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!

My Final Words

Well friends this is my last post on blogspot.com.

Actually I am at loss of words. I changed my blogs appearance change the theme on which my blog was based. I changed almost every aspect of my style of blogging. Now I feel that I have written enough.

I may start blogging in future, if i get something to write on more frequently. Till then ..Taadaaaa...

Back from a long vacation...

Four months is a really long vacation, and after coming back I feel like I was sent to exile to offline kingdom. Returning back to the cyber kingdom is such a blissful experience!
This blog will undergo a second wave of change from now on!
Most of my friends are in YES!+ (Art of Living Foundation's youth wing) and look forward to read any guru stories, or related posts. Well, there are lots of blogs and sites that posts pages and pages of deep knowledge, transient information, and even useless stupid crap. It's just a search and click away!! I need to post something very different on my blog!! That's what I thought...

So the two major changes in my blog will be:

• Opening up the comments feature thereby allowing readers to post comments.
• Writing on topics which are commonly neglected by the layman, but have a substantial impact on mankind!

The posts may be posted at  irregular intervals as the new "kinda" posts will require some research. I would like to bring one point to everybody's attention that all the views expressed would be very very personal. I have no intention in hurting people's sentiments and feelings, however, what is written would be based on solid facts, for sure!!

--O.A.K.

Swimming with Intensity?!?

Have you ever done swimming with intensity? Well, I just did it... On Aug 2, 09 I participated in the picnic to a water resort near Ambernath. My love with water is unparalleled. I can even make out the proximity of the water body just by smelling it. I'm not kidding!! When we reached the water resort, we first did our long kriya in a nice cool open-hall. After kriya we had a swift breakfast. Everyone was eager to take a plunge in water. After a hot cuppa coffee, everyone got into their swimming clothes and started entering the pool. Most were crazy to enjoy the thrill of the water slides. Some wallowed in the other pool. I have no problem with water or staying in water except that I didn't know to swim then. We also had company of Savita di. Before entering in water she said how each volunteer should become. She said that if bawa tells us to take a course in Andaman, you should not hesitate a bit by thinking how to go there, how to take a course in Andaman, in the midst of the ocean! That was actually the seed of my intensity! I entered in the pool only due to one reason. It was shallow enough for me to stand in pool. I played in the pool, checked out the water slide by slipping down over them, did all that the resort had to offer. Then while in the pool, I firmly decided that I will join swimming class ASAP!! I came out of water just before Lunch. Lunch was a gastronomic delight! It was the best buffet lunch I had. Everyone savored the scrumptious Lunch. Especially because everyone was famished after so much of fun in water. After I came home, I declared my intentions to my parents. Father's expression was like; OK Finally you want to learn it, good. Its still not late! Then I joined Yash Gymkhana. Most people who knew to survive in water told me that I should have joined KDMC Swimming Pool. But I do not repent my decision. It's ultimately a municipal property, who knows how the coach will be. Well, At least in Yash, I (and Aman) have a good instructor. At first, I thought 45 min. in pool would be too short time for practice. But the Leg exercises in pool made me change my opinion. For the first four days, I was completely exhausted when I came out of the pool. But I entered the pool with the undying intensity. I practiced with passion. Although my legs were aching, I continued with the leg work. Then on the fifth day, I untied the safety float off my back and checked out if I could still propel myself in water? VIOLA! EUREKA! Om Namah Shivaya! I was moving ahead!! But there is still along way to go, because I was practicing without the float in the shallowest end of the pool. I still have to learn it completely! Very soon, I will be fulfilling my dream of swimming like a pro! All with the grace of the master ;-) Very soon

Happy Birthday Blogger

Surprise! Surprise!! A new and refreshing template is a birthday gift from me to this blog site! This blog "Thus Spoke O.A.K." completed its First Anniversary on 24th of June. Being inspired by Khurshed "Bawa" Batliwala, I started writing blog post. From a long time, I was contemplating on changing the template. So here it is!!

!!! MANY MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY !!!

From now on there will be no comment box. And the comment box will be put up only after the viewership reaches 300 visits per day! Do not worry, I am keeping the track of viewers per day. If at all you feel like sending some comments, ideas, or even a complaint, then you are free to mail me on my gmail ID: omkar.blogosphere [at] gmail.com I have also removed lots of scripts and codes that used to make the page load very slow. Happy Bloggin' See Ya!!

Non Vegetarian Diet: A Statistical outlook

Ten Thousand year back, Human beings started living in groups. They knew that in group there was more security. Then, they started hunting in groups. They would have a leader under whose command they preyed on a wild animal. These people also belonged very much to nature. They did not kill more than necessary. Although they were not as advanced as we are, but still they knew that there is something called an ecosystem. Human greed or the never ending wants can trip the whole system in turn effecting their existence! They were also an observant lot. They soon found out that in every season, the plants around them underwent a seasonal transformation. In Autumn, leaves fall. In Winter, it's cold. In Spring, new foliage blooms. They also observed that the seeds sprout, giving birth to a new plant. That's how plantation started. So turning vegetarian was the coolest thing to do at that time. It was more of a sensible fad! But now when I look around me, I see people have taken up a flair to turn back into primitive apes! Actually, they are aping the ancient apes who preferred a carnivorous diet. There is no harm in living a vegetarian life style. But, the problem lies in how humans continue to procure meat to eat. In ancient days, those intelligent people used to "hunt". I Emphasize the word HUNT. They did not do animal farming. They did not breed the animals. The Breeding of animals, of course, started long back in human history. But not the way it was today. The shepherds took the animals to graze and there was enough land mass with verdant vegetation to feed those animals. But in today's world, area of the size of 5 football fields are cleared of natural forests for the sake of animal grazing. Livestock production uses about a third of the world’s arable land, and as land becomes scarce, expansion of livestock production encroaches into forest land and is causing mass deforestation. Here, I am still not considering the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are generated by the livestock. The title of the post is Vegetarian Economy. So lets take a look from the world economics angle! For that first lets do some math. F.Y.I. (For your information) A hen eats around 30 Kg of food grains in its life time! That hen is murdered by dipping it in boiling water head down and a recipe is planned out to turn it into a dish! If you make a chicken curry, it may serve 4 two times in a day; effectively serves 8. Lets say you make a soup, then it will serve12 to 16 servings! (assuming generous proportions of water has been used!). So 30 Kilos of food grains are effectively used to raise a chicken and it serves only 15. Let's say you skillfully make it twenty. For a vegetarian person who consumes legumes and food grains, the diet will be around 200 to 250 grams of food grains. Like 150 grams of rice, 50 grams wheat, 50 grams legumes. For ease of calculation we take 250 If we divide 30 Kilos i.e. 30,000 grams by 250 grams we get 120 hungry stomachs. So 30,000 grams of food grains feed 120 vegetarian people while it can effectively feed only 20. Let me take the liberty to exaggerate. Even if 1 chicken is turned in to a dish that serves 30 people, it is far less compared to vegetarian menu! It directly means that 30 Non Vegetarian people eat the food that could have made 120 vegetarians burp! That's absolute indecency. And people talk about uprooting the hunger crisis from this planet? That's crap. Or rather chicken crap!!! In terms of consumption, the non-vegetarian diet required 2.9 times more water, 2.5 more energy, 13 times more fertilizer and 1.4 times more pesticides than the vegetarian one. People in India, struggle for water at the public water taps. Water tankers are booked to supply water as municipal pipelines run dry! What do you think is the reason. Non Veg gang may blame the industries, but if the non vegetarians would just take up the vegan life. They may suddenly find their neighbourhood tanks filing up! Also, government like ours, believe in granting subsidy on the animal meat! The subsidy does not come free of cost. Somebody is taxed to give subsidy to others. Guess who pays for it? No prizes for guessing it right!!! I have heard/read people defend their carnivorous life style by stating that we humans are on the top of the food chain. But my question is; Does that give us license to exploit the planet and its resources with our insatiable greed? I believe that since we are on the top of food chain, it becomes our responsibility to take care of the planet and our down lines in the food chain, instead of blatant exploitation. Don't you think so?!? Source: http://astrology.yahoo.com/channel/health/is-a-vegetarian-diet-better-for-the-planet-455834/ http://www.jewishveg.com/schwartz/diplanet.html http://www.vegforlife.com

Back to Blogging...

This was the longest hiatus I ever took since I started blogging. Occupied in organizing the most amazing, fabulous workshop; UTSAV, I could not make out time to write even a few lines. This "season" I have many subjects to write on. My work for UTSAV made me learn, research, invent, stumble upon many new and amazing things, which I will be sharing here. Aahh yes! How will I forget "What Guruji Said..." I have been getting many mails containing short talks by gurudev where ever he traveled. This time I am for sure going to start a regular article on economics and finance, movie/book review, new technology, Lots of high quality humour, Video links that will shake & wake you up, Amazing & Wonderful sites, softwares that help us in day to day life, Lots of online games reviewed! Its going to be a loads of interesting stuff this time! See ya soon... Blogs will be regular after 26th April. O.A.K.

The crusaders of love

At one end are the Valentine day supporters and Anti-Valentine day protesters at the other. This is one tug-of-war which will never end until the people on both the sides experience Real love or Divine love. Just like Holi and Diwali, Valentine day is one such day which I enjoy witnessing. Groups on both the sides get armed up to their sleeves with amusing antics. This year the Battle of ethics have taken an unique shade. Pink. The Valentine day supporters plan to give the V-day protesters, pink undies. Before I continue writing any further I would like to give a disclaimer. I am neither interested in V - day supporters not in the V -day protesters. I am really interested in doing something for the betterment of the country. Something very concrete! It is because of such (protesting and supporting) behaviour, the people living across the border are able to export their people with explosive attitudes and poisoned mindset to our nation to create havoc. They know that the nation is caught up with all such trivial issues. There are plenty of internal issues that never get resolved. It is the attitude of enjoying quick gains/gratifications that makes our people oblivious of the impending doom. The "other-siders" then take undue advantage of this and disrupt the lives pretty often. Some may ask; How do I plan to celebrate V day? It's really simple, I say. See, V-day is a day of expressing love, Or so it seems for others! I express Real love everyday! So why don't we conduct satsang thereby expressing our love to god or divinity? Just come together sing some beautiful bhajans and enjoy [If at all you know to enjoy a bhajan!! he he he :-D ] Here, both, V- day supporters and protesters are invited. Now you may ask how can a bhajan avert the act of tyranny by the "other-siders" See, the problem that we face in our country is not because of such tyrants exported to our nation. It is because of huge mass of so-called "good" people who prefer to remain inactive and irresponsible after such horrendous acts of crime. It is very very crucial that we all come together. What did Mahatma Gandhi do to drive away the British Rulers? He simply went to every village to do satsang. He made good rapport with the villagers. In turn the villagers supported Gandhiji's cause to free India from British Rule and the whole nation stood up against the British Rule. But now everyone is enjoying freedom, that's what people incorrectly assume. It is said that the internal rot is deadlier than the external rottening. We are all caught up in Domestic violence at home, indifference to our own people in society, Absolute selfishness or self-centeredness at personal level. This will only make people's lives miserable. Time has come to wake up and come together for a cause. And one last point before I end this extended "Note". I will never participate in Anti-Terrorism Activities. But if there is any Pro-Peace activities, I'll be always interested. Because no one can douse fire with fire. You need water to douse the fire! [ Only intelligent people will understand this!] O.A.K.

Shelfari!?!

Hey! Did you notice a new widget on the blog? Its called shelfari. Shelfari is a webiste where you have an account. And in that account you cann add the books you've read, you wish to read, or you wish to buy. You can rate the books on the scale of one to five. This is a must visit website for the voracious readers like me. The list of books in the shelf of shelfari is just 2% of what I've read. To view my current bookshelf on shelfari go to http://www.shelfari.com/omkar890 Reading is a very good habit. I know that with the advent of Cell phones, laptops, internet; reading, per se, is being slowly dispensed with. But gals and guys, I tell you there is no other joy like reading. You go to gym to pump muscles and train you body. Reading is a rigorous workout for you brain. More you read more flexible you brian will be. So keep up the habit of reading! O.A.K.

Shutter-bug

In the realm of photography, ever wondered what the terms like Controlling Exposure, Aperture Speed, Shutter Speed, F-Stops, Balancing Stops meant. To know more Click Here

Busy Streets of Bangalore

Fast moving life of Bangalore! I was standing on the divider path of the Byatrayanpura-Bellary Road while taking this pic.

A breath of life!

After an adventurous journey from Dombivli to Shirali and from shirali to Bangalore, I finally found the breath of life... An Internet connection. I must admit that I have become an Internet addict. But seriously, Internet provides such sophistication in life, that I find I absolutely indispensable! Another breath of life was the visit to shirali math. An ashram for chitrapur saraswat bhramins (CSB). Its the community I belong to! It is a very tiny community with just 22,000 CSB's spread all over the world. Yes! Only 22,000 people left in my community. Just like Parsi community, ours too is a very small and conservative community. Most of the chitrapurs, also addressed as "bhanaps" are well placed in the various fields, living in complete abundance of wealth. Around 2000 years back a clan of people used to live by the banks of river saraswati. Thats how our ancestors were named "saraswats". As the river started drying up the group started shifting towards south of india and settled mainly in the present day karwar and uttar kanara areas. The main language of saraswat bhramins is konkani. It is beautiful scriptless language. It initially had very close semblence to sanskrit. Even today the konkani vocablary uses some sanskrit words. Wisdom and scholarly trait runs in our blood. Our ancestors occupied highly coveted posts of treasurer and custodians, administrative ministries of the famous kings and queens. Even today, although there are very few CSBs left, most of the CSBs are holding high profile posts in various fields of study. SBs are also well know for their peaceful nature and Diplomatic & Political shrewdness. The diplomatic nature of the community has warded off many battles with mighty empires. I feel so proud to belong to the community that has always preserved the culture and tradition of the bhagwat dharma. Our community also has a lineage of swami or guruparampara. It is said that the parampara runs directly from the disciples of H.H. adi shankaracharya. And shirali is the place where the samadhi of all the gurus is kept. It is really beautiful place which reminds me of the Art of Living Ashram. When I saw it I felt it like a miniature AoL Ashram! It has got a lake, a yagnashala, goshala, a dining hall, meditation hall and the most important guruji's kutir. This math was built during the british days. Legend says that the East India Company had planned to build a huge camp in the surrounding area as it was a strategic location, hence had no intention to let our ancestors build the ashram. But one glance of our guru made the Queen take back her order! That's the might of divinity !!! The homa my family performed at the math was superb. Some of the pics are uploaded in the slide show! The most fortunate event was to see the "protector of our family" the Snake god, in shirali! It was said that Divine knowledge and wisdom was offered to our clan by the serpent of shiva called Ananta. Over the period their worship was neglected. And their stone statues were soon forgotten relics. But, this neglected attitude only invited the wrath of the snake lord. Soon the families started experiencing great difficulties. Then the swamiji asked us to start worshiping the snake idols again. This entailed some archeologial digging of the burried snake idols. But with the grace of the master it took only few weeks to find out snake dieties. And miraculously, the health, wealth and prosperity started welling up in our lives! The main temple of the serpent is found at Ananteshwara, Vitthal. This place is near Mangalore. We also had time to visit Honnavar Creek, Murudeshwar Shoreline & its famed Shiva temple & Idugunji Ganapati. Here is the slideshow of all the pics!Enjoy! Jai Gurudev! O.A.K.

Photography Blog

A new blog was started by me on the basics (& tricks) of photography. This site is available at http://tricksofpics.blogspot.com

Was it hard to find? You just had to click on View my complete profile in "About me" section. The resulting page would tell you some info about me, my interests and the blogs I manage.

That's how you find the new "undisclosed" blog.

Circuit: True Volunteer

Yesterday, I was watching "Munnabhai MBBS" on TV at dinner. In that movie the character of Circuit played by Arshad Warsi is really mind blowing. Looking at his dedication towards his "bhai" Munna, I felt that every volunteer in AoL should be like him.

In one scene it's shown that Munna is with all the Med. students in the dissection room. The Prof. is teaching students about dissection. But  the teacher is falked by the students and munna cannot see what's happening. Then the prof. rudicules him by asking him to get another body for himself to learn!

He immediately calls circuit and asks for a body. The reaction of circuit is worth noticing. Then Circuit says his famous line, "Ho jaayega bhai. Tension nahi lene ka bhai! Aapun hai na!!" (That will be taken care of, bro, take no tension. I'll take care of it) He quintessentially displays one golden sutra. Accept people(situation) as they(it) are(is)!

If every volunteer accepts the challenge the way circuit takes it, then the AoL work will be so superb. What do you say?

O.A.K

P.S. I have started a new blog on the tips & tricks of photography. Now a small puzzle. You need to find out the name of the blog I created for photography. After reaching that blog make sure you post the comments there. I am sure that a true photography enthusiast will find it out! 

Subh Deepawali

Wish you all Happy Diwali... Lately, many people from AoL are buying good point and shoot cams to take pics of beloved Dinesh&Bawa, Other Lovely Teachers & Revered Guruji. But many people, I feel, are not good at handling the camera settings. So I decided to write few articles on Camera settings, some of its mind-boggling technical fundas. Wouldn't that be nice if the pic you captured is better than your friends' just because you know something which other don't know ? !!! I wonder if there will be any takers for this one? Do let me know about by comments. O.A.K.

I share my Birthday with...

My Birthdate: April 19th 1. Mukesh Ambani, Industrialist 2. Arshad Warsi, Indian Actor 3. Jason Gillespie, Australian Cricket player 4. Maria Sharapova, Russian Tennis Player 5. Kate Hudson, American Actress 6. Ashley Judd, American Actress 7. Rivaldo, Football player 8. Dickie Bird, Cricket Umpire 9. Susan Polgar, American Chess player

And today (October 19) is my mom's birthday. Exactly 6 months difference!!! Mommy shares her birthday with 1. Sunny deol (Mom studied in the same school where Deol kids studied, Jamnalal Narsee) 2. Pandurang Shastri Athavle 3. S Chandrashekar (Only Resident Indian) Physicist who won nobel prize!

Woww.. What a discovery!!!

Sneak Peek ! !

HeyFriends, Recently, I have been learning Photoshop CS3.  I made some experiment with the new "Thus Soke O.A.K." Header. Here it is! Do tell me if you like it. This is just a net practice. I promise that the new look will be mind blowing.  Jai Gurudev! O.A.K.

An adventure awaits..

Finally, I will be witnessing the high energy of ashram during Navratri.. I am really excited about the journey, as this is my first time to ashram during navratri! I am sure that there will be lots to write on blog on the trip to ashram during navratri '08. This time I hope to post some pics too as I will be carrying my "old camera". Yes it is that old, "Load the roll" camera. Let's hope that the pics are clear enough.. Happy Navratri to all the readers and good luck!! Jai gurudev!

YES!+ ...Zindagi Milegi na Dobaara

Just heard the title track from ROCK ON. And i was in the composer mood. Then I had an idea of making some changes to the lyrics of the song. And ...Voila! A new YES!+ song was created!!! Sing it with the tune of "Rock On" Dil Kya Kehta Hai Mera Kya Main Bataoon Tum Ye Samjhoge Shayad Main Pagal Hoon YES!+ karke maine jo khusi paayi hai Tum Ye Samjhoge Shayad Main Pagal Hoon Dil Karta Hai Tv Tower Pe Main Chadd Jaoon Chilla Chilla Ke Main Ye Sabse Kehdoon YES!+… Hai Ye Waqt Ka Ishaara YES!+… Har Youth ko Pukaara YES!+….Yuhin Dekhta Hai Kya Tu YES!+….Zindagi Millegi Na Dobaara… Dil Karta Hai Sadkon Par Zor Se Gaoon Sab Apne Apne Ghar Ki Khidki Kholen Phir Main Aise Josheelay Intro-talk Sunaoon Mere Talks Ko Sunke Sab Ye Bolen YES!+… Hai Ye Waqt Ka Ishaara YES!+… Har Youth ko Pukaara YES!+….Yuhin Dekhta Hai Kya Tu YES!+….Zindagi Millegi Na Dobaara… Jaise Jeene Ko Dil Chahe Jee Waise Tu Meri To Hai Bas Ye Raaye Ki Jitne Jaldi ho sake YES!+ Karle Tu YES!+… Hai Ye Waqt Ka Ishaara YES!+… Har Youth ko Pukaara YES!+….Yuhin Dekhta Hai Kya Tu YES!+….Zindagi Millegi Na Dobaara… YES!+… Hai Ye Waqt Ka Ishaara YES!+… Har Youth ko Pukaara YES!+….Yuhin Dekhta Hai Kya Tu YES!+….Zindagi Millegi Na Dobaara… I thank Shank-Ehsaan-Loy for composing such cool music

Excel-lent Administration

Finally, the YES!+ Template is released! It was December, when i felt the need to make our YES!+ work more systematic. It is always full of chaos and last minute adjustments.. I was then suffering from fever and cold. I could not volunteer much for AoL projects. I wondered what can I do to make our work more transparent and efficient !! Then, an idea struck me like a thunderbolt. Why not build a template in Excel that will manage the participant's name list as a database and also our income-expense account !?!? That's how the journey started. It was just bare-bones when the first version was created. Over the period, I learn't to tinker with the Excel VBA and started building programs that automate the process in template. Now in the version 1.618.c build 1008, you just need to enter the registration details, like, name tel. no. mobile etc. Then in the CRF Assistant sheet, you enter the financial details, like, cash/cheque paid. If cheque, then enter the cheque details. That's it! Attendance sheet is prepared by the click of a button. You just need to take a printout. On completion of the course go to main sheet and select Y / N in the column marked C. Y for people completed the course and N for those who have not! Go to final day list and click GO. Viola...You get the details of only those who have completed the course. What if you want the negative list( not completed the course). Even that is taken care of. (If you are interested in viewing a demo, then just email me) There is an expense sheet that takes care of the expenses during the course. This need to be maintained systematically. No misuse OK !?!? Well, This software will be "Road tested" in the July 26th course. Let's see who it performs !!! Well then C ya!! जय गुरुदेव -- OAK Tree