions of a True Trekker - I - The Prelude</em></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>2. </em><em><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-ii.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - II - The Barber’s Mirror</a></em></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-iii.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - III - The Alpha Male</a></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-iv.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - IV - The (Actual) Lesson</a></span></i><br />
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">5. <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-v.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - V - The Betrayal of Fatherland</a></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6. <em><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-vi.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - VI - The Conquest</a></em></span></div>
ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-16905756820796216702012-10-10T02:23:00.002+05:302012-10-18T23:32:28.051+05:30Durgotsav 2012 - Bangla Cultural Programs In Bangalore<table class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8ul8hnRHILpZz_E24tuchVXXthswCKu2T9JuXhQ-h6ZbHPLgTvrxo0OTUwAm0Fmgf8VmfKDBW8qY0utyvKegocoBDR-9KX7fuAGnvTMTRp36QiDyebsaud7U59xxbjUBiFI9yXfdoEBL/s1600/3458987361_ce143a4276.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8ul8hnRHILpZz_E24tuchVXXthswCKu2T9JuXhQ-h6ZbHPLgTvrxo0OTUwAm0Fmgf8VmfKDBW8qY0utyvKegocoBDR-9KX7fuAGnvTMTRp36QiDyebsaud7U59xxbjUBiFI9yXfdoEBL/s320/3458987361_ce143a4276.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="320" height="213" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>Courtesy: <strong id="yui_3_5_1_3_1349810217968_1229" class="username" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #222222; display: inline !important; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 13px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sweeet/484958704/">anne in adelaide</a></strong></em></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">For bongs, Durga Puja is a time for bong connections with music, dance, theater, and everything in between. Specially for people staying far away from their cultural hotpot, Durga Puja presents a once in a year opportunity to relish their music, relive their cultural identity. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Here is an attempt to compile a list (Sorted by location) of Bengali cultural programs happening across Bangalore. For some of the known artists, I have added links to give you an idea who they are and what kind of performance to expect.</span><br /> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Please comment if you know about other programs with details of program, location, date, and time.</strong></span></span></p><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><strong>Of note, a creature know as <a href="http://www.facebook.com/tathagatmaiti">Tathagata Maiti</a> has been instrumental in inspiring and in the making of this list.</strong><br /> </span><p><strong style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Pandal Locations: </strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">For address of pandal locations, please see </span><a style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;" href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/10/DurgaPuja2012.html">Durgotsav 2012</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> post.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Friday, October 19, 2012 - Panchami</strong></span></p></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">1. Koramangala - Sharathi Socio-Cultural Trust </span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Folk songs by <a href="http://www.swapanbasu.com/">Swapan Basu</a></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">2. RT Nagar - RT Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Recitation Competition - 1930 Hours</span></li></ul><p><br /><span style="font-size: small;"> <strong>Saturday, October 20, 2012 - Shashti</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">1. BTM Layout - Bengali in Bangalore</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">Mohiner Ghoraguli songs by Banerghatta Banor Sena (group of kids) - 1945 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">Sruti NaTok by Smaranika Theatre Group - 2040 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">Folk songs by Madhusree Boral - 2110 Hours</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size: small;">2. Commercial Street - Bengali Association</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">Aagomoni & Aadhunik Bangla Gaan - 1930 Hours</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">3. Indiranagar - Socio-Cultural Association</span></p></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Swati & Troupe - 1930 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=indira+bandyopadhyay">Rabindrasangeet by Indira Banerjee</a> - 2000 Hours</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">4. J P Nagar (Bannerghatta Road) - South Bangalore Cultural Association</span></p><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-size: small;">“Matri Abhahan” Bengalee songs by members, Directed by Smt. Debjani Datta<span style="font-family: inherit;"> - 1900 Hours</span></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size: small;">5. J P Nagar - Utsav</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">A classical dance based presentation on the theme of Vandana - 2045 Hours</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">6. Jayamahal - Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Charitable Samiti</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">"Koilash Hote Baaper Barhi" by Balmiki Group - 2000 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Dance Medley "Dance Masti" by Jayamahal Group - 2100 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Bouquet of Melodies by Rishi and Group - 2130 Hours</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">7. Koramangala - Sharathi Socio-Cultural Trust</span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Bangla Rock Band <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krosswindz">Krosswindz</a></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Music by Kohal (Retro and Contemporary)</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">8. Marathalli - Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Classical dance by Natyalahari - 1930 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Dance performance by Happy Kids - 2000 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Adhunik Bangla Gaan by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haimanti_Shukla">Haimanti Shukla</a> - 2030 Hours</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">9. RT Nagar - RT Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti </span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Agomani Songs - 1130 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Folk Dances of India - 1130 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Drawing Competition - 1300 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Quiz (Prelim.) - 1300 Hours</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">10. Sarjapura Road - SORROBA</span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Bengali songs by <a href="http://www.rupankar.com/">Rupankar</a> - 2000 Hours</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /> </span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><strong>Sunday, October 21, 2012 - Saptami</strong></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">1. BTM Layout - Bengali in Bangalore</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Interesting couple games - 1130 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Angik dance group performance - Old Hindi and Bengali songs - 1945 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Poem recitation with Songs by Kallol Dasgupta, noted musician and theater artist - 2030 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Bangla Rock Band <a href="http://www.facebook.com/alpinband">AlPIN</a> - 2100 Hours</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">2. Commercial Street - Bengali Association</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhau_dance">Chhau Dance</a> - 1930 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Bioscope - A Dance and Fashion Show - 1930 Hours</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">3. J P Nagar (Bannerghatta Road) - South Bangalore Cultural Association </span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Tintee Parul Ban”, drama by members, directed by Smt. Supti Basu</span> - 1900 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Hindi songs by Saatsur (local group)</span></li></ul><div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">4. J P Nagar - Utsav</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">Rabindra Sangeet & Benbgali Folk Song presentation by Ms Iman Chakraborty - 2000 Hours</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">5. Jayamahal - Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Charitable Samiti </span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">“Gangar Tane Padyar Gane” traditional folk songs by Smt. Debjani Datta<span style="font-family: inherit;"> - 2000 Hours</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Dance Drama "Nuton Juger Bhorey" by Balmiki & Jayamahal Group - 2100 Hours</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">6. Indiranagar - Socio-Cultural Association</span></p></div><div><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Folk music by Bhavna Dutta - 2000 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Dance by Debjani Sen - 2100 Hours</span></li></ul></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">7. Kanakapura Road - Kanakapura Road Bengali Association</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Bangla Rock Band <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dhumketu/203401589671904?sk=app_2405167945">Dhumketu</a></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">8. Koramangala - Sharathi Socio-Cultural Trust</span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Music by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunal_Ganjawala">Kunal Ganjawala</a></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Durga Bandana – Semi Classical Choreography</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">9. Marathalli - Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Dancing Little Champs - 1830 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Dancing Super Kids - 1915 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Music by Suhita & team - 1945 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Classical dance by Nataraja Academy - 2030 Hours</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">10. RT Nagar - RT Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti </span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Music by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haimanti_Shukla">Haimanti Shukla</a> - 1900 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Fancy dress competition for Kids - 1100 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Quiz Final - 1230 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Fashion Show - 1900 Hours</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /> </span></p></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><strong>Monday, October 22, 2012 - Ashtami</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">1. BTM Layout - Bengali in Bangalore </span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Hindi and Bengali songs from 70's and 80's by Rishi and Kumar - 1900 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Aaghor Band Ghazal night by <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jatavedabanerjee">Jataveda Banerjee</a> - 2000 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Shikara - A Fusion band featuring Indian Idol 4 finalist - 2100 Hours</span></li></ul></div></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">2. Commercial Street - Bengali Association</span></span></div><div><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Rabindra Nrityanushthan - 1930 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Bolthoki Gaan by Shilpi Chattopadhyay - 1930 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhunachi">Dhunuchi Dance</a> Competition - 1930 Hours</span></li></ul></div><div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify; font-size: small;">3. J P Nagar (Bannerghatta Road) - South Bangalore Cultural Association </span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: justify;">“Bagloo Chutir Ghanta”, directed by Smt.Soma Das</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> - 1900 Hours</span></span></li><li><span style="text-align: justify; font-size: small;">Chhau Dance</span></li></ul><p><span style="text-align: justify; font-size: small;">4. J P Nagar - Utsav</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">Musical "Band" presentation by budding young talents of UTSAV - 1945 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">Shruti Natok by UTSAV Members - 2045 Hours</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">5. Jayamahal - Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Charitable Samiti</span></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Odissi Dance by Madhurita & Group - 2000 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Bengali Songs by Anik Das & Group - 2100 Hours</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">6. Kanakapura Road - Kanakapura Road Bengali Association</span></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Bangla Rock Band <a href="http://aurko.com/">Aurko</a></span></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">7. Koramangala - Sharathi Socio-Cultural Trust</span></span></p></div><div><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Music by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_Banerjee">June Banerjee</a></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Rabindrasangeet and Modern Bengali songs</span></li></ul></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">8. Indiranagar - Socio-Cultural Association</span></span></p><div><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Music by Mayukh - 2000 Hours</span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">9. Marathalli - Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association</span></span></div><div><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Classical music by Aditya Vittal - 1830 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">An evening with Dancing Superstars - 1930 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Music by Rathijit and Trisha - 2000 Hours</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">10. RT Nagar - RT Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti </span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Fun Show By Mridul Bhattacharya, Mirakkel Challenge Fame from Kolkata - 1900 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Drama: Kanchan Ranga - 1900 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Extempo in Bangla (Bangla Boli) for Adults - 1130 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sankha Dhawni Competition - 1245 Hours</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /> </span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><strong>Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - Nabami</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">1. BTM Layout - Bengali in Bangalore </span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">BinB er Obhinobo Nibedon - Maddox Square Recreated - Open Air freestyle music / jamming session - 1900 Hours</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">2. Commercial Street - Bengali Association</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cactus_(Indian_band)">Bangla Band Cactus</a> - 1930 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">College - Dance Drama - 1930 Hours</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">3. Indiranagar - Socio-Cultural Association</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Bangla Band <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ekalabya-Bangla-Band/156228071116204">Ekalabya</a> - 2000 Hours</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">4. J P Nagar (Bannerghatta Road) - South Bangalore Cultural Association</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">Traditional Bengalee Folk songs by Smt. Debjani Datta - 1930 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">Adhunik Bangla Gaan by Smt. Haimanti Shukla<span style="font-family: inherit;"> - 2000 Hours</span></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size: small;">5. J P Nagar - Utsav</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">Musical Collage of Tagore Songs & Bengali Modern Songs by UTSAV Members - 1945 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">"Abol Tabol" - A composition of bengali recitations, songs & plays by UTSAV youngsters - 2030 Hours</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">6. Jayamahal - Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Charitable Samiti</span></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Musical: "Banglar Taaney" "Nakshatra" Group (Swati Basu Ghosh) - 2000 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">"Cholochitrer Chaalchitro" by Jayamahal Group - 2030 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Bangla Band "Seasons" (Shankar, Shalini & Group) - 2115 Hours</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">7. Kanakapura Road - Kanakapura Road Bengali Association</span></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Indian Idol Singers</span> </span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">8. Koramangala - Sharathi Socio-Cultural Trust</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Music by <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Emon-Chatterjee/55492726278">Emon Chatterjee</a> and Sukanya Ghosh</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Bollywood Dance</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">9. Marathalli - Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Rabindrasangeet by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Jayati+Chakraborty">Jayati Chakraborty</a> - 1830 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Bangla Rock Band <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krosswindz">Krosswindz</a> - 2015 Hours</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">10. RT Nagar - RT Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Bangla Band <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandrabindoo_%28band%29">Chandrabindoo</a> - 1900 Hours</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Antaksari Competition - 1130 Hours</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">11. Sarjapura Road - SORROBA</span></p></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Bangla Band <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossils_(band)">FOSSILS</a> - 2000 Hours</span></li></ul></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><strong><br /> </strong><strong>Wednesday, October 24, 2012 - Dashami</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">1. Indiranagar - Socio-Cultural Association</span></span></p></div><div><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Cultural Program - 2000 Hours </span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">2. RT Nagar - RT Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Magic Show - 1930 Hours</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /> </span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"> <em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Related Post: </strong> <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/10/DurgaPuja2012.html">Durgotsav 2012</a></span></em></span></p></div>ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-64475778975256884452012-10-04T11:07:00.000+05:302013-10-06T19:33:50.327+05:30Durgotsav 2012 - Schedule and List of Locations in Bangalore<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1yP3qiHjZVNfoKsskPaX9pMWIZv8Z8JYmyNcWiAqnqZM_3__ByYvKpWbJjyiNwii__CKBbroILUEiGnDYDJatB20inMSNKgghyphenhyphenI0dZQ3RjmXuGKvG9Bkd8gdxNUeJ69fC62sutNjQFYW/s1600/Durgotsav.gif" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1yP3qiHjZVNfoKsskPaX9pMWIZv8Z8JYmyNcWiAqnqZM_3__ByYvKpWbJjyiNwii__CKBbroILUEiGnDYDJatB20inMSNKgghyphenhyphenI0dZQ3RjmXuGKvG9Bkd8gdxNUeJ69fC62sutNjQFYW/s320/Durgotsav.gif" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Courtesy: <a href="http://www.4to40.com/greetings/cards.asp?festivals=Durga_Utsav_Greetings-Durga_Puja-128&cards=Durga_puja">4to40.com</a></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><i><span style="color: red;">Note: Locations (not all) updated for 2013.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></i></b>
<i><span style="color: red;">Please comment if you know that the location/address is wrong or Durga Puja is not being organized at certain place.</span></i><br />
<br />
Bongs have invaded Bangalore in big way. The evidence is more than 40 puja pandals scattered throughout Bangalore.<br />
This is an effort to consolidate information available online about the Durga Puja celebrations happening across the city so as to give more opportunity for lazy bongs to hang around.<br />
I would be compiling details of Bengali cultural programs that are going to be held at various pandals in another post.<br />
<div>
<b style="text-align: justify;"><i>Finally, please help me add or correct information by means of comment.</i></b></div>
<b style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /> </i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="text-align: justify;">Puja Schedule:</b></div>
<ol>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Mahalaya</b> - 15 October, Monday</div>
</li>
<li><b>Panchmi </b>- 19 October, Friday - Ananda Mela at 1900 Hours.</li>
<li><b>Shashthi</b> - 20 October, Saturday - Bodhan, Amantran, & Adhibas at 1900 Hours.</li>
<li><b>Saptami </b>- 21 October, Sunday - Puja 0815, Pushpanjali 1000, Bhog 1230, Arati 1830.</li>
<li><b>Ashtami</b> - 22 October, Monday - Puja 0815, Pushpanjali 1000, Bhog 1230, Arati 1830.</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Sondhi Puja</b> - 23 October, Tuesday - 0017 - 0105.</div>
</li>
<li><b>Nabami </b>- 23 October, Tuesday - Puja 0815, Pushpanjali 1000, Bhog 1230, Arati 1830.</li>
<li><b>Dashami </b>- 24 October, Wednesday - Puja 0815, Baran & Sindur Khela 1100, Immersion 1500.</li>
<li><b>Lakshmi Puja</b> - 29 October, Monday - Puja 1930, Bhog 2030.</li>
<li><b>Kali Puja</b> - 13 November, Tuesday - Puja 1930, Bhog 2030.</li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<small><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Cultural Programs:</b> For details of Bangla cultural programs being held in Bangalore, please refer to <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/10/durgotsav-2012-bangla-cultural-programs.html">Durgotsav 2012 - Bangla Cultural Programs in Bangalore post.</a></span></span></small></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Durga Puja Locations:</b> There are more than 40 places where Durga Puja is organized in Bangalore. The list is sorted by location. Please see below for approximate location on Google Map.</div>
<ol>
<li><b>Bangalore Rural Association - Attebele</b><br />Sedul Dassappa Kalyana Mantap, Near Attibele Bus Terminal, Hosur Road </li>
<li><b>Banaswadi Bengali Cultural Union - Banaswadi</b><br />Sitarama Kalyana Mandap, Kullappa Circle, Banaswadi Main Road</li>
<li><b>Ramkrishna Math - Basavanagudi</b><br />Bull Temple Road, Basavanagudi<br />Website: <a href="http://www.rkmathbangalore.org/">www.rkmathbangalore.org</a><br />Phone: 80-2661-3149<br />Email: rkmblr@dataone.in</li>
<li><b>Bengali in Bangalore - BTM</b><br />Aicoboo Residents Welfare Association Ground, Opp to Udupi garden, behind Bharat Petrol Pump, 2nd Stage, BTM Layout<br />Web: <a href="http://bengaliinbangalore.org/">http://bengaliinbangalore.org</a><br />Sourabh Sanyal : 9964723890 / Amlan Barua : 9902805101</li>
<li><b>Kaggadasapura Durga Puja - C V Raman Nagar</b><br />Anisha Grange Apartment, 6th Cross, SCT College, Kaggadasapura, C V Raman Nagar</li>
<li><b>Air Force Command Hospital - Cambridge Layout</b><br />Command Hospital, Old Airport Road</li>
<li><b>The Bengalee Association - Commercial Street</b><br />R.B.A.N.M.S Ground Ulsoor, Near Commercial Street, Opp. Ajanta Theatre<br />Web: <a href="http://www.bengaliassociation.org/">www.bengaliassociation.org</a><br />E-mail: <a href="mailto:info@bengaliassociation.org">info@bengaliassociation.org</a><br />Phone: 080 25366087 / 65351827</li>
<li><b>Swarnakar Samiti Durga Puja - Corporation</b><br />Beside GEO Hotel, Near Corporation and Hudson Circle</li>
<li><b>Electornic City Durgapuja - Electornic City</b><br />Electronic City, Phase 1, Near Wipro Gate 16, Ajmera Stone Park, Opp to Concard Manhattan Apartment<br /><span style="color: black;">Phone: 9742332211 </span></li>
<li><b>Hebbagudi Durga Puja - Hebbagudi</b><br />Near Hebbagudi Bus Stand, Beside BIOCON Factory, Hosur Road</li>
<li><b>Socio-Cultural Association - Indiranagar</b><br />Defence Colony Playground, Near Axon Specialty Hospital, 321, 6th Main Rd, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar<br />Web: <a href="http://scaindiranagar.com/">http://scaindiranagar.com</a><br />Email: info@scaindiranagar.com</li>
<li><b>Tripura Mondoli Durga Puja - Whitefield</b><br />SKG Party Hall, Behind Hero Showroom, Bharath Motoers B, Narayanpura, Whitefield Road, Near Phenix Market City<br />Web: <a href="http://tripuramondoliblr.info/">http://tripuramondoliblr.info</a><br />Phone: Sarajit - 9008838838 / Manna - 9379920459 / Shekhar - 9880175474 </li>
<li><b>Anandadhara Durga Puja - J P Nagar</b><br />11th B cross, 25th main, JP Nagar 1st Phase (Near RV Dental college, Nandini milk parlour)<br />Web: <a href="http://www.anandadhara.co.in/">http://www.anandadhara.co.in</a><br />Phone: 9743744580, 9342636327</li>
<li><b>South Bangalore Cultural Association - J P Nagar</b><br />NGR Kalayana Mantapa, Bannerghatta Road, J P Nagar 2nd Phase, Opp. Shoppers Stop<br />Web: <a href="http://www.sbca.org.in/">http://www.sbca.org.in, </a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SouthBangaloreCulturalAssociation/info">https://www.facebook.com/SouthBangaloreCulturalAssociation</a><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sbcablr/"></a></li>
<li><b>Utsav - J P Nagar</b><br />Shree Kala Mantapa, #70, 15th Cross Road, 3rd Phase, J.P. Nagar (Near Mandovi Motors, next to Crossword)<br />Web: <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/www.utsav-bangalore.com">www.utsav-bangalore.com</a><br />Phone: 25907661/ 9945316102</li>
<li><b>Air Force Station - Jalahalli West</b><br />Air Force Station, Jalahalli West, Near Peenya Circle</li>
<li><b>Air Force Station - Jalahalli East</b><br />Air Force Station, Jalahalli East, Near HMT Circle, Gokula</li>
<li><b>Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Charitable Samiti - Jayamahal</b><br />Jayamahal Ladies Club Ground, Adjacent to Jayamahal Park, Jayamahal Extension<br />Web: <a href="http://jayamahalsamiti.org/">http://jayamahalsamiti.org</a><br />Phone: Bijon Majumdar - 9845090223, Debasish Banerjee - 9900245551, Himadri Nandi - 9845078787, Tapan Datta- 9845038782</li>
<li><b>Kanakpura Road Bengali Association - Kanakpura Road</b><br />BBMP Playground, Opp to HM Tambourine Appt.<br /> Opposite Jaraganahalli Bus Stop, Kanakpura Main Road,<br /> JP Nagar 6th Phase, (400 mt from sarakki signal towards Metro, on right hand side)<br />Web: <a href="http://www.karba.in/">www.karba.in</a></li>
<li><b>Sharathi Socio-Cultural Trust - Koramangala</b><br />Mangala Kalyana Mantap, 8th Block, 80 Ft Road, (Opp. Ganesha Temple), Koramangala<br />Web: <a href="http://www.sarathionline.org/">www.sarathionline.org</a><br />Sudipto Das: <a href="mailto:sudipto@sarathionline.org">sudipto@sarathionline.org</a> / 9886067137</li>
<li><b>Sarathi Socio Cultural Forum - Koramangala</b><br />Muni Reddy Kalayana Mantapa, 6th Block, 80 Ft Road , Koramangala, Opp. BMP Park & Near Koramangala Post Office</li>
<li><b>Krishnarajpuram Durga Puja - Krishnarajpuram</b><br />SEA College Campus, Near Krishnarajpuram Main Market</li>
<li><b>Magadi Road Durga Puja - Magadi Road</b><br />Industrial Area, Kamakshipalya, Magadi Road</li>
<li><b>Probasi Aassociation - Malleshwaram</b><br />Canara Union Hall, 8th Main, 15th Cross, Near Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy, Malleshwaram</li>
<li><b>Munikolala Durga Puja - Maratahalli</b><br />Munikolala, Opp Innovative Multiplex, Ring Road, Maratahalli</li>
<li><b>Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association - Marathalli</b><br />VSR Convention Hall, Brookefields, Opposite Hindustan Lever, Marathalli<br />Web: <a href="http://www.pbca.in/">www.pbca.in</a><br />Phone: Kuntal Roy - 98452 71046 / Sanjay Chhoudhuri - 98801 85320</li>
<li><b>Purvankara Apartment Residential Association - Marathalli</b><br />Purvankara Apartment, Near Spicy Garden Restaurant, Marathalli</li>
<li><b>Air Force Training Command - Mekhri Circle</b><br />Mekhri Circle, Bellary Road</li>
<li><b>Bangla cultural Association (BCA) - Munnekolala</b><br />Government School Ground, #No. 4,113/2B, 12th cross, Munnekolala<br />Web: <a href="http://bcabangalore.org/">http://bcabangalore.org</a><br />Phone: 09845795295 / 08025235608<br />Email: bca@openskytechnology.com<br /><a href="http://www.bcabangalore.com/"></a></li>
<li><b>North Bangalore Cultural Association - Nandini Layout</b><br />“Mandir”, 8A, FTI Colony, Nandini Layout, Opp. ISKCON</li>
<li><b>Murugeshpalya Durgotsva - Old Airport Road</b><br />Air Force Campus, Wind Tunnel Road, Airport Road, Rifco Apartment</li>
<li><b>R.T. Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti - RT Nagar</b><br />Patel’S Inn, Next To Sriram White House Complex, R.T. Nagar<br />Web: <a href="http://www.rtnagardurgapuja.in/">www.rtnagardurgapuja.in</a><br />Email: <a href="mailto:info@rtnagardurgapuja.org">info@rtnagardurgapuja.org</a><br />Shyamal Biswas - 9449031398 / Dipashish Ghosh - 9986032520 / Pranab Burman – 9886545797</li>
<li><b>Aikatan - Rajarajeshwari Nagar</b><br />Sri Vasavi Mahal Kalyan Mantapa, No. 606, 18th Main Road, Ideal Homes Township, I Stage, Rajarajeshwari Nagar<br />Web: <a href="http://aikatan.wordpress.com/">http://aikatan.wordpress.com/</a><br />Email: aikatan.bangalore@gmail.com<br />Phone: Subrata – 9845129964, Maloy – 9741200229, Udayan – 9900195145</li>
<li><b>Sahakara Nagar Durga Puja - Sahakara Nagar</b><br />Sahakara Nagar, Kodigehalli, Bellary Road</li>
<li><b>Antaranga Bengali Cultural Association - Sanjaynagar</b><br />Ramana Maharishee Heritage Centre, Near Food World, Sanjay Nagar, Off Bellary Road</li>
<li><b>SORRBA Durga Puja - Sarjapura Road</b><br />Near St Peters School, Kaikondanahalli, Sarjapura Main Road, After Total Mall<br />Web: <a href="http://www.sorrba.org/">www.sorrba.org</a> / <a href="http://durgapuja2012.sorrba.org/">http://durgapuja2013.sorrba.org</a><br />Email: contact@sorrba.org<br />Bidyut Chowdhury - 9448050371</li>
<li><b>Vivekananda Cultural Association - Seshadripuram</b><br />Seshadripuram 1st Grade College, Opposite Railway Reservation Counter</li>
<li><b>Oriya Association - Silk Board</b><br />Road next to Mantri Elegant leading to Silk Board Bus Stand</li>
<li><b>Whitefield Cultural Association - Whitefield</b><br />Close to Nilgiris in Whitefield, Whitefield Main Road</li>
<li><b>Vivekananda Cultural Association - Yelahanka</b><br />New Town, Yelahanka</li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="text-align: justify;">Google Map: </b><span style="text-align: justify;">Some of the puja pandal locations have been added to the below map. These are approximate locations and I am not very sure of them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is a work in progress and not all locations have been added so far. <b>This map can be edited by anybody. Hence, please correct any location that you know of or add any pandal location.</b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
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<small><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Related Post:</b> </span></span></small><br />
<small><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/10/durgotsav-2012-bangla-cultural-programs.html">Durgotsav 2012 - Bangla Cultural Programs in Bangalore</a></span></span></small><br />
<small><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. <a href="http://souravblogs.blogspot.in/2012/10/bangalore-durga-puja-2012.html">Bangalore Durga Puja 2012</a> - More details can be found here.</span></span></small>ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com18Bangalore, Karnataka, India12.9715987 77.594562712.4762162 76.9628487 13.4669812 78.2262767tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-49736506352353177682012-09-28T18:23:00.000+05:302012-11-29T01:27:46.566+05:30Confessions of a True Trekker - VI<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWHeVuZIAClEjIiZlv1m8qK_JX1VCygzN5hmpj9DAhDnuk0xKqZJdI0m1DXkcBZyrmnno6KmZbRGwZ3gwVL-oO7vfk8Hnnv7LrMJ5A_bcBXzOodJplFy1sjRBtNuRFmM0Qlu_6VYQ5po0/s1600/thelastthanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" kea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWHeVuZIAClEjIiZlv1m8qK_JX1VCygzN5hmpj9DAhDnuk0xKqZJdI0m1DXkcBZyrmnno6KmZbRGwZ3gwVL-oO7vfk8Hnnv7LrMJ5A_bcBXzOodJplFy1sjRBtNuRFmM0Qlu_6VYQ5po0/s1600/thelastthanksgiving.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy: <a href="http://www.atheistcartoons.com/?attachment_id=2065" target="_blank">Atheist Cartoons</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>The Conquest - </strong></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Continuation of </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-v.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - The Betrayal of Fatherland</a></span></em></span><br />
<br />
For billions of years, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_deities#330_million_gods">330 million gods </a>have been protecting this piece of land we call India notwithstanding the claims that the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Earth_creationism">earth is mere 6000 years old</a> and that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangea">merely 300 mn years ago</a>, none of the nations existed as we know them today. Now, this very shield of protection is under threat of philosophical terrorism of communists, the god-less atheists.<br />
<br />
Don't you see the grand plan of the communists, the god-less atheists? Turn one generation into gays and conquer the land of 330 mn gods in next generation because there won't be anybody to protect those 330 mn gods who protect this great country, or probably the greatest country ever where the number of gods assigned to protect its devotees is higher than the number of security forces assigned for its citizens.<br />
<br />
Our great country which ranges from the ever-flooded Asom to ever-dry Gujarat, from ever-protesting Kashmir to ever-bandh Kerala, is under threat of being conquered by those who don't have even a single god!<br />
<br />
We already see the signs of this philosophical terrorism of the atheists making inroads in our political and social institutions. Today, the ones who are being projected as youth icon and future leaders don't even have deep enough voice to ascertain their manhood, forget about shaping the future generations. And what is most worrisome is the fact that the entire generations of this mighty land are trying to mimic them in whatever manner possible. Flocks of men with pigeon poop on their faces to add brightness to it, drinking mud-colored water because some baby-faced guy with a high-pitch voice told them to go and get it. And this is in spite of the well-known fact that drinking such <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_drink">mud-colored water</a> makes the reproductive system immensely weak. And the gornament has not taken any step to prohibit drinking of such anti-national drinks! Instead, they have banned the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_drink">other mud-colored drinks</a> with substance in it, which reinforces manhood even in those men who have been tamed by virtue of marriage. Now, that's clearly a sabotage of national security and it doesn't even find a fleeting mention by the security advisor to PM, a clear sign that the communists have invaded the gornament as well.<br />
<br />
In fact, it is not a security problem just of our country but that of the entire earth because the atheists want to capture the world and establish the rule of their masters sitting at the intergalactic spaces. No, no, it's not a joke. I am not talking gibberish. Atheist and rationalists are indeed from an alien galaxy. The evidence is in clear sight.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>To Be Continued...</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>Previous Parts:</strong></em></span><br />
<em>1. </em><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>Confessions of a True Trekker - I - The Prelude</em></span></a><br />
<em>2. </em><em><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-ii.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - II - The Barber’s Mirror</a></em><br />
<i>3. <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-iii.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - III - The Alpha Male</a></i><br />
<i>4. <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-iv.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - IV - The (Actual) Lesson</a></i><br />
<em>5. <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-v.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - V - The Betrayal of Fatherland</a></em></div>
ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-37778091744540178722012-09-13T09:51:00.001+05:302012-09-13T09:51:41.318+05:30Olympics 2012 - Another Perspective II<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9B6_yRsWLqbZDnXRzHaeWg1ZjG3ulLoj2JVs4hP3xrwTBmatA55Y76G0tv1zS_1ZjQWIkOEpDBs50paZnpqCOgDynJFgyuAe0SQQzcbut_f2r6PO9LNKrOGRGan5GXpriUiUt8PhfUXc/s1600/OLYMPIC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9B6_yRsWLqbZDnXRzHaeWg1ZjG3ulLoj2JVs4hP3xrwTBmatA55Y76G0tv1zS_1ZjQWIkOEpDBs50paZnpqCOgDynJFgyuAe0SQQzcbut_f2r6PO9LNKrOGRGan5GXpriUiUt8PhfUXc/s320/OLYMPIC.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Courtesy: </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/geckoam/2723280096" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Geckoam</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong>(Not) A Game of Money</strong><br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Continuation of </span></em><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/08/olympics-2012-another-perspective-i.html" target=""><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Olympics 2012 - Another Perspective I</span></em></a><br />
<br />
Does rich nations play more sports? And do they win more than their poor counterparts? Let's analyze the data for answers to these questions.<br />
<br />
<b>GDP Per Participant: </b> If I have more money at disposal, I would spend more time and money on sports and hence, would rank higher in terms of number of participants and medals. A poor country which secured one medal would have done it against innumerable odds compared to a wealthy nation and should actually rank higher. Taking the wealth of the citizens into account, we can rank nations based on how many athletes it produced per dollar of their <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominal_GDP" target="_blank">gross domestic product (GDP)</a>.<br />
<br />
For this purpose, I used <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita" target="_blank">GDP at Purchasing Power Parity Per Capita</a> instead of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominal_GDP#Nominal_GDP_and_adjustments_to_GDP" target="_blank">nominal GDP</a>. The reason being the GDP in itself would reflect the national wealth, not general prosperity of its citizen. A per capita GDP (PPP), though not equivalent to per capita income, does reflect the wealth of citizen while adjusting for varying cost of living across geographies. Now, getting to the ranks.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<strong>Best GDP to Athlete Ratio:</strong> China - 22 USD per capita per participant.</div>
<div>
<strong>Worst GDP to Athlete Ratio:</strong> Liechtenstein - 47,033 USD per capita per participant.</div>
<div>
<br />
So, China produces the maximum number of participants per dollar whereas Liechtenstein, the richest participating nation, produced the least. And India? Well, India did a rather good job here, standing at 7th position, spending 45 USD per capita per participant!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearson_product-moment_correlation_coefficient" target="_blank">Correlation Coefficient</a> - GDP and No. of Participants: </b>0.2626</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Does rich nations play more? Yes, they do, but poor countries do as much too. The correlation coefficient which, even though positive, is just a quarter and signifies that the correlation is not that strong. Even though sports requires money, we can play with little money as well. Next time you are told that the lack of fund is sololy responsible for the pathetic state of Indian hockey, tell them about the correlation and I bet they would still continue their rant because it is easy to understand what lack of fund means but not correlation coefficient.<br />
<br />
<strong>GDP Per Medal: </strong>Whereas GDP Per Participant tells us about how efficienctly the nation uses its resources to promote sports, GDP Per Medal tells us about the financial efficiency in winning games. Again, just like <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/08/olympics-2012-another-perspective-i.html">Population Per Medal</a>, we are comparing only the 85 nations that won any medals.<br />
<div>
<br />
<b>Best GDP to Medal ratio:</b> China - 95 USD per capita per participant.<br />
<b>Worst GDP to Medal ratio:</b> Qatar - 51,350 USD per capita per participant.<br />
<div>
<br />
China did it again, winning maximum number of medals per dollar of GDP. The filthy rich Qatar did worst on GDP to medal ratio amongst the 85 countries that won any medal.</div>
<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearson_product-moment_correlation_coefficient" target="_blank"><strong>Correlation Coefficient</strong></a><strong> - GDP and Medals: </strong>0.1938</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
Does rich nations win more than poor folks? As it is evident from the correlation coefficient, there is little correlation between individual wealth and games won. In other words, wealthy first world countries are very slightly more likely to win games than underdeveloped countries.<br />
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Even though money is a crucial factor in playing sports, there may be other factors at play which compensate for lack of money. What are those factors? The numbers won't tell that. And what is your guess?<br />
<br />
As the numbers talk, it is evident that there is no clear relation between performance in sports and wealth. The potential of a middle-class kid next door transforming into a sport star is only slightly less than that of wealthy folks. At least, this is what the Olympics data suggests. To know the actual probability of it and the correlation between a wealthy family and sports performance, we would need a different set of data.<br />
<br />
<strong>Participant Per Medal: </strong>A nation can field a large number of participants. Though it does improve the probability of winning more medals, the quality of participants have a rather major role to play. In my opinion, a nation which fileded ten participants and won 5 medals should rank higher than a nation which fielded hundred participants but won only 30 medals. Here is a comparison of nations based on how many quality participant they produced worth their salt.<br />
<br />
<b>Best Participant to Medal ratio:</b> Botswana, China, Iran, Jamaica, Kenya - 4 participants per medal.<br />
<b>Worst Participant to Medal ratio:</b> Portugal - 77 participants per medal.<br />
<br />
India had a participant to medal ratio of 14 and ranked 47 out of 85 medal-winning nations.<br />
<br />
In summary, China seems to have done well whether it is about utilizing money or about producing quality participants.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearson_product-moment_correlation_coefficient" target="_blank"><strong>Correlation Coefficient</strong></a><strong> - Participants and Medals: </strong>0.897774<br />
<br />
Now, this is an obvious conclusion. The more the number of participants, the more the medals. However, the point to point finger would be that there is no perfect correlation between the number of participants and medals and in fact, it is a tad less than 1. What it implies is nations with higher number of participants won less medals per participant when compared to the averages.</div>
</div>
<br />
For a detailed look on the numbers, check out the spreadsheet below.<br />
<div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0Ahh-vFMLJQBydDdLLUpIbXVyQlV1Uk5ITnpxZGpLNVE&single=true&gid=0&output=html&widget=true" width="600"></iframe><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ahh-vFMLJQBydDdLLUpIbXVyQlV1Uk5ITnpxZGpLNVE" target="_blank"><i>Download Spreadsheet</i></a><br />
<br />
<strong><em>Related Post: </em></strong><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/08/olympics-2012-another-perspective-i.html" target=""><em>Olympics 2012 - Another Perspective I</em></a></div>
ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-36703172843664508652012-08-17T03:22:00.000+05:302012-09-13T10:03:24.622+05:30Olympics 2012 - Another Perspective - I<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvlEkObu_Ob10Fg9h3-ATPEzhtQjIHwzKpGjckDJVZY2gXsM3XV4zyZFG_5JmM7Fi7idSkdEtWPfwLBtBSdpQXQ1xYFm0bcICr_6yhgHabKKx-XH-LeJm4xX1MAiRXEpAXeX7ejfQaJhZ/s1600/Olympics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvlEkObu_Ob10Fg9h3-ATPEzhtQjIHwzKpGjckDJVZY2gXsM3XV4zyZFG_5JmM7Fi7idSkdEtWPfwLBtBSdpQXQ1xYFm0bcICr_6yhgHabKKx-XH-LeJm4xX1MAiRXEpAXeX7ejfQaJhZ/s320/Olympics.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy: <a href="http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2943982" target="_blank">Geograph</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong>Number Games</strong><br />
<br />
Which country did best in London Olympics 2012? Does bigger countries play more sports than smaller ones? India performed its best ever in Olympics, but was it really best performance? We would try to answer all these questions with a pinch of statistics and I bet, answers will surprise you.<br />
<br />
Olympics is an interesting event, not just from perspective of sports but also from statistical perspective as well, for example, to compare relation between sports, population, and GDP. If you take Cricket World Cup or FIFA World Cup, you get a skewed comparison because very few countries play cricket and in case of football, many countries might have competitive advantage in some other sports giving a wrong interpretation of data.<br />
<br />
However, unlike <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricket_World_Cup">Cricket World Cup</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup">FIFA World Cup,</a> we get a wider representation of countries and sports in Olympics allowing for a rather fair comparison.<br />
<br />
Secondly, looking the medal tally, we cannot judge a nation's sports spirit because of varying factors such as population and economy. Here, I have tried to plug in those numbers and rank nations in a more justifiable way.<br />
<br />
Finally, while the news papers are full of the wonderful performance of India and while the social media can't stop cheering the athletes even after the event is over, it is worth to introspect and find out where we actually stand and whether we are game for the games.<br />
<br />
Let's get started with the basics stats of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Olympics_2012">London Olympics 2012</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Maximum Number of Participants:</b> Great Britain - 541 athletes<br />
<b>Maximum Number of Medals:</b> United States - 104 medals<br />
<b>Most Populous Nation:</b> China - 1.35 bn people<br />
<b>Wealthiest Nation (GDP Per Capita - PPP):</b> Liechtenstein - 141,100 USD<br />
<br />
Now, the more interesting (and more complex) stats.<br />
<br />
<b>Population Per Participant / Athlete Density:</b> This number is the total number of participants divided by nation's population which gives an idea about how popular sports is in the given nation. In a populous country like China, there would definitely be many athletes and they would rank higher, but if you find higher density of athletes in nation, it implies people play more sports there. As the title suggests, it is simply the number of citizens out of which we would get one athlete.<br />
<br />
<b>Best Athlete Density:</b> Cook Islands - 2224 people per athlete.<br />
<b>Worst Athlete Density:</b> Bangladesh - 30,503,603 (3 mn) people per athlete.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
What about India? It's third worst, 14,580,644 (1.4 mn) people per athlete, right above Bangladesh and DR Congo.<br />
<br />
<div>
<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearson_product-moment_correlation_coefficient">Correlation Coefficient</a> - Population and No. of Participants:</b> 0.3439</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This number signifies the linear relationship between population and no. of participant of the nations, whether more populous nation field more athletes or not. The short answer is yes, they do. For the long answer, let's understand correlation coefficient first.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Basically, it tells us how two variable are related to each other. This coefficient may have value between -1 to +1. A value of -1 would mean that the variables are inversely correlated, i.e., if one goes up, the other goes down in the same proportion. Similarly, a value of +1 would mean that the variables are perfectly correlated, i.e., if one goes up, the other goes up in the same proportion. What about zero? Well, that means the variables are independent of each other and there is no correlation. Values in between -1 and +1 represents all the shades of correlation in between.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A value of 0.3439 would mean that there is a correlation, but not a perfect one (value of +1). In other words, even though populous nations have more athlete but not as much as less populous nations do when you take their populations into account. In other words, athlete density is more in less populous nations. In yet other words, people play more sports in small countries.<br />
<br />
<strong>Population Per Medal / Performance Density: </strong>Population per participant gives us an idea about popularity of sports in each nation, but it fails to show how good the athletes are in sports. Pupulation per medal shows how good the nations are in the sports. The logic is that a tiny nation winning one medal should be ranked higher than a nation hundred times its population that has won ten medals. Here, we can only compare the 85 nations that has won medals out of the 204 participanting nations. The reason is simple, we cannot compare hair color of two bald people, can we?</div>
<div>
<br />
<b>Best Performance Density:</b> Grenada - 105,000 people per medal.<br />
<b>Worst Performance Density:</b> India - 201,698,903 (20.1 mn) people per medal.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
What about the brouhaha surrounding India's wonderful performance? Well, looking at the athelete density and performance density, all one can make out is that it indeed is brouhaha. We are a nation of spectators and not players. We just want others to play the game and move our bums only when ordered to do so. India would definitely top the medal tally if the Olympic folks consider watching games 24/7 a serious game in itself. Until then, we gotta be content being first from the last.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0Ahh-vFMLJQBydDdLLUpIbXVyQlV1Uk5ITnpxZGpLNVE&single=true&gid=0&output=html&widget=true" width="600"></iframe><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ahh-vFMLJQBydDdLLUpIbXVyQlV1Uk5ITnpxZGpLNVE" target="_blank"><i>Download Spreadsheet</i></a><br />
<i><br /></i><i><strong>Related Post:</strong> <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/09/olympics-2012-another-perspective-ii.html">Olympics 2012 - Another Perspective - II</a></i></div>
ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-67618360586021934182012-08-08T04:41:00.001+05:302012-10-02T23:10:51.824+05:30How Not To Drown - A nonswimmer's guide to survival<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyh4xlZoA0YbVceSjAZTHygsRqtjx5RwrdOirvcXZMoKP7tbUMoYyCWs5aF5Cjol-Y-V5ivTzVbl6BPoa0i3dwQxENk7DH8YWPju5UfLTKVvRPML3hr8UVH5Fbet7osnpTFBHHJAnVgzgm/s1600/4749207144_e0e8987a6c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyh4xlZoA0YbVceSjAZTHygsRqtjx5RwrdOirvcXZMoKP7tbUMoYyCWs5aF5Cjol-Y-V5ivTzVbl6BPoa0i3dwQxENk7DH8YWPju5UfLTKVvRPML3hr8UVH5Fbet7osnpTFBHHJAnVgzgm/s320/4749207144_e0e8987a6c.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vonvonz/4748726094/" target="_blank">Einnamon</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Got to know that yet another soul drowned himself in the pristine waters of Nagalapuram, the landscape which many among us have revered, respected, and relished. It is the second death in the hills over the last couple weeks.<br />
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<b>Philosophy:</b> I see many express grief over death of strangers, at least grief is what they pretend. I am not saddened by his death, neither by the death of anybody else who died on trek or the countless others who die each day. He had no role to play in my life. His existence or nonexistence had no bearing on my life. In fact, I was not even aware of his existence until he ceased to exist! Besides what difference would it make to him or to anybody else whether we are pained or not by his death. I know most of you would reason that it is human nature to empathize with fellow human in their deaths even if they are hated when alive. What difference would it make to pretend or even grieve for a dead man whom you never knew or would have never known? Isn't that an oxymoron, being sad on losing something which you never had, never wished for?<br />
<br />
<b>Concern:</b> No, I feel no sadness. But concerned I am? These deaths in the wilderness had occupied my conscience for a long period of time. Makes me think what would I do when faced death? What should I do to prevent it? It is not the concern for human life that makes me think, but because one cannot drench themselves in the beauty of jungles with all these idiots dying around. How can one quench thirst with the pure water of the streams laced with memory of blue, bloated, half decomposed body being fished out of it giving a stench of rotten flesh? Moreover, each such death on treks makes it more and more difficult to enter the forests, tightening the bureaucratic grip of forest department. Here are couple points that I could think of to help prevent deaths by drowning.<br />
<br />
<b>Solution:</b> So, starting with the best solution to prevent yourself from drowning. Swim! Well, that IS the best and only sure-shot solution. However, if you could swim, you would have not been reading this far. For those who, like me, cannot swim, here are couple tips to improve their survival rate in water. And these are expert advice, mind it, not to be taken lightly. An expert swimmer can tell you how to swim, but you would need an expert non-swimmer for survival in water if you cannot swim.<br />
<br />
<b>Prepare yourself not to drown:</b>
<br />
<ol>
<li>Learn swimming. At least if you know how to throw your hands and legs around, it might turn out to be crucial for your survival in those critical moments.</li>
<li>Buy gears that would keep you afloat. Life Jacket is one such thing but bulky and cumbersome to carry on treks and burns a hole in pocket (around Rs 1500, weighs over a kilogram). Inflatable swimming tube comes handy and cheap (Rs 60, 100 gm). Another alternative is multipurpose sleeping mats (expanded polyethylene foam), sleep on it or float on it (Rs 60 per meter of 6-mm foam, 2 meter gets you two mats, around 300 gm).</li>
<li>Buy adequate life insurance and make a clear-cut will. These aren't mandatory but ensures that there are people with reasons to be sad on your demise and that there is no confusion as to who should be sad and who shouldn't be. If your folks are generous enough, as most religious people are, they wouldn't mind spending a tiny bit of the insurance bounty on your last rides to ensure you a comfortable seat in hell.</li>
</ol>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Avoid being drowned:</b>
<br />
<ol>
<li>If you don't know swimming, keep away from jumping in deep waters regardless how adventurous it might seem even though others are around to save you and they keep pushing you to have fun. If they fail, they'll live to hone their life-saving skills later, but you would die in the process.</li>
<li>Carry a sleeping mat either tied to backpack or inside. This would help in case you fall off the cliff straight into the beautiful, deadly pool. If you can catch hold of a 6-mm sleeping mat, you will be alive. If it's 3-mm, it would increase your buoyancy if not stop you from completely drowning.</li>
<li>Check the water before you venture further. Even if you know swimming, it is best to familiarize yourself with the water, it's temperature, depth, rocks and plants underneath, etc. All your swimming skills might go for a toss when suddenly faced with an adverse situation. Cold water can leave you breathless. A small injury on your spine can render you paralyzed temporarily. Even impact of water is enough to knock you off your consciousness if the jump was inappropriate. All making you incapable of swimming to life.</li>
</ol>
<br />
<b>You are drowning, now what? </b>So, you have finally managed to drown yourself despite all the precautions. Here is what you can do now:
<br />
<ol>
<li>Stop panicking because when you panic, you can't think of other good things that can save you. If you are incapable of thinking, your life is an appendix to this world and there is nothing better than being drown. You will be ripped off this world and we’ll all RIP on your wall.</li>
<li>Take a deep breath in to fill your lungs with air. This helps you keep afloat just like the air-filled condom stay afloat in a bucket of water.</li>
<li>Shout for help loudly. And it won't screw your esteem. Many ghosts who hang around the pools told me that they didn’t call for help feeling shy and as a consequence, they have to spend all their time drinking water. Had they overdosed on alcohol, at least they would have had better things to do in afterlife.</li>
<li>Roll over to your back and make your body as flat as when you are lie on bed after an act of carnal sin. This ensure that your face is out in air to take breath and you can take better advance of buoyancy force which is perpendicular to the water surface and pushes everything up.</li>
<li>Once you are flat on your back, flap your legs up and down gently perpendicular to the surface of water. This helps you keep afloat. Now, spread your arms inside water like you are about to fly and move them closer to your legs without bending at elbows pushing the water towards your feet. This would help you move in the direction of your head.</li>
</ol>
<br />
<b>Drowned:</b>
<br />
<ol>
<li>Just chill. You are dead now and it won’t make any difference whatsoever whether you try a backstroke or butterfly.</li>
<li>Stop worrying about your friends and family, they would happily enjoy the belongings you have left behind (and the insurance bounty) after a brief period of sobriety and would curse you all their life if you haven’t. But just chill because none of those curse would affect you anymore, you are dead.</li>
<li>As you will be destined to spend all your life drinking water and hanging around the pool, make sure not to pollute the area as we humans would come occasionally to chill our souls.</li>
</ol>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i><b>Related Post:</b> <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2010/10/on-safe-side-of-wild-how-to-ensure.html">On The Safe Side Of Wild - How To Ensure Safety On A Trek</a></i></div>
ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-18294104309572122442012-07-27T01:48:00.000+05:302012-09-28T16:55:08.105+05:30Confessions of a True Trekker - V<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>The Betrayal of Fatherland - </strong></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Continuation of </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-iv.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - The (Actual) Lesson</a></span></em></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrugrwcZJQupr8QfJPCsmTlPSTT49Pr7ciTkid-Ysxdbm43oyXurrKpDfFgNuY2qsy7q8Dybr7u_M_FnJNClv1UaOW_yrMZTLHFEUjKMGXlO2jWT4xfWzqHhZlPL2A5aO5sSqXIMkPjT0-/s1600/Adam+and+Eve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrugrwcZJQupr8QfJPCsmTlPSTT49Pr7ciTkid-Ysxdbm43oyXurrKpDfFgNuY2qsy7q8Dybr7u_M_FnJNClv1UaOW_yrMZTLHFEUjKMGXlO2jWT4xfWzqHhZlPL2A5aO5sSqXIMkPjT0-/s320/Adam+and+Eve.jpg" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Courtesy: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lucas_Cranach_the_Elder-Adam_and_Eve_1533.jpg">Wikimedia</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Adventure sports is fast becoming popular among the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrenalin">adrenalin</a>-seeking youth. However, the irony is that the same adventure sports is turning today’s youth into <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estrogen">estrogen</a>-seeking <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuals">homosexuals</a>. In earlier days of my trekking, I was warned about a man who had turned gay and was always on hunt for chocolate faces and had a fetish for hairy chest and polka dotted undies. I didn't believe it then, but now I see reasons with much clarity.<br />
<br />
Homosexuality goes against our age-old culture which dates back at least ten thousand years, even before humans agreed on a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_reproduction">sexual means of reproduction</a> (this was when apple tree evolved and god from a different continent <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_and_Eve">fooled humans into eating apples</a> saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”). We have been doing it <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuck">the same way ever since under the consent of kings and gods</a>, until the new-age social geeks (aka socialists) figured out that you can reverse the cassette and play it as well!<br />
<br />
Now, the entire sociocultural fabric of the nation is being shattered. How can we see a nation under the watchful eyes of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_gods">330 million gods</a> turning gay, going against the god’s prescribed ways and doing quirky things? What answer will our coalition governments have when asked by each of those <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_gods">330 million gods</a> why it couldn’t implement a simple rule of not playing the cassette in reverse, which was being observed for ages?<br />
<br />
Now, homosexuality is akin to betrayal of the fatherland, very anti-social, very much unpatriotic. All the rumors spread by the media about social acceptance of homosexuality is part of conspiracy by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communists">communists</a> to concur and capture our fatherland. I know you don’t believe me and you don't have to. Simply use a pinch of common sense. I know you are not an idiot, but your mind has been corrupted by the media. All you need is some clarity of thoughts, some rationality. Just ask yourself this simple question and you would know the truth. If the all young blood on this great land of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamasutra">Kamasutra</a> turn gay, where the future generations will come from? And without any future generation, who will be in the fatherland to protect it and its malls, cinema halls, temples, and stock exchanges from the communists? What will happen to our rich culture of bandh, open defecation, and joint family with nine kids per couple? Think!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To Be Continued...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>Previous Parts:</strong></em></span><br />
<em>1. </em><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>Confessions of a True Trekker - I - The Prelude</em></span></a><br />
<em>2. </em><em><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-ii.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - II - The Barber’s Mirror</a></em><br />
<i>3. <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-iii.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - III - The Alpha Male</a></i><br />
<i>4. <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-iv.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - IV - The (Actual) Lesson</a></i></div>
ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-50109605152634392372012-07-26T03:38:00.000+05:302012-07-27T01:59:33.784+05:30Confessions of a True Trekker - IV<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>The (Actual) Lesson - </strong></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Continuation of </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-iii.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - The Alpha Male</a></span></em></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXK5DzsUtHdxIH4Y1gQobd_W4TUxQ0cdvu6fXF-MjJVUXalJ4eq667DTeQwciOVnBYA3CqIFReTGvyUOk5kxBuT1fDET3AA9Z8R4XwhvGOTWmbST0tj8K9-5BUNIl5l7T-D0nrnB25lmnf/s1600/marsrainbows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXK5DzsUtHdxIH4Y1gQobd_W4TUxQ0cdvu6fXF-MjJVUXalJ4eq667DTeQwciOVnBYA3CqIFReTGvyUOk5kxBuT1fDET3AA9Z8R4XwhvGOTWmbST0tj8K9-5BUNIl5l7T-D0nrnB25lmnf/s1600/marsrainbows.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Courtesy: <a href="http://heartsonghandicrafts.com/the-patterns/queer-pride-motifs">Heartsong Handicrafts</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The competition for mates is cut throat here in the city malls, pubs, and parks, pretty much upholding the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supply_and_demand">supply and demand rule</a>. The situation is comparable only to the communist Russia in the aftermath of<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II"> World War II</a>, where there were mile long queues even for fat potatoes and stale bread. Thinking of chicken lollipop, insane!<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin">Charles Darwin</a> had once famously said that the competition for mates is inversely proportional to the risk to life. Thus, </span><span style="background-color: white;">competition should be far less in a hostile environment like jungles as few would risk life for mates. Or I thought so at least.</span><br />
<br />
While preparing the logical curry of economics and evolution, I forgot that the question of competition comes only when there is a prize involved, a prize worth winning. Have you ever imagined what would happen if the prize trophy in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filmfare_Awards">Filmfare Awards</a> is replaced by something resembling an overgrown jack fruit or a bunch of pest-infested ragi? That’s what “competition” on treks is all about. Primary objective for the ladies to trek is to transform themselves from being a jack fruit to the amorous figurine of Filmfare trophy and be back in the pubs and parks right before swayamvar. Now, who wants jack fruit after all the risk and pain of trekking! The prize simply isn’t worth all the pain.<br />
<br />
Apart from being a worthless endeavor from the biological perspective, trekking is fast becoming a cause of concern for social integrity and even national security. The gender distribution on treks is highly skewed in favor of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyandry">polyandry</a>. And this in combination with the jack fruit trophies makes it a lethal cocktail for the society. The results in absolute lack of mating opportunities for any self-respecting, god-fearing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammal">mammal</a> with faith in god’s method of procreation. It is a proven fact that prolonged proximity with individuals from same gender, especially in isolated environment like jungles, leads to psychological weakness and the individuals succumb to the psychological-transmitted sexual disorders, such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality">homosexuality</a>.<br />
<br />
Now, please don’t tell me that homosexuality is a matter of personal choice and has nothing to do with social integrity and national security. No one with even an elementary knowledge of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolutionary_biology">evolutionary biology</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_psychology">military psychology</a> would buy this theory. You are not one of those morons who riot on streets with placards in hand <span style="background-color: white;">about rights and freedom</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">, are you? The propaganda of socialist media has done well to hide the grave implications of homosexuality on our national culture and sovereignty, but no more. We will have raise our voice and awaken the entire nation to the realities of new found sexual fads. The truth awaits.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Next Part:</b> <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-v.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - V - The Betrayal of Fatherland</a></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>Previous Parts:</strong></em></span><br />
<em>1. </em><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>Confessions of a True Trekker - I - The Prelude</em></span></a><br />
<em>2. </em><em><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-ii.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - II - The Barber’s Mirror</a></em><br />
3. <em><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-iii.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - III - The Alpha Male</a></em></div>ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-65685173054137714282012-07-19T16:25:00.000+05:302012-07-31T01:13:35.948+05:30Confessions of a True Trekker - III<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>The Alpha Male - </strong></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Continuation of </span><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-ii.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Confessions of a True Trekker - The Barber's Mirror</span></a></em></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IZWLigtHsMEpHZB-d1XoOhd43z7KXum4F9xULMq3XOxxPQF2L5RD1IEKu_bUGqJl3bBXz9uQhjO7Dp5q80gyxDmTVIQYXNSpO0_dSh7aK60RoDGjYfH1s5w9W53q2He826seH80SRIq3/s1600/Superman" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IZWLigtHsMEpHZB-d1XoOhd43z7KXum4F9xULMq3XOxxPQF2L5RD1IEKu_bUGqJl3bBXz9uQhjO7Dp5q80gyxDmTVIQYXNSpO0_dSh7aK60RoDGjYfH1s5w9W53q2He826seH80SRIq3/s320/Superman" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Courtesy: </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ssoosay/3973437135/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">ssoosay</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Inside the female brain, an organizer was like an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_(ethology)">alpha male</a>, always leading the herd towards greener pastures, right in the front with head held high, commanding the harem and rest of the worker males. He would shout loudly "follow me" and an image of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman">superman</a> in red undies would light up inside the female brains with a pleasant tickling of 10 volt DC. The savior of the mankind has arrived! The status of rest of the men in the team was reduced to mere sterile worker bees whose sole aim in life was to serve the queen bee. The caveat was that all the ladies considered themselves nothing less than the queen bee with a deep-rooted hatred for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygamy">polygamy</a>. In female brain, one king + numerous queens is not equal to polygamy! I don't know how this equation would ever equate, but nothing surprising given that mathematics has never been a priority for ladies. They even have difficulty counting till 28 each month without making mistakes!<br />
<br />
So, I took up the pain to organize treks as well, just to please these beauties. God only knows what all I had to do, burning midnight oil to plan the trail so that the ladies could enjoy all that that they say they enjoy, such as drains, mud puddle, big rock, small rock, fat tree, green trees, red tree; running in and out of the forest offices to get permission to enter the so-called "pristine" forests. I can't make myself understand why these ladies love to update their status saying "entered a virgin forest, one that has never been touched by man". Telling you frankly, all the forest look the same to me, same big trees, rocks, and mud. Only <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamadeva">Kamdev</a> would know what the ladies imagine when they talk about virgin forest.<br />
<br />
Entering highly-protected forest to please them was sappa matter, we have even burnt entire trees all together inside such protected areas so that the fetish of these ladies to dance around campfire could be fulfilled. And then they would like to get themselves photographed sitting next to the fire, ignoring the slaves who worked harder to collect wood and make fire than they had ever done in the comfort of air-conditioned office.<br />
<br />
As it turns out, female brain is far more complex than the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_default_swaps">credit default swaps</a> around which the entire world economy collapsed. Even though they profess their love for adventure and thrill, the definition of these words are entirely different in their brains. Within few months of my career as trek organizer, complaints started pouring in from ladies community. They complained to the higher authorities that in the name of trekking, I was making them walk as much as 10 kilometers each day, often in sunny weather, mineral water and chicken were always in short supply and they were forced to make do with stream water and dry chapatis. Neither there was any arrangement of guest house nor any toilet for morning ablutions. Safety and modesty of ladies were being risked on treks organized by me.<br />
<br />
Finally, bowing to pressure from women right activists, the higher authorities decided to ban me from organizing treks. My dreams of being the alpha male were crushed right there. A lesson was learned, just like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_default_swaps">CDS</a>, by the time you understand the female brain, the damage is already done and you are right in the middle of the crisis. All the risks I took for the future profits now looked so much foolish after the fact.<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<br />
Now, it was time for introspection into the strategies. What went wrong in this grand plan of procreation?<br />
<br />
<i><b>Next Parts:</b></i><br />
<i><b></b>1. <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-iv.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - IV - The (Actual) Lesson</a></i><br />
<i>2. <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-v.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - V - The Betrayal of Fatherland</a></i><br />
<br />
<em style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><strong>Previous Parts:</strong></em><br />
<em>1. </em><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>Confessions of a True Trekker - I - The Prelude</em></span></a><br />
<em>2. </em><em><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-ii.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - II - The Barber’s Mirror</a></em></div>ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-12088316392905688482012-07-17T18:36:00.000+05:302012-07-27T02:04:40.153+05:30Confessions of a True Trekker - II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>The Barber’s Mirror - </strong></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Continuation of </span><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Confessions of a True Trekker - The Prelude</span></a></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Over the last couple decades, photography has advanced so much that it has virtually replaced the mirror. Mirror was 70s. Today's women click themselves to check makeup. Pictures are indeed an integral part of the beautification project, in both upstream and downstream of the project timeline. Apart from being a makeup correction tool in the initial stages, it also serves as an advertising and praise collection tool in the later stages of the project. A keen observer would soon learn about the female need of self gratification in being photographed and seeing others (including prospecting males) comment “beautiful” on it regardless how unrealistic the comments are. What an irony it is that even for those who profess the need of a honest companion, it is simply impossible to reject the gravity-defying elation achieved from dishonest praises.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">A direct consequence of this realization was me buying a DSLR lookalike camera and flaunting it on treks. I bought a few used, or rather discarded, photography magazines and picked up a couple photography jargon as well. This added finesse to my image as a professional. These are like magic words, throw a few here and there in your conversation with a DSLR dangling around your neck and your otherwise nonsensical blabber would immediately turn into pickup lines.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finally, it was a success. Now, I was like a juicy jackfruit surrounded by all sort of houseflies. I was elated to find myself even invited for an all-girl trek! Life couldn’t be more colorful. However, all that goes up, comes down someday and my success was short lived too. My inapt post processing skills took the toll. I wasn’t much successful in hiding the pimples, wrinkles or turning crows into swans , buffaloes into deer. Never knew that ladies find little difference between a photographer and a tube of anti-aging, anti-blemish cream.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Experience is a good teacher. I understood that a photograph is like a mirror for women and a photographer like a barber holding the mirror to show how the back of your head looks. That’s it, pretty much. Now, which women would like a barber for her companion! I understood a woman’s need, need of a strong man who can lead the mankind with a vision, a vision to conquer territories, to lead the herd out of danger, who would appear from nowhere like a tarzan to free her beloved red scarf stuck in the devilish clutches of the thorns, who would carry her the burden of a women with grace on his face. A bit of close monitoring of female behavior would soon reveal that it was the trek organizer who fitted this image perfectly, who was the center of all female chatter.</span><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>Next Parts:</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>1. </em></span><em><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-iii.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - III - The Alpha Male</a></em><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. </span></span><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-iv.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - IV - The (Actual) Lesson</a></i><br />
<i>3. <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-v.html" style="background-color: white;">Confessions of a True Trekker - V - The Betrayal of Fatherland</a></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>Previous Part:</strong> </em></span><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>Confessions of a True Trekker - I - The Prelude</em></span></a></div>ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-86555133332886995772012-07-13T16:29:00.001+05:302012-07-27T01:55:11.040+05:30Confessions of a True Trekker - I<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vk4Radq0Pn6cL-i9huT4gpnIw5xzGaUs0YscZH9lo764IhHCGc8L1Aoot5xDZ3YfdsLqnH_aXlmjnr29Qz9V1vhb_-0MpvyFZ-cSgsnAMm5j41yI5tes76I-FSP6O9nszPHXmORvqfpi/s1600/Happy+Couple+Hiking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="264px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vk4Radq0Pn6cL-i9huT4gpnIw5xzGaUs0YscZH9lo764IhHCGc8L1Aoot5xDZ3YfdsLqnH_aXlmjnr29Qz9V1vhb_-0MpvyFZ-cSgsnAMm5j41yI5tes76I-FSP6O9nszPHXmORvqfpi/s320/Happy+Couple+Hiking.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Courtsey: </span><a href="http://www.123rf.com/photo_12233370_cartoon-of-happy-couple-hiking-in-forest.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">123RF</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4 class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The Prelude</h4>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Had the female participation in treks gone down lately?</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That was the question a moron had put up for discussion in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chennai_Trekking_Club" target="_blank">Chennai Trekking Club's</a> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/chennaitrekkingclub/10150831462571586/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A set of equally moronic creatures then divulged into discussing various reasons for the drop in numbers among other things, such as whether actually there is a drop, what data is there to support the claim, should such private matters be discussed in public, why such moronic questions be answered at first place, and so on. Many core trekkers were trying to write off this serious issue simply saying that it doesn't matter and that their objective is to trek and that they are indifferent to the sex of participants. Ridiculous! It seemed to me that these individuals were hell bent on corrupting the young minds and turning them gay! The very reason I joined treks was to befriend pretty ladies, mingle with them, and well, get one girlfriend for myself. Which fool wants to walk tens of kilometers just to see some trees and drainage system of the mountains. Yes, we do wish to appreciate beauty of nature, but not the beauty contained in those fat old trees! If I wish to see trees or streams, I would rather visit Lalbagh or stand on the bank of Cooum. The organizers don't understand this fact. Sala, the very objective of trekking is being jeopardized now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After joining few treks, I realized that just being on treks doesn’t guarantee attention from the ladies. The kind of attitude they carry along, ooph! Initiating a warm discussion itself was impossible, forget about igniting the fire of love. I thought it was my thirteen-rupee-haircut or the sixty-five-rupee t-shirt that was to blame, but then I realized that its modern times. The ladies today aren't behind the riches, very unlike 70s when the fat-ass ladies, in tight kurti and an overdose of mascara, would ditch their poet lover to marry a middle-aged seth with a pot belly. Today, cash is passé. What woman want is "character", that is the presentability of a man. Of what use is a diamond necklace in a party if all you got is an outfashioned drum to point at when asked for the source of the necklace? Probably, it was my wheatish complexion that was to blame. Strange it would sounds, but even the ragi-complexioned girls have desire for lighter shade than wheatish! So, what was it that was stopping me from becoming a “handsome man” **?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Footnote: ** Pussy magnet.</span></em></span></span></div>
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<i><strong>Next Parts:</strong> </i><br />
<i>1. <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-ii.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - II - The Barber's Mirror</a></i><br />
<i>2. <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-iii.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - III - The Alpha Male</a></i><br />
<i>3. <span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-iv.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - IV - The (Actual) Lesson</a></span></i><br />
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4. <a href="http://www.ravisghosh.com/2012/07/hiking-for-her-v.html">Confessions of a True Trekker - V - The Betrayal of Fatherland</a></i>
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</div>ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257128775427279762.post-52283386050737703822011-12-16T14:21:00.000+05:302011-12-18T16:47:08.207+05:30About 13.9486 N 79.1447 E<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnp4ChalmPoud8M-FiNMqzotA6yNYmW5lyKp1GoCB1Gg0hz5aVtcF695icksgEGbgUN7-5VPD3TfSOBF5MsDXVKgz2wXVacjV6QhyphenhyphenoNUt-IIAxB8OdW6WdOqnQie9MEpblrfsa2QWfDUxy/s1600/v_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnp4ChalmPoud8M-FiNMqzotA6yNYmW5lyKp1GoCB1Gg0hz5aVtcF695icksgEGbgUN7-5VPD3TfSOBF5MsDXVKgz2wXVacjV6QhyphenhyphenoNUt-IIAxB8OdW6WdOqnQie9MEpblrfsa2QWfDUxy/s320/v_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtsey: <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_105259562"></span>Naveen S<span id="goog_105259563"></span></a></td></tr>
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The lava bed with rocks interspersed felt like the smooth and silky chocolate with crunchy nuts embedded, like the warmth of sun had molten it, only to realize its hardness upon touch. The shallow stream, a thin film of water through which one could see the pebbles beneath, flowing with the majesty of a broad river, clam, unhurried.</div>
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On one bank, the water was washing the frozen magma. On the other, it was flirting with the row of tall grass, the blades dancing under the influence of wind, as the souls in their youth, intoxicated, as the adivasi lovers drenched in mahua and love, bowing down to kiss the supple body of the stream, pulling back leaving the stream's thirst unquenched, wanting more so for the intimacy. The rays of sun were penetrating through the water in likeness of holy ghost, invisible yet enlightening the deep inside. The water resembled the teenage lass of imagination, sparkle in the eyes, untouched by a man, virgin, smooth supple skin, silky hairs.</div>
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With me lying by the side of the rivulet, showered in sunrays, brushed by the breeze, my vision filled by the humongous vertical walls of rocks in front of me, to my right, and to my left. Layers and layers of rocks, each one distinguishable from the other, as if the heart of earth has been cut open and the cross section displayed in a jar of formaldehyde. As my vision rose towards the sky, at one point, the wall of naked rocks gave way to a rather steep slope of green grass interspersed by trees looking rather young, not one older than a decade.<br />
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Its not difficult to imagine that what gives the impression of heaven might have been nothing less than hell at some point in the past. What we call beauty today had surely been the birth place of monstrous volcanoes, with temperature immeasurable, heat that would require redefining the word itself, mountains of dust and earth being thrown high up in the sky, the sky devoid of any life air, the earth devoid of any life. The earth torn apart by the quakes like the breast of Hiranyakashipu. The shattered disfigured body revealing the inside of itself. Layers upon layers of earth formed in a period of time unimaginable had been disrupted in moments. It might have been millions of years now.<br />
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The wilderness of Venkateswara has always bewildered a lot of us. Not just because it is a paradise, but because it makes you think about yourself and your significance on this planet. Ones existence seems so insignificant in front of it. Its humongous body, its vastness, the tall walls, the endless valleys, versus our body that goes in a five by two grave. Its tremendous strength and tolerance versus our fragility. Its near immortal existence of million years versus our struggle to exist for a mere half century. It makes you feel how insignificant you, your body, and your soul are to this universe in comparison. And yet, such importance we put on our lives. We, the tiny spec of lifedust, treat our bodies as immortal and the bodies of our kin as vital? Probably, that is the right attitude, a part of evolutionary design. How will a species propagate and immortalize its genes if the zest to live longer, reproduce, and protect our genes is lost? In a sense, we, the genes that constitute our bodies and minds, are as old as the Venkateshwara and may be, even older.<br />
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Are we just a collection of bones, flesh, and blood? Or are we just the genes with sole aim of propagation, going further and further into the space-time continuum? Or more than that? What about the relations we share, the connections with other organisms, the invisible strings of attachment. What about our existence as names in the records of banks, work places, citizen database, refugee registers. What about our digital presence in the cyberspace, the emails sent to us and send by us, the social networks, the connections in that and the thoughts we exchanged there. What about the tombstone bearing our names, the photographs in someone's albums. What about our memory in someone's mind. All this and much more exists as part of our extended self. Are these just representation of us? No, all of these are what constitutes a human being. Imagine, an invisible string emanating from you, connecting to one such representation of you. Imagine, millions of such strings, million connections of consciousness. Imagine, millions of such connections to and from seven billion souls on earth, crisscrossing, a complex web of connections.<br />
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What a world we live in! It doesn't feel the same once you have been with V. It makes you think in ways unimaginable. It changes you irreversibly.ravisghoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00044790651130465693noreply@blogger.com4