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Thursday, September 26, 2024

How to Finish Everything You Start ~ Jan Yager (104 of 2024)

 "How to Finish Everything You Start" by Jan Yager offers practical advice and strategies to help individuals overcome procrastination and complete tasks they begin. 



Here’s a brief summary of the key themes and concepts from the book:

It covers Habits to transform your life how to finish everything you start is just the book you need to get more done! This book will help you in understanding the causes of the “unfinished” epidemic, its cures, and when choosing not to finish something is okay. By focusing on this one key issue that is sabotaging so many today in their quest to be more productive at work, and to have a more satisfying personal life, you are more likely to: understand what is behind your occasional or chronic reluctance to finish apply the author’s unique f-i-n-i-s-h systematic approach to get more done complete priority projects or tasks be more confident if you do put something aside it is for the right reasons and lots more...

The books is divided into three parts covering Causes, cures and conclusion. 

Causes: 

Reasons are within you, understand, behaviours , bad habits that may be stopping you from finishing.

  1. Fear of failure
  2. Fear of success
  3. Perfectionism
  4. Fear of completion
  5. Procrastination
  6. Poor planning
  7. Poor pacing
  8. Setting an unrealistic deadline in the first place
  9. Taking on too many tasks
  10. Disorganization
  11. Emotional turmoil
  12. Anger
  13. Working under pressure backfires
  14. Allowing yourself to stop at a certain point and temporarily quit.
  15. "Out of sight, out of mind"- a task is not looming in front of you
  16. Starting a new task even before finishing the one you were working on
  17. TV,Videogaming, social media, the Internet or other distractions
  18. Having a problem with lateness
  19. Devaluing yourself or your goal
  20. Overvaluing yourself or your goal
  21. Failing to plan for or allow interruptions
  22. Being too inconsistent in your effort
CURE

F = Focus on One Priority task


I =  Ignore interruptions or distractions


N= Now is the time, not later or tomorrow.


I = Initiate and innovate so you keep going


S = Stay the course however tough it gets


H= Hail finishing by celebrating your accomplishment. 


Find and make the most of hidden time. 

Key Concepts:

Understanding Procrastination:

Yager discusses the psychological and emotional reasons behind procrastination, emphasizing that it often stems from fear, perfectionism, or lack of motivation.

Setting Clear Goals:

The author stresses the importance of defining specific, achievable goals. Writing down your objectives can create a clear roadmap, making it easier to focus and stay committed.

Breaking Tasks into Smaller Steps:

Large tasks can be overwhelming, leading to procrastination. Yager advises breaking them into smaller, manageable steps to make them less daunting and easier to tackle.

Creating a Supportive Environment:

The book highlights the importance of cultivating a work environment that minimizes distractions. This includes organizing your workspace and eliminating interruptions.

Time Management Techniques:

Yager introduces various time management methods, such as the Pomodoro Technique, which encourages working in focused bursts followed by short breaks, helping to maintain productivity.

Accountability and Support:

Finding accountability partners or groups can provide motivation and encouragement. Sharing your goals with others can help keep you on track.

Overcoming Perfectionism:

The author encourages readers to embrace the idea that perfection is not always achievable. Focusing on progress rather than perfection can help alleviate pressure and foster completion.

Celebrating Achievements:

Recognizing and celebrating completed tasks, no matter how small, can boost motivation and reinforce positive habits.

Developing a Finishing Mindset:

Yager emphasizes cultivating a mindset that prioritizes completion. This involves shifting your focus from starting tasks to finishing them and recognizing the satisfaction that comes from completion.

Practical Exercises:

The book includes practical exercises and worksheets to help readers assess their procrastination habits, set goals, and track their progress.

In Summary:

Jan Yager’s "How to Finish Everything You Start" provides valuable insights into overcoming procrastination and enhancing productivity. By understanding the root causes of procrastination, setting clear goals, managing time effectively, and fostering a finishing mindset, readers can develop the skills necessary to complete tasks and achieve their objectives.


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Understanding the behaviors and bad habits that hinder task completion is essential for overcoming procrastination and enhancing productivity. Here are some common behaviors and habits that may stop you from finishing what you start:

1. Procrastination:

  • Delay Tactics: Putting off tasks until the last minute can create unnecessary stress and reduce the quality of your work.
  • Avoidance: Avoiding tasks due to fear of failure or perfectionism can lead to incomplete projects.

2. Perfectionism:

  • Fear of Imperfection: Holding onto the belief that everything must be perfect can prevent you from completing tasks. This fear often leads to endless revisions and procrastination.
  • Over-analysis: Spending too much time analyzing details instead of taking action can stall progress.

3. Distraction:

  • Multitasking: Trying to juggle multiple tasks can decrease focus and effectiveness, making it difficult to complete any single task.
  • Environmental Distractions: A cluttered workspace, noisy environments, or digital distractions (e.g., social media, notifications) can interrupt focus.

4. Lack of Clear Goals:

  • Ambiguous Objectives: Without specific, measurable goals, it can be challenging to maintain direction and motivation, leading to unfinished tasks.
  • Poor Prioritization: Difficulty in prioritizing tasks can lead to focusing on less important activities while neglecting critical ones.

5. Negative Mindset:

  • Self-Doubt: Constantly questioning your abilities can hinder your willingness to take action and complete tasks.
  • Fear of Failure: Worrying about potential failure can prevent you from even starting or completing tasks.

6. Low Motivation:

  • Lack of Interest: If you’re not genuinely interested in a task, it’s easy to lose motivation and abandon it.
  • Burnout: Physical or mental exhaustion can lead to a lack of energy to finish ongoing projects.

7. Inconsistent Routines:

  • Irregular Schedules: Frequently changing your daily routine can disrupt focus and make it difficult to establish productive habits.
  • Inability to Stick to Plans: Failure to follow through on scheduled tasks can create a pattern of unfinished work.

8. Overcommitment:

  • Taking on Too Much: Overloading yourself with commitments can lead to burnout and prevent you from finishing existing projects.
  • Inability to Say No: Difficulty declining additional responsibilities can stretch you too thin, making it hard to focus on what’s important.

9. Avoidance of Discomfort:

  • Fear of Hard Work: Avoiding tasks because they seem challenging or uncomfortable can lead to incomplete projects.
  • Emotional Avoidance: Steering clear of tasks that evoke negative feelings can result in unfinished work.

Strategies for Improvement:

  • Identify Triggers: Recognize specific habits or behaviors that contribute to your inability to finish tasks.
  • Set Clear Goals: Define specific and achievable objectives, breaking them down into manageable steps.
  • Minimize Distractions: Create a focused work environment and limit external distractions.
  • Develop a Routine: Establish a consistent schedule to foster productivity and accountability.
  • Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself regarding imperfections and setbacks; focus on progress rather than perfection.

By acknowledging and addressing these behaviors and habits, you can take steps toward completing tasks and achieving your goals more effectively.

Sometimes failing to finish is a good thing. 

Motivation to persist in a failed to finish task is related to completion closeness. 

Time Management:

  1. Be active, not reactive
  2. Set Goals
  3. Prioritize actions
  4. Keep your focus
  5. Create realistic deadlines
  6. DO IT NOW
Divide and conquer what you must do
Organize your materials how you will do it
Ignore interruptions that are annoying distractions.
Take the time to learn how to do things yourself
Now, not tomorrow. Don't procrastinate. 
Opportunity is knocking. Take advantage of opportunities. 
Watch out for time gobblers. Keep track of, and in control of, how much time you spend where? 
Balance your life. 

Artificial Intelligence

 

"Every aspect of learning or any other feature of intelligence can be so precisely described that a machine can be made to simulate it" – This is the maxim on which AI is build. Machines are made to behave intelligently. It can read and grasp reams of data; it can determine patterns and spot outliers. Unlike automation, it learns from mistakes, and like human beings, with more practice, it becomes better. AI is meant to free up time for people but can never dispense with the need for human experience and insight. AI is helping industries like financial services, healthcare,  automotive and many others, accelerate innovation, improve customer experience, and reduce costs.

Bots are set to replace tax preparers, Online shopping is making the sales rep extinct, Self checkout reduces the need for cashiers, Robots are replacing medical technicians, lawyers are replaced with bots, BPO can become machine driven.

The AI revolution is in full swing, with many monumental achievements like the revolution in healthcare, where we had a doctor in China doing a remote surgery from his home town, timely diagonises and treatment are helping patient care, Chat GPT  a generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI. Launched in 2022 based on the GPT-3.5 large language model, it provides answers to any question you ask, unlike google which provide multiple options and you have to choose.

 The first self-driving car - In 1995, Mercedes-Benz managed to drive a modified S-Class mostly autonomously from Munich to Copenhagen.

According to auto evolution, the 1043 mile ride was made via stuffing effectively a supercomputer into the boot - the automobile contained 60 transputer chips, which at the time were the kingdom of the artwork when it came to parallel computing, that means that it may want to system a lot of riding statistics shortly - a crucial section of making self-driving motors sufficiently responsive. The vehicle reached speeds of up to 115mph and was virtually pretty similar to autonomous automobiles of today, as it could overtake and read road signs.

But when and how did it start? Any guess?

The concept of AI didn't suddenly appear - it is the subject of a deep, philosophical debate that still rages today: Can a machine honestly think like a human? Can a machine be human? One of the first people to think about this was René Descartes, way back in 1637, in a book called Discourse on the Method.

The second primary philosophical benchmark came courtesy of computer science pioneer Alan Turing. In 1950 he first described what became known as The Turing Test, and what he referred to as "The Imitation Game" - a test for measuring when we can finally declare that machines can be intelligent.

 His test was simple: if a judge cannot differentiate between a human and a machine (say, through a text-only interaction with both), can the machine trick the judge into thinking that they are the human one?

 “Neural Network” is the fancy name scientists give to trial and error, the critical thinking unpinning present-day AI. Essentially, when it comes to coaching an AI, the first-class way to do it is to have the device guess, acquire feedback, and bet again - continuously moving the possibilities that it will get to the correct answer. What's quite splendid then is that the first neural community was once definitely created way again in 1951. Called "SNARC" - the Stochastic Neural Analogy Reinforcement Computer - was created by Marvin Minsky and Dean Edmonds. It was not made of microchips and transistors, however of vacuum tubes, motors, and clutches.

In 1997, IBM was responsible for perhaps the most famous chess match of all time, as its Deep Blue computer bested world chess champion, Garry Kasparov - demonstrating how powerful machines can be.

 To a positive extent, Deep Blue’s Genius was illusory - IBM itself reckons that its computing device is not using Artificial Intelligence. Instead, Deep Blue uses a combination of brute pressure processing - processing thousands of possible moves every second. IBM fed the system with facts on lots of beforehand games, and each time the board modified with each movie, Deep Blue wouldn’t be gaining knowledge of anything new. Still, it would as a substitute be looking up how preceding grandmasters reacted in identical situations. “He’s playing the ghosts of grandmaster's past,” as IBM puts it.Whether this counts as AI or no longer, though, what’s clear is that it was once indeed a substantial milestone and one that drew much interest not simply to the computational skills of computers but additionally to the discipline as a whole. Since the face-off with Kasparov, besting human players at games had come to be a significant, populist way of benchmarking computer Genius - as we saw once more in 2011 when IBM’s Watson machine handily trounced two of the game show Jeopardy’s fantastic players.

 Machine Starts Talking - Siri

Natural language processing has long been a holy grail of synthetic intelligence - and integral if we’re ever going to have a world where humanoid robots exist or where we can bark orders at our units like in Star Trek.

 2010S: WATSON AND OUR DAYS

In the early 2000s, the story of the voice revolution reached a decisive turning point: the question answering system, Watson competed with the best champions of the popular television quiz Jeopardy! and defeated them in total points. Thus, becoming the first system capable of processing natural language with the same speed and confidence as a human.

 This victory set the stage for a forthcoming set of digital smart products that you can control with your voice. Two months after Watson's success, Apple introduced Siri to the world, then conversational assistants began to pop up like mushrooms after the rain (2012: Google Assistant, 2013: Cortana, 2014: Amazon Alexa, 2016:Google Home, 2017: Bixby etc.).

 And this is why Siri, which used to be constructed using the aforementioned statistical methods, was once so impressive. Created by using SRI International and even launched as a separate app on the iOS app store, it was rapidly acquired using Apple itself and deeply integrated into iOS: Today, it is one of the most excessive-profile fruits of computer learning, as it, along with equivalent merchandise from Google (the Assistant), Microsoft (Cortana), and of course, Amazon’s Alexa, has modified the way we have interaction with our units in a way that would have appeared impossible simply a few years earlier.

 Today we take it for granted - however, you only have to ask all people who ever tried to use a voice to textual content software before 2010 to respect just how far we’ve come.

 Like voice recognition, picture awareness is every other most crucial assignment that AI is helping to beat. In 2015, researchers concluded for the first time that machines - in this case, two competing structures from Google and Microsoft - have been better at identifying objects in pictures than humans were, in over one thousand categories. These “deep learning” systems were successful in beating the ImageNet Challenge - assume something like the Turing Test, however, for image attention - and they are going to be essential if photograph cognizance is ever going to scale beyond human abilities.

 GPUs make AI economical.

One of the big reasons AI is now such a big deal is because it is only over the last few years that the cost of crunching so much data has become affordable. According to Fortune, it was only in the late 2000s that researchers realized that graphical processing units (GPUs), which had been developed for 3D graphics and games, were 20-50 times better at deep learning computation than traditional CPUs.

 AlphaGo and AlphaGoZero conquer all.

In March 2016, another AI milestone was reached as Google’s AlphaGo software beat Lee Sedol, a top-ranked player of the board game Go, echoing Garry Kasparov’s historic match. What made it substantial was not simply that Go is an even different mathematically complex sport than Chess; however, that it was skilled using a combination of human and AI opponents. Google received 4 out of five of the matches via reportedly using 1920 CPUs and 280 GPUs.

 Perhaps even extra giant is information from a remaining year - when a later version of the software, AlphaGo Zero. Instead of the usage of any previous data, as AlphaGo and Deep Blue had, to research the sport, it undoubtedly played hundreds of matches towards itself - and after three days of coaching, was capable of beating the version of AlphaGo which beat Lee Sedol one hundred video games to nil.

 Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, are all forrunner in AI innovations. These technologies not only save time, but also potentially save lives by minimizing human error and ensuring a safer working environment. In addition, automating repetitive tasks in design, planning, and management with AI frees up human workers to focus on more complex and creative aspects.

Artificial Intelligence, technical automation, and bots are transforming the workplace culture. Technologies, however, are yet to master Emotional Quotient, and this is where soft skills like decision-making and empathy of a deserving candidate are crucial.

AI bias can creep in when decisions made by AI reflect the conscious or unconscious values of the people who designed it or data it's based on, for example, when finance teams make decisions on customers' credit or payment terms. Applying AI to F&A creates new demands for teams with both business and technical skills. People need industry and functional knowledge to provide essential context and review algorithms. Advanced teams are even hiring behavioral scientists and anthropologists. But they also need technical skills, such as forecasting, data scientists, and engineers, analytics, design thinking, and agile programming. Once you have the right people, they need the right infrastructure to work with. With easy access to intuitive technology at home, a workplace with outdated, clunky systems won't encourage them to stay.

It will kill some jobs, leave some untouched and create new ones as well, Jobs, that are likely to go away due to automation include  call center employees, data entry operators, insurance underwriters, tax preparers, sales representatives, translators, and fast food employees.

Yet, no advancement can upstage psychiatrists, storytellers, world-class teachers, scientists, actors, and thought leaders because these roles need innovative and personal skills.

The World Bank estimates up to 69% of today’s job positions will become redundant. But there is no need to panic. For every job lost, new ones will come up. Look at history, for proof. The 20th century hadn’t heard anything like Chief Technology Officer, Chief Delivery Officer, Chief Belief Officer, and Chief Gardener. It is not that job opportunities are not there. It is just that skills set requirements have changed. So what is most important is to ensure that workforce is smart and adaptive and can take up newer roles.

Like every other the entertainment industry has been debating both the pros (such as the rise of new art forms) and cons (deepfakes that can replicate a performer’s face and/or voice, with or without their permission) of the proliferation of AI.

While AI is a powerful resource that’s not going away, industries, governments and the public at large need to stay updated on its developments and think carefully about the ethical implications of its use.

 The question persist: "If ethical principles deny our right from doing evil, that good may come, are we justified in doing good, that the foreseeable consequence is evil?"

Some of the effects of AI to be checked are:

1. Phishing Messages And Malware

2. Identity theft: AI-generated deepfakes aren’t just targeting high-profile people. Fraudsters are leveraging them to steal individuals’ identities so they have access to bank accounts and confidential information. Luckily, verification platforms that have multiple identification factors can help deter fraud and the potential leakage of personal information and documents.

3. Increasingly Sophisticated Cyberattacks - Hackers are increasingly utilizing AI for sophisticated cyberattacks.

4. Disinformation Campaigns

AI-generated text can be used to create sophisticated disinformation campaigns. By emulating the writing style of influential figures, AI can generate fake news articles, social media posts or blog entries that appear authentic. This raises concerns about the spread of misinformation and the erosion of trust in online content.

5. Revelation Of Personal Data

AI models trained on large data sets can capture patterns and knowledge from text, potentially including sensitive or personal information. This raises concerns about the privacy and security of individuals’ data, as AI-generated text can inadvertently reveal private details or be exploited for malicious purposes, such as social engineering attacks or identity theft.

6. Reputational Damage

It’s unsettling that deepfake technology could enable highly damaging revenge scenarios. A vengeful person could easily make it appear as though someone has cheated by swapping faces in an intimate video; create a fake video of the victim saying offensive things, damaging their career (even if the video is proven to be fake); or blackmail someone with a deepfake video, threatening to release it publicly unless demands are met.

7. Impersonating Trusted Individuals

Deepfakes are on the rise and create security threats for both consumers and businesses. Bad actors can utilize AI to impersonate bank employees or even family members over the phone. These phishing attacks are very dangerous—their urgent and deceptive nature specifically targets human emotions with the ultimate goal of stealing personally identifiable information and/or money.

8. Manipulating Election Results

AI deepfakes can distort democratic discourse and manipulate elections. Deepfakes can be used to spread misinformation, propaganda and fake news about political candidates, parties or issues. Political leaders can be impersonated or discredited, as can political activists or journalists. This can influence voter behavior, undermine public trust and destabilize democracy. AI use needs to be controlled.

9. Autonomous Weapons Systems

I am sure there will be a time when AI-powered autonomous weapons systems will evolve. These systems could have the potential to make critical decisions about targeting and engagement without direct human control. This raises serious ethical concerns.

10. Image Manipulation

Most people do not realize that AI can be used to manipulate images. AI-powered image manipulation can take an existing image and change elements of it, such as the background, color and other features. This technology is used for everything from facial recognition to creating realistic deepfakes. It is a powerful tool that can be used both ethically and unethically, depending on the application.

11. Surveillance

One unsettling way AI can be leveraged is as a surveillance tool. Facial recognition technology is becoming more common, and there’s a concern among some that it may be used to keep an eye on people without their knowledge. I think we need to be cautious and hold companies that use this tech accountable so people’s rights are not violated.

12. Adversarial Attacks

AI adversarial attacks represent a surprising and concerning application of the technology. These attacks subtly manipulate AI inputs to induce erroneous outputs, misleading systems including those used in autonomous cars or for facial recognition. This unfamiliar threat can lead to significant security risks, making it vital to improve public awareness and system resilience.

13. More Pervasive And Invasive Advertising

AI can be used for more pervasive advertising. With AI, one can analyze the emotional state of a consumer and feed them highly personalized ads, exploiting their emotional vulnerabilities. AI algorithms can distinguish between happy and sad faces, understand text sentiments and tone of voice, and read other behavioral patterns to manipulate a user’s decision-making processes and nudge them into buying.

14. Creation Of Echo Chambers

The most unsettling development to me is the way AI serves up only what people want to see and know about. The more you click on sites and pages expressing a certain viewpoint, the more that viewpoint is shown to you. It is causing people to take sides and think those who don’t believe the same things they do are misinformed, unintelligent or misguided. In reality, every one of us is only being shown things that align with our existing viewpoints.

 

15. Realistic Digital Influencers

Companies are creating AI-generated social media influencers that are entirely computer-generated and designed to appear and act like real people. They can amass large numbers of followers, endorse products and even collaborate with other influencers—all without being human. These blurred lines between real and virtual individuals raise ethical concerns regarding transparency and authenticity in influencer marketing.

16. Creation Of Synthetic Data

One way AI is being leveraged that the general public may not know about is to create synthetic data, which imitates real data such as images, text, audio or video. Synthetic data serves several worthwhile purposes, including training machine learning models, testing software and enhancing privacy. However, there are also challenges regarding quality, validity, fairness and safeguarding the rights of the original data owners and users.

17. Medical Image Interpretation

AI’s ability to interpret medical images, such as X-rays or MRIs, is astonishing yet disconcerting. While it can aid in early disease detection, if the algorithms are flawed or biased, it may lead to misdiagnoses and inappropriate treatments. It’s essential that we approach AI in healthcare with a balanced understanding of both its vast potential and the need for rigorous validation.

 



No, it is not a mosquito. It's an insect spy drone which can be remotely controlled and is equipped with a camera and a microphone.     It can land on you, and it may have the potential to take a DNA sample or leave RFID tracking nanotechnology on your skin. It can fly through an open window, or it can attach to your clothing until you take it in your home.    One of the current areas of research reportedly being undertaken in the scientific/military field is the development of micro air vehicles (MAVs), tiny flying objects intended to go places that cannot be (safely) reached by humans or other types of equipment. Pl zoom & see actual equipment.   This is fifth generation war.

Sushmita Sen on Miss Universe, Motherhood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzxFRY2L8Oc 

All children don't walk at the same time. Things happen at time when it is destined for our individual growth. You cannot rush a season, how fast you want, monsoon will come only when it is time. Life is making us ready for what we are meant to do or be. 

What aspect of you is born out of conditioning? It should be action. Had to adapt, because of changes. It taught how to belong.  It became innate nature. If in force - you become very patriotic. 

Law of attraction - Rakesh Sharma on Moon - First person, Sushmita wanted to have it - had asked for a wish - so she knew she was going to be Miss Universe, had manifested in all its glory, he got the space, and she got the universe. 

New York time editors, taught how to communicate, travelled 33 countries, that experience was enriching. There would be lack of normalcy. Missing University was a small price to pay, for the big dream achieved. 

Pathbreaking decision of adopting, and not marrying. Break the mould and arrive at the decision. Had been in intense and long term relationship.  Was clear that would be with a companion, where you want to be there and not should be there. 

Somebody want to be a mother and a child wanted a mother, there was demand and supply, there was a calling. So wanted a baby first, with father's support, court gave a child, if no father, should have a father figure, and he should sign half his belonging to the Child. Motherhood, as romantic the notion is , practically when you get down to doing it, it is a frustrating experience. Priorities change. Would have been a destructive and volatile person if not for motherhood, it gave a bigger purpose. 

Main Ho na and Biwi number one, gave acceptance in the industry.   Eight year hiatus from work, but was doing endorsements and jewellery in Middle East. 2010  to 2012 took over Miss Universe. Slowly became entrepreneur, and then started watching OTT. Felt it was time to be hired again. Where do the sense of completion come from? Have build happiness. Believe that nothing in life is more important than the freedom, to be who I am, to speak what I want. If someone can enhance that feeling of completion it would be good, only validation you need is to go and stand in front of the mirror. 

Taali helped to be the voice for the Transgender community. GAuri, meeting her was the experience. You have to be honest. Know their pain, anger and anguish. God helps you if you trigger a Gauri. 

Does a lot of soul searching. Very aware of what is happening. Chapter's in life should evolve to have excellent book someday. Tombstone should read 'She Lived'. 

Bengali do not say Durga - when someone is anxious or going for something important, while sending them on their way for protection, they say - 'Duga Duga'. Durga sits in the soul and where she sits fear has no place. 

On the platform of Miss Universe learned Sisterhood. It's about collaboration and not competition. You have to know that the only thing that will give you victory, is to bring your A game on and not put down others. You will be a better version of you. If you win in isolation, it does not count. 

Love is everything, it is what one is made of, what you are not what your project or feel. Even to love another is to love self. Self love is in every cell. I am ❤️.

People will not remember who you were asked something, but they will always remembered how your responded, so be careful. 

People will call you name, only if you respond it belong to you, just ignore. 

Women is a precious essence of God. Enjoy life. It's a humongous privilege to be born a women. Exercise and celebrate the gift of being the women. 


Dor

 The beautiful song sung by the duo - Sunithi and Shriya took me to the movie Dor, did not know the song was from this movie the remake of Perumazhikalam. 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QK8M24t1-E

जलती धूप मे हल्की हवा चल गयी

मिला भरोसा यार का जा फिर संभाल गयी

हो ख्वाइश साँस ले, जंजीरे पिघल गयी

सबा उम्मीद को माथे पे यू मल गयी

सुने सहराव मे हसरत पली है

हाय तूफान मे आज ये शम्मा जली है

शायद है ये दोस्ती, या ईमान का असर

शायद है ये दोस्ती, या ईमान का असर

आगे क्या लिखा हमको क्या खबर

ईमान का असर

ईमान का असर

ईमान का असर

ईमान का असर

आ आ आ आ आ आ

दिन महक महक गया

रात मचल मचल गयी

चाह ज़रा था अब मगर

नियत बदल बदल गयी

दिन महक महक गया

रात मचल मचल गयी

चाह ज़रा था अब मगर

नियत बदल बदल गयी

हो बेचैन जिंदगी सुकून पाए

हाय दिल की ये आरजू लब तक तो आए

शायद है ये दोस्ती, या ईमान का असर

शायद है ये दोस्ती, या ईमान का असर

आगे क्या लिखा हमको क्या खबर

ईमान का असर

ईमान का असर

ईमान का असर

ईमान का असर आ आ आ आ

ईमान का

जलती धूप मे हल्की हवा चल गयी

मिला भरोसा यार का, जा फिर संभाल गयी

ओ ओ

कैसा साज़ है, तन्हा जा बहल गयी

धीमी सी ताल पर, आशाए मचल गयी

सुने सहराव मे हसरत पली है

हाय तूफान मे आज ये शम्मा जली है

शायद है ये दोस्ती, या ईमान का असर

शायद है ये दोस्ती, या ईमान का असर

आगे क्या लिखा हमको क्या खबर

ईमान का असर

ईमान का असर

ईमान का असर

ईमान का असर (ईमान का असर)

ईमान का असर (ईमान का)

ईमान का असर (असर)

Zeenat (Gul Panag) is an independent Muslim woman living in Himachal Pradesh. She marries Amir Khan, her boyfriend, who leaves for Saudi Arabia for work.

Meera (Ayesha Takia) a simple Rajasthani Hindu woman, has everything in her life in accordance with customs and traditions, including her marriage into a traditional Rajasthani family and her daily chores within the family haveli. Her husband, Shankar, is also in Saudi Arabia for work. Shankar regularly sends his wages home to support his family, which includes his father, Randhir Singh, mother, grandmother, and Meera. When the remittances stop and there is no correspondence from her husband, Meera learns that Shankar was killed in a freak accident allegedly caused by his Muslim roommate and is devastated.

The ceremonies toward rendering Meera into a widow emotionally drain her. Her vivaciousness and exuberance are stifled. The rest of the family vents their frustration of losing their only breadwinner to Meera, blaming her for bringing bad luck to the family.

Zeenat hears that her husband has been arrested for murdering his roommate in Saudi Arabia. Amir is scheduled to be executed. An Indian officer explains to her that Saudi law permits the release of a criminal if the wife of the deceased forgives the guilty. Armed only with a photograph of Shankar and Amir, Zeenat sets out to find Meera. En route, she meets a Behrupiya (Shreya Thelapadia) , who is talented in arts and mimicry. He turns out to be a petty conman when he hoodwinks Zeenat and steals her things. However, when Zeenat falls into trouble, he returns to rescue her with his artistic talent. He is empathetic when Zeenat details her plight and offers to help. After making educated guesses, they reach Jodhpur and identify the Singh haveli. When Zeenat requests the Singh family to pardon Amir's mistake, their anger drives her away.

Feeling that befriending Meera might help her cause, Zeenat approaches her at a temple Meera visits daily. She is too afraid to tell Meera the truth and does not reveal who she is. They become good friends and spend most of their time together. Their friendship brings out the missing part in each of their personalities. Meera gets a glimpse of freedom; this brings her out of the shell of traditions and gives her a new perspective on life.

The Singh family is in debt to Chopra, a local factory owner. When Randhir requests more time to repay it, he is given an offer – pardoning the debt in exchange for Meera. Randhir accepts. When news of the death sentence arrives, Zeenat is compelled to tell the truth to Meera. The fact that her friendship was based on false pretenses hurts Meera, and she refuses to sign the maafinama (statement of forgiveness). She makes it clear that she wants to hurt her husband's murderer, even if it was an accident, because of how much she is hurting in her new, veiled life.

Zeenat is hurt but accepts it as fate and decides to leave. Meera has a change of heart because of her disillusionment at Randhir's willingness to "sell" her to Chopra. She hurries to the railway station, where she gives Zeenat the signed statement of forgiveness. Zeenat extends her hand from the train, and Meera grabs it and climbs aboard, running away from the only life she has ever known.

Anna Sebastian EY Employee and Stress



"People used to say, "Don’t work too hard for a company; they’ll forget you by the next paycheck." Now, it’s worse—they’ll forget you the same day. And when you pass while still at work—in harness—they’ll even forget to attend your funeral."

A 26 year old Chartered accountant, who had qualified only six months before, and joined EY died recently and her mother wrote a letter to EY management. https://www.news18.com/viral/26-year-old-ey-pune-employee-succumbs-to-work-stress-four-months-after-joining-mother-writes-to-firms-india-boss-9054423.html

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAGMtObs3Eq/?igsh=dTh6ZzBqcWNmazll - Her father speaks to Asianet


1. Toxic Work Culture: Anna’s death highlights the severe pressures faced by young professionals in a work environment that often prioritizes ambition and productivity over employee well-being, leading to physical and mental exhaustion.

2. Flawed Parental Expectations: Societal and parental pressures can create unrealistic expectations for children, pushing them into high-stress careers without consideration for their personal interests or mental health.

3. Lack of Support Systems: There is a significant absence of employee support systems, such as unions or mental health resources, which exacerbates the exploitation and burnout experienced by young workers in demanding roles.

4. Need for Mental Health Awareness: The rising rates of mental health issues among youth indicate a critical need for better education and resources to help young people cope with stress, failure, and the pressures of modern life.

5. Cultural Shift Required: There need to be a fundamental change in how success is defined and pursued, advocating for a balance between ambition and personal well-being, as well as a re-evaluation of the values instilled in the younger generation by parents and society.

I hope we get to see people playing long games in life and well being is given paramount importance. I have personally seen consultants from Big 4 working long hours, odd time lunch and dinner, less sleep etc., I used to tell them to take care of their health. But the culture is that way and I have not seen many complaining. But this is pretty sad for a young kid and I can't imagine the state of her parents.

Now we don't get connected beyond work. Earlier, we had friends at the office. Now, people search for friends on Saturdays and Sundays She should have asked for help or spoken up earlier.  Maybe, staying away from family made it more difficult.

How is the company responding? Leave aside empathy or concern,  they  are trying to hide managers identity. Shouldn't HR and management  investigate and take action against that person. Some action should be taken against managers and Pune HR, where she was based out of. For 1 toxic person how many more ppl would u sacrifice. Wondering what the true role of an HR is? Are they mere puppets? Let us see how the labour commission take it forward.

Anita Augustine ex SBI employee,  mother of Anna Sebastian Perayil is great.  Not all will do that. God give her strength. Nothing can substitute her loss. But she has decided to bring about a reform. Like Hema commission,  this has given strength to many employees to speak up. Students, Swiggy delivery all have pressure. This is an eye opener.  So many tell what you do sit in front of laptop full day. People don't understand the stress behind that.

In the wake of the tragic demise of 26-year-old chartered accountant Anna Sebastian Perayil, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that educational institutions should give stress management lessons to its students to develop their ‘inner strength’. She said this can only be attained if they put their faith in God, while talking at an event in a private college on Saturday, September 21, where she made the comments.

"The eloquent silence of the ICAI in the matter of the death of Anna Sebastian is stunning. One may argue that it does not have a locus standi, but do you need one to make a statement. I am reminded of Sherlock Holmes famed statement in the story Silver Blaze."

The dog didn't make any noise because the culprit was not a stranger.

Sunday, September 22, 2024

On reading and writing

 


Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg was an erudite liberal jurist appointed by President Clinton to the US Supreme Court.

My only grouse is that she should have retired during President Obama's second term, when she was suffering from cancer.

Her death in September  2020 allowed President Trump to appoint right winger Amy Barrett...

and tilt the balance with his 3rd egregious appointment to the Supreme Court during his 4 year term..

Well explained,  as received from Shobha at Cochin Book Club .

"I read many books in my life, but I don't remember most of the information I got from them. So what's the use of reading so many books?" A student asked his teacher exactly this question one day.

The teacher was silent about this, he did not answer on the first day.

After a few days, the student and the teacher met one day by the river, the teacher showed the student a pot with a hole and said - "Go, take the pot from the river and bring me a pot of water", the pot fell there on the ground in the dirt.

The student felt a little confused, it was an absurd advice, it was not possible to fetch water with a pot with holes, but the teacher's advice could not be disobeyed, so he picked up the pot from the ground and ran to the river to fetch water.

He filled the pot and came up with water, but could not go far, after taking a few steps the water filled all the holes and fell.

He tried a few more times, but he failed and became frustrated.

After several more attempts like this he could not reach the water, he was very tired.

Then he went back to the teacher and said - "I have failed, I cannot bring water to this vessel, it is not possible for me, forgive me."

Hearing the student, the teacher gave a gentle smile and aimed at the student, he said - "No, you have not failed. Look at the pot, it is clean now, it looks like a brand new pot. Every time the water falls through the holes, the dirt inside the pot is removed." Cleared outThe same thing happens to you when you read a book, your brain is like a vessel with holes, and the information in the book is like water. So when you read a book you cannot remember everything. But whether you read a book and remember all its information is not that important. Because the ideas, knowledge, emotions, feelings, realizations and truths you find in reading books clear your mind, every time you finish reading a book you undergo a spiritual transformation, every time you are reborn, thus becoming a purer human being. . That is the main purpose of reading books."

Happy reading….

(Credit goes to the original owner of the post)

Two gifts I received from my parents have come in handy in my writing life — a sense of wonder and curiosity from my dad, and a need for planning and discipline from my mom.

Of course, they instilled a love and respect for the written word, as well as languages.

"If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking." ~ Haruki Murakami



Thursday, September 19, 2024

Istanbul

Cochin Book Club Theme of the month was 'Istanbul', as was discussed in the meeting today - Napoleon Bonaparte said: "If the Earth were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital."

These were the few books discussed during the month and today. Was fortunate to meet few of the members too.

Arrived at the Tokatlian Hote in Istanbul with Hercule Poirot in 'Murder on the Orient Express' by  Agatha Christie on 24th August 2024, after taking the Taurus Express from Aleppo in Syria to Istanbul.  The original Orient Express had begun its journey in 1883 from Paris, France - Gare de l'Est (Eastern Railway Station) and ended at Istanbul (formerly Constantinople), Turkey, passing through several major European cities along the way, including Strasbourg, Munich, Vienna, Budapest, and Bucharest. The journey covered a distance of approximately 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) and was renowned for its luxury, providing an opulent and comfortable travel experience across Europe.  However, its legacy lives on through various iterations and services inspired by the famous train. The original route was discontinued in 1977. 

Situated in the Beyoglu district, close to Taksim Square and the vibrant Istiklal Street, opened in the late 19th Century, like the Pera Palace Hotel, the Tokatlian Hotel was a key stop for travelers on the Orient Express, further cementing its place in Istanbul's historical and cultural landscape. The Tokatlian Hotel is no longer in operation.

 Omar pamuk, fascinated me with 'The Museum of Innocence'  Courtesy Harish, there, could get a sneak peak into love story set in Istanbul around 1975 to 1984 between a wealthy businessman, Kemal, and a poorer Fusun, a distant relative, whom he meet after a long time.  Kemal has been engaged to a pretty girl named Sibel for two months when he meets, Fusun, who is working as a shop girl, while buying a handbag for his fiancee. What follows in the next month and a half is an intense and secretive physical and emotional relationship between them. Though it is clear that he has also fallen completely for Fusun, Kemal keeps denying this to himself, believing that his marriage with Sibel and secret relationship could continue forever. Kemal's engagement to Sibel breaks off and finally Füsun responds to his letter and agrees to meet him. Füsun has got married, living with her husband and parents, and pretends to meet Kemal just as a distant relation, with undercurrents of anger. For the next eight years Kemal keeps visiting the family for supper and expressing his love for Füsun in various ways, while finding consolation in various objects related to her that he carries away from the house. Will they unite? What happens then, is what the story is all about. 

The Goddess Pages by Laurie Sue Brockway  made me want to know more of Sophia cause Sophia - goddess of wisdom in Gnostic Christianity, is also referred to in Hebrew texts and the books of Solomon. She helps you tap into and trust your own intuition. Most of the research told me that  "Hagia Sophia" translates to "Holy Wisdom" in Greek is a term used to refer to Christ as the divine wisdom of God.

The Hagia Sophia was originally constructed as a Christian cathedral dedicated to Holy Wisdom (Sophia) by Emperor Justinian I in 537 AD. It was later converted into a mosque by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II in 1453 after the conquest of Constantinople. In 1935, it was secularized and transformed into a museum by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and in 2020, it was reconverted into a mosque.

While there were deities and mythological figures associated with wisdom in various ancient cultures, such as the Greek goddess Athena or the Egyptian goddess Seshat, Sophia as a deity is not a prominent figure in classical mythology. In Christian theology, Sophia represents divine wisdom rather than a goddess with a specific cult or mythology.



 I was 'Strolling through Istanbull with Hilary Sumner-Boyd and John Freely  guided by Philip Abraham Sir. Began from the amazing double layered, Galata bridge. The Galata Bridge spans the Golden Horn (Turkish: Haliç), an estuary that connects the Bosphorus Strait with the Sea of Marmara. The Golden Horn divides the historic peninsula of Istanbul from the more modern areas of the city, making the Galata Bridge a crucial link between the two parts. From one point of the bridge you can see the seven hills of Istanbul. Am at Sehazadebasi, realizing that while not a direct historical or architectural link, Süleymaniye Tea's name pays homage to the cultural legacy of the Suleymaniye Mosque and its surrounding area.

As I stroll through Istanbull, occasionally I took rest, 'Beneith the devil tree -Malabar 1921' by our own Anjana Varma- wondering how Istanbul history and geography effect the world giving birth to Kihilafat Kingpin's locally, and becoming a reason for the Malabar Mapala Mutiny.  We are all interconnected with a web of stories.  

Each of the 39 district in Istanbul offers a different perspective on the city’s vibrant life, history, and culture, making Istanbul a city full of diverse experiences and vast history of which there are various views.  Some stories still remain a mystery.  Hope Hercule Poirot will help resolve some of the mysteries.

----------------------------

If you have time to visit only one place, they say visit Hagia Sophia due to it's vast and unique history. But if you wish to travel around start from the Galata Bridge. 

Istanbul is a sprawling city with a rich tapestry of neighborhoods and districts. As of the most recent administrative divisions, Istanbul is divided into 39 districts, each with its own unique character and attractions. Here’s a brief overview of some notable districts:

1. Historical Peninsula (Fatih)

Sultanahmet: Home to iconic landmarks like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapı Palace.

Eminönü: Known for the Spice Bazaar and the bustling waterfront.

Beyazıt: Features the Grand Bazaar and Istanbul University.

2. Modern and Commercial Districts

Şişli: A major commercial area with shopping centers, offices, and modern architecture.

Beşiktaş: Known for its vibrant nightlife, universities, and the Dolmabahçe Palace.

Levent: A business district with modern skyscrapers and luxury shopping malls.

3. Cultural and Artistic Areas

Beyoğlu: Includes Istiklal Street, Taksim Square, and Galata Tower; known for its nightlife and cultural venues.

Karaköy: A trendy district with cafes, galleries, and a historical waterfront area.

4. Residential and Diverse Districts

Kadıköy: Located on the Asian side, known for its lively market, ferry terminals, and arts scene.

Üsküdar: A historic district with beautiful mosques and traditional Turkish architecture.

Çekmeköy: A more suburban area with parks and family-friendly environments.

5. Waterfront and Scenic Areas

Bosphorus Districts:

Ortaköy: Known for its waterfront mosque and lively square.

Arnavutköy: Features charming Ottoman-style houses and waterfront cafes.

6. Emerging and Trendy Areas

Şişli: A mix of modern residential and commercial spaces.

Ataşehir: A modern, planned district with new residential and business developments.

7. Administrative and Industrial Zones

Esenler: Known for its bus terminal and industrial areas.

Gaziosmanpaşa: A mixed residential and commercial district with ongoing development.

Each district in Istanbul offers a different perspective on the city’s vibrant life, history, and culture, making Istanbul a city full of diverse experiences.

Though Hercule Poirot would not our CBC members did.



Discussion did also cover,  Armenian Genocide, Janisseries, rulers, changes and effects, GDP,  writers and translations.

Istanbul is famously built on seven hills, each associated with specific districts that are significant both historically and culturally. Here’s a breakdown of the districts corresponding to each of the seven hills:

1. First Hill:

  • District: Sultanahmet
  • Significance: This hill is home to many of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks, including the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace.

2. Second Hill:

  • District: Beyazıt
  • Significance: This hill hosts the Beyazıt Mosque, Beyazıt Tower, and the Istanbul University, making it a center of education and culture.

3. Third Hill:

  • District: Fındıklı and Taksim
  • Significance: The area is known for the Taksim Square, a modern cultural and commercial hub, and the Gezi Park. It also features the Pera district, known for its historical buildings.

4. Fourth Hill:

  • District: Şişli and Mecidiyeköy
  • Significance: This hill includes parts of the Nişantaşı neighborhood, known for shopping and upscale living, and is a vital commercial center.

5. Fifth Hill:

  • District: Karaköy
  • Significance: This area is important for its port activities and cultural spots, including galleries and cafes, as well as being close to the historic Galata Tower.

6. Sixth Hill:

  • District: Üsküdar
  • Significance: This area on the Asian side features the Maiden’s Tower and is known for its historic mosques and traditional neighborhoods.

7. Seventh Hill:

  • District: Eminönü and Karaköy
  • Significance: This hill is central to Istanbul’s commercial activities, with the Spice Bazaar and New Mosque located here, making it a bustling area of trade and tourism.

In Summary:

Each of Istanbul's seven hills is associated with specific districts that reflect the city’s rich history and diverse culture. From the ancient landmarks of Sultanahmet to the modern vibe of Taksim and the vibrant trade of Eminönü, these hills encapsulate the unique character of Istanbul.

The "last stroll" in Istanbul can be a poignant and memorable experience, offering a blend of nostalgia, beauty, and reflection on the city’s rich history and vibrant culture. Here’s how such a stroll might unfold:


1. Scenic Routes:

Bosphorus Promenade: Start your walk along the Bosphorus waterfront, where you can enjoy stunning views of the strait, iconic landmarks like the Maiden’s Tower, and the beautiful Ottoman palaces that line the shores.

İstiklal Avenue: Walk through this bustling pedestrian street in Beyoğlu, filled with shops, cafes, and street performers. The nostalgic tram adds a charming touch to the vibrant atmosphere.

2. Historical Landmarks:

Sultanahmet District: Visit the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. Reflect on the centuries of history that these sites embody and their significance in both Byzantine and Ottoman cultures.

Galata Tower: Climb to the top of this medieval tower for panoramic views of the city. The sunset from here can be particularly breathtaking.

3. Cultural Experiences:

Street Food: Sample local delicacies like simit (sesame bread), balık ekmek (fish sandwich), or kumpir (stuffed baked potato) from street vendors. Enjoying these flavors can evoke memories of your time in the city.

Art and Music: Explore local galleries or listen to live music in one of the cafes. Istanbul has a thriving arts scene that captures its diverse cultural heritage.

4. Tranquil Spaces:

Gülhane Park: Take a leisurely walk through this historical park, once part of the Topkapi Palace grounds. Enjoy the greenery and peaceful atmosphere away from the city’s hustle and bustle.

Pierre Loti Hill: Reach this hill for a serene view of the Golden Horn. It’s an ideal spot to sit, reflect, and take in the beauty of Istanbul.

5. Sunset Views:

Üsküdar or Kadıköy: Head to the Asian side for breathtaking sunset views over the Bosphorus. The changing colors of the sky against the backdrop of the city create a memorable farewell.

6. Final Reflections:

Writing or Journaling: Consider bringing a notebook to jot down thoughts, memories, and reflections on your experiences in Istanbul. Capturing your thoughts can make your farewell feel more meaningful.

Take Photos: Document your last moments in the city. Photos of familiar sights can evoke cherished memories for years to come.

In Summary:

A "last stroll" in Istanbul can be a rich and emotional experience, filled with scenic beauty, historical significance, and cultural depth. Whether you choose to wander along the Bosphorus, explore bustling streets, or find quiet corners in parks, each step can encapsulate the essence of this incredible city and the memories it has given you.

The Murder on the Orient Express ~ Agatha Christie (103 0f 2024)

Agatha Christie was one of the most famous guests of the Pera Palace Hotel which is the first modern hotel in Istanbul and hosted the most notable people of a period. The writer stayed many times in room 411 between 1926 and 1932 and even wrote her famous novel The Murder on the Orient Express. It is belived that she was here during her mysterious 11 missing days.

The Pera Palace Hotel is a historic and luxurious hotel located in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, near Taksim Square and the vibrant Istiklal Street. Opened in 1892: The Pera Palace Hotel was inaugurated to cater to the needs of the passengers traveling on the Orient Express, the famous train service connecting Paris to Istanbul. The original Orient Express service, which began in 1883, is no longer running in its historical form. However, its legacy lives on through various iterations and services inspired by the famous train. The original route was discontinued in 1977, and the service gradually ceased operating as the world of rail travel evolved. While the exact historical route of the Orient Express no longer operates, the name continues to evoke the romance and elegance of classic rail travel through the modern luxury trains with similar names. 

The original Orient Express began its journey from Paris, France - Gare de l'Est (Eastern Railway Station) and ended at Istanbul (formerly Constantinople), Turkey, passing through several major European cities along the way, including Strasbourg, Munich, Vienna, Budapest, and Bucharest.

The journey covered a distance of approximately 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) and was renowned for its luxury, providing an opulent and comfortable travel experience across Europe.

After taking the Taurus Express from Aleppo to Istanbul, private detective Hercule Poirot arrives at the Tokatlian Hotel, where he receives a telegram prompting him to return to London. He instructs the concierge to book him a first-class compartment on the Simplon-route Orient Express service leaving that night. Although the train is fully booked, Poirot obtains a second-class berth through the intervention of friend, fellow Belgian, and fellow passenger Monsieur Bouc, director of the train operator Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWL). Other passengers include American widow Caroline Hubbard; English governess Mary Debenham; Swedish missionary Greta Ohlsson; American businessman Samuel Ratchett, with his secretary/translator Hector MacQueen, and his English valet Edward Henry Masterman; Italian-American car salesman Antonio Foscarelli; Russian Princess Natalia Dragomiroff and her German maid Hildegarde Schmidt; Hungarian Count Rudolph Andrenyi and his wife Helena; English Colonel John Arbuthnot; American salesman Cyrus B. Hardman; and Greek medical doctor Stavros Constantine.


Ratchett has been receiving death threats; recognizing Poirot, he tries to hire him for protection. Poirot, repulsed by Ratchett, refuses, telling him, "I will not take your case because I do not like your face." Bouc has taken the last first-class cabin, but on the first morning he arranges to move to a separate coach and gives Poirot his space. That night, Poirot observes some strange occurrences. Early in the morning, he is awakened by a cry from Ratchett's compartment next door. Pierre Michel, the train's conductor, knocks on Ratchett's door, but a voice from inside responds, "Ce n'est rien. Je me suis trompé." ("It is nothing. I was mistaken.") Hubbard rings her bell and tells Michel a man passed through her room. When Poirot rings his bell for water, Michel informs him that the train is stuck in a snowdrift between Vinkovci and Brod before he hears a loud thump next door. He observes a woman in a scarlet kimono going towards the washroom, then goes to sleep.


The next morning, with the train still stalled, Bouc informs Poirot that Ratchett has been murdered and the murderer is still aboard, having no way to escape in the snow. As there are no police on board, Poirot takes up the case. With help from Dr. Constantine, Poirot examines Ratchett's body and compartment, discovering the following: the body has twelve stab wounds, the window had been left open, a handkerchief with the initial "H", a pipe cleaner, a flat match different from the ones Ratchett used, and a charred piece of paper with "member little Daisy Armstrong" written on it.


The piece of paper helps Poirot work out the murderer's motive. Many years earlier, American gangster Cassetti kidnapped three-year-old Daisy Armstrong. Cassetti collected a significant ransom from the wealthy Armstrong family, then revealed that he had already killed the child. Sonia Armstrong, Daisy's mother, who was pregnant with her second child, went into premature labor upon hearing the news and died, along with the baby. Her grieving husband, Colonel Armstrong, shot himself, and Daisy's French nursemaid, Susanne, was accused of aiding Cassetti and killed herself, only to be found innocent afterwards. Cassetti escaped justice through corruption and legal technicalities, and fled the country. Poirot concludes that Ratchett was actually Cassetti. Whoever had answered the conductor was not Ratchett, as Ratchett did not speak French.


As Poirot begins interviewing everyone on the train, he discovers MacQueen is directly involved as he knows about the Armstrong note and believed it was destroyed and that Hubbard believes the murderer was in her cabin. While the passengers and Pierre all provide suitable alibis for each other, Poirot notes that some of them observed the woman in the scarlet kimono walking down the hallway on the night of the murder. However, no one admits to owning a scarlet kimono. Hubbard had Ohlsson lock the communicating door between her compartment and that of Cassetti, which invalidates her story of the man in her compartment, and Schmidt bumped into a stranger wearing a Wagons-Lits uniform. Miss Debenham inadvertently reveals she has been to America, contrary to her earlier statements, and Ohlsson shows much emotion when the subject of Daisy is brought up, causing further suspicion. Arbuthnot remarks that Cassetti should have been found guilty in a second trial instead of murdered, and Hardman admits he is actually a MacNeil Agency private detective who was asked to watch out for an assassin that was stalking Cassetti.


While inspecting the passengers' luggage, Poirot is surprised to find the label on Countess Andrenyi's luggage is wet and that her passport is smudged, Schmidt's bag contains the uniform in question, and Poirot's own luggage contains the red kimono, recently hidden there. Hubbard herself finds the murder weapon hidden in her sponge bag. Poirot meets with Dr. Constantine and Bouc to review the case and develop a list of questions. With these and the evidence in mind, Poirot thinks about the case, going into a trance-like state. When he surfaces from it, he deduces the solution.


He calls in the suspects and reveals their true identities and that they were all connected to the Armstrong tragedy in some way, gathering them in the dining car for the second solution. Countess Andrenyi (née Goldenberg) is Helena, Daisy's aunt, who was a child herself at the time of the tragedy. Rudolph, her loving husband, smudged her luggage label and obscured her name to conceal her identity. Debenham was Helena's and Daisy's governess; Foscarelli was the Armstrongs' chauffeur and a suspect in the kidnapping; Masterman was Col. Armstrong's valet; Michel is Susanne's father and the person who procured the false second uniform; Hubbard is actually actress Linda Arden (Daisy's grandmother and Sonia's and Helena's mother); Schmidt was the Armstrongs' cook; and Ohlsson was Daisy's nurse. Princess Dragomiroff, in reality Sonia's godmother, claims the monogrammed handkerchief, saying that her forename is Natalia, and the "H" is actually a Cyrillic letter "N". Arbuthnot is there on Debenham's behalf and his own, as he was a personal friend of Colonel Armstrong. Hardman is an ex-policeman who admits he was in love with Susanne, and MacQueen, who had feelings for Sonia, was the son of the lawyer who represented the Armstrongs. The only passengers not involved in the murder are Bouc and Dr. Constantine, both having slept in the other coach, which was locked.


Poirot propounds two possible solutions, one far simpler than the other, and advises them to consider both seriously. The first is that a stranger boarded the train when it stopped at Vinkovci, disguised as a train conductor; he killed Cassetti as a result of a Mafia feud, and disembarked just before the train started off again. The second is that all the clues except the note about Daisy Armstrong were planted and that Michel and all the passengers in the coach, except Helena, stabbed Cassetti, acting as their own jury. Arden acknowledges everything and offers to take responsibility as she was the mastermind. Bouc and Dr. Constantine, however, decide the first solution should be relayed to the police. Poirot retires from the case.

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

The Ascent To Heaven (102 of 2024)

 


This Pornami is special because this marks the period when the Pandavas with Draupadi cast off their royal heritage and set forth as hermits followed by a hound. They all walked towards the rising sun, and by the long towards Mount Meru, through forests, over streams and across the burning plains, never again to return.


Signifying life, the changing phases and it's impermanence. A short life, so much to love and cherish. So little time to ❤️ love, so many and so much to love. Death, the only certainty of this life, we do not even know when and how. Let's make life a joyful celebration of it's beauty and abundance. Yes, here we have enough for everyone's need but not for everyone's greed, anger and hatred. The underlying cause being grief, we can overcome.


Years went past, and a day came when Yudhishthira and his brethren and their wife Draupadi journeyed to the dwelling-place of their elders. They found them all there save Vidura, who had departed to a sacred place on the banks of the Ganges to undergo penance and wait for the coming of Yama, god of the dead. Then all the kinsfolk, young and old, went forth to find Vidura; but when they came to him he was wasted with hunger and great age, nor could he speak unto them. They waited beside him until he died, and then they mourned together. This new sorrow awakened old-time grief, and they spoke of all those who had fallen in the great war. Fathers and mothers lamented for their sons, and wives for their husbands.


While they wept and moaned together, the great sage Vyasa came near and spoke, saying: “I will soothe all your sorrows. Let each one bathe at sunset in the holy waters of the Ganges, and when night falls your lost ones will return to you once again.”


Then they all sat waiting on the river bank until evening came on. Slowly passed the day; it seemed to be as long as a year.


At length the sun went down, and they chanted mantras and went into the Ganges. Vyasa bathed beside the old Maharajah Dhritarashtra and Yudhishthira. Then all came out and stood on the bank.


Suddenly the waters began to heave and foam, and Vyasa muttered holy words and called out the names of the dead one by one. Soon all the heroes who had been slain arose one by one. In chariots they came, and on horseback and riding upon lordly elephants. They all uttered triumphant cries; drums were sounded and trumpets were blown; and it seemed as if the armies of the Pandavas and Kauravas were once again assembled for battle, for they swept over the river like a mighty tempest.


Many of the onlookers trembled with fear, until they beheld Bhishma and Drona, clad in armour, standing aloft in their chariots in splendour and in pride. Then came Arjuna's son, the noble Abhimanyu, and Bhima's Asura son. Soon Gandhari beheld Duryodhana and all his brethren, while Pritha looked with glad eyes upon Karna, and Draupadi welcomed her brother Dhrishta-dyumna and her five children who had all been slain by vengeful Aswatthaman. All the warriors who had fallen in battle returned again on that night of wonder.


With the host came minstrels who sang of the deeds of the heroes, and beautiful girls who danced before them. All strife had ended between kinsmen and old-time rivals. In death there was peace and sweet companionship.


The ghostly warriors crossed the Ganges and were welcomed by those who waited on the bank around Vyasa. It was a night of supreme and heart-stirring gladness. Fathers and mothers found their sons, widows clung to their husbands, sisters embraced their brothers, and all wept tears of joy. The elders who were living conversed with those who were dead. The burdens of grief and despair fell from all hearts after lone years of mourning and the past was suddenly forgotten in the rapture of beholding those who had died.


Swiftly passed the night as if it had endured but for an hour. Then when dawn began to break, the dead men returned to their chariots and their horses and their elephants and bade farewells.


Vyasa spoke to the widows and said that those of them who desired to be with their husbands could depart with them. Then the Kaurava princesses and other high-born ladies, who never ceased to mourn for their own, kissed the feet of the Maharajah Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari and plunged into the Ganges with the departing hosts. Vyasa chanted mantras, and all the drowned widows were transported to heaven with their husbands.


The Pandavas returned to Hastinapur, and when two years had gone past a new sorrow fell upon them. One day Narada, the sage, stood before Yudhishthira and told that a great fire had swept through the jungle, and that Dhritarashtra, and Gandhari, and Pritha, and all who were with them, had perished.


Soon afterwards the Pandavas came to know, by reason of dread omens which appeared, that a great calamity was drawing near, but no man could tell what it was or when it would take place.


Before long it became known that the city of Dwaraka was doomed to be destroyed. A horror in human shape was beheld in the night. It was coloured yellow and black, its head was bald and its limbs misshapen, and men said it was Yama, god of the dead. Visions of headless men contending in battle were beheld at sunset. The moon was eclipsed, a dread tempest ravaged the land, and a plague of rats afflicted the city.


Krishna forbade all the people, on pain of death, to drink wine, and commanded them to perform devotions on the seashore.


Then the night was haunted by a black woman with yellow teeth who grinned horribly at house doors. All the inhabitants of the city were stricken with terror. Evil spirits came also and robbed the jewels of the women and the weapons of the men. At length the chakra of Krishna went up to heaven, and his chariot and horses followed it. The end of the Yádavas was not afar off, and the day came when Apsaras called out of heaven: “Depart from hence,” and all the people heard them.


When the people gathered on the seashore they held a feast, and being allowed to drink wine for one day, they drank heavily and began to quarrel. At length Satyaki slew Kritavarman, who had gone to the Pandava camp with Drona's son on the night of slaughter. Then Kritavarman's friends killed Satyaki and one of Krishna's sons. Krishna slew the rebels, but he could not quell the tumult and in the fighting which ensued fathers slew their sons, and sons their fathers, and kinsmen contended fiercely against kinsmen.


Then Krishna and Balarama left the city, and both died in the jungle. From Balarama's mouth issued a mighty snake, for he was the incarnation of the world serpent. Krishna was mistaken for a gazelle by a hunter, who shot an arrow which pierced his foot at the only spot where he could be mortally wounded. He then departed to his heaven, which is called Goloka.


Before Krishna had left Dwaraka he caused messengers to hasten for Arjuna, who came speedily, to find the women wailing for the dead. Then Vasudeva, father of Krishna, died, and Arjuna laid the body of the old man upon the pyre, and he was burned with four of his widows, who no longer desired to live. The bodies of Krishna and Balarama were cremated also.


Arjuna then set forth towards Indra-prastha with a remnant of the people and when they had left Dwaraka, the sea rose up and swallowed the whole city, with those who had refused to depart from it. Such was the end of the power of the Yadavas.


Deep gloom fell upon the Pandavas after this, and Vyasa, the sage, appeared before them, and revealed that their time had come to depart from the world.


Then Yudhishthira divided the kingdom. He made Parikshit, son of Abhimanyu, Rajah of Hastinapur and Yuyutsu, the half-brother of Duryodhana, who had joined the Pandava army on the first day of the great war, was made Rajah of Hastinapur. He counselled them to live at peace one with another.


The Pandavas afterwards cast off their royal garments and their jewels and put on the garb of hermits, and the bright-eyed and faithful Draupadi did likewise. Yudhishthira departed first of all, and his brethren walked behind him one by one, and Draupadi went last of all, followed by a hound. They all walked towards the rising sun, and by the long circuitous path which leads to Mount Meru, through forests and over streams and across the burning plains, never again to return.


One by one they fell by the way, all save Yudhishthira. Draupadi was the first to sink down, and Bhima cried: “Why has she fallen who has never done wrong?”


Said Yudhishthira: “Her heart was bound up in Arjuna, and she has her reward.”


Sahadeva was next to fall, and then Nakula. At length Yudhishthira heard the voice of Bhima crying in distress: “Lo! Now the noble Arjuna has fallen. What sin has he committed?”


Said Yudhishthira: “He boasted confidently that he could destroy all his enemies in one day, and because he failed in his vow he has fallen by the way.”


The two surviving brothers walked on in silence but the time came when mighty Bhima sank down. He cried: “O Yudhishthira say, if you can tell, why I have fallen now.”


Said Yudhishthira: “O wolf-bellied one, because of your cursing and gluttony and your pride you have fallen by the way.”


Yudhishthira walked on, calm and unmoved, followed by his faithful hound. When he drew near to sacred Mount Meru, the world-spine, Indra, king of the gods, came forth to welcome him, saying: “Ascend, O resolute prince.”


Said Yudhishthira: “Let my brethren who have fallen by the way come with me also. I cannot enter heaven without them, O king of the gods. Let the fair and gentle princess come too. Draupadi has been a faithful wife, and is worthy of bliss. Hear my prayer, O Indra, and have mercy.”


Said Indra: “Your brethren and Draupadi have gone before you.”


Then Yudhishthira pleaded that his faithful hound should enter heaven also; but Indra said: “Heaven is no place for those who are followed by hounds. Do you not know that demons rob religious ordinances of their virtues when dogs are near?”


Said Yudhishthira: “No evil can come from the noble. I cannot have joy if I desert this faithful friend.”


Indra said: “You did leave behind your brethren and Draupadi. Why, therefore, can you not abandon your hound?”


Said Yudhishthira: “I have no power to bring back to life those who have fallen by the way: there can be no abandonment of the dead.”


As he spoke, the hound was transformed, and behold Dharma, god of justice, stood by the rajah's side.


Dharma said: “O Yudhishthira, you are indeed mine own son. You would not abandon me, your hound, because that I was faithful unto you. Your equal cannot be found in heaven.”


Then Yudhishthira was transported to the city of eternal bliss, and there he beheld Duryodhana seated upon a throne. All the Kauravas were in heaven also, but the rajah could not find his brethren or fair Draupadi.


Said Indra: “Here you shall dwell, O Yudhishthira, in eternal bliss. Forget all earthly ties and attain to perfection; your brethren have fallen short, therefore they sank by the way.”


Yudhishthira said: “I cannot remain here with the Kauravas who have done me great wrong. Where my brethren are, there would I be also with our wife Draupadi.”


Then a celestial being conducted Yudhishthira to the abode of his brethren and the Princess of Panchala. He entered the forest of the nether regions, where the leaves were like to sharp weapons and the path was covered with knives. Darkness hung heavily, and the way was miry with blood and strewn with foul and mutilated corpses. Shapes of horror flitted round about like to shadows, fierce birds of prey feasted upon human flesh. The damned were burning in everlasting fires, and the air reeked with foul odours. A boiling river went past, and Yudhishthira saw the place of torture with thorns, and the desert of fiery sand. He gazed mutely upon each horror that was unfolded before his eyes.


Gladly would Yudhishthira have turned back, but he heard in the darkness the voices of his brethren and Draupadi bidding him to stay a little while to comfort them while they suffered torment.


Then Yudhishthira said to the celestial being: “Depart now from me, for I must remain here to assuage the sufferings of my brethren and Draupadi.”


As he spoke the gods appeared, and the scene of horror vanished from before the eyes of Yudhishthira, for it was an illusion conjured up to test his constancy.


Then Yudhishthira was led to the heavenly Ganges, and having bathed in its sacred waters, he cast off his mortal body and became a celestial. Then, rejoicing, he entered Swarga, the celestial city of Indra, and was welcomed by Krishna in all his divine glory, and by his brethren and by Draupadi, and all whom he had loved upon earth.


Indra spoke and said: “This is the beautiful and immortal one, who sprang from the altar to be your wife, and these bright beings are her five children. Here is Dhritarashtra, who is now the king of the Gandharvas; there is Karna, son of Surya, the peerless archer who was slain by Arjuna. Here comes towards you Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna; he is now the star-bright companion of the lord of night. Here are Pandu, your sire, and Pritha, your mother, now united in heaven. Behold! also, Yudhishthira, the wise Bhishma, whose place is with the Vasus round my throne: Drona sits with Dharma, god of wisdom. Here are all the peerless warriors who fell in battle and have won heaven by their valour and their constancy. So may all mortals rise to eternal bliss, casting off their mortal bodies and entering by the shining door of the celestial city, by doing kindly deeds, by uttering gentle words, and by enduring all suffering with patience. The holy life is prepared for all the sons of men.”


Thus ends sublimely the story of the Great War of the Bharatas.


This story was first written by Donald Alexander Mackenzie. 

Chandran Uncle


 


Uncle you will be greatly missed.  Have heard of you since childhood, but started interacting with you since 1994, and even more since 2000. 

It was around the time of your fathers death, I got to know and meet the full family, and all of it feel like just yesterday. 

I remember how you would be there for us, for everything, irrespective of our asking or informing. When I first got my job and moved to this side, on the day of joining hostel, even before we reached, you were there. Those were the days of no mobile phone, I wonder how you knew.  Thara stayed at your home during the Industrial Training days. 

In my second innings again I went with them , my mom had kept a surprise mobile in my bag for me, which kept ringing when me and aunty had been to a silent place.

Then the discussion on Income tax and return filing, place hunt for Thara, and my Achan's Chemo. For Achan it was you and Panku Uncle his constant companions, Arvi Uncle was more like his elder brother. 


 Kakkachan - Kakkanad Chandran,  that is what people called him as he was dedicated to his work and would never leave Kakkanad.  But once retired as DGM, his heart and mind was in Potta. 

Am curious to know what happens after death, have you met my dad in heaven? Have the friends met? How is all there? How are you? Both of you still in Potta? 




Not over it, and here comes the news of another death. Raghavan Uncle. It's interesting how people meet in life. How they connect . And then what happens?