WTF!!

THIS NEEDS TO STOP!!!

Welcome to the Nuclear Family

Yesterday was a day of monumental importance to India. India has received a full waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group, a cabal of elitist nations which decide who can and cannot use Nuclear Technology.

I am no nuclear tech. expert and am hence not going to delve into the viability of nuclear technology in satisfying India's ravenous hunger for power.

Neither am I a political strategist who can look into the fallout of this deal with respect to geo-strategy. But there are two things that stand out that even a layman like me can notice.

Firstly, this act pretty much completes the aligning of India with the U.S and the West in terms of international geopolitics. At this moment it is impossible or at least very difficult to talk about the long term implications of this move i.e. whether it is of net positive or negative consequence to the ambitions of India. However what can without doubt be said is the fact that India has set itself on a course which is a marked shift in its political strategy thus far.

Secondly, it is our Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's moment in international history. Mr. Singh had almost two decades back led a then very unpopulist movement called 'economic liberalization' and that has turned out well of India (at least thus far). I hope that he has made the right choices this time too. I have to say that I am really impressed by the personal conviction with which he has led this campaign. Conviction and the balls to take up unpopular but much needed decisions are qualities that are as rare in India as the fuel grade Uranium and Plutonium that we so desperately seek.

Kudos Mr. Singh. Here's to you!

Now I know how Rajni felt...

Today is Vinayaka Chathurthi. I wish every one a great time praying to the most affable God from the Indian Pantheon.

Today was also a day when I was in the same shoes as Rajni.

After a lot of coaxing I was convinced by my mom to perform the puja on the Vinayaka clay murthi. I might be a qualified Embedded Video Engineer , but when it comes to chanting Vedic Mantras, I am as skillful as my 'Puratchi Deivam' Sam Anderson trying to dance. For the uninitiated, Vedic Mantras is as easy as Microbiology, Neuroscience and Astrophysics put together. Anyways, my parents who are quite aware of my IQ in Vedic Mantras asked me to follow my father's lead.

All was going well until I was asked to repeat a piece of mantra at the speed in which my father chanted it. To get the drift of my father's speed, just think of Eminem rapping 'Way I am' in twice the speed. Over the years I have adapted fairly enough to following his lead, but this one left me stunned and gasping for comprehension. Which is the mantra you ask? Look at 2:14 in the below video.



Now I felt what Rajni must have felt. I have promised myself to find out what this Mantra is and what it actually means. Any idea which mantra this is?

BTW, take a look at my 'Puratchi Deivam' dancing to the tunes of 'Rasathi'. Enjoy!!

I hang my head...

...in shame. Period.