I happen to read this story in some magazine or newspaper (don’t exactly remember the source).

The Fable:

On a dry and hot day, there was this Yogi and a handful of his students, walking through the midst of a forest. As they walked along, the Yogi stepped on a thorny plant. The Yogi’s students were alarmed and were quick in their response to help their teacher. As, the thorns were being removed from the Yogi’s feat, one of his students’ was furious over the throny plant and decided to cut off the thorny branches of the plant. As, he was ready to get into the act, the Yogi stopped his student.

The Yogi, told his student not to cut the plant. This took his students by surprise. The Yogi, then slowly asked one of his disciples to get some water and mix the water with some sugar. He then, asked the student who was eager to cut the plant, to pour this sweetened water to the thorny plant.

The atmosphere surrounding was that of bewilderment and surprise. His students asked their Guru, as to what was the significance of this act.The Guru, smiled and explained, that the sweet water would get to the roots of the plant. The water would attract the ants around. In the process of consuming the sugar, the ants would eat the roots of the thorny plant. This would kill the plant all together.

The jist of the story:
> Analyze and “attack the root cause” of the problem.
> Tackle the problem with “softer/non-violent” means which would give ”permanent solutions.”

Natural resources

When my travel was confirmed, I took a look at the American map. It was for the first time, I realized how big this nation is geographically. It has 9 time zones. (source : http://www.timetemperature.com/tzus/time_zone.shtml) From east coast to west coast, it would take almost 6 hrs by flight. I guess that would be like going from Bangalore to Delhi, Delhi to Bangalore and Bangalore to Delhi again. (correct me if I’ am wrong). In Chicago, there is this lake called Lake Michigan. This lake is sooo very huge!. It’s like a sea. I couldn’t see any land the other side of the lake, even from the Sears towers (tallest building in America). And the best part is, Lake Michigan is a Fresh water lake!!… wot more could these people want??.. Not just that, Lake Michigan is only the third largest!!.. there are another two fresh water lakes which are larger than lake Michigan!!!.. These two lakes are shared by US and Canada. Americans have realized the vast treasures their land possesses. In fact, they have started to protect it already. 

In India, my heart pains to hear that the Ganga is dying.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollution_of_Ganga)

Green money!! 

There is lot of talk about the rupee strengthening and the dollar loosing its shine. I’ am certainly not into economics. As a lay person, the following is my way of looking at things. Pls feel free to discuss.  The dollar is magic. The dollar has the purchasing power. This country runs on consumerism. India is still in the infancy stages of consumerism. From my understanding, the rupee is strengthening against the dollar, but value of rupee wrt to purchasing power is reducing. (correct me if iam wrong)Take for example, a person gets about 3000 $ in hand per month. In U.S, one can get used color TV 20’’ for about 30$ to 40 $. Rent is about 700$ (one bedroom appt). Utility bills will add 100$ per month. Food would be max 300 to 400 $ per month. New TV would cost about 300 $. New laptop would cost about 1000$. But used laptop would be available for <100$ also. Used dinning table 50$ to 100 $. Used good condition Sofa set, 40$. Used micro wave for 20$, etc… 

Now, to realize the dollar is magic, think that a person in India earns about 3000 Rs per month, and convert all the above prices to rupees. You would realize the cost of living is actually cheap.. and the power of the dollar. Btw, I bought my used car, Nissan Sentra, 2002 model for 5800$. Think one can get the same in India for 5800 rupees and an average person earns 3000 rupees per month.

So wot are your views?????

This scene took place on a British Airways flight between Johannesburg, South Africa & London.

A white woman, about 50 years old, was seated next to a black man. Very disturbed by this, she called the air hostess. “You obviously do not see it then?” she asked. “You placed me next to a black man. I did not agree t sit next to someone from such a repugnant
group. Give me an alternative seat.” “Be calm please,” the hostess replied.
“Almost all the places on this flight are taken. I will go to see if another place is available.”

The hostess went away & then came back a few minutes later. “Madam, just as I thought, there are no other available seats in Economy Class. I spoke to the captain & he informed me that there is also no seat in Business Class. All the same, we still have one place in First Class.”

Before the woman could say anything, the hostess continued. “It is unusual for our company to permit someone from Economy Class to sit in First Class. However, given the circumstances, the captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit nex to someone so disgusting.”

She turned to the black guy & said, “Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please collect your hand luggage, a seat awaits you in First Class.” At that moment, the other passengers, who’d been shocked by what they had just witnessed, stood up & applauded.

This is a true story. If you are against racism, please send this to all your friends.

WELL DONE, British Airways
I’am not sure about the veracity of this incident. This mail seems to have become another chain mail.

Ironical it may seem, but I got this forward from a girl who is a Brahmin, a caste which probably gets the credit for planting the seeds of racism in its own way. It is not that I’am against Brahmins, as some of my good friends are brahmins and I have had (note the past tense) a close brahmin friend.

Its just that I found it interesting to note the positive changes that are taking place from Brahmins to British airways