Tomorrow we will leave for Hyderabad for the wedding of one of my closest friends. It was August 2000 when I met him in my room 269. I never at that moment thought that we will form a friendship let alone one that is as strong as it is now (and hope will be forever). Eight years it has been since we first met. And what a ride it has been (and wishing it to continue forever).
We shared so many things in these 8 years. We had our mugging (predominantly first year only because of our different branches..with me mostly sleeping when he was studying - remember Basic Elec :P), our trips (Yercaud, Pondichery, Gonikoppal (Coorg), Gandigunta, Nandaluru, Austin, Madison, Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo, Ames, Goa, Upstate Michigan, Washington DC, Seattle among others),our fights, our mutual enlightenment sessions (mostly yours truly preaching), time with families (a lot at his house - ultimate cooking by his mom, the cricket matches, movies), and most importantly many ups and downs (especially during the application times when all four of us were waiting for that replies from US). The four years in IIT went well and it was not very difficult to enjoy the times, but it was when we landed in the US that made the friendship more stronger. Away from our families, we managed to meet regularly and keep up our spirits both in good and tough times.
Now, this fellow will move into the next stage of adulthood with the big step on sunday. We hope to find a new friend in her that will make our friendship stronger! So, as he enters into new territories of marriage with a new person I shall wish both of them luck and all the happiness!
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Well
I don't know if it is good or bad or worse, but I thought of something that might be useful at this time. I just needed it to take some things off my mind.
So, for sometime I hope to avoid cryptic weird posts!
So, for sometime I hope to avoid cryptic weird posts!
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Random
We went to a temple on the banks of Krishna today. It was fun trying to swim in the river (albeit for only 20 feet).
The temple's chief deity is "Sri Laxmi Narasimha Swami". We drove on our bikes there. It was cool. I seem to enjoy bike driving a lot. Its much more fun than driving a car.
Now I am off to Vijayawada for a small trip
The temple's chief deity is "Sri Laxmi Narasimha Swami". We drove on our bikes there. It was cool. I seem to enjoy bike driving a lot. Its much more fun than driving a car.
Now I am off to Vijayawada for a small trip
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Terrorism in India
Disclaimer: I don't claim to be knowledgeable in Islam, its tenets and details. So, I would appreciate if you would be kind enough to point out any factual errors in this post. This is just an attempt to spread some thoughts to people who would like to read a summary of such issues rather than the entire details.
The recent bomb blasts in India have prompted me to read some articles on the rise of Islamic terrorism in India and elsewhere. A major part of this post is drawn from my reading of the detailed coverage in India Today edition August 11. I shall try to summarize what I have learned hoping more people would be aware of what we are dealing with.
Source of Islamic Fundamntalism
Make no mistake, the issue of Islamic Terrorism has not started now. There have been fundamentalist Islamic organizations even before independence. But they were very few in number. In India the majority of the Muslims follow a secular Islam that has evolved with amalgamation of the local cultures. however, the minority group of Muslims follow the radical Wahhabi fundamentalism. The reason for the growth of this sect has been the unlimited funding of the Madrasas by Muslims belonging to Saudi Arabia (where the state sponsors the Wahhabi fundamnetal form of Islam). These fundamental organizations have even taken over (with their money) some of the more secualr organizations and have started preaching the supposedly "pure" form of Islam. These organizations encourage violence as a means of purifying the Islamic religion. When the profiling of terrorists ivolved in all the bomb blasts in the recent eyars has been carried out, it has ben learned that most (if not all) of these individuals belong to the fundamentalist category. Now, the conservative Islamic groups have awakened and refuse to be funded by Wahhabi group of Islamists. The Wahhabi fundamentalism is also very similar to the Deobandi spirit of Islam. The Wahhabi school of thought has been spreading not only in India, but also in Britain. Most of the terrorists now are home grown in madrasas belonging to these radical schoolos of thought. The secualr group of islamists have realized that they need to step up to prevent the further radicalization of Islam, but it needs to be seen if their actions are adequate enough. There is also the fact that Muslims have progressed evry little since independence that seems to be driving them towards a more fundamental form of Islam among the youth. This is something that needs to be addressed.
Recent blasts and the reaction
Well, many people have expressed their disappointment at the way Indian government (for that matter the entire political system) has reacted to the recent serial blasts in many urban regions. These blasts allegedly perpetuated by Indian Mujahideen show clearly how vulnerable the country is to terrorism. The reactions to these blasts only further strengthen the fact that India is a soft target. In spite of so many lives lost we have not seen the arrest of any significant people behind such dastardly acts. The congress government does not act strongly because it does not want to offend the minorities. But, isn't this coming at the cost of innocent lives? The only leader who has responded credibly (not acted yet) is Narendra Modi. Of course, the rest of the BJP has not done itself any favors. Anyway, until a specific department to counteract Islamic fundamentalism is setup there will be no progress and more of such blasts will be occurring.
To say the least the attitude of the government is appaling. The India Today article tiltled the article aptly as "Impotent India". I can't argue with that! Can you?
The recent bomb blasts in India have prompted me to read some articles on the rise of Islamic terrorism in India and elsewhere. A major part of this post is drawn from my reading of the detailed coverage in India Today edition August 11. I shall try to summarize what I have learned hoping more people would be aware of what we are dealing with.
Source of Islamic Fundamntalism
Make no mistake, the issue of Islamic Terrorism has not started now. There have been fundamentalist Islamic organizations even before independence. But they were very few in number. In India the majority of the Muslims follow a secular Islam that has evolved with amalgamation of the local cultures. however, the minority group of Muslims follow the radical Wahhabi fundamentalism. The reason for the growth of this sect has been the unlimited funding of the Madrasas by Muslims belonging to Saudi Arabia (where the state sponsors the Wahhabi fundamnetal form of Islam). These fundamental organizations have even taken over (with their money) some of the more secualr organizations and have started preaching the supposedly "pure" form of Islam. These organizations encourage violence as a means of purifying the Islamic religion. When the profiling of terrorists ivolved in all the bomb blasts in the recent eyars has been carried out, it has ben learned that most (if not all) of these individuals belong to the fundamentalist category. Now, the conservative Islamic groups have awakened and refuse to be funded by Wahhabi group of Islamists. The Wahhabi fundamentalism is also very similar to the Deobandi spirit of Islam. The Wahhabi school of thought has been spreading not only in India, but also in Britain. Most of the terrorists now are home grown in madrasas belonging to these radical schoolos of thought. The secualr group of islamists have realized that they need to step up to prevent the further radicalization of Islam, but it needs to be seen if their actions are adequate enough. There is also the fact that Muslims have progressed evry little since independence that seems to be driving them towards a more fundamental form of Islam among the youth. This is something that needs to be addressed.
Recent blasts and the reaction
Well, many people have expressed their disappointment at the way Indian government (for that matter the entire political system) has reacted to the recent serial blasts in many urban regions. These blasts allegedly perpetuated by Indian Mujahideen show clearly how vulnerable the country is to terrorism. The reactions to these blasts only further strengthen the fact that India is a soft target. In spite of so many lives lost we have not seen the arrest of any significant people behind such dastardly acts. The congress government does not act strongly because it does not want to offend the minorities. But, isn't this coming at the cost of innocent lives? The only leader who has responded credibly (not acted yet) is Narendra Modi. Of course, the rest of the BJP has not done itself any favors. Anyway, until a specific department to counteract Islamic fundamentalism is setup there will be no progress and more of such blasts will be occurring.
To say the least the attitude of the government is appaling. The India Today article tiltled the article aptly as "Impotent India". I can't argue with that! Can you?
Another day
Days start to fly by.
There are thinks at the back of my mind that seem to slow the time. Yet time flies by!
Food has been amazing and I feel slightly bad that I am unable to stuff myself with more.
May be by the time I leave I will be more satisfied :P
Watched Rajni's new movie, it was so so. It was about freindship, so I was ok with it. But the first half could have been better (way better actually)
Anyway!
There are thinks at the back of my mind that seem to slow the time. Yet time flies by!
Food has been amazing and I feel slightly bad that I am unable to stuff myself with more.
May be by the time I leave I will be more satisfied :P
Watched Rajni's new movie, it was so so. It was about freindship, so I was ok with it. But the first half could have been better (way better actually)
Anyway!
Sunday, August 03, 2008
From home
Started running again. For the first time since my marathon I ran again. Not for long but for 3.5 miles. So not a bad start. Made me happy again, so thats all I want (especially in the current times).
And running serves another prime purpose. It allows me to space in my tummy. The last one year has seen an amazing reduction in my appetite and to keep that I need to burn the food I eat or else my mom will give up on me. She thinks I eat very little. Anyway, I will do my best to keep filling myself with the awesomest food ever!
Apart from that its been nice to be home watching cricket (India winning) and spending time with family.
Life is cool...except for... anyway
And running serves another prime purpose. It allows me to space in my tummy. The last one year has seen an amazing reduction in my appetite and to keep that I need to burn the food I eat or else my mom will give up on me. She thinks I eat very little. Anyway, I will do my best to keep filling myself with the awesomest food ever!
Apart from that its been nice to be home watching cricket (India winning) and spending time with family.
Life is cool...except for... anyway
Friday, August 01, 2008
Reporting from India
Well, after a long journey I reached my home.
some Random facts of my trip
It took me 52 hours to reach my home after I left Austin.
I slept for 7-8 hours in the last 72 hours
My luck with flights finally ran out and Luthansa strike left me stranded for a while in Philly. Luckily I made it out of there and to India with +10 hours to the trip.
Dubai airport is one crazy place!
There are a number of muslims that travel from Dubail to Hyderabad. I mean its expected but seeing was something. When I say muslims the conservative types. I even saw a 10-12 year old girl in a burkha. Man thats not right somehow. Anyway, who am I to question religious faiths.
My luggage failed to arrive (again first time)
India is totally cool.... (Should I have to say this)
Blogging might be sporadic because of me bing in India. But I should be blogging on and and off (Don't be surprised if you find me blogging regularly)
some Random facts of my trip
It took me 52 hours to reach my home after I left Austin.
I slept for 7-8 hours in the last 72 hours
My luck with flights finally ran out and Luthansa strike left me stranded for a while in Philly. Luckily I made it out of there and to India with +10 hours to the trip.
Dubai airport is one crazy place!
There are a number of muslims that travel from Dubail to Hyderabad. I mean its expected but seeing was something. When I say muslims the conservative types. I even saw a 10-12 year old girl in a burkha. Man thats not right somehow. Anyway, who am I to question religious faiths.
My luggage failed to arrive (again first time)
India is totally cool.... (Should I have to say this)
Blogging might be sporadic because of me bing in India. But I should be blogging on and and off (Don't be surprised if you find me blogging regularly)
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