BYBS : The Butterfly Effect

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The Butterfly Effect, which is also the essence of the chaos theory, says that small variations in initial conditions can result in large variations in the system over a longer period of time. A movie by the same name came out in 2004, which used this concept to develop its storyline.

The Butterfly Effect seems to suggest that every little thing that we might have done in the past contributes to our present and our future. However, this makes it difficult to attribute any one single cause to our success or failure. There might be little things that we did, without giving them a second thought, that contributed to our success, or failure, as the case may be.

Thus, sometimes when things don't go according to plans, we find ourselves frustrated and angry. As far as we can see, we did all the things in the best possible manner, but the end results were contrary to our expectations.

I am talking about this subject because last week things did not go as per my expectations. A lot many things went wrong, and a few other things, I could have easily controlled, went out of hand. So, the end of the week found me sitting on my laptop, the word processor open, and wondering what I could write about as my blessing for the week. I mean I am a strong believer in the idea that no one can live through a whole week without having something nice happen to them. If you think you have had that kind of week, I will that you are not paying enough attention to the good things. But that is another debate, for another time...

So, there I was, sitting at my computer, wondering what I was going to write about. For a moment I wondered if I should even write anything in the first place. But all those thoughts were dispelled as easily as they had formed.

I also found what my blessing for the week was.

It was simply the ability to focus and stay on track. I admit I was guilty of a few things I did, that I could have done without. But the very fact that I have realised my mistakes, and plan to make amends in the coming days, is a great blessing for me.

For, as per the butterfly effect theory, I realise that these small things - which really have no great impact on my present - have the capacity to greatly alter my future in a way that I may not like. So, let us all make sure that we take care of the small things today, so that the bigger things in our future take care of themselves. Have a great week ahead!

BYBS : Good Food & Simple Life

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As I had mentioned in my last post I had planned on attending two weddings during the last week. But I ended up attending three. That is why I am a day late in posting this. I had planned to get back in town on Sunday, but some things came up and I was delayed. If any of you have attended marriages, especially north Indian marriages, you would know what it means to attend a marriage here; it means food, lots of heavy, oily, tasty food.

It is advisable that one exercises extreme restraint in choosing what one eats at such weddings, but for a foodaholic like me that is not an option. I sometimes think that I belong to that category of people who live to eat, rather than the other way around. But, be it as it may be, it was a great week where I got to eat to eat great food, and for free.

Of course, there was alcohol too, but, fortunately, that was one department where I managed to exercise complete restraint.

Two of the marriages I attended were at my village. If you didn't know, marriages in Indian villages are still very elaborate affairs. They last for about three days. Since one of the marriages was that of my cousin, I got a chance to closely follow all the rituals and ceremonies associated with a north Indian marriage. One thing that needs saying here is that the bride and the groom need a lot of patience to stand the ordeal of an Indian marriage. They have to just sit there for hours - wearing many clothes and accessories - while friends, relatives, and guests in general, do all sorts of things to them. I am not sure if I could sit through something like that.

One thing I liked greatly about the village life was the lack of rush, that has become an integral part of the city life. Everyone seemed to have the time to give you directions, to explain things to that you didn't understand, or to just talk to you about things in general. In the cities we seem to be always running without getting anywhere. The running is most definitely missing from the rural life. I had planned on taking it easy myself, and therefore I had left my cell phone, and any other thing that could connect me to the city, in the city itself.

So, for me it was a weekend where I realised that simplicity is really the best policy.

But, it also made me wonder what exactly is simplicity? Do we sometimes confuse ignorance with simplicity? What do you think?

Where on Earth is Blue Panther

If you have visited this blog in recent times, you might have asked yourself the question : "Where on Earth is Blue Panther?"

Well, before I go on to explain my absence, I would first like to apologise for disappearing like this. I just checked, and my last post was almost 12 days ago. That is a lot of time, even for someone like me.

But, you know how things happen - planned ones, and then some un-planned ones.

What happened this time was a friend's marriage. A very good friend's marriage. I had been looking forward to attend the marriage for the past couple of months. So, there was no way I could have missed it. Though it was a reminder that I am almost the last one of my friends who is still unmarried. But, that is off topic...

Then, another group of friends planned a rafting and a camping trip, and invited me to join . It was an offer that was too good to refuse.

However, I was hoping that in the middle of all this, somehow I would be able to find time to write something on the blog. But, could I have been more wrong?

The worst (or the best) part is that it is still not over. I have a cousin's marriage to attend today and tomorrow. So, I am going to be ignoring the blog for another couple of days.

But, I promise, I will make up to my dear blog soon. I am thinking that putting up some pictures of all the things I did could be a good way to do that. What do you think?

BYBS : Pitstops

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The Free Dictionary defines a pit stop as, " A brief stop for rest and refreshment, especially during an automobile trip."

Just like an automobile trip, we need pit stops in life too. In a car race, if we keep going without making use of the pit stops, we run the risk of a burst tire, or some mechanical failure, resulting in a loss. Similarly, we need to make sure that we have enough pit stops in our life. Without them we push ourselves towards burnout. These days it is very easy to forget to rest - there is always something that needs to be done.

This could be one of the reasons a lot of people are getting tired of their jobs and lives these days. In fact, I remember, a few years ago, the general perception was that heart attacks hardly ever happen to someone who is under 40. These days it is not uncommon to hear people in their thirties getting heart attacks. I think this is a trend that needs to be reversed.

I took a first step in that direction by taking the whole week off, and just relaxing for the whole week. That was my pit stop, and I hope that this stop has rejuvenated me enough for the days to come.

Have a great week ahead!

A Fair Deal

On November 26, 2008 the city of Mumbai was attacked by a group of militants belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan based militant outfit. Te authorities were successful in capturing one of the attackers, Ajmal Amir Kasib, alive.

His being captured alive led to many consequences. One of them was quite unexpected.

Ajmal's capture caused a debate as to whether Ajmal deserved to be defended by a lawyer in a court of all. One side was of the belief that his involvement in the crime was beyond doubt and there was no reason for a trial; he should just be sentenced. The other side believed that the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to legal aid and representation, and it also goes on to say that every defendant, regardless of his nationality, gets a “fair, just and equitable procedure” in court.

The two sides had been at loggerheads for quite a while. Even the Mumbai Bar Association passed a resolution where it asked its members not to defend Ajmal in any court of law. While many Judges were in favor of appointing a lawyer for Ajmal.

During the course of the debate, I favored the side that was in favor of a quick sentence for Ajmal. I mean his guilt in the event is undeniable, as can be seen in the picture alongside, where he is seen brandishing an AK-47. Many innocent people were killed in the Mumbai attacks, and even the Constitution of India gives the state the right to override the Fundamental Rights, when there is a threat to national security. The attacks on Mumbai were clearly a threat to the security of India.

Moreover, it is also a fact that the judicial machinery takes its time to run its course. In that time, sometimes the defendants find a way to wriggle out of the claws of the legal system. Therefore, in such exceptional cases, we could dispense with the normal route, and punish the guilty.
However, a special Mumbai court, decided that Ajmal deserved to be defended in court, and appointed Anjali Waghmare as his lawyer. As soon as this news got out, there was strong opposition in the country against this decision. On Monday night, some people staged a protest outside her house, and even pelted her house with stones. Despite the opposition, Anjali has now agreed to defend Ajmal in court. The Mumbai police will provide her with Z category security at all times of the day.

As I said before, I was of the opinion that Ajmal should be sentenced straight away, especially because his guilt is proven and does not need any further proof. However, if the judicial system feels that it is necessary that he gets legal aid, then we, as citizens of India, should support the decision. After all, the courts are only trying to ensure that The world's largest democracy does not falter and stays on course. It is , sometimes, easy to get carried away by emotions and let the impulses get the better of you. But, I think, it is praiseworthy that the judges have tried to be true to the spirit of justice, and given Ajmal a fair chance.

Now, the only thing that remains is that the case is brought to a speedy conclusion, and is not allowed to last for any longer than is necessary.