First Indian to receive Crans Montana Award

The Art of Living Founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, became the first Indian to receive the Crans Montana Forum Award in Belgium on June 24. "You (Sri Sri) represent, today, hope to people in conflict," says Jean-Paul Carteron, Chairman and Founder, in a letter.

Since 1989, the Crans Montana Forum has been awarding individuals who fight for peace, democracy and liberty. Several Presidents and Prime Ministers have received this award. President of the United States of America, Barack Obama; Former Prime Minister of Portugal and current President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso; Current President of Finland, Tarja Halonen; Current President of the African Development Bank, Donald Kaberuka; Current Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel are some of the previous recipients of this award.

Sri Sri was also invited to share his vision of a stress-free, violence-free world at the Crans Montana Forum 21, on June 24, in a session entitled: 'Shaping a new world for tomorrow – The necessity of identifying & implementing common values.' Sri Sri's message of a one-world family and his three decade-body of work in reviving human values have transformed communities across 151 nations. Tribes in Africa, villages in rural India, troubled youth in Iraq, Bosnia and Kosovo have adopted Sri Sri's call to action: inner peace to outer peace.

The Art of Living celebrated 30 years of service to humanity on July 2 and 3 in Berlin through the World Culture Festival. The organization has been serving people through projects that empower the individual, provide freedom from trauma and stress in crisis areas, and rehabilitates victims of violence and prison inmates. It teaches yoga and meditation, emphasizing on using the breath to relax and manage stress. A key component is the Sudarshan Kriya, a health-promoting breathing technique. The organization also holds special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN), and he is active in numerous other international bodies and committees in the areas of health, education and sustainable development.

The Angrezi Bhasha

I have always been intrigued by the eminent columnist like Vir Sanghvi, Shekhar Gupta, Bachi Karkaria, Jug Suraiya, Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar, et. al. the way they present an issue and the angles they expose, the ideas they project. The fluency of their language, their command over it is simply astounding. These people can simply pick any national issue under the sun and can speak extemporaneously in an eloquent manner. After reading the entire column written by them, you need to take a pause to digest what they say. It's never a general gossip on a petty issue. It is mostly controversial issues these people write on. Even if they were to write a column on food, like Vir Sanghvi's Rude Food in Hindustan Times, its so magnificently written!

It is my dream since childhood to write an article. Its seed was sown by my English teacher who always used to shout at me for my horrible English. Yes, for very horrible English. My 400 words essay would have atleast 25 spelling mistakes, 15 grammatical errors, and handwriting absolutely illegible. My teacher saw no hope in me, leave alone my English!! My English teacher was confident that  would never score above 40 marks in English in my SSC (Std. 10th) exams. Well, I scored 56 against my teachers expectations.

Strangely, without any effort my English improved, as in my Std XII th exams, I scored 70. A whoooping 70 I could say! My Old English Teacher protested that it was due to lowering of the standard at higher levels. Yes, that's partially true as it gives comfort for the vernacular medium students. But never a word of appreciation from her. In my first year of degree on commerce, I joined "English Literary Association" an extra-curricular activity by my college. It promoted English Language and was a sandbox for honing literary skills. It gave enough room to make mistakes. It also served as a platform to display latent literary talents. I got a third prize in the story writing competition in my first year. In the second year, I was a contributing columnist for my college mag, named Pankh (The Wings) I received a second prize in poetry reading competition and the article in the college mag. In the third year, I was elected as the College Mag Editor. I could script a couple of editorials for the mag till the onus of Third year examination took toll on my health. I had to shun "Other Activities" and dedicate more time towards final year studies in 2003. It was after a long hiatus, I got an opportunity with an industrial magazine where I wrote a very small conference visit report. I am still in good term with the editor of that industrial magazine and take some time out every week to have a lengthy chat on any damn topic. He has been an inspiration to many things and habits in my life.

One habit that he has instilled in me is reading the articles of eminent columnists of Indian journalism. Just reading them gives two advantage right away. One, they give you a kaleidoscopic view on a run of the mill issue. and secondly, their rich language enhances your comprehension. In my case I fought all odds and have lived up to my dream, or at least dared to live up to my dream. If I can, anyone can.

Following are the link to the blogs of the famous columnists of India.
http://www.virsanghvi.com/ (You ought to know him..)

http://www.indianexpress.com/columnist/shekhargupta/ (Indian Express Editor-in-Chief)
http://livefist.blogspot.com/ (A Blog by Shiv Aroor - Indian Defence Columnist)
Kushwant Singh
http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/erratica/ (Bachi Karkaria)

There are many more.. If you are one of those who always wished to have a good command over English, then you can do so in simple way. Just read columns by the journalists mentioned above. More you read, more the exposure to the current events and familliarity with the writers language. You may also come across some tough vocabulary hurdles, never mind. Just refer to an Engoish Dictionary. Just with in a couple of months of regular and patient practice, your communication will improve. In the worst case, your comprehension (Ability to understand what is written or said) will definately increase.

Communication is an art. It can entice one's heart or can enrage one's mind. But always remember the ultimate purpose of the words is to bring peace in heart and silence in mind.

--
O.A.K.

The purpose of creation

Everything that is created is bound to get destroyed at some point of time. Then why create? A Good question to begin with. Well, let us take an example of this universe! Why was this universe, our galaxy in which our solar system exists, our planet on which we live, was created in first place? Was this a freaking accident or a well planned, calculated effort of a supreme power whom we, the mere mortals, cannot comprehend. Lets say this was a freaking accident, then what? Ok, all of a sudden all the atoms decide to converge together and get zipped into one billionth of an atom and catapult themselves in all directions forming an infinite universe which is still expanding! Good theory by the "Big Bangers" so far. But then the question remains what were those enthusiastic atoms doing before the big bang. Who put them in a time-less and space-less plane which could not have existed?? This gets too complicated here on. So beware!

Now that the universe was to be created, it had to be timed perfectly, an accident again I suppose?? A micro-second late or early, everything would have been a meaningless mass floating in the void. Then the galaxies formed, our solar system formed, our planet formed. So many things took shape and size. Everything was busy being created. This is a mighty exercise. But all this exercise is a mere accident is a grossly misunderstood reality.  An accident my happen a couple of times. At the most it may happen in a random manner. But something happening repeatedly, in a very methodical manner cannot be, under any circumstance, be construed as an accident. So the alternative hypothesis is, it is God's mischief. But what was God up to to create this whole melo-drama called universe. The answer is God wanted the hi-tech, 3D, real-time gaming experience. God is the Architect, God is the Maintenance department, God is the Demolition Team. God is one without the any form or any attribute. No gender, Ageless, Devoid of any impression or influence, impartial, and yet exists in every particle of creation.

God created supremely intelligent being called humans. God also gifted humans with ability to create. It was a big clue given to human whose mind was always in search of the almighty who created everything. With this creativity human could create practically anything he/she dreamed of. The creative powers were as powerful as the almighty itself. Humans mind created art, music, rituals, in order to know God more. In turn, the artists started discovering themselves and were amazed by the results. Some became "Realised" souls because they realised the purpose of the creation. Here we come to the question again! Why create?? What do we realise?

Here the answer changes! The purpose of creation is to be destroyed eventually. The deeper I probe, more the answer will change. So now its your turn to think what is the purpose of creation? What is my purpose on this planet? Why am I here? These are the question which does not need immediate answers. Never be in hurry to find the answer to these questions! Just be with it!!

-
Omkar K.

Back at Editorials

Never in my entire life I had imagined that one day, I'll be writing an article for a magazine. Let alone an editorial. However, my first opprtunity to exploit my flair for writing was in year 2002 when I was made the Editor of the college wall magazine. It was just an editorials for two issues. No big deal! I was actually reprimanded by my mom who is a masters degree holder in english literature. Her point was that my writing was too immature and I was not at all capable of writing even a college essay. Well, that's my mom!

After seven years, I got the same chance, but not in the college magazine. It was an industrial magazine. It was not exactly an editorial but a report that's to be written by an editor himself. But as the editor was pre-occupied with other priorities, I had to fill up the column. Finally it was published! I started wondering, what is it, that my mom although being an masters in english literature, had no iota of interest in writing while I, having no proper training in journalism or english literature, am getting opportunites to write? Well, that is one part of my story.

Recently, I was given a hint by the branch manager of the bank I work at that I had to keep myself highly updated with latest events. I was asked to give an analysis on 2G spectrum scam and nadia case. She highlighted the need for me to stay abreast in all the current developments in India and around the world along with my favorite topics of technology, internet and spirituality!

Great going buddy! Good Luck to myself!

Peace Marathon 02.01.2011

Today (02 Jan 2011) I participated in the Peace Marathon at Mulund Thane in the morning. The first ever to participate in my life. The event was held for the publicity of Guruji's visit to Mumbai, 13, 14, 15 January 2011.
Even though I was having a gala time with Anjana Gala and her team, I was observing a lot of things going on, Ouside and Inside.

Outside:
The Marathon started with few announcements from Anjana Di. The route was decided, the stops and breaks were decided. The pamphlets and Guruji's Event and Calendar were distributed among the participants. Everyone had worn the T-Shirt publisizing the Guruji's visit. By 9:30am everyone was raring to go for the Peace run. Our run started at SSRVM Mulund, and took stops at Kalidas Hall, Mulund Bus Depot, Tip Top Plaza, Hari Niwas, Gokhle Road Junction, Ram Maruti Road, Talao Pali, Central Ground, then finally at the Stadium. Everyone was exuberant despite the tiredness from running the 6.5km distance. Then Anajana di took O N S Chanting followed by couple of bhajans by Ambarish.

Evening session was with Mahesh Giri-ji at Jain Temple Hall, Thane. I was not in the state to attend it.

Inside:
I saw that every one wanted to lead the show. Suddenly so many leaders started taking charge. I too was obviously charged up! When time came to handle the crowd with the rope to get them in line everyone jumped the line! Everyone was just running helter-skelter, in one direction but not together. The very purpose of the peace marathon was not being served. Then Anjana Di had to shout that everyone had to be inside the rope. That moment I saw the finest level of ego simmer down inside me. I had to swallow my ego and had to get inside the rope. Anyway I was an insignificant lot in the entire mob. Even if I escaped the crowd and had dashed home no one would have noticed!. But then when someone is racking brains to get the whole show up then why should I use my brain. Just follow the command and the chaos is eliminated immediately. So fine, subtle is the ego that one cannot notice it if one's not aware of themselves. A small "I" factor creates an illusion that "I" am "in charge" of some operation or am "in control" of something. What are you in charge of? What is in your hand? This is a general question not pertaining solely to the marathon event. Even if I am given an important department to handle, which can't be done without me then what?? There will always be someone who can replace me. That's how corporates work, Dont they?

The moment I dropped the ego and stayed in line, that very moment I felt relieved. As if a huge burden was off loaded. I felt like returning to my natural self where everything is comfortable. As Guruji says, "Repose in self". It is always nice to take care of things with love as the results will always be wonderful and peaceful.

J G D