We Remember
November 11, the day we remember
Those who died long ago on that bloody battlefield
On shore of far off land, away from home
Fighting a battle unknown, for allies who were foreign
The colonies, the countries, the ties that bind
Sent forth its men, money and machinery
To defend the shores of that small country
Red are the poppy, red is the blood
Red was the mark where you all fell on the dirt
Red are the poppy that sways in the wind
Standing strong on that dirt, proud and tall
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Are You Proud To Be An Indian?
I watched a wonderful skit yesterday on the celebration of Republic Day of India.
The group emphasized the principles of Ghandiji:
Duty - duty towards the land and its people. One should always be ready to serve to in any form or capacity for the betterment of its society.
Truth - Ending corruption which is eating away at the heart and soul of a country. To strive to be truthful and to fight corruption for the betterment of the society.
Pride - Taking pride in who you are, where you came from and taking pride in ending poverty, educating each and every person and providing health care to all.
Sacrifice - Remembering and honouring the great leaders who fought to bring independence to the country. Being ever ready to sacrifice to protect the country when required.
Love - The one word that holds so much promise, to love each and every memeber who resides in India, regardless of religion, caste and colour. To work together in harmony to make India the best country in the 21st century.
Each of the principles ended by asking a question Are you Proud to be an Indian?
How many of us can live by this principle and say with pride Yes, I am proud to be an India?
The group emphasized the principles of Ghandiji:
Duty - duty towards the land and its people. One should always be ready to serve to in any form or capacity for the betterment of its society.
Truth - Ending corruption which is eating away at the heart and soul of a country. To strive to be truthful and to fight corruption for the betterment of the society.
Pride - Taking pride in who you are, where you came from and taking pride in ending poverty, educating each and every person and providing health care to all.
Sacrifice - Remembering and honouring the great leaders who fought to bring independence to the country. Being ever ready to sacrifice to protect the country when required.
Love - The one word that holds so much promise, to love each and every memeber who resides in India, regardless of religion, caste and colour. To work together in harmony to make India the best country in the 21st century.
Each of the principles ended by asking a question Are you Proud to be an Indian?
How many of us can live by this principle and say with pride Yes, I am proud to be an India?
The Flag of India and its Dishounour
On February 1st 2009, we attended a celebration of Republic Day of India at convention centre locally organized by Panorama India organization. At the entrance to the parking lot we found a protest going on. A group of people had gathered and they had were delaying vehicles from entering the lot. Eventually when they let the vehicle enter, they made sure the vehicle drove over a flag of India laid out on the tarmac. The group was protesting against injustices against Sikhs, Christians and other minorities in India.
I wonder if this people realized that they were dishonoring the flag of the country they came from. Wouldn't a dignified protest achieve more symphaty towards their cause than the disgusting step they decided to use. India's independence was achieved by the struggle of Bapu...Mahatma Ghandi. Did Mahatama Ghandi ever resort to or encourage such tactics to protest against the British rule?
The flag of India has Ashoka Chakra in it's centre. Centuries ago different kingdoms were united by the legendary king Ashoka. Men learnt to live together in peace, they learnt to fight the common enemy togehter, yet today when we should strive to work together to make a country a better place every Indian, whether he is Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian or any persecuted soul, we are resorting to divide and destroy a country in name of religion or other difference.
I was born in Kenya, my parents were born in India. I lived in England before coming to Canada, and yet I too feel deeply upset at the actions of the few who can stoop so low to dishonour the flag of India.
I wonder if this people realized that they were dishonoring the flag of the country they came from. Wouldn't a dignified protest achieve more symphaty towards their cause than the disgusting step they decided to use. India's independence was achieved by the struggle of Bapu...Mahatma Ghandi. Did Mahatama Ghandi ever resort to or encourage such tactics to protest against the British rule?
The flag of India has Ashoka Chakra in it's centre. Centuries ago different kingdoms were united by the legendary king Ashoka. Men learnt to live together in peace, they learnt to fight the common enemy togehter, yet today when we should strive to work together to make a country a better place every Indian, whether he is Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian or any persecuted soul, we are resorting to divide and destroy a country in name of religion or other difference.
I was born in Kenya, my parents were born in India. I lived in England before coming to Canada, and yet I too feel deeply upset at the actions of the few who can stoop so low to dishonour the flag of India.
Monday, January 19, 2009
The 44th President of United States
Tomorrow will see history being made as the world witness inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of United States. History will write about the first black president's inauguration, following in the footsteps of Washington, Lincoln and Kennedy. The inauguration day follows the day after Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday. Tomorrow Mr Obama will fulfill the dream Dr King dared to dream for the nation many years ago.
Millions will throng to the Capitol Hill to join in this historic event. The celebrations that started yesterday with the whole day of activities at the Lincoln Memorial will culminate after the swearing in ceremony.
Tomorrow Mr Obama will take oath which contains text that was set by the original Founding Fathers in the Constitutional Convention of 1787. This is the Affirmation: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.'
The celebration of tomorrow will die down soon enough and the reality of the task that lay ahead for President Obama will set in. The havoc created in the world economy by the collapse of financial institutions and the tottering banks is haunting the leaders all over world. Can President Obama lead his country and the world out of this economic nightmare is to be seen.
The people will have to wait and watch to see if their chosen president can fulfill the promises he has made.
Millions will throng to the Capitol Hill to join in this historic event. The celebrations that started yesterday with the whole day of activities at the Lincoln Memorial will culminate after the swearing in ceremony.
Tomorrow Mr Obama will take oath which contains text that was set by the original Founding Fathers in the Constitutional Convention of 1787. This is the Affirmation: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.'
The celebration of tomorrow will die down soon enough and the reality of the task that lay ahead for President Obama will set in. The havoc created in the world economy by the collapse of financial institutions and the tottering banks is haunting the leaders all over world. Can President Obama lead his country and the world out of this economic nightmare is to be seen.
The people will have to wait and watch to see if their chosen president can fulfill the promises he has made.
World sat and watched
For some people in a part of world, the new year did not bring peace, instead it brought rockets falling on their homes and tanks thundering through the streets. Demonstrations followed in some cities, world leaders did not move, did not condemn or bring pressure to stop the Israeli tanks entering the Gaza.
Three weeks later more than a thousand killed, children, elder and the women. Several thousands injured and thousands who have no home to go back to, have lost several family members and an uneasy truce while the leaders try to communicate with each to bring about some form of peace process.
There are no winners on either side. The losers are the ordinary people who live in the shadow of Hamas on one side and the Israeli military on the other. Was it necessary for the Gaza to be devastated, it's people left homeless and shattered?
Three weeks later more than a thousand killed, children, elder and the women. Several thousands injured and thousands who have no home to go back to, have lost several family members and an uneasy truce while the leaders try to communicate with each to bring about some form of peace process.
There are no winners on either side. The losers are the ordinary people who live in the shadow of Hamas on one side and the Israeli military on the other. Was it necessary for the Gaza to be devastated, it's people left homeless and shattered?
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
End of 2008...beginning 2009
The year 2008 will be remembered more for the global financial crisis and its impact around the world. What started as a credit crunch in USA had far reaching effects around the globe...the developing countries will be the hardest hit...the poorest who eked out meager living have lost jobs that barely fed them.
This year also saw Canada lose quite a few number of it's soldiers, posted on duty in Afghanistan. Some of the men lost were there helping to build infrastructure to make everyday life a little easier for this war torn region. This young men have lost lives trying to bring peace to the people who have been derived of it for so long.
Year 2008 also saw a bloody terrorist attacks on well known landmarks in India. This brazen attack was carried out by a group of terrorist who for three days held hostages and fought with the special task force, all of them dying, except one along with many innocent hostage. Will violence ever solve anything? This attack has now left India and Pakistan with strained relations.
Just before the year ended a new crisis has erupted in the Middle East...the never ending conflict between Israel and Palestine. The bombing of Hamas targets has killed several hundreds, yet failed to stop Hamas from firing rockets into Israel. How will this conflict end in the year 2009? Will this conflict lead to a greater calamity for both Israel and Palestine people?
This year also saw Canada lose quite a few number of it's soldiers, posted on duty in Afghanistan. Some of the men lost were there helping to build infrastructure to make everyday life a little easier for this war torn region. This young men have lost lives trying to bring peace to the people who have been derived of it for so long.
Year 2008 also saw a bloody terrorist attacks on well known landmarks in India. This brazen attack was carried out by a group of terrorist who for three days held hostages and fought with the special task force, all of them dying, except one along with many innocent hostage. Will violence ever solve anything? This attack has now left India and Pakistan with strained relations.
Just before the year ended a new crisis has erupted in the Middle East...the never ending conflict between Israel and Palestine. The bombing of Hamas targets has killed several hundreds, yet failed to stop Hamas from firing rockets into Israel. How will this conflict end in the year 2009? Will this conflict lead to a greater calamity for both Israel and Palestine people?
Monday, November 10, 2008
Over a cup of Chai
‘Aree Ganpatbhai, bai chai and ek thali bhajiya aapjo.” Rama called as she entered the small café and made a beeline for her regular table. Her friend Kamala was already there.
Dumping her shopping bag on the floor, Rama sat down on the wooden bench. “Kem che Kamla?” she asked.
“Chale ave. Kem modu thayu?” Kamala asked.
“Aree, aaje sawar ni pormaj gas ni batli puri thayi gayi. Pachi vaat javado.” Rama rattled on.
The boy came left two steaming cups of masala chai and plate of hot bhajiya.
Rama popping one in her mouth, gave a sigh of satisfaction. “Mast che bhajiya…aawa toh beje kaiyeen nahi malei. Lei ek toh kha.”
Kamala took one and munched away. “Kale raat na toh maine ungh na avi. Pela bhai toh TV samne thi khase tohne. Ola America mei Obamabhai nei Ramayan jova baisi gaya. Mari Ramayan serial jova baithi toh bhai khallas…baas paase baisini babariyan kare.”
Rama sipped hot tea and replied, “Aanma su navu…amare ghare pan aavu. Par saru thayu ne Kamla, ke kalabhai jeeti gaya. Chal ave thoro wakhat aapna bhai bhen ne visa maate kaein problem ni parse.”
Kamala nodded her head, “Haan ai vaat sanchi. Mara Vijay ne chance lagee jai toh saru. Ketla mahina thiya visa maate try karto che.”
Rama finishing off the last bhajiya, “Mara Suresh ne toh bhagwan ni krupa thi jaldi mali gayi thi.”
“Aapna chokra set thai jai baas bhijun kai nahin jauye.” Kamala folder her hands in prayers.
“Chal kaale malshun. Ghar jaine bopar nu jaman banawu.” Rama stood up, picked up her bag and walked up to the cashier, paid her bill and left.
Dumping her shopping bag on the floor, Rama sat down on the wooden bench. “Kem che Kamla?” she asked.
“Chale ave. Kem modu thayu?” Kamala asked.
“Aree, aaje sawar ni pormaj gas ni batli puri thayi gayi. Pachi vaat javado.” Rama rattled on.
The boy came left two steaming cups of masala chai and plate of hot bhajiya.
Rama popping one in her mouth, gave a sigh of satisfaction. “Mast che bhajiya…aawa toh beje kaiyeen nahi malei. Lei ek toh kha.”
Kamala took one and munched away. “Kale raat na toh maine ungh na avi. Pela bhai toh TV samne thi khase tohne. Ola America mei Obamabhai nei Ramayan jova baisi gaya. Mari Ramayan serial jova baithi toh bhai khallas…baas paase baisini babariyan kare.”
Rama sipped hot tea and replied, “Aanma su navu…amare ghare pan aavu. Par saru thayu ne Kamla, ke kalabhai jeeti gaya. Chal ave thoro wakhat aapna bhai bhen ne visa maate kaein problem ni parse.”
Kamala nodded her head, “Haan ai vaat sanchi. Mara Vijay ne chance lagee jai toh saru. Ketla mahina thiya visa maate try karto che.”
Rama finishing off the last bhajiya, “Mara Suresh ne toh bhagwan ni krupa thi jaldi mali gayi thi.”
“Aapna chokra set thai jai baas bhijun kai nahin jauye.” Kamala folder her hands in prayers.
“Chal kaale malshun. Ghar jaine bopar nu jaman banawu.” Rama stood up, picked up her bag and walked up to the cashier, paid her bill and left.
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