Perusunga Pannura Ravusunga...

Wondering what the title means? All that I wanted to write was about a few of my experiences with oldies - my own 'Achis' and the ones whom I sometimes meet in community gatherings, functions or marriages.

The moment I bump into an oldie in a marriage, She recognises me, remembers my name too (Amazing memory!!) and then asks me "Ennai Theriyutha?" (Do you recognise me?). Without any shame (why should I be?), I say a big NO and somehow escape from their vision!! Next comes the ubiquitous "Ivlo Periyavana Valandhuttiyae!!" (How big have you grown?) as though I have grown as lengthy as a whale, or as tall as a giraffe! These questions has been asked to me by 137 grandpas and grandmas in the 112 marriages I have attended so far. :)

My cousin Akila rants about our Achis in this sulekha article. It doesn't matter when she wrote (2001), but the 'achis' (We call our grandmas 'achi(s)' at home) who are 80+ years old even now exhibit the same energy they had many years ago!! One proclaims she wants to tour places with us, while the other asks us about "Windows." (Not the Home-window but computer windows!!)

But their enthusiasm stops once they fall a little sick. They should often be reminded of the fact that they are old, and that they should relax much more than others... Unmindful of their ages, they venture into "complex" household chores and end up exhausting themselves! Dub, Dub..

One of my grandmas recites word by word every poem or story, that she read even half a century ago! Here I am (shameless again!) not able to recollect what I read a few days ago. Dub dub again... I often take time to talk to them about their knowledge on "Kai Vaidhyams" (Home made remedies for any illness) and I am a big fan of "Patti Vaidhyam" (Grandma's remedies). The way they speak to (yes, speak to) kids through rhythmic songs, couplets etc never ceases to amaze me!! A song she sang with my niece in hand split us all into laughter for quite sometime after she sang. It goes like this - "Hey little kid, when you grow up, a gentle prince will come and carry you with him in his chariot". I asked her "Why do you talk to not-even-one-year-old-kids about marriage to a prince and yadda yadda?". She said "Marriage is the ultimate dream of any girl, and there is no harm in singing some funny couplets about it to this little kiddy". That split us all again!!

Achis are adorable, and sometimes come to our rescue when our parents are against us... One of my cousins had the support of our grandma for his romance even when his parents were a little apprehensive about going ahead in his marriage! They are way ahead in thinking though they stick to traditions and adhere to a standard protocol in delivery of daily chores. They establish immediate communication with even a few months old kid, and I have always been amazed at their deft handling of a 2 month kid who falls deep asleep after hearing the melody (yeah?) sung by great grandmas! I haven't written much about grandpas since I didn't get much time to spend with grandpas. Any grandpa stories pals?

My personality revelations!!

Through VP, I went to this website to take up Jung Topology Test and get an explanation for my personality! Seems I am an Extraverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging personality! :)

A few words from the Analysis:-
ENTJs have a natural tendency to marshall and direct. This may be expressed with the charm and finesse of a world leader or with the insensitivity of a cult leader. (I am neither :) )
ENTJs are often "larger than life" in describing their projects or proposals. This ability may be expressed as salesmanship, story-telling facility or stand-up comedy. In combination with the natural propensity for filibuster, our hero can make it very difficult for the customer to decline. (Is it so really??!! Who offers me a marketing job?, Here I come!!!)
ENTJs are decisive. They see what needs to be done, and frequently assign roles to their fellows. When challenged, the ENTJ may by reflex become argumentative. Alternatively he may unleash an icy gaze that serves notice: the ENTJ is not one to be trifled with. (hee.. hee.. )

Go here for more explanation. There are many more tests in that website which you could take when you are ultimately bored! :D
I am of the habit of taking a lot of these tests, and surprisingly, most of them close to accuracy predict my behaviours or traits! Either they all follow same algorithms or they predict the common traits present in all human beings that everyone thinks "Wow, it is so true for me!" oblivious of the fact that it is so true for all!
InshaAllah!!!

The controversial cartoons and the Haj Subsidy

Rashmi has an excellent article compiled, about the recent Prophet cartoons issues. I resonate with her thoughts about this issue. As we grow more contemporary, the forward looking Hindus should not only condemn Hindu fundamentalists, but also take a dig at the Muslim extremists who create a flutter in world peace in the name of frivolosities like cartoons, news items etc. MSNBC's Cagle runs a very informative blog about this whole issue with many cartoons put up.

As responsible citizens, we should voice our protests against such brutal ways of condemnations. I agree that it is every human being's right to protest. But, the torching of European embassies by Muslim fundamentalists makes me think if this is what Islam teaches its followers? Why don't they protest peacefully? Peace is something alien to the Islam fundamentalists on the whole! (Completely my view). My perspective on Islam community is that they are not evolving as a matured religion and these protests point out to their insecurity and their incompatibility with the contemporary world.

In India, as a minority, Muslims enjoy more rights than a majority Hindu would. The government is not going ahead with any population control just to appease the sentiments of the Islam community, who multiply by the wink of an eyelid! And, Forceful conversions are an order of the day, by both Muslims and Christians. They take Haj subsidy from government (which is against the basic principles of Islam per se) and still complain that they are charged higher for air fares! Am I offered any subsidy to visit Badrinath or Kanyakumari? Only in India do they provide such subsidies to the minority community!! This is a brutal murder of religious sentiments!
To sum it up, I am against the protests of the Muslim community across the world for Prophet cartoons and I want the Haj subsidy to be removed by the Central Government as that subsidy amount could be ploughed back for some other developmental projects!