Reflections

Feedback, especially negative feedback can sometimes be difficult to stomach. Well, you do need to take a step back and think rationally. Is there an element of truth in it? Better still, why wait for the 360 degree feedback process. Take a few minutes each day, to reflect on your actions that day. What were you proud of? What did you do to make the day better for someone else? What is it, that pained you and caused pain to others? Reflecting will tell you a lot of truth about yourself. These few minutes will be a valuable investment, forever.

This photograph was taken at Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, Bangalore, India.

Three cups of tea: Promoting Peace, one school at a time

Dear Readers,

I am currently reading, Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.

Many of you may have already read this book. I have deliberately not blogged about it, in my book review blog, because this post is much more than a book review. It is an appeal to do whatever little you can towards making a better tomorrow.

For those who haven't read this book, it is an inspiring story of Greg Mortenson, mountaineer, he may not have conquered the K2 summit, but he has sure conquered a lot of hearts. Till date he has built more than 50 schools in the emote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The first donation, was by way of pennies. Yes, you heard it right, pennies. An extract from the book: ... Mortenson got a letter from his mother. She explained that her students had spontaneously launched a "Pennies for Pakistan" drive. Filling two forty-gallon trash cans, they collected 62,345 pennies. When he deposited the cheque his mother sent for USD 623.45, Mortenson felt like his luck was finally changing. "Children had taken the first step towards buidling the school," Mortenson says. "And they did it with something that's basically worthless in our society - pennies. But overseas, pennies can move mountains."

Things began to fall in place, slowly but steadily, with Dr Jean Hoerni, pioneer in the field of semi-conductors chipping in with enormous funds and enthusiasm. Dr Hoerni left behind a legacy - schools that will help promote peace in this world. If you educate a girl, you do educate a community!

The going was not easy, for Mortenson, including a fatwa for bringing education to girl students, fortunately, higher scholars after vetting his intent, supported him and his initiatives. Rightly so, the book - Three Cups of Tea has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, 2009. Yes, every little penny also counts.

You can visit, the official website of Three Cups of Tea for reading much more about this initiative including articles (media coverage) and also to know how you can help. Whether by way of starting a Pennies for Peace campaign or making a donation to the Central Asia Institue, founded by Dr Hoerni to continue the good work.

Greg Mortenson's interview is here.

There is lots which you can do in your own community. Marianne, a blogger friend of mine, has worked in Afghanistan. She continues with her good work by creating awareness. Click here to learn what she recently did. Or look at what Robin has suggested. Incidentally Robin reached out when she heard of my story book collection drive and has promised to send across a few story books for the children of the Humane Touch Trust School.


Yes, making children aware of other cultures can go a long way in creating a better tomorrow.

Pixie houses?

Dear Readers,
Sometimes Lalbagh Garden does throw up suprises. You come across something which you had never seen before. I do not know what these two tiny structures are used for today or what they were used for once upon a time. However, it sure seemed to take me back to the days when my favourite author was Enid Blyton. I almost expect to see a little Pixie walk in, or pehaps a tiny Elf. What do you think?
Happy Dussera and happy belated Ramazan Eid.
PS: Another photograph of mine got uploaded by Citizen Matters, click here:
Best,
Lubna

Protect your green space

Way back in 1760 King Hyder Ali commissioned the Lalbagh garden, his son Tipu Sultan completed his dream. Lal Bagh is a 240 acre botanical garden in Bangalore with over 1,000 species of flora. Trees were ordered from all over the world and planted here, such as the Cajuput Tree from Australia. And what are we doing today? Cutting down trees to make way for the metro rail.
Trees in the compound of Banglore University are also under threat.

In fact, trees everywhere seem to be facing a threat. Road authorities sometimes decide to pour concrete on tiled pavements. The end results, the trees standing on these pavements for decades, die a slow death. I am proud of what the Richards Town Association did, they decided to protect the rain trees in their vicinity. The pavements will continue to be tiled and will not have ugly concrete and tar poured on them, hopefully the rain trees, gulmohor trees and other trees in this area, will continue to flourish. I will continue to enjoy the beauty of my green graceful friends.

Joy of Giving and other inspiring stories

Dear Readers,

The Global Indian Diaspora, was once a popular weekly page in The Economic Times. It spoke about people who had gone overseas and had become successful. Many others wanted to follow suit. There was many a debate on the effect which "brain-drain" would have on our society. Today, of course we are witnessing reverse brain drain, where people are coming back to India, from the United States, Europe and other countries.

It could be because of these countries are badly hit by the economic slowdown and the returning Indians have been given the pink-slip. It could also be, because they want to come back and participate in changing India for the better. Joining them are people already resident in India, who are also stepping outside their plush offices.

Perhaps we have realized the ills of greed and are now looking towards social good. Whatever be the reason, social entrepreneurship is going strong, as never before. Mint carried an interesting article on this.
Lately, I have been browsing a lot and am amazed with the sheer number of people who want to give up their cushy jobs and get their hands dirty – all for improving India and nothing else. Oh, yes and for The Joy of Giving.

Incidentally, The Joy of Giving Week is sweeping across India (27 September to October 3) coordinated by an NPO – Give-India.

Each of us, in a small way can usher in change. I am sure you are already doing your bit, but if you aren’t, do put on your thinking cap and bring a small change for the better, today.

Both the Joy of Giving and Change Makers site will truly inspire you and even provide a few ideas.

I began with a story book collection drive, actually long before I learnt of the Joy of Giving week. All is takes is some initiative.

PS: Friends who are moving back home from USA and Canada can always count on ReloMary for their needs - be it finding a realtor overseas to dispose off your house or someone to help with transport of goods back home. She is a good friend and you can count on her. Click here to hear how Mary can help you.

Best,
Lubna

Photograph: This smiley was emailed to me, source unknown.

A tale of statutes

Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, two neighbouring States in Southern India, which were at logger heads over the issue of sharing of the resources of the Cauvery River, recently smoked a peace pipe, so to say, by installing statues.

An extract from the Times of India reads: Leaving behind an 18-year-long controversy, leaders of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu came together on Sunday to unveil a statue of ancient Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar in Bangalore (Karnataka) in an event that marked a new beginning for relations between the two States. Likewise the statue of the Kannada poet Sarvagna was unveiled in Chennai (Tamil Nadu)

However, all is not hunky-dory in the city of Bombay (now Mumbai). A PIL is proposed to be filed against the construction of the statue of Shivaji Maharaja, a former ruler of this State. The reason, the huge cost of Rs 350 crore which some feel could be better spent. I do tend to agree that development projects, would be a more fitting honour to the Maharaja.

The signature collection campaign is on. If so inclined log on here.

The same is reproduced below:

PIL Against the Statue in the Ocean
To the Chief Justice,
Hon. High Court of Mumbai,

First, we'd like to say that we mean no disrespect to the memory of Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja, who was a truly great and able King. Having said that, we feel that the proposed statue/memorial to be built in the image of this great and able King, estimated to cost Rs.350 crores, is an unnecessary expense for the exchequer of the Government of Maharashtra.

As we all know, there has been a vastly insufficient monsoon, and on date, if we're not mistaken, 27 districts in Maharashtra have been, or will soon be declared drought-hit. Starving Maharashtrian farmers,committing suicide has already been a matter of grave concern for the Government of the state. Surely, these funds could be better utilised saving some of these lives and livelihoods.

We also have, within Mumbai itself, a vast number of infrastructural difficulties, that need huge investments to be sorted out. The rapidly declining availability of potable water and usable power is a huge problem, for example.

The roads in our financial capital are a national disgrace. We could fix some of them. We could certainly do with more schools/colleges, providing education
to the underprivileged at no cost. These could all be named in memory
of Chhatrapati Shivaji.

Another possible avenue for the use of surplus funds would be to strengthen and better equip our Police Force and Coast Guard. In light of the terrorist attacks on Mumbai last year, it is crucial to strengthen these arms of Government, as our security and our lives depend on them.

We have all studied the history of this great state. We are all Mumbaikars and Maharashtrians, and the state would possibly not exist in it's current form without the far-reaching and visionary administrative abilities of Chhatrapati Shivaji. Since the proposed statue/memorial is in the name of a ruler famous for this
administrative ability, we owe it to his memory to ask if he himself would approve of such wasteful expenditure in a drought year, especially when the city's defenses are not at full strength?

We'd also like to point out that in light of a track record of consistent cost over-runs and delays leading to price escalations in major construction projects undertaken by the Government, it is unlikely that the amount to be spent towards such a project will actually be limited to just Rs.350 Crores.

We, as concerned citizens of India and Maharashtra, and as Bombayites, Mumbaikars, Bambaiwallahs, pray that such a monument be disallowed,and the funds used for the benefit of the public, by taxing whom these funds have been generated.
We also pray that, if after addressing citizens-welfare/development/infrastructure issues, Maharashtra actually has such surplus funding, it be handed to a committee of
eminent citizens who have by past action proved their concern for and commitment to the greater good of the citizens of Mumbai.

These members may be selected at the discretion of the Hon. Court or by a popular poll, as the Hon. Court sees fit.

Thanking you,
Yours Sincerely,
Vishal M. Dadlani, and the undersigned.

Photograph of Marine Drive: Wikitravel

Randy Pausch, thank you

Dear Readers,

July 25, 2009, was Late Prof Randy Pausch's first death anniversary. I steer away from highly personal posts, so will not say much, except that we did have a happy ending, even as we underwent something similar beginning from July last year. We owe a lot to prayers, for what I perceive as a clear miracle.

As I look back, one year hence, from the very bottom of my heart I cannot thank Randy Pausch enough. His book provided me with more than a shot of courage, last year, when I needed it most.

If you haven't read The Last Lecture, please pick it up.

I leave you with his interviews (a series of 5) with Diane Sawyer on You Tube.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

Photograph courtesy